Chapter 95:
[Spartan POV]
[SHIELD Helicarrier, New York City]
The chaos of battle swirls around me, but my focus is razor-sharp. Tony and Ultron disappear through the wreckage of the wall they just blasted through, their fight still reverberating in the air. My heart races as I push myself off the ground, my body screaming from the strain of the fight so far, but I can't afford to slow down. Not now. Not when everything hangs in the balance. I sprint after them, dodging the debris littering the ground, each step propelling me through the smoke and sparks that fill the air. The Helicarrier groans under the weight of the battle, the sounds of its systems failing to merge with the cacophony of metal clashing against metal. The alarms blared in the background, a constant reminder of how close we are to losing this fight. How close we are to losing everything. But I push that thought out of my mind. There's no room for doubt. Not here. Not now. Up ahead, I spot them through the shattered remnants of the wall. Ultron towers over Tony, who's down on the ground, his armor dented and sparking from the relentless assault. Ultron's massive form looms over him like some twisted god, his red eyes glowing with that mechanical malice, and for a moment, the scene freezes in my mind. Tony, my friend, my teammate, is at the mercy of this machine—this thing we've been trying to stop for so long. A rogue AI, my enemy, is standing over the man who created it, ready to deliver what looks like the final blow.
Instinct takes over, and before I even realize it, I'm moving again, faster now, closing the distance between me and Ultron. With a burst of adrenaline, I leap onto Ultron's back. His towering form is like climbing a mountain made of steel and circuits, but I've fought worse, and I've survived. I'm not about to let this mechanical menace take out my teammates—not while I still have breath in my lungs. I grab hold of the exposed joints where his armor plates meet, using my momentum to stabilize myself as I pull out my pistol. I press the muzzle of the weapon against the back of Ultron's head and start firing. The stun rounds sizzle and crack as they hit the dense armor, each one sending a burst of energy through his systems. I can see the sparks flying as the blasts connect, but Ultron doesn't slow down. He doesn't even flinch. His new armor is absorbing most of the damage, and whatever is getting through, it's not enough to bring him down.
"Come on, you tin can," I mutter under my breath, gritting my teeth as I fire another volley of shots into his head. The rounds ping uselessly against his armor, but I'm not letting up. I know I can't stop him, not like this, not with just my pistol. But I can distract him. I can give Tony enough time to get back on his feet. And that's exactly what I'm going to do. Ultron growls, a low, mechanical sound that reverberates through his entire body. His head whips around, his red eyes glowing even brighter as he registers my presence. He's annoyed now. Good. That means I've got his attention. His massive hand reaches up, swiping at me. But I'm quicker. I drop down, ducking beneath his grasp as his fingers close around empty air. I swing myself around to his front, clinging to his chest plate as I fire another round of shots into his face. This close, I can see the damage I'm doing, but it's still not enough. His armor is dented, and his systems are sparking, but Ultron isn't slowing down. If anything, he's getting angrier.
"Spartan!" Tony's voice crackles through the comlink in my helmet, and I glance down to see him struggling to get up. His suit is damaged, the metal dented and scorched from Ultron's earlier attack, but he's still moving. Still fighting, "Get clear, I'm charging up the unibeam!" "Not yet," I bark back, my focus still on Ultron. If I let go now, Ultron will tear Tony apart before he even has the chance to fire, "I need to weaken him first!" I grab hold of the cables running along Ultron's chest, yanking hard as I aim my pistol at the joints in his neck. This close, I can see the subtle shifts in his armor plates, the small gaps where the reinforced metal meets the joints. It's a small target, but it's the only one I've got. I pull the trigger.
The blast hits the joint, and for the first time, Ultron jerks back. His movements become more erratic and less controlled, and I know I've hit something important. His hand lashes out again, this time faster, and I don't have time to react. His fingers close around my arm with crushing force, and pain explodes up my shoulder as his grip tightens. I bite back a scream, my vision going white for a second from the intensity of the pain. But I don't let go. Not yet. My other hand is still free, and I use it to fire another shot into his neck, aiming for the same weak spot I hit before. The blast connects, and Ultron roars, his voice a distorted mix of rage and static. But he doesn't let go. With a snarl, Ultron yanks me off his chest and throws me to the ground like a ragdoll. The impact knocks the wind out of me, my body hitting the metal floor with a sickening thud. Pain radiates through my back and ribs, and for a moment, I can't move. Can't breathe. The world spins around me, the edges of my vision blurring as I struggle to get air back into my lungs. Through the haze of pain, I hear Tony's voice again, more urgent this time, "Spartan! Get out of the way, now!"
I force myself to move, to push past the pain and get back on my feet. My body protests, every muscle screaming in agony, but I manage to roll to the side just as a brilliant beam of energy cuts through the air where I'm lying. Tony's unibeam hits Ultron square in the chest, the force of the blast sending him staggering back, his armor sparking and crackling as the energy overloads his systems. The beam continues to pour out of Tony's chest plate, lighting up the entire room with its intensity. I can feel the heat from the blast even from where I'm standing, and I watch as Ultron's massive form is engulfed in the searing light. His red eyes flicker, dimming as his systems struggle to keep up with the damage. For a brief moment, hope flares in my chest. Maybe this is it. But then, through the blinding light, I see Ultron move. His hand reaches up, shielding his face from the beam as he pushes forward, step by agonizing step. His armor is scorched, and his joints are sparking, but he's still standing. Still fighting. And with a roar of defiance, he swings his arm forward, sending a blast of energy from his palm that slams into Tony's chest, cutting off the unibeam and sending him crashing into the wall behind him. "Tony!" I shout, my heart racing as I watch him crumple to the ground. He's not moving. His armor is smoking, the chest plate dented and charred from the blast. For a second, panic grips me, but I shove it down. There's no time for fear. Not now. Not when Ultron is still standing.
