Chapter 45: Chapter 45: A Brother's Promise
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Peter felt the weight of guilt pressing down on him. He couldn't save Gwen, and in bringing her closer to the battlefield, he felt complicit in her fate. James, too, was haunted by uncertainty. He couldn't guarantee he would fare any better than Peter against foes more formidable than Harry.
Meanwhile, in the offices of the Rushman-Francis law firm in New York, Natasha Romanoff, known as the Black Widow, was pretending to be absorbed in her work.
The door swung open, and Clint Barton, a.k.a. Hawkeye, stepped inside.
"Hey, Clint! You're out of the hospital?" Natasha looked up, her smile brightening the dimly lit room.
Clint closed the door behind him and took a seat at her desk. "Yeah, I'm all patched up. How about you? Any updates from the field?"
Natasha nodded. "I've been in touch. They have a request, and it involves you."
"Go on," Clint said, leaning forward, curiosity piqued.
"They're looking to retaliate against the Sentinels that attacked their stronghold. They want your help since you were able to hold your own against one of them."
Clint shrugged. "Look, I barely made it out of there alive. You were there; you saw it."
"I know," Natasha replied, her expression serious. "But they've gathered some heavy firepower this time, stuff from Stark Industries."
Clint's brow furrowed. "I know the stakes, Natasha. If they've got access to Stark's tech, it's a different ballgame. The Sentinels won't go down easy."
Natasha shook her head. "Let's not get sidetracked by Stark's whereabouts. If they're getting weapons that advanced, it's a sign they're well-prepared. We need to consider helping them. If we do, it opens the door to potential alliances."
"Are you suggesting we align with whoever is backing them?" Clint asked, sitting up straighter.
"Exactly," Natasha replied. "If we can take down the Sentinels, we might be able to expose the ones pulling the strings."
As they discussed strategies, James made his way to the orphanage, his mind occupied with thoughts of Mother Hana. He needed to check on her well-being.
Upon entering, he unexpectedly ran into Zheng.
"James! You're here to see Mother Hana?" Clarice chimed in, her expression brightening.
"Yeah, I wanted to see how she's doing," James replied, scanning the room for any signs of distress.
Zheng, dressed in a traditional Tang suit, was packing up his acupuncture tools. "She's resting now. Her condition is stable, but she needs time to recover."
"Thank you for taking care of her," James said, feeling a wave of gratitude.
Zheng smiled warmly. "It's my duty. We all look out for one another here."
Clarice tugged at James's sleeve. "I'm glad you're here. Can I be your sister now?"
James knelt down, surprised but touched. "Of course, I'd love that."
Clarice beamed. "Then you're my brother!"
At that moment, James felt a comforting warmth. Though only seven, Clarice had taken on responsibilities far beyond her years, and her declaration solidified their bond.
"Okay, sister," James said, grinning. "What do you want to do?"
Clarice frowned, "But it's too late to play."
James shrugged. "We can play at night. Darkness won't stop us."
"But I need to help take care of Mother Hana," Clarice replied, her tone earnest.
"Of course, we can help her first," James agreed, sensing her determination. "But remember, if you ever face danger, don't be afraid. I will always come for you, no matter where you are."
Clarice nodded, her young face serious. "I'll remember that, brother."
James smiled, knowing that their connection was more than just words. With the spirit of the Zodiac Knight within him, he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, for Clarice and for those he loved.