SDR : Ch 6 : Iron Man? Just an arms dealer

Batman's strategic video came to an end, leaving the viewers in shock and with countless lingering questions.

How did this virtual screen materialize?

Who was responsible for this, and what motivated their actions?

Moreover, what aspects of the presentation were authentic and which were fabricated?

Just as the audience struggled to process these inquiries, two additional videos unexpectedly surfaced. The identities of Professor X, Batman, and Iron Man remained unknown, although Iron Man had previously introduced himself.

All eyes turned towards Iron Man as he contemplated, "While I cannot be certain, and I doubt anyone else can provide me with guidance, perhaps it wouldn't hurt to investigate... Shall we begin by exploring this video concerning me?"

Agreeing in unison, the crowd nodded.

Iron Man selected "Super Dimension Raiders: Iron Man."

The video promptly commenced, confirming the presence of an image portraying Iron Man.

"Name: Tony Stark."

"Alias: Iron Man."

"Background: Son of Howard Stark, chairman of the Stark Group, billionaire, renowned playboy, extraordinary genius, accomplished scientist, the world's foremost engineer, inventor of the Arc Reactor, creator of an advanced personal exosuit, Veteran of the Avengers, pivotal contributor to the Avengers' financial resources and technological backbone..."

The titles listed in these profiles were no less impressive than those of Batman.

The video also displays images of Iron Man.

He is showcasing the new weapons of the Stark Group to the military of country

A missile breaks into numerous warheads, obliterating a mountain. Iron Man extends his hands, holding a glass of red wine, displaying an arrogant and confident demeanor.

Upon seeing this image, Wolverine mutters, "With all these grand introductions, I thought he was a brilliant scientist. Turns out, he's just an arms dealer!"

Even Batman and Superman's expressions change upon witnessing Iron Man. During their limited interaction, Iron Man displayed a hint of narcissism, but it wasn't excessively bothersome.

However, as fellow arms dealers, both Batman and Superman wear displeased expressions.

Iron Man touches his face, feeling a bit embarrassed, but quickly recovers his composure. Those dark chapters in his past are indelible stains, but he is no longer the mere fortune-seeking arms dealer he once was.

Nick Fury's eyes widen, and his face undergoes a drastic change. "The Avengers? How is that possible!?"

He had approached Iron Man this time to discuss the establishment of the Avengers. He was the only one aware of this plan. So, why is it being mentioned in this video?

Previously, when Batman suggested that this video was a product of someone manipulating the past and future, he scoffed. But now, he believes it.

The video's introduction starts: "Iron Man was merely a morally bankrupt arms dealer who found himself under attack by terrorists while conducting a sale of weapons to the military..."

In the image, Iron Man is seated inside a military vehicle, boasting alongside the soldiers, exuding his signature playboy demeanor. He had earned a few more stars, exemplifying his extravagant lifestyle.

Suddenly, a deafening explosion rang out, and a bomb plummeted, causing the vehicle to erupt in flames.

Iron Man struggled to escape the wreckage, managing to emerge from the car's remnants. In that moment, he noticed a bomb before him, adorned with the logo of his Stark Group. Subsequently, the bomb detonated, and he collapsed onto the ground. He frantically removed his body armor and observed that his bulletproof vest had been pierced, resulting in blood steadily streaming forth...

Professor Xavier was taken aback. "You were bombed by your own missile?" he exclaimed.

Wolverine sneered, "What would you call that? Self-inflicted?"

Iron Man's face displayed extreme disgust, not because he embarrassed himself in the video, but because it seemed impossible for anyone to capture such an image!

Is all of this true?

Do someone truly possess the ability to edit your past actions into pictures?

Can even the future be manipulated?

His last hint of doubt was dispelled in the subsequent scene.

The narration chimed in, "The terrorists kidnapped him and demanded that Iron Man construct weapons for them. However, Iron Man was trapped in a cave and ingeniously used available scraps to construct the first generation of the Arc reactor. It represented controllable Fusion technology..."

In the video, Iron Man had an iron ring embedded in his chest, connected to a battery, and employed magnetic forces to prevent bomb fragments from entering his blood vessels...

This device was created with Dr. Ho Yinsen, who was also a prisoner, in an effort to save him.

And there, in that cave, Iron Man dismantled those missiles and assembled his initial suit of armor.

Iron Man's complexion turned pale as he confessed, "Batman, I now believe what you said. These videos are indeed authentic; they were extracted from both the past and the future. The evidence presented in these images makes it impossible for anyone to dispute their validity..."

Even Batman was astonished and perplexed. "You achieved controlled nuclear fusion within that cave?"

Professor Xavier and Beast stared in disbelief, their expressions mirroring the same shock.

Controlled nuclear fusion!

This is the energy that resides in the dreams of humanity. If harnessed, it would grant mankind the power to venture into space and truly enter the space age!

Is it possible that such a groundbreaking invention is being crafted by this man in a cave using mere scraps?

It's incredible!

Though this man may be a repugnant arms dealer, he is undeniably a brilliant scientist and the world's foremost engineer, truly living up to his reputation!

The scene shifts once more.

Iron Man's suit is no longer the shabby, first-generation armor; it has transformed into the iconic red and yellow classic armor.

He travels far and wide, combating terrorists and facing off against the "Iron Monger"Obadiah Stane and the formidable "Whiplash" Ivan, all in the blink of an eye.

A narration continued: "Through these incidents, Iron Man came to realize the folly of his past life as an arms dealer. He closed down Stark Industries' military division and shifted his focus to clean energy research..."

"And he, himself, became Iron Man, donning his own suit of armor to fight crime, battle terrorists, and defeated the Iron Monger of Obadiah Stane, who had stolen his technology, as well as gaining control over the Arc reactor-powered Whip wielded by Ivan."

"Prompted by Nick Fury, he discovered a solution to the palladium poisoning caused by the Arc reactor. Invited by Nick Fury, he joined the Avengers. As an Avenger, he faced his first true adversary..."

"The third prince of Asgard, the descendant of the Giants of Jotunheim, the God Of Mischief Loki!".