Chapter 26 - The Future Is Today

Pulling up to the massive Wayne Japanese Business Complex, Alfred dropped us off at our own entrance away from prying eyes. Entering the building, Kelex met up with us which scared my father. Telling him that he was my robot assistant, I also introduced him to Eradicator. Physically stronger, faster, and all around better than All Might, the Eradicator could easily subdue All For One without batting an eye. I built him for the express purpose of defending my girlfriends when the attack on U.A happened. I didn't know what day specifically it would happen so I made him earlier than needed.

'Not only that, I know AFO isn't going to proceed with the normal plan.', I thought, 'He sound proofed his base so I can't hear what is going on in there. Kelex already got into their systems, and was able to get some information on what they were up too. Unfortunately most of the crucial information the doctor either keeps on a thumb drive or on notepads which Kelex can't get too.'

Shaking their hands Dad looked back at the fleet of robots behind them. Asking about those I told him I had a demonstration for him. Punching a hole in the wall, I ordered the Assistant Robots too repair the damage. Using nanomachines, and miniaturized version of my Atomic Reassembler the hole was patched like it never was there. Looking at the wall in shock he looked at me in disbelief.

"Son...I...I don't understand.", he said.

"These robots answer only to me, and are programmed with Quantum Coding. No living person can hack them to do any harm. In the event that someone does show up out of the woodwork, Kelex is able to override their programming to shut them down.", I stated.

"Oh...still why the machines?", he asked.

"To clean up if I go overboard, and also to help with Natural Disaster Recovery Work.", I stated.

"Okay that makes sense, I am glad you are thinking about the repercussions your overwhelming strength.", he laughed.

"Yeah...Mom lectured me about the damage I caused to that jewelry store.", I stated.

"No one was hurt, and since you did that no villains have come within in five miles of that place.", he said, "Son you have the world of villains on edge. You put fear into their heads, and the world benefits from that."

"I know.", I stated, "I do my best to instill fear in the criminals, and hope in the innocent."

"That's my boy!", he said slapping me on the back.

Giving him a smile the two of us walked towards the large meeting hall where this event was being held. So many investors, producers, and backers had requested a place to see what inventions I had coming up next. Parting ways with my Dad as he went to start the meeting, I had Kelex bring the flying car to me.

Flying in to the room, driving the car like it was child's play, the audience became quite excited. The pursuit of flight had been man's dream for centuries. The plane helped get us there, but there was still something to be said about wanting a flying car. Watching me land the car on the stage, and silently land it made everyone crazy. Getting out of the vehicle with Kelex and the Eradicator, I greeted the crowd with as much vigor and authority as I could.

"Thank you all for coming today to see the latest and greatest that the Wayne Group is working on. As my father said earlier I am his only son Clark Wayne, and many of you also know me as The Guardian Angel: Superman.", I stated, "I have been inventing things since I was much younger, and those include the Med Bots that I use at my hospital and wear on my belt when I am on the clock, the advanced medical machines we use to detect early signs of disease, and the cure for the common cold just to name a few. Today I plan on showing you several of the different inventions that have reached completion as well as the several series of books and scripts that I have written."

Waiting for the people to calm down, I continued.

"So as you have already seen the Wayne Group is the first in the world to produce an actual flying car.", I stated, "This vehicle is able to fly on any surface, even completely upside down. Using my patented Levitation Generators, the car is able to generate a field that effectively rides the Earth's natural magnetic energy."

"Is that the same technology you used for the Japanese Government's request?", a few investors asked.

"Yes, this uses the same tech to do it.", I stated, "Vehicles aren't the only things I have adapted the technology for, ladies and gentleman you may not have realized it walking in but all of you are currently hovering over the ground."

"What!?", many of them gasped.

