"Whoa. What is this called again?" Dick asked as he looked at the ship before us.
"A Quinjet." I gestured to the aircraft, "This is the Avengers Quinjet specifically. The Justice League isn't the only team with their own personal aircraft." I answered as I walked up the ramp of the Quinjet.
"I wonder if Victor were here if he could hear this one talk." Bruce commented as he followed right behind me.
I shrugged, "High possibility but Friday is the AI that runs all the programs here. Unlike the Flying Fox, this bird can talk back." I walked over to the pilot's seat.
I walked over to the palm scanner of the Quinjet. I placed my right palm on the scanner.
"Voice activation required." Friday's AI voice suddenly spoke up. This startled both Bruce and Dick who looked at over at me.
"Sparks." I replied instantly.
"Voice activation recognized. Welcome Voltess, the Fiercest Avenger." The Quinjet suddenly came to life as the many monitors and screens booted up.
"This is a voice activated jet?" Bruce asked in disbelief. I gave him a smirk as I sat down in the pilot's seat.
"It requires a palm scan and voice recognition to have access to fly the Quinjet. Not even remoting or hacking in will allow you to fly it. Only an Avenger registered into the database can turn this on to fly it." I flipped the switch and I could hear the sound of the hatch close up.
"Uh, are we just going to ignore that the AI just called mom the "fiercest" Avenger?" Dick asked and pointed at me.
I looked over my shoulder with a smirk, "If you ever watch old recordings of Avengers missions with me on it, you'd see why I earned that title. Hey Friday, open up the hanger." I told the AI.
"Opening false door for take off." I began flipping switches and the engine of the Quinjet began to come to life.
"False door?" Dick questioned.
"Look up." I told him but continued flipping on the correct switches. Dick took a step further into the cockpit and looked up. The mechanical doors above us began to open up to reveal the blue sky above us.
"Friday, activate stealth flight protocol." I instructed the AI as I grabbed hold of the level in control of steering the Quinjet. I pulled back on the lever and the Quinjet began to hover off the ground.
"Reflection panels activating. Muffling turbines." Friday's AI voice responded. I could see the outside panels of the Quinjet began to turn clear as the reflection panels activated. The Quinjet now hovered just above the false doors. You could see the Avengers Compound building below us.
"You two might want to sit down or hold onto something." I advised as I placed my hand on the lever for the thrusters of the engines. I could see Bruce brace himself on a handle bar above him and grabbed hold of Dick.
I pushed the lever forward and the Quinjet immediately took off causing me to push back into the pilot's seat. I could see Bruce's muscles tense as he held onto the bar to retain his balance.
The initial inertia faded as the Quinjet kept up the same speed. I removed my hand from the thrusters control and typed in coordinates on the computer beside me.
"Friday, take over for me. I put in coordinates. Take us there." I instructed the AI.
"Initiating auto pilot sequence." I turned in the pilots to look at Bruce. He released his hold on the bar above him and gave me a look.
"Remind me to ask you to upgrade the Flying Fox to be like this." I gave a smirk as I got up from the pilot's seat.
"I had a feeling you were going to bring that up." I stated and walked around the Quinjet.
"So now that we're in the air, are you going to tell us where we're going?" Dick asked me. I leaned on the center console that sat in the middle of the Quinjet. I pulled up the coordinates I had just entered into the Quinjets GPS.
A holographic map of the U.S. pulled up and zoomed into the map. Bruce furrowed his brows.
"Missouri? Why are you taking us to Missouri?" Bruce questioned me.
I gave a solemn look at the image in front of me, "I didn't think of this initially until a couple of days after we arrived here. I only come here once a year on this day only." My eyes flickered to Bruce's ones that were filled with concern.
I took a breath before continuing, "Today is August 12…Caroline Moser's birthday." Bruce looked at me with his mouth slightly ajar.
"Your mother's birthday is today?" He asked softly.
I nodded my head, "Dad and I had a tradition of visiting her grave on her birthday every year. She's originally from Missouri so that's where she was buried. Dad's buried right next to her." I answered with a tenseness to my voice.
I felt a hand rest on top of mine. I looked over to see Dick was the owner of the hand.
"Are you going to be okay?" He asked with concern. I gave him a reassuring smile and pulled him into a side hug.
"Yeah, I'll be fine." I assured him. Dick gave me a wary look before returning the side hug.
"Mel…" Bruce began to say with that familiar tone in his voice.
"Bruce. I'm fine." I quickly shut him down. I gave my husband a look and he sighed and held his hands up in surrender.
"Alright, alright. Just let us know if you need to talk at any time. Okay?" I sighed and nodded my head in agreement.
"So…what else can the Quinjet do?" Dick changed the subject. I looked down at him with a smile.
