J.A.R.V.I.S.—Tony Stark's personal artificial intelligence.
What began as a basic interactive interface eventually evolved into a highly advanced AI, capable of independent thought and even battling the likes of Ultron.
Its name served a dual purpose—honoring Edwin Jarvis, Howard Stark's loyal butler, and doubling as an acronym for Just A Rather Very Intelligent System.
Naturally, Lemu couldn't help but wonder—between J.A.R.V.I.S. and his Great Sage, which AI was superior?
Magic versus technology. Fantasy versus science.
The idea stirred a competitive itch in his chest. What would happen if they ever faced off? Would the mechanical precision of J.A.R.V.I.S. outmaneuver the seemingly omnipotent calculations of the Great Sage?
Flipping through TV channels absentmindedly, Lemu was about to dismiss the thought when the Great Sage chimed in.
'Notice: As requested, integration of all human scientific knowledge is complete. Would you like a report on newly acquired skills?'
Lemu nearly choked on his drink. 'Wait—when did I ask for that?'
'Notice: Request logged 19 hours and 26 minutes ago. Location: Earth—Afghanistan. Coordinates—'
He scratched his head. Okay, maybe he had mentioned something like that. The Great Sage didn't make mistakes, after all.
"Fine, let's hear it."
'Notice: Acquired skills include—
Metal smelting techniques.
Mechanical design and manufacturing.
…
Nuclear engineering.
…
Computer programming.
Cybersecurity and information warfare.
…
Aircraft design and manufacturing.
…
Wildlife conservation.
…'
Lemu's jaw dropped.
Minutes ticked by as the Great Sage continued its endless recital. What began as excitement quickly gave way to numbness.
"Stop! Stop!"
He slumped back against the couch, clutching his head. So this is the power of human science?
Lemu took a shaky breath, feeling equal parts awe and dread. The Great Sage had officially ascended to god-tier.
"Just give me the total number of skills."
'Notice: Current skill count—1,368,459.'
He had started with eight.
Now?
One point three million.
Lemu's eyes gleamed with excitement. I've done it. I've reached the top. Half of humanity's knowledge is in the palm of my hand!
"Blood and flesh are weak. Technology is the path to ascension! The future is mine!"
Before he could lose himself completely in the euphoria, the television's audio drew his attention.
"Breaking News: Tony Stark Returns—Announces Immediate Shutdown of Weapons Division."
The words snapped Lemu out of his thoughts. He turned toward the giant screen, where a live feed from Stark's press conference played.
Tony sat on the stage floor, casually leaning against the podium. With a half-eaten burger in hand and a solemn expression, he spoke into the microphone.
The camera zoomed in, capturing the tension in the air.
….
Tony Stark stood in front of the press, his voice steady but carrying the weight of conviction.
"I never got to say goodbye to my father. Never had the chance to ask him the questions that have haunted me—the questions I should have asked when I had the time."
He paused, scanning the expectant faces before him.
"I wanted to ask him how he felt about what he built—whether he ever doubted himself, whether he ever felt conflicted about the legacy he left behind."
Stark's lips pressed into a thin line, his gaze hardening.
"And maybe he was exactly as the media described him—a patriot, a protector of peace."
His voice dropped lower, yet each word struck like a hammer.
"But I've seen young men die. Die because of weapons I built—weapons meant to protect them."
Suddenly, Tony straightened, his eyes burning with determination as he raised his voice.
"I've woken up."
The declaration silenced the murmuring crowd.
"I realized that my contribution to this world cannot and will not be limited to creating tools of destruction. And for that reason—effective immediately—Stark Industries will shut down its weapons manufacturing division."
A thunderclap couldn't have caused more chaos. The press conference erupted into shouts, questions, and disbelief.
Cameras flashed, journalists scrambled, and the gathered crowd turned into a churning sea of voices.
Obadiah Stane, standing stiffly to the side, barely managed to keep up the pretense of calm. He forced a tight-lipped smile, already maneuvering to smooth things over.
But Tony wasn't done.
His final words were almost drowned out by the uproar:
"Until I can decide what direction this company should take, it will be one that aligns with my conscience—and serves the best interests of this country and the world."
….
Forty minutes later, back in Malibu…
Lemu leaned back on the couch, one hand propping up his chin as the broadcast ended.
The earlier excitement bubbling inside him had simmered down. Now, only amusement remained.
With a dramatic flourish, he wiped an imaginary tear from his eye, his voice heavy with mock sincerity.
"How touching. Is this the birth of a many people superhero? Turning against profit and corruption to lead his company down a righteous path—for the nation, for the people!"
He placed a hand over his chest, as though delivering a heartfelt soliloquy.
"Tony Stark—proof that even billionaires can have hearts of gold! Hearts that burn as brightly as their arc reactors! And yet, all the public cares about is stocks, stocks, stocks! Money, money, money! So shallow, so vulgar!"
Then he dropped the act, his lips curling into a smirk.
"Not that money isn't important."
The sarcasm lingered, but his mind was already moving ahead. Stocks crashing? Panic-selling? This was the kind of opportunity that only came once in a lifetime.
Sure, Tony Stark had just shaken up the corporate world, but it wasn't like his genius had disappeared.
As long as he stayed alive—and eventually Wear that iron suit—Stark Industries would bounce back stronger than ever.
And that wasn't even counting the arc reactor.
Stark's miniaturized reactor technology wasn't just a game-changer for energy production—it was a goldmine waiting to be tapped.
With this much potential, Stark Industries' stock were falling and going to fall even more— but not for long…