Heroes of the Storm
Author Notes:
Chapter 32: Vice Versa
"Are you sure you're not cautious enough?" asked Johnny Storm.
"I repaired the damage and fix any broken bones there were. So there should be no complaints," said Phoenix.
The young Kryptonian girl was lying on one of the many floating tables that Stark-Wayne had produced.
"How long will she sleep?" asked Susan Storm.
"Not long. I don't want to keep her asleep," said Phoenix.
"Her D.N.A., she's definitely not human," said Batman.
"Kryptonian," said Tony.
"Indeed, we'll have to run more tests," said Batman.
"She's a kid," said Dr. Banner.
"Who can level an entire city," said Batman.
"Do you have to suspect the worse in everyone?" said Tony.
Batman glares at Tony, who stares back.
"Thor, you ready?" said Phoenix.
"Yes, of course," said Thor.
Thor was standing in the room with Phoneix. Ready to handle the girl should she get violent.
"Okay, I'm waking her," said Phoenix as his eyes glow white.
The girl breathes heavily. Gasping for breath.
She looks up and sees Thor and Phoenix standing there.
{Who are you?} shouted the girl as she glares at them.
She fires another heat vision at them, only to be shocked at what happened.
Phoenix absorbs her heat vision standing there calmly.
"Calm down, we're not here to hurt you," said Thor.
The girl paused as her red eyes disappear, revealing her beautiful azure eyes.
{I can understand you,} said the girl.
"Asgardian speak All-Speak. It gives us the power to understand any language in the cosmos," said Thor.
{Where am I?} asked the girl.
"Midgard," said Thor.
"Also known as Earth…" said Phoenix.
{Terra. I'm on Terra?} said the girl.
Asgardians called this world Midgard, but the galaxy knew this planet as Terra of the Solar System.
"Where are you from?" asked Phoenix.
{I am Kara Zor-El of Krypton.}
"Any relations to Kal El?" asked Phoenix.
{Yes. He's my cousin through my father's side. Do you know him?}
"Mind telling us what she's saying cause we can't understand her," said Tony.
"Her name is Kara Zor-El of Krypton. You might want to get Superman in here and tell him about his 'cousin,'" said Phoenix.
"Cousin," repeated Batman.
"Hey huh, Harry. Maybe you should temporarily depower her, so she doesn't…" said Bruce.
"I know," said Phoenix as he cast some bracelets on Kara's wrist.
{What are you doing?} asked Kara.
"Relax. Under Earth's Yellow Sun, you have gain powers, powers you can't control. That bracelet will depower you, so you won't hurt anyone," said Harry.
The doors open as Kara follows Harry slowly.
"Let's get her some clothes," said Susan Storm.
"We have questions we need to ask," said Batman.
"She's a kid, not a criminal," snaps Susan Storm.
"We don't know anything about her," said Batman.
"I think we should take it slow with her," said Harry.
"She's on a new world, doesn't know our language, and is scared out of her mind. This requires a more… gentle approach."
Batman glares at Harry.
"Let's put it this way, Mr. dark and gloomy. If she gives us trouble… we'll do things your way," said Diana walking forward.
"Hmm," said Batman.
Kara Zor-El was like a child who wanted to explore her new world. She quickly picked up the English language while also learning French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Greek, Japanese, Korean, and Mandarin.
All within a month.
Superman was delighted to have a cousin and someone from his home planet. The only downside was he also became overly protective of her.
Kara didn't like that and wanted her freedom and space.
Harry began to help her adjust to being a teenager on Earth with powers.
The two would fly around the skies with Harry keeping her under his wing.
"What are you mopping about?" asked Tony to Superman.
"It's nothing," said Superman.
"Are you still down about Kara spending time with Harry?" asked Dr. Banner.
"She's spending more time with him than with me," said Superman.
"Well, she is a teenager. So is Harry. They're not that far apart agewise," said Tony.
"Yeah, but," said Superman.
"She was in a cryostasis inside that pod for years. She is technically older than you, but she's physically younger than you because of the stasis and time. Harry, who is still a teenager himself, is the best person for her to be around. Not only can he control his own powers, but hers as well," said Bruce Wayne.
"Here, I thought you wanted to lock her up until you knew she wasn't a threat," said Dr. Banner.
