It didn't take much effort for the Avengers to evacuate the survivors to a safe location. With the Helicarrier hovering above, the process became even more efficient, making their job significantly easier.
Now, with only the Avengers remaining on the floating island, Steve once again found John, who was still busy helping with the final stages of the evacuation.
"So..." Steve started, but before he could finish, John cut him off with a sigh.
"I know, I know. Just give me a little more time. Let me deal with this floating island first." John threw his hands up in resignation before soaring away, leaving a trail of energy in his wake.
Steve let out an exasperated sigh, and the snickers from his teammates didn't help. Tony, in particular, smirked openly, enjoying the moment far too much. He was never a fan of Steve's stubbornness, and this was just another opportunity to revel in it.
After enduring a grueling few days, the Avengers finally took a moment to rest. They sat on the ground, exhausted, their bodies aching from the relentless battles and chaos. The air was heavy with dust and the lingering scent of scorched metal, remnants of the destruction that had taken place.
Tony, however, wasn't one to settle for discomfort. With a snort, he waved his hand, and instantly, scattered metal parts around him began to shift. The pieces clinked and whirred, assembling themselves into a makeshift chair. It was rough, uneven, and barely functional—but it was still better than sitting on the ground.
The others stared in envy. Who wouldn't want to create miracles with a simple flick of the wrist? Right now, despite their extraordinary skills, the Avengers were just as weary and drained as ordinary humans.
Natasha, watching Tony's little display, arched an eyebrow. "You said John taught you magic, right? So who taught him?"
Tony leaned back against his metallic chair, reminiscing. "Believe it or not, he's self-taught. When I first saw what he could do, I was as shocked as you are. Maybe even a little jealous. But he ended up teaching me a thing or two. And let me tell you, it feels absolutely marvelous."
Clint, sitting nearby, narrowed his eyes in thought. "So, you're saying... anyone can learn this?" A hint of longing crept into his voice. If he could master such abilities, he wouldn't have to keep switching arrows during battle.
Tony smirked, his eyes glinting with amusement. "What do you think?"
As they were talking among themselves, John, who had left an hour ago, returned and sat down beside Tony after creating a chair for himself as well. Before anyone could say anything, John started talking.
"Ultron isn't just a singular entity. He's an AI, which means as long as even a single drone survives, he can come back. And not just that—he'll return stronger, smarter, and more ruthless than before."
A tense silence fell over the group. They had assumed the battle was over, but John's words made them realize how precarious their victory truly was.
Bruce asked, "You're saying we have to eliminate every last trace of him?"
John nodded. "Exactly. If even one copy of his programming is left somewhere in the world, he can rebuild. That's why I wasn't here earlier."
Steve's brows furrowed. "You mean—"
John exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "I already eliminated every single copy of Ultron. I spent the last two days scouring the entire planet, searching for every fragment of his code. His drones had scattered worldwide, embedding themselves in hidden networks, abandoned systems, and even some old S.H.I.E.L.D. databases. I had to use my 'search' ability to track each and every one of them down."
Thor, who had been quiet until now, leaned forward, his expression unreadable. "And? Did you succeed?"
John's lips curled into a small, tired smile. "Yes. Every last copy, every backup, every hidden drone—I wiped them all out. Ultron is gone. Completely. I just wanted you all to know so you wouldn't think I wasn't here earlier because I didn't want to help."
The Avengers collectively exhaled, the weight of their victory settling in. It wasn't just the battle they had fought—it was the knowledge that their enemy wouldn't rise again.
Tony let out a low whistle. "And here I thought I had an exhausting couple of days."
John chuckled. "Tell me about it. But it was necessary. This wasn't just another enemy—we were dealing with something that could keep coming back indefinitely. I had to be thorough."
Steve clapped a hand on John's shoulder, gratitude shining in his eyes. "You did good, John."
Just then, Wanda, who had been sitting quietly beside her brother, finally spoke up, her voice barely above a whisper. "What about Sokovia?" Her fingers clenched into fists, guilt weighing heavily on her shoulders. "I helped Ultron at the beginning... I am responsible for what happened to these people. This land... it doesn't belong in the sky. We need to return it to its rightful place."
The atmosphere shifted. Her words carried undeniable truth. The destruction of Sokovia had been a tragedy, and now, what remained of it hovered in defiance of nature.
Steve exchanged glances with Clint, Natasha, and Bruce, who had since returned to his human form. Tony frowned, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
"She's got a point," Clint admitted. "We can't just leave it like this."
"We need to figure out a way to bring it down safely," Bruce added, his scientific mind already turning.
Natasha, ever observant, narrowed her eyes at John, who seemed unusually relaxed amid the discussion. Something in his posture told her he had already thought about this.
"John," she called out, making everyone turn toward him. "You seem awfully calm about this. Do you have something in mind?"
John smirked slightly, his eyes glinting with something unreadable. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, and let his next words settle heavily among them.
"Why should I do it?"