It was the next morning and Natasha and Clint both awoke to a whole new day not just a married couple now but the arrival of the new team. Natasha got ready and leaned over kissing Clint and told him to get out of bed.
It wasn't long until Tony came over Jarvis. "Hey love birds, sorry to break up the mini honeymoon but get up here the new team had just arrived."
Natasha groaned. "Be right there Stark." She shook her head thinking that he will be more obnoxious now that her and Clint were married but she could always threaten him in many ways. Within 15 minutes she and Clint arrived to the main living area where the rest of the Avengers were waiting. Tony smirked at them and Natasha said, "Shove it Stark, where are the new kids?"
Tony nodded. "Here they come now." Soon the elevator opened and out stepped a girl with blond hair and a guy with dark brown hair. They approached the Avengers and Natasha came forward.
"I am your mentor Natasha Romanoff known as the Black Widow and this here is your other mentor Clint Barton known as Hawkeye. What are your names and super hero names?" She asked them.
Gabriel spoke up first. "I am Gabriel Spencer and my name is Shooting Star. Nice to meet you both."
Serenity smiled. "Hi Natasha, Clint, my name is Serenity Dickinson and my name is White Sorceress. I hope we can be friends."
Gabriel smiled. "Hi Serenity, hope we can be good friends too."
She nodded. "Same Gabriel."
Natasha said, "I would like that Serenity, you can come to me anytime. But Gabriel, Serenity, I want you to meet Tony Stark, Iron Man, Bruce Banner, the Hulk, Steve Rogers, Captain America, and Thor of Asgard."
Gabriel walked over to Steve. "Hi Steve, I am a fan of yours, I am from your hometown of Brooklyn and I know all about you."
Steve shook his hand. "Nice to meet you Gabriel, I am honored."
Tony smirked. "Another Captain fan boy." Steve glared at him.
Gabriel felt a little uncomfortable. "No worries Cap, I am not a stalker or anything."
Serenity rolled her eyes. "Fan boy."
Natasha laughed a little. Soon the elevator opened up and the last two students enter the room. Natasha walked over to them. "I am your mentor Natasha Romanoff, Black Widow and over there is your other mentor Clint Barton, Hawkeye. Who are you two?" She asked.
"Kaelin Morris, but call me Orkan on the field," the girl with her black hair tied in a loose bun said as she glanced around the room at all the others assembled there. She held herself in a confident manner and glanced at the other two teens assembled there. Just like with the boy she had ridden the elevator with, they looked very green and she doubted they had seen real combat before. She sighed.
The boy that had ridden up with Kaelin strolled in casually toward Natasha and held out his hand. She was a total babe, redheads were all hotties, but one glance at her ring finger told him she was a lost cause, so he sighed and dropped his hand going for a nod instead. "Seth Crane," he grinned dashingly as he introduced himself, "You can call me Mar during battle though…I look forward to working with everybody," he said, he winked at the pretty blond across the room…talk about beautiful, maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all, he thought.
"Nice to meet you all," Clint said greeting them all. "I want to welcome you each personally to the Institute and show you each to your rooms. We're just going show you each to your rooms and let you get settled in for today. Tomorrow we will start training," he said and then turned to Natasha and raised his eyebrow silently asking if she had anything else to add.
Serenity rolled her eyes at Seth's look at her, looks like she will have to fight off his advances because right now she wasn't interested in a guy outside of friendship. Gabriel just shook his head. "Nice to meet you Kaelin and Seth."
Serenity wasn't sure if her and Kaelin would get along but she will let Kaelin approach her first. "Same here."
Natasha smiled at Clint than back at the new team. "Alright let's get you settled in." She led everyone to the elevator. Once inside Natasha said, "Clint and I are on the fourth floor, Seth and Gabriel's rooms are on the third floor. Serenity and Kaelin's rooms on the fifth floor."
Once they hit the third floor Gabriel got off dragging Seth by the arm. "Come on." Serenity smiled she could tell that her and Gabriel will get along just fine.
Natasha noticed on how Serenity was a little tense and asked. "You alright?"
Serenity nodded. "Sorry, just first day nerves." Natasha nodded and soon they arrived on the fifth floor and Serenity smiled as she got out. "See you two later." She headed toward her room and entered it. She unpacked quickly than got out her candles and did a quick prayer to her wiccan goddess in hope to calm her down. Yes, she was a white sorceress so she abides by the laws of Wicca and the balance of nature, in other words she was a full blooded pagan thanks to her ancestors.
