marvel_girl:

Less than twenty-four hours had passed since Rachel had been abducted by Lady Mastermind of the Hellfire Club (as opposed to Lady Mastermind of the X-Tremists or any of the other dozen or so Lady Masterminds out there. Wyngarde had a lot of kids). The illusion currently running in her mind was deep-set and powerful, though not as powerful as the Phoenix shard she still carried within her. Given enough time, it would probably shatter.

But in the end, it didn't much matter. An omega-level telepath and telekinetic backed by a cosmic force could do fantastic damage in a short amount of time. Even if she broke free eventually, a lot of damage would likely be done by the time she snapped out of it.

Cloaked in cosmic flame, the body of Rachel Summers landed on the lawn of the X-Mansion. To her mind, she was landing in front of one of Sinister's bases, ready to face the legion of Marauders or Nasty Boys that dwellt within, before she ended his miserable life.

She brought up a hand, utterly dismantling the foyer with a single gesture. "Come on then!" she shouted. "See how you like fighting someone who fights back!"

nextgen_misc:

Their first few targets had been acquired, but there were still a few more pawns that they needed to capture. Teams were sent out to capture the remaining pawns.

anyastark:

Anya had spent Thanksgiving with her team and with her family. Early dinner in Boston and then dinner with the family in New York in the evening. It was great having two Thanksgiving Day dinners. The best part of the holiday after the food was the day after Thanksgiving. It wasn't for the shopping or the deals, but for the time honored tradition of rating the male members of the superhero community.

Anya had the rec room of the Avengers mansion all prepared. Pizza, snacks, drinks of the soft kind and other various items for eating and drinking were laid out. Electronics were all prepared for the event. All that was left was for the guests to arrive.

gingeroracle:

Ever since they were little, Lexie and Rachel shared a room and other than an iffy phase when Rachel hit her early teenage years and Lexie was still in the little girl phase of life, it had always worked out fairly well for them. lately, between the team, school and everything else...they just hadn't gotten a chance to do it.

So when Rachel finally came up to her room for the night, Lexie had every bottle of nail polish, lotion, and manicure paraphernalia 2 young ladies tended to hoard already laid out on the bed. There was something she wanted to ask her sister and she couldn't wait any longer,

"Hey...are you tired?"

onearmofhydra:

Things were going according to plan. Viper was quite please by the way things were progressing. Alliances had been made. Plans were laid and the attack against the RenTech factory had been a great decoy. The real attack had been on another RenTech factory where working Zero Point Energy Modules were being stored. Once she had her hands on an energy source powerful enough to power the weapon scientists had develop she could initiate the next part of her plan.

The weapon was almost powerful enough to blacken a large city, but Olivia had other plans. More important plans. The ZPEM was put into the weapon and the weapon was on a large cargo ship in the Atlantic a few miles off the coast of New York Habor. The weapon was powered up.

A blinding white light shot forth from the weapon and blazed a trail across the sky. The light slammed into the Helicarrier, SHIELD's flying fortress.

While the distraction of the impact of the ion pulse slammed into the Helicarrier, a small flying craft came in right behind the blinding white light. It landed on the deck while panic and chaos broke out on the flying fortress.

nextgen_shield:

The X-Men had informed Shield of the resurgence of the U-Men and since then Donnelly had feelers out to see how extensive the organization was. While on one of these searches some unexpected information fell into their laps. He quickly put in a call to the X-Men.

gingeroracle:

It was a tradition for Lexie's birthdays. The Summers' would break out the old grill and they'd have a big party, out by the pool, the first of the Summer. Steak and Hot Dogs, drinks, ice cream and cake, and music that kept getting louder by intervals until Scott went over to turn it down again. It really helped when your friends and family could control weather and make sure the water was warm...

THey saw some rough times but now..? Now it was time to party.

ng_xtremists:

Cape Citadel, Florida, home to a portion of the United States nuclear arsenal.  Notable for being the first public target of the then-terrorist mutant Magneto and the first public appearance of the X-Men who battled him there.  Not especially remarkable in and of itself, but quite notable in that the events there first brought the idea of mutants and the causes involved to the public attention.  It was a day that changed everything.

