Avengers: Battleground

Chapter 10: Avengers Initiative

For nearly two years, since harry had his meeting with Nick fury, all Harry done was enter his warehouse and train himself to the point of exhaustion. Day after day, night after night he worked. Making his spells casting stronger, faster and making his repertoire more durable. Pushing his body and magic to the max at all times. He would cast every of offensive and defensive spell he knew until he couldn't cast them any longer. For two years, he got stronger.

Harry was working on several of his most potent magical shields when his phone suddenly rang. Harry paused as he let down his shields and walked over to his phone. Wiping off the sweat from his face. Harry picked it up and looked at the number.

"Agent Coulson." Harry greeted as he answered the call.

"This is urgent. We need you to come in ASAP." Agent Coulson responded quickly.

"Sounds urgent. What is happening?" Harry queried.

"I'll explain when you arrive. I'm just outside your apartment, get out fast and I'll take you to the base."

Harry said nothing as he hung up the phone and placed cooling charms on himself. He strode outside and got on his motorcycle. He quickly drove into the city towards his place. Careful not to rush forward as he didn't feel like dealing with cops. Harry must have arrived in record time, as he parks his motorcycle inside the garage.

Harry walks outside and sees Agent Coulson; looking every bit the professional that he was. However, Harry could also see he was nervous.

"Coulson." Harry said as he approaches the said agent.

"We need you to go over this, as soon as possible." Coulson said as he hands Harry a technological folder. "Everything that has happen is inside the packet. You're pick up has already been cleared at S.H.I.E.L.D. base in New York."

"This must be important. You guys have never called on me before." Harry said taking the briefcase.

"A situation has arisen. We need the Avengers." Coulson said in a strong tone of voice.

Harry sighs. "I thought the Avengers Initiative was scrap. Something about, it being a waste of time and resources."

"I don't have time to debate over the Avengers Initiative. I'm on my way to pick up Stark."

This caused Harry to sigh even harder. "You sure Stark is a wise move? He's not exactly a reliable asset to have."

Even though Harry was one of Stark Industries primary investors, he still didn't trust Stark. He was reckless and impulsive and very much like a younger Harry.

"You'll understand more inside the package. I have to go." Coulson said as he climbed into his black SUV and drove off with Stark Tower standing against the skyline in the distance.

Harry gives another sigh as he turns to climb inside into his apartment complex to look at the documents S.H.I.E.L.D. had given him. The moment he was inside, he raises the screen on the briefcase and looks at the video footage of the several heroes they've gathered.

The first was Captain America. Who S.H.I.E.L.D. found on ice and he woke up some eight months later, before they slowly help him adjust back into society. He fought numerous battles and was the Howling Commando's leader. He knew strategy and war better than almost anyone else and with an instinctive insight for battles he was a dream soldier. Captain America, it seemed, was also being called in. Harry was sure he would be greatly needed in the coming battles.

Harry went back to the primary reason why S.H.I.E.L.D. was calling in their all their assets.

A short video of Loki appeared. Along with the image of the Tesseract.

After going over the notes and reports; it seemed that Loki had emerged from a portal before killing several S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents. He then brainwashed a Doctor Erik Selvig and Agent Barton along with a couple of other agents with a scepter that he brought with him through the portal. He then destroyed the facility killing nearly eighty people in the process.

After that, he disappeared. The GSP tracker in the vehicle he took was disabled. So S.H.I.E.L.D. couldn't find or track them in any way. This made things hard to move as S.H.I.E.L.D. was usually one step ahead of their adversaries. This time however, they were flying blind. As Agent Barton, while under Loki's control, was proving to be able to elude being spotted from S.H.I.E.L.D. network.

The other factor was the Tesseract. An object, that seem to produce an unlimited energy and power.

Harry half wondered if it had anything to do with magic. It almost looked magical in his eyes. He could even see it being magical created by a wizard or witch of some kind. Information on the Tesseract itself was limited. As it looked like S.H.I.E.L.D. was playing it close to their chest. They clearly didn't want any unnecessary information leaked out about it. It almost seemed like they planning something big with the Tesseract. Harry scans the information on it, but it wasn't listed.

