Miranda here.
I made my way down to the lower floors with little difficulty, and, surprisingly, not a word from JARVIS. I slid out a conveniently open window and into an alley.
I'd never been to New York City. Wow, it was big.
And I had no idea what I was doing or where I was going.
I should call my parents. That was the first thought that came to mind.
Until I saw Iron Man speeding past.
Ivy here.
My teacher at karate always said that people will attack us when we're not expecting it. In what limited experience I have in fighting, I've learned that to be true.
But, of course, I didn't notice the footsteps until it was too late.
"You didn't really think I'd forgotten about you, did you?"
My head jerked up. Something sharp pressed into my throat.
"I think you understand exactly what I want," said Loki.
I couldn't speak. I set down the book next to me.
He moved the tip of his spear and grabbed the front of my shirt.
Then I was standing in Stark Tower. The room where Loki and Tony Stark had their "If we can't protect the Earth" scene.
Loki dragged me forward, tip of the spear between my shoulder blades.
At that same moment, Mr. Stark walked in.
His eyes widened at the sight of me.
"Please tell me you're going to appeal to my humanity," said Loki.
"Actually, I was planning to threaten you."
"Should have left your armor on for that."
He shrugged. "Yeah, well. Seemed like a bit of mileage when you've the big blue glowstick of destiny. And Agent Romanoff's twin."
"How could we be twins when I'm about fifteen and she's at least in her twenties?"
Loki ignored that. "What have I to fear?"
"The Avengers. It's what we call ourselves. Sort of like a team. Earth's mightiest heroes type thing."
"Yes. I've met them."
"Gives us a while to get any traction, I'll give you that one. But let's do a headcount. Your brother, a super soldier, a living legend who kind of lives up to the legend, a man with breathtaking anger management issues, a couple of master assassins – and you, big fellah, have managed to tick off every single one of them."
"That was the plan." The spear seemed to press a little harder into my back.
"Not a great plan," said Mr. Stark. "When they come – and they will – they'll come for you."
"I have an army."
"We have a Hulk."
"I thought the beast had wandered off."
I should have been trying to figure out a way to get away. Instead, I enjoyed the scene.
"You're missing the point," said Tony Stark. He stepped toward us. "There's no throne. There's no version of this where you come out on top. Maybe your army comes and maybe it's too much for us but it's all on you. Because if we can't protect the Earth, you can be sure we'll avenge it."