[IC] Young Avengers

[DrewVonAwesome]

As Franklin mindlessly mashed away on the fighting game, leaned back in the couch and feet kicked up on the coffee table. Just wearing a t shirt and jeans that he hadn't had long. After all, in the week he was gone he had gone from pre-teen to late teen. Needed a new warerobe fairly quickly which was a weird shock into what reality was like now. Valeria sat nestled into a large chair on the far side of the room, a book laid open in her lap. Her eyes scanned the pages swiftly as her face maintained a look of intense concentration, appearing to be completely absorbed by what she was reading. No one could have known it was an act. A very well rehearsed one at that. Well, perhaps Franklin. But he was in on this too. The journey they had started months ago (or a week ago, depending on which dimension you were in) had lead them to this. The strangest thing about it was after all they had been through, they were still being treated like little kids, which was what made this whole ruse necessary. It was the ruse that their mom and dad were suppose to see as they came into the room, dressed in a nice suit and dress and heading out for a charity event dinner. "Alright you two, we're leaving and be back in a bit." Their mom Susan Storm told the two of them as they both finally glanced over. "You two be safe now, and remember if you see any alternate reality portals..."

"Don't go in..."
"Don't go in..."

"Exactly." Their father chimed in with a jokey, cheerful tone. The two finally left and the Baxter Building penthouse was all empty besides Franklin and Valeria. The both of them continuing the act until finally a moment later Franklin suddenly turned off the system with a stretched out arm and finger. "Alright sounds like we're good to go. You got the first floor security cameras ready to pick them up when they come back right?" Franklin asked hopping over the back of the couch to go change.

Valeria closed the book and looked up at her brother. "Really, Franklin? Asking me if I'm prepared?" She scoffed derisively, her comment mainly intended to poke fun at Franklin. Rising from her seat, she removed a device similar to a remote control from her pants pocket at pointed it at the television set where Franklin had been playing his game. A feed showing their parents leaving the front doors of the Baxter Building's first floor came on the screen. "We'll know as soon as they step foot back in the building."

"Awesome." Franklin called back from down the hall in his room. Throwing on and getting a feel for the unstable molecule suit he had gotten a few days before. His dad made it, different in design from his parents' Fantastic Four suits but similar. It was comfortable for the most part, though Franklin did admit both the suit and the special underwear he had to wear with it didn't leave him much room in 'certain areas'. Still he enjoyed it and after a quick wipe of the front of it he came back to check up on Valeria and even though he knew he didn't have to really ask her about these things... he is the older brother. "Alright so this Quentin guy should be here in a bit, and Spider-Man should be about the same time." Franklin's voice got giddy a little at the sheer mention of Spider-Man. Someone who he idolized as a young kid, even if his body wasn't quite young anymore.

Valeria rolled her eyes at hearing her older brother gush over Spider-Man. It was no secret he looked up to the slightly older (now even less so) hero, but the fact he could not contain his enthusiasm irked her somewhat. "Yes. And Franklin, promise me you won't ask for his autograph first thing, alright?" She made to leave the penthouse they called home, turning back at the door to look at Franklin over her shoulder before she stepped out. "I'll go wait for Quire downstairs and then we'll meet up on the roof once everyone's here." Franklin shrugged looking unamused by Valeria's coy comment. He already got Spider-Man's autograph... duh. Still though it was going to be cool to not only meet Spider-Man again, but now he might actually get to actually do superhero stuff with Spider-Man for a change. What more could a kind of kid, kind of teenager ask for?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Here's your chicken shawarma..."

"Thank you."

The middle aged Indian man gave the teenager a sideways look, but by this point repetition has made the image of a young man wearing the caped superhero like costume not quite so silly anymore. Still though Billy Kaplan paid the man no mind as he quietly glanced through the comic book in front of him. It was a DC release, Flash at the moment but he had a messenger bag which him that had some more new stuff in it. Had to hit up the comic book store that morning for the new releases. Sipping from his large plastic cup of iced Mountain Dew Billy Kaplan glanced up at a nearby clock. He knew the others realized tonight the meet up was at the Indian restaurant. Each night they would meet up like this was at a different place. Not real reasoning behind it. Keep the people who knew them from picking up on their late night activities? Either way Billy took a bite of his food before getting back to the comic book. Slowly getting excited for another night of action alongside the Young Avengers!

