NOVEL NEXT Chapter 236: New Element
As the birthday party came to an end, Tony found himself staring at the mountain of gifts piled up in front of him. In his hand, however, was the box Smith Dole had given him.
Most of the gifts, as usual, meant little to him. Normally, Pepper handled opening them, logging their value, and ensuring that a return gift of roughly equal worth was sent for the other person's birthday. Unless a gift was particularly expensive, Tony often didn't even know what it was.
This time was no different — except for Smith Dole's gift, which deserved his personal attention.
Opening the box, Tony found a USB drive inside. Seeing what it was, he went straight down to his underground lab and gave an order.
"JARVIS, change the security protocols for the lab and send the new password to Pepper Potts."
"Yes, sir," JARVIS replied.
Tony plugged the USB drive into the computer, and a video popped up almost immediately.
The image showed Smith Dole, dressed casually in what looked like a training room.
"Tony, happy birthday!" Smith said with a grin.
"No special gift, but I've got two pieces of information related to you. I think you'll really like them.
"First — according to my investigation, your father, Howard Stark, was one of the founders of S.H.I.E.L.D. Funny enough, that technically makes you eligible to inherit it. But it seems they've hidden this from you… and they're holding onto a lot of your father's possessions that rightfully belong to you."
Tony's expression darkened. It was good news to hear about his father — but the way S.H.I.E.L.D. had concealed it left him with nothing but dissatisfaction.
Then Bulma bounced into the frame, smiling brightly.
"Tony-ojisan, that was Smith-nii's gift. Now it's my turn!"
In her hand was a model of an atomic structure.
"Last time I went to your Expo, I noticed something odd about the layout. When I checked the original blueprints for the site, I discovered… it actually forms the structure of an unrecorded element.
"This must be the secret gift your father left for you — unspoken fatherly love. But it seems you didn't notice, hehe."
Off-camera, Smith's voice chimed in, "Bulma, I told you not to call him 'ojisan.' He'll blow a fuse."
Watching the two of them bicker on the screen, and realizing both "gifts" were connected to his father, Tony felt his eyes sting. He was deeply grateful — this was a thoughtful gesture, and one he had no idea how to repay.
Thinking about the element Bulma mentioned, Tony immediately gave an order.
"JARVIS, I want a projection showing the Expo's layout — from its original design to all the changes over the years."
"I need a manipulatable model."
When the projection appeared, Tony studied it.
"This looks like an atom… the nucleus should be here. Highlight the globe.
"Now strip away the walkways. Remove the landscaping, the shrubs, the trees, the parking lot, the entrances and exits…
"Use the pavilions as the framework — those will be the protons and neutrons."
When the redesigned projection finally matched the model in his mind, Tony whispered, "Dad… twenty years after you died, you're still giving me lessons?"
JARVIS interrupted,
"This new element you've discovered could replace the palladium in your reactor."
Tony, holding the projected model in his palm, murmured,
"Thank you, Smith Dole. Thank you, Bulma. And thank you… Dad."
"But unfortunately," JARVIS added, "it can't be synthesized."
Tony smirked. "That's in the past."
He immediately got to work.
…
On the road back to the League of Assassins' base, Bulma sat in the car, asking,
"Smith, how long do you think it'll take Tony to open our gift? I saw the pile — it could fill an entire room."
Smith chuckled, patting her head.
"When it's your birthday, we'll throw you a huge party too."
Bulma smiled at that but pressed,
"You still didn't answer my question."
"He'll probably open ours first," Smith said. "You start with gifts from the most important people."
"Shouldn't that mean Pepper Potts' gift first?" Bulma teased.
"Fair point," Smith admitted with a laugh. "Not sure if those two have confirmed their relationship yet. Still, if we're not first, we're definitely second."
Bulma nodded in agreement.
…
The next day, after working tirelessly all night — smashing walls, drilling, laying circuits, and setting up equipment — Tony finally synthesized the new element just before sunrise, nearly tearing his house apart in the process.
Looking at the glowing new element, he grinned.
"Easy."
"Congratulations," JARVIS said. "You've created a new element."
Tony replaced the old core in his arc reactor.
"The new core is installed. I'll run diagnostics to determine its precise output and maximum efficiency," JARVIS reported.
"Alright, you handle it," Tony said, satisfied. "I want to see every stat on the new Arc Reactor soon."
Then JARVIS announced,
"Sir, you have a visitor — S.H.I.E.L.D. Director Nick Fury."
Tony's expression hardened. He hadn't gone to confront Fury yet, but if Fury was here, it was the perfect time to reclaim his father's belongings.
(End of Chapter)
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