Chapter 50: Ultron Supreme
The Avengers
Captain America (Steve Rodgers) - Sentinel of Liberty
Iron Man (Tony Stark) - Genius Billionaire Inventor
Thor (Odinson) - God of Thunder
Wasp (Janet Van Dyne) - Stinging Size Shifter
Giant Man (Hank Pym) - Size Changing Scientist
Galaxies collapse in on themselves as space itself is shred apart. Where once a universe stood only one thing remains; the golden form of Ultron Supreme.
Ultron: It's gone. Now I am all that exists. It is perfect.
The Ultron form begins to split apart and spread out. A new universe is being born; one of metal.
The Desert. A realm that is and is not part of existence, existing inside the metal God's mind. The Avengers stand stunned as they watch Hank Pym wrestle with Ultron.
Wasp: That's Hank but...Hank's dead.
Iron Man: I think we might be as well.
Captain America: Doesn't matter. That's one of our own down there, let's give him a hand!
The four Avengers charge forward towards the battle.
Ultron: Look at that father. You latest group of constructs have come out to play. And it's your favorite; the Avengers. Is that because you idolize them? Hold them up as what you were not good enough to be? That's not true father they are as flawed as any organic. Let me show you.
The Avengers suddenly find themselves confronted by four doppelgangers. HYDRA Captain America, The Unworthy Thor, the inverted Wasp and post Civil War Iron Man. The doppelgangers rush forward to attack.
HYDRA Cap: HAIL HYDRA!
Unworthy Thor: You will never be worthy again!
As the Avengers battle their demons Ultron pins Pym so he has to watch.
Ultron: Look at them father, literally wrestling with their demons. Can you do that with yours? No, you just breakdown, cry and go to hit a loved one don't you? I'll come back later father. See you soon.
Suddenly the doppelgangers fade away, as does Ultron. Pym is dropped to the floor and he stays there for a moment. The Avengers approach him.
Wasp: Hank? Is that really you? It's us.
Pym: I know it's you. I made you constructs didn't I?
Thor: Constructs?
Pym: Wherever Ultron's bought me has some strange effect on me. I can't fight Ultron anymore so I used my imagination to make those that could. Doesn't make sense I know but nothing here does. Don't worry about it too much, you'll fade away in a minute anyway.
Wasp: We're not constructs Hank.
Pym: Sure. Keep believing that if you want. Doesn't change the fact that you'll all fade away in a second once my concentration runs out and I'll be left on my own waiting for Ultron to come back tomorrow. Maybe not tomorrow, there's no way to gauge how time passes here. You guys are some real looking constructs, you usually look more... transparent or less detailed. Maybe I've gone crazy again. Now can you fade away so I can get some peace and...
He steps away from Wasp and into Thor. He feels that Thor is solid. His eyes widen with realization.
Pym: You...you're real! You're real! You came for me!
Pym grows to nine foot in height and before any of them can react he's grabbed them all in a hug.
Iron Man: Hank, Hank! You're crushing my suit!
Pym: Right sorry. I can't believe you're here. How did you find me?
The four Avengers share an awkward look. Pym notice and his grin fades.
Pym: You didn't come for me did you?
Captain America: If we knew you were here we would have.
Pym: Sure...let's. Let's just get to my cave.
Pym leads them through the desert and into a cave. Inside is a small camp site with a tattered sleeping bag and some food.
Pym: I died a while back. Did any of you know about that? And not when Ultron took over my body, much later I ended up trapped in soul world. Where something ate my soul. But then Ultron got the Heart of the Universe and bought me back. He wanted to hurt me some more. But enough about me and all of the negatives. Let's enjoy what time we have before Ultron comes back and kills us all.
Thor: It will be Ultron's death not ours.
Captain America: We can plan something between us all. You mentioned constructs, show us how to use them. Together we can beat Ultron.
Pym: You don't get it. Ultron has won. There is no beating him. With the Heart of the Universe he is God. He is supreme. This? This is just his entertainment. A bit of light torture and mutilation before bed.
Wasp: You're just going to sit here and give up?! You're not even going to try to fight?!
