Welcome to the last chapter….NOT! This story will still go on, I don't plan to end it here…Spoiler, sorry, read on!

DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own the Avengers, only Lyle

Chapter Seven: Calling in Reinforcements

I threw my duffel bag on the bed and began unpacking things and plugging things into charge, whether they needed it or not. I walked down the stairs and jumped as a flash of lightning lit up the room below. I started turning on lights to combat the darkness and slipped into the kitchen in order to grab some water. I opened the bottle and plopped down on the couch before turning on the TV.

I flipped through the channels and settled on the 'Big Bang Theory'. It was unbelievably quiet around here, without the agents constantly flowing around me it was peaceful. I looked on as Sheldon banged on the door to Penny's apartment; I spared a glance outside and watched as the rain poured down the glass doors. I got up and leaned against the glass door with my forehead pressed against the glass; the sky was just a light grey and seemed to be getting a tad bit darker.

I slid down the glass doors and gazed around the house; it was unnerving how alone I was. Of course there were people at work; I had already sent an email to my coworkers that I would be back tomorrow. But I was still alone.

Perhaps you should not have left.

I sighed and stood up and stood behind the couch and stared at the TV,

"How could I not have? I was property, nothing else."

Fury might have been able to-

"To what? He's following orders, you know he won't go against them," I flopped over the back of my couch and let my legs dangle over while I stared at the ceiling, "I did what I felt was best. They don't need me, they have people who can handle whatever Loki can dish out."

"BREAKING NEWS," the TV blared.

Are you really so sure about that?

"There seems to be trouble in downtown New York as what appears to be aliens attacking the city. Reports coming in have deemed the city unsafe and the mayor has called for evacuation." Cameras zoomed in on the wreckage and I caught Steve throwing his shield at an alien that was about to rip a man off the ground. I stood up and walked to the kitchen, trying to remain unfazed.

Aren't you going to do anything?

I refilled my bottle with water from the tap,

"No."

They are your friends.

"They don't need me."

There was silence before a random fist hit my cheek and knocked me to the ground. I looked up to find my dopple ganger staring down in anger at me,

You coward! You sit here thinking you have been betrayed but you have not. You are acting like Loki.

I growled and lunged at her knees, causing her to fall over backwards. I sat on her chest and pinned her to the ground,

"I am nothing like him! I was not told what I was actually supposed to do! I figured that I was going to be out of there in a week!" My dopple ganger got her feet under my stomach and pushed me back into the wall. I got up and shot a blue ball at her which caused her to phase through the glass door and out onto the grass. I opened the door and lunged at her only to meet a mud puddle. I looked up and saw my dopple ganger had drawn the staff. I drew mine as well and we started circling each other; both of us were getting drenched in the rain.

Why do you waste time here? Why not help them?

I screamed and attacked her; she was able to block my blows easily and I quickly tired out, ending up with our staffs interlocking.

Things are worse than before you left.

A sudden vision hit me, Loki's scepter went right through Phil and Phil dropped to the ground…bleeding. Loki walked away from him and stared at Thor, who was now locked in the containment unit, and contemplated what to do next. Phil lay dying by the wall.

"No!" I screamed. I dropped to my knees, holding my head in my hands. I tried to make the vision go away but I couldn't get Phil's pained face out of my head. I sat there in the rain, panting, trying to keep my head together. I felt a hand on my shoulder and I looked up and found my dopple ganger staring down with tears in her eyes,

Will you help them?

She disappeared and I stood up and walked back inside, sparing a glance at the TV that was still covering the damage in New York.

"I will."

(Third Person POV)

Fury watched the screens and more aliens appeared from the rip in the sky. He knew that the Avengers were not going to be able handle all of them; they needed a Hail Mary.

"You need help?" a voice called out. Fury smiled and turned to greet the figure that stood by the main table.

"More than you know."

"I need the suit."

"How did you know…Coulson?" the figure nodded, "Agent Hill, take Lyle to get suited up, debrief her on the way." Agent Hill took the lead to the cargo after Lyle turned around and said,

"I'm not sticking around after this." Fury nodded,

"I would have figured as much."

(Lyle's POV)

I pulled on the pants and shirt quickly, relishing the feel of the UnderArmour type material. I looked at myself in the mirror and had to do a double take; I looked pretty good. Normally I didn't put on full body suits due to my own body type, but it fit well. I had to laugh at the slight vanity that possessed me at this time.

I admit, we look good, but we really got to run!

I allowed Agent Hill to lead me to the door of the tarmac where she handed me a small ear-bud,

"This will allow us to communicate with you and give you a few blind spots to hit." I nodded before I went through the door and gripped my board.

"This is it."

Go.

I transported to the heart of the city and jumped on my board before a rogue alien flier hit me. I chased after the alien flier with a bow on my arm. I drew an arrow and managed to hit the pilot which sent to flier to the ground. I started circling the city, getting occasional tips from Fury. Finally I heard,

"Regroup!"

I dove down to the ground and was knocked off my board by a flier and I was sent flying to the ground. An iron hand gripped my wrist and jerked me up before I hit the ground.

