The Strange Legacy

Chapter 1

It wasn't until I woke up that I saw the message. A single text message from my father.

Vittoria, call me.

From Dad.

Just to be petty I ignored it. I didn't even open it until later that afternoon. It wasn't worth a phone call from him so it's not worth my time.

But I'm sure it wouldn't matter all that much to him anyway. He tends to live expeditiously with little consideration for anyone else. The Ancient One says he's changed. But apparently not in terms of his role as a Father. No, he still takes a non-existent role there.

I didn't know if I was going to call him. I knew I didn't want to but as it turns out, I didn't need to.

I answered the door and in strolled my father, Dr. Steven Strange. Worshipped surgeon and now the Sorcerer Supreme.

"You have not called me." he stated, looking around my apartment.

"Come on it then," I muttered as I shut the door.

"Your apartment it's..."

"Small?"

"I was going to say charming, but yes, that too." He said.

I couldn't help but get irritated whenever he was around. Given it rarely happened, but still.

"What do you want Dad? And seriously, the cape and the full hero outfit, do you not wear normal clothes anymore?" I asked annoyed. I'd rather he just spat it out so we can just get on with it.

He took a moment and stared at the ground.

"Are you seriously running through the timelines for the outcome of this conversation?" I growled.

His eyes flashed with something not quite like guilt, but he'd definitely been caught red-handed.

I groaned and stalked off into the kitchen for a drink. Preferably something alcoholic. He followed me into the kitchen and I ignored him as I poured myself a glass of cranberry juice. As much as I hate it, I can't help the need to not disappoint him.

He watched me take a sip before speaking.

"The Avengers are beginning a training programme and we'd like you to join." He stated.

I blinked at him for a moment before chuckling. Oh how ironic. The bastard has sent me to boarding schools since I could walk and now he wants me to attend a school run by his weird friends in tights.

"You would take part in the programme for a year or two and then you could instruct. If you so choose to." He said.

"A year or two? I'm already at school. You expect me to take two years off uni to join some teens in tights? I'm supposed to graduate next year then do my post-grad, I don't have time to-"

My stopped mid-sentence and my lips pressed into a thin line. I could feel myself getting worked up. He can't just turn up unannounced and expect me to join his weird club.

"I'll leave you to consider it." He said before heading for the door.

He didn't say goodbye as he left. 'Changed' my ass.

The door clicked shut and I let myself breathe again. I rubbed my temple and decided it was time for a movie. Something to take my mind off everything.

I don't remember falling asleep. But when I woke my neck was sore from my awkward position on the couch. I got up and stretched to get into bed. It was dark outside and I was exhausted.

As I approached my bedroom I immediately knew something was wrong. The door was slightly ajar and my lamp was on. I prepared to fight, my hands up before me. I paused silently by the door before busting in with a shield.

Sitting on the chair at my desk was a tall brown man with a black eye-patch. Nick Fury.

"Well, nice of you to join. Finally." He said, cocking his head to the side. Studying me.

I let the shield drop and scanned the room for any other intruders. "I would've offered you tea, you know, if I knew you were here."

He stood and I tensed. "I understand Strange came by earlier." He stated, flipping through my text books but not actually looking at anything.

I nodded, "He did. He told me about your little Avengers Academy."

He shrugged, "It's a little something we've decided is necessary. People get old, we need to be prepared."

"Right... Well I'm sure that won't be a disaster, teaching super kids and what-not." I said bitterly.

"We're not training kids. At least not yet. We need to tweak the system and we figured you'd be the best person to do that." He stated, straightening his jacket.

"Why me?"

"You're smart, analytical, good with people–most people–and you have a... certain set of skills." He answered.

I considered what he said. It makes sense, sort of. I'm sure there's plenty of people who could do this job. But I guess the name Strange added some weight.

"And it'll piss your dad off."

Now he's caught my attention, "Oh? How so? He was the one who visited just to invite me."

Fury gave an amused grin, "It was the only way he could convince you to reject the invitation indefinitely."

That sly bastard. Of course he'd visit me to deliver an invitation like that. He knew it would get me worked up and that there'd be no way in hell I would accept it after that.

Fury kept talking about what my position would be and what the programme would entail, but I didn't need to hear any more. I was going to accept.