After finding the mangled, pulverized being of young Jacob Stark among the wreckage of one of his older brother Anthony's Peak jets along the coast of Japan, medics were dealt the single most miraculous feat they would ever witness in their lives, let alone their careers. Despite suffering some of the worst possible injuries they had ever studied, the man was alive and hadn't lost a single limb, even after falling hundreds of feet and crashing along with the plane. Nobody was able to explain it. It was an anomaly, a work of fate.

Reports of the accident were reported internationally and the Stark disappeared from his hospital bed over-night, security cameras displaying another strange occurrence. A figure had popped into the room, a green cloak obscuring his features. He'd lain a single, delicate hand upon Jacob's chest and they'd both popped into nothingness. News headlines read things like, "Death comes to claim the broken playboy" and, "Stark stolen".

The media was in uproar, asking the same question.

How?

Anthony Stark's Personal Lab - 4 Days ago.

"Those idiots spent so much time marvelling over his survival... Do you think they realized he would have died within 48 hours? Every. Single. Bone in his body is shattered. His lungs have nearly collapsed and he's got enough internal bleeding to bathe a small child."

Anthony Stark paused, leaning forward on a counter and closing his eyes tightly, simultaneously taking a large breath. Horizon remained silent, opting to leave his sarcasm out of this situation. He sensed Tony's immense sorrow and recognized that it clouded his judgement but felt commenting on it would not do much to change things.

"His skull. H-His brain... Eviscerated."

The billionaire hesitated before he continued. But he knew that his AI companion had already detected his thought process and his decision.

"Sir. The Peak Serum would not be enough to save him."

Tony slammed his fist down on the counter-top, speaking slowly and deliberately, his face stone.

"Not at a regular dosage, no, Horizon. But that's why I'm one of the smartest men in the world. And where there's a Stark - there's a solution."

There was a moment of terse, thick silence in the air before Horizon spoke again.

"There is a 93% chance increasing the dosage would lead to complete disintegration, sir."

Now, Tony smiled. A tragic, yet determined smile.

"Cremation, Horizon."

--

"Magnified Peak Serum synthesis complete, sir."

"Here goes."

--

"Wake up, sir. Your vitals are at 70% and your body has been sufficiently repaired. Sir. Si-"

Jacob's eyes opened and the world flowed back into him. A few moments passed, and he let them. Images flashed through his mind.

The jet. His reflection. The alcohol. The hangover. The explosion. The blonde. The fire. The cockpit. The wind shield.

"Yes sir, the events leading up to your coma were reasonably traumatic. There is no further recollection after the impact with the jet's wind shield due to a loss of consciousness."

Jacob furrowed his brow. It felt weird. His muscles felt brand new, as if they had been sown onto his face. He flexed his jaw a little, then he tried to speak. His voice came out perfectly, his smooth tone still there.

"What?"

He said it again. And again. He smiled, and then he cringed as flares of pain fired through his face.

"Sir, please be careful with your movement, I reiterate, your body has only been sufficiently repaired."

Jacob couldn't stand it any longer. He tried to sit up, and succeeded. He looked at himself and almost fell off of his bed, managing to catch his breath just in time. His skin was a dark gold, glinting fiercely in the dim light. He recognized it immediately as his older brother's Peak undersheath, the one he stored in his bones. The 19 year old caught himself. Surely...

"Your genetic structure has bonded with an extremely high modification of the Peak Serum, sir. It was the only way to save your body and regenerate lost organs, primarily your brain. That, I believe, is where I come in. My name is Summit, sir. Mr. Stark referred to me as his AI Horizon's 'kid brother'. I have been implanted within your brain. We are now one, sir."

Jacob remained silent, taking it all in, his face straight but his heart... Perfectly normal? He glanced down, eyes growing wide upon noticing a luminescent blue circular device inserted within the very centre of his muscular chest.

"That is an arc reactor. It was designed by Mr. Stark to support your heart, which was only minimally healed by the serum, despite it's concentration. It is a near infinite source of power, thanks to Mr. Stark's intellect and studies regarding the arc reactors."

Jacob touched it lightly with a gold finger, fascinated. Finally, the young Stark spoke.

"Summit..."

"Sir?"

"...How?"