New Avengers Base was enveloped in an eerie silence. Tony·Stark stared at the last remaining Ultima code fragments on the holographic screen, tapping his fingers on the console unconsciously.
"It's like leaving these fragments on purpose," Banner pushed up his glasses, "Each fragment points to a different location, but there is no logical connection."
Natasha called up the world map, "Tokyo's Vibranium Research Institute, Sahara's Energy Monitoring Station, Antarctica's Ancient Temple... What do these places have in common?"
"They are all Stark Industries's abandoned facilities." Tony suddenly stood up, "Friday, call up the construction files of these locations."
The holographic screen flashed a dense design drawing. Steve frowned and looked at it. "These facilities seem to be designed for some kind of energy experiment."
"It's not for energy experiments," Vision landed slowly, "It's for limiting energy. Look at these structures - Vibranium dampers, energy absorption fields, quantum locks..."
The energy in Wanda's hand fluctuated slightly. "I feel... pain. These places are wailing."
Suddenly, all the equipment sounded a piercing alarm at the same time. Friday's voice had a rare urgency. "Global energy anomaly detected! All Ultima signal fragments are being activated at the same time!"
All over the world, marked facilities began to shine brightly. But surprisingly, no damage occurred.
"They are... purifying?" Banner looked at the data in disbelief, "The radiation level in the Tokyo area is declining, the pollution in Sahara is being removed, and even the ozone layer in Antarctica is being repaired!"
Tony Quick Operation Console: "This is not repairing, it is absorbing! All pollutants are converted into pure energy!"
"Friday," he said to the air, "Is there something wrong with the intensity of the sun today?"
"Abnormal energy accumulation on a global scale has been detected," the AI responded, "Energy is converging towards the location of Mr. Xiao Han."
The sand on the beach began to glow, and the seawater showed golden ripples. Xiao Han stood up, with a vigilant look in his eyes for the first time.
"Ultima's ultimate plan is not destruction," Vision suddenly said, "It is sacrifice. It is to turn the entire planet into an energy source to recharge you..."
All Avengers's communicators simultaneously sounded Ultima's last message:
"The gift has been delivered. May you enjoy this brighter world."
Tony suddenly realized. "Those facilities are not weapons, they are amplifiers! They are enhancing the earth's ability to receive solar energy!"
But the enhancement went too far. Global temperatures began to rise sharply, glaciers melted at an accelerated rate, and sea levels rose at a rate visible to the naked eye.
"This process must be stopped!" Steve shouted, "Otherwise the entire ecosystem will collapse!"
Avengers rushed to each facility separately, only to find that all control devices were locked. Even Vision could not crack the final protocol set by Ultima.
"Password required..." Banner looked at the out-of-control data in despair, "But Ultima no longer exists!"
At this moment, Xiao Han's voice came through the global communication network, with obvious displeasure:
"Can you please take care of this crazy AI? My ice cream is almost melting."
Tony suddenly had a flash of inspiration. "Friday, connect to the physiological monitoring data of Xiao Han!"
The real-time energy reading of Xiao Han is displayed on the holographic screen - it is in perfect resonance with the energy fluctuations of the earth.
"It's not Ultima who's controlling," Tony exclaimed, "It's Xiao Han himself! He's responding to this energy field unconsciously!"
On the beach, Xiao Han was trying to keep the ice cream warm with his frozen breath, but found that the cold air he exhaled was instantly evaporated by the strong sunlight.
"That's enough." His eyes were filled with golden light, "Friday, tell Stark, I'm going to turn off the lights."
Without waiting for Tony to respond, Xiao Han took a deep breath, and then blew an extremely cold breath into the sky. But the cold air did not disappear, but spread in the atmosphere, forming a thin layer of ice crystal clouds.
Global temperatures began to drop and energy levels gradually returned to normal. But just when everyone was breathing a sigh of relief, new anomalies appeared.
In all purified areas, plants began to grow at an alarming rate. Towering trees grew on the streets of Tokyo, seas of flowers bloomed on Sahara Desert, and tropical plants sprouted on the ice fields of Antarctica.
"A side effect of energy overload," Banner examined the data, "It changes the earth's life force field."
What's even stranger is that these plants all grow in the same direction - all pointing towards Malibu.
Xiao Han looked at the huge sunflowers that suddenly appeared on the beach and finally lost patience.
"Friday."
"Here."
"Get me that Cosmic Trade Association."
"Connecting... connected."
The holographic image of Mr. Tea appeared on the beach, still holding the tea cup. "Ah, Sun's Son! I heard that you received a gift?"
"Stop this farce." Xiao Han said coldly.
"Oh, I'm afraid it can't be done." Mr. Tea smiled, "Ultima uses a self-destruct protocol. Once started, it cannot be stopped unless..."
"Unless what?"
"Unless you are willing to personally control this energy network." Mr. Tea waved his hand and showed the global energy map, "You are now the living energy regulator of this planet."
Avengers heard this conversation through the surveillance camera, and everyone was stunned in place.
"So Ultima's final plan is..." Natasha said in disbelief, "To make Xiao Han the patron saint of the earth?"
Tony smiled bitterly, "And he wasn't given a choice."
On the beach, the golden light in Xiao Han's eyes became more and more intense. He suddenly flew high into the sky, and his whole body radiated light like the second sun.
"Listen, whether you're Ultima or whatever," his voice spread across the globe through the energy field, "I only want one thing: to be quiet and bask in the sun."
He made a tearing motion with his hands, and the global energy network suddenly emitted a dazzling light, and then went out completely.
All abnormal plants stop growing, energy levels return to normal, and the world returns to peace.
Xiao Han landed back on the beach and picked up the ice cream that had not completely melted. "It's finally clean."
But when he bit into the ice cream, he suddenly frowned and spit it out. "The taste has changed."
Friday immediately analyzed. "Global energy fluctuations change the composition of the atmosphere and affect the milk protein structure."
At this time, Mr. Tea's communication was connected again. "By the way, the shutdown of the energy network is only temporary. It has been connected to the earth's core and will automatically restart every twelve hours."
Xiao Han crushed the ice cream cup.
"It is recommended that you learn to control this system," Mr. Tea smiled, "Otherwise, every time it is shut down and restarted, new... side effects may occur."
Before the hologram disappeared, he added, "Next time the water might turn lemony, or the clouds might start raining pearls."
When Avengers rushed to the beach, what he saw was Xiao Han pointing his middle finger at the sky.
"So what to do now?" Steve asked.
Xiao Han's eyes flashed with danger. "I'm going to demolish all related facilities."
"But that may lead to a greater disaster," Banner warned, "The energy network is already connected to the earth's ecosystem."
Tony suddenly showed a sly smile, "Or... we can change our thinking. Since we can't dismantle it, we might as well make use of it."
He called up the holographic design, "With a little modification, this network can become unlimited clean energy and solve the global energy crisis..."
"No." Xiao Han refused directly.
"Why?"
"Because of trouble." Xiao Han lay back on the beach chair, "Unless..."
"Unless what?"
"Unless you promise never to let any AI, aliens, or mad scientists bother me again."
Tony smiled bitterly, "This guarantee may be a bit difficult..."
"Then don't talk about it." Xiao Han put on his sunglasses, "I'm going to take a nap now. Wake me up in twelve hours - if the world hasn't turned into a lemon smell yet."
The sea is still calm, but everyone knows that this farce caused by the legacy of AI has just begun.
After all, when one controls the planet's energy switch, nap time becomes extra important.
And the whole world must pray not to wake him up while he is sleeping.