With Steve officially moved in, the entire atmosphere changed drastically. Glad for another man who could match their strength, Bucky and Clint kept challenging the Captain to fights. And whenever she was around, Natasha would often join in. Loki joined a few times, making Clint practice with his magic while doing physical fighting as well. The magic practice focused on mostly defensive spells for the team and Clint himself. Nearly another month passed when things finally changed. Though it certainly wasn't for the better.
"The Tesseract and Scepter never made it to Providence," Phil informed. Clint winced at the news, getting to his feet and walking toward the kitchen. He should have thought of that before. Personally made sure that it arrived rather than trusting Fury's people too. Bucky frowned and glanced over to Loki but the trickster's face was blank. He then looked back to the others.
"That doesn't sound good," Tony muttered.
"It's not. Hydra must have them," Bucky confirmed, looking to Loki with a dark gaze. Things were seriously not looking good if they already lost two of the stones. They'd need to get them back, now.
"So, we take them back from Hydra," Steve announced as if it could be that simple. Bucky shook his head.
"Hydra is much bigger than it was before Stevie. Never mind the fact that there are S.H.I.E.L.D agents that are working in the same places as Hydra agents. If we go in guns blazing, they'll get caught in the cross fire," Bucky pointed out. "As much as I'd love to say otherwise, Clint and I certainly don't know every Hydra agent."
"But, we know some of the higher level ones. Like Pierce," Clint mentioned, walking back into the room, his face slightly pale. Bucky sighed, holding out a hand to bring the archer closer. Clint easily took it, much to Natasha's consternation. Without caring about her ire, Bucky pulled Clint down into his lap to hold him a bit tighter.
"But we can't go after him yet. With all this mess going on the World Security Council has already been knocking on our door," Phil added. "If we go after him now, we'll lose."
"I agree, considering the Avengers technically have not come into existence. People will question us," Loki reminded. Clint and Bucky winced.
"Well, we aren't going to create an event to cause them," Phil snipped before the trickster could even attempt to suggest anything. Though, his gaze was a bit more focused on Clint then on Loki. Still Loki looked to Clint. Judging by the Lie-smith's face, Clint knew he was asking the archer what they could use that wasn't the invasion.
"First thing I can think of happening would... Well, would have been Amora," Clint informed, shifting in Bucky's grasp to more sit beside him rather than on his lap. Loki grimaced.
"We shall not be calling her," Loki huffed. Dealing with Amora was complicated in the first place, never mind giving her permission to attack Midgard. Clint sighed, seriously thinking about everything that happened after the Battle of New York. There were various mini battles against different things but nothing as big as New York. And Clint wasn't even sure that those moments would still happen. "Until we can find a concrete way to getting the world to learn of the Avengers, we can only work in secret."
"No. You can't come here proclaiming the end of the world and then say there is nothing to do!" Tony snapped, pointing between the trio. Clint shrugged, racking his mind for something to do. But, everything seemed to rely on the invasion starting everyone into doing things.
"Honestly, without fighting Loki in New York, I don't think there are any large enough events that can happen that we could prevent," Clint huffed, looking between Loki and Bucky. And as if the heavens heard them, Phil's and Natasha's phones went off. Clint pouted, wishing he had his phone. Fury refused to put him back on duty, siting that Hydra would be after him. Which was true. Until the group was gone, it wasn't safe for Clint to go on missions. Bucky just patted his shoulder as Phil answered his phone. Natasha hesitated before accepting her own.
"Should we maybe secretly deal with the Tesseract and Scepter issue?" Tony questioned. Clint sighed deeply, turning his attention to the genius. Tony was right. They needed to get those things away from Hydra as soon as possible. It was dangerous having Infinity-
"Crap!" Clint hissed.
"What?" Steve wondered and Clint looked to him before looking to Bucky and then back.
"We never grabbed the Space stone from the river bed." Before the conversation could continue on that topic, Phil interrupted it.
"Understood," Phil stated before hanging up. Natasha muttered something on her end and then hung up as well. "It seems there are some aliens that appeared New Mexico and are freezing the area."
Loki stiffened. There was only one thing he could think of that would do that. The Jotuns were coming after him. And the worst part. Odin was going to allow it. He had promised the trickster to them. Clint glanced over to Loki and noted the stiffness of his frame. "I'm guessing this may have to do with Asgardian politics?"