[Sep]

"You've got a spider on your back." Jumping back from the inevitable punch, Spider-sense not required, he caught himself on the wall looking down on his adversary. "You know I'm late for something. So why don't you just pass out on the floor already?" He swung himself down, kicking his two feet into the chest of his advesary following up with precise web shots to both the wrists and the ankles tying him down. "Done deal, got a pen? I usually like to leave a little note." That's when he heard the sirens. "Tell you what, maybe next time." Jumping up he then pulled himself along on the web. Training had done him well, there had been so many occasions where a fight with someone like that would have been tough. Feeling a little nostalgic perhaps?. Though stuff happened, times changed. I mean look at Franklin and Valeria! They were in their teens now, he had met them a couple of times as Spider-man and Peter Parker and the concept of them having grown up in a couple of months was crazy.

Though he had that whole experience with the Green-Goblin hopping through other realities chasing down alternate Spider-men so he supposed he could understand how they each reality was quite out of wack, from their perspective. Swinging into a low loop to fling himself to the top of the Baxter building he landed in a squat. Oh the Baxter building, it was always so much fun coming here. Though he had more of a soft spot for Stark Tech he often got to contribute a bit more here. He turned to the door when it opened and Franklin walked out, flipping down onto the main roof he stood up. "Whoa, what're your parents feeding you? Miracle Grow?"

[Natty]

Ever since he had recieved that phone call, Quentin Quire had been thinking long and hard on what to do. Well, he had actually been thinking for a mere couple of seconds, although that was still a long time considering how fast thoughts usually flew through his head. What really struck him was why the two had come looking for him. They had spoken over the phone about desperately needing a telepath, although surely they wouldn't have picked him? Especially after everything that had happened during his time at the Jean Grey School, as his name had even been trending on twitter not so long ago after another failed attempt at a school wide riot. Regardless he had ended up phoning the two fellow teenagers back and now he was here, headphones in, music blaring and strolling through New York City.

His travels to and through the big city had given Quentin some time to think about things. About how maybe Wheel's hadn't been totally wrong about his views on mutant and human relationships. Chuck's beliefs on such a matter had shaped who Quentin had become over the years but in these last few months everything had changed. He had changed. Changed for the better he believed, with Quire even considered high fiving Mastermind the next time that he saw him for giving him such a solid. Although he noted for a fact that not everything was different. Walking through the streets of Manhattan, the mutant constantly found himself flicking through the minds of everyone around him, learning their names, lives and secrets. It was a filthy habit he had come to pick up, now that he thought about it. This was something the old Quentin would do. Hell, at least he knew it was wrong. That was a start.

Finding himself on 42nd street, the pink haired teenager spotted his destination ahead of him; the Baxter Building. Home of the all so fabulous Fantastic Four, Quentin Quire had often dreamed of this place burning to the ground, along with the Avengers tower and even the run down mansion those guys had also owned. Why did every team feel the need to live and operate in some fancy-ass estate. Chuck had an excuse, he was British!

The mutant punk approached cautiously as he had been instructed to do on the phone. Apparently this was a "kids only" event. No pompous super's. Just how Quire liked it. Running his hand through his mohawk, he made his way inside, quickly wiping the doorman's mind of his appearance as he passed him. Heading towards what appeared to be the central elevator, he reached towards the button only to find the door slide open to reveal his contact.

Valeria Richards was short and blond in appearance with calculating blue eyes, which Quentin found quite intimidating for age. He didn't need to have telepathy to know that she'd been through a lot, although in this case such powers could be useful. Besides, simply reading her mind would speed up things a lot! Delving in, he stopped after a few seconds and furrowed his brow.

"Nice place you have here, Miss Richards" Quentin Quire began, forcing a smile. "Any particular reason I can't see inside y' noggin'?."

[MatParker1711]

Barbara was a mixture of nerves and excitement on the subway. Ever since encountering the Dark Elves in the museum she had been wanting to do more and this team was her chance. As the train neared her station she decided to get off and walk the last few blocks in order to gather her thoughts before the teams latest get together. Climbing the stairs and onto the streets of New York she found herself thinking about Dragonfane and the team. Since being reunited with her sword and regaining her powers and memories she had sworn to herself to prove to Odin that she had changed for the better and the team gave her that chance.

The team itself she found interesting, they were quickly becoming the family she had missed since being banished from Asgard. Looking up she saw the Baxter Building and smiled wondering what Frank and Valeria were getting up to prior to their scheduled dinner date. After double checking the restaurant address on her phone she made her way there and quickly spotted Billy engrossed a comic book and enjoying a large drink of Mountain Dew. Entering the restaurant she made her way to his table and ordering some food and drink bent over to grab a book from his bag. Sitting down and opening the book she asked him

"Any good?"

[DrewVonAwesome]

Franklin beamed a big smile at the sigh of his hero standing before him. Though he quickly came to a sad realization about how he took after his dad in having to fight saying that miracle grow wouldn't work at all like that. Still he hadn't seem Spidey under these kind of circumstances in years and was sure going to try and give him a good first impression about the new and improved Fantastic Lad.

