"So this book..."
"Yes?"
"A magic book."
"Most certainly."
"A book of magic."
A sigh. "Yes, as far as I can tell. It is very similar to some of the tomes I saw in Asgard's libraries, albeit the language seems to be slightly different."
Tony snorts at that. "Sorry, big guy," he gives an apologetic smile,"but you don't really look like someone who would stick their nose in a book."
The frown that has previously developed on Thor's face disappears. "You are right, my friend, my interest has never laid in written word. But... my brother is and has always been fond of books so sometimes when I wanted to find him the best place to search was the library or his chambers but those could be almost called libraries as well." A look of nostalgia creeps onto the god's face as he starts on the subject of his crazy brother which alone is enough to make Tony quite uncomfortable.
Ok, time to cut the emotional crap before it gets out of hand.
"So... back to the topic. The book. The one full of some magic-mojo."
The book, right. It is still kind of mysterious. Yesterday Thor came back to Earth with some rather unpleasant news. Loki had escaped his custody and apparently a guy named Hansel or something had seen him return to the blue planet. Why hadn't the guy, who's supposed to be all-seeing, seen the crazy fucker escape that Tony still doesn't know but he damn well plans to get some answers out of Thor though that could wait yesterday and it can still wait. Yesterday after hearing the news Tony rather happily (which was totally inappropriate considering the situation but as if he cared) offered to try out his new invention and track Loki down using the trickster's own magic for that. Honestly he didn't know if it would work but it did, kind of. Only it didn't track down Loki. It lit up almost instantly and located a strong magic source. On Iceland. So they all got suited up and set off for a small trip expecting to find Loki and arrest him but instead they found a book, a big-ass, old book buried in some dungeon and no Loki. But they didn't come home with nothing, they had a tome that radiated magic like fucking Hogwarts. And Tony has been itching to poke at it a bit since they found it.
The small problem that he doesn't understand a word from what's written in it can be easily solved because Thor obviously understands it just fine though Tony stops himself in time before he asks the god to translate a whole fucking book for him. That would be a bit too much he thinks. He will give it to JARVIS and see what the AI can do about it and then if there are any gaps he will have Thor help him with it. Sounds like a good plan and when he presents it to Thor he luckily agrees. Well, Tony would probably convince him even if he didn't agree right away but this saves him the trouble.
When the thunder-god leaves Tony turns to the book and runs a hand over its black cover.
"JARVIS, scan this for me and then translate it. Tell me when it's done."
"Yes, sir. Would you like me to play some music?"
"Oh, you know me too well, darling," Tony says with a smirk.
"May I suggest you wouldn't call me that in front of Miss Potts?"
"You know I wouldn't!" A fake wounded expression appears on the inventor's face as he opens the book on the first page.
"One can never be too careful, sir."
It took JARVIS whole two days to complete the translation of the six hundred and forty seven pages and ever since then Tony has been closed in his workshop not coming out even to eat and it has already been five more days. Not that he has noticed.
Tony runs a hand through his hair in frustration and curses whoever wrote the damn thing for approximately one thousand two hundred and ninety fourth time. Two times for a page in average. It probably wasn't one person too as the difference in age of the ink on the first and the last page is more than a hundred years. But no matter who actually wrote the book they were either really adamant that no 'Muggle' can use it or even understand what the spells in it are intended for or they were just plainly stupid. Because yes, the instructions are very clear as are the lists of ingredients but with all of the things described in the book there's no information about what they actually do. And for absolute majority of them you actually have to be some sort of mage or sorcerer or whatever to perform those. Tony is pretty sure he is no magician. Which leaves him with exactly one spell he can perform and three potions he can prepare and that is just sad considering he has no idea what those are meant for.
But he is not giving up, he is genius after all so some stupid book will not defeat him.
He has a nagging feeling that he's still missing something important. Who would write a book of magic and not include the purpose of the spells in it? That doesn't make sense. They would have had to remember it all and 'they' were not only one person because not only the age of the ink in the book is different but there are several handwritings as well. Could all those people know all the effects of all the spells and potions in the book? Possibly yes but in that case they would have probably remembered the steps and ingredients as well, they wouldn't have needed the book. And if those were just personal notes they wouldn't be so organised. Clear step by step instructions and no description of the effects.
