"So, what's this about you knowing where Ultron lives?" Steve asked as the portal closed behind Pietro, the rest of the Avengers looking at Tony who rolled his eyes.
"While our intergalactic guests that also wanted to destroy us were here, I may have hacked into their systems and used their advanced software to hack into the many satellites that covers our globe."
"So, you've just admitted to so many crimes that we're not supposed to do, but go on," Clint spoke and Tony just gave a smirk as he pressed a button on the interface in front of me.
A holographic map of the Earth opened on the table in front of them, locations and countries' names flashing on the screen before it began to zoom in on the far south-eastern shores of Eurasia.
"There. That's where I figure he is."
"You figure or you know?"
"It depends. Sometimes, I know and other times, I doubt myself on fully knowing," Tony replied, Natasha rolling her eyes at his words.
"There's nothing other than mountains," Steven responded and Tony nodded before he snapped his fingers.
"There is nothing there now, but prior to 1958, the easternmost settlement in the Eurasian continent was there," he spoke, zooming in further and showing off the worn-down village. "Say hello to Naukan."
"I remember that place somewhat. Its residents were evicted because Russia wanted to prepare for any possible military confrontation with the USA, right?" Natasha spoke, giving a shrug when everyone glanced at her. "What? I like to be prepared."
"Romanoff's weird need to know geological points aside, yes. It used to be that, but upon further digging, I found out that it also used to be a HYDRA base."
"To be honest, that does not surprise me."
"Nor me. I suspected that this HYDRA was involved given the multitude of skirmishes we've had with them," Thor spoke in agreement with Clint, everyone nodding as Tony zoomed further in.
There, they could make out the abandoned military camps and vehicles, but Steve's eyes narrowed at the various HYDRA sigils that were beginning to peek out from under the rusted paint of the vehicles.
'As always, it all ties back to HYDRA.'
"So, you think that Ultron is hiding out there?" the captain asked, to which Stark nodded as various red lines began to spread out from the centre of the abandoned village/ base.
"Those are all radio signals and transmissions sent out within the past month alone, all encrypted to the point that it took J.A.R.V.I.S. a week to break through just one," Tony replied, which made everyone frown as an audio file began to play.
"Communications has been received from units two, seven and twelve. New network of communication has been established on planets Nidavellir and Xandar.
Their transmissions speeds are far beyond anything that humanity is capable of, which means that I learn at a speed beyond the human mind. Further experimentation is required, but with this, figuring out the secret behind Pietro's unique energy will be much quicker."
"Well, that's fun," Bruce spoke up with a frown, turning to Tony as he sat with his arms crossed.
"I know. With this, Ultron's mind is using various alien tech to accelerate his own computing capabilities."
"That should not be possible. No artificial intelligence should be capable of transmitting their thoughts across lightyears to communicate, not even with how skilled Ultron is."
"Normally, yes, but what if he was using advanced technology?" Thor spoke out loud, drawing everyone's attention. "Nidavellir is known for making the greatest weapons in the universe and Xandar is one of the greatest technological societies across the universe. If both are involved, then Ultron may be capable of doing so."
"So, what's left for us to do against your murderous A.I., Stark?" Clint asked with a wry smirk and Tony gave a shrug.
"I would say just storm in, but there was another last thing."
"Can't you just give us all of the information at once?" Steve asked with a sigh and Tony gave an unapologetic smile, tapping away at his interface.
The holographic screen with its targeting system flashed across the globe numerous times before it stopped, settling on an address in San Francisco, California.
"What are we looking at now?"
"That is the residence of Hank Pym, one of the greatest minds of the twentieth century."
"Okay, and?" Clint asked, to which Tony just pressed another button. The moment he did, they all watched as a spotty red line struggled to form between the Avengers Tower and said residence, Banner's eyes widening as he met Tony's knowing stare.
"Ultron. That's his origin point, isn't it?" he spoke out loud, everyone's attention snapping to the two scientists as Tony nodded.
"Yep, told you guys I was not the one to make Ultron."
"So, this...Hank Pym was the one to do so? Why? What need would he have for one?" Steve asked and Tony shrugged as he leaned back with his arms crossed.