The name is silly sure, but it was mom's idea....

"No this is the result of being in numerous alternate realities for around 10 years... Or a week however it's suppose to work." Franklin awkwardly scratched his head. Even though they've only been back a week neither Reed or Valeria have been able to figure out how 10 years in alternate realities could only be a week in theirs. Still Franklin was just grateful at that point on a lot of different levels. Not only to be home, but that now he truly felt like he could do something and not just hide behind mom or dad.

Franklin extended out a hand, not letting Spider-Man see any elastic power just yet. As word was quiet about Franklin not being able to manipulate reality anymore. Something Franklin himself was wanting as it came from a hectic situation. Plus it gave him an element of surprise that could help down the road. "I'm really glad you agreed to do this. I hope me having to use dad's info on you to call you up is t going to be a sore spot or anything. Before uh.... All that happened, he was hoping you'd be a part of the Future Foundation." The fact his parents ended the Future Foundation after him and his sister vanished, while not exactly surprising. It did made Franklin feel guilty as he was sort of the reason why. Especially when it came to Alex Power, who now has both his younger brother missing and no more Future Foundation. It was just as big a reason as Jack being. Franklin's best friend that made him want to find Jack.

"So I know I've been quiet on why I asked you to come here tonight. It's about Jack Power being missing. We think we have a lead but well. It's kind of complicated and even with your help and Quentin Quire we might need more help of a particular kind. We're going to meet up with sis and Quentin up on the roof and she can explain everything from there. Though personally speaking, I am excited we get to work together for a change... So do you like Spidey or more somethig like Mr. Spider or something like that?"

[Auntie Phaz]

Once she was alone, Valeria made a detour to her room and entered her large walk-in closet. Pushing aside a row of clothes on hangers she pressed a hidden switch in the wall that caused a panel to slide down, revealing a secret compartment that contained her costume. Unlike Franklin's, hers had been a gift not from their father but from the alternate version of Doctor Doom who had been her teacher and mentor. It was much the same as the traditional unstable molecule suits of the Fantastic Four, but with one slight addition; a dark blue cape with a built-in hood. It was an homage to the man who had helped make her into the person she was now, although she had yet to reveal it to anyone besides Franklin. She could only imagine how her father would react to seeing her dressed like his nemesis, and truth be told she wasn't eager for him to find out just how much she had been changed by her time with Doom. Valeria quickly dressed herself, pushing those troubling thoughts from her mind, and headed to the elevator that adjoined the penthouse.

The short elevator ride down to the lobby was accompanied by generic muzak that seemed incongruous given the advanced technology and futuristic design that were built into the very bones of the Baxter Building. Still, Valeria supposed her parents couldn't be bothered with such minute details when they were constantly dealing with dimensional incursions and world-devouring space gods. She might take it upon herself someday to update the building's mood music to something a little more adventurous. Her uncle Johnny would probably approve, at the very least.

The elevator reached the ground floor and its doors parted to reveal a pink-haired boy slightly older than Valeria standing outside. Judging by his less than conventional attire Valeria presumed he was the former-Xavier School student they had been expecting. "You must be Quentin. Welcome to the Baxter Building, home of tomorrow's technology today and last century's elevator music."

Before she could continue introducing herself Valeria paused, her face taking on a stony expression. She could feel Quentin probing the borders of her consciousness with his telepathy, a sensation that immediately brought her guard up. Her time away from her home dimension had taught her many things, but probably one of the most valuable lessons she had learned had been how to build defenses against psychic intrusion within her own mind. She had her Uncle Victor (how it would kill her father to know she called him that) to thank for it. He had prepared her for virtually every scenario involving having to face foes with superpowers. It was something he considered fundamentally important, especially when it came to protecting the inner workings of what he referred to as "a superior mind."

"A girl has to keep her secrets, Mr. Quire." Valeria's tone while speaking the last two words bordered on scornful. More than anything she resented his attempt to barge into her thoughts without her permission. Wasn't that the golden rule of the Charles Xavier school of thought? "I don't recommend you try any telepathic shenanigans while you're here. Except the ones we need you for, of course."

Standing aside so he could enter the elevator, Valeria's expression softened slightly, an almost playful gleam in her eyes. "If you want to put that big mutant brain of yours to use, we can go upstairs and meet with my brother. We need your help finding someone."

She keyed in the number of the top floor to take the elevator to the roof, her other hand holding the doors at bay while she waited for Quentin to enter. Valeria looked at him expectantly, tapping her foot as if to urge him to hurry up.