"No need to be alarmed, we are in no danger. As many of you are aware earthquakes are a hazard in many established areas around the globe. Japan especially knows how devastating earthquakes are so it's fitting that this technology started here. Currently even if there was a magnitude 10 earthquake that hit the area you wouldn't even feel it. Levitating nearly ten feet off the ground ensures that the building doesn't shake while the surroundings do.", I stated, "I don't think I need overstate how critical this is for buildings across the globe. Millions of people can be protected from harm, and billions of dollars can be saved on paying for repairs. Effectively the only things that would need repaired, ideally, would be utility hook ups and roadways. Currently all the buildings in the Wayne Complex and Clark Wayne Hospital are the only buildings use this technology."

"Are those estimates accurate?", a few potential backers asked.

"According to the city of San Francisco after their recent earthquake they are looking at several hundred million in repairs...and that is just San Francisco. That figure doesn't include surrounding cities that were also affected by that.", I stated.

"Still though...", they said.

"Also don't forget that if this had happened in LA, the trade hub would have been closed. That's several million an hour in losses that companies and the state would lose.", I stated, "Now scale that up to Tokyo or Tianjin, how much money do you think would be lost?"

"Point taken...", they said.

Fact is that if a massive massive earthquake hit the area there is a good chance it could damage both ports totaling potential billions in losses from a single earthquake.

"This technology also has the ability to lift ships out of the water in choppy seas ensuring the boat doesn't flip over.", I stated, "This technology has many applications as safety equipment for hundreds of different jobs."

Looking over at my Dad stealthily, I continued from there.

"Moving on, many of you are familiar with the Wireless Power Transmitters and Receivers that were previewed several years ago. Today I am proud to announce that the testing has been completed, and we are ready to convert all Wayne Buildings over to wireless power. For those unfamiliar with this technology, it basically allows power to be wirelessly broadcast like radio waves.", I stated.

Actually the power was transmitted through Subspace, but telling them that would be bad. Too many idiots watched movies where doing things like this brought in monsters from other worlds. I knew for a fact that nothing lived there so it was completely safe.

"So does it actually work?", they asked.

"Yes, our home in the city has been on wireless power for two years now. All of my personal devices as well as my parents have also been on the wireless power.", I stated, "Any device that requires power to run can use the receiver to power themselves. The receivers automatically convert the power to whatever they are programmed to give."

Showing them a set of modified power tools, I offered them a chance to test out the equipment themselves. Taking the chances many of them came up, and were amazed how light they were. Informing them that anyone could modify their existing equipment to use the receiver, I stated there would be no need to buy our tools if they didn't want too.

"Now as for power generation, we would use the Black Hole Generator that was recently installed in Tokyo.", I stated, "It would take only a handful to power the globe."

"Black Hole Generator?", they asked.

"Yes trash gets shot into the Black Hole, the Black Hole breaks the atomic bonds, and the resulting electricity gets used as power.", I stated, "The entire interior surrounding the Black Hole is anti-matter, and in between it an the machine is a substance called neutral matter that can't touch either matter or anti-matter, it repels them like magnets of the same charge."

"So...how much does that single generator produce in electricity?", they asked.

"Our estimates show it will barely being running at forty percent to power the entire country.", I stated.

"You...you are saying...you can power the entire country with a single generator!?", they shrieked.

"The US has already placed an order for two, one for the East and one for the West.", I stated, "Canada and the UK have also expressed an interest in purchasing one."

"And all it takes is trash?", they asked.

"Yes, it can be radioactive waste as well.", I stated, "The Black Hole doesn't discriminate against what you throw in. It will take all of it."

"So...to get this straight...", several of the investors said, "You install this generator along with a transmitter, and then broadcast the power. No wires or anything like that?"

"Correct, the only wires would be from the generator to the transmitter.", I stated, "The transmitter will have a massive battery bank to store excess power too."

"Where do you make the money in something like that?", a few backers asked.

"Selling the receivers.", I stated, "For a small monthly fee, a household has access to unlimited energy. Businesses will be charged at higher rate depending on how many they need, and of course the receivers will have to be regularly maintained to run at peak efficiency."

