World Traveler Villain-Chapter 213: CH: 211 Tony The Pretender

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{Chapter: 211 Tony The Pretender}

Stark Industries Expo – Flushing, New York

A sleek green supercar purred to a stop outside the towering entrance of the Stark Industries Expo. The sun gleamed off its glossy hood, catching the attention of onlookers. The doors lifted open, and four figures emerged—William, Alice, Ada, and the enigmatic White Queen—each one drawing stares of admiration and curiosity as they stepped onto the pavement with effortless confidence.

"Stark Industries Expo," William muttered as he surveyed the glittering high-tech venue before him. A mischievous grin crept onto his face. "This is the scene from Iron Man 2, isn't it? Oh, I remember now... things are about to get flashy."

White Queen folded her arms and tilted her head, taking in the towering banners, holographic projections, and futuristic architecture. "An expo like this likely showcases cutting-edge technological advancements... judging by the name, Stark must be a tech corporation."

"You're right," William nodded, stepping forward. "Stark Industries. Let's go take a look at what the legendary 'Iron Man' has to offer. I've always wanted to see just how advanced this world's technology can get."

As they entered the massive main hall, a wave of pulsing music and dazzling lights enveloped them. Crowds surged through the wide walkways, their voices rising in anticipation and excitement. On the main stage, more than a dozen dancers spun and twisted to the rhythm, their bodies shimmering in sparkly costumes, moving with wild energy.

Ada leaned toward William with a half-smile, her voice almost drowned out by the beat. "Pretty entertaining, right?"

William arched a brow and gave a dismissive snort. "Please. Just a group of half-naked women shaking for attention. No depth, no elegance. Now, you, Ada... if you were the one dancing, I promise I'd be absolutely captivated."

Alice smirked, her eyes glinting with mischief. "I wouldn't mind seeing that either. Striptease, maybe?"

William laughed and added cheekily, "Exactly what I had in mind."

Ada rolled her eyes and gave William a playful yet dangerous glare. "Keep talking like that and I'll bury you alive. Then I'll consider dancing over your grave."

Suddenly—BOOM!

Massive fireworks erupted overhead, showering the sky with bursts of red and gold. Gasps and cheers echoed from every corner of the expo as everyone looked up in awe.

"What in the world...?" Alice murmured, squinting at the lights.

William just chuckled. "Ladies, prepare yourselves. The king of dramatic entrances has arrived. Tony Stark—better known as Iron Man."

With a high-pitched metallic ding, a red-and-gold figure shot down from the sky and landed dead center on the stage, sending up a gust of air that swept through the front row.

"Oh, come on..." Alice muttered as the crowd around them erupted in deafening cheers. "Talk about overkill."

"That's Iron Man?" White Queen leaned forward slightly, analyzing every inch of the armor. Her eyes locked on the glowing arc reactor in his chest. "I'm more interested in the energy source he's using... compact, stable, possibly fusion-based. Fascinating."

As the crowd screamed his name, Iron Man—Tony Stark himself—spread his arms like a rockstar soaking in applause. Beneath him, mechanical arms unfolded and began detaching the armor piece by piece, spinning and clicking as they worked in perfect synchronization.

"Ridiculous," Alice muttered. "He looks like he's auditioning for a fashion show, not an expo."

When the final piece of armor lifted off, Tony stood revealed in a custom-tailored suit, flashing a dazzling smile like he was born in the spotlight. The music dimmed, the dancers slowed to a finish, and the crowd chanted as one:

"TONY! TONY! TONY! TONY!"

Tony held up a hand and grinned like he owned the world. "It feels so good to be back! Did you miss me? Because I missed me too."

Someone shouted from the audience, "Blow something up!"

Tony shrugged casually. "Already did. Several times, actually. But hey, thanks to yours truly, the world's been basking in peace for quite a while."

The crowd roared with laughter and applause.

"I never said I was a phoenix," Tony continued, pacing across the stage, "but if I were, I'd say I've been reborn from fire and come back better every time."

He paused for effect.

"And I definitely never said that Uncle Sam can now kick back in a recliner sipping herbal tea, because yours truly is out here keeping the world in check, day and night. Always at my peak, and no one dares to challenge me one-on-one."

The cheers hit a fever pitch. A few even shouted, "I love you, Iron Man!"

Tony chuckled and held out his hands. "Please, don't say that. I'm not important... not at all. I'm just a humble genius-billionaire-philanthropist."

Behind the crowd, William and his group stood silently, watching the display unfold.

"That guy really knows how to put on a show," Ada commented, half-smiling despite herself.

