CH: 12 THE WORLD OUTSIDE JAPAN
Flying over I-isalnd one could think there is a party festival taking place. Lights and fireworks cake the sky with color and wonder of what is to come. Inside the military cargo plane, the man of the hour is prepping for his arrival wearing a mechanized suit.
"I'm serious, give me a little space," the dark-haired man says, heaving over the toilet in a daze.
"Get up," the man's assistant said in disbelief. "We are over the drop zone we have to go," she says slamming the door frame to the bathroom. This redhead's boss is eccentric, erratic, and sometimes insane. Above, this man is surprisingly a genius, an actual playboy, a billionaire, and a philanthropist.
"Do I look good?" the eccentric man said, giving himself a once over.
"You look how to look every day like you have a hangover," The ginger-haired woman says with a little humor and slight disdain in her voice.
"Come you got ginger ale, crackers," The man pauses and turns "What about Alcohol?"
"I don't alcohol I've got Motrin"
She looked puzzled by her suggested medication.
"Pep there's something seriously wrong with giving a grown man motrin"
"What are you talking about-" Pepper tried to over-talk her boss.
"I'M NOT ON MY CYCLE PEPPER," the man said in confused anger.
"It's a ibuprofen." She responed
The light turns green signaling they have reached the drop zone. The billionaire is still acting like a fool.
"Abort this mission," The man said stumbling to his feet.
"NO! We can't. We are over the drop zone." Pepper said, getting the man's attention. After a short pause, the man's attitude changed on a dime. The swagging and confidence returns to his face.
"Let's do this!" The man opens the bay doors and approaches the edge cargo he turns to his faithful and grabs her shoulder.
"Hey, quick question" The man looks into his eyes with seriousness "How's my hair" the man asks, whipping it back and forth. "Is the PC enough? Do I need more products?"
"Nope, you're good to go" Pepper with a slight smirk.
"Now can I give a smooch for good luck? This is heavy stuff." The man said with arms open. The woman chuckles to herself kisses the man's helmet and throws it out of the plane.
"Go get 'em, boss," Pepper said with a smirk. The man chuckles and jumps out of the plane.
This has music blaring as he is descending rapidly to ground level.
All you women who want a man off the street
But don't know which way you wanna turn
The man grabs and equips his helmet. He then proceeds to corkscrew out of the way of some fireworks. The lights and sounds vibrate more and more as he descends further. If you can listen closely you can hear him humming his song.
Just keep a-comin', and put your hand out to me
'Cause I'm the one who's gonna make you burn
The armored man speeds up rocketing faster and he approaches the ground. He aims to land on the stage needling through a tiny gap in the glass ceiling.
I'm gonna take you down
Oh, down, down, down
So, don't you fool around
I'm gonna pull it, pull it, pull the trigger
-CLANG-
The man of the hour has arrived. Striking and landing pose 'the invincible armored Ironman' has joined the festivities of I-Island. The crowd was elated as seas of lights in the pavilion began to dance in sync with the music and dancing cheerleaders.
Shoot to thrill, play to kill
Too many women with too many pills, yeah
Shoot to thrill, play to kill
I got my gun at the ready, gonna fire at will, yeah
A mechanized platform unfolds pulling away the armor to reveal a man in a nice suit with a distinguished mustache. This is Anthony Edward Stark the CEO of Stark Industries.
Shoot you, shoot you, shoot you, shoot you down
Shoot you, shoot you, shoot you down
Aah, aah, aah, aah, aah, aah yeah
I'm gonna shoot to thrill
Play to kill
Shoot to thrill
The song ends as girls pose behind him for the audience.
"Oh it's good to be back," Tony said, clapping at the exiting cheerleaders. He turned to the adoring fans and one chirped up.
"Blow something up," the man said in the distance.
"Can't Wanye beat me to it" Stark said with a quick remark.
