"I didn't expect you to be interested in this experiment."
Tony was surprised to see Anton here. He didn't seem like the kind of person who would care about scientific experiments.
Earlier, at the Los Angeles party, Obadiah had personally invited Anton—but Anton had completely ignored it. Tony had seen countless similar situations, to the point that he had developed the instinct of a "professional ghoster."
"I occasionally need to do some real work."
Anton shrugged.
He gestured toward Eddie nearby. "I'm the owner of the Hornet Daily, after all. Today, I'm here for business and to enjoy the spectacle. This public experiment has drawn a lot of attention, especially since Stark Industries' stock has been hitting the ceiling lately… Oh, by the way, Tony, maybe you don't know yet, but I'm now a shareholder of Stark Industries!"
Indeed, Betty had followed Anton's instructions and heavily invested in Stark Industries. During a period of uncertainty, she bought shares at a premium from small shareholders. Although not many shares, it was enough to make Anton a de facto part of Stark Industries' inner circle.
"Stark Industries won't disappoint you."
Tony looked Anton over carefully, then handed the box-shaped device, which had transformed from the Mark 5 portable armor, to Happy. Empty-handed, he followed Anton toward the experimental stage.
At the stage, Otto, a leading figure in nuclear physics, was shaking hands and smiling warmly at everyone.
Many had high hopes for this experiment.
If successful, it would revolutionize the entire energy industry and change the world.
"Tony, welcome."
Otto greeted Tony Stark, ignoring Anton completely. To him, Anton's presence was irrelevant; they had no prior interaction.
Tony Stark, however, was different. As a genius inventor and partial industry insider, Otto had exchanged brief words with him on occasion and respected Tony's intellect.
"I look forward to seeing your success, Otto."
Tony said, observing the nuclear fusion apparatus that Otto had invested so heavily in—a setup for a "man-made sun."
Four curved rod-like machines converged into a semicircle for energy output, all aligned toward a single focal point, ready for the experiment.
The apparatus was obviously highly sophisticated.
Tony's mind raced with technical observations, and he couldn't help but express admiration.
"Congratulations, Otto."
He praised once more. Otto's smile grew wider, clearly appreciating recognition from another genius inventor.
Suddenly:
"Tony, Anton, I'm glad to see you both."
Obadiah's voice rang out. The old man walked briskly over, embracing Tony warmly, his gentle smile betraying no hint of the man responsible for Tony's capture in Afghanistan.
"Especially you, Tony. I'm really glad to see you stepping out."
"I'm trying to change, Obadiah."
Tony responded quietly, restraining the suspicion in his eyes.
"Anton," Obadiah turned to him, "this stage hasn't disappointed you, right?"
"Not at all. I can't wait."
Anton answered with a smile, making Tony roll his eyes. He didn't think Anton was sincere—but strangely, he couldn't tell that he was lying. Perhaps Anton was telling the truth.
As Tony and Otto exchanged greetings, Anton noticed the four pillar-like mechanical devices under a glass dome beside Otto.
He knew immediately: this was Otto's "assistant." In other words, the four mechanical arms that would make Otto the infamous Doctor Octopus.
Seeing this, Anton could already predict Otto's likely fate.
But he had no intention of intervening yet. After all, he had no personal connection with Otto, who considered himself a genius and would not heed advice.
Better to wait until Otto was fully controlled by his mechanical arms, then step in and "save the day," gaining the glory.
As he strategized, Anton also considered how he might make his appearance stylish.
The sun reached its zenith.
Noon.
Clang!
A sound like a New Year's bell echoed from somewhere.
All eyes were on Otto as he stepped onto the experimental stage, proud and confident.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the experiment is about to begin. You are about to witness the greatest invention of the 21st century."
Otto's eyes swept over the audience, his expression confident. Reporters pointed cameras at him, leaving the familiar guests behind.
"Today, you will witness the birth of a new form of renewable energy based on nuclear fusion…"
"The man-made sun—my proudest invention."
"Safe, renewable, and capable of providing affordable power to all…"
Otto's passionate and confident delivery stirred the audience, their minds imagining the possibilities.
Among the audience, Eddie's face was uneasy.
Although he had been excited about the experiment, Anton's earlier words rang in his mind:
"…Don't let your guard down. At any moment, we may need to step in."
