Author's Note: One more chapter left and then we'll be heading off to Thor: Ragnarok!
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 44: Part of the Team
In the Danger Room, Jean watched as Riley had her arms out ready as she closed her eyes to concentrate.
"Remember, you focus your concentration."Jean instructed."Don't let your powers control you. I know it's difficult, but just maintain your discipline. Okay, ready?"
Riley gave Jean a small nod.
As she concentrated on her powers, Riley's brown eyes became magenta pink when she opened them as she formed her hands together to form a psychic blast.
When Riley unleashed her attack towards the three target droids that was not far from them and was able to shatter only two to bits.
A sigh escaped from Riley.
"I missed one."Riley commented.
Jean placed her hand on Riley's shoulder.
"You still did great, Riley."Jean assured."Learning to handle things that go wrong is part of training. You just need to repair it."
"Right."Riley agreed.
After the training session in the Danger Room, Jean told Riley about the how she was associated with the Phoenix, an immensely powerful cosmic entity.
"The Phoenix Force is gone now."Jean exclaimed."But I could feel it deep inside, pulling me back, to protect those I care about."
Riley stared at Jean with an awestruck expression.
"Wow. That is wicked."Riley murmured, not knowing what to say."It's quite shocking after you proclaimed yourself the Phoenix, you suffered from confusion, memory loss, and vast new powers. But I have read from a book that a Phoenix usually symbolises strength, transformation and renewal in times of doubt and confusion. For only from the ashes of who we were, can we rise up to become who we're to be."
"You didn't learn that by reading and watching Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, right?"Jean asked.
Riley smirked. "Maybe?"
Jean led Riley down the corridor to a solitary door at the end of the hallway.
Once it opened, Riley looked around in awe.
The entire room was like the inside of a giant ball with silver rectangular panels lining the walls.
There was a single catwalk that led to a round platform in the center.
In the room, they saw Professor Xavier sitting down at what looked like an advance computer console.
But instead of a screen, there was an odd looking helmet with two wires connecting it to the desk and the Professor wore it on his head before typing in a few keys into the console.
The humming of machines could be heard and suddenly the panels that lined the walls seemed to vanish as Jean and Riley suddenly saw a projection of the entire world stretch out in front of them.
The surprise didn't stop there as the Stark heiress then saw blinking yellow lights start appearing all over every continent.
"Welcome to Cerebro, Riley."Professor Xavier declared."The brain waves of mutants are different from average humans. This device amplifies my power, allowing me to locate mutants across great distances."
Riley felt her mind practically explode at this point.
The idea of one person being connected to everyone on Earth seemed almost too good to be true.
Suddenly, the yellow lights were then replaced by a smaller number of red lights that hardly made up five percent of the world.
"The yellow lights represented all the humans in the world."Professor Xavier stated."And these red lights represent all the mutants."
As she stared at the scene in front of her, Riley couldn't help but notice the human and mutant population were exactly the same.
But alas, not the whole world were fond of those who were different.
"Is this how you found my mum, Professor X?"Riley assumed.
"That's right."Professor Xavier replied with a nod."Matilda had been a psionic like you beside having one of the finest students I had."
A bittersweet smile appeared on Riley's face.
"I know my mum was amazing, but I don't recall remembering her having powers."Riley admitted."But nevertheless, I miss her everyday."
Suddenly, the view around them switched to back to it's normal mode as an unknown male figure appeared on the screen of Professor Xavier's desk.
A boy with blonde hair and greenish blue eyes. He was muscular, especially his upper body, with fair tanned skin, these features appeared to be the result of him being an avid surfer. His outfit was a flowered sleeveless shirt with a white tank top and blue pair of shorts with sandals.
"Cerebro has pinpointed the emergence of a new mutant, only partially developed."Professor Xavier declared.
"What's his name, Professor X?"Riley asked.
"His name is Alex Blanding once known as Alex Summers, Scott's brother."Professor Xavier admitted.
Surprised looks appeared on Jean and Riley's faces.
The new mutant was Scott's long lost younger brother?
"Brother?"Jean questioned."I thought Scott was the only one who survived that plane crash."
"Yes. So did I. And so does Scott."Professor Xavier stated as he took off the helmet he wore."Have him meet us in the hangar. We're flying to Hawaii."
Jean nodded and prepared to leave the room, only for Professor Xavier speak again.
