章 3: Let’s make history, JARVIS
As the soft glow of the arc reactor illuminated Tony's workshop, JARVIS's familiar, calm voice filled the air.
"Welcome back, sir," JARVIS greeted. A subtle warmth laced his words, the closest an AI could come to expressing emotion. Tony felt a smile tug at the corner of his mouth. He hadn't realized just how much he had missed JARVIS. The AI had always been more than just a tool, more than just a program running in the background of his life. The day he'd transferred JARVIS into Vision, it had been a necessary move, but a loss nonetheless. FRIDAY had filled the void, but never quite the same way. Now, as he stood in his old lab, the familiar banter and sarcastic quips he shared with JARVIS felt like a reunion with an old friend.
"It's good to be back, J," Tony said, his voice softer than usual, tinged with a nostalgia that he quickly pushed aside. He snapped back into focus. There was no time for emotions—not when there was work to be done.
Removing his T-shirt, he strode toward the workbench, every movement deliberate. The faint hum of technology buzzed around him, the screens flickering to life as JARVIS ran through his various protocols and systems.
"JARVIS, scan me."
"Yes, sir." JARVIS's voice remained calm, though there was a sense of urgency lurking beneath his measured tone.
A soft blue light swept over Tony's body, the familiar sensation of the scan barely registering on his skin. In a matter of seconds, JARVIS's detailed analysis appeared on the screen.
"Sir, the arc reactor is preventing the shrapnel from entering your heart. However, the palladium core will soon begin to degrade. Prolonged exposure will result in blood poisoning."
Tony nodded, barely reacting. The palladium problem had haunted him in his past life. He had been slow to find a solution then, and it had cost him dearly. He wasn't about to repeat the same mistake. Not this time. "JARVIS," Tony began, his mind racing with possibilities. "Get ready for a major overhaul. We're going into hardware mode."
There was a brief pause, as if JARVIS was processing the enormity of Tony's statement. "Sir, may I inquire... what are we doing?"
Tony's lips curled into a grin, the excitement of the challenge sparking in his eyes. "We're going to rediscover a new element, my boy."
There was another pause—this time longer. JARVIS wasn't capable of expressing disbelief, but Tony knew the AI had to be calculating the absurdity of his words. Nonetheless, JARVIS trusted him, just as he always had.
"As you wish, sir," JARVIS replied, and immediately, a dozen holographic interfaces appeared in front of Tony. JARVIS had already begun ordering the necessary materials and initiating designs for the particle accelerator that Tony would need.
Tony's hands moved swiftly as he guided the AI, tweaking the schematics, calculating energy outputs, and cross-referencing every step of the process. He felt that familiar rush, the adrenaline that came with working at the edge of possibility, the thrill of taking an idea that had no business working and bending it to his will.
"JARVIS, I need to recalibrate the accelerator to a smaller scale," Tony said, his voice more focused now, the casual banter of earlier replaced by the sharp edge of a man working against the clock. "We need a contained system that can handle a massive energy spike without blowing a hole through the foundation."
"Understood, sir. Shall I begin simulations?"
"Run them concurrently," Tony instructed, his fingers gliding over the holograms, tweaking parameters. "And prep the lab for isolation. We're about to run a few dangerous tests."
A few moments passed before JARVIS spoke again, his voice as calm as ever despite the complexity of the task. "Simulations are running. All systems are prepared for hazardous testing."
Tony straightened up, gazing at the swirling data in front of him. "Alright, let's build a new element."
Hours blurred together as Tony worked, sweat beading on his forehead as he raced against time. His hands never stopped moving—assembling, recalibrating, analysing every piece of equipment around him. JARVIS assisted with remarkable efficiency, processing calculations and making minute adjustments on Tony's command.
Finally, after what felt like a marathon of near-failure and frustration, the particle accelerator was ready. It sat before Tony like a sleeping beast, humming with a quiet intensity that suggested the raw power contained within.
"All systems are online, sir. Awaiting your command," JARVIS reported
Tony exhaled, wiping the sweat from his brow. This was it. The moment of truth. "Let's fire it up."
A low rumble filled the room as the particle accelerator powered up, the energy coursing through the intricate system of conduits and reactors Tony had painstakingly designed. The light from the arc reactor on his chest dimmed as he leaned closer, watching the process unfold.
"Come on... come on..." Tony whispered to himself.