In the decades since, the stock of mutants has risen and fallen, sometimes with a fair amount of public support, sometimes with even those who called themselves heroes a little afraid to show themselves in public.  In the time since, Magneto had gone from a wanted and hated terrorist to a leader of men, with a nation of his own.  The X-Men continued their fight for mutant rights and equality, trying to show the world that they to, could be heroes. 

Today... today was going to be a day for the history books again.

It began with a flash of energy in the middle of the base, a teleportation device, and the appearance of seven women.  One, monstrous like a giant frog.  Another, taller than all the rest and built like a truck.  A slender, pale woman in red and a similar looking woman with blue hair.  Another, a blonde, staying at the fringes.  Another, a beautiful red haired woman.

And last, in crimson and purple armor, cape trailing behind her, and dark helmet upon her head.  She floated on the air on currents of magnetic force, looking at the world like she owned it all.  In scant moments, they defeated the soldiers who came to challenge them, mutant powers making it all too easy.

One of the others, the frog-woman, pulled out a small, camera-like device and pointed it at her.

She raised a hand, and a magnetic force field sprang into existence around the base, bent just enough to allow her transmission through.  It would soon be appearing on every television in the country.

"People of the United States, I am Magneta, daughter of Magneto.  And for too long have you oppressed our people!  Today, as my father once did, we mutants strike back to take what is ours!  My X-Tremists and I have seized your nuclear arsenal.  We demand the total surrender of your government, or else I shall unleash them upon you.  Today is a call for all mutants to join us!  Rise up!  Rise up and join our cause!  Cast down your human oppressors!

To the government of the United States... you have twenty-four hours to abdicate.  You know what shall happen if my terms are not met."

The transmission ended there.

nextgen_misc:

Gbadu and her followers gathered outside a small unknown temple in the desert near the ancient site of Akkaba. Inside one of the ancient temples the mutant known as En Sabah Nur lay in a state of suspended animation. Today they were here to awaken Apocalypse and unleash him on the world.

anyastark:

Traditions were important.

For a lot of people the day after Thanksgiving meant hitting the stores and getting great deals on items that would most likely be Christmas presents. For the female Avengers and others the day after Thanksgiving meant a different tradition. They would gather and rate the hunkiness of the male members of the various teams.

Anya had been up at the crack of dawn and readied the Thunderbolts' headquarters. Normally this would take place in the Avengers Mansion, but the boys would be holding Rate the Babe there and the girls needed their own space. She made travel arrangements for everyone invited. Avengers, X-Men, SHIELD, Future Foundation, Alpha Flight, Champions, and the Defenders.

Anya had the event catered by a local restaurant, not wanting to make the Thunderbolts chef have to feed so many people. She had even made sure that all of the Kelly's guns were unloaded.

Everything was ready for their guests.

nextgen_parent:

Charles Xavier, head of the Xavier Institute of Higher Learning and mentor of the X-Men, had been busy in the recent days. Together with an old friend, Erik Lehnsherr, the two of them pushed the anti-human groups into action. Attacks on humans started happening all around New York City.

In Times Square the MLF appeared and started attacking the sea of people in the "Crossroads of the World". They also targeted the nearby Police and fire stations to hinder efforts to control the chaos they were creating.

Down on Wall Street the Brotherhood started attacking the bankers and investment brokers.

Leading the attacks on humans were Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr.

Mutants attacking humans prompted responses from anti-mutant groups such as the Friends of Humanity, the Church of Purity and other pro-human groups.

The streets of New York quickly became a battleground between humans and mutants.

marvel_girl:

The Blue Area of the Moon

Dusty, nearly lifeless, the remains of what might have once been a mighty civilization.  The Moon today was a battleground.  The X-Men had fought and fought hard for their friend, fought against the might of the Shi'ar Empire and their Imperial Guard.  But for all their fighting, they had doomed themselves anyway.

"Come then!  You fought for this!  For me!  You deserve a chance to behold me in all my glory!"  Flames of psionic fire danced around her, forming into the silhouette of a bird.

"Rachel, please!"  Cait Drake formed what little moisture there was in the air into ice, trying to immobilize her.  "We're your friends!  Let us help you!" 

"Ice, Cait?  Against the fire that beats with the hearts of stars?  Why do you ever try?"  Flames leaped from her hands, incinerating her friend.

Vlad came up behind her, but she spun, blasting him with wave after wave of energy, stripping first flesh, then metal, until there was nothing left. 

