Avenging Justice 2:

Caught Between an Ultron and a Doomsday

Part XXX

Earth, New York, New York City, Avengers Tower

Tony and Steve were arguing, and it was over the android body between them. The other Avengers had split down each side. The argument was simple, Ultron had been making this body as the next stage of his evolution. It was also in the next step of bringing peace to the Earth, by destroying all life. As such, powering the body up, basically waking it up, could help Ultron, rather than work against him.

"Look Steve, Bruce and I have created new programming," Tony explained. "We need a secret weapon, and he's it. JARVIS is in there, he's in control."

Steve Rogers riposted, "If we were talking about a living being, already born and having lived, I'd agree. This android was created, and by someone that wants to wipe us out, all of us. It is too dangerous. Best to take care of Ultron first, then we can decide what to do with this one."

"He's right, Steve, we need an edge," Natasha said. "Tony is arrogant, overconfident at times, but it doesn't make him wrong this time."

Tony wasn't sure if he could be insulted or not, "Thanks…I think."

"And if Ultron programmed this robot enough, we'll have two to tangle with, instead of just one," Hawkeye interjected. "I'm with Cap on this one."

Banner was trying to stay out of this. He'd already made things worse already, at least in the public's eye. He was watching the Hulk's rampage in South Africa on his phone. His spine had a permanent cold shivering running up and down it. He had to find a cure, needed to get rid of this unwanted other. How many more times, till he never came back, and was the monster all the time.

"We're wasting time," Pietro was impatient, standing around for so long without moving was causing him no shortage of irritation. "We need to get moving to take down Ultron."

Janet was on him in a moment, "And we wouldn't be in this mess, if you two hadn't been aiding him! We were trying to stop him, if you and your sister hadn't interfered, we might have."

"We were going after, Stark," Wanda growled. "By association we didn't figure any of you were much better. There will be time to place blame later." Then softening her tone, as she looked at Janet, "I am sorry about your husband. My brother and I wouldn't have helped him, if we had known."

Despite Janet moving away, Pietro took great pains to stay far, far away from her. Meanwhile the battery on Dr. Cho's pod was slowly draining. No matter what was decided, if they didn't hook it up soon, the artificial life inside would soon die. None of them knew for certain, Tony was pretty sure, and that was good enough for him. Luckily the argument was about to be moot, as lightning flashed outside.

Thor burst through one of the windows, spraying glass around, but none hitting the gathered heroes. Taking a quick look, he saw he stood on top of the pod. Before Steve or Tony could even stammer a syllable, he raised his hammer and called down lightning to it. Using himself and the hammer as a power source, he sent the gathered energy into the pod. Instantly the pod's energy flashed up to green and the being inside opened his eyes.

Next came an explosion as the top of the pod flew off, and the artificial man rose out, floating towards another window. Slowly color formed, filling in features, and then came semblance of clothing. The android man turned, seeing Thor's red cloak, and a yellow cape formed on his back. What had been JARVIS interfaced with what was already put in for Ultron, the being that came out was neither, but a melding of both.

"Ultron meant to make this body into a nightmare for all of you," the new being said. "Stark and Banner, saw a possibly ally. Both saw visions of the future, and wanted to make them come true. Since I am now what I was, but not yet who I am to be, Vision seems like a good name."

Earth, Delaware, Metropolis, S.T.A.R.S. Facility

"She is responding well, Superman," the doctor said, trying to hold in how overwhelmed he was feeling. He was talking to the actual Superman, this would be something he could tell his grandkids for years to come. The man was everything the stories made him to be, polite, calm, and exuded a righteous strength.

Superman looked worriedly at his cousin, "How long till she wakes up?"

"She's woken a few times, and she seems to be getting stronger," the doctor relayed. "Whatever happened to her, seems to have drained her, but we've been running solar lamps on her twenty-four seven."

Superman smiled, "Thank you, doctor."

He left the doctor and went up to the roof of the building. Finding his stowed clothing, he picked up his phone and texted Lois back. She probably already knew, she was Lois Lane after all, but it was nice to talk to her. With her, he wasn't Superman, or the version of Clark others got. No, he was himself and she didn't treat him like a near omnipotent being, like others treated Superman. Which was a relief, he could always get a clear, honest answer, with no punches pulled.