"Hey fly girl! Glad to see you back!" I smiled up at Tony,

"Good to be back!" He dropped me close to the ground where the Avengers were starting to gather. I conjured my board and staff. Bruce had already transformed into the Hulk and was roaring at the aliens that were climbing the buildings. Steve started calling out strategic moves but I seemed to be lost; my focus was on the Stark tower where a blue beam was shooting up to the sky.

Lyleigh… Something whispered. The same voice I had heard at the base that was destroyed.

"Captain," I called, my attention focusing on the tower, "I need to get to the tower."

"Lyle, you need to stay close!" I shot a ball at the closest alien,

"No, something is up there! I need to get up there!"

"Lyle!" I lifted up into the air on the board with my staff drawn and flew towards the tower. I had to duck and weave between the towers and had run ins with aliens but then one beam caught my attention and started drawing me off the path.

"Loki!" I screamed. The Stark tower was a distant memory as I went after Loki. I avoided the gun fire from the two fliers that were acting as guards and darted up to the flier on the right side and engaged in hand to hand combat with thing. I sent him spiraling to the concrete while I stabbed the pilot through the back and allowed him to fly into the nearest building. I turned and Loki grabbed onto my staff and had somewhat of a pained look on his face,

"You work pretty fast," I called before I jerked my staff up and stepped onto the flier in order to get a closer hit.

"You came back," Loki murmured. I stared at him before shaking my head,

"You killed Phil," I bit, "you've brought destruction to this city, you've started a war," I jumped back quickly and ended up on my board, "but you will not come out on top." Loki lunged at me but missed and I watched his face contort with rage and fear as I flitted back and above the building line. Tony rushed under me and shot a beam at Loki.

"Don't you have somewhere to be?" Tony asked as he flew past. I darted up and straight towards the tower. I spied Hawkeye on a building and noticed he was running out of arrows and fast. I summoned up a few arrows and threw them down to him before resuming the journey. I took out three fliers before I finally reached the tower. I stepped onto the roof and hung onto the railing as the tower shook with the impact of the Hulk who had crashed through after Loki. But Loki was currently the last person on my mind. Natasha jumped off a flier and rolled onto the roof before talking to Dr. Selvig who appeared to have been broken from Loki's spell.

Lyleigh… it was coming from the stone, Come to me.

I looked at the machine that contained the Tesseract and started walking towards it.

Be careful, a stone is powerful enough as it is.

"Stay away from that!" Dr. Selvig shouted at me. I stepped away and looked down to find my body glowing once again.

Lyleigh…I'm yours. Come to me.

"I think I can grab it!" I shouted over the machine, "if we break the energy flow, we can stop the portal right?"

"Correct, but I don't think you can-" I stuck my hands through the force field and was met with little resistance, "get that." I looked over and saw Natasha put her hand to her ear,

"We got a problem! A bomb is heading our way!" I paused lightly and looked up; I could see Tony heading our way with a bomb on his back.

"I think he's got a plan," I called to Natasha, "Tell Tony I'll keep this open as long as possible!" I watched as Tony zoomed up into the portal and then we waited. I had to fight from letting the Tesseract, which was now acting like a vacuum, suck me in.

"Come on Tony," I gritted my teeth, "can't hold on." I looked up and saw Tony falling from the portal and an explosion lit up above him. I pulled out the cube and felt my mind being pulled a thousand directions. A voice penetrated the darkness that was threatening to overtake my vision,

Little one, I have watched over you and you seem strong enough. The only question is what you are like. The world is at your feet, what will you choose to do?

I shook my head to get rid of the voice and looked up to see Tony still falling,

"Save Tony!" I gasped. The cube disappeared and my body took on a brighter blue glow. I conjured a board and soared faster than I ever had before to snatch Tony in midair.

Interesting, you save your friends. You are different than those before.

A thousand lives flashed before me and I fought to keep my board in the air.

Why do you resist me? Let go, little one. Allow me to take over.

"No!" I gasped. I dove straight to the ground and hit the ground at a faster speed than necessary. Tony fell from my arms and I skid a few feet before I ended up on my back staring at the sky.

A mortal? You must give yourself to me if you are to live.

My entire body felt like it was on fire; I was sure that I had lost a few layers of skin and that my arm was broken. I gasped for air, still catching glimpses of past lives,

"Fine!" I shouted. I gave in. I let the Tesseract take what I had struggled to maintain. Control.

(Third Person POV)

Lyle lay in the self-made crater, writhing in pain, screaming at nothing. Tony was now awake and standing with the aid of Steve but attention was now focused on the light that was coming from the crater. Thor ran to the crater but was pushed back by a force field that appeared as a dome covering the crater and was coated in white light. Hulk brought down his fists upon the force field but with no luck. They could only watch while Lyle screamed.

Even with all the grime that had coated Lyle's face and arms, the bleeding was subsiding and the wounds were healing. The skin that had peeled off her arms was starting to regenerate; even the clothing that had torn was being repaired. Lyle was still screaming however; the lives were flashing faster and she couldn't hold on. She was starting to slip.

