October
They all knew when Ultron had come. It happened on a Thursday when they were having a meeting. S.H.I.E.L.D had called with a troubling suspicion. They were unable to receive any transmissions from S.W.O.R.D. After the distress call they had received, they were worried. They had sent a team themselves, but they had never returned.
The Avengers tried to call them as well, but of course there was no answer. S.H.I.E.L.D wanted them to go investigate, but there was no need. The Avengers already knew what it was. It was time to prepare for battle. The Avengers only had a matter of time before Ultron attacked.
They all brought their kids to the mansion, it was the safest place for them. They stayed at the mansion, they weren't allowed to go home. They had a meeting every day. They came up with plans and trained harder than ever before. Only a few days had passed, but they were anxious. When was Ultron going to attack?
When would he stop hiding? What was he waiting for? They all got their answer only a few days after the distress call from S.W.O.R.D. It happened while they were in a conference. They could see it from their window.
Stella jumped from her seat when she saw the shadow of the first figure pass on the table. She whipped around to find several more figures shooting up to the sky. A call rung from S.H.I.E.L.D, but none of them bothered to answer.
"Get to the Quinjet now!" Tony yelled.
"Falcon, you know what to do," Captain America addressed him.
Falcon nodded and began rounding up the kids in the chaos. He'd take them down to Stella's old holding cell. The mansion would lock down. They wouldn't be able to get out, but no one would be able to get in. They'd wait there until the Avengers came for them.
Why Falcon? -Because he wasn't supposed to be there. Plus, he didn't scare the kids. Vision had revealed all he knew about the timelines, who didn't belong there and who did. Falcon seemed to bother him the most, though he had never revealed it until then.
Vision had been the first pick. He was the one most at risk for being put under Ultron's influence. That same argument made them decide that he needed to be as far away from the children as possible. If he did turn... He didn't want to be responsible for killing their children.
They gawked out the windows as the Quinjet followed the assembly. Hundreds of droids were flying the skies. How was this possible? Where were they even coming from? Eventually, the robots stopped flying and began forming ranks. Rank after rank after rank....
They decided to land the Quinjet there. Right in the middle of Times Square. You'd better bet that was planned. Ultron was too cliché for it not to be. The Avengers had tried their best to get an early evacuation, but of course, S.H.I.E.L.D had refused. They didn't want to cause panic. Well this, this was panic.
Times Square was in chaos, and that was saying something. The Avengers glanced at the gathering horde of robots, but they didn't linger. The number one thing; get these people out of here. So they worked hard to clear out the square, keeping their eyes on the assembling mass above. Finally, they gathered in front of the Quinjet, but the robots had yet to attack.
The streets were dead, and Stella didn't like it. Times Square should never be quiet. The massing had finally stopped, and she froze at the result. It was an army. Thousands of them. Thousands- they hadn't prepared for this. They all stared at the enforcement, dread filling them.
"I'm going to need more arrows," Hawkeye broke the silence.
No one answered. Finally, Stella grew impatient, "Why aren't they attacking?"
"Be glad that they aren't," Vision answered in an empty tone.
She glanced at him, but didn't say anything else. They were all too dumbfounded by the army flying in the air. They didn't stand a chance. A chill creeped up Stella's spine as she heard a mechanical laugh that filled the square. They all looked wildly around for the source.
Finally they saw him, the one thing Stella had been waiting for all this time. An eight foot tall humanoid floated down from the ranks. Stella wondered how the hell the gods ever expected her to defeat him. The Avengers tensed as they watched him descend.
"The mighty Avengers. Who would have known that I would have returned," Ultron said with a sick humor as he landed.
His voice filled Stella with even more fear. He gestured to his army above them and laughed at the Avengers' terror.
"You didn't expect me to come alone, did you?"
The Avengers didn't answer. Ultron caught sight of Vision and approached him.
"My dear son. How I've missed you."
Vision clenched his fists and tightened his jaw, "Look at how they've corrupted you."
"I am not corrupted," Vision said firmly.
"Vision, my son. Come, stop this charade, and join my side."
They should've attacked him, but they didn't. He was right next to Vision now. Right beside Stella.
"No- *schinzzt*-"
Ultron touched Vision's cheek and his voice mutilated, "-Yes. Father."
Stella's heart pounded, "Vision?"
She touched his arm lightly, praying to God that somehow he was okay. Vision whipped around and grabbed her by the throat. Stella dangled in the air, choking. She begged with her eyes for Vision to stop, but he was activating his lasers. Stella grabbed for her sword, managed to pull it out as she wreathed in the air, and sliced Vision's arm.
