I DON'T CARE IF YOU'RE LAZY READ THIS A/N!

Hey, guys! This is my first non-crossover Avengers story, and I'm feeling pretty good about it. I've been working on it for a couple of years actually, first writing it down in a journal and then typing it, so I've gotten it all written out, but if you have any ideas, I'll consider adding in stuff.

The first chapter is more of a prologue just to get a feel of my character's charac...ter... Yeah. Anywho, I'll post the next chapter soon, but I'll usually be updating every Saturday.

The title of this chapter is from Nine Days 'Absolutely'

I don't own MARVEL and only my characters

Chapter One

This is the Story of a Girl

I let out a content sigh as I lie on a low hanging branch of a tree, the sun warming my back. A bird chirps loudly on a branch next to me, and I glance over at it. Below it, on another branch, my best friend and step-sister, Madison, lays. She sighs a few moments after I do, and at the roots of the tree, our dog, Angus, does the same. Yep, just a regular old lazy day at the ranch.

My name is Zoey, by the way. I'm what you call 'not normal'. A few years back in my crazy life, some scientists were doing experiments using a grey wolf's DNA and a human's. Apparently, I was a screw up. I think they were trying to make a werewolf or something like that, maybe a wolfman? Instead of that, I can choose when I want to be a wolf or not. And when I'm a wolf, I am big. Kinda like those ancient dire wolves I've heard about. Or a warg. But not ugly.

Anyway, one day this really formal looking man walks in and starts chatting with the scientists and looking at us experiments. I think the scientists were going to sell us as weapons for the 'military'. Then, the man stopped in front of my cage and asked about me. The scientist he was with said some things, and the next thing I know, I'm in the man's car, driving to his house.

I was only four or five at the time, but I remember him telling me that he needed me to protect his daughter or something like that. I'm not sure why, though.

Then the man, whose name was Mason, introduced me to Madison. Instantly, I knew that it was her I had to protect. From anything. There was no way I was going to let anything hurt her.

So that's how I wound up here. Cool backstory, huh? But let's not live in the past. I mean, for crying out loud, that was, like, nine years ago! Let's get back to reality.

I roll onto my belly and look at Angus. By the way, he's a Tibetan Mastiff. Mmm hmm, big and furry.

The poor brute is probably frying like an egg underneath his fur. As if to prove this, Angus gets up and shakes out his black and brown pelt before moving to a more shady spot.

"Zoey?" Madison suddenly mutters. I drowsily look at her from my slightly higher branch, "Yeah?"

"That dog is probably-"

"About to have a heat stroke?" I finish for her and she nods, opening an eye. She rolls onto her belly and looks down at Angus, "You need a bath, bro, and a haircut, too."

He raises his head and she says in a deep voice, "Yeah you."

I jump off of the tree and land like a cat. Angus snorts. "I'll get the scissors." I offer, "Mom won't mind, right?"

Madison jumps off of the tree and lands next to Angus. "Of course not," she scoffs, "I'll bring the beast over to the hose near the horse stables. Meet ya there!" She turns around and leaves towards the stables, with Angus following her at a slow trot.

I watch them disappear and then take off towards the house to get some scissors. Due to my enhancement, I'm much faster than a normal human. Unfortunately, I can't outrun dogs like greyhounds or other hunting dogs, or horses either.

On the way, I pass through the sheep's part of the field. Finn, our Australian Shepherd, is currently yapping at the sheep and nipping their heels. He's much younger than Angus, and way more energetic. Not to mention he's one of the biggest nuisances in the vineyard.

When he sees me he immediately runs to me at top speed. Oh yeah, and I can't outrun this guy either.

His brown, black, grey, and white fur blurrs together as he runs faster and faster. Ha, and they say I'm the specially enhanced one?

...well...nobody says that, actually.

Suddenly, Finn leaps to a stop, landing perfectly in front of me. I smile, kneel down, and pet his adorably fluffy head, "'Sup, Finney Finn?"

Finn licks my face and yips, "Hey Zoe Zoe!" Yep, it's every kid's dream. I can talk to dogs. I guess it's because of the little wolf inside of me.

I roll my eyes and groan, "Please don't call me Zoe Zoe."

He follows me as I get up and continue walking to the house. "Well then don't call me Finney Finn." he argues.

I look down at him, "But Finney Finn works for you!" Seriously, I'm not the only one who thinks that, right?

"And Zoe Zoe works for you."

Huh, the dog's got a big mouth. "Touche."

I can see the house ahead of us now. It's two stories tall, not including the attic, with a large tree next to it and the vineyard nearby.

"So what'cha doin?" Finn asks conversationally as he trots by my side.

"Going to get scissors and soap from the house, and then Madison and I are going to give Angus a bath and a haircut."

"Aaaand I'm outta here." the dog swings around and scampers away. I laugh and walk inside of the house. My step-mother, Luna, is in the kitchen washing a bunch of grapes. You know how when people think of step-mothers they instantly think of horrid barbie doll ladies that treat their step-daughter like scum and totally spoil their own daughters? See, she's the complete opposite of that.

