Disclaimer: As always, I don't own these charachters - Iron Man, the X-Men, the Avengers, etc etc (guess what? they belong to Marvel and Disney...)Keep in mind that I'm the moral owner of Blackdragon, though. and that no way i'm getting money from this piece of literature.... I'd like to, but it's still merely a dream... spoiler alert:The List story-line featured in the one shots Avengers:the list and new avengers annual BLACKDRAGON ISSUE #33 - THE LIST(1) featuring the New Avengers "Osborn is not Hitler!" As she enters, undetected and in silence, in what used to be Steve Roger's home, now own by his WW II sidekick and used by the "renegade" Avengers as their hideout place, Christine "Blackdragon" Stark-Johnson is surrounded by shouts, shouts of people she knows, voices she recognised. Still dressed with simple streets clothes (Jeans and a black shirt) she made from her X-men costume using her mental powers, can't help but be wonder why, of all the places, she is there. There, with the Avengers… something she has never been, as recently she has remembered quite well. But now… now, as she puts a hand on her hearth and breaths to try to calm down, she can't help but see how things are going for them… how things are going for everyone, and she isn't that sure that Spider-man is wrong. "Really? Because, look, there's a mutant concentration camp right there on TV!" She hears Clint's voice, she hears it getting higher as he tries to get to the point, to prove them that he isn't wrong, and, knowing that it's also her parts that he is taking; she can't help but smile, just a little. But… but she has to have a say in this. They don't know what's really going on over there, she is the only one, and she has to say something… "According to Mr. "I'm the leader of the X-Men since I was 15", that's everything but a concentration camp… for them it's the new mutant nation, a new Genosha. – as she enters in the room, casually leaning against the doorframe, Chris behaves as nothing happened, as she has always been part of the conversation, hands in the pockets of her jeans and shifting her weight from a foot to the other one, simple white sneakers on – and they are not stuck there. We have, I mean, they have teleporters. The only reason they are still there – she says as she crossed her arms and looks at the ceiling – it's because they want to. - As the avengers remain silent, Chris takes few steps and joins them at the centre of the room, still crossed arms but biting her lips in concern a little, looking at her feet and not directly in their eyes – and I didn't. Scott thinks the mutants just won, but, as I see things, we didn't. Osborn did. And he just brought the mutant hysteria to her historical maximum." Mask-less, she is cold, and firm as she says this last few words. Because she believes in what she is telling them, the same things that, just few hours ago, she told Scott, just before Illyana "Magik" Rasputin helped her to go to NY so she could do things in her own way, a way that's not Scott's one, not just now… not any longer. "I knew you'd be back, princess… – Clint smirks for few seconds, maybe even less, as he turns to look at what CNN is broadcasting- and here I thought you were trapped in that damn concentration camp… after Mr. "I'm the leader of the world" announced he had you in custody, hell, I've been afraid for you… - he smirks again, pausing – not that I didn't see that coming, you're too smart to let him take you that way." "Officially, it's a self-proclaimed "mutant nation… and we even are no longer allowed to enter on US soil, air-space or sea. Bet at the end – she pauses, looking at the image of what Scott poetically called "Utopia" – we're what we are, and we've been made to break rules. Scott knows me well enough to understand that I'd be more a problem than a resource, since I didn't agree with him for this solution. And Emma... she can be the ice queen now, and I mean literally, but she is more open then him, AND she seems to not agree that much with the idea of a mutant nation on an island. – She pauses – I hope that, what you asked me after… the Thunderbolts incident… and after the… problem we had with Jim… it was still standing. That proposal, I mean. I think I could be ready to accept. If you still want me, I mean…" "Ok, well, as I see things – Clint says after having shook hands with the girl he always saw as a little sister – both Jessica and Chris should have a vote here, because they'd side with me!" "Jeez, I can't believe it! – Spider-man says at open arms, looking at the ceiling, almost shouting – am I really alone in this? Do you all really have the intention of killing him?" "Ok, although I think it's wrong that you made me vote after, like, 5 second that I've become a member of this team… if I've become a member of the team…- She pauses – listen, I don't know how you feel, but… I'd like to… I whish I could, that it was that simple. Also because I've seen what he is capable of. Osborn is a selfish and arrogant man, with just his own good in mind, who turned an international organization as SHIELD into his personal puppet… few months ago, while I was still working with the MI 13 team, Britain has been invaded by the forces of Dracula, and he refused to help. He tried to kill the whole mutant population of the world. He left me for a whole bloody damn week starving after he got me. He captured Rhodey, and I had the chance to lobotomize psychically him and I didn't, I didn't do it because I couldn't force myself to and now, frankly, I don't want to. Besides……" "Besides? Besides, what? " "I think Chris' point is that murdering is wrong" Carol points out, like to ends her sentence, close to the girl she fought with during the Skrull War, joined both soon by Spidey, who crosses his arms and points at Clint at the same time "Murdering isn't just wrong! It's the number one in the top ten of wrong!" "And – they are joined by Jessica Drew, too, the one Clint though was at his side – it may note solve our problems." "I hate to say it, but they are right, Clint. I'm not telling it as a mutant or as hero or as a Stark, because those parts of me want to kill him just as much as you do, but I'm talking like a technarc, as the human computer that always analyzes thousands of scenarios pro time – she pauses, low eyes, just to lifts them to look into Clint's blue ones - we kill him now, we become the bad guys. We become the bad guys, he has won. And the status quo he created will stay fixed for decades. Besides, as Spider-Man said, murder is actually wrong, and, sorry, I saw too many evils in the last months to just add this." "and I thought you were going to side with me… Christ, he almost killed you! And Rhodey's in front of a tribunal for war crimes! – Clint points at her, mad and full of anger – if not for Swordman and Wisdom, you'd be dead by now! You should be the one who wants to kill him the most, after everything he did to you and Tony and Jim!" "Listen, Clint. When it comes to certain situations, I'm not against murder, really. I mean, you don't really think that, when the vampires invaded Britain I stayed there without doing anything, right? Besides, although I'm against murder… I've been trained to think about the greater good and the lesser evil. I'm not exactly a fan of the "kill one to save thousands" kind of scenario, but I can understand that there's people who believes in it. And… yes. I like revenge. And… of course, I want my revenge, and yes, I hate him for what