I don't own Avengers or its characters. I only own Riley Stark and other OCs that appear in the story.
Take on the World
Chapter 25: Halloween Party
Today was October 31st.
Halloween was finally here.
Most of New York City were all Halloween themed for the day, almost all the people walking around the streets are dressed in their costumes to celebrate the holiday including those who are working their respective jobs and students walking to their schools.
At the Avengers Tower, Riley wore an apron as she finished decorating the cake she baked for Midtown West Middle School's Halloween Party.
It was a two layer rich chocolate cake with a moist velvety texture. It was filled with sweet blackberry compote and frosted with black cocoa buttercream. Fresh blackberries and chocolate skulls topped the luscious cake, making it perfectly balanced and incredibly decadent.
Riley grinned as she took a photo of her Black Velvet Halloween Cake with her iPhone before publishing it on her account.
"Another special treat done for the holiday."Riley praised happily.
Tony then arrived into the kitchen and smirked upon seeing his daughter bake again.
"I don't suppose I could have a small slice, Rye-Rye?"Tony requested.
"Dad."Riley replied with a frown."Whenever you say a small bite, it always ends up with you eating the whole thing. Remember the time you ate a whole croquembouche tower?"
Tony put his hands up in defence.
"I clearly remember playing Jenga croquembouche with everyone and eating the ones they remove."Tony declared casually.
Riley opened up a container that revealed to have milk chocolate stuffed Jack-O'-Lantern cookies inside it.
"You can try one of these cookies I baked and that's that."Riley insisted with a smile.
Tony picked up a cookie and took a bite, immediately liking it.
"You're a talented baker through and through, my little super star."Tony chuckled.
"Midtown West Middle School attends to create a wonderful afternoon of fun and fundraising."Riley exclaimed."The Principal agreed with my idea to hold a cake sale to raise money in aiding Teenage Cancer Trust."
"That's my girl."Tony praised proudly.
Pepper then came into the kitchen.
"Riley, it's time to get ready."Pepper instructed.
"Alright, Pepper."Riley answered.
Inside the Parker Residence, Peter smiled as he looked at himself in the mirror.
He was dressed as his big idol; the Invincible Iron Man.
Then there was a knock on the door, earning Peter's attention.
"Come in."Peter insisted.
The door of the opened, revealing Ben.
"Peter, are you ready?"Ben asked."Gwen is outside the house waiting for you."
"Be right there, Uncle Ben."Peter responded.
Peter made his way downstairs with Ben causing a smile to grow on May's face.
"My, Peter."May chuckled."You look dashing."
Peter blushed in embarrassment.
"Aunt May."Peter groaned."It's just a costume."
Peter then opened the door to see Gwen, only for his mouth to drop a bit in awe.
Gwen wore a stylish ruby red and pitch black dress with a gold bat gem design on the chest. On her hands were black laced fingerless gloves while her nails were coloured ruby red. Around her neck was a black choker with a red gem and a gold heart containing red heart hanging from it. On her feet were black short pump boots. Her blonde hair was a bit curly with several curled strands that stick up on end or hang loosely. The bangs were brushed to curve around her forehead with long forelocks.
The daughter of Captain George was dressed as a vampire.
But an attractive one.
"Face it, tiger."Gwen stated with a smirk and winked."You just hit the jackpot."
At the Avengers Tower, Pepper finished helping Riley getting dressed in her Halloween costume.
Riley wore a white gown with long flared sleeves, a turtleneck and a hood. Her chestnut brown hair was done up in a twin-bun hairstyle.
She was dressed Princess Leia Organa of Alderaan.
Riley smiled shyly as she presented herself to her father.
"What do you think, dad?"Riley asked.
"Whoa, Rye-Rye. You look exactly like the rebel princess."Tony chuckled."Carrie Fisher would be proud."
"Thanks, dad."Riley thanked and became curious."What will you guys be doing in the mean time?"
"Don't worry about us, Riley."Pepper assured."Me and your father will be just fine."
Tony gave Riley a kiss on the forehead.
"What's important that you go out and have fun."Tony instructed and then gave a serious look."But not too much fun. Be sure to back way before midnight."
A smirk grew on Riley's face.
"Okay, dad."Riley chuckled."I get the message."
Riley then made her way to the elevator to go downstairs to join Happy outside, who was waiting for her in his limo.
When she came out of the Avengers Tower, the young brunette came across a girl, who appeared to be around her age.
The girl wore a black domino mask and had on matching black suit. Her eyes were soft green and her long hair appeared to be light blonde.
Though from the moonlight, her hair appeared to be silver white.
