Disclaimer: I don't own these Characters, unfortunately. Note: this story takes place several years after the invasion, and follows the events in dc universe rise of the phoenix.
WAKE UP CALL
Somewhere in Congo.
Illnesses: it's what plagues this land, with poverty. But it's not for the poverty that Dr. Cecilia Reyes is here. Cecilia Reyes is a doctor, a good one, and she is here with MSF because she wants to make the difference. The life of the hero? It's not for her, and she tried it in the past, but it's not what she wants. She wants to do her job, that's all, and, well, helps people in the process. Innocent people. The ones she wasn't able to save in the past, when she was trapped inside Neverland… Neverland, something she will never probably be ready to speak about… the worst moment of her life, when, years ago, the Weapon X program kidnapped her and closed her in that concentration camp…
Inside the mobile medilab, Cecilia closes her eyes, and a silent tear escape from them. It's not that she doesn't want to remember, she simply knows that it's not the right moment.
Cecilia, I hope I'm not interrupting anything important.-When she opens her eyes again, in front of her she sees the image of Xavier, his mental image, at least. There's something I need to tell you about…
"I don't want to hear anything from you, Charles. You already ruined my life in the past… - she closes her fists, with force and anger, looking at the image of the bold man in front of her – thanks to you and your precious X-men I almost died more than once. I became a junkie. I ended in a concentration camp, Charles, a concentration camp, where I almost went crazy! Do you realize what it means?"
Cecilia, I know how you feel… and how you felt back then. I've tried my best to always been at your side when you needed it the most…and I did it with the best intentions, not because I wanted something in exchange.
"yes – she admits, as she moves to go to seat on a nearby old chair; once closed her dark eyes, tears escaping from them, she laces her fingers together, as she is praying – I remember all those times Charles… I remember when you found me, so scared because I had just discovered I was a mutant… or when I've been attacked, and your X-men saved me… or when, to save Kurt from the Neos, I become a Junkie, and you helped me to find my way back… or when I was finally able to escape from Neverland, on the verge of craziness, and you helped me again, supporting me while I was trying to find my balance again… you even helped me to find the courage to speak to Miguel again."
I know who you are, Cecilia, I finally understand it. It took me a while, but now I know that the world doesn't need only heroes with capes and masks… the world need people like you, to trust mutants. I need you as the hero you truly are, the woman who saves lives, not the one who fights against robots, criminals and whatever there's; I need you to make the world understands that we can be heroes, too…
Somewhere in the north of Canada…
Inside his lab, Walter Langowsky is doing some experiments, far away from the civilisation; he went here for that reason, because, for once, he wanted to stay alone, and a visit wasn't exactly what he was waiting for, neither that the young woman who just entered thought that it was strange that he felt her presence.
"I'll ask just once, who the hell are you and what do you think you are you doing here in my lab?" he asks, without turns his head in her direction, still looking at the screens.
"you… you knew I was here? How did you do it? I hide my presence both to machines and your mind as well…" Chris is going near him, wordless. She is astonished, she has always thought to be so good, it's the first time that a human is able to feel her presence when she uses her psy-shield.
"You can hide your presence at the human mind, not to my enchanted animal senses; animals are something telepaths aren't already prepared for."
"I'll take a note for the next time, Dr. Langowsky. – she pauses, putting her hands in her pockets as she joins him near the screens – you are impressing me, Dr. Langowsky, really. There are just, I don't know, maybe other 3 or 4 persons in the world that I know of that are able to play this trick with me."
"Make me compliments will not help you to reach your goal, Dr. Stark – he turns to look in her eyes, and, once removed his glasses, he grins at her – yes, I know who you are, although you hair is white now, and, before you could say anything, I don't care. As I was saying, It's hard not to know you, at least in the academic community. The great Christine Marie Antoinette Stark, younger sister to Anthony, 10 years of difference, but both graduated at MIT at the age of 17. and guess who knows your brother?"
Pissed off, Chris crosses her arms, massaging her forehead with a hand. "Great, you know me, and so? Are you telling me that you know why I'm here, too?"
"You are the psych here, and it's you the one who entered in my lab without invitation. It's up to you to tell me what you are doing here, although I have a certain feeling that I could know the reason of your presence here."
"I could start with all the rhetorical crap, but I prefer to be the more direct possible. Xavier and Lehnsherr are forming a group, with people from all over the world, to protect the planet, with base on Genosha, and I thought that someone with your IQ and your knowledge on biophysics could be useful, both in action, thanks to your practice, and in making researches. And don't forget that you could teach to the new generations as well. We could really use a good teacher in science."
"You spoke about researches, right? As in founds?"
