Son of Iron Man
First of all, I'd like to apologise for the lack of updates recently. I've found myself left behind at the inspiration station while the train leaves without me. Why do I make everything I say into such complicated metaphors, I hear you ask? Actually, I was hoping you would know…
Well, I had the beginning of a chapter involving a visit to Mothi at his new job, but after all this time I think it would be unfair to make you read through a trip to Pizza Hut. So, instead, please enjoy this chapter in which we explore a few characters who may play a part in the future. This will be a bit like that other chapter which planted the seeds of new plots.
Chapter Ten: Revelations
Emily Frost walked down the street toward her home. It was a large house, but not large enough to be considered a manor. She opened the door and entered, calling a greeting even though she knew her mother would be at the X-Mansion. Once in her room, she threw her bag onto her desk and sat down on her bed. It had been a busy day for her. Three boys had asked her out today, and Toby Stark still wasn't showing the slightest bit of interest in doing the same. Perhaps she would have to... make the first move. She'd never had to ask someone out before. Shaking her head in exasperation, she crossed to her wardrobe and began to unbutton her shirt, looking to see what she would wear next. While looking through the wardrobe, she came across a white uniform that her mother used to wear.
"You're a beautiful girl, Emily," Emma had told her, "use it." She paused in the middle of undressing and examined the outfit, which consisted of a tight white top which would reveal her navel and matching trousers. The top had a white cape attached to the back.
At this point I'd like to point out that this is genuinely the sort of thing Emma Frost wore and would say to her daughter, since she canonically believed it herself. The characters are mostly starting out in their parents' old costumes. This isn't what I want, but what I feel the characters would do. So, that potential stain on my reputation dealt with, let's continue.
As Emily looked at her mother's old costume, she remembered the rest of the conversation she had with her mother.
"You're special," she had said, "and by now I think you've realized it. You're a mutant just like me."
"Please don't tell anyone," Emily implored her mother. If the kids at school knew she was a mutant, it would ruin her.
"I won't, don't you worry. What can you do?"
"Well, I... have a diamond form," Emily said quietly, despite the fact that they were safely in their home.
"And?"
"Sometimes I hear people's thoughts."
"Anything else?"
"Well, earlier some sort of laser came out of my eyes."
"I thought so..." Emma said thoughtfully. "Here," she said, handing her a pair of red sunglasses. "This will help. Never take them off. They were your father's. "
"I won't," Emily promised, putting them on and looking in the mirror. She suddenly burned with questions about her father, but she knew Emma wouldn't answer them.
"You need to use your gifts for good. The X-Men will hold you back, so you'll have to do it alone," Emma said. Emily took her mother's costume and held it in front if her, looking in the mirror.
Presently, she looked into the same mirror with the same costume and the same glasses. She still didn't know a thing about her father, but she at least knew her place in the world. She was a hero just like Toby; if only he could see it. She put the costume on and ran out of the house and into the streets. Perhaps she'd find Toby and show him what she could really do.
Mere moments after entering the rougher part of town, she heard a scream from a nearby alley. She ran into it to find three men and a woman, the men apparently mugging the woman.
"You guys never learn, do you?" Emily asked from behind the men. They turned toward her before stopping to stare. The middle one's jaw literally dropped as he stared at Emily. "My eyes are up here."
"When do you get out of school, sweetheart?" the one on the left asked.
"Wow, that's just gross," Emily commented. She then kicked one of the muggers in the head, causing the other two to draw guns. Emily responded by turning into her diamond form. Two bullets bounced off of her before she punched the other two out. She helped the trembling victim up, making sure she could stand before disappearing. From the shadows emerged a reporter: Sarah Shilling.
The next morning, Toby Stark was reading a newspaper at breakfast. The headline on the front page was what had drawn his attention:
New Avengers?
By Sarah Shilling.
"How did she find out?" Toby asked himself. He decided to keep reading.
A recent increase in teenaged superhero sightings has had the question on everyone's lips: Could we be seeing the next generation of Avengers? We've had Toby Stark as the new Iron Man, a Spider-Man who is quick to assure us he is Spider-Boy and now a girl made of diamonds. How many more young heroes will we be seeing, and are they going to be able to protect us? Only the test of time can tell.