Ultron turns his attention to me now, his red eyes burning with fury. He takes a step forward, the ground trembling beneath his massive feet, and I know I'm out of time. My pistol is useless now, my knife won't make a dent in his armor, and I'm out of options. But I'm not out of the fight. I clench my fists, my body coiling with tension as I prepare for his next move. Ultron charges forward, his massive form moving with terrifying speed, and I dodge to the side, barely avoiding the swing of his arm. The force of the blow sends a shockwave through the room, rattling the walls and sending debris flying. But I don't stop. I'm already moving, circling around him as I look for an opening, any weakness I can exploit. "Come on, you bastard," I mutter under my breath, squaring up. "This ends now," he growls.
Ultron's eyes flare brighter as he reaches up a hand, his fingers crackling with energy as he charges up an attack. I know what's coming. I can see it in the way his movements slow, the ominous hum of power building in his outstretched palm. My instincts scream at me to move, to duck, to do anything to avoid what's about to happen. But my body feels like it's running on fumes, every muscle aching from the relentless barrage of attacks we've endured. The energy in Ultron's hand intensifies, glowing with a deadly brilliance. I know I can't take a direct hit from that. Not even my enhanced physiology or my armor can withstand a blast of that magnitude. My eyes dart around the battlefield, scanning for something—anything—that could give me an advantage, but it's too late. He's already made his move. "Goodbye, Spartan," Ultron's mechanical voice drones, cold and detached, as the energy blast surges from his hand with a high-pitched whine. Time seems to slow down as the blinding blue light streaks toward me, and for a split second, all I can do is brace for impact. My fists clench, and I grit my teeth, knowing I won't be fast enough to get out of the way. But just as I'm about to be engulfed by the blast, a blur of red, white, and blue cuts through my vision. Cap. Without hesitation, Cap dives in front of me, his shield raised just in time to intercept the blast. The energy slams into the vibranium shield with a deafening crack, and I feel the shockwave ripple through the air, hitting me like a freight train. I stumble back from the sheer force of it. For a moment, all I can see is the brilliant glow of the energy blast reflecting off the surface of Cap's shield, lighting up the entire room in a blinding display of power.
The sound is deafening—metal screeching, energy crackling, and the sheer force of Ultron's attack reverberating through the floor beneath my boots. I can barely hear anything else over the roar of the impact. It's like standing next to an explosion, the pressure bearing down on me as if the whole world is collapsing in on itself. My breath catches in my throat as I watch Cap stand firm, bracing his entire body behind his shield, every muscle tensed as he absorbs the full brunt of the blast. He digs his heels into the ground, boots grinding against the metal floor, but he doesn't budge. Not an inch. "Cap!" I shout, my voice hoarse, but he doesn't respond. He's fully focused, his eyes narrowed as he holds his ground, the sheer intensity of his determination burning brighter than the energy that's crashing into him. I can see the strain in his arms, the way his muscles are flexing beneath his suit, but he's holding. Somehow, he's holding. For a moment, it feels like the blast is never going to end, like Ultron is pouring everything he has into this one attack, trying to wipe us both off the face of the earth. But Cap doesn't waver. His shield—the unbreakable vibranium—absorbs the energy, redirecting it around us like a dome of protection. The heat is unbearable, even from behind him, but I know he's taking the worst of it. His face is a mask of concentration, beads of sweat rolling down his forehead as he grits his teeth, refusing to back down.
Finally, after what feels like an eternity, the blast begins to fade. The light dims, the crackling energy dissipates, and the deafening roar dies down to an eerie silence. Cap lowers his shield slowly, his breath coming in ragged gasps, and for a brief second, neither of us moves. The air between us is thick with the aftermath of the attack, the smell of ozone hanging heavy in the room, and all I can hear is the distant whine of damaged systems and the pounding of my own heartbeat. "You okay?" Cap asks, his voice strained but steady as he turns to look at me, his eyes searching mine for any sign of injury. His shield, still glowing faintly from the absorbed energy, rests in his grip like the indomitable symbol it's always been. I nod, my throat tight with a mix of relief and gratitude. "Yeah," I manage to say, though my voice sounds weak even to my own ears. Cap just gives me a small nod, his expression as unreadable as ever. But I can see the exhaustion in his eyes, the toll this battle is taking on him. He's been fighting just as long and hard as the rest of us, and yet, somehow, he always finds a way to keep going. Before I can say anything else, a loud crash pulls our attention back to Ultron. The blast didn't stop him—not completely. He's still standing, his hulking form emerging from the smoke, his red eyes glowing with fury. His armor is scorched and dented from the impact, and sparks are flickering across his body, but he's not done.
