Chapter Forty-Two:
Tyron was sitting in class in the middle of a test, bored out of his mind. He tapped the edge of his pencil against his temple, thinking as he stared blankly at the test. He knew the information, but he was getting distracted. The Avengers were out on a mission in Nigeria and he wanted to join - he knew he could help - but they refused.
Tyron knew he had already missed enough school days, with the Ultron incident, and then the Rally, he was close to have to take go through summer school, but he managed to bring in some lame excuses to show to his administrator so she could dismiss it.
He sighed, rubbing his temple. If something bad happened, something he knew he could've prevented like one of them getting shot, he would be upset. But, there's nothing much he could really do now. They were five hours away and he really had no way to get to Nigeria. They were probably in the middle of carrying out the mission now.
"Fifteen minutes!" Tyron's teacher announced and he looked back at his paper, scribbling his three sentence answer. He managed to throw some fancy words to make it sound like he knew what he was talking about, and continued to the next few questions.
If Tyron kept worrying about what was happening with them, he'd never get anything done. Today was Friday, and next week school let out for spring break - which he would most likely spend studying for upcoming finals.
Tyron finished the last two questions just before his teacher announced quite loudly, "Time's up! Pencils down! Pass your tests forward." Tyron was following the very easy instructions when suddenly, two dozen phones began buzzing and beeping at once. Tyron turned to his own, a very advanced one, thanks to Tony.
Displayed across the front from his Avenge-Watchers app read, "BREAKING NEWS: Explosion in Lagos, Nigeria involving the Avengers." Tyron paled and nearly dropped his phone altogether. He saw Michelle glancing at him from the side of the room, her eyebrow raised, but he shook his head.
The other students read the same, or similar news titles on their phones. After the Incident and Sovokia, everyone either had a news app or the Avenge-Watchers, an app that followed strictly the Avengers' movements and what they were doing. Sometimes, it was stupid things, like someone saying they saw Thor in a cafe in New Jersey, but other times, in times like this, it was serious.
The news spread quickly and the class began to get rowdier by the second. "Settle down, settle down!" His teacher, said, shushing the teenagers. "You all know the cellphone policy! Put them away or they will be confiscated!"
Tyron gave the News title one last glance before putting his phone back in his pocket. He'd look at it between classes and see what really happened. He'd try to call Tony, but Tyron knew he was at an event today and not in Nigeria with the others. Natasha or Sam would be better.
The class seemed slow as hell as he impatiently waited for it to be let out. He saw a few kids sneak glances at their phones and immediately had it taken away. He wasn't taking any chances.
Finally, the bell rang and Tyron jumped and pulled his phone out in one fluid motion. The fact that he had no new messages from anyone made him a bit upset, but he tried not to worry about it. Peter and Ned came up beside him as he frantically typed in his phone.
To Steve from Tyron: 'whats going on? are you guys OK?'
No response. Tyron frowned and copy-n-pasted the same message in their group chat, to each individual, and again to Steve, but still didn't receive a message.
"What's wrong?" Ned asked, glancing at his phone screen, but Tyron turned it off and put it back in his pocket. "You seem mad."
"M'good," he assured and grabbed his bag, hurrying out of the room. "Jus' stressin' over nothin'." Neither boy looked convinced, but Tyron sighed, he couldn't do anything about that.
Tyron knew the backlash they received after Sovokia. This would only add onto the overweight disagreement of the keeping of the Avengers.
Tyron tried not to think of it. If he did for too long, it would show and be didn't want to give any unwarranted information. Most everyone at the school knew he was a mutant, but they didn't know what his ability was, or that he was an Avenger. If he kept that part secret, he'd still be able to hold a part of him... Well, private. He wasn't ready to show the world every small aspect, not yet.
He followed Peter and Ned to lunch, they were arguing something about Dungeons and Dragons. Peter tried to introduce Tyron to it, but he was still pretty confused on all the aspects, which was understandable. It was a complex game.
Then, his phone buzzed, and Tyron stopped in his tracks, staring at his screen. Sam texted back.
To Tyron from Sam: 'No injuries. Finishing clean up and rescue then coming home.'
Tyron's shoulders sagged in relief and he replied a quick 'okay. thanks, be safe', before putting the phone away.
