The car dropped her off at the manor's front door. A large house in southern California with ridiculously high walls around it. The Avenger's Insignia was out on the front of the house. A bit on the nose for Grant's taste, but whatever. At least here there was no chance of any onlookers trying to sneak a peek from outside. Complete privacy from the outside world.
Tigra couldn't exactly wear her regular jeans and jacket. All this fur was hot enough with the shorts and t-shirt she had on now. Even the shoes were too much, and she opted for her flip-flops. Similarly light clothes were packed in a sports bag over her shoulder. She felt more comfortable just lounging around her cell in her underwear, but that was never going to happen here. The idea that other people were going to see her as the cat-girl she currently was going to be awkward enough.
"Right," she told herself, "Baby steps."
She stepped through the front doors and whistled at the impressive architecture inside. This place was beautiful.
Further in the building, she spotted a crowd of people. Maybe that's where the new students were meeting?
As she walked over to them, she noticed a few things. For one, they were all wearing the same kind of jeans and green shirt. Some of them must be twins, because some them…
Wait, no, all of them had the exact same face.
When Tigra saw this, she froze in her tracks. She didn't know how to react, what to do. Were they soldiers? Clones? She saw a horror movie about clones once, it didn't have a happy ending.
Too late to act, one of the boys saw her and smiled.
"Hey!" he said loudly, "New girl!"
The entire gang of boys turned towards her and smiled in a way that unsettled her. Well, the situation was unsettling enough, but regardless. She ran past them, down a hallway. Down at the end of it was a set of double glass doors leading outside. She had to get away from the mob of freaks. All the while, they called after her.
"Hey! Wait!"
"We're not gonna hurt ya!"
"We're not just cat-calling here, we swear!"
She ignored them and sprinted towards the door, losing her flip-flops somewhere along the way.
She burst through the doors to see a large group of people.
"Help!" She said, "There's someone- something chasing me!"
Everyone was on guard and waited as the group of young men followed her out the door.
"Madrox!" Captain Rogers (Whoa. The Captain America?) called out from the makeshift stage. "I told you to take it easy with the powers. You're supposed to be greeting the guests and showing them where to go."
The group of boys collectively rubbed the back of their necks and just looked ashamedly. As they watched, their numbers shrank as one of them stepped forward. The lookalikes seemed to disappear within each other, one absorbing all the rest. After a few seconds, there was only one boy left, and he nonchalantly held up some cards.
"Sorry, Cap," he said sheepishly. "Her car was running late, and the guys and I just wanted to play a game of cards real quick."
He then turned to Tigra. "Jamie Madrox," he introduced himself, but kept his distance, seeing that she still wasn't comfortable with him. "Also known as the incredibly handsome Multiple Man. People have always said I was too much, but that's only because they know me!"
The people around Tigra seemed to collectively roll their eyes. Apparently this was nothing new to them.
"Well," Rogers sighed. "I think everyone scheduled to be here is here, so let's take our seats and get started."
Tigra took a minute to see what the crowd was standing around for. Rows of wooden folding chairs were placed in rows in front of a stage. Most of the people were wearing business suites or Shield uniforms. Suddenly, Tigra felt very inappropriately dressed.
She jumped as someone grabbed her arm. She turned to see a woman with pretty red hair and casual attire. She smiled like a friend.
"Students sit up at the front, sweetie," she told her kindly.
"Oh," she said, "Thanks."
She sat on the outside seat, on the edge of the row. Ready to make a break for it again if she had to. Her attention was brought to the stage. The lady who told her where to sit was up on the stage with some of the other Heroes.
"Sorry, just…" the Captain looked over his cards. "I hate being on a stage."
A few people in the crowd chuckled.
"Well, first I'd like to welcome all staff to the world's first Academy for super powered individuals," he started. "A little over a year ago, the Avengers formed to take on threats that no hero could take on alone. We became more than just a team of soldiers and scientists, we became a family."
He scanned the crowd for a moment.
"I'm sure you all have a reason to be nervous," he continued, "This is all new territory for everyone. This school is built to train the next generation of Avengers, whether they're human, Asgardian, or something new altogether. I believe that anyone can be an Avenger if they choose to be. Now, let's welcome our new students with a round of applause."
The crowd and people on stage clapped vigorously. The people down the row with her smiled, glad to be put on a pedestal, but Tigra didn't appreciate the attention. She didn't blame anybody, but she just waited for the day to be over.
Soon, after the speech was done and they sent them off, Tigra was escorted to her room. They were free to mingle with the other people and eat the food on the table, but Grant wasn't in the mood for conversation. The lady opened the door for her and stood aside.
Tigra stepped inside, noticing that there were two beds.
"Am I sharing this room?" She asked the lady.
"Yes, I believe so," she answered.
"Any idea who?" She questioned further.
"I'm afraid not Miss Tigra," she answered.
"Okay…" she thought for a moment. "Thank you."
She nodded and closed the door behind her, leaving Tigra alone.
She dropped her bag and climbed into the bed. She was afraid of meeting people while looking like this, and she thought "Aw, screw it. What does it matter what they think? I'm a cat-girl now, so what? Is that really the weirdest thing to have happened?"
But now all those looks flooded her mind. Human, Asgardian, or something completely new. Was that directed at her? Who else could it have been? Certainly that clone-boy was more human than her. At least he looked like a real person.
She shed her extra clothing and tried to hide under her sheets, trying to sleep away her problems.
Nick Fury looked over the files on his desk.
"How many students do you have?"
"Eight so far," Stark answered, "I have more pod-people…children coming in soon."
"Who'd you get to be a part of this?"
"The Avengers are taking turns," Tony answered, "We have a schedule in place, and we'll switch out every now and then. For now, our main stars are Agent Romanov, Rhodey, Banner-"
"You're letting Bruce Banner take a teaching position," Fury stated, "In a high school."
"He said it's his dream job," Tony put up his hand defensively. "Always wanted to be a teacher, but never got the chance… You know how it is."
"Does this have anything to do with the fact that he has both a relative, and a former love interest in this facility of yours?"
Tony shrugged. "You know me, Fury. I'm not the caring, sentimental type. These things just kind of happen on their own."
"Hm." Fury seemed somewhat amused. "You keep this act up and people are going to think you have a heart."
"No one would believe you old man," Tony quipped. "Now, I actually do have a meeting to go to and Pepper's been feeling ill. Can't afford to be late this time."
"Godspeed, ironman," Fury looked at the next file, and huffed. "Hercules. Right…"
What about you guys? Any particular Marvel superhero you want to see here? Come on, there's gotta be the one guy you want to see in a Marvel Movie. Leave a comment!
