alannaaa1: Welcome to a new fan, I am glad you like all of my works on here so far! Sorry for the slow update, but it's a good one!
Mira SeverusSirius Black-Snape: Oh gosh I love Mr. Gold! When he's not on an episode I am so lost without him, but thank God last night's episode was centric around his story! Ahem, back to the story now, try not to hate me for the cliffhanger!
Starcrier: Oh gosh I'm back again, and this chapter is nail biting! I will tell you that they are closer to getting free from HYDRA, but not without (a lot) of difficulty. Glad you are worried about Bruce too, he needs some love! Try not to die from the cliff-hanger at the end, I already hate myself for it!
Alice-Ann Wonderland: I know right, what a wonderful show! Glad I am living up to standard right now, and I am back into the trend of dreaded cliff-hangers like from story one. *Sighs* I promise things will lighten up yet!
LookAliveSunshine03: Hehe, I figured most would connect to the finger just like the eye thing, and it was gruesome. This chapter is lighter in the gore aspect, but the emotions are running high!
xxyangxx2006: Oh welcome back, and no need for apologies, we all get backed up into life every now and again. Normally I would be further along in a story, but I've barely made a dent in this thing. Yes, this story has been quite Loki centric to start, and I think it's important to address his emotions that we missed out on in the last story. Hehe, its difficult writing for Loki and the Avengers together, but indeed it is for Halios and he will endure. She is definitely in a bad way, though I have yet to reveal her condition. Things will turn awry yet, especially for next chapter, She is more than bait, the others just don't know it yet.
JobanaBallack: I know right, BFF Tony and Loki! Well, not really but they have made great progress while working together. EWWW! I happen to hate rats, and I figured it would be a good animal to turn mutant seeing as they live in sewers. Evil Loki muhaha! That finger thing was brutal, but it shows he will go to great lengths to save her. Urgh, if the wait is killing you about her condition, the end of this chapter made through you into a coma! I apologize beforehand in case it does XD
morbidly-funny: Those two might as well be best friends right?! More Avengers interaction again, and some hefty battle!
LOKI IS KING: OMG Clint would say that, like who wants Loki to show up and help them?! Loki and Tony are gold, even if it is strenuous to write for them, I endure. Urgh, Halios is in a bad way, and the cliff-hanger is even worse!
StepiLady: Yippee, I am glad you caught up now! As a long-time fan, you have probably been waiting for Loki to say those words, even though it wasn't to Halios (how awkward!) I know I am killing everyone with the wait for Halios, nit many stories go so far without the OC, but I like to be a rebel! It's difficult making Loki a hero, I like to think of him as being reluctantly there just for her. Hehe I know what you mean, sometimes I have no words to contribute after reading a chapter, but I am glad you made the effort and your words were helpful! Thank you for pointing out my mistakes, I have been trying to update faster and it causes me to miss some errors, but I went back and fixed them. I think I am going to get more anger words from reviewers after this chapter, but we'll see!
Disclaimer: I own nothing but Halios.
"What's out next master play?" Steve asked as he stood against the wall of the cell, "We can't just leave Halios and Bruce to torment here."
"Obviously." Loki deadpanned, "But none of you have your weapons, and your suits are badly worn. Two of you are sick may I also point out, so forgive me, but where lies your help in all of this?"
The plan had hit a dead-end, and now they were held up in HYDRA headquarters with no next move presenting itself. Natasha's eyes had opened by now, and she made a croaking sound as she tried to sit up while Barton offered his assistance. No one knew where they were keeping Bruce, and it seemed to Loki that none of them had even been aware of Halios' presence here, causing him to feel resentment towards how daft they were. He had come so far to save her, and instead he was stuck up in a room with the rest of her friends. There was something oddly familiar about the situation, almost as if he was back on Asgard again helping the warriors three and Thor as they had traveled to Aegirheim in purpose of heeding Halios. It had been a journey he had not so full heartily regretted then, and not even now. He had made a first long lasting impression on Halios, one that solidified their bond to something beyond friendship, even if she had not felt it then, Loki had.
"We have to help! We didn't even know she was here, risking her life to save ours, and it's a pretty poor way to repay her by leaving her here!" Clint argued.
"We aren't leaving her here, just you are." Loki was surprised to hear Stark was on his side. Perhaps there was something to be said about comradery, "Look Barton, I think it's really damn noble that you want to stay and help, but we don't have time to protect your ass as well as getting the other's out to safety, I mean we don't even know what kind of shape Bruce and Starlight are in. Who actually last saw her alive her?"