Something landed on her back.  Fred.  Placing some device over her head, trying to cloud her thoughts.  Shane fired electricity into her, trying to shake her further.  She grabbed the lightning with her mind, pulling it into Fred until he fell, crispy and dead, to the lunar ground.  She took his pain, turned it back on Shane.  And she took his lightning, drawing more and more out, hurling it into space, until he had nothing left to give, in body or spirit.

A powerful bolt struck her, stunning her for just a moment.  "Really, Misha?  You too, now turn against me?  Haven't I been your friend? Your "wife"?  And you, David, no sense hiding.  I know how much you still care about me."

A fiery talon reached out and grabbed Misha, crushing him inside his iron shell.  Another lifted David from his hiding place, tore him apart.

And then something struck her mind, a piercing thought.   Radiant One... Please.  Do not do this...  I know you are not this.  That you are more than this Force!  You must fight it, before it goes any further...

"Starbridge?"  Her concentration and focus stopped for a moment, as the love of her life stepped into view.  "Please... stop me before I...  Foolish boy!  What is love to the Phoenix?"  She gestured, and scattered him to cosmic dust upon the winds.

She looked up from the Moon.  "Such a delicious planet...  I believe I shall have to sample it!"

And she did.  Seven billion humans, mutants, and others died screaming in fire, never knowing the reasons for their deaths...

And inside, Rachel Summers screamed, "NOOOO...  NOOOO....

"NOOO!"

Rachel sat bolt upright in her bed, drenched in swear and her heart pounding.  It had all felt so real.  She'd killed them all.  Killed Starbridge, Cait, everyone...

Third time this month.

She signed and got herself out of bed.  One quick shower later and she was still to wired to go to sleep.  So even though it was nearly two in the morning, she made her way down to the kitchen and prepared herself a glass of hot chocolate.

under_the_skin:

Having just finished a work out in the danger room, Vlad waits for the elevator up while toweling off his hair. Luckily it had been pretty empty so he could put on the swashbuckling pirate program that was a favourite of Uncle Kurt's. What? It was still a good workout and tons of fun.

nextgen_misc:


You are cordially invited to attend

Terra Nova Charity Fundraiser

Twenty-Fourth of September Two Thousand Twelve

New York Botanical Gardens' Enid A. Haupt Conservatory

Seven pm until one am.

Formal dress required

smallestbear:

David is out on the town. He had no after noon classes and wanted burgers and chili cheese fries. What more could a guy want?

Oh yeah also there was this new waitress who is just really cute. He thinks she's his age so he has been very shyly flirting with her every time he comes here. Honestly he thinks he's terrible with women but he can make her laugh and smile so that's good enough for him.

Now he is on his way back to his car. He is well fed and feeling pretty good. He tosses and catches his car keys in his hand the air changes just a bit though.

He can smell something on the wind. His good mood is shattered and he frowns just a bit. Something is up.

dark_scion:

 Fred had spent nearly an entire twenty fours hours in his lab. He hadn't eaten or slept the whole period, with only a minimum of liquid requirements. He had to purge every bit of research he had done since acquiring the Shiar DNA sample. He regretted having to destroy so much of his current progress, it would take time to get back to where he had been, but it wasn't something he could risk. It took just about the whole day, but his system was purged of everything.

All gone..he knew he had to do it, but..didn't make it easy. Finally Fred left his laboratory, his legs wobbly from lack of usage. He stumbled a little into the kitchen, clumsily looking for something to eat. 

marvel_girl:

For future reference for all involved, it is never considered a good idea to play Scrabble with a literate, well-read prince.  Board games have been the destruction of many a relationship, though this round had not quite progressed that far.  However, Rachel was definitely beginning to feel like a backwater hick by comparison.

She looked at the tiles that Starbridge had put down on the Scrabble board and frowned.  "That is so not a word."

nextgen_misc:

The X-Men and Guardians of the Galaxy set out from Knowhere Station and headed toward Chandilar the throne world of the vast Shi'ar empire. They arrived not far from the planet and ready to put their plan into action.

nextgen_holiday:

Christmas. Yule. Saturnalia. Dies Natalis Solis Invicti. Many cultures have celebrated and still celebrate a winter festival. There have been many names for it over the millennia. No matter the name it is a time to come together and celebrate with feasts and gifts with friends and loved ones.

