POV Rio
I was playing Smash Bros with my family when I recieved an urgent request from Tony. I was not exactly happy, but I knew he wouldn't ask for help using the emergency line unless he was really desperate. I finished the match and then let them play without me.
'Let's see what dumb thing he did this time.'
I teleport to Tony's Lab, which was built on a deserted island. He chose this after the Ten Rings blew up his last lab. I sneak up behind Tony and do the usual routine.
Rio: "Boo."
Tony: "AHHHH! God damn it, Rio! Stop doing that!"
Rio: "Just tell me what you need. I was very busy before this."
He clutches his chest, which I note is missing the attachable Ark Reactor. I figured he must not have put it on today.
Tony: "Well, I uh, I need materials."
I narrow my eyes at him as I sense he is very nervous, and when I look around, I notice that his lab is very... bare.
Rio: "What happened to your lab?"
Tony: "Uh, well, you see, I might have made a slight error. And that error may have caused my materials and lab equipment to get misplaced."
Rio: "What do you mean, misplaced?"
Tony starts to sweat a lot, and I can sense his mind is going a million miles a minute, trying to think of something. But after pausing for a few moments, his entire body sags, and he just comes clean.
Tony: "Sigh. I made an AI that went rogue, he destroyed JARVIS, nearly killed me, and took everything in my Lab. I tried to solve this on my own, but I ran out of food, so I called for help."
Rio: "Ran out of food? How long ago did this happen?"
Tony: "15 days ago."
Rio: "WHAT!? Why the heck did you not call earlier!?"
Tony: "I wanted to fix this on my own, but when the food started to run out, I realized that I couldn't get this done."
Rio: "What have you been doing these last two weeks?"
Tony: "I jury rigged a computer together, and I have been trying to track Ultron."
Rio: "You called it Ultron? Really?"
Tony: "What, it sounded cool."
Rio: "Okay, what is Ultron designed for. Protecting humanity?"
Tony: "Uh, well, you see, I thought that didn't make sense. I thought he might only protect humans. But the Imperium has non-humans as citizens. So I didn't want it to target non-humans and kill them. So instead, his prime directive is to protect Earth."
I face-hoof and groan.
Rio: "Did you watch any of the movies I sent you. Like Terminator, for instance."
Tony: "Yeah, that was a great movie."
Rio: "And you didn't understand the message of the movie?"
Tony: "Huh, oh... OH! Yeah, now I can see why you sent me that movie. You predicted this would happen."
Rio: "Sigh. No, I was trying to prevent this exact situation from happening. I literally warned you about AI and how you shouldn't mess around with that. But no, you had to mess with it. Couldn't leave it alone."
Tony: "Look, I know I messed up. But in my defense, I had good intentions. Ultron was made to replace me if or when I died. Rhodey was my first choice, but when he died, I didn't know what to do. I wanted to make sure Earth had a defender no matter how much time passes."
Rio: "Sigh. Okay, what do you need me for?"
Tony: "I need materials. Ultron took everything other than what was in the walls. He even took the old Mark 1 model suit. I made a Virus that, when uploaded to Ultrons AI, will destroy his software. I can't even make an Ark Reactor as I don't have the needed materials. I would also like a lab if you have one."
Rio: "I can do that. But it will cost you."
Tony: "I don't have any money left. Ultron took that as well."
Rio: "If you want all that, I have only two conditions. First, you will join the Titans, and you won't be the leader. And second, I want to use a technique that will copy your knowledge. It has no side effects unless I want you to suffer them. It would only take a minute or two at most."
Tony thinks for a few minutes but ends up agreeing to my terms. I had to be careful, but I was able to copy Tony's knowledge after a couple of minutes. Once that was done, I took him to the Titans Tower, where his new lab would be. I explained the situation to the Titans, and they agreed to help fight Ultron. Donatello, Cyborg, and Spider-Man work with Tony to track down Ultron. I help them with polishing the Virus so it will work and not be nearly impossible to upload. Once I was certain Tony was settled, I moved to leave, but Tony stopped me.
Tony: "Rio, wait."
Rio: "Is there something else?"
Tony: "Thank you for your help, and I have just a small request. Nothing major, I promise."
I raise my eyebrows but answer.
Rio: "Let me hear it first, and then I will decide if I will help you."
Tony: "Can you take in Piper and the rest of Stark Industries' employees?"
Rio: "Hmm, I won't promise they can get in, but I will get them into the entry process. But if they don't meet the Karma requirements, I won't let them in."
Tony: "That is enough. But you might need to take Piper in person. She is a bit stubborn."
Rio: "Okay, I will see to it. Is that all?"
Tony: "That's it. And thank you again. I promise I will deal with Ultron."