"I wanted to ensure she wasn't a threat. We didn't know anything about her," said Batman.
"Look, Harry isn't a fool. Remember, he knows when others are lying to him. He also is aware of the dangers if people become aware of her existence. She listens to him," said Tony.
"Yes, that's my concern," said Bruce.
"What you mean?" said Dr. Banner.
"We all follow him so quickly and easily," said Bruce.
"You think he's controlling us?" asked Tony.
"Not likely, sir," said J.A.R.V.I.S. appearing before the group in his digital sphere.
"What do you mean?" asked Bruce.
"All brainwave scans reveal no one is under any sort of mind control even by magic or energy. While Mr. Potter hasn't used his powers to control the Avengers, he does appear to have some effect leading the team," said J.A.R.V.I.S.
"Meaning what?" said Superman.
"He's a natural leader," said Bruce.
"Come again," said Tony.
"He's a natural leader. This is a rare gift even among all the people in the world. He can lead even without trying," said Bruce.
"Indeed. It would explain why the Ocean Empire and the Alliance accept his leadership so easily," said J.A.R.V.I.S.
"I don't think he'll do anything that will threaten the world," said Tony.
"Sir, there is an incoming Quinjet," said J.A.R.V.I.S.
"S.H.I.E.L.D.?" said Tony.
"No, sir. They are from Xavier's school," said J.A.R.V.I.S.
"They must be X-Force that is joining us," said Bruce.
They watch on the holomonitor as the Quinjet lands in the hanger.
Bruce watches the security footage of several people walking off the hanger.
"This hanger has Stark written all over it," said Wolverine.
"Is that a good or bad thing?" asked Colossus.
"I hear he's a duce," said Warpath.
"This place beats the mansion," said Nocturne.
"May I advise you stay clear of the landing area," said J.A.R.V.I.S.
"Why?" asked Mystique.
Supergirl lands in front of them, creating cracks within the cement in her landing.
"Oh, hello," said Kara.
"You got a name blond?" asked Wolverine.
"Kara Zor-El," said Kara.
"That sounds foreign. Is it French?" said Nightcrawler.
"No. But the lass does have some spunk to her," said Gambit.
Gambit offers Kara the Ace of Spades but stops when he sees Rogue glaring at him.
"Trust me, suga, I only got my eyes for you," said Gambit.
Rogue glares at him as Kara disappears from the group.
"She's fast," said Wolverine.
"Do we need this many teleporters in one area?" said Domino.
"She's not a teleporter. She's a speedster," said Wolverine.
"You're sharp," said Phoenix as he appears before the group.
"Now he's a teleporter," said Psylocke.
"Among other things," said Emma Frost.
"Sixteen of you," said Phoenix.
"Those of us who volunteer to 'join' the Avengers," said Wolverine.
"Where's the hothead and red?" asked Phoenix.
"Charles believed it best the dick stayed behind at the school," said Wolverine.
"I think that's a good thing," said Emma Frost.
"Is there something you want to share?" said Phoenix.
"Nothing at the moment," said Emma Frost.
Phoenix smiles before he turns and floats towards the lounge area.
The group heads to the lounge where some Avengers were waiting.
"Not every Avenger is currently present. In the meantime, try to get to know those who are present," said Phoenix.
"Tony Stark. You know me as Iron Man," said Tony.
"Dr. Banner. I'm…" said Banner.
"Don't tell me you're the big guy," said Wolverine.
"You must be joking," said Domino.
"I have to agree, this guy doesn't even look like 'The Big Guy,'" said Gambit.
"He seems… fragile," said Colossus.
Wolverine chuckles.
"You guys remember when I told you about my fight with 'The Hulk,'" said Wolverine.
"Of course. Everyone knows the Hulk. Stronger than Juggernaut," said Colossus.
Wolverine looks at them with a smug look on his face.
"No way," said Shadowcat.
"Tell me you're joking," said Psylocke.
"Wish I was, but no. he has the same smell as the Big Guy," said Wolverine.
"Yeah… sorry about that," said Dr. Banner.
"Remind me not to piss him off," said Gambit.
"By the way, we're calling Captain America 'Guardian' now. Given the fact he's no longer in the U.S. Armed Forces," said Phoenix.
"Why Guardian?" asked Colossus.
