Disclaimer: I do not own The Avengers or its characters.
A/N: Okay so this is sort of more of a prologue than a chapter, but I'm too lazy to rename all the chapters and blah blah blah. Anyway, my apologies for taking so long with this. The usual: traveling, writer's block, life outside the internet, etc. At long last, here is my first "for real" attempt at a multi-chapter story! Woo hoo! I hope you like it. :)
Phantom
"You have picked an interesting day to come seek my vision," Heimdall announced in a deep, booming voice as Loki approached him.
"Is that so?" Loki snarled. It was with great hesitation and embarrassment that he sought out Heimdall's insight; he had been having Thor ask Heimdall the questions to which he wanted answers, but Thor had recently told Loki that it was time he ask the seer himself. He had put off the visit for several weeks, but his curiosity would not let him rest.
"You want to know how she is doing," Heimdall stated. His voice was blunt and void of emotion.
Loki growled. A fleeting feeling of resentment passed through him; it seemed to him that it was natural for Thor to check up on Jane and nobody passed any negative judgment. Loki couldn't help but feel judged for pondering about the well-being of a mortal. Loki was not checking up on the red-haired spy who occupied his mind because he was in love. He was merely curious.
He swallowed his pride and responded affirmatively.
"Soon, Natasha Romanoff will no longer be."
Loki's body suddenly felt hollow and drained. He was sure his ears had betrayed him. Was Natasha dying? Is that what he meant? What else could it be? His expression was one of fright and anxiety, and it undid all the effort he had made to seem uninterested in her. He struggled through his shock to find words, but could only manage a meager, "What?"
Heimdall's expression did not change as he continued. "It would seem as though she will soon become Natasha Barton."