Chapter Fourteen
The Avengers stared wide-eyed at their friend, taking in the changes that had come with his new title. He shifted nervously under their scrutiny, ducking his head shyly and wings fluttering. For a moment, all was silent, then Clint smirked.
"So how's it feel to be a girl, Tony?"
The genius' head shot up and he frowned in confusion before scowling at him friend.
"Jackass."
The others laughed and Bruce gently clasped his friend on the shoulder.
"Congratulations, Tone."
Tony smiled gratefully at him while Vincent smirked, wrapping an arm around the new queen's waist.
"What did I tell you, perfezione mascherato? They wouldn't abandon you for something like this."
The younger male nodded and opened his mouth to respond only to pause when he felt The Call. Darkness crept into his vision and before another word could be uttered he collapsed against Vincent unconscious.
"Milady."
Hela smiled at him and curtsied elegantly, before sighing.
"Thanos is coming, Dear One. He wishes to take you and your kingdom as his own."
Tony's eyes widened and icy trills of fear traveled down his spine.
"T-take me?"
"Yes. He wishes to claim you as his mate. His Queen."
"How long do we have?"
His Queen gave a soft sound of sadness. "Three days."
He stilled.
"Three...days?"
She nodded and he forced himself to steel his nerves.
"Thank you for warning me."
Hela smiled at him. "One more thing."
He raised an eyebrow. "Milady?"
"Loki's return to adulthood is temporary. When you return to him he will be in the body of a young adolescent, rather than an infant. He has permanently regained his memories, however his memories of his time with Thanos and the chitauri are forever lost to him."
A bright smile crossed his lips and he nodded, bowing to her.
She chuckled. "I will return you to your plane now, lest your King worry."
He nodded then froze staring at her wide-eyed.
"M-My King?"
"Of course. Do give Vicente my greetings."
He blushed vividly but as his mouth opened to protest she vanished and he found himself awakening.
Tony gasped as his eyes flew open to meet worried scarlet hues, his cheeks flushing as Lady Hela's words rang through his mind. He'd known for a while that he was slowly falling for the Titan and he knew for certain that the man liked him back, however something was holding him back and he had no clue what it was. Unfortunately, there were bigger things to worry about. He could ponder their changing relationship another time.
He stared back at the Titan, fear and uncertainty creeping into his bi-colored gaze.
"We have three days."
Vincent and the others froze.
"Three days?"
Tony nodded. "Thanos is coming."
"Mama?"
Tony turned away from where he stood watching Vincent train the others to take on Thanos, to find Loki standing beside him wearing a worried frown. The now five year-old godling, had awaken only a few hours previous and Tony had explained everything he could, leaving out the fact that Thanos was also after Loki and him not just earth. Since then the boy had been trying every spell he could remember determined to protect his mother.
"Yes, piccolo?" He replied swinging the child up on his hip.
"You left some stuff out earlier, right?"
Tony nodded, unwilling to lie to his baby like Howard had lied to him so long ago. Dread pooled in his gut and he could only hope that Loki wouldn't be angry.
Loki hummed softly, curling closer to him. " s'okay. A long time ago, Frigga told me that sometimes, adults aren't able to tell us everything because its their job to protect us."
Tony nodded and smiled at him, forcing back the sob that wanted to build in his chest. While that was true, it wasn't only Loki he was trying to protect. He had no clue how to tell his family that something in him was saying he wouldn't survive the coming battle. He had no way of telling them that he believed it. Especially if what he was planning worked.
Out on the mat Clint finally managed to pin Vincent with a bit of help from Thor and the two let out a loud victorious yell. He smiled and cheered, tightening his grip on his son, but inside his heart was breaking. Soon he would be leaving his family... and he couldn't even say goodbye.
Thanos smirked victoriously as he watched the Chitauri prepare for the coming battle. He would finally have what he wanted. Midgard would be his, as would its Queen.
A sharp pain stabbed through his chest and he fought it off with a snarl, lips twisting violently when sad scarlet eyes flashed in his mind's eye.
Vicente wouldn't approve of this.
His conscious whispered and he gave a wordless growl.
He left me here to rot! He let me fall! He argued.
Is that what really happened?
Yes!
Think back! They are controlling you, you fool! You are not as in charge as you thought you were!
He frowned and thought back to that fateful day, so long ago.
They'd been fighting for days without rest. The Jotuun had invaded Asgard in the dead of night but they had been ready for it and within minutes fighting had broken out. It seemed every time one Jotuun fell three others, stronger and fiercer took its place. It was a blood bath. Jotuuns and Aesir alike lay strewn across the ground. He's lost Vicente somewhere among the chaos but the enjoyment and fatigue strumming across their bond told him that his brother was alright.
A crow of laughter left his throat, the thrill of the battle still strong despite the fatigue trying to invade his senses and he spun around blocking another blade. The fighting seemed endless, yet his instincts told him that the chaos would wane soon.