Maybe the descriptions are there and he just can't see them. It sounds like a good possibility, Tony thinks as he tips his head back and stares at the ceiling. Like an invisible ink but magically upgraded. The book itself is somehow enchanted, if it hadn't been they wouldn't have found it in the first place, he just doesn't know what the purpose of it is. Why couldn't hiding part of the text be that purpose? He looks over the pages and there's always some space left blank. So how does he make it visible?
Magic. Just another form of energy. Tony can work with energy, it's just physics. Transport of energy, waves, interference, destructive-
A knock on the glass door of his workshop cuts off his trail of thought and makes Tony look away from the ceiling.
"Pepper!" Tony smiles brightly and swirls his chair to face his CEO just as the door slides shut behind her.
"Do you have any idea how long have you been locked in here?" Pepper asks instead of greeting him. She has her 'scolding' face which makes Tony feel just a bit guilty.
"Too long away from you, baby..?"
"Cheesy."
"I've been working. You know how I get." It is a weak excuse and he knows that but it really wasn't his intention to worry her.
She sighs. "Of course I know but have you been at least eating? Or sleeping? Because it's been five days, Tony."
"Already?"
Pepper gives him an unimpressed look.
"Ok, ok, I know. But don't worry, I can take care of myself."
"I'm not so sure."
He fakes a wounded look which finally makes her lips quirk. Good. "So what about I get out of here and we can go have a...," he looks at the clock on the wall,"dinner?"
"That sounds good." She smiles. "But I have paperwork for you to do and we need to discuss some pressing matters regarding the company."
Tony stands up and sighs. "You know that I completely trust you with the company?"
"You still have to know about what's going on there."
Tony is not going to argue with her though he thinks he really doesn't have to when Pepper is the one who runs the company. Instead he just sighs dramatically. "The work's so demanding, cutting on our alone time."
"I'm staying tonight so we will have plenty of alone time."
"Oh, sounds promising," he practically purrs and leans in to kiss her but she pushes him away with a hand over his mouth.
"You stink and you need a shower."
"So mean, Pepper," Tony murmurs through her hand and she just smiles and ushers him out of the workshop.
Tony turns in the bed in an attempt to get more comfortable but to no avail. Sleep just won't come to him, he knows from experience. He can't even remember the last time he slept truly well without being so exhausted he practically passed out, it must have been before Afghanistan though and it's gotten only worse since New York.
He's been lying there for more than an hour and at some other time he would have already gone to his workshop or to pour himself a glass of something strong. But if Pepper finds out he didn't sleep in the bed she will only get worried. Tony hates making her worried. He wonders, as he listens to her calm breathing, what good he has ever done to deserve her. Because she is obviously too good for someone like him. They love each other but Tony can't help but wonder if that alone is enough. What life can he offer to her? He constantly puts his own life in danger and he knows Pepper hates it. He knows he is hurting her but he can't stop, he is too selfish to give up the suit, Tony needs Iron Man and he can lie and say that this need is not his but the world's, that he is being Iron Man to protect the Earth first and foremost but the truth remains that the main purpose of the suit is Anthony Stark's own redemption. He's flying around fighting the bad guys, helping the good ones, saving the innocent but it's from a selfish need to make up for his own misdeeds. Tony wants to be better but it's not enough for him to be a better man just for Pepper. So he can't give this up, not even for her.
He turns again so he is staring at the wall instead of the ceiling.
Tony knows he will not give up Pepper either. Not of his own accord at least but if she ever wants to leave he will not try to stop her.
It would probably be better for her as she deserves someone who won't get himself killed in some stupid battle for greater good or his own peace of mind.
And still he will not end things between them. He loves her and he is selfish enough to want to keep her as long as he can.
So Tony stays in the bed even though sleep evades him for long hours and falls asleep just before dawn.
