"Do not threaten war here!" Thor yelled at Red Skull, fist clenching his hammer.
"This isn't the first time. And as much as you hate to admit it, it's quite easy." he said. His eyes finally fell on Captain America with a bit of surprise "Well this unexpected. You're still alive. I honestly didn't expect anyone here to greet me." he tilted his head "And yet there are two."
Loki looked back at the man, head leaned forward and eyes lit with anticipation. He took a few slow steps forward, wary as he watched the red faced man.
"You truly are unpredictable, Loki." Red Skull said, shaking his head slightly without taking his eyes off the God of Mischief "I had high doubts about whether you would return from your endeavor and yet here you are."
"I have doubts about whether you'll ever be given an endeavor to follow through on." Loki responded. Captain America faced the red faced man right on, eyes scowling deeply over at him. The fact that his oldest enemy was speaking to someone else besides him came as a shock.
"I think you'll be surprised to find that I have undertaken many these last few months." Red Skull said with an almost amused sigh "No matter what you believe about me, you're still back here with him."
Loki paced slightly, his long and very sharp knife sliding into his hand. This was cause for alarm among everyone else.
"You're just humiliated by the fact that He chose me and not you." Loki said. Red Skull glowered back at him. This suggested a pre-existing conflict between the two of them.
"How have you come to this realm?" Thor snapped, having no appreciation for the gravity of the moment.
"Oh my, he really is a fool." Red Skull said, seeming still to be talking to Loki.
"You always speak that of others, but never of yourself, where it is most evident." Loki replied, still pacing as he stared the mutant down. Thor looked at his younger brother. Cleverly, Loki had neither agreed with nor denied what the new man claimed about his older brother.
"Who is this guy?" Hawkeye asked under his breath, arrow pulled far back, ready to send it into his target.
The conversation was clearly making everyone question the God of Mischief's motives as he spoke to the invader.
Red Skull looked at Loki, his face full of disdain "You have noticed the weakening of the borders between the realms."
"I'd be surprised if you were the master behind that." Loki responded coldly, moving into a position to fight.
"No. You're not truly that naíve are you?" Red Skull asked, a grin creeping over those ugly cheeks.
Loki sneered at him in reply.
"You know, we did warn you." Red Skull said, walking forward slowly, eyes slightly smug "He warned you to kill him quickly. Or you would fall right back into that trap."
Loki said nothing in reply to that and the group fell into a very tense silence as the two glared at each other, hatred hanging in the air.
"Alright, are you going to back off or am I going to shoot you?" Hawkeye called. Red Skull smiled slightly.
"What do you know about what's happening between the different worlds?" Captain America asked, looking at him warningly. He had his shield rest in front of him rather than on his side.
"Well, like your new comrad said, I'm not the only one using it to my advantage." Red Skull said "No, indeed. There have been many spots of unrest in this universe. One beginning on Asgard with the murder of their precious queen."
Loki's back stiffened noticeably while Thor took in a deep breath, clearly brought on by anger.
"Oh." Red Skull shook his head while clicking his tongue disapprovingly at the God of Mischief "Loki, for shame. All that burying of sentimentality undone by a single sentence. Come now, she wasn't even your mother. You said so yourself."
"You're laying a net at your feet." Loki warned, voice low and dangerous.
"You should have been the one to kill her, Loki. After all, it really was in your favor that she died." Red Skull said.
If only looks could kill, their problem would have been solved. The God's eyes shone fury. A different type of fury than the one where he fought Thor. This one was fueled by remorse and grief, although you wouldn't see that by his expression.
"Quite gracelessly I must add." Red Skull replied "Such a shameful death, unable to defend ones self or the realm they swore protect. Tell me, Loki, was she truly that weak? It's not a wonder Asgard suffered under her rule."
"How dare you." Thor growled.
Loki pointed a knife at the Red Skull, face dark "You should have died long ago. I'll see to that today."
"I doubt that very much. But others might." