"Why let Ivan Vanko start his own company? Is it just to put him on the front lines against Stark?"
Justin Hammer had always had an idea—or rather, an obsession.
He wanted to surpass Stark Industries and make Hammer Industries the number one weapons manufacturer.
"Maybe you should take a look at Stark Industries' backup plan."
Nathan Hawke's words made Justin Hammer freeze for a moment before he deflated.
"You mean that even after Obadiah left, someone else was secretly backing Stark Industries?"
Justin Hammer asked doubtfully, "The military? I have friends in the military too."
"So this time, you'll get to see exactly what Stark Industries' backup plan is."
Nathan Hawke clearly had no intention of telling him and wanted him to find out for himself, which left Justin Hammer somewhat frustrated. He had already planned it all out: outfit Ivan Vanko's Iron Legion with Hammer Industries' Ex-Wife Missiles, add Hawke Group's promotional department, and with all that buzz and sales combined, the company's shares would soar. They would definitely crush Stark Industries underfoot.
"You bought shares in Vanko Tech too, didn't you? At the very least, you definitely won't lose out." Nathan Hawke had no intention of telling him that, if he had not come to this world and events followed their original course, Justin Hammer would have ended up in prison.
"I think I should send a few researchers over there. Yeah." Justin Hammer could not help nodding. The more he thought about it, the more sense it made.
"I'll head to Vanko Tech first. We'll talk next time." With that, Justin Hammer immediately headed toward Vanko Tech in high spirits.
At the superhero premiere.
"There are really so many people. I didn't expect this many to show up today."
"Of course. Three superhero movies are being screened together today."
Peter Parker and Ned, both carrying backpacks, were holding their freshly bought tubs of popcorn and cups of cola as they prepared to enter the theater.
"Hey, hello there." A voice suddenly rang out beside them.
"Whoa!" The two jumped in fright.
"Hahahaha, just as I expected." Translucent revealed himself.
"Whoa, Translucent!" Ned's eyes immediately lit up. He stuffed his cola and popcorn into Peter Parker's hands, then said, "Translucent, I'm a huge fan! Please sign this for me." As he spoke, he took off his backpack and handed over a Translucent-themed suit and a marker.
"Oh, thank you. Since you're such a huge fan, can you tell me your name?" Translucent replied warmly with a smile.
"Ned. Translucent, my name is Ned." Ned watched excitedly as Translucent began writing.
"No problem." After signing, Translucent took out his own pen and wrote beneath his signature: Super Fan: Ned.
"Wow, thank you!" Ned jumped excitedly, then nudged Peter Parker beside him with his elbow.
Peter Parker snapped back to his senses. "H-Hello, Translucent. Could you sign one for me too?"
"Sure, I'd be happy to." Translucent smiled as he accepted one of his own merchandise items to sign. "Kid, what's your name?"
"Peter Parker, sir." Peter Parker answered with some social anxiety.
"Oh, Peter Parker." After signing it, Translucent froze for a moment. He looked at the name he had just written on the merchandise—Super Fan: Peter Parker—then looked at the young, innocent-faced kid before him.
"Kid? You said your name is Peter Parker?" Translucent raised an eyebrow. However, because he was wearing his suit, neither of them could see his expression; they could only see his eyes and mouth.
"Yes, Mister Invisible Man. Is there a problem?" Peter Parker suddenly felt nervous inside.
"Oh. Then I need to sign another one." A sudden impulse struck Translucent. He remembered Electro mentioning his opponent while the three of them had been chatting: Spider-Man, Peter Parker. After signing it, Translucent handed the merchandise back to him.
"All right. I hope today's movie gives you a wonderful experience." Translucent said, preparing to leave.
"No, Translucent, today has already been an incredibly happy and exciting day for us." Ned was so excited he was practically beside himself. If he had not been worried that shouting might draw more attention here and affect Translucent, he would have been stomping his feet wildly in excitement.
"Hahaha, thank you, guys." Translucent vanished and left.
"Parker, see? I told you. It's the premiere, so there were bound to be superhero promotional surprises and fan perks. And look, we ran into Translucent. There's also Electro and Super V. Ahhh! It would be amazing if we could meet all of them." Ned excitedly drained his cola in one go.