[Sep]

"Psshwaaah" He swiped his hand on a mock gesture of flattery. "Mr.Spider was my father. Call me Spidey, Spider-man or a crowd favourite is Menace, Oh-No or Spiiiiiiiiiiiidermaaaaaan." He moved over to lean on a wall. "In terms of your little reality hop alternate realities are weird... I mean really weird. I went to this one where everyone was literally a pig..." He visibly shuttered. "That isn't something I'll get out my head soon. Though in terms off your little trip me and your dad discussed that and I even brought it up with Stark. I think the apparent difference in time happens during the transition between realities though theres no real way for anyone to test these theories." He shrugged as he looked off into the city.

"So what was your alternate reality experience like? Fun? No Fun? Strange? Not-Strange? I was following the Goblin on my trip which caused it to be... somewhat painful not to mention some of the alternate versions of me were very, very weird. But your trip seemed to last a bit longer than my own... relatively speaking of course."

[Natty]

Quentin opened his mouth to apologize, only to close it straight away and step into the elevator in silence. He decided it would be best to just not say anything on the matter after the last time he had apologized to someone. That someone had actually been the multitude of his classmates back at the Jean Grey School. It had been just after the incident with Mastermind; where his so-called inversion had taken place. After clearing things up with the faculty and finally seen the light as some may say, Quentin had decided that it was time to say sorry for all the anguish he had caused over the past few years. While he hadn't expected a series of hugs or pleas of forgiveness, he at least expected them to understand. Instead no one took him seriously, laughing at his attempts, claiming them to be all part of some mischievous scheme. It hadn't been until after a few weeks of peace and quiet that they started to believe him. Hence why now Quire kept his trap shut, as who'd believe him?

He perked up though at the comment Valeria made about needing him to help find someone. He thought back to everything he knew about these Fantastic-Kids and anything that could link him or the X-men to them. That's when the face-palm thought came in. They needed a telepath. However that only led to more questions.

"If you needed someone with telepathic abilities then why go for me?" He questioned, peering around the brightly lit elevator. "I'm pretty sure the likes of Rachel Grey and Psylocke could read minds the last time I checked! Unless this is something you don't really wish people to know you're up to?" He thought aloud. "You know that I've gone straight right? Thought it'll be best for me to put off partaking in my share of illegal activities for the time being!"

[DrewVonAwesome]

Franklin scratched his chin for a moment. "I was in that reality around my 12th birthday. Spider Pig even mentioned you being there not too long ago." Franklin recalled off the top of his head. Typically it was hard to comb through all the realities, all of the stories, all of the experiences he lived in both almost all of his childhood but in a week's time. It was weird to think his lived such a full life in only a week's time. Plus before he could even drink legally. Still Franklin has been able to look back at it all for the most part with a smile. "Yeah one reality everyone was zombies except for some guy with a chainsaw for a hand. Another all superheroes were secret agents, one where dad was a telepathic brain in a jar, mom was elastic, uncle Johnny could turn into an android, and Uncle Ben had dragonfly wings. There was an alternate reality where like super humans and mutants just didn't exist at all."

Franklin paused for a moment thinking about what he was about to say. "The last one we went too though... Doctor doom had killed the entire Fantastic Four. He claimed he regretted it and wanted to teach Valeria things to amend for what he did. But... The guy made a throne out of Ben. I don't know how to feel. Especially since after all that... Valeria has changed and I don't know if it's for the better."

[Justice200]

Teddy hadn't done much that day, slept in, woke up realized it was late, got dressed, played a bit of video games, realized that they were meeting in a few minutes, got ready and flew away to the restaurant. The Young Avengers weren't established for as long as the Avengers had been, he joined a couple months after the team was made, when barely anyone knew about the teams existence.

When he got to the restaurant, he walked by the table and sat next to Tommy, he smiled. "Hey Billy, Do you know how to beat the final stage in Mega Man, I'm stumped." He dropped the system on the table. "Wait is that the flash? I don't recognize the issue, did i miss the release date again." Teddy loved flash, he and Green Arrow was his favorites, but always didn't like Superman for some reason, he just didn't like his long list of powers and how over powered he was.

A waiter came over to the table in a white apron. "Sir what do-" The man stopped, a huge smile went over his face as he saw Leonardo Dicaprio, Teddy changed to Leo so he could get food free. "Can i get three shawarma's?" The man interrupted him and blurted. "Yes yes! It's on the house Mr.Dicaprio." The man rushed into the kitchen, he then turned to Billy and transformed back into himself. "Sorry just forgot my wallet at home."
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Riley hadn't slept for long, he had been up all night in his tech room in The Avengers Tower, he had been working on his new scale repulsors, which go down his arms and legs with small repulsors on his gloves and shoes, he had also worked on his Ark Reactor, Tony had gotten his out but Riley didn't want his to be gone, it's what powered his live tech, and ever since he was hit by lightning, he was scared to die when they take his out.

