Chapter 14

The streets of New York were a chaotic whirl of panic stricken people attempting to run from the confrontation currently taking place. Vitalini pulled herself in as close as she could kneeling beside the tall brick and metal buildings of the city as civilians continued to run in panicked mass. Not daring to wander far from the where she felt safe on the outskirts of the current madness she tried in vain to see what was taking place between Loki and those she recognized as the Avengers thanks to Thor's presence amongst them.

Never had she felt more torn. Now that Thor had finally found them she wanted to return to Asgard where it was safe; she wanted them to stop Loki from hurting these innocent people. Yet, Vitalini could still not turn away from Loki; she could not bear for him to stand alone even if it meant standing against Thor and the Avengers. She was not a fool, Thor and his friends with their power and the reverence many of them received for their work would never convince Loki to stand down. They possessed everything that Loki had always looked for from Odin and the people of Asgard that he had never felt he truly received. Jealousy and stubborn pride driven by hate would do Thor and his friends no good now, the time for that had long since passed back on Asgard and long before Loki and fallen through the void of the broken bridge.

Even so, Vitalini still held out hope for her own abilities in returning some sense of peace to the murky depths of Loki's heart. She had not been completely blind to the strides Loki had made recently. Their very presence on the street that day was proof of that. It had not escaped her that he was actually trying to make her happy. That did not speak of a man who was so completely lost that he was beyond redemption.

And if she succeed? What would become of her? Would she end up right where she had been- watching from the shadows as a servant to be forgotten? Vitalini shook away the thought that had begun to haunt her mind joining the million other thoughts and worries that were already flooding her mind at nearly every sleeping and waking moment. There was no time for such silly things. All that mattered was Loki, she would be happy with that. She had to make herself be fine with that when and if that time came.

Vitalini shook away the disconcerting thoughts. With the streets where she stood in chaos there were other things to be thinking of. It was still nearly impossible to see completely through the frantic crowd of civilians allowing her to only catch sight of Loki and Earth's heroes' surrounding him at different times even as she bobbed around trying to avoid them. With all the screaming people around her it was even more impossible to hear what was being said as what she managed to catch sight of made them seem as little more than voiceless puppets. The whole time the arrogant knowing mischievous smirk never left Loki's lips even as he was completely out-numbered.

Trust Loki to be over confident... and he had the audacity to accuse Thor of the same quality not all that long ago.

Snorting to herself Vitalini ignored the comments that came to mind at the sight of that all knowing smirk. Little by little the frantic screams and running of the civilians of the street began to die away as it cleared of almost all human life leaving behind only a few stragglers, herself, Loki and the Avengers. With the street much clearer it was much easier to see all that was taking place and even allowing her hear what was being said amongst the group while remaining the safe distance she suspected Loki would want her to keep away from the notice of Thor and his friends.

"Enough Loki," Thor spoke up stepping forward from the group.

"What exactly have I done brother?" Loki asked arrogantly smirking as if he were innocent.

"Leave Earth in peace," Thor replied adamantly his golden heart still holding out hope that Loki would one day make the right decision. "These people have yet to heal from your last waged war."

"A war you lost by the way," Tony Stark spoke smugly up his helmet sliding away to reveal the handsome face beneath. "Just thought I'd point that out."

"Perhaps but things have changed," Loki shot back calmly unperturbed by the Iron Man's smug jab at Loki's failed attempts at power.

"Vengeful and crazy," Tony observed cheekily with a gesture of his hands at Loki's person as if to point out exactly who he was talking about. "You're still pretty much the same."

"Man of Iron stay out of this. This is between us- always has been," Thor stepped in between the war of words taking place between the two his gaze of unwavering determination zeroed in on Loki.

"Don't flatter yourself brother," Loki sneered emphasizing the word brother with clear disdain.

"Come quietly, we don't have to do this. Thanos does not control you," Thor continued to beg risking another step closer.

"You want us to stay out of it?" Stark asked mockingly. "Yeah- no. This time we take care of the problem. Last time, if you remember Hammer Boy he escaped! Now we're right back where we started!" he pointed out almost viciously his usual arrogant calm cracking ever so slightly.

"This time is different," Thor defended his anger slipping along with his patience.

"That's enough!" Steve Rogers their Captain finally spoke up breaking the quickly escalating battle between their own team.

Loki stood idly by watching with arched brows as the group fought amongst themselves. A moment later he let out a loud burst of laughter at the pathetic sight before him.

