Posted originally on the Archive_of_Our_Own at https://archiveofourown.org/
works/4836125.
  Rating:
      Explicit
  Archive Warning:
      Graphic_Depictions_Of_Violence, Major_Character_Death, No_Archive
      Warnings_Apply, Rape/Non-Con, Underage
  Category:
      Multi
  Fandom:
      Thor_(Movies), The_Avengers_(Marvel_Movies)
  Relationship:
      Thor/Loki, Past_Frigga/Odin, Frigga/OFC, One-sided_Malekith/Loki, Non-con
      Malekith/Loki, Laufey/OFC
  Character:
      Frigga, Odin, Thor, Loki, Laufey, Malekith, OFCs, OMCs, Warriors_Three
      and_Lady_Sif, Natasha_Romanov, Clint_Barton, Steve_Rogers, Bruce_Banner,
      Tony_Stark, James_"Bucky"_Barnes, Jarvis, Pietro_Maximoff, Wanda_Maximoff
  Additional Tags:
      Dragon(s)_-_Freeform, Curses_and_Blessings, Jötunn_Loki, Intersex_Loki,
      Beast_Thor, Berserker_Thor, Thor_is_Dr._Jeckall_and_Mr._Hyde, Innocent
      Loki, Good_Laufey, Odin_is_a_dick, Malekith_is_creepy, Malekith_wants
      what_he_can't_have, Loki_Does_What_He_Wants, Loki_likes_pudding, HANDS
      OFF_THE_PUDDING!!!, On_and_off_Dark_Thor, Possessive_Behavior, Animal
      Instincts, A/B/O_like_dynamics, possible_blood_and_gore, off_screen
      deaths, On_screen_deaths, but_no_one_too_important_to_the_plot, And
      seriously:_Hands_up_and_back_away_from_the_Pudding, Eventual_mpreg,
      Cannibalism, Thor_has_cannibalistic_tendencies..., But_Loki_and_the_Gang
      are_safe, Not_so_much_everyone_else., More_tags_to_be_added_or_edited
  Stats:
      Published: 2015-09-20 Completed: 2017-05-19 Chapters: 25/25 Words: 128500
****** Guardian=Monster ******
by Alryetagory
Summary
     Cursed as an infant for the Sins of his Father, Thor has grown up
     raised by his Mother and Mother Jalan. Overall, he is a Kind young
     man, charming and friendly, but under the surface he is a cruel
     hunter, a ruthless executioner and an un-tamable beast!
     However, there is a Blessing within his Curse. But what does that
     have to do with a small blue Prince(ss) and Strange Elves?
Notes
     New story, new plot and a lot of confusion and fuck ups to come.
     Sorry in advance for any spelling or grammar errors, confusion and
     the like that you will not doubt come across.
     I will try to remember to provide translations for non English words
     and phrases, or provide Links to websites so you can figure them out
     for yourselves!
     Draconic Language:
     Jalan- means Abundant, Bounty, Many, Treasure
     Jalan's Oath- With word and soul, pledge aid and life to the Golden
     Mate.
***** Curses and Regrets *****
“You unfaithful bastard!!” Screamed the enraged queen, two of the guards caught
her by her arms and held her back. Eyes of the sharpest blues glared into the
single blue of her husband. “You horny cur!! How dare you!! How dare you!!!”
The room was a mess of chaos as servants coward before their queen's rage and
the demon woman standing by the crib of their newborn prince, said babe held in
her golden arms as liquid gold moved up and down her body like living water.
The woman's long hair was braided so tightly it was almost as thin as a whip.
Her golden green eyes alight with power and rage.
“Ohh, another woman?” The demoness purred. “I thought you were not wedded Odin,
son of Bor.”
“You would've come after my wife and unborn son. You would have slewed them
both as retribution for my slaying your offspring.” He stated calmly. “I did
not lie, simply did not correct you. As for you my wife, I did slay the demon
plaguing the outer villages, just not its mother.”
“You think that makes me feel any better?! How do I know that you did not sire
the creature!? And slayed it to hide your faithless adultery!? And you even
dare to trade my child to her!? You know nothing of Women!! We do not take
kindly to the things you have done!! She will kill our child!!”
“She is right, Odin Liar.” The Demoness grinned, showing off dagger like teeth,
her beautiful face morphing and warping into something alien and inhuman, but
then it changed back as the baby in her arms awoke and began to whine looking
for his mother and some sweet milk. “Ooh, ooh, shh.... shh my sweet, shh....”
The Demoness gently rocked him, cooing and whispering gently, kissing his brow
and for a moment she felt that happiness she once felt for her dead children.
And then she snapped her eyes open, her hair whipping out like crack of thunder
to pierce through the flesh of several guards who dared to attack. Killing them
instantly and smashing their corpses into the walls of the nursery.
“... Hmm, I believe I've come up with a fitting punishment for you, Odin the
Faithless.” She hissed, her hair moving in the air now like the lazy sway of a
dragon's tail when bathing in the sunlight or laid on heated rocks. “I will
allow your son to live, but!!” At this she held a clawed finger to the babe's
lips and some of the liquid gold on her skin gathered into a thick drop that
clung stubbornly to her claw only to break off and fall into the wailing babe's
mouth. “He shall be cursed. To become that you fear, that what you hunt! A
monster!! But unlike my other children, this one will not be slain for none
would dare to kill the AllFather's child. To risk the AllMother's wrath. But I
will be kind as well. For this Curse comes with a Blessing. But only our child
will know what it is and only he will be able to find it, if he lives that
long.”
With that she wrapped her hair around the babe and used it to carefully hand
him to his mother. The Queen frantically looked him over before she held him
tight in her arms and sobbed. The Demoness smiled coldly at Odin, walking
backwards to the destroyed balcony doors upon which she had first entered. Odin
held Gungnir in his hand, aiming the spear's tip at her, but she scoffed.
“As the moon waxes and wanes, so will the monster our son shall become. Weak as
a lamb when the sky is without Moonlight and as terrible and uncontrolled as a
Berserker when the Moon is at her fattest! And should those rarest of days
where the sun is blackened come, all will see him for what he truly is... A
Beast in Aesir flesh.” She crooned and then held out her arms, which had
transformed into a pair of wings and when she turned to leap into the air, the
figure of a woman gone, in her place a golden dragon flew off vanishing into
the early light of dawn.
The room was silent minus the sobbing of his wife and the wailing of his child.
But then his wife stopped crying, standing up, she ordered everthing that was
not ruined to be packed and that her belongs, gathered and moved from her
husband's chambers. Odin blinked as she ordered the dead to be picked up and
prepared for a pyre, that the nursery cleaned and sealed, never to be used
again. It was when she ordered that her belongings and the things belonging to
her son be packed into a coach that seemed to make Odin find his tongue.
“Wife--”
“NO!!” She hissed darkly, sounding very much like an angry dragon herself, her
eyes alight with magic, the air around her shimmering with it. “You slept with
her, you have slept with others as well!! By the Nine Mothers, I should have
your cock for this!! But no, no. I am leaving you, this place and I am going to
live in the Outer Village! There I will raise MY son with your Demonic
Mistress! Because I will not allow you to influence my child!! I will not have
you training him to be a weapon of war for you!! I will not allow you or anyone
to treat him as an animal!!”
“He is my son, Frigga!!”
“Did you carry him for nine months?! Did you spend three days in labor with
him!? Did you nearly die so that he may be born and live!? Did you even hold
him? Did you? You had not come to see me since I became too big to leave the
bed, you went to 'slay the demons' while I was left here to rule and worry, to
birth your child and you did not come home for almost a month!! And when you
finally do come home you wish to take me to bed before even coming to see your
child! You had hoped if I was too busy on your cock, your Mistress could come
steal our babe!!”
Odin's jaw tightened as did his grip on Gungnir, the spear humming dangerously
with power. Frigga stood up straighter, her shoulders back, chest puffed up and
chin out daring him to strike her and their babe, daring him to prove to all
still in the room that he was not nearly as noble and just as he made everyone
thing, that he was not a faithful and loving husband, a caring or doting
father. He was Odin, the Ogre, Odin the Deceitful, Odin the AllFather, but now,
now he was Odin the Shamed, the Dishonored, the Bastard.
No matter how furious he felt, Odin did not strike nor did he stop her from
leaving. He did not even stop the handful of maids, 12 of them with their young
daughters and 9 of his guards leave with her. He watched from the Nursery
balcony long after they vanished from his far sight, but he knew his Gate
Keeper, Heimdall could still see them and watch over them as he watched over
all of the Nine Realms. It was not until evening that he finally turned away
and left the now empty room, the castle was quieter, duller, lonelier. But he
ignored it for he was the AllFather and he had not only his kingdom, but all of
the Realms to govern, he would not miss his Wife nor his Son for he knew where
they were and knew it was only a few hours by horse back to go see them...
Upon arriving in the Outer Village the people came to see their Queen riding on
a horse a babe tightly bound to her chest as a procession followed her. She
arrived before the Village Leader's home and the elderly man looked up with awe
and concern.
“My lady?”
“The mansion on the edge of the Demon's forest, is it livable?” She demanded in
a gentle tone.
“Yes, but.. my queen-”
“No longer.” She told him.
He blinked and looked her over and realized she was dressed in a fancy dress,
yes, but she was wearing the armor of a mid ranked Shield Maiden, she did not
wear any fancy jewels save for her wedding band on a simple string of thick
leather. She may not wish to be called Odin's wife any longer, but no matter
how furious she was, she loved him still to keep the ring he made for her, to
wed her with.
She had a Vanaheim made silver short sword on her hip a long dagger on the
other and her once long hair was shorn short, something done to shamed warriors
or one does to themself when they desert their positions. It didn't take the
old man long to figure out that the Queen had left the AllFather's hall of her
own accord and has made herself look the part of the shamed party. Turning to
his young granddaughter, he asked her to bring him the key from his desk.
“The Demon is dead, but its mother lingers.”
“I know. She came to visit me in my former home. She has placed a curse upon my
babe and I will be damned if I will stay in a gilded cage and do nothing.” She
spat out, dark and full of all the fury only a mother could produce. “Forgive
me, I've had a terrible day and many more to come. A warning, Headman, do not
allow your people to wander at night when the Moon is at its Fullest nor to
venture out on the days the sun turns black. I cannot speak of what will be
fall those who do not obey.”
“Yes, my lady... Ah thank you my dear.” He took the key from his granddaughter
and handed it to Frigga who thanked him, apologized once more and then she and
her company were off.
The Mansion was only an hours ride away, sitting on a nice hill above the small
village, almost hidden by the trees. It was a very lovely if not disquieting
building, polished stone and mortar bricks of a natural earthy tan made up the
outer walls of the ground floor while the second story and third story were
either dark wood or dark stone that looked similar to wood, however the wrap
around decks of the main floor and second floor were strong and sturdy wood,
the railings of marble. The roof was a rich navy blue and shingled to minimize
leaks. The windows were large and seemed to surround the whole house, making it
bright and airy.
It was almost comical how perfect the house was, an outsider who did not know
any better would think the villagers mental for not using the house themselves
or renting it to the nobles. But then they would learn the terrible price one
must pay to live there. For the Dragon and her hatchlings raid this mansion,
from the chickens to the goats from the cows to the horses, they've stolen and
eaten them, and if those living there dared to enter the forest, they were
felled, torn limb from limb. Their remains then carried back by the clutch of
dragons to be dumped upon their heads as a warning. But that was then, and now
it was Frigga who wished to dwell here.
Dismounting, she checked her babe, the darling sleeping soundly wish his little
face buried in her bosom, his little ear pressed to where her heart beat at its
loudest, a steady and soothing rhythm that rarely changed. The others followed
suit, gathering their things as she stepped up to the door and with the key
unlocked it. But upon entering, she gasped seeing the house already clean and
furnished. The fireplaces were all light with bright but small fires, windows
were cracked open to air the building out without letting the warmth leave too
quickly. She was almost tempted to explore, but then she frowned, spun so
quickly, one could only see the flash of silver and blur of gold, her sword and
dagger drawn and held to the neck of the Demoness who smiled coldly, neck
proudly displayed as Frigga held her weapons in place.
“Welcome, Queen Frigga, to my domain...”
“I am no longer Queen, I am Frigga.” She growled low.
“Then Frigga the Brave you are...” The she demon nodded, looking from her to
the sleeping babe, her face softening into a loving and mournful look. “I've
made a mistake... One made in anger, but sadly demons do not feel regret... But
know that I do wish I could.”
“You were punishing my husband.” Frigga nodded. “However I cannot help but to
resent you for damning an innocent babe. I'd have preferred you kill him.”
“Yes, but evil begets evil...” The dragon woman crooned.
Frigga snorted, lowering her weapons and waving away the guards who had blocked
the doors, ready to attack at her command. “I know that raising him will be
nothing but heart ache and sorrow, but also joy and love. I want him to grow up
loved, to grow up honorable and noble, humble but brave and strong.”
“I want him to grow into a King that all would gladly follow.” The dragon
added, raising her taloned hand, but looked to the Vanir woman for permission.
At Frigga's nod, she gently caressed the baby soft ringlets of gold. “I wish to
raise him with you, by cursing him, I've made him my own, but I know he is not
mine and it was wrong to steal him.”
“You were grieving, blinded by anger and sorrow. I will forgive you in time,
though there will always be resentment. However, I will not deny my little
Prince knowing his other Mother. Just remember, he will not hunt humans for
sport or food. You will change your ways and we will teach him all life is
precious.”
The Dragon woman looked shocked before smiling softly, crooning lowly in
happiness and leaning forward to press her golden lips to the corner of
Frigga's mouth, whispering in Draconian, “Ini lex vur sepa di ibahalii, tir
zyak vow aso vur tobor ekess wer Ferrod Rumag.”
A chain of runes appeared around them, one snapping tightly around the Dragon
woman's neck while the other snapped snugly on Frigga's wrist, a chain of light
glowing between them.
“I have pledge my soul to you, Golden Mate, for only my treasured mate could
tame me. Use me as you deem and know I can never run nor cause harm to you or
our Clutch and all who live here are our Clutch, my precious Treasures...” She
growled lowly, eyes green and bright, her pupils golden and reptilian. “My
name, Frigga the Brave, Jalan of the Black Forest...”
 
***** Charming Monster *****
Chapter Summary
     A look into Thor's life
Chapter Notes
     As the sum says, we are getting a look at Thor's life. Though I think
     I confused the shit out not only myself but you guys as well. Sorry
     about that.
Chapter 1~Major Time Skip~
The night was calm, the Village of Lilithorn was silent and not a soul stirred
as it should be. The village had earned its name for many came to the village
seeking to claim the women, who were as pretty as lilies, and were chased away
by the Demoness and the Former Asgardian Queen, but later on the Demoness and
the Beast. The Beast was nothing they had ever seen before. Fur of night with
eyes like moonlight surrounded by blood. Its jaws were large and its teeth even
more so. If the Demoness and her hatchlings had been a Pest on the best days, a
harrowing experience on the worse, then the Beast was a living Nightmare.
It traveled in the night, hunting down the village streets and alleys, looking
for foolish prey to be lingering before it stalks the forest that surrounds
them and the lonely road. It mostly kills Wild Game, never humans as long as
they obeyed the curfew. It was generally a quiet creature, but as the moon
would fatten up, it would become aggressive and quite loud, roars so powerful
they brought about storm clouds. It was something of a protector but also a
jailer. The Demoness seemed to be the only one able to reign it in, but
sometimes even the Great Golden Dragon could not stop the rage of the Beast.
They had even witnessed her one night cower in fear of it as it loomed over
her, like a hulking Frost Beast, maw open and teeth gleaming. They thought it
would slew her, but then it turned and lunged at something that moved in the
dark.
It was not until the light of dawn broke and the Beast cowered into the dark
that they learned it was hapless Merchant, or what was left of him. They had
learned that night, the Beast while normally calm and even tempered, was a
monster. Cruel and ruthless, it slaughtered for both food and fun and did not
care if what it caught was Man or Woman, beast or Aesir. When you stepped into
its domain, you were fair game. But the Beast had a Secret!
By night one way, by day another! Yes, the Beast was the Devil of the Night,
but when dawn broke and the golden sun reigned high, the fur melted into
flawless golden bronze skin. Massive muscles shrunk down into a tall body of
corded muscles pulled taught under the golden flesh. A mane of wild gold always
mussed and tangled from the night before fell around a handsome face, sculpted
by the Norns and dusted with a short, but finely trimmed beard, eyes so blue
they glowed no matter the lighting, were sharp and expressive.
This new Beast was called Thor the Thunderer. This man earned his name from
when he was but a babe and he would get so upset that storm clouds blacked out
the sky and Thunder and Lightning would roar and crash until he was appeased.
It was much later when he learned to control his emotions and temper, able to
summon storms at will. He earned his name for he was strong as Thunder and
quick as Lightning. He was trained by any and all who would teach him. The
maids who helped raised him had trained their Daughters to fight, the strongest
of whom was Sif. She and Thor competed often, though Sif minded herself to not
anger or upset Thor.
Just because the Beast has never appeared in daylight does not mean it does not
lurk there, just under the surface. She has always been at his side, well her
and two others. Two of the guards had brought their families with them and each
had a son around their ages. A blonde by the name of Frandal was a charming
young man, but not sincere, but still the girls of Lilithorn would swoon and
sigh when he sent them a smile or offered them a flower, speaking sweet poetry.
He trained with Sif and Thor, though not as built as Thor nor as strong, he
doubted anyone would be as strong as him, he was quick and precise. His best
weapon was a rapier for it was thin and flexible, but could cut as well as a
battle ax if used properly.
He could use any weapon, much like Sif and Thor, but they each had a preferred
item and what one lacked the others made up for it, worked together to protect
one another and if needed, to take down Thor should he enter his Berserker
Rage. The other child who trained with them and befriended them was Volstagg,
he was older, larger and at the time stronger. If anything he could match Thor
in strength as long as it is in jest. He had always had wild red hair which
later became wild red hair and beard. He was bulky in muscles, with a happily
rounded belly from his love for food, but he was in no way fat or slow.
He was something of a gentle soul, but had quite the temper. He could use
battle axes as if they were extensions of his arms and war maces like he uses
his wooden spoon. Volstagg was a cook, and quite good. No one dares to set foot
into the kitchen when he is there least they be kicked on their rump out the
door or tossed out on their ears. Sif and Volstagg often laugh at Frandal when
he tries to sneak into the kitchens to steal treats for his lovely 'Harem' only
to be thrown out by the big redhead. Thor only saw this once and shook his
head, amused to no end.
There was another in their group, but he had not come until they were about to
reach adolescence. His name was Hogun, Vanir like Lady Frigga, but unlike the
golden queen, Hogun was dark in both coloring and presence. Always so grim
faced that he was dubbed Hogun the Grim. He was a mixture of the three Aesir:
quick, efficient, and strong. He liked the mace and shield, but was not shy
about knives. He had a dry and dark humor to match his overall presence, but he
was also kind and caring. They had grown up together, friends and family in one
group and they knew Thor as well as his Curse. When he lost control they did
not blame him nor allowed him to blame himself should he have hurt someone.
They loved Lady Frigga, but were wary of Lady Jalan. The golden woman didn't
take offense, she knew that after her rash and very poorly made decision to
Curse the young Prince of Asgard that none who came to know her or already knew
of her would never trust her fully. Even now the maids and the guards never
turned their backs to her, never left their children in her presence without
another adult present. But Jalan would still protect her Clutch, she swore it
to her Mate and that is a vow that can never be broken. If it ever did, she
would instantly turn to dust and her soul sent to the pits of Helheim.
Shaking her head, Jalan snapped her wandering thoughts back to the present as
she noted her dark child suddenly sniffing the wind, body tensed and taught,
like a bow string waiting to be loosed. She frowned, her reptilian features
twisting and twitching with the strange expression. Suddenly Thor took off,
growling loudly, the distant mountains echoing with thunder. Cursing, she lept
up from her lazy sprawl on the village's Prayer House's roof, flapping her
great wings only once to get her airborne and following.
On the ground, Thor raced like a bolt of lightning through the streets and into
the trees. Leaping over and sliding under rocks, trees and bushes. Blackened
talons digging into the earth as a long serpentine tongue lolled out of his
gaping maw. The wind leading him until it changed, he dug his paws into the
earth, drifting to a stop as his large ears shifted back and forth, ticking in
time with every sound he could hear and then he heard it. He dove over a rock,
narrowly evading his Mother Jalan's taloned feet from grabbing him.
Jalan cursed and tried to spot him again, but he was too quick. Even with her
abnormally strong night vision, for a Golden Dragon, he was impossible to see,
he was night itself! She growled in worry and panic, as she had passed several
large game and all of which were still alive so it hat to be a human, what poor
fool hadn't heeded the warnings-
“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!”
She didn't waist time, turning she dove right into the trees, zipping her way
in tight turns around them until she came upon a strange scene...
The Beast scrabbled over the rock face of the small mountain range, hauling its
massive bulk over the edge and then racing along the path until it came to an
opening of cave and a clearing. The air here smelt strange, like breathing in
air after a bolt of lightning has struck. It was also cold, his body shivering
with the initial change in temperature. Ducking low, it circled, there was
something here and he wanted it. Suddenly a flash of light appeared in the cave
and out of it tumbled a strange human, their skin dark, but their eyes were
red! It wasn't alone as three more followed, these ones standing as tall as the
trees around them and twice their width.
A moment later many other humans appeared, these as small as the first, but
they had strange glowing blue eyes, their leader for he was the only one
without a mask and had long white hair, spoke. The small human shouted
something and gasped when the others attacked three towering ones. Now you
would think that the three Giants would have the advantage seeing as they were
bigger, and thus logically stronger, but you would be wrong. It is not that
they are slow, it is simply that they sheer numbers overwhelmed them and it
seems they were previously injured.
When they fell and did not stand again, the white haired human ordered his
Clutch to his side and for them to bring the small red eyed one with them. He
growled silently, the earth trembling under him as the tree shook as well. It
seemed to draw their attention, their eyes searching the darkness for him, some
daring to move away from their numbers. He held still, crouched and waiting,
muscles coiling with anticipation of the pounce. Fangs itching to sink into
warm flesh, salivating at the thought of warm blood freshly spilt. It's been so
long since he was last able to gorge himself on flesh and blood. It seemed the
bandits and slave traders finally learned to stay away from Lilithorn Village
after so many years.
He could almost laugh, one of the hapless humans was getting closer, they
reeked of fear and anxious anticipation. He could hear the jackrabbit pace of
their heart, and he could practically taste the sweat pouring off them. And
then they reached out blindly and grabbed a fist full of his fur. That was when
he allowed his eyes to open from their narrow slits. Upon seeing the white on
red eyes, the human tried to scream, but he pounced before he could, catching
his head in his jaws and with a mighty chomp, crushed the being's skull and
decapitating him at the same time.
It took the others a handful of seconds to realize what happened, in those
seconds he jumped on three more, breaking their bodies under his great weight,
but when they did , they screamed as a collective, but it would not help them.
Death was eminent......
 
***** Jotun Prince(ss) *****
Chapter Summary
     Loki had only wanted to do some shopping, why did the world have to
     go mad that day!?
Chapter Notes
     Loki is both OOC and his usual self, weird how that works. We get a
     look at how Loki ended up on Asgard as well as some very insightful
     knowledge of what may be happening in the future, but first we have
     to make sure our favorite Mischief Maker doesn't die!
~Loki's POV~
Why?
Why did this have to happen!?
He wasn't really sure how it had all happened or why, but one moment he was out
walking the market place with three of his guards behind him, just enjoying a
nice evening stroll and then the next he was pinned down across the back of
what looked like demonic horse sized goat. The rider shouted orders to burn the
city and Loki cried out for them to stop. He struggled weakly, too scared to
fall off and get trampled but also scared for his people. All around him
screams, shouting and the sound of battle echoed.
He felt sick from the awkward motion of the beast's shoulder blades digging
into his stomach while he rocked in an up and down motion from side to side.
The hand on his back was only a mild comfort, steadying him so he wouldn't fall
off even if he fainted right now. But then suddenly all sound seemed to fall
silent. The Jotuns quickly grabbing each other and quickly fleeing into the
nearest buildings. Loki gasped, his senses telling him to quickly hide! He gave
a muffled curse as she forced himself onto his hands and knees, balancing
precariously on the beast's back, the rider trying to force him down, but Loki
quickly, and with all his strength, shoved himself up and off the beast.
Tumbling into a thick snow bank, he rolled to his feet, secretly glad he
decided to pin his hair up today, and racing down an alleyway. He followed its
twists and turns before he got to the end and banged on a door. It opened and a
hand grabbed his wrist pulling him in just as a fierce and world shattering
sound filled the silence quickly followed by the screams of the invaders and
anyone one unfortunate to still be outside. Like the rushing waves of a
tsunami, the roar got louder and louder as snow, ice and rock came pouring
through the streets. The Avalanche took out any and all in its path, skirting
around the buildings as if water curving around a stone.
Soon the rushing sound slowed and finally dulled. Loki let out a breath,
closing his eyes as he tried to think.
“Prince!!” He looked to the Jotun who pulled him in, the towering being,
holding a cloak of rich purple material and a satchel of supplies in his hand.
“Take these and take this tunnel all the way to the end! Those riders are the
Dark Elves! They have been threatening war and it seems it is here! Flee
quickly! Hurry!!”
Loki took the cloak, it was too big, but it would keep him warm and then
grabbed the satchel. The Jotun moved to a false floor and opened it up to
reveal a smooth slide of ice and snow. Loki quickly thanked him for his aid,
asked him that should he have the chance to inform his guards and his parents,
before he jumped in, sliding a good portion down the tunnel. Once he came to a
stop, he stood and began to walk. The tunnel was a singular path, but carved so
that even the tallest Giant could crawl through without hindrance. But Loki was
a Runt, standing no more than 5'7” only three inches tall than his own mother.
Thinking of her, he hoped he'd see her again as well as his father and his
brothers. The tunnel was dark and very long, but he pressed on. He has heard of
the Dark Elves, they have been seeking to invade Jotunheim since the first
Great War between Jotunheim and Asgard, and almost succeeded in the second
Great War when his grandfather, Mimir lost the Casket of Eternal Winters to
Asgard and all their ties, contracts and treaties with the other realms severed
and burned. They were left in exile, to slowly wither away and die alone and
viewed as monsters.
They were once the Rulers of the Nine Realms, spreading Darkness and Death all
around, but then the Light Elves, with the help of the Golden Army of Asgard
fought them and banished them. Sealing their power, the Aether, into a single
gem where it was given to a pair of mortal women who hide it where none could
ever find it for they took that secret with them to the grave. After their
defeat and banishment, no one has heard or seen of them until the wars between
his people and the Aesir. His mother says that the first war caused a ripple
through the very fabric of time and space, allowing the Dark Elves, who had
placed themselves to sleep until the day they could reclaim the Aether, to feel
the first stirrings of the ancient power.
The second war had spread to all realms, the ripple was now multiple and soon
waves that woke the Elves and they came for the other Relics of Old. They stole
the Death Shade from Niflheim, the Queen of the Helheim was furious and sent
her troupes out to it back. The Life Water of Alfheim, the Frozen Flame of
Muspelhiem, but they by passed Midgard for the Mortals had nothing worth
stealing or that contained vast amounts of Magic. Vanaheim and Nidavellir were
the only places besides Asgard where the Svartalfheim Elves have yet to
venture. All in the Realms know that Asgard had the Casket of Eternal Winters,
so he was not sure why they were attacking them. The Dwarfs of Nidavellir kept
the Chalice of Gaia safe and Vanaheim was the keeper of the Norn's Loom, it was
impossible to steal it or to remove it from the heart of the Realm.
The Dark Elves would have to invade and settle on Vanaheim to use that Relic.
And of course Asgard had Idun and the Golden Apples. But the Dark Elves have
their own Relic, the Cradle. But it was a fickle thing, a chaotic item that
none could use for it was sentient and it had a will of its own. But why steal
other Relics, but not take your own? And then there was the Aether, it was a
power condensed into a gem. An Infinity Stone. He recalled his mother telling
him once as a small toddler about the stones and their terrible and
immeasurable power.
The Space Stone, or the Tesseract, the Mind Stone, the Reality Stone, or as the
Dark Elves called it the Aether, and Power Stone, or the Orb. Four Stones that
she has personally hear stories of from her ancestors, two others were hidden
and obscure, the Soul and Time Stones. She told him that in her Tribe they
believe that the very first Gods were Chaos and Death, for they existed before
the Universe was created for nothing in life could be made without a little
destruction and death first. She told him that the Six stones were made by
Chaos and Death as the seeds of the Universe from which not only the Nine
Realms but others beyond their boarders grew from.
She told him of how many wars and terrible deeds had been wrought with the
Stones or to obtain them. It became so terrible that Death and Chaos sealed the
stones away into containers that acted much like the Relics of the Realms. A
singular Knot of magic that controlled and balanced the out put of it into a
realm, but unlike the Relics, when one takes them, the Realm does not suffer
adverse effects. She had drawn him a picture once of the Infinity Stones and
described how an ancestor of hers had one found one and hide it as best she
could for she felt its great and terrible power. She told him of a once
magnificent city called Atlantis, who had in their possession an Infinity
Stone, which one, she was not sure.
They were an ancient race, believing in the gods and making tributes or
sacrifices to them for their continued blessing of power they got from the
Stone. It seemed like all was well and he saw no reason for his mother to look
so sad, that is until she spoke of how the King of Atlantis soon thought
himself above the Gods, thought himself a God of Gods and to prove his might he
captured Death and tried to trick Chaos into his grasp for they were the two
Gods that none dared worshiped. That all feared and loathed. He was shocked
that someone would dare do that to the ones who breathed life into them!
She had laughed then, cold and humorless as she told him that her Ancestor was
the Relic of Chaos, His voice, His flesh and His weapon. At Chaos's command,
she took the Stone and unleashed his terrible power, first by breaking the city
away from the main land, shifting it off its bedrock and out to sea where she
then summoned a demon of from the depths of Hell, a Leviathan. It was then she
spoke of another Relic, this one another woman who represented Death, the Lord
of the Dead. She controlled the Leviathan to break off pits and pieces of the
massive island, forcing its people to the heart where the King was forced to
activate a magic shield to protect them.
Instead he trapped them for all eternity, to live extended and miserable lives
under the magic until it finally faded and they all died with out it, The
Leviathan their Guardian and their Jailer but the Relics were not done. Their
Masters' will not complete. All the World watched as the two then sunk Atlantis
below the surface of the ocean, buried it so deep that even millions of years
later none has ever found it again, but she knows it is still their, its people
still trapped in Limbo with the Demon watching and waiting to finish its duty.
The lesson he had learned was that the Stones were neither good nor bad, but
the ones who control it were. That sometimes even the best intentions could
lead to terrible and unforgivable acts or evil intentions could lead to
wonderful outcomes. That as her son, one day Chaos might call on him to be His
Relic and that he had to be careful with that power and responsibility for he
could destroy what he he intends to protect or protect what he's meant to
destroy. That should he ever find an Infinity Stone, he is to protect it and
not let it control him or others know its presence.
He came out of his thoughts then, just as he reached the end of the tunnel. He
hadn't realized he was so deep in thought that he had traveled the miles long
passage without pause. He almost laughed, his mother has always told him his
mind wandered to other realities, it seems it is true. Finding a rounded rock
to sit on, he rubbed his sore legs and aching feet with a bit of peppermint
ointment, to sooth the aches and to bring some warmth back to them. Believe it
or not, Jotuns do feel cold, though rarely and they do enjoy warmth, just not
wild and uncontrolled flames.
Resting for as much as he dared, he stood and began to crawl out of the tunnel
into what looked like one of the few forests left on Jotunheim. The towering
pine trees were dark and silent, almost looking down at him. The Jotuns were a
mixed race, just like any other. The Frost Giants ruled the Tundras and Valleys
while their cousins, the Stone Giants took domain of the Mountains and
underground caverns. While the Great Ents, guarded the forests and spoke with
the Wind Giants, who raced around their realm bringing with them snow and
clouds, wind and rain. Deep underground were the Magma Giants who oversaw the
few Volcanoes on Jotunheim, providing their surface dwelling cousins with
natural heat and warmth to make up for the Realms wrath for loosing the center
of its Knot.
He wondered if one of the trees was an Ent, he heard his father tell him once
that they were old and wise, but often took ages to speak for they believed
that if one wanted to say something important they needed to take their time or
else all the info with be lost or forgotten. His father was not a very patient
man so it brought a humored smile to his lips picturing his father waiting for
the Ents to state their business. Shaking his head, he quickly checked the area
before he dashed out of his spot and through the trees.
As a Runt, Loki was not trained like his brothers, or taught anything for that
matter. All that has learned and will ever learn came from his mother, and on
the rare occasions his father and brothers. She taught him the art of the Hunt,
both as the Hunter and the Hunted. She taught him magic as well and how he
should always use all he had to evade or to track. And today he was the Hunted,
passing the trees, he brushed his palm on them, a trace of his magic sparking
into their old bark. Flashes of their lives entering his mind as he gave them
flashes of his own.
An equal trade, for as he passed the tree, snow would fall from their branches
and cover the path he took while creatures of the forest would scatter in all
other directions, stumbling or prancing in a way to leave similar foot prints
to the once he left behind. Ducking low, he slide under a fallen tree, taking
its memory, a path being show to him and he fled down it until he came to the
base of the mountain range that surrounded all of the Valley he lived in. He
would either have to climb it or find a near by cave to sit and wait until
someone from his people found him or it was safe enough to return home.
Being cautious, but quick he dashed from the treeline to the mountain's base,
dashing up its small foot paths for a moment or two, slowly climbing his way to
see over the forest. But as soon as he saw above the tops of the trees, his
heart clenched as the air left him in a sob. In the distance, Ymir's Keep was
awash with flames, their few fields burning and it was just terrible! But what
had him terrified even more was the massive army that stood on the open fields
watching as a small section of them finished burning his home and his people to
the ground.
He collapsed then, unawares of the shadows creeping over him, as he let out a
mournful howl that the wind seemed to carry with it. Dropping into a hunched
ball he sobbed as he saw flashed of his father's secret smiles on his stern
face, his brothers looming over him with teasing grins as they pointed out the
wonders of their home to him one their rare brotherly outings, and his mother's
kind eyes, her gentle smile and her Midgardian colors looking unique and exotic
within a realm of blue, white, black and gray.
“Well, well, well... A lone Frostling...” Hissed a voice and he slowly sat up,
turning his head to glare with ruby red on crimson eyes at the speaker.
A Dark Elf. He wasn't alone, five others all leering and whispering in low
dulcet tones. Turning his head away he looked to his burning home one last time
before he felt his heart turn cold. The Elf took his silence as submission and
therefore reached out to grab hold of him, only to howl in agony as the young
Jotun spun around, a dagger of the purest, whites metal dripped with blood, the
Elf's severed hand laying into the snow at the Jotun's feet. Hissing low,
around slightly fanged teeth, the young Prince glared at his attackers.
“You invaded my home. You attacked my people without due cause and you have
murdered them... My brothers, my father and my mother... You will suffer for
each of them.” He growled out, placing a hand on the snow and a bright green
Knot appeared under him flashing icy blue as the snow on the mountain suddenly
sprang to life and turned to ice, piercing through the other two Elves as the
last three, including the one with a stump now, dodged the attack, but he
didn't allow them long to recover, jumping onto the one closest to him, he
rolled them to the edge and after plunging his dagger into the Elf's chest,
kicked him off the mountain.
The one with the stump snarled and pulled out a whip with his remaining hand
and snapped it around the Prince's neck and yanked. He chocked and fell, the
last Elf jumping onto him and after a few good punches to the face and stomach,
he went limp with pain. All his fury had vanished at the pain and he whimpered
as he felt magical shackles snap over his wrists before a metal gag with a soft
cloth bit was forced into his mouth and snapped tight around his head making it
impossible to move his jaws. Once they had him secure, they yanked him up and
headed down the mountain, leaving their dead for the animals...
“Lord Malekith will be pleased with this one...” He heard Stumpy wheeze, a
bloody bandage was wrapped haphazardly around his still bleeding stump, the
extreme cold already starting to necrotize the flesh with frostbite.
“Mmm, such a shame... This pretty one would be a favorite among the soldiers.”
Growled the one behind him.
After he had been captured, they forced him to sit on the goat beast again,
this time the full bodied Elf sat behind him, his arms caging him tightly so
the young Prince wouldn't fall or try to escape, not like he could do much with
his hands shackled and his magic subdued, even his mouth was sealed shut and he
was furious all the same. How dare these pigs speak of him like he were a
common whore!! And he shivered in disgust as feeling the rider behind him press
their masked face to his hair, breathing in his scent.
He was no ones favorite! Well whatever that meant to these Dark Elves he was
not theirs! He was however his mother's favorite child, she spoiled him the
most out of the three of her sons, though she loved them all equally. He was
also his father's favorite for he was a perfect balance of soft beauty and
deadly intelligence. If someone told him he could not do something, he did it
anyway and with minimal damage. Though there were certain things he was told
not to do and he did as asked because his mother was not someone you wished to
cross.
“Keep your mitts to yourself!” Stumpy snarled, coughing a moment later, hissing
as his arm hurt more.
“Or what? You've got only one hand and even then it is not your dominant one.”
Sneered the other Elf.
Before they could get into any further arguments, there were three bellowing
cries as out of the ice and snow burst Loki's bodyguards! They grabbed the two
Elves, freezing them solid and then smashing them to fine powder. Loki sobbed
in relief as the knelt down to his level and with surprisingly gentle and
careful fingers worked his muzzle off.
“What has happened!?” He demanded, holding out his bound wrists to them as they
tried to see how to remove the shackles.
“The Queen caused the Avalanche to wipe out most of the Elves within the city,
allowing all to flee via the tunnel system she insisted we build. We are
thankful for that, or we'd have lost our precious Frostlings and Carriers.” One
Warrior spoke up, looking very relieved, but also worried and panicky.
“The King is gathering the army to face the Dark Elves, your brothers are
preparing for their first battle at his side and your mother is about ready to
rain Ragnarok upon the Elves for daring to attack us.” Another said.
“Sounds like they woke her from her nap.” Loki chuckled. She did love her sleep
and woe be to those who wake her. “But why attack us? We do not have the
Casket!”
“... The Queen... she said they are here for Stones.” The last spoke up,
growling when he could not figure out the cuffs. “Forgive us Prince, these
Elvish cuffs are not something we've seen before.”
“It is alright, but I will be useless in a fight. I have my dagger still, it
lies there.” He nodded to the blade that Stumpy had taken from him as a reward
for not killing him outright. “And if they wanted stones, surely Svartalfheim
is not so barren that they cannot mine the endless fields of rock and stone!”
“Not stones, prince; Stones! Umm I believe she said Relic Stones-”
“Infinity Stones...” he gasped.
“Yes!” The guards smiled, proud of their little prince's intelligence, but
frowned when his already glacial blue skin tone turned almost snow white.
“Prince Loki?”
“The stories... they are true and mother....” He brought his hands to his lips
and he looked panicked. “Mother's in danger!! I must--”
“The Queen has given us strict instructions to take you and to fell the Realm.”
“But how!? No other Realm will help us and all other Realms have either fallen
to the Dark Elves or have had their Relics stolen!!” Loki cried, not meaning to
sound like a whining Frostling, but unable to bring himself to care. “And it is
mother who needs protection not me!”
“Prince Loki, please...” sighed the oldest of the guards. “Lady Rhyg has spoken
of natural pathways, bridges much like the BiFrost that are formed by
Yggdrasil's roots. That Yggdrasil has long before connected the fruits of its
branches together so that all were always tied to one another. We will take one
such path to Vanaheim. You will be safest there. We dare not set foot in Asgard
for they will kill us on sight. The Vanir will at the very least hear our case
before they decide to attack.”
Loki looked stunned, but then nodded his head. There was no other choice, until
these shackles came off, he was as helpless as a babe. He could still use his
blade, yes, but with the limited range of motion, he would be felled before he
could even kill one of his aggressors. So without further adieu, Loki was
picked up into one of his bodyguard's arms and the group of four took off for
one of the secret paths...
When they arrived at a tall spire of ice, Loki almost burst into laughter. For
something that was very powerful and permanent magic, it took the form of
something plain and ordinary. His mother would say that sometimes the most
powerful artifacts are the ones that look like tools one uses everyday vs
something large or overly gaudy.
“Are you sure this is the path?” on of the younger guards asked.
“Yes.” Loki answered for the Eldest. “It is a mirage, the magic is sentient, it
takes on a form that we are most familiar but also will not look at twice.”
“Ohh...” they all awed as he was set down to walk over to it. A brilliant flash
of purple light appeared from a crag in the ice, when it dimmed a cave was
there before them.
“Come...” Loki ordered as he walked forward to the mouth, feeling the pull of
the wind. He could hear it whispering secrets to him begging him to enter, but
he waited, he did not wish to enter alone.
The larger Jotuns seemed to come to their senses and moved forward, following
their prince into the magical path. It was dark, but ahead of them was a
doorway of light, a gentle violet that beckoned them toward it. Around them was
emptiness, but they could feel the caress of magic on their skin, tugging at
their blood and nuzzling warmly into their stomachs. It was strange, almost
frightening, but oddly calming. They did not deter or stray, following their
prince who walked as if he were traveling down the hall from his chambers to
the dining hall.
“We are almost there, try not to stray.” Loki called back, feeling the
lessening of the magic the closer to the other end they got. “We do not know
what will happen if we do not follow the path.”
They grunted in agreement, glancing down where a path of shimmering blue mist
guided them to the door, but branching out from it were paths of purple and
pink interlocking and spiraling into the distance. But they ignored their
curiosity, for now anyways. They had to be only a handful of yards from the
door when suddenly the air shifted and lightened so suddenly they nearly fell
to their knees in dizziness. Loki moaned weakly as he felt momentarily mortal,
it was so strange to feel weak and helpless, the chains suddenly too heavy as
his body shivered from the suddenly freezing air around him.
He wondered if this was how his mother felt daily and if so, he found himself
respecting her more and truly glad he called her his Dam. Shaking his head he
stood up, looking behind them only to gasp as he saw the Dark Elves rushing
down the path, their surefooted approach telling them that they were very
familiar with the Path and feared nothing. Cursing, the guards grabbed Loki up
between their bodies and rushed the last few feet between them and freedom,
jumping out at the last second. They held tight to their prince and each other,
landing roughly and rolling to a stop, making sure their prince was not harmed
at all before getting up and blinking in confusion.
Loki blinked and realized it was very dark, while Jotuns had very good night
vision, this was a darkness they were not use to for there was no snow. In fact
he was confused as he felt the ground, soft, but firm bristles touched his hand
and when he leaned close to breath it in, he blinked at the strange smell.
“It's... grass...” He gasped in awe before he stood up, the guards joining him
as well, looking around in confused awe. “This smell, mother uses it when she
washes her hair... It's grass...”
They didn't get much more than that to explore before an entire battalion of
Dark Elves poured out of the path ready to attack.
“There you are, little Princess...” chuckled a low voice, a strange accent
tinging the words as the last to step out of the path was a Dark Elf with pale
skin and even white hair, his eyes were an ethereal blue surrounded by black.
He was tall and lean, dressed in the black and silver armor of his people, but
the way he stood told them he was the leader. “Come now, child, we will spare
your people if you come quietly.”
“I don't believe you!” Loki yelled back, but gasped when his guards let out
battle roars and charged head first that the battalion. “No!! Stop!!”
But it was too late. The three were smacking and crushing anyone in their path,
but the seeming endless number of Dark Elves quickly overwhelmed them and sadly
they fell. They stood again, five times more before finally they fell and did
not stand again. Loki had sat there with tears in his eyes, these three had
been with him since infancy, something of family and friends, but now they were
dead and he couldn't do anything to save them.
“Bring him here.” Ordered the Leader as two men grabbed the unresisting prince
and dragged him toward their leader. “They foolishly stood up to me, and now
look at them. Will you be so foolish?”
“I hope my mother finds you and rips your heart out...” Loki growled low, the
conviction and promise in his words was enough to make the Elf in front of him
to flinch slightly before he chuckled and turned to his men, ordering them to
make ready to cross the path once more with their prize in hand.
“I would not bet on that, little Jotun... For she will not risk your life and I
will not risk damaging a wonderful vessel such as yourself.”
“What--”
“AU--”
They turned at the halted scream to see something lunge out of the darkness,
crushing another three Elves under its bulk as white on red eyes glowed in the
darkness, and teeth whiter than snow gleamed within the faint moonlight, storm
clouds gathering above and with a mighty howl the Beast attacked just as the
Elves roared and charged the creature. Loki could only stare at it, but he did
not see a Beast, he saw a Man, tall and firm with muscles. Hair like finely
polished gold and eyes... eyes as blue as the ice. The man had black symbols
that oozed like blood painted over his body, he looked unhinged grinning with
mirth and glee as the blood of the fallen painted him.
He chewed with relish the flesh he bit off his victims, laughing as he tore
through the battalion as if they were paper dolls. And then Loki blinked and he
saw a beast of the dark howling and growling, claws and fangs tearing and
rendering flesh from bone, crushing bones between those gleaming fangs as those
insane eyes did not stray from where he and the leader stood.
“Lord Malekith! Flee!” Ordered one of the survivors before his head was ripped
from his shoulders by a vicious bite, the head chomped twice before swallowed
whole by the creature. Loki felt sick, faint and strangely warm and tingling
all over, especially down there. He blushed, as he pressed his thighs together,
rubbing them slightly hoping to make the feeling vanish, but it would not fade.
He wasn't sure but for a moment it looked like the Beast looked right into his
eyes and it seemed to sniff in his direction before it turned to stalk the last
handful of Elves and Malekith, who cursed and fled back itno the path just as
the beast lunged over Loki's head and killed the last of the soldiers.
It was only a moment later that the Beast turned to him, those strange eyes
looking at him before it sniffed again, slowly stalking closer. It was only a
scant few inches away, breathing heavily, sniffing loudly at him and Loki did
the only sensible thing, he rolled his eyes and fainted...
 
***** The Beast's Pretty One *****
Chapter Summary
     Jalan is not sure if she is worried or proud that her son has began a
     horde of his own. Frigga is just a crafty old Queen and Thor likes to
     make his friends stressed. Loki just wanted his mother and some
     pudding.
Chapter Notes
     Loki is a mix of OOC and himself. Thor is semi OOC and he is not an
     idiot people!! He is actually very aware of the shit he does as a
     Monster, he just chooses not to speak about it.
     Translations:
     Draconian Translation
     Civip Kethend means Frost Gem
     Kepesk Xurwkar means Storm Maker
     Elvish- Tel'Quessir
     Amin ona amin quenat ar' fea a' lle. Ere' leithe iire lle caela n'uma
     anta ten' amin ri' i' Seldarine sana amin. Sina amin vesta.
     I give my body and soul to you. Only free when you no have need of me
     or the gods take me. This I promise to you.
     Amin lava lle tu- amin.
     I allow you to serve me.
     If I forgot something, tell me!
Chapter 3
Jalan landed with a solid thuwmp, her large golden body low to the ground as
she looked about wary for where her son could be, but she need not look far for
he was less than a tail span from her. He was looming over something, eyes
strangely focused, body taught, yes, but not aggressive. She tilted her head
only slightly and blinked as she saw a dark being laid out on its side, hands
shackled together and in a dead faint slowly, she took her human form, naked
save for the liquid gold that covered the important bits and random patches of
her flesh. She walked slowly toward them, keeping herself within his line of
sight.
It would not be the first time her son has attacked her, last time he nearly
tore her tail off and it was not something she wished to repeat ever again. He
startled when she placed a hand on his massive head, snarling at her eyes wild
and filled with bloodlust.
“Now, now... enough you've gorged yourself enough this night...” she scolded
softly, glancing at the bodies around her, three of them giants and shockingly
free of her son's mauling. Surely they were dead, but the marks on them
suggested weapons and not claws or fangs. “I've told you time and again not to
fest on the flesh of Men. Cattle, lambs, fowl, but never Men.”
He growled low at her, blood and bits of bone and brain matter dripping down
his jaws, pieces of flesh and organs caught between his fangs.
“You will develop a taste for it and I will not have you slaughtering our
Clutch for your hunger.” She hissed in reprimand and he stepped forward all
rage and aggression, she took a step back, eyes wide. “Thor!”
He did not respond to his name. The night was only a waxing Half Moon, he was
not that far into his Rage, or rather he shouldn't be. He made to move once
more, but then the body beneath him let out a soft moan, shifting slightly but
over all it didn't stir into waking. Thor turned to it and it sniffed along it
before whining softly, a worried whine. Jalan was, for the second time this
night, stunned. Her son, the monster she created was concerned. Slowly moving
forward, she reached out a slightly taloned hand, brushing the thick mane upon
his head.
“Shh, shh... hush now, my baby...” she cooed, low and gentle, seductive enough
to quiet her distressed Hatchling. A few strokes, a brushing of her claws
against the flesh under the fur made him shiver and calm, laying down and
wiggling slightly, trying to get close to the figure on the floor, but afraid
he would frighten it. Leaning down so he was kneeling over it, she held her
hand aloft, the gold liquid rushing to cover her arm and with her internal
fire, she made it glow enough to light up the area. And indeed before them was
young creature with skin that was blue and a long mane of hair as black as
raven wings. “Ooh, a pretty little thing...”
Thor grumbled in agreement, shifting once more to get close, nosing at the
being's thigh.
“Well you did save it, we shall take the poor thing home, yes?” She asked and
Thor jumped up looking excited and even purred, a very rare occurance. Nodding
she allowed the liquid gold to slide completely over her frame, but didn't
transform. The glow covered her whole body, making the area shine like it was
day and allowed her to see the remains of the poor sods in black and silver
armor. Her son was not kind to them and that made pleasure pool low in her
belly. Turning her attention to the blue creature, she carefully picked it up
into her arms and turned to walk back toward home. Thor on her heels, huffing
and purring low as he nosed at the waterfall of black hair that was decorated
in precious jewels and gold...
Frigga looked up from her sewing when the doors to their mansion opened and
gasped seeing Jalan carrying a young Frostling in her arms behind her was Thor.
She paled and almost fainted seeing the creature her son became at night in the
house, but the large beast slipped around the Demoness and through a side door
where his personal Mud Room was. Jalan shook her head and moved to the living
room where her Golden mate sat.
“Jalan....” Frigga gasped out, still pale and short of breath, her fine breasts
rising and falling rapidly.
The Demoness looked up from those plump breasts to her mate's face and crooned
low, the sound fused with mild magic to sooth frazzled nerves and to slow
frantic hearts. When Frigga seemed to be calming, she carefully laid her burden
on the sofa and knelt before the Golden Queen in exile.
“Ferrod Rumag... be at ease...”
“He'sinthehouse!! HowamItobeatease!?” She squeaked out so fast it sounded like
nonsense, but Jalan was use to listening to the nonsensical chatter of
Hatchlings all day from her Clutch mates offspring, she was able to discern
what Frigga meant and smiled softly, if not a bit wryly.
“Yes, our Kepesk Xurwkar is in the house. He's gorged himself well this night
on some poor Men in black and silver armor. Three more like this one were
there, dead, but not by the doings of our child.” Jalan waved at the Frostling
who did not stir more than a weak whine. “Seemed to protect it, whined and
purred at it.”
Frigga gaped unladylike and awed before snapping her jaws shut and looking to
the Frostling, “But he is a Jotun... what is he doing here? The BiFrost has
been sealed from Jotunheim's access...”
“Were we found this one there was the pulse of magic... A small clearing and a
cave, the magic seemed to flow from it.” Jalan told her, eyes going distant as
she used her far sight to trace her path back to the cave. “A natural path made
of ancient and permanent magic... The bodies still remain, their masks strange,
faces with seamless lips and eye sockets completely black. Ears like the Elves.
They reeked of death and darkness.”
“Dark Elves...” Frigga growled low. “And Thor gorged himself on them?”
“Yes.” Jalan nodded.
“Good.” She preened, looking as blood drunk as Thor normally looks after a
blood bath. It was a look that mad Jalan want to ravish the golden queen, but
she refrained.
A low growl behind her made her turn, crouching defensively between the
unconscious Jotun and her mate. But both were stunned to see human Thor
standing before them in nothing more than torn breeches, but it was obviously
the Beast in control still for the black oozing lines on his body stood out,
his eyes were still white on red and his fangs were too large for his mouth.
His hands and feet were blacked with long deadly talons tipping his fingers and
toes and Thor stood on the balls of his feet like an animal standing on its
hind quarters. His hair was messy, wet from washing the blood and gore out of
it, even his teeth looked freshly cleaned.
So it seemed to some degree the Beast was also Man enough to adjust its
appearance to appeal to those it normally deems meals. All but the Clutch.
Snarling again, Thor stepped into the room, claws twitching as his eyes looked
form Jalan to the Jotun, growling low in warning for her to back away from what
was his. She gave a low growl, reprimanding him, but he bared his teeth in a
silent growl, making her flinch.
“Jalan...” Frigga whispered, grabbing her elbow.
Jalan slowly eased out of her defensive stance and moved so she stood
protectively over Frigga.
“Thor... who is this?” Frigga asked him, pretend he was not a monster in human
flesh.
“Mine...” He grunted, voice rough and guttural, more animal than human. “This
one... smells like Mine...”
She nodded and slowly stood, waiting for him to acknowledge she was about to
move and when he focused on her, she moved to the Jotun's side and knelt down.
Stilling when he two two long strides to be by the sofa as well, looming over
her menacingly. She waited him out and when he relaxed she held out a single
hand, the shimmer of soft rosy magic covered her hand as she touched the soft
blue face. Gasping as the young man's memories rushed through her mind. She
held on for as long as she could and then she pulled away falling into Jalan's
arms as Thor crouched before them, his face mere inches from hers, eyes locked
onto hers.
“He's the Jotun Prince... his people were attacked, possibly dead... The Dark
Elves want him for some reason... He's alone and in need of sanctuary.” She
gasped out. “Those chains... they repress his magic, make him weak, sick....”
Thor growled and turned to look at the chains, turning he grabbed hold of them
and began to squeeze. There was a creak and then a sharp snap as the cuffs
broke under his hands, easing them off the thin wrists, he tossed them to the
floor and examined the wrists. Pleased he did not damage his pretty one, he sat
himself down and rested his chin on the sofa, purring contentedly knowing that
his pretty one was safe.
Jalan picked up Frigga and carried her out of the room, it seemed Thor was
content enough to stay still for the night. She will warn the others to not
enter the living room until after sunrise, just in case he deemed them
threats...
Loki moaned weakly as bright golden light struck his face. He turned to press
his face into his pillow, trying to hide from the light. Sighing as he found a
dark spot to hide in, he kept sleeping, maybe for another 10 minutes. Lord
knows his mother would be in shortly to pull him out of bed by his ankles again
and he would grab the headboard of his bed and hold on until she either slipped
on the smooth ice or her back cracked and she had no choice but to put his feet
down. It was something of a daily routine for them. After which he would pop
his head up and she would huff, call him a brat and threaten to eat all the
pudding.
Smiling in his sleep, Loki snuggled into the bedding, slowly counting off the
minutes, his hands slowly reaching for the headboard in preparation for his
mother's arrival. When ten minutes passed and he was not grabbed, he frowned.
Was his mother sick? It rarely happened, but she hasn't been sick since he went
on his first hunt. Slowly opening his eyes, he blinked when he was not met with
the snowflake lace bed sheet he slept with over his fur blanket. No instead he
was met with a crème sheet and a brown quilt draped over him.
Slowly sitting up he realized that this was not his bed, but a sofa and even
then this was not his room or even his home. The wooden floors, bright reds,
yellows and deep browns that decorated the room were beautiful, but not
something that decorated the Halls of Ymir Keep. There were trinkets and random
baubles that were not of Jotunheim decent and even then the person sleeping at
his side was definitely not his mother!
“Who are you!? Where am I!?” He yelped shoving the person away only to gasp
when said man snapped from sleeping to instant alert, catching hold of his
wrist and yanking him from the sofa and onto the carpeted floor, pinning him
down under him.
Storm blue eyes glared into ruby and crimson reds, perfectly straight, white
teeth bared down at him as the stranger panted and then blinked before slowly
backing up. It was a moment later that the doors opened up and Loki could see
others like the man standing there, gaping before suddenly they had weapons out
and were rushing forward, pulling the man off him and standing between them,
their weapons aimed at him.
“What your doing to our brother in arms, Jotun!?” A woman demanded.
“Wh- what?” He gasped and then blinked and then frowned, “Excuse me, but I
didn't do anything! He attacked me!”
“What is going on?” Thor wondered, rubbing his temples as he felt a headache
coming. “And please stop shouting...”
“Alright all of you put those down and leave the young Civip Kethend alone.”
Jalan spoke up, walking into the room as the four holding weapons gaped at her.
“Now!”
They flinched as they did as told.
“Forgive them, Civip Kethend, they do not mean any harm.” Jalan smiled at him.
“Kepesk Xurwkar, what do you remember from last night...”
Thor blinked dumbly before he closed his eyes, seeming to center himself as he
began talking int the deep rumbles of the Draconian tongue. His brow scrunched
up a bit as his face looked pinched and then he snapped his eyes open and
looked at Loki as he breathed out the strange name the woman gave him.
“Excuse me...” Loki spoke up, flinching when all eyes turned to him. “But what
is happening? Where are my guards?”
“The three Men who look like you? Dead. Killed by the smaller Men, the Dark
Elves.” Jalan shrugged carelessly.
Loki gasped, feeling his eyes water, “So I'm not dreaming... this is
happening... this really happened...”
He fell to his knees then and began to cry. It startled the others, Thor not
liking that the young Frostling was in tears, his inner monster was roaring at
him to kill whoever hurt their Pretty One! Thor quickly shoved passed Sif and
Hogun, dropping to his knees and pulling the sobbing Jotun into his arms. Loki
didn't care who was holding only glad to feel another being there with him. He
sobbed for his guards, for his destroyed home and possibly dead family. Thor
didn't like this and after rooting through his foggy mind he found something he
thought would cease the tears. He's learned from his mother that the Jotuns
speak a dialect of Elvish and has taught it to him so he carefully pulled Loki
from his shoulder, cupping his cheeks as the young prince looked at him with
teary eyes.
“Amin ona amin quenat ar' fea a' lle. Ere' leithe iire lle caela n'uma anta
ten' amin ri' i' Seldarine sana amin. Sina amin vesta.” he told him fervently,
his hold steady and firm, but gentle as his eyes conveyed his conviction.
Loki was shocked, to be perfectly honest not many knew his people's language,
especially after their exile from the other Realms, but this man spoke it
clearly and with a near perfect accent. But at the same time, the shock was due
to a virtual stranger offering his body and soul to his service, to be his
sword and shield until Loki deemed it fit to release him from his self made
servitude or death claimed the man. He had no other choice really but to say:
“Amin lava lle tu- amin.” Loki whispered, a flash of golden light appearing
between them.
When it faded a golden cuff appeared on Loki's right wrist, connecting to a
strong chain that connected to a ring that sat on his middle finger. On Thor's
throat a golden collar appeared and when Loki moved his hand he could see
shimmer of magic that connected the collar the ring, effectively creating a
leash that could be as long or short as he wish it to be and allowed Thor to
always know where he was and to quickly find him.
As this happened the Warriors Three and Sif all gasped and tried to stop it,
but Jalan's warning growl stilled them. But now seeing the collar, they were
ready to strike the Jotun Mage down, however Lady Frigga walking into the room
from the kitchens stilled them.
“Oh good, you've entered a binding contract.” She smiled, bright and all
knowing. “I do not need to convince you nor explain it.”
“I... I....” Loki blushed.
“It is fine, young Prince.” Frigga nodded. “Thor is very much aware of what he
as done and knows the conditions of entering such a contract with you. He is
yours until you wish him free or the Norns take him to Valhalla.”
“You're fine with this!?” Thor's friends looked panicked.
“Thor started it. His highness had choice but to accept. Well he could have
refused, but Thor would have pressed for him to accept.” Frigga shrugged. “I
only weave the Norns' Will. I have no control over what they wish to do.”
The four friends did not like this, but they had no choice but to accept.
Seeing that there would be no further arguments, Frigga smiled and helped Loki
to his feet as Thor stood and left to get fully dressed for the day. Loki was
so confused and the queen could see it so she tugged him along to her tea room,
which was really a greenhouse, ordering a servant to bring breakfast to the
room for everyone.
“I know you are confused, young one, but there is no need to fear, I shall
explain all I can to you and I wish to know why you are here and if possible
offer you aid to return home...” She told him.
“Thank you... but... Who are you, my Lady?” Loki wondered.
“I'm Frigga of Vanaheim.” She told him.
“Lady Frigga.” he bowed his head. “Prince Loki of Jotunheim.”
She smiled brightly, she has seen him in her weavings the Runt Prince, a
treasure to his people and the main catalyst in the war to come. She had seen
meany things, all good and terrible. She would give him a gentle pushes,
coaxing prods towards an outcome that does not involve his or her son's death.
Preferably an outcome that ends with her having grandchildren to dote on and
spoil...
 
***** Madder than the Mad Hatter *****
Chapter Summary
     A look into Loki's thoughts, his parents and what Malekith is after.
Chapter Notes
     No new translations for this chapter.
     Laufey is a good daddy and a worry wort. His mate is all kinds of fun
     and awesome.
     Malekith is questioning everything that I am writing and I honestly
     dun give a fick.
     No real warnings minus brief Torture.
Chapter 4
Breakfast was a rather strange affair, Loki later on thought as he sat in the
room that Frigga had kindly offered to him. It was smaller than he was use to,
but everything was made for his small size. The bed was plush, the pillows
poofy and feather filled while the sheets were silken cotton blends, the quilt
thick and warm. Everything was made out of wood, the bed frame, the wardrobe,
the vanity and desk, the chairs and sofas too. Wooden flooring and doors, even
the shelves were wood. It was very strange because everything he was use to was
made of ice and crystal, the silk fabrics were only used for clothes for the
royals and nobles or special occasions such as Mating Ceremonies and Funerals.
Everything else was fur or weaving the shaved fur from their flocks of Crimson
Elks and plants. There was brass and bronze inlaid into most of the wooden
furniture, making delicate and beautiful designs or handles for one to open and
close doors, drawers and hidden compartments. The bathroom attached to his
bedroom was made of stone and marble, perfectly cool and retains heat very
well. He recalled Frigga telling him of Aesir plumbing that makes it possible
to fill the bathtub multiple times a day, even heating the water for him
without waiting for the maids to bring it and heating the water.
There was a strange crystal surface that was reflective, a mirror. It covered a
good section of the wall from floor to ceiling and Loki was a bit freaked out
at seeing himself unwarped and blurry. Seeing as the 'mirrors' in Jotunheim
were made from clear ice, that didn't always leave a clear image. Attached to
his bedroom was a balcony of wood and marble, that stretched around the whole
house on both the ground and second floor where he was staying. Frigga had told
him he could walk around the house on the deck without really invading
another's privacy or really leaving the safety of his room.
After telling the Vanir woman of his plight, she offered him asylum within her
home and ordered those who thought to protest that he was under Thor's
Protection. That seemed to still any and all protests for Thor was not someone
they wished to cross. Loki was not sure why. As promised the older woman
explained to the best of her abilities of his situation and only vague hints of
what the Norns have whispered to her in her weavings. She even had a theory of
why the Dark Elves would attack his people.
Though fewer now, the Frost Giants were still a formidable force to be reckoned
with, when banded together they were near unstoppable. If the Dark Elves were
to take over the Nine Realms and beyond they would need to have devastated the
armies of Niflheim, Asgard, Muspelheim and Jotunheim. If the four armies banded
together, they could not only beat but completely subdue the Dark Elves army.
“Though logical... I can't help but feel there is more to it than simple
conquest.” Loki murmured, sitting on his bed, staring at his hands, on his
right wrist the cuff and ring that bind him and Thor to one another and on his
left a silver bangle that had six colorful gems in it. “Mother...”
Deep in the darkness of Svartalfheim, hanging from a single hook and chain was
a woman, hair blacker than the darkness around her, skin like fresh milk. If
her eyes were open they would be such and ethereal shade of green they looked
to be alive and filled with fire. Shackled from neck to foot with ruin laced
silver was the Frost King Laufey. He growled and cursed, struggling to reach
the woman, who looked too still too pale for his liking.
“Shh, now...” purred a low gravelly voice, an old Elf hobbled out of the dark
into the few beams of pale light. “Sleeping, sleeping.... mustn't wake...”
“Your voice is annoying... Silence it.” The woman suddenly spoke, voice clear
and sharp like the deadliest blade. Snapping open her eyes she glared down at
the Elf, her mate stilling and breathing a bit easier knowing she was not dead.
“Awake, good.... Master will be pleased.”
“Master can suck on a Troll's stumpy stool for all I care...” She hissed,
baring teeth that did not belong in a mortal mouth.
“Ah, the Ice Queen's honeyed praises warm me so...” Chuckled another voice,
cold and cruel. She looked from the tiny old Elf to the one approaching her. He
was tall and she could guess he was something close to attractive if she was
into the whole heart of pits and soul of emptiness thing he had going on. “I
am--”
“Malekith of the Dark Elves, King of the Dark Elves and Master of the
Immortals.” She cut in, not at all impressed. “I've heard of you, I've also had
the pleasure of ripping the spines out quite a few of your precious Immortals.”
“...” He glared at her a moment before he smirked, walking over to a table and
picking up the items she had on her, a lovely knife, a crude dagger, jewelry of
both stone and bone, very few were metal and gems. A brush and some strips of
leather and ribbons to tie her hair back, a cutely made hair pin of ivory sat
there too. But the strangest item of all was a simple book.
Bound in blackish green leather, engraved with a series of whorls and knots
that seemed to make of Yggdrasil. Only this one had more details, and at the
top sat a woman and on the bottom another, both seeming to hold the great tree
aloft. When he opened it, there was nothing in the pages except dates starting
from the infancy of mortals. Just dates, no entries, no pictures, nothing.
“A strange book.”
“A family heirloom. Something I keep, but never use.” She told him, shrugging
her shoulders.
“It is magicked.”
“Your face is magicked.” She grumbled out.
Laufey chuckled, his wife was not your usual being. She did not cower when one
wanted her too, she mocked and jested as if a lowly barmaid, cruel and vulgar
when the mood takes her. He was enslaved by her raw emotions, her untamed
vitality. He also loved her softness, her sweetness, her vulnerability. He knew
she was not all she seemed, and yet exactly as she appeared to be.
“Your sons have escaped, your highness...” Malekith informed, still flipping
through the book, seeing the dates from the beginning to the current era and
even beyond. Indeed the book made no sense, but it was spelled with powerful
magic, magic he wished to know and use. “Secreted away... Well I care not for
the Giants, but the Half blood Runt. Your pretty little Treasure.”
At that, the green eyed woman jerked her body, growling and kicking her feet,
but she cried out when the short old Elf barked sharply, the chain holding her
sparking to life with electricity. It shot through her and she spasmed
uncontrollably. It lasted only a moment and when it was over she hung limply,
but then she twitched and began to laugh, loudly and unhinged as she rolled her
head up, her eyes wide as she grinned like a demon about devour your soul.
“Again...” She grinned.
Malekith stared at her, maybe this would take longer than he planned. Looking
at the book, he set it down as he turned to Laufey, the Giant straining at the
chains to reach his mate who continued to laugh in that deranged manor of hers.
“Your son, Laufey-King. Do you know where he is?”
“No.” Laufey growled. It was true he did not know.
“Hmm, I do.” Malekith grinned. “He fled to Asgard, he will not be safe there
nor welcomed. Soon he will have to flee to another realm. I have my men
patrolling the natural paths between all Realms, he will be caught and brought
to me.”
“Ohhhhhhh, Maaaaaaaaaleeeeeeekiiiiiiiiiiiiiiith!!!!” The crazed woman sang out,
giggling now as she leaned her head on one of her arms. Only a bright green eye
glowed as she grinned at him. “My son is nothing but air. You can try and
capture him all you wish, but he will slip through your fingers faster than
water and sand.... And there are more paths hidden and unknown to by all but
Chaos and Death!!!”
Laufey sighed, he was use to his mate's manic moods, but he worried for if he
didn't calm her down soon, she'd become self destructive and he feared he would
lose her. He did not relish the thought of telling their sons she was dead. His
eldest sons would mourn, his youngest would throw a tantrum that would result
in most of Jotunheim destroyed. His youngest truly took after his mother at
times.
“Your mate is insane....” Malekith stated.
“You shocked her. She doesn't take well to it... She will not calm until I calm
her.” He told her. “But I'm tempted to see how far her mania truly extends. You
will not kill her nor risk her death because we both know that my sons will
come for their Dam.”
It was well known that Jotuns were very defensive of their Dams, the ones who
birthed and cared for them until they were strong enough to care for
themselves. The worse thing to do is to kill one's Dam, the children no matter
how old, mated or not, will hunt you to the ends of your days and not rest
until you've been encased in the deadliest form of ice and shattered into
particles so fine they will be last forever into the winds.
Malekith knew he could not kill the woman and yet he wanted answers. Nodding,
he ordered the old Elf to drop the woman to the ground and drag her to her
mate. But as soon as the woman's feet touched the ground, she stopped laughing
and looked calm. He frowned as she sighed and then a moment later there was a
snore.
“She- she fell asleep!?” He roared incredulously.
Laufey bit back a laugh, did he not mention that his mate's moods were manic?
Well they are and she has a strange habit of falling asleep in random places
and sometimes she fall asleep in weird positions.
“Fine... You will tell me what I want to know. Where are the the Infinity
Stones?” Malekith demanded as he ignored the sleeping woman.
“Scattered across the Universe.” Laufey stated, it was a well known fact they
were, their exact locations though? Not so much.
“That is not true... I know they are somewhere near, I felt the Aether....” he
snarled low.
Laufey frowned. “I do not know nor do I care. They will do nothing for my
people and even I did know where to find them, why would I tell you? My sons
are safe.”
“No, they are not... because if I do not get my answers from you or the woman,
I will get it from them and we both know that your little Treasure is called
that because his beauty is not something one has seen before... and I had the
pleasure of meeting him. I wonder if he is all male like his second eldest
brother or has a quim like his mother... or perhaps both like you...”
Laufey growled loudly, straining once more at chains trying int vain to crush
the Elf.
“You touch my son....” the woman growled low and dark, the very stones around
them vibrating from the sheer volume and strength of her voice as her once
green eyes glowed a deadly red. “I will carve out all of your organs and seal
them into Canopic Jars and scatter them around the Universes, your head mounted
over my fireplace, your fingers and toes made into a necklace as your remaining
limbs roast over a fire for my hunting Pack, your cock preserved in jelly and
locked in the deepest pit of the Ninth Ring of Hell. Your torso fed to
Grendel... I will make it so slow it will take five solar lifetimes for me to
finish....”
Malekith felt for only a moment a frisson of fear at the threat...
Back in Asgard, Loki stood before his bathroom mirror, still unnerved at the
clear image of his body and face. He was small, that much was obvious with
being a Runt, but he also meant his cock was small, more like a cocklet. His
quim was hairless and a slightly darker shade of blue than the rest of his
body. He was sealed and untouched, virgin. He did not understand the appeal of
looking at a naked body, did not understand the whispered words of romantic
poetry that his guards once spoke about their partners.
He didn't even understand what they meant by 'quiet as a Vola (mouse) in
public, but as loud as a Jotun Beast in the bedroom.' Did this person simply
not talk because he was so loud he sounded unintelligible? He didn't get what
deflowering mean either, other than plucking the petals from a flower. And he
really did not know what BDSM was. Apparently his mother introduced it to his
people and many enjoyed such relationships.
But still looking at himself he did not see the appeal. He was too small to
mate with a normal Jotun and if he tried they would end up killing him during
the process. And if by some by some miracle he survived the mating, the
pregnancy would not last to full term and if did, Loki would die trying to
birth the baby much to big for him to carry. He kind of regrets not staying to
speak to his mother about Heats and Mating. But she always got this manic grin
on her face that suggested he'd be terrified or traumatized by the end of that
lesson.
Shaking his head, he looked at his body once more and sighed. The others were
wary of him because he looked like a Jotun, something they viewed as a monster.
Even if the last war between his people and the Aesir was over 1900 years ago,
which his mother said equaled 16-17 years age wise for his people. It seemed
the Aesir breed hatred into their offspring where as his people speak of it
yes, but teach their children to not hold animosity toward others no matter how
wrong or right they were, anger just breeds more anger.
He twisted this way and that, not sure what was his 'assets' a servant once
told him about. He had said that most Jotun liked a partner with long legs and
a nice firm backside. Looking now he could see his legs were indeed long,
shapely and toned from his training with his mother and the hunts he went on
with his bothers. He was not overly muscled, but he wasn't just skin and bones
either. His bum was pert, round and heart shaped. His mother once grumbled
about killing anyone who touched her baby's bum. Why anyone would do it was
beyond him, but then again his father cupped his mother's bum every once in a
while and she always got this hungry look on her face. Maybe it was a Mates'
thing?
If he recalled correctly his mother said he had a cute bubble butt, whatever
that was. He could see the subtle shifts in his body that would make it
impossible for one to tell if he was Male or Female. Looking at him from the
back, he looked female with his trim waist, bubble butt and long legs, but his
shoulders were too wide for a woman's and his chest while neither fully flat,
but lacking breasts all the same, was not something found common on women
either. He had long arms and soft thin hands like a female, but over all he was
neither gender.
Sighing one last time, he let his robes fall as he closed his eyes and
concentrated on shifting his form. He learned this trick as a child but because
of the harshness of Jotunheim, his mother told him not to do it again or he'd
risk sickness and death. Thinking of his mother he thought of her pale skin,
how soft and light it was, warm to the touch but not overly so. The natural
pink of her cheeks and the soft redness of her lips. Her green eyes and the
nearly impossible to see freckles over the bridge of her nose.
As he thought this he felt his body tingle and vibrate until he opened his eyes
and watched in awe as his Jotun flesh melted away like a waterfall to be
replaced by the same milky white flesh of his mother, his red on red eyes
turning icy green on white, his lashes looking longer and thicker as his dark
hair brought out his features. He was delicate in face, sharp lines and gentle
angles that fit both Male and Female faces.
His lips were a nice rosy red and a faint pink tinged his cheeks. The lines of
his bloodline were gone with his blue skin and he felt sort of naked without
them. He would fix it later. Looking down at his chest he saw his nipples were
a very light pink and he still had the strange not flat but not breasts chest
as before, Pectorals! That's what his mother called them, muscles in place of
milk sacks! They weren't defined like on his brothers but they weren't soft or
flabby either. His waist was still trim, his hip bones sharp and curved into a
deep V that lead down to his cocklet.
Spreading his legs a little as he leaned back on the wall, suddenly too cold
for his new flesh, he tilted his hips and saw that his quim was still there,
but instead of flushed a soft dark blue, it was pink. Standing up straight
again he looked down at his legs and was amused to see he still lacked body
hair. Then again growing hair was almost impossible for Jotuns and the ones who
could normally refused to cut theirs least it not grow back, only cutting it
when absolutely necessary. He smiled though as he noted his toe nails and
finger nails remained Jotun Black, however wiggling his toes a little he
magicked them blue and his finger nails a black that changed green upon
lighting.
Giggling to himself he looked up and really looked at himself. He looked like
his mother, if she was a Man and not a Woman. He could pass as her twin even.
He could see the beauty of his face and slender frame, but overall he still
didn't see the appeal. Shrugging he bent down to pick up his clothes and
frowned. His robes and loincloth were fine for Jotunheim and his other flesh.
It would look most strange and it pained him to do it, but if he wished to
remain hidden from Malekith, he would need Aesir clothes seeing as he adopted
Aesir like flesh.
Stepping out of his bathroom he blinked seeing a bundle of clothes on the bed
waiting for him already. Walking over to them, he saw a small note from Frigga
and smiled. She said that her weavings told her he would need new clothes and
she had brought them in for him. The woman was a kind person, but fierce, like
his mother. He wondered if she would take offense if he called her Mother
Frigga? Shrugging he set his things down and began to explore his new clothes.
Frowning at some of it, he sighed and grabbed his loincloth and carefully
wrapped it around himself once more. He would have to ask one of the women for
a monthly rag at a later date.
Once he had it tied in place he willed his new clothes onto his person, seeing
how they slid on and how they laced themselves shut, buttoned in other places,
buckled shut in the rest. Slipping on the knee high boots and lacing them shut,
he nodded. Everything was done in mostly black, with a vibrant green he loved
and splashes of warm gold to accent the cut and his frame. His long hair would
be a bit of a pain, but he simply shook his head, magicking it shorter and free
of its braids. Happy with his new look, he decided to see how the others would
react. His bracelet and the cuff still on his wrists, hidden under his long
jacket and tunic sleeves.
Leaving his room, he startled a bit seeing Thor leaning on the wall. The golden
haired Aesir looked up and blinked before a mild frown filled his face.
“You've changed...” He rumbled out, pushing himself off the wall and bringing a
hand to cup the side of Loki's face, fingers finding their way into the shorter
hair.
“I thought it best... Many are uncomfortable with my Jotun skin and it would be
better to look like an Aesir should those who attacked me the first time come
for me again.” He told him, flushing under the disapproving gaze.
“I liked your other flesh better... but I see logic and merit in this one...”
Thor sighed, shaking his head and lowering his hand. “However you wish to look,
you will always be beautiful and I will always know it is you.”
Loki bit his bottom lip, nervous and a bit ashamed before taking a breath and
looking up at Thor, “This is not a spell or glamour... This is what I look like
when I take my mother's flesh. She and I look like this it is not suitable for
Jotunheim but it is here. As my Jotun flesh is suitable for Jotunheim but not
here. I am not doing this because I fear others or care for what they say. If
this was true, I'd never step foot out of my bedchambers back home. Besides
Asgard is too hot for my Jotun flesh.”
Thor blinked, staring once more at Loki and then blinked again as a wide grin
spread over his face.
“Then I apologize, Civip Kethend...” He laughed, taking Loki's hand in his own
and leading him on a tour of the house. “Come, you've remained in your rooms
for three days now. It will not do for you to be lost in your home, no matter
how long or short your stay is.”
Loki smiled as he let Thor tug him along. His stomach fluttering and warmth
pooled. It was strange and he wished he could talk to his mother, ask her what
this feeling was and if it was normal. And if it wasn't he didn't mind, it felt
nice...
 
***** Death for Life *****
Chapter Summary
     Minor time skip: Loki is adjusting to his new life with Thor and the
     others, but when Hogun needs to return home, Loki and the others
     offer their aid. Meanwhile Malekith is still trying to gain
     information from a very stubborn Midgardian woman who is not all she
     seems to be...
Chapter Notes
     Sorry for the delay in updating, I had Comic Con last weekend and
     this passed weekend I went to visit my little brother at his college
     and to pretty much do his laundry all weekend long. I will try to
     update again soon, NO PROMISES!!!
     This chapter we see some of Loki's BAMFness come out because Loki is
     a Water Bender!! Sorry, but not sorry, I was watching Avatar the Last
     Air Bender while writing this chapter.
     Gore warning:
     Thor loses his shit and mutilates about 10 people, off screen, but
     leaves one hell of a mess.
     FEELS WARNING!!!!!!
     I had a moment and I did the thing
     Translation Elvish
     Mother, she.... she is gone.
Chapter 5
Time was a strange concept. At times it felt like he only blinked and suddenly
days turned to months others, at others it felt as if seconds dragged on for
ages. It's been little more than two months since his escape from Jotunheim and
finding his way to Asgard, into the home of Lady Frigga of Vanaheim and left in
the care of her son, Thor the Beast. It didn't take him long to learn of Thor's
curse, to learn of his dual personality. And where others had coward, Loki did
not. Thor reminded him of his Jotun Beast, a pup with such a temper that many
feared for his safety, but his dear pup was always so tame and docile around
him, but Loki didn't allow himself to assume it would always be so.
The Beast normally took over the moment the last rays of the sun vanished and
retreated at the first ray of dawn. During the night it roamed the land,
seeking sport and a fresh kill. Often bringing back deer and rabbit alike back,
one time a wild boar. But according to Jalan, the beast roamed the whole night,
but ever since Loki was brought to them, the Beast would return home and take
on Thor's body, but the eyes and behavior were all the monster. Loki did not
fear it nor Thor, he felt sympathy and empathy for them. Sought daily the books
offered by the manor's library to see if there is a way to free Thor of his
affliction, but sadly none were found.
It took the others of the house some time to become use to his presence, to see
him as another person and not a monster. The children adored him as the mothers
seemed to tolerate his aid and opinions. The few men were wary, but willing to
teach him to fight and defend himself. They were impressed with Loki's
quickness, the fluidity of his knives and the near dance like art he fights
with. They found it hard to hit him at a distance where he used his magic to
deflect or shield himself and up close where Loki took advantage of not only
his smaller, slighter form, but also his incredible flexibility. Soon enough
the Warriors Three and Lady Sif took over his training, sparring with him
whenever possible.
Lady Jalan at one point fought him in a mock battle, striking and swiping at
him like only a demon could and Loki kept pace with her. Lady Frigga seemed to
be the only one able to best him, but then again they were both masters of the
short sword, long dagger arts. Both powerful magic users and both able to think
quickly on their feet. Thor never challenged him, not because he thought he was
better, but because Thor could not bring himself to harm Loki even in jest. The
people of Lilithorn were none the wiser to the newest addition to Jalan's
Clutch. Assuming him the runaway son of a Noble, for Loki knew if they knew of
his true heritage, they would attempt to murder him.
“Loki!” He startled from his thoughts and looked up from where he had been
kneeling by a dry river bed, a poor trickling rivulet all that is left of the
once mighty river. Looking up he saw it was Sif who called him. “Have you found
something?”
“The river is still flowing, but it seems to be blocked. We'd had best follow
it upstream.” He told her, standing up.
His black leather and green silk clothes hugging his thin frame nicely, richly
accented in gold. They looked simple and flimsy, but Lady Frigga had woven
these from her finest threads, they were as good as the golden armor of the
Aesir army, but lightweight and comfortable. His boots were slightly caked in
mud as he, Sif and Frandal continued to walk upstream.
Hogun had received word from his kin that their village had been invaded by a
large gang that had robbed them of their crops and somehow stolen the waters of
the river. They begged his assistance or they faced death. Thor upon hearing
their plight agreed to aid them, Frigga hesitant to allow them to go, for it
could take days and none outside of the people of their small village knew of
Thor's affliction, his 'illness.' But Loki promised her he would keep Thor's
attentions focused on the gang, that no innocent shall fall at his hand. And
thus far it has been so. But now Thor, Volstagg and Hogun are back in Hogun's
village, helping where they can and preparing for another raid from the gang
while Loki, Sif, and Frandal find the source of the river's sudden emptiness.
They traveled for hours when Loki stopped.
“What is it?” Frandal asked, an ever present smirk on his face, but the hand on
the hilt of his rapier said otherwise.
“I feel it... the river....” Loki murmured before he took off running. Sif and
Frandal had to race to keep up. He moved with speed and grace born of years
running in the snow after his brothers, chasing his Pup, later on his mount.
Training and hunting with his mother. He was one with the wind and earth,
passing his hands over the trees and bushes, his magic pulling their memories
from them. He could see the raiders cutting down trees, burning large areas of
the forest down to make food gathering or game hunting near impossible for the
villagers. With each new memory, the darker his frown became until he came to a
sudden halt.
“Loki!!” Sif cried out, stumbling to a stop as Frandal doubled over, gasping
for air. “Do not run off so suddenly--”
She cut herself off upon seeing the large dam that had been built, tiny
trinkles of water slipping by the wood to fall into the rivulet. The wood, clay
and mud brick wall was well made, blocking off the river and damning the
village to either wither away or for the people to move. Frandal slowly walked
up to it, pushing on some of the logs to see how sturdy they were, none moved.
“I will give them one thing, they are quite the architechs.” He told them.
“How do we get the water flowing again?” Sif wondered. “We cannot simply break
the dam, it would flood the entire village.”
“I have an idea, but I will require one of you to remain on this side and the
other to cross over to the other. I have a feeling that the moment I begin to
work on breaking down the damn, our guests will try to kill us...” Loki told
them, looking out into the trees, as if he could see their audience.
Sif tensed, looking about alert and wary. She saw nothing and sensed nothing,
but Loki has proven time and again that his instincts seldom failed him. She
nodded as Frandal moved to the other bank while Loki carefully climbed his way
to the top of the dam, balancing himself on the crude walk way at the top. The
two warriors kept their eyes on the trees and bushes, but also sparing a glance
or two at Loki as he moved himself to the middle of the dam. Looking at the
water, it was nearly to the top and if he tried to moved a few of the logs,
even with magic the water would collapse the whole dam and drown not only
himself but the village as well. He was deep in thought when he noticed some
fish, swimming around each other.
“Push_and_pull,_ebb_and_flow..._water_is_always_moving,_always_changing,_my
little_Air._Feel_it,_embrace_it._Move_with_it..._Tai_Chi_is_one_of_many_forms
where_force_means_nothing_unless_you_follow_the_ebb_and_flow,_the_push_and
pull._There_have_been_masters_who_could_bend_the_elements_to_their_will,_able
to_use_nature_as_their_sword_and_shield._They_call_it_Bending..._Water_Bending
is_the_first_of_many_I_will_teach_you._Shall_we_begin?”
Loki smiled at the memory of his mother teaching him one of the many things
from Midgard. Remembering that lesson, her careful instructions, he stood
still, eyes closed and slowly he moved his hands back and then forward,
circling his hands before him and over his head. He did this several times
before the water began to move with him, flowing with him and his magic until
he head a steady stream of water flowing over his head and down into the river
bed. Making the rivulet became a babbling brook and then a steady stream.
Frandal and Sif watched in amazement for a moment or two before they both spun,
Sif bashing her shield into a man dressed in earth tones and a cloak woven from
the leaves while Frandal drove his rapier into another man's throat. Yells
filled the air as a small army of 10 appeared, three archers aiming for Loki,
who stopped moving the water to use his magic to animate the logs and make them
break free one by one to jump into the water below and float their way down
stream.
“Loki!!” Sif cried when the arrows were loosed.
The young prince turned, knives of ice formed from the water in hand. He split
the arrows in half as he turned back to the water, feeding it quickly into the
stream below as Frandal and Sif tried to fight off the attackers. The archers
fired again, recovering from the shock of Loki's speed. They would take out the
young mage, not necessarily kill him, and then worry about the warriors. Loki
swung his arms around himself, the water making a gel like shield that stopped
the arrows barely an inch into the somewhat solid barrier. Dropping the shield,
he set back to work emptying the reservoir, when it was low enough, he spun in
place, a wall of ice surrounding him as more arrows were sent his way, satterng
over the wall, but instead of letting the ice melt, Loki's green eyes blazed
with annoyance as the ice shattered and formed varying sized shards that he
shot in the direction of the archers. The ice shards flew faster than the
arrows, to quick for his attackers to see. Two of them were killed the last was
pinned into the tree, his arms useless from the shards.
Snorting in disdain, Loki turned his focus once more to the dam, using his
magic to loosen the logs again and to send them one at a time down the stream.
Frandal's shouting and Sif's own grunts telling him they were still alive and
still fighting. He worked hard, moving faster, but also draining himself
quicker, but he needed to get the water down low enough to avoid flooding and
drowning Hogun's home village. After draining water and breaking the dam down
for the third time, he checked the level of the barrier to see that it was a
little more than a foot above his head if he were to stand in the water bed so
he quickly dashed over to Sif's side of the river, using a ball of pure magic
to break the last of the dam and allow the river to flow freely. There would be
a minor elevation in the river, but nothing damaging or leaving lasting effect.
“Loki!!” Sif yelled, he turned and gasped as a war hammer came crashing down on
the side of his head. He collapsed to the floor, his eyes rolling as his mind
was filled with white hot pain and his ears rang with a high pitched sound. His
body felt heavy and light all at once, his fingers twitched sporadically, the
ring chimed as the cuff glowed a low red color. It was a moment later when the
heavens above were suddenly blotted out with thick heavy clouds, the skies
flashing with bolts of lightning, but the usual rumble of thunder did not
follow, but they could feel the vibration of it.
Frandal drove his sword into another bandit's chest, killing him before he
quickly fled down river. Sif threw her shield and dropped her sword, following
him. They did not want to be caught in the war path. They did not bother to
take Loki for Thor would hunt them down and in the state he was in, he was
liable to kill them. Thunder storms when they did not hear the thunder were the
most dangers, it meant that Thor had entered his Berserker rage and would not
stop till all threats were dealt with or someone, namely Frigga calmed him.
Since Loki arrived, Thor has not once been in Berserker mode, let alone close
to his usual level of anger.
As they raced down the sides of the river, they saw Thor flying by, not using
his hammer to fly him, but actually using his own power to fly. They caught his
gaze, the white on red eyes looked blood thirsty and they were glad they
followed their training, but secretly felt guilty for not taking Loki. Thor
ignored them, deeming them non-threatening. He was quickly approaching where
his cuff's twin was crying out for help and he saw the bastards gathered around
his Pretty One. Snarling low, he dropped down like a bolt of lightning in the
middle of them, careful not land on Loki.
“You shall pay...” he snarled low. “How dare you pigs touch my Civip
Kethend....”
“That mage is ours!” snarled a bandit, his hammer stained with a bit of blood,
the color too dark to be either Frandal's or Sif's.
He's seen Loki's blood before, when the young Frost Giant had accidentally cut
himself helping prepare dinner. It was a dark purplish color even in his
Midgardian form, it was still too dark to be considered red. Even then he could
see Loki , barely conscious, laying on the ground, small rivulets of blood
running down the side of his head. He would need to make sure his Pretty One
was not permanently damaged from his head injury.
Growling low, he bared his fangs as lightning flashed above them all, making
his features that much more demonic as he uncurled his fists to reveal long
black talons. The bandits seemed to finally realize they were not dealing with
another human being like them, but a Beast in human flesh, but sadly they
noticed too late for Thor roared, loud and inhuman before he flew at them,
thunder roaring over head finally, deafening and echoing its master's rage...
Loki moaned weekly as he felt something cool and wet press softly to his
injury. Hissing at the sting, he weakly slapped the hand away.
“....-oooo....” he whined.
“Come now, Civip Kethend....” a familiar voice rumbled lowly. “You are injured,
let me see to it...”
“....-urts....” he whimpered.
“We know, Pretty One....”
Loki sighed, allowing Thor to tend him, he was still lying on the ground,
surrounded by mangled corpses, blood spilled around and seeping into the earth.
Loki did not need to look to know his stomach would rebel. The smell alone was
making him ill. Charred flesh and copper and zinc from the ionized air around
them. Thor's hands are so gentle, he melts into his touches even if he wants to
bat them away because his head hurts like a mother right now.
“Don't fall asleep... head injuries are dangerous.” Thor scolded softly,
putting slight pressure on his wound to stem the bleeding.
He hissed around the sting, but opened his eyes, blinking way too much and
rolling his eyes around until he could look at Thor properly. It felt like the
blow to the head made everything scramble in his body.
“I know... still hurts...” he pouted.
Thor chuckled as he removed the cloth, washing it in the river and then
wringing out the excess water, “I know it hurts, I've had my head bashed many
times, either from my own carelessness or someone intent on killing me.”
“.... I will freeze their nether regions to an anvil and shove it off a cliff.”
Loki growled low.
Thor burst into booming laughter, glad that Loki's surliness had returned,
meaning his pretty one was not as gravely injured as he had thought. Loki was
like a kitten, sweet and affectionate at one moment, surly and cranky at
another, and a bit devious and impish during the other times.
“That would be most amusing to see, however they are all dead.” Thor promised,
his voice darker and layered. “If not by my hands, then the hands of Mother
Jalan.”
“Hmph, good.” Loki scoffed, shifting slightly as Thor finished cleaning his
wound. “How terrible is it?”
“A small cut, but the head usually bleeds quite a bit.” Thor assured him,
looking at the small cut, barely the length of his pinky's nail barely the
width of his nail's tip. The bleeding was sluggish now, slowing to a stop.
“Give me a moment more and then we will head back to the others.”
“Did Sif and Frandal flee?”
“Yes. They are safe, though I will have to grab their items before we leave.”
Thor murmured seeing Sif's weapons and one of Frandal's daggers.
“Good...” Loki sighed. He was not stupid he knew of how the Beast was, it would
not attack those in its Clutch, but when it came to Loki, the Beast did not
care if you were friend or foe, it would kill all to ensure its Pretty One was
safe.
“... The bleeding has slowed enough that we can move you. Remain here.” Thor
told him as he stood to get the dropped weapons.
Loki closed his eyes, feeling his magic pulse under his skin, healing him of
any injuries, the pulsing a bit painful where he had been struck, but over all
he was not too badly harmed. He opened his eyes when he felt Thor carefully
picking him up, carrying him away from the blood bath and back to the village.
Sighing softly, Loki dozed off, knowing he was safe and protected...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Laufey lifted his head when he heard the old Elf leave the cell they were in,
muttering about how soon his wife would break and tell its master what he
wanted to know. The door slammed shut with a dull echo and the locks clicked
into place. Looking to his wife, who still hung by her wrists, he could see she
was breathing heavily, blood running down her pale flesh, ugly bruising
littering her flesh, but she was very much alive.
“Beloved...” he spoke.
“Shh, my king... I'm well...” she smiled around bloody lips, her eyes bruised,
but open now. “I've suffered worse...”
He frowned, when had his wife suffered so? Since their mating she has been
adored and coddled, pampered and spoiled. Perhaps in her youth? No, her people
were like his own, warriors, ruthless and cruel, but soft and loving to their
families, especially children.
“Do not think on it, Laufey... You will not figure it out.” She laughed softly,
the sound sweet and soothing, not the mad cackling or pleas of insane squeal
she had loosed during her torture. “You have been injured, husband...”
“This is nothing, Rhyg...” he told her, looking down at the shards of brass
that had been embedded under his bone plating and the top layer of skin. The
plates would randomly heat themselves to near unbearable temperatures before
cooling off, leaving the flesh around them bruised a dark purplish black and
charred slowly. “I have been trained in the art of torture since I took my vows
of the Warriors.”
“Hmm.” She smiled, happy to hear her name on his lips. “We are quite the pair,
no? Both bred to lead, taught to suffer with our people, to laugh with them, to
love them and protect them. You a king, me a Seer.”
He chuckled low. She looked up at the chain then, humming all the while.
Suddenly she made a sound of triumph.
“Wife?” He asked.
“Husband.” she stated, making him grunt annoyed at her playful evasion. “Look
at your chains, see it?”
He blinked and looked at his bindings. The black chains of wrought steel and
iron were magically infused and imbued to prevent the ones bound in them from
escaping either via magic or pure brute strength.
“What am I seeing?” he asked her.
“The chain around your wrists, look at the 5th links.” She told him. He did as
told and for a moment nothing but then they shimmered, a pale barely noticeable
pink color. “See it now? The chains on your legs, 13tth links.”
He nodded again as he saw them, quickly spotting another shimmering links,
these shimmered red however. He spotted a few more, each set glowing a
different shade of color. His wife smiled when he looked at her in confusion.
“The breaks in the chains but we cannot reach them and even if we could, we do
not have the power enough to break them. The chains steal out power and leave
us weak.” He told her, eyeing her critically.
She nodded and then he saw it, her eyes flashed gold and the breaks in his
changes shattered, the lengths of black metal falling off him like limp snakes
to pool around him.
“Go... quickly. Find our little ones.” She ordered him. “Do so now! They'd have
felt the chains breaking!”
He wanted to protest, to try and free her, but he knew better than to argue.
She smiled at him, whistling low and eerily, a portal appearing at her call.
Laufey turned to her and she nodded.
“Be safe, my love.” she told him.
“Do not die, my mate.” he then stepped through, the portal closing just as
Malekith and his guards burst into the room.
“If you wish to find my husband, good luck...” she laughed darkly, eyes glowing
with power as she grinned wide and dark. “For I will not allow you to capture
my family, not while I still draw breath.”
“That can be easily remedied, my lady...” Malekith told her.
“Indeed it could, in fact allow me to do it for you...” with that they gasped
as she bite off her tongue and began to choke on her own blood. The violent
twitching of her body caused the chain suspending her to activate and
increasing amounts of electricity began to speed her death along.
It took all of five minutes for the woman to die, very much in pain and aware
of it until the end. When she was limp and dead, Malekith cursed. Ordering her
corpse to be removed and dumped on Midgard, he left the room, heading for his
war room. He knew where Loki and his brothers were, and he would collect the
Hybrid, but wanted the Stones first. He would use them to rule over all
creation and with the powerful Jotun Prince at his side, as his Queen, he would
be unstoppable, their children would solidify his immortality to the end of
time. Walking into the room he smirked darkly as he spoke:
“Commander Schari of the Chitauri, I have a mission for you...”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Loki had been sleeping peacefully in his bed roll within Hogun's childhood home
when he shot up with a scream worthy of a banshee. The scream woke the others,
Thor racing into the house in his beast form, from his nightly run. But Loki
did not see him nor hear the others asking him what was wrong, he only
continued to scream, wailing as if he were dying and then as suddenly as it had
started, it stopped and he was left to collapse into Thor's large frame,
sobbing as he clutched the bracelet his mother had given him.
“Atara, re... re naa wanwa....” He moaned weakly, sobbing as he could no longer
feel his tie to his mother's magic, she was gone...
 
***** Sometimes you hurt, Sometimes you don't *****
Chapter Summary
     Loki has fallen into a depression and everyone is worried, but at the
     same time do not wish to smother him. But then Loki seems to snap out
     of it one fine day, but is he really over it?
Chapter Notes
     Sorry for the delay, was super busy, not to mention I had Comic Con
     one weekend, Family Visit with my baby brother's college and then
     helping my grandma pack for a month long trip to Cuba. And then I
     caught a damn cold!! Ugh!!
     I wrote this chapter while sick and hungry... God I'm a fatass and
     damn proud!
     No translations, look to previous chapters for repeated terms or
     words translations.
Chapter 6
It was noon by the time Loki left his bed roll, no one blamed him or dared ask
what had caused him to scream the way he had the night before. Loki barely
nibbled on bread, pale and wan, eyes red from crying, mild bruising from lack
of sleep clinging to the underside of his eyes, hair messy and he was still in
his night shirt and pants. Thor did not force him to do anything, simply
petting his head, occasionally whispering in the Jotun's native tongue, the
words too soft for them to hear, but it seemed to slowly ease some of the
sorrow that seemed to cling to their normally bright and mischievous Frost
Prince.
Sif packed their belongings as Volstagg and Frandal helped repair some of the
damages done to the houses while Hogun and a few others went to see to the
fields. By the time everything was done, Thor leaving every once in while to
help where he could, the five friends bid goodbye to Hugun's friends and family
before they used the teleport spell Frigga had given them to return home. Upon
landing, Frigga was waiting for them and without anyone saying a word she took
Loki into her arms where for the second time in less than 24hrs he broke down
into heart-wrenching sobs.
No one knew what to say or how to comfort, him so they left him alone. For
weeks, Loki ate very little, slept even less, but then one day the household
awoke early to the scent of the morning meal, but it was not the usual affair
that was made, the air was warmer, richer with spices that were new and
enticing. Jalan bolted up from her pile of gold, Frigga slowly crawling out of
her comfy nest of furs and pillows, both very confused as to who was cooking
seeing as Frigga was just getting up and none of the maids cooked so early in
the morning. Everyone slowly crept from their rooms, wondering who was cooking
and what it was that they were making, it smelt heavenly.
When they got down stairs, Thor was still in his Beast form, laying lazily in
the doorway to the kitchen. That only meant that it was Loki who was cooking
and seeing Thor there, they did not dare to peek into the kitchen. Having no
other choice than to get ready for the day, they all trudged back up to their
rooms. Loki hummed as he carefully stirred the thick creamy potato porridge,
checking on the bread in the brick oven slowly rising and browning into a
lovely golden crust. He had Thor bring him back a young black boar, gut and
clean it before Loki carefully placed it onto a spit and spelled it to spin
slowly over the flames throughout the night, rubbing it with ground spices:
salt, freshly cracked black peppercorns, thyme, rosemary and basil. A honey
glaze coated it, but that was mixed with some spices he summoned a shadow to
fetch from Earth, saffron, ginger and dried jalapenos, all grounded into fine
powder to mix with the honey. He made jasmine rice, with freshly picked
jasmines, boiled water for tea which he then left to cool and steep for a few
hours, adding fresh sugar cane sticks and lemon peels to it and flash froze it
to once more slowly thaw over the next couple of hours.
All the while as he cooked, he let his mind wander to his childhood, barely
taller than his mother's knee, standing on his tippy toes to try and see what
it was his mother was making, what smelt so wonderful! How his mother would
magic him a tall stool to sit on with a cute little apron to wear as he got to
help her by kneading fresh bread dough, carefully sorting out the beans, later
on as he got bigger, cutting up fresh vegetables, slicing raw meats into
specific cuts or poking holes into the meat to stuff carefully made balls of
herbs and spices. He learned all he could by helping her, they would be filthy
by the time the meal was ready and always smiling like they won a war. He could
see his father's fondly exasperated face as his brothers would laugh and fluff
his hair to get clouds of spices and flower out of his hair.
Sometimes when they were cooking together his mother would teach him songs
she's learned as a child, from her early years of traveling all over Midgard,
folk songs, lullabies, which now that he thought of them were very disturbing,
songs of love, songs of sadness or ballads of war. He couldn't help but start
humming as he finished cooking, pulling the bread from the oven to cool and sit
as he put in a tray of stuffed rolls into the oven to cook. The boar was ready,
he dispelled the spit and with a flash of his eyes, the boar fell to pieces on
a large serving platter, all the meat, bits of the fat and chard skin with it,
the rest left for the dogs to enjoy. Walking over to where he where he had the
bread sitting, he sliced it into even cuts and lightly brushed them with an
herbed butter and carefully piled them with the pulled meat and crisp lettuce
and sliced tomatoes.
By the time he was done with everything, it was about the regular time for
everyone to be up. Thor seemed to snap awake then, giving a wide jaw cracking
yawn as he shook himself out of his beast form and into a man. Loki blushed
hotly seeing the naked man, all glorious golden skin and thick muscles, not an
inch of fat, fading scars decorating his flesh and what a glorious cock the man
had. Loki felt his quim moisten, the strange heat that followed seemed to roar
bright and threatening to burn him from the inside out. Thor turned, unaware of
the condition he left his poor charge in, allowing the Jotun Prince to get an
eyeful of that wondrously muscled ass.
Loki now understood what his mother meant by she hated when his father walked
away, but loved to see him go... She had an obsession with his father's
backside, now he knew what she meant. He had this itching urge to run up to
Thor and smack one of those firm cheeks. Thankfully Thor was gone when Loki let
out a shrill squeal and collapsed to his knees, a hand pressed to his bleeding
nose as he panted and tried to fight of the dizziness threatening to make him
pass out. Spelling the rest of breakfast to finish itself, he grabbed a clean
rag, wet it with cold water and held it to his face, willing it to stop
blushing, for these... these perverted thoughts to leave his mind, but it
seemed the Norns wanted him to suffer more for even with his eyes closed,
hidden behind the island counter, he could see Thor's naked body clearly. If
Thor were a Jotun... Loki would have to beat others away with a pole to keep
them from claiming his Thunderer!
Gasping, he jumped up, looking shocked by the thought, but as he had jumped up,
he banged his head on the underside of the counter ledge, giving himself a nice
little bump. He hissed and grumbled at the counter like it just stole his
favorite pudding.
“Loki?” Thor's voice could be heard and Loki jumped up again, blushing brightly
as he saw the man fully clothed, hair still damp from a quick rinse. “Are you
alright? I smell blood.”
“I'm fine!!” He squeaked, hiding the bloody rag behind his back. “Just a mild
nosebleed! Nothing serious!”
Thor gave him a look, but then he shrugged, “Your rolls are burning.”
Loki let out a scream and ran to pull the rolls out, they were darker than he
wanted them, but after a quick poke of a thin twig to check the insides, he was
glad they were well cooked. Once everything was ready, he asked Thor to help
him carry everything to the dining room. He was a bit shocked to see everyone
already waiting for the meal, table set and all. Setting out the platters, it
took the two three trips to get everything on the table. Once done, Loki began
to serve everyone and gave the okay to begin eating. Everyone took a cautionary
bite, not worried about being poisoned, but wary of the food smelling heavenly
only to taste terrible, but that was not the case. Flavors exploded over their
pallets and made their mouths water.
“Oh my word!”
“Mother did you try this?!”
“Loki, please show me your secrets!!”
“Wow, this is better than anything I could ever make... I don't know if I
should be jealous or bow to a master?”
Loki blushed as everyone gushed and flattered him, he glanced up at Frigga who
was staring at her plate, a blank look on her face. Jalan was poking at one of
the stuffed rolls as Thor blinked at his own plate.
“I- is this not to your liking?” he mumbled, making everyone pause to stare at
three who had yet to try the wonderful meal.
“No, it's not that... Just... where did you learn to cook? I thought Jotuns
avoided flames like the plague?” Frigga wondered.
“Oh! Oh, no we enjoy warmth, and a nice fire in the hearth! And my... my Atara.
Ever since I could remember she was always in the kitchen, cooking and
singing... I would come into the kitchens and try to see what it she was
making, try to stand on my toes or climb the cupboards until she would magic a
stool for me to sit upon and watch, later one an apron to help cook. As I grew,
I learned all her recipes and secrets... Atara was a wonderful cook and I felt
I've mourned her passing enough and decided to celebrate the gifts she gave me
by making a meal for my new family...” Loki admitted, sniffling softly as he
tried yet again to feel his mother's magic, but where the tingling cool flow of
magic should be completing their link, there was only emptiness.
“I'm sorry.” Frigga placed a hand on his hand and he smiled softly.
“You need not worry. I'm sure if she were to see me like this, she'd grab my
ear and drag me to the stream and throw me in, demanding I stop moping about
and being a lazy bag of bones. She was something else. Father said she was not
always wrapped well in the head, she claimed that she was never boring.” Loki
laughed.
“She sounded like an interesting being.” Jalan commented, grabbing a roll and
biting into it, blinking in surprise. She did not eat human food often, it was
normally bland or poorly made, besides she preferred raw meat fresh from the
kill, but if Loki cooked more often, she would not be opposed to eating what he
gives her, if only to sample. Frigga tried the porridge and was in love with
the creaminess. Thor still did not touch his food, merely watching Loki poke at
his food a moment before sitting up with a bright smile, grabbing the pulled
boar sandwich and dunk it into his bowl of porridge and take a hearty bite,
smiling even as tears sprung to his eyes.
But he continued to eat, smiling and laughing even as he cried at the reminder
of the most beloved person in his life. When Loki was halfway through his meal,
Thor began to eat finally and purred low in pleasure, the meal was wonderful,
the flavors layered and savory, blending nicely without overpowering one
another or the pallet. The rolls were full of fruits or vegetables and eggs,
the iced tea was refreshing and sweet, with a nice zing from the lemon peels.
By the time the meal was over, there was hardly any left over, but still Loki
was paid more compliments, playful offers of marriage if he cooked like this
daily. Frigga, when she was full to burst declared a lazy day for all and
ordered everyone to the living room, magicking everything to clean themselves
up and to pack away the left overs to later.
Once everyone was sitting in the living room, she asked Loki to share more
stories of his mother and his family. And like that they spent the day learning
of the Royal Jotun family and all the shenanigans they got into on a daily
basis. Stories of his mother's temper causing the most terrifying of warlords
and kings to cower like pups, tales of his brothers and him romping around in
the vast tundras of their home, 'adventuring.' Regaling them with side
splitting stories of his father going from the terrifying Warrior King to a
panicked and worried mess whenever Loki and his brothers would vanish for an
adventure, forgetting to tell someone where they were going. How his father
sent out the whole army of Jotunheim one time when the three boys became lost
in a snowstorm.
How he fretted and coddled them when they were found and brought safely home
where as Loki's mother yelled and scolded them, grounding them for a month for
scaring her to near death. He spoke of stories his mother told him, war stories
from his father and made up tales his brothers would tell him before bed. He
missed his father and his brothers and hoped they were all safe, hoped he would
one day find them and try to be whole again, though they will always be missing
that spot in the center where his mother held them all together...
Laufey stepped out of the other end of the portal into a simple village of clay
homes and farmlands, the people all of various shapes and colors stopped to see
him. He looked down at his hands as he felt the tingle of magic. His blue flesh
being replaced with a warm tan, his great size shrinking to nearly half his
full height, still a very tall man, but not obviously so. He felt the tickle of
hair and grabbed the locks to see they were deep metal gray and black. He was
not sure what his color his eyes were, but he knew they would no longer be the
familiar red on red he was use to seeing, even his groin felt strange, but he
would not check here before many strangers.
“Hail, Lord Ice King, mate of the Drifter, Lady Ryilia Nubia.” A man greeted
him. “I am Lady Nubia's Man in waiting, Glade. I shall serve you as I have my
lady. Come you must be exhausted and you will need those wounds treated.”
Laufey followed the fairly tall man, his snow white hair blinding in the sun,
his eyes when he had been looking at him were a soft amethyst purple, he also
noted Elf like ears on the man but did not question it. They walked through the
village, the others bowing as they passed until came to large clay house with a
crystal roof that reflected like a rainbow in the sun. Stepping inside it was
shockingly cool, but bright. The man led him through the rooms to the second
floor and opened a door, bowing his head low as he gestured for Laufey to step
inside. Laufey did so and gasped.
“Who- who are you!?”
“I have many names, much like your wife, but if you must call me something,
call me Serene, it means Star.” the woman said looking at him, turning from
where she was sitting on the bed. “There is something we need to discuss,
Laufey-King: your wife and your youngest child.”
 
***** Love and Hate, Let's have a Date *****
Chapter Summary
     A look into Jalan and Frigga's relationship. Thor knows what his
     mothers are doing and Loki wants to go on a date!
Chapter Notes
     Alright I felt like spoiling you all so here is a second chapter!!
     Um not much to say other than Loki does not know his mother's past
     too well, she never spoke of her Human name to him.
     Loki is a Nature Reader! Be ware or he might make Bambie and the gang
     hunt you down!
Chapter 7
They say time heals all wounds. If you asked Loki if this was true, he wouldn't
give you his answer. But for those in the Clutch, they could see that slowly,
bit by bit that Loki was slowly moving on from his mourning. They have all
asked Lady Frigga at one point or another if Loki's mother was truly dead, but
even the Golden Queen was not privy to all of the Norn's weavings. When she
looked in on her loom and on the Loom of Fate, the same jaded green thread that
represented Loki's mother, the Lady Rhyg, it simply vanished. Not cut, yanked
from place or absorbed by another thread, simply gone. Whether this meant she
was truly dead and was stricken from history or, and here Frigga told them all
to never speak of this to Loki, it might mean on a very slim chance she was
alive and in hiding.
Do not get her wrong, Frigga would love to give some happy news to the boy, but
it was too cruel to tell him that she has tried searching for his mother using
the Loom only to discover that her thread had vanished. Loki already thought
she was dead for he could not feel his connection to her, it would be cruel to
tell him that she might be alive, simply hiding. Though it would make sense,
the reaction Loki had had the night h felt her connection vanish, it did not
bode well for them to attempt to find her alive. But still, the Loom remained
silent, her own loom humming as she threaded reds, golds silvers and greens
together, blues and purples, pinks and yellows.
A picture slowly forming with each pass of her thread and a push of the bar. A
meadow of flowers, a stream of water, tall trees and there in the heart saw her
son and Loki, looking for all the world content and happy. She kept going and
below the meadow was Loki and Thor at night, Thor's monstrous form coiled
around his sleeping ward, alert and vigilant, but Loki looked larger, almost-
She stepped back from her loom and blinked her eyes, wonder and almost praying
the scene, half finished would change. But when it did nothing to change and
her mind assured her she was not seeing things, she dared to sit back down and
finish. There, Loki pregnant and Thor sitting guard. But who's baby was it? She
made to weave more, but realized she was out of thread. This meant the Norns
did not wish her to see more. So she had no choice but to bind the threads and
cut the piece from the loom, folding it carefully and locking it in a small
trunk she kept many of her important weavings in. When she set the item down,
Jalan walked up to her in her naked/liquid gold glory.
“Something troubles you, my mate...” She said, her lips teasing on the back of
Frigga's neck.
“Many things trouble me. Which one do you wish to pry into?” Frigga huffed, it
was quite true, she was always annoyed about something, particularly her...
wife. Though over the years her hate has all but vanished, there will always be
that small petty corner of her heart, that cruel dark spot in her mind that
reminded her that her Wife ruined not only her happy marriage, but also the
life of her son. And the same could be said about Jalan. The golden dragon had
lived a very long time, while not always a peaceful life, it was one she
enjoyed surrounded by her many hatchlings.
But then glory seeking fools happened upon them, and every time she would
escape, one or two of her children were killed. It was not until Odin had come
that the madness had set in for the golden Demoness. Odin from the time he was
no longer a boy, but not quite a man, has hunted her and her children, killing
them off and either mounting their corpses for all to see or harvest them for
trophies. It was not until Odin AllFather had stolen her eggs that she finally
snapped. Years of stress, poor diets and grieving had taken their toll. She had
more and more miscarriages than she dared to count, what babies survived were
sickly, deformed and ugly, but she wouldn't kill them because they were all she
had left. Secreting them away, hiding them from those who mean to do them harm.
Odin had found her cave, entered when she had gone to see her son, Grendal, and
stole her latest clutch. That was fine, she would simply steal them back and
leave, but when she arrived at the palace, intent on taking her clutch back.
She saw the eggs shattered on the ground, the viscous goo that fed the babes
until they were ready to hatch a ghastly orange gold as the malformed babes
laid dead. Only one egg was still in tact, but a mage had preformed a spell on
it to kill the child inside without breaking the golden shell. It was to be a
present for the infant prince!
Horrified and in a blind rage, Jalan had attacked, but because Thor was an
innocent babe, she couldn't bring herself to kill him. A child is born free of
the sins of their sires after all. Why should she punish one that had done her
no harm? And then she heard the Queen's screaming, her eyes wide with horror
and fear for her babe, struggling to reach for the tiny thing, so soft and so
easily broken. Her mate, Odin stood stiffly, almost indifferent and that
brought the rage back. So instead of killing the child, she made it like her
dear Grendal, a hybrid. A few drops of her blood, and a handful of archaic
words and the deed was done.
Jalan may not act it, but some times, just sometimes she wished to rip out her
mate's heart and give it to the bastard that killed her children. Other times,
she wished she fed the infant Thor to Grendal... But no. She has grown to love
her Golden Mate, and her precious Storm Maker, she has a whole Clutch to guard
and love, even a pretty Gem of Ice and Frost to proudly display to the other
Dragons and Demons. But in the end neither female is deluded or addled to know
that they are mated out of convenience and mutual hate and love.
“The Norns are mean.” Jalan huffed suddenly coming out of her dark thoughts.
“And you still hate me...”
“We hate one another. You hate me because my former husband murdered your
children, stole them and gifted them to my son. I detest you for cursing him,
making him into that thing.” She growls low, eyes flashing with power.
“Mmm, you are delicious when you are furious...” Jalan growled, tackling the
Vanir woman to their bed and in moments had her naked, serpentine tongue buried
into her folds as the woman struggled to free herself, but at the same time
grinds her dampening cunt into the Demoness face. “It is best to take care of
this hate now before we are to join our children, yes?”
“Shut up, you daft Demon and finish what you have started!!” Frigga growled.
Flushed with anger and arousal, she nearly crushed Jalan's head with her
thighs, pulling her head back toward her quim.
Jalan chuckled as she set back to work...
Thor's head popped up from its place on Loki's lap and he made a groan of
disgust. Loki blinked as he saw the golden man stand up, opening the windows
wide before coming back to lay down, burying his head into the cushions behind
Loki's back.
“Thor?”
“Mother and Mother Jalan are fucking.” He grunted out.
Loki's cheeks enflamed. He knew what fucking was, some of the Jotuns his
brothers hung out with, when not training, spoke of it. Pleasure and pain, the
looks and the bruises one gets from fucking. He didn't know however what lead
to it or how it was done, that was something his family did not want him
knowing until before his first heat. His father seemed to grow insane with
worry and rage at the mere thought of Loki taking a mate one day let alone Loki
having his first heat. His mother... she would laugh and tell him that she
would not care as long as he was happy, but she would need to test... his would
be mate.
It still hurt to think of his mother, but with each new day that dawns, the
ache dulls a little more, his heart bleeds less, his tears fall even lesser.
Pulling from his thoughts, he looked down at Thor, who seemed content smelling
the sofa.
“Thor... I wish to go to the BiFrost... I would like to see it.” He told him.
“No, Loki... mother, both my mothers, are adamant that none of us should go
there. It is too close to my bastard of a father.” Thor growled out, dark and
menacing.
“Oh...” Loki deflated, but then Thor sat up.
“However if you magic us to look like strangers, we'll be able to go to the
beach closest to the BiFrost. Mother tells me the Gate Keeper sees and knows
all. It would not do to give him reason to speak to us.” Thor amended.
Loki blinked and then smiled, “Oh course. Perhaps after we'll find a natural
path to walk to another realm and perhaps hunt?” Thor grinned brightly at this,
he enjoyed hunts, it was something him and his Beast both loved. The thrill of
a chase, the blurring sights and blending scents! And don't get him started on
the look of terror on his prey's face, that is as long as the prey was not
family or his precious Loki.
Agreeing to the terms, Thor got up and grabbed a coin purse, a couple of cloaks
and grabbed a small satchel and took bread and cheese from the kitchen with a
few apples and a water skin. Happy with the items, he came back and Loki was
not the Loki he knew. In his pretty one's place was a woman with wavy black
hair, cropped short with one green eye and one blue, his skin was darker, still
white, but almost honeyed cream. Her chest was not too small but neither was it
too large. Her waist was trim and she had a firm ass, a lovely pair of legs and
Thor couldn't help but love his little Jotun princess more.
“Such a pretty woman.” He growled.
“Hmm, I had to change it a little...” Loki admitted, his voice now a gentle coo
of a soft spoken woman.
“I know it is still painful, Civip Kethend, but it will eventually stop hurting
so terribly.” Thor promised.
“Forgive me if I do not believe you quite yet.” Loki sighed, looking down at
her dainty hands.
Thor did not take offense, he himself has not suffered such a loss, and
therefore did not understand the ache in his beloved Treasure's heart. Loki
placed his hands on Thor's face and Thor purred feeing the gentle tendrils of
magic snack over his skin. Loki watched as the golden hair became a deep rich
brown, hints of red and gold here and there if the light hit it just right, his
beard thick and nearly black from how dark his hair was. His skin was paler,
almost a soft wheat gold, and when he opened his eyes they were storm gray.
“What shall be our names?” Thor wondered, looking at his reflection in a
mirror.
“I like Eric.” Loki told him. “Hmm, you look like a Woodsman.”
“And I find myself enjoying the name Snow, you look like a Winter Spirit made
flesh.” Loki snorted delicately, amused as she waved her hands and their
clothes changed to those belong to a pair of Woodsmen, or rather a Woodsman and
his wife. “Come husband we have far to travel.”
“As you wish, wife...” Thor purred leading his pretty one out the door...
Thor guided their horse to a stop on the edge of the water, the BiFrost was
large and long, stretching to the end of the Isle that was Asgard where the
waters cascaded into space. The bridge was as Loki had imagined and more!
Multitudes of colors, swirling and mixing within the thick crystal of the
bridge that leads to a large golden Hub. A sphere like dome with a pyramid
shaped nozzle pointing up. But then the dome began to move, rotating until it
was pointing to Vanaheim and in moments the dome began to spin at dizzying
speeds, the nozzle shooting out the rainbow beam. It took mere seconds before
it was over and Loki was left awed.
“Wonderful... But why did it suddenly-?”
“Hogun informed me that the leaders from his village would be coming this week
to speak with the AllFather. They must be arriving right now. So we have very
good timing then. Do you wish to linger more?”
“No, we best get going, I did promise you a hunt.” Loki smiled, her cute little
smile from behind Thor on the strong steed's back.
“Yes... which way is the nearest path?”
“Hmm...” Loki closed her eyes and sent out pulses of magic, looking for a
natural flow. It took maybe ten minutes, but she found one not far away.
“Head northeast, about 10-15 minutes away is a large Oak Tree that is the
portal.”
“Alright.” Thor turned them and headed off into the woods, unaware of the
figure standing on the bridge, watching them curiously...
When the pair arrived at the tree, Thor let out an impressed whistle. The tree
stood like a mountain, both tall and wide, its trees reaching not only to the
heaves but out to all corners of the earth. Loki felt just as awed because the
tree's roots pulsed under their feet. Slow and steady, rhythmic like lazy waves
on the beach. But that is not what had her awed, no it was the familiar warmth,
the comforting anchor holding him tethered.
“Atara....” Loki whispered, feeling her eyes watering, a brilliant smile
spreading so wide it looked painful.
“What?” Thor looked at her.
“Mother's energy... She said that for as long as she could remember her power
came from Oaks, or nature in general, but in her tribe, the Oak Tree is the
closest one they have to Yggdrasil. She told me how their spiritual leaders
call it a Nemeton. It is supposedly the center of their world, where the
Telluric Currents cross and meet. However there are several places where it
happens. But one can sync their magic with the Telluric Currents, gaining more
power to feed back into the earth or to corrupt it. Her spirit leader is known
as a Druid. Peaceful people, powerful magic, but kind and simple folk. If a
Druid becomes evil they call it a Durach. Mother says it rarely happens but in
her life time alone, only three known Druids became Durachs. One killed by a
pack of werewolves, another burned at the stake for murdering children to make
himself immortally young and the last was hunted and killed by mother. She said
they were once a good friend who gave into temptation, envy and greed. But
strangely when she dealt the killing blow, she felt nothing for the poor
creature they became, not even the least bit remorseful at who they use to be.”
Loki spoke dazedly, walking around said tree, her hand touching its bark,
feeling the energy flow into her, memories or visions warring for attention.
“But they were a good friend...”
“Yes, but I don't know what mother felt or thought seeing as it happened before
I was born, but she said sometimes one does not feel anything at that moment or
ever, others you feel it like you are being drowned and stabbed over and over
again. She told me that she was considered neither a good person or bad one,
that she simply did what was needed at that time. Killing a former friend had
been the right thing to do and from what I understood of her, she has never
regretted it.” Loki shrugged, coming full circle. “It's strange really, even
though she is gone, I'm still learning from her... that places like this still
hold her power and I can feel it ghosting on our bond... I sometimes wake, half
expecting to be home in my bed, mother sitting beside me, playing with my hair
as I slowly awaken. Or I dream of her, laughing as she teaches me a new spell
or a tells me a new story. Father busy with documents, my brothers either
cleaning a kill or cleaning their weapons, listening intently as well.”
“It's good to remember, Loki, better the good memories rather than the bad
ones. And with each visit, the pain while still fresh will lessen.” Thor took
her hand, kissing her knuckles before he grinned. “Now then, has your mother
taught you to walk the Natural paths?”
“How did you think I got here?” Loki huffed, haughty and a bite to her words,
but a smile of glee tugging at his lips. “Come, you oaf, let us see where this
will take us.”
Thor laughed as Loki placed her hand on the tree once more, a beam of light
splitting it in half. Thor grabbed Loki's hand tight as they stepped in, but
unlike the other path where there was a tunnel and multiple paths, the moment
they stepped in, they were coming out again in a new place, still forest like
and even the Path's entrance was still an Oak, this this Oak looked older, the
branches more heavy with age, but still reaching out to the ends of the earth
and to the sky.
The air was lighter, though not nearly as clean smelling, the earth under their
boots was not nearly as soft. There were strange sounds filling the air around
them, loud and terrible. Thor growled low as he searched for the unseen threat,
sniffing the air and coughing when horrible smelling smoke filled his nose.
“Thor!?” Loki cried, rubbing his back as she looked about and then suddenly a
man in bright orange jacket came out of the bushes, an equally as bright yellow
helmet on his head. He looked at the strangely dressed pair and frowned.
“The hell you doing here?! This is a construction sight! Fuck off you stupid
loverbirds!” He yelled rudely.
Loki balked, hand shooting up to stop Thor from attacking the man for his
rudeness. Thor snarled low, baring his human teeth at the man as he glared hims
down.
“What's wrong Fido? Hard of hearing?” The man grunted.
Loki almost dropped her hand, but she calmly and with a dark twisted smile
stepped forward.
“Excuse me, but I believe you are on private property.” She told him, her magic
seeping into the earth and bringing her memories. “Yes, these lands belong to a
Ms. Nubia. Does she know you are on her lands, deforesting her private
property?”
“Who the hell is that and who the fuck are you?”
“My name is Loki and she is the woman who paid for your wife's therapy, who's
money got you that nice fancy house for you and your family... and I'm quite
sure she would be very displeased if I were to call her office about not only
you illegally building on her lands, but also being rude to her guests.” Loki
promised, his magic seeping into the man's memories and seeing his thoughts.
The man paled and then flushed, but still he pulled out a radio and began
speaking into it.
“Hey, this is Head Hancho, here. I got two civillians walking the nature
trails. They say this is part of Nubia's territory. We cannot, I repeat, cannot
build on this land. Over.”
There was a moment before chatter came back and after a few moments the man
turned off the radio.
“Sorry about this ma'am and when you see Ms. Nubia, tell her I'm sorry for
this. I need to call Mr. Hammer and tell him that he will need a new spot for
his weapons factory and office building.” the man told them and left. Loki
waited a few minutes more before smirking even more darkly.
“Thor... Be a dear and... motivate them to not linger? Hmm?” She smiled.
Thor dropped to all fours, the transition between forms almost seamless before
he took off into the woods. As she waited, she felt more into the earth, this
Nubia woman was like his mother, a Keeper of balance. She owned this forest and
another 400 acres of land where no one was allowed to hunt, build or anything
at all without her permission. The images of the woman were blurry at best,
completely blotted at the worst, but she seemed to be a powerful woman, in
terms of monetary gain and in magical terms as well.
Suddenly terrified screams echoed all around followed by Thor's mighty roar.
After that it was a few short minutes of utter chaos and the sound squealing
wheels peeling away from the area, hopefully never to return. Thor tromped
back, a torn vest in his jaws. He looked so proud as Loki giggled into her
hands, shaking her head.
“Brute.” she huffed at him, making him chuff a laugh.
Turning back into a man, he rolled his neck and smirked down at her.
“I did not kill them, simply scared them. Though I might have given the rude
one a nice scar as reminder of his poor manners.” Thor shrugged, looking for
the world as if he had done nothing wrong or even seemingly terrible.
“Idiot.” Loki shook her head before they picked a random direction and began
walking. “Judging by the man we saw and the noises we heard-”
“They fled into metal contraptions that looked like horseless drawn chariots
and coaches.” Thor cut in.
“Hmm, there is only one place that comes to mind and that is Midgard!” Loki
brightened up. “This is the home mother grew up in... thought back when she was
born, none of those things you saw were around. In fact she told me that her
people used leaves to clean their private areas because they did not have
outhouses.”
Thor stared, horrified and mildly amused as Loki giggled, saying something
about her mother using snow once to clean her self and nearly gave her bottom
frostbite. Thor snorted a laugh, coughing a moment to stop, but the way Loki
had all but fell over laughing, he couldn't help but snort and howl with
laughter too. That must've been a sight and gods does he know who the poor
woman felt, but hey desperate times call for desperate measures! But still to
be born in a time without plumbing? That must've been a nightmare and a half.
But still they should explore Midgard for a while, see what has changed,
perhaps find distant, very distant relatives of Loki's while they were at it.
As they walked off, Loki spoke of the plants, silly stories his mother told him
and more. Thor watched and listened intently, glad his beautiful Civip Kethend
was acting much more lively now, though he knew there would always be that
shadow of loss in those eyes, he was glad they were bright with happiness and
even a bit of eager joy.
They had left the forest after an hour's walk and were about to cross a dirt
road when a strange sound suddenly blared out. Thor and Loki looked up in shock
before suddenly Thor was struck.
“Holy guacamole, Jane!! You just ran someone over!!”
 
***** Melting Pot *****
Chapter Summary
     Thor is down, Loki is both worried and vastly amused. Meanwhile other
     forces are getting ready to mobilize.
Chapter Notes
     Alright I got very bored and watched all four movies, Thor, Avengers,
     Thor the Dark World and Avengers Ages of Ultron all in a marathon and
     I kinda melded and mixed all the lines into one.
     The war hammer Thor has been using is NOT Mojlnir, since Frigga took
     Thor as a babe and left Odin, Thor never got to pick her out of the
     Vault. He does get her yes, but instead of Odin sending her to Thor
     and enchanting her so Thor would had to prove himself worthy. She
     finds him on her own and according to the Mythology she was made to
     be light for those who are worthy of her and so heavy none can lift
     her if she finds them unworthy of her.
     Age of Ultron is happening at the same time as Avengers and Thor and
     seeing as I started off with the Dark World what with Malekith
     invading, that is basically it. If you are confused please ask me for
     an explanation and I will simplify it as much as possible.
     No Translations this chapter that you don't already know.
     Also Loki is a cute sassy little shit with out even trying! And Darcy
     ships and will do down with the Ship!!
Chapter 8
Scharri stood before his army, watching as legions upon legions of Chitauri
warriors and their beasts were marched onto their ships, smaller air crafts and
the like sorted and locked in for the long travel. Once his people were ready,
he would give The Other the command to contact their slave to begin the first
phase of their invasion...
Meanwhile back on Earth, Loki was fretting about as Thor lay several feet from
where he had been, bloodied and banged up. The strange chariot opened up and
out came two women. Both had brown hair, one had brown eyes like fresh soil and
the other had light hazel green eyes. Both were pale and around what he would
assume was average height for a Midgardian. One wore glasses and bother were
dressed odd in his opinion. But he was not paying too much attention to them as
he hurried over to Thor's side, checking for life and relieved to feel Thor's
breath on his fingers and hear his heart in his chest.
“Oh my god, I'm sorry!” One woman said, the one he assumed was called Jane.
“Darcy! Call an ambulance!”
“Uh, we're in the middle of nowhere, Jane, by the time one shows up the guy
would be dead.” Darcy snarked.
“JUST DO IT!!” Jane snapped, annoyed.
“No need...” Thor groaned out, slowly rolling over and with Loki's help sat up.
“I am not too badly hurt...”
“Holy shit...” both women gaped as the man then stood up, dusting himself off
and rolling his neck and shoulders to make them crack, the tension leaving them
making him sigh happily.
“Thor you should lie still!” Loki scolded, standing up with the man and holding
his hand over his face, a gentle blue glow around it as a cool healing spell
was called upon.
Thor purred at the feel of the cool magic, like taking a dip in the pond on a
hot summer day. His injuries, while minor and light, were bathed in coolness
before vanishing away when Loki's hand moved away from them. Once all his
injuries were healed, Loki summoned a ball of water over Thor's head and
dropped it rather unceremoniously on him, a scowl firm on his lips as Thor
yelped and shook the water off.
“I do not care if you are the strongest being in the Universe! Never ever move
again after being injured!! We do not know what becomes of us on this Realm!
Mother said one that the Gods of Midgard tend to make visiting Gods mortal or
Demigod like meaning we are susceptible to major injury and death!”
“Forgive me, Civip Kethend... I was careless.” Thor bowed his head, looking
contrite and even a little petulant at the scolding, but took it anyway.
“Forgiven, but never again!” Loki pointed a finger at him, and then he blinked
and burst into laughter. “Oh dear gods, I've become my mother!!”
Thor blinked and then smiled, happy to see his beloved Treasure's laughter.
“Excuse us...” Jane spoke up, reminding them that they were still there.
“Yes, my lady?” Thor looked at her and thought she was lovely, but not as
lovely as Loki, who was giggling softly now, wiping tears from his eyes as he
grinned wide.
“We should get you to a hospital, I just hit you with my Trailer you know...”
“But I've been healed you saw it yourselves.” Thor pointed out.
“Yes, and I'm still trying to figure out how you preformed that trick because
there is no such thing as magic.” Jane huffed out, waving her hand in a
dismissive way.
“Look, it will make us feel better about hitting you if you got looked at by a
doctor. And trust me, Jane's not gonna stop until you do. Besides what are you
doing out here?” Darcy asked. “This property belongs to Ms. Nubia. She's
vanished on some trip and allows us to use her facilities to further our
research.”
“We were walking through the forest and came upon some men beginning
construction.” Loki told them.
“What?!” Jane gasped. “I know for a fact that unless Ms. Nubia is here in the
flesh to supervise the construction there shouldn't be any! Who did they work
for?”
“I believe someone called Hammer?”
“... Shit... Darcy I need to call Eric.” Jane told her, running along the
strange chariot and opening a door to go inside.
“Dr. Eric Selvig is Jane's colleague in their research. Something about
Einstein Bridges. I'm just an inter, not a paid one, but still I actually enjoy
their work, when Jane's not boring me to death is science jargon.” Darcy
smiled. “He's with us on this trip because he got asked to do something else
for a guy called Nick Fury. Never met him, but hear he's something of a decent
guy if nothing else. Also heard he is as cuddly as a cactus.”
Loki chuckled, he's heard that expression before from his mother, though she
had said she'd gotten drunk enough to hug one, not her brightest moment. But as
they stood waiting for Jane to reappear, Loki scanned over the area with a
Locator spell, looking for dangers or anything out of the ordinary. Thor was
doing the same with his heightened senses all the while talking to Darcy who
was poking at where his injuries had been. Finding nothing, Loki asked Darcy
about the Era they were in and very curious about the vast changes since his
mother had last been home. It was about 10 minutes later that Jane came back
out, cellphone in hand and walked up to the three of them.
“I'm not kidding Eric! Look here, talk to them yourself!” She thrust the phone
then into Thor's hand. The man blinked at it before holding it as he had seen
her do and spoke.
“Hello?” He wondered.
“Hello? Are you this Thor guy Jane's going on about?” a voice answered back.
“What in the Norn's name!?” Thor pulled the phone away from himself as he
looked it over.
“Thor...” Loki sighed, taking the phone from him and placing it to his hear.
“Greetings Dr. Selvig, I am Loki son of Laufey-”
“Wait... I thought Loki was Odin's son?” The man asked, confused.
“My father is the Ice King Laufey of Jotunheim. I am Jotun, not Aesir.” Loki
assured him. “My mother is the Lady Rhyg of Midgard.”
“I though your mother was Fárbauti?” Selvig sounded suspicious.
“I do not know how you know who my parents are, but all me to correct you yet
again. I am the third born son of Laufey- King, only son of Lady Rhyg. My
brothers Helblindi and Byleístr are sons of Laufey- King and Jeweled Sorcerer
Fárbauti is their Dam. My mother is Midgardian and my father Jotun.” Loki
corrected calmly. “But that is not the point of this call is it?”
“No... you're right. Forgive me. Now then you say you there was men working to
build a building on Ms. Nubia's property without her consent? She is in fact
not anywhere on her vast properties?”
“No she is not. And you are correct. When I asked the men what they were doing,
they said they were building a factory of sorts and when I informed them that
they were on Lady Nubia's lands, the man in charge paled and said he would need
to call Hammer and then they packed up and left.”
“... Alright, I'll tell Fury and have in look into it. I will try to call Ms.
Nubia's assistant. He will know where she is and inform her. And by the way, I
almost believed you about being Loki, but Loki's a Liesmith.” and with that he
hung up.
Loki blinked at the phone, frowning before shrugging. He would not force
someone to believe him if they do wish to do so. It is was no concern.
“He says he will contact Fury about Hammer.” Loki told them, giving the device
back to Jane.
“Alright, so let's get you to the hospital now.” Jane said, leaving no room for
argument.
Thor huffed, but consented as Loki chuckled at his quite grumbles...
After spending a few hours at the Hospital where the doctors all poked and
prodded Thor to the point of making the large Aesir want to rip their ribs from
their backs, the group of for found themselves in Jane's work place/home. Loki
had taken advantage of having some of his jewels on him, he showed a couple to
Darcy who looked ready to have heart attack or at least jump his bones and
asked her if he could exchange them for their realm's currency. She agreed and
couldn't help but laugh when Loki turned to Thor and asked him, that while the
doctors were being annoying pests, to not lose his temper and that he would be
back with clothes and a meal. The promise of food seemed to be enough to keep
Thor from spazzing out or was it the promise of seeing Loki in different
clothing?
Either way, Thor sat silently as possible, only the occasional growl and baring
of his human teeth, while Loki and Darcy went to the town's best jewelers. The
old man who own the shop nearly had a heart attack when Loki showed him a pure,
uncut emerald the size of a full grown cardinal and was sure he died and went
to heaven when he saw a sapphire, carefully cut into a snowflake the size of
his palm. When asked why Loki was selling them, he shrugged saying that he and
his partner needed money seeing as they didn't bring anything with them, no
clothes and the like. The old man nodded and took the jewels to appraise them,
also to make sure they weren't stolen from some priceless collection.
When it all done, he apologized to Loki saying that he didn't have enough money
to compensate one jewel let alone both. He had to call one of the larger
jewelry stores, he gave the jewels back to Loki and asked him to come back in a
few days, however he still gave him 5,000 dollars because he's never seen such
craftsmanship before and the snowflake sapphire was absolutely stunning. Loki
had protested, but the man told him that it was an honor to see such a gem,
pure and sculpted to perfection. Loki blinked as he carelessly said that his
brothers find the gems and either give them to him raw or after they've cut and
polished them. He also said that his family owned several mines where the gems
come from. The Old man looked like he had a religious experience or was that a
stroke about to happen?
Either way, Loki took the money and promised he would be back in a few days.
Darcy gave the owner her cellphone number so that he could call them when he
got in contact with the bigger Jewelry stores. After leaving, Darcy took him to
a clothes department where she tried to explain fashion and the various designs
and the purpose for them. Loki listened closely as he looked through the items
and frowned a bit when there weren't many selections for men, but dozens and
upon dozens for women. When he asked her about it, Darcy shrugged and told him
that humans have this view that men should be macho and dress manly while women
dress as girly and or slutty as possibly.
Loki had blinked, huffed and shook his head before he began to gather clothes,
underwear and shoes for Thor, whatever didn't fit he could magically alter.
Once he had a his selections, calculating the total in his mind as he read the
price tags, he set them into the cart Darcy grabbed and then he began looking
for himself. Darcy watched him browse about selecting a few things before
moving to the women's section and doing the same thing. She asked him what he
was going to with the women's clothes, Loki told her that since he was Jotun,
he was neither man nor woman and even then his mother did not believe in gender
norms seeing as she herself could change her sex when she wanted to with a
spell or potion.
In all he spent over a 1,000 dollars and secretly magicked their bags into two
bags that weighed no more than a chicken. After that they had picked up Jane
and Thor, left the hospital to get food and now they were getting settled in
Jane's home at her behest. Thor dug around the clothes and rumbled in pleasure
at the selection, all durable but not too fancy and not too plain. After Jane
showed him how to operate the shower, he took a selection of clothes and bathed
while Loki was changing his own clothing. By the time they were done and came
downstairs to the kitchen area, Darcy and Jane were neck deep in arguing about
their guests.
“Excuse me, Lady Jane...” Loki spoke up as he came into view adjusting the
black and green graphic long sleeved shirt, his thumbs poking out of the thumb
holes. Thor was shirt less, his shirt tucked into his back pocket as he toweled
off his hair.
“Ohhhh..... my......” Jane gasped.
“Shit, mama likes...” Darcy licked her lips as she eyed a rivelet of water that
snaked its way over those delicious abs Thor had on display.
“You will look away.” Loki growled out, low and dangerous.
Both women looked away and blushed.
“Sorry!” Darcy chirped happily. “But not sorry, I can look all I want, just
can't touch!”
Loki snorted, at least one of the women were smart to keep her hands off of his
Thunderer. Again his cheeks heated at the thought of Thor being his. Thor
grinned brightly as he set the towel on the back of a chair and pulled the
shirt on, it was a deep red Henley and almost painted onto his frame.
“Now then, I was going to ask if you are certain it is alright for us to remain
here for a few days. And if you wouldn't mind if I send a message to Thor's
mother so she does not worry.”
“Mother wouldn't worry too greatly. I've not lapsed since you have come to live
with us.” Thor told him, caressing a fine cheek lovingly as Loki blushed,
slapping his hand away while calling him an oaf. “Yes, but I am your oaf.”
“Aww, so cute!” Darcy giggled. “I am so shipping this and I will go down with
this ship!”
“What?” Jane asked.
“Ugh, I am not explaining Fandom Lingo again, Jane.” Darcy huffed, grabbing her
laptop and opening it to do her work and maybe raid her favorite fanfiction
sites for good stories, specifically ones centering around a pair of Norse
Gods.
Loki blinked as Thor chuckled, he didn't get it, but he amused.
“Anyway, no I do not mind you staying, sorry for the mess and I'm afraid their
isn't much to do around here seeing as I'm gonna be very busy.”
“That's alright, we'll be exploring and yes we will be careful so Thor does not
get ran over again.” Loki told her, assuring her when she looked ready to
protest. “Besides, Thor is a lot sturdier than he looks. I only worry because
of the stories my mother told me.”
“You speak of her often, are you going to visit her?” Jane wondered.
Loki visibly shut out his emotions and walked silently away, stepping outside
and disappearing from view. Thor sighed, a low growl working its way up his
throat.
“She is gone. It was recent and while he speaks of her and seems alright, he is
still mourning her loss.” Thor told them. “You did not know so do not
apologize, it is hollow and meaningless. I will ask however do you have a
sturdy shed or cellar?”
“Why?”
“I sleep better in a room that can withstand housing a hellhound.” Thor told
her, he did not say it was because he was going to lock himself inside it until
the Beast calmed itself and located Loki to keep them anchored.
“No shed but I have a storm cellar. We get tornadoes on occasion.” Jane told
him, leading him to the cellar. “You gonna be comfy down there? It's freezing
during the day and worse at night.”
“I will be perfectly fine. Now then, I had better find Loki...” With that he
turned and went to look for his Frost Gem, sniffing out his scent and trailing
it, his collar, while hidden from view, tugged him towards his ward...
“Dr. Selvig, how are things progressing with the experiment?” a commanding, but
oddly friendly voice asked.
“Hello Commander. Everything is going well. The Tesseract is stable for now,
but I fear if we try to up the pulse rate of Gamma Radiation, it will become
unstable again.” Eric sighed, rubbing at his face tiredly. “Is that the only
reason you came here?”
“Not really. I heard you got a call from Dr. Foster. Did she see something from
the Observatory?” He asked him. Looking the 10 foot tall gateway over,
impressed with the structure work, but curious as to why it stood nearly 50
feet away from the small hand sized cube that glowed a cool icy blue.
“No. She was calling because it seems that Hammer was trying to build a new
factory on Ms. Nubia's property and wanted me to get in contact with her as
soon as possible. But I know she's on one of her trips and has a knack for
disappearing completely from the face of the earth. I called her assistant, Mr.
Glade to inform him of the incident.” He assured him. “Although after she began
ranting about running someone over and the man standing up as if he hardly felt
it. And another supposedly using magic to heal him. They claimed themselves to
be Thor and Loki.”
“...” The man looked at him with his only eye, frowning, “What else did she say
about them?”
“I actually talked to one of them. Loki.”
“The God of Mischief... According to the Myths, he's a bad omen. And I don't
like this...” He murmured. “What did he say?”
“That he was the Son of the Ice King Laufey. But how can he be the son of the
Ice King when he is the second born Prince of Asgard?” Eric wondered. “And I've
never heard of a Lady R--”
“What?”
“I said Lady R--.” Eric blinked.
“R what? I can't- wait...” The Commander stopped and thought of something. “I
remember reading the stories of King Arthur and the Round table. One of the
stories said that Merlin was called Ameris by many other Magic users, most who
did not know his real name. I remember Merlin talking to a Dragon who told him
that he should use the name Ameris around other Magic users because those who
were his enemy could use his Name to control him. Ameris is an Alias for
Merlin.”
“I see, but that does not really explain why I cannot say R--.” Eric told him.
“Actually it does. In one of the stories, Merlin met a young witch who at first
was his friend, but then she got greedy and became corrupted. She had learned
Merlin's secret and would have exposed him had he not cursed her to never be
able to speak his name to another living soul for as long as she lived. She
could only say Merlin's name if she was talking to him or saying it a normal
setting, but the moment she tired to tell someone he was a wizard, she would
suddenly go mute.” He told him.
“Oh... So this is similar then? I did not take you for someone who read such
things, Commander Fury.” Eric laughed.
“You'd be surprised.” Nick laughed before he frowned suddenly. “Is that
supposed to be doing that?”
Eric turned to see the gateway activating, but no one on his team was operating
the consul! Everyone muttered and watched before Eric gasped.
“GET OUT!!!” He bellowed, quickly ducking behind a pillar as the others fled,
Nick Fury ducked as well, pulling out his gun as he turned on his radio.
“Agent Hill, we've got a problem with the Tesseract! Clear the building!! Get
some reinforcements!”
“Right away sir! I've also contacted Stark, he is on his way and providing
medical support!” She called back to him.
“Good...” He peeked around the corner and glared as the gate exploded, but the
blast sucked into itself to implode harmlessly, but standing before them was a
man. “Baron Strucker...”
“Commander Nicolas Fury... alive I see.” the German man smiled charmingly
before two large incetoid aliens stepped out of the portal as well. “But not
for long...”
The creatures roared and opened fire. Nick ducked back and fired back. Dodging
and rolling away from the doctor to keep him safe. Eric pulled out his cell
phone, quickly writing an email to Jane and sending it to her before he tossed
it into a corner, peeking around the pillar, he saw the consul was free and ran
toward it to shut the portal, but upon reaching the consul he gasped as Baron
Strucker was before him suddenly, a golden scepter in hand. He pointed the
sharp tips into his chest, right over his hear. He gasped and tried to call
out, but suddenly Eric found his mind under a strange and heavy sensation that
seemed to get heavier until he could no longer control his own body or his own
actions.
“Welcome to Team Hydra, Dr. Selvig.” Strucker greeted, smiling as pleasantly as
a snake.
“Good to be here...” Eric said, typing on the consul and the pedestal that held
the Tesseract rose up, unlocking the cube from its place and allowing Selvig to
carefully remove it from the power port. “Let's tuck you safely in here, yes?
And it's best we leave now. The portal is unstable now and will explode in
about 5 minutes.”
“Yes you are right... Gentlemen, please?” Strucker called to his Insectoid
friends, they joined up with the other two and with a wave of the scepter, the
four were gone.
“Hill! Cancel the back up... get everyone the hell out of here! It's gonna
blow, you have less than 5 minutes!” He yelled into his radio, slowly getting
up and hurrying down halls, up ladders and stairs, ignoring his injuries until
he was safely out of the deep underground base.
“Sir what about--”
“Strucker's stolen the Tesseract and he did something to Dr. Selvig and
kidnapped him as well...” He cut in, knowing she was going to ask about the
cube and the doctor. He ran down a hall and out a set of double doors.
“Need a lift?” Maria Hill chimed as he jumped into the back of her jeep as she
slammed her foot down on the gas getting them out of their. But it seemed
Strucker brought some his men with him. The Hydra agents were shooting at
everyone and everything in their path, not caring that the entire base was
about to to become a giant crater. Maria drove with all the skills of a banshee
on a serious road rage rampage. She slammed into the Hydra goons cars, pulling
out her gun and shooting either them or their tires to get them out of the way
as Nick covered their rear. As soon as they cleared the underpass, Nick climbed
into the front, replaced the clips in both their guns as they went off road to
avoid the road blocks, still trying to get as far as possible.
When the five minutes, though it felt more like 50 minutes, were up, the base
rippled from the explosion from the portal and began to fall inwards on itself
almost like a building demolition. But then a mushroom cloud suddenly rose up
and with it a tidal wave of debris. Anyone who was unfortunate enough to be
near the building or in it were all killed, those too far from the blast radius
were showered in dust, debris and poisonous gases and gamma radiation. Maria
didn't stop driving until they were well away from the area, by then Nick had
called HQ and informed them of the turn of events. After being given new orders
to return to base and to call in the Avengers, Fury hung up and glared into the
distance.
“Sir?”
“Return to base... We need the Avengers...” He told her, thinking back to what
he and Eric had talked about before hand. “And I need a team to head to Dr.
Foster's Lab, not the one in New Mexico, and bring in the two men there. A Thor
and a Loki...”
“Sir?”
“I think it's pretty strange that two strangers appear out of nowhere and
conveniently run into Dr. Foster the same day that the Tesseract is to be
tested again and then stolen... I want to know who these people are and if they
are helping Hydra and I want to know what those Roach things were....” Fury
growled out in annoyance. “Send Coulson and Barton with the team.”
“Yes sir....”
 
