League of Avengers

Dawn broke over New York City, painting Avengers Tower in shades of gold. Garen stood at the window of the common area, fully armored despite the early hour. Old habits died hard, especially when everything else about your world had changed.

The events of the previous night played through his mind as he watched the city wake below.

"You're up early," Darius's gravelly voice came from behind him. The Noxian commander was also in full armor - apparently Garen wasn't the only one clinging to familiar routines.

"Thinking about last night," Garen replied without turning. "Another arrival from home..."

---

The Quinjet's floodlights cut through the darkness, illuminating a lone figure standing in the sand. Nine tails fanned out behind her, white fur gleaming in the artificial light. An orb of blue energy hovered above her palm.

"Energy signature matches the arrival events," Agent Hill's voice came through the comms. "Definitely not from around here."

"Those tails..." Garen leaned forward. "She's Vastayan. From our world."

"Hostile?" Hill asked.

"Unknown. Let me approach first."

The ramp hadn't fully lowered before Garen was striding down it, his armor catching the light. Behind him, he knew Darius and a SHIELD tactical team were taking up positions - just in case.

"Hold!" he called out in a clear voice. "You're among friends from Runeterra."

The orb in her hand pulsed brighter. "Prove it," she called back, her voice carrying easily across the desert night. "Tell me something only someone from our world would know."

Garen took another step forward, keeping his movements slow and deliberate. "The spirit forests of Ionia. The crystalline spires of Piltover. The frozen wastes of the Freljord. Need I go on?"

The orb dimmed slightly, but didn't disappear. "A Demacian, by your armor. Far from the walls of your great city."

"Garen, of the Dauntless Vanguard." He stopped at a respectful distance. "And you are...?"

"Ahri." She studied him with eyes that seemed to glow in the dark. "Though some call me the Nine-Tailed Fox." Her gaze shifted to the Quinjet. "You're not alone."

"No." Garen turned slightly. "Darius, perhaps you should join us. Show her how strange this world truly is."

Heavy footsteps crunched on sand as Darius emerged from the shadows, his axe lowered but ready. "A Vastayan," he rumbled. "This far from Ionia's shores."

Ahri's tails bristled at the sight of him. "Noxian," she said, the word sharp as a blade. The orb flared brighter.

"Peace," Garen stepped between them. "Much has changed. We're all far from home, in a realm that knows nothing of our conflicts."

"Working together?" Ahri's laugh held equal parts disbelief and curiosity. "Now that *is* interesting." She lowered her hand, though the orb remained. "Tell me more."

"It's a long story," Garen gestured to the Quinjet. "One better told somewhere other than a desert at midnight. You have my word as a Demacian that no harm will come to you."

"And mine as a Noxian," Darius added, which earned surprised looks from both Garen and Ahri.

Ahri studied them both for a long moment, her tails swaying thoughtfully. Finally, the orb winked out. "Well," she said, a hint of amusement creeping into her voice, "if Demacia and Noxus can offer me the same promise, perhaps this world is even stranger than it appears."

She followed them onto the Quinjet, her movements graceful despite the unfamiliar environment. As the ramp closed behind them, Garen caught her studying everything with keen interest - the technology, the agents, the way he and Darius moved around each other with practiced ease.

"So," she said as they lifted off, "tell me how the two of you stopped trying to kill each other long enough to have this... arrangement."

Garen and Darius exchanged glances.

"That," Darius rumbled, "is an even longer story."

---

Back in the present, Garen turned from the window. "Speaking of long stories, we should head to the briefing room. Fury will want to know everything about our new arrival."

"Assuming she tells us the truth," Darius commented.

"Would you, in her position?"

Darius's laugh was harsh. "No. But then, I'm Noxian."

The elevator chimed before they could continue their familiar argument. Ahri stepped out, wearing clothes borrowed from Agent Romanoff - simple black training gear that looked oddly mundane on someone with nine tails.

"Discussing me already?" she asked, her smile suggesting she'd expected nothing less. "I hope you're not comparing notes about Ionian tricks and tactics."

"Just wondering what brings a Vastayan so far from home," Darius replied.

"The same thing that brought you, I imagine." She moved past them toward the briefing room, her tails swaying with each step. "Though I must say, your story of how you ended up here should be far more entertaining than mine."

As they followed her, Garen couldn't shake the feeling that their already complicated situation had just become even more complex. One thing was certain - between a Demacian, a Noxian, and a Vastayan, Earth's heroes were about to get a much broader view of their world than they'd bargained for.

————————————————————

The briefing room was already occupied when they arrived. Tony Stark sat perched on the edge of the conference table, tablet in hand, while Bruce Banner studied a holographic display of energy readings. Agent Romanoff lounged in a corner, appearing casual but missing nothing.

"Ah, our interdimensional guests!" Tony spun around. "Ready to explain why your world keeps dropping people into ours? Not that we're complaining about the latest arrival," he added with his characteristic grin.

