⋆.ೃ࿔*:･𝐯𝐢. sometimes to run is the brave thing

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐅𝐄𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐄𝐗𝐏𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐊𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐑, 𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐌 𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐒𝐏𝐑𝐀𝐖𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐀𝐈𝐑. Ingrid was thrown with brutal force, before she crashed onto the cold, hard floor. Pain erupted in her head as she hit the ground, and she let out a pained groan, instinctively clutching the back of her head. The impact left her dazed, and she struggled to sit up, every movement sending sharp stabs of pain through her skull. Her head pounded with a relentless throb, and she fought to steady her breathing.

Her vision was a blur of colors and shapes, but she strained to make sense of her surroundings. Gradually, the haze began to clear, and she could discern Natasha lying a few feet away. The red-headed assassin was in a precarious position, a heavy metal pipe pinning her ankle to the ground.

Ingrid's gaze then shifted to her father, who had also taken a hard fall. He was on his knees, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he clung to the grated floor, his knuckles white from the strain. His usually composed face was twisted in intense concentration, the familiar green tint in his eyes signaling his barely contained fury.

"I'm okay!" Natasha said into her earpiece, her voice strained but determined. Natasha then turned her gaze towards Bruce and then to Ingrid, who was clutching her head even tighter, the pounding ache showing no signs of relenting. "We're okay, right?" Natasha asked, her tone laced with both hope and concern.

Ingrid winced as another wave of pain shot through her head. She struggled to focus, her vision blurring momentarily. She glanced over to her dad, her heart sinking as she saw him fighting a losing battle against his rage. His face was contorting, his muscles bulging and shifting as he tried to hold back the transformation. The familiar green hue in his eyes was growing more intense, a clear sign that the Hulk was about to emerge.

"I don't think so," Ingrid whispered, her voice barely audible but loud enough for Natasha to hear. She made sure to keep her tone low, not wanting her dad to pick up on her words and lose what little control he had left.

Natasha gritted her teeth as she tried to pull herself free from the heavy pipe pinning her ankle. Her face was pale, beads of sweat forming on her forehead, but she didn't stop. She glanced over at Bruce, who was struggling to suppress the transformation. "Doctor... Bruce, you gotta fight it," Natasha called out, her voice a mixture of pain and urgency. "This is just what Loki wants. We're gonna be okay. Listen to me."

Ingrid, still clutching her head, groaned in pain. She forced herself to focus, pushing through the throbbing ache. "Dad. Dad, we'll be alright," she managed to choke out, her voice barely above a whisper but filled with determination. "You just need to stay calm. One year streak, remember that, please."

Bruce's eyes flickered to Ingrid, the mention of his one-year streak giving him a momentary anchor. His breathing was ragged, his body shaking with the effort to stay in control.

Suddenly, the sound of approaching footsteps caught Ingrid's attention. Two SHIELD agents rushed into the chaotic scene, their expressions a mix of concern and determination. "Are you okay?" one of them called out, assessing the situation quickly.

Natasha waved them away, her eyes fierce. The agents took one look at Bruce, whose transformation was progressing rapidly, and their faces paled. Without another word, they turned and ran, understanding the danger they were in.

"We're gonna be okay. Right?" Natasha's voice trembled slightly, but she tried to inject as much confidence as possible. "I swear on my life I will get you out of this, you will walk away, and never..."

"Your life?" Bruce interrupted, his voice already taking on a deeper, more menacing tone. The growl of the Hulk was unmistakable, and it sent a chill down Natasha's spine. She could see the transformation taking hold, his skin shifting to an angry green as his control slipped away.

Suddenly, another explosion rocked the helicarrier, shaking the entire structure. The force of the blast sent debris raining down around them, and the lights flickered before plunging the room into darkness.

Ingrid, despite the pounding pain in her head, forced herself to her feet. Her vision swam, but she pushed it aside, focusing on Natasha. She ran towards her, adrenaline driving her movements. Reaching Natasha, Ingrid knelt down, ignoring her own pain, and threw herself against the heavy pipe pinning Natasha's ankle. She strained with all her might, her muscles trembling from the effort.

