Avengers: The King of Kings.
Summary: "One year after Ceil Zak'Vael's defeat, tensions are running in all new highs as anticipation for the Black Hunt's return takes its toll. After reaching a breaking point with Loki, who has grown distant as "the inevitable" looms closer, Thor returns to Earth in hopes of clearing his head before the fight that is to come. However, his "pity party" is quickly interrupted when he inexplicably reunites with the Avengers, who give him some disturbing news: millions of people have been disappearing, and some of the biggest cities in the world have gone dark. With S.H.I.E.L.D scrambling for answers, they're finally forced go after the one man they believe capable of such chaos- Loki. Now, tasked with saving the Earth from certain doom- and his brother from wrongful imprisonment- while at the same time trying to find a reason to keep fighting, Thor's got to decide what's worth what and, most importantly, why, before an old enemy returns to wreck havoc on the one place that was supposed to stay safe- and with a near-silent, morose Loki by his side and constant infighting within the Avengers to boot, Thor's got his work cut out for him… but when tragedy strikes too close to home, it's time to get serious again."
Warning: "This will be a relatively tame fanfic, with the exception of some blood, violence, angst, some language, a character death or two, and other adult situations. So, to be on the safe side, we'll be going with Rated T. I have watched the Avenger's movie and all relating Marvel movies, but this does not mean that I am perfect and/or know absolutely everything there is to know about, and I'm bound to forget or misuse some small detail. So, with that, please forgive me if I screw up, and just enjoy the story."
Disclaimer: "I do not own Thor. Please don't ruin my day by thinking I do."
Author's Note: "This story is dedicated to PhantomLilac AND MischievousChaos."
N._.s._.S
Chapter Twenty-Six: Give & Take.
"If things seem under control, you're just not going fast enough."
- Mario Andretti.
"I think this is the first time we've actually had someone killed."
"Tony, so help me, I will stick you with another needle."
"Come on," Stark protested, even under Cap's dead-serious stare, "Hear me out on this one- ow!"
The soldier stuck him with a needle while their doctor's back was turned.
Banner rubbed wearily at his eyes as he expertly ignored the bad-tempered banter, chancing a glance up at Fury, who sat quietly by the door of the Med Bay, arms folded and staring, almost thoughtfully, at the curtained bed the furthest from the others, which concealed Loki's body, covered in white sheets, from view.
The scientist himself had flat-out refused treatment for his shoulder when they asked, but he'd pretty much forced Stark and Cap to get checked out for their own, citing Stark's shock and Cap's exhaustion from the fight. Of course, they argued, but Banner was in no mood to start a fight- a quick warning and a few evil, threatening glares was enough for them to back off and do as he'd asked.
Predictably, though, Thor was still unconscious- and he showed no sign of getting up anytime soon. Banner had brought him up personally, much to the ire of Fury and his goons. He was relieved to find that the God of Thunder had managed to avoid any serious injuries other than the slashes on his shoulder and abdomen, which were already healing relatively well on their own for the most part, so Banner only had to clean and bind them.
But as of yet, no one had even dared mention Loki.
Lucky for them, JARVIS had broke the news of Loki's death before they'd even managed to carry either of them to the Med Bay (Banner took Loki up first before he and Cap took Thor up together) Banner actually had to physically threaten the agents they'd met along the way to stop them from taking Loki; telling them they'd have the full wrath of the Avengers, Thor (and probably Asgard too) if they so much as thought about touching him.
Fury called them off before anyone could make good on the threat.
What you're telling me is kind of hard to believe.
Believe it, Fury. It's the truth.
"JARVIS, get me all the surveillance vids from Boston," Stark said, and Banner turned back again to find that the good doctor had finished cleaning binding his wounds, and that he was already pulling back on his t-shirt as he moved for the door, "Get into feeds, into police cams, everything you can get into."
Of course, sir.
"Anyone need me," Stark paused as he opened the door, giving Fury a long, almost daring look before looking over his shoulder, back at Banner and the others, "I'll be in the lab."
"Tony, what are you doing now-?"
Cap stood up just as the door slammed shut.
"Don't go after him," Banner warned, as Cap made to get up as well, "Let him do what he wants to do."
Cap glared at him, but his eyes softened significantly when he glanced over Thor's and Loki's beds, and he gave a barely-audible sigh of defeat as he slowly sat back down.
