Chapter 10

"Hello my friend." I stood outside the door to the round glass cage that sat in the middle of the room.

"Friend? I have none." I lowered my head.

"Loki. I honestly did not know about your heritage until after you fell. And even if I had known then I still would have stood by your side." My voice dropped to a near inaudible whisper. "And I would have more than likely, fought by your side. You had a right to know long before you were told of it." He stood and walked over to stand in front of me.

"And what makes you think I would believe your words?" I moved close enough that no one else would hear.

"I was ready to give my life and fall with you. You are my closest friend. Years I have spent playing tricks with you and laughing whenever you played a trick upon me." A glimmer of the Loki I remembered appeared for a moment before vanishing.

"That was long ago." He turned away and I took a step back.

"Fine. But know this. If ever you need a friend I will be near. You Loki Laufeyson will never forget that." I turned away and walked past Hellfire, ignoring whatever comment she was trying to make and heading for the temporary room I was given. I walked through the door and slammed it shut before sitting in a small chair beside the little desk. I allowed small memories to be brought to the front of my mind.

A small snippet of conversation reached my ears as I walked through the hallways, a book in hand. It was a new book by a mortal author I had grown to like. It was titled Everything's Eventual. 14 Dark Tales. It was written by one known as Stephen King. I finished Autopsy Room Four and lowered the book, sitting on an archway ahead of me. An archway? I stood and looked around, now noticing that no one else was in the hallway. But there were people on the ceiling. No. Upon closer inspection I noticed they were on the floor and I was on the ceiling.

"Loki! Get me down from here!" Thor and Sif were passing by and I threw my book up. Once it reached halfway between the floor and ceiling it fell the right way and nearly hit Sif on the head. She looked up and began to laugh.

"Shade? How did you get up there?" I growled and jumped as best I could. Unfortunately I could not reach the point where the book had changed directions.

"I have but one work to answer your question. Loki." She shook her head and Thor looked at me.

"Jump once more. I will jump and try to grab your hands." I nodded and jumped as he did. He grabbed my wrists and was pulled up to join me.

"Well that did not work. Hang on. Jump and I shall push you forwards so that you can get back to the ground. From there I want you to throw me my book." He nodded and jumped. I put a hand under his foot and launched him forwards, propelling him far enough to reach the midway point and fall to the floor. He lifted the book and threw it up at me. I caught it and walked towards the dining room. It was nearing lunch time and everyone else would be there. I sat on the ceiling beside the spot above where the table was and opened the book. Soon the room was filled and I closed the book with a loud thunk! Everyone looked around before finally looking up.

"Hello. Would you mind letting me down Loki?" He laughed before finally waving his hand and causing me to fall. I opened my wings and glided down, landing most gracefully beside where Loki sat.

"How did you like your quiet place to read?" I laughed and he smiled a bit.

"It was actually quite nice my friend. Thank you." I sat and began to eat, occasionally getting odd looks from Volstagg, who had obviously wondered where I was while I was on the ceiling. I laughed a bit and continued to eat.

I opened my eyes and heard multiple sirens. I stood and ran as fast as I could to the room where Lokis cell was. Hellfire leapt between Coulson and a blast of light from Lokis staff.

"Loki! Stop this madness!" He turned to me and I stumbled back a bit. "Look! Finding out you are different is no reason to go out and enslave an entire realm! I was alone for centuries! I was different! A misfit! The last of my kind other than me killed by my own hand! Just as you did with your father!" He glared at me.

"At least now you have Thor as a friend!" I walked up to him.

"Don't you understand you fool! You are my closest friend! Thors not as good a friend as you were! You actually stood by my side and spoke to me while the venom coursed through my veins after Thor was banished! You helped me to survive! You were lost and I sent the lioness to help you!" His gaze softened for a slight moment and I seized the opportunity. "She was not able to divert you from the course I knew you were heading upon but still I tried."

He watched me for a moment longer before his gaze was steeled again and lost all traces of the friend I used to care about. The friend I had once thought I loved was gone. He turned away and I ran forwards, throwing myself towards him and pinning him to the ground. He threw me from the hole where the glass cage once was, making sure I hit my wing hard enough to at least bruise it to where I could not fly. I free fell towards the water below and barely felt a tear roll down my cheek before hitting the water and then struggling to get to the surface, my wings only becoming water-logged and dragging me farther into the blackened depths of the water.