"Ms. Romanoff, we need to run," Ingrid urged, her voice tight with urgency and fear.

Natasha ignored Ingrid's plea, her focus shifting to Bruce. "Bruce," she called out, her voice laced with urgency and desperation.

Bruce's transformation accelerated, his body convulsing as the Hulk took over. His skin turned a deep green, muscles expanding and ripping through his clothes. He gave them one last look, his eyes flickering with a mix of fear and regret before they were consumed by the Hulk's rage.

Ingrid and Natasha, realizing the imminent danger, renewed their efforts to free Natasha's trapped ankle. Ingrid threw herself against the heavy pipe, straining with all her might, while Natasha pushed with every ounce of strength she had left. But they stopped suddenly as the Hulk turned his head towards them, sensing their movements. His face contorted into a disturbing, monstrous expression.

With one final, desperate push, Natasha managed to pull her foot free from under the pipe. She winced in pain but didn't waste a second. "Got it," she gasped, turning to Ingrid.

Ingrid sighed in relief, her muscles trembling from the exertion. But before she could fully process the moment, Natasha grabbed her hand and pulled her up.

Natasha and Ingrid bolted up a flight of stairs, their footsteps echoing in the metal confines of the helicarrier. As they reached the top, Natasha didn't hesitate. She climbed over the railing, her movements quick and agile. Once she was over, she turned and extended her hand to Ingrid, who grasped it tightly, allowing Natasha to help her over the railing as well.

Just as they both landed on the other side, the Hulk caught up with them. His immense strength ripped the staircase they had just climbed right off the floor. With a roar of fury, he hurled it across the room, the metal crashing and twisting with a deafening noise.

Natasha and Ingrid ducked under a nearby turbine, their breaths coming in ragged gasps. "This way," Natasha whispered urgently, leading Ingrid into a maze of pipes. They crawled through the narrow spaces, the metallic surfaces cold against their skin. Every movement had to be precise and silent, the threat of the Hulk's wrath looming over them.

Just as they thought they had a moment of respite, a massive hand reached down from above the catwalk and grabbed them. The Hulk's grip was unrelenting as he pulled them out. Natasha and Ingrid fell through the gaps between the catwalks, hitting the ground hard but quickly regaining their senses. They moved with practiced efficiency, slipping away stealthily while the Hulk let out an enraged roar above them.

They continued to crawl under the catwalk, the narrow space providing some semblance of cover. Ingrid's breath was heavy, her chest heaving with the exertion and fear. She clutched Natasha's hand tightly, drawing strength from the contact. They paused for a moment, the room vibrating rhythmically around them, adding to the tension.

Natasha pulled out her gun, the cool metal a comforting weight in her hand. "Stay close," she murmured, her eyes scanning their surroundings. They slowly emerged from under the catwalk, stepping cautiously onto the open space.

But the Hulk roared in front of them, his monstrous form blocking their path. Natasha aimed her gun at a nearby liquid nitrogen pipe. She fired a precise shot, and the pipe burst, spraying the Hulk's face with a freezing cloud. The Hulk roared in surprise and pain, momentarily disoriented by the sudden blast of cold.

"Run!" Natasha shouted, grabbing Ingrid's hand. They sprinted through the maze of corridors, their footsteps echoing off the metal walls. Ingrid's breath came in heavy gasps, her heart racing with a mix of fear and adrenaline. The sounds of the Hulk tearing through the environment behind them were a constant reminder of the danger they were in, but she didn't dare look back.

Finally, they reached a long corridor, their path stretching out ahead. Ingrid could hear the Hulk's destructive rampage closing in, the sound of metal being torn apart. Her muscles burned with exertion, but she pushed on, driven by sheer survival instinct.

Natasha, glancing back to assess the situation, suddenly found herself face to face with the Hulk. Before she could react, the Hulk's massive hand swiped her into the wall with brutal force. Natasha crashed into the ground, the impact leaving her dazed and struggling to breathe.

