Unexpected Hero

The car ride was a blur of flashing lights and speeding scenery, Y/n's heart pounding with a mix of fear and confusion. She was squeezed between Clint and Pietro in the backseat, the silence heavy and tense. She could feel the weight of their curious gazes, but she wasn't ready to explain. Not yet.

As they approached a towering building adorned with the Avengers logo, Y/n's breath hitched. She had only seen it on TV or in newspapers, never imagining she would find herself there. The car came to a stop, and Clint turned to her with a reassuring smile.

"Welcome to Avengers Tower," he said, opening the door and stepping out.

Pietro followed, holding out a hand to help her. Y/n took it, her legs shaky as she climbed out of the car. The grandeur of the tower loomed over her, a stark contrast to the chaos she had just escaped. She had no idea what to expect inside.

As they entered the building, the sleek interior and advanced technology left Y/n in awe. She barely had time to take it all in before they were greeted by a familiar face: Natasha Romanoff, the Black Widow.

"Clint," Natasha said, her eyes shifting to Y/n with a curious glint. "Who's this?"

Clint gestured to Y/n. "This is Y/n. She saved Pietro's life back in Sokovia. She's... got a complicated past."

Natasha raised an eyebrow, her expression unreadable. "Complicated, huh? Well, you're in the right place."

Y/n felt a surge of anxiety as Natasha scrutinized her, but she stood her ground, meeting the Avenger's gaze. Before Natasha could say anything else, a commanding voice echoed through the room.

"What's going on here?"

Tony Stark, clad in his casual yet unmistakably expensive attire, strode towards them, curiosity and concern evident on his face.

Clint quickly briefed Tony on the situation, leaving out the more sensitive details of Y/n's past. Tony's eyes narrowed as he listened, his gaze occasionally flicking to Y/n. When Clint finished, Tony turned to her, his expression thoughtful.

"So, Y/n," Tony began, "You saved Quicksilver, and now you've got a mysterious past that just caught up with you. Sounds like quite a story."

Y/n swallowed hard, trying to steady her voice. "I... I didn't mean to get involved in any of this. I just wanted to help."

Tony's expression softened slightly. "Well, you've got our attention now. And if you helped save one of us, we owe you. But we need to know what we're dealing with."

Before Y/n could respond, another familiar figure entered the room: Steve Rogers, Captain America. His presence was commanding, yet reassuring, and Y/n felt a strange sense of comfort in his steady gaze.

"What's the plan, Tony?" Steve asked, his eyes briefly meeting Y/n's with a hint of curiosity.

Tony glanced at Steve, then back at Y/n. "First, we need to find out more about this Marcus guy. If he's a threat to Y/n, he's a threat to us."

Y/n took a deep breath, feeling the weight of their collective attention. She had never felt so exposed, so vulnerable. But she also knew she couldn't face Marcus alone.

"I'll tell you what I can," Y/n said, her voice firm despite the fear gnawing at her. "But you need to understand, this is bigger than just me. Marcus is dangerous, and he's not going to stop until he gets what he wants."

Tony nodded, his expression serious. "Alright, let's start at the beginning. Who is Marcus, and what does he want?"

Y/n hesitated, gathering her thoughts. "Marcus was a part of a group I used to be involved with," she began, her voice steadying. "We did things... things I'm not proud of. I left because I couldn't be a part of it anymore. But Marcus... he never let it go. He's obsessed with power, and he'll do anything to get it."

Natasha's eyes narrowed. "What kind of group are we talking about?"

Y/n swallowed hard. "We were mercenaries, hired to do the dirty work for anyone willing to pay. But Marcus had bigger ambitions. He wanted to create an army of enhanced individuals, using illegal experiments and stolen technology."

Steve's expression darkened. "And now he's after you because you know too much."

Y/n nodded. "Yes. And because I was one of his best operatives before I left. He sees me as a traitor."

Pietro, who had been listening intently, spoke up. "So, he wants to force you back into his fold, or worse."

"Exactly," Y/n said, her voice trembling slightly. "I tried to stay hidden, but he found me. And now, I'm putting all of you at risk."