The real world, Inverness.
"Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle..."
Blinding golden energy beams collided violently with the repulsor blasts pouring from Tony's palms. Two utterly different energies intertwined and annihilated each other in midair, sending visible ripples through the air.
The high temperature distorted his vision, and Iron Man's armor system began issuing shrill overload warnings.
"Stand down!!"
Ultron roared. The Mind Stone on his forehead shone ever more brilliantly as the golden energy beam suddenly intensified, crushing Tony's blast and forcing it back.
"As expected, I still know too little about that stone..." Tony muttered, then shouted at the others, "Help!"
Before his words had faded, an eerie purple psychic whip came howling in from the side, carrying the distinctive shriek of psychic energy. It wrapped precisely around Ultron's neck and yanked him backward.
At the same time, Aurora transformed into a dazzling streak of rainbow light. Both palms thrust forward, and a concentrated light cannon slammed viciously into the back of Ultron's head!
"Boom!!"
The energy clash broke off instantly.
Tony felt the pressure on him vanish. He staggered down from the air and barely managed to steady himself.
"Thanks, ladies."
Yet Ultron rose again on the other side, equally unscathed.
Neither his neck, bound by the psychic light whip, nor the body struck by the light cannon bore the slightest mark. His Vibranium body glinted with cold metallic light beneath the gloomy sky.
"You should know perfectly well that attacks of this level are meaningless against me!" Ultron's electronic voice remained utterly flat. He was simply stating a fact.
"Maybe." Tony nodded, then pointed to one side. "But what about him?"
Ultron did not have time to turn around.
"Roar!!"
Amid a heaven-shaking roar, a massive green figure leaped from the distant shadows, blotting out the sky.
Hulk!
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