Melody Stark

**Appearance:**5'7, Reddish Brown Hair, Golden Brown Eyes, Mocha Colored Skin, Wears Glasses, doesn't wear anything flashy and wears 2 rings.

**Personality:**She is the analytical type, will rationalize every feeling. Draws conclusions from facts. Doesn't get angry, but will get a little aggressive if pushed. Would rather be in a lab than having anything to do with parties or relationships.

**Fighting Style:**Just like Tony, she uses a suit that has been altered to be able to use plants as well. Recently discovered that she is from a lost tribe of Shaman. And is able to use magic as well.

**Backstory:**

In 1608 AD, a tribe of shaman were located in The Amazonian Forests of Southern America. They were the defenders of The Green and would overwhelm their attackers. However, one day, they were over powered and taken in as slaves. Long boat rides, smelling of vomit and urine. The women were separated from the men, and children from their families. It had taken months to reach land fall. The Tribes name was A Lua Forte , also known in English as The Strong Moon. They were a smaller clan but, their journey was a long and a tiresome one. All the women and children were to be placed away from the men in the tribe. Many fought back, Most of the tribe did in fact, and all lost their lives. When Melody's ancestor saw the violence of the white men and her people, she cried out to Nature to help her. She was still young and innocent when she was bought by a young rich man. He was single, came into his money by inheritance, and was looking for a maid. He saw the potential in this young woman and bid on her. Luckily no one else wanted to bid on such a spirited young teenager. When she came into his possession, he saw more than just a maid.

He brought her back to his home, got her cleaned up, well fed and well dressed. He started teaching her to read and write English, helped her learn to ride a horse and had even given her permission to leave the house when she felt that it was too overwhelming. Each night, he would go to bed while she went to the forest near his mansion to ask it how her people were. On the night of her first year of arrival, The Green had informed her that she is the last of her tribe. All tried to either fight or run away from their fate. Heart broken, she cried into the forest, the wind blew to comfort her, the fading heat to keep her warm, the grass under her clung to her legs in a hug. She was distraught. Her screaming of pain was heard by the master of the mansion. He came rushing out to find her sobbing into the Earth. Her tears dripped to the ground, and as they did, blue flowers formed around her. They were flowers of grief and sorrow. He was careful not to step on them as he picked her up from the ground. "May Lynn, please tell me what's wrong?" He placed her down on his bed and stroked her head, trying to calm her down. "My people. They are all gone, sir. I am the only survivor of The A Lua Forte. They are all gone." She cries into her hands and he comforts her with shushing noises.

3 Years pass by, May Lynn and Elijah were walking into town when he noticed an office. Telling her to wait outside for a moment while he went in. "Welcome, young lord. I see you have a miss with you?" A blinded old man with a cane walks up to him. "How can you tell?" Elijah inquired. "I see many things without actually seeing. This one is special to your heart. Just as you are special to hers as well. There is a way to help your mistress out there." The old man smiles up at him. "How?" Taking the cane, he points to a stack of papers. "Many in the North are freeing their would still be slaves. Just sign a document, then can you marry her." The old man chuckles and stammers back to his desk. Elijah, with no hesitation, begins the paperwork. The old man takes them and processes them. With a stamp of approval, May Lynn was freed. Elijah comes back out, "May Lynn. I know you may reject me, and I wouldn't blame you for it. I also do not have the proper ring for this..." He kneels down to her, takes her hand and asks a very important question, "May Lynn, may I take your hand in marriage?" What she was holding had dropped to the dirt. Her hands covered her mouth as tears sled down her cheek. All she could do was nod. he told her that he had just freed her from his servitude and asked to be his wife.

Married for 10 years, they have tried to have a child with no success. Days went on and finally she became pregnant. When she told Elijah, he was so happy that he had to share with his friends. They all congratulated the pair and a few even brought gifts for their baby. "Elijah, you must yield to my sense of curiosity. I inquire as to how you managed to win her heart over." His best friend teasing him. "Jealous, Victor? I wouldn't blame you." He laughs a little at his best friend. "A toast! To May Lynn and my dearest friend, Elijah. May you have a healthy baby and the mother stay sane." They all laugh at this small joke. Most have glasses of mead while May Lynn has water.

Nine months and 3 days later, tragedy befalls the house of Elijah Peters. May Lynn had gone into labor and her midwives help move her to a better room. Elijah can hear his beloved scream and cry out for him. However, he was forbidden entry until the baby has arrived. Pacing his hall, he finally was allowed inside. One of her midwives comes up to him, "Sir. I have a terrible piece of information. She's bleeding internally and we cannot stop it. The baby is safe, however. She is sleeping soundly in her mothers arms." Elijah, horrified runs to her side and kneels down to the both of them. "May Lynn. I am here, my love." Looking over his new baby girl. "Isn't she just... Beautiful, Elijah?" May Lynn asking him with a weak voice. "You are both beautiful. Please rest, May Lynn." He kisses her forehead. "I was... Thinking on a name..." She rests her head on the baby's. "What were you thinking, May Lynn?" He holds his new daughters little hand. "Mina Peters" Smiling at him then the baby. "After the flower Mina Lobata. Such a pretty flower..." Closing her eyes, she loses all strength to hold Mina. Elijah holds her and begins to weep. "Sir. She's not going to last the night. I would say your good byes while you still can." The second midwife bows and leaves the room. "May Lynn. Please. Don't leave her and I behind. She needs you." May Lynn opens her eyes for a brief moment "Don't cry my love.... I have... Already accepted this... Death is part of life.... Cherish her. Cherish my memory. I love you both." She can only get out whispers. She closes her eyes for a final time as her body grows cold and her final breath leaves her. Elijah mourns for a while before taking on the responsibility of being a single father.

Almost 400 years later, the Peters line still remained. Melody's mother and father, Marionette and Orion Evans were expecting a healthy baby girl themselves. Marionette was the last shaman from their long forgotten tribe. She knew who she was and became a pro-hero by the name of Vineyard, The Last. She was on Maternity leave. On December 17th 2001, she had gone into labor. At 11:57 pm, Melody was born. "She's gorgeous, Mar. We did good." Orion had been in the room the entire time, holding her hand. "We did, Orion. We did." Orion had left the room for a moment and grabbed the Peters family tree. "Now we can add on to it. Since the names of all the Peters line are an M, I was thinking of Mora." Marionette laughs at that. "Only if you want her to be teased. How about Malinda?" He raises an eyebrow, "After your most hated sibling who died trying to run from Superheroes? I think not. She was a villain." The nurse comes back into the room, "How is everybody? The new mom, doing okay?" They both nod and Orion turns on the television. What happened next was how they founded her name. A singer on American Idol was on and her middle name was Melody. Both look at each other and nod, and at the same time "Melody" In unison. "Melody Evans." The nurse smiles and works with both parents about the feeding and the changing of her diapers.The doctor comes in and to both parents relief, both baby and mother were as healthy as can be.

Another year goes by and Melody begins walking and her first word was about to happen. They were watching Beauty and The Beast when Belle says the works "books." Melody reached up and said "Books." Both Marionette and Orion were happy and they wrote it down in her baby book. "She's going to be a handful when she's a teenager, isn't she?" Orion asks Marionette only laughs. "I am more worried about those boys who she will be dating. Once she starts learning Shaman magic, they will never think to hurt her." Orion growls at the thought. "No dating. Out of the question." And in a small baby voice "Boys are nasty. Yes they are, yes they are." Playing with Melody's little hands and making her giggle. 'She's so cute, Orion. I couldn't be happier with the both of you." Marionette kisses him and then kisses Melody's forehead.

As time goes on, Melody's birthday was approaching. She was turning 2. Marionette had invited her friends and some of Melody's daycare friends to celebrate it. They have a good time and her birthday went well. It wasn't until January 10th when her parents were killed by Firestone. The day started off the same as any other, Marionette had just come home from a long mission and Orion had picked up Melody from Daycare. Orion had gotten her a necklace with her name on it. It wasn't a expensive or a goddess looking necklace. But he wanted to spoil her as much as he could. He had just got outside to greet Marionette and congratulate her on a completed assignment. Both were exchanging kisses when a blaze as big as a river had killed them, Melody had been inside watching Alice In Wonderland when everything was set on fire. The room was glowing red and smoke had filled the air. Melody was found crying as she was cut and slightly burned, her necklace had fallen off and was melting, but before a part of the ceiling fell on her, the hero who saved her was Bruce Banner. Hulk was still having issues transforming into himself, so all Bruce could do was get her out of the fire. "Someone! Help! She's hurt!" A fireman had come by to help him and Melody. Bruce left the care of Melody in the fireman's hands and went to try and stop Firestone. When the fires were put out, Child Services was called and Melody was placed into a home with a Care Taker named Kip Van Winkle. On their approach to the door, Kip had already sensed their presence. "Come on in, it's freezing for her and you." Kip had the door already opened and a room waiting for her. "I'm sorry to disturb you on such a cold night, Miss. Van Winkle." The C.S.D worker had said. "It's quite alright. I want to hear about this sweet baby girl." Kip had taken Melody already. "Her name is Melody. her parents just died in a fire attack. We are still looking for anything that might tell us on who she is other than her first name." Kip had picked up Melody and began rocking back and forth. "How do you know her name is Melody then?" The C.S.D Worker took out a mostly burnt necklace. "M.E.L.O." was all that was written on it. "It was found next to where she had been sitting. We just assumed it was Melody based on this. It's cheap metal and will possibly harm her now since it's been damaged. I will throw it away outside. There won't be much to tell this girl when she's older. I only hope we can get a last name at the very minimum." The case worker was shaking his head. "Clearwater. That'll be her last name. After my late husbands last name." The case worker nods and has her sign paper work. For the first few nights, she had Melody sleep in her room. Making sure she was okay.

2 years went by and Melody was watching other kids discover their quirks and powers. She became so curious that she took 2 boxes and stacked them on each other. She climbed up and tried to fly. That didn't work. Other attempts to make her quirk come out had also failed. Kip had called a doctor about it and made an appointment for her. "She's not going to develop one, Miss. Van Winkle. She was born with an extra bone in her little toe. There are still other jobs she could do that don't require a quirk at all. She'll be okay. I sense she has a strong mind." The Doctor smiled at them both. Melody got off of Kip and looked at her chart and in her little underdeveloped 'R' voice . "I am going to be a hero some day. Quirk or no quirk. I will get it." Kip smiled but was in tears. "Strong minded? No. Strong spirited" The doctor nodded and left the room. When they got home, the kids were in the lab and the t.v was on. Melody wasn't interested in what the other kids were doing. She sat on the couch and watched. "Holy Smokes! The Avengers are at it again! Can you believe this? What are those? Tarrasques? No. Bigger. Run!" The camera crew was running from the monsters when one zoomed in on Iron-Man. "Look! It's Iron-Man! Leader, right?" one of them had ask, another responded "No! Captain America is the leader. Everyone knows that." She became so fascinated with Iron-Man's suit. Kip came in and looked at Melody and the t.v. "What are you watching?" Melody smiled wide. "Iron-Man. What is that shiny in him?" Kip looks again "That is his new element. He founded that. It's only thanks to it, that we have Tony Stark. Isn't he a great hero?" Melody raised an eyebrow and looked back in forth. "You like him." Kip blushed. "No, I do not. I just think he's a great hero. It has nothing to do with his status." Melody giggles at that. For the rest of the night, Kip ran every segment of Iron-Man she could for Melody.

When Melody was 8 years old, she had began working on her own suit. She used plants in her experiments. Every time she failed, she would weld 2 pieces of metal together to get her mind focused again. Every time she would feel angry, she would weld more than just 2 pieces. Kip had been watching Melody every day to ensure safety, Melody was easily one of her most cleaver and most responsible kids she had known, not to mention she can challenge even the top student from a high school to a math and science debate. Kip was so proud of her, that she had thought of adopting Melody herself. But, as a care taker, she had taken an oath that prevented her from doing so. It was, at least in the eyes of the board, favoritism. She was leaving for groceries when Melody's room had burst out a Jungle of the Amazonian forests and heard Melody screaming. "MELODY!" Kip couldn't see her. "Melody! Can you hear me?!" Melody had gone unconscious in a branch. The branch had missed her vital spots, but she was bleeding.

Kip with the help of a few fire department crew got her down and transported to the hospital. Kip was waiting for her to open her eyes and was frantic. All she could do was think, 'Not my daughter. Please?' A few days had gone by with no sign of her waking up. Next thing she knew, Tony Stark was entering her room. "Mr. Stark?" She had no words for this moment. "Please. It's just Tony." Looking at Melody sleeping still. "This is her, huh? The girl who I sponsored." This was a first Kip had heard of this. "You what?" Tony looks over to her. "Melody Clearwater. Nearly age 9. Expert in plant growth. Excels in all her subjects. She had written a letter to me asking if I could see her work. She sent me a sample and I decided to sponsor her." He has sheets of paper in his hand. "I heard nothing of this. When did she... How?" Tony raises a hand. "Listen, if it wasn't for her sample, I wouldn't have done that. She's been using my nanotechnology. As I understand it, she created a forest in her room?" Kip only nods. "And weren't you supposed to be supervising?" Again all she could do was nod. "Tell me more about her, miss?" She shakes her head coming back to reality. "Kip. Kip Van Winkle. Well, as you already know, she's a star student. Her family died when she was only 2 years old. Died in a horrible villain attack. Her background is a mystery. All they recovered was a necklace with her name on it. Everything else was destroyed in the fire." Tony only nods and places the papers down. "I will be here for a while. I am going to make an offer to her. But I need her answer. Not yours." 'This is my handsome hero?' She was heart broken. "of course." For the next few days both Tony and Kip were waiting for Melody to awake.

After a week, Melody wakes up to a dim light and curtains closed. With Kip asleep on a chair and some guy in the darker area of the room. "Miss. Van Winkle?" Her voice was cracked and her vision worse than normal. Kip had flash woken. "Melody. Oh thank the heavens. You're finally awake." Kip wraps her arms around her. "I was so worried." Melody could barely move. Kip let go and looked at her. "Where... Am I?" Trying to see what was around her. "The hospital. You had been hurt by your own experiment, kid." The man in the corner spoke up. To her surprise it was Tony Stark. She couldn't speak. For two reasons: Her voice is sore and she was in shock. Although Tony may have sponsored her, she had never met him in person. "Mr. Stark. I do believe you had a question for her?" Luckily Kip did speak. 'Ah yes. Um." Snapping his fingers "How would you like to join the Stark Apprenticeship? You would be under me, but I doubt that will be a problem" Her head nodded on it's own. "Wait. Wouldn't she have to move there?" Kip asked him. "Of course. My apprentices learn directly from me. If I need her at 3 am, then so be it." Melody was still in shock. Meeting her idol was all she dreamed about. "However, she does need to recover." Kip interrupted. Melody had looked at herself. But it frightened her, a gauze was wrapped all on her upper to her lower torso. The branch missed her heart by inches and the blood was stained on it. "Kip... What happened? How did I get this? Why am I here?" Melody's reaction to fear is to ask questions. "I don't know exactly what happened, but you somehow grew an entire jungle in the house, you were pinned into a tree, it took 4 firemen and myself to get you out and we had to do emergency surgery for you." Kip explained. "With my help." Tony added. Melody couldn't believe that. The pain medication she was on helped her not feel the pain. But, when she realized it was there, it hurt. More than enough for even a grown man to tear. "The pain... it... Hurts" Kip was comforting her while Tony called for a nurse. Moments later the new dose kicked in, "We were concerned that she may have gone into a coma. Glad you are awake." The nurse spoke. He looked over at Tony and Kip. "She's going to have a scar where the tree branch impaled her. It was too close to her heart and lungs. However, she doesn't need any further surgery. By the time you got her here, the bleeding was slowly stopping. We'll keep her here for another week and see how the wound will progress or digress." Looking back at Melody. "You are one lucky girl, Miss. Clearwater. Had it been any other kid, they may not have made it through." The nurse shakes both Kip's and Tony's hands then leaves. "I almost died?" She looks at the two remaining adults. "I wouldn't have allowed it." Kip said, going to sit with her on the bed. "When the new sessions start up again, I expect you to be healthy, cleaned up and ready to work your little brain out. I personally will be taking you as my apprentice." Tony declared. Kip scowled at him. "Now hold on. Are you taking her from me?" Tony looked confused as did Melody. "What do you mean? You are just her care taker. Don't you have other kids you need to worry about?" He raises an eyebrow. Kip's heart continued to sink. "Well, yes I do. But," Tony cuts her off. "But nothing. She's still under your care, she'll just be living at the tower. Like a privet institution. Except without the uniforms." He continues. "Miss. Van Winkle... Mr. Stark, sir? May I ask that you take it outside? I am still very tired." Melody asks in a weakened voice. her eyes closing. "Of course, Melody. You need your rest" Kip answers. "Kid, I will do what I please. But, for the sake of argument, fine." Tony says.

Out in the hallway, away from Melody's room, "You will not keep me out of her life. She needs me." Kip whispers. "Looks to me like you need her more than she needs you. Miss. Van Winkle, she will be going to a place where she can grow. Be around other kids like her. She has the mind of a genius." Tony acknowledging Melody's brilliance. All Kip could do was stand there. Heart broken, knowing there was nothing she could give Melody. "Friday, look up Melody Clearwater's home. I need to know everything." Tony asking his personal AI. It doesn't take long for him to talk to her again. "If correct, your policy says you cannot adopt if you are a worker for the home. It also says that adoptions are to be held with the would be parents and child. Now, I can go to your board and say that I have done a tape review of your home, you're in the room with them at least once within these one on ones, and you favor this child." Kip's eyes widen. 'Okay, so I admit that I treat Melody like my own. She has no quirk, no special power, her parents died before she could get to know them. But I'll be damned if I never see her again. She struggles the most in the house when it comes to making friends. She has hurt herself on countless occasions trying to fit in. Most days, she spends in her lab area." Tony only nods at this woman's pleas. "She has been interviewed" Tony holds up a hand, "She's had parent to child talks roughly around 75 times since she arrived. Yes, I know" Tony begins walking away. 'I also know that you love her like a daughter. But, with that in mind, you have other kids that you need to devote your attention to. Melody is already taken care of with me around." He holds up a hand, "See you tomorrow. I will be checking in." With that last comment, he leaves the hospital. Kip's spirit was broken, Tony had just ripped her heart out, tore it to shreds then stomped on it. She took a seat and began crying into her hands.

The next day Kip was sitting with Melody, "So, what was he like? I know you have had a major affection for him. You got to talk to your celebrity crush." Melody giggles at first then winces at the pain. "There wasn't much going for him. Turns out he just isn't my type. And I never had a crush on him. Like I said 5 years ago. It was his looks, not his personality or status." Crossing her arms. Melody being intuitive, "It was that bad, huh? Please tell me the argument wasn't about the adoptions." Melody asked. Kip shook her head. "It was about you going to this 'Apprenticeship' thing. I don't approve." Melody looked saddened but nodded. She saw Kip as a mother and her best friend. Kip sensing the sadness looks over to her. "Alright. If it means that much to you. Just know that my doors are always open to you." Kip stands and hugs Melody. "He'll be coming back today. I will be going back to the other kids and Mrs. Chamberlain." Melody hugs her back. "Okay. Give my 'I'm sorry's' to Mrs. Chamberlain for me. Oh and tell Phoebe to stay away from my lab, please? She tends to steal my tools and never gives them back." Kip only nods and lets go of the hug. "Rest easy, Melody. I'll be back later tonight. With good food." They both chuckle at that. Kip leaves the room.

Melody all by herself in a room to herself, she looks at the damage and winces. There was a knock at her door. 'Come in" The doctor enters. "How are you feeling today, Miss. Clearwater?" She looks at the gentleman. "Still kind of tired. The pain has gone from a 9 to a 6 and I have nothing to work on." Tries to smile at that. "Well, you did take a heavy blow to the chest. No lab work until I clear you." He brings out papers and writes on them. "I will give you another pain killer, get your gauze switched out, and your food should be arriving within the hour." he never looked at Melody. "When can I go home?" Asking the doctor. "Not for a while, young lady. We want to make sure you don't get that infected or worse." Using his pen to point at the wound. He turns to leave, "I shall be back in a little while to check in on you." She nods as he leaves. "No lab work, huh? That sucks." She looks at her hands when another knock at her happened. "Didn't you just come in?" She was a little upset. Tony walks through. "Not that I know of, kid." Her eyes widen. "Oh I am so sorry. I thought you were that stupid doctor." Tony raises an eyebrow. 'Why the hostility?" She sighs and looks back at her hands. "I can't do any lab work until I am cleared for it. My hands are just useless things right now." Tony shakes his head. "Kid, maybe time out of your lab is good for you. Your gadgets and gizmos will be there when you get back to pack your things." He takes a drink from his flask. "Sir, may I ask why you chose me? I am still trying to wrap my head around it." He takes a seat near the bed. "Because, I see potential in you. You created a forest in your room. Not many heroes, villains or vigilantes can claim that feat." He leans in a little. "Your care taker says you have no power or quirk. Is this true?" She nods. "Miss. Van Winkle does however, she's an empath." Tony shakes his head. "Not what I was asking." She looks down. "I dislike that I am powerless, sir. I loathe that I have to admit it to myself everyday." Tony nods once. "Which is why you asked for my help, at least I assume." She nods. "Well, going into this, I need 3 things from you: Your cooperation, your understanding and your motivation. Bring all of those and you will do fine." She looks at him and gives a smile. "I hope I don't disappoint then." He only chuckles. After talking with him for a while, Melody says her good byes and that she will be there when she's better.

Many days were spent at the hospital, she was watching Discovery and National Geographic. Finding all the ones on exotic plants. Her wound was healing but it will never be the same. She made a decision to not wear anything that would show it. She became ashamed of what she did to herself. She was finally able to walk on her own again. She spent an hour in the bathroom tearing at the sight of her biggest failure. No one else could know of her scar. That was all she thought. Her idol already knows of her major screw up, her care taker had put everyone else on hold for her, the doctors have seen it and knew of it as well. She felt like a she was letting everyone down. Every time she saw her reflection in the mirror, the scar as big as both of her hands stretched out, she fell apart in tears. Then it spider webbed out past her heart's area and her left lung. She saw it as a a great defeat to her own intellect. Hearing that she almost died to her own creation made it worse. Feeling so low on herself, she couldn't do much but keep herself from dying. Tomorrow was supposed to be the day they released her. Tony had come to see her a lot, Kip as well. But those were the only visitors she got. That night, she was sitting on the bed watching a special on the Venus Fly Trap when someone knocked at her door. She muted the television. "Yes?" Kip had come back. "Hey. Ready to leave this place yet?" She chuckles. Melody smiles. "You have no idea. The food is terrible. The service is okay at best and my doctor is a jerk." Both chuckle. "I came by with more of Mrs. Chamberlain's home cooked meals." Melody smells it. "If she keeps making food like that, I'll get fat here." Both exchange jokes about it. "I noticed a decrease in your emotions, young lady. What's wrong?" Melody looks at her with sorrow. "It's this." Opening her robe to show the scar. "It haunts me. I failed and I let you down. I let Mr. Stark down. I put lives at risk. And to top it off, it'll never fully heal. I am stuck with a reminder of my failure." Kip sits down with her. "You didn't let anyone down, sweetheart. Yeah, you put the house in disarray. But the only one who was hurt was you. Instead of it being a failure, let it be a lesson." Kip brings out paper plates and 2 forks. Serving mashed potatoes, green beans, pot roast and gives Melody a water bottle with soda in it. "Thank you. I am supposed to be released tomorrow." She takes the plate of food and the soda. "So I heard. Almost 2 weeks here. Gonna miss it?" Melody shakes her head. 'Not at all. I can finally go outside and back into my lab." She chuckles. "Melody, when you do go with Mr. Stark, please be careful. Promise you will call me and keep me up to date on stuff?" Melody nods in agreement. "Of course." They spend the next couple of hours talking before a nurse comes in and says visiting hours are over. Kip leaves with the garbage and empty water bottles.

The day of her release felt good to her. She was walking and had gotten her spirits up. It was finally a sunny day, warm and the trees had been decorated with bright green leaves. The hospital's Cherry Tree was blooming and the petals were falling like snow. She took a breath in when a limo pulled up to her. The window rolled down. "Alright, kiddo. We'll stop by your place pick up everything you have and you will be living in the dorms at the tower. Sound good?" Tony was talking. "Y...Yes sir. I didn't expect to see you today." The doorman comes around and opens it for her. She gets in and sits away from Tony. "You, Miss. Melody, are now under my apprenticeship. Anything I say and ask you to do, you will do so. Do I make myself clear?" He looks up from his news paper. "Yes sir. Crystal clear." She is looking at the inside of the limo. "Good. When we get to the dorms, you will have paperwork to sign and agree on." She nods and they drive off to Chamberlain's Home For Youngsters. Kip was waiting at the front of the door. Bags are already packed and labeled for Melody. She gets out of the limo and Kip walks to her. Pulling her into a hug. "I will miss you, Melody. So will everyone here." Her dorm mate comes out, "Phoebe. I told you to stay inside." Kip looks at her. "I know. But..." She holds out a plastic bag that is full of old tools. "I didn't want to keep them anyway." She blushes and pushes the bag into Melody's hands and runs inside. "That was weird." Melody looks to the door. "I don't think so. She maybe 2 years older than you, but I think she likes you. Otherwise she wouldn't bully you so often." Kip chuckles. Melody blinks a few time. "Then I am sorry to disappoint her, but I am not that kind of girl." Kip nods as she already knew. "Now, go towards your future, Melody. We will be fine." Melody gives Kip one last long hug before saying goodbye to all of them for a while. The doorman takes the luggage and puts it into the trunk. "Ready, Kiddo?" Tony asks. "As I'll ever be, sir" She again sits away from him. "Enough with the sir. Just call me Mr. Stark or something. Sir sounds like an old term" She nods but is still getting used to him being her tutor.

When they arrived at the tower, Melody gasps in awe. "It's impressive." Tony just nods. "There are several rules you need to follow. While attending here, you will have your own lab, however, when given instruction, I will have you with me in my own. You are not allowed to enter that lab without my permission or my presence. You will also be with other students and I expect all of all of my students to be well behaved, I do not tolerate bullying in my institution. I will have Vision and Friday keep track of your progress, along with that, they will also be your guards. Should you break a rule, Vision is to report it to me. I have high standards for each of you, food will be provided 3 times a day, should you miss a meal, you are to provide for yourself. And lastly, Miss. Melody, this institution is to refine and help you grow. Should you need help, I will try to do what I can, but I will not be holding your hand for any of it. Am I understood, Miss. Melody?" Still hasn't looked up from the paper as the car comes to a stop. "Fully, Mr. Stark." The doorman opens the door as Bell Hop takes in her things. The door closes behind her as she got out of the car. Before leaving, Tony says one last thing, "Oh, Melody, I expect the best from you especially. Don't let those with powers over shadow your work." With that comment in mind, the limo drives off leaving her standing in front of the building. She goes in and is lead to her own room. It was bigger than she had ever known a room to be. One side was bedroom while the other side was a lab area. A pile of papers was sitting at her desk. All were liability and insurance papers, stating that he isn't responsible for any damage outside the institution. She signs them all and takes a look around. It was obvious that he was strutting his wealth when this was made. Everything was expensive looking. She was nearly afraid to touch anything that looked even remotely movable. She had taken out her flip phone and started taking pictures for Kip.

It was about a week before the term started and she had just been roaming the grounds. Other students were showing up already and most of them were nice to her. Except this little group of boys, no older than 11 and there were 3 of them. "Hey, I heard something funny today. You guys want to hear it?" The leader of the 3 spoke. "Sure" The other 2 answered. "I heard that Mr. Stark had taken in a poor orphan. Her name sounds like bad music." They all laughed at her, but she didn't give in to them. "Yep, I am the orphan. I don't know about my name, but I guess it is pretty weird." She fake laughs with them. But one of the other boys shoved her. "Who laughs at their own status? You're really weird." She turns away from them as she picks herself up off the ground and searches for her glasses. Another student over heard and came to her rescue. "So what if she's weird. At least she isn't picking on someone smaller than her." It was another little boy, he had stepped in between the 4 of them. Protecting her. "Oh yeah? What would you know about it? She shouldn't even be here. I bet you didn't hear the rumors about her, did you?" She wanted to cry because he was referring to her failure. "You mean about that Jungle? I think it was awesome. I would bet she can out smart all of you." The little boy challenges the three. But before they could answer she talks, "Guys, stop. If this turns worse than it is now, all of us could be punished by Mr. Stark. It doesn't matter who is smarter than who. Just stop fighting." She holds up both hands in between them. The boy that protected her spoke, "She's right, guys. New term starts on Monday. Now, I am willing to keep this quiet if you promise to leave her alone." The three boys scoff at this. In the end, they agree to it and leave to find their own rooms. "Thank you. For doing that for me." She smiles at him. "Don't mention it. Names Tyler. This will be my second year here." He holds out a hand, she smiles and shakes it. "I'm Melody. Melody Clearwater." He smiles back at her. "Don't let them get to you. If anything, they see you as a threat and are trying to intimidate you." He chaperones her back inside. "In any case, I hope they won't do anything like that again. I... Um... They did make me feel a little inferior when they mentioned the forest thing." He stops and looks at her. "That was the coolest thing I have ever seen on the news. A home grown forest? How did you do it?" She blushes a little. "I just had seeds that are from different seasons and different genders. Using either the moon or sun, I helped them grow in an accelerated pace and then using nanotechnology to implant them in a suit I am creating so that they are compatible with it and adding in either water or sand, they grow stronger." He looks at her with curiosity, "A suit? Like Iron-Man's? But if you have powers why not just an outfit?" This time she stops and looks down. "I'm... Um... I'm Quirkless. I have no special power or ability." Looks away from him and wipes an eye. "Oh. I'm sorry." He holds her hand. "Your secret is safe with me, Melody." Realizing what he is doing, he lets go and walks her to her room. Both end up blushing. When they get to her room, tells her good night. She waves him off and when he is out of sight, a voice behind her startles her, "Miss. Clearwater. As this school's surveillance, I witnessed your interaction with those young men and I must say, well done. I have already informed Mr. Stark of this. He will look further into it and if they bother you again, they will be expelled." Vision had been listening and waiting at her room. She doesn't know what to say. "Where are my manors? I am Vision. This schools protection and personal assistant to Mr. Stark." He says, bowing to her. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Vision." They talk for a bout 5 minutes before he leaves her be.

Over 3 years later, Melody had made it to the top of her class. But this was a sad day, Tony had just lost his fiancee', Pepper, to a major villain. The school had been shut down for the day, not just for Pepper's funeral, but all the people and heroes that lost their lives. She didn't know Pepper at all, Tony had left for Japan again. He wasn't due back for some time. She would occasionally sneak into his personal lab. "Miss. Clearwater. Not again. You know he get's upset and has forbidden you to enter without him here." Vision blocks her path. "I know. But, this project is super important, Vision. This could change how armor can be used in fights." She gets out her tablet and computer. 'Sorry, Vision. You're letting me pass one way or another." She reprograms Vision so that she was never there. However, this time, it was different. Tony had returned early from his year sentence as a teacher at Japan's U.A High School.

Role Played out from here: (Yes, all of the actions and what not were rolled with dice during the RP sessions. No I didn't add them in there due to the length of the RP)

D.M: It is around five in the evening the Stark Industries building shutting down people heading home. Melody having made a patch hacking into Jarvis having opened up a backdoor for her to slip in through.

Player: She gets in and goes to the lab area with notes and equations in her arms. Moving her glasses forward.

D.M: She manages it in without problem reaching the workshop she has been using.

Player: Looks around and goes in "Finally. Alone time" she whispers to herself.

D.M: About twenty minutes into her tinkering a glass goes flying pass her head almost hitting her "Back again" Tony stumbles in eyes slightly bloodshot.

Player: She makes an eep sound "Mr. Stark? I thought you were in Japan... Um..." hides her papers "I'm sorry... I uh... Had nowhere else I could test... And um..." scrambling.

D.M: "I help get you out of that place and you go behind my back.." he holds a bottle of whiskey in his hand "Get lost, I never want to see you again" He sways a little but is stable words not slurred.

Player: She nods and in her scrambling she trips and loses all her papers and her glasses "Damn it... I'm sorry... I will leave when I find my glasses"

D.M: "Jarvis.. see she is removed from the academy.." and he stumbles back the way he came.

Player: "I um... Tweaked... Jarvis?" picking up the closest paper and trying to find her glasses still.

D.M: "I know, I fixed him, get lost." he slams his door.

Player: She closes her eyes at the slamming and whispers "I just... Wanted to be like you..." finally finding her glasses she sobs quietly. And leaves her project papers. Seeing no point to them now.

D.M: He is already gone the smell of alcohol strong in the air still.

Player: Sniffles and walks out the way she came. Not heading home. But to the park.

D.M: There is no one there most people having gone home as it gets darker

Player: She takes a seat on the nearest bench and lets out her true feelings "good job, Melody... Get yourself kicked out... You are such a moron"

D.M: The night continues no one bothering with her just passing her by.

Player: Feeling guilty about even being near Tony, she stays out all night. Sleeping on the bench.

D.M: Just as she starts to sleep an older man sits where she is about to lay down "I Am sorry child you don't mind an old traveler resting do you?"

Player: She wipes her eyes "No. Not at all... Please..."

D.M: He smiles sitting pulling out a bag of seeds and eating some "Why sleeping on a bench. I personally always advise sleeping under the stars but it is rare to see in a younger person"

Player: Sniffles "I am afraid to go home... I just disappointed my hero and I got kicked out of an academy..."

D.M: "A hero, a great man?" He asks offering her a nut.

Player: She politely says no "He is. I have admired him since I was littler. He has taught me that knowledge is power. Reasoning above all else is true strength"

D.M: "My own əluwa told me great stories of magic and logic as a child. How have you upset this man?" He throws out some seeds.

Player: She sighs "I broke into his lab again... I figured he wouldn't be home for quite sometime and I had a project I wanted to show him when he got back into the states. Granted it was a prototype, but I wanted to show off. Kind of like a daughter making her father proud kind of thing..."

D.M: "So this hero is not your əluwa?" he smiles kindly.

Player: "Um... No... He only took me in not too long ago. I lost my real parents in a villain attack. They burned alive." she looks down and depressed.

D.M: "And you will let this hero just remove you from his life?" He questions "Maybe he pushes away in times of pain."

Player: "I doubt from his life... But... From his sight... He did just lose someone he cared about too... Weather I allow it or not... I am still just a child" wiping her eyes.

D.M: "Child.. what use do you have of that word. You are alive so can make your own choices. Child. As if a child could dream so deep" the man laughs.

Player: She sniffles and wipes her other eye "Still, I thoroughly disappointed him. And all I wanted to do was make him proud. But... Now? That won't ever happen" starts crying a little more.

D.M: "Maybe.. Maybe not. Go to him maybe you be his hero" The man stands and turns leaving his first step he turns in a silhouette of leaves and blows away.

Player: She blinks in surprise "Who was that?... Go back to him? He wouldn't want to see me... Not right now anyway..." she curls in her legs. Contemplating.

D.M: She jolts awake having been asleep on the bench.

Player: She looks around with wide eyes and heart beating fast "where.... Was that a dream?"

D.M: The bag of seeds is under her hand other than that it seems it was a dream.

Player: She looks at the bag. And looks at the sky.

D.M: It is still twilight most likely only asleep a few seconds.

Player: She sighs and gives in. Slowly walking back home. Keeping her head down "who was that old man?"

Player: Reaching the door to the workshop she hesitates.

D.M: Her old hack still works apparently Tony not having purged.

Player: She curiously looks. But backs away. "maybe this was better in theory..." rubbing her arm.

D.M: The door stays there cracked awaiting her decision.

Player: She breaths in and knocks on it. Hoping he won't yell at her.

D.M: The workshop door swings open her papers on the floor the broken glass untouched and empty lights off. The only light at the fire end Tony's private office.

D.M: She looks around "Mr. Stark? Sir.. I know what I did was wrong..." Hoping it's an empty room.

The workshop is empty.

Payer: She sighs and gathers the rest of her papers and looks for the prototype.

D.M: Everything is where she left it the lights still off.

Player: She grabs the prototype and heads out. "I really screwed up this time... All I wanted to do was show him this" Looking at her blueprints and walking

Before she goes, she leans on the door and scoff at her prototype "Why do I bother? It's not like he's my dad or anything..." Tosses the part that was built in the trash and slides down the wall

She stands up after a moment and goes looking for him. With the intention of telling him that she was entirely wrong and if he still wants her gone, she will disappear from his life "Mr. Stark?!"

She goes to the main office and knocks "Mr. Stark?"

She continues to knock "Mr. Stark? I know you said for me to leave. But I wanted to tell you something. More show than tell... If you'll allow me?"

D.M: The door opens and she sees Tony slumped over his desk the bottle now empty and a photo of the late Potts in his hand.

Player: She covers her mouth in a sympathetic way. Goes over and checks on his pulse

D.M: It is beating erratically and weakly a pill in his hand prescribed pain meds from the beatings he has taken in the Iron-man suit

Player: She looks around for Vision "Vision?" Whispering and trying to lift Tony's body "I could use help here"

D.M: There is response the tower shut off by tony after his second fifth of whiskey just Melody, Tony, her prototype, papers, and the seeds

Player: She looks at the seeds and shakes her head "Old man... Please tell me these are not magical. And if they are... WHY SEEDS?" Still in a whisper as she tries to put one in Tony's mouth.

D.M: She can feel a cool breeze but nothing more. Tony's pulse slowly returns to normal his color coming back as the her hand feels light the bag gone

Player: She tries to get him laying down. Grabbing the bottle and the pill. Throwing the bottle away and the pill back in the pill bottle "Gee thanks, old man."

D.M: After a few minutes Tony coughs spitting out the seed laying on his couch. The seed turns to dust on the ground after curing Tony of the potential OD

Player: She goes to him "Mr. Stark. Are you okay? Please say something?"

D.M: He snores sound asleep

Player: She sighs and slumps next to him. Staying with him the rest of the night

D.M: When she wakes up the next morning,Tony is not there

Player: She looks around and gets up. "Mr. Stark?"

D.M: Jarvis responds over hidden speakers "Ah, good morning, Ms. Melody, sleep well?"

Player: "Uh... I guess? Where is Mr. Stark, Jarvis?" she looks up at the ceiling

D.M: "In the workshop Miss" He responds in proper clipped tones

Player: She nods "Thanks Jarvis. How is he doing? He almost Over Dosed last night"

D.M: "After you gave him that seed, whatever it was he recovered in record time."

Player: She starts walking to the workshop "Thanks Jarvis."

She clears her throat and goes up to the door. Knocking on it first before saying a word.

D.M: The workshops door slides open Metallica blasting as Tony facing away sips coffee reading through her papers.

Player: She clears her throat "Mr. Stark?"

D.M: He turns, eyes clear and not bloodshot, as might normally be expected after almost killing himself with painkillers and alcohol "Came back huh? According to Jarvis, I told you to leave, yet you returned." His voice is softer than before

Player: She looks away "I wasn't planning to. Someone... Gave me a push to make things right with you...." placing a hand on her arm "when I did you um... Weren't well"

D.M: "No apparently I had so much to drink I took my whiskey as water for a painkiller." He agrees not moving

Player: She breaths in and closes her eyes "if you still want me gone... I will leave. Just checking on you. I worried."

D.M: "Why did you come back, the papers, the prototype?" He cocks his head as if trying to figure her out

Player: She shakes her head "A talk. I am not asking for anything from someone I admire... This elderly gentleman had to remind me the pain that my hero... My tutor was going through. I didn't... I mean it was obvious I just didn't realize how bad it had been... I'm sorry"

D.M: "Now you are sorry?" He cocks an eyebrow sipping on his coffee

Player: "Yes. I am not denying what I did was wrong. But that isn't why. I'm sorry I didn't notice how bad it had been. I could have been a better student" starts breaking herself down into detail how wrong she was

D.M: "I throw you out and you are worried about me?" He hands her papers "Go back to your room"

Player: She nods and takes the papers "yes sir." she bows to him and heads out

D.M: "I will see you tomorrow back in classes" Tony turns returning to the prototype working on it

Player: She gets curious but only nods "sir?... Never mind" walks away

D.M: He lets her go

Player: She gets back to her room and looks at her papers

D.M: All her papers are there in order except for the addition of a thick file-folder

Player: She opens the folder "This is new"

D.M: The folder is from the New York court system labeled for Melody

Player: Blinking her eyes "What... Are these? Jarvis?!" flipping through them

D.M: They are legal papers stating the intent of one Tony Stark to adopt her

Player: She sinks on to her bed. Trying to understand. After 20 minutes, she goes back to the workshop. "um..." breathing in and knocking. With the papers in her hands. "D... Dad?"

D.M: Tony looks up at her working "So, made up your mind?"

Player: She nods "why me though? I thoroughly disappointed you yesterday"

D.M: "Well it's true you lost concept of personal bounds, something, I myself, may have been responsible of in the past, be quiet Jarvis, and you did use my tools, equipment, materials, and workshop without asking. Not only are you smart, but you came back to try to make things right" He shrugs "And ended up helping" "Saving you sir" "Thank you Jarvis now shut up, helping me. Jarvis was off, you could have left me and been safe. But no."

