/I am extremely proud to report that after almost a year, the writing for this story is complete. I am beyond excited for y'all to read these last two chapters. Thank you to those of you who have been reading since last summer, as well as to those of you who discovered me a couple days ago. The next chapter will be released very soon, so keep an eye out because you won't want to miss it. Please, please leave me a review on your predictions for how this adventure will end and your overall thoughts. For now, however, enjoy this chapter!
Tony Stark had outdone himself. As Naomi went on more outings, she discovered that the translations were just the tip of the electronic iceberg. Meet TADASHI: Naomi's own Karen or FRIDAY. The only difference? TADASHI could understand Naomi's signs and replied via text. The AI alerted her to surrounding sounds and made superhero-ing much less complicated. The biggest perk, in Naomi's opinion, was phone calls. As in she could communicate over the phone (audio only) with people. Not to mention the glasses Naomi found on her nightstand that appeared to contain the same programs as her suit. It was amazing.
"This is my favorite place to watch the sunset in the whole city." The rooftop was the best seat in the house for the colorful performance. The honking horns faded to distant echoes. The countless hours Peter and Naomi spent exploring and training in the city could never be topped by the sunsets at the end of each day.
Naomi tore her gaze from the sky. "Thank you again for showing me all of this stuff. It's beyond cool, and there's no way Tony would be as chill as he is about me coming on more missions without this practice."
"Are you kidding me? Thank you! That dash-swing-combo you came up with is going to blow the Avengers' minds!" The two laughed.
"Sokovia and my first mission feel like a lifetime ago. I never would've thought I could end up here. I mean, I have a superhero name! That's crazy, right?"
"Silent Streak," Peter said smiling. "I still think Wordless Whoosh is better." He still wouldn't give up trying to convince Naomi to go with the dorky name that Ned came up with.
"Whatever you say, Tarantula Teen-"
"Woah, woah, that is so messed up! It sounds like the off brand version of me found at a carnival."
"I can already see you taking pictures outside the Chinese Theater in L.A. with Copper Man and Eagle Ear."
"Next thing you know, my image will be complete with merch sold from that guy in Harlem on 123rd who sells those rip off Gucci bags."
Another fit of laughter tore through them, but abruptly ended when each received a notification regarding an urgent briefing at the compound.
"Well that's not a great sign," Peter nervously laughed. "We should probably hurry back. You go on ahead, I'll follow behind and be there soon."
"There isn't a light way to break this," Tony began, glancing at Steve. "We've detected some serious HYDRA activity in the area." Steve kept his stoic stance, but his jaw and fists clenched noticeably tighter.
"I thought HYDRA was over with. We learned about them in our world history textbooks. Hasn't it been, like, a hundred years?" When the bad guys fall, aren't they supposed to stay down?
When no one spoke up, Sam tentatively explained, "They were supposed to be...well, before the giant shitstorm of infiltration, backstabbing, and brainwashing. Cap's best friend unwillingly fought for them for eighty-something years. A couple rogue scientists have popped up over time, but there hasn't been anything catastrophic outside of, you know, the Winter Soldier and SHIELD stuff. So what's the drill this time?"
Resuming to the screen at the front of the room, Stark continued, "A base has been detected up the Hudson. It's located right next to the Tappan Zee Bridge, so I suspect they're planning a larger scale attack of some kind into the city. I mean, I hadn't even heard of White Plains. I've run it by FRIDAY and there's no major infrastructure there other than the river access."
Clint and Naomi briefly locked eyes, sharing the same worrying thought. That's right next to the New York School for the Deaf.
Steve spoke up for the first time. "That river has been polluted with industrial contaminants and commercial barge spillage since I was a kid." Even Tony bit his tongue to resist teasing the old man. "I've seen countless people get diagnosed with cancer and whatnot from the extensive use of that river. HYDRA's been around long enough; that must've given them the idea. Tony, has FRIDAY picked up on a timeframe for the attack?"
"Soon. Within the next couple days."
"We'll head out first thing in the morning. They'll do most of their work during the night so as to not be discovered. There should be less security tomorrow. Rest up. Be ready." With one last look and nod at Naomi, Steve retired to his room for the night.
One by one, the Avengers dispersed. Tony and Naomi were the last ones left, though neither acknowledged the other for several minutes.
"Tony," Naomi asked, not looking up from a spot on the table.
"Hey, kid."
She looked up and, with a slight shake of her hand, signed, "This isn't a light, low stakes mission, is it?"
Tony shook his head with a contemplating expression. "Welcome to the big leagues. Bad things happen if we lose."
"Does that scare you?"
This kid really made Tony speak the truth. Something about her lowered his guard. "Sometimes, when it's quiet before. When we get to it, and this is really important, the fear has to go to the back burner. Fear is good. Fear keeps you alert. You cannot, however, let fear be paralyzing. The speed and the fighting are great, but they're useless if you cannot think clearly in a high stakes situation. I think you are capable of that. That's why you're here, receiving this briefing. Dig into whatever memory, emotion, motivation it takes. That drive is probably the most diverse thing between this whole crew. No one can tell you what it is for you." Naomi looked up at him with wide eyes, and Tony laughed. "Wow, I am spending way too much time with Steve."
"You'll do great, Naomi. Go to bed," Tony signed before walking to the elevator. His bedroom was on the same floor they were on.
"You too." Tony Stark. Sleep? Ha. It was a nice sentiment, though.
Naomi stared up at the ceiling from her incredibly comfortable and heavenly mattress. The following depicts an attempt at conveying her train of thought:
High stress situation → past experiences? → peaceful/confident times → Bang → the halfway point → fly → FINISH
Is that it? Nerves live at the starting line- that will never change. That feeling of running fly and giving everything while blocking out everything else, that's what Tony had talked about. Losing is not an option. There is no fear of losing because we have to win.
