Alex lurched up from his rather comfortable position on Ben's chest, someone was at the door. He could faintly hear heavy footsteps on the wooden porch before his ringing head cleared.
Leaping effortlessly from the couch and pulling his Glock out, Alex shook Ben awake, taking care to not make any sounds.
With grace Alex walked towards the front door.
Ben was behind him, gun out and furiously rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
Alex's training with Scorpia came in handy at times, namely their gun, combat and covert training.
Unlocking the door took a while. It had seven locks, though only one could be seen from the outside. Alex peeked out from the one way glass window (it looked black on the outside) and nearly laughed.
Outside, looking really uncomfortable and out of place in civilian clothes, was the rest of K-Unit, looking as disgruntled as ever.
Eagle being the obvious exception, the hyperactive soldier probably annoyed them for the entire car ride here.
Judging by the look Snake was sending his boyfriend, Alex's assumption was correct.
Alex groaned out loud, walked back to the couch, and face planted straight into a pillow.
Ben just snickered at the younger's antics, despite knowing full well that he caused them.
Alex contemplated escaping out his bedroom window but decided against it. He would have to face K-Unit eventually.
Ben carefully unlocked the door in one fluid movement before opening the door wide.
"Hellooooo Foxy, it's been ageees." Eagle basically threw himself onto Fox in a hug despite being drastically shortened than the other.
Snake pulled Eagle off Ben and shot the hyper soldier a stern look.
"Hi Fox, long time, no see." Snake said, still trying to get Eagle to shut up.
"Wolf, ever a man of many words, muttered, "Hey Fox." Before shouldering past.
"Foxy, who's this?" Eagle drawled, using a ridiculous American accent.
Alex sat on the couch, looking slightly resigned to his fate.
"Can you guess?" Fox asked, his eyes glinting with mischief.
"Oooh sooo, you're his cousin, niece, nephew, long lost brother, long lost son born out of wedlock , seventh cousin, son?" Eagle rambled excitedly. Beside him Snake smiled fondly.
Nobody commented on Eagle guessing son twice.
Wolf was staring straight at Alex, a hint of something akin to recognition in his eyes. Alex wasn't surprised, Wolf had seen him at Point Blanc.
It was hard to forget someone you were shot for.
"Cub?" Wolf practically shouted.
Snake turned to look at Alex more closely before his expression bloomed with surprise and understanding.
"Cubbie-kinns what're you doing with Foxy?" The annoying man sang, humming along a tune that was completely out of place in the new tense atmosphere.
"I'm his guardian." Ben deadpanned after Alex made it evident that he would not be answering out of stubbornness.
Wolf just gave him a blank stare in return. Ben sighed, "I adopted him."
"What, Why? Where are your parents kid?" It was Snake who spoke up this time, which was very out of character for the usually quiet and thoughtful medic.
For the first time since K-Unit got there Cub spoke, "Dead, and my guardian was deported." He turned and walked upstairs, they could vaguely hear the sound of a door closing. A misty silence hovered in the air.
"So, who wants to play cards?" Eagle chirped. Ben heaved and gestured for the rest to sit down on the couch. They all took care to not very subtlety avoid the spot Alex had previously occupied.
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Alex groaned before rubbing his eyes, he had avoided K-Unit for the most of the day by hiding in his room. Doing… stuff, namely sleeping.
However, he knew he wouldn't be able to escape them for any longer, his angry stomach wouldn't allow it.
He rinsed his face in a futile effort to look a little better than shit.
He paused to put his Smithers issued watch on.
There, as bright as day, was a blue and black tattoo of wings.
It was only about one square centimetre large.
Alex nearly dropped his watch in surprise, pinching himself once with hope that this was a dream.
When he didn't wake he sighed again, hoping that this was a weird side effect of him being a wizard. Alex strapped his watch on to cover it before opening the door.
Hearing shouts and high pitched singing, likely coming from Eagle, the young spy abandoned all hope of a migraine free day.
He slid down the banister for the second time that day and creeped towards the kitchen. After opening the door Alex picked up an apple from the basket.
