[Third Person's PoV]
"Okay, wait. Does this Ivan Vanko actually exist in this world? Was your father really working with a Russian assistant?" Melissa asked, her voice filled with curiosity as Ivan and his father, Anton, were revealed on the screen.
"Wait, what?" Tony exclaimed, his attention snapping back to the movie. He paused the scene just as Ivan was seen experimenting with a finished arc reactor. "What do you mean by that?"
"Well, in the movie, it's mentioned that Ivan helped Howard Stark perfect the arc reactor, so I'm wondering if that was the same story here. Is there someone else in this world who also possesses knowledge of the arc reactor, or did something like that happen differently here?" Melissa's voice was tinged with intrigue as she leaned forward, her gaze turning towards Tony.
Tony stared at her, mouth agape. His eyes flicked back to the paused scene, and then back to Melissa. He opened his mouth, closed it again, and finally stammered, "I... I never considered that. I honestly don't know. This is a lot to process."
"How have you kept all this movie knowledge in your head and never considered this fact?" Melissa asked, incredulous. She raised an eyebrow, her mind struggling to grasp how Tony had never questioned such a huge detail before.
"I just assumed that only the Stark name and achievements were the ones that carried over into this world," Tony said, his voice exasperated. "Why would I wonder if someone else was out there who had the same knowledge or ability to make the arc reactor?"
Melissa gaped at him. "You are seriously something else, you know that? Just... wow, Tony. Just wow."
"Let's... let's just continue watching the movie," Tony said quickly, his voice tinged with nervousness as he hit the play button again. He could still feel the weight of the question hanging in the air as he shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
The scene transitioned to Tony running out the back of a plane, soaring through the sky toward the Stark Expo, where he dramatically landed amidst a burst of fireworks. As he touched down, machines began to lift from the stages, systematically disassembling his armor.
Tony strolled confidently in front of the crowd, presenting at the Stark Expo.
"You really do love being the center of attention, don't you?" Melissa sighed, her voice laced with mild annoyance.
Tony flashed her a straight-faced look. "When will you learn that it's not me?"
"Look me in the eye and tell me you don't secretly love getting that type of attention," Melissa challenged him, her expression stern.
"Oh look, Stark's about to give one of his classic arrogant speeches. Let's just watch that," Tony muttered, changing the subject as he pointed at the screen.
"Coward," Melissa scoffed, her tone teasing as she turned her attention back to the movie. But her attention quickly shifted as she noticed Stark backstage, his blood being poisoned.
"Stan Lee!" Melissa suddenly shouted, her arms shooting up in excitement as she saw his cameo.
Tony turned to her, looking utterly confused, after all its barely been 2 hours since she learned who he really was.
Blushing slightly, Melissa mumbled, "Sorry, I just... I couldn't help myself after learning who he really was. It felt appropriate."
Tony rolled his eyes good-naturedly, then glanced at her as she snuggled up beside him, absentmindedly drawing circles on his chest. "Not to mention, I'm kind of becoming a big fan after learning that he's the one who created you~," she added with a playful grin.
"He didn't create me," Tony groaned, rolling his eyes.
"Same difference," Melissa shrugged dismissively, her voice light as she refocused on the movie.
The scene shifted to Tony sitting before the senator and Justin Hammer, and as the future War Machine appeared on screen, Melissa's eyes lit up.
"Now that's the Rhodes I know," Melissa grinned.
As the scene continued, she giggled, thoroughly entertained by Tony's antics as he made a fool of everyone—especially Justin Hammer. But her laughter faltered as the camera zoomed in on the test subject with his torso painfully twisted.
"Ugh, God, that could have been us when we were just kids," Melissa winced, her face contorting in discomfort as she watched the horrific display.
She then turned back toward Tony with a teasing smirk. "You know… that's probably going to be us one day," she said, nudging him with her elbow. "When the United Nations Council finally learns and realizes that military-grade weaponry—stuff that can level entire cities, states, or even continents—is in the hands of a bunch of teenagers."