Loki glanced to him before nodding. "I... I may have invited their King into Asgard under the guise of making a treaty and allowing them to kill Odin. But, then I killed the King in an attempt to show that I was a worthy son of Odin."
Silence. Then Tony snorted before turning it into a cough when Phil turned and looked at him. Bucky furrowed his brow as Clint sighed and Natasha just gave Loki the blankest gaze that told all of them that she was displeased with Loki. Steve frowned and couldn't help but ask. "Why would you do that?"
"As the second son to Odin, I should have had right to the throne. If you had met Thor before his banishment to Midgard, you would have seen that he was not fit for the throne," Loki explained, waving a hand toward his brother.
"I can vouch for that," Clint muttered. Loki ignored him.
"I wanted to show such, so during Thor's coronation, I allowed a few Jotuns access to the Vaults. Thor became offended and with very little prompting, decided that all Jotuns's deserved to be eradicated. He started a war and was banished to Midgard. Odin then fell into... What you may call a coma," Loki added. A few eyebrows arched in surprise. "He does it to regain power. But, either way. I became reagent. During this time, I... Well, I attempted to keep Thor's banishment in place against the 'wishes' of some. And I faked a peace treaty talk with the Jotun King. I killed him."
"No matter what the reason, we should go deal with this. As the Avengers," Bucky pointed out. Everyone nodded. Since moving into the tower, a lot of things had been transferred over. Things like Steve's new Captain America suit, his shield, and 'battle' outfits for Bucky, Natasha and Clint. All of which Clint had Tony advance up a bit based on suggestions for each individual person.
Amazingly enough, Thor was already on scene when the group arrived. The thunderer was talking to one of the Jotuns, looking like he was trying to make a political deal. Phil, Natasha and Steve stepped out of the Quinjet as Tony landed in his usual festive style beside them. The Jotuns turned to them. A few readied themselves to attack. One stepped forward, closer to attacking then any of them. Tony stood up straighter but smartly did not ready his repulsors. Steve hefted his shield up minutely. Natasha's hand twitched toward her gun. Clint and Bucky positioned themselves at the end of the ramp way to the Quinjet, waiting. Loki stayed hidden inside. Phil made no reaction (cause he's badass).
"Engynder," one of the Jotuns called, holding a hand out to stop the Jotun from doing anything. Engynder paused before shifting back toward the others. They were clearly ready for a fight of some sort. Almost on edge for it. Actually, almost seeming to want it.
"Barnedmadr," Thor replied, drawing attention back to himself. "While I wish no fight between our people, I cannot allow you to harm any on Midgard."
"Then step away Son of Odin. We search for the one promised to us," Barnedmadr informed. Phil moved closer to Thor with Natasha and Steve flanking him. Tony, amazingly, actually listened to earlier orders and stayed by the Quinjet. It was up to him to protect the jet itself. Clint's fingers twitched, waiting. Bucky's metal fist tightened. They were set to protect Loki inside.
"Knowing my brother as well as I do, I assume he is far from here," Thor replied. "He knows many paths between the realms."
"Thunderer. You are trying my patience," Barnedmadr warned, his voice a darker tone then it had been moments before. Phil knew this was the time to interrupt. While he had had planning on leaving this to Thor, as it was more alien politics than Earth's, he knew Thor was failing. So, it was his turn.
"If I may," Phil interrupted, glancing between the two. Thor and Barnedmadr looked to him. Barnedmadr's face twisted into an odd sight before smoothing out. Thor simply shifted his grip on Mjolnir. "I wish to know what is currently going on."
"Midgardian, be on your way," one of the Jotuns from the group announced before Thor or Barnedmadr spoke. Barnedmadr raised a hand up, stopping his party from doing any more damage. As the leader, it was up to him to deal with the democracy of the issue. If a fight could be avoided, then Barnedmadr would prefer to avoid it.
"Have you come to represent Midgard?" the Jotun wondered. Phil's gaze flicked to Thor for a moment before focusing on the Jotun. These people were pretty much used to one person ruling over all and Earth wasn't like that. So, what would be the best way to proceed. Hesitantly, an idea came to him.
"I do not represent all of Midgard. But, I am an acting leader of a group that protects us," Phil explained, waving a hand toward Natasha, Steve and the others by the jet. Barnedmadr looked to everyone, slowly gazing at them before back to Phil. "I am just wondering if we can come to a peaceful resolution to... Whatever this is."