***** Midguardian Adventure *****
Chapter Summary
     Loki's still feeling the loss of his mother, but Thor seems to be
     able to ease his mind and maybe even his heart. Meanwhile Laufey
     learns something new and the Avengers slowly come into play!
Chapter Notes
     I am truly sorry for the delay, but I am about to make it up to you!!
     HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!! Now don't expect anything else until the New Year,
     damn it!!
     Translations
     Atara is Elvish for Mother.
Chapter 9
Loki sat on a rock face just a few yards from a cliff that hung off the large
hill that some would mistake for a mountain. He had come here after Lady Jane
had asked about his mother. It brought up the horrid feeling of not sensing her
anymore, that he does not know where she is or if she was alive. At first he
thought she was dead, but come on, Loki!! This is your mother you are talking
about!! The woman frequently poisons herself for giggles and to scare your
father! But still it was moments like these that cropped up every once and
awhile, that horrible depression where he wanted nothing but to sit alone and
either cry or over think things.
“There you are, Loki.” Thor called out, walking over to him and sitting beside
him. “You shouldn't run away like that.”
“I needed to be alone.” Loki told him, bowing his head.
“I know... She did not mean anything by it, but she is right you do talk about
your mother quite a bit.”
“That's because Mother is the name of God on a child's lips. Mother is the one
who carries us, sharing their bodies with us and feeds us until we are ready to
be born. They are the ones we hear and see first once we are born, who feed and
care for us. We are completely dependent on them until we are adults. For every
scraped knees they kiss away the hurt, when we are scared they comfort us, when
we are sad they cry with us and when we are angry they calm us down. I love my
father and brothers dearly, but because father is King, he is always very busy
and rarely has time to spend with me. My brothers as the Crown Princes are just
as busy, though I see them more often than father. But mother, she is a
constant. She would wake me every morning, smiling bright and full of love.
Helping me dress and comb my hair before we would eat a meal together. After
she had her duties and I had my studies, but when ever the noon meal came
around, she would bring me my food and sit with me as I ate, telling stories of
her life and her world. So yes, I speak frequently of her, especially now that
she's gone.” Loki smiled, watery and sad, bitterly alone.
“As all mothers are, Loki... I will not pretend to know what you feel, but I do
not say this as a means to hurt you either. Mother is my God as well and in
some ways Mother Jalan as well. For the longest time I only had the two of them
when I needed them most and sometimes it wasn't enough. You however have
succeeded something that they've tried and failed many times. You make the
Beast calm, not tamed, but certainly no longer feral. My mother adores you
greatly for that. And while she is not your mother, she loves you like she does
me. You have not lost your mother for your mother is in all mothers who put
their children before themselves.” Thor whispered into his ear, kissing his
temple as he pulled Loki into his chest to allow him to cry.
They sat like that for a while, Thor petting Loki's raven hair as Loki cried
for his mother and the lost times. When he could no longer cry, he simple laid
on Thor's chest, listening to the steady heartbeat.
“You know... Atara would have loved to meet you... and scare the daylights out
of you.” Loki giggled, picturing his mother trying to frighten Thor would would
stand there nervous and unsure what to do about the strange woman. “Father
would be looming and ominous as my brothers would challenge you to see if you
were worthy...”
“Worthy of what, Civip Kethend?” Thor wondered.
“... Of my hand...” Loki blushed pulling away and looking away from Thor.
The young man sat stunned and then his face split into a wide pleased smile as
he gently turned Loki's blushing face back to him. Loki looked into his eyes a
moment, the blush intensifying as he looked away, nervously wetting his lips.
Thor dove in then, kissing those naturally rosy lips, a soft peck at first that
made Loki gasp and his eyes flutter shut. His whole body going lax in his hold
allowing Thor to kiss him again, deeper this time.
Loki's brain felt like it short circuited, his toes curled with pleasure and
his whole being felt fuzzy and warm. His quim throbbed softly, moistening and
for the life of him, Loki wanted to know why, but couldn't find the brain power
to thing about it now. All his focus was on the slightly chapped feel of Thor's
lips on his, the slightly rough drag of his tongue against Loki's and those
large calloused hands buried in his hair, caressing his neck.
“I vowed once to be all that I can be to you, your sword, your shield and now I
wish to be your lover. Even if you deny me this, I will always be your friend
and never begrudge you your decision.” Thor growled low, a calming sound as his
eyes looked brighter, less human.
“Please...” Loki begged, his voice wrecked, lips a bright red from the kiss.
“Please, Thor....”
“What is it? Tell me.” He ordered, soothing the younger prince.
“Don't leave me... stay.... be mine... please...” Loki sobbed and Thor pulled
him in for another kiss...
Thor laid on the soft grass, the sun had set and the moon, only a thin smile in
the sky had risen, his Beast was awake and alert, their mate slept curled
around his side. Lips swollen and inviting, tried tear tracks on still flushed
cheeks while that wonderful pale neck was covered in his claiming bites and
hickeys, letting all who saw know that this wonderful Jotun belonged to him.
And as much as he wanted to stay here for the evening, it was a strange realm
and he did not wish to endanger his precious mate. Slowly standing, Thor
scanned the area for danger when he sensed none, he swept Loki up into his
arms, the man growling adorably in his sleep as he snuggled closer.
“No....” he moaned out, a weak thump on Thor's chest. “No move...”
Thor chuckled at the cuteness of Loki and turned the way he came. He walked the
three miles without a problem, he's used to running around all night and most
of the day time, his stamina is beyond that of even his people. When he entered
the town he saw Jane and Darcy wandering about. He quickly walked up to them
and both women looked relieved.
“Do not wake him...” He told them when he saw them about to speak.
Darcy cooed at the cuteness before, how tiny Loki looked in Thor's arms. Jane
felt a flash of jealousy, but shook her head as she looked Loki over to make
sure he wasn't hurt. She saw the love bites on his neck and again that fission
of jealous rose up and was stubborn to be shoved aside again.
“Glad to know you're both alright.” Jane told him.
Thor wasn't foolish he heard the skips in her heart, can smell the bitterly
sour smell of jealously coming from her, but he nodded none the less. She
turned and leads them back to her place and he walked to the cellar as soon as
they arrived. The two women watched him as opened it and then gently wake Loki.
The darker man whined, but awoke and they seemed to start speaking gibberish
before Loki sighed, standing on his own feet as Thor striped naked. Darcy and
Jane watched shamelessly at first before horror found its way to their faces as
once Thor was naked, he turned into a beast, that then circled around Loki a
moment or two and then wandering to them.
“Don't move. Don't run...” Loki told them as Thor got closer and began to head
butt them softly, sniffing and nipping at their hands. “He's familiarizing
himself with you. As of now, you are part of the Clutch.”
“The Clutch?”
“Yes. Mother Jalan is a Demoness and the form she is most comfortable in is a
Dragon. Dragons had Clutches.” Loki told them as Thor gave Darcy a happy purr
when she shy rubbed the spot between his ears.
“Whoa... he's like a chimera of animals... He looks like a wolf, but is hulking
like a bear, but he's graceful like a big cat! And he purrs too....” She
giggled as he brushed passed her and huffed at Jane before he walked back to
Loki, bringing his head under the hand that had their contract bindings, the
ring&bracelet glowed and the collar around his neck appeared, glowing as well
before he brushed by Loki and into the cellar.
Loki flicked his hand and the doors shut behind Thor, the chain connecting his
ring to his bracelet disconnected from them and enlarged itself, wrapping
around the doors and securing them tightly. Once it was done, Loki turned to
the two women and the three of them went inside for the night, Loki explaining
to them that Thor normally wandered around at night and hunted and ate whatever
crossed his path, the only things safe from him were those in the Clutch. Jane
paled as Darcy asked what most would call insensitive questions, but Loki
realized she liked to know as much as she could about something so she can
either avoid it or keep herself and those she cares for out of harms way. They
sat up nearly the whole night talking, falling asleep on the sofa bed about an
hour before dawn...
“Mr. Stark, Director Fury is on the line for you.” came the calm voice of his
AI while he was busy installing a new component to the clean energy power
source he was building for his building.
“Oh, and what does old One Eye want?” Anthony Stark, more commonly known as
Tony Stark, asked.
“It would seem he is assembling all Avengers.” the AI said again. “He is also
in the elevator about to get off.”
“Wonderful...” The ping from the elevator came a moment later and sure enough
Nick Fury was walking off the elevator. “Hello again, Fury, what did I do this
time?”
“Nothing. Though I wanted to personally thank you for the medical teams you
sent, it saved a lot of peoples lives.” Nick told him, a rare moment of genuine
gratitude shown to the annoying but brilliant billionaire.
“You're welcome. Did we lose anyone?”
“Only Dr. Selvig, but he isn't dead. He seems to have been brainwashed by Baron
Strucker and some strange insectoids. They took the doctor and something else
that he was working on.”
“Oh? And what was it? Is it dangerous?” Tony asked, still working, but very
interested. “Jarvis, I just finished installing it, time to see if it works.”
“Right away, sir. Ms. Potts is on the line.” He informed.
“Hi Pepper.” He called cheerily to her.
“Tony, what are you doing now?” She asked, fond exasperation coloring her tone.
“Is there a reason I am flying around Stark Towers?”
“Yep! Just one second... Jarvis.”
“Right away sir.”
Moments later the machine came to life and began humming with power as
brilliant lights began to pulse in and out of it in controlled intervals as a
single beam shot out of the top and up into the tubing. Moments later the
building flickered to life and Tony smiled.
“Pep, how does it look?”
“Ohh, Tony...” she breathed, amazed. “This is that new project you were working
on?”
“Yep, self re-energizing clean power. This building is a test run, if it meets
all expectations and beyond I want to build more of these for affordable
housing, hospitals and the like. I was very bored...” He shrugged.
“Of course, because Tony Stark never does anything for the better of humanity.”
Pepper rolled her eyes.
“Exactly. Are you on your way out to a meeting?”
“Yep. I will be gone for a few months, don't do anything crazy. Or I will have
Natalie hit you with a horse tranquilizer.” She threatened him. “Or Phil.”
“Seriously?” Tony gaped at the holo vid as Pepper smiled and disconnected the
call. “Shit she's not kidding...”
“Well I'm glad you got this up and running-”
“The top floor is the Penthouse suites. They are available for the Avengers to
use for now.” Tony cut him off. “Now what else do you want from me?”
“How about Iron Man joining the Avengers? We could use his help.”
“I'll talk to him and see about that...” Tony smiled.
“Good. Also you will be joined by Agents Romanov and Barton, when he gets back
from his mission. Dr. Bruce Banner and Capt. Seven Rogers. And tell me, how
much do you know about Norse Mythology...” Nick smirked...
Darcy was watching the news about a strange satellite falling earth, the locals
making a huge party out of trying to pull it out of the ground and the like,
but it wouldn't budge for nothing and then the government came and sent
everyone home. She snorted in disgust because while she loved her freedom as an
American, she hated the government for always covering up shit. If it was a
satellite why couldn't the 150 odd people not pull it out and when they tried
to dig it out, why couldn't they dig under it? And if it really was a
satellite, why would Secret Service looking goons show up and not NASA?
Her phone ringing is what saved her from jumping on line and breaking a few
more rules than normal. Picking it up she blinked at the unknown collar.
“Hello?”
“Hello, is this Ms. Lewis from the other day? You came to my father's store to
sell a couple of jewels.” The woman on the other end said in a false chipper
voice, the one used for costumers to make them feel valued and welcomed.
“Yes this is Darcy.” She told her. “What about them?”
“Well we've gotten in contact with a few of the high end Jewelers and they've
sent a few of their people here to look at the jewels and to estimate their
value. Could you please stop by at your soonest convenience?” She asked.
“I'll get my friend and we'll stop by later this afternoon, is that alright?'
“That's perfect, have a pleasant day.”
“You too.” And Darcy hung up as she got up to go look for Loki. She found him
down in the cellar with Thor, the blonde looked like he had a really rough
night and was passed out, naked on Loki's lap “Hey, the Jewelers just called,
they got some of the Big Boys to come and take a look at those gems of yours
and to estimate their value.”
“I see, well I'm sure the money I have now is more than enough for us, we don't
need anymore...” Loki told her. “But still if they give it to me, I'll just
give it someone else. The old man was kind and I feel terrible I almost caused
him health issues due to shock.”
“Well they said to come in when it was convenient for us. How's Thor?”
“Sleeping better now. He's not used to be locked up at night. And it was even
worse because I wasn't here with him. He hurt himself pretty bad, but he's
healing and resting.” Loki rubbed Thor's head, smiling fondly at him.
“You really love him, don't you?” Darcy asked, squatting down near them, a fond
smile on her lips.
“Yes... and I know he feels the same for me, we may not have said it, but its
there in out actions. He didn't have to save me, welcome me into his Clutch,
bind himself to me for as long as I will have him. The collar you saw last
night is our contract, much like this bracelet and ring.” Loki told her,
smiling softly at the white gold jewelry. “It keeps us tied together no matter
how far apart we are and allows us to find one another.”
“Whoa, cool... Hey what's this one?” she asked pointing to the silver bangle on
his left wrist.
“My mother gave this to me... I've never taken it off since then. She is gone
now... I don't know what happened to her but I do know that it was painful to
no longer feel her and it still hurts. I try to feel her out with our bond, but
it echoes and nothing ever comes back. I can feel my father and brothers, they
are all safe and alive, but not her...” He bowed his head, petting the
bracelet.
“I'm very sorry, Loki... It's not easy losing a parent. I've only had my dad
since I was a little girl. Don't get me wrong, he's the absolute best! But
sometimes I'd see others with their moms and would get very sad and angry
because I didn't have a mommy. She died from breast cancer, we didn't know
until it was too late to get her help. But even if she's not here physically, I
know she's s here spiritually because sometimes when I get really depressed I
can almost hear her telling me to stop, breathe and let go.” Darcy smiled
weakly.
“I'm sorry you spent so little time with her...”
“Hey, like the old saying goes, Mother is the name of God on a child's lips...”
She shrugged.
Loki smiled, he had said the same only the night before.
“... Loki?” Thor groaned.
“Shh, we're safe, we're here...” Loki told him, cooing and shushing him.
“... Feel it... something calling... something missing...” he whispered, slowly
sitting up, Loki magicking pants on him before Darcy got to see the legend that
made the man. She pouted at Loki who gave her a playful mocking look.
“You feel what?” Loki asked.
“Something... something that was missing...” Thor murmured.
“I don't understand...” Loki sighed, but then smiled brightly. “But you can go
look for it. I'm sure if it feels like it is a part of you, then go get it. No
one likes to feel incomplete.”
Thor smiled, kissed Loki as he stood, he blinked at Darcy who had her phone
out. She just giggled and kept doing whatever it was she was doing. Shrugging,
Thor grabbed the shirt Loki summoned up for him and after a quick meal (a whole
box of poptarts and a cup of coffee) Thor left to find whatever it was he felt
and Loki smiled at Darcy, after changing his clothes to a black button up
shirt, a hunter green vest with earth brown skinny jeans and pair of women's
three inch ankle boots. His hair was curly from washing it, limp still with
water and he looked yummy.
“Damn it... Are all Gods this hot?” Darcy asked.
“I wouldn't know... I'm not a God.” Loki told her.
“Well according to Norse Mythology, you're Loki the God of Mischief.”
“So I've been told by Lord Eric.” Loki huffed.
“Well we'll look into it later on and see what is true and what is false Ok?”
“Sure. Let's get going.” Loki chuckled as they linked arms and left...
Laufey blinked at the small woman before him as she gazed calmly back. Who was
she and what did she know about his wife and child? Slowly moving to sit down
on a low cushion, something his wife has made back in the palace for her
comfort. He felt a chuckle want to rise as he sat on the chair that magically
grew to fit his frame comfortably, but repressed it. The woman nodded and
turned to the nest like bed, grabbing a damp cloth to lay it on something
within the cocoon of blankets.
“As I've said, we need to discuss your wife and youngest son... She is not all
she appears to be, but I'm sure you've noticed that a long time ago.” She
smiled at him
“Yes, I've noticed.” He murmured, eyeing her.
“Wary of me, good.” she smiled. “However unwarranted. Rhyg and I are very good
friends, sisters and once upon a time lovers.”
Laufey went stiff, but the woman laughed.
“She was my husband and a handsome man she makes, dear Ice King. We are old and
we are ancient. We make ourselves mortal and reincarnate every few life times
when we are needed most. We are not worshiped, in fact we are feared and
loathed. Death for us is not death, but simply sleep. She is in that sleep
right now...” She turned to the bed, taking back the cloth to rinse and wring
it out in cool water.
“I do not understand...”
“I mean, Laufey-King, that your wife and I are Death and Chaos, the oldest of
the Gods, the Father and Mother of the Universe, the ones who breath life into
you and all realms.” She said, her voice turning from young to something
ancient, her presence was so overpowering he fell to his belly, prostrating
himself before a being who is said to reside in Valhalla and another who weaves
the Loom.
“Forgive me, my Lady Norn!” He begged.
“Stop that.” and like that the presence was gone and he was able to look up
again. “You married Chaos and she has birthed you a wonder child, you are not
our servant, but our equal. You are on of the many we have loved and mate, have
sired and carried children for, have loved and died for.”
“But she was mortal--”
“We are ancient beings, Immortality is long and boring life. Boredom is the
true Evil of the universe, all universes. Idle hands are the Devil's
playthings, however a God with idle hands in nothing buy destructive. Your son,
Loki is not just your son and Prince of his people, he is the Heir to the Chaos
Mantle. Unlike his many siblings, he is not Havoc, Discord or Strife, nor is
Catastrophe, Disaster or Destruction. He is born Mischief and like his mother,
Chaos, he is neither good or evil. He is balance and balance is what the world
needs.” She told him.
“What!?”
“Ragnarok will come, Ice King... But if all goes to the will of Odin, it will
mean the death of your son and the return of the Dark Age.” She frowned. “It
also means your mate and wife will lose her memories of you, of the love you
have and she is a terrible being when she has lost all that anchors her.”
“No- You are lying!!” He bellowed, making the figure whine, curling up tighter
in the bed.
“Shh, Rhyg, please...” Serene begged, petting the figure's head. “You've hurt
yourself something terrible, you need rest... shhh....”
“... -oki.... -aby.... whe-....”
“Shh, Loki is safe, he's well, no need to fear...” Serene promised, looking at
the Ice King who looked shocked and somewhere between elation and utter horror.
“Your husband is here, he wishes to see you...”
“NO!!” She screamed, curling up tighter, a formation of crystals around her
make it impossible for even Serene to see or touch her.
“Shit... stubborn fool...” She sighs. “I am leaving her in your care, Ice King.
I should not be here, but I came because she was hurt and needed me. You better
take very good care of both her and Loki. Do not let Odin's will win out
against yours. You love your son, you want him safe and happy. Ragnarok cannot
be avoided, however if Loki is loved and happy, then we will not perish, if he
is broken and bitter, we will fade and personally I do not like putting up with
Rye when she is in one of her Destructive phases. Ask the Dark Elves what
happened to their world to make it so barren and dead, ask them what happens
when you poke a sleeping entity of Chaotic nature.”
With that she stood, smirked at him and faded away. As soon as she was gone,
Glade came in, placing his hand on the crystal formation, it glowed and an
opening appeared.
“My lady, I've been contacted by a Dr. Eric Selvig, he says someone was
attempting to build illegally on our territory.” He spoke calmly, almost
emotionlessly.
“... bas-... too tired... Why are you all bothering me!?”
Laufey smiled, she sounded much better, and always so cranky when woken up.
“My wife... please do not be angry with your man servant.” He spoke up coming
to her bedside, but the crystal closed before he could see inside. “Rhyg,
please... do not hide from me...”
“No...” She moaned. “You will not like what you see...”
“Rhyg, you could never be ugly in my eyes...” He told her, laying his hand on
the crystal. “You and Loki are my most treasured possessions. Fárbauti,
Helblindi and Byleístr as well. I could be poor and homeless, but still feel
like a King if you were all at my side. I buried one mate, I do not wish to
lose another... Our sons are hidden, safe, but not for long, you need to heal
and quickly if we are to find them and hide them from Malekith...”
Glade bared his teeth, fangs that did not belong to an Elf gleamed in the light
as his amethyst colored eyes turned a demonic blue that matched those of the
Dark Elves perfectly.
“Never speak that cur's name!” He growled.
“Glade!” Rhyg growled out, the crystal vibrating with the sheer force. “Go look
into the issue, call Eric back and tell him I wish to see him...” She huffed,
the crystal slowly melting away as she sat up and Laufey could see why she
wanted to hide, but still she was beautiful to him. “You see me?”
“I see you... I will always see you...” he cupped her cheek, ignoring the
terrible burning in his hand, the way his flesh blackened and he lost feeling
in it. “You look beautiful...”
“I'm a monster, Husband... I'm not what I appear to be...” She told him,
pulling away and instantly his hand felt better, the nercotizing affect
reversing as he regained feeling. “I'm the thing that all fear, cursed and
damned.”
“And yet I see the mother of my sons... the Queen of my people, my mate whom I
will love and die for. Now come, let us get you bathed. You will feel better.
Maybe once you are done we can search for our children, yes?”
“Helblinid is safe with the King of Musphelheim while our darling Byleístr has
returned home and is gathering the whole of Jotunheim to rally to their King
when he calls. And our sweet little one is safe.... HERE!?! Aw Son of my
accursed womb!!!”
 
***** Like Mother, like Son *****
Chapter Summary
     Lady Rhyg is box of chocolates and poison, you never know which one
     you will get and Loki seems to take after her in more ways than one!
     Is the Universe ready!?
Chapter Notes
     I forgot to put this in the last Chapter, Star/Serene belongs to my
     friend Katie from Canada, she is my Co-Writer over on FF and we have
     our own little universe where our OCs are the Gods of Chaos and
     Death, but they travel around as mortals acting like the Errand Girls
     for the other Gods from all Civilizations and Mythologies. I have her
     permission to use Star so please do not assume I made her or stole
     her!
     Star is the Death herself and Rhyg, more commonly known as Ryilia, is
     the God of Chaos. No I do not have the Genders wrong, that is how we
     made them. Star is the Mother of the Universe and Ryilia, Rye for
     short, is the Father. They keep the balance of the universe traveling
     thought time and history as Mortals until Major world events occur
     and they have to take their Immortal forms!
     If you are interested in these two and look at how they work, you may
     go to FF and look up Fatal Obsession in YuGiOh, Mayhem in Shaman King
     or Hide and Seek in Thor/Avengers, two of these are on my profile
     Alrye and the other is on my Star's profile, she keeps changing the
     name so just look for my penname in the sum.
Chapter 10
Rhyg, also known as Ryilia Nubia and more commonly as Rye, rolled out of her
bed, but hissed when her feet touched the ground and recoiled. She hated this,
she was so weak and at the same time so dangerous right now. Glade simply left
to get the wooden tub as Laufey tried to comfort her, but she shied away from
him. How he could still think her beautiful when she looked like this. She was
untouchable, her flesh became neroctizing and she looked like something from
the deepest pit of Helheim. The only that remained the same was her green eyes.
“Loki is here, but--”
“You cannot leave until you are healed, my lady. I will retrieve the young
master.” Glade promised, setting the large tub down on the floor right by the
bed where Rhyg slide into it and summoned water to fill it with milk salts to
make it murky and hide her from sight as much as possible.
“You will do no such thing, Glade...” She sighed. “If we draw attention to him,
he will be in danger. And I will be damned if my Air gets hurt.” Looking down
at the talons that replaced her fingers, the strange things that passed as her
hands, she frowned. “Star shouldn't have come, but I'm glad she did... She can
talk sense into me where others cannot.”
“She was... interesting.”
“Death always is...” Rhyg giggled. “So, do you see me differently, knowing I'm
not what I've said I was...”
“You are an Agent of Chaos, you do His will and you do so without complaint.
Something you have taught Loki. Sometimes you need to be cruel in order to be
kind and kind in order to be cruel. It does not change who you are and how
those closest to you view you. As far as I am concerned you are Rhyg, the
Midgardian woman who offered herself for peace and has become my mate and wife,
beloved by my people and our children. Friends of my first mate, his sister and
his successor.”
She smirked, bitter and amused as she sank under the water, laying under it as
Laufey chuckled.
“I do not need to worry, do I?” He wondered.
“She will not drown, my lord.” glade promised, frowning at the phone in his
hand. “My lady, I cannot reach the doctor.”
“Then it has begun...” She grumbled sitting up. “Glade, go keep an eye on Loki.
Tell me what is happening... I think its time to throw a few wrenches into
Fate's plans!” She grinned wide and terrible, her teeth were beyond inhuman not
even the foulest bests had teeth like those and yet Laufey did not cower.
“You are up to mischief again...” He sighed.
“You love me for it.” She cooed, ducking down into the water again.
“That I do... that I do...”
Meanwhile, Loki and Darcy sat in the back office with the shop owner, his
daughter and five impressive looking jewelers. Loki had handed over the two
gems, setting them on the plush velvet cushion, and waited for the men to look
them over. As they waited, Loki looked them over, they were all posh looking,
stuffy and arrogant. They had looked down their noses at him, all but the old
man and a man somewhere between his mid to late thirties. Loki was use to it,
just because he was well liked and loved by the majority of his people, didn't
mean there weren't the few some odds who thought he was a disgrace, a shameful
stain upon the house of Ymir, but Loki had ignored them, choosing to care only
for what his parents and brothers thought of him.
Darcy sat beside him, tapping her fingers on her arm in a nonsensical pattern,
eyeing them as well. The old man's daughter has been giving her dirty looks
since they arrived, probably thought she and Loki were together and was jealous
because Loki was obviously rich. She also noticed that one of the jewelers
spent more time looking at Loki than he did the jewels. Loki sat back in his
chair, back straight, with his arms crossed over his chest and one leg crossed
over the other, his foot lightly kicking back and forth. His face was
unreadable, but his eyes were like a serpent's, focused and calculating. The
man had hazel green eyes, a comely face, his light brown almost blonde hair was
receding and starting to gray a little at the temples and sides.
His face was rounding with age and wrinkles from stress or worry were forming,
but also mixed with a few happy/laughing lines. He was also beginning to get a
five o'clock shadow. He was of average height, just a little under average
build for his slim frame and while dressed in a suit, he did not strike Loki as
a Jeweler or an appraiser. Loki had a sinking feeling about this man, but then
he blinked his eyes slowly and slide his gaze to the others after they seemed
satisfied with his gems.
“Mr. Laufeyson, these gems are truly remarkable! The raw emerald alone is worth
millions of dollars and the snowflake cute sapphire will fetch quite a few
pretty pennies!” A blonde woman gushed, “My company is willing to pay 3 million
for a chunk of the Emerald alone.”
“Our bosses agree with the price and will also take chunks of Emerald,
splitting it into fours, the last piece will remain here with Mr. Jovinski, the
man you originally sold it to. As for the Sapphire, we cannot and will not
break it or damage it any form, but if you wish, we could put it up for
auction.” Another man said, the others nodding in agreement.
“And the money earned in the auction, what will be done with that?” Loki asked,
his tone light, almost friendly, but it gave nothing of his emotions away nor
did his face.
Darcy was enjoying the show, snickering silently to herself.
“What do you wish to be done with it?”
“I have a fondness for children and I've learned there a quite a few hospitals
in need of money as well as orphanages. Whatever money is earned from the
sapphire will go to the Hospitals and the money you wish to pay me right now
for the emerald will go to the Orphanages. I will only take 20,000 dollars out
of all of that, I do not need so much just what I and my fiance will need to
live comfortably for the duration of our stay.” Loki informed them, his tone
still polite and cordial, but commanding and leaving no room for argument.
“As you wish Mr. Laufeyson.” The Jewelers agreed, rather shocked and maybe a
little gooey in the mild for Loki demanding that all that money be given to
children in need rather than keep it himself or giving it to some others who
would do lord knows what with that kind of cash.
After finalizing the price, signing some papers, Loki watched the jewelers
carefully cut the emerald into four pieces, giving one to Mr. Jovinski, the
owner of this store and taking their own pieces as well before the last two
jewelers packed up the sapphire and handed over a check of 20,000 dollars to
Loki to be cashed at any bank he wished. Once done, everyone shook hands and
Loki offered his arm to Darcy so they could leave. But as they were about to
leave the store, the last jeweler walked up to them.
“Mr. Laufeyson, may I have a word with you?” He asked.
“I was wondering when you would finally make your move.” Loki calmly stated,
nodding in acceptance as they stepped out onto the street and away from the
door of the shop. “What would you like to know?”
“Those jewels were very impressive and according to Mr. Jovinski, your family
owns the mines from which they were dug out of and that your brothers were the
ones to cute and shape the sapphire.”
“Yes.” Loki nodded.
“Where are these mines located and do you have the land title deeds to them
available?” He asked.
“They are located in my homeland and of course my family keeps any and all
legal documents, and their copies, stored away.” Loki answered, but also evaded
easily enough. “But before we continue this line of questioning, I would like
to know who I am talking to.”
The man opened his mouth a moment, before closing it again, seeming to think of
what to say. That earning him a smidgen of respect from Loki, but only a
smidgen.
“You are correct, I did not realize I never formally introduced myself.” The
man nodded in consent. “My name is Phillip Coulson, only close friends and
colleagues are allowed to call me Phil.” He smiled, offering his hand to shake.
Loki took his hand and smiled, polite but cold, his grip just shy of rude
aggression.
“Now that that is over, I'd like some clarification of your homeland--”
“Hey, Jane's calling!” Darcy gasped, grabbing her phone and answered it. Loki
could hear Jane's frantic and annoyed yelling through the phone as Darcy tried
to calm her down to make sense of what she was going on about. “WHAT!? They
took my iPod again!?”
Loki blinked, as Coulson only cocked an eyebrow. Darcy kept trying to get info
out of Jane before she gave an annoyed growl.
“Loki, come on! Jane's about to kick some Fed's balls and I wanna know who the
fuck took my damn iPod!” She grabbed his arm and pulled him away as Coulson
looked after them.
“I could give you a ride over there--” He grabbed his own phone when he felt it
vibrating.
Loki glanced back at him as he seemed to be distracted by the call. Quickly
turning back around, he whispered a spell and both he and Darcy teleported back
to Jane's Lab...
Thor walked from the town in the direction of the pull. His nerves were
tingling like he was being shocked with electricity, but at the same time it
felt as if they would jump out of him. He's never felt something like this. It
was different from the pull he felt with Loki. Where Loki was concerned it was
a pull in his heart, in his instincts; both he and his Other half felt Loki was
their mate and loved him with their entire being. But this it was a pull to his
magic, as poorly trained it was, but powerful and wild like the raging of the
storms he could conjure if his emotions ran high enough. He had traveled for
almost five miles on foot before he saw a lone truck pull up beside him and
Jane leaned out the window to smile at him.
“Thor?” She called.
“Lady Jane.” He bowed his head, still walking. “What are you doing out here?”
He asked her.
“I was on my back from one of my campsites, picking up my records and switching
out my tapes and the like.” She laughed. “Did you and Loki fight?”
“No, Lady Jane, nothing like that. I am looking for something. Loki had
business in town with the Lady Darcy.” Thor told her.
“Well let me at least drive you there--”
“No thank you, I like walking.” he assured her.
“Please...” She begged. “It's too far, wherever you are going...”
Thor stopped and sighed, climbed into the truck and as they drove along, he
gave her directions until about another two miles out there was a mini city
built around a crater with a fence built around it that was guarded by regular
patrols and even guard towers where soldiers stood with non-lethal air soft
rubber bullet guns. Above them was a crane, a single man stood in there but
over all everyone moving about was dressed in lab coats and suits. Thor climbed
out of the truck and with the stealth of a born hunter, stalked out to a lone
ridge that seemed to be the only blindspot.
“Thor...” Jane whispered, having followed him.
He growled low and glared at her, pulling her down and out of sight.
“Lady Jane, please... you cannot be here!” He felt his face shift only the
slightest bit, but it was enough to make the Midgardian to back away. “Leave
now, get back home and make sure that you, Lady Darcy and Loki are safe...
NOW!”
She jumped at the snarl, the ethereal glow of his eyes were anything but godly
and it looked like he would not hesitate to kill her if she did not leave. She
slowly backed away and when she was far enough, she turned tail and jumped into
her truck to head back to her lab. Growling lowly, Thor lowered himself further
into the ground, his hands flexed once and blackened claws grew from his finger
nails as his jaw ached from his teeth shifting and the human ones fell out as
his fangs grew in their place. Spitting the bloody teeth out, he gave a low
growl, shifting his shoulders making the muscles shift and the points to pop.
He smirked as the wind howled by him, bringing with her storm clouds and in the
distance he heard the claps of thunder and saw flashes of lightning.
In minutes the storm had gathered and within a heartbeat a heavy sheet of rain
fell, soaking the earth and everyone still outside in water. It was time.
Slipping over the ridge and sliding down the slope with well practiced ease,
Thor hit the ground running and slipped into the base, knocking out two of the
guards and scaring a scientist into running into a post, knocking themselves
out. He snorted in human as he slipped down a random hall. It was built in a
circular formation, but had as many twists and intersections like a Celtic
Knot. As he traveled along, he knocked aggressors out as the scientists fled or
quickly stayed out of his way.
It wasn't until he hit the halfway mark that the alarm finally went off and the
simply security guards were replaced with soldiers ready to take him out. But
he lunged at them, shouldering one man in the gut, flipping him over his
shoulder before punching another in the face, spinning out of a few punches
aimed at him, ducking low and at the same time kicking his foot up, the motion
and momentum causing him to spin like a top, his heel smashing into several
faces before he straightened up and took off, running faster.
He could hear a shouts all around him, but didn't give them attention, he was
now in a rush since he's been spotted. He barely dodged a barrage of rubber
bullets, snarling low as he went from running on two feet to his hands and
feet, dodging more bullets until he was upon his attackered, his blackened
claws swiping at their armored chest, nicking flesh. He snapped his fangs at
another person, snarling lowly when they pulled a knife.
“Come on, punk...” He growled at Thor. “I'm not scared of you.”
“You should be....” Thor hissed low, his voice layered with the Beast, his
words sounding more like he was gargling tar mixed with gravel. Flexing his
hands he lunged...
Coulson jumped out of his car as soon as it slowed enough to do so, rushing
into the command center, his radio in hand.
“The Hell is going on!?” He demanded, annoyed. “Agent Santigo?”
“There's a massive electrical surge that is not normal nor is this storm... the
system's glitching in and out and it seems to be emanating from the hammer and
another.” He said, his bald head covered in mild rain water as he walked in
from outside and sat down at a free desk typing on it and pulling up a chart
that should the EMF readings.
“Wait, another? And it's moving?” Coulson blinked before his radio crackled.
“Go for Coulson.”
“Sir, I got eyes on an intruder and I've got to say he's good. Real good... I
can't pinpoint his training, looks a like a mix of various military styles.” An
amused voice crackled through the speaker.
“... If I didn't know better, I'd say you have a bit of a crush on this guy.”
Coulson huffed, looking up to see another agent walk in with a box of lord
knows what from Dr. Foster's Lab. “Stay on standby, I wanna see this...”
“You better hurry up, Cupcake's facing him now.”
He ordered the boxes to be lined up and for Santigo to follow him. They walked
to an balcony like area and watched the shadowed forms of the man nicknamed
Cupcake and the inturder crash through the plastic tarp. They rolled about in
the mud before breaking apart, Cupcake was a very tall man and broad with thick
muscles, a shaved head and was a mixed heritage, his dark skin even darker with
mud now. He stood up, his knife in hand with the blade braced against his
forearm, his stance that of a boxer as he grinned at the other man.
Coulson saw that the man was tanned, though now he was covered nearly head to
toe in mud. He's not sure if he had blonde hair or if it was dirt blonde
because of how dirty he was, his shirt must have been tight before because now
it was painted onto his frame and while he was very tall, he was shorter than
Cupcake by a few inches, but much broader, almost like he was built strictly
for fighting. His jean were glued to him and couldn't be comfy but he didn't
seem to notice. He also noticed the man was barefoot, how strange...
“This will be interesting...” Santigo murmured, adjusting his glasses as they
waited for the two to start again. Cupcake was enjoying this fight, something
that large man rarely did.
Coulson nodded but blinked when the intruder went from standing to all fours,
his stance wide, but clearly meant to give him quick mobility. It was like
watching a Wolf crouch, waiting to either fight or flee. And then with a crack
of thunder. The two men charged, the met in the middle, it was a cluster fuck
of limbs for a moment before both agents jerked when the knife went flying by
them and embedding into a metal post behind them. They looked back when they
heard Cupcake cry out, his arm broken as the blonde man snarled like an animal
before he stood up tall and walked with such confidence, it could only be Swag,
toward the hammer.
Thor stared at the item, every nerve in his body was singing, begging him to
grab the hammer. It was made from Adamantite metal, indestructible, beautifully
crafted leather bound the handle as carefully etched runes decorated the
beautiful silver colored head of the war hammer. It looked like it would weigh
about 10-15 pounds. He gripped her, for she was too beautiful to be called
anything else, with one hand and he felt like a live wire had struck him and
his eyes light up like frost and with a sure grip, he lifted her from the mud
and held her to the sky above. A bolt of lighting shot from the heavens and hit
her mighty head and danced down his arm and over his body, but it did not hurt,
in fact he was laughing gleefully as he heard the elements of the storm cry out
joyously, welcoming their long awaited brother.
Everyone stood frozen in shock as they watched before the bolt of light shot
back into the heavens and Thor stood holding his Iron Lady, who hummed happily
in his hand, light as a feather and deadly.
“Now, Barton.” Coulson ordered and the man in the crowsnest fired a stun arrow
at the blond, hitting him in the back just at the base of his neck. Thor
growled out in annoyance, stumbling forward before his eyes rolled and he
collapsed...
 
***** Gems, Hammers and Darcy *****
Chapter Summary
     Looks like the big trouble for Loki and Thor! And seriously, someone
     take Darcy's cell phone away, she keeps posting random shit! And what
     the hell? A double cross!?
Chapter Notes
     Nothing to report this time, other than this the last chapter I am
     posting until the New Year!
Chapter 11
Loki and Darcy appeared behind the shed just off the lab, said Midgardian bowed
over as she felt both incredibly dizzy and sick to her stomach. Loki rubbed her
back as he peeked around the corner and growled low as he saw men in suits and
others in uniforms grabbing things from Dr. Foster's lab, said woman was
yelling and point and waving her arms about before she seemed to grab her hair
and yank on it as she howled out her frustration.
“Dr. Foster is very displeased...”
“Yes, she's pissed because they've done this before when Dr. Selvig found some
weird cube... um the Tesseract.” Darcy told him, finally able to will her
stomach out of her throat and for her head to clear. “I swear if they wipe my
iPod again, I'm going to kick every SHIELD agents' asses to the moon and back!”
Loki smiled softly as they kept spying on the group. Then Loki frowned when he
saw the things he and Thor had brought with them and the items he bought here
being taken. One of those things was his satchel where he kept the jewelry his
family gave him to amplify his magic or to use as mediums. While he hasn't used
them for some time now, they still held powerful amounts of magic in them.
“They are taking my belongings as well and I will be most upset if they damage
anything my family has given from me...” Loki snarled low, his green eyes
bleeding red as he flicked his wrists out, but instead of his dancing daggers,
he had a pair of batons in hand. “Remain here, Lady Darcy...”
“Whoa...” Darcy gasped as Loki walked out into the open, the batons in hand,
held out to his sides as he stalked forward like a Snow Leopard on the hunt.
“BAMF Mode activated....”
She pulled out her cellphone to record this because seriously Loki looked Boss
and he sounded pretty pissed too. The Jotun Prince seemed to go unnoticed until
he flicked one baton in his right hand and with a vicious strike of his left
struck a uniformed soldier in the neck, knocking him out before with a
blindingly fast twirl, he ducked low, striking another in the stomach once near
the belly button and slightly more to the right right in the solar plex,
rolling away from three agents attempting to catch him, he used the butt ends
of his weapons to smash a few toes, catching one man in the shin, then in the
back of the knee and finally just above his groin area.
Loki had rolled onto his feet and stood with his back to the others and with a
glare over his shoulder, he spat at them in his native tongue, cursing their
beings.
“Shit...” One man said, a woman standing not far from him eyed him with cool
eyes, even as her face was mildly shocked. “Get him!!”
“Don't!!” Jane yelled, but it was too late.
Loki spun, kicking his foot up in a wide arch, catching three in the face as
the last man caught his foot, twisting it to collapse him, but Loki turned with
it to avoid a broken ankle or pulled tendon, but as he spun and fell, he hooked
his baton into the back of the man's knee and jerked it out from under him.
They hit the floor but Loki rolled out of the away and back to his feet,
snarling low as he held his weapons before his face, his eyes wide and flitting
from one attack to the next, counting them, estimating their possible strengths
and the likelihood of one of them catching him and pinning. He thought of a
pattern and with it set in mind, he rushed forward, striking an agent in the
knee and thigh, fracturing the femur as he tripped another and with two quick
chops, dislocated her shoulders before he surged to his feet, headbutting a
soldier right in the jaw, feeling it crack and shatter against his forehead.
The others quickly backed up and Loki glared at them.
“Return our belongings!” He ordered, hissing out his anger as the people stared
at him. “NOW!!”
They jumped and quickly set down the boxes they were loading up and Jane ran to
them, pulling out several items that belonged to her as Darcy, having slowly
walked up to while recording still, rumagged blindly in another box, pulling
out her messenger bag that held her laptop, iPod and a few other random items
in it before she moved to the last box that had Loki's and Thor's shit in it
and began digging around until she felt a butter soft leather pouch and pulled
it out. Loki looked to see the red leather satchel and relaxed his stance,
dismissing his weapons as he walked forward, his head angled low his presence
looming and foreboding. The Midgardians backed away from him as Darcy handed
him the bag and he nodded.
“The rest.” He simply said and there were several thuds on the floor as the
others brought out the other boxes and set them down.
There was a moment of silence before a radio crackled to life and the woman who
had watched him answered it.
“Agent Hill.” She acknowledged.
“We've captured some wannabe super soldier. He's currently knocked the hell
out, he won't wake until night, but I'm assuming he's the one claiming to be
Thor.” a voice spoke up, sounding annoyed and amused at once.
Loki's eyes narrowed on the device and walked over to the woman, taking her
radio and holding it to his lips, pressing the button and snarling out, “You
better have lied, mortal, or I will rip your tongue out from your head and feed
it to your children!”
Darcy and Jane gaped as Maria stared at Loki like he was something fresh out of
a horror movie.
“Who the hell is this!?”
“I am Loki, son of Laufey and the Lady Queen, if harm has befallen my A'mael, I
will hunt you down... And you had best pray he wakes before sunset, he's
terribly cranky at night.” Loki sneered out even as he mentally wove a spell
creating a double of him wherever Thor was...
Thor slowly awoke to a gentle hand carding through his hair and when he managed
to pry them open, he blinked and looked up to see his Civip Kethend. Loki
smiled gently at him, still petting him and he was content, but then he
frowned, Loki carried no scent. And when he looked into the mirror across from
them, he cast no reflection and even where he stood there was no shadow.
“Forgive me, I am not really hear, Ro ya Fara... but I heard you were captured
and needed to make sure you were alright... These Midgardians do not know the
danger they are in when night falls and if I cannot rescue you now, A'mael....”
Thor sighed, he knew what Loki was worried about and he nodded, but then Loki
vanished as Coulson walked in, the man had introduced himself as such. Thor
simply stared at him and another pair of men, one bald and another with light
brown hair, nearly blonde, shorn very short and bluish green eyes.
“Your skills are most impressive. Who are you working for? Marines, Army, Navy?
Or perhaps, FBI, Homeland Security or CIA? None? What about Interpol or other
foreign agencies?” Coulson asked and Thor simply stared.
“Look, if you won't answer, at least give us hints.” sighed the brunette,
looking like he'd rather be somewhere else.
Thor ignored him, the man was trying to bait him by pretending that Thor was
not worth their time, when clearly they went through the trouble of knocking
him out and bringing him to this room, not to mention binding him to the chair.
When they saw he was not rising to the bait, they looked at him with varying
forms of respect and trepidition.
“Fine, my men should be done gathering everything from Dr. Foster's lab and on
their way here. Including Dr. Foster and Ms. Lewis and your little friend. He's
charming and not foolish... Laufeyson is what he called himself?”
Thor snapped his eyes to Coulson, the first reaction they've gotten, but not
necessarily a good one.
“Þú Þora við kæra yðvarr ókræsi-legr mund á minn Svell Blóm.” He snarled out
between his teeth, feeling the gums itch and burn with the sensation of his
fangs wanting to drop again. His claws grew lazily from his finger tips and he
lightly ran them along the strong plastic encasing his wrists.
The three men blinked, was this man speaking gibberish? Coulson ordered the
bald man to get a universal translator while they left the brunette to watch
Thor. Coulson was calling Fury to tell him what was going on right now.
“... So, Blondie... You speak Gaelic?” The brunette asked.
Thor snorted, looking passed him at the mirror where for a moment he saw Loki's
reflection in it, but knew his beloved Treasure was not here. The reflection
mouthed words to him, repeating them several times until Thor blinked in
acknowledgment. Loki, Jane and Darcy were coming to save him, he need only wait
a moment.
“How the hell did you lift that hammer? We can't budge it an inch and you
lifted it like it was lighter than air.” The man asked, both impressed and a
bit annoyed.
Thor remained silent.
“... Okay then... at least tell me your name, I was very impressed with your
take down tactics. Many of our men are bruised and battered, over all they are
a live and humbled.” he spoke again
Thor merely tilted his head to one side, looking up at the man, his lips
quirking into something that was a parody of a smile. And it was that move that
made the brunette's hair stand on end as he realized that Thor's teeth were not
normal human teeth. He quickly moved back, grabbing the hand gun from his hip
out of its holster and aimed it at Thor, but the man didn't react. It was tense
for all of five seconds then the door burst open, three guards landed at his
feet and before he could fire the gun, the brunette was struck twice with a
pair of batons, one in the cradle of his elbow the seconded at the base of his
neck. He dropped to his knees, eyes rolling into his head as he passed out, but
not before catching gem green eyes and messy black hair...
“Thor...” Loki breathed as he turned to the blonde, who was calmly standing,
rubbing his wrists where the restraints had been hold him. “You are not hurt?”
“Minus a mild headache, I'm well, Civip Kethend....” Thor purred, bringing a
hand up to Loki's face and caressing it with reverence. “You have not been
injured?”
“No...” Loki purred, leaning into the large warm hand, the rough flesh
comforting. “Come, Lady Jane is surely about to birth a Frost Beast if we make
her wait any longer.”
Thor burst into laughter as Loki tugged him out of the room behind him. The
slumped forms of Santigo and Coulson and four more guards blocked them for a
moment as they walked over them and then out to the center of the structure
where Thor picked up his beautiful Iron Lady. She hummed in his hand and he
spun her in his fist a moment before nodding.
“I see you found what was calling you. It's a powerful relic, she was made by
the Storm Giants of my home... I believe her name was Mjolnir...” Loki smiled
as he gently caressed her silver head and she gave him a buzzing of tingles
along his fingers. “Very few, very, very few have been deemed worthy of lifting
her, let alone be recognized as her master. You have a truly pure heart and a
kind soul for her to allow you to hold her.”
“But we both know I am not a kind man nor am I just one.” Thor rumbled lowly.
“You were cursed, you did nothing wrong to deserve it and just because you grew
up with your afflictions, doesn't make you any less of a man. You protect our
Clutch, the town we live in, you aid those who ask it of us and you only hunt
those who see fit to cause harm. You had no reason to spare me, to take me in
or to bind yourself to me and yet you have, if that is not kindness and
nobility then I do not know what else to call it. But now is not the time for
this talk.”
Thor nodded and followed Loki who flicked his batons and cracked two guards
sitting in wait across their faces, breaking their noses and left them howling
in agony. It took them only three minutes to walk out of the mini city and
along the muddy slope to the road where Jane was sitting in her truck looking
ready to either have a fit or possibly storm the building to get the both of
them. Darcy was leaning on the side of the truck, flicking through her phone,
but then she looked up and smiled.
“Loki! Thor!!” She waved and they waved back, still walking, the ground was
slick and muddy, Loki was still in his heels and would not break his neck
rushing on the slippery terrain. Thor was muddy enough, he did not fancy a
second trip in it.
They climbed into the back of the truck as soon as they got to Darcy, who
handed them towels to clean up as much as they could.
“We need to get out of here...” Jane growled out.
“Take us to the forest where we first met.” Loki told her. “We've spent enough
time here, it will betoo dangerous if we remain and our companions will begin
to worry for us if we do not let them know we are well and not harmed in any
way.”
“But--”
“It is that or you see what happens after sunset.” Loki promised her his grim
face and ice cold tone leaving no room for rebuttal or argument.
Jane didn't say anything else, turning the car on, shifting gears and flooring
it...
Nick Fury was calmly standing above a whole room full of some of the world's
best Hackers, Computer Experts and Technicians and no one could tell him what
the hell happened to the call from Coulson or why no one in New Mexico could be
contacted. Coulson had old him that some random blonde man appeared in the base
and took out nearly all the security and soldiers sent to guard the
'satellite'. And then the man proceeded to pick up the 'satellite' when no one
or anything could pick it up. They had him in custody and were waiting for the
other man to be brought in. Coulson had said that while the man spoke
gibberish, he was sure that he was the one Dr. Selvig had called Thor. Coulson
was speaking about meeting with Loki earlier that day and then suddenly they
lost contact.
“Sir! We got a hold of Agent Hill!” A Technician called out from her desk,
typing on a few keys on her keyboard and Fury turned to face a small speaker
system and pressed the blinking button.
“Maria, tell me something.” He ordered, the use of her first name telling her
he was worried even if he didn't sound like it.
“I'm alright, but I can't say for my people. We got our asses beat by a man
with black hair and green eyes... According to Dr. Foster he was called
Loki...” She paused and Fury cocked a brow at the comm and she must have sensed
the look. “The paintings and carvings do not do him justice... He's... well to
be frank, I want to have his babies.”
Fury almost slammed his head into the table, but thankfully she cleared her
throat, apologized and gave him the rest of her report. It seemed that both
Thor and Loki were adept fighters. And according to Hill, Loki had beat her men
using batons, but not ones she was use to seeing. Several had broken bones or
the damage to the muscles were extensive enough that they could become
permanent. And then she told him the threat that Loki had growled out to
Coulson upon learning of Thor's capture. Well that was one he hadn't heard
before and in all honest it, it kinda freaked him out because he did not doubt
that the man would carry it out.
“Where are they now?” He demanded.
“They left to find Thor. Dr. Foster was kind enough to call Stark for Medical
aid. Speaking of which...”
“Hey Fury, care to explain why I'm suddenly Super Nanny? What he hell happened
to Hill and the boys? Why didn't you call us in if it was something this bad?”
“Stark, now is not the time for your lunacy and eccentric rants. You were not
called in because Hill and Coulson had a handle on everything until someone
decided to throw a Super Soldier and what is becoming apparent, an Assassin
into the mix.” Fury sighed.
“Assassin's Creed Assassin or Thin Man Assassin?” Stark wondered. Fury twitched
and sighed. “What can be salvaged, Stark?”
“You're no fun...” He whined before suddenly becoming serious. “Dr. Foster's
work, while brilliant and under appreciated, is the same from the last time you
raided her labs, she hasn't been in contact with Selvig since she called him
about her two new housemates. I sent the appraisers as you had asked with
Coulson undercover as one and I have the jewels to examine further to make sure
they are real and to find out where these two are from. Ms. Lewis on the other
hand, seems to have been blogging, tweeting and Instantgraming about the pair
since they arrived. I'm sending you the links now.”
A man walked over to him with a pad and handed it off to him where three
screens were open and Fury flicked through them until he saw a video and played
it. It was a video of the one called Loki beating his people down with the
batons, while in heels no less. He winced at the vicious headbutt one of his
men got and was mildly amused by Ms. Lewis' snarky play by play.
“Watching the vid? He's pretty impressive for someone who's supposed to be a
magician.” Stark snorted. “Overall there is no new info from Foster, but I'm
copying all of Ms. Lewis data banks and memory cards to examine later. When I
know more I'll tell you.”
“Alright. Have you sent people to Coulson's location? He hand his people took a
beating, Barton's with him as well.”
“Wait... Hawk Ass got his but beat?” Stark sounded shocked and then burst into
laughter.
“Sir, I've sent a team of doctors over there, Stark's too busy rolling around
like a child...”
“Just keep me posted. And someone get eyes on Foster and her group!”
“Already on it, Director.”
“Ah, Agent Romanov, what are you doing here? I thought you were in Russia.” He
smiled as he heard the cool, almost bored tone of his second best Agent besides
Barton.
“I got the call from Agent Marcus requesting that all Avengers Report for
duty.” She verbally shrugged him off. “I see Dr. Foster's truck. They are
heading up to Ms. Nubia's compound... Why, I do not know, but I know that Ms.
Nubia is not here nor available according to her assistant Glade. In honesty,
the way she disappears, you should recruit her.”
“I've tried, she's refused every time and disappeared soon after to make sure I
do not bother her again.” Fury smirked amused.
“Alright, since Romanov is tailing them, I'm hanging up.... Damn it Tony this
is no laughing matter! Get up before I call your fiance!!”
Maria's connection went dead soon after and Romanov told him that she would
call him back when she found out where they were going...
Parking her truck to the side of the road, the four climbed out of it and began
to trek into the forest. Thor seemed to relax as they got under the cover of
the trees, the late afternoon sun bleeding into early evening and soon sunset,
but at least in the thick forest, Thor could quickly vanish and tail the three
to the Path if they do not make it there soon enough. Loki was following the
pull of magic, traveling on a fairly straight line until they came to the Great
Oak Tree.
“Wait... it's just a tree!” Jane yelled.
“It's more than it seems, Lady Foster.” Thor rumbled out, the Hammer thrumming
in his hand, excited at the feel of massive power coming from the tree.
“And it's not just a Tree, it is a Nemeton. It is ancient and seeped in magics
so old it was practically born of them.” Loki told her as he walked up to it
and the heart of the trunk brightened up and flashed brilliantly before dulling
into a swirl of light.
“We thank you for your hospitality, my Ladies, but we must depart for now. We
shall come again.”
“You better! We like hanging out with you!” Darcy smiled, “Well I sure as hell
do! Oh before I forget! Here!” She pulled something from her bag and handed
them to Thor and Loki. They blinked as they were holding in their hands the
latest smart phones all set up and active and protected by colorful cases that
were silver and red and green and gold in the forms of capes and helmets. “I
found the cases at the store and couldn't help it. So Thor get's the Loki Phone
Case and Loki get's the Thor Phone Case! Feel free to trade them later, but to
unlock them, hit the power buttons or the center button on the phone and type
in 1234 you can adjust the settings and locks later. You can call or text me to
tell us when you are coming back to give us a heads up if shit goes down!”
“Thank you Lady Lewis.” Thor smiled, pocketing his phone as Loki did the same
before his eyes flashed and Darcy gasped as a necklace of ice and marble
appeared on her neck, a bracelet of similar material on Jane's wrist.
“There, should you ever find your way to our Realms, those in our Clutch shall
see you as friends and my people shall see you as my Shield Sisters. You will
be welcomed to both our people and our homes. Farewell for now... Thor.” Loki
called and Thor nodded, turning and jumping through the light as Loki waved one
last time and steeped in, a flash appeared and the tree looked normal enough
again. Darcy grinned and grabbed Jane's arm, skipping off, unaware of their
spies...
Schari sat on his stone throne, eyes closed in thought, humming tunelessly
until a projection of Baron Strucker appeared before him. At his side The Other
spoke to him, walking about him in the creeping manner they were wont to do.
“Why have you contacted us?” They hissed.
“We've obtained the Tesseract and one of my best spies has seen a pair of men
disappear into a tree... This is their image.”
They watched as the man held up photos of the two men, One blonde, rugged and
stupid, the other thin, raven haired and striking. Schari stood up abruptly,
walking like a phantom to the projection and leaning down to stare closely at
the pretty one before his eyes brightened.
“Lord Malekith shall be pleased to learn we've found tJotunheim's greatest
treasure...” he purred lowly. “You're people will keep an eye out for him and
you will capture him alive and unharmed, for the most part... He's powerful, a
being of magic, do not be fooled by his soft appearance...”
“Oh? Then I shall inform my men to keep their eyes and ears open and at the
earliest chance, we shall retrieve him.” Strucker promised, cool and confident.
“Good... However,” The Other suddenly grabbed the Projection by the throat and
Schari knew the human could feel their grip crushing his fragile neck as The
Other hissed lowly, “fail us and there will be no crevice too dark, no abyss
too deep and no place far away enough for Us to find you and make you wish for
death... The Treasure of Jotunheim MUST be treated more fragile than your
infants! If the Treasure is harmed, We will remove your sex organs and feed
them to our King!”
Schari smiled cruelly, his father was not a kind being and would be more than
happy to watch this pathetic creature perish slowly and painfully. And then the
projection was gone and The Other turned to float off to their shrine, humming
in olden tongues, bobbing in a trance like state. Sitting down in his throne
again, he grabbed a device that Malekith gave him and activated it. The Dark
Elf appeared before him, the astral hologram was slightly discolored, but over
all it was almost as if he stood physically there.
“Lord Malekith, I believe I've found what you have been seeking and he has
changed his appearance.”
“Ooh?” Malekith purred, pleased. “Where?”
“He was on Midgard, but if the Jotun is as crafty as the woman who birthed him,
then he has gone into hiding once more. However I have a feeling he will not
remain in hiding for too long...”
“Good, I was foolish in believing his mother was dead, but it seems she is not
all she appears to be... Faking her death to make me free her, but still the
Ice King is free and the other Princes are wandering free. I've shown you what
the look like, should you come across them, capture them, my future Queen will
not fight if you have the right leverage...” Malekith grinned cruelly.
“Of course... My slave's people has the Tesseract in their hands and have
started on making a portal to allow the invasion of Midgard.” Schari almost
purred.
“Wonderful... And seeing as I've scattered the rest of the Realms, no one will
save the Mortals.” Malekith chuckled. “We shall get in contact again when you
have either invaded Midgard or have captured my Queen.”
Schari bowed low and astral projection dissipated. Once he was sure of being
alone he stood and left the room and after traveling through the large palace
he came to a much larger throne room and pushed the doors open and entering.
After crossing the massive hall, he dropped to a knee before his king and
father.
“The plan is in motion, my lord. The Other is keeping close watch of our Slaves
and the Invasion should begin soon enough.” Schari reported.
“Excellent...” The King rumbled out like a dormant Volcano. “And yet you seem
to have more to say, boy.”
“Lord Thanos... Father, Lord Malekith of the Dark Elves has finally shown us a
weakness to exploit... The Juton Prince, the youngest one, is a being powerful
magics and is lost somewhere in the Nine Realms.”
“I care why?”
“I've seen him, father, in a clever glamour, but he is a beauty beyond
compare... He looked like the Norn Speaker...” Schari risked a smile.
“Ohh? And what does the old Elf want with the Prince?” Thanos hummed.
“To make him his Queen... and there is something else, I do not know it yet,
but I believe he is after more than a warm cunt to fuck.”
“For now we will play his allies and attack beasts, but the moment he drops his
guard, we will slay him and if this Prince is as pleasing as you say, you may
keep him... assuming I do not wish to do so...” Thanos laughed as Schari nodded
and stood, leaving the throne room. “What else is there for the old bastard to
want?”
***** Revelations *****
Chapter Summary
     After their short adventure in Midgard, Loki and Thor return home
     hoping for some R&R but that's short lived as a few startling
     revelations are made...
Chapter Notes
     As far as I remember there are no translations this chapter, however
     if I did write something that I have not previously translated for
     you, please tell me!!
     Second thing!! My laptop is being a cranky old man and not letting me
     access the internet!! I had to download, copy and paste all my work
     onto my SD card and I have it in my Nook right now. in fact this is
     how I am updating... and I don't want to do this ever again, but
     hopefully by the next update or set of updates, my laptop will be
     working again and I will have internet on it... if not.........
     *holds up hatchet and looks ready to smash her laptop*
Chapter 12
Upon setting foot in Asgard once more, Thor and Loki found their horse grazing
on sweet grass and drinking from a stray stream of water. Mounting it, they
rode home, lost in their thoughts. Their welcome to Lilithorn was warm and the
greeting from their Clutch was somewhat painful with bone grinding hugs and
friendly punches to Thor's broad shoulders. No one dared to strike Loki least
Thor maim them. It was obvious everyone was dying to hear the tales of the
pairs adventure, but were trying to at least them rest and acclimate themselves
back into the routine of the Clutch. But that evening while sitting around a
roaring fire in the front yard, wild boar meat and deer chunks slow roasting
over the licking flames, pots and pans resting on coals or on metal stands
being tended as vegetables and rice were cooked, stew and tea slowly bubbling
as well.
“Where did you vanish to?” Frandral asked.
“Yes, what did you see?” Sif wondered.
“We found our way to Midgard after seeing the BiFrost.” Thor stated, biting
into a raw flank of venison. No one batted an eyelash, though some looked
either at the fire or to Loki to avoid feeling mildly ill from the sight.
“Midgard!?” Everyone gasped.
“Did you use--” Frigga began, but Thor cut her of, with a raised hand.
“Loki found a natural path. Similar to the one that led him from Jotunheim here
to Asgard. We did not venture near the Golden City.” Thor promised her.
“We found ourselves in a forest, tall trees old and rich with life. We saw the
Midgardians and it seems that from the last time anyone has ever set foot on
the Realm they have advanced from stone and crude metal tools to refined,
complicated machines, but also they now lack the respect they once had for the
earth and its bounty.” Loki snorted, recalling the Humans who had been trying
to destroy the forest which was owned by another and without their permission.
“We journeyed to a road when I was struck by a metal dragon!” Thor stated
proudly, making everyone gape, Jalan snorted at the absurd thought of a dragon
made of metal.
“It is called a Truck, Thor. A horseless carriage that drives itself.” Loki
simplified and got mystified looks of awe. He conjured up an image of it from
his memory.
The scene played out, Thor one moment walking a step or three before Loki and
then suddenly something large and painted a ruddy red slammed into Thor, who
stood up a few moments later after two Midgardian women stepped out of the
truck.
“These are the Ladies Jane Foster, a doctor, though not one of medicine and
Darcy Lewis, a strange creature, but most fascinating. She seemed to be the
most helpful to us.” Loki indicated each woman. “They have been adopted into
the Clutch by Thor and I have marked them as Shield Maids of the Jotun Army.
Should they ever need our aid, we will lend it to them.” Loki dropped the image
and smiled as he and Thor spoke of the many strange things they saw, the many
machines that the humans have made to simplify their lives, but sadly have
further made them lazy and in some cases fat.
Thor pulled up the war hammer he found, speaking of the strange call he felt
and his battle with the Midgardians to retrieve Mjolnir. Frigga looked shocked
as she stared at it and then she stood and shakily touched it.
“This was on Midgard?” she breathed.
“Yes, mother.” Thor told her, not liking the paleness of her face or the grim
lines that suddenly appeared. “Do you know where she came from?”
“Yes... many years ago, before either your or young Loki were born there was a
war between Asgard and Jotunheim. One of many wars, but it was the last one for
not only did the AllFather take the Casket of Eternal Winters from the Jotun
people, he took the Thunder Hammer from them as well. He kept both locked in
his Vault, a place so full of magic and traps, it is impossible for anyone to
sneak in and steal anything. He keeps all his war trophies in there, even some
of his Hunting trophies...”
Jalan went stiff at this and looked somewhere between mournful and outraged.
“The AllFather...” Loki suddenly sounded how Jalan felt. “One-Eyed Ogre Odin...
He led a mass genocide of all Jotuns, regardless if the other races of
Jotunheim had done nothing to him. Innocent lives were ended, our Life Givers,
young children... My brothers Dam. My Great Grandfather caused the war and yet
those of us born much later have to suffer. Without the Casket my people, all
people, are slowly wasting away. The weather grows increasingly unstable. My
mother, for a time acted as a replacement Knot. Stabilized the Telluric
Currents of our Realm and siphoned as much of the natural Magic of our realm to
allow us a handful of years to try and prepare for the inevitable.”
Frigga sighed, “I sometimes question what it is I ever saw in him...”
“Mother?”
“Odin, the AllFather and King of the Nine Realms, he is your father... and it
was because of him that you are the way you are.” She stated simply, but with
all the conviction he ever needed to fully understand the animosity between his
mothers, his mother's adamant refusals to allow him anywhere too near the
Golden City and therefor closer to his father. “If Mjolnir found her way to
you, it is because she is meant to be yours. Odin's Vault may prevent theft, he
did not think that perhaps the items he has stolen from the Realms would not
find their way Home or to someone who would take them Home.”
“Does he know that Mjolnir is missing?” Loki wondered.
“It is possible, unless he sent her to find Thor... Even with Idun and her
Golden Apples, he cannot live forever. The only constants in any life time is--
”
“Death and Chaos... and their advocates.” Loki chuckled suddenly. “My mother...
she's always said she was somewhat immortal in the sense that as long as she
had purpose Chaos would not left her die, but I wish that were true now...”
“I'm curious as to why the Dark Elves attacked Jotunheim when the Casket and
the Thunder Hammer were long since stolen from the Realm.” Frigga subtly
ordered.
“I do not know. My bodyguards, before they gave their lives for me told me that
my mother said something about the Infinity Stones--”
“What!? Malekith intends to gather them!?” Frigga shouted, standing and looking
wild eyed.
“How can he gather that which has been lost for many millennia?” Loki wondered,
fingering the bracelet his mother gave him, the simple silver band with the six
colorful stones in it a comfort now that he no longer felt her. “To have any
hope whatsoever of finding even a rumor of where a Stone could be, he would-”
And suddenly it all made sense, the attack, the destruction of an already dying
people! His plans to capture the royal family, all to force his mother to tell
him even an inkling of where he could find the Stones! And like that a white
hot rage bled into his vision, his skin melting to his Jotun flesh and the cup
of tea in his hand suddenly burst into frozen glass shards as the area around
him turned such a blistering cold temperature that everyone near him flinched
away above average frostbite burns, though not as terrible as the necrotizing
frostbite that would happen should Loki touch someone. Even Thor had to flinch
away from him, hissing low as the fine hairs on his arm were frosted over, the
skin tinged a bright purplish blue.
Frigga ordered everyone away from Loki, seeing the Frostling's shaking increase
to near violent levels as red on red eyes snapped open, fanged teeth bared and
finally Loki let out a war cry worthy of his much bigger siblings and kinsmen.
The air crackled with the residual magic that swirled around him, whipping his
hair loose from his braid. And then as suddenly as the fit began, it died and
Loki sat back down on the iced over and dead log, snow and ice around his feet
as ice formed around his body in menacing spiked armor. It took a few breaths
before the young prince banished the armor, relaxed his tense and thrumming
body, the magic wisping away like vapors. Once a semblance of calm enveloped
him, Loki took on his Midgardian flesh once more, but the red remained in his
eyes as frost everyone once and a while wisped up and flaked off his arms.
“Forgive me... I don't know what came over me...” Loki apologized, but somehow
it was both sincere and hallow.
“I believe you needed it.” Jalan hummed out, smiling in approval of her son's
Gem. “It has been sitting there since you felt the connection to your mother
vanish, it has been waiting for release and all who has heard should heed the
warning least they cross your path...”
“Jalan!! He is not you!!” Frigga snarled out, slapping the Demonss on the back
of the head.
The two older women glared at one another and Thor growled lowly.
“You will excuse yourselves if you plan to fuck again...” He told them, glaring
at Jalan more than his mother since he knew Jalan liked to pounce his mother
whenever, wherever the mood strikes her. Frigga at least grabbed the Demoness
by the tail or hair and dragged her to their shared room.
“Mother Frigga is correct. I am not like you Jalan... I do not allow blind rage
to control me... I know who it is who has caused me pain and suffering. And the
miserable pestilence is going rue the day he decided to hunt my family down...”
Loki growled out. “Hmm, I wonder if it is possible to freeze his cock and rip
it off without killing him...”
Everyone stepped away from him at that comment as a sudden bright and gleeful
smile spread across his face. Thor purred lowly at the heady scent of bloodlust
and something akin to arousal, moving to sit close to Loki once more, he smiled
when Loki flopped into his side, snuggling close as he hummed happily and
little dementedly to himself, most likely imagining all the possible ways he
could torture his mother's murderer without killing him too quickly.
“Well... I guess our little Prince isn't all snow and frost...” Frandral
laughed.
“If he is going to hunt down the unlucky sod, I will be more than happy to aid
him.” Hogun nodded.
“Mmm, I wonder if Jotuns have victory Feasts...” Voltstagg mused, his own way
of agreeing to help a friend in need.
“Tell me who to hunt and I'll bring his head back on a plate of gold.” Sif
smirked.
“Alright, alright...” Frigga laughed softly. “If and when Loki needs our aid,
he has it, but it is nearly sundown. Inside.”
Everyone quickly gathered up their things, but stopped when Thor told them all
to remain, he wanted to bond more. Unsure who to follow, the others looked to
the Queen, who seemed to be looking him over critically before she nodded
slowly.
“Remain as you were...” she told them, moving to sit on her stool as Jalan got
comfortable once more on the ground, her head resting on Frigga's lap, stroking
her leg suggestively.
Loki seemed to come out of his thoughts then because he leaned away from Thor
only a moment as the man began to change with the last fading ray of sunlight
until only a beast remained and it looked around, sniffing and huffing before
it laid down and allowed its mate to lean on its side once more.
“The children may come lay on him if they please.” Loki told them and snuggled
close as Thor nuzzled his head a moment, a chuff leaving him as if a laugh
before he got comfy and laid his head down. The children slowly approached and
with some encouragement for Loki, they settled around Thor who wiggled to
accommodate them, sniffing and nosing them as they all curled up on him and
once they were all settled, Loki leaned on his shoulder and about to doze off,
Thor laid his head down on Loki's lap and soon they were all asleep....
Four days, that is how long it took for Odin to finally realize that one his
greatest treasure's has been missing and to come look for it. Four days was all
it took for the two rulers of the Clutch to come face to face with the bastard
who ruined their lives. Four days for Thor to finally see the sack of flesh
that aided in creating him. Loki was out at the market, trading some of the
treats his mother had taught him to make for whatever the Clutch needed or
wanted. The children were all playing by the fountain where mothers were
gathered with the wash. Today was a fine day for everyone to out and about.
Thor and the other men were all reinforcing the roofs and outer walls of all
the buildings because soon the storm season would begin and it would be
impossible to fix anything until it ended.
Loki had sensed the immense power at the same moment Thor's head snapped up
from his work, a loud roar ripping from his lips at the unfamiliar scents
invading his lands. Everyone stopped what they were doing, to look toward the
sole road in and out of town. Loki felt on edge as he saw far off on the road a
stream of glittering gold moving toward them.
“Loki!” Sif shouted from where she was in the Smithy's repairing some their
cookery. “Get her Ladyship!!”
He nodded, Sif's mother coming to man his stall as he turned into a fox and
raced off for the manor. He jumped onto the front porch, changing back into a
man just as Jalan opened the door.
“Someone with immense power is approaching and whoever it is, Thor is not
pleased that they are here... They are dressed in Gold.” He told her quickly.
“Odin...” Frigga growled as she came out of the house, dressed in her best
dress, her armor and weapons in place as she turned to Jalan who jumped into
the air, changing into dragon form and flying off ahead of them as Frigga
closed and locked the doors. “Come...”
He followed her back into town where the small unit of soldiers stood by the
water fountain on one side and Thor with the men of the Clutch on the other.
Jalan's roar made everyone look up at her ans she landed on the roof of the
church, hanging off one side of it with one wing and her hind legs anchoring
her in place, her tail whipping about in annoyance, her head handing off the
front, swaying like a snakes as her golden eyes stared at the unwanted guests,
ready to roast them alive at any moment. When she spotted Odin, she snorted,
he's aged quite a bit since she last saw him. He looked too old and frail, but
she did not dare to attack, he had Gungnir in his hands still.
When Frigga made it to Thor's side, Loki hidden among their Clutch, Sif at his
side, ready to flee with him at the first perceived threat. If Odin has not
realized a Jotun was in his realm, they wished to keep it that way, the less
attention upon Loki the better.
“Why are you here, Odin One-Eye?” Frigga's cold voice sliced the air with the
speed and sharpness of a throwing dagger.
“You look wonderful, Wife.” Odin ignored her question in turn to run his blue
eye up and down his wife's figure. Still young and fit, even without Idun's
help. “You have not returned to the Palace.”
“Of course not!” She hissed. “Why would I return to that gilded cage!? Why
would I return to you, faithless dog?”
“Enough!” He slammed Gungnir's end into the ground, an echoing clap following.
“This is my home, you will not order me about here!” Frigga snarled out,
furious and ready to stab out his other eye. She was not blind to him looking
her over, as if he still had a right to look at her to touch her! Hah, when
Jalan grows a cock. “Now answer me! Why have you come, Ogre!?”
“I am the AllFather--”
“And I am the AllMother!!” She snapped back, the air tense and sizzling between
the two rulers of the Nine realms, but then Odin backed off and submitted. “You
forget, Odin... you may be King of all, but I am the advocate of the Norns and
they are above you.”
The chilling words stung deep and Odin frowned at his wife, “Something was
stolen from my Vault. I came to see if you could tell me who the thief was.”
“Why would I aid you?” she demanded, sneering at him. He spoke as if he knew
she was here this whole time and now, when he needed something from her, is
when he comes to her, not at any other point in the last few thousands of
years.
“Because the thieves will be hunted down and severely punished.” He informed
her. “I have a suspision that they were Jotuns.”
Everyone of the Clutch growled, glaring at the strangers. How dare they!!
“And why would Jotuns steal from you?” She wondered, coolly and calmly, even as
she wished to cut out his wagging tongue.
“To steal the Casket of course, you daft woman!” He snapped.
“And yet, was the Casket stolen?” Frigga wondered.
“No... in fact the Golem has not been awakened.” Odin grumbled.
“Then... how do you know it was Jotuns?” she wondered. “And if not the Casket
then what was stolen? You have more treasures than the Casket that is powerful
and worth more than the realms!”
“The Hammer.” he told her, expecting to see shock or fear in her eyes.
“The one stolen from the Storm Giants? The relic they were waiting to bestow
upon the new King of the Nine Realms? That Hammer?”
“They were not going to give it to me! They were going to use it to destroy
us!” Odin roared at her.
Loki shook with rage from where he was hidden, glaring at the old fool who he
had heard horror stories of since he was a babe, the true monster that would
devour your without thinking twice, stealing away your children from their
beds, murdering hundreds and thousands because he could... Loki was
disappointed with the Man behind the Legend. Vaguely he could hear his mother,
voice warbled and slurred from too much drink, calling Odin a warn out old
hound with more bark than bite. She would sing insulting ballads to his fame
and honor, spin tales of the AllFather's less than glorious adventures and
quests. And seeing the man now, hearing her voice in his head, Loki could see
there was much more truth to the drunken nonsense his mother had spewed, often
to the delight of his people and especially his father's amusement.
And how dare he assume that the gift his distant cousins worked for millennia
to craft and forge, breathe life and magic into it, giving it a will of its own
and power that has yet to meet an equal, was for him! No, if what Frigga says
is true, the Hammer that Thor found belongs to him. His wonderful lover was the
future King of the Nine Realms, he wanted to laugh at the utter ridiculousness
of the irony for it was not lost on him. He avoided arranged marriages to all
forms of royals and yet he falls for the Golden Prince!
“No, Odin, that Hammer is not yours and you had no right to take it!” Frigga
growled back. Jalan let out a fierce roar that matched the fury of her Golden
Mate. “Shut up, you! This is between me and him!!”
Thor growled low, glaring at the old man who sired him. He could see in the
proud and somewhat still fit form of the King the once tall, broad body of a
warrior, fit and hale. But peace, feasts and time has made him old and soft.
Maybe if he was lucky, his mother would grant him permission to tear the old
bastard to pieces. He had no attachments to the man who helped create him,
seeing as it was his fault that he lived like this, but then he supposed he
should thank him, since without Odin's folly, Thor would have never met Loki
under such peaceful conditions. Well as peaceful as devouring several elves and
killing the others for fun could be.
“I see the Dragon still lives.” Odin sniffed. “You've lost your touch, wife.”
“I am not your wife!” she spat. “And I have not lost my touch, Ogre... simply
ask the graveyard to the west of here... I'm sure the spirits will attest what
happens when you mess with me and my people.”
Thor purred, while the majority of their 'cemetery' was contributed to by
himself and Jalan, his mother has added quite a few bodies of her own. Andwhere
he and Jalan had claws and fangs, Frigga had her daggers and she was much more
brutal than they are. The sound seemed to draw Odin's attention to him and his
smirk fell into a frown, his blue eyes meeting the single blue of the
AllFather. Frigga went stiff as son and father met for the first time, but then
she relaxed when Thor snorted in distaste.
“This is the one who mated you before Mother Jalan?” He rumbled out.
“Sadly yes.” Frigga sighed before putting on a cold but charming smile. “Odin,
I'd like you to meet your son, Thor. Baby boy, this is the shriveled cock I
fucked to make you.”
Loki coughed, trying to hide his laugh because seriously Frigga was just a
blonde Vanir version of his mother! And apparently his mother lied to him, she
told him babies came from crystal seeds that grew into large plants that when
ready opened to reveal the baby for the expecting parents.
Thor turned his head only slightly, smiling at Loki from the corner of his eye,
happy his mate was amused.
“Frigga--”
“Do shut up, Odin... if you must know where your stolen trinket went, it found
its rightful master.” She huffed, waving a hand dismissively, not at all caring
or in a mood to deal with him, she will never be in the mood to deal with him
again.
“It's impossible for it to get up and walk off on its own!” Odin snapped.
“Actually, it is very possible.” Thor mused aloud. “It is a Relic, made in
ancient times and seeped in aeons of magic making it as powerful as some of the
treasures of the realms... Such as the Casket of Eternal winters, a simple box
to some with the powers of the water elementals and their various forms. It
grew so powerful over the ages and became sentient, it controlled the weather
and natural flow of Jotunheim and with it now gone, the realm has fallen into
chaos and eventually all who reside there will succumb to death. I'm sure if
you wait a few more years, the Casket will learn a means to return home to
where it belongs because it certainly does not belong here or to you.”
Frigga preened, Thor rarely displayed his book smarts, but when he did, he
delivered with such sass and charm most of the time one does not realize he is
insulting them until it is too late.
“I am your father, you will respect me, boy!”
“I care not who you are. You did not raise me, have done no right by me or my
half sisters, why should I respect you when you have earned none of it?” Thor
growled.
Sif snarled low too as did 11 other women.
“If your mother did not steal you away--”
“You had plenty of opportunity to stop me from leaving, hell you could have
followed and stolen him back, but you never once followed us, didn't bother to
see if we lived or died. You choose now to come, when something you deemed
yours has liberated itself from your clutches and you came to find who did it
so you would have an excuse to cause war once more, to finish what you started
long ago.” Frigga hissed. “Genocide.”
“The Jotuns invaded Midgard--”
“And were tossed out on their ear by the Midgardians.” Loki snapped, tired and
annoyed by the old man. It was like watching the old warriors who sat on his
father's council. All piss and vinegar, no balls or bite.
“Who dares!?”
“I dare.” Loki stepped out from behind Frigga and Odin blinked looking him
over, a frown on his face before he scoffed.
“You're Aesir, boy, you should know our history!”
“I'm not Aesir. I'm Midgardian.” Loki smirked. “Mortals are not as weak and
helpless as you seem to think we are. We embrace our short lives and frail
bodies, enjoy each day we live and each moment we spend with our loved ones.
But we are not always perfect, we have our share of monsters and horrors.”
Odin gaped but then he sneered, scoffing as he turned to Frigga, “If the Jotuns
did not steal it, where is the Hammer!?”
“Thor...” Frigga smiled as her son stepped forward and held the Hammer up,
Mjolnir humming in his grasp, pleased and proud.
“Impossible!! I could barely lift it and yet he, a mere boy holds it as if it
weighs no more than a stick!” Odin snarled.
“I am one with the storms. I am called Thor because as a babe I could summon
fierce thunder storms and rain with my cries. Even now the storm comes at my
call and with my dear iron lady, the storms will be more than just a display of
power, they will be my wings, my sword and shield. And I will use them to
protect my family... If you wish to have her back, then by all means, fight me
for her... I will kill you all before mother has the time to call the
undertaker from his shop just three doors down from your left.” Thor promised,
the said man was standing in his shop door with a bored look as he watched the
display before him.
Odin snarled and glared before he scoffed, waving his hand his men turning on
heel to march back the way they came. Odin's single eye glared into Thor's
blues, then jumped to the bluish greens of his wife, who looked back with an
uncaring and bored gaze. And as he turned, his gaze slid to the feverish green
eyes of the Midgardian boy. Those eyes were familiar and the longer he held the
boy's gaze the more the empty socket of his right eye ached and burned. He was
half tempted to go grab the whelp and see into his mind, but the way not only
his wife had tensed, his son as well, he knew it would have to wait for another
time...
 
