Rip My Heart Out (Avengers Age of Ultron)

Chapter 26

The red android stood slowly, taking in his surroundings. All eyes were on him. I don't think anyone even realized I had woken up. I couldn't really blame them though. My own focus was only on one thing. The yellow stone.

The android looked at Thor, and without warning, launched himself towards the Asgardian. Thor wasn't quick enough to stop the android, but managed to redirect him at the last minute, sending him flying through the glass wall of the lab, towards the outer window of the building. The android spun through the air, but came to a sudden halt just before crashing through the window. He hovered in the air, watching his own reflection.

I could see the thoughts going through his mind, as if they were my own. They took over my mind, so that I could hardly think about the world around me. I saw Thor jump to the lower level where the android hovered, and I saw Steve and then the rest of the Avengers follow him, but it was fuzzy, like a dream.

Questions flew through the androids mind at lightspeed. They were all too familiar. Like me, the android was instantly, and instinctively aware of his destructive power. He wondered what he was, if he was good or bad, if he was what Ultron made him, if he was worthy of this power, what to do with the power, and finally, the big question. Am I a monster? I heard it echo through his head, and my own mind was instantly filled with sympathy. That was a question I was still asking myself. I don't know who had all the answers to these questions, but I know for sure that I didn't. I just hope he has an easier time figuring them out than I have.

One thing was clear, though.

He was like me. Just like me, actually.

Made by an evil organization. Given power that can destroy entire universes without a second thought. Faced with what it all means. No past to define who we are.

We were the same.

The only difference was the fact that the android seemed to have a much better handle on his powers than I did. This was very obvious by the uniform he was forming around his body, or the way he hovered back towards where the rest of the Avengers that stood watching him.

I clumsily brought myself to my feet, and brushed off the dust and glass that had covered me in the chaos of a few minutes ago. I watched the android carefully as I walked towards the hole he had left in the wall of the lab. I stood there and looked out over the scene unfolding in front of me.

"I'm sorry, that was... odd." The android said, looking at Thor. "Thank you."

The android shrugged his shoulders, and a cape appeared, cascading down his back. I felt the little surge of power it took to create it, like a little tickle in the center of my mind.

"Thor." Steve's looked from Thor to the red android. "You helped create this?"

"I had a vision. A whirlpool that sucks in all hope of life, and at the center of it, was that." Thor responded, pointing to the stone on the android's head.

My stomach twisted into knots. As if I needed a reminder of the horrible things the stones can do.

"What? The gem?" Bruce asked, apprehensive.

"It's the Mind Stone. It's one of the six Infinity Stones. The greatest power in the universe, unparalleled in it's destructive capabilities."

"Then why would you bring-" Steve began.

"Because Stark is right." Thor interrupted.

"Oh, it's definitely the end times." I heard Bruce mumble.

"The Avengers can not defeat Ultron." Thor continued.

"Not alone." The android said.

"Why does your vision sound like Jarvis?" Steve asked.