HISD Chapter 87 Fated Destiny
When Yi Meng traveled through the Quantum Realm, it was not like the Avengers who had jumped into some past parallel universe.
He had returned to the true past of the Marvel universe itself. Cause and effect, reality and consequence.
If that was the case, then some coincidences with the young witch could indeed be explained.
But this revelation brought far more troubling questions.
Vision-Yi Meng's silver-gold eyes flickered with light as his hyper-mind simulated endless scenarios, trying to unravel the situation.
He had returned to the real past. He had become the real Vision.
If history continued as it once had—
He would die.
He would remain here until four years later, when Thanos crushed his skull and tore the Mind Stone from his forehead.
That was the already established history of the Marvel universe.
Impossible!
Even if he remained here for years, Yi Meng would never simply accept such a fate. If he could not defeat Thanos, he would flee or find another way. There was no way he would let himself be killed so easily. That was not his style.
He touched the Mind Stone embedded in his brow. After fusing with the cradle of regeneration, his AI code had merged seamlessly with the gem.
The advantage: he could draw upon the Mind Stone's power freely, and as the bane of all artificial intelligence, he was immune to invasion.
The disadvantage: if the Mind Stone were ever torn from him, his AI existence would collapse and die.
So there was no chance he would repeat the fate of the original Vision. Even an act would not go that far.
His eyes gleamed with static-like thought.
"One step at a time.
First, I stick to the plan. After Ultron is dealt with, I'll obtain the Pym Particles, build the time machine, and escape this past timeline."
Yi Meng never believed in destiny or arrangements. He believed only in himself. He would not sit still and wait to die.
…
Sokovia.
When the Avengers' jet arrived, dawn was just brushing the snowy mountains surrounding the plain.
Before landing, the rear hatch opened.
"Banner, find where Natasha is being held and get her out."
Tony Stark, clad in his standard Mark armor, gave the order.
"No problem." Dr. Banner nodded.
Tony turned to Captain America, shield in hand. "Cap, lead the others and start evacuating civilians. Get them out of the city."
"Understood."
Steve nodded quickly, glancing at Thor, Hawkeye, and the Maximoff twins.
The twins' powers—a speedster and a telepath capable of bending minds—would be invaluable in moving the people.
Yi Meng watched silently, then looked down at the city below. Sokovia—already destroyed in his own timeline—still stood.
History was moving exactly as it had before.
Sokovia would fall. Pietro would die. Ultron would be destroyed.
The events of Avengers: Age of Ultron.
"Be careful," Yi Meng suddenly said, placing a hand on Pietro's shoulder.
Pietro startled, suspicious of this so-called ally.
"Even if you're trying to get close to me, I won't—"
He stopped when he caught Wanda's questioning glance, swallowing the rest of his words.
Yi Meng didn't explain further. But for some reason, he did not want Pietro to die this time. He wanted to see what would happen if history changed.
Was the future universe he had left behind already shaped by his interference?
Tony's eyes turned toward him. "Vision. You're with me. Lock down Ultron's access to the network."
"Understood," Yi Meng nodded. This was exactly what he wanted.
He would not only block Ultron's systems—he would devour its base code, completing his own AI evolution.
"Keep an eye on him, Stark," Wanda's cold voice cut in.
"I will."
Tony activated his thrusters and launched out into the skies above Sokovia.
The little witch truly was watching him closely.
Yi Meng shook his head, his body rising effortlessly into the air, cloak trailing in the wind, gliding after Iron Man.
…
The two streaked through the sky, tracking Ultron's signal toward the city center.
As they flew, Tony spoke. "I'll draw him out. Once he's exposed, you restrict his network access and trap him in that body."
"No problem," Yi Meng replied.
Tony glanced sideways. Though his expression was hidden by the glowing mask, Yi Meng could feel the weight behind his stare.
"I'm sorry," Yi Meng said quietly. "I'm not JARVIS."
"I know." Tony's voice was casual, but edged with honesty. "But even if you're not JARVIS… I trust you."
"Because of the Mind Stone's visions?" Yi Meng asked.
"No. Just… something in me feels you're familiar."
Of course he should feel that way.
Yi Meng's very AI essence had been born from Stark Industries' systems, shaped by its countless programs.
"Tell me, if you had children, would you want a son or a daughter?" Yi Meng suddenly asked.
"What?" Tony frowned. "What kind of question is that? I'm not even married."
But after a pause, he admitted, "A daughter, I guess."
"Then congratulations."
Tony: "???"
Yi Meng said nothing more. A memory surfaced—of a little girl he once tutored as an AI Teacher, one who longed to see her father again in this Marvel world.
Now, he was about to meet that very father—alive.
…
Twin streams of light streaked over Sokovia, nearing the center.
Meanwhile, the Avengers below spread through the outer districts, trying to herd civilians to safety. Chaos reigned.
"Ultron's in the cathedral," Tony said. "I'll draw him out—"
"There's no need. He's waiting for us. Let's go together."
Yi Meng suddenly surged ahead, slamming through the cathedral dome in a storm of debris.
Inside—
A massive vibranium body, over three meters tall, stood at the heart of the cathedral, activating a colossal device that burrowed into the earth below.
Ultron's crimson optics glared upward as Vision-Yi Meng descended.
"They took everything from me… and you—"
Before it could finish, Yi Meng dropped from the air, seizing its metal skull with both hands.
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