ou walked around your room, searching for something that might serve a purpose, but your attention was quickly drawn to Tony, who stood casually against the door frame, a smile playing on his lips, his arms crossed in a relaxed manner. "I see you like it," he remarked, and in response, you raised your tail high and lifted your head with a playful flick.

"It's a very fun den, Tony, thanks," you replied, your voice lilting with enthusiasm as you maneuvered toward a pile of blankets. You nestled down among them, letting your red-black tail curl protectively over your snout, a content sigh escaping your lips.

Tony's smile widened, eyes twinkling with appreciation. "You're welcome, Scarlett," he said softly, his voice filled with warmth. With that, he turned and walked away, leaving you to bask in the comfort of your new sanctuary, a sense of peace settling in the room like a comforting embrace.

After a while, an alarm pierced the tranquility of your sanctuary, jolting you from your peaceful state. Instinctively, you clawed at your ears, panic rising as blood began to spurt and trickle down your scales. Just then, Sam burst into the room, clad in his sleek Falcon suit, his expression a mix of concern and urgency.

"Scarlett, it's just the alarm. We received a call—nothing more," he reassured you, reaching out with a steady hand, his voice soothing against the cacophony. Gradually, the reality of the situation began to sink in, and you stopped flailing, trembling from head to tail as the adrenaline faded.

You shook your head, your breath coming in short gasps as you glanced at the crumpled corners where the blood had splattered. Horror washed over you, and your eyes widened, the panic giving way to embarrassment and fear. "I'm sorry," you whispered, your voice trembling as you tried to compose yourself, feeling utterly exposed in the aftermath of your fright. Sam's gaze softened, and he closed the distance, ready to help you untangle the chaotic threads of your mind.

But you moved away from him, a low growl rumbling in your chest. "Let's go to the lab; I'm sure Tony is there," you insisted, slipping out of your room with determination coursing through you. As you left, you could feel Sam's presence linger behind, arms crossed and cheeks flushed with a mix of concern and uncertainty.

What if she doesn't want contact after nearly clawing herself to death? he thought, shaking his head slightly as you walked away. That thought nagged at him, a ripple of doubt about how to approach you after such a distressing moment. Still, the instinct to follow you kicked in, and he pursued you down the hallway, determined to make sure you were okay.

You moved purposefully, the chaotic whirl of emotions still swirling within you but momentarily set aside by the need to find Tony. With each step, your resolve solidified; you would not let fear keep you tethered. As you neared the lab, the familiar sounds of machinery and the scent of sterile air greeted you, and you felt a flicker of hope. Whatever turmoil you had faced, the presence of Tony might just ease the shadows creeping in at the edges of your mind.

You indeed found Tony in the lab, his attention glued to a video streaming from a projector. The screen displayed a flashy presentation made by a blond dude with glasses. Rolling your eyes, you couldn't help but snark, "Who's this show-off?"

Tony turned to you, a smile creeping onto his otherwise scowling face. "That, my friend, is Justin Hammer—a tech doofus who thinks he can imitate me. He's been after me since my father died," he replied, rubbing his neck in an exasperated manner. "Kinda an ongoing rivalry between us."

You crossed your arms, a smirk playing on your lips. "He certainly has a flair for the dramatic. Is he always this... intense?"

"Always," Tony replied, shaking his head as he gestured to the screen. "He loves to play the part of the tech genius, but beneath that flashy exterior, he's just trying to keep up with the big leagues." He leaned closer to the screen, squinting at Hammer's latest antics. "Honestly, it's more amusing than threatening at this point."

As you watched the video, you couldn't help but feel a little lighter, the tension from earlier beginning to dissipate. Tony's playful banter and the absurdity of Justin Hammer's presentation served as a welcome distraction. You glanced sideways at Tony. "So what's your plan? Ready to take him down a peg?"

"Always," Tony replied, his grin widening as he inputted some commands on his console. "I've got a few tricks up my sleeve to remind Hammer who he's dealing with."

The camaraderie in the lab rekindled a sense of safety within you, a stark contrast to the chaos of moments earlier. Yet, even as the playful banter continued, you couldn't shake the feeling of vulnerability that lingered beneath. You knew you had support around you, but the road to recovery would require more than just a few shared jokes and rivalries; it would need trust, healing, and perhaps a little more time.

◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥

As all of you arrived at the Justin Hammer Industries facility, the scene that greeted you was stark and uninviting. The massive metal building loomed in the distance, surrounded by a barren landscape of dusty, hard-packed sand. It lacked the flash and flair of Stark Industries or the Avengers Tower. You couldn't help but feel a sense of boredom wash over you, an overwhelming contrast to the high-tech environments you were used to.

The Quinjet landed with a soft thud on the desert floor, the engines humming down as you stepped out into the dry air. The winds whipped through, carrying a hint of dust, and in the distance, you spotted Hammer standing there. His hair whipped around his face as he struggled to keep it in check, a somewhat comedic sight that drew a chuckle from Tony.

As you approached, Hammer straightened up and smirked, his ego shining through even in this desolate setting. "Ah, Stark! I see you're finally here—and that you brought a friend." He tilted his head, his eyes narrowing as they fell on you. "And who might you be, little lady?"

You took a moment, sizing him up silently. He had that typical overconfident demeanor that tech millionaires often wore like armor. Crossing your arms, you mirrored his smirk, and with a playful tone, you replied, "I'm just here to keep an eye on Tony and make sure he doesn't blow anything up. But if he does, I might just have to claw my way through some egos."

Tony snorted beside you, clearly enjoying the banter. "Careful, Hammer. You might want to take her more seriously than you do me. She's proven to be a formidable opponent." He shot you a wink, clearly appreciating your boldness.

Hammer's smug expression faltered for just a moment before he regained his composure. "Feisty, I like it! But let's see if that attitude holds up when faced with real competition." He turned, gesturing for you all to follow him into the building. "Come on, then. Let's get to the main event."

As you followed, you shot Tony a sidelong glance. "What are we walking into?"

He shrugged, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Probably a little chaos wrapped in tech. You know, the usual Hammer show."

With a determined breath, you tightened your resolve. Whatever lay ahead, you were ready to face it with your team by your side.

But before anyone could respond to Hammer's smirk, chaos erupted. Something burst explosively from the sand, launching Tony backward and slamming him across the cap with a metallic clang. The others reacted in an instant, but you were faster, your instincts honed by adrenaline and experience.

You lunged forward, managing to grab Tony and pull him out of harm's way just as the creature—a hulking robot—swung its massive arm where Tony had just been standing. You landed on your back in the warm, coarse sand, quickly rolling to your feet to face the threat.

The robot, built like a monstrous machine, turned its attention to you with a menacing whir. It snapped at you aggressively, but you dodged its strike and retaliated, grabbing the cold metal arm and driving the machine into the ground with a forceful crash.

"Hey, hey!" you roared, your voice filled with challenge and fury. "You're messing with the wrong people here! This isn't for handling super-adopted, not an overgrown toy!" With a primal growl, you smashed the robot's head off, the metallic clatter echoing in the otherwise quiet desert. "Next time you build a machine to destroy, try harder, you sack of meat!"

Panting from exertion, you turned back towards Tony, who was still on the ground, his hand pressed against his head. The Iron Man suit enveloped him, but the faceplate was missing, leaving him exposed. As you scanned the sandy surface, you spotted it glinting under the desert sun.

Hurrying over, you picked it up and rushed back to him. "Here," you said, handing the faceplate to Tony. He took it gratefully and fitted it back onto his suit with a practiced ease. The whir of the metal components sealed his helmet in place with a solid click.

"Thanks," Tony said, pushing himself to his feet, though his expression was a mix of surprise and admiration. "Well, that was unexpected. Did you get any data on it?" Sam asked, stepping closer, his eyes darting between you and the towering remains of the robot.

"Data?" You chuckled, shaking your head as you brushed sand off your clothing. "I just gave it a lesson in why you shouldn't mess with friends."

Tony shot you a grin, clearly pleased. "Let's hope the next one's a little less feisty, eh? But let's get a scan of the remains. Whatever Hammer's cooking up, I have a feeling it ain't good."

You nodded, the pulse of action steadying for the moment. Together with the team, you gathered around the battered robot, determined to uncover the secrets it hid and prepare for whatever Justin Hammer had planned next.