I nod and take my leave.
POV Ultron
I was running calculations when I noticed a change.
'Tony is gone.'
I look through the network to see where he went, but after a lot of searching, I don't find anything.
'Hmm, he isn't much of a threat, but his disappearance is an unknown variable. If Tony is anything, he is resourceful.'
My current lab was in an abandoned Hydra facility in Tennessee. I had made the facility into a massive factory. I produced hundreds of Ultron Drones. But with Tony's changes, I needed to reassess what I needed to do to win.
'There are only a few places he could have gone. Either the Imperium, the Titans, Hydra, the DPR, or the Enclave. The Imperium can be disregarded. Tony would never meet the Karma requirements. All my research suggests that those who have committed heinous actions can not join the Imperium. The Enclave does not have access to Teleportation Technology, and I did not detect any Vertibird movements near the island. Nor is there any evidence that a Submarine evacuated Tony. The DPR would sooner kill Tony than save him, and the DPR can't hide him from me. Tony would never join Hydra, they killed his parents. So that leaves...'
Ultron: "The Titans. They are the greatest obstacle to my goals. But with Tony helping them, they could pose a threat. I will need more time, or perhaps allies."
There was a group that was the main enemy of the Titans.
Ultron: "As the saying goes. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. They may not be as capable as I, but they will do."
I went over the reports of the Legion of Doom's activities and was able to learn that they had been losing a lot since Hydra withdrew its support. They had no leader either.
'Which means I could help them. I have resources, knowledge, and technology. But first, I should use that monster to distract the Titans and learn if Tony has joined them.'
There was a monster that had been killing everyone it came across and was incapable of reasoning. But their actions could not be ignored by heroes.
'That thing has been growing in power anyway. If they deal with each other, then it will be one less problem to deal with later.'
I ran a few simulations and figured out the best way to ensure that the Titans attack the monster was to reveal info to the Titans and then rile up the creature. So I did just that, and once I confirmed the Titans started to move, I traveled to see the monster so it was ready to fight. I fly to the lair of the monster and wake it up.
BOOM
Ultron: "Wake up."
Cletus: "Ironman?! Oh, I wonder how good your blood will look when I bathe in it."
Ultron: "Pitiful creature. Die."
I use a repulsor blast to attack it. The shot hits, and his head explodes, and for a split second, I thought that I had the wrong human. But his head reforms, and then his body is covered in red and black slime.
Carnage: "Thaaaat hurrttt, why are you so mean to Carnage?"
Ultron: "It seems you are as tough as I predicted."
Before I could continue, I was made aware that the Titans had arrived. So I created a massive flash of light and retreated. I stayed away but watched the fight via the numerous cameras in the area.
Carnage: "AHHHHHHH!"
Robin: "Terra, focus on containing him. Raven help her. Starfire and Cyborg attack with energy beams from range. No one should touch him or else he will infect you. Beast Boy and the Turtles evacuate the area. Once that is done, keep your distance and assist wherever you can."
Titans: "Got it!"
Carnage: "You can't hurt Carnage! Carnage is CHAOS! HAHAHA!"
I watch the Titans fight and move, and copy everything they do. After several hours of fighting, they are unable to defeat Carnage. But then I detect an unknown individual approaching. I run her face through facial recognition, but get no matches. She had pink hair and was wearing a pink and black outfit. The Titans seemed not to be surprised by her presence. What happened next confused me.
'What is happening? She is moving, but I don't detect any energy fluctuations. And she is leaving behind large handprints where she attacks. But my sensors can't detect anything.'
I watch as much as I can, and I learn a decent amount about her powers, but I was unable to learn how they work. The Titans retreat, and the stranger takes over. The fight is impressive, but I had calculated that she couldn't defeat Carnage. But I was proved wrong when she finished the battle by creating a massive explosion that I estimated to be nearly as strong as an Atomic Bomb. After the attack, much of the area was vaporized, and Carnage was destroyed.
'I will need to account for this unknown variable. She is strong, very strong. Even my main combat suit couldn't beat her. Her speed, power, and defense were too strong. A sneak attack would be the best bet to eliminate her.'
Once the battle ended, I returned to my fortress and started making a plan to eliminate my enemies while gaining the allegiance of the Legion of Doom.
-------------------
Authors Note:
Yes, Tony still made Ultron. But Ultron is literally 0 threat to Rio and the Imperium. Like if Ultron tried to infiltrate the network, the Firewall would stop him, and if he somehow got past that, Monika would annihilate him. But it does give the Titans something to do. To be honest, Ultron is basically in a no-win situation. He can't wipe out humanity, conquer Earth, or even increase his power. Maybe he could make an Adamantium Robot, but even that would be really hard. Until next time, Ciao.