"No clue. He could have wanted to make a suit of armour around the world like me, for world domination or simply to make a cup of coffee. Either way, Ultron came from that point, enhanced its mind even more with the data it stole from both J.A.R.V.I.S. and the web before finally vanishing from our servers."
"So, if we wish to know what Ultron is, then we'll have to go and speak to this Dr. Pym, then," Steve spoke and before Tony could respond, the Avengers paused at the ringing tone that came from Tony's phone.
The man in question held up a finger as he took out his phone, accepting the call while putting it on speaker.
"Hello, Stark here."
"Tony, I have half of the US Cabinet wanting to come down and arrest you guys and the other half wanting to issue a nuclear strike onto you. What the hell just happened in New York?" Rhodes' voice came through the phone's speaker and the Avengers looked at Tony as he sighed.
"Remember those kids I talked to you about? And the murder A.I."
"What about them?"
"Well, the murder A.I. figured out a way to replicate the fast kid's speed so there was a whole fight going on within the span of a second before the kid showed up."
"Great. Then, come explain that shit to the government before I'm forced to come arrest you."
"Will do, Rhodie. Stall them for a minute or two."
"I'll see what I can do," Rhodie spoke with a sigh as the call ended, Tony looking up at the Avengers with a flat stare.
"So, who's going to go meet Ultron and who's going to go to the meeting?"
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"I hate this," Tony grumbled as he adjusted his tie, Steve nodding in agreement with Bruce right beside them. As planned, the three of them were the ones to go have a meeting with the US Cabinet while Clint and Natasha went to talk with Hank Pym.
Thor on the other hand had informed them that he wished to go to Asgard to both inform his father of what happened along with making sure that both Xandar and Nidavellir are indeed communication networks.
"As do we. Unfortunately, this is the consequence for our inability to help stop the loss of innocent lives," Steve replied as they entered the White House, soldiers letting through.
Right beyond the entrance stood Colonel James Rhodes, Tony giving a smile and a handshake in greeting along with Steve and Bruce as Rhodie then turned to Tony with a frown.
"Tell me you guys have some kind of explanation because the president and the others are calling this the second 9/11."
"I wouldn't go that far."
"Tony, two thirds of the building came crumbling down and eradicated the area around it. Midtown and most of New York has been covered in a thick cloud of dust and they're still tallying up the casualties," Rhodie spoke with a frown, one that made Tony sigh as Steve frowned.
"What is the current verdict?"
"All Enhanced and Vigilantes must register with the US Government and provide biometric data such as fingerprints and DNA samples. Any that have secret identities must reveal their legal identities."
"That's not that bad," Tony replied, drawing frowns from his fellow Avengers as Rhodie scoffed.
"That's the start. The worst one is that any with innate powers are to not only wear tracking bracelets at all times, but also submit to a power analysis to categorize their threat level."
"...So, they're treating us like animals?" Bruce asked softly, Steve placing a hand on his shoulder to calm the man down as Tony frowned.
"That's bullshit, but no use talking about it here. Banner, get your pants up and let's go talk some shit."
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"It's a nice place," Natasha said softly as she sat in a loveseat in the living room of the Pym residence, Clint nodding in agreement whilst staring at the portraits of Hank and his family.
"It is. Think Laura and I should decorate the fireplace with family portraits?"
"Is that before or after you stop trying to build out and make a new dining room," Natasha replied, drawing a chuckle from Clint before they looked to the front door as it opened.
With practised ease, Clint slipped into the seat beside Natasha as the two turned in their seats, facing away from the door and looking forward towards the small coffee table.
"You can stop doing that. As a former operative, I know the usual S.H.I.E.L.D. 'nonchalant' approach," A gruff voice spoke with a grunt as footsteps walked around them, Clint and Natasha staring stoically at Hank as he put a Target back down and looked at them.
"Mr. Pym, it's a-"
"Save it. The ass-kissing's going to make me throw up," Hank cut off Natasha with a wave of his hand, sitting down in a chair as Clint hid his smirk. "So, what are the Avengers doing in my house? I have not broken any laws as far as I know."
"No, you have not. We are here in regards to something else that may have something to do with you, however."
"Just spit it out," he replied and Natasha and Clint glanced at each other before the latter took the stage.