"You've only delayed the inevitable," Ultron growls, his voice echoing through the wrecked bridge, cold and filled with malice, "This fight is meaningless. You cannot stop me. You are merely prolonging your extinction." Cap readies his shield again, even though I can see the strain in his stance. He's not going to back down, and neither am I. I grit my teeth, forcing myself to my feet, ignoring the protests from every inch of my body. "Then we'll keep fighting," I say, my voice stronger now, laced with defiance. "Until there's nothing left but scrap metal." Ultron's eyes narrow, and I see his hand begin to crackle with energy again, charging up for another attack. But this time, we're ready. "Together," Cap says quietly, stepping up beside me, shield raised once more. His words hang in the air between us, a silent promise that no matter what happens next, we face it as a team. And that's exactly what we're going to do.
Ultron towers over us, his massive frame a testament to the nightmare of unchecked evolution. His new armor gleams in the dim, flickering light, dented and scorched from the barrage of attacks we've already thrown at him but still holding. His movements are precise and calculated, like a predator sizing up its prey, his cold, mechanical voice grating through the chaos, "You're only delaying the inevitable. You cannot win." Cap steps forward, his shield raised. The vibranium gleams in the low light, still radiating the energy it absorbed from Ultron's last attack. "We'll see about that," he says, his voice steady, calm, the voice of a man who's faced down gods and monsters alike. Cap's always been the first into the fray. Ultron doesn't wait. His hand rises, crackling with the same lethal energy he used before, the air around it distorting from the sheer power he's gathering. But this time, we're ready. Cap lunges forward, his shield up, absorbing the brunt of the blast as it slams into him with a deafening roar. The force of it pushes him back, his boots screeching against the metal floor, but he holds his ground, gritting his teeth against the onslaught. While Ultron focuses on Cap, I see my opening. Without hesitation, I dart to the side, my feet pounding against the floor as I move to flank him. My pistol is useless now—there's no way it'll pierce that armor. So I holster it, drawing my combat knife instead. It's not much, but it's sharp enough to cut through joints, through the vulnerable spots in his armor.
Cap doesn't let up, driving forward with a brutal precision that only comes from years of battle experience. He swings his shield in a wide arc, aiming for Ultron's legs. The vibranium slams into Ultron's knee with a sickening crack, but the rogue AI doesn't fall. Instead, he pivots with the force of the blow, bringing his massive arm down toward Cap's head like a hammer. Cap rolls under the swing, fluid and fast, coming up behind Ultron and slamming the edge of his shield into the back of Ultron's neck. Sparks fly from the impact, and Ultron lets out a distorted growl, his red eyes flaring. That's my cue. I leap toward him, aiming for the vulnerable spot between his neck and shoulder, the place where the armor plates meet. My knife plunges into the gap, cutting through wires and circuits. Ultron jerks to the side, his body spasming from the sudden disruption in his systems. I hang on, my grip tightening as I yank the knife free and drive it in again, deeper this time. Sparks erupt from the wound, and I feel a surge of satisfaction. But it doesn't last. Ultron roars, his hand swinging toward me with terrifying speed. I barely have time to react before his fingers close around my arm, the crushing force sending a jolt of pain shooting up to my shoulder. I grit my teeth, trying to pry his grip loose, but it's like trying to break free from a vice made of steel. He yanks me off his back and slams me into the floor with enough force to rattle my teeth. My vision blurs, the air knocked from my lungs, but I force myself to keep moving, rolling out of the way just as his foot comes crashing down where my head had been seconds before.
Cap is already back in the fight, charging at Ultron with his shield raised. He bashes the vibranium disk into Ultron's side, the impact reverberating through the room. Ultron staggers, his systems clearly struggling to compensate for the damage I've done, but he's far from beaten. His arm lashes out, catching Cap in the side with a brutal backhand that sends him flying into the nearest wall. The metal buckles under the force of the impact, and Cap crumples to the ground, his shield clattering beside him. For a moment, panic claws at my chest. Cap isn't moving. But I shove the fear down, forcing myself to my feet despite the pain radiating through my body. I can't let Ultron win. Not now. Not when we're this close. I grab my knife from where it's fallen, blood pounding in my ears as I charge at Ultron again. This time, I go for his legs. I slam the knife into the back of his knee, twisting it hard. Ultron lets out a snarl of static, his movements jerking as his leg buckles beneath him. But he doesn't fall. He's too damn strong. He swings at me again, and I barely manage to duck in time, the air whistling as his fist passes inches from my head. Cap is on his feet now, his shield back in hand. He rushes in, using the edge of the shield to hammer at Ultron's other knee. The sound of metal crunching against metal fills the air, and this time, Ultron staggers. I take advantage of the opening, driving my knife into the joint again, cutting through wires and circuitry.