"Hey! They have burritos today!" Ned said, suddenly remembering the announcements read that morning, and the atrocious smell of the food.
Tyron rose an eyebrow, "I'll catch a seat, y'all hop in line," he told them and moved towards the lunch tables, saving the end seats, usually the most wanted ones - it provided the best leg room - and resting his head.
He wondered how Rashaad was doing in their middle school class, and if he had gotten the same mass message. Would he be scared? Just as nervous and a bit terrified as Tyron was?
Tyron sighed. He rubbed his temples again. He was thinking too much. He'd just go to the Tower - or, more likely, the Avengers compound upstate - and find out the full extent of what happened. He wanted to be more involved - Tyron was wondering if he could take a nursing class, like Clint suggested. A field medic could be very useful, especially in incidents like that.
Tyron straightened as the boys came back. He'd fine out everything he'd need to know soon enough.
- 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -
Tyron hurried down the long hall of the compound with Rashaad on his heels. He was Steve and quickly gave him a hug, before looking around him at to see where the others were. "Wha' happened? S'anyone 'urt?"
"Everyone's okay," Steve assured. "Don't worry." Rashaad pushed past Tyron and grinned at Steve. Steve smirked and messed up his hair, "Hey, kiddo," he greeted. "How are you?" Rashaad gave him a thumbs up. "Good! Do you two want anything to eat?"
Tyron frowned, he wasn't very hungry, but he knew Rashaad was - that boy was always hungry. He sighed, going to the barstool counter, and Steve handed him some strips of metal and Tyron accepted it, but only nibbled.
He glanced around as Sam walked into the room. "Hey, Tyron! What's up, man?"
"Nothin' much," Sam held out his hand for Tyron to shake and he did. "Thanks for textin' m'after th' attack," he said with a grateful smile.
"No problem," he nodded, and glanced at Rashaad, who had been watching Sam curiously. "Hey, what's up, dude?" Sam smiled, holding out his hand for Rashaad to take.
"Rashaad, this s'Sam Wilson," Tyron explained. "The Falcon." Suddenly, Rashaad's eyes lit up at the sound of the name and he nearly fell out of his seat trying to stand.
Sam caught him with a loud laugh. "Are you okay?" He asked between chuckles. Rashaad just nodded hopelessly, and scrambled to find his footing once he was securely on solid ground, he hugged Sam around the waist. Sam laughed and wrapped his arms around Rashaad.
"Ya actually his favourite, ya know," Tyron smirked and Rashaad nodded, conforming this.
"Why's that?" Sam asked, looking at Tyron. Rashaad needed no more questions. He pushed his wings out, which he usually kept hidden between his jacket, and unraveled his tail from his pants leg.
Sam's eyes widened as Rashaad's bat-like wings came into view. Tyron smiled and Rashaad was beaming. "That's... That's amazing!" Sam finally said, still gawking at the wings.
Rashaad could have fainted with joy. Sam got up, and soon the two were in the deep end of a conversation. Sam would ask yes-or-no questions, and Rashaad eagerly answered.
Tyron smiled and leaned back. Tony was going to move his entire company upstate soon, so Tyron decided that he and Rashaad would move up here during the summer. Rashaad was still young, and there were more schools in Northern New York willing to except someone like him, whereas Tyron would probably spend his next few years amounting the money he would need to move away from Tony on his own.
Tyron knew Tony had more than enough money to buy him whatever, wherever he wanted, but Tyron didn't want to be completely dependent on him. He wanted to do things his way, and when he turned eighteen, he would be targeted and forced to be registered and catalogued as a 'Subhuman'. If Tyron could buy his own place before that came to fruition, he would be able to keep himself and Rashaad safe.
Tyron would have to live underground for a while. He knew Canada had a pretty lax policy on mutants, and although the thought to go there did cross his mind, it would be a bit hard to blend in, and Tyron didn't know if his body could take such cold winters. The idea of being lost in a snowstorm with Rashaad and then getting too rusty terrified him.
Tyron sighed, rubbing his temples. He would need to draw up a plan and fast. This would probably be his last year in school, and although the knowledge he learned while there was invaluable, he couldn't waste time sitting behind a desk. He could almost feel the government practically salivating at the thought of getting their hands on someone as deadly as him.
