Chapter 21: The Worldline Begins to Diverge
"Why let Ivan Vanko start his own company? Is it just to push him to the forefront to contend with Stark?"
Justin Hammer has always had an idea, or rather, an obsession.
That is to surpass Stark Industries and make Hammer Industries the largest weapon manufacturer.
"Perhaps you should see what Stark Industries' backup plan is."
Nathan Hawke's words made Justin Hammer suddenly freeze, then deflate.
"You mean, even if Obadiah left, Stark Industries still has someone secretly supporting Stark?"
Justin Hammer asked doubtfully, "The Military? I have friends in the Military too."
"So this time, you'll finally get to see what Stark Industries' backup plan truly is."
Facing Nathan Hawke's clear refusal to tell him and his insistence on making him see for himself, Justin Hammer was still a bit depressed. He had already planned everything: equip Ivan Vanko's Iron Legion with Hammer Industries' cutting-edge missiles, and with Hawk Group's promotional department, the combined hype and sales would make his company's shares skyrocket. He was sure he could crush Stark Industries.
"You've also invested in Wanke Technology, haven't you? At the very least, you won't lose out this way." Nathan Hawke had no intention of explaining that, had he not come to this World and if the plot had followed its original course, Justin Hammer would have ended up in prison.
"I think I need to send some research personnel over, yes." Justin Hammer couldn't help but nod, the more he thought about it, the more it made sense.
"I'm going to Wanke Technology first. Talk to you later." With that, Justin Hammer excitedly headed towards Wanke Technology.
At the Superheroes movie screening.
"There are so many people! I didn't expect so many people today."
"Of course, today three Superhero movies are being shown together."
Peter Parker and Ned, with their backpacks, were holding their bought popcorn buckets and sodas, ready to enter the screening room.
"Hey, how are you two?" A sudden voice sounded beside them.
"Woah!" Both of them were instantly startled.
"Hahahaha, I knew it would be like this." The Invisible Man revealed his true form.
"Wow, The Invisible Man!" Ned's eyes immediately lit up, and he shoved the soda and popcorn bucket into Peter Parker's hands. "The Invisible Man, I'm your biggest fan! Please sign this for me!" As he spoke, he took off his backpack and handed over a piece of Invisible Man merchandise, a battle suit, and a graffiti pen.
"Oh. Thank you. Since you're my biggest fan, can you tell me your name?" The Invisible Man replied kindly, smiling.
"Ned. The Invisible Man, my name is Ned." Ned excitedly watched The Invisible Man sign.
"No problem." After signing, The Invisible Man even took out his pen and wrote below his signature: Super Fan: Ned.
"Wow, thank you!" Ned jumped up excitedly. Then he nudged Peter Parker beside him with his elbow.
Peter Parker woke up as if from a dream, "You, hello, The Invisible Man, please sign one for me too."
"Okay, I'd be happy to." The Invisible Man smiled, took another piece of his merchandise, and signed it, saying, "Kid, what's your name?"
"Peter Parker, sir," Peter Parker said somewhat timidly.
"Oh, Peter Parker." After signing, The Invisible Man paused for a moment, looked at the name he had signed on the merchandise, Super Fan: Peter Parker, and then looked at the innocent young boy.
"Kid? Did you say your name is Peter Parker?" The Invisible Man raised an eyebrow, but because he was wearing his battle suit, the two couldn't see his expression, only his eyes and mouth.
"Yes, Mr. The Invisible Man, is there a problem?" Peter Parker suddenly felt a little panicked inside.
"Oh. Then I'll have to sign another one." The Invisible Man suddenly had a whim, recalling Electro mentioning his opponent, Spider-Man Peter Parker, when the three of them were chatting. After signing, The Invisible Man handed over the merchandise.
"Alright. I hope my movie today gives you both a pleasant experience." The Invisible Man said, preparing to leave.
"No, The Invisible Man, today is already a very pleasant and exciting day for us!" Ned was so excited he was a mess; if it weren't for fear of shouting and attracting more attention, and potentially bothering The Invisible Man, Ned would have been stomping his feet in excitement.
"Hahahaha, thank you both!" The Invisible Man disappeared.
"Parker. See, I told you! Today is the premiere, there will definitely be Superhero promotional easter eggs and fan benefits. And look, we just met The Invisible Man! And Electro, Super V! Ah, ah, ah, ah! If we could meet all of them, that would be amazing!" Ned excitedly chugged his soda in one go.
