: Around the same time William came back through the Aether:
A blonde man with a slicked back hair style was walking through the refurbished Stark tower and walked up to a receptionist, "Excuse me ma'am but I have a meeting with one miss Pepper Potts, could you let her know I'm here?"
The receptionist glanced at the man and pressed a button notifying miss Potts that she had a visitor, "BEEEP!" the elevator next to the receptionist dinged and Tony Stark walked out surrounded by a group of older gentlemen, "Mr. Killian Miss Pots has confirmed your meeting, you may now enter the elevator, have a nice day!" she bowed lightly as Killian passed her to enter the elevator, "BEEEP!" the elevator opened after going to the third top floor and after walking through a series of lit hallways before coming upon a door labeled [CONFERENCE ROOM] and he opened the door.
The conference room was a sanctuary of modern design, sleek, minimalistic, with a panoramic view of the city stretching out beyond the tinted windows. Stark Industries had always prided itself on its aesthetic, and today, the room's atmosphere was electric with anticipation.
Pepper Potts adjusted the cuffs of her blazer, her practiced poise hiding the storm of thoughts running through her mind. A meeting with Aldrich Killian wasn't something she had expected to be on her agenda, but the invitation had been impossible to ignore.
Killian entered with an air of confidence that bordered on arrogance. His tailored suit fit him perfectly, and the faint scent of expensive cologne wafted into the room as he approached. His transformation was remarkable. Gone was the timid, awkward scientist Pepper vaguely remembered from years ago. This man was polished, charming, and undeniably self-assured.
"Miss Potts," Killian began, his smile a calculated blend of warmth and professionalism. "Thank you for taking the time to see me. I know how busy you must be managing Stark Industries."
Pepper extended a hand, which Killian clasped briefly. "Of course, Mr. Killian. Your invitation piqued my interest. I hear you've been working on something groundbreaking."
Killian's eyes gleamed with excitement, as though she had just given him the cue to launch into a well-rehearsed performance. "That's an understatement, I assure you," he said, motioning toward a holographic tablet he carried. "What I have here isn't just groundbreaking, it's the future."
He activated the tablet, and a three-dimensional projection sprang to life. It displayed a human brain overlaid with glowing neural pathways. The visualization was mesmerizing, the intricate network pulsing as if alive.
"This," Killian began, his voice dropping to an intimate tone, "is Extremis, a revolutionary advancement in human biology. Imagine a world where we're not limited by the frailty of our bodies, where we can repair ourselves at a cellular level, even enhance our abilities beyond natural limits."
Pepper leaned forward, studying the projection. Her analytical mind sifted through his words, searching for the implications. "It sounds ambitious. But projects like these often come with... risks."
Killian's smile didn't falter. If anything, it grew sharper. "Every innovation starts with risk, Miss Potts. But the potential benefits far outweigh them. Extremis could redefine what it means to be human. Think of the possibilities, curing disabilities, eliminating disease, even extending human life."
Pepper folded her arms, her gaze steady. "It's impressive, Killian, but Stark Industries doesn't invest in projects without fully understanding their ethical and practical implications. How does Extremis work?"
Killian hesitated for the briefest moment, a crack in his otherwise flawless presentation. He recovered quickly, leaning in conspiratorially. "Let's just say it rewrites the rules of biology. A complete cellular upgrade, customizable to an individual's needs."
Her skepticism deepened. "And the side effects?"
"Temporary," he said smoothly. "Every breakthrough has growing pains, but I can assure you, we've accounted for every variable. That's why I wanted to bring this to you—Stark Industries has the resources and vision to bring Extremis to its full potential."
Pepper felt a flicker of unease beneath his polished words. There was something too practiced, too perfect about his pitch.
"It's an intriguing concept," she said finally, her voice measured. "But we'd need to conduct our own evaluations. Transparency is non-negotiable."
Killian inclined his head, his smile unwavering. "Of course. I wouldn't expect anything less."
He straightened, the confident glint in his eyes never wavering. "I'll leave the proposal with you, Miss Potts. I have no doubt you'll see the vision. After all, isn't Stark Industries all about pushing boundaries?"
Pepper stood as Killian prepared to leave, extending her hand again. "Thank you, Mr. Killian. We'll be in touch."
As Killian exited the room, Pepper let out a quiet breath. The man was brilliant, no doubt, but there was something unnervingly magnetic about his presence. A hint of something darker beneath the surface of his charm.
