Chapter 7

A Birds New Home

Tony watched as Loki turned red and looked down, her hair cascading down her back and framing her face effortlessly. His gaze catching a… a pink bird? On her neck.

"That's Loki!?" Clint yelled, shaken enough to lower his bow completely.

He could only nod, his eyes still unconsciously running up and down Loki. He couldn't help it, she was gorgeous.

Tony caught Steve looking as well, instantly turning red and eyes looking everywhere but the middle of the ally. Tony laughed, Cap was still living in the old days.

"Brother… you-"

Loki looked up, the redness of her face still apparent, her green gaze locked on Thor. "hi… thor…" She chuckled nervously.

Thor slid the cape off his shoulders, crouching down to where Loki sat, wrapping the large red cloth over her. Giving her much more cover than Tony's own little brown jacket. "Thank you Thor…" She said quietly.

"You emerged." Was all Thor said.

Loki nodded, looking embarrassed again.

"Thor, what does that mean?" Tony asked, the large blonde tearing his gaze from his… sister?

"That means you really are Midgards Ashikabi. Midgard is officially in this game." Thor explained. "Since all other realms have their Sekirei and they have emerged, the second phase of the Norns' game is going to begin. However that will happen…"

"Um Stark, maybe we should go to the tower now?" Bruce asked quietly, cleaning his glasses with the hem of his shirt. A clear sign of his nervousness.

Tony nodded. "Let's head back," He turned to Loki, offering her a hand. "Let's go home."

A ghost of a smile reached her pale face as she nodded, taking his hand. The cape makes her look more mysterious, especially in the moonlight and dark alley.

"Wait!? He's coming with us!?" Clint yelled, readying an arrow but Natasha stopped his hand.

"Well. I am her Ashikabi so… She kind of has to." Tony said with a hand running through his hair.

"I see nothing wrong with it." Natasha voiced.

Bruce and Steve only nodded.

"Yes Brother, you will return with us. Somewhere where other players can't get to you so easily." Thor agreed.

Clint was fuming. "Were not letting him in the tower!"

"She or whatever Loki wants to be called is coming home. It's my tower so my rules. Plus you were already outvoted."

Clint could only stutter and have steam practically fuming out of his ears.

The tug of his sleeve pulled his attention. He turned and saw Loki holding his shirt sleeve, he swears with everything she was doing she was getting cuter.

"Your… you're really letting me stay at your tower…?"

Tony smiled easily. "Of course. We are in this game together now right? It would be pretty inconvenient you running around New York from enemies all day and night."

She rolled her eyes. "Oh haha. Very funny." A familiar pink blush overcame her face again. "But I really do appreciate it."

"Let us go then Brother! Together with everyone."

Loki was about to nod but a confused look overtook her. She slowly turned to Thor. "How… How did you know I have emerged? I didn't even know what that word meant until it happened."

Thor flinched.

"And you don't seem surprised by my form either." She continued, her eyes narrowing. A dangerous glint entering them. Making them sharp and deadly.

Thor got more nervous by the second. "Brother- its- well…"

"You knew."

A rush of cold overcame Tony. He could… he could practically feel the rage and betrayal radiating off of her.

Is it a connection between Sekirei and Ashikabi?

"You knew this would happen! Odin planned this didn't he!?" Loki yelled. "I will not be humiliated again!" She yelled rushing forward, her fist flying quickly at Thor's face. The cape and jacket sliding from her, getting rid of her cover.

"Loki wait! The cape!" Tony tried to warn, but she wasn't even listening anymore. Thor dodged backward, Loki continuing her attack.

"He knew! And you knew! You let this happen! Didn't you!?" She continued as she expertly punched and kicked, Thor only barely escaping or blocking.

"You don't understand Brother! That wasn't what happened!"

Loki tisked, somehow more anger taking her. "Shut up! You lie!" She replied with a roundhouse, causing Thor to stubble back further.

Tony didn't like this feeling. It radiated off of Loki and it was such a horrible thing to feel.

"Loki! You have to calm down!" Tony tried. But effectively doing nothing. If he was her Ashikabi, shouldn't he be able to control her or something!? Stop her from making mistakes?

