Chapter 11: Sokovian Serenade – Or, "So, You're a Witch, I'm a Guy Who Makes People Sleep. Wanna Grab Coffee?"
The flight to Sokovia felt less like a mission and more like a very aggressive, very loud family road trip. Adam was crammed into the Quinjet, sandwiched between a perpetually stoic Captain America and a surprisingly cheerful Thor, who kept trying to offer him what he insisted was "Asgardian mead," but looked suspiciously like fizzy pond water.
' This is it. Sokovia. The land of grim Eastern European architecture, nascent superpowers, and what I like to call 'Ultron's Little Workshop of Doom.' My heart's doing the Macarena in my chest. Not because of the impending robot apocalypse, mind you. More because, you know, Wanda. This is my shot. Don't blow it, Stiels. Don't accidentally put her to sleep. Or offer her a Senzu Bean too early. Pacing, Adam, pacing is key. '
Tony, as always, was buzzing with an almost manic energy, rattling off tactical plans and occasional, unsolicited fashion advice. "Stiels, you should really consider a tactical vest. Less 'tourist who wandered into a war zone,' more 'guy who semi-professionally handles global threats.'"
"Tony, my brand is 'casual chaos.' A vest would cramp my style. Besides, who needs a vest when you have the power to make an entire army collectively yawn?" Adam shot back, adjusting the strap of his (admittedly non-tactical) backpack. Inside, nestled amongst some emergency rations and a very dusty copy of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, was Newt's suitcase. Just in case he needed a magical creature to distract a robot. Or impress a girl. Probably both.
The landscape of Sokovia unfolded beneath them – a bleak, mountainous region dotted with the remnants of industrial decay. The HYDRA base, nestled amongst the snow-capped peaks, looked exactly as menacing as it did in the movies. It was cold. Bleak. And about to get a whole lot colder and bleaker, thanks to Ultron.
"Alright, people, stick to the plan," Steve's voice cut through the comms. "Secure the perimeter, locate the scepter, neutralize hostiles. Minimal collateral."
"Minimal collateral, maximum efficiency," Adam muttered to himself. "And maximum sleep-induced confusion."
As the Quinjet descended, Adam felt a familiar jolt of anxiety. This wasn't just a scene he'd watched; it was a reality he was now living. The air was thick with tension, the distant echoes of gunfire already reaching them. He checked his "King's Haki" reserves. Full. Ready to induce a world-class coma on anyone who dared look at him funny.
They disembarked, the cold, crisp air biting at his exposed skin. The ground was uneven, scarred by old conflicts and now, fresh skirmishes. HYDRA agents were already emerging from concealed positions, opening fire. The Avengers, a blur of motion and power, moved to engage.
Adam, surprisingly, found his footing quickly. He wasn't a frontline combatant, but he was a master of disruption. He weaved through the chaos, staying just behind Steve and Natasha, focusing his energy. When a squad of HYDRA agents rounded a corner, weapons raised, Adam met them with a practiced glare.
"Alright, fellas, time to hit the snooze button on your evil plans!" he yelled, sweeping his arm in a wide arc. The invisible wave pulsed outwards. The agents, mid-charge, froze, their eyes widening in confusion before they crumpled to the snowy ground. Silent. Peaceful. Like very well-behaved sacks of potatoes.
' See? Elegance. Efficiency. And not a single bullet wasted. Fury should give me a commendation. Or at least a voucher for a really good sleep mask. '
He continued like this, a one-man tranquilizer dart factory. He cleared hallways, disabled patrols, and even managed to put a sniper to sleep mid-aim, sending him tumbling harmlessly (mostly) off a rooftop. The chaos he created was a strange, non-violent ballet, making the Avengers' job significantly easier. They'd clear a room, and turn around to find a dozen unconscious HYDRA agents, courtesy of Adam's bizarre power.
"Stiels, what did you do?" Steve asked once, looking utterly bewildered as he stepped over a pile of slumbering agents.
"Just providing 'strategic naps,' Cap," Adam replied, breathless but grinning. "Think of it as a highly specialized form of non-lethal crowd control. They'll wake up refreshed, slightly confused, and probably with a new appreciation for the benefits of a good night's rest."