For now, all she could do was trust her instincts, and hope she hadn't just invited trouble through the front door.
As Killian's footsteps faded into the distance, Pepper sat back in her chair, staring at the holographic tablet he'd left behind. The projection of Extremis flickered in the air, its intricate design mesmerizing yet unsettling.
A knock on the glass door broke her train of thought. Happy Hogan entered, his broad frame taking up most of the doorway.
"Everything okay, boss?" he asked, his tone casual but with an undercurrent of concern.
Pepper glanced at the tablet, then back at Happy. "I'm not sure. That was Aldrich Killian. He's working on something called Extremis. It's... promising, but there's something about it that doesn't sit right with me."
Happy's expression darkened. "Killian? That guy's trouble. I've seen his type before, smooth talker with a hidden agenda. You want me to look into him?"
Pepper nodded slowly. "Yes. Discreetly. I want to know who he's been working with, where his funding is coming from, and if there's anything he's not telling us."
Happy grinned. "You got it. I'll get my team on it."
As Happy left, Pepper couldn't shake the feeling that she had just stepped onto a minefield. Extremis wasn't just a scientific breakthrough, it was a weapon waiting to be unleashed.
Tony was in his lab tinkering with his latest attempt at harnessing the full application of the Katchin metal he was given, the things he could do with a single ingot of the material already surprised him, he looked at the armor he used during the battle for New York, "I was blasted well over a dozen times according to Jarvis!" he marveled at how the material seems to absorb energy while maintaining a stable state, but having so little of it he could only create a single prototype at a time.
[Jarvis - Mr Stark, you have a message from miss Pott's, should I send it to your personal tablet?]
Tony took a moment to listen to the message.
After the message finished playing Tony had a stern look on his face, "Jarvis send a message to Happy and have him find out about this Killian graves."
[Yes Mr. Stark.]
He was about to begin tinkering with his suit when he got a notification from S.H.I.E.L.D that William has returned and he seems to have brought some woman with him, "Hehehehe someone's got a girlfriend!"
Back at S.H.I.E.L.D HQ, William was in what appeared to be a gym where they could fabricate weights, the place was originally intended to test the strength limits for the Hulk, but it seemed a pointless endeavor as Hulk's strength scales directly with his anger and none of the staff were willing to piss off a Hulk.
William was standing in the center floor with his arms lifting a massive bar that was labeled as 5 tons with no effort whatsoever, he signals the machine to add weights on either side and two mechanical arms emerge from the walls each holding a massive yellow plate labeled 10 tons and slid them on both sides of the bar simultaneously.
The ground beneath William's feat developed foot shaped indents but there was still no struggle as William proceeded to begin squatting with bar with speeds that caused observers to begin sweating and finally after a hundred squats in what seemed like an instant William lifted the bar over his head, "Give me more, I didn't even feel it!" He stated with a stern look, after a few seconds a set of mechanical arms grabbed the yellow weights and retreated back into the walls before returning carrying a set of massive red plates, the plates were labeled 100 tons and with some strain the mechanical arms manage to slide the plates onto the bar, "CREAAK!" the dense metal bar strained to withstand the weight but held, although at an angle that would make a body builder nervous that it would snap but there he was holding it with one hand.
William's arm was mildly straining under the weight, his muscles bulged, and a few veins were becoming visible before he lightly dropped the massive, deformed bar onto the ground, "BOOOM!" the floor under the weight crumbled and sent a few pieces of concrete flying in every direction, Anissa who was standing in the corner sighed as a few pieces of concrete bounced off of her face and body, "While I know it won't hurt me, you could at least aim the other way!" she said as she looked down and noticed the series of holes in her outfit.
He gives her an apologetic look, "Sorry Nissa I'll be careful from now on!" he said not forgetting to steal a glance at her curves.
Anissa's face turns red when she saw that, "Shut up, get back to the weights!" she said with a steadily rising tone, William saluted the woman and walked back to the platform center as the machines around him reconfigured the settings to set up what appeared to be a giant boxed red forcefield, small metal critters began appearing and climbing onto William and began forming heavy metal clothing around his body as they linked together and formed a black metal weave.
William nods to the people in the control room and they begin pressing the correct sequence of buttons to activate the device, "Woooosh!" the device lit up and a pressure began to descend onto William causing him to feel a sudden strain as if gravity had increased!
