Chapter 82

"Prove it?"

Ethan had anticipated this question. Gesturing to Tony to remain calm, he slowly retrieved a small glass test tube from his shirt, its contents a shimmering green liquid.

"You should know how to test this," Ethan said, holding it out.

Tony took the test tube without hesitation and began walking toward his lab. Halfway there, he stopped and turned, motioning for Ethan to follow.

"You can come too," Tony said casually.

Ethan blinked in surprise. Being invited into Tony's private laboratory was unexpected. From what he knew, only Tony's closest confidants had access to this space, and strangers? They wouldn't even get past the front door.

"Oh, what an honor," Ethan remarked, masking his surprise with light sarcasm.

He was undeniably curious about the lab where Iron Man's iconic technology was created. However, given the tense atmosphere, Ethan understood it would take more than this small gesture to bridge the gap between them. He needed to prove himself.

"You handed over that vial pretty confidently," Tony noted as they descended the stairs into the lab. "Even if it doesn't work, I imagine you'd have something else up your sleeve, something I might be interested in."

Ethan immediately understood Tony's line of thinking. Stark wasn't just testing the cure; he was evaluating Ethan's potential. To Tony, Ethan's mysterious abilities and unconventional methods hinted at undiscovered technologies. Whether the cure worked or not, Stark saw an opportunity, a way to secure new innovations for Stark Industries, ensuring its survival and growth even in his absence.

Tony's motivations, Ethan realized, weren't purely personal. For all his arrogance and flair, Stark genuinely cared about the company his father built and what it represented. It wasn't just a business; it was a legacy.

Ethan decided not to explain himself just yet. He'd let his actions speak for themselves. Once he proved his ability to resolve Tony's palladium poisoning, any misunderstandings would naturally dissolve.

Inside the lab, Ethan took a moment to absorb his surroundings. Advanced equipment was arranged meticulously, the atmosphere humming with the faint sounds of machinery at work. This was the birthplace of Iron Man's armor, a space filled with innovation and genius. Still, Ethan quickly refocused as Tony approached one of the many consoles.

"Jarvis, analyze the substance," Tony instructed.

A calm, British-accented voice responded, "Scanning now, sir."

Ethan leaned against a nearby counter, arms crossed, as he waited. Tony glanced at him, clearly curious but unwilling to show it. Moments later, Jarvis delivered the results.

"The liquid contains numerous plant-based compounds, many of which do not match any known terrestrial species. Additionally, the sample contains traces of an unknown energy signature."

Tony raised an eyebrow. "Unknown energy?" That was rare. Jarvis's database was extensive, containing information on virtually every scientific field. For something to stump Jarvis was no small feat.

He turned his gaze to Ethan. "Mind explaining that?"

"It's simple," Ethan replied nonchalantly. "I used materials that aren't from this world."

The statement was true, but Tony clearly thought it was a cover for something more mundane. He dismissed Ethan's words as an excuse to avoid sharing trade secrets. Nevertheless, his curiosity was piqued.

Tony proceeded with further testing, using a sample of his own blood to gauge the antidote's effectiveness. Under Jarvis's analysis, the results were undeniable: the green liquid successfully neutralized the palladium toxins.

"It works," Jarvis confirmed. "An estimated 500 milliliters of this solution would be required to completely eliminate the toxins from Mr. Stark's body."

Tony stared at the test results in silence for a moment. Finally, he set the test tube down on the table, exhaled deeply, and turned back toward Ethan.

Raising his hand, Tony moved to clap Ethan on the shoulder but paused when he remembered he was still wearing his armor. "Right, forgot about this."

Tony walked over to a nearby station and began removing his suit. Once he was free of the armor, he approached Ethan again, extending a hand.

"Tony Stark. And I mean the real introduction this time."

Ethan accepted the handshake, amused. "Ethan. Just Ethan."

Tony's eyebrow quirked. "Just Ethan? No last name?"

"Think of it as a stylistic choice," Ethan replied with a shrug.

"Fair enough." Tony grinned briefly, though his mind was clearly racing with questions. "Alright, Ethan, let's cut to the chase. What's your price? How much for this miracle cure?"

Ethan smiled faintly and gestured to the test tube. "Mr. Stark, I didn't come here to sell you this potion. That's not the deal I'm here to make."