"Why not charge them a flat hundred dollar-"

"I respect your opinion on that, but you have to look at it from the consumer side. We stand to gain billions from selling something at a lower rate that more people can afford.", I stated, "For some families that hundred dollars would break them. My family plan would cost a household the price of a cup of coffee a week. That is something that anyone could afford working forty hours a week. Of course we would provide free power to humanitarian efforts across the globe as well. This technology has the ability to get power to places previously in inaccessible before."

"That...that is a pretty low price.", they said with a worried look.

"Please take into consideration that we are talking about providing power to seven billion people.", I stated, "The majority of the world consists of an average household size of three people. With that average, and the normal price of a cup of coffee being five dollars...we would be looking at over a eleven billion a week if we converted everyone. Just the US alone would bring over six hundred million a week, that isn't a small amount."

Doing the math themselves they quickly realized that the company could make billions without much effort. They saw the profit that they wanted to see before investing. Before allowing them to start asking for how to get their money behind the venture, I unveiled my grand slam techs.

Rising up out of the stage, a Warp Engine appeared though they didn't know what it was. My world had the capability to travel the stars, but it was extremely expensive and dangerous. We hadn't determined the best way to have deep space communications setup, and there were times ships simply vanished without a trace.

"This engine here is humanity's future. This engine is my current pet project, the Warp Engine.", I stated, "With this humanity can reach for the stars."

"Warp...engine...", they said.

Playing them actual footage of me testing the engine in space, I heard the room collectively gasp.

"This engine is our future to settle our solar system and beyond. We can be to Mars in moments, not months with this engine. Humanity can reach the asteroid belt, and tap into the bounty that is there. I can attest that there are asteroids larger that Tokyo that are made up of precious metals.", I stated, "A single asteroid would completely destroy our world's economy. The Wayne Group is already constructing a Space Station, and a Moon Base."

"What!?", the investors screeched, "You mean a trip to the Moon is-"

"No longer something that will cost a fortune.", I said with a grin, "The Wayne Group is also introducing a product I call, Stargates. Allow me to demonstrate, Kelex please initiate the Stargate sequence."

Raising the Stargate out of the floor the entire room collectively gasped. Dialing up the Moon Base that was under construction, we showed them how it worked. Tossing an apple through to the tech on the other side, he caught it and tossed it back.

"These Stargates are able to cover vast distances in fractions of a second.", I stated.

'This boy is completely insane!!', the investors thought trying not to give their excitement away, 'This technology is completely unheard of!!'

"Now I am sure their are those of you who don't believe this is actually working. I invite you to test for yourselves.", I stated.

Dozens of people lined up, and walked through to the other side. The receiving end was in an enclosed environment with fresh air circulating through it. Not only that Gravity Generators made them feel like they were on Earth. Looking out through the large glass windows at the universe, they all couldn't help but gasp.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, Space Travel is something we are able to do within the next hundred years. Once the Moon Base is done, the Wayne Group is already setting our sights on Mars.". I stated, "With this technology at hand humanity no longer has to worry about overburdening our world, we have an entire other world ready for terraforming that we can use for farming."

"Shit...", a few investors gulped.

"All of you have the opportunity to write your names in the history books.", I stated.

"How long until the Moon Base is done, and how large will it be?", a woman asked.

"Completion is scheduled for next year, but we won't open to the private sector for another year after that. We want to ensure that everything is secure before allowing scientists and private enterprises access.", I stated, "The starting size will be roughly the size of Japan."

Gasping the crowd thought that was enormous.

"Where are you getting the materials!?", they asked.

"The Asteroid Belt, the Wayne Group is the sole entity with the capability to access the belt. The Wayne Group has no interest in selling that technology though, we wish to keep it for ourselves for the time being.", I stated.

Truthfully I was the one flying out there to get it, but I wasn't going to tell them that.

"Now about the Wireless Transmitters...could solar farms be installed on the Moon?", they asked.

"Absolutely.", I said, "The efficiency increases significantly due to the atmosphere no longer blocking the solar energy."