Each culture has a legendary figure who would deliver gifts to children during this time. In Russia and some Slavic cultures he is known as Ded Moroz, Grandfather Frost, and comes not on Christmas but on New Year’s along with his granddaughter Snegurochka, or ‘”Snow Maiden”. In the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe he is known as Father Christmas. In the Netherlands and Belgium he is known as Saint Nicholas or “Sinterklaas” and in France he is known as Père Noël. In the United States we know him as Santa Claus.

No matter the name or who is delivering gifts, it is the season of peace, joy and togetherness. It is the season for thinking about loved ones, friends and those less fortunate. It is a time to witness the goodness and generosity the human race is capable of. It is a time for peace on Earth and goodwill toward man.

nextgen_misc:

The Guardians of the Galaxy had managed to make it back to Knowhere Station with their guests, the X-Men and one Shi'art citizen. The visitors were shown to temporary quarters and given a chance to rest a bit after their battle.

The next day they were asked to meet in a conference room.

anyastark:

For a lot of people the day after Thanksgiving meant hitting the stores and getting great deals on items that would most likely be Christmas presents. For the female Avengers and others the day after Thanksgiving meant a different tradition. They would gather and rate the hunkiness of the male members of the various teams.

Anya had sent out invitations to the females on the other teams well in advanced and made arrangements for food and refreshments.

Once the day arrived she and the Thunderbolts traveled down to New York and gathered at the Avengers Mansion. Anya readied the slide show and waited for everyone to assemble.

nextgen_misc:

Abel dropped them out of a space warp as close to Earth as possible. The ship shook as it entered the upper atmosphere and the hull started to heat up and started to glow red. Azura helped Alex pilot the ship through the turbulence. She hoped the rust bucket held together.

Once they were past the initial barrier and slowed down a bit, they set a course straight for Xavier's. They ignored hails from local enforcement agencies and continued on their way. Their passenger, the Shi'ar, had been antsy during the whole trip and seemed a little relieved once they arrived. It didn't last long and he fretted until they arrived over Xavier's.

Their timing was perfect. They arrived just in time to see the Imperial Guard standing off with the X-Men and Prince Starbridge. Azura shoved their Shi'ar guest into her seat and ordered him to take over. She grabbed her gun and Godslayer and raced for the hatch.

Alex gave the flying of the ship to their guest and raced after Azura. Once they were low enough the Guardians of the Galaxy exited the ship to help Prince Starbridge and the X-Men.

nextgen_cosmic:

The ship exited the space-warp behind Earth's Moon. It carried the whole of a civilization long thought extinct. The civilization was one bent on the destruction of the Shi'ar race and its empire. Today would be the first salvo in their efforts to achieve their goals.

"We have arrived at Earth," Brother said to Eldest.

"Excellent. Prepare the assault team. I want the prince killed before the day is over," Eldest said and left the bridge. He had planned for this day for so long. They would finally eradicate the cursed Shi'ar from existence.

A few moments later three smaller ships exited from the larger ship and sped toward Earth. They entered the atmosphere and headed toward their destination in New York state. Eldest looked on with anticipation. It was exhilarating to finally take action against their ancient enemy.

Once they were close enough they opened fire. The blasts weren't to destroy the buildings on the ground, but more to cause confusion. Eldest wasn't about to kill the prince from a distance. He wanted the honor of killing the Shi'ar prince up close and personal.

marvel_girl:

Okay, so, yeah.  This being in a real relationship thing?  Pretty dang nice.  It didn't hurt to have the mess that had been the Mojoverse long behind them, though she admittedly still felt kinda bad about David.  Not so much that it colored her current relationship with Starbridge, but certainly a thought now and then.

But these days, it was a certain Shi'ar prince than held her thoughts.  And more often than not, shared them too.  Having telepathic powers and a boyfriend with something of the same made of a level of connection Rachel never would have thought possible.  Of course, considering she was person non gratta back in his galaxy (or possibly public enemy number 1, she wasn't quite sure)...  Well, she wasn't going to think about that.

As for tonight?  Well, as nights on the town went, this one was really good.  Granted, she hadn't had too many dates to compare it to, but she knew what she liked.