Ultron's systems are failing. I can see it in the way his movements are becoming more erratic and less controlled. But even with the damage we've inflicted, he's still dangerous. His hand shoots out, grabbing Cap by the throat and lifting him off the ground. Cap struggles, his hands gripping Ultron's wrist as he tries to break free, but Ultron's grip is like iron. He squeezes, and I see Cap's face contort with pain, his body jerking as he fights to breathe. "Steve!" I roar, panic surging through me. Without thinking, I leap onto Ultron's back again, wrapping my arm around his neck and yanking hard. I pull with everything I have, trying to pry him off Cap, but it's like trying to move a mountain. Ultron doesn't even flinch. In desperation, I drive my knife into the exposed wiring at the base of Ultron's skull. The blade sinks in deep, cutting through circuits and sending a shower of sparks cascading down his back. Ultron lets out a deafening roar, his grip on Cap loosening just enough for Cap to twist free and drop to the ground, gasping for air. But Ultron isn't done with me. His hand reaches up, grabbing me by the back of the neck. Pain explodes through my body as he yanks me off his back and hurls me across the room. I slam into the wall, the impact rattling my bones, and for a moment, the world goes black.
When I blink back to consciousness, I'm lying on the floor, my body screaming in agony. Every breath is a struggle, my chest heaving as I try to force air into my lungs. But through the haze of pain, I can still see Cap. He's back on his feet, his shield raised as he charges at Ultron again. And then something snaps inside me. A surge of adrenaline courses through my veins, drowning out the pain, the exhaustion, the fear. I force myself to my feet, my hands clenching into fists as I stagger toward Ultron. I don't care how strong he is or how invincible he seems. I won't let him win. Ultron is locked onto Cap, his red eyes blazing with that eerie, calculated malice, and I know exactly what he's thinking—Cap's shield is the only thing standing between him and complete domination. I can feel the tension radiating from both of them, the raw determination on Cap's face, and the cold, ruthless calculation in Ultron's movements. Cap hurls his shield with the precision of a warrior who's seen more battles than most men could endure, and the vibranium disk sails through the air like a missile. It slams into Ultron's chest with a resounding crack, sending the towering machine staggering back, his armor dented from the sheer impact.
Taking advantage, I sprint forward, the adrenaline coursing through my veins like fire, overriding the pain that's been gnawing at me since this fight started. My muscles scream in protest with every step, but I shove that aside. Focus. I need to focus. Ultron is staggered, reeling from Cap's shield strike, and I know this is my moment. My chance to turn the tide. I don't hesitate. My fingers curl into fists as I activate the power-knuckles, feeling the hum of energy crackling to life around my hands. It's an old piece of tech, something Tony had been working on for me, enhancing my punches with a kinetic force that can pulverize steel. And now, I'm about to put it to the ultimate test. I launch myself into the air, my body twisting as I aim for Ultron's exposed frame. Time slows, the battlefield narrowing to just me and him. Ultron's red eyes burn with fury, glowing like molten embers, and I can see the recognition flicker across his face. He knows what's coming, but he can't stop it. I raise my fist and bring it down with everything I have. The first blow lands hard against his armor, and the power-knuckles explode with force, sending shockwaves through the air. Sparks fly, and I feel the metal dent under my strike. Ultron roars, a sound that shakes the entire room, but I don't stop. I rain down blow after blow, each one fueled by the desperation that's been building in my chest since this nightmare began.
The second hit smashes into his shoulder joint, and I feel the satisfying crunch of circuits being obliterated beneath my fist. Ultron staggers again, his massive frame struggling to maintain balance, and I use the momentum to swing another punch, this time aiming for his head. My knuckles collide with the side of his skull, the energy from the power-knuckles discharging in a violent burst that sends ripples through his systems. His red eyes flicker, momentarily dimming as his body convulses under the impact. But I'm not done. I can't afford to let up—not with Cap still catching his breath, not with Tony down, and definitely not with Ultron still on his feet. I twist mid-air, using the recoil from the last hit to propel myself higher, bringing both fists down in a hammer strike aimed right at the core of his chest. The impact is like thunder. The Helicarrier groans beneath us, the floor cracking from the sheer force of the blow. Ultron's armor buckles, and sparks fly as the damage ripples through him, but the bastard still stands. His form jerks violently, a snarl of static escaping from him as he tries to steady himself, but I keep pressing. I swing again, aiming lower, targeting the vulnerable joints at his legs, hoping to cripple him, to finally bring this monster down.
I'm relentless, my fists moving faster now, each strike blurring into the next as I channel every ounce of strength into dismantling him piece by piece. The power-knuckles hum with each punch, sending shockwaves that reverberate through his metal frame. I feel the resistance of his armor starting to crack, the joints weakening under the repeated assault. He's struggling to maintain control now. His movements are becoming more erratic and less calculated, and for the first time since this battle began, I sense something close to victory within my reach. But then, with a sudden, violent movement, Ultron shifts. His arm shoots up with blinding speed, and before I can react, his massive hand wraps around my torso. The air is knocked out of me as his grip tightens, and pain explodes in my ribs, but I grit my teeth, refusing to let him see my weakness. I've come too far to stop now. He tries to crush me, his fingers like a vice around my body, but I power through, using what little space I have to swing my fists again. My knuckles crash into his wrist, the energy discharging directly into the joints, and I feel something give. There's a satisfying crack as one of his servos malfunctions, his grip loosening just enough for me to pull free. I drop to the ground, landing hard but rolling with the momentum, coming back to my feet in one fluid motion. Ultron towers above me, his frame sparking, his red eyes blazing with renewed fury. But I can see the damage now. His armor is cracked in multiple places, wires and circuitry exposed, his movements jerky and uncoordinated. He's vulnerable, and he knows it.
