CHAPTER 4: TWO SPACE GODS FOR THE PRICE OF ONE
Boston, Massachusetts
All Sam wanted was a nice day out. It was Saturday. School was out. No essays due next week or exams to study for (yet). No jotun attacks. Or wolf attacks. Or any attacks from monstrous beings of the other worlds out there. Just a nice, spring day that she could walk around, enjoying like any normal teenage girl.
So, naturally, her luck had to run out.
She had just exited the Starbucks with her café con leche and was thinking about stopping by Fadlan's Falafels to just say hi to her intended, Amir Fadlan, when her phone rang. She pulled it up and frowned when the user said UNKNOWN. She clicked the answer button and held the phone up.
"Hello?" she asked.
"Hi, is this Samirah al-Abbas?" a strange voice asked.
Sam frowned. "Uh, yeah."
"The daughter of Loki?"
Instantly, Sam's hackles raised. "How in th-"
"Sorry, I'm Annabeth Chase, Magnus's cousin."
Sam felt her guard lower again slightly. She had never met the girl but Magnus had told a lot about her. If half the things he said about her were true…well it was an impressive resume to say the least. "Oh. Yeah. Hi, I guess."
"Yeah, sorry to just call out of the blue but I couldn't reach Magnus and he gave me your number in case of emergencies."
Sam was going to have to talk to Magnus about giving her number away like that. "Ok, look what is this about?"
"Yeah, so Magnus told me about how you all captured your dad Loki in this acorn…"
"Walnut," Sam corrected.
"Whatever. The point is, he's trapped right? He hasn't escaped?"
Sam frowned. "Not that I know of." And she would know it. She would feel it, somehow, if her father escaped. Plus, the gods would be in a panic. No, he couldn't have escaped. "Why?" she asked suspiciously.
"Because my boyfriend just told me how someone calling himself Loki just attacked a government base with godlike powers and escaped, destroying the facility."
Sam felt her whole body freeze, felt her lungs tighten. No, it couldn't be true. Loki couldn't be free. After everything they had done last year, he had to be still locked away. This had to be some imposter. Probably some jotun trying to make a name for themself. Still, she felt her hands shaking.
"Are you sure this is Loki?" she asked.
"Well, no," Annabeth replied and Sam let out a sigh of relief. "Percy said his description doesn't match anything Magnus said. It's like it's a whole other person…er, god. But whoever he is, he has godlike powers. He's already taken over the minds of several people."
Sam's eyebrows shot up. Mind control? Loki could only do that to his children. Not to her anymore, thank Allah. And she had never heard of any jotun with that ability.
"I'm just calling you cause it seems like this is more your area of expertise," Annabeth continued. Sam knew the basics of what she meant. She was part of the Greek/Roman world, something Sam really didn't want to get into. One pantheon of pagan gods was more than enough for her.
"Alright, I'll see what I can do," Sam said.
"Thanks. Good luck." Then Annabeth hung up the call.
Sam put her phone away, feeling sick to her stomach. Great, now she had a new threat to deal with, something totally unknown to her. And worst of all, it bore her father's name. Nothing like that to worsen her day.
She sighed and finished the last of her coffee, throwing the cup away. She had to get to Hotel Valhalla and alert the others to what was happening. Hopefully, all of this would turn out to be just a minor incident, but somehow she doubted it. If Annabeth's people were involved, and Loki, then it was something really bad.
Sam turned the corner and nearly screamed at the large, barrel-chested man wearing a heavy wolfskin cloak and Viking armor. "Lord Odin!" she gasped, and fell to her knees.
"Stand up, Samirah," Odin told her grimly. "I have a mission for you."
Sam stood up, regarding him hesitantly. "Does this have anything to do with some powerful being with Loki's name causing chaos, destroying government facilities, and drawing the attention of Greek demigods."
If Odin was surprised, he didn't show it. "It has everything to do with that."
Sam nodded and gulped. "Oh, good." Well, if it wasn't clear before, it was now. Her day was ruined.
Odin leaned in closer. Sam had never seen him look so worried, his face dark and brooding. "Samirah," he said. "I need you to do this alone. Go to this other Loki and stop him however you can. Do you understand?"
"Yes, sir," Sam nodded. Even though she was technically retired from the Valkyries, she still undertook missions for Odin when he called upon her when he wanted things done more secretly. "But, if I may ask, why do I need to do this alone?"
Odin sighed. "I would prefer if this were kept on the down-low. Already, this being's presence is causing trouble throughout the World Tree. We had feared his kind's return after last year but allowed ourselves to slip into a false sense of security. We should have known better."
Sam was now very confused. "Last year? What happened last year? You mean when we caught the real Loki?"
"No," Odin waved her off. "It is unimportant now. Go. Take one of my steeds." He whistled and a horse appeared next to him, as if forming from the mist itself. It neighed and hoofed the ground, its eight legs pacing in excitement. "And take these as well," he said, handed Sam two black feathers. She recognized them as the feathers from his ravens, Huginn and Muninn. Thought and memory. She had used feathers like this before, over a year ago, to know how to stop her father from enacting Ragnarok and imprison him once more.
"Thank you, Lord Odin," she said, bowing her head.
"No, thank you, Samirah. And Godspeed," he said as she clambered on the top of the horse's back.
"Lord Odin?" she asked, before he could leave. He turned to her questioningly. "Have you heard anything about this other Loki being able to control people's minds?"
Sam swore she saw Odin's face go pale, his fingers tremble. "No," he muttered softly. "I had not." He thought on this for a moment before turning back to her. "You must make haste. We are in more danger than I thought. This being is more powerful than I thought. Go, and stop him by whatever means you can. In those feathers, you will find all the information you will need."
"Thank you. I will not fail you," Sam promised him. She looked up at the sky and sighed, wondering if she would be back in time for dinner. She didn't want to worry Jid and Bibi anymore. But she also knew that there was nothing she could do about it right now.
She wondered if she would ever be done with this kind of life. She had said she would stop being a Valkyrie and yet she still did this work, still went on missions like this. And she didn't really want to stop. It was like when she had refused to shapeshift. It had been like denying part of who she was, keeping it locked away tight. Without this, she didn't really know who she was. But, she still wanted that normal life with Amir.
She shook her head. Now was not the time for these musings. Now was the time to ride. She turned to her horse. "I suppose you know where we're going, don't you?"
The horse nickered and then took off, riding into the air with Sam holding on tightly to its mane, bracing for whatever was coming her way. Odin watched her from the street. "Our hopes now rest on you, Samirah al-Abbas," he said into the wind. "May you rise to the challenge with the honor of a true Valkyrie."
Helicarrier, Atlantic Ocean
"I mean, if it's not too much trouble," Coulson said.