"Oh, and Jean, let's be prepared for trouble."Professor Xavier declared."I doubt we're the only ones who have an interest in this young man."
Riley glanced at Professor Xavier as Jean went out of the room.
"Professor Xavier, can I come too?"Riley requested with a glimpse of hope."I really want to see how the X-Men fight in action."
"Riley-"Professor Xavier started.
"Please."Riley pleaded."I promise I won't attract any trouble."
A small sigh escaped from Professor Xavier's mouth.
"Alright, Riley."Professor Xavier responded."You can come."
Afterwards, Jean, Rogue, Nightcrawler, Gambit and Riley (in their X-Men outfits) made their way into the X-Jet that will be heading to Honolulu, Hawaii.
Logan joined his comrades in the jet as he noticed Professor Xavier speaking with Scott in the hangar.
"My little brother?"Scott said in shock."He's-"
"He's Alive, Scott."Professor Xavier declared."Alex is alive."
Scott was utterly shocked, not knowing what to say.
"Oh, man! I thought he was gone!"Scott declared as he got more upset."Or I would've been out looking for him! I should've been looking for him! I mean, I just accepted it! Why didn't l?"
"Easy, Scott. Take a breath."Professor Xavier instructed."Don't blame yourself."
"But all this time."Scott stated."Where has he been?"
"Well, as far as I can determine living with foster parents in Hawaii."Professor Xavier admitted.
"Then let's go now!"Scott stated.
While hiding behind the bushes, a stray cat watched as the X-Jet came out of its hanger within Professor Xavier's school before flying off in the sky.
Suddenly, the cat changed to her true form, revealing to be Mystique in disguise.
Mystique was a blue skinned woman with red hair that slightly went over her shoulders and eyes that had yellow sclera with a black iris. A yellow, triangular shaped gem was placed upon her forehead. She wore a white, sleeveless but long dress with a purple skim-suit under it, her shoes were a pair of matching white boots that reached up to her thighs as well as a pair of white fingerless gloves that almost went up to her shoulders.
The shapeshifter took out her handheld radio to contact Magneto.
"They're on the move."Mystique declared.
On their way to Hawaii, Riley stared out the view of the Blackbird which showed a wider of view North Salem.
Even if things looked peaceful from above, deep down existed the hate and prejudice against mutants.
"The only difference between a hero and the villain is that the villain chooses to use that power in a way that is selfish and hurts other people."Riley thought."But some say a villain is just a victim whose story hasn't been told. So what is the exact whole story behind Magneto's hated for humanity?"
Riley glanced at the view in the air before resting her head a little.
The plane ride to Hawaii was relatively quite, but it was not long until the X-Jet arrived to Hawaii's capital and largest city.
A vibrant blend of a bustling international metropolis and tropical paradise, known for its beautiful beaches, rich cultural heritage and diverse attractions including Waikīkī Beach and the historic Iolani Palace.
The X-Jet touched down around Honolulu's Watershed Forest Reserve, Riley followed the X-Men out of it.
"The Blackbird will be safe here."Rogue complemented.
Logan brought his attention on Nightcrawler, who remained inside the X-Jet.
"You coming, Elf?"Logan questioned.
"I'll stay here within the X-Jet."Nightcrawler stated."I'll attract unwanted attention if I go with you guys."
Rogue glanced at her foster brother.
"We won't be long, Kurt."Rogue assured.
Nightcrawler nodded before closing the entrance of the X-Jet.
Jean looked at Cyclops.
"Do you have any idea where your younger brother might be, Scott?"Jean asked.
"Alex was always fond on becoming a surfer, so I guess we should start with looking in Waikīkī Beach."Cyclops suggested.
"That's a great idea."Riley remarked."I've read that Waikīkī is known to be a popular surf beach and breathtaking views of Lēʻahi which means Diamond Head."
"Riley, remember this is a mission."Logan reminded with a frown."We're not here for a vacation."
"I know, Logan."Riley assured.
Soon after, Riley and the X-Men began making their way to Waikīkī Beach.
Upon arriving to Honolulu, the group noticed the people were going on their lives and not giving anti-mutant remarks.
"Hey, they don't seem to hate us here."Rogue remarked.
Gambit smirked in approval.
"Now this is what I call paradise, mon cheri."Gambit sneered.
Riley glanced at Logan.
"It seems everything is fine here."Riley chuckled.
"Let's hope it stays that way."Logan informed.
