CAN'T CATCH ME NOW

Chapter Four: The Awakening of Scarlett

The summer heat had settled over Avengers Academy, making the days feel long and heavy. Scarlett found solace in the cool interior of the library, where she and Jenny often retreated to study and escape the oppressive sun. The library had become their sanctuary, a place where they could talk about anything and everything, from their latest class projects to their deepest fears and hopes.

One afternoon, as they were pouring over their notes for an upcoming history exam, Jenny glanced at Scarlett with a thoughtful expression. "You seem distracted, Scar. Is everything okay?"

Scarlett sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I guess I'm just feeling the pressure. Everyone around me seems to be excelling, and I'm still waiting for my powers to show up. It's frustrating."

Jenny reached out, placing a reassuring hand on Scarlett's arm. "I get it. But you're amazing just as you are. Powers or no powers, you belong here. Don't forget that."

Scarlett smiled, appreciating Jenny's unwavering support. "Thanks, Jen. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Before Jenny could respond, the library doors swung open, and Peter walked in, his face flushed with excitement. He spotted them and made his way over, holding up a small device.

"Check this out!" Peter said, his eyes sparkling. "Damien and I have been working on a new piece of tech for the combat training sessions. It's a compact energy shield, just like the one Dad used to have."

Scarlett's eyes widened as she examined the device. "That's incredible, Peter. You guys have really outdone yourselves."

Peter beamed with pride. "Thanks. We're hoping to test it out later today. You should come watch."

Jenny nodded eagerly. "Definitely. I'd love to see it in action."

As they gathered their things and headed to the training arena, Scarlett couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and anxiety. She admired her brother's talent and ingenuity, but it also reminded her of her own struggles. She pushed the thoughts aside, determined to support Peter and enjoy the moment.

The training arena was bustling with activity. Students were sparring, practicing their powers, and testing new equipment. In the center of it all stood Damien, adjusting the settings on the energy shield. When he saw them approach, he waved them over.

"Hey, glad you could make it," Damien said, flashing a grin. "We're about to do a test run."

Peter activated the device, and a shimmering blue shield materialized in front of him. The crowd around them murmured in awe as Peter demonstrated the shield's capabilities, deflecting attacks and absorbing impacts with ease.

As Peter and Damien continued their demonstration, Scarlett watched with a sense of pride. Her brother was thriving, and it made her heart swell with happiness. But beneath the surface, the familiar pang of inadequacy lingered.

Suddenly, a loud crash echoed through the arena, and the ground shook. The energy shield flickered and then collapsed. Everyone turned toward the source of the disturbance, and Scarlett's breath caught in her throat.

A massive figure stood at the entrance of the arena, its metallic body gleaming in the sunlight. It was an advanced sentinel, one of the academy's training robots, but something was wrong. It was malfunctioning, its systems going haywire as it targeted the students.

"Everyone, get back!" Natasha's voice rang out as she moved to intercept the sentinel. But it was too late. The robot fired a blast of energy, and the students scattered, trying to avoid the attack.

Scarlett's heart pounded in her chest as she searched for Peter and Jenny. She spotted them, huddled behind a training dummy, trying to shield themselves from the sentinel's onslaught.

"Peter! Jenny!" Scarlett shouted, running toward them. But before she could reach them, the sentinel fired another blast, this time directly at her.

Time seemed to slow as the energy blast hurtled toward Scarlett. She braced herself for impact, but something unexpected happened. A surge of energy welled up inside her, and instinctively, she raised her hands. A shimmering barrier formed around her, absorbing the blast and dissipating it into harmless sparks.

Scarlett stared at her hands in shock. The barrier faded, but the sensation of power remained, coursing through her veins. She had finally activated her powers.

"Scarlett!" Jenny's voice broke through her thoughts. "Are you okay?"

Scarlett nodded, still in disbelief. "I think so. I...I have powers."

Peter's eyes widened as he took in the scene. "Scar, that was incredible! You saved us!"

Before Scarlett could respond, the sentinel advanced again, its targeting systems locked onto her. But this time, she was ready. Drawing on the newfound energy within her, she created another barrier, this one stronger and more focused. The sentinel's attacks bounced harmlessly off the shield, and Natasha took advantage of the opening to disable the robot's systems.

The arena fell silent as the sentinel crumpled to the ground, its threat neutralized. The students slowly emerged from their hiding places, murmuring in awe at what they had witnessed.

Natasha approached Scarlett, her expression one of both concern and pride. "Well done, Scarlett. You've shown remarkable bravery and control."

Scarlett felt a mix of emotions—relief, excitement, and a sense of validation she had longed for. She turned to Peter and Jenny, who were both beaming with pride.

"Guess I finally caught up," Scarlett said with a laugh, the tension of the moment melting away.

Peter pulled her into a hug. "You were amazing, Scar. I'm so proud of you."

Jenny joined the hug, her eyes shining with tears of happiness. "We all are."

As they left the arena, Scarlett felt a newfound sense of confidence. She wasn't just the daughter of Vision and Wanda Maximoff. She was Scarlett, and she had finally discovered her place in this world of heroes.

That night, as the sun set over Avengers Academy, Peter and Jenny found themselves alone on the balcony of the dormitory. The events of the day had brought them even closer, and they stood side by side, watching the stars begin to twinkle in the sky.

"Today was intense," Jenny said softly, her hand brushing against Peter's.

Peter nodded, his heart still racing from the day's excitement. "Yeah, it was. But I'm glad we were together. I don't know what I would have done without you."

Jenny turned to him, her eyes filled with emotion. "I feel the same way, Peter. You mean a lot to me."

Peter's breath caught in his throat. He had felt a growing connection with Jenny, and now, in this quiet moment, he knew it was more than just friendship. He took a step closer, his hand gently cupping her cheek.

"Jenny," he whispered, his voice trembling with anticipation.

She leaned in, their faces inches apart. "Peter."

Their lips met in a tender kiss, a promise of something new and beautiful. As they pulled away, they shared a smile, knowing that their bond had deepened in ways they couldn't fully express.

Under the starlit sky, they stood together, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. For in each other, they had found not only friendship but a love that would guide them through the trials and triumphs of their extraordinary lives.

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