Hammer Industries. Once attached to Stark Industries. A weapons manufacturer that specialized in weapons of mass destruction. Some people loved them, some people hated them. You? You didn't have an opinion on either or, if you were honest.

But you were here. Looking down at the main building of the company itself. Beside you, your partner in crime.

Cat was inspecting the building with her binoculars while you stood there just watching. Ever since that night about a week ago, you haven't really spoken to Felicia. Cat was most in the driver's seat doing everything.

Honestly, you had no idea how to feel about that.

You could still feel her lips on yours.

You quickly shook the thought from your head and looked back at Cat.

Y/N: So?

Cat: Nothing we haven't seen before. High level security, Hammer created systems, etc. Etc.

She lowered her binoculars and sighed.

Cat: No, I won't tell him anything. You just talk to him.

You raised a brow and looked at the girl.

Cat: Because I'm done playing telephone!

Y/N: Is that Felicia?

Cat: Yes. She's still refusing to just swallow her pride and talk to you.

You just sighed. Of course she was.

Y/N: Whatever. Let's just do this.

Cat stood up and looked at you for a moment.

Cat: You alright? You seem nervous. You're never nervous.

Y/N: Yeah. I'm fine. Let's just go.

Cat watched as you ignited your feet and leaped across the gap toward the building.

Felicia: He hates me.

Cat: No, he doesn't. Though he might if you keep acting like this.

She threw her grapple line and followed you.
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???: So, you think that the information you're looking for is in there, why?

Over head, a young girl in a suit of armor soared towards her destination.

???: Because, Miles, I know that Hammer is hiding something. What is it he's hiding? I have no clue.

Miles: Right. You sure you don't need anyone to be your back up?

???: Nah. I got this. Besides, this is a good test run for my new suit.

The boy on the line laughed a bit.

Miles: Alright. Well, good luck. Call if you need anything.

???: Will do.

The girl hung up the call and flew towards Hammer Industries. The place where she would be getting some answers.
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Y/N: It should be on this floor somewhere.

Cat: The question is, where?

You and Cat snuck around the 15th floor of the building to avoid any security. What you were looking for was simple. The safe that held the flash drive containing all of Hammer's blueprints to their new prototypes.

Worth millions.

Maybe even billions.

Cat: If I was a rich bald guy, where would I hide my safe?

Y/N: I would say his office, but that place was completely empty.

Indeed it was. Not even a file in a drawer. It was odd but nothing to write home about.

Y/N: Maybe it's in the break room, or something.

Cat stopped walking and looked at you.

Cat: Really?

Y/N: You have a better idea?

Cat gave it some thought.

Cat: I don't, actually. But...

Y/N: No better idea, we go with mine. To the break room.

Cat rolled her eyes and followed you. You both made it to the break room where you began searching. Honestly, not the best plan. But it was better than no plan. You think.

As you looked through the drawers ro try and find something, anything, you suddenly spotted a logo. One that made you stop in place.

You slowly pulled out the paper. It was a simple notice, but what caught your eye was of course the logo. A.I.M.

Cat: Y/N?

You stared at the logo.