Player: She tries and hide a small smile "If I had... You wouldn't be here. The world would have lost one of its most brilliant minds, a hero and..." she looks down at the papers "I would be lost. Both mentally and physically. Honestly? If it weren't for the old man... Whoever he was... I wouldn't have come back" feels kind of guilty saying it.

D.M: "Old man?" Tony asks confused

Player: she chuckles nervously and explains what happened "I don't even know if it was real"

D.M: "Sounds like time travel," Tony refusing to ever admit magic is real

Player: "Whatever it was. He convinced me to come back. I was afraid to. The glass you threw almost hit my head" holding the papers tightly

D.M: "I did throw a glass?" He frowns looking at the shards "Well, I'm glad I missed."

Player: She rubs her head "In any case. I accept this" she holds on to the papers

D.M "Well then just sign it" He chuckles

Player: She smiles and takes out a pen. Signing it in front of him

D.M: "Well... I won't make you change your last name, but you are welcome too... I'm not sure how to do this parent thing. Do we text? Email?"

Player: She only chuckles "How about for starters we just talk? Neither of us know what we are doing as far as parent/child things are concerned. Seeing as until now, I had none."

D.M: He ponders and nods "A start, you don't drink coffee?"

Player: "Of course, I do. The caffeine in coffee has helped me stay awake when I needed to get last minute tune ups in on projects"

D.M: He nods a robot bringing out another cup for her "So Melody, I have to be honest I never really had a dad that I remember well. so...."

Player: She shrugs as she sips the coffee "do you at least remember your mom?"

D.M: "I had nannies and butlers my mother and father both were shot dead by the age of seven" Tony sips

Player: She looks down "what about pictures? The only ones I have ever gotten was one of my parents burned bodies and the corners examination"

D.M: "Photos? I have video Howard Stark was a brilliant if cold man" He laughs

Player: She smiles into her cup "at least you know what they looked like... Mr.... I mean... Dad?"

D.M: He frowns "Can we start at Tony and work into that?"

Player: She nods "That works. If I ever wanted to... Investigate what happened, would you help me?"

D.M: "Already did kid," He slides over a file folder

Player: She puts down the cup. Hesitating. Fingers centimeters from it "what could it hurt?" she picks it up.

D.M: It is thin, no real information "Seems the Villain in question is a former hero with control of fire. Off the grid these days"

Player: She sighs "No point in looking then. It's not like I knew them" putting the folder down

"In any case. I try to not let it bother me too much." she downs her coffee

D.M: Tony nods and gestures to the more polished prototype "Some refinements."

Player: She looks at it "whoa. What upgrades did you do?" she smiles and looks at it more closely. "The suit isn't nearly finished but, damn"

D.M: "Not much, those nanomachines are odd, they control plant growth but" He shrugs not fully sure how they work "They work faster than expected."

Player: Biting her lip in excitement "Once finished, I should be able to control them. And making the suit to my exact measurements... Waiting till completion is hard"

D.M: "I have to ask, why plants? I mean, I know some of mine are questionable, but why plants?" He finally asks

Player: She looks from the corner of her eye "Because, I always thought that if I had a quirk it would be plant based. Not entirely certain, but something felt right about it"

D.M: "Going have to train hard to not cause collateral damage, a redwood on 9th would be almost as bad as some villain attacks." He sips the coffee

Player: "I know. With just a few rarer species of plants, added with lunar energy, should be my final area for this prototype. Kind of nervous though. What if something goes wrong during the showing?" she looks at him genuinely concerned

D.M: "Rebuild, retool and rebuild. Fail over and over. Success matters, but" he shrugs again "I went sixteen trials with the Iron man suit to make it fly and be controlled."

Player: She nods and sighs "This will be my first initial test once papers clear for the 3 plants I need."

D.M: "Well then, time for test runs with what you have."

Player: Chuckles "yeah. Thus, why I kept sneaking into your lab... Again, I know that was wrong..."

D.M: "But smart." He nods in agreement

Player: "I would have gone elsewhere if I knew they were completely vacant. Studying alone has been a thing." she stands straight

D.M: "I was the same way, just me and my music" He gestures the music turning on

Player: "Always keeping your competition at arm’s length?" she chuckles

D.M: He ponders that "No just felt more comfortable"

Player: She laughs "Oh, come on. You must have had someone competing with you. You don't get the title 'most brilliant mind' for nothing"

D.M: "Just between us that is Reed, I am the greatest engineer, but Richards is something more" He smiles finishing the coffee

Player: "Reed Richards... Wait do you mean Mr. Fantastic? I thought he was 3rd best." She leans on the desk

D.M: "Oh, no. He has degrees to subjects than you or I ever knew existed. I give a good run for second place with Victor Von Doom and Hank Pym" He turns to face her "That of course doesn't leave this room"

Player: She smiles and waves a hand "not a word. Though I still place you above him." looks up

D.M: "Well I have more patients, better looks, and more money, but Reed... he is on another level"

Player: "Better looks? Um... I am not one to have an opinion on looks. People can look the part and act the part, but the mind is where I focus." she looks away

D.M: He sighs at that "Well as an adopted father, I guess I am supposed to happy about that, as a billionaire playboy, well never mind actually"

Player: She blushes "it's not like I have a crush on someone. Because I don't. Just for the record"

D.M: "Good?" He frowns "Jarvis that is good right?"

"Yes sir..."

"See, I knew it."

Player: She shakes her head and chuckles "If I ever find someone who can beat me at nanotech that isn't older than 18, you will be the first to know. I have standards"

D.M:"Good, a Stark with standards, that will be a first" Jarvis quips

"Thank you, Jarvis..."

Player: She laughs hard "Damn it, Jarvis. That was great"

D.M: Tony sighs looking at his empty cup "Hey Moe, Larry more coffee"

Player Calming herself "so, want to see the first test?"

D.M: "One that doesn't end with you impaled by trees?" Stark quizzes

Player: She holds up a finger and then drops it "I forgot you knew about that..."

D.M: He smirks his slight childish revenge for earlier with Jarvis

Player: "But no. I re-modified it. It should not do that" placing her hands under her arms

D.M: "Shouldn't? Jarvis Class 10 containment please." Tony cocks an eyebrow

"Of course, sir"

Player: "I promise it won't do that?" completely unsure

D.M: "Something making the Iron-man suit taught me safety is not over rated" He leans in the stool as a robot brings more coffee

Player: She nods "true... So, was that a yes on watching?"

D.M: "That is a yes" he nods

Player: She smiles and picks up the prototype "Alright, time to show off." looks at Tony

D.M: He has moved a table from in a safe zone and gives thumbs up

Player: She puts it under her right foot. Applying pressure and the nanotech is inching onto her

D.M: Tony watches with Jarvis monitoring ready to contain any problems

Player: She closes her eyes "Apply floral" as soon as she says that, vines come from her hands in a wild way. Losing control again, the vines wrap around her and the ends become fangs

D.M: The power is cut at once the nanomachines dying under Jarvis's assault causing the vines to turn to dust

Player: She pounds her fist "Fuck me! I almost had it!" picking up the prototype

D.M: It has the power being dampened "Well let's figure out what went wrong."

Player: "The vines turning into snakes would be one. Mixing sexes was not a good idea"

D.M: He nods a diagram of the prototype appearing before them in 3D "So now we take apart why that happened"

Player: She sighs in frustration "looking at this part" points to the solar generator "it tried to create rain forest vines but the lunar side of it was trying to grow a Golden Barrel Cactus. Thus, the fangs. Poisonous too." bobbing her head

D.M: "Why do you need both sides working at once?" He asks not helping to let her build it herself

Player: "That's a silly question. Both sides contribute to all these plants. Making it difficult to be able to use both sides while at the same time simple. Example: I use the stem of a rose from the solar side on one hand. While simultaneously using the lunar side to place plants that only grow in the dark. Say I am under cover, I watch a target, I set up a trap with the lunar plant Willi Willi. Now I use the solar side to grow a plant that intoxicates my target. And boom mission success"

D.M: "So then, why did they not work there?"

Player: "That is the question of the day." she looks through it "I just don't know. It all seems correct." rubbing her forehead while looking at the 3D model. "this is frustrating."

D.M: He leaves it up smiling saying nothing

Player: She tilts her head "Are you seeing something that I am not here?"

D.M: "Won't matter if I give you the answer now will it?" He asks softly

Player: She keeps looking and bites her thumb nail "what am I missing? The Calculations? No... Did I do the ratio wrong? That can't be it either... Perhaps... Maybe... It can't be that simple can it?" thinking she found it

D.M: Tony sips his coffee still not helping directly but offering her the labs full work to support her

Player: "This is a movable model, yes?" raising a hand

D.M: "Of course, cross-sections and everything" Tony offers

Player: She nods and starts moving a few pieces around and adding a piece "there. That should have fixed it."

D.M: He smiles just watching her work

Player: She gets so deep into her work that she doesn't eat. "now that would work here in theory. But if I add this and take this out, using the energy should be less and yet more..."

D.M: After a few hours around lunch an aide brings in food for them

Player: Pen near mouth and glasses pushed up, she keeps working. Not paying attention to her surroundings "if I try taking the sizes into account then maybe?"

D.M: The image fades hologram dropping

Player: Blinking looking at him "I wasn't done. There are still more kinks I need to weed out" sliding her glasses back into place

D.M: "Yep, but you're not a machine lunch." Tony is eating a sandwich with a side of cooked greens

Player: Pouts but she does eat "You know... Back when I was only a small child, I saw you and the Avengers on the screen. Do you still keep in touch with them?"

D.M: "Well Hawkeye is dead, killed by a villain. Steve is still in Japan. Thor is now king of Asgard but I hear his son is in JUA. Widow is retired teaching. Bruce... well Banner is tough to get in touch with"

Player: She coughs "Thor has a son?! That amazes me. When did lightening head get married and have a kid?"

D.M: "About a hundred years ago he married their child is fifty-four I think."

Player: "Jeez... Probably over powered like Thor too?" is a bit salty when it comes to powers and quirks

D.M: "The kid is strong, flies, throws lightning. Got knocked out of the fighting festival prelims from what I heard."

Player: "The what?" "You are talking about the students who fight each other? What is the point in that again?" she raises an eyebrow

D.M: "Agency's looking for sidekicks gives them a chance to show off. Going be good this year lots of powerful teens, a couple speedsters one can siphon people’s powers, an Atalantian aeromancer, a girl with kinetic rebound, one who makes lava, and Superman's son. A good crop of future heroes"

Player: "Agencies, huh? I was planning on joining you guys. If that were a possibility" takes a bite of her second sandwich

D.M: "The Avengers? Well I have to tell you we take on average four new sidekicks a year last year we had two hundred people apply we choose three"

Player: "And no matter how good I am. There are still people who are better. Now being your adoptive daughter, you cannot play favorites." she chuckles

D.M: "We will only take the best, if that is fifteen people we will get them all, most are good but the survival rate before we got picky for sidekicks was 43.3% Now it is 89.2%" He sighs "So people are powerful but no drive, and powers are not enough look at me I have no powers."

Player: "I know. I was only kidding around. I do have other options and if need be I will investigate those. As another without powers it can be irritating when you spend countless hours preparing yourself and someone else gets what you desired." almost speaking from personal experience

D.M: "Anyone else can get what you desire. But not what you deserve"

Player: She gives a curious look "and what would that be, Tony?"

D.M: "Something Pepper used to say, that you might not get what you want you, but you always get what you deserve."

Player: She ponders on that for a bit. Thinking and reanalyzing herself. She gets a saddened look "Thinking back on everything that I remember... I haven't done much to deserve much. That's not to say I am ungrateful for the things I do have but I don't know if I deserve them"

D.M: "Well maybe it's paying it forward, for what you're going do." he shrugs

Player: Gives a small smile "maybe. We will see how the future will look. For now? Finishing that suit"

D.M: He nods the hologram returning on now that she ate

Player: Smiling and finishing the last of her sandwich and goes back into work mode

D.M: Tony lets her, reading his own papers

Player: After another 5 hours she backs up in awe "I... I got it... I got it!"

D.M: Tony is watching CNN humming "Oh?"

Player: "It's amazing. Seriously, my best work yet" taking off her glasses and wiping them off

D.M: "Jarvis?" Tony asks

"Yes sir?"

"Containment level 8"

Player: "Take number 2." putting her glasses back on

D.M: Tony turns to watch the attempt

Player: Before she starts "um... How many attempts did you do with the iron man suit?"

D.M: "In the desert or my current one?"

Player: "Both?" obviously nervous about this test

D.M: "Well first try but the one in the desert was… crude"

Player: "And the newer one?" fidgeting

D.M: "Tough to answer I have 21 different suits"

Player: "Okay..." takes a deep breath in and whispers "please work" doing the same as before but the nanotech is half a millisecond slower

D.M: It is having the same result from Jarvis.

It is four days later when she enters the lab her prototype seemingly vanished

Player: "Tony? Where is the suit prototype?" asking dead tired

D.M: "You are taking today off." Tony says from his hologram newspaper

Player: She glares "there is no time for a day off. I am so close to getting it down pact..." hair is a mess and papers in hand are not well placed

D.M: "Well as these labs are still mine nope. Today is relaxing, follow me" He stands heading for a back wall

Player: She groans but follows "where are we going exactly?"

D.M: "Friday, open manufacturing door." The floor pulls back to reveal a flight of stairs he goes down

she yawns and rubs her eyes "great... Stairs."

He walks down them to a people mover "An idea I got from the hero Batman, I don't mind being public but having an underground lair is well... kind of cool"

she looks it over "that is pretty cool. But why show me?" shaking her cup to see if there is more coffee

He hums as they are on the people mover for 12 minutes reaching a massive underground cave the walls lined with Iron Man suits and broken Iron Man suits easily over 100 of them. The center is a full nanomachine replicator

she has to blink to come to terms "that is a lot of them. Yep." taking it all in

"Some failures, some destroyed in fights some I blew up" Tony goes to the center platform the fabricator sinking

she watches as he does

"So, do you ski?"

"Um... No. The most sport I have done is phys. Ed”

"Want to learn?" Tony asks

she shrugs "it does sound fun."

"Well come on down" \*He is in a large circle almost 30 feet in diameter\*

she puts down her stuff and joins him "okay so what am I supposed to do?"

A perfect hologram with cold snow and everything appears around them as if they are on a mountain top she is now in ski cloths "I made this for soldiers suffering PTSD your body and mind think it is real"

she looks herself over and smiles "what's the occasion, Tony?"

she looks at Tony "so... I know zero about this. How do we start?"

Well, I will teach you... Hum never really taught people. Friday can you add a trainer to this simulation?" \*Tony calls out

"I am sorry Mr. Stark but you ordered no alterations"

"Well I am changing that order!" Tony sighs

she giggles "back sass much?"

"Yes, I have no idea where they get it from..." tony sighs

quietly "I have an idea"

"Oh?"

"You are their creator, no?" being a bit sassy herself

"tough question to answer they are AI self-learning"

"And who do they learn from?" snickers

"My butler Jarvis"

"And he learned it from who?" smiles and yawns

"No idea... I never asked."

"You. Duh" she laughs

"What? No. I never taught him"

she raises an eyebrow "uh huh and I am the Queen of England. Other lies we like to tell ourselves for 500 Alex" harsh when tired

"No, I never taught Jarvis anything... he was... One of a kind. Died almost 15 years ago."

she sighs and closes her eyes "Sorry... Guess that is still a touchy subject with you"

"Huh, no I got over that, may have molded Jarvis on him but no"

"Alright. So. Skiing 101. How?" chuckles

"Well okay... First, we need skis, Friday" Skis appear on their feet "Okay follow my motion gently" with his knees bent he slowly walks sideways taking small steps

she starts to follow his lead "um... Okay"

he spends the day teaching her

by the end of it she has flopped and tripped and fell flat on her face countless times

"Well a good start, now lunch?" He asks smiling

she nods and yawns "then finish my prototype"

"No, you are taking the day off, watch a movie go the mall, whatever you want, No work"

eyes are almost dead "the mall? Movies? I'm thirteen. And I don't hang out or whatever... That's why I work"

"Then sleep, you have overworked, come one kid I have done it enough to know the signs"

"Who... Who keeps track of sleep?" rubbing her eyes

"For me Jarvis, well for us now I guess."

raises an eyebrow "fine... Sleep..."

He nods the VR vanishing

she yawns and goes to her room

the next day her prototype is back

she comes in looking better "Jarvis?"

"Yes Ma'am?"

"Before Tony is here, I want to know a couple of things... I know he wouldn't tell me himself so I kind of have to ask you..."

the AI waits on the question

"I wish to know his birthday and... When Pepper died" She sounded sad at the last question

"May 29, 1970. And May 30th 2013"

"well then... Um... Basically the same day... That will make planning a party hard..." Rubs her neck out of guilt

She looks up at the ceiling "Jarvis? Where is Pepper's grave located? I want to pay my respects..."

"Mr. Stark believes in a philosophy of embracing life over death so I doubt it would be as hard as it appears"

"After this last test, I was planning on getting her favorite flower if you know and basically introducing myself... If she were alive... I guess I would call her mom?" sadly smiles

"Ms. Potts would have enjoyed that, also I have little doubt she would be pleased that someone is looking after him now that she is gone."

she lightly touches the prototype "I want to be the daughter he can be proud of, Jarvis. I look up to him in so many ways..."

"Well, short of starting an international incident I assure you will be a better child than Mr. Stark was"

head pops up "international incident?"

"Oh Yes, as a young boy"

"Enough Jarvis." Tony walks tossing a paper bag to melody

she catches it "how long have you... Were you listening?"

"Just walked in, how come?" He plops into a lab stool and turns on the news

blushes "never mind... It's not important. What's in the bag?"

"Breakfast," He says still watching the t.v

she opens the bag "thanks." pushes up her glasses "Tony?"

inside is a group of bagels with cream cheese "Didn't know what kind you like so got a few, sup kid?"

"You don't have to answer this if it is still not healed yet... What was she like?"

"Who?" he asks a little guarded

she breaths in "never mind. I can see it written in your eyes. Too soon." she turns and plays a little with the prototype

He frowns and shrugs turning back to the news

she eats almost the whole bag of bagels and taps his shoulder "running a test"

"Jarvis, spin Kid Special 1" all the contaminants and security coming online having made it almost to tease her just for the repeat failures, but having never stopped encouraging her

crossing her arms "funny. I have yet to impale myself... Again."

"Have medical on standby" he turns to watch her in trial

she places the prototype under her right foot and the suit fully forms just like the first test. "Plantation ad on... Mix African rose stem and Amazonian Vine" after saying that, vines with thorns extend from her palms in a decent speed

Tony watches the test saying nothing

she closes her eyes "Jarvis? I need dummies"

a group of holograms appears across the room

in a swift action, she uses the thorn vines as whips. Cutting the holograms in half

Tony waits for any blow back of failure than claps

first successful test "It worked... It finally worked. God Damn it... I need a break" she flexes her middle finger and the suit becomes an accessory on her clothes

"No, now we work. I wanted it be your own success but how about I help you fine tune it now?" Tony smiles

shrugs and smiles back "Alright. What do you have in mind?"

He smiles and starts helping her their first project together

at the end of the day she waits until Tony isn't paying attention and whispers to Jarvis "hey, can you get video of this? I am very happy about it and I want a copy of these moments"

there is no response, but she gets the feeling it is yes

It is the dawn of May 28th, 2015 Melody is still living at the dorms though she is getting offers from schools for Hero Courses now that is turning 14

she wakes up like normal but instead of going to class, she skips school all together. Her mood has been down within the last week and it has been noticeable

no one stops her the institute having been told by Tony who knows what day it is and having been orphaned in a way himself soothes things over for her return to school the fallowing Monday

she spends her time in the lab. Keeping her hands busy "Jarvis... Can you... Put on music please?"

Jarvis selects from among her favorites some of the happier songs

"Thanks Jarvis." she sniffles and wipes her eyes. Trying to get past it. "Jarvis? What do you think would have happened? Would I still be here? Or would they be alive? What if they were? Would I look like my birth mom? My birth dad? Would I have had siblings?" puts down the tools

"Impossible to answer miss, the world is full of infinite number of choices. You are who you are, where you are, when Mr. Stark was younger asking these questions that was the only advice I could offer"

wiping her eyes again "Tony has been a great father to me... But... What was my actual father like? Was he abusive or kind? What about my mom? So many questions just buzz in my mind and each year... They go unanswered." Jarvis is the first to see her break down in actual tears "why did it have to happen that way? Their bodies were almost unidentifiable. If the burns had been even worse... I... Those pictures haunt me... They were terrible."

"I understand, a lesson of Icarus? seeking to know you learned too much. I am sorry Miss. If Mr. Stark were not overseas I am sure he would be here, maybe instead of work you would prefer the movies?"

she shakes her head "What I want cannot be achieved. Preferably? Music. A documentary on Nicola Tesla. Audio only. I avoid pictures. Moving or still this time of year"

"No Tesla I am afraid Mr. Stark truly dislikes other innovators being mentioned in his workshop but there is a nice audio documentary on the regrowth of the Aral Sea, the first new life there is in 21 years, the first Woman in Japanese politics, and an audio documentary by Mr. Rhodes about his time as War machine"

through sniffles "the sea one sounds interesting"

He plays it an uplifting and encouraging 95-minute story on life re-growing and returning to an area that was believed dead

she tinkers for as long as she can until she falls asleep on the workshop table

Jarvis using one of the Iron Man suits remotely moves her to a room in the Stark Industries building tucking her in gently as well as removing the suits rings

next morning waking up. She looks around "Jarvis?"

No response Tony is typing away at the computer in his private office "Well up kid?"

she rubs her eyes "you're home. How did I get here? I was at the workshop"

"Yes, I am, I had Jarvis bring you here after you fell asleep in the workshop" he finishes an email and looks up at her "So normally get down on their deaths?"

she stands and looks around

there is a doughnut for her on his desk

"Thanks. How long are you staying this time?" biting into the doughnut

"Who knows, I have a meeting in Japan next week but who knows when Iron Man will be needed. Life of a hero, you give up normal."

"By the way. How did you know I fell asleep in the shop?"

"Jarvis" He says simply

"Ah. Told you, huh? I guess I was just... Enjoying myself?" trying to convince herself more than him

He looks at her over the rim of his sunglasses "Really that the best you got?"

she avoids his gaze "I admit I wasn't in the best of moods"

"Kid you are talking to someone whose parents were gunned down when he was 6, someone who tried to beat up his best friend over people he barely knew." He smiles a little

"I don't like to show my emotional side too much. I had moments yesterday where I was entirely vulnerable. Didn't go to class yesterday. And amid it all. I couldn't handle it." basically saying she broke down

"I know school called me I sorted it out" he nods

"You aren't angry?" she finally looks at him

"Why? cause someone who gets 100% on everything missed a day? I skipped all of high school"

she gives a tiny hint of a smile "thanks, Tony. Back when they first told me about them? I hacked their system. I wanted to see the photos they were talking about, but they rejected my requests. I shouldn't have done it..."

He nods remembering how learning the truth lead the split of the Avenger’s for over a year "Yes I can see that"

she sighs deeply and leans on the closest wall "a decision I fully regret."

"Why would not knowing make it any better?"

"I wouldn't have seen the burned corpses. I wouldn't be haunted by those images." closing her eyes tightly "I can only imagine the pain they were in. Their screams. Their fear. So many questions unanswered." rubbing her forehead "Too many what if's." again over analyzing the situation

"I understand I was there to watch almost 100,000 civilians die powerless to stop it"

shaking her head to at least make the images in her mind fade "Yeah. Change of subject. Why did you bring me to the main building?"

“You are not these are my private offices"

"Okay. Same question. You could have easily taken me back to the dorm... So why?" gives a confused look

"Maybe it's what I wish my father would have done for me"

"Wait. I am confused. Are you wanting me to live with you? Or just show me around Stark Industries?" tying to wrap her mind around this

"Live? I thought you wanted to be a hero am I wrong?"

"No. I am trying to understand. Moving in with you? Or... What?" can almost see the wheels in her head moving at a fast pace

“Well can't stay here if you are entering UA" he shrugs

"I... Got in?" glasses slide off a little

"Well you’re a shoe in with my alterations to your suit"

cocks her head "I thought the suit already was modified. Though... I am exceedingly over joyed by this"

he places two rings before her "one each hand"

she puts them on

"A take on my own iron man bracelet, inside is a tiny Nanomachine foundry"

she is gleaming "alright. So, like with your bracelet, they activate the same way?"

"If I did it right" he nods

she takes a breath in "here it goes then" activates both at the same time

the suit takes 6 seconds to fully form around her an unpainted power armor suit

"That was less time." examines herself

"it is a complete suit life support everything. Jarvis pop the cork\*

"inside the helmet a HUD pops up starting up\* "Greetings" Jarvis says

"Jarvis? I thought you were only limited to the workshop." can sense happiness

"I was now I am your suits personal AI."

"I asked him to watch over your, my da... well you know"

she goes and hugs him "I wouldn't normally do this. But, thank you. Oh. And I have a gift for you" with Jarvis' info about Tony. It is his birthday

"Oh? Um no hugs in the suit, metal hurts"

she deactivates it "It's back at the dorm but yes. I made it weeks ago."

"Well shall we get it?"

"Of course," chuckles a little

"Well you should I will be here

she nods "okay. I will be right back then." takes off in a sprint and about 30 minutes later returns "I noticed in photos of... I guess Grandpa that he had a pocket watch. I couldn't tell of the design. But... Here" holds out a small box

Tony takes it looking at the pocket watch silent

it is gold with silver inlay. The pattern on the front is a silver rose. "Happy birthday"

He looks up and down than away, "yeah, um thanks kid." she sees him wipe away a tear as he turns

"Open the watch." lightly gestures

he opens it back to her

on the lid it reads 'Dad, Time can be painful, but it can also heal. This gift is time of healing. Love you, Melody'

"Thank you, kid, I.." he breathes "thanks"

She smiles "You're Welcome. I'm going to go and train with this new version. Need to build up the muscles." She starts heading back

"Hey. Jarvis be good to my kid"

"I'll be fine, dad. See you tonight?" Still walking but is now walking backwards. Facing him

he doesn't turn hiding the tears

"I have decided to take you out to dinner. I'll text the address" She turns back around and walks to the training hall

"No... nothing public, the scandal. how about something from my chef here?"

"Sounds good. See you tonight" Heads out

that evening she is greeted by Tony in a vest with the pocket watch

She is wearing a simple dress "Training took longer than I wanted"

"Well it is a new suit. We might want to program it to look less like mine at first though"

She holds up a finger "Speaking on the cosmetic of the suit. I made this" pulls out a drawing of the symbol that is wrapped in vines "What do you think?"

"Never been much for symbols personally" He shrugs "suits break to easy"

She folds it back up "True. Just thought it'd be kind of col." She shrugs

"If you like them more power to you," He heads in

She follows "Were you able to relax today?"

"Huh? Yeah, kicked back and just worked on my cars"

She pulls down her dresses sleeve, hiding a few bruises "I'm glad you had time relax today"

"Over did the testing huh?”

"The vines whip lashed back when I aimed poorly. And the red wood's branches snapped. I did not land in the cactus though. That was a plus" She sheepishly shrugs

"This is why I use burst laser, missiles and such much easier"

"Yeah. But I am not a copy of you" she chuckles

"Of course, not no one could be" He laughs as they reach the kitchen

she looks for the cook

there is none, but the table is already set for two

she gives Tony a nerdy smile "Happy Birthday, dad. I wanted to make this one for you special"

"Tony," he says still not used to being called dad

she snickers "Fine. But it has been a while since the adoption'

"Still getting used to it, hard to go from most eligible bachelor in America to engaged to fiance dead to dad"

she ponders as she takes a seat "Alright. Well, when you are, let me know?"

"For now? Know that I am proud of the work you put into that suit. What Jarvis and I do means nothing without you putting it on." He sits smiling at her

she smiles proudly "it is a definite by leagues improvement from... My first mishap"

"Well at least now if something happens you have armor" He pulls off the silver lid to his tray

she opens hers and takes a deep breath in "I am still surprised that you wanted me. 9/10 times a teen isn't adopted. Seen it every day there..."

Inside is Kobe beef and Maine lobster with greens his with champagne hers a watered-down wine "Oh like a senior dog?"

"Odd way to put it, but yes." taking a bite of lobster

he eats some shrugging " Yeah, I guess that is. but the idea"

she nods "which is why I am happy. And I want to make you proud and make you happy too. I am trying my best."

he looks up at her a piece of beef on his fork "Don't do this for me, do it for you"

she only smiles and holds up her glass "actual wine?"

"Watered down, they do it in France" he shrugs

she tastes it. And she likes it "what's this one called?"

"Laffite-Rothschild, 2009, $1,599 a bottle." he eats

she eats and finishes out the night with Tony

he chats with her smiling and eating as she must leave for the UA test in a month

around 11 am Melody is in her room with the suit on "Jarvis? Where is Pepper's resting place?"

"Are you going in suit Ms. that is illegal I must warn you" Jarvis says caution in his robotic voice

she shakes her head "no. Only in it to talk to you"

"Mr. Stark did not make one for this suit but might I advise when you get the chance to build an ear connection, he remade a Bluetooth earbud." Jarvis advises "As for Ms. Potts she is in the Stark Family Mausoleum"

"Thanks Jarvis. I am going to pick up a few things and head there. I know he keeps saying 'Tony' but if dad asks where I am, I am shopping" doesn't want to upset Tony

"Then you will need this." a credit card prints in her hand "I advise at least buying some items."

she nods "thank you, Jarvis. You are a huge help"

"Of Course, Ms. Stark"

she deactivates the suit and goes out. Buys flowers, incense and food. Then goes to the family mausoleum

The card easily pays for it all that, but she has no idea how much the limit is.

she arrives at the mausoleum and looks for Pepper's name.

it is easy to find at the back next to one already titled Tony Stark.

"Should ask him about that. But not today." looks at Pepper's "Hi. You don't know me, but I'm Melody. Um... In terms of family, I am your adoptive daughter. Tony almost Over Dosed about 8 months ago... I found him and helped him. Um... He's doing better now. I haven't seen him today yet."

she kneels down "Dad helped me out too... But he misses you I know that. I will be going to UA in a few months and I know you will be watching over him. I wish I could meet you, mom. According to Jarvis you were amazing, talented and kept dad in line" she chuckles

"Talking to the dead?" A gruff voice says behind her

she stands and turns abruptly "I... Um... Thought I was alone..."

A tall black man in a trench coat is standing there looking down at her from the top of the stairs "Well I can't say much I talk to the dead a lot, it's mother fuckin' cathartic"

"Sir. Please. I am only 13 years old. And this is my adoptive mom's resting place. Please curb the language?"

"Oh, I know who you are Melody Stark, don't worry I am here for the same reason as you" he comes down the stairs

she tilts her head "how? Dad hasn't made any announcement about me..."

"I follow Tony Stark, big asset, bigger liability" The man stops in front of the grave "She kept him on an even keel for a bit but when she died he went off the rails."

"I know. I had to save his life. He almost Over Dosed on pain meds and alcohol" she looks back to Pepper's grave

"Oh, we know, but thankfully you came along he has gotten better" The man puts a coin on her grave

"Who are you?" she is now on her guard and raises an eyebrow

"Director Nicholas Fury of SHIELD" A tall blonde man says entering, he is easy to recognize as Steve Rodgers, Captain America

"Mr. Rogers. And Fury?! No way. Dad has written in his notes about you and you helped dad on several occasions" mind is blown

Steve flashes a perfect smile at her "So you are Tony's daughter" He looks down at her nodding and extending his hand "Steve pleasure"

"When did you get in town Rogers?" Fury asks turning to face them

she shakes his hand "pleasure is mine. Melody Stark." looks between the two men

"Today Nick, I know Tony still doesn't want to see me, but he is still a friend, so I came to see her." He walks to the grave and pulls out a coin leaving it next to Nick's

"Thought part of your plea deal to not be in jail said you had to be a teacher?" Fury asks watching

"I am, Tony was too. Lasted two days even"

"He technically is teaching. May not be a whole class. But..." she interjects quietly

"Parenting and teaching are different Ms. Stark" Steve smiles at her

"No. You don't get it. He's been teaching me on nanotech. Reformed my first attempt... Which... Um... Yeah... Bad day that day. Anyway. Parents wouldn't teach a kid on technology well advanced beyond a college student. Aside from that? The adoption was only 8 months ago. He only supported my work up till then. Give him some credit, Mr. Rogers. He's not always around." backs down a little "sorry... I got carried away..."

"Tony would teach his kid that in a heartbeat, moral parenting not as much." He ruffles her hair "No need to be sorry"

"Wait?! Stark is teaching you what? That Mother fucka..." "Language Nickolas"

she fixes her pony tail "And it was only because of him that my own suit is as good as it is now. Again… My first attempt? I almost died. Impaled by a fir tree... It was then that he took interest in my work..." realizes she is saying a lot

Fury waves a hand "Oh yes the Amazon jungle in Queens, trust me I know"

blushes in embarrassment "you also know about that too? The nanites weren't connecting properly and I mixed a bad lunar plant with an even worse solar plant... Not my best..." pokes her index fingers together while looking down

"Of course, he knows, Nicholas Fury here is a spy" Steve says softly

forehead in her hand "I will forever be shamed from that mishap... But if it wasn't I wouldn't have met dad. Probably be dead with my real parents..." scoffs and looks sad

"Tragedy about them, the villain who did it is dead now at least" Fury nods

"Dead, we don't kill anymore Nick!" "Calm down Rodgers it wasn't us"

her eyes narrow "who was it? And who killed the villain?"

"Does it matter?" Fury frowns at her

"She has the right to know" Steve pushes

"You don't tell me, I will hack your systems. And I am very good at that." she threatens but wouldn't actually go through with it

Fury falls over laughing at her "Kid, after stark hacked us we upgraded. Not even he could get in this isn't my first rodeo. But if you must know it looks like a cosmic level entity killed him and four others"

"A cosmic level? You mean the gods?" she lifts an eyebrow

Steve sighs "There is only one god miss, they are just long-lived and powerful aliens"

"Hades, Greek god of death himself"

"And who was the villain? Please. I want to know"

he tells her

she takes a few steps back "11 years... And it was..." closing her eyes "and it was Hades?" sinks down onto the floor "All I wanted was just to bring him to justice... Not this..."

"Well unless you caused it, not really your choice, I have my beliefs on who it was though. If I am right it is a student who already almost killed a villain kicking him off a hello carrier"

"No. I didn't. I didn't even think it was possible for the main 3 Greek gods to care about humans." takes off her glasses and rubs her eyes "I do appreciate you informing me on this. I know lots of families are probably grateful too... Was hoping it was me though. To put him in prison for the rest of his life anyway" standing back up and putting her glasses back on

"They don't unless you are in their family. But doesn't matter now he is long gone." Fury says with no remorse

she sighs and nods "None of this is to be mentioned to my dad. He found out I was here, I would be grounded"

"I doubt that, Tony would be upset that you came on your own maybe, but he is not that bad" Steve says as Fury turns leaving

"Nick. Steve. Thanks for visiting mom. And thank you for helping dad" She only turns on the helmet part of her suit "Jarvis, I'm coming home"

"Yes Ms. Stark" Steve shakes her hand goodbye Fury leaving without a word

She touches Pepper's grave one last time "That was a thing" heads home

it is February 24th, 2017 an early Sunday morning in Melody's 3rd and final year just months before graduation she wakes up to her phone blowing up

She looks and blinks the blurriness away "What?"

it is Happy Tony's valet

she looks at it "It's too early, Hap..."

"Code red kid," he cuts her off

she sits up "calm down, what?"

"Your secret is out"

silent for a moment "The secret?! Um... Did you call dad? Never mind" hangs up "Jarvis! Get dad! It's urgent!"

"At once" Jarvis goes silent for a few minutes then back "I cannot reach Mr. Stark"

She tries him on her phone "Come on dad, pickup"

it rings through to a voicemail

"Dad. I really need you to pick up like now. Happy called. The secret is out, and I am freaking out here. Call me" Hangs up "Oh Jarvis, what do we do? This is bad"

"Yes Ms. Stark. you are trending"

"That's not good! Jarvis, can you find any info on who told the media?" She silences her phone but keeps looking at it

"No miss, but you have 9 requests if you are Mr. Stark's secret love child or mistress”

She locks her door "Ignore those. In fact, delete them. I don't know what to do. For the first time... I'm out of answers." \* Closing her blinds\*

someone knocks at her door

she stays silent

"Mel?" it's a classmate of hers a floralmancer

She doesn't answer. Afraid media will be with him like they are in the movies

he tries once more

putting her ear to the door, listening for other voices and whispering "dad... help"

her personal phone rings

She looks at it

it is happy

She answers but doesn't say anything

"Mel did you hang up on me?"

She gets away from the door "Sorry, Hap. I am freaking out and I can't get a hold of dad" She whispers in the phone "I'm also hiding in my dorm"

"Just don't do it again" he tries to sound pissed but can't to her "Yeah, Tony is busy. People are saying you are his underage lover"

Still whispering "Jarvis told me. Happy... Get me out of here? Or I don't know..."

"No, no, you are safer there. The media can't reach you there, just have your classmates to worry about"

She sits on the floor and curls her knees in "Is dad dealing with the media?"

"Trying, but it's blowing up in his face…"

"Who told Happy?" Her voice is starting to shake

"It's okay kid, the work was done right you are his daughter. Some Clerk for money"

"How did they find out? It was a secret to few, right?" Starts being over analytical

Still over analyzing and grabbing a blanket "If I'm being honest? Hap... The media destroys people... I would be lying if I said I wasn't a bit afraid here"

"Hey, you have uncle Happy here okay, you are clean kid I won't let them smear you, well Tony won't but you know what I mean"

She sniffles and gives a small snicker "Thanks, Happy. You really think I am safe here?"

"You think the media wants to piss off Mr. Logan?"

"They might try. And thoroughly succeed." Keeping herself under the blanket "And they might try Professor Xavier too..."

"Yeah... not a chance kid" \*he says a little sarcasm in his voice

"I just don't know what to do. I was planning on going to a movie today... But now? I can't even leave my room"

"Well... yeah, I know Tony's advice, just go about a normal day.

She sighs "Let me know when you get through to him? I am at least going to find food if nothing else"

"He's currently on the view so..."

She gets up and turns on her TV "What channel?"

"I don't know, NBC" he says flatly

She starts flipping through channels "Do you know how long he's going to be on there?"

"Another 40 seconds?" he is flipping channels too lost

She starts getting impatient "Screw this." Gets on her laptop and does a google search "The View live"

Jarvis brings it up for her "no nothing so scandalous this time I fear" Tony says

"What? Jarvis? What was the question?" still on the phone

"No idea miss given a few moments I think I can pull the full interview"

"Please do. And Hap? Putting you on speaker"

"I’m going go kid, the media is breaking the barricade here!"

"Okay. Call later then" she waits for him to hang up this time

he does

she sits and watches what Jarvis pulled up

it takes but a moment for Jarvis to brings up the start of a segment featuring Tony

she watches it all from start to finish

it starts off well enough Tony talking about a new promotion from the Stark Industry's to make complete green cars in 5 years but near the end Meghan McCain is handing a sheet of paper that she reads four times "Mr. Stark who is Melody Clearwater?"

Tony stops a little stunned "Odd question. Why ask?"

"Well we just an AP post that in 2014 you adopted a young woman, 12 at the time, Melody Clearwater. But she has never used your name or taken it. Now sources close to yourself say for years you kept this young woman in close contact, private meals and hours alone while at the same time your skirt chasing curtailed."

"I don't care for the insinuation, yes in 2014 I adopt Melody. She is my daughter legally and spiritually"

"So, you say Mr. Stark but you have a history of poor behavior with the other sex. Why choose to adopt her"

"I would rather not say, but nothing so scandalous this time I fear. Now then, I assure you and everyone that this girl, my daughter, is not in a relationship like that."

"Why hide her away than?"

"I know what young publicity did to me, I hoped to spare her that till she was an adult"

"Clearwater? It's Stark you bitch. Well, now I know why dad kept me from the world... Now? This opens worse than just me. Daughter of Tony Stark is out in the open... More villain attacks are bound to happen, and I am hoping Ms. Van Winkle didn't see this..." looks at her phone before putting her head on the desk

the interview ends with Tony closing on what he came there to talk about before heading off

she closes her laptop "that's that, Jarvis. This opens up a whole lot more danger then previously"

"Yes, Ms. Stark, but that was to be expected"

"Even if I wasn't a hero in training, just being heiress to the company? People will try and take advantage of that" being her over analytical self

"Yes well, you are a Stark, it is part of the territory Miss"

she looks at her phone again "Yeah but a part that shouldn't have come out until I was 20. At minimum."

"We do not control fate Miss. You are a Stark, Tony's daughter you control yourself not fate."

she stands and goes to the door. Unlocking it "Come on. During the exposure, I have yet to eat" puts on the Bluetooth

Jarvis transfers a small amount of his programming into the Bluetooth

she gets dressed. Black tank top, hoodie, leather jacket, blue jeans with a white belt and leather knee high boots "Ready?"

"Always, Miss"

she puts up the hood and heads out to get breakfast

Allan is sitting outside her door growing flowers in his palm having had a crush on her the last 4-5 months

"Al… Um… Hi" she is awkward around him. And is blushing "sorry for... Um..."

He stands smiling "Hey Melody you okay?"

