Chapter 99: CHAPTER 99 - LIMITED CHOICES
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[Vision POV]
After successfully fusing with Kang's armor after a thorough remodeling, even to the frequency it vibrates at, I now understand what energy Kang was using and found out that it was completely incompatible with the Mind Stone. Figures.
Thankfully it wasn't something enigmatic like the power cosmic but a more efficient and also one of the cleanest forms of energy that was discovered some time far off into the future.
If Doom can harness science to use magic then it is not so far off that the Infinity Stones have little use in the future, because they really do.
Thankfully energy absorption and assimilation was my thing and with me no longer being forcefully connected to the Mind Stone, my options were limitless, and that was exactly what I did.
I changed the power source.
At least this way it is no longer a must for me to require the Mind Stone if I want to use my abilities on a much larger scale than what my energy output can support.
Now I'm fully self-sufficient.
The new news from Raven is that the Black Queen is starting to make some movements but that doesn't really change much.
I've already empowered Natasha, Steve and Sam according to their choice.
Natasha was basically Kevin Levin with better control and options. Since I based it off my form-shift, there was a chance that she might be able to fuse with matter on an atomic level but at this point in time I can't see it happening. Who knows, maybe she also has a talent for these things.
For Sam, he chose the one that gave him energy wings that also functioned as projectiles. I don't know why he chose that but in the end, it's ultimately their choice in choosing what they want.
As for Steve, well his was somewhat different. He initially wanted to undergo an adamantium grafting on his skeleton but I didn't want that so I gave him my best alternative.
Rather than having the metal skeleton, why not have the properties that such a skeleton will give?
Stars and Spangles got a biological makeover with impossibly sturdy bones, heightened regeneration factor, shock absorptive, and tightly bonded cells.
He looked and felt the same way but became a meaner version of himself underneath all the sunny boy smiles.
"That's your third book now." The Ancient One said as I came to his office after finishing my third book.
"I want to ask you a quick question." I said as I sat beside him. "Selene Gallio. What's her deal?"
"Oh? Quite the nasty one you caught for yourself." He said with a little chuckle but showed no other reaction other than the initial slight surprise. "Well she desires what most powerful corrupt people desire – more control. She's ensnared by its intoxicating allure, and also quite dangerous might I add."
"And the Sanctum does nothing about it?"
"We don't meddle, Mr. Simons. It might be unsettling to hear but our Order's sole purpose is to preserve the universal law. Unless something goes against that, we will remain as we have always have. We are not enforcers, Mr. Simons, we are forces of balance."
Even if I want to disagree with that, I really can't. The Sanctum is founded on the ground that it wouldn't be used to pursue personal interest, so they act as the neutral middle ground between all magical and mystical parties concerning earth.
"I hear you, just wanted to pick your mind for a reason." I said and brushed the topic under the water. "What about Wanda?"
"She is progressing quite finely, but I guess that's expected given who she is." He said that and stroked his beard.
Since there was nothing left for me to do here, I bid him farewell and left the Sanctum after having a little chat with Wanda. I'm really excited to find out what she can do after a formal sorcery training.
With the meeting of the world leaders drawing closer, I want to make sure that at least phase two of my kicks off with it.
What is phase two?
For simplicity's sake, it's basically level 100 subterfuge, but not in a subtle way.
Thankfully for me, Ultron has already laid down the framework for me to work with so all I needed to do was implement it and since it's ever evolving due to constant present changes, the margin of error is drastically reduced.
Lamentably for me, the only thing that isn't working out as much as I wanted it to, is the recruitment which I unfortunately have little to no control over since this world is currently in its infancy when it comes to heroes.
I'm still putting off the idea of sending an invitation to the Fantastic Four but maybe the upcoming meeting will give me a rare surprise. Who knows?
[Message notification from Erik Lensherr's cell]
'Talk about the surprise.'
Well not really since he's had a week or two to think about it. Why am I talking as if he's already accepted my offer? Other than the fact that he can't do anything while being locked up, he has a few things to gain from working with me. At least that's how his thought processes work.
If he thinks I can't read his mind because of his above average mental defense then apparently someone hasn't given him the memo.
He's probably thinking along the lines of him being able to grow back his Brotherhood stealthily away from my eyes or gaining more influence to push forth his dream.
It's not as if I can blame him for thinking like that.
"Vision, hey." I turned around and saw Yelena who finally decided to end her well deserved sabbatical and join us. "I have to admit, I love what you've done to the place. And I see a few Widows decided to stay behind? Good for them, I guess."
"Finally decided to join us, I see."
"Well yeah. Just finished my redemption arc and I don't know what else to do other than, well putting my skills to good use."
Oh, with that sense of humor I can believe that they are definitely sisters.
"I don't think I need to give you a tour of the place so just pick one of the empty rooms and settle in. Catch you later." I waved and parted ways with her.
Natasha can catch her up to speed with whatever she needs and also an upgrade whenever she wants one.
I went to check up on Erik soon after and what he said was all winging the lines of what I expected.
"I'll join you on a few conditions: I require a certain level of transparency between us, and also those that I take under me are all under my discretion."
"First of all, I can't bring myself to care about what you just said and for the second, we are by no means partners in any way." He looked absolutely stunned and confused so I elaborated ever so clearly so that he could get it.
"Do some illegal or morally questionable shit and I will be there to bust your ass, no homo."
If he was angry then he didn't allow it to show on his face because the raging intent I felt from him wasn't as calm as the look on his face.
"You can do what you want, hell you can even go start a country with you as its monarch as long as you don't cross some laid down rules. Believe it or not, the only reason I let you live is because of Pietro and Wanda, and it's not as if that's going to save you if I really wanted you dead."
The threat wasn't a veiled one, it wasn't even a threat but rather a statement.
Whether I like it or not, Erik is the only prominent face the mutants have but unfortunately it's not a good face so he's going to be working to change that.
"Take it as if you're under temporary employment. It's better than doing time in prison, right?"
We had a much reserved talk after that, which was him basically trying to get more room to wiggle but I shot them all down.
°°°°°°°
[The White House]
"Sir, we've lost all contact with Bolivar Trask. The area where he last radioed in has been destroyed." One of the bodyguards reported to the president who looked as if he just swallowed a nauseating pill.
"In other words, not only have we lost a lot of avenues and research facilities, along with having our research materials stolen and destroyed, but everyone we ever placed a bet on is dead?"
The few people who were in the room had nothing to say to the president's words and just kept silent with their heads down.
"So not only do the mutants disagree on signing the Registration Act but we also have some of them blowing up our bases left and right, and the Avengers too?"
"Has there been any word from John Sublime?"
"No sir."
The president let out a fed up sigh and slumped deeper into his chair.
Weekly Power Status
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