Jean smiled at Cyclops, who seemed more busy to look for his long lost younger brother.
"Scott?"Jean asked.
"I am fine, Jean."Scott assured, giving a small smile to his girlfriend."It's just…that I haven't see my younger brother for a long time. And learning he was alive this whole time is-"
Jean held Scott's hand, giving it a comfort squeeze.
"We'll find him."Jean assured.
The group soon arrived to Waikīkī Beach, where they saw a group of people (mostly girls) watching a figure surfing on the beach.
"Hey, hotshot!"
"Yoo-hoo!"
"Over here!"
Riley followed the gazes of the squealing girls, seeing the surfer was none other than Alex; Scott's younger brother.
To her, he looked so handsome and just staring at him alone made her heart pound in her chest.
However, the blush on the Stark heiress face vanished when she remembered Peter.
Alex surfed back into the sand, only to be surrounded by his admirers.
But when he lifted up his face to look above, he immediately recognised Cyclops beside the X-Men.
"Alex, is it really you?"Cyclops questioned.
"Scott?"Alex asked excitedly."Scott!"
Alex dropped his surfboard and rushed to Cyclops to hug him, happy to see his older brother again.
"Man, it's like you came back from the dead!"Alex laughed.
"I've had dreams just like this."Cyclops chuckled."Man, this one's real, though."
"Me too!"Alex admitted.
Cyclops stopped hugging Alex upon noticing how grown up he was.
"And look at you."Cyclops remarked."What happened to that scrawny little kid I used to pick on?"
Alex smirked. "Hey, that reminds me."
Cyclops chucked a bit as Alex gave a friendly punch on the arm.
"I owed you that for 10 years."Alex stated.
"And you still hit like a girl."Cyclops joked.
"Believe me, bro, there's more to this punch than you know."Alex admitted."I've got-"
"I know."Cyclops interrupted."I still can't believe it."
After going to a nearby bar that had a friendly environment, Alex carefully showed Cyclops and his companions the powers that he had as he carefully charged up plasma energy in his hands.
"I couldn't believe it."Alex stated."I got these powers growing inside of me."
"So it doesn't bother you knowing that you're now actually a mutant?"Rogue asked.
Alex shook his head.
"Not really."Alex answered and glanced at Riley."And to think a member of the Avengers is actually one too."
Riley blushed and smiled in a shy way.
"We're just trying to fit in and make good use of our abilities."Cyclops exclaimed."But we've learned to be careful because most people just aren't ready to deal with us yet.
"And with Magneto out there, you really should lay low for a while anyway."Logan instructed.
"There are people who like Senator Kelly who don't like mutants and see them as menaces to humankind."Riley warned.
Alex fiddled with straw on his tropical drink beverage.
"I still don't get all this."Alex complemented."Mutants and humans shouldn't be divided from each other."
Logan placed his glass of rum down.
"But we didn't draw the line."Logan declared with a frown."Magneto and Senator Kelly did."
Cyclops glanced at Alex.
"I understand if you wanna keep staying here, Alex."Cyclops stated."But if you ever have trouble controlling your powers, me and the X-Men will be there for you."
Alex smiled. "Thanks, Scott."
Riley paused from drinking her coconut mocktail and touched her forehead of feeling a headache.
That's when she saw the visions.
Six stones.
A menacing figure gripping a gold metal armour fist.
The Earth fading to dust alongside the rest of the Universe.
Riley gasped softly in horror at what she saw.
"Riley, you okay?"Rogue questioned.
"Y-Yeah, I'm fine."Riley responded simply, covering her shock at what she saw."Just had a little brain freeze."
A few hours later, Riley and the X-Men returned back to Professor Xavier's School after accepting Alex's request to remain neutral as well as to stay in Hawaii to become a surfer.
Though it seemed the day would end peacefully, a certain mutant with the ability to manipulate magnetism decided to ruin that.
In a street of New York that was a bit wrecked, Magneto used his power to pause the X-Jet from flying away.
Since he had the power to control metal, he easily made the jet turn to the side to where its ramp was and land down back on the ground.
The ramp of the X-Jet opened revealing Professor Xavier, Bobby (Iceman), Megan Gwynn (Pixie), Piotr Rasputin (Colossus) and Remy LeBeau (Gambit) standing with each other while Riley (Jewel Star) stood sitting in one of the seats.
Though it was night time, most civilians weren't asleep but stood in a safe distance or their own homes to watch the fight that was going to occur.