"My King," a Jotun stated. Barnedmadr looked back toward the giant as Phil looked to Thor. This was the new Jotun King here? He was personally looking for Loki? Thor made no reaction to the statement. He had been introduced to Barnedmadr on Asgard. Phil on the other hand, swallowed tightly. This was a bit more dangerous then he had first assumed it might be.
"Yes, Kunla." Kunla replied in a strange language that Phil could not even begin to guess. Thor frowned, apparently not pleased at the language switch. Barnedmadr nodded and said something back in the same language. Someone else added their two cents a moment later. Then Barnedmadr turned back to Thor and Phil.
"You have two Midgardian days to turn over Loki Laufeyson before we raze this world," Barnedmadr announced. Phil tilted his head in surprise as Thor tightened his grip on Mjolnir.
"Loki is a powerful sorcerer. It would be hardly possible for Midgardians to track him down within two days," Thor argued, waving a hand toward the others quickly. Phil glanced to the thunderer for a moment, not enjoying the idea of sounding so weak but knew at this moment it was for the best. Barnedmadr looked to the Crown Prince.
"It has been said that your brother is lurking in a large city to the east, surrounded by water on nearly all sides," Barnedmadr said in response. Thor frowned. That description could fit a lot of places but clearly, Barnedmadr knew of New York. But, who could have said something? Who on Asgard or Jotunheim would know where Loki was?
"May I ask as to why?" Phil questioned, drawing attention back to himself. Barnedmadr tilted his head to the side as if asking what Phil meant. "As an invading force on my planet, I would like to know what he has done to deserve such force to find him."
"That tis not necessary knowledge for a Midgardian," the Jotun that had earlier been called Engynder snapped. Phil arched an eyebrow at the alien. Yeah, this wasn't looking like it'd go over very well.
"Have care-" Thor cried, lifting Mjolnir a bit in a threatening way. It was clear now that some of the Jotuns were willing to start another war between them and the Asgardians. And now including Earth.
"Engynder," Barnedmadr snarled and the other Jotun clearly backed down. "We were promised the traitor by the All-Father."
"For what?" Phil asked. It was clear that the Nine Realms thought extremely little of Earth. Phil could use that in their favor. Barnedmadr stared at Phil. "You cannot expect us to simply hand over a person based on someone's words. I have never heard an order from this 'All-Father.'"
Thor cleared his throat, warning Phil that he should be careful. Phil didn't respond. Barnedmadr looked back to Kunla, questioning. She nodded her head to him and he looked back. "Odin All-Father is the King of Asgard and ruler of the Nine Realms. As new king of Jotunheim, I was promised the traitor who killed our last king. Before we could collect, the traitor escaped here."
"Earth, sorry, Midgard is a big planet with nearly eight billion people. If this 'traitor' looks like you, there would have been mention of him. But, we have heard nothing," Phil retorted, pointedly waving his hand toward the differences between the Jotun's and Midgardians. Barnedmadr sighed before looking to Kunla.
"My King, he speaks true." Barnedmadr turned back to Phil, who raised an eyebrow expectantly.
"Loki Laufeyson is, as Prince Thor claims, a powerful sorcerer. He may have changed his appearance." Phil took a deep breathe, mentally planning out his words carefully. With Kunla's comment, the S.H.I.E.L.D agent knew that she must be some sort of 'lie detector.'
"If that is true. We would be hard pressed to find him, no matter how much time is given to us," Phil told the Jotun. Barnedmadr made an amused noise as the Jotun looked to Thor.
"If you wish to protect Midgard, deliver your false brother within two Midgardian days," the Jotun ordered. Thor stiffened and it was clear that the thunderer would do no such thing. No matter how much time he was given. Barnedmadr gave Thor a disbelieving look. "Do you wish to start a war, Son of Odin?"
"I wish to make a new deal that would leave my brother within his own care," Thor countered. Phil glanced up at the thunderer before focusing on Barnedmadr. Barnedmadr let out a loud laugh in response. A few of the other Jotuns joined in.
"You will deliver him or entice war upon the people of Asgard."