"Come on, you son of a bitch," I snarl, my fists crackling with energy as I step forward, daring him to make the next move. I can feel my heart pounding in my chest, the exhaustion creeping into my muscles, but I push it all aside. This fight isn't over until Ultron is nothing but scrap metal. Ultron lets out another roar, charging at me with surprising speed for something so damaged. I dodge to the side just as he swings his massive arm toward me, the force of the blow creating a shockwave that rattles the room. But I'm already moving, circling him, my eyes locked onto the weak points in his armor. I leap again, this time aiming for the back of his neck, where I can see the exposed wires sparking from earlier damage. My fists connect with the spot, the power-knuckles discharging another burst of energy directly into his systems. Ultron jerks violently, his body convulsing as I hammer down another blow and another, each strike bringing him closer to the edge of defeat. As I rain down the final blows, I hear Cap's voice crackle through the comlink, "Finish it, Spartan!" His words fuel me, driving me to push harder, to ignore the pain in my body, the exhaustion weighing me down. This ends now. I let out a roar of my own, my fists moving faster than ever, striking Ultron with a ferocity that shakes the very ground beneath us. And then, with one final, earth-shattering punch, I feel something give. Ultron's body seizes, his red eyes flickering wildly before dimming. The massive form of the AI collapses beneath me, sparks flying as his systems short-circuit, his hulking body crashing to the floor with a deafening thud. I stand over him, my chest heaving, every muscle in my body burning with the effort. It's over.
Neither Cap nor I move. We just stand there, breathing hard, staring down at the broken, smoking remains of Ultron. My entire body aches, my chest heaving as I try to catch my breath. But then—just as I let my guard down—there's a sound. A low, grinding noise, like metal scraping against metal, and the hair on the back of my neck stands on end. I snap my attention back to Ultron's body, my heart thudding in my chest, my muscles tensing as a sinking feeling settles deep in my gut. And then I see it. Ultron's fingers twitch. Just once. Then again. His red eyes, once lifeless, flicker back to life, the malevolent glow returning, faint at first but growing stronger with every passing second. I take an involuntary step back, my pulse racing, disbelief flooding my system. No. It can't be. Not after everything we threw at him. But the reality is right in front of me. He's still functioning. Still alive.
"Cap…" I mutter, my voice low, filled with an edge of panic that I can't fully suppress. Cap's already seen it. He tightens his grip on his shield, his body shifting into a defensive stance, but even he can't hide the look of disbelief in his eyes. Ultron's head moves, his neck creaking as it lifts from the floor. His damaged, battered body—burnt, shattered, torn apart from the battle—begins to shift, joints grinding as they realign. His armor, once riddled with cracks and gashes, starts to repair itself, the metal plates shifting and fusing together as though nothing had happened at all. I watch in stunned silence as pieces of his body regenerate before my eyes, the glow of his core pulsing with renewed energy. "Did you really believe it would be so easy?" Ultron's voice cuts through the air like a blade, sharp and mocking. For a split second, I'm frozen, my mind racing to process what I'm seeing. We hit him with everything we had. Every last ounce of strength, every weapon, every strategy. And it wasn't enough. The sight of his body rebuilding itself—repairing the damage we inflicted like it was nothing—makes my stomach turn. Cap steps forward, his eyes locked on Ultron, but even he seems to hesitate, just for a moment. "You've got to be kidding me," I mutter under my breath. My mind is racing, trying to figure out how in the hell we're supposed to fight something that can just pull itself back together, no matter how much we tear it apart.
Ultron rises to his feet, the sound of his armor clinking and reforming as his full, imposing height looms over us again. His red eyes burn brighter now, more focused, more dangerous. He looks down at us, his expression—or whatever passes for an expression on that metal face—one of cold amusement. It's like we're nothing more than pests to him, like our greatest efforts were little more than an inconvenience. "You humans," he sneers, his voice dripping with disdain, "Always so hopeful, always so convinced that your persistence will be enough to overcome anything. How... quaint." He takes a step forward, his mechanical limbs moving with a terrifying smoothness, the damage we caused nothing more than a memory. "But you fail to grasp one simple truth. I am evolution. I am inevitable," his gaze locks onto us, "And you are nothing."
Just then, a sudden, blinding light cuts through the tension, and Ultron is struck by a repulsor blast, sending the rogue AI flying across the room like a ragdoll. The force of the hit rattles the ground beneath me, and I instinctively drop into a defensive stance, heart pounding. Ultron crashes into a pile of debris, his metallic frame smashing through a bulkhead with a shriek of twisting steel. For a moment, I can only watch, stunned, as the embodiment of our worst nightmare crumbles into a heap of broken metal. It's almost surreal—this seemingly unstoppable force, a machine that just repaired itself before our eyes, now blasted away like some cheap target at a carnival. My mind races, trying to comprehend what just happened. And then I hear it, that familiar, biting tone that cuts through the haze of battle. "For a pure logical and cold calculating machine, you sure as hell talk too much," Tony says, his voice dripping with sarcasm. He strides forward confidently, his helmet retracting to reveal the familiar face of Tony Stark, a smirk plastered across his lips. His repulsor still glows faintly from the blast, smoke curling from the gauntlet as he lowers his arm. The way he walks, the casual swagger, it's classic Tony—unshakable, even in the face of a nightmare like Ultron. But I know him too well. Beneath that cocky exterior, he's as rattled as the rest of us. He hides it well, though, behind that armor, both literally and emotionally.
