章 12: Chapter 12: Discovering New Element
[Third Person's PoV]
"Tony…" Howard started, looking at his son with a discerning expression. "You are now 8 years old, and honestly, I don't know what to give you that you yourself can't already make."
"I know you're working on a project with Melissa, something you keep private and want for yourself. So, I decided to give you something entirely new, something even I myself haven't been able to acquire."
Tony, who was in his father's home office, looked at him quizzically. "I have many things to say… First, why are you saying it like you're giving me your will? And two, you can't really gift something you don't have to someone else."
Howard chuckled. "Because what I'm about to give you was supposed to be in my will if I ever did pass. Honestly, you're just too incredible. As you are already aware, I possess the quirk called Computerized Brain, which means my brain works like a computer.
"Now, the downside to the quirk is that it's really hard to use creativity. My brain works best with facts and knowledge. So, you possess something I don't have… something I'm quite jealous of. You have creativity and the freedom to think outside the box."
Howard then stood up and walked towards a section of the bookcase in his office. He reached over and pulled a door, causing the shelf to split apart, revealing another door. Howard scanned his hand. After a green flash and an audible click, the door opened.
Tony was taken aback when Howard opened the door. It led to a small room with one table in the middle, upon which sat a small replica of Stark Industries.
Howard picked it up and brought it to Tony. "Here, I want you to have it."
"I know I'm 8, but I never really had a thing for playing with toys. Thanks for the gift though, it's the thought that counts, as they say."
Howard scoffed, finding Tony's retort amusing. "No, Tony, it's not a toy. This is something I only managed to make halfway through. I can't complete the other half. I used all of my quirk's power when making this. I almost gave myself an aneurysm and had to be in urgent care for an entire week."
"You're serious?"
"I'm afraid so. That's what happens when I try to push that creativity and go beyond my quirk's limits. So, when I tell you I can't finish it, I literally mean it could lead to my death."
"Damn, old man. So, what is this thing anyway?" Tony asked, though he already had an idea.
"The creation of an entirely new element."
Tony smirked upon hearing the confirmation. "Nice."
"Having the younger generation take over, eh, old man?"
"Stop calling me old man. I'm still in my late 30s, which means I'm still in my prime. Anyway, yes, I want you to have it. It's yours."
"Sorry, I can't," Tony said, shrugging his shoulders.
Howard was surprised. "What? Why?"
"I just meant that it can't possibly be mine. I mean, you already completed half of it. All I'm doing is finishing the other half. It wouldn't be fair for me to take credit. So, the best I can do is make this a project between father and son."
Howard had a soft smile on his face as he already guessed what Tony was trying to do. He nodded his head. "Alright, fine. You win. It's a project between father and son."
Tony nodded, a skip in his step as he walked towards his lab. "I'm off to discover a new element, Father. Call you in an hour."
Howard scoffed. "I'm afraid it's not that easy, Tony. It'll take more than just an hour, even for you—and he's already gone. Great."
---
Tony set the model of the Stark Expo on the workbench. As he did so, he glanced to the side and saw Melissa working intently on an Iron Man armor, sparks flying from the metal face covering she wore. She was so absorbed in her work that she didn't notice Tony enter the lab, causing him to shake his head in amusement.
"Friday… scan the model and conjure a 3D manipulatable hologram of the Expo." One of the mechanical limbs around the workbench extended, a green light scanning the Expo model. A holographic image of the Expo then materialized above the real model.
"Hologram completed as requested, Master," Friday said.
Tony manipulated the hologram with his fingers, spinning it around like a basketball before setting it upright in front of him. He clicked on the globe in the hologram and enlarged it slightly. "Friday, we're seeing the same thing, right?"
"It appears to represent the appearance of an atom, Master," Friday confirmed.
"That's right," Tony said, clicking the middle of the globe. "Which means the nucleus should be about right here." He expanded a section of the globe.
"Now lose the footpath, the landscaping, the bushes, and trees," Tony instructed, swiping away everything extraneous from the screen, including the parking lots, exits, and entrances.
"Now structure the neutrons and protons using the pavilions," Tony continued, spinning in his chair.
The hologram shifted, rearranging the pavilions into clusters representing neutrons and protons around the nucleus. Tony watched the transformation keenly.
"Good," he said. "Now, let's add an additional orbital layer. Calculate optimal electron positions for maximum stability."
Friday complied, showing new electron pathways forming around the nucleus and calculating their positions.
"Simulate interactions with various elements and compounds," Tony commanded.
After a few moments, Friday responded, "Simulation indicates high stability and unique bonding properties, Master."
Tony's eyes lit up. "Interesting. Enhance the model with potential energy states and reactivity profiles."
Friday enhanced the hologram, displaying energy levels and reactivity with different elements.
"This new element has potential beyond our initial expectations," Tony mused. "Document all findings and prepare for prototype synthesis and real-world testing."
"Documentation in progress, Master," Friday confirmed.
"Friday, call my father. For some reason, I feel like breaking his heart a little," Tony teased himself.
A holographic projection appeared, indicating the call to Howard. After a few rings, Howard's face appeared on the hologram.
"What is it, Tony? It hasn't even been 30 minutes. Already giving up—Tony?" Howard asked slowly.
Tony beamed, his smile so large his eyes were closed. "Yes, Father?"
"What's that behind you? And why did you call me?"
Tony waved it off. "Oh, that? It's just a new element I discovered a while ago. I just called since I was bored and had nothing better to do. Don't mind me in the slightest."
Howard's expression was the most deadpan Tony had ever seen. "I'm hanging up and disowning you."
"Huh?" Tony was genuinely taken aback by the last part.
Meanwhile…
"WOOOOOAAAAAHHHHH! HE DID IT! HE REALLY DID IT! THAT'S MY BOY! HAHAHAHAHA 30 MINUTES HADN'T EVEN PASSED!" Howard celebrated with the largest smile on his face.
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