I landed on the roof of my dad's building. I yawned as I dismounted. It had been a good day. There were no unexpected accidents or any world-ending events. I said goodnight to Sonic and went down the stairs to my family's level. Once I arrived I hung up my satchel and put my spear back in its spot.
I practically skipped to my room. I brushed my fingers along the wall on the way. A technique I use to map out a new space. Just before I got to my room I stopped abruptly. Something new was on the wall. A small piece of paper taped to the wall and there was braille on it. I carefully read the message.
This is for Joy.
I ran my fingers down the wall and to the small table underneath. There was a slim box a lot like a shoebox. There's a letter on it. I took the note off the wall and I picked up the box. I quickly made sure no one was in the hallway and I slipped into my room, closing the door. I set the note and the box carefully down on my desk. I sat down and opened the letter.
Dear Joy,
I would like to thank you for what you did in Sokovia. It really helped. This isn't just a thank you note though, it's an invitation. The team decided that you are a potential member of the Avengers Initiative. We would love it if you could join us at our new compound upstate. You won't be a member at first, you would be a recruit. I know you set up something with Fury regarding your identity. I assure you your recruitment will not be made public. You do not have to join if you don't want to. You also won't be the only recruit, others will be training alongside you. It would be lovely if you could give us an answer by the end of the week. If you do accept we will send you a date, time, and location. If there's anything you need please say so. Thank you again
Captain Rogers and the Avengers.
My mind went blank for a good two minutes. Then a tidal wave of thoughts came flooding in.
They want me to join them? Me. A small blind thirteen-year-old. Is this a joke? It couldn't be that it's too formal. They're serious. They want me. I decided not to dwell on the answer for now. I then carefully opened the box. Taped to the inside of the lid was another note.
I saw the damage the fight did to your suit and I couldn't resist making an upgrade.
T.S
"T. S?" I said to myself. "Oh! Mr. Stark!"
I then looked inside the box.
Fabric.
I took it out of the box. It was soft but had a sturdiness too. I laid it out on my bed. A shirt with a hood and a skirt attached.
I gasped.
He made my suit. I flipped it over. It had a way better holster for my spear.
I giggled.
I carefully folded it and put it in the box along with the letters. I ran out of my room and grabbed my spear. I didn't even bother getting my bag.
I busted into Chirons office.
"Whoa!" He exclaimed," What's the matter?"
I held out the letter from the Avengers.
"You know I can't read braille."
I read the letter to him.
"Sit down we have a lot to talk about."
Captain America was currently pacing around Avengers Tower.
"Did she get the letter? What if I spelled something wrong. What will happen if she doesn't join? Who is she really? What if she didn't get the letter? Should we send another letter?"
"Geeze Steve," Natasha said, from a couch nearby. "She got the letter and is probably thinking about her answer."
"What if she didn't?!"
"I do believe you're overreacting Captain." Vision stated without looking up from his book.
"I guess you're right." he sighed as he sat down.
Steve watched as the rest of the Avengers filtered into the room. The Avengers besides Wanda seemed so content with everything even though the move to the base upstate was looming closer. Tony was making upgrades to everyone's suits and monitoring the new base. Thor was planning his route to find more Infinity Stones. Clint was spending more time with his family. Natasha was fine as far as he could tell. Vision was trying to learn about the world around him and Wanda was still grieving for the loss of her brother. That left him to make lesson plans for the new Avengers and recruits. He was glad that Sam and Rhodey had agreed to join. It was going to be nice having them around.
He thought about going for a run to clear his mind but before he could get up there was a loud crack. The Avengers all sprung to their feet and took defensive positions. Nothing was there.
Then a ball of fire manifested above the coffee table. The flames drew back to reveal a bird. The bird was a gleaming dark grey. Its feathers turned yellow, red, and orange at the tips like it was on fire. It didn't seem to mind all of the Avengers with their various weapons or powers ready. The bird landed on the coffee table and dropped a letter. Steve gestured for everyone to lower their weapons and they all stared at the bird. The bird stared back.
