ACT II
*One year later*
After hours of walking he could finally see the castle in the distance. He finally reached the outskirts of Asgard. Sitting down on a large boulder, Tony pulled an apple out of his sack and began eating. It has been a long journey, but he finally reached a kingdom where no one should recognize him. Know his name. He will be safe here. As he took another bite of his apple, he saw an elderly woman walking up the path. She was breathing heavily from going up the hill, but continued on, not stopping for a breath until she reached the very top.
He paid her no mind as he continued eating his apple. It's not like many would pay attention to what appeared to be a foreign soldier who only had the clothes on his back and some food he stole from another kingdom. "Good day soldier." She said as she stopped walking, breathing heavily, while leaning on her walking stick. "I do not see your kingdom's sigil. What land do you hail from?"
Tony took another bite of his apple. "I am no soldier. Just a weapon maker." He said while tossing his apple core to the side; wanting to leave the conversation at that. He cannot allow anyone to know who he is. Despite his name being infamous across many lands, he knows there are many foreign ones like this; that his ancestors have no ties to, and should be safe. Safe enough to get a ship and make his way back home.
"What brings you to Asgard then Weapon Maker?" She asked curiously. Her eyes moved up and down, as if studying Tony carefully. Almost as if she recognized him, but was unsure because of how dingy he looks.
Tony was going to tell her to mind her own business, but as if he was being controlled by some form of magic his tongue spoke what he dared not speak. "I was a great maker of weaponry and armor. During my kingdom's war I worked nonstop to create better and more advance weapons for our soldiers to use. What we didn't know was our enemy was also using our weapons and armor. After every battle we were too worn to go back and take all the broken pieces away from the field of battle, and we never thought our enemy would know how to put the pieces together, so we left them there. Little did we know our enemy was scavenging for them. They knew how to recreate my weapons. Then, they used my own weapons to capture me. Attempt to force me to make them weapons of their own. After three years in captivity, a good portion of that time being on a boat, so not many escape routes, I finally force my way out and into freedom. I have been on the run ever since. I heard during the final days of my captivity, the land I hail from was defeated and the king dead. Once I find a place of safety I will go back to building. Then take the kingdom back and kill all those sons of bitches that held me captive for so long." Tony said with a long sigh. "Maybe I should try that fighting princes deal. It should be easy enough." He rose from his rock and wiped off his black pants. "I don't need their kingdom, but it would help me win back mine."
"Four have already failed and never been seen again." The elderly women said before Tony could leave. "Phillip Coulson, Knight of Fury. Natasha Romanov, Dame of Fury. Princess Elizabeth Ross of Thaddeus. And lastly, a man who no one in our kingdom has heard of Sir James Rhodes. You should know him since you appear to have come from Midgard." Tony wanted to interrupt her. He has not once said he was from Midgard. So how would she know that? However his tongue would not move. Once again it felt like some spell was placed on him. His gut instinct of this women being a sorceress was growing with every word she spoke. But he knows it could not be. Magic doesn't exist. Science has proven that on numerous occasions. So why is he admitting so much to this strange woman? "He claimed he was from a land across the seas, Midgard. Said he was a Knight of King Howard Stark, who sailed to this unknown land and its surrounding isles looking for his kidnapped prince. While searching for that prince, he heard of the challenge by King Odin. He thought if he could find where the princes went, he could use his marriage to one of them to save his kingdom and keep it safe until he could find his missing prince. But even he has failed. Tell me Weapon Maker. Why will you succeed?"
Tony wanted to say because he is Tony Stark. There has never been a challenge he faced that he couldn't overcome. Losing isn't in his vocabulary. But he is on the run. He cannot allow anyone to know who he is. Especially not this woman who seems to know so much already. All he can let people know is that he is just a simple mechanic. An engineer. A weapon maker. "Because I am the type of person that no one expects to succeed." Tony finally said. If only people knew how true those words were. But now is not the time to dwell on the past. He was once again about to leave, but the old lady stopped him again, holding out her wrinkled hand.
"If you plan to figure out where the princes go, you will need this." She retracted her hand and held out an old, gold cloak. A few holes were on it and it was fraying at the bottom, but it still held the typical cloak form.
"I don't like being handed things." Tony said his eyes not straying from the cloak. "So if you would just set it down on that rock..." He tilted his head towards another large rock next to the one he was sitting on moments ago, while the older woman rolled her eyes and interrupted him.
"Also, don't eat or drink anything handed to you or possibly even touched by the princes. Especially Prince Loki. Never let your guard down around him. He may be the youngest, but don't let that fool you. He is more cutthroat and cunning than all of his brother's combined." With a wink, the old lady placed the cloak down and vanished before his very eyes. "Good luck Prince...no King Anthony. You just may be able to melt that heart of ice surrounding Prince Loki and save your kingdom just yet." Her whispered voice was heard, slowly blending in with the soft breeze passing through.
Tony froze. His whole body rigid. Never mind the fact she vanished right before his eyes. But how could that old women know who he is? No ruler of Midgard has ever traveled this far west over the dangerous seas. There are no alliances between their countries. Maybe some from the outer isles may know of the young playboy Prince Anthony by name. Heard whispered stories of a prince, who in nicer words, cannot keep it in his pants. The prince who is the only son to the widower King Howard. But other than the passing of words, no one should know what he looks like. That was unless Rhodey had a portrait of him and showed it to villages in his search. Stupid Rhodey. He should have stayed in Midgard, protecting the people, not searching for him.
