In this universe, there exist six Infinity Stones.
Born from the very explosion that created the cosmos, each one governs a fundamental aspect of reality:
Time, Space, Reality, Power, Soul, and Mind.
Each stone holds nearly limitless energy and absolute authority over its domain.
Interestingly, Infinity Stones are mutually exclusive to their own, their powers cannot influence one another.
If you want to counter one Infinity Stone, the best way is to use another.
Take the Space Stone (a.k.a. the Tesseract) for example: when it opens a portal through space-time, it creates an energy shield that's nearly invincible.
But even that can be pierced by a scepter powered by the Mind Stone.
Likewise, to sever the quantum link between the Reality Stone and Malekith, the Dark Elf King, interference from another Infinity Stone's energy is required.
Luckily, the energy emitted by the Arc Reactor is similar in nature to that of the Space Stone.
Why? Because before Howard Stark invented the Arc Reactor, the blueprint he studied came from none other than the Tesseract.
At this moment, Kagura Kagura's core energy had already been reduced to about 18% through the Life Cradle's energy extraction system, effectively breaking the seal that had kept the Aether dormant.
Now that it was activated, the Aether began to consume her remaining energy, feeding on her very life force.
Fortunately, the Life Cradle was connected to a massive Arc Reactor at Rhodes Island's industrial research center, which could continuously supply her with power and keep her from dying on the spot due to energy depletion.
"Confirmed: Aether is active. Initializing Arc Reactor energy spectrum at 397.63. Beginning frequency sweep to locate and disrupt the Aether's quantum link,"
Tony Stark announced, his hands dancing across multiple floating holographic displays as he rapidly adjusted the Arc Reactor's parameters.
Scanning for the precise frequency that could interfere with the Aether.
Inside the Life Cradle, all surrounding Arc Reactors lit up. Streams of glowing blue energy enveloped Kagura's body.
The crimson Aether writhed along her skin, merging with the mist-like electromagnetic field emitted by the reactor.
"This is starting to feel like one big code-breaking game," Tony muttered, still tapping rapidly. "Kagura, if anything feels off, say something—anything."
"I'm fine," she replied calmly. "Try syncing the frequency with the one used by the Tesseract when it opens portals."
"Since the link between the Aether and Malekith is extra-dimensional, maybe matching that kind of energy can disrupt it."
"Smart thinking," Tony said, eyeing her through the display. "But that frequency's insanely high, it could hurt you."
"I'll be fine. I can handle it," Kagura assured him with a small grin. "Just don't overdo it, okay?"
"Alright then... as you wish."
Trusting her instinct, Tony recalibrated the reactor's output. The field intensified.
'Zzzzzttt!'
Energy surged around her with a sharp, buzzing sound. A prickling sensation spread across Kagura's entire body.
"Kagura! You okay?"
"It feels like I'm being bitten by ten thousand mosquitoes."
"Ugh, it's so weird and itchy! But... it's working! I can see the Aether's quantum tether reacting. This is the right frequency!"
"Got it. Beginning severance protocol now." Tony summoned another holographic panel and keyed in a string of commands.
The Arc Reactor shifted modes again.
Its energy field condensed into a narrow, blade-like form striking at the Aether's connection to Malekith like a scalpel.
Bit by bit, the quantum tether was sliced away, destabilized, and finally... destroyed.
"Target disrupted. The Aether's quantum link has been successfully severed!" Tony exclaimed. "Switching Arc Reactor to containment mode. Kagura, are you still with me?"
"I'm fine. Just a little itchy—haha," she smiled. "That was the hardest part. Now we just need to contain it."
"Thank God..." Tony let out a long breath.
"Don't worry, I'm not that easy to take down." Kagura gave a thumbs-up. "Deploy the energy containment system. Begin Aether extraction."
Inside the Life Cradle, freed from Malekith's control, the Aether began to ooze out of Kagura's body an ominous crimson fluid that slowly filled the chamber, painting everything in a terrifying blood-red hue.
"Ugh... hurry up already! This misty red stuff is creepy as hell!" Kagura waved her hand to push the Aether away from her face.
"Who the heck thought making the Reality Stone look like this was a good idea? It smells awful!"
"Hang in there, Kagura. Almost done." Tony sped up his commands. "Containment field, engage!"
The Arc Reactor switched again, and a swirl of pale blue energy formed a vortex around the Aether.
The red substance was pulled away from Kagura, funneled through a long conduit, and sealed inside a custom-made container beside the Life Cradle.
A protective energy field locked around it, encasing the Reality Stone in a glowing sphere of containment.
Like smoke and sunset clouds, like a dream woven from stardust.
The Aether had been completely extracted and no longer sealed within any vessel.
Now it floated within a containment field powered by the arc reactor, a swirling mass of crimson mist, elegant and ethereal, like a living work of art.
It pulsed with its own will, a cosmic force made manifest.
The Reality Stone—fully separated and secured.
And just like that, I'll graciously accept this little cosmic treasure!
"This is the Aether?" Tony Stark stepped closer to the containment chamber, which resembled a massive test tube glowing with power.
He stared, fascinated, at the red, mist-like energy bound within.
"Incredible… a formless fluid that can alter matter and respond to the will of its host. It's almost like it's alive."
His eyes lit up with that familiar spark—the look of a genius on the brink of discovery.
"This… this could be the perfect next-gen material for an Iron Man suit!"
"...Huh?!" Kagura had just climbed out of the Life Cradle when she caught that last part.
"Wait, what did you just say, Mr. Stark? You want to make an Iron Man suit out of the Aether?! Are you insane?! That stuff is dangerous!"
"Ahem—no, no, you misunderstood me, Hitomi," Tony quickly clarified, waving his hands.
"I'm not saying we use the Aether itself. I'm just saying imagine a material with similar properties: fluid, shape-shifting, responsive to thought, almost intelligent."
"If we could replicate that, we could build an armor that adapts in real-time. Practically omnipotent!"
"Nanomaterials?" Kagura caught on instantly.
"If we applied Life Cradle tech to structure the suit at a nanoscopic level with intelligent modular units, then theoretically… yeah, we could assemble anything on the fly."
"A nanotech Iron Man suit that can do it all, huh?" Tony tilted his head thoughtfully, then grinned. "I knew you were my favorite daughter. That's a damn fine idea."
"Right?" Kagura beamed proudly. "Told you I'm a genius!"
"…And if we modeled the armor to look like a beautiful anime girl, that'd just be the cherry on top…" Tony trailed off, deep in thought.
"…HUH?! Mr. Stark! Stop being a creep!!" Kagura's face turned red in exasperation. "What even goes on in that head of yours?!"
Just then, Cortana's voice cut in, cold and urgent.
"Master, Project Argos has detected an unidentified incursion from outer space."
"Estimated scale: ten times larger than the Battle of New York."
"Immediate response is advised. Enemy forces are already initiating an assault."
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Low Earth Orbit —
A massive black warship emerged from the void, like a crucifix suspended against the stars.
Crimson lights glared down at the peaceful blue planet below, eyes filled not with wonder, but with wrath. And in the next breath, they unleashed fire.
Countless smaller warships detached from the colossal mothership, swarming toward Earth.
Their target: the city of New York.
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