Chapter 10- An Expert Opinion.

The muscular, blonde-haired giant landed in front of the agents with a large thud. His metallic hammer pounded into the ground with a spark of lightning, creating a crater in the cement. He looked down at the hole sheepishly, then side-stepped away from it as if he hadn't just created it.

And then, Thor turned to Natasha, Fury, and Bruce and broke into an exuberant grin. Within one giant step, he was upon Natasha and gripped her tightly in an embrace, lifting her feet off of the ground. "Thor, Thor- You're. Crushing-" Natasha choked out.

"Looks like the expert help has arrived," Fury whispered to Bruce.

Thor had already placed Natasha, who was gasping for air, back down on her feet. He was crossing the room to do the same to Fury, when the director held up his hand. "That's quite alright, Thor. I'm perfectly happy down here on the floor."

The Norse god gave an energetic nod.

"I'm glad to see you. But I have to ask- why are you here? I thought you were securing Loki on Asgard?" Fury continued.

At this, Thor grew serious. "Unfortunately, I have come not on festive terms. My brother, Loki, has escaped from Asgard. I thought it best to inform you promptly."

Natasha's eyes grew wide with fear. She had been hoping Loki had just been a figment of her imagination somehow, but he truly was back.

Thor turned towards the immobile Clint and bowed his head deeply in respect and sorrow. "I anticipated this." The god sighed. Quietly, he muttered to himself, "Brother, what have you done?"

"Do you- do you know what is wrong with him?" Natasha pleaded with Thor.

"I fear Loki has created a cerebral form exchange inside Clint's mind."

"What the hell is a cerebral form exchange?" Fury spoke up, perplexed.

"Loki has reawakened the mental connection in Clint. Then, by conjuring an apparation of himself, he visited Clint- all while maintaining his place in the Asgardian chamber. Any physical contact with Clint, and then he would be able to switch his form's position."

"Kind of like Freaky Friday?" Tony Stark's amused smirk could be seen tucked behind the doorway. He had just arrived to help detain the intruder, but upon seeing the fellow Avenger, he had stopped to listen in.

Thor's brow furrowed. "I do not understand that reference."

Fury shot an irritated glare at Tony again. "No, Stark. It's not. Because if it was, why wouldn't Clint be able to wake up?" The question was directed more at Thor, who cleared the thoughts forming of how an abnormal day of the week could apply to the situation at hand.

"What Loki has done is very dangerous. It requires a steady flow of energy, pulsing between his two forms- and this flow needs a vessel." Thor's expression molded into one of concern, but it became unclear if the concern was for Clint or Loki.

Suddenly it clicked for Natasha. "You're saying that bastard is using Clint's mind as a portal? That's why Clint isn't waking up?" Natasha attacked spitefully.

"Though I would not speak so ill of my brother, yes."

"How can you not speak ill of your brother? He is a murderer, he's used Clint again, and he is plotting to dominate the world. Last time I checked, that wasn't something you received a damn trophy for! How could you let him do this again, Thor?" Natasha continued, lashing out angrily at the sputtering Norse god.

"This was beyond my control, Natasha. I did not wish this upon Clint," Thor defended.

Natasha shook her head, still fuming. But fighting with Thor was not going to help Clint. "So, how do we reverse this and stop Loki?"

"You are not going to favor the option, Natasha."

"You are not going to favor the option, Natasha."

Thor's words echoed inside Clint's mind. He could hear everything that was taking place in his room. Something about the strained nature of the words made Clint think he wasn't going to like this either.