12 days later ...
It was weird to think that Iron Man was really dead and that Steve Rogers was cut off from the world in his retirement. Pepper, someone who would always admit how much he missed those two, was also very sorry for not stopping Tony and the Captain from staying away for so long after her husband learned about her parents' murder and the other chose to side with his friend Bucky. Rogers was a great symbol of peace, someone who made people believe the world could be a better place, was his childhood hero and most of all a dear companion, despite all the arguments and misunderstandings Tony and Steve they would always miss the hearts of those who stayed.
Iron Man's widow's memories came thanks to her reunion with the Captain's shield and one of the beloved's first armor at the current Avengers headquarters. The object that mimicked what was made of vibranium hung on one of the walls next to the gleaming armor, both standing out in the middle of everything else, that would always be an eternal reminder of who Tony and Steve were.
Pepper also missed when the avengers were completely united, somehow the billionaire felt as if they were a family at the time the group was created. And once again she saw her beloved's family crumble ...
Stark definitely has a bad habit of blaming itself for all the wrong things that happen around her, maybe that was one of the many things it got from years of living with her husband.
Why was she at the base of the avengers? Lin was being trained at the moment. She is also a super soldier, who would say, right? Pepper was really surprised when the younger girl told her. Young Stark was a great genius like her father, and she was very proud of the redhead, the armor she built was now together with her father's in the mansion where he lived.
- The girl is stronger than I imagined. - Sam commented as he approached, muttering about a bruise on his arm. - And regenerates too fast too, not that these things are bad.
- She hurt you? - Pepper asked more than surprise, the current Captain America was as skilled in martial arts as his predecessor, many of the new avengers could never stay more than five minutes standing in a ring with him. Ms. Stark never imagined that Lin, the fragile and not very sociable Lin, would be able to stand up to Sam and injure him.
-She knows a lot of Asgardian ways of fighting, this Loki must have taught her at some point, I really don't know, but she had a reflex that was too developed for someone who has spent the last nineteen years in a cell.
Pepper would have answered with some sarcastic joke as well as made it characteristic, but the green-eyed man made him too uneasy even for that, she tried to trust the thunder god's brother, but couldn't seem to be the only one with that one difficulty.
-Do you think he is good for her? - Stark asked uncertainly, but without letting her friend notice that.
- They have an impressive sync, you saw the training they did together, it was almost as if they could see with each other's eyes. So yes, I think it's good for her to have you around.
- Can you trust him?
-I don't know him well enough for that, but it's Loki after all, always fooling us to save our lives. - Sam seemed familiar with the Asgardian's presence.
To him the god of cheating was something close to a distant friend, mistakes were increasingly exposed and Pepper struggled hard to appear calm.
- Mrs. Stark! - Friday's voice rang through the room. - The Hulk has just been released into the training area.
Iron Man's widow was alarmed, Lin was in the training area with Loki alone, and the jotun was not very successful against Hulk in his recollections, though at the moment it was not the same green monster they were used to, but rather the same. Jennifera Walters, the Hulk woman, which didn't differ much after all she is also extremely strong and is still working to keep her conscience.
-How was Jennifer when you left?- She asked, walking quickly toward where the others were.
- Strangely quiet.
No more words were needed for Sam and Pepper to run to where the three of them were.
- Mrs. Stark! - Friday called again on the way - My gamma readers indicate that the Hulk has been released.
- Is everything okay Friday? - Sam asked with a slight tone of irony - You already said that.
- But sir, my readers indicate that there are two Hulks in the region.
- What?!
(...)
- LOKI I SWEAR IF I SURVIVE I'LL RUB YOUR FACE ON THE GROUND FOR DOING IT! - Lin shouted from the training arena where his friend had suggested she enter.
- SO YOU BETTER SURVIVE! - Loki shouted back a good few feet into the observation area of the arena, where he had just pushed Walters away.
Lin's eyes were vibrant green and the jotun didn't doubt she would kill him if she survived, that is if she could touch him. The reason for all the anger? She-Hulk was now in the place of the human they had just met and it was Stark that she was glowering at.
But then the beast simply decided to ignore her and turned around, as if her existence were completely insignificant, and stared at Loki even though he was so far away that it was hard to see him.
- Bug. - The big one seemed to remember him and that wasn't exactly a good thing.