A blade swung towards him and he ducked, turning and decapitating its owner. Taurius, The Jotuun King, roared angrily at the death of his kin and began swinging at him. he parried and blocked, getting in a few strikes of his own before he spotted his twin a few meters away battling Taurius's mate. The fire eyed man sent him a roguish grin, long curls flying around him like a banner of war and Thanos chuckled.
Taurius snarled at him, angered by his amusement and their battle became more fierce. He found himself being driven backwards and onto the rainbow bridge and an idea struck him. A dark smirk crossed his lips and he began to discreetly aim his attacks at the ground beneath Taurius's feet. After a moment Vicente caught up with them, protecting Thanos' back from unwelcoming attacks.
"What are you planning, Brother Mine?"
"If the Bridge beneath his shatters he will fall into the void, ending this war."
The other man's eyes widened.
"And if you fall?"
Thanos smirked. "You'll catch me."
"This isn't safe. Brother, rethink this! Please!"
Thanos snarled at him. "If you're not going to help get out of my way!"
Using his most powerful blast, he shattered the bridge beneath the Jotuun's feet, smirking when the thing fell screaming and cursing him. He turned to gloat at Vicente, only to gasp a he lost his footing and began to fall.
"Vicente!" He screamed and his brother rushed to catch him. Their fingers were so close and he went to grab the blood stained hand offered to him...only to grasp air. His brother stared back his devastated, a broken scream of Thanos' name leaving his lips as he tried to reach the falling titan.
" I'm so sorry, Little Flame." He thought sadly, closing his eyes and letting himself fall. The last thing he saw before the darkness took over was Vicente's broken scarlet eyes.
Thanos gasped, clarity breaking through to him for the first time in centuries. He'd always assumed that Vicente was the reason he'd ended up broken by the Chitauri and The Other. He'd never stopped to think about that day again. However he knew he wouldn't be able to call off the attack without the Chitauri turning on him and he forced back a horrified gasp. Instead he stared out at the gathered beasts and felt his heart break. He thought about the little godling, Loki's tortured screams and the fear in the eyes of Midgard's Queen as he leered and he felt sick.
"What have I done?"
His legs wavered but he forced himself to remain standing.
What have I done?!
Giovanni frowned deeply as he studied his mother's tired features on the vidcall monitor. The omega was hiding something from him, something important. He had barely heard from the elder Stark since his departure from New York and he'd been driving himself crazy with worry. Then when the man had called he'd been extremely vague, stating that he'd been extremely busy with a lot of important stuff. It was the one thing he loved and hated about his mom. The man refused to lie to him, but he substituted it by being either extremely vague or simply not telling him at all.
He glanced at Azelia wondering if she could see it too, and she nodded.
"What aren't you telling me?"
The Omega stiffened, then looked up at him.
"There's to be another invasion...today."
Vanni felt his heart still in his chest, dread pooling in his stomach.
"W-what?"
" The leader of the Chitauri is going to attack today. He wants Loki and the planet." He paused.
"I have Pepper and Loki on a jet on their way to you. Keep them safe, il mio leoncino."
Tears welled in the young Alpha's eyes, his heart clenching at his mother's tone. It sounded too much like goodbye. His mother didn't expect to survive.
"Mama, please. Come with them. Don't go."
Cyan eyes so much like his own, yet so different, softened and a small smile crossed their owners lips.
"You asked me once, why I hid from everyone. You told me I should defend myself more often. Vanni, my sweet little Vanni," His smile widened and his features shifted to reveal his changes. "I'm not hiding anymore."
"Midgard is my Kingdom. It is my children's home, their sanctuary and I refuse to stand by and sit on my ass while others fight to protect it."
Giovanni swallowed thickly then smiled a small, proud smile even as his tears began to fall.
"Be careful and come home alive. I love you."
"I love you, Little Lion. Whatever happens, always remember that."
Giovanni nodded and the transmission ended. He whimpered and collapsed into Azelia's arms trembling. She shushed him softly, stroking his hair.
"We have to call your father."
He nodded. "Hopefully with him there mom won't do anything stupid."
Tony swallowed thickly as he flew around the city, patrolling the air so they would know the exact moment the attack began. Hela hadn't been able to give an exact moment but he could feel the earth's restlessness and knew it was only moments away. SHIELD agents were hiding around every corner, armed to the teeth as they discreetly evacuated civilians. The Avengers were all strategically place in a perimeter around Avenger's tower, each alert and ready for anything. Vicente stood at the very top of the tower, his face blank as he stared up at the sky.
The air around them shifted and Tony felt the Earth's atmosphere start whirling and condensing. He pressed the com in his ear.
"It's time."
A portal opened directly in the place it had opened in last time and everyone snapped up as Chitauri started exiting.
Steve's voice sounded over the com, strong and commanding.
"Avengers, engage!"
Fury's voice sounded, just as fierce.
"SHEILD, engage!"
Tony's wings snapped out his eyes glowing a blazing gold.
The Battle for Midgard had begun.
TBC...
Translations Italian to English
perfezione mascherato - Masked Perfection
piccolo- little one
il mio leoncino- My lion