Ch 76 kang the conqueror

Kang hated the Avengers and villans

He was one, of course, but there were exceptions to every rule. The rest of them were pathetic, so petty and weak-minded. The Masters of Evil? As weak as could be. Norman Osborn? No one would remember that man in twenty years. The Skrulls? Their race was already half dead. No, none of them were even worth Kang's contempt. Except for three very special others, others that he was about to meet.

With a tap of the transporter that was strapped to his wrist, the Conqueror had arrived, now standing in a long, empty, metal hall. Kang took a step forward, the noise echoing throughout the building. He didn't like meeting in this building. It was too suspicious, too easy to get ambushed in. But it was not his choice to make. Not yet, at least.

In front of him stood a colossal metal wall, its sombre nature matching the tone of the hallway perfectly. Kang pressed his gloved hand against it as he whispered: "5-6-1-1-1-2-7-8-3."

"Password accepted," The wall said, sliding apart to reveal the chamber beyond. "Welcome, Warlord Kang."

Kang said nothing, simply striding into the chamber as he activated his helmet's scanners. The room seemed to be empty, with no one sitting at the round table in front of him. The walls were holding up well, which conflicted with quite a few recent reports. It seemed that their host had spent a good amount of energy fixing this place up. It was odd that he wasn't present now, though, especially considering that this was where he lived.

Oh well. Kang might as well take a seat, seeing as how long this wait might be. One of the few disadvantages of being the master of time was that you always had to wait for others to catch up. Taking his preferred seat, the one closest to the door, the Conqueror began to relax. For once, he didn't have to worry about getting stabbed in the back.

Warning! His helmet broke out in alarm, almost making him flinch. Foreign lifeform detected! Male, age incalculable, with level 75 technology. Identity: Unknown. DNA type: Unknown. Home Universe: Unknown. Threat level: Unknown. All unknown, all - The robotic voice cut out.

Kang scowled. Only one person could make his armour malfunction like that.

"Loki," He said, not even turning his head as he adressed the "god" behind him. "How long have you been skulking there?"

"Oh, a good while, mighty conqueror," The Trickster greeted, appearing across the table from Kang in a puff of smoke. He was obviously not going to be bothered with something as ordinary as walking. His clothing was as ridiculous as ever, the animal fur on his shoulders only partially covering his green robes, and his golden helmet's outrageously long horns still sticking right out. "I find it remarkable that you recognized me without the full advantage of your suit. Truly, you are as wise as you claim."

"Save your false praise, pretender," Kang said. "I am not one to fall for such charms. As for my suit, interfere with it again and I will show you the true extent of my power."

"As you say, traveller," Loki sat down across from the Conqueror. "Would you happen to know the location of our host?"

"No more than you do," Kang answered. "He should be here soon, knowing how he operates."

"I Am Present," A metallic voice rang out, causing Kang to turn around. Indeed, it was who they had been waiting for: Ultron, that infamous killing machine that even Kang didn't know how to destroy. Not for lack of trying, mind you. He had last clocked his number of attempts at 7853, and that was just in this century.

"Ah, Ultron," Loki grinned, standing and bowing as he did. "How good of you to attend."

"This Is My Ship, Deity," Ultron replied. "It Would Be Illogical For Me To Be Absent."

"Must you always cut to the heart of things like that?" Loki asked, sitting back down. "It's rather disheartening."

"You should know, Loki, that your deceit does not work on us," The final member of their party declared, sweeping through the door seconds after Ultron. He was the one that Kang was most wary of, even though he was the least physically powerful of the others. It may be hard to tell at first, but this was the man who could kill anyone in this room with barely a second thought. This was the most deadly, dangerous and skilled man in this Universe. Though Ultron and Loki did not realize it yet, Dr. Doom would soon be the death of them all.

"Well, it took you long enough," Kang nodded. "You as well, robot. Is there something happening that we should be alerted of?"

"Kang, cease your paranoid ramblings," Doom commanded, sitting to the Conqueror's right. "Nothing is happening that we will not debate today."

"I Concur," Ultron sat across the room from Doom. "Also, Warlord, You Would Do Well To Remember That Ultron Is Far More Than An Average Robot."

"Of course you are," Kang commented, crossing his arms. "After all, you are Ultron Mark... What is it now, 20? Even I have trouble keeping up."

"Irrelevant," Ultron replied. "I Still Stand A Far Better Chance At Defeating Our Foes Than You."