Harry then goes back to some footage of Captain America against Hydra. Harry went over the video to see the jet of blue lights emitted from the Hydra weapons as they clash against Captain America's Shield. Harry looks at the shield information and sees it was made from Vibranium. A rare material that was three times lighter than the steel, however it was far stronger. It seemed to be completely vibration absorbent. It was also nearly indestructible. Harry half wondered how well it would far against his magic. If it was stronger than Iron Monger's suit, then he could have trouble.

Going over the footage once again Harry saw that Captain America's shield seem to repel kinetic energy. Harry wasn't stupid and from a muggle point of view, magic was a form of kinetic energy that could be manipulated. So he was sure he could, in a sense, manipulate kinetic energy. In his world, they didn't really see it as manipulating kinetic energy. They saw magic, as magic. So in a sense, he was right on both accounts. This meant there was a high chance that Captain America's vibranium shield could repel his magic. It would be an interesting test.

Harry brings his hand up to his chin and wipes it as he was thinking hard. He would have to go over his spells to see what would work against the strongest metal on Earth. He was sure magical chains would work.

Harry paused as he realized he was at a stump with this problem. Ever since the fight with Iron Monger, he has been trying to figure out what would work against metal. Most of his offensives spells only work again against living creatures. Not against metal. This is what cause him to really stop and think.

He was sure back in medieval days, spells work against armored knights. He would have to look into spells that work against metal opponents. This would require lots of study and practice. Also, to know how to use magic effectively against metal. He also needed to know how to fight against metal men. He was sure sometime down the road, due to the rational behavior of Tony Stark, he would be force to fight him. He would need to know how to fight him in the long run.

Harry set the packet down and immediately puts his hands together, forming a triangle. The space slowly widened up and several stands with books appeared. They were mostly brown, or blue. Worn out and battered. However, Harry reaches for the middle one; a large black book that was massive in size compared to the others. He immediately looked through it and took note that he wouldn't finish it. Instead he goes through the table of contents to look at spells that would be useful. Harry finally found one after flipping a couple of pages of the contents he finds it.

'Among all the spells and powers that exist, few are more powerful or terrifying than the power of lightning. Raw Lightning spells are made up of the pure raw magic of the individual loosely collected and shifted into electricity. The more powerful the individual, the more powerful the lightning. It's also one of the most destructive spells in existence. Capable of destroying metal by, if the spell is used by someone powerful enough, heating it to the point that it become a gas. A simple flicker of lightning is enough to destroy a magical core in a weak witch or wizard. Users be warned, when releasing lightning it will burn out your magic far faster than the spell of casting controlled lightning ever could do, the controlled variant is less power consuming but far less destructive. Unlike most spells, release pure lightning from raw power tends to be last minute gambles. In some cases, a witch or wizard can die from the power surge or from magical drainage.'

Harry looks over the contents on how to use lightning. He could tell it would be great to use. However, he would have to use it with great caution. As he didn't have any desire to die from magical drainage. He was also sure that the spell when untested in battle, would be disastrous for him. As it could easily backfire in his face.

Harry was about to close the book when the page flipped over and Harry paused to look at it.

'Force: among all the types of magic that exists of destructive power, Force is the most powerful of all. Capable of tearing through powerful magical defensives and solid structures, as well as capable of destroying the human body by rending the very Molecules that we are made of apart. Only used through pure raw magical power released from the user and controlled by their will. Very few magical defensives can stop Force from impacting the opponent as the magic will seep around and shields not covering the opponent completely. Force is also known as Telekinesis.

Harry scans through it, reading the theory behind it. It appeared to be devastating against any opponent as it requires the pure force of magical power to be used. He could finally see why it was called Force.

Harry quickly grabs the book and the S.H.I.E.L.D. briefcase/laptop before he disapperates back inside his warehouse.

