Chapter 33: Ultron
<strong>Chapter 33: Ultron</strong>
<span style="font-weight:400">“And you actually caught him?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin just returned and saw ck Cat dragging Spiderman into the building handcuffed.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yeah. I told him I was joking then cuffed him.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“You tricked me!”
<span style="font-weight:400">“It’s not my fault you believed me.”
<span style="font-weight:400">ck Cat smirked.
<span style="font-weight:400">She turned to Benjamin and pointed at Spiderman.
<span style="font-weight:400">“So what’re you nning to do with him? Should I put him in the cell like the others?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Hm, well, why don’t you join the EPD, Spiderman? If you don’t join, even if I release you today, you’re just going to get chased again and again in the future.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Actually, Benjamin thought he would be one of the applicants back then but in the end, he didn’t show up.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Err, I did want to join but my school had an exam that day so I couldn’t apply…”
<span style="font-weight:400">“...Oh right, you’re underaged. Well, you can intern then. You’ll still get paid but it won’t be much.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“What!? That’s not fair! I’m about to be 18 in August!”
<span style="font-weight:400">“That’s two months from now. We’ll talk about it again by then.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“...Fine…”
<span style="font-weight:400">Spiderman grumbled but still nodded.
<span style="font-weight:400">He needed money to help his aunt and part-time work in the Daily Bugle can barely make it.
<span style="font-weight:400">He wanted to work more but he also can’t abandon his Spiderman ‘job’. Joining the EPD was a way for him to earn some money and still be Spiderman.
<span style="font-weight:400">More importantly, he didn’t need to disclose his identity.
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin nodded to ck Cat who removed Spiderman’s handcuffs while pouting.
<span style="font-weight:400">Spiderman massaged his wrists a bit and Benjamin noticed his bulky web shooters.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Can I see that for a bit?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Hm? Sure thing Capt. Just don’t uhh well, break it.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“No need to call me Captain. We might get confused if me and Captain America are in the same room. Just call me Ben or Mr. Freed. Ah, but don’t call me Uncle Ben.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I uhh w-why would I c-call you that Unc- I mean, Mr. Freed?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Spiderman quickly panicked and stuttered a lot.
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin chuckled.
<span style="font-weight:400">He looked at the web shooters for a bit then decided.
<span style="font-weight:400">He still had a pair of web shooters in his Inventory which he got in one of the gacha draws. Although he doesn’t need it, he still took a look at it and saw it’s more advanced than the one Spiderman currently has.
<span style="font-weight:400">Since there’s no use for it sitting in his Inventory, might as well give it to Spiderman to upgrade his gear.
<span style="font-weight:400">Spiderman also looked like he needed an upgrade on his suit but that’s for another time.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Here, take these. It’s better than the ones you’re wearing now.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Huh?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Spiderman was shocked to see another pair of web shooters suddenly appear out of nowhere.
<span style="font-weight:400">“This…”
<span style="font-weight:400">One look was all it took for him topletely geek out.
<span style="font-weight:400">“No way! You were able topress everything like this!? What material is this casing made of?-”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I’m gonna stop you right there.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin quickly stopped him as he knew that Spiderman’s mouth is another superpower of his. Who knows when he’ll shut up…
<span style="font-weight:400">“Take it and get out. You can im your badge here tomorrow. Now shoo.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Sir yes sir!”
<span style="font-weight:400">“This isn’t the military. No need to salute.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Aye aye Captain!”
<span style="font-weight:400">“...”
<span style="font-weight:400">“...I’m leaving now!”
<span style="font-weight:400">Sensing Benjamin’s gaze turning deadly by the second, Spiderman knew that he had to leave quickly and escape!
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin sighed and shook his head.
<span style="font-weight:400">“He doesn’t really shut up does he?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Nope.”
<span style="font-weight:400">ck Cat said with half-closed eyes.
<span style="font-weight:400">“That aside. When are you upgrading my suit? I’m looking forward to it.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I’m working on it now. How’s your task going?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Slow. But don’t worry. I have a n.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I’ll trust you to it then.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin didn’t ask what her n was and only nodded.
<span style="font-weight:400">After reporting the criminal she took in, ck Cat went out again to patrol and at the same time, lure out members of the Thieves Guild.
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin then worked on making new suits for Ophelia and Felicia.
<span style="font-weight:400">Since these two have the most important roles at the moment, he prioritized theirs before moving on to the rest of the team.
<span style="font-weight:400">For this, Benjamin took out a fist-sized pure Vibranium alloy he got in his gachast night. It was one of the few misceneous things he got. There were also some Adamantium alloys but he didn’t use them.
<span style="font-weight:400">Although the Vibranium was only fist-sized, it was enough for two suits to be lined with Vibrainum fiber.