As he was asleep on his desk, a small tech spider jumped on the table, he called him A.J after his unborn brother that Tony told him about, he never got to meet his parents, but always wanted to. A.J crawled on his back, Then a loud, and annoying ringing came from A.J, Riley woke up right away, not knowing what was happening, he looked around what was happening till he noticed A.J. "Aw what time is it." A projector came from the spider, Riley looked and noticed that he was late. "Oh shit."

After getting ready he put A.J on his shoulder and flew out the window, when he finally got to the restaurant, he walked in and sat at the table with Teddy, Billy and Barbara sitting at the table, he dropped down on the seat next to Teddy and Barbara. "So where is everyone else, i am late and they still aren't here?"

[DrewVonAwesome]

Billy smiled warmly at the sight of his boyfriend's arrival in Teddy. He already had a sneaking suspicion that the big green lovable lug hadn't gotten his weekly comic books. He was about to give his surprise when he turned and saw he was sitting next to famed actor Leonardo DiCaprio. He paused wide eyed for a moment before realizing what was happening. Causing Billy to laugh, “Wow you'd think they'd be smarter than that by now...” Billy remarked before reaching into his bag from the comic book store and pulled out a small handful of comic books. Sliding them over before kissing his shape changed boyfriend on the cheek. “I figured you'd forget... Leo.” Billy teased as Riley showed up.

“No Riley just about everyone is here. We're just waiting on Speed...” Billy sighed just after saying Speed. For being so fast, you'd think the guy wouldn't be late all the time.

[Auntie Phaz]

As the elevator ascended through the multitude of floors that made up the Baxter Building, Valeria stood on the side opposite from Quentin. An uneasy silence prevailed between the two teenagers for a few minutes. Maybe she had reacted too harshly to Quentin's attempt at reading her mind, especially given that they needed his help. It was times like these that she wished she was more like Franklin. As goofy and annoying as he sometimes was, he had a natural way with people that Valeria just couldn't seem to grasp. It was something he shared with their father, a style of leadership and personality that inspired others and complemented his natural genius.

Quentin eventually brought up the question she had hoped she wouldn't have to answer. While it wasn't a part of her plan to clue him in this early, Valeria knew she would have to build some trust it this was going to work. "We tried getting all the older heroes to help us out. They were interested at first but after a while they gave up when there were no results, so Franklin and I decided we would do this our way." She frowned remembering how all the adults they had looked up to and believed in just turned their backs and gave up on helping Jack so soon. Valeria knew then that they were on their own.

"One of our friends is still missing out there, and if the grown-ups aren't going to be any help we thought maybe someone closer to our age could do the job. That's why we reached out to you." She turned to Quentin, her blue eyes locked onto his with an imploring gaze.

"It's true we don't want our parents and their friends finding out about this, but that's only because they wouldn't understand. They think we're obsessed and we should just let this go. No one gets that we're just trying to look after our own and get our friend back. They think it's better that we just forget about him. But I won't, not so long as there are still ways to keep looking."

Just as Valeria finished, their arrival to the roof was announced with a soft ping from the elevator. They both stepped out into the cool night air and walked over to Franklin.

"Quentin, this is my brother Franklin. And this is... well, I think it goes without saying." Valeria eyed Spider-Man curiously, wondering if he was tired of Franklin's ceaseless yammering by now.

"Alright. Now that we're all here, I guess you'll need to know who it is we're trying to find." Turning to her older brother, Valeria nodded to let him know he could take over. He had been closest to Jack, after all, and could give Quentin all the information he would need to find him. "You do the honors, Franklin?"

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A fast moving blur blew into the shawarma restaurant, a strong gust of wind trailing in its wake. The next thing anyone knew, a young man was standing next to the table. His clothes were all askew and his wild mop of pale hair looked tossled and unkempt. He was almost a mirror reflection of Billy, although the cocky way he carried himself made it obvious they were very different.

"What's up, nerds? Sorry I'm late to your little gathering. Inter-city traffic, cute hipster chicks walking the streets of Brooklyn, you know how it is."

Taking a seat next to Riley, Tommy rolled his eyes at the way Billy and Teddy were hanging all over each other. He didn't have a problem with their sexuality, just the overtly lovey-dovey displays of affection.