(91. She also has a crush on him)

"I um... I mean... No?" cannot get more than a few words

"Miss your heart rate is elevated are you okay?" Jarvis asks

"Yeah, I heard what a nasty rumor that you and Stark, were… you know. Not true," He sounds confident

"Oh. Yeah. He is my adoptive dad." she rubs her left foot on her right leg

"Cool explains that rocking armor you got, I just was heading to breakfast if you wanted to come along"

she nods and smiles at him "um... Phone... Need that" holds up a finger and goes into her dorm to grab it while whispering to Jarvis "I am fine. He's a guy that I like and... I may want him to ask me out"

"Given his ability to always be around you Miss, I would say the feeling is shared"

blushes harder and goes back to Alan "Food?"

he nods smiling "Yeah, I know a small little place that does breakfast"

she pushes her glasses up "That. Yes"

He smiles walking with her chatting about plants something they have in common

she explains her suit and how it mixes lunar and solar type plants and how she is technically Quirkless without the suit

he doesn't go into detail about his powers just saying his connection to plants is hereditary

she clears her throat "So... Um... I um... You know..." is a bit nervous "Really... Um... Like you?"

He gulps a bunch of wild flowers sprouting around him "I um… like you too"

heart skips a beat as she is beat red and grabs her phone. Typing 'look I lose all my cognitive functions around you. Normally I can barely speak when you are around. You’re really nice and you're amazing with your quirk and I think you are pretty cute and this is me waiting for the question to be asked...'

showing it to him

He gulps and nods "Well would you… I don't know go out with me?"

"Yes" she smiles and bites her lip "I would"

he takes her hand blushing unsure and walks with her

she wraps her fingers in his "um. How surprised were you to find out my dad is Tony Stark?"

"A little, but I mean that high-tech armor had to come from somewhere"

"He only helped fix the suit. I designed it and my first attempt while I was in Queens oh so many years ago... I almost died."

"Really, you never told me" he sounds intrigued as they sit

"Yeah. Amazonian jungle in my room... Impaled by a tree" shaking her head

"That sounds... Painful" Allan agrees

"Again. Nearly died. My care taker had to rush me to the hospital" she chuckles nervously

he leads her to a wall covered in moss and looks around to make sure they are not seen and focuses "You might want to close your eyes"

she blushes and again rubs her foot on her leg. Closing her eyes

she feels strange and then lands hard on her side Allan unable to catch her

"Ow... What the…?" grunts and sits up

He helps her up "Sorry hard way to travel" They are miles from school in a wooded area

she looks around accepting his help "where are we?"

"Downtown near the school, I used the plants to teleport us"

"That is freaking awesome. A little painful. But awesome" looking at the trees

he laughs smiling at her response "You hurt?"

"Nothing I can't handle. Now why are we out here?" she is getting her hopes up

his hand glows green vines growing on it healing the pain

"Thanks, Al." blushes

he takes her hand smiling and heading for the city

she intertwines her fingers again and is smiling

he blushes at that walking into town

when they get to the edge, she stops

it appears empty of media

she continues after giving a look

"We should be safe I doubt the media would expect us to make it past them"

"I hope so. Journalists and their need to get ahead of their careers"

"They are not all bad," Allan shrugs

she doesn't argue with him "so where is this special place you are taking me to?"

he leads her to a butcher shop "it's also a restaurant"

"I see." looks at all the meat uncooked and still bleeding "well, I need to get used to seeing blood anyway, right?"

"Come on in the back" he leads her through to a BBQ joint

sniffing the air "smells good in here" smiling at him

"Yeah, part of my well quirk I can't eat plants only meat"

she giggles "that actually makes sense to me"

He smiles sitting as a waitress comes too them offering menus "Well Allan, you know little Ms. stark?"

she clams up "yeah."

"It's ok sugar, no one is calling the papers"

"To help debunk that rumor, I am his daughter. Nothing more"

"Wouldn't dream otherwise" But it was obvious she was wondering

mumbles "and I never took the last name Clearwater. It's been Stark since the adoption. Stupid Meghan"

"Well you did enlist as Clearwater so makes sense" Allan shrugs

"Only because dad asked. That name was given to me by Ms. Van Winkle. My care taker up till the adoption" she sighs

Alan nods as the waitress brings them some plates of food

"In all honesty, I had no clue as to why he did what he did. Now it makes sense." going into analysis mode

Alan coughs his order placed

she stops "you okay?"

"Your order Melody?" he smiles the waitress waiting

she orders the cheapest plate

the waitress walks off with the orders

"Sorry... I am not at all used to this"

"What eating or being on a date?"

she snickers "on a date. And this whole 'publicity' thing"

he nods as a fly buzzes in stopping between them and slowly a hologram of Tony appears

eyes go wide "hi. Dad."

"Hello this is the D.A.D. Hologram replaying a recorded message" The hologram paces as Allan watches confused

"What? Dad if this is a joke it's not funny" confused herself

"I am here because this robot has detected that my daughter is on a date" it continues

"Oh, I am in deep trouble..." head down but is still listening

"as a D.A.D. robot, Dad's Against Dating, I feel obligated to inform you that it is my job to ensure you crash and burn"

she has now put her head on the table "way to make it way more adult then it actually is, dad..."

Allan watches as the robot begins singing off key songs

she groans "can I squish it? It's so off key"

"I will be right back." takes out her phone and goes outside

there is no one there

She dials her dad "Pick up this time"

he picks up first ring "Hey melody"

"You made a fly that watches me when I am on a date?" Sounding sweet but is embarrassed

"Oh! the DAD was triggered… I forgot about that that it would go years ago"

"Yeah it triggered, can you make it go away?" Still in a sweet tone

"It is programmed to automatically"

She sighs "It is singing horribly off key."

"I know, I made it after all. It was that or an iron man armor arrests him"

rubbing her temple "Am I not allowed to date ever, dad? I am 17 now"

"Well I made it for you at 13 so..."

Deep breath in "Dad, I love you. But if it isn't off by the time I go back in, I am going to squish it"

"Don't it will go into defense mode"

"Alright, I'll put it in cup like I would a spider"

"That might work..."

She shakes her head "I saw the segment, by the way. Meghan basically called you a Pedophile and accused me of lying. I don't like her one bit"

"She is hoping to appear hard hitting before contract renewal, we got this"

"Happy said it was a clerk who told. Which clerk and are they fired? Pretty sure we made everyone who knew sign an agreement"

"Sign no that's illegal but he has other problems he ... well it's okay nothing illegal\*

She grunts "Daaad, tell me. I think I should know about this"

"Well NDA's for adoptions are illegal so we hired them as contractors under an agreement they would say."

"I see. Well, secrets out now. And I am going back to my date. Are you able to come visit later?"

"I will try... but I have 17 interviews lined up now"

"Okay. Just wanted to know. I love you dad"

"Love you to Melody, text me about Alan later"

"I... How? How did you know his name?" shocked

"DAD uploaded info to me when activated"

eye twitch he can almost feel "Fine. I will tell you how it went. Bye"

"Love you, kid" he hangs up

she goes back inside and places the fly in a glass cup like a spider "sorry. Dad made that years ago apparently"

the cup shatters the robot fleeing

eye twitch "I will pay for that"

She calm’s herself "Again, I'm sorry, Al. Not the best first date and I apologize. Also, my dad knows about already"

"How much?" He gulps

"That I do not know. The fly apparently gave him info." she sighs

"My dad well... him and your dad have fought a lot"

She cocks her head to the side "Who is your father?"

"Alec Holland, a vigilante" he frowns

"So? You aren't your dad, right? Just like I am not mine. You are unique and special"

"I mean. fights are going to happen right? Look at Captain America and my dad. They had an all-out war. swamp Thing, your dad and mine will probably fight until they drop" Trying to lighten the mood

he laughs "yeah, he hates technology and growth of the modern era"

"then your dad will probably not like me very much..." Gives an awkward smile

"Oh, do you seek to replace all the green in the world with city?"

"No. But I do use and make nanotech." Chuckles a little

"My dad, well not sure dad is right, progenitor would not see a difference I do"

She smiles at him "Again your dad wouldn't like me very much"

Not sure he likes me any" Alan laughs

She laughs with him "well, you are already making better strides than your dad. Almost graduated UA"

"Better? Interesting way to phrase it"

gives a sorry look "sorry. Sometimes I say things I shouldn't"

"Don't be, it is tough line to walk" he smiles at her

"Now... With everything that has happened... When you meet my dad, I know he can be intimidating but once passed that iron exterior, he's a pretty cool guy"

"Oh? already planning? You must really like me" He smiles as the food is brought

she snickers "he is going to meet you one day. You're a hero in training. And just like Nick Fury, he knows a lot more than he's willing to admit"

"Nick who?" He rests his hand over his ribs vines eating the meat and bone

"Leader of SHIELD. I met him once." she shrugs "not even my dad knows about that"

Alan nods the plate spotless "well good to know"

"Even met Captain America. Fury was kind of... More intimidating than my dad. Captain America, I almost fan girled over. Almost. I was shopping and visited my mom’s grave at the time and by chance met them both"

He lets her talk smiling eyes a spring green

she tells him of her care taker and where she came from. Getting into her life a bit more

he goes so still he might be a tree giving her his undivided attention

She looks "What's the matter?"

"Nothing, I was listening"

"You looked like you weren't even breathing. Anyway, I hacked into the DHS system and found my parent's very few pictures. The images I saw sometimes gives me nightmares. They weren't pretty"

"Oh, I don't breathe" Alan laughs smiling

"Really? That must be nice. Holding your breath for a long period of time is rather annoying"

"Oh, I still take air but through my skin"

She chuckles "Back when I made my first prototype suit I often wondered if I had a quirk, if it would also be plant based. Always imagined it was."

"Well you make pretty plants" He tries to complement her

She smiles and blushes a little "It was only thanks to my dad that they flourish the way they do. He's not called a genius for nothing. Still think he's better than that Mr. Fantastic. No matter what though, dad will always be MY number 1 hero"

She smiles, her golden-brown eyes shimmer from her glasses, her reddish brown hair falling like a waterfall onto her shoulders "Why did you want to be a hero, Al?"

"I wanted to show the council there is another way, that it doesn't have be just us vs them we can work as one. You?"

"Like my care taker, I want to help the kids who lost parents due to villain attacks and perhaps prevent further loss" A little pink "I know how silly sounds"

"I have heard of Sillier reasons"

She giggles a little and finishes her food "So, any other plans today?"

"None that are time sensitive how come?" He inquires of her

"Well later tonight I was hoping my dad would come by. But, that is a maybe at best" shrugs

he nods

"What were your plans?" she tilts her head

"I normally once or twice a month commune with the parliament."

"Oh. Fun?" raises an eyebrow

he shrugs "the parliament of trees is more important than many know

"I wish I could commune with them. Must be nice. Don't get me wrong I have someone I talk to daily and he's my best friend" it would be obvious to Tony that she is talking about Jarvis

"Yes and no trees don't make great orators they don't see the world they feel it and they are not... well fast on the uptake." he tries to explain

She nods and given her level of intelligence "No I totally get it"

"So not time-sensitive" he chuckles

"Okay. Well, I am free until tonight. I was going to go to one of my hiding places. It was overwhelming today, and I wanted to escape somewhere I know is more privet than my dorm" she smiles at him and moves her hair behind her ears

"Oh? Well I won't stop you"

she gives a look "a little blunter, then. Do you want to come with me? You showed me this amazing barbeque place, so I figured I would return the favor" shrugging

"Sure? You said you wanted private" he offers

she blinks "Al... When a girl tells a guy of a special place she has found, that is an offer to go with her" she chuckles

"Well I will have to take your word for it" he laughs

“It's not far from the school but it's also abandoned. I found it year 1. When I was having a really bad day, I needed time to think. So, I snuck off school grounds and just walked. I literally walked into a wall. It was an old library I think. I need help getting my stuff out of it since graduation is near "

He chuckles nodding "just 5 months"

"Better now than last minute. Most of it is small and compact. But, the one thing that isn't I am needed another pair of hands." under her breath and super quiet "was going to have Jarvis manifest as a person but..."

"Jarvis?"

"Um... My AI. Anyway, that abandoned library? It's not filled with what you expect" she blushes a little

"Oh, your mad scientist lab?" he laughs

"More like closet nerd" she chuckles

he nods smiling

"I mean, as a Stark, I have an image to uphold. The smart girl that will one day take over the company, girl that has no free time. Thus, this library being somewhere I can let my brain shut down for maybe an hour or two

"Well sounds fun, a place to just relax" He agrees

"Again, you don't have to, but the offer is open" she keeps looking up and down

"Well eat first"

her plate is clean "I did. And I must agree with your choice in this. It was really good"

"Yes, best BBQ in town"

"Alright. After paying, you are coming with me to my secret nerd building" she laughs

He nods going and paying

after getting back to the school, she takes him to the building and inside says 'NERD' Harry Potter, Doctor Who, Stargate, Star Trek, posters of Tesla, manga collections. "so yeah... This is my haven"

"So? What do you think?" she is in the center of it

"Well I love Star Trek and Potterverse!" He laughs "That Whopping Willow"

she points to a mini sized Buckbeak. The thing the requires 2 people "my favorite character"

He laughs petting it

"It was not cheap. Amazon said 'sale' on it but... It was still expensive" rubs her head

"Well, I don't know I am living off the UA student fund" he laughs

she goes silent as she knows Tony gives her an allowance. "well until school ends and we are grads, you are more than welcome here." placing a hand on a bookshelf

"Thanks" He looks at a model of the Enterprise "Love this show"

"Star Trek is one of my personals. Ultimate question: Kirk or Picard?" she smiles and raises an eyebrow

"I like the new Chris Pine Kirk most" He laughs

"Oh. Nah uh. Old Kirk. Then Picard finally new Kirk." she chuckles "I am going to start bringing home a few things today. Take your time, look around." says grabbing the Stargate Books

He laughs shaking his head "New Kirk, Picard, Janeway, Sisko, then old Kirk"

"How dare you put Sisko on that list. Heathen" she laughs

"Over old Kirk, everyday" He laughs

"Blasphemous. Not right" she gets out a box and places the books in it

"I think you mean, taste" He looks around impressed

"No. Blasphemy. Old over new." slowly picking out what she wants in the box

He keeps looking around smirking

there are all the wands from The HP universe, a few types of lightsabers, a small Yoda model. Anything he can think of she probably has

except for movies and anime. Lack of a television of also noticeable

So, there are several collections of movies and old TV shows. Some not even opened

Alan walks along whistling with appreciation at her collection

"You like it? I know I can be disorganized in class. But, this is what my organized chaos looks like" snickers

"Organic organization I prefer to call it" he smiles at the phase

she grabs a step stool and takes out a dusty case "This I won by chance. Game of Thrones was having a raffle on Jon Snow's sword and I won it."

"Yeah, pass G.O.T myself" he smiles at the sword

"It's not for everyone. But I do like the story behind it all." she smiles and shrugs

"I just can't stand any character in it"

"Well, no character survives" she laughs

"Only good part of it" He laughs at that

She puts the sword in the box "I think I got what I can for today. Shall we head back?"

"Sure, I can help you carry some?" he asks as someone drops from the roof between them

She closes her eyes and then looks for who it is

A shorter man no taller than five foot stands up growling looking at the pair "Hell of a time to run off, Charles had me tracking you both for the last twenty minutes" Logan lights a cigar glaring

"Logan? Why are you tracking us? And how did you know?" Completely by surprise

"Please I followed your scent, and that is still Professor Logan until you graduate bub" He walks up to Melody "Why because Charles asked me too and I prefer to not miss chuck off"

She backs down "Of course... Sorry, sir. I was just surprised. Um. How long has Professor Xavier known?" Cradling the box

"Since you two left grounds, he didn't worry until you left his range..." he nods looking around puffing out smoke "Nice set up though, hidden away, out of sight. Not defensible though"

She looks at him "It was abandoned. I didn't put work into it because I kept it still in its abandoned state"

he nods "Come on we are going back to the school before the damned media find you"

"Yes sir. Sorry, sir" Utterly defeated

He heads for the door puffing on his cigar but not messing with her space

"Does this mean I need an escort to come here now?" She quietly asks

"That's up to Chuck, my call would be to leave alone you got your hero license" He reaches the door

She sighs "In other words, yes. Hero or not, sir, I do understand the reasons. It's upsetting to say the least, but I do understand" keeping her own emotions in check while around others, but it's almost obvious she's breaking down

Alan squeezes her shoulder once in support as they step outside and Logan gets into a car "Hope in"

She rests her hand on his "Yes, sir" getting in the car with the box in one hand

Alan leans in "Hey I will stay here and keep packing up for you okay?"

She nods "thanks, Al"

He leans in and kisses her cheek walking back in

She smiles lightly and holds on to the box tighter

Logan drives off ignoring Alan

She wipes an eye "How much trouble am I in, sir?" Trying to keep her voice from cracking but failing

"Trouble? None. You are not grounded or anything just a request that you not be put into contact with the media." He drives the opposite way of the school

she gets curious "sir?"

He looks at her in the rear-view mirror "Huh?"

"School is the other direction..." not making eye contact as she is looking out the window

"I know, so does the media, after the incident of the villain attack five years ago we put in a back door"

Closing her eyes and giving a sigh "Damn journalists. Their need for attention gets people killed"

Logan shrugs and keeps heading around a turn at high speed

she remains silent for the rest of the ride. But she digs through the box and brings out a wrapped gift

he turns a last turn driving towards a rock wall

she looks "um sir? That's a wall" not flitching but about to activate her armor

"Just relax" He doesn't slow down

"Oh, I get it. Hologram, right?"

he just nods driving through it

she sinks back "All I wanted to do today was see a movie" trying to distract herself

"Isn’t that how life goes? It doesn't ask what you plan" He pulls into a parking garage

"There's life being unfair, yes. But this? I mean come on, one mistake, one mishap and you could destroy a person’s entire way of living" painfully obvious that she's distracting herself

"Ruin, odd way of looking at it" He puts out the cigar parking "Okay out"

she gets out holding the box and putting the wrapped gift on top "it's a logical way, sir... Kind of the only way I can put it" shrugs

"Ruined for one fortune for another, when you get older bub" he heads upstairs ignoring her fully

she follows shaking her head

\*he just walks and heads back for the teacher's lounge letting her be(

she goes to Xavier. Knocking on his door

the door opens Xavier talking to a tall black man in an air force uniform

"Professor?" she says quietly

Rhodes turns smiling at her "Hey Melody"

"Hi... Uncle..." she gives a wave

James smiles and gives her a hug "Glad you're back"

she hugs him back "I was just clearing my head. And out on a date..." half smile

"Surprised Tony didn't fly in himself to stop that" he laughs turning back too Xavier

"It was a fly in. Literally. The signing was horrible... Asked if I could squish the fly, but apparently it had a defense mechanic attached" not too pleased

"That sounds like Tony" Rhody laughs

"Anyway." looks to Xavier "about my hidden library, do I have to have an escort there now?" worried look on her

"In the release of this news I and Mr. Rhodes agree that for a few weeks it is better you stay on campus least any of Mr. Stark's enemies who are now aware of your existence seek to do you harm" Xavier says in an even tone of voice

she closes her eyes and drops her head "I understand, sir. A little frustrating... But I do understand."

"Your dad agrees Melody thinks it is better you be safe here than out there" Rhodes shrugs

"Again, I understand. Am a little more than upset now. Which you can understand as to why. She accused dad of pedophilia and called me a liar on live t.v. To make matters worse, dad is now facing the public by himself and I can't do a thing about it." Goes into her over analytical self as this is the only way she shows she's scared

"Your anger Ms. Stark is understandable just know this is for your own good, I trust your studies will not fall despite this, we will of course help out as best we can" Xavier smiles up at her

"Yeah, he is not alone Tony has lots of friends helping him" Rhodes offers

"I'm not angry. I'm frightened. And as much as I know he has friends... Shouldn't family stick together?" Turns and doesn't want to show that she is fighting back tears

"Frightened?" Rhodes asks completely confused "I am more scared for the slander lawsuits. Everything Tony and you is above board, so Tony faces a few months in the court of public opinion nothing new there"

She looks at him and wipes an eye "Not of that, as the professor has just pointed out, his enemies now know I exist. That means a whole lot more than stupid courts. Dad has information they still want. Info that has been passed to me. Hostage situations can easily be both ways for him and I. I can't lose another parent. Already lost 3..." Holds her arm as she quietly says that

"If there was anyone going kill that man it would have been at 22, no Tony is going die old and drunk in bed" Rhodes shakes his head "Banner, Thanos, Feng-Fang-Foom, the IRS he has bested them all. As for you, well that is a hero’s life and risk. Honestly, I wouldn't worry, even less here"

"I know. But, the fear is still there. enemies still want what is in our heads. Jarvis for example. An AI that has emotion, personality, and basically is human. What about Friday? Or the new element that he created all those years ago. Ultron pops into my head as well. dad's brilliance exceeds even his own expectations" She tries to explain her fears

Rhodes turns back to Xavier sighing softly

Xavier however smiles "Please sit and explain, you are not the first child of famous or infamous heroes here who had these fears"

She sighs and sits down "I... I apologize. I'm letting my own emotions get the better of me"

"there is no reason to be sorry here child you wish a place to express yourself and your fears, we would be poor caretakers of the youth if we did not allow such an area" He smiles at her

"No. I'm a person of logical explanations. Not emotions. At least I try to be" Trying to assure herself more than anyone

Xavier waits "Truly you were speaking of fear earlier"

"Yeah, again it's an emotion that I try and keep to myself and locked away. Today however, has not been a great one. Aside from what little time I got with Alan. As a Stark, a hero in training and the path I walk, fear, happiness, sadness, or any emotion must be tucked away. How can I put it? It's like when you're facing your worst enemy, they try and get in your head, emotions do that for them quite easily. You show them that you are scared? They play on that." Overly analytical of any situation that she gives to Rhodes and Xavier

Rhodes almost doubles over "Tucked away? Emotions, your dad? You know him better than that your path maybe but the only time a Stark hide their emotions in the board room"

"Mr. Rhodes kindly keep your laughter to yourself, Ms. Stark is being open and honest, and your laughter is not needed"

"He's always like this, sir. I'm used to it. Uncle, may I remind you of your own downfalls? You and dad going head to head? Yeah, I know about that too. Hacking 101. Information is the most useful." Raises an eyebrow

"You mean your dad drunk as hell and dying and me going in stealing the War machine armor kicking his ass and leaving?" Rhodes offers\* "Had I know he was dying I would have gone easy. The stark way is not hiding emotions it is lying"

"You didn't catch him Over Dosing on both alcohol and drugs. And as far as I know, I haven't lied

"Thanks for the insinuation, though, uncle Rhodes"

"You still see the man who saved you, a hero you idolize you are too soft on tony Melody." he says softly

Xavier coughs "if you wish a family conversation may I request you do it elsewhere. This is more to assure Ms. Stark she is safe here."

"Yes sir. My apologies. We will continue this later, uncle. Professor? May I ask a favor of you?" she is stern but soft as she asks

"You may ask anything" Xavier words it so it is not that will approve anything

"After what happened today, may I take tomorrow to recollect and recharge? I know I shouldn't but today was way too much for me to handle"

"While I understand the need for mental health I must advise against missing two days in your final term. I will not force you to attend classes, but I strongly encourage it"

she rubs her forehead "yes sir"

"I leave the final choice however in your hands" He smiles at her

she nods "of course, sir. Thank you, sir." she stands and starts walking out

Rhody smiles following her

once out she turns to him "Uncle, dad needs all the support he can get. Not being hounded on problems. If anyone should understand that, it's you. You're his best friend. You think I am too soft, but truth is, I know how sensitive he is."

"Yeah, be his best friend he lies to once a month. I know how emotional he is and am supporting him, doesn't make him not a liar"

crossing her arms "Uncle Rhodes, I am going to tell you one thing that I am keeping from dad. Mind you, if I told him the day this happened, I feared he would have spiraled back into the alcohol." tells him the meeting of Fury and Captain America. "I know it sounds bad, but I care for my dad. You said we Stark's are liars, that's the only thing I lied about. Ever."

"Well I'm glad you felt strongly enough Pepper to go there, I am not surprised both saw her as a buffer from the abrasive playboy. Something you, kind of have been too. But want to know the last time Tony lied? 16 hours ago, when he swore to me no interviews because I was warned about some breaking news today, not what. He swore he wouldn't as he was dressing for the interview"

"He has 17 today. Probably more. I wanted him to come here today because of what happened. Uncle, I know this may be hard for you to do and I am reaching for the stars here but trust him. He may not know what he's doing, however, it normally does come out better. If you can't trust him? Then trust me. Please?" gives the biggest puppy dog eyes to him with a bit of lip wiggle

"Trust Tony Stark? Look Melody I will always have Tony's back, anything I am there for him but trust him no. I will trust you and support him though" he looks away

she moves in his line of sight, eyes growing bigger adding in a small voice "uncle Rhodes, please?"

he looks down at her "What do you want?"

"Please do not tell dad of Captain America and Fury yet? I will in time, but you know how his temper is"

"I doubt he would care but okay"

"Really? Your adoptive daughter goes to see your dead fiance after 8 months of the adoption, your rival and ex-boss show up to said fiances grave, meets the secret daughter and no one tells you? You would be fine with that?"

"Rival? Who?" Rhody frowns

"Captain America. Neither have seen each other since their dispute. That's the only word that fits their spat" trying to be nice

"Yes, they had, those two are like that not buddy's but not rivals"

she raises an eyebrow "we are off point, here. You understand though, right?"

"Yeah, you are worried Tony will freak, telling you, he won't but okay"

"Thanks, uncle." she rubs her forehead again "now that the word is out... I am not looking forward to class tomorrow"

"He said you could have it off" Rhodes shrugs

"I know. But it's Professor Xavier. You don't take his advice, you sink" she shrugs

"Your dad wouldn't have, a Stark trait also forcing your way to work"

"That's because dad is a workaholic. Even when he is relaxing he's working" doesn't realize she is also one

"Yeah runs in the family"

she tilts her head "Grandpa used to too? Or are you talking about me?"

"Both actually… huh 4 from the stories of Howard Sr."

"I am not a workaholic. I rest and break often... Not recently, but I have"

"Yeah" He chuckles at her

"Like today. I was just going to go see a movie before all the shit went down... Then that turned into a date that then led me back here with Professor Logan... See? No work today" tries to be proud of that

"Yesterday?" He smirks

"I... Um... Was working on my plants... Okay that's a day"

"Two days ago?"

"Painting the suit. And... And I am my dad... God Damn it..." she nods "okay I see your point"

Rhodes laughs "Four generations"

she only nods "yep. My kids will be doomed by this Stark induced curse of working. But I am taking today off. I haven't pick up a tool... Yet"

"Yet" he agrees

"Fine. I will prove it. Jarvis? When was the last day I took a break?"

"A full day, miss?"

"Yes, Jarvis. A full day" she waits

"135 Ms. Stark"

"Out of the whole year? 135 days this year. So yes, I do take breaks" is a bit smug

"Wait... It's been 5 months since I last took a break?" smug is gone

"Yes Ms."

"Showed me" Rhodes laughs

"I really am my father... Oh boy..." sudden realization "um... Do you think I should take the day off tomorrow?" asking both Jarvis and Rhodes

"I cannot say miss"

"Duh" Rhodes laughs

"Jarvis, you are my best friend, come on. You must have your own opinion." looking at Rhodes "5 months... I cannot believe that"

"I can I doubt Tony has had one in the last 28 years" Rhodes says flatly

"Miss only you can decide your own mental health"

blinking and now worried "I am not going to do that. Jarvis? Please cancel my classes for tomorrow and please, please, please grab the homework. I will not fall behind. Also... Can you see if dad is available right now?"

"Yes miss" he goes silent "I can get you 45 seconds right now"

"That would be fine"

"Hello kid what's up?"

"2 quick things, dad. Cancel tomorrows interviews because we need breaks, and secondly please don't be mad when I tell something happened a while back. Jarvis informed me of only seconds. So, face to face tomorrow, cancel your day or I will have Friday do that. Love you"

"No chance kid, I have to stay on this"

"Dad. It's important. Something I really need to tell you. But it can't be done over the phone. If not tomorrow, then tonight. Like originally. Please?" pleading

"Kiddo. As soon promise"

she sighs "fine. I am holding you to that"

"Yeah, later kiddo, love you" he hangs up

"Love you too... Dad..." Rhodes can see and hear the disappointment in her "well... I gave it a try. Jarvis? Call Alan please?"

"No phone number known"

she rubs her eyes "thanks anyway, Jarvis." looks to Rhodes "my boyfriend is packing my library, my dad is in constant interviews and I am stuck in here. Uncle? When do you have to get back on base?"

"Best news as of last year I am retired Air Force"

"Really? That must be nice. Congrats, uncle" leans on a wall

"Yeah, I'm now head of special projects at Stark Inc." He shakes his head

"So... For the next few weeks I am here. Is there anything I can do aside from studying, that is?" she inquires

"Well you have a power suit. Do whatever you want I am not watching you. I am staying in Tony with the War machine armor in case of villains"

"Uncle... Are you suggesting I break rules?" raises an eyebrow

"Nope I'm saying do what you want, you're not a kid anymore"

"Until I turn 18, I am still a minor" she chuckles

"True," He turns from her waving

"See you later, uncle. Love you" waving back

"Love you too, Mel" He smiles at her

she goes back to her dorm "Jarvis? What are the chances of dad coming tonight? I'm going tell him. But, face to face"

"2% miss"

she turns on the interviews with Tony in them on her laptop "any time this week? Maybe? And... Maybe let me know when Al gets back to the school?"

"Will do miss" the interview won't play

"Why won't it play? I want to see it." she keeps refreshing the page

"I am sorry miss, but watching that trash won't help"

"Jarvis. I am just wondering what is being said. That's all." starts to over ride

Jarvis locks her out

"Jarvis... Please? What harm could it cause at this moment? I am at the school as requested, I do not intend to leave so I am safe, he's on television being watched by millions."

"Miss the interviews will do nothing but anger you"

"I appreciate you looking out for me, Jarvis, and be that as it may, don't I have the right to know if they are talking about... Well me?"

"I will filter all non-fictional news"

"Just the things that are true, then?"

"Yes, miss no #FakeNews"

she laughs "alright. Now let me see them"

the narrowed list is a handful of articles

she clicks on the first one

\*they are all near the same talking about the silent adoption offering many ideas why but none scandalous

"Well, at least they aren't accusing him of pedophilia now" closes the laptop "thank you, Jarvis"

"Of course, Miss"

she brings out a few drawings of males "Jarvis? Pick one. I am making a hologram for you and I literally have nothing better I can do"

he rejects them pulling up an old photo of a bald Englishman "This was me Miss"

she looks and nods "Alright. Easy enough"

He waits

it takes about an hour and she place a small round object on the floor "Go ahead. It's ready"

It sparks twice not working then come to life half a hologram

she sighs and fixes the problem

the hologram comes back with Jarvis

"Hey you. How does it feel?"

"Feel? this form has no sense of feeling miss"

she chuckles "you know what I meant"

"Ah a metaphor" He smiles at her showing he is joking

"You are free to roam just for the record. You aren't limited to just that one space" leans in her chair

"Well I look forward to future upgrades to enable to touch things too"

"You want that? I can do that" big smile on her

"No rush miss" he laughs

"It'll only take a day or two at max."

"So sure miss?" he smiles at her

"Well yeah. I mean. You are basically my brother" she chuckles

he laughs at that smiling

turning and making the blueprints and doing the math. She spends the rest of her day making his body

"So, I guess the no work today has failed?"

"Work? This is fun. And something completely unexpected." she turns to him and smiles

"Mr. Stark says the same"

"Yeah but this doesn't count as a project"

"I am miss. 136 days" he smiles at her

"Rude." laughs a little

"If the young miss wishes to relax I can reverse that decision"

"I am relaxing. But fine. I can wait I guess." puts down the tools "any suggestions on what to do today then?"

"It is your day Ms. Stark do with it what you will"

"Except go off campus, watch dad on his interviews... My books are not opened... "

"There are still movies?" he offers

"True. Why don't you pick?" she smiles

he smiles nodding "are you sure miss?"

"You know you can call me Melody, right? And yes, I am sure" she snickers

"Of course, miss" He puts on Dunkirk

she watches from her chair. Periodically looking at her phone

Jarvis makes personal remarks about the battle as the movie goes

at the last half hour, she is so engrossed in the movie

"It was far more terrible I assure you miss" Jarvis says a little sadly

smiling at him "I liked the movie at least. Any sign of Alan, yet?"

"I am sorry miss I stopped scanning too many memories, allow me to check now" He flickers a second "No"

she leans back "I'm starting to get worried, Jarvis"

"It has only been two hours miss no need to worry"

"Yeah. I guess. What next for movies?" looking at him

he randomly picks from among her preferred movies

they watch movies for the night

At no point does Jarvis alert her that he has returned

after the last movie she has fallen asleep on her phone

Jarvis smiles activating the suit not on her to tuck her into bed

the next day in class everyone is there but Alan still

she takes a deep breath in before going through the door "Jarvis? Where is Alan?" whispering in the most hushed tone she can

"No information Available miss" Jarvis replies

The students turn to her then return to their conversations the group of friends she made who made it through all three years waving her over

she keeps her head down and goes over "hey..."

One of the guys a pyromancer smiles "Welcome back to class, get lost in your work shop again?"

Another one of her friend’s chuckles

"No... Come on, guys. You must have heard by now... And no, I am just his daughter"

"Yeah, we assumed it was one of them Iron Man, Iron Spider, Batman, or such your gear is too good for some regular orphan." A Chrnomancer laughs happily

"Also, when you keep buying the pizza as an orphan on game night" A cat boy laughs

"It was that obvious? And technically I made everything before dad adopted me. It was only by his request that I went by Clearwater and Fuck that Meghan."

"How many orphans have their own AI?" the Chronomancer laughs

"You know about Jarvis? I didn't talk to him in or during class... Honestly? You guys are taking this way better than I thought you would"

"Not during class but sometimes between class you do"

she blushes "I thought I was alone for those... Anyway, have any of you seen Alan?"

they frown shaking their head the pyromancer giggling "Finally ask him out?"

"He asked me... I'll admit I had to push a little, but yes, he asked me. And it's been 2 days. I might have to ask Professor X later."

"Two days is nothing new for him give it another day or two"

"True, but I am still worried"

They nod returning to focus on class as the teacher enters

she also focuses until fist break

At break she notices a few of the students exchanging money

"What is going on?" asking the chronomancer

"Some of us took bets when after the last fighting festival on who your parents were" She smiles

"Um. Parent. Only one. And really? Also, Batman doesn't adopt. He collects" she chuckles

"Who knows what the hell he does," The cat boy laughs

"But why bets? Honestly? I would have just said... At some point" sheepish shrug

"Oh, when we read it on TMZ?" The pyromancer laughs elbowing her playfully

"Well... No. The information shouldn't have come out for another 2 years. Meghan McCain" sneers at the name "basically called dad a pedophile and myself a liar." leaning on the pyromancer

She laughs at Melody "And they call me a hot head!"

"You are quick to anger, yes. But when it comes to family and my friends, I think I take the cake on that." joking with them

\*they all laugh along

"In all honesty though, I can barely get a minute with my dad. So..." is a bit sad

"Yeah, I can only imagine mom is always busy with X-Factor and she only a hero not a billionaire industries" The pyromancer frowns

she rubs the pyro's shoulder "I'm sorry. I didn't want to lie to you guys. Sworn secrecy and all that"

The girl laughs "It's ok, we all figured out something was out of place year one" \*The other two nod

"Year... Year one? Jeez... I must suck at lying if it was back then" laughing at herself

"Na we just aren't stupid" The cat boy teases

"Well cat is out of the bag... So, to speak. I might as well introduce you all to Jarvis." takes out the small portable devise and places it on the floor

Jarvis doesn't come out

"Well done?" The cronomancer teases

"Jarvis, come on. They already know you exist. Unless you are shy and hiding in which case I am sorry for putting you on the spot light. But, you worked with dad's team. Can you work with mine too?"

"Your team?" the chronomancer raises an eyebrow "Anyone class is starting show us after"

she feels a bit embarrassed "yeah. And yes. You guys are my closest friends. Jarvis is more like a brother and... Dad is dad..." doesn't know how else to say it

"Maybe you are our team" he teases

she chuckles "I can live with that. If we are together. Friends for life?"

"Yeah" they all agree smiling

at the end of the day. She is in a privet area "Jarvis? Look I want to apologize for earlier. I over stepped"

"Why miss?"

"I wanted to introduce you to my friends. You didn't come up and... I figured you were just shy. I mean... My older brother should know my friends, right?"

"I still do not know you have factored an older brother I was the one to raise your father. And I did not come out because class was starting"

she pounds her hand on her forehead "I can be such an idiot. But you wouldn't mind meeting them?"

"I do not know"

she smiles "yay. Okay. Meeting them soon. And hopefully Alan will be here soon..."

"I have yet to see him return if I was allowed more access I could track his Stark tech watch"

"Already ahead of you." gets the tool kit and tweaks the small object

\*Jarvis goes silent for a few minutes before returning Alan found"

"Where? Show me, Jarvis" was pacing before he got back

a globe appears with a red dot titled Alan Holland in the Amazon

"Why is he there? His dad maybe? I am going to widen your voice range into his phone. All I want is a message that he is safe. My message: Hey. Miss you. Please call me soon. This is Melody"

"I will try but there seems to be massive interference there, Miss"

she sighs "well, I'd go there myself, but I am under constant surveillance and I hope he is okay..."

"We can try miss"

she tweaks the devise again

"Message sent Miss"

"Thanks, big brother" she picks up the object and meets up with her friends

"Miss it is not my place but as I am the brainwaves of a man who fought in WWI I find it insulting to be called that."

she goes silent for a change

"I am sorry if I speak out of line"

"No... No. I am sorry, Jarvis. That was insensitive of me. I should have asked" she rubs her neck

"I welcome being your butler and friend, and even family if you so desire but even in this form I am closer to be your grandfather or uncle than brother.

"Again, I apologize. You are literally the only person that is with me 24/7. So... Yeah... I'm sorry"

"It is quiet okay Ms. Stark"

"Anyway, thanks for finding Alan. Now, meet my crew of awesome." she chuckles

"Of course, Miss"

after a little while, she finally meets up with them

She can find the male chronomancer in the arcade

she taps his shoulder "hey."

He smiles up at her from a racing game "Sup?"

"Talked to Jarvis, and he's ready to meet everyone. Oh, and Alan is in the Amazon now."

"How… never mind that guy is strange" he stands up stretching

"He is also my boyfriend now. So, come on, let's gather everyone"

The guy frowns at that walking with her

she studies his look "oh... You liked me too?" not good at reading people

"Well, yeah." he admits

she feels terrible "I am so sorry... I um... I don't know what else to say.... Except I'm sorry" Jarvis can tell she has had no feelings for him

he shrugs "it was obvious last year you didn't have feelings for me"

"I feel like such an idiot... Really I am sorry." she rubs his arm

"Tobias... Why didn't you say anything to me?" her eyes lock into his

"A problem with my power, sometimes I forget when I am" he smiles "I mean he is kind of quiet and vanishes a lot but you like the oddballs like us"

"Tobias, I liked you back then. I was waiting for you to ask. I figured you weren't into me... So, I got tired of waiting. 2 years." she blushes and stops walking "I am so sorry, Tobias"

"Well… me too, but still friends?" He asks

"Of course. No one is going to be able to take your place as a such" she hugs him

he hugs her back and smiles "well lead on Stark"

she nods and tries to find the others

he walks with her

"Where are they?" still searching

"Not sure Alisha mentioned the training room" He heads for the elevator

she follows "okay. We will start there" smiling up at him

he hums as they go along to the elevator music

she leads them both to the training room

The pyromancer is in there focusing on controlling her quirk

"Alisha." she calls out to her

she looks up cursing as a wall of fire explodes out from her. Tobias steps forward golden light radiating from him time reversing the damage

"No matter how many times I see that, I will never not be impressed." she looks and traces her finger over it

she looks at Alisha and Tobias "Alright, now where is our last member?"

"Tobias looks at his hands frowning a second\* "not sure"

looks at Alisha and him "Tobias? Is something wrong?"

"Just my curse, don't worry"

she takes his hand "Hey. I'm your friend, I am supposed to worry"

"Tobias, I know it's 50/50. But you have us to help, right?" smiles at him

"Yeah, it's okay, just hurts sometimes to use my quirk" he smiles

"I'm sorry. I have some herbs on me to help with that if you need it" starts searching her bag

"Na it's okay, downfall of playing with time" He laughs

"You sure?" she gives a concerned look

he nods Alisha frowning "well not unheard of a quirk hurting people I mean that Deku in Japan" She has a dreamy smile

she tilts her head "you have a crush on Izuku Midoriya? That guy comes with his own problems" she chuckles

"Hey he is cute" she blushes

she laughs "would you be able to handle Bakugo? Because he is basically with him all the time."

"You mean puff the wannabe dragon. I would show him real fire" she laughs

"That's our Ali for you. Come on, let's go find our version of Beast Boy" she snickers

"Oh, he loves that nickname" Ali snickers

she laughs and leads them in a search for him "Who wants to bet that he's taking a... 'Cat' nap?"

