U.A. High — Tuesday, 8:17 a.m.
Peter Quill knew something was wrong the moment his father called before breakfast.
Not because J'son never called.
He did.
Usually at inconvenient times.
Apparently being an ancient Celestial king had never taught the man how Earth time zones worked.
Peter stared at the holographic image floating above his phone.
J'son sat somewhere in the royal palace of Spartax, dressed in enough gold and ceremonial armor to make Thor look underdressed.
Peter rubbed his eyes.
"Dad."
"Peter."
"It is eight in the morning."
"Yes."
"I haven't eaten."
"I am aware."
Peter narrowed his eyes.
"How?"
J'son hesitated.
Peter's eyes narrowed further.
"Yondu."
"I asked Captain Udonta to keep me informed."
"You pay a space pirate to spy on me."
"He prefers Ravager."
"That is not helping your case."
J'son smiled faintly.
Peter hated when he did that.
It was the exact same smile Peter used when he knew he was being annoying.
Genetics were terrible.
J'son leaned forward.
"I have news."
Peter groaned.
"Whenever you say that, my life gets complicated."
"Your sister is coming to Earth."
Peter stopped.
His spoon slowly lowered.
"My what?"
J'son blinked.
"Your sister."
"I heard the word."
Peter stared.
"Why?"
J'son's expression became suspiciously regal.
Peter knew that expression too.
King voice incoming.
"Spartax requires a permanent diplomatic presence on Earth."
"No."
"I have not finished."
"You said diplomatic."
"Peter—"
"You're about to make this my problem."
"I would like you and your sister to establish the embassy together."
Peter stared into the hologram.
Then looked around the empty kitchen as though somebody might appear and explain how his morning had gone this badly.
He looked back.
"I'm fifteen."
"Yes."
"I go to school."
"Yes."
"I barely remember homework."
"Frequently."
"And you want me to run an embassy?"
"Alongside your sister."
"That doesn't make it better."
J'son smiled.
"Victoria possesses considerably more diplomatic experience than you."
Peter pointed at him.
"Then why do you need me?"
"Because you are my son."
Peter stopped.
J'son's voice softened.
"And because Earth is your home."
That took some of the wind out of him.
Peter leaned back.
"Does Mom know?"
"Of course."
Peter frowned.
"And she agreed?"
J'son hesitated.
"She said it might teach you responsibility."
Peter stared.
"Betrayed by my own mother."
"She also told me that if this interferes with your education, she will personally come to Spartax and—"
J'son stopped.
Peter smiled.
"And?"
The ancient Celestial King of Spartax looked deeply uncomfortable.
"That portion of the conversation is irrelevant."
Peter burst out laughing.
"You're scared of Mom."
"I have survived wars that destroyed civilizations."
"Didn't answer the question."
J'son glared.
Peter grinned.
Then the door opened.
Tony Stark walked in carrying coffee.
"Morning, Quill."
Peter immediately pointed at the hologram.
"My dad wants me to run an alien embassy."
Tony stopped.
He slowly lowered his coffee.
"You know…"
Peter waited.
Tony considered the statement.
"I'm starting to understand why you drink."
"I don't drink."
"Give it time."
J'son stared at Tony.
"Anthony Stark."
Tony looked at the hologram.
"Space King."
Peter closed his eyes.
"Oh, this is going to go great."
The Arrival
An hour later, U.A.'s main entrance looked like somebody had accidentally scheduled a royal state visit during homeroom.
Aizawa stood at the gates.
His sleeping bag was draped over one shoulder.
He looked deeply offended by diplomacy.
Nezu stood beside him looking delighted.
Nick Fury Jr. looked like he'd already identified seventeen ways the morning could become an international incident.
Tony had come because Tony refused to miss an alien spaceship.
Bruce came because the chance to observe advanced extraterrestrial technology was apparently worth missing breakfast.
Thor came because the arrival of Spartax royalty required Asgardian courtesy.
Gamora came because Peter asked.
Rocket came because he heard there might be free food.
Groot came because Rocket came.
And Peter?
Peter had his hands in his pockets.
"This is ridiculous."
Tony looked toward the sky.
"Your sister's visiting from another planet."
"Yes."
"In a spaceship."
"Yes."