"Where do we sign up!?", several large corporation representatives asked, "We want a stake in this!!"

"We will get to that after the rest of the presentation.", I stated, "For the producers and publishing houses that have come today I have several hundred entries I am looking to publish. That said I have a few I have animated to show you their potential."

---U.A High School---

Taking the opportunity to see what inventions I had coming down the pipe, Nezu had allowed the teachers to show the public broadcast. Seeing all of the tech I was unavailing, my girlfriends were over the moon with excitement. Melissa was even more excited as she was already getting her own lab on the Moon, and would be setup with the latest tech I had. She was super excited to begin her work towards helping those in need.

Nejire was busy bragging to the class that I was her boyfriend, and that things were very serious between us. Of course the boys in the class weren't the least bit happy about that. Both Melissa and her were their class idols, and they were both dating me. They shot down any guy that even hinted at wanting to ask them on a date. Once I started going to U.A they had all but given up on anything happening. Today especially the two seemed quite energetic about me.

'They must have gotten laid.', the boys thought, 'Damn that guy!'

Over in 1-A, the girls were busy watching the reactions to my inventions. They felt proud to be dating me, and were happy to see that I was getting the attention I deserved for all the hard work I was doing. Listening to the announcements I made for series I was developing the entire class was drawn in. Bakugo was even interested in the Punisher, Wolverine, and Black Adam. Deku was really interested in Green Arrow, Batman, and Black Widow...but admittedly all of the boys were.

---Around the World---

Announcing books like the Hobbit, Sherlock Holms, Eragon, John Carter, and dozens of others people were fascinated with the stories I was telling. All of these stories were completely different from the majority of literature currently in circulation. The thought of a Quirkless person being a Hero in comics was unheard of yet these Quirkless comic heroes were cooler than hundreds of Heroes that currently worked around the world.

Kids without powers around the globe that were watching lit up with excitement. Heroes like Batman and Hawkeye gave them hope that there was a chance for them to become Heroes of themselves. Children with troublesome Quirks saw dozens of Heroes announced that were like themselves. Seeing the X-Men comics I was introducing they saw for the first time Heroes that were having troubles controlling their own powers...like many children around the globe. Giving the public tiny snippets of their backstories the public was immediately hooked on wanting to read about these Heroes.

Even villains saw some excitement in these comics, though I hadn't intended it. A few of the villains I had directly put behind bars saw their comic book counterparts announced. They thought their comic book counterparts looked far cooler than themselves.

---Section 13 Prison Nautilus---

"He made me a man!!", Magneta snapped, "I am a fucking old man in the comic!!"

"He made your backstory really kick ass though.", Bulldozer said, "Still though, he modeled the Juggernaut after me!!"

"You both are at least villains...he made me a Hero.", Megaton said looking at Captain Atom, "That said...I look fucking shredded!"

"Shut up!", Mind Breaker snapped.

"You upset he made you a cripple?", Magneta teased.

"I...I don't care.", he stated.

"Uh huh, you were watching him talk about Professor X quite diligently.", she said.

"Kiss my ass.", he retorted.

---Section 13 Base Western US---

"Kid's got some great shit.", Charles stated, "Really like Question guy."

"I thought you would have said something about Wonder Woman or Black Widow.", his secretary said.

"That goes without saying.", Jetson stated, "Who can say no to a woman with those looks?"

"A married man.", Smith said.

"Learn to live a little man, not like those people are real.", Charles stated, "You can fan boy a bit without any issues."

"I personally liked Black Canary...", Smith said, "Her and that Hawkgirl."

"There you go!", Charles stated, "That said...Punisher and Batman are pretty damn cool."

"Haha!! Hell yah!", the men laughed, "Always nice to see an ass whooping!"

"Personally I am more interested in that Narnia world.", the secretary stated.

"Of course you would, you are a fan of the fantasy stuff.", Charles stated.

---Wayne Group Investor Meeting---

"...and that concludes what I have for this year.", I stated, "Now as for investments in the different technologies-"

"Sir, you seem to forget the last item.", Eradicator stated.

