As Thor arrived at the avengers tower. Sif helped him to his room and for the rest of the day Thor rested.
People came visiting him, all of the avengers. His closest Asgardian friends, they came with food and in the evening Thor fell into a deep sleep.
Next morning Steve came with breakfast and told Thor in a sombre voice that they would all have a meeting in two hours and the hoped Thor would come.
Thor nodded seriously and mentally prepared himself for the day. This time thankfully Thor managed to dress himself without needing help.
Still hurt like hell, but he wasn't an invalid! And Thor made his way to the assigned meeting room as Thor entered he looked around.
Looked like most had already come.
Tony of course… Steve, Natasha, Clint, Bruce.
What stood more out was King Bylestir in all of his blue glory standing by the window looking out as he crossed his arms. Valkyrie was not far from him and next to her was Sif who lightened up by the sight of Thor.
And there, in one of the chairs was Stephen Strange looking like he was in deep thoughts as he sat there with folded hands. His clothes though looked to be normal Midgardian clothes. Unlike the middle aged Asian man standing by his shoulder who looked to be wearing a dark green robe that looked similar to what sorceress would wear.
Thors instinct was to rush to the man, to ask about Loki. But then realized that if Lokis condition had changed someone would have told Thor. Instead Thors eyes fell on Bylestir and he dragged in a breath then walked to the Jotunn who stood by the window.
"King Bylestir." Thor said. "I never even managed to thank you. Thank you for coming to our aid! I know you did it to protect your own realm, even so. It would have been within your right to leave us to our own doom. I truly am sorry that we have now stranded you here. I promise to do all in my power to return you to Jotunnheim, and I hope that my people have treated you with the respect you deserve. If they haven't… I truly apologize and I promise I will reprimand them personally."
Bylestir stood still for a moment longer then finally turned to face Thor. "I realize the actions which stranded us here were desperate in a desperate situation. Prince Loki may have saved all of our lives. I have thought of it, and I have decided… The crime he ones committed against Jotunnheim, I will now consider that debt paid. As for how we have been treated at the camp… We have been given shelter for the night and food to eat. That is far more than anyone would usually offer. We will ignore slights that may come from your people."
Thor sighed deeply. "I'm really sorry." he said honestly. "Helbindi seemed to be doing better with the Asgardians."
Bylestir nodded. "Helbindi does seem to have a gift." he agreed. "His curiosity though is far greater than mine, I believe that will aid him. Not just that… He has shown concern about Prince Loki." he admitted.
Thor swallowed. "Loki is…. Alive." he finally said.
"I see." Bylestir said. "I hope he will stay alive."
"Heh." Thor smiled awkwardly. "Me to."
Just as Sif walked to them and put a gentle hand on Thors shoulder. "How are you feeling my king?" she asked.
"Tired…" Thor admitted. "Sore. I am getting used to lacking depth perception, but I'll live. I came out of it all easy."
Just then the doors opened and Nick Fury himself came walking in with his hands behind his back, and right behind him was a woman wearing uniform with long blond hair. Not anyone that Thor recognised.
Everyone turned to the two newcomers.
"Well… Sounded like you all had quite the adventure you didn't feel like telling me about." Nick Fury commented.
Thor turned to him. "It hadn't to do with earth. My friends were doing me a favour."
"Fair enough." Nick stated. "But from what I was told, and very seriously. A big threat is coming our way. The true mastermind behind the New York attack. And he is bad news. Correct?"
"Bad doesn't even cover it eyepatch." Tony commented. "He just picked up Thor and was about to kill him." he swallowed. "And it was easy for him. We were all there, and we could do jack shit cause he would just squash Thors head like a little grape. Sorry Thor." he said looking up.
Thor shook his head. "What you are saying isn't untrue." he said. "I was powerless in front of him. Loki was terrified, and he doesn't terrify easily."
"I see." Fury said. "And he wants to collect six of these magic stones and then what?" he asked.
