A/N: Will try and do longer chapters which should happen naturally with the story getting more interesting. Hopefully. Will be updating weekly.
I've been listening to the Loki trailer soundtrack and think it's awesome!
At the bottom of the Inari shrine outside Takamori, Japan
They had agreed to meet Dr Strange outside the shrine and came by jet. It was still unclear whether Stephen was going to be going back with them. They stood at the bottom of the stairs with a red wooden frame over the entrance.
"Why did you come along?" Hulk asked Hawkeye. "Thought you would be with the family."
"I have a favour to ask. You?"
"I'm here to give Tony backup in case he doesn't like what he hears."
"I can actually hear you both." Tony remarked. "I wouldn't be going and asking for favours. Doesn't sound like you will get out on top."
A golden circle appeared before them and Dr Strange walked through.
"Whats the matter, digging your heels in? Didn't want to be by the entrance?" Tony asked over his square glasses. Hands comfortably in the pockets of his suite.
"No." Stephen pointed to the hanging scrolls dotted on the trees and the red frame. "It's protected land. Can't just open a magical doorway here. Why didn't you park your ship closer to the temple?"
"Magnetic interference with the navigation system. Whole ship has power shortages if you get too close." replied the Hulk.
"I sent a drone to do a parameter sweep but it hasn't come back and lost connection." Tony said looking at the scrolls through his glasses.
"So when we pass those red gates, there won't be any easy way out." Cap observed.
"This has got trap vibes written all over it" Hawkeye muttered
"Exactly. Would make for a lovely holiday. Point break, you can have the honours." Guestured Tony to Thor to go first.
"I'm not afraid of any rabbit god." Thor said with conviction. He passed through the red arch. Nothing happened. He turned to smile at his teammates. They all proceeded through; Tony, Cap, Thor, Stephen, Hawkeye and the Hulk. The further they walked up the winding steps, the thicker the treas became. Obscuring everything they had left behind. They reached the top ten minutes later which the path opened up to a view of the temple. There were more of the Red arches with characters on them, leading to a temple with red wooden beams and white panels. The roof was typical japanese , square and with the corners slightly upturned.
"You ok there buddy?" Tony said to Thor as he was visibly out of breath and leaning on his axe.
"Yeah. It's fine." He said in a higher pitch than normal.
"C'mon. We need the god of thunder." Hulk said jokingly, slapping him heartedly on the back with his good arm. The whole team knew he wasn't at his best and knew very well he hadn't come just for the stones. Thor nodded and they passed through the red gates. The Front sliding doors were already open. They passed through to a large hall supported by red beam pillars. At the end was the kitsune. Knelt on a mat on a raised platform, dressed in a blue traditional cherry blossom kimono. Hair flowed down. The blue necklace which had absorbed the infinity stones was round her neck on display.
"Alright, eyes on the prize, guys." Cap said, pulling his shield tighter. Meli was standing on the tatami just before the platform in her navy Hakama. When the group were 20 metres away, she said clearly,
"Stop. PLease make your requests individually." They stopped to look around at each other. Stephen was the first to step forward. Performing a slight bow before continuing.
"I have come here to repay my debt for slaying my enemies." Showing his wrist with the black insignia on. The other avengers watched over in suspense.
"Much thought has been put into this as your previous mentor has vouched for the importance of you remaining on the near shore with the living." Zinira paused. "Therefore, the mark will remain until I have need of an ally on the battlefield. I expect that you will answer my summonings when the time comes and fight by by side, no matter the situation." The words seemed to fall on Stephen like bricks. He paused to take in exactly what she had said. Kitsunes were notoriously good with word play. Sighing eventually,
"I agree to the terms." Not liking the uncertainty of who he would possibly have to fight and to what end? The kitsune tilted her head in acknowledgment and Stephen took it as a sign that he needed to stand down. He returned to the others. Tony stepped forward,
"We would like to ask for the infinity stones so we can return them to their rightful places in time." Meli looked openly annoyed at his behaviour. Zinira only had a glint of amusement in her eyes. "I can write a cheque out for whatever amount you want." Tony continued, flamboyantly.
"I have no interest in money."
"No, we didn't think you would be, What do you want?" Tony asked, becoming serious. The kitsunes eyes drifted over to captain america.
"I will not give you the stones as that is not what lies in your heart."
