New Mexico's desert had been relatively quiet for the past few years, not having seen any activity since the visit of the Asgardian's, but in the early hours of the morning, something was happening.
Lightening streaked across the heavens even though no clouds formed and high in the sky the stars began to change. The skies of Midgard and Svartalfheim clashed together and with a rush of blue energy, the Tesseract hit the desert floor and bounced, rolling to a stop.
Then there was another flash of light and Helen and Jane materialised on the floor. Helen stumbled aside, gasping heavily and clutching her chest. She cried out at the burning, heavy pain digging into her body.
She fell to her knees and slumped over, crying out as pain jerked through body, making her spasm.
"Helen!" Jane stumbled forward and reached for her.
"Don't touch me!" Helen snarled.
Except it wasn't her voice. It was deep and universal.
Jane stared at burning white eyes, dark blue veins stretched up her face from her neck, reaching for her head and eyes.
"Bring me the Tesseract." She hissed, hands cracking into odd shapes, clawing at the ground and her chest.
Jane stared at her, mouth agape.
"NOW!" Her voice boomed across the desert, filling every nook and cranny with trembling power.
Jane stuttered then turned and ran to the Tesseract, her heart racing wildly in her chest. She stood over the cube, panicking, how would she pick it up? The cracks were extensive and wisps of blue energy were seeping out of it.
Jane scrabbled at her coat and she dropped it over the cube then gingerly picked it up and carried it to Helen's curled up figure. She dropped the cube and Helen's hands instantly snatched out and grabbed it, drawing it back into her like some tarantula.
The blue veins bulged and she clenched up, starting to glow.
Jane stumbled back and fell onto her bum, watching with wide eyes.
What felt like hours later, Helen slumped, slowly, she tipped onto her back, gasping for air.
The Tesseract was calmed, the cracks gone. The veins on Helen's body faded back into her skin and tears streamed from her eyes. Jane rushed over and knelt beside her.
"Helen, Helen?" She asked desperately.
Helen grabbed Jane's shirt and dragged her down to her level, staring up at her with bright blue eyes that slowly began to fade into tired browns.
"Don't. Tell. Anyone." She rasped, staring up at her, "please."
Jane nodded; clutching Helen's arms as far off they heard the distinct noise of a plane engine.
"Yes, of course."
Helen sighed and slipped backwards into unconsciousness.