Finally I realized how futile the struggle was and allowed myself to sink, hoping that I might float along by some kind of underwater cave. Before I passed out I saw a light and felt someone grabbing me and lifting me up and out of the water.

Hellfire

Instinct was what drove me. That was best I could figure. That was the only reason I leapt out in front of Coulson. But at least he was still alive. And at least it was only the upper portion of my right leg that was burnt and most likely going to leave a nice scar.

"Hellfire! Stay awake!" I opened my eyes and looked up at Coulson.

"Hey. Did you find out what that gun did?" He laughed and nodded.

"Yeah I did. Shortly after Loki threw Shade out and towards the water." I sat up.

"Is she alright?" He looked towards the opening.

"I can only hope. She hit her wing hard on the edge of the doorway." He lifted me up and I yelled as I moved my leg wrong. "Relax. I'll get some emergency aid."

He carefully lowered me back to the ground and ran as fast as he could towards the medical bay. I heard close footsteps and felt a had on my shoulder. "Hellfire? You still with me?"

"Yes sir Mr. Krabs." I barely opened my eyes.

"You know. This is probably the only time I welcome your names and jokes with open arms." I laughed and looked around.

"Where's my calendar? I need to mark the day you actually accepted my jokes for a short time." He shook his head and I laughed again, causing me to wince in pain.

"Hey. Take it easy. Coulson will be back soon." I nodded and leaned my head back. Soon I heard running and then the people stopping beside me. My head was lifted and I opened my eyes, looking up at Coulson and a few doctors. The faces were getting blurry and I was beginning to lose my grip on reality.

"My head's all fuzzy and wierd." He put one hand on each side of my face and looked me right in the eye.

"Relax. They'll give you a sedative and then they'll patch you up. All you need to do is try not to move." He looked up at one of the doctors. "Careful. The fire in her body will burn away the sedatives quickly."

"Fire? What fire?" He looked down at me.

"Why do you think we have to keep you in a cool environment? You have fire within your body. Hence your codename and ability to shift." I nodded slowly.

"That explains why I love Alaska and hate Miami." He laughed slightly.

"It's all because of the reactor incident. We're afraid that if your temperature gets out of control then your body may not be able to contain the fire anymore. It might not be able to survive the consuming energy of the fire." I winced and chewed a little bit on my lip.

"But if I hadn't been harmed by that reactor then I never would have gotten to meet you. My closest friend." He smiled and kept my head steady as they injected the sedatives. "Goodnight." I whispered as my world went black.

I woke up a few hours later in a cold room and sat up, seeing the faint outlines of Fury and Coulson in the dim light. "Lay back down. She'll be fine sir."

"I can see that. Keep an eye on her Coulson. Make sure she doesn't burst into flames again." My eyes widened and I stared at them.

"What?" Coulson leaned forwards and rested a hand on my cheek, his hand feeling like ice against my warm skin.

"You kind of caught fire when one of the doctors touched the wound. He nearly hit the ceiling when the flames cauterised and nearly fully mended the wound." I laughed and sat up.

"Is that why this room is like the arctic?" He nodded and helped me up.

"That and you said you liked Alaska better than Miami." I smiled and threw my legs over the side of the bed.

"That is true. But I feel much better now. Besides. You must be freezing in here." He shook his head.

"Not entirely. If it's comfortable for you I'm happy to remain here." I wrapped my arms around him and he pulled a bit closer to me. "But you are warm."

Laughing I pulled away slightly and kissed his cheek. He stood and pulled me to my feet. "I think it's a bit to cold for you though. Out. Come on." He laughed and left the room while I got a glass of water. I quickly drank it down and then left the room.

"What are you doing out here Hellfire?" I turned and saw Natasha, my hand outstretched and wrapped around her neck before she could blink.

"It was a bit chilly in there." She laughed a little bit.

"Even with your little fire play?" I rolled my eyes.

"As a warm human it is easy for me to get cold." A warm ripple rolled down my arm and I released her, holding out my palm where a small flame rolled around and then vanished.

"That's cool. And could prove to be useful." I rolled my eyes.

