Chapter 42: Mama needs her Froyo!!!

In the quiet sanctuary of her attic room in the Avengers Mansion, Doreen Green, alias Squirrel Girl, collapsed onto her bed.

"Gahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh..."

The exhaustion from her latest mission, battling alongside the new Spider-Girl against Kraven the Hunter's son, weighed heavily on her.

She had been fighting for almost a week straight, she was so tired she even forgot to take off her shoes.

Her week had been a whirlwind of beating up annoying villains and trying to stop a gang war, leaving her both physically and mentally spent.

Surrounded by her loyal squirrel companions, Doreen vented her frustrations. "You guys, I'm just so wiped. Teaming up with Spider-Girl was cool and all, but this gang war thing? It's too much." She sighed deeply, the events of the week catching up to her.

Tippy-Toe, her closest squirrel friend, chittered sympathetically. "And to top it all off, I totally blew off Grim last Friday. I was supposed to meet him for some Chimichangs, but with everything going on... I just forgot."

Her furry friends listened intently, their small faces filled with concern.' Hey, it's okay Doreen I'm sure we'll find him eventually and when we do, I'll make sure you get that date.'

Doreen's mood brightened a bit as she heard that and then remembered about her upcoming departure for school. "School's starting soon! I'm super excited about that. New beginnings, right?"

She had decided a while back that it was Time to start a new chapter in her life, being an Avenger has been fun and all but she wanted...more.

She got to meet so many amazing people and friends, but she also wanted a more normal life outside her heroic gig.

If she wasn't fighting she was either sleeping or lazing around Avengers Mansion, just waiting for the next big bad to come knocking at the door.

Though it was a hard decision it was one she ultimately decided to make for herself, luckily none of her other teammates took it too hard, even wished her luck...that was why she loved them so much.

Though her thoughts then drifted back to Grim. 'I feel awful about standing him up. Monkey Joe said he saw Grim at the diner with some other girl. I hope he's not too mad at me.'

As she pondered how to make amends, the attic door creaked open, and in bounded Cassandra Lang, AKA Stinger. Her energetic face was a stark contrast to Doreen's weary smile.

"Doreen! H.A.P.P.Y. said you were back!" Cassandra exclaimed, plopping down on the bed beside her friend. "You look like you could use a pick-me-up. What's been going on?"

Doreen couldn't help but smile at her friend's infectious energy. "Hey, Cas, where do I even start? Hero stuff has been non-stop, and I've got this thing with Grim... I feel like such a flake."

Cassandra's expression turned from excitement to concern. "Grim? Wait, isn't he that guy you told me you were crushing on? What happened?"

Doreen recounted the missed date and her worries about Grim's reaction. "I just vanished on him, and now I have no idea where he is or how to even say sorry."

Cassandra listened, nodding empathetically. "That's tough, D. But you know, sometimes we just get overwhelmed. It happens to the best of us. Speaking of which, I know what always cheers me up after a crazy week of superheroing."

Doreen's ears perked up. "Oh yeah? What's that?"

"Froyo!" Cassandra declared with a grin. "There's this amazing place I know. They've got this new nut flavour that's just to die for!"

Doreen's spirits lifted instantly. "Froyo sounds perfect! Let's go!"

In a flash, Doreen changed into her civilian clothes, her superhero fatigue momentarily forgotten. "What are we waiting for? Mama needs her Froyo!"

Cassandra chuckled as they both headed out of the attic, her steps light and bouncy.

The promise of frozen yoghurt and the comfort of friendship had dispelled any exhaustion Doreen previously might have felt.

....

After a nice leisurely stroll, Doreen Green and Cassandra Lang comfortably sat in the new frozen yoghurt shop. Each with a unique mix of toppings.

The lively atmosphere of the shop set the mood for an afternoon of catch-ups and gossip.

"So, Cassie, you have to give me all the deets about New Asgard! I've only heard rumours," Doreen urged, her eyes wide with anticipation as she enjoyed a spoonful of her nut-flavoured froyo.

A good couple of years ago, Asgard was eaten and destroyed by Galactus, but soon after the process to rebuild the realm had commenced.

[AN - I thought I had made New Asgard up when I thought of this a month ago but I just looked online today and it actually exists in the cinematic universe...I am really behind on the movies.]

Thor's daughter, Thena Thorsdóttr was a part of the Avengers, but she was in New Asgard at this current moment and not on Earth.[Pic]

Cassandra's face lit with excitement as she began to describe her visit. "Doreen, it's like nothing you've seen before! The buildings shimmer like they're made of stars, and the gardens are so lush and vibrant. And the Rainbow Bridge? Here I took some pics..." Cass showed her all the photos she had taken.

Doreen's fascination was evident. "Wow, it looks like a fantasy Dreamland! Speaking of which, let me fill you in on my new buddy, Spider-Girl. She's got some serious skills, and we make quite the team."

Cassandra leaned forward, eager to hear more. "Ooh, tell me everything! I've heard bits and pieces about her. Is it true about her and Franklin Richards being close?"

Doreen chuckled. "Honestly, I don't know. They seem tight, but I haven't pried. You know how it is with superhero secrecy and all."

Their conversation smoothly transitioned to the recent mysterious light phenomenon over Manhattan that occurred not too long ago.

"That light was something else!" Doreen exclaimed. "The whole sky was lit up like daylight. The Avengers are still scratching their heads over it."

Cassandra nodded in agreement. "I heard it specifically targeted gang hideouts. That's some selective targeting. Makes you wonder who's behind it, right?"

As they delved into their desserts, the topic turned to Doreen's upcoming departure from the Avengers.

"I'll miss the team, but it's time for me to chart my own path. It's kind of scary but exciting," Doreen shared, her voice tinged with a mix of nostalgia and anticipation.

Cassandra reached out her hand, it was warm and comforting. "You're going to do amazing things, Doreen. And I'm just a call away. We'll always be there for each other, Avenger or not."

The conversation lightened as they discussed the latest trends in fashion and the recent buzz in the movie world.

As the afternoon waned, Doreen and Cassandra finished their treats, the four empty cups of froyo were undeniable proof of how much they enjoyed it.

They rose from their seats, refreshed and rejuvenated, after they went their separate ways, Cass still lived with her Mom while she lived in the Avengers Mansion Attic.

Doreen was glad, nothing untold happened during her outing, she needed it, she didn't feel as sad anymore and she was looking forward to her new school life.