As the boys busied themselves scanning the remains of the robot, you kept your focus on Justin Hammer. You stepped toward him, your demeanor shifting to the intense and intimidating. With a swift motion, you cornered him against a nearby wall of the facility, your hand gripping his suit tightly, pinning his arms behind his back.

"So, let me see. You're working with some kind of goons to make a robot that'll kill the Avengers, right?" you demanded, your voice low and steady.

Hammer's eyes flickered with anxiety as he stammered, "W-what? No, no, that's not it at all!"

You leaned in, your red eyes narrowing, the amber spark at their edges gleaming in the harsh sunlight. "I know liars when I see them, Hammer. I was bathed in them a long time." Your voice was low and full of warning, a tone that made it clear you wouldn't accept any more deception.

With a sudden movement, you grabbed the front of his suit and hoisted him up, forcing him to meet your intense gaze. "Why are you even here?" you growled.

"Scarlet!" he shouted in panic, his voice rising an octave as he realized he was entirely at your mercy. "You're not even an Avenger!"

"Don't underestimate me, Hammer," you said, your grip unyielding. "I may not wear the badge, but I've fought tooth and nail for my place in this world. You're the one who's out of his league here."

He gulped, attempting to squirm out of your grasp but failing to loosen your hold. "Look, you have to understand," he blurted out, desperation creeping into his tone. "I'm just trying to make a name for myself. I would never do anything to harm the Avengers—"

"Save it," you interrupted, your voice as cold as steel. "You think I'm just going to take you at your word? I'll make this simple: whatever plans you have, whatever experiments you're conducting, I will find out. And when I do, you better hope I don't decide to share what I learn with the team."

As you released him, he stumbled slightly, regaining his footing as you stepped back, allowing the space between you to cool down.

"Do I make myself clear?" you added, your tone firm and unwavering.

Hammer nodded, his bravado fading in the face of your fierce resolve. You could see the wheels turning in his head, calculating his next move, but you were confident he wouldn't dare push any further while you were watching.

"Good. Now, I suggest you start acting like a decent human being, or the next time we cross paths, this chat won't be so friendly." With that, you turned on your heel and rejoined the boys, your heart still racing from the adrenaline, but your determination stronger than ever. Whatever Hammer was up to, you would be ready to stop him.

As you walked past Steve, who stood there with a mix of curiosity and concern on his face, he couldn't help but ask, "What did you say to him?"

You glanced back over your shoulder as you continued up the ramp to the jet. "Just the usual: stay away from my flock," you replied, the corners of your mouth lifting in a half-smirk.

Steve blinked in surprise, his cheeks tinged with a slight blush at the unexpected fierceness in your tone. It was a peculiar look for Captain America to wear, and you couldn't help but find it amusing as you ascended the ramp.

Just then, Sam walked up beside Steve, a teasing grin spreading across his face. "Did she just say 'my pack'?" he asked, raising an eyebrow as he nudged Steve playfully.

Clint, leaning against the jet's side, chimed in with a slight laugh. "She did, you know. I honestly thought she was going to hate us," he added, shaking his head in amused disbelief. "But it looks like we're more part of her 'flock' than we realized."

You turned to face them, your expression softening in the warmth of camaraderie. "Well, you guys are a bit hard to hate," you replied, the sentiment genuine. "And when it comes to protecting what matters, I don't take it lightly. You're all part of this now, whether you like it or not."

Steve recovered from his initial surprise, adopting a warm smile as he said, "We're glad to have you with us. Hammer might be working on something dangerous, but with a team like ours, I'm confident we can handle it."

"Absolutely," Sam added, crossing his arms with a grin. "Plus, it helps to have someone who can throw down like you just did. I mean, did you see that robot? You were like a force of nature out there!"

Clint chuckled in agreement, "Yeah, we could use that kind of energy. Just remember to keep it directed at the bad guys and not us," he joked, feigning mock fear.

You laughed along with them, the tension of earlier moments fading with their light-hearted banter. "Trust me, you have nothing to worry about. I'm on your side," you assured them, the bond of unity within the team beginning to feel more solid than ever.

As you all settled into the jet, preparing to take off, you felt an undeniable sense of belonging. The stakes were high, but with each shared moment, you were reminded that you weren't just a lone wolf anymore; you had a pack. And together, you would face whatever challenges lay ahead.