Disclaimer: I will tweak the storyline of the movie Avengers just a little to make this story work. It's just a small tweak, nothing huge, I'm sure many people on do the same. This chapter is rated T for action/violence and some language.
"You were amazing!" Maria said in astonishment..
"You really think so?" Eir asked humbly.
"I know so, now lets get back to having a good time!" Maria replied energetically.
"Yeah, having fun." Eir replied half-heartedly, her gaze returning to the seat Loki had previously occupied.
What had she set in motion?
After a few more hours of enjoying themselves, Eir took Maria to her house, then teleported herself back to her room at S.H.I.E.L.D. Eir walked over to her bed and collapsed on it, "Who knew Midgardian parties were so tiring." she said aloud. After a few minutes of laying on her bed, Eir stood up and changed out of her dress into her nightgown, and proceeded to maintain her personal hygiene. Eir then hopped into her bed, slid her body under the cool sheets and nestled her head on her pillow. Within a few minutes, she fell asleep.
The following morning, Eir awoke to the sound of people running about quickly. She flipped the covers off of herself and rolled out of bed. Eir got dressed quickly, putting on black skinny jeans and a white, sleeveless surplice wrap shell shirt. Eir walked out of her room and found the rec room, where Steve, Tony, who was holding a bag of ice to his head, Bruce and Natasha were present. Eir walked down the stairs and looked at everyone in the room.
"Could someone please tell me what is going on?" Eir asked.
"The resident geniuses over there just figured out how to scan for the Tesseract's radiation, so S.H.I.E.L.D. can pinpoint it and Loki's location." Natasha answered.
"Oh, well that's useful. How long will it be until their whereabouts are located?" Eir asked.
"It'll be a while, a couple days maybe." Bruce replied calmly.
"Could be shorter if the face trace finds Loki out and about." Tony said.
Eir walked over to the table and sat down in one of the swiveling chairs surrounding it. She gave a brief discontented sigh as she sat. Steve, who was sitting a couple chairs away from her, noticed her behavior.
"Hey Eir, you alright?" he asked kindly.
"Hmm? Oh yes, I'm fine thank you." she replied.
"You sure don't look it to me. Seriously, what's wrong?" Steve asked.
"Fine. I'm just not too keen on encountering Loki again." Eir said.
"I'm a little nervous myself, from what I hear he's capable of." Steve said.
"Are you frightened of him?" Eir asked.
"Maybe a little, but I'm still going to help stop him." he replied.
"Would you kill him if you could? After all he's done?" she asked.
"I don't want to kill anyone. I don't like bullies. I don't care where they're from." Steve replied.
( A few hours later…)
"Attention Avengers. The face trace has identified a match on Loki in Stuttgart, Germany. Prepare for arrival in five hours." Nick fury's voice said through the PA system in the room.
"Well I guess I have five hours until I go toe to toe with Loki." Steve said optimistically.
Eir smiled a little at his optimism.
"Hey, how do you know it won't be me going toe to toe with Loki?" Tony said gallingly.
"It depends on who Fury thinks is the best man for the job." Steve retorted.
"Oh, so we're gonna go into that now, are we spangles?"
"If Fury thinks the best man for the job is one who uses a metal suit to fight and not his own abilities, then yes." Steve replied.
Eir stood up and left the table as Steve and Tony began to argue. She walked over to Bruce, who was sitting down on a bench on the other side of the room, and sat down next to him.
"How long will they be like this?" she asked.
"Knowing those two, a while." Bruce replied.
"So, I hear that Steve fought in a war, that Tony fights in a suit of metal, and that Natasha is a black widow?" Eir asked.
"You're partly right. Black Widow is her code name. Many of us here have code names that are used to describe our abilities, like Steve's is Captain America, Tony's is Iron Man, you get the picture. Natasha is a skilled assassin, similar to a species of spider we have on Earth, called a Black Widow. Which is also famous for being female, so you understand. She's trained in multiple martial arts -fighting styles- and has excellent stealth and weapons skills." Bruce explained.
"Oh. Well I was told that my false name while I'm on Earth, is Erika Jocelyn Simmons. It doesn't sound as appealing or interesting as everyone else's though." Eir said.
"You don't need a code name since you're from Asgard." Bruce said.
"And why is that?" she asked.
"Well Thor's apart of the Avengers and we just call him Thor, since he's from Asgard and doesn't need a code name to keep his identity a secret on missions like us. On missions and around here, you can just go by your actual name, Eir." he replied kindly.
"Well that's easy. What is your code name? What are your abilities?" Eir asked.
"Um, well… I kind of - well I kind of turn into a -" Bruce stammered.
"He loses control and turns into a giant green rage monster." Tony said, cutting in.
"Really? This is true? Is it safe to demonstrate?" Eir asked, as she began to fill up with curiosity.
"No, definitely not. If I did, I'd probably destroy this whole airship and kill everyone." he said sardonically.
"Oh, well then. Do you have any other abilities that don't involve that?" she asked.
"Yeah, he's like a Stephen Hawking, only smarter." Tony cut in snidely, "But you wouldn't understand that reference, would you Cap?"