"Because your father wants you to establish an extraterrestrial embassy."
"Yes."
Tony smiled.
"Your life is awesome."
Peter glared.
"You have a flying metal suit stored inside your body."
"Exactly. I recognize awesome."
A shadow crossed the grounds.
Everyone looked up.
The Spartax vessel descended almost silently.
It wasn't bulky.
It was elegant.
Silver-white metal curved around a narrow central body, gold energy flowing through geometric channels along its hull.
Tony's eyes immediately changed.
Peter noticed.
"No."
Tony looked innocent.
"I didn't say anything."
"You're thinking about stealing the engine."
"Studying."
"Stealing."
"Learning."
"Tony."
"Fine."
The ship touched down.
A ramp extended.
Spartax guards emerged first.
Polished armor.
Energy weapons.
Royal insignia.
Then a young woman stepped into the morning light.
Long dark hair framed a mostly human face. Two delicate antennae extended from her forehead, moving almost imperceptibly as she took in the world around her.
Her large, expressive eyes swept across the gathered students.
Her clothing blended Spartax royal design with something far less ceremonial than Peter expected.
Elegant.
Practical.
She carried herself like royalty—
right until she saw Peter.
Her entire face lit up.
"Peter!"
Peter smiled.
"Hey, Mantis."
She crossed the distance and hugged him.
Peter hugged her back.
Tony watched.
Okay.
Definitely siblings.
Mantis pulled away.
Then touched Peter's cheek.
Her antennae shifted.
"You are happy to see me."
Peter smiled.
"Yeah."
"You are also annoyed."
Peter's smile disappeared.
"Mantis."
"And slightly anxious."
"Mantis."
"And you are worried I will embarrass you in front of your new friends."
Peter pointed at her.
"See, this is why we need boundaries."
Mantis smiled.
"You are embarrassed now."
"MANTIS."
Tony immediately loved her.
Mantis finally looked toward everyone else.
Thor stepped forward first.
He bowed his head respectfully.
"Princess Victoria of Spartax."
Mantis smiled.
"Prince Thor of Asgard."
Thor looked pleased.
"It is good to meet another of royal blood."
Peter muttered, "Great. There's two of them now."
Mantis looked at him.
"You are also royalty."
Peter pointed.
"Don't."
Thor laughed.
Tony stepped forward next.
"Tony Stark."
Mantis studied him.
Tony extended his hand.
She took it.
Her fingers touched his palm.
Her antennae moved.
Mantis froze.
Tony noticed.
"What?"
She stared at him.
"You are very complicated."
Tony blinked.
Peter immediately started laughing.
Tony looked toward him.
"Shut up."
Mantis continued holding Tony's hand.
"You are curious about my antennae."
Tony paused.
"Yes."
"You want to scan them."
Tony glanced at Peter.
Peter was losing it.
Tony looked back at Mantis.
"Scientifically."
"You are also wondering whether they detect electromagnetic radiation."
Tony's eyes widened.
"They do?"
Mantis smiled.
"Yes."
Tony leaned closer.
"What's the sensitivity range?"
Peter stepped between them.
"No."
Tony frowned.
"What?"
"You don't get to experiment on my sister five minutes after meeting her."
"I asked a question."
"You were already designing a scanner."
Tony looked offended.
"I design quickly."
Mantis looked at Tony.
"You are irritated that Peter stopped you."
Tony nodded.
"Yes."
"You are also extremely excited."
"Yes."
"And underneath that, you are worried you might accidentally offend me."
Tony stopped.
Peter's laughter became louder.
Mantis smiled warmly.
"You have not."
Tony stared.
Then looked at Peter.
"This is horrifying."
Peter pointed at Mantis.
"WELCOME TO MY LIFE."
Gamora approached.
Mantis's expression immediately brightened.
"Gamora!"
Gamora smiled.
A real one.
Small, but real.
"Mantis."
They embraced.
Peter looked surprised.
"You two know each other?"
Gamora pulled away.
"Spartax receives visitors from many worlds."
Mantis nodded.
"I like Gamora."
Gamora looked almost embarrassed.
Mantis continued.
"She pretends not to like people."
Gamora's smile vanished.
"Mantis."
"But she does."
"Mantis."