"No, no. It's fine," Steve reassured him. Below, he saw Agent Sitwell scanning through image after image with the same message popping up to Loki's profile next to it: No Match.
Coulson paused for a moment and then said proudly, "it's a vintage set. Took me a couple of years to collect them all." He nodded his head as he said it. "Near mint," he added. "Slight foxing around the edges, but-"
An alarm interrupted him. "We got a hit," Sitwell announced, turning in his chair to face them. 67% match."
Fury looked up from his position.
"Wait. Cross match, 79%."
"Location?" Coulson asked, walking up, all business now.
"Stuttgart, Germany. 28 Kӧnigstrasse." As he spoke, the location zoomed in on the monitor, showing a large white building. Next to it, an image of Loki walking down the street appeared. "He's not exactly hiding."
"Captain. Jackson." Both Steve and Percy looked up at Fury's words. "You're up," he said.
Steve nodded slowly and then went to go suit up. Percy looked over at the screen of Loki and fingered the pen in his pocket.
Stuttgart, Germany
It was opening night for the new Stuttgart Museum of Natural History with artifacts from across the globe on display for visitors to see, including an altar to the Apis Bull of Ancient Egypt that was displayed in the main entrance. Doctor Heinrich Schäfer was giving a speech to the assembled guests as violinists played in the background.
On the other side of the city, at the Schäfer Sicherheitsdienst, a research facility under Schäfer's direction, two guards stood on duty. One on the upper level looked down sharply at a whooshing sound and saw his fellow guard fall to the floor, an arrow in his chest. Instantly on alert, the guard turned his gun but another arrow flew through the air, striking him before he could blink, and he toppled over the wall.
Agent Barton walked up, passing uncaringly at the two fallen guards, to the locked door, passing his bow to one of his men as another fixed up the machine to the door's lock. Barton pulled out the main device and then waited for the signal.
Loki walked along the upper floors of the museum, looking down at Doctor Schäfer below, his scepter dangling idly in his hand, dressed up in a normal coat with a scarf and tie. He knew what had to happen, what he had to do. And he knew he was going to enjoy most of it. Time to show these humans exactly what a god could do.
He went down the steps, completely at ease as Schäfer went on, unnoticed by all. Then, as he walked through the main doorway, he spun the scepter in the air and as a guard turned to him, he swung it into the man's head, flooring him.
The crowd gasped and backed away as Loki charged forwards, grabbing hold of Schäfer before he could react and practically dragging him over to the altar of the Apis Bull, flipping him over so that his face was directly beneath Loki's. The god then pulled the device from inside his suit and activated it. On the other side of town, Barton did the same, holding his device up to the machine on the door. Loki's device's blades sprang up and started spinning, and Loki jammed it downwards directly into Schäfer's eye.
The crowd gasped and screamed, many now running for the exits, as Schäfer's body thrashed around on the altar. Loki watched them all run around in a panic, a smile on his face, keeping the device firmly pinned on Schäfer's eye socket. The fear in their eyes. The panic as they ran around, unsure of what to do. A shapeless rabble in the presence of a true god. It was truly invigorating.
Barton's device began forming a pixelated copy of Schäfer's eye in front of the lock. The screen scanned it, identified it as Schäfer's, and lit up green for entry, unlocking the door. Barton opened it and stepped inside. He opened the marked drawer and pulled out the tube containing iridium.
His job done, Loki released Schäfer's corpse and grinned savagely as the final guests fled, continuing to scream and cry out in fear. He then followed them out, his form changing as he did, his suit melting away to his formal Asgardian garb of green and gold, the horned helmet adoring his head, a green cape draped behind him.
First Nome, Egypt
"Loki's been sighted!"
Sadie shot up from her seat. "What? Where?"
"Stuttgart, Germany," Amos told her. "The Fifteenth Nome just called it in. One of their magicians stationed out there saw it happen. I've ordered all of them to back off. This is on you now."
Sadie gulped but nodded. "Right. Where's the nearest gateway?"
"Fortunately, luck seems to be on our side for once. The museum Loki attacked houses an altar to the Apis Bull there. And the next auspicious moment should occur in about five minutes."
Sadie took in a deep breath and mentally prepared herself. She was about to go and fight an alien god. No big deal. She'd fought several earth gods before. How hard could a space god be?
"Then let's go," she said, hoping she sounded confident.
Amos led her out to the courtyard where the main obelisk used for gateways stood. "Are you ready?" he asked her.
"Sure," Sadie replied. "Totally ready to battle a god I have no idea how to fight. Should be fun."
Amos patted her shoulder. "We have magicians on standby just in case. But I have faith in you, Sadie. You and your brother constantly manage to surprise me."
Sadie smiled at him. "Thanks, Uncle."
"You're very welcome. Now you better go before you miss your window."
Sadie nodded and turned to the obelisk, beginning to chant. A few seconds later, the vortex of sand appeared in front of her. And without hesitating she jumped right through. After a second of blackness, she was suddenly in another place. A bright museum with broken glasses and forgotten items thrown around, like the people had left in a panic. A sure sign she was in the right place. And if that wasn't enough, the corpse was.
Sadie shuddered at the body on the altar, one eye horrifically mauled. There'd already been one victim. She couldn't let there be more.
She heard loud explosive sounds coming from the exit, and figuring that's where her space god was, she took off running.
Loki walked outside and saw more people fleeing in panic at seeing him, running into the street and into more people who stood by confused at what was happening.
Loki turned at the sound of sirens and saw several police cars coming towards him. Deciding to show off a little more power, he raised his scepter and a beam of blue energy shot out, blasting the leading car and causing it to flip over and crash. The other cars swiftly went silent.
As the crowd of humans started to run away, an image of Loki appeared before them, blocking their path and forcing them back. "Kneel before me!" he commanded.
The crowd tried to run in another direction and another image of himself blocked them, a fourth one appearing some ways away, effectively closing off all exits and boxing them all in.
"I said…" Loki told them, slamming his scepter down and causing all his illusions to glow with power, "…KNEEL!"
His bellow echoed across the plaza. The humans froze at his words and then slowly got down on their knees before them, eyes wide with terror.
Loki grinned at the sight. Now this was what he wanted. His future subjects, down on the ground in front of a true leader. He felt the rush flow through him. This was what he had been searching for his entire life. The feeling of being a king.
"Is not this simpler?" he asked, beginning to walk through the crowd. "Is this not your natural state?" He lowered his scepter, holding it threateningly. "It's the unspoken truth of humanity, that you crave subjugation. The bright lure of freedom diminishes your life's joy in a mad scramble for power. For identity." As he spoke, his illusions flickered on the edges of the crowd. "You were made to be ruled. In the end, you will always knee." He smirked as he said this.
A few yards in front of him, an older man suddenly stood up, facing him. Loki's smile faded.