Since spring break was coming up the following week for both of them, Tyron decides to spend the week at the compound. There was more than enough for Rashaad to do, and Tyron needed to take the time to think about what he wanted to do with what was coming soon.
"'Shaad, come eat," he told the boy and Rashaad hurried to the table. He gave Steve a thankful look as he pulled out his backpack, getting his spring break work done sooner than later. Surely, Rashaad would want to play later - whether it be flying in the secluded field or swimming in the indoor pool. Tyron didn't see himself having the time to get this work out of the way anytime soon.
He sighed, stretching and rolling his shoulders as Rashaad practically devoured three whole peanut butter-and-apple jelly sandwiches - Rashaad was allergic to grapes.
Tyron grinned, "Slow down, before ya choke," he teased, nudging his arm. Rashaad frowned, but complied. After Steve had fixed his fifth sandwich, Rashaad pulled away, and tugged in Tyron's arm. Tyron smiled, looking at him. "What's up?"
Rashaad jabbed a thumb at the window and his wings fluttered a bit. Tyron knew what he wanted. Rashaad hardly got the chance to stretch his wings in the city. Now that they were in the country, he wanted to make the most of it.
Tyron glanced back at his homework, but then at Rashaad's big, yellow-tinted eyes. He sighed, "Sure, why not. Wash ya plate an' put on ya tennis shoes." Rashaad ran, grabbing the plate from the counter and vigorously scrubbed it in the sink.
Steve watched, raising an eyebrow. "I could take him outside, if you want to finish your homework," he commented, but Tyron shook his head at the tempting offer.
"Nah. He'll want to play discs, an' it'll be less of a trouble if I do it." Discs was a game they made up. Tyron would throw three metal plates in the air, but two of them had lines attatched to them. Rashaad had to grab the one without the line before all three hit the ground.
Suddenly, a thought occurred, "Where's the others?" He asked.
"Their rooms," Steve replied and Tyron nodded, feeling a bit more assured knowing that they were on the compound.
Tyron grabbed the half-eaten pan and absorbed the rest of it into his skin. Just then, Rashaad came bounding over, and Tyron smiled, leading him outside.
- 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -
They were deep in the throws of their game when Tyron noticed Tony flying over head in his suit. Trailing him, was a similar, bulkier one, probably Rhodes. Rashaad, who was hovering mid-air, gave a silent wave, but neither of them seemed to notice.
Then, ten minutes later, a larger armoured vehicle made its way down the paved drive. "Rashaad!" Tyron hissed and the boy came down quickly, hopefully out of sight of the strangers. Tyron absorbed the metal discs hanging from his fingers and grabbed Rashaad's hand firmly. "C'mon," he urged and they quickly made their way back to the compound.
Tyron's heart was pounding as he quickly ordered Rashaad to go to their room. It was down the hall, nowhere near the main entrance, so Tyron prayed he would be fine.
Tyron passed the kitchen just as a man came down the hall. He was tall and white. He had neatly combed back, black and white hair and a grey mustache that looked like a mountain that lost it's peak. He wore a dark blue suit and a black tie with his arms crossed over his chest.
Tyron's eyes flicked between the man, who had almost looked familiar to him, and to the two men behind him, who were soldiers with handguns at their waists.
The man's eyes narrowed at Tyron and he rose a challenging eyebrow. "Who th' fuck are ya?" He asked, keenly aware of his silver arms, ready to morph into a knife at any given second.
The old man gave a subtle sneer and sat straighter. "I don't have to answer to a mutant. And a child nonetheless."
Tyron rose his hand and a sharp knife formed from his wrist. "Ya would answer if 'ere was a knife at ya fuckin' throat." He wasn't afraid of this man. The men behind him, however, came to attention. They drew their guns and pointed it at Tyron.
The man rose his hand for them to back down and took a step towards Tyron. "I've heard a lot about you. What's was your... Mutation again?" He said, the word as if it were a disease he could contract by just speaking it aloud. "Something... Freakish that turned your body to metal?" The man got closer until they were only feet apart. "How long have you been this way?"
