Let's reach 250 Power Stones for an extra chapter
***
"So, when do we get to actually test this bad boy out?" I asked, looking at the monstrous VR headset. "I'm itching to dive into EDEN. Or at least, a very clunky, low-res version of it."
Tony adjusted a wire on the headset, a slight frown on his face. "Hold your horses, kid. We're still working out the kinks. This is a prototype, a proof of concept. It's not exactly ready for public consumption, or even private consumption, unless you want to risk a minor electrical fire or a very intense headache."
Peter nodded in agreement, pushing his glasses up his nose. "Yeah, we still need to calibrate the tracking, optimize the visual output, and seriously reduce the latency. It's a complex system, Ethan."
"Right, right, complex," I mumbled, though a part of me was already imagining soaring through virtual landscapes. "But, you know, a guy can dream. And speaking of complex systems, how's that Arc Reactor research coming along?"
Just then, Olivia's phone chimed. She glanced at the screen, her expression shifting to one of quiet urgency. "My apologies, gentlemen, but it appears I am needed elsewhere." She gave a brief, professional nod. "Keep up the excellent work. I'll be in touch soon, Ethan."
With that, she turned and walked towards the elevator, her heels clicking softly on the polished floor. I watched her go, a small wave of curiosity washing over me. Olivia always seemed to have some mysterious business to attend to.
Once the elevator doors closed behind her, I turned back to Tony and Peter. "Okay, so about that Arc Reactor. You guys have been at it for a while now. Any breakthroughs? Or are we still stuck on the palladium problem?"
Tony sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Well, since you asked, and since our esteemed business partner has made her exit, I can admit it: the Arc Reactor is acting up again. The palladium levels are creeping back up."
He looked genuinely tired, a faint metallic glint in his eyes.
"That's not good," I said, frowning. "Here, let me see if I can help." I quickly pulled out my Digivice and summoned Cutemon.
The tiny pink Digimon materialized with a cheerful chu~, looking around with wide, curious eyes. Tony and Peter both stared, a mixture of surprise and fascination on their faces.
"Cutemon, do your thing," I asked, gesturing towards Tony.
Cutemon nodded, her large ears twitching. "Okay, chu! Healing Aura, activate, chu!" A soft, pink glow enveloped Tony, and he visibly relaxed, a deep breath escaping him.
"Hey, thanks, little guy," Tony said, a genuine smile replacing his earlier tension. "I owe you one, Cutie-pie."
Cutemon bounced on her paws. "You're welcome, chu~!"
"Now, about those Arc Reactor problems? What's the holdup? Peter, you're the science whiz. What's the current headache?"
Peter rubbed the back of his neck, looking a little dejected. "We've hit a bit of a wall, to be honest. We've explored countless alternatives to palladium, but nothing has the energy density or stability needed for the Arc Reactor. Every element we try either degrades too quickly, causes unforeseen side effects, or just doesn't produce enough power."
"It's like trying to reinvent the wheel, but the wheel keeps turning into a square," Tony added, a touch of frustration in his voice. "We keep going in circles, coming up with brilliant dead ends. We're practically back to square one, looking for a completely new core element that doesn't try to kill me."
"You know, Tony," I started, leaning against a workbench, "sometimes the best way forward is to look backward. Your father, Howard Stark, he was a genius, right?"
Tony visibly tensed, a shadow passing over his face. He avoided my gaze, picking up a wrench and fiddling with a loose bolt on the VR headset. "Dad? Yeah, he was… productive. In his own way. What about him?"
"He must've left a legacy," I pressed gently, watching his reaction closely. "A lot of unfinished business, probably. Did he ever have a project, a theory, anything he was working on that he just couldn't crack? Something he might have just stashed away, thinking it was impossible with the tech of his time?"
Tony scoffed, a dry, humorless sound. "My father left me plenty, mostly a crushing sense of inadequacy and a whole lot of alcohol. As for projects, he had a million of them. Most were half-baked ideas that never saw the light of day. We weren't exactly a 'father-son bonding over blueprints' kind of family, if you catch my drift."
"So, you hated him?" I asked, my voice softer now. I knew the history, the animosity between them. It was a well-known part of Tony's story.
He let out a short, sharp laugh. "Hate is a strong word, kid. But we were definitely getting there. Why are you bringing him up? Nostalgia isn't really my thing."
"Because sometimes, answers are hidden in plain sight, in the places we least want to look," I insisted, ignoring his sarcasm. "Howard might be gone, but his work isn't. Just promise me you will look into it. There has to be something in his old research that could help. Something he couldn't complete, but you, with your genius, could."
"Howard Stark was also a genius in his time, Tony," I said, trying to push past his obvious discomfort. "He's the one who built the original Arc Reactor concept. He laid the groundwork for everything you've done. There has to be something in his old research notes or projects that could help. A missing piece you just haven't found yet."
I knew I couldn't elaborate, not without sounding completely insane. Oh, yeah, I watched it from a movie from my past life, which wasn't exactly a compelling argument.
Tony finally turned, a faint glimmer of interest in his eyes, though he still seemed hesitant. "My father's work, huh? It's a long shot. Most of his old stuff is either classified beyond belief or buried under literal tons of dust. But… fine. I will look into it. For science, and maybe, just maybe, to prove him wrong."
I nodded, a small, knowing smile on my face. "Good enough for me. I've got to run anyway. School calls, unfortunately."
Peter, who had been quietly observing the whole exchange, stepped forward. "I should probably head out too, Ethan. I have to get home before Aunt May worries."
"Lead the way, then," I replied, and with Cutemon still floating cheerfully beside me, we made our way towards the exit, leaving Tony Stark to ponder the ghosts of his father's past.
"See ya, Tony!" I called out, giving a wave.
"Don't do anything I wouldn't do!" he shot back, a grin plastered on his face.
Peter and I walked away from the lab, Cutemon still floating cheerfully beside me.
"That was quite the talk, Ethan," Peter said, looking a little thoughtful. "You really think Mr. Stark will look into his father's old work?"
"Yeah, I do," I replied, a sense of relief washing over me. "He's too much of a genius not to. Besides, he needs a solution, and sometimes the past holds the key, you know?" I felt pretty good about nudging Tony in the right direction. Maybe, just maybe, I'd helped him avoid some serious palladium poisoning down the line. That would be a win, for sure.
***
Donate Power Stones to support this novel
Advance chapters in patreon.com/Najicablitz