Years passed, and I balanced my responsibilities between Wayne Industries and my mission as Superman. Though my greatest project was working on Ultron and continuing to make him something great.
Rebuilding him from scratch was the easy part. Teaching him what it meant to be human—to distinguish right from wrong, to understand compassion, empathy, and justice—that was the challenge. But Ultron learned quickly. Over time, his programming evolved beyond mere logic. His new Vibranium-synthetic body, a masterpiece of my design, gave him strength and resilience, but it was his heart—his desire to do good—that made him extraordinary.
One day, after another successful mission, Ultron made his debut as a hero. Public reception was cautious at first, but his deeds quickly won over skeptics. Rescuing hostages, defusing conflicts, and rebuilding destroyed communities—Ultron became a symbol of hope, much like I had. Watching him thrive in his new role brought a rare smile to my face.
He often said that the world's love gave him purpose. "It feels… fulfilling," Ultron admitted one night as we discussed his latest mission. "To protect rather than destroy. To see gratitude rather than fear."
"That's the point," I told him. "True strength is knowing you can destroy but choosing to build instead."
But even in moments of success, the shadows of paranoia lurked. One evening in my lab, while refining Ultron's cyberware, I spoke aloud, my thoughts spilling into the quiet hum of machines. "I could end it all, you know," I mused, staring at the globe projection before me. "One swipe, one decision, and the world would crumble. No armies could stop me. No gods or men. It would be easy."
I let the silence linger before a small smirk tugged at my lips. "But what would that accomplish? Chaos? Pain? I've seen enough of both to last a lifetime. The world doesn't need a destroyer. It needs someone to protect it."
I turned deliberately toward the corner of the room, my gaze locking on the subtle flicker of a hidden spy camera.
"You've been watching long enough, Fury," I said, my voice steady. "Did you really think I wouldn't notice? Next time, don't bother with the cloak and dagger nonsense. Just ask if you wanted to talk so bad."
For a moment, there was no response. Then, through the camera's mic, came the low, measured tone of Nick Fury himself.
"Well, Mr. Wayne, you've got my attention. Let's talk."
Meeting with Nick Fury was an interesting experience, to say the least. Fury, with his one-eyed, no-nonsense demeanor, didn't waste time getting to the point.
"I've been keeping an eye on you, Wayne," he began. "You and Ultron. You're not exactly subtle."
I leaned back in my chair, gesturing toward Ultron, who stood at my side. "Well, when you're saving the world, subtlety isn't exactly a priority. But go on."
Fury folded his arms. "I'm assembling a team. A group of individuals with unique abilities, skills, and resources to deal with threats no one else can handle. I want you—and Ultron—to be part of it."
"Let me guess," I said, my tone flat. "You're calling it The Avengers?"
Fury smirked but didn't deny it. "We could use your expertise."
I crossed my arms. "Interesting pitch, but let me ask you this: have the world's leaders bought into your plan?"
The smirk vanished. Fury's silence spoke volumes.
"That's what I thought," I said, rising from my seat. "If you can't convince the leaders of the free world, why should I trust you to manage this team?"
Fury started to respond, but I raised a hand. "Here's the deal: I'll consider it. But I won't just join—I'll run the project. You'll still be involved, Fury, but let's face it: I'm better equipped to handle this."
Ultron nodded in agreement, his synthetic voice calm yet firm. "I concur. Bruce's strategic and technological expertise surpasses any alternative candidate. If this team is to succeed, it needs a leader who can balance innovation with decisive action."
Fury's eye narrowed. "You want to take over?"
I gave him a small smile. "Partner, Fury. Think of it as co-management. Trust me, it's the best deal you're going to get."
After a long moment, Fury slid a card across the table. "Fine. Call me when you've got something solid."
I pocketed the card as Ultron and I turned to leave. "You'll be the first to know."
Returning to Wayne Tower I shrugged off my suit jacket and loosened my tie. The day's events had been productive, but there was more work to be done.
"Alfred," I called out, my voice echoing through the penthouse lab.
The familiar, measured tone of my AI assistant responded immediately. "Yes, Master Wayne?"
"Set up a meeting with the President. I need to discuss a few... global matters," I said, moving toward my workstation to review the latest designs for a new fleet of drones.
There was a brief pause as Alfred processed the request. "Consider it done, sir. President Obama has already agreed to meet with you. The appointment is scheduled for the day after tomorrow at the White House."
I stopped in my tracks, a faint smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. "Efficient as always, Alfred. Thank you."
"It is, after all, what I was designed for," Alfred replied with a touch of dry humor. "Might I suggest you take the time to rest before then? Negotiations with world leaders can be... taxing."
"Noted," I said, though we both knew I wouldn't. Resting wasn't exactly my forte, especially not when there was so much to do.
I glanced at the screen where Alfred's interface shimmered faintly. "You know, this is the kind of thing Fury doesn't understand. If I'm going to protect this world, it has to start at the top. Policy, influence, strategy—it's all connected."
"Indeed, sir. Though, if I may, your approach is a touch unconventional."
I smirked. "Unconventional gets results."
<-------------->
Alice Pennyworth had become an unstoppable force in running Wayne Enterprises. She hired the best talent, streamlined operations, and ensured the company followed every directive I issued. Under her management, Wayne Enterprises had become a global titan, a far cry from Stark Industries' weapon-focused empire.
The launch of WayneTech's iGalaxy series in 2008 redefined the tech market. Phones, laptops, and smartwatches that were not just ahead of their time but revolutionary hit the shelves. Affordable, powerful, and stylish, the products crushed competitors like Vivo and HTC. When those companies faltered, we acquired them, rebranded their stores, and expanded our reach.
Meanwhile, Wayne Industries made waves with its new automotive branch, Tesla. Working alongside Alice, I ensured every detail of our electric vehicles was perfected. Unlike Musk's later attempts, our vehicles were flawless. The first three models—The Model S, The Model X, and The Raptor—dominated the market. The Raptor, my take on the Cybertruck, had a superior design, sleek yet rugged, with zero compromises. Charging times were reduced to two minutes, and the vehicles could travel a thousand miles on a single charge.
Every flaw Musk would have ignored, I fixed. WayneTech and Wayne Industries weren't just making products; they were building a legacy.
And this was only the beginning