Author's Note: Before we head off to Thor: Ragnarok, Riley will be off to meet and hang out with another superhero team known as the X-Men and learn more about herself.
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 41: Not So Ordinary
Riley laughed lightly as Tristan held her hand and twirled her around as they danced to the song 'I Gotta Feeling' by Black Eyed Peas playing in the gym with most of the students that still had enough energy to dance more.
Between the plenty of pictures she took with her friends and drinking extremely watered down punch, Riley felt as though she were having the time of her life.
It felt like a dream come true for her to actually enjoy her school life as an ordinary girl.
Most people would find Homecoming Dances lame with cheap decorations and poor taste of food, the Stark heiress was actually finding the event kind of fun.
When the Dance-pop song ended, Riley and Tristan went to hang out with their friends from the Decathlon team.
Riley and Tristan listened to the very serious debate going down between MJ and Ned.
"Exactly why the hell Disney buy Star Wars?"MJ questioned.
"George Lucas couldn't keep up with the way the film industry was developing, specifically in terms of streaming."Ned exclaimed."But I have to say watching The Force Awakens was pretty cool."
"I guess it sort of was."MJ responded with a slight smile."Especially, seeing Rey wielding Luke Skywalker's lightsaber and whopping Kylo Ren's ass."
This caused Tristan to scoff in annoyance.
"Give me a break. The Force Awakens was garbage and a disgrace to George Lucas' masterpiece storyline."Tristan admitted with a frown."Since I am a Star Wars Legends fan, I can clearly see Disney will make a mockery out of it too."
Riley gave Tristan a smirk.
"So you find Disney's lack of understanding Star Wars disturbing?"Riley joked.
"100%."Tristan agreed.
"Come on, Tristan."Ned remarked confidently."I am sure Disney's upcoming Star Wars movie will be great."
"I rather be shut in my room reading the Star Wars Legends I bought than wasting my eye sight watching another gibberish from Disney."Tristan informed sternly.
Gwen then walked forward while holding a cup of fruit punch, earning the group's attention.
"Then I'll be happy to follow your advice, Mr Proctor."Gwen informed smugly."We are slowly entering an era where watching the review of a movie is a lot more satisfying than watching the movie itself."
A groan of dismay escaped from Ned's mouth.
"Come on, Gwen."Ned responded."Not you too."
Riley glanced at Ned.
"Sorry, Ned. Me, Tristan and Gwen will stick with the Legends Storyline."Riley chuckled."I am not saying that because I am a big fan of Mara Jade and Jaina Solo."
"Geez, thanks."Ned thanked sarcastically.
MJ removed her beverage from her mouth.
"Now that I think about it."MJ complemented with a smug look."Everyone used to bash the prequels of Star Wars. But nobody bashes them anymore since the Disney trilogy came out."
Ned glared at MJ.
"Just whose side are you on?"Ned argued.
Riley, Tristan and Gwen let out light chuckles.
Suddenly, the Stark heiress noticed out of the corner of her eye, a face that looked all too anxious.
Turning her head, Riley noticed as Peter went jogging toward her.
Riley took a few steps away from the group to meet Peter almost halfway.
She was just concerned about the distress written on his face.
"Hey, Petey."Riley greeted."Is everything okay?"
"The guy with the wings."Peter declared."We have to go, Riley."
Peter grabbed Riley's wrist and pulled her out of the gym.
Gwen frowned in suspicion while Tristan was confused at what he just saw.
Seeing her chance, Sally went over to Tristan.
"I see your date ditched you for the king of the geeks."Sally commented with a smirk."That must sting."
Tristan simply shook his head.
"That's fine, Sally."Tristan assured."I'll dance with someone else."
"Why, thank you, Tristan."Sally thanked in approval."You figure out that Riley is not worthy for you."
Tristan ignored Sally and went over to Liz, who looked a bit down at Peter leaving her.
"Hey, Liz."Tristan greeted and offered his hand out to Liz."Would you like to dance with me?"
An approved smile appeared on Liz's face.
"I'd love to, Tristan."Liz answered and took Tristan's hand."Thank you."
Peter increased his jog into a run once he and Riley exited the gym and entered the hallways of Midtown High.
"Wait, what!?"Riley demanded.