Once Kaelin was gone and it was just Natasha and Clint. Natasha turned to Clint a little worried. "Do you think this team will be ok?" She asked.
"Yeah, the beginning is always a little rough, don't you think?" Clint asked.
Natasha nodded. "I just hope they will be ok." She told him.
Meanwhile, Gabriel was settling in his room and he was still getting over the meeting of Captain America. "Man I am lucky to be here."
"Yeah, nice digs Stark's given us, huh?" Seth asked as he propped himself against the entrance of Gabriel's room. He had taken mere seconds to toss his duffle bag onto his bed, he traveled light since he was never in once place very long. Being a treasure hunter meant he was always traveling to the next big score. "So Gabe, hope you don't mind if I call you that, what are you into?" He asked. Really he had been going to help Serenity's luggage to her room for her, but Gabriel had dragged him off before he could offer. He wondered if Gabe had his sights on the pretty blond as well and if that's why he had cockblocked him.
Gabriel had turned toward Seth who was standing in the doorway. "So Seth Crane huh, you aren't going to have the headless horseman come back from the grave and kill you and us?" He smirked for he couldn't resist teasing him for Sleepy Hollow was his favorite movie. "Cuz if you are a descendant of Ichabod Crane than we are screwed." He stood up. "Well, I am into movies, music and I love living in New York because of the parties." He wondered where Seth was going with this.
Seth snorted at Gabriel's joke, glad to see he had a sense of humor, he grinned. "Well, if that's the case hopefully my long lost uncle would spare me since we're related," he said and then looked at Gabriel with surprise, "So you're a party guy? I wouldn't have pegged you for one. No offense, but you look pretty clean shaven. How crazy do you get?"
Gabriel laughed "Man, I go to clubs and get trashed, my friends normally have to escort me out and take me home. What about you?"
Seth was pretty sure his eyebrows must be reaching for the skyline at this revelation. "Dang man. I think you might have me beat in that department. I drink, but it takes a lot to put me under. I mostly go for the girls anyway…speaking of girls, what do you think about our new teammates? Serenity's a total babe."
Gabriel finally realized what Seth was getting at and he just shrugged. "Yeah they seem nice, Serenity is cool, her and I will be good friends and I hope to get to know Kaelin so I can be friends with her. If you have the hots for Serenity than I guess that's cool."
"Not interested huh?" Seth said, a little relieved to see the competition was out of the way, "Yeah, I can see me and her together. Say, I've got somewhere to go, catch you later though Gabe. We should be bros," Seth said leaving Gabe to the rest of his unpacking.
Gabriel just shook his head and once he was finished he made his way toward the cafeteria.
Meanwhile, Kaelin dutifully unpacked her clothes and gear. She tilted her twin blades in the light and watched as it gleamed on their sharp edges. She had already sharpened them earlier that day and they were ready to go at any time. So, when she was done, she left her room, locking the door behind her and walked to where that Serenity girl's room was. Pausing outside the door, she knocked and then said, "Serenity, can I have a moment?"
Serenity groaned as she was interrupted from her prayer and she got up answering the door. To her surprise it was Kaelin in which she wasn't expecting her. "Hey you wanted something?" She asked.
Kaelin couldn't help but notice the candles lit around Serenity's room, she gave her an apologetic look. "Sorry if I've interrupted something." By the look of it, it had been vaguely religious, Kaelin noted, "I just wanted to let you know if you ever need help with something difficult during training or just need someone to spar with later on then I'm here for you," she told the other girl.
Serenity was taken aback by her offer. "Will you like to come in? Excuse the candles and other stuff." She started blowing out candles and putting her stuff away. This might be a good chance to make a friend, someone who hopefully won't judge her unlike her mom and her old friends who shunned her when they found out about her powers.
Kaelin nodded and stepped into the room, grateful for the offer. "If you don't mind." She glanced around Serenity's room noticing it was about the same as her own. "Were you in the middle of a ritual of some sorts?" Kaelin wasn't very knowledgeable on such things, battle was more her strong suit.
Serenity froze in place for a moment trying to figure out just how much she should reveal to her and she walked over grabbing some water than handed Kaelin one. Serenity sat down taking a sip. "It was a prayer to one of my goddesses, it was to help calm my nerves. I am a full blooded pagan and I follow the laws of nature and Wicca, I inherited from my ancestors hence my super hero name." She hoped Kaelin wouldn't shun her or start calling her the spawn of Satan. She gave her a nervous look waiting for her answer.