"Not to men like you," the man told him.
Loki laughed. "There are no men like me."
"There are always men like you," the man replied.
Loki regarded him closely. In some ways, the man resembled Odin with his words and his stance. And Loki hated that. "Look to your elder, people," he said, raising his scepter again, the blue stone already glowing with power. "Let him be an example."
The man's eyes widened just as the beam went off, shooting straight at him.
And then Captain America jumped down, his shield blocking the shot and sending it right back into Loki, knocking him to the ground. Steve Rogers stood up, the red, white, and blue costume on full display. For the first time in a long time, he felt at peace. This, defending the innocent, was something he understood.
Loki got to his hands and knees, glaring at Steve as the soldier walked towards him.
"You know, the last time I was in Germany, and saw a man standing above everybody else, we ended up disagreeing," Steve told him. As he walked, he saw other people in the crowd begin to stand up as well, bolstered by his presence.
"The soldier," Loki practically spat. He chuckled lightly as he got to his feet. "The man out of time."
"I'm not the one who's out of time." As Steve said it, a Quinjet appeared above him. Inside, Natasha Romanoff flicked a switch and the outer gun lowered, pointed directly at the god.
"Loki, drop the weapon and stand down." Her voice reverberated out of the speaker system for the whole plaza to hear.
Loki regarded them for a split second before firing off another blast with his scepter, the Quinjet narrowly avoiding the shot.
Steve threw his shield, knocking Loki back as he was distracted, catching it as it bounced back. "Jackson, now!" he ordered.
"On it!"
Loki whirled just in time as Percy Jackson entered the fray, the pen in his hand transforming into a sword in midair as he leapt but being deflected by the scepter, his new suit gleaming in the soft light. Steve ran forward and punched Loki across the face at the same time that Percy kicked him in the chest.
Loki barely flinched at either attack. He looked at Steve with contempt, outrage that this human had dared attack him, and swung his scepter. Steve blocked the first two strikes with his shield, but Loki hit him hard with the third, sending him tumbling back.
Percy lunged forwards, but Loki whipped around, blocking the strike and launched a flurry of his own. Percy matched them, blade to scepter, until they pressed together. Percy grimaced, pushing back hard as Loki shoved forwards.
"Perseus Jackson," Loki mused, staring at him. "The savior of Olympus. I thought you'd be taller."
Percy paused. "People call me the savior of Olympus?"
Loki suddenly shifted, his scepter slapping Riptide to the side and then smacking Percy across the chest, sending him stumbling back.
A few yards away, Steve got up, glaring at Loki, and hurled his shield. Loki struck it aside, the shield clattering against the cobblestones. Before it had even hit the ground, Steve was up and running, throwing a punch. Loki dodged it and twisted around, swinging his scepter in a deadly arc that Steve only narrowly managed to duck. Loki brought the scepter down, Steve dodging to the side as it smashed into the stones instead. He threw another punch but it had no effect and Loki brought his scepter around again, this time catching him in the back and sending him flying across the plaza.
Percy charged forward again, but suddenly stopped in his tracks as a second Loki appeared before him, scepter held up threateningly.
As Steve got to his feet, Loki brought the butt of his scepter down on the Captain's head, forcing him down. "Kneel," Loki hissed, pushing the scepter painfully.
Steve grimaced and then shoved the scepter aside. "Not today!" he shot back, spinning around and kicking the god in the chest.
Above in the skies, Natasha watched anxiously. "Guy's all over the place," she muttered. She had no clean shot. All she could do was sit and wait for an opening. As she did, Loki grabbed Steve around the neck and tossed him painfully aside.
Percy swung his sword and the other Loki matched it, except Percy's sword went right the scepter and Loki himself. "Illusion!" Percy cursed and ran right through it only to see Loki's real scepter pointed right at him, glowing bright blue. "Oh Sty-"
As the beam shot out, he only had time to raise his sword before it hit him. He felt like his chest was on fire as he was hurled back, sent tumbling across the pavement, his shirt smoking. He groaned in pain, fumbling for Riptide. He had to get back up, had to face this wannabe stag with his stupid antlers.
He managed to get to his feet, clutching his stomach, and looked over to see Loki lifting Steve up by the throat.
"Hey!" he called out, lifting Riptide. "Hornhead!"
Loki dropped Steve and turned. "Are you that eager to die, demigod?" he asked, smirking at Percy's posture.
Percy winced as he tried to take a step. Loki was right, the blast had caught him bad. He couldn't beat him hand-to-hand. Then he focused on the fountain behind the god. Maybe he didn't have to. He raised his hand, reaching out and felt the familiar churn in his gut, the power in his blood.
Steve struggled to his feet. He couldn't let this kid die. He had to help. But every attack so far had failed, the so-called god just too powerful. Steve took a deep breath and readied his shield. So the guy was stronger. That hadn't stopped him before and it wouldn't stop him now.
Loki grinned as the demigod before him raised his hand weakly, as if surrender. "The savior of Olympus indeed," he snorted and raised his scepter.
As the familiar blue beam of energy was unleashed, several things happened at once. Steve threw his shield directly at Loki's head. Percy used his power and brought all the water in the fountain spewing out, but even then he knew it was too late as he saw the energy beam come right at him. And a voice yelled out something in a foreign language.
The beam suddenly exploded right in front of Percy, as if hitting an invisible shield. He stumbled back in surprise and then frowned before turning. And there, standing several yards away, was Sadie Kane.
"Sadie?" he gasped.
"Percy?" Her eyes widened in surprise.
Percy only unfroze when he heard Loki's sudden yelp. He turned back around and saw the god stumbling in the water around him. Back in the moment, Percy willed the water to rise and surround Loki, enveloping him in a cocoon. It responded eagerly, the water funneling around the god. He tried to escape but was caught in the current and soon completely entrapped inside.
"Nice," Sadie said, taking it in.
"Thanks," Percy replied. "But I can't hold it long." He could feel it slipping. That blast had gotten him good, weakening him. He needed some nectar and ambrosia, stat.
He didn't know if it was just instinct or a sixth sense but without thinking, he dropped the water funnel and raised his sword just as something struck it. He winced at the force but held on. And then the area in front of him shimmered and suddenly, Loki was standing in front of him.
"Perhaps I was mistaken," Loki remarked before lunging forward, grabbing Percy by the back of the head and twisting it to the side painfully. Percy cried out and tried to counter attack but the god simply dropped him to the ground. "Or perhaps not," Loki continued, and then raised his scepter for a final strike.
Percy raised his sword but Sadie then cried out, "Ha-wi!" and Loki was suddenly hurled from sight, as if struck from an invisible foe.
