"Is that so?"
Hearing Lex's words, Tony was momentarily stunned.
He stopped his work, signaled Jarvis to pause, then turned around and looked at Lex with a serious expression.
"Are you saying it happens every time it causes trouble?"
"And not just minor trouble. Your mechanical legions always become a source of chaos. You should think carefully before moving forward with this plan."
Lex responded while raising a hand and pointing toward Tony's schedule.
His eyes focused on the countless plans for extraterrestrial automated armor manufacturing and deployment systems. After reading through them, Lex took a breath and rubbed his chin.
"Of course, this isn't a comic book. This is your reality. If you truly want to do this, perhaps careful planning can prevent the disasters shown in those stories."
Lex looked at Tony seriously.
"However, before you make your final decision, I suggest you visit our universe with us. Especially buy a few of your own comic books and read them as a reference. They may not represent reality, but they could help you avoid potential mistakes."
After speaking, Lex approached Tony and reached out, intending to pat his shoulder.
Tony instinctively stepped back.
In the past, Lex had never been comfortable with physical contact. People like them, especially those who spent their lives focused on science, often had unusual habits.
However, after spending time with Axel, Lex had gradually become influenced by him, even adopting gestures like friendly shoulder pats.
Fortunately, Lex had not picked up all of Axel's strange habits.
After avoiding Lex's hand, Tony returned to the workbench and looked over his designs again.
Originally, Tony, who had not experienced the events of the New York battle, would never have considered creating a mechanical army.
He had never sent a nuclear missile into space, never nearly died among the stars, and had always viewed the Iron Man armor as his greatest invention and personal creation.
He refused to hand the technology over to the American government, and he had even been reluctant to fully upgrade the armor he gave Rhodey because he feared organizations like the government and Hammer Industries would gain too much information.
The incident involving Hammer Industries and Whiplash had also left Tony with a poor opinion of advanced mechanical weapons.
But now...
Tony took a deep breath and leaned against the workbench.
"Maybe I was influenced by that girl's ability."
His expression became heavy.
"She showed me something. A possible future, or maybe an illusion."
Tony looked at Lex and Bruce.
"Do you know what I saw? I saw nine terrifying beings descending upon Earth while the planet was already destroyed by war."
"I saw the people I cared about dying in front of me. I saw everyone around me becoming victims of a disaster. I saw Steve blaming me before he died, telling me I could have done more."
Tony pressed his forehead.
"You know, I really can do more."
"Once I build the core structure of the armor, adding intelligent systems would allow those machines to move almost like me. Their movements could even surpass mine."
"During the Hydra crisis today, if I had thousands of automated armors prepared in advance, the entire situation could have been resolved within hours."
"Even without the armor itself, if I had expanded Jarvis or created new artificial intelligence systems to monitor global networks, Hydra would never have been able to launch their attack."
Tony looked at them.
"Can you understand what I mean?"
"If it were you two, you would understand, right?"
"If I had done the things I always considered but never acted on because of fear, then maybe this disaster would never have happened."
"So I have to ask myself... is everything happening now because of me?"
"Because of you?"
Before Tony could continue, Bruce walked directly toward him.
He briefly examined the processing equipment before speaking.
"Five years ago, I wouldn't have been thinking about all these useless doubts either."
"That bastard Axel may be unbearable sometimes, but his personality has a way of forcing people like us to rethink our choices."
"After spending enough time around Axel, you stop wasting energy blaming yourself for things you cannot change."
Bruce looked at Tony.
"Since you have concerns, then act on them."
"I'll help complete the automated armor systems. Lex can improve the automated energy core manufacturing process. You can share Jarvis' data and create temporary artificial intelligence programs designed to control the situation."
"First, use the automated armor legion to resolve Earth's current crisis. After that, we can discuss whether this technology should continue existing."
Bruce crossed his arms.
"Don't worry about future problems. Axel may not interfere with everything we do, but he will not allow a world he cares about to be controlled by machines."
Bruce turned toward the others.