"Well, yes, there's a lot of people interested in invest in us. And, if you'll accept, in you, too."
"So, I'll be a hero, a teacher and I'll be able to continue my researches?"
"Well, it will not be automatic. All the researches on the soil of the Republic of New Genosha will have to be authorised by the Ethical commission for the development of science, first. We don't have anything against scientific minds, dr. Langowsky, it's an iter that I'll have to follow me too, it's just to prevent such things like clonation or genetic manipulation. We can't risk spoiling the reputation of the government even before its birth."
"Well, I can't say "yes" or "no" right here right now, but I'll think about it."
"It's all I'm asking you, Dr. Langowsky, it's all I'm asking you…"
New York City (1)
More or less 6 years before, the city had been destroyed by the Skrulls, shapeshifter alien invaders, and during those days, Chris Stark was there, ; what sometimes she regrets is the fact that, not too long after the "tragedy", she decided to move on with her life, but she still remembers those days… thousands and thousands of deaths, just because the heroes weren't where they should be, engaged in an other fight, in the so-called Savage Land, or in the other countries touched by the invasion… Sometimes,still today, after years and years, she can't forgive him, and blames her brother for what happened to Cap and the other heroes… she still thinks that winning the war with the aliens could be a way easier if they were all united, and not divided because of the Civil War. Those days… she thought it was going to unite them, to assemble the avengers back together, but she was wrong. The Skulls weren't enough to make people understand, 'cause there's people who never understands.
But, while she continues to walk in direction of her destination, once she is nearer and nearer, she knows that she has to stops to think about it, to feel guilty. There's nothing to feel guilty about, she was just doing her job, in the best way possible, and besides, everything ended well, right? Right. So, why she feels so uncomfortable, while she enters where she knows the Secret Avengers are? Just because she is Tony's sister? Because she said no when Clint and Logan asked her help? Or just because, for all these things, she feels it's wrong ask them to help her?
Hell, I'm not sure if I've the right to do what I'm gonna do. "Hello? Is anyone here?" of course they are here, I sensed them. But I just have to keep in mind that they are not obliged to answer me.
"Hel-lo to you, darling? What can your friendly neighbourhood Spiderman do for you? – From the ceiling, in front of her, attacked to one of his webs, the famous Spiderman fells near her, attacking the white head with both his body and his webs, engaging her in a battle that is almost destroying the apartment – besides, trying to stop you, of course."
"Easy, bud, the girl's with me. How are you doing, Black?"
"Ehi! I didn't know we had a policy of fraternization! I mean, I'm single, it could be useful. I mean, I'm a rebel hero, all the girls want me, so if Logan can brings girls, than it means that…"
"Spidey, shout up. Blackdragon isn't my girl."
"Blackdragon? You mean… you mean that Blackdragon? – Spidey says as he lands near her, looking at her, an inch from her eyes, like to examine her – wait, it's true! you are Chris Stark, Tony Stark's baby sister! it's been a sooo long time since the last time I saw your face on tv! How did it happen that your hair is white, now? You used to be such a nice brunette! "
"Spidey, shut up. If she is here it's because she is in big, big, big troubles. The birdie is too proud to ask for help, until it's too late. or it's because Chuck asked you to come and visit me."
"To be honest, Logan – she answers him as he helps her to stand – I'm not here for you, although it's true that, in a certain way, I'm here because Charles asked me to. I need to see Ronin or Hawkeye or whatever you call him these days."
"Let me remember… when was the last time that I saw you? While we were fighting the big bad green aliens and I took back my bow? – he remains for a while at the door, near to Bobbi, crossed arms, trying to pretend to be cold, falsely, but serious and sarcastic - you've been away for so long, sweetie, I have to say, we were starting to think you were gone for good… what happened? You vanished!"
"things happen, priorities change, in short, life happens.- She says, smiling sadly, as she turns and approaches Clint Barton, hugging him like it was the only thing she was waiting for. – and it was at Janet's funeral."
"you look good… what's happening? You look.. different!" Bobbi says hugging her like a sister, a suspicious look on her face.
"Yeah, I know I could use some tint, but, you know how I am, right?"
"No, it's not that, it's just that you look – Bobbi says leaving her and looking at her, suspicious, at crossed arms – you look different, like, I don't know, more mature, radiant… I don't know how to explain it…."
"radiant? Well, mutantkind is now out of danger of extinction, so it must be it, sure." She pretends to lie, but, under the veil, Bobbi, Clint, even and overall Logan know she is lying. Something happened, and she doesn't want to tell them about it.
