Although the step felt redundant, Blaine wasn't willing to waste time.
However, the result turned out quite differently from what he expected. When Blaine's spiritual power approached Vision, a strong yellow light blocked him. The sudden resistance made Blaine wary.
At first, the light only repelled him gently, but on his second attempt, its intensity surged—warning him that if he pushed any further, he would suffer a devastating backlash of psychic energy.
"Why does your Vision look like J.A.R.V.I.S.?"
Captain America had seen J.A.R.V.I.S.' holographic form before, and he couldn't help but notice the resemblance in the red-skinned figure before him. The similarity left him confused.
"We restructured J.A.R.V.I.S.' program to form something new," Tony explained proudly. He was as confident in this creation as he was in his latest hairstyle.
"The new thing's already rotten," Quicksilver muttered dryly.
"Do you think I'm Ultron's son?" Vision asked, a trace of irritation flickering in his calm tone.
"Aren't you?" Captain America challenged, meeting his gaze without backing down.
"I'm not Ultron," Vision replied evenly. "I'm not J.A.R.V.I.S. either. I'm…" He paused, glancing around the room, letting his words sink in. "Myself."
Though the statement seemed directed at Steve, it was really meant for everyone present.
While the others were talking, Blaine studied Vision intently. His mental energy couldn't penetrate the android's mind, but he could still sense his structure and presence—and what he found shocked him.
Long before his time travel, Blaine had known Vision's official designation and capabilities from Marvel's records:
1. Density Control
2. Genius-level Intelligence
3. Energy Manipulation
4. Holographic Projection
5. Superhuman Strength
6. Invisibility
7. Flight
Blaine had always scoffed at Vision. 'Just a Vibranium robot with a Mind Stone—so what?' he used to think. But reality proved otherwise.
What was the concept of levels five, six, and seven? Even Blaine himself couldn't claim to reach that combined level of ability. In some aspects, Vision might even rival—or surpass—him. Truly, Vision was the strongest artificial being in the Marvel universe.
Of course, later depictions had clearly weakened him—like Quicksilver, who was strong but still taken out too easily. Maybe the official writers had deliberately nerfed Vision to balance the Avengers' power levels or to avoid overshadowing the more popular heroes. Blaine didn't care. Weakening Vision or not, even if someone paid him to destroy the Earth, he wouldn't hesitate.
"Come on," Blaine finally said, unable to hold back as the group continued to argue. "At this rate, the Earth will be gone before you finish talking."
"Destination: Sokovia."
Vision's calm voice cut through the noise. He had already pinpointed Ultron's location through the network. Picking up Mjolnir from beside him, he handed it back to Thor—then lifted off and flew out ahead of them.
The ease with which he wielded the hammer stunned everyone into silence. That alone was proof enough of his worth. Even Captain America held his tongue.
---
SOKOVIA
A small Eastern European city nestled between mountains, Sokovia connected dense forests and modern civilization. Though not politically powerful, it was populous—tens of millions of residents—and strategically significant.
Ultron had chosen wisely. By staging his final confrontation here, he forced the Avengers to fight under heavy moral constraint. The sheer number of civilians meant they couldn't unleash their full strength.
Today, Sokovia was destined for chaos.
"Vision, explain Ultron's plan," Blaine ordered coldly. His detached tone carried authority, reminding everyone why he was here.
Since Ultron's creation, the Avengers had been stumbling in confusion—reacting, never leading. Always forced into battle, never understanding the full picture. They were like bricks, moved wherever fate demanded. Puppets with fists.
But that wasn't Blaine's concern. He wasn't here to lead these "primary schoolers." His role was simply to finish the mission. Honestly, if Ultron had hired him first, the Avengers might already have met their maker. But, as always, cause came before effect.
"Ultron's goal is the destruction of humanity—of Earth itself," Vision said, giving their chaos a clear focus. "Sokovia is his stronghold. He's fortified the city's depths with powerful engines—machines capable of lifting the entire city into the sky."
He continued calmly, his voice steady and precise. "At the center of the city lies an energy core—'Austrian 1.9 Creation.' We cannot let Ultron reach it. If he does, the Earth will be doomed."
"Our mission," Vision concluded, "is to reach the city's center and ensure Ultron never touches that core."
Though not everyone fully grasped the technical details, they understood the stakes.
Blaine, however, knew more. That "energy pillar" controlled the city's anti-gravity engines. If Ultron connected with it—if even a single part of him made contact—the engines would fail. The city would rise… and then fall.
When that happened, not only would millions in Sokovia perish, but the city's impact—like a meteor crashing from orbit—would devastate the planet itself.
And once the engines stalled, Sokovia would plummet back to Earth—its descent accelerating until it struck with catastrophic force.
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