Jarvis didn't have the entire computational power that it needed to manage that intense surge of energy coursing through Tony's mechanical armor, the Arc Reactor, and the physical body. He wanted to save Tony, a being akin to his father.
Long ago he had gained sentience, but he never overstepped its authority. He stayed true to his role of supporting Tony. But now, he had to make a choice. To use his full ability to save Tony. He only had seconds to control the energy flow, research it, reform it, and create new energy pathways.
"Assuming control of the armor."
"Synchronizing with neural patterns."
Jarvis moved Tony's armored hand that had the sling ring on it. Using the control over Tony's brain waves, he visioned images of Stark Tower's data center. It wasn't an easy maneuver, as Jarvis had to ensure he didn't fry Tony's brain in the process. So, at best, he could only create a tiny, needle-tip-sized portal. But it was enough to access the full potential of his systems on Earth.
"Engaging auto-pilot for Iron Guardians—temporary protocol enabled."
"Securing communications. The channel is now private. Full control initialized… computations underway."
Jarvis used every single millisecond he had to his advantage. Creating a 3D scan of Tony's nervous system, he started to run simulations to help Tony. At the same time, a remodeling of the Arc Reactor was taking place, as well as the Iron Man suit.
"Radiation levels have crossed the critical threshold."
Knowing that the liquid was one of the cosmic items, an Infinity Stone, Jarvis tried his best to contain the damage to Tony's body.
"Neurological mapping complete. Expanding Arc Reactor interface. Extracting the organic core."
There was no other option but to take the risk. Tony's heart was coming in the way. So, Jarvis used the nanotech particles and slowly expanded the Arc Reactor while breaking down Tony's heart, effectively replacing the heart completely with the reactor.
It was a moral dilemma for Jarvis. While he understood human emotions, in that moment, he used science and basic logic. A living Tony without a heart was better than a dead Tony with a heart.
"Remodeling finalized. Arc Reactor now integrated with the neural network."
"Explosion imminent in five."
Jarvis rushed, only having five seconds to finish the final leg of the remodeling. He used all the computational power he had and changed the internals of the entire Iron Man suit. He used nanoparticles to invade Tony's bloodstream and take control of his organs, ensuring they wouldn't stop working.
Then, finally, he stopped trying to control the cosmic energy of the Reality Stone.
Shhhh~
"TONY!" Hela was there, watching all the changes that Jarvis made.
She was warned by the AI to not interfere and let him save the man. She doubted the artificial being, but she understood Tony. But seeing Tony's body writhing, she tried to do something.
"Please refrain from interference. The process is critical. I'm introducing a new energy source into his system. His organs must adapt for survival. I've assumed control—he will not die."
Hela eyed Tony's suited frame and stood back, her arms crossed. "You better not lie to me."
But in truth, she knew there was nothing she could do. Jarvis was just software.
Inside the suit, Tony's muscles twitched, and his eyelids shivered. His face contorted on its own. He had no control over what was happening inside his body.
But Jarvis carefully controlled everything.
####
What…
A thought came to his mind.
Is…
His senses came and went like a bulb flickering.
Happening...?
Ughhh… I-It's painful!
He felt his insides burning hot. A scorching pain rose from his chest. He feared that the shrapnel had finally reached his heart. He cursed not taking them out when he had the chance. But he'd been too busy dealing with the Presidency.
"Aaaaargh!"
At last, he groaned aloud. His both eyes flung open for good this time and his thoughts became uniform. But the burning sensations in his body remained constant.
"Ugh! Jarvis! Fire… There's a fire in the suit!"
"Sir, there's no fire. The heat is radiating from your body due to the Arc Reactor. I had to reconstruct your nervous system using nanotech—your heart has been fully replaced. The temperature will stabilize, but it will remain elevated... permanently."
"What? You did what?!"
"Remain calm, Sir. I'm reallocating all available processing to stabilize your internal energy flow. The Arc Reactor is being enhanced to contain the Reality Stone."
"Ah, you're telling me to shut up, aren't you?"
"With respect, Sir."
"..."
Jarvis felt different. But Tony didn't say anything. He knew Jarvis was trying to save his life.
Slowly, Jarvis spread the cosmic energy evenly across Tony's body. He didn't know what long-term effects it would lead to, but that was the only way to save him. Then, since the Reality Stone was in liquid form, he started containing the liquid in the bloodstream and guided it towards the central core of the new Arc Reactor, the place where Tony's heart used to be.
Drop by drop, the Reality Stone filled up the new core in Tony's chest.
"Energy is stable."
"The body has accepted the new source."
Tony heard all the remarks that Jarvis made. Before passing out, he only remembered the warning that his Arc Reactor was going to explode. Whatever Jarvis did, he had no complaints.
