Chapter 70: Microbots

[Third Person's PoV] 

Down in the lab, Tony and his father, Howard Stark, were surrounded by cutting-edge technology and the hum of machinery. Meanwhile, upstairs, Melissa entertained Tony's mother, Maria, and her father.

Tony held up a vial filled with a bright red liquid. "This is what I wanted to show you. I call it the Super Soldier Serum, or SSS for short. It enhances everything about a person, and when I say everything, I mean it. It even affects the metaphysical—if you're good, it makes you better; if you're bad, well, it makes you worse."

Howard eyed the vial thoughtfully. "I see... that explains why you and Melissa look a bit different. I knew you two were experimenting with something, but I didn't realize it was this."

Tony looked at his father with mild surprise. "You knew I was experimenting? And you just let me?"

Howard chuckled. "Believe it or not, I have this unnatural confidence in you. It's like you can create anything you imagine with that brilliant mind of yours. I wasn't really worried. And if you did mess up, I was sure you'd come up with something else to fix it. That's why I don't really worry about you."

Tony hesitated for a moment before responding, "Uh, thanks… Anyway, if you inject yourself with this, it'll also boost your quirk, removing any limitations you might have had before. And physically, you'll be able to lift up to a ton."

Howard raised an eyebrow, impressed. "You really are something else. Now I see why you're hesitant about Maria taking this before the baby is born. Better to be safe and stick to the suits for now."

Tony nodded in agreement. "Exactly. So, take a look around the lab and pick any suit you think is best."

Howard's gaze drifted over the suits before one caught his eye—a suit painted in the colors of the American flag. "The one that grabs my attention is this bright one with the American flag… Why?"

Tony grinned. "Ah, you're talking about Mark 19: The Iron Patriot. It has another name if 'Iron Patriot' isn't up to your taste."

Howard looked intrigued. "Oh? And what's that?"

"The War Machine," Tony replied, his tone serious. "The suit is made for literal wars."

Howard nodded appreciatively. "Interesting... And what's the deal with the shield?"

"It's made from synthesized Vibranium. It absorbs impacts incredibly efficiently. The only way to damage it is with the same material or something stronger, which is pretty hard to come by even in our society. Friday, show my dad a demonstration video of the suits and their capabilities," Tony ordered.

On the casing of each suit of armor, realistic animations began to play, showcasing the suits' capabilities, weaknesses, and what they were vulnerable to.

Howard glanced at Tony, puzzled. "Did you seriously make animations for these? Why?"

Tony shrugged. "What? Of course not. I had Friday make them. I was tired of seeing the same old hero-centric anime, so I had her create animations for the suits. Now, when I get bored, she makes me anime to watch."

Howard stared at Tony with a straight face. "I sometimes forget your childish tendencies."

Tony scoffed. "You're just upset you can't be as creative as me with the things you make, old man."

Howard shook his head with a smile. "Really? Throwing my limitations in my face? Low blow, Tony. Low blow."

As Howard began examining the suits more closely, Friday's voice interrupted them. "Boss, your newest creation is now finished. You can test it out whenever."

"Finally! I was getting tired of waiting for it," Tony groaned, moving toward the door. He noticed his father following him and stopped, giving Howard a curious look. "What are you doing? Shouldn't you be checking out which suit you want?"

Howard smiled and shook his head. "That can wait. I'm always interested in what you create. So, what are we waiting for? Let's go!"

Tony rolled his eyes but led the way. As they walked, Friday's voice came through once more. "Boss, there's one more piece of news I need to share. It appears your classmate, Tenya Iida, had a family emergency. His brother is currently hospitalized due to an attack by the Hero Killer, Stain, who's been making the news recently."

Tony's expression hardened. "Put in a transfer to one of our hospitals with the best doctor we have. Keep it anonymous."

"On it, boss," Friday confirmed.

Howard didn't say anything, but he smiled at Tony's response as they entered a room filled with neatly stacked boxes. On top of one of the boxes was a metal headband.

Howard pointed at it. "So, what's this creation?"

Tony grinned. "Let me tell you how it came to be. During the two weeks it took to build that jet, I found it was taking too long—especially after the first week. So, I made this while working on the jet. It helps me make things faster."

He picked up the metal band and placed it on his head. "Friday, how fast are the response times on this neural transmitter?" he asked, his smugness evident.

"0.01 milliseconds, boss," Friday responded, matching his tone.

The boxes began to tremble before bursting open, releasing a river of tiny red and gold microrobots.

"I call them Microbots," Tony announced, presenting them with a flourish. 

As Tony demonstrated his microbots, they began to shift and morph into various shapes, seamlessly responding to his thoughts. "I can form them into any shape I want with just a thought," Tony explained, his voice filled with enthusiasm.

The microbots quickly assembled into a detailed image of Melissa's face, which then transitioned into a hand that waved cheerfully at them. With a simple beckoning motion from Tony, the microbots gathered at his feet and began lifting him off the ground, effortlessly carrying him around the room.

As they moved toward Howard, one of the microbots detached from the group and was handed to him. Howard examined it closely, watching as the tiny machine squirmed, trying to escape and rejoin the others.

"They're bound together by an electromagnetic connector," Tony said, observing as Howard released the microbot, allowing it to rejoin its counterparts.

Howard let out an impressed whistle, his eyes narrowing with a thoughtful smirk. "How long did it take you to build that jet you made?" he asked, curiosity piqued.

"Two weeks," Tony replied, effortlessly transforming the microbots into a surfboard beneath his feet, while the others formed large, undulating waves around him.

"And how long would it take you now, with those?" Howard pressed.

"Close to an hour," Tony answered confidently, snapping his fingers as the microbots reformed into different shapes.

"And the suits?" Howard continued, his interest deepening.

"A few minutes," Tony said, a wide grin spreading across his face as he began to cackle with glee. "With these at my disposal, I'll be a technological god! Hahahahahaha!"

Tony then shot his hand forward, and the microbots instantly transformed into chains, wrapping themselves around Howard before collapsing and retreating back to Tony. 

"Though, it depends on who's controlling the neural transmitter," Tony continued, more seriously this time. "Due to a highly effective brain, I can visualize everything perfectly. Others might not be able to do the same, or at least not as efficiently as I could."

"Let's take Melissa for example, if I could build that jet in an hour, she might take around three. You, on the other hand, might be able to do it in two—or perhaps even quicker, thanks to your quirk."

Howard nodded, piecing it together. "So, it depends on the user and how efficiently they can think, since it's all connected to the neural transmitter."

"Exactly," Tony confirmed, proud of his creation and the possibilities it unlocked.

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