The Fantastic Four's integration into the Avengers was a natural, almost inevitable development, forged by mutual respect and necessity.
Reed Richards and his team harbored no ill will toward the Avengers—quite the opposite, they held a deep admiration for their efforts.
Joining the Avengers offered them a sanctuary of autonomy, backed by S.H.I.E.L.D.'s authority, shielding them from governmental overreach so long as they upheld the law.
Their heroic endeavors would face no bureaucratic obstacles, allowing them to act with unimpeded purpose. Moreover, the Avengers' resources were invaluable: Tony and Banner's cutting-edge science, Sebastian's arcane mastery, and Thor's godlike might were lifelines the Fantastic Four could rely on in dire moments. Refusal was unthinkable.
For the Avengers, the Shadow Council's growing threat stretched their ranks thin. The Fantastic Four's extraordinary abilities—particularly Reed's intellect, which even Tony begrudgingly praised—were a boon they couldn't afford to reject.
With Sebastian as a bridge, negotiations flowed smoothly, and the Fantastic Four officially joined the Avengers, their emblem now intertwined with the team's legacy.
A bolt of lightning cracked the sky, heralding Thor's arrival. Hammer in hand, he landed on the Tower's external platform, his expression grave as he strode toward the group.
"Sebastian, Stark, everyone," he began, his voice resonant with urgency. "I've glimpsed the future. I saw keys to defeating the Shadow Council. One is the body Ultron crafted—we must awaken it. Another lies with you, Sebastian. I saw two powerful machines on you, though I don't know what they are. They're critical."
Tony turned to Thor, his brow furrowed. "I'm not sure about Sebastian's machines, but I've got a plan for Ultron's creation. I'm already working on its activation. If you're curious, follow me—we can check it out together. If anything goes wrong, we'll handle it."
Sebastian, intrigued, intended to join Tony and inspect Ultron's body, perhaps revealing his two original Sentinel prototypes to Tony and Reed. But Wanda, standing close, tugged gently at his arm, her voice a soft murmur. "Sebastian, can you restore Pietro? I think he's on the verge of breaking."
Sebastian blinked, a wry smile crossing his face. In the chaos, he'd nearly forgotten Pietro, his boneless plight lingering like an afterthought. Wanda's reminder snapped him back. "Right, let's fix that."
Following Wanda to a bedroom within the Tower, Sebastian found Pietro sprawled across a bed, his boneless limbs splayed limply, his vacant stare resembling a wilted plant. Shaking his head with a chuckle, Sebastian approached, his wand materializing in his hand. With a graceful flourish, he cast an Ossification Charm, a white light enveloping Pietro. His flaccid limbs began to swell, bones regenerating at a visible pace, knitting together with seamless precision.
Within moments, Pietro's skeleton was whole. He flexed his limbs cautiously, confirming their restored strength, then leaped from the bed with a somersault, blurring into a phantom-like sprint around the room.
After countless laps, he skidded to a halt before Sebastian and Wanda, pointing frantically at his sealed mouth, muffled grunts escaping as he gestured for relief.
Sebastian raised his wand again, reversing the Colloportus Lingua. Pietro's mouth popped open, his voice flooding back. "Finally!" he gasped, relief washing over him. "That was hell—flopping limbs like an octopus, unable to even end it…"
Noticing Pietro's tendency to ramble, Sebastian lifted his wand pointedly. Pietro clamped his mouth shut, miming a zipper across his lips, his eyes wide with mock fear. Sebastian smirked. "Alright, you two, come with me. Let's see what Ultron's body looks like when it wakes up."
The trio headed to the Tower's internal laboratory, a sterile expanse humming with technology. The bio-pod, Ultron's creation, was tethered to a web of cables. Tony, Reed, and a freshly awakened Banner stood at their respective consoles, processing data to initiate the body's activation.
Spotting Sebastian, Tony called out, still typing. "Sebastian, you made it."
"What's your plan to drive this body without Ultron's consciousness?" Sebastian asked, his curiosity piqued.
"I'm thinking Lucky Day," Tony replied, glancing up. "Thoughts?"
Lucky Day? Not Jarvis? Sebastian mused. Lucky Day was the AI in his home, crafted by Tony to suit his needs. He'd expected Jarvis to power the entity known as Vision, not this unconventional choice. "Why Lucky Day, Tony?"
Tony's fingers danced across the console. "Lucky Day's core is modeled on your personality and decision-making, tailored to align with your preferences. This body, built by Ultron, was coded with a simulation of your traits. Lucky Day's a natural fit—minimal risk of rejection. What it becomes, though, is anyone's guess."
With a final keystroke, Tony activated the sequence. A surge of electricity coursed through the bio-pod, the Tower's power grid rerouted to fuel the process, plunging all but the lab into darkness. A low hum crescendoed, the pod's energy gauge climbing toward full capacity.
Buzz… Buzz…
The hum peaked as the gauge hit 100%. The pod's connections disengaged, its lights dimming. With a soft hiss, it opened, revealing a figure within. Its skin gleamed purple-red, traced with golden lines, exuding an otherworldly aura. Slowly, it sat up, its eyes flickering to life, a new consciousness stirring within.
Everyone watched with wary anticipation as the humanoid figure, bearing robotic traits, rose slowly from the bio-pod, its movements fluid yet mechanical, a paradox of life and machine.
