DC Heroes in Marvel

The Next Day, Evening: The Stark Industry Fair

The Stark Industrial Park in New York was buzzing with life. Located within the city's urban area, this sprawling complex covered over 5,000 acres and boasted tens of thousands of square meters of facilities. Its vast expanse was a testament to Stark Industries' immense wealth.

Even after Tony Stark, as Iron Man, announced Stark Industries' withdrawal from the arms trade, the company's stock, which had initially plummeted, had recovered significantly. 

Everyone knew that while the arms industry had made Stark Industries a fortune, the company's future remained bright under Tony's genius leadership. 

Many believed that Stark Industries wasn't just surviving—it had the potential to reach new heights.

Anton stepped into the industrial park, marveling at the massive crowd gathered for the expo. The sheer size of the event exceeded his expectations.

"So many people?" he muttered, visibly surprised.

"It's said that tens of thousands are here tonight," Eddie, standing beside him, explained. "The total crowd might hit a staggering 400,000."

"They're all here for Tony Stark," Eddie added.

Anton scoffed. "What's so special about Tony Stark? He's not even as handsome as me."

"They're here for Tony Stark's R8," came a voice from behind. It was Phil, who had been absent for some time. "Eighty percent of the crowd are men, though, so they're probably not here for his looks."

Anton rolled his eyes. "What's so exciting about a $540,000 R8?" He glanced around at the eager faces surrounding him. "Bunch of people who've never seen the world."

"What was that?" Eddie asked, not catching Anton's comment.

"Nothing," Anton replied casually, leading Eddie and the others through the VIP entrance into the expo.

Inside, the atmosphere was electric. Technology companies from around the globe had gathered, each showcasing cutting-edge innovations. Booth after booth offered glimpses of the future, making it a haven for tech enthusiasts.

At the center of it all was a massive, temporarily vacant stage. This prime space was reserved for only a select few companies—Stark Industries, Oscorp, and Hammer Industries, the expo's key participants.

Despite the rivalry between Stark Industries and Hammer Industries, Tony Stark didn't seem to consider Justin Hammer a serious competitor. To Tony, Hammer was more of a nuisance than a threat.

"It's like an elephant ignoring an ant," Anton muttered. "Tony probably thinks stomping on Hammer would be a waste of effort."

However, little did Tony know that the "ant" he dismissed so easily was preparing to challenge the "elephant."

Soon, the center stage lit up with dazzling lights, signaling the next presentation. To Anton's surprise, Harry Osborn stepped onto the stage.

"Harry's taking the stage personally? Looks like they're putting a lot of weight on this expo," Anton said, intrigued.

"Not surprising," Eddie replied. "Oscorp's situation hasn't been great lately. Since Norman Osborn's disappearance, the company's faced internal strife. While Justin Hammer's attempted takeover failed, it exposed weaknesses in Oscorp's leadership.

"And now," Eddie continued, "Iron Man's rise and the demand for advanced armor have eaten into Oscorp's arms market share. On top of that, Wayne Enterprises beat them to market with limb regeneration technology, a field Oscorp had been banking on. They're in desperate need of a win to boost stock prices."

Anton nodded, absorbing the information. The decline in Oscorp's influence and profitability painted a bleak picture. The armor boom and their failure in limb regeneration technology had left them struggling to compete.

Still, Anton's expression remained neutral. This was standard business competition, and he felt no pity for Oscorp.

Even if Harry was his friend, Oscorp's financial troubles didn't evoke any sympathy. After all, Harry was still one of the world's richest men. 

Even without new profits, Oscorp's assets were so vast that Harry could comfortably live off his wealth for lifetimes.

"It seems they're planning to showcase Oscorp's latest weapons," Eddie observed, eyeing the intricate setup at Oscorp's booth.

Anton folded his arms and watched intently. Whatever Oscorp had prepared, it was clear they were betting big on this expo.

Phil's eyes widened in shock, his expression a mix of disbelief and alarm. "Isn't that a flying skateboard?" he exclaimed. "How dare Oscorp showcase something like that? Aren't they worried someone might connect it to the true identity of the Green Goblin?"

"A flying skateboard is just a piece of tech—nothing irreplaceable," Anton replied calmly, though his sharp gaze suggested he sensed something unusual. "It's probably not the main attraction Oscorp is presenting. More like a side dish."

"What?" Phil blinked in confusion and turned his attention back to Harry, who was still speaking on stage.

At that moment, Harry demonstrated the skateboard's capabilities by stepping onto it himself. With a single fluid motion, he soared into the air, performing daring loops and dives that drew gasps and cheers from the crowd. 

After a brief aerial display, he gracefully landed back on stage, visibly pleased with the audience's awe.

With all eyes on him, Harry remained on the floating skateboard, continuing to hover as he spoke.

"Oscorp has a vision," he declared, his voice firm and confident. "If Tony Stark can transform himself into Iron Man, a symbol of justice, then Oscorp can also shoulder the responsibility of upholding justice."

Harry raised his hand and pressed a sleek black watch on his wrist.

Hiss!

In an instant, black metal began covering his entire body.

"Is that... nanotechnology?" Anton muttered, narrowing his eyes as he scrutinized the transformation.

The spectacle caught everyone's attention—both on stage and off. The audience murmured in amazement, while Tony Stark, hidden in a discreet corner, leaned forward to get a better look. 

Justin Hammer, who had been impatiently waiting for his turn to present, froze, his smug demeanor faltering.

All eyes were locked on Harry as his sleek, black armor glinted under the stage lights. Speculations ran wild.

"Nanotech armor?"

The idea sent ripples through the crowd. Oscorp, a company not traditionally known for developing advanced armor, seemed to have taken a bold leap in a completely new direction.

"Interesting," Tony murmured, stroking his chin thoughtfully. The demonstration reminded him of his Mark 5 suitcase armor, which suddenly felt embarrassingly outdated. "Looks like I'll need to make some upgrades when I get back to the lab."

But then, his expression darkened.

"Wait… something's off," Tony whispered, his eyes narrowing.

At the same time, Anton's analytical gaze grew sharper.

"No, it's not nanotechnology," he said slowly, the realization dawning on him. The armor enveloping Harry's body triggered a sense of familiarity—an unsettling one.

Beside him, Eddie Brock visibly tensed. A cold shiver ran down his spine as Venom stirred within him, growling a low, instinctive warning.

"It's not nanotech," Eddie said quietly, his voice heavy with unease. His eyes fixed on Harry, and he added grimly, "It's symbiosis."

…

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