Ingrid stopped, her heart pounding. She watched in horror as Natasha lay crumpled on the ground, but there was no time to help her. The Hulk's attention was now on her. Ingrid's breath was ragged, but she forced herself to stand tall. She gulped, raising her hand into the air. A large flame ignited in her palm, its light dancing across her determined face.

She was ready to protect herself and Natasha, ready to fight if she had to. But before she could unleash her powers, a blur of movement caught her eye. Thor, with Mjolnir in hand, charged at the Hulk. He tackled him with immense force, knocking him off his feet and into the next room. The impact shook the corridor, and the sound of their clash reverberated through the walls.

Ingrid's flames flickered and died as she breathed a sigh of relief. She cast a quick glance towards the room where Thor and the Hulk were battling, needing to reassure herself that her dad was okay.

She then knelt down in front of Natasha, concern etched on her face. "Ms. Romanoff, are you alright? Is your... is your ankle okay?" Ingrid's voice was soft, filled with worry.

Natasha could only manage a weak and confused nod, her face pale and lined with pain. She was clutching her leg to her chest, trying to alleviate some of the throbbing pain radiating from her ankle.

Ingrid let out a long sigh and sat down next to Natasha, the adrenaline of the chase and fight slowly wearing off. The tension in her shoulders eased slightly, though her heart still pounded from the recent chaos.

"So that's what you meant by weird?" Natasha asked, her voice strained but tinged with curiosity.

Ingrid nodded with a slight smile. "Yeah," she said, a giggle escaping her lips. She raised her hand, creating a small flame that danced in her palm for a moment before she extinguished it, letting it disappear into a wisp of smoke.

A small silence followed, both Ingrid and Natasha catching their breath and processing the chaos that had just unfolded. The distant sounds of Thor and the Hulk battling still echoed through the corridors, but for a moment, they allowed themselves a brief reprieve.

Ingrid was the first to break the silence. "Do you think my dad's going to be okay?" Her voice was soft, tinged with worry and fear.

Natasha turned to her, her expression serious but reassuring. "I don't think Thor is going to hurt him," she said.

Ingrid nodded, taking some comfort in Natasha's words. "And Fury and your agent friends, you don't think they'll lock him up after... all of this?" She motioned to the destruction around them, the evidence of the Hulk's rampage stark and undeniable.

Natasha sighed, glancing at the devastation. "Let's hope it doesn't get to that," she replied, her tone somber. Ingrid shut her eyes tightly, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to spill.

"Are you okay?" Natasha asked, her eyes scanning Ingrid for any noticeable wounds.

Ingrid sighed, rubbing her forehead gently. "My head hurts from the fall, but other than that, I'm alright," she replied, trying to brush off the pain with a forced smile. "This used to be my normal, it's really no big deal."

Natasha raised an eyebrow, concern evident in her expression. "Your normal?"

"Yeah," Ingrid nodded, her voice tinged with resignation. "Growing up with Dad, you get used to unexpected things happening. He always did his best to keep me safe, but sometimes..." She trailed off, glancing away briefly before meeting Natasha's gaze again. "I guess I've just learned to live with all of this."

Natasha nodded understandingly. After a moment of silence, she spoke into her earpiece, her voice calm and professional. "This is Agent Romanoff. I copy." She glanced at Ingrid and then got up, ready to move.

Ingrid followed suit, getting to her feet. "Where are we going?" she asked, curiosity and a hint of concern in her voice.

"I'm going to find Agent Barton," Natasha replied, her tone brisk and focused. She noticed Ingrid's hesitation and added, "He's a colleague and a friend. Clint Barton. A skilled agent."

"Got it," Ingrid said, masking her uncertainty with a nod of understanding.

"But you'll be getting your head checked. You might have a concussion." Natasha added.

"You think I need a concussion check?" Ingrid asked.

Natasha raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk playing on her lips. "I'd rather you be safe than sorry," she replied, her tone gently teasing. "You took quite a fall back there."

"I don't have a concussion!" Ingrid protested, a touch of defensiveness in her voice. "I know what the symptoms are, and I know I don't have them."

Natasha chuckled softly. "Alright, kid. If you say so." Ingrid sighed, realizing she wouldn't win this argument with Natasha.