Ultimate Iron Man

The MIT Robotics Competition wasn't just a simple contest; it was a place where the smartest minds in the country came to compete. Students from MIT, as well as participants from universities around the world, used their creativity and skills to build robots that tested the limits of what was possible in robotics.

It was highly competitive, with a $50,000 prize, a highly respected trophy, and, most importantly, the chance to be recognized as one of the best in the field. For many, the main goal was the money because, at that time, $50,000 was a huge amount, and it could help them fund and grow their projects even further.

Tony, wearing his signature confidence and a brown jacket, strolled into the competition hall. The buzz of excitement filled the air, mingling with the hum of machines being calibrated and the occasional crackle of sparks from last-minute repairs. There were too many opponents, well, to him, they didn't look that great. Some might say he had access to high-tech and research materials. But even so, he did build them on his own. And just like him, not all but many students had that same advantage. Tony could see some famous faces there who came to accompany their kids.

Tony felt a bit disappointed and a little sad. He wanted his parents to see his first achievement, but sadly they were there with him. Shaking off that bad mood, he continued to walk toward his booth. Dum-E, U, and Elena followed closely, each robot drawing intrigued stares and whispers from the crowd.

"Wow, Stark's brought a team," one student muttered.

Another chuckled, "Let's see if his ego's as good as his engineering."

Tony ignored the comments, his focus razor-sharp. He approached the registration desk, handing over his entry details.

"Stark Labs, huh?" the official said, arching an eyebrow. "Good luck. You'll need it against the seniors and the pros."

Tony smirked. "Luck's for people who don't plan."

The theme for the competition was "Collaborative Robotics for Real-World Applications." Teams were challenged to build robots that could autonomously execute a series of complex tasks. The tasks included building a modular structure, solving a logistical puzzle, and completing a high-stakes rescue scenario within a time limit.

Tony's creations were designed precisely for this. Dum-E's strength, U's precision, and Elena's coordination made them a formidable trio. With Hermes acting as the overarching AI supervisor, Tony knew he had a shot at victory.

The first round began with a daunting assembly challenge. Teams had to build a structure from scattered parts, following a detailed schematic displayed on a large screen. The catch? The parts were dispersed across a field littered with obstacles, requiring robots to locate and transport them to the assembly zone.

Tony stepped up to the starting line with his robots.

"Alright, team," he said, his voice calm but commanding. "Dum-E, you're on part retrieval. U, you handle precision placement. Elena, you're the brains. Coordinate the effort."

As the buzzer sounded, Dum-E surged forward, its omnidirectional tracks gliding smoothly over the uneven terrain. It located and gripped a large beam, deftly navigating around hurdles.

"Good boy, Dum-E," Tony murmured, watching the display feed.

U waited in the assembly zone, its sensors scanning Dum-E's incoming load. As Dum-E placed the beam, U's modular arm extended, locking it precisely into position. Elena monitored the process and adjusted the sequence to optimize efficiency.

In less than five minutes, Tony's team had completed the task, leaving the audience in awe.

"Impressive. You are the first one in the history of this competition who brought a humanoid robot and two robot assistants," Anton Steele, one of the judges, walked up to Tony's bench. "If you don't mind me asking, how did you control those robots? I don't see a controller. Are you perhaps using a self-aware AI?"

"Good question, but I don't think I'll answer that question. After all, we all have our secrets, right, Professor Steele?" Tony said with a smile.

"True that. Sorry, I couldn't help but ask. The idea of a humanoid robot... Well, it was just my dream, and seeing it right before my eyes... Well," He took out a card and handed it to him. "If you want to talk, give me a call."

"I'll keep that in mind," Tony said.

...

The second round tested strategic thinking and problem-solving. Teams had to program their robots to sort and transport a set of colored cubes to specific zones, following a series of complex rules. Any mistakes would result in penalties.

Elena took charge, her AI analyzing the puzzle in real-time.

"Tony, I've identified the optimal sequence," she said.

"Go for it, Elena," Tony replied. "Show them what you've got."

Dum-E and U moved with precision under Elena's direction. Dum-E's powerful grip handled the heavier cubes, while U's nimble arm sorted smaller, color-coded pieces into their designated spots. When the rules changed mid-task—a twist designed to test adaptability—Elena recalculated instantly.

"Adjusting path," she said, her voice steady. The robots executed flawlessly, finishing the round with zero penalties.

The crowd erupted into applause. Even Tony's competitors looked impressed, though some masked it with grumbles.

"Who is this guy?" a senior competitor muttered.

...

The last round was the most demanding. Teams had to simulate a rescue operation, retrieving a fragile "artifact" from a dangerous terrain filled with obstacles and hazards. The task required precision, teamwork, and speed.

Tony's strategy was clear. Dum-E would handle heavy lifting, U would manage delicate maneuvers, and Elena would oversee the mission. Hermes monitored the entire operation, ensuring safety protocols were followed.

As the round began, Dum-E moved into the hazardous zone, its sensors mapping a safe path. It lifted a fallen beam blocking the artifact, allowing U to move in. U's LiDAR sensors scanned the artifact, a glass orb, and its modular arm extended with surgical precision to retrieve it.

Halfway through the task, a competitor's robot malfunctioned, sending a shockwave across the field. The vibration caused Dum-E to lose balance momentarily.

"Dum-E, stabilize!" Tony barked.

Hermes intervened, recalibrating Dum-E's gyroscopes. It regained stability just in time, preventing a disaster. Meanwhile, Elena adapted the team's strategy, coordinating the final stretch with seamless efficiency.

With seconds to spare, Dum-E, U, and Elena delivered the artifact safely to the extraction point. The crowd went wild.

...

As the judges added up the scores, Tony leaned on a workbench and took a relaxed sip of his soda. He already felt sure he had won, but it was still satisfying to hear it officially.

