NOVEL NEXT Chapter 213: The Expo
On the other side…
Tony Stark's seaside villa.
At this moment, Tony was leaning back on the sofa, listening to Pepper Potts' report.
"Capsule Corporation has agreed to attend our Expo this time, and they've confirmed they'll be unveiling two products on-site."
Tony wasn't surprised. He glanced up at Pepper and said,
"I knew Smith wouldn't turn down our request."
But then, remembering the loss in the Dragon Ball tournament and the fact that he still hadn't found a new substitute element, he realized that if things continued like this, he might have less than a year left. He got up, spreading his arms wide.
"This time, I'm going to hold an unprecedented Stark Industries Expo. It's going to run for an entire year. I'm inviting top enterprises from around the world to take part in this grand event."
Hearing "a whole year," Pepper froze for a moment before quickly trying to talk him down.
"Tony, in the past we've only ever held this event for at most a month. Isn't a year too long?
Are there really enough products to justify holding it for that long?"
Pepper didn't know about Tony's health issues, so she couldn't understand his reasoning.
Tony intended to push himself in the days ahead to see if he could find a new direction — or maybe, by inviting top companies from all over the world, gain some inspiration.
Of course, he also had another option: spend the next year avoiding the use of his Iron Man suits, wait until the next Dragon Ball revival, join the second Dragon Ball Tournament with a brand-new suit, win, and have Shenron grant his wish.
But to develop a more powerful suit… how could he possibly do that without using his current ones?
"This time we're inviting every top-tier company in the world, giving them enough space and time to showcase their work instead of cramming everyone together. That's why the event is extended.
A full year is plenty of time for the world's best companies to put their products on display.
And the fact that no one has ever done something like this before makes it all the more unprecedented.
The venue is ours, all the resources are ours. If we run short on materials, we'll just buy more."
Seeing Tony's determination, Pepper could only relent.
"OK, OK, we'll do it your way."
As for the opening ceremony, Tony was already planning to have a group of gorgeous women on stage for a "steel show." That thought reminded him of Smith Dole.
Pulling out his phone, he called Smith, who answered quickly.
Smith was in the gravity chamber at the time, with Puar waiting outside.
"Master Smith, it's a call from Tony," Puar announced.
Hearing it was Tony, Smith stopped training and stepped out of the gravity area.
"Hey, Tony."
"Hey, Smith."
Once connected, Tony said,
"Smith, I have some ideas for the Expo's opening ceremony.
I'm planning for you and me to make our entrance from high in the sky, flying straight down to land on the stage.
I'll have two groups of gorgeous dancers — one dressed in Iron Man gear doing a hot dance routine.
What about your dancers' outfits? Any thoughts?"
Smith thought for a moment before answering,
"Have them wear martial arts uniforms. I'll send you the design in a moment."
Tony wasn't surprised. After all, Smith wasn't the son of Krypton — a Superman suit would have been ridiculous.
"Alright, it's settled. I'll handle the arrangements. They'll be stunning, and their dancing will be smoking hot."
As his good friend, Tony planned for the two of them to share the spotlight. One would represent humanity's peak technology, the other its peak physique. It would make the Expo's opening truly one of a kind.
After they finalized the plan, Tony hung up, soon receiving the martial arts uniform photos.
Smith then considered Tony's situation. With the loss in the Dragon Ball tournament, Tony's time to find a new element was running short — but Smith had no intention of letting Nick Fury claim that favor.
This Expo could be the perfect opportunity.
As for Ivan Vanko, he hadn't appeared during the Dragon Ball tournament nor contacted John Wick since. Whatever changes had happened to "Whiplash," Smith didn't know.
…
In the blink of an eye, it was the night of the Stark Expo's grand opening. Smith Dole and Tony Stark were on a plane, while Bulma and Fox had already arrived at the venue.
Onboard the transport plane, Tony wore his latest Mark-series armor. Gazing down at the night skyline and the fireworks ready to launch, he said to Smith,
"Buddy, it's our time to shine."
Just then, Rhodes' voice came over comms:
"Wind speed: 30 knots. Altitude: 15,000 feet. You're clear to enter the drop zone."
With the plane's belly hatch opening, Tony ran forward a few steps in his armor before diving out into the open sky. Smith followed, using Bukūjutsu (Flight Technique) to soar out after him.
The two represented Earth's pinnacle technology and its pinnacle flesh-and-blood strength, each displaying their power.
As they flew, brilliant fireworks exploded over the Expo grounds. Smith skillfully wove through the bursting colors, the light making him appear even more dazzling.
Tony wasn't so lucky — a few bursts smacked right into his armor. But after spinning in the air and pulling off some aerial maneuvers, he struck the classic Iron Man landing pose, one knee to the ground, in the center of the stage.
Smith landed at the opposite side at the same time.
The crowd roared as both men spread their arms to soak in the cheers. Behind them, twenty dancers — ten in Iron Man cosplay gear, ten in martial arts uniforms — swayed and danced, flaunting their figures in a sizzling routine.
The stage beneath Tony's feet unfolded into four mechanical arms that removed his armor.
Dressed sharply in a suit, Tony moved to the front of the stage. With the music pumping, he waved to the crowd, sometimes pointing to one side, sometimes gesturing to the other, looking every bit the showman.
(End of Chapter)
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