"I hoped to see you again since that day. Bobbi and I missed our little surrogate sister. – he pauses, looking at the girl in front of him – so, what the hell happened to your hair? Why is it white? What did he do to you? I know you weren't supposed to try to have a normal and proper relationship with a man like that… I bet that, everything that happened to you, whatever it was, it was his fault! Tony was damn wrong when he suggested to you to move in with that bastard jerk son of a… "
"Relax sweety, I broke up with Wisdom a long time ago. we weren't meant to be, and leave out his mother, she was a good person... and for the hair… an Omniversal thing, a too long story, one that maybe one day I'll tell you. – she pauses, hugging him more - I missed you too, I'm so glad to see that you are ok, but I really couldn't come back here… When I left...first there was Osborn, and then, something happened. well, I told you, long story. But, as I was saying… I'm here because an old friend asked me to."
"So, you're not here to see the tin soldier?"
"no, I'm here because Charles asked me to."
"I bet it's what you were telling Logan about. But, still, I don't get it. what Xavier wants from me? I'm not a mutant." Clint – dressed in civil clothes- crosses his arms and looks at her, while the 4 of them – Clint, Bobbi,Chris and Logan- go to seat at the nearby kitchen table.
"well, after the mutants have been re-powered, almost all her previous habitants come back to Genosha, and at now, as strange as it can seem, the population is 50% sapiens sapiens and 50% sapiens superior, but we haven't ended to rebuild yet and we're still defenceless, so Charles and Erik have decided to established a group on the island, formed by humans and mutants as well, and they are sending me all over the word to make the calls."
"Well, Chris, although I'm glad and honoured you thought about me – Clint answers her – I fear that I have to say no. I'm trying to build a real life for myself here, with Bobbi, figures that I'm almost out from the hero community. I know that I'll never get a real life at 100%, but I want to try, for once. – he pauses – I'm really sorry, but, well, if you still need few names, maybe there's someone who could help you, a friend of mine."
"well, to be honest, this was the reason I come here in the first place. I needed you to tell me where to find him… and if he really is who I think he is."
" if I can say what I think… if I have to be honest, I have my doubts that the group could be useful in reaching the dream's goal. "
"Don't sound so sceptical, Logan. We're not speaking just about a group, here. We're speking about more than this… about a school for common humans and mutants, about a centre of scientific research, about universities, schools of arts, in a land where there's a free republic opened to everyone."
"A school?"
"Yes, we have already few students, and few teachers, too… Charles convinced Moonstar and even Shen Xorn, and, have you ever heard about Firestar? Asks Clint about her, he was the one who wanted her in the Avengers. Well, she is in, too. And I'm almost sure I convinced your old pal Langowsky to join us."
"So, listen, I was wondering… Are you still accepting students? Because I could give you 4 names that I think could use your help and vice versa."
"I'm full ears, Logan, I'm listening."
"My "daughter", Laura Howlet… she has spend enough years as a death machine. Slim tried to recruit her into X-Force a while ago, after the birth of the first mutant baby after the decimation. It took her a long time to return to be a real girl, and I don't want to see Slim forcing her to become what she doesn't want to be. You can't imagine how long it took me to convince her to leave that damn group, and now that she is free, I don't want to see her alone… I want to give to my little girl a goal, again. So, if you and Chuck could help her…"
"What about the other 3 names you were speaking me about?"
"I think that you could already know them… the Triad, previously known as the Cuckoos, or the 3 in 1 or the 4 in 1 or the 5 in 1… the girls that it ended they were sort of Emma's daughters, creating by the Weapon X program. As for Laura, Slim and his lovely wife took them, used them and abandoned them, although they were Emma's daughters. They tried to reach her, well, for what someone without feeling can reach the Ice Queen, and failed. She didn't do it with bad intentions, she wanted to protect herself, but pushing the girls away wasn't exactly the best idea. I know that they aren't exactly kids anymore, but I think they could still learn a lot, especially if we speak about the use of their powers and finding an aim, and, besides, no one really tried to give them their hearts back… that damn bird is still trapped in them… and no one tries to change that. – he pauses, smoking a cigar and looking for a while outside, then turning back to her - So, what do you tell me?"