"The Quinjet has some old Avengers files still on its database. You want to see footage of missions we took back in 2015?" Dick grinned.
"Huh yeah, that's awesome!" Dick exclaimed in excitement. I chuckled and pulled up the files I needed. These files were back in the golden days of the Avengers. Traveling across Europe and Asia while tracking Loki's Scepter and taking down Hydra bases while we did so. Those were the months that we really bonded as a team and grew closer as friends.
The bell chimed above me as I walked into the small diner. Bruce and Dick followed right behind me. I looked around the small diner and smiled seeing it still looked exactly the same.
"Why this diner for breakfast?" Dick asked as he looked around.
"This is where Dad and I ate before heading out to the cemetery. T-"
"As I live and breathe. Melody Moser, is that you?" I was interrupted by a woman's voice. I turned my head and tilted my head seeing an older woman with dyed red hair and green eyes in her late sixties with a waitress uniform walking up to me.
"No way. Debbie? You still work here?" I asked in shock. The older woman chuckled as she walked over with her arms out.
"I practically live in this diner and I don't plan on retiring anytime soon." I put an arm around her in a hug. She pulled back as she held my wrists.
"Let me get a look at you. I haven't seen you here since your daddy passed away. God rest his soul. My how you've grown. You are the spitting image of your mother. Except for your eyes, you got your daddy's eyes." I gave a small smile to Debbie. I knew she meant well but talking about dad's death still rubs me the wrong way.
Debbie then noticed Bruce and Dick right behind me. I could see the older woman's eyes immediately looking up and down Bruce's figure. The woman was always a flirt. Especially when it came to younger men.
"Well hello handsome." Debbie greeted Bruce. Bruce gave a polite smile in acknowledgment. I could see Dick stick his tongue out slightly at the comment Debbie made.
"Are you going to introduce me to your friend here, honey?" Debbie asked me.
I shook my head at her, "Calm down there, cougar." I chastised her. Debbie rolled her eyes at me.
"Now you sound like your father." She fired back at me.
I gave an amused smile, "Debbie this is Bruce Wayne. My husband and our son, Dick." Debbie gave me a look of approval.
"Husband and son huh? Well look at you all grown up with a family of your own. Go ahead and take a seat. I'll bring you some menus and coffee." I nodded and went to move but stopped as Debbie leaned over to me.
"Nice catch by the way. He's a real looker. Let me know if he has any friends or relatives that are lonely." She whispered into my ear.
I rolled my eyes and walked to a nearby booth. I slid into the booth and Bruce took his spot across from me. Dick slid into the spot next to me.
"Well she's…a character." Bruce said politely.
"It's okay to say she made you uncomfortable, Bruce. She does that. I wasn't joking when I called her a cougar. She is one." I stated bluntly.
Bruce gave a long sigh and nodded, "I got that impression loud and clear. How do you know her exactly?" He asked me.
"I knew her parents before they were even married and long before she was born." Debbie answered for me. She set down two coffees for Bruce and I and an orange juice for Dick. Debbie then handed Bruce and Dick menus.
I raised a brow at her, "I don't get a menu?" I asked her.
"Please honey, I remember your order. It was the same thing for fifteen years. Blueberry pancakes with a side of sausage and hash browns extra crispy." I looked at Debbie in slight surprise.
"I haven't been here since I was sixteen. I don't know if I should be impressed or freaked out. You still remember my order after twenty-one years of not coming here." I said.
"I'm good at my job, honey. Anyway, like I was saying earlier. I knew Daniel and Caroline before they got married. You know, her parents actually met in this very diner forty years ago." Debbie stated.
"Really?" Dick asked, looking at Debbie with genuine interest.
Debbie smiled at him and nodded, "Right at the front counter there. Your grandfather had just enlisted into the Marine Corp. He was on a leave of absence visiting relatives here. He came in for a bite to eat at the counter. That's when she walked in. Your grandmother. Your grandfather noticed her the moment she walked into the diner. She took his breath away. Of course, she noticed him right away too. They say love at first sight is just a fairy tale, but with those two it was all too real." Debbie told to Dick.
"They hit it off right away and by the time they left this diner. They had their first date already planned out. And as they say, the rest was history after that. I'll give you two some time to look over the menu." Dick turned to me after she left.
"You've never told me or dad that story. Why?" He asked me.
I gave a solemn look, "I'm not a big fan talking about my parents, Dick. Even the happy stories." I told him honestly.
Dick frowned and looked down at the menu, "I'd like to know more about them. I don't know anything about your side of the family." I could feel my heart strings getting pulled here.
I glanced at Bruce and he gave me a sympathetic look. He understood where I was coming from. Thomas and Martha were sensitive subjects for him too but Dick had a point. Dick knew more things about Thomas and Martha than he did my parents.
