Second chapter!

A bit short, but my muse is fickle _


The Doctor had been asked to remain at the base while The Avengers went to battle Doctor Doom (who had taken a particular interest in the Timelord), but of course he was having none of it.

They were having some difficulties Doom, though he was for the moment doing no further damage than preparing an elaborate spell. Even Cap's shield couldn't reach him beneath the bubble of magic he had summoned around him.

The Doctor decided that was his cue to come and help as he could with his screwdriver.

Besides, apparently one of their other sworn enemies had made an appearance, and he was curious about who that was.

The Doctor edged around an overturned taxi to peer at their enemy, screwdriver in hand. He couldn't stop a childish grin from spreading on his face at the sight before him.

"Oh, but that's Loki, infamous God of Mischief! My, what a surprise!" he exclaimed with glee.

"Doctor, what are you doing here? And-hang on, you know him? I thought you said you were our ally!" cried Clint from his rooftop.

The Doctor ignored him and started skipping towards the God while waving his screwdriver, looking like he had just seen Santa Claus.

"Hey, there! How are you, Loki Doki?"

Tony snorted at the nickname.

Loki turned around, manic grin dying down instantly as he took in the sight before him.

"DOCTOR?!" he snarled, taking a step back and raising his sceptre menacingly.

"Oh, come on, that's no way to greet an old friend!", admonished The Doctor, skipping even closer.

"Friend? FRIEND? How dare you pretend to that title when you left me alone on Skaro to fight off Daleks, while you ran off to invent the Christmas pudding?!" shrieked the God.

"I didn't abandon you, I just left you there to let off some steam, you sure looked like you needed it. Besides, it was all a hologram, of course I wasn't going to leave you in any real danger."

"A hologram that only revealed itself when you DIED in the simulation!

And do not think I haven't forgotten that time you chose my helmet for me! A helmet that you knew I was going to have to wear into battle FOR THE REST OF MY IMMORTAL LIFE! And obviously you go and choose the most ridiculous one!"

"Aw, come on Loki! It was just so cool! Who wouldn't want a golden goat helmet? Admit you've warmed up to it. Well, in a manner of speaking, since you can't technically warm up since you'r-"

Loki snarled, eyes flashing with the promise of blood: "I swear Doctor if you talk one more word with that prattling mouth of yours I will sew it shut myself."

The Doctor seemed to get the message, and made a motion to zip his lips shut.

There was a tense silence.

Then, a snicker.

Gradually all of the Avengers started laughing their heads off, Thor bellowing a loud laugh as Clint clutched his stomach, Steve trying to stifle a chuckle unsuccessfully as Natasha snickered silently. Tony even raised his faceplate to point and laugh better at the Trickster, tears in his eyes.

"Oh my God- You didn't even choose it-! That's even better!", he cried, grinning like a loon.

They were all too focused on the exchange to be careful of their surroundings. Victor Von Doom took his chance then, having finally finished his spell, and sent a bolt of magic speeding towards the source of his problems.

The Doctor didn't see the attack coming till it was too late. He barely had time to widen his green eyes before the ray hit him full on the chest.

He collapsed to the ground with a cry, screwdriver still clutched in his hand.

The Avengers reacted as one. Iron Man sent his missiles towards the joints in Doom's armor as Steve threw his shield at his back, throwing him on the ground. Clint and Natasha were next to him in seconds to cuff him.

But…it had started.

"Stand back!" ordered Thor when Natasha stepped closer to The Doctor.

"What's happening? Is that Doom's magic?" cried Steve, eyeing the golden light.

"I hate magic! My scanners are going crazy", grumbled Tony.

"No, this is ancient Timelord magic", said the Thunder God, as if that explained everything.

Surprisingly, Loki was the one to answer when they all stared at the god with a silent plea to elaborate.

He appeared gracefully next to The Doctor, maintaining just a safe distance.

The Avengers jumped, but he wasn't the priority at present. Besides, he seemed to be the only one who knew what was going on.

"Doom must have been very lucky indeed to find that artifact…Timelord technology is near impossible to replicate".

"You're regenerating, aren't you? That's how your species survives when mortally wounded. By changing physical appearance", he continued, observing the transformation with keen eyes.

The Doctor tried for a grin of assent, but his breath hitched, and he breathed out a golden mist.

His eyes had taken the same hue, and the strange swirl was surrounding his whole body. He knew he was close.

"Don't worry pals- It's…Perfectly normal!…Although, I can feel a strange-"

He didn't finish his sentence, as the regeneration entered its final stage. He exploded in a burst of golden light, forcing everyone to shield their eyes from the sudden brightness.

When the energy died down, they were all looking at a different man.

"Well, that can't be right." Said Loki with a frown. "I've already met that you."

They were all staring at an old man with white hair. He was wearing a dress coat and tweed pants. At his neck was tied a dark blue ribbon. He stared down at himself.

"Ah, indeed you have, my dear chap."

He barely had time to finish his sentence before suddenly glowing gold again, but this time the light was a dulled, bronze colour.

In his place, a younger man with curly blond hair stood among the Avengers, looking slightly disgruntled.

He levelled a glare at Doom.

"Looks like someone completely mixed up my regeneration capabilities. It appears I'm not able to control anything anymore."

He then looked down at himself, and made a face. "And of course this time I get the clothes. Magic. I thought I'd been rid of that coat forever."


Please comment, critiques welcome :)