A whole flurry of complex, annotated drawings popped up instantly on Tony's holographic computer interface. Every lightning-fast move he made left Leo dizzy.
Even just watching from the sidelines, one couldn't keep up with Tony's pace. His super-intelligent brain allowed him to outpace Leo's normal thinking speed with every calculation. Tony wasn't just drawing the suit; he was simultaneously running fluid dynamics simulations, stress testing materials, and generating complex code. It was a chaotic, beautiful symphony of genius.
One by one, the previously inexplicable component diagrams were drawn, refined, and snapped together, forming the foundational architecture of the Mark VI armor.
Looking at the new suit gradually taking shape on the digital blueprint, Leo felt a sense of awe. "Mr. Stark, are you seriously planning to design and engineer the entire Mark VI armor within, say, the next hour and a half?"
"Is it difficult?" Tony asked, his hands flying across the screen, never pausing his work.
He didn't turn around, his eyes glued to the holographic display. "The Mark VI is fundamentally based on the Mark IV chassis. It's an evolutionary leap, not a revolutionary redesign—all thanks to the energy source. The real work is embedding the new power source and then maximizing its output."
"Because a new element is being used, the original circular logo on the chest has to go. It's changing to an inverted triangle, symbolizing stability, efficiency, and honestly, just because it looks infinitely cooler. We're upgrading the entire power-delivery grid to handle the new element's density."
Tony's voice was a rapid-fire monologue of technical details. "Then, I'm adding a pressurized armor system throughout, which finally allows for deep-sea diving operations—just because I can. And of course, we need some new toys. I'm first upgrading those useless six-barreled mini-cannons on the shoulders to handle a much higher caliber and rate of fire."
"A heavy, single-shot missile is being added to the right shoulder; eight miniature propellant grenades are equipped on each forearm for non-lethal crowd dispersion—or, you know, clearing out a hallway. And finally, the true signature weapon: a high-energy laser weapon added to the back of each gauntlet."
Tony sounded even more excited as he spoke, his hands tapping faster, inputting the final stress parameters. "However, the gold-titanium alloy material itself isn't strong enough to vent the energy continuously, so the laser beam is a one-time use per gauntlet. It's a 200 petawatt high-energy laser—I genuinely don't think anything on this planet can stop the beam once it fires. So, since the major changes are primarily internal and weapon-based, the design phase is naturally faster."
Leo pursed his lips, thoroughly impressed. "Faster is an understatement."
An hour later, Tony was still refining the final tensile strength of the Mark VI's joints, but the new, custom-shaped reactor housing—designed to hold the synthesized element—had already been rendered and 3D-printed using an industrial polymer. The shell was ready.
Tony immediately shifted focus. The clock was ticking, and he needed that element now.
He spent another intensive hour adjusting all the complex parameters for the colossal prism accelerator now dominating the basement.
Tony placed the small, custom-made triangular acceleration prism into the energy node and simultaneously fixed the single, small vibranium triangle—the catalyst and carrier—to the support opposite the prism.
Tony tossed a pair of industrial-grade dark safety glasses at Leo. "Put those on. When this thing fires, it might be a bit too bright for your eyes."
Leo caught the sunglasses, donned them, and stood casually to the side of the stand, placing the remaining forty-nine small vibranium triangles he had cut out beside him on a metal tray.
"Mr. Stark, don't stop the energy emission once it starts. I will manually replace the vibranium carrier and make several cores at once to save time."
Tony stopped, looked at the sheer recklessness of that statement—the idea of touching a charged, vibrating accelerator field was insane—and then looked at Leo's calm, confident face. He just nodded. "Let's give that a try, you crazy kid."
Tony inserted the start key and opened the power intake valve.
"Activate the Prism Accelerator," he commanded.Shutterstock
A pale blue light immediately appeared inside the circular loop of black pipes, continuously cycling and accelerating.