"I will take that bet" he shouts a floor above them

"Hey! I have someone I want to introduce you guys to! Get down here" she snickers

The cat boy, Arthur Veilhelm, vaults the railing landing gracefully

"Nice one, Arthur. Alright. So" places the object again "everyone meet Jarvis." she back up a few steps

The AI pops up "Hello all"

"Jarvis, this is Alisha, Arthur and Tobias." pointing to each one

Jarvis nods smiling at the four "Greetings I am Jarvis" They all introduce themselves

"Jarvis has been my AI for the past 4 years. All those times you... Um... Caught me talking to myself, I was talking to him" blushes and clears her throat

"Yes" he smiles

"Well we assumed you were not talking to yourself" Arthur laughs

"Shush you." she chuckles "I had no idea you even saw me."

"Kind of hard not too" Tobias laughs

"I must agree you are not sneaky miss"

"Taking their side." she gasps playfully

"The only side Edwin Jarvis takes is the side of honesty"

laughs a little "With the secret out now, I figured telling you all would be nice for a change. They took bets, Jarvis. On who I was related to"

"Ah, I would have joined but I feel my knowledge would have been unfair"

"Speaking of. Who won?" is at least a good sport about it

"I did" Arthur laughs

"Congrats on that. Who said Batman?" smiling at them

"I think is was Aron that shapeshifter" Tobias offers

"Of course, it was. Do I look like the dark and brooding type?" she giggles

"Depends the day" Ali laughs

"Oh. So, mean" laughing with them

They all laugh even Jarvis smiling

"Who else was on the list? My dad, Batman... Hopefully no villain"

"Iron Spider, was mine" Ali says

"Sorry, Ali. I haven't even met him"

"Oh well" She shrugs

she pokes her forehead "Good guess, though"

Ali flicks Melody's nose laughing

she wipes her nose "Alright. Jarvis, you may go if you want. Oh! Any chance that dad is available tonight?"

"I am sorry no Miss Stark"

disappointed sigh "alright. Thanks, Jarvis..."

"I will keep you updated"

she nods and picks up the object "even before the big reveal, I barely got any time just to talk to him. 45 seconds over the phone the other day. That was it"

Ali nods "I understand that pain"

"Famous heroes... I love my dad, but I do sometimes wish he would cancel a day just to spend some father daughter time. He's the only parent I have" she shrugs lightly

Ali nods in agreement "My mom and dad are the same way"

"Isn't it a little annoying?" leaning on the rail

"Yeah, when I was younger" She shrugs

"So, any plans tonight? I only ask because you all can go off campus and I have to live vicariously through you since I cannot"

"Movies" Ali smiles "Come on Arthur we are going be late"

He fallows her smiling

she looks between the two as they leave "they would make such an adorable couple" saying to Tobias

"Them? No Ali doesn't like him, he is in love with her, but she sees him only as a friend"

"True. Ali likes Madoriya. I can do all the research for her about him but unless she meets him, it's a pipe dream." looking away as she says that

"I think they met last year but this blond was all over him" He says shaking his head

"Oh yeah. I totally forgot about that. So, while they are gone, did you have anything planned? I was just going to call my dad and work on..." pauses for a second "a thing"

"I need to check on my dad... he is dying"

she hugs him "I'm sorry, Tobias. Go check on him."

"It is okay really" he smiles

she shakes her head "Tobias, family is more important than anything else in the world. He needs you. I'm not going anywhere. I can't. Constant surveillance"

He shakes his head but nods giving her a side hug and going

she watches from a distance now "Jarvis?"

"Yes miss?"

"You would tell me if dad was seriously hurt or dying right? And... I am so confused... I like Alan a lot and yet I still Like Tobias... Did I make the right choice? Or the wrong one?" slowly heading back to her dorm

"I cannot say the later, follow your heart. And of course, I would tell you." he promises

"Is there no chance of dad being available by phone even?"

"I am sorry no Ms. Stark"

"What about uncle Rhodes? Is he able to?" shaking her head in disappointment

she waits for Jarvis' answer

Rhodes answers "hello?"

"Hey uncle. Um... Can you help me with something?"

"Like how to not be tracked down by Logan, no can do"

"No... R... Really? That's where... Never mind... No, it's about... Well 2 guys that I like..."

"I am going stop you real fast… do I have to kill them for touching you?"

"No. I am just very confused now. You see... One of my friends apparently has liked me for quite some time and I him, but he never asked me out and I was tired of waiting. Assumed he didn't like me in that way... While the guy I went on one date with... He hasn't responded or come back to school yet..." tries to explain

"As a man on his fourth divorce... I am not a good one to answer..."

"Well... I would ask dad, but you know how he is. Already asked Jarvis and his answer was not helpful. Would ask mom but... You know... She's kind of not around"

"Never ask Tony for advice in relationships" Rhodes laughs

"Again, which is why I come to you. I really like them both, uncle. Alan is a floralmancer and Tobias is a chronomancer. Both are really sweet to me and yet, I don't know what to do..."

"Well if you pushed Alan to ask you out but not Tobias so I can only assume you like Alan more"

"I think that is the problem. I had to push. I don't know, and he hasn't come back since... Well the secret blew out"

"No idea kid"

"I think I scared him away. Had Jarvis locate him, how he got to The Amazon is still beyond me"

"How? Can he teleport?"

"In a way. But I thought it was only for a certain distance. Even still... He's been gone since the first date..."

"Got to have trust"

"Yeah... I don't know, uncle. Maybe it intimidated him finding out who I am..."

"Shitty hero than"

"If he is going to act like dad and disappear without letting me know... Is it worth it? But at the same time... I really like him. He is helping me move my library..."

"Melody, that is the most heroes, if you want a hero you need to accept that"

"I guess so. Would it be wrong to date both?" sheepishly asking

"Would they know?"

"Um... Maybe? I mean again I wouldn't lie about it." biting her lip "should I tell them?"

"Well... want them to date you or be pissed?"

"Date. So, is that a yes tell them?"

"I will never endorse that, I am not Tony"

"So, no. Don't tell them?"

"You do you kid, how like a Stark to fuck up a relationship by playing the Field"

"I'm sorry, uncle... I just don't know..." sniffles "This is a situation I have never been in. And I'm sorry if I'm a Stark..." voice cracking at that insult

"Why sorry, Melody google tony stark Oscar’s 2001" He says sadly

she does so "They way you said it made it sound like I am just as bad as my dad..." looking up the Oscars from 18 years ago

Tony coming in with three super models stumbling drunk off his ass and cursing at people

she closes it almost immediately "I am not that bad. I just started dating... Barely"

"I know but now you know why I say it like that, that was tony since he was 19"

"Sadly, true miss" Jarvis adds

"Why do you think I am asking for advice on this, you two? I am confused on who is better... The guy I have been friends with for almost my high school career or the guy who has similar powers like in my armor?"

"How about which you like more miss? Which can you make life with? Which…" "is hotter? Rhodes interrupts Jarvis

"Wh... What?! What... What do looks have anything to do with it?" at the same time she is thinking of Tobias over Alan

blushing over the thought

"Ignore Mr. Rhodes" Jarvis says testily

"Not going happen Jarvis!"

"Not helping... You two... At least with the bickering." rubbing her temple

"I can solve that," Jarvis hangs up on Rhodes

"Jarvis..."

"Yes miss?"

"I am wondering as to why you did that?"

"Miss said she could not focus when we argued, no more argument."

she face palms "Jarvis... I am trying to figure this out..." placing her head on her desk "This is one of those cases where mom would be helpful"

"I understand miss"

she sighs "what would mom do?"

"Miss Potts, she was a romantic to her core"

she smiles sadly "Maybe she would have known what to do..."

"No miss she would have told you to fallow your heart no matter what anyone says"

"You really think that?" looking at her window

It is what she told me when I inquired about her love for Tony"

"Maybe I am not ready to date yet. It's too close to graduation for myself to get lost in boys. Besides... I shouldn't push them to ask me, if they like me, they'll ask on their own, right?"

"No miss Stark you are old enough to date, more mature than Mr. Stark was at your age. As for boy, one you pressured so I can only assume you prefer"

"I only did that because of your logic. He has been around me for quite some time... But. Maybe you're right... I do need to pick one of the two. Okay. One date each before I make a decision..." coming to her own conclusion

"Most unbecoming of a young lady"

she grumbles "I am trying here, Jarvis. "

"You have made your decision already"

"No, I thought of a possibility."

he stays silent

"Jarvis. I'm new to this dating thing. I normally just... Well... Work." lightly pounding her head on the desk

"I know miss why I am helping"

"It's frustrating. If I choose Tobias, Alan would think I am two timing, but if I go with Alan, then me and Tobias are just friends? How is that fair to him?"

"You are not obligated to offer more your body your choice miss. If being only a friend is not enough than he is my boyfriend material"

giving a deep breath in and out "You're right. I have already made my choice. Just wish Alan would have told me where he was going..." \*sitting up in her chair "okay. I really need to call dad though"

"Might I advise we return to your room?"

"Yes." she gets up and goes to her dorm

When she gets there, she notices at once a white flower on her desk

she looks around before entering her room "a white flower? From who?" looking for a tag

there is a letter from Alan

she reads it "Alan left it..."

it is informing her that it can teleport her to the library

she smiles at the thought "He's so thoughtful."

"A promising sign"

"Mm." she smells the flower "Okay... This is something I must tell dad about. And... I feel like a major jerk now... I thought the worst..."

"As soon as he is available miss"

"Which is when Jarvis? He barely has time for a phone call. I was just going to leave a message anyway..." shrugs

"Oh, call and leave a message anytime"

she calls him "Yeah. It's all I can do."

she reaches the voice mail

“Hey dad. Still need to talk to you, it may or may not have included Captain America and... Well... Um Fury... But, the date went well, Alan got a white teleporting flower... Was gone for a while though... Anyway, call me when you can, love you" \*hangs up

the following day she wakes up to a text from Tony

groggily looking then sitting up "Finally." looks at the text

'Hey kid sorry if those two are bother you. Glad your date went well, well no I am not but I am supposed to say that I think. Rohdy told me you skipped class, good for you be a rebel, just not with me. Love dad'

she responds 'you're not mad about the meeting with them? It wasn't planned or anything. They kind of just showed up at moms... Grave. This was within the first year of you adopting me... I'm sorry I kept it in the dark for so long... I was worried about you then... And thanks, I guess? You know I hate skipping classes. But it was needed. Oh! I made Jarvis a synthetic body. Love you too, dad

~Melody'\* "and send. I'm glad he isn't mad about it"

"I doubt he will be miss"

"Morning, Jarvis. I thought he would have been. Back then anyway. Steve said that dad still didn't want to see him. I figured they were still fighting..." gets out of bed and gets on clothes. Putting up her hair, cleans her glasses and brushes her teeth "And since it was literally a year after moms... You know... I thought it best not to tell him"

"Of course, miss Mr. Holland has not yet returned still in the Amazon"

she sighs and looks at the flower "And no ETA?"

"Impossible to predict miss"

"Of course." looks at her phone for the time

it is 4:09 am

blinking "it is way too early to be up" she chuckles to herself "well, I can't go back to sleep anyway. Too wide awake. How about a little plant seed collection? My stores are almost out anyway. No one is else is awake and the wooded area is still technically on campus" asking Jarvis for permission

the following day is Saturday slow until 11:15 when Jarvis gives Melody an alert Alan is back

"He is? Finally." She moves from her desk

"Yes, miss he just appeared in his room"

"You know? I think I'll let him come here." picking up a new flower she created

it is almost 40 minutes before there is a knock on her door

She smiles and opens it

Alan smiles at her

She leans on her door "Welcome back."

He smiles at her "See my gift?"

"I did, I really liked it. But, I cannot leave campus."

"It would teleport you without notice, I left a letter at the library explaining where I was going"

"Yeah. Until further notice, I am under constant surveillance. Per my dad's orders" Shaking her head

"Even in your own room?" he looks shocked

"It's professor Xavier. What do you think?" saddened look on her

He nods sighing "Sorry"

"It's not your fault, Al. It's frustrating but Professor Logan could track me down easily, Professor Xavier barely let me have a day to collect on how I felt about it and apparently people took bets on who I was related to"

"Yes, I passed on the bets seemed unfair as I already knew the answer"

She lifts up a finger "you started it? And how did you know? I never told you until the day it was revealed"

"Started no, I just knew they were, who well, even your seeds talk, they say Stark and Jarvis, and Melody and Brimstone"

She gets a look "Who is Brimstone?"

"You mean the guy who burned my real parents alive. He's not related to me"

"No but he is on your mind, they see what you think most often, and I can talk to them, you talk to them without knowing it" He smiles

"I don't think of that monster often. Hades did him in and I am grateful for it. Less worry for myself and my family... I can only hope he is here for all eternity..." \*as she says that, she gets a faraway look in her eyes

"If you believe that"

"It's true I do think of the past, but not often. First and foremost is my schooling. Then being a hero like my father, one day taking over my dad's company..." She shrugs and looks back at him "When you didn't return, I thought I scared you off, with me being a Stark"

"No, I knew that since your first plant grew" he chuckles

She smiles a little "I may have had Jarvis do a worldwide search for you... Why were you in the Amazon?"

"If you read the letter I left," he laughs shaking his head "That is where the parliament of trees resides where the magik of the green is strongest"

She makes an 'Oh' face "See I would have known that if I was allowed off campus" Blushing as she looks away

He smiles at her and shakes his head "it is okay"

"I worried about you. Which, is why I did… what I did... I'm sorry... If I had known that, I wouldn't have sent the text or had him do a search..." She sighs

"I tried to respond but the old ones hate technology"

"The old ones?" tilting her head

"Yes, the old guardians of the green"

"All I know from The Green is in D&D references. Druid's and Ranger PC's use it." lifting her glasses up and blushes 'I know... I'm a huge nerd"

He smiles at her "It is the natural energy of all the life of plant energy in the world"

"It's kind of funny... Only three people know I'm a closet nerd" She smiles lightly

He smiles at that "Well I have seen the library"

Smiling and nodding in agreement "So, I am curious. What does the Parliament of Tree’s... Discuss? Sorry, I don't know what the proper term is"

"Nothing," he smiles with a laugh "It is the life energy of every avatar of the green to come before in one hive mind"

She looks confused "I see..."

He frowns trying to describe it "When an avatar gives up their mobility they become a tree in the parliament. They Parliament discusses nothing to me as they talk with one voice, but to each other I don't know"

"Oh. I guess I have more to learn about the plants I use" She smiles up at him

"Use, um odd phrasing. Work with more like"

Looking down "Yeah. That. So... Plans for today?"

"at 1205 am? No"

"I was just working something that can help the plants become stronger" Looks at her organized chaos desk

"Oh, want to show it off" he smiles

She nods happily "Mind you, it's a work in progress." Goes over and presses a button from her suit, as she does vines of thorn thicker than any jungles vines could be appear

he watches and claps once than extends his hand the vines thickening more with a smile

"I increased their solar intake so their veins and such wouldn't snap so easily." she strokes the vine

"They like you, you should talk to them more"

she looks down again "I wouldn't know what to say. The last time I was caught talking to someone that... Meant the world to my dad, I met someone I didn't expect."

"Oh, tell me?" he asks

"You already know. Captain America. And... Someone else. Someone who keeps a highly low profile. It was so awkward, and they nearly got into a fight. Although... I may have been the one to cause that..."

"How does that effect talk to the plants?"

"Say I talk to them like I did with my mom... Only instead of Rogers and Fury it was Ultron and that Russian guy? Yeah, I talk to Jarvis. But while out collecting the seeds and growing them... They or worse show up. It's a concern of mine" knows it'll probably never happen but it's a small percentage lingering in her mind

he blinks at her and shakes his head "They want to talk with you, you can't talk logic with a plant"

"I don't know that.... Alright I will give it a shot. With this." goes and grabs her new species of flower.

He watches her

she rubs her neck "hello. Um. I have yet to give you name, and I apologize for that. Um..." looks to him and back at the flower blushing hard "I guess I would be your mother? Um."

he gives a gentle whisper and she thinks she can hear the flower, but not in words or anything scents and sounds the way it sways seeming to say emotions and feelings

"Are you doing that?" is a little freaked but impressed

"I am helping"

she tries to understand what the flower and plants are expressing

He goes to the flower shaking his head

she stops running when she reaches the court yard "All I did was basically say hi to it... Okay... Calm down Melody. There has to be a logical explanation for it, right, Jarvis?"

it takes a few moments for Jarvis to respond "Yes miss"

"Oh, thank you. Science always wins." finally calming down

"If you say so miss"

"I guess you being the AI would say otherwise?" pacing

"I have seen a man hit by a nuke survive, I have seen a man revive the dead… "

"Which can be explained logically. I'm sorry... I'm still a bit in shock here." keeps pacing

"You say logic I have seen magic"

"Oh, come on. Magic? That can also be explained by math and science. Knowing dad for as long as you have must know that by now"

"I know Mr. Stark's stance miss, but I have seen things that can't be explained"

"The rising dead? They probably weren't dead to begin with. Getting hit by nukes? People have survived that before. Missing limbs but not unheard of" breathing in and out

"She had been dead three weeks miss"

she stops pacing "she?"

"Yes, Miss Julie Reynolds, Robert Reynolds wife"

"Look for as long as I have known... Magic hasn't existed. Don't you think if Necromancy was real, I'd bring back my parents?"

"Bringing the dead back never ends well" Alan says softly

she jumps a little. "Alan... Sorry... I didn't know you were there"

"Yeah, you looked worried, so I followed you. But there are many cases of the dead being revived, it never goes well"

"Worried? No. That flat out freaked me out. It had to have been a neurotoxin or a hallucinogen" trying to be logical about it

"No, that new flower is a born killer, it has a potent toxin in its petals"

"I didn't have plants lined with poisons. And I only took seeds from the nearby wild flowers. None of them are toxic" searching for answers

"Evolution," He shrugs

"What do you suggest I do, then? Destroy it?" now concerned with making a deadly flower and it could get out

"Why? It is an amazing creation that you can use"

"To what? Kill? I won't do that."

"Dilute it?" he ponders

she sighs "How? Help me find a way to and I will reconsider. I won't let my plants be killers"

He smiles a little sadly but nods "if that is what you want"

"Alan. I am a hero in training, so are you. If we resort to killing, we are no better than those who try to kill us. We have to have the sensibility to think of better ways than killing" she places her hand on his shoulder

"I know hard to think so with people seeking to destroy the world" He kisses her nose

she blushes again "Not everyone... Is." gives him a smile

he smiles taking her hand guiding her to the room

she looks at her demon plant "I think I have a name for you"

"Lullaby made by Melody?"

"Flos Daemonium. At least for its scientific name."

he smiles nodding "I like it"

"It's English text: Secret Lullaby. You never knew it coming. Okay. Time to delude it so that maybe instead of killing, it's a knock out for several hours"

after several hours of testing she gives up for the day "Al. Let's take a break. I haven't found an answer for this yet"

she stretches and sighs "I am still not sure how this happened. If it did evolve in such a short amount of time, which flower was the closest to that? Or... I don't know... The poison is only in the petals.... I didn't want to create something that kills..."

"Everything can kill Melody, even water. The ability to kill and killing are the difference, you or I could easily kill it is about choice" Alan says

she looks at him "that is true. Just that experience earlier really had me shaken up. I never expected to feel something like from a flower"

He shrugs sadly "Can't really expect things that are used and killed by humans to be happy. Look at the slash/burn of south America 100 acres an hour lost to humans killing everything in their way without care, including themselves"

"A lot of fires happen by accident..." she looks at The Secret Lullaby "some not. It's like you said, choice... Right?" her tone has turned into sadness

"Accident, no I know how they are made, it is that away my species are made"

"Made?" she looks at him

He smiles at her and pulls a knife and nicks himself bleeding green sap

"Hey. No need to do that. Could have just explained it."

"It doesn't hurt, I don't feel pain. But yes, I was once Moki of the Awá before I died"

"You died?"

"Yes, when I was five" He smiles at her

she keeps her usual analytical self in check "At the age 5? I'm sorry"

"It is okay, the farmers were cutting down where we had lived for a thousand years to grow soy beans because they destroyed the land. Burned me alive and left me to die"

"Oh... Um. Again, I am really sorry." doesn't know what else to say

"After that I was saved by the green" he shrugs "So no I know there are no accidents with the fires there,"

she keeps her thoughts to herself "Um.  I can't speak for everyone but at least when it comes to the fires caused by heat to extremely dried brush and pine needles... Those are accidents... Right?"

"Of course, but you missed my my comment I was addressing only the fires of the Amazon rain forest.

she rubs her neck "sorry..."

"It is okay, no some forest fires are natural they are used to clear and rejuvenate forests I agree" He smiles showing her it is no problem

she smiles back "Al. Thank You for helping me with this"

"Of Course, anytime, on that note shouldn't you sleep it's almost 3 am"

she looks at her phone "oh god... Yeah."

He smiles and kisses her cheek "Sweet dream Melody"

smiles and blushes "Night... Al."

he leaves the room letting her be

"Jarvis... I think I am screwing this up..." puts away the tools and plops on her bed

"Do tell miss"

through her pillow "I literally had no idea what to say to him after what he told me. I tried not to be scientific with him and I blew it. Ugh!" the long ughing

"I am sure you can find some explanation" he says sarcastically

"Please don't do that... I can tell when you are sarcastic you know... This is a real pickle. Oh, and to top it off, I made that. How? I don't know... Call dad please? This is a daughter crisis" still in her pillow

"Mr. Stark is unavailable unless you wish to leave a message again"

"Yes" lifting her head

"Is it on? Dad if you get this message. I am in a crisis. Your daughter did something idiotic. Like you she created a new... Thing" purposefully keeping it that way

in the morning there is a text back 'Don't create any robots bent on wiping out mankind! Have a good Love dad'

eye twitch "Not where I thought he would go." replies: 'No. I just created a deadly flower. You must eat it but still. My creation, one I did not intend, is named Flos Daemonium. Or the Secret Lullaby. Ran tests on it and it is possibly the deadliest flower known to man. Love you too, dad. ~Melody' "Hey Jarvis? How long until he has a day off? Or better yet, get me his schedule?"

he shows it work 21 hours a day with 3 hours of sleep

"Fuck. Now I feel terrible. Thanks Jarvis" lying in bed

"I will keep you appraised miss, this is just a tough time for Mr. Stark."

she sighs and puts her arm over her head "I know. My constant bugging isn't helping either. Now that I have seen the schedule. I'll leave him be for a while"

"If I may advise miss, text or email communication he responds too faster"

"True. Still, I have been pestering him a lot lately" putting her phone on silent

"I understand Miss"

looks at the time

it is 7:24 am about four hours of sleep

she groans "I am going back to sleep, Jarvis."

"Good night Miss"

it is about 20 minutes later she thinks she hears her phone vibrating

grumble and looks at it

it reads Dad

she answers "hi dad”

"Hello Ms. Stark" A unknown man with a slight eastern accent says

she sits up "who is this?" gets out of bed and activates Jarvis's hologram

Jarvis flickers on shaking his head "Cut the call Miss"

"An old acquaintance of your father"

she nods and does so "Jarvis. Get Xavier and contact Rhodes. Tell Rhodes to get to my father and I will also alert the staff"

"Now Ms. Stark did you really think your old outdated AI would stop this call?"

"Outdated? Excuse you." looks up and to the flower "old acquaintance my ass. You want the Flos Daemonim. Only minutes into texting my dad do you call. Touch myself or anyone that I know. And I will destroy it"

There is a long pause "The what?" the formally composed voice sounds confused

she shakes her head "Never mind. What do you want?"

she waits for his answer

"I... No What is that a new weapons system!?" Jarvis nods a smile on holographic face saying in hero sign langue 'Don't tell him anything will make him powerless'

"Like I'd tell you. Please. What was the reason for you calling me again?" being a bit snooty

"What do you mean! I am the Mandarin, the greatest enemy of Anthony Stark, I am going to crush his spirit... Wait no I am the super-villain you will answer me!!"

"Uh huh." Winking at Jarvis "That's funny, dad has never spoken about you"

"I am the man who ruined his life! How Can You Not Know Me!! Now what is it!!"

"Again, you being the villain here, why would I tell you? It just seems completely out of character for a teenager to give in to adults demands. On top of that, I am a young lady so even more so defiant to her father and other adults in her life because she is going through her monthly cycle" \*Trying to confuse him even more

"You are a liar like Anthony I will have the Flos Daemonim and then the world will bow to me!!" and hangs up

She just laughs

Jarvis shakes his head sighing "I have informed Mr. Rhodes already"

"Thank you, Jarvis. Well, I think I handled that quite well. Was a bit angry when he said you were out dated though. That isn't true in the slightest"

"It is true Miss, but I must say you handled well. He will waste much time and money for a flower."

"I know. How long do you think it'll take before he comes back?"

"Impossible to tell miss, maybe a week, maybe a year"

She settles herself down "Well, Mandarin will certainly be upset that he wasted so much energy and resources on a flower. Alright, question time, who is he? Dad actually hasn't told of him."

"The only thing I wish we had gotten was his reason for calling me."

"Most likely to threaten to kill you to hurt Mr. Stark"

"Well, I guess I gave him a new project?"

"Yes miss" her door opens War machine walking in weapons drawn

"Stand down, uncle. It was on the phone and I dealt with him" Trying not to laugh

"He didn't teleport in?" Rhodes doesn't stand down

"No. It was Mandarin, and I never got his reason for calling me because I sent dad a text earlier about this flower" points to it "And only moments later did he call me, so I assumed it was about the flower and I got him utterly confused. Now? He's going to waste time and money on a flower"

Rhodes armor folds up him frowning "he didn’t even teleport here?"

"No. But I suspect we will be seeing and or hearing from him again. Sorry, uncle. Not today. But while you are here, I made a new species of flower. It's highly toxic to eat. Probably one of the deadlier flowers known to man"

"Jarvis remind me to accept no salads from my niece" Rhodes says nodding

"Understood sir"

"Like I'd do that. Thanks uncle" She chuckles "Actually I was in the process of trying to delude its toxicity. That is until 3 am this morning. But yeah. I told the name to Mandarin and now he thinks it's a weapon" She laughs

"You just made an enemy… but" he high-fives her

She high fives him back "If he knew Latin, he would have known what it was. Flos Daemonium, it means Demon Flower. Or in my text: The Secret Lullaby"

Like that matters Tony called his greatest missile the Jericho"

"True. But now Mandarin thinks it's some weapon." Leaning on her desk "No confrontation, I think I nailed my first attack"

"I think you're lucky to be alive"

"I confused the shit out of him uncle. Not to mention, it was a cyber-attack. So, my life wasn't in any real danger. Unless he somehow knows how to control phones in a way of killing"

"Not true miss, the Mandarin can teleport via his magical rings"

She sighs and snaps her fingers at Jarvis "Right... I forgot about that"

Rhodes nods

"But in any case, would this count as my first victory?" Sheepishly smiles

'I would say so Miss Stark' \*Xavier says in her head

"Professor Xavier? You were listening in?"

"Your panic alerted me'

"Wait Charles here?" Rhodes asks

She shushes Rhodes "Yeah. I'm sorry. It wasn't as big as I thought it was. Or rather turned out to be"

Rhodes nods sighing at the phone "Well glad your safe kid"

She looks over at his phone ""What are you looking at?"

"We need to get you a real phone know that they know you"

"What does dad have to say about this?" Looking up at him

"Nothing yet, I don't think Friday has been able to reach him" Jarvis answers her

"Yeah, he is Strange, tech works weird there" Rhodes agrees

"It's okay. I already decided I would leave him be. I saw his schedule and I felt terrible." Sitting at her desk now "He will get the news sooner or later"

"More what do we do about your phone, it is not secure" Rhodes walks over to it

"Obviously I need a new one. But, being totally honest here, so does dad. He contacted me through his number. Meaning, his enemies know his number and now my name." Leaning on her hand and arm

"Not likely Friday scrambles his number every 5-50 minutes" Jarvis smiles

"Oh, so it's just me then" Sighs "Great"

"Na, we can get you one in a day or two" \*Rhodes offers."

"Alright. I'm not against it. But" She smiles widely

"But?" Rhodes asks wary

"I want the newest Android. The one that does the 3D round about photos" Big eyes

"You can talk to your dad about that" Rhodes laughs

"You offered. Please?" Does the lip thing

"No, I said you needed one not I would get it, I'm not paid like he is"

She pouts a little but with a smile "Fine. Party pooper"

"But I will tell Tony they are secure communication" Rhodes offers

"Alright, alright. I will ask in a moment and I will inform dad of what transpired here. I doubt he'll get back to me today, but I can try"

"I will tell him for you," Rhodes laughs shaking his head

"Thanks uncle" She gets up and hugs him "You're the best":

He hugs her back smiling "yeah, yeah," he takes her phone leaving

"Well... No phone... Can you still get a message to dad, Jarvis?"

"Of course, miss I have a quantum encryption to Friday"

"Here it is; dad I am okay. Rhodes is about to talk to you about something that happened with Mandarin. No, he didn't teleport in my room and I won against him. I love you. Melody"

"Sent miss, any return message I will read out to you or project in hologram?"

"Hologram it please. Oh, and if anything, else comes up... Just wake me with an alarm. Now that the adrenaline is subsiding, I am tired" goes back to her bed

"Of course, miss, have pleasant dreams"

"Night, Jarvis" curls up in her blankets

Jarvis power cycles for three hours before Tony shakes Melody Awake

she grumbles before opening her eyes "Dad" sitting up

"Hey kid" Tony smiles down at her standing up

she puts on her glasses "I didn't expect you to visit." smiling at him and getting up herself

he hugs her lightly still not big on the touchy-feely side "I am not, this a hologram made of hard light"

she hugs back "In any case, I'm glad to see you, dad"

"Well I don't have long, first I am happy you are okay if the Mandarin wasn't so stupid he would be a threat. Second, no making killer plants please " he laughs

she laughs with him "you should have heard it dad. I only told the name of the plant to him and now he thinks it's a weapon" she goes into fully what happened

He waits grinning "Well only my kid could outsmart him, now though I have to run soon. This is done by an earbud, your new phone."

"Thanks dad."

"I do take great pride in being a Stark." giving him a proud smile

"Well of course" he laughs "okay going go kid"

"Okay. I love you, dad" waves him off

Love you too kid" the hologram vanishes leaving an earbud

she picks up the earbud "Well, it may have not been much time, but I am glad I saw and talked to him. Now, I can leave him be for a while."

"Registering user Melody Stark. Contacts Transferred, Messages Transferred. Ready for us"

"Neat. Messages?" raises an eyebrow

"Alright Jarvis. It is Sunday in the afternoon, what is on the agenda?" sitting at her desk and looking at the flower

"Miss you had me clear your agenda this weekend to prove you are not a workaholic"

"Right. I forgot about that" she chuckles

"We are now at 137 days"

"Okay, okay. I get it. No work today."

"the choice is yours miss"

"No. I need to take time off. Wish I could go to my library. But, as a good student and a Stark, I follow my boundaries"

"Stark's follow boundaries, I must assume you mean those of Ned's line"

"Ned?"

"Yes, miss from Game of Thrones"

"Oh, ha, ha." she laughs

"What I need something to pass my free time"

"I never thought you would like Game of Thrones"

"Of course, miss the intrigue, the wars, ah very nice"

"Marathon day?" she looks at him and smiles

"But of course, miss, shall we invite anyone else?"

"Well duh" she snickers

"Who shall I invite miss?"

"Alan, Tobias, Arthur and Alisha. They are my closest friends"

over the next 15 minutes everyone but Tobias filters in Tobias still visiting his father

she greets them "Tobias is still with his dad?" asking Alisha

"I haven't seen him today" she shrugs

"Then yes. Alright. Let's get started. So... I am a closet nerd. Al is helping me move my privet library and today is a Game of Thrones marathon day." turned on the TV and clicks play

"Closet nerd?" Alisha laughs

"How big is the closet?" Arthur laughs

"Miss Stark's closet at home is roughly 2/3rd of this room" Jarvis rats her out

"Hey! And yes... You all see the tech me... But not the fiction side of me... I have a mini sized Buckbeak..." she blushes a little

"And three different Enterprise models" Alan adds the three laughing even Jarvis smiling

she sighs "and I won Jon Snow's sword in a raffle..."

"Nerd" Alisha laughs

"Shut up" laughing with her "just watch the series’"

They sit with her bingeing it

occasionally she gets up and grabs snacks

Alan helps offering jerky and other meat snacks

about half way into season 1 when she snuggles into Alan

Alan holds her smiling happily

they make it into the last half of season 2 before Melody falls asleep on his shoulder

At 11 Alan tucks her in leaving

it is seven more weeks before everything has calmed down Melody waking to a holocall from Tony at four am

she yawns "dad... Not that I am not happy to see you or anything. But it's 4 am"

"Yeah, why are you asleep?" he asks confused

"I crashed around 11 after staying up for another 24-hour period" rubbing her eyes

"You should sleep more regularly like me" Tony says working on projects as he talks

"Oh please. I see your schedules. Mr. 21-hour days and 3 hours of sleep" she snickers

"It is regular" He says shaking his head "Anyway come home this spring break"

she tilts her head "okay. But why?"

"Your party"

blinking in confusion "My party? What party? I was going to come home anyway to surprise you"

"Yes, your debutant ball, sorry I know it is a pain, but PR thinks it will finish off those rumors"

"You're serious?" she sighs "alright. I guess I should start looking for a ball gown"

"Don't worry I got one for you" Tony curse working on something off screen

"What are you working on?" shaking her head

"Armor got damaged in my last fight lost a thruster and almost fell a mile to the ground" he says as if it is nothing

"You know, there is an easy way to fix that, right?" raises an eyebrow

"Oh?" he keeps working

"If you're burning them out too quickly, the Auxiliary input is off, and you are also not accounting for climate and not enough thrust. Or if by literal lost, magnetic homing devices. As soon as you lose that part it would immediately come back onto the armor"

"Doesn't stop rockets" he laughs

"Well no. But it is a solution" shrugs

"Used magnetism and nanites they are okay, but they have problems a good hard-shell suit doesn't"

she nods slightly in agreement "just saying, dad. So, what day do you want me home?" going back to the original topic

"Sometime in the first week of spring break should do" he smiles fixing it

"Will do. I still cannot believe the allegations they kept saying about you. Pissed me off" \*is very cranky at 4 am

"Anyway. I will see on break dad. Going back to bed." she chuckles

"I've been called worse and normally with good reason, sleep well kid, Love you" he hangs up

"Love you too... eh whatever. Night Jarvis" Goes back to bed and out in an instant

It is the fifth day of spring break just before six Melody is dressed and ready for the party her and Tony riding a limo down to the Manhattan penthouse ballroom

looking out the window "Dad? What was it like for you? is fidgeting with her hands

"For me what?" Tony fixes his bow tie

"This whole first moment of fame thing?" leaning back a little

"I was three or four, I don't remember it" Tony says smiling "You got this"

"I guess I am just more comfortable in the lab and in jeans with a long sleeve" Smiles a little back

Nope this is my ghost

"You really think this will work, dad?" Looking back out the window

"It is a ball all young ladies of social standing have them around 16, yours is a year late"

She looks at him "Really? I thought that was only myth."

"Google it" He laughs dryly

"Later. Trying to calm my nerves here." Still absent-minded fidgeting with her hands

"Why nervous these people don't mater" He smiles at her

"First time in the public eye dad. I want to make at least decent impression. Now if I knew anyone else, besides you dad, there, it might seem less pressured" Smiling at him when she said besides him

"Unless you are hobnobbing with millionaires and heroes... I doubt it" he smiles sadly

She places her hand over his

"Yes?" he smiles at her

"It's been 4 years already since you adopted me. I want this night to go as smoothly as possible for both our sake." keeps smiling at him

He laughs "As long as no villains attack I will call it good"

She chuckles along "Here we go"

Tony waits for the chauffeur to open the door for them before stepping out and waving to the press

She gathers herself and steps out too, slightly waving

The media tries to swarm them stopped by security

she follows Tony's example just smiling and waving

the security keeps them back as the pair walk into an elegant and well-appointed entry with gold leaf on the walls and some classic paintings

she looks at the paintings briefly. Pointing out small details

Tony seems to not even notice the wealth around him smiling as they enter "Friday be on standby" And smiles at her "Shall we?

"Yes" smiling back

He steps through a doorman pounding a cane "Introducing the host of this party Mr. Tony Stark" He smiles waving as people clap before stepping into the crowd shaking hands and greeting people

holding her high, she steps through after Tony

the doorman stomps the cane again for silence all heads turning to Melody "And the guest of honor making her debut Ms. Melody Stark" the people begin clapping

she goes into the crowd

people line up to shake her hand dozens of names that don't really matter to her

she greets and thanks them for attending.

she makes it through the line to the end where Tony is holding court in a way

she just stands to his side

Tony smiles at her "Well you won't often see this kid the greatest hero armor makers in one room. First," he gestures to an average height guy with a knock-out beautiful redhead "May I introduce my former protégé Peter Parker CEO of Parker Industries also known as Spider-Man, and his wife Mary-Jane Parker an actress"

"Peter. Mary-Jane. Pleasure to meet you." gives a little head now

Tony coughs "Shake hands, sorry my daughter would prefer to be breeding new flowers or remaking suits"

Peter laughs offering his hand "It's ok Tony"

she shakes his hand "my apologies"

"It's ok, I would prefer to be in my lab too" He laughs shaking her hand

Mary-Jane smiles at Melody offering her hand "A pleasure, we have known Tony for 18 years and he never mentioned you"

she shakes her hand too "The adoption happened 4 years ago. And as dad has stated, he kept me away from the world of fame for my age"

"Yes, yes but you would think maybe family friends" She says at Tony

Tony shrugs "Given my family friend is now my lead rival in the future industry"

"Tony, I know you gave me my start, but you couldn't expect me to stay under you forever, that sounded like a comment Wade would make..." Peter sighs sadly

Tony chuckles and gestures to the last two "Dr. Shields and his daughter Dr. Shields"

"Doctor. Doctor. Pleasure to meet you" shakes their hands

the younger blonde girl pulls forward a teen she knows from JUA in a three-piece suit "And my plus one Izuku Midoriya"

He smiles offering a scared hand "I think we met at the fight festival"

"Hey Madoriya. That we did. Your technique has improved quite a bit since year 1." shaking his hand

"You mean the idiot no longer breaks his bones?" Melissa laughs kissing his cheek

she laughs with her "Yes that. The tech that you and your father create are amazing. Yeah, I admit that I do my research. Tragic what happened on the island." truly sad by that

"It's ok, we are now independent thanks to a generous donation from an anonymous benefactor" David Shields smiles

"An anonymous billionaire who makes me looks poor," Tony whispers to her

"In any case, at least you all are okay. I saw that most of the JUA students were also there. Again, I am thorough in my research." whispers to Tony "my friend is going to be heartbroken"

Tony frowns at her confused

"Yeah, most of our class made it, kind of amazing" Izuku says smiling "How many did yours lose six was it?"

she only nods and still to Tony "Alisha. She's had a huge crush on Madoryia and oh man..."  now to them "It was a tragic time for NAUA."

"Too modest Ms. Stark" David Shields says with a smile " Your year has done amazing looking forward to great things from you"

she smiles back at him "Likewise, Doctor"

it is a week after graduation Melody home at the Stark mansion in California when she receives a call from Tobias

"Hello?" she answers it

"Hey Melody, how are you enjoying your break before you start working?"

"Hey, Tobias. A little. Dad is constantly gone, and I am working on improving my suit. How about you?" flipping through color pallets

"My dad is gone." he says flatly

she goes silent for a moment "I am so sorry, Tobias. Anything I can do to..." trying to think of something

"It was expected years ago, but thanks," He sighs softly "I just wanted to hear your voice real fast sorry to brother you"

"Tobias. You aren't bothering me. If you want, I can come there?" being supportive

"Sure, you want too I wouldn't want Alan to be mad"

"Al... I can explain it to him later. I will be there soon. Okay?" grabbing a set of keys

"You don't have too but thanks" he sighs

"Tobias. If nothing else, I am doing it because you are my friend." looking at the set of keys "Friday? Tell dad I took the Firebird."

"Miss Stark are you sure you wish to take one of your father's preferred cars?" She asks back but offers the keys

"I don't know. I just grabbed a set of keys. Which do you think I should take?"

"Better yet, holocall him. I will ask"

"I am sorry Miss Stark would you like to wait your father is currently in a fight with the Iron Monger"

"Again? No. My friend is in mourning. Which car Friday?" is standing in front of all of the cars

"I cannot advise, except to say drive safe"

"Firebird it is then." she gets in and drives to Tobias'

she makes it over the next few days Tobias's family in New England. She pulls into a large manor estate set on more acres than even her own mansion

before she goes and knocks "Jarvis. Remind me to offer dad a months’ worth of tune up and cleaning after this. I did borrow without permission and now I am asking for forgiveness"

"Understood miss"

she gets out and knocks on their door

the door is opened by an older lady looking to be in her 50's

"Hi. I am here to see Tobias" she gives a saddened smile

"Ah, my sons friend, he told us you were coming, please come in." she turns walking back in

"Thank you." she follows "how is he doing?" concerned

"He is well as can be of a boy who has known his father would die for years." she smiles

"How about yourself, Mrs. Walls? This cannot be easy on you either" Again genuine concern

She smiles sadly at her "It is ok, the Walls family accepts it lot"

"If there is anything I can do, please let me know?" Smiles back at her with sorrow

"Please you already came all the way out here, that is plenty" She smiles gesturing up a flight of stairs "Second landing first on the right"

"Thank you, Mrs. Walls" She goes up to Tobias' room and knocks

"Yo?" he opens the door "Oh. Melody I didn't expect you here so soon!"

