This is the 2008 Hulk movie, but only the Iron Man scene. It actually takes place between two movies (The Hulk and Iron Man 2) so it builds up Ari's character more so we get a feel for her personality and who she is as a person.
Differences mentioned in this chapter: The "anomalies" mentioned early on are a reference to spaceships, i.e. Guardians of the Galaxy stuff, but they don't come into the story yet.
"You don't just go and decide to start something like this, Ariana," said Tony. "Once you're in with them, you don't have an option to get out when things get tough."
"Dad, now's not the time," she said, putting sunglasses on. "Besides, Director Fury asked me to help you with this one."
"So, he's Director Fury now?"
"Yes, I'm going to be working with SHIELD. I haven't made up my mind on joining yet."
"Oh, look! A sign! You have to be twenty-one to enter."
"Nice change of subject, dad."
"I don't think so. I think a sign like this is just what we need for that team. Twenty-one or older. That would make me happy."
"So would throngs of women and endless parties, frat boy. Just go talk to the man. I'll wait in the car, see what I can do to help with the Expo. Also, there have been a few anomalies in space I'm wanting to look into."
Tony smiled. "There she is."
"Who?"
"The woman you're growing into, the girl who makes me proud of her everyday, and hopefully, the one to take over Stark International one day."
"Dad…"
"The company's changed, Ari. You will keep it moving in the direction we have going. No, correction. You'll take it further and make the world even better."
Ariana tried to keep tears from falling, glad her sunglasses hid her eyes. "Okay, well, that's great and all, but you are supposed to go recruit someone and I have work."
"No, you have a hobby."
"And a kickass body suit," she said as she walked back to the car.
A little while later, Tony got back into the car and saw Ariana working furiously. She didn't look too happy.
"What's up, kiddo?" he asked as they began driving to their private jet. "I know that frown anywhere."
"Well, the anomalies seem to be stars sending out solar flares but I can't get the math to add up," she said. "I'll go to the lab later to work on that, try and see what it means."
"But that's not what you're upset about."
"Not at all. The Expo is huge, dad. I mean, huge. If anyone or anything happens to attack, there will be too many people for Iron Man to protect. I want to add a bit more security, just in case."
"I'll handle it, Ari. Don't worry."
"They would be more for crowd control, dad. You know, get civilians out of harm's way so you can deal with it."
"I meant the planning. You're young and a genius. Don't worry about this."
"Dad, I don't exactly have friends I can go out with. Ever since you told everyone that you're Iron Man, they only want to know if they can drive the suit or if I'm hiding one or if you'd make them one of their own."
He pulled her into a one-armed hug. "Sorry, kiddo."
"Don't be. It's shown me who my real friends are. The younger agents are cool, but don't get much time off. So, work it is."
"You're isolating yourself. How is the power training? Any new discoveries?"
"IOTA is amazing. She catalogs any new power as well as monitor vitals so I don't overdo it. And I currently have telekinesis, possibly telepathy but that's not something I can fully test." She laughed. "It took a bit of work, but I managed to make an IOTA bracelet so that I don't have to stay inside to train."
"I'm sensing a but."
"It keeps malfunctioning anytime I go to touch it. Can you look at it? I can't figure out what's wrong."
"Not sleeping well."
"That's the thing. I go to bed in New York, and I can't deal with all the noise. You and mom don't hear it, but I do."
"Hence the telepathy."
"Exactly. So I go to my lab in the country. I've grown to like the peace and quiet. Especially at night. No one's around for miles, but JARVIS and IOTA are linked together so that if anything happens, IOTA and send out an SOS to JARVIS and you."
"Smart girl. Well, I'll tinker with the IOTA bracelet. Nope, needs a new name."
"I'm working on it. I built her, I'll name it."
"Miss Stark, perhaps I could contribute," IOTA said through the bracelet. "I'm stuck with IOTA, but I have narrowed it down to ten possi…"
"Mute," Ariana said. "I don't know why I programmed a personality."
"Yeah, first mistake," Tony said with a smile.
"Well, it's good for when I want to actually talk to something that talks back, but annoying at other times. Honestly dad, I've developed your habit of talking to my machines."
"It's fun. They listen."
"Yeah, but you have mom and Uncle Happy."
"Okay, you've got me there." He got out and held the door for her. "Still, maybe just go for a drive or a walk before heading off. It's strange. I miss having you home."
"Dad, I'm fine. Look, I'll come visit more often. But a walk around town sounds nice." They got onto the plane. "Either way, I can't wait to get back home."
"Sir, a surge of static electricity has been detected," said JARVIS as IOTA chimed. "I suggest we wait for the crew to look it over."
"Alright," Tony replied.