"She likes Peter very much."
Silence.
Peter froze.
Gamora froze.
Tony's eyebrows shot upward.
Rocket made a choking sound.
Mantis looked around.
"What?"
Peter's face was turning red.
Gamora looked like she was calculating whether diplomatic immunity covered murder.
Mantis's antennae moved.
"Oh."
She looked at Peter.
"You are extremely embarrassed."
Peter covered his face.
"Please stop."
Then Mantis looked toward Gamora.
"You are also embarrassed."
Gamora's eyes narrowed.
"Mantis."
"And angry."
Mantis paused.
"Mostly embarrassed."
Peter whispered, "I want to go home."
Tony put a hand on his shoulder.
"No."
Peter looked at him.
Tony smiled.
"This is the greatest morning of my life."
The Embassy
Nezu eventually rescued international relations.
"Princess Victoria, welcome to U.A."
Mantis turned toward him.
"You are Principal Nezu."
"I am."
She studied him.
Her antennae twitched.
Nezu smiled.
Mantis tilted her head.
"You are difficult to read."
Nezu's smile widened.
"How interesting."
Fury immediately muttered, "Don't encourage him."
Mantis looked toward Fury.
She stared.
Her expression changed.
Fury noticed.
"What?"
Mantis took one step backward.
"You are suspicious of everyone."
Fury shrugged.
"Good instincts."
"No."
She frowned.
"I mean everyone."
Tony laughed.
Fury glared.
Mantis continued.
"You are suspicious of me."
"Yes."
"Peter."
"Yes."
"Tony."
"Especially."
Tony looked offended.
"Rude."
"Thor."
"Yes."
Thor frowned.
"I have given you no cause for suspicion."
"You carry a magical hammer into school."
Thor considered.
"Fair."
Mantis pointed toward Nezu.
"You are even suspicious of him."
Fury stared at her.
Mantis smiled.
"You must be very tired."
Nobody spoke.
Peter whispered, "She does that."
Fury slowly looked toward Peter.
"I noticed."
The meeting moved inside.
A holographic image of J'son appeared above U.A.'s conference table.
Peter sat on one side.
Mantis beside him.
Nezu and Fury opposite.
Tony had somehow obtained a chair despite having absolutely no diplomatic reason to be present.
Pepper sat beside him because someone needed to prevent him from negotiating ownership of alien technology.
Thor represented Asgard informally.
J'son began.
"Earth has become increasingly important within interstellar affairs."
Tony leaned toward Pepper.
"Translation: we're interesting now."
Pepper whispered, "Quiet."
J'son continued.
"Spartax therefore intends to establish a formal embassy in Japan."
Nezu nodded.
"U.A. would be pleased to assist with integration."
Peter raised his hand.
"I object to the word integration."
Mantis looked at him.
"You live here."
"Exactly. I'm already integrated."
"You still refer to yen as space dollars."
"That happened once."
"Four times."
Tony laughed.
Peter glared.
J'son continued as though this was normal.
"My daughter will serve as the primary royal diplomatic representative."
Mantis nodded.
"Understood."
"And Peter will serve alongside her."
Peter slowly raised his head.
"Define alongside."
"Co-representative."
"No."
J'son sighed.
"Peter."
"I'm a student."
"So is your sister."
Peter turned.
Mantis smiled.
"I am joining U.A.'s exchange program."
Peter stared.
"You're what?"
Mantis's smile widened.
"We will attend school together."
Peter slowly looked toward his father.
"You planned this."
"Yes."
"Mom knew."
"Yes."
"Yondu knew."
A pause.
"Yes."
Peter stood.
"EVERYBODY KNEW EXCEPT ME?"
Rocket raised his hand from the back.
"I knew."
Peter pointed.
"WHY ARE YOU EVEN IN THIS MEETING?"
"Free snacks."
Groot lifted a small sandwich.
"I am Groot."
Rocket nodded.
"Exactly."
Peter dropped back into his chair.
"This family sucks."
Mantis touched his arm.
Peter immediately pulled away.
"No emotion cheating."
"I was going to comfort you."
"I know."
"You secretly like that I am staying."
Peter stared straight ahead.
Mantis smiled.
"You are happy."
Peter sighed.
