Tony replaced the palladium core in his arc reactor housing with the newly synthesized element. Once it was secured in place, the reactor stabilized instantly. A surge of clean blue energy pulsed outward from his chest, far steadier and more refined than the unstable palladium output.
Jarvis immediately ran a full diagnostic.
"Palladium toxicity levels decreasing rapidly. New element output exceeds previous core efficiency. No residual poisoning detected."
The darkened veins spreading from the reactor across Tony's chest and neck visibly faded. His breathing steadied. The metallic tremor in his fingers stopped.
Tony flexed his hand slowly.
"For the first time in months," he muttered, "I don't feel like I'm dying."
Karl nodded once.
"Good. Now we deal with the original problem."
Tony looked up. "The shrapnel."
"Yes. The electromagnet kept it from reaching your heart. You don't need it anymore."
Tony exhaled. "Alright. Let's finish it."
Karl added calmly, "Call Pepper. I'll handle everything at once. After that, we'll inject the super-gene serum."
Tony didn't hesitate.
"Jarvis, have Happy bring Pepper to the biotech lab."
By the time they arrived at the lab, Pepper and Happy were waiting outside the secured entrance.
Tony frowned. "Why aren't you inside?"
Pepper crossed her arms slightly. "We weren't allowed in."
Yinsen appeared behind the reinforced glass partition.
"Samuel blocked entry."
Happy looked irritated. "I tried to push past him."
"And?" Tony asked.
"He threw me. With his mind."
Tony's eyes narrowed.
They entered.
Samuel stood calmly inside the lab, organizing data screens.
"Boss," he greeted Karl.
Karl raised an eyebrow slightly.
"You awakened telekinesis?"
"Yes. It manifested during prolonged exposure to mutant genetic samples and stress-induced neural stimulation. I intended to report it, but you left in a hurry last time."
He showed no embarrassment.
Tony stepped forward.
"You denied entry to the CEO of Stark Industries."
Samuel replied evenly.
"This facility stores extremely sensitive biological materials. Access is restricted unless the boss personally authorizes it. That includes you, Mr. Stark."
Tony's jaw tightened.
Karl remained silent.
Samuel continued:
"This lab contains genetic samples from Charles Xavier, Erik Lehnsherr, Scott Summers, Jean Grey, Hank McCoy, Logan, Kitty Pryde, Sabretooth, Bobby Drake, Pyro… and Bruce Banner."
Tony paused.
"…You have Banner's blood?"
"Yes."
Tony remembered Harlem. He remembered Abomination. He remembered what unstable gamma and enhancement serum could create when combined recklessly.
"You're not planning to make another Blonsky, are you?" Tony asked carefully.
Samuel's gaze shifted to Karl.
Karl answered calmly.
"No. The super-gene serum is a controlled enhancement project. It is not a weaponization program."
He added plainly:
"I've already integrated a stabilized gamma derivative. My baseline physical strength now matches Hulk's restrained state — not rage escalation."
Tony stared at him.
"You injected yourself with gamma-based enhancement."
"Yes."
Pepper looked stunned.
Tony shook his head slowly.
"Of course you did."
Karl ignored the reaction.
"Enough. Tony, lie down."
Tony removed his shirt and positioned himself on the medical platform.
He looked at Karl. "What's the procedure?"
"I will use telekinesis to extract the shrapnel fragments embedded around your sternum and vascular tissue. Once they're removed, your chest cavity will be open temporarily."
Tony nodded slowly.
"And then?"
Karl took a small green bean from his system space and handed it to Tony.
"Keep this in your mouth. Do not swallow until I tell you. When you swallow it, it will restore your body completely — including the cavity in your chest."
Pepper immediately stepped forward.
"That's a bean."
Karl shrugged slightly. "Yes."
"That's not medical treatment."
Karl looked at her calmly.
"It will work."
Pepper shook her head firmly.
"I don't agree to this. You're talking about pulling metal out of his chest and fixing it with a bean."
Karl said nothing further and looked at Tony instead.
The choice was his.
If Tony refused, Karl would not force him. The item was rare and irreplaceable.
Tony looked between them.
He had built an arc reactor in a cave with scraps.
He had survived palladium poisoning.
He had just created a new element based on his father's hidden design.
He made his decision.
"Pepper, move aside, Karl, give me that bean, I choose treatment!"
Visit patreon.com/ShiroTL to gain access to 40+ chapters