𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐃𝐨 𝐖𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐥?

“With power and agility,

Beyond the norm of men.

She fights for justice and the helpless,

And never gives up until the end.”

Tony Stark had dedicated what started as one day a week to teaching Penny Parker everything he knew. This soon evolved into almost everyday after school and Academic Decathlon. The man steadily became the girl’s father-figure, watching over her and protecting her when the situation arose.

Penny had always been intelligent. If she were not there would have been no way she would have gotten a scholarship to Midtown School of Science and Technology. And there would have been no way she would have gotten the attention of New York’s resident genius. Penny took to Tony’s teachings like a fish to water or a bird to the sky. Steadily, she began to utilize what she had learned in the lab. She began to create inventions that once upon a time she could only have dreamed of making. All of her plans and ideas were kept in a notebook. An ordinary spiral notebook. She would hate to admit it, but if the wrong person were to get their hands on the information within, it could be catastrophic. Because of that, she hid it beneath her bed in May and her’s apartment.

When she was stranded in Gotham City, the last thing on her mind was this notebook. As time progressed however, and she had more and more time with only her thoughts, the notebook would continuously rear its head. When Penny got into Gotham Academy she was given two notepads. It did not take her long to begin to rewrite the information that was in her book in Queens. Many of the scientific wonders of her universe that had not yet been created where she currently was were described within her book.

Tim noticed the plans for an AI one day during lunch when she was writing down the coding. It did not take the genius boy long to figure out what she was attempting to make.

”Is that for Artificial Intelligence?” He questioned, making Penny’s head snaps up. She looked between her notebook and her new friend. Hesitantly she nodded her head. Tim’s eyes lit up. He had been attempting to create an AI for quite a while now, but had gotten stuck when it came to the engineering of it. “Can I see it?!”

Penny slid over the book and watched as he looked over the plans with excitement. He, in that moment, reminded her of Ned. She quickly brushed away the thought as Tim looked up at her.

”You designed this?” He queried. Penny nodded her head in confirmation.

”I‘ve been working on it for a couple months now.” She told him. That part was true. Penny had been designing her own AI since after Quentin Beck revealed her identity. She knew in that moment that she could no longer be dependent on the technology of anyone else. She had to create her own.

”A couple months?!” Tim repeated, shocked. “I’ve been working on artificial intelligence since I was old enough to write and I still can’t figure it out.”

Penny blushed at this, dropping her head in embarrassment. “I really like coding.”

”You should enter it in the competition!” Tim suddenly exclaimed, much to Penny’s confusion.

”Competition?” She mimicked. “What competition?”

”The Wayne Enterprise competition.” Tim explained. Penny still stared at ham blankly. “Every year Wayne Enterprise holds a contest for an internship. You’re seventeen, right?”

Penny nodded.

”Anyone from 17 to 25 is eligible to compete. You could win with this.” Tim informed the girl beside him, sliding her notebook back over to her.

”I don’t have the supplies to make an AI.” Penny explained, running her hands through her hair. All she has in her current residence is a beat up radio, a sewing machine, and a desk. Sure, she could start dumpster diving again, but she doubts she would be able to find the supplies she needs.

”Talk to Mrs. Lewis.” Tim suggested. Penny raised an eyebrow at this. “Mrs. Lewis is the mechanical engineering teacher. If you told her what you were doing I bet she’d let you borrow some materials.”

”I don’t know-“ Penny was cut off by the boy.

”You have to. If not, some asshole like Brett could get it!” Tim exclaimed. Brett Walker was a senior at Gotham Academy and linebacker on the football team. He currently is in the bottom percent of the class with grades that would make even Flash Thompson cringe. She doubts the boy would be able to make an invention worthy of winning this competition. Regardless, Penny was slightly swayed.

”When is it?” She asked.

”Two weeks from now.” Tim said. Penny blew a low whistle. Two weeks is not a lot of time to create a working Artificial Intelligence. With her plans already finished however, it may be possible. The girl eventually shrugged her shoulders.

”I guess I can try.”

