The Compound was rarely quiet, but today was different. The team, scattered across lounges and training halls, had gathered in the main hangar after a strange energy signature was detected piercing Earth’s atmosphere.

A sleek, junk-patched spacecraft broke through the clouds and descended like a falling star. F.R.I.D.A.Y. had already raised the shields. Carol floated mid-air, arms crossed. Wanda stood beside Vision, both curious and alert. Steve had his shield ready, though relaxed. Natasha eyed the ship with the wary patience of someone who’d lived through alien invasions before.

“Looks like company,” Tony muttered, his palm repulsors warming as he stepped beside Bruce and Scott. “Someone forgot to call ahead.”

The Milano’s ramp hissed open.

“Here we go,” Peter Q declared dramatically, blaster holstered and swagger at full tilt. He walked down first, flipping his Star-Lord mask up with a grin. “Earth! Smells just like I remember—fast food and unresolved trauma.”

Gamora descended behind him, stoic as ever. Drax clomped forward, eyes narrowing at everyone like he was preparing to declare battle at any moment.

“Hi,” Rocket said, blaster casually strapped to his back, “We come in peace. Mostly.”

Groot raised a leafy hand.

Mantis followed, smiling with both innocence and excitement. “Ohhh, I feel so many intense emotions here! Wow. So many egos…”

And then came her.

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