And suddenly, you were a child again.
~~~~~~~~~~
Scientist: Move onto the next test.

Assistant: But, sir, he hasn't even recovered from....

Scientist: Do it now!

The assistant nodded and forced you out of the chair. You were dragged down the hall towards the next room. Your vision was blurry. Your body was sore.

Blood created a trail beneath your feet.

This was your life.

Test after test, cut after cut, and nothing but pain. When was the last time you even ate something?

You were thrown into the room where the men began to strap the part of the machine onto you. Your mind was trying to focus, but the drugs they injected into your system kept you from doing so.

You cried out as you were implied by several different blades. Boiling hot metal filled your body and coated your bones. Your cries were muffled by the respirator as the men worked.

The pain was unbearable.

It was never ending.

It was...

Cat: Y/N!

You snapped out of your thoughts and looked at her. She looked worried.

Cat: What's wrong?

You turned back to the paper and read it.

Y/N: We need to get to this floor.

You showed her the note and she read it confused.

Cat: You think this is where the safe is?

You shook your head.

Y/N: No. But there's answers there.
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You and Cat found yourselves on the underground floors. Almost immediately, you noticed that things down here were different.

The walls were metal, the lights were dimmer, and the smell was awful.

Cat: What is this place?

Y/N: I don't know. But...

You stopped walking which Cat noticed. She looked at you and noticed your were looking at your hands.

Y/N: I...I think the people responsible for what happened to me are here.

Cat raised a brow.

Cat: You mean, those guys who tortured you? Why would they be here?

Y/N: I don't know. But I need answers.

Cat crossed her arms.

Cat: I know. And I'm here every step of the way. Just, try not to get us involved with some big fight.

You smiled.

Y/N: I'll try my best.

Cat smiled as well.

You both contiued down the hall before you reached a set of metal doors. The odd thing was, they were already blasted through.

Cat: That can't be good.

Y/N: No. It cannot.

You and Cat looked at each other before you stepped through. Somewhere in the halls, you heard grunts and what sounded like gunfire echoing. You contiued forward and Cat followed you.

Cat: You think they're on our side?

Y/N: I hope so.

You suddenly stopped when a man in a yellow hazmat suit was blasted into the wall in front of you. You and Cat looked over and found someone in a suit of armor fighting off AIM soldiers.

Y/N: Iron Man?

Cat: Oh. Crap.

You watched for a moment before the person had finished off the last soldier. They then turned around and spotted you.

You just waved.

Y/N: Hey. Uh, this is a bit awkward but, we met already. Like, two years ago. I helped you take down that Hydra bot. Please don't kill us.

The suited figure seemed confused.

???: I never met you before. Two years ago, I wasn't even Ironheart.

Cat: Iron who the hell are you?

The figure stood the proudly.

???: My name is Ironheart. I'm a hero.

Cat nudged you and leaned over.

Cat: Is this another one of your hero friends?

You shook your head.

Ironheart: Now, who are you two?

You and Cat looked at each other then at the defeated men that were on the floor.

Y/N: Uh, friends? Actually, we might be.

You pulled out the note from your pocket and showed it to her.

Y/N: I was asked to join the Program by Spider-Man. Uh, to be a hero.

Ironheart looked at the note then looked at Cat.

Ironheart: And you?

Cat: I'm a cat. Meow.

Ironheart handed you the note back and looked around.

Ironheart: And what are the two of you doing here?

Y/N: We're looking for answers.

Cat: And a safe.

Y/N: But mostly answers.

Cat: But definitely also the safe.

Ironheart looked at the two of you before she sighed.

Ironheart: Alright. Look, I can't just have you two running around like this. This is an official Avengers authorized mission. Plus, there's actually nothing here. They cleaned the entire place out.

Y/N: What?!

That explains why you haven't been able to find anything. You growled in frustration while Cat sighed.

Cat: Damnit. Welp, guess this job is a bust.

She turned to Ironheart.

Cat: Nice meeting you, but we should be going.

Ironheart looked over at you.

Ironheart: Hey, if you were asked to join the Program, you can come with me back to the base.

You looked over at her then over at Cat. She awkwardly stood there for a moment before she shrugged.

You looked back at Ironheart.

Y/N: Uh, actually, um.....do you think I can, I haven't had a chance to say goodbye. I would...like to do that first.

Ironheart looked over at Cat and nodded.

Ironheart: Of course. Take all the time you need.

She pulled out a piece of paper and wrote something down on it before she handed it to you.

Ironheart: This is the base's address. When you're ready, just head there.

You slowly took the paper and sighed.
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Cat: So, this is our last breakfast together?

You sighed as you sat across from Cat. You were both at a dinner you had a habit of going to after jobs.

The air between you two was thick. Thicker over the fact that Felicia still hasn't spoken to you.

Y/N: You act like I'm dying.

Cat: The poor girl thinks so.

You took a sip of your coffee before you looked out the window.

Cat: This is going to be great for you.

You looked back at her.

Cat: Being around people like you. Doing good. It fits you pretty well.

Y/N: But you'll be on your own.

Cat shrugged.

Cat: So will you, for a while. But, I think we can both manage. We need to.

You smiled a bit.

Y/N: Yeah. I guess we do.

You looked down at your coffee as you sighed.

Y/N: I'm sorry.

Cat: Don't ever apologize. This is your choice.

Y/N: I love you both. You know this.

Cat: Of course we do. We love you to.

She reached across the table and gently held your hand.

Cat: And, you know how she feels.

You slowly nodded.

Y/N: I just wish, she would talk to me.

Cat looked at you and sighed as her eyes shifted.

Y/N: Felicia...

Felicia: You're making the right choice. A choice only you can make. I know that.

She sighed as you looked at her.

Felicia: Just, promise me that one day, well meet again and talk. And...and that we'll still be friends.

You smiled as you gently squeezed her hand.

Y/N: Of course.

You and Felicia sat there, holding each other hands, smiling.

Almost like you were normal kids.
------------
You stood before the large building with a bag of whatever you had to your name. Some clothes and that was it.

You sighed as you thought back on your friend. It was hard to say goodbye, but you needed to.

This was for the best. For both of you.

You walked forward and embraced the future.

Time to be a hero.