All Hallows Eve
Disclaimer: I do not own the Avengers, I do not own Halloween, but I do own a very useful brain. That said, I'll move on to the story.
CHAPTER TWO: MASQUERADE
Tony Stark adjusted his bowtie. It was time for the annual Stark Gala, and because this gala coincided with Halloween, he decided to make it a Masquerade Ball.
Smirking to himself, Tony fitted his red and gold Venetian mask onto his head. It was ornate yet masculine, which was a good thing. It complemented his black suit very well.
Virginia 'Pepper' Potts was getting ready in the room next to his, with a sapphire-blue dress as well as a dark blue Venetian mask, more feminine than Tony's.
Meanwhile, Steve Rogers was in Bruce Banner's room, helping the older scientist with the bowtie. Living in Calcutta had really made Bruce forget these simple things. Both of them had prepared dark blue suits at Tony's insistence, and reluctantly donned their own masks, Bruce with a dark green one, Steve with a light blue one.
Clint and Natasha were both dressed in black, and their masks matched too. Clint wore a simple, classic Venetian mask, and Natasha wore a fancier one.
At eleven o'clock, all of the Avengers save for Thor were gathered at the top of the staircase. The ballroom was already packed, because Stark had insisted they be 'fashionably late'. This had made Pepper very distressed, so she went ahead of the five people.
Clearing his throat, Stark walked to the front of the group, grinning brightly. "Good evening, people! I hope you are all enjoying yourselves! All I would like to say is thank you, rest of the Avengers, for being here tonight, and happy Halloween!"
The gathered crowd cheered, and soon went back to their own respective activities. Oddly enough, at about eleven thirty, thunder began flashing outside the windows, even though the weather was supposed to be clear. An explanation soon presented itself, and two thuds were heard from the balcony.
"Ow! Thor, you are stepping all over my cape!"
"Why is it so long? Brother, put on your mask!"
"I am not your brother, you dimwit! And your mask isn't on either!"
Tony beamed. "Ladies and gentlemen, give us a round of applause for Thor, the God of Thunder and his evil little brother Loki!"
Clapping was heard from everywhere as Thor and a disgruntled Loki emerged sheepishly from the balcony. Of course, it soon died down as they registered the fact that Loki was also present.
"My friends!" Thor boomed. "We have arrived!"
"We kinda noticed that, Point Break." Tony snarked, grabbing a glass of champagne from a waiter.
But that wasn't the oddest thing to happen that night. At exactly eleven forty, the winds outside began to pick up, howling madly in an attempt to get past the glass. By then most of the guests had already left, and the few that remained weren't really doing much.
As soon as the clock struck twelve, all of the Avengers including Loki crumpled to the ground, all of them holding their heads as an ear-splitting scream cut through the still air. The windows blew open quite suddenly, and all of the lights went out.
There was a bit of confusion, and then the backup lights came on. They were surprised to find that Steve was missing from their midst.
"Steve?" Natasha called. "If you're up to your tricks again, Loki-"
"This is not my doing, Midgardian. I am as lost as you are on this matter."
As they bickered, a mad cackle sounded throughout the hall. They all stopped talking to automatically ready their weapons, facing outwards in a circle.
"Do you know who I am?" A smooth voice questioned.
All of them stiffened. "Dad?" Tony whispered.
Loki shook his head. "No, it's Odin."
"It's not Odin or Howard Stark, Tony. I know that voice, and it's definitely Barney."
"Interesting." The voice resumed. "None of you know who I am? Well, Steve Rogers certainly knows. He had a run-in with me, long before any of you were born." A tall figure stepped out of the shadows, and all of the Avengers gasped.
It was the Red Skull. "No way. Aren't you supposed to be dead?" Tony asked skeptically.
Cackling, the 'Red Skull' bared his teeth. "I cannot die, human. I am your worst fear."