"Just bring me the girl, Charles."Magento demanded."We both know her place is with me."
"She's chosen a different path than the one you offer, Erik."Professor Xavier informed.
Magento's frown deepened, making Riley look at her comrades with a worried expression.
"It's an uninformed choice."Magento replied."How can she ever reach her true potential if you insist on suppressing her powers?"
"Because I see her as a person."Professor Xavier stated sternly."Not as a weapon."
"You know how I abhor these confrontations, Charles."Magento retorted grimly."But you leave me no choice."
Magneto began to send the X-Jet back, forcing Professor Xavier and his four students to be sent off the ramp while Riley remained inside the aircraft.
The Leader of the Brotherhood of Mutants then used his power to sent Professor Xavier against the wall of a nearby building.
"Erik, please!"Professor Xavier demanded.
Gambit, Iceman, Pixie and Colossus stood together as they watched Magento lift manholes, cars, lamp posts and other metal objects towards.
Iceman quickly created an ice shield to prevent metal poles from stabbing him and his friends.
He then used his ice powers to make a wave of ice to ride on, only to be caught on a floating car.
Colossus transform himself into his metallic form to bash the floating cars before Magento sent a bus towards him.
Pixie quickly went up in the air to help Iceman and grab his hand while Gambit began to charge playing cards with kinetic energy before using them as explosive projectiles to destroy the manholes.
Gambit started using his bō to to tackle against the other metal objects before dodging some of them.
Magneto created magnetic force field around himself to avoid Gambit's explosive projectiles.
Riley watched in shock as Gambit, Iceman and Pixie then got shot by Magneto's powerful rays.
"Everyone!"Riley called out.
"Riley, no!"Professor Xavier shouted.
Seeing Riley go down the X-Jet's ramp, Magneto smirked as he made a bus float over an unconscious Pixie.
"You can end this, Miss Stark."Magneto declared."Come with me and I'll spare your friends."
Riley paused at Magneto's declaration, but then stood her ground as her warm brown eyes glared at the deadly opponent in front of her.
"No. I'm an X-Man."Riley replied with a stern tone."I will not be another puppet for you to use to exterminate humanity."
Riley's eyes glowed magenta pink and lifted up her hands to move the bus away from Pixie to head slowly towards Magneto.
Magneto attempted to make the bus head straight toward Riley.
But the controlled vehicle became more into the Stark Heiress' possession and started to crack a bit.
Seeing Magneto distracted, Riley used her telepathy to contact Colossus.
"Colossus! It's Riley!"Riley thought, secretly contacting Colossus that was buried in a rumble nearby."This is your chance! Hit this metal creep!"
Colossus burst out from the rumble and tackled Magneto from behind, sending him to the ground.
The impact made the villain's helmet drop into one of the sewer holes as well make him vulnerable to telepathic attack.
Then all the metal objects dropped into the ground due to being released from Magneto's wrath.
Colossus released Magneto as he glared down at him.
"Don't ever underestimate a mutant because she's a kid."Colossus scoffed.
A relieved smile appeared on Riley's face at seeing Gambit, Iceman and Pixie gain their consciousness before Colossus joined them.
Upon witnessing the sight he saw, Professor Xavier smiled in approval as he slowly made his way over Magneto.
"Charles, she's more powerful than I ever realised."Magneto stated.
"And fortunately for you, I have taught her to suppress her abilities or we wouldn't be having this conversation."Professor Xavier informed with a smirk.
Magneto watched as Riley got her hair ruffled by Gambit before doing high fives from Colossus, Iceman and Pixie.
"With a mutant like her, we can change the world."Magneto commented.
Professor Xavier gave Magneto a small glare.
"Which is why I will never let you take her."Professor Xavier declared.
Magneto smirked. "Oh, dear friend, never say never."
Inside her, Riley felt a mixture of warmth and pride.
In her thoughts, she silently thanked Professor Xavier and the X-Men for their help in training to control her powers.
Especially, Jean since she was a mutant very powerful telepath and telekinetic.
Usually, an attack on one Avenger often meant an assault on the entire team.
But this time she fought a villain without her father or the Avengers' help.
She did it with the X-Men.
As officially-sanctioned heroes, the Avengers fight on behalf of the very same system that the outlawed X-Men regard with mistrust and apprehension.
Only time would tell which team saw the future most clearly.