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Chapter 24 - Ultron's Welcome Party

The group trudged through the desolate remains of Earth-3941, the air thick with tension. Twisted skyscrapers loomed like tombstones, their broken windows staring out over the metallic graveyard. In the distance, Ultron's fortress shone with an eerie red glow, a beacon of mechanical dominance.

Deadpool broke the silence. "So, we're walking toward the giant evil robot base. Anyone else getting major 'bad idea' vibes here? No? Just me? Cool, cool."

"Keep it down, Wade," Logan growled. "We don't need every sentry in the area knowing we're here."

Deadpool gasped theatrically. "Oh no, Logan, you've hurt my feelings! I'm going to cry oil tears for our fallen robot friends. Oh wait, I forgot—I don't have feelings." He gave a mock laugh before turning to Harley. "What about you, rookie? Feeling heroic yet? Or still thinking about filing a complaint with HR?"

Harley shot him a glare. "You're not helping."

Deadpool leaned in conspiratorially. "Helping is overrated. Chaos is way more fun." He winked at an invisible camera. "Right, audience? You're still with me, right? You wouldn't leave me for Logan's broody nonsense, would you?"

Logan rolled his eyes. "One more word, Wade, and I'll make sure you stay in pieces this time."

"Promises, promises," Deadpool said, twirling a katana like a baton.

Strange, who had been silent up until now, stopped suddenly. He raised a hand, signaling the group to halt. His eyes glowed faintly as he muttered an incantation, a golden glyph appearing in front of him.

"What is it?" Harley asked, his heart pounding.

"We're not alone," Strange said grimly.

Before anyone could react, the ground beneath them erupted. Metallic tentacles shot up, wrapping around Harley and pulling him into the air. He screamed, flailing helplessly as a massive robot emerged from the rubble—a towering Ultron drone, its crimson eyes glowing with malice.

"Ah, crap," Harley muttered, dangling like a fish on a line.

Deadpool tilted his head, examining the scene. "Well, this is awkward. I mean, normally the villain doesn't go straight for the weakest link. Guess you've got main character energy after all, Harley!"

Harley glared down at him. "A little help, maybe?"

"Don't worry, I've got this," Deadpool said, dramatically unsheathing his katanas. He leaped into action, slicing through one of the tentacles with ease. "There, see? Rescuing damsels in distress is my specialty."

"I'm not a damsel!" Harley shouted, dropping unceremoniously to the ground as Deadpool severed the last tentacle.

"Keep telling yourself that, princess," Deadpool quipped.

Logan snarled, charging at the massive drone. His claws dug deep into its metallic body, sparks flying as he tore through its armor. The drone swung a massive arm, but Logan ducked, slicing cleanly through its elbow joint.

Meanwhile, Strange conjured a series of golden whips, lashing out at the drone's legs and pulling it off balance. "Focus your attacks on the joints!" he shouted. "We need to disable it before reinforcements arrive!"

Harley grabbed a piece of debris, swinging it clumsily at another sentry that had appeared. It wasn't much, but it gave him a sense of control amidst the chaos.

Deadpool, of course, was having the time of his life. "Hey, Logan! Bet I can kill more of these tin cans than you!"

Logan didn't dignify him with a response, focusing instead on tearing apart another drone.

"Fine, I'll just declare myself the winner," Deadpool said, decapitating a sentry with a flourish. "And the crowd goes wild! Wade Wilson, undefeated champion of robot-slaying!"

Strange, visibly annoyed, muttered under his breath. "This is why I work alone."

As the group fought off wave after wave of sentries, Harley noticed something strange. The drones weren't just attacking—they seemed to be herding them, pushing them toward the fortress.

"Guys," Harley called out, dodging a swipe from a drone. "I think they're trying to lead us somewhere!"

Strange nodded grimly. "It's a trap. Ultron knows we're here."

"Of course it's a trap," Deadpool said cheerfully. "When isn't it a trap? Honestly, I'd be disappointed if it wasn't."

The ground shook as an even larger drone emerged, this one clearly a commander. Its voice boomed, cold and mechanical. "You cannot escape, intruders. Surrender now and be spared."

Deadpool snorted. "Spared from what? Your lousy hospitality? Pass." He twirled his katanas. "Alright, big guy, let's dance."

Logan cracked his knuckles, stepping forward. "We take this thing down fast. No messing around."

"Messing around is my whole brand," Deadpool said, lunging at the commander drone.

As the battle raged on, Harley couldn't shake the feeling that they were walking into something much bigger than they were prepared for. Ultron wasn't just a villain—he was a force of nature, a machine that had consumed an entire world.

And somehow, it was all connected to him.

For now, though, survival was the only priority. The answers would have to wait.