"Maybe."
She hugged his arm.
Peter tolerated it for approximately three seconds.
Then leaned slightly toward her.
Tony noticed.
So did Pepper.
Neither said anything.
Then J'son revealed the embassy site.
A holographic map of Tokyo appeared.
Tony leaned forward.
Mantis examined the proposed grounds.
Peter frowned.
"That's enormous."
"It must accommodate terrestrial and extraterrestrial visitors."
Tony was already thinking.
"Landing facilities?"
"Yes."
"Atmospheric containment?"
"Yes."
"Variable gravity rooms?"
J'son looked toward him.
"Yes."
Tony sat forward.
"Multi-species environmental systems?"
"Yes."
"Independent power?"
"Yes."
Tony smiled.
Peter immediately saw disaster coming.
"No."
Tony looked toward him.
"What?"
Peter pointed at his father.
"Do not let Stark build the embassy."
J'son considered.
Tony's eyes widened.
"Hold on."
Mantis looked toward Tony.
"You desperately want to build it."
"Correct."
"You are already designing it."
"Correct."
"You believe Earth's current diplomatic architecture is boring."
Tony paused.
"Deeply."
Mantis turned toward J'son.
"I like him."
Peter threw his hands up.
"Of course you do!"
Tony stood.
"Stark Industries can build the terrestrial infrastructure."
Peter groaned.
Tony continued.
"Spartax handles extraterrestrial systems."
J'son considered.
"Joint engineering."
Tony pointed.
"Exactly."
Mantis smiled.
"Cooperation between worlds."
Tony nodded.
"Also I get to study your power systems."
Pepper closed her eyes.
"There it is."
J'son actually smiled.
"You are very much Howard's son."
Tony grinned.
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"It was not entirely intended as one."
"Still taking it."
Brother and Sister
After the meeting, Peter found Mantis standing on one of U.A.'s balconies.
Tokyo stretched below them.
Her antennae moved gently in the breeze.
Peter leaned against the railing.
"So."
Mantis looked toward him.
"So."
"You're staying."
"Yes."
"How long?"
She smiled.
"Father said indefinitely."
Peter groaned.
Mantis laughed.
He looked at her.
"You're enjoying this."
"Very much."
Peter shook his head.
Then his expression softened.
"How's Lua?"
Mantis smiled.
"Mother is well."
"Good."
"And Meredith?"
Peter immediately smiled.
"Mom's good."
Mantis felt it.
Of course she did.
The warmth.
The love.
Peter's entire emotional state changed whenever Meredith came up.
Mantis looked toward him.
"You love her enormously."
Peter looked out over the city.
"She's Mom."
That was explanation enough.
Mantis leaned against the railing beside him.
"Father misses her."
Peter snorted.
"He can visit."
"He does."
"Exactly."
Mantis smiled.
Then Peter looked at her.
"You okay?"
She blinked.
"Yes."
"Really?"
Mantis tilted her head.
"You cannot sense emotions."
"No."
Peter nudged her shoulder.
"But you're my sister."
Mantis stared at him.
Peter immediately regretted saying something sincere.
"Don't make it weird."
Mantis's eyes softened.
"You missed me."
Peter groaned.
"There it is."
"You did."
"Mantis."
"You are happy I am here."
Peter walked away.
She followed.
"You are very happy."
"Stop."
"Extremely happy."
"Mantis."
"Your emotional state is practically glowing."
Peter turned.
"I WILL THROW YOU OFF THIS BALCONY."
Mantis smiled brightly.
"You would fly down and catch me."
Peter opened his mouth.
Stopped.
She was right.
He hated that.
Mantis hugged him.
Peter sighed.
Then hugged her back.
"Yeah."
He smiled.
"I'm glad you're here."
Mantis rested her head against him.
"I know."
What Exactly Is Principal Nezu?
Later that afternoon, Mantis was back inside with Peter, Tony, Bruce, Gamora and several others when Nezu entered carrying his usual cup of tea.
"Princess Victoria," Nezu said pleasantly, "I trust U.A. has been satisfactory so far?"
Mantis smiled.
"Yes. Everyone is very interesting."
Peter groaned.
"That means she's been reading everybody's emotions."
"I do not read them," Mantis corrected. "I feel them."
