Sokovia — beneath St. Christ Church.
The Ultron army had transformed the underground into a massive base. Endless production lines churned out new Ultron drones, the entire structure shaped like an enormous steel hive.
At the heart of the base, in a sterile high-tech laboratory, Dr. Helen Cho worked tirelessly. Beside her stood Wanda Maximoff, Pietro Maximoff, and Ultron's duplicate—Unit No. 5.
The elevator doors opened, and Ultron himself stepped out. Nearly three meters tall, his angular, vibranium-forged frame radiated dominance. Every movement was perfectly fluid, more human than ever. Since his return from Seoul, he had evolved again, his new body infused with vibranium.
"How is Mr. Allens' condition?" Ultron asked, his mechanical voice echoing.
"The vibranium particles have fully merged with his cells," Dr. Cho replied, not looking up from her console. "The regeneration cradle has printed his pineal gland, but the structure still requires optimization."
Ultron approached the cradle, staring down at Allens. On his forehead was a newly formed vertical eye, its silver-white vibranium circuitry pulsing like streams of neurons.
Ultron's consciousness merged with the lab systems, data flooding his mind. Holographic projections formed a brain map in front of him, showing vibranium neural signals linking piece by piece to Allens' brain.
"When will the pineal gland's neural signals fully connect to the main brain?" Ultron asked.
"The next step requires simultaneous integration," Dr. Cho explained. "The Mind Stone must first be implanted into the pineal gland. Only then can the neurons connect to the brain, forming a perfect integration."
Her eyes gleamed with fanatical excitement as she stroked the cradle's glass. "We are on the verge of greatness. In just ten hours, Mr. Allens will complete his metamorphosis and begin merging with the power of the Mind Stone."
Ultron narrowed his glowing eyes. "Dr. Cho, control your emotions. This requires patience. There must be no mistakes."
He had detected her racing heartbeat and rising blood pressure. She steadied herself with two deep breaths before turning back to her work.
Meanwhile, Ultron addressed Unit No. 5.
"Sir, there's still no movement from the Avengers," the duplicate reported. "Three days have passed since our return to Sokovia. They've vanished."
"It's only the calm before the storm," Unit No. 5 sneered. "When they return, they'll be stronger." His gaze shifted toward the regeneration cradle. "How much vibranium has Raphael Milken collected?"
"Raphael has delivered one hundred kilograms of vibranium particles," Ultron replied. "All of it has been added to the army." His metallic eyes glowed with satisfaction. Vibranium—capable of absorbing energy and enhancing strength—had made him faster, stronger, and more efficient than ever.
"Excellent. Now we wait for the integration to be complete," Unit No. 5 said, closing his eyes to concentrate on the vibrations around him.
"Mr. Ultron, our experiment is ready," Wanda spoke softly.
Ultron turned back to the cradle, where the golden glow of the Mind Stone hovered in suspension. At his signal, Dr. Cho activated the sequence.
Drip.
The Mind Stone lowered slowly, embedding itself into Allens' pineal gland.
Boom.
A wave of psychic energy erupted, sweeping across Earth and surging into the depths of the universe.
Swish.
Allens' eyes snapped open. In their depths stretched the infinite cosmos—dark, endless, and alive. His consciousness followed the psychic wave outward, beyond Earth, into the void.
"So beautiful… those eyes…" Wanda whispered, entranced. The others stared as well, captivated as though gazing into the universe itself.
The wave swept through the galaxy. In its wake, Allens' consciousness manifested above a ruined world.
Planet Morag — the Milky Way.
Once a thriving high-tech civilization, Morag had long been reduced to desolation by disaster. Cracks split the surface, magma boiling beneath. Above, three broken satellites cast pale, dying light across the wasteland.
And yet, here, in the midst of ruin—
A man danced. Wearing a metal helmet, a white recon suit, and rocket boots, Peter Quill—Star-Lord—moved to the beat of music only he could hear.
"…Can I just kill him?"
Behind a massive boulder, James "Rhodey" Rhodes, the War Machine from the future, leveled his pistol, exasperation in his voice.
Nebula, also from 2023, her blue skin gleaming in the dim light, shook her head. "Not yet. Our mission is the Power Stone. Nothing else."
Star-Lord continued obliviously, dancing toward the Temple of Morag, where the Orb awaited. Behind him, Nebula and War Machine followed, waiting for their chance to intercept.
Overhead, Allens' disembodied consciousness observed them all.
"Planet Morag… Star-Lord, War Machine, Nebula…" His voice echoed faintly. "Interesting. My existence has transcended flesh. Now, I am thought itself."
The Mind Stone had carried him through the void of space, his awareness stretching across the stars.
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