Harry looks at the dummy and brings his hands up.

He releases Raw Lightning from his fingertips unto the dummy. The dummy was hit and ripped apart by the energy coursing through it. His self-repair spell was taking effect to repair the damage he did but it would nonetheless be a while before it was done. He looks at his hand and notice the gloves he was wearing's tips had holes in them with signs that it had been burnt off.

Release magic like that straight from his magical core seem to be dangerous to his clothes. As they tend to be release from his fingers directly. This meant he would have to invest in finger-less gloves.

Harry brings his hands up and focus on putting his magical together into the Force. He releases it and watch it fly towards his spare dummy before it made impact. It literally exploded with heavy force that the front part was destroyed, revealing a large hole in the dummy's torso. Again, his self-repair spell was taking effect and repairing the dummies shredded body.

Harry paused as he takes these two types of magical into consideration. It seemed that the lightning form could melt and smolder anything it touch that was non-organic. Harry didn't even want to think about what would happen if it touches anything living. He was sure the damage would have been irreversible. On the other hand, Force seem to me magical pressure that could devastate like an explosion upon impact. This made him paused to think about when he should use these forms of magic. Especially against living opponents. He would have to explore deeper into these magics and see if he could get creative with them. Until then, he would need to practice on control. Make sure the damage he did, was the damage he wanted to do.

Harry paused as he stood up breathing heavily. It didn't look like he was going to meet S.H.I.E.L.D. anytime soon. He would need time to regain control of his powers. He didn't want to cause any unnecessary damage to anyone. He would need to run combat simulations to prevent any damage to civilians in the chance they are near him when he used the spells.

Harry also knew, it would be only a matter of time before S.H.I.E.L.D. figured out what he was. Thankfully, he already had a plan in place for when S.H.I.E.L.D. confronted him about his gifts. He was thankful to the internet, it had stored so much information and he now had a story in place when the time for a confrontation happens. He was also thankful he studied the real history of the witch hunts in his own world. He would be able to add that to his story. It would explain why he wanted to stay hidden for so long. Really give S.H.I.E.L.D. and Nick Fury something to think about.

"I hate politics." Harry mutters as he knew how greedy they were. He was sure that they only cared about their public image. Most of them, would never do the right thing unless their hands were force.

Harry sighed and decided to focus on the task at hand, which was of course, controlling his new powers. He had a long night ahead of him.

A few hours later after a heavy training session and a quick visit to the closest mall Harry was putting on his black magical robes and his new fingertip-less gloves. He knew he was going to have a fight. Loki by his estimate, was far stronger than perhaps anyone on the planet. He wasn't sure how strong he was physically though. Only that his durability proved to be far greater than even the strongest average human. Especially those who weren't enhanced like Captain America. Harry wasn't even sure if Captain America would be able to fight Loki one on one. According to the legends, Loki was every bit of a god to the world. Harry wasn't sure just how true the myth and legends really were. He also wasn't sure how he would be able to fight an Asgardian.

Harry heads outside and immediately goes to the location Coulson had given him. He had the briefcase/laptop or whatever it was in his hands as he walked.

Nothing really happen, as he walked nearly an hour before he reached the S.H.I.E.L.D. compound. He placed the device up for the S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent at the gate to see to let them know he was their 'guest' or 'VIP'. Whatever the case was, the S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents let him through before putting him on a strange looking plane they dub as the 'Quinjet'.

Harry sat down and looked over the notes again. Looking at the footage he had on each individual.

Captain America was slowly transitioning back into modern society after being under the ice for nearly seventy years. His combat skills and leadership abilities would be greatly needed. As well as the vibranium shield. Though Harry had to admit, how he would be able to adapt to this new world. As well as if he could get along with the team. Though Harry was sure, being the captain and leader of the Howling Commando's, he would fit in fine.