For a few tense seconds, nothing happened. Then, with a blinding flash of light, the accelerator roared to life. A surge of energy crackled through the air, and Tony felt the rush of excitement he'd come to crave—the adrenaline, the thrill of creation.
And then, in the heart of the accelerator, it appeared—a bright, shimmering core of energy.
Tony stared at it, a slow smile spreading across his face. He had done it. He had rediscovered the element his father had once theorized but never completed.
"We've got it, JARVIS," Tony said, his voice filled with awe as he watched the new element stabilize before his eyes. "We've got it."
"Congratulations, sir," JARVIS replied. "It appears we have successfully synthesized a new element."
Tony stood back, his heart pounding with the thrill of success. This was just the beginning. With this new element powering his arc reactor, he wouldn't just save his life—he'd change the world. Again.
"Let's make history, JARVIS," Tony said, his voice brimming with confidence.
After synthesizing the new element his next step had been making an better arc reactor far more stronger and far more capable of handling the power of the new element it had taken him a hours but he had managed to done it with his previous experience and already know knowledge he had made the arc reactor far more powerful and stable this one could run his heart for 10 lives and still be running.
--x—x—x—
Pepper Potts pulled into Tony's driveway late that night, her mind still buzzing from the chaos of the day. The board had been relentless, bombarding her with questions about Tony's condition, the state of Stark Industries, and whether Tony was suffering from PTSD after his harrowing kidnapping. The media frenzy hadn't helped either—every outlet speculating on his health, on what this meant for the company, and of course, how much lower the stock could fall.
She sighed, her hands gripping the steering wheel. Her life had become an exhausting balancing act—keeping the company afloat, managing Tony's public image, and now, dealing with the aftermath of his return. As happy as she was to have him back, it was hard to forget the ripple effects his absence had caused. But Tony didn't seem to care about any of that. The moment he got back, he had holed himself up in his workshop, cutting himself off from the world and everyone in it—except her.
That thought brought a small smile to her lips. She was the only one allowed into his workshop, his sanctuary. It was the ultimate sign of trust, something that filled her with a strange warmth every time she entered the passcode he'd given her. Tony Stark wasn't one to let people in easily—physically or emotionally—but somehow, she had earned his trust. She only wished it made her worry less.
Tonight, she brought dinner, knowing his habit of forgetting to eat when he was wrapped up in his work. She wasn't exactly surprised by his obsessive behaviour—he was always like this when he was developing something new—but after what he'd been through, she couldn't shake the nagging fear that he was pushing himself too hard, too soon.
With a determined breath, she grabbed the food and made her way inside. As she descended into the workshop, the dim glow of holographic screens illuminated the space, casting long shadows across the tools and gadgets strewn about. It was a familiar sight, but no less impressive for it. Tony's genius was evident in every corner of the room, from the half-built machines to the complex designs floating above the workbenches.
But what Pepper hadn't expected to see was Tony lying on a surgical table—his shirt off and a gaping hole in his chest, wires and mechanical components spread across the table like some twisted version of a medical procedure.
"Oh my God, Tony!" she gasped, her heart leaping into her throat. The food forgotten, she rushed towards him, her pulse racing with panic. "What are you doing?! Why the hell is there a hole in your chest?"
Her voice came out sharper than intended, a mixture of worry and fear bubbling to the surface. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. Tony, lying there with an open cavity in his chest, fiddling with what looked like—was that a reactor? Her mind scrambled to make sense of the situation, but all she could focus on was the gaping wound right above his heart.
Tony looked up, ever so calm, as if he were simply tinkering with one of his toys. "Hey, Pep," he greeted her with a casual smile. "Don't freak out. I'll explain everything. But first, I could use a little help."
She stood there, her hands shaking slightly as she stared at him in disbelief. "Help? Tony, you're on a table with a hole in your chest. What on earth could you possibly need help with?"
He sighed, still far too relaxed for someone who appeared to be performing surgery on themselves. "Okay, look," he began, holding up the old arc reactor he had just pulled out of his chest. "This little thing here is what's been keeping me alive. But I'm upgrading it to a better model. Hit a bit of a snag, though."
Pepper blinked, her heart still racing as she tried to process what he was saying. "A... snag?" she echoed, her voice incredulous. "Tony, you have a hole in your chest! And you're talking about snags?"
"It's not as bad as it looks," Tony said with a dismissive wave of his hand, though the wires protruding from his chest begged to differ. "There's an exposed wire that's causing a short circuit. Nothing serious. I just need you to reach in and lift it out so I can swap this baby in." He motioned towards the new reactor sitting beside him, its glowing blue core far more advanced than the older version.