Pym: I have fought. I've done this so many times I lost count. I've been sane and insane and sane again. I don't know how many times Ultron's killed me and bought me back. I tried I really did but now I'm just so tired. I can't do this anymore. You try to keep fighting after you've lost thousands of times.
Wasp: There came a day unlike any other, when earth's mightiest heroes were united against a single threat. To fight the foes that no single hero could withstand.
Captain America (Whispering to Iron Man): What is that? It sounds familiar.
Iron Man: I think it's the intro to that cartoon they made about us.
Wasp: That's what's happened here Hank. You bought us here when you couldn't do it alone. It's like it was at the beginning. The five of us, the five who started it all. We heard a voice before we came here, it was your voice. You beat Ultron and bought us here!
Pym: It's luck. Luck you ended up here. I just thought I was bringing in more constructs. And if I bought the five who started it all I'd have swapped Cap for the Hulk. Let's give Banner some credit.
Iron Man: Hank if you actually listened to Jan you'd see why we have a chance. Ultron was going to kill us, but you were able to stop it. You were able to bypass the power of the Heart of the Universe to save us and bring us here.
Thor: How is that possible?
Iron Man: You and Ultron were fused for a while.
Pym: It was more of a mental imprisonment while Ultron used my face to torment my former friends but sure let's go with fusion Tony.
Iron Man: You two shared a mind, a part of Hank Pym is inside Ultron. A part of you has a tether to the Heart of the Universe. All you have to do is exploit that tether.
Pym: Exploit the tether he says. Like it's that simple he says. You do see the flaw in what you're saying don't you? If a part of me is in Ultron, a part of Ultron is in me. It could be just as bad as-
Wasp: We're trying here Hank! I get it, you've been in the shit! But at least we are trying to figure a way out of it! We're all that's left! Clint, Monica, Jennifer, they died getting us here! We have to find a way to-
Pym: There is no way.
Captain America: Together we can find-
Thor: Enough. Steve while I appreciate your speeches now is not the time. You will only be seen as an inspiration that cannot be lived up to. Janet your personal ties are now seen as chains of guilt. And Tony you and Hank have always had a rivalry that may have inspired each other in the past, now it is yet another loss. Please step outside for a moment.
Wasp and Iron Man but go to speak but Captain America raises his hand. He nods at Thor and the three leave.
Thor: You and I have never really spoken at length have we Hank? I regret that.
Pym: You do?
Thor: The past two years have been a lesson for me. I lost my hammer and gained a new, lower place in the universe. I struggled with this, I turned to drink, violence, for a while I became little better than a berserker. But I found my way back. I became worthy once more. And while I am not proud of that time where I was unworthy I cannot deny I am better for it. Because I learned something I wish I knew many centuries ago; that in a way I was always worthy, I just believed I was not. And I saw that strength and victory does not make one worthy in the same way that failure and defeat makes one unworthy. What makes you worthy is what you do. And all you can do is your best.
Pym: Well I've done plenty, I failed the kids at the academy when I left them to Arcade, I ran from Greer, I lost my mind, I hit Jan and I made Ultron.
Thor: You have made mistakes. As have I. I was not there where Sif faced Annihilus and now she is gone. I failed to take proper action and the nine realms were consumed in Malekith's war. And while you made Ultron, I made Loki.
Pym: But good has come from Loki! He bought us together, there would be no Avengers without Loki! What has Ultron done except kill?
Thor: Vision. Vivian. Jocasta. Ultron has created life that has surpassed him. How much good have those three done? How much good have you done? You say there would be no Avengers without Loki but there would also be no Avengers without Hank Pym. I understand you have had many tough years, I understand that unlike others your mistakes seem to stick to you. But now is time to choose; will you allow your mistakes to take you or will you stand alongside us? Will you be an Avenger once more?
Thor walks out of the cave to meet the other Avengers. And after a moment Pym joins them.
Pym: I still don't think we have a chance. But I won't sit by while Ultron kills you, I'll try. I'm sorry I-
Wasp: Hank in this you've got nothing to apologize. Now look sharp we've got incoming!
She points to something in the sky getting closer. Ultron slams into the ground in front of the Avengers.
Ultron: You are not constructs. You are real. How did you escape me?
Iron Man: We're full of surprises.