But another figure appeared in the crater. This figure was coated with white light but those outside the dome could see that it was Lyle only this Lyle had white tips on the ends of her hair. The second Lyle kneeled down to the first Lyle and gripped onto her arm,

"You will make it," she whispered, "you have to. Just stand strong. Hold on!" the first Lyle's eyes flashed open and stared at the dopple ganger. Lyle reached out and grabbed her shoulder and the dome retracted quickly in before jumping back out and knocking everyone off their feet. Steve got Tony back on his shoulder and Thor jumped down into the crater. Lyle was now silent, on her back and completely healed. Her skin was glowing lightly and she seemed born anew. Her breaths came in light gasps and her eyes moved under her lids quickly.

"Lyle," Thor called, fear lacing his voice. Her eyes flashed open, they were now rimmed blue. Her eyes darted everywhere and finally landed on Thor. She laughed slightly,

"Didn't you say once that the Tesseract belonged in Asgard?" she asked.

"Well, yes," Thor answered, "where is it?" Lyle smiled and pushed herself off the ground.

"Right here," she gestured to herself. The glow around her body dimmed and disappeared while the stone around her neck kept a bright blue glow.

"Impossible," Thor said. Lyle smiled and climbed out of the crater,

"Not entirely. Just…supernatural," she surveyed her surroundings and cringed at the aliens that littered the ground, "did we win?"

"Yes ma'am," Steve answered, finally finding his voice, "but we're not done yet."

(Lyle's POV)

Loki was broken and bruised, thanks to the Hulk. He looked up at us, since we had clustered around and had our weapons drawn, and said,

"If it's all the same to you, I think I'll have that drink now."

I sighed slightly and turned away. I didn't want to watch this anymore. Agents from SHIELD were swarming the building now and were already starting to get Loki into handcuffs; I flinched when they put a muzzle on him. Before they shoved him out the door, I caught a fleeting look of sadness plastered over his face, directed towards me. I shook my head and turned to go stand next to the window and observed the city in ruins.

Remorse?

"No, just regret." Thor clapped me on the shoulder,

"Well done, Lyle," Thor boomed, "but we must return to Asgard soon."

"Can we get shwarma first?" Tony asked. I giggled lightly and turned to face the group,

"We got time," I said, ignoring Thor's confused look, "I just need to get to a computer real quick."

"Why?" Steve asked.

"Need to tell my coworkers that I won't be coming in to work tomorrow."

(Third Person POV)

The Avengers gathered in the park to see their Asgardian friends off. Lyle was joining them since she was the only way back home and they had to explain to Odin why the Tesseract was technically gone. Lyle had a duffel bag slung over her shoulder that was packed for a night trip. She wasn't planning to stay long and had made that very clear to Thor.

Loki was stiff handcuffed and muzzled; he continued to watch Lyle run through her goodbyes and did not miss the flinch she tried to mask every time she looked at him. Loki knew he was going back to face his crimes but he was not afraid for some reason. He was actually glad to know that Lyle was safe but worrisome because she was now a vessel for the Tesseract. Loki was already beginning to imagine the anger that Odin would have when he discovered that the most powerful thing in the universe was held by a little girl…woman. No doubt, other worlds had seen her fight and knew she was the keeper of the Tesseract; there was already a bounty on her head.

Thor waited with Loki as Lyle gave Bruce one last hug.

"Please don't break anything while I'm gone," Lyle whispered in his ear, and shoved a piece of paper in his hand, "my place is open if you need somewhere quiet." Bruce smiled before patting her on the back,

"Hopefully, I won't need to go there." Lyle smiled before joining Thor and Loki; Thor took Lyle's hand and Lyle reached her hand out to Loki. Loki stared down at her while she stared back with a new shyness that had befallen her face. Loki sighed through his nose before taking her hand and with that they were gone with a flash of blue light.

Fury was already informing the council that he was no longer keeping a watch over the Avengers and that Lyle and the Tesseract had left with the Asgardians. The council wanted Lyle back but Fury refused to let her be taken by them. He knew she would be safe with Thor but he doubted Loki; Fury had recently watched the containment unit videos and had caught Lyle in there a couple of times but she had always managed to leave. Fury knew she would do the right thing, she always had. Just like her father before her, she lived to help her country and others, and that's all that he ever wanted from her.

(Lyle's POV)

My feet hit some sort of crystal that had multiple colors and lights running through it. Thor had let go of my hand a while ago to gaze happily at the golden city in the distance. I looked up at Loki and saw he was staring at the ground; he sensed my gaze and looked at me. I squeezed his hand in re-assurance because I knew that look. It was the same look my mother had given me before I left for college, the look that read,

"Don't leave me."

I leaned against his arm with our hands still interlocked,

"I don't plan to anytime soon," I whispered. Thor turned to look at us and gave me a funny look before gesturing behind him.

"Lyle, welcome to Asgard."

Wow...just wow. I can't believe I finished this chapter. There is still more on the way but this was the fight scene in a very condensed version. I think it might be a little too short and hurried so let me know if it is. I kind of got that vibe from Loki when I watched this scene but good tidings are ahead. Stay tuned and review please!