With a sigh, he looked at the cloak again, despite how rugged it looked; the fabric was soft to the touch. "How is this supposed to help me figure out where the princes go at night?" Tony picked it up from the rock and continued to study it, searching for some hint to what he should do. "Well it is a cloak." He finally said. "If Rhodey ever saw me in this I would be getting mocked at for at least a month." He put it on begrudgingly and felt no different. But when he looked down, to where his hand should be, nothing was there. He ran over to the small stream he had been following, and low and behold, he could not see his reflection. Nothing was there. He is completely invisible. Taking the cloak off, he could now see his reflection in the stream of water. "Guess you really shouldn't judge a book by its cover. Despite how tacky, it will be useful." He rolled up the cloak and put it in his sack. He once again looked out in the distance, seeing the large castle. "Next stop, the Castle of Odin." Tony threw his sack over his shoulder and began walking, the large castle not once leaving his sight.
"Milord" A guard said entering the dining hall. "We have a man who wishes to try his hand at finding out where your son's go at night. The problem is he refuses to tell us his name or proof of lineage. And his appearance milord. He looks like he has seen better days. Possibly a fallen soldier from war. A foreigner like the last who tried."
Odin and all his son's were sitting around the large rectangular table. Loki and Bruce both had books opened paying no mind to the animated chatter from their other brothers. However, both bookish son's attention was averted when they heard the guard's words. "If he cannot give us proof of lineage. Showing he is of noble or royal in blood or title he cannot compete."
"Yah, cause all the people of "noble" blood and title who have tried so far were all so successful." Clint said rolling his eyes, and grabbing the goblet in front of him.
"What's the harm in letting him try?" Steve asked genuinely looking down the table towards his father. "It brings us no harm to let him try when many others have failed."
"I agree." Thor chimed in. "If the man wants to try I say we let him. No one has succeeded thus far. So what harm is there in letting him?"
Loki on the other hand, said nothing instead letting his attention go back to his book, dramatically flipping the page showing his lack of interest in the topic. Just like all the others before him, the outcome is already determined. If his father allows this man to compete, he will fail just as the others have.
"Very well." Odin said looking at his sons curiously. "Bring the man to my throne room and tell the cooks to begin preparing a feast in his honor for taking on this challenge." Odin rose from his chair and began heading to his throne room to await his guest.
However, the five boys dawdled for a bit. Not yet ready to follow their father to meet the newest guest and challenger.
As soon as they knew no prying eyes were watching nor open ears listening, the sons rose from their chairs. "Another foreigner." Steve spoke up first, his voice slightly wavering. "You think he is a friend of the last guy who came?"
"Does it matter?" Clint asked, "It's not like this guy will do any better than the last."
"We stick to the usual plan." Steve said specifically looking at Loki. Still not fully forgiving him for what happened to Sir Phillip Coulson.
"Very well." Loki grumbled, but on the inside this new plan. It worked better in his favor than he could have ever imagined. It was exactly what he needed to assist him in getting the throne.
"We should not keep father waiting any further." Thor spoke up as they all stood in silence just looking at one another.
With that, they all lined up in their usual order and headed to the throne room.
Tony stood in front of the castle gates. The guards were taking longer than he expected. That was if they even took his claim seriously. Or are actually going to the king for that matter. Yes, he knew the challenge was only for princes, princesses, knights, dukes, etcetera, and technically he is one. He just has no proof nor does he want to tell them.
Still, his gut kept telling him that he would compete. He had to. He didn't know why, but just knew it would happen. And for some reason, that old woman seemed fairly certain Tony could be able to compete too. No. Tony shook his head. Now was not the time to be thinking about that crazed illusion.
The doors opened to the castle, and the guard stood before him. "You should feel honored soldier." The somber tone of the guard didn't make Tony feel honored at all, but felt like he should hold his tongue. For now anyways. "The princes have heard your plea and sympathize. You have been granted your request to take on King Odin's challenge."
That was interesting, Tony thought to himself as he followed the guard into the palace. The princes were the reason he is being allowed a chance to compete. Maybe they have more leeway they he thought? Or maybe the king thinks if this foreigner does win, one of his sons are stuck with him, so lesson still learned. Perhaps they are getting desperate. The king because few have tried the challenge. And the princes because their father is still going on with it. Both are standing firm on their stance and seem to not care who gets killed in the process.
Tony took a moment from his internal debate, to study the castle. The white limestone was drab, and the only lighting besides the morning sunlight was wooden poles lit with flames. It felt cold in some hallways, almost damp, despite the warm sunlight. Tony found it hard to believe that castles like this still existed, let alone people living in them. He felt like he has gone back in time. Trapped in one of the history books his professor tried to get him to read.
Sure, his castle is made of stone, but unlike this one, it was concentric. Kind of like a castle inside of castle. Better defense, than just this simple stone and wood.
He finally reached the throne room, and when the door swung open, the king was already sitting on his throne. He was an older man. Long graying hair and an eye patch. Tony thought he looked more like a Viking than a royal king, but knew better than to admit it out loud. He has had more than enough lectures from his father about etiquette when visiting or being visited by other royal families. Sure he never really cared about that, and acted immature more out of rebellion than anything else, but this is different.
He is unknown here. A stranger. Just a simple wandering weapon maker. His usual antics won't be tolerated like they were from the other kingdoms who knew of him. So gritting his teeth, and swallowing his pride, he got down on one knee and bowed before the Viking looking king. He needs this. He needs a way back home. To take back his kingdom. For once he has to take his title and responsibilities seriously. "Your majesty." Tony said feigning politeness the best he could while waiting for permission to rise.
Their father, and the soldier were already talking to one another, and unlike the others who have competed, Loki noticed this man emitted a different aura. Maybe it was because he was not as rigid or stoic looking. He was far too relaxed, and appeared to be talking their father more like someone beneath him than a respected king. It might not have been easy to hear, since his words were polite, but the implications behind them. Loki could tell this man is taking the challenge with a grain of salt. As if he has already won. This man was a talented actor. Knew how to put on the charm. As someone who does it on a regular basis, Loki knew all the tricks of the trade.