Sure, she's got blond hair and blue eyes, but she is the BEST PERSON EVER! I swear she should win an Oscar award for America's Greatest Mom. She treats me like I'm her daughter too, and between you and me, I feel like she likes me better! Probably not, though. Anyway, back to Mom.

Luna's as sweet as a butterfly (not ladybug, they're freaky) most of the time, but when she's mad at one of her workers or clients, she goes full out Hulk! When this happens, Madison and I just like to grab some popcorn, sit back, enjoy the show, and be grateful that it isn't us she's getting mad at. Honestly, there are a lot of things that we do that she should get mad at. But, like before, a daisy.

And you want to know what the best part is? She makes the FRIGGIN' BEST FUDGE BROWNIES EVER!

"Hi, Zoey!"

I jerk back to reality as Mom asks, "What are you and Madison up to today?"

That question, right there! She asks that, like, everyday.

"We're giving Angus a total makeover!" I reply, perking up, "I'm talking bathing, haircut-"

"Well, how 'bout you do the horses next?" Mom asks, rolling her eyes.

"Mom!"

"Kidding!" she puts her hands up in defense and laughs. I grin and start scouring the house for scissors. As I open and close drawers, I say loudly, "And maybe we could even put some makeup on him! Or clothing! We could tie a blanket to his collar and make a superdog!"

Mom laughs again and exclaims, "Angus? A superdog? Good luck with that one, honey."

Giggling, I open up another drawer and see two pairs of scissors. Picking one up, I snip it twice before putting them both in my front pocket.

"Ooh, and also don't forget about the party."

I look at Mom and ask, "What party?" If there's a party, I'm going to be in it. There ain't no party without Zoey Colt!

Mom raises her eyebrows at me as she dries the grapes, "The one we have every year. People come and taste wine and we have games for their kids."

Ahh, yes, that party.

Time for long explanation.

So, every year at harvest time we have a wine party, since we, you know, live in a vineyard. The adults drink and chat while the kids play games that Madison and I set up. It is a wonderful time for celebration and getting drunk on wine and grape juice. Just kidding, Mom makes sure everyone drinks responsibly. Usually, Madison and I sing songs that we practice for the guests. Yes, yes, the wolf howl and all that stuff, I know. Now shut up and let me explain this stuff.

….great, now I lost my place. Where was I? Oh yeah, and most of the guests are friends, but some of them are people that we haven't even met before. In person, anyway.

When we see those strangers, I usually stick close to Madison, just in case. Ugh, great, that makes me sound like some overprotective father.

"Tomorrow you and Madison are going to help me pick some grapes from the vineyard," Mom says as I start shuffling towards the dogs' cabinet with all their stuff. "Okay," I reply, "but we get to take the horses."

"Fine."

Opening the cabinet, I skim through the many...many different dog shampoos. It's not that we bathe them very often, but Madison and I are very picky about scents. Grabbing one, I flick it open and take a sniff.

Mmm...green apple. My favorite. Anybody else?

With the scissors, soap, and a quickly picked bow, I walk back out into the fields. "Later, Mom." I say as I pass by.

When I get past the sheep (and Finn) and enter the horses' pasture, my thoroughbred, Moon, trots up to me. No, I did not just name her Moon because of my wolfness. I named her that because she's got a moon shaped mark on her forehead.

I smile and pat her neck. She neighs and jerks her head, looking at me expectantly. Probably wants peppermints. I reach into my back pocket and pull one out. Moon's ears perk up and I take it out of its wrapper before giving it to her.

With her breath now minty, I put Angus's shampoo bottle between my teeth and heave myself onto her back.

Bareback riding! Boo ya!

Looking around for a moment, I put the bottle in my pants (don't judge me) and secure the scissors and bow, which are in my pockets. Then, grabbing onto Moon's red mane, I nudge her flank with my foot. With a snort, she starts cantering towards the fence. The wind blows through my black hair and whistles in my ears as she races on.

How great is my life? Very.

A minute or so later, I see Madison and Angus up ahead and pat Moon's neck. She slows down to a trot (which, without a saddle or stirrups, hurts A LOT) and then stops by the fence near the stables.

Madison looks up with a hose in hand and exclaims, "There you are! Come on, let's wash Angus!"

I slide off of Moon's back and with a pat, she trots away. Taking the scissors out of my pocket, I put them on top of the fence and climb through it to the other side. Madison glances at the bottle in my pants and then at me, "Seriously?"

I take the bottle out with no regret and say, "Yep."

Madison rolls her eyes and starts getting Angus wet. Steam billows off of his pelt and he grunts in appreciation. See, Angus doesn't seem to mind baths, whereas Finn…

Taking the shampoo bottle in both hands, I squirt soap onto his back and head. Madison and I scrub his fur and soon soap suds are all over his body. I laugh and look at my step-sister, who does the same. "Angus looks like a sheep now!" she laughs.

I nod and suddenly remember about the party. "Mom wants us to pick grapes tomorrow for the Harvest Party next Sunday." I say. By the way, today's Wednesday. Hump Day!