She hugs him "I'm sorry I couldn't be here sooner"

He hugs her back, blushing shirt not buttoned

She doesn't let go for a moment "Did you tell Alisha or Arthur?"

"No, you were the first I called..." He blushes slightly. Looking away

Finally letting go "I'm so sorry, Tobias."

He smiles "It's ok"

"Did you need any help with... His funeral?"

"No, it has been arranged over the last year."

She nods "Well until you tell me to go away, I'm here for you" She smiles sadly at him "Dad won't be happy that I took one of his cars, but still"

"When is the funeral supposed to happen?" Not knowing anything about his father

"Why did you steal a car don't you have like jets or money and such?" Tobias shakes his head

She blushes a little "borrowed. I did try and call and ask but I now it's more a forgive me type? And as for the jet? I didn't know how big your house was, so I took a smaller type of transportation"

"It is New England not Mars, we have airports" He laughs looking oddly older and more mature than 17

her blush becomes more obvious "You've um... Matured during the summer"

"Oh yeah, I guess I didn't notice" he dresses the rest of the way

"But yeah. I borrowed The Firebird..."

"At least a classic" he smiles after only a few weeks sporting a beard\*

"Been growing out a beard? It looks nice"

"Yeah, woke up it was just there"

"Is that normal?" \*asking out of curiosity"

"Puberty hits at different times" he smiles

"Well I guess that is true. So, when is his funeral?"

"A few days, hungry?"

she nods "a little"

"Lunch?" He smiles thrilled she came

"Sure" she smiles back

he guides her down to a large kitchen that once held staff and hums cooking

"You cook?" taking a seat and smiles at him

"Cook is a strong term, Turkey or ham?" He begins making sandwiches

she giggles "ham. Please?"

He makes them up smiling "No staff this week only family"

"That makes sense." taking off her glasses

\*He seats to eat\*

she eats as well "So. Have you decided on which hero branch you were offered?"

"I don't know… I only got a few offers you?"

"I have to admit, I think I am going with The Avengers" She smiles

"Oh, following your dad?"

"Yeah. I have had it in my head for a while of the 'Father/daughter' duo" She giggles

"I don't think they will let him be your mentor" He says sadly

She sighs but is still smiling "Yeah I know. It was just a thought I've had since Spring Break"

"Once you both heroes however..."

"Again, that is a maybe. He disappears for days without telling me and usually comes home busted up" Snickers a little but sadly

"Sounds like hero work" Tobias frowns

She places her hand on his shoulder "Work we volunteered for" Smiling at him

"Volunteered, no" he laughs

\*Leaning on him\* "I'm sorry, here I am going on about my dad, why don't you tell me about yours?"

"Hey, no sorry, I'm glad you came out here" He grins

she smiles and blushes "I am glad you called, not in the best of circumstances I'll admit, but still happy you did"

"I'm not sure why I did..." He frowns

She sighs thinking she has an idea as to why "Well, whatever the reason, I'm still glad you did"

"Me too," He finishes up

she finishes "So, this is your family's estate, huh?"

"Yes about 50 years before the witch trials" he smiles

"It's beautiful. And a lot of history" \*She smiles at him again\*

"Yes, my family were judges that watched over the Salem witch trials" he stands smiling

"Is that right? That's actually amazing." Looking around

"Well maybe but how many innocents died, want a tour?"

"Sure. And its still history, good or bad" giving him a small chuckle

"More the amazing" he leads her to the door smiling

she just keeps looking "Do you ever wonder what it was like back then?"

"We have detailed family histories that tell me about it"

"Really? Now that just makes me a bit jealous" She giggle

He smiles sadly at that nodding to her comment "I guess"

"Sorry. That was insensitive of me to say." hand on the wooded frame of the door

"No, it makes full sense from your background, our family history is just a bit fuller of tragedy" he says sadly

she goes up to him and putting a hand on his shoulder "at least you have friends and family who stand by you no matter what"

"Yes, I do thank you" he smiles

"show me more of the house?" Smiling up at him with her golden-brown eyes

He walks her through a hallway lined with pictures of his ancestors stopping at a newer one of a many appearing to be near 80

"Your grandfather?"

"MY father last year" He says sadly

she goes wide eyed and covers her mouth "I am so sorry"

"It is okay," he continues, and she can see there is a date next to his name

she looks back and forth between them. Not knowing what to make of it "Tobias.... Please tell this isn't real?"

"What isn't?" he asks confused

pointing to the date of his name

"35 years old yes"

trying to come to terms "how? I mean... Why..." is confused

He continues

she follows

He doesn't address her question continuing

For now, she lets it go, but it never strays from her mind

"This is our library" He leads her to a room big as her workshop lined with books

her jaw drops "Whoa. May I... Look?"

"Feel free" he laughs

She swoops in and tries to find the science books "These are incredible. Perfectly well kept, organized and they smell amazing" Loves the book smell

"Enjoy" he lets her at them

She pulls him in "No, you tell me about this collection, please?"

he laughs walking her around all first edition of the greatest authors of the last 400 years

She listens intently as she feels the bindings of the books

"My family collects" he laughs at the end

"It's an impressive collection. You're the second person I've known to own this many books" She giggles

"Oh, who is the first?" he smiles back

She blushes and rubs her head "You weren't there... But... Myself? I um..." Clears her throat "Am a huge nerd..."

"Tell me something I don't know" he laughs

"You have only seen the tech part of me... I am a huge fantasy nerd..." Still blushing

"I play D&D with you!" he laughs loudly

"Oh yeah... Sorry. Been pulling way too many work shifts I guess I kind of forgot?"

"Well it has been weeks I was thinking, about it actually if we all could halo-call and see each other maybe we could play as our characters?"

She smiles at that "That sounds fun"

he grins sitting in a chair

She looks for a spare chair

there are a few

She grabs one and sits next to him "So, how do you want to start this off?"

"What off?" he frowns confused

"The session. Duh" She chuckles

He laughs "You give them something for halo-calls?"

She sighs "No... Sadly"

he smiles as they call them up to start a session Jarvis in full DM robes, Tobias a tall half-orc paladin, Alisha an eleven rogue, and Arthur a Tabaxi.

She is an Aasimar Bard

they play a few hours all laughing having fun

Her rolls are not so great tonight

\*Tobias gets 4 nat. 20's Arthur worse than hers-

She tries and hides her laughing at Arthur "I see someone is having worse luck than me"

"These digital dice suck..." He frowns

"It's okay, Arthur. It's not like this is IRL stuff" Trying to cheer him up

"Yeah, still sucks when you are blown up by your own crit. fail spell"

"Yeah. But hey. You did it well" she chuckles

"Yeah thanks to the fact Jarvis is a nice gm" Tobias laughs

Jarvis pulls back the hood "Well Ms. Stark might cry if I killed off her character"

"Please. Character deaths happen. Part of the game" she laughs

"Of course, miss" Jarvis laughs

she enjoys the rest of her time with her friends

\*it is three days later the sun bright as a group of fifteen people including Melody gather out back to Paul their

she sticks to Tobias' side. Not knowing many of them

it is three days later the sun bright as a group of fifteen people including Melody gather out back to at a large mausoleum a black wooden casket. They arrange in a half circle around it their ages seem to range from 14 to 90 all silent

she takes Tobias's hand but keeps silent

he says nothing standing there as his mother steps up to talk

listening to his mom and sending her own prayers to the gods of the after life

after that thought, she listens back to Mrs. Walls

"My husband loved life, enjoying the time he had on this world. We all have limited time on this world, something all of us know." She continues praising him

she keeps holding Tobias' hand as his mom talks

Tobias releases only to step forward " Thank you all for coming here today to pay respects to my recently departed father. Though he may be gone I assure you his goals and dreams will not be forgotten.  As the eldest Wall male of the oldest brother I will continue our family's quest I take it upon myself to do so." He says to applause

confused she still applauses him

They all place a pocket watch in the casket before closing it

even more confused than before, but doesn't ask

after the casket is put into an open space in the all

she gets curious and will look up what they are doing later

they return to the house Tobias staying there for a moment pulling out an old battered watch

"Tobias?" starting to grow concerned

"Yes?" He smiles at her

she gestures to the watch "how long have you had that?"

"Four days again when my father died. It has passed from father to son since 1693" He shows her

she takes a finger and feels it "I made dad a pocket watch for one of his birthdays, I can fix this one if you want? Unless you value it's vintageness"

"No, it is a memory for us" he smiles

smiling back "okay. Are you doing okay?"

"Yeah… just still in shock. I knew for months he was near death but to see him go..."

she looks away "I'm sorry... I told you to be here. I didn't expect..."

"I told you months ago he was dying. It was expected, but... 39 is a young ago to go" he nods

"He was only 39?" piecing things together "the time... Aging. The picture... You'll die at 35?!?"

"Why do you say that?" he laughs blowing it off

"Tobias. I don't need everything. But that, I do need." blinking a lot to keep her tears from showing

"I can't answer you that" he says sadly

she nods and hugs him. Sniffling

"Don't worry, I am still me why are you crying" he shakes his head

"I'm not... It's the pollen" total bluff "and worrying is what I do for my friends and family"

"You are full of shit, one of reasons I love you" he laughs still walking from

blinking "you... What?" shell shocked

"Um... Tobias... What did you say?" still hiding her feeling from him

he is already out the door and gone leaving here in the crypt with hundreds of coffins each with a name and dates

she goes after him "Tobias"

He gone from sight the door to far to reach before she got out but gone

"Shit... I really am a screw up when it comes to this kind of stuff..." she spends about 20 minutes looking for him

he seems to have vanished

she calls Rhodes "please pick up, uncle"

"What? where you at kiddo?" he asks confused

"New England. Took dad's Firebird to help someone I love who just lost his father, and he just confessed to me about his feelings and yet I am still in a relationship with Alan..." word vomiting

"I will be there soon" he sighs out

"Wait what? Uncle?" waiting for his response

"You are at a crossroads kiddo"

goes silent for a moment "I... Um... I need to think on this. How do you figure?" holding her breath

"Well they both love you, so you need to pick eventually"

"Or take a step back. I mean I just got out of high school, joining up with the Avengers. At least I hope." taking a deep breath in

"So, dump Alan?"

"Dump sounds so mean. But, maybe a break would be best, yes" pacing

"Painful with how patient you have said he has been but your call your life"

"Uncle... I have yet to kiss him. If I am not ready for that, maybe a relationship right now just isn't a good idea" she sighs

"Hey, your life kid, there is a reason I am single"

"I know. I know. But, I feel like this is the right choice. For once I am not uncertain about my relationship status."

"If you want to kiddo"

"So, why are you flying here?" she asks

"Thought you wanted me to pick you up... forgot you were driving now.

"I said I took the Firebird. Although... How angry do you think dad will be?" nervously asking

"How do you feel about having you workshop locked up?" he asks

"He's that pissed, huh? It was for a good cause. And I promised to clean and do the tune ups on the cars when I got back. More have Jarvis remind me to offer that to him"

"Well going go"

"Okay. Bye uncle. Love you"

"Love you too kiddo, take care" he hangs up

"Yeah. Well, I should get back home anyway. Face the terror that is my father." talking to Jarvis

"as you say miss"

she tries to locate the Walls and give them her goodbyes. Asking Mrs. Walls for Tobias to call her more often

they all thank her for coming nodding and Mrs. Walls nods

waving goodbye from the car. She drives home

she makes it home in five days without issue or accident

before she goes inside, she writes down a list of consequences to give to Tony "I did a bad thing, Jarvis. Broke his number one rule... Stupid me"

"You create a rogue AI hellbent on destroying the world?"

she chuckles "No. But you know how I hate breaking rules. I feel bad that I did. Especially when it came to his cars. Tobias had a point. I should have flown or something else..." done with the list she goes inside from the garage

"Of course, miss" Jarvis offers

"Back kiddo?" Tony shouts

"Hi... Dad... I'm sorry. I took one of your cars to New England because Tobias's dad passed away and I made a snap decision." finding him and handing him a list.

He looks over the list confused Why are you handing me this?"

"I broke your biggest rule of the house... So... That's a list of punishments"

~no phone

~no internet

~constant video surveillance

~no workshop (uncle Rhodes suggestion)

~car tune ups

~clean house/detail cars

~no television

~all calls must go through to dad

~no armor

~lastly: grounded to room until further notice

"You built a rogue AI hellbent on destroying the world!?" He looks worried

Blinking "why do you and Jarvis ask that? No. I broke your biggest rule about your cars. I took the Firebird to New England. I expected you to be furious with me"

"What the car rule? No, I expected you to break that weeks ago, my biggest rule is don't make rogue AI" he responds

"So, you're not mad?" A little thrown off

"No, you didn't damage it so whatever" He says like it is nothing

"completely blind sighted" She mumbles as she walks to her room

"By the way, dad... I am thinking about breaking up with Alan..." from around the corner

"Okay kiddo" he says not really caring one or the other

"Just thought you would want to know..." she sighs and goes to her room

"Thanks for the heads up, just... you are young try to have fun!" Tony shouts after her "Go drop a couple million gambling"

"I'm 17, dad. I can't gamble" shouts from her room

"I did..."

Poking her head out "I know. Back then you were called the 'Playboy of Playboy's'." She snickers to herself

"Still am!" he retorts

"Not according to a lot of these new articles coming out. Lately you haven't been with a new girl." raising her eyebrow

"Yeah, Friday gets pissed"

She comes out and sits on the counter "Dad. Go out and enjoy yourself. That battle with the Iron Monger must have wiped out"

"That was days ago, I am fine"

"You've been buried in your work, haven't you?" Asking Jarvis and Friday as well

"yes" they answer

She chuckles "Okay if I can take off more than a week from working, so can you dad. Let's go for a drive or something. Maybe you can teach me to gamble." Offering fun

"I really should finish this..."

She pouts a little "Friday? What's his schedule for the next hour?"

"Next hour is work on project ... access denied"

"Okay. Fine. Don't tell me what it is. Just calling out the hypocrite in you." Acting proud of herself

"No, she can't I programmed her not too. Tomorrow night okay?"

"Alright. I'll hold you to it. But first things first... I have to call Alan and actually end it..." Not exactly happy about that part

"Well... I should call him... You know what? He's not going anywhere. I'll... Do that later..." sheepish smiling

it is the following day at 1930 when Tony walks into her room

she is again flipping through color pallets "hey dad."

"Come on lazy" He laughs

"Lazy? I was just looking through new colors for the armor" she puts them down and gets up from her desk

"Well last I checked I was supposed to be kicking your ass in cards right about now"

"You kick my ass? Yeah okay. Let's see how well you do against someone equally as smart as you" chuckles and gives him a cocky look

"Kick it with ease" he laughs walking out

"I win, you go get sodas. I lose I buy them" she laughs too and walks with him

"So, either way I am buying them. No, you lose, you go one week no work." he laughs

"Fine. Same to you then" over confident

He laughs heading for the dining room

following him

there is two pies of pizza and a deck of cards

"Yum. Alright, let's get started then"

he sits laughing pouring them both a glass of coke "Rum for yours?"

sitting down "still 17, dad. But thanks for the offer"

"You are at home, live a little" he rolls his eyes

"Alright fine. Been wondering what it tastes like anyway." giving in

He pours and flips the lid on a huge cheese pizza

"Thank you" takes a taste of it

"Now," he shuffles dealing before getting a slice "Time for school"

"I'm pretty sure I can get the hang of this easily"

"These" he flashes the deck "are called cards"

"No duh." snickers

"Just checking" he laughs eating a bite

"Which will we be playing?" grabbing a slice

"Something easy for you, 21?" he offers

"Too easy. Was thinking more like Poker or Gilet" Smiling deviously

"Start off easy small fry" he laughs dealing out the cards dealing her a 3 of diamonds and a 3 of clubs his own face card a 2 of hearts

"Kill joy" teases a little

"Hit or pass?" he takes a sip

"Hit"

he deals her a queen of diamonds "Showing 13 kid"

"Not true, dad. I pass this turn"

he draws a card showing a 9 of clubs "What do you have?"

She shows hers "16"

He laughs flipping showing a 5, 2, and 9 "16"

"A draw" She laughs

"Lucky..." he finishes the slice dealing again

"Luck? I thought you of all people didn't believe in that"

"Luck, is real" he deals her a 5 of diamonds and jack of spades himself showing an ace or hearts

She ponders for a moment "Hit me"

he flips over to her the 9 of spades "19 showing kiddo"

she breaths in "I risked it and I lost. 24"

"So, what was that bet?" he asks

"Best out 10" Not wanting to admit defeat

"Ok" he smiles dealing finishing his glass dealing her an 8 of clubs and hearts himself showing a queen

Again, pondering and taking a bite of pizza "Pass this time"

he frowns and laughs flipping a card "King.... I bust" he shows a king queen and 6

She shows hers with a smile

he sighs "16. should stayed" he laughs

“So, that 1 win, 1 loss and 1 tie." taking a sip of her coke/rum

he pours a second glass before dealing her a Three of Diamonds and Five of Clubs himself showing a Ten of Spades

She looks at them "Hit me"

he flips a Nine of Clubs

"Pass this time"

he flips showing his face down is a Nine of Spades "19"

She shows hers "Damn it. 17"

"Score: Dad 2, Melody 1... I am starting to eat my own words here." snickers

DEC 8, 2018, 8:19 AM

"yes, you are" he deals her a Ten of Spades and an Eight of Spades a Queen of Clubs showing for himself

"I pass" smiling at him

DEC 8, 2018, 10:09 AM

he flips the Jack of Spades "20"

"Shit" shows hers

DEC 8, 2018, 12:32 PM

"4 to 1 kiddo, someone is going have a lazy week" He laughs

"Don't hedge your bets yet, dad. I could still win" laughing

He refills his cup and deals again her an Ace of Diamonds and an Eight of Clubs himself showing a Ten of Diamonds

"Hit me" also asking for a refill

he refills it and hits himself groaning "Bust"

"19. 4-2 now." she snickers as takes a sip

He deals again an Eight of Clubs and Five of Hearts to her his own face up a Two of Hearts

"Hit me"

he flips a King of Clubs

"Damn it. 5-2" taking another sip

"Bust little girl, this is where the big boys play" he teases eating more pizza

"Oh yeah, old man? Just you wait. It's not over yet" teases back

he laughs dealing an Ace of Diamonds and Two of Hearts himself showing a Six of Clubs

she ponders and thinks for a moment. Head swaying "hit me"

he flips a Four of Hearts giving her either 7 or 18

"Pass this time" sipping on the rum coke

he flips over showing a 16

"18." showing hers

"Kiddo is trying a comeback" He finishes his drink

"Oh, big words for someone about to get his ass handed to him by a 17-year-old" chuckles

"Handed, take a lead and try again." Dealing her a Queen of Clubs and Three of Spades himself showing a Nine of Spades

"Pass this turn" feeling confident

he flips showing a 10 for 19

she stands "I knew it. I lost anyway. Every time I get 13 there is always a 10 there" showing hers as 13

He chuckles shaking his head 7-4"

"Yeah, yeah. Last round" sitting back down and sipping her rum coke

"Oh? not going to one gets 10, I auto win?" he laughs

"You don't..." she gives a look "I am not going to let you win automatically. Fine. First to get to 10" Smirking and crossing her arms

he deals again a Jack of Spades and an Eight of Clubs to her, himself shows a King of Hearts

"Pass" Taking a larger sip of her drink

he flips showing 20 with a Ten of Clubs

"Shit. By two. My luck sucks" She chuckles

"2 more and you get the most boring week" he laughs eating more pizza

"Or the father gains a pest" snickering

"Rules not allowed in the workshop your rule" he deals Eight of Diamonds and King of Hearts to her and showing a Queen of Hearts

Acts heartbroken "You wound me. Pass this turn"

"Pass too" he shows Eight of Clubs for 18

She shows 18

"Draw" he sits back putting on a movie as they play

"2 draws, 9-4. My luck is seriously bad. What are you putting on?" Looking over at the TV

he has on Ocean's eleven "Last hand kiddo" he deals her the Four of Clubs and Jack of Spades showing the Seven of Diamonds

"Alright. Hit me" Downing the last of her rum coke

Five of Hearts

"Pass this time"

he flips showing 18

She shows 20

"Well… crow tasty, not last hand" he deals again the Three of Hearts and Ten of Diamonds to her and showing the Two of Clubs himself

She breaths in "Hit me"

Six of Hearts

"Pass" straightening her glasses

he flips over a Ten of Hearts then the Seven of Diamonds Pass" he shows 20 with the Ace of Spades

"Damn it" Shows her 19

"and that is school" he laughs eating a slice

Tapping her finger "This is going to be painful. a total of 3 weeks not working. Oh boy..."

he kicks back watching the movie "Three words kiddo"

"Which are?" Getting her second slice of pizza

"Tony is King" he laughs

She shakes her head "In your head, maybe" under her breath and snickering to herself

"Double or nothing first to three. I win no work at all in the workshop, your room anywhere."

Laughing "Fine. You're on"

he laughs smirking dealing her the Two of Clubs and Two of Diamonds himself the King of Diamonds

"Hit me" Eating her slice

he flips the Eight of Diamonds

"Hit me" Hoping to get a good card

he flips over the King of Hearts

"22..."

he flips the King of Spades for 20

"1-0." Tapping her finger again

he deals her the Jack of Spades and the Nine of Hearts showing the Two of Hearts

"Pass"

he hits for the Four of Spades

"Still passing"

he flips showing 16

She shows 19 "1-1 now"

he laughs sipping the rum

She stretches "I didn't think I would have liked the rum in the soda. But it was actually really good"

"Why I drink it" he laughs dealing her the Ace of Spades and Ten of Clubs himself the Two of Diamonds

"Pass"

he groans busting with the King of Spades

"21" shows him "1-2 now"

"Don't be cocky" Queen of Hearts and Six of Clubs are dealt to her Five of Hearts for him

"Pass" smug a little

he flips himself the Ten of Clubs for 18

shows the 15 "2-2"

"Drumroll kiddo, just want to give up?"

"When has a Stark given up?" leaning in

he deals her the Four of Clubs and the Five of Spades showing the Ace of Clubs

"Hit me"

he flips the Two of Hearts

smirking "hit me"

"Brave" he flips the Seven of Spades

"I'll pass this time"

he flips the Jack of Hearts "21"

sighs "18... You win"

"So... how you are spending your week now?"

leaning back "I don't know. What I was planning to do was repaint the armor. The black doesn't fit the green... Now? I... Nope... I got nothing"

"Well enjoy, I'm going go play in the workshop" he stands laughing

"Keep rubbing it in. Next time, I will win" sticks her tongue out

It is almost 2 pm local time when the Stark private jet lands on the tarmac taxing to a stop. A stewardess lowering the ramp for Melody to exit the plane

she gets out and thanks the crew

At the bottom of the ramp is a tall man smiling at her when she reaches the bottom he bows then offers his hand "Stark-san, it is a pleasure. I am Uhito Shiga here to expedite your immigration"

she bows back and shakes his hand. "please. Just call me Melody. And the pleasure is mine. Japan is so pretty. I couldn't stop staring out of the window"

The man smiles holding out his hand for the passport "Of course Stark-san"

she hands it to him

he scans it quickly handing it back bowing "Welcome to Japan, I hope you have a pleasant stay. I believe your father arranged a car."

under her breath "of course he did" looking around the airport

there is a stretch limo parked next to the plane on the far side

"I guess this is where we part ways. It was a pleasure to meet you and I hope your day goes well" smiling at him and going to the limo

the chauffeur opens the door for her bowing

She gets in

he gets in "Where too Stark-san?"

"Um... Well, no wasting time. The tower?"

"Hai" he drives

She looks at her phone "Still waiting... Al..."

she has a text from Alan

Sigh of relief she reads it\*

'Hey, going into the office first day, hope your flight is well XOXO Al'

Responds: Flight was okay, Japan is gorgeous. Miss you all. Hope everyone does well on their first day too. ❤ Melody

it is almost twenty minutes to reach the tower

She looks out the window "Whoa. That is almost as big as the main tower"

When the car stops the man opens her door for her "You belongs have already been moved into your room Stark-san, your cover here is a VP of sales for Stark Industry"

She gets out "Thank you, so much Uhito Shiga" Smiling again at him

He bows ago and hands her a card "anytime day or night Stark-San"

She takes it "Thank you"

he drives off

She looks at the tower before going in "Dad... You really don't know subtlety"

At the door is a card reader and biometric scanner

Rolling her eyes, she uses both

she is allowed entry to the building

She goes in "Nope. Not subtle at all"

inside the lobby a woman smiles at her "Ms. Stark"

She looks "Oh. Um. Hello."

"We have been expecting you" she waves you over

She goes over "Yeah. I am just taking in the sights"

She frowns confused at her "It is okay Ms. Stark your identity is safe in here"

She just smiles at her

"Welcome to the Avenger’s Japanese branch, you are joining us as a sidekick yes?" she smiles at melody

"Yes indeed, ma'am"

"Very good, your room is top Floor, just use your badge and hold the top floor button for five seconds" she nods

"Thank you." She goes to the elevators

she can use it the top floor one huge room just for her

"Whoa" Looking at her phone again

nothing but a Hologram of Jarvis springs up "Miss"

"Hey Jarvis. Looks like dad went all out. What's my schedule?"

"None Miss, you start work next week" He smiles looking around smiling

"I already took a month of not that long ago...Can you call dad for me?" Looking out the windows

it rings through to Friday

"Hey Friday? Where is dad?"

"At a meeting with Congress Miss Stark"

"I see. Well, I just wanted to tell him I made it here safely. And if there are any items he wished from Japan"

"He said four geisha girls"

She chuckles "That I can't do. He's on his own for that"

"That is all miss"

"Alright. Hey, do you two think I should buy 4 geisha dolls? They are girls" Snickering

"Error Human Trafficking is illegal"

"No. I mean those dolls with in dolls thingy. Where you find one until the center"

"A nesting doll, that’s what they're called"

"Nesting dolls, yes miss"

"So, I'll get him 4 of those. They are girls and they are geisha so win" Laughing

"I doubt that is what he meant but yes miss"

'Oh, I know what he meant. But, I am going to give him a little fun flack" Looking for her laptop and ordering 4 of them to Tony

\*she does so easy Friday Hanging up

"Alright. Now what, Jarvis? If I don't start work until next week... What am I supposed to do?" looking at him

"I am going to binge watch NCIS: LA" he walks off

"Fine. Have fun doing that. Maybe there is an abandoned building nearby. Up my collection again"

she sighs "I am in a new region..." looking at the rings "plant finding might keep me busy"

the TV turns on "Floor two Miss. Stark"

"Thanks, Jarvis." She stands and goes to the second floor

Inside is a full green house with every native plant

Eyes light up as she lets out an excited whimper "No way."

There is a note on the door

She reads it as she is going towards a Venus Flytrap

'Hey kiddo, enjoy love dad'

Smiling "Thanks, dad. Awe, you are such a small baby carnivore, yes you are, yes you are" Talking to the Fly trap

the green house has all the native Japanese species of plants and room for more of her own as well as a lab area

She looks at the native plants and starts working her brain "I may need more of the Orchids"

For the next few days she is in the lab before deciding to go and find new seeds

she first goes to Jarvis "hey. I am taking a bus to the nearest forestry area. Which is the park. Don't wait for me, okay?"

"I will be with you as long as you are bringing your suit miss: He responds

"Yes, yes. I know. Just in case something should happen."

He stands up and smiles at her opening the fridge "I will order some groceries to make dinner for you miss"

"Thanks Jarvis. See you in a bit" grabbing her seed bags

"Of course, miss"

she leaves the building and takes a bus to the nearest park

As she gets there it is a local festival planting new seeds

She smiles and looks around the festivity

There are dozens of local planting gardens in the park

Looking around for a vacated spot "I wouldn't take from the festival..."

"Take what?" An older Japanese woman asks smiling

She jumps a little "Oh I am looking for freshly fallen seeds. I'm kind of an herbalist"

"Ah, a Kempo" She nods

"I didn't want to intrude on these beautiful displays, so I was looking for a part of the park away from the festivities" Smiling at the old woman

"Ah" She reaches into her bag "Here from us"

She looks "I couldn't. They are your seeds. a friend once told me, 'Seeds can feel your emotions' I bet these ones have love in them" Trying to turn them down nicely

"They can, all the green can. It talks when we listen. Please" She pushes them into Melody's hand

She blushes but takes them "Thank you miss."

The woman smiles happily at her nodding

Putting the seeds in her seed pouch "This park is just magnificent. Cherry Blossom trees everywhere"

When she looks up the park is empty the garden areas dead some blood on the concrete from a villain attack the day before during a festival

Blinking and running to the blood "What happened? It was... But how?" looking at the scene

In her ear piece "Villain attack miss 14 kills"

"Jarvis? Is there any way I can see what happened during the attack?"

An eye piece covers her eye. It was the festival that she saw earlier. A villain attacking the old woman dying to save the plants

She steps back "That's not possible. I was just... That old lady... Just like the park 5 years ago..."

"Unknown miss I saw nothing"

"Okay, I am going to investigate what the hell those two-people meant. Second time this has happened to me. Those seeds that I gave dad 5 years ago? Came from an old man who vanished into thin air. Now this old woman again with seeds... Jarvis. I'm freaking out a little here"

The Prince of Massacres: You were one of the best jewel-thieves in the world – until you stole the fabled Ulukawa Diamond, a stone possessed of strange and mythical powers. Now, you have transformed in an unexpected way – you have strange new abilities that will help you steal more than ever before...

"Unknown miss I have been here and there being no old woman, shall I schedule a medical checkup"

"I don't think this is medical. Jarvis. The old woman who was protecting her flower bed... I just saw her. Alive and... I have no other way to explain it..." pacing the scene

"Miss shall I pull up the footage of you here?" he asks her

"I know what I saw, Jarvis. But... Fine. I want to figure this out" leans on the closest tree

he goes silent

"Giving me the silent treatment now?" she looks around and sighs heavily "who was she... Alan could be helpful for this..."

"Not at all miss just awaiting your orders. Masuyo Tachizawa, 84, address 138-1270, Omiya Minamitsubakiharacho, Kita-ku Kyoto-shi, Kyoto 603-8402, phone number +8159-277-4539 last years reported income 2,081,200 Yen, birthday 1934-01-25" \*he reads off"

"Okay. And she was here for that festival that was going on yesterday"

"So, it seems miss"

She gets off the tree and finds the flower bed. Placing one seed from the bag into the soil "It just doesn't feel right. Does that mean the old man was also... Gone?"

Her purse is empty as she looks around for the bag

"What... Where'd they go?" Violently looking through it, throwing everything out of it

"Where did what go miss?" Jarvis asks

"the seeds. She gave me a bag of seeds..." still looking

"There was no one miss"

Sitting down she shakes it "She was here, Jarvis. Just a few moments go. I know what her voice sounded like, how her hands felt as she pushed the seeds into my own hands"

"Miss, I have video cameras there, no one was here"

"Then how could I have seen the festival before you showing the footage to me? The trees where absolutely amazing" shaking the other bag now

it has her normal seeds in it

"This is getting more and more frustrating. I know what happened before the damned footage and before the villain." throws her purse

"Unable to explain miss, magic, but you don't believe in such things"

"If it can be explained by math or science then it's not magic. It's science. This is neither though. Even something like this has a logical explanation. I just need to find it."

"Yes miss"

After several minutes of internal calculating "Nope... I got nothing

"Magic or insanity"

"Oh ha. Have you met my family? Insane is all we do"

"Shall I arrange a medical test miss?"

"No. If I can't find the answer now... Maybe it's just not meant to be... Which kills me to even say that" going to grab her empty purse

he goes back to standby

she grumbles as she picks everything up

she makes it back without incident

sighing "Friday? Dad available yet?"

there is no answer "It seems she too is unavailable miss"

"Jarvis. Call him please? I'll just leave a message" sitting in her chair and pets a Hawaiian Plant

Jarvis dials through

"Hey, dad. Calling to let you know that it happened again. This time instead of the old man, it was an older woman. Also, I was at a crime scene. The attack happened yesterday, don't worry. I wasn't involved. But something just doesn't feel right. Okay. Going to go now. I love you"

"Sent miss"

"Call Alan now. Maybe he has some answers? I don't know..."

It rings once Alan picking up "Hey sweetie how is Japan?"

"It's been an adventure. I uh... Came across a crime scene today. And the weirdest thing happened... Again"

"Oh?" he sounds curious

she tells him the whole story

he listens to her silently "Well that is interesting"

"It's the second time. In 5 years. I am trying to figure it out, but I keep running into dead ends. It is infuriating"

"It sounds like magic," he says simply

"You know I don't believe in that." says softly

"I know, doesn't change what it sounds like" he responds

"Still. Just like before she handed me seeds. Which then vanished. This time without me using them." rubbing her forehead "I want to find out. If it happens a third time, I am getting an MRI"

He chuckles good naturedly "Telling you it sounds like magic"

"Magic is just science unexplained"

"I know that is what you say sweetie" He says to not pick a fight

"Or something you tell little kids to grab their attention. Anyway, have you started at your location yet?"

"Yeah, first day, glad I turned down the hero job to work for reforesting the Amazon, not as much pay but I am doing something good" he responds

"You turned it down? That is unexpected. But at least you are having a good day" A little saddened by that

"Being a hero was never really for me, helping people is fine and all but the Earth itself is my priority. Got the license so I can fight over illegal timber harvesters and the like"

"But, you aren't going vigilant, are you?" Can hear the concern

"Despite the temptation to save the world at that cost no" He laughs

She relaxes "Good”

"So how is Japan?"

"It's absolutely amazing. The flowers and other plant life are even more healthy than the ones in Queens"

"In that skyscraper, I bet. How is Tobias after the funeral, I was sad to hear of his father’s passing so young."

"I don't know. He said he was okay when I was there, but he hasn't called since. Nor has Alisha or Arthur. I'm worried about them, but I also know they can handle themselves"

"From what I heard Alisha is crushed that guy in Japan she had the hots for got married yesterday" he sighs sadly

"Yeah... I neglected to tell her that Madoriya was dating Melissa." Rubbing her neck

"It happens, but shit got to go. Some Farmer is trying to burn protected land, love you, sweetie" he hangs up

"Yeah... Still need to break up... With you... I suck at this, Jarvis" head on table

"You seem to be doing well miss 18, in a steady relationship, torn between two men who say they love you, and hallucinating of dead people giving you seeds."

She gives him a look "Oh yes, 2 men I also loved equally and those people... Whoever they are, were not a trick of the mind. And I still need to end things with Alan... Though I don't like the feeling my stomach gives when I say that"

"Then don't miss."

"I'm not ready to be in a relationship, Jarvis. I am slowly distancing myself from him. I haven't said I love you to him in months"

"He doesn't seem to mind miss, but as you wish"

"If anything, I just want to start work. Get to know who I am working with" stands and walks to a rare cactus

"Kiyoshi Koontz AKA Bronze Tiger, expert Ki user miss"

"The Bronze Tiger? Any more information on them?" looking at him

"Benjamin Turner Jr. Nephew of the original bronze tiger who died 21 years ago in ... access denied flagged ARGUS"

"Access denied? Oh well. I will learn more getting to know him." Looking for her phone "I did pick up my phone, right?"

"No miss it is still in California"

"Right. Let me know when dad responds? Going into lab mode" Picking a few plants to look at

"Yes miss, shall I set a timer for you"

"When have I ever needed a timer?"

"Every time miss"

"Well, I am not going anywhere for a while. So, no. New lab, new plants. No sleep for me" She chuckles

"Understood miss Alarm set"

"Don't be an ass, Jarvis. This is exciting. And I am way too hyper to get started." Setting up her lab the way she likes

"Miss it is my duty to ensure you live"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Shush. I'm processing" she whispers

He lets her be

After several hours of experiments and tests, she takes a break "Food is needed."

there is soup and sandwiches made by the time she comes down

"Thanks, Jarvis" she eats in peace

the rest of the night passes without incident

she spends the next few days in the lab

they are uneventful

after 3 days and nights she passed out on her lab table

It is around four am when her lab door opens "Time for bed miss"

"Hold on. Almost got something here..." full on tongue out and squinting as she drips a lucid green liquid onto the Venus Fly Trap

"30 seconds miss"

as the third drop hits, the plant grows a foot "yes! Isn't he beautiful, Jarvis?"

"Very miss, now bed time"

"Fine. Before you lock me out again" grumpily shuts off everything

he pulls her chair away smiling

"Happy now? Yeesh can't even stay up a night anymore" crossing her arms

"The Stark protocol is very firm miss"

"So, I have noticed." sighing and taking off her glasses "Okay fine. Night Jarvis" goes to her room

"Good night Miss"

around 9 am she is back in her lab "okay my little carnivore. Let’s see if we can add a paralyzing effect to you. Not kill, just immobilize"

it is locked still

"I got 5 hours Jarvis. Come on. Or is this your way of telling me to take the day off?" tapping her foot

"Seven hours miss"

"Are you...? The day my dad takes 7 hours of sleep is the day I sleep for 2 days straight"

"Seven hours out of the lab miss"

"Ugh. Fine" she grabs her blankets and settles on the couch

Jarvis puts on a show about how magic is real

"Oh, so fiction today. Got it"

"Say the girl who plays with dandelions all days"

"Those are for making my actual flowers pollinate. Plus, Dandelions are weeds and are only good for my better plants. Plus, you know, REAL"

"Matter of opinion miss"

"Which yours happens to be wrong"

"Says the girl seeing dead people"

She tries to argue that "I don't know what that was, but it couldn't have been 'Magic'. Nothing cannot not be explained with science or math."

"Saws the girl who had a bag of magic beans five years ago"

"That I blame on my lack of sleep then. I must have made the seed before going to the workshop and somehow must have gotten a neurotoxin in my system"

"Of course," he says sarcastically

She sits back heavily "Prove to me that 'Magic' exists and I'll admit I was wrong" Challenging him

"That Wonder Boy who summons lightning from the gods?"

"He uses the electromagnetic stream to create the lightning and adding any kind of metal, including iron, he can target anyone or anything" Smirking "Try again"

"So, he is a liar"

"Not at all. He just doesn't realize of the elements he's tapping into"

"Yes Tony." He snickers

"I take that as a complement." Smirking

"You would miss" He chuckles at her

"Speaking of dad. Has he responded yet?" trying to find a comfortable position

“No miss"

"Damn. Okay." grunting and moving a lot

someone calls

she answers "H... Damn it… Hello?"

"Hello Ms. Stark"

"May I ask who is calling?" getting up

"Kent Nelson" he responds

"Mr. Nelson. I do not believe I know who you are" guard is up

"I am an old WWI companion of Jarvis"

she looks at Jarvis and puts it on speaker "how can I help you then?"

"May I come over to see my old friend?" He asks in a pleasant voice

she looks at Jarvis for his approval

"Up to you miss" Jarvis responds smiling

"Um... Sure." Gives him her and Jarvis' location

"No need miss" The air shimmers and an old man in his 70's leaning on a cane walks through smiling

Blinking in surprise "That was fast"

"Well you need permission first but yes" He smiles bowing "Kent Nelson at your service"

"Melody Stark. At yours. Well, um, you came for Jarvis. I'll just... Be elsewhere" Grinning and slowly moving to her lab

Kent flicks his hand handing her a dozen roses "Thank you Melody, charming"

she gently takes them "No. Thank you, Mr. Nelson. Are you also a floralmancer?"

"No, I am just an old hack with a little bit of magic" he laughs smiling at her "You have it to I see."

"Magic? I'm sorry. But, I do not believe such a thing exists and I am quirkless." smiling back at him

"Pity you have the gift, I can see the magic in you trying to talk to you but" He turns and goes to the hologram embracing it like an old friend

"But what? You know how quirks happen. They are supposed to manifest at the age of 4. If I had powers... They would have already shown long ago." placing the roses on the dining table. Sounding both sad and a hint of envy of others

"Really, nothing you can't explain? Well Nebu would show you, but I would save you from him if I could" Kent smiles

"Kent is an old friend and a superhero miss" Jarvis tries to explain

"There have been incidents... Who is Nebu?" looking back at the both

"An ancient being from the dawn of humanity, google Dr. Fate sometime" Kent offers smiling

"That was your hero name no?" Jarvis asks Kent nodding

"I know of him. Fought dad at one point and won. Used to be a member of The Justice League of America back in the 1920's and vanished 15 years ago." shrugs

"Yes, I did. Finally got the helm off with my Esprana's death." Jarvis looks sad by Kent's comment

"I am sorry old friend," Jarvis says

"It is okay, I will be with her soon."

she goes quiet for a moment "wait... Back up. You're Doctor Fate? You kicked my dad’s ass. Earlier when Jarvis asked about the name... I didn't think it was you who fought dad."

"Well Nebu did. I was just his anchor on this plane of existence. For a Lord of Order, it takes too much to maintain control here, their magic is too strong"

"Again, who is Nebu?"

"A lord of order, when the universe first came into being there were two sets of beings. Lords of order and lords of Chaos. 10 billion years ago Nebu was created. He is a being of amazing magical power." Kent answers her

"But... Magic doesn't exist... It can't. Logically anyway."