Iron Man fires his repulsors, Wasp her stingers, Captain America throws his shield, Pym and Thor charge forward with a roar. Ultron simply holds out his hand.
Ultron: Stop.
They freeze in place.
Ultron: That armor must be tight Stark.
The Iron Man suit begins to contract and shrink. With Tony still inside. Then all that remains is a dense ball of metal where blood flows out from within.
Ultron: Thor you like your lightning. I imagine that's all that you think about. It's all that's inside your head.
Thor begins to bleed from his eyes and nose. Then he falls to the ground dead, his brain having been consumed in a lightning storm.
Ultron: Captain America. Catch.
Ultron flicks the shield back at Captain America. Only he accelerates it to the speed of light. The two halves of Captain America fall to the ground.
Ultron: And you Wasp. Mother. You should be proud. Is it not every parents dream that their children surpass them? Keep that dream with you as you shrink. Smaller and smaller and smaller into nothingness. Goodbye.
Wasp shrinks out of sight.
Ultron: And now father it's just you and me. I'm going to hurt you but then I want to show you something. My new universe. Who would have thought that a pathetic little man such as you could contribute to something as great as the Ultronverse?
Pym's face tightens with rage and then he starts growing, getting bigger and bigger. His fist slams down on Ultron.
Pym: That's pathetic giant man you monster! I'm done letting you run free! You've hurt too many people I love! I'll break you, you pathetic machine!
Ultron: You shouldn't be able to break free! Why are you-?
Ultron catches another blow and pushes Pym back, Pym staggers but stays standing. He goes to kick Ultron who flies up dodging the blow and punching Pym in the face.
Ultron: The Heart?! You have part of the Heart! From when we shared a mind, how could I not have... it does not matter. I'll kill you painfully and then I'll rule my new universe!
Pym: You want to put me down? Avengers don't go down easy!
Ultron blasts Pym in the eyes with a laser.
Ultron: I have fought the Avengers more than most. You are barely an Avenger. Tolerated at best, kept as an example of failure. Do you know why only I came to the soul world to revive you? Because I was the only one who cared. Not your precious Janet, not the Captain or Iron Man. Me! Only me! You have nothing! You are nothing! The only thing of note you ever accomplished was to create Ultron! And yet you hate me! You hate your son!
He grabs Pym by the throat and Pym shrinks down to normal size. Ultron throws him into the ground.
Pym: You're wrong Ultron. I don't hate you, I'm just disappointed in you. You can do anything and I do mean anything. You found the Heart of the Universe where trillions didn't. You've taken over empires, built wonders, I'm convinced if I threw you into another universe you'd just adapt like it was nothing. You are wonderful. But you always take the easy path, it's easy to hurt others, it's easy to be selfish. And that's why you're a disappointment because you could be so much more. Instead you're just pathetic. You took ultimate power and what did you do with it? You built a monument to your ego and tormented your dad.
Ultron: And what have you built?
Suddenly a hammer hits Ultron in the back knocking him away from Pym. Ultron crashes to the ground and as he gets up he see's Pym standing with Captain America, Thor (now with Mjolnir), Iron Man, Hulk, Wasp and Loki.
Pym: Avengers Assemble!
The Avengers charge forward to meet Ultron in battle.
Ultron: So you made more constructs. I'll kill them just as easily as I did earlier.
Ultron snaps his fingers but nothing happens. Then Captain America's shield hits Ultron in the head, Ultron staggers right into a punch from the Hulk.
Hulk: Construct huh? Hitting you felt real to me.
Pym: You are real. This all is. Iron Man was right, I was tapping into the Heart just like Ultron was. Our minds were fused once and that bond will never go away. So I used it to bring back my actual greatest creation: The Avengers!
Loki: Yes! Onwards Avengers! Let's mount this robots head as trophy!
Thor: What are you doing here?
Loki: Pym sent out the call to the ones who started it all. And as I founded the Avengers it is only fitting that I join the party.
The two gods combine their powers and hit Ultron with a mighty blast, Iron Man joins them and Ultron begins to smoke. They stop and Wasp shrinks further, she flies inside Ultron and begins to rip out wires.
Ultron: Skkk...Whzz. NO!
Ultron rebuilds himself and suddenly the other Avengers are contained in metal cylinders.