Tony's curiosity deepened, though a flicker of suspicion crossed his face. "So if you're not selling the cure, then what exactly are you offering?"

Ethan leaned back, his expression calm and composed. "A collaboration. Something far more valuable than a single vial of medicine."

"Oh?" Tony tilted his head, studying Ethan carefully. The confidence on the young man's face was evident, as if he had already calculated everything. "So, you're saying you're here to discuss something else with me? Space teleportation technology, maybe?"

"It's not a technology, Mr. Stark," Ethan replied calmly. "Do you really think it's safe to rely on this medicine to repeatedly cleanse the toxins in your body? Don't forget, the human body can develop resistance."

Tony frowned slightly but didn't interrupt. Ethan's point was valid—over time, even antidotes could lose their efficacy as the body adapted. If that happened, Tony would have to continually improve the antidote or resort to other methods to address the palladium poisoning from the Arc Reactor.

As a genius scientist, Tony had, of course, considered this possibility. He'd thought that purchasing the antidote formula would allow him to perfect it himself, giving him a temporary solution. Still, deep down, he knew that as long as the reactor remained in his chest, the problem would persist.

"So," Tony asked, crossing his arms, "what's your suggestion, Ethan?"

"I recommend completely removing the device from your chest."

Tony scoffed, rolling his eyes. "You think I haven't considered that? I've consulted countless experts, and the surgery to remove it is risky at best. The success rate is abysmal."

He paused, his expression growing serious. "Maybe when the day comes where I have no choice, I'll take that gamble. But until then…"

Ethan cut him off, his tone steady but firm. "What I'm saying, Mr. Stark, is that I'm confident I can eliminate the danger entirely. Once that's done, there's no reason for the reactor to remain in your chest."

That got Tony's attention. He tilted his head, the doubt in his expression slowly replaced by cautious curiosity. "Oh? And how exactly do you plan to do that? Some new medical technology?"

Ethan couldn't help but smirk at the assumption. It was classic Tony Stark, always thinking in terms of innovation and science. To him, any problem could be solved with the right invention.

"No," Ethan replied simply, his gaze steady. "It's not technology."

Tony frowned, the gears in his mind turning. "Then what is it?"

Ethan straightened and took a small step closer, as if preparing for a dramatic reveal. "It's magic."

Tony froze. For a full two seconds, his expression didn't change, as if his brain needed extra time to process what he'd just heard. Then, he raised an eyebrow, his voice filled with skepticism. "Sorry, I must not have heard you correctly. What did you just say?"

"Magic," Ethan repeated, spreading his hands.

As Tony's doubt deepened, Ethan raised one hand, palm open, and focused. Slowly, the air around him grew denser, faint traces of water vapor condensing into visibility. Within seconds, a single drop of water formed in the center of his palm. Under Tony's wide-eyed gaze, the drop expanded, coalescing into a perfectly spherical water ball.

The water ball floated gently above Ethan's palm, glimmering under the laboratory lights as it rotated slowly.

"Check this," Ethan said calmly, motioning toward the water ball. "And run a scan on my mental state while you're at it."

Tony's instinct was to dismiss what he was seeing as some sort of trick. Hypnosis? Hallucinations? His naturally skeptical mind raced through the possibilities. But before he could voice his doubts, Jarvis's voice cut through the silence.

"Sir, your mental state is stable. No external interference or energy fluctuations have been detected. Additionally, the water ball consists of condensed water molecules gathered from the surrounding air."

Tony blinked, his mouth opening slightly before closing again. If there was one thing he trusted implicitly, it was Jarvis. And Jarvis's analysis left no room for doubt, what he was witnessing wasn't a trick or illusion. Ethan had truly manipulated the water molecules to form the sphere.

Ethan smiled faintly and guided the water ball through the air with a subtle motion of his hand. The sphere floated into a nearby empty glass, splashing lightly as it settled. Ethan set the glass on the table, the faint sound of water stilling breaking the stunned silence in the room.

Tony stared at the glass, then at Ethan. For once, the ever-confident Iron Man was at a loss for words.

"Mr. Stark," Ethan said, his tone calm but firm, "don't panic, and don't overthink it. There are more secrets in this world than you can imagine."

***

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