"Let me introduce you to my sons." Odin said, as they all stood in line by their father's throne. "Thor." Thor stepped forward and bowed politely. "Steven. Robert. Clinton." All three followed suit as Thor, stepping forward and bowing to their guest, Clint not nearly as formal, but still polite. "Loki." Loki however was not so cordial to their guest. He did step forward. Piercing the eyes that looked like cocoa beans. A small smirk grew on his lips and the soldier also had a terse smile. Loki cocked his head to the side, as he grin became crooked. He could tell this man was going to be a challenge. Put up more of fight like Natasha did. There was something in those eyes. The arrogance. It was meant to push people the wrong way. Loki knew it, and was falling victim to them. This guest was sizing Loki up as much as Loki was he. Stepping back, Loki's smile did not fade. Perhaps this soldier would be an interesting challenge for him after all.
"Soldier, I have explained the rules to you." Odin said only moments after Loki stepped back into place.
"No need to call me soldier. I'm more of an Engineer." Tony spoke up, almost interrupting the king mid sentence. He was finally cracking. Having a hard time keep up the polite charade. He saw the kings puzzled face at that word. A words he has never heard of. "Primitive lands. So much fun." Tony muttered under his breath before returning to the character he knew he needed to be. "I build things. Weapons. Suits. Design items to help win wars. I'm more like what you would call a blacksmith? But better. Smarter. Technologically advanced. How about you just call me the Weapon Maker." Tony said with a haughty smile. For a split second though, his eyes moved to Loki. The one the strange woman told him to keep his eyes on. To be cautious around. And he could definitely see why.
Unlike his brothers, there was darkness in his vibrant jade eyes. Not completely black, more like a stormy gray. As if he teeters perfectly between the angels and demons. There was superiority in his smirk. As much as he attempted to suppress it, Tony could see his ego. That he thought he was the most intelligent man in the room. That no one could take him down. That Loki was the one with the plan. He is the true mastermind behind everything. For a split second, Tony thought he saw a mirror image of himself.
"Very well Weapon Maker." Odin said with gritted teeth, immediately regretting going along with his sons on this. "A guard will show you to your room, and you can use the rest of your time exploring. Seeing if you can discover any clues." Odin then turned to his son's as a guard escorted Tony out of the throne room. "Return to your studies." Were the only words Tony heard as the large doors were closed behind him.
"So are you the warden that stands guard at the prince's door at night?" Tony asked as they walked down several different corridors, taking a few sharp lefts and went up two different stairwells.
"That I am." The guard replied simply, not turning around to speak to Tony.
"This will be fun." Tony grumbled at how stereotypically stoic the guard was. "And you never once have seen them leave their room?"
"No one comes in or out once King Odin locks their door for the night." The guard said in the same uninterested tone.
"How long has the king been locking their door at night?" Despite Tony thinking his own father was a jackass, he at least never locked him up in his room at night when he slept.
"It started six years ago. After the late queen's death."
Maybe Tony had more in common with these prince's than he initially thought. "How did it happen?"
"Few know the truth from that night. But it is said it was committed by King Odin's hand. A Powerful Magician. He was attempting to assassinate our King, but Queen Frigga threw herself in front of the King to protect him. Filled with rage, King Odin slew the magician and burned his body." The guard stopped in front of a door and opened it. "This will be your chambers for the next three nights. The prince's room is directly across from yours." The knight pointed to the door on the opposite side.
There it was again. Tony thought to himself ignoring the guard now. That word and all its conjoining meanings. Magic. Magician. None of that is real. But this kingdom seems to think otherwise. It was probably just some flashy chemist that killed the queen claiming it to be magic. Nothing more than that. Maybe there are a few people in this kingdom with an actual brain after all. This dead advisor being one of them. And Loki probably another.
"Is there anything else I can assist you with?" The guard asked, but his droll voice showed little interest of wanting to actually do it.
"Well, if they escape at night to fight, they probably need their weapons." Tony thought quickly trying to put the pieces of this puzzle together. He does only have three days to figure out this. And with his brain, he will have it done by the end of the night. Then, he will use the next few days to wipe that smug look off Loki's face. He doesn't understand why he wants to take Loki down so badly. Why those piercing emerald seemed to move him more than his fallen kingdom. Why that narcissistic prince is acting in a way that he might, should his father ever sell him in such a manner. Just by their brief meeting Tony could tell all Loki wants is a challenge. That by taking down competitor after competitor he is showing more worth than all his brothers combined. What Loki lusts is power, and when he has it, he flaunts it in ways most would not comprehend. And being the last born, that pushes Loki even more to obtain such power. The only other question is, how deep will he go to obtain such power, and how much more do the other four crowns know of his plan? Of their youngest brother's true desires? There may be more to this than just five princes vanishing every night to fight off some unknown enemy. "Show me to their weapon's vault." Tony decided extending out his hand so the guard could lead the way.
Thankfully, the walk to the weapons vault was much shorter than the one from the throne room to the prince's room. The guard opened the doors and moved to the side to allow Tony into the hexagonal room. He could immediately tell each panel belongs to a different son. The first panel across the door had various armor hung and a few swords propped up. There were some empty spots, possibly weapons that he was using in training. The one to the right was similar, but had a few spots for shields of various sizes and materials. The one next to that has lighter armor, mostly consisting of leathers and lighter chainmail. It has rows of bows and arrows along with a few daggers, and also a several fingerless gloves, all well broken into. Going to the left of the middle was much more vacant. Both had leather and chainmail armor, light. Almost for acrobatic movement. The one directly to the left of the middle had practically no weapons. Some gloves to cover his fists and a sword and shield with a thick layer of dust on it, but nothing more than other than a few books on the art of war. The one next to that had a row of staffs and knives all were of various size and metal. Also on the shelf were a few books, but not nearly as many as the one to the right of it.