Doctor Bruce Banner. This caused Harry's brain to spin. After Fury's warning about the Hulk, he wasn't too sure on why he was bringing him in. Even if the Tesseract could admit Gamma Radiation, he didn't know why he was risking bringing the Hulk on board the Helicarrier.

Harry paused for a moment and wondered why it was even called a Helicarrier. It looked like a normal size carrier of immense size. Unless it had a special feature that other carries didn't have. Harry would have to look into it later. He entertained the thought that perhaps it could fly before rejecting it as that would be ridiculous.

Going back to Banner, Harry wonder if he could speak to the man. Figure out more about the Hulk and see if he was a bad guy as others believed him to be, or simply misunderstood. Harry was sure he would find out once he met with Banner.

Then there were the two S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents. Natasha Romanova aka the Black Widow and Clint Barton, Hawkeye.

Agent Romanoff it seemed was called in because she had a working relationship with Agent Barton who was place under mind control by Loki. Harry paused and wonder if it was anything like the imperious curse. Harry remembers all too well what it was like to be under that curse. If so, then he could perhaps remove the spell and restore Barton to his own self. First, he had to find Barton.

Then there was Tony Stark. He had so many titles and names that Harry didn't know what to do with the man. The Iron Man, would no doubt be an asset to have. However, Tony's irrational behavior was a problem. Harry knew, Tony had a hard time working with others and preferred operating solo. Tony also had trouble keeping most of his investors in line. He may have a keen eyesight for business, but his business etiquette could use some work, though Harry couldn't deny his ability to pick up woman and sleep with them on a regular basis. However, he wasn't so keen on having Iron Man on his team as he was sure it would be problematic down the road.

Harry looked at the footage and was more interested in the Tesseract. An object of immense power was something he was interested in wondering why S.H.I.E.L.D. had it in the first place. Just looking over the history, he could tell Hydra used the Tesseract as a game changer in World War II. Harry wondered in S.H.I.E.L.D. was after the same thing. Getting game changing weapons in their favor.

Harry sighs as he stands up. The Quinjet had just landed on the Helicarrier and to Harry's amazement, it was indeed flying. Harry was baffled to say the least. However, he didn't have time to be amazed and goggle the flying Helicarrier.

He walks inside as the S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents lead him inside towards the bridge. Harry walk behind the S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents and took note of how technologically advanced everything was. He would love to have time to examine every detail.

Harry walks in the bridge to see Agent Romanoff, Bruce Banner, Captain Steve Rogers and another guy dressed in a strange armor standing around a table; looking at live footage video of Loki inside his cell. The video ended and went blank soon after.

"He's really got a way with people doesn't he." Banner said.

"Loki is going to drag this out. So, Thor… what's his play?" Captain Rogers asks.

"He has an army called the Chitauri. They're not of Asgard or any realm we know of. He means to lead them against the Earth. In return, I suspect, for the Tesseract." The one known as Thor said. The big guy was tall for any normal size person.

"An army… from outer space." Captain Rogers said.

"So, he's building another portal. That's what he needs Eric Selvig for."

"Selvig?" Thor said in confusion.

"He's an astrophysicist." Banner stated.

"He's a friend." Thor said in a worried tone of voice.

"Loki has him under some kind of spell. Along with one of ours." Romanoff said.

"I want to know why Loki let us take him. He's not leading an army from here." Roger's stated.

"I don't think we should be focusing on Loki. That guy is a bag full of cats. You could smell crazy on him." Banner said.

"Have care how you speak. Loki may be of reason, but he is of Asgard. And he's my brother." Thor said in a raise voice that told them he was issuing a threat.

"He killed eighty people in two days." Romanoff snaps back.

"He's adoptive." Thor states weakly.

"Loki is playing mind games with us. The same way I played mind games with S.H.I.E.L.D." Harry said as he finally made his presence known. The others turn to look at him. "This means Loki won't show us his hand until he is ready to show it. If we got him lock up here, that means he has a plan to escape. Loki is putting doubt in our mind before he reveals his hand. When he makes his play, this team needs to be ready." Harry finished as he stands there aware everyone had turn to look at him. He was more than aware he was dress oddly in their eyes. Wearing robes instead of regular clothing.