I gave a sigh and looked at Dick, "What do you want to know?" Dick looked at me with a gleam in his eyes.
"What happened after they met?" Dick asked.
"Well they had their first and second date here, but dad was on a leave of absence and those only lasted for so long. He knew he would eventually have to go back where the Marine Corp stationed him which was a long ways away in Hawaii. Dad also knew the only way the military would allow mom to go back with him is if they were married. So, that's exactly what he did. On their third date, dad asked for mom's hand in marriage." Dick and Bruce stared at me in complete shock.
"And you thought our relationship was moving too fast?" Bruce questioned me with an exasperated look on his face.
I pointed at him, "I still think that but that was my dad. When he knew what he wanted, he went for it all in. Mom actually said yes and agreed to marry him but, mom's parents…my grandparents weren't happy about it. They told her that she was making a mistake and their marriage would never last. They told her that she'd find somebody else that wasn't in the military to where she didn't have to move. Mom didn't care for what they had to say and married dad before his leave was up. My grandparents were so angry at her that they disowned her as their daughter. It broke mom's heart according to what dad told me. Dad then took mom back with him to Hawaii and they never had any contact with her family since." Bruce's eyes were wide in disbelief.
"They disowned their own daughter because she married somebody they didn't approve of?" I nodded my head.
"It was 1985. Those were the times then." I said with a shrug.
"So did you ever meet your grandparents?" Dick asked me.
I shook my head, "Never met them, but dad told me that they knew I existed. They knew they had a granddaughter but they never bothered to reach out to me. Even after dad was killed, they didn't claim me as theirs. It never really bothered me though. They didn't care about me so why would I care about them? Honestly, I'm glad I never knew them." I said honestly.
"What about your dad's parents?" Dick asked next.
"My paternal grandparents had my dad late in life. By the time I was born both of them had passed from old age." I stated.
Dick frowned and turned to Bruce, "What about you dad? Did you ever know either of your grandparents?" Bruce looked at Dick in mild surprise.
"My maternal grandparents had passed away by the time I was born. My paternal grandparents were, however, around. According to Alfred, my grandfather would walk me around Wayne Manor's garden when I first learned how to walk. Both of them eventually passed away within days of each other due to an illness they both caught on a trip. I was only three year olds at the time. I wish I could remember them but I was too young." Bruce explained to us.
Dick hung his head, "I wish I could have met mine. Any of them." I gave a sad smile and ran my fingers through his dark hair.
"I wish you could have too." I said gently. I knew if dad were around today still, he would have loved Dick all the same. His own flesh and blood grandchild or not.
"Well, let's hurry up and order. The sooner we eat the better. Debbie's been staring me down nonstop." Bruce muttered as he looked at the menu. I glanced over at Debbie and she quickly turned away. I raised a brow at her as she pretended to be doing something. She really hasn't changed at all.
I walked up the small hill where a row of headstones were laid out. Mom and dad's graves were just up ahead. I frowned seeing a man I didn't recognize standing in front of their graves. I came to a stop and Bruce paused next to me. He stared at the man then to me. He furrowed his brows seeing my frown.
"Are those your parents' graves?" He asked me.
I nodded my head, "Yeah and I don't recognize that guy at all. Why the hell is he looking at their graves?" I muttered and began to march over to the man.
"Excuse me? Can I help you?" The man turned around. He froze seeing me and his eyes physically widened. He looked to be older with blonde hair that was turning white and hazel green eyes.
"It's you." I rolled my eyes.
"Yes, yes. I'm Voltess, that's not a surprise. What I want to know is who you are and why you're visiting the graves of my parents?" I demanded harshly.
The man gave a look of confusion, "He never told you about me?" I furrowed my brows in confusion.
"What are you talking about?"
"Daniel. He never told you about me?" I now tilted my head at him. He said my dad's name as if he knew him.
"No…should he have?" I asked him warily.
The man gave me a solemn look, "I would think so. My name is Scott Wright." My eyes slowly widened hearing that last name.
"Mel, you know who he is?" Bruce asked me as he eyed Scott.
"I know the last name. Wright was my mother's maiden name." I turned back to Scott, "Dad mentioned mom had a younger brother. You're my uncle." I said breathlessly.
Scott gave me a solemn look and nodded, "That's me. I would have thought Daniel would have least talked about me to you. I never agreed with what my folks did to Care. The only thing she was guilty of was following her heart." I hesitantly walked forward until I stopped in front of the graves.
I swallowed thickly as I stared at the names of my parents etched onto the gravestones. I turned my head to make eye contact with Scott. He gave a sad smile.
"You look like her, you know? I can see my sister in you. Different colored eyes but everything else…the spitting image of Care." Bruce cleared his throat which caused Scott to turn to him.