"That's a Phoenix." Thor announced" A firebird."
"That makes sense," Natasha stated.
"There's a letter, who's going to read it?" Clint asked.
Steve picked up the letter and opened it being careful not to break the intricate seal.
'It's for us." He informed
"Well read it!" Tony said.
He cleared his throat and began to read.
Dear, Avengers,
I have considered your offer and would gladly accept it. This is an opportunity that I wouldn't miss. As for anything that would help, I know it's a law to have braille so I'm fine on that front. I might need a day or two to find my way around. You said in your letter that you would give me a time, date, and location. So you don't have to break into my house again Phoenix here will gladly take it for you. I also would like to thank Mr. Stark. I look forward to meeting you again under more pleasant circumstances.
Thank you,
Joy.
"There's your answer Cap." Natasha chirped.
"So we give our answer to the bird, seems a little medieval to me" Clint noted.
"It's a phoenix though." Tony said, "Isn't that a mythical bird."
"Stark is right," Thor explained.
"Well, she had other mythical animals with her," Wanda recalled.
"That terra-quest thing."
"Yep."
"We should get an answer to her quickly then," Steve suggested as he went to find a pen and paper.
As he did that Clint walked up and looked at the letter.
"Holy Cow!" He exclaimed," Come guys look at this seal."
They crowded around him to look at the very intricate seal of a house.
"What's the paper made of?" Natasha asked.
"I don't know," He answered as he flipped open the letter."The handwriting is amazing though, my kids wouldn't be able to do that."
"That's because they're your kids Clint" Natasha teased.
He scoffed.
"I can run the paper, the seal, and the ink." Tony offered.''
"Why don't you."
The letter and its envelope were carefully passed to the hands of the inventor. He glanced at it and then proceeded to walk down to the labs.
A minute later Steve came back with the information in braille. He held it out to the bird who took it in its beak. Then the bird vanished in a burst of flame.
It was an hour later when Tony called all of them down to the labs.
"Okay I ran ink and it's standard ballpoint." he explained." The paper is another story though, it's parchment paper."
"That's common though," Natasha said.
"But, this is made as they would have in the sixth century."
There was a moment of silence.
"So this girl somehow got really old paper," Clint suggested.
"It's not that old actually, I checked to see if anyone made it this way, nope."
"So how did she get it?" Wanda asked.
Tony shrugged.
"The seal is also a mystery," He said as he pulled up a magnified picture."There's a longhouse, a tree, sun, and moon.''
"That looks a lot like a warehouse to me.' Natasha noticed.
"The writing is interesting, I must say." he continued" I couldn't find any matches, not even any created languages."
There was another stunned silence.
"It's possible she created her own language." Vision said.
"Yeah, but she's blind." Clint explained," That would be difficult."
"It's not impossible though."
"It's either a created language or this girl knows a language no one knows about."
Today was the day. Thee day. A very stressful and exciting day. I didn't need to be there until 1:00 so I had some chores to do. I did everything as well as I could with the time and my anxiousness. I gave the Chimera his breakfast,I made sure the guests were happy, cleaned up a bit, and helped Erba plant new bushes. Time flew by faster than I expected. I knew what time I would have to leave so I could get there just three minutes before 1. Not too early and not too late. I was just about to say goodbye to everyone when Willow, Acorn, and Fern came up to me.
"We made you something," Willow said softly.
I was given a long piece of leather with two small bags attached.
"It's a utility belt!" Acorn explained.
"So you don't have to carry your satchel everywhere!" Fern added.
"Thanks, guys! It'll come in handy."
"Have fun and don't forget to tell us everything when you get back!" Acorn yelled as I walked up the stairs to the roof.
Thirty minutes and ten internal arguments with myself later, we were coming up to my destination. I was wary when we dropped below the clouds.
Is something going to try and shoot us down? I thought as we sailed toward the ground. Luckily nothing did and we landed without any problems.
I slid off and a wave of nauseating nervousness rolled over me. I turned to face the giant shadow that is the brand new Avengers facility.