Sadie held her hand out and Percy took it, getting back to his feet. He reached into his pocket and dug out an ambrosia square, sticking it into his mouth. The warm taste of chocolate chip cookies filled his mouth and he felt a million times better.
Steve walked up, regarding Sadie carefully. "And you are?" he asked.
"Sadie Kane," she replied.
"She's a friend," Percy told him.
Steve nodded and they all turned to face Loki as the god stood back up. "Any ideas?" he asked.
"Uh…"
"Hit him in the face," Sadie suggested. "If he gets back up, hit him again until he stays down."
Percy frowned. "Don't think that's going to work."
"Won't know until we try."
"So," Loki said, taking them all in. "A super-soldier, a demigod, and a magician. This the start of one your jokes?"
"Give it up, Loki," Steve told him. "We have you three-to-one."
"Do you now?" Loki asked, smiling. "I think you'd better recount." He slammed his scepter to the ground and suddenly dozens of Lokis appeared around them, each identical to the last, with the savage grin, the glowing scepter, and the horned helmet.
"What in Hades?" Percy muttered, raising his sword and trying to spot the real Loki.
"Back to back," Steve ordered and they quickly fell into formation, each facing a different side. "Call out if you see any sign of the real one."
Sadie eyed the Lokis carefully. She tried looking into the Duat but whatever magic this Loki was using was completely unfamiliar to her. She couldn't find his real form that way.
All the Lokis raised their scepters at the same time. "Look out!" Steve cried just as the beams shot out. Percy instinctively flinched as they came, but all the ones that hit him passed right through.
Steve grunted as the real beam hit his shield, only managing to bring it in front of him in time. It rebounded off and dissipated.
Suddenly, all the Lokis charged. Percy tried to defend himself, but it was hard to fight an illusion. It wasn't like they were doing anything except distract him. That was, until he felt something strike his chest.
"He's here!" he shouted, thrusting with his sword but it only passed through the Loki. Another illusion. He started slashing wildly but didn't hit anything.
Steve grunted next to him before counterstriking against another fake Loki. All the Lokis shared identical grins, knowingly smiling at their failure. Percy desperately wanted to stab the real face.
"We're not going to be able to keep this up," he said. "We need to find a way to reveal him somehow."
Sadie's eyes widened. "I've got it," she said and then called on her magic, raising her hand. "Sun-ah!" she cried. The hieroglyphics for reveal bloomed in front of her, shining gold. The magic washed out of her and all but one of the Lokis disappeared, leaving only the one charging straight at her.
Sadie yelped and tried to come up with a spell but using Divine Words weakened you for a little while so she was a bit slow. That was all Loki needed to swing his scepter right into her chest, knocking her to the ground. Sadie crumpled, feeling like her ribs had collapsed, a stabbing pain shooting out of them.
"Sadie!" Percy glared at Loki and rushed him. Loki raised his scepter but Percy was too fast, feinting to one side before striking at the other. Loki fell for it, leaving his side open. Normally, a sword wouldn't do much damage to someone like him. But this sword was celestial bronze. Perfect for striking gods.
"Gah!" Loki yelled as the sword hit, feeling it penetrate. He backed away smartly, holding his scepter up defensively, but this time Percy wasn't giving him a reprieve. He slashed and hacked and thrust, never giving Loki time to counter, only to keep parrying.
"Thought you were some bigshot god," Percy said as he forced Loki back. "So far, gotta say, not impressed."
"How's this for impressive?" Loki snarled and his hand shot out from behind his cape, unleashed a flurry of daggers. Percy's eyes widened and he swung a sword, deflecting two of them but the third got him in the shoulder, sending him stumbling.
But before Loki could press his advantage, Steve was there, slamming the god with his shield. Loki snarled in frustration and swung his scepter around dangerously, blasting out with the stone. Steve ducked and brought the shield up under Loki's chin, knocking him back. He then spun and kicked him in the face. Loki twisted to the side and then brought his scepter down on Steve's unprotected side.
Natasha gritted her teeth, hands on the trigger. The fight had been going on for minutes and she still couldn't get a clean shot. And every time it looked like they might come up on top, Loki pulled another trick. And it was clear their people were tiring. They couldn't last much longer.
She frowned. Was that music?
"Agent Romanoff?" she suddenly heard over the comms. "You miss me?"
Her screen flickered, showing the sign PA SYSTEM OVERRIDE as AC/DCs Shoot to Thrill blasted over the system for everyone to hear. Nat sighed and repressed rolling her eyes. Tony Stark had arrived.
Loki and Steve both looked up at the sudden music and saw a bright light zooming towards them at top speed. Loki only had time to see the metal suit before the arms came up, blasting him at full power and launching him across the plaza, landing painfully on the steps.
Iron Man crashed down, cracking the pavement, before standing upright and aiming both gauntlets at the god. Several more weapons systems opened up, all aimed right at him. "Make your move, Reindeer Games."
Steve rushed to Iron Man's side, watching Loki carefully.
The god stared at them both and then held up his hands in surrender, his armor and helmet vanishing as if they had never existed.
Iron Man's weapons systems turned off and he lowered his arms. "Good move," he said. Behind him, the Quinjet came in for a landing. On the other end of the plaza, Percy helped Sadie to her feet.
"Mr. Stark," Steve greeted, not taking his eyes off Loki.
Iron Man tilted his head slightly. "Captain."
Minutes later, they were soaring through the clouds, headed back to the Helicarrier. Loki was handcuffed in his chair, staring silently at the floor. Tony and Steve stood near the front of the plane while Percy and Sadie sat opposite Loki, watching him.
"He saying anything?" Fury asked over the radio.
"Not a word," Natasha replied.
"Just get him here. We're low on time. And the girl? What's the deal with her?"
Natasha glanced back at Sadie, who was rubbing her ribs with a grimace. "Says she'll explain back at base. Jackson vouches for her."
"Good enough for now. Keep me posted." Fury signed off.
Steve took another look at Loki before turning around. "I don't like it," he said.
"What, Rock of Ages giving up so easily?" Tony asked.
"I don't remember it being that easy," Steve said. "This guy packs a wallop."
"Still, you are pretty spry for an older fellow," he sniffed and looked closely at Steve who looked back at him curiously. "What's your thing, Pilates?" he asked.
"What?" Steve replied, confused.
"It's like calisthenics. You might have missed a couple things doing time as a Capsicle."
Steve stared at Tony for a moment. Yeah, he was definitely like his father. All it took was a little imagination and Steve could picture Howard there right now, mocking him that same way. Except this Stark seemed to take more pleasure out of it. "Fury didn't tell me he was calling you in."
"Yeah, there's a lot of things Fury doesn't tell you," Tony said.
There was a rumble of thunder in the distance and Percy winced reflexively. He hated this. He had handled it when they had been flying through clear skies. But thunder? Even though Poseidon had said Zeus had cleared him, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was up there, waiting to strike.
