With money and connections, Tony soon had someone deliver all the materials they needed. "All right, we've got the materials and equipment we need. What do we do next?"
Iron Man was a practical genius with a knack for building things, so he couldn't help feeling eager to get started.
"First, let's install the particle accelerator..." Aeo thought it over. He'd only heard about this Kryptonian technology from Eiffel, and this was his first time actually working with it. "All right, all right. I'll do it!"
Watching Tony grunt and struggle, Aeo sighed helplessly. He easily lifted a heavy-duty steel energy conduit weighing several hundred pounds, looked it over, then kicked a hole in the west wall of Iron Man's home. After measuring it, the boy pushed the pipe through the opening.
"Next, install them one by one."
Tony shrugged. "J.A.R.V.I.S., suit me up!"
"Yes, sir."
For the next few days, the two of them made a racket as if they were tearing the house apart. After all that banging and clattering, they finally built a ring-shaped quantum collider.
"Now, connect the power." Compared to the scene in the movie where Iron Man made a new element, Aeo felt this setup was far more advanced than the one Tony had built himself. But in his previous life, he'd been a nobody, and he'd never even considered making a new element. He couldn't help taking a deep breath. "Tony, can your power supply handle it?"
Stark gazed, entranced, at the advanced quantum equipment before him. He froze for a moment before snapping out of it. "What? What did you say?... Oh, no problem. Because I make Iron Man suits, the power cables in my house connect directly to the state's nuclear power plant. Don't worry."
Aeo felt a little more reassured. After a pause, he looked at Tony, then at the equipment in front of them. "Why don't you do it?"
"Can I?" Iron Man asked excitedly.
Aeo shrugged. He only wanted to study the technology in depth; he didn't have to be the one to create a new element.
"If you want to."
Tony eagerly stepped up to the main control switch. Besides being a genius, a billionaire, and a playboy, he was also a scientist with an intense curiosity.
"Then I won't hold back! J.A.R.V.I.S., activate the power link and calculate the energy levels..."
"Yes, sir. Power connected. Calculations in progress..."
The two exchanged a glance. "Here we go."
With a soft hum, the machine started up. A blue laser shot out from the center and struck the material that would serve as the new element's substrate.
"Zzz."
At first, the material showed no reaction. But as the power increased...
"Sir, we're nearing maximum power..."
"Keep going, J.A.R.V.I.S.!" Iron Man shouted. Aeo watched the collider bombard the material tensely. He still couldn't analyze physical matter at the molecular or even atomic level.
"Zzz~~"
A brilliant light suddenly flared. Both of them relaxed.
"Congratulations, sir. You have created a new element!" the Smart Butler announced.
The laser shut off. Stark excitedly ran over to the glowing triangular Unk element and asked in a trembling voice, "Is this what we created? A new element?"
"For Earth, yes." Aeo was also overcome with a vague sense of loss at the sight, so similar to one from his previous life. It took him a moment to collect himself. "You can use it to replace the palladium in your arc reactor. Then you won't have to worry about dying from radiation poisoning..."
After a brief adjustment, J.A.R.V.I.S. also delivered good news to Stark. "Sir, this is indeed a clean, efficient energy source. It can replace the palladium with no problem and won't harm your body in the slightest. I must say, sir, you've come back from the brink."
"Thank you. I mean, Zod, thank you!" Even the billionaire, who had weathered countless storms, couldn't help sounding deeply moved.
"From now on, you're my friend!"
Aeo smiled.
"I hope so."
...,...
Meanwhile, at S.H.I.E.L.D.
"Sir, our surveillance picked up a sudden, massive power draw at Stark's home in Malibu. We suspect he's building something." Hill entered with a grave expression.
"Also, Entity X is there." She pointedly emphasized the last part.
Nick Fury's expression changed dramatically. "Let's go!"
Meanwhile, Stark was celebrating with the Son of Krypton, who had saved his life. "To thank you for saving my life, Zod, let's drink!"
"Come on, you're an alien. You're not afraid of Earth's alcohol, are you? Don't tell me you can't drink!"
Aeo looked helplessly at the superhero who kept getting carried away with himself and said irritably, "It's not that I can't drink. Our cells and nerves are simply too resilient. This little bit of alcohol has no effect on us! We have to drink a lot before we feel even slightly drunk, but then there's no point..."
Stark grew interested and looked him up and down curiously. "Is it because the alcohol content is too low? Hey, why not try industrial alcohol? That stuff is a hundred percent pure..."
Aeo rolled his eyes. "That's a terrible idea..."
"Okay, okay." Iron Man also realized it was a bad idea and hurriedly added, "I was just joking." After a pause, he said meaningfully, "Listen, I'm grateful for everything you've done for me, but..."
"I'm not going to destroy humanity!" Aeo snapped impatiently. "You humans are way too suspicious. I've already told you that I just need a platform to grow. Once I get what I want, I'll leave! By then, even if you beg me to stay, I might not!"
At last, Aeo revealed a little about what he wanted and why. As Iron Man stared at him in shock, Aeo rose to his feet. "Listen, Tony. I have a score to settle, but it has nothing to do with Earth or humanity. So don't worry, Iron Man!"
Stark hurried to his feet. "Don't get me wrong, Zod. I just..."
Seeing the guilt and evasiveness in Iron Man's eyes, Aeo sighed, feeling a sense of loss. "This isn't my home. I don't need you to remind me!"
"My home is far away in space..." Aeo's mind filled with memories from both his lives. "It's already been destroyed..."
Nick Fury and the others had just walked in. They were deeply shaken, and all stopped in their tracks, exchanging glances.
"..."
Aeo's dangerous gaze abruptly turned toward them. His tone was hostile. "What do you want this time?" The boy had known they were coming. He simply didn't care if they heard some things. After all, his plan was already underway...
Only then did Stark notice the intruders in his home. His expression darkened too. "Hey, this is my house. Do none of you knock? I have a security code. How did you get in?"
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