She hit the ground just as Vision's lasers fired where she had been seconds before. Vision looked disappointedly at his severed arm before turning to attack her again. This time the team attacked. Thor's hammer struck him and sent him flying into a building. The rest of the team charged after him. Stella turned and glared at Ultron.
"You're going to pay for that."
She rushed at him, but Ultron caught her with ease, choking her again, "Foolish child. Did you really think that he could love you? He's only a robot, and now, he does as I command."
Ultron threw Stella over the head of the Avengers, making them freeze, "Attack, my minions!" Ultron commanded.
Stella rose from the ground, fury burning in her eyes. She morphed and jumped over the Avengers, attacking the oncoming army of Ultron droids. They were quickly overwhelmed. Nashira held off the bots pretty well, melting them to mush every time they piled on top of her, but the other Avengers were drowning in the swarm, hardly holding on. She spotted Widow going down first, as the robots got hold of her limbs.
Nashira jumped over the horde of droids and landed in front of Black Widow. She bit into a robot and flung it away. Widow shot into the face of another that was holding her wrist. Nashira turned as Widow broke free. She breathed fire on a wave of oncoming droids, melting them until they were only disconfigured stumps.
Nashira turned again to check on Black Widow, but she was handling herself. She glanced up to see Ultron lingering above them, he flew off as he noticed her watching him. Nashira didn't have time to worry about it, Widow was being bombarded again. They worked together to fight off the army. All of the sudden, clouds darkened the sky and thunder rumbled in the air.
Nashira smiled as lightning flashed above them, Thor flew overhead, lightning glowing from his hammer and armor. He shot it down on the army. It hit them with a sickening crack, flowing from one bot to another. Nashira moved toward the action as rain began to fall. She made it poor, making it hammer against the robots.
It dragged them down, the floodwater pulling at their feet. Nashira faded into the water as she drew closer. The quickly accumulating water swished at the feet of the robots. Soon they were swept away in the current. Nashira pulled them in a whirlpool and spun them around.
The dragon sprayed upward, sending bots flying. She flew up, biting at robots in the air. The whirlpool closed in on itself and rose. The robots began to spark as water forced its way into their circuitry. The orb condensed until every robot inside was fried, then it burst, and let the dead droids rain from the sky.
Nashira continued her aerial attack. She released the water, making it draw away so it wouldn't hinder her fellow Avengers. The clouds dissipated as well, and now the Avengers were gaining ground. Giant-Man released his capsule of nanobots provided by Iron Man. They swarmed the intruders and dug into their circuitry, making them spark before hitting the ground.
Widow threw down her electrical field generator and flipped away as it activated, frying every robot caught in its range. Black Panther activated his EMP repulser, and several more robots dropped to the ground. Despite the change of luck, this meant the Avengers were running low on options. Hawkeye had just used his last arrow. They resulted to calling in Falcon to bring more supplies.
They argued that leaving the children by themselves was too dangerous, but Falcon had promised he could do it. Tony unlocked him from his suit. Falcon had to fight his way there. Nashira flew toward him when he appeared in her view. She knocked droids out of the sky casually as she flew along.
When she reached him, she kept his airway clear, weaving around him to take out droids, giving him a straight path to Hawkeye. She got caught up though, the robots swarmed her. All of the sudden Ultron was right in front of him. He was barely able to stop. He stared at Ultron in shock.
Then Nashira shot up from below him, taking Ultron with her. Falcon hesitated a minute before rushing on to Hawkeye. Nashira continued to fly higher as Ultron struggled in her grip. Her claws sank into his armor. He only strained more.
"You cannot defeat me," Ultron had stopped struggling.
Nashira stopped her ascent, " You should never have come here."
"Mm. Or maybe it's you who shouldn't be here. Yes, you certainly weren't predicted. You really did throw off the game, didn't you? Bringing back more heroes in your wake? Yes, I know that Falcon hero doesn't belong. But no matter, you both will be nothing to handle."
Ultron strained again, but this time he emitted an energy that burned at Nashira's skin. She growled and tightened her grip until she was forced to drop him. He flew off into the swarm below. Nashira folded her wings and plummeted after him. She wove through the mass, but she had lost him. She cursed with a snarl and continued to look, keeping her guard up.
She caught sight of him from high above, laying in an alleyway, nothing but a squirming yellow speck. Nashira folded her wings and shot toward him, hoping that there was something- anything she could do to save him. When she touched the ground, she was a girl. Stella sprinted towards him.