"I see," Kaelin said glancing at the bottle Serenity had given her. It was a type of purified spring water, a healthy choice. She twisted the cap and took a sip. "Excuse my ignorance on the matter, but Wiccans practice white magic, right? The 'good witches' as they call them?" Kaelin asked. "If that's the case, I'm interested in seeing your powers," Kaelin told her with a smile.
Serenity smiled. "Yes, I am a white witch or in my case a white sorceress. But there are people I know who aren't good witches so that is why people had always despised witches in general, they think we are all evil." She turned to her with a smile. "Thank you for accepting me and I hope to see your powers too."
Kaelin nodded, "I only base my opinions on people's actions not what others say about them, so don't worry." Kaelin was going to ask Serenity more about her expectations about coming to the Institute, but just then there was a quick knock at the bedroom door. Kaelin exchanged a look with Serenity before walking over to the door and opening it.
"Hey ladies," Seth gave a little wave, "how's it hanging?"
Serenity walked over to her door seeing the kid, Seth there. "Excuse me but you are interrupting our girl time. What do you want?" She gave Kaelin a look.
Seth grinned holding up both his hands in surrender. "My bad, I just wanted to get to know my two new teammates better," he told her, and man, Serenity was not going to trust him easily, but that was okay, Seth liked the chase. "Say, you ladies must be hungry, wanna grab a bite together?"
"It's up to Serenity," Kaelin said, she really didn't care either way. She noticed the look Serenity had sent her earlier and intended to back her up if she needed her to.
"So what do you say, Serenity?" Seth asked waiting for her answer.
Serenity sighed. "Sure, I am a little hungry. You coming Kaelin?" She asked her friend.
"Sure," Kaelin nodded. Seth's smile widened at Serenity's answer and he moved aside to let them both out. Once they started walking he went to walk next to Serenity, but Kaelin walked between them. Once they got to the cafeteria they noticed Gabriel was there and they went to his table. Seth quickly moved to pull a chair out for Serenity.
"Hey Gabe," Seth greeted the other boy.
Serenity knew Seth was flirting with her. "Look Seth no offense but I am just looking for friendship and not a relationship with anyone." She sat down and motioned Kaelin next to her in which Gabriel just smiled.
"Hey I am all for friendship, I just hope a certain someone will honor her wishes and not corner her." He gave a look to Seth.
"Hey, nobody said anything about dating, chill," Seth brushed Gabriel off. The guy was really cockblock of the year. "I just want to get to know her better…and the rest of you guys too," Seth said sitting down next to Gabriel and across from Kaelin. He would dial back his game a little for now, maybe he was coming on a bit strong. "Did you just get over a breakup or something?" He directed that question to Serenity.
Serenity frowned. "I don't want to talk about it." She then turned to Gabriel. "So your parents are ok with your power?"
Gabriel nodded. "Yeah they are fully supportive."
Serenity smiled. "That's good." Then she turned to Kaelin and Seth "What about you guys, your parents cool with your powers?"
Seth's cockiness wilted a little at the question. He hadn't seen his parents for over a year, hell it was going on two years now. He shrugged, "Mine don't really care," he answered and quickly passed on the question to Kaelin.
"I've had my powers since I was born and so my father had time to come to terms with it before I was old enough to know I was different. He doesn't exactly approve of my decision to fight crime, but he's supportive," Kaelin explained. "How about yours, Serenity?"
Serenity nodded at their answers. "Well it's a long story but my father supports me but my mom doesn't but it's not like it's that big of a deal. I mean I don't need their approval for me to try to be happy." She really felt dumb for opening that bag of issues. She sighed. "Well I am tired, so I am heading back to my room. I'll see you all tomorrow." She got up and left.
Gabriel felt sorry for her. "Well I guess I will head back to my room as well." He left.
Once she returned to her room she locked the door before hitting the bed, she felt exhausted from the trip and that emotional moment. Gabriel returned to his room and once inside he turned on the TV trying to relax. Tomorrow all of them start training and he wasn't sure what to expect.