"What do you mean 'not what lies in my heart'" brows furrowed, turning away and coming back in frustration.
"When you step past the red gates, what you truly want becomes revealed. You, Tony Stark, do not want anything to do with the stones. In fact, it haunts you, ever present in your dreams. You want to run as far from them and the responsibility that comes with them. The danger. All you want is peace and protection for your wife and daughter."
"Don't be ridiculous. I'm iron man, saving the world is what I do." For the first time, he didn't sound his usual confident self. Unnerved about the accuracy of the statement.
"You don't want it anymore. I do not make agreements with those whose heart is elsewhere. By all means ask for protection, as many do, but not for the stones"
"What if I request them." Captain America stepped forward. The Kitsune tilted her head.
"Then yes, I will consider it."
Cap gave Tony a look. Tony glanced at the kitsune, back to cap, nodded and stepped back.
"What will it take for you to give me the stones?" Cap said authoritatively.
"Two conditions. You must be the one to return them to their original timeline and you alone. Their aura gives me the impression they are not from the present day. The second condition is that you will listen to me on your passing day."
"Passing day?" Cap said with a raised eyebrow.
"A passing day is the day you die and are about to cross to the far shore." Cap was thoughtful then said with confidence,
"I agree with those terms."
The kitsune inclined her head. A burning sensation appeared on his left wrist, he pulled the sleeve back to reveal a black insignia.
"Hannah." With a flash, the necklace she was wearing was gone and stood in front of Cap was a girl no older than 7, with a wooden box in her hands. Her long brown, curly hair bounced as she raised her head up to meet Cap's gaze. She wore the same hakama and kimono tunic as the other regalia. She outstretched her hands up to pass him the small wooden box. He took it, opening it to reveal the six infinity stones in red velvet cushioning.
"Come, Hannah." Zinira said in a gentle tone. With a flash, the girl was no more and the blue teardrop necklace was round her neck.
"Was that a regalia? Dr Strange told us all the regalia were deceased." Cap asked.
"She is." When the Kitsune did not elaborate further, Cap simply said,
"Thank you." then proceeded to step back with the others.
"Are there any further requests?" Meli asked the group. Thor was about to step forward but Clint beat him to it.
"Yes. Hi. There was someone we lost getting the stones, her name was Natasha Romanoff. Could you bring her back?" Almost pleading.
"No. Once someone has passed from the near shore there is nothing that can be done to bring them back."
"What about turning her into one of your regalia people?" he gestured to Meli. The kitsune raised an eyebrow, disturbing her serene expression.
"It is not your place to ask for her to be put into the service of a regalia, it is something that the individual themselves must want."
"Could you at least ask her?"
"You can ask her yourself." With a wave of her arm, a silver circle of glyphs appeared beneath Clint. He collapsed like a ragdoll to the floor. The kitsune's eyes glowed silver.
"What have you done to him?!" Tony and cap almost said in unison. It was Meli who answered, the kitsune did not seem aware of what was being said.
"She has transported him to the far shore so that he can ask. He will be guided by her."
Clint came to and stood to his feet. There was a thick fog surrounding him, making it impossible to see far ahead. He instinctively reached for his bow, only to grasp at empty air. A yowl came from behind him, there was a white fox sat there patiently. Once it had gotten his attention, it turned and skittered off in the opposite direction.
"Hey, wait!" Clint ran after it. After what seemed like a while, the fog started to clear. Splash. The solid floor gave way to shallow water. Gazing around, dread filled him as he had seen this place before. Ahead were four pillars supporting an angled roof. Underneath stood a female figure.
"Nat?" His feet trudged forward, almost tripping over himself.
"Hey. You came all this way for little old me?" She looked exactly the day she had passed. The white fox sat next to her. Hee reached level with her and placed his hands on her shoulders, eyes tearing up.
"Is that really you?"
" Does that mean he is dead?" The hulk asked.
"No. Just not here." Meli explained. Before any other questions could be asked, the circle faded and Clint started to sit up. Tears in his eyes.
"So it can't be done." It was more of a statement.
"No." Zinira answered, her eyes back to the normal blue. "She is tied to the soul stone."
Clint got to his feet, back to the kitsune.
"Thank you for that." he said over his shoulder. Then addressed the team. "I'm gonna step outside for some fresh air." He left the hall. Banner looked like he wanted to ask something but seemed to think better of it.