章節 22: Chapter 22: Stark Expo

Scene One: The Big News

Billy burst into Marshall's garage, a grin plastered across his face. Peter was hunched over a circuit board while Marshall sat scribbling notes into his journal. H2 hovered nearby, quietly assisting Peter by projecting schematics onto a nearby wall.

"You guys will not believe this!" Billy announced, practically skipping inside.

Marshall looked up, his pencil pausing mid-sentence. "Let me guess, you found a mirror and got distracted by your reflection?"

Billy rolled his eyes. "Hilarious. No, this is serious. My dad pulled some strings and got us a booth at the Stark Expo!"

Peter nearly dropped the circuit board. "Wait… the Stark Expo? Like the Stark Expo? The one Tony Stark is hosting?"

Billy smirked, leaning against the workbench. "The very same. Nexus Inc. is about to hit the big leagues, boys. We're going to showcase Medi-Gel and H2 to the world."

Marshall frowned, setting his pencil down. "And he just… got us a spot? Do you know how hard it is to get into the Expo? It's the premier event for cutting-edge tech."

Billy shrugged nonchalantly. "What can I say? My dad has connections. You're welcome."

Marshall leaned back in his chair, processing the news. "This is huge. If we make a good impression, this could secure funding, partnerships, maybe even contracts."

Peter grinned, his excitement barely contained. "Yeah, and if Tony Stark notices us…"

Billy interrupted, throwing an arm around Peter's shoulders. "Exactly! We'll be legends."

Marshall's pragmatic side kicked in. "Alright, let's not get ahead of ourselves. We need to prepare. The Expo isn't just about showing up—it's about standing out. We need to refine our presentation, polish Medi-Gel, and make sure H2 is flawless."

Billy waved him off. "Relax, boss. We've got this. Besides, charm goes a long way."

"Charm's not going to sell the tech," Marshall shot back. "We're going to need hard data, flawless demonstrations, and clear messaging."

Peter nodded, already jotting down ideas. "Marshall's right. We need to be airtight. Let's meet tomorrow and start planning."

Billy clapped his hands together. "Fine, fine. But remember—this is our chance to shine."

Scene Two: Final Preparations

The garage was buzzing with activity the next morning as the trio prepared for the Expo. Marshall meticulously reviewed the Medi-Gel prototypes, while Peter ran diagnostics on H2. Billy, true to form, was pacing around practicing his pitch.

"Picture this," Billy said, gesturing dramatically. "Ladies and gentlemen, Medi-Gel isn't just a product—it's a revolution. It's the difference between life and death, the future of emergency medicine!"

Marshall glanced up from his work, unimpressed. "Dial it back, Billy. We're not selling snake oil."

Billy huffed. "Fine. But you've got to admit, I make it sound good."

Peter chuckled, tweaking a connection on H2's chassis. "You make it sound like an infomercial."

H2 chimed in, projecting a hologram of a winking emoji. "If charm were a measurable asset, Billy's contributions would be notable. However, data suggests a more technical approach may be optimal."

"Thank you, H2," Marshall said, smirking.

Elaine and Darren entered the garage, carrying snacks and watching the boys with pride.

Elaine smiled warmly. "It looks like you're all set. I can't believe how much you've accomplished."

Darren nodded. "Just remember—this is a big stage. Stay professional and let the tech do the talking."

Walter Billingsworth arrived shortly after, dressed impeccably as always. "I've arranged transportation and accommodations for the Expo. Everything is taken care of."

Margaret, his wife, trailed behind him. "Do us proud, Billy. And don't let your ego get in the way."

Billy flashed a confident grin. "Don't worry, Mom. I've got this."

Marshall turned to his parents. "You'll be there, right? Just in case we need a little moral support?"

Elaine ruffled his hair. "We wouldn't miss it for the world."

Scene Three: Arrival at the Expo

The Stark Expo was a sprawling, futuristic wonderland filled with sleek booths, holographic displays, and the hum of cutting-edge technology. The boys stepped out of the car, their parents close behind, and took in the spectacle.

"This place is insane," Peter said, his eyes wide as he took in the sight of autonomous drones and interactive exhibits.

Billy adjusted his blazer, looking smug. "Welcome to the big leagues, gentlemen. Try not to embarrass yourselves."