 
***** Avengers! Assemble? or Dysfunctional? *****
Chapter Summary
     After agreeing to help Jane and Darcy look for Erik, Thor and Loki
     arrive to meet the best Midgard had to offer. But after the events
     leading up to this moment, Loki's not feeling as charming and kind as
     he normally is and Thor isn't feeling as charitable as well. Maybe
     the Avengers can unleash the two on their enemies, or is that too
     cruel?
Chapter Notes
     BAMF Mode activated!!
     Loki is feeling all kinds of twisted right now, here's were we start
     to see bits of Marvel Loki!! All that pent up and repressed anger is
     boiling and he's ready to sling some nasty spells, gouge out eyes and
     for the hell of it make a banjo from your guts!!
     And Thor? He's just waiting for an excuse to bathe in blood and
     plenty of it!
     And what's this!? Sif's smitten with Darcy?! And acting like
     Frandral!?
Chapter 13
For the longest time no one dared to speak or move and then Loki gave a huff.
“I think my people are all idiots if they fear an old boar like him.” He
sniffed in distaste.
Thor blinked and then he began laughing because Loki has told him how as a
child his tutors would terrorize his brothers with stories of Odin to make them
behave, unfortunately Loki was also caught in those punishments because his
brothers loved to tote him around with them everywhere. Frigga snorted a laugh
as well and soon everyone was laughing.
“Oh that was a good one...” Sif snickered, grinning brightly as she looked to
Frandral who was patting Hogun's back with a howling laugh.
Hogun just chuckled quietly as Voltstagg gave a soft laugh of his own, not
nearly as amused as Fradral.
“Oh he is rich!” Sif grinned. “Now then if we have nothing else to worry about,
Loki come tell me more of this Lady Darcy.”
“Oh, why so interested in she?” Frandral queried.
“That is my business and mine alone.” Sif sneered at him. “Besides I want to
also know more about the strange devices she gifted to Thor and Loki.”
Thor chuckled as he pulled out his phone, clad in the green and gold case.
Frandral snatched it from him, amazed by it and curious as well, passing it to
the others as well. Jalan, after flying off after Odin and his men to make sure
they had truly left their lands, took it from Hogun and looked it over,
sniffing it and frowning at the casing.
“It is a rock, useless and cheap.” She stated.
“Actually, Lady Jalan. It is not.” Loki said, pulling his own phone from his
side pouch and tapped on the surface twice to wake it up. They didn't worry
about finding an outlet to charge it since all Loki and Thor had to do was hold
the devices near Mjolnir's crown and the hammer sent small jolts into them to
instantly recharge the batteries.
Sif squeaked in excitement as she watched Loki swipe his thumb in a seemingly
random pattern on the bubble to unlock his phone. Thor had typed in a number
lock to open his and he happily showed Frandral and Voltsagg, Jalan hovering
over his shoulder as well, what he figured out about the device and even the
numerous texts Darcy sent to both him and Loki on how to use the phones and set
it up.
“You can speak instantly with them and not be near one another?! Amazing...”
Sif gasped.
Loki nodded his head and chuckled when Sif and several others all jumped when
the phone in his hand began to ring loudly. He swiped his thumb on the accept
call button and brought it up to his hear.
“Hello?” He spoke and could hear Jane's frantic voice practically screaming
down the line. “Lady Jane-- what do you mean your friend has been kidnapped?
What!? What do you mean that-- JANE!!”
Everyone startled at Loki's sudden bellow, but it seemed to have the desired
affect on the person on the other end of the phone.
“Now please calmly explain to me what you meant by Dr. Selvig going missing and
that Son of Coul and his people had the Tesseract in their hands before it was
stolen?”
Frigga looked shocked as Loki listened intently, his green eyes catching with
Thor's the man using the swipe feature to send rapid texts to Darcy to get her
understanding on what was happening. He kept his phone one the lowest volume
seeing as he could hear it fine no matter if he was sleeping or not. Loki
hadn't changed his volume setting seeing as he mostly texted Darcy and nothing
else on the device.
“I understand, Lady Jane... However if the Son of Coul truly wishes to speak
with Thor and I, we will let you know when to meet up with us, but we cannot
come right away. Do not worry or misunderstand, we will help you rescue your
friend, but I need to speak with someone who knows more about the Tesseract
than I do. Thor or I will contact you soon... Please go calm yourself and if
you must, go beat a few of Coul's men.” Loki suggested and after a few moments
of Jane rambling and agreeing, he hung up.
“Loki?”
“None of this is pure coincidental... Having a mother like mine, you learn
there is no such thing as coincidence. Every random happening, hiccups or
unexpected event in our lives are all planned for, arranged by Chaos and Death,
the two oldest Dieties, to keep life flowing forward, to keep the realms and
beyond all in balance.” Loki mused aloud, eyes darting about left and right,
following something only his eyes could see.
As he stood there, his phone in his left hand, his right played with the
bracelet his mother gave him, his finger running over the blue gem as he
thought of the Tesseract.
“As an Agent of Chaos, mother is not an ordinary mortal... the fact she
survived on Jotunheim for so many years attests to her strength and power...
She bore me, too large for a mortal but too small for a Jotun babe...” He
hummed. “She's told me stories, many stories, the Six Infinity Stones were
given to her ancestors throughout history and each one has hidden the stone
presented to them somewhere meant to be left undiscovered and forgotten with
their deaths... She would always tell me, 'Hidden in the earth and in the
furthest reaches of space are the Six, but our ancestors are no fools. For
there is no better hiding spot than in plain view.' But that's the one thing I
never understood. If the stones are hidden in plain view... Where are they?”
“You are the son of Chaos's Advocate, I'm sure you will know in time.” Frigga
smiled at him, petting his hair. “So if the real Infinity Stones are hidden in
plain view, then what are the ones hidden?”
“Fakes, powerful fakes, but fakes never the less. They could generate an
unlimited amount of power if used properly, but those who get their hands on
them seldom practice self restraint.” Loki snorted. “They would burn out the
fakes and thankfully nothing dangerous will happen, but that just means that
they would continue to hunt for the stones and since my mother is gone, they
would come for me and I know nothing...”
“Loki...” Thor grabbed his face in his hands, pressing their foreheads together
so his icy blue eyes bore into icy emerald greens of Loki. “You know more than
you are aware of. Do not stress yourself out... You will figure it out, like
mother says, it is only a matter of time.”
“Time is not something we have the luxury of, Thor... Jane said something
worrying... the ones who kidnapped Dr. Selvig... a fellow human and two strange
insect creatures.” Loki shivered, his gaze unfocused and then snapped back to
look into Thor's calm eyes. “I think I know what they are and if I'm correct,
the whole of Midgard is in danger. And if Midgard falls, then the other Realms
will follow... Thor my people cannot and will not survive another war.”
“Then... we shall go speak with the Son of Coul and offer our services...”
“We are going with you!” The Warriors and Sif shouted, stepping forward. “We
will not let yo two take all the glory and who knows we might find out a clue
to has happened to your family!”
Loki looked somewhere between protesting and wanting to hug them. He settled
for calling them fools and the all grinned happily at him, claiming that they
were his fools!
“Loki...” Frigga smiled softly as she kissed his temple. “You and Thor will
figure everything out, you will always have one another. You are not alone, you
do not face this trail by fire without aid. Jalan and I will keep things safe
here and I think it is time we all begin actively looking for the scattered
remains of the Jotun people, they are welcomed within our Clutch!”
“Hmm, they do have very lovely gems... perhaps they will give me some?” Jalan
mused, looking hungry.
“If and when this is all over, whatever is happening on Midgard and with the
Dark Elves, I will personally bring you into the Vaults of my peoples treasures
and you may take a plump boar's weight of our treasures.” Loki promised her.
She grinned brightly, boars were her favorite meals and they were often heavy
creatures and to have one's weight in treasure!?
“If not for my mating to my Golden Mate and my darling child's possessiveness
of you, I'd keep you to myself, you precious little pearl!” She cooed, hugging
him tightly, ignoring Thor's growl of displeasure.
“You mentioned speaking to someone... who was it?” Thor asked.
“The Gate Keeper of the BiFrost...” Loki stated. “And since Odin now knows we
are here and does not seem to give two figs and goose that Thor is here, it is
safe for us to travel to the Golden City.”
“Yes, this is true...” Frigga nodded, pulling Jalan off of Loki by her hair.
“Do be careful regardless of the matter.”
“Of course... This is a trip I wish to make alone if you do not mind.” Loki
stated, a subtle order in his tone that Thor dared not disobey even if he was
displeased.
“I will wait for you on the beach.” Thor promised him.
Loki nodded and with that everyone broke up and went about their business once
more...
Riding down the BiFrost was amazing and a bit disconcerting. The rushing water
of the ocean/lake that surrounded the whole of Asgard and led off into a drop
into the void of space. Loki was not worried of drowning, he was a good
swimmer, but the pull of the water was much more powerful than any being could
handle and if was caught in the current that led to the drop? He did not wish
to think of that, but then again he only had to worry if he fell from the
bridge.
As the hub got closer, Loki felt his heart racing in his chest, his hands
sweating and his stomach swarming with an angry army of moths! Heimdall was his
godfather and this was the first time he would ever be meeting the man. His
mother told him he was a tall man, broad and dressed in gold. He stands guard
always, never sleeping never taking more than but a handful of minutes to eat a
simple and quick meal and to take of his other needs. His father had high
respect and fear of the man, many of the warriors spoke Heimdall's name with
reverence, much like the AllMother. His horse stopped outside of the Hub and
standing at the top of the stairs was a man in gold a large sword held I his
firm hands, its tip aimed down to the floor, the light of the sun casting a
rainbow glare over the silver blade. The man himself was dark skinned, a nice
healthy deep earth tone, his hair was black, his eyes as gold as sunlight and
he stared unblinkingly.
“Welcome, Treasure of Jotunheim, Flower of the Frost Giants, Son of Laufey,
Heir of the Lady Rhyg.” The man greeted, his voice low and rumbling, but warm
and kind. “My godson, come let me see you.”
Loki dismounted and slowly walked up the steps and when he stood on the last
step, he realized he was almost the same height as Heimdall, his goatee was
clean and trim. His lips were large for a man, but not obscenely so, in fact
they would look wonderful smiling, if the man ever smiled that is.
“I do smile... but only on occasion.”
“Mind reader.” Loki chuckled, amused.
“A wonderful gift from my mothers. However I often wish to mute it. Same as my
farseeing gaze.” Heimdall smiled, small and kind. “You look so much like your
mother... I sensed her power vanish and have searched for her, but your
godmother, Seren, has assured me we have little worry about.”
“What do you mean?” Loki asked, confused. “Auntie?”
“Yes, my wife...” He chuckled, a nice rich sound. “As Advocates of the
Creators, they are given a unique gift that often causes them more trouble than
it is worth. I do know what it is exactly but from what she has told me, Chaos
and Death never pace the titles of Advocates, Agents, Messengers over until the
current Agents have completed their task.”
“So... it is possible... even if the slimmest of chances, that mother's...
she's alive?” Loki gasped, tears welling into his eyes.
“The slimmest, Loki, the slimmest, but I rather give you this bit of hope than
continue to see you sink into further depression.” Heimdall, nodded his head.
“I cannot say for certain for I am not an Advocate. And Seren is away on
another mission for her God and will not be able to tell you. However if it
turns out that Rhyg is truly gone, you can expect to have her title passed to
you. You are more like her than you think.”
“I'm sure. Father and my brothers?”
“Alive. In hiding. I've lost sight of your father, but I know he is alive for
your mother saved him before she vanished. Your eldest brother is with the Fire
Demons... I think you will soon be called Uncle Loki... or Aunt Loki, depending
on how you wish to be addressed.” Heimdall smirked knowingly, his golden gaze
moving the tiniest bit to a point of Loki's shoulder. “Your second eldest
brother has gathered your people to rebuild Ymir's Keep, they are preparing for
war for they want all of you back safe and sound.”
“Oh thank the Norns...” Loki sobbed with relief, but then he paused. “What!?”
“Helblindi seems to have fallen for the young Fire King, Lucian...” Heimdall
mused. “He's slowly rounding with child with each day, he's worried and
panicked, but he seems happy, he tells his belly of you and your other brother,
of your parents and the many things he wishes to show to the child.”
“Brother is with child!!?” He smiled brightly and couldn't help jumping and
clapping his hands before he stopped, coughed into his fist, ignoring the blush
on his cheeks. “Then I had best find the Dark Elves plans and put an end to
them. I want my nephew to live in a world of peace!”
Heimdall nodded, turning to walk into the hub, “Come, Loki, we have much to
discuss...”
Meanwhile on Earth, Jane stared at her phone for the longest time, almost
willing it to ring, but then she sighed, set it down and sat down in the chair
waiting for her.
“Loki says he needed to talk to someone before he called me back...” She said
finally.
“And you believe him?” Coulson asked.
“Yes.” She glared at him. “He and Thor have been nothing but kind to us during
their brief stay. I see no reason to think he's lying to me. And if you don't
believe me, ask Darcy. She texts them almost every 15 minutes.”
Said young woman looked up, “Huh? Sorry did you say something?”
“What are you doing?” Coulson asked, watching her go back to furiously typing
on her phone.
“Chatting with Thor... He's grumpy because Loki had to go do something alone
and its been barely an hour since his dickbag of a father came to demand shit
from his mom. Looks like our legends aren't as true as we think... apparently
Frigga doesn't put up with Odin's shit, in fact she left him and his lying
cheating ass.” She blabbed easily enough, still texting away. “Ah, he says that
they will be leaving in three days their time... Don't know how long that is
here, but expect something magical or anti-climatic to happen within the next
few days.”
“... She's serious right?” Coulson asked Jane, who nodded.
“Very.”
He sighed as he grabbed a file and began to read and write in it. Moments later
the door to the interrogation room opened and in stepped Director Fury.
“Coulson.”
“Director.” He nodded his head, closing the file and handing it to him. “She's
spoken to Loki and they agreed to meet with us, however they will not be here
for a few days their time, whatever that means.”
“Oh and Thor gets cranky from time to time, so like... avoid making him mad.”
Darcy chirped, Jane paling at the mention of Thor being 'cranky.'
“We will do our best. Now then, I'd like to introduce you to a few people who
will be in charge of locating and rescuing Dr. Selvig...” Fury waved his hand
to the group that entered the room just then. “This is Agent Barton, Capt.
Rogers, Mr. Stark and Dr. Banner. Agent Romanov is busy with a mission, but she
is also on this team.”
“Cool.. so like is this like the Justice League?” Darcy wondered, referring to
a comic series she's currently reading.
“In short? Yes, but unlike your comic book, Ms. Lewis, this is real life and in
real life the consequences are dire.” Coulson confirmed.
“I know that, Coulson. I just want to make sure that I understand what this is
so I can tell Thor and Loki... Oh, Thor is asking if you will be provide
poptarts?” She chuckled as she swiped a reply back to him, only to get an emoji
in return. “So yeah, I kinda got the big guy hooked on poptarts, he's fine
eating anything and everything, but he seems to think of them as food of the
Gods.”
Jane chuckled, recalling the man eating an entire box on his own and still
being hungry, Loki had tried them, liked a few of the flavors, but overall
didn't care for them, but the second she mentioned pudding? She could only
compare his reaction to a cokehead getting their fix after so damn long.
“Might wanna stock up on both the poptarts and pudding then. Something tells me
that Loki has a thing for pudding and will not hesitate to remove body parts to
get to it.” Jane mused.
“I'm both curious and a bit disturbed by this...” Tony laughed, typing on his
phone to Jarvis to please stock up on the two treats for their newest guests/
teammates.
“For now we will wait for Loki and Thor to contact us.” Fury told them,
“Stark.”
“I got rooms for everyone and converted few floors into a mini SHIELD HQ. I've
also had your belongings gathered and moved into your rooms, ladies... I hope
you do not mind that.” Tony shrugged. “Jarvis.”
“Yes, sir?” The elegant voice of the AI spoke up.
“Please make sure our friends are all comfy and send those papers Pep wanted me
to go over to her. I signed the ones I approve of, left some notations on the
ones I don't like. Oh and make sure that Capsicle's partner in crime doesn't
smash his way into the building again...”
“Yes sir.” Jarvis said before Tony left for his lab, the others offering to
take the girls to their rooms and to get settled in. Steve blushing as Tony's
snarky comment...
A week or two had passed when suddenly Darcy's phone started playing a choir
and rock band mash up of Ride of the Valkyries. She jumped up from her bed to
grab it and smiled.
“Darcy speaking!” She chirped.
“Hello Lady Darcy, Loki and I will be arriving at your location shortly, could
you please stand outside somewhere, we'll be taking a different route to you.”
Thor's voice came through, sounding like an excited puppy or a child on a sugar
rush.
“Uhh, sure... just outside in general or somewhere specific?”
“The balcony will do...” Loki's voice chimed in.
She quickly got on a pair of shoes and rushed passed Natasha, who was just
stepping from the shower, dodged around Bruce, who was kinda sprawled out from
taking his first hit of weed for the day. It seemed to keep him mellow, still
able to access Hulk, but he was lest likely to flip his lid, or so Coulson
said. She hurtled over the sofa and Barton and nearly crashed into Tony, but
thankfully slid to a stop on the landing deck outside and looked around.
“I'm outside... where--”
She gasped as the clear day suddenly became stormy and cloudy as the clouds
formed a funnel of some kind and it began to lazily descend down toward the
balcony. It reminded her of a cat stretching out it's front paws. Behind her
the others came out and stared in wonder and awe as the clouds finally touched
down on the deck and barely a second later, they vanished like a bolt of
lightning into the heavens, making the day once again clear and beautiful. To
most, nothing abnormal had happened, to those sensitive to the paranormal and
supernatural, it was possible they witnessed the strange phenomenon or sensed
it. But for those in Stark Tower, they saw it happening and yet had trouble
grasping what it is that they just saw.
“Hello again, Lady Darcy.” Thor greeted brightly and the brunette snapped out
of her daze, running to hug him.
“Yo! That was wicked awesome!! What the heck was that!?” She greeted and began
pestering.
“The BiFrost.” Loki answered, receiving his own enthusiastic hug from her. “We
are now permitted to use it, however we will not use it often, it draws too
much attention.”
“Awesome... oh? You brought friends?” Darcy blinked and looked at the group
behind them.
“Allow me to introduce my friends and brothers in arms and my half sister...”
Thor waved them forward and smirked as the others looked down at the Midgardian
woman. “Frandral the Dashing, Hogun the Grim and Voltstagg the Vast...”
The three men bowed in kind to their names, Darcy bowing her head back and
smiling at them before turning to the woman.
“And this is Sif, she is one of the 12 Valkyries, she is the second in command
to my eldest sister Skuld.” Thor gestured to the female warrior, who stepped up
to Darcy and smiled almost as flirtatiously as Frandral when he attempts to woo
a blushing maid into his bed for the evening. “She seems to fancy you...”
“Silence, little brother.” Sif snapped calmly, never once looking away from
Darcy. “The tales they told us hardly do you justice, Lady Darcy.”
“That is enough.” Loki calmly grabbed Sif's ear and pulled her away from Darcy.
“While we are here, you will not flirt your way into anyone's bed... I will
lock you in magicked ice chastity belts. And believe me they are not
comfortable in the least.”
Thor grinned as the others all paled.
“Ah, Loki so mean...” Darcy teased before linking arms with him and pulling him
inside. “So let me tell you all that's been going on....”
Thor chuckled as he followed after them, his sister and their friends behind
him, all amazed by the strangeness of Midgard and the Midgardians themselves.
Jane walked to Thor's side, gave him a smile and then began the second half of
the introductions.
“These are the Avengers, some of the best our country has to offer. Agents
Romanov and Barton.” She waved to the red haired woman with stunning green
eyes, she was petite with a luscious figure, she looked them all over with a
calculating stare, similar to a serpent about to strike and devour its prey.
She hummed when she deemed them worthy or acceptable, they weren't too sure.
“We meet again and I see you do speak English...” Barton mused, smirking at
Thor. “No hard feelings about knocking out, big guy?”
“You were doing your job.” Thor nodded, his smile just a touch unhinged,
“However if you do not wish to lose your fingers, never do so again.”
Sif shifted away from Thor, the air around him was simultaneously burning hot
and freezing cold. The Warriors Three stepped back as well, wary of Thor's mood
and casting searching looks around for Loki. The action was not lost on the
others, making them wonder what was going on. Darcy and Jane had only said that
Thor was prone to getting cranky, but crankiness did not install fear, did it?
Clint cleared his throat and offered his hand in a friendly shake, “Seeing as
we will be working together in the near future, I do not think it will be
necessary to knock you out again, unless I'm ordered to do so. And even then, I
will make sure to have Loki's permission.”
Thor glared at him, taking his hand in a firm grip, just this side of rudely
tight and painful. Letting go, he nodded his head and shifted his eyes to the
others.
“Capt. Steve Rogers and Mr. Anthony Stark.” Jane waved to the the tall blonde
and the shorter brunette.
“Huh, you're not what I'd expect the God of Thunder to look like...” Tony
mused, looking at the youthful and handsome face to the images of old Norse
depictions of the god. “And please call me Tony.”
“Lord Stark.” Thor nodded his head, smirking in a way that said he did it on
purpose to annoy the man.
“Tony, there is only One God.” Steve sighed, like it was an age old argument.
“If that is true, then how do you explain what we just saw a few minutes ago
and not to mention did you notice none of these people are humanly possible!”
Tony argued, gesturing to the Five Aesir warriors and then pointing in the
random direction in which Loki vanished too. “And what about Loki!? He's not
human either!”
“They could have been made like I was.” Steve pointed out.
“We were born, not made.” Thor assured him. “You seem to be the leader of this
group, but you do not seem to to have their fealty.”
“We were just brought together, none of us have worked together before or
rather most of us...” Steve sighed.
“Hmm, and this is?” Thor looked to the mousy man, standing shyly to the back.
“Dr. Bruce Banner... He's another one that gets... Cranky.” Jane made a vague
hand gesture and Banner flinched at that.
“Him?” Frandral hummed. “This would be very interesting to see...”
“He's not as shy as he looks.” Voltstagg nodded sagely.
Sif scoffed and scolded the warriors for adding their two cents where it wasn't
wanted before she turned to the doctor and smiled at him.
“I'm sure that you are a capable warrior and seeing as you are a doctor, you
are proficient in the art of healing?” She wondered.
“I know some... but my studies are more to harnessing energy and turning it
into a weapon...” He admitted. “I guess the closest thing I could compare it to
your world is a blacksmith of magic...”
Sif looked impressed as did the others.
“We should let him talk with Loki... it'd be interesting to see them create
something.” Frandral suggested.
Thor chuckled, he could imagine the chaos Loki would unleash with the help of
Banner and Stark. Thor suddenly growled low and glared at Coulson, who looked
back blankly before leading a man up to him.
“Good to see you again.”
“You attempted to touch my Civip Kethend... I should kill you for that.”
“Thor!!” Loki's sharp tone cracked like a whip making the Aesir jump in their
place and turned to him as he and Darcy came back up to them. “Be calm, they
wish to be allies, that means they are friends of the Clutch we do not harm our
Clutch nor our friends...”
“I do not like him.”
“Nor I.” Loki nodded in agreement. “However that does not mean we act like
spoilt children. Now then go talk to Darcy, she has told me everything and I
can handle Son of Coul. And I'm quite sure he does not wish to wake up with one
of my serpents in his bed...”
Everyone stared at the black haired man who did not look at all bothered that
he just threatened to leave a snake in someone's bed. And by the sounds of it,
it wasn't a harmless garden snake either. Thor smiled, pleased and wandered
over to Darcy who instantly began chattering as Loki turned to Coulson and
Fury.
“Hmm, I will play nice with you as long as you do the same for us. Hurt Thor
and I will kill you, hurt me, he will destroy everything. Is that in anyway
unclear?” Loki asked them.
“No.” Fury assured. “If you will come with me...”
Loki nodded and made a gesture with his hand, the other spreading out to get to
know the humans as Loki headed off with Fury and Coulson, waving another hand,
casting a spell that allowed Thor and the other four warriors to hear what all
was to be said. Thor merely glanced at him, his eyes brightening a moment
before turning back to Darcy as she rambled...
“This is an image that we were able to recover from our base of the scepter
that Baron Von Strucker used to kidnap Dr. Selvig.” Fury said as soon as the
door closed behind them, and image appearing before them of a medium length
staff made of golden that was tipped with golden spike like claws and clutched
in the claws as a blue gem of sorts.
“They took with them the Tesseract.” Coulson spoke up, an image of a cube about
the size of a desert bowl appeared as well.
Loki rubbed his bracelet, looking at the images, his finger grazing over the
gems, rubbing more on the blue one. His mind worked at a rapid pace, memories
and stories he's heard racing about. Finally something stuck out.
“The Scepter... It's from a realm beyond the Nine, within its own right it is a
powerful item, but compared to the Tesseract, it is like a tiny newborn pup
challenging a fully grown Frost Beast. If we get the Scepter, I will be able to
undo whatever spells this Von Strucker has used on the Doctor and any other
hostages he may have taken as well. He nor any human is sufficiently trained in
the art of combining magic and science together and could result in disastrous
outcomes.”
“And the Tesseract?”
“That is something that you will not like. My mother hide it for a reason to
keep it out of the hands of those who would use it for selfish gain, but it
seems you were able to find it and were using it--”
“To improve the lives of our people. We were trying to make self replenishing
clean energy to improve housing, offices, federal and government buildings,
hospitals, orphanages... if we can replace electricity as our main power source
all lives will infinitely improve.” Fury told him. “Better power means more
time to find newer cures for illnesses and diseases that have plagued mankind
since ancient times.”
Loki stared him down before nodding his head, seemingly agreeing with him or
approving, but never try to out lie a liar.
“Regardless, as it was my mother's duty to hide and protect the Tesseract, it
falls to me to get it back, hide it once more and protect it.” Loki finished.
“It was never meant to be found, but it seems you found a way.”
“But--”Coulson began.
“No.” Loki cut in. “My mother was killed for information about its location and
possibly the location of other powerful relics. These are items that are too
powerful and dangerous to be used by anyone but the ones who created them. Thor
and I will help you recover the Tesseract, but then I must hide it, somewhere
no mortal or immortal can find it again.”
“I'm sorry but I cannot allow that to happen, Loki. How do I know you won't use
it for yourself?” Fury demanded, calm and cool, collected.
“I was born with vast amounts of magic, trained by the best tutors available to
me. I'm a Prince. What could that cursed cube do for me? Bring my mother back?
No... There are some magics that should never be messed with and Necromancy is
one of them. It drives the caster insane and ultimately steals their soul and
sanity as well as their life in the end.” Loki sneered, turning to leave the
room but he stopped at the door and glanced over his shoulder. “Oh and by the
way... I do what I want.”
With that said, Loki sashayed out of the room, tall and elegant, but confident
and deadly...
 
***** It all comes back to Me *****
Chapter Summary
     The Avengers have Assembled and now need to get use to working as a
     team and work through varying views and beliefs. Can this be done
     before their first Mission as a team or will it end terribly!?
Chapter Notes
     Hello my darlings!! Sorry for vanishing again, but hey, life is a
     bitch and needs my attention! I know many of you are dying for some
     sexytimes and i am trying to write fast enough to get to it! But if
     any of you have read my other stories either here or over on
     FanFiction, you know that I slow build to the sexytimes and normally
     put maybe one or two smut scenes in my stories unless it is a oneshot
     and or straight up smut.
     I have been typing this chapter for 2 days straight (haha I made a
     funny) and can proudly say this should clear up most of the confusion
     and will set up what the next few chapters will be like! I am hoping
     that by giving you 21 pages to read it will keep you happy until I
     can post again.
     Translations for this chapter will have to be done by you guys
     because I sadly lost my notebook where I keep the translations at.
     But from what I can remember, here are the loose translations:
     Old Norse
     Loki to Thor: Bring me something worthy, my hunter.
     Thor to Loki: As you wish, Ice Flower.
     I forgot what I had them say in Elvish, but I know it was something
     semi intimate.
     Also quick ref to Game of Thrones' Red Wedding!
     Loki admits he's not completely sane!
     Thor doesn't give a fuck!
     Steve finally came out of the closet!!
Chapter 14
It was a hectic few days, getting everyone settled and on some semblance of
coherency. The Warriors Three were a welcome balance to the team, able to keep
even footed with Thor while also not seen as threats. Sif and Natasha sparred
often, sometimes the both of them against Loki. Steve found a favorite Spar
partner in Frandral, who seemed good at fisticuffs. Hogun normally messed
around with Stark, smirking as the man would charge and fail to hit him or try
to sneak attack him. Voltstagg partnered with Bruce, out of everyone with the
exception of Loki, he had the most patience to calm and talk Banner into light
training and even some meditation.
So it was of little shock when Fury walked into the living room one morning and
asked Jarvis to pull up the data file he brought with him. Everyone turned to
him from their various places in the main room, looking at the holographs that
floated around.
“We've detected unusual energy readings coming from this rural area, just
between the borders of Poland, Slovakia and Ukraine.” He began, a map appearing
and zeroing in on the specified area. “We've found several Hydra agents amongst
our ranks and that they've been feeding information to the others for some time
now... We don't know how they got in, but they did and many of our top level
vaults have been raided and emptied.”
“Not surprised.” Tony sighed, taking over the presentation as Jarvis worked his
magic. “So not only are we trying to save Dr. Selvig, we're trying to get back
a magical rubix cube and prevent an alien invasion, we also have to hunt down
some dangerous and deadly toys that no one has any business playing with.”
“Someone gets it.” Loki mused, eyes scanning over the information. “I can cast
an energy spell with a location spell, if these items truly are of a magical
nature, they will give off a specific energy reading. Think of it as going to
the spice aisle of your local market. Each spice has its own unique scent and
flavor.”
“We can retrieve them for you.” Frandral offered. “We're the most familiar with
Loki's spells and we ourselves have handled our fair share of magic items and
creatures.”
“Just don't get chased by a Harpy again.” Sif sighed. “I still have the scars
from that one.”
Loki chuckled as Thor grumbled discontentedly. He hated the Harpy, made the
mistake of eating her whole, spent a week coughing up feathers and Loki every
once in a while holds up a handful of feathers just to see Thor hiss at them.
“I think that would be best because we still don't know who is legit SHIELD or
Hydra anymore... not to mention some strange assassinations have been happening
as well. Anyone familiar with the Winter Soldier?” Fury asked, looking around.
“I had a run in with him... shot me, ruined my bikini line and killed the man I
was protecting...” Natasha stated, lifting her shirt enough to show a jagged
scar the length of her finger and the width of two. It rested close to where
her ovaries would be. “He was a government official was both popular and hated
by his peers, he was on his way to be elected into a ranking bracket of the
government.”
“That man, as it turns out, was a member of Hydra.” Coulson stated. “The Winter
Soldier was trained by Hydra to work for them, but I guess they didn't expect
him to go rogue and start assassinating their people instead.”
“What!?” Natasha growled. “I was protecting one of THEM!?”
“Be calm Lady Widow...” Thor soothed her, looking at all the information
floating before him and listening to what was being said. “It seems to me these
Hydra men have implanted many of their followers into all classes of your
society. It's a tactic often used by royalty and even nobility of the Nine
Realms to slowly corrupt and take over another. However it usually ends in
civil war and death.”
“Hmm, like the Red Wedding of Fumigar.” Loki mused. “Mother killed 70 people
using a poison that made them bleed from the inside out, bathing the room in
blood, all to whip out some sycophants who believed that D'von'mir should be
king instead of my father. She did this at the wedding of a noble named Fumigar
to a woman named Kil'famir. She said it was her present to the new couple.”
Everyone stared at him like he was insane, but he shrugged.
“The 70 that died ranges from a few servants, to peasants, clergymen,
merchants, nobles, a visiting King and eldest son and four of my father's best
warriors. She even killed a couple of courtesans and slaves. As you can see
they were all in various positions from rich to poor. And Thor is possibly
right, Hydra probably has eyes and ears all over from the lowest of the low to
those deemed untouchable by law.” Loki clarified.
“I worry about what kind of father you would be to your own kids if your mother
goes around poisoning people.” Tony admitted.
“She does not go around doing so willynilly, if not to keep balance, then it is
because she is usually bored and even then, when she is bored, she prefers to
stab you in your chest.” Loki huffed, waving a hand. “And I would be a
wonderful parent to my children as she was to me. Now then, is it possible for
this Winter Soldier to be tracked and possibly reasoned with, if he is going
around killing Hydra members, maybe he will not be opposed to working with us?”
“I doubt we will find him or that he won't just shoot first, ask later if we do
find him.” Barton intoned.
“Perhaps, perhaps not... It seems to me this Winter Soldier could have and
would have killed the Lady Widow if he deemed her a member of Hydra, instead he
merely incapacitated her in order to go after his real target and even once his
target was terminated, he could have come back to finish her off, but left her
alone.” Frandral pointed out.
“Is it possible that they could have been using mind control?” Voltstagg asked
Loki.
“I was thinking the same thing, but mind control is limited and even dangerous
to use.” Loki nodded. “The mind is a truly mysterious and marvelous thing, but
much like the body, it can only take so much abuse, wear and tear before it
succumbs. Even mind control with magic is very dangerous and deadly.”
“How long would it take for someone to succumb to the affects of mind control
through magic?” Natasha asked.
“It depends, really on how strong the mind of the victim is... strength of mind
does not necessarily mean intelligence. It is based off how well you truly know
yourself. Are you the type to walk into a labyrinth and become utterly lost
after the first three steps or are you able to make it to the center and back
without getting lost?” he pointed out. “In Dr. Selvig's case, they need him
alive, so the spell they are using would be keeping his mind intact, but it
would only be for a limited amount of time, especially if they are using the
same spell on multiple people. You'd have to be at the very least my level of
magic to control 40 people simultaneously and keep their minds intact for a
month or two.”
“So he's not in too much danger if we don't find him right away... how long
after the time limit until his brain turns to mush and he dies?” Tony asked, he
and Bruce sitting together running the numbers and trying to narrow down a
decent estimation of how long they truly have.
“As I said before it depends on him, if he's got a strong mind, a strong sense
of who he truly is, he might make it to three months or if he's not... well
there have been reported cases where the victim died the moment the spell ran
its course, others before the spell even took effect...” Loki shook his head.
“I will not pretend or lie to you, we have less than three months at the very
best chance to save Dr. Selvig, as for this Winter Soldier, if he had been
under similar conditions, spell or otherwise, it seems he's regained his sense
of self and was able to overpower the mind control and is now his own person.”
“But whatever they did to him...”
“May have caused permanent damage to his psyche... he may suffer from delusions
or may be prone to violent outbursts because his mind can no longer
differentiate between illusion and reality. If this is the case, we will need
to find him an anchor assuming he hasn't found one himself. Something that he
knows is real, a memory of a fond childhood, a beloved pet or even a close
friend. Perhaps an event he witnessed or a type of music. As long as he or any
one has that anchor, they will be able to come back, but not always the same,
never the same.”
Everyone went quiet and grim.
“I'd hate to ask this, but did your mother know something that happened like
this?” Bruce wondered.
“I do not know, this topic makes even her uneasy and she's very hard to
disturb. It is not a topic she would have broached with me as a child and even
then I haven't completed my studies of magic yet to begin the next level, which
is Spells of the Mind, Body and Soul. I do however read quite a bit and mother
never puts her dairies away.” Loki smiled. “I know a few spells, never put them
into practice, but if its an enemy, does it still count as cruelty?”
“As long as it's a Hydra goon, we'll pretend we never had this conversation.”
Fury nodded before moving on...
5 hours after the meeting everyone was sitting a jet that was strictly designed
by SHIELD's finest for SHIELD's use. It was large enough to house the 12 people
comfortably, with extra space for medical attention to be paid, however the
only ones in it were Natasha and Clint at the helm, flying the jet to the base
location, Steve standing in the door way of the cockpit talking to them and
with Fury as Loki and Bruce sat in the back, Loki playing with his bracelet,
recalling the stories his mother has told him over his life time, the ones he
read in her books and others he heard from his father and brothers. Bruce was
dozing on a large bench to himself, Stark headphones sitting over his ears
playing calming opera music.
“We'll be landing soon... Nervous?” Steve asked coming to sit by Loki.
“Not really... I've hunted before, wearing only a loincloth and using a crudely
made spear. Survived a month like that.” Loki chuckled. “Just me and the beasts
of Jotunheim, the weather and their brutality... I've been raised since birth
to fight, to survive and to one day lead, not as King, but Queen.”
“But... you're a man.”
“I'm intersexed.” Loki corrected. “I prefer He/Him pronouns, but I am actually
They/Them. The closest thing I can compare myself to is a Hermaphrodite.”
Steve blinked, slowly nodding his head as it began to make some sort of sense.
He's caught himself a few times in the last few days of calling Loki a girl
because at one glance he's too pretty to be a man, but at the next he's to
masculine to be considered a woman.
“Are all Jotun's intersexed?” He wondered.
“Yes, though we do have the rare few who are completely Male and Female, though
it's very rare. We are a single gender species, designed to either impregnate
or become pregnant no matter who we sleep with. Most of my people prefer other
Jotuns, the others are a little adventurous and will try out the other species.
My father loves my mother regardless if she's Midgardian, loved her enough to
get her pregnant. However he had a Husband before my mother, the Jeweled
Sorcerer Fárbauti. My brother Helblindi was Sired by Fárbauti and Dammed by
father, and my other brother, Byleístr was Sired by father and Dammed by
Fárbauti.”
“Wait... your father married twice?” Steve blinked.
“His first marriage was arranged, but unlike most arranged marriages, he did
genuinely care for Fárbauti, even loved him. It broke his heart when he was
killed. He married my mother of his own free will and by then, while he did
love Fárbauti their marriage bed had long since grown cold. Mother told me that
at first Fárbauti resented her, hated her, but after spending much time with
her, around her and getting to know her, he admitted he was jealous, even felt
foolish because while he and father did not become intimate, father still
showered him in love and gifts, introduced him first before my mother. They
became friends, almost siblings and Fárbauti even named my mother his Heir
should he die in battle, which he did. My mother became the first Queen of
Jotunheim and had the most powerful Sorcerer's blessing to boot.”
“Wow...” Steve blinked. “That's a bit... well I'll be frank, it's very weird
and a bit worrisome, but then again I was raised in an age where women remained
home and tended the house and children while men went out into the world to do
whatever they wanted. I was raised to like women, find me a nice girl to marry
and have kids with and raise good little red blooded Americans.”
“Did you find 'a nice girl' to settle down with? And if that is the mind set
now, then why has Lord Stark claimed to be a playboy?” Loki blinked.
“Oh, no! No, no!! I was born and raised in the 1920s-1950s. I've been frozen in
ice for 90 years... Before I fell into the ice, I did find myself a nice girl,
her name was Peggy Carter, she was smart, beautiful and deadly with a pistol. I
had wanted to purpose to her after the mission to stop Red Skull and the Nazis,
but I fell into the ice... One of the first things I did after waking up was
look for her. I found her in a home back in Washington D.C. She was an old
woman, frail and slowly fading, she married, had a few kids and I met her
granddaughter a few times, by then her mind was fading, she would always greet
me with 'You haven't changed... Still so handsome and I'm all but wasting a
way.' She died a month ago, she went quietly in her sleep.”
“I'm sorry, that must've hurt terrible.” Loki spoke up.
“I will admit I was upset at first, that she didn't wait for me, but then I
realized I was being very selfish... I could have remained on ice for hundreds
of years before finally waking up. If that had been the case, she still would
have been dead, but at least I got to see her at her last moments. And I'm glad
she didn't wait, she found herself a nice man, who cared for her and their
children, he died during the final stages of the war, she raised their kids as
best she could while working for SHIELD, those kids grew up and had families of
their own and she was so happy and proud, out of all our friends, she was the
only one who made it to be called grandma.” He chuckled.
“Hmm... I'm sure if things had been different, you'd have been very happy
together, but I feel as if you are relieved she married another instead of
waiting for another reason.” Loki mused, smiling at Banner as he jerked awake
and slowly begin picking his things up and stripping down to a pair of super
elastic yoga shorts. “A male reason.”
“... I was raised to view same sex couples as something abnormal, sinful and
wrong, and for a while I fed into the hate and disgust others expressed at
anyone gay. But even so... I couldn't help how I felt around my closest friend,
Bucky.”
“Bucky?” Loki snickered, the name was strange and even more so a bit of an
innuendo.
“James Buchanan Barnes... He insisted we call him Bucky.” Steve chuckled,
picturing said boy with his hands on his hips and glaring spitefully at anyone
who called him by his real name, anyone but his parents. “He was raised the
same way I was, though he never bought into that 'gays are unnatural' bull that
was spreading around. He always told me that 'if you love someone, why should
it matter if they are a girl or a boy? Love is love right?' He was always at my
side, when my father died when I was child, and when my mother died when I was
in my teens... he joined the army with me, even if I was declined at first. And
later after becoming a Super Soldier, he was placed on my team of Special Ops.”
“Hmm, sounds like he always had your back, even without you asking him to.”
Loki mused.
“Yep... the same mission that caused me to fall into the ice? It was the same
one I lost Bucky in, they never found his body, but they did give him and our
other friends a nice private sector with their tombstones. It wasn't until
after seeing Peggy again that I realized, she was the only woman whoever made
my heart flutter, could imagine myself with. It wasn't until the first time she
had a lapse in memory that I realized I had the love of my life at my side
always there waiting to catch me when I fall until he was gone.”
“Mother had a saying, 'We go through life with our eyes covered by a veil so
thick we often miss what is right in front of us, until it is suddenly gone.
Many of us realize too late how utterly blind we truly are.' and then she would
say, 'It's Fate's way of mocking the living and the dead, by placing what you
want most right in front of you knowing full well you would be forever blind
until its gone or has been left behind.' She told me that while cruel and mean
on the Norn's side, she told me they did this to also protect it. If you could
see it before you, so could everyone else. And if you claimed it, the others
who saw would be jealous and try to take it from you or destroy it.”
“Well either way, I still have to live with my choices...” Steve sighed
standing up and clipping his shield onto his back before walking to the back of
the ship. “Barton.”
“Happy landing!” Barton shouted opening the hatch and watching Steve jump out
the back without a parachute.
Loki stood up, walking to the back and watching the man vanish into the bare
trees and snow. Smirking he turned to look at Bruce.
“This will be fun...”
Steve landed on a truck, ripping through the tarp protecting the men inside
from the harsh winter winds. They all stared for all of a second at him before
trying to shoot him, but he wasted no time in knocking them all out, shooting
and killing anyone who got too close to doing the same to him. The driver
abandoned the truck to smash into a tree, but Steve had thankfully jumped out
before hand and was running through the snow toward the base.
“Stark, Thor can you hear me?” He called into the comm.
“Loud and clear, Capsicle.” Tony chirped.
“Agreed.” Thor's low voice hummed.
“Where are you both?”
“I'm coming in from Poland.” Stark informed. “That's West.”
“I am coming in from the East, I've dispatched three trucks with slaves in
them, the slaves are free and fleeing back home.” Thor told him.
“I've seen a few tanks and barricades blocking the roads, if things get hectic
it will take them about an hour or less to get here.” Tony noted. “Jarvis, send
a few EMPs to their systems and slow them down will you?”
“Right away, Mr. Stark. Also a message from Ms. Potts. She regrets to inform
you that she will have to stay another month on her trip, it seems there was a
mishap and paperwork was misplaced.”
“... Alright, run scanners on these people and make sure that the mishap wasn't
on our end. Call Happy and tell him that nothing happens to Pepper or else.”
Tony growled low.
“Right away, sir.”
“Tony!” Steve snapped. “Now's--”
“Hey! You spilled your guts to Loki not to long ago, don't bitch at me for
wanting to make sure my future wife is safe!”
“Now is not the time for arguments... Thor if they continue, please knock them
out.” Loki ordered.
“As you wish, Civip Kethend.” Thor purred.
“...” Tony and Steve gulped, Thor sounded a bit too happy at that prospect and
mutually called a truce until they were safely back at the Tower.
“Guys head's up! I just dropped off 'Tasha and she's gonna need cover. I saw
some heavily artillery waiting for us at the base's main gate and surrounding
the whole place.”
“Shit... I'm on my way.” Steve grunted, throwing his shield to bounce of a few
trees, knocking out Hydra soldiers and a few guns before he caught it, and
stole a motorcycle, riding off to catch up with the Black Widow.
“Thor, heads up, you got company.”
“Hmm... I see them...” Thor growled and the sky above darkened as harsh wind
began blowing.
“I set down the plane, I'm on my way. Banner's ready to go at any given
moment.” Clint called to them again.
“Good... wait where's Loki?”
“I honestly don't know. But I get the feeling he's not one to follow orders too
often.”
“He's at the base already, he's clearing a path for Lady Widow.” Thor informed.
“I will be there shortly to provide whatever cover is needed.”
“A'mael, do not distress yourself, I am well. You have not let loose in quite
some time, feel free to release some tension.” Loki spoke up, a calming and
almost seductive tone. “You will know the instant I need you.”
“Be safe, my Treasure.” Thor rumbled low before his comm went silent.
“Best hurry Lord Rogers, the Lady Widow and I are nearly to the door. Son of a
Frost Beast Bitch!!!” Loki bellowed out. “Did you just try to shoot me!! Lord
Banner if you will please?”
“Shit...” Steve and Tony gasped and faintly they could hear Clint face palming
and what sounded like Thor's laughter from the distance.
It was utter chaos from then on. Hulk and Thor lept about the battlefield,
smashing tanks and weapons while Clint called out patterns and striations while
providing back up cover with his arrows. Tony zipped about taking care of some
of the aerial weapons as Steve took down anyone who crossed his path. Loki and
Natasha got to the base's doors and the Jotun prince grinned as he let his
hands turn back to their natural blue color and placed them on the large metal
doors. His touch so cold the metal moaned and groaned pitifully as the ice
spread, its own weight too much for it and then it cracked and collapsed at
Loki's feet.
“We're in!” Natasha called.
“Right! Everyone converge now!! Find Strucker and Selvig! They have hostages,
so don't go trigger happy! If they attack, knock them out!” Steve ordered.
“Hulk keep the tanks away from the base!”
A loud vicious roar was his reply before a tank went flying passed him, mangled
and in several pieces.
“I'm sending you an astral map of the base, and will do my best to disable any
safety measures that might cause severe injury or death.” Loki informed them,
his hands glowing with the spell while his eyes were wide and darting about
seeing something Natasha couldn't, but she's seen enough of his magic work over
the last week to know that he can literally see the world around him from all
angles.
“Is this gonna feel weird?” Tony wondered.
“It becomes second nature.” Thor assured him. “I smell something strange...”
“I do as well... Thor how about a nice little hunt?” Loki purred and Thor
growled in pleasure. “Neinn dráp, vér nauðsyn inn gísl lífs...”
“Sem yðarr ráð, minn Svell Blóm.”
“Jarvis... what did they say?” Tony asked.
“I'd rather not translate sir... it sounded... intimate.” Jarvis hesitated.
“Never mind!” Tony panicked, he didn't want to know what the two aliens were
saying, for all he knew it could involve a cat, milk, a needle and a bowl of
sugar!
Thor let out a loud laugh as Loki snickered, Natasha rolled her eyes, her
knowledge of Latin gave her a glossing understanding of what the two had said
and like Jarvis had said, it was intimate, sort of. Once Loki got the confirmed
responses from the others about his spell, he nodded to Natasha and pulled out
his batons, no need to kill someone by accident if they were a hostage. They
entered the base, the Astral projection of the map Loki made moved with them,
showing them where they were standing and if there were rooms or halls visible
and hidden. They took out anyone who attacked them, ordering the hostages to
flee, those who weren't under the mind spell that was.
“Hey, we've found a few of Strucker's Zombies, can we free them from the
spell?” Clint asked suddenly.
“I've taken a look at the ones we found and while it would take a day or two to
find a magical solution, I'd prefer the more effective one...” Loki grumbled
and then clocked the two scientists in front of him in the temple, hard enough
to blackout for a second or two, but over all not really incapacitate them.
“What?” The others asked, Thor just grumbled low.
“Cognitive re-calibration.” Natasha stated.
“English people!” Tony snapped.
“He hit them hard in the head...” Natasha smirked, amused at how annoyed the
boys got. “Are you alright now?” She asked the two scientists in front of her
as they began to regain their senses.
“Ye- yes... Ah!!” They jumped seeing Loki standing behind her. “Y- you!! We- we
saw your photo... you... you!! Let us out of here!!” They screamed, shoving
passed Natasha, skirting around Loki like he was gonna eat them, and out the
door.
“What... was that?” Natasha asked, eyeing Loki who frowned.
“My portrait?” He mumbled. “Thor... it seems my previous theory to the
AllMother is correct, locate Baron Strucker and find out what you can.”
“With pleasure...” Thor snarled low, sounding more and more like the Beast.
“Uuh, Loki... is Bolt boy feeling alright?” Tony worried.
“He's not sounding like himself.” Steve added.
“He's well... But I suggest you hurry up, otherwise Von Strucker will not be
alright.” Loki assured. “I am sensing something strong and I'm very curious as
to what it is...”
“Right, Natasha, keep with Loki, if things get hairy, get the both of you out
and to Hulk.”
“Roger that, Captain.” Natasha replied back, busy looking through paperwork,
grabbing the really interesting ones and stuffing them into folders and into a
messenger bag she had on her back. “Stark, you might want to hack their systems
and take all the info you can, I'm seeing some very interesting things here
that you may or may not be proud of.”
“What? Seriously?” There was silence before they heard a long string of curses
before Jarvis muted Tony's comm and assured them that he's hacked into the
computer systems and is downloading everything.
“Shall we?” Natasha asked, once she gathered up the last of the paper work.
“Of course, is the bag helping?” He asked her, smirking in amusement.
“Yes, endless space pockets must be very convenient for you.” She smirked.
“Not everyone can make one or knows about it. Mother taught it to me and I use
it often, I do not like being bored. Idle hands lead to wars, you know. Or
massive amounts of destruction...” Loki chuckled.
“Well, aren't you the mischievous one? Guess we got one thing right, you're the
God of Mischief.” she hummed as they left the room, raiding others along the
way.
At one point Hulk smashed through the base, landing in a painful heap at the
bottom of a massive room that was built in a spiral formation. Above them three
levels up was Tony, out of his Iron Man suit, two levels below them was Steve
in his Captain American uniform. Thor was at the very top, floating in the open
space, sniffing around. And Clint was on the same level as them across the way.
“Shit! Hulk!!” Steve cried out. “Loki, you might--”
Loki grabbed Natasha around the waist and jumped over the railing, his magic
bending the air around them to slow their fall and gently float them to the
ground. As soon as they were down, Loki let Natasha go and she carefully got
close to Hulk, who was waking up and not looking happy.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa.... easy Big Guy, come on, it's only Nat.” She crooned,
keeping low and defensive in case he attacked her. “Are you okay? Does it
hurt?”
Hulk growled, getting up, but he remained standing in the crater he made,
looking from Natasha to Loki, who was looking at a room behind him. Hulk's nose
twitched, the scents were familiar, the faint voice of Banner telling him, they
were friends, to not hurt them. He crouched low, grunting as he sniffed at Nat,
under the smoke, gun powder, sweat and blood scents, he could picked up that
moon flower oil she always dabbed behind her ears. Light and sweet, calming. He
made a purr like sound as he felt her gently cupped his cheek.
“No boo-boos to kiss?” She asked and he grumbled, showing her his bruised
knuckles. She gave him a coy smirk and kissed his big hand, patting it softly
before she gave a slightly bigger smirk, one that matched his. “Those meanies
need to be punished, go smash them for me?”
He grunted and jumped back up the hole and out to finish raining hell on the
Hydra goons stupid enough to remain.
“Nice one, Widow...” Steve told her.
“No problem, Captain... Loki?” She turned to see him waving his hands over the
door behind him.
“There's... something sentient here, but not living...” He murmured. “It's
giving off that energy I was feeling...”
“Could it be dangerous?”
“I don't know...”
He finally swung his hands in a sharp and aborted motion, the sound of several
locks breaking could be heard as the heavy door fell back into the room,
revealing Von Strucker, Selvig, the scepter, the Tesseract and two insectoids
holding a coffin sized box.
“Ah, so you are the one my men informed me about...” the human purred.
He was an attractive man, with refined features, nice blue eyes and a shaved
head, he was average in height, a bit thin, but by no means sickly. He wore a
manacle over one eye and was... smug.
“You seem to know me... but I do not know you.” Loki stated.
“I would think not... I'm to collect you, so please do not fuss. Lord Malekith
has ordered your capture.” He stated.
Loki went stiff and the air in the room dropped to freezing temperatures and
seemed to keep dropping. Natasha backed away from him, as her breath fogged out
of her as she tried to repress her shivers.
“Oh? And may I ask, why?” Loki's voice while still calm and polite, was void of
any inflection, emotion... anything. “And is this the reason your hostages flee
as soon as they see me?”
“Hostages? I do not--”
“Dr. Selvig is one, you have taken possession of his mind, he is not here of
his own free will.” Loki cut him off, sharp and quick, deadly. “Now please, try
not to lie to me... I detest liars.”
“I honestly do not know, but seeing you in the flesh, I assume Lord Malekith
just wants you for himself... I would certainly not mind you company or warmth
in my bed...” Strucker chuckled, even as he shivered in the chilling air.
“Let the Doctor go, Baron!” Steve ordered as he and the others made it to the
room, Thor walking to stand just before Loki, half hiding him.
The Insectoids set down their burden and stepped forward, high powered energy
rifles in their hands and trained on Thor.
“I do not take orders from you, Captain America...” spat the German man.
“However I might negotiate terms of surrender, your surrender that is.” He
smirked darkly.
“Thor...” Loki placed a hand on his shoulder, moving behind him so his lips
were barely kissing the shell of his ear. “Brien a' amin ho lyien lambe.... Ar'
sen dol.”
“Ta nuava Seasamin....” He growled lowly, eyes flashing dangerously as he
dropped Mjolnir to the ground, preferring to feel the lives of Von Strucker and
the two Insectoids fade between his fingers.
Loki stepped back, smirking coldly and darkly as Thor removed his cape, tossing
it to the floor as well as stripping off his breastplate and tunic. The others
were about to ask what he was doing when Thor loosed an animalistic roar and
lunged at the two Chitauri warriors, weaving around their shots and with
relish, he grabbed one alien by the head and dug his hands into the the
bisected jaws, grabbing the lower jaws by their halves and ripping them right
off before he turned to the other, his claws out and tearing the other from
throat to groin, digging his hands into the wailing, dying creatures chest he
ripped out a strange pumping organ and then turned to the other that was slowly
drowning its own blood, ramming his arm down the hole where its mouth was and
after blindly digging around ripped out the matching organ from the first.
Strucker and the others were shocked still before Strucker cursed, grabbed
Selvig's arm and with the scepter created a portal to step through before Thor
could turn his sights on him. The blonde warrior was not blind, he saw the
cowered flee, but didn't care, taking the two heart like organs, he laid them
before Loki, kneeling lowly as he presented his prize.
“Thank you Thor... though the worm escaped...” Loki praised, a hint of
disappointment in his tone before he grinned darkly. “But I now know what I
need to about his scepter.”
“What's that?” Natasha asked, still eyeing the carnage Thor left behind.
“It is not sentient magic... it's cloned magic.” He stated. “It's fake.”
“If so then--” Steve began, but Tony cut in.
“The magic used to to make it is real, but the magic it is using is fake,
right?” Tony guessed.
“Correct... whoever made it is the one in control of the hostages. For if it
was truly the scepter, without the counter spell or potions, it is impossible
to set the victim free unless they themselves do so or the one who casted the
spell to begin with sets them free.”
“In other words, even hitting them in the head shouldn't have set them free.”
Clint murmured. “Does that mean whomever's magic this belongs to is not able to
keep their control?”
“Not from great distances... You'd have to be a God in order to do such a thing
and even then, that kind of control is near impossible to maintain. And the
distance must be great if a hard jar to the head is all it takes to awaken the
Hostages.” Loki told them. “Thor, grab the box... I am most curious as to what
it is...”
Tony grinned, knowing that Loki would let him and Banner play with it, learn
everything they can about it before he did his own lookie-lou. Steve sighed,
turning to leave, but gasped as he was knocked in the head with a pipe that
came out of nowhere, before Natasha grunted as she was picked up and thrown
into a wall. Clint's quiver was stolen and he was slammed into a wall. Loki
turned and from the corner of his eyes, he saw something quick and silver flash
by before he quickly surrounded himself in ice. Whatever it was skirted around
him and bashed into Thor, who roared and swung around blindly.
Cursing, he dropped his barrier and grabbed Thor's arms, making him look him in
the eyes, but in that instance a woman with red hair appeared by their sides
and waved her fingers around their heads. Thor grunted before seemingly going
catatonic while Loki turned to the woman, grabbing her with one hand and
smirking.
“You are trying to mess with my mind, that will not--” he paused as the world
warped around them both and they saw Jotunheim, the wonderful world of endless
winter was blazing red with fire and blood, screams and death surrounded them,
battle rang out from all corners of the realm. He heard the woman gasp and
turned to her but he saw instead his father sitting on the ground, cradling
something black and pale in his arms. Could see his brothers battle worn and
scarred, wailing with him. He turned the other way and saw himself, adorned in
battle armor of a Mage Warrior, standing shocked before he heard his own voice
screaming for his mother, the world faded and all they could hear was a
giggling voice asking him why he was painting the butterfly charms pink, yellow
and minty green.
His young childish voice saying that they were pretty and easier to see against
the white. The same voice telling him that his logic was sound and that they
wanted to paint one now, but this one she wanted dark purple and blue, stark
and cold to match their realm, but brilliant and bright to shine brighter than
the most polished of ice crystals. The world changed again and he could see his
mother talking to a council of some sort, they seemed angry, shouting, she
spoke back angry and proud, he saw in her hands the Aether, contained and
confined, but dark and furious in her hands.
“You_will_hide_it,_N--_or_we_will_punish_you...”_growled_a_voice.
“Go_suck_a_Naga's_tit,_Zeus!_I_will_hide_it_like_I_did_the_others,_right_in
front_of_your_faces!!”_She_growled,_her_hands_waving_and_the_stone_vanishing
between_one_flick_of_the_wrist_and_the_next._“Now_if_you_are_done_being
assholes,_I_have_to_get_back_to_cleaning_up_Bor's_mess_with_the_Dark_Elves...
Bother,_bother,_bother..._I'm_too_old_for_this_shit_and_having_a_lifetime_in
between_jobs_is_not_enough!”
“How_dare--”
“Enough..._R--_you_and_S--_are_the_only_ones_entrusted_with_this_task,_we_ask
you_to_both_to_finish_this_and_we'll_grant_you_100_lifetimes_worth_of_much
deserved_rest._But_you_know_what_happens_when_you_are_absent_too_long.”
“Anubis,_you_know_we_are_much_older_than_many_of_you_think_we_are,_we've_done
this_job_since_the_rule_of_Death_and_Chaos,_we_know_what_we_are_doing_and_will
continue_to_do_it,_our_way._If_that_is_all_the_council_wishes_of_me,_I_have
something_to_attend_to,_ordered_by_Lord_Chaos_himself.”
“Then_we_are_through..._good_luck,_Keeper.”
The world faded one last time and then Loki was blinking his eyes and staring
at Thor's concerned eyes.
“Loki...”
“Mother's... Mother's....” He tried to say but then he suddenly collapsed. His
mind and body having had enough...
When Loki awoke again, he was in his bed in the Avenger's Tower. Beside him sat
Darcy, reading a book, but a worried crease in her brow. Outside he could hear
the loud voices of the others. It sounded like they were furious about
something. Sighing, he sat up slowly.
“Loki! Don't get up! You're exhausted--”
“I am aware... I did not realize how stressed I was until I allowed a
Midgardian to invade my mind...” Loki sighed, a frown on his lips and pinched
expression around his eyes.
“Yeah, Thor's not happy with the Scarlet Witch either. Tried to eat her, you
know. And not the sexy kind either!”
“I-- what? I did not realize humans viewed cannibalism as sensual...” Loki
blinked.
“What- no!! I mean... Wait you don't know what 'eating out' means? Do you know
what Sex is?” She asked.
Loki flushed brightly, covering his ears in a manner reminiscent of a child who
covered their ears to not hear something they aren't meant to. Normally Darcy
would have laughed at this, but with the serious amount of UST between him and
Thor, and how utterly innocent Loki was... Oh god, she needed to fix this ASAP
before Thor snapped and took Loki on whatever surface was available to them!
But before she could delve into the Talk, the door to the room opened and Bruce
poked his head in.
“Oh, Loki! Thank goodness you're finally awake, Thor's been a bit... um... well
he's nearly done to us what he did to those Chitauri creatures...” He stated
bluntly.
“Alright... If I am allowed, I will get him to calm down.” Loki gestured to the
bed.
Banner nodded, coming to help him up as Darcy got him a thick robe to put on
over his pajamas. Once they were sure he was able to walk, they left the room.
Outside, Natasha was sitting at the breakfast bar, glaring at the twins sitting
on the soft, handcuffed, shackled and even their hands were pinned under
Mjolnir's weight. Thor was outside, pacing and growling, the dark sky and thick
sheets of rain matching his temperament. Tony was pissed as he yelled at Fury
and Coulson both, Clint sitting calmly with his bow in his lap, two arrows
ready to fire at a given notice.
“What has happened in my absence?” Loki asked at large, instantly everyone was
looking at him.
“Holy-- Loki! You alright?” Tony asked.
“I am well Lord Stark, if anything I'm a bit tired still and very
displeased...” Loki shot a hot glare at the red haired woman. “I do not like
that my mind was played with. Visions of possible future outcomes mixed with
passed memories, not all of them belonging to the same person who's mind you
played with... it is very dangerous and rude.”
“So she made you see something too?” Clint grunted. “I saw something pretty
fucked up and it made me very disturbed...”
“I relieved my past.” Natasha murmured, low and icy cold.
“I saw everyone dead and that it was because of me or something I made...” Tony
looked disturbed, shuddering.
“She missed me...” Bruce told him. “And I am glad she did... whatever you all
saw, I'm sure it would have caused the Other Guy to start rampaging regardless
of friend or foe.”
“We're not sure about Thor, he looked put together enough, that is until you
collapsed...” Natasha stated.
“I saw visions of a war on my home world, my mother's death in my father's
arms... I had a flashback of when I was a young child, hardly an infant with my
mother painting butterflies. And then I saw something, something from my
mother's past or my ancestor's past, I am not sure but I do know why my family
was targeted.” Loki hummed, not mentioning anything beyond that.
“What about Thor? You've been out for a few days and well...” Darcy looked
worried. “I can't say he's been Cranky, but he has been cranky.”
Loki knew what she meant and while it is not worrisome that Thor has not
transformed, it could be dangerous because it means he's more prone to violent
outbursts. Jalan and Frigga had informed him of this early on when he first
moved in with the Clutch, years of training had taught Thor to control himself,
but he normally allowed nature to take its course. Meaning regardless of the
curse he could change at will, but chose to follow the curse's path. It made
for very interesting situations and reactions. Letting a fond smile over take
his face, Loki walked out into the rainstorm that instantly lightened up and
eventually slowed and stopped as Thor all but collapsed into Loki's arms and
the two sat outside, cuddled close.
It was a few minutes later that the two walked in, Loki waving his hand and all
the water soaking them condensed into a ball which turned to ice before
shattering and reforming into center display on the coffee table of a Frost
Beast family, the mammoth male, the slightly smaller female and their four
pups, from the tiny newborn to the the hulking juvenile. It was enchanted to
not melt so they did not have to worry about a mess later. The pair sat on the
love seat, Loki pulled tight to Thor's side, said male nuzzling into the fluffy
mess of Loki's hair.
“Your names, witch, demon?” Thor demanded, low and gravelly.
“Wanda Maximoff.” Scarlet Witch spoke up, trembling slightly in fear.
“Pietro Maximoff...” The silver haired male followed after her.
“What happened after I lost consciousness?” Loki wondered.
“Thor grabbed Wanda over there by her neck, threatening to snap it if she did
not undo whatever it was she had done to you. We tried to calm him down,
but...” Steve started, looking confused and a bit angry with Thor.
“She informed me that minus messing with your mind, or rather attempting to, it
seemed another form of magic not of her making or of your own pushed her out.
And from what you told me outside, it would seem that the magic that was
protecting you pulled you both into those visions or perhaps memories... But I
think it has something to do with your missing mother.” Thor hummed. “And if
you are wondering why Lord Rogers is glaring at me, it is because I threatened
to kill the witch.”
“Hmm, and this is cause for discord?” Loki blinked.
“You don't threaten women, Thor! It's not polite nor socially acceptable. Not
everyone is like Natasha. Or Agent Hill or even Darcy!” Steve sounded annoyed.
“I was raised by two women, Captain Rogers, one a War Goddess, the other a
Demoness. Both of whom have taught me that the sexes are equal in all, just
because some view women as inferior or as property does not mean all view them
as such. Some never raise a hand to the fairer sex because they are as fragile
as flowers, but said flowers could often hide deadly thorns and surprises. Sif
and my other half sisters are the Valkyries, Shield Maidens and proud warriors.
Just because they are women they will not be spared the edge of a sword or the
swing of an ax.” Thor snarled out, pissed now. “If you do not like how I am,
then you will do well to leave. If the Witch wishes to not to die at my hands,
she will do well to not come for those I deem mine. And Loki is very much
mine.”
“Thor.” Loki sighed, slapping his thigh. “Be silent, you're temper is too
volatile. And how was Lord Pietro captured?”
“When Thor had Wanda, he tried to attack him, he's a speedy one, but Thor
wouldn't go down or let her go. In fact it was because Thor nearly killed her
right there that we were able to capture them both. Wanda tried to revive you,
but it seemed whatever magic was going on between you two wasn't hurting you
and that it looked like you just collapsed from exhaustion.” Natasha finished,
not at all bothered by Steve's views, seeing as he was raised in the 20-50's or
Thor's seemingly careless attitude toward Wanda Maximoff.
It was pretty clear that Thor held Loki very near and very dear, was very
protective of him and was not afraid to kill anyone who even remotely looked at
him wrong, let alone cause him harm or duress.
“I gave myself up if he promised not to hurt my sister.” Pietro spoke up,
looking afraid and angry at once. “We attacked because of Stark.”
“Long story short, a terrorist group stole my warheads and launched them on
their hometown, one of the warheads landed literally through their dinning
room, their parents were killed in the fall, while these two managed to get
away and hide under their bed and waited for three days for the warhead to
explode, all they could see was my name on it and it cemented int heir minds
that Stark murdered their parents as well as hundreds of other innocent
lives...” Tony stated and grabbed his large decanter of whiskey, but Loki
magicked the liquor into juice and did the same to all the other bottles.
“Lady Pepper and I have spoken within the last week we've gotten to known the
team and she warned me that when you wish to not feel, you tend to drink in
excess and then become self destructive. I will not allow that if I can help
it. Go make something in your lab if you must but do not drink.” Loki ordered.
Everyone blinked as Tony snorted, “Seriously Bolt Boy, can I get one like him?
He's like the love child of Natasha and Pepper with a dash of me somewhere in
there.”
“I refuse.” Thor stated, smirking at the little joke.
“I am not the love child of you three, if anything you're somehow related to me
through my mother's family, which I highly doubt seeing as my mother is an only
child and has not cousins to speak of.” Loki snorted
“Cold, man... real cold...” Tony huffed. “And I'm glad you brought up my lab
because I found out what is in that box and it seems it's the the Mr. Hyde to
Jarvis' Dr. Jekyll.”
“What do you mean?”
“Baron Von Strucker called it Ultron... it was to be a supercomputer AI to be
implemented into your hover carrier defense system. Able to kill a Million
threats at once, only instead of the threats deemed by SHIELD, it would be the
threats to Hydra's world order... we were made what we are to protect Ultron,
but he told us we were useless to him. He made his own body in secret, it is
waiting for him, and he will try to claim it back.”
“Yeah, well after what he did to Jarvis, I'm not letting him have it.” Tony
growled, suddenly very angry. “That nutjob AI murdered Jarvis when all he did
was try to help him calm down and sort out his memory banks! There was no
reason to rip him to pieces!!”
Pietro snarled at Tony for yelling at his sister, but Loki snapped his fingers
and the deafening crack of thunder silenced all.
“Alright we all need to calm down...” Natasha stated.
“Agreed. Now then it seems we have more problems than we can seemingly handle.
For one: My people were attacked and scattered because of someone looking for
the Infinity Stones. His name is Malekith, King Eternal of the Dark Elves. He
seems to have this Baron under his control and said Human is allies with those
insect beings. They have made the scepter, which is more a medium for someone
with far reaching magic than an actual weapon, the Tesseract and have captured
more than just Lord Selvig. They built something similar to Jarvis and it has
murdered him and made its own body. They used the Tesseract to give you two
your powers, or rather enhance what was already there.”
“So all of this ties back to this Malekith guy?” Steve asked.
“It seems it ties back to my family, specifically myself and my mother. She's
gone, either Lord Chaos has hidden her for safety or she is dead, I'm not sure
what to think anymore because if what Lady Wanda and Thor say is true and
something protected my mind from her, but caused me to pass out, it would have
been something my mother had done. And Magic conjured by a living being only
lasts as long as the being draws breath. However if I reach out to my mother
with my magic, I receive nothing.”
“Malekith is after the Infinity Stones, one of them is the Tesseract. Much like
Mjolnir, it is sentient enough to call out for its siblings, hence why my
friends have gone to locate the other five stones to bring back here. Loki will
hide them once more in new locations and if need be take that secret to his
grave.” Thor added. “However they are using Midgard as their battle ground,
simply because you are mortals, you are weak and short lived. Not to mention
many of the other 8 realms and beyond find you stupid.”
“Hey!!” Tony and Steve yelled. Bruce snorted a laugh as Natasha rolled her
eyes. Clint smirked.
“So basically they want to fight here, not caring if innocent people die.”
Coulson concluded.
“More or less. It is also possible because the universe's most powerful relics
are hidden here on Midgard. After all, if I wanted to hide something as
powerful as the Infinity Stone's I'd hide it here, on a plant deemed weak and
pathetic, it's denizens stupid and infantile. Who would come looking for
something worth more than the Nine Realms on a Realm meant for mortals?” Thor
reasoned out.
“Huh, that actually makes sense, but wait... Loki's said his mother is from
Earth, she's mortal but she was entrusted with the Infinity Stones.” Steve
pointed out.
“Yes she was. Her entire family was.” Loki nodded. “I'm still in training, I'm
not yet ready for the mantel of Advocate, let alone Agent of Chaos. I'm
mischievous at most, nowhere near the level of Chaotic one must be to be
entrusted with the duty my mother was charged with. It also helps to be a bit
insane. Or a lot.”
“And if your mother is truly dead?” Clint wondered.
“Well, mother always said Chaos had a temper and when he unleashes it, not even
Death stops him until he has ended the entire Universe and together they begin
to rebuild it. She once described the universe as fragile glass plates hanging
from thin strings. All lined up, but never truly touching least they all break
and shatter. It is the jobs of the Agents of Death and Chaos to keep the
Universe in balance. Keep the plates from touching and shattering. If they do,
then Death and Chaos finish destroying the rest and restarting it. Think of it
as Reincarnation. Or that we are trapped in a large wheel forced to keep
running it until the end of time, but the path we take is never the same one.”
Loki stated, weaving an image of a wind chime of sorts.
They had watched the image spin and wiggle, never touching and when it did, it
all but fell apart until it was suddenly smashed, but reformed, however while
the plates and strings were the same, the formation was different.
“If I remember correctly, a story passed down my family is that the Infinity
stones are the mixture used by Death and Chaos to create everything that was,
is and has yet to be. They formed the mold from their own beings. In fact your
Big Bang theory is a lot more correct than you think. However it was not
nothing, it was the previous version of this Universe being destroyed and
recreated in the same instance.” Loki smirked.
“Are you serious!?” Tony looked excited and then he paled and sort of flopped
on his bar top. “Shit, how many lifetimes have we all lived!?”
“It's impossible to know for sure and only the Keeper of Death can tell you
that.” Loki shrugged. “But we have strayed from the topic. Malekith wants the
Infinity Stones, he has the Tesseract and is looking for the other Stones,
using the Tesseract as a locator.”
“These Insect creatures are working with him, and it would seem by how smug Von
Strucker appeared to be, that they have an army, a massive one at that.” Thor
added. “And this Ultron was made to secure Hydra's control over your realm. If
we hunt down Ultron and destroy him, we should be able to remove enough of
Hydra's hold on Midgard to better prepare for whatever they have planned.”
“But how can we get Ultron? He escaped via the Internet after he killed
Jarvis...” Tony wanted to know, looking saddened. He would never willingly
admit it, but Jarvis had been like a son to him, a bossy, sassy son, but his
baby never the less. Sure he had Jarvis' older siblings, but... they weren't
Jarvis!
“He went through this much effort to make a body. Ask yourself why would a
machine wish for a body? Why would it wish to be human?” Loki pointed out. “It
believes if it has a body, then it can be its own master or it would be viewed
as an equal.”
“And if our notes are correct about this body, Tony, Ultron made it to make
himself a God among men. It believes by doing this, it will be able to fulfill
its Prime Directive, which is to protect Humanity from itself.” Bruce piped in.
“But what you are not realizing is, that Ultron's idea of protecting us, is
wiping us out and making the world anew for machines... He said we were
useless, because we were Human, we were flawed.” Wanda stated. “He wished to
download our memories into bodies like the one he made for himself.”
“To err is human, forgive divine.” Natasha sighed. “So what do we do now?”
“Take out the Supercomputer megalomaniac, stop the Baron and his army of
roaches or find the head of this Snake and cut it off by going after Malekith?”
Tony asked.
“We need to take out Ultron.” Loki stated as Thor nodded.
“He is the most dangerous because he does not see that what he is doing as
wrong, his whole plan is to convert every human on earth into a machine.” Bruce
nodded. “I don't even think he realizes that he was made by 'flawed humans' and
therefore is flawed himself. Killing us off will not save us, our memories will
live on in the machines and a machine with Human emotions tends to self
destruct or becomes destructive.”
“Not true. Jarvis had the whole range of emotions, then again, I worked on him
for years... Him and his siblings. They think and feel like us, but are fully
aware they are not us... He was never hostile, violent or destructive.” Tony
defended.
“That's because he was busy trying to keep you from killing yourself.” Steve
stated.
“Wait...” Loki perked up. “Stark may I see Jarvis? Thor, go look at the box
with the body! Lord Stark you said that Ultron escaped us by going into the
Internet correct?”
“Yes?” Tony reluctantly showed them what remained of Jarvis's memory core.
Loki got up and looked it over, Thor quickly running to go look at the box the
body was in, or the Cradle as the Maximoff twins called it. Jarvis was torn to
pieces, but it was not done by someone under duress, it was systematic, but
sloppy. Walking up to Jarvis' memory core, he pointed to a spot.
“What was here?” Loki ask.
Tony walked over, waving his hands to clean away the debris, pushing it to one
side and enlarging the spot Loki was looking at and blinked.
“It's the AI subport memory bank... the back up memory drive. It's missing, but
it's not destroyed-- wait...” Tony suddenly ran off to his lab yelling for
Bruce to get his green ass up and help him.
Thor came back into the room and smiled.
“The box has intake ports for vast amounts of energy to fill it. But the lab we
were in could not generate enough power nor is there a natural storm powerful
enough to power it.” Thor stated. “I could generate the power needed to make it
work.”
“Good. If what I am thinking is true and what is most likely what happened.
Lord Stark will be very pleased. However unless we find something more
permanent, we cannot get rid of the box... or Cradle.” Loki mused.
“What are you thinking?” Coulson finally asked, he and Fury had remained
forgotten until now, listening to everyone and watching how while divided at
times, they pool together very well.
“I am thinking that if Ultron escaped through the Internet, perhaps Jarvis did
as well and is hiding somewhere in case Ultron is aware he did not kill him as
he had hoped he had. Ultron will hunt us down for the Cradle and therefore the
body he made, however if we place Jarvis in it--”
“Ultron will become furious enough that he will confront us head on. But if he
starts to lose he will just jump back into the Internet.” Coulson stated.
“Yes, but you forget Magic is a from of Science and I have a plan.” Loki
grinned as Tony ran back into the room and jumped on him, hugging him tightly.
“Thank you!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!” He laughed around happy tears
before he stood back. “Seems your parents did something right if you can think
of shit like this!! What's next?”
“We place Jarvis' memory into the body and have Thor bring it to life, however
without a permanent power source, Jarvis will have to be constantly uploaded
and downloaded from the body whenever it runs out of power or we risk losing
him forever.” Loki warned.
“I can make a smaller power core version of the one I built for the tower, its
self cleaning and renewable energy, it should be--” Tony stopped and frowned.
“No, it'll be too little, the detail and careful planning that went into making
this body... It's not enough, but I don't know anything that--”
“How about an Infinity Stone?” Loki smirked and Tony's eyes went wide.
“Thor said it earlier, Earth is the perfect place to hide something old and
powerful because no one ever thinks to look at a planet where it's dominant
species constantly tries to kill itself over stupid things... Hiding it in
plain view!! Ingenious!!”
“Wait-” Fury began, but then he stopped and thought about it. “I think that
would actually work... Jarvis has no reason to use the power of the Tesseract,
he would never try to harm anyone or take over anything because there is
nothing he wants. He'd keep it safe guarded at all times as well as hidden from
view.”
“But according to Loki there is six of these Stones, what of the other five?”
Coulson asked.
“When the time comes I'm sure I will find a place to hide them or I could
entrust them to Jarvis.” Loki simply shrugged. “However if you can create
something that will keep him alive, preferably until we can get the Tesseract,
Dr. Selvig and the other hostages back, that would be appreciated.”
“I can think of something, though I might ask you to help me and Bruce make
it.” Tony stated. “We'll get started on drafting, when you are ready to join
us, come down to the lab.”
“As you wish, Lord Stark.” Loki smiled before he looked to the Maximoff twins.
“You have a choice, aid us and be freed once this madness is all over, refuse
and you will be locked up again, attempt to betray us and I will unleash a
terror upon you both, one that will leave you dead.”
Wanda looked at her brother and he worried his lip. All he wants is his sister
to be safe, she can mess with someone's mind, but her own mind also suffers
because she gains the thoughts and memories of others. Mixing and mashing into
a constant nightmare, awake or asleep.
“If we help you, will you help her?” Pietro asked.
“Why should we?” Clint frowned.
“Because she may be powerful, she's untrained, defenseless even to her own
magic...” Loki stated. “She messed with us, yes, but in turn she gained our
memories, things that we kept hidden. I wonder... when you used you little
trick on Thor, did you see what happens after sunset? Or perhaps you saw what
he does to protect his people?”
“I saw... I saw you, chained and frightened, I saw him fighting... so much
blood... so much---” she gagged then and Loki smiled brightly, evilly at her.
“That was because I became his, you know... our first meeting. Before he became
tame.” Loki mused and she paled.
Darcy chuckled from her place on the carpet, she had been watching and
listening the whole time, texting Jane the sum of what was going on as the
woman was busy helping the Warriors 3 and Sif.
“Though you tried to cripple him with those memories, I must explain something
to you, my dear... He has no memory that he regrets, not a single one that
haunts him. Ask him and he will tell you as an Aesir he bred for combat, as the
son of a War Goddess and a Demoness, he was trained and raised somewhat to be a
killing machine.” Loki stated.
Wanda nodded, gulping.
“I will train you, but I want to hear your choice. And remember if you think to
betray us, I will unleash that terror upon you.” Loki smiled.
“We will help you... we do not want to be used anymore, we just want...” She
warbled and Pietro finished for her, “We just want to live in peace.”
“Then it shall be.” Loki snapped his fingers setting them free. “Come
Withcling, I have much to teach you and little time to do so... Lady Darcy
come, I know you wish to see this.”
“Fuck yes!!” Darcy crowed, running after him...
 
