"Alright, priorities," Gojo murmured, his gaze sweeping over the city. The "Defenders," as he vaguely recalled them being called, could wait. There were other, more immediate events he remembered from the "movies" that he could influence.
"The Vision body…" he mused. "HYDRA, or rather Ultron, was going to create it using the Scepter and that Regeneration Cradle thing from Dr. Cho. And then Jarvis… somehow got uploaded into it."
He didn't particularly dislike the Vision character, but the idea of Jarvis, Tony's steadfast AI companion, getting a chance at a physical existence, a chance to develop true emotions and experience life beyond lines of code that held a certain scientific, almost philosophical, curiosity for him.
"Jarvis evolving… that could be interesting."
Then there was Pietro Maximoff, Quicksilver. "He died, didn't he? Saving Hawkeye and that kid." Gojo frowned slightly. A waste of potential.
And Wanda… her grief had fueled so much chaos later on. "Saving some unfortunate character… that seems like a worthwhile endeavor. And Wanda's powers…" He whistled softly.
"Mind manipulation, energy blasts, and the nascent ability to warp reality itself, like a budget Reality Stone. Having her on my side, or at least not actively against me, would be incredibly useful. Imagine the possibilities." The thought of having someone with Wanda's capabilities as an ally was undeniably appealing.
With these new, more focused objectives in mind, Gojo felt a renewed sense of purpose. He could play this game his own way, nudging events, saving certain pieces, and perhaps creating a very different outcome.
….
The Next Morning Avengers Tower
The atmosphere in Tony Stark's lab was thick with tension and the hum of high-tech equipment.
Tony, looking like he hadn't slept, was frantically typing on multiple holographic keyboards, his eyes darting across streams of data.
Bruce Banner stood beside him, equally focused, offering suggestions and running diagnostics.
They were throwing everything they had into finding Ultron, trying to predict his next move, to understand the extent of the damage he'd already caused.
The digital ghost was out there, and every second counted.
….
Meanwhile, on the Streets of New York City
While the geniuses of the Avengers team were battling a rogue AI in the digital realm, Gojo Satoru was experiencing a far more mundane, yet equally engaging, reality.
He strolled down a bustling New York street, a picture of carefree nonchalance. He'd returned Tony's high-tech sunglasses that morning, A bit too… Stark-ish for his daily wear, you know?
And had somehow procured a pair of perfectly round, dark-tinted glasses, reminiscent of the ones his original teenage self often wore. It wasn't a random choice; the style felt familiar, comfortable.
His striking appearance, the shock of white hair, the perfectly symmetrical features, and the effortless confidence in his stride naturally drew attention.
Heads turned, conversations paused. Both men and women found their gazes lingering on the unusual young man.
Gojo, oblivious or perhaps simply unconcerned by the stares, entered a charming little bakery, the aroma of freshly baked goods instantly enveloping him.
He approached the counter, his eyes (behind the dark lenses) scanning the delightful array of pastries.
"I'll have… that one," he said, pointing to a glistening fruit tart. "And two of those chocolate éclairs. Oh, and a half-dozen of those macarons, mixed flavors, please." He paused, then added,
"And maybe… three of those cream puffs. No, four." He smiled at the slightly overwhelmed but equally charmed baker. "Not to go. I'll eat them here."
With his order placed, he found an empty table near the large front window, settling in to watch the city go by.
A few minutes later, a tray laden with his sugary bounty arrived. Gojo's eyes lit up. He picked up a cream puff, the pastry light and airy, the cream sweet and rich. He took a bite, and a look of pure, unadulterated bliss spread across his face.
It was delicious. Impossibly delicious. It was the kind of taste sensation one might experience after a prolonged period of deprivation like not having eaten for a year (though, biologically, that was impossible) and then having the first bite be pure, unadulterated sweetness.
The years spent in that icy stasis, though his body hadn't aged or starved, had perhaps left a sensory void that these simple pastries were now exquisitely filling. One by one, the treats disappeared, savored with an almost reverent appreciation.
After a blissfully sugary interlude that bordered on a religious experience, Gojo settled his bill. He casually swiped the Stark Industries credit card Tony had (perhaps unwisely, given Gojo's penchant for impulsive acquisitions) provided him.
Surprisingly, the transaction went through without a hitch; Ultron, for all his digital omnipresence, hadn't bothered to block Tony's personal spending accounts. Or perhaps he hadn't gotten around to it yet.
Stepping out of the bakery and back into the vibrant chaos of New York City, Gojo's new phone buzzed in his pocket. Not a call, but a crisp, succinct text message:
[Tower. ASAP.]
"Hmm, efficient," Gojo mused, a slight smirk playing on his lips. "Must be Tony." He figured they'd either pinpointed Ultron's location or had a lead on his next move.
Gojo, of course, had a general idea of what Ultron was after Vibranium. He remembered the "movie" plot point about Ultron seeking out the rare, nearly indestructible metal.
The exact location, the name of the arms dealer involved (Ulysses Klaue, though the name was currently a fuzzy blur in Gojo's memory), those details were still hazy, like trying to recall a dream upon waking.
His knowledge of the "Marvel movies" was vivid in broad strokes but frustratingly vague on specifics.
He was a little surprised no one had tried to stop him from leaving the Tower earlier. Then again, he hadn't exactly announced his departure; he'd simply warped out while they were all engrossed in their post-Ultron panic.
With a thought, Gojo vanished from the bustling sidewalk, reappearing an instant later in the main common area of Avengers Tower, right beside Tony who was hunched over a holographic display.
Tony jumped, nearly dropping a stylus. "Gah! Kid, you have to stop doing that inside!" he exclaimed, clutching his chest dramatically. "You're going to give me a heart attack before Ultron does."
Gojo, unfazed, strolled over to a nearby chair. "Don't call me 'kid,' old man."
Tony stared at him, aghast. "Huh?! Old man? Are you serious right now? Me?"
Gojo chuckled, settling into the chair as the other Avengers Steve, Natasha, and Bruce looked up from the files and data streams they were poring over. "What?" Gojo said, feigning innocence.
"Did it sting a little? The undeniable truth that you're aging, not getting any younger? Maybe you should try an ice capsule. Wake up later, stay young forever. Worked for me, sort of."
Tony threw his hands up in mock surrender. "Alright, alright, you win this round, fountain of youth." He then turned serious. "Get ready, kid— Satoru. We think we know where Ultron is, or at least where he's headed. We have to stop him from getting his metallic hands on something very dangerous."
Gojo leaned back, tapping his chin thoughtfully. "Let me guess. Nuclear bombs?"
"Don't jinx it," Tony said quickly. "And you're coming with us. Consider it your first official field trip vacation. Primarily as support, in case Ultron decides to bring out more of my now his Iron Legionnaires. We need someone who can swat those flies effectively."
….
A/N: Well How was it? I thought and dropped the idea of Cursed Spirits and Defendr cameo for now.
You can share your thoughts. As gojo have inly thought of involving them not actually confirmed that he will involve them so it can be change.
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