A/N: Thank you to reviewers Vukk and Leofrick, for that, everyone gets another chapter today, also because that one was short, but whatev.

Part 16.6

Five minutes of speech can change the world, though an interview afterwards doesn't hurt.

After the House of Lords moved on to more benign things, the cameras panned back to Pat Keirnan. "Now that, folks, was a rousing and controversial first speech from the newly emancipated and titled Duke Black. And although it is hard not to agree with him, I find myself wondering where the impassioned speech came from, and why him?" He looked at the teleprompter and quickly read over the message from his bosses. His little gut feeling about the extended story had paid off and viewership was extremely high at the moment. He was going to continue, and his little plan had gotten approved.

"It turns out I am not the only one wondering more about the elusive new Duke Black, so one of my colleagues is currently trying to convince him to go to one of our interview sets in London for an interview on New York Channel One." He pressed a hand to his earpiece. "And I have just gotten news that Lord Black has agreed to the interview, and is one set, now!"

The screen split so that the seventeen year old, sitting in an armchair, took up half the TV screen, while Pat Kiernan took up the other half. "Hello, Lord Black, thank you for agreeing to this last-minute interview."

"Oh, it's no problem. And please, call me Teddy, I don't think I've ever gone by Edward."

"Of course Teddy, call me Pat. Now, we've all watched your impassioned speech in the House of Lords against the proposed bill to tie superhumans to the United Nations. Tell me about yourself. Is there anything in your background that sparked the passion?"

"Well, it's a bit complicated. One of my closest friends is a superhuman. Although I find the term inaccurate. It's not exactly being above, or better than humans. It's just a difference, and from what I know of the topic, the benefits come with their drawbacks. It's kind of like you have a knack for catching people's attention as a newscaster. That doesn't make you a superhuman speaker, just talented at an area, while others would be better at something else."

"Thank you. So these alters, the term is more catchy, isn't it?" Teddy smiled and nodded, "So what's it like for non-Avengers alters? Your friend, you mentioned, was one."

"Well, from what I've been told, they just sort of can do things others cannot, but it feels natural. Like my friend is a telekinetic, and though she doesn't have full control of her ability yet, she says it feels natural. Like running it takes training to do well, and talent to be the best, but it doesn't feel like something supernatural for her."

"That is interesting, a very new perspective on an idea that's been around since Captain Rogers got the super soldier serum back in 1943. On a slightly different topic Teddy, can you tell me why your godmother stepped down from her position as Duchess Black to pass it down to you? Why now?"

"Well, Rose has never actually liked any of the political business. When she was younger there was a minor politician who really annoyed her and she hasn't been a fan of having to maneuver around all the policies and relations with other politicians. My grandmother did most of the work, she enjoys this stuff, and I appreciate how much good can be done with just a few policies, so I have my grandmother to advise me on how to accomplish just about anything."

"And your grandmother would be…"
"Andromeda Black-Tonks, my maternal grandmother and actually the first cousin of Rose's godfather Sirius Black. My maternal family's tree is a bit complicated."

"So I have heard. What about your parents?"

"They were both special ops of a sort, died taking down a terrorist when I was one. I can't actually, legally, give any more details, it took Rose until I was 7 to get all the proper paperwork to find out the details."
"I'm sorry."

"It's alright. I'm proud they achieved what they believed in."

"On a lighter note, how do you feel about being the youngest person in the House of Lords?"

"It's a bit stressful, but it's not that bad. My grandmother coached me a bit, so I know what I'm doing, and she's always said I'm a bit of a stress-adrenaline junkie like my mum was. At least now I can apply for my driver's license earlier!"

"Yes, that is surely something to look forward to. What about your education? Although you've been known to be the first in line for a dukedom since your birth, you have never really been much in the public spotlight."

"Well, that was my family's decision, and I can say I am very relieved I have no embarrassing toddler videos all over the internet. I went to a private boarding school for most of my education that was where my grandmother and Rose as well as many family friends were educated. Although the standard school year actually started very recently, and I've actually transferred to your very own New York City. I'm living with Rose for the year, and flying back out back here to London for House meetings, and going to Midtown School of Science and Technology."

"So do you think you can balance that much all at once?"

"It'll be a challenge, but it's doable, and I think I'll be better off for it."

