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But then Kai said, "Tony, don't celebrate too soon. My method only gives you temporary relief — it's going to come back unless you find a permanent solution."
Tony sighed. "Kai, I get it. But I've tried everything. Every element, every combination — nothing can replace palladium. I'm stuck with it. It's keeping me alive, but it's also killing me."
"You haven't tried everything," Kai said with a mysterious smile.
Tony frowned. "What do you mean?"
"There's another element — one your father left behind," Kai explained.
Tony's eyes widened. "Wait... my father?"
"Your dad left something for you — some guidance about a new element that can replace palladium. He entrusted it to S.H.I.E.L.D., the organization he helped found. Nick Fury will bring it to you in a few days."
Tony's excitement quickly turned into frustration. "A few days? I can't wait that long!"
Knowing Tony's impatience — and considering his worsening condition — Kai relented.
"In a few days," Kai explained, "Fury will bring a box from your father. Inside is a video, and instructions for finding the new element. Your dad cared about you more than you realize, but he wasn't great at expressing it. That's why he left you this message."
Tony's mind drifted back to memories of his father — moments he'd once ignored now felt different.
Kai added, "In that video, Howard reveals the element is hidden in the 3D model he created for the 1974 Stark Expo."
Hearing this, Tony immediately knew where to look.
Kai and Tony went to Stark Industries and retrieved the Expo model, a dusty piece Tony had kept in his office for years.
Back at the villa, Tony stared at the model, unsure where to start.
"Tony," Kai offered, "why not scan it?"
Tony snapped his fingers. "Exactly what I was thinking. Jarvis, scan it. I need an operational projection screen."
"Understood, sir," Jarvis replied.
A beam of light swept across the model, and a holographic version appeared before them.
"1974 Stark Industries Expo model scan completed," Jarvis announced.
Tony moved the projection to the center of the room for better visibility.
"How many buildings are there?" Tony asked.
"Including the Belgian waffle stand?" Jarvis quipped.
"I'm just asking. Show me."
Tony enlarged the model and focused on a central building. "What does this look like?"
"Like an atom, sir," Jarvis replied.
"Then the nucleus should be here," Tony muttered, pointing to the core of the structure.
Jarvis adjusted the projection, transforming the building into an atomic nucleus.
"Now," Tony said, "get rid of the walkways... the landscaping... the trees... the parking lots... everything except the pavilion framework. Build it like protons and neutrons."
Step by step, the digital model morphed into a detailed atomic structure.
Moments later, a new element appeared before them — glowing, complex, and unmistakably powerful.
Tony stared at it in awe. "You've been gone for twenty years... and you're still teaching me."
"The new element you discovered," Jarvis announced, "should be capable of replacing palladium."
Tony shrunk the model down and held it in his hand. "Thanks, Dad."
Then Jarvis added, "Unfortunately, there's no known way to synthesize this element."
Tony smirked, then glanced at Kai. "Well, in that case... it's time for a major renovation."
He grabbed a sledgehammer and marched upstairs.
"Tony," Kai called, "maybe you don't have to—"
Before Kai could finish, Tony took a swing and slammed the hammer into the wall.
"Tony," Kai said, "that's not what I meant."
Kai pulled out his wand, muttered a spell, and a perfectly cut square hole appeared in the wall.
Tony's next swing hit empty air, and he froze.
"You've gotta be kidding me," Tony muttered, staring at the sudden gap.
Kai stifled a laugh. "See? Faster and easier."
Tony rested the hammer on his shoulder, looked at Kai, and grinned. "You know... you'd make a great demolition expert."
Kai rolled his eyes. "So... do you still need my help?"
"Oh, absolutely," Tony grinned. "Come on — I've got plenty more walls for you to zap."
With Kai's magic and Tony's ingenuity, they quickly remodeled the basement, crafting a custom particle accelerator to synthesize the new element.
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