Toby breathed a sigh of relief; at least Sarah didn't actually know. The 'girl made of diamonds' drew his attention and he looked for a picture. To his dismay, the only image was the symbol of the Avengers. He skimmed through the rest of the paper while drinking his orange juice before getting ready to go out.
"Going somewhere?" Tony asked.
"I've got a lead on a new teammate," Toby responded. Once out on the helipad, he activated his suit and shot up into the sky. He pondered whether to call in Ben, but he thought it might be best to go alone. This 'diamond girl' was likely to be scared by her powers, and if any more than one superhero came after her she'd be understandably concerned. He didn't know where to find her, but he knew where to find out where he could. The Daily Bugle building came into view on the horizon and he flew toward the door, landing and removing his suit. He walked into the lobby and crossed to the desk.
"Is Sarah Shilling in today?" he enquired. The office worker checked a file before responding.
"Yes. Do you know where to find her?"
"I do," Toby replied. The secretary handed him a visitor pass, which he threw away as soon as he found a bin. "Like people won't recognize me," he muttered. He stepped into an elevator and pressed the button for Sarah's floor. The elevator jolted upward before coming to a halt. He stepped out into a series of open planned offices before walking toward Sarah's.
"Ah, Toby," Sarah said as she saw him approach.
"Sarah," Toby replied.
"Do you want something?" Sarah asked.
"Someone," Toby corrected her. "I read your article this morning."
"It was good, right?"
"Sure. You mentioned a third superhuman, right? What do you know about her?"
"She stopped a mugging yesterday."
"Anything else?"
"Her identity, but I've learned from my mistakes as far as that goes," Sarah said.
"I need to find this girl. What'll it take to get you to break that habit?" Toby asked.
"A date," she replied immediately. "Not a proper one," she added quickly, "just an interview. You know, since the last one was called 'A Date with Toby Stark'. I was thinking of doing a follow up, like 'a sec-'"
"Fine," Toby interrupted impatiently. "Call me later and we'll set something up." Sarah smiled and gestured for him to come closer. He bent down and she placed her lips by his ear.
"Emily Frost," she whispered. Toby thanked Sarah before leaving hurriedly.
Toby landed outside of Emily's house and knocked on the door, still in his suit but with the faceplate raised. Emily answered it. Seeing who it was, she flipped her hair back with her hands and leant against the door frame, arching her back and extending her body outward.
"Toby, what are you doing here?" she asked, her voice unnaturally sweet. She continued to brush her hair with her hands as they spoke.
"Is your mother home?" Toby asked.
"No, she's out with the X-Men," Emily answered. "Would you like to come in?"
"If you're sure we can speak in private?"
"Sure, there's no one in here but me." Toby nodded slightly and stepped into the house as Emily moved out of the way. She led him to the living room, where she sat on one sofa and gestured to him to sit on the other. She stretched herself out as he sat, lying on her side. "So, what do you want?" Toby decided not to beat around the proverbial bush and simply went straight for what he needed to know.
"I've been reading the newspaper recently. Interesting stuff," he began. Emily looked visibly uncomfortable, but disappointment was prevalent. "Are you okay?" he asked.
"Yes, I just... thought you were going to say something different. Never mind..." she replied dully.
"Anyway, earlier I saw an article about a girl made of diamonds stopping a mugging. The reporter described a beautiful girl about our age," Toby explained. Emily grew yet more uncomfortable. "I don't suppose you know anything about that?"
"You think she's beautiful?" Emily asked, avoiding the question.
"Of course. But then, who doesn't? So, you don't know anything?" he pressed.
"I'm afraid not," Emily said. She stood up and crossed over to Toby's sofa, sitting beside him and folding her legs up beside her, angling herself toward Toby. "Is there anything else you want?"
"No, no. Except..." Toby trailed off. Emily looked interested. "Doesn't your mum turn into living diamond?" Emily sighed.
"I told you she's been out lately," she said, annoyed.
"I'm not suggesting it's her. This girl had ruby coloured sunglasses," Toby said, looking into a pair of glasses of the same description. Emily squirmed slightly.
"Please don't tell anyone," she implored him.
"I won't. There is, however, something I wanted to ask you."
"Anything," Emily said, placing a hand softly on Toby's knee. Toby shook slightly, but he retained his composure. He still had a job to do.
"Well, there have been a lot of young heroes like us emerging. But there have also been villains. I'm not talking about the muggers you've been tackling, but evil superhumans. Individually, we won't always be able to fight them. But as a team..."