The argument between Steve and Tony was ignited once again, luckily for everyone else, Steve and Tony left the room to go argue somewhere else. With peace and quiet now restored, Eir breathed in deeply then exhaled.
"What is a Stephen Hawking?" she asked Bruce curiously.
"In simple terms, he's a really smart guy. I don't think you'd understand me if I explained any further." he replied.
"Probably not." Eir replied.
"Well I might as well head back to my lab. I have to finish the calibrations on the gamma radiation detector." Bruce said as he stood up then left the room, leaving Eir alone with Natasha.
There was an awkward silence in the room for about ten minutes. Eir was sitting on the bench and Natasha was leaning against the opposite wall. Both were silent. Natasha began to move toward the door. Her hand was on the door handle until she stopped by a voice.
"Natasha, wait." Eir said.
"What do you want?" Natasha replied.
"I'd like to talk to you. Perhaps without you being so cold to me?" Eir asked politely.
Natasha sighed, then walked over to Eir and sat down next to her on the bench awkwardly.
"Hear me out please." Eir begged.
"Very well." Natasha nagged.
"Ever since I've been here you've seemed depressed and cold. I'm told that you're usually like this, but I feel that you seem to resent me for some reason. I would like to know if this is true?" Eir asked.
Natasha was caught off guard a little.
"Well… no… and yes. It's hard to explain." Natasha said.
Eir looked at her with inquisitive eyes.
Natasha sighed, "I'm just a little upset what Loki did to Clint. He put him under his mind-control spell, and now he has Clint working for him. It makes me despise Loki and the fact that you were his girlfriend kind of infuriated me." Natasha said.
"I understand how you would direct that anger at me for my involvement with Loki, but I'm not the same. He's not the same. I am sorry he has caused you and so many others pain, and I will do my best to make things right." Eir replied.
"Yeah, you're right. I guess I'm sorry for directing my anger at you." Natasha said.
"All is forgiven. Once we arrive at our destination, you'll have the opportunity to direct your anger at Loki." Eir said evenly.
"Do you really despise him as much as I do?" Natasha asked.
"Yes and no. Yes I hate what he's done, to me and the innocent people of this world and no, I don't completely despise him. I don't know why exactly, but perhaps it's my foolish hope that he can be changed back to the man I once knew. But that is a childish dream and I must face reality." Eir replied.
Natasha and Eir sat there in silence.
(About five hours later…)
Eir, Steve, Tony, Natasha and Bruce stood in the command room, with Fury standing in his usual spot. Eir had changed into her warrior clothing, which was a dark green dress that ended a few inches above her ankles, with a slit up one leg for better maneuvering. It had a metallic silver neckline, a silver waist belt, long robe sleeves, and silver swirl patterns starting from the waist.
Fury turned around to address them.
"We are almost at our destination. Agent Romanoff and Captain Rogers will be sent in. The rest of you will be on standby until or if you are needed. Does everyone understand?" Nick Fury said.
Everyone nodded, except for Tony, who mockingly raised his hand.
"Quick question. Why does he get to go in first and not me?" Tony asked childishly, as he referred to Steve.
"We don't have time for this Stark. Now, agent Romanoff, Captain. Suit up." Fury said composedly, then turned back to the endless amount of monitors placed throughout the room.
Natasha and Steve were the quickest to leave the command room, ready to get off the floating fortress and ready to take on Loki. About fifteen minutes later, Steve and Natasha left the base on a hovercraft to the building where Loki was located at. Eir sat at the table in the rec room along with Tony and Bruce. She thought about what events were occurring in her absence. Questions flew through her mind.
"Could they handle Loki? What is Loki doing at a gala in Germany? Would they need her help?" these and many other thoughts swirled in her mind.
"Well, I'm off to talk with fury." Tony said confidently as he stood up from his chair, then proceeded to walk out the door.
"What do you think he's up to?" Eir asked Bruce, who was sitting across from her.
"He's probably going to convince Fury to let him join Natasha and Steve on their mission." Bruce said pragmatically.
"You do not want to join them on their mission?" Eir asked inquisitively.
"I'm really not one for fighting and smashing stuff up, but you could probably join in too if you wanted. You know, with your teleporting abilities. You could just teleport yourself there." he added.
"But Fury said-" Eir began to say, but was interrupted by Bruce.
"Fury said be on standby until they need help, and by what I've heard Loki is capable of they'll probably welcome the assist." Bruce said.
"Very well, you make a convincing argument. Could you please use the, the, the slim box with the glass screen that pulls up images and videos to produce an image of the location they went to?" Eir asked.
Bruce nodded and quickly pulled up an image of the building the gala was being held at. Eir took a good look at the image, held it in her mind, then focused her energy on transporting herself to its location. Eir quickly disappeared from the room in a flash of green light.
