Twinkle in Sweet Repose

[The Vision]

The Vision blinked. This man had snapped from the utter image of despair to that of childish glee. The way he held his incredibly powerful body was like an eight-year-old’s fidgety excitement. Even the way he cupped his hands was incredibly childish. Taken aback, the Vision blinked two times before responding.

“Negative,” the Vision replied, “I am actually here to search for it myself. I...”

He perused the data files regarding this mission.

“My calculations indicate a 94% probability that you are Son Goku, the guardian of the Violet Star Piece.”

Goku flinched, then scratched the back of his head while laughing uncomfortably.

“Yeah... I kinda lost it.”

“Previous dialogue implied as much.” The Vision nodded. “I am part of an extraction team gathered to retrieve the Artefact.”

Goku grinned widely, displaying almost all of his teeth. Despite the disturbing implications, the Vision found that the smile was not unsettling.

“Great! Hey, are you a robot?”

“Negative, I am an android designed to imitate the human body with mechanical parts, albeit a human body with superhuman-”

Goku blinked uncomprehendingly. The Vision blinked in exasperation.

“I’m kind of a robot.”

“That’s cool!” Goku chuckled, “But you must be pretty weak.”

The Vision glanced behind him, where the two corpses lay dead once more.

“I have been reliably told I am not,” the Vision replied, “As it stands, our priority is escaping this hospital. Rumors indicate your combat abilities are impressive.”

Goku raised his nose, closing his eyes proudly. “Well, I like to think I’m pretty tough.”

The Vision cocked his head. “Very well. Request: please remain here for one moment. I will go fetch your belongings.”

> self.setvalue density 0.03%

The Vision phased through the floor, provoking a loud gasp from Goku.

“WHOA!” the Saiyan exclaimed, “How did you do that?”

The Vision returned very shortly after, holding orange robes in his hand.

“I possess numerous precise electron emitters which can control the distance between the molecules of my physical body.”

“Whaaaaaat.”

The Vision blinked twice. “It’s because I’m a weird robot.”

“Oh, okay.”

The Vision stuck out his hands, presenting Goku’s robes. “I believe these to be yours.”

Goku changed quickly. Yet, in that short time, he asked many questions, the answers of which he was incapable of understanding. So far, his understanding of the Vision was that he was a strange ghost-robot who could copy fighting styles.

“That’s still pretty cool, Vision!” Goku said, tightening his belt to near suffocation.

“Your admiration is unnecessary but appreciated. Recommendation: we should depart immediately.”

“Yeah,” Goku nodded, “This place gives me the creeps!”

“I am very disappointed in you, Victor.”

The Vision turned around at the sound of the familiar voice. He gazed apprehensively at the pyramid-less Willa Ironheart. Her gown held flimsily onto her pale skin.

“Ms. Ironheart.”

“You used to call me Mrs.. Actually, you used to call me Darling.”

“Negative,” the Vision replied, “That was-”

“Why do you deny what we had?” Willa raised her voice slightly. “We loved each other, Vic.”

“I am not who you think I am,” the Vision insisted.

“Is that your wife?” Goku stage-whispered into the android’s ear.

“Negative,” the Vision replied loudly enough for everyone to hear, “She is a stranger.”

That seemed to be the breaking point for Willa Ironheart. She lifted herself into the air, scarlet fog forming around her in a crimson whirlpool of chaos. The woman then screamed, loudly enough to shatter eardrums. However, this seemed to not affect the Vision and Goku, instead being a terrifying shrill noise. The scream pulsed red fog from her mouth, which wrapped around the walls. With a sickening crunch, as if they were bones, the walls shattered and crumbled to the floor. Goku glanced around, noticing the army of standing drowned corpses, waiting to maul them with their bloated hands. Many of them had drenched clothes still on, dresses and suits, as if they were simply going to work one day before they became these monstrosities.

“I LOVED YOU!” Willa screamed, “AND YOU LEFT ME!”

Large shards of metal protruded from the ceiling, suddenly clapping over Willa’s head. The Vision frowned, noticing that there was no blood or noticeable signs of a head being crushed. Goku, however, was horrified.

“What!?” Goku yelled, “What is going on?”

“Prepare for combat, Mr. Goku,” the Vision simply replied.

> run “mjolnir.exe”
Running...

The trusty hammer formed once more in his hand. He gripped the handle firmly, feeling a slightly electric tingle climb his arm.

“If you would dispose of the undead,” the Vision snarled, not removing his gaze from the levitating woman, “I have a few choice words to share with Ms. Ironheart.”

He flung the hammer forward without releasing his grip, flying due to the momentum. Willa responded by surging crimson fog from her palms, thrusting herself forward. The Vision gripped the hammer with both hands and swung downwards.