Pepper stared at him, her mouth open in shock. "What? You want me to... to put my hand in your chest?"
He chuckled at her reaction, though his usual bravado was tempered by the seriousness of the situation. "Yeah, it's not as bad as it sounds. Just think of it like that old game, Operation. Except, you know, don't let anything touch the sides."
Pepper shot him a withering glare. "This isn't a game, Tony! You nearly gave me a heart attack walking in here like this!" Her voice trembled slightly, betraying the fear she had felt the moment she saw him on that table.
Tony's smile softened a little, recognizing the distress in her voice. "I know, Pep. I'm sorry. But trust me, I've got this under control. I just need you to help me with this one thing, and then I'll explain everything. Please."
She took a deep breath, steadying herself. Tony was always so confident, so sure of himself, and even though this situation seemed insane to her, she knew him well enough to understand that he wouldn't ask her to do this if he didn't believe she could handle it.
"Fine," she said, exhaling sharply. "What do I need to do?
Tony gave her a reassuring nod. "Okay, there's a loose wire right under the socket. I need you to gently lift it out and hold it while I slide the new reactor in. That's it. Simple."
"Simple," she muttered to herself, rolling her eyes. But despite her nerves, she moved closer, positioning herself beside him.
As she reached into the socket, her hand trembling slightly, she winced. "Ugh... Tony, there's... there's pus in here. And it smells awful."
Tony actually had the gall to laugh at that, though it was cut short by a wince of pain as her fingers brushed something sensitive. "Yeah, well... that's part of the whole 'dying' thing. Not as glamorous as it sounds, huh?"
"Not even a little," she grumbled, trying to keep her focus. After what felt like an eternity, she managed to lift the wire free, holding it steady as Tony slid the new arc reactor into place.
"There we go," Tony said, his voice filled with satisfaction as the reactor clicked into place and lit up with a soft hum. He grinned up at her, his usual playful demeanour returning. "See? Piece of cake."
Pepper let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding and immediately punched him in the shoulder. "You idiot!"
Tony recoiled, clutching his shoulder dramatically. "Ow! What was that for?"
"For scaring the hell out of me!" Pepper snapped. "You have a hole in your chest, Tony! You could have died! And you're treating it like some kind of joke!"
Tony blinked, caught off guard by her outburst. "Pep, I—"
"No!" She interrupted, her eyes flashing with anger. "You don't get to brush this off like it's nothing! You almost gave me a heart attack, and I deserve to know what the hell is going on with you."
For a moment, Tony just stared at her, his bravado faltering in the face of her genuine concern. He sighed, his expression softening as he met her gaze. "You're right. I'm sorry, Pepper. I should've told you sooner. This... this reactor, it's what's keeping me alive. It's the only thing keeping the shrapnel from reaching my heart. But the old one was killing me. The palladium was poisoning my blood. That's why I had to upgrade it."
Pepper's eyes widened. "Poisoning your blood?" She repeated, her anger slowly giving way to worry. "Tony..."
"Hey, it's okay now," Tony said, giving her a small, reassuring smile. "The new reactor will fix everything. No more palladium, no more poison. I'm fine."
Pepper stared at him for a long moment, her heart still pounding from the fear that had gripped her earlier. Slowly, she sank down onto the stool beside him, shaking her head. "I can't believe you sometimes," she muttered, her voice softer now. "You're so reckless..."
Tony chuckled lightly, reaching out to take her hand. "Yeah, well... that's part of my charm, right?"
She rolled her eyes but couldn't help the small smile that tugged at her lips. "Charm, sure. But seriously, Tony, you have to stop doing this to yourself."
He nodded, his expression more serious now. "I know. I will. Promise."
Pepper squeezed his hand, feeling some of the tension finally begin to leave her body. "Good. Because I'm not going to let you get yourself killed. Not after everything you've been through."
Tony smiled at her, a genuine warmth in his eyes. "Thanks, Pep. I don't know what I'd do without you."
She smiled back, squeezing his hand again. "You'll never have to find out."
--x—x—x—
Pepper's heart was still racing as she sat next to Tony, trying to process what had just happened. The arc reactor was glowing softly in his chest now, but the image of him lying on that table, casually asking for help as though he wasn't one step away from death, still haunted her.
She had so many questions. The last thing she expected when she came here tonight was to find Tony Stark with a literal hole in his chest. She needed answers, and she needed them now.