"Besides, the three of us cannot decide the outcome of a war involving millions of people. Manufacturing thousands of automated armors is far more useful than sending only three armored heroes into battle."
"It's settled."
Bruce clapped his hands, making the decision.
Compared with Lex and Tony's cautious scientific thinking, Bruce's ability to act decisively reflected the mindset of a true hero.
With Bruce pushing them forward, Lex and Tony exchanged glances before immediately beginning cooperation.
All three were among the greatest minds in their respective worlds. With Tony's advanced processing center assisting them, the automated armor production line quickly began operating.
As armor after armor was completed, Tony focused on developing the artificial intelligence system.
"By the way, what should we name this new AI?"
Tony looked at the others.
"I have a suggestion. What about Ultron?"
"No."
Bruce immediately rejected it.
"Whatever you do, don't call it Ultron."
Lex nodded.
"Listen to Bruce. Definitely do not choose that name."
...
While Stark Industries was busy constructing a small automated armor legion...
Deep beneath Manhattan, inside an unknown underground facility.
Axel pushed open a dark door and entered with Wanda and Quicksilver.
The guards at the entrance were stunned by the sudden intrusion.
One quickly contacted their superior while another stepped forward.
"Sorry, this is a private event. Entry requires an invitation."
The guard looked Axel up and down.
"If you do not have one, please leave."
His hand slowly moved toward his weapon.
Axel noticed the movement and smiled.
He turned toward Wanda and Quicksilver.
"Do you see this?"
"This is how the wealthy people of this world entertain themselves. Having weapons and strength means nothing if you are still forced to follow someone else's orders."
He glanced at them.
"Just like your situation with Strucker. You have power, but you were still treated as tools."
"You have spent too much time chasing revenge and never experienced the rest of the world."
"Today, I'm showing you something different."
Axel casually pushed the guard aside and continued forward.
The surrounding security immediately drew their weapons.
Before they could react, every weapon was pulled away by an invisible force.
The guards froze as their weapons floated in the air before being tossed aside.
Axel walked through them and entered the long corridor.
As they moved deeper inside, Wanda and Quicksilver began hearing loud music.
Quicksilver looked surprised.
"This is actually a party?"
"What else would it be?"
Axel smiled.
"Didn't I say I was bringing you here to relax?"
Axel casually placed a hand on Wanda's head.
Quicksilver immediately pushed his hand away.
"Hey, why are you touching my sister?"
Axel grinned.
"What else should I do?"
Quicksilver frowned.
"Just don't."
Axel laughed and opened the final door.
Several armed guards immediately appeared from inside, but Axel simply waved his hand.
The guards were thrown aside and crashed harmlessly into the walls.
Axel stepped into the venue.
The flashing lights and loud music surrounded them instantly.
Quicksilver stared around in disbelief while Wanda looked uncomfortable at the unfamiliar environment.
The underground party was filled with wealthy guests and dangerous individuals hiding behind luxury and entertainment.
Most people inside had no idea that a group of powerful outsiders had entered.
Soon, a well-dressed man approached Axel.
He studied Axel's appearance, then looked at Wanda and Quicksilver behind him.
After a moment, he smiled.
"Are they with you?"
The man spoke with a disturbing confidence.
Axel's expression immediately changed.
Wanda noticed the man's behavior and stepped forward.
Before Axel could say anything, she grabbed the man and lifted him away from the ground.
The man struggled.
Wanda's eyes were cold.
"You picked the wrong people."
She threw him aside.
Quicksilver looked around in disbelief.
"Boss Axel, is this the experience you wanted to show us?"
Axel glanced at him.
"I wanted you to see the world beyond revenge."
The strange atmosphere around them continued until a young woman approached.
Unlike the others, she immediately recognized Axel.
"Axel?"
Her expression changed with surprise.
"I know who you are. I have seen your videos."
She looked around excitedly.
"I never expected someone like you to appear here."
Wanda watched her carefully.
Axel simply looked toward the crowd, understanding that this place contained far more darkness than it showed on the surface.
===
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