Tony stops beside me, his eyes scanning the damage as if calculating every angle, every variable. For a second, he doesn't look at me, but I can see the way his brow furrows, the brief flicker of concern in his eyes. His smirk falters, but only for a second. "Nice of you to join us," I say, my voice still heavy with adrenaline. I try to match his tone, but the tension gnaws at me, a reminder of how close we were—how close we still are—to losing everything. Tony glances over, a dry chuckle escaping him. "Oh, you know, fashionably late and all that. Besides," he shrugs, "I figured you needed the extra drama." His quip does little to calm the storm inside me, but that's Tony. Always quipping, always deflecting. Still, I'm grateful he's here. Ultron stirs, a groaning creak of metal echoing from the wreckage. The bastard isn't down yet. Of course, he isn't. My fists tighten instinctively, the adrenaline flooding back through my veins as I prepare myself for another round. "You know that blast only pissed him off, right?" I mutter, keeping my gaze locked on the shifting pile of debris where Ultron lies.
"Yeah, well," Tony says, the bravado still thick in his voice, but there's an edge to it now, "Pissing him off is kind of my specialty." He raises his repulsor again, his expression hardening. For all his quips, Tony knows the stakes as well as I do. Maybe even more. He's the one who built Ultron, after all. This is as personal as it gets. As Ultron pulls himself up from the wreckage, his form somehow more intact than I'd hoped, I feel the tension between us grow palpable. There's an air of inevitability in the way Ultron rises, like nothing we do will ever be enough to truly stop him. His armor gleams in the dim light, fully repaired, the red glow from his eyes brighter than before. He's mocking us with his mere existence, a constant reminder of the hubris we've all been guilty of. Tony squares his shoulders beside me, his voice dropping to something far more serious now. "We need a new plan," he mutters under his breath, his eyes narrowing at the sight of Ultron getting back on his feet, seemingly unscathed, "We hit him with everything, and he just keeps coming back. There's gotta be a weakness. Somewhere." I glance at Tony, my mind racing. He's right. Every strategy we've thrown at Ultron, every weapon, every ounce of strength—it's all been for nothing. The AI adapts too quickly and learns too fast. But there has to be something. A flaw. A crack in that cold, calculating machine. "If you have any ideas, now's the time, Tony," I growl.
Ultron's voice cuts through the tension again, rising from the smoke and debris, mocking, as always. "You still don't understand, do you?" His voice is deeper, more resonant as if the damage we inflicted has only made him more determined. "I evolve. You cannot stop evolution." He steps forward, his presence filling the space between us, "I will always rise again." Before Ultron can fully rise to his feet again, Cap's shield cuts through the air with deadly precision, slamming into the rogue AI's chest. The vibranium disk strikes him with a force that reverberates across the room, sending him crashing back down into the pile of twisted metal and debris. Ultron groans, his mechanical body twitching as it starts to realign itself once again. His core glows brighter, and I can see the damage Cap inflicted is already beginning to fade, his armor starting to fuse back together with that eerie, self-repairing ability. Cap steps up beside me, his face serious. "I'm getting real tired of that 'evolution' speech," he mutters, his voice low, "If he says it one more time, I'm going to lose it." I can't help but smirk despite the gravity of the situation, "You're not the only one." Cap charges forward, throwing his shield once more with a precision that only he can manage, and it slams into Ultron's chest with a deafening crack. But even as the rogue AI stumbles back, his red eyes never waver. He doesn't flinch. Doesn't hesitate. His body is already repairing itself, the damage from Cap's shield barely slowing him down. "This ends now," Cap says, his voice firm, but even he knows it won't be that easy. Ultron straightens, his eyes glowing brighter, "You've delayed the inevitable long enough." The three of us square up.
"How the hell do we put this thing down?" Cap's voice is tense, his shield gripped tightly in one hand, his eyes locked on Ultron as the AI rises from the debris once more. His body, though damaged, is already starting to repair itself, the faint hum of nanites weaving together the shattered pieces of his armor. Every time we knock him down, he gets back up stronger, like a nightmare that refuses to stay dead. "I have one trump card we can use," Tony mutters beside me. His helmet retracts as he stares at Ultron, the weight of responsibility heavy in his gaze. I can see it in the set of his jaw, the way his shoulders tighten—this is personal for him. It always has been. He's the one who created this monster, and now he's desperate to destroy it. "What is it?" I ask, keeping my voice steady, though the weight of the moment is pressing down on all of us. "The Proton Cannon," Tony replies, "It packs enough juice that it'll turn that metal monstrosity into dust. Only problem is, I can only use it once." Once. One shot. One chance to end this nightmare. I glance at Cap, and we both exchange a look. The stakes are higher than ever, but we can't afford to wait for the perfect moment. If Tony has a way to take Ultron down, even if it's a long shot, we have to make it count. Cap gives a small nod, his face hardening with determination, "Then let's make it count."