"Look at you- Earth's mightiest heroes and you still fight amongst yourselves. Is that all you have to offer in challenge?" Loki sneered the grin never wavering from his lips while his emerald eyes gleamed with barely concealed glee. "You have put them in danger," he added pointedly grinning madly as he motioned to the barren streets that had only so far been mildly damaged by their presence. "Which by the way your interruption is not appreciated. It's far too early for my plan. And it started as such a pleasant day," Loki went on with a dramatic sigh his eyes moving unseen beyond the line of heroes circling him to check on Vitalini.

Thor had obviously not taken notice of her presence yet nor had anyone else seemed to have noticed her sole presence there while all others had disappeared into buildings or ran away. For a moment there had been a part of Loki that had expected her to run if given the chance- that she had simply been waiting for a moment to escape. Yet, there she remained, cowering against a brick wall her blue eyes watching keenly for any danger.

Loki smirked to himself seeing as plain as day light on her all too reflective face her battle with herself over whether to keep a safe distance or approach. Still, she did not call out for help or run to Thor. Instead she seemed rather preoccupied- worried even- over him. She barely spared Thor and his friends a passing glance in comparison. Once more and perhaps much more than he had ever felt before Loki felt a jolt of intense satisfaction that Vitalini looked to him, her deep aqua eyes watching only him even over Thor's presence.

"Last time I checked you came to me- you are here to attack me- I have yet to do anything," Loki went on feeling as if he were pointing out the obvious, which he was. There was also a deep twinge of annoyance coating his silver tongue at their as of yet unwanted interference.

It truly had started off as such a pleasant day. For the first time in so long that Loki could not even remember the last time he had felt at peace. Vitalini had given him a moment of calm where he had been able to bask in her constant acceptance of him. It truly was addicting, the feeling one could have when another had eyes only for them, when they wanted to make you happy. That was all Vitalini did. Vitalini smiled and laughed and talked with him with such ease, more than anyone ever had before other than Thor and his adopted parents. All the while knowing exactly what he was- what he planned and still she remained and did all those things.

There was a time Loki had felt that with his adopted family but now all that seemed tainted- all but for Vitalini. She was like the beacon of hope in his cold dark world. He would perhaps never be able to explain this strange big complicated feeling that struck him at the sight of her or the confusion she elicited in his mind but he wanted her with him. Loki knew that soon all that he wanted from her, all that he- loved?- No!- Treasured- all that he treasured in her would soon fade as everything else had.

Soon he would lose even her respect and she would turn from him as they all had no matter how often she told him otherwise. Loki knew better than to think differently. Vitalini was too much a creature of the light. It would be impossible for her to stand so willingly and supporting of the man who planned to bring the entire earth under his command by bloodying his hands with the blood and lives of the innocent people of Earth. Her gentle heart would never be able to bare such horrible darkness. Nor should she have to.

All he had wanted for that one day was to enjoy that feeling however strange and out of reach realizing it might be. And once again Thor was the one to take it all away. The blundering idiot with his hammer and her friends had charged in to save the day shattering the moment into dust until it seemed little more than a fleeting memory.

"It was so rude of you to attack me when I have yet to do anything to warrant it," Loki continued placing a great deal of emphasis on the term 'yet' as he forced his eyes back to focus on those currently surrounding him.

"I know this is Thanos talking Loki!" Thor shouted his tempter slipping all the more with desperation. "You only need to see through his lies!"

Loki made a rather dramatic display of rolling his eyes at the golden haired god.

"He merely showed me a deeper truth to what I already knew," Loki denied.

"If rude is stopping you before you kill thousands of innocent people then yes we're very rude," Captain America finally stepped forward bringing an end to the circling conversation that Loki was leading them on. He had given Thor the opportunity to speak to Loki as he'd requested but it was obvious that the god would get nowhere with Loki.

"Looking for something brother?" Loki suddenly sneered cutting short Steve's train of thought. He gave a disdainful snort at his brother's rampant idiocy. It was about time he had thought of Vitalini. After all he had watched him carry her unconscious away from Asgard.

The glare from Thor's blue eyes was answer enough for Loki.

"Oh so you have finally remembered her," he mocked

"She's safe?"

"She's safe," Loki conceded matter of factly. "Not that it's any of your business."

"And it's yours?"" Thor cried mightily his temper slipping all the more. "Why take her? She was safe in Asgard!"