"Vision!!"
He sparked awake and coughed. Vision strained his motors to look at her, "Stay away."
Stella didn't listen. She dropped to her knees and scooped him up. Vision was a mess. His legs had been torn off, leaving him with only one arm. A hole had been blasted in his chest, a chunk of flesh was torn from his face. His cape was in tatters. He squinted at her as she tried not to cry. He used his one hand to touch her neck.
"Did I do that?"
Stella felt where he had gestured to. A bruise had formed from where Ultron had choked her. She didn't know why it was there, the dragon should have healed it. She shook her head vigorously.
"No, Vision. No."
"I hurt you," he said in a troubled voice.
"No, Baby, that wasn't you. It's okay."
"I hurt you."
Vision sparked again and he made a dying electrical noise, "Vision?!"
Stella gave him a shake, "Vision?"
The light died in his eyes, "Vision!! Vision, please! Don't leave!"
A powered noise sounded from within and the light returned to his eyes, but it was faint. He coughed.
"Stella, I'm so sorry."
"No, Baby, please."
"I'm gonna have to- *schinnzzzt* - I think I have to break that promise I made you."
"No. Don't leave."
"I have to, Baby," Vision caressed her cheek.
Stella shook her head as tears fell down her cheeks, "No!"
"Thank you- thank you for making me feel human again."
"Vision, please," Stella begged.
"I love you."
Stella choked on a sob, "I love you, Vision."
Vision leaned up to kiss her. As they kissed, she heard him die. She drew back and looked into his dead eyes.
"Vision!!" her scream filled the alley.
She pulled him tight to her as she sobbed, but she didn't have time to mourn. She heard the sound of droids landing in the alley. She held Vision as they started to approach.
"I love you, Baby. Forever and always."
She set him down, "I got to go kick some ass."
She rose to her feet, giving the droids a deadly glare. She charged them with a scream. They didn't stand a chance. She cut the three of them down in a matter of seconds. Then she walked back to Vision. Just as she was about to reach his body, she was lifted into the air.
She struggled against the droid's grip as they flew higher, flailing in the air. As quick as she had been picked up, she was dropped. She landed on a rooftop and watched as the droid crashed and exploded. She looked over to see Hawkeye, looking down on her from higher up. She gave him a grateful nod and he returned it before continuing to fire arrows.
Then Stella saw it. Iron Man had engaged Ultron. He charged him so fast you could hear the whistle of him breaking the sound barrier, and the boom when Ultron caught him by the throat. Stella watched in horror as Ultron made her father helpless, hacking into his armor and making it glitch so he couldn't fight back. Ultron squeezed his neck so hard, it bent the metal.
Stella ran. She sprinted with all of her might. She wouldn't make it, but she had to try. She couldn't lose him, she couldn't lose her father too. She kept running. She'd be too late...
She drew close to the edge. The distance between the buildings was too large. She'd never make a jump like that. She tried anyway, she had to save her dad. Midair she threw her sword. She wouldn't make it, but it would, it had to.
Nashira was able to see her sword sink into Ultron's neck. It hit him with such force that he stumbled sideways. The sword cut into his circuitry, making his shoulder sink and causing him to lose his grip on Iron Man. Iron Man dropped to the ground and struggled for air. Nashira somehow, miraculously made it to the edge of the building. She hit it with an unpleasant impact. She struggled for a grip, but her boots hit the window below her, shattering the glass, and causing her to fall more inward.
"Tony-" Nashira called as she struggled to get a hold.
Ultron pulled the sword from his neck. He examined it before tossing it aside. He looked at Nashira then at Iron Man before flying away. Tony ripped off his mask and finally got some air.
"Tony!" Nashira yelled as she began to slip.
Tony looked up just in time to see her fall, "Tony!!!" she screamed.
All of the sudden Nashira stopped falling. An abrupt stop she couldn't be more thankful for. Iron Man had caught her. His jets faltered, but he managed to get them to the ground. His suit had taken a beating.
"You dropped this," Tony handed her her sword.
Stella took it and they fought side by side as robots attacked them, "We can't keep fighting like this. We need some dragon back up," Tony commented as he punched through the head of an Ultron droid.
"I can't, Tony."
Tony glanced at her, "What do you mean, you can't?"
"Vision- Vision is dead. I can't, Tony," she said in a tight voice.
"Stella, we can rebuild him. If you don't turn, we're all dead. Now stop being selfish, and get it together."
Not the best pep talk Tony had ever given her, but it did manage to piss her off a bit. She took it out on the robots. Over the throng, she saw Captain America being overtaken. She looked up to see Ultron watching, then he swooped down, closing in on his kill.
