Pietro was furious when he heard about the transformation experiment. As mutants, they knew all too well that their kind was often the target for such horrific experiments. Baron Straker had no intention of discussing this with Pietro. His plan was to capture them and then proceed with his experiments.
The non-commissioned officer nodded in understanding. Baron Straker received a message and turned to leave, instructing his subordinates to step back and complete the preparations.
"This guy…" Pietro's anger and humiliation were palpable as he watched Baron Straker depart.
"Don't get distracted," Wanda warned.
The Sentry robot, standing still, began emitting a golden light from its eyes as it gazed down at them with disdain.
On a screen connected to the robot, Bolivar Trask, the scientist behind the Sentry robot, appeared, grinning with satisfaction. "The two troublemakers have managed to evade us, but it's only a matter of time before we capture them. If it weren't for the lack of data, this would have been over long ago."
Trask had designed the Sentry robot to transform and adapt to different mutants, but this version was still a prototype. It couldn't instantly replicate mutant abilities but could absorb their genes for later use. Trask was eager to add Pietro's speed to the robot's capabilities.
Bolivar's eyes glowed with anticipation. Pietro's speed was particularly desirable, and acquiring it would make the Sentry robot nearly unstoppable.
Trask didn't worry about the chaos magic Wanda wielded. His focus was on gene extraction, leaving her fate to Baron Straker's discretion.
In the forest, the Sentry robot faced the siblings, its arms morphing into high-pressure water jets.
Wanda quickly raised her hands, creating a red barrier with subtle ripples to deflect the water jets. The powerful jets hit the barrier with a force that pushed Wanda back.
Meanwhile, Pietro vanished in a blur and reappeared in front of the Sentry robot, delivering a powerful kick. His superhuman strength and speed made the impact significant, causing the robot to stagger.
Wanda seized the moment, launching a light red energy sphere at the robot's head. The sphere exploded with a tremendous bang.
"Is it over?" Pietro asked, his voice tinged with disbelief as he returned to Wanda's side.
Wanda didn't respond, her eyes fixed on the Sentry robot. Pietro's heart sank as he noticed the robot's head, which had been blasted apart, was now reforming. The Sentry robot had absorbed the salamander gene for self-healing, allowing it to repair itself rapidly.
In Trask's office, he watched with glee. "Mutants often have abilities akin to animals. The salamander gene isn't as powerful as Wolverine's healing factor, but it's perfect for a robot like the Sentry. As long as the core is intact, it can heal, though not as fast."
The repaired Sentry robot re-emerged, water flowing over its surface as it fixed itself. It then plunged into the wet soil between the siblings.
Crackling!
Electricity surged through the soil from the robot's arms, sending shocks toward Wanda and Pietro. The electricity traveled quickly through the muddy ground, and Pietro reacted by grabbing Wanda and running.
The electric currents struck them repeatedly as Pietro dashed away, but he could do little to stop the surrounding soldiers from connecting their taser sticks and creating a high-voltage net.
Pietro was trapped, his attempts to escape thwarted by the electric grid. Desperation set in as he and Wanda faced the grim reality of their situation.
Wanda, her face set in determination, said, "We have to fight our way out."
With resolve, Wanda gathered her energy and surged toward the Sentry robot. Her red energy waves crashed into the robot, sending it flying and tearing through the electric net.
Bang!
The robot slammed into the grid, creating a breach. Pietro, quick to act, scooped up Wanda and rushed through the gap, throwing soldiers out of the way.
As they made their escape, a faint sound reached Pietro's ears, and the ground beneath them erupted in flames.
Rumble!
Explosions followed, and Pietro accelerated to his maximum speed, a wall of fire trailing behind them.
Puff!
A chain reaction of landmines caught up with them, and the intense heat battered them, throwing them around the dirt. Wanda vomited blood, and Pietro's injuries worsened. Exhausted and wounded, they struggled to continue.
"Damn it!" Trask shouted in frustration. "Capture them! I want that woman's mutant gene!"
Without needing further instruction, the soldiers surrounded them, their anesthesia guns ready.
Just then, a new figure appeared amidst the chaos, and with a wave of his hand, a terrifying burst of flames erupted, cutting through the enemy forces.
Pietro looked up in shock as the figure spoke. "Hello, brother-in-law!"