Scarlet Witch : Time Runs Out (Secret Wars Saga)

Chapter 28: THE TRIAL OF WANDA MAXIMOFF Part 4

THE TRIAL OF WANDA MAXIMOFF
PART 4

Elsewhere
An unknown location outside of Earth

While the trial continued far away from here, a familiar face sat in a cell, somewhere in an unknown location, chained to a wall. Clint Barton (Hawkey).

For two weeks, he's been trapped in this forsaken place, dragged from the comfort of his farmhouse by someone he thought died a year ago. His only company was the ever-present hum of a very large machine echoing through the corridor. Shadows danced on the stone walls as the bright red light of the machine flickered, and the faint sound of metal clanking rang in the distance.

In his captivity, Hawkeye had fought against despair, pushing the gnawing fear at the back of his mind aside. But today, something felt different. A low, rhythmic thrum resonated through the air, growing steadily louder. He pushed himself off the wall and approached the bars, squinting through the shadows, trying to catch a glimpse of what lay beyond.

His heart raced as the dim light revealed the outlines of the enormous machine. Its massive frame loomed ominously, towering even in the depths of the dungeon. The red light at its center pulsed like a heartbeat, casting an eerie glow that flickered against the stone walls, making it appear almost alive. It was an impressive and terrifying sight, one that stirred a primal sense of dread within him. What manner of device was this? What purpose did it serve?

The door creaked open, and a figure emerged from the shadows. Clad in a suit of armor and a green cloak, Doctor Doom.

He entered the chamber with an air of unshakeable authority. The metallic clinks of his boots echoed in the silence, drowning out Hawkeye's anxious heartbeat. Doom's presence was commanding, and with each step he took toward the machine, Hawkeye felt a swell of fear and disgust rising in his chest.

Clint: Doom.

His voice laced with defiance, but the words fell flat against the looming dread that permeated the air.

As Doom approached the massive machine, he seemed to grow in stature, casting a long shadow that enveloped the cell. Hawkeye shifted uneasily, the cell feeling even smaller and more confining. He could feel the energy radiating from the machine. It thrummed with potential, with unimaginable power, and he feared what Doom intended to do with it.

Clint: Hey! You think you can keep me here forever? The Avengers will come for me.

Doom paused but did not turn. Instead, he began working at the machine's controls, fingers gliding over the array of buttons and levers with a practiced ease. Hawkeye felt a surge of frustration.

Clint: I'm talking to you! You can't ignore me!

But Doom continued to work on the machine instead. Just then, Clint finally realized what this was. The figure before him was not Doom himself but a Doombot, an automated construct designed to mimic Doom's appearance and voice. Hawkeye cursed under his breath, the moment of dread quickly replaced with anger.

Clint: Is this the best you can do? Hiding behind your little robots?

The Doombot continued its task, utterly indifferent to Hawkeye's taunts. Anger flared within him as he paced the small cell, trying to find a way to communicate with the true Doom. He took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts before speaking again.