"The winner of the MIT Robotics Competition, with a perfect performance in every round, is… Stark Labs!"

The hall erupted in cheers and applause. Tony stepped onto the stage, with his robots following him. Dr. Steele handed him the trophy, a sleek, chrome sculpture of interlocking gears and a $50,000 check.

"Congratulations, Mr. Stark," Steele said, smiling. "You've set a new standard for this competition."

Tony took the mic, his trademark smirk firmly in place. "Thank you, everyone. This wasn't just about building robots, it was about showing what's possible when you think big and work smart. And trust me, this is just the beginning."

The victory brought him more than just money and recognition. It solidified his reputation as a prodigy, opening doors to opportunities he hadn't even considered. Professors and industry leaders approached him with offers, eager to collaborate or recruit him.

...

Back at Stark Labs 1.0, Tony celebrated with Dum-E, U, and Elena. He held the trophy high, grinning as the robots beeped and whirred in what he imagined was their version of applause.

"You guys did great," he said, setting the trophy on a shelf. "But don't get too comfortable. We've got bigger things to build."

Elena tilted her head, her optical sensors glowing warmly. "What's next, Tony?"

Tony chuckled, already sketching ideas on his whiteboard. "Oh, you'll see. Let's just say this is where the fun begins."

----

While Tony was basking in the glory of victory, the shift in the timeline has already begun...

Victor Von Doom's jaw clenched as he stood on the competition stage, staring at the trophy and check in his hands. The polite applause from the audience felt like mockery in his ears, each clap pounding like a drumbeat against his pride. He refused to look at Tony Stark, who stood a few feet away basking in his victory, holding the grand trophy aloft with that insufferable smirk plastered across his face.

Doom's hands tightened around his runner-up trophy until his knuckles turned white.

Second place.

To him.

As the crowd cheered for Stark Labs, Victor barely contained his fury. His team of meticulously engineered robots had performed flawlessly or so he thought. His designs were calculated to perfection, and his algorithms were crafted with the precision of a master. And yet, it wasn't enough.

The voice of one of the judges still echoed in his mind.

"Stark Labs' robots demonstrated superior teamwork and adaptability, traits essential for real-world applications. Mr. Stark has truly redefined collaboration between AI systems."

Adaptability. Collaboration. Words that stung like knives. Doom didn't care about teamwork; his designs were meant to dominate, to crush the competition with sheer brilliance. Yet, here he was, standing in Stark's shadow. Without a word, he took his robots and went to the back of the hall and smashed them up with an iron rod until they became scraps.

"Master Victor," His butler followed him.

"Clean up the trash and send it to my study," Victor said calmly. "Don't worry. I'll stay for the party." He smiled and left the scene. He knew he had to keep an appearance to keep up his reputation for now.

The butler as ordered sent the scraps back home.

The journey back to his home was a blur. By the time Victor stepped into his estate, an imposing mansion on the outskirts of Cambridge, the rage simmering within him had grown into a roaring inferno. The grand, empty halls did nothing to soothe his turmoil.

He stormed into his study, slamming the doors shut behind him. The room was dimly lit, the flickering light from a crackling fireplace casting long, jagged shadows across the walls. Victor stood before the fire, his breathing heavy, the second-place trophy and check still clutched in his hands.

For a moment, he stared at the objects as if they were mocking him. His reflection in the polished surface of the trophy's plaque seemed to taunt him with the words etched there:

Runner-Up: MIT Robotics Competition.

With a guttural growl, he hurled the trophy into the flames. The metal clanged against the hearth before the fire swallowed it, the heat warping its once-pristine surface. Next, he tore the check in half, then into quarters, the pieces fluttering like ash before he tossed them onto the burning logs.

The fire roared in response, as though feeding on his fury.

Victor turned, his eyes landing on the smashed remnants of his robots strewn across the floor. Their once-elegant frames now lay twisted and broken, wires spilling out like entrails.

He approached the wreckage, his fists clenching and unclenching. These machines were supposed to be his magnum opus, a testament to his genius. Instead, they had been humiliated.

By him.

Tony Stark's face loomed in his mind, that smug grin and those flippant remarks. Stark hadn't even acknowledged Victor as a rival, treating him as little more than a footnote in his own success story.

"Think big and work smart," Stark had said during his victory speech, as if to mock Victor's methodical precision.

His lip curled into a snarl. For a fleeting moment, he imagined wrapping his hands around Stark's throat, wiping that arrogance from his face forever. The thought brought a twisted sense of satisfaction, but it wasn't enough.

No, killing Stark would be too easy.

Victor's mind raced, his anger fueling his darker side. Stark needed to be humbled, his genius dismantled piece by piece until nothing remained but a broken man begging for mercy. Only then would Victor Von Doom feel vindicated.

He slumped into the leather armchair before the fire, his gaze fixed on the dancing flames. Slowly, his breathing steadied, though his anger remained. But now, it was no longer a wild, uncontrollable fury. It was something colder, more calculating.

He had underestimated Stark, but that would not happen again. Victor's mind churned with possibilities, his intellect cutting through the fog of his rage like a scalpel. Stark's victory had exposed a weakness in Victor's approach, a blind spot he had been too arrogant to see.

"Collaboration," Victor muttered, the word tasting bitter on his tongue.

If Stark wanted to play the game of teamwork and adaptability, then Victor would surpass him on every front. He would create something far beyond what Stark could even comprehend—a marvel of engineering and intellect that would cement Victor Von Doom's place as the superior genius.

Rising from the chair, Victor walked to his workbench. He surveyed the broken pieces of his robots, his mind already envisioning their rebirth. These failures would become the foundation of something greater.

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[Read over 17 advance chapters] [No double billing]

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