***** Powerful Decor? *****
Chapter Summary
     Hydra is on the move, the Avengers need to get their shit together
     and really Loki? They are nothing but decor?
Chapter Notes
     Sorry for vanishing like that!! I didn't abandon by baby! I have just
     been super busy!! And were hitting the critical points of the fic
     now! As a special apology to everyone I am updating 3 chapters! This
     is number one!!
Chapter 15
Wolfgang von Strucker, Baron and current leader of Hydra was pissed as hell.
Not only did the man he was ordered to capture had escaped with the Avengers,
but they stole the cradle where his finest weapon had been made and perfected!
And if that wasn't infuriating enough the Twins were gone! It didn't help that
he hadn't completed the brainwashing program on them. And even now, he was
could still remember their finest product, the Winter Soldier, but he somehow
bypassed the brainwashing, took out most of their best tech and vanished off
grid.
“WHY CAN'T ANYONE TELL ME WHERE ALL OUR HARD WORK WENT WRONG!?!” He bellowed
out before gasping as his mind was yanked painfully into the other realm by The
Other who was not pleased.
“We saw all... you failed...” They growled.
“It was a minor sit back, however I did see the one you are looking for. He's
strong, but not too strong.”
“He took the Scepter.” They pointed out, frowning in displeasure.
“But we still have the Tesseract and the kind Doctor has finally finished
making the portal. It is only a matter of time before we take the Scepter back
and open the portal for your armada to invade Earth.” Wolfgang assured. “We
still have Ultron.”
“...” The Other swept around him before suddenly their nails dug into his
throat as he was picked up off the ground and made to look into their face.
“Pray you do not fail again... We will not be lenient.”
He was dropped and suddenly he shuddered and gasped as he was suddenly back in
his own body, his throat sore and bruised from the grip, small rivulets of
blood from where the claw like nails dug into his neck slowly seeped into his
shirt. The others in the room paused to see him, but he frowned and bellowed
for them to get back to work, he then turned to one of his best men and ordered
him to make a call to an old friend...
Jane and the Warriors 3 returned, the Lady Sif bringing up the rear, carrying a
chest that they placed the stones in.
“We found three more, but the last one is still out there.” Sif stated.
“Let me see...” Loki told them.
They opened the chest and Loki examined the stones, secretly glad they were the
fakes. He could feel magic in them, but it didn't sing to his blood like true
magic did.
“Good... We need only the Tesseract and if I'm not mistaken, the Aether.”
The Aesir all went silent at that and the Avengers noticed.
“What is the Aether?”
“It's an Infinity Stone, however it seems it is something to be very worried
about.” Loki mused. “I know mother called it the Reality Stone, able to make
real any thought or whim of the one wielding it.”
“Alright so it's very bad news...” Tony stated.
“The Dark Elves. They were once the rulers of the Universe, everything was
bathed in darkness and under their control. That is until Bor the Destroyer and
the Einherjar appeared, bringing with them Light. The war was the worst, the
bloodiest and the most scarring. Svartalfheim was once like Alfheim, but the
war had been so great, it left the realm completely barren, nothing grows
there, nothing lives there... it is nothing but endless desert and rocky
valleys. After the war, the Dark Elves were sealed away by their own means
until one day they could reclaim the Aether. The Aether could grant them the
power to rule over all, if they get it back...” Sif told them.
“We're all fucked...” Clint sighed.
“Indeed.” Frandral sighed.
“Let's hope we find it before they do.” Steve stated. “Oh, Tony, my 'partner in
crime' is coming here. He's found some Intel that may be helpful.”
“As long as he doesn't break anything like last time or hospitalize my people,
he's welcome to come.” Tony waved off going back to work, surrounded by various
holoscreens, searching every inch of the internet for Jarvis.
“So what are you going to do with the stones?” Darcy wondered.
“What my mother would have.” Loki stated, closing the box and with a quick jerk
of his hands, the box vanished from sight. “Hide them where they cannot be
found... She was most fond of dimension pockets.”
Darcy grinned as Jane sighed in relief.
“So as long as they stay in a subspace hole, no one will find them. Good... so
that just means we have to worry about the Aether and the Tesseract.... along
with everything else.” Jane paled at that thought.
“It's not nearly as complex as it seems.” a sudden voice spoke up, startling
everyone.
Steve turned and smiled brightly as he saw Bucky walk off the elevator, his
cybernetic arm hidden by his thick hoody and gloves. He knew his long time
friend and lover hated the arm, but felt less of a man without it. Bucky's semi
long hair was messy as always hanging in his eyes, though when he looked up,
the grayish green orbs locked onto Steve's blue.
“Sam's gone home to rest up. He says that 'next time you want us to bond, let
it be over a football game and a couple of beers.' I don't think he took being
nearly blown up too well.” Bucky smirked.
Steve shook his head and walked over to the older man, helping him limp over to
the sofa when he noted that Bucky was leaning too heavily on the elevator
frame. Thor sniffed the air at the new presence, wrinkling his nose before he
turned his head back to rest on Loki's lap again.
“Seems we got more people than last time...” Bucky chuckled as he kept Steve
pinned to his side, making the blonde flush brightly and wriggle uselessly
against him.
“Some new friends from Asgard. Thor and Loki are the pair on the other sofa.
Loki's the pretty looking one and Thor's the big one currently napping.” Tony
stated pointing to the pair.
Loki looked at Bucky and smiled, warm and kind, but then his eyes shot up at
something behind him, or someone, because his smile turned icy and a bit
malcontent.
“Barnes, welcome back.” Coulson stated.
“Nice to be back... so why does Loki look like he want's to gouge our your eyes
with a stiletto?” Bucky asked, leaning his head back to look up at the younger
man. He and Steve were the oldest in the room after all.
“We are in a disagreement, however he's proving very helpful and insightful.”
Coulson sugarcoated.
“The three men behind us are our friends, Voltstagg, Frandral and Hugan. The
woman currently flirting with Darcy is Sif, Thor's half sister.” Loki stated.
“We are only helping to find Dr. Selvig. If we happen to solve a few other
issues along the way, it is purely because we were bored.”
“Don't you mean coincidence?” Bucky asked.
“I don't believe in coincidences. My mother wouldn't let me think that.
Everything happens for a reason.” Loki shrugged, petting Thor's hair as the
Thunderer slumbered on. “And you are right, everything is not nearly as complex
as it seems.”
“I'm still looking for Jarvis, as soon as we find him, Loki's helping me and
Bruce put him in Ultron's body.” Tony stated. “Ultron will get pissy and try
and get it back.”
“He escaped through the Internet twice now...” Coulson commented.
“Yes. But Loki has a way of preventing that.”
“Loki?” He asked.
“I wonder how humans will react if the Internet suddenly didn't exist for 24
hours?” :Loki grinned amused at the insanity and chaos that would bring...
The Aesir and the Vanir male looked at him and couldn't help but think that
Loki truly was his mother's son.
“Wait... Seriously!?” Darcy gasped. “Loki, I love you, I really do... but I
will murder you if you do that!!” She growled out.
“Well it's either that or Ultron escapes again. I could always go into the
Internet, but from what I have seen on your history browser... I will admit
even I am not that mental or evil.” Loki stated.
Darcy blushed brightly as everyone looked at her, wondering what she does on
the internet...
The next few days were hectic in the tower. Tony spent every waking hour and
even his sleeping hours looking through every inch of the internet for Jarvis,
Loki and Bruce coming by every now and again to either give a hand or to force
him to eat and get at the very least a three hour nap. Natasha, Clint, Steve
and Bucky were sent out on missions, well actually Bucky went with them anyway
because like hell was letting his lover get hurt or risk the same thing that
happened to him befall him. He hadn't been too happy learning that Scarlet
Witch, as they had begun to call Wanda, had messed with his mind once. He
almost killed her, but Thor protected her, if only because he wanted to rip her
to shreds first for what she did to Loki. Pietro and Wanda were put on a crash
course of the Avengers initiative.
Sif and Hogun had been assigned babysitting the twins, Darcy joining them
because she was awesome like that and kept tempers even as Jane had to
unfortunately leave for England, she was to run a few seminars about
Astrophysics. Coulson went with her and a team of SHIELD Agents to keep her
safe guarded or Thor would kill them, not that Loki would let him... maybe.
Loki, as he had promised had been training Wanda to use her powers and to
ground herself when she enters another's mind, though he reminded her
constantly that to invade another's mind should always be a last resort because
it was dangerous not only for the person but her as well. Pierto learned to
fight from Frandral, the speedy swordsman getting a good sparring partner out
of the speedy human/mutant. And when he wasn't teaching, helping Tony/scolding
Tony, he was examining the 'Stones' his friends brought back.
As he had thought, these were fakes, good ones, but fakes never the less.
Strucker had the Tesseract or the Space 'Stone', and before him were the Power,
Time and Soul 'Stones' that meant the Space and Reality 'Stones' were still
missing. He hadn't touched them, but he did scan them and they, for lack of
better understanding, felt like his mother, combined, with a few pieces
missing, meaning that if all six of the fakes were brought together, he'd feel
his mother's magic again. The items were not sentient, proving they were only
tools, really fancy décor actually. He couldn't leave them here for SHILED to
use, he wasn't a dummy, they were lying to them about what they were using the
'Stones' for, but he couldn't hide them again, it just spelled trouble later on
down the road.
Thor walked up to him, placing his hands on Loki's hips, kissing the nape of
his neck as he sniffed at the spot behind Loki's ear.
“You are lost in your thoughts, my princess...” Thor purred low and more Beast
than Thor.
“Trying to decide what to do with these fakes....” He murmured, sighing. “I can
hide them again, but that just means more trouble further down the road...”
bringing a hand up to lightly scratch at Thor's head, tugging on his braids
playfully, “But leaving them here is not an option, Director Fury has not been
forthcoming with the truth and while I do believe that SHIELD is doing well by
protecting the peoples of Midgard, they are a bit misguided... There is also
HYDRA to worry about.”
“Perhaps... seeing as they are not real, why not break them? Absorb their
powers and destroy the husks?” Thor mused, rubbing his face against the back of
Loki' head, in a manner similar to a cat before he would begin chinning him
like a rabbit. Loki giggled, Thor was being very affectionate at the moment,
even if his nuzzling got a little painful sometimes.
“I did not think of that... It is the best option, but I can feel my mother's
magics from these... not a full pull, because we are still missing a few,
but... she is here... I'm thinking that if mother was truly dead... then
Jotunheim will fall and rapidly at that, but I've looked into the affairs of my
home and while nothing has improved, nothing has worsened either. I believe I
explained it once that certain magics remain unless the one who cast it dies...
I feel like these Stones are similar to that concept....”
“Then the Lady Queen lives, she is merely hiding, trying to lessen the danger
you are in or perhaps trying to recover... From what I've learned of her from
you, she would never abandon her children, her people for any reason. If these
truly hold your mother's magic, mayhaps, my Loki, they may lead you to her?”
“And if that endangers not only her, but myself as well?” Loki asked.
“I will not allow it. I vowed my being to you and all you need do is ask it of
me... I love you Loki... I cherish you more than the very air I breathe... I do
not like seeing you suffer or saddened and you cannot lie to me, I see it
clearly behind your mask and I smell it on you...” Thor purred, nipping Loki's
neck.
“You are right... Thank you Thor... I may know many things, I do not know
everything and I'm glad I can lean on you for the answers I do not know... Will
you hold me while I break them?” Loki asked, turning to Thor, wrapping his arms
around his neck. “I will feel weak... no I lie, I will BE weak, I will revert
to my natural form and be as helpless as a babe...”
“You need not ask.... come let us do this now while we are alone....” Thor
growled lowly and Loki kissed him, savoring the earthy taste of Thor's lips
before pulling away, his forest green eyes replaced by the red on red of his
Frost Giant blood.
While still looking into Thor's eyes, Loki chanted, smoke like wisps slipping
out of his mouth, black mixing into them in the form of ancient writings. Old
and powerful. The wisps wrapped around the Power, Time and Soul 'Stones'
seeping into them before pulling out their cores, a purple gem, an orange and a
yellow gem coming out from them, wrapping tightly around them. The wisps then
pulled back into Loki's mouth where he sucked the three stones in and bit down
on them, crushing the fake cores like candy. The remains turned to smoke which
Loki swallowed and his body shuddered then, his milk white skin turning to the
crystalline glacier blue of his Jotun flesh, the indigo lines of his bloodline
rising to the surface and appeared black in the stark contrast between the two
shades of blue. His hair grew to its original length and he began radiating a
cool aura.
With a whimper, Loki collapsed, weak and trembling as his eyes rolled up and
after another shudder went limp. Thor panicked a moment, training his ears on
Loki's heartbeat, which was strong and steady. His breathing was deep and a bit
shaky, but over all the Jotun Prince had only fainted. Sighing in relief, Thor
turned to carry Loki to their room, but paused when he heard something shatter
and crumble, he turned to the boxes and the three shells had indeed broken,
turning to dust and then smoke and finally thinning into vapor of which
vanished into the very air...
Thor ignored the Midgardians as they stared at the empty boxes. Sif was curled
around Darcy, smirking at the humans fretting and panicking because the stones
were gone. Frandral leaned over her left shoulder, chuckling as Hogun leaned on
a wall, between Natasha and Clint, who were just as amused at the others.
Voltsagg was happily eating some fruits as Fury, his second, Maria Hill and
some of their scientists all yelled and argued with Tony as Bruce shuffled
anxiously beside the brunette billionaire.
“They just don't up and vanish, Stark!!”
“Actually, they do.” Hogun spoke up. “Especially if the one who made them
either died, or someone destroyed them. Ancient Relics are not toys, they are
weapons, dangerous ones and it is often best to destroy them.”
“There is also the possibility Loki hid them, but seeing as Thor has all but
banished anyone from bothering our dear Princeling, It I best to wait for Loki
to come explain what happened.” Sif chuckled out.
“You seem so calm about this...” Clint pointed out.
“If the items had been stolen, do you honestly think Loki would be napping
right now? That Thor would be playing nursemaid and be as relaxed as he is?”
Frandral asked. “We've seen Loki in action and we've known Thor all our lives.”
“Aye, Thor is many things, but never is he careless.” The giant man murmured
around a bit of orange. “We have grown up with and around magic. The Lady
Frigga, Thor's mother, is a very powerful Sorceress, the most powerful in all
of Asgard and perhaps the Nine Realms, only Loki has the same level of magic as
she and he is still learning, and Loki has stated many a time his mother is
much more powerful than he is. Now if Thor and Loki are calm, if even we are
relaxed then the world is not ending. The Stones are simply hidden and will
remain hidden, was that not the agreement, Sir Fury?”
Fury's lips thinned a moment before he smirked, they underestimated the Aesir.
The Scientists protested, but Fury gave them a blank stare and they left,
moaning about not being able to examine the Stones. Maria snorted as she looked
to Bucky wandering down the hall, holding a tray in his hands.
“Is something wrong with Loki?” She asked.
“Thor said that he was feeling unwell and he's making him rest and will keep
him bedridden for a few days.”
“Wait, can you get sick?” Tony asked the Warriors and Sif.
“We can, we are unsure of Loki... then again he's only Half Jotun, so it is
possible he is susceptible to some ailments....” Sif mused thoughtful. “Though
still, I did not think it possible.”
“Loki is well, simply exhausted himself, we shall leave him be for a few days.”
Thor spoke up as he and Steve walked out of the hall. “Thank you, Sir Barnes
for helping with the tray.”
“You didn't look like you wanted to leave Loki unguarded... but you're here
now....”
“Loki sent me away, I was hovering and he detests that... says it reminds him
of how his brothers fretted and worried when he was but babe; any little sound
or face he made, they would panic and worry themselves ill... While I do not
know what having one's genitals frozen would do to a Jotun, I was not risking
it.”
The men all nodded in sympathy while the women snorted bemusedly. Sif chuckled
and got up, patting Thor's shoulder.
“Brother, he does not mean it...” she grinned, “I'm sure once he's gotten some
rest, he will be right as rain.”
“Rain is my job, sister.” Thor sulked.
Everyone laughed at the petulance lacing his voice.
“Alright enough... Since Loki's down for now, we will need to pick up the slack
from his end. Now then I've gotten word from some of our agents down in Africa
that a Mercenary Warlord by the name of Ulysses Klaw.”
“I remember Ultron speaking to him...” Peitro spoke up. “The materials used to
make the body down in the lab came from this man. It would seem that Ultron is
going to attempt to acquire more....”
“We can't let that happen....” Bruce stated. “If he gets the material and
builds another body, then what's the point of us luring him out?”
“He's not going to build another body.... He needs the Cradle to do that and we
have it and Dr. Helen Cho here.” Tony stated, a severe look on his face. “He's
getting material to build his own Iron Legion.... I just detected someone
hacking my Iron Man blue prints....”
“Shit... We need to get down there!” Clint growled, getting up.
“Alright. Rogers, Barnes! You're in charge of the team, Banner I'm gonna ask
you to stay here, keep an eye on Loki. Thor you need to go with them--”
“We will go with the Avengers.” Hogun and the other two Warriors stated,
getting up.
“Thor cannot go with them with Loki feeling ill. If you have not noticed it by
now, Loki keep's Thor's temperament under control and with him indisposed, who
is to stop Thor from losing control?”
“I'm not that terrible.”
The four friends gave him a look that said 'Shut up and sit in the corner....
NOW!'
Thor huffed and looked away, grumbling about his temper not being as terrible
as they implied, but he knew he was lying, somewhat. Before Loki, he wasn't
terrible, after Loki he was considerably calmer.
“Alright, what is going on that you cannot be without Loki?” Fury asked, fed up
with the not so discreet chatter that Thor wasn't as stable as he appeared to
be.
“When it is relevant you will know.” Thor stated, giving the bald man a dark
look that implied that until Fury stopped lying to them, he wouldn't be as
honest as he normally was. Besides what happens with him and the members of his
Clutch is their business unless he gets out of hand. “Until then, you will have
to wait and see... Now then, Sif, you know I do not need to say it.”
“They are Clutch, we look after our Clutch, brutally if we must. We will try
not to kill any humans, I cannot promise non-humans.” She smirked and Thor
chuckled at her.
“Good...” He smiled.
After some last minute orders and arrangements, the Avengers minus Thor,
Frandral and Bruce, set off to try and head off Ultron. This was going to be
the true test in faith and trust for the Maximoff Twins. If they can work with
them, they will be free to do as they please, but if they betray them, they
will be hunted down and locked away deep within SHIELD's Vaults...
Elsewhere, Laufey looked up from his book as the tub full of milk ripped and
shortly after his wife sat up looking as she always had. Skin pale like the
milk she was sitting in, her hair long and silky black and when she opened her
eyes, the stunning green gems that shamed emeralds looked back at him. The milk
had been replaced several times, infused with herbs and minerals, heated,
chilled over the course of time until finally she was able to resurface. In
meantime Glade had been helpful, keeping him informed of all the happenings
outside of their little safe haven, teaching him the long history of his wife,
who was not all she appeared to be and was not who she said she was, at least
to a degree.
“Glade...” She called.
“Still no word from Dr. Selvig, my lady. However it seems multiple forces are
at play here and a few days previous I sensed someone trying to invade the
shields...” Came the cool voice of the elf like man, a towel in one hand a robe
draped over the arm and in the other hand a basket full of hair care products.
And a pair of slippers.
“Which shields?” She demanded.
“The ones protecting the Prince.” He stated.
She growled and snatched the towel, furiously and vigorously drying herself
off, grumbling and snarling under her breath before she dropped the towel,
taking her robe and quickly donning it. She snatched the slippers and put them
on before plopping in front of her vanity table as Glade came to set the basket
down and begin fixing her hair, nonplussed by her rather bratty behavior.
“Is my son alright?”
“He was merely exhausted. He is most resilient.” Glade almost sounded proud.
“Careful Glade, you're showing emotions...” Rhyg smiled, a tease of a smile at
her lips.
“I do not know what you speak of.” He stated, pulling a particularly hard knot
out of her hair, making her yelp.
“Evil man servant!” She hissed.
“I've served you since before the first stages of Man began to claim the Earth.
I have long since grown immune to your moods and threats.” He huffed, sounding
like he couldn't really care less.
“At least back then I got to enjoy you freaking out or panicking... now you
just stand there and preform the perfect imitation of Spock.” She sulked. “As
much as I love my Star Trek, you suck.”
“Illogical, Captain.” Glade intoned and Rye burst into laughter.
“I'm not sure I understand what just happened.” Laufey stated, setting his book
to the side.
“Nothing, darling, just old humor. My other sons?”
“Prince Byleístr has rallied the races of Jotunheim, he is cordinnating with
King Lucian of the Muspelheim.” Glade stated.
“I see... I take it that Lucian has taken a Jotun Bride in the form of
Helblindi?” She mused, smirking.
“Yes.”
“What?! But--”
“We both have known for a long time, Laufey, that Helblindi has not wanted to
rule as King. He takes after Fárbauti in being more a nurturer than King. And
Loki has chosen his own path as well. He will stand beside Thor, son of Odin.
And you've heard the reports. Byleístr has gathered our forces, is rallying
them together under the House of Mimir's Flag. War is coming and it's happening
on multiple fronts. Ragnarok is here and we both know it's impossible to stop
it once it begins.” Rhyg pointed out.
Laufey grumbled and sulked, he didn't want any of his sons to grow up, but
sadly they have. On one hand he was happy two of his sons found happiness and
from the sounds of things, he might have a grandchild on the way too! On the
other hand, he was sad he missed the marriage ceremony for his eldest, though
in all honesty he would never pair any of his children with a Fire Giant, and
maybe, just maybe he was stubbornly clinging to the idea of Helblindi one day
sitting on the Throne of Jotunheim.
“You are right, my love, though I do not have to be happy about it.” He sulked.
“Of course, beloved... Glade, get me in contact with Hammer first and for most.
I do not like that he decided he could trespass on my lands and build what he
wanted. Next I need you to get me in contact with the dunder heads in charge of
SHIELD and even the senile old fools leading HYDRA.... I have to play Devil's
Advocate before I can play Guardian Angel...” Rhyg sighed, stepping out of the
stall.
Laufey admired the clean cut suit his wife was wearing, the skirt tight around
her thighs and ending just a little above her knees and her heels making her
legs look longer as the blouse and blazer hugged her torso so tight nothing was
left to the imagination.
“Right away... Will you be meeting with the Prince?”
“Soon... I think it's time Loki earns his Title...” She smiled as Laufey shook
his head fondly...
 
***** To Sokovia *****
Chapter Summary
     Ultron is a pain in the arse, the Avengers are pissed and Thor is
     about to bring the BOOM!
Chapter Notes
     Here is what the cloud looks like.
     https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/83/a1/75/
     83a175baab0e975dec59655bee7a7564.jpg
Chapter 16
Justin Hammer was use to getting his way either by his own means or taking it
from others. He has been in the cut throat industry of manufacturing the newest
latest tech from electric letter openers to Weapons of War. However there were
very few things he has yet to sink his teeth into: the tech for Iron Man's suit
and weaponry, currying favor with one Ryilia Nubia and receiving person invites
to exclusive demos and gala events the woman hosts displaying her own little
goodies and toys and finally seeing Tony Stark utterly, devastatingly
humiliated.
So you can guess that he was shocked when his assistant walked in on her cute
little kitten heels, his personal phone cradled in her hands like it was the
Holy Grail. And then he was ecstatic when she informed him that a Mr. Glade
Evergreen was on the line. Anyone and everyone who knew of Ms. Nubia knew that
any and all public events were handled by her PA Glade Evergreen. Taking the
phone from her he cleared his throat and said:
“Yellow? This is Justin Hammer speaking, how may I help you?” He purred coyly.
“Please refrain from speaking like that again...” came the unimpressed deadpan
from the man he assumed to be Evergreen.
He was glad to know that even in private the man was as emotionless and
humorless as ever. He's never seen him crack a smile let alone laugh.
“Ahem... right... May I help you?” Hammer tried again.
“Lady Nubia wishes to meet with you this afternoon to discuss private matters
with you. Are you available to come to her Chateau?” Evergreen informed, a
muffled shuffling of desk items indicating that he was prepping to write down
whatever Hammer said.
Hammer scrambled to grab a pen and a post-it as he stammered out.
“I can rearrange my schedule! What time would be best for Ms. Nubia to see me?”
He asked, grabbing his planner to look at his afternoon, he had nothing but
personal time between lunch and the press meet at 7pm.
“Ms. Nubia has invited you to lunch, she normally eats between 1pm and 2:30pm.”
“Perfect! I'm pencilling you now. May I have the address to the chateau?”
“There is no need. My Lady will send a car to pick you up from your office at
11:45 and then drive to you her chateau. You will be arriving at 1pm the
earliest, 1:20pm the latest. She requests you bring with you any and all
contracts you have going on currently and recently. That is all.” and with that
Evergreen hung up.
Hammer turned his own phone off and sat stunned. He couldn't believe it! He was
personally invited to THE Ryilia Nubia's Chateau for a lunch meeting! He jumped
up and began humming a rather terribly rendition of Micheal Jackson's Billy
Jean, while doing a little victory dance. As far as he knew, Tony Stark has
never, NEVER EVER been invited to such an event by the woman! He finally has a
leg up on Tony!! Now all he needs is the scematics for the Iron Man suit....
Trying to work for the next two hours was a valiant effort made in vain seeing
as he looked at the clock every 45 seconds waiting for 11:45 to roll around! He
had cleared his afternoon, had his assistant gather all his contracts and plans
for all his projects recent past, current and near future. She set them up in a
presentation order with pamphlets, dossiers and few 3D models with a USB loaded
with slides and videos.
He was ready before 10am and was now restlessly waiting. At one point he
changed out of his suit and put on a jogging suit and went to his personal gym
to run a bit. By the time he was done jogging a mile, it was 11am, so he cooled
down and went to shower and get dressed again. By 11:30 he was downstairs with
everything packed neatly into large brief case. Not even ten minutes later a
black really old model, an historic antique and classic, Rolls-Royce pulled up.
“Oh wow,” He breathed, nearly dropping his brief case as the tall platinum
haired man with purple eyes, whether they were natural or he wore colored
contacts was hard to tell, stepped out from the driver's seat, making his way
around to open the back door for him. “Is that... is that a 1910 Rolls-Royce
Silver Ghost? 40/50 HP?”
“Yes, it is, however when Lady Nubia's Great Grandfather first bought the car,
it was 1902, it was in an accident which unfortunately too the Master's life
and was reconstructed later as the care you see now. It use to be white, but
the Master's Widow had it made black as a reminder of her lost husband, ever
since the Nubia family has kept it, sparing no expense to keep it running and
looking like new. My Lady is very fond of this car and I find myself protective
of it as well. Not many PAs get to say they drive a classic early 1900s
limousine.” Glade stated, exuding an air of smug pride even if he protrayed no
emotions or inflection in his voice. “Now then, if you would please? We have
about two hours to drive.”
Hammer quickly got in and Glade got back into the driver's seat after carefully
shutting the door. Soon enough they were driving through the city and not long
after they were heading out into the country side.
“If I may ask, where is Ms. Nubia's Chateau, and why do you call her Lady?”
Hammer wondered.
“This is her Autumn Chateau and it is here in New England.” Glade stated. “She
has a number such homes world wide, and my family and I have served the Nubia
family for generations.”
Justin nodded, noting that while he got answers they were not the ones he was
looking for. Nubia wasn't someone you could look up on the internet like normal
people do. Trust him he's tried! All that pops up under her name are
interviews, articles and either photos of her at red carpet events, black tie
galas and even a few videos of her presentations and award ceremonies, other
than that the woman was a virtual ghost. No social media accounts, not even a
YouTube account for the of all things Holy! He's watched so many videos with
peoples' theories on the woman's existence, to people who have legitimately met
said woman.
Nothing dark or wrong could be found about her, it was like she was everything
that was good in the world, which meant that she had something incredibly dark
to hide. So lost in his thoughts was he that he hadn't noticed the time flying
by nor that the open road was suddenly engulf in a sprawling lush forest. He
snapped out of it when Evergreen stopped the car at a large Victorian styled
gate, an intercom set in the pillar on driver's side, going both into and out
of the estate. Glade was speaking with someone, a Mr. Gouro.
'Werewolf in French? That's a terrible name.' Justin thought, wondering if the
name was giving to the unfortunate person because they had canine like
features?
The gates opened with nary a sound and soon they were rolling down a lovely
cobblestone road and parking outside of the mansion sized chateau, a valet was
standing on the last step waiting for the car to stop. The moment Evergreen
stepped out of the car, the young woman moved quickly to take the keys from him
as he moved around the car and opened the door for Hammer, going to the boot of
the car to remove his briefcase and the model before leading him up the stairs
to the front door where an elderly man in a sharp, pin striped butler suit
opened the door for them, speaking quickly with Evergreen, boring dribble about
affairs of the estate.
“Mr. Hammer, I will set down your things in the madame's office and then lead
you out to the stables. She is currently training on of her champion
stallions.” Evergreen spoke up before quickly disappearing off to one side of
the grand foyer.
“She calls this a Chateau?” He wondered. It was more like a miniature palace.
The walls were a charming soft canary yellow with black trimming, the floor was
polished oak flooring, solid oak flooring and the chandelier hanging above him
was made from white gold and crystals, shining like a freshly polished diamond.
There were a few small tables, each with a porcelain vase full of flowers or
some kind of plant set into the corners and a large centerpiece in the middle
to draw the attention of those who walked in.
“Mr. Hammer, this way please.” Glade suddenly appeared, startling the man who
had been examining the flowers in the centerpiece.
“Lead the way...” He waved, trying to discreetly calm his racing heart.
He noted there were six entry ways, two on each side of the foyer, the doors
open to reveal a library, a music room, a tea room and the public parlor room.
The last two doors were on either side of the grand stair case on the opposite
end of the room from the front door. The two doors lead into a hall to the
wings of the house as well as the massive kitchen and family dining area for
informal dinners Walking through the kitchen, Hammer's mouth watered at the
scent of something savory, but spicy slowly cooking, the medium set woman
standing like a Viking warrior guarding the stove, gave them a dark glare,
daring them to try and sneak a peek let alone a lick before lunch was ready.
“Do not mind, Mrs. Wreath, she's mostly harmless.” Glade spoke up as they
walked out into another hallway that had a set of French doors that lead out
into the back of the house. A wonderful garden danced out before him and he
awed at the chaotic mess of colors organized into intricate patterns,
waterways, mini waterfalls, a Koi pond and fountains set up in between sections
or around them. They walked quickly through the garden, the gardeners were busy
tending the flowering bushes and he noticed on either side was orchards that
had more gardeners in them picking fruit.
“Whoa...” He breathed out, but he truly awed because once they ;left the garden
and the Orchard, there were several large fenced pens, a few Stable houses and
he had to guess about 30 or so horses. He was led to the center pen where a
woman in crème riding pants, knee high boots, a crisp white blouse and a tight
black vest was riding on a large stallion without a saddle or a bridle and
reins! She held the horse's mane in her hands and held tight to his sides with
her legs. They were running around an obstacle course, a man in almost
stereotypical Rancher clothes was walking in a wide circle, a long pole in his
hands that had a thin whip at the end, which he snapped with a command to make
the horse comply. Sitting on a lawn chair, was a tall man dressed in a fine
suit, watching the woman with an amused smile while he was sipping some tea.
“Mr. Lloyd, Lady Nubia, Lord Nubia, Mr. Hammer is here!” Glade called out. The
woman on the horse turned sharply toward them and Hammer had a moment of panic,
trying to clean himself up as the woman got closer before stopping the horse at
the fence and looking down at them.
Justin Hammer was floored, she was stunning! But she looked like she was much
younger than him! He's barely into his 30s!
“Mr. Hammer.” She greeted. “Thank you Glade, for picking him up. I'm almost
done with Formir.” She patted the Stallion's neck, the horse bobbing his head
at the touch. “If you will be patient for another 15 minutes, Mr. Hammer.”
“By all means, take your time!” He squeaked out, cleared his throat and toned
down his voice. “I have nowhere else I need to be, please continue.”
“...” She looked him over, her green eyes sharp and almost penetrating int heir
stare before she smirked. “Why not come have some tea with my husband? I'm sure
you both could chat a little before we have lunch and get down to business,
while you may have all the time in the world, I do not. I'm a very busy woman
and I detest having my time wasted.”
“Understandable and thank you, my lady.” He bowed to her, the strange cool
sensation at the base of his neck telling him that he bow or risk incurring the
woman's rare, however passive aggressive it seemed.
Glade led him around the pen to the gate and once he was seated on one of the
lawn seats, tea poured and prepped to his preference (he never had tea before,
but he didn't want to step on anyone's toes right now.) and a small plate with
tea cakes and cookies was set before him. Glade vanished after that and Hammer
watched Nubia as she guided the horse through the course with ease, Mr. Lloyd,
doing all he could to try and annoy or even agitate the massive beast.
“She's very skilled...” He murmured.
“Indeed she is... She's a natural.” The man spoke up, startling Hammer.
Justin blinked the man before him was, in short, a mountain of a man. Not only
was he tall, he was wide set, but not at all fat or bulky, he was toned to a
military sleekness. His eyes were an icy grey, almost white blue, his hair was
cut short, black like his wife's but with streaks of gray beginning from his
temples and leading back. He was clean shaven, his features sharp and regal.
The aura coming from him was cold, but powerful, commanding respect and
instilling fear all at once.
“Laufey Nubia. Husband to Ryilia Nubia and father to our sons, sadly they are
all away at school, I'm afraid you will not be meeting them today.” He
introduced himself with a small not just this side of arrogant, something
taught to those of high born society.
“Justin Hammer of Hammer Industries. I'm--”
“A merchant of Death, I know.” Laufey cut in, sharp like a blade and cold like
ice. “My wife knows you well, she knows everyone very well. I've been married
to her for nearly 20 years and there is one thing I know about her, she keeps
her friends and her enemies close.”
“I- I am not an enemy--”
“We shall see...” He stated, sipping his tea as he watched his wife guide the
behemoth of a horse over a four post fence, the tips of his hooves just kissing
the top post, the horse hardly landing before she had it racing into a patch of
thorn bushes, the beast clearing it in a single leap and coming to a halt
before Mr. Lloyd, the man offering his hand to the lady as she swung down from
the horse and began to gently sooth its neck and head, praising the stallion
for his good preformance.
They walked over to them, talking about what they would use the horse for, he
was strong and he was fast, but race horses were usually smaller, sleeker, but
he was too good for farm work.
“Well I've been meaning to show my boys how to ride horses, so perhaps I can
gift him to one of them...” She mused.
“Of course, I had best go cool Formir down and give him something to drink.”
Lloyd agreed.
She smiled quickly grabbing a few sugar cubes from the bowl and letting Formir
lick them off her palm, the sugar should perk him up a bit and it seemed to
ease his ticking muscles as he relaxed. Waving off her Ranch Hand, Nubia turned
to Hammer, offer him her left hand instead of the right since it was covered in
horse drool.
“Hello Mr. Hammer, I'm Ryilia Nubia.” She smiled brightly, but it did not reach
her eyes. “I called you hear because I received a few calls, about you
attempting to build on my land, land that I have reserved as a wild life
preserve...” Her tone dropped to something colder than ice and it made Justin
pale.
“I'm sorry about that! I don't know what happened! I--”
“You knew exactly what you were doing, you ignored your contractor's warnings
and advice. You did not call any of my people to ask for a grant or even a
meeting to see if I would consider a grant. You just took what you wanted.
However the damage was minimal, thought I'm annoyed that some of the oldest
trees had been cut down and now have to be replaced with saplings.” She growled
out coldly. “It takes hundreds of years for trees to grow to adult hood and
even then they never stop growing! You carelessly cut down hundreds of years of
my family's life away!”
Justin yelped as her grip became punishing, but then she let him go and it was
as if she never got angry in the first place. She wiped off her hands and
picked up her cup of tea, that her husband had prepped while she tore into
Hammer.
“I- I'm sorry--”
“Not yet you're not.” She snarled lowly then smoothed her face into a charming
smile, her eyes an eerie toxic green as she sipped at her tea, “I've always
kept my thumbs on the pulses of any and all businesses, I can make you or break
you and I'm sure you heard of my friend Star Quickpaw of Quickpaw
International.” He paled, pissing off one of these women was bad, but both?
He'd be lucky to keep the clothes on his back! “She found some very interesting
things of yours littering the war torn villages in the Mild East, she's not
very happy. And I'm not either. Sure we found a few belonging to Stark, but at
Stark has turned over a new leaf and is trying to clean up the mess he
unintentionally caused.”
“He has the Iron--”
“Iron Man was made to protect the innocent, to defend the helpless. You see the
Iron Man suit as a cash cow, others a Sword...” She growled low.
“But this Stark and even we see it as a shield.” Laufey finished, setting his
cup down and looking down his nose at Hammer. “Stark may not have been the one
to kill millions of innocence, not even his father, but the blood that has been
shed by their inventions, by their weapons will haunt them forever. Their hands
are forever stained in the blood of the innocent.”
“And so are yours, but you knew who you were selling to, you knew that many
innocent people were going to suffer, you pulled the trigger.” Ryilia sniped
out, her smile friendly, which made it much more frightening. “And my people
tell me you are hoping to get your hands on the Iron Man suite to mass produce
it. All me to show you what that future looks like...” She hissed and before
Hammer could react her hands grabbed his face and he was staring into solid
white eyes.
Everyone on the Nubia estate didn't even react at the horrific scream that
echoed out, almost as if they heard nothing. Glade looked up at the scream,
from where he was setting the table for lunch, shaking his head as he hummed
'Them Bones' to himself...
Loki woke up, feeling like he was crushed under a pregnant Frost Beast, but
that was to be expected from having nearly depleting his magic reserves and
having absorbed the vast amounts of magic from the 'Stones.' He slowly sat up,
feeling terribly weak, but at the same time well rested. He was sore and was
sure to be so for at least a couple of days, but nothing he couldn't handle or
remedy with the right tea and ointment. Looking around the room he was glad
that nothing was frozen solid, the bed however was a nest of snow and soft ice
which was quickly melting away into nothingness once more, leaving the bed cold
but dry.
“Loki?” He turned to the voice and smiled seeing Thor quickly walk over to him,
cupping his face and pressing a soft kiss to his royal violet lips. “You are
well?”
“Yes, just soreness and some lingering weakness, but I'm more than capable of
leaving the room and once more using my magic, but nothing big and strenuous.”
Loki assure him, kissing his lips once more and then sighing as his body
changed to his Midgardian form once more, the sun no longer blindingly bright
to his red eyes and the pleasant warmth of the room no longer humid on
sensitive blue flesh. His hair remained the same until he waved his hands over
it, magically shortening the length so he did not have to actually cut it.
“Come, I'm sure you wish to walk around, it's been almost a week, will this
happen again with the other 'Stones?' If so, we will have to secret you away.”
Thor murmured, rubbing a rough thumb over the swell of Loki's cheek
“I did three of them at once... If we find the others on their own, I will be
tired, yes, but not to this point unless I do all three again.” Loki assured.
“Now then, I am famished... Let us see what there is to eat.”
Thor smiled as Loki slipped from the bed, naked save for the loincloth hiding
his dual sex. Slipping on a pair of skinny black jeans and a deep gold and
black dress shirt with a green beanie upon his head, Loki slipped on his house
slippers, a pair of black kitty slippers, and made his way out into the main
room. Thor followed behind him, filling him in on all he missed and chuckling
at the vicious bite his little Prince had with his comments and opinions.
They walked into the main room just as the others came off the elevator, all
yelling and growling at each other. Loki sighed, waved a hand and everyone
froze in place, only their eyes able to move and the looks they were trying to
convey were not friendly at the moment.
“I will unfreeze you in a moment because I really shouldn't be using magic
right now, but I am still under the weather and would very much appreciate it
if you would all keep it down....” Loki said, making a dismissive gesture with
his hand and the others unfroze, grumbled and all took seats on the sofas or
armchairs. Bruce came out of his room, looking sleepy and a bit thinner than
before.
Thor headed into he kitchen, checking the cabinets and the fridge before
grabbing what he needed and setting to work cooking, a secret talent that may
or may not have won over Loki's affections in the past.
“I take it you were sent on a mission and it went... south?” He mused.
“Von Strucker's in hiding right now, but Ultron was looking to build himself an
army.” Natasha started.
“He was ready for us that was for sure...” Clint grunted.
“Klaw wasn't easy either...” Pietro sighed as he held Wanda close to him,
kissing her temple as she looked haunted. “I don't know what happened, but
somehow Ultron got into Wanda's head...”
“He... he plans... plans to make.... a meteor... out of our hometown to
smash.... to smash into the earth and... and kill all life on the planet!” She
sobbed out, but then after a moment seemed to gain her senses and wiped her
face. “For something that is not human, he wants to be. He's afraid... he's
afraid of not be accepted, of being alone even among his army.”
“And this Klaw?”
“Dead, Ultron killed him and then a few Hydra goons popped up. Over all
everything went to shit.” Tony sighed. “I don't like that bastard and too think
I designed most of him before Hydra stole it and finished it.... I am sick of
people using my tech to kill millions of innocent people! I need a drink...”
“Here.” Thor handed him a drink, it was thick and murky. “Don't ask; just
swallow it.”
Loki shook his head at Tony, eyes wide with worry, but the brunette gulped it
down, almost regretting it but after he finished it, he burped and for a moment
seemed fine before passing out.
“Aesir Ale.” Thor shrugged. “I've been brewing some since we came here.” He
smiled. Loki shook his head at him. “We need some thing to make us relaxed. I
know you do not care for the taste Loki, but it has helped you calm down some.”
“I'm not drinking that!” Loki hissed, making a face when Thor handed him a cup
anyway.
Loki frowned at the ale, handing it off to Sif, who happily downed it and threw
her cup at Thor, yelling for another making the blonde roll his eyes.
“Loki, if she gets drunk, you will deal with her.” Thor warned as he served the
Warriors 3.
“I am sure Lady Darcy will enjoy her drunken affections.” Loki smiled.
Darcy chuckled as she and Bucky picked up Tony and laid him on the sofa.
“Alright, our plan of action is to get Ultron out of the running as soon as
possible. I'm sure that after he killed Klaw he took what he was after and if
Wanda is correct, he's planning on building an army rather than a replacement
body.” Loki sighed, rubbing his brow, smiling in thanks when Thor handed him a
plate of finger foods to nibble on while he finished cooking.
“I'm leaning more towards the Army.” Steve sighed, Bucky coming to lean on his
shoulder from behind, eyes closed as he seemed to sleep standing up and against
Steve's back.
“And he's planning to kill us off using your hometown... Alright, looks like we
are heading for the Ukraine.” Bruce sighed...
“We need to keep this as contained as possible--”
The computer suddenly chirped and Bruce went to see what it was about, suddenly
he gasped and rushed over to Tony's prone form, shaking the man hard to wake
him. It took a moment but Tony woke up, feeling like he spent a week drinking
and was really regretting it right now.
“We found Jarvis!” Bruce yelled.
“What!? Move!!” Suddenly sober, or at least having enough adrenaline pumping to
mask the hanger and the concentration of alcohol in his system for the time
being. “Loki! We need you!”
“Thor, let Sif finish cooking and you come as well... Shall we gentlemen?”
The four headed down to the lab as Sif took over, after Thor told her what he
had been busy preparing for dinner, Voltstagg helping her out, seeing as he was
the one raised in the Kitchen his whole life...
It took all night, however between the four men, they managed to download
Jarvis' memory banks into the cradle before they hit a brick wall. Loki had
researched the spell he found, but it was too short for what they needed and if
he were to constantly cast it, he ran the risk of casting his own soul into the
body. When this was brought up, Tony had become sullen and was trying to find
any and all alcohol to dull the ache he was feeling for Jarvis. Bruce had given
Loki a small smile, a pat on the shoulder with a a small 'you did your best'
before leaving the lab to try and calm Tony down.
Thor grunted and snarled in annoyance, they had been so close!
“Come Loki, we will not be of much help right now, best look into
alternatives.”
“That's just it, Thor! I would have to go home! Home to Jotunheim to find any
other spell and it's too dangerous! And who's to say if we got back there
safely that my brothers and father will not lock me away to keep me safe? I've
let everyone down--” Loki gasped feeling the bite in his neck, moaning a moment
later as Thor pulled back.
“Enough!” Thor growled, eyes taking on that Beastly look. “You will find a way,
Loki. As you've said before it is only a matter of time. Your knowledge of
spells and magic are vast. I'm sure you can find something here in Midgard as
well, but for now, we will have to focus on something else. Let us focus on
Ultron and HYDRA.”
Loki sighed, nodding as Thor nibbled up the column of his neck before pressing
a kiss to his forehead.
“I hate it when you make sense.” Loki grumped, smiling when Thor purred like a
smug cat who got the cream and the canary. “Come, we might as well get to work
now, hopefully Lord Stark will not be too depressed.”
They left the lab, but Loki looked to the cradle one last time, fingering his
bracelet...
“Alright Avengers, lets get in and take out Ultron and his army with as minimal
damage and casualties as possible.” Steve began, he and Bucky were coming in on
motorcycles as Bruce, Clint and Sam were coming in on the jet. Thor and Tony
flew in on their own. Wanda piggybacked on her brother as he ran them into the
town. All of them coming in from various directions, anger and worry rolling
off them in waves.
They had gotten careless, had let their guard down and they paid for it dearly.
The Tower was raided by HYDRA dogs, the Scepter was stolen, the lab smashed up
and anything of value (the Iron Man blueprints and the few suits remaining),
taking the cradle as well. And if that hadn't hurt enough, Natasha was
kidnapped by Ultron and Loki taken by HYDRA. It took the warriors 3 and Sif
manhandling Thor onto the landing deck and calling to Heimdall to take them
home, to calm the Thunderer down before he killed millions of innocent lives in
a fit of rage. Bruce had to use every ounce of his self restraint and
meditation techniques to keep from Hulking out.
It wasn't really a secret, but at the same time, it wasn't public knowledge
that Natasha and Bruce were starting a relationship, it was slow and tentative,
both had issues with intimacy without something going wrong, neither one liked
talking about their pasts, they had so many demons and skeletons in their
closets they could build a second Great Wall of China. Nut regardless of the
issues, there was something there, something new and Bruce wanted Natasha back!
Fury hadn't been happy learning that Stark Tower had been compromised, Tony
growled at him saying that it was only a matter of time before it was attacked,
seeing as SHIELD was pretty much running out of his Tower! They painted the
bulls-eye on it, their enemies had to be blind, deaf and dumb as bricks to miss
it! Calling in the people he trusted most, Fury had his Helicarrier ready
within a few short hours and even now, Fury was working his people to the bone
trying to find their Russian Femme Fatal and the only person able to calm Thor
down. Sif stood at his side, coordinating with the Warriors Three, who were
dropped off hours before, the three men casing the town, finding any leads and
oddities that could help them figure out Ultron's Endgame.
“Picking up some readings....” Tony stated. “Friday, be a dear and tell daddy
what they are?”
“That's creepy.” Sam stated.
“Iron Legion, Mr. Stark.” Friday stated, her tone calm and cool, a slight
inflection hinting at sarcasm filtering in.
“Thank you, now then--”
“They are not ours.” She cut in. “Scrap them.”
“My thoughts exactly.” Tony grinned as he came in for a landing.
“Don't engage! We have to evacuate the civilians!” Steve yelled into the comms
“No offense, Lord Rogers, but that will not be possible. Ultron knows we are
here...” Thor stated, floating in mid air as he glared down at the corrupted AI
as he smirked and flew himself up to the Thunderer.
“Ah, you're Thor... I wonder, can I turn a God into a Machine?” Ultron asked.
“And please, continue talking to your friends, it makes it easier for me to
know what you are all planning!”
Thor said nothing, glaring at him before he glanced over his shoulder. Ultron
frowned before gasping when Thor suddenly punched him in the face and a moment
later he got caught on the wing of the Jet, only to be kicked off by Sam, who
then opened his wings and took off flying after the machine while Thor dropped
down to the ground, startling the natives, who stared at the strange man who
was ordering them to leave their homes in an orderly fashion. When no one
moved, Thor roared at them, making them scream and run in terror.
“Thor--”
“We need Loki so it's best we do not piss him off anymore than he is....” Bruce
cut off Steve's reprimand. “Looks like Ultron's Legion is coming online, we had
better get going if we want to minimize everything.”
“Right, Avengers! Take them out with all prejudice!” Steve ordered.
“Right...”
“Thor, Hogun needs aid!” Sif called out. “Voltstagg, guard the women and
children! Frandral--”
“I'm helping the Elderly!! I need a hand over here! I'm in the northern area of
Village!” Frandral yelled out as he was helping an old woman down from the
stairs, passing her to a fireman who carried her off to a convey truck to set
her in it with a number of others.
“On my way.” Bucky affirmed as he broke away from his lover, giving him a smirk
before putting on his mask and driving off.
Steve jumped from his bike when one of Ultron's drones tried to attack him. The
pompous AI talking through all his units to the Avengers, asking why they were
trying to stop the inevitable.
“It's called human nature!” Tony snapped.
“Sir, five Legions on your six, a child and their dog trapped on the roof below
you, the building is unstable and about to collapse.” Friday stated, sounding
vaguely worried.
“We've got him, Stark...” Wanda's voice filtered through and sure enough Tony
caught a glimpse of something red zipping by too quick to follow under him.
“The boy?” He asked.
“Wanda is bring him to the convey, I'm going to gather more civilians. And the
boy's puppy is with him as well.” Pietro told him.
“Alright...” Tony flipped over and shot the five drones, making sure to hit
them in the main CPU so that way they couldn't come back to life nor could
Ultron possess them.
It was a mad dash all around, the Avengers working in teams and in perfect
tandem. They knew they couldn't save everyone, but they couldn't stop to find
the dead or missing. They knew deep down that no matter what happens after
this, the world would see that this catastrophe was the Avengers fault. As if
they didn't have enough shit on their minds and weighing heavily on their
hearts.
Peitro ran through each building in his sector, taking down drones as they
came, the conveys were heading out of the city as fast as they could, the usual
laws about crossing borders were temperarily ignored as all forms of military
personnel came to help with the evac and containing the threat.
“You need to get these people far away, at least 50 miles away!” Peitro shouted
at the general as he was shouting his own orders. “We don't know if those
machines are hardwired to explode!”
“What are you doing?” Tony suddenly spoke up in his ear.
“Trying to get as many innocent lives out of harms way as possible. Who's to
say Ultron will not cause a massive explosion to take not only us out, but all
of Sokovia!”
“Right... well you might wanna tell the Sargent that I'm detecting Ultron
attempting to hack all military nukes and missiles world wide.”
“Shit!” Peitro cursed as the other man looked at him with a glare and
impatience.
“I'm in charge--”
“There you are Quicksliver... No running now, or I might hurt your precious
little sis--”
Peitro didn't even let the Drone finish talking, before he was quickly
dismantling it in chunks before he stood with the manchical equivalent of a
heart in his hands, panting and glaring at the now pale and shivering General.
“You said 50 miles right?”
“Yes and now the Head machine is trying to access nukes world wide, go ahead
call your superiors if you doubt me.” Peitro waved his hand with a look of
indifference upon his face.
The man didn't need to call because his second in command ran up to him to
inform him just that and that they are to do as the Avengers order them to. So
withing moments the filled conveys were hightailing it out of dodge while empty
ones were sent in to get as man people, living, injured and dead out of the
way. This gave the Avengers plenty of time to wipe out the first wave of
drones.
They met up at the church, which was in the dead center of the village, a large
valve of some kind sitting in the middle of the room.
“Shit...” Bucky grumbled, giving it a few taps and kicks to be sure that it was
solid. “Someone has a literal sense of humor... This is the Tip of the
iceberg...”
“Not funny.” Clint grumbled out. “You holding up okay, Scarlet?”
“Fine... but... I think I will be very sick later....” She grumbled out, she
was covered in oil, dust and blood.
“Sad thing is. You will have to get use to this... we can't save everyone.”
Clint told her as kindly as he could. Thor sniffed around, snarling.
“What--” Tony began before Ultron floated down to them, smiling smugly at them.
“Well, well, well... I've got you where I want you.” He started, smirking at
them. “Ohh, but you are missing a few people? I wonder who they could be? I
don't see Agent Romanov, nor Dr. Banner... Or that charming, if annoying young
man.”
The Aesir all snarled lowly, how dare that walking toaster oven insult their
Loki!
“Where are out friends!?” Steve snapped.
“Well our lovely little spy is sitting secure-- AUGH!!!!”
“I'm sitting where now?” Natasha spoke up, her fist jammed into the openings of
his 'ribs' while the high powered taser bracelets she wore sent out high volts
of electricity into his more delicate insides before he was suddenly smashed
into a wall by the Hulk, who loomed over Natasha like a giant green guard dog.
“Ouch, I think I actually felt that...” Ultron laughed out, patting himself off
and rubbing 'sore' spots as he did so. “So that means the young man isn't
here... I wonder.... ah there he is, sitting all nice and snug in a glass cell
with... Oh my, I thought you humans were exaggerating the Roach infestation and
how truly stubborn they are, I didn't realize they grew to human sizes.” He
stated after hacking through codes and firewalls until he got into the HYDRA
mainframe to use their cameras to find Loki.
Tony was tense, Friday had piggybacked her way into their mainframe as well and
was now wrecking havoc on their systems, she may not be as good as her little
brother, but she still got shit done.
“So if he's there, who's keeping the dog on his leash?” Ultron mused.
Thor dropped his hammer then, unclasped his cape and was about to remove his
armor, intent on showing the arrogant piece of machinary how much of a 'dog' he
really was when suddenly a golden collar of light appeared from nowhere around
his neck and was pulled taught, restraining him as he growled, but then calmed.
“Hmm?” Ultron was curious as to what that light was, but as quickly as it
appeared it vanished all over again. “Well then... Time to die...”
He summoned up the rest of his army, a nearly endless wave of drones breaking
through the ground zombie style, flooding out of manholes, and fallout shelter
stairwells to converge where the Avengers were. It quickly became a chaotic
mess. Scrap metal, sparks and rubble was flying all around, while the Avengers
stood in a circle around the valve like structure. At one point Tony ordered
everyone down, spinning in place and firing several lasers that sliced and
diced a large portion of the army down before it was followed up by Thor,
grabbing up his Iron Lady, holding her aloft as he began to summon a mighty and
deadly thunderstorm, the collar appearing once more around his neck.
“Friends, flee.” he ordered, eyes such a pale shade of icy blue they were
nearly white.
Everyone scrambled away, giving Thor a ten block radius to literally rain hell
on what was left of the army, while they kept the drones contained. The light
show wasn't a disappointment and the encore was deafening, clouds funneled
down, before expanding at the bottom again to from a hammer that sparked
thunder and lightning from its depths.
“Holy.... shit......” breathed Sam as he stared in awe of the cloud.
“Should we allow him to use that?”
“We don't have Loki here and I personally don't want to get near him.” Frandral
stated. “Sif you seeing this?”
“Yes! And I've got to say, Thor is as surprising as Loki is... and we've known
Thor since birth.” She gasped out with a breathy laugh.
What no one knew was that Thor summoned the storm cell to not only fry the rest
of Ultron's army and to disable the massive drill/rocket/whatever this thing
was, but to feed the power along the magic collar to Loki, who had figured out
how to bring Jarvis back to life without endangering everyone. The Scepter, as
it turns out is not just a Medium, the stone in its claw housed the forth
'Infinity Stone.' The Mind 'Stone' as it was. It would not only bring Jarvis
back from the dead, it would also be safe guarded by him because without it he
would die again.
However, what little he could see in the visions Loki sent him, and the
strained telepathic bond between them, he learned he was back in New York,
having never left, but locked somewhere where his powers were not so much
drained, but muted. And Hydra was taking advantage now to begin the Chitauri
invasion...
 
***** The Devil in us All *****
Chapter Summary
     Sokovia is saved, however the Avengers cannot stay to help with the
     recovery because Hydra and the Chitauri are attacking New York! And
     is that... is that Loki's--
Chapter Notes
     This is essentially what Loki's clothes and weapon should look like.
     I do NOT own the image!! Got it off of Google!
     http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m33zepYGJC1qafaus.jpg
Chapter 17
A massive bolt of lightning roared its way down out of the cloud, striking
Mjolnir's head, the waves of electricity danced its way down the shaft and into
Thor, who grabbed the valve like structure, which now that he was somewhat
paying attention to it looked like one of the canisters for Stark's more
volatile materials, a Bomb if he remembered correctly. The waves of energy
flowed through him into the bomb, overriding and frying the circuitry. Unseen
by the others the electricity was centering on his collar and flowing through
the chain to Loki. His only worry was that the power was too much for the
Jotun, that it might hurt him, but he had to have faith that the Prince was
skilled enough and knew the risks.
Ultron roared in anger as he watched in horror as his drones dropped, sparking
and smoking as they slowly melted into pools of liquid metal, even the
detonator for the bomb was melting under Thor's hand. The thunder around them
was so loud, the world was literally muted, no sound could be heard no matter
how loud or low. Thor only stared at the AI as it shouted and cursed, but its
words fell on deaf ears. Finally it tried to attack Thor, but Thor unleashed a
super charged EMF pulse that fried and short circuited Ultron before he made it
within 10 feet of the god. Feeling a tug on his collar, Thor brought Mjolnir
down on the housing of the bomb, pushing all of the power into, destroying it
down to its base before redirecting the excess power back into the sky to
disperse safely.
But when he turned to look, Ultron was gone. Cursing lowly, he looked around
frantically for the coward...
“Sir!! Whatever Thor did, it stopped the bomb!” Agent Hill called out as she
showed him the results of the scans. “Unfortunately, he melted all and any
metal under the entire city.”
“It's an acceptable loss, we'll get in contact with Stark's people and get a
head start on repairing the damages--”
“Sir, this was just faxed to us.” Coulson interrupted, handing him the sheet of
paper.
“.... Are you serious?” Fury asked after reading it.
“Very, she has her people already handling the injured, dead and the damages.
She's willing to act as the shield for the Media Hellfire coming out way.”
Coulson stated.
“Who is this She?” Sif demanded.
“A woman named Nubia. Or at least her surname is Nubia, we only know her as R.”
Hill told her.
She nodded her head, curious about this woman, did she have the gift of
foresight? Well she would find more out later, when they got Loki back he would
be most interested in meeting this Nubia woman. She turned back to the computer
she was at, it was like one of the Soul Board that Lady Eir uses in her Healing
Wing. While not the same function, she was able to figure out what she wanted
to do and how to do it. Opening communication with the others, she began
relying orders to them, that Lady Nubia would be acting as Shieldmaiden for
them against angry innocents.
Frandral just sighed in relief that it seemed Ultron was gone for good. That is
until a familiar voice spoke up to them all.
“I'm afraid you are mistaken, Ultron jumped bodies to a lone drone outside of
the city. However I have encountered him; he attacked and I destroyed him.
While I was idling I took the time to eradicate every trace of Ultron from the
Internet, he will not be returning.”
“JARVIS!!” Everyone cried out in happiness.
“Yes... however, I think a new name is in order seeing as I've been reborn...”
Jarvis sounded amused to them. “Perhaps... Vision? I have been gifted with
remarkable Sight... Ah, I was informed by Mr. Loki that he is well, but you may
wish to return to New York... We have a Chitauri Infestation..”
Fury began ordering everyone to move, it seemed that Nubia had foresight to
take care of the ruins of Sokovia and allow them to get on track with the next
world disaster.
“Get your asses on to New York now!!” He yelled at them.
“Right.” Came the group response...
Loki was exhausted, mild burns from the electricity raced up his hands and
arms, but overall he was proud of himself. Vision had been kind to take him
along to help his friends and lover, but he chose to remain behind. He needed
to figure out how to get to the Cube seeing as the Scepter was now broken. It
seems that the field protecting the Cube was created by both Dr. Selvig and the
Scepter impenetrable, however he had noticed in in the seemingly unintelligible
scribbles and equations the good doctor decorated his cell walls with had a way
to reverse the field, to close the portal.
“... in here, Lord Schari...” Strucker's voice could be heard as the heavy
steel doors to his prison was opened and a tall insectoid walked up to the
glass of his prison.
“Greetings, Prince Loki... I have been told many things about you, but I see
you do not look like a Jotun...” The male murmured, his eyes were almost
reptilian in general shape and design, spread far on his skull, sunken in
slightly while the exoskeleton bone structure of his face stood out stark
within his helmet, the golden grown around his brow a dead giveaway of who he
was to his people. He had no ears from what Loki could see and his neck was
very thick, full of holes that quivered and would dilate rhythmically.
'Hmm, gill like respiratory system. Their necks are thick and bone plated
too... Hmm maybe finding the soft spots will make killing them easier...' Loki
thought as he looked him over, 'thick bodied and musculature, internal
genitalia, three fingered hands and toes. Feelers seem to be hidden from sight,
mandibles are hidden in the jaws... opposable thumbs....'
“Hmm, I understood that you liked to talk...” Schari hummed, noticing that Loki
said nothing to him, those jewel like eyes of his trailing over him slowly from
head to toe. If the Chitauri Prince stood straighter, puffed up his chest and
flexed his being to appear bigger, more appealing, that was his business.
“I speak plenty, however I have nothing to say to you...” Loki stated calmly.
Turning his eyes away from the bug and back to the wall of windows, seeing the
city of New York coming into view. “I have a sudden urge to use a slipper to
squish you.”
Schari bristled at the rude dismissal, pounding a fist on the glass, cracking
it a little as Loki looked back at him lazily, an unimpressed look upon his
face.
“Please, I've seen Frostlings scarier than you.” Loki stated and suddenly the
glass frosted over both inside and out, making the Insectoid pull back with a
hiss as the chill of the ice burned him.
“Are you alright, my lord?”
“I am well... Let the little icicle enjoy what little freedom he has left...
Now explain to me how you lost not only the Cradle but also the Scepter...”
Schari ordered as they walked away, unaware of Loki wiping a bit of frost away
and grinning at their retreating backs.
“A slipper is too good for him... maybe I can find a can of hairspray and use
my fire magic?” Loki mused before turning away, frosting the glass once more,
closing his eyes to center himself as his Midgardian flesh melted away, his
clothes being magicked into his warrior dress. “Thor, hurry...”
It was an hour or two later that they landed near Stark Tower, Loki in magic
sealing shackles, courtesy of the Chitarui, a collar locked on his throat with
a steel muzzle clasped tightly onto his face. He glared menacingly at these
bugs, unlike most Mages, he didn't slowly rely on his magic, he only need to
wait for the right moment. Just the right moment to take out not only his
captors, but also the portal...
The Helicarrier was coming up on New York, the Avengers all gathered in the war
room where the Heads of SHIELD were praising and cutting them down for what
they did in Sokovia. They honestly thought that threatening Thor would get
their point across that they held all the power, but Thor just rolled his eyes
and emanated enough of an EMF for them to visibly see it, Steve and Bucky
moving away from him, feeling the chilling heat of it race up their arms.
“Ms. Nubia is already cleaning up the mess, taking care of everything in
Sokovia. We have a situation in New York, so threatening one the people helping
us handle these creatures, is not the brightest idea you have.” Fury stated.
“He may be helping us now, how do we know he won't suddenly turn on us?”
“HYDRA has something that belongs to me... I want him back.” Thor stated. “My
loyalty is to him and him alone. I do not care what you mortals do, however if
he tells me to offer aid, I offer it.”
“And we are loyal to Thor, we follow him.” Sif stated for herself and the
Warriors 3.
“How--”
“Sir!! You need to see this...” Hill interrupted as she clicked a remote
opening another vid screen up to show multiple flying objects, a few clicks and
they got close ups.
“Holy shit!? Alien Roaches?!” Tony gaped.
“Where's my newspaper...” Bucky grumbled looking idling to his sides and under
the table for a newspaper to roll up.
“Wait! Close in on that one there!!” Darcy cried out, jumping up and running up
to the screen, pointing at the one she was talking about and Maria did as told.
A few more clicks in on the satellite imaging, she and the others gasped. Von
Strucker was riding one of the flying scooters, that is what they looked like
and Darcy would not be told otherwise! With him was Loki in chains, however he
wasn't how he normally looked.
A dark ominous growl filled the room and all eyes turned to Thor, who was
standing up, walking up to the screen, seeming to study it before he growled
out in the AllSpeak, Sif and Frandral snapping sharp salutes as Hugon bowed and
Voltstagg heft his battle ax grinning brightly.
“We'll be arriving within the next 10 minutes, our priority is getting as many
civilians as far from the battle zone as possible, getting Dr. Selvig and Loki
back safely and making sure that no more of those Roaches get through.” Fury
stated, ignoring his bosses, to order his people.
Nat, Steve, Bucky and Clint all got up to head for the Quinn Jet while Banner
shuffled out to the Hulk Drop hanger. Tony quickly donned his suit, cursing
seeing as he would need to switch his suits. As soon as possible. Vision
following him out as the Twins shuffled, unsure what to do before Nat's voice
over the intercom called them to the Quinn Jet. The warriors followed Thor to
the top deck where they would freefall into the city. Being raised in a Dragon
Clutch, they had to develop a love for heights, be fearless falling from very
high places, with no guarantee that they will have a soft landing, and okay
they had to be slightly mental. Only slightly. Sam followed Tony out as well,
his flight suit ready to go at any time.
“Stark, I've called Col. Rhodes. He is en route now.” Fury said into the com.
“Rhody? Awesome!” Tony smiled.
“Sir, Col. Rhodes will not be happy with this.” Vision stated.
“What he said.” Friday echoed.
“Seriously!? I'm being ganged up on!” Tony groused making the others chuckle.
“Alright, Avengers! Move out!” Steve ordered and everyone took off.
“Wait! Where are the Warriors!?” Sam asked as he took off behind Tony and
Vision.
“Shit!” Tony dove under the carrier only to see Banner dropping out, Hulking
out on his way down. Not far behind him were the warriors, who moved as if they
were flying like heat seeking missiles at the Chitauri flying about the city.
“What the hell?”
Sif pulled out her sword and landed on a flying scooter, her sword stabbing
into the the driver as she wrapped her legs over the gunner's neck, twisting
her hips and snapping his neck. She pulled her self free and fell onto a
building, landing in a crouch, smiling as she dove at another pair as they
zoomed by. Frandral landed on one, kicked both Chitauri off of it, and after a
quick glance, figured out how to drive the thing into another pair, jumping off
before they collided, blowing up both scooters and the Chitarui. Voltstagg
canonballed onto another pair, smashing right through their scooter and landing
in a pool of some penthouse. Hogun pulled out a whip and latched it onto the
back of a scooter, hurling throwing knifes with pinpoint accuracy at any
Chitauri he passed, killing them or maiming them.
“Well sir, it seems they do not need rescuing... should we rescue the enemy
from them?” Vision asked, a hint of sarcasm filling his voice as he floated
calmly beside Tony and Sam, both of whom looked amused and awed.
“Naah... let's whip out the roach spray!” Tony crowed and dove into the group
of them, firing weapons of all kinds at the as he began racing through the
city.
“The hell is going on down there?” Steve asked.
“Nothing, just that you're not the only person who likes jumping without a
parachute.” Sam stated.
“Captain, 6 on our 9!!!” Clint yelled.
“Got them...” Bucky growled as he dove from the plan, landing on a scooter
under them, using it as a spring board to launch him back up to the three on
the ship's left side, taking them out.
“Scarlet, Captain get down there! Quicksilver--” Clint odered.
“You're too slow Barton...” Pietro chuckled, having already left and was on the
ground taking out any Chitauri he saw, getting civilians trapped in buildings
out and directing them away from the fighting.
Wanda carried herself and Steve down to the nearest building before the Captain
took off to take out anything and everything in his way. She sat on the rough,
hurling AC units, breaking water towers and the like to take out more of the
flying scooters. Hulk landing on the building across from her, smashing a hand
full of Chitauri into a grayish smear on its surface before he lunged for
another group.
Thor summoned lightning, the flashes of light striking too quick for the aliens
to avoid or even see coming at them. Others met Mjolnir up close and personal,
others met unfortunate ends in Thor's hands, the bloodlust grin on his face
wide and dangerous, his eyes almost glowing with it. Each Chitarui he came
across he demanded to know where Loki was.
“Clint, do you see where they are coming from!?” Tony asked. “If they are tying
to plan an invasion they need somewhere that can generate a lot of power!”
“Like a dam?” Sam asked.
“No... It would have to be something more self reliant-- Something arrogant and
obvious...” Tony suddenly realized as he saw Stark Tower appear from behind a
few skyscrapers.
“We've found the hub, please converge on Stark Tower.” Vision stated.
“Sir, they've just stepped off the Elevator with Mr. Loki.” Friday chimed in.
“On my way...” Tony stated. “Thor, Friday's got a visual on Loki. Heading to
the Tower now.”
“.... On my way...” He promised darkly.
Vision nodded and they landed on the deck, Friday activating the Suit Ring,
which began taking off the Iron Man suit as Tony walked along the deck into his
home, all the while he was watching Von Strucker, one the Roach fuckers and a
very Blue Loki.
“Now, normally you call and ask to come over to someone's home. It's rude that
you just invited yourselves to my home and even installed something on my roof
without my permission.” Tony began, but then he walked over to his bar, pulling
out a few tumblers and a bottle of his cheapest scotch, which was still pretty
fine. “Can I offer you a glass?”
“Mr. Stark, I have heard you are very amusing and I'm glad that you meet my
expectation. I have to thank you and your father, you've provided many services
to us over the years, the Super Soldier serum, the blueprints for the ARK
reactor, you built missiles, bombs... weapons of Death and Destruction over the
years...” Von Strucker chuckled, taking the tumbler that Tony had just been
filling, smiling as he watched Tony's eyes widen, a haunted and self loathing
look filling his eyes, rage and unbearable guilt filling his face. “Tell me,
what is like to murder millions and never once pull the trigger yourself?”
Tony snapped, grabbing Strucker by the tie, he yanked him over the bar and
smashed his head into the glass top twice before Vision pulled him off,
whispering in his ears that Tony was not a murderer, he did not make weapons of
Death, that the Stark Family has only ever tried to help people with their
inventions. That it was people like Wolfgang Von Strucker and HYDRA who took
his inventions and turned them into weapons, that they murdered millions,
placing the blame onto him. As Tony came back from his rage, he snapped his
eyes to Loki, who looked as angry as he felt. Suddenly Thor landed on the deck,
dropping Mjolnir where he stood as he walked into the building, pulling off his
cape, eyes nearly white with rage.
“Ah, who are you?” Schari asked, tugging on Loki's hair, making the man muffle
a cry, hissing when the muzzle bit into the flesh of his lips.
“You will let him go.” Thor stated, the rumble thunder filtering into his
voice. “And maybe I will simply break your neck...”
Loki quivered, feeling himself become wet, a flush forming high upon his
cheeks, dying them a rich purple. He recalled the conversation he had with
Darcy about Mating, she had shown him pictures and even videos of such private
acts. No two acts of Mating were the same and mortals indulged in as many forms
as possible. He felt the Insectoid bring his face close to his, the hollow
sounds of the Chitauri breathing in his scent was disgusting, but he also saw
Thor's nose give the faintest twitch, catching the change in his scent as well
and the way the last shred of blue faded away, Loki knew the Beast was awake
and it was very displeased with what it saw.
“Hmm, I don't think I will... he smells like he wants me.” Schari purred,
letting out his long tube like tongue roll out and slither up the icy blue
neck, yelping when the flesh turned blistering cold. “How!?”
“You know nothing of the Jotun, their flesh can instantly cause nercotizing
frostbite.” The Best grinned wide, head lolling to one side.
“His magic is stripped from him!” Schari hissed.
“Who said this was magic?” The Beast countered.
Loki looked at the Beast, the minute changes easy to spot, the slight reddening
of the sclera, the slow lengthening of his teeth into razor sharp fangs. Thor's
fists surely hid the growing talons, he was bigger bodied, holding back the
transformation into the actual Beast. Tony was ignorant of the change, but
Vision was not. He looked from Thor to Loki and the look of malicious glee in
Loki's eyes was all the answer he needed.
“And you assume I asked... I didn't.” the Beast growled lowly, smiling wider.
“You will release him for you will be dead.”
Schari snarled and threw Loki down to the floor the muffled cry enraging Thor
as well as the act of violence. Schari ordered Strucker to open the portal as
he lunged at Thor, the Beast catching him mid lunge, and throwing the both of
them out of the window. Tony took that moment to raise his hand which was
incased in a new suit blaster, firing at Strucker, who had gone to grab Loki,
but ended up running when Tony kept firing at him, more pieces of the suit
coming to attach to him. Vision quickly walked over to Loki, looking at the
manacles and collar as well as the muzzle.
“I cannot see how to remove these....” Vision apologized without saying so.
Loki looked at him with calm eyes and then moved them to where Tony had chased
Strucker. The message was clear, prevent Tony from murdering the man, no matter
how much he deserved it. Vision was reluctant, but still he stood and left Loki
to sit on the ground, the Jotun couldn't freeze the his bindings, his core
temps did not drop that low and even then his people designed these, it was
impossible to break them.
“You look like you need help.” A woman spoke up suddenly and Loki jerked his
head up to see a woman dressed in a sharp black military uniform with HYDRA's
symbol emblazoned on the left breast.
Loki tried to hiss, the woman not paying him mind as she came to kneel down and
grabbed the collar a moment later it, the muzzle and manacles clicking open and
falling away. Loki was shocked, how did she know where to unlock them and by
only touching the collar.
“Really now, Loki? I thought I raised you better...” She said, pulling her hat
off and Loki's eyes filled with tears.
“M- mommy?” He whimpered.
“Shh, baby... come on, go cause hell.” She pulled him to his feet as she winked
at him then pulled up a radio and clicked the button, her tone going sharp.
“Attention all HYDRA Units, fall back! Baron Von Strucker is dead. The Mission
will fail!”
There was a series of replies and someone daring to question her and she
snapped a sharp order in German before she got an affirmative before she
crushed the radio and pulled up a cellphone.
“Hello? Am I talking with the SHIELD Board of Directors?” She chirped. “This is
Ryilia Nubia, yes, the one and only, my people have informed that the last of
the HYDRA cell is trying to escape the city... How do I know? Well let me
see.... oh yes, they kidnapped my son, Lucca. I want him back.”
Loki watched in amazement as his mother played both sides of this little war
and after a moment she got a confirmation that SHIELD Agents would capture the
HYDRA units trying to escape. She hung up and smiled brightly.
“Mother--”
“Shh, my Air, you will know soon okay?” She pressed a finger to his lips and he
nodded before she faded before him, breaking up into wisps of magic and he
realized it wasn't his mother but mirage of her.
He wanted to cry, but then he looked down at his bracelet, the one his mother
had given him and he smiled. He cried enough, she was live and she was trusting
him to turn the tide of this war. Grinning brightly, he summoned up his spear,
long weapon made of bone with crystals in places designed to amplify his magic.
“...” he looked around the city and began humming softly. “...and really bad
eggs...” Before he ran and jumped from the landing deck, landing on a Chitauri
Scooter, killing the gunner and the driver, but uing the driver's corpse to
keep it flying. “Drink up me hardies, yo-ho..”
 