"Which one belongs to which prince?" Tony asked, despite having a strong feeling he already knew the answer. The build and mannerisms each showed in the brief meeting made it apparent to Tony which belonged to which. Starting to the right of the door, the guard pointed to each panel. "Prince Clinton, Prince Steven, Prince Thor, Prince Robert, and Prince Loki." Tony turned to the left of the door, and began feeling and knocking on the stone and wood planks hidden behind the clothing. No trap door. He then proceeded to do it for each panel, but same result. Moving back to Loki's section he looked at the books. There was a thin layer of dust on top of it and the yellowing pages showed their age. Tony picked the top one up and flipped it open. His eyes felt hazy as he looked at the pages. He blinked a few times and shook his head before attempting to look at the book again. The book looked normal enough. War strategies used over 300 years ago. But as Tony flipped the pages, his eyes still were bothering him, due to the dust he assumed. But as soon as he closed the book and put it back on the shelf, the annoyance slowly went away.
"So they have lessons during the day?" Tony asked remembering the last few words he heard the king say before the door closed behind him. Lessons. Something he would actively skip. It's not like he ever felt like he was learning anything to begin with. He was smarter than all his professors. He had a feelings Loki probably felt the same way. "Prince Thor, Steven, and Clinton have combat training. Prince Robert and Loki spend their time in the library or the laboratories in the dungeons."
"Laboratories?" Tony asked turning around to face the guard.
"Prince Robert mainly. I don't understand it myself."
Another enlightened mind. Perhaps Loki isn't the only smart one around the castle. So he gets passed over because of big brother. Tony thought to himself. "Show me these laboratories." Tony finally decided, curious to what kind of advances this primitive land was attempting to make. It might also give him better insight on Loki. That is, if that crazy disappearing woman was right about him. Hell, why is he even following her advice? Then again, Loki is definitely up to something. Their brief meeting confirmed that. But if that old lady did know something, why didn't she warn the last four who tried? It doesn't matter now. He is already in knee deep and this is the only way for him to get his kingdom back. He has no choice in the matter now.
The guard rolled his eyes and began leading Tony once again around the castle.
The laboratory was not exactly what Tony would call a laboratory. It was mostly just one large table, a few shelving units, and a few glass containers. Not exactly all the equipment he is used to.
Standing in front of the table, was one of the princes. The middle one…Robert…Tony thought to himself. Glasses were dangling from the bridge of his nose as he carefully studied the reaction happening inside one of the test tubes.
Finally realizing he had a guest in the room; Bruce lifted up his head, and pushed back his falling glasses. "Hi." he said half heartedly before turning his attention back to the test tubes and the notebook that was next to some shimmering stones. Tony approached the table and grabbed one of the tubs, smelling the silvery liquid and gently shaking it.
"Mercury." Tony said while putting the tube back in its rack. "Obtained from cinnabar. Highly poisonous." Tony then looked at the table more carefully and saw small pieces of iron, gold and silver sitting next to the notebook.
"Mercury is the easiest way to extract gold and silver from its ores..." Bruce started, his attention turning back to the well cleared pieces next to his notebook.
"But daddy dearest thinks your research is too dangerous." Tony finished as he picked up the perfectly clean gold. "Nitric acid? Must say you have surprised me Robert..."
"Bruce." Bruce said, feeling his cheeks get slightly warmer. "Call me Bruce. Only my dad, the guards, and the entire country call me Robert."
"Well Bruce. I must say I was not expecting this high caliber of research from such a primitive land as this." Tony placed the rock down and noticed that the prince, who appeared timid only moments ago, was now looking at him directly in the eyes. "Once I win, you should come back home with me. You would love it. Machines powered by coal. Gunpowder. People who could help you mold that brain of yours. You would love it."
Bruce was not sure how to take that comment. It sounded like a compliment, but the whole primitive land part kind of made it a backhanded one. He safely put away the mercury and began to clean up his lab equipment. He had a feeling that he would be getting little work done with his interrogator watching him. Despite knowing he should brush the guy off there was something about him. He just didn't know what it was. "It's not easy." Bruce said signaling to Tony that they could talk and leave the lab. As he and Tony approached the door the guard immediately opened and followed them, but always staying several steps away from them. "My father thinks what I am doing is too close to magic. That it will cause more harm than good. But seeing as how no one else in the kingdom fully understands what I'm doing, he thinks it's safe enough. For now."
Magic. That word was used once again. And by someone with enough brains to know science is the way. But still even he seems to think that such folly is true. But Bruce seemed like a logical person, maybe this is the time to finally ask. Get a straight answer on this whole magic question. "When you say magic. Do you mean alchemy? Or that hocus pocus, witches waving hands over a cauldron type of stuff?"
"Magic and science really are not all that different..." Bruce started, making his way towards outside, leading Tony to where his brothers have their melee practice.
"Except magic isn't real." Tony interrupted as he squinted his eyes upon exiting the castle. The air smelt so much different in this country. Sure there was the occasional sent of horse manure, but for the most part, fresh air. Not the scent of soot like he had grown accustom to. "It's just stories. Something nurses and mothers make up to help their young children sleep at night. Science. It's fact. Has proof to back it up. There is no proof magic exists."
They approached a wooden fence where Thor and Steve were inside the circle fighting one another. Both jumping, lunging, and using the flat of their blades to take the other down. Wide smiles could be seen on their mud covered faces as they continued their dance. Bruce leaned against the fence, watching his brothers grunt and slash, but not cause any real harm to one another. "How old are you?" Bruce asked his eyes not straying from his elder brothers.
"Nineteen." Tony said not sure where the conversation is going with this question.
"Same age as Steve and Thor then." Bruce continued finally turning to face Tony. "They don't look much like it, but they are twins; 14 minutes and 23 seconds apart. Even though they are different, they share similarities. Both have blond hair, blue eyes. Have natural leadership qualities. Talented fighters. Similar. But still different. Their bone structures are completely different, and Thor is a good four inches taller. Steve and Thor are like magic and science. While their appearances may differ, their roots still come from the same tree."