Ariana started fidgeting. No matter how many times the crew cleared the static electricity, it seemed to multiply. She began to feel closed in. Ariana got up and left the plane, despite Tony's insistence on her staying in her seat.
As soon as she left, Jarvis said, "Sir, the static electricity is no longer a problem."
Tony jumped up and ran his hands through his hair. It was one thing if she was just a consultant or even worked for SHIELD. He could get Fury to keep his daughter out of the main fight, or even keep her in a lab. But this.
"Think it wise to let her walk around with her in this condition?" Fury asked, appearing from out of nowhere.
"What do you mean, Fury?" Tony asked, his voice rising to a yell as he spoke. "Bored and wanting to be back home? Or in a condition where my daughter suddenly develops electricity based powers and it might have been my fault?"
Fury said, "You want to blame yourself, Stark, fine. But imagine what it's like for her. She not only lost her father, got him back, and nearly lost him again when some men she grew up with all her life plotted against her and her family, only to wake up alone in a hospital to see him in a press conference and me telling her she has powers. Everyday, her powers are growing and not knowing if she could hurt those she cares about makes her anxiety worse."
"She suspected," Tony said, sitting down. "But she can't tinker like we always did together. She just stopped. I thought she was finding other hobbies, or…" He put his head in his hand. "I never thought…"
"I didn't want you to know," she said. "Director Fury, what did you do?"
"Sir, static ele…" JARVIS began.
"Mute," said Tony. "Honey, why didn't you tell me?"
She sat next to him and answered, "I was tinkering with the IOTA-let and I was getting frustrated. It melted in a shower of sparks. They jumped from my hands. I was shocked. I had JARVIS replay the video. I was upset by it and electricity ran between my fingers. I ran outside so I didn't hurt anything, but it kept getting worse. So, I tried calm breathing and it seemed to work."
"So what happened here? And why didn't you tell me? Talk to me, Ari."
"Well, now that I've started showing signs of electrical powers, I try to avoid certain things so I don't cause accidents." She looked away. "Static electricity causes so many problems for planes and cars and…"
"Ari, stop. Okay. It would be an accident. It would not be your fault."
"Me getting these powers isn't your fault either. If mom hadn't hit that button, I would have lost you, dad. I'd rather have this problem than have to live without you."
They smiled at each other and hugged. Ariana moved back, saying, "JARVIS, IOTA, unmute."
"Sir, static electricity levels now acceptable," JARVIS said while IOTA said, "Miss Stark, while I understand needing time to talk, your electric output spiked due to nervousness but is now at acceptable levels, though you really should deal with the excess."
"Excess?" Tony asked.
"IOTA often compares me to the Arc Reactor," said Ariana. "It makes sense that I would work on the same principles. I believe that my other abilities had lain dormant, but allowed my body to absorb and take on the same properties as the reactor. Meaning, I'm constantly creating energy and need to distribute it."
"What do you do?"
"Mostly I walk around outside my lab barefoot or go for a walk around New York. I haven't found any other way to get rid of it safely."
"You sleep on it. I'll look at the IOTA-let and figure out a suit to help you with energy distribution."
"Thanks, dad. Speaking of sleep, I think I might try that. Night."
Ariana walked around the streets of New York. She didn't like that it was the middle of the day and there were people around, but she needed to clear her head and being home wasn't as peaceful as it sounded on the plane ride.
She passed an alley and someone grabbed her. She didn't scream out like she would have a year ago. She tried to take on the three men surrounding her, using her newly acquired battle skills. Training as a SHIELD agent under two of the agency's best was coming in handy.
Out of nowhere, a beam of rainbow light landed nearby and a man dressed in green and with a horned headpiece remained behind when it disappeared. She was just as shocked as the men attacking her. She took advantage though, as SHIELD agents don't let shock take control. But the men quickly recovered as well. The sense of being overwhelmed with the battering of her mind was becoming too much. Sparks erupted from her hands. Her head was pounding. The men close to her were determined to hurt her, she knew it. It only confirmed her telepathic abilities for her.
The strange man, who seemed somewhat familiar to her, looked at her predicament but her breathing was coming too fast to tell if he was just standing there or walking towards her. Her vision was blurring. The next thing she knew, she had an arm around her and a knife to her throat. She was staring at the stranger, who seemed to have taken out two of her assailants.
"I would suggest you let the girl go," her rescuer said.
"Not happening, freak," her captor spat.
Ariana stomped on his foot, causing the jerk to howl in pain. She ran and got behind the one rescuing her. Her disappointment at not being able to defend herself caused more sparks to appear. Many would have jumped away from her, but the stranger took her hand without hesitation. I know you can hear me, she heard him say, though she knew it wasn't aloud. I could feel your ability. Do not let your emotions rule. You were outnumbered. You did well, but let me handle this one.
