CHAPTER 97 - ALTERNATE PROTOCOLS

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The week following Vision and the twins' visit to the Sanctum went by like any other part from a few notable changes that took not just him but Pietro and Wanda too by surprise. At the very least, it was a welcomed one. 

While the exact details were unknown to most because of the respect for family privacy, the fact that Laura started going to Xavier's mansion for her daily education spoke more than was needed. 

Just knowing that the estranged immortal was at the very least interested in being whatever type of father figure he could to her was a very much appreciated sentiment. 

At least a certain group of like-minded individuals didn't have the reason to be a little 'persuasive'. 

Wanda had already started her magic lessons in Kamar-Taj and with it came a lot of slightly overdue status change. At least the prelude to one. 

"When did you have enough time to do all this?" 

"Seriously, Bruce? That's what you're really asking? You do realize I'm an advanced AI code, right? Multitasking is our whole thing."

"Vision blowing his own horn aside, I think the real question is how you came up with all this, and why?" Natasha asked as she looked at the holographic vials and the information tagged on them. 

"Oh that? Easy. I just branched out from all the data banks I've downloaded from all the bases we've raided till now."

"As for the why, well I seriously don't believe I need to answer that."

Steve, who since the starting of this impromptu gathering had remained silent, finally opened his mouth to speak. 

"I know I really shouldn't be saying this given how we've arrived at this juncture but I think I have to. Is all this really necessary?" 

The others, mainly Natasha, Steve, and Sam, looked at Vision who had just presented what he called an 'Empowerment Program' in a way nobody had expected. 

The three in particular, bar Steve to an extent, remained at the human level when it came to overall abilities. Even Tony, though completely human, could level a city without breaking a sweat if he so much as put his mind to it. Now that he was already fucking with nanotechnology, nothing could stop him if he decided to add a nuke to his arsenal just for that red button moment. 

"I know we never really talked about this but as a reminder, you all should know that just the fact that earth has fought two battles over Infinity Stones in such a short time already has put us under the scopes of the powers that be in the universe and beyond, but just for simplicity, then yes. All this is necessary."

"So I guess we should be expecting another invasion for your stone any time soon?" Tony shifted uncomfortably in his seat as he remembered how he had suffered two huge traumas in both fights. 

"It's actually worse than that." Vision corrected. 

"Worse? What is worse than a surprise alien invasion?" Sam asked, not liking the sudden ominous foreboding one bit. 

"Subjugation… or worse, annihilation."

"As astute as always." Vision chimed in. Sure he's seen and read stories where they triumphed over universal adversaries with their original strength but just like those, there were also an infinite number of realities where they, along with the planet, were turned to dust. 

"If the abilities you are seeing are not up to your taste then tell me, I'll do what I can to alter their molecular properties." Vision stated. 

Tony suddenly looked invested in the topic after hearing Vision's words. "Did you crack the mutagene code?"

Vision shook his head much to Tony's disappointment but his next words abated that disappointment by a few levels. "Most of the serums were made after studying my own abilities and also reviewing most of the research materials. So rather than saying I fully cracked it, you can say I have a level of success in altering the mutagene."

Ignoring Tony's resulting banter, the main trio looked through the information of the serums and how it would affect their effectiveness. Each of them had a few serums assigned to them by Vision due to compatibility between them. 

"Energy wings? Nice. Is there a reason why the serum can't just make me a full energy being?" Sam asked after noticing that most of the serums were designed to enhance some of the perks they already have. 

"Trust me, being an energy being isn't all it's cracked up to be. As an energy being, you are more susceptible to being manipulated and there are quite a few drawbacks to it. So yes, manipulating energy is the better way to go."

Sam let out a silent 'tsk' and just went back to perusing his options while Natasha raised a question of her own. 

"Is this form-shift what I think it is?" 

"It doesn't allow you to change to whatever you want if that is what you're thinking. I don't know how effectively you can use it but basically it allows you to exhibit the state of a matter you are in contact with, which is why it is accompanied by intangibility." This was something he had come up with after studying Raven's DNA along with his own form-shift and the conclusion was that Natasha would probably be unable to use it at the same level as he could. 

Steve didn't say anything and glanced through his before picking the one he thought would be good for him. He wasn't a hypocrite that he would reject something like this on the grounds of morality. He just had never seen the need for one before, until now at least. 

Tony was the only one who didn't get any upgrades before he believed he didn't need one since he had a 'game changer' he was working on while also having access to Vision's research. Even Clint Barton who was absent had a few serums ready for him at any time he decided to come back. 

°°°°°°°

Vision walked through the halls of the Overwatch to the section that was reserved as a temporary prison for Magneto and his aide. 

"You're back?" Erik asked in a statement-like manner rather than a question as he saw the familiar red face of his captor. 

"That, I am." Vision said matter-of-factly and the ground rippled like water and formed a chair behind him which he sat on. 

Erik didn't react to Vision's show of power as this was not the first time he's had such a visit. "I would ask why you are here but I think we are already past that point." The metal master was the depiction of calmness as he sat leg crossed in his cell room. 

"It's simple. You serve no purpose or benefit to me keeping you here so my offer remains as it's always been. Work for me and do what you want for the mutant race, under my discretion of course."

This was the offer Vision had made to Erik after he was imprisoned but till now, the self-glorified leader of the Brotherhood refused to budge an inch. 

Erik snorted upon remembering Vision's 'offer', as if a red ribbon parceled offer like that could sway a man such as him who had dedicated decades of his life to his own cause and no one else.

"From your cold edged mental waves, I know you will be refusing once again but I just thought to deliver you with an important piece of news: The Brotherhood had been destroyed. Infighting, insubordination, mutiny, terrorism and other hazardous actions eventually led to the once proud group. Mystique actually managed to snatch a few handful of people to her side so maybe not the whole Brotherhood." 

After saying his piece, the chair dissolved back into the ground as he stood up to leave, giving Magneto his final sales pitch. 

"Mystique also works for me. I really hope you change your mind, Mr. Lensherr." And with that he was finally gone. 

Erik gritted his teeth as he heard Vision's words and as much as he would have loved to believe them lies, something prevented him from fully doing so as he knew the nature of those he brought under him. It was his iron hand that brought them all under control during his rule. 

'Have the times really changed that much, Charles?' He thought gloomily and sighed.' I guess even you won't know the answer to that, old friend.'

°°°°°°

"Maybe I should visit Xavier's after this." Vision said as he entered his workshop in the Overwatch. 

[Data analysis of Kang's armor has been fully downloaded] 

A full blown smile stretched across Vision's face as he heard that notification. He could truthfully say that this was the best piece of information he has ever gotten since he woke up in that cradle. 

[Alternate mind partition successfully downloaded] 

[ULTRON has successfully blocked and alter the data streams recorded on Kang's armor] 

"Now this… this is good news."

The reason for this was simple. With the data on Kang's armor successfully downloaded and altered, he was sure that he had bought enough time and secured his actions from the council of Kangs. 

Who was ULTRON? 

This guy was just every bit of a threat as the council of Kang were, arguably more so than Thanos with the Infinity Gauntlet 70% of the time. 

And with ULTRON under his full control, with a series of ever evolving alternate protocols to employ at any given time, it made sense why he wasn't that worried about the council of Kangs and decided to take Kang's armor.

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Image of Vision's new look.