Then, he heard it. The distinctive crackle of energy, the whoosh of super-speed. He knew what was coming. He moved deeper into the base, following the sounds of the main confrontation. He pushed open a heavy metal door and found himself in a large, dimly lit chamber.
And there they were. Wanda and Pietro Maximoff. Pietro, a blur of motion, was a whirlwind of punches and kicks, barely visible to the naked eye. Wanda, however, was stationary, her hands glowing with chaotic red energy, manipulating objects, sending debris flying, and disorienting the Avengers. She looked exactly as he remembered – intense, powerful, and utterly captivating.
' Okay, this is it. Deep breaths. Don't fanboy. Don't quote the movies. Just be… charmingly awkward. You got this, Adam. For Wanda. '
HYDRA guards, armed with energy weapons, were trying to contain them. The Avengers were trying to deal with the twins, while also fighting the remaining HYDRA forces. It was a glorious mess.
Adam saw his chance. He aimed his focus not at the twins, but at the HYDRA agents surrounding them. He needed to clear a path, to create a moment of relative calm. He took a deep breath, focusing his will, his "King's Haki" flaring outwards with greater intensity than usual.
"Alright, bad guys!" Adam roared, his voice echoing in the chamber, momentarily cutting through the din. "This party's over! Time for your unscheduled trip to Dreamland! And for those of you who think you're tough, just remember: I'm making you sleep. Not even fighting you. It's almost insulting, isn't it?"
He swept his gaze across the dozen or so HYDRA agents, including those closest to Wanda and Pietro. The effect was immediate and profound. The agents, mid-fire, mid-shout, simply slumped. Their weapons clattered to the floor as they collapsed into a heap of unconsciousness. One, standing directly in front of Wanda, simply leaned back, eyes rolling into his head, and fell perfectly into a conveniently placed pile of crates.
The silence that followed, even if only for a few heartbeats, was deafening.
Wanda, her hands still glowing, her eyes wide with surprise, stared at the sudden pile of slumbering soldiers. Pietro, who had been a blur of motion, skidded to a halt, looking utterly baffled at the sudden cessation of hostilities around him. They looked around, bewildered, at the Avengers who were also pausing, equally confused.
Adam stepped forward, trying to look cool, but probably looking more like a nervous puppy. He offered Wanda a tentative, slightly goofy smile.
"Hi," he said, trying to keep his voice steady. "Adam Stiels. And that," he gestured vaguely at the unconscious pile of HYDRA agents, "was my highly specialized, non-lethal, super-napping ability. It's great for parties. Or, you know, clearing out annoying bad guys. You both seemed a little… overwhelmed."
Wanda's expression softened almost imperceptibly, a hint of something unreadable in her eyes. Pietro, meanwhile, zoomed over to one of the unconscious agents, poking him with his foot.
"What did you do?" Pietro asked, his voice fast, laced with disbelief. "They just… stopped."
"Yep. Like hitting the pause button on life," Adam explained, then looked back at Wanda. "So, you're the… telekinetic, energy-wielding, emotionally complex individual, right? And you," he nodded at Pietro, "are the speedster with the heart of gold and a slight case of 'too fast for your own good' syndrome. Nice to finally meet you both. Heard a lot about you. In, uh, very classified reports. Very, very classified."
Wanda's lips twitched, a tiny, almost imperceptible hint of a smile. Pietro, still poking the unconscious agent, looked from Adam to his sister, a flicker of interest in his rapid-fire gaze.
' She almost smiled! That's a win! Operation: Charm the Super-Powered Witch is a go! Now, to avoid getting incinerated by her chaos magic. And not to mention, Ultron is probably having his origin story moment right now. Time to get a move on. '
The moment was broken by Tony's voice, booming through the comms. "JARVIS, status report on the scepter! And where are the twins? Stiels, less flirting, more fighting!"
"Flirting? Tony, please! This is crucial diplomatic engagement! You wouldn't understand! It requires nuance! And the ability to make people fall asleep with a single glance!" Adam retorted, but he knew the moment was over. The Avengers were closing in, and the twins were looking wary again.
But the seed was planted. He had met them. He had made them pause. And he hadn't accidentally alienated them. Yet. His first real step towards his ultimate goal. And it felt both utterly terrifying and incredibly exhilarating.
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