Disclaimer: I don't own the Avengers, or any of the characters used in this fic. They all belong to Marvel and their respective creators. I only own any original characters that I choose to include, as well as any original plot ideas.

Chapter 6: Tied By Blood

A/N: The recommended tune for this chapter is "Down Inside Of You" by Fuel.

His hair, held back by one of Jane's rubber ties, was half hidden behind the bandanna that decorated his head, the knot on the back increasingly uncomfortable the longer he thought on it. Thor bit the inside of his cheek, scowling as he moved a hand back to remove the patterned piece of cloth. He stopped himself at the last moment, Natasha's words echoing in his head.

"Do not make a scene. One slip up, and you could kill us all."

The god nodded, pushing his sunglasses up with a knuckle, bringing the bottle of water held within the pocket of his leather jacket to his lips. Jane had decided on the disguise, he thought with the faintest of smiles, insisting that, if he needed to get out in the open so badly, he had best go out dressed in a manner that reflected his appearance rather than betrayed it. As Tony had gone to a great deal of trouble to acquire a vast collection of clothes for the lot of them at the start of this mayhem, there had been quite a bit of time spent sitting on the bed, waiting for Jane to settle on something that she had deemed appropriate. And, if she had disapproved of an outfit after he tried it on, Thor would be left to sit quietly in his boxers until the woman presented him with a new possibility.

Though he loved her, the very idea that she was so incredibly indecisive somehow reminded him of his brother, who, for the life of him, would not have put up with anyone questioning his decisions, even in his younger days. As such, he had butt heads with Odin on many an occasion and over anything, ranging anywhere from short, week-long hunting trips to how Loki would conduct himself during one of the kingdom's lavish celebrations.

Needless to say, those so-called "conversations" had not ever gone over very well.

Thor sighed, stopping halfway down the block to take a seat at the nearby bus stop. They had been a family. Once. Albeit through the decisions of another; related, unknowingly, by their father's choice rather than by blood. A fact which, for the better part of a millennium, had not mattered. But, as the saying went, the truth had hurt, had ruined everything that they had known for the entirety of their lives; gone and damaged that which they had both called "home." Asgard, he had come to find during his very scarce visits, did not hold the same shine that it had once upon a time. But, due to recent circumstances, Thor had not had the chance to visit home in a good many months. He had no idea how his father and mother were faring, and it worried him deeply.

It was quite certain that Odin knew of the things that had transpired upon Midgard; of Loki's invasion, his success, his chaotic rule. But, as Thor stared out across the masses of people that streamed on past, it appeared as though not a one of them were aware of that fact. Or, perhaps they had just grown accustomed to the change, though it was a rather odd thought.

Mortals, he had learned, prided themselves on speaking their minds; on making their opinions known. So it seemed strange to him that the people of this city would have gone on about their lives in silence. Unless, of course, the vast majority of them did not care so long as their daily routines were not interrupted.

And that, Thor realized, frightened him.

He drew a breath, his brows meeting atop his nose as he shut his eyes but a moment before returning to his feet and resuming his brisk pace about the city.

Children could be heard darting about and screaming as he neared the neighborhood park, the collection of little humans rushing across the playground, all clad in brightly colored parkas and rain boots as they splashed about in wide puddles. Atop the jungle gym, one boy cried out, hands coming up to his eyes to form a pair of binoculars as he stared down at the water, saying that the tides were rising and that the sharks would soon be upon them. Squealing, the other children hopped up onto the structure, a stray few remaining in the water to circle about, hands held as fins atop their heads.

Without meaning to, the god seated himself on an empty bench and leaned forward on his knees, a half smile gracing his features as he watched the children play.

In all honesty, he could not help but pity them. Forced, like young Bradley, to grow up in a world that no longer held any mercy, the only true love they knew coming from home and family. The lot of them were, in a sense, cast out to sea, waiting for the sharks that, in later days, would perhaps arrive to consume a number of them.