Tyron kept his mouth shut, his hands practically itching to plunge themselves into his chest. "Not so talkative now, are you? Whatever happened to you cutting ny throat?" He mused. "I think that would warrant an arrest and sent to a Subhuman Detainment Facility, don't you?" He looked down at Tyron - even though they were almost the same height - his eyes full of something Tyron couldn't recognize. It made his skin crawl and he held his breath as the man watched him. Almost interested. Almost greedily.
Bad pet bad pet-
"-Take much to put mutants like you in their place." He was back at the counter again, almost bored. Tyron, however, was trying not to show his struggle to breathe.
Tony strode into the room and Tyron shifted the knives back to his hands. "Stark," the man greeted firmly.
"Ross," Tony replied with just as much unenthusiasm. He glanced behind him where Tyron was, "Tyron, can you bring the others in here?"
Tyron didn't hesitate. He moved swiftly down the hall and knocking on Natasha's door. It opened a minute later, and she rose an eyebrow. "I didn't know you were here," she said, but then realized his slightly disheveled state and knitted her eyebrows together. "What's wrong?"
He stepped into her room and took a shaky breath, running a hand through his freshly cut hair. "I..." He paused, and shook his head. "M'sorry. I had a freak-out," he finally said. "Can I jus' sit in here an'...?" Tyron didn't have to say anything else.
"Do what you need to do," Natasha assured, and Tyron nodded. Then, he remembered Tony's request.
"Ah, there's someone 'ere for y'all," he said, and rubbed his temple. "Tall, ol' white dude wit' combed back salt-n-pepper hair an' triangle mustache?" Natasha nearly smiled at the strange description, knowing that that could really be anyone.
Then, the smile vanished as a person in particular came to mind. With the recent incident in Lagos, the only man, the main man that would want the Avengers shut down.
"Come on," she said, and Tyron stood.
"Wha's up?" He asked, eyes wide.
"You'll want to be here for this," she said, and led him out of the room, and back into the kitchen. The man was talking to Steve, Wanda, and Vision. Behind him, Sam and Rhodes were coming down the hall. Tony was sitting at the couch, where everyone seemed to be standing around. When they saw the pair coming, they migrated to the conference room beside the kitchen, and closed the door behind them.
"Who is he?" He whispered, narrowing his eyes at the man's back.
"Secretary of State, Thaddeus Ross," Natasha replied as she took her seat. "He's anti-Avenger and anti-mutant." She looked at him, as Ross got himself situated, connecting his device to the smart television. "Most likely, he's here to split up the Avengers."
Okay guys, so for some strange reason, has not been sending me notifications for reviews for this story — which is completely wild, and I don't know how to fix it. Maybe it's because of the app? Maybe not, I don't know.
But, I feel really bad for not responding, I love seeing you guys' reactions and opinions and when I clicked on and saw how many people has discovered my story, I felt awful that I wasn't able to reply back to you.
So, in chronological order, here's my answers to the reviews. Until it is up and running again, I suggest PM-ing me, that is the only way it has been working.
UltimateFangirl 15:
Thank you so much! I'm glad you've enjoyed this story and think that! There's a lot more to come for this Tyron's story, and I hope you'll like it!
Sunny Panda:
I'm so honoured you think that! I've been writing for Tyron for nearly a year and a half now, and although I believe his story so coming to a close (and a second story coming maybe?) I hope you enjoy it to the end!
Sunny Panda:
Wow, I can't believe you think that! Yeah, I put a lot of thought into the mindset Steve would have had as a Christian in the 1940s. Although we'll never know how 'cinematic' Steve Rogers feels about POC (although I have a good feeling that it's positive and not racist) I feel like he definitely would have been 110% against racism and segregation. Sometimes, I wonder how Steve would have felt about the Civil Rights movement and how much the world has truly evolved since then.
He really cares about Tyron and knows the delicate situation of his upbringing, and although they've made amends now, I definitely feel like he wouldn't have done anything that would have made him feel excluded and belittled because of modern day beliefs.
Again, I am so sorry about this and how it's just not working for me :( I'll fiddle around with the website and maybe send fanfic.net a message. Thank you so much for reviewing, rating, and reading my story! It means the world to me! I hope you've enjoyed this update. I'll see y'all next time and remember...
Don't melt~!
- Happyritas