Peter released his grasp on Riley in order to sprint toward the lockers, leaving her to run after him.
"Peter, what are you talking about!?"Riley asked.
"The Vulture!"Peter declared.
"You mean the guy with the wings?"Riley assumed.
"Yes! He's Liz's dad!"Peter agreed frantically."He's up to something bad, Riley! We have to hurry!"
A look of disbelief appeared on Riley's face.
The Vulture was Liz's father?
That didn't make any sense.
"Hold on!"Riley protested."I thought the real name of Liz's father was Wilson Allan! The file said he was a restaurant and hotel owner of Avenue Dinner Club!"
"The file you read was false information!"Peter admitted."His real name is Adrian Toomes!"
Peter went to change out of his tuxedo suit in the nearby bathroom hall into his makeshift suit from before.
Riley waited in the hall, slowly trying to piece everything together.
The sound of heels stomping was heard and Riley saw Gwen rushing up to her.
"Riles, something you should address me on?"Gwen asked.
Before Riley opened her mouth, Peter stepped out of the boys' bathroom wearing his first Spider-Man costume and became startled at seeing Gwen.
"Hey, Tiger."Gwen greeted smugly."Need some help?"
When Gwen placed on her Ghost Spider suit, she and Peter hurried outside Midtown High.
Peter was frantically trying to put on his web-shooters before Gwen suddenly shoved them out of the way.
They landed with a thud, causing Peter's web-shooters to go flying from his grasp.
Not far from the two masked heroes was Herman Schultz, one of the Vulture's henchmen.
"He gave you a choice."Herman declared."You chose wrong."
"Agh."Peter grumbled."What the hell?"
Herman snickered. "What's with the crappy costume?"
Ghost Spider's eyes went to the mysterious weapons clad in Herman's hands, then they shot toward where Peter's web-shooters laid on the ground.
"Go for the web-shooters, Tiger."Ghost Spider instructed.
"What?"Peter whispered, instantly worried his friend's safety."Are you sure?"
"Trust me."Ghost Spider demanded.
When Peter was further away from the area, Ghost Spider got to her feet and observed as the stranger's weapons buzzed with electricity.
"Alright, wannabe Thor, let's dance."Ghost Spider muttered.
Herman observed Ghost Spider for a moment, realising that he was dealing with another superhero.
"I think you know well what the outcome will be."Herman mocked.
Herman used his weapon to move a school bus and threw it at Ghost Spider.
However, Ghost Spider jumped over the bus making the vehicle hit another school bus.
"I wasn't sure about this thing at first, but..."Herman started.
Herman used his weapon to grab Ghost Spider and slammed into a school bus, creating a dent in it.
"Asshole."Ghost Spider mumbled.
Ghost Spider pulled herself to her feet and turned herself invisible.
Approaching Herman, Ghost Spider tapped his shoulder.
Herman turned around, ready to hit her, but he was puzzled when no one was physically standing before him.
Ghost Spider just laughed to herself and punched Herman in the jaw, turning herself visible once more.
The masked female superhero then did a back flip jump and fired a stream of webs to grab Herman by the legs before webbing the man to a close by bus.
"You should've come more prepared, Thor wannabe."Ghost Spider sneered.
Ghost Spider then webbed Herman's eyes and mouth.
Suddenly, the sound of a photo shot was heard and Ghost Spider saw Ned taking a picture of her with his phone.
"Holy cow!"Ned mumbled while staring at the criminal in the spider's web."Nice shot, Ghost Spider!"
Ghost Spider gave a small shrug in respond.
"Thanks?"Ghost Spider replied, not know what to say.
Peter then rushed into the scene wearing his web shooters with Riley right behind him.
"Dude!"Peter called out."The dude with the wings is Liz's dad!"
Ned's eyes widened with surprise.
"What!?"Ned demanded
"I know!"Peter declared."I gotta tell Mr Stark!"
This caused Riley to immediately whack Peter at the back of his hidden head.
"Ow!"Peter groaned.
"We are not calling my dad, bug boy."Riley informed with a frown."The last thing I want my dad is know I am mixed up in your hero mission. We are calling Happy."
"Alright, Riley."Peter replied, feeling embarrassed that he forgotten his idol was usually overprotective with his first born daughter."Do just that."