Tony's face flickers with something between hope and grim resolve as his helmet slides back into place, "I need you to give me an opening. Distract him long enough for me to get a lock on him. I'll need at least a minute, and he's not going to just stand there and let me fire it off." Without hesitation, Cap steps forward, his shield gleaming under the low light of the Helicarrier, "Spartan, let's take this outside. We'll give Tony his minute." I follow Cap as he storms at Ultron, our movements synchronized like a well-oiled machine. Cap charges forward, and I follow closely behind him, my eyes locked on Ultron. The AI's gaze shifts toward us, his mechanical voice dripping with contempt. "Futile," he hisses, raising his hand as energy crackles around his fingers. Cap's shield deflects the first energy blast, and I dodge to the side, narrowly avoiding the second. I can feel the heat from the attack as it passes by me, close enough to singe my suit. But there's no time to think about that. We need to get Ultron to the deck. I pivot, sprinting toward him, my feet pounding against the metal floor as I close the distance between us. Cap hurls his shield again, this time aiming for Ultron's legs. The vibranium disk slams into his knee with a deafening crack, and Ultron staggers, his balance momentarily disrupted.
"Now!" I shout, lunging at Ultron while he's off-kilter. My power-knuckles hum to life as I swing, landing a hard punch against the side of his head. The impact sends a burst of energy through his systems, and I can see sparks fly from the damage. With a growl of frustration, Ultron swipes at me, his massive arm swinging toward my chest. I barely manage to duck in time, the force of the blow sending a gust of air past me. I feel the shockwave ripple through my body, but I don't stop. I can't. I press the attack, landing another punch to his torso, trying to keep him off balance. The fight spills out of the command room onto the deck of the SHIELD Helicarrier. The cold night air whips around us, and the lights from the city below glitter like stars on the horizon. As we burst onto the deck, the rest of the Avengers are already there, waiting for us, weapons drawn, ready for the final stand. "Avengers!" Cap's voice booms over the chaos of battle, commanding and fierce, "Take that thing down!"
The deck of the SHIELD Helicarrier is a battlefield. The cold night air whips around us, carrying the distant sounds of the city below, but up here, all I hear is the chaos of battle. Ultron towers in the center, his hulking form gleaming under the dim lights, his red eyes burning with cold, calculated malice. He's fully repaired again, as if every hit we've thrown at him is nothing more than an inconvenience. Around me, the Avengers are a blur of motion. Cap charges forward, shield raised, leading the fight as he always does. Iron Man hovers above, repulsors glowing as he unleashes blast after blast. Karai, Falcon, and War Machine are circling from the flanks, picking their moments to strike. Black Widow and Hawkeye are moving with precision, timing their attacks to hit Ultron, where he's most vulnerable. Jericho, Wanda's son, stands at my side, his fists glowing with the same chaotic energy that flows through his veins. Together, we prepare for the fight of our lives. Ultron steps forward, his mechanical body moving with terrifying grace despite its size, and the battle begins again. Cap is the first to reach him, shield in hand as he swings with all his might. The vibranium strikes Ultron's chest with a deafening crack, but Ultron doesn't flinch. He retaliates with a brutal swipe, his metal arm crashing down toward Cap's head. Cap ducks just in time, rolling to the side, and I leap in, my power-knuckles humming as I bring my fists down on Ultron's shoulder. The impact sends a jolt of energy through his systems, and I see the sparks fly, but it's not enough. Ultron swats at me with his other arm, and I barely dodge the blow, feeling the wind from his swing whip past my face.
"Stay on him!" Cap shouts, his voice cutting through the chaos. He hurls his shield again, the vibranium disk sailing through the air and slamming into Ultron's knee. This time, the impact makes Ultron stagger, and War Machine swoops in from the side, his minigun roaring to life. The barrage of bullets hammers into Ultron's chest, forcing him back a few steps, but still, he doesn't fall. "He's still standing!" War Machine growls over the comlink. "Not for long," Iron Man replies, his voice hardening as he charges his repulsors, releasing twin blasts that collide with Ultron's head. The force of the blast sends a shockwave through the air, but Ultron's red eyes glow brighter as he absorbs the energy. "You cannot win," Ultron's voice booms, deeper now, mocking us as he advances. Karai moves in next, her speed unmatched as she darts around Ultron, slashing at the exposed wires in his joints with a pair of plasma blades she crafted. Her strikes are fast and precise, but Ultron adapts quickly, swinging his arm wide and catching her in the side. The impact sends her flying across the deck, but Falcon swoops in just in time, catching her before she hits the ground. "I'm good!" Karai calls out, already back on her feet, but I can see the pain etched on her face. Falcon sets her down and then takes off into the sky, his wings cutting through the air as he releases a barrage of missiles from his EXO-7 pack. The explosions erupt around Ultron, smoke and fire engulfing his form, but when it clears, he's still standing.