"So, Billy. What's the agenda for tonight? Besides calling us to a place that smells like goat meat." Reaching across the table, he plucked a piece of roasted chicken from Billy's plate and stuffed it in his mouth before chewing it voraciously. He wiped away some tahini sauce that dribbled down his chin and winked at Barbara slyly.

[MatParker1711]

Barbara rolled her eyes and muttered "Odin's beard" as she noticed Tommy's wink. Despite the speedters flirtations she had little interest in him in that fashion but was grateful that he had finally arrived and they could now hopefully discover why they were meeting at this restaurant. Taking another bite of food she turned to him and said.

"I am unaware as to why we have we have been gathered here young Tommy" she began "But if you wink at me in that fashion ever again then you and Dragonfane will have a very close encounter. Now if you will all excuse me I must change."

Making her way to the bathroom she made sure it was clear before removing her hairclip and felt the familiar rush as her clothing was replaced with her armour. Sheathing her sword she made her way back to the teams table and sat down.

[mattmanganon]

A loud snoring almost shook the house as the superpowered teenager slept at her desk. There was a bing as a message popped up on her computer, reminding her of the meeting. She slept through it, but soon, her phone began to buzz in her pocket. She roused and picked it out of her pocket, looking at it. Ballet lessons were starting soon... She didn't do ballet, she was about to go back to sleep when. She quickly glanced at her computer. Suddenly, her brain kicked into action and she remembered that Ballet was the code for the meet up. "CRAAAAAAAP!" She yelled. rolling off the chair and slumping on the floor, but quickly getting back to her feet and walking towards the door, A little too tired for her own good, as she grabbed the door handle, her arm took on the brass properties of it and she walked out into the hallway, before opening the door to the appartment blocks stairwell. She was half-way down the stairs when she remembered to lock the door. "Dammit..." she moaned, before running back up the stairs to lock it.

-------------------------------------------
20 minutes later
-------------------------------------------

There was a loud thud at the back of the shop as Jerry opened the door a little more forcefully than she should have. "Sorry..." she mouthed to everyone in the restaurant. She walked up to the counter and ordered a Korma. She then looked around, not entirely sure who was a member of the team. She saw the relatively large gathering of teenagers and slowly and... As inconspicuously as an overly muscular teenaged girl could before looking down. "So... Are you guys..." she wasn't entirely sure if she should go around asking about stuff like this. She placed her hand on the table and then raised it to reveal that the palm of her hand was now plastic, the same colour as the table. "It's a... Magic trick..." she said, pursing her lips as to express awkwardness as she had the sneaking suspicion that the door was going to be broken down and her dragged off by the FBI or maybe those S.H.I.E.L.D. guys that the internets tinfoil-hat-society constantly talked about.

[DrewVonAwesome]

Wiccan however in the presence of the massive yet still nervously small woman gave a warm smile. “Hey no worries you're just on time.” Wiccan assured Jerry as he stood up next to her. “Guys this is Jermaine, she's going to be joining us.” Wiccan told the others with a smile and an arm wrapped around her thick but strong just by feel shoulder. “Yeah sorry I had to be so vague Jermaine, I was wanting to use a code system so we knew where to meet up. Ballet was for this restaurant and there were some others.” Wiccan scratched the back of his neck. “I mean I'm not sure how our parents would feel about us doing this so I figured better safe than sorry...”

“Because ballet isn't stereotypical of you at all isn't it Billy?”

“Shut up Tommy...” Wiccan quickly snipped back with. Sadly all too used to the very sharp tongue of his speedster ally. “Anyway where was I? Right, right... basically its nothing fancy, we head out at night. Fight crime, hang out. I don't think anyone would ever accuse us of being super organized.” Wiccan paused for the enviable Speed insult but it didn't come. Either he was getting too paranoid or Speed is just fucking with him now.

“Anyways... let me introduce you to the others. My boyfriend Hulkling, Valkyrie, Speed who's a piece of shit...”

“HEY!”

“Enigma, and I'm Wiccan. Anyways I say enough talk lets head out and see what the city has in store for us tonight...”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Franklin sighed a bit as he reached into a small pocket that was sewn strategically into his suit so it wouldn't be easily found by just anyone. He pulled out a photo, seemingly not very old but creased from being folded in half. Showing Franklin at his 6th birthday party. Which was ages ago for him but only a year ago in his home reality. It shows Jack Power posing next to Franklin who was sitting at the table. Jack looking devilishly gleeful as he had just shoved Franklin's face into the cake. Which left Franklin with a face full of chocolate cake and vanilla frosting, looking like he was on the verge of tears from embarrassment. Franklin looked at the picture, and after a brief moment of nostalgia... and the realization he should smack Jack when they find him for that. He handed the photo to Quentin.

