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"Do you mean...?"
Tony, who was not foolish, instantly comprehended Nick Fury's implication and was immediately intrigued.
That's right. Iron Man had always wanted to create Ultron, or rather, create Vision. In Tony's eyes, the Iron Legion was still the best method to defend Earth.
Even though the diary had spoiled Ultron's failure, wasn't there also a successful instance in Universe 838? Besides, as of now, no one could confirm that their universe was the failed Ultron's Universe 199999, right?
Indeed, researching Ultron or Vision did carry the risk of failure, but Tony wasn't someone to stop because of risks. What Tony needed to do was continuously enhance and perfect his work to minimize those risks.
Much like in "Avengers 2," Tony had made a failed Ultron, but even after reclaiming Ultron's body, he still intended to continue his research. If harsh facts couldn't stop Tony, a spoiler from a diary certainly couldn't. In this respect, Tony and Nick Fury had a great deal in common.
"That's right, I mean Vision!" Nick Fury nodded emphatically, providing a very definite answer. "We have the scepter, we can get vibranium, and we have you. So what are we waiting for? What do you think?"
Meeting Nick Fury's gaze, Tony was silent for only two seconds before giving a firm reply: "Let's get started!"
A gleam flashed in the single eye of Nick Fury. Tony's response did not surprise him. Given what he knew about Tony, missing this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity was impossible.
Thus, both sides quickly reached an agreement and officially began work on creating Vision.
While Nick Fury and Tony became busy due to the diary's spoilers, Thor on Asgard was not idle either. He immediately went to Odin.
"Father, I want to know about the Dark Elves."
Thor solemnly asked Odin, "I want to know about that battle; I want to know the details."
"Why the sudden interest in this?" Odin, on the throne, was a bit surprised. "Haven't you heard enough about it when you were young?"
Odin had told this story to Thor and Loki when they were children.
"Thor, what are you trying to say?" Frigga, beside them, keenly sensed something. She scrutinized Thor and asked in a serious tone.
"Father, Mother, I know this sounds sudden, but the Dark Elves are still out there. They will return one day to attack Asgard."
Thor didn't hesitate, sharing the intelligence he had obtained from the diary with his parents. Odin and Frigga's expressions turned grave.
If what Thor said was true, this matter was severe.
"Thor, why do you say that? What do you know?" Odin unconsciously sat up straight, his one eye fixed on Thor.
"Is it that 'thing' that told you?" Frigga reacted quickly.
"Yes, Mother," Thor nodded and explained the details, "That thing had a new 'prophecy': Asgard will obtain the Reality Stone, and the Dark Elves will invade Asgard because of it."
"Father, Mother, I need to know about the Dark Elves!"
As for Frigga dying in this battle, Thor didn't mention it. He silently swore to prevent it from happening.
"Thor, tell us in detail," Odin said immediately. Both he and Frigga treated this matter with the utmost seriousness.
Even though Odin and Frigga couldn't see or touch the thing that foretold the future, they didn't dare to underestimate it. After all, confidential information about Odin's impending death, the goddess of death Hela, the cosmic battle, and more had been verified.
Especially Loki. Everyone thought Loki was dead, except Thor, who knew through the "thing" that Loki was still alive and would even invade Midgard. And what happened? It indeed came to pass exactly as Thor had said. Given these circumstances, neither Odin nor Frigga dared to take lightly the new "prophecy."
"I don't know much about that battle. It was fought by my father, King Bor."
"According to my father, the Dark Elves were wiped out, including their leader Malekith."
"Since then, Svartalfheim has been a desolate planet and has remained so for a long time."
Odin recalled and gave Thor a brief introduction. Frigga, extending her hand, used magic to summon related tomes from the library and carefully examined them. Everything suggested that the Dark Elves were history.
"Father, I plan to send a force to investigate Svartalfheim and the battlefield," Thor said after some thought. "I believe the Dark Elves are still alive."
"You decide," Odin immediately nodded, leaving the matter entirely in Thor's hands. After years of experience, Thor had matured significantly and become much closer to a competent king. This made Odin quite pleased.
"Also, there's Thanos," Thor's voice rang out again, seriously continuing, "The turmoil in the Nine Realms is almost over. Once the Bifrost is repaired, it will soon end. After that, I want to focus on investigating this guy."
After learning that Loki had died at Thanos's hand, Thor had intended to investigate Thanos. Unfortunately, the chaos in the Nine Realms occupied all of Asgard's attention, leaving him no time to deal with it. Fortunately, the Tesseract had been retrieved, preparations were almost done, and the Bifrost was soon to be repaired. The rebellion in the Nine Realms wouldn't last long.
