Ultimate Iron Man

[Tony Stark's new facility in Malibu] [1 year later]

The large complex, sitting on a cliff with a view of the Pacific Ocean, looked like any other big facility, but with advanced securities. Officially under the Stark Industries banner, it was known as the Stark Research and Innovation Center (SRIC). Unofficially, Tony simply called it home.

Inside, the core of the facility was full of activity—not from people, but from machines. Robots buzzed and mechanical arms moved quickly, doing exact jobs controlled by a group of smart AIs. Hermes, Tony's main AI, managed the whole place, organizing every machine, task, and new invention. Tony turned Elena into a specialized medical AI. It assisted in his current obsession: liquid nanotechnology for medical applications and finding a way to get the tumor/Infinity Gem out of his head. And, of course, his loyal robotic helpers, Dum-E and U, lent their often comedic, if clumsy, support.

When Tony first arrived in Malibu, his vision was clear, but the path to achieving it required starting from scratch. He initially intended to hire the best minds in the world-renowned engineers, scientists, and visionaries. However, the more he considered the complexities of collaboration, the more he realized something crucial: he worked best alone. Collaboration could come later, when his foundation was unshakable.

The solution was automation. With Hermes at the helm, Tony focused on designing a small army of robots and automated manufacturing systems. These machines, precise and tireless, began constructing more machines, enabling an exponential growth in productivity. The facility soon boasted fully automated labs, workshops, and cleanrooms, all tailored to his specifications.

"Why deal with interns when I can build perfect ones?" Tony quipped to himself, watching one of his robotic arms assemble a complex circuit with meticulous precision.

His first major project was the development of liquid nanites... a concept that combined advanced materials science, robotics, and bioengineering. These nanites, if perfected, would be capable of cellular-level repairs, healing injuries, neutralizing toxins, and even enhancing human biology.

The process had been grueling, requiring breakthroughs in multiple disciplines.

Tony began by designing a nanoparticle chassis composed of a unique vibranium-alloy derivative he synthesized, capable of self-replication under controlled conditions. However, to achieve his goal, he needed an in-depth understanding of the human body... something that was outside his initial expertise. Not to mention the quantity of vibranium was very limited. He had to rope his dad into giving him the metal. So, he was in no position to waste such important material.

"So, you're telling me I need to become a doctor now?" He muttered after his initial research left him grappling with gaps in his knowledge.

His solution? Learn. Fast.

Thanks to the Infinity Gem embedded in his brain, Tony's intelligence operated on a level far beyond normal human capacity as usual. While most people spent over a decade earning MDs and PhDs, Tony devoured medical textbooks, streamed lectures, and conducted virtual surgeries within months. By the fourth month, he had amassed a knowledge base comparable to that of seasoned medical researchers.

Well, he wanted to get his license but it would require time and time is what he doesn't have. So, he simply began the nanites creation...

The development of the new variants of nanites wasn't easy.

Prototype Alpha: A disaster. The nanites successfully targeted and repaired synthetic tissue but caused severe inflammation when introduced into living organisms.

"Okay, maybe I shouldn't trust Elena's optimism. Back to the drawing board."

Prototype Beta: Marginally better. The nanites avoided immune rejection but failed to synchronize properly with nerve signals, rendering them ineffective for delicate repairs.

Tony sighed, muttering, "I need to teach these little guys teamwork."

Prototype Gamma: A breakthrough. By incorporating biomimetic algorithms into the nanites' programming, Tony achieved something extraordinary: the machines could adapt to their host's physiology, integrating seamlessly with natural healing processes.

The first successful trial on living tissue occurred late one night in the lab. A synthesized organ sample, riddled with artificial micro-tears, was healed flawlessly within minutes. Tony watched the data streaming across his holographic displays, a triumphant grin spreading across his face.

"That's it. That's the future," he whispered, leaning back in his chair.

Despite the breakthrough, Tony was acutely aware of the project's limitations. The nanites required massive computational power to operate in real-time, which made them impractical for widespread use—yet. Additionally, scaling production to a level where the technology could benefit millions presented logistical nightmares.

"There has to be a better solution."

A light bulb lit up in Tony's mind, and he started designing a specialized AI that could control and coordinate the nanites.

He called it "Legion."

The Legion AI, capable of directing trillions of nanites simultaneously... Well, it's still a work in progress.