"Somehow worse."
Nezu chuckled and lifted his cup.
Mantis watched him.
Her antennae shifted slightly.
Then shifted again.
Her expression became curious.
Nezu noticed immediately.
Tony noticed Mantis noticing.
Which meant Tony was now interested too.
Mantis slowly walked closer to Nezu.
"Principal?"
"Yes?"
She crouched slightly so they were closer to eye level.
"What species are you?"
The room went quiet.
Mantis tilted her head.
"Are you native to Earth, or are you from another planet?"
Peter covered his face.
"Oh, God."
Mantis looked back at him.
"What?"
"You can't just ask people what species they are."
Her brow furrowed.
"Why?"
Peter opened his mouth.
Then stopped.
He actually had no answer.
Mantis looked back at Nezu.
"I am half Celestial and half of my mother's species. Gamora is Zehoberei. Thor is Asgardian. Rocket is—"
"Handsome," Rocket supplied.
Mantis stared at him.
Rocket shrugged.
"Worth a shot."
"I cannot identify Principal Nezu's species," Mantis continued. "I was curious."
Nezu didn't look offended in the slightest.
If anything, he seemed delighted.
"A perfectly reasonable question."
Tony immediately pulled up a chair.
Peter pointed at him.
"No."
"I haven't done anything."
"You're about to."
"That's profiling."
"That's knowing you."
Nezu took another sip of tea.
"To answer your question, Princess, yes. I am entirely native to Earth."
Mantis's antennae twitched.
"Oh."
She looked genuinely surprised.
Nezu smiled.
"My ancestry is somewhat complicated."
"How complicated?"
"Very."
Now Bruce was listening.
Nezu gestured toward himself.
"My biological ancestry contains characteristics associated with several terrestrial mammals. Rodent traits—particularly those resembling mice or rats—are perhaps the most immediately apparent. There are also characteristics resembling canines and bears."
Mantis stared.
"A mouse, a dog and a bear?"
"Approximately."
Rocket burst out laughing.
"What the hell happened on this planet?"
Tony pointed at Rocket.
"Coming from the genetically modified talking raccoon."
"I ain't a raccoon."
"You look exactly like a raccoon."
"I will shoot you."
"See? Raccoon."
"Tony," Pepper warned.
"Stopping."
Mantis remained focused on Nezu.
"So your parents were different species?"
"Not precisely."
That caught Bruce's attention.
Nezu placed his tea on the table.
"My present biology is largely the consequence of my Quirk."
Mantis blinked.
"Your power changed your species?"
Nezu's smile widened.
"That depends upon how strictly one defines species."
Tony's eyes lit up.
"Oh, I like where this is going."
Peter sighed.
"Of course you do."
Nezu continued.
"My Quirk is called High Spec. It is classified as a Mutant-type Quirk. Its defining characteristic is extraordinary intelligence."
Mantis nodded slowly.
"How intelligent?"
Tony answered before Nezu could.
"Scary intelligent."
Nezu looked amused.
"Thank you, Mr. Stark."
"Compliment."
"I assumed so."
Bruce leaned forward.
"So High Spec didn't just increase neural processing."
"No," Nezu said. "The mutation affected my development extensively."
Tony was already pulling up a holographic biological model.
Now Peter actually stood.
"Tony."
"What?"
"Did you already have Nezu's genome?"
Silence.
Tony looked at Nezu.
Nezu calmly drank his tea.
Peter's eyes narrowed.
"Why does Tony have your genome?"
Nezu smiled.
"I gave him permission."
Peter dropped back into his chair.
"Of course you did."
Tony expanded the model.
"Here's the fun part."
Mantis came closer.
Tony indicated the brain and nervous system.
"High Spec isn't something sitting on top of Nezu's normal biology. It's developmental. His Quirk factor changed how his entire body developed."
Mantis studied the projection.
Tony continued.
"Everybody looks at him and goes, 'super-intelligent mouse.'"
Nezu raised one finger.
"Occasionally dog."
"Or bear," Bruce added.
Tony nodded.
"But scientifically, that's backwards."
Mantis looked at him.
"What is he, then?"
Tony smiled.
"His own thing."
Nezu's ears perked slightly.