"No!"
Nashira jumped on the shoulder of a robot, using it to propel overhead. She landed and dashed toward her friend. She swept in front of him and lashed out with her sword. It cut a gash through Ultron's chest with a deafening ring. Ultron froze. He looked down at his chest before looking at her with a killer look.
She returned it, but he only let out a robotic growl before blasting away. Nashira watched him before returning to her fight with his droids. She fought side by side with Captain America. She was a whirlwind. She stabbed with her sword, threw knives, tazered and stabbed again, somehow managing to pick up her weapons to keep fighting.
"Nashira," Cap addressed as she landed near him again, "You saved my life."
"Anytime, Soldier," Nashira back flipped, boosted off of his shield, and landed in a crowd near Hawkeye.
Hawkeye fired arrow after arrow. Even though he had just gotten a new quiver, he was already half way empty. He glanced at her as she fought beside him.
"I'm sorry, Kid."
Nashira clenched her jaw as she stabbed into a robot. She continued to fight in silence. Suddenly she sensed Hawkeye's absence. She turned around to see his bow clatter to the ground, an arrow had fallen before it. Nashira glanced up to see Hawkeye being lifted into the air.
She reached for her harpoon gun only to realize it wasn't there. She had to leave it stuck in a robot during her fight, and hadn't been able to retrieve it. Some robot was trailing around with her damn gun right when she needed it. Nashira looked up again. Her knives were out of range, the only thing that could reach him now was- Hawkeye's bow.
Nashira rolled to the ground and picked it up, nocking the arrow. She took her aim. She had never done this, had never shot an arrow in all her life, and she only had one shot. It didn't help that the robot was practically shielding itself with Hawkeye, but she had to trust she could do it. If she didn't, there was no chance of saving him.
She released the arrow, and watched as it sailed into the air, and struck its target with dead accuracy, just shy of Hawkeye's head. Nashira had no time to celebrate. She whipped around and struck a droid that had snuck up on her, then raced to catch her friend. Nashira slung Hawkeye's bow over her shoulder then held out her arms just in time to catch him. She barely managed to keep him from hitting the ground. He stumbled to his feet.
"You almost killed me!" he gasped.
"You're welcome."
Nashira unslung his bow, picked an arrow from his quiver and shot it at an Ultron droid. She whipped the bow across the head of another one and kicked it away.
"Can I have my bow back?" Hawkeye glared at her.
Nashira handed it to him, "Saving you made me lose all my weapons, I was in the middle of a fight."
"Well, that was poorly planned," Hawkeye commented as he nocked an arrow.
"I'll have to see if I can find them in this mess."
"Nice shot, by the way," Hawkeye praised as he fired his arrow.
Nashira smiled, "Thanks, Hot Shot."
Thor's hammer shot pass them, clearing a path of robots. Hawkeye nodded toward the opening.
"I'll cover you."
Nashira ran for the gap, kicking robots that got in her way. Thor landed and began whacking at the droids. They began to focus on him instead. Meanwhile, Nashira searched for something to fight with. She whipped her head up to the sound of a sickening crack. The droids had overtaken Thor, they had him in their grasp, and one of them had just broken his arm. Thor shouted in pain but continued to fight against their restraint.
"Stay here," Hawkeye commanded, as he ran to Thor's aid.
Nashira didn't listen. She ran with him as he fired arrows at the droids, drawing their attention. She dashed ahead and jumped over the crowd of robots, but they were too late. Hawkeye had shot down the droids restraining Thor, but the attacker still made its move. He punched the God of Thunder so hard he was sent flying.
"Thor!" Nashira froze in her tracks.
A group of Ultron bots swarmed after him. Nashira turned to Hawkeye, but he had gotten occupied. She still had no weapons, but- Thor had dropped his hammer. He was too busy getting the snot beat out of him to summon it, but if he could get it back... The chances of her actually being able to do that though...
That was worse than the chances with Hawkeye's arrow. She had barely been able to lift Mjolnir before, let alone use it purposefully, but what other choice did she have? She looked at the hammer considering the possibilities, then leaned down.
"Please work. Please. I have to save my friend. I have to save your master," Nashira pleaded in a whisper.
She grasped the handle and pulled up with all her might. Surprisingly, it was lighter than before, but still incredibly heavy. She spun around to assist her throw then let it fly with a yell. The hammer struck into a group of robots with a loud ring. Nashira could see why Thor liked it so much.