"You press this issue of taking Loki and you threaten war upon Midgard," Steve suddenly announced. Thor stiffened, surprised. Phil lifted his head, ready to defend Steve's brash words. And honestly, while none of them knew Loki all that well, the rest of the Avengers agreed. "You may have made a deal with the All-Father. But that was on Asgard, not here."
"You wish to make a new deal?" Barnedmadr questioned, amused.
"Yes. Leave peacefully and we will not be forced to attack," Steve replied. Phil closed his eyes and sighed. Well, there went any hope of stopping a battle. Beside him, Natasha must have noticed the same thing as her gun was now half out and the safety was off. Before Barnedmadr could respond, Engynder lunged forward, ready to attack. He hardly got within swinging distance before an arrow ripped through his chest. The Jotuns all gave a cry of surprise as their brethren fell to the ground dead. Then Barnedmadr traced the trajectory back to Clint, who was holding Izril in all her glory and an arrow already primed to go.
"Archer," the Jotun King called out harshly, drawing attention to Clint. Clint stiffened but refused to move when Thor's eyes narrowed on him. Well, actually Thor's eyes narrowed more on the bow then on Clint. Phil and Natasha were giving him confused looks and if his face plate was up, Tony would have been as well. Clint had brought his S.H.I.E.L.D bow, but reflex had just made him call upon Izril. Barnedmadr took a step forward and Clint quickly released his arrow, allowing it to skim right by Barnedmadr's head and past the other Jotuns before running into a bush in the distance. Everyone prepared for a fight.
"Stand down and leave," Clint ordered as an arrow appeared with him merely drawing back on the string. There was a tense moment before Barnedmadr suddenly laughed for the second time since the Jotuns appeared. Clint frowned, not liking that.
"Archer, come. I wish to speak," Barnedmadr joyfully requested. Clint's gaze flicked over everyone but landed on Thor's. The thunderer gave him a small nod. It would be best if he complied. The politics were getting harder and harder to solve.
"Clint," Bucky whispered but Clint walked forward, not relaxing his grip on Izril's string. As he moved, Clint felt a protection shield fall over him. It made him feel just slightly better. With every step he made forward, the tenser many of the Jotuns became. Tony's repulsors began to whine a bit as the genius readied his armor for a fight and Bucky drew up his gun. Phil and Steve moved aside, allowing Clint closer access. Once Clint passed, Steve shifted to the archer's unprotected side, hefting his shield up as he did, while Phil moved to stand closer to Clint's other side, hand now on his own gun with the safety off. Natasha had her gun out now but aimed toward the ground. The leather on Mjolnir's grip creaked as Thor held onto her even tighter then before.
"Speak," Clint grumbled.
"It has been a long time since someone has been able to draw her string," Barnedmadr mentioned as if no one knew this. Well, Phil, Steve, Natasha and Tony didn't know this but still. "I expected no one would have ever been able to do so."
"Well, you guessed wrong," Clint answered. Phil hissed a warning at him even as Barnedmadr laughed but it was a very dark laugh. Everyone tensed.
"I also do not remember a Midgardian as powerful as you having ever been on Midgard," Barnedmadr calmly added. Clint swallowed down his spike of fear. It was about know that he realized he made a big mistake. He wasn't supposed to have Izril and considering Asgard hadn't made any sign of knowing it was missing, Clint was pretty sure that his Izril had just done what Loki had done. It fused itself with this time periods Izril and appeared in his hands. That meant, it was now missing from Asgard's Vaults. Now Phil had his gun drawn but, like Natasha, had it aimed at the ground.
"Are you accusing me of being myself?" Clint inquired. Barnedmadr smiled. Almost like a kid in a candy store. "Cause, I'm really not liking where this is going."
"I am accusing you of being a mirage," Barnedmadr replied. Clint's eyes widened slightly before his eyes flicked to Kunla. The Jotun stared back at him, confused. "The one we search for is near."
"I am not a mirage," Clint pointed out, nodding his head toward the downed body. "Your buddy already felt that."
"Agent Barton," Phil demanded, in essence telling him to shut up. Clint did as requested and didn't add to his earlier statements. Though he really, really wanted too. He wanted to add that he would defend Earth till his last breath and the Jotuns wouldn't win.
"I see you do not deny Loki being near," a Jotun mentioned.
"He could be. Or he could have already left," Clint muttered, realizing he may have accidentally walked into a verbal trap. "I don't really know."