“So Jack is the one on the left. His about 11 years old, went missing about a week ago when he was last seen hanging out with some superhero named Alraune. Me and Valeria have tried anything we could about finding out about this lady but outside of a couple other young heroes no one knows anything about it, or even realize she exists. Now Valeria is suspecting magic at play but personally I just think she's keeping herself well hidden. Either way he hasn't been seen at all and as someone who not only knows him, but his brother and sisters. Hell as someone who used to be in their superhero group and maybe some of my only friends.” Franklin felt a lump in his throat as he had to contain himself. He found out about what happened very shortly after returning home. The long journey finally ending and being able to see his parents, his actual parents, again. Only to find out one of his only friends is missing and no one seemed to even give a damn but him and Valeria. Franklin had issues he was dealing with and he wasn't about to just stand back. Not after what his been through.

“I can't just pretend to let this go. Not that I know now I can do something about it. So please, help me find him.”

[Sep]

"Well we'll keep an eye on her." As the elevator came up he took a back seat in the discussion. He then moved forward to join in the conversation. "Alruane doesn't really ring a bell, but if he's been missing and nobody knows where he is that's a bit of a problem. We are meant to look after our own anyway." He rolled up his glove slightly to check his watch. "You said there was a group of people waiting somewhere for us too meet them right? As you guys got this want me to swing-ahead and tell them what we're doing? I'm pretty sure I can find a group of teen super-heroes in a restaraunt. I doubt they're being that covert. Nobody is these days" He sighed, overly dramatic on purpose.

"Though seriously this is all mind mumbo jumbo and I'm much more of the tech fixing type... that or beating up bad guys. I'm pretty good at beating up bad guys too. So want me to go get the others?"

[mattmanganon]

Jerry breathed a heavy sigh of relief as they confirmed that she was right about them. "Oh thank god. I was worrying that the FBI were about to come booting down the door" she sighed, before sitting down at the table. She actually found Wiccan rather attractive... Then the word boyfriend came into the picture and suddenly, the feelings in the back of her skull, a feeling that most people called "Gaydar", all came into focus...

She looked around at the others. "So... We're here to pretend to be Superheroes?" she asked. "I've gotta be honest, I'm gonna remain skeptical about our ability to do this. I mean, Iron Man is the smartest guy on the planet, Captain America is the best guy ever and The Hulk is strong enough to wreck a city when he gets angry. We are going to be the Superhero equivalent of those guys that watch too much Wrestling and then try to recreate it using matress' in their back gardens, lovingly nicknamed Yard-Tards" she sighed. "Don't get me wrong, i'm all for doing this, but I need some inspiration." she said. "Can you promise me that we can actually make a difference, and aren't just going to all get killed?"

[Natty]

Quentin nodded as Valeria spoke. If there was one thing that he still believed since his inversion, was that sometimes the "heroes" of this world could be real dicks when it came to things like this. Sure that may be a bit hypocritical coming from Kid Douche himself, but he wasn't wrong. Just take the X-men. They're always fighting among themselves, messing up time and constantly proceeding in coitus with each other. From what he had heard, the Avengers weren't much better! "Don't worry Val."He spoke in a reassuring manner. "Can I call you Val? Anyway, I'll try my best!"

He gave a smile, only for it to be shaken off his face as the elevator stopped abruptly. As the door slid open, Quentin was surprise to find himself on the roof. He had presumed that this meeting was to be held in doors. Despite how much he complained, Quire had actually wanted to see where all the magic and hijinks of the Fantastic Four happens. He was about to make a remark on this when he laid his eyes upon the red and blue costumed hero ahead of him.

Spider-man. So the nut did exist. Quire was tempted to take a peak behind that bug eyed mask of his, only to remember what happened downstairs with Valeria. Remember Quentin, probing minds doesn't make you any friends. Instead he gave the hero a quick wave and one of his mischievous smiles before turning to who he presumed must be Franklin. Like Valeria, the teenager looked older than Quentin had expected. Thinking quickly, he remembered hearing something about some kind of dimension travelling mumble-jumble happening here a few days ago. He mentally shrugged before listening.

Looking at the photo produced by Franklin, Quire reckoned his dimension theory was probably true judging by how old he looked. He recognized Jack from a news broadcast he had seem briefly although apart from his exploits with the Power Pack, he didn't know much about the guy. The name Alruane did ring a bell though. Some kid back at the school had probably mentioned them before. Quentin couldn't remember for sure but her mysterious hiding did intrigue him.

