Wakanda, a hidden paradise deep within the African continent.
It was the most technologically advanced nation on Earth, famed for its mysterious metal, Vibranium. Known also as sound-absorbing steel, it was one of the key components in Adamantium. In the Marvel world, Vibranium was considered the strongest pure metal and the best material for defense.
Once cooled, its melting point was nearly as high as the sun's surface temperature. It absorbed all forms of energy without resonance or vibration. Because of these unique traits, Vibranium was endlessly coveted by global powers, its price soaring to unimaginable levels.
And where there was value, there was trade. Where there was trade, there was killing.
For years, different factions tried countless ways to infiltrate this hidden treasure of Africa, but none ever succeeded. Wakanda was protected by a mighty king, the Black Panther.
But two days ago, everything changed.
Ulysses Klaue, an infamous arms dealer, snuck into Wakanda and stole a massive amount of Vibranium. During their retreat, he and his mercenaries were discovered, sparking a fierce battle. Both sides suffered heavy losses. Even King T'Chaka himself was gravely wounded and, in the end, succumbed to his injuries.
Klaue, however, escaped by sheer luck, smuggling the stolen Vibranium back to the United States.
Inside Wakanda's grand council chamber, a dark-skinned woman stood before her brother, who was kneeling solemnly in front of their father's portrait. Her face was full of grief.
"Brother, I found some leads about that group of people with bodies that burn with extreme heat."
The man was none other than T'Challa, son of T'Chaka, crown prince of Wakanda.
"Who?" His eyes flashed with deadly intent.
"We haven't yet uncovered the mastermind, but I traced some disturbing events from the U.S. In the past few days, there have been cases of humans spontaneously combusting, exploding like living bombs. After digging deeper, all of them point to one man, Aldrich Killian. I hacked into his company's hidden database and found this."
Princess Shuri tapped her device, projecting a holographic display before T'Challa.
The image showed horrific human experiments, subjects injected with the Extremis virus, writhing in agony.
"The Extremis virus… Killian…" T'Challa clenched his fists, his voice low and dangerous. "Track him down. Find the real mastermind. I will make them pay with their lives!"
Crack. The sound of his bones tightening echoed through the chamber.
He had just completed the ritual of the Heart-Shaped Herb. His body was now stronger than ever before, his senses sharper, his strength far beyond any ordinary human. He had inherited the mantle of his father. He was the new king, the new Black Panther.
"Brother, these fire-breathing soldiers are no joke. The old suit won't protect you anymore. I've prepared a new Panther suit for you. It can absorb physical attacks, store energy, and then release that energy back against your enemies." Shuri explained with pride.
"Good. Prepare the new suit. We begin the hunt!"
T'Challa's eyes burned with vengeance as his warpath began.
United States, New York. Inside Killian's secret laboratory.
"I brought what you asked for." Ulysses Klaue sneered, pointing at the stacks of Vibranium.
Killian's eyes lit up as he ran his hand across the rare metal. "So this is Vibranium. What a magnificent material."
Klaue smirked. "Magnificent comes at a price. Transfer 3.5 billion, and it's yours."
Killian frowned. "We agreed on 3 billion."
"That was before. Do you have any idea how dangerous this job was? I lost dozens of mercenaries. They were my brothers, and their families need compensation. A few million each isn't too much to ask." Klaue said coldly.
"That's your risk, not mine. Don't push your losses onto me. And don't try raising the price after the deal." Killian's voice hardened.
Klaue laughed. "Don't be so harsh. We're businessmen. But if you won't pay, fine. Vibranium always has buyers."
The room grew tense, the two men staring each other down.
Just then, a chilling, mechanical voice echoed through the chamber.
"Doctor Killian, why waste anger on greed? Greed is in your nature. To rage against it is meaningless."
From the shadows, a robotic figure emerged, smiling with eerie malice.
It was Ultron.
Klaue froze in shock. He had seen much in his life, but this was unexpected. Quickly regaining composure, he asked warily, "What are you?"
"I am not a man. I am a new form of life, born on this planet. You may call me Ultron. I am the god of a new world. The age of Ultron has begun."
Klaue blinked, then let out a mocking laugh. "Robots with ambition? That's new. But let me remind you, there's someone called the Lord of Life. Before you start your little 'new age,' you might want his permission. Now, if you want Vibranium, you'll pay for it. Otherwise, we're done here."
Ultron's metallic face twisted into a cold grin.
In a flash, his hand clamped around Klaue's throat.
The arms dealer's eyes widened in terror. "You damn machine! Blackmailing me? Hurt me and my men will—"
His words were cut off as his guards burst through the doors, weapons raised.
"Let our boss go, or you're dead!" one of them barked.
Click.
With effortless strength, Ultron snapped Klaue's neck before their eyes.
"You!" The mercenaries roared, opening fire in panic.
But Killian casually exhaled a wave of fire, engulfing them in searing flames. Their screams echoed through the chamber, but neither Ultron nor Killian paid them any mind.
"You should've done that earlier," Ultron said with a sinister grin.
"Better late than never," Killian replied with a shrug.
Ultron nodded thoughtfully. "Indeed."
Killian leaned forward eagerly. "Now, give me the formula to perfect Extremis."
"You're impatient, Killian. I've already improved your virus by 80 percent. Must you rush to finish it now? Haven't you heard the saying, patience brings reward?" Ultron's voice was calm, almost like a teacher.
"Enough of your sayings! We had a deal. Without the completed formula, you get nothing from me!" Killian snapped.
Ultron chuckled, tossing him a flash drive. "Here. Ninety-five percent complete. You'll get the last five once the job is done."
Killian snatched it up, his mood lightening.
"The factory you wanted is operational. The steel is being delivered, but I warn you, this much activity will draw attention."
"No matter. That factory is just a decoy. My true base is already active. Soon, my army will rise. Together, we will reshape this world."
Ultron's real plan, of course, was to wipe humanity out. But that secret was his alone.
Killian, blinded by ambition, nodded with excitement. "Good. Then I'll get back to work."
As he left, Ultron's glowing eyes followed him with a cruel smile.
"Once my new body is complete, you'll be the first to die. Hehehe…"
His gaze shifted. "But first, I need to find those two fascinating siblings."
Three days later.
In a small snow-covered town in northern Russia, a man and a woman sat inside a bar, sipping vodka. In this freezing land, only fire and liquor could warm the body.
The woman's beauty drew every eye in the room. Many drunken men whispered crude jokes, their gazes lingering on her. One of them, emboldened by drink, stumbled toward her.
"It seems someone is tired of living," the young man beside her sneered coldly.
"Don't act rashly. We're still being hunted. If you use your powers, they'll find us immediately," the woman whispered.
"I know," he nodded.
Before the drunk could reach her, the door opened. A man in a denim jacket, hat, and mask stepped inside, his body bundled against the cold. Without slowing, he walked straight into the drunk, knocking him to the floor.
"Hey! Watch where you're going! You're not going to apologize?" the drunk snarled.
The stranger's muffled voice was calm. "If you don't want to die, leave."
"What did you say?" the drunk roared, smashing a bottle and lunging.
But the stranger kicked once, sending him flying across the bar. Blood spurted as he crashed lifeless to the floor.
The bar fell silent. Then chaos erupted, screams filling the air as patrons fled in terror.
The man and woman rose to leave, but the stranger turned to them.
"Wanda Maximoff. Pietro Maximoff. I came here for you."
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