CHAPT 6 - TONY STARK

Tony Stark was not having a good day.

He had gone to bed last night, alone. Pepper was in Massachusetts, doing CEO stuff.

He and JARVIS had gotten in a fight before that, and, just to put the cherry on top, Tony had yelled, 'I don't care if someone's about to kill me! Don't talk to me!'

Which was one of the biggest mistakes he'd ever done. Because even though JARVIS had his own mind and could have easily deleted the command from his system, he'd probably stayed silent from spite.

So that's how he ended up here. Here being tied to a chair in front of Justin Hammer, ugly suit and all.

"What happened to letting a man get his beauty sleep without being watched?" He said, pulling as much Stark Charisma as possible into the sentence.

Hammer just gave him an ugly smile and laughed like they were good friends. Tony absolutely hated it when he did that. "Tony Stark." He put a hand on his shoulder, looking down at him in the most condescending manner Tony had ever experienced since Obi. "After everything that's happened, I finally did it."

"Looked more stupid than I ever thought possible?" Tony supplied.

Hammer forced another chuckle. "I made something." He started.

"Congrats. What was it? Two lego bricks stuck together?" Oh he was having fun now. It was like the guy wanted to pause at just the right parts so Tony could make the best of it.

The grip on his shoulder tightened slightly. "Better than anything this world has seen before." He lifted his other hand to direct Tony's eyes to where he wanted.

Like everything Hammer built, it was big. Like, oh-that's-why-the-ceiling-is-so-high big. Because even though the space between the floor and ceiling could've fit three separate floors in it, the head of the robot was touching it.

He realised why Hammer had used the term 'better than' instead of 'unlike'. It had the same mechanics of the Iron Man suits. With just a few slight adjustments.

Such as, it couldn't fly, but by the size of it's feet, it was made for stomping. There were a lot of obvious closed holes to where there were no doubt cashe's of weapons stashed within, waiting for a press of a button.

Stark wished more than anything that it would malfunction like the rest of Hammer's creation's.

Hammer was watching him with a smug expression. "How original." Tony rolled his eyes. "Why did you bring me here then? Want my opinion? I'm flattered. Truly."

Another forced chuckle. "No, but I'm glad you asked." Hammer grabbed a controller from his pocket. "Because you're going to be my test ride. With my new product, I'm going to both metaphorically and physically, step on you." His grin was harsh now, and gleeful.

"Woah there Hammer Time, not even gonna untie me? That's a bit unfair isn't it?"

He just shrugged.

The robot's foot started rising, stepping forward slowly. He wasn't quite sure if it was built that way or if Hammer wanted to emphasise his helplessness in this situation.

Well. He was going to die. And it wasn't going to be a quick death either, he was going to be him slowly crushed under a foot.

Breaking News: Tony Stark was stepped on by Justin Hammer

What a wonderfully humiliating headline.

And then the robot stopped halfway towards his face. He looked to Hammer who was now frowning at his controls. Tony laughed. "'Nother malfunction? Justin, c'mon. I thought you learned."

Hammer spluttered. "No- no, i- it- it was worKING. IT WAS WORKING"

"Yes it was." A voice purred. "But it wasn't nothing to my seidr I'm afraid."

"Oh so it's my turn now." He said, more to himself, as Loki emerged from a doorway, if you squinted, you could see bodies behind him. Tony didn't have to ask if they were dead or unconscious.

Hammer paled, backing up while frantically pushing the buttons on his remote.

"Hello Stark." Loki said, not paying Hammer any mind.

"Loki darling!" Tony said like he hadn't a care in the world. "How are you? Long time no see. Could you by any chance unti- thank you." He smiled as the rope fell away from his hands.

Loki looked at the foot-which was eye-level with him-and then at Hammer. "I must say, it was a wonderful metaphor." And then they were gone.

"Almost got stepped on by Justin fucking Hammer's inventions, picked up by Loki, then got dumped in an alleyway." Tony said by way of greeting. "I mean, what even are dates these days?"

"That's officially all of us then." Clint muttered looking up from his computer. "Is it a one-time thing or ..?"

"Not sure." Nat said from the couch. "Though, it does seem like more of a possession thing. He certainly tries to kill us whenever he's fighting us."

Thor frowned. "But there are many talents my brother wields and yet does not use with us. He is able to shift into any one of us and yet he sticks to cloning himself during battles."

"Why are we even trying to figure him out?" Bruce sighed from where he was reading the Norse Myth book in the corner of the other couch. "Like there are just too many things to keep track of, too many intentions at once, like he made Thor dress as a bride and himself as the bridesmaid. To get Mjolnir back for Thor."

Thor smiled. "That was a wonderful moment we had. Although he never let me live it down."

"Also, JARVIS. I'm sorry." Tony grimaced. The Avenger's brows rose simultaneously, both out of disbelief at the apology and interest in why the apology was needed.

Too bad.

He wasn't going to tell them.

"Amazing how it only takes a single kidnapping and near-death experience for me to hear those words Sir." His AI replied. Tony couldn't help but smile.

Didn't have much Loki unfortunately. But we have one more chapter to go, and I can guarantee there will be a lot of Loki

What do you think?

- Addi :)))))