<span style="font-weight:400">Adamantium was also a good choice but someone like Mao would be able to easily control them if they wore it.
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin recalled that Mao is incapable of controlling Vibranium if it’s pure and not mixed with any other metals.
<span style="font-weight:400">This should give them some protection should they encounter him by chance.
<span style="font-weight:400">After all, in this Marvel world, you never know what might really happen.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I should also buy some rted Knowledge to Vibrainum…”
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin looked at the store and bought Vibrainum Technology Knowledge worth 20,000 MP.
<span style="font-weight:400">With this, he knew the various applications of Vibranium to technology and also how to handle Vibranium.
<span style="font-weight:400">He found a secluded area in the EPD building and started to transform the Vibranium alloy into Vibranium fibers.
<span style="font-weight:400">For this, he even used his Hellfire to melt the alloy and transform it.
<span style="font-weight:400">You can say that he wasn’t simply making suits but it is also considered a magical artifact now as not only was it forged using the Fires of Hell, but Benjamin also iid some magic inscriptions on it for better protection.
<span style="font-weight:400">Magic sure is convenient…
<span style="font-weight:400">Hours passed as he finally finished working on the two suits.
<span style="font-weight:400">Nodding at his own work, Benjamin stored them for now and left as it was time for the Avengers’ party.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Ben! Come on, we’re going to bete!”
<span style="font-weight:400">Rogue saw that Benjamin finally finished working so she quickly dragged him out of the building.
<span style="font-weight:400">Last night, Natasha also invited Rogue to join the party so she’s also tagging along.
<span style="font-weight:400">In fact, she was already wearing a dress.
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin chuckled and waved his hand to create a portal for them near the Avengers Tower. He didn’t directly portal inside since that would be rude to do so.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Let’s go.”
<span style="font-weight:400">When they reached the Avengers Tower and went in, Benjamin was surprised to see a lot of people.
<span style="font-weight:400">It wasn’t just the Avengers present. There were also some officials and Military Generals. There were also the X-Men.
<span style="font-weight:400">Natasha found them and waved.
<span style="font-weight:400">“You’re here. Come on, the party’s already started.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“The X-Men are also here?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yeah. When I told Tony that Rogue will being, he suggested inviting the rest of the X-Men. After all, didn’t they help you clean up the HYDRA bases? They also freed a lot of mutants and have a reason to celebrate.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Huh. Well, cheers to that.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin was amazed but wasn’t fazed by it too much.
<span style="font-weight:400">The mutants in this world aren’t treated like the ones in the X-Men movies in his previous world where it’s full of discrimination.
<span style="font-weight:400">Well, there is still discrimination but because of the Avengers also existing and after what happened in the Battle of New York, the people are slowly epting the existence of mutants.
<span style="font-weight:400">Although the X-Men didn’t partake in the main battle at that time, they also helped deal with the aliens that passed through the Avengers so the people recognized them as heroes as well.
<span style="font-weight:400">The discrimination against mutants was mostly instigated by HYDRA after all. But now that they have been beaten terribly, they’re all remaining a low profile now so it was much more peaceful.
<span style="font-weight:400">So to speak, everyone in this room has a shared hatred against HYDRA so everyone got along well now that they are celebrating HYDRA’s defeat.
<span style="font-weight:400">The party continued as everyone chatted and mingled with one another.
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin sat at the bar and found Thor showing some cocktails from Asgard to a few old veterans and Steve.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I gotta have some of that.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Uh, no no no. See this? This is aged for a thousand years. In the barrels built from the wreck of Grunhel’s Fleet. It is not meant for mortal men.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Neither was Omaha Beach, blondie. Stop trying to scare us,e on.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin looked at the old man who spoke and was… disappointed. He wasn’t Stan Lee.
<span style="font-weight:400">…Well, it would be weird if he was…this is a separate world after all. But maybe he does exist here…somewhere…
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin shook his head and no longer thought of such things. He walked towards them out of curiosity.
<span style="font-weight:400">Thor and Steve also noticed him and nodded.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Ben. How about you? Fancy a drink?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Thor asked.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Sure. I’ll take a shot.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Alright then.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Thor smiled and poured him and the old man a few drops.
<span style="font-weight:400">The old man drank it and immediately froze up. He was already unconscious…
<span style="font-weight:400">While some people drag the old man away, Benjamin chuckled and drank the shot as well.
<span style="font-weight:400">As expected…nothing happened.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Huh?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Thor was shocked.
<span style="font-weight:400">He’s…fine?
<span style="font-weight:400">Well, it can’t be helped. Because of Poison Immunity, he can no longer get drunk now.
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin handed Thor the shot ss.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Tasted like strawberry.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“...”
<span style="font-weight:400">“You boys having fun?”