"Say magic does exist." Tony questioned, sounded a bit more derisive than he intended. "That you have seen it. If it exists in this kingdom, why haven't I seen it in my own?"
"Who knows." Bruce said with a shrug. His eyes went back to his brothers who have stopped their match, and were heading over to the two onlookers. "But just because you haven't seen it doesn't mean it's not real."
"So are we comparing magic to oxygen now? Or gravity?" Tony asked rolling his eyes slightly. Yes he knows gravity exists. One cannot visibly see gravity, but there is so much evidence to back it up. What evidence is there for magic? The guard even admitted it's banned. So if Tony even asked for proof is there anyone who is able to show him?
"Bruce." Thor shouted with a smile and wave despite only being a few feet away now. "I'm curious Weapon Maker. What did you have to do to coax our brother out of his laboratory?" Thor and Steve were now right in front of them, just the fence as separation.
"Just your average run in the mill snooping." Tony said with no shame. "I do only have three days to find out where you guys escape to at night. Figured Bruce here would be the easiest to crack. But so far nothing." Tony kept looking at Bruce, carefully studying him. However, the guy didn't flinch or make any indication that these words were true of false. Instead he just half heartedly smiled at his brothers and said nothing more. "If you just tell me where you go at night, then we could make things a lot easier. But seeing as how you have already let four people die, I doubt you will stop just because I asked nicely. So what's your game plan with me?" Thor's jovial smile vanished as Tony continued talking. "I have no proof of noble lineage or title. A foreigner. Stranger to your land. Yet your father let me compete anyways. I'm guessing it's because his son's, you guys, begged him to. But why? Are you that sure you will win? Outsmart me? That if enough people die, your father will finally give up on this. And I doubt it's just because you guys don't like being paraded around like bar wenches." Tony could see the solemn faces on the twins now. That they didn't like the observations Tony has made so far. "This is more than marriage. More than you vanishing off at night to go fight some unknown evil."
"Listen carefully Weapon Maker." Thor said, straightening himself up. His cerulean eyes narrowed and he looked down upon Tony. "We do not enjoy what our father is doing. We take no pleasure in seeing men and women compete in our father's twisted game. So hold your tongue before you attempt to speak of things which you know nothing of." Thor turned to look at his twin. "Come Steve, we must return to our training." He said before turning around completely, leaving them be.
"I'm sorry about Thor." Steve said finally speaking up. "We might be brothers and twins, but he defiantly has more of a temper than I. He tries to carry all the weight on his shoulders. And since he is technically the oldest, he feels like he should take the most blame. That he should protect us from our father's twisted game. It's nothing personal. But just remember, you came to us. You wanted this. Just like the other who have tried." Steve's voice became uneven as he spoke, causing him to turn around and return to Thor, without continuing his final thoughts.
Tony turned to face Bruce who was watching his brothers return to their normal routine. "You guys do know your father isn't the only on making this a twisted game. You guys are just as guilty. So why don't you just admit where it is that you go? You won't be forced into some crazy assed marriage if you tell your father on your own terms where it is you go." Tony said, speaking openly since Bruce seemed like the most logical of the three he has talked to thus far.
"It's like Thor and Steve said." Bruce said with a heavy sigh. "It would be best if you not speak that which you don't understand. And it would be wise if you keep your prying to a minimum,"
"Well when I win, your family problems will be mine. Since I do technically have to marry one of you." Tony said sheepishly.
"Well we will figure out if you're right in a few days then." Bruce said, "Good luck Weapon Maker." He left Tony heading back to his lab without another word.
"Great talk." Tony mumbled to himself while looking up at the sky, seeing that it was mid afternoon. The cloud coverage was blocking some of the warmth, but Tony could not understand why anyone would want to continuing training this late in the day.
"Weapon Maker." The guard from earlier spoke up from behind. "It was requested that we clean you up for your feast." Tony looked down at his own hands, sure he was dirty, but he always was. Designing and creating weapons and armor is not a clean task. So what is a little grease to him? "Your lunch will be served in your quarters, and a handmaiden is drawing your bath."
A terse smile formed on Tony's lips, "Well we wouldn't want to keep her waiting now. Would we?"
Tony had to admit, despite feeling like he was stuck in another time period; they at least knew how to have a decent feast. Food lined the table, music never ceased and the servants consistently poured more wine without ever having being told to.
Tony sat at tone of the table's ends, Loki on one side, and Thor on the other. A few times he looked down at Bruce who was sitting on the right of this father on the opposite end of the table. Bruce was looking back at him, as if he were seeing Tony for the first time. His hair was cut short, so his chocolate eyes could be more apparent. His beard was also trimmed, so it was more like stubble. All the dirt and grime was washed off his skin, which it better have been after begin scrubbed for almost three hours straight. He was almost positive that he lost a few layers of skin in the process.
"So what kind of weapons do you make Weapon Maker?" Loki asked, breaking the silence across the dinner table. He took a sip of his wine as his eyes slithered to his right looking at their guest.
Tony quickly swallowed his boar, not expecting a question from the youngest son so soon. Perhaps Loki is attempting to size him up once more. See how much of a threat he truly is. Tony was hoping to have a private chat with the youngest prince later on, but this could provide some insight for when that happens.
"Mainly full body armor suits, guns, and cannons." He said turning his head to look at Loki, see if the vibrant eyes would make any sort of reaction, however they were as unchanging as the prince's solemn face.
"What's a gun?" Clint asked with food still in is moth causing him to get an admonishing look from his father.