With the other two gone, that left both Kaelin and Seth alone in the cafeteria together and it was kind of awkward. Kaelin sipped a glass of tea she had ordered and Seth sulked at the other side of the table. Things with Serenity hadn't gone as he had hoped. Seth sighed and fished a cigarette out of his jacket pocket. He held it up to his lips and blew, lighting it with his fire breathing ability.
"Damn it," he cursed taking a drag and exhaling slowly.
"You were a little too ambitious today…" Kaelin commented, her nose curling up at the smoke.
"Yeah, I noticed," Seth commented in a flat tone, he glanced at Kaelin fully for the first time. The girl had a way more sharp edge then Serenity and her soft curbs and flowing blond hair. Kaelin was also pretty short, even for a girl. She was totally not Seth's type.
"I just hope you're as serious about training as you are flirting," Kaelin told him and Seth snorted. She stood up to leave and Seth quickly stubbed out his cigarette stood up as well falling in step with her as they walked out of the cafeteria.
"I'll walk you to your room at least," he told her.
"I don't need anyone to walk me to my room, thank you," Kaelin told him promptly. Seth sighed, man he was striking out all over the place today.
"Whatever you say," he said, they both went their separate ways for the night.
Back upstairs with the Avengers, Tony smiled at Clint and Natasha who had rejoined them. "So are the kids going to be ok?"
Natasha nodded. She only hoped this team will work out, she had a slight doubt but she will do her best to train them.
Tony turned to Clint. "So how does it feel being married bird brain?" Natasha sent him a slight glare.
"I have to say, it feels pretty damn good, Tinhead," Clint replied as he threw an arm around Natasha and pulled her close for a kiss. He knew Tony would take a while to settle down with Pepper if he ever would.
Natasha returned his kiss and turned back to Tony. "So giving up on your suits already Stark?"
Tony smirked. "I get the hint widow, alright Bruce let's go play in the lab." Soon Bruce and Tony left and Steve headed toward the gym while Thor left the tower temporarily. Natasha sighed and sat down on the couch.
"Finally Stark leaves, he was getting on my nerves."
Clint and walked over to where Natasha was and leant in close. "If wanted to be alone with me that bad then you just had to say so…my room's open," he told her with a mischievous grin.
Natasha saw his smile and gave him a slight smile. "Yeah I know Clint."
Clint sighed and took a seat next her on the couch. "Something's wrong isn't it?" He asked bumping into her shoulder, "Tell me what's wrong."
Natasha sighed. "It's just I have some doubt and I will get over it. I will do my best to help train them the best I can." She didn't want her feelings to get in the way of the bigger picture because they don't know who will attack them next and the kids have to be able to be a team. Natasha met his gaze. "I'm sorry for being this way Clint. I know I should be happy."
"It's okay," Clint smiled softly at her and ran his fingers through her hair, "I know you're still probably a little sad about Alanna and Noel leaving…it will be hard to get on without them, but let's put our all into teaching them, okay Mrs. Barton?"
Natasha nodded. "I will Clint and thank you." She leaned into him and kissed him. She knew he would pick up on her emotions and she was thankful.
The next day, the new students were up bright and early for training. Kaelin had arrived early was her custom and Seth had trickled in at the last minute.
Serenity entered to see everyone else there already and she was already second guessing herself about this whole thing but she put on her brave face. "Morning."
Gabriel nodded. "Morning." He noticed she seemed a little off but didn't comment, for him he was nervous as well.
Natasha smiled at Serenity. "It's going to be fine, just try and relax." Serenity glanced at her a little surprised and gave her a slight nod. Natasha turned to Clint. "Alright I let you do the honors."
"Okay, today we're going to start with the very basics…and that means hand-to-hand combat. We're going to show you attacks and counters then have you practice in twos for a while." After that Clint partnered with Natasha to show the new moves in detail after which they both went around and worked with each kid until practice was over.
After practice was over Natasha walked over to Serenity. "Hey can I talk to you for a moment?" Serenity nodded and they walked away from the others.
Serenity asked, "So what is going on?"
Natasha smiled slightly. "I know you are having trouble with yourself and your powers Serenity. I just want you to know that no one will judge you here, all of us have our own problems but you can trust me anytime you need to talk."
Serenity nodded. "I appreciate that and you are right I do have problems with accepting myself and my powers."
Natasha nodded. "So do you want to go talk about it over breakfast?" Serenity followed her to the cafeteria and once they got their food they sat down. Natasha waited patiently for Serenity to start.