▀▄▀▄ ••••••••• ▄▀▄▀

Mrs. Lewis absolutely adored Penny Parker the moment that she met her. The girl had approached the teacher after school hours had ceased, followed by one of her star students Tim Drake. Penny looks completely terrified, which was an odd sight to see for Mrs. Lewis, who was known as one of the nicest teachers at Gotham Academy.

”What can I do for you two?” She questioned, placing down her copy of Pride and Prejudice to give her full attention to the students. Tim nudged Penny on the back, encouraging her to speak.

”I’m going to be submitting an invention for the Wayne Enterprise internship, but I don’t exactly have all the supplies I need.” The mutant began, wringing her hands nervously. Mrs. Lewis nodded her head in understanding.

”So you were hoping to borrow what you need from here?” She asked, already knowing the answer.

”If it’s okay with you? If not I completely understand, I just don’t have enough  money right now to buy new supplies and I would return everything exactly as-“ Penny’s rambling’s were cut off by the woman raising her hand.

”Of course.”

Penny stared at the teacher with wide eyes. “Really?” She queried.

”It’s my job to encourage students. How would I do that if I don’t let them experiment?” Mrs. Lewis told the girl. “When would you need to start?”

”As soon as possible.” Penny and Tim said in unison.

”Then let’s get you started.”

▀▄▀▄ ••••••••• ▄▀▄▀

Penny quickly learned it is incredibly more difficult to make artificial intelligence without the materials available in Mr. Stark’s lab. Regardless, she was making do. Her notes were sprawled out across the table she was working at, completely covering the surface with sheets of paper. Tim was seated at her side, not speaking, only watching. He was in absolute amazement at she dismantled a circuit board in search of the pieces she needed. Even though this is their third consecutive day working in Mrs. Lewis room, he has yet to grow less in awe of the girl.

Penny had finalized her blueprint and was now beginning to work on the actual engineering of her project. It was times like these she missed being in the lab with her mentor, listening to him sing rock and roll off key. She was not upset though with having Tim beside her, offering his advice when needed.

Penny quickly realized that this boy’s intake of coffee is on par with that of a junkie and heroine. Every time she sees him he has a cup of it in his hands and is looking at it as though it is nectar of the gods. Each and every time he offered to purchase her some she politely declined. Her and caffeine was in no way a good mixture.

As the due date approached Penny grew more and more frantic to finish. It was nine o’clock at night on December fifteenth (two days before the competition) when Tim walked into Mrs. Lewis’ classroom to check on his friend. He froze at the sight the girl fast asleep with her head propped up against her hand. Ink was smudged on her nose and eraser shavings were in her hair. In front of her though, was a completely finished AI. The invention was no bigger than a Tic-Tac box. It was completely gray with a small blue circle in the center. Tim had never been more tempted to push a button.

When he began to approach the girl, she shot into an upright position. Tim raised his hands in a surrender-like motion as Penny’s eyes adjusted to the light. When she saw it was her friend standing there she smiled.

”Oh, hi Tim.” She greeted. The Drake boy returned her grin and took a seat beside her.

”Is it finished?” He asked, staring at the box in excitement. Penny’s smile widened and she nodded her head. “How does it work?”

The teenage mutant turned her attention to her creation and clears her throat.

”Hey Max,” Penny began, causing a blue hologram to appear.

”Yes Ms. Parker?” A surprisingly human voice responded. As it spoke the hologram moved like sound waves.

“Who is sitting next to me?” Penny asked. A light scanned over Tim’s face before the AI, Max, replied.

”Tim Drake. Born July 19th, 1997, aged seventeen. Shall I continue?”

”Can I ask something?” Tim questioned, growing more and more thrilled as moments pass.

”Be my guest.” Penny said, gesturing to the hologram. Tim contemplated on what he would ask. Eventually he spoke.

”What’s the square root of seven?”

”The square root of seven is approximately 2.64575131106.” Max answered, causing the two teenagers to grin, knowing it to be correct.

”How did you do it?” Tim asked his friend. “How?”

”Once I figured out the coding it was easy. All I had to do was connect Max to the internet and now he knows everything.” Penny told him as though it were no big deal.

”Why Max?”

”You ever seen Flight of the Navigator?” Penny asked. Tim shook his head. The girl sighed at the response. “Well then it’s not as funny.”

“Have I ever told you you’re my hero?”

