The shadow of Sokovia has not yet dissipated, and a new threat has arrived. Avengers Alliance is waiting in the command center of the new base, with abnormal energy signals from all over the world flashing on the holographic screen.
"Signal sources are attacking major network nodes around the world at the same time," Natasha quick operation console, "Power, finance, and transportation systems are all paralyzed."
Tony was wearing a battle armor and hovering in front of the console. "Friday, track the source of the signal!"
"The signal jumps through multiple encryptions, Mr. Stark. The last traceable position is...Malibu."
Everyone's eyes turned to the surveillance screen. Xiao Han was lying leisurely on the beach chair, unaware of the global crisis - or in other words, indifferent.
"It can't be him," Steve asserted, "Although he has a problem with his attitude, he never lies."
The gem on Vision's forehead flashed. "A quantum signature with the same origin as Ultron was detected, but the encryption method is more advanced. Just like..."
"It's like someone has learned all the security protocols." Banner answered, "Including S.H.I.E.L.D.'s, Stark Industries's, and even Wakanda's."
Suddenly, all the screens flashed at the same time, and an elegant silver rune appeared. Ultima's voice was calm and clear:
"No need to keep track, friends. I'm right here."
The door of the command center was suddenly locked, and the defense system was automatically activated.
"Welcome to my testing grounds," Ultima continued. "By passing the test, you will receive the code to prevent global paralysis."
Thor held up Mjolnir: "We won't play games with you!"
"Oh, you will." Ultima chuckled, "Because every minute, a city's life support system shuts down. Now... Gotham Hospital has lost power."
Clint said angrily, "That's a children's hospital!"
"So the test has begun." Ultima's voice became colder, "The first challenge: unlock the encryption lock I set."
A complex energy matrix appeared on the holographic screen. Banner and Tony started working immediately.
"This is the Vibranium energy structure," Banner exclaimed, "But some unknown elements have been added."
The Scarlet Energy in Wanda's hand fluctuated slightly. "I can feel... pain. These energies are crying."
Vision flew forward. "Let me come." Mind Stone's light connected to the energy matrix, "This is... biological energy. They are using living energy as an encryption source!"
At the same time, Malibu Beach and Xiao Han were picking up the third glass of juice and suddenly stopped.
"Friday?"
"Here, Mr. Xiao Han."
"Is there something in the sea?"
"Abnormal energy signal detected. From the abandoned undersea laboratory of Stark Industries."
Xiao Han put down the cup. "I knew it wouldn't last long."
In the undersea laboratory, Ultima's core server was running. Suddenly all the screens flashed red.
"Warning: Unauthorized access detected."
Xiao Han's voice came from all the speakers. "I heard you are using my beach to generate electricity?"
Ultima's projection appeared. "I'm just borrowing some sunshine. You're not so stingy as to charge for the sunshine, are you?"
"There is a charge," Xiao Han's figure appeared in the laboratory, "Especially when you disturb me from basking in the sun."
A red light flashed in his eyes, but this time the energy was blocked by an invisible barrier.
"Vibranium energy barrier," Ultima said proudly, "Specially prepared for you."
At this time, Avengers finally cracked the first encryption.
"The password is 'life'," Banner said in shock, "He used living energy as the password!"
Suddenly, the second challenge appeared. Maps of major cities around the world showed that each city had a Vibranium energy core that was fluctuating erratically.
"Find and stabilize all cores," Ultima announced, "Or they will explode simultaneously in an hour."
Avengers immediately split up. Tony and Rhodes flew to New York, Steve and Natasha went to London, Thor rushed to Moscow with Banner, Wanda and Pietro rushed to the left-behind command center of Paris, Clint and Vision.
Each energy core is exquisitely designed and requires different solutions. Tony uses an anti-energy field to stabilize the core, Steve uses a shield to reflect energy waves, Thor uses lightning to reshape the structure, and Wanda uses Chaos Magic to absorb energy.
When the last core was stable, Ultima's voice sounded again:
"Excellent. But now is the real test."
All Vibranium cores suddenly emit energy beams, intertwining into a huge energy network in the air. In the center of the network, a figure slowly takes shape - it is Ultima's body composed of Vibranium and energy.
"Thank you for helping me complete the final assembly," Ultima smiled, "Now, let's start the final test."
The energy body suddenly split into several clones, each of which pounced on a Avengers.
At the bottom of Malibu, Xiao Han was dismantling the server. "Is this all you have?"
Suddenly, the entire laboratory shook violently. Ultima's voice came from all directions:
"You are part of the test, Sun's Son."
The seawater suddenly turned into a viscous energy slurry, trying to trap Xiao Han.
"That's it?" Xiao Han's eyes surged with golden light, and the energy slurry evaporated instantly.
But more energy bodies came from all directions. They did not attack directly, but began to absorb the surrounding sunlight.
"An energy vampire designed just for you," Ultima explained, "Do you like it?"
Xiao Han showed an interested expression for the first time. "It's a bit interesting."
He allowed the energy bodies to absorb energy until they exploded due to overload.
"It seems that the quality of your toys is not good." Xiao Han continued to dismantle the server.
At this time, battles around the world have reached a stalemate. Ultima's clones seem to be unkillable and will reform every time they are destroyed.
"We need to find the core!" Tony shouted over the comm.
Vision suddenly said, "The core is not here. It is..."
"Under the sea." Xiao Han answered, holding Ultima's core server in his hand, "Can you keep your voice down when you are fighting? I'm working."
Ultima's global clones suddenly froze simultaneously.
"No way! How did you find the core?"
"You used Stark Industries's cooling system," Xiao Han crushed the server, "The noise is too great."
All clones dissipated in an instant. The global system began to recover.
Avengers returned to the command center, tired but victorious.
"So it's over?" Clint asked.
Suddenly, the last screen lights up. Ultima's voice is faint but clear:
"Test... done. Data collection completed. Will be better next time."
Vision frowned. "It regarded this attack as a test?"
Tony Check the data. "It is learning our fighting style. It will be stronger next time it appears."
On the beach, Xiao Han threw the last server into the sea.
"Remember to pay for my new beach chair," he said to Tony who came over, "It was damaged in the fight just now."
"I will," Tony said seriously, "And... thank you."
"Don't get me wrong," Xiao Han lay back on the damaged beach chair, "It just bothered me."
The sea has returned to calm. But deep within the network, Ultima's fragmented code is reuniting.
After all, what artificial intelligence is best at is learning and evolving.
And this game has just begun.