Hacky Sack ~ An Avengers Story

Ten - Nova

It's been a couple of days with me staying at the Avengers Tower. I hate to admit it, but it really isn't that bad here. While he does get on my nerves, Tony is a total sweetheart when he wants to be. Key words: when he wants to be. Natasha has been really helpful in helping me adjust to the place. She's been my go-to for most situations.

And like I predicted, Banner and I have gotten along quite nicely. The other day, he told me that "it's nice to have another smart person around here that isn't a... Tony." and of course I knew what he meant. It's Tony.

Currently a chunk of the Avengers and I are laying around in the lounge with nothing much to do. Nothing that fancies us anyways. Clint occupies the arm chair to my right while Steve and Bucky share the sofa across from me. Nat found her placement in leaning against the bar while Thor sat himself on the opposite end of the sofa I'm laying on with my legs in his lap. Wanda was in the kitchen working on dinner while simultaneously teaching Vision how to do so.

"So Cedar," Clint spoke above the background noise the television provided, "What's your code name? You know, like your super hero name."

I quirked a brow, "I'm supposed to have one of those?"

"Of course you are. You have powers and there's not a doubt in my mind that Tony's gonna get you to be a part of the team." He answered as if it were obvious. I looked around the room to see the others silently agreeing with him. I've never really thought of one for myself since I've never thought myself to end up in this position.

"I've not a clue." I admitted truthfully. "Never thought of it."

Steve snorted, "Oh come on. You're seriously telling us that you haven't thought about it at least once?" He seemed to find it hard to believe.

I clicked my tongue, "Not once."

"Then we'll come up with one." He stated in a tone that said, 'you're not arguing this'. So I sighed and let them start throwing suggestions in the ring.

"Dark Spark?" Clint was the first to contribute, "Cause of your energy. And don't take this the wrong way, but at first glance you kind of look like-"

"I'd kill someone for looking at me the wrong way? I've gotten that before. But no, too rhymey."

"Flash?" Thor queried. I guess he isn't in on the fact that this is Marvel and not DC.

"You're kidding, right?" Nat laughed, "What about Power surge?"

"Sounds like it's restricting me to just electricity." I shrugged, not feeling it.

"Ooo! Spongebob!" Steve smiled, earning odd looks from the whole group. "Cause she absorbs energy like a sponge."

"Okay, no more cartoons for him." Bucky rolled his eyes. "How about something to do with a beacon?"

I took it into consideration, "Maybe, but I can't think of anything that would fit well with it."

"I think Hacky Sack." Tony joined in on the conversation, walking out of the elevator and joining Nat where she stood. "Hacky Sack? Like those knitted bean ball things that you bounce on your feet?" I asked.

"Yeah. Cause you hacked into my systems. Hacky Sack." He elaborated, grabbing a beer bottle from behind the bar. I shook my head.

Flicking my wrist up, I grabbed some light from the ceiling. As I did the other day in the lab, I watched the light maneuver around my finger tips with grace. I stretched it between my fingers to make it more like a string, then strung it around my index finger. I could feel the other's attention on my doing, but that just made me want to show off more.

Bruce was telling me how the other mutations in my DNA could lead to new powers, or that they could actually be expansions on the ones I already have. Yesterday when messing around with a ball of light, I turned it into a flame for a brief second. Yes, I was freaked the fuck out, but I was incredibly intrigued as well. I wasn't able to do it again, but maybe if I focus hard enough now, I can.

So I did just that. I cleared my mind of all things except for the transformation of energy. As soon as I felt my hand increase in temperature as well as heard a few gasps, I knew it worked. Looking down at the thread of light that used to occupy my finger, I saw it's replacement being a string of fire laced elegantly around in the same place. I smiled to myself as I played around with it some more.

"Incredible." Thor muttered in complete admiration, causing a girly giggle to escape my lips. Ew, Cedar, what the actual fuck?

"Might I suggest something Miss Cedar?" Jarvis' voice rang throughout the lounge, startling me almost enough to release my flame. With a snap of my fingers, I turned it back into light then into the ceiling.

"Fire away." I smirked at my pun. "How about Nova?" Jarvis suggested.

A smile formed across my features, "Where'd you come up with that one Jarv?"

"Nova is define as a star showing a sudden large increase in brightness and then slowly returning to its original state over a few months. In a way, you're a human nova with your powers. When you're upset - especially with Mister Stark - you subconsciously gather energy, letting it grow and grow until you calm and return to normal."

"Holy shit that's good." Tony muttered under his breath.

"I... actually really like that. Do you mind if I use that?"

"Not at all. That's why I suggested it, Miss Nova." Miss Nova, now that's way better than Miss Stark.

"Well, now you have a bad-ass superhero name. Now you have to start training like one. And I know the perfect guy." Steve winked at me. I groaned out loud as I hung my head over the edge of the sofa.

"I'm guessing that guy would be you?"

"Uh-huh." He smirked. "I never did get the privilege of training you on your first morning here."

"Yeah, privilege." I muttered under my breath to which he rolled his eyes at. "Just for that comment, we're starting tomorrow morning."

"Oh fuck off."

"Steve! She said a bad language word!" Nat pointed at me with wide eyes. It was Steve's turn to roll his eyes in annoyance.

"We're seriously still on that? Dear lord."

"You're never living that down old man. Now, tonight's been boring and we need to spice it up a bit." Tony stepped into the circle, gathering the attention of the rest of us.

"Tony what do you have planned?"

"A game." He smirked, "And what better game to play to get to know your new housemate then to play..."