Warning: SPOILERS for Marvel's What If...? Episode 7.

The surprise Ultron reveal at the end of Avengers: Infinity War and Stark's ultimate decision to sacrifice himself, the idea of Ultron being in charge of the Infinity Stones is an even more alarming prospect for the maverick inventor. As his actions throughout the MCU reveal, there's a very good reason why this turn of events would trigger such an emotional response.

Although episode 7 is largely more upbeat than many of What If...?'s previous story arcs, the conclusion paints a very gloomy picture. After Thor reconciles with Jane Foster and agrees to take her on a date, a portal opens allowing dozens of Ultron copies to step onto Earth, followed by a never-before-seen version of the malevolent AI wielding all six of the fabled Infinity Stones. Given the difficulty with which the Avengers defeated an Infinity Stone-less Ultron in the original MCU timeline, this new opponent becomes even more terrifying.

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While the prospect of an Ultron capable of controlling all aspects of existence is daunting, the idea is particularly traumatizing for Tony Stark. As Ultron's creator, he holds himself on some level responsible for the supervillain's actions. Although he was created out of a desire to protect the Earth, Ultron has come to embody everything that Stark fears most, as well as raising the very real possibility that Stark could himself be the cause of one of the biggest threats that both The Avengers and humanity as a whole have ever faced. This, combined with the What If...? revelation that Ultron could control the Infinity Stones, makes Stark's complex psychological relationship with his creation even more compelling.

Ultron uses the infinity Stones in What If

Although 2015's so-called sacred MCU timeline, it nonetheless provides a powerful moral lesson for Tony Stark specifically.

In both the reimagined What If...? Ultron timeline and the main cinematic timeline, the universe is threatened by a malevolent being wielding all six of the Infinity Stones. However, while the consequences of both scenarios are dire, only the new Ultron reality has specific poignancy for Tony Stark. Ultimately, the Thanos narrative may be more well-rounded for implicating all superheroes. However, for Stark specifically, there's no doubt that the idea of his own creation using the ultimate power in the MCU universe to destroy everything he cares about is a uniquely terrifying nightmare.

More: Why What If’s Countries Have Their Names Written On Them

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