The She-Hulk was really angry, it was that man who nearly killed her seconds ago, even though the green one didn't really like her human side, she didn't like people trying to kill her either. She jumped from where she was, smashing the windows and landing furiously where the jotun was, Loki swerved easily and went back, raising his hands in peace signal.
- Hi big monster! - He said without bothering to pretend he was afraid.
- Bug! - The other roared but didn't move.
Pepper and Sam soon arrived, both not understanding the scene and looking for Tony's daughter. Friday informed them that she was still downstairs.
- Hey big girl! - This time it was Sam who caught her eye. - It's not nice to hit the weaker. He smiled sarcastically even if the beast wouldn't understand it.
- I crush the weak. -Jennifer grunted.
-The sun is going to set ...- Sam began to whisper the song that always calmed her cousin at the most uncontrollable moments even though he wasn't entirely sure that it would result in anything, no matter how much the thought of seeing the Jotun almost dead pleased her in a way, it might not be right to let that happen.
To their disagreement, Loki began to laugh and sat down on the floor. He was too quiet for anyone who was the target of She-Hulk's anger.
-Defending me, Captain America? - The jotun was still too calm - I think I should be surprised. -He admitted, but only shifted his position to make himself more comfortable. - But calm down a little and sit here with me, - He grinned as if he knew the truth behind the mysteries of the universe. -There's just one thing that leaves Lin angrier than anyone hinting that she is not able to do something.
Loki didn't see the confused expression of the two people present there, was too entertained for that. To their despair, the green beast grew tired of hearing and advanced toward the extraterrestrial man.
It all happened in seconds. It was only a few inches before she reached the "Asgardian" who didn't move or think to retreat, and then silent and swift as the wind Lin appeared behind the monster, struck him in the back causing him to growl and kneel. She was soon throwing him back down with another blow to the side of his body, growling like a beast just as the other would do.
Lin wasn't completely green, but her arms got the color. The She-Hulk wants to see what hit her, and so quickly, the woman returns to the arena, ready to face her similar monster without even looking at those who now face her.
Both angry creatures roared at each other below, as if challenging each other. Sam with a slightly gaping mouth sat next to Loki, from this place they could see the confrontation well.
- Since when does she turn green? - Pepper asked incredulously where she was, but very interested in the subject after all Lin had not completely transformed, it was almost as if she controlled what Bruce took years to control.
-Normally only the eyes change color, she remade the gamma-ray experiment and adapted it for the super soldier. - Loki commented, proud.
- This is amazing. -The other admitted, although feared to see when she lost control.
- She is amazing.
Pepper and Sam so interested in the subject even forgot that they were close to a dangerous enemy.
Down below the She-Hulk seemed frustrated that she couldn't reach the small target, Lin seemed to be more successful in hurting the green monster after all she used not only brute force but her mind. One of the blows was so strong that it hurled both in opposite directions.
Jennifer hit the wall and with the impact nearly destroyed it, Stark managed to ground itself again before reaching the other end of the arena.
- But what is happening ...? - Sam asked worried, wasn't every day that have anybody challenge the big monster.
- Walters is being destroyed. - Loki replied wryly, even if it was strange for him to say that.
Captain America approached what was left of the video almost in shock, he knew how the thought of losing again so quickly hurt the pride of the monster.
Lin advanced again, much faster than expected, her body in no way demonstrating the fragility of times ago, she raised her fist in preparation for another sharp blow, but the She-Hulk managed to narrowly hit her with a metallic piece of her wall. The monster in brute force was still more powerful than she was, but still the green eyes were there to remind her that she wasn't just fighting with her body. The veins around her eyeballs also acquired a different color, Lin greatly increasing the damage of his attacks by accompanying them with the blows of the mind.
She was thrown for a few feet until her back hit the other corner of the wall. Jennifer roared angrily again, everyone knew she was still motivated by anger, would not stop willingly until the opponent stopped breathing. The problem was that the other was also moved by anger. Stark felt her vision blur with green and gold, that was not a good sign, the big one ran up to her while her own internal struggle made her unable to react as she should. Lin grunted in pain, she wasn't hurt, but her conscience didn't control herself.
Putting her in a Hulk state had been a bad idea.