"Hey Cubbie-kinns!" Eagle voice unexpectedly came from over Alex's shoulder. A confused Eagle found a gun pressed against his forehead and being straddled by the startled teenager.
A few seconds later the rest of K-Unit found them both in the same position. Alex's eyes darting around like a deer hearing a tiger's growl.
Carefully, making sure to touch the least of him as possible, Ben pulled Alex off of Eagle and lowered the gun. However, he left the deadly weapon in Alex's hands.
The phone rang, breaking the echoing silence. "It's for you Alex." Ben said. Alex picked up the phone.
"Hello this is the Royal and General Bank, we request you immediately as there may be a security breach targeting your account." The receptionists voice rang out.
"I'm going now." Alex sighed.
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Alex strode into Jones' office without knocking.
What could he do? Some old habits died hard.
Jones immediately looked over the mountain of paperwork she had yet to complete.
"What is it now?" Alex questioned.
"The Wizarding world is in disarray." Jones replied, Alex spluttered.
Jones popped a peppermint from the jar tucked away into a corner before giving him a look. Alex just nodded, of course they knew about his letter.
"A man named Tom Marvelo Riddle, Voldemort, came back to life the summer before last. The Wizarding government called the Ministry of Magic are ignoring his return. However, all evidence points that he has, in fact, returned. Your job is to negotiate with an organisation made to combat the Dark Lord and report back with their plan of action. The organisation is called the Order of the Phoenix. We have reason to believe that the head of the organisation knowingly left a child in an abusive home. According to this we have to ensure that the group isn't using and/or training child soldiers. ." Jones briefed.
"Wait, how did you know that I'm a wizard? I only found out recently" Alex questioned.
"Helen never did come up on our systems properly, MI6 doesn't deal with just human threats. The vampire coven next to Wales was proof of that." Jones didn't seem to be surprised at Alex's questioning.
"Alan was never too fond of the supernatural, he couldn't control them, you see? He didn't understand that everything could be controlled in the correct circumstances. I trust that you can also help us control the Wizarding World."
"I can, especially if they're not listening to this Voldemort threat, it reminds me too much of personal experiences, remember? The good old times." Alex innocently retorted.
"Here is the mission file, read over it when you get home and then burn it. Visit Smithers on the way out for the equipment." Jones droned on, ignoring Alex's accusation.
Alex concealed a grin at the thought of visiting Smithers. The jolly man could always make a bad day better.
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"Alex my boy, in for another one," Smithers boomed. "I'd hoped you'd be out of it now young fella, damn Riders, too talented for their own good"
"I work for them now Smithers, I know you know that, you encrypted the files." Alex replied, an amused smirk playing at the edge of his lips.
"Well you ain't wrong lad, this mission was a hard one to prepare for. The blasted wizards' magic messed up our communication techniques." Smithers said, pulling out a black trunk.
"A battery operated communication device, I can only guarantee it working twice. Only use it for emergencies or to send vital information."
The device was colourful and shaped like a spinning top with a clear dome on the top. It had the word ' E' printed across it. Alex merely nodded, soaking up the information.
Smithers pulled out a book 'The History of the Dark Mages' printed firmly onto it in shimmering gold letters that seemed to move.
"This one works the same as the one you got on the Point Blanc mission, with one difference. If you pen the book to page three hundred and sixty, a gun will come out of the spine. There are extra bullets as well." Smithers explained.
"Now, you'd have to be prepared for a war zone, It's magic kiddo. I really can't do too much with that. So, I need to give you this. It's magic, been passed down in MI6 for a while. Nobody can figure out how to use it." Smithers explained, passing him the knife.
It was black and silver, an obsidian blade with a silver handle. The handle had intricate runes running down it, shifting according to the light.
"Unfortunately, that's it for now my boy, hopefully your school will teach you some of that hocus pocus."
Secretly Alex thought the same. "Thanks Smithers, I'll bring something back for you." Alex answered and walked out through the elevator to outside the bank, where Ben was waiting for him.