"I'm not gonna say that the US is finally enjoying her first sense of peace in the last twenty years." Tony starts walking "And I'm not gonna say that people like me, Bruce Wanye, and others getter around this country took a look at homes and say," Tony Scruggs "no we can fix this" The crowd laughs at this statement, and swooned on every word. People admire someone who is not pro and gets the job done. Whether they are pros or not.
"And it's not even about me." He gestures to the crowd "It's not about us. In 1974, my great-grandfather Howard Sr founded I-ISLAND to continually pull together research and technology from all over the world so that humanity can grow and keep up in our ever-changing world."
The crowd started cheering again.
"Now if I have to say something, if it's anything, is welcome back to the generational STARK EXPO. Now before I leave we got something special."
The screen turns black revealing a lanky man with black hair adjusting the camera, a burly man carrying large cargo to a docking station, a woman directing robots, and a young blonde throwing a heart up for the women in the crowd of the Stark expo.
"Johnny cut that out, we are supposed to be professional." The burly man said, slapping the blonde upside the head.
The audience heard that remark as the audio was coming in even Stark had to chuckle.
"Come on Ben, anything pales in comparison to Stark's opening. Right, sis?" The blonde looks towards his sister preoccupied with loading more cargo.
"Not Johnny, I'm doing a final check on supplies we need and Ben hurry up your snacks unless you want astronaut food only.
STARK EXPO
"As you can see Dr, Reed Richards and his crew will be going somewhere no man hasn't been in a long time. Space the final frontier"
The murmurs turned to cheers.
"A project between Stark and Wayne tech backing this will give us a new I-island observatory in geocentric orbit with the earth called watchtower. It can scan far into the depths of space and far below the ocean waves.
The screen cuts to multiple diagrams and finally the grand unveiling of the watchtower.
UA HIGH SCHOOL
Power Loader is in the support course lab pulling Hatsume from the TV "Come on stop drooling on the TV."
Hatsume is in her world looking at the possibility "That is one big baby. I have to see this up close" She says with the circles of crosshair eyes turning into dinner plates.
"Maybe you can at the sports festival," Powerloader says with a gruff in his voice. The crosshairs in Hatsume's eye turned stars in glee.
"Well I can't sit around like this I gotta beat those 1A guys," Hatsume said rolling out drafting paper.
"I thought you just wanted to show off to the companies at the festival," Powerloader said confused.
Hatsume shrugs while putting on her goggles, "I can do both." She giggles to herself drawing up new inventions.
"Good girl" Powerloader walks to the door "I'm gonna talk to Nezu for a few minutes don't destroy the workshop."
"No promises," Hatsume said waving with her back turned to her teacher.
"Why do I even bother." Powerloader closes the door.
UA DORMS
"GUYS GET IN HERE" Mineta voiced resounding echoes through the halls. One by one his classmates crawled out of bed coming downstairs to the foyer to an excited Midoriya, Mineta, Ida, and Momo.
"What's wrong Mineta I was enjoying the afternoon nap," Sero said yawning in a daze.
"WE'RE GOING TO SPACE!" Midoriya said not hiding his excitement.
"WHAT," was the collective sound of the approaching classmates. When this was everyone was stomping running to the lounge room to watch history. This caught the attention of the adults in the teacher's lounge down the hall.
"Hey, NO RUNNING," Aizawa yells at stampeding students.
"Sorry, Mr. Aizawa we are not missing this," Froppy said leaping down the hall. The statement confused Aizawa but before he could respond Nemuri popped her head out the door and grabbed Aizawa pulling him back into the lounge.
"Nemuri what are you-" Eraserhead, All Might, Torino, Mirko, and Midnight were all quiet watching their lounge television in silence and awe.
This was marking a new age in this superhuman society. Under everyone's noses, history was being made on I-island. Across was tuning in to this event. In Europe, every guild large and small was watching this on the large projects.
"Oh man this is exciting everybody is here." Said a pink-haired boy rocking back and forth on the floor.
"Natsu calm down. If you roll around too much Gajeel might be tempted to kick you." This caused Natsu to turn and eye the would-be kicker. Only to see him dusting his shoes with a smirk.
