Black-as-night-as-day: Welcome, and thank you for reading thus far! A great question, one I am surprised no one else has asked yet! I have had a theme song picked out for them for quite some time, and it is "The Greatest One" by The Neverending White Lights. A good listen, and I'd suggest it to anyone!
Mira SeverusSirius Black-Snape: Here's to hoping I am less evil! Hehe, I only watch the show with my sister and I make sure I have the remote so I can pause it when I want!
Starcrier: Yes, I love when I make quotable moments happen! A strong line indeed, I felt chills when I wrote it down! Hehe, sorry about the double cliff hanger, but this one ends on a stronger note that won't be key pounding!
Silver-Moon-Light94: Front Giant Loki FTW! Sorry about that cliff hanger, I promise this chapter ends way better than the last two! Damn HYDRA to Hell! I am working on Halios' progress, and these next few chapters will revolve around that so she and Loki have some time together (before things turn to shit…again!) Hehe, I know that it was pretty easy to predict what would happen from the end of last chapter, but damn me for making you all wait anyways!
Alice-Ann Wonderland: Oh gosh, haha, I swear I don't keep meaning to end chapters that way, and this one ends on a way better note than the last two, *swears to Loki*! Hehe, I probably am worrying people about "death of a main character" but I have no plans on that right now, so you can rest easy. I think you will like the next few chapter to come, they revolve more on Loki and Halios again!
JobanaBallack: Welcome back from your lapse in coma, and what a chapter we left off from! HYDRA and the Baron, they need to go down big time, and there are a few people who would agree with that! That was a terrible cliff hanger, I can admit that, and now you can finally click that next button to know the outcome!
Dunamess: Urgh, I hate myself for those cliff hangers, so I hope this chapter lets you rest easy!
LadyMelinda: Haha, I chuckled at your review. I swear if I do another cliff hanger, I will let Loki freeze me because I deserve it!
Guest: Oh yeah, I am a fan on Jotun Loki and he may appear in this story more than once yet!
Savysnape7: I really am putting LOLIOS through the wringer aren't I?! This chapter lightens up on that, if only a little bit!
Fat Old Sun: Straight up! HYDRA is filled with assholes, and they need to be frozen!
LookAliveSunshine03: It was a chilling chapter indeed, and this chapter may get chillier! Ahem, bad Jotun joke on my behalf. Glad you brought up "The Hate Inside Me" I can reflect on that one anytime. She really has done a 180 when it comes to character change, and she may just discover some old habits later on in this story yet, so stay tuned!
StepiLady: So, I think everyone hates me with those cliff hangers by now, and I really got to apologize for that again! Glad you caught back up, I swear I don't even update that often as I used to, but it's nice to hear that I am going quickly to not kill you all with the wait! Working Loki in to be an "Avenger" had been difficult, and I am glad it is working out good that they are a team. Of course he goes back for Stark, that's just priceless isn't it! Glad I am now the term "groovy" and I will try to live up to that!
Vampkestrel: Well thank you, and damn those cliff hangers always making you wait! I like to keep the hook in a story though, so they will return again!
AshwoodDraven88: Hehe, "oops I did it again" urgh I just quoted a Spears song, you have my permission to kill me! Hehe, a sexy blue man indeed, and he may appear more later on yet, so stay tuned!
ShizukaRen-Hime: Oh gosh, your review made me get all warm and fuzzy on the inside! I am really glad you were able to catch up and let me know how I did thus far! Keeping Loki in character, well it is never easy but I am proud of what I put out here, and am I glad to know you like Halios. The OC is the make it or break it and in this case, I think I've done well. Thank God my plot works, it is sometimes a bigger concern than character development because I don't want to have a story that goes nowhere. Hehe, I try to keep my description lighter and not diluted with heavy words that have the readers scratching their heads for the meanings. I am proud that I have made some strong lines and quotes along the way, just so my story will be remembered and re-read for viewers alike! I hope you like the rest of what's to come!
Korvescence: Knew you'd cave, and claps myself on the back for actually getting my butt in gear for this chapter! Hehe Rodgers needs things to go quick, he's just the hero like that and it reminded me of him from the movie too. You'll have to wait for Halios' reawakening, but that will come shortly so stay tuned! Cold Loki on the way!