Madison looks at me with a big grin plastered on her face, "Cool! Is my dad coming this year?"

I sigh. Madison rarely sees her father, Mason, because he's, like, the leader of the military or something like that. I guess you could call him a general. He also happens to be the one that brought me to the vineyard. I haven't seen him since, except on FaceTime and stuff like that.

"I don't know," I say with regret as I play with Angus's soapy fur, "Mom didn't say anything about it. He's probably very busy." Madison's face falls and her excitement is replaced with disappointment. I hate giving her bad news. It makes her sad which makes me sad. It's a sisterly chain reaction!

"I know," Madison sighs as we begin to hose off Angus, "I just hoped that maybe he could come this time. It would be nice if- ahh!"

Angus shakes his fur, sending water flying everywhere. A now-soaked Madison starts laughing and bends down to kiss the Mastiff's wet muzzle. I smile gratefully at Angus and he gives me a knowing look. Rolling my eyes, I squeeze the water out of my hair. Madison wasn't the only one who got wet!

We drop the depressing subject and start giving Angus a haircut. The sun dries us as we do so, and we talk about different things. Like planning a shopping spree at the mall. Or some PS3 games that we want to get.

"I want to get the next Batman game." I say and Madison nods her head feverishly as she cuts Angus's ear fur, "Me too! We've played Arkham Origins way too many times."

What? Girls can play violent video games too!

"Yeah," I agree, "Arkham Knight is gonna come out soon."

"I don't understand you humans and your 'PS3's." Angus rumbles and Madison, who has no idea what he said, pats his slightly damp head. "Do you like your haircut, hm? You like your haircut, foo foo? It's gonna make you feel all good and clean and…"

As Madison goes on in a pathetic doggy voice, the old dog gives me a 'seriously' look and I stifle a laugh.

As the sun starts to set, I snip the last bit of fur off of him. Now, he has much shorter fur and looks like a new dog. But oh my God you should've seen the pile of of cut dog fur on the ground. We might as well count Angus as one of the sheep later when he gets his winter coat!

Before he can escape, though, I take the pink bow out of my pocket and clip it to his collar. With a glare, he walks away and Madison laughs.

We climb through the fence and into the horses' pasture. I quickly find Moon and Madison finds her horse, a female appaloosa named Pepsi, and together we ride back to the house.

Angus, who was watching us from a distance, decides to follow us, trotting a bit away from the horses. Once we reach the sheep's part, we climb off and I pat Moon's nose, "Stables."

She jerks her head and Madison says the same to Pepsi. They turn around and walk back to the herd. We've trained the horses to know a few words. Pepsi is the lead mare in the herd, so when she tells them to go back to the stables, they'll go. Their stalls are always open, so if you think about it, it's a really good way to save us from work. Well, except for the workers who have to close the stalls at night.

"Hey, Zoey!"

I turn around to see Finn running towards us.

"Oh no." Angus and I both groan at the same time.

Madison laughs and pats her knees, "C'mere buddy!"

Finn leaps into her arms and starts licking her face. "Hey, guys, what's up, where you going?" he yips between licks.

"Okay, okay!" Madison laughs and puts him down. Tail wagging madly, he yelps, "I'm so happy to see you guys! Are we going home? I want some kibble!"

He turns around and starts running to the house. Madison laughs and chases him.

Angus and I look at each other.

"The dog's a year old, how can he be so energetic?" I ask and he jerks his head, "Remember, one year for you is seven years for us. The pup's still a...pup."

I shake my head and chase after Madison and Finn. Soon, Angus is at my heels and I watch as my sister and the Austie disappear inside the house. I run inside after them and skid to a halt. Madison's hand is an inch from my nose.

"Stop!"

I look at her in confusion and she gets a mischievous grin, "Hammer time!"

I smirk, but before we can put on music and dance, Mom jumps in between us. Literally. She actually jumped like a kangaroo.

"Stop!"

She looks at both of us and mimics Madison's voice, "Dinner time!"

We all laugh and walk to the dining table. Tonight's entree is: chicken, beans, mashed potatoes with gravy, cooked vegetables, and two glasses of Sprite and one with white wine.

We eat, talk, and laugh as the stars come out. Finn sits under the table, giving me puppy dog eyes the entire time. Every once in a while, I slip him a bit of chicken which disappears in 0.1 seconds.

Angus, who couldn't care less, lays quietly on a rug nearby. When we finish eating, Madison and I prepare the dog's meal.

Tonight's entree for them: chicken scraps, a bit of broccoli and carrots, some bowtie pasta, and at the very bottom of their bowl, dog food.

I swear they eat nearly as well as us. But, hey, Finn burns, like, a million calories everyday just for being him. And Angus...well, he's old anyway and we're gonna make his last years the best.

By nine 'o'clock, we're on the porch, ice cream in hand, watching the stars, which, from out here in the open plains, look beautiful. Just me, Madison, Luna, Angus, and Finn.

My family.

So, how was that for a start? We're gonna be getting more into the Avengers in the next chapter. Btw, this is after the movie

R&R

- Flaming Crow