"How is she?" Lois asked.

He answered, "Responding well, but you already knew that. Did you find out about who attacked her and Captain Marvel?"

"Yes, and I tracked this attacker to a school in upstate New York," Lois said, but there was something in her tone. "Unofficially this is a school for Mutants. It could be that there is more to this story, and I could use a lift."

Despite himself, he found his head shaking, "I'll swing on by. Be on the rooftop."

"Already waiting, Smallville," was her reply as the line clicked shut.

Intrepid reporter more than described Lois Lane. The daughter of a military man, having lived on bases too many to count, she had a gumption about her. Even back then she was fond of getting to the bottom of things, and making sure the truth got out. This translated well to her role as a reporter, not that she didn't butt heads with editors over the years. Even Perry White, the most supportive one she'd ever had, they had differences on how newsworthy the truth was.

Of course, she'd want to investigate the school, and if the headmaster wasn't careful, she'd be inside and interviewing the whole student body within a day. He also knew she'd get the answers she was looking for. Even Lex Luthor respected her tenacity, even if there had been times he'd tried to kill her for that same trait.

As Superman landed, Lois held up a finger, "When we get there, I do the talking. You're too close."

"She's my cousin," he started to argue.

Lois stopped him right there, "Which is why you're too close. Batman would tell you the same thing."

"Mabe, but Batman thinks everyone not him is too close to any situation," Superman laughed.

Lois put a hand on his shoulder, "You'd be surprised how much he respects you. He may challenge you, but besides that unfortunate first meeting, he normally follows your lead."

Moments later, they were in the air. Metropolis was left behind, while the state of New York quickly came towards them. Up here in the clouds, it was amazing, and anytime he took her up, she enjoyed every second. Even now, going to investigate the Mutant that had attacked his cousin, she found herself feeling uplifted. Together they would solve the mystery, but for this brief time, she saw the world as he did.

Lois felt like she should be feeling the opposite, his cousin had been attacked. It was just flying with him, feeling his warmth, and the air currents flowing past. It was so magical, that for this brief time, she was able to let go. All the worries, all the deadlines, everything that stressed her, or made her second guess herself, all gone. Up here, with him, everything made sense.

Soon though, the trip was over and they found themselves looking at a sprawling campus. According to the records she had acquired, the Xavier estate went into the nearby forests, and the huge mansion was under almost continual renovation. The man who ran the school, and the headmaster, was a guy by the name of Charles Xavier. He was from very rich money, but some of his students were also very wealth as well. As such, the school and the grounds were very much maintained with the best materials.

Gently, Superman put her down, but he maintained hovering. She had to stifle a giggle. He may be acquiescing to her request, but he was going to subtly remind them who they were dealing with. That was okay, she could work with that, and she had to admit, if that was the most he did, they were off to a good start.

Their arrival hadn't gone unnoticed though, as the door opened. There sitting in a wheelchair, was the headmaster of the school. The person who had opened the door, Lois recognized her name as Jean Grey. Another man appeared by them both, he had a wild look about him, her research had him with only one name, Logan.

"Welcome to Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters," Charles Xavier said. "What brings one of Earth's mightiest champions here?"

Lois did the quick calculations, the man's mannerisms didn't match the question. He knew why they were there, but he was testing them. The other man was calm, but was ready to bring violence down. She didn't want to see how that would go down, even if she had a really good idea how. It was the woman who was genuinely curious, albeit the curiosity was mixed with apprehension.

"You must have heard about the attack on Captain Marvel and Supergirl," Lois said. "I'm running a story on it, and he kind of has a personal interest in it."

Charles nodded, "I can understand that. However, this is a school, and many of our kids are seeking sanctuary here. Some from their family, and even more by neighbors they've known their whole lives. While some have committed crimes in their past, this is a new start for them."

"So, you are admitting to harboring the attacker here?" Lois went on. "Getting their story out, especially if they weren't responsible, could help them."

The man watching them like a predator, Logan, growled, "Missy, I ain't ever seen a reporter that valued the truth more than a good story. Many of them think the truth is flexible."