DanAlaya: HAHAHA your review killed me! I think it's something readers might want to do if I put them through more Hell with a cliff hanger, so I will lighten up on them (for now muhaha)
Disclaimer: I own nothing but Halios.
Now normally Loki was a sharp thinker, always going over a plan in his head before acting. This wasn't the case though, and he found himself doing something odd and out of the ordinary, all for the sake of Halios' survival…and the others he supposed. His magical mask poured off of him like the unveiling of a painting, only he considered himself to be no masterpiece. Every eye in the room had now turned on him, astonished, amazed and even disgust was present. He cared not of their judgement, and the only person whose favor he wanted to keep happened to be unconscious; it was a good day for small miracles.
After the initial shock began to wear off, the hail of bullets started to fly and Loki was ready for them. Steve was quick to pull Halios back as he and Banner ducked away from the raging storm. Stark had been tied back by chains, something he made short work of with one of his lasers as he quickly stumbled to take the guards out. Loki made for Strucker, the man with the claw who fancied himself an invincible God. He would never make that same mistake again, Loki would make certain on that. His ice was making the room chilled until each person's breath was visible. A foggy mist was in the air, causing the skin to prickle and turn blue. Steve and Bruce were making good on escape, with Halios bobbing up and down in the Captains arms. Loki was relieved once they were far from his sight, and he continued to send wave after wave of ice shards at the HYDRA insurgents, until most of the men were on the ground with spokes of icicles sticking from their chests. The Baron was cornered, and he knew it, which made him a more dangerous opponent. Loki approached him, and he defended with his crimson claw. The sharp hooks attempted to dig in deep into his sapphire flesh, but the cold that Loki's Frost Giant form provided began to freeze the stone of the hand, and the fingers cracked away, falling to the ground in dust and rubble.
The man let out an anguished cry of fury, "Zou think zou have won?!" He cackled, "HYDRA; zou cut off one head, and two more shall take its place. Vee are an inevitable part of Earth's genetic make-up now, zou cannot stop our progress."
"Maybe they can't, but SHIELD has something to say in that matter." All three of the men turned their attention around to face the voice that had sounded from Agent Hill. She stood with a proud smirk, with a group of SHIELD agents at her back, "Take him." She ordered with a nod.
Her troops charged in, taking the rest of the HYDRA guards and Baron Strucker himself, who was at his knees in rage. With Stark's assistance, they removed what was left of his re-attachable claw (picking up the fingers in the process), carrying it out in a large case for safe keeping and weapons study no doubt. By now, Loki had allowed his pale façade to return, but he didn't feel any better in knowing SHIELD had now seen his dirty secret. His mint eyes returned to that of the Baron, who was now being dragged out, kicking and cursing in his harsh tongue.
"Sie haben nicht das letzte von mir gesehen! HYDRA werden aufstehen auf euch alle!" His vengeful eyes landed on Loki, and the God only smirked in victory, "Zou think zou are so smart, but don't zou see zhey used zou! Zou are no more valuable to zhem zhan I am, zhey will cast zou out!" He spat before he was ushered on again.
Stark sauntered up to Loki as they watched the man be dragged from the room. Tony seemed to find something amusing from the spectacle, because a short chuckle escaped him, "I've never seen a man without his arm make such a fuss; maybe it was too cruel removing it from him."
Loki said nothing for he was forced into another staring match with Hill, who was eyeing him in dumbfounded disbelief, "Stark?" She called. Her dark features settled back to Iron Man, and she accused him of a crime without saying any words.
Tony caught her range of view and turned to Loki for a moment before going back to her with a smile, "Don't worry, he's cool…literally."
"Oh, here it comes." Loki mumbled.
"What?" Stark jested, "You didn't think just because you helped me that I wasn't going to get into the cracks about you being blue?! I'm flattered you hold me in high esteem."
"So high that the fall would kill you."