Eddie knew Anton wasn't the type to talk recklessly. Something must have signaled him that this highly public experiment might go wrong.
He scanned the experimental stage and spotted the four mysterious mechanical arms under the glass dome.
"Next, I will introduce my assistant."
Otto reached the crucial part of the experiment, removing his coat to reveal a slightly pudgy body and a proud smile.
The audience followed his gesture to the mechanical arms under the dome.
"Don't think these are just spare materials—they're my assistants. Four mechanical arms I've spent a long time designing and building to operate the nuclear fusion apparatus. They are completely immune to heat and magnetic fields."
Otto lifted the glass dome and turned to his mechanical arms.
Eddie's unease deepened, his eyes locked on the mechanical limbs.
The audience followed Otto's position.
The four arms stood together, their cold presence felt even without touch.
Tony squinted, analyzing the technology, and again admired Otto's genius.
Anton remained calm, keeping a close watch, prepared to act.
The mechanical arms wrapped around Otto's torso like a segmented exoskeleton, their neuro-sensors climbing up his spine, small wires penetrating his body. Otto winced slightly, then composed himself.
Click-click-click!
At his command, the mechanical arms rose like extensions of his body.
"Amazing!"
"Unbelievable! And this is just a byproduct of the man-made sun experiment…"
Otto continued: "These arms are controlled directly by my brain via spinal signals. Tiny wires connect to my cerebellum, allowing me to operate in extreme environments impossible for humans."
Tony frowned.
"Doctor, if they're really that intelligent, how can you be sure you're controlling them, not the other way around?"
"Well asked, Tony. Not surprising."
Otto turned, revealing a spinal implant: a suppression chip to ensure his brain controlled the arms, not vice versa.
"I'm satisfied."
Tony sat down, understanding Otto's logic: much like limiting Jarvis, the AI's autonomy was restricted, prioritizing human commands.
"Now, for the main event."
Otto moved to the nuclear fusion apparatus.
Anton sat calmly, signaling Eddie to prepare.
Eddie stiffened, realizing Anton had anticipated the experiment's failure.
The rods shot energy, stabilizing the tritium in midair.
Boom!
The audience felt an invisible hum in their heads.
The elements flared into a red sun, eliciting awe.
"The sun's energy is in my hands!"
Otto raised his arms and mechanical limbs as if holding the sun itself.
"No, Otto. It's in our hands."
Obadiah laughed from the front row, already envisioning Stark Industries' stock breaking records.
Tony's expression was serious. He knew that even if the experiment seemed fine, a failure could be catastrophic.
Eddie swallowed nervously, the symbiote inside him alerting him.
"Damn it, Eddie! Stay away from this thing! If it reaches full energy, we'll be vaporized!"
The symbiote panicked. Earth seemed safe initially, but now the threats—mutants, advanced tech—were overwhelming.
Anton remained calm, eyes fixed on the stage, ready to act.
The experiment initially proceeded smoothly. Otto smiled confidently.
But soon, the magnetic field became unstable.
Reporters struggled to hold their cameras.
"Stay calm! It'll stabilize soon!" Otto shouted.
"Doctor! Energy is leaking!" A research assistant yelled.
"Stay calm!" Otto bellowed in panic.
Tony's face darkened. He jumped up: "Shut it down!"
"No! I can stabilize it!" Otto refused.
"Sh*t!"
Even Obadiah realized the danger.
"I have to stop him!" Tony signaled Happy, readying the Mark 5 armor.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, Anton grabbed Tony's wrist and pulled him away from the stage at incredible speed.
Happy gawked—almost replaced as Tony's bodyguard.
"This is my job, isn't it?" he thought, then sprinted to catch up.
"Wait for me!!"
Elsewhere:
"Sh*t! Anton, what are you doing? Let go!"
"I'm saving your life!!"
Anton replied matter-of-factly. Tony was speechless.
Without hesitation, Anton kept pulling Tony away, glancing at the box in his other hand.
Reporters scattered, fearful of the unstable "man-made sun." Even with minimal physics knowledge, they knew they couldn't escape if it went critical.
"Someone stop him!!"
"Where's Batman?"
Eddie realized the meaning of Anton's preparation:
Not to unleash the symbiote, but to film—someone is about to show off!!
-----------------------
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(End of Chapter)