he did to us but what I'm saying – she pauses, facing him, her eyes as red as when she uses at max rate her powers – what I'm saying is that, right now, this isn't the best decision we can take. I've played those scenarios thousands of times, Clint – she pauses again – and every time it culminates with Osborn's death, things get worse, because we are the good guys, and we are not the ones who are supposed to do this. We're supposed to be better than him. " "Bobbi?" he says, turning to his wife, without even trying to reply to Chris, stone cold. "I have to think about it… it's a bad road to take" "I know it is, but this is extreme! This is one of those situations that…!" he starts to yell. "If you kill him and you're wrong, you'll not able to take it back. You'll regret it your whole life" Cap says, entering finally in the conversation, still sitting at what used to be his desk. "So, what, we stay here, sitting in our chairs, and behave as nothing happened?" "No, No, I say, we go to San Francisco and we help the X-men" Carol says, fiercely. "They don't want to be helped, they like things as they are" Chris says at low voice, knowing that the Avengers are seeing things different from Scott. "And, as team leader, I say, we stop hiding…" "I agree, that's the reason I quitted the X club" "… and we do what Spidey had to do since high school!" "That, I don't agree on – she says, a hand on her forehead, a bit exasperated, after mere minutes, by how ,much stubborn Clint may be - The analysis says it will be a mistake, Clint. And, after I got these new powers, I've never been wrong." "Killing Osborn is just the beginning – cap says, crossed arms, serious – like your friend said, Barton, it will not change things, the new status quo will still be there. At that point, what are you going to do?" "And what are we going to do once we are San Francisco?" "That's another good question" Cap continues, just to be stopped by Spidey. "We sit down and we figure a plan out." "We sit down? And how the hell is it going to help us and the world? That's your fault! – Clint shouts, madder and madder, pointing at Chris – we could have killed him when he attacked Rhodey, but you, no, you all had to be the saints you are! You know what? I'm done sitting!" As Clint says so, he leaves his chair, literally jumping from it, and leaves the room, slamming the door at his back, shouting at them. "He didn't mean it, Chris. He isn't blaming you for what Osborn did. He knows it's not your fault, he is simply mad… - Bobbi gently puts her right hand on Chris' same shoulder, seeing how hurt she is from Clint's words, facing her, almost pass the young mutant's body - I'll follow Clint… and I'll talk to him" as these words leave her mouth, in the same instant, tears leaves her blue eyes, drawing lines onto her face, on her pale features. Otherwise, he'll get himself killed, and I can't allow this. She adds mentally, heard by anyone but the brown-head telepath, Blackdragon. Later "So, what are you going to do about this whole mess, Love?" Chris and Pete are lying on the top of a hill, on the green, brilliant grass, hugged together, looking at the sunset, the psy-landscape, a sort of room Chris created on the astral plane to have their conversations when they had to be apart. Sitting under an old oak with her knee against the strong trunk, she looks at the fist stars, his head on her lap, his hands on the back of the mass of black hair and her ones on his shoulder. "I still don't know. I mean – she pauses, breathing heavily, like bearing the weight of the situation – I don't like the fact that Osborn is in charge. And, frankly, I'm quite scared about it…" "And you are a girl who doesn't get scared that easily…" he smirks, interrupting her, receiving as an answer a quick slap on the head, who just makes them laugh a little. "Yeah, well, yes, I'm scared by this, by what he could do. But this doesn't mean that…" "It doesn't mean that you'll jump on your feet ready to do as Barton asks you to and kill the bloody bastard." He lifts his eyebrows, as he ends her sentence, knowing already where she is going to go. They already had this conversation, and he knows that they'd been talking for the equivalent in real time of 3 hours (while it's been just few minutes in the outside world) just about this, maybe not directly, but this is where she is going. This is where everything is leading to. "I'm not a saint, I know this. I've been a double agent since I was a teen, and that is something to say. And with my recent involvement with X-Force… but… killing Osborn… Actually killing someone… me, killing someone…" she says, overcoming by sadness, as she leans her forehead against his one. "If only it could mean something, right?" he says, serious again, shifting position so he could sit at her side, looking into her black eyes. "If we kill him now, publicly, we'll get nothing if not hate from the people we want to help. Osborn's not only playing the role of the patriot, but of the knight who saved the world who's been haunted by the big bad boys. Clint going all public was the biggest mistake ever done; he just gave him the opportunity to let us be seen as some kind of super-powered stalkers. I think we should wait for him to commit a mistake, than defeat him, publicly, showing him to the world for the criminal he is. He is a crazy maniac, and I'm sure he'll soon lose his mind again, and we'll defeat him, but we have to wait for him to make a false step, first, we need the world to understand why we are doing this. Until then… everybody will do as he says. Even now, as he speaks, everybody thinks what he thinks. He says mutants are evil and have to stay recluse, and everybody say we are evil and we have to stay recluse. But… - she pauses, lowering her once sparkling eyes a little –but I can't let go Clint off half-cocked. If he got himself killed, I'd never forgive myself. But I don't believe that doing this now is right. I believe that killing him is right. And I want desperately to believe in Clint, he is like family, but… " "Ehy, you remember what I told you that evening, before Dracula attacked, while we are at that pub? – He pauses, capturing her forehead into a quick kiss – I told you, "Chris, I've fought many battles, and I've never seen a bastard who doesn't confess his crimes or his plans during a fight… I bet that soon Osborn will be old story and the real Avengers will be where they're supposed to be. He'll lose the war. He'll fall. And when it will happen, we'll be right there drinking champagne, the both of us, and dancing on his grieve…" – he pauses, looking at the stars, the same way he did while during the final battle against Vlad and his army – I told it, and I meant it. I know it will happen; you all just have to be patient. And when you'll be done with him…- this time it's not a pause, he simply stops to talk because he knows she understands what he means, where, with his British charm, with those mesmerizing blue eyes, is going to, and because he thinks it's something he has to show her, something that needs to be shown with facts and not words, and so, as soon as she ends the sentence, he captures, smiling and grinning with eyes and lips, her exquisite and soft lips, as tender as petal of roses, with his ones, a gesture she is quick to reply, happy and quite satisfy.