She caught sight of her friend. He laid unconscious on the ground. Nashira ran to his aid. She kicked robots away, and picked his hammer back up, using it to get the robots away from him. Each time she cracked one, it was with such force that the robot was sent flying, or crumpled to the ground.
She heaved after clearing space, and dared the droids to come closer. Finally, one of them did, and Nashira chucked the hammer at it, making it disappear behind its rank. Suddenly, she saw the hammer fly out from the crowd. She whipped around to see it land in Thor's hand as he struggled to his feet. She smiled at him.
"Very good work, Nashira friend, but let me show you how it is really done," Thor said as he rose.
Thor raised his hammer and the sound of thunder echoed in the sky. Clouds gathered and lighting descended down, striking Thor's hammer and making it glow. Thor aimed it at the robots, and released one of the biggest bolts Nashira had ever seen him fire. The rank was reduced to a smoldering crisp. Nashira smiled. That was how it was done.
"I grow tired of this child's play. Let us find your sword so that we may fight together!"
Nashira couldn't argue with that, but they didn't even get the chance to look before they heard the echo of Hulk's roar. They followed the noise to the center of the square where Hulk had taken on Ultron himself. Ultron had been toying with him, which only made him mad, but it was clear Ultron was bored of his game when he really began to beat on the Hulk. He was impossibly fast, and hit the Hulk faster than he could respond. Ultron kicked him into the air, and continued beating him upward until they were high in the sky.
Thor spun his hammer, ready to take off, but robots swarmed them. Nashira managed to wrestle her way out in time to see Hulk get shot into oblivion. He flew away with a roar, Nashira watched as he sailed through the air. She punched a droid straight through the mouth, ripping out it's power source, then began to chase after Hulk.
"I gotta go!!" Nashira informed Thor as she raced past him.
"Nashira, wait!" Thor called.
She kept running and jumped onto the shoulders of two droids that stood in her way, leaping into the air before they could grab her and morphing into the dragon. The dragon flew upward and shot away after the Hulk. She found him in a forest off the island of Manhattan. He was just getting up as she landed. They stared at the devastation of New York together for a moment. The city was ablaze, smoke rising above it's rooftops. Droids flew through the air, and weren't just attacking Manhattan, but all the surrounding areas. Nashira glanced over at the Hulk as he stared at the chaos.
"Need a lift?"
The Hulk look at her and smiled. Now imagine what a sight it was, a ten foot tall green monstrosity riding into battle on a twenty foot purple dragon. Nashira certainly felt bad ass. Her roar filled the air as they sailed into the battle. Hulk bellowed with her roar.
Then he jumped into the air and caught a droid with his fist, tearing it apart as he fell. Nashira caught him on her back then breathed fire on the droids in front of her. Hulk ran off her back to attack more droids. He crashed into one of the buildings and continued smashing. Nashira went on by herself, attacking her own group of robots.
As she flew the skies, she caught sight of Black Panther. He was surrounded, which wouldn't have been a problem if Ultron hadn't intervened. His robot clones restrained Panther and Ultron lit the sky with holographs with a melancholy laugh.
"Black Panther. Aren't you in the wrong place?"
T'challa didn't answer, he just writhed against the grip of the robots, "Look, my King, look at your country as it parishes!"
Black Panther froze, "Impossible."
On the big screen of the holograph, a recording played of an attack on Wakanda. Ultron droids roamed the streets, fires blazed, and warriors died as they tried to defend their city. T'challa watched the video in horror. The Avengers tried to get to him, but they were bombarded by robots.
"No," he muttered.
"Yes, Panther. Your kingdom will crumble, and you will watch it fall from here, helpless to stop it."
T'challa thrashed, "I'll kill you for this!"
Ultron laughed, "You could have helped them, T'challa. You could be there fighting with them, but you're here instead."
T'challa was silent, "Think of how betrayed your people must feel," Ultron commented.
"They understand," T'challa said uncertainly.
"Do they? Do you think they understand now why their king is letting them perish?"
"They know my duties."
"Is your duties not to your countrymen? Did you not abandon them??"
"I do not need to explain myself to you!!"
"No. But don't they deserve an explanation? Don't they deserve to know why they are dying?"
"They will die proudly for their country."
"But how many of them could have been spared if you were there instead?"
T'challa swallowed, "My place is here. The fight is here. Here I am fighting to save the world, to stop this invasion at it's source. That is where I am needed."
"But will you sacrifice your country for the world?"
"You will not take Wakanda. My people will fight to their very last breath."
"And so they shall."
