Author's Note – I do not own any of the characters, Marvel and DC do.
Dr. Doom's children are pictured in the Institute Saga Image Gallery (link on my profile)
.
Chapter Eight
Wedding Bells
.
"…and now, the main story, the long-awaited double-wedding of the century!" The Anchorwoman said with a wide smile. "America's greatest Superhero, Clark Kent, will be marrying Raven Darkholme while the superhero/scientist Reed Richards will be marrying Susan Storm at the same ceremony, both of them being held today at the Xavier Institute at Bayville. With a weather-manipulator as one of Superman's friends, a bright and sunny day will be guaranteed. We now go to Matt Hicksville at the Xavier Institute. Matt?"
"Thank you, Debbie." Matt smiled, his elegantly-quaffed hair barely moving in the breeze as he grinned at the camera. "As you can see behind me, the guests are already arriving. We have representatives from the Henshin Rangers, the famed X-Men and Generation-X and all of the Avengers are attending. We even have visitors from other worlds with five of Asgards greatest warriors, Sif and the Warriors Four. Joining me now is the world-famous multi-billionaire, philanthropist and patron of the arts, Wilson Fisk. Mr. Fisk, thank you for agreeing to be interviewed today, and may I say that you look very snazzy in that suit."
"Thank you, Matt." Wilson Fisk smiled. "I was honoured to receive an invitation to celebrate the marriage of the world's greatest hero. I am certain that everyone watching will join with me in wishing Clark Kent and his soon-to-be-wife many happy years together…"
.
"Something about him gives me the shivers." Kitty whispered as she watched Wilson Fisk laugh along with the reporter. Amara nodded.
"I agree."
"He's a criminal." Peter Parker said quietly from behind them. "Goes by the name Kingpin. I've run up against him a few times, barely escaped with my life. That's pure muscle under that suit."
Kitty gaped in shock as she took in Fisk's huge size. "But… how?"
"Think Sumo Wrestler, bodybuilder style." Peter growled. "He's damned good, though. The police know that he's the Kingpin, but they haven't been able to prove a single thing, not even a misfiled tax return."
"Then what's he doing here?"
Peter sighed. "He couldn't not be invited. As I said, there isn't a single shred of proof. If there was, he'd be in jail for the rest of his life."
"Damn." Amara cursed. "Politics."
.
Laura sighed and adjusted the collar of Chris' outfit again.
"Stop fidgeting." She ordered.
"But the collar's too tight and it's too high." Chris moaned. "Why couldn't I wear my normal outfit?"
"Leather jacket wrong for wedding. Even I know this." Laura said as she tweaked the way his robe hung. "Mystique wear actual dress today, not fake clothes. Clark wear special formal robes. You his son, you wear formal robes too."
Chris sighed as Laura adjusted his tabard-like over-robe again, then he frowned. "Fake clothes?"
"Thought you knew." Laura said in surprise. "Mystique clothes not clothes. Mystique not wear clothes."
"Sure she does." Chris protested. "She usually wears a white top and a skirt… doesn't she?"
"Mystique shape-shifter." Laura said as if explaining the obvious. "Very good shape-shifter, but not able to change what she wear, so she not wear anything and shift to look like clothes."
Chris stared at her in shock, then blushed. "You mean… all the times that I hugged her…"
"Just not think about it." Laura advised as she pulled a Adamantium comb (courtesy of Tony Stark) out of her purse and began neatening Chris' hair. "Easier that way."
Chris started to nod, then winced as the comb caught in his hair.
.
Charles Xavier paused and the man he was talking to followed his gaze.
"Isn't that…?"
"It is." Charles said worriedly. "If you will excuse me?"
The new arrivals watched him approach and as he stopped in front of them, the leader spoke.
"Professor Xavier. It is perhaps ironic that we have not met before today given our positions as men of greatness."
"Lord Doom." Xavier replied with a slight nod. "I was unaware that you had been invited."