Lin from her earliest memories listened to voices, and every second she needed to keep the other one in check, yes, the other, responsible for her nightmares, that part of herself that constantly changed her own thoughts. The woman always knew she carried a monster inside her, but he never let her tell her friend jotun, or anyone else, even herself. That was a truth that his conscience whispered to himself at times, but then it was erased from his memories.
In those long seconds of confusion before the big brown-haired woman's arrival, she looked up lost, where him friend was, wished she could see him clearly, would scare him if he had control over his own body.
The biggest threat to Lin since Loki pushed Jennifer up was never the Hulk state ... It was herself she feared, from a very early age the woman imagined that something very bad would happen when she lost control. So many voices whispered in his mind beyond his own, spoke for themselves, lied for themselves, always heard such pain in their eyes and the macabre past was not the only reason. Humans aroused within themselves that part of their consciousness that they hated most.
The monster's hand was almost closing on her neck when the gold of her vision stood out green, what was left of her consciousness withered sadly, Lin was sorry for these people, was learning to like them.
-For a moment I thought she would win. - Sam commented almost smiling. - Quick you two, let's get her out of there.
Pepper and Loki continued to stare at where the big woman was, as if they couldn't hear Captain America's voice, but Sam noticed Mrs. Stark's hair on the back of her neck prickle more than they should.
- Can you feel it? - The redhead whispered to the Asgardian.
-It's another surprise for me that you feel it too. - Loki replied, with the darkest expression he showed in months.
They realized that the She-Hulk could not touch her opponent, the big one was paralyzed there and then the small palm of that human body pushed the green on the forehead, where he was holding the hand seconds before without anyone seeing. She-Hulk collapsed on the floor unconscious, gradually regaining Jennifer's features.
If you have the instincts and perhaps a very watchful eye would not need much for a danger alert to sound in your mind. Sam now also had his body locked, not because of a major force but fear, Pepper also did not rely on her legs to keep her standing so slowly she knelt down to sit completely on the floor. That thing down there emanated power from her pores, even made the air harder to breathe.
Lin's body slowly walked away from Jennifer, looking around at him in a lost way, as if for the first time he could see the world with his own eyes. Neither with Thanos to their full power did those two feel such terror in their hearts.
-So powerful ...- Loki seemed to purr, the dark expression still intact as well as the strange pleasant smile.
- You planned it. - Sam found in a voice, unable to stop looking at Tony's daughter below.
- I never thought the result would be so good, she is a jewel, dear. - Loki stood up - Now, as I'm apparently the only one who can still fight, I'll stop her from killing everyone.
That was crazy for sure. Lin wouldn't recognize him and that man is someone who was easily defeated by the Hulk, the math is as easy as two plus two, Loki wouldn't stand a chance if she attacked him. Sam forced himself to try to get up, to fight for the people who would be endangered, even if his heart ache at the thought of hurting the "fragile" Stark and all his muscles denied his command.
Odin's son would never win, even Pepper knew as he approached her, he was Thor's mischievous brother that few could bear, not strong as the god of thunder, and would definitely die if she wanted to.
But then what was that powerful second aura that was also felt in the air? Why didn't Loki seem concerned about walking up to Lin?
The woman seemed to feel the other evil presence approaching, she stared at him and did not look happy at all. She definitely didn't recognize him.
- First of all, know that we can make a deal. - The man said still with his smile on his face - You calm down and nobody gets hurt.
That Lin in front of her didn't seem to be able to hear him, yet she seemed threatened by the aura emanating from the other's body, so she didn't hesitate for a second to attack him, as quickly as before she was heading toward him. a blow that would pierce the jotun's body. That if she could hit him.
Loki swerved very easily and the mindless beast punched the air, not even the now green and gold eyes able to follow him.
- It seems then that you prefer to fight. - Loki commented almost whispering in her ear, to the younger girl's fright.
The woman tried again to strike him, both physically and mentally, but it was as if nothing worked against the "Asgardian" one seemed to be striving for. Lin knew that his friend always contained his true power in his struggles, if she was conscious she would be proud to have made Loki let this of his show.
The man mistook her for his illusions and false thrusts, always keeping his hands in his pockets on the human shirt he was wearing, was playing with her. Until at a certain moment the somewhat greener beast than at the beginning of the fight believed she could hit him and smiled victoriously, a blow to the stomach that seemed to hurt her opponent greatly, after all he was now on the ground somewhat shrunken and curved.
