Author's Note: Pietro Maximoff aka Quicksilver lives! I didn't like how the MCU killed him off, so in my fanfic he will be alive.
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 33: Retirement
Riley smiled as she looked around the New Avengers Facility which was located in Upstate New York on the coast of the Hudson River.
The young brunette wore a cherry red bird print blouse, black trousers and silver grey boots. Her chestnut brown hair was styled in a loose curly style.
Shortly after the Battle of Sokovia and Ultron's defeat, the Avengers reformed, so Tony repurposed the Stark Industries warehouse into the Avengers Compound.
With the assistance, provided by Nick Fury, Maria Hill, Erik Selvig and Dr Helen Cho, the Compound was to be used for scientific research, military training, weapons development and the new Avengers program.
The new Avengers included Rhodes (War Machine), Vision, Sam Wilson (Falcon) and the Maximoff twins; Pietro (Quicksilver) and Wanda (Scarlet Witch).
Riley slowly went over to Betty, who stood by herself and staring at the window that showed the peaceful view outside the facility.
But the Stark heiress knew she was worried about Bruce and had no idea of his current whereabouts.
"He will come back, Aunt Betty."Riley assured, giving a comforting smile."I don't know when, but I just know it."
"I know."Betty answered softly."I'll be patient."
"Dr Ross."A familiar male voice spoke up."Agent Stark."
Betty and Riley turned around to see Director Fury approaching them while holding a tablet.
"One of our tech boys flagged this."Director Fury declared as he handed the tablet to Betty."Splashed down in the Banda Sea. Could be the Quinjet. But with Stark's stealth tech, we still can't track the damn thing."
Betty nodded as she held the tablet, silently hoping the best for her boyfriend.
"Right."Betty agreed with a small nod.
"Probably jumped out and swam to Fiji."Director Fury assumed."He'll send a postcard."
Betty gave a small smile as Director Fury gestured Riley to follow him.
Director Fury handed Riley a small business card which had the title 'Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters' on it.
"I actually wanted to give you this when you first joined S.H.I.E.L.D, Agent Stark."Director Fury exclaimed."But I think this is now the right time to tell you about it."
Riley started at the business card before looking back at Director Fury.
"You've got a mission for me, sir?"Riley assumed.
"Call it a link to learn more about your mother."Director Fury declared.
A surprised look appeared on Riley's face.
"My mother?"Riley repeated.
"People see you two certain ways, Stark."Director Fury exclaimed."Some they see you as a good, brave young woman who has being working hard all her life, readying to take on the reins of her father's company and change the world for the better. Just like her grandfather and father did before her."
Riley stayed quiet for a moment, not certain as to how to respond.
"It's a big legacy to live up to."Riley murmured.
"It is."Director Fury agreed before he began to walked away."Everyone expects a lot from you. One life is all we have and we live it as we believe in living it."
When she was by herself, Riley stared at the small business card that she was given before making her way to where her father was.
After thinking about what Director Fury told her, Riley joined Tony, Steve and Thor in the glass hallway within the New Avengers Facility.
"The rules have changed."Steve declared.
"We're dealing with something new."Tony stated.
Riley rolled her eyes, smirking at how they try to defend their unworthiness.
"The Vision is artificial intelligence."Steve remarked.
Riley frowned at her father and Steve while sliding her hands in her pockets.
"Hey, I'm not sure you can call him a machine."Riley stated."Is a synthetic being a machine?"
"Either way, it doesn't count, right?"Steve assumed.
"No, it's not like a person lifting the hammer."Tony commented.
"Right."Steve agreed simply."Different rules for us."
"Nice guy."Tony said with a shrug."Artificial."
"Thank you."Steve answered.
Riley let out a light chuckle.
Thor just sauntered and smirked at his comrades.
"He can wield the hammer, he can keep the Mind Stone."Thor declared."It's safe with the Vision. And these days, safe is in short supply."
"But if you put the hammer in an elevator-"Steve started.
"It would still go up."Tony remarked.
"Elevator's not worthy."Steve informed in a sing song tone.
Thor smiled as he lightly tapped Tony's shoulder before doing the same to Riley.
