Chapter 23: Foundations of the Future
A Partnership Between Giants
Inside Stark Tower, Ethan Carter stood beside Tony Stark, watching as blueprints flickered across the holographic display.
"This," Tony said, pointing at the schematics, "is what I call top-tier genius at work."
Ethan smirked. "You mean your genius?"
Tony grinned. "Of course."
After their first meeting, Tony had wasted no time in roping Ethan into helping him with research and development.
Not that Ethan minded.
Tony's mind worked faster than most humans, and his advancements in technology were decades ahead of anything else on Earth.
And Ethan?
He had access to Kryptonian knowledge—science that defied logic and could reshape the world if used correctly.
Together?
They were building something extraordinary.
The Fusion Reactor
"Alright, Space Boy," Tony said, swiping his hand to shift the hologram. "Your alien tech got anything that can boost my Arc Reactor efficiency?"
Ethan tapped his chin. "Kryptonian energy sources are different from what Earth uses. But…"
He placed a small crystal on the table.
Immediately, the lights flickered as energy pulsed from it.
Tony's eyes widened. "That little thing just disrupted my entire power grid."
Ethan nodded. "Kryptonian crystals can store and generate massive amounts of energy. If we integrate them with your Arc Reactor—"
Tony grinned. "We make the cleanest, most powerful energy source the world has ever seen."
Ethan smirked. "Exactly."
For the first time in his life, Tony Stark felt like he wasn't the smartest guy in the room.
And he kind of liked it.
Peter's New Suit
Meanwhile, in Queens, Peter Parker was in his room, sewing.
Yes. Sewing.
Because after getting his ass handed to him in a fight the night before, he realized something.
His old homemade suit wasn't cutting it.
So, he was upgrading.
He stitched new materials together, reinforced the fabric, and—most importantly—added web shooters.
By morning, he stood in front of the mirror, wearing the first official Spider-Man suit.
Red.
Blue.
Symbol on the chest.
Peter grinned. "Now we're talking."
SHIELD's Growing Concern
At SHIELD headquarters, Nick Fury stood in front of a large screen, watching the footage of Superman and Iron Man working together.
Maria Hill frowned. "Should we be worried about this?"
Fury didn't answer immediately.
Two of the most powerful beings on the planet were forming an alliance.
If they ever decided to turn against the world…
Fury sighed. "Keep an eye on them."
Because if things went south, there wouldn't be anything SHIELD could do to stop it.