Rachel looked up from her food.  "This is nice," she said.  "...And I've said that already, haven't I?"

nextgen_misc:

The day was going like any normal summer day in Salem Center. The sun was out, it was hot and the residents of the small town in Westchester county went about their daily business. It was not to last.

A small pinpoint of light appeared in the middle of Main St and started to grow. It quickly expanded causing traffic to stop and the citizens to stop and stare. The light continued to grow until it was the size of a three story building.

A moment later things started coming out of the bright portal.

marvel_girl:

In spite of all her efforts, Rachel had come no closer to freeing herself than when she'd started.  Three rounds of Mojo's sadistic game had passed in all, and she'd picked Starbridge, David, and Torn Ear once each, trying to give them what respite she could.  And each time, they had survived the challenge.  As had Sweepzweak. 

It was enough to drive a girl mad.

And perhaps the worst thing of all?  She'd actually already made up her mind before they'd gotten kidnapped.  She might have hemmed and hawed a bit, but when it came down to it, she realized who she wanted as her boyfriend.

As the guys returned to the contest area, she resumed marshaling what little psychic power she could.

pym_kitten:

Chris had sent out an e-mail to all the other students that she was putting together a day-trip to the city for shopping, with the promise of dinner and deserts that were entirely bad for them. She'd called Pauline as well, in case she was free to meet them once they got in.

She waited in the foyer of the Institute for anyone who was going to join her.

ng_mojoverse:

A studio announcer's voice cut through the crowd.  "And now, it's time to play the Mojoverse's new favorite game show....  DATE OR DEATH!  Where we try to match up one fabulous lady with one of our lucky contestants!  The winner gains her heart, the losers gain a one-way ticket to the afterlife!  And now, let's give a very special Mojoverse welcome to our host... The Host!"
( *Applause* )

ng_mojoverse:

"Crap, crap, crap, really bad crap, crap, crap, crap, crap, porn, crap, crap, crappy porn, crap, crap, crap.."

Each of the words was punctuated by a click of a remote and the changing of a channel.  Mojo, supreme ruler of the Mojoverse and master programmer supreme, sultan of the air waves, tip top tv exec, and the person responsible for the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show, was not happy.

"Why are my ratings DOWN?!" he bellowed.  He looked left.  He looked right.  And he realized that there was no one around to listen to his rantings.  "DOMO!   DOMO!  DOMO!"

"You bellowed, oh bulbous one?" Major Domo, his majordomo asked, appearing behind him with enough quietness that the great Mojo was forced to jerk in surprise.

"What have I told you about sneaking up on me?!" he demanded.

"I was making plenty of noise, oh supreme one.  Doubtless you were simply engaged in creating superior programming and did not hear me."

"Yes, well... yeah, I was.  But why are my ratings DOWN?!"  He gestured toward the tvs.    "I mean, I've got people out there readings books!  Dead trees!  And this FaceSpace and myBook and tweeter-de-dee?!  What's wrong with these people?!  Why aren't they watching?!  I need a new show.  I need inspiration.  Something that will really put the butts back in the seats.  And then something that will keep them there.  Maybe some kind of glue...  Domo, look into super-glue suppliers.  Tell them we'll take everything they have.  Literally. Or else I'll send Spiral after them!"

Domo sighed.  He was used to dealing Mojo's moods.  And he knew just the thing to bring him out of it.  "If I may offer a suggestion, oh Video Master?"

Mojo seemed unresponsive, so Domo took the initiative and waved a remote in front of his face, large yellow eyes following its every move.  He turned the TV on.

"As you can see, the X-Man called Rachel Summers is engaged in quite the romantic conundrum.  Three different suitors, three different demographics.  The Prince, the Bat Boy, and the Furry.  You could get quite the audience draw with them."

"No, no, no!" Mojo ranted.  "That's a terrible idea!  We need something good!  ...Wait, I've got it!  We'll kidnap the Summers girl and her three boy toys, throw in one of our own, put it on TV.  Call it... Who Wants to Marry a Mutant!  We'll make millions!  Make it happen!  GET ME THAT PHOENIX!"

nextgen_misc:

The resort looked like any other Caribbean resort except for the people walking around. Some openly displayed use of their powers while others sported opening physical mutations. They laughed and talked, clearly having a good time, unaware that more sinister things were happening not far away.