Loki only stood surrounded by them their weapons pointed and ready to attack even as he remained calm his Earth clothes still in place and his arms folded before him. Judging by the slight confusion amongst the Avengers his brother had let a few details concerning his escape slip from his mind. Obviously they could gather that he had taken a prisoner but likely did not think any further beyond that. If he had told them anything the details had apparently been sparse but then Thor would not know completely Loki's reasoning for snatching Vitalini from Asgard, even he was still slightly confused as to what had possessed him to do so.

Refusing to wait any longer Tony took the opportunity of attacking while Loki was distracted by Thor. In an instant his helmet slide back into place his hand raised sending a blast of plasma aimed straight for the god of mischief. Unfortunately for them the blast seemed to pass directly through Loki his form wavering for a moment before fading from existence. Watching as his

"Fools," Loki sniffed disdainfully flicking a piece of rubble from his once pristine clothes. Finally he allowed the image of his earth clothes to melt away the golden leather and green battle gear of his Asgardian wear taking its place. No longer did he look like the simple man of Earth as he had appeared but was now every bit a powerful god.

In that instant chaos re-erupted on the street. The circle surrounding Loki broke as he stepped away to deflect another blow from the earth weapons of the flying war machine. Even as he rolled away to avoid the attack his speed seeming almost simple, easy and unhindered in his graceful movements.

Loki laughed finding a great deal of enjoyment out to the situation. He was defeated once but that was in reliance on those ridiculous creatures. He possessed more power and intellect on his own and when he gave no reliance on such redundant useless creatures Thor and his companions were of little treat to him in such a situation. All the while Loki made no move to truly retaliate in attack only moving gracefully about the street that was even now quickly being destroyed in their attempts to immobilize and kill him.

They truly were fools. Battle tactics were his forte. Keeping the battle in his quart was another ability that he was rather proud of. Unlike Thor, Loki possessed patience and intellect that made deflection easier than running head long into battle without plan or insight. For now there was no need to battle but it did not mean he could not gain some fun out of the unexpected confrontation.

There was however one more thing on his mind...

Risking the moment Loki's eyes found Vitalini's figure through the rubble and dust. Still she remained clinging to the wall of nearby buildings seeking shelter from the falling debris that threatened to crush her slight frame beneath the heavy masses that fell from the buildings and were torn from the street. Despite the danger surrounding her in that instant her eyes never left him. Even from the distance he could see the fear there as she watched him her entire being concentrated on no one but him.

Taking advantage of Loki's momentary distraction Tony made his move. In an instant he sent a plasma blast from his palms aimed directly for Loki. Grinning Loki simple side stepped the blast having expected the dishonorable attack from the arrogant Tony Stark. What he had not expected was the blast having by passed him head straight for Vitalini. Loki watched helpless as the blast crashed into the building she stood near crushing the wall to dust and bringing rubble crashing down around her.

"Fools!" Loki roared a deep sneer curling his lips, his green eyes alight with rage.

Vitalini seeing the unexpected blast heading for her dived away from the building. Before she could get too far a large piece of the building landed in front of her cutting off her escape. Barely managing to not be crushed beneath its enormous weight Vitalini lost her footing falling back to land harshly among the fallen debris. Having no chance of getting to her feet to escape the quickly collapsing building she immediately fell into a defensive position her arms flying up to cover her head protectively from the falling debris.

Surprisingly the impact of being crushed to death by tons of rock never came. Curiously Vitalini risked a peek out of her arms pushing her fallen hair from her face only to find an unfamiliar body shielding her. Shocked she looked up into the baby blue eyes of a handsome but partially hidden face. Judging by appearance it was Captain America who had rescued her from the results of Stark's wayward blast. He stood firmly above her his arm raised with his shield to fend off the falling debris.

"It's okay ma'am I've got you," Steve Rogers called clearly through the sudden uproar of chaos his strong body standing over her to shield her from the falling debris. "You're alright."

With his free arm he reached down to her his strong fingers taking hold of her arm and hauling her to her feet against him as he slowly moved them away from the wreckage to a safer part of the street. Despite her rescuer Vitalini only had eyes for Loki. She cranked her neck around Steve's muscled arm as he held her to see Loki and as she caught sight of him once more through the clearing smoke of the settling rubble fear struck her. It was pure rage she glimpse in Loki's eyes as they followed her as Steve led her across the street.

Obviously his rage was well observed by all as the Avengers took arms ready to attack in defense. This movement however did not go unnoticed by Vitalini either. She didn't even stop to think as she reacted on instinct her need to protect Loki pushing her into action.

