Cold air whooshed around me, every raindrop an icy dagger. I waited patiently, allowing myself to drop a few more feet before finding a handhold. I leaned toward the building, grasping the windowsill. Pain rocketed across my chest, and it felt as if my arms planned to leave their sockets. I closed my eyes, waiting for the pain to pass before beginning my trek downwards. I was still about ten stories up. I spent the next fifteen minutes looking for places for my hands and feet, pressing my body against the wall whenever someone came by. It was a miracle Tony never discovered me, though I saw a dash of red across the sky signaling his leave. Super hero stuff I suppose, or possibly searching for me further.
A blissful smile crossed my face as my feet hit solid ground. A fence became my final obstacle. It didn't match the rest of the structure, almost Grecian in architecture. Columns separated three gates. I pushed the leftmost one experimentally, surprised as it swung open without hardship. I guess it only locked from the inside. I immediately took to the familiar streets of New York City.
-X-
In his underground fortress once again, Loki Laufeyson was furious. He had been vaguely amused by the girl's battle, enjoying himself even, when the metal man posed interference. Even with his mechanics, he was still only a mortal. A mere mortal who dared defy him. His original plan was too use her particular talents, but immediately it became obvious she was unruly, therefore unable to be ruled. He cursed, pulsing his power, throwing all the furniture across the room. Rumors of such an infantile thing defeating him would disperse whatever respect he had gained, any fear of his power would die.
If it was to die, he suddenly decided, she would die along with it. She would rue the day she crossed swords with Loki Laufeyson.
-X-
Relieved as I was to be back in my natural environment, the street, something felt off. I kept turning around, expecting to see something behind me, but only everyday citizens bustled around. On the umpteenth time I turned around, a man in a business suit made direct eye contact with me. His form shimmered, and to my horror Loki was staring back. His elaborate armor was replaced by a black trench coat, black tie, and green scarf. His pace remained the same, and he had the audacity to grin at me. It was a hunter's grin, never reaching his eyes. Now knowing the true extent of his power, I was a bit absolutely terrified. There was a club I knew a block down whose owner owed me a favor. I'm sure they'd let me lay low for a couple of hours.
I looked back again, he was still a safe fifty feet back. I hastily turned into an alley, hoping it was the right one. I hurried towards the side door, turning back once more to make sure no one was watching. I gasped. Loki was directly in front of me, somehow soundlessly making fifty feet in two seconds. His golden armor had reappeared. He loomed over me, so close his cape brushed my side. He was about a foot taller, forcing me to look up at him. I took heavy breaths, trying to figure out what to do. Suddenly he reached out, fingertips landing on my chest. Blinding pain arched through me. I was dying, over and over again, but it wouldn't end.
"Do you feel that?" he asked as if he was genuinely curious, "That is your heart freezing over. I befell the same fate at my father's feet. Unfortunately, you most likely won't survive the experience."
I fell to my knees, but he simply crouched beside me, never leaving contact. Blue coloring began to creep over my skin, starting at his finger and spreading outward. The pain was crippling me inward, curling into a ball. Loki still looked down at me with mild disinterest.
"Let her go."
I broke away from my pained daze just long enough to see the spangliest superhero of them all. Captain America stood dramatically, his shadow stretching across the alley. He was out of uniform, donning a brown leather jacket and khakis instead. His custom shield was flung across his back. Loki immediately released me, not to yield the Captain's command, but he was the bigger threat. I gasped for breath, hugging my knees to my chest and trying to feel warmth. A harsh clang echoed through the alley and sounds of battle commenced. I knew I had to get up and… and do something but I couldn't move. I twisted on the ground, flopping over to face the men. The Captain wasn't holding up at all. Ignoring the little voice that said I should be helping, I propped myself on my elbows, and proceeded to drag myself across the ground in this manner. When I reached the wall, I used it as leverage, pulling myself to my feet. My knees immediately began to give out but I groped at the bricks, refusing to fall. I reached for the side door, and pulled myself into the club. The flickering strobe lights encompassed me as everything went black.