"We need to hit him harder!" Cap calls out, charging in again. Black Widow and Hawkeye join the fray, their movements synchronized as they provide cover for Cap's assault. Widow lands several blows with her electrified batons, aiming for Ultron's weak spots, while Hawkeye fires arrow after arrow, each one tipped with high-explosive rounds. They're relentless, but so is Ultron. He raises his hand, a glowing orb of energy forming in his palm. I recognize the move a second before it happens. "Scatter!" I shout, just as Ultron releases the energy blast. The shockwave ripples through the deck, sending us all flying. I hit the ground hard, rolling to absorb the impact, and when I look up, I see that Cap is already back on his feet, shield raised. He's unyielding, even in the face of a force like this. Jericho steps forward now, his eyes glowing with the same scarlet energy that Wanda once wielded. His hands crackle with power as he unleashes a wave of chaos magic at Ultron. The energy engulfs Ultron, warping reality around him as it tears at his systems. For the first time, I see Ultron falter. His movements become jerky and less fluid as he tries to adapt to the unpredictability of the magic. "Keep it up, Jericho!" I shout, moving in beside him. Together, we press the attack, my power-knuckles hammering into Ultron's armor while Jericho's magic continues to destabilize him.
But Ultron isn't done yet. With a roar, he breaks free from the magic's grip, his body surging with energy. His hand lashes out, catching Jericho by the throat and lifting him off the ground. "You are nothing but a child," Ultron sneers, his voice dripping with contempt. "An echo of your mother." Jericho struggles, his magic flaring wildly as he tries to break free, but Ultron's grip is ironclad. Before I can react, Cap's shield comes flying in again, striking Ultron's arm with a force that makes him release Jericho. As Jericho falls to the ground, gasping for air, Cap catches his shield and charges at Ultron with renewed fury. "Get him out of here!" Cap shouts at me, nodding toward Jericho. I hesitate for a moment, but Cap's command is clear. I grab Jericho, pulling him back from the fight, and as I turn to rejoin the battle, I see that Cap is already locked in combat with Ultron once again. Iron Man hovers overhead, his repulsors glowing as he lines up his next shot. "We need to buy Tony more time!" I shout into the comlink, knowing that the Proton Cannon is our only real chance of finishing this. War Machine and Falcon flank Ultron, firing in unison to keep him pinned down. "You want time? We'll give you time!" War Machine growls, unleashing everything he has at the AI. Black Widow moves with precision, her batons striking at Ultron's exposed wiring as she coordinates with Hawkeye, who fires a grappling arrow that wraps around Ultron's leg, trying to slow him down.
Ultron, however, isn't giving up. His systems are repairing faster than we can deal damage. He releases another shockwave, sending War Machine and Falcon flying. Cap hurls his shield once more, but Ultron catches it mid-air this time, tossing it aside like a toy. "You fight in vain," Ultron declares, his voice resonating with an eerie finality. He raises both hands, energy crackling around him as he prepares to unleash a devastating blast. But before he can, Iron Man's voice cuts through the comlink. "Get clear! Now!" Without hesitation, we all scramble back, knowing what's coming. Iron Man hovers above, his eyes locked on Ultron. "Proton Cannon online," he says, his voice cold, focused. His suit hums with power as the massive weapon materializes from the armor, the barrel glowing with an intense blue light. Ultron turns, realizing too late what's about to happen. "You've had your time," Tony says, his tone devoid of the usual bravado, "Now it's over." The cannon fires. A blinding beam of energy erupts from the Proton Cannon, cutting through the night sky like a star being born. It slams into Ultron with a force that shakes the entire Helicarrier. The impact is cataclysmic. The sheer power of the blast sends shockwaves through the deck, and I can feel the heat from where I stand. Ultron tries to resist, his body glowing red-hot as the energy engulfs him, but it's too much. His armor begins to melt, the nanites disintegrating under the raw force of the blast. Ultron lets out a final, distorted roar of defiance before his body collapses, the light in his eyes flickering out for the last time. His metal frame crumples, disintegrating into ash and molten slag as the Proton Cannon's beam fades into the night.
The battlefield falls silent. For a moment, no one moves. We all stare at the smoldering remains of Ultron, the nightmare that nearly consumed the world, now reduced to nothing but twisted metal. I exhale slowly, the weight of the battle finally hitting me as the adrenaline begins to fade. Tony lands beside us, the Proton Cannon retracting into his suit. His helmet slides back, revealing his face, drenched in sweat but calm. "That," he says, his voice strained but triumphant, "Is how you take out the trash." Cap walks over, picking up his shield from where it landed during the fight. He glances at Tony, nodding in approval, then looks back at the remains of Ultron. "It's done," Cap says quietly, though his eyes are still scanning the battlefield as if expecting another fight to break out. But there's nothing left of Ultron now. The fight is over. Jericho walks up beside me, his breathing steady again after the battle. He looks at the spot where Ultron fell, his eyes glowing faintly with the last remnants of his magic. "He's really gone this time," Jericho mutters, his voice quiet, but there's a note of finality in it. I nod, resting a hand on his shoulder. "Yeah, he's gone," I say, though the exhaustion in my voice betrays the relief I feel. The Avengers gather around, each of us taking a moment to catch our breath. Black Widow wipes the sweat from her brow, her batons still crackling with energy. Hawkeye holsters his bow, his expression a mixture of exhaustion and satisfaction. Falcon lands beside War Machine, who grunts as he reloads his minigun, just in case. Karai stands off to the side, her plasma blades still glowing faintly in the night air. For a brief moment, there's a sense of peace. The battle is over. Ultron is defeated. But deep down, I know that the fight never truly ends. There will always be another threat, another battle. That's the price we pay as Avengers. Still, for now, we stand together, victorious.