- am I a better kisser in truth or with my mind?" "Ehy, this is as real as the physical world… this is a place created by my mind, Pete dear, don't forget it…" as she says so, a quick and heavy light surrounds them, and, as soon as Pete Wisdom opens the eyes he covered before to protect them, he sees something new, he hasn't seen before, a new "mindscape" as once Chris called it. "Bloody hell, you learn something new all the time… like I had no idea – he says grinning, crossing his arms while looking at what's surrounding him, a landscape of pyramids and an ocean, interminable, of dunes of golden sands - there was a hot spring on the head of the sphinx…." As he says so, he grins, turning to look at said hot spring, and at the person inside it, Chris, a small black and gold "trikini" on, Chris who, once he, dressed with an open white shirt and jeans, no shoes, leans towards her to steal another kiss to the smiling telepath, takes him for his shirt and, laughing, makes him fall inside the hot water, a laughter just stopped by him, who takes her in his arms and his lips. "I think there may be one on the moon too, Mr. Wisdom… whish to investigate later?- she asks him, as he keeps kissing her, but turning his attention to her ivory neck and her shoulders, pressing his callous hands against her tattooed back. – I know this isn't like the real thing…." "Ehy, I think it could be even better – he says as he continues to kiss her neck and her shoulder, leaving small marks of bites on her skin – besides, I still can't believe you have this into you… never guessed the first time we met you were such a wild girl, lady…" "Speaking of which… I wonder if you're not too overdressed, darling." "As I said, you're wild, love…" "I just want you to understand that until I'll be in this unfortunate situation… -she pauses, as he lets go of her, looking at her, trying to look at the eyes she is hiding from him – this is everything I can offer for now. I need to take care of everything on this front…. Osborn, Utopia, X-force, Tony… and right now I can't…" "I'll wait – he says, as he kisses her forehead, as she leans against him, her one against his now bare chest – and I'll do whatever in my power to help you. Take care of him, and I'll think about finding Marion for you, ok?" "Ehy, maybe Sue Storm was right about my hot and caring spy boyfriend…" "Really? What did she say about me?" he asks her, smirking. "That you are definitely a man to marry… - she pauses, as he places her arms around his neck and kiss him again, full lips – or are you scared?" "Scared? I'm Peter Paul Winston Wisdom, and I'm never scared of anything… - he pauses, as he sees her changing suddenly her expressions, turning from happy to scared, even terrified - Chris?" he asks her as he sees turning her head towards the outside, serious and worried, her eyes just a fissure. "That bloody damn bastard, I can't believe… no, no, no, no, no, no! - as she looks at the mindscape, she seems to panic, as Pete Takes her for the shoulders – I was so kept here, that I've lost track of time and space… I'm currently the world's greatest telepath and I haven't even noticed…." She says starting to cry, as he keeps taking her for her shoulders. "What?" "Bobbi's crying desperate!" "You mean Drake? Why are you in contact with Bobby Drake? " "No, I don't mean Bobby Drake! It's Bobbi Morse, as in Clint's wife! She is running outside … can't believe that stupid... – she starts to get mad, as she turns back to look in Pete's eyes and gives him a quick kiss on the lips – sorry sweetie, but I really have to go…" "Go save the world, girl…" he says, smirking, as they both disappear in a flash of light. Avengers' hideout (real time) Chris doesn't know how long it takes her to be on the roof, it can be seconds or minutes, but she feels like she'd been running along the stairs for something like centuries; she can't believe that she didn't felt something… an hint… a distant thought…. She was so kept by herself and now, her best friend… she doesn't want to think about it, but she has to, so, Chris tries to be positive, to be reasonable. She thinks about it like only she can do it. She thinks about how Osborn works. She understands him, now. She has been into his mind. And she has faith that he'll still be faithful to himself and his personal agenda of secret world conquest. As she finally sees the sky, she realizes that she hasn't been the only one in a hurry: she may be only in shorts and an incredibly small and adherent singlet, but Bobbi is on her knees, crying like a little child, like it was the end of the world, just in her black underwear. Chris can't help but run at her side, taking blonde avenger in her arms, Bobbi's head on her shoulder, desperate and unable to stop to cry, sobbing. "What did you do? Why? All we've been through…. how could you throw it away like this…" "Girls, what's going on?" As the duo lifts their heads, they see where the voice comes from, and who was talking: Carol "Miss Marvel" Danvers and Jessica "Spider-woman" Drew are, dressed with their costumes, flying in the sky, just over the building. Not that it's that strange: that can be the hideout of the team, but everyone of them still has their own life: Logan's still an X-men (and, over all, an X-Man trapped on Utopia), Spider-man is still working as a solo too, like Carol and Jess too, Bucky's working with Natasha and the recently resurrected Steve Rogers, Jessica Johns is doing her best as a mother, and so on. "He went and did it! He went and did it!" Bobbi finally leaves the soil and looks at the women, but still unable to not panicking. Can she really be blamed for this? "Who did what?" Jessica looks at them skeptical and unable to understand what's going on, as she reaches the floor and stands close to the blonde and the brunette. "Clint – Chris says, almost a whisper, looking at the soil, ashamed of herself - Clint went to kill Norman Osborn" "That man is an idiot!" Carol snaps with anger and frustration, as she runs in direction of Avengers Tower, while both Chris and Bobby run downstairs, as fast as they can, in their respective rooms, in the opposite sides of the house, searching for their costumes. "And you didn't see it coming?" S.W. says, standing outside their rooms, half-way, crossing her arms. "Whom are you talking with? - As Chris leaves her room, she is not already fully dressed in her "old" costume, the laces on her corset not already done and her mask, the small domino mask with computer lenses she wore during her extremely brief time with Logan's X-Force team, still in one of her hands – any word from Cap or Spidey?" "You'll learn soon enough that's our deal: we live here, we work often as a team, but everyone has their own adventure too.