Tony Stark is watching on his screens as his former teammates fight alone different villains. "Thor seems like he need help" just as Tony says this, Thor wins by sending his hammer into the ice gigant. Tony sighs and moves over to the next screen, where Captain America fights a bunch of Hydra goons. "Captain America can handle a bunch of HYDRA losers with one arm and a rolled-up newspaper," Tony says as he watches. Soon a blur of blue and energy appears, and their uttermost feared enemies appear. Red Skull. Tony clenches his jaw and moves over to where his suit is standing.

"Jarvis, can you hold the eggs warm? I feel I will be hungry by beating these goons," Tony says as his maid plop down and the platform he's standing on moves out to the rampart. Tony takes off and flies towards Cap is. He arrives just as Skull is taking to Cap, and he is suddenly teleported. Tony thinks that Skull has killed his friend and starts immediately attacking the hydra soldiers. Just as he thinks he's beaten, a massive roar shakes Manhattan and Skull and M.O.D.O.K. Covers their ears.

Soon a black shadow flares overhead and knocks Skull and M.O.D.O.K. down. It then lands, baring its razor-sharp teeth while standing in front of Irom man who is bewildered and not believing what he is just witnessing. "Who are you?!" Skull exclaims, and he brushes off the dirt of his armor. M.O.D.O.K spins around only to get a hot blow in his face. It's so hot that he yelps and rubs his face. The shadow finally talks, its voice soft and deep.

"I am the Moster of your demise. You shall not kill Iron man, not without taking on me first" this leaves Tony even more confused. "We got what we came for, Skull," M.O.D.O.K says as he backs away from the beats who protect Iron man. Soon, the blu blur appears again, and they're gone. "Cap. Jarvis, activate "the Avengers protocol." Tony says as he stares at the monster who has turned around to face him. "Who are you?" Tony says while scanning the beast.

"I am Dalinda, the noble serpent. I am from a land far north, known by the name Dragorath" she-dragon says and bows her head in a greeting. "Dragon? You mean those beasts who are fond of gold and other precious jewels?" Tony says, and the black dragon signs. "Yes, but I must say that I'm not fond of any gold or such things. I am only here for protection to the mortals," she says. "Let's go back to the tower," Tony says and heads towards the tower with Dalinda at his heels.

———

A police siren wails as Hawkeye jumps from roof to roof. Suddenly, a small robot with the hologram of Tony Stark appears. "I'm already warmed up, and I got the B.O. to prove it," Hawkeye warns as he points his arrow at the holographic Tony. "Don't waste your arrow. It's time. I've activated the Avengers protocol." Tony says, his normal jokester gone and a stern look on his face. "Yeah, right. Hilarious, Stark." Clint huff and lowers his arrow. "All right, where are the hidden cameras?" he continues and looks around but finds none.

"Code Alpha, Omicron, Omega. We need you, Hawkeye." Tony says.

Tony: We had our reasons for disbanding the Avengers. I bet some would count my winning personality as one of them. And the world did fine without us; some things changed. But, you know my ego well enough to realize I wouldn't send out this call if I could whip up a suit of armor and make the bad things go away.

Whatever you're doing, I guarantee it's nothing compared to this.

The engines roar as the members of the avengers sits in their jet on their way to the main base. What they don't know is who's waiting there together with Tony for them. "You sure you want to help us?" Tony says as he walks thru the hall of his home, with Dalinda walking beside him. Her gigantic body fit by inches, and she had to be careful not to stumble over something or push something out. "yes, Mr. Stark. It's my duty to help mortals in need, just as yours. I am sorry for your loss; Mr. Captain must've been important to you.." Dalinda trails off, looking at the red burn floor. She hears Mr. Stark sighs. "yes, he was." Tony says and stops walking. 

"I feel your pain, Mr stark. I've also lost someone close to me, but that was long ago," Dalinda says as she too stops. Her giant head is low as she stares into Tony's eyes. It's like she stares into your soul. "Sir, they've arrived," Jarvis says, and Dalinda looks outside where the jet has landed, and Hawkeye, Thor, Sam Wilson, and Hulk walkout. "Still old dump," Hawkeye sighs as they waløk inside. They stop abruptly as they see the giant beast. She stares back at them, a curious look in her eyes, "welcome guys, this is Dalinda, the noble serpent. She will be helping us at our quest." Tony says as he gestures to the giant dragon laid down on the floor but still reshes the walls. 

"Hello, Mortals," Dalinda says, and toothy smiles appear on her lips, showing her rows upon rows with deadly teeth. "Greetings, Noble beast. I have heard of your raze before but never seen one in real life. I must say, you're glorious." The prince of thunder says and bows his head in greeting. Dalinda mirrors his action and stands up, towering tall over them. "Thank you, price. It is no wonder my raze. It is common for you Asgardians. We tend to stay away from the realm of gods. As for you, Bruce, I never encounter such a beast." Dalinda says with a small smile. 

Hulk grunts in response. 

-time skip to HYDRa base-

"Burn!" Dalinda hiss as red flames pours over the base, consuming all the soldiers and destroying the massive. Red Skull looks on in fear as the fire crawls against him, but just as he thinks it is his last moment, M.O.D.O.K appears and teleports them both away before the fire can kill them both. Dalinda sees this and roars in anger. But she then notices that everyone is gathered around Tony, who lays in Captain America's hands. "What happened?" she asks as she looms over them. "tony got his arc reactor ripped out and is now dying." steve said and lifted his friend. "You can sit on me; I can take us there faster," Dalinda says as she lowers her wing so the avengers can climb on. Steve knows he doesn't have any other choice, so he hurries up and sits down between two spikes. 

The rest follow his suit, and soon Dalinda sets off at a speed that no ship could muster. They're at the tower faster than expected, and Cap slides down from Dalinda's wing and rushes inside with sam and the rest at his heels. Dalinda waits outside, curled up in a ball with her wings and tail curled around her. She closes her eyes even tho she knows she won't be able to sleep in this situation. 

-time skip to Tony's better- 

"Where's Dalinda?" tony asks as he drinks his coffee. "She's out there on the front porch." steve says and gestures to the giant beast who still lays curled up outside the tower. Tony goes outside, and Dalinda lifts her head and gives him a warm smile before lowering her head again. "Im glad to see you're healthy again," she says, and her warm breath ruffles Tony's hair. Tony smiled and reached out to pat her scaly snout. At first, it's cold and stern, but warmth creeps up to his palm after a while, and he hears a low purr. To his surprise, Dalinda has closed her eyes and started to purr softly. "Wow" was all Tony said. 

-nighttime.

The night came fast, and all had crawled up in their beds. Dalinda has curled up on the helipad, which is perfect. First, she looks up at the stars, which blink above her head. Then just then, just before her eyes shut, she lets out a small flame that travels up towards the stars. Then the noble beast falls asleep in a good mood under the blinking stars. 

------------------------

Song: The Willow Maid by Erutan. 

A/N: what do you think?