"Sorry, I don't mean to be rude. You are?" Scott trailed off and held his hand out to Bruce.
"Bruce Wayne. Mel's husband." Bruce introduced himself and shook Scott's hand.
Scott flinched slightly from the grip, "Hell of a grip you got there, son." Scott commented as he took his hand back from Bruce.
Bruce put his hands in his pockets as he stared down at Scott, "Just testing the waters. I'm known for being protective of my wife there. She doesn't know you and therefore isn't comfortable with you here. I've heard things about your family that I'm not too impressed by." Bruce intimidated Scott. I easily recognized the glowering look of Batman. I could see Scott physically being intimidated by the stare.
Scott put his hands up, "I don't mean any ill will. Honest to God. I'm just here visiting with my family. I thought I'd come visit my sister on her birthday. I had no idea my niece would be here too." Bruce's eyes narrowed on him.
I walked over to Bruce and put a hand on his chest, "Bruce, stop. It's alright. He doesn't mean any harm." Bruce glanced down at me. His gaze flickered back to Scott before he gave a sigh and his stance relaxed.
Scott gave me a thankful look, "So um, how long are you staying in town?" He asked me.
"Just today." I answered back curtly.
Scott slowly nodded his head, "Look, I know our family's relationship is…complicated but would you like to meet everyone?" My eyes narrowed at him.
"What do you mean by everyone?" I questioned him.
"Well, there's my wife. Our three kids are married with kids of their own. I have five grandkids in total. And there's two other people that if you don't want to meet it's fine. You don't have to worry about it." Scott beat around the bush.
"Just say it." I told him bluntly.
Scott swallowed nervously, "My parents…your grandparents. They're both still around." I could feel my blood freeze in my veins. They're still alive? They'd have to be in their late eighties by now.
"Mom?" I got snapped out of my daze from Dick calling me. I turned to look at him. He had a pleading look on his face. I held back a grimace. My grandparents were technically Dick's great grandparents. Damnit…I don't want to do this but if Dick really wants to meet them…
I gave an inward sigh as I looked back at Scott, "Alright. I want to meet everyone. Including them." Scott gave a look of relief.
"Okay, huh, great. I parked over there. I can drive us all there." Scott stated.
I nodded and Scott walked ahead. I went to take a step forward but I felt a hand on my arm stop me. I looked over to see Bruce had grabbed me.
"Are you sure about this, Mel?" He asked me quietly.
My eyes glanced to Dick before nodding, "I'm sure. Dick wants to meet his great grandparents. I'm not going to deny him that chance." Bruce gave me a gentle look before placing a gentle kiss on my forehead.
"If at any point you're uncomfortable and can't take it anymore, just let me know and we'll leave. I'm sure Dick will understand." Bruce told me quietly.
I nodded, "I will." Bruce interlaced his fingers with mine as we all followed behind Scott.
I got out of Scott's car and looked at the farmhouse in front of me. It kind of reminded me of Clint's farmhouse in Iowa. I don't think dad ever mentioned that mom came from a farming background. I guess that would explain why her parents didn't want her to move away.
I could see people hanging around the wrap around porch of the farm house. Scott walked ahead while the three of us trailed behind him.
"Scott honey, who are these people?" A woman I assumed to be Scott's wife asked. Her hair was graying and tied in a messy bun and had dark eyes.
Scott turned and gestured to me, "I ran into somebody while at Caroline's grave. Everyone, this is Melody. Caroline's daughter." Scott's wife and the other three adults I'm assuming to be Scott's kids stared at me in shock.
"Yeah, we know who she is, dad. That's Voltess…she's an Avenger." The only man of the three siblings stated.
"She's also your cousin, Jeremy. Melody, I'd like you and your family to meet Stephanie, my wife. These are my three kids Jeremy, Rachel, and Becca. Everyone, this is Melody and her husband Bruce and her son, Dick." I heard a snort come from one of the sisters at the porch.
"Is that name really appropriate?" My sensitive ears picked up Becca whispering to her sister's ear.
I gave a tight lip smile, "It's short for Richard. You're two grown women, start acting like it." The two women looked at me in slight shock.
I pointed to my ears with a smirk, "My powers give me enhanced hearing. The next time you make fun of my family you better be sure I'm not around to hear it." I told them coldly. First impressions so far…not great. Dad never talked about mom's side of the family growing up. I'm beginning to see why.
"I'm sorry about their behavior. The kids are around back if he wants to hang out with them. There's some around his age." Jeremy offered and pointed his thumb behind him.
I looked over at Dick, "It's up to you." Dick nodded.
"Yeah, it would be nice hanging with kids around my age." Jeremy nodded with a smile.
"Come on, I'll introduce you to them." Dick walked off with Jeremy around the farmhouse.