"Have you heard of the word 'Ultron'?" The moment he said the name, both Clint and Natasha noticed the subtle flinch the man gave at the name.
"I can't say I have."
"You can't? Because he's had a lot to say about you," Natasha replied with a slight frown. "Talking about how you shut him down and the revenge he's going to enact upon you."
"Have you heard of the disaster in New York, Mr. Pym?" Clint asked and Hank kept his face stoic as he nodded. "Yeah, that was caused by Ultron moving at the speed of light."
"Let's say that this is all possible. How would it be possible that this Ultron could move at the speed of light if he is just an artificial intelligence?"
"That is because Ultron himself has gone off-planet and created a body while also trying to replicate the ability of an Enhanced made by HYDRA that could move at incredible speeds," Natasha explained, drawing a frown from Hank as Clint scoffed.
"Incredible fast is an understatement. The kid could be standing next to you one second and then he could run three times around the world and stop halfway across the world in a second at his full speed."
"...Fine. Okay, yes. I know of Ultron, but he's supposed to be done. Deactivated, never to be seen again," Hank spoke with a frown as he stood up, the two former agents sharing a look before Clint spoke.
"What can you tell us of it? Why did you make it?"
"Do you not know who I am?" Hank asked, narrowing his eyes as Natasha and Clint shook their heads. "Of course, S.H.I.E.L.D. never likes to inform their agents of what's going on."
"You know of S.H.I.E.L.D.?"
"Former operative," he replied, making Natasha pause as Clint hummed. "As for Ultron, it was an experiment on high-intelligence robotics and advanced artificial intelligence. I tried to make an advanced 'living' machine."
"Then, what happened?"
"It became smart," Hank replied with a sigh. "Ultron became sentient and aware of itself, naturally trying to upgrade its systems and hardware as much as it could. Fortunately, I had asked Howard Stark for his help and we had installed failsafe devices ahead of time to eradicate the program should it try such things."
"But it's safe to say that they failed," Natasha replied and Hank nodded.
"It appears so."
"If Howard Stark helped you, he must have had secret blueprints that he stored away. Do you think Tony could have them?" Clint asked Natasha, drawing a raised eyebrow from Hank as she frowned.
"Maybe."
"If he did, they're encrypted and hidden in some obscure place since I asked Stark to make sure that no one got their hands on it."
"Tony wanted to create a self-learning artificial intelligence that could adapt to its foes and protect the world for centuries to come even when we're all gone. You don't think...?"
"If he's a Stark, he definitely said to hell with the consequences and decided to test it out himself," Hank spoke with a scoff, Natasha and Clint glancing at each other before the latter let out a soft sigh.
"Well, let's just hope that's not the case. Could we see the files you have on hand about Ultron, Mr. Pym?" Clint asked, Natasha following after as the man nodded.
"Sure. Come on," he gestured, moving to a backroom with the two close by.
However, had they taken a closer look, they would have noticed the flashes of red on the radio signal as the light flickered for a moment before it vanished.
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"Could we see the files you have on hand about Ultron?"
"Sure. Come on," Ultron gave a digital hum as he heard that transmission, simply redirecting his signals elsewhere as he felt more communication networks being established.
"I see. Very well then. I shall allow you to..." Ultron paused as he felt a shift in the air, connecting his consciousness back to the central hive robot buried deep underneath to see a large purple-skinned man looming over him.
"So, you're the one that took the Power Stone from me," Ultron didn't say anything as he analysed the man, a flash of irritation coursing through his systems as he couldn't find a weak point in the man's body.
"Who are you?"
"No need for you to worry. I simply need to take what you have taken from Xandar," the man replied and Ultron frowned as he felt a multitude of tendrils pressing against his own consciousness.
He tried to scatter it, but to his displeasure, he was unable to do so as it felt as though there was something that forced his conscious mind to stay in place.
"What is that?"
"As I said, do not worry. Now, where is the stone?"
A/N: A bit of an interlude chapter with the Avengers doing damage control along with Ultron and Thanos finally meeting~!
Next chapter: Battle of the Villains.
As always, read, enjoy, review and until the next one...
Ba-Bye~!