"Then ignore Logic" he laughs shaking his head

she shakes her head "if we all ignored logic the world would collapse"

"Oh? collapse how?

she explains it in detail. "we, humans that is, work on new solutions. New ways to live. We think out new possibilities every day. Using logic and innovated ideas, we make tools better for farmers, weapons greater for soldiers. If we were to ignore logic? We'd have no fresh crops, no defenses from other countries. We'd go back to the dark ages."

"Really, where was the logic in going to the moon?" He smiles sitting

"Discovery. The Space Race. Mapping out a new area that has never been touched by man until the 1960's. Having the idea of a possible alcove for humans to inhabit was just too great. Now I do admit, we have discovered more of our moon than our oceans. But, we found ways to breath in space without exhausting our air. Unlike... Say the Marina’s Trench. The sheer depth of it alone could crush us."

"yes, but why, where is the logic?"

"Discovery. And to give a better perspective on our own world. It is how we have Google Maps now. Therein lies the logic"

He laughs patting her knee "My dear, no discovery and logic are not the same"

sighing she leaves it be. Seeing no point in arguing with an old man

"It's ok, you don't need to believe." Kent turns returning to Jarvis

"If you can sense other powers... Yet I have none. Then what is you are sensing?"

"I can't since power or quirks, I sense magic, and your bloodline is strong with it."

"But doesn't matter either way to me" He walks off with Jarvis

"My bloodline? Hold on. Jarvis? Are you saying you can also sense it?" trying to make sense of the situation

"Sense what Miss I am a hologram of a dead man," Jarvis laughs

"Jarvis, I want you to do a scan on myself. Anything that has to do with powers" looking at Kent "what did you mean my bloodline?"

Jarvis does so "No Quirk or Mutation miss"

Kent shrugs at her "I have magic travels often"

"No. You say it like you knew my parents. They died 16 years ago..." looking back at Jarvis "thanks Jarvis"

"Not at all young lady, I just sense potentials"

she looks down "Magic doesn't exist though." more convincing herself

"If you think so, ignorance can be bliss"

"Then show me it exists. Prove me wrong" softly asking

He rubs his chin nodding and releasing his cane that floats up "Step close"

she humors him and does so

"Now miss have you ever been to the old quarter?" Kent steps out of the opaque bubble

"The what?" raising an eyebrow

he is already gone

looking around "Mr. Nelson?"

The sphere is pure gold and she can't see or hear outside it

"Hello?" confused on what is going on

there is no response after he left the dome of golden light

she looks around again then places a hand on the wall

her hand easily slips through the golden barrier with a slight tingle and it feels oddly warm on the other side. Far warmer than her air-conditioned room in the Avenger's tower but she still cannot see or hear beyond the golden boundary.

taking a chance, she walks through the bubble

She is somewhere she has never been old man willow trees around a bayou with moss. The house is old southern style French colonial style. And in the middle of bayou floating ten feet above the water is a stone tower with no windows or doors

"Where am I? This is not... Okay. I admit, this is new" Staying where she is

Kent nelson smiles at her Welcome to the old quarter Louisiana"

"Louisiana?" blinking out of confusion "How..."

"Magic, but I'm sure you will try to explain it away" he laughs

"It's like Alan's flower..." Looking back at the bubble "Traveling so far a distance in a matter of seconds" Taking several minutes to find an answer

Kent opens his hand the cane returning to him "The cane is my foci, it allows me to return here to the tower of fate"

"The what?" raises an eyebrow

"That floating stone building, well come on" he walks towards the water humming a slow jazz song

she follows while looking around

as he reaches the water a golden bridge of light forms to the tower he walks up it

she tests it with her foot before walking up it

It easily holds her weight allowing her to cross to the tower

"This is new... Like my dad’s hardened holograms" keeping pace

"Ah, that is why Jarvis was able to hug me. Ingenious, but no, magic." he smiles at the door

she looks at the door "how old is this place?"

"As old as the universe itself" He waits, smiling.

she is still following "that is countless eons"

"Yes," He speaks in a language that she doesn't know the door opening

she tilts her head in curiosity "um... That is not a language I am familiar with"

"Why my dear, the very langue of universe itself. Words have great power they can rewrite the world as you know it. In many ways that you may not even think about. Think about from the more mundane to the extreme words rewrite reality itself. That was a langue created back when the universe was first came into existence." Kent gives a bow for her to enter

she enters and looks around "a language that has existed for... Since ever and only you know about it?" turning to him "how is that possible?"

\*The room is larger than it should be. Where from the outside the building looked and appeared to be a 20-foot square building. On the inside however, it is a rectangle easily over one hundred feet long and ten feet wide. There is a central carpet

"Although... This place is... Regal. Old and yet beautiful" smiling at every detail

leading down with glass displays on either side. The room is as least 25 feet tall with an oddity looking up Melody can swear she is looking into the ocean as if they are underwater. \* "Not just me, almost all magicians know at least something of. Well expect for the Greeks, they are a bit odd."

"Oh? How so?" still looking around

"They used their own langue and alphabet, a bit full of themselves if you ask me," He leans in as sharing a secret with her not meant for others. There are in all twenty-one cases lining the walk way an empty space where a twenty-second should be. The closest to her has ornate beautiful silver bracelet in it. Each loop of metal carved with a master’s care and handiwork depicting life and joy, the longer she looks at it the more she desires to put it on.

she is just able to pull her eyes away from it having walked without realizing up to the glass case

shaking her head and blinking "what... That was intense. What was that?"

"Something my Father found in the ruins of abbey run by vampires in Italy, it is known as the Braccialetto di Misericorida, the Bracelet of Mercy. I do not know who crafted it, or why though the name gives me some idea." Kent gently guides her back from the case "Anyone who wears that bracelet will instantly die. Even the undead are not immune to the magic. I think it was for those who could not deal with the march of eternity or what they had become, slip it on and you are dead."

"The pull was so strong though. That wasn't normal." ashamed to admit it "it was like it wanted me to put it on"

"Yes, it calls to anyone to wear it. I am not sure if it is alive in a sense seeking new victims, or if maybe it was for vampires who couldn't be controlled to lure them on behalf of their seethe, or lastly if it was noble soul of a vampire who laid it out for victims to not have to suffer the Kiss." Kent guides her a few cases away from it looking her over "But you snapped out of it, you, young lady, have a strong will, or your magic is already working to protect you without your knowledge"

"Again. How do you know I have... Magic? Shouldn't it... Oh I don't know... Shown itself by now?"

"Has it not?" he asks leaning on the cane to be nearer her height. "Come on, the other artifacts here are more dangerous, but none as seductive to the mind I assure you." He steps back letting her lead

she continues walking "There have been 2 incidents that to this day I cannot explain. Once I met an old man who gave me seeds. But I assumed he just teleported. There one minute, gone the next. That was when dad was... Ill. Then just this week... I met an old woman... Again, handed me seeds. But when I looked back at her... It was a nightmare. Blood, police tape and when I had Jarvis play back what happened... I saw her killed by her flower bed."

"Conversing with the dead, a risky gambit. Less so when they seek you out, but I do not believe you were talking to the dead just something using their form to get your attention. The actually dead give no gifts, they only trade in riddles and metal from the deep earth." They walk past a case holding a sword whose blade is so dark that it seems to draw in the light to itself. Across it twelve stones each with a Greek rune on them, for some reason she feels fear in her bones looking upon them

she breaths in hard trying to take her gaze off it "so... Then who were they?"

"Well, I can only guess mind you. I am just an old man who spent his life in service to Nebu and in returned lost his life. I have an affinity for magic, the small stuff not like Zatana or the dark arts like that kid Constantine, I am not god-blooded or a god so I can't sense divinity in others like Inabi or Wonder Boy." he smiles fallowing her gaze nodding "The Runes of the Titans each holds a Titan lord in them after Zeus and his family defeated them on Olympus."

"Inabi? And the titans?" closing her eyes and rubbing them "Wonder Boy I know of most... Wait... The Daughter of Anubis?" took a moment

"Daughter, vessel, avatar, sacrifice, maybe a little of all. I don't know, I am not a teller of the future, the Egyptian lord of the dead has taken an interest in her." he stops giving her time to collect her thoughts leaning on his cane.

"Sorry. All of this is just... In a word: overwhelming. I guessed I asked one too many questions." gives a half smile

"Not in the least, I remember when my father and I first stumbled upon Nebu's helm. You want to talk about questions" The old man laughs good-naturedly patting her arm "But come now, you believe already in magic"

she looks back to the items that drew her eyes the first time "In all of my theories, my explanations, not once did magic ever come into them." her eyes go back to him "but I cannot find anything logical about those items. I am both happy and sad. Happy you proved it... Sad that I now have so many questions. Mostly about myself"

"Well, easier than I expected, most non-believers need to be lead up the second or third floor." he laughs happily, there is no way up that Melody can see but he turns heading for the entrance

she follows but slowly. Her mind swimming with questions. It's almost obvious she is questioning herself

At the door he says a different set of words opening it onto her room

she blinks coming back to reality "my... Room?"

"Prefer somewhere else?" he asks laughing stepping through

she shakes her head and walks through with him "just... Out of answers. More and more questions popping up. Questions that need answering"

The hologram of Jarvis is cooking awaiting her return "Welcome back Miss have a good trip?"

she looks at with sorrow filled eyes "Who am I Jarvis?"

"Melody Stark Miss, who still enjoys my bangers and mash" he dishes up a plate

"I need to figure out so many things." sitting down and rubbing her head

"Well buck up and eat some first." he places the plate in front of her

"You were right, Jarvis. About all that magic stuff." she lifts her head and starts eating. The first time she has ever said he was right in a serious tone

"Of course, I am" he laughs making up a second plate as Kent sits down across from her "Reach my age and you will learn a thing or two. Though I guess as a hologram my age might be cheating a bit"

Kent laughs at Jarvis as he too starts eating

"Still. Now I need to do digging into my own past. Find out my origin. What magic is in me. Who in my family had it, do I have any living relatives. Just..." holding her head as if in pain "too many questions"

"Miss if I may remind you, work for you as a side kick starts in two days are you planning to leave instead?" Jarvis asks her, raising an eyebrow

"Of course not. It doesn't mean on my off time that I can't... You know? Figure things out" finishing her food

"Hey Jarvis? I know I asked you to do a scan on me once before today, but, could you... Do it again, but this time, magical purposes?" Taking off her glasses and placing them on the counter

"What off time he allows you miss" Jarvis retorts

"Any off time. It doesn't matter how little or how much." She looks at Kent "You wouldn't happen to know what type of magic... you know... I may have?"

"Not my place to say, you are looking for the end but that won't help you, it is the journey that will teach you"

She sighs "Yeah, guessed that you would say something along those lines"

"You shouldn't focus on it either, just embrace the facts and move with it"

"No. This changes everything. 14 years of being in the 20% of the world who have no abilities, then coming to realize something you never believed in is in you? It's... I don't know... Hard to grasp"

Kent nods eating the food "So Jarvis how is your digital afterlife?"

"Better than I might fear"

She gets up and goes to the window. Looking down at the people "More than once I was told it had to have been magic. Turns out, all 3 of you were right"

They chat letting her be

She texts Alan. 'Turns out you were right, Al. It has been magic. I need to find out who I am. I don't even know anymore'

'I understand, just say how I can help'

'I... Don't know. I am out of answers for once. I'm terrified to find out, but... I just don't know'

'Think about all the new learning love'

'Al. This changes everything I have ever known. The times you told me magic was real, all those times I doubted you... Who am I Al? I need time to think. Will message when I can"

'I can help, I know where your magic comes from'

"How the fuck?!" She yells 'How do you know. Al?'

'I have always known but you didn't believe me, so I let it go'

'Yes, but how?' Sitting in the closest chair "He knew this whole time..."

'Its origin is the same as my own'

'The Amazon?'

'Yes, the green'

'I guess I need to take a trip there. Later however. I start work in 2 days'

'I understand, if I can help just ask. XOXO' he sends letting her go

she looks back at the two older men. Then gets up from the chair. "if either of you need me, I am going to go clear my head"

"Be careful young lady," Kent looks up at her "If he knows your power he might try to control it"

"Who? Nebu?" confused look

"Your boyfriend, well Nebu would too but he can't affect you"

"He... He isn't my boyfriend... Anymore. I would just rather focus on work and now this. I don't have time for dating" holding her left arm

"Has anyone informed him?" Kent smiles sadly

She just closes her eyes "I'm not exactly good at dealing with break ups..."

they let her be again

She leaves the building and goes back to the park, using the bus again

it is as she left it

Taking a deep breath in "Okay, if you were here by magic, then please appear to me again? I have questions and I am hoping that someone will answer, and I am not here talking to myself like an idiot or lunatic"

her mind and body rock as a wave of power slams into her knocking her to the ground

She lets out a scream "Ow"

vines and roots grab her dragging her down into the ground burying her alive

panicking she hopes Jarvis can get to her

she sinks, and sinks buried alive in dark earth but doesn't feel crushed

she tries to call out for Jarvis or Tony

Her bones vibrate as a face made of dirt green and brown light "You Called Me"

her eyes widen "who... Who are you?"

"You Summoned Me" Every word rattles her bones

"Yeah established that... Not exactly what I meant. But... If you know me, who am I? Where do I come from? Please?"

her mind reels with images of people living in a rain forest communing with the trees, then turning the trees on invaders, finally the tribes dead or lead off in chains

her heart races "what? Who were they? How are they connected to me?"

"You Asked Where You Came From" The voice is slow to talk but radiates power

"I come from... A tribe? Then... what am I?" questioning it and helping to keep the fear at bay

"You. Are. The. Last." it rumbles louder pressure now seeming to squeeze her as if this thing mere attention is going to crush her

she winces "the last of what?"

blinking she is standing where she had been as if nothing happened

her breathing is heavy, and her heart is pounding. Out of fear she runs back to the bus station "never again..."

before she moves she notices her nose is bleeding and around her feet flowers and plants grew on their own cracking the concrete. It looks like the use of her suit, but happened without it

"Blood? Jarvis?!" in a very scared cracking voice

"Miss Stark?"

Still breathing heavily "Did you see what happened?"

"You have not moved miss though I did detect an elevation in your pulse"

She holds her hand on her nose "If I told you what happened, I doubt even you would believe me" Being cautious of her surroundings

"I doubt that miss as I am the one who kept saying magic was real"

"I have no idea who that... Thing was. First, I was knocked off my feet and landed on the ground. Hard. Then the trees and vines took me beneath the Earth. I tried calling out for you and dad, then... A head that glowed appeared. I asked a few questions, found out I am from a dead tribe. He said I was the last. But, he didn't answer my question. The last of what? Next thing I knew I was back here and with a bloody nose" Holding her head up. Trying to get it to stop

it does stop quickly "And the ground around you grew non-natives plants miss"

"I noticed that too. That still doesn't tell me much. What am I the last of? Any way to find this old tribe?"

"We can try miss"

"Again, whatever that was. It terrified me. When it talked, it literally shook my bones"

"Well miss I have video of calling out for something to respond, going still, the plants growing around" \*he says evenly

"If only you could have seen what I just witnessed" she shivered

"Are you going to try again Miss? Also, I have that DNA scan for you here"

"Not a chance. It started to crush me the longer I was with it. And what are the results?"

"As expected miss Spanish but I found markers linking you to a tribe from the lower amazon delta. It seems that far back most likely the first invasion of the area that is where your ancestry comes from"

"I see. Anything linking that tribe to Magic?" still going towards the bus

"No information miss, the whole of the people was exterminated for their pagan beliefs in a god of the forest"

"All except myself and possibly my parents. It gave me visions, Jarvis." she thoroughly explains what she saw

"Sounds like the standard way conquistadors worked miss." Jarvis clip British accent doing little to advert the barbaric nature of what happened "They would have taken gold, silver, and slaves. My best bet is the family was taken as slaves which would account for the Spanish in your line"

"It's kind of hard to believe I come from slaves"

"Or a woman one of the conquistadors took a fancy with as a wife miss"

"That is something I want to remain a mystery"

"I do not think we would find out even if we tried miss"

she sighs sadly "yeah. I figured"

"I can look more in legends and such but there is little home, the church worked hard to destroy the local history"

"It's alright. I don't want know"

"Are you done chasing history than miss?" Jarvis sounds dubious at that

"After what I saw... Felt? Yeah. That honestly scared the shit out of me. Asking questions was the only thing I could do"

"Understood miss"

"At least for now." cradling herself "I never should have sought that out"

"Shall I send the car for you miss?"

"The damn bus hasn't arrived... Yes please?"

he goes silent "5 minutes miss"

"Thanks, Jarvis"

Five minutes later a car pulls up

she gets in and curls her knees into her chest putting her head on them "Home please?"

"Yes miss" He drives

"Sorry, Jarvis... If you saw what I saw... You would be afraid too"

"I have seen such or worse miss I understand"

she is quiet for the rest of the day. Spending it in her room with soft rock playing. Jarvis would know by now that this calms her a bit

He still brings her a meal at dinner

her door slightly cracked open, he would see she has drawn the face and wrote her experience down. But is just sitting on her bed looking out the window "thanks. Jarvis"

"Of course, miss, if there is anything you desire. Ice cream, a pony? Just ask me, please."

"Company." she says softly

"Of course, miss" He sits

She curls up next to him "Nothing has ever made my entire being quake with fear as much as that did."

"Well miss you yet to meet Thanos"

"He's the only one that has out smarted dad"

"More than once Miss, but yes the mad titan who has more than once tried to wipe out life in the universe" Jarvis responds

"I do have to admit, he would be terrifying to come across. I wouldn't want to dace him"

"Few of sense would miss, and those few are insane like Mr. Wilson or able to harm him"

"Or forced to fight him."

"Yes miss, but there are many such entities"

"Then, I guess I have to get stronger. Don't I?"

"Yes miss," Jarvis pats her head standing

she just smiles up at him

"Now than Miss if you would be so kind as to eat your food I slaved over" he laughs enjoying cooking for her and playing up the minor effort it cost her

"Of course. Thanks, Jarvis" she hugs him

He nods walking out letting her be

she eats her food but instead of going to her lab she calls it an early and heads to bed

it is a few days after the event with Kent Nelson and Melody trying to open herself up to her magic, and what happened. A cool windy autumn day as Jarvis wakes her "Good morning Miss, the weather today 12°c with a low of 2°c estimated wind of 19 kph so I advise a hoodie outside."

yawning "Morning, Jarvis. That cold, huh? Great"

"First day of work. I hope I make a good impression"

"At least there is no rain expected miss, now up, up, or I will sic my hound on you," Jarvis threatens having recreated with Melody's aid a dog he had as a child "There is a full English waiting for you on the table"

she gets out of bed "thanks Jarvis. Now, may I have some privacy? To get dressed I mean" stretching her arms then putting on her glasses

A lady of your station should not sleep in less than a night gown Miss" He mutters about the generations improper decorum as he leaves her be the fry up all ready filling the large pent house with the smell of fried liver, tomatoes, sausage, egg, toast, and beans

"Night gown? I'm in a full fleece, two-piece night outfit that covers more than night gowns ever did" closing the door to get dressed

When she comes out there is a large plate at the table the huge holographic pit bull mastiff dog already sniffing at the food "Ulysses stay away from that"

she smiles and calls him over "Come here, Ulysses. You know better, you are a silly puppy you"

Ulysses knocks into Melody knocking her over and flops onto her all 145 pounds barking and tail wagging

she grunts, and her glasses fall off. But is petting him anyway "good boy.... Ulysses... Yes."

Jarvis whistles and the mountain of a dog lumbers off "Be glad holographic dogs do not shed miss"

she sits up from the floor, searching for her glasses "I don't know. I have always wondered what it would have been like to own a non-holographic dog. Especially a puppy, puppy. Apparently, their breath smells good and I am getting curious." finding her glasses and putting them on

"Yes well, until you get out of your lap enough to walk it and feed it miss," Jarvis says with a slight smirk

she only smiles at him with a hint of sadness "I couldn't even if I wanted to. Get a puppy that wasn't a hologram, that is"

"Oh, are you allergic, miss? I wasn't made aware" Jarvis says folding the large dog’s ears

"Sadly, yeah. I found this out before dad was even aware of my existence. Miss. Van Winkle brought in her Corgi and I broke out in hives. I pleaded that she didn't put in record. I love dogs. They are loyal and caring creatures that deserve good human partners"

"Agreed miss, but unless you say find a cure to the allergy in your plants, Ulysses will have to do" Jarvis helps her up "Now eat, you don't dare be late for this man"

she nods and sits to eat "If I somehow do find a cure, people would want it too" talking in between bites

"Which Mr. Stark will very expertly market miss. Now less talking more chewing" Jarvis chides her

she eats and finishes her food. Then drinks the beverage "yeah I know. Anyway. I must go" grabs her coat and watch "see you tonight." pats Ulysses' head and heads out

she gets to the agency and looks it over. Covering herself more with her coat

The large dog woofs at her happily as she leaves Jarvis returns to his shows the house already spotless\*

"So, this is where I will meet my partner. Good first impression, Melody." breaths in and out. Then walks in

as she leaves the elevator at the hidden sub-basement she walks into a den of noise dozens of costumed figures walking and talking. The whole set up is set of the art with a floating map of Russia, Japan, India, and China with smaller countries over head. She sees heroes the like of Captain America, Ant-man, Moon dragon, Agent Venom, and in the center helping set it all up is War machine

she smiles and walks over to them "uncle, Captain."

"Miss Stark," Captain America nods looking her over "A little under-dressed for your first day, aren't you?"

Rhodes turns to her in his suit "Ready for work Kiddo?"

“Some of my plants need time to mix with the suit. Averages are about a 15-minute wait. So, I have 5 minutes left until all of them are compatible" she smiles sweetly at Captain America and Rhodes

"Well better hope tiger doesn't find you in that five then" Rhodes says laughing turning as there is a pinging on the map over Lhasa "Looks like the Leader, we got to go kid hero work time. You stay here and wait on Tiger for your first day"

"I was hoping he was already here. Good luck, uncle. You better come back."

"Why you are not ready." Some says right behind her back

jumps a little and looks behind her

there is a tall man easily six-foot-tall, three or four built like a wall thickly muscled in what appears to be a thin suit but Melody's working with tech can see it is a carbon-fiber weave

"I apologize sir. My plants can be complicated and some need time to operate with." realizing it is Bronze Tiger

"Then you should have started earlier getting ready," he says to her flatly arms crossed over his chest that only part visible his cold dark eyes

"R... Right." internally fearing him. However, she does activate her suit "again. I apologize"

he waits and nods "good choice, I am your mentor, trainer, and if you mess up person who will kick your metal ass into retirement. This is not a joke of a job." he goes over to the map typing up and the photo of a man with a blue and gold suit and blond hair appears "This is booster Gold, pro-hero using tech from the 25th century" he scrolls down, and Melody can see it is an obituary from seven days ago

she looks it over and within seconds has it memorized "Michael John Carter, worked with The Blue Beetle, I thought he had longevity"

"Smart, maybe you’re not a loser. No, he was a time traveler, his suit had built in time-travel circuitry or so he said. Sadly, for him the Battle Brothers are time travelers too. He died trying to stop them from robbing from a military convoy, he stopped them but at the cost of his life."

"I see." reading the obituary "as heroes, putting our life on the line is part of that description. As tragic as it is, we signed up for it. Otherwise, there would be no order. Only chaos"

"Yes, are you willing to lay down your life and die at any moment for a stranger knowing you family will grieve over your loss?" He says not minimizing the photo at the bottom which shows Booster Gold suit torn and burned beaten to a bloody pulp even his goggles cracked laying on a floor dead

"Wouldn't be here if I wasn't, sir. If I could change the terrible fate of just one person by giving my own, then yes. I would do so."

"We will see, today is a basic patrol of the area. I'm sure you learned all about patrols in school basic walk arounds to be a visible deterrent to crimes. If you get up in the standings patrols become more optional though many of the big names still do it." He says heading down a hallway

she follows "Sir. To be frank, we all die at one point in our lives. No one is the exception to that. If I die at this age, then so be it. I only have my dad and Jarvis. Yes, they would grieve. In fact, if dad..." she stops at that "if it came to an innocent or me, I would choose the innocent. One life maybe the balance between victory or defeat."

"What if was an innocent or your father?" He asks having noticed the pause from before

"That is more of a concern of mine. He turns to alcohol when it comes to losing a loved one. However, he would also choose the innocent over me saving him." looking up at him

they reach an elevator and Tiger turns "And would you let him die for someone else?"

"Trick question much? As hard as it is to say this, yes. Because it's what we do. I am a Stark, sir. As the daughter of Tony Stark, he would want nothing less than saving those who can be saved." raising an eyebrow

"Trick, no. Honest and brutal I don't do tricks. I am not Batman and his ilk I am harsh." Tiger says stepping into the elevator

"Harsh. Same answer, then. But as I stated before, we all die at one point. Some actually welcome death while others try to run from it." still following him

he hits the only button nodding to her "Well I would not advise either action. Face it if you must but do not seek out death."

"I am neither a seeker or a runner, sir. I am the few that accept what is." facing the doors of the elevator

it is a couple seconds to reach the surface Tiger stepping out from a holographic wall and heading for the street

she follows behind "since we are talking about the nit and grit. Why do you put your life at risk, sir? Surely you too have family"

"Had, all killed by the league of assassins after they found out my father was a spy for OVERWATCH sent in deep cover to try to root out league moles in the government. They got everyone but dad and me. My dad tied two years ago due to A.R.G.U.S" he turns onto the sidewalk walking

she stays with him "I see. At least you knew your family. Others don't get that." looking for anything out of the ordinary

"Not a contest on who has what worse were. Everyone has their reasons" He walks along the street with her

"Never said it was, sir. Just stating that you are lucky in that regard." shrugging

"Luck, knowing them, unlucky losing them. Dead is dead" He says stopping to help a kid

she smiles at the kid and grows a peony from her suit "Still. I know kids who would do anything to know who their parents were. Or the reason they gave the child up" keeping her own personal feelings out of it

"I know kids whose parents beat them twice a day, doesn't matter" He says as they move on

she sighs and keeps her guard up as she looks around "Sir. You never did answer as to why you became a hero"

"Because it was this or execution for killing murderers. I tried to finish my father's work of killing the league of assassins, but I'm okay as a hero" he says as they turn onto a wealthy commercial street

"Oh. Another drawback about being a hero I guess. Hard decisions" she whistles at the buildings

"Every one of them" He states frowning as girl’s flock to him

she nods in agreement "But then again, we chose this line of work"

she notices the group and whispers to him "would you like me to shoo them away?"

"Fame is part of the Job." Bronze Tiger signs some autographs not a fan of this part of the job

"I know. But, being your partner and all, I can tell you don't like to do it" facing away from the girls and admiring the wealth of the housing

"I only ask because I want to be the best partner you have had"

"You are a trainee not partner. Maybe one day once you grow up some" He responds continuing

She looks at him "Trainee or not, sir, we're together for the foreseeable future."

he nods to her and a girl continuing along

She follows him still but, instead of asking or talking, she goes silent and keeps looking around

they keep going for another two hours

She mentally makes her opinion about him and when they go back she calls Tony

As they turn the last corner Tiger holds up his hand to stop her

She stops

Over one of her eyes a video appears from a satellite overhead zooming into the alley way showing a group of rough looking men standing over a young man's body

her eyes widen, and it is obvious she is holding herself from any action

He whispers to her "12, one down fallow me in" he sinks into the shadows and heads out

she follows but keeps an eye on them

Tiger without warning or giving them a chance to surrender leaps in flipping one of the thugs into another knocking them both down spinning a kick at a third one’s chest sending him flying into a fourth. The fourth thug however rides the blow not falling. All in just six seconds he has dropped three of them

she uses her regular thorns to pin the fourth down into the nearest wall

Melody throwing a bundle of blackberry vines that grow rapidly thorns growing exploding hitting the thug knocking him down

"Heroes!!"

Tiger looks her nodding and flip kicks a thug kicking him in the head spinning with the kick ducking to double palm another. Spinning from that thug he sidekicks another thug right in the face sending the thug flying into a fourth knocking them both out. Tiger flips back spinning to sweep the leg of a fifth who blocks it

"Tiger! Move!" she warns him to get out of the way as she sends a sap snare at the thugs

Tiger back-flips avoiding the sap that captures the other five including the victim

she goes over and digs out the victim "shit! Didn't mean to get him either"

Melody can assist Tiger in removing the unconscious man from the sap the other four pinned helpless

she checks his vitals

the man is bleeding slightly but is breathing and has a pulse

Tiger goes over to one question him "Do you know me?" The thug nods "So this ends with you at the hospital or prison… are their more of you out here" When the man stays silent Tiger punches him hard

while he is busy with that, she whispers to her plants "help him heal, please? Let him wake up?"

she looks over to Tiger "Sir! We should be more concerned with this man. We can question those others at the station."

Melody grows some corn poppy putting the man deeper asleep

"Tiger! He isn't waking up" checking his temperature and trying to figure out why

on her check can realize he is injured but sleeping deeply

"Tiger. We need to get him safely away from here. I can stay here with these 4. Can you admit him to the hospital?" looking directly at him

"Before I jumped in I rang them, you didn't?" he asks

"Normally Jarvis would have. But I am more relying on your strength with this. As a woman, I am physically weaker. I am counting on you to do what I cannot." looking back at the man "you have no idea how painful that was to admit"

"If you are so weak then you're not fit here. No excuses, do what you must to succeed" He retorts

she holds her tongue and keeps an eye on the unconscious man until an ambulance arrives "Jarvis? Run names on all 5 men. I want to know who we caught and who they hurt."

he spits out their info all nobody thugs

"I see. This just happened to be a bad day for you, guy." she gives the iciest stare to the guy that Tiger punched "Did he owe money? A favor? Maybe trying to get out of your group?"

"Just a mugging!" he says far more scared of tiger than her

"Wrong time for you" Tiger growls punching him out

"Tiger. We need them all conscious for the police." she sighs

"No, the police just need them, but so be it you watch the filth" He mutters looking at the sap "not useless."

"Very well" she does so

It is about 7 minutes later that a few police show up all of them coming over to the alley

she ushers them "If you need help, let me know." being polite to them

"Are you the hero in charge? I don't know you." \*one of officers stops to question her

"Uh no. He is." points to Tiger "I am hid new side kick, Black Thorn"

the officer nods going to Tiger "a little rough Bronze Tiger" He says used to the hero’s style

"Maybe couple hoods looking to mug for easy cash nothing special" Bronze tiger says

'Miss, I noticed irregularities with these men’s bank accounts after hacking into their private accounts' Jarvis says about the Illegal action like it's nothing

she goes to a less active spot "Jarvis. Do you know you just did something very illegal?" whispers to him and sighs "give me what you got?"

'Yes, miss I do it often I did it very often for Mr. Stark. All of them put in cash deposits of ten thousand yen four days ago' He tells her

"Wait. Dad broke a serious law? And told the cops about it?" kind of shocked

"Mr. Stark has a loose and unsavory history with the law Miss, you know this" Jarvis laughs at her response

"Yes, but I do not. I follow laws." rubbing her temples

the metal rubs on metal Melody still getting used to being in her suit 'Understood miss”

she goes back over to Tiger

he is arranging the thugs arrest "Yeah, just a mugging, poor location for them"

"My only question is, why did you do it? You must have known this part was a secure location" she inquires

"Why does anyone break the law, a quick buck. They gentlemen had almost 50,000 yen on him." Tiger shrugs

she tilts her head "really? How curious. Well, they are in police custody now."

"Why ask you think there was something bigger going on?" he asks her

"Perhaps. Jarvis did some digging. Not under my instruction mind you. But, their accounts have been irregular as of late. One may wonder as to why." looking around in case the other officers heard

"So, your AI under its own Volition broke the law twelve times to hack each of their back accounts breaking numerous laws?" He says skeptically "and what did it find?"

"He isn't just an AI. He found that all of them put in cash deposits of ten thousand yen less than a week ago"

"I care little to argue semantics on the life and livelihood of sentient machines, if after our patrol you wish to discuss it we can." He turns to the officer "I have just been informed by a mole that this may have been planned, it seems all of these men were paid an amount in cash recently"

"And your informants name?" the officer asks them

Tiger rises to his full height a head taller than the officer growling in a deep voice "It doesn't matter"

"With all respect if this individual bro.." He stops at Tiger's glare backing down nodding "We will look into this."

"Yes, we will." He agrees.

she goes silent and Jarvis can sense her body heat rise "did... Did he just... Protect me?" in almost a quiet tone

'it would appear so miss.' Jarvis says to her on a private channel to her 'Given his history as a murderous vigilante I would assume that he is not the most law-abiding soul'

"Thorn come on we are going for a walk" Bronze tiger has one of the thugs by the neck in his large hand

'And it seems not above torture…'

blinking "Coming" only to Jarvis "my opinion on him is still not high"

"Now then, you know who I am?" Tiger asks holding the thug by the throat a foot off the ground

He nods in fear gasping for air

"Easy, sir. We need him to talk. Not choke." she says a little softer toned

"I am flexible he can do both" Tiger growls playing off her using her with or without her knowledge as a good cop to himself

"I… can't... they will kill me" He wheezes out kicking face turning Purple

"So, will I" Tiger says calmly and she is not sure if he is playing or not

"Sir! You are killing him. Easy!" looking to the man "I don't think he's joking. Answer his questions and you may get a light sentence"

"He may keep his life." Tiger growls and the man in terror pees himself tiger dropping him hard on the ground

the man coughs the floor his neck bruised "Zed... professor Zed paid us"

"The scientist who went crazy?! Are you kidding me? He's a mad man. Wears armor just like Iron-Man's and had technology more advanced than ours." she couldn't believe it

Tiger nods turning leaving the thug "Come on, Thorn. Time for the real work" he heads for the street

she sighs "Coming sir"

before she does, she generates a pain killer plant "Here. Put this in water and then place it on your bruising. It should help" hands him the plant then goes to Tiger

The thug takes the plant confused but nods as she hurries off

to Jarvis 'that was too far. We should never harm someone like that.'

He doesn't respond to her as she walks

"Sir. If I may? That man may have been a thug, but I don't think he deserved such treatment" she says with concern

"Really, so we should have appealed to his good nature and hope he comes clean? People like this only know violence and money" He shakes his head sighing "You are young and idealistic try to keep that few can"

she keeps up with him "I didn't say appeal to him. But, intimidating? Threatening to turn him in? We could have found better ways."

"Such as?" He keeps going heading for the hidden elevator

"Threatening to let his family in on his secret, maybe he had a child. Just imagine what kind of look a child would give to learn their father was a hit man." coming up with a few more "Family is both a villain’s weakness just as it is a heroes" still keeping pace.

"He is going to jail so his family will know regardless, short of me offering to let him go. Which I won't do, there is nothing we can offer him." tiger retorts

she sighs 'he completely missed my point.' "Very well, sir"

'No miss he has a point, sometimes torture works' Jarvis says sadly

'Even you agree with him?' she shakes her head but still follows

'Miss, I did many things in war I am not proud of, but it saved lives' He says sadly

she stays silent until they get to their destination

he opens the elevator for them "You disapprove. Think we should have offered him a lighter sentence or freedom."

"It's not my place, sir. I'm sorry. I was out of line" though she does think a lighter sentence

"It is not your place to decide, but this is the training to make you a full hero so take what is offered use it or discard it." He says as they descend "We are no more than thugs paid by the state to beat up thugs.

"Yes sir. Again, I apologize. I was out of bounds" she just looks straight ahead

"Speak your mind, I will disagree with you and tell you so but you're not a solider." He laughs at that last part "Officially"

"If I did, I would be disrespecting your authority. You are, after all, my mentor" she only opens her helmet "and I will not disrespect some one of higher ranking, sir" looking up at him

"Well, I respect that but question all authority, always." he smiles at her for the first time

"To be frank. It was crude, and you almost were a little too excited to do it, sir. I have done research on you, sir. You took your uncles villain name and turned it into a hero name. But, you were also a Vig. Am I wrong?"

"Not at all I hunted down and killed seventeen people who killed my family even fought off Batman and Night Wing two on one. After It was Batman who vouched for me got my sentence reduced to working as a hero." he nods

"But again, I am just your student. It really isn't my place to question my mentor. Even if I disagree"

"A tough question did I enjoy it, no, only a sadist enjoys harming others. I enjoy showing my abilities as a fighter I have never found any human yet who can defeat me. Even some Metas. But hurting them after you won, that is business not pleasure"

she nods but doesn't ask any further questions "no matter how much danger is in the future, there is one thing I will never do as a hero"

"Kill, maim, hurt others?" he inquires stepping out of the elevator and heading for a small office

she shakes her head "use my deadliest plant. It's one I created, it's also the most poisonous plant known to mankind. I promised a friend I wouldn't destroy it, but I have had no luck diluting its poison. Kind of a funny story about that cursed flower"

"Odd, so murder is not off your list but using a plant your created to do it is. Are you sure you think I went too far." he seats at his desk typing away filling out a report

"No. Murder is off my list. I didn't know that taking local wild flowers and another type of flower that I would create something so deadly. I have never felt a sense of... Hostile intent from something so small. I put it in its own habitat. However, it did help me with my first villain encounter." she chuckles going back to the day she out witted The Mandarin

"Felt, so you are a meta then because your bio has you listed as no powers outside the suit." he asks typing away

"I am not a meta. It was my friend who amplified the feelings of my plants, so I could feel them. And... I am without a quirk... Just a few days ago, I learned I am from an ancient tribe of... Well I still don't know what they were. I was proven that my bloodline has magic in it. I still doubt I have it, but I could be wrong. It... Over powered my own soul." she eyes go back to the day she met The Green "I have never felt so terrified in my life... I can face death and have no problem. But it was like I was staring at the devil" closing her eyes

"So, magic in the bloodline so you are meta-human then, we need to change your hero info with this." he finishes the report for the police

"That's the thing. I don't know. I am still getting used to the idea that my ancestors had it. Hell, I have been asking myself all week 'who the hell am I?' It was a shock. I am still searching. And the only clues I have are burned bodies that are now buried and a woman who took care of me who also knows very little... In other words, sir. I am a mystery. Even to myself"

"Well we have some mages here who might be able to test you, magic isn’t really my thing. I know of qi but that is different" he pulls up a list of people

she looks it over "Sir. If this doesn't work, my papers stay the same, correct?" part of her is hoping it fails. While a majority hopes it is true

"If they say no magic who am I to argue with the experts" He dials a number on the speaker phone

she just listens

"hello" A husky female voice says "Tiger if this is you it is over you dumped me remember, so fuck..."

"I need your help with my sidekick, there is a chance she has magic, Talisman" Tiger says cutting her off quickly

raising an eyebrow

"Fine, I will help them because the last thing I want is an untrained running around" and she hangs up

"She sounds... Fun... Also, what did she do that made you break up? And what does she mean by untrained?" over flowing him with questions

"First none of your needing to know I am not asking how Alan is am I? Second someone who has magic but no control... I think" He responds

her eyes widen "how... How do you know about Alan? And... He isn't my boyfriend. Not Anymore"

"Really, my information is outdated then. And I study my trainees" He rolls his eyes

"Yeah. That's a bit deeper then studying. Not a lot of people knew I had been in a relationship." she looks away "it's unofficial. I haven't you know... Said anything yet."

"To him that you broke up?" he frowns at that

"It's hard to explain sir... But, in all truthfulness, I am no good when it comes to that kind of stuff." she blushes out of embarrassment

"So, you are no good at choosing between the two boys?" He asks smiling

"Okay how do you know about that? I only told two people" is a little weirded out

"Two, your friends, and Rhode who likes to drink with me" He answers

sighing "damn it, uncle Rhodes... Okay. You have peeked my interest. What else has he told you?"

"You tricked the Mandarin, impressive, you are idealistic prone to overthinking your actions or under-thinking them and that you waste days in your lab"

"The Mandarin thing was not planned. And I do not waste my days in my lab. I enjoy being in there. Coming up with new ways to make them stronger, faster or even more powerful over all." she blushes as she starts getting excited "Sorry. I will admit I do over think"

Tiger shrugs "You asked."

"I know. How did you and Uncle Rhodes meet, anyway?" She takes a seat

"We worked together for three years. Him Airforce me in Black Talon until I went vig. Rhodes was my sponsor who got me a reduced sentence. Also, the reason I have you his request. What did he say... 'Ben, she is going to hate you, but teach her, show her the two sides of our world, the kid only knows the light, show her the truth of the darkness' "he tries to imitate Rhodes voice near the end

She looks down "I don't give in to a feeling such as hate. I disagree with your methods, that is true. But, unless someone pushes me to my absolute limit, I don't hate anyone."

He punches in some keys bringing up a photo of a man in an outfit like doll "Toy Maker, kills children sews them together and reanimates them with magic as his zombie family. To date he has killed 29 children, I hate him."