"Ah right!", I stated pretending to forget, "There is one other invention that I will be using starting tomorrow. I would like to introduce you to the Kal-El Legion."

Opening the doors behind me nearly thirty robots walked in, in sync. Stopping a few feet from me, I motioned to the robots.

"As you know I have caused some damage in my crime fighting, and these robots are my answer to help me fix things.", I stated, "Allow me a demonstrate."

Punching a hole in the wall, I had the robots use their Atomic Reassembler to completely repair the damage. Rising from their seats they watched me damage the floor next, and then witnessed the machine fix it almost immediately.

"...what the hell...", many people gasped.

"The device they use is called an Atomic Reassembler, and it disassembles matter and reassembles into any form I want.", I stated, "For finer details like wiring, pipes, and others utilities the robots are equipped with nanomachines to make the repairs. In addition, they are equipped with Med Bots to assist me with Natural Disaster relief around the globe."

"You...you are saying these machines are capable of doing the jobs of Heroes?", they asked.

"I am not saying that.", I stated calmly, "These robots are built to repair any damage I may cause, and to help people during Natural Disasters."

"Still though won't some Heroes see this as a threat to their livelihoods?", a few people asked.

"Let me ask you...if you are trapped under a house when a hurricane hits are you going to care who saves you?", I asked, "If you are barely keeping your head above water in a storm, and you are going to drown do you care about that? Saving a persons life isn't a game, competition, or challenge for a hero to complete. These machines aren't going to be going around on their own fighting crime, they are meant to help when the damage is so bad that there just aren't enough Heroes to help."

Looking at everyone I continued talking.

"I worked in San Francisco after the earthquake. There weren't enough Heroes and medical staff for the number of injured and trapped people that were coming in. During that time villains took the chance to loot and pillage while the Heroes were busy saving the public. I watched many Heroes choose to pursue those villains instead of helping the public!", I snapped, "A Heroes duty is too protect and serve the public! Those men and women chased a paycheck, and recognition over the people the are supposed to protect! Not all Heroes did that, but there weren't enough Heroes that stayed to help! In my opinion those that chase villains for a paycheck and fame only without caring for the public are False Heroes!"

Looking at their screens people listened to my words like I was speaking directly to them.

"A Hero is someone that shows up, and never flees in the face of danger! They put their lives on the line regardless of whether or not they gain anything out of it!", I shouted, "I became a Hero because for years I listened, and was forced to sit on my hands while people around the world suffered without anyone listening to them! Countless False Heroes around the globe make back door deals with villains ensuring that they stay employed! There are people listening to this that know exactly what I mean, you live in constant fear that you and your loved ones will be next victims that will call out for help and no one will come! Do you realize how many villains society made because no one listened to them when they were children!?"

Hanging their heads a few of investors knew what I meant. They had family members that had become villains because they were different or misunderstood.

"I want to be the Hero that answers those calls.", I stated, "I want to be the Hero that will always show up no matter the danger or threat. These robots are meant to help me save more people so that way those cries are answered. The public needs someone to stand up for them, and challenge those False Heroes! Having a Quirk doesn't make you a Hero, having the heart to protect the innocent and the courage to show up when others won't is what makes a Hero great! No matter how powerful I am, I can't be in two places at the same time. I don't care what the Heroes have to say about these robots, my duty is the public not them."

Looking at me my Dad gave me a proud smile.

"I know that those False Heroes will try their best to shame me, but all I have to say them is...I won't stand idly by while a child cries out for help.", I stated with firm look, "I will go where ever I am needed, and I will do my best to save as many people as I can."

Ripping my shirt off revealing my costume underneath I looked straight into the camera with an authoritative look.

"I am the Defender of Truth, Justice, and the American Way!.", I proclaimed, "Let those that do evil cower in fear, for I AM HERE!"

---U.A High School---

"Haha!", All Might laughed, "He borrowed my line!"

