- Ellen of Asgard

I was in the middle of throwing an ice-ball at three particulary ugly Chitauri before I noticed a movement. It was a man in green robes with a golden helmet and raven black hair. I frowned. Loki.

„I'll go after him!", I yelled, before charging thowards him.

It wasn't easy getting through all the Chitauri in the way. I kicked and punched them whenever I got the chance as I couldn't help wondering: didn't the Avengers destroy the entire Chitauri army the last time they were here? With a bomb... or something? And didn't they close the portal? I remember Stark almost dying to save New York...

Well, how the hell did the Chitauri get back? And, more importantly, how did they survive that?!

I'll try to get some answers from Loki before attacking him, I thought to myself, Villians love to brag, don't they?

I started to climb up the endless stairs of the tower, trying to motivate myself by thinking that I'm getting closer with every step that I make. After all, the only reason he started to climb the tower was to escape from us, what was, if I can say, a really foolish move. What is he going to do when he reaches the top? Sure, the tower is huge, but we will catch up on him, eventually.

A little bit more...

My lungs were threathening to explode, but I didn't slow down. I could use some water now though, to refreshen me and bring my strength to the max again. Was this what he was trying to do? Make me weaker by climbing a bunch of stairs? I guess he didn't expect an Asgardian to follow him.

And then, I finally made it to the top.

Loki was looking at the sunrise, patiently awaiting for my arrival. Then he turned, slowly, eying me out. He seemed pleased over what he saw and smirked:

„An another Asgardian Avenger. How appropriate.", he said.

„You are outnumbered, Loki. Surrender now, while you can.", I said, even though I knew that he would never do such a thing.

He laughed, confirming my suspicions: „No. You join me while you still can. As an Asgardian, you are worthy to help me rule over Midgard.".

For a second, I thought he was joking or something, but then I studied his face and realised that he was dead serious. He just asked an Avenger to help him destroy Earth. Well, the chances of that happening were equal to the chance of Loki surrendering to me. I frowned:

„My anwer is no, and it will always be no. This is a beautiful world and you can be certain that I shall not stand by and watch you destroy it!".

„Seriously, why is everyone always stating how I am going to destroy this world. I would make it a better place. No murderers, no hunger, no crimes,...".

„Except for your own.", I commented.

He rolled his eyes: „I am not a saint, I'll give you that. But neither are you.".

„Well, at least I haven't killed a hundered people in three days!", I replied, moving my hair from my face. It sure was windy up here. It was a good thing that I was immune to the cold. And Loki was part frost giant, so I suspected that he doesen't mind it either.

„Necessary sacrifices.", by the look on his face, I realised that he isn't proud of that fact either, „If they haven't fought back, there would be none...".

„Did you really expect that there will be no resistance at all when an alien tyrant tries to rule over their world?".

„I would disagree with the term tyrant, but I see your point.", he said, „Tell me, young Avenger, are you trying to keep me talking until the rest of your team comes here? I'm not that stupid, you know."

„The Avengers did defeat you the last time.", I shrugged.

„That was only because of that blasted green monster... Where is he now, by the way? I don't see him anywhere around and he isn't that difficult to spot.", he stated bitterly. I knew he hated Bruce ever since 'the Hulk' almost killed him.

„Bruce isn't with us today.", I said, clenching my fists. Stark told me that nobody has seen dr. Banner ever since Loki was defeated the last time he was in New York. When Nick Fury called for his Avenger team, the Hulk didn't show up. I hoped that he hasn't abandoned us now, when we need every help that we can get.

„And the rest of the Avengers is too busy fighting your Chitauri.", I continued.

„So, it's just you and me.", he stated and a sceptre appeared in his right hand.

„Let's get this over with.", I agreed and my hands started shaping an ice-ball.

We attacked at the same time. I threw my ice-ball right in his face, but he cut it in half with his sceptre before it even touched him. I didn't even manage to blink before he threw a dagger at me, and it almost ended up deep in my chest. But, I made a thick ice shield which slowed it down significantly so I had just enough time to avoid it. I kicked him.

He swinged his scepter at me, so I had to duck, punching him as soon as I got up. This time, my fist almost broke his nose. My attacks were causing more and more damage with every hit, and finally - I managed to kick him so hard, he flew through the air, eventually ending up on the floor, leaning against a wall.

I walked up to him, feeling confident.

„Loki, you are under arrest.", I always wanted to say something like that. I smiled, but not for long because he started laughing. Something was very, very wrong.

„Never let your confidence become a distraction.", he said to me.

And then his clone attacked me from the behind, picking me up and throwing me like I was a doll with his Asgardian strength. I fell over the tower's fence and was free falling with a scream stuck in my throat.

But then I managed to hold onto something. I was hanging from the Eiffel tower, on one hand, with a huge gap between me and the floor. I was going to die, and even the fact that Asgardians heal faster than humans won't be able to help me once I fall.

I stopped the tears from rolling down my cheeks. I didn't want to die like this... but if I have to, I'll die with dignity. And then Loki walked thowards me and I realised that he won't even let me have that. He will push me, probably. Or step on the hand I'm hanging on to.

Instead of that, he asked: „Will you join me if I help you?".

I couldn't hold the tears in anymore, so I tried to hide my face from him.

„No.", I cried.

He sighed and his face turned sad: „So be it.". He started to walk away, leaving me to my despair. I couldn't... hold myself... for much longer... I saw Alexis in the crowd, running to the tower. I apprecitated her effort but she isn't going to be able to help me in time. And my powers were useless. There was no water nearby I could control, and making an ice-barrier wouldn't help as well. I would break it with my weight and just continue falling.

„Loki, please!", I yelled. My hand was sliding down the ledge I was desperately holding onto. I was going to turn to a pancake in three... two... one...

For a split second, I was falling - again. But then, something pulled me up, completely unexpected. I glanced up, just to see Loki's face. He... really helped me? But... I said I won't join him!

However, I didn't dare to say anything until I was on solid ground again. Now, I understood Alexis' fear of hights. I was never as frightened as a few moments ago in my entire life.

„I... didn't think you'd do it.", I panted.

„Yes, well, I didn't think I'd do it, either.", he replied before he wrapped his hand around the Eiffel tower's highest point - and took it off. I stared at him with a confused expression.

„What do you need that for?", I asked him, still not believing that I'm alive.

„You will see.", he was mysterious, „Remember this day, Asgardian, for this is a day when I made an exception. I don't do that very often.".

„My name is Ellen.", I said, „And I must admit that I was wrong about you, Loki. There is some good left in you. I'm not wrong that often either.".

His face was a mask: „Don't believe in me, Ellen.", he glared at the floor, „Everyone that does, gets disappointed in the end.".

Before I replied, he jumped off the tower and in one terrifying moment, I thought that he just killed himself. But then he flew back into my view, riding a some kind of a flying machine that I've seen the Chitauri use a lot. He disappeared with the piece of the Eiffel tower under his hand.

I owe my life to Loki Laufeyson. A God of Mischief. A tyrant. My enemy... or... was he really my enemy after this? Perhaps, Thor is right and he is just -

And then I heard Alexis' scream:

„Ellen! Ellen, where are you!?".

„I'm over here!", I shouted back. I was still too weak to stand up. And the hand that was holding my entire weight? I didn't even dare to move it.

„Oh my God, Ellen, are you alright?! I saw you hanging and I thought... I thought that I came too late!", she kneeled next to me as she exhaled in releif.

„Loki...", I said.

„Yes, I know. He escaped, but you listen to me! It wasn't your fault, you almost died! Fury will understand.", she interrupted me.

„No, Loki... Alexis, he saved my life.".