Tony stared at her flatly. "Melissa, please, for the love of my sanity, don't even joke about that," he said, his voice laced with genuine concern. "I don't even want to imagine the kind of chaos that would cause. Can't you just watch the movie and let me have one peaceful moment without triggering an existential crisis every five minutes?"
Melissa burst into laughter, clearly enjoying herself far too much. Her giggles still echoed as the movie shifted to a scene of Tony Stark in his workshop, pushing Pepper away after learning she had a cold.
"Fun fact," Tony said with a nostalgic smile, "the actress really was sick during filming. That whole exchange was improvised on the spot."
"Hehehe, seriously? That's actually pretty cool," Melissa grinned, impressed. Then the scene changed again—this time to Tony training in martial arts with Happy Hogan.
"NATASHA! YAY!!" Melissa suddenly shouted, practically bouncing in her seat. She beamed as she watched Natasha Romanoff appear on-screen for the first time. "Finally! I was wondering when she'd show up! I've missed her."
She looked at Tony with a knowing grin. "She was clearly sent in by Fury to spy on you, wasn't she?"
Tony groaned, but a small smirk tugged at the corners of his lips. "Stop guessing everything and just watch the goddamn movie," he muttered with an amused snort.
Soon, Happy was flat on the floor, completely taken out by Natasha in one smooth, effortless sequence. Melissa cheered her on like a sports fan watching their favorite team score.
Then came the fancy event scene—Tony and Pepper at a high-class gathering hosted by none other than Justin Hammer. Melissa's mood instantly soured when she noticed a familiar face.
"It's that bitch again," she growled, glaring at the journalist from the first film who appeared alongside Justin.
Tony looked over at her, genuinely confused. "Okay… seriously, what is wrong with you tonight?" he asked, unsure how to process her personal vendettas against the journalist.
Melissa didn't answer—her attention had already shifted to the next scene. Tony was seen sneaking away with Pepper and Happy to the Grand Prix in Monaco, surprising everyone by suddenly appearing on the track, helmet in hand, ready to race.
Melissa watched with wide eyes as Ivan Vanko made his dramatic entrance, using his electrified whips to slice through cars and wreak havoc. Tony nearly died on the track if it hadn't been for Happy slamming into Vanko with a car just in time. Melissa watched in awe as Tony's portable armor suit rapidly encased his body in one of the most iconic suit-up sequences yet.
A fond smile played on her lips. "I wonder if our suit-up during the entrance exam looked anything like that… Wait…" She blinked, turning toward Tony with narrowed eyes. "Did that count as a reference too?"
"...No," Tony said quickly, glancing to the side with suspicious avoidance.
Melissa chuckled knowingly, shaking her head, her eyes still fixed on the screen. "Mmhmm, suuure…"
The movie rolled on, showing Tony defeating Whiplash, who was then taken into custody—only to be later broken out and recruited by none other than Justin Hammer. Melissa watched intently, curiosity growing as she saw Tony, slumped over, tinkering with the arc reactor embedded in his chest. His health was deteriorating, and he downed a drink in an attempt to slow the palladium poisoning, while Rhodes watched from behind with a troubled expression.
Several scenes passed, leading up to the confrontation between Tony and Rhodes. Rhodes had taken one of Tony's earlier suits, and the two began fighting in the middle of a party Tony was throwing as he spiraled through a midlife crisis.
Guests stared, stunned and awkward, as the two armored men traded punches—metal clashing against metal with each blow. Then came the repulsor blasts, both of them firing beams that collided mid-air, creating a shockwave so powerful it shattered the surrounding glass and shook the ground violently.
Melissa slowly turned her head, eyes glowing with excitement. "I just thought of an awesome combo move we could do together," she said, practically vibrating with energy.
Tony couldn't help but let out a laugh. "I know what you're thinking," he said, ruffling her hair affectionately, "and maybe… just maybe, in the future."
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