"He collects the entire set." Stephen Strange said. "One snap, and what-ever he wishes will happen. They are the building blocks of our entire universe. The person who wields them can make anything happen… Thanos how-ever only has one desire. At least from what I am told."
"And that is?" Nick Fury asked.
"To kill half of all sentient life in the universe." A new voice penetrated the room.
Thors one eye widened and he twirled around, everyone did and saw. Standing in the middle of the room.
A Young man with long black hair, wearing green Asgardian garbs. His skin pale, his eyes sparkling green.
"What the shit?!" Tony exclaimed as he stood up, gaping. "Weren't you… Burned into a crispy potato?" he asked.
Thor swallowed by the sight of the man. "Loki…" he whispered.
Tony turned to Strange. "How is he here?" he asked.
"He isn't." Strange informed.
"But…" Tony started. "I see him."
Thor swallowed as he stepped closer to Loki, Loki who looked right at him. "No… Loki isn't really here. This is just… One of his projections." he said as he reached forward a hand, and it slipped right through Loki as if he was a ghost.
Lokis eyes had not left Thor, then finally he nodded. "My body is back at the hospital, hooked up on all those noisy Midgardian machines." he admitted.
"Loki you shouldn't do this!" Thor exclaimed. "You need to spare any magic you have on healing!"
"Thor." Loki cut him off. "Listen, it's true I'll heal slightly slower when doing this. But my condition will not worsen." he promised. "And the plain fact is that no matter what we do, I will not be able to heal enough to be any use for you what so ever when Thanos comes. We don't have that sort of time."
"That isn't the point Loki." Thor stated.
"Yes it is Thor!" Loki snapped back. "Half of all sentient life! That is what is at stake. Everyone, do you understand? Midgardian, Asgardian, Jotunn, Kronan, Skrull, light elf all races in all the universe will be part of the universe greatest game of lottery with a fifty percent chance of a staying alive ticket! And even then, can you imagine the despair they will live with Thor… It could be me, it could be you." he swallowed.
"Then what do we do?" Steve asked.
"He wants the stone right?" Clint asked. "What if we take it and hide it far away, far away from earth where Thanos can't find it?"
"I do agree with that idea." Loki fully said. "How-ever I am afraid to say. That will not safe your planet. Thanos sat his eyes upon it long ago, you are the exact kind of planet he targets. A planet with an exponentially growing population whom are already fighting for resources and destroying their own ego system. He will kill half of you the old fashioned way believing he has saved the other half doing so.
"Oh my god…" The blond woman in uniform standing behind Fury whispered.
"Ms Danvers?" Fury turned to her.
"I…" The blond woman breathed. "I've seen it." she admitted. "Planets, highly developed planets. They would cry out for help but each time I arrived it was far to late. Half their population had been massacred. Nick… It was horrible. And he is coming to earth?"
Tony blinked as he looked at her. "Who's the chick?" he asked.
"Special agent Carol Danvers." Nick informed. "She represents earth in the united planets federation and was gifted the powers of a Kree."
That made Loki turn to her. "A human carrying the power source of a Kree?" he asked.
Danvers nodded slowly. "He was dying." she said. "I just happened to be the only living thing around… Now, I try to use my gift to the best of my abilities to help other planets. And give them reason to be fond of earth."
"Loki what does that mean?" Thor asked.
"It means Thor, she is stupidly powerful." Loki said. "It's actually not a bad trump card to have."
"What if we pull all our resources?" Steve asked. "We know he is coming right? So we'll be ready for him. Send up a defence and counter attack."
Loki sighed. "I'm afraid that is the only choice you have." he admitted. "I am unsure if it's enough…. One thing is for sure though. Thanos must not get any of the three stones currently on earth."
That made everyone look at him, everyone except one. Stephen Strange who looked down.
"Three?" Clint asked.
Loki nodded. "The space stone, which I used to transport us away from earth. The mind stone, in the sceptre I used at the New York attack, I believe it is in Shields custody and…" he turned to Strange who still didn't look up.
Everyones eyes were on Stephen strange who looked up.