"I did." Natasha said huskily as she straightened herself out, "She was put in my cell. I guess HYDRA likes to keep the same sex together. She was fine when I last saw her; I think she even tried to help me. She said she was going to offer herself up to spare me, but I was not awake when she disappeared from the cell." Loki turned a smoldering eye to her, hating that she was too weak to prevent Halios from being taking, and despising even more that Halios was so strong of will to begin with.
"What would they do to her? Asgardian's aren't susceptible to the same chemicals as we are." Steve said bemused.
"It's not what they will do, it's what they want." Loki responded drily, "This is scientific research, and there is nothing more unobtainable to them than Asgardian power. While Halios is not full Aesir, she has Vanir blood in its place and is equally powerful."
"Then we should hurry." Steve deduced, "I am still going with you. This is HYDRA and I know them better than anyone."
"You're a real stubborn SOB aren't you?" Stark said perturbed, "Geez Rodger's, when are you going to stop being so noble; you make the rest of us men look bad."
"No, just you Stark." The pair broke into a grin, and Loki wondered if it was a common thing for them to criticize each other in a teasing manner.
"So what, me and Natasha are supposed to crawl out of this place and into the city looking like this?" said Clint, not sounding as lightly amused as the others.
"Pretty much. People should be used to the way we look by now, we're Avengers." Tony shrugged careless, "I didn't figure you as a self-conscious man Barton."
"I'm not!" He grumbled, "OK Tasha, I'll help you out of here."
When he made to help her stand, she scowled furiously, "I can do it myself Clint!" Her legs wobbled, and everyone watched silently as she groped to the wall. Loki had to admit it looked pitiful, and he hoped Barton would step up to assist her.
"Yeah right, you can barely stand, and if you fall down in the tunnel, it will be straight into sewage. It smells in there, right?" Stark engaged Loki with the question and for a moment he stood paralyzed with astonishment as all eyes turned between him and Iron Man.
"Aye, indeed it did reek foul." He conjured as best he could while the others remained skeptical to Stark's new found relationship with the God of Lies, "Let's make haste." He added with a tone of embarrassment.
No more was said on the subject as they began to move quickly from the chrome prison block, their troop of footsteps stampeding about them as they made for the same quick exit. The guards that Loki had slain lay dead there, and there was no indication that they had been discovered or moved from their position of final resting. He stepped over them with grace, letting Barton follow as he threw an irate agent Romanoff over his shoulder. She pounded her fists down on his back, but the man made no notice of the repetitive nuisance. The Captain followed after, he made a slight nod to Loki when Stark finally emerged at the back, "I supposed I'm going to have to carry Bruce out of here?" He asked Loki and Steve ahead of him.
"Yeah, unless he's Hulk, then I think he can walk himself out." Rodger's said.
"If he was Hulk, things would be going a lot smoother." Loki interjected, "I hope you don't prove to be dead weight Rodger's."
Steve huffed, "You may be surprised yet. I can improvise if I am empty handed, and it comes in handy to have such a skill."
Loki rolled his eyes, but didn't say anything more as they continued back up to the room of many doors. Clint was realigning Natasha on his shoulder as they prepared their leave, though rather reluctantly it would seem, "Go back to the hotel room and fix yourselves up, and don't leave the room until we get back."
Stark handed him the room key while giving him the name of the hotel, "How long do you think this will take. It's not going to be as easy as walking in and grabbing them, and then leaving again, unless Thor was with you of course."
Loki felt his eyes turn dark with hearing Barton's faith in Thor, and what little he had in the group going to save the others, "We'll Thor isn't here, so you are going to have to make do with us doing the rescuing."
"He's right Clint; we can't rely on Thor this time." Steve said in agreement, though sounding somewhat forced coming from his mouth.
"Yeah…alright." He turned towards the destroyed entrance that would lead them back out through the sewers of the city, "Good luck, and bring them back alive." He spared each and every one of them a last look before he turned with Natasha and headed out of HYDRA's underground.
The three of them stood, once again looking towards the doors that led into the halls of HYDRA. They had no way of knowing where Bruce and Halios would be found, and Roger's was still a liability because of being unarmed, something Loki sought to fix, "Captain, I suggest you take one of the guards weapons to arm yourself lest you be used as a shield by me or Stark."
He crouched low and picked up one of the mechanical canons, eying the switches and triggers with interest, "HYDRA seems to make similar weapons at least. There was enough here for Clint and Natasha as well, we could have let them stay."
