DC HERO AT MARVEL

Rhodes' accusatory voice echoed across the stage.

At his words, the audience, some with serious expressions and others calm, turned their attention to the mysterious armored figure who had appeared so suddenly.

Swish!

The figure extended both arms, revealing crackling blue energy whips that lashed out with a sharp snap.

The twin electric whips left no doubt about his identity.

Clack!

The newcomer lifted the visor of his helmet, revealing a rugged face.

Though his appearance wasn't widely recognizable, the crowd wasn't full of clueless onlookers anymore—most of them were well-informed.

Especially Tony Stark.

Even though events had diverged slightly from the original timeline, Ivan Vanko had avoided any preemptive taunts, waiting until now to reveal himself.

But the core situation hadn't changed.

"It you!"

Tony face darkened as he recognized the man he had once gravely injured.

Then he smirked coldly.

"So this is why Hammer Industries could never have created an Arc Reactor on their own—it was you. And let me guess, that little dud of a missile earlier? That was your handiwork too."

"It was me," Ivan admitted freely, laughing maniacally.

"How could I let you die so easily? That missile was just a joke. Now the real fun begins. Get ready, Tony."

"Ivan Vanko!"

Eddie was stunned when he saw the face.

"It actually him! I thought he was dead."

He paused, then lowered his voice as he recalled Anton earlier remarks.

"Anton, you knew Ivan was behind this, didn't you?"

"I said his target was Tony," Anton replied, still sitting calmly in his chair.

He watched the standoff unfolding before him without the slightest change in his demeanor.

"We're just here to enjoy the show."

"But why?" Eddie asked, confused.

"He almost died at Tony hands last time, and now he coming back for a head-on fight? What kind of grudge does he have against Tony Stark?"

"It a blood feud," Anton said, narrowing his eyes.

"His father was once a key employee under Howard Stark. For certain reasons, Howard exiled him. His father was Soviet, and when he returned to the Soviet Union, he was never fully valued, even after it became Russia. He died in obscurity."

"So Ivan Vanko wants revenge for his father?" Eddie asked, suddenly understanding.

"Not just revenge," Anton added.

"Tony Arc Reactor technology began as a project back in Howard era. Ivan father was one of the main researchers on that project.

Although the project never bore fruit, the leftover data remained in Stark Industries' systems... and in Ivan father mind."

"I see… it really is a blood feud," Eddie said, sucking in a sharp breath.

He turned to the confrontation playing out before him, finding it increasingly thrilling.

On Ivan Vanko side, there was Rhodes under his control, along with an army of steel soldiers.

On Tony side, there was only Tony himself and Harry Osborn, who had just declared himself a superhero and happened to be present.

At first glance, Tony side seemed at a disadvantage.

But both Anton and Eddie knew this battle wouldn't be determined by numbers alone.

It was going to be a spectacle!

No one knew that amidst the chaos, another figure was hiding in the shadows.

With eyes filled with seething hatred, he fixated on one particular individual in the confrontation: Harry Osborn, who had just declared himself a superhero.

His name was Max Dillon, a Black electrical engineer.

Despite his brilliance, Max had struggled in his career, unrecognized and undervalued.

The circuits used by Osborn Company were based on his designs, yet he never received any credit or rewards from them.

A recent accident, however, had completely changed his life.

But the change wasn't what he had hoped for—recognition or promotion.

Instead, it plunged him into despair.

During a mishap, Max fell into a tank at Osborn Company used to house mutated electric eels.

Max didn't die but instead became something else entirely.

A monster.

A powerful monster.

When Osborn Company discovered what had happened to him, they tried to imprison and study him.

But Max escaped, furious beyond measure and hellbent on revenge.

Upon learning that Osborn Company would be attending the Stark Industries Technology Expo, he began planning for this very day.

If Osborn Company was going to bask in the spotlight, he intended to deliver a crushing blow during their moment of glory.

At the same time, he would announce to the world the arrival of a new supervillain.

Years of suppression and mistreatment at Osborn Company had twisted Max mind after his mutation granted him immense power.

He chose to abandon his former, meek self and embrace the persona of a strong, vengeful force.

Upon arriving at the expo, he patiently waited for the right moment to strike.

But just as he was about to make his grand entrance, the unfolding chaos took an unexpected turn.

In some ways, this development suited him just fine.

"Let go!"

Max grinned wickedly.

"The more chaos, the better! Today, I will announce to all of New York—and to you so-called superheroes—the arrival of Electro!"

The tense atmosphere reached its peak, and the battle was about to erupt.

Boom!

The War Machine piloted by Rhodes suddenly took off and charged toward Tony at high speed.

Tony, now suited up in his armor, faced Rhodes' assault with an unflinching expression.

Clang!!

The two collided without using any weapons, the sharp sound of metal clashing echoing throughout the hall.

"Tony, I can't control the suit!"

Inside the War Machine, Rhodes was frantic, nearly on the verge of tears.

"It okay. J.A.R.V.I.S. is decrypting the code Ivan implanted in your suit, but it'll take some time," Tony replied.

Even while fighting Rhodes, Tony kept his eyes on Ivan Vanko in the distance. He then turned to Harry and requested, "Do me a favor—get Pepper out of here."

"No problem," Harry replied, his gaze briefly passing over Anton and Eddie before quickly returning to the task at hand.

Those two clearly didn't need his help.

The thought passed quickly as Harry grabbed Pepper and stepped onto his flying glider.

Just as he was about to soar away and safely escort her out before returning to assist, zap!

A sudden flash of blue light streaked toward him—a bolt of lightning.

Yes, a real lightning bolt, crackling with electric energy.

Bang!!

Harry was struck by the immense power of the lightning and sent flying.

Pepper tumbled to the ground as well.

Fortunately, the enemy target was Harry, so Pepper only suffered a minor fall with a few scrapes and bruises.

"HAHAHAHAHA!"

The sound of unrestrained laughter echoed across the stage as Harry lay sprawled on the ground.

Everyone was startled by the sudden turn of events and turned their heads to see a man wearing an oversized gray hoodie with the hood up.

Zzzzt zzzzt zzzzt!

Though the man face was still hidden, his skin crackled with bright blue electric currents, flashing vividly.

"Who that?" Eddie muttered from the corner, stunned.

Another one?!

He glanced at Anton, hoping to get some insight from the seemingly all-knowing figure, only to find Anton looking equally baffled.

"So even you don't know something!"

Eddie was about to savor this rare moment of Anton not having all the answers when he heard Anton mutter under his breath.

"Electro... How did this guy show up too?"