When the X-Men arrive they will be greeted with smiles, but no one will have any information on their two missing members.

little_gabriel:

It had been some time since Gabriel had seen Cait and Aaron, so he was getting somewhat worried.  They were more responsible than that, to just not come back.  First thing he did was call the resort they said they were going to, but the attendant on the phone told him nobody by those names were there.  He went to go find Xavier to express his concern.

pym_kitten:

Chris had successfully cornered her prey. She'd baited her trap skillfully, and now there was no way out for her quarry.

She sat down next to Rachel and elbowed her, grabbing a bag of chocolates she'd picked up in her after-V-Day shopping spree. "So spill... how was the trifecta?" She grins.

nextgen_holiday:


I arise from dreams of thee
In the first sweet sleep of night,
When the winds are breathing low,
And the stars are shining bright.
I arise from dreams of thee,
And a spirit in my feet
Hath led me -- who knows how?
To thy chamber window, Sweet!

The wandering airs they faint
On the dark, the silent stream--
And the Champak's odours
Like sweet thoughts in a dream;
The nightingale's complaint,
It dies upon her heart,
As I must on thine,
O belovèd as thou art!

O lift me from the grass!
I die! I faint! I fail!
Let thy love in kisses rain
On my lips and eyelids pale.
My cheek is cold and white, alas!
My heart beats loud and fast:
O press it to thine own again,
Where it will break at last!

Percy Bysshe Shelley

anyastark:

Anya entered the luxurious suite they had in The Four Seasons Paris and dropped her bags near her bedroom door. She walked over and fell on the couch. Paris was their second stop on their weekend shopping trip. They had spent a day in Milan (Vernique needed Italian shoes), now a day in Paris and then the last day in London. Having a teleporter on call to get them from one city to another in the blink of an eye sure had made traveling easier and allowed more time for shopping.

Shop they did.

Anya had bought a lot in each city and had most of it shipped home already. There was no way she would have been able to carry even half of it. It was a good thing she had gone through her closets before they had left. At least she would have room for it all.

"Okay, Vernique. It's time for you to dish about your adventures. Meet any hunks? Get lucky with said hunks?"

anyastark:

Anya knew the Avengers who had gone after Kang were back and it only meant one thing. It was time for something that was /way/ past due.

She sent a text to Vernique and Lyta.

World shopping trip this weekend?

nextgen_holiday:

There were certain traditions that were kept around the holidays and then there were traditions. The annual New Year's Day snowball fight was a long standing tradition at Xavier's Institude For Higher Learning. For the past six years the girls have won the fight, but this year the boys have a new player on their side and he's one that may tip the scales in their favor.

Dawn broke over the grounds and the sun climbed into the sky. It would be a warm bright day and perfect for a snowball fight.

At high noon the players on each side gathered on opposite ends of the grounds.

nextgen_holiday:

There's a piece of paper and a pen attached to a bulletin board. Across the top is written:

New Year's Resolutions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
+

Anonymous entries accepted.

nextgen_holiday:

Christmas. Yule. Saturnalia. Dies Natalis Solis Invicti. Many cultures have celebrated and still celebrate a winter festival. There have been many names for it over the millennia. No matter the name it is a time to come together and celebrate with feasts and gifts with friends and loved ones.

Each culture has a legendary figure who would deliver gifts to children during this time. In Russia and some Slavic cultures he is known as Ded Moroz, Grandfather Frost, and comes not on Christmas but on New Year’s along with his granddaughter Snegurochka, or ‘”Snow Maiden”. In the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe he is known as Father Christmas. In the Netherlands and Belgium he is known as Saint Nicholas or “Sinterklaas” and in France he is known as Père Noël. In the United States we know him as Santa Claus.

No matter the name or who is delivering gifts, it is the season of peace, joy and togetherness. It is the season for thinking about loved ones, friends and those less fortunate. It is a time to witness the goodness and generosity the human race is capable of. It is a time for peace on Earth and goodwill toward man.

nextgen_holiday:

“We’re here outside the Four Seasons Hotel in New York where the who’s who is gathered tonight. Celebrities, royals and superheroes have all turned out for the annual Maria Stark Foundation Winter Charity event benefiting Toys for Tots.

It’s truly an all-star gala here tonight.