Tony enlarged the genetic model.
"He's not a mouse who happens to have a super-intelligence power. High Spec rewrote enough of his developmental biology that trying to shove him back into mouse, dog or bear is basically pointless."
Bruce nodded.
"Those characteristics are ancestral markers."
"Exactly."
Tony pointed toward Nezu.
"The humanoid hands, upright posture, vocal anatomy, brain development, fine motor control—those aren't six different powers."
"They're consequences," Mantis said.
Tony pointed at her.
"Exactly."
Nezu smiled.
"My Quirk produced the biological structures necessary to support the intelligence it created."
Mantis's antennae rose.
"So you began from an ordinary Earth animal lineage."
"Correct."
"And High Spec produced a new sapient biological form."
"Essentially."
She stared at him for several seconds.
Then smiled brightly.
"That is wonderful."
Nezu paused.
"Wonderful?"
"You are a new kind of Earth person."
That actually silenced Tony for a moment.
Nezu's expression softened.
Mantis looked fascinated rather than confused.
"On Spartax, we have encountered species that developed naturally, species altered through technology, species created through genetic engineering and species changed through cosmic forces. Earth apparently produces new sapient forms through Quirks."
Bruce leaned back.
"She's actually got a point."
Tony's expression changed.
Peter recognized that look.
"No."
Tony ignored him.
"If Mutant-type Quirks can cause enough accumulated developmental divergence—"
"No."
"—then technically Earth's definition of human is going to become increasingly inadequate."
"Tony."
Bruce was already following him.
"Especially if two people with strongly divergent heteromorphic Quirks have children."
"Exactly!"
Tony spun the hologram around.
"Give that process enough generations and you're not talking about cosmetic mutation anymore. You're potentially watching speciation happen in real time."
Nezu smiled.
"One of the more interesting questions surrounding Quirk evolution."
Peter stared around the room.
"I miss five minutes ago when my sister was just insulting my emotions."
"I was not insulting them."
"Thank you, Mantis."
"You are frustrated."
"Mantis."
"And hungry."
Peter paused.
"Okay, that one's fair."
Mantis returned her attention to Nezu.
"But what is the name of your species?"
Nezu stopped.
His ears moved slightly.
"That is where matters become difficult."
"You do not have one?"
"Not officially."
Mantis looked genuinely bothered by this.
"But everything needs a name."
Tony immediately pointed toward her.
"I like her."
"You liked her when she let you scan her antennae," Pepper said.
"That helped."
Mantis thought carefully.
"So you are native to Earth."
"Yes."
"You are descended from Earth mammals."
"Correct."
"Your Quirk produced a new sapient form."
"Essentially."
"And there are no others exactly like you?"
"None of whom I am presently aware."
Mantis looked almost offended on Nezu's behalf.
"Then you should name yourself."
Nezu chuckled.
"A species consisting of one individual presents certain taxonomic complications."
Mantis shrugged.
"You still exist."
Nezu paused.
That answer seemed to catch him.
Mantis smiled.
"You do not need more members of your species before you are allowed to have a name."
The room became quieter.
Nezu studied her.
Then his familiar smile returned.
"Well."
He lifted his tea.
"Perhaps you'd like to help me choose one."
Mantis's antennae shot upright.
Peter immediately saw what he'd done.
"Oh, no."
She sat beside Nezu.
"Yes."
"Mantis—"
"I would very much like to do this."
Nezu pulled over a tablet.
"Excellent."
Peter looked at Tony.
Tony was grinning.
"Don't."
"I didn't say anything."
"You're going to help."
"Obviously."
Bruce moved his chair over.
"So am I."
Peter looked toward Gamora.
"Please tell me you're normal."
Gamora stared at him.
"I was raised by Thanos."
Peter winced.
"Right. Stupid question."
Nobody noticed Mantis go completely still.
Only for a fraction of a second.
Her antennae lowered.
Her eyes flicked toward Gamora.
Fear.
Anger.
Pain.
So much pain buried beneath control.
Gamora immediately looked away.
Mantis said nothing.
She didn't touch her.
Didn't expose what she'd felt.
She simply filed it away.
Peter hadn't noticed.
Tony hadn't noticed.