"You'll understand when you meet him," said Wolverine.
"Batman's here, but he's most likely in his cave again," said Tony.
"Kara!" shouted Superman as Kara floats away from her cousin.
"Big Blue not good with his own kid," said Wolverine.
"Actually, that's his cousin, and he's acting insanely overprotective of her," said Tony.
"Which is annoying her to no end," said Phoenix as he gets up and floats after the two Kryptonians.
"He does understand that teenagers don't listen to adults right," said Gambit.
"Namor is at Atlantis, but Aquaman is here," said Tony.
"A few Avengers are currently with S.H.I.E.L.D., so we don't know when they'll be dropping in," said Dr. Banner.
A sound erupts as a blue circle appears.
"Okay, ya'll! The Boomtube is working!" shouted Cyborg.
"A little heads up would have been nice," said Tony.
"So you and your father were successful?" said Dr. Banner.
"Oh yeah. We were able to replicate Loki's Boomtube that will allow us to travel anywhere on the planet. Though deep spacing it like the Chitauri might be impossible," said Cyborg.
"Make sure Dr. Stone doesn't let this information fall into the wrong hands," said Tony.
"The information is within my hardware," said Cyborg.
"I guess that's a good thing," said Dr. Banner.
"We think we can superpower the Boomtube with your ARC Reactor technology," said Cyborg.
"I'll run the numbers," said Tony.
"Let me introduce everyone. I'm Wolverine."
"Why Wolverine?" said Tony.
In response, Wolverine unsheathes his metal claws showing them to Tony Stark. Two sheaths back revealing the metal finger.
"Emma Frost, she had two mutant abilities. Telepathic and telekinesis, and an indestructible diamond form," said Wolverine.
"Psylocke, she's also telekinesis and telepathic who is very strong. Gambit, who has kinetic manipulation. He's also good at infiltration, given the fact he's a thief."
"A Thief?" said Tony.
"I was raised by the thieves guilds of New Orleans. I left the guild, but I haven't forgotten my skills," said Gambit.
"Colossus, who has an organic steel body."
"A pleasure," said Colossus revealing his steel form.
"Blink, one of our three teleporters. She can teleport objects as well."
Blink notes her head in response.
"She looks like a pixie from those anime," said Tony.
Blink says nothing as she looks at Tony with her pink eyes.
"Hope, she has powers similar to her mother, among others. She's literally a powerhouse of hour team."
Hope, a redhead with three red markings on her cheeks, said nothing as she nods her head.
"Rogue, she can absorb the powers and memories of others by touching. She can handle her own."
"Hello darling," said Rogue.
"Nocturne, another teleporter; who is the leader of the former Exile group."
Nocturne disappears and appears before next to Phoenix.
Phoenix, who wasn't startled by her appearance, calmly looks at her.
Phoenix rises up off the floor to talk to Kara, trying hard to avoid her cousin, who started following her and barking orders at her.
Kara, whose only home was Avengers Island. Got sick of her cousin sought to escape her cousin's shadow, where he made his presence felt everywhere she went.
"Kara!" shouted Superman.
Phoenix's eyes glow white as Superman freezes in place.
"Thanks," said Kara.
"Is that going to be a problem?" asked Wolverine.
"It's starting to become a problem," said Tony.
"Man of Steel needs to take a chill pill," said Nightcrawler.
"I'll take her to Themyscria," said Wonder Woman.
"Superman cannot enter Themyscira, and I can train her to control her powers."
"So she can be an amazon?" said Batman.
"Do you know how many demigods there are on Themyscira? Training to control her powers is different from using her powers. Right now, she cannot walk among the people if she loses control. It would also give her some room to breathe away from her cousin," said Wonder Woman.
"I'm on board," said Tony at once.
"You getting annoyed as much as I am at Superman's helicopter parenting," said Batman.
"It's annoying," said Tony.
"I'll talk to him. I know a thing about raising rebellious teenagers," said Batman.
"Anyways, this is Domino who claims to be lucky."
"I am lucky," said Domino.
"Mystique, who is a master impersonator. She can assume the shape of any person or living animal."
"She's a metamorphosis?!" said Phoenix in surprise.
"Basically," said Mystique narrowing her eyes at Phoenix.
"Sorry, one of my mentors was a metamorphosis," said Phoenix.
