𝙸𝚗𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚒𝚝𝚢 (𝚆.𝙼𝚊𝚡𝚒𝚖𝚘𝚏𝚏)

The Mysterious Woman -- (Iron Man II)

"I am Iron Man."

The words had ever since shocked the world in the revelation that Tony Stark publicly announced he was a superhero, and the fearless Iron Man. Stark did not know that at that moment in time, his life would change forever. And it would change his son's life too.

Soon after his revelation, Tony was subject to court subpoenas and summons, ordered to testify if he should surrender the armor to the U.S. Army, or his compeititor, and often brainless and stupid C.E.O. of Hammer Industries, Justin Hammer, would provide his own machinery for them. However, Hammer's technology was very much flawed, and from video evidence, had caused some of their test pilots severe injuries.

Too bad Stephen Strange didn't take the chance to help them.

Across the world in Russia, listening to a broadcast of the announcement, a dying man pleaded for his son to join him. This man, Anton Vanko, laid on his deathbed, watching his legacy die in his eyes, and not to be known by anyone. His son, Ivan fed him his medicine, as the senior Vanko muttered, "Это должен быть ты там наверху."*

(That should be you up there.)

"Не слушай эту чушь."* Ivan assured his father, comforting the dying man. However, Vanko felt guilty he could never give his son the life he deserved, having lived the rest of his life in exile, and Ivan spent most of his life accompanying him. "Мне жаль. Все, что я могу дать вам, это мои знания."* Anton spoke in between coughs, and Ivan worried his father may be close to finding the pearly gates. But Ivan's thoughts were wrong.

(Don't listen to that crap. — I'm sorry. All I can give to you is my knowledge.)

His father had passed away in those last moments.

Ivan cradled his father's body, mourning his loss and began drinking his sorrows away with a nearby bottle. Tears drifted down his face, dripping off his bearded chin, and then, as a means of cursing this damn world, he roared loudly in the air, damning them all to hell.

In his father's makeshift lab, Ivan sifted through multiple blueprints of his creations, putting up one familiar design made by the one and only Stark Industries, an Arc Reactor. A project created by Howard Stark, and Anton Vanko. He began crafting his invention, something that would sure to be striking fear, and honoring his father's disgraced work.

Photos of Tony Stark served as Vanko's motivation, his new hatred being born from the scorns of Vanko & Stark. Molten steel was forged on an anvil, with clanks and hits being hit upon the metal. Hours of coding kept Vanko awake, as he wished for justice. And finally, Vanko had completed the first part of his mission.

Create a miniature Arc Reactor.

—------------------------------------------------

MALIBU, 2008. —- SIX MONTHS LATER.

Zach stayed busy in his father's workshop, refining his Iron Marvel suit to include more features as his father's suit for various purposes, such as protection, extra bits of technology, and software like Jarvis.

"Zachy, you've been up for too long now!" Amara whined from his computer, being on a video call with her little brother. "You need rest, and I do too. Little Jay's fast asleep, and I bet I will be soon." Zach wiped off his sweat from his forehead, also feeling the burn of sleep. "Yeah, you're right, Mimi," He said as he finally finished up his work, and came closer to Amara, who leaned in. "You finally finished it?" She asked hesitantly, knowing her brother was now committed to helping & protecting people.