The other Avengers only watched, each with a varying degree of shock and embarrassment. Natasha was the only one who seemed fine with the situation or just didn't show her reaction to the situation.

"She listens to you. Protects you. And fights for you. Now command that power."

A woman's voice echoed in his head, it sounded accented too, like something from Asgard or maybe even the other realms. It had a different quality to it. Command… how was he supposed to command Loki? It's… Loki after all.

"You two are connected. She feels you as you feel her. She feels betrayed, show her yourself."

Another woman's voice spoke, it was higher pitched to the one before. If he wasn't in this situation, he would think he was going crazy.

Tony sucked in a deep breath. Trying to move past his nervousness and her rage, letting a calming breath out.

He looked to Loki, who still hadn't relented on Thor, and stepped forward.

"Stark are you crazy!?" Steve said behind him. But he couldn't focus on that right now.

He closed his eyes and felt the energy radiating off of Loki. "Loki. Please... You have to calm down." He opened his eyes seeing she stopped.

Her normal bright green eyes looked almost lit up in the darkness.

He sighed in relief. "Please, calm down." He said as he picked up the cape from the ground. "Thor definitely has explaining to do, but that can happen after we get to the tower and get you some clothes." He stepped closer as she turned her head to face him. "You okay?"

The bright green, almost luminescent green faded away, leaving the normal emerald green.

She looked away, tears already forming in her eyes. "I-I'm sorry…" She said quietly as he covered her again with the cape. Thor silently watching them.

Clearly, something was going on that Loki caught on to, whatever that was, Tony would learn about it as well.

Tony looked back to the Avengers, an easy-going smile on his face. "Let's head back, I'm in desperate need of a drink."

The trip back to the Tower was luckily very quick. Tony had the elevator already ready for the group once they entered the god he made Jarvis.

Clint was still butt hurt over Loki being at the tower at all, but after the fiasco with Thor apparently doing something as well as the two blue women coming after Loki, he wasn't about to let S.H.I.E.L.D have her or leave her in the streets.

He looked at her in the elevator, she was a little bit behind him but was to his left. Her head was down, clearly ashamed about her actions. She said sorry and that's good enough for him.

The doors thankfully opened, and the Avengers, plus Loki, got off to the main common floor.

He said he wanted a drink and a drink he would have.

The first thing he did was head to the bar. Grabbing a glass and placing a sphere cube in it, already grabbing the whiskey before a voice pulled him from his muscle memory actions.

"You never did give me that drink." Loki's light voice joked, but he could tell she meant it.

"You were taken to Asgard before I could get you a glass after all."

She smiled at the joke. But it soon became somber.

"Whiskey on the rocks, coming up," Tony said, trying to get her to forget about Asgard.

"Thank you, I appreciated it." She said with a small smile as she grabbed her glass.

Clint still fumed behind her. Staring at her as he gave her her drink. "He's not some guest or date Stark." He said.

Loki only stared at the countertop.

"He's a criminal who needs to be handled by us. In a cell and away from people." he added.

She took a deep breath but did not do anything.

Welp, he's not Loki.

"Knock it off birdbrain. This is my tower so my rules. I say she stays so, she stays. Simple as that. She is being punished if I remember correctly, and I'm a part of that now, which kind of makes her jailer, so I will decide what she does and doesn't do. If you have a problem with it, you are more than welcome to leave the tower. Got it?"

Clint fumbled on his words before huffing and stomping away, perfectly imitating a 2-year-old who didn't get their way.

Soft chuckling brought him back to the women in front of him. "I don't think he will appreciate that…"

He put on an easy smile. "Like I said. My tower, my rules. But I would watch your back for any arrows."

"Same warning to you, yes?"

He laughed. "You've got a point. It's something we'll both have to look out for now."

"I think we're going to leave this business till tomorrow. I'm going to bed." Natasha called already heading to the elevator, probably following Clint. "Good night."

"I'm- um… gonna head to my floor as well. I need some sleep and a little bit of peace." Bruce said quality. Rogers only walked straight into the elevator, the red face he sported telling Tony exactly why he was leaving. Loki was still technically naked.

"Brother?" Thor tried.

Loki only focused on her drink.

Thor frowned. "Brother, let us retire. Come on."