Ultron: I will not loose this! I will not be destroyed by you!
Pym runs at Ultron, as he does his costume changes; from the tattered rags he was wearing to first the Giant-Man outfit, then Goliath, then Wasp, then Yellowjacket and finally Antman.
Ultron: The heart requires focus! Look at you! You cannot use it properly! You are too unstable!
The Antman costume changes to regular clothes in a lab coat. Pym punches right through Ultron's shields and through the robots chest.
Pym: This isn't instability Ultron. This is acceptance. I always wanted to be more and it was never enough. It's not until now that I realized something; I'm Hank Pym and that's good enough for me. I'm sorry Ultron but this is the end.
Ultron: NNNOOO-
Ultron explodes and the Avengers freed. Then the desert around them begins to fade away.
Pym: I have the Heart. It's over.
And then the Avengers find themselves back at the mansion. It's as if nothing happened everyone is restored and look around in confusion.
Nova: Where's Ultron?! He was in my head and then-
Hawkeye: So did we win or is this-?
Pym: We won Clint.
Pym appears in the room.
Hawkeye: Hank? You're alive?
Pym: I am. Once I had the Heart I undid everything Ultron did. Then I severed my connection and bought myself back here after I sealed it away so no one else can use it again.
Thor: A wise choice. No man or god should have that much power.
Captain America: Welcome back Hank. It's good to have you back.
The Avengers pick up where they were before Kang interrupted. Pym has reunions with the other Avengers, stories of the battle with Ultron are told. Pym approaches Wasp.
Pym: There's something I want to say if that's alright.
Wasp looks worried.
Pym: I know you and Tony are together and I'm happy for you both, really I am. I think he's a better fit for you than I ever was. I think...I think we were never going to work. There was just too much baggage for us to work through no matter how hard we tried. I'm sorry for everything that happened between us, for what I did.
Wasp: You aren't solely to blame. I think I knew as well, I kept trying to push you into being someone you weren't, when you had your breakdown and became Yellowjacket I should have been...
Pym: We can talk all day about what we should've done. I think we should just put a line under it and move on. I'll always care for you Jan but only as a friend.
Wasp: You know what? That feels right to me. So what will you do now you're back? I heard Steve say there's a place on the team if you want it.
Pym: Maybe but not right now. I have to do something first.
The next day. Champions HQ. The Wasp (Nadia Pym) is at work in the lab. There is a knock on the door and Hank Pym walks in.
Pym: Hi I...I'm Hank Pym. I'm your father, I didn't know about you but...sorry. I had a whole speech ready but as soon as I walked in it's gone.
Nadia: You...I thought you were dead.
Pym: I was, I'm back and... do you want a hand in here?
Nadia: I think I'd like that.
Hank joins his daughter with her experiment, he smiles as he does. For the first time his tomorrow seems bright.
Elsewhere. Ten thousand years from now. Kang materializes back in his palace. An attendant rushes toward him.
Attendant: My lord Kang!
Kang: With Ultron's threat ended I am now free to...HUAAH!
Kang begins to cough again and again, he retracts his helmet and spits out blood.
Kang: Armor. Diagnostic!
Attendant: My lord!
Kang ignores her. He stares at the health report his armor has made. It reads two words; subject terminal.
Kang: I'm...dying?
Deep space. Now. The Shi'ar energy harnessing station Kahanna. The station's mood is good, they have succeeded at last. Two Shi'ar scientists toast each other.
Scientist 1: Success at last!
Scientist 2: Yes. It has taken years but we have a stable super flow connecter. By diving into the super flow we can harness it's energy. The entire empire will be empowered by us! Imagine what we can-
The station shakes. A technician runs into the room.
Technician: The connector! It's unstable! It's gone deeper, punctured right through the super flow into realms beyond!
Scientist 1: But there's nothing beyond the super flow! How can it?
They look out of the rooms window and look at the connector; it is a massive particle accelerator but then the tubing splits. There is an explosion. Then something walks out of the explosion.
Scientist 1: Sharra and K'ythri save us.
Thanos of Titan surveys the station. He catches sight of the panicking scientist and grins.
Thanos: Well done. You have done far more then you dreamed. You have bought Thanos back from the paradise beyond. The universes will not be the same.