"Our defenses-"
"What defenses? Have you not seen that my minions have already breached them?"
"Storm-"
"Oh, you mean her?"
A holograph of T'challa's wife showed. She unleashed her powers on a group of droids, but was overtaken by another swarm.
"No!!" T'challa strained against the robots.
"Yes, dear Panther. Your wife will perish."
"You're lying!!"
"Am I? Do you want to watch her die? Do you want to watch me kill your wife??"
Panther let out a wild cat noise before slumping against his restraints, "Your wife will die. Your people will die. Your kingdom will fall. Your country will perish. Why? Because you weren't there, Panther. Because your loyalties lie elsewhere!"
Panther only looked defeated, "That's right, Black Panther. I am taking over your country. I am taking over the world. I am everywhere. London, Moscow, Tokyo, Hong Kong-"
Holographs lit the sky as Ultron said them, making the other Avengers freeze, "I am taking over the world, and there is nothing you can do about it. Do you not admit defeat?"
Nashira finally broke free from the swarm with a blast of fire, then she swooped down faster than the speed of sound and picked Ultron from the roof top. She released him, then turned letting out a ferocious roar. She breathed fire on Ultron, but it didn't scathe him. He shot away from her, not bothering to fight.
She lost him in a swarm of his clones. She tilted towards Panther as she sailed over head. She morphed down and landed beside him. Stella was much better at comforting him, and she hadn't had all that much strength to change in the first place.
"T'challa, are you okay?" Nashira touched his shoulder.
"My people. They're dying. I should be with them."
"T'challa, they can make it, I know they can. You know why? Not only because they're Wakandans, but because you are here fighting for them. This is the only place where you can really stop what's happening in Wakanda, and you know that, your people know that too."
T'challa hung his head, "Storm... My wife..."
She tightened her grip on his shoulder, "She's fine, T'challa, if any of the stories I've heard of her are true, she can handle a few robots."
T'challa didn't answer, "T'challa, we can stop this. We are their only chance, the whole world's only chance. Ultron is here, with us, Panther, and he is the key to stopping this. Now what do you say we go show him what the Wakandans are really all about?"
Panther raised his head and curled his fingers to extend the claws in his suit, "For Wakanda."
"For Wakanda!" Nashira echoed, unsheathing her sword.
They charged a group of droids together. Boy, it was good to have her weapons back. That's what she loved about the dragon, she always recovered her weapons. Together Black Panther and Nashira hacked down robot after robot, and their enemy hardly stood a chance against their rage. Take two of the most deadliest people alive, and mess with their loved ones, you were asking to get killed.
They fought hard, but the battle drew on. It almost began to seem as if they had been trapped in Hell, left to fight these droids for eternity. Stella's hands were numb from the cold, the chilly air stung her lungs and made her breaths burn as she struggled to draw them in. She was drenched in sweat from fighting so long. Everyone was.
Everyone was growing tired, slowing down. They didn't have much longer until one of them went down. Nashira had moved around a bit during the fight. She was back on the ground and she had been separated from Panther. Her breathing was labored, and she heaved with each swing of her sword.
Fighting was taking all of her concentration, but she managed to catch Wasp out of corner of her eye. She had been weaving between robots, making them tangle each other, but her fatigue made her slow, and Nashira witnessed her being caught. Nashira stabbed her sword straight through an Ultron droid and kicked it away. She threw down her sword, drew out her knives and ran for the Wasp. She hacked down robots on her way, the determination to reach her team mate giving her a burst of energy.
Nashira stabbed into the chest of the robot, just above the collarbone, if it had a collar bone, making it spark. She twisted her knife, killing the motors in the robot's hand, and making it drop the Wasp. Nashira threw the robot away and caught Wasp before she hit the ground. Wasp groaned in her hand, her wings crumpled. Nashira wanted to make sure she was okay, but she had to get her to safety first.
"Hold on, Jan. This might get a little bumpy," She carefully placed Jan into the empty hilt of one of her knives and sprinted off.
She pushed past robots and dodged their grasp. Eventually she found them falling over on their own. She looked closer to see a small red form kicking down robots.
"Keep going! Meet me in that building," Hank pointed to a building.
Nashira ran for it as Hank Pym covered her. Once inside Nashira barred the door with piece of metal she found lying on the ground. The place was rambshackled, but secure, for now. Hank grew to his normal size and Nashira pulled Wasp from her dagger hilt. He took Wasp from Nashira and examined her closely.
"It wouldn't be so bad if they hadn't got her while she was shrunken down," Hank said in a worried tone.