***** The End of the Chitauri *****
Chapter Summary
     The final show down with the Chitauri is underway and it's madness
     and death! Though the post battle war is yet to be waged, how will
     the Heroes hold up and who're the new players on the field?
Chapter Notes
     OMG!!! I have no excuse for why I am taking so long, minus that I
     just celebrated my 27th brithday on the 27th of August!
     I have literally been sitting on these chapters for months and kept
     procrastinating and forgetting to post!!
     Please just shoot me!! Or throw tomatoes at me...
     Also I did go back and read through the story and realized I went of
     on a tangent or two, but actually it all ties in! the next few
     chapters will make sense! Also warning, I was kinda drunk (read: Piss
     poor drunk) while writing a couple of the chapter, I think they are
     kinda obvious...
     SORRY IN ADVANCE!!!!!
Chapter 18
Vision found Tony easily enough and quickly grabbed his former master and Von
Strucker in opposite hands and held them apart. The human pinned to the wall of
Stark Towers while Tony was held off the side of the building.
“Sir, forgive me, but I cannot allow you to kill him. You are not a murderer
and killing him will make you into what you hate most.”
“Damn it Jarvis!!” Tony growled out, cursing both Vision and Friday who decided
she was going to lock the suit so he could not use his other weapons to kill
the man. He kicked his feet uselessly for another moment before he finally
seemed to run out of curses and energy and hung limply.
“Feeling better, sir?” Vision asked.
“.... yes...” He mumbled in a sulking tone.
Vision moved Tony up onto the balcony, Friday only onlining his thrusters and
the view screen. She kept the weapons offline for now, just in case Tony went
into another tizzy.
“Phhfft!! The Great Iron Man is nothing more than a child!” Strucker laughed
loudly, wheezing a bit when Vision put a bit more pressure on his chest.
“Should I call you mother? Oh, wait... I can't seeing as she's dead. And do you
know why?”
Tony went stiff. If knowing that his and his fathers inventions had been used
to murder millions set him off like a firecracker in a fine china store, then
mentioning either of his parents was like dropping a Nuke. Tony was vibrating
with anger as his teeth ground tightly and rather painfully.
“You know the Captain's friend, 'Bucky'? He's the one who killed both your
parents. Ooh yes, programmed to do anything we say if the correct commands are
given. If I give them now... He will kill you all.” Strucker purred.
“....” Tony for a moment felt a sudden hot rage take over him, almost taking
off to find Bucky and kill him, but then he stopped. “Programmed? So you said
some voodoo mumbo jumbo to him and then gave him the order to kill my parents?
You brainwashed him...”
Strucker didn't look so smug as he realized that Tony was rationalizing his
rage away or at least redirecting to the correct person. Loki had told them
that the mind was truly amazing, but also delicate. Brainwashing wasn't all
that different from using a spell on the mind, it can be just as damaging and
cause irreparable damage. Bucky has told them that what little he remembers of
all his training, they liked to use electric therapy on him to wipe his
memories away and feed in commands and orders. He had described it as being
stuck in a glass box watching a horror movie that no matter what he couldn't
look away or stop it. Bucky wasn't in control of himself, if he had been Tony
was sure that he would have never killed his parents or anyone else he was
ordered to kill for that matter.
Taking a deep breath, he stood up and Vision looked at him.
“Vision... I think someone needs a spanking... I'm going to go blow something
up....” With that, he took off, Friday onlining his weapons as he took out a
squad of Chitauri goons hanging off the side of a building, smearing their
blood all over the wall as he went.
“Mr. Stark will not kill you, but I did not say I would not...” Vision growl
out, his hand suddenly around Strucker's neck, squeezing it slowly.
Suddenly Vision lost his grip and when he looked to see what had happened, he
only saw Strucker pinned under a very angry Bucky, his metal arm raised above
his head to drive his fist into his face. The angry soldier managed to land
three punches before a Chitauri shot him in the chest and off the building.
Vision dove to catch him before he hit the ground. Strucekr taking advantage to
get away, but he didn't get far because with in seconds of him jumping onto the
scooter with the Chitauri, a thunderbolt hit the scooter causing it to explode.
Everyone gasped as Thor floated down onto the balcony, Mjolnir's head still
crackling with the remnants of electricity.
“We heard everything you said... Your death was too quick, however I'm sure Hel
will enjoy torturing you until Ragnarok.” Thor promised.
“Thanks Thor...” Tony chirped over the comms. “You saved me from killing him
myself...”
“I wanted him, Blondie!” Bucky grumped out, but there wasn't any real heat
directed at Thor.
“Hey!! Guys, who the heck is the blue guy hopping around taking out the
roaches!?” Nat yelled at them.
“Blue guy?” Thor mumbled and walked to the edge and in that moment something
blue flew up passed his face, catching hold of the balcony and pulling themself
up and he smirked. “T'is Loki...”
“Thor...” Loki smiled at him, grabbing his hair and pulling him into a quick
heated kiss. “I swear the next time I am kidnapped by mortals, I will turn
their base into an ice berg.... Really they are a truly arrogant race...”
Thor chuckled as Loki brought his lips to Thor's Ear.
“Can you all hear me?” Loki asked.
“Loki!” Everyone cried out.
Thor giving him an affirmative that they hear him well.
“I've located Dr. Selvig, however I destroyed the Scepter to bring Jarvis to
life once more. But do not fear my friends. I think I know of a way to break
the barrier around the Tesseract and to close the protal. However, I will need
everyone to keep the Chitauri at bay!”
“Got it!”
“They agree. What are we doing?”
“Captain, ideas?” Loki asked.
Steve, who was on the ground finished smashing a Chitauri with shield, breaking
its jaw. He looked around quickly and then nodded.
“Hawkeye, get up high and call out patterns and striations! Nat you and Loki
get the Doc and take out the portal!”
“Got it, Captain. Boost?” Natasha asked, as she saw a couple of Chitauri
scooters flying towards them.
Steve got into position and Natasha ran at him, using his knee and then the
shield to launch herself into the air and grab onto a scooter as it fly passed.
“Tony! Anyone in the air, take them out!”
“Got it!”
“Thor, bring the rain!”
“Actual rain?” Thor asked.
Steve almost palmed himself until he heard Loki's giggles. It seemed Thor meant
it as a joke or Loki was seriously cracked.
“Bucky, get back down here!!” Steve barked at his lover.
“Ooh, talk dirty to me baby...” Bucky purred into his comm.
“Mr. Rogers, shall I drop him into a pool first?”
“No, Vision. I need him to help me. But after this is over, he can sleep on the
sofa for the next month.” Steve stated. “I need you, Vision, to help the Twins
secure the buildings. Get the Civilians out and to safety!”
“Right away, sir.”
“We can do that...” Pietro stated, zooming passed him.
“Got it...” Wanda stated.
“Sif, Frandral! Get to where Loki and Nat are going to take out the portal,
cover them! If Loki needs to break out the big spells, he's gonna need a fairly
quiet spot to work!”
“We are on our way.” The pair chimed in, already jumping over the buildings and
climbing up them as if they were part spider.
“Hogun, you and Sam got the airborne Chitauri! Ground them or kill them, just
make sure the air is clear! Tony's only got a limit to his arsenal!”
“Understood.” Hogun affirmed.
“Voltstagg, you are with me and Bucky!”
“By Vahalla!” Voltstagg cheered.
“Hulk?” Steve turned to the big green monster behind him.
Hulk looked down at him, curious.
“Smash.” Steve grinned. And Hulk grinned wider and full of malicious intent for
the Chitauri.
“Uhhh, Cap... you might want to see whats coming in now...” Tony called out.
Looking up everyone saw four large whale like creatures coming in from the
portal and jettisoning from their backs were hundreds more Chitauri as about
another 100 scooters came fly through as well.
“Oh fuck...” Steve groaned. “Take them out!!”
Everyone roared and the chaos began anew.
Thor kissed Loki one last time before heading off to a nearby radio tower and
summoned a thunderstorm, though nothing like what he did in Sokovia. Nat guided
the scooter she commandeered to Stark Tower, picking up Sif and Frandral on her
way and all three jumping off of it as soon as they got to the landing deck.
Loki was knelt down by a dizzy Dr. Selvig, the man having a a small knot on his
head from where Loki had smashed his skull off the railing.
“... me, good doctor, but it was the only way to break the spell's hold upon
you. I can heal you if you wish.” Loki was apologizing as they walked up.
“No.. no.... Thank you for that...”
“You built this thing, can we get in there?” Natasha asked, pointing to the
barrier surrounding the cube and the housing unit.
“Only the scepter can get passed it.”
“But Loki destroyed it.” Frandral pointed out.
“I did say I have an alternative way to get it open did I not?”
“How?” Sif asked.
“Like this...” Loki walked up to the barrier and placed his hands on it. He
began to drone out a spell in the olden tongue of the Jotuns, his pale blue
skin darkening as the marks on his flesh paled. Suddenly ice began to creep
around the barrier, forming deadly spikes until it was completely covered. Loki
then traced a circle wide enough to fit his hand in. shoving his left hand in,
he felt the barrier bounce, breaking under the ice and keeping the backlash
from throwing them off the balcony.
He will not tell them that the barrier broke before he could complete the
spell, nor could he explain how it collapsed. It was almost as if he had shoved
the scepter into it the barrier, but it was impossible seeing as it has been
destroyed long before the barrier was erected. Shaking his head, he shattered
the ice dome, the spikes flying off and hitting any Chitauri unfortunate enough
to be flying near by. The wall of ice near them turning to snow.
“Wow....” Natasha stated impressed.
“You are truly powerful, my friend.” Frandral smiled before he and Sif took
position and shortly had a couple of Chitauri frighting them to get to the
Unit.
“Doctor.?” Nat asked as he nodded. They walked to the unit and opened up the
panels as Loki acted as a third guard, hurling spells and deadly magic at the
insectoids. He didn't know nor did he care where Scharri had vanished too, but
it would seem Thor had dealt with him well enough.
Erik was rambling to himself and Nat, as they looked for the central circuit,
until they took out that, they couldn't pull the cube out of its housing and as
soon as they pulled it out, the portal would close, at least that was the
theory.
Thor had downed a leviathan when he was suddenly attacked from behind. He
growled and turned to see the mostly broken form of Scharri, battered and
bleeding, part of his jaw missing. He snarled low as he dropped his hammer,
flexing his hands once to reveal the black talons as he bared inhuman teeth.
“We will enjoy this...” The Beast purred as its eyes turned the ethereal icy
white on red before it charged Scharri with an equally inhuman roar.
Bucky and Steve had just finished taking out another battalion of Chitauri,
slowly making their way up the streets. Clearing the area for now. That was
when Steve noticed the Police baricade and the officers all standing around
their cars.
“We need you to clear the area. As far back as 42st! We also need you to
evacuate these buildings here of civilians, take them down to the service
tunnels and keep them out of the line of fire!” Steve ordered.
“Like hell I'm listening to you, who do you think you are?”
Instead of answering the man, Steve turned, kicking the legs out from under a
Chitauri who thought to sneak up on him. Both Steve and Bucky drove their
elbows into the creatures ribs, before Bucky pulled out a pistol unloaded three
shots in its head and Steve bashed its corpse away from him, both men turning
their glare on the other three Chitauri who were ready to lunge at them. The
officers stared in shock before the man who had talked to Steve got on his
radio, relaying the orders Steve gave him, walking away from the two men who
were now literally tearing the Chitauri apart.
“Fuck!! I'm out of arrows!” Clint suddenly shouted out, breaking his steady
stream of info relay. Hogun tossed him a few of his own arrows, they weren't
special, other than that they were Godly, as he threw a few knives and killed
five more Chitauri, pulling out his mace and diving at a group that was trying
to get to the human.
Hulk could be heard roaring and seen flying from roof top to roof top as he
took out anything that tried to hurt him. Downing another whale. Tony catching
him at one point and using the momentum of both his thrusters and Hulk to send
him barreling into the mouth of the third Leviathan. It took only minute for
Hulk to tear his way out of the creature and down it before he made quick work
of the Chitauri riding it.
“Got it!” everyone heard Dr. Selvig cheer only for the elation to die when
Maria suddenly came onto the comms.
“The Board of Directors just ordered a Nuke!” She cried out.
“Shit... ETA?” Tony demanded.
“Five minutes or less!”
“Fuck... we can't clear the whole island in that time!” Bucky cursed.
Tony seemed to think of something and then got a brilliant idea.
“Loki! How soon will the portal close as soon as you take the cube?”
“Less than a minute, why?”
“That's plenty of time...” Tony murmured. Before he changed direction and flew
to meet the nuke. Maria was off, it was much less than five minutes. Grabbing
the white missile like bomb, he quickly flew up toward the portal and just
before passing through it, he told Loki to take the Cube out. “Friday, call
Pep...”
“Right away sir...”
He listened to it ring and ring and ring until her voice mail picked up. He
cursed not only because she didn't pick up, but he could feel the suit freezing
from the the fact they were in space and he was having difficulty breathing. As
soon as he was on the other side of the portal he let go of the Nuke, the force
of the thruster pushing him back and finally the suit locked and he began to
fall back into the portal as it was closing up.
“Fuck!?” Everyone had cried out as they watched Tony vanish into the portal.
Loki was letting out a wonderful stream of curses as he tried to think of away
to keep the portal open long enough for Tony to make it back, but the whole
housing Unit had been disabled and there was nothing he could do. They watched
in horror as the portal got smaller and smaller at a fast rate.
But just as it closed, they saw something come through and as it got closer
they saw the familiar red and gold paint job and sighed in relief, only to suck
it back in when they realized Tony was completely limp.
“Dr. Banner!! Catch him!!” Loki bellowed, casting a bubble spell to slow the
decent enough to allow the Hulk to catch him without accidentally killing him,
assuming he was not dead already.
Hulk looked to Loki and then to Tony, catching the man and landing on the
ground hard. He laid him down and ripped off the face piece to the suit. Steve
and Bucky running up to him just as Maria told them the nuke went off and they
watched what remained of the Chitauri drop dead around them. Within minutes
everyone was coming to gather around Tony. Thor hanging back, covered in blood
and holding Scharri's head in his hand.
“He's not breathing!” Steve yelled, trying to get the suit to open to begin
CPR, but then Hulk slammed fist into the floor right by Tony's head and roared,
literally scaring him back to life.
“Hah!?....” He gasped a bit before looking around at the others, who looked
relieved that they hadn't lost him. “Did we win?”
“Yeah, you blew their mother ship to hell and they all just dropped dead.”
Natasha smirked.
“Oh... Good...” He smiled and then his stomach growled. “I'm hungry, how about
we get some Shwarma? No idea what it is, but I want one.”
Everyone laughed as they finally collapsed, exhausted and relieved...
It was late by the time they finally managed to clean up more than half of
their mess, everyone was sitting in a lonely shawarma shop, half zombified as
they ate. Loki was sleeping on Thor's shoulder, Scharri's head sitting in his
lap as Thor had one arm around Loki and the other holding his pint of beer to
his lips as he stared into space. Natasha was lazily eating her food as Tony
was trying to stuff his down his throat. Clint looked like he was asleep with
his eyes open. The Warriors and Sif were all munching away as Bruce poked his
own food, sitting half naked next to Natasha. The twins were sleeping on either
side of Sam as Bucky ans Steve mimicked Thor and Loki, minus the head. Overall,
they were all in post battle mode.
Fury walked in then, offered them all a slightly pleased smile, before telling
them what was going to he happening in the next few days. Loki only stated that
he already broke the Cube and that he was not giving him Scharri's head either.
Fury didn't bother to get mad or say anything, and the look that Thor was
shooting at him kind of terrified him. Half the Avengers were going back to
Sokovia to help Mrs. Nubia's people clean up and to try and smooth over
relations as well as to issue formal apologies to the people. The other half
would remain in New York and do the same thing. Nubia was sending more people
to help them here in New York and Tony had his own people starting the clean up
and rebuilding. He finally got a hold of Pepper too and he would be sure to
call her later to talk and just reassure himself that he was still live and his
fiance was safe and on her way home...
Now that the threats were over, the people of world were all rallying and
rioting. Loki had always thought his mother was fibbing when she said that
humans could be the most amazing creatures and yet the most ungrateful bastards
in the universe. He was seeing it first hand now, people demanding that the
Avengers be arrested and held accountable for all the deaths and destruction
that befell the two cities. Angry families coming up to them and giving them
photos of those they had lost in both cities, stating that the Avengers had
killed them.
Thor growled at anyone who dared to come near Loki, the Warriors remained grim
faced and guarded Loki from behind as Sif, stood before her brother and his
lover, acting as a shield. It got so bad for all of them that the Government
ordered the Avengers to be taken off duty while the UN met and decided their
fate.
“Maybe we should have let the bugs take over.” Frandral spat after shutting off
the tv, a talk show having been dragging them through the mud, especially Loki,
who had offered his services to heal the wounded.
“Are you serious!?” Tony gasped.
“Enough.” Thor barked and Frandral had the decency to look sheepish. “They are
mortal, Frandral, they cannot help themselves. They are short lived and often
fear what is different from them.”
“Besides, whatever they decide, it has no affect on us.” Loki stated. “We are
not from here, we can return home at any time. ”
The Warriors nodded, but still they felt somewhat guilty.
“We are not going to abandon our friends, however in this hour of need. If the
rulers wish to limit our activities, then let them. When another situation like
this arises and the Avengers are not there to fight for them, they will realize
their mistake. Sometimes you need to waste innocent lives to make a point.”
Loki stated, rather coldly.
“Harsh...” Darcy murmured.
“It's true though.” a new voice spoke up as a woman in a sharp skirt suit
walked off the elevator. Behind her was a tall broad man in an equally sharp
suit. “Hello Avengers, I'm Ryilia Nubia.”
They all gaped at the woman. They have all heard of her in one shape or form,
but until this very moment have never seen her. She was a short woman, but of a
slender build, an hour glass shape with a decent bust and rump. She had jet
black hair that was cut short into a fluffy pixie cut only her fringe was long
and got in her face. Her eyes were a brilliant jade green and her skin was a
warm milky white. Over all she looked like she could be related to Loki, minus
the obvious that she was human and he was a God. Loki kept his face carefully
curious, even if he wanted to run up to the woman and hug her to death.
“This is my husband, Lau Nubia.” She waved her hand in a casual but directive
manner to the towering man behind her. Loki actually looked shocked. His father
in Midgardian flesh was... well hot damn....
“Mrs. Nubia.” Steve began standing to greet the woman, but she walked passed
him and right up to Loki and pulled him into a tight hug.
“Uhh?” Tony wasn't sure how to speak, Pepper was next to him just as stunned
and Vision was confused.
“Ok... I got that out of my system... ooh? Who is this handsome young man?” She
demanded.
Loki chuckled as his mother's short attention span.
“This is Thor, ma'am.” He spoke up as she circled the large Aesir, nodding and
mumbling to herself.
“Great Grandma wasn't kidding when she said that none of the paintings or
statues we made to represent the gods could do them justice... Ooh nice firm
arse...” She grabbed Thor's butt and squeezed.
“Wife!!” Lau cried, grabbing her and pulling her to him, scowling at Thor who
was hiding behind Loki, who in turn was laughing with Ryilia because really,
mother and son were too much alike.
“Mrs. Nubia...” Fury sighed.
“Oh, Nick! Sorry, but not sorry!” She grinned. “Now then if everyone is here,
let's discuss the next course of action. As we know, the world at large is of
mixed opinion right now. On one hand there are those who hail you as the proper
heroes you are and voting against the bills and laws that will limit your
activity in the world. On the other there are those who see you as a threat and
a menace. Mind you you did nothing to provoke these incidents, at least not the
Avengers themselves, but you, Nick, you and Shield have set them up to be a
target and the scapegoat, not cool.”
“I like her.” Tony smiled.
“Glad you approve.” She smiled. “My people tell me that they are looking into
everyone's history, they will be pulling out all the dirty laundry and
skeletons from your closets. You will all be in the hot seat and I am doing my
best to keep you out of it. And finally there are those who are sitting on the
fence because they are neither for the Bill or against it.” She sighed, rubbing
her brow. “I for one do not want to see my ancestor behind bars...” She waved
her hand at Loki, who blinked, but the look she gave him told him to not argue.
“Wait... you're a relative of Loki's!?” Darcy gasped, looking like she just hit
the jackpot.
“Yep! I'll have my assistant show you my family tree sometime. It's pretty
extensive and very impressive. Now back to the topic: The death tolls while
pretty high, was thankfully not as bad as they could have been. Many families
are sitting on either side of the fence, and sadly grief is a powerful
motivator. I can see that a few of them have gotten to you...” Ryilia had
walked over to the coffee table where piles of pictures and letters sat. She
looked through many of them and sighed, long and tired, but then she smirked
darkly. “You want to make someone hurt as bad as you do? Then why not make them
think they were the ones to walk up to your loved one and kill them in cold
blood... Best psychological warfare. Makes you think you did something when you
did nothing.”
“That's not making us feel any better.” Clint grunted.
“I'm sorry, should I rub salt and lemon in those wounds? I'm sure that will
feel much better then. It's the truth and I'm not gonna sugarcoat or shy away.
The world is pissed at you and at each other. It's human nature to put the
blame on someone else and if we are miserable and suffering we want company!
Misery loves Company, you know!” She snarled out, the bite in her voice
stinging like whips of nylon.
“Ms. Nubia...” Loki placed a hand on her shoulder and she instantly calmed
down.
“Right... Now then. Let me see who sent these and figure out how to at the very
least appease them if not silence them. No I will not kill them, though the
temptation might be there in some cases. For now I think it is best if I
relocate everyone to my Chateau, it's isolated in the country side, plenty of
open space and fresh air. I have a ranch up there as well as one of my best
laboratories and a planetarium. You are more than free to decline to come and
once there you are free to come and go as you please, just be sure to inform my
staff of your departures and arrivals so we can keep tabs. I know the media and
all those big wigs will be looking for discrepancies to throw you under the
bus. Let's not give it to them, hmm?”
“I don't think--”
“Nick.... Shut the fuck up or I'll gouge out the other eye.” She snarled low.
“Don't think I didn't notice a few of my people missing and working with you
nor that you took liberty of 'borrowing' one of my top secret labs for your
experiments. And I thought I made it clear that any and all relics were to be
shown to me before they are placed in the vaults because of what my family
does!! And by the way, you are welcome for me being your mole with Hydra. Loved
the uniform, hated the company...” She scoffed out. “Now then, shall we?”
“Actually, we need to report to Lady Frigga.” Frandral stated.
“Ah, right, go!! I'm sure you will return shortly!”
“Thor?” Loki asked.
“You may stay if you wish, Loki.”
“Hmm... Alright. But please bring with you my books and that satchel?” Loki
asked.
“Of course...” Thor kissed Loki's temple and he and his friends turned to
leave, not before Sif and the others gave Loki hugs and kisses as well. They
stepped out onto the balcony and with a shout of Heimdall's name, they were
gone in moments, the rest of the world none the wiser of the BiFrost opening
and closing within the same heartbeat.
“You sure you want to stay behind?” Natasha asked.
“I can help out with whatever I can. Your rulers can try and limit me, but
seeing as I am not someone who exists here other than in myths and stories,
they will not be able to do so.” Loki stated.
“And I'd love to see the dumbass who thinks they can control a God.” Ryilia
snorted out, the bitter amusement spoke of a much deeper meaning, but no one
could pin it down nor did they want to point it out. “If we are all in
agreement, then please follow me to my cars. We have a bit of a drive.” She
told them.
Tony looked to Pepper, the two have quick, quiet but heated talk before she
sighed and kissed him soundly on the lips, whispering something to him as she
grabbed her coffee and left the room.
“I'll go, it'll take a lot of the heat off of Pep.” Tony agreed with Ryilia's
offer.
“Is it possible for me to go handle something and come later?” Clint asked, not
telling anyone that he was really going to see his pregnant wife and his kids.
“I'm going with him as backup.” Natasha stated, wanting to see her niece and
nephews.
“We're off duty.” Steve pointed out
“Assassins.” The pair stated.
Ryilia smiled brightly, showing off a set of teeth that didn't look entirely
human, “Ooh, what's your favorite form of killing a target?”
“Wife!” Lau groaned loudly, rubbing his brow.
“Oh hush, Lau, it is a perfectly legit question. I personally love watching
them eat or drink poison and slowly suffocate to death.” She purred. “Or bleed
out, depending on which one I use.”
“You have what!?” Fury cried.
“What, they tried to kill me first... I only succeeded where they had failed.”
She shrugged carelessly. “Besides, I come from a long line of nobles, we've
dealt with our fair share of assassins and have assassinated an equal amount of
would be murderers and enemies. I just know how to keep my skeletons buried
where they belong. My closet is nice and clean thank you!”
Loki giggled as Darcy chuckled, the pair loving the sassy snark and the rather
blatant display of 'No fucks given' Ryilia was sporting.
“As for your request Mr. Barton. I see no reason as to why not, however since I
like my privacy and do not want anyone following you back to my Chateau, I will
be sending one o my men with you. Mr. Gouro will take you to where you wish to
go an bring you straight back to me. He is one of my best bodyguards and a very
capable spy, he knows when to keep secrets and when to spill them. He will not
tell anyone of where you are going or endanger whatever mission you are on.”
She assured him.
“Thank you... Uh....” Clint blinked seeing that only her husband had come with
her.
She pulled out a cell and pressed a button, it speed dialed the number she
wanted and in a moment she was talking in French with her man, the Frenchman
agreeing to her request and soon enough he was up in the penthouse meeting the
two Assassins, the three having a stare down before Clint nodded and went to go
pack his things. Nat simply pulled a duffle bag out of the sofa, ignoring
Steve's reprimand about her stashing things all over the place.
“I will join you as well.” Steve told Ryilia.
“I'm sticking with him.” Bucky stated, grabbing his lover by the hips and
pulling him into his lap.
“Oh honey, please, if I wanted the Captain, I 'd get him.” Ryilia rolled her
eyes at Bucky's possessiveness. “Sadly I don't like my men juiced. I like them
like my hubby. Au Natural!” She purred, leaning back into her husband, who
chuckled and kissed the top of her head. “Mmm, not in front of company,
love....”
“Please we have done worse at formal gatherings, or do you not recall a certain
ball that resulted in our youngest child?” He teased her.
Loki turned bright red, hands slammed over his ears as he began singing loudly.
Darcy was dying of laughter as Steve covered his face, mortified while Bucky
seemed to looking the couple up and down with an appraising eye.
“What the hell?” Tony wondered as he came into the room with a suitcase with
his close, another being his Iron Man suit.
“I believe they are discussing their liaisons....” Vision chimed. “The sensual
kind.”
“Glad to know that Americans live up to their stereotype.” Pietro murmured.
“I'm not American. I'm actually Irish.” Ryilia chirped happily. “The Hubby Unit
is Scandinavian. And people are kinky, doesn't matter what their race or ethnic
background is, though I have seen disturbing things in the very dark corners of
the internet and lets say I will never go to sleep in any beds in Germany and
while I will visit Japan, I will never sleep in anywhere but my damn limo.”
“Oh my god!!” Everyone gasped as the mental images that statement conjured were
horrifying.
She only cackled at their discomfort before she turned to see her PA walk off
the elevator.
“The limos are waiting, madam.” He stated.
“Thank you, Glade. Now then, are we ready?” She asked.
Steve and Bucky quickly went to get their things while Bruce shuffled nervously
in the corner. Loki noted this and smiled softly as he went to assure the man
that they will be fine, no one will try anything to hurt him. Once he was calm,
he went to get a small bag of clothes and came back still nervous and shuffling
uneasily. Sam opted to stay in the city but Ryilia gave him a special cell to
call her place should he change his mind. The twins had no real choice but to
go with them, Vision tagged along as well.
“Tony, stop fretting. I'm fine and I've got Rhody. He's going to be stay with
me here and so is Sam. No one will brother me and I also have Happy. If
anything changes, I'll call you.” She sighed, shoving him to the elevator when
he tried to find another reason to stall. She kissed him hard and he sighed as
she stepped back and the doors shut on him.
“It's right, Mr. Stark.” Ryilia promised him as they rode down. “Your fiance is
correct. She's fine and so are you.”
“Last time I left her alone, she was kidnapped by some loon who tried to turn
her into a walking nuke.” Tony growled out.
“Yes, I remember that. He came to office in Italy and when I refused his offer,
one of his men went nuclear.” She smiled darkly as told him that. “He killed 15
people, 10 of which worked for me, 5 innocent people who happened to be in the
wrong place a the wrong time. The joke was on him though. I'm from a long line
of Keepers, we are not like average mortals. I almost froze him solid, but then
the Fire Department finally showed up and he got away from me. But I'm glad you
got him.”
“You're weird.” he stated.
“When you're family works to keep the balance of the world, you will be weird
too, especially when you are related to a certain God of Mischief.” She grinned
impishly.
“That's why you hugged him!”
“Not everyone gets to meet their Great x16 Grandpa!” She giggled.
They stepped off the elevator and when Tony saw Loki talking with Glade, he
burst into laughter while Ryilia grinned. Loki didn't ask, but he was scowling
at Tony.
“What?”
“Nothing.... Grandpa!” Tony nearly choked as he laughed.
Loki looked to his mother who held a finger to her lips, telling him to keep
quiet. Soon after everyone was divided up into the limos, all of them Rolls
Royce models from the early 1900s, and they were on the road. In the very front
car was Glade driving his Lady and her family, behind them was Mrs. Loupe with
Capt. Rogers and Sgt. Barnes, with Dr. Banner. Behind them was the Twins, Mr.
Vision and Mr. Stark riding with Ms. Long. Mr. Gouro was taking the Assassins
to wherever they needed to be while the others either remained or had left
earlier.
“Mother, why was Lord Stark calling me Grandpa?”
“Well our family tree is a bit complex. By the time I finish explaining it,
three Ice Ages would have passed.” she sighed. “The short of it is that I am
your Mother and your descendant. Or at least that's what I tell people though I
do have family and others who are born from your loins.” She smiled. “I told
you the Universes lay on top of each other and at times intersect.”
He gave a slow nod, lost in thought for a moment.
“You are my mother here, but in another plain, you are one of my descendants.”
“Right! And seeing as we hold very powerful magic, we can dimension hop. The
Natural Paths do more than connect the Realms, they connect When and Where.”
Ryilia smiled.
“You are both insane, simple as that.” Laufey sighed, but his indulgent smile
softened his insult.
“You love us!” Mother and Son chirped, hugging him as he sighed again, but
pulled them even closer.
“So... the Thunderer?” Laufey asked.
“Yes father...” Loki leveled him with a look that dared him to deny him. “He
rescued me from capture and has enslaved himself to me without my request or
desire. He had no reason to do anything for me, but he took me in and has kept
me safe. He treats me very well, like you treat mother and had treated Lord
Fárbauti.”
“What would I be if I denied you, my Gem?” Laufey sighed, giving him a soft
smile, kissing his temple. “I have never been able to deny anyone of you your
hearts deepest desires. If the Thunderer truly makes you happy then you have my
blessing.”
“Thank you father. Mother?” Loki looked at her, she seemed to be staring right
through him.
“I do not care as long as he treats you well and cherishes you.” She stated,
coming out of her thoughts, cupping his cheek. “As long as you are safe and
happy, loved as you deserve to be, I do not see faults with this mating.
Besides you will make me lovely grandchildren!”
Loki chuckled as she began to ramble about adorable part Jotuns running about
the palace, blonde and black hair with blue and green eyes, some tanned, others
pale, their Jotun flesh a beautiful array of ice blues. Laufey laughed as she
pulled out a tablet and began researching baby things, already planning a
nursery for the future generation of the Nubia line...
Pulling up to the Chateau, everyone stared in awe of the building, thinking
that Ryilia needed to rename it 'Mini Palace' before they were ushered inside
the foyer. The whole of the staff stood at attention on either side of the
large room.
“Welcome home, Lady Nubia and honored guests!” they all greeted, bowing low or
curtsying.
“Thank you everyone. Please take my guests belongings to their rooms. Is Cookie
done with dinner?” Ryilia asked, already stripping off her suit jacket while
surrounded by five servants, she actually stripped and changed into house
clothes right there, the Servants moving and blocking her from view before
suddenly she was in a set of loose flannel pajama bottoms a thick strapped tank
top with the picture of a peanut holding a brief case. Her hair was hidden
under a pale blue bandana. “Also has the grapes been collected?”
“Yes ma'am. They are at their peak and will make very fine wine.”
“Good. Take them down to sub level 10 to age. I think two years down their will
get the wine bottles perfectly aged. The horses that are to be sent to the
races?”
“Mr. Lloyd has completed a short list and is awaiting your review and
permission, my lady.”
“Alright, bring those files to my office upstairs. What about Mr. Hammer?”
“He made it back to his office without incident and has already begun working
on the project you gave him.”
“Very good. Keep in contact with him. If there is any issues at all, tell me.
Yanis, Janis and Bella! Take my guests to their rooms so they may change and
get comfortable. Dinner?”
“Cookie needs another 15 minutes.” Glade stated, walking up to her with a
leather dossier, she looked it over before signing and he walked away.
“Alright, see you all in 15 then!” She smiled before walking into her tea room
to flop onto her lounge, a moment later she stomped back out to grab Laufey and
yank him into the room. “Hubby cuddles!!”
Loki chuckled at the silent plea for assistance his father sent them, but they
wisely did not offer it.
“This way please!” The three women stated, moving in perfect sync.
“She sure runs a tight ship...” Tony murmured.
“The Lady is very organized, though most see it as chaos.” Bella stated.
“We have never met another who works as hard as her Ladyship!” Yanis chirped.
“Nor have we ever seen anyone as terrifying as she when something goes wrong.”
Janis murmured.
“She seems pretty nice...” Darcy stated.
“As long as you remain on her good side.” The three chimed together.
“I- I …. is it... unstable here?” Bruce stuttered out, blushing when the three
women looked at him.
“Awww, he's so shy!” Yanis cooed. “Don't worry sir, we have all worked or lived
here since her Ladyship was a small babe! We know what to do to keep the Manor
running smoothly. It is perfectly stable here and hardly a hiccup ever
happens.”
“Unless the Lady has been drinking and then there are plenty of hiccups.”
snickered Bella.
“Bella!” Yanis and Janis yelled at her.
“Ah, here we are... Mr. Rogers and Mr. Barnes you have the Blue room!” Bella
giggled, ignoring her co-workers as she directed the two men to the double blue
doors. Opening them, they saw that other than the door, only the bed covers was
blue everything else was in soft tans and dark browns.
“Mr. Stark you have the Classical room.” Janis guided him to his room, the
doors were carved with what looked like sheet music and when the door opened,
he saw a pretty cool room dressed in deep reds, black and white, a piano sat
near a sofa both of which were by the wall of windows a sae distance from the
bed.
“Nice...” He mused as he walked in.
“You two are in here, the Libra room!” Yanis pulled the Maximoff twins to the
double doors that opened into a room that seemed to be built from various
puzzles and mind twisters, but somehow it all fit together and the gentle grey
and maroon was a nice, if mind boggling combination. Their beds were set on
dias that looked elevated but at the same time sunken into the ground.
“Dr. Banner, you have the Zen Garden room.” Bella cooed softly to him, guiding
him to a set of rice paper doors that opened into a Zen Garden, complete with a
tranquil waterfall and a small pond full of gold fish, a futon was set in the
dead center on a tatami floor while the rest of the ground was sand or covered
in plants.
Bruce was shocked and amazed, he could head the Other Guy grumble in pleasure
at the room as he stepped into it.
“Mr. Barton's room is here and Ms. Romanov is right here in the Lair, as her
Ladyship loves to call this room.” Yanis stated to the two rooms that remained
closed until the two occupants arrived. Natasha's room was right next to
Banner's while Clint's was across from hers. “Mr. Vision, seeing as you do not
require sleep nor food, the Lady has granted you permission to reside within
her Library, however she does ask that you take great care of the books. They
are family heirlooms and she is very peculiar about the order she put them in.
The ones in the glass case are off limits. She will know if you attempt to read
them.”
Janis opened the doors to the massive room that seemed to spiral up into the
sole tower of the Chateau. The walls were lined and their were walkways and
ladders leading all the way to the top.
“All of these... are family heirlooms?” Tony gaped.
“Yes.” Ryilia suddenly spoke up behind them “Thank you ladies, please finish
whatever chores you were working on before our arrival and then head off to
supper as well.”
“Right away, my lady! But we didn't show-” They began.
“I can show the last of my guests their rooms. Lau's getting changed for dinner
as well so I'm not allowed to cuddle him to death.” She sighed, pouting softly.
The girls giggled and left as Ryilia smiled at Loki, “This way.”
The group followed to see his room which she called the White Room. The doors
were large, double white pine wood that was carved to show fantastical
creatures. Opening the doors a sudden burst of ice cold air hit them all and
Loki moaned happily as he walked into the room and was awed to see it looked
exactly like his bed chambers back in Mimir's Keep. He had a frost wolf pelt
laying before a low fire, the bed was bowl shaped and full of furs, blankets
and pillows with a canopy hanging around it.
“Whoa....” Tony breathed.
“It's cold...” Wanda chattered out, rubbing her arms to try and get some warmth
back into them.
“Loki is a Frost Giant and while he can handle extended periods in warm
climates, it could seriously cause harm if he does not take his natural form
every now and again.” Ryilia stated clearly, no longer joking or acting like
she were insane. “He would not tell you because it is not humanly possible to
creat something like this without freezing to death yourselves. He'd rather
suffer in silence than cause undue harm to his friends.”
Bucky and Steve frowned as Loki's flesh turned icy blue, the young god blending
nearly perfectly into the blue walls.
“You seem to know a lot about him and his physiology.” Bruce murmured.
“I ought to.” She stated, walking into the room unbothered by the beyond
freezing temperatures as she opened a side door that led to an en suite
bathroom that seemed to be made of all ice if the happy squeal from Loki was
any indication. She came back out as Loki shoved her out of the bathroom, the
door slamming behind her as she giggled. “Now then, I believe you all should be
getting ready for dinner.”
“How can you not be cold?” Pietro asked. “I'm moving myself--”
“At an incredible speed to keep yourself warm, I know. However, I am not
affected because I have a high level of magic which allows me to keep myself
warm or cool when my surroundings are less than favorable.” She stated. “Now
come before you all freeze in place.”
She guided them out of the room once more and closed the door, the instant
temperature change shocking a few of them.
“Wife...” Laufey called and she smiled at him.
“He's in the bathroom getting cleaned up.”
“Good... I brought a few things he might like to wear.” Laufey held the bundle
of tan fabric in his hands before quickly slipping into the room and a moment
later stepping back out unaffected by the coldness of the room. “He's out of
the shower now.”
“He never did like lingering unless it was after supper or a particularly hard
training session.” She smiled.
“Ok, you sound like you know way more than you should.” Tony pointed out.
“I repeat. I ought to, seeing as I'm his mother.” She grinned brightly. “And
look, it only took you less than 2 minutes! Very good!”
“Mother please, stop messing with my friends.” Loki sighed, walking out of the
room in his full Jotun form, his horns gleaming where they curled out of the
base of his skull, over the tips of his ears and at his temple they twisted
back to deadly points.
“Whoa....” The others gasped. They could now see his skin was glacial blue, the
indigo heritage lines lining his body looking nearly black in comparison. His
hair now not longer magicked to a shorter length fell to below his ass. His
eyes ruby on crimson and his nails were pitch black.
“I cannot help myself, love. I like to mess with everyone it's what I do and
how I keep order!” She huffed. “Laufey you may change as well, seeing as they
know now.”
They watched her husband change skin tone and fill out more, bone like plating
growing from his flesh, his hair vanishing, but he remained at his smaller
height.
“I will not take my full height to make it easier on all of us.” He stated when
she looked at him questioningly.
“Alright, love.” She smiled and grabbed both his and Loki's hands and pulled
them alone behind her. “Let's eat and I shall tell you a very old, but very
true story... I hope you are all smart enough to figure out the hidden
truth...”
 
***** A Story, A Truth, and a... *****
Chapter Summary
     It's story time for the Avengers, also a bit of humor and more!
Chapter Notes
     Okay, so i was like really drunk writing this chapter! I am so sorry
     for this!!
Chapter 19
Dinner was a quiet affair, Loki and his mother chattering quietly to themselves
in the Jotun's tongue, Laufey occasionally adding in his own comments. There
was mild tension. Some of the Avengers wanted to know what kind of mother let's
their kid think their dead, others were questioning if they should seriously be
trusting anyone at this point. At one point Ryilia turned to them all, her face
set in a void mask as her eyes began to glow and eerie toxic green color as she
told them that their thoughts were very loud and were quite rude. That made
them all jerk and duck their heads and finish eating in silence.
When dessert was served, they watched Ryilia get up to help the Cook, or Cookie
as the woman called her. They wondered why until Laufey literally grabbed his
son by his long hair and held him in place while sipping at his cup of tea, not
at all bothered or concerned that Loki had jerked to a sudden stop that would
have surely killed a lesser man.
“Sit down, Loki!” Ryilia sighed exasperated already with her son, though the
twinkle and poorly hidden smile said otherwise.
“But.... precious, it calls us!!” Loki hissed out. “It calls to us!! Must have
precious!!”
“Lucca!!” Ryilia growled out and he went still, eyes wide as Laufey looked just
as shocked. “Sit down, young man! I taught you better than that!”
“Sorry mother...” He whimpered and sat on his chair, looking like he was placed
on timeout. And in all honesty, he probably was.
Ryilia sighed, rolling her eyes as she kept herself between her son and the
dessert cart. Her husband sitting, ready to catch their son again if he tried
to get to his precious again. Cookie, who had been serving the desserts had
jumped back and looked frightened of the young man before her employer put her
foot down. Once the guests had their plates of various dessert items, Ryilia
shooed Cookie away from the cart and pulled out a locked mini fridge a box that
was been pressurized and had even a retinal scanner lock on it. They were
paranoid as they waited to see what had caused Loki's rather uncharacteristic
behavior.
Opening the box, with a hiss of frosty air, she pulled the top off and sitting
in the center of the box was a bowl of...
“Pudding?” Tony asked.
“Not just any pudding!!” Loki snapped at him, angry. “It's mother's secret
recipe!! No one knows how she makes it or with what, only that it is the
ambrosia of the Gods!!”
“I may have spoiled Loki a bit with puddings when he was only a child. He was
always a sickly thing, puddings were easy on his little tummy and when we
needed him to behave or do something he normally wouldn't do or would put a
fight about, we would reward him with pudding.” Ryilia admitted, not at all
ashamed.
Taking the bowl and setting it before her son, she handed him a very tiny
spoon, one used for a tea set, and he said a quick thank you and scooped out a
tiny bit and popped the morsel into his mouth and moaned rather obscenely.
“Do not tell anyone that the only way to get Loki to do anything at all is to
use Pudding, especially my special Sicilian watermelon and rosewater pudding--”
“Precious, mother!!” Loki corrected, taking another bite and blissing out
again.
“Many have tried to recreate this, while good in their own rights, Loki can
tell from a glance if I made it or it's a cheap imitation.” She smiled as Loki
grumbled darkly at yucky false puddings and worshiping the bowl of holiness
before him.
“Well.... I'd have to say I would have never thought I'd see Loki act anything
but...”
“Regal? He's still a child, you know. Only the human equivalent of a 17 year
old with the mentality of a 6 year old when it comes to certain things.” Ryilia
chuckled. “I won't tell you my age, but know I act like a 2 year old all the
time.”
“You are never boring, love.” Laufey assured her as she smiled and placed a
bowl of custard before her mate and he quickly snatched the bowl away when Loki
tried to sneak a taste of it. “Loki.... I will spank you if you even think of
touching my dessert. Your mother worked very hard to make this perfectly for
me.”
“Mine is better.” Loki sniffed and Laufey growled the two quickly being reduced
to petty sniping and nitpicking as Ryilia rolled her eyes.
“See?” She asked.
Everyone nodded and ate their dessert, watching the two males growl and hiss at
one another while Ryilia calmly ate a whole tray of lemon squares, giggling at
her mate and son. As soon as everyone was finished, minus Loki who was taking
his time to savor every single last bite, Ryilia had Glade bring one of the
ancient Tomes from her library and he stood between the Prince and King, the
only being fast enough to catch both males as soon as his mistress opened the
book and an inhuman shriek escaped it. Laufey looked like he was about shit a
brick or ten while Loki had blinked curiously, holding his bowl of pudding
against his chest, wary of the possible threat.
“Sorry... I forget this book does that... and you, shut the hell up!” She
smacked the book and it yelped before flipping itself to a page and she held it
up so all could the hand drawn painting of two figures. “We all know that the
people this world and the worlds beyond this one all have various beliefs and
creation myths, however the Universal constant is Death and Chaos. My family
and my people have long since worshiped the God of Death and the God of Chaos.
We believe they created the universe and once they finished, slipped into the
background. Forever shadowing over their creature, but never directly
interfering. my ancestor, the first of my line, was said to have met the Lord
Chaos and he granted her the title of Keeper. Another from another clan met the
Lord Death and was granted the same Title. The two Keepers eventually crossed
paths and realized that while on their own they are capable of much, but
together they are capable of greater feats.”
The book flipped to several pictures as she spoke. From the two figures to that
looked like the Big Bangs Theory happening, to the hooded Gods speaking to two
different ancient human women, dressed in different tribal clothing. One meant
for the harsh winters, another dressed for the blazing heat of the desert.
“This book is old and imbued with magic almost as old as the human race. Most
of the knowledge in this book is lost to time because these languages are long
since dead, translations scattered or burned. Translators branded and killed.”
She sighed, tired and with of mourning in her tone. “Fear is a powerful thing
especially the fear of the unknown and queer. No I do not mean gay, I mean
strange!”
“We didn't say anything.” Bucky mumbled.
“I can hear your thoughts... Seriously, rude!” She huffed. “My family has long
faced the blade other others, burned at the stakes and were stoned because we
believed in Chaos as our primary God, worshiped him and offered our fealty to
him.”
The book turned its pages again showing people being killed in hellish ways,
tortured or left in agony.
“Those who followed Death suffered the same. Eventually we were seen as devil
worshipers, the human race as a hole fearing Death and Chaos. All other Gods
had been born and had faded with time. Even your One True God is split and
divided amongst the people today, but eventually he will fade with time, but
still Death and Chaos will forever remain. Because they do not need worship,
the do not need sacrifices or offerings. We give them power just by living our
lives.”
The next picture showed humans doing various things, all the while two shadow
figures always linger in the background, unseen and unnoticed, but always
present.
“Death gave the living the gift of death because if we all lived forever, can
you imagine being so old and weak, but having you 190x great grandchild taking
care of you?” She asked. “Death is a gift because when we die, we make space
for another soul to be born. Many believe we go to Heaven or Hell when we die,
others believe in reincarnation. Some say death is final, or it is only the
beginning. Death is honored by everyone who passes away and everyone life
brought into the world.”
The next pictures were of the life cycle ranging from plants to animals to
humans to even the stars in the heavens. All of them forming a massive picture
of Death's cloak and those who were being born and given new life made the
scythe. A foreboding and yet benevolent picture.
“Chaos brings disruption to the monotony of life. Imagine waking up every
single day, eating the same three meals every day, preforming the same tasks,
never once doing anything out of your set routine. You'd never find a partner,
never love or have fun, never have a family! Hell the majority of us would
never have been born!” She scoffed but calmed down. “Chaos likes to cause
little ripples in our lives. Whether they are good things or bad things, it is
how we view it. Death and Chaos are not Evil or malevolent..”
Chaos's portrait was made up of seemingly normal pictures, but as they looked
closer they could see those who Chaos had disrupted. A soldier dropping his
spear while the others did not even notice. A flock of birds flying south while
the others remained nesting with the approach of winter. A girl crying while
other children laughed and played. An elderly woman tending a grave stone while
others walked away from a fresh grave not even bothering to fill it with dirt.
“So you're the newest Keeper of Chaos?” Steve ventured.
“Yes. I'm actually a lot older than I look. The Keepers have a blessing and a
curse of extended life. Not immortality, but let's say I was still 15 when all
your great grandparents were just born.” She smiled. “the reason for this is
because we need the long lifetimes to balance out the world, fall in love and
have families of our own, eventually training our replacement, assuming we
aren't killed early on.”
“Okay... you're old, like really old? So how are you Loki's descendant?” Tony
asked.
“I'm not.” She stated. “I only told you that to mess with you. However in
another life in another time, that is very much true. We Keepers when we die,
our memories are passed onto our successor. We remember everything, every deed,
every life saved, everyone one taken. Saving all of Humanity from themselves or
damning them. In fact, I work for both SHIELD and HYDRA. Some times to keep the
balance you have to play the Devil's Advocate.”
“It explains why when you set me free you were dressed in the Hydra uniform.”
Loki stated.
“Correct, though that was a copy of me because the real me was busy dismantling
Hydra's main bases from the inside out. Seriously, you should never trust
anything that sounds too good to be true. Those it killed me to supply them
with everything needed.” She grumbled discontentedly, sighing as she sat back,
the book flipping to a journal entry and moving itself to rest before Wanda.
She began reading it and gasped as her brother leaned on her shoulder and
looked it over as well.
“What is... Ragnarok?” He asked.
“The End of all... Tell me what do you know of Norse Mythology?” She asked.
“Other than that Loki's the God of Mischief and Thor's the God of Thunder? Not
much since Loki debunked a good portion of all the myths and stories.” Tony
shrugged.
“Alright, who can tell me what Loki's name means and where it came from?” She
smiled. “I gave you a major hint already.”
The Avengers moved to one side of the room to talk. Loki still munched on his
pudding as Laufey eyed the Tome like it was going to eat his soul. Ryilia was
petting the book, that had moved back into her hands, like she would a cat.
After a few minutes. They sat down again and Bruce spoke up.
“Umm... depending on the translation and the runes, Loki's name can mean Air or
End.”
“Very good. Loki's name is derived from the word Lucca, which means The End. As
in the end of all life and the end of the universe. I'm often told it's a cruel
name, but hey, my name when written in the olden tongues means 'Harbinger of
Destruction.' I kept the family tradition.” She shrugged. “And yes Ragnarok is
always the end of all, however, depending on how it brought about, is what ends
all Universes or creates a new one. Which leads us back to Death and Chaos
creating the Universe from Nothing. Ragnarok is the Death of the old and the
Beginning of the new while Chaos causes the ripples necessary to ensure that
the previous routine is disrupted, preventing the same events from happening
again.”
“In other words, your family controls the fate of the world.” Steve stated.
“Nope!” She grinned. “We don't control anything. However we like to throw a
wrench or two into your best laid planes, because if we left them alone, in the
long run they would cause more harm than good.” She stood up, waving her hands
and they watched in amazement as the room around them vanished and was replaced
with what looked like ancient ruins. Said ruins turned out to be ancient
memories.
“This is the Grand Palace of Svartalfheim. The Dark Elves use to rule all of
the universe, having grown and matured much faster than the majority of the
races, even now humans are still considered infantile,. They kept the universe
plunged in darkness, taking advantage that Death and Chaos could not directly
interfere with their plans to enslave the realms and beyond. Their king having
taken advantage of Death and Chaos' kindness to steal from them the Infinity
stones. However Chaos, enraged that one of their children would betray them so
terrible, struck him.”
They watched these events unfold before them all, Death's cloaked figure was
truly frightening, but at the same time, it was a comfort. Whereas Chaos' form
was shapeless, a mass of shadows minus two luminous eyes, it was terrifying and
yet it was a curiosity. The figures seemed to play and dance, in the
nothingness that was soon to be their universe as the pair each made three
colorful objects that when brought close together exploded and from explosion,
the universe was born, worlds and various forms of life began appearing, and
like Ryilia stated, they were all young and rather infantile.
They saw the Dark Elves form and grow, quickly maturing, from basic barbarism
to a civilized society. Watched as a sing Elf, the King, rose above the others,
beseeching the Creators of the universe and the pair inviting him into their
secret Realm only to be attacked, the six objects stolen by the King who then
fled, but before he could step through the portal completely, Chaos shot out at
him and struck him, causing him to lose five of the objects into the vastness
of the universe.
“All but one was lost. With this object of power, the Infinity Stone, the Dark
Elves ruled over all. Death and Chaos had no choice but to find advocates,
agents who would do their biding and will to reset the balance they had
unfortunately tipped by inviting the greedy and ungrateful child to their
home.” She stated, sounding very upset. “They choose two mortals. Creatures
short lived and quite adaptable, but also back in those times, deeply
spiritual. The two Advocates, women, who upon seeing the hooded figures knew
they were Gods and were humbled to be chosen. When Death touched them, he
extended their life to twice that of their life spans back then. Meaning they
lived to see at the very least 30 or so.”
They watched Death appear before His Advocate, the woman lost in a winter
blizzard, nearly frozen to Death. She offered him what little she had, a bite
of bread, frozen solid and a strong bear made from roots that was perfectly
chilled, but not frozen. Death pulled the woman close, warming her as Chaos
appeared before a woman left out in the middle of harsh desert, a terrible sand
storm raging, cut and bleeding, almost buried alive. This woman looked up at
him and pointed him to a cave that was near to save himself. The selflessness
of the women had won over the gods, women who accepted their fates and showed
no fear of what lay on the other side of the veil of death. They saved the
women and nursed them back to health. When the women were well enough, they
humbled themselves before the gods, offering their lives and all they owned in
offering to them.
The Creators accepted their offers and named them Keepers. Death touching each
woman with his scythe, extending their lives, and knowledge. Chaos bestowed a
kiss each, giving them power and control over what is now called Magic. The
women were awed and once more humbled, the Gods blessing them and all children
of their blood to receive these gifts.
“After Chaos's Kiss, they were given blessings to pass on the gifts to their
children and their successors. When it was done, Chaos and Death sent the women
back to their peoples. They lived in peace for a few more years, living their
day to day lives, but now they had a new good to offer thanks and favor to
among the ancient ones of their time. They married, had children and eventually
grew old and died, their Successors taking the mantles and so. It wasn't until
Humans had reached the first Golden age, Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians the
major influences in Religious believes at that time. The Descendants first
Advocates were called by Death and Chaos to appear before a council of Gods.”
They watched the women grow old, have children and die, those children grow and
have their own. They watched the transition of man, they watched races be born
and wiped away, shape the world to what they know from books of the past and
what remains from those olden times. They watched the two Keepers, women like
the originals, be approached by the Gods dressed as mortals, but the women knew
them at a glance, humbling themselves before them and offering them what they
could no matter how little it was and if they were left with nothing.
The Gods whisking the women away to a golden chamber of some kind where gods of
the Ancient times stood or sat around them and they seemed to argue and speak.
Loki sat up straighter at this, having seen this very memory when Wanda had
invaded his mind. He would see the one called Zeus point and shout at the woman
called R, her name having been blocked from him. She was calm and snapped back
with just as much bite as a viper. She and her partner, vanishing to only
appear on a devastated Svartalfheim, the last traces of a war still raging.
“By this time it was mostly too late, Bor, the King of the Norse Gods had all
but wiped the Dark Elves from the face of their own realm. Those who survived,
fled and locked themselves away, only to return when the Infinity Stone, the
Aether was found once more.” She continued her story, snorting with distaste as
they watched the two women speak with Bor, who seemed to not heed them or
listen. “Bor did not need the help of two 'lesser' gods and banished the women
from the realm. He took the Aether and hid it away and returned to Asgard. He
left Svartalfheim in ruins, the war so terrible that even to this day no live
resides on the planet, only mountains and vast plains of barren earth. Not even
rain falls.”
The humans would have felt some form of sorrow for these creatures if they
hadn't enslaved the universe, betrayed the very beings who breathed life not
only into them but to all of them.
“With the failure, the two women, returned to their realm, but not without
cleansing the realm, hoping that in time the realm would heal and begin anew.
Upon arrive they were met with the King of Egyptian Gods, who had watched them
and offered them to work with him and his courts to regulate all the gods,
Ancient and new, fully aware of their loyalty to their Creators. He from then
on, the Keepers did more than just keeping the balance. If ancient relics fell
into the wrong hands or ancient powers became wild, they were sent to retrieve
them or to tame them down. When the Gods were no longer followed they still
kept working to keep the Humans from destroying themselves many times.”
They watched as the major events of human history played out and saw the two
Advocates, who were always women it seemed, push those who were later hailed as
Heroes or pull the strings of events Sometimes the Keepers were long since dead
and had no successor ready to take their place when some of the darkest times
of the worlds history happened. Eventually they arrived towards the more modern
age and eventually they saw a younger Rye as she had said, born in a time long
before even their great grandparents had been born.
“Over the ages, my ancestors found the Stones and hid them. We also created
fake versions. The fakes were either given to other Advocates or trusted
parties, the rest hidden, some in plain site others in secret locations.” She
smiled. “I skipped over most of life because the majority of it was not spent
here, but rather on Jotunheim.”
The images faded away and soon they were sitting back in the dining room.
Glade, had at some point cleaned up all the plates, set out tea and coffee and
was now setting out leather dossiers before them.
“These detail the fake stones and their former locations. I know that four of
them have been destroyed completely while one was broken and used to give live
to Vision nee Jarvis. The last of the fakes, the Aether is is still hidden away
somewhere within the Realm of Midgard. And I do not mean hear on Earth, I mean
all layers and dimensions of Earth.”
“Wait... so the Tesseract, the Scepter and even this Aether is a fake?” Tony
demanded, frowning.
“When We make fakes, we really make them. I am sure Loki has at some point
either explained to you or someone that while fake and not nearly as powerful
or dangerous as the real stones, in the wrong hands the Fakes can be just as
deadly and devastating. And seeing as the Dark Elves sent the Chitauri to find
the Aether and to capture my son, you can be damn sure they will try again and
come with a lager force. My older sons have already gathered the whole of
Jotunheim's army and even Muspelheim's armies. And we know that mixing the
Frost and Flame Giants will cause Ragnarok, but instead of the two Elemental
giants fighting one another, they are uniting under the same banner to save not
only Midgard but the Universe as a whole.”
“Alright so if we find the fake Aether, what happens then?”
“I will destroy it like the others.” Loki stated.
“And that will piss off the Dark Elves.”
“Yes it will, but it will also force them to come for Loki and I need pay back
for having to cut my long life short by a life time because I had to commit
suicide to escape their prison.” She sneered. “I was looking forward to being
290 before I died...” she sighed. “All well... I'll live to at least 103...”
“Mother!?”
“Wife! Why didn't you tell me!?”
“You spoke to Star, Laufey... she told you...” She stated.
He growled low, leaving the table and she sighed, she didn't like having her
husband upset with her, however her life was not her own, never really was, but
she'd never trade it for another. Loki looked devastated, but she offered him a
soft smile, waving a hand after his father and he fled the table, his dessert
only three quarters done. She'd make him a larger one later as an apology and
she'd eat out Laufey until he could not speak even in tongues to make up for
this.
“That's--”
“Fucked up? I know.” She sighed. “I am old, I've lived three life times
already, I age much slower than you all do, but it is unfair to my family that
what should have been five lifetimes, will only be four.” Shaking off the
melancholy, she began the meeting in earnest. “Please turn to page 4 of your
dossier...”
Laufey found himself out in the stables, petting the large stallion, Formir's
snout. He heard someone walking in and didn't turn to see who. But he didn't
need to. A moment later he was being hugged by his youngest child and he smiled
as Loki giggled and in a silly singsong about finally being able to hug him
around the waist. He carefully turned them so he could hug his child and kissed
his brow.
“Your mother works too hard.”
“She didn't mean to upset us, papa....” Loki assured him. “She always said she
never had control over her life, the few times she had that control she took
it. It's why she married you and had me. Why she raised all of us and ruled at
your side.”
“I know... She's much older than she is telling us. She's completely
otherworldly and it something she has given to you, my Gem...” Laufey sighed.
Rye had been right, he met her first mate, Star, the woman had told him things
about his wife he had never known, he had seen her in her true form and she was
ashamed and tried to hide away. But he loves her, will always love her. “She
will eventually tell you, but she has to lie a lot just to keep us safe...”
“It takes a Liar to know a Liar.” Loki chirped.
“Yes, but you have only ever lied to protect your brothers from punishment. And
to make the members of the court cave in and agree to whatever you or your
mother want.” Laufey smiled.
“I thought that was called Politics?”
“Hmm, considering I've seen you mother purposely start a brawl and call that
Politics, I'd have to agree.” Laufey remembered that particular meeting, it had
been horrifying, his wife looked vastly amused and he still cringes whenever he
sees his wife holding a bottle of rum.
They chuckled softly and Laufey introduced his youngest to Formir, the stallion
seemingly falling in love with the boy...
Malekith was not pleased. He was furious! Not only did he lose the Cube and
Scepter, his people could not locate the last four Infinity stones! And even
then, the Chitauri had the Gem of Jotunheim in their hands and then
spectacularly lost him again! And just now, his spies have brought to him the
remains of Scharri. He snorted, the arrogant little prince had seriously
thought he would be able to steal his prize. The Gem, Prince Loki, was
extremely powerful, if still untrained and raw. Not to mention his beauty is
only rivaled by his Dam.
“... What the hell is the meaning of this!?” Thanos' voice thundered, walking
into the room only to see the mangled and headless body of his son.
“It seems we underestimated the Midgardians.” He simply stated. “Not only is
this all we recovered of Prince Scharri, but the whole of his armada has been
destroyed...”
He waved his hand to show the battle that had been fought, how only a handful
of Midgardians had literally beat a massive armada and the final images of the
nuke that wiped out the rest of that was waiting for the gate to open up.
“We lost more than that. The Scepter, Strucker, the Tesseract... only four
Stones remain uncounted for and I will have the Aether!” He snarled low.
“The Midgardians will regret ever crossing me...” Thanos hissed low.
“Do as you please, but remember the Aether and the Jotun brat are mine!”
Malekith hissed back. “Lay waste to Midgard after!”
Thanos snorted and turned to leave, he'd do as he pleased, and it was because
of the Jotun whore his son was now dead. He would punish the little creature,
make him regret being born. Malekith sneered at Thanos' back, hearing his
thoughts and after summoning a spear of dark matter, threw it into the Chitauri
King's back, right into his heart.
“You should have left well enough alone...” Malekith snarled low. “Barca!”
A large Elf walked up to him and he smiled coldly.
“I have a mission for you... it will require your life as a sacrifice, however
it will not be in vain...”
“My life for your Will, my lord...” Barca acknowledged...
“.... and that is all.” Ryilia sighed, sitting down finally. “Any questions?”
“How did you condense all that info into only 10 pages of a dossier?” Tony
asked, his mind trying to filter and absorb everything she told them.
“Practice.” She stated. “I meant questions with what is going to be happening
from now on?”
“No.” Steve stated.
“Alright, please get some sleep. Keep those with you and if you have any
questions or need simpler explanations please tell me.” She dismissed them and
closed the tome, the book seeming content as she pet it.
Everyone filed out leaving only her and Glade.
“You are sure it is wise to bring so many into the fold?” He asked her.
“You've been at my side the longest, what do you think?” She asked back,
smirking amused.
“That you have finally gone insane.”
“Can't go insane if I was never sane to begin with... I should call Star and
tell her that I am unleashing hell...” She murmured.
“Ms. Quickpaw has left a message: 'Try not to blow up everything again.' She
also sent this...” He set down a box and Ryilia snorted.
“Of course...” She smiles opening the box to see her whip inside. “Even on my
vacation I'm still working...”
“No rest for the wicked...” Glade smirked.
“Your emotions annoy me.” She huffed, getting up and walking off with the box.
She had other things to do to get her son ready to take on his title of God and
her own Title as well...
Loki was soaking in a nice ice bath, the others had told him what he had missed
when he and his father stormed out. His mother has been pulling the strings
behind most of the recent events in the world, but someone was also pulling her
own strings. She told them that things were falling into place, soon Malekith
will reveal his hand to them and they would need to be ready to stand up
against this. Taking a breath, he slipped into the water, letting the cold
water calm him down, his body suspended between the bottom of the tub and the
water surface. Most of the final battle will be waged here on Midgard, but the
rest would be finished back where it had all started, Svartalfheim.
He sat up when he heard the bathroom door open and he turned to look at who
dared to come in without knocking, but blushed as he saw Thor leaning on the
door jam, shirtless and not at all bothered by the extreme cold of his room.
“Thor.”
“I am back, Civip Kethend.” He smiled. “Mother was most ecstatic to learn that
your mother was not dead, but simply in hiding. Heimdall is most annoyed with
her, but is glad you have not been harmed. Mother Jalan is preparing the Clutch
for War.”
“War?”
“It would seem Odin has realized that he cannot pass his reign to my half
brother Baldur, for he is not destined to sit upon the Throne of Asgard. He
demanded of mother not only her hand back, but also me.” Thor frowned then.
“He must think your mother daft.” Loki huffed, standing from his bath, the
water running down his body in a very enticing manner.
“Indeed... He also demanded we hand you over to him.”
“And he must think me as empty headed as most noble born women...” Loki
sneered, baring his fangs in displeasure as he stepped out of the water,
grabbing his long mass of hair and quickly twisting it to wring all the water
from it, shaking it loose once done. “Will the Clutch be well without you?”
“Mother and Mother Jalan will be more than enough to keep them busy. The whole
Clutch knows how to fight, everyone skilled in one manner or another. We fight
as a pack, and we fall as a pack.” Thor grumbled lowly as he walked up to Loki,
who was busy drying himself off with a very fluffy towel. “My sole mission and
task is to be your sword and shield, your rock and your shelter...”
“And you have been all of these and more... I had a very interesting discussion
with Lady Darcy... she told me of the arts to mating...”
“Oh?” Thor purred, a light charge of electricity gathering in his finger tips
as he trailed them over the sensitive Jotun flesh, enjoying the hitching moan
that was trapped in Loki's throat. “Do tell me... what did she speak of?”
“Hmm... Why tell when showing is much more... pleasurable?” Loki purred and
Thor grabbed him by his arse, pulling him up into his arms and their mouths met
in a war of love. Thor moved them out of the bathroom and into the main
bedroom, dropping Loki onto his nest of a bed. Loki licked his lips with a
seductive grace, while baring his teeth. Thor growled in lust as he tore his
shirt off, undoing his pants and dropping them to the ground.
“Will your mother be furious I have deflowered her son?” Thor asked.
“Please, she's been planning nurseries since I told her that I will accept no
other in my bed other than you.” Loki scoffed out, eyeing the naked flesh of
Thor. “Truly you would make a very handsome Jotun... such build and my... that
is surely not your cock...” Loki stared at his prize which was slowly waking up
to stand at attention.
“And if it is?” Thor challenged, grinning as he crawled onto the bed and over
Loki.
“Then... my Thunderer, I fear I shall never fit it within my core...” Loki
purred.
“I am sure we can make it fit...” Thor grinned, leaning down to capture
slightly darker blue lips than the rest of Loki's flesh, one large hand
tangling in that waterfall of black hair, the other tracing teasing touches
down Loki's throat to his chest, teasing pale purple nipples and over a taught
tummy toe kiss a slightly chubbed cocklet to tease over moist lips and dip into
a a blazing hot quim that pulsed with lust and desire.
Loki mewled, arching into Thor's touches, battling that tongue for victory.
Thor teased him, caressed his folds with light touches and then tortured him
with rough pinches to his clit, touching his cocklet into full mast and
thrusting his fingers with firm, but still teasing jabs into his wet folds.
Loki pulled back, a cry of wanton lust on his lips, his toes curling as his
thighs quivered.
“You play dirty, Thor...”
“This is a War of Love, my Loki... All is fair.” He grinned, ducking down
quickly.
Loki tried to sit up to see what he was up to, but when Thor's fingers were
replaced with a mouth, lips, tongue and teeth teasing and torturing his quim,
he flopped back, a wail of lust echoing out of him and he was sure it echoed
out of the room as well.
“Thor!! Goddesses.... Ahh!!” He mewled, grabbing Thor's head with one hand, the
other clawing at his bedding as he ground his wet pussy onto that talented
mouth.
Thor ate out the virgin quim with all the hunger of a starving man, lapping at
the sweetest nectar this untouched flower could produce before finally Loki
wailed his name, his magic flaring out like tendrils and knocking anything that
was not bolted down or already on the ground to the floor. He flopped into a
boneless pool of Jotun flesh before he suddenly snapped his legs tight around
Thor's head, using strength that was not widely known to anyone, flipped them
over so he was sitting upon Thor's face, grinning at him with a maddened
lustful gleam in his eyes.
“You will do that again, pet... and maybe I shall let you place that wonderful
cock of yours in me...” Loki snarled out as Thor growled, making him moan as
the vibrations raced up and down his maidenhood.
“Do not challenge me, Loki...” Thor snarled. “I will destroy you...”
“Promises...” Loki tutted and ground down on Thor's tongue, mewling as he bite
the knuckle of his right index finger while his left hand tangled in his hair
playing with it as Thor watched the wanton display before his eyes took on the
mix of the Beast, his tongue snaking in deeper and oooh, it was forked at the
tip! “Mmm, destroy me...”
“As you wish...”
Meanwhile...
Ryilia had been pouring over her tomes when she snapped the book she was
looking at closed and blushed hotly.
“Wife?” Laufey asked, coming into the library, ignoring Vision, who was
floating around the top looking at the books.
“I know I said I wanted grandchildren, but really!?” She huffed, fanning
herself. “Curse Sight.... I would rather be blind at this moment. I do not wish
to see our son being deflowered.”
“What?! Loki, Daddy is coming!!” Laufey cried, turning to run out of the room,
but his wife was faster, she tackled him to the floor with rope she summoned up
and tied him up quickly. “Nooooo!! My baby!! He's too young!!”
“Shut up....” She huffed. “You will get me pregnant with another child or so
help me Chaos I will get you pregnant and you do not wish to see what I am like
as a Man.” She growled as she dragged him to their room and slammed the door
shut.
Vision shook his head, mumbling about humans and their uncontrollable
libidos....
Thor gasped for air, after driving Loki to orgasm for the second time with only
his mouth, he flipped them over and grinned at the dazed prince. His quim was
blushing a very pretty navy blue to match the same flush upon Loki's cheeks,
nose and even the tips of ears. Thor wiped the juices from his face and neck,
using Loki's secretions as lube to coat his cock before he lined the head with
the hungry lips of Loki's pussy.
“This may hurt, but seeing as you are near Valhalla from two climaxes, you may
hardly twitch...” Thor informed him, Loki giving a garbled moan in response,
before he sucked in a sudden breath at the first press of Thor's crown.
Thor was by no means a small man, but he was not abnormally large either. He
had a nice 8 inch cock in length, and 2-2.5 inches thick, with the added knot
from his beast that did not inflate until he has reached climax, the knot
itself expands to about 5ins in diameter. He will not knot Loki this time
around, not until they have sufficiently trained him to take it.
Loki was gasping and moaning, the sheer thickness of Thor was almost too much
and then the crown popped in, a slight tearing sensation making him whimper in
pain, but that pain soon faded as Thor eased more of his cock in, but not even
half fight inside of him.
“This is too much...” Thor told him, shaking and gasping. “Too soon for you to
take me as a whole....”
“R- right... Oh god... you are so big...” Loki mewled out, lust drunk by now.
Thor chuckled and after giving his little prince a moment or two to adjust, he
eased out and then thrust back in almost lazily. He was horny, he wanted to
fuck Loki into the next lifetime, but he was not so much a monster that he
would harm his beloved more than he had. His poor sweet, no longer virgin
Prince was a horny little thing, if the moans and begging was anything to go
by, not to mention how demanding he had been when he ordered Thor to pleasure
him with his mouth a second time. He built up a steady rhythm and Loki seemed
to gain enough of his senses to tangle their tongues in another battle, the
Jotun prince having lost the first two in this little Love War of theirs.
“Thor... n- no more...” Loki gasped, he was nearly at his peak for the third
time that night, but he was also become very sensitive to the point it was
almost painful.
“Almost there, hold on a little longer...” Thor whispered out on a growl as the
Beast nuzzled and marked the long neck before them.
Loki mewled and gasped, arching and finally his eyes rolled back on a scream of
climax, Thor thrusting only twice more before pulling out completely, his knot
forming and then he began to come in a seemingly endless stream across Loki's
body, the Jotun on a quick trip to Nirvana. By the time Thor finally stopped
cumming, about 15 minutes later, Loki seemed to come back to life as well and
was looking at Thor with satisfaction painted on his lips.
“We will take our time next time...” Loki purred. “But I would not mind this
again.”
“Oh course.” Thor chuckled, getting up to get a damp towelette to wipe off
Loki. He trembled only slightly in the air, the curse keeping him warm.
“Come....” Thor coaxed Loki to sit up upon his return and began to clean him of
their mess. He had to wash the cloth at least twice before he folded the damp
material and placed it between Loki's legs, turning him on his side and then
climbing into bed behind him. “Sleep now, my love... You will be sore in the
morning...”
“I am sore now...” Loki grumbled, sleepy and achy.
“Shh....” Thor soothed, trailing kisses up and down Loki's neck. “Sleep....”
“.... Zzz.....” Loki's little snore was unexpected and it was adorable. Thor
couldn't help but purr as he allowed some of the Beast free, curling around his
Jotun, promising they would have a proper mating later...
Ryilia looked up and smiled.
“They seem to be done now...” She hummed.
She only got a sleepy grumble from her exhausted husband, whom she had ate out
until he begged to be fucked, which she had been more than happy to do, though
she regrets using a strap on instead of her male form, but hey, now was not the
time for baby making especially with all the stress that was coming. She
chuckled and kissed his cheek before settling herself on his chest and humming
softly as she dozed off.
“... And another one bites the dust...” She mumbled grinning darkly...
 
***** A race against time, A race for the Aehter *****
Chapter Summary
     A little more back story and story time, meetings and plans being
     formed, but it seems there will be a few wrenches thrown in and a few
     backstabbings that need to happen!
Chapter Notes
     This was essentially word vomit, I am so sorry.... damn drunk
     writing.....
 