"I managed to procure a trio of invitations." Doom shrugged. "Being the ruler of a country does have its perks. Do not worry, I am not here to cause any problems. Although I still truly believe that Reed Richards is unworthy to become Susan's husband, even I have to admit that she could very easily have done far worse. Therefore, I shall concede without a fight, albeit mainly because of the power of her allies, although I do claim one victory on this day. I find it amusing that the dress that Susan is wearing was designed by me, as is the one worn by Mystique."
Xavier blinked as the sincerity of Doom's words flowed across and hid a wince at Reed's probable reaction to the last bit of information.
Clark would probably find it amusing.
"In that case, welcome to the Institute." Charles finally managed. "May I ask who your companions are?"
"They are my children." Doom replied, causing everyone within earshot to gawk at him. "This is my son and heir, Connor von Doom."
The teenaged boy, clad in a black bodysuit and a green tunic, nodded respectfully to Xavier.
"And this is my daughter and my emissary to the world, Cynthia von Doom."
The blond girl nodded before taking half a step back, absently smoothing out her black green-belted dress and shifting her green cape slightly.
"They are both of the von Doom clan." Doom added. "I have great expectations of them."
Xavier nodded. "Then I bid you both welcome to this peaceful place."
Doom chuckled at the slight stress Xavier had applied to a particular word. "Do not fear. We are simply here to watch. Nothing more. You have Doom's word of honour."
.
"Talon!"
"Goliath?!" Talon gaped. "But… it's daylight! How…?"
"This amulet." Goliath said, lightly caressing the golden disc that rested on his chest. "Some allies I encountered have allowed me to use it that I need not enter Stone Sleep this day."
"Hey, bro." Another voice said and Talon grinned at the dark-haired police officer.
"Eliza! Still hanging out with this rockhead?"
"Hey, he's only a rockhead during the day." Eliza laughingly protested even as Goliath rolled his eyes. "So, how are things going with you?"
"We are well." Talon smiled as he enfolded his sister in a hug. "Maggie and I are talking about getting wedded as well."
"Should I be Best Woman or Maid of Honour?" Eliza teased and Talon chuckled, then stiffened.
"Ah." Eliza realised as she glanced over her shoulder. "He's changed, you know…"
"I know." Talon half-snarled, then he closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. "I know, but part of me still hates him for what he had done to me."
"But would you have met Maggie had he not?" Goliath asked quietly and Talon stood silent for a while before sighing.
"No, I probably wouldn't. And I wouldn't be able to truly fly either."
"We all make bad decisions and Xanatos' affect more because of the power he wields." Goliath stated. "However, he has learned from the past and seeks to turn himself into a better man. If only more would do the same."
Talon nodded, then grinned. "Hey, sis, you've really trained him well."
Goliath's offended glare sent Talon into gales of laughter.
.
"I think it's going quite well, so far." Martha commented as she placed another plate of snacks on the long buffet table, glancing round to check that the students who had volunteered to help her were not getting things wrong.
"I agree." May said before taking a sip from her tea. "I have never seen this place so… active. And so many costumes! Look, there's someone dressed as a bat of all things."
"He's Batman." Martha giggled. "He's one of the top-ranking heroes from that other world, the one that Kal came from. Kal came as well, although I'm not sure where he is."
The sound of electrical crackling attracted their attention to where Ray and a black-skinned teenager were taking it in turns to throw lightning at each other.
"Who's the new boy?"
"His name is Static and he is the leader of the Teen Titans." A familiar voice said. Both women turned to see Kal shamelessly helping himself to several of the pastries which had been topped with the modified Xavier/House of El symbol. "These are amazing, Mrs Kent. If you ever want a job with the Justice League, I'll be happy to sponsor you."
"Flatterer." Martha laughed.
"I assume that his powers are purely electrical?" May asked and Kal nodded.
"Yes, although he has received quite a bit of training from Batman and several other members of the League so that he can lead his team."
"How many teams are there?" Martha asked.
"Well, not all of them are part of the Justice League itself, but there's the Teen Titans, Young Justice, the Sentinels of Magic, although they're more of an allied group than an integral part of the League, the Outsiders… even I don't know much about them, they answer to Batman… then there's other groups like the Green Lantern Corps, they're a kind of police force that operates on an intersteller basis, Stormwatch, the Ultimen… who seem to be linked to Cadmus..."