”No, but it can’t hurt to say it again.”

”Penny Parker, you’re my hero.” Tim stated in all honesty. Neither could prevent the blush that coated their faces as they looked at one another.

Penny was the first to break out of their trance-like state. Gently, she picked up her invention.

”Let’s just hope this is enough to win.”

▀▄▀▄ ••••••••• ▄▀▄▀

It did not take Penny long to realize she was the youngest competitor for the Wayne Enterprise internship. A majority of those submitting their inventions for evaluation were at least college freshman. To add onto her nerves, her device was by far the least flashy. Her AI was small and minimalist, with no bright lights or loud noises. To put it plainly, those who walked by her station scoffed. Silently, she wished Tim was there for support. The boy, however, had informed her that he would be unable to attend the competition due to prior engagements. So there Penny way, alone.

Whispers suddenly erupted as the door to the vast room opened. Bruce Wayne entered, looking larger than life. Her was dressed in a suit that probably cost more than what would be her tuition at Gotham Academy if she had not gotten the scholarship. Pasted upon his face was a stunning smile, one that Penny can remember Mr. Stark wearing whenever he had to be somewhere he didn’t want to be.

The teenager’s heart began to pound in her chest as he and the other judges approached the first station. Penny’s head was hung low until she saw a pair of shiny dress shoes enter her line of vision. Hesitantly, she looked up to see the three men standing before her.

”Penelope Parker?” Mr. Wayne asked, making the girl nod her head in confirmation. “What have you made?”

”I made an AI.” Penny squeaked out, causing one of the judges to bark out a laugh.

”You made Artificial Intelligence?” He interrogated. Mr. Wayne seemed agitated at his companion’s interruption.

”Please excuse Langston, he’s been trying to make AI since he was your age. Can you show us how it works?” The man  requested. Penny nodded her head before pressing the blue button in the center of the box.

”Hey Max,” She started. The same hologram appeared that did when Tim was introduced to her creation.

“Hello Ms. Parker. What can I do for you today?”

”Would one of you like to ask him a question?” Penny asked, looking to the judges. Langston puffed out his chest with pride and stepped forward.

”Well, Max, can you tell me what the world’s smallest country is?”

”The world’s smallest country is Vatican. The Vatican is the smallest independent state in the world. Located inside the city of Rome, it is spread across 0.44 km², making it the smallest country in the world in terms of surface area. The population of The Vatican is around 800 inhabitants, which also makes it the least populated country in the world.” Max replied, causing Langston to falter. He racked his mind for something to ask before a smile washed over his face.

”Poor people have it. Rich people need it. If you eat it you die. What is it?”

”Nothing.” Max answered without hesitation. Penny grinned, proud of her invention.

”I’m currently working on a watch where Max would be able to monitor things like heart rate and blood pressure.” She explained. The moment she finished the AI she moved onto her next project. “I want to make Artificial Intelligence available to everyone who needs it.”

Mr. Wayne spared glances with his fellow judges and the three jotted down notes on their respective clipboards.

”Well, thank you Miss Parker.” Mr. Wayne said to the teenager before looking back to the hologram. “And thank you Max.”

”You are welcome Mr. Wayne.” Max replied. The trio of adults walked towards the next station, whispering amongst themselves as they did so.

”Max, if I could I would hug you right now.” Penny muttered to the AI. Carefully, she pressed the blue button and watched as the invention shut off.

An hour passed. A long, agonizing hour passed. Penny, one of the first people to have her invention evaluated had to wait until the judges went through the near hundred entries. In that moment she wished she had a phone in order to contact Tim. Tim would know what to say in order to ease her worries. Eventually Mr. Wayne took the stage, flanked by his two peers. He approached the mic and cleared his throat, silencing the room.

”We would like to thank everyone for their entries today. It was a very difficult decision figuring out who would be receiving the internship this year.” He stated. As Penny scanned the crowd of her competitors she saw different expressions on each person’s face. Some were nervous, others were confident. Penny could not say for certain what emotion she was feeling in that moment, but it had to be a mixture of complete and utter terror and excitement.

”So, I am proud to announce that Wayne Enterprise’s new intern is Penelope Parker.”