The thought made Thor angry, his jaw tightening and fingernails digging into palms. All of these people, whether they realized it or not, were in a state of ever-increasing jeopardy, all running the same risk of being slaughtered or used to suit his fool brother's needs.

"Precious, aren't they?"

Thor sighed, refusing to make even the slightest move. He could not be noticed, the others had told him. He had to remain as invisible as he could, avoid any unnecessary contact with the city's citizens. And the present situation, his mind screamed, eyes not daring to glance at the stranger beside him, was nothing but trouble waiting to happen.

"They're all going to die, you know," the voice went on, and Thor bristled at the sudden sensation of familiarity. "They don't have a choice." A smile. "Poor little remnants. They're all that's left of the Midgard you so foolishly came to love."

The God of Thunder moved to stand, tensed as he felt a hand grab him by the wrist. He sighed, settled back into his seat again, and shook his head.

"Maybe you should just go home, Thor."

"I am home."

"I meant to Asgard."

"Why?" His voice was low and wary, his head turning slowly. "So that you may follow? Claim your revenge against Asgard and her people as well?"

"To warn them," Loki said, a look of feigned concern on his face. His gaze was heavier somehow, Thor thought to himself. Darker."It may not be today, or even tomorrow, but I will return to take Odin's throne. Cast the glory of Asgard into the very same hell that I can only remember."

Thor bit his lip, breathed deliberately slow breaths so as to ease his pounding heart. If it came down to it, he would again fight his brother, stop him if he could. But, having witnessed all the change in the world these past few years, having seen so much death and destruction and misery circling the globe over, Thor would much rather try to reason with him.

But that, Loki's eyes told him, would never happen.

"You'd best convince your little friends to play my game, Thor," Loki told him, as he moved to leave. "You won't last very long if you don't."

The thunder god stood, took Loki by the back of his coat, and pulled. "This is no game! These people's lives are not tokens for your amusement! They live, they breathe, they feel, they bleed! What claim do you have upon them?! What right do you have to use them as but pawns; toys?!"

Thor flinched, eyes wide as his glasses fell to the ground, Loki's hand rising to pat him briskly on the cheek.

"'What right,' you ask?" Loki smirked, the plastic breaking beneath his heel. "The right of Midgard's king, dear brother. Or don't you remember? I won the battle, and you lost the war. And that's all there is to it. So humor me, Thor. Bring your mortal friends, and play my game."

His grip vanished, gaze narrowing as Loki kept on smiling at him. "Seven days, you said. Seven days for what?"

Loki sighed. "It really is no fun if I give away the ending, but... In three days, one of your Avengers will disappear. As for who it is, I have yet to decide. You will have seven days to find them. If you cannot, they will die. As will a part of this city."

Thor's stomach dropped. "What?"

"Prove yourselves the heroes this filthy planet deserves. Gather the Avengers, and save this pathetic race from demise. Prove to the mortals that you deserve their trust and respect."

"And if we do?"

Loki shrugged. "Then you win."

Thor growled. "Win what?"

"Must I spell it out for you, Thor? You shall be granted safe passage back to Asgard to gather yourself an army, or whatever else you desire. And your friends will remain untouched until you return."

"Then what was that about cheating? Another jab, was it?"

"Oh, well that..." Loki laughed. "You are forbidden to tell your friends anything of this exchange. You must convince them on your own. Get them to trust you."

His heart sped up again, the steady throbbing in his chest growing harder and louder until it was all he felt, all he heard in his ears. He chanced a staggering step forward, but found himself falling, the cold, wet ground coming up to catch him as he went down. Thor wheezed, stared up at the sky that looked down at him between the tops of the trees, and wondered.

How could he protect these people, protect his friends, his family, and keep true to the challenge set before him?

"It's all right, Brother," Loki's voice hissed in his ear. "It will all be over soon, and you won't have a thing to worry about."