"This matter is also in your hands," Odin said, nodding again without further comment.
"By the way, Father," Thor's eyes lit up as he remembered something. "While suppressing the rebellion in Vanaheim, I gathered some more intelligence on Thanos. Perhaps you and Mother might know something."
"Really?"
Frigga perked up, saying, "Tell me more."
Frigga and Odin's extensive experience meant that if Thanos was indeed a notable figure in the universe, they might have heard of him.
Thor shared all the related intelligence he had gathered from his journal with Odin and Frigga.
"Wait, did you say his style is to kill half and spare the other half?"
Odin's eyes widened upon hearing about Thanos's habit, as if something clicked in his mind.
"Father, do you know something?"
Thor's eyes lit up, eagerly pressing Odin for more information.
"If my memory serves me right, this should be the work of the 'Mad Titan.'"
Odin began to elaborate, "He is the last survivor of Titan, a tyrant who conquers and destroys wherever he goes, symbolizing destruction and death."
"Over the years, he has annihilated countless planets, earning him the title 'Mad Titan.'"
"Indeed, he only kills half the population!"
"And the Mad Titan's skin..."
Odin's expression grew serious, "It is indeed purple!"
"Thanos, you scoundrel, we've finally found you!"
Thor clapped his hands with a cold snort, unable to suppress his anger.
Even without concrete evidence, the string of coincidences convinced Thor that this was the truth.
The depiction of the Mad Titan's power by Odin indicated that he was a significant figure in the cosmos, capable of challenging Asgard.
"Father, do you know anything else about the Mad Titan?"
Thor asked seriously, looking up at Odin. "Do you know his name?"
"Let me think," Odin pondered for a moment before giving Thor an answer, "He is called... Thanos."
Thanos!
Thor etched the name into his mind. He resolved to investigate Thanos thoroughly once the turmoil in the Nine Realms was settled.
"King Odin."
"All preparations are complete, but the repair of the Bifrost requires your personal intervention. No one in Asgard has power as great as yours."
After discussing a few matters with Odin and Frigga, Heimdall appeared to report to them.
"I understand," Odin nodded and followed Heimdall without delay.
Before long, dazzling lights began to flicker at the broken Bifrost.
As the magical array operated, the energy from the Tesseract was continuously unleashed, creating a visually impressive spectacle.
In the energy storm, the crystalline bridge quickly reformed, with the damaged sections mending visibly.
Seeing this, Thor's lips curled into a satisfied smile.
With the rebellion in the Nine Realms nearly quelled and news of the Bifrost's restoration spreading soon, Asgard was on the path to reclaiming its former glory after these turbulent years.
As the last piece fell into place, the Bifrost was once again whole.
"Father, Mother, wait for my triumphant return!"
After a brief period of rest, Thor resumed his journey to quell the remaining unrest.
With a flash of blinding rainbow light, Thor vanished instantly.
…
New York.
After confirming their cooperation, Nick Fury began to allocate resources to fully support Tony.
In just half a month, a secret research base was established.
During that time, Tony completed the relevant preparations.
"The perfect embodiment for Vision, according to the journal, is a mechanical lifeform," Tony said, standing before a digital projection in the expansive laboratory, explaining his plan to Nick Fury.
"Vision should be the ultimate creation, not just a simple AI. He should be something greater, and only the cradle of regeneration can achieve that."
Nick Fury raised an eyebrow. "The cradle of regeneration?"
This was a technology mentioned in the journal, one of the means to achieve immortality — something Fury was well aware of.
"Can we achieve it now?"
"If it were before, no. But we're fortunate," Tony manipulated the controls, projecting relevant data, "A month ago, Dr. Helen Cho completed the cradle of regeneration."
"Therefore, Vision's perfect form is now within our reach."
Nick Fury felt a surge of excitement.
"And Vision's mind? J.A.R.V.I.S.?"
After a pause, Fury asked Tony the crucial question, noticing the change in Tony's demeanor.
"Is there a problem?"
Fury sensed something was amiss.
"Initially, I thought it was that simple," Tony began explaining, leading Fury towards the scepter, "I wondered how the other me could have failed. It's another J.A.R.V.I.S., an upgraded J.A.R.V.I.S., but why was there such a colossal error?"
"Why did I design a program that wanted to annihilate humanity? Until..."
Tony stopped in front of the scepter, which was now surrounded by a shimmering blue energy field, with incomprehensible data and curves flashing intermittently.
"What's this?" Fury's gaze fell on the scepter, a familiar sight prompting a slight frown.