"Oh, shit. Parker, I want to buy another soda."
"Okay."
Similarly, Peter Parker was also super excited inside, because after receiving the merchandise, he saw that The Invisible Man had signed a message on his merchandise.
"To our future Superhero: Peter Parker."
"Can I become a Superhero too?" Peter Parker's latent inner self began to inexplicably loosen.
"Hey. Guess who I just saw?"
Backstage, The Invisible Man said to Electro and Andre.
"Who? You sound so excited, it's not that big butt again, is it?" Electro looked over with a puzzled expression. The Invisible Man and Andre had gradually become familiar with each other, and both knew some things they had said about their own Worlds. However, one thing that Electro differed from them on was that both of them were night owls; if it wasn't this big butt tonight, it would be that big butt tomorrow.
"Who? The blonde big butt or the silver-haired big butt?" Andre immediately became interested. During the fan benefits earlier, Andre had noticed quite a few hot-bodied fans. Ever since returning from the battle to attack the Hydra Base, Andre had an inexplicable urge to vent, and his type had changed from cute and watery to tall and mature.
"What kind of look is that from you two?" The Invisible Man had an expression that said, 'You two are thinking wrong, you're wronging me.'
"It's Peter Parker. I bumped into Peter Parker." The Invisible Man gesticulated wildly as he recounted the 'eighty-one tribulations' of meeting Peter Parker to the two of them, culminating in Peter Parker finally seeing him.
"I didn't expect Peter Parker to be a child. Although you've told me that this World is different from your World, I still want to say that this child might, very likely, become a Superhero in the future." The Invisible Man said with certainty.
"Ah! Why do you say that?" Andre looked over in surprise.
"Because that's how it always happens in movies. A naive child meets a Superhero, then gets encouraged, and yearns to become a Superhero. And if the protagonist is also reserved and dull, then it fits even more." The Invisible Man, in a few words, laid out an entire story arc.
"No wonder it's a World where Superheroes are treated like celebrities." Andre and Electro exchanged glances, a similar inner thought inexplicably emerging.
The premiere of Superheroes was a great success, especially when the Superheroes collectively appeared at the end, making the scene even more explosive.
At the press conference after the premiere, a reporter asked a very significant question.
"How do the three Superheroes view the Superhero Iron Man? Is there any intention to bring Iron Man into the Superhero lineup?"
The people present, upon hearing this question, clearly ignited the entire scene.
It was well known that Iron Man's alter ego was the playboy, Tony Stark. He was also the chairman of Stark Industries, one of the most successful people in the World. It would be very simple for such a big shot to start a new Superhero team, but why not imagine more?
Facing this question, even the battle-hardened Invisible Man was momentarily stunned. After thinking about the talking points given by the company, he kindly said, "Besides making movies, in private, we mostly right wrongs and help those in need. If one day we need to defeat evil enemies alongside Iron Man, then as part of justice, we need no further words; justice will surely unite us closely."
Clap, clap, clap, clap... Thunderous applause was incessant, and everyone stood up to give a warm round of applause for The Invisible Man's words.
"Wow. Is this still The Invisible Man I know?" Watching this scene on TV, Nathan Hawke couldn't help but recall The Invisible Man's personality and eventual fate when he watched The Boys.
Similarly, Tony Stark, controlling the display with Jarvis, also watched this scene, but his hand unconsciously touched his arc reactor.
Then he sighed.
"Natasha. How is Tony doing recently?" Nick Fury turned off the display and looked at Natasha, who had already infiltrated Stark Industries.
"Confused, like a little lamb standing at a crossroads." Natasha responded with raised eyebrows, arms crossed.
"It's time to tell him about his father." Nick Fury stood up. "Get ready."
The next day.
In addition to the headlines about the gathering of Superheroes and the Superhero movie, there was another matter: Tony Stark, one of the most successful people in the World.
A very popular TGA.
Hearing and Tony Stark.
"The worldline has begun to change. Although I know all this..." Nathan Hawke smiled slightly, watching the Iron Man 2 plot unfold after Thor's story.
"But isn't it pretty good this way? At least, in this World, or this parallel Universe, it would be more interesting if more different things happened."
"It can't be suppressed anymore. I'm really looking forward to seeing which villain will be summoned next."
"I'm really looking forward to it."