In Atlantis and Wakada two kings are watching this from their throne rooms with their children watching events unfold.
Finally, back in Japan, a shopkeeper is watching the events play out on his TV.
"Hey Yourichi get in here" A purple-haired woman walked drying her hair.
"What is it Kisuke, I was having a good soak."
"Stark is launching a shuttle into-" As he turns he is dumbstruck by the bare view that almost causes a nosebleed. "Yourichi puts some clothes on. You're lucky everybody is out today."
"But clothes are so itchy." She wrapping herself. "And I thought you like me walking around like this."
"You're a cat most of the time. Just put some clothes on and stop wetting my mats," Kisuke said shooing her out of the room.
"Fine" The dark skinned woman responded walking out of the room.
I-ISLAND LAUNCH SITE
A young man is holding a camera recording his broadcast all over streaming sites from YouTube to Twitch.
"What is UP? Lovely people this "TheFlame61" your favorite part engineer, part streamer coming at you live from I-ISland with my lovely sister." Johnny leans over putting the camera closer to Sue "You can't be invisible when I'm around Sis. The people want to moment from every angle "Well except his angle." Johnny said turning his camera to Ben Grimm
"Please hothead, any angle is chiseled," Grimm said stroking his low-cut stubbled face. Ben pushes the camera out of his face "Anybody seen Reed?"
Reed is setting cockpit checking of all final prep needed to launch the shuttle.
STARK EXPO
The crowd murmurs as a countdown appears on the screen to the launch.
"Welp while those lovely people get ready. I have a message to share from the great beyond my father Howard Stark." An older man appears on screen detailing the original Stark expo. Tony quietly walks off stage to meet up with Happy Hogan his chief of security.
"What do you think about that Happy?" Tony said with a big grin on his face.
"Fantastic, now come on we have to move." Happy said grabbing Stark out of the area to his car. As Tony maneuvers with his bodyguard to the outside pavilion. Approaching a brand new car park outside.
"What do you think?" Happy said buzzing the convertible car. "Fresh out off of Wanye tech's 3d car printer made to your specs."
"I should've asked to make it black." A deadpanned response was all he got from Happy as he remotely started the engine.
Tony shifts the topic and addresses the woman in the car. "Does she come with the car or is that extra?"
"Nope," Happy said slightly confused unlocking the car.
"Hello beautiful, looking for someone," Stark said with his trademark smile.
"I'm looking for you," The blonde said with a bubbly smile. Tony was then served his summons to Congress tomorrow with Bruce Wanyne.
"Yikes this is going to be dizzy," Tony said looking at the paper.
"Happy takes the paper and looks over it.
"If we use your new jet now we can make the Eastern time zone in thirty minutes," Happy said looking over the timeslot for the hearing. Tony looks at his phone and starts to dial an old friend. "Talk to Rhodey while I drive." To pull out of the pavilion with a timer to launch at 6 am PST
WASHINGTON DC- 9 am
Standing at the steps of Congress Bruce Wayne is waiting for his grilling partner to arrive. Waiting alongside him is Selina pacing around her Dark Knight like a stray kitten.
"You should've brought the other suit. Lean into public status and all it would send is a statement." The green-eyed woman said cheekily.
"Like what Selina" Bruce asked with inquiry.
"Something like 'I not ashamed and this is who I am,'" She says puffing her chest in a classic crusader pose with hands on her hips. Bruce looked reserving to reveal his small chuckle. "Oh no you don't here." Selina pulls up on her phone showing an old picture of the "Dynamic Duo" first appearance. "See I know you like to pose." She says with a smirk.
"Dick help bring the light out of me," Bruce said with a somber smile. "Now, he's running around with SHIELD."
"He'll be fine it's his bonding time with Jason. I just hope Tim is faring better with Damien."
