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"I'll deal with you later!"
Lionel took the Space Stone energy block that Kuro spat out. As for why Kuro had such a thing, he really risked his life for it.
Last time at Fisk Tower, Kuro, who was still in his beast form, was targeted by Crossbones Rumlow and his men with energy guns, almost getting teleported to a remote corner of the Universe to fend for himself. Fortunately, Kuro used his dark energy to forcefully suppress the Space Stone's power and took the opportunity to preserve its energy.
After examining the energy block in his hand for a moment, Lionel placed it on the table and said with a smile to Tony Stark:
"This energy can perfectly replace the element currently used in your Arc Reactor, and it's even more efficient."
"What?" Tony Stark's eyes widened, and he reached out to take the energy block closer to examine it:
"How do you know it can replace the existing element? You don't even have a reactor."
Lionel pressed down on the energy block before Tony Stark could touch it, moving it closer to himself:
"I don't have a reactor, but I know a piece of information, information about the origin of the reactor. Do you want to know?"
Tony Stark withdrew his hand and said, "You speak. If it's valuable, I'll trade for it along with this energy later."
"Do you know about the Tesseract?" Lionel teased first.
Tony Stark sifted through his memories but found no impression. "I imagine you're not talking about some children's toy."
Lionel continued, "The Tesseract, a cube with endless energy, is essentially the container for the Space Stone. Its endless energy is also generated by the Space Stone. Of course, endless energy is merely its most insignificant ability."
Taking advantage of Lionel's pause, Tony Stark interrupted, "That sounds like a myth. Are you saying this energy crystal is from that Space Stone? That doesn't sound like it has anything to do with my reactor."
"That was just background information. What follows is related to your reactor.
Your father, Howard Stark, once studied the Tesseract for a period. During that research, he discovered the power of this energy and developed a method for using it as a new element. However, the technology of that era didn't allow him to realize his vision, so he stripped down this technology. That's the giant Arc Reactor displayed in Stark Tower, and also the one in your chest right now."
After hearing what Lionel said, Tony Stark looked down at the reactor in his chest and slowly said:
"You're saying this is a half-finished product, and the old man already had the complete blueprint. But why would you know all this, and I've never heard him mention it?"
I've watched Iron Man 2, Lionel grumbled inwardly before continuing:
"He did leave you information, but the situation at the time was very special. He couldn't publicize the information about the new element, so he could only hide it in a way that only you could discover, waiting for you to find it later."
Tony Stark said in surprise, "Left for me? Why do I have no recollection of it?"
Lionel chuckled, "Of course you couldn't know, because what your father left for you was hidden by S.H.I.E.L.D.. Without the hints from your father's belongings, you wouldn't be able to find what he hid."
"What! Damn S.H.I.E.L.D., I knew they were suspicious!
Tell me, what are your terms for me to study this energy block?"
"What should I ask for?" Lionel tapped Annabelle on the table, then said:
"Stark Industries is still the most valuable. The information and this energy block together are worth six percent of Stark Industries' shares!"
Tony Stark, feeling a bit uncomfortable under Annabelle's gaze, shivered and agreed:
"Alright, but the transfer of a large amount of shares is complicated and might take some time."
Tony Stark glanced at the date, "I don't have much time recently. The shares will be under your name by next month at the latest."
Lionel mused, "So straightforward? I feel like I asked for too little. I have another deal for you, would you like to try it?"
"What?"
"Although I'm not a surgeon, I'm very skilled with a scalpel. I'm one hundred percent confident I can safely remove the shrapnel from your chest." As he spoke, Lionel casually took out his short blade and brandished it in front of Tony Stark.
The silver glint reflecting off the short blade flashed across Tony Stark's face, making him involuntarily flinch.
"I don't do back-alley surgery!" Tony Stark pouted.
"Are you really not going to try? Just one go and all your troubles will disappear." Lionel coaxed.
"Do you look like a Doctor? I'd sooner believe you wanted to steal my kidney," Tony Stark retorted.
"Kidney-stealing skills aren't as good as mine."
As soon as Lionel finished speaking, the World suddenly paused, then abruptly returned to normal.
"What just happened?"
Lionel was stunned. His position felt a bit strange. How did he suddenly end up in Makima's arms?
"Fuck! Are you trying to scare me to death, kid? Suddenly teleporting!"
Tony Stark, whose position was slightly different, was startled, jumping up and almost tripping over the sofa.
"Lionel, how did you suddenly appear? Is it a newly acquired ability?"
Makima's voice came from behind him, and Lionel quickly stood up and examined himself.
He had an extra jacket on, which should have been hanging on the coat rack by the door, and Annabelle, which he had placed on the table, was back in his pocket.
"Did you see what just happened?" Lionel asked, confused. Did he just drop frames? Why did he have no memory of those actions?
"You appeared suddenly, without any warning," Makima answered Lionel's question.
"Appeared suddenly? Haven't I been here the whole time?" Lionel grew even more confused.
Tony Stark, having recovered, interjected:
"Beast Master, is this a new prank you've come up with? I admit, you scared me just now."
He was so scared just now that he even forgot to call Lionel by the nickname he'd given him.
"I'm not that bored," Lionel retorted to Tony Stark, then continued to verify information with Makima.
Makima continued, "You seemed to use some kind of spatial ability, suddenly appearing in the room. Before that, I was talking with Mr. Stark. Did you encounter any special situations or attacks on your end?"
Lionel said, confused, "Something's wrong, our details don't match. Wasn't I just talking to our playboy, about to perform surgery on him?"
Makima shook her head, "I was talking with Mr. Stark the whole time. You went out for something, and Mr. Stark has been waiting for you. You haven't had any interaction with him today."
Lionel's brain lagged for a moment. He suddenly thought of something and asked Tony Stark:
"What time is it now? No, no, how long have you been waiting for me here?"
"I'm not sure what you're talking about. It's 3:41 PM. I've been here for about ten minutes, I think?"