Marvel: Starting with Megatron

Cybertron, undeniably a world of metal. The next phase would be to transplant Earth's vibranium deposits here. Once that was done, genetically engineered vibranium-based flora could be cultivated to enable continuous production of the precious element.

These mutated plants, irradiated by vibranium ore, contained trace amounts of the metal. Though refining them was difficult and the yield minuscule, accumulation over time, combined with advanced genetic engineering, would eventually produce a steady output of vibranium-rich resources.

"We'll also need to recalibrate the atmospheric composition…"

Martin stood gazing at the newly constructed Cybertron, a planet of gleaming steel, a satisfied smile playing on his lips.

He recalled from comics in his previous life that even ordinary humans could survive, barely, on Cybertron. Its atmosphere was remarkably Earth-like, with comparable oxygen levels. After all, even Cybertronians required oxygen to cool their bio-mechanical systems.

Lost in thought, Martin continued to manipulate the Vector Sigma, fine-tuning parameters with divine precision.

It was like watching a cosmic god at work, as vast quantities of raw material condensed into planetary spheres, which were then fused directly into Cybertron's expanding structure.

This… this was creation incarnate.

Before long, a metallic planet, nearly Earth-sized, hovered silently in the void, its entire surface radiating a solemn, chromatic sheen.

"Hm?"

Martin paused, turning abruptly.

There, in the distance, stood a disproportionate figure, an oversized head on a small body, silently observing the genesis of Cybertron.

The Watcher from the moon… Uatu.

"The Watcher…"

Martin rubbed his chin thoughtfully. If memory served, that being carried an artifact of multiversal significance, an object of terrifying power.

Uatu… a name underestimated far too often.

Martin locked eyes with him.

"I find you quite fascinating, Martin," Uatu said coldly. His stone-carved expression betrayed no emotion, typical of the Watchers.

"That's for the best," Martin replied.

He gave Uatu a cursory scan.

The moment he sensed the myriad gazes spying on Cybertron from across the cosmos, he immediately invoked the Mind Stone.

In a flash, those unseen watchers recoiled, their intrusive presence repelled by sheer psychic force.

From this moment on, he would no longer remain Earthbound. The stage was the universe itself, and in time, his path would collide with titans and cosmic monarchs alike.

With a thought, Martin programmed the Vector Sigma to obliterate any who dared to touch Cybertron, instantly, without question.

FWOOOM.

A spatial vortex unfurled. Martin stepped through, returning to Earth.

Soon, he would walk the stars, clashing with gods, razing civilizations, forging his throne atop the bones of those who dared defy him. Countless divinities and empires would bow, or burn.

"Earth… nothing more than a footnote now."

Hovering in orbit, Martin looked down on the blue marble of his origin. A fleeting trace of emotion glinted in his eyes, but he severed it without hesitation.

To say he felt nothing for Earth would be a lie. But compared to his ambition, to conquer the multiverse, to face beings ancient and immortal, nostalgia was irrelevant.

He extended a hand toward the planet, fingers closing around its image like he could crush it at will.

Satellites encircling the planet captured every frame of his gesture.

"What the hell is he doing?"

Tony Stark frowned, swirling his drink slowly in its glass, seated on a sofa in his high-rise.

These days, Martin, not Magneto, was the one he feared most.

Magneto was powerful, sure. But still human. Still bound by limits. Martin, on the other hand… Every time he moved, catastrophe followed. Whole nations could crumble under the weight of his ambitions.

And Martin's terrifying mastery of machinery… just thinking about it gave Tony a migraine. No matter how many times he upgraded his armor, he couldn't break free of its mechanical core.

Unless…

Unless he could find a living material, something biologically adaptive, yet instantly convertible into armor. S.H.I.E.L.D. did have a lead on something like that… but the sample was volatile, the research incomplete, and the bio-tech far from stable.

Then suddenly—

On screen, Martin turned his head.

And stared straight at him.

Across all the satellites and sensors, Martin's gaze met Tony's. Not metaphorically, literally. Like he saw through everything.

Tony's heart skipped. Reflexively, he slammed a button on the table. Instantly, a brand-new suit deployed, wrapping him in sleek armor.

His newest creation, a fusion of genius, wealth, and bleeding-edge tech.

The Anti-Transformer Armor.

WHOOSH.

A space-time ripple appeared. Martin stepped through it. Casually, he picked up a bottle of whiskey from the bar and poured himself a drink.

"What do you want?"

Tony's repulsor was already charged, his tone grim.

"Nothing urgent," Martin replied calmly. "Just wanted to say hello to the superhero who ditched the Avengers to freelance. Who knows? This might be the only chance we get to talk. Also… relax. That toy you're pointing at me? Useless."

Martin smiled lazily and sank into a luxury sofa, sipping the whiskey with the ease of a man who feared nothing.

Tony took a long breath, eyes lingering on the two Infinity Stones embedded in Martin's gauntlet. Then, decisively, he powered down the armor and sat across from him.

"That whiskey belonged to my father. You drinking it? That's your luck."

Tony lifted his chin, feigning bravado. But his pounding heartbeat betrayed him.

"A true honor," Martin said with a grin.

"So," Tony asked dryly, "mind telling me what you really want, you all-powerful demigod?"

Martin drained his glass. "This universe… is home to beings cursed by knowledge. And you, Tony, you're one of them."

He raised his right hand, revealing the Polarity Gauntlet. The two Infinity Stones embedded within shimmered faintly, resonating.

Then something strange happened.

The resonance grew tighter… then abruptly stopped. Cut off.

Martin's glowing eyes narrowed. Something didn't add up.

Tony's anxiety spiked. "What are you doing?"

"…Interesting."

Martin stood slowly. He let the glass fall and shatter on the floor, walking deliberately toward Tony.

"Tony, I'm starting to seriously suspect that you've been cursed by knowledge. That there's something… unusual… inside your head."

Step by step, he approached.

Then, without warning, he reached out and grabbed Tony by the throat, lifting him into the air.

Screams of emergency alarms rang out through Stark Tower.

But Martin paid them no mind.

His gaze drilled into Tony, searching… peeling away layers of flesh and armor with his will alone.

Because now, Martin truly believed...

That this universe's Tony Stark…

Had an Infinity Stone embedded inside his skull.

-------

Want to read ahead of schedule? Head over to my Patreon ——— patreon(.)com/PrimalDemon [remove the parentheses ( )]