- It's Bobbi to answer Chris, leaving her room fully dressed and trying to stay as calm as she can. – What a nice costume. Thought you didn't like them" "My brother talks me into this, he said that all the Kevlar and the black leather made people uneasy and nervous. As I see things, the outfit I wore before Scott tried to disband the X-men as we knew it was more than fine." "What do you think you are doing?" Drew asks them, looking at the both of them reaching again the roof. "I don't know Chris, but I'm going after my husband" "I thought you said he left a note saying "I don't want any of you to follow me", am I wrong or what?" "The magic of our relationship…" Bobbi starts "…of any relationship of any kind he has with any person…" Chris continues, crossed arms looking at Drew "…is never listen to him because we know better than him" Bobbi has suddenly starts using no longer the singular, but the plural. As Clint said many times, Chris is part of their family, not in the way Steve or Jim or many others were, she HAS ALWAYS BEEN a member of the family in the real sense; Mockingbird can't forget how many times Clint remembered the brunette that, although not in blood, she was his "little surrogate sister" – and, as Clint told her after she has come back from the "death", Chris has gone to cry over his shoulders more than once over the years, while she and Tony weren't talking for a reason (Alec) or another (like when Tony had been that gentle to reveal his secret identity on TV and forgot to gave her a call to advert her of what was going on. According to Clint, although she did know he was Iron man, she didn't took it that easy, that he never gave a damn about telling her before she could learn it by the press- to be more precise, by a journalist from CNN who followed her while she was trying to get a coffee at Starbucks, asking her how she felt about her brother revealing his identity and being the sister of one of the greatest heroes of the world). "But, apparently, he doesn't listen to any of you, too. Because I think you both mentioned that killing Osborn was wrong" "I said that killing him now was wrong" Chris points out, with nonchalance. "That's really a great relationship…." "It works" "He's my best friend from almost a decade, and I've never listened to him once: the day he told me to tell Tony I had powers, or that I knew he was Iron man, that I anticipated the wedding and married Alec in Vegas, that I was an X-man, or that I was dating Wisdom? I still have to tell Tony these things, and a couple of them happened when I was 18." "Stop to try to be cute taking my mind off, okay? That goes for the both of you. That goes especially You, Chris." "You still have to tell us why you didn't see this coming…" "I was asleep. And he promised" "I was talking with my boyfriend on the astral plane. – Chris' face turns into a not too gentle shade of red, while she looks at her feet, finding them incredible irresistible and interesting, almost whispering, hands joined at her back, like a child who's been found doing something he wasn't supposed to - And he promised. Clint promised, not my boyfriend." "Looks, girls, I appreciate the…" Bobbi Starts, a bit unsure, not able to smile, although she'd like to. "I get it." "Ehy, don't even mention it. – Chris says – every time I was down, you or Clint was there to help me to get on my feet again. That's the least I can do." "What's going on, guys? - Jessica Johns Cage joins them. She is the "human one, not because she is human (because she has super-powers, but because she is… normal. She decided to be, and acted on it. She is a married woman, and a mother – I've heard you running here and…" "Barton had the brilliant idea of going to kill Osborn - Drew says, crossing arms, annoyed – All alone, by himself." She ends the sentence pointing each word, like she was somehow spelling it. "Holy… what are you going to do?" "NOTHING, that's what we are going to do" They hear her. They hear her shouting as she joins them on the soil. They hear Carol ordering them around. "You want to do nothing? I'm not going to do nothing while my husband…" "I really hope you are joking, Carol. C'mon, Clint's your friend too and…" "I know, but… - Carol puts a hand on her forehead, closing her eyes while talking, like to concentrate or to alleviate the hurting – listen, Clint's obviously on the helicarrier over the tower, A helicarrier full of agents and evil Avengers, A helicarrier guarded by the God of War himself and who knows how many things better than us. I know he is your family, and your friends, but you really think that the 4 of us…" "Make it five. – Johns says as she puts a hand on Bobbi's shoulder – you saved my husband, I'll save yours." "I hope you realize that they don't play by our rules, right? If they caught him, he is already dead. And I mean, literally dead – Carol, now mask less, lowers her eyes and doesn't look in Bobbi and Chris' eyes - I know I've been rude, but it's the truth, and I had to tell you." "Osborn isn't the classic villain, Carol – Chris stands in front of her, cold, serious, sure of what she is talking about, maybe because she went through it just few days before – he took power legitimately. Meaning, as they give it to him, if he does something wrong, he is out of the game. He needs us alive because that way he'll get to send us to trail and destroy us forever. Look at me, he had me for almost a week and the worst he did was letting me starving for food." "Besides, there's much more they can do with Clint…- Drew continues. She and Chris are thinking the same things, but for different reasons: Jessica because she used to be a spy, and Chris because… well, analyzing scenarios and elaborating strategies is what she does better, after all. – they'll keep him alive until he'll be good for information." "He has been trained by Captain America and By Fury, and has special… defenses. Clint knows how to fight a mental intrusion, whatever he is aware of it or not." "Omega class telepath as a best friend. You should remind people to keep you in proper consideration. - Bobbi smirks a little, thinking deeply, getting what Chris meant with "special defenses" – and about that…" HAMMER Helicarrier… "Where's Clint?" The five of them (the Avenger Ladies, the new Lady Liberators, maybe) have flown on the helicarrier, and are now… Jessica Drew, Carol and the former Knightress, Jessica Johns- Cage, wearing her old costume for the occasion, are kicking asses royally, opening the road, while Bobbi and Chris are trying to find where Clint is kept captive (while kicking asses physically and telekinetically) "The trail is extremely faint and the place is so shielded that it's a miracle that I've been able to do what I did, but I'm sensing someone else… there's a psych at work here, and I'm pretty sure it's still the same one that tried to strip away the intel for Osborn." "Which. Way." "Sorry Bobbi –Chris stops for few seconds, her body shielded by her psych- kinetic energy, as she closes her eyes and puts her hands on her temples to help and increase the concentration at the same time – Clint's making resistance, but the bastard… through the contact I can feel how much Mentallo is making him suffer… - a little tear escapes her black eyes as she starts to run towards the direction where the signal comes from – down this road, 150 feet, we have to turn to the left and… 3rd door on the right! – She pauses – Jess, do you mind? – even before Chris could end the sentence, Jessica Cage has already destroyed with a single fist the door and Bobbi has send "Mentallo" away from Clint with a good kick, the bald man now on the floor where Chris joins him soon – never mind" "Clint? Baby? You okay? Please Clint… - Bobbi knees near her husband as Jessica, again with mere hands, free him from his chains – Clint, tell me something…" "Sorry baby…last time… I promise…" "Funny, it was the same thing you told me last time, honey" " sorry to break the spell, but it's time to go!" they don't need Carol to tell them that, the sounds of firing weapons and the screaming, getting closer and closer, is enough telling. "One last thing…" Chris smirks a little evilly, as she knees on Mentallo, and, her eyes shining like in fire, grinning, she touches his forehead with her hands, their faces only inches apart. *You're hearing my voice, right? Well, I'm glad you do. My name is Christine Stark. Tony Stark, Iron Man, is my brother. I used to be an X-man before Osborn almost killed us all. This man you tortured is my best friend. He is like family to me. And I'm telling you this because I want you to know who did what I'm gonna do to you…. I want you to remember who stripped away your resolve, who weakened you mentally, who made you relive all the nightmares of your life, every hurt, embarrassment, missed opportunity and failure. The little ones, the big ones, and the ones only you know about. You made him suffer this way… well, my mentor taught to make people suffer this way as well.