The speed increased, the energy level soared, and the light inside the chamber intensified, becoming brighter and brighter. The air in the workshop hummed, charged with enormous, barely contained power.
Tony grabbed the massive industrial steering wheel above the triangular prism, carefully attempting to refract and focus the light beam onto the single target.
"Approaching maximum energy saturation," Jarvis noted, his voice sounding slightly strained.
With the help of a large, heavy pipe wrench, Tony managed to force the prism to turn, and a focused, pale blue laser beam shot out, its blinding light reflecting harshly off the workshop wall before sinking deep into the concrete.
The wall instantly showed deep charred marks and bursts of flame; metal cabinets, book frames, and even a small concrete pillar were successfully cut off, erupting into countless sparks.
Finally, Tony redirected the laser, cutting off one side of the support structure before moving it accurately onto the single vibranium triangle.
This time, the beam didn't penetrate it. The colossal, focused elemental energy converged on the vibranium triangle, instantly dyeing it a brilliant, pulsating blue-white. The energy flow was massive, forcing the vibranium to reorganize the component atoms.
The light grew stronger and stronger, reaching a blinding peak. Even Tony, wearing the darkest sunglasses, found it slightly dazzling.
"Leo!!" Tony yelled, worried that the sustained power might damage the single vibranium piece.
Leo, unfazed, stared intently at the small triangle at the center of the beam. His fingers twitched slightly, and with the utmost precision of his Matter Manipulation, he pulled the first, newly synthesized core out of the beam and seamlessly inserted another raw vibranium triangle into the exact focal point, continuing the synthesis cycle without a single pause.
One by one, the vibranium triangles were pushed into the energy beam and pulled out as glowing, perfectly formed cores. But by the seventh core, the light, which had been at its peak, began to slowly decrease in power.
Finally, the light faded entirely, and the energy field collapsed. The reserve power was completely depleted.
Tony slammed the switch, turning off the accelerator. He eagerly walked forward, his heart pounding in his chest.
Floating magically in the air—held in place by Leo's residual power—were seven perfect, triangular reactor cores. Tony's eyes filled with shock and pure, unadulterated disbelief.
"Congratulations, Mr. Stark. You have successfully created a brand-new element. And you have seven of them," Leo stated, his voice full of casual pride.
Tony used tweezers to carefully pick one off the air and placed it into the specialized reactor housing he had prepared.
The device automatically installed the energy core, and immediately, massive amounts of clean energy surged into the system.
A small, vibrant blue light appeared below the reactor, pulsating like a tiny, perfect heart, slowly adapting to this incredible new energy source.
The blue flashing gradually stabilized into a solid, brilliant glow.
The new reactor emitted a bright, stable, and almost serene light—the antithesis of the toxic palladium core.
"Sir, the Mark VI reactor has received its updated core. I will begin diagnostics and stress testing immediately," Jarvis announced, his voice sounding satisfied.
Leo, meanwhile, put the remaining six newly synthesized cores into the extra reactor casings he had made. They all stabilized successfully, ready for use or trade.
Looking at the perfect, bright energy sources, both men were incredibly excited, yet subdued by the sheer magnitude of the achievement.
They were both now impatient for the next step.
On the other side of the world, in a dark, humid workshop provided by Hammer Industries, Ivan Vanko was quietly crafting his terrifying Whiplash 2.0 armor all by himself.
The endless resources provided by Justin Hammer had allowed Vanko to make the twin electromagnetic whips exponentially more powerful.
The suit's internal reactor power supply speed had been radically improved, allowing the high-power current to continuously surge through the whips. The electricity was now capable of cleanly cutting and instantly burning any object it touched—even if it managed to get past Tony's gold-titanium alloys, it would cause significant electro-burn damage.
At the same time, the interference effect of the whips was enhanced, the receiver system of the enhanced rotating reel had a faster response speed, and the retraction and deployment were far more convenient.
Both wrists were equipped with twin rapid-fire machine guns, and robust magnetic fixation devices were installed at the bottom of the feet to anchor him firmly against powerful attacks.
