At first, Otto was confused about why Tony needed so much palladium. As an expert in nuclear physics, he had a basic understanding of missile structures, and from his perspective, the amount of palladium Tony was using was completely unnecessary for building a Jericho missile.
The kidnappers, being mostly uneducated, had no clue what Tony was actually doing. But Otto, watching closely, started to feel that something was off. The shape of the components Tony was crafting didn't resemble anything a missile required.
Then, Tony revealed the true purpose of the project, and Otto's eyes widened in shock.
It was just like the artificial sun he had been researching.
The key difference? Otto's method relied on thermonuclear reactions, while Tony's used cold nuclear fusion. But the principle was the same.
Decades of Otto's hard work—his dream of creating a stable energy source—had been replicated by Tony in a cave, using scraps.
He stared at the screen, dumbfounded.
When The Sky Screen had called Tony a genius inventor, Otto hadn't thought much of it. But now, the words felt almost insulting. If Tony Stark was just a genius, then what did that make Otto?
A complete idiot?
The realization hit him hard.
First-Gen Harry quickly picked up on Otto's distress. Thinking it might help, he called Otto directly and confirmed his suspicions. He could hear the frustration in Otto's voice—an emotion Otto rarely displayed. So, he decided to tell First-Gen Spider-Man, believing that only he could help lift Otto's spirits.
[Tony spread out a collection of blueprints on the table. "This is our way out of here."]
[Yinsen leaned in and examined the scattered pieces. From an initial glance, he couldn't make sense of it. "What is this?"]
["Look at it this way," Tony said, stacking the blueprints layer by layer. Under the light, a hidden image appeared—a full schematic of a mechanical suit.]
["Oh… Wow!" Yinsen gasped in admiration.]
[Meanwhile, the kidnappers continued their surveillance. The glowing reactor in Tony's chest was clearly visible on their monitors, but to them, it was nothing more than a crude magnet keeping him alive.]
[With the first stage of their plan complete, Tony felt a little more at ease. He even had time to sit back and talk with Yinsen, asking about his past.]
["Where are you from?"]
["A small town called Gulmira. It's a beautiful place," Yinsen answered.]
["Do you have a family?"]
["Yes. After I escape, I'll return to them. What about you?" Yinsen asked in return.]
[Tony hesitated, then replied, "No."]
["No…" Yinsen smiled, then sighed. "So, you have everything—and yet, you have nothing."]
"Having everything, but nothing…" Uncle Ben murmured, deep in thought.
"Honestly, it's a miracle Tony managed to fool the kidnappers for this long," First-Gen Connors said with a chuckle. "If that fool hadn't explained the reactor away as a magnet, Tony might've been caught already."
He then turned to his students, launching into an impromptu lesson on the possible scientific principles behind the Arc Reactor. Though he wasn't entirely certain, his ability to extrapolate theories was solid—especially after his recent conversation with Otto and First-Gen Spider-Man.
First-Gen Spider-Man had learned a lot from Otto's knowledge, though First-Gen Gwen had found the discussion a bit too complex to follow.
Rhodes, meanwhile, clapped Tony on the back with a grin. "You have us now. You're not alone anymore."
Tony smirked. "Yeah." But his tone was indifferent.
While they were all part of the Avengers, Tony still saw himself as separate—on a different level.
[In the shadows, Raza was watching surveillance footage of Tony testing the armor. He noticed how Tony's leg movements corresponded with the mechanical parts beside him. Something seemed… off.]
[Moments later, Raza stormed into Tony's workspace, flanked by members of the Ten Rings. The sound of their arrival made Tony pause his work. He and Yinsen instinctively raised their hands in surrender.]
[Raza grinned. "Relax."]
[Hearing this, both Tony and Yinsen cautiously lowered their hands. Raza stepped forward, studying the reactor in Tony's chest. He touched it curiously but didn't dwell on it. Clearly, he didn't understand its significance.]
["Bows and arrows were once the pinnacle of military technology," Raza mused. "Genghis Khan used them to sweep across Eurasia and conquer the world."]
[He paced around the workshop, inspecting the various components Tony had made. "His empire was five times the size of Alexander the Great's. Four times the size of the Roman Empire."]
[Then, looking at Tony's blueprints, he smirked. "But today, only those who possess Tony Stark's most advanced weapons can rule the world."]
[Tony tensed slightly, fearing that Raza might discover the suit's true purpose. Across from him, Yinsen discreetly raised his palm—a signal to stay calm and not reveal anything.]
[As expected, Raza failed to decipher the hidden design. He nodded to himself. "And that person… will be me."]
[Then, he turned sharply to Tony, his expression darkening. "Why have you disappointed me?"]
[Yinsen quickly stepped in. "We are working. Very hard."]
[Raza narrowed his eyes at him before stepping closer. "I let you live. And this is how you repay me?"]
["This process is complicated," Yinsen said firmly. "He's doing his best!"]
[Tony didn't understand their conversation, but he could tell the situation was escalating.]
["Make him kneel," Raza ordered. Without hesitation, two of his men forced Yinsen onto his knees. Raza let out a dry chuckle. "Do you take me for a fool? I'll be the judge of that."]
[Despite the danger, Yinsen remained defiant. "We are working!" he repeated, but Raza ignored him. Instead, he picked up a pair of pliers and grabbed a glowing-hot piece of coal.]
[Raza exhaled slowly, blowing gently on the burning ember. He turned to Yinsen with a menacing grin. "Open your mouth," he said coldly. "Do you really think I'm that easy to fool?"]
[Tony, watching closely, felt a sense of dread creeping in. "What is he doing?" he whispered.]
[Raza suddenly grabbed Yinsen's head, forcing it down onto the table. "Tell me the truth!" he snarled.]
["He's building a Jericho Missile for you!" Yinsen insisted, his voice unwavering. Even with a direct threat to his life, he refused to betray Tony's real plan.]
["Tell me the truth!" Raza barked again, this time switching to English.]
["He's building the Jericho Missile you wanted!"]
["Tell me the truth!" Raza roared.]
[Tony could see Yinsen was in real danger now. He took a step forward, speaking quickly, "What timeline are you expecting? I can—"]
[Before he could finish, Raza's men immediately raised their guns at him. Tony stopped and raised his hands in surrender.]
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