* Avengers' hideout (another one, a block and a half away from the previous place…) "I thought someone said something about the fact that we were safe in your other secret hideout, and that we wouldn't need another one a block and a half away… - Spidey arrives running and webbing, breathless, removing his mask to revel to face of Peter Parker, as the other member of the team, the whole team minus Logan, are gathered in their new HQ – and yet… here we are. In the other hideout a block and a half from the older one…" he leans against an old queen-jet, looking almost in disbelief at them. "Sorry Guys, that's all my fault – Clint interrupts him, massaging the shoulder Venom almost took off - was it that bad over there?" "NAH – Pete almost laugh – just like Germany in 1945. Ask Cap how bad it was over there at the time and let me know." "Again, I'm sorry." "And…" Bobbi looks again, smiling satisfied for her personal victory. "..I'll never do it again…" "Because…" "It was stupid and selfish ill conceived…" "And…" Chris lifts an eyebrow while looking at him, ending Bobbi's sentence. "I already said I'll not do it again, Chris. You and Bobbi can stop the "and" and the "because" game, now" "I was hoping in something in the line of "Chris, I'll listen to you because I've realized you're always right" but I think I'll survive even without it" She smirks as she gives him a small peck on the other shoulder, crossing them her arms, leaning against the jet as Pete, looking in front of themselves as Clint turns to face them. "You were right. I lost it. It's only that… I'm not used to be pushed this hard. I can't stand Osborn, or the fact that the world is going to hell and no one seems to care. You were right, - he says looking at Chris smirking a little, a sad smile - and I was wrong. But listen… I would never do anything to put any of you, or this baby in harm's way. I'd never do anything to put you in this situation. And, I'm sorry." "Well, this situation isn't exactly thrilling me, but for now I'm just happy you all are okay. But, Hawkeye, you are right. The world has gone to hell – a male voice sys from the outside, getting closer and closer, still in the shadows, as the "old" Avengers looks in said direction open mouth and eyes wide open (minus Bucky and Clint**) and Chris can't understand why, not until she sees who's talking, finally in plain sight, and then, she reacts as them, while the last man to carry the mantle of Captain America grins - but thank God the Avengers are here to do something about it. And we are. You ready?" And, as Steve Rogers points at them, she understands that Osborn's reign is going to end. (**a.n.: I know in the comic they are all stunned, but both Clint and Bucky were inside the Rebirth story-line, so they should have been well aware of the fact that, although in hiding, Steve was back from the death....)
you think you should hit the "review" link, right? wrong! because, for this month only....
The List (2) ft. Spider-man!
What's up, folks? That's Peter Parker, your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man here, interrupting your regular reading of the adventures of the Blackdragon to ask your advice… our little Chris here seems kind of out of my league – Nobel prize winner, used to fight extraterrestrial threats, former spy and billionaire and all - but since we've saved the world together a few times…. I was wondering if she wanted to go out on a date with me – no costumes, in our civvies as Peter Parker and Chris… Stark, Johnson, or whatever she is called nowadays. I know, things could get kind of weird back at our Avengers base , but who cares? (Besides, I've heard she has broken-up with her very British and head of the intelligence boyfriend). AND we kind of have history. I've worked for her brother, she worked for her brother, and, recently, we've been running the both of us in the formerly known as the Green Goblin (I'm pretty sure she is his most hated girl). So, I thought about asking her out. Few days ago, while we were both crashing at Avengers HQ, I asked her about it, and she did confirm that she took a "pause" with the Brit – looks like she doesn't believe in long distance relationship – or maybe it was about him being unable to commit himself. I wasn't paying too much attention…. That's when I asked her out. What's the worst that could happen, right? So, she rejects me. She'll join a long list, a long, horrible list that I repeat myself late at night as I silently cry myself to sleep… (right now I'm hoping that she'll want to reject me, because it just come to my mind that Tony "Iron man" Stark is her older brother and that Clint "Hawkeye/Ronin" Barton called her, just a couple of hours ago "my surrogate baby sister"… repeat with me, Pete: don't. screw things up with her….)
HE is a normal guy who was bitten by a radioactive spider! SHE is a former billionaire who gained super-powers from whatever mutants gain their powers from! YOU are probably wondering when we are going to get on with this already…. Well, take heed! Together, for one issue only, you're all about to go on…
THE AMAZING SPIDER-DATE!
"You… you are Spider-man! You can't fly!"
"Yeah, well, it's true… - Pete says, as he lays against the fog generated by the criminal's rockets, who, just minutes ago, thrown the costumed vigilante out of a building, laughing like a maniac. – But, guess what? She can!" as the human arachnid flies in front of the criminal, finger pointed right at his noise, a luminous feminine figure emanating a purple fire-like aura, dressed in black with a white Victorian blouse and red laces, long brown hair and a small domino mask on, appears at his side, smiling, standing at crossed arms.
"Hi, I'm Blackdragon. I'll be bating you senseless this evening.- as she smirks at him, the guy with the purple mechanic outfit runs, escaping in the opposite direction towards the streets, tails between his legs – wait a sec, you! Where do you think you are going?" Still smiling, she flies at his back, transporting with her telekinetic powers Parker with her, at her side; as she touches the soil of the grey streets of Manhattan, she leaves Pete on a street light, and waits for the guy to arrive, and, as he does so, she surrounds him with a telekinetic bubble, stopping him and sending the criminal towards a very satisfied Pete, who traps the crimson criminal into his webs, leaving the guy on the same street light he were until a moment before.
"Oh, goony high-tech bank robbers, what would I occupy my time with if not for you guys?"
"You just leave them in the open like this?" she looks at the criminal, eyes wide open, and then at her team-mate.
"Sure. One of the few good things of this city, is that the police is pretty quick to respond to a guy hanging by his ankles from a street light – he pauses, as he looks satisfied at his work – why, what do you do with a busted bad guy?"