Eir found herself behind a tall white pillar that, along with many other pillars, was supporting the roof of a huge white alabaster building. Eir quickly composed herself and began her search for her teammates and Loki. As she walked around the side of the enormous building, she saw a flash a blue light and a car flip in the distance, and quickly ran towards it. She raced over to the overturned car and saw that there were two humans, (police officers as she had been told by Bruce) in the car. Eir saw that they were injured and quickly used her magic to free them from the vehicle.
Once she had freed them from the car, she used her healing skills to mend their wounds. They were dazed, but restored to health. Eir stood up and saw a large group of people on their knees. As she wondered why she saw Loki slowly making his way through the crowd, dressed in his Asgardian garb. Eir was surprised at the sight that lay before her, but determined to end this madness.
"Is not this simpler? Is this not your natural state? It's the unspoken truth of humanity that you crave subjugation. The bright lure of freedom diminishes your life's joy in a mad scramble for power. For identity. You were made to be ruled. In the end, you will always kneel." Loki said as he stopped in the middle of the crowd.
An old man stood up from the crowd and looked at Loki fearlessly.
"Not to men like you." he said.
"There are no men like me." Loki responded smugly.
"There are always men like you." the man replied.
Eir had to admit this human was brave, but she feared what action Loki would take next, and she watched helplessly as he pointed his scepter at the elderly human and shot a bolt of blue energy towards him. Eir shouted in distress as she was about to unwillingly witness an innocent person's death. Suddenly the blast of energy was deflected by a familiar red, white, and blue shield and directed back at Loki, knocking him down. Eir was relieved to see Steve, or Captain America as she was supposed to call him when out on missions, stand up and place himself defensively between Loki and the crowd of innocents.
"You know, the last time I was in Germany and saw a man standing above everybody else, we ended up disagreeing." Steve said.
"The soldier. A man out of time." Loki replied.
"I'm not the one who's out of time." Steve replied smugly.
Suddenly a S.H.I.E.L.D. aircraft appeared, and aimed a gun at Loki.
"Loki, drop the weapon and stand down." Natasha said through the PA system.
Suddenly, Loki attacked Steve with his scepter and a fight ensued. Steve threw a few good punches but Loki managed to knock him to the ground. He then placed the end of his scepter forcefully on Steve's head, holding him down.
"Loki stop!" Eir shouted, as she ran hurriedly towards them.
"Eir?" Loki said in bewilderment, taking his eyes off of Steve.
The brief distraction was all Steve needed to knock Loki away from him. He moved to punch Loki again but was tossed to the side by Loki. Loki then proceeded to shoot blasts of tesseract energy from his scepter at the S.H.I.E.L.D. aircraft. Natasha barely managed to steer the ship clear of the dangerous blasts. As she tried to steer the airship clear of the blasts, "Shoot to Thrill" by AC/DC, began playing over the PA system. Eir spotted Tony fly in wearing his red and gold suit of metal armor, and blast Loki with his flight stabilizers, knocking Loki to the ground.
Tony landed on the ground and aimed his arsenal of weapons at Loki.
"Make your move, reindeer games." Tony said tauntingly.
Loki slowly raised his hands into the surrender position and powered down his armor.
"Good move." Tony said, then put away his arsenal of weapons.
Eir made her way over to Steve and Tony, walking past Loki in the process, trying to avoid eye contact with him.
"What are we going to do with him?" Eir asked.
"Take him back to base for interrogation." Tony said bluntly, as he and Steve led Loki towards the S.H.I.E.L.D. aircraft Natasha was piloting.
Eir entered the aircraft last, trailing behind Tony, Steve and Loki. When they were aboard, Natasha started up the aircraft and raised it into the air. Tony had Loki sit in the back of the aircraft in one of the seats near the access door. While Eir listened to Steve and Tony's discussion, she couldn't help her eyes drift towards then lock onto Loki, as he sat still and silent with his hands in his lap casually. She knew he had to be up to something, but why would he allow himself to be captured? As she watched Loki intently bolts of lightning flashed around the aircraft. Eir and Steve noticed the look of alarm on Loki's face.
"What's the matter? Scared of a little lightning?" Steve asked jokingly.
"I'm not overly fond of what follows." Loki replied, his gaze shifting around the ship.
Suddenly a loud thud was heard on the top of the aircraft. Eir realized what Loki had meant. Thor. Tony put his metal mask on and opened the access door to see what had occurred. He was taken back when Thor burst into the aircraft, grabbed Loki and flew back out.
"Damn." Eir muttered aloud.
Tony walked over to the edge of the open access hatch.
"Stark! We need a plan of attack!" Steve shouted.
"I have a plan: attack!" Tony replied, then flew after Thor and Loki.
"This is just great! I don't see how this could possibly get any worse." Eir said aloud to herself.
Just then Steve grabbed a parachute an jumped out of the aircraft.
"I was not expecting that." she said, "how does one work a parachute?"
"Just strap it on you, jump, and pull the tab on the right." Natasha said, "Why?"
"I'm going after them." Eir replied as she strapped on the parachute.
"So it's just jump and pull?" she asked.
"Yes." Natasha said frankly.
"Okay." Eir said as she ran out the aircraft.
"Damn, that girl's got guts." Natasha said to herself.