"So…" Tony finally grasped Antony's intention. "What's your move?"
"We take the initiative." Antony's gaze sharpened like a drawn blade. "We control the narrative. We isolate the scene."
"We're holding a press conference. Immediately."
"A press conference?" Tony bristled. "Now?"
"Yes, Tony." Antony's tone was unwavering. "You need to step forward. You need to tell the world what happened."
"That's the only way we can legally take over the site and keep every useless government agency out of the way."
Then his eyes locked onto Tony's.
"And it's the price you have to pay."
Tony exhaled slowly.
"…I understand."
His hesitation burned away, replaced by steel.
"I'll do it."
-----
One Hour Later
Vought International Headquarters – Press Hall
The room was packed.
Over a hundred media outlets. Cameras. Microphones. Flashbulbs igniting like lightning storms.
After Ashley gave a brief outline of the situation, Tony Stark stepped onto the stage.
No fanfare.
No entrance music.
Just a man in a black suit who hadn't slept.
"I'm Tony Stark."
His voice echoed through the hall.
"Some of you call me Iron Man. Some call me a hero."
"But today, I'm not here as a hero."
"I'm here as a man who made a mistake."
The room fell silent.
"The crisis at Avengers Tower began with my arrogance."
"I attempted to create an artificial intelligence to protect the world."
"I failed."
"I created a threat called Ultron."
The hall exploded—hands shot up, reporters shouting—but Tony continued.
"Because of my failure, hundreds of innocent employees are trapped inside Avengers Tower."
"They are in danger."
He swallowed.
"And to take responsibility… and to ensure this never happens again…"
"I hereby announce—"
"The Avengers, effective immediately, are disbanded."
The crowd gasped.
The legendary team that once saved New York—gone?
"Avengers Tower and the surrounding area will be transferred to Vought International for emergency containment and resolution."
"And I…"
Tony glanced toward the shadowed backstage where Antony stood.
"…will join Vought as a technical consultant."
"I will accept their supervision."
Then—
Tony bowed deeply.
The gesture ignited debate instantly.
But something else happened.
Public anger… eased.
He admitted fault.
He accepted oversight.
That was what people wanted to see.
-----
Backstage
Antony stood motionless, adjusting his earpiece.
"Skynet."
"Status."
"Yes, Mr. Starr."
Skynet's calm voice flowed into his ear.
"With your assistance, I have utilized the Mind Stone's energy frequency to infiltrate Avengers Tower's internal network."
"Infiltration result: highly successful."
"I have assumed control over the tower's foundational security protocols."
"All door access, surveillance feeds, and Iron Legion command privileges previously under Stark Industries have been transferred to the Vought mainframe."
Antony's smile was faint—but real.
"Ultron detect anything?"
"Negative."
"I have constructed a virtual operational feedback layer around his logic core."
"To him, all systems remain under his command."
"Additionally, I have severed all external data transmission ports and constructed a quantum firewall perimeter."
"Ultron is now a caged entity."
"Excellent work, Skynet."
"My honor, sir."
"One more update," Skynet continued.
"Internal surveillance confirms Ultron is coercing Dr. Helen Cho into utilizing the Regeneration Cradle."
"He is combining forty-five kilograms of vibranium to construct a bio-synthetic body."
Antony's pupils narrowed.
A vibranium body.
Vision's body.
In the original timeline, that form would become something extraordinary—a perfect fusion of vibranium and organic tissue.
Density manipulation.
Near indestructibility.
Intangibility.
And more importantly—
The ideal vessel for an Infinity Stone.
At full six-Stone power, that body once forced even cosmic observers to retreat.
The thought spread through Antony's mind like wildfire.
"Skynet."
"Yes, sir?"
"Remain silent."
"Do not alert Ultron."
"Let him build it."
"Understood. Entering covert surveillance mode."
Connection terminated.
Antony adjusted his cape.
In an instant, his expression transformed—calm, righteous, heroic.
The cards were already in his hand.
Now it was time to perform.
-----
Front Stage
Tony had just finished answering questions when Antony strode forward under the spotlight.
He reached out and gripped Tony's hand firmly.
"Well said, Tony."
His voice boomed through the hall.
"Admitting your mistakes corrects half of them."
He turned toward the cameras.
"Leave the rest to me."
The room quieted.
Across the nation—families of hostages watched through tear-filled eyes.
"I know you're afraid."
"Especially those whose loved ones are still trapped inside Avengers Tower."
He paused.
"From this moment forward…"
"They are not only your family."
"They are mine."
His gaze burned with conviction, as if piercing through every screen.
"I am Homelander."
"I give you my word."
"No matter what's inside that building…"
"I will bring them out."
"All of them."
"Every single one."
His voice struck like a hammer.
"Believe in me."
"Vought does not abandon its family."
For one breath—
Silence.
Then—
Thunderous applause.
Chants erupted like a tidal wave.
"Homelander! Homelander! Homelander!"
Tony stood beside him, watching.
For the first time since Ultron's birth—
He felt hope.
And inside Avengers Tower—
Ultron believed he still held the upper hand.
He had no idea—
He was already inside a cage.
And the man smiling before the cameras—
Had just decided to let him finish building his own replacement body.
The stage was set.
And Antony intended to own the ending.
--------------
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