"Archer," Barnedmadr started but stopped when suddenly the sky began to darken. Everyone stilled as clouds appeared, circling over them. Dust kicked up and all the humans stepped back, loosing their vision. Thor and the Jotuns simply watched as in the middle of the mess, a rainbow of colors slammed into the ground for a moment. When everything cleared, Sif and the Warriors Three stepped forward. Barnedmadr did not seem to enjoy their presence. "I am within my rights!"
"We are not here to dispute that," Sif harshly said back to the Jotun. "We are here on another matter."
Clint paled slightly. Well, that proved Clint's original feelings. This time's Izril had stayed in place until he called upon his time's Izril. To Odin, this may have looked like he just somehow magically stole the bow from the Vaults without having ever stepped foot on Asgard. Never mind him actually doing magic in proof that he 'could' have done so. Briefly, Clint wondered why Heimdall never mentioned him using Izril seventy years ago and why the bow hadn't done the same thing. What he didn't know was that no one cared about Earth seventy years ago so they hardly paid attention to the random three years it had gone missing. Hogun and Volstagg moved toward the archer. Tensing, Clint debated if it would be worth it to fight the Warriors Three off. But that would cause a war with Asgard and Jotunheim. Too much for the Avengers to handle. Barnedmadr looked to Clint.
"Archer Clinton Francis Barton," Fandral called out and Clint winced at his full name. "You are hear-by under-"
"Arrest for the so called theft of Izril which I did not steal," Clint growled. It was true, he hadn't stolen Izril. Nor technically had Loki. Every Asgardian and Jotun paused at that. "Izril was given to me by a Prince of Asgard."
Everyone looked to Thor, who simply frowned. "When did my brother-"
"Technically, November of 2018," Clint retorted.
"What Midgardian year is it?" Kunla questioned. There was a long pause as everyone debated if it would be worth it to lie.
"2012," Natasha finally answered and Clint mentally winced. Time travel sucked. Too many rules and it was overall hard to make sense.
"Do Midgardian years not advance?" a Jotun wondered.
"They do," Fandral agreed, a deep frown on his face. Everyone, except Clint and Bucky (and technically Loki) traded looks. "Are you saying that you have somehow been given a bow from six years in the future?"
"Considering I'm from thirteen years in the future, yes. I can say that," Clint huffed, his eyes flicking to the Asgardian. He still had yet to relax his stance. Everyone looked to Kunla when she let out a gasp of surprise.
"I feel we all must meet with the All-Father," she informed. "There is more going on than one first expected."
The Jotuns backed away, readying for the transport of the Bifrost. Thor even stepped forward when Sif moved as if to grab him. Sif followed him as Fandral moved to the thunderer's other side. Clint stiffened, unsure what to do now. A hand was placed on his shoulder and he glanced back. Phil was gripping him, silently telling him to relax and listen. Clint sighed and slowly relaxed his form. Once Izril was drawn back to her resting space, Clint spelled the arrow into vanishing as well. Hogun and Volstagg stepped closer, ready to move him forward. Silently, Clint stepped toward the group of aliens. His attention shifted to Bucky quickly who was hurriedly moving forward. Clint was hardly near the group when Phil, Natasha and Steve went to move forward.
"We are just here for the archer," Sif warned, glaring at the others. Clint paused along with everyone else. That wasn't good.
"Agent Barton-" Phil began but was stopped when Hogun suddenly pushed Clint forward and the Bifrost slammed down over the Jotuns, Asgardians and Clint.
"CLINT!" Bucky roared. His scream had Loki jerk out of the jet, just in time to see the traces of the Bifrost vanish. The trickster's gaze quickly scanned over everyone and easily spotted the now missing archer.
"By the Norns," Loki hissed.
You guys almost didn't get a chapter this week. I am sooo tired and aggravated with life that just looking at the story was getting me upset. Ugh. But, I powered through.
Darius is good. Itching like mad at the moment and overall just bugging the crap out of me. But, that's on me, not on him. My anxiety is like sky high and basically, him breathing can tick me off. I'm doing my best to not yell at him but he has been acting out just a little (which seriously doesn't help). In other news, he has a Covid scare at his school. Someone in the place has tested positive for it and 'all the appropriate people have personally been informed who it is' while the rest of us just get a generic message. I am glad they are warning us but at the same time... Basically the entire school has been infected to a degree. Anyways, nothing we can do about it now.