"Are you kidding me…?"
Renzo stared in shock at the disheveled Watcher before him and the dark version of Doctor Strange emerging from the shadows. For a moment, it felt like he'd stepped into a counterfeit Marvel universe.
"Did I just cross into a What If…? world?"
"Now here's someone interesting…"
The dark Strange spoke with a sinister smile, his three eyes glowing crimson as they fixed on Renzo.
"You're not from this multiverse. How did you break through the barrier?"
He drifted closer, grotesque octopus-like tentacles unfurling behind him—slick, writhing, and deeply unsettling.
Renzo sidestepped the attempted "greeting" without hesitation. He knew that although this Strange had fallen into darkness, he wasn't inherently evil—but his methods were extreme.
"Who are you? Why bring me here? And when do I go back?" Renzo asked, feigning ignorance despite already knowing the general situation. Even so, caution was necessary—especially in front of two beings this powerful.
Compared to them, even Vision's strength felt insignificant. The mere fact that this Strange had survived the collapse of his own universe said enough.
Dark Strange studied Renzo intently, as if examining some priceless artifact. Without warning, he reached out to grab him.
Renzo felt a prickle on his forehead. Instinctively, he fired a beam from the Mind Stone, forcing Strange's tentacles to recoil.
That surprised him. He was in his original human body—so how was he still using Vision's abilities?
Neither of them spoke for a moment. Strange's expression darkened slightly, as though calculating something.
"Enough," the Watcher interjected, his massive head turning between them. "We are allies for now. Whatever disputes you have can wait until this is over."
His voice carried a quiet gravity.
"There is a threat to the multiverse. A being that has already destroyed one universe… and is moving toward others."
He looked directly at Renzo.
"And that being is connected to you."
"Ultron," the Watcher said. "An Ultron with a perfect body."
…Of course.
Renzo's heart sank. Even with prior knowledge, the reality of it still hit hard.
"That… Ultron…" he murmured, momentarily at a loss.
In the original timeline, it had taken a combination of Natasha and the Zola virus to stop him—and even that had been dangerously close to failure. With six Infinity Stones, Ultron was practically unstoppable. Even cosmic-level beings might struggle against him.
And yet… defeated by a virus?
Renzo couldn't help but feel the absurdity of it.
"If he's that powerful," Renzo said slowly, "why not recruit cosmic entities? The Celestials, or other top-tier beings? Why come to me?"
For a moment, both the Watcher and Strange fell silent.
Renzo blinked. Was it just him, or did Strange's face darken further… and the Watcher's head somehow look even bigger?
"…Everything follows a path," the Watcher said at last, speaking cryptically. "A beam of light does not stop halfway—it reaches its end."
Renzo didn't understand a word of it.
"It's fate," Strange added calmly. "Don't worry. We will win."
Of course you will, Renzo thought bitterly. You already know the outcome. The Watcher only ever shows up after everything's over.
Fraud.
He silently cursed the two of them while also acknowledging just how terrifying they truly were.
"Enough talk," the Watcher said, raising a hand. "It's time to assemble."
A strange force wrapped around Renzo. Before he could react, space twisted—and he was pulled into another universe.
"Ahhh—!"
The moment he arrived, a loud, familiar shout rang in his ears. Annoyed, Renzo reached up to cover them—only to realize…
He had ears again.
He looked down at himself. His human body was gone. He was Vision once more.
Around him stood figures from different universes—
Captain Carter.
T'Challa as Star-Lord.
Killmonger.
Gamora.
Dark Strange…
…and Thor.
Renzo glanced at the blond god, then thought of the Thor from his own universe.
…Yep. Still an idiot.
Strange explained the situation, calming the group.
Then the Watcher appeared.
"Why have you brought us here?" Captain Carter asked.
"To save the universe?" Gamora added.
"You are the last hope of the multiverse," the Watcher declared.
Renzo nearly rolled his eyes. Of course. No pay, all risk—classic Watcher.
"Alright, Loki!" Thor laughed drunkenly. "Nice trick! Now I'm off to find Jane—"
He flung open the door—
"AHHH—!"
A massive suction force nearly dragged him out into the void. He clung desperately to the frame, hair whipping wildly like a plucked goose.
With great effort, he pulled himself back in using Mjolnir, slammed the door shut, and stood there, panting in shock.
The Watcher then explained Ultron's threat. The room fell silent.
"Maybe I can steal something from him," T'Challa said thoughtfully.
"We need to separate him from the Stones."
"But he could be anywhere."
"Yes."
"With an army behind him."
"Correct."
"And he has all six Infinity Stones."
"That's the key," Strange said.
"This is suicide," Killmonger muttered.
Renzo observed them carefully. Their personalities differed sharply from their counterparts.
Captain Carter was steady and principled.
T'Challa was imaginative but grounded.
Gamora radiated danger.
Killmonger was calculating.
And Thor… was still Thor.
After some food and drink, the group began planning.
"I don't think any of this will work," Renzo said, standing up.
The room fell quiet.
"And who are you?" Thor scoffed.
Renzo ignored him.
"Gamora—your Infinity Crusher only works on Stones from your own universe. They're not interchangeable."
"Theft won't work either. Even if you take one, Ultron still has five—and you'll lose the element of surprise."
"And aside from me, Strange, and Thor, the rest of you are still human. You won't even survive getting close to him."
His words hit hard.
"So what's your plan?" Thor demanded, gripping Mjolnir.
Renzo met his gaze calmly.
"Simple. No matter how powerful he is… he's still a program."
Silence.
"Delete the program."
The idea landed.
They had been thinking about fighting a god—never about erasing it.
"…And how do we do that?" Killmonger asked.
Renzo smiled faintly.
"You just need to protect me."
He wanted to see their reactions when they faced Ultron.
"Watcher," Renzo said, turning his head, "send us to him."
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