Elaine gave him a pointed look. "Remember, Billy, this is a team effort. You're here to support each other."

Walter clapped him on the shoulder. "She's right. Keep that in mind."

Marshall led the group to their designated booth, which featured a sleek display for Medi-Gel and a station for H2 to demonstrate its capabilities.

Peter set up the prototypes while Marshall organized their presentation materials. H2 hovered nearby, running last-minute diagnostics.

Billy looked around, soaking in the atmosphere. "We're really doing this. Nexus Inc. is about to become a household name."

Marshall smiled faintly, his focus on the task at hand. "Let's make it happen."

Scene Four: The Booth

As the Expo began, a crowd gathered around the Nexus Inc. booth. Marshall stepped forward confidently, ready to make his pitch.

"Thank you for visiting Nexus Inc.," he began. "We're here to introduce two revolutionary technologies: Medi-Gel and H2."

Peter activated a drone, which dropped a simulated injured mannequin onto the display. He applied Medi-Gel to a gash on its arm, sealing it instantly. The crowd murmured in approval.

"Medi-Gel isn't just a product—it's a lifesaving tool," Marshall continued. "Designed for EMTs, military personnel, and civilians alike, it's quick, effective, and easy to use."

Billy took over seamlessly. "And it's ready for mass production. Portable, affordable, and game-changing. This is the future of first aid."

H2 projected statistics onto a holographic screen, detailing survival rate increases and application times. The audience clapped, visibly impressed.

"Finally," Peter said, introducing H2, "our personal assistant AI is adaptable and indispensable. Whether you're analyzing data or building a drone, H2 is your go-to partner."

The robot demonstrated by assembling a drone from scattered parts, earning more applause.

Elaine and Darren exchanged proud smiles, while Walter and Margaret looked thoroughly impressed.

As the presentation ended, Tony Stark strolled by, his trademark smirk in place. He paused briefly, glancing at the booth.

"Nice work, kids," he said casually. "Innovation comes from places you least expect. Keep it up."

With that, he walked away, leaving the group stunned.

Billy grinned ear to ear. "Did that just happen?"

Marshall nodded, a smile spreading across his face. "Yeah. Yeah, it did."

Part Two: Chaos at the Expo

Scene Five: Trouble Brewing

The Stark Expo had reached its peak as the sun set, bathing the grounds in warm light. Crowds thronged the exhibits, marveling at the cutting-edge technology. At the Nexus Inc. booth, Marshall, Peter, Billy, and their families soaked in the success of their presentation.

Walter Billingsworth clapped his son on the shoulder. "Well done, Billy. You boys have outdone yourselves. This is just the beginning."

Billy puffed out his chest. "Of course it is. We're only getting started."

Peter chuckled. "Alright, Mr. Future Billionaire, let's not get ahead of ourselves."

Marshall's gaze drifted toward the main stage, where Tony Stark had just stepped up to deliver his closing address. Stark's charisma lit up the audience as he spoke about innovation and the future. Yet, something about the night felt off to Marshall.

As Stark wrapped up his speech, the massive screens around the Expo flickered. A distorted video feed appeared, displaying Ivan Vanko's face. His cold, menacing voice echoed across the grounds.

"You thought you could bury me, Stark. Tonight, you will pay for your arrogance."

The screens went dark, and moments later, the whir of machinery filled the air. A swarm of drones, modeled after Iron Man suits, descended upon the Expo, their weapons powering up.

Panic erupted. People screamed and scattered, searching for safety. Security personnel scrambled to respond, but the drones were overwhelming.

Marshall grabbed Peter and Billy. "We need to get out of here!"

Elaine and Darren Phillips guided the families toward an emergency exit. Aunt May clung to Peter, her voice trembling. "Peter, stay with us!"

Peter glanced at Marshall. "Do your thing," he whispered.

Marshall nodded, his expression serious. "Cover for me."

Scene Six: Transformation

Marshall ducked into a nearby tent, fumbling with the Omnitrix. He cycled through the options, weighing his choices. Finally, he stopped on Diamondhead and slammed the dial.

A green flash illuminated the tent as Marshall transformed. His body became a jagged mass of shimmering green crystal, his chest emblazoned with the Omnitrix symbol.

"Time to rock," Marshall muttered, stepping into the chaos.

