The Sokovian Shadow

Chapter 8

TW:
- Mentions of death
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I glided over Sokovia, my giant wingspan meaning I didn't have to move my wings to stay aloft. I turned slightly, following the air current guiding my flight, not paying attention to where I was going. I couldn't understand why Wanda just let Stark take the sceptre. What did she see in his head that made her do that?

Without realizing it, I'd flown over the central church. I would have kept going, but I heard Wanda's voice, so I wheeled back around and landed in the shadows. I landed just as she was cut off rather abruptly by a large figure wearing a shawl.

'Do you know this church is in the exact centre of the city? The elders decreed it so that everyone could be "equally close to God". I like that. The geometry, of belief.' He had a kind of robotic voice, and I couldn't sense his life force. I spread my wings slightly, ready to attack to protect the twins. Before I could though, he continued. 'You're wondering why you can't look inside my head.' I was shocked. He knew about Wanda's mind powers, her telepathy at least. I could tell that Wanda was shocked too, but she recovered quickly.

'Sometimes it's hard. But sooner or later, every man shows himself.'

'Oh, I'm sure they do.' The figure stood up and the shawl dropped from his shoulders. He was a robot. My wings dropped and my eyes widened in shock. Wanda took a step backward, looking over her shoulder at her brother who was wide-eyed and tense, ready to spirit himself and his sister away should the robot prove hostile. Undeterred, the robot continued. 'But you needed more than a man, didn't you? That's why you let Stark take the sceptre'

Wanda's reply was calm. 'I didn't expect. But I saw Starks fear, I knew it would control him, make him self-destruct.' Wanda turned to Pietro as she explained.

'Everyone creates the thing they fear the most. Men of peace create engines of war, invaders create Avengers, people create... smaller people? Uh... children! I lost the word there.' I flinched and dropped a hand to my abdomen. The robot continued. 'Children. Designed to supplant, to help them... end.' I was thoroughly confused by this sentient hunk of metal.

'Is that why you've come? To end the Avengers?' Wanda sounded sceptical, as if she found it hard to believe that this thing could end the most powerful organization in the world. I had to admit, I was inclined to agree.

'I've come to save the world.' He claimed. As a hunk of metal could do that. I chuckled quietly at Celes' comment. The twins looked at each other as the robot turned to exit the church, then back at his as he amended his prior statement. 'But also, yeah.' The twins looked at each other again and followed him out of the church. Once I was sure they were gone, I left the shadows and started pacing.

I don't trust him.

You're half falcon and a Wraith. It goes against your nature to trust easily, if at all. Celes replied.

This is different. I can't feel his life force. I don't know how powerful he is. If he hurts the twins I'll fight to protect them, but it will be hard because I don't know him. And he's a robot. He'll probably analyse my fighting style. I knew I was overthinking things, but I couldn't help it. I didn't trust him with the twins.

You may not trust him, but he may be your best shot at getting back at the Avengers. I could sense she had a plan, and I sent her a wave of curiosity. Follow them for a while and protect the twins from a distance. When you're ready, join them openly and give the Avengers a reason to fear for their lives.

Captain America I might spare because I respect his loyalty and dedication to his country. Black Widow I'll most likely spare for obvious reasons. Thor and Hulk, I don't really care about since they're not always around. Hawkeye I'm not sure because he's never done anything to Sokovia but he's an archer and that's how I found you. But Stark has to go.

Celes acknowledged my statement and sent a wave of cautious curiosity at me as I thought over her plan. Alright. But if anything goes wrong, I'm getting the twins out of there as fast as I can.

I wouldn't expect anything less, fledgling. Celes replied.

I spread my wings and took flight, circling the interior of the large church once before flying into the darkness.

---

I landed in one of the stronger trees ringing the clearing. It hadn't taken me long to find the twins and the robot. I'd never seen anything like Pietro's blue in a soul anywhere in Sokovia, which made it easier to identify as Pietro's, especially when paired with Wanda's red. Both, ironically enough, were the colours of their powers. The robot had told the twins his name was Ultron just before we arrived. I was confused about the choice of location. This was where the twins had been taken for the experiments. But the robot led the twins inside, and I followed. He's made some changes, noted Celes as I took in the robots that were scattered over the place. I agreed with her and hurried after them. Eventually, we arrived where Loki's sceptre was kept. The cavern was filled to the brim with robots lying in "beds" as they were worked on. I turned my focus to Ultron as he started to speak.

'We'll move out right away. This is a start, but there's something we need to begin the real work.'

'All of these are...' Wanda sounded like she was having a hard time believing what she was seeing.

'Me.' Ultron simply replied. 'I have what the Avengers never will. Harmony. They're discordant, disconnected. Stark's already got them turning on each other. And when you get inside the rest of their heads...'

'Everyone's plan is not to kill them.' Pietro cut off the robot before he could finish.

'And make them martyrs? You need patience. Need to see the bigger picture.' I was starting to like this guy. Not much, but he had a plan to take out the Avengers, so that was something.

'I don't see the big picture. I have a little picture. I take it out and look at it, every day.' I flinched in my hiding spot in the shadows. I knew what picture he was talking about.

'You lost your parents in the bombings. I've seen the records.'

'The records are not the picture.' Pietro replied.

'Pietro.' Wanda cut off her brother before he could go any further, and he turned to look at her.

'No, please.' Ultron invited him to continue.