Sigyn is planning something but like Jebediah Stane, she is now going to be MIA until a later date. For now, we'll just get a glimpse into Ariana's way of thinking… and Ultron.
Differences mentioned in this chapter: No party first, but yeah, time for Ultron to make an appearance, which will make the ceremony important and necessary. Yes, Loki and Ari will be there for it, so enjoy it. This goes without saying, but there will be no accords in this story, but that doesn't mean Ross won't cause problems after.
Ariana sat in her room. Loki and Thor were on a small mission for the Avengers with Natasha and Ariana had decided to take a break after the events of meeting up with Sigyn. That is when a message came from Heimdall.
"Lady Ariana, the king and queen send their greetings," he said.
"Thank you, Heimdall," she answered. "Please send them my warmest regards in return."
"I will. But the queen is anxious to know when you will return."
"I cannot wait for the ceremony. But I would like to seek permission to allow the Avengers to attend. They are my family here on Midgard, and though he doesn't say it, I know Loki is coming to feel they are family as well."
Heimdall paused for a moment. "Odin grants his permission, but they give you three Midgardian days to prepare them for what is to come with the princes."
"I understand. Thank you, Heimdall."
"You are welcome, Lady Ariana."
She got up and said, "JARVIS, tell everyone there will be a team meeting once Thor, Loki, and Natasha return. And can you patch me through to their jet? I need to talk to the Asgardians about the Goddess ceremony."
"Of course," JARVIS said. "Should I have drinks ready for the celebration after?"
"Knowing this family of misfits, yes."
"Very good, Miss Stark-Tonysdottir."
"What is it, Sparky?" Natasha asked.
"Darling, is everything alright?" Loki chimed in.
"Give me a moment to speak you two," Ariana said, chuckling.
Ariana told them everything Heimdall had said about the ceremony. Natasha squealed with excitement. She promised to not ruin the surprise. Ariana began to get excited with her as they discussed the fashion on Asgard, how to dress for it, and more.
Loki had a small smile on his face, just hearing how much the news of the ceremony picked up Ariana's spirits. For the last week, she was more reserved and it had him worried, but this made all of that disappear.
He walked back to his brother and sat next to him, saying, "After a while, I should have taken her out somewhere. Just hearing her like this…"
"She does sound happy," Thor agreed. "Perhaps she was stuck in her own mind, but she needed this past week to come to terms with things. Do not think you failed her, brother. You give her everything she needs, even if it is time for her to overthink."
"I never thought I'd be able to work with you on anything again without Ariana being with me. But it's like when we were younger."
"She is a good influence on you, brother. She brings out the man you truly are."
"I'm a trickster, Thor. She brings out the good I never had before her."
"It was always there, but it got buried in pain and anger." He put a hand on Loki's shoulder. "For my part in that, I am sorry."
Loki cleared his throat. "And I'm sorry for that time I tried to take over Asgard."
"In learning why, I forgave you. My sister is an amazing woman, and I cannot wait for when you and she become betrothed."
"I have not found the right time to ask her. Perhaps after she becomes a Goddess…"
"Loki, you've told everyone that she was already a Goddess and that this ceremony is just to give her the name of one. We are not immortal, brother. Do not wait. Ask her tonight, when we get back."
Ariana, Loki, and Thor stood at the head of the table as everyone sat, waiting. Natasha sat, smiling, having brought drinks in for everyone. She was practically bouncing in her seat.
"So, I received word from Heimdall," Ariana said. "It seems I had just enough of my Goddess powers left for him to do that. But, in three days, my Goddess Ceremony will take place." Everyone cheered, but she signaled for them to not drink yet. "The whole team, including mom, will get to go. So, bring the suits for the ceremony, please. It will keep the Asgardians from mistaking you for regular Midgardians."
"Already sounding like a Goddess of Asgard," said Tony with a laugh.
"I always talked like this when I studied Mythology and Folklore," Ariana said in mock confusion. "I don't see how you just noticed. Must be getting old to have forgotten."
Everyone snickered as Tony fought a smile. "Well, now you're making it a regular thing. Just trying to point it out."
Thor said, "There are some things you should know about the ceremony because we can't have you trying to rush to save her."
"Not liking how this sounds, Point Break," said Tony, now concerned.
"Ariana is mortal," Loki said. "A human body cannot hold the power of a Goddess so easily. So… she…"
"Odin has to kill me and then I am reborn as an Asgardian," Ariana said as she looked down. "Even a half-mortal would be fine in a normal ceremony, but not me." She looked at Tony. "I'll still be your daughter, so no worries, but this way I can be a real Goddess."
Natasha didn't look so excited now as she asked, "When did you learn that?"
"Frigga told me when I was given the temporary powers."
"And you want this?"
"I wouldn't have accepted if I didn't."
"So you aren't choosing this just to be with Loki?" Tony asked, getting angry.