Tony leaned back in his chair, the holographic blueprints of "Legion" still floating before him, in his lab. The AI's architecture was complex and far more advanced than Hermes or Elena. It needed to be—it was destined to manage not just trillions of nanites but also their seamless integration into the human body.

Yet, as he watched the simulations unfold, something gnawed at him. The computational demands of Legion were astronomical. Even with his most advanced servers and Hermes optimizing every process, it wasn't enough. And that meant one thing: power.

Real, unrelenting, near-limitless power.

Tony's gaze shifted to the far corner of the lab, where a stack of old blueprints sat collecting dust.

"It's time for the Arc Reactor."

The first step was updating the design. With the resources at Stark Research and Innovation Center, he quickly digitized the blueprints, overlaying modern schematics onto the old foundation. He tapped into Hermes to simulate the design in 3D, identifying weak points and areas for optimization.

The heart of the reactor was the challenge: a vibranium core. Vibranium's unique energy-absorbing properties made it the perfect material for stabilizing the reactor's immense energy output. But Tony had a limited supply. Convincing his father to part with even a fraction of the Stark family's vibranium reserves had been a diplomatic nightmare. "Borrowing" a little more for this project? Let's just say Howard didn't need to know—yet.

"Alright, you beautiful metal, don't let me down," He muttered, placing a piece of vibranium into a precision laser cutter. The core needed to be flawless—one imperfection and the reactor would fail catastrophically.

Tony didn't just want to build an Arc Reactor. He wanted to build the world's first miniaturized Arc Reactor. The version he envisioned could sit in the palm of his hand, a marvel of engineering capable of powering Legion and a dozen other projects he hadn't even conceived yet.

This required a deep dive into electromagnetism, particle physics, and quantum mechanics. Well, he got that part covered.

The biggest obstacle was heat dissipation. A device so compact running at such high energy levels threatened to melt itself—or worse, explode. Tony solved the issue by designing a multi-layer cooling system, utilizing nanofluidic channels that cycled liquid nitrogen around the core in microseconds.

After weeks of work, countless failed simulations, and a few sleepless nights, the reactor was finally ready for its first live test.

The lab was eerily silent as Tony placed the small, circular device into a containment chamber. Hermes chimed in. "Energy stabilization parameters set. System diagnostics green across the board."

"Thanks, Hermes. Now let's see if this baby sings," Tony replied, fingers hovering over the activation button.

With a deep breath, he pressed the button.

The Arc Reactor hummed to life. A soft blue glow emanated from the vibranium core, casting dancing shadows across the walls. The hum grew louder, steadier, as the reactor stabilized. Data scrolled across Tony's holographic display: Output stable at 20.2 gigajoules per second. No heat anomalies detected.

"Fuck yeah!" Tony grinned, a triumphant laugh escaping him. "I was aiming for 5.5-6, but 20.2... Damn! I'm genius."

With the Arc Reactor now operational, his mind buzzed with possibilities. This wasn't just a power source for Legion—it was a gateway to a new era of energy independence.

He envisioned cities powered by reactors the size of suitcases, cars that never needed refueling, and satellites capable of indefinite operation. And, of course, the reactor would make the perfect centerpiece for his Iron Man suit—a concept he hadn't touched yet but was growing more tempting by the day.

"One step at a time," Tony reminded himself, though his smirk betrayed the flood of ideas racing through his mind.

He leaned back in his chair, the glow of the Arc Reactor reflected in his eyes. His father had laid the groundwork, but he completed the vision.

With the Arc Reactor ready, Tony knew it was time to push the Legion AI and the nanites into their next phase. The power constraints that had limited their functionality were no longer an issue. The focus shifted to scalability and precision. However, the AI was still in the learning phase and would take a week or two.

"Sir. You've been working nonstop. How about you take a break?" Hermes suggested, concerned for his creator's mental health.

"You're right, Hermes," Tony stood up from his chair and stretched his arms, followed by a large yawn. "Well, time to get some fresh air. Put the security to Red Level. Capture if any unauthorized person trespasses. If the case of property harm or break-in, break their limbs and throw them in the containment chamber."

"Red Level, security level 12. Capture and lock-up protocols in place," Hermes acknowledged.

"Great. Be right back," Tony said, walking out of his lab.

He went to the bathroom and took a quick bath, then got dressed. Afterward, he took his wallet and keys, then walked out of the facility.