After a moment of silence, she took a deep breath and looked at him, her brow furrowed with concern. "Tony," she started softly, "you need to tell me why you have... that thing in your chest in the first place. Why is there a hole where your heart should be?"
Tony hesitated, his eyes briefly flicking away from hers. He wasn't one to talk about his vulnerabilities, especially not after what he'd been through. But Pepper deserved to know the truth. If there was anyone he could confide in, it was her.
"Okay," he said quietly, sitting up a little straighter on the table, careful not to strain himself. "I guess it's time I tell you everything."
Pepper's breath caught in her throat as she waited for him to speak, her heart still pounding with residual fear.
"When I was in Afghanistan," Tony began, his voice low and serious, "after the ambush, I wasn't just captured. The explosion from one of my own weapons—it sent shrapnel into my chest. The pieces were too small and too close to my heart for the doctors to remove."
Pepper's eyes widened in horror, her hand instinctively moving towards her own chest as if she could feel his pain.
"They kept telling me that I was going to die," Tony continued. "That eventually, the shrapnel would pierce my heart and that would be it. Game over."
He paused, the memory of those dark days flickering behind his eyes. "But there was this guy... Yinsen. He was a doctor. He was also a prisoner like me. He saved my life. He built this," Tony tapped the new arc reactor in his chest, "this thing. It's basically a powerful electromagnet. It keeps the shrapnel from moving any closer to my heart."
Pepper's lips parted slightly as she took in the gravity of what he was saying. She had always known Tony was a genius, but this... this was beyond anything she could have imagined. The device in his chest wasn't just a piece of technology—it was the only thing keeping him alive.
"But that's not all," Tony said, leaning forward slightly. "I used the reactor to power something else—something that would help me escape."
Pepper's eyes were wide as she listened, her heart aching with a mixture of fear and admiration. She had heard rumors, of course, whispers in the media about what might have happened during Tony's captivity, but she had never pressed him for details. Now, hearing it from him directly, she could feel the weight of the trauma he had endured.
"I built a suit," Tony continued, his tone slightly more casual now as though he were simply recounting one of his many inventions. "Out of scrap metal and spare parts. It was crude, but it worked. I used it to break out of that hellhole."
Pepper shook her head, still trying to wrap her mind around everything. "You... built a suit? While you were a prisoner?"
Tony gave her a small, almost sheepish smile. "Yeah. Like I said, it wasn't pretty, but it did the job. And when I got home, I realized I could do more with it—make it better. That's what I've been working on ever since I got back."
Pepper stared at him, her emotions swirling inside her. "Tony... you've been through so much. I can't believe you never told me any of this."
Tony shrugged, his gaze falling to the floor for a moment. "I didn't want to worry you. Plus, you know me—I'm not great at talking about feelings and all that. But... you deserve to know. You've been there for me, and I trust you."
Pepper reached out and took his hand, her fingers squeezing his gently. "Thank you for telling me," she said softly. "But Tony, this arc reactor... it's not just some invention. It's keeping you alive. You can't keep pushing yourself like this. You have to take care of yourself."
Tony met her gaze, his expression softening as he nodded. "I know, Pep. Believe me, I know. That's why I had to upgrade the reactor. The old one was killing me—literally. The palladium in the core was poisoning my blood. But with this new one... things should be better. No more poison."
Pepper swallowed hard, the thought of him being poisoned by his own life-saving device sending a chill down her spine. "How long have you known?" she asked quietly.
"Since I got back," Tony admitted. "But I didn't want to worry anyone. I figured I could fix it on my own."
Pepper shook her head, her heart aching for him. "You don't have to do everything on your own, Tony. You have people who care about you. You have me."
Tony smiled at her, his eyes filled with gratitude. "I know. And I'm lucky to have you, Pep. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. But... I think I've learned my lesson."
Pepper squeezed his hand again, her heart swelling with emotion. "Good," she said softly. "Because I'm not going to let you go through something like this alone again. We're in this together."
Tony smiled at her, the warmth in his eyes reminding her of why she cared so much for him despite his reckless behaviour. "Together," he agreed.
For a moment, the two of them sat in silence, their hands still entwined. The tension that had gripped Pepper since she had walked into the workshop began to fade, replaced by a quiet sense of relief. Tony was still here. He was alive. And despite everything, they would figure it out—together.
週次パワーステータス
-- 推薦
ランキング 
-- 推薦
チケット