"It's kind of like a bow and arrow." Tony started, truing to dumb down his explanation the best he could. "But faster, smaller. It has a barrel, a charge and a projectile. Those sorts of things. In the early models, you put gunpowder; sulfur, charcoal, and potassium nitrate, into the flash pan. Then when you lit it, it would ignite the rest of the powder in the breach propelling the projectile out of the gun. But those were too inconsistent. Hard to keep aim if you have the gun in one hand and a match in the other. So I improved it. Found a way that a flame was not needed. But no need to go into the details. While I was captive, I began coming up with ideas on improving that model as well. Of course I didn't tell my captors any of those ideas, but I plan on working on one when I have work space and the materials I need."
"You also said full body armor suits?" Steve asked curiously, "Wouldn't those be hard to maneuver in?"
"They are actually fairly lightweight and durable. Have joint movement like the human body does." Tony said looking at Steve, but his eyes still slithered over to Loki, who looked uninterested, while taking a sip from his goblet. "So you all train quite a bit, but the lands are peaceful here. More peaceful then what I'm used to. So why do you do it?"
"We all have someone or something we desire to protect." Thor started, but was interrupted, when Loki placed down his own goblet, and somehow knocked over Tony's in the process.
Loki picked up Tony's glass while a servant began cleaning up the spilt wine. "I apologize for knocking over your drink Weapon Maker." Loki said, placing the goblet down in its proper spot so the servant could pour him more wine to drink. "It was an accident. Perhaps I, myself, have had enough to drink tonight."
As Tony looked at his goblet, he remembered what the old women told him. Not to eat or drink anything handed to him by the princes. Maybe this should include touching too. Hell, Tony felt like maybe he was getting paranoid over nothing. Still his gut told him not to touch the wine in the goblet for the rest of the night, and for the most part, his gut has never failed him before. He looked back up at Loki, and could tell how hard the guy was feigning both sincerity and his klutz moment. "No harm done." Tony said with his own smile as if he were secretly challenging the prince to try harder next time. "In fact, if I'm on guard duty tonight, I probably shouldn't be drinking either." Tony beckoned the servant over, handing him the possibly tampered goblet, asking for a new one and some water instead.
He looked back over to Loki whose jaw was tightly clamped, his eyes slightly narrowed as he watched the goblet being carried away. "So thank you." Tony lifted up his new goblet and slightly tilted it in cheers to the prince before taking a sip of his water.
Loki was seething on the inside. This Weapon Maker was getting on his nerves more and more; with every passing second. And the tipping of the goblet almost threw him over the edge. It was like he knew he placed an enchantment over the goblet and was telling him try better next time.
Why is this one man getting on his nerves so much? Causing cracks in his normally flawless indifferent exterior. Not even Natasha, the closest to figuring out the truth bothered him so much. But this egotistical weapon's maker is getting under his skin despite their brief meetings. What he needs to do is rethink his plan. This weapon maker is not as gullible or easily swayed by any of his brothers. He needs to switch tactics. "If you will excuse me Father." Loki said standing up from his seat. "Weapon Maker. I'm not feeling well and will retire early this evening." Loki didn't look at his father, but Tony, penetrating those unwavering chocolate eyes. "I pray you are not disappointed during your first watch tonight." Loki said huskily as he walked behind the man sitting next to him before leaving the dining room for the rest of the evening.
Tony watched as the youngest son quickly exited the room without his father's permission to leave. His strut was rigid, but swift. Obviously, Tony hit a nerve, and the prince was not taking to it well. This oddly enough made Tony pleased. It appears as if he is on to something. He just doesn't know what it is yet.
"I apologize for my son's behavior. Ever since…Things have been difficult for him these past few years." Odin said, covering up his words. Tony had a feeling it had to do with the queen's death. Something the guard freely mentioned. Which Tony found curiously strange. Why is the king so hesitant to talk about it, especially when it happened six years ago? Tony defiantly thought it was something he should probably keep note of while he continues exploring the castle and the princes.
Dinner finished, mostly in silence, and Tony and the princes all went straight to their sleeping quarters. Loki was lying on his bed, a pillow wrapped between his arms as he stared up at the ceiling. As soon as his brother's filed in the room, and closed the door behind them, Loki sat up. "The Weapon Maker will be more of a challenge than I expected. He didn't touch the wine after I picked up his goblet." He crushed his pillow in his hands remembering the smug look on his face.
"What do you make of him Bruce?" Clint asked slyly as he sat on his own bed next to Loki's. "Steve and Thor said you were getting pretty friendly with the guy. Even showed him around the castle for a bit."
Bruce blushed, but quickly shook his head as if he were washing away a daydream. "He came to my lab. Was curious about my research. Whatever land he hails from is defiantly more advance than we are. He called us primitive. He defiantly looks at everything from a logical, scientific perspective. He won't be easy to fool."
Loki rose an eyebrow while listening to Bruce speak of the man. It appeared his elder brother respected the man in a sense, and the Weapon Maker. Well he seems to have taken a liking to Bruce, since he seeked him out on his own. He could use that to his advantage.
"Geeze Bruce it sounds like you have already fallen for the guy." Clint said with a derisive laugh. "And here I thought your heart forever belonged to Princess Elizabeth."
Bruce's face turned even a darker shade of pink at Clint's teasing. "I could learn a lot from the guy. He has quite a grasp on the sciences." Bruce said bashfully. "I would love to pick his brain and learn what he knows. It's purely platonic."
"Sure it is." Clint said with a wink, leaning back on his bed. "So Loki, I'm guessing you stormed out of dinner to think of plan B. Or did you just throw your usual tantrum because somebody outsmarted you."
Loki gritted his teeth as he glared at his brother. "I do have another plan." With a wave of his hand, Loki conjured up some steaming goat milk and a few biscuits on a silver carrying tray. "Bruce, since you seem to be cozying up to the weapon maker, how about you go across the hall, before Heimdall and father come to lock us in for the night, and give him this?"