Then, Peter turned around and shot a web out at a nearby lamppost, allowing him to swing forward.
"Wait!"Ned protested."Are you gonna be okay!?"
"Hurry!"Peter shouted back, ignoring his best friend's question."We gotta catch him before he leaves town!"
Ned looked back at Ghost Spider, who silently watched Peter go.
"Shouldn't you...Shouldn't you be going with Peter?"Ned suggested.
Ghost Spider shook her head, making up her mind on the spot.
"No."Ghost Spider answered."This is his time to prove himself and learn. Hopefully, without dying."
A confident smile appeared on Riley's face as she placed her hand on Ghost Spider's shoulder.
"He will be okay."Riley assured with a hint of admiration."His stronger than he looks."
Riley's eyes trailed off to where Peter disappeared into the city of Queens before looking back at Ned.
"We need to use the computers in the library to track Peter's phone."Riley exclaimed firmly."Let's hurry."
Ned nodded hurriedly and took off with Riley and Ghost Spider right behind him.
Later on, Ned, Riley and Ghost Spider were in Midtown High's library as the Stark heiress tried to contact her father's head of security.
According to Peter, Liz's father, otherwise known as the Vulture, had been harbouring illegal weapons to other criminals by using some sort of alien rock.
The night of Liz's party, Peter got a hold of a 'glowy thing' from the Vulture's henchmen which ended up being the bomb that nearly destroyed the entire Washington Monument.
The bomb was also the Chitauri energy core.
Riley scoffed upon seeing Happy still hadn't answered her call despite being her fifth time calling him.
"Still no answer."Riley retorted.
Ghost Spider looked at Riley.
"Would it be so bad to call your dad, Riles?"Ghost Spider questioned.
"He placed my own suit under heavy security after the airport fiasco in Germany."Riley admitted with a frown."Would you want him to take yours too?"
"No, thank you."Ghost Spider replied.
Ned moved his eyes away from the computer he was using when his phone began to ring and he picked it up, putting it on speaker so Riley and Ghost Spider could hear.
"Hello, Ned?"Peter called out."Hey, hey, hey, hey, can you hear me?"
Ned nodded in response.
"Go for Ned. I'm here with Riley and Ghost Spider. They told me all about the vulture guy."Ned exclaimed."I can't believe his Liz's dad."
"Yeah. Me neither."Peter answered."Can you find a way to track him?"
"We are using my USB to track him down."Riley declared.
"Genius move."Ned praised and looked at the computer screen."Okay, he just passed the GameStop on Jackson Avenue."
"Hey, where are the headlights on this thing?"Peter asked."I'm in Flash's car."
This caused Ned, Riley and Ghost Spider to become stunned.
"You stole Eugene's car?"Ghost Spider chuckled."Awesome."
"Yeah. It's awesome."Peter agreed."It's awe...whoa!"
Riley cringed as she heard Peter nearly crashed into other cars.
"Get out of the way! Get out of the way!"Peter argued."Move! Move!"
"Peter, are you okay?"Ned asked.
"I've never really driven before."Peter responded."Only with may in parking lots. This is a huge step up..."
Ghost Spider simply placed a hand over her hidden face as she heard Peter scream upon a car nearly hitting him.
"You're not even the right age to drive."Ghost Spider mumbled.
"Hey, have either of you gotten through to Happy yet?"Peter questioned.
"Working on it."Riley replied, her phone up to her ear."He isn't answering any of his calls."
"Keep trying him until he does, Riley."Peter responded and brought his attention on Ned."Hey, Ned. How are we coming on with those headlights?"
Ned looked at the screen in front of him, Riley and Ghost Spider.
"Uh, round knob to the left of the steering wheel."Ned answered."Turn clockwise."
"Left. Okay. Okay. Perfect."Peter remarked from the other line."So where's the tracker now?"
"Um...He stopped in an old industrial park in Brooklyn."Ned admitted.
"What? That makes no sense!"Peter argued."I thought he said he was going out of town!"
Riley got up from her seat upon remembering something.
"Wait a minute. My dad said today he was going to have some items moved to the Avengers Compound."Riley complemented and became startled."Moving day."
