The harsh daylight of Earth hit Lira's eyes as the portal deposited her into chaos. The scene before her was like something from a nightmare—former friends locked in brutal combat, the air thick with tension and the metallic scent of blood. The familiar whine of Tony's repulsors mixed with the clash of vibranium against armor created a cacophony of violence.

"Stop!" Her voice carried the full weight of her authority as Chancellor, the Force responding to her command as she physically separated Tony and Steve. The power radiating from her hands pushed them apart like opposing magnets, their feet skidding on the concrete.

Bucky's whisper of her name was filled with pain and relief, his remaining arm trembling slightly. The sight of his severed limb made her heart clench, but she managed to return a strained smile, her diplomatic training keeping her expression controlled despite the horror of the situation.

"Lira, what are you doing here? I thought you'd left to your galaxy," Tony's words came out rough and breathless as he deactivated his visor, his face showing confusion and concern beneath the sweat and bruises. The familiar brown eyes studied her, likely noting how her usually pristine appearance was disheveled, her ruby robes bearing the evidence of her hasty departure.

Her response was deliberately vague, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's...nothing. I'll just stay here for now." The words tasted bitter in her mouth, each syllable a reminder of what she'd left behind. Her hand still gripped her lightsaber, though it remained unlit, its familiar weight providing little comfort in this moment of crisis.

Steve's heavy breathing filled the silence that followed, his shield hanging limply at his side, while Tony's armor whirred softly as he shifted his weight. The tension in the air remained thick enough to cut with a vibroblade, but at least they weren't actively trying to kill each other anymore.

The hard planes of Bucky's tactical gear pressed against her ruby robes as Lira melted into his embrace, his remaining arm wrapping around her with desperate strength. The familiar scent of gunpowder and leather mixed with the metallic tang of blood from his injury, but she didn't care. His whispered words stirred her black hair, his voice rough with emotion, "I thought we'd never see you again, Lira."

She couldn't speak past the lump in her throat, so she just pressed her face into his chest, tears soaking silently into his vest. The memory of Anakin's eyes blazing yellow, of Obi-Wan's usually gentle face twisted with darkness, threatened to overwhelm her, but she pushed it away. Those explanations could wait.

Despite their own bitter conflict moments ago, Tony and Steve moved towards them like moths drawn to flame. Steve's bulk settled warm and solid against her back, one strong arm wrapping around both her and Bucky. Even through his suit, Tony's presence was comforting as he completed the circle, his armored hand surprisingly gentle on her shoulder. The four of them stood there, a tableau of temporary peace in the midst of their respective wars, holding each other up as much as holding each other close.

Silent tears continued to track down Lira's cheeks, but her smile was genuine—grateful for this moment of sanctuary with friends who, despite their own conflicts, could still come together to support her. The Force hummed around them, a quiet acknowledgment of this brief harmony in the chaos of their colliding worlds.

Tony's armored hand was warm around hers as he pulled her gently forward. "Let's go to the tower," he said, his smile tired but genuine beneath the fading bruises. "It's time you become one of us officially." The metallic whir of his suit punctuated his words as he shifted, looking between her and the others with cautious hope.

Lira wiped at her tears with her free hand, the silk of her chancellor's robes catching on her rings. The weight of her lightsaber at her hip felt different here on Earth—less a symbol of power and more a reminder of what she'd left behind.

"Your robes are definitely going to start a new fashion trend," Bucky commented softly, his arm still protectively around her shoulders. His attempt at lightness made her laugh despite her tears.

"Better than your tactical gear, Barnes," Tony quipped, but the usual bite was missing from his words.

Steve cleared his throat, his shield now strapped to his back. "Buck, we should get that arm looked at when we get there."

"After everything that just happened, you're worried about my arm, punk?"

"Always," Steve replied simply.

Lira took a deep, shuddering breath, looking at these men who had somehow become her family. "Yeah," she said softly, then with more conviction, "Yeah, let's go home."

"Home," Tony repeated, squeezing her hand. "Though fair warning—if you start using the Force to move my coffee cups around again, we're going to have words."

"No promises," Lira managed a watery smile. "A chancellor has to maintain some authority."

"Ex-chancellor," Bucky corrected gently. "Here, you're just Lira."

Just Lira. The words settled around her like a comfortable blanket, more welcoming than any formal title she'd ever held. As they walked toward the tower, the sun warming their backs, she could almost pretend she didn't feel the phantom sensation of two force signatures desperately reaching for her across dimensions. Almost.

"Besides," Steve added, breaking into her thoughts, "I think we've all had enough of authority figures for a while."

"Speak for yourself, Cap," Tony snorted. "Some of us are still running multi-billion dollar companies."

"Some of us are still dramatic tin cans," Bucky muttered.

"I heard that, Robocop."

Lira laughed despite herself, the sound carrying away some of her lingering grief. The Force hummed around them, not with warnings of consequences to come, but with a sense of rightness. She might have left one family behind in chaos, but here, somehow, she'd found another one—one that bickered and fought but always came back together, like stars finding their way home to the same constellation.

◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥

The Avengers' headquarters buzzed with an energy that seemed to crackle in the air. When Lady Lira stepped through the doors, she was met with an eruption of joy.

"Lira! You're back!" Tony Stark exclaimed, his trademark smirk lighting up his face as he rushed forward. The others followed suit, surrounding her in a whirlwind of warmth and enthusiasm.

"Finally, someone worthy of my hammer!" Thor boomed, lifting her off her feet and spinning her around. His laughter echoed in the spacious room, a sound that always felt like sunshine.

"Careful, Thor! You might throw her into orbit," Natasha teased, crossing her arms with a playful smile.

Loki stood to the side, a sly grin on his face. "Oh, don't worry, Lira. If he does, I'll just enchant her to float back down," he said, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Very generous of you, Loki," Lira replied, her laughter blending with theirs. She felt a rush of warmth, a sense of belonging that filled the space between them. "I missed you all."

Bruce stepped forward, adjusting his glasses. "We missed you too. It's been too quiet without your chaos," he said, a hint of a smile creeping onto his face.

"Chaos? Me?" Lira feigned innocence, placing a hand on her chest. "I prefer to think of it as...creative problem solving."

"Whatever you call it, we're glad you're back," Clint said, clapping her on the shoulder. "Just try to keep the world-saving to a minimum this time; I'm still recovering from the last adventure."

"Deal," she said, grinning at him.

As they settled into the familiar banter, Lira felt the weight of the world lift from her shoulders. Here, surrounded by friends who had become family, she knew she was exactly where she belonged.