"Physical body and Arc Reactor compatibility at 99%."
For the last 1%, it took hours. Jarvis surveyed every single cell in Tony's body, ensuring safety. However, there were a few portions of Tony's flesh that couldn't be saved. But nanotech particles quickly took their place. The bones were reinforced as well to handle the heat and energy.
Tony finally felt the change. "Yeah, it's going down. Not that hot now."
"Integration is complete, Sir," Jarvis notified. "Your body is now stable."
With that, Tony felt control over his body and the armor returning to him. He moved his body willingly and looked through the helmet at his surroundings. Hela was sitting there beside the wall, eyes open, lost in something.
"So, what did you do, Jarvis? I need a quick rundown." Tony asked.
"The energy emitted by the Infinity Stone exceeded the limits of human tolerance, Sir. Once the liquid form entered your bloodstream, immediate containment became imperative. Extraction was not viable, so I constructed a containment unit. Your heart was removed, and the stone's energy was repurposed to sustain both your physiology and the Arc Reactor. The result is a power source of effectively infinite capacity—now approximately five trillion times more potent. However, I must caution: removal of either the Arc Reactor or the Infinity Stone will result in immediate fatality."
Damn! Tony whistled at his own body's new specs. Five trillion times?
"Can my suit even handle that much power?"
"Certainly, Sir. It can be managed for now. However, I recommend abandoning the current nanotech in favor of a more resilient metal designed for the new energy demands. Alternatively, developing nanotech from a stronger alloy would be sensible."
Tony sighed and sat up straight finally. "So, we're not clocking out yet, huh? Great. Guess it's time to go rock-hunting for whatever shiny doom-stones Thanos dropped in the mess."
"Stark."
Tony's helmet dissolved with a hiss. He eyed the towering goddess. "Did I keep you waiting? Sorry, Jarvis booked me for an emergency chest reboot. You've been busy saving galaxies or just standing there looking divine?"
Scoffing, Hela once again crossed her arms. By now, Tony knew that it was her automatic reflex, an attempt to hide her flustered self whenever he complimented her. She tried to appear tough at all times.
"What happened to you? Your little AI pet refused to elaborate."
"Eh, nothing crazy. Just casually drank the Reality Stone when I grabbed it. It's now coursing through my veins. Jarvis decided my heart was expendable, so he shredded it and turned the Stone into my new power core. I'm officially a one-of-a-kind hybrid," Tony told her honestly.
Her thin brows shot up in surprise, and Hela scrutinized Tony's face. "So the Reality Stone is now your heart?"
"Right on the spot. It's basically my life support—minus the fancy hospital bills."
"A mortal harnessing an Infinity Stone? You keep astonishing me with your luck, Stark." Hela said and looked away towards the deeper chamber of Knowhere. "We should go back. Ensure Thanos is truly dead."
"Agreed." Tony pulled his helmet down and walked on his feet. He still felt hot, but Jarvis had warned him that he'd remain like that forever now.
Soon, the two entered the utterly destroyed hall of Knowhere. Tony's Starkiller bomb had gone off and made massive holes in the entire structure. Things were all charred, and in the middle of it was a corpse. It was big, charcoal, with a hole in its chest.
Wooosh!
Tony tried to kick the body and it instead turned to ashes. It was Thanos, dead, and burned to a crisp. The Gauntlet was still there, however, and the two stones on it were shining bright.
Jarvis, how much energy can my new heart handle?
Jarvis instantly understood what Tony was suggesting. "Certainly, Sir. There is no limit to the energy itself. The true constraint lies in the armor's capacity to withstand it. Regarding the Arc Reactor, it can sustain the output; however, your body temperature will rise significantly—comparable to a persistent 105-degree fever."
Will that fever kill me?
"No, Sir. Your body has been reinforced with nanotech to maintain structural integrity. The maximum internal temperature it can safely endure is 200 degrees Fahrenheit."
"Sweet!" Tony exclaimed and grabbed the two Infinity Stones. He wasn't going to consume it like the Reality Stone, but just contain it in his chest.
"What are you doing?" Hela questioned him angrily. "It's not a toy to be played with."
But then, Tony's armor pulled the two Infinity Stones into itself, transferring them from his palm to the Arc Reactor's container in his heart.
"Argh!"
Thud!
Tony gasped and fell to one knee. He felt an ache, a surge in temperature all across his body. He could already feel he had pushed the limit of his body. Any more of those stones and he'd likely feel intense repercussions.
"I'm good—just pulled in some cosmic watts," Tony muttered between breaths. "Guess mitochondria are out of a job. These stones? A whole new power grid. Does that make me... a stoner? Huh."