"Fine."
Banner turned back around and rubbed his eyes again before speaking again.
"He saw what happened to Loki," He said, quietly, "Stark watched it happen."
Both Fury and Cap looked back at him. Banner doesn't bother to turn to them.
"After the rest of us were beaten, Stark regained consciousness first after being thrown into that building. He said that after the gold bird came down- don't ask me what that means- Lor'Vael stabbed Loki in cold blood and then turned his back on him," Banner paused to take a breath, but still doesn't turn as Fury got to his feet while Cap just sits there, looking utterly stunned, "But by the time he could move again, he tried to go down there to help, but Thor got to Loki first. Stark made it there just in time for Loki to die and Thor to 'freak out' on him."
Banner could almost watch it all play out before his eyes, right there on the reflection of the glass, as he explained it. He could watch Stark crawl to the window and watch helplessly as Loki was stabbed, forcing himself to his feet while weighed down by the suit, tearing it off as he ran as fast as his wounds would allow when he realized Loki wasn't getting up, only to find Thor had beaten him to it.
And then watch a meltdown.
"He isn't going to be happy when he wakes up," Fury states, nodding over at Thor, "Have we already decided what we're going to be doing with the body?"
"We're not doing anything with Loki," Banner snapped, making the older man jump at the sudden, fierce protectiveness in the scientist's voice, "It's not our call."
That's a very wise decision on your part, Dr. Banner.
The voice is bold and cut unnaturally through the air, and it grabbed the attention of all three men instantly, and they turn to find a Vael with startlingly bright, maroon eyes, wearing a long white, hooded robe, standing at the door; with none other than Tony Stark standing next to him, wearing an odd, lopsided grin.
In less than a heartbeat, Cap and Fury were up, Fury already reaching into his long, black trench-coat pocket for the pistol they all knew was hidden inside.
Please, The Vael said as he lowered the hood of his white robe, There are more Vael than those in the Black Huntsmen. Besides, had I wanted to kill you all, I would have done so without bothering to announce myself.
"And who're you?" Fury retorted, as Stark moved inside the room, arms still folded across his chest, to stand next to Cap, placing a hand on Cap's shoulder to stop him from trying to approach the Vael.
My name is Axel Hernsson, Axel answered, matching his tone to Fury's curt one and gesturing to the two curtained beds, I have come to take the two Odinsson back to Asgard.
"Like hell you are."
Axel Hernsson doesn't react beyond quietly folding his arms primly behind his back as Fury stepped up, already calling for backup through the comm in his ear despite Stark's warning glare.
Attempting to arrest the Honored Lord of the Vaelhiem for simply coming to assist you isn't exactly a smart idea, Axel warned, I refuse to come quietly; nor will my people, or Asgard, take too kindly to such an insult.
"Wait," This time, Stark finally spoke up. He grabbed hold of Fury's gun-hand and forced his arm down, "He's not our enemy, Fury. Detain him, and we'll be in another war before he even escapes."
Fury glared at Stark, but incredibly, he slipped the gun back into his coat.
Stark turned back to Axel when it was clear the Director would not threaten him again.
"What happens if we let you take them?"
"Tony," Cap began, warningly, "You can't just-"
Then I simply return to Asgard with them, Axel interrupted, with a daring look at Cap as he added, quite seriously, The All-Father wishes to ensure that Thor receives the care he needs, and Loki the burial he deserves.
"And if we don't?"
I return to Asgard and let Odin deal with this himself.
"Well then, I don't want to piss him off," Stark said, with a glance over at Cap, "Do we?"
"We're not just taking his word on it," Cap answered, defiantly, "The Black Hunt almost killed us all. If it weren't for Loki, Earth would have been long gone by now."
It is not my fault you underestimated your enemy. I'm just here to ensure that neither Odinsson suffers more for it... And besides, He added, reaching into his pocket and pulling out the two, red and purple souls that they all instinctively knew belonged to Romanov and Barton, I assume you want these back?
"You're threatening us now?" Cap demanded, incredulously, "How can you expect us to trust-"
It is beneath me to argue with you, Steve Rogers, Axel answered, stowing the two little souls back into his cloak, It seems as though threats are the only way I'll get through to you- so; either release the Odinsson to me, or I'll ensure personally that these two souls wither in return for it.