Alice crossed her arms and raised a brow. "There are still people who enjoy showing off this much in the world? That ego could fill a hangar."

William smirked. "Give the man some credit. He knows how to make an entrance. But I wonder—what's beneath all that flash?"

White Queen remained silent, still watching the arc reactor's glow, her mind clearly elsewhere. "He may joke, but that core... that device... it's something else. I want to understand it."

As Tony continued to entertain his audience, the group remained at the edge of the crowd—outsiders observing the center of attention.

"It seems he truly believes he's invincible. At the end of the day, it's just a suit of iron," Ada remarked, her tone dripping with sarcasm as her eyes followed Tony Stark's every flamboyant move.

White Queen smirked and folded her arms, glancing sideways at William. "William, I think we've finally met someone who can out-showboat you."

William chuckled, undeterred. "I actually enjoy people like that. The louder they are, the more satisfying it is when I crush their delusions beneath my feet. It's like popping a balloon—quick, clean, and undeniably satisfying."

"I want to step on him too," Alice added, her voice calm but laced with disdain. "Something about that smug face just makes my hands itch."

"I'm not that interested in the man," White Queen said, pushing her glasses up her nose. "But the energy reactor embedded in his armor—that is worth studying. It's a masterpiece of energy engineering."

"That little glowing circle on his chest? It's called an arc reactor. Highly advanced, incredibly efficient," William explained with a glint in his eye. "It's definitely impressive tech, I'll give him that."

Alice looked toward William with curiosity. "So you're just going to let him strut around on stage like some peacock? That doesn't sound like your usual style."

William's lips curled into a devilish grin. "Come on, Alice. Have you ever known me to just let something like this slide? No, what I enjoy most is tearing down someone's carefully curated illusion of grandeur. Doing it without them realizing until it's too late—that's the kind of game I love playing. Let's shake things up a bit. I say we bring this entire Stark Expo to its knees."

Ada sighed with an amused expression. "You always go big the moment you arrive somewhere. Can't we just enjoy the show once in a while?"

William turned to White Queen with a flick of his hand. "Go ahead and return to the perimeter. We're switching from observation to interference."

White Queen gave him a playful yet firm nod. "Understood. Just don't get carried away." With that, she turned on her heel and disappeared into the crowd with silent precision.

"Looks like it's your time to pretend," Ada teased. "Go on, steal the spotlight."

Meanwhile, Tony Stark was still reveling in the attention onstage, hands raised triumphantly as he addressed the cheering audience. "What I want to say most of all is... welcome to the Stark Industries Expo!"

The crowd erupted with deafening applause and roaring cheers.

"And now," Tony continued dramatically, "I have a special guest who's returned from the past to share a message with all of you. Please welcome my father, Howard Stark!"

As the crowd turned to the large screen behind him, a pre-recorded video began to play, showing a vintage version of Howard Stark speaking to the public.

But then, a voice—uninvited and unfamiliar—rang out loud and clear: "No need to roll out the red carpet for me. Papa's already here."

The cheers died instantly. Heads turned, scanning the stage and screen in confusion. A man was now casually leaning against the large screen, a glass of champagne in hand, wearing a smirk like he owned the place.

"Wait... who is that?" someone in the crowd whispered.

"Where did he come from? He wasn't there a second ago."

"I didn't see him move at all... how the hell did he get up there?"

Confusion spread like wildfire.

Tony narrowed his eyes. "Who the hell are you? I don't need to know. You're being removed—now."

Several large security guards rushed onto the stage, all muscular, all confident, and all clearly expecting a quick and easy takedown. They marched straight for William, fully intending to escort him offstage.

"You there," one barked. "This area's restricted. You'll need to come with us."

William sighed and sipped his champagne with disdain. "People these days really lack manners."

Suddenly, the guards stopped mid-stride. One by one, their bodies locked in place. Arms frozen. Legs paralyzed. Panic began to spread across their faces.

"What... what the hell?" one of them gasped. "I... I can't move!"

"Why are we frozen? What's going on?!"

"Quiet," William said calmly, not even glancing at them. "Be still. Just enjoy the silence for once."

With a few confident steps, William walked toward the front of the stage. He turned to face the massive screen again, watching the flickering image of Howard Stark with amusement.

"Howard," William said with a sly smile, "you're looking older now. And your son? He's even more flamboyant than you were back in the day."

Tony's expression grew serious, all traces of humor gone. "You're not just some heckler, are you?"

William slowly turned to face him, his presence suddenly heavier, darker. "Amazing how quickly people forget. But that's okay. I'll remind you. The name's William."

The room fell silent, tension crackling in the air.

*****

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