"I'm gonna miss these little talks of ours."Thor informed.
"Not if you don't leave."Tony complemented.
"Dad's right, you know, Uncle Thor."Riley agreed with a pouty look."You don't have to go."
"I have no choice, Lady Riley."Thor admitted."The Mind Stone is the fourth of the Infinity Stones to show up in the last few years."
Riley sighed in agreement as the four of them stepped outside to the drive and lawn.
"Which is not a coincidence."Riley complemented.
Thor simply smiled and shook his head at the Stark heiress.
"Someone has been playing an intricate game and has made pawns of us."Thor exclaimed."And once all these pieces are in position..."
"Triple Yahtzee."Tony declared.
Riley glanced at Tony.
"Real mature, dad."Riley praised casually.
Tony placed on his sunglasses while moving Riley to his right side with his free hand.
Steve's gaze went over to Thor.
"You think you can find out what's coming?"Steve asked.
"I do."Thor answered strongly and gave Riley a firm nod."And then we shall face what comes."
Riley nodded. "We shall."
Thor then smacked Tony in the chest.
"Besides this one."Tony added and walked a few steps away."There's nothing that can't be explained."
Riley smirk smugly over at Tony, who just silently agreed, sliding his hands in his suit pant pockets.
Thor turned back to Steve, Tony and Riley, giving them a smile and a nod of farewell before he strongly raised his hammer.
Bright colourful light rained down, surrounding the God of Thunder before he was completely swept up out of view and all that was left behind was the familiar Asgardian marking in the freshly laid out grass.
Steve, Tony and Riley silently stared at the sizzling ember-like grass.
"Until next time, Uncle Thor."Riley thought with a small smile.
Tony frowned, swiping his head over to look at Steve and Riley.
"That man has no regard for lawn maintenance."Tony declared.
Riley chuckled brightly as as she, Tony and Steve all turned from the fiery design, slowly stepping towards the on the gravelly driveway that lead away from the facility.
"I'm gonna miss him, though."Tony admitted and looked at Steve."And you're gonna miss me. There's gonna be a lot of manful tears."
Tony clicked his car keys and the orange Lamborghini drove itself out of the retracting garage door, sliding up to their side.
Steve smiled at Tony and Riley.
"I will miss you both."Steve declared.
Riley gave Steve a fragile smile before giving him a quick hug.
"The same for me, Uncle Steve."Riley agreed."I'm gonna miss you all."
"Well, it's time for us to tap out."Tony commented."Maybe I should take a page out of Barton's book. Build Pepper a farm, hope nobody blows it up."
Riley gave Tony a curious look while Steve gave the billionaire a nod.
"The simple life."Steve agreed.
Tony gave Steve a smirk.
"You'll get there one day."Tony assured.
A troubled look appeared on Steve's face.
"I don't know."Steve stated."Family, stability. The guy who wanted all that
went in the ice 75 years ago. I think someone else came out."
Riley looked at Steve with a warm smile.
"But that someone now has a second chance to start a fresh life, Uncle Steve."Riley informed before nodding her head to the New Avengers Facility."With a certain Russian red haired spy."
Steve followed Riley's gaze, knowing the young brunette was talking about Natasha.
"Don't let Aunt Nat go."Riley instructed."She's perfect."
When Riley went inside the Lamborghini, Tony walked to go into the driver seat of the car before he looked back at Steve.
"You all right?"Tony questioned.
Though smiling softly, Steve looked at the view in front of him.
"I'm home."Steve declared.
Tony smirked at Steve before sliding into the car and closed the door.
Riley gave Steve a wave good-bye as Tony made the orange sports car zoom down the gravel road.
A soft sigh escaped from Riley's mouth as she rested on her car seat.
"You okay, Rye-Rye?"Tony asked.
"A lot of things are changing so quickly."Riley complemented."But at the same time, I feel a little excited about it."
"I guess that's a good thing."Tony said with a small smirk."God, why'd you have to go and grow up, Rye-Rye? To think you'll be starting to attend High School after this summer."
This caused the smile on Riley's face to vanish.