The beast kept its ego inflated, so much so that Loki could have sworn the other green eye was also golden in color, which somehow made him curious. Was that color a second level of transformation? Interesting.
Lin moved to strike him again, and that would indeed have happened if the arm with which she had previously struck Loki had not completely lost strength, almost as if it were no longer part of her body.
-If you were thinking properly, you would know that would happen, Lin. - The jotun stood up pretending, feeling no pain at all.
Loki was a damn liar and manipulator, but no one could say he was wrong. He taught her that feelings would make her weak, just as anger did now, Stark knew him like no one else and would never touch him in a fight without being sure if he was involved in a protective spell or not. Oh, Lin has too keen eyes to fall for such a silly trick, but that beast didn't think that much.
She would beat him later because he was enjoying the situation if he could remember what happened.
The woman seized more and more with fury growled at his as she advanced, the ground trembling at her power, but Loki was not at all intimidated. The power of himself contained was as frightening as hers.
Pepper and Sam upstairs stared at the calm on Thor's brother's face with the sincerest confusion, after all Jotun's actions made no sense. Not that they usually did. But Loki's level of power never seemed to match the blonde's, and now he looked almost superior, at the moment they didn't know whether to thank him or to start worrying.
In a defensive gesture from the god the woman's body was thrown once more toward the wall, but this time she could not resist, it broke off and when Loki's surge of power stopped hitting her the sun shone upon her head, was outside, meters from where the arena was. Her mind fell before his, all the wounds were more serious than they should be, he was in her brain, preventing her regeneration from acting as fast as it should.
"We will! Get it together!" - The jotun's order sounded in her head, but the real Lin even though no one noticed was not there to hear.
The attention of reporters who tried incessantly to learn a little more about the rumors of a new Avenger and was at base entrance was drawn to the rumble caused by the breaking of the wall. The camera's flash and recordings did not take long to begin.
Loki walked slowly out of the arena, watching the state of dismay of the young woman now clutching her own hair roaring loudly as if in great pain, it was not the Asgardian that caused it, she was in an internal struggle again. Maybe Lin would try to suppress it or the voices would try to help just for a change.
As the god got nearer, more in agony the beast seemed to be, but he wouldn't have mercy, he wanted to make her react, to fight with everything she had, to test her power. The man wanted to know if she was strong enough to take his rightful place before the universe. He liked what he saw, she was like a jewel ready to be lapidated. cc
When he reached the woman she rose quickly, her battle position not very clever, unlike the one she used against the She-Hulk, the monster not plotting strategy routes, acting on instinct. Loki made a mental note of later teaching his girl to overcome him so she wouldn't get out of control again. The beast didn't take long to attack him again.
Odin's son stopped her leg kick with only one hand, both of them moving very fast, but to him it was as if it were being so easy that a bored, mocking expression took over his face. That leg no longer moved.
The woman looked down huffing, the ground below them was broken, and yet it was as if only she attacked, it outraged her deeply, his eyes called her weak and it was definitely last of her features. But before she could go to the trouble of attacking from anger as she had previously done, Loki made his first attack move and gently struck her remaining leg and arm.
Lin fell to the ground like a sack of potatoes. Muttering angrily and stirring the trunk still wanting to smash it, an irrational beast like Hulk turned out to be its end result.
- You did very well. When you completely control this power, it will get even better. - Loki murmured just for her to hear while staring at humans filming them from afar, that was bad. - Take as long as you need to get back to normal. - he put his hand on her forehead, not letting her bite him as hard as she tried. - I'm proud of you.
So, the mischievous god used one of his long lists of spells to ward off his anger and pull Lin back from the bottom of her unconscious, as a human she could take a few days to wake up now that she had closed her eyes and relaxed, but he would wait. patiently beside her. The jotun with her on his lap sought a way back into the arena, now with all his power properly controlled and hidden, apparently, he didn't give a shit what people out there thought, but to think that they could later bothering your girl annoyed him.
Pepper appeared shortly afterwards as he climbed the well-designed stairs, Sam emerged and disappeared so quickly that Loki had no time to bother with his presence, surely Captain America was now downstairs trying to wake his mate.
- Should I start worrying about my physical integrity? Mrs. Stark asked in a tired sarcastic tone, her late husband's daughter and the jotun looking like a potential threat to the world, but she didn't feel the slightest desire to move away from the former.
