As Gregory found himself standing face to face with a young Reed Richards he now found even more urgency to determine exactly what kind of Marvel universe he was in.
Considering he had just met someone who could potentially destroy the entire universe.
One that he might have to eliminate before he became an actual problem.
Though that was a decision Gregory would save for later.
For now he was simply going to take Reed's measure and get to know him a bit.
"Wait, Gregory Stark? Are you that Gregory Stark? Son of famous inventor Howard Stark?" Reed asked.
"The one and only." Gregory replied.
"Wow!" Reed exclaimed. "I mean, your father's work has always been an inspiration to me and uh-"
Reed began to say.
*Grrr!*
Only for his stomach growling to interrupt him.
Leading Gregory to put a wry smile on his face. "You know Reed what's say you and me finish this discussion about my father over lunch?"
"Yes. That would be great. If that's alright with you of course." Reed replied.
"It's fine." Gregory said.
And with that the two teenagers headed off for the dining hall.
Where even after finishing their food they sat chatting for a couple of hours.
Not just about Howard but each about their own interests. The two boys finding out they had a lot in common.
When they finished up they headed back to their residence hall and each went to their own rooms.
Where once inside of his own Gregory quickly unpacked and got all of his belongings in order.
Once he did he sat down on his bed, a notebook in hand which he had used over the years to write down his ideas and for getting his future projects in order.
The first of which he was about to start right working on now.
Opening his notebook Gregory flipped to the project titled Athena.
Who would become his very first ally in this now crazy universe he called home.
For Athena was to be an Artificial Intelligence that would be Gregory's eyes and ears. As well and unrelenting, untiring, monster he would unleash on those who would dare become his or his families enemy.
Which are some of the reasons he chose to name is AI project after the Greek Goddess of wisdom and battle strategy.
And now that he was away from the prying eyes of his father, and the nosiness of his younger twin, he could begin to bring Athena life.
Given that Gregory, considering his current status, had inherited the Stark family genius.
"Soon Athena. Soon you will be born." Gregory whispered.
Before reviewing all the procedures in preparations he has created for turning his work of fiction into reality.
Until eventually he finished and placed his notebook up before heading off to sleep.
***
The following morning Gregory awoke early.
He then got prepared for his first day of classes.
All of which over the next few years would lead to him obtaining two PhD's.
One in Material Science and the other in Bioengineering.
Since although he was an engineering nut like his father and younger twin Gregory had also had a big interest in biology, thus him choosing to go to school for it.
As his day got into full swing he noticed most of his classes were with Reed.
So naturally he chose to hang out with him.
After all considering their interactions yesterday it would be weird if Gregory suddenly began ignoring him.
Especially since he enjoyed his conversations with Reed and hoped he could one day become true friends with him.
But if not and Reed went down the path of his Ultimate counterpart then at least Gregory would be in a better position eliminate him.
Moving on.
Besides developing his new relationship with Reed Gregory was also using Caltech resources to collect circuitboards, wires, keyboards, and several other items and materials he needed to build his own computer servers in his dorm room.
Which was quite large.
The perks of being the son of a genius and a genius himself who Caltech actually paid to attend their school instead of the other way around.
Another boon for Gregory since it gave him access to funds not tied to his parents in any way.
Funds he put to work.
Either investing in future products or companies he knew would make it big in the coming decades, or stockpiling to use when he starts his own company in the future.
One of the plans Gregory had decided long ago and would not back down from.
But back to the main point.
Six months after starting at Caltech Gregory was sitting alone in his dorm room one night.
A smile on his face as he sat before three computer screens, connected to two large servers, all of which he had built himself.
"Okay, moment of truth." Gregory said.
He then turned on both the servers and the computer screens.
A second after he did numerous lines of code, all of which he has written himself, began moving across all three computer screens.
Until eventually they stopped.
All the screens going entirely blank, save for the middle one.
Which only contained one word in bulky letters.
A.T.H.E.N.A.
Which stands for Artificial Threat Hunting and Extermination Neurosynthstic Assistant.
Or A.T.H.E.N.A. for short.
The true name of Gregory's AI.
Which after years of putting work on in he is about to see if she really works.
"Showtime." Gregory muttered.
He then typed one word on the main screen.
[Hello?]
A few seconds later a reply appeared on the main computer screen.
[Hello. I am Athena. Who are you?]
Seeing this Gregory smiled like a maniac.
"Jackpot!" He then exclaimed.
Taking the catchphrase of his favorite half-demon demon hunter from his previous life.
Though Gregory didn't let his excitement go to his head.
For even though A.T.H.E.N.A. was finally alive it didn't mean she was yet at the level of AI the young Stark wanted her to be.
No, that would take work.
And thus knowing this Gregory cracked both his neck and his fingers.
Before he got started helping his little baby girl grow up in the woman he knew she had the potential to be.