Trying to find an element was proving elusive even for Loki and Tony. Loki was a sorcerer, but he had to admit that creating an entirely new form of matter was not exactly in his skill set. Tony had the same problem. They were thankful when the explosions weren't too massive. Tony walked over to look out over his view of Malibu after another failed test.
"Loki this is sucky," Tony grumbled.
"We must not give up," Loki encouraged.
"I agree but I need to think about something else for a while. Come back with fresh eyes. I know it's…different for you, but I've got to think about the legacy I'm going to leave. It'll come up sooner or later," Tony mused.
Loki did not want to admit it but it was so. Even if he was still a prince of Asgard it would be hard securing immortality for a mortal. He nodded reluctantly.
"My dad had exhibits at World's Faires but he wanted to have his own expo. He never did. Maybe I should do what he couldn't," Tony suggested.
"That would be a large project, but I will support you of course."
"I know and I'll never take it for granted. Let's show the world the power of science," Tony declared.
Loki allowed himself to laugh and get caught up in his friend's ideas.
Agent Romanov showed she was still reporting to SHIELD when there was a knock on Tony's door not too long after Tony's decision to have the Stark Expo.
"It is Agent Coulson sirs," JARVIS told them.
"Still not calling ahead but at least they didn't break in this time," Tony muttered.
"An improvement," Loki said dryly.
Tony opened the door.
"Agent! Hey Loki he has presents."
"Director Fury had these items from when your father worked with a precursor of SHIELD. He thought they might help you in planning the expo and perhaps in other matters as well," Coulson informed.
Tony didn't look happy to get anything having to do with his father. Deciding to have the expo was as much moving out of his father's shadow as it was meeting his father's dream. Still, the last part of Coulson's statement was interesting.
"Okay I'll bite. I'll take the stuff. If it's any good I'll put you on my end of year gift list," Tony conceded.
"I would appreciate that Mr. Stark. Evening Mr. Noen," Coulson said and left.
Tony closed the door and opened the box. Loki left him to it. As close as they were he knew Tony needed his space for this. For several days, Tony spent time alone downstairs in the lab. Loki spent his time enjoying nature and further refining his magic. Loki was about to go downstairs and remind his friend of the need for Loki to remove the palladium when JARVIS negated the need for doing so.
"Mr. Stark asks you to come to the lab. He's found something," JARVIS interjected.
Loki knew whatever it had to be had to be important. Why else call him to the lab? He teleported downstairs and poked his head into the lab. Tony waved him over. His friend looked tired, astonished, frustrated and happy. He showed Loki the map of the Stark Expo his father had planned.
"Look at this Loki," Tony requested.
Loki frowned.
"What am I looking for," he asked.
"Okay so I'm not a dunce for seeing it at first. This map has been good for planning the expo, but it's more," Tony informed him
It was a video of Tony's father revealing how Tony was his greatest legacy and that the map offered information on how to partially create a new element. His father said he believed in Tony's ability to complete the rest. It must be nice to hear his father was proud of him, but causing anger because he should have said that to Tony when they both lived.
Loki put a hand on his friend's shoulder and squeezed once. He saw the trust Tony was showing in having Loki watch the video too.
"Loki, this is going to sound nuts but…"
"This is a challenge from him to you. You need to do it alone."
"You know me well. Epic bromance shield bro," Tony confirmed.
"I wonder at SHIELD's timing. Why not provide this earlier," Loki wondered.
Tony grimaced.
"It has to do with my dad. I probably wouldn't have taken it before all this mortality stuff started making me think."
Loki nodded. That was reasonable. He made sure he had removed all the palladium that had built up.
"Indeed. Good luck," he told his shield brother.