'Jarvis. I wish to know more on this man' She looks over the photo\* "Despicable. What was his motivation to do so? Insanity?" has a horrified look

"That is his excuse. Claims he is building the perfect family. Not all his victims are lucky enough to be dead." He says

'Barton Mathis alas Doll Maker, born to Wesley Mathis a known serial killer and cannibal. Doll Maker is a cannibal, surgeon, serial killer, and user of black magic. Currently on his seventh trip in Arkham Asylum. Known for killing victims to remake them as his 'children' or making masks and over body parts out of the skin of dead victims. Due to insanity he cannot be executed, to date responsible for 29 deaths and 41 disappearances' Jarvis reads off to her

She takes a hand to her mouth "His father was also a killer. He's can't be executed due to his insanity. That is... Beyond horrifying"

"That is truth, he has escaped now four times from the asylum and every time kills again. I hate this man for every grieving mother who is sitting staring at a phone because their child wasn't found so maybe they will come home. I hate this man for every father crying over a closed casket because their child is so mangled they can't open it. I hate the judges in their kindness to the insane who keep freeing this animal to kill again. If you can't feel that for the victims... you need to think about why you are here." Tiger mutters in a mixture of sadness and rage

She just stares at this man's photo "7 times. He's been in there 7 times." Her fists ball up as she pulls her eyes away

"Ah, but you don't hate." Tiger closes the photo "You thought I was rough with them, cruel. Maybe, and maybe if I am they will realize that a few bruises and broken bones is enough of a lesson before they murder someone and lose their lives.

"I try not to, sir. But this? I find it very hard not to. Almost impossible even. And they just let him go? He just pleas insanity on multiple occasions? Shouldn't there be a limit?" Gritting her teeth

"The limit is what I used to do to them, but no. Joker, Mad hatter, Doll Maker, Carnage, Osborn, all of them get to kill, plead insanity sent to a lesser secure prison with therapy rooms then break out." He nods at her anger

"There is no possible way that I do not loathe this man." Doesn't like using the word 'Hate' but does feel it now

"Good, because Zed is just as bad. But he is sane." Tiger smiles at her "I wondered where your spine was good to see you have one"

"I knew more on Zed than I did on this... abomination of a creature."  She takes slow deep breaths "is he, himself, immortal?" Looking straight into Tigers eyes

"He claims it, and has power to back his claim" Tiger types again showing a fight between War machine and Iron Man vs Zed where the pair are getting destroyed until three other Avengers come to aid them

"I remember reading about this fight in dad’s journals. Zed nearly killed him and uncle Rhodes"

"Well his tech stolen from other timelines or that madman is to believe 'Parallel Earths' is the real deal. But it is teach, out of it he is a seventy-nine-year-old man. The problem with all the suits, no offense" he adds to her

"None taken. I am constantly upgrading G.A.R.D.E.N.E.R.S to new tech and new plants that come about" shrugs it off

"Gardeners… really?" he cocks an eye brow at her

"Dad came up with the name. What did it stand for again, Jarvis?" gives a half smile

"The Guard and Rescue Device Emergency Nanofiber Exoskeleton Response Suit, Miss" Jarvis says through speakers to them all

"I think you should demand a refund." Tiger laughs shaking his head

she just snickers "thanks, Jarvis. So, there you have it. Dad named the suit. It is a silly name, I admit. But, dad came up with it. And I am lucky to have him around." she smiles fully it's obvious that she tries not to take him for granted

"Smiling, I thought for sure you would be complying a list to bring to Tony about why i am unfit to mentor" He laughs softly

she shakes her head "no. I would have complained. A lot. But, I wouldn't say anything that wasn't true."

"Well glad to hear that." Tiger stands "Now some lunch?"

"Besides. They recommended me to you, if you weren't fit to mentor me, they wouldn't have done so. I respect their decisions. And at times it may seem a little unfair in some cases, but they are just looking out for what is best for me." she nods "lunch sounds great right now"

he walks to the end of the hall hanging a left then right walking almost half a mile under the city to a large cafe "Great place they take the cost of food right out of your pay" he laughs

she smiles "yeah. But, it's food money. So, it's worth it" giggles to herself

he goes ordering a bowl of soup and rice for himself with a local fish simple and plan fare as the food here goes that ranges from basic ramen noodles all the way to lobster tail

she orders a large sushi platter with Salmon on the side "This smells amazing." smiling up at the many foods "If only Kip, Alan and Tobias could see this place"

Tiger sits eating a holographic screen appearing in front of him with the news

before she eats though 'Jarvis? Send a text to Miss. Van Winkle, please? I haven't updated her in a while. Oh, and call dad as well.'

her ear bud rings a few times and a giggling woman's voice says "Hello, this is Tony Stark's phone he is... busy now"

"This is his daughter. May I please speak to him?" her expression is a little on the 'oh god. No' side

"Tony dear your daughter" The woman laughs happily as Melody can hear bottles and glass in the background

"Hey kiddo," Tony says slurring his words slightly

she rubs her eyes "Hi dad. Just wanted to call and see how you were doing. Oh, and to tell you Zed is up to something... Again. Also, did you get the things I sent you?" talking about the Nesting Dolls

"Oh, and to thank you and uncle Rhodes. Tiger has been an experience. One I think I needed." looks in his direction with a smile "Just today alone has been eye opening. He's a pretty cool guy once you get past his brutal exterior." she chuckles

"Good to hear it, yeah, they came in this morning, hey got to go important.... meeting" he hangs up

"Meeting my ass. I don't want to think about how often he used to bring home a woman." she quivers at the thought "gross. Okay, now to Kip. Ready Jarvis?"

"Miss might I advise that 0151 in the morning is a poor time to call a teenager who should be asleep" he says to her

"Kip isn't a teenager" she laughs "remember? She used to be my care taker. But you are right about the time. It's too bad too. If only Kip and dad dated. She's the only woman I approve of for him" sitting across from Tiger

Jarvis goes silent processing "No care-taker by the name of Kip found in New York state."

"Miss. Van Winkle. Dad and her talked while I was in recovery. She had such a huge crush on him. She would deny it. But, I saw it." she eats her food

"No record of a Kip Van Winkle Miss" he says again

"How is that possible? She took care of me and several other children at the home." putting on the helmet "Dad and her were discussing my time with him as a student. Not to mention, she has a power called Empath. I know dad was talking to her after... My biggest failure" referring to the forest that grew

"Tracking miss. It appears Kip Van-Winkle left New York four years ago, she moved to Montana then from there unknown" Jarvis answers

she goes silent for a while "Why... She never told me she was moving..." reverses the helmet "that honestly hurts my heart that she never said anything." she says quietly

"In her defense miss you were in a private school hidden in an undisclosed location it is not surprising" Jarvis says to her

she nods but is still heartbroken "If it weren't for that policy, she would have been my mom. But, as a in home care taker, the board of directors said that adopting from their own home was favoritism and against policy." still in a quiet yet sad tone

Neither of them responds

"You said her whereabouts are unknown. You don't think The Mandarin knew about her too, do you?" worry in her tone now

"Unlikely miss, most likely she married, or moved again without a paper trail" he responds

"On my next down time, we're making a trip to Montana. I'll check the whole state if I have to"

"As you wish miss" Jarvis says

she finishes her food "I apologize for that, sir."

"Why?" he inquires having listened but not cared the whole time

"I should have been talking to you. Getting to know you as my mentor. That was a bit of a shock." She tries to smile apologetically. She blushes, “About earlier. Thank you. I know what I said about it going too far, but, when I told you about the money thing, you could have turned me in right there.” Looking at him. “Why didn’t you?”

So, what if you broke the law to catch someone? Many of the greatest heroes of the last generation did. Batman, Iron-Man, Spider-Man, The Punisher, The Flash. They were heroes when being a hero was illegal. If you break a minor law or two, you are not suddenly a villain too, no, you are doing your job.” He says, finishing his rice and putting down the chopsticks. “There are many who will tell you if you break a law, you are no different than those you are arresting. I say, fuck that, if I break a minor law or bone to get the information to stop a real crime, then so be it.”

“Still. Thanks.” She smiles at him

“Something to consider, we wouldn’t know about Zed without your AI breaking the law. So, what line do we draw when it comes to breaking the law?” He asks her

She ponders “I don’t know. Except killing. But, you are right. A lot of known supers do tend to break laws. Even Captain America did.”

“Part of the job, we are hired to beat people, to stop others from beating people up, we are just paid villains.” Tiger stands to return to his office.

“I wouldn’t say that.” She follows. “But, looking at the facts and statistics, if it wasn’t for us, the world would be quite different.”

“Different, but who knows how?” He shrugs. Walking into the office and sitting. “And now we wait…”

"Waiting for what exactly, sir?" stays at the doorway

"Well without a lead we have no idea what Zed is doing, no idea where to look. So maybe the cops will get information, or another hit" Tiger pulls out a deck of cards

she sighs "and what if they can't?" taking the nearest seat

"Then we canvas the streets, maybe knock some heads together or wait. A lot this job is waiting for something to happen" Tiger starts playing solitaire

she nods "I will do what I can to find more on what Zed is up to. A wave of uneasiness pulls my very mind"

"Philosophy? Well, it was a surprise when I heard you were Tony’s kid I expected you to come here drunk" he laughs playing

"Gods no. I only drink on rare occasions, I do not smoke, hell I haven't even had my first kiss yet." beat red at the last part "I maybe a Stark, but I have standards"

"Well don't come to him for that last bit he is horrible." A woman in a deerskin robe says from the door

"Talisman" Tiger doesn't even look up at her

her face is even redder "I wouldn't... I mean, he's my mentor, and..." tripping over her words "I'm Melody Stark. It's nice to meet you, miss." Bowing

She cocks an eyebrow nodding "Talisman a pleasure. So, you may have magic."

"She is unsure." Tiger tells her

"I only found out recently that my bloodline had magic. And... A face... Telling me I was the last. But I don't know what of. I tried asking it, however. But by the time I did, I was back where I started"

"Um come with me" she marches off

she follows Talisman

she leads Melody to a training hall

she looks in awe "Wow. This is nice."

"Four in total, so now then. I sense something in you yes. Not sure what." she walks around Melody examining the sidekick "tell me about the events"

she tells over every detail of all 3. Including how in both times with the old lady and with the face Jarvis not seeing what was happening

"So mental projection from another source to you. It might be a magical attack..."

"Really? I don't know. The only thing I did know was how scared I was. It was.... Crushing me the longer I stayed."

“So, either someone or something reaching to you or attacking." she mutters

she shakes her head "In any case, I want to find out what I am. I know next to nothing about my past or my own history."

"Well I am not here for that I am here for your magic. To determine if you have any and to what extent. Now I want you to close your eyes and focus"

She nods and closes her eyes, taking in a deep breath

as she does she feels the pull down again but less hard this time. "Open your eyes"

she slowly opens them

As before she is underground with the giant face, but it seems more controlled more under control this time

"It's... It's you. Please. Just answer this question. What am I the last of?" Waiting for it to be like before, the agony of being crushed

"This is odd, I am a nature witch, but this is different" Talisman says floating behind her

"I showed you before... You are the last of your people" The voice rumbles

She looks behind her then back to the face "Yes, I know that, but the last of what magic? I just want to know more on my magic." Pleading with it

"I Showed You." It thunders but she seems more shielded from it

"you showed me of my people, not my bloodline magic" clenching her fist

the vision slams into her once more but around her is a thin almost glass sphere and she sees again tribal people growing plants and using plants to kill invaders

"What are they using? Floralmancy?" Holding her head

Anger strikes the pair hard the shell cracking from the power "We. Are. The. Green."

She starts to shiver out of fear closing her eyes

"Open your eyes girl, this is your magic." Talisman says behind her

Afraid to but does "Then why does it frighten me?"

"Because it is old and powerful" She responds

"The Green. That is your magic."

"Just like Alan's... No wonder he could sense it..." Trying to compose herself

"Accept me." it growls the shield cracking more

She takes a single step back and looks to Talisman "Should I?"

Talisman grunts holding the shield that is cracking

Her eyes widen "Fine! I'll accept you. Leave her alone"

Melody feels like her skin is turning to bark and blood to sap then like she is a flower turning towards to the sun and when she awakens she is in her bed

She blinks "How did... I get here?"

"Good morning Miss" Jarvis smiles down at her

She has a more than worried look on her face 'Miss. Talisman! Is she okay? How did I get here, Jarvis? What happened?"

at once a wave of pain hits her "Calm miss It has been four days, Talisman is okay you were in a coma"

She grunts "Everything hurts. In a coma?"

"Yes, miss you were in a sleep like a coma" Jarvis helps her up

she winces and hugs Jarvis. He can feel her shaking like crazy "I shouldn't... I shouldn't have ever... Sought that out. It was beyond terrifying."

"Now miss Talisman said it was a great success"

hugging him a bit tighter "more than it should have been... It got pissed. It calls itself The Green. Alan knows more on that. But... I didn't sense any good in its tone. I don't doubt Alan. But maybe The Green is using him for something bad."

"The lady left some documents about the Green" Jarvis offers

she shakes her head "later. Who else knows I was in a coma?"

"Benjamin, Rhodes, your Father."

she lets go and sits on her bed in pain still "great. I screwed up again on my first day. By trying too hard to figure out myself..."

"Really none of them phrased it that way" Jarvis says

"They may not... But I do" disappointed look in her eyes

"Well then miss, with all respect, get over it. You were lauded by Tiger as above average skilled.

"He actually said that?" a hint of pink in her cheek

"Yes miss" Jarvis says rolling his eyes

she sighs "look, I am sorry that I am being a downer about this. But something like that, not just once but twice making me hurt after and or during... It's too powerful and I am scared of it."

"Then miss with all the love I have gained for you over the last six years I must insist you retire." Jarvis says sadly frowning

"Wait Jarvis" Bronze Tiger says walking in in a three piece suit

"Tiger, sir" still in pain she tries to be respectful and bow to him

"Sit down girl, You did well better than I expected from Stark. I could see potential in you when we Started your work with me I saw how smart you were, And the fear itself is not a problem it's how you deal with it. So how do you plan to deal with that face with that?" \* He asks her crossing his arms at the threshold to her door is Brown eyes penetrating  Almost boring into her as if demanding the truth.\*

" As much as  I am Loath to admit it he is  Right miss, During the great war we were all scared, it is how one deals with the fear" Jarvis  Sighs as he stands Up Although He is a hologram he does is Best to act human

"The only way I know how. I ask questions. Try to find answers through thinking it over and pinpoint the source of my fear." she sighs "Why does it feel like it needs me to fear it? Why are the drawbacks painful? Why does The Green feel like it's not good?" goes over a series of questions until she finally calms down

"You are a weirdo.." Benjamin shakes his head laughing

"She is eccentric sir" Jarvis corrects

"What? You think that's weird? I always thought it was logical to do so." shrugging "but seriously, what does Talisman have to say about it? She saw it too."

"In her report brainiac.. you and that Deku overthinking" He laughs good naturedly to show no offense

she gives a snicker "It's who I am. What was it like from your prospective?" looking at Tiger

"What like?" He asks confused

"When I closed my eyes and Talisman walked me through. Both times I asked Jarvis if he had seen what happened, but he couldn't. Did you see anything happen?"

"I was in my office so no" He laughs

"Right. Forgot about that. How is she doing, Talisman, I mean. She didn't get hurt too, right?"

"Not at all, she's back in Canada" He reassures her

"Oh good. I couldn't forgive myself if I was the one who hurt her" breathes a sigh of relief

"No such luck" he sighs

she raises an eyebrow "Anyway. I am glad she's not hurt. I however, am still in pain from that."

"What not bad just take her down a bit" He mutters as Jarvis laughs

"I understand you had a relationship with her. But she's not all that bad."

"Not at all just full of herself"

"Or maybe she wanted to impress you?" smiling a little

"She had done that the 1st day we met when she used a blizzard to white out a road villains were driving down, No she just wants to be the best at everything." he says laughing " And  Gets upset when you are better than her"

"I see. So... What exactly happened after I um... You know?" quietly "went into my second coma of my life?"

"You fell over, Tal said you would be up in a day or two and not worry" He shrugs

"More like 4, but yeah. So, my mentor just checking in on me, or something more specific?"

"Checking in. Have to make sure you didn't die." he says standing once more

she smiles "Nope. Can't get rid of me that easily”

"Good, might come out of my pay" he says seriously so she is unsure if he is joking or not "why still in bed?”

"You told me to sit back down, sir" she chuckles "not to mention moving hurts"

"Should I tell Zed to talk the day off cause you hurt?" He raise an eyebrow

"Point taken. Will be out in a few. Jarvis? Pain meds. Strongest we have that don't have that sleep aid in them." she stands and makes a pained look

"At once miss." Her ring injects her the pain gone

"Much better. Alright. May I have my room please?" she hints at them for her getting dressed

the pair leave

she breathes a sigh and gets dressed "4 days huh?  Not expected and never again. If I see it again, I am not letting it get the better of me for a third time" eyes narrow

"Yes miss I am sure" Jarvis's tone drips sarcasm

"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Jarvis." redoing her hair and she emerges from her room "all set, sir."

"Very good," He nods turning leaving for the elevator

she follows him

"So find what you were looking for? he inquires of her

"Ever heard of The Green?" she asks

He frowns at that "like that Simple green cleaner?

she cocks an eyebrow "not sure what you mean by that. But, that's what the face called itself this last time.

"Well.. good for it and you I guess." He steps off the elevator heading for his tiny office

"Good? I felt nothing but aggression and anger from it, sir."

"Really? Tal said she sensed fear and desperation." he shrugs at that sitting down

she looks away "The fear may have been me. But I don't know where the depression may have come from"

“She said it was all from the entity. She may be a show boat but her reports are at least neat and crisp" He sits and leans back with a paperback

she sits and doesn't argue "If you say so, sir"

"I don't do magic, it's a pain. I do more common things. But if Tony told you at 12 to do something on a suit to fix it would you because he is more experienced?" Tiger asks her putting down his paperback

"Tough. If it was something that couldn't wait then yes. However, if it was last on my list of things, then no." trying to think of a better answer

"Odd answer, I figured your overthinking would be side with experience" He says honestly confused

"Oh I am thinking of a better answer than that. It really is hard to understand both sides. Yes, experience helps. I can actually do amazing for younger heroes. However, in this situation maybe learning by experiencing it first hand is better than having the experienced teach it?

"More I was saying that you should listen to Tal and her experience over your own" he returns to his book

"She is my senior. Yes. I will do my best to, sir."

He nods over his book reading through the rest of the day

she opens a holographic empty page and begins writing about her experience over the past week.

At the end of the day the pain returning they have done nothing in five hours "And that is the normal hero day"

she nods as she injects more pain killers "if this down time continues, I can make a formal announcement about The Secret Lullaby."

"Heroes work is 90% downtime, bring a book." He opens a drawer showing her the a bunch of books

She chuckles "Yes, sir

it is serval boring days later of patrols later she comes down for work tiger reading a police report

she gets a curious look "Sir?"

"The report on those thugs," He hands it to her

she takes it and reads it

it explains they were paid by an unknown person in cash to jump the old man to steal his briefcase, after which they were to go to an address in the docks

her eyes narrow "the docks, huh? But no specific time?"

" I would assume it was supposed to be after they beat up the guy and they just got a little enthusiastic" \* Tiger says with a slight shrug to his shoulders leaning back in his chair\* " So another day reading books or should we do some recon?"

"Well, curious by nature, let's do some recon. Might make the day go faster" slightly smirking

"Well  Then I guess we better get going" Tiger grabs a set of keys and heads for the elevator

she follows "sir, if we do find anything, or perhaps someone, confront them or stick to being in a stealth position?"

" We going quietly stealthily unless we have no option" He hits the elevator button again waiting for to descend

"Yes, sir" she checks the armor as a precaution

Jarvis is running a diagnostic test for her everything coming out green

Tiger boards the elevator and waits for her to board before heading up

she does and brings up a hologram of Zed "I am still trying to figure him out. A crazy psycho doctor and another old man with a briefcase."

"It might help if you knew that man,  What's the leading theoretical Professor on new time travel and possible ill effects of time travel on the human body" \*he says with a smirk

"Well... He Isn't called 'mad' without reason." looking through all of his cases

"Mad, sane, they are all the same, 6 months in a max prison then  Some stupid thinks they know It all worthless Doctor would get them released to a low  Grade security hospital And they will break out" he steps out heading for a white car

she keeps following him "Still. No motives to attacking an older man. At least none that I have seen as of yet."

she sighs and closes the hologram "Alright, sir. I am awaiting your orders."

"Well" he gets in frowning "I am not sure why either"

she nods "We will eventually find out, sir." she gets in the passenger side

as they drive away she notices the car is driving itself and no one seems to notice there are two costumed heroes in the car

"Automatic driving. Impressive. I know dad is working on something similar. Still cool though" feels the dashboard

"ya, and holograms over the windows so to the outside we look like normal people" Tiger smiles

"That is too cool." she is admiring the car

it takes them to the dock area stopping a few blocks from their target building

she looks it over "want me to jam their sensories?" asking Tiger

"If they have any it is too late for this to work" He hits a button "Now the car will look empty from the outside"

She nods "Nothing like a steak out, sir" She chuckles to herself

He leans back nodding and waiting "In for the long haul.."

"Well, I hope you brought a book, sir. This may take a while" She speaks to Jarvis "See if you can scan the building. I want to know every exit and entry."

"No books only eyes and ears" He says watching

"Yes miss, on record this building has five exterior doors and two  Sewer entrances

he shudders "Gross. Thanks, Jarvis. Please monitor the building, if any inside activity is happening, I also want to know that as well." In full aware mode

"Understand miss" A number of pictures appear on her HUD from different angles

She takes the images and has them so Tiger can also monitor" I try to be as thorough as I can"

The images appear on their side of the window and he nods

She breathes a sigh of relief and starts looking for anything out of the ordinary

it is around five hours later as they sit there that Melody notices something on a video feed, someone who looks out of place in the working industry

"Sir. I think we have company."

He looks nodding and typing a few commands doing a facial scan

she watches. Studying him

he looks like a regular guy only his dress out of place far to high scale

"Well, look at that a three time offender with those other guys" Tiger has up his police report

she reads the report "okay so, who is he?"

"No one of note, but a link between those thugs and this warehouse." Tiger smiles waiting to see if others join him

she goes back to the video feed "I am ready and waiting for your orders, sir."

"We wait a bit, there might be more of them, or there might be a self-destruct of such in there"

she nods "Jarvis. Any way we can get audio?"

"I will try miss" there is lots of noise in her ear before he returns "I am sorry miss it is shielded"

she sighs "thank you, Jarvis"

"I am sorry miss whatever is jamming the building is far beyond my abilities" he responds to her

"Something more advanced than you? Now that is curious." leans back

"Miss, while I am thankful for your high opinion, there are many systems more advanced than me these days"

she shakes her head "Jarvis. I will not let you talk that way. In more ways than one, you are alive. And those others are not."

"Sentient miss. alive too thanks to the current laws. As such I should demand pay."

she laughs a little "I agree with you on that."

"in the meantime I will please myself running up your PPV cost"

"Oh gee. Thanks, Jarvis"

"Yes well, I am enjoying the new Black Panther movie. Facetiming Ti'Chala for laughs" He laughs happily

"So why are they in there.." Tiger wonders out loud

she turns her attention back to Tiger "Jarvis can't get any audio. Only their actions from here will have to suffice."

"Jammed, high tech. Now I want to know what they are hiding. However Zed is known to leave fail safes like temporal bombs, I prefer to wind up in another time" Tiger hums thinking it all over

"I know. With that in mind, how do you want to proceed, sir?"

"I see two way, we try to sneak in and Hope or we wait and snag the guy if he leaves..." He frowns with no good answers

she ponders "or. One of sneaks in, being the ears of the other, while one of us waits here and snags him when he leaves?

"Same risk we just divide our chances. You know anything about temporal bombs cause that is a little out of my wheelhouse.."

"Sorry, sir. I do not." she says disappointingly

"So if we open the door and it is trapped.." he makes an explosion hand gesture

She nods "So best option is to wait until he comes back out." seems a little more down

"Unless you want to play with a dinosaur" He laughs playfully

she shakes her head "It's not that, sir. Being who I am, I should know more on weapons and armory. Been so concentrated on my plants that I forgot who I am adopted to."

"You are not Tony, if you were you would be drunk. So let's be happy he chuckles smiling

"He has gotten better with his drinking. However... His womanizing days are back." she shakes her head

"Drinking better... last month he out drank Rhodes and myself.." Tiger shakes his head

she chuckles "That was because he was avoiding me. For reasons I won't go into. But, apparently, I scare him on certain days."

"Ah huh.. well. Seeming how we have no Temporal knowledge unless you can get someone Tony and Rhodes are not answering me" He leans back again waiting

"The only other one I can think of is Dr. Strange. And I doubt either of us have anyway to contact him."

"No idea, never heard of them" He says with a laugh

"He has worked with dad on very few occasions. He is basically a time wizard." she shrugs with a half smile

"well not much use to us here" he says sadly

"Yeah. So again. Best bet is to wait. Though I do wish we could hear inside..." he can see the wheels in her head turning" I have hacked into government systems before. Maybe I can do the same here?"

"Might be trapped if you fail but you can try if you think you can" Tiger says warning her

she ponders "it was a thought..."

"I won't but you're the one in a suit"

As she tries to hack in she runs into a problem but she is sure she has not been detected

she stops after the second try "Damn it. Just when I think I have got it."

as she finishes talking the Warehouse vanishes ripped out of time "I think you were caught...."

she doesn't show it, but he can tell that she is pissed "Well then..."

"Good news, we didn't try the door" He says with a soft laugh

"Yeah. But now he got away... And don't try and say it wasn't my fault. I took a chance and it didn't pay off... I'm sorry."

"It was, but this is not a lose. We still know what he wants, the old man's research. Now he will have to get involved directly" Tiger chuckles

she retracts the helmet "you really think that?" looking at him

"I hunted assassin's for five years, you want to talk about fail-safe. This one time my target had a bomb implanted to explode at my voice.."

her eyes widen "a voice detection bomb? How did you get your target then?

"Spent four months with other leads after he exploded."

"Jeez. He must have been dangerous if you spent so long doing it." she sighs "still. I wanted to just hear what was going on. Seems he's a better hack detection than I am."

"Anyone who kills on orders is dangerous" he nods "I don't think that matters much anymore" he chuckles

"So. What now, sir? We head back? Or...?"

"Hang out here for a bit, this car looks like it has no one in it, so we can sit a bit to see. Maybe it will come back of Zed might come here" he pulls out his book

she nods and speaks only to Jarvis 'can you call dad? I want to let him know I am okay.'

"Message sent miss" Jarvis responds to her

'Thanks.' she does some research on temporal time bombs while they wait

It is a few hours later when the warehouse just reappears

she looks "Finally. Sir? It's back."

"So it is.. I wonder when it went, time travel it might have only been a second to that guy in there or might be dead..."

"Jarvis. Cameras, please?"

The three from before reappear

she watches intently

over the next hour there is no change and Tiger sighs "we might have to risk going in.."

"Are you sure?" \*she wants him to be

"No for all I know it is re-trapped, but sitting out here is a bust" He says sighing

she nods "on at your orders then sir. I'm ready."

"We might be better off getting other heroes better trained, but I hate putting others at risk for my own safety"

"Then don't. Only risk mine. I am smaller, lighter on my feet and can analyze easy." offering herself

"Not a chance, if you are trying we both try, if it is trapped again your size won't matter"

she begins thinking "Jarvis? Anyway we can become invisible to the cameras?" closing her eyes, she mumbles out other ideas while waiting for his answer

"I can try to blind them miss but will be unsure 100% if I have done so without being spotted"

she nods "then, time for an upgrade, Jarvis. I don't have my tools on me, but I can see what I can do from my own hands."

she believes she has blinded the cameras and hidden her electronic footprints but only stepping out and if they are on camera or not will prove anything

she sighs "we're good, sir. We better go now."

"Well okay" he steps out of the car looking up at the cameras

she also gets out "you talk real work, but this is probably the most we get, right?"

"The most we get? This place could be rigged with a mini-nuke and kill us both" He laughs heading for the door the thug used

"I was hopeful." she follows him

He starts checking the door looking for traps

she scans it

"Well I see nothing.. how about you?" he asks wary

she shakes her head not yet"

he gently picks the lock on the door the building not vanishing trapped

she sighs in relief "so far so good, sir."

she does another scan before entering the door

as they enter her scans reveal nothing

she looks and whispers "still good, sir"

"Ya, hey no nukes" He laughs

"Sir. Please proceed with caution?"

"We better, I would hate to be chucked to I don't like the dinosaur time."

she nods and keeps following his lead

the inside is dark as it is turning to night and tiger fetches out a flashlight looking around

she does another scan and turns on her inferred in her helmet

The inside seems normal, except for a sever bank of computers

She taps Tiger's shoulder, "Sir, there are computers over there." Pointing to them

"Yeah, a few of them. Some wires are running underneath..." He whispers

"Other than that, nothing is out of the ordinary." She whispers and keeps looking

He creeps down, stopping her on the last step. "Trip wire..." He traces it to a Claymore

She follows and shakes her head "That would have been bad."

"I can think of better mornings, but it's all I see"

"It's too quiet, sir." Scanning when she can

There are wires running from the computer down, but without a closer look, she is not sure

She gets curious and takes a closer look, "Sir, I am going to follow the wires."

They look like power cables, but she is not sure

"Sir? These look like power cables, I just don't know what to."

"Yeah, they go down, but they plug into the computer... I kind of want to turn it on, but..."

"Questioning if that will alert Zed? Yeah. However, it maybe the only way."

"I have no clue..." He admits

"Only one way to find out, sir." She starts reaching for the mouse

He watches her, worried, but knowing she knows more

She turns it on. "If anything goes wrong, sir? Just know that Uncle Rhodes and dad were right to choose you as my mentor."

As she speaks, she reels, barely not throwing up in her helmet, "That...Felt like a trap..."

She nods "I'm sorry, sir. I shouldn't have touched it."

"No sorries, you got anything...?" He heads for the door

She is able to bring up one files before it powers off, saying Zed is dying

She gasps, "Sir. Zed... The file. He's dying."

"Yeah, well, least of our problems..." He mutters from the door

She looks over to him

"We are some when..." He frowns

She stands and goes to the door, "When are we, sir?"

"Oh no... Oh... I am so sorry, sir. I failed... I don't fail. But, I did" Overly harsh on herself

"Well, as a kid, I loved dinosaurs, so, the child in me says thanks." He chuckles

"Stupid Melody... Okay, need to think on how to get back. I mean forward... I mean... Ugh, I don't know."

"How do we get power?" He asks softly

She holds up a finger, "The only power source we have is my armor. However, people used water. Like waterwheels. And using the light from the sun in modern times..." Going over every possibility

"Well, get out of the armor to save battery." He chuckles

She does, "Sir... I don't know what to do. This was never covered in classes." She pushes up her glasses, "And I trapped us here..."

"Trapped is a strong word. This place will be hard to leave, but you are not giving up on me already, are you?" Tiger asks her

She sighs and shakes her head, "A Stark never gives up. I just haven't found the answer yet, sir"

'Well, it is getting dark. How about we bunker in here for the night?" He closes and locks the door

She nods "We will need a heat source. And I will look around to see if they had any food stashed here."

There is a small cache of food in a fridge with a few sandwiches

She takes 2 and gets back to Tiger, "here. I found these." Hands him one

He takes it, pulling a number of marbles from his pouch, "Hot rocks, good for 12 hours."

"There isn't much in the fridge. If we are stuck here even after I try and get us back to our own time, we may have to go out there and find what is edible for us... Sir? Do you ever doubt your abilities?"

"Well, I am not a fan of lizard, but I love omelettes." He laughs slightly shaking his head, "Never doubt yourself, that is death."

She nods and heads over to the computer. Cracks her fingers and takes off one ring, "Alright. First attempt. I will get us home... Sir? Confession... I have no idea what I am doing. Limited charges on these ring. I feel so stupid." She looks for a wire to connect to the ring

"Well, any chance you can learn more on the computer before you use them all?" He asks frowning slightly

"Maybe. I will try sir. Might take a few days though."

"Well, I trust your judgement." He smiles at her, "But rest"

Putting the ring back on, "Yes, sir"

"Doors are locked, so, that should be something."

She sits down, "The floor is not what I am used to."

"Sorry, the Jurassic Ritz is booked for a T-Rex convention." He jokes, placing beads on the doors

She cocks her head, "What's that for sir?"

"A joke to lighten the moo... Oh... High explosives. By law, these mean my death sentence, but they are tools." He primes them

"At least one of us came prepared." She chuckles a little

"Normal, in case I have to break into something." He admits

She nods, "That makes sense... I think..."

"Never know," He turns to the marble that is heating up the black, "No light soon, enjoy a sky with no light pollution"

She smiles looking, "Astrology was never my thing. But, they are nice to look at."

He lays back to go to sleep

She stays up for an extra 2 hours. Then lays down going to sleep

Nothing bothers them, Ben already up and about when she comes to

She doesn't waste time, "Day 1: Learning Zed's time tech."

It takes the morning, but she can tell it's a bomb that was triggered to go off when the computer was used via the fake power cables. The working of the bomb, however, are far beyond as the tech is from the 26th century, though she feels confident she could make it work without triggering it.

She breaths in and out, "Okay, trying now." She thinks she has it working

It turns on thanks to the rings booting up with the new power source

She gets into it and tries to find the files

It takes her about an hour to hunt through false folders to find a number of encrypted files

She breaths in and out, "This is gonna take a while longer." Goes through and tries to open the encryption

The encryption is oddly easy, 1234 and inside the files she finds a number of documents labeled 'Plan: 2991, Plan: 1990 and dying.

She looks through all of them

It takes her most of the afternoon to finish, much of it making no sense, but it seems he is dying from his time travel

She sighs heavily "Seems this time travel stuff is why he's dying. But I found nothing to get us home."

"Well, night time now, last day of food, then, then we have to hunt. Flashlights dead too." Tiger sits down

She goes over and sits next to him, "I will do a full search of the building tomorrow. Maybe there are some filing cabinets containing information on the time bomb and how to use it."

"I would work with it, but my knowledge of explosives stop at the 21st century."

"I should say properly use it. I can try and trigger, but I don't know when we'll end up. And a chance I am not willing to take quiet yet." Rubbing her neck

"Yeah, I prefer to wait and hope Zed comes looking for this place first."

She gives him a look, "You want to wait for him?" She sighs, "We have no idea how long that will be. If I could... Maybe taking it apart and putting it back together will I get a better reading." She starts mumbling

"If you get it back right..." He says

"It would require me to use a little more of my rings, but I could theoretically run a simulation first. Or scan it and break it down?"

"If they can break it down, who knows when it is from. For now? Sleep." He lays down

She lays opposite of him. Her mind swimming with questions that she is unable to answer. She tosses and turns. Takes about 2 hours for her to get to sleep.

The following day day, she wakes up alone, except for a note 'Gone Hunting.'

She hangs her head and searches the building for filing cabinets and more information on the bomb.

It is after noon when the door opens, a dinosaur looking down at her

She backs up and lets out a small scream, "Ah!"

It waves a clawed hand at her, "My name is dinner"

Blinking, "The Hell, Tiger?! Trying to give me a heart attack?" She is both angry and is laughing a little

"Yo. This guy almost got me, silent as sin." He closes the door, bringing down the dead raptor

"Glad he didn't. If you died here, I wouldn't know what to say to Talisman." She chuckles

"Share a drink when she cheers." He starts skinning it

"In any case, I'm happy you're back. Been looking over these files for hours. Still nothing." Rubs her forehead

Well, come help cook dinner." He is cutting the meet

She goes over and tries to help best as she can

He smiles, teaching her how to skin, gut and clean prey

At the gutting part, she makes a vomit sound, "Ew."

"Toughen up, girl. This is dinner when we cook it." He hangs it to bleed

"yeah, I'm not saying no, just never gutted anything before. The most I have done was watch it be cooked."

"Dad made me make my first kill with a knife."

"Hunting was not something I grew up around." She confesses

"Well, you are learning."

"Yeah. Thank you. You could have just sent me alone when I offered. However, I'm glad you came. I don't think I would be surviving without you." Gives a smile

"I am a murderer. Not a monster. Despite what many will tell you, we are soldiers. We fight a war against the government's criminals, and you don't send a soldier out alone."

She just nods

"Now, gonna keep looking while I fetch the timber?" He asks, gesturing at the files

"Of course. Can't stay here forever." Snickering

"No. Pay day is tomorrow, I would hate to miss it." He heads out

Going back to the files. Looking through every one of them

It takes her the remainder of the day, but sadly, there is nothing of worth in them

Getting frustrated. She starts tossing papers, "Oh come on! There has to be something here."

Tiger laughs "There is, bring them here."

She picks them up, "If you find something that I cannot, then either I am blind or an idiot."

He dumps and starts using them to start a fire

Her eyes widen, "That... Could have been useful for other tings..." Horror in her eyes, "Those may have been useless now, but what about later?"

"If there is a 'Later' I will care." He smiles as the fire catches

"Well, as you pointed out, Zed will probably come looking for this place." Trying to be optimistic

"Yeah, at some point." He agrees with her starting to cook the lizard

Looking over to the computer, "It was encrypted. All on him dying, but nothing on that fucking bomb." Truly pissed

"Not surprised... But a good start." He nods

"That isn't good enough." She takes a deep breath

"you can't force what is not there." He places a slab of meet on a leaf. "Dinner"

She takes it, " I know that. I'm just... Infuriated and that tech from when, only frustrates me more"

"Well, take stock of what you have. You can't force it to work."

Nods as she takes a bite

It is as good as she could hope for, nothing great but edible

To help keep things from getting awkward, "If you could be anything else in the world, what would you be?"

He laughs shaking his head, "No idea. You?"

She gives it some thought, "Either a child services worker or a full on botanist. With a doctors degree."

"You do love plants." He chuckles

She nods with a smile, "Well, at least now I know why. Back when dad had asked, 'Why plants?' I told him, 'If I had a quirk, I thought it would be plant based.' But now? It's because I am connected to something bigger."

"Well, you sound like a Stark." He chuckles

She laughs a little, "I always looked up to Tony. Even when I was small. Ms. Van Winkle would put on all kinds of Iron-Man/Tony Stark segments for me to watch. While others were in the only lab we had, I was watching him and The Avenger's on live t.v. Just starry eyed with a big goofy grin." She snickers, "Never did I imagine that I would be his daughter. The night before I signed the papers though..." Her expression turns sad, "Was a night I wish I could forget sometimes."

"Don't. The worse the memory, the harder it will drive you. Embrace the pain with the good," He chews on his, "This is shit."

She giggles, "But it is food."

"Well, we did just join a very elite club. How many of your friends have had dinosaur?"

"None. Though... I think Arthur might try it." She chuckles

"Then, they need help." He laughs eating

She laughs with him, "Alisha would want to see how far she can char the thing, Tobias... I don't know. Neither him or Alan would be interest..."

"Ah, the two boys she craves. Is there where you paint your nails for girls night?" He teases

"As if. Besides, I am not concentrated on them at the moment. I am getting used to being on at work." She chuckles

"Well, tomorrow. Enjoy the light, killing it soon, It will draw predators."

She nods, "So, we have now spent almost a week here and I am coming up empty."

He laughs, "Three days. This 'No tech' thing is fucking with you."

She blushes "It feels longer than 3... Besides, I grew up in New York. Tech is everywhere there."

"Well, what is that new trend...? Unplugging?" He asks, frowning, unsure

Shaking her head. "I'm not into trends. I work in labs and am now a hero's side kick. I don't have time for 'The latest this or that'."

"Huh...Strange." He finishes eating, putting out the fire

"What is?" Confused

"I figured you for one of those new age follow the trends girls."

"Not at all. My focus has been and probably will continue to be my plants and my dad. I worry so much about him. Like, I have to walk on egg shells when it comes to mom. Jarvis says she helped keep him grounded. There are times I look into old photos of her... She was really pretty."

"Sounds like you are almost scared to grow up..." Tiger lays in the dark

"Yeah, right. My father is still a child at heart and I'm the one who takes on his responsibilities." A little put off by that

"Really? He never struck me of that... huh."

She lays down, "Yeah. He's still the playboy. New girl each night. I don't approve of any of them. But, not my life."

"Yeah, but he doesn't miss work anymore, or work drunk." He offers

"I think the skiing helps." She chuckles

"Damn rich people." He chuckles

"Yeah okay. Good night, sir. More on my life tomorrow." She snickers

"At this rate,, I can be your ghost writer." He teases her

She playfully gasps, "How rude." Laughing, "Anyway, good night, sir. Tomorrow, I will get us home." Says with confidence as she looks up at the night sky

He laughs, "Good night." Killing the fire

She wakes up, Tiger gone, but she notices for the first time, a map started on the wall, marking nests, fresh water and such. It takes her the whole day, but she manages to take apart the Stark Time Bomb

"What the fuck? Did dad make this?" She looks at the map, "So that's what he does. Okay, what if I can go find him."

It is as she is looking it over about seven when Tiger returns with two eggs larger than her head. "Omelettes."

"I am afraid to ask what kind of eggs those are. Found out something interesting about the bomb."

He looks over it, "That you can rebuild it?"

"It's a Stark Product. But not of dad's or my work." Looking at it with narrow eyes, "I am beginning to wonder who gave this to one of dad's enemies."

"Well, when is it from?" Tiger lays a flat rock over the fire

"Date says 2592. Well, beyond my father's and my own deaths."

"Well... Damn. Who knows then" He cracks an egg, frying it.

She nods and starts working on putting it back together

"Not now, you need to eat, bet you didn't eat any of the jerky all day." He hums cooking the egg

She avoids his comment, "I don't know about you, but this is worrisome for myself and dad. I want to question Zed myself. On who the hell gave it to him."

"Could be your great great great great great great grandchild at a time when the name Zed is forgotten. The is over 500 years."