He nudged Wasp with his finger, "Come on, Jan."
Jan stirred, "You have to grow back to your normal size so that we can help you."
Jan nodded and grew until Hank held her with both his arms, "How are you feeling?"
She winced as Pym put her down, "I'm fine."
"Does anything feel broken?"
"No, Hank. I can keep fighting."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, Henry. I'm sure," Jan said with impatience.
"Ranks are thinning down. We can get a fresh start if we make an attack from above where they won't be expecting us. We can take the stairs there," Nashira decided, pointing to a staircase.
There was a loud banging noise as the doors rattled. Hank looked through the windows to see a group of robots flogging the door.
"It looks like we don't have any other choice."
He helped his wife and they ran for the stairs. At the roof top they all ran straight for the edge. Jan shrunk back down and began firing away at the robots remaining in the sky. Hank jumped and grew until he towered over the building. He punched a droid straight out of the sky and grabbed another with his first, crushing it with his grip.
Nashira jumped over the edge, onto the back of a robot. She stabbed into it with her dagger, then jumped away. She landed on Hank's hand. She scaled to his shoulder and cut down robots from her perch. A robot snagged her, but Wasp shot it down before it could get away with her.
Nashira landed unharmed on the street. She spotted her sword and smiled. How convenient. She ran for it. After she picked it up she looked just in time to see Giant-Man being bombarded. Several bots slammed into him, crawling all over his body, and toppled him. A whirl of dust went up as he landed. More droids swarmed him.
"Hank!" Wasp screamed.
Nashira dashed forward. She cut into the horde with her sword. As she freed her friend, she saw Wasp overhead, keeping more robots from attacking. Nashira ran over Hank's body, fighting towards his head, tearing robots off of him. Up ahead, Nashira saw a bright light.
She shielded her eyes as the robots were seared. Then looked to see Iron Man standing off to the side, rigid. Nashira thought his suit had been in bad shape before, but now it was barely functional. His arc reactor sparked as he walked forward. He put his hand up and fired his repulsor into the robots. Nashira continued fighting, and made it to Hank's head.
"Hank!" she called.
No response, Nashira made an effort to shake his head, "Come on, Hank, get up!"
He stirred almost whacking her away, then he caught sight of her, "Get off me," he growled.
Nashira smiled and flipped off him. Hank rose and ran off, "Where is he going?" she asked as she watched him.
"My guess. To try and kill Ultron for knocking him down," Tony answered.
"Should we help him?"
"Me? I'm not going to be much help, but you, possibly."
Nashira looked him over, "Are you going to be alright?"
"Oh, yeah. This suit is almost fried, but I'll be fine."
"Tony..."
Iron Man shot a blast just shy of her head, striking down a robot creeping behind her, "Saved your life! See? I can handle it."
Nashira whipped out her dagger and threw it, landing it in the eye of an Ultron droid, "Saved yours. Now we're even."
Tony punched another one and Nashira continued to fight with him, "I think you need me more," she commented.
Tony sighed, "Maybe, Kid, but we can't keep this up much longer."
"I know."
Tony then handed her a device. The device that held the virus. Nashira looked at him.
"Tony..."
"Go, Kid. Go and take care of him."
"But you-"
Tony shook his head, "I can't. I need what little power I have to fight, just flying up there would use the last of my energy and then I'd be dead meat. You have to do it, Nashira, you're the only one who can."
Nashira looked at him, "Okay. I will, and when I come back we'll go to our favorite pizza joint."
Tony smiled under his mask, "Of course, Kid. Now get out of here."
Nashira jumped onto the back of an Ultron droid and rode away. She stabbed her sword into it and made it crash down. She jumped off as it skidded onto a building, the very rooftop Ultron stood on. The droid skittered to a stop at his feet. Ultron looked at it and slowly turned.
"Well, well, well. You're still alive."
"Ultron," Nashira growled.
"I must say, I am surprised."
"You're going to pay."
"Hm. You have become quite a nuisance, I must say, but it won't matter for much longer."
"You killed your own son!"
"Sacrifices must be made," Ultron reasoned.
"You didn't even care about him."
"Oh I did. But that's the thing about humans. They are blinded by their emotions. It makes them weak."
"That's where you're wrong. It doesn't make us weak. It's what drives us."
"And look how far it's gotten you. Today you will meet your demise."
"Then do it! Or will you have more of your dogs attack me? I've seen you, you've been avoiding me this whole time. Admit it, Ultron, you're scared."
Ultron laughed, "Scared? Of you? The only emotion I have for you is certainty that I want you killed."