William began with basic movements: stretches, push-ups, and squats. Each motion tested his limits as the nanobots adjusted the magnetic fields to simulate the increased weight. Sweat formed on his brow within minutes, but he welcomed the challenge.
"Increasing gravity by 0.5x every five minutes," the machine stated.
Anissa's voice crackled through the intercom. "You're at ten times Earth's gravity now. Should I prep the medbay?"
William grunted, throwing a flurry of punches. "Don't bother. I'm just getting started."
He activated a pair of custom-designed wristbands. The nanobots responded, forming dense magnetic weights around his arms and legs. The added resistance nearly drove him to his knees, but he fought through it, standing tall.
The machine's monotone voice continued announcing the escalating gravity levels: 12 times, 15 times, 20 times Earth's gravity. Each increase tested his limits, but William pushed through. His Saiyan blood demanded it. This was the essence of his lineage, to thrive in adversity, to grow stronger through relentless effort.
At 25 times Earth's gravity, William dropped into a series of explosive push-ups, his muscles trembling under the strain. Sweat poured down his face, pooling beneath him, but he didn't stop. Every motion was a testament to his willpower.
At 40 times gravity, the air felt like it was being squeezed out of the room. The walls creaked, the hum of the machine grew louder, and even the nanobots seemed to struggle to maintain the field. William moved to shadowboxing, his punches slower but still precise. Each strike felt like throwing a wrecking ball, his muscles screaming in protest.
It wasn't until 50 times Earth's gravity that he began to feel the true strain. His body felt impossibly heavy, every step a monumental effort. His breathing grew labored, and his vision blurred slightly. But rather than give in, he grinned, a feral, determined smile.
"Finally," he muttered through gritted teeth. "This is what I've been waiting for."
He launched into a grueling series of exercises: one-armed push-ups, weighted lunges, and core twists with a heavy sphere created by the nanobots. Each movement was a battle against the crushing weight pressing down on him. His muscles burned, his heart pounded, but his resolve was unshaken.
Anissa watched from the observation deck, her knuckles white as she gripped the railing. "He's insane," she muttered. "If he pushes any further..."
"He'll survive," she reassured herself, though her tone wavered. "He always does."
At 55 times Earth's gravity, William stepped onto a treadmill integrated into the platform. The nanobots adjusted the resistance, turning every step into a Herculean effort. He started at a slow walk, then a jog, and finally a sprint. Each impact of his feet against the belt sent shockwaves through his legs, but he didn't falter.
When the treadmill stopped, William collapsed onto the platform, his chest heaving. But even then, he wasn't finished. He pulled himself into a seated position and began meditating. The nanobots detected his stillness and created a field of resistance around him, forcing his muscles to work even as he sat motionless. His mind cleared, his breathing steadied, and he focused on the energy within him, letting it flow through his body.
Inside Williams mind he was looking at his power level, after he came back from planet Viltrum he had a power level of 22000 and now 30.800, "Small gains but it's a start!" he squeezed his hand and felt his new power as he did so, "This gives me an idea!" he said out loud which got Anissa's attention, she was about to ask him what he was on about when a red mist surrounded William and he seemed to blink out of existence, "What the..?" she was startled after seeing him disappear and flew down to the floor at speeds so fast she caused all the paperwork to go flying.
"What happened?!" she growled, a sudden burst of hormones sending her into a rage, she grabbed the discarded weight on the ground and began lifting with an angry struggle on her face, "EVERYONE OUT!" she roared between breaths as beads of sweat formed on her brow.
William appeared within his system space; he was astonished as he looked around, the once dark landscape was now lit up in a gentle red as a mass of red swirling and shifting energy was hovering in the center of the system space, thin tendrils of red mist extended from the sun and seemed to grab onto the surrounding landmasses which seemed to change form as the tendril passed through until a once basic rock of mostly iron content turned into a mass of tin before shifting into a metal that appeared to be vibranium and settling on copper as the tendril passed completely, moving in a sort of orbit around the red sun.
Back on the main landmass within the system William was holding out his hand with a look of strain on his face when a red mist began to emanate from his armor and with a snap a red pulse blasted out from his fingers, a large group of stones floating within the system space converged and collide, "BOOOOM!" the mass of exploding meteorites began superheating and suddenly a planet roughly the size of earth was floating listlessly as continents and water formed and soon a fully functioning planet was formed.