Loki rolled her eyes. "Stark, we must discuss my clothing correct? I believe I will be going with you for that." She ignored Thor but clearly made her point.

Tony felt bad for the guy. The defeated look on his face screamed kicked puppy. And he was sure the beating Thor took only an hour ago didn't help.

"Right, clothes. We did need to figure something about that." Tony agreed, trying to apologize with his eyes to Thor. While THor had some explaining to do, and clearly pissed off Loki, he couldn't help but feel a little bad for him.

Thor seemed ready to respond, but he only stopped himself and nodded. Turning away and heading to his floor. "I wish you a good night then, Stark. Brother."

She flinched a little bit.

"Yea, good night…" Tony tried to ease the tension.

The ding of the elevator finally chimed and Loki quickly looked behind her, checking herself if Thor was gone.

She sighed. "Finally. I thought he would never leave." Loki closed her eyes and calmed herself before looking back at Tony. "You are correct however, I do need clothes." She said with a small blush.

"Okay, I've got some clothes upstairs, I think now that you're a little bit shorter they should fit you."

She chuckled nervously. "I may be a bit shorter but I think I am a bit… well…" She gestured to herself.

"Right… Bustier. I have some big shirts I'm sure they will work, till we get you clothes that actually fit you." Tony said, placing his cup back on the bar before he walked to the other side. "Let's head to my floor."

Loki had to admit it, the view from Starks floor was amazing. Sure she had seen it when speaking with Stark before, but she hadn't really taken in the view. Plus seeing the city in its beautiful night lights from this high is amazing. She'd seen new york tons of times but never from somewhere so high.

"It's nice right?" Tony chimed as he passed her.

She was just about to answer, but someone beat her to it.

"Yes. Midgardians are very clever with their realm. Isn't that right sister?"

Loki's breath left her as she turned around. Seeing the three floating orbs of light.

They grew bigger and bodies eventually formed. Three women formed and she knew instantly who they were.

She knelt down, clutching the red cape around her tightly, trying to cover herself in front of such important beings.

"Um. Who are you people?" Tony said without a care in the world.

Urd smiled while tilting her head, Verdandi only looked surprised while Skuld only narrowed her eyes.

"Stark! Get on your knee now!" Loki hissed quietly, keeping her eyes on the ground in respect.

"It's alright Loki. He doesn't know who we are like you do." Verdandi said kindly, stepping closer to the kneeled-down women. Loki caught a glimpse of her flowing white dress.

"You may rise, no need to stay on the ground child." The blond Norn said.

She slowly rose but kept her eyes on the ground.

"Lokes. Who are they?" Tony whispered.

"We are the Norns. Anthony Stark." Skuld answered.

If Loki could slap Tony right now, she would have. Wait… Anthony?

The youngest of the Norns excitedly walked to Loki, taking both her hands with a large smile on her face. "The last little bird emerged! I told you sister, that dumb king's plan wouldn't work!"

The Norn of the future scowled. "Hush Urd. You must learn to keep your mouth closed."

Urd winced but kept smiling. "Sorry… but you have to admit it was fun to watch his plans go down the drain!" She laughed. Her sky blue eyes looked back at Loki. "How do you feel? You've emerged after all!"

Loki couldn't even figure out what to say. "I-I feel fine Lady Urd…"

"Leave her alone, Urd. You're making her nervous." Verdandi said, a disapproving look in her gaze.

Urd rolled her eyes. "If she was nervous she could have just told me." She said as she walked back to the Norn of the future.

Skuld's navy blue eyes traveled up and down Loki, which left a rather odd feeling in her. Before her gaze snapped to Tony. "Why haven't you picked her armor yet? It is your job."

Tony stood there, completely oblivious. "What?"

Verdandi giggled. "You have to pick her armor. All Ashikabi's pick what their Sekeries wear to battle."

Loki instantly felt a blush run across her face. Tony Stark was supposed to pick what she would wear!?

His eyes traveled up and down, the playboy had his own blush. "Uh- no. I can't pick what she wears."

Urd laughed out loud. "Look at him! I can't wait to see what he's imagining on her!"