"I tell you that I could say "yes" simply to upset Frost. By the way – she is already going to leave, but then, she stops, turning her head in direction of her friends – when you see Danny Rand, tell him that the Genoshan Government thanks him for the help and the money given by his foundation to help the reconstruction, and whatever it happens, he will always be welcomed and we will be more than honoured to have him at our side"
New York City (2)
The boy is much younger than Clint, but, still, he is as good with a bow and arrows as my dear old friend is. I know that Clint was going to refuse, but still…, I mean, not that I was sure that he was going to accept, I knew that after the invasion he has almost retired, but I still hoped that he was going to say yes, at least to this…to me. Well, let's at least hope that Clint's new pupil will be the one to give me the answer I'm waiting for and that I'm right about him, because I'm tired to ask people to join me and receive only "no" as answer. Chris is the upper-east side, on the fire-escape of an old building, contemplating the sight she is having, not exactly the one she was looking for; to be honest, she hoped that she didn't have to do something like this. In the street, a couple of thieves just escaped from a nearby bank, and what the press and Bobbi told was an unregistered hero – a boy younger than her, red hair and green eyes behind a domino mask, dressed in black and red, with what looks more like street clothes than a costume –is following them, armed with just a bow and few arrows; after few minutes, he jumps on a car, aims and then throws a couple of arrows to stop them the first one, full of glue, leaves one man attached on a wall, while the second one reveals a hidden net in the inside, leaving him on the soil, ready to be arrested by the police, who's arriving, while the young hero runs away. Little he knows that someone is following him in the dark, shielding her presence with her mental powers.
"Do you know that someone believes that you are Hawkeye?" He turns and is shocked to see that, where once before there was no one, now stands a woman probably in her first 30s, with short, curly white hair, dressed with a blue top made of jewellery stones, jeans and high heeled sandals. Sitting on the fire-escape, she looks at him, and then, seeing that he isn't answering, leaves her position and goes near the man. "did we already met? - without answers, he is going to leave, as he turns her his back – people is talking about you a lot, do you know it? And I've been quite… impressed. I'm following you from a while, and you're quite good. Actually, I think I could use your help, sometimes. Well, to be honest, Clint suggested me to ask you, he told me you improved your skills with him for a while, although I knew it wasn't necessary… all the years spend with Ollie, Dinah, Hal and the Titans… I bet that fighting Nightwing taught you a lot, doesn't it, Roy?"
"Ok, sweetheart, listen to me – the red head man says as he faces her, irritated – now let's see your nice face and see how you know so many things about – he pauses, as he sees in clear light her face, her smiling and almost happy, but a little unsure, face. He knows her. he had already met her. - me… wow. Long road from Coast City, darling."
"First, as I already told you many times, Harper, no one can call me darling or sweetheart. Second, wow, I knew that you liked to pose like an alpha male, but this… Third, I know what you are thinking, but I don't work for the Initiative or the Secret Avenger. Actually, I work for another group, a group that wants to dedicate itself to protect Genosha and let people understand that humans and mutants can live and work together in harmony."
"I don't work for nothing, sweetheart, and I don't know if you can give me what I want." He says a little sad, turning his eyes in direction of the full moon, hands in his pockets.
"I want to help you, Roy. You know I still owe you big time… and Hal… you know, you were like a son for him, well, at least, at the beginning. After he come back, he starting to see you more… – she says as she puts her back against a wall, crossed arms - You are like his little brother, Roy. At least is what I've always thought. He tried to be good to you since he has always believed that he had done just mistakes with Jim."
"He still misses you - he says, looking in the void before them, going to seat on the parapet of the building, smirking- he told me about…well, you probably imagine what he told me about, right?"
"I miss him, me too. - she answers, although she aims directly to the bright stars of the clear sky over their heads, sitting near him, embracing her knees. Soon she finds herself sobbing a little, putting her head on Roy's right shoulder, as she had already done in the past – I guess you don't have a bottle of iced beer like we used to have back then, right?" at closed eyes, she starts to smile, remembering the almost two years spent in Roy's reality, being one of his friends.
"By the way, what did I told you that day in the kitchen?"
"You told me many things in the kitchen, Arrow. I mean, when you weren't with Lian or Kendra you were with me in there, how am I supposed to remember almost two years of conversations?"
"I think… that I told you that the feeling you had for him were mutual, and then you bet that he wasn't feeling anything about you, and, correct me if I'm wrong, they were. You own me 50 dollars."
"You told me, exact words, you're both adults, there's nothing wrong in you two being in an adult relationship and then you added that it was so clear that I was attracted by him that even Connor had noticed this little detail. And, by the way, we never bet. Computer memory here, sweetie."
"Chris, you knew me back then – he tells her, smiling, sweetly but sadly at the same time – you know the place I come from. But you don't know how I ended here… see, a couple of years ago, a domino effect hit the multiverse, and generated another crisis; I don't know why or how, but, after the final battle, I woke up here instead of home. and it's from that damn day that I try to come back home… it's the only thing that I want, to come back… to my family, to my life… Lian needs me, I'm the only one she has… I know that Ollie can make a great grandpa, but it's not like a father… lian has already lost her mother, I can't let her think that even her daddy has abandoned her. "
"We have the most advanced technology, and the greatest minds of the planet. We'll be more than happy to help you to find your way back, Roy. You know I've always considered you one of my closest friends over there, 'cause you remembered me of Clint…. I'll do whatever in my power to help you." smiling, she offers him her hand; the man, removing his red domino mask, immediately accepts it.