"More magical food and drink?" Clint didn't look impressed at what he brother conjured up. "You spent the last hour pouting and this is what you got. This guy must really be getting under your skin, to have you this distracted."
"Unlike the goblet and wine, this is not a straight sleeping draft." Loki seethed at his brother's derisive comment. "The scent will put his mind in a haze, dull his senses. Make him woozy. It should last for ten, fifteen minutes. The milk is enlaced with the sleeping draft as well as the biscuits. Don't leave until you watch him eat or drink either. He seems to trust you more than myself." Loki said to Bruce handing him the tray.
"Well maybe if you were not always glaring at the guy, he would like you better." Clint added as Bruce hesitantly took the tray. "You could show him that shining personality we see." Loki glowered at the sarcasm, but held his tongue. Now was not a time to fight with his brother.
"I don't think this is going to work." Bruce said quickly looking over to Steve and Thor for some support.
Thor had a contemplative look on his face as he saw his brother's plea. "He did go to you first. Seek you out. While he may not trust any of us completely, he did say he thought you would be the easiest to crack. He sees you as less of a threat then the rest of us. It is worth a shot, if not, Loki can use the sleeping and memory scramble spell he normally uses on Heimdall."
With a sigh, and his shoulders slumping he looked at the tray. "At least make the milk cold, not warm. He is smart enough to know warm milk help one sleep at night. Then again." Bruce said with another sigh. "This whole thing will look suspicious. So, I guess in the grand scheme of things the temperature of the milk doesn't really matter."
Tightly grasping the tray, Bruce left their room, and knocked on the door across from their own.
Tony cracked open the door, and saw something he was not expecting. Bruce looking at the ground with a plate of what he assumed was a type of cookie and a goblet with milk in it. "Bringing me a late night snack?" Tony asked opening the door so Bruce could come in, and then went back to the opened window, inhaling more of the fresh air.
"Well you do plan on watching us all night." Bruce said stepping deeper in the room to join Tony next to the window. "You will need the energy."
Tony picked up the goblet and sniffed it, after Bruce set the try on the vacant end table. "So you brought me warm milk?" Tony felt his mind slowly feeling woozy as if sleep was trying to wash over him piece by piece.
"Yah, not exactly the brightest idea." Bruce muttered as he began pacing around the room. He saw Tony's sack lying on the bed, a yellow looking blanket trying to escape, but other than that the room was barren.
As Bruce was studying the room, Tony quickly dumped the milk out the window. His head felt like it was getting lighter and lighter the more he held the goblet. The feeling was similar to earlier this morning when he was looking at one of Loki's book. However the wooziness was not vanishing as quickly this time around. Tony placed the goblet back on the tray.
"Speaking of bright ideas." Tony muttered trying to keep his brain alive and working. "Is Loki always this friendly towards guests, or am I getting the special youngest son treatment." Bruce stayed silent for a moment, walking back over to the tray he set down, seeing the milk was gone. "Let me guess, he was the quiet mother's boy. But when mom died, all that changed."
Bruce was not surprised by those words. It was pretty obvious they didn't have a mother anymore. No throne for her in the throne room anymore. She was not present at the feast. It was an easy conclusion to make. "We all changed after our mother's death. Loki more so than the rest of us. But none of us were the same after that night."
Tony finally felt his head starting to clear, the tiredness disappearing, but he faked a yawn just in case. "Thanks for the snack." Tony said handing him back the tray. "But I should get ready for the stakeout."
"Yah, sure." Bruce said grabbing the tray and heading back to the door. "And Weapon Maker." He said not turning around, his hand still firmly on the doorknob. "Good luck."
Bruce entered his room again, where his brothers were all anxiously sitting or lying on their beds. Bruce set the tray down, and showed the empty goblet to his brothers. "After father locks us in for the night, we get ready as usual." Thor said looking at the empty cup.
If that wasn't enough proof that the crazy old lady was right about the princes and not eating or drinking anything they gave him, then Tony didn't know what else would be. After he handed Bruce the tray back, he immediately regretted it. He should have kept some of the cookie to see if any chemicals were enlaced in them as well.
Sleeping drafts were not always reliable back home, and the princes here, probably Loki or even Bruce specifically, have mastered that compound perfectly. It's probably how they got all the past competitors to fail. Sleeping drafts. It a simple enough idea. Easy to hide in food or beverages. And if the competitors happened to trust one of the princes enough, they would easily fall for it.
He needs to think fast. He did dump that milk out the window, so they probably think he drank the sleeping draft. That is one thing that is in his favor. But how will he know when the prince's leave if he needs to pretend to be asleep.
Loki doesn't seem like the type to leave any stone unturned. Before they vanish for the night, he will come into the room, and check on the status of their sleeping guest. Then after he waits a few minutes, he will put on the cloak and leave. Following them, and being quieter than a mouse.
The sound of boots stomping could be heard from the hallway, and Tony knew the show was about to begin. The guard and king were coming to lock the prince's in for the night. Tony grabbed the cloak out of his sack, and held it tightly in his arms like a baby's blanket as he lay in the bed pretending to be asleep. "Good night milord." Tony heard the guard say, before one set of boots could be heard storming off back down the hallway.
Tony didn't know how much time passed since everything was silent. Too silent for his liking. "Prince Loki…" He heard the guard's voice in the hall, and then everything once again went silent. Closing his eyes shut, and facing the opposite way of the door, Tony hoped that they would come and check on him before they vanished for the night.
A few more moments passed, and his door creaked open. He couldn't hear the footsteps but defiantly felt another body in the room. They didn't hover over the bed, nor touch him, but just stood a few feet away, as if they were just studying Tony. Waiting to see if he would move or make a noise. A few more minutes passed, and he heard the door creak again.