"Um, Scott honey. Can I talk to you in private please?" Stephanie eyed me warily as she walked inside the farmhouse.
"Excuse me." Scott said and followed his wife into the farmhouse. Rachel and Becca side eyed me before following their parents inside.
"I don't like them already." I muttered. I felt Bruce take my hand in his and give a reassuring squeeze.
"Just say the word and we'll leave." He reminded me. I could see Bruce narrow his eyes suddenly. I followed his gaze and I could see Scott and Stephanie having an apparent argument in the house.
"She's clearly not happy." Bruce stated in a monotone voice.
"No way! It is Voltess!" I turned my head hearing a child's voice. My eyes widen slightly seeing five kids rushing over to me.
"Huh hi you guys." I greeted the kids.
"Are any of the other Avengers with you?!"
"Did you really get your powers from Thor?"
"What was beating Thanos like?!"
"Do you know where Captain America went?!" At least kids never change.
"Whoa, guys calm down. Don't start swarming her with questions!" Jeremy's voice rang out from behind them. The kids hung their heads in disappointment.
"Sorry about that Melody. Your name got brought up once and they immediately took off to confirm it was you." Jeremy apologized as he dispersed the kids.
I gave a chuckle, "No worries. I'm use to getting swarmed by kids." I assured him.
"Alright, you guys play nice." Jeremy told the kids.
"We will!" One of the kids yelled out.
"Dude, your mom is Voltess. That is so cool." I smiled slightly seeing one of the boys around Dick's age interact with him. I might hate this right now but if it means Dick is having fun then I'll bear with it.
"Where'd the others go?" Jeremy asked as he looked around confused.
"Your mom wanted to talk to your dad. Your sisters followed them inside." Jeremy gave a brief nod as he stared at the farmhouse.
"Your mom doesn't seem too happy. We could see her arguing with Scott through the window." Bruce pointed out to Jeremy.
Jeremy grimaced, "You saw that huh? Dad has a bad habit of doing things on impulse without talking with her first. I'm sure you know how that is, Bruce. Do something without the wife's approval and get your head bitten off later for it." Bruce gave one of his fake smiles.
"Don't I know it." I eyed Bruce as he went into full acting mode. He typically only got like this when the press was around. He really feels on edge right now and I'm right there with him.
"I'm gonna see what's taking them." Jeremy said and headed for the house.
"We'll be here." Bruce followed up. His fake smile immediately dropped as Jeremy walked into the house.
"He's the fakest one yet. You mentioned your dad never talked about your mom's side of the family right?" I nodded my head in confirmation.
"I'm beginning to see why." Bruce muttered under his breath.
"Yeah, I picked up on it too. Scott seemed genuine but the rest of the family minus the kids…I'm not liking the mentality. I'm really dreading meeting my grandparents." I muttered back to him.
"Melody, Bruce! You two can come inside." Bruce and I eyed each other as Scott called us over. I was the first one to step forward and Bruce followed next to me.
Scott gave a friendly smile as I walked by him and into the home. The farmhouse was fairly large on the inside. I could smell something in the kitchen being made.
"You guys can stay for lunch. Mom's making her famous beans and cornbread." Scott offered. I could feel myself freeze. My grandmother was in the kitchen right now.
I gave a polite smile to Scott, "Thank you. That's really nice of you." Scott smiled at me.
"It's no problem. Follow me, I'll introduce you to pop." I swallowed thickly as I followed Scott to the living room.
I could see the TV screen was on and the football game was currently playing. My eyes landed on an old man in his eighties sitting in a recliner. I also spotted Jeremy sitting on the sofa watching the game.
"Hey pop, this is-"
"I know who she is, Scott. You just told me about her five seconds ago." The old man interrupted Scott. The old man turned his head at me. His hair was white and thin and he had gray eyes that pierced through me.
"So…you're Melody." The old man started out.
"I am and you are?" I asked him.
"You can call me Jack. That's all." Jack said gruffly. His tone of voice, the way he phrased his words, and the hard stare he gave me said it all. I wasn't allowed to call him grandpa.
Jack gestured to Bruce, "Who the hell is he?" My jaw tightened hearing the way he addressed Bruce.
"Pop, there's no need to be rude." Scott scolded his father.
"No, it's alright. We're interrupting his game, it's understandable. I'm Bruce. Mel's husband." Bruce introduced with his act back on.
Jack suddenly laughed and pointed at me, "Did he just call you 'Mel'? What kind of pet name is that?" My hands tightened into fists.
"It's not a pet name. It's short for Melody. It's what my father called me." I answered with an edge to my voice.
Jack's laughter died and he gave me a hard stare, "Your father huh? You got his eyes. You may look like my Caroline but those eyes are a dead giveaway. I hate those eyes." Jack stated coldly. He turned his attention back to the tv.