WANYE MANOR-BATCAVE
After a long three-hour training both boys are exhausted. They have been training since Bruce left per Damien's request to 'spar' with his new brother. Their match continued back and forth one trumping the other in skill as the fight went on. Eventually, they have exhausted every tactic and gadget they lay exhausted/
"Dude can't we do something normal like watch history on TV with Alfred ."
"I care little for Stark postering to the masses Drake. Father entrusted you, me, and Gordan to watch the city while he is gone. Also,o I rather watch the congressional hearing." Damien said wiping a towel on his face and throwing a second one to Drake.
"Yeah and SHIELD is doing the heavy lifting for us in that department." Tim looks at his watch "PLUS IT'S 6 AM! IT'S MORNING!"
"Master Tim is correct you rest a little given the peace. Now go upstairs and wash up. Refreshments will be in the theater room with Miss Gordan."
I-ISLAND LANUCH PAD
While the two most recognizable faces are in Congress covering the antics. The world from Europe to Japan waits on bated breath for the event of the century. Some would assume that because of quirk space exploration is a thing of the past. The fact of the matter is when human ingenuity is pushed to the forefront and the impossible and least travel road is taken all anyone can do is watch in awe. As the event of the generation is taking place.
I-ISLAND MISSION CONTROL
"This is mission control launch time T-Minus two minutes." The controller said looking at his monitor as the brave four explorers locked in
REED'S SHIP
"Is everybody strapped in," Ben said checking everyone's straps and gear "Johnny you can end the stream" Ben said looking at Johnny's stupidity.
"Come on Ben this is historic look at the views. We're making history" The younger Storm sibling shows the viewer count. "Have you ever seen numbers this high almost a third of the world is watching."
"Oh yeah supastar what about the other two-thirds of the planet doing, huh?"
"Watching our two biggest sponsors save their hides on Capital Hill," Reed said while setting up the final sequence for launch.
"Reed," Sue said punching him on the shoulder. "What did say about saying the wrong thing at the worst time."
"Sorry Sue, it just slipped out," Reed said rubbing his shoulder from the sting.
WASHINGTON- CAPITOL HILL
"Well, Sue is taking him to task," Tony said watching the livestream outside the hearing room.
"Stark focus we're about to start," Bruce said leaning over. "It is shameful have it not been so hetco this last week I would've been at the expo.
"Bruce old buddy I love you but you're a billionaire, philanthropist with bat kink. Leave the tech angle for me and Lucis." Tony said with a smug tone. Bruce just stares at Stark with strong eyes that slowly turn yellowest-green. "Shall we Bruce?" Tony said unaware of the undercurrent of anger.
"Yup let's go," Bruce's anger subsides as he switches to his Bruce persona walking into the courtroom."
I-ISLAND LAUNCH SEQUENCE
The world starts counting down to the events of the century.
T-MINUS
10 -MISSION CONTROL
9-CLASS 1A
8-CLASS 2B
7-GEN ED
6- WAYNE MANOR
5-FAIRY TAIL
4-BEN
3-JOHNNY
2-SUE
1-REED
"IGNITION!" Reed pushes the large button starting the firing sequence of the engines. The engine of the Marvel-1 comes to life as blue and red sparks blast forth from the engine. The launch of the generation has just taken place. Students around the world were cheering and clapping older men and women wept knowing life hadn't stagnated due to the hero society.
SENATE HEARING HALL
With this going on for most of the world those with a more surface-level taste in the news are focusing on hearing of Bruce Wayne and Tony Stark.
"Mister Stark can we get back to the topic at hand." The head of the weapons committee speaks up alerting the tech genius.
"Yes, dear."
"Do or do you not have a specialized weapon?" The congressman said sitting in the middle.
"I do not," Stark said candidly.
"No, you do Mr. Stark what do you call the Iron Man weapon?" Amanda Waller speaking for the US Hero committee.
"Not a weapon"
"And Bruce Wayne is not a one-man army but we'll get to him in a minute. How would you describe the armor?"