Skuld rolled her eyes, before looking apologetically at Tony. "Ignore her. She finds humor out of this. Just imagine something on her and it will show up. It's all up to the Ashikabi."

Tony grew bright red. "You can't tell me that! I-I-" Tony looked back to Loki, his hand clapped over his mouth instantly.

She had no desire to learn what he was imagining her in. Her green eyes looked to the floor, clutching the cape closer to herself protectively. "J-just pick something…" She said nervously, a tumor clearly in her voice.

Tony had no idea what to do. The words of these crazy women and the look on Loki's face was not helping his mind.

He's a man! His mind was going to run with this! Especially with how beautiful Loki looked. What could she wear? What would she look good in?

She would look amazing in anything really. His imagination took hold. He'd seen many women in costumes for him, but he was sure Loki would look the best in everything. Once a ginger wore a nurse uniform. That would look great on her.

Oh! He remembered a threesome, both girls in maid uniforms. He was sure Loki would look better than anyone who ever tried the outfit on.

Playboy Bunny? With her chest… and the ears! She would be rather ironic.

"J-just pick something…" Her voice rang into his ears.

He looked back at her, all images of her in scandalous outfits instantly leaving. There she stood. An embarrassed look in her unique green eyes. A new idea popped into his head.

Closing his eyes, he seemed to know exactly how to make her armor show up. He pictured it.

The familiar black coat she had worn when she was first there. Black leather on top with shining emerald green on the inside. A line of gold running along the inside and outside on all four strips of her coat. The golden pattern and green fold on the front of the coat. But a different idea showed itself to him. The sleeves of the coat showing her shoulders and upper arms. Black crossing leather running down her arm and adorned with golden arm armor. A low circle neckline, a golden necklace embedded within it. The crossing leather corset having the same pattern as before. The small golden patch shining even brighter than before. The leather ending in a short dress, a slit on the right leg, showing a black and green undercover underneath. Black heeled boots running up to her knees, showing her pale legs perfectly.

The image in his head was missing something… then it hit him. A circle of gold with the familiar horns that screamed Goddess of Mischief. It wasn't the full helmet like she had worn before, but to show her long black hair.

It wasn't a nurse's outfit or a maid uniform, or the playboy bunny. But it was definitely something he hadn't thought his mind could come up with.

He opened his eyes again, and it seemed Loki was just glowing. He barely caught the fading light as she was wearing exactly what he was just thinking of.

Her eyes looked over the outfit. Pure amazement in her green eyes. She twirled, the coat flowing perfectly with her. Her hand flew to her crown, running her hand along one of the horns.

She turned her green gaze back to him. The outfit he imagined somehow looking even better in person. She had a small pink blush on her face as she bowed a little bit. "Thank you so much, Anthony."

"Yea, it's nothing reall-"

What?

A glint of mischief shone in her eyes as she smiled.

"What did you just call me?"

She giggled. "I thought that would be your reaction."

Tony didn't even see when the youngest of the three women that… appeared… in his line of sight until she crashed into Loki.

Taking her hand and looking all around her. "Look at you! She definitely has my favorite armor! None of the others look this nice!" She complimented with a smile.

"Urd. You really are a child aren't you." Verdandi chimed.

He couldn't help but laugh at Loki's flustered look. It was so cute.

"You can't blame me! I always go for the underdog!" The youngest sister said easily as she hugged Loki. Tony didn't know why he was getting jealous, but seeing that norm or whatever she was all over Loki… he didn't know.

Although seeing how nervous Loki was kinda made up for it. He really felt bad for her. Clearly, Loki had no idea what to do.

"You're just jealous you're not hugging her! Aren't you, big sister?" Urd challenged, happily shoving her face on Loki's chest.

Tony's eyes widened, the bounce of them easily catching his eyes.

"Skuld aren't we here on actual business? You know, since the last Sekerie has emerged now."

The red-haired woman nodded, crossing her arms over her chest. "Urd. Get off her. We must talk to them about the next round."

Urd rolled her eyes, clearly upset. "Always ruining my fun… I'm going! I'm going…" She added at Skuld's warning glare.

"Wait, so you guys are here for something other than messing with me and Loki?" Tony asked, stepping closer to the shocked-looking girl.

Skuld nodded.