[System message - Congratulations you have formed a planet and completed a hidden quest "Planetary Architect!"]
[System message - Your actions have pleased a supreme being]
[System message - Reward dispensed - Creator's touch "Increases the chance of creating an ascendant work by 20%"
[Name your planet!]
William thought for a moment, "I guess I'll keep it simple."
[Planet name - Planet Gravitas]
When William names the planet "Planet Gravitas," the moment carries a deep significance, marking the creation of a place that will become the foundation of his growth. As he speaks the name, a cosmic event unfolds above the planet, signaling the beginning of something extraordinary.
A tear in space rips open above Planet Gravitas, creating a massive rift in reality itself. The void beyond is a vast, ethereal expanse—an otherworldly sight that transcends comprehension. From this tear, a massive golden finger extends down, reaching through the fabric of space and time itself. The finger, glowing with immense energy, touches the surface of the planet.
The moment the finger makes contact with the planet, a divine pulse surges through the very core of Planet Gravitas, initiating a profound transformation. The atmosphere shifts, the oceans ripple with newfound vitality, and the ground quakes with power as if the planet itself is awakening.
William stood still, feeling the power surge through him, through the planet. He felt as if he were both connected to the very essence of the world beneath him, and at the same time, infinitesimally small against the magnitude of the presence that had just touched him.
Then, a voice, not spoken but felt within the deepest recesses of his mind.
"This creation... is worthy."
The atmosphere shifted as the blessing took hold. The Supreme being's approval was absolute, and as the divine pulse settled, Planet Gravitas underwent a profound transformation. The air became thick with life force, the oceans rich with vitality, and the land hummed with potential. Everything felt infused with energy, as though the planet itself had been reborn.
William looked around, his mind racing to comprehend the magnitude of what had just occurred. As the reality of the situation sank in, he realized that this blessing was not just about the planet—no, it was about him. This was not simply a place to train; this was a living testament to his power and potential. A reflection of his journey and a foundation for what was yet to come.
And then, the gifts began to manifest.
Divine Vitality – Sustaining Life
The planet had been blessed with the power to sustain life in a way that defied natural law. Its ecosystems flourished, its flora grew in abundance, and its fauna thrived without restraint. Plants with medicinal properties sprouted from the ground, and the land teemed with life, every inch of the world felt alive with energy.
William realized that this wasn't just a world for him to dominate, it was a world for him to nurture. His thoughts on the future of this place and its role in his journey were not solely about control but also about responsibility. The blessing provided an environment where life would flourish, allowing him to grow in tandem with the world he had created.
The Path of Creation – Manifestation of Thought
As he stood in the heart of the new world, William felt an immense pull within himself. A surge of power coursed through his veins, and before he even willed it, the land shifted. The mountains trembled, and a valley carved itself into the landscape. He could feel the energy of the planet responding to his desires, each thought a command, each breath a creation.
"Create," he whispered, and the planet responded. Landmasses rose from the ocean, rivers cut through the earth, and vast fields bloomed with strange, glowing plants. The sheer possibility of creation overwhelmed him, but with a careful focus, he began shaping the planet in his image, each change an extension of his will.
As his mastery grew, so would his ability to shape the world, to make it a place of challenge, beauty, and power.
Eternal Flow of Energy – Cosmic Currents Reinforcing Gravitas
The cosmic currents infusing the planet serve a passive role in reinforcing its very structure and vitality. These divine energies constantly flow through the core and surface of Planet Gravitas, ensuring that the planet becomes increasingly indestructible. The planetary composition is naturally reinforced, making it nearly impervious to external damage, be it through meteor strikes, natural disasters, or magical forces.
These cosmic currents also imbue the land with self-healing properties, where any physical or metaphysical damage is rapidly restored. The planet's durability increases over time, becoming ever more resilient and difficult to harm, ensuring that no destructive force can threaten its existence.
Infinite Fertility – Self-Sustaining Ecosystem
The divine blessing that sustains life also manifests as an infinitely fertile environment. The planet's ecosystems are in perfect balance, with abundant resources that regenerate automatically. The flora grows in endless cycles, replenishing itself without any external intervention, and the fauna thrives, living harmoniously within the boundaries of nature.