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Alex and Ben walked into the Rider – Daniels household. Everything seemed fine for the time being, but you could never know.
Who knew that terrorists and assassins were so unpredictable?
Well, Alex knew. Ben didn't believe him at all until he met Yassen.
K – Unit were watching a cricket match on the television and Eagle hadn't burnt the house down yet, Snake must have put him under lock and key for that to be possible.
The Gods know how thankful the world should be for Snake.
Not very ready but decidedly resigned to his fate, Alex walked into the living room and stared up at Ben's – his – unit with wide eyes.
Snake, ever the pacifist, casually (too casually) picked up the remote and switched the television off. Eagle darted up immediately and began to whine, "C'mon Snakey, we were watching!"
As Alex felt eyes swivel in their sockets towards him he prepared himself for a rocky conversation.
"Hi I'm Alex Rider," Ben motioned for him to go on, "I'm fifteen, year 10," Ben continued, "and a senior MI6 field operative." He could feel the room tense and prepared for a quick escape.
"The real question is, are you single? And if so ready to mingle?" Eagle broke the silence with another horrible joke.
Ben stifled an amused chuckle, Alex ignored him and spoke stiffly, "Yes, I am, at the moment."
That was when Ben broke out into laughter, one would think that a junior MI6 agent should have more self control but Alex saw himself increasingly surprised at Ben's immaturity with every passing day.
That was when the gunshots started.
Heavy footsteps echoed through the house, lights flickered, -once , twice- before blacking out completely.
The gunshots seemed to get louder and louder as each of the unit got up and reached for the licensed weapons on their person.
The click of two guns' safety being clicked off and numerous knives being unsheathed was startlingly loud against the newfound eerie silence.
Slowly and carefully, Alex motioned for the adults to follow his lead, which would be weird in normal circumstances, but who was to disobey the orders of the senior agent?
The makeshift unit silently crept towards the hallway, weapons out and ready to maul with.
Alex did had gun in his left hand his right clutched a Greek-style throwing knife.
The knife had an intricately carved hilt, a present left over from Ian.
Although, he really didn't know how Ian came to be in possession of said knife.
"Don't move or we'll shoot!" A high pitched squeak came from across the hall.
Standing there was a skinny boy (twenty or so years old) in a fully black bodysuit that hung off his lean frame.
Next to him, multiple much older and muscular men stood, all adorned the same uniform as the first, though theirs was significantly more form fitting.
The physique of each and every one of them screamed, BODYGUARD! Though whether they were guarding anyone was unsure at this point.
Ignoring all previous warnings and quickly checking if Wolf was wearing a bulletproof vest, Alex jumped forward, roughly pulling Wolf along with him.
He and Ben already had Smithers' new bullet design.
A thin undershirt and leggings that protected them from any bullet damage.
They had been useful during many occasions, after Fox finally took his head out of his ass and pulled the leggings on ('They ruin my killer figure Alex!')
Wolf only seemed to be shocked for a second, which was good because otherwise he'd be dead.
Alex had pulled him in front because otherwise his big ego wouldn't have been able to comprehend the fact that he wasn't the first to go into battle among his unit.
Something that was customary among the special services.
It signified leadership, strength and bravery.
Alex steeled his face, and his nerves, as his childhood home went into a state of disarray.
Bullets flying from K-Unit, Ben and Alex were quickly dodged by the men (Japanese yakuza based judging by a combination of the uniform and the pins).
That's when Alex saw it, Eagle -the bastard- had forgotten to pull on a vest.
The other side seemed to have noticed that as well.
Time seemed to slow down as Snake tilted his arm six degrees, breaking formation briefly and leaving the left side of Eagle's chest prone to a shot.
Alex saw the bullet before he heard it, the noise ringing at the back of his eardrums at the closeness.
Wolf's eyes widened in alarm as Alex made a lunge towards Eagle. He managed to push Eagle out of the bullet's trajectory, it thudded into the wall, right nest to a picture frame.