"Cool costume."Riley praised while noticing the girl hold a sack."Are you pretending to be some kind of burglar?"
A smug smirk appeared on the girl's face.
"You could say that, Princess Leia."the girl replied."I'm Felicia. Felicia Hardy."
"Well…enjoy Halloween, Felicia."Riley insisted.
"Thanks."Felicia answered."You as well."
Felicia walked away before Riley went into the limo and closed the door.
"Ready to go, Riley?"Happy asked.
"Yes, Happy."Riley replied."Pick up my friends first and then off to Midtown West Middle School."
At Midtown West Middle School, all students made their way to the gym which where the Halloween Party was taking place.
A limo parked outside the school before Riley stepped out.
The moment the Stark heiress stepped out, Gwen, Peter and Ned did as well.
Peter smiled at seeing Ned dressed up as a scarecrow.
"You're the scarecrow from the Wizard of Oz, right?"Peter assumed.
"I wanted to dress up as a werewolf, but my mum didn't let me."Ned declared with a frown.
Riley looked at Happy.
"Thanks for the lift, Happy."Riley thanked.
"You're welcome, Riley."Happy replied with a smile."You kids have fun."
The four teenagers made their way to the school as the limo drove off.
Peter silently glanced at Riley and Gwen, particular amazed how both girls looked in their costumes due to his attraction to them both.
The four friends arrived to the gym which held up an orange sign saying 'Happy Halloween' in black letters.
Riley noticed the nearby sale stand which had the sign 'Halloween Cake Sale' on it.
"Oh. That's my stand."Riley complemented with a smile and looked at her friends."You guys have fun."
Riley went to prepare her cake sale as Gwen brought her attention on Peter and Ned.
"Well, boys."Gwen chuckled."Shall we dance?"
Most of the students were dancing to the song 'Monster Mash' by Bobby Pickett while some were at the buffet table stuffing their faces.
"I'll get some punch."Ned volunteered.
Gwen smirked and took Peter's hand, making her friend blush a bit.
"Come on, tiger."Gwen insisted smugly."Let's hit the dance floor. I wanna see what you got."
"A-Alright."Peter said with a shy smile.
As Gwen led him to the dance floor, Peter looked back at Ned who gave him a grin and thumbs up.
At her Halloween Cake Sale Stand, Riley handed MJ a Jack-O'-Lantern cookie.
MJ was dressed in a stylish witch purple black costume dress with a matching hat and boots. There were a bit of purple glitter on her eyelids and a little black star below her right eye. Her light brown hair was styled curly curls.
"Hey, MJ."Riley remarked."You look awesome."
A small chuckle escaped from MJ's mouth.
"Thanks, Riley."MJ answered."My Aunt Anna helped me out."
MJ started silently eating her cookie as Riley noticed something was bothering her friend.
"Something wrong?"Riley assumed.
"What makes you think that?"MJ questioned.
"You have a look that expresses you are actually hurt."Riley complemented."Do you want to talk about it?"
MJ was silent for a moment before responding to Riley.
"My parents have gotten divorced."MJ declared, trying to be careful with her words."My mum had enough with my dad's drunken habits and wanted to go away with him. For the last couple of years, my dad had become verbally abusive. He even went so far as to smack my little sister Gayle in the face over the costs of her dancing lessons."
A startled look appeared on Riley's face.
"That's really messed up."Riley murmured uncomfortably.
MJ nodded in agreement.
"Anyway my mum had enough with him and the three of us are now living with my Aunt Anna."MJ stated with a sad frown."We've been living with her few months. Though I am still getting used of my parents not being together anymore."
Riley gave MJ an apologetic look.
"Sorry."Riley apologised.
Then Tristan, dressed as Han Solo, came to the Halloween Cake Sale Stand.
"Hey, Riley."Tristan greeted with a smile."May I try a slice of your cake? It looks good."
"Sure, Tristan."Riley responded.
Riley cut a slice of her Black Velvet Halloween Cake before placing it on a plastic plate and giving it to Tristan.
Tristan started slowing eating his slice of cake.
"What do you think?"Riley asked.
"Hey. It's great."Tristan remarked."You're a talented baker."
Riley blushed at Tristan's words.
"T-Thanks."Riley answered shyly."Even if you are amazing."
"Huh?"Tristan said in confusion.
"Nothing!"Riley blurted out in embarrassment."Have a happy Halloween!"
"O-Okay?"Tristan chuckled.
Tristan walked away, making Riley cover her face in dismay.
"Seriously, Riley."MJ said with a smirk."You've got to boost your confident if you want to ask the guy out."
