I had a lot of fun writing this chapter. Please let me know what you all think.
The ride back to headquarters was oddly silent. Agent Romanov sat in the cockpit with Stark and Rogers standing behind her, keeping their distance from Loki. The three Avengers were contemplating the consequences that would arise from losing Loki's scepter. It would have been one thing if one of Loki's minions had recovered it at least then they'd have a lead. Instead an unknown subject, who happened to be British, had absconded with the weapon.
"What's the plan?" Steve asked finally breaking the silence. "We can't just let her keep the scepter. We need it to locate the tesseract."
"Right, and do you know where to find her?" Stark asked earning a glare before he pivoted directions. "Jarvis run a search of the footage from tonight. Focus on capturing a clear image of her, and then locate a name. Start with the U.K."
"Right away sir," Jarvis confirmed before adding, "Fury will not be pleased with the current circumstances."
"We know," all three Avengers bit out.
"I doubt we'll find her," Romanov said as she focused on flying. "At least not anytime soon."
"I thought SHIELD could find anyone," Rogers said. "Aren't you supposed to have all this information at your fingertips?"
"Teleportation isn't exactly something SHIELD has experience with now is it?" Romanov asked. "While you two were examining what she did to Loki, I watched her disappear into thin air."
"Fuck," Tony said before adding, "Neat parlour trick. Although that means she could literally be anywhere in the world. Well...bright side, at least Rock of Ages, here, doesn't have it. Any chance she's working with him?"
"Sir, preliminary search results show the young lady escorting civilians last night into the nearest E.R.," Jarvis interrupted.
"So, either this is an extremely elaborate plot to place a spy amongst us," Natasha said, "Or we managed to stumble upon yet another enhanced human. I can't see Loki allowing an ally to take time to get the ants medical help. The more important question is what does she intend to do with the scepter?"
"What if we just didn't tell Fury?" Steve asked. Both Romanov and Stark turn to stare at him. "We've got Loki. Does it matter that we had...help?" Stark looked unbelievably amused and in favor of the plan.
"He withholds information from us all the time," Tony said approving the plan. "Romanov?"
"If only to see how long it takes him to figure it out," she finally said. "However, we spend that time tracking her down. We have no information, and leaving an unknown subject with that much power doesn't sit well with me."
"Agreed," Stark said as a violent streak of lightening lit up the sky, which was followed by a thunderous boom. Steve noticed that Loki suddenly looking at the night sky incredibly wary.
"What's the matter?" Steve asked him. "Scared of a little lightening?" Loki looked at him before answering surprisingly with candor.
"I'm not overly fond of what follows," he answered. Steve furrowed his brow in contemplation of what the Norse God meant by the statement when the quinnjet suddenly shuddered violently. The three Avengers looked at the roof of the ship where the impact had occurred. Stark reached for his helmet while opening the door to the jet.
"What are you doing?" Steve yelled, but a blonde haired man with a red cape had entered. He walked straight up to Stark and punched him causing the man to fly backwards. Without hesitation, the newcomer, grabbed Loki by the throat and was gone.
"Now who was that?" Stark asked clambering back to his feet.
"Another Asgardian?" Natasha guessed while trying to keep the plane steady.
"Think he's a friendly?" Steve asked looking over at her.
"Doesn't matter," Tony answered. "If he kills or frees Loki the tesseract will be gone. I liked the Brit better. At least she was helpful."
"We need a plan of attack," Rogers called, trying to get control of the situation. Stark always acted far too rashly for his taste.
"I have a plan," Tony quipped. "Attack."
"Good," Fury said after receiving the bridge report from Agent Hill. He was currently keeping watch over the SHIELD agents working on the bridge of the Helicarrier. The Avengers had just arrived, and Loki was contained. "Let's vanish."
He waited until he was positive that everything on the bridge was running smoothly under Agent Hill's command before following Agent Coulson to Loki's new accommodations in order to interview the prisoner. While on their way, Agent Coulson started briefing him on the recent acquisition of the Avengers.
"They apprehended him in Germany while he was attacking civilians," Coulson said. "Iron Man and Captain America engaged him in close quarter fighting while Black Widow covered them from the quinjet. She was unable to intercede."
"Did they recover anything aside from the him?" Fury asked. "Anything that could help us figure out where the tesseract is located?"
"No. The weapon that Loki was using," here Agent Coulson checked his notes, "a scepter powered similarly to the tesseract was lost in the scuffle. None of the Avengers were able to keep track of it during the fight. After they got him on the quinjet, another Asgardian, his older brother, Thor intercepted them. They leveled a nearby forest before realizing they were on the same side."
"Do we have any idea on the location of the scepter?" Director Fury asked trying to ignore the headache he felt coming on and focus on the matter at hand.
"Unfortunately we don't," Agent Coulson answered. "However, all three Avengers reported that Jarvis is currently looking into the matter."
"Stark choosing to be helpful...to SHIELD?" Fury asked skeptically looking over at his top agent who shrugged.
"We don't really have the ability to be picky right now," Coulson answered. "It's certainly odd that he's volunteering to help us though." Unfortunately, as they had arrived outside the chamber which held Loki's cell there wasn't time to question said helpfulness. Upon entering the room, they found Loki sitting serenely in the glass cage, apparently mediating.