"Honestly, this street-level stuff is pretty new to me; I've never done it that much. I really never had to figure it out... – she turns to look at him, who's already climbing from a building to the next one, and she joins him, flying –Ehy, by the way, I thought I owe you a date!"
"You remember?!"
"Computer-like mind – she smirks – I always remember everything. Did you really think I wasn't listening to you yesterday, when you kept going on and on about "Once you break-up with your boyfriend, you have to go out with me", right?"
"You break-up with your boyfriend? – He says, surprised, probably at wide eyes under the mask – weren't you always going on about how perfect and hot he was? I mean, I thought you and this guy were serious, because, c'mon, who dates a person for more than a year and they aren't serious about it? You even lived together! I mean, I know I shouldn't talk about this kind of things, because when it comes to me and these things… well, let's say that I have issues about getting serious and elopes… - he pauses, looking at the sky and then at her, pointing at Chris while she is almost laughing – ok, rewind and cancel. I shouldn't say this kind of things to a girl I'm trying to convince to go out with me…"
"We wanted different things out of life… and decided to take a pause, to see… to see what the future will bring us, let's say.- She says, smiling a little, making a smile full of embarrass, while massaging the back of her neck. – plus, his ex, who happens to be my best friend too, is back from the death, and I'm feeling a bit… uncomfortable about facing her telling her that I'm serious with the man I used to hate and told her to stay away from"
"He wants the sex, she wants the feelings; quite a classic. Sometimes I'm disgusted by us men, you know?"
"Oh, no, no, Wisdom has nothing against us being serious, but he doesn't want any children, while I do." she states, at crossed arms, calmly.
"Oh, well, maybe then we should re-consider the whole going out thing because…"
"Eventually, Spidey, I eventually want children, not right now. My dear ex, instead, has been crystal clear about the fact that he'll never want any children. The cinical and bitchy part of me is sure that he said it because he knew that I eventually want them."
"Ok... so… - Peter claps his hands and looks at her, trying to change topic, feeling that this isn't exactly healthy - About that thing… the computer-like memory thing… I was wondering… it's not Extremis related, right? Because I remember that this… thing – he says as he stops on a roof and she joins him – come out at the same time your brother Extremis did, and he was kind of… creepy"
"What? Oh, no. it's a simple secondary mutation. Something, in the last few years, we saw a lot… at least, until there were mutants. – as she says so, lost in her thought, she gives him her back, since Pete is busy putting his civil clothes back on, and, sitting and looking at the sunset, Chris's body is surrounded by the same violet aura she manifested before, and where once there was a costume, there's now a complete set of normal clothes – a black polo shirt, jeans and tennis shoes. – Frost can turn into diamond. Psylocke is showing both telepathic and telekinetic abilities, like the Cuckoos. McCoy tuned into the Lion King. and etc, etc, etc… while the subscripted ended with the computer-like abilities. – she turns, chin on her hand, and looks at him, dressed in civil clothes - what about we get something to eat?"
"Ehm... I'm... kind of… tapped out… on cash… at the moment.." he whispered, apologetically.
"Oh, please, Peter, you're always out of money!"
"NOT ALWAYS!"
"It's the only think you ever talk about. Anyway, don't worry about it. We've got a brand new nemesis in common; I think that I could buy you dinner tonight."
"Great. Now I'm the girl…"
"The other Peter never complained about me buying him dinner." She smirks, at crossed arms, her back against the wall.
"Other Peter?" he looks at her, quizzically, lifted eyebrow.
"My ex. Peter Wisdom, also known as Pete for short, because, well, there was this guy called Piotr in the team, too, but we called him Peter and so, to avoid confusion, he become simply Pete… - this time the quizzically look is on her – hope you own nicer clothes, Parker, because if I'm buying you dinner, we're going somewhere nice!"
The Blue Hill, one of NYC's finest restaurants, Greenwich Village…
"Just this chair costs more than my annual income! – as Peter looks at the menu, Chris, dressed with a pale grey Tommy Hilfiger wool dress, a deep V-décolletage, a bit over her knee, a black belt with a couple of décolleté of the same colour, can't help but laugh under her teeth for his reaction – oh God, you're right!"
"'bout time someone finally admitted it!" she can't help it, she ahs to smirk of that victorious smirk of hers.
"I get weird about money. I'm always worried about money! I might have a money-worrying disease!"
"Have you ever thought about investing?" she is drinking something. He doesn't know exactly what, but he is pretty sure it's something with no alcohol in – he is pretty sure he heard Clint saying it was all her fault his brand new "my body is a temple and nothing toxic should enter it" mantra, delivered on a nights out with Logan, was all her fault.
"In- vest, in-vest… - he spells it like a child spells a new word, like he really doesn't know what she is talking about – what is this strange word you speak? – he lifts his eyes from his water and looks at her in the eyes, speaking at low voice but screaming at the same time – seriously, not the whole world is so lucky to birth a Stark with already billions in their hands…"
"I... ehm… I wasn't born a billionaire, Peter. But I think I got what you mean."
"Oh, yeah, I think I remember the Bugle saying something about you not being a Stark…. A Stark by blood, I mean. Sorry. – He pauses, unsure and quiet - Wait a sec… how can you be here? You're world's most wanted girl! And you USED to be a billionaire!"
She grins again, always the same grin "do you see that man? – she indicates a guy at a near table – wonna see what's he is looking at?"
"Eh? – as he is going to question her, her eyes shines a little, and he has a sudden image projected into his brain – wait a sec… the guy I saw… that was me… and you were the blondie version of wonder Woman with too much skin?"
"I'm projecting 27 different programming into this people's brains, in order to look like… her. Yes. And I was talking about the … new Miss Marvel. Don't tell Carol, though. She'd kill me. She is kind of my best girl-friend, right now."
"You rock, girl! What about the money?"
"Ehm… few years ago, when the heroes… returned… I kind of joned X-Force and… I… I made some cash with other identities during the time… I treasured a part of my money. You know, just in case something like that could happen. I can no longer live the way of life of the Starks, not that I've ever lived in that way too much, but I'm still comfortable… you know, the attic in One Fifth Avenue, the house in L.A., my London mansion, the personalized Black Ferrari, the Harley… "
"I wonder comfortable may be, at this point…"
"You know what I mean!"
