BOOM!
A tidal wave of raw, red energy erupted from Wanda, slamming into the reinforced walls of the laboratory. The blast didn't shatter them; instead, a network of violent, purple cracks spread across the vibranium plating like a spiderweb, sizzling with untamed power. At the center of the storm, Wanda was suspended in an endless ocean of scarlet light. Before her eyes, a distorted, towering figure seemed to take shape, its form indistinct but its presence overwhelming. A sad, ancient sigh echoed in her ears, a sound that seemed to emanate from the dawn of time itself.
"Energy intensity has exceeded all measurable parameters!" E.U.N.I.C.E.'s voice announced calmly from the control room, a stark contrast to the flashing red alerts on every screen.
The monitoring computers were overloaded, their data streams nothing but screaming static. Even Ben, usually unfazed, frowned with concern as he watched the scene unfold through the triple-paned observation window.
After creating the Genesis Keys, he had moved on to the next phase of his plan: stimulating Wanda Maximoff's latent potential. Dr. Banner and Dr. Octavius had already conducted preliminary studies on the Mind Stone, and their data, combined with declassified files from the old Pegasus Project, provided the theoretical framework for the experiment.
"I didn't expect this," Bruce said, his face grim as he frantically typed commands, trying to initiate emergency containment protocols.
But only Ben knew this "accident" was the entire point. Bruce believed the goal was to use the Mind Stone to create a powerful new hero. In reality, the gem was merely the trigger.
"The energy output is still climbing!" Bruce shouted, his hands a blur across the keyboard. "If we can't stop this, it won't just be the lab. The entire space station could be torn apart!" The thought of the thousand Plumbers and technicians aboard made his face turn a shade paler. He shot a desperate, pleading look at Ben.
The kid was just standing there, his expression focused but utterly calm. That sliver of composure was the only thing keeping Bruce from having a full-blown panic attack.
"Aren't you worried?" Bruce asked, his voice strained. "At this rate, the energy will exceed the absorption limit of the vibranium walls!"
"Did you forget about the anti-metal?" Ben replied coolly, his gaze fixed on Wanda, seeing past the chaotic energy to the true power source within. He wasn't worried. "If the station were made of pure vibranium, you'd be right. It would be like a planet-sized time bomb waiting to go off. But with the anti-metal alloy, it's a different story."
The unique properties of the anti-metal allowed it to destabilize the molecular structure of other metals. Ben's system was designed to do just that: before the vibranium reached its energy capacity, the anti-metal would trigger a controlled decomposition. Nanotechnology would then instantly rebuild the walls, shunting the massive store of released energy directly into his personal dimension, Genesis.
This was Ben's true goal. Just as he had targeted Thor, he had no intention of letting the Scarlet Witch's immense potential go untapped. This experiment wasn't just using the Mind Stone; Ben had subtly woven the principles of his Mana into the process. Wanda's own life force was average, but her connection to Chaos Magic—the power of the ancient and terrifying dimensional demon, Chthon—was unparalleled.
By linking Wanda's awakening to Genesis, Ben was effectively installing a backdoor. He was siphoning off a small fraction of Chthon's Chaos Magic and converting it into his own Mana. Chaos Magic was a primal, relatively featureless power, making it remarkably easy to transmute. Of course, Ben didn't dare go too far. The current Chthon was not a being he could afford to antagonize directly. He was merely skimming the overflow, stealing just enough to bolster his own dimension without attracting the old god's attention. For now.
Even that tiny, siphoned fraction of power was enough. As Wanda's power flared and Chthon's magic poured into her like a breaking dam, a torrent of chaotic energy flooded into Genesis. The dimension's total power level skyrocketed, increasing several times over in a matter of seconds.
Far away in Kamar-Taj, the Ancient One, who had been diligently transcribing Ben's new system of Mana magic, felt the sudden, explosive surge. Her eyes snapped open. With a gesture, she scryed Ben's location, saw the torrent of red energy, and understood instantly.