"You don't have to threaten or insult us," Banner finally spoke up, lifting himself off the wall and moving quickly past Stark, Rogers, and Fury as he approached Axel, dark eyes flashing dangerously with a ring of jade as he added, quite solemnly, without looking back at the small group behind him, "Take them."
And that was that.
N._.s._.S
All that Axel Hernsson needed to do was simply touch Thor and Loki to make them vanish into thin air. Vael magic was different from all other magics of the Nine Realms, of course, and Axel Hernsson was no stranger to it, rivaling some of the best sorcerers in documented history.
Done, He stated, turning back to Banner, Your cooperation is appreciated.
He handed the two souls he'd stowed in his pocket to him.
Keep these warm and dry, He instructed, shortly, They'll return to you sooner if you do.
"Thank you," Banner answered, politely, with a small smile, "Will they be okay?"
I know not how strong these two souls are, Banner, but perhaps so, in the end.
"I meant Thor and Loki."
At that, Axel's eyes brilliant, maroon eyes flashed.
Thor has taken such heavy blows before, and has always miraculously recovered; and so that may be again this time, He stated, slowly, staring down at Banner with a now intensely curious look in his eyes, But the same cannot be said for Loki. While his soul was saved from the Curse by his own sacrifice, he now must face judgment from a higher, divine power. I cannot say with certainty what our God of Mischief's deserved fate will be.
"He saved more lives than he took." Banner countered, "He did good."
Good or bad, that doesn't matter, Axel answered, firmly, No scales of 'right or wrong' exist for our actions. We will be judged for our reasons behind them, not by some misguided society's classification.
"Misguided?" That drew Cap into the conversation, looking over his shoulder and breaking off his conversation with Fury, who looked similarly insulted with the Vael's statement.
I do not mean that as an insult. Axel shook his head and drew his long bangs back, turning to look over at Cap, Your society, simply enough, draws in on morality and converges it with higher beings, and harshly judge that which was never yours to judge. Your kind forms their own, individual opinions on what is right and wrong- with right with good and just, and with various interpretations of heaven; and contribute wrong with bad, evil and an eternity of suffering in hell, and categorize each other within these two strict confines, ignoring that no action is either completely wrong or right- that there is a gray area to every man's actions that can never be truly judged.
It was with those words that they all realized just what sort of being they were dealing with. Axel Hernsson was not only not of Earth (obviously), but had spent many years, perhaps even centuries, watching humanity grow, witnessing the patters, the good and the bad, passing a whole different kind of judgment of his own.
Axel was certainly kind of a jerk, but was this how they looked to the other realms, to everyone else?
Or, worse yet, to Thor?
Loki?
Cap and Banner traded terrible, deeply concerned looks, and after shifting his gaze between them for a few moments, Axel shook his head, averting his abnormally large, bright maroon eyes away from them, out the wall-sized window, pitch black, empty, and soaked by the storm brewing outside.
Your people are young; Humanity has accomplished many wondrous things in the few millennium you have existed aside from the faults that lay, perhaps inbred, into your societies, and the Nine Realms will certainly, wholeheartedly acknowledge this when the time comes, He assured them, almost kindly, when he turned back to them a few moments later, But you still have much to learn yet.
N._.s._.S
"How is he?" Odin's voice is low and quiet as the old All-Father approached Sanat Eir, who sat tense-shouldered and silent just outside Thor's quarters, head bowed, arms crossed, and eyes shut tight, as though trying to will silent the very audible shouting and smashing from the other side of the bolted door.
"Not good," Eir answered, after a long silence, "I fear that Thor has so lost himself in his grief, that not even gentle Jane's voice may bring him back from that black abyss for a while yet."
In the distance, thunder roared and lighting flashed over the endless, violent sea; as black, stormy clouds shrouded the whole of Asgard in an infinite, maddening darkness- a darkness that not even the sun, moon, nor stars could hope to break.
N._.s._.S
Okay! Sorry for the long wait! More tomorrow, I promise!
And, a surprising announcement!
I ADDED MORE CHAPTERS.
5+ more because the plot demands it! XD
So, I've got more work ahead of me!
Make sure to tell me what you think of this chapter, too!
Thank you all for your continued support!
It all means a lot to me! XD