"Quite a few, then." Martha noted.
"We all try to build a better world." Kal shrugged.
"A better world is a good dream to have." May agreed.
.
"Mystique?" Jean Grey called as she tapped on the door. A moment later, Ororo opened it and Jean's eyes widened. "Wow! That is an amazing dress!"
"Thank you." Mystique smiled as she let Ororo finish fastening the laces on the back. "It feels weird, though, it's the first item of clothing I have worn in over a decade."
Jean froze, completely unable to formulate a response and Ororo chuckled.
"I think you broke her."
Mystique waved a hand in front of Jean, bringing the younger girl back to reality with a jolt.
"Who's here?" Susan Storm called as she peeped in from the inner room. "Jean! Excellent, I could use some help. I can't ask Karsta…"
"As I'm too strong." Karsta grinned as she appeared. "I'd probably tighten it too much and Sue would faint due to lack of air. Kryptonian weddings aren't this complicated."
"Except for those for Council Members." Kara supplied. "Remember Jor-El's?"
Karsta nodded. "Clark looks so much like Jor-El, but he has his mother's eyes."
.
"Looking good." Steve Rogers smiled as he adjusted Clark Kent's raised collar slightly and twitched the over-robe so that the red fabric hung straight, the embroidered symbol of the House of El stretching across his chest without a single wrinkle.
"Still can't believe that you chose him to be your best man." Logan mock-grumbled.
"Logan," Clark said with a wry smile, "Even you have to admit that you don't do formal very well."
Logan glanced down at his somehow-rumpled suit that he had donned only an hour previously, then shrugged.
"Huh, you may have a point, flyboy. Well, I'm sure that your mom is putting out more food, so I'm getting a snack. You want anything?"
"I… don't think I could keep it down." Clark admitted. "I've never felt this nervous before."
"You're one of the ten strongest people on the planet, boy scout." Logan growled. "You'll be fine. Trust me."
Steve and Clark watched the Canadian stomp out of the room, then Steve laughed.
"He's right, you know. Physically, you'll be fine. You love her, she loves you…"
"She actually agreed to wear clothes today." Clark interjected and Steve blinked.
"Wait, what? Doesn't she normally wear that white skirt and top?"
Clark looked at him and Steve blinked a few times in thought before he inhaled sharply.
"I see you've just worked it out." Clark smirked as Steve blushed furiously. Before the super-soldier could respond, there was a knock on the door and Poitr leaned in.
"Is time. You come. Be strong. Not faint or we never let you live down."
Clark chuckled at the Russian's comment, then he nodded.
"We're coming."
.
Xavier smiled as, behind him, the crowd started murmuring. Turning his head, he watched as Clark Kent, accompanied by Steve Rogers, and Reed Richards, accompanied by Bruce Banner, walked down the aisle to the altar where the local priest, Father Johann Karl, was waiting with a reassuring smile. Although Reed, Bruce and Steve were all dressed in formal suits, Clark had chosen to wear formal Kryptonian Robes, a decision which he had explained as being his way of acknowledging his biological parents sacrifice.
Behind them, Chris Kent followed as Clark's ringbearer while Ben Grimm acted for Reed.
Xavier's smile widened as he considered the disparity between the rocky hero and the young boy. While Ben wore a specially-adapted formal suit, Chris was wearing robes similar to that worn by his adopted father, although without the traditional pieces of armour that denoted the ability to protect.
The group reached the altar and stepped to the sides, then Clark froze, staring up at the sky with an expression of shock, then of resigned irritation.
Curious, Xavier craned his neck to see what had caught Clark's attention. The sky was clear, with only a quarter-moon rising above the horizon…
…and a spiky silhouette of a giant starship in front of the moon.
"Odin damn it!" Lor-Zod swore as he spotted the spacecraft in orbit. Xavier nodded in agreement as the crowd began to realise what was happening.
"We'll need a space capable plane." Batman growled, earning a surprised look. "What? You do realise that I can't breathe in space."
.
.
.
.
.
Dun dun duuuuun!
Evil cliffhanger!
And a Trope avoided!