It has been more than two weeks since they found the book and Tony has made next to none progress in uncovering the hidden text that he is sure is there. But that is not the only thing that remains without any advance.
They have yet to find any trace of Loki. Tony would almost forget about that crazy bastard but it is a fact that the god is still out there. The magic detector hasn't picked up any traces besides the book and Thor hasn't been much helpful in the search either.
Tony is not sure but it seems to him that the blond god doesn't really want to find his brother. It's odd but every time they discuss the topic Thor seems reluctant to reply to their questions and his answers are very vague, especially regarding Loki's escape. He goes out every day, sometimes coming back the next day, claiming to be looking for his brother but what is he really doing? Flying around the Earth for hours and hoping he will spot him somewhere? Or does he have some weird kind of sense that allows him to feel Loki's presence? Tony doubts it. Scratch that, he doesn't doubt it, it's just bullshit. So what is it that Thor is not telling them?
They have not pushed Thor to spill his guts yet but they are all pretty much frustrated with the situation. Another fact that is making it even worse is that Fury is incredibly pissed off and no one wants to deal with pissed off Fury.
"So you're telling me no one from Asgard can help us?" Fury asks with barely contained anger.
"There is no one amongst the Æsir who could find my brother's whereabouts. They can do no more than us."
"What about sending someone in case your brother decides to go fucking crazy again?"
There is a pause as Thor frowns. They all know that he doesn't like it when Loki is spoken about like the lunatic he is.
"They did send me, didn't they? I assure you, man of ire, I am more than enough for that task." The growl in the god's voice is very subtle but it is clearly enough to remind Fury who exactly he is dealing with.
"It seems that unless Loki takes some action we won't be able to find him," Thor continues,"but I won't stop my search for him."
"Oh? And how is this search of yours going?" Fury raises his single eyebrow.
"Not well."
"Thought so."
"If I may, Director..."
"Yes, Agent Romanoff?"
Natasha clears her throat before speaking. "I think we should do what Loki does, just lay low for a while. I'm sure he knows we're looking for him and as long as that is the case we won't find him unless he wants us to. We can't rely on the possibility that he may make a mistake because he most likely won't."
"So you suggest we stop the search?"
"I'm saying the search doesn't have much sense."
"I'm with Nat on this," Tony says.
"Stark?"
"She's right, it's pointless, we don't have any lead. He could be anywhere, hell, he doesn't even have to be on Earth anymore." Tony is getting really tired of this, he could be in his lab and poking at the damn book.
"Thor, what do you think?" Fury turns to the god again.
Thor looks very reluctant to answer. "I believe my brother is still here," he says slowly. "Other realms are not safe for him."
"And Earth is? That's just peachy," Barton snorts but there is not much humour in it. It still earns him a glare from Fury.
"Compared to other realms Midgard is quite safe," Thor confirms. "So it is most likely that Loki will not leave in any near future."
"Rogers, what do you think?"
The Captain shifts in his seat before replying. "I... agree with Natasha and Tony. We are not making any progress and it's not like we don't have other matters to attend to."
"My words, Cap. I'm a working man." Tony grins only to be ignored.
"So do you all agree on this?" Fury asks looking around the table.
They all nod though Hawkeye looks particularly unhappy.
"We'll stop the active search till we get some solid lead," Fury says in conclusion and stands up. "But that doesn't mean the threat's gone."
As if they don't know that.
Fury turns on his heel and stalks from the room in a dramatic fashion, black coat and all.
"So if that's all..." Tony jumps to his feet.
"Sit," Natasha orders and he falls back in his seat a bit freaked out by her tone. But luckily she is not looking at him. She is looking at Thor.
"Don't you want to tell us something?" she asks evenly.
"I don't know what you are talking about, Lady Natasha." Thor smiles in his charming fashion but it's clearly forced.
And the Widow is not too impressed. "You are not a great liar and you would have to be damn perfect to fool me. So stop this farce and tell us what's going on."
Tony almost feels sorry for Thor as he watches the helpless look on the man's face but he too wants to know what this is about.
"Come on, Thor, you can tell us."
