The fortress loomed ahead, its jagged structure piercing the smog-filled skies. The group stumbled forward, bruised and exhausted, after barely surviving the latest wave of sentries. Strange conjured a protective barrier behind them as the gates to Ultron's lair groaned open, revealing a cavernous interior bathed in blood-red light.
"Okay, this feels very Death Star meets Terminator," Deadpool muttered, glancing around. "Seriously, where's James Cameron when you need him?"
"Focus," Logan snapped, his claws still dripping with the remnants of their last battle.
"Focus? I am focused," Deadpool retorted, pointing his katanas forward dramatically. "Focused on how ridiculous this whole 'evil lair' vibe is. Like, seriously, do they order these neon lights in bulk?" He turned to Harley. "What do you think, rookie? Should we redecorate?"
Harley, clutching his side from where a sentry had clipped him, grimaced. "I think I'd rather not die, thanks."
The sound of metal grinding against metal echoed through the chamber as they moved further inside. Strange kept a wary eye on their surroundings, his hands glowing faintly with magic.
"This place is too quiet," he murmured.
"Spoken like a man who's never been to a horror movie," Deadpool said, walking backward and pretending to hold a flashlight. "This is the part where the killer jumps out and—"
Before he could finish, the floor beneath them shifted. Panels slid apart, revealing a network of conveyor belts that sprang to life, pulling them deeper into the fortress.
"Called it!" Deadpool shouted, flailing as the conveyor swept him along.
Logan clawed at the moving floor, trying to slow himself down. "Stay together!" he barked, though it was clear no one had any control over the situation.
The group was dumped unceremoniously into a massive chamber. Rows upon rows of Ultron drones lined the walls, their lifeless eyes glowing faintly. At the center of the room stood a towering figure: Ultron Prime, his metallic frame exuding an aura of menace.
"Well, well," Ultron said, his voice smooth and mocking. "What do we have here? Stragglers from a dying multiverse?"
Harley froze, his eyes wide as Ultron's piercing gaze settled on him. "You… you're Ultron," he stammered.
"Very astute," Ultron replied, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "And you must be the anomaly causing all this chaos. Fascinating. I was expecting someone more… competent."
Deadpool stepped forward, raising a hand. "Excuse me, Mr. Robo-Villain, but if you're handing out compliments, I'd like one. Maybe something about my abs? Or my wit? I'll even settle for 'annoying.'"
Ultron's eyes narrowed. "You must be the comic relief. How quaint."
"Comic relief?" Deadpool gasped, clutching his chest. "I'll have you know I'm the star of this show! Just ask my fans." He pointed to an imaginary camera. "Right, guys? You're still watching, right? Please don't leave me for this guy."
Logan growled, stepping in front of Harley protectively. "Enough talking. What do you want, Ultron?"
Ultron tilted his head, studying them. "What I want is irrelevant. What matters is what you've done. Do you realize the damage you've caused? The multiverse is fracturing, timelines collapsing, realities bleeding into one another… and it all traces back to him." He pointed a metallic finger at Harley.
Harley's heart sank. "Me?"
"Of course," Ultron continued. "You're the variable that doesn't belong. A singularity disrupting the natural order. It's almost poetic, really."
Strange stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. "Whatever Harley's role in this, it's not your place to pass judgment, Ultron."
Ultron chuckled, a sound like grinding gears. "And yet, here we are. Do you think I haven't noticed your meddling, Sorcerer Supreme? You and your companions have only hastened the collapse. But don't worry—I'll fix everything."
"And by 'fix,' you mean destroy?" Deadpool interjected. "Because, let's be honest, you have major 'destroyer of worlds' energy."
"Not destroy," Ultron corrected. "Rebuild. A perfect world, free of chaos and weakness. A world of order."
"Sounds boring," Deadpool said, yawning exaggeratedly. "Do you also make everyone wear gray jumpsuits in your 'perfect' world? Or is there at least a taco stand?"
Ultron ignored him, focusing instead on Harley. "You have two choices, anomaly. Surrender yourself to me, and I'll spare your companions. Or resist, and watch them suffer before I erase you."
Harley's mind raced, panic clawing at him. He looked at Strange, Logan, and Deadpool, all of whom were readying themselves for a fight.
"We're not giving you anything," Logan growled, his claws extending.
"Yeah," Deadpool added. "And besides, you really shouldn't have monologued for so long. Gave us plenty of time to come up with a plan."
"We have a plan?" Harley whispered nervously.
Deadpool winked at him. "Nope! But it sounded cool, didn't it?"
Ultron's eyes flared. "So be it. You've chosen destruction."
The chamber came alive as the dormant drones powered up, their eyes glowing bright red. Strange raised his hands, conjuring a protective barrier around the group.
"Get ready," he said grimly. "This is going to get messy."
Deadpool grinned, twirling his katanas. "Messy is my middle name. Well, actually, it's 'Danger,' but let's not get bogged down in details."
As the drones closed in, Harley braced himself, knowing this was only the beginning of a much larger fight.