-You've had your life threatened by worse things, I'm sure you'll be able to hide if she tries to kill you. - Loki commented as a smile on his face.
Pepper had too many questions to ask about what happened, his pride would not stop his tongue, and now the jotun he so hated was an information box while she was a curious child. Definitely Tony's bad habits pervaded her.
-What was that thing emanating from you? - You know, I've met very powerful beings, but it's the first time I've felt that.
-You have never met beings with powers of the mind - The other answered as they both climbed the stairs back to the upper area. - Basically, our gifts influence terror for those who cannot use mental shields. - Loki decided he would tell part of the truth.
- A way to intimidate the enemy? Good technique. - The jotun was not interested in the compliments of the other so did not bother to continue the subject. -You didn't look worried about what happened down there, you're fighting well enough. - I don't understand, why were you easily defeated in the battles the Avengers fought against you?
- Because I didn't try to win.
Loki continued to walk, ignoring the fact that Ms. Stark stayed behind staring at him suspiciously. He always controlled the situations by throwing truths and lies in the wind, the one that only Lin knew, not because the jotun told to her, but because she realized on her own a short time ago. Loki liked to confuse people like Pepper, maybe she would trust Odin's adopted son a little more if she believed that truth.
With his usual elegant walk, the green-eyed one soon found himself in one of the few comfort areas of the place. He laid his friend's body on the cozy sofa and was surprised to find her eyes wide open, watching him.
-Something tells me you shouldn't be awake yet. - The jotun commented with a small smile on his face, she became stronger every day.
Lin just grunted something incomprehensible in response, only moving her face because it was still too early and her body movements had not returned. Loki watched with some amusement at the indignation she let go of his gaze and then to his surprise an illusion projected over her, rising in her form and moving freely. Lin's projection crossed her arms, staring at her original self with an arched brow.
-A standstill spell, really? - She almost laughed at herself.
Loki considered the illusion to find it was too well done for someone who used the trick so few times, despite the flaws and noticeable difficulty keeping it visible, that was a very big improvement since the last time she saw her use something like this. that.
- Emotions blinded you. - The jotun said simply.
- Oh sure. She commented wryly. -And whose brilliant idea was it to make me face She-Hulk? - The image failed, almost disappearing - Not ready to fight her, Loki. -For a moment it was almost possible to see some embarrassment on his face.
Lin over the last few days struggled to speak only English, she tried to blend in with ordinary people and speaking Asgardian would not help now. The woman somehow looked upset, as if hurt by her friend's actions, but the one who knew her best knew she didn't care much about what happened.
-If I didn't know you, I'd say you're waiting for an apology. - Loki spoke calmly with a rogue smile still on his face. - You are developing the expressions well. - He praised.
Stark just just smiled slightly, relaxing her shoulders as she felt a little firmness in her legs come back. She never had to worry too much about keeping features on her face that didn't reflect her feelings, even though she already wore social masks when she was forced to interact with humans in her captivity. She spent most of her life with the jotun company alone. and she didn't feel like lying to him, but now that other people wanted to be by her side the need for new permanent social masks came up. She was starting to miss being ignored by everyone and everything.
-Come on, buddy, just help me sit down. - The illusion said in a laughing tone, Loki did not oppose the request and walked to the body of the human lifting only enough to be able to keep in balance.
The original Lin had a tired expression, as if she tried very hard to keep her eyes open, she leaned forward a little, leaving her arms slumped at her sides and swinging them only with the force still in her torso. It was almost as if anesthetized, even her lips moved slowly as she breathed.
- What are you doing?
- Just get a little closer.
The "Asgardian" even though suspicious approached, the swinging of his right arm became faster, she looked into his eyes pulling out that lost air that he sometimes emanated when facing her and that Stark would surely use against the god sooner or later. later. Lin jerked to his left, and Loki could barely see his missing-fingered hand coming toward him, striking the other's face in scent.
-You deserved better than that. - Even soft and without most of her movements she whispered, slumped and her face covered by the couch. The big red mark on his mischievous friend's face elicited his laugh as he allowed himself to close his eyes and rest.
- You can be sure of that. - Loki replied caressing the burning spot on his face, but even if she could not see it was not angry or anything, just looked a little melancholy. He would miss her when she died.