...

Tony walked down the winding path leading from the facility to the beach. The salty breeze whipped through his hair, carrying with it the rhythmic crash of the waves below. Malibu was a haven of calm, but Tony's mind buzzed with the afterglow of his latest triumph. The Arc Reactor was a game-changer, but now, he needed a reward for himself—junk food and a cold Coke sounded like perfection.

The beachside restaurant wasn't fancy. It was one of those casual joints with outdoor seating, a few surfboards propped up for decoration, and a large fish prop on display. The aroma of grilled burgers, fries, and fried seafood hung in the air, pulling Tony in like a tractor beam.

As he entered, the place was buzzing with chatter, the sound of plates clinking, and the occasional laughter of patrons enjoying the laid-back atmosphere. The place was packed up with one seat open.

A woman sat at the table, her back to him. Her auburn hair was tied back in a loose ponytail, a few strands escaping to frame her face. She wore a simple blue shirt and short jeans, but her posture gave her an air of quiet elegance. She looked tired, her shoulders slightly slouched as she flipped through a menu, occasionally glancing into her purse.

"Hey, is this seat taken?" he walked to her and asked casually, pointing to the chair next to her.

The woman turned, startled for a moment before her expression softened. Her green irises locked on his, 'Wow!' He noticed how beautiful the woman before her was and there was something different about her but couldn't put his finger on it and he became curious.

"Not at all," she said, her tone polite but tinged with weariness. She pushed her purse aside to make room.

He took the seat, gesturing to the bartender for a menu. "Rough day?" he asked, flashing a disarming smile. The waiter quickly came and handed him the menu.

She raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "You could say that. It's been one of those days where everything that can go wrong… does."

"Ah, the old Murphy's Law special," Tony said, leaning on the counter. "Let me guess. You dropped your phone, missed a deadline, and now you're debating whether fries or onion rings will make it better?"

The corner of her mouth twitched into a reluctant smile. "Close. It's more like figuring out if I can afford either."

Tony's smile faltered for a fraction of a second, quickly replaced by a look of genuine concern. "That bad, huh?" he asked, his voice softening.

The woman sighed, clearly debating whether to confide in this stranger. After a brief pause, she leaned back in her chair, running a hand through her hair. "Let's just say life's been throwing me curveballs left and right."

Tony rested his elbows on the counter, curiosity sparking in his eyes. "Care to share? I promise I'm a great listener. And who knows, I might even have a solution or two up my sleeve."

She snorted softly, shaking her head. "Doubt it, but sure, why not? I could use a vent." She took a sip of water from her glass before continuing. "I just graduated with a BBA. Landed what I thought was my dream job—decent pay, opportunities for growth, the work. But then my boss decided my resume wasn't the only thing he wanted to evaluate."

Tony's jaw tightened, but he said nothing, letting her continue.

"I turned him down, obviously," she said, her tone sharp with lingering anger. "But the guy wouldn't take no for an answer. Last night, he cornered me in his office. I warned him to back off, but he didn't listen."

"What happened?" Tony asked, leaning in slightly.

Her lips curved into a bitter smile. "Let's just say he's going to have a hard time breathing and walking for a while. I might've… busted his nose and nuts."

Tony couldn't help it, "Hahahaha." She glared at him. He raised his hands defensively. "Sorry, I'm not laughing at you. I'm laughing at the image of this creep getting what he deserves."

"Well, he did," she said, her tone softening slightly. "But it didn't end there. Security showed up, the cops were called, and guess who got arrested for assault? Yours truly."

"You're kidding." He closed the menu.

"Nope." She rubbed her temples, exhaustion evident in her movements. "I had to bribe my way out, and now I'm down to my last few bucks. Rent's due next week, and I've got no idea what I'm going to do."

Tony studied her for a moment, his mind working fast. This wasn't just anyone sitting next to him—this was someone with guts, someone who didn't back down when pushed. He admired that.

"You've had one hell of a week," he said, his tone sympathetic. "But hey, for what it's worth, I think you did the right thing."

She shrugged. "Doesn't feel like it right now."

"Ah! Look at us, talking without knowing each other's names," Tony remarked. He extended his hand toward her. "Tony Stark."

She shook his hand. "Natasha Romanoff."

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[Read over 15 advance chapters] [No double billing]

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