"By the way, sweetheart I'm back to Arsenal, don't forget."
"Then, welcome to the extremes, Arsenal."
Stamford, Initiative's Headquarter.
"I heard you had some issues with the staff here, after Deal ol' Normie went down – Jim Rhodes is looking at a fight simulation inside the war room and, when he suddenly hears a voice speaking with him, he turns his head in direction of said voice; once saw who's speaking with him, Jim immediately removes the War Machine helmet, revealing a smiling face, a face once full of scars, but now normal again – I'm glad that you are doing well Jim, and that Sublime's nano-technology did some good for you"
Chris goes near him, and once in front of him, she gives the man a slap on the shoulder, still covered with the armour, putting than her hands on her hips, looking in the eyes of who once had been her brother's bodyguard – and hers, too. But she can clearly see that Jim isn't exactly smiling at her; at crossed arms, he looks in her eyes, angry.
"Christine Marie Antoinette Stark Johnson, what do you think you are doing here? You left after the invasion, followed the idiot in Britain and I never saw you again. One could think that you come here today because maybe you need some help."
Chris leaves her position, and, instead than looking at the cadets, she looks at the landscape outside the window, trying to change topic and find the right moment to ask. "Jeez, Jim, why do you think I'm here to ask for something? Can't I be here just to see an old friend?"
He still looks at her, sceptical; he knows very well what she is doing, sometimes she can be such a Stark, although she doesn't want to admit it, and she even doesn't notice what she is doing "Chris, stop to beat around the bush, and tell me what do you want."
"I'm here because I wanted to know how you were doing. After all, most of your upgrades come from my ideas. You know, Tony sees the opportunities, I, instead, see the openings and the upgrades, the improvements"
"In years, you never came back to see your "old friends", just give some news, at a certain point we even thought you were somewhere dead, then you send me a Christmas card. A Christmas card, Chris, you send me and your brother and Clint a Christmas card to let us know you were alive! – he pauses - This is the reason I think you need something. This, and the fact that I know you. You never liked too much being around people, and you go looking for them only when you are in extreme danger. Like the time you accepted Wisdom's help when Osborn was looking for your head."
"So, you want to know the truth, all the truth, just the truth? Ok Jim, you'll have it. People continue to hate the mutants, and now that Genosha is shining again, it's more dangerous than never before. Genosha needs someone to protect her, someone that the world could trust as well.- she pauses, stopping to look outside, but in his dark eyes – Xavier and Lehnsherr are assembling a group, and asked me to choose few names. And You, Jim, are my choice to lead the Extremes."
"Extremes? What exactly does it mean? And why me?"
"Extreme Security Force, shortly ESF or Extremes. And about why we need you… well, first, I trust you with my life, more than I trust everybody else in this world, more than Tony too, and you know it. Second, you're a human, a human hero over all, with a story of leadership and a great military career, the… forgive me, but I can't find a better word… the audience will love you, and will think the Extremes are here to protect everybody. Third, as I already said, you're a natural born leader."
"and how exactly this thing will work?"
"The Extremes will have all the necessary connections… Xavier and Lehnsherr already spoke with Director Fury, with UN who gave their patronage, and with few governments, who're sending few of their operatives… Sasquatch from Canada, the Cameron brothers, who are working for their government after the Australian Super Hero Act, will be part of the game, too, and that's quite important, since they'll be a liaison with the Shi'Ar Empire too, thanks to the fact that they are Empress Lilandra's step siblings. Your vice will be Ruth Bat-Seraph… Sabra, I mean… Mossad and Israel were more than happy to ask her to join us. And it seems that she owes Charles one. And there are other ones, too. What we are doing, what we are up to, it's just the beginning"
"You do really believe in this, don't you?"
"I believe that one day I'll be able to stop to live in fear, that my children will not be persecuted or permanently living in a state of fear as mutants are still doing by now. And you, Jim, what do you believe in?"
"I don't like what the Initiative did to these kids… - he looks outside the window, at some recruits, massaging his chin with his right hand - maybe it's time I start to look in another direction…"
"Then, my friend - she says as she put a hand on one of his shoulders - welcome to the Extremes."
So tell me what you think of my new experiment. I'd like to know your opinions... see you soon, with new chapters, of my new work and my old one as well...