"No don't hurt him!" Vitalini cried completely ignoring the man wearing spangled red white and blue attempting unsuccessfully to run from his arms as he held her tightly to him keeping her from the battle.

"What?" Steve asked so shocked by her words that he'd nearly lost his grip on her.

"No!" she cried again watching as another wave of attacks headed directly for Loki.

Fear filled her seeing him barely making an effort to retaliate or even more. Instead he just stood there smirking arrogantly at his opponents as if knowing something they did not. If Loki would not make the effort to save himself than Vitalini would do something about it herself.

Suddenly the fear of watching him possibly die filled her. Without thought Vitalini felt the power well up within her uncontrolled and unrestrained. Her only thought was of helping Loki. With a scream meant to stop them from attacking the energy broke free in a spiraling burst of golden light that flashed so brightly it left all near blinded. The burst of power sent all of them stumbling back by the sheer force of it, even Loki barely managed to keep his footing as it made impact. The force of it sent the small plane away from the scene to avoid the turbulence that could quite possible bring it down.

It was all over in an instant. Just as quickly as the burst had happened all signs of it faded away as if it had never been leaving all except Loki staring around in shock. It was only Loki who looked at Vitalini, his gaze completely centered on her already knowing that she had been the source of the sudden blast of power. Thor was the only one among the Avengers who seemed to more easily catch on his blue eyes wandering to Vitalini curiously as if unsure if his own assumptions were indeed correct.

With the blast having completely faded Vitalini stood on her own her gaze hooded her vision blurring as her eyes sought out Loki from across the way. She wanted to go to him but her legs felt like lead...did she even have legs anymore? All the energy had drained from her with the flare of magic and power that had burst from her unrestrained. It had been unintentional, a mere reaction to her emotional state and the duress of watching Loki in battle unfairly outnumbered. She was even surprised she had managed to stay standing. Yet, even as that thought came to mind everything went blank and she fell like a stone. Had it not been for Steve's quick reaction in catching her she would have fallen to the ground. It would not have made any difference, Vitalini was oblivious to the word around her tired body retreating the blessed restful void of unconscious.

Watching Vitalini fall into unconscious Loki sighed realizing what he would have to do next. The Avengers had been an unexpected occurrence that day surprising even him at their managing to track him when he had be repressing his energy signal. It was because of their unexpected confrontation that he would be forced to leave Vitalini behind.

Unnoticed he glanced to Thor inwardly sure that the man however ridiculous he may be would keep her safe until the time he managed to retrieve her. If there was one thing he would always be sure of was that Thor would always protect his own and Vitalini was as good as a sister to him after their years growing up together. Perhaps it was best that she had lost control and fallen unconscious as a result before she say too much in regards to him. With her shouts for the Avengers to cease she had already shown a suspicious light on herself. As far as they all knew she was a hostage of little consequence to him. While he hated the thought his clever mind knew that leaving her behind for now would help waylay the confusion her outburst might have stirred in their minds.

He best make a show of it than.

"As much as I would relish killing you all here and now for you mere idiocy," Loki sneered eyeing Tony in particular in reference to his failed attempt at attacking that had put Vitalini in danger. "Now is not the time for this little reunion."

"Not this time!" Hawkeye cried releasing an arrow from its notch to stop his escape.

Sadly the arrow passed directly through the image of Loki his lips curling in cruel laughter before fading away. Unnoticed to them the image gave one last fleeting look toward the unconscious Vitalini still held safely in Steve's arms. A moment later he disappeared both his after image and his actual form leaving the Avengers behind as well as Vitalini.

" We will be meeting again soon when I come to take back what is mine," Loki's disembodied voice warned just before his presence disappeared into the air.

Tense silence filled the air between the Avengers still half expecting Loki to have some sort of trick up his sleeve to attack if they were to let down their guard. There was no possibility of them being able to track Loki after he had managed to remain under their radar for as long as he had. Their finding him than had been a stroke of luck and a lot of modifications to their homing system courtesy of Tony. Now knowing that they had managed to track him once Loki would undoubtedly be putting more effort into keeping himself cloaked until he truly wanted to be noticed. And so they were left to stand in confusion at the ease in which Loki had retreated never even firing a shot himself before vanishing with the aid of one of his after image spells.

"Well that was anti-climatic," Tony spoke in a annoyingly matter of fact voice finding the need to fill the void of silence.