"It's a high-tech prosthesis." The crowd laughs at the technicality but Stark stays serious. "That is the most accurate way to describe it."
"Mr. Stark it's a weapon and we would like to have such a weapon handed over to the US government. The same goes for Mr. Wayne's 'knightly' gadgets.
"Well, Amanda, that's a tall order. I'm sure not many pro heroes want batarangs and smoke bombs."
"Well, how about the tank parked at home" Amanda shows images of the batmobile booming through the streets. "Or your high-tech exosuit."
"It is not an exosuit, it just armored well." This statement confused everyone present, even Waller, after reading his file. "Exosuit implies my suit aids my strength or in some way augments it."
The committee head chimes back in, "So Mr. Wayne you mean to tell me and everyone in this room before your run-in with Scarecrow that led to your mutation." The committee gestures to the wolf ears. "You can a dozen men and dismantle five to eight armed soldiers in six seconds? Without the tech on par or equivalent to Mr. Stark's Iron Man weapon?"
"Not a weapon senator."
"Mr. Stark," Amanda glares at Stark and focuses on Wanye. "So instead of weapons what about experiences and skills? With Stark tech and your advanced combat training and tactics, we can do a lot of good in this country. Like what you did for Gotham."
"Wasn't it you who outspoken opponent to how I do things? My tactics and approach to crime." Bruce said staring daggers at Waller.
"Reasons aside we now allow current weapons tech contractor Lex Luthor into the chamber." A man in a stark white suit and purple tie as he walked into the chamber. There was a smirk on his face.
"Gentlemen it's good to see you both," Luthor said with a well-trained smile. Underneath he has nothing but disdain. "Let's break this down i have places to be as do you. Both Mr. Stark and Wayne have in their way developed skills and tech they can help our nation and the world over." The images on the screen show the Bat family and Ironman performing acts of heroism though illegal. "As you can see your actions could potentially change the game and save a lot of lives. They opt to horde this a tell us that what we have is enough and any more will be dangerous on the whole but I beg to differ. Working with the government in this capacity should be a boon to everyone. God Bless the Ironman and the bat family. God Bless America. " The audience clapped at the end of this speech.
Senator Stern chimes "Well who better to follow Luthor on this topic other than Police Commissioner James Gordon and Lieutenant Colonel James Rhodes" The two rich low bewildered by the presence of their closest allies. Entering the chamber are two men, one older fellow with fading ginger hair, and the other is an airman walking in his blue serviceman uniform. These two approached the podium preparing to address the assembly.
"Commissioner if you please read page thirty-five paragraph 2 of the report on Mr. Wanye's 'bat family'". Stern requested this with a smug look that matched Wallers.
"You are asking to read something that is isolated and can be taken out of context."
"Yes, we understand the circumstances, Commissioner. Please read the lines." Waller said in slight anger.
Gordon begins to read "Even Batman and his associates operate out of the laws and statutes of Gotham his tools and tactical awareness or approaches to scenarios deem too difficult to the average police officer. If the said capabilities were given to law enforcement or rather military we can see an efficiency in performing critical operations with minimum casualties." Gordon finishes his speech and looks at Bruce nodding as he leaves the podium making way for Colonel Rhodes. Luthor started to chuckle to himself knowing he got his competition in a bind.
"I know how this is going to go," Stark said, pulling out his phone and starting to hacking process.
"Don't bother already have it," Bruce tapped his hidden gauntlet under his jacket tapping into TV screens in the room. "On the screens now you can see the multiple operations and illegal missions inside the country." images of multiple militia members using tactics. "The paramilitary sent to Gotham used my skills, tactics, and weaponry of unknown origin." Bruce eyes Waller when he says this making the woman wince in her chair. "ARGUS's job is to help and aid in the improvement of hero society in the US." images of Argus agents all over the country one using snipers and guns with a young female protege, and another panel shows Slade Wilson and two kids finally a singular man sporting two katana sitting on a pile of guys enjoying a snack.