Giving Franklin and Valeria the most sincere smile he could muster, Quentin spoke. "I'll see what my big o'l mutant brain can do!" Giving a wink to Valeria, he learnt back against the railing on the edge of the roof and held a hand to his temple. "Also if one of you could fetch me an espresso afterwards, that'll be great."

Closing his eyes, Quentin Quire got to work.

[Auntie Phaz]

Tommy chuckled at how bluntly Barbara had brushed him off. "Hostility. Gotta love a girl with spirit." It was hardly the first time he had gotten such a reaction to his advances, and by now he had learned to just take it in stride. He also knew she wasn't just making idle threats. Barbara could hold her own, and if it came down to it Tommy was sure she could back up everything she had said. He made a mental note to try a smoother approach with her from now on.

Turning to take in their newest arrival, Tommy cocked an eyebrow at the very... statuesque girl. He couldn't say she was exactly his type but apparently she would be bringing a lot of muscle to the team, which they sorely needed. "Don't let Billy's nerdy handmade costumes fool you. We can hold our own with the spandex crowd. Just because we aren't an official team doesn't mean we can't put the hurt on some bad guys."

Rising from his chair, Tommy's figure seemed to fade and flicker for an instant and then he was standing there in his costume as well. Looking down at the form-fitting green and white bodysuit, he shook his head and glared at Billy. "Seriously? You couldn't make something that doesn't say 'Hey! Look at my crotch!'?" Tommy sighed, muttering under his breath. "I can't believe I'm going out in public like this."

--------------------

As Quentin closed his eyes the sounds of the city around him and the voices of Franklin and the others gradually became indistinct, first seeming to drift away before fading out all together. He felt his consciousness leave his body as his telepathic senses expanded beyond the realm of the physical. Focusing on the image of Jack he had seen, he concentrated all his thoughts on finding that face. Reaching out through the vast sea of minds all across the city, he saw through the eyes of thousands of people at once as he scanned for someone that had seen Jack.

Remaining intensely focused for several minutes, his brow furrowed in frustration as he came up with nothing. Then, suddenly, a faint image appeared before his mind's eye. It grew clearer, and soon he could make out a face. The place he was seeing was dark, but the more he focused on that face the more it became apparent that it was the same one he had seen in the photograph. It was Jack. His face finally became distinct enough to see his expression, but to Quentin's horror it was one of pain and torment. In the vision he locked eyes with Jack for a moment, and the fear and desperation he saw in the younger boy's gaze were enough to sicken him even as he felt the perverse pleasure of the mind that was inflicting it. A sense of terror and foreboding came over Quentin all at once as he sensed that twisted mind becoming aware of his presence within itself and then he saw nothing but pitch black. Feeling trapped and blind, he wanted to withdraw back to the comfort of his own consciousness, but found that he could not. The terrible mind had his own in its grasp, and it spoke to him as it held Quentin's thoughts within the abysmal void that surrounded his awareness.

"Young, precious Quentin, forget what you saw here. Never see or speak of it again... Or you're next."

With that he felt his psychic projection forcefully hurled back to his own mind. As he settled back into the confines of his own body Quentin felt the agony caused by his being expelled explode within his skull. His eyes fluttered open even as he winced in pain, and Franklin, Valeria, and Spider Man came into view once more.

"... -at happened? Did you find Jack? Where is he?" Franklin's rapidly blurted questions were only half-heard as Quentin struggled with the painful ringing the psychic backlash produced in his ears.

"Give him a minute, Franklin." Valeria approached Quentin looking concerned. "Are you all right? What did you see?"

[Natty]

"So... So did no one bother to get me some coffee?"

Quentin groaned as he leaned against the roof's railing before sliding slowly to the floor, where he held his head. That had been different from what he had expected. When the Richard's Duo had first spoke of Jack's disappearance, Quentin had figured it was just your average super-villain dangling the boy over a shark tank or something, nothing like this. No, this was new. This was scary. The mutant turned his head and looked upwards at the three above him. While Spider-man's face was obviously covered, Franklin and Valeria's were full of concern and worry. Quentin thought back to when Franklin had first informed him of his task. The kid obviously was close to loosing it. How the hell was he supposed to break the news that some evil asshole was out there tormenting their friend?

Quire shook his head vigorously in his hands once more as he rose to his feet. Not baring to look either of them in the eye, he kept his eyes glued to his feet.

"I...I found him." He began, steadying his voice. "I'm not going to lie to you mate, it wasn't pretty. I couldn't find where he was but..." He trailed off. Stuffing his hands in the pockets of his cardigan he gave Valeria a feeble look before continuing. "There's something there with him. Something powerful. Hence the whole thing just then! I want to help though... if there's anything else that I can do!"