Three days later.
The Hammer Industry Fair opened right on schedule.
Justin Hammer had prepared meticulously for this day. He spared no expense, inviting influential figures from military and political circles, along with representatives from major corporations that had ongoing collaborations with Hammer Industries.
Naturally, the press was invited in full force. Dozens of media outlets lined the entrance, flashing cameras and live streams set up on every angle. Hammer had even arranged for the entire event to be broadcast live online.
That last decision came to him in a moment of inspiration.
For nearly a month now, the internet had been abuzz with theories about what Tony Stark was up to. Some said he was working on a new type of technology. Others believed he had gone mad. Either way, the buzz hadn't died down. Quite the opposite—it had only grown stronger.
And all Tony Stark did to cause such a stir?
He laid on a couch, took a picture with a game console, and boom—the world couldn't stop talking about it.
Justin Hammer seethed with jealousy.
Why? Why could that guy trend worldwide doing practically nothing?
Why couldn't he, the CEO of Hammer Industries, command the same kind of influence?
Well, that was all about to change.
"After today," he muttered under his breath, looking at his reflection with a confident smile, "I, Justin Hammer, will be a global sensation!"
"The number one arms dealer on Earth!"
With this delusional confidence, he walked through the venue like a man marching toward victory. His chest puffed out, he envisioned the moment he'd eclipse Tony Stark in front of the world.
He was particularly fired up after learning a surprising piece of news—Tony Stark had requested several VIP invitations to the expo.
Tony Stark might actually attend.
The thought made Hammer's blood boil with excitement.
"Come on then, Tony," he whispered to himself. "Come, and let me crush you in front of the whole damn planet!"
His silent roar echoed in his mind, louder than the buzz of the expo.
Elsewhere, Joseph was just as eager—for entirely different reasons.
The plan to short Hammer Industries' stock was already in motion, and he was ready to accelerate the inevitable downfall.
To set the stage, he strolled into the venue, arms wrapped around Shadowcat Kitty Pryde on his left and Jubilation Lee on his right. The girls leaned into him, their cheeks tinged pink with embarrassment and excitement.
"Joseph, why are you even here at a weapons expo?" Kitty whispered, slightly uncomfortable under the flashing lights and curious glances.
Behind him, the entire X-Men team followed closely.
Storm looked extremely uncomfortable in her ill-fitting evening gown. She kept adjusting the hem with a frown. "Hammer Industries is one of the military's key arms suppliers. If they actually manage to replicate Tony Stark's suit tech… the army's strength will skyrocket."
Her voice lowered with concern. "That kind of power could be dangerous… especially for Mutants."
Everyone present understood the implications.
An empowered military would not be a friend to the Mutant community. Not all Mutants had powers like Magneto, who could twist steel suits into scrap with a flick of his hand.
"I've got a feeling something big's gonna happen tonight…" Phoenix commented casually.
She looked elegant and composed in a crimson dress that hugged her figure, radiating confidence and poise. For her, public events were no big deal.
Cyclops, on the other hand, was visibly tense behind his trademark red sunglasses. He kept scanning the room like a bodyguard on high alert. "So Joseph brought us here just to... sightsee?"
"Damn it. If Professor Xavier hadn't approved this outing, I wouldn't be caught dead in this ridiculous thing!" Storm complained again as she nearly tripped over her heels, catching herself just in time.
Wolverine, who had been quietly observing the group, finally spoke up. "Alright, alright, we're all here now. Might as well relax a little. If we keep looking so tense, we're gonna draw attention."
Storm snorted. "You're one to talk, Logan."
Despite his advice, Wolverine was easily the most conspicuous of them all.
Dressed in his usual gray jacket, with a half-chewed, unlit cigar in his mouth, and a face as rugged as a bear's backside, he looked like he'd just walked off the set of a Wild West reboot.
In a sea of polished tuxedos and elegant gowns, Wolverine turned heads for all the wrong reasons.
Still, he looked completely unfazed.
"Take it easy, my dear teachers," Joseph said, not bothering to look back.
Though his mouth barely moved, his voice carried clearly to all of them.
"No one's paying attention to you. All eyes tonight are on the Iron Soldiers. That's where the spotlight is. Even if someone does notice you… so what?"
He paused.
"You all need to get used to being in the spotlight."
The group blinked in confusion.
"What do you mean?" Cyclops asked.
Joseph turned around, his expression firm. "You're the X-Men. You've saved the world more times than the public will ever know. But that's just the problem, isn't it?"
"You've hidden in the shadows for too long."
"Maybe Professor Xavier didn't see the issue. But I do. You all have a serious misunderstanding about your identity and role."
"You're not just Mutants."
"You're not just defenders."
"You are leaders. Symbols. The face of all Mutantkind."
"If you continue to act like secret vigilantes—helping from the shadows, saving people who don't even know you were there—how the hell are other Mutants supposed to believe they have a place in this world?"
A heavy silence fell.
Joseph's tone softened slightly, though his words retained their edge.
"The world's changed, teachers."
"Saving lives doesn't guarantee praise anymore."
"Look at Gotham's Batman. The guy risks his life fighting crime every night… and he's still branded a fugitive."
"Look at Metropolis' Superman. He's saved thousands—maybe millions—and yet he was still brought to trial by the very people he protected."
"But Iron Man? Tony Stark? He revealed his identity to the world, and instead of shunning him, the world adored him."
"You know what that tells me?"
Storm furrowed her brow. "Tells you what?"
"That hiding who you are doesn't help anyone," Joseph said.
"It tells me that being a superhero isn't just about what you do, it's about who the world sees."
"It means that branding matters. Public perception matters. Personality matters."
"With the right narrative, the world can see a Mutant not as a monster… but as a hero."
His voice rose slightly, impassioned.
"It's time for Mutants to take control of their own story!"
"Stop hiding in basements and behind shadows. The era of superheroes is already here. You're just not taking part in it!"
"In this era, it doesn't matter whether you're a savior or a villain—what matters is whether people see you when you act!"
"That's what this expo is. A stage."
He stepped ahead and gestured toward the bright lights and livestream drones.
"And tonight, you're all standing in the spotlight. So take off the masks. Stand tall. Let the world see you!"
His words cut deep.
For the older X-Men—Storm, Cyclops, even Phoenix—their expressions shifted subtly. Some were thoughtful, others clearly moved. They reflected on the past: all the battles fought in secrecy, the lives saved in silence, and the lack of recognition for their efforts.
All this time, they had believed that humility was the price of heroism.
But maybe that was just another form of fear.
A moment of quiet followed… then Wolverine took the cigar from his mouth, shaking his head with a smirk.
"Well, damn," he muttered, "I've lived over a hundred years… and today, a kid educated me."
The others chuckled, the tension breaking slightly.
Joseph had gotten through to them.
Even if they wouldn't admit it, a spark had been lit. Something had shifted.
They were still Mutants.
But now, maybe they could be something more.
Superheroes.
And the world was about to watch.
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