The Watcher had just proven one important truth—when you're spying on someone, it's best to keep your mouth shut.
His endless rambling had caught Ultron's attention.
Natasha gave a wry, half-amused shake of her head. "I think I understand what's going on. Ultron's spotted the Watcher. By his programming, that means he'll attack… unless the Watcher is willing to just stand there and die, he's going to have to intervene in reality."
"This so-called Watcher is an absolute joke," Erik sneered. "Perched above it all, thinking himself detached from everything… But just watching isn't enough—no, he has to narrate endlessly on top of it. Doesn't that already count as interfering? Hah… when I saw him refuse Stephen's plea for help in the last round's future video, I knew this guy was just here to disgust people."
Homelander couldn't resist adding his own cutting critique. "Our world doesn't need this so-called Watcher. He's nothing but a shameless voyeur, violating everyone's privacy. A despicable creep!"
Tony curled his lip. "Oh, give me a break, pal. Save the fake speech for someone else—we're not buying it."
Honestly, hearing "violating privacy rights" coming from Homelander was laughable in itself.
Back in the future video, Ultron had not only discovered the Watcher—he had found where he lived.
It turned out the Watcher resided outside of the world itself, at the very edge of reality. There was a kind of "glass wall" there, allowing him to look in from beyond and observe what lay on the other side.
In that sense, Homelander's accusation of him being a shameless peeping tom… wasn't entirely wrong.
"So there's another universe beyond this," Ultron murmured.
He stepped right up to the "glass wall," locking eyes with the Watcher from the other side.
The Watcher flinched in shock, quickly waving a hand to obscure the wall, hiding Ultron from view. Only then did he let out a faint breath of relief, muttering to himself:
"I have witnessed it all—things yet to come, and things long past… But what is happening here?
If that kind of monstrous desire spreads into the multiverse… I can't even imagine how terrible it would be! No… no, no! Even that machine is not invincible. This universe still has hope… a final…"
The scene shifted to Natasha and Hawkeye, trudging through the frozen wilderness of Russia. Inside a massive library, they were searching for any clue that could help them defeat Ultron.
It seemed they were the "last hope" the Watcher had been referring to.
The library's towering shelves were crammed with documents, and finding the right one was no easy task.
Outside the video, Natasha couldn't hide her excitement. "At this point, Clint really needs my help."
Tony made a calming gesture. "Relax, Natasha. You can't go back right now—just keep watching… Honestly, future Clint's new look is kind of cool. And is that a mechanical arm he's got?"
Natasha's face darkened. "To fight Ultron's robot army, we had to pay a heavy price. But compared to me, Clint has lost far more… and not just an arm."
Tony sighed, then added with uncharacteristic sincerity, "You know, I really envy the bond you and Clint share. You two are proof that genuine, platonic friendship between a man and a woman actually exists. In my world and in yours, you and Clint are always the best of friends."
Hearing that, Erik's thoughts drifted to Charles. He realized that his own friendship with Charles had also gone beyond ordinary companionship.
In the video, Natasha and Barton kept combing through the mountains of files. At one point, Natasha found a peculiar shield—similar in design to Captain America's—and slung it over her back, showing it off to Barton.
But Barton wasn't in the mood for jokes; his spirit was clearly crushed.
While he was leafing through a stack of documents, the Watcher suddenly appeared, watching him closely. "Just a little further… the answer's right there! I could point them to it… I could interfere, save the multiverse, and countless lives…"
Yet after all that muttering, he still didn't lift a finger.
He could only watch as Barton passed by the "answer" without noticing it, gritting his teeth so hard his voice cracked: "Hey! Don't give up! You're human—no matter how bad it gets, you keep fighting!"
The audience outside the screen couldn't help but burst out laughing at the scene.
Homelander crossed his arms and sneered. "The Watcher's a complete hypocrite. Talks about saving the world, but won't lift a hand to do it!"
Tony shot back, frowning, "A guy like you has no right to say that. Shut it."
Sure, Tony didn't think much of the Watcher either, but hearing Homelander lecture about morality was downright nauseating.
Homelander smirked. "Oh please—you're no different from him. The Watcher can sit back and watch disasters unfold, and you? You're an arrogant, hypocritical bastard who makes the whole world pay for your ego. Honestly, neither of you has the right to judge me!"
"Jesus! I've never met anyone as shameless as you," Tony snapped. "And don't pretend you understand a damn thing about parallel worlds."
Ultron's existence was clearly becoming a stain on Tony's conscience, which only made the insults sting more.
Amid their bickering, the video took a turn.
Though Hawkeye had been ready to give up—mere steps from the answer—Natasha hadn't lost hope. After a few words of encouragement, she managed to retrieve the "answer" herself: a file about Dr. Arnim Zola.
Zola had converted himself into a form of digital consciousness—exactly the kind of entity that could counter Ultron.
Outside the video, Tony's expression turned oddly complicated. "So… the guy who's going to save the world is a leftover Hydra operative? Hah. Not exactly a funny joke."
Natasha hesitated. "When it comes to fighting Ultron, that Hydra remnant will at least be on humanity's side… I hope."
"Heh… my bet is he won't stay that way for long," Tony said with a cold smirk.
In the video, the Watcher returned to the edge of reality, murmuring contentedly, "They've done it. The multiverse still has hope."
But just then, Ultron shattered the barrier of reality itself—and came straight for him.
"I've finally found you!"
The Watcher's face paled. He had no desire to fight, but Ultron wasn't interested in talking. The machine lunged at him without hesitation.
_____
T/N:
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