"Moving day?"Peter asked and then realised what Riley meant."It's moving day! His gonna rob that plane! I gotta stop him!"
"Okay, slow down."Ned instructed."You're getting close. It's on your right."
"What?!"Peter demanded.
"Turn right! Turn right!"Ned exclaimed as he, Riley and Ghost Spider could hear the car screech to a stop."Peter, are you okay?"
"Yeah, yeah, I'm good."Peter assured.
Riley began heading out of the library, making Ned and Ghost Spider look at her.
"Where are you going, Riley?"Ghost Spider questioned.
"I'm going to go see if I can get Happy!"Riley declared."Good luck, Petey!"
Ghost Spider then rushed after Riley in the hallway.
"No way you'll make it on foot, Riles."Ghost Spider stated."I am dropping you."
"Really? Okay."Riley answered."Is Paul coming to pick us up?"
Riley cried out in terror as she held onto Ghost Spider tightly as her masked best friend swung them to Upstate New York.
Even if she was using one hand to swing around, the female masked superhero made sure her other arm was holding the Stark heiress tightly by the waist.
"I was fine with taking the train!"Riley shouted.
"And wait for almost half an hour with a bunch of other people?"Ghost Spider chuckled."No, thank you!"
Riley opened her eyes a little and shut them again when she saw Ghost Spider was swinging them near a bunch of high trees.
"Exactly where is your father and Pepper at this very moment?"Ghost Spider asked.
"North Salem! A town in Westchester County, New York!"Riley responded with her eyes shut."He said they had an important meeting there and Morgan went with them!"
Riley held her arms around Ghost Spider's neck tightly as her masked best friend finally brought them near the Avengers Compound.
"Riles, you can let go now."Ghost Spider insisted.
Riley slowly let go of Ghost Spider and opened her eyes before becoming relieved that she was now where she needed to be.
The young brunette ran to the doors causing her father's head of security to become surprised to see her.
"Riley, what are you doing here?"Happy questioned.
"Someone's trying to rob the plane."Riley declared."Peter found the guy he was hunting down."
"I don't have time for plane robberies-"Happy started.
Riley frowned. "They're robbing our plane."
This caused Happy to become alarmed.
"What?!"Happy gasped.
"It's true. Ghost Spider dropped me here."Riley continued."You can ask her, she is standing right-"
Riley turned around, only to see Ghost Spider was no longer standing outside the Avengers Compound.
She was gone.
Ghost Spider swung over to Coney Island, only to become shocked to see everything was on fire and smoke covered the night sky.
Upon landing on the ground, the masked female superhero coughed as the fumes and smoke filled her lungs.
"Peter?!"Ghost Spider called out, looking around for her childhood friend."Peter?!"
"Gwen?"
Ghost Spider turned around and saw Peter stumbling over to her.
Peter outstretched his arms and engulfed Ghost Spider in a hug.
"I did it."Peter mumbled.
Ghost Spider let out a sigh of relief.
"You did it."Ghost Spider praised.
She took a step back, her eyes scanning his face.
Ghost Spider and Peter went away before Adrian was taken to custody of Happy Hogan and the FBI.
"You're not worried about Toomes anymore?"Ghost Spider questioned.
"Webbed him near the remaining cargo that he tried to take."Peter complemented."But I doubt he would cause anymore trouble to where he is going."
Ghost Spider removed her mask up to reveal her face to Peter.
"All that blood looks really good on you, Tiger."Ghost Spider chuckled."Really brings out your eyes."
Peter shook his head fondly, a small grin covering his face.
"September 23 2016."Ghost Spider murmured, looking at the area below them and turned around to take a few steps back."Homecoming and duelling a villain at Coney Island. But also something else."
"Which is?"Peter questioned.
"This."Gwen declared.
Just as it seemed she was going to walk away, Gwen suddenly turned around and went over to Peter, pressing her lips to his.
Peter's eyes widen in shock while his face went red as a crab.
When a minute passed, Gwen then removed her lips from his and placed on her mask before jumping off the building they were on and swinging out of sight, leaving an utterly stunned Peter behind.
An irritated scowl escaped from Riley's mouth as she stood pacing back and forth inside the Avengers Compound.
