Starting to Walk Towards a Different Worldline

"Why let Ivan Vanko start his own company? Was it just to put him on the front lines to fight Stark?"

Justin Hammer had always had an idea, or rather, an obsession.

That was to surpass Stark Industries and make Hammer Industries the number one weapons manufacturer.

"Perhaps you should look into what Stark Industries' backup plan is."

Nathan Hawke's words made Justin Hammer suddenly freeze, then he deflated.

"You mean, even with Obadiah gone, Stark Industries still has someone else secretly supporting Stark?"

Justin Hammer asked doubtfully, "The military? I have friends in the military too."

"Then this time, you'll get to see what Stark Industries' backup plan really is."

Justin Hammer was still a bit annoyed that Nathan Hawke clearly wasn't going to tell him and wanted him to find out for himself. He had already planned to equip Ivan Vanko's Iron Legion with his Hammer Industries' ex-wife missiles, and with Hawke Group's publicity department, the combined hype and sales would surely send the company's stock soaring. They would definitely crush Stark Company.

"You've also invested in Vanko Tech, haven't you? At least you won't lose money doing this." Nathan Hawke had no intention of telling him that before he arrived in this world, if things went according to the original plot, Justin Hammer would have ended up in jail.

"I think I need to bring in some researchers. Yes." Justin Hammer couldn't help but nod, the more he thought about it, the more it made sense.

"I'll go to Vanko Tech first. Talk to you next time." With that, Justin Hammer excitedly headed towards Vanko Tech.

At the superhero screening event.

"There are so many people. I didn't expect so many people today."

"Of course, three superhero movies are playing together today."

Peter Parker and Ned, carrying their backpacks, were holding their purchased popcorn and colas, ready to enter the screening hall.

"Hey, hello there." A voice suddenly sounded from beside them.

"Whoa!" The two were instantly startled.

"Hahahaha, I knew it would be like this." The Translucent revealed his true form.

"Whoa, Translucent!" Ned's eyes lit up immediately. He shoved his cola and popcorn bucket into Peter Parker's hands. "Translucent, I'm your biggest fan! Please sign this for me." As he spoke, he took off his backpack and handed out an Translucent merchandise shirt and a graffiti pen from inside.

"Oh. Thank you. Since you're my biggest fan, can you tell me your name?" The Translucent replied kindly with a smile.

"Ned. Translucent, my name is Ned." Ned looked excitedly at the Translucent who was starting to draw.

"No problem." After signing, the Translucent also took out his own pen and wrote below his signature, "Biggest Fan: Ned."

"Wow, thank you!" Ned jumped up excitedly. Then he nudged Peter Parker beside him with his elbow.

Peter Parker snapped out of his daze. "H-hello, Translucent, could you sign one for me too?"

"Sure, I'd be happy to." The Translucent smiled and took a piece of his merchandise to sign. "Kid, what's your name?"

"Peter Parker, sir." Peter Parker said somewhat shyly.

"Oh, Peter Parker." After signing, the Translucent paused for a moment, looked at the name he had signed on the merchandise, "Biggest Fan: Peter Parker." Then he looked at the young-looking kid.

"Kid? You said your name is Peter Parker?" The Translucent raised an eyebrow, but because he was wearing his suit, they couldn't see his expression, only his eyes and mouth.

"Yes, Mr. Translucent, is there a problem?" Peter Parker suddenly felt a little flustered.

"Oh. Then I'll have to sign another one." The Translucent suddenly had an idea. Recalling Electro's mention of his opponent, Spider-Man Peter Parker, during their previous conversation, the Translucent signed the merchandise again and handed it over.

"Alright. I hope my movie today gives you a pleasant experience." The Translucent said, preparing to leave.

"No, Translucent, today is already a very pleasant and exciting day for us." Ned was ecstatic. If he wasn't afraid of shouting too loudly and attracting more attention, or disturbing the Translucent, Ned would have been stomping his feet in excitement.

"Hahaha, thank you both." The Translucent disappeared and left.

"Parker, see? I told you. Today is the premiere, there will definitely be superhero promotional Easter eggs and fan benefits. And look, we met the Translucent. And Electro, Super V. Ahhhhh. If only we could meet them all." Ned drank his cola in one gulp, still excited.

