"We have 15 minutes left to spend in here. It's a demo room, which is sort of like museum. People come in here for inspiration sometimes but usually they come in to test how different pieces of tech work to see how it can be translated into whatever they're working on. We have a few of these rooms, and this one has predominantly files of information on biochemical enhancing, genetic rewriting, nano-analyzation, and each microscopic difference between all types of blood including that of a mutant, but there are a few models and working prototypes. You can look around and read through the files and notes and even touch the models," Dr. Smith announced. The students excitedly scuttled away, hands out and ready to touch. Ned was no exception, so Peter followed him over to a filing cabinet. It seemed out of place in the high tech building, but it also made sense for there to be paper notes. Each note was laminated and organized carefully. The boys rummaged through them, pulling out various ones that seemed the most interesting.
"Yooo! Look at this one, it's the notes from the original nanotech. We could use these as research for the science project," Ned said.
"I don't know Ned. If these aren't published then we might not be allowed to," Peter told him hesitantly.
"Oh. Yeah. We could ask Mr. Stark next time we're here," Ned suggested. Peter nodded in agreement, not tearing his eyes from some messy sketches of mutant genes. A voice behind suddenly started talking, startling them both as they never heard someone come up behind them.
"I am Natasha aka Natalia aka Black Widow here to show you how not to suck as a person." Peter stared at her in horrified silence.
"Well, actually, how to not fight like a dumbass but same thing."
"Natasha, I'm not sure if this is the best idea…" Amanda started but stopped under Nat's harsh gaze.
"I would like for everyone to get in a fighting position," she ordered the class. They all jumped into stance in fear of her raith. "You," she pointed to Carmen, "your whole body is facing me, giving me more to hit. You," she pointed to Talia, "what are you doing with your fists? How are you supposed to hit someone or dodge a strike in such an awkward position? Relax your body, feet shoulder width apart. Better. You," she turned to Flash. "I don't even know where to start. Your best bet in a fight is to run." Flash turned bright red and looked down. "Ned, have you been taking lessons with Peter?" Ned nodded. "I can tell, not bad. Peter, very nice. You, bend your knees, hands up farther," she said to Thomas.
"Ms. Romanoff, I really don't think-" Amanda Smith tried again.
"I was half their age when I learned. Now, d-"
"Nat!" Clint yelled, throwing open the door.
"Clint, I told you already; I'm not going to get you a dog and a hearing-ear service dog doesn't exist so don't pull that one on me again."
"Oh, kill me now," Peter told Ned.
"That's not why I'm here. Friday told me you were coming to embarrass Peter and then I found out you were going to teach them how to fight and then fight Pete so I had to come and stop you because you can't hurt him since I haven't pranked him yet."
"No. Please, no," Peter said.
"Oh, yes!" Clint replied.
"Oh, god." Peter put his head in his hands.
"Now about that dog-"
"No, Clint."
"Yes, Clint."
"No. That is the final decision."
"Sorry, I can't hear you I'm actually deaf ask my doctor Bruce Banner."
"He's not even a real doctor!"
"What was that?"
"Clint, you're being childish."
"Can- can you try to maybe act out what you're trying to say?"
"I will kick you, Hawkass."
"Guy nill gig loo? Sorry, what? Do you know sign language?" Nat grabbed him by the arm and stomped out, dragging him behind her.
"Are they always like that?" Carmen asked Peter.
"No, no. They're usually much worse. We'll be seeing more of them today, so you'll be able to see them in their natural habitat later; destroying lives."
"Why was he saying that stuff about, like, a hearing dog and being deaf and stuff?" Thomas wondered.
"He's deaf. He only talks about it when he's using it as a joke or to his advantage or something. He's got these little hearing aids that Tony made that go like in his ears or something so you can't see them. Around the compound, though, he usually uses regular ones. They're apparently way more comfortable."
"Yeah, sure, Parker. A deaf superhero, makes sense. Tiny hearing aids aren't real, that's not how it works. Such a liar."
"Who's a liar?" Pepper demanded, having just entered the room.