Fury, standing near the doorway, noticed Mantis's reaction—but couldn't know why.
Gamora's secret remained hers.
For now.
Nezu tapped the tablet.
"Now then. Taxonomy."
Mantis immediately brightened again.
"Something dignified."
Tony nodded.
"Something cool."
Bruce added, "Something scientifically defensible."
Rocket jumped onto the table.
"Something with 'death' in it."
"No," everyone said.
Groot raised his hand.
"I am Groot."
Nezu considered this solemnly.
"A compelling suggestion."
Rocket stared.
"You understood that?"
Nezu smiled over his tea.
"No."
Groot nodded approvingly.
Peter slowly stood.
"I am going to lunch."
Mantis glanced toward him.
"You would like me to come."
Peter stopped at the door.
"No, I wouldn't."
Her antennae twitched.
Peter sighed.
"Fine. Come on."
Mantis smiled, hopped down from her chair and followed him.
Nezu watched the two siblings disappear down the corridor.
Then Tony leaned toward him.
"So."
Nezu looked up.
"Nezu sapiens?"
Nezu stared.
Bruce stared.
Pepper stared.
Tony shrugged.
"What? We're brainstorming."
From halfway down the corridor came Peter's voice.
"THAT'S TERRIBLE, STARK!"
Tony frowned.
"How the hell did he hear that?"
Mantis's distant laughter answered him.
Tony slowly smiled.
"I really like having aliens at this school."
Victoria or Mantis?
Tony caught up with Peter and Mantis halfway down the corridor.
Peter noticed him first.
"Oh no."
Tony frowned.
"What?"
"You've got another question."
Mantis turned.
Her antennae lifted slightly.
Tony pointed at her.
"Yeah, actually."
Peter groaned.
"Of course."
Tony fell into step beside them.
"Why does everybody call you Mantis if that's not actually your name?"
Mantis blinked.
Then smiled.
"My name is Victoria."
Tony nodded.
"Right. Princess Victoria of Spartax."
Peter muttered, "Don't encourage the title."
Tony ignored him.
"But everyone calls you Mantis."
"Yes."
"Why?"
Mantis looked ahead for a moment.
"My mother's people traditionally receive a personal name and, later, a descriptive name based upon some characteristic that becomes important as they grow."
Tony's interest sharpened.
"So Mantis is from your mother's culture."
"Yes."
Peter looked toward her.
"I actually never knew that."
Mantis turned.
"You never asked."
Peter opened his mouth.
Closed it.
"Fair."
Mantis continued.
"When I was very young, my antennae developed earlier and more prominently than expected."
She touched one gently.
"I was also very still when observing people."
Tony smiled.
"Like a praying mantis."
Mantis nodded.
"One of Father's Earth scholars made the comparison."
Peter frowned.
"Wait. Dad's people named you after an Earth bug?"
"Not exactly."
Mantis smiled.
"Mother thought the word was beautiful."
Peter stared.
"She heard mantis and went, 'Yes, princess name'?"
Mantis shrugged.
"She liked the sound."
Tony nodded thoughtfully.
"Honestly? I get it."
Peter looked at him.
"Of course you do."
Tony continued.
"So Victoria is your royal name."
"Yes."
"Mantis is your chosen name."
Mantis's expression softened.
"Yes."
That distinction mattered.
Tony caught it.
"Which one do you actually prefer?"
"Mantis."
No hesitation.
Peter smiled faintly.
Tony nodded.
"Then Mantis."
She smiled brightly.
"Thank you."
Tony shrugged.
"I'm occasionally respectful."
Peter looked at him.
"Don't oversell yourself."
Tony ignored him.
Mantis continued.
"Victoria is the name used for formal ceremonies, diplomatic records and when Father is being extremely serious."
Peter immediately laughed.
"Oh, that's true."
Tony looked between them.
"What does he call you when you're in trouble?"
Mantis sighed.
"Victoria."
Peter grinned.
"Full royal voice too."
Mantis straightened dramatically and lowered her voice.
"Victoria of Spartax, daughter of J'son—"
Peter pointed.
"Exactly!"
Tony laughed.
Mantis relaxed again.
"My mother calls me Mantis."
Peter's smile softened.
"So do I."
Mantis looked at him.