"Oh, shit. Parker, I want another cola."

"Okay."

Similarly, Peter Parker was also incredibly excited. Because when he took the merchandise, he saw that the Translucent had written a message below his signature.

"To our future superhero: Peter Parker."

"Can I become a superhero too?" Peter Parker's hidden inner thoughts began to stir inexplicably.

"Hey. Guess who I just saw?"

Backstage, the Translucent said to Electro and Andrew.

"Who? You sound so excited, it's not another 'curvy butt', is it?" Electro looked at him doubtfully. He had become quite familiar with the Translucent and Andrew, and they knew some things about each other's worlds. However, one thing Electro differed from them was that both of them were night owls. If it wasn't for this curvy butt today, it would be another curvy butt tomorrow.

"Who? Blonde curvy butt or silver-haired curvy butt?" Andrew's interest was immediately piqued. During the fan service earlier, Andrew had noticed quite a few hot fans. Ever since returning from that battle at the Hydra base, Andrew had inexplicably craved release, and his preference had shifted from cute and fresh to tall and mature.

"What are you two looking at?" The Translucent wore an expression that clearly said, You two are thinking the wrong thing, you're wronging me.

"It's Peter Parker. I ran into Peter Parker." The Translucent dramatically recounted the eighty-one trials and tribulations of meeting Peter Parker, finally leading to Peter Parker's encounter with him.

"I didn't expect Peter Parker to be such a kid. Even though you told me this world is different from yours, I still have to say, this kid might, very likely, become a superhero in the future." The Translucent stated with certainty.

"Ah! Why do you say that?" Andrew looked at him in surprise.

"Because that's how movies play out. A young kid meets a superhero, then receives encouragement, and the desire to become a superhero grows. And if the protagonist is shy and awkward, it fits even better." The Translucent summarized the entire storyline in a few words.

"As expected of a world where superheroes are treated like celebrities." Andrew and Electro exchanged glances, a similar thought appearing in their minds.

The superhero premiere was a huge success, especially when the superheroes made their collective appearance at the end, which made the atmosphere even more explosive.

At the press conference after the premiere, a reporter asked a very weighty question.

"How do the three superheroes view Iron Man, and will you be bringing Iron Man into the superhero lineup?"

The audience clearly erupted upon hearing this question.

As everyone knows, Iron Man's alter ego is the playboy, Tony Stark, who is also the chairman of Stark Industries. He's one of the most successful people in the world. It would be very easy for such a big shot to start his own superhero team, but! Why not imagine some possibilities?

Faced with this question, even the seasoned Translucent was taken aback. After considering the company's prepared statement, he said warmly, "Besides making movies, we actually spend more time in private helping those in need when we see injustice. If one day we need to fight evil enemies alongside Iron Man, then as members of justice, we have nothing more to say. Justice will surely unite us closely."

Clap clap clap clap...

The thunderous applause was endless, and everyone stood up to give a warm ovation for the Translucent's words.

"Wow. Is this still the Translucent I know?" Nathan Hawke, watching this segment on TV, couldn't help but recall the Translucent's personality and subsequent fate when he watched The Boys.

Tony Stark, also watching this scene with Jarvis controlling the monitor, unconsciously touched his arc reactor with his hand.

He then sighed.

"Natasha. How has Tony been lately?" Nick Fury turned to Natasha, who had already gone undercover in Stark Industries, after turning off the monitor.

"Lost, like a little lamb at a crossroads," Natasha replied, crossing her arms and raising an eyebrow.

"It's time to tell him about his father," Nick Fury stood up. "Get ready."

The next day.

Besides the superhero gathering that made headlines and the superhero movie, there was another event: Tony Stark, one of the world's most successful individuals.

A very popular TGA.

A hearing and Tony Stark.

"The worldline has already begun to change. Although I know all of this..." Nathan Hawke smiled slightly, watching the events of Iron Man 2 unfold after Thor's story.

"But isn't this pretty good? At least this world, or this parallel universe, can have more different things happen, which makes it more interesting."

"It can't be suppressed anymore. I'm really looking forward to seeing who the next villain summoned will be."

"I'm really looking forward to it."