I happened to glance over at Bruce. He had a hand tighten into a fist so tight that his knuckles were turning white. I gently put my hand over his fist and it immediately relaxed feeling my touch. Scott gave me an apologetic look for Jack's behavior.
I led Bruce out of the living room and we ended up in the kitchen. Rachel, Becca, and Stephanie immediately hushed up seeing us enter the kitchen. Looks like they learned not to talk while I was nearby.
Stephanie gave us a smile, "You two can take a seat at the table. Lunch is almost ready." She told us. I suddenly felt eyes on me. I looked over and I could see my grandmother staring me down. She too was in her eighties with white thin hair and hazel green eyes.
"My god, Scotty said you looked like her. It's almost like looking at a ghost." The old woman stated.
"He mentioned that earlier. I'm Melody and this is Bruce, my husband." I introduced ourselves.
"Maggie." The woman gave a curt reply before focusing back on the beans sitting on the stovetop. At least she seems to be nicer than Jack.
"Scott, can you call the kids in? Mom's about to serve." Stephanie called out to Scott. Maggie lets her daughter-in-law call her mom huh?
"Sure thing!" Scott replied back. I took a seat at the table and Bruce took his spot next to me. Both of us were completely on edge at this point. We clearly were not welcomed here. They were obviously tolerating us.
Soon the sounds of kids pounding footsteps could be heard as they entered the house. They soon entered the kitchen and my brows furrowed not seeing Dick with them. Bruce immediately caught onto that too.
"Hey Scott, was Dick with them?" I asked him as I stood up.
Scott frowned and looked at his grandkids, "No, he wasn't when I called for them. Joseph, I saw him with you earlier. Where did he go?" I recognized Joseph being the kid that was talking to Dick earlier.
Joseph shrugged his shoulders, "I don't know. We were all playing like normal, grandpa." I tilted my head seeing a small smirk on the boy's face. Something happened.
"Excuse me." I said as I abruptly walked out of the kitchen. I went through the living room and out the back door the kids came from. Bruce was right behind me. We both looked around and just saw open farm land.
"Something happened to make him run off." I stated out loud as I looked around.
"Yeah and I have a feeling that Joseph kid is that reason." Bruce commented.
"I'll look from above." I said as I tapped my bracelet. The vibranium armor scaled up my arm and formed around my body. My nano board formed under me as I hovered up in the air.
I could feel my blood begin to boil as I looked for Dick. I know kids can be cruel but something major must have happened to make Dick take off. I got closer to the old hay barn when my earring picked up the sound of something getting hit.
I hovered down the ground and let the nano board disappear back into my soles. My mask dropped down as I watched Dick attack an old beam of the farm with an iron pipe he found.
"Dick?" I called out to him. Dick stopped mid swing as he stared at me. I could see the anger in his eyes and on his face.
"Hey, what happened?" I asked him as I got closer to him.
"Joseph. He's a jerk." Is all Dick said before striking the wooden beam again.
"Why is he a jerk?" I asked and held my hand out for the pipe. Dick stared my hand before placing the iron pipe in my armored hand.
"He started asking questions why I didn't look anything like you and dad. So I told him that I was adopted. He started teasing me and making fun of me for it. Then he said something that made me want to beat him into a bloody pulp." My brows raised up in surprise hearing those words come from my sons mouth. I tossed the iron pipe across the barn.
"What did he say?" I asked him. Dick's hands clenched into fists.
"He said that my real parents must have really hated me for giving me up for adoption. That they didn't love me." I had to take a deep breath to calm myself down. No Mel, you cannot beat up a twelve year old child.
"To be honest, kiddo. Your dad and I aren't feeling exactly welcomed either. I know you want to meet your great grandparents but…there's a reason why your grandfather didn't want me to know about your grandmother's side of the family. I didn't know why until today. This is a toxic family." I informed Dick.
Dick shook his head, "I changed my mind. I don't care about knowing them anymore."
"So we can leave then?" I turned around hearing Bruce's voice. He sounded relieved hearing those words.
I nodded my head, "We can leave. Athena, connect to Friday and have the Quinjet come to our GPS location." I instructed my AI.
"Right away, Mel." Athena's voice sounded from my control panel.
The three of us exited the barn and waited in the clearing for the Quinjet.
"Hey, you guys found him. Lunch just got served." I looked over at Scott who gave a smile to us.
I gave a tight lip smile to Scott, "I'm sorry, Scott but we're not staying for lunch after all. We're leaving, we just have to wait for our ride." I stated.
Scott frowned, "Is everything alright?" He asked us.
