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I'm back! Soooo like always I don't own marvel I only own my OC Star Ray... enjoy
" Outstanding results, doctor," I could hear a man say in the distance, but I didn't know what they were talking about. I'm assuming it was about one of their precious test subjects. There were about 10 of us left, and as time went on more of us kept dying but I guess that's not important to them.
"Thank you, sir," was all the doctor responded with. I hope he dies one day just like the other children here. A horrible painful death.
"Compared to the others, how far is she?" The man asked. She? Who are they talking about? More importantly, who is speaking? I never have met the man the doctor speaks to so often. He's always careful and he makes sure that not one of us can see his face. I wonder who he could be.
"Subject 501 is by far the only successful female candidate we have. The other subjects have all turned out as failures."
I felt a chill as the doctor said subject 501. That was me. He claims I'm a success, but I don't even feel human anymore. I feel broken, and ugly inside. It takes everything within me to fight each day just to live. I don't wanna die, but I don't want to go back to that table again.
"Doesn't she have a younger sister we can use? Perhaps we can duplicate the results with the younger one, and who knows, she may be stronger than 501."
No! That wasn't part of the deal that I made with the doctor. We agreed that if I allowed myself to be experimented on, that he wouldn't hurt her. This isn't what he promised me!
"If only sir," The doctor said dejectedly. "We ran some tests first to find out if the younger one had anything similar to the elder, but alas it wasn't meant to be. The younger one isn't even her sister. Well... not fully, that is. They're only half-sisters, and we suspect that whatever gave the elder one the perfect genetic code to fully integrate with the radiation lies within the father's genetics, not the mother."
"Ah, so it would be a waste to try it on the girl." The man said a bit disappointed, but he quickly recovered. "Very well then doctor, I'll check in with you soon."
"Of course, sir," The doctor replied.
"Do you ever wonder what you are?" I asked out of the blue.
"I'm sorry, but what?" Steve asked with a confused expression on his face. We were currently walking through the park in D.C. since I had some free time, and Steve didn't have any missions. We usually hang out together when we have free time ever since I promised to help Steve catch up with the current times. We were doing pretty good with catching him up, but every now and then we both wanted to relax and go for a walk, which is why we're here now.
"Let me rephrase that. Do you ever wonder how much you've changed since being experimented on?" I asked the blond as we continued to walk.
"I did in the beginning when I was first given the serum, but I haven't thought about it in some time," the Captain explained. "Why do you ask?"
"I've been thinking about who I am lately. And before you say something, allow me to explain what I mean." I told the older man when I noticed he was about to speak. "When I was a kid, my parents died, and my sister and I were sent to an orphanage. After a year or so, a couple adopted us under the pretense of wanting children. Those are the people who experimented on me and created this," I told him, motioning to myself.
"I don't know what or who I am. When I was there, I was merely subject 501, and my goal was to survive. When I escaped, I tried to bury it all in the past and move on with my life. Now I realize I can't actually do that. The past never stays in the past, and in order to do my job correctly, I need to know what I am. But the problem is I don't know how to do that. Because every time I try to figure out what I am I ... change."
"You change?"
"What I mean is that my powers get more... well... powerful, and I feel less human."
"But isn't that to be expected?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, you said that you got these powers when you were a child, right?"
"What's your point?"
"Well, you're still growing as a person, just like any other human being, and females don't stop growing until the age of 21," Steve pointed out. "That's why you feel that your powers keep changing. Because you yourself are still changing."
"I guess that's true," I said reluctantly.
After that, we walked in silence for a while more, enjoying our day off. It was nice being able to have someone to talk to about this. I often feel alone about these things, but ever since I started talking to Steve, I began to feel just a little less lonely. Clint even mentioned that my mood was improving too.
"You know if it's bothering you that much, you can talk to Dr. Banner about this."
"Banner?" I echoed as I was pulled out of my thoughts. I haven't seen that man in forever. I don't even know where he is right now. Doesn't he live outside the country towards the east? Plus, why would I speak to him? I say all of this out loud a moment later to Steve.
"Actually, last I heard he's still staying with Stark in his tower, and the reason I mention him is that I think he can help you. Although he specializes in Gamma radiation, I think he can still help you run some tests. Also, he's very discreet about his work, so I doubt he'll tell anyone what you two are working on."
"That's actually not a bad idea," I murmured to myself. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Steve shoot me a dirty look.
"You make it sound like I never have a good idea." I heard Steve mutter under his breath, and I couldn't help but laugh.
It took some time for me to gather up the courage to see Dr. Banner. The only reason why it took me so long was that I still don't like being around Doctors. They make me uncomfortable due to my past, but I reasoned that if I wanted my answers, then I would have to give Dr. Banner a try. That's why I'm here in front of Stark towers on one of my few days off. Hopefully, I can see the doctor and be on my way as soon as possible. I don't intend on staying long. New York is far too busy for my liking.
After another minute of debating, I finally entered the building. It's been a while since I've been here, but it seems like the tower has finally been fixed. The only thing I find odd about the place is that there's a giant A at the front of the building instead of the name Stark. Sure the man is an Avenger, but it's not like we conduct meetings here, so what's the point in having a giant A. I feel like it's for publicity, but I could be wrong. Still, that's beside the point. When I get to the receptionist, I can't help but fidget a little. I hate being in big buildings in general, and it doesn't help that I'm here to see the doctor. Plus this lady looks kind of mean, but then again who am I to judge someone based on their appearance.
"Can I help you?" She asked me in a deflated tone.
"Yes, can you tell Dr. Banner that Calliope Rodriguez is here to see him," I tell her in a polite voice.
"Do you have an appointment?'