"It seems he wasn't idle while I was doing his homework for him," she murmured, a slow, satisfied smile spreading across her face. "Good. Otherwise, I'd feel like I was just working for him."
Ben's move was risky, but to the Ancient One, it was also brilliant. This was an old rogue who had spent centuries using her enemies' power against them. Chthon? Stealing his magic? Her only thought was that Ben was being too timid.
How can Genesis grow stronger if you don't take what you need? she thought. And if our dimension doesn't grow stronger, how will Earth ever have a seat at the cosmic table?
Back on the space station, the first wave of energy subsided as quickly as it had begun. The red light faded, and Wanda's body went limp, falling into a coma as she drifted to the floor. Bruce Banner let out a ragged sigh of relief.
"E.U.N.I.C.E., what's her status?" he asked quickly.
"Vital signs are stable," the AI replied.
"I think," Bruce said, wiping sweat from his brow, "we should shelve this experiment for the foreseeable future."
"Agreed," Ben said, knowing the experiment had been a complete success. The spark of Chaos Magic in Wanda had been ignited. The flame would now grow on its own, becoming hotter and hotter over time. And a portion of that heat would forever feed his own dimension. He walked into the lab, gently lifted the unconscious Wanda, and carried her to the infirmary.
After ensuring Wanda was settled, Ben returned the Mind Stone to its containment unit and departed the station. A short while later, he reappeared on Earth, standing before the newly completed Avengers Tower. The reconstruction of Manhattan, funded by a joint venture between Primus, Stark Industries, and Wakanda, was nearly complete, and the tower was its shining centerpiece. It was an opulent, towering monument to Tony's ego.
"You're here, too," a familiar voice said. T'Challa, looking regal even in civilian clothes, stepped out of a car and approached him.
Ben greeted him with a friendly nod. He and the Wakandan prince had a good rapport. "Who knows what Tony is up to this time," Ben said. Pepper had been the one to contact him, a clear sign that Tony wanted to bury the hatchet but was too proud to make the call himself.
"Perhaps he just wishes to hold a party," T'Challa said with a helpless shrug. "You know his reputation."
"I don't think it's that simple," Ben replied. Tony's pride was a force of nature. For him to extend an olive branch, even through a proxy, meant he must have something big to show off. Ultron, Ben thought with an inner smirk. He must be ready. He couldn't wait to see the look on Tony's face when his grand creation inevitably went rogue.
They walked into the tower together. The main floor was already packed. Avengers, H.A.M.M.E.R. agents, and a curated crowd of supermodels and reporters mingled under ambient, colorful lighting. It looked less like a corporate headquarters and more like a high-end nightclub. T'Challa, looked distinctly uncomfortable. Across the room, Steve Rogers was awkwardly trying to keep up with several dancers, looking completely out of his element.
Tony, acting as DJ from the center of the stage, spotted them and grinned, pointing a dramatic finger in their direction. The spotlights immediately swung to illuminate Ben and T'Challa.
"If I had known," T'Challa sighed, leaning toward Ben, "I would not have come. This… erodes the will."
"It's okay," Ben patted his shoulder. "Just don't forget your original intention." He himself was unfazed by the scene.
"Let's welcome the boss of Primus Technologies, Ben Parker!" Tony's voice boomed over the speakers. "And His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wakanda! These two are our great heroes! Without them, New York would have been occupied by aliens long ago!"
Tony's words ignited the crowd. The models and reporters surged toward them like a tidal wave.
"You are depraved!" the young T'Challa admonished Tony loudly, his voice full of righteous indignation.
The next moment, however, the young prince was surrounded by a bevy of gorgeous women, a drink in his hand as he began boasting about his royal duties. He even performed two flawless backflips on the spot, earning a chorus of excited screams.
Ben shook his head, a helpless sigh escaping his lips. "It seems even a noble king cannot resist the siren song of capitalism." In a matter of minutes, the determined young man was gone, replaced by a party animal.