I shook my head, "No. Nothing is alright. Look, Scott I get it. You hate what happened to my mom and you're trying to make it right but it's not going to happen. I'm not part of this family…I never was and I never will be. Jack and Maggie still clearly hold deep resentment towards my dad. It's because of their resentment towards him that they'll never accept me. I may have my mom's blood running in my veins but I have my dad's too. They also know that I was mainly raised by my dad since mom died when I was so young. Your parents' hatred for my father has clearly spread to the rest of your family. You want to know why Dick ran off? Your grandson found out he's adopted and mocked him for it. He told my son that his biological parents didn't love him enough and got rid of him when that is not the case." Scott looked on at me in horror at all I was telling him.
"My family's well being comes first and I'm not going to let my son be around this toxic environment that you call a family. You might be a good person, Scott, but the rest of your family clearly is not. There's a reason why my father never talked about mom's side of the family to me. I just witnessed that reason for myself." The sound of the Quinjet's engine began to thunder above us. Scott looked up in awe as the Quinjet landed just behind us.
The sound caused the rest of the Walker family to come outside. They all stopped and stared at the Quinjet in shock. The opening hatch of the Quinjet then lowered onto the ground.
I looked at Scott, "Bye Scott. This is the last time you'll ever see me or my family again." I told him.
"Wait!" I paused mid step, "Please." I looked over my shoulder to Scott. He had tears in his eyes.
"I'm sorry. I knew this was going to be bad but I wanted to try and make amends. The last time I saw Caroline, I said some awful things that I wish I could take back. I didn't know it would have been the last time I'd ever see her again. I have been eaten up by my guilt every day since her death. I tried to ask Daniel for forgiveness on the day of her funeral but he ignored me. He wouldn't even let me meet you either. I just miss my sister." Scott pleaded as tears streamed down his face.
I shook my head, "I can't help you with that Scott. You and everyone else I've run into here keep telling me how much I look like my mom. I stopped coming here every year after dad was killed for a reason. I know this is a hard pill for you to swallow but I don't see what the rest of you see. I never knew my mother and I never had a relationship with her. She didn't raise me, my father did. I'm my father's daughter through and through. Don't get me wrong, I love my mother and I know she went through hell after I was born but I am not her. So do yourself a favor and stop trying to rid your guilt through me. I don't owe you people anything." I said firmly and glared at Scott. I turned around and headed for the opened hatch.
"Yeah you're your father's daughter alright!" I froze hearing Jack's voice.
"You don't owe us anything? How about your life?! You wouldn't be here today if it weren't for my Caroline! She got sick after you were born. Daniel took my daughter away from me then you did the same thing before you could even walk. You killed my daughter!" I could feel my anger snap inside me. Blue sparks flared out from my body as my power responded to my anger.
I turned around and gave a piercing glare to the old man. Any ounce of confidence immediately fled from Jack's body. He looked at me with fear clear in his eyes.
"What's the matter, Jack? Where'd all that confidence go? Little tip, think before you piss off an Avenger. It is not my fault that she got sick after I was born. The fact that you blamed your daughter's death on a baby speaks volumes about your character, Jack. You're just as bad as the villains I've faced. You and your toxic family enjoy your toxic lives." I stated and held my hand up in a wave. I walked up the ramp of the Quinjet. Bruce and Dick waited at the top of the ramp. Bruce had a proud smirk on his face directed to me.
"Hey Joseph!" Dick suddenly called out. Bruce and I looked over at Dick. What is he doing?
"To answer your question from before. I don't need my mom to beat you. I could put you into a coma without batting an eye if I really wanted to." I could see Joseph's face visibly pale from the threat. Becca's jaw dropped hearing the threat to her, I'm assuming, kid. Of course he is. I quickly grabbed Dick into the Quinjet.
"Okay, that's enough of that." I muttered as I headed for the pilot's seat. I hit the button for the hatch to close as I hovered the Quinjet higher into the sky.
I could hear Bruce chuckle, "Where did that come from exactly?" He asked Dick.
"I tried to threaten him with an "or else" and his response was if I would get mom to beat him up." Dick answered.
I engaged the thrusters of the Quinjet as I heard Bruce pat Dick on the back.
"Don't encourage that behavior!" I scolded Bruce from my spot.
"I don't see why not? He's going to need it when he turns thirteen." I glanced over my shoulder. That's right, we hadn't had a chance to tell him yet.
"Wait…what's going on? What's happening on my thirteenth birthday?" Dick asked.
"You want to tell him or shall I?" Bruce asked.
"I'm flying right now. Go for it." I told him.
"Dick, your mother and I have been talking when we think you're ready enough to start going out on patrol with me. It took me more convincing but we both agreed that on your thirteenth birthday I will take you out for your first night." I looked over my shoulder quickly. I could see the large grin on Dick's face.
"Seriously?! You mean it?" A silent pause, "Yes! Thank you! Thank you!" I was taken by surprise when I felt Dick suddenly hug me from behind.