"You ok?" Sadie asked.
"Yeah, yeah," Percy said. "Just…um. Don't like flying."
Sadie raised an eyebrow. "You can create hurricanes and breathe underwater but you're scared of flying?"
"Old rivalry between my dad and Zeus," Percy explained. "Kind of dangerous for me to travel up here. I have permission, for now, but still." He shuddered. "Not for me." He sighed and turned to her. "So, what were you doing there? It's one hell of a coincidence for us both to show up at the same time."
"Yeah, too much of one," Sadie agreed. "We got wind of that guy," she gestured to Loki, "after the incident in Nevada. Been keeping an eye out. And since I've got the strongest affinity to magic, I was the one selected to take him down." She winced again as she shifted. "Thanks by the way. For having my back."
Percy snorted. "You had my back first, Kane. I was just making sure we were even."
Sadie rolled her eyes. She looked over at the agents in front and frowned. She lowered her voice. "How much do you trust these guys?"
Percy looked over. "I don't know. S.H.I.E.L.D., not so much. But those two?" he gestured to Steve and Tony. "My dad gave me a message, said they were important. Plus, I know of Captain America. Everything I've heard about him says he's as honorable and noble as they come. Though, I did get most of that from comics, so I don't know how accurate that is…"
Sadie nodded. She had decided to accompany them cause, first of all, there was no way she'd be able to take Loki back to Amos with all these guys in her way. And secondly, Izzie had seemed more scared of the Tesseract. And it seemed working with S.H.I.E.L.D. was the best way to find it. For now, anyway. She looked at Percy again, wondering if she should tell him what she knew. Or maybe she should tell them all. But then that would expose them to the gods and all. She definitely wasn't ready for that. Yeah, maybe just Percy for now.
"She ok?"
Percy and Sadie looked up at Steve. "She is fine, thanks for asking," Sadie told him.
"Sorry," Steve replied. He looked over at Percy. "That was some nice swordplay there. Where'd you learn that?"
"Uh…camp," Percy said. "Summer camp."
Steve raised an eyebrow at this but didn't press further. "Anyway, nice work out there. I was glad to have you with me."
Percy seemed to blush at that and had to suppress a grin. Sadie gave him a look and was about to tease him when there was louder crash of thunder, causing Percy to jump.
Storm clouds seemed to appear around them, thunder and lightning shaking up the atmosphere and blocking the sky from view. "Where's this coming from?" Natasha questioned, looking at it all.
Lighting crackled loudly, causing them all to look up, even Loki, his first movement in more than thirty minutes. He stared warily at the clouds, eyes wide.
"What's the matter?" Steve asked. "Scared of a little lightning?"
Percy turned red again, thinking Steve was talking to him until he saw Loki's face.
"I'm not overly fond of what follows," Loki told them, glancing up at the clouds again.
Steve and Tony both frowned at each other.
From way up high above the Quinjet, the figure dropped, the storm responding to his every command. He fell through the clouds before smacking down on the Quinjet, hammer in hand.
The loud rattle caused everyone to jump and Percy to nearly yelp. Steve and Tony glanced at each other once before grabbing their shield and helmet respectively. Whatever this was, it wasn't natural. Percy and Sadie followed their lead, pulling out their weapons as well. As they did, Natasha struggled to regain control of the plane as the winds actively pushed against her.
Tony walked towards the back of the plane and pressed down on a panel, opening up the back ramp to the open air.
"What are you doing?" Steve called over the sound of the wind.
Tony didn't answer and he didn't need to as just then, the figure dropped down into the plane. He was dressed in similar armor to Loki except his cape was blood red and he had blonde hair and a beard. In his hands was a hammer. Percy instantly knew who he was and judging from Loki's expression, so did he. Thor, god of thunder.
As Thor walked up, Tony raised his gauntlet to attack but Thor got there first, slamming his hammer into Tony's chest and sending him flying back right into Steve. Percy stood to fight but a sudden twist of the plane caused him to lurch, sending him sprawling into Sadie. Gods, he hated flying.
Thor went right over to Loki and lifted him up by the throat, snapping his restraints and causing him to grunt. Then, he turned back to the open ramp, spun his hammer, and took off, flying into the distance.
Percy stared, agape. He couldn't believe after all they had done bringing in that treacherous reindeer, it was all undone in less than ten seconds. And he had been completely useless throughout.
"Ugh!" Tony said, getting back up. "Now there's that guy."
"Another Asgardian?" Natasha asked.
"That guy's a friendly?" Steve asked.
"Doesn't matter," Tony replied. "If he frees Loki or kills him, the Tesseract's lost." He then walked over to the exit.
"Stark, we need a plan of attack!" Steve urged.
"I have a plan," Tony said. "Attack." He then shot off after Thor.
Steve glowered at the Iron Man's retreating form before walking over to one of the parachute packs, picking it up and opening it.
Natasha saw what he was doing. "I'd sit this one out, Cap."
"I don't see how I can," Steve replied, strapping the pack in.
"These guys come from legend. They're basically gods," she warned him.
"There's only one god, ma'am. And I'm pretty sure he doesn't dress like that." He turned and grabbed his shield, walking to the exit ramp as well when Percy stood up, also wearing a parachute pack.
"Even though the very idea of jumping out of this plane with just this backpack on fills me with complete and utter terror, I'm coming with you," he said.
Steve nodded. He looked over at Sadie. "You in too?"
She nodded back. "Yeah, but I got my own way down. See you on the ground."
Steve stared at her for a moment but then decided not to ask. He turned back to the exit and ran for it, jumping off the edge and falling headfirst for the ground below, shield raised.
Percy watched him fall and took a deep breath. If that guy could do it with no powers, then he should do it no problem. He had a parachute. Everything was fine. He took in another deep breath.
"Don't worry, Percy," Sadie told him, walking past. "I promise to catch you if you fall." She then walked to the edge of the ramp and simply stepped off. Percy gaped for a second until he saw a bird fly away from exactly where Sadie had been.
Realizing he was wasting time he prayed to Poseidon and Zeus and ran out over the ramp into thin air, falling for the hard earth floor below.
Location Unknown
Thor dropped Loki as they came down on the mountaintop, sending him sliding near the edge. Loki moaned painfully and then laughed.
"Where is the Tesseract?" Thor asked, doing his best to keep his anger in check.
"I missed you too," Loki said in response, still laughing on the ground.
"Do I look to be in a gaming mood?" Thor asked threateningly.
"Oh, you should thank me," Loki said, lifting his head up. "With the Bifrost gone, how much dark energy did the All-Father have to muster to conjure you here, your precious Earth." He sneered with the last word, getting to his feet.