"I don't know if he is being serious, or just trying to comfort the world saying that.", Eraser Head said.

"I think he knows what he doing.", Nezu said with grin, "He is calling the villains out, and putting them on notice. I look forward to seeing how this plays out, you know some villains are going to take this as a challenge."

"Young Clark is ready to face those challenges head on!", All Might said with a smile, "The villains dumb enough to accept the challenge are going to be in a world of hurt."

"That's an understatement.", Cementoss stated, "It is good he is thinking about the damage he could cause, and has a method to repair it. If only more Heroes thought of that...it would make my work less tedious."

"Come on, you do great work!", All Might stated.

"Unfortunately though most of the time I am only called in to fix the damage.", Cementoss stated with a sigh.

---Wayne Group Japanese Complex---

Leaving our agents to deal with the investors, and my father to talk with his friends I took Kelex and the Eradicator out of the complex. Teleporting us to my Fortress of Solitude, I turned to the Eradicator with a serious look.

"Alright...I received a tip from someone that the Oblivion Group is moving to capture one of my girlfriends.", I stated, "Did we trace the email?"

"Yes, unfortunately the person that sent it was dead.", Kelex said, "It looks like your secret admirer wanted to warn you without leaving a trace."

"You mean Vlad's daughter?", I asked.

"Yes.", Kelex stated.

"Ugh...", I sighed, "Keep a close eye out for her, she is a dangerous threat to them too. Eradicator, in the event that I am on a job when their personnel act I want you to capture them. If you find capture is too difficult...kill them."

"Understood.", Eradicator stated.

"Now then...what do we have on the Oblivion Group?", I asked them.

"We have pin pointed several operations of theirs across the globe.", Kelex stated, "Their protections against cyberattacks was child's play. I have identified three bases in Russia, five in the US, two in Japan, and twelve in China. At this time that is all I have located...I am still sifting through their data for where the core members are. Most of their information is encrypted entries, and each member appears to use their own key for their cryptic language. I am currently brute forcing the files to unencrypt them, it shouldn't be more than a day before it is cracked."

"Good, I plan on making an example out of them.", I said glaring at the locations marked on the map, "These people are after my girlfriends, and I won't let the fucker come within a hundred miles of them! Do we know which member is the one coming?"

"Section 13 calls him Cupid.", Kelex said pulling up the information we had on him, "He has a Pheromone Quirk that allows him to control his targets, but it requires him being within ten feet of target initially. Currently he has a number of Heroines, Villainesses, and random civilian women under his control. Section 13 has confirmed it is possible to remove the mind control, but it is a painful experience for them...very painful. I would say judging by the notes it is similar to coming off a highly addictive drug."

The floor beneath my feet buckled as I looked at him with glowing red eyes.

"You are saying they sent a fucker like that after my girlfriends?", I said in a cold tone, "I am fucking going to hang him by his own intestines! The balls he has laying those dirty eyes on my girlfriends, I will ram them down his throat so he can choke on them! Does Section 13 have a sample of the Pheromone?"

"Already secured the chemical composition.", Kelex stated, "It appears the chemical shuts off the parts of the brain that deal with critical thinking, decision making, and self identity. This makes them follow him without a second thought...as they are unable to think by themselves."

Studying the chemical composition, I had an antidote to neutralize it within minutes. Using my equipment to produce an aerosol version of the cure, I instructed Eradicator to use it on the girls if he got close.

'This fucker is going to be unrecognizable when I end his miserable life. I will pull out every single scrap of information in that head of his making it as painfully as possible.', I thought thinking of my girlfriends, 'I want this bastard to scream out and beg for mercy as I beat the life out of him.'

"Sir, Section 13 has operatives that they are currently trying to rehab under his influence.", Kelex stated, "They are being held at the Section 13 Base in Italy."

"Alright, I will take the antidote to them.", I stated.

Teleporting myself to Italy, I left Eradicator and Kelex to break the code the Oblivion Group used to hide what they wrote.