Serenity sighed. "Well no one knows this yet but I am a descendant of a white witch who was burned at the stake in Salem, MA during the 1692 witch trials and when she burned alive, the rest of my ancestors had gone into hiding. So there hasn't been a powerful white witch in my family since 200 years ago, where the last white witch died. My mom thought that our bloodline was just all superstition and she is a devoted Christian, she thought that witchcraft was the devil's work to turn people like my mom against God. So when my powers manifested she freaked out and started praying for my soul and practically disowning me. My dad sided with me telling me to follow my own way and if I wanted to honor the religion of my ancestors which is Wicca than he was all for it. He sent me here in hopes I get used to my powers and help people while he tried to have my mom accept me again. I am the first powerful white witch born in 200 years and it's a little much."
Natasha nodded. "Serenity, you are meant to have these powers and I'm sure your ancestors are proud. As for your mom, only she can choose to accept you or not but don't despair, in time if your mom truly loves you than she will come around. But if not, than you have to be happy in who you are and what you had been given because it's a gift from your ancestors. Take pride in that Serenity."
Serenity smiled and got up giving her a quick hug. "Thank you Natasha."
Natasha smiled. "I am always here for you."
Meanwhile back in the gym Gabriel walked over to Clint. "Hey Clint, morning."
"Oh hey, what's up? Need to go over something from practice?" Clint asked as the teen approached him.
Gabriel smiled. "Just wanted to talk a bit if that's ok."
Clint nodded. "Sure, what's on your mind?" He waited for Gabriel to continue.
Gabriel sighed. "It's just learning this and dealing with my powers all of the sudden makes me feel a little on edge, I guess you could say. This might sound stupid but you guys, the Avengers were the ones who inspired me to become a hero after I had witness your last battle. I am not fully confident with myself in truth."
Clint smiled at him and patted his back. "Well, all that is normal, you will gain more confidence as we take you through more training. It's okay not to feel confident after only one class. Also, I'm honored that we were your inspiration." Clint told him.
Gabriel nodded. "I just feel a lot of self-doubt but I hope with your guys' help I can learn to accept myself. Also yes I actually wanted to become a doctor as a kid to save people but when I got my powers I actually felt like a freak and wondered on what my future might be until all of you showed me what I could do. That is how I ended up here."
"That's great, being a doctor is good too, but I think you can save a lot of people with your powers as well…don't worry Gabriel, by the time we put you through all the Institute has to offer, you'll gain lots of confidence." Clint assured him.
Gabriel smiled. "Thanks Clint, I appreciate it a lot and you are cool." He turned to Seth and Kaelin. "Guys, you want to join me in the cafeteria?" He then turned back to Clint, "You want to join me too? I think Natasha and Serenity are there right now."
"Team building exercises are always good," Kaelin agreed and Seth grinned.
"If Serenity's there, count me in," he said. Clint also agreed and they all walked there to see Natasha and Serenity talking.
"Hello, hope we're not interrupting," Kaelin greeted as they all piled in and took their seats. Seth, respecting Serenity's wishes from yesterday, sat at the opposite end of the table from her.
"So what's going on?" Clint asked Natasha as he sat down.
Gabriel sat down across from Seth. "Hey man." He greeted Seth.
"Hey Gabe, nice moves at practice today," Seth nodded in his direction.
Gabriel shrugged. "I guess but you did better than me."
Meanwhile, Serenity smiled as her friend Kaelin sat down. "Hey you did good today." She complimented her friend.
Kaelin bit back an 'I know.' and instead opted for a more friendly reply. "You're doing very well for a beginner. We'll have to do drills together sometime," she said with a smile.
Serenity sighed "Well in your point of view I guess I did but I envy you, you already have the skills."
Meanwhile, Natasha whispered to Clint. "Serenity was having problems about herself and her powers, she told me her back story. She's lacks confidence in herself and her powers because of family issues. I reassured her the best I could." She told him. She noticed something was up. "What about you? You alright?"
"It was the same deal with Gabriel, he has a lot of self-doubt, but I know he's going to gain some going through our training," Clint smiled as he told her. Honestly, he wasn't really worried at all.
Natasha nodded. "I see similarities between Gabriel and Serenity, I think they both will have confidence in themselves in time. Plus them becoming a team." Natasha wondered what will happen now, she knows that her and Clint have a lot of work to do to get this team together. But she's happy Clint was still here for her even when she still has own doubts, she is thankful they get to be together.