Chapter 62 - 62: The Grand Spectacle of the Expo

"This is… absolutely terrifying." Rhodey muttered under his breath, staring at the grotesque metallic "flower" that was once Ivan Vanko. His heart pounded wildly, adrenaline coursing through his veins as he instinctively shifted into a defensive stance. Tony Stark was no different. The brutal fate of Vanko sent a chill running from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head. "Who… are you? And this 'Creator' you speak of… what exactly is it?" Stark questioned, his voice carrying a rare seriousness. But the silver machine ignored him entirely. Without a word, it ascended rapidly into the sky, vanishing within seconds. The force of its departure generated a powerful shockwave, sending both Stark and Rhodey stumbling backward. Climbing back to his feet, Stark's expression was one of sheer disbelief. Because the speed—no, the sheer acceleration of that thing—was utterly unreal. It had generated an explosive sonic boom the moment it took off. What kind of material could even withstand that kind of force? The rigidity, the structural integrity… it was beyond fascinating. "Tony… what the hell was that thing?" Rhodey, still dazed, pulled himself up and looked at Stark with a bewildered expression. If that silver machine had wanted to take them out, they wouldn't have stood a chance. No defense, no countermeasures—just absolute helplessness. Stark shook his head slowly. This level of technology was beyond his understanding. Maybe, given a few years, he could catch up… maybe. Sёarch* The nôvel_Fire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But who was to say that what they had just witnessed was even the pinnacle of its technology? __ The shocking events at the Stark Expo spread like wildfire across the globe. Right now, the eyes of the entire world were locked onto the chaos at Stark Industries. But it wasn't the kind of attention Tony Stark had hoped for. "Can Iron Man really protect us?" "Major security breach at Stark Expo! War machines go rogue!" "20 dead, numerous injured in catastrophic expo attack!" "Meanwhile, at the Mason Industrial Expo—cutting-edge technology on full display!" "A tech-lover's paradise: The wonders of Mason Industries!" As media coverage intensified, public interest in the Mason Industrial Expo skyrocketed. Many who had originally planned to visit Stark's expo quickly changed their minds. Instead, they turned their attention toward the grand showcase hosted by Mason Industries. And the moment they arrived… they were spellbound. Standing at the entrance were towering T-600 model robots, their metallic forms gleaming under the expo lights. Large holographic screens displayed vibrant projections, showcasing futuristic concepts that seemed straight out of science fiction. People were hooked. "Dad, I wanna go to the Mason Expo!" "Honey, I need a selfie with that T-600!" "I gotta see this for myself. Is it really as crazy as the news says?" "This is insane. I don't even wanna leave!" "Wait, I heard there's a fireworks show tonight—something that's never been done before!" At the mention of fireworks, any lingering hesitation disappeared. Crowds poured through the gates of Mason Industries. And the moment they stepped inside… they knew they had made the right choice. Above them, tiny robotic drones—designed like floating petals—drifted through the air in mesmerizing patterns. Sleek, nimble automatons moved seamlessly among the guests, providing assistance or showcasing new technologies. Giant holographic displays hovered in midair, creating an atmosphere that felt more like a sci-fi utopia than a corporate expo. Nowhere else on Earth had this level of futurism. "Whoa. This is insane." "This place is a dream come true." "Mason Industries is on another level." "The other companies' booths are amazing too!" "Man, I don't wanna go home. Do they have themed hotels here?" Excitement buzzed through the air. People marveled at everything around them, completely immersed in the technological spectacle that Mason Industries had crafted. __ "Hey! Look up! The fireworks are starting!" A shout echoed through the expo, drawing everyone's attention. Heads tilted back. Eyes locked onto the night sky. Then… Boom! Tiny points of light launched upward, racing toward the heavens. And then—they bloomed. A brilliant, glowing "M" spread across the sky. "It's the Mason Industries logo!" "Holy crap—how did they do that?!" "This is unreal!" But that was only the beginning. One after another, breathtaking images unfolded in the sky. The Umbrella Corporation logo. The Skynet Corporation insignia. A towering T-600 robot. Iconic Mason Industries products projected in luminous detail. Each explosion of light painted a dazzling scene, illuminating the entire city. For a brief moment, New York City itself glowed as brightly as daytime. The spectacle was so massive, people from all over the city could see it. "My god… this is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen." "Why the hell didn't I go to the Mason Expo?!" "Dammit! If it weren't for the traffic, I'd be there right now!" "How the hell did they make these fireworks?!" Those with keen eyes quickly noticed— These weren't ordinary fireworks. Traditional pyrotechnics couldn't produce this level of brightness. No matter how many were launched, they could never turn an entire metropolitan skyline into daylight. And those intricate, shifting images? Ordinary fireworks weren't capable of such precision. __ "Of course it's Mason Industries. Even their damn fireworks are beyond imagination." Inside S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Triskelion Headquarters, Nick Fury stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, his one eye watching as the New York night was turned into a canvas of light. His expression remained unreadable. But deep down, his suspicions about Mason Industries only deepened. Especially after seeing that so-called "Captain Supreme." That shield… That face… The resemblance to him was too perfect. It was impossible to ignore. Something wasn't right. And Fury was going to find out exactly what. -------------- T/N: Access Advance Chapters on my P@treon: [email protected]/MPHFics