"You already threw me out a window, and I lived from that didn't I?" He landed a metal paw onto Loki's shoulder, causing him to wince with familiarity. He'd nearly forgotten Thor in all this excitement, but the descending of the fight had him filling with morose thoughts again. Post-battle depression it would seem he suffered from, even though he was on the victor's side this time around.
"Stark, Fury wants to speak with you." Agent Hill said as she rested her hands on her taunt hips, looking one hundred percent badass.
"Great, I always save time for Nick; where is he?" His dark eyes shifted around the barren room, and eventually landed back on Hill.
"I expect he'll find you." She gave one last look to the pair before turning away, "Come on Agents, let's get this place cleaned up! We're on the clock!"
Both men stood befuddled as the sound of marching steps charged out of the room, "So…can we leave?" Stark asked aloud, "You know what, forget that, I'm leaving and they can't stop me. I just saved the world…again, so I'm free to do what I want."
"Don't you always?" Loki challenged, "A pretty underwhelming audience considering we just saved your world."
His lips twitched, "I suppose you can get some of the credit, but we aren't sharing any with Rodgers and Banner; they didn't help this time."
To himself, Loki thought about how wrong Stark was in that conclusion. Those two men had helped him more than he would be willing to give thanks for, and they were just two more people along with Thor, who would never reap the benefits of assisting him. He followed Stark out of the room, and through the winding corridors that were now swamped with SHIELD agents making scans of everything, while taking into custody any wandering HYDRA soldiers that let themselves be known. They seemed to him, much like meager thieves stealing away the leftovers after a disaster. Had they known about their fellow agents that were trapped here-lost like rats in a maze-he wondered if they would be acting so boldly.
A short man, clothed in the insignia of SHIELD came rushing up to the pair, though kept his eyes on Stark at all times, "Iron Man, Captain Rodgers is requesting your presence in the main hall."
"You mean they didn't even make it out yet?!" He exclaimed before sighing, "Lead the way shortstop." The Agent scowl at the name, but he ran ahead as Loki and Tony were made to follow, "So, about you being blue." He started in while Loki rolled his eyes.
"Yes, what about it?"
"It wasn't as bad as you might think. Take this from me; had you tried to rule Earth in that form, you may have succeeded."
Loki frowned with trepidation as he looked at Stark. The man was serious, and he confirmed it with a nod, "It is pointless advice, but I'll heed it anyways."
"Thought you might. The time will come when you'll have to explain it to…other people." Other people meaning Halios, he was just too polite to say so and dammit if it didn't make Loki uncomfortable. If a topic was too sensitive for Stark to even breach, than he wanted no business in being a part of it.
After sometime, when everything started to look familiar again, they reached the first hallway and went out through the door to the main hall where Rodgers and Banner where being examined by a medical team. Loki's eyes searched for Halios until finally landing on a make-shift tent where crews were working around on the inside. He wanted to see her, but didn't want to appear as weak in doing so, so he kept in his place.
"Glad to see you guys are doing well." Stark said with a wry grin as he was finally reacquainted with his teammates.
"We've looked better." Rodgers said forcibly before he turned his eyes to Loki, "You don't have to hang around with us; we kind of figured we are second best when it comes to her."
Loki bit the inside of his cheek to keep from saying anything. Bruce smiled somewhat more convincingly as he turned to Loki, "We do have to thank you though, for coming through and saving us…and going back for Stark at the last second too."
"Well, if I hadn't, who else would have?" He deadpanned.
Steve nudged his head in the direction of the tent again, "Go. She was mumbling earlier, and they took it as a good sign, but she may need you, just in case." The man sounded bitter about this state of affairs, but didn't go any further into it. Loki remembered their close relationship before her memory had been restored, and was still displeased to see the Captains affections burn so passionately.
"Should we maybe warn the med staff that he's with us?" asked Stark, clearly amused.
"No need to. They already know, the word has been spreading like wild fire that you were working with him." Bruce responded.
Their voices grew fainter as his heavy steps took him closer to Halios, who was now only a drawn curtain away. The term 'being there' came to mind, but he wasn't the best at comforting people close to him, not even ones such as Halios. The med team, though knowing his arrival would come, still were stunned as he entered, and some backed into the farthest corners dramatically as he walked forward, "I'd like just a moment's peace, if it is not too much to ask." He smiled disconcertingly, and they made haste in leaving him privacy.