This got under the collar of the government's collar. "You expect me and Stark to give our resources to you," Wayne stands up and proclaims "You seek to only make effective soldiers and treat your pros as human weapons, not pro heroes."
"This coming from the person who 'wars on crime' in the streets of Gotham. New Flash the whole east is like this and on the West Coast are dealing monsters and mini Kaijus. You or Stark can't be everywhere." Senator Stern says leaning into the mic. "I am curious about what solutions you and the tech genius can drum up."
"Speaking of tech genius your genius. Mr. Stark your pivot into support tech from weapons is noteworthy but your inability to part with the Ironman armor is a stain on your new leaf. Why not let it be studied at I-island at the very least." Waller said focusing on the laid-back man on his phone.
"The Ironman platform is not just a tool and not a simple weapon. It's an extension of who am a turning point in my legacy. I am Ironman." The sounds of a thousand cameras could heard throughout the courtroom. "The suit and I are one. To turn over the armor is paramount to indentured servitude. I would rather be registered as having a quirk or just a part of my charm." Small chuckles could be heard in the courtroom with that remark from Stark.
"And what about the copycats cropping up with mech suits of their own?" Luthor said side eyeing Tony. "Stark your tech is impressive but it's merely a stepping stone to something better."
"Is that a fact," Stark cuts through seizing control of the screens.
"Stark again with hacking?" Waller said unamused.
Tony just smiles as starts shifting through the information. "Over here we have Russia," A large machine is shown collapsing on its weight. "Iran," Another large mech in a desert base begins going haywire firing randomly.
"Enough of this," Luthor gets up but is in abject horror.
"Luthor, is that you and Hammer ?" A video feed shows Lexcorp scientists loading an unstable fusion core into the mech suit fitted with guns and shoulder-mounted cannons. The suit began to power up and the test subject in question began to flex his finger. The speed of which caused the user to break his finger and the feedback loop of pain caused his whole arm and torso to bend and break. The room was left in abject horror and silence.
"I would like to point out the pilot survived," Luthor said stumbling on the mic.
"I think that's enough gentlemen. Senator Stern anymore questions? "
"Meeting is adjourned for today no further question." the Senator stands and leaves the room. Signally the end of the session.
The two billionaires look at each other one with slight confusion but joyful and the other has a stoic look in his eyes.
On their way out of the room Tony being swarmed by the media looks for Bruce who mysteriously disappears into the crowd.
"The hell how do lose a guy that tall and built," Tony said walking to the car.
"Misdirection now get into the car," Bruce said hacking the earpiece Tony was wearing.
Tony looked around confused as he got into his car. "That was weird for a se-; oh shit," right next to Tony was the man in question.
"We need to talk about Fury's plan," Bruce said signaling his driver to move. "For starters-,"
Most of what happened wasn't broadcast out of the US and in just two days the UA sports festival will be the center of the world's attention.
UA GYM GAMMA
"Come on nerd are just gonna lay there all day," Bakugo said stretching. "Bunny ears said our strength should be equal."
Laying on the floor Midiroya is catching his breath from the last blast blow Bakugo dealt. Since the festival was almost here. Miruko decided to make a mock battle tournament for class 1A. Aizawa agreed since it would be good to get combat records of his student progress.
The last fight of the day was Bakugo versus Midiorya. Izuku was held his own but eventually pushed into a corner. Aizawa walks over to Midoriya giving him a once-over.
"Midoriya I know getting used to this strength and your pension for bone snapping don't meld well but if you keep holding back." Eraserhead gestures to Bakugo. "People like Bakugo and others can easily walk over you. I giving you one more chance to shape or I'm benching you for the festival. Izuku's eyes went wide hearing this giving him a shock to the system. "Now. GET. UP." the whole class was cheering for him to stand. The only exception was Bakugo stretching his arms prepping for the next fight.
Izuku brings himself and shouts "AGAIN!"
CHAPTER END
The eve of the festival is here. The US is in hardware mode next chapter "THE STARTING LINE"
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