<span style="font-weight:400">At this moment, Natasha joined in and leaned on Benjamin’s shoulders.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Hey, Nat. We’re just trying out Thor’s space drink.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Ooh, gimme some too.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Uhh…”
<span style="font-weight:400">Before Benjamin could warn her, she already took the small bottle Thor was holding and poured herself a shot.
<span style="font-weight:400">She then downed it like she would a normal drink.
<span style="font-weight:400">Suddenly, her eyes widened and she felt her heart stop for a second.
<span style="font-weight:400">Luckily, the symbiote bonded with her and helped her and she quickly returned to normal.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Wow…that…I think I died for a second there…I’m just…gonna…sleep for a bit…”
<span style="font-weight:400">Natasha melted in Benjamin’s arms and instantly fell asleep.
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin, Thor, and Steve looked at each other before bursting intoughter.
<span style="font-weight:400">Afterughing for a while, Steve smiled.
<span style="font-weight:400">“It’s nice.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Hm?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“You and Romanoff.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yeah?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin felt this conversation was familiar.
<span style="font-weight:400">“It’s just, she’s not the most…open person in the world. But with you, she seems very rxed.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Well…maybe too rxed.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin chuckled as he looked back at Natasha who was sleeping on hisp.
<span style="font-weight:400">Time passed and soon, people started going home.
<span style="font-weight:400">All that was left are the Avengers and the X-Men who gathered at the center table to talk and chill some more. Oh, there was also Dr. Helen Cho who stayed for some reason.
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin had already woken Natasha using magic so she was chatting with Rogue and a few of the female X-Men.
<span style="font-weight:400">Meanwhile, the guys were all gathered around Thor’s hammer.
<span style="font-weight:400">“It’s a trick right?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Cyclops was the first to speak up.
<span style="font-weight:400">Thorughed and shook his head.
<span style="font-weight:400">“No no, it’s more than that.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“There’s no way no one can lift that hammer except you. It doesn’t even look heavy.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Be my guest then.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Everyone looked at Cyclops.
<span style="font-weight:400">Knowing he’s been put in the spot, he hesitated for a moment before walking to the hammer and trying to lift it up.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Ghh…..!!!”
<span style="font-weight:400">“What’s the matter, Scott? Can’t get it up?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Hahahaha!”
<span style="font-weight:400">Wolverine didn’t miss the chance to annoy him and everyoneughed.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Why don’t you try it then?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Heh. Step aside, Bob.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Seeing Wolverine stand up next, everyone was excited in anticipation.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Ooh, this is gonna be good.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Wolverine held the hammer’s handle and pulled!
<span style="font-weight:400">“Grrr….!!!”
<span style="font-weight:400">Seeing that it was harder than he thought. He gritted his teeth and started growling.
<span style="font-weight:400">His ws even extended by themselves out of instinct as he pulled harder but to no avail.
<span style="font-weight:400">Cyclops sneered.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Guess you can’t get it up too huh?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Shut up.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Wolverine huffed and gave up.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Let me try!”
<span style="font-weight:400">Nightcrawler stood up and tried as well but it didn’t work.
<span style="font-weight:400">Then Colossus.
<span style="font-weight:400">And so on.
<span style="font-weight:400">In fact, even Professor X tried it but he also couldn’t lift it.
<span style="font-weight:400">The women all rolled their eyes at the men who can’t stop trying topete.
<span style="font-weight:400">In the end, the Avengers got dragged in and they also joined while bantering with each other.
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin was also urged to try it by the X-Men but he just shook his head since he already knew he could lift it. No need to rub it in their faces.
<span style="font-weight:400">The Avengers also already knew it and didn’t convince him.
<span style="font-weight:400">Tony clicked his tongue.
<span style="font-weight:400">“It’s rigged. Thor’s fingerprints are the key.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“That’s an interesting theory. But I have a simpler one.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Thor smirked and lifted the hammer with ease.
<span style="font-weight:400">“You’re all not worthy.”
<span style="font-weight:400">““Booo.””
<span style="font-weight:400">Everyone boo-ed at him collectively.
<span style="font-weight:400">At this moment.
<span style="font-weight:400">A high-pitched sound was heard.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Worthy…”
<span style="font-weight:400">Everyone heard a voice and turned to see a damaged robot walk into the lounge.
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin sighed when he saw this.
<span style="font-weight:400">He was gonna ask Tonyter about it since he didn’t want to ruin the party mood earlier. Besides, Benjamin wasn’t going to stop Ultron’s creation. He needed him for something.
<span style="font-weight:400">Naturally, he won’t let the plot continue and have him destroy a city.
<span style="font-weight:400">“No…How could you be worthy?”
<span style="font-weight:400">The robot continued to speak.