A flight system had been added—a rudimentary one, but functional. The defensive plating had been improved, and the mechanical output had been increased by 30%.
The design was massive, fully enclosed, and heavily armored, significantly smaller than the clumsy Iron Monger, but with a robust fuselage. All previously exposed hydraulic rods were now covered by thick plate armor.
Most importantly, Ivan ensured the core reactor was equipped with a deadly self-destruct system. If he couldn't win the fight, he would ensure he took the billionaire down with him.
Looking at the twin, humming electric whips in front of him, crackling with raw, dangerous energy, Ivan couldn't help but let out a dry, menacing laugh.
The next day was the grand opening of the Stark Industrial Exposition's military showcase.
Hammer Industries was set to debut its army of robotic drones, while Colonel Rhodes was scheduled to demonstrate the military's latest armor—the weaponized, Hammer-upgraded Mark II, now christened 'War Machine'.
Tony, however, remained at home, entirely focused on his new reactor. He spent the entire morning running diagnostics and conducting stress tests on the new power source and the rapidly assembling Mark VI suit.
Suddenly, Agent Coulson quietly entered the basement studio.
"I heard you left S.H.I.E.L.D., Agent," Tony said, turning around while holding a piece of newly synthesized Mark VI forearm plating.
"Yes, sir. That seems to be from a past life now. You seem to be doing much better, though. Where did your mystery companion go?" Tony asked, his eyes scanning the empty space.
"I have other, more pressing things to do." Leo emerged from behind the accelerator, holding one of the extra triangular cores.
"Really? Me too. And I succeeded," Tony replied nonchalantly, gesturing to the glowing reactor on his workbench. "Look, I'm working with you guys, doing the heavy lifting for your little boy band. Do you want me to actually do the work, or are you just here to pick a fight with me?"
Coulson's professional demeanor faltered slightly as his eye caught an unfinished, partially assembled prototype shield lying on a dusty workbench—a familiar, circular shape. "How did this get here? Is that... is that the real one?"
"Is there anything strange about that, Agent Coulson? Captain Rogers' shield was made by my father, Mr. Howard Stark. I'm just looking for a new, stronger material for my next suit, and Captain America's unique alloy is a fascinating case study. He left the blueprints," Tony lied effortlessly, keeping his secrets.
Leo came over, smiling knowingly at Coulson. "Agent Coulson, what brings you down here? You look like you have some major, potentially world-shaking news to tell us before you disappear."
Coulson squinted at the mysterious young man.
Nick Fury told us all not to have too much contact with Leo. Even the Director is wary of someone like him; this young man must be quite extraordinary to warrant that level of caution.
"It's nothing quite so dramatic, Mr. Stark. I just came to say goodbye. I've been temporarily transferred to New Mexico."
"Ah, New Mexico. A mesmerizing wonderland of desert and cattle," Tony deadpanned.
"That's what they all say," Coulson replied, managing a small, wry smile.
"A secret mission, then?" Tony pressed.
"Close enough."
Tony looked at Agent Coulson, who, despite being a corporate spy and handler, had genuinely tried to help him over the past few weeks. His expression was complicated. He extended a hand and said, "Good luck, Agent. Bye."
"Thank you, Tony. We need you, now more than ever."
"Yes, I know. You guys desperately need me to cover up your blunders," Tony replied with his usual confident smirk.
"There's no such thing as being over-needed, Tony. Try to remember that," Coulson retorted, a hint of genuine worry in his voice.
Turning to face Leo, Coulson formally extended his hand. "Goodbye, Mr. Leo. It was... memorable."
"Agent Coulson, goodbye. Remember to call me if anything truly fun and strange happens in New Mexico. I mean, truly strange." Leo smiled mysteriously and handed him a pristine business card. "I believe you will soon achieve your wish of encountering something mythological. By the way, don't forget to read up on Norse mythology; it might be incredibly helpful in your new assignment."