New York’s own princess, Anya Stark, was seen being escorted by what appears to be her new flame, actor Austin Cain. Her brother and currently second in line to the Russian throne, Mikhail Romanov, was seen entering the party with Lyta Worthington, heiress to Worthington Industries. Tony and Natasha Stark, parents of a new baby, are making their first public appearance since the birth of their son.

Mackenzie Rider, a prince of the underwater kingdom of Atlantis, is escorting Ms. Andrea Denker of the Fantastic Four tonight. Kristoff Vernard, leader of the Fantastic Four, was seen in attendance with his wife Cassandra and their son Scotty. Vincent Amorason, heir to Latveria, arrived alongside his brother and was seen escorting a member of the Defenders, Asleif Thorsdottir. The rest of the Fantastic Four are here too with their dates, though Miss Valeria Richards is not in attendance. Franklin Richards is in attendance and is escorting one Miss Gill.

Los Angeles’ own superhero team, the Defenders are in attendance as well. Arriving with her team is Grace Danvers, daughter of Hollywood hunk Simon Williams and she is being escorted by teammate, Eiltin. The two Asgardian princesses and daughters of Thor, Asleif and Aridis, are also attending the festivities with their team.
Akilah Munore, the crown princess of Wakanda, is here tonight with her steady flame, Daniel Sherwood a member of the Young Avengers. The other Young Avengers are in attendance tonight with their dates, alongside the adult Avengers.

Donald Trump arrived with his wife and is one of many other famous faces to arrive. Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Hugh Jackman, Jack Nicholson, Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift are just a few celebrities who have made an appearance here tonight.

It’s truly a party of the who’s who and it’s all for a great cause.”

anyastark:

Anya didn't have many traditions in her family, unless you counted being a bastard as one of them. The Avengers however did have a few time honored traditions that must be kept going. Sure saving the world from alien invasions, beating up the world level threats and other heroic things were some of those traditions, but not everything could be about beating up the bad guys. One such non-heroic thing was Rate the Hunk.

Each year the female Avengers got together and rated their fellow male Avengers. The new generation had eagerly picked up and kept this tradition going. However, they had expanded it a bit.

The day after Thanksgiving was a perfect day to avoid shopping crowds, take over the rec room, banish the males and look at pictures of them. Anya had run it last year and she took it upon herself to do it again this year. Invitations went out to fellow female heroes. Avengers, X-Women, Defenders, Champions and Thunderbolts all got invitations to come to New York to Rate the Hunk.

Food, drink and snacks were laid in. Signs were put up on the doors and electronic surveillance was set up to see if males dared to interrupt.

Anya settled in on one of the couches and queued up the stash of photos she had collected in the past year.

nextgen_misc:

You are cordially invited to attend the 27th annual Maria Stark Foundation's Winter Charity event.

Four Seasons Hotel
57 East 57th Street
New York, NY 10022

Saturday December 18th
Seven O'clock pm - Midnight

Formal dress required.

Please bring a donation for Toys for Tots.

nextgen_holiday:

The air was warm and the sun was bright making it a perfect day for a cookout to celebrate Labor Day. Classes would start on the 7th (for those going to college they started a week ago) and it was the last chance to kick back and cut loose before hitting the books.

At Xavier's Institute For Higher Learning tables had been placed out around the pool and the large grill fired up. Burgers, hot dogs, sausage, ribs, corn on the cob, pasta salad, salad and fruit salad were just some of the food available to eat. Soda, water, fruit juice and other beverages were on ice.

It was a day of rest and relaxations for those who put their lives on the line for others.

nextgen_citizen:

Torn Ear's whiskers twitch as he braces himself. He's fairly sure he's doing things correctly this time. Flowers instead of a fresh kill. He bathed himself*. He'd even decided to try out human clothing. The chosen one Pym girl had given him a pair of hide pants that would even fit his tail; leather she called it, if he remembers correctly. The four-armed human, Silvee, had given him a very pretty shirt too. It was a bit snug, but the color was nice and vivid. To top it all off, he'd even picked out a face with the illusion-maker that he found satisfactory.

He knocked at Red-fur Rachel's door.