"It was a gift, dad. I was told the risks. I was also told that…"
"You are giving up your life for him! What about me? Pepper? The team?"
"Dad…"
"No, you just… unaccept it!"
"Stark…" Loki tried to cut in.
"No! I could lose my daughter because of you, so I don't want to hear what you say, Reindeer Games!"
"Shut up, Stark!" Thor said. "Let her speak!" Thor looked at Ariana. "Go on, sister."
"I was told that no matter what I decided, Odin approved of my relationship with Loki," she said, staring her father down. "So no, I didn't accept because of him. I accepted despite the risk because I understand what kind of honor this is."
Steve noticed Loki's face and asked, "Explain what happens."
"She is killed via the weapon of the person she loves," Loki said. "In this case, my dagger. No one knows what temptations she will face, but none have survived this. It will take place the night before the official ceremony granting her the title, longevity, and powers of an Asgardian Goddess. If she makes it, she will be the first mortal to survive." He looked at Ariana. "While I am happy that she is acknowledged as the goddess she is, I am not happy about the ceremony." She looked back at Tony. "However, my desires are not part of this. It is a choice that only she can make, without hesitation. It is why Odin sprang it upon her."
Tony threw his glass to the floor shattering it. Ariana jumped. She had never seen her father like this before. He was angry, scared, and hurt all in one. She walked around the table and hugged him.
"I can't lose you, Ari," he said.
"There was no hesitation," she said. "I tried to have time to think, but when I went to ask if I could talk to everyone about it, Odin just interrupted me by yelling the question again, over and over until I answered. Honestly, I think I was asking more to give me those few seconds to let the question sink in."
"They said you are dying, that he's killing you."
"That's why none of you will be there for that part. I'm telling you about this because if the news comes that I gave in to the temptations, I want you prepared. It shouldn't take more than an hour. At least, that's how long one lasted before… Let's just be happy that I'm becoming a Goddess, okay?"
"Okay."
She looked around but didn't see Loki. She excused herself and looked for him as Thor began getting everyone self up for a party to celebrate while saying she was strong in body, mind, and spirit. At least Thor believed she could survive it.
She found Loki on the balcony and went up to him, saying in a flirty tone, "Now, why is someone as mischievously handsome as you out here all alone?"
"You don't understand what you will see," said Loki, not playing into it. "Every desire you have will place itself before you, keeping you from your goal."
"Loki, my only real desire is you." She made him look at her. "I know I may not remember that it's all a dream world once there, but I will always want you. Being a Goddess isn't a desire or a goal. Hell, it's selfish of me, really."
"Why?"
"I said I didn't choose to become a Goddes for you, but the truth is, I don't feel like I can compare to you. You are a god and a prince. Even if you weren't, I'd always choose you. I accepted not because it's what I want, but so that I can be useful."
"Explain. Because I don't understand."
She chuckled. "You do, you just want me to confirm it." She took a breath. "I agreed to become a goddess because I have to be on equal footing. You protect me and I protect you. If I'm a mortal, you will always be guarding me and that isn't fair to you. I want to have the ability to protect you, Loki. As a human, I don't."
He stared at her in shock for a moment. No one wanted to protect him. Not so much they were willing to go through a challenge that almost guaranteed death. He smashed his lips to hers, his love and passion pouring down her throat. Her arms wrapped around his neck, more to hold herself up than to bring him closer, though both goals were accomplished.
He pulled back, placed his forehead to hers, and said, "Marry me."
"What?" she asked, just as shocked at his question as he was.
He smiled, knowing it was the right time because he asked without hesitation. "After all of this, will you marry me?"
"Yes. Yes! Of course, I will!"
They kissed again just as everyone cheered. The two of them looked at the team, laughing.
"About time!" said Natasha. "Now we can celebrate!"
Loki and Ariana went inside. Everyone was enjoying themselves. They tried to pick up Thor's hammer. Suddenly there was a screeching noise. Everyone quieted down. Loki and Ariana stood, Loki shielding her. A strange robot came out.
It said, "Worthy... No... How could you be worthy? You're all killers."
Steve said, "Stark." At the same time, Ariana asked, "Dad?"
Tony began tapping on his phone as he said, "JARVIS."
"Sorry I was asleep... Or... I was a dream…" the robot continued.
"Reboot, we got a buggy suit."
"There was a terrible noise... And I was tangled in... in... strings... I had to kill the other guy... He was a good guy."
"You killed someone?" Steve inquired.
The robot replied, "Wouldn't have been my first call. But, down in the real world, we're faced with ugly choices."
"Who sent you?" Thor asked.
The robot played a recording of Tony saying, "I see a suit of armor around the world."
"Ultron!" Bruce said.
In its natural voice, the robot responded, "In the flesh. Or, no, not yet. Not this... chrysalis... But I'm ready. I'm on a mission."
Natasha asked, "What mission?"
"Peace in our time."