Scene Seven: The Fight

The drones turned their attention to Diamondhead, locking onto the glowing symbol on his chest. Without hesitation, Marshall charged, his crystalline arms morphing into massive blades. He cleaved through two drones in a single sweep.

Another drone fired an energy blast, but Marshall raised a crystal shield, absorbing the impact. He retaliated by launching sharp diamond shards, piercing the drone's core.

Tony Stark soared overhead in his suit, blasting drones with precision. He noticed Diamondhead fighting below and flew closer.

"Well, aren't you a sight for sore eyes," Tony quipped. "Another alien hero joining the party?"

"Less talking, more blasting," Marshall shot back, slamming a drone into the ground.

Tony smirked, turning his attention to the swarm. "Fair enough."

The two worked in tandem, Tony's aerial agility complementing Marshall's raw power. Drones swarmed around them, but they fought with precision, dismantling their enemies one by one.

"Hey, crystal guy," Tony called, dodging a blast. "What's with the chest logo? You part of some secret club?"

Marshall deflected a drone's attack with a crystal hammer. "Something like that."

Tony chuckled. "Figures. Alright, let's wrap this up."

As the fight intensified, a massive drone descended, its sleek design and advanced weaponry marking it as the leader.

"Oh, great," Marshall muttered. "Because this wasn't hard enough already."

The leader drone unleashed a powerful energy beam, forcing both heroes to dive for cover.

Tony scanned the drone with his suit. "Reinforced armor, advanced weapon systems… This one's got some bite."

Marshall formed a massive spike with his arm and hurled it at the drone. The projectile struck, denting the armor but not penetrating it.

"Nice try, but we're gonna need more than that," Tony said, blasting the drone with his repulsors.

The drone retaliated, firing a barrage of missiles. Marshall shielded himself with a crystal wall, while Tony darted through the air, evading the projectiles.

"Any bright ideas?" Tony called out.

Marshall grinned. "Yeah. Keep it distracted."

As Tony engaged the drone, Marshall charged, his fists morphing into jagged drills. He leapt onto the drone's back, driving the drills into its joints. The drone shuddered, its movements becoming erratic.

"Now, Stark!" Marshall yelled.

Tony unleashed a concentrated repulsor blast at the drone's exposed core. The impact caused the drone to overload, exploding in a shower of sparks and debris.

Scene Eight: Whiplash's Arrival

As the last drone fell, a new threat emerged. Ivan Vanko, clad in his upgraded armor with electrified whips, strode onto the scene. His cold eyes locked onto Tony.

"Stark!" Vanko bellowed, his whips crackling with energy.

Tony turned to Marshall. "I've got this. You take care of the stragglers."

Marshall nodded. "Good luck."

Tony launched himself at Vanko, their battle taking center stage. Marshall surveyed the area, ensuring no drones remained. As he reverted to his human form, he slipped back into the crowd, rejoining Peter and Billy.

"What did I miss?" he asked, feigning innocence.

Billy gestured to the chaos. "Just a guy in a metal suit fighting a maniac with whips. No big deal."

Peter smirked. "You know, the usual."

Marshall grinned, watching as Tony Stark battled Vanko. The night wasn't over yet, but for now, he'd done his part.

Part three

Scene One: Post-Expo Reflections

The Nexus Inc. headquarters was alive with energy. The trio—Marshall, Peter, and Billy—sat in their makeshift conference room, surrounded by a mix of blueprints, tablets, and stacks of notes from their successful Stark Expo presentation. Marshall's parents, Elaine and Darren Phillips, were chatting with Walter Billingsworth, Billy's father, in the background.

Peter leaned back in his chair, grinning. "I still can't believe how many people came to see Medi-Gel. That one guy from the Baxter Foundation looked like he wanted to buy out the whole company on the spot."

Billy smirked, spinning a pen between his fingers. "Of course they did. I told you, I have a knack for drawing in a crowd. You're welcome, by the way."

Marshall rolled his eyes but smirked as well. "Alright, credit where it's due. You were great out there. But we're not done yet. We've got follow-ups to do, investors to talk to, and a whole lot of work to scale up production for Medi-Gel."

Elaine approached, smiling warmly. "You boys did an amazing job. The expo was buzzing about you. Walter, Darren, and I are so proud of what you've built."