"No." Stark disagreed, "Five is too many, and they were physically at a disadvantage because of being-"
"Human." Said Rodgers, "So what? We're both human, and last I checked, he can still be injured by weapons too." Steve said while pointing a finger at Loki.
"It's not that they're human, it's just that they aren't advanced like us, and we couldn't afford the extra baggage. Bitch if you want Rodgers, but it was the easy decision."
"Not the right one." He mumbled low, but enough for Loki's ears to still pick up. Loki didn't comment, knowing it was only the Captains 'bleeding heart' that made him jump at the opportunity to do good. He adjusted the strap of the gun onto his shoulder and began to lead them through the fifth door, as if sensing where to go. Neither Loki nor Tony made the jump to stop him.
"I've seen places like this before." He uttered around his shoulder, "They should be in weapons development I assume, just because they have power beyond Earth's control."
"You cannot harness blind power from blood alone." Loki said firmly, "Otherwise everyone would be a gamma ray specimen by now."
"Well you never know. This city might have to start doubling up rooms at the rate citizens will start turning green." Stark joked uncouthly, and it was enough to have Steve smiling, while Loki felt his face make a small smirk, "So Cap, do you know who's running this fine establishment?"
"Baron Strucker." He spat with malice, "I faced him once before, but he was younger in years. It seems time wasn't on his side like it was mine."
"Yeah, not every person is as lucky to land into some ice Rodgers." Even though his face wasn't visible, Loki knew Tony was holding mockery.
"Even so, he's still a formidable force, and apparently HYDRA thinks so too, if they are willing to follow under his rule. Beware his Satan Claw."
Both Tony and Loki threw each other a look, "His Satan what?!" Tony bemused.
"His Satan Claw; his whole right hand has been replaced by a bionic red claw he uses as a weapon. It's a gattling gun with spring loaded blades. It may do more now; all I know is to stay clear of it, so make sure he doesn't get close to you."
Loki smiled bitterly, "I was never one to get close to a male, so that shouldn't be a problem."
Steve looked over his shoulder with an incredulous look and Stark's masked was facing him as well, "Did you just make a joke?!" They asked.
"If my sense of humor is lost by you, then I shall cease in using it." His eyes widened as he saw a troop of insurgents headed their way, "Watch out!" He pulled the Captain back while Iron Man took the brunt of the blow. The weapon that had been fired was no normal gun, rather a strange infused light had blasted from the canon.
"Jesus." Stark grunted as he started to push himself out from the wall. Loki and Steve jumped to help him before the running troop could gain any more ground on them, "What the Hell was that?!"
"It would seem they have found the means to harness Halios' power, in the form of a manmade arsenal." Loki said through clenched teeth while they heaved the metal man out.
"Here they come!" Steve called, as he turned his blaster onto the soldiers. The bullets seemed pathetic when matched against the might of Starlight's strength, and Stark and Loki both pushed forward to lend a helping hand to a much needed Captain America who was overcome by the aggressive attack displayed by the enemy, "How are we going to find Bruce and Halios in all of this mess?" He called as they continued to fire.
"Split up once we've taken down this battalion." Loki answered as he used magic to belay the strike of another gun blast. He could feel that the mimicked power from Halios was not nearly as strong as the strength she possessed, but if these weapons were matched against anything the common public owned, there would be no stopping HYDRA. He brandished his daggers in hand, caressed them with care before they were sent searing through the hearts of men. There was no end to the soldiers, and they kept appearing in hoards from around the corner, leading Loki to the suspicion that both of the missing peoples were down there.
"Alright, I've had enough of this!" Stark yelled, "We will be here forever if we try and fight off all of HYDRA's army, and frankly I have better things to do. You two go on ahead while I fend them off."
"Are you sure?" Steve asked over the carnage.
"Dammit Captain, now isn't the time for your heroic streak. I'll let Liar, Liar drag you out by the ear if he has to."
Steve cast a look to Loki and the God hid nothing from him, "I'd like to go and find them, and I will drag you."
The Captain hung his head with a sigh, "Alright, but once we find them, we're coming right back for you and we're getting the Hell out of here."
Stark started to fire on the enemy while Loki and Steve were able to separate through a side door, disappearing from the commencing battle. They were surprised to hear how muffled the sounds grew just as soon as the door had closed behind them as they entered into a circular stone room. There were two connecting hallways out of their current position, and Loki immediately wanted to split up, "Let's each take a corridor shall we?" He suggested, stepping forward only slightly before a hand latched onto his forearm.