Suits and drones began attacking. Everyone sprang into action. Loki and Ariana found some shelter, where she found a wooden dust mop and he brought out his daggers. She removed the top. Since she no longer had her Goddess abilities, she couldn't draw her staff from the hair stick. Both went out and began attacking with everyone, staying close to each other. Because neither weapon was all that effective, Loki and Ariana had to fight them as a team. One of them got a good hit on Ariana's left, but she didn't stop fighting.
When Ultron was the last he said, "I'm sorry, I know you mean well. You just didn't think it through. You want to protect the world but you don't want it to change. How is humanity saved if it's not allowed to... evolve? With these? These puppets. There's only one path to peace. The Avengers' extinction."
"You know what, little brother?" Ariana said, standing away from Loki. "I think you need a time out."
With that, she threw a large ball of lightning at him, breaking it apart. With everything settling, she finally sat down, feeling light-headed. Loki came over to her and looked at her side.
"Come on," he said. "Let's get you to the room." He looked at everyone. "She was injured and I'll heal her. We will both need rest."
"I'll tell you the plan we come up with, bother," Thor said. "Just take care of her. Sister…"
"When everyone is able, bring them to Asgard," Ariana said with a weak smile. "Dad, I'll take mom with me. That way, we both know she's safe."
"Thanks, kiddo," he said. "Drink some water before you fall asleep." He looked at Loki. "Take care of her."
"Always do," Loki said.
He teleported them to her room, where he began tending to her. She drank from a bottle of water as she watched him work. She smiled. He looked up for a moment.
"What?" Loki asked.
"Just that, when you heal someone, you look less burdened," she said. "I noticed that you would heal others besides me sometimes when we were on Asgard. It didn't matter who they were or the image they saw, you helped everyone equally. And you looked like you found peace in those moments."
"My mother and I would heal people together. It was the one time no one saw a prince or a troublemaker. They saw someone willing to help. Now…"
"You use it to try and make up for your mistakes."
He sat up, having finished healing her. "Yes."
"You think saving lives makes up for the ones you took."
He looked down. "Doesn't it?"
She took his hand. "For you, saving two lives feels like you made up for one, right?" He looked at her. "But those lives are still gone. We were controlled. I've killed more people than you. No matter how many people we save, those lost because of someone messing with our heads don't get to come back."
He got up, agitated. "If it doesn't make up for it, then why do you continue to fight? Why should I continue to heal?"
"It should never be to make up for a mistake." She got up and hugged him from behind. "That's the excuse to do it, not the reason. It's the lie you tell yourself so you always see yourself as the bad guy. But I see you, Loki, just as clearly as I see myself. I fight to protect others because that's who I am. You heal because, deep down, that's who you are. Yes, we prank people. We are the mischief-makers and that's what most people are going to see. But when it comes down to it, when things get real, you will always be a healer and I'll be the one standing between you and the enemy while you do it." She moved around to face him. "You don't enjoy hurting others and you don't enjoy battling. You do it because you care. Others have refused to see you as anything more than the prankster, so to protect yourself, you became that. It's how we cope. Pranks to get out of pain or to get back at someone or just make people smile. Loki, you are a healer. You are sensitive and that's okay. Let me take care of the hot air people throw at you. We can prank them together."
He hugged her. She saw him as no other had. How could he not love her with everything in him? But he was, deep down a mischief-maker.
"I like pranks more," he said, dropping a bit of ice down her shirt.
She squealed and tried to shimmy the ice out. She hit his arm but smiled.
"Okay, healer and troublemaker," she said.
They kissed before he replied, "I wouldn't have it any other way."
He picked her up and laid her on the bed under him. He took his time to unwrap her from her clothing, sending goosebumps over her as he traced her body with his tongue. She shivered, clutching his hair. She gasped when the cold air touched her dripping core, followed by a moan as he sent his warm breath over her.
"Please," she begged.
He sucked and nipped on her sensitive bud, two fingers slowly entering her and setting an agonizing pace. She cried out. Then she remembered the door. Using her telekinetic ability, she locked the door. When a third finger joined the others in their slow thrust in and out of her, her back arched.
"Loki!" she cried out. "Please!"
Though she didn't know when, he crawled up her body, torturing her as he kissed every inch he could reach. When he got to her mouth, she could taste herself on his tongue. He could wait any longer. His cock was so full, it almost hurt. Still, he did not pick up the pace as he entered her. He planned on worshipping her until she forgot her own name.
Yet, as soon as her tight sheath was gripped around his full length, all thought vanished and he lost all control. He was pounding into her hard and rough, making her scream his name, begging for release even as she told him to never stop. It was heaven, the paradise she brought to him. It was hell, a silken flame around him that he gladly burned in.
When he finally allowed them both relief from the ecstasy coursing through them, it was nearly dawn and she couldn't move. He kissed her one last time before they fell asleep in each other's arms.