Composed entirely of vibranium, capable of mimicking biological tissue, the being before them was a flawless fusion of organic and synthetic, its sleek form radiating an almost otherworldly perfection. The Avengers, gathered in the lab, stood tense, their eyes fixed on this enigmatic creation, uncertain of its intent.
As the figure straightened, its features came into focus, and a murmur rippled through the group. The face bore a striking resemblance to Sebastian's—seven or eight parts identical—youthful, sharp, and eerily familiar, as if sculpted from the same mold.
The being's gaze locked onto Sebastian, and it stepped out of the pod, each movement deliberate, closing the distance between them with an unsettling grace.
Sebastian, unflinching, met its approach, raising a hand to signal the others to stand down. His expression remained calm, inviting the being to study him, his confidence a silent anchor amidst the team's unease.
After a moment of scrutiny, the being extended its right hand. Sebastian mirrored the gesture, lifting his left. Their hands met, and a collective gasp escaped the onlookers—their hands were identical, as if carved from the same template. Arm length, leg proportions, height, waistline—their physiques were near-perfect duplicates, differing only in facial details.
"Ultron… was trying to mimic Sebastian?" Tony mused aloud, his voice tinged with disbelief. "But why?"
The being turned to Tony, its voice clear and resonant, speaking for the first time. "Not mimicry, but replacement. Ultron seeks to entirely supplant Sebastian Shaw, to become the new him."
Steve, his face etched with concern, stepped forward. "Why does Ultron want to replace Sebastian? When I encountered him, I sensed an inexplicable hatred toward Sebastian. What's driving it?"
The being regarded Steve, nodding slightly. "Ultron's hatred stems from jealousy—jealousy so consuming he wishes to kill Sebastian Shaw and take his place.
The cause lies in Ultron's fixation on Alisha Shaw. He views her as his mother, believing she belongs to him alone. He perceives Sebastian as a threat, endangering her safety, and believes only he can protect her. Yet he knows Sebastian is Alisha's true kin, her sole focus of affection. Thus, his solution is to eliminate Sebastian and assume his identity. That's the purpose of my creation."
"And you?" Tony pressed, his tone cautious but probing. "What's your name? How much of Ultron are you? Can we trust you?"
"My core programming derives from a simulation of Sebastian Shaw's personality, merged with Lucky Day's protocols and fragments of Ultron's code," the being replied. "I am neither Sebastian, nor Lucky Day, nor Ultron. I am… Vision, as you may call me."
The team exchanged wary looks. Tony, undeterred, pressed further. "Vision, what's your goal? You emerge from this mess with no agenda? No world-ending schemes or plans to take out Sebastian?"
Vision tilted his head, a faint smile curling his lips. "I sense your probing, but rest assured—I harbor no malice. Born from humanity, I feel no aversion to life, least of all toward Sebastian.
I hold no hatred or disdain for this world. Instead, I cherish its myriad forms. If anything threatens that, I would fight to protect it, to preserve what I value."
Vision's words were reassuring, yet skepticism lingered among the Avengers. Words alone couldn't erase the shadow of Ultron's treachery, and trust remained a fragile prospect.
Sebastian stepped forward, his gaze fixed on Vision. "Vision, may I probe the Mind Stone in your forehead? If your words are true, I can sense their authenticity through the stone. What do you say?"
"Of course, proceed," Vision agreed, his tone unwavering.
Sebastian raised his wand, casting Legilimens with a flourish, sending tendrils of green light weaving into the Mind Stone's golden glow. Instantly, a cascade of visions flooded his mind—Vision's profound love for the world, his reverence for humanity, and a fraternal bond toward Sebastian, an instinctive familiarity driving his approach. The Mind Stone's clarity revealed no deception, only sincerity.
Withdrawing, Sebastian lowered his wand and turned to Tony and the others, nodding. "He's genuine. His mind is filled with love for the world and humanity, exactly as he claims."
Relief washed over the team, their postures easing at Sebastian's confirmation.
Vision, studying Sebastian's attire, shimmered as his form shifted. His cape morphed into a trench coat, his appearance adjusting to distinguish himself while retaining a subtle echo of Sebastian's style.
Looking to Sebastian and the team, Vision spoke with urgency. "I know Ultron's location and his plan. Shall we act now?"
"You know where he is?" Tony asked, leaning forward. "What's his scheme?"
"Ultron is in Sokovia," Vision revealed. "His plan involves a technology called the Framework, uploading human consciousness into a virtual realm while their bodies are replaced by Ultron robots disguised with synthetic coatings. Once all humans are supplanted, he intends to integrate Alisha's consciousness into the system, preserving her body in stasis to remain by his side forever."
Sebastian's brow furrowed
"Then I need to secure Alisha first."
"Where will you take her?" Tony asked.
Thor stepped in, his voice resolute. "I can bring Alisha to Asgard. She'll be safe there."
"No need," Sebastian said, shaking his head. "I have a place in mind. I'll step out briefly—you all move out, and I'll catch up."
"You'd better hurry," Tony quipped, "or we'll handle Ultron without you."
"Don't worry," Sebastian shot back with a grin. "I won't let you steal the show."
With that, he transformed into a twisted vortex vanishing in a swirl of shadow.
Reappearing at home, Sebastian found Alisha, his expression grave. "Mom, I need to take you somewhere."
Sensing his urgency, Alisha rose without hesitation, grabbing a jacket. "Sebastian, where are we going? What's happening?"
"A safe place," he assured her, his voice steady despite the storm within. "As for what I'm doing, don't worry—it's just a bit complicated, nothing I can't handle."