"I heard you were coming. I thought you didn't want to show when you didn't show up yesterday." Banner said.

"What do you mean mind games?" Captain Rogers asks.

"It's about timing. He got himself capture to buy himself time, along with that I have no doubt the lie-smith himself would be able to sow some measure of discord with a few comments. That means something happened during his capture that he didn't want us to find out about. This means, Doctor Selvig likely acquired something to help Loki's cause. That also means the timetable has moved. Perhaps faster than any of us could have predicted." Harry paused as he closes his eyes. He was never into divination but he could see a battle raging on. It was still blurry, as he couldn't get a fixated on the location. "We may be too late." Harry again closes his eye as he goes over the information he had. "I think I know Loki's play." Harry suddenly said after spending close to a full minute thinking.

"What is it?" Everyone said almost in unison.

"I think he's going to find some way to disorganize us. To divide then conquer as it were. He means to have us fight each other before we fight him. Once we do that, we'll be easy pickings for him to tear apart." Harry said.

"Are you certain of this." Agent Hill asks.

"It what I would do." Harry said. "We're disoriented. Disorganized. We're not even a team yet so it wouldn't be all that difficult even for one of my admittedly limited experience never mind the god of lies himself. We were put together out of desperation not of our own choice. Loki will use that to his advantage."

'It's what Voldemort attempted to do as well.' Harry thought to himself.

Having seen the same play used at the Battle of Hogwarts, Harry wasn't so surprise by Loki's play, he was no doubt underestimating them.

"That's not reassuring." Banner said.

"But it's good to know." Roger replies.

"Do we know what was stolen during the time Loki was capture." Harry asks.

"Iridium. It stabilizes the quantum tunneling effect but allowing us to break the coulomb barrier at a lower temperature. My guess is, he's using it as a stabilizing agent to open the portal." Banner said.

"If we can get an idea where Loki is going to attack, then we can counter attack his army properly." Harry said.

Stark entered the bridge with Agent Coulson before adding his two cents along with a few snarky comments. Harry ignores him as he looked at Nick Fury who arrived on the scene.

"Hello Director, how was your chat with Loki." Harry queried in amusement.

"Reminds me of talking to you." Nick Fury ground out to Harry.

"Only I was reasonable. Loki is messing with you. Only he's doing it differently than the way I did it. We know his endgame, we know what he's going to do. The only thing we don't know… is how he's going to do it. It's what going to keep us up at night." Harry said slowly. "I think it wise to keep an arm guard detail around Loki's cell. Keep your sensors all around that cell to detect the slightest movement. We need to know what's he doing to know how he plans on escaping."

"I'll get on it. Of course, we don't want to tip him off that we're on to his plan." Nick Fury said.

Harry looks around and sees Stark and Banner already left.

"Do you have somewhere where I can sleep and work?" Harry asks.

"Agent Romanoff, could you please show Mister Potter to his room."

"Better not be a prison." Harry mutters as he follows the red head.

"Don't worry, we reserve you the best room possible." Romanoff said in a husky tone. "And the company is excellent."

"Still trying to seduce me." Harry sighed as he looked at her.

Romanoff stops and turns to look at him. She gives him a calculating look at she studies him.

"You got a problem with me?" She asks.

"I've had enough of red heads trying to seduce me." Harry said in honestly. It was true. All the times Ginny would attempt to seduce him into being her boy toy. Even Mrs. Weasley attempt to shelter him like he was five years old. He simply had enough. He didn't want to be reminded of Ginny Weasley ever again. He was sure however, Agent Romanoff wasn't used to being turned down. She was, after all, very beautiful and gorgeous. Far more so than Ginny could ever have hoped to be.

"I'm not here to bat my eyelashes at you." Romanoff scoffed.