She pinches her nose, "Then I too need to keep a written history of the Stark family."

"Day 1: dad fucked Vogue Cover Model" he teases her

"She glares while smiling, "Dad? Italian Vogue? Think less. More like those models on Playboy mags."

"Knowing Tony, anything in it's 20's and willing." He chuckles

"Yeah, luckily, I don't have to worry about that. Guys... Well, there are plenty of them. My career and getting us home are my priorities. Family first of course. But, this stupid bomb is uncooperative and fixing what I took apart... Which wasn't the best idea... Is going to take even more time. And I am getting worried. I normally call him every other day or so. And it's been 4 days. I hope he hasn't thought of the worst... Yet anyway."

"Four days for us, remember, time travel is strange."

"I guess that's true. I still worry."

"Well, you said you were done with him, why care?" He puts the egg onto plates that were in the break room

"Done with who? Alan?" She smells the egg. Finally going over and sits next to the heat

"Yeah, I assumed that is who you are talking about calling every day."

She bursts out laughing, "No, my dad. I call my dad every other day or so. I can barely reach Alan on a good day. He's always away from his phone and just... Seems like he really isn't really as interested. Sure, he leaves me gifts and has been patient, but it's like his mind is elsewhere 90% of the time."

"Huh... Wow... Thank you." He chuckles softly 'I feel less lame now just knowing you call Tony that often."

She gives him a confused look, "What?"

"You are what? Seventeen, eighteen? A pro-hero living in another country and you spend your nights calling your dad. Kind of... Well sad." He chuckles

"I am sorry I try not to take him for granted? I maybe a girl that is adopted into the wealthy life style. But all I have is my father at the end of the day and Jarvis. I notice a lot of kids who have both parents in their lives take advantage of them. I try not to do the same with my father and my best friend."

"The fact that an AI is your best fiend friend... You know what? I am not paid to be your shrink." He eats

"No. Go ahead. Say it. It's depressing, sad, what?" Going on the offensive

"You're a teen whose friends are a robot and her dad. Can't be healthy mentally."

"Making friends hasn't really come easy for me, if you really want to know. Yes, I have a few other close friends who haven't spoken to me since our last term at school. That's why I stick to my lab and my plants. Sure, Tobias called once, Alan barely returns my calls, Alisha and Arthur are doing who knows what. It maybe sad and unhealthy, but it's who I have, I couldn't care what anyone else thinks..." After that, she begrudgingly eats her food, "I'm going for a walk, don't wait up for me." She stands and for the first time in days, tries to leave the building

"Not at this time of night, go in the morning." He tells her

She releases the handle, "Fine." Goes back over to the bomb and tries to figure it out. Blocking out everything else

It takes a bit, but she can

She starts piecing it back together quietly

She stays up through the night, at day light, Tiger wakes up like before, heading for the door

She waits about an hour before taking her walk

The outside is humid, the sea only feet from them and the land over grown with ferns and plants.

She takes a deep breath in as she walks along the shore line

As she walks, she doesn't see it before a massive crocodile, the size of a horse, lunges out of the water, biting into her leg, one large fang sinking into the muscle, holding her tight.

She screams out in pain

The massive beast tries to pull her, slipping on a rock, falling prone, her foot still in it's mouth.

She uses a charge in her suit

The animal bites her again, a hole in the suit where it originally bit and pulls her tighter into it's grip.

"That's. It!" She uses her thorns and tries to strike it's eyes

The thorns bounce off it's scaly brow over it's eyes, but distracted it, making it slip as it tries to drag her under water.

"Damn it!" Uses the thorns again at it's eyes

This time, the thorns pepper, making it roar and release her. Slithering away into the water

She tries to stand and get away from the water. She looks around, "Okay... If the green exists in this time... Please? Can you heal this?" Hoping for a small sign

She feels her armor crack and break as a vine pushes into her foot, feeling odd but the pain vanishes

She smiles a little, "Thanks. Don't... Tell anyone about this in the future? Especially a guy named Alan Holland. I don't need him to worry about his ex."

The vine retreats, letting her be

Standing up, she goes back to the warehouse

Nothing bothers her, but she notices ferns growing in her wake

Blinking a few times, "Okay... That's weird."

The warehouse as before is empty

She sighs, "I was hoping he was already back..." She stays outside of the warehouse, waiting for Tiger to return. She sits down and examines her leg, while next to the door. A little more experienced here, the door is open for a quick place to hide

The leg shows a slight indent, but nothing else. As she sits out there for eleven hours until Tiger returns like a silent wraith, "Well,they like you." Many ferns having grown around Melody

She looks around, "This isn't the green I experienced on those other occasions. It's calm and gentle." Placing a hand on one of the fern leaves

"No humans here, no fear. I take it that it wasn't the plants that mauled your leg, then?" He grips the leg, looking at the forming scar

She looks away, "I had it handled. That crocodile let go as soon as I pierced it's eye..." She blushes

"Lucky he didn't pull you under. I'm glad you're okay."

Slightly smiles and looks at him, "About last night... Look... I'm sorry. I was frustrated and I took it out on you. That wasn't fair of me to do." Then her expression turns sad as she stares at the new scar

"I say it out of concern. Heroes die. The average life expectancy is 41. Tony is what, 51? When he dies, you need people."

"I know. But, as I said. Making friends isn't as easy for me as people might think. I do hear, 'She's a Stark, she must have a ton of lovers like her father.' Or, 'Bet if I could friend her, my social status will rise.' So, I avoid that by staying in my labs."

"Not healthy. When your dies? You need friends."

"True friends. Not ones that want to climb in social status. After the reveal, I have had so many... Well, love letters... For lack of a better term And letters asking if I could be other corporate daughters friends. They know my name and name only, Tiger. They know nothing about how hard I had to work. The struggles I dealt with." Placing a hand on her left chest as if it hurt

"Tell me, with plants, you garden?"

"Yeah, I do have my green houses. Why? Hand hasn't moved from her chest

He knows all about the accident from her files and says nothing on it, "Do you destroy the flower bed over weeds?"

"Well, no. I just remove the weeds..." Man an 'Oh' face, "Okay, I get what you mean."

"You are a bright one. You are melody Stark, pro-hero. Let them try and impress you. And if they are not true..." He reaches down, plucking a weed

She chuckles, "Yes, sir." Looking at the new scar, "I am going to have to cover that up now too. No skirts without leggings..."

"Wear it with pride. Or cosmetic surgery"

She snickers, "Oh yes. A crocodile the size of a sedan nearly took my leg off. And being impaled by my own experimental tree. I guess the crock isn't so bad. But not my reminder that I... Well, my biggest failure and disappointment to those around around me. It's why I don't wear anything that shows off."

"A pity, you are a strong woman, you should wear the scars with pride. I do" He removes his shirt, showing his thickly muscled chest, turning to show dozens of tiny scars

Her face beat red as she turns her eyes away, "I see your point, sir. But, please lower your shirt? It is still inappropriate for a lady to see a mans body."

He laughs softly, shaking his head, pulling down the armored shirt, "You are too pure."

"What do you mean by that, sir?" Still keeping her gaze away

"Not like I am stripping, trying to prove scars are not bad. Embrace them." He ruffles her hair

She looks at him. "I... Knew that."

"Then why are you blushing?" He chuckles shaking his head

"I am not blushing. It's sun burn." In denial

He flicks her nose, "Get inside, Mel."

Rubs her nose, "Alright, sir"

"You know, you can call me Ben, right?" He waits setting the traps

"I was waiting for permission. Shouldn't address someone by their first name without it." Smiling

"Well, given we are the only 2 humans against a world of lizards, I think we can skip that."

"Yeah, I am not a fan of the water lizards." Laughing a little

"yes, but respect. Millions of years from now, it will still exist." He is threading a necklace of raptor teeth, "They are impressive."

"True. I have seen shark teeth put into necklaces. But, not a Dromaeosauri Theropod. It's really pretty."

"Is that what they're called? I knew them as raptors from Jurassic Park. My family had a lion claw necklace from the Great Shaka." He threads it

She smiles, "well, seeing as how I took the day off from the bomb, I will work on it tomorrow."

"Sounds good, maybe we can figure out which great grand babies sold it later."

"i am hoping that the plans for this were stolen or tossed out," Sighing, "In any case, we should eat and head to bed soon. On top of working on the bomb, have you found a source of clean water?"

He pulls out a jug of duct tape, "Five pints in there, drink up."

She shakes her head, "Not for that... It's been 5 days and no shower. At least, not one that I have found in here." Holding a piece of her hair, "I feel gross."

"Don't, sorry. But, honestly, the smell of clean will draw predators. Also, no water is safe as you found out, around this stream is where game trails. Sorry, maybe I can rig up something in here." He looks around

"it's alright. If being clean draws in predators, then I am shit out of luck. Which means the sooner we get home, the better, right?" Has a worried smile on her

"Well, clean not as much. No soap or shampoo, but we can rig up water. But, I agree. I am a little tired of dino jerky." He hands her some

She takes it, "Thanks. And you don't have to worry about the soap and shampoo stuff. I doubt either of us brought any." She chuckles a little as she takes a bite

"No, but there is soap, this place has bathrooms. However, it is a trick soldiers used in jungles. Tracking by the smell of deodorant and such, anyway, you ain't that far gone into smelly yet."

She gives a look, "Let's just hope I can get us home. And hopefully not on Pangaea."

"Please, I want beer."

She laughs, "Booze is what's on your mind? Mine is Zed. Well, him and a nice hot shower."

"Five days here, I want some real life," He chuckles, "Zed is always there, but you can't the job consume you."

She calms down, "Well, I did want to find Kip. I tried to keep her updated on everything. I just hope she didn't watch Meghan and her 'Is Tony Stark a Pedophile?' shit. I wouldn't know what to say to her after that."

"Please, anyone who knew Tony, knew that was shit, just ratings." He laughs out loud

She chuckles, "There were questions at school. This one lady was obviously questioning it. The day that happened, I could have sworn the school grounds were littered with journalists." Rolls her eyes

"Without a doubt, the media wants a story, not truth. Should have seen the news on me, 'Cold-Blooded Killer Given Second Chance."

"That's why I hate journalists. They want to get ahead of their careers and don't care about the consequences."

"Not all, but most, yes." He agrees

"You saw the headline for Queens when my Experiment went wrong. 'Child Grows Amazon Forest. Was It An Attack? Or Accident?"

"Oh yes, well, not till a few weeks ago, but yes." He returns to the necklace

"That when I got my first scar. Showing from my front and my back." She pulls her shirt down a little, only revealing a spider crack of it

"Impressive you survived." He nods looking at it, "Must have hurt like hell."

"Not at first. I was unconscious. The doctor said had it been anyone else, they would have died. But, the bleeding was already slowed. Now, when I saw it, that's when it hurt like a mother fucker."

"Maybe that was The Green, in a way reaching out for you?"

"i had no explanation for it then. But, now that I think on it, yeah. It must have been."

He drills into the last tooth, "Fire has to go out soon, the smoke... Well, we are lucky there are no big predators yet."

"Yet. I don't think either of of us would survive a Spinosaurus."

"Long snout? Two arms? Long tail?, Big spine? Lot's of teeth?" He asks frowning

"Bigger than a T-Rex? Yes" She sits next to the fire

"Good to know. How was that egg yesterday?" He looks at the shells in the room

"It wasn't bad. I'm just glad one of us knows how to cook. I sure don't." She chuckles

"Yeah... That was a Spinosaurous egg." He puts on the necklace

"Well, then... Let's hope big momma isn't looking for it." She lays down, "Or we get to the water. It can't swim. Which is a good thing."

"Really? It was swimming in the movies. Silly me for trusting Hollywood." He puts out the fire, "Night"

"Night... Ben..." She only stares up for a few moments before closing her eyes and drifting to sleep

The next morning, she notices pipes over in a corner, set up as a semi-shower

She smiles and looks around for him, "Ben?"

He is studying the bomb, "Over here."

She sits up, "How familiar are you with Stark Tech?"

"Very. I used many of Tony's weapons to kill League members with bombs. I know some parts, but not a clue. Shower is set up. Water is mostly cold, but it's water. I will step out for you." He leaps out of the hole the bomb is in, heading for the door.

As soon as the door closed, she undresses and showers while singing AC/DC songs

He let's her be

Still singing as she gets re-dressed, but stops when she looks at her pants. "I need to turn you into shorts apparently..."

"Then cut them. Okay, I'm coming in. Need to study the map before I head out."

She looks for sissors, "With what exactly? And hold on!"

"My knife is under my pillow"

She looks there, "Thanks"

He waits

It takes a few, but she thinks it's evened out and puts them on, "Okay. Sorry, about that." Opening the door, he sees her in jean shorts and a take top that she also made, "Sorry that took so long..."

"It's okay, be careful, there are misqutios out here the size of my hand out." He nods looking her over

She nods, "I will be on the look out."

"Good, who knows what diseases they have." He goes to the map

She follows, "Impressive map, by the way."

"If you say so. We can't go more than fifty meters, or we'll find the big dinos." He points to an edge

"Great, Okay then, and as discovered, the water isn't safe either. I encountered Steve Erwin's pet here," Points to the shore line area.

"There is worse," He fishes out a fang as long as her head, "Found this in a low tide area."

She examines it, "Either Livyatan or Megoladon. One a whale and the other a shark. Neither of which we want to encounter."

"Huh... I thought those were later..."

"It's the only two I can think of. The Livyatan was the Megoladon's only natual Preditor. But I could be wrong. Anyway, I am going back to fixing the bomb to get us home." She sits back down in work mode

"Be careful, okay?" He rests a hand on her shoulder, "That thing seems... Advanced."

Looks up at him, "If I can't figure it out, then I cannot call myself a Stark." She chuckles

He nods smiling and turns to go

Bblushes to herself, "When I do get us back... Coffee? My treat?"

"Why, Mel. If I didn't know any better, I would think you like me." He laughs, winking and heads out

To herself, "Maybe I do..."

She is easily able to rebuild the bomb, taking only a few hours

Smiles and leans back, "Okay. Now that I fixed it, how does it work?" Snickers a little

It is around seven at dusk when Benjamin returns to the warehouse

She is staring at the bomb

"Well, in one piece. No luck?" He asks, walking down the stairs

She shakes her head, "I am going to have to learn each piece. And I have no idea how long that will take."

"Well, looks like that coffee might have to wait." He sighs softly, "Gonna shower."

Nodding and steps out, "I'm not gonna surgar coat it. It may take weeks or years. It's beyond my knowledge and it's frustrating."

"Well... At least this place is a self-built shelter." He calls out to her

Sitting in the grass "That maybe true, but what about clothing and personal hygene?"

"I can craft the basics, if you are okay with scales and your rings are nanites, can they be reprogramed?" He asks, she knows they can, but it will destroy them being used as armor.

"I am trying to avoid that. If I do, they will be destroyed." Playing with a few blades of grass

"Safe to come in," He says to her, "Well, it might cost you the armor, but if you can make the nanites make other things..."

She does go back in, "It wouldn't save on chargers. But, you have a point."

"Well, nanites can make anything, what about solar panels?" He asks, pants on but still dressing

Hint of pink in her cheeks, "Easy enough to make"

"It should give us enough power to makes minor things, right?"

She nods, "At least for a while."

"Better than nothing," He stands up sighing, "You okay?"

"Yeah, I mean, aside from getting us stuck here with almost nothing, being attacked by fossils and us being the only two humans on Earth... I'm fine."

"Hey. You are not at fault." He hugs her tightly, "You are not at fault."

She hesitates, but hugs him back. Feeling his body against hers is making her body heat up a little

"I didn't stop you, so it's not your fault, okay?"

He feels her nod

He holds her a little longer than needed, before letting her go

Face is flushed, but he can tell that she liked to be held. "I... Um... Should probably start on... Yeah..."

"Tomorrow," He laughs, teasing her, "Seriously, if I did know better, I think you actually like me."

She doesn't say a word. But is also not denying it

He frowns, "No pouting or sarcasm?"

Actively avoids, "Ben... You are my mentor. Wouldn't it be wrong if... I don't know... Maybe I did? Hypothetically, of course" Still beat red

He leans down, kissing her hard on the mouth

Eyes are wide first, then closes then, kissing him back

He kisses her for a long moment, then pulls back

Her eyes open and her hand moves to her lips. Not sure what to say to that

"So... Still in question?" He pulls her tight, holding her waist

"Nope" Is still trying to comprehend what just happened

He kisses her again, pushing her against the wall

Kissing him back and wrapping her arms around his neck

He finally stops, smiling, "So, I like you."

"I noticed." Smiling back at him

No solar, you work tomorrow, sleep now." He rubs her hips, then heads for the bed of leaves

"For the record... Yes, I like you too."

"I never would have guessed." He says, teasing as he lays down

She rolls her eys and smiles at him. Then lays down for the night, "I wasn't trying to make it obvious."

He does not roll over to her, or such, giving her space

"Anyway, night, Ben" Closing her eyes

"Night, Mel." He puts out the fire

Happy about the event, she drifts off smiling

Over the next month, the pair grow closer as a couple. Melody having made the nanite into a small facorty that has given them basic goods

She is looking at one of the parts. Trying to determine what it does

Ben walks up, resting a hand on her hip, "Never giving up, huh?"

"When have I everr?" She chuckles

"Never, been a couple months though, any ideas?" He asks her

"Some. This part, I think, is what holds our bodies together. You know? Not being a bloody mess on the floor." Straightening up, then leans on him. "I'm not entirely certain, though."

He holds her as she leans on him, nodding. "Something... Can we not be a bloody mess?"

"In other words, not being ripped apart through time and through space. But, again, I am only guessing. Whoever designed this? Was thorough in their work. Not missing a beat." Absently stroking his arm

"Well, we did survive." He holds her around the midriff

"Thanfully. This... It definitely challenges the mind. I doubt even Mr. Fantastic could figure this out with what we have." Has a slight distaste for Reid Richards

He chuckles shaking his head

"Which is why I am so determined. If I can figure it out, then I take his place as greatest mind before the time stamp on it." Grinning "And you would be dating the smartest woman alive." Kissing his neck

"Already am." He teases her smirking, "No one else alive here."

She laughs softly "I meant in our own time, you goof."

He bites smiles and slips the raptor claw necklace over her neck

She traces the talons and kisses him, "Thank you."

He kisses back, "So you have a momento of our trip here."

"I thought I already did." Smiling and referring to him

He rubs her bare stomach, chuckling

She leans into his neck and closing her eyes "Could use a break," Still stroking his arm

"Be careful I don't go full caveman and drag you to bed"

Chuckles, "Who knows? Maybe I want you to." Teasing him a little

He slides his hand up her shirt, waiting for her to stop him, cupping her breast in his hand

She gives out a gentle moan

"Why, Ms. Stark" He teases her as he rubs her beast, teasing it

Her cheeks are blushed as she bites her lips, "Yes, Mr. Turner?"

"Very unlady like" He teases twisting her nipples, his first time being sexual with her

She agains gives a soft moan, "I guess, I'll have to be punished for that."

"You want that?" He asks a bit shocked

"I have been tampering with the thought." Winking at him

He spanks her once, laughing

She lets out a squeak and blushes more. Never knew that she could make that noise

He smiles, "join me in a shower?"

"S...Sure." A little embarrased

He stands, stripping as he goes to the shower

She turns and takes off her clothes. The scar that she has in the front has also punctured her back

His back and chest has dozens of tiny scars

Once done taking off her clothes, she joins him, "Never thought I would show another person." She smiles and looks up at him

He kisses the center of the scar, stroking her nude body

Her body trembles at his touch. Both knowing she's still unclaimed

"You are almost as beautiful as you are smart, Mel." He kisses her

Kissing back and blushing, "I'm glad you think so." Smiling as she kisses him again

He grips her hair hard, biting her neck, smirking a little

She yelps a little, then wraps her arms around him

He bites her neck, growling softly

She moans a little more loudly and digs her nails into his back

"My woman" He bites her collarbone

Her nails dig in further as her moaning becomes higher pitched, "Then... Claim me."

He pins her to the wall, holding her captive and claims her

                      It's a little under a month, or over, dates being hard, but Ben has been keeping track with tallies on the wall, she knows she should be having her period, but isn't.

"Well, this is concerning..." A little worried

Ben is still asleep, naked beside her

She gets up and checks his calendar, "2 days... It's been 2 days..." Going back over to bed, kneeling down and rubs his chest, "Ben?"

He groans, blinking awake

"Something's wrong." In a soft but worried tone

He comes awake at once, looking around

"Not with the bomb or the building... Something is wrong... With me." Holding her stomach

He frowns at that, worried, "What's up?"

"It's been two days since my cycle should have started... It's regular." Doesn't know how to explain it better

He blinks confused for a moment, then frowns, "You don't think...?"

"I hope not. Not that I wouldn't want them in the future but... Going to try and run tests on that. If they come back positive... I don't know what I can do." Looks like she's about to break down, "If I am... This would be the most irresponsible thing I could have done..."

"If you are... Well then, I guess when we get back, I will have to make an honest woman of you and marry you." He pulls her to him

She wraps her arms around him "I'm sorry, Ben. I was so foolish."

"Well, it takes two, and foolish? I enjoyed it." He kisses her, laughing

She kisses him back, "Still going to run tests, I want to be absolutely sure." Blushing "How was I, by the way? I never did ask. You know... For a first time?"

He bites her neck. "Maybe a little reminder right now?"

Obviously likes to be bitten a little, "Don't tease, it's not nice." She chuckles lightly

He starts stripping her, smiling more, "Not teasing."

Taking a little more initiative, she pulls him closer to her, "As you have stated, I am yours, Ben Turner." Kissing his neck

"As I am yours," He spanks her

She gives out a squeak as her body jolts

"You are beautiful," He says, kissing from lips to belly button

The closer he gets to her hips, the more he body gives in. She started looking into Roleplay, "My king"

He kisses her navel, gripping her ass hard. "A king of the Jurassic"

She giggles, "Your queen is waiting."

He spreads her legs, kissing lower, "Ask nicely"

"May my king take his queen?" Giving herself to him

He smiles, teasing lower with his kisses

Giving small moans and her hips begin to twitch

He licks her once, reaching up to massage her chest

Her legs clench for a second when he does lick her, her moan was higher pitched

'Very un-lady like, I will punish you for that later," He pinches her nipple while licking

Her cheeks turn blemish as the moans turn into sexual yelps, "Mercy, my king"

He ignores her pleas, working harder

Her hips begin to buck and she bites her lower lip, trying to keep her yelps from escaping

He slaps her chest, unsure if she enjoys pain or not

She lets out a loud yelp, but he can tell from it that she likes it

He keeps licking and slapping, giving her no mercy

Just from the sexual torture, she becomes wetter and her back arches, "Please... My King..."

He pulls back, leaving her on edge, "Fine... Mercy"

Her breathing hard and in a servants voice, "I apologize, please don't punish me?" Acting innocent

He leans back, pulling her by the hair, over his lap, "Bad girls must be punished."

Blushes, "Do with me what you will, my king." Still in the innocent voice

He spanks her as he pulls her hair

She yelps asn her body jolts again

He swats her again, smiling at her little noises

He rubs between her legs, spanking her there

A sound between a yelp and a moan escapes her as her legs clench tighter

He smiles, rubbing and pulling her hair, still on his lap

Her hips start grinding again him

He waits for her to spread her legs, spanking her again

He legs clench at first, but getting the message, he legs spread for him

"Good girl. Maybe you will earn pleasure, my queen."

"I only wish to serve, my king" A willingness to try anything

He smiles, fully pulling her into his lap, spearing himself into her

Her hips begin to move themselves back and forth. "Any commands for your queen?"

He moans in her ear, "Bounce for me."

She does as he asks, biting her lip and moaning to the rhythm

He moans, spanking her as she bounces on him

She yelps again, making her body bounce a tich faster

He moans, pushing her onto her stomach, spearing into her, pinning her under him

She doesn't resist him, her moaning is louder, pushing her to climax

He stiffens, climaxing inside her

Her breathing heavy as her juices leak from her

"Climax for you king," He bites her neck, a little slower with his thrusts

She does, her back arching away from him, giving one last moan

He rolls onto his side, holding her, "Good morning."

She cuddles into him, "Morning. Aside from me waking you, how did you sleep?"

"Good, but you know? I could get used to mornings like this," He smiles happily in her

She giggles, "I could too." She sighs as her hand rests on her stomach, "I'm a little afraid to know if I really am"

"While, I wouldn't mind a family, maybe not starting one around dinos..."

You would want me to abort, then?" A little shock

"No... I want my cake and I want to eat it..." He chuckles, holding her to him

She nuzzles into his chest "I had the same thought, though. Not here. How am I supposed to abort? The nanites aren't built for that kind of stuff

"Well, if not, then I guess we have some explaining." He chuckles

She grumbles, "Dad will be pissed... So would uncle Rhodes. I mean, you are older than I am." She chuckles

"Make me sound like an old man. Gonna put me in an old person's home." He teases her, laughing

She giggles again, "Not what I meant. Just more experienced"

"I think you just nicely called me old." He spanks her, chuckling

Squeaks, "I am starting to think you enjoy spanking me." Moves herself on top of him

"I like how your ass jiggles" He chuckles, rubbing the hand print on her ass. "So, what shall we do?"

"Well, I have pregnancy tests to run. Then, I can get back to piecing the bomb again. Or... You can teach me how to hunt?" Leaning in and kissing him

He kisses her back, frowning, "How are you testing?"

"Blood sample, urine and cotton swab." Won't ever lie to him

"And testing how? Or did I miss the lab?" He frowns, looking around

"I can get a few of the nanites to create just the items I need. The best way, however, is the cotton swab. A water mixture and leaving the end in. If it turns a certain color, then, I will know..." Sitting up and rubbing her stomach, "I just hope it's only a scare."

"Well, I am not a scientist, so I can't say. Never heard of it, but if it gets the result." He shrugs

She looks up as if guilty of something

He frowns, gripping her hand, "Are you okay?"

"Well... I am not a doctor either. The only reason I know this kind of information is because... Well...? I hacked into a hospital..? Still under the apprenticeship of dad at the time, I was curious. My hacking skills were not great. I forgot to add my last name... Joann Melody Shropes popped up. At first I thought that was me... But, no. Those were pregnancy test I hacked into..." Rubbing her neck and giving him a guilty smile

"You seem to really like hacking," He chuckles as he grabs his clothes from the other side of him

"It was all I could try back then to find my parents. At least on who they were. To this day though, I still don't know their names." She shrugs it off, getting up off of Ben and goes for the shower

"Well, I promise if we have kids, they will know your name." He watches her go nude, smiling at how the wild has changed her

"I don't plan on leaving them like my parents did. The villain who killed them is also dead. Nick Fury himself told me that. But, it doesn't matter anymore." She smiles to him

"Our average life span is 39. I'm only 11 years off." He stretches, getting up

"I won't let you leave them either." She motions for him to come over

He walks over to her, chuckling

"Not a chance I would let you die on me that early, either." Wrapping her arms around him and kissing him hard, "We're a team. We stick together."

He kisses her back, squeezing her waist, "Okay, partner"

She chuckles then sighs, "If we are expecting... Do we want to abort? I can think of one other way to do that. Though, I don't know where the plants are located."

"I... Don't know... A choice I hope we don't have to make. But, this place? It's hard enough already. It might be too hard for an infant to survive. On the other hand, I am personally against abortion." He is deeply troubled by that kind of decision

"Which is why I am talking about it with you. If it comes to that, we have to make that kind of choice." Placing her hand on his cheek

"Well, we will then. We have enough food here for a few days, so it's okay." He rubs her side

"I want the results at least. If I am not, then nothing to worry about, right?" Has a slightly worried look

"Better to know then not, love." He lets her be

"Yeah, going out today? Or staying here?" Getting out of the shower and putting on her clothes, "If you are, please be careful?" In a smaller voice, "I love you too much to lose you."

"Staying. We have full water and food. I prefer to not venture out there if I don't have to."

She smiles and nods, "I have to go out there. It's the only way I can get cotton. Some trees naturally produce it." Putting on shoes

He nods, as she is getting ready to go out there, she remembers cotton doesn't exist yet

She face palms, "Shit... We're 65 million years into the past..."

"Yeah?" He shouts, sharpening his claws

"Cotton doesn't exist yet. Meaning... I have no way to test myself..." Sitting down and placing her hands on her face, "Gods, I'm so idiotic."

he has a sorrow filled look as he nods

"I'm sorry. I got us into this mess and now? I have made it worse." Pissed at herself, "I never should have touched that god damned computer!" Biting her lip hard enough to make it bleed, "Even if I am not pregnant now, there is still the possibility of that while we're here. As I have said a couple of months ago, it could take years or decades. No birth control, no way to use protection. And I know sexual tension is a thing." Trying not to show her tears in front of him

"That again? How many times... That was not your fault." He sighs shaking his head

"I know that, Ben. Believe me, I do. This situation however... We're not ready to be parents. I don't know how to cope with it. Hell! I just got used to my mentor being my boyfriend..." Her hands trembling, "I'm scared of this, Ben..."

"Well, then... Are the nanites able to make a plan B?" He looks at her with sadness, disliking asking, but willing to for her

"If I push the nanites any further than I have, we lose this," Gesturing to the building itself, "I know there is a plant that exists here somewhere than can do it. Problem is, it would make me sick. It's poisonous. And I have no idea where it is aside from period."

He frowns nodding, rubbing his bearded chin, "I say we try the nanites..."

Looking at him before closing her eyes and nodding. "I know you're against it. Before I do anything, are you sure you are okay with this?" Worried about him too

"I dislike it, my many years of killing left me very opinionated on innocents, but... Yes, I am." He smiles sadly

She stands and goes over to him, wrapping him in a hug. "I won't go through it unless you are sure." He can feel her body shaking slightly

He hugs her, rubbing her back, "I support you, babe."

She calms down as he keeps rubbing, "Thank you, my love"

"Now then, how shall we do this?" He asks

She shakes her head, "Start from scratch? I'll figure it out somehow. Possibly without destroying the nanites, which would be preferable, but not likely."

"Whatever needs to be done." He nods

She doesn't let go of him for a few more seconds. "I love you, I hope you know that." Letting go and going over to where the main nanites are

"It's not just 'cause I am the last man on Earth?" He shouts, teasing her

She gives a look, "Hun, I liked you from the moment we met, I just never said anything because I was still breaking up with Alan. Who, I hadn't said that to, by the way..." A little embarrassed to admit and her cheeks turn pink. As she starts working on the nanites

He smiles, shaking his head, "I must admit, I like younger girls."

Putting her glasses on and smiling at him, "Even more so when you protected myself and Jarvis from the cop's questioning. That's when I started actually falling for you." Turning her attention back to the nanites

"I thought you hated me for being too rough." He blushes

She shakes her head, "As I said that day, I try to not hate. Yes, your methods were cruel, but, as I have found out, cruel sometimes works." She winks at him with a chuckle

"Work, or no more spankings," He teases

She giggles, "Fine. Gonna be a while before I can get it working."

As she finishes, there is smoking, the nanites self-destructing

She backs away, "Shit! God damn it... Nothing is going right"

It did makes what she wished, but it seems broken, "What's up?'

"I broke it. They made what I needed, but it's broken." She turns facing him, "I just destroyed them." She wipes an eye, "I failed. That's it. I failed."

Well, then, you didn't fail, you knew the risks," He calls back

She takes a deep breath in, "The plant is the last option. I'm going out and try to find it. Hopefully it's in this region of Pangaea." Making it more obvious that she is wanting space as she takes off her glasses and heads for the door, "I'll be back before sun sets, I promise."

"Why? You have what you need." He stops her, holding the pill

She sighs, "As a back up in case this doesn't work." She takes the pill and swallows it without water. Leaning her head against his chest, "It's been what? 3 months since we got here?"

He rubs her back, "Power is nice, but we don't need it to survive."

'Which also means I can only work on getting us back during the day. And you'll have to hunt for us again." She hugs him, "Something I wish I didn't have to ask you to do. Ben? If I can't get us home, would you hate me for it?" Hugging a little tighter

"Well, a chance to connect with nature, I actually enjoy this age."

She snickers lightly, "Something I should probably do. The green is younger here. I think I can learn from it better." She lets go of him, "As for right now, I should get back to the bomb. The sooner I learn it, the faster we can start that family." She winks at him before going over to the desk

He gets back to sewing the scales and hide

A few weeks after the breaking of the machine, Benjamin wakes up, sliding away, leaving Melody there as he dresses for the hunt with crude javelins and his claws

She rolls over trying to cuddle into him, "Ben?"

"We are almost out of meat and those veggies I found should be good to eat maybe for a stew for us." He says, half dressed, his previously dark skin now deep black

She stands and hugs him from behind. "Take me with? You did promise to teach me to hunt."

"Are you sure...? It is dangerous, even on a good day." She does notice that he does not say no

"I am sure. Just thinking on possibilities where I am alone and need to defend myself here." She let's go and starts getting dressed

He sighs, but nods, "I am still your mentor, can't allow our relationship to get in the way."

"Understood, sir." She chuckles at that old nickname

"Think I prefer 'King'." He teases, tossing her a spear

She catches it, "I do too, but per your request I am keeping it professional." Playful snark

Walking out, Melody sees the vines are starting to grow over the warehouse

"Is that normal?" Having only been there for a few months

She cannot see Benjamin as she walks out

Breathing in, "Ben?" As she starts thinking it's one of those Green communications

"You need to be more observant." He says right behind her, she did not see or hear him

Letting out a sigh, "I was beginning to think I wasn't here spiritually... Again"

"Nope, but you need to pay attention, Thorn." He says seriously

She nods "Of course, sir."

"Now follow me as quiet as you can." He steps forward, silently, almost fading into the ferns

She tries and follow his lead

She is following him quietly, but not as wraith like as he goes

Keeping her word, she stays that way. She continues following Ben. Watching his movements in case he signals. She does however, feel the plants around her. Trying to see if they again trail behind her

They continue slowly to a clearing with a large stream running down, Tiger having her stop beside him

She looks at him curiously

He uses hand signs. 'Dangerous. Trap in water. Hope to catch.'

he nods and uses sign language, 'Hoping to catch what?'

he draws a fish in the sand

She just nods

he looks around, not noticing the Hadrosaurids walking down to the river

She moves his head in their direction

He stops, frowning and nods

Using her sign language, 'Retreat for now?'

'Safe. Stay low.' He sits back, waiting on the herbivores

She nods and sits with him. Running her hands through the grass, while waiting she lightly touches the ground and traces an image. Though he cannot tell of what

He watches the duck-billed dinosaurs, on the look out for any predators

She looks up every few seconds. A bit bored, but tracing the ground is helping

He stays, not moving and motions for her to stop. 'Noise, hunting means silence'

she gives a look and signs, 'I wasn't even touching the ground, sir' Wondering as to how he heard that

They wait, Ben leaning back, holding her there for almost an hour before they leave

Making a face of 'Finally'

'Patience' He smiles at her and gently pushes out towards the trap

Following, 'Sorry. Not used to not doing anything with my hands.'

He reels in the trap, frowning, no fish in the trap, putting it back down, 'No luck'

Sad but nods, 'Sorry, sir. Better luck tomorrow?'

'No, now we hunt' He slips, following the dinos

She follows his example

They follow the herd to a nest area, 'Sure? Going to kill. Do not have to join.'

'I know the risks, Tiger. I am also under your orders. Willing and ready at your command.' Giving him a look of determination he has never seen

He frowns, nodding, studying the herd. Looking them over and points at one. A smaller one, most likely a baby

"She looks at him, asking why he is sad, 'Did you want me to stay behind, sir?'

'Later.' He sneaks closer, belly crawling

She waits for a signal from him. Unsure what to do

He leaps out quickly, sinking his claws into the horse sized baby, killing it in one blow. An adult bellows and charges at Tiger. With a Below, an adult Hadrosaurs charges in at Benjamin, lowering it's bony head crest, but Benjamin flips to the side

She looks around and whispers, "Please, restrain it, Green."

A number of flowers grow, releasing pollen, both Ben and the Dinosaur seemingly unaffected. Ben pulls back, kicking the the dinosaurs snout, making it bellow in pain and anger

She looks at the spear and throws it, hoping to stab it in it's dominate foot

The spear bounces off it's scaly hide. The dinosaur bellows, swinging it's tail at Benjamin, who slides under it, kicking the beasts hind leg

"Green, vine restraint!" Lost her only means of protection

The Dinosaur swings it's tail, almost hitting her as she ducks, "No!" Benjamin leaps up, slicing into the beasts side, making it honk in pain and stampeding off

Kneeling down from the tail swipe, "I'm fine, Ben."

Ben goes to check on her, nodding. "Well, we got food, let's get this back."

"Agreed. That was intense." Standing and looking for the spear

It is on the ground where it had been thrown

She picks it up, "I hate that you have to do this again. I'm sorry, I wasn't much help today, sir." Then goes to the grass, "I'm sorry I had to ask you to do something like that too, Green. I want to try and keep you as pure as possible here."

"I dislike killing the young, but this is our survival. We will use what we can to feed the Green too." He says grunting dragging the corpse

She goes and helps him, "I meant your safety, Ben. You risk it more often here and all I am good for is tech use." She gives a snicker

"Big and slow. It's the small ones I fear." He says as they drag it home

"Still. Even with the herbivores, I hate having you do this alone." Sighing, "Sorry, I know you asked for professionalism. However, for a split second, I thought it was going to get you. Which is why I yelled." Doesn't know how else to express it

"Really? I never asked for that, you offered it, I agreed." He begins caring for the animal, bleeding it

Not going into a who said what argument, "How you manage to hunt on a daily basis and come back unharmed is... Well... I worry about it." In her way, she is saying she worries about him. Having said that, she goes to the bomb again and continues her work on getting them home

He nods, ruffling her hair, "I am a good hunter, but thank you for the concern."

She hugs him and being a little more aggressive, kisses him hard

He kisses her back hard, happy to be with her

Letting up for a second, "I love you, Ben Turner."

He kisses her again, "Go check on your plants."

Pecking him again, "Alright. Please be careful when you go out again."

"I will. You are welcome to join me at anytime." He returns

She goes to her plants, "I don't think I was of much use out there..." A little depressed about it

The plants are growing well

Smiles at them and softly, "I hope you are also getting used to here. We may not be going back." Pets a few peddles

She can sense the ferns enjoy her time

After 20 minutes with her plants, she returns to the bomb. Learning

(Time skip)

She wakes up to a sigh from Ben, standing against the wall

She sits up, "What's wrong, hun?"

"365... Today is officially one year." He adds a tally

Getting up and walking to him. Hugging him, "I did say we might never get back. However, we survived a year in the Jurassic. How many couple can claim that?" She keeps holding him, "We'll be okay, right?"

"Right, it was a pipe dream. Time Travel. He could wait 100 years, come for the warehouse, clean it up and return it to seconds later after it seems we left. But, does," He kisses her neck, "Make waiting on babies less worth it."

She leans into his kiss, "Some day, babe. I promise."

"As for today, we have no need of hunting, so we can relax today." He walks over to the shower

Smiling, "Good, I don't have to worry for a change." She teases as she watches him

He doesn't pull the curtain as he strips, showering

"If we are planning on having them in the future, did you have names in mind?" Leaning on the desk

"I never really planned the whole naming thing, that is just strange to me." He admits

She shrugs, "We have time. No rush. I was kind of thinking on it..." She blushes a little

He listens to her, waiting. Before she can answer, there is a loud popping outside

She looks outside

Ben grabs her, pulling her in, under the shower and covering her mouth as the door explodes open

She doesn't struggle. Knowing he's doing it to protect her

He signs quickly, 'Villain' Over their heads is the clanging of metal on metal as Tiger tries to slide back more to hide, then his foot hits a claw, sending it skittering, he tries to go still hoping it will be over looked

Her body stiffens

Ben shields her with his own body as a circular ray cuts down, grunting in pain as some of his hair singed. Benjamin stands up steaming and swings up the side swinging his claws down into the creature a large robot the claws raking off it's armored hide. The armored robot swings slamming a hand into tiger who grunts in pain knocked back a few steps.

Melody too stunned by the sudden attack watches as Tiger steps in parrying a palm as he hits it again the armor making the blow ineffective sliding off. Seeing Ben, she looks for one of the spears. No longer having her armor, this was all she could do, "Tiger! You okay?!"

She is able to notice a few though, she can see their points do little against the robots armored hide, "I'm fine. That laser is not as bad as I would fear."

"Still your subordinate, Tiger. Orders, please?" Knowing she doesn't have her armor anymore

"Are you a hero or a robot?" He calls back as the pair once more exchange blows, the robot, too slow to keep up with the well trained fighter, but Tiger's claws too weak to get through the armor.

She looks at the robot and gets an idea. Rushing to it, she tries climbing it's back and looking for a weak point in it's programming.

Melody is able to leap up the robots back, clinging on, she looks for a second finding an access panel, though she is doubtful she can pry it off

"I need something to pry this thing off!" She calls out to him

Reaching in, she is able to pry off the panel, but under is not wires and such, but gears, this panel seeming to control the robots movements

"Move, girl!" Tiger, leaps in, slashing at it, drawing the attention of a metal fist, hitting him in the chest making him gasp and cough

Her eyes widen, "Tiger!" Taking off a shoe, she jams it into the cogs

The robot almost manages to avoid the attack, the panel starting to fall closed, but the dinosaur scales jam into the cogs, making it stop, but she is unsure how long the scales will hold