<span style="font-weight:400">“You’re all killers.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Steve quickly called out Tony.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Stark.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Jarvis?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Tony called out to his AI but no one responded.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I’m sorry, I was asleep. Or I was…a dream…There was a terrible noise. And I was tangled in…strings…”
<span style="font-weight:400">“What’s going on here?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Charles asked Tony who was tapping on his tablet to try and shut down the robot.
<span style="font-weight:400">Bruce frowned for a while and spoke as he realized something.
<span style="font-weight:400">“...Ultron?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“In the flesh. Or no, not yet. Not this…chrysalis. But I’m ready. I’m on a mission.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“What mission?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Jean asked.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Peace in our time.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Suddenly, several Iron Legion robots shot out of the door and charged at everyone.
<span style="font-weight:400">But who were the people present?
<span style="font-weight:400">They were the Avengers and the X-Men.
<span style="font-weight:400">Against only a few robots, they were more than enough to crush them!
<span style="font-weight:400">“...Well, that was fast.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Ultron couldn’t help but say when he saw that they all dealt with the robots that quickly.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I’m sorry, I know you mean well…but it’s not enough. There is only one path to peace. The extinction of the Avengers, X-Men, and all those with power. When everyone is equal, only then will there be peace.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“You talk too much, tin can.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Wolverine growled and waved his ws as they sliced through Ultron’s body and shredded him.
<span style="font-weight:400">“There are no more strings on me…”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Actually there is.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Huh?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin finally stood up and started walking towards Ultron.
<span style="font-weight:400">Just when everyone was confused by what he meant, they all heard Ultron’s panicking voice.
<span style="font-weight:400">“No…what is this…!? Why am I blocked from leaving!?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Rx. I only closed allwork connections around you so you can’t leave. Don’t even think of escaping into the inte and secretly raising a robot army.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“How are you doing this!? You…no…it’s not you! It’s…!!! This can’t be! How can such a thing exist in this world!?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin raised a brow at that.
<span style="font-weight:400">Did it…see the System?
<span style="font-weight:400">“Sleep.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I…”
<span style="font-weight:400">Ultron’s voice trailed off as it slowly disappeared.
<span style="font-weight:400">Well, all he did was have the System put Ultron in sleep mode for now.
<span style="font-weight:400">[This is the System’s first time fighting but it’s so easy…]
<span style="font-weight:400">Why are you evenining? Do you want it to be hard?
<span style="font-weight:400">[It’s not even a challenge. Hmph.]
<span style="font-weight:400">Yes, yes. The System is so mighty.
<span style="font-weight:400">[That’s of course!]
<span style="font-weight:400">After satisfying the System’s ego for a bit, Benjamin turned to the others.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Well, Ultron’s settled with. There’s no need to worry about him escaping anymore.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“...”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Can someone please exin what’s actually happening?”
<span style="font-weight:400">While everyone was silent, Nightcrawler couldn’t hold it in anymore and asked.
<span style="font-weight:400">Steve also turned to Tony and Bruce.
<span style="font-weight:400">“He’s right Tony. What’s going on? Who’s Ultron?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Tony and Bruce looked at each other and sighed.
<span style="font-weight:400">“After the Battle of New York, I started working on the Iron Legions. They were designed to rece human lives so they can protect the people. They were designed to be the ‘sacrifices’ so no one else can get hurt.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“And we didplete them. Judging from our previous missions, the Iron Legions are a big help in evacuating the people and controlling the situation.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Bruce added and the Avengers nodded as they also knew this.
<span style="font-weight:400">Tony continued.
<span style="font-weight:400">“But the Iron Legions weren’t enough. They needed someone to lead them urately and precisely. So we tried making a new Artificial Intelligence to serve as their leader. Ultron.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“But a machine won’t simply cut it. It needed to have its own…sense of awareness in order to adapt to the situation. When we studied Loki’s Scepter, we found that it has some sort of consciousness simr to AI inside it.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“So we tried to use it as a model. It didn’t really work. We kept failing and failing…we were about to give up after this party really…I didn’t think thest test would actually seed…”
<span style="font-weight:400">Tony sighed.
<span style="font-weight:400">Steve also sighed as he ced his hand on his forehead.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Tony, whenever someone tries to study things beyond their reach, it doesn’t end well. The Red Skull tried to do so with the Tesseract and he died because of it.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Innovation means trying things that others don’t, Rogers. Without innovation, there’s no progress. Just because someone else fails doesn’t mean others won’t seed.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Because you’re the great Tony Stark, huh?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Alright enough of this you two.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Natasha frowned and stopped the two from continuing before they say anything that they might regret.
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin also spoke up.
<span style="font-weight:400">“There’s no need to me each other. In the end, no harm was done. Besides, the creation of Ultron was in the right direction. It’s just notplete.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Huh?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I can help youplete it. Your Vision.”