[hr][hr][center][img]https://i.postimg.cc/SR52k84p/54b4e63d635603b22d80f72a4ba2be54.png[/img][hr][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/019b10d8-f60a-7779-a640-2ab9620bf297.webp[/img][hr][@Achronum][@Blizz][@Forsythe][@Kirah][@PatientBean][@Trainerblue192][hr][h3][color=AC3EFF][b]Evening - Thr. December 16th, 2038 - New Orleans, Louisiana[/b][/color][/h3][/center][hr]	“Milli-illi-illi-illi-pede - I FUCKING LOVE DANCE BATTLES!!!!” America screamed. She punched up into the air, a brief crack in the universe forming. She didn’t have a destination in mind for the portal, she had just felt a sudden swell of energy and needed to let it out. And with Vicky adding in an anti-gravity effect, a wide grin formed on America’s face, as she reached out and took Milli-illi-illi-illi-pede’s hands. “Are you afraid of heights?” she then asked, and without missing a beat, she flew the pair of them up, just high enough that they could see over the rooftops of the nearby buildings, but not so high so that way they couldn’t hear the music. “We need to crush Kate and Cassie,” she said very seriously. America had decided that obviously, she and Milli-illi-illi-illi-pede were on a team together in this sacred war. 

	They weren’t the only two electing to defy gravity, either. Billy and Teddy had both let their feet take them where they may, Teddy’s wings and Billy’s innate powers providing the necessary escape. They weren’t so much dancing to the jazz as they were dancing to some rhythm innate to the two of them, spinning and twirling and yet always ending up together once more, curled into each other’s embrace. 

	“Viiiiiicky you have to come daaaaance if you’re going to do thiiiis!” Cassie screeched. “Don’t make me grab you!” She stuck out her tongue. Would it be stupid to rapidly increase in size here? Yes. Would she do it to bother her sister? Absolutely. 

	“Please don’t, this is why we’re banned from iHop,” Kate groaned. 

	Eli hadn’t always been a good dancer. He had been rather rigid with it once, stumbling about and crushing the toes of anyone who had dared to go near. But during his first year at Margaret Carter, his workouts were brutal, leaving him sore and prone to injury. The school’s physical therapist had suggested dance as a way to loosen up his limbs and muscles - to listen more to what his body needed, rather than forcing it into submission. He probably would have ended up an asshole if it hadn’t been for that advice - if he hadn’t unironically proclaimed to his friends [i]toxic masculinity is dead, I dance now[/i].

	“You got moves, HotShot,” Eli whistled slightly in appreciation. “But so do I,” he added, smirking with bravado, as he joined Danni in the fray. “And of course I know the Lindy Hop!” He felt a little bad that he hadn’t commented on the cuddle piles or the romanticism, but he had the sense that Danni wouldn’t be offended. He talked a lot. It was impossible to follow every tangent. 

	As the night continued on, the small courtyard of the Court of Two Sisters became somewhat more crowded, with new guests and loved ones of the Margaret Carter teams arriving. Percy’s mother, Dominika, came in alone, looking somewhat frantic - even her signature ruby red shades could not conceal the tired lines marring her face. She glanced around, smiling fondly as she noticed her son, standing with his boyfriend. Things had been so hard for him - and it broke her heart that they were only going to get harder. She and her wife had planned an intervention for him in the morning - and then in the weeks to come, they would inform him of their pending divorce. 

	As she went to locate where the adults had gathered, so as to not crowd Percy, her eyes widened with astonishment - and delight - as she saw a ghost. Chase O’Brien. He looked like shit, yes, but if he were to be in Percy’s life again… He needed his friends now more than ever. She gave him a somewhat friendly wave, before finally heading onto where the other parents were located - she needed to speak with James some tonight at any rate. She had more questions for him to prepare for what came next. 

