Eddie turned around and looked at the beautiful blonde woman before him, feeling momentarily at a loss.
"You're very brave—and an excellent journalist."
"By the way… do you still have those photographs?"
Hearing the praise from such a beautiful woman, Eddie blushed and hurriedly took several photos from his bag.
"Of course. I made plenty of backups. I'm not stupid."
"Mm… it really is them."
Staring at the familiar faces lying on the laboratory tables in the photos, Gwen confirmed her suspicions.
"Remember this—pretend nothing ever happened. This is not something you should get involved in."
As she said this, the smile on Gwen's face slowly faded. She turned and walked away.
"Just as I suspected… those missing homeless people were taken by Stark Industries. But what exactly are they researching that's so terrifying?"
Recalling the horrifying scenes in the photos, Gwen's expression grew solemn.
"No… I need to find a chance to sneak into that laboratory and see for myself what they're really doing."
Gwen silently made up her mind.
"General, let's talk again. Osborn Industries can provide not only next-generation weapons, but also human enhancement serums…"
At the same time, Norman Osborn continued pleading with the military to reconsider their decision.
But all he saw was the tail of a helicopter disappearing into the sky.
"Damn it, Tony Stark—why couldn't you have come back a few days later?"
According to the contract, the military funds were supposed to be transferred to Osborn Industries within days.
But now, it was all over.
"You forced my hand. I can't lose these contracts… and I can't lose Osborn Industries."
Norman clenched his fists, his eyes turning cold as resolve settled in.
He turned away without hesitation, leaving behind a solitary figure.
"Infinite energy?"
Inside a luxurious villa, Obadiah Stane slowly turned off a 120-inch television, sat back on the sofa, and took a sip of red wine.
"Hmph. Once the experiment succeeds, Stark Industries—and that limitless energy—will all be mine!"
He couldn't help but smile broadly.
Ding—
His phone suddenly chimed with a new message.
"Sir, Tony Stark has just obtained some information that may be unfavorable to you. He hopes you'll prepare accordingly."
Reading the unsigned message, Obadiah's expression darkened.
"Tony Stark… your timing couldn't be worse. I'm so close to success."
"So, for my future—and for my Stark Industries… no, Stane Industries—you'll have to go meet your foolish old man."
Obadiah's face hardened as he made his decision.
A few days passed.
New York's citizens had already grown used to a strange phenomenon: every night, a star brighter than the moon hung in the sky.
At first, many people were curious. Some used telescopes, others even hoped the artificial star might explode in space.
But as days passed, it became clear that the artificial sun device was incredibly stable, unaffected by the harsh environment of space.
Gradually, fewer people paid attention to that unusually bright "star."
Of course, governments and militaries were an exception.
They were watching it closely.
An inexhaustible energy source could completely reshape humanity's future.
If that "artificial star" hadn't been placed there by a god-like being, it would have already been captured and studied.
Until one night, someone knocked on the window of Hank Pym's apartment.
While researching a new generation of Ant-Man suits, Pym quickly tidied up and walked over, assuming it was just some mischievous kid.
Then he froze.
A familiar figure was floating outside the window.
"Dr. Pym, I need your help…"
Peter slowly descended from the air, looking down at him.
"Help me shrink that 'star' in the sky."
"Superman…? You're not joking, are you?"
When Superman appeared before him, Pym was already stunned.
"I never joke."
Peter's expression was completely serious.
"But I've never used Pym Particles on an energy structure like that…"
Pym tried to decline gently—truthfully.
"I believe you can do it, Dr. Pym."
Suddenly, Peter vanished. The next second, his voice came from behind.
"…Alright. Let me pack my things first."
Turning around and seeing Superman towering before him, Pym knew refusal was impossible.
Minutes later, Pym left a note for his daughter, gathered his Pym Particles, and returned to Peter.
He had no intention of escaping.
After all, unless he hid in the Quantum Realm, escaping Superman was impossible.
"I'm ready, Superman. How are we leaving…?"
"Like this."
Peter smiled mysteriously and raised his right hand.
A blue energy beam shot from his nanotech suit, forming a glowing sphere in midair.
The energy spread like liquid, rapidly expanding into a blue light curtain taller than a person.
"…Is this magic?"
Pym stared in disbelief.
"It's just experimental technology," Peter said calmly. "But don't worry—it's safe. For now."
To reassure him, Peter stepped into the light first.
"…Unbelievable."
Watching Peter disappear, Pym circled the portal several times, still unable to comprehend it.
Finally, like a condemned man facing execution, he closed his eyes and stepped forward.
"Dr. Pym, hello. I'm Reed Richards. Your invention—the Pym Particle—has completely amazed us."
As soon as Pym stepped through the portal, he heard a stranger's voice.
"What just happened…?"
He opened his eyes and froze.
In an instant, he had gone from his apartment to a high-tech laboratory.
More than a dozen unfamiliar figures stood before him.
"You just experienced one of our prototypes. We call it… a portal."
Reed spoke with clear pride.
After acquiring large amounts of vibranium and conducting extensive tests, he decided to perfect his old portal theory.
With Peter's guidance, they had successfully opened a space-crossing portal for the first time.
"A portal… This is unbelievable. It's like the magic of God."
Pym stepped down from the massive arch-shaped device, staring at the fading blue energy inside.
"Of course, it's still experimental. Each activation consumes an enormous amount of energy."
In truth, the portal was forcibly opened using massive energy reserves.
The arch structure was almost entirely made of vibranium.
More than a dozen arc reactors powered it, requiring nearly ten hours of charging to store enough energy—yet once activated, it could only remain open for less than a minute.
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