This self-sustaining cycle ensures that no resource ever depletes, and no aspect of the ecosystem ever collapses. As a result, life can flourish endlessly, creating a stable foundation for any future civilizations, ecosystems, or beings that might come to call Gravitas home. The planet continuously provides what is needed to support life, with every cycle of growth amplifying the planet's inherent vitality.
Unyielding Stability – Harmonic Resonance
Planet Gravitas exudes an aura of harmonic resonance, where every part of the planet operates in perfect synchrony with the universe around it. This resonance creates an environment that is inherently stable, with gravitational forces and energy patterns that never fluctuate beyond a certain threshold.
This constant stability enhances the planet's natural equilibrium, preventing any chaotic fluctuations in the atmosphere or gravitational anomalies. Whether it's weather patterns, gravity, or time, everything flows with a gentle, undisturbed rhythm, fostering an ideal environment for growth, training, and peaceful existence.
The Living Force – Vital Energy Field
A living energy field envelops the planet, extending its influence far beyond the surface. This energy field radiates a constant life force, which nourishes the planet and all life forms within its borders.
This field also has a profound effect on anyone who trains on the planet. Those who draw from it will experience a natural boost to their ki control, strength, and spiritual growth. Even those who meditate within this energy field will find themselves naturally aligned with the cosmic forces, receiving clarity of mind and heightened focus.
Planetary Mind – Subconscious Awareness
The planet itself is imbued with a subconscious awareness—a living intelligence that can sense the intentions, emotions, and desires of any being present on Gravitas. While this intelligence does not directly interfere with the actions of those on the planet, it subtly guides the environment, ensuring that it remains in balance.
For William, this planetary mind provides an intuitive connection, allowing him to communicate with the very essence of Gravitas. The planet can offer him insights, guide him during moments of doubt, and even create changes in the environment that align with his subconscious desires. It functions as a powerful source of intuition, helping William refine his decisions and grow his understanding of the universe.
Divine reservoir - Dragon well
Any sentient beings born on Planet Gravitas will subconsciously provide the well with Divine Ki "user is currently unable to sustain divine ki within his body so the well will substitute until you reach the critical threshold!"
the massive golden finger retracted back through the tear in space which promptly sealed shut with an audible, "SNAP!" and the pressure suddenly stopped assaulting William allowing him to stand and behold the newly blessed planet in the distance.
"WOW!" he said excitedly his aura flaring!
He immediately flew to the planet in the distance his speed causing a corona of fire to form around him as he pierced the atmosphere and landed with a solid, "Whoosh!" the ground cracked around his footsteps as he landed before the cracks began to seal up becoming even sturdier than before.
"So, it's true hehehe!"
Having an entire planet that could survive his training would be immensely helpful and not to mention a planet that follows his orders, "Snap" he snapped his fingers, and the landscape began to liquify and change forming a large metal training platform once it was complete he stepped onto the platform and moved to the center and with a maddened look in his eyes he roared, "LETS FUCKING DO THIS!" he willed the gravity around him to begin increasing starting at 10x earth gravity, he began a warmup by jumping up and down and ran around the large platform with such speed that he became a near solid blur!
the gravity increased to 20x and he began throwing fast punches that were so powerful that the force created shockwaves that momentarily fought the gravity before dissipating, he threw a kick that carved a canyon through the platform and sent a large chunk of metal into orbit leaving a chunk of the platform missing before the damaged area liquified and reformed into a solid piece with increased strength and density.
"Double it every time!" he stated before he willed his outfit to become five thousand pounds.
Gravity shifts, and William instantly feels the weight of the world pressing down on him, 40 times Earth's gravity. He begins with basic standing punches, his body sinking deeper with every jab. His fists move slower under the intense pull, but the force behind each punch builds. Sweat drips from his brow as his muscles strain under the pressure. His feet sink into the floor slightly, but he maintains his balance and form. He alternates with high kicks, the effort causing his legs to shake as they struggle to break free from the immense weight. His kicks grow heavier with each movement, but his will to improve refuses to yield.
Without missing a beat, the gravity increases again, ramping up to 100x Earth's pull. His stance falters for a moment, but he steadies himself. Now, his punches feel like they're striking through solid rock. He delivers each blow with determination, but his movements are slower, more deliberate. His arms feel heavy, and his legs are starting to tremble. Each high kick now feels like an effort to lift a boulder, but he pushes through, channeling every ounce of strength he has. As his feet slam into the floor, cracks form in the ground beneath him, the sheer weight of gravity causing ripples in reality.