Walter adjusted his tie, giving a small nod. "It's a good start, but the real work begins now. You've drawn attention, and not just from investors. Competitors will be watching closely, waiting for any misstep."

Darren added, "Stay focused, boys. You've got something special here, but don't let the success go to your heads."

Billy grinned. "Don't worry, Mr. Phillips. My head was already big before the success."

Peter laughed, and even Marshall cracked a smile.

Scene Two: Billy's Frustration

Later that evening, the trio gathered in the lab. Marshall was organizing files on a tablet while Peter sketched out designs for his Spider-Man suit. Billy, however, was pacing the room, looking uncharacteristically restless.

"Okay, I can't take it anymore," Billy said, throwing up his hands. "You've got your alien watch thing, Peter's got his spider powers, and what do I have? A winning smile and a killer wardrobe? It's not enough!"

Peter looked up from his sketch, frowning. "Billy, you're not just 'the face.' You're a crucial part of Nexus Inc. You're the one who got us into the expo. You're the one who sells our ideas."

Billy groaned. "Yeah, yeah, I'm the 'charming one.' But what happens when things go sideways? What happens if some robot army or alien invasion shows up? You two can handle yourselves, but I'll just be standing there, looking pretty."

Marshall set down his tablet, leaning forward. "Alright, Billy. What do you want?"

Billy hesitated, then crossed his arms. "I want to contribute more. I want to be in the field with you guys. I don't just want to watch from the sidelines—I want to fight."

Marshall exchanged a glance with Peter before nodding slowly. "If you're serious about this, we can help. But it won't be easy, and it won't happen overnight."

Billy's expression softened. "I'm serious, Marshall. I want to do this."

Scene Three: Building the Battle Suit

The next day, the trio gathered in the lab to begin work on Billy's battle suit. Marshall had pulled up a holographic design on the main monitor, a rough blueprint based on input from Billy and Peter.

"This is just the prototype," Marshall said, gesturing to the design. "We'll start simple and add features as we go. The goal is to create something that enhances your abilities without being too overwhelming."

Billy studied the blueprint, his eyes lighting up. "Alright, what's the plan?"

Peter pointed to the suit's core. "We're going with a nano-weave titanium alloy for the armor—lightweight but durable. The power source will be a miniaturized arc reactor, similar to what Tony Stark uses in his suits."

Marshall added, "We're also integrating tactical systems, like a HUD, targeting assist, and basic AI support. It won't be as advanced as Peter's suit or my tech, but it'll give you an edge."

Billy grinned. "And weapons? Please tell me there are weapons."

Marshall smirked. "Claw gauntlets, shockwave emitters, and a grappling system. We'll keep it versatile."

Peter chuckled. "Just don't blow anything up during testing."

Scene Four: Testing the Prototype

A week later, the prototype suit was ready for its first test. The trio stood in an isolated section of the lab, where Marshall had set up a series of obstacles and targets.

Billy stepped into the suit, the armor clicking into place around him. As the systems powered up, the HUD activated, displaying real-time data and diagnostics.

"Alright," Marshall said, holding a tablet. "Let's start with basic mobility. Walk across the room, then try a short sprint."

Billy moved cautiously at first, adjusting to the suit's weight. But as he grew more comfortable, he broke into a run, the suit's exoskeleton enhancing his speed and agility.

"This is amazing!" Billy exclaimed, leaping over a small barrier with ease.

"Don't get cocky," Peter called out, setting up a series of moving targets. "Let's see how you handle combat."

Billy activated the suit's claw gauntlets, the reinforced blades extending with a metallic hiss. He struck at the targets with precision, the HUD providing guidance for each swing.

"Not bad," Marshall said, making notes on his tablet. "Now try the shockwave emitter."

Billy raised his arm, aiming at a cluster of targets. With a press of a button, the suit emitted a concussive blast, sending the targets flying.

Peter whistled. "Okay, that's impressive."

Billy turned, a wide grin on his face. "I told you I'd be awesome."

Marshall smirked. "You're off to a good start, but there's still work to do. The suit's systems need fine-tuning, and we need to test it under real-world conditions."

Billy nodded, his excitement undiminished. "Bring it on. I'm ready for anything."

To Be Continued…