"Oh, uh, I mean…"
"What's that?"
"Uh… Peter. Peter Parker."
"Really? Because I've known him to be a lot of things but a liar isn't one of them."
"You know Peter?"
"I know all of the interns. I run the company, remember?"
"Y-yes. Ma'am."
"Now, what'd he lie about?"
"He- he."
"Peter. What's he talking about?" She turned her back to Flash and faced Peter.
"He says superheroes can't be deaf."
"Does he? And why's that?" She turned back to Flash.
"Because, ah, superheroes are, you know, superheroes and superheroes don't have, like, disabilities and stuff."
"I hope you realize how stupid you sound right now." With that, Pepper Potts turned on her high-heel and strutted out. She paused at the door and looked over her shoulder at Amanda Smith. "I'm sure you're on top of it, but three minutes left. You can head to the elevator now, they're a little backed up at the moment with the shift change." Then she was gone.
"Okay, kids, wrap it up. And please, don't be rude to anyone or I'll have to talk to you about it and no one wants that. Especially me," Dr. Smith told the students.
"This day is so much worse than I thought it'd be," Peter said to Ned.
"Yeah, it kind of sucks but at the same time it's awesome. Not really for you, but for me."
"Great. Glad one of us isn't hating life right now."
"Look on the bright side, at least you, or rather, the Avengers, have proved Flash wrong multiple times."
"Yeah, but that won't stop him." They returned they're files to the cabinet and trudged over to the door. As they left and headed back towards the elevator, Flash leaned over to them.
"You'll regret even waking up this morning by the end of the day."
"Really? Because you're the one who looks like a jackass today," Ned told him.
"Oh, you're going to be sorry."
"Hey!" Amanda called from ahead of them. "Please, stay with the group." They hurried up to rejoin them. Flash pushed ahead to the front of the pack. Ned and Peter were perfectly content staying back and away from him.
They waited for an elevator for a few full minutes because every time one arrived it was full of people, models, and machines. Finally, another class arrived and Peter's replaced it. They rode down to the ground floor before going back up to floor 5 and getting off. Ned and Peter guessed at the next Avenger they'd see the whole ride. The conclusion was Sam. How he wished he had been right.
"Welcome to floor five. This is the most private floor as well as the highest. Most rooms are restricted but there are numerous that aren't on the west side. The east sides of every floor get more and more restricted the farther you go. Floor five east wing, though, is the Avengers' personal living quarters. Floor four private east is personal labs, three is personal medical rooms, and two only has one private room which is rumored to be full of snacks. It's not verified, though.
"Anyway, we're starting in one of the slightly more restricted labs. It's where some of the top scientists of the country and even the world work when they aren't in the even more restricted labs. Here all sorts of scientists join together to invent new products. Currently, they're trying to construct drones that can carry hundreds of gallons of drinking water poor areas around the world. Any questions before we go in?"
"How big are these drones?" Carmen asked, inching closer to the front of the pack.
"Well, the answer has several parts due to their trials and errors so I think it would be best to let the presenter explain it," Amanda replied. The students looked at each other excitedly. Whispers were exchanged.
"Who do you think it is?" Ned wondered.
"No one good, that's for sure. Well, unless it's Shuri. That'd be awesome, and she's an inventor. But I don't think she's here. She should be in California right now or something."
"Shuri? Wait, like the princess of Wakanda? You know Shuri?"
"Ha!" Flash laughed. "Wow, you know, I guess it's believable that you know Captain Shitface and the deaf superhero that's neither super or hero and prances around with a weapon from the paleolithic era, but come on. Princess Shuri of Wakanda? Please."
Peter rolled his eyes but didn't reply.
"Hey, Flash. Not another rude word out of you," Dr. Smith scolded angrily. Flash grumbled something under his breath and crossed his arms.
I'm so sorry for the wait! It's been too long, I know, but these past two weeks I've been leaving for school at 7am and getting back after sports and band at 9-10pm which leaves no room to write. I'll try to get out the next chapter sooner. Thanks for all of the people who follow, like, and comment. It makes my day every time I see a notification!
-Sam