For a moment the god really looks like he wants to spill everything but then he shakes his head and gets up. "There is nothing to tell you, my friends." And then he practically runs out of the room.
"Well, that was awkward. I would love to stay and chat," Tony stands up,"but I have work to do so I'll follow mysterious boy here and depart."
"Tony..."
"What, Cap? He won't tell us anything whatever it is, not now anyway, so instead of speculating about what it is that he keeps to himself I'll go and do some work, ok?" He looks over the three Avengers. "Unless you need me for something."
"You've been working almost nonstop for past two weeks, you should take a break, I hope this stopped search for Loki doesn't mean we won't see you at all."
"Aw, would you miss me Steve?"
The Captain just rolls his eyes. "I just want to be sure that whatever you are doing won't blow up in your face."
"Don't worry I got it all under control." Tony winks and leaves the room.
"Are you sure, sir?"
"Stop asking me JARVIS, you know I'm not."
"I feel obligated to remind you that you know nothing about the effects of this spell." And is his AI just telling him that Tony is stupid?
"If I don't try I won't know. It can't be anything too drastic, like... blowing up the planet. It's about energy, power. I doubt even Loki could do that and Thor keeps telling us how super powerful that son of a bitch is. I'm not even a magician or whatever. I doubt I have much of this 'magical energy' the book speaks about. And I've read it, like twenty times, it says some of the stuff requires lots of energy and this? What was it? 'Amount of energy not noticeable to the caster', that was it." Tony knows he is just rambling but it kind of steels his resolve so it is ok.
"The energy doesn't have to come from you, sir."
"Shut up, JARVIS," Tony says resolutely. He knows he is being careless but when is he ever not? He is going insane from the book and it has been almost four weeks, four weeks without any progress, and maybe that explains why he is about to try out a spell while not having the slightest clue what it does.
And Tony does not feel like stopping now that he has collected all the ingredients. They are mostly just common herbs but there are some pretty weird things too, like fur of a grey wolf and some others, but nothing Tony couldn't get. However, there is one ingredient that has been a bit of a problem. Well, that is an understatement because that ingredient is blood of a mage. It is a part of the spell conditioned by the fact that Tony himself is no mage. The book says you need two different blood samples, both given willingly, and if the caster is not a magician then at least one of the samples has to be blood of a mage, which is problematic at least. But Tony didn't give up when he read this. Because he realised he actually has such blood at his disposition, Loki's blood.
When the crazy god was held in custody during the invasion SHIELD jumped at the opportunity and took a blood sample from him and considering that Loki did not protest Tony thinks it counts as 'given willingly'.
He has gone through a lot of trouble to get it, lying to Fury that he could use it to improve his magic detector and finally locate Loki (and maybe he could, he will look into it later) and after a long while of persuading the Director has given the blood to him.
So now he has everything he needs.
"JARVIS, draw me the fancy circle on the floor."
"Of course, sir."
The mechanical arms that normally dismantle the Iron Man suit move in synchronization to draw a complicated pattern on a cleared area on the floor. Tony is glad he does not have to do this himself.
When it is done he takes the bowls with various ingredients and places those in the right positions around the circle, careful not to smudge the white chalk.
"I guess we can start the show," Tony says as he steps inside the circle. In one hand he holds another bowl, a silver one, in the other he has two vials, the first full of his own blood, because why not use his own resources, the second full of Loki's. He places the bowl in the centre of the circle and then pours both blood samples in. "This better be good."
Tony stands up and throws away the vials. "JARVIS, time to play the music."
There is no incantation as a part of the spell (like there is with most of the others) but a particular sound has to be produced. In the book there is detailed description of a flute that would play it but instead of building the flute Tony just had JARVIS figure out the sound from the description and then play it.
A calm tune fills the workshop and Tony takes a deep breath. The sound somehow seems to resonate in his very bones. He really hopes nothing will explode.
AN: I know I really shouldn't start a multi-chapter story but it seems I just don't have the ability to write oneshots. And I really wanted to write this. Anyway, if you find any errors just point them out, I'm not a native speaker.
I'll be happy for every review you might leave on your way out.