"You mean that your life-style would be comfortable enough if we weren't being hunted down by Norman Osborn, that's what you mean."
"Yeah, well, that's for sure. I mean, if not for him, I'd be probably still living the almost proper Stark way of life … guess it's my fault, too. I mean, I tried to …. Ehm…. Comes to term with the situation in my own way… twice, actually, and things… let's say they didn't work out as I planned. I mean, I've been inside his head and…. He is crazy, and he is doing his best to forget how it was to feel human, an actual nice human. – She pauses, back against the pillows of the sofa – by the way, what's the story between you and Osborn, Anyway? I think I overheard Clint saying about him being the father of your best-friend? Is that the same boy that…"
"He is crazy and he wants me dead. And that's the short version."
"Yeah, well, thanks dude, everybody knows it! I meant that I don't know the details."
"Hello? You are an Avenger for life, And an X-Men for life, And a member of super intelligence agents for life, And I still don't know how you can handle all of this. You should know how this works. Crazy implies no details. Don't you have a Norman Osborn of your very own? Just yours, I mean. No Magneto or hellfire club or bad aliens, just yours."
"No, not really, I don't think I do."
"Everybody in the game has a Norman Osborn of their own."
"I guess I've never been that lucky in that… or that important – she looks at him, realisation in her eyes – wait, I have my own Norman Osborn! You know what? Vlad Tepes, son of the Dragon"
"Am I supposed to get this one?"
"C'mon, you know him! Vlad Tepes, count Vlad! Dracula"
"you mean Dracula, like, That Dracula, like, the vampire?"
"Yes, that's him! He tried to get me killed! One of his men did it, actually, and he did it twice."
"Your nemesis is a vampire?"
"My nemesis is the master of all vampires, sweetie" she proudly sentences.
"And when did it happen? I mean, where the hell was I at the time?"
"Well, I don't know about you, but, about the time … 24 years ago the first time and few months ago the second one. Now that I think about it, he is not exactly my Norman, more like the one of my mother's family. But since I'm the last known living member of the dynasty, now he is after me. Well, he was. He has been killed by Captain Britain, not that I'm not aware that he'll be back soon, but… let's say that, for the moment, everything's great."
"Oh, yes… So…"
"So… Ehy, wonna grab a drink? It's not like I don't drink because I'm an alcoholic, because I'm not, I mean, I've never been one, but, you know, with Tony around I kind of lost the habit, so, if you want a drink, you can make yourself at home, no literally, but I heard they do a divine Bloody Mary…"
"I drink rarely, and badly, trust me. So… may I have another appetizer?"
"Yeah, well, ok…"
10 minutes of silence later…
"Wow, we're awesome at conversation!" Peter looks in front of himself, playing with glass, annoyed.
"Yeah, well, shop talk will do that. Let's try to change the subject!"
"Good idea… So…"
"So…"
"So…"
"Ehy, I can move my hair! And it's not spider-related!"
5 minutes later…
"Gotta go gotta hit the little Peter room."
Charming
10 minutes later.
"So…"
"So…"
"Nice place you choose. Good food."
"They grow it locally"
"Cool. I just had water, bottled water."
"I don't know if it's local"
"You know when the Avengers tell me to shut up? Tell them about this!"
"No talk shop. I thought we agree."
"Wonna some water?"
"I have mine"
"Are you going to hit me?"
"What? No, why? I mean, it's not like you're hitting at me or anything!"
"Oh, oh"
"I'm Sorry?"
"It's the Spider-sense, a totally spider-related power."
"Daughter of the huntress, your end has finally come!" two vampires of low level, the bat part more present that the human one, crash into the restaurant from the window Peter and Chris are eating close to, a sword in their hands.
"I guess I was talking about it. – he pauses – you said vampires are your nemesis, right?"
"Son of a..."
"And here I Thought we agreed on the shop talk."
"What a Great plan, Storming into the middle of my dinner and putting a sword on my neck! Are you serious?" the violet aura back on, Chris, flying, storms against one of the vampires, sending him against the wall.
"It was their idea! I was just following orders!" the male cries.
"You damn…- the female says as she puts the sword on Peter's neck, who's still eating salad – release my mate and surrender to us, and I'll not cut your boyfriend's head!"
"Technically speaking, it's only our first date, so I can assume that calling me her boyfriend may probably be super premature. – he pauses, looking a bit skeptical – besides, I'm pretty sure she hasn't forgot her ex yet"
"Ok, and you do realize that I can move the atoms of your sword and changes it into, I dunno, puddle?"
"Eh?" the female takes the sword in her hands and looks at it, while Chris, taking advantage of her distraction, telekinetically throws them out of the building and follows the vampires, surrounded by the violet sphere of energy.
"Oh, please! Can't believe you brought it! – She sends them outside, still looking for others - ok, you just became take-out and… wait a sec… you were alone?! – she says sending them against a three – I'm your most hated enemy and you came here alone?!"
"Can I finish dinner? Don't to seem lazy, but a free meal is a free meal… - Peter looms around, skeptical – what about the others?"
"I don't know?" as she says so, she takes the crux she has around her neck, and removes an extremely subtle shining thread from the inside of the silver jewel, and she bundles them against the nearest street light – it's adamantium, don't even try to break it, it will just cut you to the bone- plus, the crux is blessed, so it will hurt like hell, burning you. And be nice with the police, or I'll know it and I'll come back to slay you. And you don't want me to go all Buffy the vampire slayer on you, do you?"
"Guess it's only them. No spider-sense tingles. Not any longer. Also, this is really good and you are letting yours getting cold."
"Miss Marvel, is that really you, the real deal? - Chris looks in disbelief at the owner of the restaurant. She can't believe her mental disguise was that good and that someone could actually believe it was true… - what happened at my restaurant?"
"Yeah… well... you see… WOLVERINE and I….we were having dinner when this two… these vampire-like second class criminals… these enemies of the order that Osborn's HAMMER brang into this chaotic world, attacked us and…"
"No costumes?"
"I'm Wolverine, not Clark Kent! I don't have it under my clothes! I swear! And your locally grown food is lovely!"
"Yeah, well… I'm pretty sure you should call Avengers Tower and ask of Director Osborn, because he'll be more than happy to foot the bill for a cleanup crew…"
"Tell Normie I said hi and… thanks for the tomatoes burger! - Pete shouts as they fly away, surrounded by telekinetic invisible energy – you know, this is how every date I've ever been on ever turned out."