Peter immediately became uncomfortable.
"Don't."
Her antennae moved.
"You love my name."
"Mantis."
"You think it suits me."
"Mantis."
"You are becoming embarrassed."
Peter looked toward Tony.
"See?"
Tony smiled.
"I understand why you complained now."
Mantis turned toward Tony.
"And your name?"
Tony blinked.
"What about it?"
"Anthony."
Tony's face changed immediately.
Peter saw it.
Oh, this was going to be good.
Mantis smiled innocently.
"Your legal name is Anthony Edward Stark."
Tony pointed at her.
"No."
Peter started laughing.
Mantis tilted her head.
"But everyone calls you Tony."
"Correct."
"So Tony is your chosen name."
Tony paused.
"Basically."
Mantis nodded as though she'd just proven a scientific theorem.
"Then you understand."
Tony stopped walking.
Peter stopped too.
Mantis turned back.
Tony stared at her.
Then slowly nodded.
"Okay."
Peter grinned.
"She got you."
"No, she didn't."
"She absolutely did."
Tony pointed at Mantis.
"You used emotional logic against me."
Mantis looked confused.
"I used ordinary logic."
Peter laughed harder.
Tony sighed.
"Terrifying woman."
Mantis smiled.
"Thank you."
"That wasn't—"
Tony stopped.
Then smiled.
"Actually, yeah. That was a compliment."
They continued toward the cafeteria.
Tony walked quietly for almost ten seconds.
Peter looked over.
"That might be a record."
Tony ignored him.
Then—
"So does your mother's species actually resemble mantises, or—"
Peter threw his hands up.
"THERE IT IS."
Mantis laughed.
"My mother's species is humanoid."
Tony's eyes lit up again.
Peter groaned.
"Why did I introduce you two?"
"You didn't," Tony said. "Her spaceship did."
"That somehow makes it worse."
Mantis looked between them, smiling.
For someone who could feel the emotions of almost everyone around her, Earth was overwhelmingly loud.
Confusing.
Chaotic.
Strange.
But walking through U.A. beside her brother while Tony Stark interrogated her about alien biology and Peter complained about every second of it—
she felt something wonderfully simple.
She felt at home.
And Peter, despite every complaint, felt exactly the same way.
His sister was staying.
Spartax was coming to Earth.
An embassy was about to be built.
And Tony Stark had just gained access to an entirely new civilization's technology.
Peter suddenly stopped walking.
Mantis nearly walked into him.
"What?"
Peter slowly turned toward Tony.
"Wait."
Tony raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
"You're helping build the embassy."
"Correct."
"With Spartax technology."
"Correct."
"And my father gave you permission."
"Correct."
Peter stared at him.
Tony smiled.
Peter looked at Mantis.
Then back at Tony.
"Oh, we are so screwed."
Tony put on his sunglasses.
"Wrong."
He grinned.
"You're getting an upgrade."
Peter closed his eyes.
"Dad is going to regret this."
Mantis's antennae twitched.
She smiled.
"You are excited."
Peter opened his eyes.
"Mantis."
"You are."
"Mantis."
"You want to see what Tony builds."
"MANTIS."
Tony laughed all the way to lunch.
And somewhere several light-years away, J'son—ancient Celestial, King of Spartax, father of two increasingly troublesome children—received his first preliminary Stark Industries proposal for the Spartax Embassy of Earth.
He opened the file.
He stared at the projected design.
Then at the proposed joint Stark-Spartax research laboratory.
Then at Tony Stark's attached seventeen-page list of questions about Celestial and Spartax technology.
J'son slowly leaned back on his throne.
Perhaps Meredith had been right.
Letting Peter attend U.A. was going to cause problems.
The King of Spartax sighed.
"Yondu."
A blue-skinned Ravager appeared on the communication screen.
"Yeah?"
"Keep a closer eye on my son."
Yondu grinned.
"Which one?"
J'son frowned.
"I only have one son."
Yondu looked at the Stark Industries logo on the embassy proposal.
"Give it a couple months. Stark might as well be another one."
J'son stared at him.
Yondu laughed and terminated the call.
The ancient Celestial King sat silently.
Then looked once more at Tony Stark's proposal.
He sighed.
Earth was going to be exhausting.