Chapter 14: Creator
Agent Coulson submitted the latest analysis data. This was a report compiled from comprehensive analyses by various departments within S.H.I.E.L.D.
It was a report specifically about Tony.
S.H.I.E.L.D. had never relaxed its surveillance of Tony. It could be said that for S.H.I.E.L.D., an organization with immense authority granted by the World Security Council, monitoring someone living in a modern city was incredibly simple.
"What's his situation now?"
The question came from S.H.I.E.L.D. Director Nick Fury, who held S.H.I.E.L.D.'s highest authority. Dressed entirely in black, he was tall and stern, exuding immense pressure. One of his eyes appeared to be blind, covered by an eye patch.
Nick Fury was very concerned about Tony's situation.
"According to surveillance, he was taken by Azazel and should be heading to the Brotherhood of Mutants headquarters," Agent Coulson said, opening the file in his hand and handing it to Nick Fury.
Nick Fury frowned, a hint of displeasure on his face. This was one of the scenarios he least wanted to see.
The best outcome, of course, would be to recruit him into S.H.I.E.L.D., for him to become an official member, accept Nick Fury's appointments and deployments, and serve S.H.I.E.L.D.
If Tony ultimately joined the Brotherhood of Mutants, it would be a huge problem. Given Magneto's troublesome nature, it was impossible for him not to stir up some trouble.
"We went through so much trouble to protect him from the Military; I don't want all that effort to be for nothing."
"At least we are slowly closing the distance between us and him," Agent Coulson said.
Nick Fury flipped through the file. It meticulously documented all relevant information about Tony. The level of detail was enough to astonish anyone, even down to what Tony ate every day.
Professor X found it difficult to appear directly at the time, so he mentally contacted S.H.I.E.L.D., hoping they would step in to protect Tony. Nick Fury was also greatly moved by such a Level Four Mutant. He had long wanted a trump card that could check the two extremes of Mutants. This was a rare opportunity, so he readily agreed.
Agent Coulson was somewhat serious. This was rare for someone who usually presented a mild-mannered facade. Every time he was like this, it signified something major was happening.
"Based on the psychological model developed specifically for him, the possibility of him genuinely joining the Brotherhood of Mutants is low," Agent Coulson said. "He is a person with a strong sense of self, not easily swayed by others, especially after the death of his parents. He can even be stubborn at times. It's almost impossible to persuade such a person with just a few words. Professor X might have a chance through subtle influence with his Psychic Power, but with Magneto, it's absolutely impossible. Tony going to the Brotherhood of Mutants is, to some extent, a good thing."
S.H.I.E.L.D. certainly hadn't given up on Tony. A Mutant with Level Four potential was comparable to a walking nuclear arsenal. He was a trump card to suppress all defiance. A global organization like S.H.I.E.L.D. desperately needed a super enforcer.
S.H.I.E.L.D. had clashed with the Brotherhood of Mutants more than once or twice over the years. Without Magneto, their chances were roughly fifty-fifty. With Magneto, losing utterly was considered a mild outcome. At their worst, they lost everything, suffering total annihilation.
The opponent was simply a bug, unsolvable.
Nick Fury listened silently, flipping through the file in his hand.
Agent Coulson continued: "Tony is someone we can have a serious talk with. Once things are out in the open, everything is easier to discuss. That's why, during our recent interactions, we've never hidden our intention to recruit him. At the very least, he doesn't seem to resent it."
"Continue to monitor him closely and look for opportunities to recruit him." Nick Fury paused, carefully looking at a particular page detailing the analysis of Tony's abilities.
The contents of this page were somewhat shocking, making one deeply ponder and feel dread. Even Nick Fury, accustomed to facing great storms, couldn't help but feel his scalp tingle.
The report concluded that Tony's ability was "Creation," true Creation in every sense of the word!
"This is incredible," Agent Coulson said. He had led a team to review all of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s past data on Mutant abilities. He was astonished to find that such a Creation ability was unique, almost having the implication of a miracle.
"He can transform items like cars and mobile phones into Robots, assembling them at will and completely altering their atomic structures. Therefore, we believe that objects like computers, tanks, and aircraft carriers can all be modified by him. In the information age, he is, to some extent, a Deity, capable of modifying most of humanity's technological products. We once gave him a motorcycle, which he successfully transformed. This transformation seems to require time, but we also need to consider the speed of his ability's progression. A Mutant with Level Four potential is simply too terrifying."
"Theoretically, if his abilities are sufficient, he could raise a vast army anytime, anywhere. One person, a single War Group Army! Moreover, all of his Robots possess facial features and limbs. This is simply like..."
"A Creator," Nick Fury said, his expression grim.
According to the report's analysis, during the two days Tony was unconscious, they conducted a detailed inspection of the small truck. This vehicle had unique frequency fluctuations that matched Tony's body. Furthermore, there was an energy residue that S.H.I.E.L.D. had been unable to analyze to this day. They had installed a tracker on it, but it had now lost signal, likely erased by Tony's ability.
Afterward, S.H.I.E.L.D. investigated the truck's manufacturing company, leaving no stone unturned. They then proceeded to track the vehicles sold by this Eastern company in the US in recent years, but found nothing unusual.
"Terminate the investigation into this company; it's meaningless," Nick Fury said. His single eye glinted.
"Creator" was merely a descriptive term. Tony could not yet truly create living organisms. But the day he successfully endowed a Soul, his title of Creator would truly be well-deserved. He would have created a Silicon-based Life Race all by himself.
Nick Fury felt an increasing unease in his heart. He felt that research into the Cosmic Cube needed to be accelerated even further. This world was becoming increasingly troublesome, growing stranger and stranger.
S.H.I.E.L.D. had been tracking a strange woman recently, but had lost her. The individual seemed to be a Hacker master, erasing some of her tracks. According to their investigation results, this young and beautiful woman had seemingly lived for over a hundred years and had appeared on the battlefields of World War I...
...
The Brotherhood of Mutants' headquarters was an island located at sea.
The island was completely transformed. Magneto had transported massive amounts of metal and, with his supreme power, rebuilt it into a colossal Steel City!
The entire large island was a veritable City of Steel!
Although Tony had mentally prepared himself, he still felt dizzy and disoriented when he actually saw the island. Magneto brazenly displayed this god-like power to the world, making the world tremble.
The most infuriating thing was that this City of Steel was legitimate... legitimate... legitimate...
During World War II, Magneto plundered a vast sum of gold from the **. After the war, he purchased the ownership of this island from the United Nations...
Countries now had no means at all, practically fuming with rage. Watching Old Man Magneto nonchalantly building infrastructure was like eating dirt, utterly unbearable.
They wanted to "nuke" the place, but dared not make a move. Even if they did, it would be useless. They could only watch, infuriated and wide-eyed.
(end of chapter)