Thor dropped his hammer and grabbed Loki, lifting him up, causing him to groan. Thor stared at him for a moment, as if unsure. "I thought you dead."
Loki regarded him. "Did you mourn?"
"We all did," Thor told him, staring at him as if he didn't recognize him anymore. "Our father-"
Loki held up a finger, interrupting him. "Your father," he corrected. Thor dropped his hands, releasing him. "He did tell you my true parentage, did he not?" He turned his back, walking to the other side of the mountaintop.
Thor stared after him, uncomprehending. It was like Loki had transformed entirely into something he could barely recognize. "We were raised together," he told him, reminding him. "We played together, we fought together. Do you remember none of that?"
Loki turned back. "I remember a shadow," he said. "Living in the shade of your greatness." His face took a dark turn as his true feelings came out, ones he had been hiding for countless years. "I remember you tossing me into an abyss. I, who was, and should be king!"
"So you take the world I love as a recompense for your imagined slights?" Thor asked disbelievingly. "No. The Earth is under my protection, Loki."
Loki laughed again and spread his hands. "And you're doing a marvelous job with that," he said in fake voice. "The humans slaughter each other in droves while you idly fret." He shook his head. "I mean to rule the, as why should I not?"
"You think yourself above them?" Thor asked suddenly.
Loki paused for a moment. "Well, yes," he replied, as if that was obvious.
"Then you miss the truth of ruling, brother," Thor told him, almost pleadingly. "A throne would suit you ill."
Loki sneered at him and pushed him aside, walking to the edge of the cliff. "I've seen worlds you've never known about!" he boasted. "I have grown, Odinson," he turned here, sneering again at the word, "in my exile. I have seen the true power of the Tesseract, and when I wield it-"
"Who showed you this power?" Thor interrupted again, pointing. "Who controls the would-be king?"
"I am a king!" Loki shouted.
"Not here!" Thor shouted back, grabbing him again. "You give up the Tesseract! You give up this poisonous dream!" He softened his grip and then placed his hands by Loki's face. "You come home," he said, this time pleadingly. This was what he wanted. When he first learned Loki was alive, he had been overjoyed, not caring at their last battle. And he didn't care what Loki had done so far. It could all be fixed, all be brushed over, if he just came back now. Then things could return to what they used to be.
Loki stared at him for a long moment before flashing him a condescending smile and gave him a pitying look. "I don't have it."
Thor backed off, now enraged. He opened his hand, calling out, and his hammer flew into his grip. He held it back, ready to use force if necessary, even on his brother.
"You need the Cube to bring me home, but I've sent it off I know not where," Loki explained, as if to a child.
Thor held up his hammer to Loki's chest, glaring with rage. "You listen well, brother. I-"
And then a figure slammed into him from the side, sending them both flying off the mountaintop. Loki stared at the space where Thor had been for a moment before shrugging. "I'm listening."
Iron Man came in for a landing below, dropping Thor beneath him and crashing through the underbrush before coming to a halt. Thor rolled away, groaning in surprise and anger, before rising up again a little dazed, hammer still in hand. Iron Man stepped forward, his faceplate opening up.
"Do not touch me again," Thor warned him.
"Then don't take my stuff," Tony replied, unconcerned.
"You have no idea what you're dealing with," Thor said.
Tony turned, looking around. "Uh, Shakespeare in the park?" He then adopted a traditional Shakespearian pose. "Doth mother know you weareth her drapes?" he asked mockingly.
"This is beyond you, metal man," Thor tried one last time. He did not have time for this nonsense. "Loki will face Asgardian justice."
"He gives up the Cube, he's all yours," Tony told him. "Until then…" his faceplate slammed back shut, "stay out of the way." He then turned around, ignoring the thunder god and muttering, "tourist."
Thor grimaced. He did not want to do this but it was clear the metal man was leaving him no choice. Besides, he did not like being insulted. He lifted his hammer up and threw it, sending it spinning through the air. Iron Man turned back around just in time to get hit in the chest with it, smashing him through a tree.
Tony groaned and looked back up, the scanners of his helmet flickering from the sudden impact. "Okay," he muttered, angry now.
Far above them on the mountaintop, Loki settled down with a smile, content to watch the show.
Thor eyed him warily before calling back his hammer, ready to fight. As Iron Man slowly got back up, he began to spin it in his hand, building up momentum, when Iron Man's gauntlet suddenly came up, blasting out at him and knocking him into the tree trunk behind him.
Iron Man instantly moved, soaring right for him and kicking him hard, snapping the trunk and sending Thor rolling back, Mjolnir leaving his grasp. He called it back immediately and raised it to the sky, calling on his inborn power. The sky responded, lighting his hammer up with a bolt of lightning, sending power racing through his body, the electricity crackling throughout the clearing. Thor then pointed Mjolnir directly at Iron Man and unleashed it all, the lightning slamming into him.
Tony stumbled back, armored hands raised to try and stop the flow of electricity that was burning all over him, scorch marks appearing around his armor and warning signals flashing everywhere. He stumbled forward when the blasts finally stopped. Tony winced, his scanners flashing bright in his eyes, when JARVIS suddenly said, "power at 400% capacity."
Tony blinked in surprise. "How about that?" he said to himself. He bolstered his repulsors and fired them at full power, the stronger blast rocketing Thor backwards. The god shouted in surprise but was able to come back from it, twisting in midair and landing on his feet. Iron Man quickly crouched down and then kicked off as Thor did the same, both launching into the air. Iron Man reached Thor first, smashing into him and blasting them both straight into a nearby mountain. Iron Man pushed Thor right up to the side as they flew up, bashing his head and armor consistently into the cliff face.
Thor threw his elbow back into Iron Man's face, causing him to lose his grip for a second, which Thor used to kick away from the mountainside and back to the forest below. They knocked through a few trees, cutting one in half as they fell, Thor losing his grip on Mjolnir again.
The two rolled to a stop and came up swinging as the fallen tree crashed to the ground next to them. Thor punched Iron Man across the face and he swung back just as hard. Thor caught it and pulled it to the side, catching the other fist as it came around as well, now holding Tony at arm's length.
He then snarled and began crushing the gauntlets in his hands as easily as a tin can. Sensors started beeping rapidly and Tony winced from the crushing pain in both arms. He brought his hand up and was just able to fire the repulsors in time before they were disabled, blasting Thor in the face with his power. While he was distracted for a second, Tony leapt forward and slammed his metal helmet into Thor's, trying to knock him out.
Thor stumbled for a second and then looked back at Tony before tilting back and then slamming his own head into the Iron Man's. Tony was sent rolling backwards from the stronger blow, barely able to get back on his feet. His suit was taking a beating from this guy and Thor was just taking all the punishment in stride. Tony might have misjudged his own abilities in this fight. He had to be faster.