"I have some questions coming in from viewers, would you be willing to answer some of what the public is dying to know?"

"Sure, of course."

"Well, one viewer here is asking, how do you feel so confident about allowing mutants, sorry, alters, the same rights as normal people, after the invasion? I'm sorry, that isn't really.."

"No, it's alright. I understand some people may be afraid of things others can do and they cannot. It will, undoubtedly, take a while to get used to. But you have to remember, these are just people who are different, They are not superior, they are not gods. None of them are absolutely invincible or perfect. Most of these are just like normal people, wanting to make a life and living using their talents to make the best life they can for themselves and the people around them. Just like a talented painter will create art to sell and for others to enjoy, an empath may become an efficient psychologist. The Avengers do not represent the majority. And as with any demographic group large enough, there may be some who decide they are above the law, and the police will bring them in, inevitably, as with anyone else. Some may be harder to combat than others, but that is why we have people such as the Avengers. Although from what I have been informed, a majority of countries have at least a few alters in their police forces, or like Captain Rogers, their armies."

"That is a very efficient explanation. Another viewer is asking whether or not you have any long-term plans with your new inheritance?"

"Well, I have no plans of stopping the Rebuilding foundation, a charity Rose started to help those whose livelihoods were harmed by the invasion, neither am I going to officially stop her alliance with the Avengers, although that will still be her doing it. As for anything else, I will have to see as it comes up."

"Our next question would be, are you an alter?"

Teddy chuckled. "I can actually tell you that due to how human genetics work and our unique evolution, a majority of the world has some sort of minor alter. And yes, I do fall into that category, but just barely. My mum was a shapeshifter, she could look like anyone as long as they were human, what got her into special ops. I'm only half of her, so I can only do a few parlor tricks. I'm limited to changing my hair and eye color." And his hair shifted from the blue he had it in, to a bubblegum pink, to a forest green, to royal blue, to brick red, to pale purple, and back to the bright blue he had it as previously. Then, the camera zoomed into his face as his eyes shifted from their amber to a green, blue, red, orange, violet, gray, and then back to hazel.

"Wow! That is extremely interesting, what can you tell me about your ability?"

"It feels as natural as moving my fingers, I've always been able to do it. The minor shapeshifting is a recessive trait in my mum's family, but I didn't inherit the entire thing. I've had the tests done, it's unreplicatable because of some gene niche I have but a majority of the world doesn't. It took me about a year when I was eleven, to learn to control it. The only thing particularly curious is that my grandmother said there are lots of minor abilities like mine, really only good for a few parlor tricks or maybe easier everyday tasks, about one in a hundred people around the world have the potential, but most of them, if they don't start getting trained for it at age eleven, are unable to use the ability. Rose's friends have a daughter who has the potential, so I know she's getting trained for it now, and my friend, who I mentioned is a minor telekinetic, just enough for casual levitation of a few things here or there, was lucky enough to discover it on her own, and play around with it and self-train. But I know it can be dangerous, hence an extra class at my boarding school for students with the knack, to control it."

"What is this boarding school?"

"It's called Glamorgan Academy, in northern Scotland, the place is practically on the site of an old castle. Though none of us know what the castle is actually called, a sarcastic student in Rose's year nicknamed it Pigfarts, but we just call it Hogwarts. No reason, really."

"That sounds very interesting."

"Yeah, it was an experience."

"And, it seems like our time is up, my colleagues in the weather forecasting division won't be happy if I run into their time."

"Thank you for the interview, it was nice."

"No, thank you for the interesting perspectives, and I might even see you around the city when you get back."

Teddy smiled, and waved to the camera, before it shut off. All the preparation had paid off.

A/N: Sorry, I know, yet another not very ideal chapter. But this is halfway through. I am starting school in less than a week, so I will be dumping another chapter whenever I get around to it, you will likely get or even more chapter(s) a day for the next week. So forget about my posting schedule. So whenever I get a few reviews in my email inbox and I see 'oh, there are real people reading this not just numbers and statistics, let me give them some more' I'll post another. If I have time, maybe one more today. School Starts September 9th, and my birthday is Sept. 15, so I hope to finish it somewhere between those dates. Thanks for reading and hope you liked this.