"Hold your horses there, son. It would be a test run. If something happens that I don't agree with or I see that you're not ready you'll have to wait another two years. Understand?" Bruce questioned.
"I got it. I'll show you that I'm ready to be the next Robin. I won't let you down, dad." Dick assured him.
"I know you won't." Bruce replied back.
"Hey mom?" I glanced over to Dick before back out front.
"Yeah?"
"I'm sorry about making you meet the other part of your family." Dick apologized.
I gave a concerned look to Dick, "Friday, take over." I told the AI before turning in the pilot's seat.
"You didn't make me do anything, Dick. Part of me was hopeful you could have a relationship with my side of the family. I'm sorry that you couldn't." I apologized.
"I wouldn't say that." I looked over to Bruce with confusion. He gave a smile towards me.
"Dick has a relationship with your side of the family. The Avengers are your family, Mel. Not those people back there." I gave a smile as I turned back around in the pilots seat. I took back manual control of the Quinjet.
"Yeah…they are." I muttered to myself.
No One's P.O.V
Raft Prison
Ryan Hayes laid out on his bed in his pressurized cell. He tossed a red ball up in the air and caught it. His thoughts went through his mind as he mindlessly threw and caught the ball. The Avengers just had to reverse the snap almost two years ago. He was enjoying his freedom in Gotham. He had never the left city after Joker was apprehended by Voltess and Batman.
He had stayed around and kept an eye on Melody Moser or Wayne now. He paused as he caught the ball and squeezed it angrily. Bruce Wayne. He hated that name and the man associated with it. He took Melody away from him. They could have had a fresh start in Gotham in a new world. But she picked Wayne over him and that enraged him.
It wasn't all bad though. Being snapped back to their correct universe also meant that Melody was finally away from Wayne. A coy smirk grew on Ryan's face. He needed to figure out a way to bust out of this damn cell. Then, he could find Melody and pick up where they left off.
"Now that's a scary look." Ryan sat up hearing a woman's voice. Ryan furrowed his brows as he stared at the woman standing in front of his cell.
The woman had dark hair tied up in a bun, brown eyes and wearing a red turtleneck with a black trenchcoat. She wore black business pants, with black boots and red leather gloves on her hands.
"So this is the infamous Ryan Hayes or Cyclone as you refer to yourself as." The woman said as she looked at him with a smirk.
"And you are?" Ryan asked as he stood up from his bed.
"Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. Actually, it's Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. I know it's hard, but I don't like to repeat myself, so you can just call me Val. But don't call me Val, just keep it in your head." Valentina introduced herself.
"Why the hell are you here?" Ryan asked bluntly.
Valentina smirked and pointed to him, "Straight to the point with you, I like that. You see, my employer is very interested in people like yourself. People with extraordinary abilities." Ryan scoffed and rolled his eyes.
"What are you? S.H.I.E.L.D.? Nick Fury tried recruiting me for the Avengers Initiative and I turned that down. I don't need some big head of the Government telling me what to do with my powers." Valentina smirked.
"Well it was that line of thinking that nailed you in this inescapable cell in the first place. You've called this cell home for how many years now? Ten odd some years minus the five years spent as dust. Don't you want to be able to breathe some fresh air outside of this prison?" Ryan suddenly gave her a look of interest.
"You've got my attention." Valentina smirked.
"I thought you might like that. My employer has friends in very high places. If you agree to join us then we can have some strings pulled to get you out of this cell and off this prison. If you don't then you'll never see the light of day outside this cell again. Your choice, Cyclone." Ryan crossed his arms as he stared at Valentina.
"What exactly would I be joining?" Valentina shook her head.
"That's classified. Are you in or out, Hayes?" She reiterated.
Ryan bit the inside of his cheek before nodding, "If it means I finally get out of this godforsaken cell…then I'm in." Valentina smirked widely.
"Excellent. I'll make the phone call right away then. You'll be out by tonight." Ryan smirked as Valentina began to walk away.
"Oh and Hayes," Valentina turned back around, "We'll be keeping a close eye on you while you're out. You do anything that will make a spectacle of yourself then you'll find yourself back in your cell before you can even blink. Do we have an understanding?" Ryan gave the woman a stern look.
"Does visiting an old friend count as a spectacle?" He questioned.
Valentina gave him a narrowed eyed look, "Does this old friend happen to be Voltess?" Ryan said nothing which confirmed the woman's question.
"Visiting? No. Fighting an Avenger? Yes. Don't screw this up, Cyclone." She warned him.
"Wouldn't dream of it." Valentina didn't say anything further as she turned heel and walked through prison doors. Ryan's coy smirk was back. He knew he was being manipulated by this Valentina woman but he didn't care. This was his ticket out. Him and Melody would be reunited at last.