The force of the shot dislodging the frame and causing it to crash to the ground.
Only too late did Alex notice another bullet following the first, it flew through the air, imbedding itself near his elbow.
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One would think that after being shot numerous times Alex would grow accustomed to the pain, but no, it would just get even more unbearable with time.
He opened his eyes to find an exhausted looking Fox sleeping in a chair near the foot of the bed.
The rest of the unit were ransacking the kitchen without a care in the world.
Except for Wolf, who seemed to want to blow up the television with his eyes alone.
That's when Alex saw them.
Wings, sprouted from his back, pitch black with some feathers having silver edges.
The fuck was this bullshit?
Alex was too young and too tired to want to deal with any of this.
Unfortunately, the gods weren't really listening to his wishes at the moment. Then again, when did they ever?
His wings rustling in the soft breeze had caused Wolf's eyes to slowly turn towards him.
"What. The. Fuck. Are those? Is this one of Eagle's stupid pranks?" Wolf near growled at Alex. Eyes squinted to the point that Alex doubted Wolf could actually see out of them.
"I have no clue, okay? I just woke up, my body feels like a truck ran over it, and now I have feathers sprouting from the back. Do you really think I have any idea what the hell is going on right now?" Alex snarked, still rubbing the exhaustion out of his eyes.
The commotion had woken Fox up, and he was now someone staring at Alex through half-lidded yes in complete and utter shock.
"Oi, Snake get over here!" Wolf shouted, not caring how his voice jolted Ben out of his hazy stupor.
That made sense, Alex guessed. If any of them was qualified to deal with wings jutting out of someone's body, it would be the always calm Snake.
Unfortunately, Snake was with Eagle at the time, which kinda erased the whole calm atmosphere.
"Holy. Shit!"
"Alex, what did you do?" Ben shook his head in disbelief.
"Why do you think that I did anything? I don't know what's going on. I just woke up and I feel like death warmed over." Alex rubbed the sleep from his bloodshot eyes.
"Because you always do something! It's near impossible for you to not do anything." Ben exclaimed, exasperated.
Nearby, K-Unit watched with shock painting their (ugly) faces. Apparently, they still weren't over the wings.
(Perhaps that was more a sign of their sanity rather than of stupidity. Randomly sprouting wings wasn't normal.)
The lights flashed blue, a sign of an MI6 team coming to the door. They were likely tipped off when the intruders broke in.
Not that it was even slightly useful now, almost four hours after the bitches had broken in.
Crawley walked in, his impeccable suit contrasting almost comically with Alex's ruined childhood home.
"Agent Daniels, K-Unit, Alexander. You've been called into MI6 headquarters for a debriefing, please make your way into the vehicle." God, Crawley had absolutely no tact.
Seriously, is that how you talk to five extremely paranoid people? Crawley you've been in this business too long to not have picked up something.
Eagle was strangely subdued as they walked to the cars, the very real threat finally hanging over him the way it should.
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The air was stifled with confusion when they waited in Mrs Jone's office, the crackling of peppermint wrappers cut uncomfortably through Alex's eardrums.
"There's been a change in plans. Instead of attending Hogwarts and then spending holidays with the Order like normal, you will spend tomorrow with them. Just to ensure your protection before you start the mission." Mrs Jones didn't leave room for debate.
"Agent Daniels, you are to rejoin your SAS group at Brecon Beacons until Agent Rider's mission is complete. You may exit now, all complains are to be given to Crawley." She looked pointedly at K-Unit before inclining her head towards the door.
They left.
"You're coming back to us Foxy! Now we don't have to deal with Wolf-man breaking the wrists of new recruits." Eagle pulled the door shut with a bang that shook Alex's head.
Ignoring Eagle, Ben said, "Are you good with this mission Alex? You will be at a school but I'm not sure about it's level of safety. Especially considering your track record with schools" Ben worried, akin to a mother hen.
"I'll be fine, Ben. Go, enjoy yourself." Nodding, Ben walked out of the door. Drawing Alex's time with Ben to a close until a year from now.