(Note: The last chapter mentioned the third-generation Black Widow, who appears in the upcoming "Black Widow" solo movie. The timeline is set after Captain America: Civil War, though the comic version is much earlier.)
Crack! Click!
When Tony saw his sleek supercar transform into a towering robot, even his brilliant mind faltered.
"Impossible!" he shouted, eyes wide. "What kind of magic is this?!"
No wonder he was so rattled.
As a genius inventor and tech tycoon, Tony prided himself on understanding the limits of science. The more he knew, the more the impossible stood out—and this was impossible.
In his eyes, the mechanics of a supercar were child's play. If he wanted, he could design something far superior. But for something so simple to suddenly morph into a colossal robot in seconds… that defied logic.
It was like a slap to everything he believed.
"Unless it's magic," Tony muttered, his worldview wobbling.
For the first time, he began to question whether all the theories and designs he'd built his life on even mattered. Compared to this, his Iron Man suits seemed like scrap metal. If he had this kind of power, Ultron would already be ancient history.
Beside him, Natasha and Steve weren't much better, their stunned silence proof enough.
Then, in the midst of their disbelief, the newly-formed Transformer dropped to one knee before Fenric.
"Master!"
Its metallic voice rumbled like the roar of an engine.
Fenric smiled faintly, turning toward Tony.
"So, Tony—what do you think of this gift?"
"Incredible…" Tony breathed, then rushed forward, eyes alight with manic curiosity, like a starving wolf spotting prey.
But the Transformer reacted instantly. Its massive left arm shifted with a deafening clank, forming into an energy cannon that aimed directly at Tony.
The others tensed in shock, but Fenric barked sharply:
"Stand down!"
The weapon retracted at once.
Tony, however, wasn't fazed. If anything, his excitement grew.
"An integrated energy cannon!? Incredible! What's the power source? The deformation mechanism—how does it even work?"
His voice carried none of his usual swagger—this was the raw, unfiltered obsession of a true technophile.
As he reached out to touch the Transformer, Fenric raised a hand, stopping him.
"Not so fast, Tony. Before you accept this gift, I need your promise."
Tony blinked. "What kind of promise?"
"You know the siblings who follow me, don't you?"
Tony nodded warily.
"Their parents died to weapons made by Stark Industries. They hate you for it. But they're good kids—scarred, but not malicious. When I leave Earth, I want them to join the Avengers. Apologize to them. Clear the past."
"..."
The words struck Tony hard. For once, he fell quiet.
Natasha and Steve exchanged glances.
Finally, Tony exhaled. "Where are they? I'll speak to them myself."
"Good," Fenric said with a nod. He then turned to the Transformer.
"From now on, Tony is your new master. Obey him."
The massive robot inclined its head. "Understood. I am honored to serve, sir."
Tony tried to hide the grin tugging at his lips, but the gleam in his eyes betrayed him.
"Alright then… I'll call you Sunday."
"Sunday on standby," the Transformer replied dutifully.
Fenric sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. Tony's naming sense is hopeless.
"Remember, Tony," Fenric said, voice firm, "you have a bigger responsibility. Use Sunday to track Ultron. Destroy him."
Steve and Natasha looked at the towering machine in awe.
Fenric explained, "This is a mechanical lifeform, born of a science far beyond Earth's. If anything can counter Ultron, it's him—or at least, he'll make Ultron bleed."
He then turned to Natasha.
"So, do you have time now?"
Her lips curved faintly. "When do we leave?"
Fenric chuckled. "Anytime."
"Wait." Steve's tone sharpened. "Ronan, that box you used earlier—what exactly was it? Can it really create mechanical life at will?"
Fenric gave a knowing smile.
"You want to know if I can mass-produce soldiers like Sunday, don't you?"
Steve's silence was answer enough.
"That depends. If you want one, Captain, all you need is to bring me a car," Fenric said lightly, his words edged with warning.
The implication was clear—respect him, or else.
Steve's expression darkened, but Fenric waved a hand dismissively.
"Relax, Captain. I have no interest in ruling Earth."
Only then did Steve breathe out slowly, tension easing.
From across the garage, Tony's excited voice rang out:
"This is amazing! Ronan, I love this gift. Whatever grudge we had—consider it gone!"
Fenric only shook his head with a wry smile, then glanced back at Natasha.
"Natasha, shall we go?"
"No problem." She grinned, then asked slyly, "But tell me—can I get one of these big toys too?"
Fenric shrugged. "As long as you can afford the car."
Natasha chuckled. "Good thing I've been saving all these years in S.H.I.E.L.D."
Their banter carried them out of Tony's private garage, leaving behind an ecstatic Tony, already bombarding Sunday with questions.
—---