Tony quietly jumped out of bed, and threw his cloak over his shoulders. He knew he shouldn't wait too long, but at the same time he couldn't leave too soon. He cracked open his door, and the first thing he noticed was the guard. His eyes were glazed over, but he was still standing. He appeared to be awake, but his mind not totally there. He looked down the hall, and saw a small candle light slowly fading away. As stealthily as he could, he followed the light, and meet up with the princes who were inside their armory, strapping on their armor, picking out weapons. Preparing for battle.
He saw Loki's eyes shift around the room, as if he knew something was off. Tony watched as Loki's attention finally was on the book Tony had picked up and studied earlier. Picking it up, Loki could see the fingerprints and most of the dust gone, but other than that, nothing else seemed out of place; so he continued getting ready.
"Ready?" Thor asked looking at all his brother's. Clint put a few more arrows in his quiver before nodding in agreement.
Then, the last thing Tony thought that could happen did. Loki faced his panel, and began chanting in some language Tony didn't understand. It sounded old, ancient, and reminiscent of a chicken at times. As Loki spoke, his panel began to vanish, and a black walkway began to form. The chanting came to an end and the new hallway formed to completion. One by one each prince entered the new entry way, Thor leading with a candle in hand. As Loki stepped through, the entry way began closing, so as quickly as he could, Tony dashed though it, a wall forming behind him in the nick of time.
Tony didn't know what to expect, but after the brief two minute walk, he entered a world unlike any other. Decaying buildings that attempted to touch the graying skies. Streets that were not made with any stone he has seen before. And these strange lampposts that had broken shards of glass, but no flames.
The most intrigue thing to Tony was the large rusting formations that stood on the roads. Just like the buildings, they were broken, rotting, and made of a metal Tony was not familiar with. He thought they looked like the steam operated automobiles he had made, but hundreds of years more advanced. The more he studied he surroundings, the more he left like this was once a living place. People walked about the streets. It was a lively settlement. But he couldn't figure out what could cause such destruction. The destruction of an entire race. And how did Loki stumble upon it. How long ago? Has it always been this desolate? So many questions. Then when Tony saw a flying snake like creature, whose body was surrounded in some armor floating in the sky, even more questions popped in his head.
A building began crumbling in the distance, dust filling up the empty streets. Thor and Steve were back to back, fighting humanoid looking creatures that had armor similar to that of the flying snakes.
Then what appeared out of nowhere, and frankly Tony didn't know how, was this giant green creature. He grabbed the snake like monster by the mouth, stopping it in thin air, and threw it into the closest building. The green creators roared loudly, and vanished off in the opposite direction.
"What the…" Tony whispered to himself watching this strange battle unfold. The monsters diminishing to dust moments after they are defeated. "I have to be dreaming." Tony said as an arrow whizzed past him and right into the chest of one of the monsters. I must have accidentally drunk the spiked milk." He lifted his head to the sky as more of the flying creatures appeared. "There is no possible way that this can be real." Then he remembered what Bruce said earlier about magic. Just because one doesn't see it, that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Isn't the cloak he is using right this second magical? No. It has to be some chemical that creates the illusion of invisibility; his sensible side told him repeatedly. Yet the more he walked the foreign paths, saw the creatures being slayed by the princes and dissolving into nothingness. The more he thought magic was not that farfetched after all.
"You need to separate them." Tony heard a voice coming from one of the buildings. It was still decaying, many windows broken, but looked more like a figure than the rest of the ghost town. He followed the voice inside the building, and the closer he got to it the more it sounded like Loki. "If we are to take them down, they must be separated. Divide and concur." Tony peeked around the broken door way, and was Loki's hand touching a smaller version of the snake like creature. "Yes, if we don't stop those bad mortals, more of your brothers and sisters will die." Loki said, not ounce of pity in his voice as he spoke to the creature.
Tony noticed Loki's hand was petting it, like one would a dog. As if he were either trying to sooth the monsters troubles or coax it into his own plan. The creature made no noise or sound of understanding, but Loki continued talking to it.
"Yes, we need to kill them, so this realm will be yours once again." Loki continued in his monotone voice. But the emerald eyes seemed to sing a different tune. There was a fire in them. Malice. Hardened. Even more so than they were earlier today. Darkness seemed to enshroud them. The soft gray was now a pure onyx. Making the prince appear bitter and hollow.
Loki got silent and the creature still continued to float there, not doing anything else. Loki's head turned and for a moment, Tony thought Loki had spotted him. That despite the invisibility cloak, he knew Tony was there listening to every word. Tony took a few steps back away from the door, but Loki once again faced the creature. "I must go now. Tell your brethren, what I have told you. Divide those mortals across the land. Do not let them near one another. If you continue fighting as you have, your race will become extinct for sure." Tony stood as close to the wall as he could, and as Loki left the room he walked right passed him, never knowing he was being watched.
When Loki was walking past him, Tony could feel his heart beating faster, and swore that the sound of his beating heart was as clear as the crow of morning rooster. If it was, Loki paid no mind to it for he walked briskly, out of the building, looking up at the sky before blasting one of the humanoid looking creatures with some type of beam from his staff and continued walking down the path, his eyes slowly slithering to the side as he walked.
Tony was still trying to convince himself that all this was a dream. That blue beams did not just come out of Loki's staff, and he was not talking to a baby monster like it was a pet.
Despite all the arguments for this being a dream, Tony knew he couldn't fool himself. This was real. Loki talking to monsters about killing his brothers was also very real. But even more than that. Magic is real. Limitless power. And Tony has no clue how to stop something that he himself doesn't understand. Weapons and armor. Mixing chemicals. Easy. Stopping a prince who has the potential to do almost anything. Not so much. Taking a deep breath, and following Loki out of the building, Tony knew his next step. He needed to watch this prince like a hawk. Study everything about him. Find some weakness in this fantasy that is somehow reality.