"What?"Riley demanded.
Tony let out a chuckle at his daughter's reaction.
"Wow. I can't believe you forgot."Tony laughed while shaking his head a bit."You'll be very busy with school work. But I am sure you can handle it?"
Riley glanced at Tony.
"Dad, please, don't tell me this also means a complete break from hero work?"Riley pleaded.
Tony smirked. "Bingo."
Riley groaned in dismay as she shrunk deeper on her car seat.
"Guess visiting Professor Xavier's School will have to wait."Riley thought in disapproval.
Upon returning back to the Avengers Tower, a bittersweet smile grew on Riley's face as she and her father stepped out of the elevator and walk into the living room.
Clint had retired and went back to his family in Iowa.
Bruce departed on the Quinjet to parts unknown.
Thor returned to Asgard to learn more about the forces he suspects have manipulated recent events.
Steve and Natasha assembled a new Avengers team.
Riley was actually a bit hurt deep inside of the sudden changes, but soon realised not everything can stay the same forever.
After all, true life was lived when tiny things occur.
Riley's mood immediately brightened up upon seeing Pepper in the room.
Her step-mother's smile beamed almost as beautifully as she did on her wedding day.
"Hey, Pepper."Riley greeted."When did you come back?"
"Just a few hours ago."Pepper declared.
Pepper gave Riley a gentle hug as the young brunette notice her step-mother trembling a bit.
"Pepper, are you okay?"Riley questioned, her voiced mixed with confusion and concern."Your trembling."
Pepper smiled. "I'm fine, Riley. Just a little something has come up."
Tony chuckled as he went over to Pepper to share a small kiss with his wife.
"And that little something happens to be very important."Tony admitted.
A glimpse of confusion appeared on Riley's face.
"Important?"Riley questioned.
Tony gestured over to the sofa which had a small gift box in it.
"Why don't you open that little gift box and find out?"Tony insisted.
Riley went over to the sofa and saw a white gift box wrapped with a pink ribbon.
The fourteen year old girl opened the small gift box, only to see three different badges inside.
One represented a birth certificate.
The second represented a bottle.
The third one looked like a crib.
While Riley was busy looking at the badges, Happy carefully came into the room while moving a table with wheels that contained a cake on it.
"What are the badges for?"Riley asked.
Tony gave Riley a wink.
"These three things have something in common."Pepper giggled.
As she placed the gift box down and stood up from the sofa, Riley held her in chin thought with her back turned.
"Let's see."Riley stated, trying to put the pieces together."Birth certificate, a bottle, a crib…"
When the pieces of the puzzle fit together, Riley's eyes widen and let out a gasp as she turned to look at her love ones.
"Can it be?"Riley asked."Are you two?!"
"We're having a baby!"Tony and Pepper declared in unison.
Tony and Pepper parted in order to reveal the cake decorated with baby bottles and a crib-toy ornament at the top.
"Congrats, Riley."Happy praised with a smile."You'll be getting a new addition to your family."
Riley had her jaw dropped in shock.
"You mean...I'm going to be a big sister?!"Riley assumed.
Once the revelation sunk in deeper, the Stark heiress couldn't even begin to explain the joy she felt in her heart.
She was not going to be an only child anymore and was going to have a younger brother or sister soon.
"This is the best prize ever!"Riley cheered in joy as she went to hug Tony and Pepper."Oh, I love you guys! And I can't wait to meet my younger sibling!"
"Neither can we."Tony agreed.
"So what is it?"Riley questioned, her warm brown eyes sparkling with excitement."A boy or girl?"
"We actually want to be surprised."Pepper declared with a gentle smile."But all we can tell you is that the baby is going to be due February."
"That's awesome."Riley praised happily."Even if he or she will have their birthday before me."
Tony placed his arm around Riley's shoulder.
"And be sure to really ace your time in High School, Rye-Rye."Tony instructed."Me and Pepper wouldn't want to worry about your grades with a new addition to the family coming."
Riley nodded at Tony.
"I understand, dad."Riley assured, her voice mixed with happiness and confidence."I won't let neither of you down."
Pepper smiled. "We know."