"We could beat any threat," Emily finished enthusiastically.
"Well, that's the idea, at least," Toby agreed. "You seem passionate about the subject."
"Let's just say I've got reasons to want crime off the streets," Emily said darkly.
"Well, I can't promise we'll wipe it out entirely, but we'll certainly make a difference. Can I take it you're in?"
"Anything to help fight the good fight," Emily said. Toby gave her a coin and explained its use.
"I'm glad you'll be joining us," he finished.
"I'm sure it'll be good fun - wait, there aren't any nerds on this team are there?"
"No," Toby said slowly, thinking of Ben. Of course, he wasn't going to reveal his identity for a while, and by then he'd surely have earned Emily's respect.
"Good," Emily said. Silence fell. It was a thoughtful silence for both. Toby saw Emily's lips parting as if to speak at least twice.
"Well, if there's nothing else, I'd best be going," Toby said at last.
"No," Emily said, placing her hand on Toby's knee again. She looked like she was trying to say more, but couldn't. She then seemed to grow annoyed with either herself or him. "Don't do this to me, Toby!" she exclaimed, frustrated.
"Do what?" he questioned, his eyes wide with panic.
"Make me admit that I - ugh! Usually it's the other way around!" Toby was actively worrying now.
"What is it?" he pressed.
"I've been trying to make you see it all morning, but you - forget it..." Emily moaned exasperatedly, but she showed no signs of doing so herself. "Are you just not interested? Am I doing something wrong?"
"Look, I'm a genius and even I don't know what you're talking abou-" Toby began, but he was interrupted. Emily was suddenly on top of him, staring into his eyes through her sunglasses. Before Toby realised what was happening, their lips met.
"Oh," Toby breathed before he was silenced once again.
Meanwhile, Ben walked through Central Park alone. He left the footpath and walked across to a cluster of trees. Away from the public eye, he began to repeat a pattern of low whistles. After a minute or two, he stopped and listened for a telltale rustling. From some nearby bushes emerged a large, light grey canine followed by a grizzled, stiff white one. They looked up and, seeing Ben, their tails started wagging. The two wolves padded toward him, the grey one in leaps and bounds and the older white one with a visible struggle.
"Hey guys!" Ben chuckled as the younger of the wolves jumped up and began vigorously licking him.
"Young Ben," the older wolf said fondly. These two wolves were not only remarkable for the fact that they had been hidden in one of the most packed parks in the world for a number of years, but also because of their origins. Lupos, the older of the two, started adult life as an experiment in a lab. The result was an extended lifespan, the ability to talk and a muscular humanoid form. After helping Peter Parker to defeat his less noble brethren, Lupos had found a home here and had Lupin, who was born with the same abilities. The Parkers and the wolves had kept in touch, with Ben and Lupin growing up as friends.
"How's your dad's job treating you?" Lupin asked.
"It's certainly interesting," Ben replied. "In fact, I was hoping to talk to you about that."
"Go on," Lupin invited him.
"Well, Toby and I are putting together a team of superheroes..."
"And you want me?" Lupin deduced.
"I want to offer you a place on the team. It's up to you whether you take it." The wolf was silent in thought.
"What advantages does it hold for me?" he asked.
"You'll make new friends," Ben offered. Lupin looked unconvinced. "You'll get to hang out with me a lot more." Lupin still wasn't sure. "I'll give you a treat," Ben added half-jokingly.
"Now you're talking," Lupin said, his tail wagging.
"Great!" Ben exclaimed. "But, err, there's one other thing..." he pulled out a collar with a coin as the tag and grinned sheepishly.
"You're joking, right?" Lupin questioned. Ben shook his head and explained why it was needed. "...fine," the wolf conceded. "But not too tight." Ben grinned and put the collar on Lupin.
"If you can think of any other way to keep the coin on your person, go ahead. Until then... welcome to the Avengers."
With a whole chapter written, and a long one at that, I think it's safe to say I'm BACK! What do you guys think of these new recruits? For those of you who either don't remember or haven't seen it, you can see the adventures of a younger Lupos and Peter Parker in 'Rise of the Cross-Species'. As I recall, it was unfinished... by about a whole story. Still, you can see what I did do if you want to know the wolves better.
Ah, it's good to be back! Look forward to the next chapter within the next few days.
Until next time, true believers!