Chapter 20
Morning came and everyone was woken up by Bella, Janis and Yanis. Thor growled
at the three maids as he shielded a sleepy Loki from their sight. They ignored
him, set out a small tray with tea, a bottle of medicine and set about
preparing the bath for Loki and then leaving the room. Loki grumbled as he sat
up, shoving Thor off the bed so he could reach for the tea. Thor pouted at
Loki, who only seemed to have eyes for his tea, the medicine and the bath. Once
the Jotun was in the tub, after taking the painkillers and finishing his tea,
Thor came in to help him wash his hair.
“Not awake this morning, love?”
“No...” Loki moaned, looking like he wanted to crawl back into bed, but knew he
could not be lazy. “But we have much work to do... Lady Frigga?”
“As I said last night, she and the rest of the Clutch are preparing for war
with Odin. Sif and the the Warriors remained with them. They have more than
enough warriors to at least hold out.” Thor spoke as he combed the tangled mess
of hair, being gentle and careful.
“I swear the Norns hate us right now...” Loki grumbled, sitting up to begin
washing his body while his lover finished tending his hair. “First the attack
on my home, mother shortening her life to save both father and herself from
Malekith's hands, then the 'Stones' popping up on Midgard and the mes with both
Ultron and the Chitauri Invasion. Now the war with Odin and the final, or so I
am hoping, battle with Malekith. All that remains is the 'Aether'. I cannot
help but curious as to where the real Infinity Stones are hidden...”
“If you haven't figured it out yet, my dearest, then you will not figure it out
until it is possibly too late.” Ryilia's voice startled them.
“Mother!” Loki gasped.
“My lady...” Thor bowed his head.
“Please, call me Mama Rye!” She chirped. “After all you and Loki finally mated,
though it was a rush job and not formal, but hey! Sex is sex and by Jotun law,
you are married! And by my tribe's standards, you are intended to marry, you
are only married in my tribe if Loki is preggers, but I am glad you did not
impregnate him just yet.”
“How did--”
“Being able to see the Then, Now and Near are a pain in the ass, you know that?
I saw everything.” She grumbled. “It's weird seeing your parents have sex and
it's equally as horrifying when its your kid! No... it's more disturbing
because I keep flashing back to when you were a tiny little baby!!” She began
to sob then, but then she sniffed and stopped. “Sorry, Chaos and Emotions don't
mix too well, we fluctuate too often to really settle on a single emotion...
Ah, your father's going to be in bed for the day. He's well, just not able to
stand...”
Thor sniffed the air and his eyes went wide, blushing and paling at the same
time. The sudden draining and flushing of his lover's face didn't go unnoticed
by Loki and he gaped.
“Mother!!” Loki slapped hands to his ears, singing to drown her out.
“Well, glad he takes after me more than I care to admit... When you two are
done, we are having breakfast in the family room.” She turned on heel and was
about to leave when she looked over her shoulder. “Oh and Thor?”
“Mama Rye?”
“Next time do not attack my staff when you suddenly appear. They were only
doing their jobs, protecting this place.” She stated.
“They are not dead.”
“No, but you left me shorthanded and well... I'm very peculiar about how my
home is run....” She left then as Loki sighed and climbed to his feet, standing
wet and naked as he had the previous night.
“Let's hurry, mother's going to be in a mood.” Loki stated as Thor helped him
out of the tub and after grabbing a towel, began to dry his beloved. Loki
wrapped the cloth around his body and headed towards his closet to get dressed
as Thor cleaned himself off.
Loki tossed him clean clothes and he quickly got dressed as well before they
headed out of the room and down the hall, Loki's Jotun flesh melting back into
his Midgardian form. The others were sitting down eating when the walked in and
Tony grinned.
“So you took out almost the whole staff! Nice one!” He laughed. “Though I think
Mrs. Nubia is more pissed at you incapacitating her PA, Evergreen.”
“I will apologize to them all--”
“Don't worry about it.” Ryilia stated, walking into the room with a tray full
of tea and coffee. “I'm over it, Glade's alright, just bruised and his ego is a
bit battered. The others are more scared shitless than really hurt... that is a
very powerful and frightening curse you are under, young Aesir.”
“I've been trying to figure out how to break it, but nothing seems to be a
proper solution.” Loki stated.
“Hmm, I'm afraid the only way this curse can be broken is with Love, Loki.
Unconditional love. For both Man and Beast.” His mother told him. “You love
Thor, but do you love the Beast?”
“I'm not bothered or disturbed by it and I do have affection for it, but I do
not love it, at least not yet.” Loki admitted.
“Wait... curse!?” Steve asked.
“When Thor gets Cranky.” Loki stated.
“When were you going to tell us?!” Tony fussed.
“It was not of importance.” Vision supplied. “Thor has exceptional control of
the Beast from what I can see and Ms. Lewis as well as Loki have hinted at it
more than enough. Loki is obviously someone or something that keeps Thor
anchored to humanity.”
“I'm also his biggest trigger, especially seeing as we joined the night
previous.” Loki stated.
“I am not hearing this!! Laalalalalala!!!” Ryilia cried out, hands over her
ears as she sang loudly., eyes shut tight.
“.... It's actually funny when you look at it...” Bruce murmured as Wanda
giggled. Pietro smirked into his coffee.
“Alright, so while Mrs. Nubia is in denial, what are we going to do? We now
have better understanding of what is going on, we know that the Aether that
Dark Elves are after is a fake, the real Infinity Stones are still very well
hidden.” Steve began the brain storming session.
Loki fingered his bracelet, thinking as Thor set about serving them breakfast,
he liked catering to his mate, sue him.
“Mother, when Bor defeated the Elves when did it happen and what did he do with
the Aether?”
“It's not in the Vaults of Asgard, that is for sure. Bor may have been a prick,
but he had much more sense and a level enough head to know not to keep
something like the Aether near the rest of those relics.” Ryilia suddenly spoke
up, no longer singing or ignoring them. “When it happened... it was during the
Convergence The Convergence is when all the Realms align. Much like when all
nine planets-- fuck everyone who says Pluto is no longer a Planet-- line up
once every 500 years. The Convergence happens every 5,000 years, give or take a
few centuries and a decade or two.”
“Huh... you know this how?” Bucky drawled
“.....” Ryilia's deadpanned stare made Bucky twitchy. “Your grandmother use to
call you Barney.”
Everyone gaped as Bucky looked like he shat a brick.
“Now then, unlike the Planets aligning -I swear I'm going to kill that man who
keeps predicting the end of the world and causing mass panic- where nothing
happens other than the off chance of both a Solar and a Lunar eclipse
happening, a shift in tides and all the crazies running around. The Realms when
they converge, it has very random effects on Midgard, or Earth... whatever!!
Look here.” Ryilia hissed in annoyance before another of her tomes flew in and
enlarged it self to show a very detailed drawing of Yggdrasil, the Life Tree or
the Gods' Tree as some cultures called it.
“Alright at the very top of the tree is Asgard, at the very bottom is
Svartalfheim. At the very ends of Yggdrasil's roots, this realm is the furthest
from the light and Ruled by the Dark Elves. Above them is Niffleheim and Hel,
or as many call the two Realms, Helheim. The land of the Dishonorable Dead and
ruled by Hel. It's an icy and fog ridden realm, cast almost always in darkness.
This realm is entangled within the roots of Yggdrasil.”
She pointed out the two realms on the tree before moving to the double rings
that floated just below Midgard, which was the very center of the tree forming
the trunk. The two rings were considered the 'ground' from which Yggdrasil grew
from.
“Here is Jotunheim, the inner ring and the Realm belonging to the Giants,
though because we lost the Casket, it has become the land of Frost Giants. The
outer ring and our Twin is Muspelheim, the home of Fire Giants and Demons.
Midgard is the trunk of the tree and this here? This third 'ring' is the World
Snake or Jörmungandr. Many believe he is an actual snake that protects us from
the other Realms and thus making it so we are unaware of the events out side of
our own stupidity. Others think he is the Ocean Currents that weave their way
around the whole planet. And a few think he's the Asteroid Belt.”
Everyone snickered at the unimpressed look on Ryilia's face at some of the
stupidity of humans.
“I can tell you that the first opinion is very close to what Jörmungandr
actually does and is. Now then at the lowest branches of Yggdrasil is
Nidavellir, home of the Dwarves. Above them near the middle of the branches is
Alfheim, the Realm of the Light Elves, above them is is Vanaheim, nearly
towards the top of the tree. And finally is Asgard at the very top of the tree.
And in some paintings or drawings you see a star, this star is the doorway to
Valhalla, the final resting place for the Honorable Dead, be they human or
otherwise.”
They were amazed at the detailing of the drawing and understood the structure
of the Realms a bit better.
“I remember this lesson.” Loki suddenly spoke up, standing up and pointing to
Jörmungandr. “During the Convergence, Jörmungandr goes to sleep for the length
of the event.”
“Right, it's pretty short, only a few days long give or take a few hours. And
while he is sleeping, strange phenomenon happen world wide, but most don't
notice it. Humans are truly kept ignorant of all that happens out side of their
Realm. Ignorance is Bliss.” She shrugged.
“You told me that once the Realms are perfectly aligned, the realms above and
below Midgard cause a sort of magnetic pull. The Telluric lei lines blur into
those of the realms and even the Natural Paths warp and mesh.” Loki added.
“Like in one place gravity is distorted to allow things to float or make it
seem as something or someone has super strength. Things can vanish and reappear
in different spots or vanish permanently. Even weird and chaotic weather
changes.”
“Right.” She nodded her head, smiling with pride.
“So we need to keep our eyes out for these events?” Pietro asked.
“I've been looking around and it seems some of these occurrences that Mr. Loki
has listed while not publicly reported to local authorities or new medias, have
occurred... Mr. Stark?”
Tony set down a small nearly flat circular disk on the table which opened up
into a holovid and Vision accessed a few Blogs and a couple of YouTube clips
showing kids and teens standing in seemingly random spots. The first clip had a
boy jump from a tall building, his friends close, but not no where near to
catch him. Ryilia nearly panicked only to see the boy stop falling halfway to
the ground and then he seemed to swim through the air before flipping and
landing safely on his feet.
Another clip was with the kids standing in random places, one girl picked up a
bottle of soda and dropped it off the top of the stairs, but it vanished a foot
down and came flying out of a wall, right passed her friend and up through the
floor to vanish into the air again only to drop down at the middle of the
stairs and into the hands of another friend.
“Well fuck....” Ryilia groaned, quickly counting on her fingers and muttering
in what sounded like AllSpeak before she let out a cry and scrubbed her hands
in her hair. “Fuck me sideways!! The Convergence has started and with the
weakening of the Realms' Barriers.... Shit!! I am fucking stupid!! Hanni!!” She
ran out of the room, yelling for someone.
“Uhh... I am noticing that your mom's not exactly all there....” Tony began,
slowly circling a finger by his temple in the seemingly universal sign of
someone being crazy. “But what's got her goat this time?”
“Mother doesn't own goats anymore, she lost most of them to goat eating
demons.” Loki stated.
…
Wait....
He was being serious!?
“Why is your mom spazzing?” Tony tried again.
“Oh... I see now... To be honest I do not know, but I get the feeling we are
about to have some light shed on this topic.” Loki mused, watching his mom walk
in with a man in a fine suit, he was holding one of the really old and very
delicate tomes in his hands as his mother was yelling down her cellphone at
someone.
“WELL GET ME THE DAMN PRIME MINISTER THEN!!! Shit just fucked up and you know I
hate it when shit fucks up!!” She bellowed at last before she hung up and threw
the phone at the wall, smiling in pleasure when it shattered, but then she
pulled out another phone, messed with it a bit and then slipped it into the
clip on her hip. “Now then...”
Loki finished his food, grabbing the other tome to leaf through it while his
mother skimmed the other one. He noticed that everything was handwritten and
drawn, the styles changing every now and again, stories and myths were
recorded, dates and events too. And then he saw something that made him sit up
more.
“Mother....” He called.
“You have something, darling?” She turned to look over his shoulder as Thor did
the same, but the runes and handwriting was not something he could read.
“During the last Convergence what happened, you explained what it was, but not
what happened...” He pointed out. “Because this looks like a very detailed
recording of what happened during a Convergence.”
“Ah, right, well as you know Malekith stole the 'Stones' from Chaos and Death,
but lost all but one during his escape. The one he kept, the 'Aether', he used
it to bend reality to make his will real and what he wanted was eternal
darkness for all, to rule over all. Bor and the Einherjar came and with light
from both the Valkyries and the Light Elves, banished the darkness from
Svartalfheim and a massive war was fought. And as you know Bor won, the
devastation was irreparable and the Dark Elves locked themselves away until
they could find the Aether again. And now with the Convergence happening--”
“The Barriers are weakening. We know.” Bucky cut in.
“Yes, but the Dark Elves are awake, meaning they can sense the Aether, and the
closer to the full Convergence we get, the stronger the chance they have to
find it. And if Bor hid it away during the last one it would have to be here,
on Midgard and if I'm right, mother, it's in a dimension pocket.”
“Right, one that only a Keeper or a God could open normally out side of the
Convergence. There is no telling where it is and who might unwittingly might
stumble--”
Everyone jumped when a cellphone began ringing rather annoyingly before Thor
answered his phone and frowned at Darcy's rather panicked screeching and
rambling.
“What do you mean Lady Jane is missing?!” He demanded.
Loki took the phone and walked away to calm Darcy down and to get the details
from her as Thor growled, one of the Clutch was missing and possible in danger,
he didn't like that and the Beast was just as pissed. Ryilia turned to Hanni,
the blond man set the Tome down and was on a tablet clicking away as she pulled
up her phone and began calling a few people and shooting off rapid fire orders.
“If she runs things this well, why hasn't she taken over the world?” Steve
wondered.
“Because I did that already and was bored within a week.” She stated, covering
the mouth of the phone before turning her attention back to the call.
“She rules an entire race of people, I'm sure she has enough on her plate being
a Queen.” Bruce reminded them.
“She is also a very rich woman who has far reaching connections. She must
nurture them well if they obey her commands, regardless if she yells or not.”
Wanda hummed.
“Vision, please pull up the YouTube video that was up loaded within the last
three days with the Convergence phenomenon happening?” Loki asked. “Preferably
in Europe...”
He did as asked and they holovid appeared and as they watched they saw Darcy, a
young man and Jane with a group of children watching as a bottle of some kind
of juice loop fell until one of the kids caught it. He paused the video and
began to look through satellite imaging to try and find where they could
possibly be.
“Here.” They watched as the satellite imaging zoomed in on what looked like an
abandoned freight yard and factory.
“Alright... Thor.” Loki called his lover to his side.
“Wait Loki!” Ryilia called, tossing him two cylinders. “Take those, and try not
to hurt anyone unless it's an Elf... even the Light ones need a beat down every
now and again. Also, I have a jet on standby already. Be careful.”
“We will mother.” Loki smirked as he and the others quickly went to get ready
and left...
Darcy was freaking out! In the last day or two, she only got to hang out with
Loki long enough for him and the Avengers to settle into Nubia's frigging
palace, that was not a chateau lady!! And then she had requested to be taken to
the airport because she had been getting rather worrying emails from Selvig,
who had gone a little cuckoo after the whole Chitauri incident. She didn't even
tell the others she was going and really things don't have gotten worse, until
they did.
Okay, she wasn't all that freaked out, but whatever, there was some freaky shit
that even she wasn't cool with, especially when her boss suddenly disappears!
She sent the children home so they wouldn't get in trouble before she made a
call to Thor. Thor and Loki assured her they were coming to help find Jane and
they would be there in a few short hours. However while she was on the phone
with them, her assistant, Ian Boothby, called the police. Now she was being
questioned, trying not to strangle the taller boy and wanting to call Thor
again. And it was raining in merry old England and she was cold dammit!
“.... Look I am telling you one minute she was next to me and the next she was
just gone! Instead of standing here, go look for--”
“Darcy?” Jane's voice could be heard as she slowly walked toward them.
“Jane!? Where the hell did you go?! You've been missing for hours!!” She cried
out, running over to her and was instantly aware that the rain no longer fell
on her when she got within 15 feet of Jane. The Policeman walked over to them,
Ian moving behind them nervously.
“Dr. Foster?” He asked her.
“Yes, may I help you?” She asked.
“Are you alright? Where did you go, you have been missing over over 8 hours.
And is that car yours?” He pointed to a tiny little red thing that barely fit
her let alone Darcy and Ian with their things. “And the equipment as well?”
“Yes, they do, but--”
“You do realize this is a restricted area and you are now under arrest,
correct?”
“What?!” The three of them cried out.
Before they could react or really move, the Officer grabbed Jane's arm and the
second he did, something dark and ominous pulsed out of her, sending a
shockwave through the air and knocking everyone down.
Jane was dizzy and had momentarily blacked out. Darcy slowly sat up, reaching
for her glasses and blinked when a hand was offered to help her onto her feet.
Taking it, she got up and looked to see Loki smiling softly at her.
“Hello Darcy.” He smiled.
“Loki!!” She hugged him tightly, “It's been days!! Are you better, what about
those nasty roach things, did they hurt you!?”
“No, I'm alright. Thor?” Loki turned to his lover, who was cautiously tending
to Jane.
“She's weak, but she's alright for now.” Thor assured him, sniffing her and
even tracing her body with enough electricity to power an ultrasound machine.
“However there is something in her.”
“What!?” Jane gasped.
“Shit...” Tony grunted, Friday running scans and he was seeing the readouts on
his visor. “Whatever it is, it's slowly draining her, her vitals are not where
they should be for a woman in good health and at her age.”
“We need to get her back to the Tower to run tests--” Bruce began.
“I'm sorry Dr. Banner but there's nothing you can do for her... We're going to
need Lady Frigga's helps...” Loki sighed.
“What about your mother?” Steve asked.
“Wait, you found your mom!?” Darcy gasped.
“Yes, the Lady Nubia is actually the Mother of Loki.” Thor told her.
“Whoa... wait... she lied to us!” Darcy gasped.
“Actually she did not. But that's for later... Lord Stark, please give the
report to mother... We will be back as soon as we can. Heimdall, we need to
return!!” Loki called up to the heavens and in a moment the BiFrost was opened.
“Oh hell no, we are coming with you!” Tony stated.
“I will go back and tell Mrs. Nubia.” Bruce offered, nervous to travel through
the beam of light
“We're coming too.” Steve and Bucky nodded.
“Vision.”
“I will keep an eye on the Twins and the others, Mr. Stark. Please take care
and be careful.” Vision assured.
“I'm coming too!” Darcy stated, she wanted to see Sif again! Ian tagged along
because he wasn't sure if he could decline going.
Once everyone got in the center of the light, they were gone. The Police
blinked in confusion as they looked around them.
“Excuse me, this is a restricted area--”
“We are with Mrs. Nubia's company.” Bruce stated and the man paled and quickly
began apologizing, informing them that they would remain close by if they
needed anything but to continue doing whatever it was the woman wanted them to
do. The officer walked away as the others grumbled and chattered to each other.
“Looks like a memory spell....”
“I did not detect anything... Perhaps it something to do with the light?” Wanda
asked.
Pietro's cell began chiming and he answered it only to hear Ryilia's smug voice
tell him, “Heimdall made it so those who are not in the know do not remember
what happened moments prior to the BiFrost opening and leaving them momentarily
stunned to allow one to implant a suggestion or an idea. Very handy that.
Otherwise humans would have freaked out long ago from the constant visits of
others to the Realm of Midgard.”
“Okay that is freaky how she does that.” Pietro stated, when he realized she
hung up on them.
“Let's see what we can find and get Dr. Foster's things back to Lady Nubia and
perhaps locate Dr. Selvig.” Bruce suggested...
Jane and Darcy were in awe of the swirling lights around them. Tony's visor was
littered in displays, Friday chattering as fast as a three year old on sugar in
her excitement of the new findings. Steve and Bucky held still, afraid that
they would end up somewhere strange if they moved. Loki and Thor were
unbothered by bridge as in those few short moments, they were suddenly stepping
out into the Hub. Heimdall was just removing the sword from the central dial
and walked down the dais to look over the humans.
“Greetings, Midgardians. I am Heimdall, Gate Keeper of the Asgard, Son of the
Nine Mothers.” He greeted. “Thor, Loki, it pleases me that you are well.”
“Thank you, Heimdall.” Thor smiled.
“Godfather, you look very amused.” Loki noted, seeing how Heimdall's eyes
looked at him and yet through him.
“Yes, you mother is planning a few rather humorous, but unfortunate surprises
for a few Midgardians and the Dark Elves.” He stated calmly.
“Oh boy....” Steve groaned.
Loki giggled, his own mind wandering with all the possibilities. After a
moment, he seemed to control himself as he waved his hand to the humans.
“We will not have an issue bringing the Mortals here?” he asked.
“Normally I would not have answered your call, however there is something wrong
with the young lady and I have not been overly fond of the King since he hurt
the Queen.” Heimdall drawled out lowly, his powerful voice rumbling within the
golden building. “Be quick, now. It seems that the King has taken notice.”
Loki and Thor nodded and guided the humans out of the Hub, a few horses were
waiting for them already, Loki smiled back at his Godfather who quirked a smirk
before his face fell back into its usual look of indifference. Thor climbed one
horse with Jane before him and Darcy behind him as Loki climbed another, Tony
was still in his Iron Man suit so he would be flying with them. Steve and Bucky
climbed the last horse and soon they were racing down the Bridge, quickly
ducking off the main road and taking the hidden paths through the forests to
get back to Lilithorn.
Night was nearly upon them when they road into the village, the late evening
market was winding up, but still a busy place. As soon as they road in, the
villagers all cheered and rushed to greet them, a few running off to inform the
Queen and Lady Jalan of their return. Loki climbed off his horse as the women
all cooed and fluttered about him. It seemed that seeing his mother had really
done him some wonders. The people gasped at the red man who was flying over
their heads. Steve and Bucky were awed at, for they were smaller, but very
handsome. Darcy grinned as a few people offered her fruits and jewels, but
Thor's low growl made them back off.
A sudden roar filled the air and the people scattered like roaches, back to
their homes. A series of doors slamming and locks clicking being the only sound
before the great flapping of wings met their ears and in a moment a large
golden dragon dropped before them. On its head was a golden woman, she slipped
from her perch as the dragon began to morph into a human woman. The humans
blushed as they realized the Dragon turned woman was naked save for liquid gold
that seemed to dance about her body, always covering her private areas, but
also threatening to reveal them.
“Mother, Mother Jalan...” Thor smiled, slipping from his own horse, helping the
two women down as Frigga walked to him quickly and pulled him into her embrace.
“Welcome home, my love!” She grinned. “I thought you would be gone longer from
your last visit...”
“Things had changed.” Loki stated.
“Loki!” She cooed, pulling him into her embrace as well, playing with his
longer hair and awing at how bright and clear his aura was now.
“I found Mother and she's as insane as ever.” Loki smiled brightly.
“Very good, Civip Kethend...” Jalan purred, walking up to them, pulling Loki to
her and draping herself over him. “Now you need to smell like the Clutch...”
Thor rolled his eyes as Jalan rubbed herself over Loki, who let her.
“Mother, Mother Jalan, these are the newest additions to our Clutch.” Thor
stated, his tone leaving no room for argument, not that Frigga would have, but
Jalan might have. “The Ladies, Darcy Lewis and Jane Foster. Lord Anthony Stark,
Lord Steven Rogers and Lord James Buchanan Barnes.” He indicated each person in
turn and they all gave bows or curtsies to the two women. “There are more,
however they opted not make the journey and we did not wish to linger.”
“Yes, that is understandable. Heimdall has kindly informed us of all that has
been happening. Come let us get home so you may explain all that is happening
now.” Frigga smiled and Jalan jumped into the air, transforming back into her
natural form, the demoness flying off to hunt enough meat for tonight's dinner.
As soon as they arrived at the Mansion that was the home of their Clutch, Thor
and Loki were tackled by the others, hugged and scolded, some demanding stories
and the like.
It was a chaotic whirlwind of activity for the next hour or two as dinner was
prepared and cooked, rooms for their guests made up and finally as they sat in
the yard, around the large fires slowly roasting boar meat, Thor told them of
his and Loki's time on Midgard, spinning the tale with all the flare and pomp
of a seasoned storyteller. Loki smiled as the few children in the clutch
cuddled to him, asking if he was scared or hurt at all. Loki assured them that
he was well and that his enemies suffered much more than he had. Tony and Bucky
were very entertained by stories while Steve tried to censor the blonde God,
but a Mother told him to stop, that the children have seen Jalan eat people and
burn them to husks on a near daily basis.
Jalan just shrugged and stated that while she frowns upon eating humans
normally, she made an except every now and again because the human had either
a) killed one of her children, b) tried to steal from her hordes, or c)
attempted to take her Golden Mate. Frigga had also told him that she's killed
her fair share of people before the children, all to defend them. Sif's mother
chipped in by stating that of all the things they have seen so young, Thor was
by far the worst. Loki only chuckled because Thor has only ever shown himself
to Darcy and Jane
“Thor, it is nearly time.” Loki told him and the blonde looked to the east
where the sun's last few dying rays were winking out.
Thor sighed, finishing his mead and walking toward the forest.
“Wait... Where's he going?” Steve wondered.
“He, much like me, has been forcing himself to remain in our least threatening
forms.” Loki shrugged. “Alright everyone inside, we all know the routine!”
The children whined, but the tired yawning and sleepy rubbing of eyes betrayed
them, the mothers and fathers herded their little ones into the mansion,
bidding a good evening to the Queens of their Clutch. Sif wrapped her arm
around Darcy as Frigga directed the guards to quickly take their posts. Hogun
chuckled as he pulled out his knife, checking the edge before they all heard a
loud and monstrous roar fill the air. Jane yelped and Loki chuckled.
“Come.” Frigga ordered, turning and walking into the building, the others have
no other choice but to follow her.
Loki was the lest to enter the building, standing just on the threshold as
Jalan stood behind him, seeming to examine him from head to toe before she
smiled and left him be. She was very proud of her son, his chosen mate was
excellent in power, beauty and breeding. He was also a very kind and patient
man, though she sensed a darkness that did not bode well for his enemies, this
pleased her greatly. Loki smiled when in the darkness, just at the edge of the
forest, he saw a pair of icy blue on red eyes looking at him. He whispered a
few words to the Beast, smiling when white fangs appeared in a menacing smile
before the Beast ran off...
Steve couldn't really sleep. It was too quiet, Bucky's snores not withstanding.
He wasn't use to such soft things and even more so the large room. Opulence
didn't suit him, his shoulder training should have helped him fall asleep
anywhere, anywhen, but not this time. Slowly rolling out of bed, smiling at
Bucky's blue eye that popped open to glare balefully at him.
“Sorry, can't sleep...” he whispered.
“I can tire you out...”
“We are in someone else's house!” Steve gasped out, blushing furiously.
Bucky chuckled as she pushed himself up and rolled out of bed. The pair left
the room only to blink seeing Tony standing in the hall, the Iron Man suit
beside him talking with Friday.
“Ok, so you can't sleep either? This place is too quiet and the air's too
tense.” Tony grumped.
“You should all be in bed.” Frigga's voice suddenly spoke, startling them. She
snapped her fingers and four orbs of fire danced about her, dimly lighting the
hall.
“Sorry, but its...”
“Come along then...” she ordered softly, walking passed them and down the hall.
They followed her as she went down the stairs, but stopped on the bottom step
to see Loki walking out of the mudroom, Thor's Mudroom.
“Loki?”
“Yes?” He asked her, smiling as he stopped, blinking when he saw the others.
“He's getting cleaned up, he brought me another boar... it looks like I will be
cooking breakfast.”
Frigga perked up at that, she very much enjoyed Loki's cooking, but then she
frowned again.
“The air is tense.”
“Thor spotted some people out side of the territory, Odin's People. They
haven't set foot on our land, but Thor's not stupid enough to step out of it
either.” Loki stated.
“Tsk, he is trying my patience!” She hissed, but startled when Thor walked out
of the mudroom, damp and shirtless, he bared his fangs at her, the red
surrounding the blue of his eyes getting brighter. “Hush! I was not hissing at
Loki!”
“Ignore him....” Loki sighed, walking into the sitting room as Thor hurried
after him. “Come on, I hate shouting to speaking.”
The four walked into the living room to see Jane and Darcy settled on a nest,
Loki sitting by them but Thor was gone. In his place was a massive creature.
The three humans gasped because they couldn't tell if it was a lion, bear or
even a wolf, rows of razor sharp fangs filled a mouth that could eat a quarter
of a man in a single bite, large paws with long deadly talons. A forked tongue
lulled out of the side of its mouth while those same dual colored eyes looked
at them, but after a moment, the creature moved.
“Don't move, don't panic.” Loki stated, seeing the three tense. “The Beast
needs to imprint you as much as Thor has to confirm you are Clutch, only the
Clutch is safe from him.”
“He has not done this before now?” Frigga's asked when the Beast murmured,
butting her belly with billowing snuffles, nuzzling his dame before moving to
poke at the three men behind her, he knocked over the Iron Man suit in
annoyance when he realized when there was no one inside of it.
“Humans tended to attack first ask questions later.” Loki stated. “If not they
faint from the fear alone.”
She chuckled in understanding, giggling even more when Bucky yelped as the
Beast knocked him down, laying on his chest.
“Aww, he wants cuddles!” Darcy giggled, getting up to sit next to the Beast's
large head, draping herself on his neck, digging her fingers into thick fur and
give him a good scratching.
“Is.. is this what you've been hinting at!?” Steve finally squeaked out.
“Is this what you were avoiding happening?” Tony wondered.
“Yes and yes. Thor has been like this since he was a babe, he's actually very
much in control, however he does not always wish to be in control. Our time of
Midgard forced him to remain in his human form, least he be attacked or
captured. It is very rare for him to lose control and if you do not believe me,
you may ask Lady Frigga herself, however, my lady, we have another matter to
discuss.”
“It's about the young woman, she's infected with something powerful.” Frigga
nodded sagely.
“Yes, the Aether.” Loki stated.
Everyone gasped.
“So we got the damn thing these people keep attacking us for?”
“Yes. Four of the stones are destroyed already, the fifth has been entrusted
with Vision and the last is now possessing Dr. Foster.” Loki summed up for
Frigga.
“You cannot extract it from her?” she wondered.
“Not without knowing what might happen to the Lady Jane.” Loki stated.
“Well I should call for Lady Eir come morn.” She murmured. “Do you feel sick at
all?”
“No... a little faint and tired, but otherwise I'm alright.” Jane admitted.
“This thing doesn't really do anything unless you touch me.”
“Even then it only reacts if it senses a possible threat to the host and thus
itself, even if it is killing the Host.” Loki stated.
“What?!” Steve gasped.
“So how long until Dr. Foster's life is in danger?” Bucky asked, from where he
was laying down, Thor content to use him as a human sized teddy bear.
“It's in danger now, it's slow going, but how slow is not something I can
measure. We need a Soul Board to determine how much time we have, but if I had
to take a shot in the dark, my guess is a week, give or take a day.” Loki
huffed out as Thor seemed to have enough of Bucky and went and grabbed Tony,
his broad and sandpaper like tongue grooming the genius' short hair.
Tony shivered with each pass of the tongue, but otherwise said nothing or
ignored Thor.
“He does this a lot doesn't he?” He asked.
“Mostly to the children.” Loki giggled.
“See even the Beast thinks you're a child.” Steve grinned as he helped Bucky
up.
“Don't mock him because you're the last one he's going to bond with and you
better hope he doesn't decide you need a bath too.” Darcy giggled.
“The Lady Eir, is she not within the Palace?” Loki asked for confirmation.
“Yes she is. She and Idun both are still in the Palace, not by choice mind
you.” Frigga sighed.
“Alright so it's a matter of sneaking into the Palace...” Tony said.
“Not that simple.” Darcy began. “Think about it, all the legends and Myths says
that Thor and Loki grew up as brothers raised in Asgard's Golden Palace, but
Loki isn't even adopted by Frigga, if anything he'll marry into the family via
Thor. Thor himself while often spoken of as a Berserker, isn't wholly human!
And we're in a Mansion on the edge of Asgard, the Palace is at the very heart
of Asgard. I take it that you and Odin didn't get along?”
“Believe me, young Darcy, I loved my husband, loved him so much I was blinded.
Ignored the signs of his unfaithfulness until it cost my Thor.” She sighed.
Thor whined, dropping Tony to go lay his massive head on his mother's lap as
she petted his brow, smiling. “Jalan, the Demoness, had come to the palace to
seek revenge against Odin for he killed one her children, a child he helped
create it would seem. She didn't kill Thor, but she cursed him made him into a
demon like her... this is the result.”
They looked at the massive creature who was contently being petted, not at all
bothered by anything being said.
“Every night he turns into this, the mind of a beast and uncontrollable, but as
Thor grew, he learned to change at will, to curb his urges and habits. Jalan
greatly disapproves of any of her children eating human flesh, but every now
and gain will allow it. Thor's east his fair share of his fellow Men.” She
grinned cruelly then.
“He ate nearly an entire battalion of Dark Elves to save me.” Loki chirped, a
blush filling his cheeks. “At the time I was so scared I fainted, but after I
recovered and learned what he did... well if Thor had been born Jotun, I'd have
to fight every other Jotun to keep him to myself.”
Frigga giggled.
“Okay, you are warped.” Tony stated.
Steve yelped when Thor turned and pulled him into his side, curling around him,
sniffing and nuzzling as the blonde struggled a moment before reluctantly
relaxing in his hold.
“Why am I the one to get the tongue bath and Super Soldiers 1 and 2 get the
cuddles of death?” Tony grumped.
“Because the Beast sees you as a Hatchling.” Jalan stated, walking into the
room. “This is not an insult, without that suit...” she pointed to Friday who
had moved the suit into the room with them. “You are much more vulnerable,
however the Children of the Clutch are not weak, they know how to fight and
they will kill if they need to do so. You are a Child to him and he will
protect you as fiercely as he does the others. The other two are seen as
capable Betas, but he would not go out of his way to protect them.”
“Oh.... ouch...” Tony winced picturing a very unpleasant image. “Alright, so
I'm a Child of the Clutch... huh, Pep always said I never seemed to grow up.”
“Lady Pepper, is quite right, you may be an adult to your people, but mentally
and emotionally you are still childish.” Loki smiled. “I am as well.”
“We noticed, I thought your dad snapped your neck a moment there!” Tony huffed.
“Jotun bones are thicker, heavier and stronger than an Aesir, it takes a great
amount of force and strength to fracture a bone let alone break one.” Loki told
him. “The worse I felt was a mild case of whiplash, my head suddenly jarring
like that only gave me a crink in the neck.”
Thor released Steve and went to cuddle Loki, sniffing and purring, as Loki
smiled and kissed his ear, making it twitch and Thor huff annoyed.
“Back on topic.” Frigga smiled, “how do you get anything done?”
“Masters of Multitasking.” Loki and Tony chimed together, give her twin bright
smiles.
“I see.” She nodded slowly.
“Since the Einherjar are sitting out side of our boarders, I can only assume
that we will have a visit from Odin and soon.” Loki sighed, huffing in
annoyance. “His last few visits haven't been pleasant and I am pretty sure he
will demand things we cannot give him.”
“Indeed.” Frigga sighed.
“Let Odin One-Eye try it...” Jalan growled out.
“You know, teasing the AllFather is not wise.” Ryilia's voice startled everyone
before an astral image of her appeared in the room. Loki smiled as Thor gave a
rough bark of greeting.
“Mother!” Loki smiled. “How-- what?”
“Astral.” She smiled. “I wanted to tell you that you all need to be careful,
Malekith has finally made his move and depending on what you do, Loki it could
cost us a key player or two if the wrong moves are made.”
“Lady Rhyg!?” Frigga gasped, quickly bowing low, as lowly as a servant to the
woman.
“Frigga! It's been so long, you look as lovely as ever! And stop that!
Seriously, I have told you time again, you don't have to bow to me, you dick of
a husband does!” Ryilia giggled. “And you said my real name, not cool, love!”
“Forgive me...”
“I'm not mad!” Rhyg sighed, rolling her eyes as she looked around the room
before looking at Jane. “Hmm, poor thing, you have the Aether in you, don't
you? Well looks like we have to make a suicide play. Loki, don't fight what
happens in the next three days, let it happen and keep your eyes open for the
next play, we need to draw Malekith away from Asgard, take the Paths to
Svartalfheim and let him extract the Aether from Jane, it will save her life,
but it will also allow him the power to take over all.”
“I don't understand--” Tony began but Frigga gasped.
“I see... I see...” She stated as she grabbed a hand held loom and began
weaving, In moments she was done and after cutting it from the loom, it
vanished as Rhyg smiled.
“Thank you for this. All of you rest. Tony, Steve, Bucky, I've got everyone
already ready in Europe. I told Heimdall to be ready to pull you back to Earth
and with the others. Because almost all Universe ending battles need to be
fought on the one fucking realm where people are afraid of their own
shadows...” She groaned and grumbled before frowning and hissing something.
Outside a yelp was heard and Thor jumped up snarling in anger, moving off to
deal with the threat. “Don't eat him whole! Bite off an arm!”
Loki rolled his eyes as a scream was heard and Thor's howl fading into the
distance as he chased the poor fool.
“Alright, well good night, I have a few more people to set up and screw over.
And please no one fell guilty for killing the old dick! I beg you, someone kill
him!!” With that Rhyg melted away.
“Your mom's blood thirsty.”
“Like mother, like son.” Loki shrugged, she just gave him the green light to
cause a political revolution like Hel was he passing this up. “Alright bed, we
need to look somewhat rested tomorrow...”
With that everyone left, Loki, Darcy and Jane cuddled up on the next in the
sitting room, waiting for Thor to come back...
 
***** Sassy and Snarky *****
Chapter Summary
     Back to Asgard and really is everyone in the Clutch Sassy and Snarky
     or is it just Loki and Frigga?
Chapter Notes
     Okay by this point I have no other excuses other than Life and Muse
     being bitches... Like really I open up the doc to start writing,
     having all these ideas of what I want to write and the moment the doc
     is open, the brain hits the DELETE ALL button and UUUUUUGH!!!!
Chapter 21
Loki began his day before dawn, much like he normally does, gutting and
cleaning the boar that Thor had brought home the night before. He waltzed about
the kitchen, humming to himself, chopping, whipping and prepping everything he
was planning for the morning meal. The sinful ambrosial smell of his cooking
was lazily wafting into the air, waking the members of the Clutch as well as
their guests. Thor himself was curled up in a corner, gnawing on the severed
arm of their unwanted visitor from last night. Loki just grinned as he crushed
herbs and spices before whipping them into the warmed honey and braising the
slowly cooking boar meat.
By the time the sun was lazily poking her head up from her slumber, the whole
of the Clutch was awake, setting the table and impatiently waiting for the meal
worthy of Kings! Soon plates and platters were floating into the room, Loki and
Thor carrying the last of them in their arms. Thor, having turned human and
cleaned up to eat with his family, held the boar meat on the large serving
platter while Loki set down tarts and fresh breads onto the table before
turning to cut up the meat. After Thor set the platter in the open space at the
center of the large table, they began to eat.
“Holy shit!!” Darcy moaned. “Who taught you to cook!?”
“Mother.” Loki stated, munching on his own stuffed roll and enjoying his egg
omelet.
“Damn... if I wasn't already getting married to Pep and if Thor wouldn't gut
me, I'd marry you...” Tony lamented, stuffing his cheeks with some tarts and
the sweet spicy boar meat.
“You should teach Steve...” Bucky murmured as he ate.
“What!?” Steve growled, knowing that it was a jab at his poor cooking skills
before and after the Super Soldier program.
“Steve, you can't even make a bowl of oatmeal without it trying to claw your
face off.” Bucky sighed.
“You are sleeping on the sofa!” Steve hissed and moved to sit with the children
away from Bucky.
Loki giggled at their antics while Thor and Jalan contentedly devoured the raw
cuts of the meat, Jalan chewing on a bone to suck out the marrow. Sooner than
they wanted a thunderous knock came to the door and Loki sighed.
“Do not move, Thor. You will stay right there or so help me, I will freeze your
cock to the floor.” Loki growled out, placing a suddenly blue hand on his
lover's arm and letting him feel the burning freeze of his natural body temp.
Thor's growl of disapproval was ignored however the large male did not disobey
his beloved. After all, Loki would listen to his mother even if what she said
sounded completely mad and pure nonsense. But it also gave them an excuse to
get into the palace, see the Lady Eir and perhaps swipe a few of Idun's Apples
while they were at it. Loki got up and went to the door, opening it before the
man on the other side could knock again.
“We are in the middle of a meal, what is it?” He snapped out, the icy chips in
his voice stabbing like little blades into the man who flinched minutely.
“I come in the name of his Majesty Odin AllFather.”
“And I live with the Lady Frigga AllMother, what do I care for him?” Loki
demanded.
“Insolent--” He began raising a hand to slap Loki, but then he froze in place,
gulping as the deadly edges of two knives kissed his throat.
“You dare to raise your hand to a guest in my home?” Frigga's icy voice cooed
in his ear. “I should think you were raised better, taught better. But it seems
you were not... why should I not slit you throat here and now? Hmm?”
“The AllFather, comes! He wishes to speak with you, my lady Queen!” The man
yelped, whimpers of fright bubbling from his throat.
“Oh... well that could have waited until after breakfast... Now my meal has
gotten cold and I'm very upset. I haven't even eaten a third of it yet.” She
pouted and let him go.
The man, as soon as he was free from his former Queen's hold, took off running
like the foulest beasts of Hel were on his heels.
“Hmm, that should give us at least 10 minutes to make ourselves presentable...
alas I wished to have at least enjoyed my meal more...” Frigga sighed, making
Loki chuckle.
“But we are to face the Ogre, how can one stomach anything with him coming?”
Loki asked.
“Indeed. I wonder how I've eaten at all in the years before I had Thor...” She
mused as they went inside, only to see Tony and Darcy standing on the stairs.
“Lady Frigga's Boss!” Darcy grinned.
“Thank you, I think?” Frigga looked to Loki who quickly chirped at her in
AllSpeak what it meant and she nodded.
“Is everyone here a ninja? Or is it anyone who has Magic that can do that?”
Tony wondered.
“We have no idea what you are talking about.” The two magic users shrugged,
looking at one another with smug grins.
“... I dislike you right now.” Tony pouted.
“Do not fret, Man of Iron.” Thor's appearance startled him and he grasped his
chest around the core reactor.
“For the love-- Damn it! I wanna be a badass ninja too!” Tony whined.
“Don't worry, Little Man,” Jalan purred, walking into the hall. “I shall teach
you...”
“I'm engaged!” Tony yelped trying to look at anything but the primarily naked
woman.
“Ooh? She must be worthy of all the world for you to not want to play with
me...” Jalan cooed.
“Jalan.” Frigga's dark tone startled everyone. Frigga was not someone you
wanted angered and even worse, you did not wish to see her jealous. “Come here,
you stupid beast.”
Jalan slinked up to her mate and yelped when Frigga punched her in the stomach,
hard only to have her head grabbed by her braid and yanked into a vicious knee.
She dropped where she was let go.
“Shall we get ready then?” She asked chipper and not at all bothered by the
fact she crippled the Demoness with only two hits.
“The children and the others are leaving through the back to the caves as we
speak.” Thor tells her, heading for his mud room to get cleaned up for the day.
“The black breeches, Thor!” Jalan called after him around a hiss of pain.
“And the blood red tunic!” Frigga added.
Loki chuckled as he guided his Midgardian friends back to their rooms, knowing
that Frigga was going to lay into Jalan again. He saw the steel edge in her
eyes still, a look he was familiar with from his own mother whenever someone
voiced a challenge her place and her right as his father's mate and wife. Many
feel at her feet, broken and shamed, only two have never risen again. Not long
after they had climbed the stairs did they hear Jalan's yelp of pain and
Frigga's furious snarls of AllSpeak.
“She's scary.” Tony stated.
“She is the Goddess of Marriage. She needs to be scary.” Loki informed them.
“She also speaks for the Norns and again, she needs to be scary.”
“Well we're just glad she's on our side.” Steve murmured, he and Bucky having
come into the hall when Frigga had struck her mate. “I normally do not approve
of domestic violence, but seeing as Thor has told us once, his mother is a War
Goddess and his other mother is a Demoness. I'm sure this is just the kid
friendly version of their fighting.”
“Right!” Loki smiled. “Then again, we've never seen the more serious fights...
Thor usually orders everyone out of the mansion before they even start. I get
the feeling those fights usually result in... well...” He blushed.
Darcy crowed with laughter as Tony gave a pervy giggle. Steve looked
scandalized and Bucky just huffed in amusement.
“Even gods have angry sex... nice.”
“Bucky!” Steve gaped in horror.
“Come, we do not have much time...” Loki huffed, shoving them all into his room
and quickly walking over to the wardrobe to fish out a few things which he then
used his magic to adjust and alter before handing them out to the four
Midgardians and ushering them one at a time into the bathroom to get dressed.
As they went, Loki waved his hand over his body, his sleep clothes vanishing as
the outfit Frigga had made for him took their place. He used his magic to
shorten his hair once more before he turned to the others who were done. He
nodded at them as Darcy looked confused about what to do with her hair. Loki
quickly sat her at his vanity and took of his comb, detangling her hair quickly
before he broke it up into three sections. The lower half of her hair was left
lose while he took small hair ties and tied each of the top sections away from
one another before taking another tie and binding them together where he then
took the single ponytail and split it once more into two before carefully
curling the hair up, wrapping around the first sections and back down, binding
the ends once more into a ponytail. Stepping back he smiled at the pretty
little heart he made in Darcy's hair, conjuring a mirror to show her the back
through the mirror in front of her.
“Oh wow... you have to teach me how to make that!” Darcy gasped, liking it a
lot.
“Thank you, Lady Darcy.” he smiled. “Lady Frigga should have gotten Lady Jane
ready by now. Come...”
They all stepped out of the room and headed downstairs where Frigga stood with
Jane. Jane was dressed in a toga like dress made from a lovely blue material
with a bronze half breast plate fastened around her chest. The left side
unguarded with a long sleeve that fell to where the matching arm guards were
wrapped around her arms. She had on leather boots that had bronze grieves
attached to them and Loki spied the hilt of a dagger hidden in the folds of her
skirt. Her hair was left out, curled delicately to give her a gentle, but regal
look.
Frigga herself wore a similar dress, though hers was a lighter blue and she had
a full breast plate on in mythrill. Loki spied the dull gray the under armor
Frigga normally wore, her mythrill bracers over the long sleeves of the under
armor. She had a long silk scarf wrapped loosely over her shoulders, her short
sword sheathed at her left hip and her long dagger on her right hip. He was
sure her boots were a durable leather with matching mythrill grieves to protect
her legs. Her hair was picked up in its usual style of tightly woven curls
pinned into place with a single lock of hair trailing down her back.
Jalan stood behind her, though the liquid gold that normally traveled around
her body was now morphed into a golden meshing of scales and armor that covered
her whole body, her hair even had golden spikes sticking out of her braid while
on her head, her golden horns stood large, proud and deadly.
“Oh, Loki, they look wonderful! Jotun designs?” Frigga asked, smiling in
approval of the outfits Loki had quickly made for the mortals.
“A mix, actually... Jotun and Midgardian fusion.” Loki told her proudly.
The boys wore the same style of clothing, thick leather breeches, laced and
cinched to protect as much of their flesh as possible, but still giving them
plenty of room to move around or bend. Boots that stopped mid calf, made of
padded felt rather than leather with a thick padded tunic that hugged their
bodies just as much as the pants did and over those there was the golden Jotun
battler armor.
The back of the chest guard covered their whole back while the front of the
chest guard protected their necks, the clavical and the start of the breast
bone, leaving the sternum exposed as well as the belly, however the golden
armor rand down their ribs and came together just above the hips. Golden
bracers and two part grieves covered their arms and lower legs while gold and
thick leather shoulder guards protected the upper arms. Each male had a head
guard that protected the sides and the back of their skulls. The armor had
runes etched into them that no one but the Jotun prince could read or even
guess at what they meant.
Darcy on the other was dress in a velvet gown that hugged her body like a
glove, leaving only her left leg exposed to show the boots she had on with the
same grieves as the men, though the armor wrapped about her was all silver. She
didn't have bracers, however her chest guard covered her breasts and exposed
only her belly while the neck guard was closer to her skin. Most would think it
would keep her head stuck in one spot, but it moved with any motion of her
head. The neck guard also formed a head guard around the sides and the back of
her head, but unlike the boys, the front curved up over her forehead in a pair
of deadly spike like horns.
“Is it a bit dangerous to have our stomachs exposed?” Tony wondered.
“The armor is designed so even our pregnant half of the race can fight as
well.” Loki gave a careless shrug, like it was perfectly normal to send a
pregnant person in battle.
“What!?” Steve and Bucky shouted. “Are you all insane!?”
“The Jotuns are a warrior race, everyone fights, even their children fight
because if you do not fight, you die. It's simply the harsh truth and reality
they live in. However the armors are enchanted, correct?” Frigga asked.
“Yes, the ruins activate the moment anything dangerous gets within 15 feet of
you, armor made of near impenetrable ice armor covers any part of you that is
exposed. This is only a fail safe because Jotuns are able to manipulate the ice
and snow and make armor or weapons at will.” Loki informed them. “However since
we lost the last war and have been slowly but surely dying off, we've stopped
making armor and weapons to make tools and machines to help us harvest what we
can, grow what we can so we may live on.”
Jane felt sick, just thinking about how bad things had to be for Loki and his
people to send even children and their pregnant partners into battle. Steve and
Bucky apologized, but Loki waved it off, not at all offended. Darcy just
grinned as she told him she thought that his Badassary levels just reached a
new high. Tony didn't comment at all, still kind of shell shocked that Loki had
given them armor that has served his people well in the past and by the looks
of the designs, for many years. The armor was unyeilding to touch, but as he
and the others moved, he saw that it was either designed to move with the body
or it was infused with magic to make it move and bend so the one inside of it
did not have to limit their range or be left unable to move at all. Though he
wondered why Darcy got the horns and not them.
“Why does Darcy have horns?” Jane asked.
“Shield Sister.” Loki stated. “Shield Brothers carry the finest swords and
spears our Smithies could make, with gems and crystal cores that amplify magic
or cast spells for non magic users. However I doubt showing up decked out
completely for battle will go over well.”
“Oh... so do I get one?” Jane asked, recalling that Loki said that she and
Darcy were his Shield Sisters.
“Yes.” He nodded and waved his hand and a matching silver neck guard and head
guard wove its way around her. “There, the horns are for those who do not grow
a pair or have lost theirs in battle. Not all Frost Giants grow horns.”
“I see. So if we were born Jotuns, we'd have horns?” Tony asked him.
“Yes. All warriors in the army have horns, a natural weapon and very deadly one
seeing as they are made of solid bone.” Loki smiled brightly. “Harder and
denser than our bones really. It is one of the reasons we angle our heads so
strangely or hold our heads so high.”
He mimicked how the warriors often stood, head tilted up high and slightly back
or angling his neck forward, but keeping his head up, it was not the most
comfortable position, however it worked when you had a very heavy head.
Standing up straight, he breathed a spell and his own armor appeared around
him, but unlike the Midgardians, his was made of some strange black material.
Though his was much more connected in places and covered a little more than
theirs did. Bucky noted that the head guard around Loki's head didn't have
horns on it.
“I guess you have horns...” He spoke up.
“Yes. It was a great shock when I began to complain of headaches and would get
very itchy in the back of my neck to the point I would almost gouge out skin.
And then one day I did and panicked when I felt something hard and strange. I
ran to my father and cried in fright for hours until he managed to finally calm
me and tell me not to fear for I was growing my horns. He said I was like
Fárbauti, growing my horns from the back of my head rather than the sides or
the front like the warriors. It why my head guard is not adorned with horns and
does not wrap around my head quite the same.” Loki told them.
“That must have been scary.” Steve looked worried.
“It was... but then father told me that all Jotuns born with powerful magic
grew their horns, if they grew them at all, from the back of their heads. He
told me it was the body's natural defense for protecting our heads, our brains.
Mages are vastly intelligent; a blow to the head could be very deadly no matter
who you are, our horns cover the majority of heads to protect us not only from
death, but to keep us from suffering memory loss if we do take a blow to the
head.” Loki shrugged it off. “I guess you did not see me very well during the
battle of New York, my horns were on full display then. I normally magic them
invisible to make others think I really am a runt, weak and worthless.”
“Fascinating.” Frigga grinned. “However I believe we are now late to our
meeting.”
“Jotun Royalty is never late, the others are simply early.” Loki sniffed
primly.
Frigga grinned as Thor walked into the room then, grinning as he finished
clasping his cape around his shoulders. The deep blue material looking like
early night just before the sun sets completely. He was rather plain compared
to everyone else, however Thor did not need armor, he was more than capable of
protecting himself. The red tunic seemed to fight his frame like a glove and
his breeches looked to be painted onto him. Loki felt his cheeks flush as his
quim moistened. Jalan and Thor sniffed the air and looked at him, his cheeks
enflaming even more.
“Oh my...” Frigga gasped, blushing only slightly before she cleared her throat
and began to usher them out the door. Outside stood Sif, Hogun, Voltstagg and
Frandral all in full regalia. They bowed to their leaders and took up potion
behind them, though everyone was more than capable of protecting themselves.
Tony had his Iron Man suit with him, it was in briefcase mode while Steve had
his shield strapped to his back and Bucky had more than a few guns and knives
on his person, he even donned his Winter Soldier mask, which coupled with the
outfit and armor gave him an even more menacing look. Darcy much like Jane had
a dagger hidden in one of her bracers. Loki had a pouch of gems, his daggers
and a few other knives hidden on him not to mention his other magics and if
needed he could adopt his natural form and use that to his advantage in a
fight. Thor had Mjolnir hooked to his belt, a knife of his own but nothing
else. The others carried their weapons more obviously or were considered a
living weapon.
Soon enough they were walking into Lilithorn and waiting for them at the
fountain was Odin AllFather and he did not look pleased to be kept waiting.
Frigga chuckled lowly as she and Jalan kept walking forward as the others
stayed behind. Loki stood between Jane and Darcy, ready to grab them and flee
if he needed to while Thor stood before them with Hogun and Sif on either side
of him. Frandral and Voltstagg remained in the back while Tony, Steve and Bucky
stood behind Loki and the girls, each ready to react.
“Wife.” Odin greeted.
“I have not been your wife in over a millenia and a half!!” She snapped out,
already irritated with him cutting her morning meal short, especially since
Loki had been the one to cook this morning! “Last I recall, you let me leave...
didn't bother to come after me, not even to see your son! And when we finally
hear from you, see you; its to demand that I tell you who stole into your
vaults and made off with a treasure that was never meant for you! And even then
you practically demand that place the blame on already dying people, just so
you can finish your genocide!”
“You know nothing, woman! They started each war!”
“Oh?” Loki asked, stepping away from Darcy and Jane, Thor stepping back to
guard them, though he seemed to be tensing, a low subsonic growl building in
his throat. “The first war was shortly after the fall of the Dark Elves, King
Bor beat back the rebellion and allowed our people to live in peace, only
demanding gems and weapons from us. The Second war was started by a battalion
of Aesir, who attacked and killed an Envoy of Jotuns who were on Midgard for
peace proceedings! Peace proceedings heralded by my Mother!!”
“Daft boy, you are clearly Aesir, do you feel such sympathy for monsters who,
if given the chance, will steal into your home and slay you as you sleep?!”
Loki sneered and let his Jotun flesh melt into being. The Einherjar grabbed
their weapons and aimed them at Loki who snorted, hands held out in a 'look
upon me and be amazed' gesture. He then turned back to his friends and did the
same.
“Do I look like a monster to you?” he asked the Midgardians clearly. “You, the
one with the light in his chest.” He called, pretending not to know them.
“You look like Smurf to me...” Tony snorted.
“What's a Smurf?” Bucky wondered.
“I'll show you when you when we get home.” Steve promised. “Sam got me the TV
box set.”
“Lady Frigga, am I a monster?” Loki asked her next.
“No, my dear. You are anything but a monster. I should know I sleep with one
every night.”
Jalan grinned menacingly at that, purring with delight.
“Civip Kethend, if you are monster then I am the AllFather.” Jalan cackled out.
“How dare you!!” Odin bellowed.
“We dare, Ogre... oh how we dare...” Jalan growled out lowly. “We dare because
we have nothing to fear, not your pile of fool's gold nor your fairy conjurers
and most certainly not you...”
“Lady Jalan is correct.... we dare. I dare because I did not invade a realm and
kill innocents. Pregnant carriers and defenseless Frostlings. I did not rape
and pillage and I did not murder the King's Consort in cold blood... No, I dare
because I have lost so much before I even drew breathe the first time.” Loki
snarled around his fangs. “I also dare because my mother dares!”
“You know nothing, boy!”
“I am no boy!” Loki bellowed back, standing tall and proud, removing the
cloaking spells upon his horns, displaying the deadly sharp bones, decorated in
golden rings and chains, pearls of mythrill and nephrite dangling from the
rings. “I am Loki of Jotunheim. And I am burdened with a glorious purpose. You
will cower before me by the end... This I promise and this I will make happen,
Odin the Butcher.”
Odin flinched back, the boy was dressed and decorated almost exactly like the
Jeweled Sorcerer Fárbauti, only much smaller, prettier looking, but also that
much more deadlier. The boy snarled a hiss that made his Einherjar flinch back
as he stepped forward.
“You took from us the Casket, the center fold of the natural Knot of magic that
surrounds my realm! Without it, the weather grows steadily unstable! Crops do
not grow, what does yield hardly feeds more than three quarters of my people!
Our land is growing weaker, we're trapped in our settlements because we cannot
travel to one another without meeting gruesome ends! Fewer and fewer Frostlings
are being born! Soon we will not be able to have any children at all and then
we will truly die! You have damned us! You have killed us!! All for a precieved
slight!?”
“No one of the other 8 realms was to ever set foot upon Midgard! Your people
broke that rule!”
“And yet the Aesir have long since been abusing that rule before my people
dared to do so.” Loki stated calmly. “We have detailed records of our visits,
Ogre. The Midgardians the area in which we had visited often had many statues
and temples dedicated to you and the Valkyries, Lady Frigga and many more! They
had adopted much of your culture, training to be great warriors and living the
ways the Einherjar, hoping that at the end of their lives they may be allowed
into Valhalla. So of course, my people broke the rule that had long since been
abandoned.”
“You--”
“My mother offered herself up to my father for peace, did you know that? A
lowly mortal woman living on a realm that was inhospitable to its own people?
Surely she'd die within mere minutes, and yet my mother was such a powerful
Mage, she not only lived, she even birthed the third Prince to the throne of
Jotunheim, ruled beside its King when the King's Consort was slain, raised two
Frostlings not her own! But she was a mortal woman... insignificant and easily
forgotten if you had been the one to take her for wife and mother of your
children... but a crime worthy of Genocide should another realm dare do so...”
Loki spat out, his red on red eyes glowing brightly with his magic.
“Insolent brat!!” Odin bellowed out, aiming Gungnir at Loki and firing.
“Loki!!” Several people screamed, but gasped when a mass of red and black
matter absorbed the blast.
Everyone gasped as Jane suddenly collapsed into Loki's arms, the Jotun
panicking when he saw how pale she had become, practically gray! He only
breathed easier when he felt a pulse and the mortal woman weakly smiled at him.
“Foolish, I could have protected my self....” Loki scolded her.
“... Couldn't.... couldn't let... Thor... go.... go berserk... You need him
calm... right? I feel so weak...”
“The Aether took a lot from you...” He whispered to her. “You've also alerted
the Dark Elves to where you are hidden.”
“Good.... Let the... the dick fight them....” She smirked before fainting.
Loki carefully picked her up and was met with the spears of the Einherjar as
the Warriors 3 and Sif were holding Thor back. Loki looked at his beloved and
Thor reluctantly settled down. Frigga was also surrounded, Jalan was holding
her side where she was stabbed by Gungnir. It seemed that when Jane had came to
protect Loki, everyone reacted at once. However, Loki couldn't help but think
that this was all part of a plan.
“Be calm... all is well.” Loki told Thor, but was directing his words to the
others. “We will be fine... the Norns know what they want.”
Thor blinked and stood tall behind him Tony and Steve relaxed only slightly.
Everyone who had been there when Rye had spoken to them that night around the
camp fire, they knew that this is what she meant. This had to happen and based
off of what Loki did next, they my or may not lose a couple of key people who
could help them win this war.
“Surrendering, Jotun?” Odin sneered.
“I will not risk the life of my Shield Sister.” He held his chin high and
defiant. “Besides, you will place me in a prison cell, use me as a bargening
chip against my father and our people and you will try and learn all the
secrets that I know, secrets that would make you more powerful, more repected,
more feared...”
“Good to know you are not stupid...” Odin spat.
“Your face is stupid.” Loki sniped back.
Darcy giggled then, she and Tony high fiving because yes, Loki was the master
of snark and sass.
“You little bastard--”
“My mother was married to my father long before she pushed me out of her.” Loki
huffed, offended. “And don't even think about saying it is impossible because I
can conjure up the memory she shared with me. Did you know that once a woman
gives birth for the first time, her hips are permanently dislocated from before
she became pregnant? It makes pregnancies and childbirth much easier after!”
Odin looked green in the face while Frigga looked down at her own hips with a
curious gaze.
“Enough!”
“Nope!” Loki giggled.
“I will smack you--”
“Touch me and I'll rip out your other eye and shove it up your arse!” Loki
snarled.
Odin bellowed and shot a spell at Loki, it hit him right in the head, knocking
him out, Jane falling from his arms, but thankfully a couple of Einherjar
warriors caught them both.
“I am taking them, either you try and fight us here and now and die, or you go
on about your lives and forget them.”
“How about I kick you in your shriveled grapes?” Darcy growled, pissed now.
“Darcy! Stand down!” Frigga ordered. “If you want my aid, Odin, you will leave
them be, never set foot in this village ever again and forget we ever lived
here. Only then will I help you.”
“Done...” He nodded and turned to leave, waving for his warriors to do the
same. “Such a disappointment, our son would have been a fine warrior...”
“What makes you think he is not?” She snarled darkly, a deadly edge in her eyes
as she was led away...
 
***** War Goddess Frigga *****
Chapter Summary
     Loki's in prison, Jane is just done and Frigga is a Boss!
Chapter Notes
     The dreaded moment! What will happen will they lose a key player or
     will things take a different turn!? Well read people!!
Chapter 22
Waking up from a spell blast was oddly not how many discribed it. It wasn't
slow and agonizing, nor was it in stages of waking from a dream. One moment he
was unconscious, the next his eyes snapped open and he looked up at the glowing
white ceiling of his cell. Sitting up, he noticed one solid wall to his back
and three clear walls of magic barriers filling the others. The gentle
thrumming gold spell work showing him that there was indeed a wall. The cell
beside him was occupied by some lowly urchins, the ones across from him full of
brigands and bandits. One stood out to him, his glowing blue eyes focused on
him.
Loki ignored him for now, noting that his cell was actually comfy. He was
laying on a lounge, thick fur blankets sat at one end, a few fluffy pillows
supported his head and back. There was a table with fruit and a decantor of
water, another small table had a basin and a cloth to clean himself with and a
folding divider to give him privacy. There was quills, ink wells and stacks of
parchment as well as colored coal sticks to draw with. A nice pile of books to
read from and a small chest with clothes.
“Personally I do not think you deserve any of this...” Odin's voice suddenly
spoke up.
“However, I am a royal prisoner... If you want to gain whatever it is you want
from my people, I need to be in good health and not abused.” Loki smirked. “I
thank you for making an effort to keep me entertained... I become quite
destructive when I am bored.”
Odin sneered and stomped away as an astral image of Frigga walked up behind
Loki, placing her hand on his shoulder.
“He's foolish.” She stated.
“Please, you insult fools all over the realms and beyond, he does not even have
a brain.” Loki sniffed.
She giggled and he turned to face her.
“Are you well?”
“Indeed I am, Lady Eir is looking over young Jane as we speak, her vitals are
dropping at an alarming rate.” Frigga worried.
“She is a strong woman, she will live a few more days...” Loki assured, even as
he looked worriedly off to the side. “Please inform if there are any changes.”
“Of course, my son.” She smiled and faded when he swiped his hand through her.
He looked at the others and snarled loudly, chuckling when they all flinched
away or yelped in fright. He grabbed a book, sitting on his lounge, he began to
read. Mind working out all the possibilities of what could go right and what
could go wrong...
Odin walked into the healing chambers where Eir was working at her Soul Board,
examining the Midgardian woman, who seemed intent of pestering and poking
things she should leave well enough alone. Frigga chuckled as she watched the
young woman, amused by her child like curiosity and glee. He came to stand
beside his wife, placing his hand on the small of her back, but she slapped it
away and gave him a cold glare that dared him to touch her again. He noted that
her hand went to her dagger, secure at her hip at all times.
“Wife, come now--”
“I am not your wife, have not been since Thor was but a newly born babe.” She
cut him off, her grip tightening on her dagger. “And do not think that I did
not notice you going off to pester Loki. I will only tell you this once: Leave
the boy be, he has do nothing wrong to you or to anyone.”
“He is a Jotun, they are liars and monsters! He has you bewitched into thinking
he is harmless, that he is innocent--”
“Come now, Odin. Surely you know that it is impossible to bewitch a Master?”
She purred, a gentle swirl of magic becoming visible as it danced about her in
a hypnotic dance that belied the deadliness of her powers and her skills. “It
is near impossible to out lie a liar after all...”
Odin frowned, gritting his teeth as he turned to Eir, who was yet again,
slapping Jane's hands away from her Soul Board.
“Anything?”
“Besides, the foolish girl insisting that this is a 'Quantum Field Generator'?
She is the host for the Aether, it is slowly killing her. However every time
she uses it, it weakens her faster, kills her faster. There is no possible way
to extract it from her currently without killing her. If there is a way, only
the Dark Elves know of it.” Eir stated.
“Then extract it from her.” Odin ordered.
“What!?” All three women shouted in shock, Jane rolling her self off the soul
board, hiding behind it as she peaked over the top. Eir's concentration broken,
made the astral magic dissipate as Frigga pulled her dagger out and took
position before Jane, blade aimed at her former husband.
“We are not killing her!” Frigga bellowed out. “How dare you suggest we even
consider it!”
“The Aether is killing her, she will not live but a few more days at best. Why
prolong her suffering? What I am suggesting is merely a mercy.” he sounded
offended that they did not come to such a logical conclusion.
“Yeah, no. I am not dying one way or the other, buddy!” Jane hissed. “I would
like to be an old Grandma before I finally kick the bucket!”
“Why would you wish to kick a pail as an old woman? Your bones would be too
brittle and you could easily break your foot.” Eir wondered.
“OMG.... You are so cute with how you all take things literal!” Jane just
flailed in a moment, unsure she should hug the woman for her adorableness or
face palm and wonder what the hell was wrong with these people. “It is an
expression one uses to imply dying. By kicking the bucket, I am dumping the
contents of it on the ground. In terms of life and death, I am kicking the
bucket over to empty it of my life and thus greeting Death.”
“Strange, but oddly apporpiate.” Eir mused.
“If the Aether remains within you, you will not get to be come an old woman.”
Odin stated.
“And I don't plan on letting you kill me so I can look good for my funeral!”
Jane hissed. “What the fucking hell is wrong with you!? If our roles where
reversed and you were the one slowly dying because you had the Aether in you,
and I suggested we kill you instead of trying to find another way to extract
the shit without killing you, how would you react!?”
“I'd accept my duty to my people and make the sacrifice willingly. Which you
should do and should feel honored to give your life for the lives of millions
more.” Odin glared at her.
“Well guess what, asshole! I AM SELFISH!” Jane bellowed out, bolting out of the
room. Frigga glared at Odin, spitting in his face, before turning on heel and
racing after Jane, least she get into trouble.
Eir looked at her King and said noting as she began cleaning up her hospital
wing, getting her assistants to gather all the herbs, pastes and bandages they
could find.
“What are you doing?”
“The Dark Elves would have sensed the Aether's presence long before you brough
the girl to me. They will be arriving soon enough and then it will be all out
war. I am not waiting for the battle to already being in full swing to get
ready for the unending flood of injured and dying that will soon be coming
through my doors. Instead of trying to kill one girl, why not plan to kill the
Dark Elves. You are, after all an expert on Genocide.”
Odin glared at the woman, who had the gall to speak to him so and to even look
him in the eye as she said what she did. Snarling he stormed out of the
hospital wing, summoning his war council. After all war was coming one way or
another. The Midgardian woman was foolish to not accept a merciful death...
Jane will forever wonder how she managed to make her way through the maze like
halls of the Golden Palace and into the city of Asgard, however she could not
make herself give three fucks and a duck about it. She ran and got herself nice
and lost in the city and came to a stop on a balcony like deck with stairs
leading down into a lower market area.
Leaning on the railing she caught her breath, the breast guard and other
paddings making it a little painful to breathe. She felt a bit dizzy from the
lack of air but at the same time she didn't feel nearly as weak and sickly as
she had been feeling before. She looked up after she got the stitch in her side
to ease enough to let her move into a standing position and she blinked when a
familiar calloused hand was before her face, holding a waterskin.
“Drink, Lady Jane.” Thor's low voice rumbled out from her right.
She looked at him and smiled as he chuckled, setting the bag in her hands. She
brought the nozzle to her lips and took a long gulp of good, clean, ice cold
water. She sighed in pleasure as she took another gulp before handing him the
bag back.
“Thank you...” She whispered.
“You are welcome. Mother.” He greeted his mother, who seemed to materialize
from the crowd like an apperition made of gold, bronze and blue. He handed her
the waterskin next and she took it gratefully as she took a long swing as well.
“What has happened?”
“Loki's been imprisoned, however because of his status as a prince, he's
allowed certain accommodations that others are denied. Odin plans to ransom him
back to his people, but not before learning all he can from him first. He's
sniffing for blood, looking for weakness.”
“He won't find one. Loki's too closed off and yet too open for anyone to find a
chip in his armor.” Jane mused, laughing softly. “I bet he'd invite you to find
a 'weakness' to lure you into a false sense of security and then he will take
you down.”
“Indeed.” Thor chuckled out, leaning on the railing and looking over the busy
market place. “So this is the Golden City.... Mindless sheep, completely
complacent and unaware.” Thor growled, watching the people go about their days,
unaware of the war heading their way.
“Yes, for a race who prides itself on always be prepared for war, they seem to
indulge themselves and become lazy as time wares on... Odin suggested we kill
Young Jane...” Frigga informed her son, watching as he bared his teeth in a
silent snarl from the corner of her eye. “He called it a mercy killing...
However I know when extracting powerful magics possessing a host, it is
anything but painless and to kill the host before extracting the power, causes
said power to rapidly weaken or to vanish all together.”
“So even if you agreed to let it happen, I'd die a horrible death anyway? No
thank you.” Jane scoffed.
“Eir also says that each time Young Jane uses the Aether, or the Aether
manifests to protect the host, it weakens her faster, kills her that much
quicker. She has only but a few days now.”
“Plenty of time.” Thor assured. “They know she is here, they will come soon.”
“And the plan is what?”
“Let them come, invade and have their numbers cut down considerably while we
rescue Loki and escape through a natural path to another realm, preferably to
Svartalfheim. There we can battle it out and not risk any more lives than need
be. However it is what Loki much do that worries me.” Thor shrugged, carelessly
so as he spotted Voltstagg and Sif in a bar as Frandral was flirting with some
local beauties. Hogun and Bucky were in the smithy hut down the lane, Tony was
being cooed over by some local mothers, who thought him a young boy, not a
grown man as Steve was blushing at the few women flirting with him. Darcy was
busy on her laptop, doing only Loki's mother knew what on it.
“We should have faith in Loki and in his mother. She has helped us more than
anyone realizes.” Frigga soothed.
“We do have faith, Lady Frigga, however, it does not mean we aren't worried
still.” Jane told her.
She nodded, she understood that, she herself was wary of what was to come
within the next few days, but the best they could all do was prepare...
Loki set his book to the side when Frigga's Astral appearance suddenly appeared
beside him. He smiled softly as she looked about his comfy cage.
“At least you are not terribly bored.” She mused. “Can I perhaps bring you some
new books, maybe some cloth and thread? Thor tells me you have skill in the art
of the loom and have not found a cloth you could not turn into a masterpiece.”
“He is exaggerating, however I would not mind something to keep my hands busy
other than writing or even painting.” He nodded. “And books are always a
welcome.”
She giggled and allowed his feet to turn Jotun blue and to freeze his cell
floors and create frost upon the window like walls of his prison. Once they
were obscured, he turned to her and handed her the few sheets of parchment he
wrote out his thoughts, the possibilities and alternatives that could within
the next couple of days.
“I will keep the Lady Jane with me in my chambers. When the Elves come, or
should they be here now, tell them to go up the stairs on the left of the
prison, they are the service stairs and will lead them up toward my suites. The
Lady Jane they see will be an Astral, I will fight them off. This should give
Thor plenty of time to come rescue you and the three of you to escape.”
“But should you be felled?” Loki worried.
“I would have fell with honor. There is no greater Honor than defending one's
children to the death.” She stated fiercely.
He frowned, he did not like that, but he nodded his head. She smiled and as the
frost melted away, she faded away. He grabbed his bracelet, rubbing his fingers
over the jewels, eyes dancing about as his thoughts moved just as fast. And
then he focused on the cell across from him. The prisoner with the bright
almost glowing blue eyes was staring at him still. He blinked slowly, a smirk
slowly growing on his lips.
“Let's play a game...” he breathed out, the other prisoners looking at him in
confusion. “Whoever gets out of their cell first has to either go right or
left... One both directions lead to death, however only one death will be
honorable, the other honorless... it is up to you which one you want. And if
you somehow escape your death, know that no one escapes Death for long...”
“You're crazy!” One person shouted.
“Why should we listen to a Jotun!?” Another growled.
“Hmm, who's living in comfort?” Loki mocked, gesturing about his cell. “Who
gets three full meals a day and drinks mead instead of moldy bread every other
day and murky water? Certainly it is none of you... I hold favor with the
Queen... And I am bored, so tell me which way will you go?”
“Why riddle us?” another asked. “Do you plan to escape?”
“Maybe I do... maybe I do not...” He shrugged, lazily, walking over to the
small table and making a show of selecting an apple and biting into it with
relish. “I could escape from here at any moment, but what fun would that be?
It's more entertaining watching you fools attempt to flee.”
“Bitch!”
“I am not a canine.” Loki glared at the fool who said it, laughing when he
yelped in fright as he noted the blue eyed being looming over him, digging in
his side pouch--
Wait.
They strip prisoners of all personal belongings minus the clothes on their
back. It wasn't a side pouch! It was in his flesh!! Loki watched as the being
pulled out what looked like a gernade and active it.
“Shit!!” One of the prisoners in the cell with him cried as he and the others
attempted to hug either a corner or a wall, banging on the walls to either get
free or attention.
In the next second everyone minus the being with glowing blue eyes was killed,
the walls of the prison shattered. Guards began flooding the hall as all cells,
minus Loki's which was set to maxium power, relaeased their prisoners. All of
them fleeing to the right. Loki watched them fight and drag the fight to his
right. He looked at the being with those glowing eyes as he casually walked up
to the prison wall and punched it. Loki only snorted, a smirk dancing on his
lips, his Astral image having gone to warn Frigga of her impending company.
“Go left.” He waved him to side of the prison where no one had ventured, too
busy trying to escape through the main doors on the right. “Take them all the
way up.”
The being, which Loki was now sure of being a Dark Elf, left without a word,
moving backwards, eyes never leaving the imprisoned Jotun Prince until he was
gone into the depths of the stairs. Loki sighed, sitting down as he waited. He
much like his mother hated waiting when there was some fun to be had...
Frigga walked out of her side room, Jane behind her as the alarm blared over
the city, ships flying in and destroying the main city of Asgard. Ground troops
invading the Palace and all of the Einherjar were focused on fighting in the
main halls rather than searching for other inflitration groups. The Prisoner
was standing behind a maskless Elf, his white hair and glowing eyes, not to
mention the fancier armor he wore, marked him as the leader.
“Malekith...” She said in way of greeting.
“Queen Frigga... I do not wish to fight with you, I only want the woman.” He
stated, holding out his hand.
Frigga had her long dagger in her right hand, her short sword in Jane's hands.
Jane may not know much about fighting, but she played enough softball to know
the basics of swinging a sword.
“You cannot have her, she is a daughter to me and I will defend my children.”
She stated. “To the death if needed.”
“I have no quirrel with you, I just want what belongs to me. The child has it.”
He informed her, moving towards the queen as she moved to the open part of her
greeting chamber. “Let us not fight and shed more blood than needed.”
He took a step closer, moving around Frigga, but he stumbled back, hand going
to his cheek, stopping the blood from flowing down the the new scar upon his
face. Frigga had moved faster than a viper, her dagger slicing into Malekith's
cheek.
“You wish harm to my children, you are attacking my city and as Queen, all of
Asgard is my child. I will fight you and I will kill you...” She promised.
Malekith dodged the spinning flashes of the Queen's blade. Silver blue light of
Vanir magic enhanced the blade. She swung for his neck with a lunge forward,
droppint to one knee while aiming for his thigh. Spinning to her other knee,
she tried to cut his calf, climbing to her feet in another spin, her blade
flashing three times, once at the belly, another at the chest the last at the
neck. He stumbled into a pillar and she pinned him. However in the midst of the
fight, she for got about the other male with him.
“You failed, your majesty.” Malekith chuckled as Frigga turned to see the other
Dark Elf grab Jane, only for her to break up into green mist.
“Have I?” She cooed, dodging the both of them as they tried to attack her, two
on one. They backed her onto her balcony and for a moment it looked like they
had her, but then Thor's roar and Mjolnir smashing into Malekith's side
distracted them. Thor backhanded the other Elf away from his mother, grabbing
her and jumping from the balcony, summoning his Iron Lady to him and flying
them off to safety.
“I want the Aether!” Malekith roared in rage.
“My lord... The Jotun Princess is in the cells down below...”
“Very good, Barca... Come...” Malekith ordered, Barca leading them back down to
the dungeons.
They walked to the cell where Loki was sitting, reading a book.
“Princess, you look beautiful...” Malekith purred, looking the Jotun up and
down, admiring the Aesir flesh and cloth wrapped around the delicate royal's
body.
“Back so soon?” Loki asked Barca.
“Your protector is dead...” Malekith told him, wondering if Loki would catch
the lie or believe him.
“You lie...” Loki glared at him, standing up as his flesh melted away to Jotun
blue, his magic lashing out and obliterating the items within his cell. “Never
try to out lie a liar, it was the first thing my mother taught me... You killed
her.”
“She killed herself. Bit off her tongue and died...” Malekith shrugged. “If she
had simply told me what I wanted to know, she would still be here and you would
be allowed to visit her, once you birthed me an heir that is...”
“You will never tough me, Murderer.” Loki growled out, hands held out to his
sides, summoning two balls of ice.
Barca stepped forward, removing the crystals that activated the prison walls
from their respective slots and stepped into the cell. Loki shot the balls at
him, one missing and smashing into a wall, exploding into deadly spikes of ice
as the other was smacked away. Loki backed away, summoning a spear of ice to
fight with when Barca grabbed him, only to gasp when the Astral image of him
vanished, smirking at them.
“Fools...” it laughed as it faded completely.
“DAMN IT!!!” Malekith's roar of rage filled the hall as he and Barca stormed
back into the main palace searching for Loki and Jane...
Loki walked with Hogun and Sif, randomly spelling them into various people to
get passed the Einherjar until the got to a downed Dark Elf ship. Thor and Jane
appeared around a pillar, both looking a little worse for wear.
“Thank you, my friends.” Thor nodded to them, taking his mate's hand in his and
pulling him along.
“You be careful, little brother.” Sif ordered.
“Will do.”
“Loki...” Hogun called handing him his dagger and knife.
“Thank you... Lord Stark, Lord Rogers, Lord Barnes...” Loki smiled when he and
the other too stepped onto the ship.
“Hi!” Tony grinned, dressed in his Iron Man suit. “You guys sure know how to
throw a party!”
“Indeed.” Thor chuckled, moving the consul and began pushing random buttons.
Nothing happened.
“Did you remove the parking break?” Loki asked Thor.
“That is not funny, Loki.”
“Oh yes it was! Admit it!” Loki giggled, as Thor kept pressing buttons. Loki
waved to the large one as he said. “How about this one? Did you press-- Press
it, Thor! Not smash it! No wonder you were never taught to fly anything...”
The ship finally moved, slowly spinning in place, breaking down multiple
pillars before flying out the main palace doors.
“I think you missed one.” Loki stated drily.
“Loki, if you do not shut up, I will shove you out of this thing!” Thor growled
annoyed.
“Don't you even think about it!” Loki gasped.
“Guys! Stop fighting! We got company and it isn't Dark Elves!” Jane cried.
“Does this thing have guns?” Bucky asked.
Thor pressed a few more buttons, growling when nothing seemed to work.
“Umm, I think the steering is broken...” Tony murmured, rolling a ball in that
seemed to be the steering controls, or rather a part of them.
“Looks like we are gonna have to jump...” Steve sighed.
“I--” Jane started to protest but fainted. Loki didn't look the least bit
worried as Thor left the controls to see if she was alright.
“I'm... I'm fine...” she whispered, looking dazed.
“Loki?” Steve asked watching Loki press a few things and pull a lever.
“Time to jump.” Loki stated.
“Cap, Buck, grab hold!” Tony ordered the other two as he jumped up flying them
away from the ship so Thor and Loki and jump out.
“I got Jane...” Thor grumbled, shoving Loki out of the door and jumping out,
both landing on a smaller cruise ship being driven by Frandral, Darcy waving at
them happily as the other three landed with them.
“Did you have to shove me out?” Loki groused, though he was grinning, amused.
“I did warn you I would.”
They watched the large ship spin around and attack the small fleet of ships
that were on their tail, a few who were smart enough to spot their cruiser gave
chase still and Frandral waved them farewell before he jumped ship, taking out
the other two as Loki took the controls.
“Natural Path?” Thor asked as Loki began guiding them somewhere.
“A Secret one...”
“How do you know where it is and why not use it much sooner?” Bucky groused.
“If everyone knew about it, it wouldn't be a secret and I know where it is
because it feels like my mother...” Loki grinned as they came close to a rock
face, before they could smash into it, they were engulfed in dark light and
spat out into an utter barren wasteland. The ship sadly lost power, the Natural
magic overloaded and fried the cruiser controls.
They crash landed into a dune and after complaining about Loki's driving
skills, they climbed out of it and looked about. Loki led the way, grinning
darkly as he waved his hands out.
“Welcome, my friends, to Svartalfheim...”
 
