Marvel: Tony Stark's Journey in the Omniverse

So, there I was eating lunch when lo and behold from a distance Sabine_Bailey and sbbd two readers of my novel threw powerstones at my face causing me to drop my delicious sandwich. The absolute gal of some people. But seriously thank you Sabine_Bailey and sbbd on taking no time at all for delivering the powerstones I needed to keep up my ranking in the "Last 30 Day" power ranking section. I was at 49th place earlier today after I Fat_Immortal gave 3 stones to myself because I love my novel and Sabine_Bailey gave 2 stones. After I got my ranking within the hour I had 5 new people collect my novel into their library. It then dropped to 110th place to my absolute horror. Then, out of nowhere a great hero named sbbd swooped in like some superhero and saved the day bringing my ranking up to a solid 75th place which I am happy with. He gave me all three of his stones, not 1, not 2 but his entire personal rock collection. That happened about an hour ago and since then new visibility brought us 6 new people, I repeat 6 whole people saw my novel and added it to their library. I was ecstatic. You guys don't realize this but your stones really do make a difference. As for myself, I feel like I'm a stressed out stock broker at a stock exchange watching the worth of his shares rise and fall. You all probably love my paragraph long rants but I know what you're really here for so I present you a brand spanking new chapter that I just finished editing. I hope you enjoy it because I like this one a lot.

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"Ugh, Dad, we need help," I groaned, slamming my sonic screwdriver down on the workbench. "Recalibrating the core of the teleporter with the sonic screwdriver to become the host for the AI we're building is proving tedious. I want a lackey or two! People who will do what I say but are smart enough to actually be useful."

Howard smirked. "I can bring in Anton Vanko."

I rubbed my chin. "That's an idea, but it's not enough. We just caught Anton trying to sell the Arc Reactor tech on the black market, so here's the plan: We play good cop, bad cop. You threaten him with deportation back to Russia, and I offer him a job in the Fortress of Science as an alternative—except with increased benefits, like NZT and a higher salary."

Howard nodded. "And what exactly are we putting him on?"

"The project can be split into three parts: the power source, the body, and the code. We already solved the power source with the miniaturized Arc Reactor. Vanko can work on the robotic body of the AI, but we need someone to help program it with yours truly. I think I have just the guy in mind."

That's how I found myself outside a little Swiss chalet located in the Appalachian mountains, there I was banging on a door with my dad beside me.

"Open up, you old goat!" Howard shouted.

A grumbling voice responded from inside. Moments later, the door creaked open, revealing a frail but sharp-eyed man. "My, my, the great Howard Stark has come to see me, Arnim Zola, who is on his deathbed. That's the only reason S.H.I.E.L.D. let me retire, you know. Terminal illness."

Howard crossed his arms. "Sure, Zola. That's exactly why we're here."

Zola's eyes finally landed on me. "And who is this?"

I grinned. "Hello, Dr. Zola. I'm a big fan of the Tesseract-based plasma weaponry you used to vaporize Allied soldiers."

Zola perked up. "You are? Well, that was some of my better work."

"I'm not here about that," I continued. "I'm here about your latest project."

Zola stiffened. "I don't know what you're talking about. Now leave. An old man like me should be left to die in peace."

Howard and I turned to leave, after walking a few step I turned around and paused. "Fine. But remember, I came here offering to save your life, even knowing you're still working for Hydra now. You can either kick me out, or you can let me help. Instead of doing something silly like downloading yourself into a computer or a robot, I could've saved your body."

Zola's face went pale. "Halten Sie bitte!" He took a deep breath, his voice now cautious but intrigued. "Come inside and let me pour some Glühwein for you both. It's so cold out here, and we can discuss this like civilized gentlemen."

Soon, we sat by the fireplace, sipping delicious spiced wine.

"We've completed the Super Soldier Serum," I said casually.

Zola nearly choked on his drink. "That can cure almost all known ailments, including mine! But my frail body… I doubt it would survive the procedure."

I smirked. "That's where another serum comes in. We first infect you with a viral agent that will add a 24th chromosome to your DNA granting you a superhuman physique, your cells will divide 50 times faster than normal enabling for rapid regeneration of damaged tissue, your intelligence will increase, and—most importantly—you will be granted an extended lifespan. It SHOULD cure you since it's intended to make humans free of disease but if not you will then be strong enough for the super soldier serum. We still need some help with testing, but we're confident it'll work."

Zola narrowed his eyes. "What are the side effects?"

I tossed a manila folder onto the table, filled with photos of the "Doom" monsters. "If you have aggressive tendencies, you'll turn into one of these."

Zola stared at the grotesque images before muttering, "What a beautiful beast. The power, the strength, the grace it must have…"

Howard and I exchanged glances.

Zola coughed. "I mean, how horrendous! We certainly can't have that happening to me. I am, first and foremost, a human scientist."

"With that said, I have a question to ask you young Stark, what makes you think you can buy the soul of this Hydra scientist?" Zola said bluntly.

I smile with this and hold out a clear pill. "Take this pill Dr. Zola, feel its power, join me for greatness awaits us!"

Caught off guard by the insane child Zola hesitated, eyes flicking between me and the pill. Then, curiosity and desperation won. He snatched the pill, swallowed it, and—bam—his eyes sharpened in an instant, glowing with the intellect of a man who had once been the Nazis' top scientist.

He gasped. "With this pill, the 24th chromosome, and the Super Soldier Serum, I shall complete the Führer's great dream and become the Übermensch!"

Howard facepalmed. "Oh, for the love of—"

"Relax, Dad," I interrupted. "Zola, let's keep the megalomania in check, alright? You'll take one pill every day, get a new prescription weekly, and a booster shot every three months to mitigate the side effects."

Zola nodded eagerly. "Yes, yes, of course! And where are we off to now, young Tony?"

I smirked. "To the Fortress of Science, my dear doctor."