"We know as little as you do, Stark," Darius growled, taking up his usual position against the wall. It gave him a clear view of both exits - old habits died hard.

"The barriers between worlds have always been... complex," Ahri offered, studying the holographic display with interest. "Especially around Ionia. But this feels different."

"Different how?" Bruce looked up from his readings. "We've been tracking unusual energy signatures ever since you two arrived," he nodded to Garen and Darius, "but they're unlike anything we've seen before."

"Magic manifests differently in Ionia compared to other regions," Ahri explained, moving closer to the display. "It's more... fluid there. The spirit realm and physical realm overlap in ways they don't elsewhere." She reached out to touch the hologram, then stopped herself with a small smile. "Your technology is remarkable, by the way."

"Wait until you see my suit collection," Tony grinned. "Speaking of which - those energy orbs of yours. Any chance you'd let me run some tests?"

"Tony," Bruce warned.

"What? It's for science!"

"The last time you said that, we had to rebuild the entire training floor," Natasha pointed out. "Again."

"That was different. How was I supposed to know their weapons would react that way to-"

The door opened, cutting off whatever Tony was about to reveal. Director Fury strode in, his coat swirling dramatically as always. Agent Coulson followed, carrying several tablets.

"Good, you're all here," Fury surveyed the room. "Now, perhaps someone would like to explain why I have the World Security Council breathing down my neck about another interdimensional visitor?"

"They work quickly," Ahri observed.

"You have no idea," Fury fixed his eye on her. "Ms...?"

"Just Ahri is fine."

"Ahri. Care to explain how you ended up in my desert?"

She tilted her head, tails swaying slightly. "I was meditating in a spirit garden when I felt a... disturbance. The barriers between realms are usually stable, even in Ionia, but this was different. By the time I realized what was happening, it was too late to prevent the transition."

"And you just happened to land where we could find you?"

"You think I orchestrated this?" Ahri's laugh was musical but held an edge. "Director, if I had that kind of power, I wouldn't have spent three hours wandering a desert."

"She's right," Garen stepped forward. "The arrival points seem random. Darius and I landed in New York by chance."

"During an alien invasion," Fury pointed out. "Which you helped stop. Convenient timing."

"Are you questioning our honor?" Darius pushed off from the wall, his voice dropping dangerously.

"I'm questioning everything. It's my job."

"Perhaps," Coulson interjected smoothly, "we should focus on the practical matters at hand. Dr. Banner, what have you found from the energy readings?"

Bruce adjusted his glasses. "Well, the signatures are similar to what we recorded during the first arrival, but there are some key differences. The magical component is more pronounced this time, possibly due to..." he glanced at Ahri, seemingly unsure how to phrase it.

"Due to my nature," she finished for him. "Vastaya have a different relationship with magic than humans. More intrinsic."

"Fascinating," Tony leaned forward. "And these spirit realms you mentioned - they're like parallel dimensions?"

"In a way. Though your understanding of dimensions seems more... technical than ours."

"Speaking of technical," Coulson pulled up something on his tablet, "we should discuss integration protocols. Housing, training, clearance levels-"

"Hold up," Fury interrupted. "We haven't decided if she's staying yet."

"With respect, Director," Garen said, "what choice do we have? Until we understand what's bringing us here and how to return, she's as stranded as we are."

"And you trust her?"

"I trust that she has as much reason to find answers as we do."

"I can speak for myself," Ahri said, her voice carrying that unique blend of charm and authority that seemed to come naturally to her. "Director Fury, I understand your caution. In your position, I would be equally suspicious. But consider this - I'm in a strange world, surrounded by technology I barely understand, with my only connections being a Demacian and a Noxian." Her tails moved in what might have been amusement. "If I were plotting something, I would have chosen better company."

Darius snorted. Garen shot him a look.

"She has a point," Natasha spoke up for the first time. "And keeping her close means we can monitor the situation. Better than having another powered individual running loose."

"Plus," Tony added, spinning a holographic display between them, "look at these readings. If we can understand how her magic works, it might help us figure out what's causing these interdimensional rifts in the first place."

"I'm not a research subject, Mr. Stark."

"Call me Tony. And of course not! Think of it more as... collaborative science."

Bruce pinched the bridge of his nose. "Tony..."

"What? Like you're not dying to study how their magic interacts with our physical laws?"

"The priority," Coulson cut in smoothly, "should be integration and containment. If more people are coming through-"

"You think there will be more?" Fury's eye narrowed.

"It seems likely," Ahri said. "These things tend to cascade. In Ionia, when the barriers between realms weaken, it rarely happens just once."

"Wonderful," Fury muttered. "Just what we need. A parade of interdimensional visitors."

"Better they appear where we can find them," Garen pointed out. "Rather than in populated areas."

"Like you two did?"

"That worked out rather well for you, as I recall," Darius rumbled. "Unless you didn't appreciate our help with the Chitauri?"