"Oh, shit. Parker, I want another cola."
"Okay."
Peter Parker was just as excited. After taking back the merchandise, he had seen the message Translucent had written for him.
"To our future superhero: Peter Parker."
Could I become a superhero too? Something deep within Peter Parker's heart began to shift.
"Hey. Guess who I just saw?"
Backstage, Translucent spoke to Electro and Andrew.
"Who? You sound so excited. Don't tell me it was another hot ass?" Electro looked over in confusion. He had gradually become familiar with Translucent and Andrew, and all of them knew some things about each other's worlds. However, one thing that set Electro apart was that those two loved nightlife. If it was not one hot ass today, it would be another tomorrow.
"Who? A blonde hot ass or a silver-haired hot ass?" Andrew immediately perked up. During the fan event earlier, he had noticed quite a few fans with fiery figures. Ever since returning from the battle against the Hydra base, Andrew had developed an inexplicable desire to vent, and his preferences had changed from cute, delicate girls to tall, mature women.
"What kind of looks are those?" Translucent wore an expression that said they had misunderstood him and wronged him.
"It was Peter Parker. I ran into Peter Parker." Translucent began animatedly describing the countless twists and turns of his encounter with Peter Parker, ending with the scene where Peter Parker finally met him.
"I never expected Peter Parker to be a kid. Even though you already told me this world differs from yours in some ways, I still have to say it: this kid will probably—no, most likely definitely—become a superhero someday," Translucent said firmly.
"Ah! Why do you say that?" Andrew looked at him in surprise.
"Because that's how movies go. An innocent kid meets a superhero, gets encouraged, and begins longing to become a superhero. And if the protagonist is reserved and awkward, that fits even better." In just a few words, Translucent laid out the entire story.
"As expected of a world that treats superheroes like celebrities." Andrew and Electro exchanged a glance, and the same thought inexplicably surfaced in both their minds.
The superhero premiere was a tremendous success, especially when all the superheroes appeared together at the end. The atmosphere became even more explosive.
At the press conference after the premiere, one reporter raised an exceptionally weighty question.
"How do the three superheroes view Iron Man? Have you considered bringing Iron Man into the superhero lineup as well?"
The moment everyone heard that question, the entire venue was set ablaze.
As everyone knew, beneath Iron Man's armor was the playboy Tony Stark. He was also the chairman of Stark Industries and one of the most successful people in the world. A figure like him could easily start a separate superhero team of his own, but why not imagine something more?
Faced with that question, even the battle-hardened Translucent was momentarily stunned. Then, after considering the company's prepared response, he said warmly, "Besides making movies, we spend more of our time helping people in need whenever we encounter injustice. If one day we need to fight evil enemies alongside Iron Man, then as people who stand for justice, there will be no need for further words. Justice will surely bring us together."
Clap, clap, clap...
Thunderous applause erupted without end. Everyone rose to their feet and gave Translucent's words a passionate ovation.
"Wow. Is this really the Translucent I know?" Watching that segment on television, Nathan Hawke could not help recalling Translucent's personality and eventual fate from when he had watched The Boys.
Tony Stark, who was also watching the scene on a screen controlled by Jarvis, unconsciously placed his hand over his arc reactor.
Then he sighed.
"Natasha, how have things been with Tony lately?" After turning off the screen, Nick Fury looked at Natasha, who had already infiltrated Stark Industries.
"Lost. Like a little lamb standing at a crossroads." Natasha crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow as she answered.
"It's time to tell him about his father." Nick Fury stood up. "Get ready."
The next day.
Besides the superhero gathering and superhero movies making headlines, there was another matter involving one of the world's most successful people, Tony Stark.
A very popular TGA.
The hearing and Tony Stark.
"The timeline has begun to change. Although I know all of this..." Nathan Hawke watched the events of Iron Man 2 unfold only after Thor's story had taken place, and smiled faintly.
"But isn't this pretty good too? At least this world—or this parallel universe—can have more different things happen. That would be more interesting."
"It can't be suppressed anymore. I really look forward to seeing which villain will be summoned next."
"I really can't wait."
Before you continue