"I wish only to speak to the Witchling," the Norse God said without opening his eyes. Director Fury looked at him before glancing at Coulson who appeared equally confused as he flipped through his notes mouthing, "witchling". Surely, he wasn't referring to Agent Romanov, was he?
"You aren't in a position to make any demands," Fury said choosing his words carefully to prevent Loki from learning anything.
"It is not, I, who seeks answers," Loki said opening his eyes to look at the Director serenely. "Why do you fear bringing her before me? It is unlike you to be so protective of your...assets."
Fury didn't respond. How could he? Loki had more information than he did, a fact that he did not appreciate.
"Unless you fear her, now, that she wields the scepter," Loki mused aloud while watching Agent Coulson and Director Fury exchange glances. "She's been keeping secrets from you."
Fury had no time to decipher riddles. Instead of rising to Loki's attempt at manipulation, he chose to remind the Norse God who was in control at the moment.
"In case it's unclear, if you try to escape...if you so much as scratch that glass," Fury said ignoring Loki, as he hit a button on the control panel, which caused the metal iris panels to open underneath the chamber. "It's thirty thousand feet straight down in a steel trap. You get how that works? Ant...boot."
"It's an impressive cage," Loki said clearly enjoying his attempt at manipulating the SHIELD members. "Not built, I think, for me."
"Built for something a lot stronger than you," Fury confirmed.
"Oh, I've heard. The mindless beast, makes play he's still a man. How desperate are you, that you call on such lost creatures to defend you?"
"How desperate am I? You threaten my world with war. You steal a force you can't hope to control. You talk about peace and you kill cause it's fun. You have made me very desperate. You might not be glad you did."
"Careful which lies you choose to believe," Loki said cautiously. "I wield power as a God, without difficulty, just as the Witchling does. No, it burns you to have come so close; to have the Tesseract, to have power, unlimited power, and for what? A warm light for all mankind to share, and then to be reminded what real power is?"
"Well, let me know if 'real power' wants a magazine or something."
"Bring me the Witchling," Loki answered. "As a reward for your graciousness, I will answer any question she asks." When both SHIELD members remained silent, Loki's grin grew even wider.
"My mistake," he said. "Tell me, do you still trust your team?" Fury refused to answer. Pivoting on his heel he stormed out of the room. He'd be having words with said team.
Hermione arrived on the airship via portkey. Kingsley had briefed her that it would drop her in the living quarters of their top Auror. She had been impressed by how many undercover Aurors were working for SHIELD.
A single glance around the small room confirmed Hermione was meeting one of her old roommates. The witch in question was waiting for her against the door. For a brief moment, Hermione remembered her section of the Gryffindor dorm. Sure enough a familiar photo of Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil was sitting on the desk.
"Brown," Hermione greeted looking over to her old schoolmate. "I take it you're doing well."
"Granger," Lavender answered. "The last time I saw you was at one of the Battle of Hogwarts Celebratory Anniversary Balls. You look much more relaxed now than you did then."
"I hate those balls," Hermione muttered.
"Agreed," Lavender answered eyeing her with suspicion "What was the last suggestion you made to me?"
"I believe it was to shag Ronald until he couldn't walk," Hermione answered. "He kept bothering me after our break up and I thought it'd be to my advantage to distract him."
"Good to know it's you," Lavender muttered. "Certain habits are hard to break."
"Who did I sacrifice to save you in the war?" Hermione asked. Lavender grimaced.
"Trick question. You attacked Greyback. No one would really consider that a sacrifice now would they?"
"I certainly wouldn't," Hermione answered softly. "Do you like it here?"
"It's entertaining," Lavender answered. "I'm also brilliant at the work. Enhanced werewolf genetics are extremely beneficial during espionage.
"How do you…"
"Transform" Lavender asked suddenly grinning at her. "I'm particularly proud of that actually. SHIELD thinks I'm a Wiccan, and that I celebrate various lunar holidays once a month. They are quite tolerant regarding religion. I am grateful Kingsley finally agreed to a control meet with SHIELD."
"You're supportive of breaking the Statute of Secrecy?" Hermione asked surprised. "I'm usually shouted down by everyone, and I'm not arguing for a complete exposure."
"I don't think everyone should know. I just recognize that SHIELD has too many resources," she answered. "According to Kings we're on the same sheet of parchment. I approve of the idea of offering you as our sacrificial representative, while also hiding in plain sight."
"Good to know you'll have my back," Hermione said. "You don't want to be an Avenger?"
"Merlin no. I don't envy you at all," Lavender answered. "I guarantee you'll hate yourself rather quickly, but we can catch up later. We should, however, get you in the laboratory so you can make your grand entrance." Hermione nodded and promptly disillusioned herself so she could sneak through the corridors.
"I wish I could see their reactions," Lavender muttered as they left her quarters. "Stark won't know what hit him."
"Is he really that bad?" Hermione asked quietly since they were in an empty hallway.
"You'll hate him," Lavender answered cheerfully. "He is very pretty to look at though. Don't be surprised if they keep you under a lot of scrutiny by the way. Director Fury tends to be particularly paranoid. I doubt I'll be interacting with you much."
"Good to know," Hermione answered. They fell silent as they made their way the numerous identical corridors. It was going to take forever to learn the differences on this airship. Provided that she managed to not get herself shot before the invitation to stay was issued. Lavender didn't stay after dropping Hermione off in the empty lab, citing duties, and Hermione made herself comfortable while she waited for the Avengers to make their appearance.