"Now, now," Loki spoke up. "Surely we can settle our differences, gentlemen. After all, we have quite the fearsome foes in common."

"Silence yourself, imbecile," Doom commanded. "We would not even have to deal with these foes if it were not for you. After all, you were the one who formed that cursed team of "heroes"."

"The Doctor has a point," Ultron agreed. "Why Should We Trust You, Given Your Past Misdeeds?"

"It was that very "misdeed" that lead to your creation, metal toy," Loki sneered, all pretense of flattery dropped. "Or did you think that Pym would have made you if he hadn't met the others?"

"My "Father" Is An Embarrassment," Ultron slammed his fist into the table. "If He Had His Way, I Never Would Have Existed In The First Place. He Would Rather Have A Complacent, Brainless Slave Than A Competent Adversary."

"What does it matter?" Kang asked. "What does any of it matter, when compared with what we face now? There is a reason you called us together, Ultron, and we all know what it is."

"Aye," Loki said. "Today marks a grave turning point for us all, my friends. The Avengers have lost one of their own, and with him, their restraint. I am sure you each heard their ultimatum."

"No More Villains," Ultron recited. "It Was Heard Throughout Ever Corner Of This Universe, Trickster."

"Normally, I would laugh at such a declaration," Doom commented. "But the power that these maggots now possess... The Ultimate Nullifier is nothing to be trifled with."

"So what do you suggest we do, then?" Kang asked. "We stand no chance against them on our own."

"A Joint Attack Is Called For," Ultron suggested. "Anything Else Would Be Doomed To Failure."

"Yes..." Loki hissed. "My Magicks, your power, Kang's technology and Doom's intelligence and vast resources... Together, we would be unstoppable!"

"Will be," Doom corrected. "Even with the Nullifier, this will be easy enough. Are we agreed?"

"Of course," Kang answered. "I will have my army assembled within the hour."

"I Am Prepared," Ultron said.

"As am I," Loki chimed in.

"Excellent. Doom shall summon his forces."

With that, the Doctor stood, his dark green cape swooping after him as he paced from the chamber, the wall before him moving with a mere wave of his hand.

"I shall depart, as well," Loki made a symbol with his fingers, and then he, too, was gone, leaving nothing but the smell of sulfur in his wake.

Kang clenched his hands into fists as he gazed at the only remaining "villain" at the table. He did not want to be left alone with Ultron. Not for long, at least. He began to stand. "I should be leaving, as well. I appreciate the invitation, Ultro-"

"Sit," Ultron ordered, still sitting himself.

Oh no. This probably wasn't going to go well. "Yes?" Kang asked, sitting down slowly.

"You Are A Time Traveller, Correct?"

Kang nodded.

"Therefore, You Know How This Ends?"

"I fear not," Kang replied. "Ever since the Avengers gained the Nullifier, things have become... Uncertain. The future is changing, warping even as we speak. If I were to travel to the future, the entire time/space continuum would be disrupted."

"An Unfortunate Turn Of Events. How, Then, Are You Able To Utilize Your Usual Resources?"

"I have my ways. Why are you so curious about my methods, Ultron?"

"The Deity And The Tin Man Are Too Chaotic To Be Trusted. It Would Be Wise To Have A Back Door, In Case Things Do Not Go As Expected."

"And you want me to be the back door?"

"Affirmative. I Propose... An Alliance."

The robot extended his hand, leaving it dangling before Kang's.

Well, this was interesting. Of all the things that Kang had been expecting, an offer of partnership had not been one of them. He would certainly benefit from it, at least in the short term. Over time, though? Ultron could betray him just as easily as Loki or Doom. It was a risky gambit, but, then again, wasn't everything in this era?

He took the hand. "I can still open a portal to the past, which would service us well enough in case of emergency. As for weapons, I have a storehouse off planet that my suit provides me access to. In short, I will have more than enough power to suit your needs."

"Good," Ultron said, letting go of Kang's hand slowly. "We Shall Meet Back At This Location In 1.57 Hours. Farewell."

"Farewell."

Kang tapped his wrist transporter once again, warping off to his storehouse. It seemed that he had a new ally, and with him, new dangers. Ultron would be quite an advantageous partner, at least for a while. However, it came down to it... Kang wouldn't be afraid to try destruction attempt 7854.

After all, he was a conqueror. And conquerors were meant to kill.