Riley smirked. "Does that mean you have a boyfriend, MJ?"
A scoff escaped from MJ's mouth.
"As if."MJ responded."All boys at school are lame."
Suddenly, the other students started laughing upon seeing Flash and his gang dressed up as cheerleaders.
"Shake those pom-poms!"Gwen sneered.
"Don't worry, Flash, you fill out your costume nicely, too!"Peter called out.
Flash growled and glared at both Peter and Gwen in annoyance.
At the Avengers Tower, Tony and Pepper stood together as the two of them stared down at the city below them.
"This city is gorgeous at night."Pepper declared.
A smirk appeared on Tony's face.
"Is it?"Tony asked."I wasn't looking at the city."
Pepper gave Tony a warm smile before finishing her glass of dry olive martini.
"Okay, Tony."Pepper chuckled."What is it? Something is on my mind."
"You're right. There is something on my mind."Tony complemented."Though first, I want to show you something. Something on the roof."
Pepper chuckled as Tony placed her empty glass on top of the piano and began leading her to the roof.
Upon arriving on the roof with her boyfriend, Pepper was astonished at what she was seeing.
Nearly every inch of the grey concrete was coated with beautiful flowers, so many different kinds of flowers Pepper couldn't possibly had counted them all or let alone named them.
Also the floor glowed with light blue dots, but looked like countless stars.
"You like it?"Tony asked.
"Yeah."Pepper answered and became curious."But it's not Valentine's, or my birthday, or our anniversary, or anything, why–?"
Tony cleared his throat.
"Pepper Potts. You. Me. We've been through a lot together."Tony declared, looking at Pepper in the eyes."But no matter what happened, you've been the one constantly good thing in my life alongside my daughter. You are the most capable, qualified, trustworthy person I've ever met."
Pepper felt her heart beat a lot upon the various emotions that were growing within her.
"I love you. I will never stop loving you or love you any less."Tony vowed in a honest firm tone."In your eyes, I see my future, and in your smile, I find my happiness. Which is why I want to ask you this important question."
Tony began lowering himself onto the ground when his knee was on the floor as Pepper inhaled sharply.
The billionaire took out a small box and revealed a ring inside it.
"Pepper, will you marry me?"Tony asked.
Tears of joy appeared on Pepper's eyes as she covered her mouth.
"Yes."Pepper responded happily."Of course, Tony, yes."
Tony's lips split wide in a grin, his eyes reflecting indescribable joy.
He then placed the ring on Pepper's finger like a promise.
To be more clear, it was a vow more than a promise.
Tony got back up to his feet and allowed Pepper to throw her arms behind his neck to kiss.
At Midtown West Middle School, Riley grinned shyly as the hired photographer took a photo of her and Tristan together upon the two of them being dressed as two of the most famous characters in Star Wars.
CLICK!
The photographer gave the two teenagers a thumbs up.
"All done, Miss Stark and Mr Proctor."the photographer declared.
The photographer headed as Riley and Tristan looked at each other.
"So Riley, you're a fan of Star Wars?"Tristan asked.
"Well, I have watched both the prequels and sequels."Riley exclaimed."I must say it's very cool. Far better than Star Trek."
Tristan let out a small chuckle.
"That I agree 100%."Tristan commented."You should present the Star Wars movie saga to Captain America."
Riley nodded in agreement.
"I was thinking of that."Riley replied."I did promise Steve that I would watch a movie with him the next time he came to New York."
Riley noticed her iPhone was ringing and saw she got a message from her father.
Tony's Message: Me and Pepper are engaged!
An excited gasp escaped from Riley's mouth at the message she received.
"Yes!"Riley squealed in victory.
Riley was so excited of her father and Pepper's engagement that she ended up hugging Tristan and kissing him on the cheek.
"Sorry!"Riley apologised with an embarrassed chuckle."That was just a friendly kiss!"
Peter silently looked at Riley as he danced with Gwen to 'Ghostbusters' by Ray Parker Jr.
Gwen did a twirl, only for Peter to grab her by the waist to prevent her from hitting the floor.
"Hey, Tiger."Gwen replied with a smirk."You're not a bad dancer. Is there any surprises I should be aware."
Peter blushed and helped Gwen back up.
"And you're not bad yourself, Gwen."Peter answered with a shy smile.
"Let me get you some fruit punch."Gwen suggested.
"I'll come with you."Peter insisted.
Gwen smiled in approval as she and Peter began heading to the buffet table.
"Riley. Gwen. Riley. Gwen."Peter thought, secretly troubled by which of the two girls he really liked."I never had such a big headache before."