Alex Rider: Phoenix Rising

**D I S C L A I M E R**

I DO NOT OWN ALEX RIDER, OR ANY OTHER CHARACTERS FROM THE SERIES. YES THERE ARE CHARACTERS OF MY OWN INVENTION, BUT EVERYTHING ELSE IS ANTHONY HOROWITZ'S.

This is a continuation of the Alex Rider series, after Alex has returned to a 'normal' life. He is now 16, and is sure he is finished being a spy.

Prologue:

A young girl patters her way down the alley, looking for scraps of anything that could be useful to her. A fox slinks past her, scavenging for some food. The girl studies the fox in interest. They are very much alike. Both have no proper home. Both are scavengers. Suddenly, the fox looks up from his pile of rubbish and scitters away as a bright light illuminates the dark side street. She shields her eyes, wondering what's going on. Several men clad in bulletproof vests and holding guns jump out of an armoured vehicle and run past her, not not noticing the small, unhealthy figure with one hand inside a bin. 

But the last man, a guy dressed in a suit and balaclava, notices her. He wanders his way over as the men break a window and rush into the house.

"Hello, little one." The man says kindly, kneeling down to her level. Gunfire breaks the silence of the night, flashes can be seen through the broken window. "What are you doing out here?"

The girl looks at the stranger, fear evident in her eyes. What was going on? She backs away slightly, her eyes wide and panicked. The man, noticing this, pulls of his mask to reveal a handsome face framed by blonde hair.

"Don't worry, little girl, I won't hurt you. I'm a good guy! Do you want some hot chocolate?" Dark brown eyes peer up into light blue ones, examining them. Slowly, she nods. The man grins and stands, extending a hand towards her. The gunfire ceases, returning the night to silence. The girl steps forwards and takes the mans hand.

"What's your name?" He asks as he leads her back to the vehicle. She looks up, shame on her face.

"I don't have one." She says quietly. The man stops and turns to her, smiling kindly.

"That doesn't matter. You can choose one!" He smiles again at her.

"What's your name?" She asks, trying to divert the attention away from herself.

Soft blue eyes look up towards the stars, as if debating something. Finally, he seems to decide. "My name," He starts, "Is John Rider."