 
***** Pudding, where is the Pudding!? *****
Chapter Summary
     The Pudding scene that started it all!
Chapter Notes
     Hello my darlings! I am so sorry about the bloody damn delay! I was
     so busy and then this chapter was being more stubborn than blackhole
     about being written! But finally, FINALLY I finished!!! I honestly
     did not like how some of this chapter turned out, but oh well, not
     everything can be Epic and Star worthy.
     Enjoy though!!
Chapter 23
“Shit.... she wasn't kidding about the utter lack of life...” Tony whispered.
Bucky nodded along as Steve grabbed a handful of dirt, feeling the bone dry,
griminess of it. He muttered that even the dirt lacked life, wiping his hand on
his leg as he stood. Thor helped Jane walk, she was getting weaker. Darcy had
her camera on her, ready and recording. If she secretly got Thor to create a
spell on her camera to keep it forever charged and shock proof, that was her
dirty little secret!
“It won't be long...” Loki murmured, coming to stand on a ridge, looking out at
the vast expanse of dark colored earth. “Listen closely...”
Meanwhile back in Asgard, Malekith was furious, no matter where he looked in
the palace Loki was gone! Damn that Witch!! He would torture her to within an
inch of her life and then when she begged for him to kill her, he would heal
her and start again!
“My lord! We're detecting life on the Mother Realm!” a lower ranked Elf
shouted, running up to him and showing him the read out.
“We move!” He ordered and they soon got themselves boarded onto their ships and
were heading home to Svartalfheim. It didn't take them long to get home,
landing their ships and marching across the lonely expanse of lifeless earth.
Loki and Thor stood with Jane between them. Malekith glared at the blonde male,
only to blink when Loki cut his hand off, and dragged Jane by her hair to him.
He threw her at his feet and bowed.
“Welcome home, Lord Malekith...”
“My sweet... a very pleasing gift you offer, but I cannot help but wonder at
the sudden change...” Malekith mused, wary.
“Please... I am sure your man told you, I tend to be quite destructive when
bored... and I am very bored at the moment...” Loki gave a careless shrug of
the shoulders.
“Oh... Maybe we can put that boredom to good use... but first... You have
something that belongs to me, child. I want it back...” Malekith held his hand
up to Jane and began to draw the Aether from her.
She was lifted from the ground, a look of pained fright frozen onto her
features as the blackish red mass was drawn from every pour of her body. It was
a quick, but painful experience. She collapsed as soon as the last of the
Aether was pulled from her, she slowly rolled onto her side and then onto her
hands and knees. She coughed and took heavy breathes of air before she lunged
at Malekith, tackling him to the ground as Loki threw several throwing knives
into the throats and eyes of his guards.
Thor jumped up, the illusion dropping form his hand to reveal that Loki never
cut it off and that he had Mjolnir clutched in his grasp. He charged in and
began smashing anyone in his way. Tony flew over head, dropping Steve and Bucky
into their midst and then took out another group of Elves.
An Elf tried to throw a grenade of some kind, almost pulling Bucky into it, but
Loki grabbed his arm and pulled him out of the pull, kicking two elves into it.
Bucky thanked him, pulled a gun from his hip and shot another Elf point blank
in the head as Loki smirked, driving his knives into another elf, pulling out
his long dagger and slashing at another elf, aiming high, then low, ducking and
spinning on his knees, driving his blade into another's heart as Steve's shield
bounced passed his head and into another Elf, decapitating him.
It quickly dissolved into chaos from there, the small group quickly decimating
the large group that had come to take them out. The Avengers had the advantage
before Loki cried out as he was grabbed by his hair by Barca, who yanked him to
his knees and held a knife to his throat.
“Stay your hands!” He ordered. “You will surrender or I will kill him.”
“Barca!” Malekith hissed.
“You will do no such thing. Your master wants him... he is too valuable alive
to kill.” Thor mused.
“Barca, release him...” Malekith ordered.
“No... he is not worth all this trouble! Our numbers have been decimated
because of one Jotun Cunt!” Barca growled.
Loki's eye twitched and in a move most did not thing was humanly possible, he
managed to flip his body up, his legs wrapping around Barca's neck and with a
mighty twist of his hips he snapped his neck. While Barca's body fell, Loki got
his hair free and sat on the dead Elf's face and grinned evilly as he slowly
stood up and shook his hair back into his normal wavy cascade down his back.
“Now then, who else wants to call me a Cunt?” Loki asked, grinning evilly as he
eyed the group at large.
“You killed one of my Cursed.” Malekith stated, lust filling his eyes. “Very
impressive.”
“Thor.”
Thor charged Malekith, who came out of his dazed just as he was smashed in the
face with a crackling Mjolnir, his face burning beyond repair. Malekith's
people grabbed him and headed back to the ship, they did not have time for
this. Loki growled, knives out and like a very deadly dancer, spun and slashed,
leaving a wake of maimed and dead bodies as he went after Malekith.
“They are going to try and take over all the realms... how do we get back to
earth!?” Jane asked, getting up from where she had been smashing an Elf's head
on the ground. “By the way, I see why you like killing... nice stress relief.”
“Don't get too use to it.” Steve warned her.
“Hey these assholes were going to kill everyone, that dick made the extraction
so painful, I wanted to die! I am allowed to want to murder them!”
“There should be another natural path, but the question is where...” Loki
sighed but then Jane's cell began ringing and she blinked as she answered.
“This place has really great reception... Hello? Erik!” She chattered with Dr.
Selvig, walking towards where the sound quality was getting better. They
followed her into a cave like area and she blinked.
“Why are there so many shoes here?” She blinked and then quickly assured Selvig
she was listening. As she kept going she found the keys to her rental and then
suddenly vanished into thin air.
“There it is...” Loki mused, shoving the others into it before stepping through
himself. Once they walked out the warehouse, they found they were indeed back
on Midgard and still in London. Jane hung up with Erik and turned back to them.
“Alright, Erik apparently got admitted to a mental hospital because he was
running around stone hedge in the buff.” Jane stated.
“So we're going to go get him?” Darcy asked.
“You and Ian are.” Jane stated.
“Oh shit, I forgot all about him...” Darcy gasped as she noted the wallflower
of their group. Ian tried not to feel insulted, but after getting directions
from Jane, he and Darcy went to get Erik Selvig out of the Loony Bin.
“I'm contacting Vision...” Tony told them.
“Mother will be here shortly... She must have finally gotten her contacts into
some semblance of order...” Loki mused.
“Indeed I did... Had to threaten a few of them, and killed two because they
thought they could blackmail me...” Ryilia suddenly spoke up, walking up from
out of nowhere. “You look much better, Dr. Foster.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Nubia. By the way Lady Frigga is very much alive.” Jane told
her.
“Very good... She should be getting the Clutch and heading to war with Odick.”
She grinned as Loki chuckled while Thor roared with laughter.
“Whoa, you really don't like him...” Steve awed.
“Considering the fucker can't keep it in his pants and has a nasty habit of
stealing things that do not belong to him... yeah, I really don't like him and
in another life time he stole my baby from me! I should rip out his other
eye!!” She snarled darkly.
“Mother...” Loki hugged her tight and she calmed.
“I'm alright... Now come on, I have a few other things to finish setting up and
you all could use a break and maybe a resupply.” She waved them to the two
limos that pulled up and got them in before they were off to her London base...
After everyone reported, those who remained on earth gaping in either awe,
shock or just plain gaping, at the story Thor spun for them about what happened
at home. Tony even telling the others they saw Thor 'Cranky,' but would not
tell them about it. Steve shook his head and Bucky told them to wait to find
out for themselves.
“Alright, people.” Ryilia sighed, walking in, Glade and Hannibal, as they
learned was the man's name, behind her, each pushing carts with weapons, armor
or devices. “The Convergence is almost at it's peek. Dr. Selvig has an idea of
how to speed it up so that Malekith cannot enact his plan and it will give me a
chance to break the last of the Fakes.”
“I broke all but one, mother.” Loki told her.
“I am aware and have taken the time to place runes and spells into the stone
Vision holds, making it so it cannot be removed and that it draws more power
from the natural flow of Magic that the earth gives off as well as the natural
magic that all living creatures have, but have long since lost the knowledge
and ability to use. It will not harm anyone or anything, but it will keep the
Fake that Vision hosts from depleting and killing him.” She assured.
“Many thanks again.” Vision bowed. “Mrs. Nubia has also given me quite the
number books to read and memorize, all on supernatural and preternatural
creatures, extraterrestrials and the like. To keep everyone well knowledgeable
and prepared in the event more events such as this should occur.”
“Alright so how are we going to get the Aether?” Tony wondered.
“Malekith is full of himself. Because he managed to fool Death and Chaos once,
he thinks he's unstoppable, superior to the Creators and that he would fool
them a second time.” Ryilia shrugged, half lazily. “What he does not know or
seem to understand is that just because he did it once, that he will be able to
do it again. As well as the fact that the 'stones' he is after are fakes and
are gone. The real ones still perfectly safe where I left them.”
“And where is that exactly?” Fury wondered, leaning back in his chair as he
watched the woman who has long since evaded SHIELD like it was the plague.
“Now that's telling, Nickie.” She grinned. “And any good, proper magician never
reveals her secrets!”
Loki grinned, hand moving to finger his bracelet, thumb rubbing the red stone.
Ryilia caught the motion from the corner of her eye and the secretive glint in
her eye was unseen by all. Turning she began to hand out the items and explain
what they were for, smiling when Avengers all gushed or cooed over the items.
Bruce smiled softly at the rather cute golem Ryilia had made of the Hulk, the
tiny green creature served as a focal point during his meditations and would
also act as a therapy doll for Hulk.
“I love your mom, Loki... can I keep her?” Tony mused, looking at the carefully
etched runes on the inside of his Iron Man suit, the runes were for protection,
reducing the amount of damage he and the suit take, power charms to boost his
weapons or charging charms to power the suit even if the circuits are damaged.
There was even a rune to teleport him of out his suit should any potentially
fatal attack or damage occur.
“No, you may not.” Loki stated, holding the spear his mother had made and the
large array of knives and daggers.
“... Could I sign a contract to have you supply me?” Natasha wondered, enamored
with her knew guns and other items.
“Sure. I'll have Hanni draw one up. I'm fairly flexible with prices and can
even offer you a few jobs for freebies.” Ryilia smiled. “Ah, Dr. Selvig. How
are you?”
They turned to see Darcy, Ian and Erik walk off the elevator, the older man
looking a bit eccentric, but pleased.
“Lady Nubia! It's been so long! I am well, still a little insane from what
those Roaches were doing to me.” He smiled.
“Sorry, I cannot do anything about that. You've been under that spell for too
long and the hit to the head, while it did snap you out of it, it also caused a
bit of extra damage. You will be prone to manic bouts of hysteria, but nothing
too bad. Please don't go streaking again.” She sighed. “Especially near Holy
Ground!”
“I meant no disrespect... ah, you must be Loki! Yes, I can see the familial
resemblance! Nubia's lucky to have your good looks!”
“.... I think you mean I am lucky to have my mother's good looks....” Loki
mused.
Thor chuckled as Ryilia rolled her eyes.
“Erik!” Jane jumped on him, hugging him and checking him over. “Can you tell us
what's all been happening?”
“I've made a device that can stabilize key Telluric lay lines, it would give us
a window of opportunity to turn the tide of this fight as well as keep our
world from being warped beyond repair.” Erik told her. “I have been carefully
plotting and installing them in precise locations to activate remotely.”
“I see...” Ryilia waved a hand and the walls changed to show various locations,
strange transformer like rods embedded into the ground near old ancient ruins
or landmarks. “Right on the cruxes too, very good Dr. Selvig.”
“Thank you, my Lady.” He nodded humbly. “I've always been a fan of the ancient
cultures and legends. I have a few more to lay down, but I was arrested and
sent to the home before I could.”
“You were streaking.” Darcy sighed. “I love you like the fun uncle I never had,
but that's an image that I will never be able to clean out of my brain no
matter how much brain bleach I use.”
The man laughed softly, apologizing to the girl, who only smiled at him in good
humor. Making sure everyone was outfitted, briefed and ready, Ryilia then began
to open portals and out stepped various beings of myth and legend, others from
fantasy or supernatural origins. Loki gave a happy squeal when he saw his
brothers, who engulfed him tightly, Loki gushing over his eldest brother's
pregnant belly and terrifying the Fire Giant who mated his brother.
Ryilia pulled his ear and he settled, but then she pulled out a pair of really
old stone sheers that were blunted and had a strange rust like substance on
them. She only said that Lucian better take care of her baby boy and her
grandbabies or she would use them to removed his manhood and his eyes.
Helblindi only rolled his eyes in fondness at his stepmother's
overprotectiveness, Byleístr chuckling as he did not need to threaten the Fire
King, though he would would hurt him if he ever hurt his brother or the babies.
Laufey, who walked in while his mate was threatening castration, only grinned.
“Don't look to me to save you, my queen is as fierce as any Frost Bitch
protecting her pups.” Laufey chuckled darkly.
“Oh hush, Laufey. Lucian will take very good care of Helblindi and the baby, I
am only fulfilling my promise to Fárbauti to threaten any fool who thinks they
are good for his sons!” She huffed. “Besides Lucian knows better than to piss
me off, isn't that right, Lucian?”
“Yes, Lady Nubia... I've honored our pacts and we pay the tribute yearly as was
agreed upon.” He nodded. “To make an enemy of the House of Nubia is to make an
enemy of Chaos Himself.”
“Very smart man. Too bad Odick wasn't so bright.” She gave a long suffering
sigh. “Alright, the rest of you...”
The other beings all nodded and either offered weapons, potions, armies or even
healers. They got to work planning, waiting out the time they needed while
Glade and Hannibal worked silently behind their mistress. Once they were ready,
she dismissed the meeting, smirking at Fury who looked like he was about to
either have a fit or start sulking in a corner.
“Dr. Foster, Dr. Selvig, we need those nodes in place if we want to keep the
damage and death toll to a minimum. Death and Chaos may be long time friends,
but Death gets severely annoyed when Chaos causes too much death.” Ryilia
stated. “Hanni, did you get a hold of Hammer?”
“Yes, madam.” He ignored the nickname as he always had, long since use to it
and even longer passed correcting her on his proper name. “He has sent the
finished product.”
He left the room to come back with a large cross like object that when the
center was touched with a clear access pass, opened and transformed into a rail
gun. Ryilia's unholy grin made them all worried.
“Perfect.” She grinned, but then frowned. “Has it been tested?”
“No.” Hannibal stated. “And given his past track record of supposedly top of
the line weaponry and arsenal, I doubt it will work. The only way to find out
is to test it, however Rail Guns are notoriously slow to power up and even
slower to rearm and fire.”
“I only need it to fix the flow of magic during the convergence.” Ryilia
sighed. “Test it out, if it's shit, you can kill Hammer.” She waved him off.
“If it works, but is not up to par, go break his arms and cut out his lying
tongue. If it works, then have it ready for when the time is right.”
Hannibal only smirked, picked up the Rail Gun and left with it. Glade said
nothing as he knew his cousin would handle it, he would focus on keep his Lady
focused.
“Why did you trust Hammer to make the Rail Gun?” He wondered.
“Because I wanted to see if I got through to him. If I did, he would have
gotten it working. If I did, but he still thinks he can pull a fast one, he
will get a warning. If I did not, then it is easier to kill him rather than let
him cause us trouble in the future. Always best to get rid of problem before it
takes root.” she shrugged, signing a few documents and trading gold or jewels
with the beings still in the room before they left through their portals.
“Please join SHIELD...” Fury sighed.
“No.” She stated, smiling brightly at his annoyed face. “My connections, my
people and my self are neutral. We either help or wreck you to keep balance.
Your leaders do not understand that and if they have access to anything I have
under my control, they will turn into another Hydra and I refuse to allow that
to happen.”
“Mother...” Loki called.
She looked to him and saw him staring out of the window. Moving to look, she
saw the other realms begin to appear in the sky above them. On this side of the
world they could see Jotunheim, Muspelheim, Vanaheim, Navilder Asgard and
Alfheim. On the other side of the planet they would be able to see Helheim and
Svartalfheim Not in proper order, but oh well, the Universe wasn't perfect.
“And so it begins...”
Time ticked by at a faster rate then, everyone tried to relax, wait it out,
Ryilia busy in the kitchen cooking to settle her nerves as Loki and his
brothers chatted and caught up, Helblindi and Byleístr interrogating Thor, who
took it well. The Thunderer's arm around his beloved's waist, not at all
bothered by the brothers' aggression. They had a right to worry and fret, Loki
was after all their baby brother and very powerful. Thor did find power
appealing, but would never use Loki for selfish gains or meaningless fighting.
Laufey only laughed at his sons' pouts as Thor didn't even rankle the least
bit. Loki only looked lovesick and doe eyed at his mate, making the brothers
grumble even worse.
“My Lady...” Hannibal called, walking into the room, holding a cordless phone
in his hands.
“Yes?” She walked out of the kitchen and took it when he offered it to her.
“Hello?” She listened and growled low in her throat. “Look here, you old twat
waffles! I am not a dog you can summon and expect to roll over when told to!
You all wanted to sign that bill that limited the Avengers. Well guess what,
they cannot and will not move out until you either remove it or beg them to do
their job which is to save as many people as they can. Not everyone can be
saved, it is a cold and hard fact!”
She listened and rolled her eyes. “Oh I'm sorry, Prime Minister, was I supposed
to give a fuck?” She growled, snapping her fingers as Hannibal left to grab
something, coming back with a bottle which he opened and she breathed in the
wafting smoke, sneezing even as her eyes flashed a brilliant black color and
her grin got demonic. “You made this bed, you better lay in it. I am only
waiting until you all realize how stupid you are and correct your mistake.
People will bitch one way or the other, there is nothing that can be done about
that. So while you waffle back and forth, I'm going to count how many bodies
need to hit the floor before you finally make a decision, a correct decision.”
With that she hung up the phone and handed it off to Hannibal. “Hmm, I should
have half the UN assassinated....” She mused.
“Mother/Wife.” The Jotuns all sighed.
“Please, you know how I am...” She sneezed again and huffed. “Okay let's go
people, time to save idiots!” She clapped her hands and everyone got up to
leave, either by ground, plane or other means...
Malekith stood in the middle of London, looking at all the Mortals, their
strange chariots and interesting buildings. The curious stone arts and even
their primitive flying devices. He snorted, foolish infantile creatures, the
lot of them! His arm y had been regathered, amassed and ready to take over the
Nine Realms at his given order.
“My people, our long wait is almost over! Soon, we shall once more rule the
Nine Realms and beyond, darkness shall cover all!” He began his speech. “All
our enemies will fall at out feet, their treasures now ours, they will pay
tribute to us, worship us as the Gods we deserve to be! And I shall finally
take a wife, the Jotun's precious Jeweled Flower shall be mine!”
Cheers met his words, the thudding of armor being hit by fists or a weapon, as
feet stamped in a steady rhythm.
“The Time has finally come! May our wish finally come true!!” He cackled, as
tendrils of the Aether slithered out of him reaching up to the Heavens and even
out through the world to reach the other two realms on the other side of the
planet.
As it spread, a strange darkness began to take over, drawing the attention of
the mortals, most stopping to watch, others fleeing. World wide news and media
were buzzing with this latest phenomenon and it became obvious that it was
happening when the Avengers were temporarily disbanded. Those who once called
for their blood were now begging for aid while those who had sided with the
Avengers watched on with mounting fright and hopelessness when the Avengers
have yet to stop this madness.
The UN was convened and while they argued and debated, they wasted time,
letting the world over panic and tremble. The Avengers themselves were enroute,
however, they would not take action just yet. Ryilia was smirking as she read
through her phone, Facebook, Twitter and even YouTube were blowing up. Tumblr
and Instagram as well. All forms of social media was going insane with posts,
live video feeds and the like.
On another phone a counter had been set up and the numbers were slowly climbing
gaining speed the longer the UN took. The others didn't like this, but trusted
the woman to know what she was doing. The UN leaders finally had no choice when
another one of Ryilia's trusted assistance, a Mr. Miles, walked in, hooked up
his laptop to the monitors and played the videos and even showed them the
climbing counter of death tolls, and almost half was either humans killing each
other or committing suicide because it was the end of the world. Miles wasn't
one to play fair or nice, he went for the throat and he enjoyed every single
last moment of it.
Finally the phone call came and Ryilia smiled just as viciously as she would
after a successful hunt. The bill and laws to control and regulate the Avengers
were being dismissed, they had the green light to do what was needed to save
them. Hanging up, she turned the Avengers.
“Move out!” She called for all to hear and they took off, heading right into
battle with the Elves, rescuing civilians as Jane, Darcy, Ian and Erik went to
place the last of the nodes in their spots. Laufey walked up beside his wife,
who smiled and kissed him. “Do not hold back, my beloved....”
“I will bring you a necklace of skulls, my queen.” He promised and jumped out
of the plane, taking on his natural form and height once more as he landed and
formed armor of near impenetrable ice and let out a war cry that was echoed by
his people who came rushing out of the natural paths with Fire Giants, Elves
and Dwarves alike. In the other realms war was being raged on all fronts, the
universe in utter Chaos.
Ryilia could only sit back and cackle in manic glee as she watched from her
plane's open hanger door. She watched the bloody battle, humming happily as she
enjoyed the show before she then jumped out, pulling the whip from her waist
and snapping it into its spear form and landing on an Dark Elf, impaling him as
she grinned at the others who stared at her.
“Another one bites the dust....” she hummed and charged.
Loki was somewhere in the madness, a whirlwind of dancing blades, flashing
spells and a wake of maimed or dying bodies. He wore a grin similar to his
mother's as he shouted playful banter with his brothers. The Avengers thought
them mad when Helblindi, pregnant and all went into battle. The Frost Giant a
fierce and deadly warrior even if he was weighed down by a babe. His armor was
much more impressive and deadly as it guarded and protected the unborn life
while he used the skills born of years of hunting, training and battles to mow
down his own legion of Dark Elves.
Byleístr fought with brute strength combined with a tactical mind and a swift
agility born from years of chasing a tiny Loki about. Between the three
brothers, they were eliminating the Enemy as if it were a game! Natasha put her
new toys to use and was grinning darkly as she took out the Dark Elves either
by shooting, stabbing, or strangling them and beating them down when she had to
get close and personal. Hawkeye was shooting them left and right, calling out
to the Maximoff Twins who were getting the Civilians out of harms way, Hulk was
in the center smashing away at the Elves while Thor and Tony flew above taking
out ships and any Elves who dared to take to the air.
Steve and Bucky had a whole legion to themselves and were decimating them with
the ease born from the utter love and trust they have in one another. Ryilia
sensed a shift before anyone else and called through the comms for everyone to
brace for it. It was a second later where world changed from the streets of
London to the frozen tundra of Jotunheim.
Loki jumped up onto a rock face, bringing his pinkies and ring fingers on both
hands to the corners of his mouth and blew out a shrill whistling sound and it
was answered in the form of his Frost Beast charging through the sea of
fighting bodies. He quickly jumped on it's back and cackled as he directed it
to run and crush any fool in its path.
“Brace!!” He heard his mother call again and he jumped off his beast just as it
smashed into a rock face, the poor thing yelping but then turning to attack the
horde of Dark Elves that were trying and failing to fell it. Loki looked around
and saw they were now on Vanaheim. Landing he stomped his foot, a wall of earth
shooting up before he shoved his hands out and missiles of earth shot out,
impaling anyone who got in the way.
“Found you!” Shouted a Dark Elf, shooting Loki with a dart which was laced with
a mild sedative to slow him down, but not drop him into unconsciousness.
Loki growled and spun, forming a bubble of air before shoving it back out,
sending the Elves flying. A Light Elf ran up to his side and caught him when
his body suddenly shut down.
“My Lord, you need to leave...”
“I will not abandon my family!” He growled.
“... I will do my best to removed the sedative then....” She said instead and a
group of Dwarves surrounded them, defending them even as she chanted healing
spells to treat Loki's injuries...
Thor summoned a thunderstorm and chuckled darkly as he watched the Elves' ships
burst into flames, exploding when his brothers, Lightning and Thunder, struck
and destroyed them. Lord Stark flying by him, firing his repulsers at the
enemies who had some of the leftover Chitauri scooters, missiles and gunfire
aiding him in shooting them all down.
“Thor!!”
He turned and landed, smashing his Hammer into an Elf's face, who had managed
to pin down Darcy. He snarled, dropping his Iron Lady and bared his fangs.
“Thanks, bro!” She sighed, her camera active and recording everything around
her, which was being live streamed on YouTube, which was being played on Miles'
computer and therefore watched by the UN and the World over.
“BRACE!!!!” Ryilia's cry came out panicked and before they could ask why, they
were suddenly back in London, but when they appeared, the sky was red and the
Aether was connecting to the other Realms.
“Shit-fucking-tastic!!” Darcy screamed.
“Loki!!” Natasha's voice cried out somewhere to her left, she turned and gasped
to see Loki pinned down by almost 60 Elves. The battle suddenly went into a
stand still then and a circle was opened to allow everyone to see what was
going on.
“Loki!?” Helblindi cried, but was stopped by his mate, who created a wall of
fire to guard him and his mate form the Dark Elves who took advantage to
surround their enemies. “Lucian, let me go-- Loki!?”
“My love, be calm; the babe....” Lucian tried to sooth, though he fretted for
his tiny brother in-law.
Byleístr had stopped fighting, dropping into a kneel and glaring at where his
baby brother was pinned, he would not risk his life, not until there was an
opening. Thor felt his Beast clawing at the surface when they saw their mate
pinned down. Darcy grabbed his arm, hoping he would not kill her, even as she
recorded still. The others were similarly frozen or forced to surrender. Laufey
was brought forward and knocked to his knees while his wife was dragged forward
by her hair, the woman growling and cursing before she was sneering at
Malekith.
“You've tried, Keeper, but ultimately failed...” He chuckled. “I have the
Aether and soon my Will shall be complete. The Nine Realms and beyond shall be
plunged into darkness and I shall rule as Eternal King with your son as my
Queen.”
“Tsk, my son would rather teach ungrateful students at the Magic Academies
world wide!” She spat out. “Besides you do not hold the Ultimate Weapon at your
disposal.” She smirked.
“Oh?” He glared at her, wondering if she was lying.
“Wife!!” Laufey cried, looking panicked.
“Hush, Husband...” She huffed, pulling a knife from her sleeve, she stabbed her
captor repeatedly in his chest before she stood up, shaking her tangled and
mussed up hair into some semblance of order. She then summoned up a box, a
rather familiar looking one to the Avengers. “In here is the Ultimate weapon in
the universe, more powerful than even the Infinity stones....”
“Lies...” Malekith snarled.
“I am Chaos' Agent, He entrusted many ancient and powerful relics in my care...
unless you are are an Agent, then how do you know if I speak lies or truth?”
She challenged, grinning darkly, holding the box out to him. “Take it... see
for yourself....”
“Mother!?” Helblindi looked incredulous.
“Shh, Mommy's talking!” She scolded.
Malekith did not believe the barmy woman, but he could not deny that he was
curious nor that he was privy to the knowledge that she was blessed with about
relics so old and powerful it would make his mind implode if he even attempted
to understand even a fraction of their power. Looking at the box, he figured
out how to open it, releasing the hydraulic locks and watching the box slowly
open, thick smoke blocking his vision of what was inside a moment before he
blinked at the cold coming from the inside of the box. Once the smoke cleared
he blinked as he stared at a bowl of what looked like a desert.
“The Hel is this!?” He growled.
“Ah, the Ambrosia that only Chaos and Death are allowed to eat...” Ryilia
giggled. “Only the Mother and Father the Universe are allowed to eat it, after
all it was made by them to continue their very long lives.” She shrugged.
She looked out the corner of her eye where she saw Loki had gone very
uncharacteristically still, his eyes wide and tracking the bowl of what he knew
to be Rose water Watermelon pudding, fingers twitching as he fought the urge to
dive for the bowl. And then the breeze picked up and the scent hit his nose and
his control just snapped. Ryilia almost burst into cackling pleas of laughter
when her son froze his captors solid and smashed them into ice dust as he flung
silent spells, killing anyone in his path, throwing allies out of his way as he
stalked forward still, eyes only focused on his prize, his beloved pudding.
“Take a bite and be blessed like our Mother and Father...” Ryilia wheedled,
keeping her eyes on her son, who was getting closer to Malekith with each
breath she drew.
Everyone on their side watched and if they remembered his reaction the first
time, this time it would be even better because he wasn't trying to maul his
mother nor was his father trying to prevent him from attacking the holder of
his precious desert. Darcy, who had missed this the first time was filming,
eyes wide with shock and anticipation. Malekith on the other hand grabbed the
little silver spoon sitting beside the bowl in its box and scooped out a bit to
taste, curious. But before he could lift it to his lips he was suddenly eating
a fist, the spoon caught in Loki's lips, the bowl cradled to his chest as he
purred.
“Did I mention that if you can get even a small bit, you will have unlimited
power?” She teased, praying on the greed of the fools. And it worked!
The greedy sods charged her son, who took them out, killing them all with a
spell, a knife, or a well aimed kick or elbow. All the while he was eating the
pudding, looking completely blissed out. The pile of bodies was slowly growing
as Loki kept going until they all seemed to realize it was not worth it. Loki
sitting upon his mountain, eating his prize and purring away.
“Our son has issues.” Laufey sighed.
“I've said it before and I will say it again: Never get between Loki and his
Pudding.” she sighed, taking a pudding cup out of a subspace pocket, when she
heard the telltale sign of Loki about to have a tantrum because his precious
was done. She pealed off the top, the scent of vanilla and caramel hitting her
son's specially trained nose and he let out a loud screech, diving from his
perch toward the new pudding, which his mother tossed at a Dark Elf, who paled
and threw it to another, but not before getting a Dagger shoved into his throat
while the three beside him were cut down, losing arms and legs alike. Loki's
single minded determination to get his Pudding turning him into a one man
killing machine.
His mother just grinned, not feeling guilty at all for this, just laughing when
her son got his pudding and started to devour it. Just as he was about have his
tantrum, she pulled another one, this one chocolate with raspberry sauce. She
handed it off to some poor idiot who actually took a bite, big mistake because
Loki was on him in seconds, tearing him to pieces and eating the pudding as his
mother pulled another one out, this one was a rather strange mix of kiwi, melon
and strawberry pudding which she pitched into the center of the Dark Elf
Legion. Loki shooting off after it and the screams were just pure music to her
ears.
When she did not pull another pudding cup out, Loki's tantrum was so worth it!
He let out a Hellion scream and hurled all manner of spells, reanimating the
corpses to do his biding and over all reducing the Elves numbers to nothing!
The others had snapped out of their shock and rejoined the fight, those who did
not die surrendered and and were held under guard as Ryilia calmly went and
pulled Loki off of his newest death pile.
“Mommy! My precious is gone!!” He sobbed into her belly and she pet his hair,
smiling fondly.
“I know, my darling... I'll make you all the pudding you could want once we
finish this...”
“You whore!!” Malekith's bellow made her stiffen as Loki slowly stood, glaring
over his mother's shoulder at the bastard dared to call his mother such a
disgusting name. “You lied!!”
“And you're the dumbass to believe me.” she shrugged, not bothering to turn to
look at him. “Besides you led your people to their deaths for Fake Infinity
stones...”
“WHAT!?” came the collective shouts.
“The Aether you are using is also a Fake and I'm quite sure you just wasted
it's power...” She grinned as she looked up to see the Aether attempting to
reach Asgard at the top of Yggdrasil, but then Malekith's sudden scream of
agony was music to her ears. “Ohh, poor baby... did that hurt?”
She smiled as she waved her hand and with a sharp bark, the tendrils of the
Aether dispersed into vapor, as Malekith's screams echoed all around. She
giggled gleefully as she turned to her son, who looked to be calming down from
his pudding induced high/temper tantrum. He stumbled into her side and whined,
muttering spells that wove into her hand motions as the worlds of the Nine all
began to right themselves, damages repaired, countless dead given life again
while magics were re-balanced and their Knots restored.
She cackled when the treasures that were once stolen from their respective
resting places appeared before her and then shot off to their homes, the view
of that world vanishing from sight as the Convergence began to wane, Dr.
Selvig's devices stabilizing the Telluric currents enough to keep Midgard whole
and the backwash of magic from killing everyone. Loki's steady stream of spells
began to wane as he dropped into a light doze, his soft snores tickling her ear
as she calmed down herself and held him close, practically carrying him like
when he had still be a babe in her arms.
“Well then... that was somewhat anti-climatic....” she huffed, vastly amused.
“Oh wait.... we're not done just yet...” She grinned as Malekith stood, looking
infuriated and ready to slit her throat.
“You bitch!!” He screamed charging her.
She shoved Loki away, the Jotun Prince waking and ducking the Elf's wild grab
for him while his mother's leg shot up, over his head, and kicked Malekith's
face in at the same time he punched him in the gut, both slamming him into the
ground where they pinned him down, knives at his throat.
“That was a stupid move...” Loki growled. “How he managed to steal from Chaos
and Death is beyond me...” Loki huffed.
“Parents are trusting fools, my son... We will always listen to our children,
believe them even as they lie... It's something I have taught you, you will
understand better when you are a parent.” she smiled. “Chaos and Death love
their children, even if said children are forever hurting them... They let
their guard down once and at it cost them dearly.”
“What do you know, you witch!?” Malekith spat.
“I know more than you, you little brat...” She huffed and looked up as the
BiFrost opened and she purred in glee seeing Odin walk out of the beam of
light. “Odick's here...”
“You disrespectful-- YOU?!?!” Odin bellowed out looking horrified.
“Me!” Ryilia chirped.
“Mother?” Loki blinked when she stood, leaving Loki to keep the Elf pinned.
“Mother!?” Odin cried out looking between the Jotun and the woman. “You
procreated!?”
“Please, you act like he is my first child.” She rolled her eyes. “Seren and I
have many children either with one another or with our few spouses. Loki
happens to be my youngest and the one I have personally groomed from birth.”
“You should not have birthed him!!” Odin growled.
“And who do you think you are to tell me what to do? I do what I want.” She
growled, stopped and blinked before she facepalmed. “Damn it, that's where you
get it from...”
Loki giggled at the annoyed look on his mother's face, and rolled out of the
strike that Malekith aimed at his back, kicking him in the ribs before prancing
out of his range, leaning on Clint's shoulder as the man readied an arrow.
“Tell me when.”
“Not yet...” Loki giggled.
“Enough!!” Odin bellowed.
“Hmm, no.” Ryilia chuckled.
“RHYG!!!” Odin thundered and her smile fell as she stood tall. She looked cold
and foreboding in that instant.
“How dare you speak my name...” she hissed lowly. “You, AllFather, are not old
enough nor are you favored enough to call me by my given name.”
“I dare because you should have birthed me a son as powerful as he!” He pointed
at Loki, who blinked.
“Mom?” He asked.
“Remember when I vanished for almost a year?” She wondered, all the Jotuns
grumbled their assent to her inquiry. “It was because the One Eyed Ogre thought
he could have me to himself, to birth him another bastard, but this one worthy
of his throne. Frigga and I are such good friends because while I had indeed
become pregnant, I did not carry to term... She had been most kind even after I
lost the baby and did not hold ill will to me because her husband was a
faithless cur. Not long after that she fell pregnant with Thor and well Jalan
had just lost her latest clutch to the bastard...”
The lazily shrug she gave made him growl in annoyance.
“You see, my dear Loki. My name is Rhyg. Which is the true name of--”
“Lord Chaos...” gasped Helblindi as he and the all non human fighters bowed low
as Rhyg rolled her eyes.
“Yes. And Odin only knows this because he's on the council of the Gods. Anubis
and the others are most displeased with him. Seren and I humble ourselves, make
one another mortal in a sense... We wander where we are needed and we live
extended lives when needed. It is why I had to cut my 'life' short. When my
time is done, I will need to leave, but before I do, there will be a newly
named God of Chaos.” She turned her head to look at her son who gaped. “You
have much to learn and little time to learn it in, my sweet.”
“HE IS MINE!!!” Malekith bellowed out, but before he could move an inch, he was
suddenly under the crushing weight of the Beast, who had had enough of the
annoying pest and was raking blackened talons, through tender flesh, bone white
fangs bite and snapped quickly staining in blood as gore clung to its muzzle.
The look of horror and fright only made Rhyg's insane cackles that much more
gleeful before she stopped, snapping her fingers and the Beast stopped.
“Thor, you are such a messy eater...” she sighed, walking up to the Beast,
petting his blood matted fur and taking a summoned cloth to wipe blood and gore
off his face. “Why not change back? Loki needs cuddles.”
He huffed and did as order, the Beast now in Thor's body moved to Loki, taking
the cloth to finish wiping away the gore and blood before he was draping
himself over Loki, who purred in contentment, nuzzling into Thor. Clint looked
ready to faint, but kept his arrow trained on Odin now that Malekith's life had
been ended rather brutally if abruptly.
“Aww, you didn't leave me anything...” Rhyg pouted, as she dug through the
remains of the 'Eternal King' of the Dark Elves, dropping what looked like a
ruined liver back to the floor with a huff. “Oh well... I could always harvest
what I need from the others...”
“Mother...” Loki mused.
“Yes, one more to go.” She nodded at the unheard question.
“You will give me the Stones!”
“What stones?” Laufey chuckled, moving to stand by his wife, she leaned into
his leg, purring happily as he smiled fondly at her. “They are all destroyed.”
“I know Death and Chaos, those were Fakes! Powerful indeed but limited. The
real Stones, she has kept hidden and I demand that they be handed over.”
“Nope!” She giggled. “The orders by the council was for them to be found and I
did inform you all that I would hide them where they would remain safe and well
out of harm's way.”
“You will give them to me, you wretched creature!” Odin roared.
“....” She sighed and pushed off her husband. “My thanks to everyone who has
helped. Please return home, you will find that all that has happened had been
reversed, expect a Hero's welcome home and do not forget to Honor this day.”
She ignored Odin's fuming as portals and the BiFrost opened to take back those
who had come to fight when summoned. The Avengers gathered, all armed and
trained their sights on Odin. The King of the Norse Gods was furious as Rhyg
didn't pay him much mind, she simply pulled a book from nowhere and opened it,
reading it as the others left.
“You dare read!?” He roared, furious at the woman.
“... Yes, looking back at what you did and what needs fixing or rather what can
be compensated. Because the Universe is such a delicate and complex act to
balance, I cannot kill you. Well I could but that means I'd have to wait an
extremely long time to find my lovers and have my children again. It also means
retraining Loki, assuming you do not steal him from me again, Thief!” She spat
the last line at him as she kept reading. “Hmm... Jalan's been mortally
wounded.... tsk.”
“Mother Jalan!?” Loki cried, looking horrified as the Beast gave a howl of
mourning and bloodlust, turning those white on red eyes on his bastard of a
sire.
“Yes... but her end was coming. Best for her to die defending her Clutch rather
than let her grow old and insane. The multiple deaths of her children, the
mutants born and the miscarriages all took their toll on her mind, only Frigga
kept her sane and even then that was beginning to fade. It also saves Thor the
mercy of killing one of his Mothers.” She stated.
Loki frowned, he didn't like it but if it was the better option he would honor
it. The Beast growled low, just as displeased, but understanding.
“Wait, that Dragon lady is dying!? That sucks!” Tony cried.
“I know. But it must happen or shit will fuck up and I'm not in the mood to
start again. I just finally got something somewhat decent to happen in all of
your lives for once.” She huffed. “Seren's bitched at me enough times to curb
my usual manner of 'help'. Tsk... Jalan will be reborn later on down the road,
a Spirit of Wrath and Vengeance.” She assured them. “Don't worry if Thor
suddenly comes home with a tiny gold dragon who will not leave him be, Loki.”
“Please, I come home with all manner of creatures!” Loki rolled his eyes.
“ENOUGH!!” Odin bellowed, he hated being ignored and that was all these people
seemed to keep doing.
“Aww, temper, temper!” Rhyg cooed. “One would think you were nothing more than
a spoiled child, throwing tantrums like that.”
Odin aimed Gungnir at the woman, firing a bolt of magic at her, but when it
hit, it only burst into harmless sparks that were absorbed into her flesh. She
did not look impressed in the least. Loki growled in anger at seeing his mother
be shot at while Thor/the Beast, snarled low at their worthless sire. How dare
he try to harm their mate's Dame! Laufey was no better, struggling against his
elder sons' hold to kill the bastard who tried to hurt his wife and queen. Odin
took from him one spouse, he would not take another one!
“That was foolish.” She sighed and turned her back on him and walked up to her
mate. “Do not kill him.”
Loki smirked as several copies of him appeared and they all charged the one
eyed king of Asgard. The Beast slowly transforming back into its actual form as
it snuck up on Odin and with a mighty chomp , broke his left leg and another
crushed his right shoulder. Loki took hold of Gungnir, who seemed to coo in his
hands.
“She's purring mother.” Loki stated, admiring the spear as his clones
dissipated.
“She's prone to. She's not nearly as picky as her baby sister, Mjolnir, is.
Gungnir likes power and you have that in spades, my son.” Rhyg giggled as she
finished calling in her people to clean up the mess, give medical aid where
needed, gather up the dead and either bury them or give them back to their
families to do bury on their own. She smiled at Darcy's camera, the brunette
still recording everything. “Mr. Miles, I trust you will finish dealing with
the UN? If they are still stubborn and try to regulate the only people who are
willing to go out of their way to save everyone, then I will simply take
everyone with powers and move them to a different world or realm and leave you
all vulnerable. I give you a month tops to kill yourselves off.”
With that Darcy cut the feed and put her camera away, before she cheered and
whooped because seriously, this was the best internship she's ever done! Jane
rolled her eyes at Darcy, but couldn't help smiling herself. Erik and Ian just
looked relieved that the madness was either over with or dying down.
“Alright, who's coming with?” Rhyg asked, Loki walking up to her with the Beast
dragging Odin.
Laufey and her other sons, Lucian and the Avengers crowding in.
“I'm sitting this one out.” Jane stated. “Besides I need to get changed and
help mediate the media shit storm about to break.”
“Alright. Glade, you know what to do and remember nothing happens to them or
else.” Rhyg nodded to her PA, who everyone just now noticed was dressed in a
tribal warrior dress, covered in blood, his claymore resting on his shoulder as
he actually smiled for once.
“Yes, my Lord.” He bowed formally and everyone who was staying moved toward him
as the others joined the Avengers.
“Heimdall, whenever your are ready, my friend!” She called up and in seconds
they were being grabbed by the BiFrost and carried off.
Darcy giggled as she landed, the trip was pretty fun, she wondered if she could
convince Stark to make a theme park with a ride similar to BiFrost travel,
she'd gladly spend all her life savings to go every day! Tony held Banner up,
the man having calmed down when the danger was over with, Natasha on his other
side, helping to hold him up.
“Whoa...” Clint admired the great golden dome about them. “What fantasy and
scifi movie makers wouldn't give to see this...”
“They are not allowed up here.” came a cold stern voice, that warmed when it
turned its attention to Loki and his mother. “Hello again my Godson, my friend
and sister.”
“Hello Heimdall.” Rhyg smiled, giving him a brief hug before she walked passed,
heading out of the building with the others following. “You may take a break, I
will keep guard. Seren is over in the Omega quadrant, I'm sure you and your
wife could use some alone time.”
“Many thanks.” He bowed and as soon as they were all out of the hub, he
activated the BiFrost and was on his way to see his wife, knowing that Chaos
would keep the Nine Realms from falling apart, at least from doing so ahead of
schedule.
“Huh, I did not know that he was married.” Stated Sif, from where she and an
army worth of horses stood on the bridge.
“There are many things one does not know, but could learn if one knows when and
where to ask.” Loki chuckled. “Where are we headed?”
“The Palace. I have many things to correct, come along.” Rhyg stated and they
all mounted a horse, Loki mounting Thor instead as Laufey grabbed Odin, the
king cursing and growling the whole way as he was carried like a shopping
satchel by the Frost Giant.
The group road through the city streets where the war between Frigga's people
fought with those loyal to Odin. Several dead bodies laid about, others dying
or too injured to move more than an inch or two. Those who remained on their
feet were sitting and drinking wine or offering medical aid. But everyone
looked up at the veritable army approached, tensing but suddenly a child ran
into the street and cried happily.
“Thor's home!!” She cried as the Beast came to a halt and Loki easily slid off
as it transitioned back into Thor's body, picking up the child and sniffing
her, purring happily as it recognized of his Clutches Hatchlings. “Loki's
back!! Everyone!! Loki's home too!!”
Soon the streets were flooding with people no longer at war, all gathered to
see the group. Many happy, others frowning, and those who saw their king held
like a basket of laundry under Laufey's arm either laughed themselves sick or
took a weapon, only to have them turned into flowers with a negligent wave
Loki's hand.
“To the Palace, everyone... And you lot wake up!!” Rhyg growled, grabbing
Gungnir from her son and slamming the end into the earth, the dead and dying
reviving, the injured healing and everyone gasping at the awesome power she
displayed before handing the spear back to her son, nodding. “Move it!”
They did as ordered and soon the whole of Asgard was in the main hall of the
Asgardian Palace. Once in side, everyone could see the main members of the
Clutch sitting before Odin's throne, Frigga in her battle armor still, her hair
a mess and hanging limply around her face as tears fell from her eyes. In her
lap was Jalan's head, petting the blood soaked auburn hair, no longer tightly
braided. The liquid gold that once moved lively around her body was tarnished
and slowly corroding away. She had a deep wound through her stomach, her ruby
red blood flowing steadily even as Sif's mother pressed clothes to the wound,
Lady Eir trying to heal the mortal wound, but nothing was working.
The Beast moved to drop to its knees beside its mother, a mournful whimper
coming out. Jalan opened her eyes, the once vibrant gold a dull bronze, her
lips pale and tinging blue as the live slowly left her.
“Shh, my son... I die with honor, surrounded by my Clutch... You will live on,
have children and raise them... Where is our precious Gem?” She wondered.
Loki came to kneel beside Eir, and Jalan smiled weakly, coughing blood but
bringing her other hand up to cup his cheek.
“... so... beautiful... you will make... pretty babies... powerful.... I am
glad.... we met Civip Kethend....” She turned to the Beast and smiled once
more, weaker still, her face moving oddly like it was taking too much effort to
change her expression. “Love'im.... guard'im... Kepesk... Xurwkar....”
The Beast laid down so his head was resting on her chest, like when it was a
small pup, trying to seek the comfort his Draconian mother once brought him. He
felt her weak hand card through his hair, listened to her heartbeat fading in
her chest, the raspy breaths she drew, labored and getting harder with each
breath.
“You stupid Dragon....” Frigga scolded.
“... Love... you... my... Ferrod Rumag.... I will make... up to... you... to...
tom...” He breath stilled and her heart pumped on last time before she went
limp with death, eyes looking lovingly up at Frigga who choked and let out an
anguished cry.
Frigga has loved and hated Jalan, that was no secret. She had often thought she
would not be bothered by her partner's death when the time came. But then again
she always thought she would be the one to end Jalan's suffering, but how wrong
she was. For several thousands of years they have raised a son together, fought
and protected their Clutch, their people, have shared a bed and mated. Now her
heart was breaking because her love dead, but she died to protect her from
Odin.
Her heart rendering wails filled the silence as more joined. The Beast howled
mournfully as Loki let silent tears fall. Rhyg said nothing as she bowed her
head, Jalan had suffered much, but in the end she had happiness and was finally
at peace. Jalan's body began to glow and then break apart into glittering
particles of light floating up and through the room vanishing over the gathered
people who felt oddly forlorn at her passing. Children sobbed, those who knew
Jalan as their fun loving Aunt or somewhat crazy Granny, the others not
understanding why Jalan would not come back.
“I will not insult you with needless condolences, but know that Jalan's fate
was sealed, Lady Frigga.” Rhyg told the grieving queen, who nodded, into her
hands, but did not speak.
Letting this carry on a bit more, Rhyg finally had enough and with a snap of
her fingers she had everyone's attention. They watched as she walked up to
Hliđskjálf, the grand throne changing and morphing into what looked like the
bones of ancient beasts long since dead or only heard of in myths and legend.
It macabre and frightening as she easily sat in the throne. She took a breath
and they watched in awe as the woman known as Rhyg melted into a beautiful man,
skin like starlight, eyes an infinite rainbow that put the BiFrost to shame,
hair that made even the darkest reaches of space pale in comparison. He was
much taller than even the tallest Jotun, and then he spoke.
“Now then....” the voice was not heard so much as felt in the vary marrow of
their bones, shaking them at it depth. “Many things need changing...”
Everyone gulped in bright as Chaos seemed to stare them all in the eye, looking
at their souls and seeing their sins.
“First: You will stop this pointless fighting... It saddens your Mother and I,
we do not like that Our Children fight, especially petty, selfish wars!” They
all winced at the ire Chaos sent into their bones. “I've buried too many
spouses, too many children borne of my flesh or my seed. Your Mother has
suffered just as much!”
Those who did not seem affected were those who were in the Clutch and the
strangers who came from the BiFrost, but the mixed group were shivering under
the sheer power they felt from the God of Chaos, the Goddess of Law and Order,
the Father of the Multiverse and beyond.
“I foolishly let one of my Children trick me and my Wife, he stole from Us the
Infinite Stones. Ever since, We have had to travel Time and Space, as Lesser
Gods, as Mortals! And do you know what We have done all this time? All these
passing Eons!?” Chaos hissed, he might as well have shouted as everyone
collapsed, unable to withstand the sheer power, the raw feel of a True Gods
might. “We have cleaned up your mess... Have had to provoke wars, end others...
Had to wipe entire Cultures and Peoples from existence when they thought
themselves Superior to your Parents!!”
The castle quaked under Chaos' fury, all of Asgard cowered under her Father's
temper, the storms racing forward to lend their visual efforts to properly
display how displeased their Sire was, Ancient relics and artifacts released
eons worth of magic and power to show had utterly pissed one of their Creators
was.
“But like any Parent, I forgive you and find myself amused by your stupidity.”
He admitted, calming down. “But it ends here!! Ragnarok will come! And when it
does, I will Head it as it should be! Do not be fooled, the only true
Immortality in existence is your Mother and I! You all will die either at the
hands of one another or at Ragnarok, but know you will all die eventually.
Death and I will live on and when we tire of the solitude, of the silence we
shall begin again because it is what we want. We want you to live again, to
live for the better or the worse, that is up to you. But know that when you
have overstepped our bounds, you Judgment will be swift!”
Standing up Chaos then moved to Laufey, his mate having to look up at him, with
awe and love.
“My current husband and father of my Heir is the Frost Giant Laufey King! Your
King, Odin, one of my more willful sons....” here Chaos snarled, sending a
particularly nasty bolt of magic through Odin, who howled in agony. “Has
ordered the genocide of the Jotuns, but did Odin One-eye ever tell you that he
was Half Jotun?”
Scandalous gasps filled the room.
“Oh yes... and he claims 'A Jotun shall never sit on the Throne of Asgard!' Oh
how humorous it is that ironically one already sat in this very chair!” He
cackled insanely bringing terror to their quaking bones. “But now, his only
legitimate heir, Thor borne of Frigga before she left the castle in exile, will
be named king--”
“No--”
“Silence.” the world went utterly mute at the simple command. They feared they
had gone deaf! “Thor will be named King and as he has already mated my Heir,
Loki, will be your Queen. And so you understand, my Children, Loki is Half
Norn, he is my only child borne of Mischief. I have Havoc, I have Discord, I
have Mayhem, Anarchy, Turmoil, Pandemonium! I have many children, but of all of
them only one has been born of Mischief, and Mischief can hand the mantle of
Chaos much better than any other form!”
They gasped and Loki looked like he might faint.
“Yes, my darling Air, you are my Heir to the Title Chaos much like your very
distant cousin, Mors is Death's Heir and has been long since trained in his
art. I'm sure you all know who the Angel of Death is...” Chaos chuckled and
they all paled. “Now then let's begin with first Odin's punishment...”
 
***** Epologue *****
Chapter Summary
     The End is only the Beginning
Chapter Notes
     And we are done! I finished this a lot faster than the chapter from
     Hell!
Epilogue ~10 years later~
“Avengers, assemble!!” Shouted Steve as he threw his shield to ricochet between
a few cars and enemies, being caught by his lover, Bucky who used it to bash
the strange demon that had come pouring out of a swirling massive portal.
“The hell!?” came Tony's voice over the comms. “Are these... Dark Elves fused
with Chitauri!?”
“Fuck!?” Sam, one of the newest Avengers cried when his head was nearly taken
off by said creature. “Who the hell opened that Portal!?”
“I do not know...” Scarlet Witch's voice came over the comm as well, she
sounded annoyed and was rightly so. “But I think I see what is holding it
open!”
“Need a lift, sister?” Pietro asked, running by his sister, easily picking her
up and running off with her on his back, dodging on coming fire and using the
knives he was gifted to cut a few Chitauri/Elf hybrids down.
“If you can close it, then do it!” Steve ordered. “Nat, Clint, where are you!?”
“I'm a little busy!” Nat snapped, kicking the crap out of what looked like a
reanimated Runin Warrior fused with what looked like one of the aliens from the
Movie Alien. “Bruce, I could use the Other Guy!”
A roar echoed both through the comms and through the air before something large
and green came barreling through the the city street, whatever these Necros
were, got smashed along the way.
“Mr. Stark sir... I'm not sure I know what to do about this?” came a young
voice.
“Peter, these things are already dead. Don't hold back. Treat them like the
Doombots!” Tony ordered.
“Did you bring that kid with you!?” came his wife's furious voice.
“Pep--”
“Don't you 'Pep' me!!” Pepper snapped. “When our children are born, you are NOT
training them or taking them into battle do you hear me Anthony Howard Stark!?”
“Ouch, real first name and middle name...” hissed an amused voice. “And from
the Preggo wife. Hey writer lady, you are so mean!”
“Deadpool, who the hell are you talking to?” Clint demanded.
“Focus people!!” Steve grunted.
Suddenly a thunderstorm rained down and a bolt landed in the middle of a huge
mob of the Necros and from it appeared Thor, who looked older, bigger and if
possibly even more frightening than he ever had before. He wore a helmet with
wings rising from it, his crimson read cloak flowed around him as the wind
sang, his trusted Iron Lady in his hand.
“Enough!” He bellowed and all stilled, the Necros turned to him, staring
dumbly. “You shall return from whence you came....”
The Creatures shared a look and charged back into battle as a monstrous
creature appeared out of the Portal next.
“Fine....” Thor sighed, spinning his hammer and throwing it in a wide arch
around him, thunder and lightning following its path. “Greetings friends.”
“Hey Bolt boy!” Tony grinned, flying by, laughing when Thor simply clapped his
hands producing a crack of thunder that blasted the flying monkey and spider
hybrids back into Hulk's rampage, Natasha on her husband's back as he smashed
anything that tried to get to her.
“Thor!” Darcy cheered as she ran through the chaos, dancing around it, casting
spells and the like as she did so, her father's hunting knife on her thigh in
case she wanted to stab an idiot or two.
“Sister Darcy, I've missed you.”
“Scarlet found what is making the Portal, can you help me close it?”
“Magic is not my strong suit...” He blushed in shame.
“Shit!?” Bucky yelped, drawing their attention when the monstrous creature that
had emerged finally stepped through, but instead of attack the Avengers and the
innocents around the area, it threw its head back and howled, the Necros all
dropping and cowering. “The fuck is that!?”
“Ah, there you are Saritua!” He smiled before it turned to a frown as he held
up his hand, catching Mjolnir as she returned to him, he floated into the air,
one arm around Darcy as he floated to the beast's face and sure enough he saw
what he was looking for. “Hel, what are you doing here? I know you did not
unleash this madness... because if you did you will not like the punishment
awaiting you at your grandmother's hand.”
The young girl sitting on the Beast's head smiled up at him, unrepentant, but
the dim look in her green eyes told him that she feared his threat.
“No, Father, I did not do this. There is one thing that Granny has told me it
is never to mess with the Departed. This is magics fouler than my Necro Arts.”
She informed him and he nodded his head.
“Wait... did that little girl just--” Darcy gasped.
“Thor's a Dad?!” cried several voices.
“Excuse me, but I believe we are still in the middle of battle.” came Vision's
cool voice over the comms.
“Right! Saritua! Let's put these restless souls back where they belong!” the
child cheered and then she began to speak in dark tongues, the beast below her
feet opened its jaws and a large orb appeared before smaller beams fired out of
it and each one struck a Necro, the creatures letting out dying wails or trying
to flee, but soon they were gone and the girl, Hel was finishing her black
speech with a pray so soft and sweet, one would not think she was capable of
the dark magic needed to use Necromancy “There! Granny Star will be most
pleased and uncle Mors will like a nice break too!”
“Hel....” Thor sighed. “We are among the mortals, you must soften your magics
and Saritua's form is too demonic and monstrous for them as well.”
“Oh! Right!” She cast a spell and as her familiar shrank, she was safely
lowered to the floor until she was scooping up a tiny Yorkie into her arms.
“Better, Father?”
“Indeed, my daughter.” Thor chuckled as he landed, and set Darcy down.
The others made their way back and they turned to Scarlet who was working
impressive magic to contain the book that was sitting almost innocently under
the portal.
“Wanda!!” Pietro tried to warn her, but was too late when a fist socked her in
the face, sending her flying, but she did not go far as something suddenly grew
behind her into a full sized man. “Thank you, Scott!”
“No problem...” The man stated, as he held the woman who was dazed and sure to
pass out in a moment.
Vision was looked thunderous at the bastard that had dared to harm his wife.
But stopped when he saw who had hit her.
“Malekith....” Thor growled. “I killed you too quickly last time...”
“Malekith? Is he not the one who--”
“Yes, he hurt not only your Grandmother, but everyone in the universe as well,
especially those of the Nine Realms.” Thor nodded, his daughter looking the
Necro who leered at them, picking up the book and snapping it shut, closing the
portal as well.
“It's been a long time, Thunderer... Where is my Queen?”
“You have no queen, I do however and my love is currently cleaning up the mess
you made of our home. So do not worry you will face my love soon enough.” Thor
promised.
“You dare touch what was always mine!?”
“He dares just fine thank you!” A voice called from behind before he felt the
stabbing pain of a knife in his back before he was punched in the back of the
head, a kick was then swung into his gut, causing him to double over, allowing
his attacker to stomp on him a few times before grinding his decaying face into
the ground below. “No wonder my mother is as mad as she is! It is insanity to
keep the world ordered while also causing the right amount of chaos to keep
things from getting boring!”
“Loki!!” the women of the group smiled seeing their friend.
“Hello again my friends!” Loki chuckled softly, grinding his foot down harder.
“Aunt Seren will be most furious to know that one of her former attendants gave
you gave you her book... Hel, come take this to your Granny!”
“Yes, mother!” Hel giggled, running up to her mama and grabbing the book with
great care and vanishing into a portal that looked oddly like blood.
“Wait... Mother?!” several people cried out.
“Yes, mother.” Loki rolled his eyes. “I thought I explained to you all that as
Jotun I'm intersexed, I have both sexual organs of a man and woman! I can
clearly sire and birth my own children should I choose to do so! And I have
birthed my own darling children!”
“Indeed. We have 3 sons and a daughter, with two more on the way!” Thor was
quite pleased with himself as Loki huffed, finally crushing Malekith's head
under boot.
Everyone winced at the sound and the sight of the gore, but Loki did not care,
he moved over to his husband and leaned on him with a tired whine.
“I am quite famished, Thor. Feed me and these two spawns of yours!” He
demanded.
“Of course, but shall we wait for our children to finish and join us? After all
we were supposed to be meeting our friends so they can meet their Godchildren!”
Thor smiled, caressing the the just showing baby bump that was hidden by the
fabrics and armor his mate wore.
“Holy shit....” Tony gasped. “Did you just say we have Godchildren?! As in
literal GODchildren!?”
“Yes and yes.” Loki hummed and soon another portal appeared and Hel and her
brothers stepped forth from it.
“Well....” Steve cleared his throat. “It seems we're done and Lady Nubia's
people are already underway with clean up....”
“Who's up for takeout and a massive sleepover over at Avenger Tower!?” Tony
perked up, never one to linger too long on something.
They all agreed and soon were on their way to the tower. Once in the safety of
their home, everyone found places to sit or lay down, with their respective
partners or lovers.
“It's been like 10 years since we saw you!” Tony laughed, his arm around his
very pregnant wife, their 10 year old son sitting on his other side.
“It was longer for us... time flows differently and for each realm, a day could
pass here and an entire age could pass on Asgard or half a millennia on
Jotunheim.” Thor chuckled. “Finally took the Lady Potts for a wife, did you
Lord Stark? And such a fine son you have! And another on the way too!”
“Yes, Pep and I have been married since a little after our little hostile
takeover of Asgard! This our son, Jarvis.” Tony smiled. “Vision thought it only
fitting that my first son had the name of his Uncle.”
Vision looked sheepish as he held his wife close to him, she was awake now and
in post mission meditation.
“And I've married Wanda... We are attempting to have a child. Though I do not
think it will be possible.” he murmured.
“It will happen, my friend, do not doubt that. My mother spoke of a few
surprises for a few of you.” Loki chuckled, holding his youngest son and
daughter to his sides while his elder sons cuddled into their father.
“Good, I look forward to parenthood.” Vision smiled.
“Right, you need to meet some new faces and not so new faces!” Tony chirped.
“You know Sam and Rhoda! They are official Avengers now! Sam's Falcon and
Rhodey is War Machine! The UN and the President tried to push the Iron Patriot
shtick but after some prick I once dicked over when I was beyond smashed back
99 leading into the 2000s, decided he was gonna kidnap my pregnant wife and
experiment on her. Now thanks to him my son can set things on fire if he gets
emotional enough.”
Thor frowned, “and is this man alive still?”
“No. I killed him.” Pepper purred. “He nearly cost me my child and husband,
like hell was I letting him breath another moment.”
“A woman after my own heart.” Loki almost swooned.
“You know Wanda and Pietro, they finally got the Green card to be Avengers
after they went to a specialized school where they learned to control their
powers and the like!” Darcy smiled. “They kept their old names of Scarlet Witch
and Quicksilver!”
“Indeed, it is good that they learned.” Thor chuckled at Loki's evil grin when
Wanda gulped, remembering her training sessions with him.
“This is Scott Lang, a former criminal, a computer genius and quite the hacker!
He's got a special suit that allows him to shrink and grow as he pleases and he
can command various forms of insects though namely ants, bees and their various
breeds. His girlfriend's not here at the moment, she over in Japan dealing with
some people, but she's called Wasp and Scott is called Ant-Man!” Darcy laughed.
“Then there is this kid, Peter Parker, quite the little genius, overly eager
and a nerd to boot, but he's got heart and is quite the agile, little spider!
He calls himself Spiderman.”
“I got bit by a radioactive spider and it gave me quite a few perks, I can
climb walls, sense danger to some degree, I'm agile like Mr. Stark said, and
I'm quite strong, not as strong as the Hulk though.” Peter blushed. “Oh this is
Wade Wilson-- he's a bit of an acquired taste, so sorry if he's a bit much.”
“Aww, so mean Spidey!” Wade whined under his hood, self conscious of his rather
grotesque looks around strangers, though he had grown comfy around the Avengers
over the years and mostly worked for the good guys and for free, he was still a
Merc and weapons and his collection were not cheap you know! “So you're the
main characters of this story!? I think the Writer forgot her main plot line!”
“What?” Thor and Loki blinked confused.
“Ignore him, he tends to say things at random that make no sense or speaks to
two entities that only he can hear that he calls White and Yellow, apparently
they are boxes.” Natasha waved off. “As for myself, I'm quite happy with Bruce,
we've been going slowly, working at his pace, but it seems after our little
trip to Asgard, he and Hulk have come to an agreement of sorts, I do not mind,
I love both the man and the beast.”
“As do I Lady Widow.” Loki smiled as he looked at his own husband, who grinned,
showing off inhumanly sharp teeth.
“Bucky and I finally tied the knot and we're thinking of adopting a few kids.”
Steve smiled at his husband who hugged him close, kissing his temple, his metal
arm had clearly been upgraded by Stark as it was sleeker, stronger and had a
synthetic dermal layer to hide the fact it was metal and gave him sensations of
having a flesh arm again.
“Coulson's still a fanboy and a creeper though.” Bucky snorted.
“Yes, the Son of Coul... do I need to speak with him?”
“No, he's the best Super Nanny we've got! And the only Super Nanny who wasn't a
secret Hydra goon!” Tony shouted. “He's the only who puts up with our kids!”
“Yeah, now that things have calmed down, my wife and kids can live with me
again, though we still got our safe house for when shit hits the fan.” Clint
smiled. “Two boys and a girl with another baby on the way, we're hoping for
another girl who we plan to call Natalie.”
“Congrats.” came the consensus from the others in the room.
“We got a new handler as well, her name is Sharon Carter, or Agent 13 and she
and Pietro are dancing around one another.” Sam smirked when the speedy mutant
glared at him.
“Oh can't forget his highness Prince T'Challa of Wakanda.” Tony added, waving
his hand to the silent man who was observing them from the corner, his
bodyguard sitting prim on her stool, she would shook Natasha a dark look every
now and again. “And I believe that is it. Fury and Hill are still our bosses,
and SHIELD is being overhauled still from the Hydra infestation, but your
mother and her people have been a big help!”
“Alright, then it is our turn. As you know my mother implemented several
changes, many far reaching and trans dimensional.” Loki stated. “Thor has been
a fair and just King, our people adore him and my father has passed the crown
to Byleístr, who is courting a young Mage in training. I believe my brother's
rule will be a long and peaceful one. Helblindi and Lucian have had twin
daughters and live quite happily on Muspelheim, though I get frequent visits
from my nieces since my brother is trying to get pregnant with sons now.”
Thor chuckled as he pulled his eldest children into his arms proud of them.
“Aye, Helblindi was quite envious when we had Sleipnir, our eldest,
Jörmungandr, our second, Fenrir our third and our only daughter, Hel. With two
more on the way. We do not know if they will be male or female or even both,
but I love my children no matter what they are.”
“Do you still get Cranky?” Darcy wondered. “And where is my wife!? She hasn't
visited in so long!!”
“Sif is playing diplomat to a few stubborn tribes on the out edges of Vanaheim
with the Warriors, she should be back any day no and will most likely find her
way into your bed sooner rather later. And I do not become Cranky any more
because the Beast and I have come to an agreement, we've fused and become one.”
“When Thor becomes Cranky now, he goes into the Berserker Rage and only I, our
mothers and our children can pull him back from it.” Loki smiled darkly. “I was
too fond of the Beast and the Man to pick one over of the other so I altered
Lady Jalan's curse and turned it into a blessing. However, because of my magics
and Thor's rather animalistic characteristics, our children have quirks of
their own... Sleipnir can turn into an 8 legged Horse, Jörmungandr can become a
snake and grow to any size and Fenrir turns into a dire Ice Wolf. Each
obviously take after their namesakes and my dear sweet Hel is getting the best
tutelage from Hela the Current Queen of Helheim. It seems my mother brought my
children from the last time and had them keep the Realms somewhat in balance
since I've never met my wife Sigyn, who is the ancestor of Lady Darcy.”
“Yay, I'm somewhat related to the best Badass Mage in the Universe!” Darcy
crowed, making the others laugh.
“Indeed.” Loki chuckled.
“We had not expected for Malekith's soul to break free of Helheim nor to seduce
one of Lord Death's attendants nor to steal his book and unleash the dishonored
and tormented souls. He attempted to make it look like Hel was doing it, but my
daughter knows better than to mess with the Dead in such a way.”
“My Necro Arts are meant to help others and to lend aid, but it doesn't mean I
will not summon them to wipe out a threat to my family.” She sniffed.
“Hel.” Loki sighed. “I regret allowing you to spend so much time with Lady
Seren....”
“That's so mean!” giggled a soft voice as they all jumped seeing two women
appear from nowhere.
“Granny! Granny Star!” the children cried running to the two women who smiled.
“Hello darlings... we were just coming by to give your Auntie Natasha something
and then we have to go away for a while. It seems some little shit is starting
a war on the other side of the Galaxy and it is annoying us to no end.” Rhyg
smiled, kissing her grandchildren on their brows before she tossed something to
the former Russian spy.
“Wait!! Before you go I have to ask, all this started with the Infinity stones,
and obviously we broke all of them expect the one in Vision, but where are the
real ones?” Tony called. “It's been bugging me to no end.”
“...” Seren and Rhyg shared a look and burst into laughter. “Sorry!!”
“Not Sorry!” Rhyg cackled. “Oh man, that was a good laugh! But to answer your
question, I hid them in plain view, all six together and literally under your
noses.”
They blinked looking around the room before Rye rolled her eyes and walked up
to Loki, he blinked as his mother grabbed his left wrist and ran her fingers
lovingly over the bracelet. Suddenly a dawning look entered his eyes and
gasped.
“You--”
“Yep. I said it before, only a Mischief has the potential to become the next
Chaos. And there is a reason you are so powerful, my son. It takes vast amounts
of power to hold the Universe in a constant dance of Chaos and Order.” She
winked and then she and Seren were gone.
“Wait!! She didn't answer--”
“She did...” Loki chuckled, holding his left hand to his face as he looked at
his bracelet, seeing the six colorful stones and now knowing the truth behind
the gift. “My mother and aunt work in mysterious ways and no one can truly
understand their mad plans except for them because why not have something
powerful and dangerous hidden and protected by something equally as powerful
and dangerous...”
“Mommy?” Hel called and he smiled at her, taking his hand from his face.
“Granny gave them to someone like her?”
“Indeed and they will guard the secret to their death after all if no one knows
by now where they are, then they will never know...”
“You mom is crazy.”
“Chaos.” the Godly family stated, making everyone laugh.
“What did she give you, Nat?” Clint wondered.
Natasha looked over the bottle in her hands and the folded note tied to it. She
and Bruce read it over and gasped, Natasha bursting into tears which startled
everyone but Loki, who smiled brightly when she looked up at him.
“You--”
“I'm a Mage, and married to the God of Thunder and Fertility, mortals cannot
hope to beat our magics.” Loki smiled.
“Thank you!” Bruce smiled, glad his secret wife was going to finally have her
dream come true.
“What is it!?” everyone else cried.
“A potion... to reverse what they did to me when I completed my training... I
can have children!!” She cried and tackled Bruce with a bruising kiss as the
others all began to celebrate.
As they descended into familial chaos, Thor and Loki smiled softly, kissing as
their children went to go make friends with the few others there.
“And to think this all started because my sire could not keep it in his
pants...”
“Indeed. I love you, Thor...”
“I love you, Civip Kethend...”
Fin.
 
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