"Perhaps, however that doesn't mean you won't do it anyway. Trust me, when I say this, you're going to be disappointed in trying. Not even Agent Thirteen was successful." Harry said with a smug grin on his face

Romanoff looked a bit uncomfortable.

"Yes, I know who she is." Harry said before he leaned down to whisper in her ear. "She also told me a great deal about you. Of the people you kill. How you seduce them until they would leap into fire at your slightest urging. I'm not falling for that." Harry said as he brushes her hair from her face. The color literally drains from her face at my words, most wouldn't notice the change. I, however, used a combination of Legilimency and my normal senses to perceive the world. I never read ones thoughts unless necessary but it let me get a vague sense of people emotions and intentions. She looked very uncomfortable to my senses. She slowly lowered her right hand to her Glock 26. She looks like she wanted to use it.

Harry smirked as he observed her nervousness.

"Try it. You'll be dead before you can touch the metal never mind pull the trigger." Harry said in amusement.

"Calm down. She's not going to do anything." Hill tried to placate me. Harry stared into Romanoff green eyes and could see through the reflection on her pupils, Hill was trying to gesture her to remove her hand from the gun. Romanoff did so. Still looking uncomfortable.

"You don't trust me." She said in a slow voice.

"Would you trust someone like you?" Harry asks.

Romanoff looks at him carefully.

"No, I wouldn't." She finally said.

"Good," Harry said as he walked forward. "Don't give me a reason to kill you then." Harry said without looking back at her.

Romanoff looks at Fury and Hill as they watch the whole thing unravel. The moment he was out of earshot they turn to each other with raised eyebrows.

"Who is he?" Thor asks.

"He, is a big mystery. For two years, he gave S.H.I.E.L.D. a major headache. We know little about him." Fury said.

"Why would you bring him in?" Captain Rogers asks.

"Because he is highly skilled and talented. He broke into the Helicarrier and escape before we even caught on to he was here." Fury said. "He the kind of threat we want on our side. Truth is, I'm not even sure if I can trust him."

"I don't follow. Why is he so dangerous?" Captain Rogers asks.

"Because we have nothing on him. He only gave us his name and we're not even sure if it's his real one. He just popped up on our radar four years ago, and our agents, some of the best trained men and women in the world have trouble keeping tabs on this guy. We need to know more about this guy." Fury said.

"He knows about Agent Thirteen. He said… she told him… a great amount of information." Romanoff said slowly.

"That can't be right." Hill said.

"We had their entire conversation bugged. She spoke of nothing of S.H.I.E.L.D. as she kept to her alias and her the job we gave her as a cover. Even set up a fake profile of Agent Thirteen. It was never visited or sought out. He claims not to be interested in her. If he did get information out of her, we don't have it on record." Coulson said.

"Unless…" Fury said slowly.

"Unless what?" Hill said turning to her superior.

Everyone looked at Fury as he had a very hard look on his face.

"Unless he can read minds." Nick Fury said.

Everyone looks at Fury as they first thought he was nuts. Then they slowly took this into consideration.

"Sir, if that is true, then…" Hill began in a worried tone of voice.

"I know. Coulson, speak to him in one of our interrogation rooms. Monitor the room as we question him." Fury orders as he walked towards the exit.

"What are you hoping to catch sir?" Coulson asks.

"To see if we can find an anomaly in his mind reading abilities." Fury replies.

"Will he agree to that? After he agreed to help us." Hill said.

"Why wouldn't he if he has nothing to hide?" Fury stated.

Author Notes: This chapter has been beta by TL14.

Also to clarify, Force and Lightning are from the game series of Fable 2 and 3. I'll be mixing some elements from other series in magic into the story. Harry may be godlike, but he hasn't reached that level. Not yet. He's transcending.

On another note, I've gotten many reviews for Harry to be a lone sorcerer. However, the Poll has been a tight deadlock. It's 176 for Lone Sorcerer, against 168 for magical world return! So I may bring in elements of the magical world into the story. I'll keep the poll open for a couple more weeks before making a decision.