*And for the record, 'bathing' himself involved water and scrubbing stones in one of those indoor giant white bowls the humans seemed to enjoy.

smallestbear:

This was the first time in a long time David had spent the entire day out in the garage. It was now the late afternoon and he had stopped to get a good long look at what he had done so far. There are a few books and technical manuals open for him to get an idea of what he was doing. He still had a lot to go.

He was also trying to figure out a time table for when he might be done building his car. David leaned back against the bench and fished a soda out of the cooler he had set up for himself. He had at some point ditched his shirt and was thinking f asking Rose or Misha for help figuring out what he was doing and what he should be. As much as he liked Mr Summers he really did think Rose and Misha would like working with him more on building the car.

Plus some of the other students too if they really wanted to. But still he wasn't sure about leaving the crank shaft he had been fiddling with. He was still figuring out the whole car one piece at a time.

mishaloganovich:

Misha flew back to New York after his overnight stop in Moscow to see Mom and Grandpa Ivan. He was there only long enough to shower and change before he packed the stealth suit into Darlene’s trunk and headed out to the institute. He didn’t see Justin at the penthouse, so he left a voice mail saying he wanted to get together and talk. Stark’s words were still fresh and Misha was smart enough to at least explore the idea the man had about asking for Justin’s help in tracking down Weapon X.

On his way home, he stopped at the pizza place in Salem Center to order two dozen pizzas to take back. While they had a hard time getting delivery at the Institute, the place was happy to do carryout orders for them. He was the main culprit for carryout at the institute, and always willing to share.

Arriving home, he carried it all into the dining room and put out the call that there was food and it was getting cold.

marvel_girl:

So.  Dad was making her be nice to her extra-dimensional sisters.  Because that was what Summers did when relatives showed up from the four corners of creation.  For Rachel, that meant resisting the urge to fling Rose around with her TK powers no matter how annoying she got.

That she'd managed to succeed in resisting was nothing less than a miracle.  Rose seemed quite happy to try and push her and anyone else's buttons any chance she got.

Anastasia, at least, seemed all right, even if Rachel could barely bring herself to believe who her mother was.

So she knocked on her door.

_tsunami_:

Cait left a basket of Sylvie's favorite baked goods in her room along with two pairs of leather gloves and a necklace. Cait usually didn't have much money, but what little she did have she always saved for gifts for her friends.

_tsunami_:

Rachel was one of Cait's oldest friends. They had known each other since they had been in diapers and Cait considered Rachel a sister she never had. They had even stood as maid of honor for each other when they both married Misha.

It stood to reason that Cait was not going to let Rachel's birthday pass unnoticed.

Cait wasn't exactly one to have readily available funds, but she did manage to be able to get Rachel a small gift in addition to making her a batch of her favorite cookies. The cookies and the small wrapped box containing a charm bracelet with a happiness charm were placed on Rachel's bed along with a card wishing her a happy birthday.

marvel_girl:

Galactus was gone, Chandrillar had been saved.  The Throneworld of the Shi'ar Empire and its royals were safe.  Saved by the efforts of the X-Men and the former guardian of the M'krann Crystal, the Phoenix.

The Phoenix, bonded to Rachel Summers of Earth, daughter of Scott Summers and Jean Grey, the former host of the Phoenix, counterpart of another Rachel Summers who had also hosted a measure of the Phoenix's power.

The same Phoenix the Shi'ar had tried to kill or enslave numerous times.  The same Phoenix a rogue faction of the Shi'ar had so feared, they'd tried to kill the entire Grey family and would have, if not for the timely intervention of the X-Men.

As Rachel rejoined the others, still surrounded by a corona of cosmic flame, she could feel the unease from... well, virtually the entire world.

nextgen_cosmic:

Since his universe had ended and this one had begun, Galactus had fed.  His hunger had driven him, given him cause and purpose throughout the universe, in a way that the mortals who inhabited it would never understand.  He did not feed out of malice or even joy, he simply fed.  They tried to give motivations for him, but he was beyond their understanding, as necessary an element to the cosmos as Eternity and Death, the balancing point between those two extremes.

His feet touched the ground of Throneworld, and the whole of the populace seemed to tremble in fear.  Sharra and K'ythiri were called out for, but the gods of the Shi'ar would have no place here.  Here was only the Great Devourer of Worlds.  Here was only Galactus, assembling his terrible machine with which he would consume the lifeforce of the planet.

Galactus was.