He flew forward and twisted around, grabbed Thor by the collar and twirling him, throwing him into a another fallen tree where he landed with a crunch. Thor got back up swiftly, brushing his hair from his face. He was tempted to call on Mjolnir again but decided against it, for now. This mortal had pissed him off. If he wanted to fight like this, Thor was more than happy to beat him up bare-handed. He rushed forward and dodged the Iron Man's first lazy throw and slamming his own fist into the metal side. Iron Man dropped to one knee and Thor pressed his advantage, knocking down on the helmet hard, forcing Iron Man even lower to the ground, and then grabbed him by the metal shoulders.
Tony felt himself go weightless as Thor lifted him up overhead and then slammed back into the ground again, knocking all the air from Tony's lungs and forcing a groan from his lips.
Thor raised his hand, calling on Mjolnir again, the hammer instantly flying to him. He raised it up to strike but Iron Man blasted off with his boot propulsions, knocking the Thor on to his belly. Thor growled in rage and swung around just in time for Iron Man to come flying down again and punching him on the side of the head.
Fully enraged at this point, Thor lifted his hammer just as Iron Man brought up his gauntlets when someone yelled out, "hey!" and a shield appeared out of nowhere, hitting Thor's head and Iron Man's chest before bouncing back to its owner above them on a tree trunk. Captain America caught it and strapped it back to his arm. "That's enough!" he yelled before dropping down.
But Thor was past talking. He had descended from Asgard with no way home after discovering his brother was alive and wreaking havoc across Earth. And after catching him, could no longer even see the man who was his brother. And now, he was being attacked by two different mortals, barring his mission. He had had more than enough. Time to show them the power of the god of thunder.
Thor whipped his hammer around and around, the air charging with electricity, clouds gathering around the clearing, winds tossing and turning. He was brewing the perfect storm.
Steve raised his shield against the winds, leaves and branches barraging him from all sides. He saw Stark a little ways off, arms raised defensively, large lights on his shoulders for illumination but they weren't helping much. Steve looked at the center of the storm, at the god spinning his hammer through the air. They had to separate the two. But how? He had seen the fight, Iron Man hadn't been making any headway and Steve didn't think he would fare much better. Neither of them had experience fighting gods.
And then the storm shifted. Steve felt the winds change and the clouds seemed to fall back slightly. He looked around, confused, and then gaped at the sight before him. A wall of water was emerging through the woods, washing right on through before crashing into the clearing. Steve raised his shield up again but there was no need. It moved right past him and he followed it to the source of the disruption and he gaped again.
Percy Jackson stood in the middle of the clearing, arms raised, water and clouds surrounding him like a miniature hurricane. Thunder rumbled and lightning crackled in his personal storm, the waves buffeting at his feet. And then Steve realized he was standing on the water. Not in it but on it, riding it to where Thor was.
Thor looked at him closely and his eyes widened. "You?" he bellowed. "Olympian!"
"You know what I am?" Percy asked. "Then you know what I can do. Stop all of this no-"
Thor interrupted him, throwing his hammer straight at him. Percy yelped and ducked out of the way, his hurricane hurling him to the side. Thor's hammer stopped in midair and flew back into the god's hand. "Oh that's not fair, my sword can't do that," Percy complained. He took a deep breath and glowered at the thunder god. "You want it that way?" he muttered. "Alright, let's play it that way." He then launched himself forward, bringing his storm with him. Thor saw him coming and charged as well, hammer returning to hand just as the two storms clashed.
Percy thought he knew what he was expecting. He had just fought the god Loki and had handled it alright. Sure, Thor was bigger, brawnier, and had matched Iron Man but Percy had fought Ares and Kronos and giants. He could handle it.
That was what he thought, until their weapons collided, Thor's hammer nearly knocking Riptide from his grasp. Percy gasped and tried to counter but Thor just kicked him in the chest. It was like being hit by a car. Percy flew back into his storm, the waves keeping him upright. They bolstered his strength, but he could also feel himself getting weaker. He couldn't keep this up for long. He had to be fast.
He attacked again and dodged the hammer this time, striking at Thor's chest. The god dodged back and swung again. Percy dodged again but missed the god's fist, it catching round the head. He stumbled and then the hammer came again. He deflected it with his sword and the two dueled, striking and parrying back and forth. Percy was a good fighter, one of the best swordsman alive, but he had never fought a hammer before. And every time his sword struck it, he felt a jolt through his body, like an electric shock. It was taking all his concentration to stay in this fight, to keep swinging and to keep his storm going.
He struck again, catching the hammer under the handle, he tried twisting it to force Thor to drop it but the god caught on and simply punched him with his free hand. Percy ducked under it but then felt Thor twist his weapon back. He tried to stop it but was too distracted and Riptide slipped from his grasp. He was stunned for a split second, but that was all it took for the hammer to strike him. He flew backwards again and his storm dissipated around him, leaving him to hit the forest floor moaning.
"A valiant attempt, demigod," Thor told him. "But not enough."
Percy got back up, reaching for his pocket to grab Riptide and resume the fight when he felt the air charging up. Recognizing what it was, his eyes widened and he dived just as the lightning came down. He wasn't quite fast enough as the blast of electricity struck his side, sending him tumbling into the bushes. He coughed and groaned, his chest smoldering. "That's the third time I've been struck by lightning," he muttered. He tried to get back up but just fell back, too dazed.
Thor looked around angrily. "Anymore?" he bellowed. He was tired of these games. He just wanted to grab Loki and shake the truth out of him, find the Tesseract, and get back home. All of this was just annoying obstacles. "Is that a-"
"Tas!"
Thor turned at the new voice and then suddenly found himself wrapped up in a chain so tightly wound that he could barely move. His hammer was pulled tight against his chest, pressing painfully into his armor.
"So," he heard someone say and saw a young girl emerge from the woods, "you gonna talk civilly now? Gah, can't believe I'm the one who has to ask that."
Thor felt his blood boiling. He was being tied up…by a child? This infuriated him beyond anything. He was the god of thunder, and he would not be insulted like this. He bellowed out and his hammer answered, lighting up his whole body with lightning, the chains around him burning into ashes. He flexed his arms in freedom and turned to the young girl.
"Guess not," she said with a sigh. "Looks like we'll just have to keep doing things the hard way."
Thor glowered at her and swung his hammer, firing another round of lightning at her but she raised some strange, curved stick in front of her and the lightning seemed to be absorbed into it, sparking away into nothingness.
"My turn," she said and lifted a long staff. Before Thor could raise Mjolnir again, a river of fire spat out, engulfing him. He sputtered and scrambled away in surprise, smacking at his beard. He glowered and raised his hammer again when he felt a strike from behind, knocking him to the floor.