"Um... no, I was-"
"No one can see the doctor without an appointment. You'll have to come back another day," the older woman told me. She said all of this without even looking at me. Whatever was on her computer must be fascinating.
"Well, can I leave a message?" I asked her, but this seemed to annoy her even further. Finally, she stopped looking at her computer to look at me. She took one look at me, and with a roll of her eyes and a click with her tongue, she deemed me unworthy. Look, I understand I'm not the most finely dressed woman on Earth, but I will not be disrespected simply because I prefer to wear converse and not heels. Yes, I understand a navy blue short sleeve shirt, sunglasses, and black pants are not what could be termed as proper dress attire in this building, but I don't care.
"Look, you need to make an appointment if you want to see the doctor. He's not taking any messages today. Have a nice day." and without giving me another look, she went back to her computer. Fine if she wanted to be rude, then I can be rude right back.
"Alright, listen here sweetie you're going to pick up your phone and tell Dr. Banner that I'm-" before I finish speaking, she cuts me off once again.
"Ma'am, if you don't leave now, I'll call security." she threatened me, and instead of responding, I smirked and removed my glasses. I allowed them to glow dangerously before going back to normal once again. Her face drained of all color as she realized who I was, and she let out a small gasp as I moved in closer.
"Go ahead, and in the meantime, tell Dr. Banner that Star Ray is here to speak to him," I tell her confidently.
"Of course, ma'am- Miss Star Ray," she said as she got busy making the call. With that done, I put my glasses back on and waited. There was no need for me to tell the whole world I was here after all. "Dr. Banner said you can come right up. If you need me to escort you there, I will-"
"There's no need for that I can bring her up there myself," I heard someone say behind me. When I turned around, it was to find Ms. Potts, the CEO of Stark Industries, there with a bodyguard beside her.
"Of course, Ms. Potts." the receptionist said quietly but politely. Although I could still hear the relief she felt in her voice.
"You can follow me, Miss Rodriguez," Ms. Potts told me with a warm smile as she led me to the elevators. Once inside she looked over at me with the same smile. "So, why do you need to speak to Bruce?"
"Um..." all the confidence I had earlier withered away, and now I was back to being my usual awkward self. What made matters worse is the bodyguard. I'm not afraid of the man. I'm just not sure he can be trusted, but it seems Ms. Potts was one step ahead of me.
"Don't worry, Happy here won't tell anyone anything, I can assure you that."
"Well... I need to talk to him about work-related things." I explained to her trying not to sound rude.
"The Avengers?"
"Not really..."
I'm sure she could tell how uncomfortable I was and thankfully she dropped the conversation. Once the elevator dinged, she began to escort me to the doctor. She explained to me that Dr. Banner could usually be found in his personal lab, and it only got worse when Stark came around. Apparently, the two had become great friends since the battle of New York.
"Well, here we are," Ms. Potts motioned to a metal door that had a hazard sign on it. "You'll find Bruce in there with Tony, and this is your temporary pin to get into the lab. Just punched that in, and Jarvis will allow you to enter."
"Right... thank you, Ms. Potts."
"You're welcome." and with that, she left with Happy in tow. Now here I was standing in front of a metal door all by myself again. Might as well change that. I punched the pin in and with a woosh the doors open to reveal a lab that held the notorious Science Bros.
At first, neither one of them noticed me as I walked in. Both of them were hunched over a device of some kind. They were discussing how the power source was not adequate, and they needed to change it. I don't know, it was very confusing just like their lab. The lab itself was a mess. Papers everywhere and mechanical parts everywhere else. A part of me wanted to clean it up for them but I heard that touching something that belonged to a genius was a big no-no.
Instead, I found myself sitting in the only seat available. As I waited for the right moment to call their attention over to me, I went over the best way to start the conversation. But, no matter how hard I tried to come up with something, it all came out wrong. It was either too forced or too easy going. In the end, I decided to be blunt and hope for the best.
"Dr. Banner, may I have a moment of your time... Please?" I asked. As soon as I spoke, both geniuses jumped nearly a foot into the air. I guess I was right in assuming that neither one of them heard me enter the room. Finally, as if a light bulb lit up over both of their heads, they recognized who I was. No point in wearing these sunglasses anymore.
"Sweetheart, that's right, they told us you were on your way up," said Stark with a smirk gracing his face.
"Yes, well, I have business with Dr. Banner, so if you don't mind, can you leave us alone for a moment?" I asked the older man. It was as if he knew that whatever was going to be discussed was no joke. Maybe it was my voice or my expression, but in the end, Stark knew it was time to leave.
"Sure, sweetheart, no problem." He said as he strutted his way across the lab. "Mi casa es su casa."
"Great, so that means you won't try to listen in, right?"
Stark froze as he walked past me, but I could see the smirk on his face widen from the corner of my eye. A moment later and he was strutting across the room again and out the lab door.
"So, why do you want to speak to me?" asked Dr. Banner. He stood there looking at me with a mixture of hesitance and curiosity. I don't blame him of course, given the fact that we hardly knew each, and I honestly felt the same way.
"Do you only specialize in Gamma radiation, or would you say that you have a good handle on all radiations," I asked him in return as I walked closer to him.
"I have a pretty good handle on all types of radiation, but I specialize with Gamma as you can see," he stated as he motioned to himself wryly. "Why do you ask?"
"Are you discreet, Doctor?" I asked as I stood in front of him.
"Yes... where is this going?
"I need some help, and I think you're just the man who can help me. The only thing is that nobody can know about this except us. If anyone were to find out, they would take advantage of it, and it can lead to something... disastrous."
"Nothing I haven't dealt with before... when do we start?"
I hope you guys liked the new chapter and the next one will be a follow up to this. Until next time!