[3 months later]
Bruce as promised began to create new bodies for the souls within the Rings. It was almost 90% completed. In the meantime, he trained to master the power of the Rings, which was a bit too easy for him. And with the guidance of the souls, he managed to unlock the true potential of the Ten Rings. But somewhere in his heart, he still missed Skylar, the lightning soul. Apart from that, he made new suits with the next-gen nanites for the Shield agents and the heroes.
Bruce stood in the vast laboratory, his eyes scanning the holographic blueprints of the new armor designs floating above the console. Drawing from the countless memories of his previous life, games he played as a young man, and now wielding unmatched technological prowess, Bruce had begun to turn those dreams into reality. Every suit, every enhancement, was designed with precision, practicality, and purpose, ensuring it complemented the abilities of its wearer.
The first suit, modeled after the nanosuits from Crysis, was a marvel of nanotechnology and adaptability. It provided unparalleled strength, speed, and stealth capabilities. The suit could absorb kinetic energy, project a cloaking field for invisibility, and amplify physical performance to near-superhuman levels. It was sleek, black, and slightly reflective, with intricate glowing lines running along its surface. It was a blend of cutting-edge technology and futuristic elegance. Natasha Romanoff and Clint Barton had been the first on his mind when designing these suits. Their unique skill sets would thrive with such enhancements, giving them an edge even against foes with supernatural abilities.
The second set of armor, a more stripped-down version of the nano suits, was created for S.H.I.E.L.D. agents. Though not as powerful as the elite models, these suits provided enhanced durability, limited stealth capabilities, and HUD systems to assist in combat. They were designed to maximize the efficiency of the agents in the field while ensuring that even less experienced operatives could use them effectively.
But it was the third creation that had Bruce feeling a surge of satisfaction. Inspired by Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, the cybernetic enhancements were designed for those who had given everything to protect the world... soldiers, police officers, and veterans who had lost limbs in battle. The technology not only restored what they had lost but enhanced it, making them stronger, faster, and more capable than ever before. These enhancements were modular, allowing individuals to customize their abilities according to their needs. Soldiers could wield cybernetic arms that doubled as shields or weapons, while officers had access to agility boosts and advanced reflex systems. For those who had been left behind, Bruce had given them the tools to return to the fight on their own terms.
"Natasha, Clint," Bruce called through the comm system. "Meet me in the testing chamber. I've got something for you to try out."
Within minutes, the doors to the chamber slid open, and Natasha and Clint walked in, their curiosity evident. Bruce stood near a sleek table where the two Crysis-style nanosuits were displayed.
"Let me guess," Clint began, smirking. "You've built us something ridiculous that's going to make us feel like superheroes."
Bruce raised an eyebrow. "Ridiculous? No. Revolutionary? Absolutely. These are your new suits." He gestured to the table. "Natasha, Clint... meet the Crysis models. Lightweight, adaptive, and designed to complement your skill sets. They enhance speed, strength, and reflexes. Stealth mode comes standard, of course. Try them on."
Natasha approached first, her fingers brushing over the smooth, textured surface of the suit. "It looks like something out of a sci-fi movie," she remarked, her tone betraying a hint of admiration.
"It's better than fiction," Bruce replied. "The nanites in the suit respond to your movements. They'll adapt to your fighting style and even provide tactical analysis during combat. The kinetic absorption system will protect you from most ballistic impacts, and the stealth field can render you invisible for extended periods."
Clint picked up his suit, examining it closely. "And here I thought I'd seen everything. What's the catch?"
"No catch," Bruce said, a rare smirk appearing on his face. "But you'll need to train with the suits to unlock their full potential. The system learns from you, and the more you use it, the better it gets."
The two agents exchanged glances before heading to the changing rooms. Moments later, they stepped back out, clad in the black, glowing suits. Bruce nodded in approval.
"Now," he said, tapping a few commands into the console. The testing chamber shifted, the walls transforming into a simulated urban environment. "Let's see what you've got. The simulation is set to level one. Show me how you handle it."
The simulation came to life, spawning holographic enemies armed with weapons and surrounding the duo. Natasha and Clint exchanged a knowing look before springing into action. Clint's movements were faster, his arrows finding their marks with precision. Natasha darted between enemies, striking with a speed and strength that left the holograms crumpled in seconds.
As they worked, Bruce watched from the control room, a satisfied expression on his face. "They're adapting faster than I expected," he muttered to himself.
When the simulation ended, both agents stood in the center of the chamber, barely winded. Natasha pulled off her mask, her hair falling around her shoulders. "This is really awesome. So much power..." she admitted. "But I'd like to see what it can do in a real fight."
"You'll get your chance," Bruce promised. "This is just the beginning."
He paused, then gestured toward another set of doors. "There's more. Come with me."