She blushed. She gripped his hand, the sparks dying down. Thank you. I'm Ariana Stark.
He made a dagger appear, shocking her. Loki of Asgard.
She stood next to him, her honey hair fluttering in the wind. She grabbed an iron rod and stood ready as if she held a sword in front of her. If I remember my mythology correctly, you are the Norse God of Mischief. I have to say, you were always one of my favorite deities and favorite tricksters.
I'm honored, he said. But shouldn't we deal with the man before us?
She smiled, causing the man to back up into some pipes. You're not the only one who likes a good trick. She took the rod and tapped the metal piping. Sparks ran along the pipe, hitting the man and causing him to jump with a howl.
"That was excellent, Lady Stark," Loki said with a slight bow.
Ariana giggled and said, "Thank you, Loki. I thought it was a good one."
"Then, shall we?"
"If we must."
They took a step forward. The other men started to get up. With Loki's ability to fight and use illusions, Ariana felt more at ease. The men ran out, two of the three still dizzy from the blows Loki had landed on them. Ariana dropped the rod. Her legs went out from under her as she began laughing. Loki looked at her with shock.
"Do all Midgardians do this after a battle?" he asked.
"No," she gasped out. "It was my first fight. I was a complete mess. I'm laughing at myself."
"You are a strange one."
She looked up at him. "Yeah, but you look stranger."
He looked at his clothes, then at hers. He adjusted them, with her help, so that he didn't stick out so much. He even changed the color to one he preferred so he wouldn't stick out so much. The black suit made him look handsome, his longish hair only adding to the regal air. Now, she had a better excuse to be breathless, and it wasn't laughing at her own expense.
"You know," she said, "I never thought…" Ariana blushed. "I mean, you… um… wow." She covered her face in her hands. "I'm acting like an idiot!"
Loki smirked and removed her hands, saying, "I am honored you like the alterations. You did help me to blend in. How should I make it up to you?"
She stared up at him, like a deer in the headlights, as he inched closer to her. Her mind raced as his lips came closer. Her lashes lowered and… she felt him kiss her cheek. Her racing heart sank, but her blush deepened.
"It was nothing," she said softly. "You saved me from those jerks. I should be the one thanking you."
"That is true. So, how does a mortal honor her savior, the God of Mischief?"
She giggled and got on her knees. She quickly kissed his cheek before saying, "The same way he thanked her for the Midgardian disguise."
She was shocked by the slight blush to his cheek. They heard someone coming down the alley. She stood up as the three men from before came with more guys, running. Loki took her hand and they went back down to the daylight of the street. Ariana's heart was pounding, and not just from the run. Yet, she had never felt so calm.
Loki and Ariana managed to get to a well populated area and they stopped to catch their breath. Loki looked at the young woman he had just rescued. She was striking, her hair like warm honey, her eyes a crystal blue, and her skin beautifully pale, like alabaster. Odin was tired of his tricks and had sent him to Midgard as a lesson. Since Loki didn't care much for mortals, he had to befriend one and bring back proof of their time, preferably bringing the mortal in question. The first mortals he saw were attacking Ariana, who seemed to hold her own for a moment or two before he stepped in. What had possessed him to help her? Wasn't the law of Midgard survival of the fittest?
Ariana looked back at Loki. She was drawn to him. She never had anyone look at her with both awe and confusion, but she found she liked it. She pulled out her phone and called Happy. It was difficult, but she managed to explain a few things about Midgard technology and about her life telepathically to Loki while talking on the phone. In return, he told her about himself. In a span of ten minutes, not only had they shared most of their lives, but she became more adept at telepathy. She didn't want the moment to end.
"Honestly, thank you for saving me, Loki," she said. "I would like to take you to get some dinner."
"Why?" he asked. "We already know each other."
She shook her head. "No, we haven't shared secrets, hobbies, interests, or anything like that. Just facts of our lives. I want to get to know the man behind the god. So, I'm going to earn that right, just like you will earn the right to learn about the woman behind the money."
He could feel the pain in those words. He looked at her as they stood up and held out his arm to her. She took it, though with hesitation.
"I do not care for money," he said. "I would very much enjoy learning about you."
Happy pulled up and saw Ariana with Loki. He didn't look happy and was texting Tony. Ariana sighed. This night wasn't going to be normal by any stretch of the imagination, but she knew she had time before Iron Man appeared to crash their dinner. She looked out the window, but Loki turned her face to look at him. I do not care what events befall us so long as I'm not fighting hordes of enemies for my food.
She suppressed a giggle. No. Just have to weather the storm that is Tony Stark.