"You won't do it. You've been avoiding the fight this whole time. You can't even do your own work."
"You see, that's where you're wrong. I am everywhere."
His laugh echoed all around her. Droids had surrounded the building, "Fight me yourself, you coward!"
"You're not worth my time."
"You think they can stop me? You can go ahead and send as many droids as you want, they won't be enough. You've seen me run down your army, Ultron, I'll take the rest of them down too, and then I'll come after you."
"You think you have the power?"
"I know it."
"Very well then."
Ultron signaled the droids to attack and they rushed in on her. Nashira dealt with them with ease. She was done playing around.
"Will you listen to me now??" she yelled as she ripped her sword from the last robot and walked toward him.
"You've caught my attention. You will regret it."
Nashira yelled and ran toward him, but he caught her by the throat, "The mighty Nashira. Thanks to Vision, I know all about you."
Nashira fought his grip as she made a chortling noise, "You try and act so strong, but you're really pathetic and weak."
Ultron threw her on the ground and kicked her across the roof, "You think I'm a monster, but you're no better yourself."
Nashira forced herself up and lashed at him again, but he caught her sword, "And this, this is interesting, I must admit. But it will not stop me."
Ultron ripped the sword from her and tossed it away. Nashira pulled out her dagger and charged again. Ultron dodged her with ease.
"You really don't stop, do you?"
Ultron punched her in the gut and kicked her away, "Can't you see? You have no hope in defeating me."
"You're wrong," Nashira said as she struggled to stand.
"Am I? Please humor me when you are the one losing."
"I am Nashira. Stella Marie Stark. Avenger. More than that, protector of Avengers. I was sent here specifically to kill you. You will not touch them."
She charged with Tony's dagger. Ultron caught her by the throat and threw her away, "Protector of the Avengers? Please. You won't be able to stop me."
"I was designed specifically to stop you," Nashira said hoarsely as she tried to get up again.
She lashed out with the knives from her ankles. Ultron dodged them with amazing agility and kicked her legs from under her, then kicked her again, making her roll across the roof. She struggled to stand as she coughed up blood.
"Tell me, Nashira, where are your Avengers now? Where are they when you most need them? Are they really worth protecting when they're not even here for you?"
"They're worth everything in the world," Nashira coughed.
Nashira shot him with her harpoon, he only laughed, "You will die for them, and then they will die too."
"No. You will not win. You see, Ultron, I can not fail. I. Will. Not. Fail."
Nashira rose to her feet, pulled out her garrotte and charged. Ultron picked her up and slammed her down on his knee before kicking her away again. Nashira screamed. She lay still as Ultron approached her, laughing. She clutched the virus.
It was her last hope. It was nearly impossible for her to stand now, but she had to. She jumped up and got the mechanism inches from his neck, but he caught her hand, crushing it. He punched her in the gut again and threw her away by her arm. The virus fell out of her hand. She struggled to reach for it, but Ultron crushed it with his foot, laughing as she lowered her head in defeat.
"Did you really think you could beat me?"
This couldn't be possible. All this time, everything she had done and went through, it was for nothing. She'd fail. She'd die, and so would the rest of the world. She didn't understand. She was sent here for this. How could she fail?
Ultron hovered over her. Her world seemed to slow, and her heart beat loudly; thump-thump. This was it. Thump-thump. She'd die. She didn't have the strength to change, and she doubted she would when she needed it. Thump... Thump. She admitted her death. --Then it hit her. All this time- what she was supposed to do- it finally struck her.
She jumped up and pushed Ultron back. She kicked him backward. His surprise allowed her to get a few hits. She ducked down and picked up her sword. She lashed out at him then flipped back and threw down her sword. Her heart seemed to slow with time; ...Thump... Thump...
Ultron looked at her like she was crazy, but took the opportunity. Nashira charged him, and changed, only this time it wasn't a dragon. She had finally accepted everything. Everything she was, everything that had happened, everything that was meant to be. She finally knew how to let the light out. She was finally able to let go.
A bright light surrounded her. Her world became nothing but white. One final heartbeat and then it seemed to stop, a flat line noise ringing in her ears. Ultron stood in front of her. He seemed to steam against the bright light. He tried to absorb the energy, but that's what she wanted.
This energy wasn't something Ultron could filter. It was pure energy. The most happiest and lightest essence in existence. Something Ultron could never filter. Nothing could. It brought peace, and nothing could fight against peace. Nothing would want to fight against pure bliss. Nashira watched him fade away. Her world was blinding white before fading to black.