Unfortunately, Happy left her by herself after she told him the Vulture's attempt to flee New York with cargos filled weapons.
Not only that, Gwen wasn't picking up her phone.
Was Peter safe?
Was he alright?
Did he stop the Vulture before it was too late?
Then again, she could've stayed and kept enjoying her time at the prom.
But she wasn't someone to ignore her friends' when they needed help the most.
Feeling hungry, Riley made herself a cup of chamomile tea to drink and ate three digestive biscuits.
The Stark heiress than sat in the sofa chair to read a Patricia Walker comic book.
After reading the comic book, Riley got bored again and took out her iPhone to play 'Bubble Witch 3 Saga'.
This was not how she planned her Homecoming Dance to be.
A sad sigh escaped from Riley's mouth as her mind went on the Avengers.
Things haven't been that interesting since the battle at Leipzig-Halle Airport and Earth's Mightiest Heroes became vigilantes.
Though she heard that Wanda opted to leave the Avengers and stay in hiding in Scotland with Vision.
A bewilderment expression appeared on Riley's face at the thought of Wanda and Vision dating.
Though she would imagine that Pietro would become furious and become overprotective at the thought of his younger twin sister dating an android.
Riley then began thinking about the school that Director Fury wanted her to go to.
Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters.
The young brunette began to research the school's name in her iPhone and became surprise what she read.
The school was a special institute founded and led by Professor Charles Xavier to train young mutants in controlling their powers.
"Call it a link to learn more about your mother."
Riley slowly stood up from where she sat as she remembered what Director Fury told her.
What did Professor Xavier's School had to do with her late mother?
Riley went over to the big glass window to stare at her reflection.
Nothing out of the ordinary.
Suddenly, Riley felt her head hurt again while her warm brown eyes suddenly changed into a magenta pink colour again.
"Oh, no."Riley muttered in pain."Not again."
Then a couple of seconds, the headache stopped and the pain went away.
Riley slowly opened her eyes, only to become shocked.
In her place was a dark purple humanoid made of pure magenta pink energy. Streams of glowing bright pink energy which resemble hair radiated from her head. She didn't have any externally visible ears, nose or lips, nor did she wear any clothing.
The Stark heiress was completely terrified as she stared at her sudden new appearance.
"What the hell is this?!"Riley gasped in disbelief.
Riley then noticed her feet was not on the ground and became stunned when she noticed that she was beginning to float up from the ground.
She began to move herself a bit and became awestruck that she was flying without her suit.
Riley slowly made her fear and confusion go away and began to chuckle lightly as she started flying around the room.
It was actually kind of fun.
All the sudden, Riley changed back into her normal form and hit the floor with a thud.
"Ow!"Riley muttered in pain.
Riley rubbed her back a bit before looking at her hands, silently scared and confused at what just occurred.
"What is going on with me?"Riley murmured."This never happened before."
"I know the kind of pain you're feeling, Riley."A male unknown voice said."I once had it myself."
Riley turned around, only to become startled and back away a bit to see a figure not far from where she stood.
It was an old man with white hair and blue eyes. He wore a dark red armour with a purple cape and a red purple helmet.
"What?!"Riley gasped in shock."Where did you come from?"
"I've just arrived to see you because I know what you're going through."Magneto declared."Your head aches from the pressure that your dealing with. I can give you relief and answers to help you control your psionic abilities."
This made Riley became utterly disturbed.
"Psionic abilities? I-Is that I have?"Riley assumed, trying to put the pieces together."You some kind of witch doctor?"
"No, Riley. I am Magneto."Magneto answered and offered his hand out to Riley."And I have come to offer you sanctuary."
Riley looked at Magneto in silence, not knowing what to say or whether to trust him since he just suddenly appeared in the Avengers Compound.
"Look, um…sir. I…I thank you for the offer."Riley responded firmly, being careful with her words."But I have a lot on my mind at the moment. Is it possible for me to have some time to think about it?"
Magento simply nodded in respond.
"Very well, Miss Stark. I'll leave you be for the time being."Magneto informed."But by the time I return, I would expect you to make the right decision."
The mysterious man then disappeared from Riley's sight, making her sigh in deep relief.
Riley then slowly stood up from where she was to look at her hands once more.
Just what was she exactly?