And from beneath his shirt he pulled a necklace, a golden pendant with a green stone. "The Time stone." he said. "I am its guardian, this stone stays with me."
"Then you need to get off planet." Nick Fury commented.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you Mr Fury." Loki said. "Doctor Strange here is one of the most powerful people in the room. Even more powerful than your lady friend behind you."
"Hmm." Strange smirked. "Is that a compliment?"
Loki turned to him. "You are able to bend the fabrics of time." he stated. "Don't think I haven't noticed. The stone is attuned to you. You even used it when operating on me. Slowed down time so I wouldn't succumb."
"You…" Tony looked at Strange. "You control time?" he asked.
"Within reason." Strange sighed. "I am just a normal human, you seen what an infinity stone can do without a container. A container to tame and hold back its energy." he put his hands around the medallion. "Yes, I can slow down time to a crawl. So all of the world seems to work in slow motion, stretching a second out to last approximately an hour. But only for so long. I can even turn back time, but no more than a few minutes. I can glimpse into possible futures, but as the future is not set in stone. All I see will be possibilities. And for each trick I do. It will be a drain on me. I will be less capable of defending my stone. I am afraid to say, there are limits."
Everyone was silent as they looked at Strange.
"If I may suggest something." Strange said. "Loki to has limits, his time is growing short before he has to return to his own body. Loki, you must tell us everything you can about Thanos and his army."
Loki nodded. "I'll do what I can." he said and then opened his mouth and began. He talked about Thanos, described each of his children and their powers.
Answered all questions he could, but often had to shake his head.
Eventually Thors body seemed to be fading away, glimmering in green.
"Loki please… You need to rest." Thor said.
Loki nodded shortly. "I'm sorry I couldn't help more." he whispered and then vanished from the spot.
Tony sighed deeply as he closed his eyes. "Geesh this doesn't sound good at all."
"We got work to do!" Fury stated as he stood up. "I have phone calls to make, lots of them! And I think you guys should make ready for war!" he stated as he walked out.
Carol Danvers was left behind finally she bowed lightly. "It was an honour meeting you." she said. "I don't get many news from earth, but I heard about you and the things you have done. That's incredible. I wish I could have been there to help."
Steve smiled lightly. "You're here now. We're looking forward to work with you."
Carol smiled. "Me to." she said. "Captain America, wow that's pretty incredible. I grew up hearing about you you know. A real life hero! That seemed so amazing back then you know. Like all the movies but you know, actually real. I hoped I could be like that one day. Now I am, pretty amazing right?"
Steve nodded amused. "It is." he said.
Carol nodded and then turned around see. "I'll see you around." she said and ran out after Fury.
"She seems nice." Steve commented.
"Loki said she was powerful." Thor said, then sighed. "And we'll need all the power we can get. I'm sorry my friends, I will go lay down." he said as he stood up and they all nodded.
"Do you need help Thor?" Sif asked.
Thor shook his head. "It's quite all right." he said. "I hope I can make it to the camp later. At least tomorrow."
"We'll be waiting for you my king." Sif said.
Thor sighed deeply. "Sif, we we are not on official duty. Thor is fine. We have known each other since we could barely walk."
"But you are king." Sif frowned.
"Even a king needs friends." Thor sighed. "I really need friends, not servants. Just friends I can talk to as equals. Please." he asked.
Sif nodded. "Very well Thor. I'll be waiting for you then."
And Thor smiled lightly then finally headed for the door, looking so much forward to just lay down again.
AN: Yes, while I have done my best to stay as true to character as I can with the others... I deliberately changed Carols character... a lot.
Why? Because I can't stand her in the movies. To me she comes across as mean and as being a snoot.
So, I wrote her the way I would like her to be... kinder, more mature and respectful.
It's not that I am against big female superheroes, I mean heck I WANTED to like her movie. I wanted to like it so bad... But I hate these women always need to be so nasty and mean now. I want them to be likeable characters at least.
So well, Carol wont be to much in the story. But I hope you are okay with this kinder more mature version of her.
