The Unassigned Mission

HYDRA

"Welcome to our newest Avenger!"

The crowd of current superheroes cheered as they raised their glasses of champagne to celebrate Peter. Tony had his arm wrapped around the boy's shoulders as he held him close to his side; his glass in the air as well.

A smile stayed on Tony's face, "maybe there will be a second new recruit coming up very soon."

Dr. Strange, as they learned was actually named Stephen Strange, had a small smile painted on his face as well.

"I do accept and I thrive with everyone," he confessed quietly.

"Did you check out the possible futures before Nick and I asked you to be an Avenger?"

Strange nodded, "each time I said no, you cried."

Tony and Stephen share a laugh with the crowd that gave them their full attention. Peter, on the other hand, eyed Sophia who was sitting listening intently and then Tony.

"What about Sophia?"

"What about her, kid?"

Tony avoided eye contact as he seemed focused on silently talking to the party goers from a distance while still holding onto Peter. He greeted them with smiles and motioning of his glass to symbolize a 'glad you're here', Peter watched the distracted man and tugged away from him. The action startled Tony but he just cast his eyes over to the upset teen.

"I appreciate this party, Mr. Stark. Although, this feels more like a celebration that we aren't all dead. I just thought Sophia would be the second next recruit. She's been training."

"Exactly, she's been training. She isn't fully there yet, kid. She hasn't experienced a real battle. She hasn't gone out and saved someone. She just melts my steel shed and burns her friends."

Peter furrowed his eyebrows, "she's more than that."

"She needs to realize that herself then. What have I told you? You are more than your suit, you don't get your strength from it. You're Spider-man with the mask on but also on the streets. She hasn't learned that yet."

Peter looked over at Sophia, who was very much listening to the pair. She shook her head to signify it was okay. Peter sighed and looked at Tony again,

"I just think she is disappointed. Much like I was."

"But look at you now," Tony said lowly and put a hand on his shoulder, "I know what I'm doing. She'll get there."

______________________________

Sophia tiptoed down the apartment complex hallway after she quietly shut the door. She adjusted her tight gloves on her hands while she was also wearing a loose black hoodie. Sophia wanted to sneak out to attempt to be excellent like Peter. She wants to thrive with the Avengers, and in order to do that she must make herself well known in Queens. It's late but it's the city that never sleeps, which means she will be able to find something or someone to help with.

While traveling around Queens, she decided to take a stab at exploring Manhattan, since that's the more lively of the two at midnight. Sophia recharged her metro card, swiped it, pushed her way through the security turnstile and boarded the subway with everyone else coming back from work or going to different nooks in the adjacent island.

The ride was quiet, everyone minding their own businesses as they sat or stood on the moving train. Sophia looked around hoping something drastic happens, like it did when that mugger tried attacking her on the ride to school once. She keeps her eyes scanning the faces, thinking things that make her shake her head, realizing she wants something bad to come onto these people just so she can fix it; seemed a bit sadistic.

Sophia's body almost flew into a couple other passengers on the once speeding underground subway. She stabilized herself by grabbing onto one of the cool metal poles. As she looked around, her eyes adjusted to the now dark passenger car; the train broke down. She focused in on the worried hums from the people around her and realized now would be as good of a time as any, to prove she can be helpful like Peter.

Sophia pried open the subway doors and much to the yelling patrons dismay, leaned out of the stilled train. She gripped the cold metal track and closed her eyes as she electrically charged it. The current shot out of her and transferred into the ground below; causing the train to lurch forward. People gasped when the lights turned back on and the train began moving again; slowly regaining speed. Sophia slipped out of the cart and touched her back to the black wall. She carefully inched her way to the next platform, so she wouldn't get hurt and no one in the car could identify her.

As the train approached the upcoming platform, Sophia clambered onto it to join other citizens waiting for the arriving vehicle. While she made her way to the exit of the station, she spotted injured Metro workers being coddled by EMTs.

"He's in critical condition," one said to the other who was questioning a badly shaken worker.

"All my years working for the station, I've never faced that large of an electrical burst. The track was dead and then it just sparked. I went flying."

Sophia furrowed her brows and rushed out of the underground. She gripped the railing that led back down to the subway; as she started hyperventilating.

"I hurt people," she whispered to herself.

"It's not fun not being able to control your powers, huh?"

Sophia's head shot up to make eye contact with a man dressed in an expensive looking suit.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"I've watched you. You have the ability to conduct electricity from your body. That's an amazing trait to own. Are you being observed?"

"I'm not some sort of experiment."

"You're not at the moment, no, you're right but I know people who can help you master your powers."

"Who are you?"

The man smiled which sent a shiver through Sophia,
"I'm Eric Williams, with a very important company that can help you be the best you and make you feel your worth."