The trio walked through the labyrinthine halls of the facility until they arrived at another section of the lab. The doors slid open with a soft hiss, revealing rows of sleek, high-tech armor and cybernetic enhancements displayed on illuminated platforms. The room was vast, lined with holographic readouts and displays showcasing each piece of technology.
Bruce turned to Natasha and Clint, his expression calm yet purposeful. "What you just saw in the testing chamber was a taste. These," he gestured to the room around them, "represent the next stage in global defense."
Natasha raised an eyebrow, stepping forward to inspect one of the lesser nanosuits designed for S.H.I.E.L.D. agents. It was bulkier than the Crysis models but still looked lightweight enough to move efficiently. "These are for the agents?" she asked.
"Correct," Bruce replied. "Not every agent needs elite-level gear, but they do need to be better prepared. These suits are built for durability and functionality, with basic enhancements to strength, agility, and reflexes. They're equipped with integrated HUD systems for battlefield awareness and can withstand moderate energy or ballistic attacks. Nothing too flashy, but they'll keep our people alive in situations where they'd otherwise stand no chance."
Clint was already inspecting a cybernetic arm displayed on one of the platforms. The sleek design was polished metal with subtle black accents, its fingers curling and uncurling as if alive. "And these?" he asked, turning back to Bruce.
"Cybernetic enhancements," Bruce said, his tone softening slightly. "For those who've sacrificed parts of themselves to protect the world. Soldiers, cops, agents—people who've given everything and still want to fight. These aren't just prosthetics; they're upgrades. Stronger, faster, and designed to integrate seamlessly with the user's body. Every piece is modular, so they can customize it to suit their needs. Arms, legs, even spinal reinforcement for mobility impairments."
He stepped toward the center of the room, where a hologram of the Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance-inspired cybernetic suit rotated slowly. "This is my answer to the problem we've ignored for too long. We've had heroes, gods, and enhanced individuals saving the world, but what about the everyday fighters? The ones who hold the line until the big guns arrive? These enhancements give them the chance to not only keep up but thrive. They can reclaim their place in the fight."
Natasha crossed her arms, nodding thoughtfully. "This is amazing," she remarked, her tone tinged with admiration. "This could change the game completely. But..." She hesitated.
"You're wondering when," Bruce said. He tapped a command into the console, causing the holograms to flicker briefly. "The technology is stable and ready to roll out. But we're going to roll this out in phases. S.H.I.E.L.D. agents get the first wave. They're already trained, and these suits will amplify their capabilities. The second wave will be cybernetics, starting with the veterans and fighters who need them most. They need the most time to train with them. Shuri can handle their training. She's an expert at cybernetics after all and I have sent her the info already."
Natasha approached one of the cybernetic arms, running her hand over its smooth surface. "How many people could benefit from something like this?" She said softly.
"Thousands," Bruce replied. "Tens of thousands, eventually. Anyone who's lost a part of themselves but hasn't lost their will to fight. These enhancements will give them a second chance. And with the resources we have, we can mass-produce them."
Clint looked skeptical. "You sure about that, Bruce? Handing out this kind of tech to just anyone? Seems like a recipe for trouble."
Bruce smirked faintly. "That's why there will be strict oversight. We'll start small pilot programs with S.H.I.E.L.D., the military, and vetted candidates. It's not about turning the world into an army of super soldiers. It's about giving people the tools they need to protect themselves and others. Besides, every single unit has a kill switch. If anyone goes rogue or tries to fiddle with the suits or cybernetics, it will fry the tech."
He paused, then turned back to Natasha and Clint. "And that brings me to the next phase."
Bruce pressed a button on a nearby console, and a holographic display of weapons, drones, and other equipment appeared. "These upgrades don't just apply to armor and cybernetics. We're improving weapons, too—energy-based tech, lethal and non-lethal options, and combat drones. The goal is to create a system where every operative, every soldier, has the means to handle anything from street-level threats to extraterrestrial invasions."
Natasha raised an eyebrow. "That's ambitious."
"It has to be," Bruce said firmly. "The threats we face aren't going away. If anything, they're escalating. Brainiac might attack anytime and we have no way of telling when. So, we can't afford to be reactive anymore. We have to be prepared for anything and that means bringing everyone up to speed."
Natasha nodded. "Well, it looks like we have a lot of work ahead of us."
"Sigh! Another alien invasion... I was getting so used to this peace that I almost forgot about Brainiac," Clint sighed. "It's always one disaster after the other."
"In this business, that's the name of the game," Bruce remarked.
"True. By the way, what about Dr. Strange?" Natasha asked. "I heard you went to Kamar-Taj. Any news?"
"Nope. It was empty. There was no one there. I left one sentinel there just in case someone shows up, but nothing so far," Bruce explained.
"Well, we better get started them and Bruce, please look after the newbie training sessions. I could really use a hand," Clint said.
"Alright, I will swing by tomorrow. Today, I'm on a break..."
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