"And I'm still hungry because I didn't get to eat, and you?"
"Me too, but it doesn't mean anything, because I'm a male, meaning: I'm always starving."
"Do you fancy a hot dog around the corner?"
"Nah, I know the best place in the world… well, in the city… I'm kind of a junk food junkie."
"Ehy, I can live with junk food once or twice in a year! I'm almost perfect, not completely perfect!"
"And why were we at the restaurant, than?"
"I've been there before. And I like to make a certain impression on people."
"Oh, well, well, well… you wanted to impress me! – He pauses, eyes and mouth open – you wanted to impress me? Like, you care about what I think of you?"
"What? No, no! I didn't want to impress you! I mean, I wanted to impress you, but not like… in you! – She sighs, looking at the sky, a hand on her right temple – it's just that… I've been obsessed with the idea that… I don't know. I need to make an impression on people, to know they like me…. I'm not exactly good when it comes to… relate with human beings, especially male human beings."
"You want men to be head over heels for you?"
"Samson. He said it's because I've never had a proper father figure. And a mother figure, for what it matters. I didn't have an emotional education. I mean, you know Tony, and he was the closest thing to a father figure... so, since I didn't have any emotional education, I can't relate with anyone properly, and since I've always felt like Tony didn't care enough, I always search for people's approbation.."
"And you aren't over your ex yet"
"Yes, I'm not over him, definitely"
"Why Moonstone?" he suudenly asks, out of the blue.
"Well, the whole… formerly known as Moonstone… - she pauses, looking exasperate –I… eh, I kind of used to envy her… Do you realize how… I mean, how could I envy her, just because… because Clint slept with her and I still had this big crush on him at the time?"
"Well, you choose, for me, a sadistic and sociopath bisexual guy who's more than 50 years old…"
"Yeah, well – she says massging the back of her neck – you know, Daken is one of the best known Avengers, so I thought… you know, never mind."
"You know, between men and you… I'll take an hot dog any day." He causally lets it slip.
"Meaning?" she looks at him quizzically.
"This is so nice that the "date" starts here and now and nothing before this moment really happened AND I never saw you posing as Evil and Bitchy Miss Marvel, AND I've never heard what you said about you being jealous of her AND I so didn't hear you saying they were sleeping together!"
"Yeah, well, you know what? It's nice, really – she pauses, then turns back at him – Ehy, I've read a couple of things of yours! Men, you are a real nerd!"
"Said the Nobel Prize Winner…"
"oh, please! It was the team I was part of to win it! I haven't been the only one AND I'm not such a nerd!"
"Wonna bet about it? I'm pretty sure that I've red things of yours that were pretty nerd-ish!"
"Yeah, sure, whatever…"
"I heard you! And I'm sure that you were a bigger nerd than me and…"
Epilogue
"I thought we had a deal, Baroness. - Osborn's voice cames as clear as the day from the speakers at the side of the computer screen, where an annoyed baronees Blood is looking at him from her castle, annoyed and mad, because her objective hasn't been dealt with yet.- I didn't help MI:13 when you attacked Britain because, frankly, not that I gave a damn about them, but now… I allowed your people to walk free in my country, I helped them to get to the woman, and what did you do? For god's sake, you're the leader of your people, you were supposed to be smarter than this! Why the hell did you send two newbies to do the dirty work, if killing Christine Stark is that important?"
"Killing the Blackdragon IS important to us! That damn woman and her blood are our prime objective! - she cries in anger, leaving her chair and looking at Osborn standing on her feet, her fists on the surface of the marble table - She wasn't supposed to be able to stop them! They were both almost a century old, and she has never been trained to access her full potential!" she screams with rage.
"Well, looks like your people understimated her. You should have not."
"Whar are we supposed to do now?"
"You? Oh, you, nothing. I needed her to get her brother, but now that he is useless… - he pauses, at crossed amrs, and even if he is wearing the armor, is quite clear that he is smirking – the bastard prefered to lobotomize himself, rather than give me acees to his memory. Tony Strak is off the table. The X-Men are off the table. Jim Rhodes is under my care right now. Soon I'll be done with that so-called Avengers as well, and after what she did in Alcatraz, she can no longer come back to MI:13. She is running off of allies… soon she'll be the only one oposing me, if she'll survive long enough. I'd not be surprised if she'd kill herself, following her brother's example, though. Straks are well known for beking crazy and not normal."
"I'm not stupid, Osborn, I know what you're doing – she staes, calmer – but don't you dare to lecture me. We've lived longer than any of you. We'll walk on your graves. – she walks and keeps grins, like a rabbid animal in cage – you can't put it that way! We can't allow the huntress to walk free, not knowing what she might do to us!"
"Well, Baroness… we had a deal. You didn't respect it. I'm calling it off. As from now, you're no longer allowed un US soil – looks like that damn idiot of Wisodm isn't the only one with magic tricks. And for what concerns Chrisitne Stark… she is no longer your concern."
"But…"
"Well, as I said, I'll take care of her personally, since it looks like only me I'm good enough to take care of my enemies… now, if you'll excuse me, I've wasted enough time with you, and I have a world to run."
Once the conversation is done, in his tower, what used to be Stark Tower, Norman Osborn sits at the round table, crossed arms, his elmet now removed, as the woman known as Loki looks at him,a smile of amusemnt on her lips.
"Tell me, Loki, what do you think the vampire ment, when she said that Stark hasn't reached her full potential yet?"
"Oh, the woman… I'd not worry about her that much. Vampires are strange creatures, indeed… the stories they tell their youngsters, the horror stories they tell them, they are stories of an ancient time, when the bloodline of that dreadfull woman was strong, a clear menace for their kind. They still believes in their myhths, like my people believes in what was once told us about our father, Odin. But this woman in particualr… She is just a kid, compared to us."
"She… laught of me, the one you call a child. She made fun of me. You are doing what the vampires did, understimating her."
"Don't forget what I once told you, Norman. Our needs are in perfect alignment. You need my mischief, I need your strenght… and togerther, we can do everything, even change the world. And when the time will came, the woman will be taken care of."
As Loki gives him her back, she smiles under her breeth, as, seconds before she disappeared, the image of a dark gem trapped in a silver web appears in her right hand, unseen by her "ally"…