	Not too long after Dominika arrived, so too did Billy’s mortal parents, [url=https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Jeff_Kaplan_(Earth-616)]Jeff[/url] and [url=https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Rebecca_Kaplan_(Earth-616)]Rebecca[/url] Kaplan, the Scarlet Witch and Vision, and Hope Pym and Scott Lang. Wanda was deep in conversation with Jeff and Rebecca, but as they moved through the space her footsteps gravitated towards her fellow sorcerer, Max. Scott was immediately impressed with Cassie’s gravity defying dance - “it’s like Wicked!!” he eagerly told Hope, who could not help but roll her eyes as they too made it towards where the parents had gathered. 

	That left the Vision, the synthezoid standing in the midst of the celebration and revelry. For a moment, he just let the scene wash over him - let himself look on with fondness as these young heroes… as these young [i]children[/i] laughed and danced and played. It was all too easy to forget that they were still kids, as blessed as they all were with extraordinary talent and power, and the crushing weight of responsibility that accompanied it all. He wished that they would never have to use a single thing he taught them - that they could remain like this forever, innocent and free. 

	He brushed a synthetic tear from his eyes, and signaled to the band. The music stopped at once, as he cleared his throat. “I wish to say a few words, if that is alright.”

	“I am in the unusual position of being the coach for both teams… My only regret is that I did not have the opportunity to give both groups the time and attention that you deserve. To my Young Avengers - I am so very proud of you and all that you have achieved, both in the arena and beyond. America, you bring such joy to your fights, celebrating your opponent’s skills as well as your own. Teddy - while your strength is by no means in doubt, your vulnerability and heart is what astounded me today. Kate, I have said as much to you before, and I will say it again. It is a fool who goes to battle with gods and mutants armed with a bow and arrow - it is a legend who does so with your bravery and skill. Cassie, you stood by your teammate’s side until the bitter end, protecting them when it would be easier and strategic to cast them aside. Eli - you have inspired me as well as your team, urging them onwards with love and hope, and never fear and anger. And my dear sons - Tommy, I am so proud of how you use your speed to protect and aid your allies, that you choose their defense over brutal attacks. Billy - you fought a war on two fronts today, between your powers and your opponents - and while you may not have emerged the victor in both, you did so in the one that counted.”

	“Now for Excelsior… I realize these words may ring hollow, as I am not the one who trained you. I am not Lady Nimue or the late Ser Nemo. But I am as fiercely proud of you as I would be had I worked with you from the start, and I know that your mentors would be overjoyed to see your triumph today.

	“Danni - for a student with no psychic training, you handled the situation with the Entity masterfully, leading with the empathy and compassion of a true hero. Leah, your ability to manipulate the terrain of the battlefield is incredible, complimented by your grace under pressure as you stabilized the arena before others could be seriously hurt. Sabine, you chose to follow your conscience and moral code, even when the entire world was expecting you to continue on - and the bravery you showed in the face of mightier foes was commendable. Dorian, you similarly used words to shape the flow of the battle, changing the hearts and minds of your opponents without landing a single blow. Percy, you may have been the least experienced of your team, but you consistently came to the aid of your allies, shepherding them from harm. April, your joy and conviction as you chose to take a stand was palpable, as was your creativity in using your surroundings when your resources dwindled. Lastly, Andy - the young hero who landed the decisive blow. I have known many who chose to become consumed by their trauma, to give into bitterness and hate. You have chosen compassion and strength, and I see no limit to what you might one day achieve.”

	“Now, I know you all do not wish to hear me continue to ramble on, when you have food and dance to return to, so I will conclude here. It is true that your actions in the contest will draw the eye of the Avengers and other groups around the world. But your victory here today is not what makes you heroes. It is your actions in the real world that do. So I ask you this - you have proven that you are strong, capable, and powerful. Go show the world that you are virtuous, compassionate, and good. A true hero fights to protect the innocent, to save lives, and to redeem those who need us most. You all have what it takes to be heroes. The choice to rise to the occasion is up to you.”

	“Thank you.” He nodded to the band, and once more, the Court of Two Sisters was filled with the swing of jazz.