"What's our plan?" He asked with a tight look.
"There is no plan Rodgers." Loki sneered coldly, "Let the other find each other should their hallway prove empty of our lost comrades. I'll take the one on the left." And so he did, without another word to a gaping Steve who looked on from behind, before settling into the plan and finding his own way.
It was a courteous quiet he found himself in, purposefully put there to ease his mind while he searched for the one HYDRA no doubt was protecting under lock and key. She was bait, one that he would take from here and passed the struggle of their army to take her out into safety. There was no doubt in his mind that once they found the two missing friends, they would be bombarded by more soldiers; Stark was just buying more time for both the Avengers, and for HYDRA.
His thoughts were broken as he heard a strangled cough from up ahead, and it had him picking up his feet, making quick time to discover the sound. He ran into an abandoned lab which was filled with green tubes, bubbling over with bizarre chemicals. Situated at the back of the room was a small cell, and a man lay awake in discomfort as he hunched against the stone wall. Loki went ahead to the bars of the gate, kneeling down and reaching a hand in to shake the person from their stupor, "Wake up doctor, I still need you." He said sarcastically.
Doctor Banner's eyes opened first in shock, and then a scowl, "God, don't tell me you're working with HYDRA now." He grumbled.
Loki scoffed, "They have Halios, so what do you think?" The man did not answer so he continued, "Do you know where she is?"
"I've been waiting for her to come back, but I lost track of time since they took her."
"Who took her?" Loki asked more abrasively.
"HYDRA's leader. At first I thought she had left me here, because she went to scope things out, but I knew she couldn't do that after she was so adamant on freeing me. I overheard men talking, about their new Asgardian prize, and my gut sank because I knew it was her they were talking about."
Loki tried to contain his emotions that were running sporadic, though he took from this bad news the hope that HYDRA yet would need her alive to produce more weapons, "I take it you are littered with chemicals still."
He hummed, "You can bet on that, otherwise I'd be drilling you into the floor again."
"At this point, I'd almost welcome it…almost." He stood up, using magic to pick the lock on the rusted cell door before stepping in to stand the man up on his feet that were clothed in worn canvas shoes, "Time to go Doctor." He said while balancing him against his shoulder.
"Loki!" He heard the captain calling his name, and he was before them in an instant. His blond hair was shaggy from running, but he was not out of breath like so many men would be and Loki bet those were some wonderful drugs in his system, "I found her!"
Loki blinked rapidly, "And you left her I see." He tried to contain the rage in his voice, but it was still a touch present.
"I need help…a doctor's help." He turned to Bruce and they both smiled from the reunion, "Banner, it's good to see you again."
"You were probably hoping for more green." He muttered back.
"Actually no, I need the man himself. Halios is…tied up, and I'm useless on what to do."
"Tied up?" Loki's question went unanswered.
"Take me to her." Banner said to them, "I need to help her after all she's done."
Steve nodded, going around to the other side to grab his shoulder as they dragged the Doctor down the hall. Loki felt like a dehydrated man about to have his thirst quenched after many longs years away from water. Halios was alive and that was the most important thing, though he couldn't stop the persistent thoughts of concern about what type of condition she was in. They had passed the point of the main room where Stark could be briefly heard battling on the other side of the door. His suit was still firing so they made no point in stopping.
"Stark's out there huh?" Bruce asked.
"Yeah, clearing our path while we searched for you guys." Steve said softly.
They were limping down the other corridor from carrying Banner, though he seemed more alert than when Loki had first spied his crumbled body down on the ground of the cell. Loki only grew with more power as he grew closer still to Halios, who was only a short distance away, "She's behind that door." Steve pointed as he let Loki bear the weight of Banner. He looked hesitant as he went up to the closed door, his hands twitching before him.
"Would you hurry up, we do not have a lot of time, and neither does Stark." Loki growled.
"It's just…I have to warn you, it's a bit of a shock. What you are going to see isn't pretty." Loki's heart stopped from the words, and a different type of pain struck at him as Rodgers turned open the door. It was as if none of the men could breathe when the cold air slapped their faces, and they were left with only the unpleasant view of what had become of Halios.
Wow, I truly am evil…feel free to hate me after this cliff-hanger. A tough chapter to write, and I really have no excuse for the slow update, but I hope this satisfies! Next chapter will pick up from here, in which we find out about Halios, so bear with me! Reviews yeah!