"Ancient weapons and magic against alien invaders," Tony mused. "Still can't believe that worked."

"Speaking of weapons," Bruce gestured to the holographic display, "these readings from last night are interesting. The energy signature from Ahri's abilities is different from what we've recorded from your weapons," he nodded to Garen and Darius. "It's more... fluid somehow. Less structured."

"Ionian magic versus Demacian and Noxian enchantments," Ahri explained. "Different traditions, different approaches. Though I'm curious how they manifest in your world. The ambient energy here feels... strange."

"Strange how?" Bruce leaned forward, clearly intrigued.

"Like... like trying to hear music through thick walls. The power is there, but muted. Distant."

"Fascinating. The implications for how magical energy transfers between dimensions-"

"Can wait," Fury interrupted. "Right now, we need to establish protocols. Coulson?"

"Yes, sir." Coulson tapped his tablet. "We've prepared quarters on the same floor as our other interdimensional guests. Security measures are in place, but you'll have reasonable freedom of movement within the tower. We'll need to run some basic assessments - combat capabilities, power limitations, that sort of thing."

"Under supervision," Fury added.

"Of course." Ahri's smile was just a touch too innocent. "I wouldn't dream of using my abilities without permission. Especially not my charm magic."

The room went very still.

"Your what?" Fury's hand didn't move to his weapon, but it was a near thing.

"She's joking," Garen said quickly, though he didn't sound entirely sure.

"Am I?" Ahri's tails swayed with what was definitely amusement now. "Come now, Director. If I were going to enthrall anyone, would I announce it?"

"Not helping," Darius muttered.

"Perhaps," Natasha said dryly, "we should focus on the non-magical aspects of integration first."

"Yes," Coulson agreed quickly. "Basic protocols, facility orientation-"

"Hold up," Tony interrupted, "are we just going to gloss over the whole 'charm magic' thing? Because I have questions. Many questions. For science."

"Tony..." Bruce warned.

"What? If we're potentially dealing with mind control-"

"It's not mind control," Ahri clarified, looking far too amused. "Think of it more as... enhanced persuasion."

"Not helping," Garen and Darius said in unison, then glared at each other.

"I once convinced a Noxian commander that his entire squad was a flock of chickens," Ahri continued thoughtfully. "Though in fairness, they were already quite drunk."

Darius made a strangled sound. "That was YOU?"

"Oh, you heard about that?" Her smile widened. "The story reached Noxus Prime?"

"Three veteran soldiers clucking and pecking at grain in the middle of a war camp?" Darius looked like he was getting a headache. "It's required teaching at the officer academy now. 'How Not to Disgrace the Empire.'"

"I'm flattered."

"Don't be. There's a kill-on-sight order."

"There was already a kill-on-sight order. Though I appreciate the promotion from 'dangerous nuisance' to 'actual threat.'"

Fury looked like he was seriously reconsidering his life choices. "Agent Romanoff, please escort our guest to her quarters. And set up a full psychological evaluation. Multiple evaluations."

"Of course," Natasha stood smoothly. "Though I should mention, standard interrogation techniques-"

"Won't work on me," Ahri finished cheerfully. "But I appreciate the thought."

"Wouldn't dream of it." Natasha's smile matched Ahri's. "Just a friendly chat between women who understand the value of... enhanced persuasion."

Tony looked between them. "Is anyone else slightly terrified right now?"

"Yes," Bruce said immediately.

"Absolutely," Coulson agreed.

"Good call," Fury muttered.

Garen just rubbed his temples. Three months of adapting to Earth, learning its customs, figuring out how to explain Runeterra to these people, and in ten minutes Ahri had managed to simultaneously charm and terrify everyone in the room. Which, he had to admit, was probably some kind of record.

"If we're done here," Darius pushed off from the wall, "I need to update our training protocols. Apparently, we've been preparing for the wrong kind of Runeterran visitors."

"What, expecting more people with big weapons and straightforward combat styles?" Ahri's tails swished. "How... typically Noxian."

"As opposed to Ionian trickery and manipulation?"

"I prefer to think of it as... creative problem-solving."

"Right," Fury stood. "Romanoff, get her out of here before Stark tries to scan her magic again."

"I wasn't-" Tony looked at his tablet, which was indeed running scans. "Okay, yes, but you have to admit this is fascinating."

"Out. All of you. And someone explain to Hill why we need to upgrade our psychic defense protocols. Again."

As they filed out of the room, Ahri fell into step beside Natasha. "So... about those interrogation techniques. I have some suggestions that worked wonders on a Demacian spy network..."

"No," Garen said firmly.

"I haven't even-"

"No."

Behind them, Tony was already pulling up new holographic displays. "JARVIS, start a new project file. Title it 'Fox Fire Protocol.' And maybe don't tell Pepper about this one."

"Of course, sir," the AI replied. "Shall I also update the training room reinforcements? Again?"

"Better safe than sorry. And order some chicken feed. Just in case."