"Not yet. I have almost no control over it. It seems that it gets out of control when I'm in pain." She nodded.

"Well whatever it is Coulson doesn't seem to care. He never left your side the entire time you were being treated and then resting." I bit my lip a little then turned and walked off, walking until I reached the control room.

"Director Fury. Agent Hellfire reporting for duties." He turned and looked at me from across the room.

"Are you sure you're ready to be up and walking already?" I nodded and looked around.

"It looks like you need all the help you can get." He shook his head.

"No. We're actually faring quite well. But you can get Coulson and try to find Shade, Thor and Bruce." I nodded and left the room, heading towards Coulsons room.

I knocked and stood outside of his door until I heard rustling papers and someone nearly falling over. The door was flung open and Coulson stepped out.

"We need to find the Asgardians and Bruce. You going to come and help me?" He nodded and walked down the hallway.

"When we were attacked Thor sent Darcy into one of the storerooms. She'll come out soon so we don't need to worry about her. Shade was thrown out into a large body of water. I have no idea where. And Thor. Well I have no idea where to even begin looking." I nodded and we reached the landing bay.

"Are we taking the quinjet?" He nodded and I quickly grabbed a nearby pilot who had been checking the quin for damages. "We need you to help us find Shade, Thor and Bruce." He nodded and ran into the jet, Coulson and I following close behind.

"Okay. Now. Let's go and find these three."

Shade

I sat up and began to cough, starling a young boy beside me. "Mom! She's awake!" I heard approaching footfalls and rubbed my sore, dry eyes.

"Oh good. How are you feeling young lady?" I looked at her closely.

"I feel like I fell into the pits of Helheim. And I'm not a young lady. My name is Shade." She looked closely at me and laughed.

"My dear. You are younger than me. Of course you are young." I coughed again and the woman gave me a glass of water. She was blond, about mid forties. Her hair was long and tied back into a braid. Her son was short and had to be about ten years old, his hair cut short and colored a dark brown. I turned back to the woman. What harm could come from telling her who I really was?

"My friend I can assure you your guess shall come no where near my true age." She studied me and her son's eyes grew wide.

"You're a Valkyrie!" I turned to look at him and his mother laughed.

"Jason. Valkyries do not exist. And neither does Thor or Loki or even Sif." It was my turn to laugh.

"Actually I am a Valkyrie. Thor is one of my friends, Loki is currently trying to take over your realm and Sif is in Asgard, assisting with the repairs to the Bifrost." The woman simply sat there, staring at me.

"See momma. I told you they existed. Ever since I saw Thor in New Mexico I knew it was true. And you were there too!" He looked at me with wide eyes. I smiled.

"Yes. I was. But tell me. Have you seen the girl who was with me. The one with the light colored hair?" He thought for a moment and shook his head.

"No. I can't say that I have." I tried to move but felt a sharp pain flash through my wings.

"Agh!" I winced and curled up, growling for a moment before relaxing. "Please. Where am I?"

"You're in Michigan. My uncle saw you fall while he was out on his fishing boat. He saved you and turned back, coming here and hoping we could help you." Michigan? I needed to find my way to New York. To the Stark Tower.

"I must find a way to thank your uncle, Jason. My wings were so water-logged that I found it hard to move in any way." I sat up again and removed the blankets. "Now. I must be off. I have to get to Stark Tower in New York City."

"Well I'll pass the word to his uncle. And as for going to New York I think I may be able to help you there. The name's Anne by the way." She stood and left the room, Jason and I following. They led me outside and to a small tin building. Anne grabbed a large piece of cloth and pulled it off of a human vehicle called a motorcycle.

"That was my dads. Can you take care of it?" I nodded. "It's a Honda Shadow. A lot of power but if you can ride a horse without a saddle or reins than you can most likely control her." I dragged my fingers along the cool black metal and examined the patterns upon the sides of the gas tank. It appeared to be three hearts with wire wrapped around them.

"No one has been able to ride it since Jerald died. It's good to know that it can help someone once again." Anne threw me a key and I climbed onto the bike, starting it up with ease.

"Thank you Anne and Jason. I will make sure to return it as soon as I can." They both smiled and I prepared to leave. Stopping for a moment I bowed my head before taking off again. I would never forget their generosity. No matter how long I lived.