"Miss me, Branagh?" It was the metal man, back for more. And Thor would gladly oblige him, he kicked out to give himself some room and began spinning his hammer once more, the storm once again bending to his will.
"ENOUGH!"
Everyone turned at the voice as Steve walked across the clearing. "Now I don't know what you plan on doing here," he began, looking at Thor.
"I've come here to put an end to Loki's schemes," Thor yelled, interrupting him.
"Then prove it," Steve said, trying to calm him. "Put that hammer down."
"Uh, yeah…no," Iron Man said. "Bad call. He loves his-"
Thor struck him from the side, bashing him into the trees. "You want me to put the hammer down?" he yelled. Steve watched him carefully, ready to fight. Thor charged him, leaping through the air with his hammer raised high. Steve raised his shield in defense as he did. Sadie ran forward as well, ready to help as did Percy from the other end of the clearing.
They all converged just as the hammer struck the shield.
The sound was like that of the largest bell tower being rung, except a hundred times louder. A bright light shot out from the source and the shockwave from the two items colliding sent them all flying away from each other. Branches, dirt, leaves, and everything blew away and every tree in the vicinity fell backwards, the storm dissipating into thin air. They all landed hard, slamming into the firm forest floor, ears ringing and bodies trembling from the strike.
It took them all a couple minutes to recover, slowly pushing branches and leaves off of them and getting up warily, breathing heavily.
"Are we done here?" Steve asked.
Thor simply looked around at all the devastation, choosing not to respond. Steve nodded, deciding to take that as a yes. He tapped his ear comm. "Hey, Agent Romanoff. We're about done here, so-"
"Ok, correct me I'm wrong but is that a flying horse?"
They all turned to Iron Man and then to where he was looking. And they all gasped at the flying horse descending from the sky, eight legs galloping through the air, before it landed on the mountaintop. Then they heard the sounds of metal clashing.
"LOKI!" Thor cried out and spun his hammer around, taking off.
"Oh no you don't," Iron Man said as well and took off right behind him.
Percy swore. "Damn it, we need to get up there."
"Hold on," Sadie said and she threw down her staff. Percy frowned at her for a second before he gasped as the staff morphed on the ground, transforming into a giant bird with wicked talons and a beak that looked like it could stab through iron.
"Whoa!" he muttered.
"Grab on," Sadie told him, clambering onto the bird's back.
Percy turned to Steve who just stared at the bird, eyes wide. He opened his mouth for a moment before closing it. He then took a deep breath and nodded. "Ok," he said. "Whatever. Let's just do this."
He grabbed onto a talon and Percy took the other. And then they were in the sky, headed straight for the mountaintop. Percy narrowed his eyes, looking closely. Thor and Iron Man were there and seemed to be fighting some strange hooded figure who was dancing around them. And then he gaped as she transformed into a lion, snarling and scratching at them and dodging their attacks.
"Who is that?" Sadie called out.
Percy frowned. "I have a hunch," he said, thinking. If it was her…
They swooped in for a landing, surrounding the girl. Percy also kept an eye on Loki but he seemed more concerned for the new intruder than anything else.
"Who are you?" Iron Man asked, pointing a repulsor right at the figure.
"None of your business," the figure replied, clearly female. "I'm here for him." She pointed right at Loki with her axe. "He broke the treaty. Now he must face justice."
"He will face justice. Asgardian justice," Thor replied, stepping forward.
"That's what I mean," the girl told him, looking him in the eye.
Thor seemed to understand what she meant as he hesitated, a wary look on his face. Percy got a closer look at the newcomer. She was wearing a green hood around her head and was carrying an axe in her hands. Judging from the scrapes on Iron Man's armor, she knew how to use it.
She looked exactly as Magnus had described. And with the eight-legged horse and shape-shifting, there wasn't a doubt in his mind. "Samirah!" he called out.
The girl started and then turned to him. "I'm sorry, do I know you?"
"I'm Percy," he said. "Percy Jackson."
Her eyes widened in recognition. "Oh. Him. Right."
"Hi, yeah, heard a lot about you," Percy said. "Look, I get you have orders to bring this guy in," he nodded at Loki. "But we can't let you. Not yet anyway."
"Not ever!" Thor growled.
"Not helping," Percy snapped at him. "Look, he has this cube thing called the Tesseract which is…really powerful. Like, insanely powerful."
"Well said, waterbender." That was Iron Man.
Percy clenched his teeth. "We need him to find it. Once we have it, you and big guy over here can fight for dibs over Hornhead. Until then, we can't let him go. You're welcome to come with us for now, if you want."
Samirah seemed to think about this for a moment. Percy would not like what would happen next if she disagreed. He'd heard about what Magnus had said about her and he'd much prefer her as an ally than an enemy.
"Alright," she finally said. "I'll stay with you until we have this…cube. Then, he's mine."
"You will have to deal with me first," Thor said to her, raising his hammer.
"Fine by me, sparkles," Sam told him. "You know, I met the other you. Gotta say, he was more impressive."
Percy didn't know what that meant but he decided to step in again. "Ok, let's just agree you two can kill each other later. Til then, we're all going to drag this guy back to HQ. Ok?"
"Fine," Samirah said.
"Very well," Thor agreed and lowered his hammer.
"Good," Percy sighed. He relaxed his posture and breathed out in relief. He turned and saw Steve giving him an appraising look.
"Nice work, kid," he said and Percy smiled. Steve then tapped his ear comm again. "Sorry about that. We're all good here. Though we did pick up two more travelers."
Percy watched as the Quinjet appeared above them, lowering the exit ramp. He watched as Thor and Loki walked on, eyeing them warily. He didn't know what to make of them. He had been in the presence of gods before and they didn't seem like gods. Though they certainly fought like them.
He also wondered how Sadie and Samirah were here. A Greek, Egyptian, and Norse woman all arriving at the same time to the same crisis? No way was that a coincidence. He settled back in his chair, thinking it all over. He had no idea what any of this meant. All he knew was that the gods were right to be scared. Whatever this was, it was beyond any of them. He just hoped he'd be strong enough to survive it.
And there we have it, another chapter done. Hope you all enjoy it. And yay, Samirah's here! Now all three worlds have converged and the characters are together. I decided to extend the two fight scenes cause I wanted to show Percy and Sadie in action. And I decided to include Samirah and not Magnus cause it made more sense for Sam to be here since she's still alive and he's in Valhalla. Don't know if Magnus will show up. Probably not, though. Anyway, hope you all enjoyed this chapter. I'm sorry in advance cause I don't think I will be able to update for a while. Got some essays to work on as well as other assignments so I'm kind of going to be focusing on those. I'd say I'll probably get the next chapter done in about two weeks. Again, sorry. Til then, stay safe and please review if you can. See you next time!