Mystique looks at Phoenix carefully, unsure of his meaning.
"Magik. She's classified as a mutant, but we have doubts as she holds mysterious power."
Magik gives a simple wave.
"Shadowcat, she can phase through objects and people."
"Hey, guys. This is Lockheed. He's a great companion," said Shadowcat.
"Ever since you took him in, we can't get you to let him go," said Wolverine.
"I think a dragon would be cool on the team. Almost like a mascot," said Tony.
"No," said Batman.
"Really, place the 'A' in front of a dragon…" said Tony.
Batman glares at Tony, who shuts up.
"This is Mirage, telepath, illusions, empathic."
"Hello," said Mirage.
"Lastly, this is Warpath. As his names suggest, he's a master combatant with enhanced strength, speed, senses, and a healing factor."
Warpath said nothing as he looks at the group.
"Who is she?" said Batman looking at a young girl wearing an all-black outfit standing behind Wolverine.
"This is Talon. She's a complicated story, but she talented," said Wolverine.
Wolverine goes down, holding his back as Talon revealing her two retractable metal claws with blood on them.
"I've told you to stop doing that every time you're pissed," said Wolverine.
"I'm not a charity case," said Talon.
"You still are just a kid," said Wolverine.
"Who once flatten the X-Men," said Emma Frost.
"She pulled a blitz and caught us off-guard," said Shadowcat.
"Even still, most impressive. Not many can infiltrate the Mansion and defeat the X-Men," said Colossus.
"I have to agree with the big guy. She is impressive," said Gambit.
"Guys!" shouted a telepathic cry of Jean Grey.
"Hey Red, what's going on?" said Wolverine.
"It's the Professor. You have to return to the manor immediately," shouted Jean.
Everyone looks at each other in surprise.
"I'll get us there immediately," said Blink.
Before they all knew it, they were standing in the courtyard of the Xavier Manor.
No one was present as they walk into the manor.
Wolverine led the way as he walks downstairs and into the medical bay.
Professor Charles Xavier was lying in a bed with life support. The monitor show low levels of brain activity.
"What's going on, Red?" asked Wolverine.
"We don't know," said Red.
"What do you mean?" said Shadowcat.
Wolverine paused, sniffing the air before he unsheathes his claws.
Wolverine turned and was about to attack Magneto, who appeared in the doorway.
"Do you ever learn?" said Magneto.
"What did you do to Charles?" snarled Wolverine through his teeth.
"I saved him," said Magneto.
"Logan, stop! He's telling the truth. He saved the Professor," said Storm coming into the room.
Wolverine glares at Magneto, who swallows his pride and accepts the truth.
"I know Charles and I have our differences, but he is my friend," said Magneto.
"What happened?" demanded Phoenix stepping forward.
"It's best I show you," said Jean Grey.
Everyone found themselves in the manor where Magneto and Charles Xavier were seated outside playing a chess game.
Charles suddenly appears to be having some sort of panic attack, but instead of grabbing his chest, he holds his head.
"Charles!" shouted Magneto, knocking over the table rushing to Charles's side.
Magneto takes off his helmet and places it on Charles's head, protecting him from the telepathic attack. Charles collapses on the ground. Unmotion and unresponsive.
"How do we know you didn't plan that attack?" demanded Wolverine.
"I already asked him," said Jean Grey.
"I don't know who attacked Charles, but I never have wished ill upon Charles," said Magneto.
Magneto walks towards Xavier's bed and places his hand on Xavier's arm.
"Who could put Charles Xavier into a coma?" asked Bruce Wayne.
"This was a telepathic attack. Few in the world can even match Charles Xaiver in terms of telepathic strength," said Magento.
"Obviously, it was someone powerful who avoid detection and attack one of the strongest minds on the planet," said Wolverine.
"Let me see if I can find something," said Phoenix.
Phoenix walks forward and places his hand on Xavier's forehead before anyone could say anything.
Phoenix enters the mind of Charles Xavier and could see a strange figure mentally attacking Charles Xaiver.
"Who are you?" said Charles Xavier.
The figure said nothing to Charles Xavier. Only glaring at Xaiver with glowing electric blue eyes.
"Why are you attacking me?! I have done nothing to you!" said Xavier.
"You… exist," said the figure.