"I like both, actually," Lois said, keeping her eye on Logan. "Now, the only thing I have to publish is that the terrorist ran here, and this school is harboring them. Considering the attack was on Captain Marvel, who had friends in S.H.I.E.L.D. and the government, and Supergirl." She paused to let the man floating behind her sink in, "This isn't a threat, just the facts. I came up here to get the full story, before the better story takes the narrative."

"And what is that supposed to mean?" Logan moved forward, but Superman stayed still.

Lois thanked him for his restraint, and trusting her to handle this, "That I could have ran this story already. However, I want the full story, ugly bits and all."

Charles Xavier put up his hand, stopping Logan from moving forward anymore, "Very well, Ms. Lane. Why don't you and Superman come in. I'm sure the children will love to see him."

For the next few hours, Charles Xavier gave both Lois and Superman a tour of his school. As expected, many the students did end up coming out to meet the Man of Steel. Due to his x-ray vision, he saw more that didn't. These were the students that couldn't pass for normal human looking. Some had fur, others wings, there were a couple that looked more reptilian than mammalian.

The fear he saw on them, made him wish he wasn't here looking for someone that had attacked his cousin. He wanted nothing more than to talk with them, he knew what it was to be different. While he could pass as another Human, these Mutants didn't have it so easy. While he knew there were some like that, the sheer number in these walls, made him think that it wasn't fair. They should be out, under the sun, and living their lives.

"I was concerned when you showed up," Charles Xavier said. "Based on your friend's reaction to my students, I may have been overly cautious."

Lois looked back, and even she could read Clark's reactions to something he saw with his powers. When he turned to her, she could tell that big heart of his was pulling him to help someone in trouble. It didn't matter if it was a jumper on the side of a building, or his mortal enemy, he'd try to help them. He really was just a big boy scout.

She turned back to Xavier, "He is Superman. Where are they?"

"Follow me," Charles started moving his chair towards a lonely girl sitting on a rock towards the tree line. "Rogue, do not be worried, you are safe."

The teen girl moved faster than Lois could see, her shocked face going to the "S" on Superman's chest. She didn't bolt though, she took a breath and stepped forward. She was shaking, definitely afraid, but she was facing it, or resigning herself to what was going to come. At least, what she thought was going to come, but Lois knew the teen was wrong about the situation.

"Rogue was brought to us by her adoptive mother," Charles explained. "She was planning on using the girl to steal the powers of Captain Marvel, using her ability to absorb the powers of others."

"She told me that you heroes were going to make us register," Rogue managed to say. "That I would have to be strong enough to stop you all, to save other Mutants."

Xavier continued, "What she didn't count on, was Rogue, here, also absorbs memories, personality traits. Those pieces of psyche attacked her, and I was able to help her calm them."

"If you're here for revenge, take it," Rogue let the last syllable take the rest of her breath away.

Superman landed gently in front of her, "Why? What are you going to use their power for now?"

Rogue held her head in shame, "I did it to save Mutants like me. If I could control them, I'd continue that. I won't be used again though. I'll be making my own choices."

"And with them, her own mistakes," Xavier added. "Rogue here will forever be an outcast even among other Mutants. Physical skin to skin contact drains people, and those like you, of their power. She is better here at this school, learning how to harness her abilities, and use them for everyone's betterment."

Lois watched as the surprised teen girl was warmly embraced. Because Rogue had been dressed in sweatshirt and pants, with gloves on, there was no bare skin contact. Superman gently pulled her away, making eye contact with her. Considering how upset Clark had been, it was good to see him turn to compassion.

"Supergirl is going to be fine, and so is Captain Marvel. You have a responsibility now, to use what you took for the betterment of all," he said in that Superman tone. The one that at once made you want to dedicate your life to fixing what is wrong, and that your life was of worth. "If you abuse this power, I will stop you. So don't make me look this way again."

Rogue still in shock, could only say, "I will, I promise."

For the next couple of hours, both Lois and Superman continued at Xavier's school. This wasn't going to be the story Perry thought he had sent her out for, but it was going to be a very good one. It had taken some doing, but Xavier had even given her the name of the organization who'd put Rogue up to this. At that moment, that seemed to be the most newsworthy story she'd be reporting on for quite some time. It is funny how things can change.