He pulled a seat close to her, watching as her chest rose and fell in harmony at a steady pace. He made no move to grab her open palm, no matter how inviting it seemed. She was pale still, much similar to his complexion than he remembered, and it seemed that the light they had stolen was not retreating back into her glowing skin. Her hair still appeared dull and lank, though no doubt something that could be fixed from a bath. The substance around her eyes had been wiped away, but unconscious she remained and it was torment to him to not be able to see the egg shell blue of her eyes. He wondered about the scars on her chest, but to lower even an inch of that Serf's gown seemed indecent and he would wait for a later time to inspect her wounds.
It went on like this for a while; him watching her unconscious form, willing her to wake up again even though his efforts were in vain. After a time, he felt others present, and knew he was no longer alone with her wounded body, "The doctors say she might have trouble seeing for the first few hours when she reawakens. I bet it will be less time than that, seeing how she is what she it." Banner said as he stood at the opposite side of her.
"Can we take her from this place now?" He asked, meeting the doctor's scruffy face.
"Well, they've done all they can with an Asgardian, and she will likely heal the rest of the way herself, so I see no harm in taking her."
"We want to leave too." Stark said eagerly, "Hate to ask you for another favor since we are already way in your debt, but is there a way for you to get us out of here…quicker?"
Loki huffed, "In my debt, after all I've done? I'd say this makes us even."
"Really, and here I thought you would have liked to have one over us?!" mused Tony.
"Not today." He stood from his seat, as a feeling of unrest began to grow on him, "Would one of you kindly carry her as I prepare our way back to the hotel. We must not forget Agent Barton and his damsel after all."
"You'll get sucker punched from her if you say that." Tony told him as he went to heave up Halios' light form into his metal arms. It was a relief that Rodgers hadn't volunteered this time; it would be awhile before Loki would let him hold her again.
Bruce closed the flap of the small tent shut before Loki got down to work. The small cubicle sized space didn't leave him much room, especially with the gurney in the center, but he practiced over by the far corner wall to form a portal for them travel back to the hotel. Much to his chagrin, they were amazed by his talents when he looked for no such praise from their kind. A small ball suspended in mid-air showed the suite back at the posh hotel room that he and Stark had checked into, what seemed like days ago.
"We'll go in pairs than. Rodgers and the doctor can go first." He ordered. Steve seemed rather reluctant to be stepping through something as complicated as magic, but with encouragement from Bruce and a nudge from Stark, the pair went through without hassle.
"So, off we go then?" Stark said, while Halios lay silent in his arms, "I'd never repeat this, but I think she's lighter than Pepper."
"I think you may have just earned yourself a sucker punch Stark, if Ms. Potts were to find out." Loki rebuked.
"Smart Prick." He muttered back with an entitled smirk. He stepped through with Halios, and Loki followed at his heels before closing the portal after them. The poor SHIELD med staff would be running around aquiver to know that they had let the Avengers escape right under their noses with the patient. Loki didn't feel to guilty though.
The smell of polished wood wafted into Loki's nose, and he knew they had been brought back to the right place. He and Stark were standing side-by-side as they appeared in the sitting room, where Bruce and Steve were waiting, along with the rejuvenated agents. Barton had on a false smile as he approached Stark, "Hey Tony, looks who's here to see you." He nudged his head to the side and Stark let out a sound of annoyance as he threw his head back.
"Stark, I knew I'd find you here." Well Hell be damned if it wasn't Nick Fury himself, standing in the middle of the hotel room with his face looking increasingly more gloomy as his one good eye found Loki.
Hill was right, he found Tony after all! This chapter was a bit slower pace, but it moves things along to prepare for the next part in the story, and a little bit of down time isn't always a bad thing. Sorry Halios hasn't woken up yet, but you all will have to keep waiting for that. Thank you all for so many reviews again, I thought for a moment that it was because you all hated me for two cliff hangers, but you all still find the time to love this at the end of the day and that makes me happy! This isn't so bad a cliff hanger this time, because I didn't want to get killed! Reviews yeah!