"I am not your enemy!" said Charles.
The figure says nothing as Charles tries so hard to calm the unknown person. The telepathy attacks grew stronger, breaking every mental barrier Charles Xaiver had.
That's when it ended with Charles Xaiver in a comatose state.
"Soon, you will understand… who I am. Soon, you will experience… Onslaught!"
Phoenix stands there, shaken at what he witnessed.
A person whose telepathic abilities surpassed Charles Xaiver. Who didn't need Cerbero to send psionic waves long distance.
Phoenix knew they had only seen the tip of the iceberg of Onslaught's powers.
"Well?" said Wolverine.
"I got an image of the person who attacks Professor Xavier," said Phoenix casting the image of the person.
"I knew it!" shouted Cyclops unleashing an optic blast at Magneto.
Phoenix stops the optic blast short in its track before ending it altogether.
"Magneto doesn't have telepathic abilities," said Batman.
"An imposter?" said Tony.
"This wasn't an accident or misuse of power. This was a strategic attack to remove Charles Xaiver," said Phoenix.
"Do we have any idea who this person is?" asked Batman.
"He calls himself… Onslaught," said Phoenix.
Batman looks on at the illusion of Onslaught.
"He's going to come back, isn't he," said Beast.
"Afraid so. His attack was only particularly successful. He will return to destroy Charles Xaiver. His goal was to destroy Charles Xaiver's mind to ensure he could never stand in his way," said Phoenix.
Everyone looks grim at the news.
"Will he awake?" asks Storm.
"I don't know," said Phoenix.
"What do you mean 'you don't know'?" demanded Cyclops.
"Healing the mind is different from mending bones. The psyche damage done to Professor Xavier is severe. The odds of him waking again are slim. Even if he does wake, he may not be the man he once was," said Phoenix.
"I'll stay here as the new Headmaster until Charles awakes," said Magento nodding his head accepting the truth surrounding his friend.
"Why you?" asked Jean.
"If our positions were in reverse, Charles would look after my people until I recovered. In the past, Charles has told me that 'just becomes someone stumbles, loses their way. That doesn't mean they are lost forever.' Hope has always been the focal point of Charles's vision and dream. Furthermore, I will safeguard the students of this school from anyone who threatens school in Charles's absence, including this 'Onslaught,'" said Magneto.
"No way!" shouted Cyclops.
"There is no way I'm going to allow you to stay within this school!"
"Scott! This is something we decide together," said Jean.
"Forget! I'm not allowing the guy we've been fighting all our lives into our home!" shouted Cyclops.
"I don't have a problem with Magneto staying here," said Storm.
"Actually. With Magneto holding the fort and his electromagnetic powers, it would protect us from any further psychic attacks," said Beast.
"That makes me feel safe," said Jean.
Cyclops looks at his colleagues before he turns to leave.
"Want to tell us why he's such a dick?" said Phoenix.
"Not really. Only that he can't keep it in his pants," said Wolverine.
Jean looks at him with a stern look.
A few moments later, they heard the sound of a car engine before taking off.
"Is he going to be a problem?" said Tony.
"Not likely. He just doesn't like it when things don't go his way," said Emma Frost.
Phoenix said nothing, wondering if this was going to return to haunt them.
"Give us a shoutout if you need us," said Tony.
"Also… there is a place where you can nearby in case you need to hide," said Phoenix.
The X-Men look at Phoenix as he shows them the mental image of a mountain with the insides being bigger than the X-Mansion.
"That place is supposed to be a secret," said Batman.
"Hold on. Harry wouldn't do this without a good reason," said Tony.
"I agree. Why did you reveal this place to the X-Men," said Dr. Banner.
"A feeling. I get the sense the next time we meet Scott Summers, it will not be on good terms," said Phoenix.
'Not to mention I sense a dark future over the horizon.'
Batman said nothing for a few moments before he looks on.
"I agree," said Batman.
"You're kidding, Mr. Suspicious-of-Everyone," said Tony.
"I'm more than prepare in dealing with Magneto or even Jean Grey. However, Harry is right… we do need allies, and trust is so rare these days. Once you ensure the psychic defense on this manor is complete, make sure the island is also capable of protecting us from any mental manipulation," said Batman.
"I fear this could be the calm before the storm," said Storm.