At 200x Earth gravity, William's body is forced into a crouch, his knees barely able to keep him upright. Every punch he throws causes his muscles to tighten to their limits. His form is flawless but strained. Each jab feels like a mountain, and each kick feels like he's trying to push through an entire continent. His core shakes with the effort, but there's a fire in his eyes. His movements are slower, but each punch, each kick is more powerful than the last. The chamber vibrates with the force of his blows, but William does not stop. His breath comes in heavy gasps, but he forces himself to continue, each movement feeling like an impossibility.
300x Earth gravity. William's body is crushed beneath the force. His legs are almost buckling, his fists feel like they're moving through tar, but he doesn't give up. The pain is overwhelming, but his aura begins to flare, a golden light flickering around him. His punches now crack the air with each strike, the weight of the gravity pulling at him with everything it has. His high kicks are almost impossible to execute, but he digs deep into his soul, using his own power to force his legs to lift.
Suddenly, a burst of light explodes around him, and his golden aura ignites in full force. His hair glows bright, his eyes burning with fierce energy. The Reality Stone shines like a star, amplifying his power to unimaginable levels. His muscles bulge and ripple as he forces his body into an unprecedented state of power. His breathing is ragged, but he has transformed!
With a roar of energy, William unleashes an unstoppable barrage of punches and kicks, each one breaking the laws of physics as they ripple through the very fabric of the chamber. The force of his blows sends shockwaves through the air, and the chamber itself cracks under the pressure. Gravity becomes irrelevant as his golden aura continues to surge, lifting him higher and higher above its crushing weight.
The gravity intensifies once again, this time skyrocketing to a staggering 600 times that of Earth's pull. William's entire body buckles immediately, as if an invisible mountain has been dropped on top of him. His feet sink into the ground, struggling to maintain balance. His knees bend awkwardly under the pressure, and his posture crumbles, his once unshakable form now barely able to hold itself up.
Each punch he attempts feels like it's being dragged back into the earth before it even leaves his fists. His arms feel like they're tied to boulders, unable to move freely. Sweat pours down his face, stinging his eyes as he tries to force his body to obey his will. His legs shake uncontrollably, unable to lift even an inch of his own weight.
He struggles with high kicks, his legs trembling violently, each one slower than the last, and his feet feel like they're being pulled downward by the force of gravity. He lets out a strained grunt with every movement, his body screaming for release from the crushing pressure. The ground beneath him cracks from the sheer weight, but he continues to push, his breathing heavy and ragged, every breath like an impossible task.
As the weight of gravity presses down, he slumps to his knees. His hands dig into the floor as if he's trying to claw his way out of a pit. He punches the ground in frustration, but the impact is weak, barely a thud against the solid earth beneath him. His golden aura flickers, then sputters, like a candle in the wind. His muscles are at their breaking point.
His heart races as the gravity relentlessly pulls him deeper into the ground. Every fiber of his being is screaming in agony, every movement becoming a Herculean effort. His eyes glow briefly, but the light dims as he can no longer summon the strength to continue.
Finally, with a guttural cry, he falls to the ground, unable to push further. His body is limp, his aura flickering weakly, and the Reality Stone in his hand dims as well. He lies there, utterly drained, his body broken under the weight of 600x gravity. For the first time, he's unable to rise, unable to fight through the overwhelming force.
[System safety measure activated] the gravity around him turned off and he could breathe again, "HOLY SHIT!" he said with a gasp as he lied there his muscles bulged to the maximum and utterly spent, he was mentally scrolling through his system inventory and found a single senzu bean, "I wish these things tasted better." he crunched into the bean and felt the rejuvenating energy course through his veins and recover his damaged body.
He was still looking at the inventory when he stumbled upon a new item that he didnt see before, "Viltrumite smart atoms!"
System (soft, neutral voice): "Viltrumite Smart Atoms detected. Consuming this item will merge Saiyan and Viltrumite genetics, granting you the enhanced abilities of both species. The process will be painful as it rewrites your body's structure."
William grips the vial tightly, his fingers trembling with anticipation and exhaustion. The last ounce of his strength fuels his determination as he uncorks the vial and drinks the liquid. As soon as the Smart Atoms enter his system, the agony begins.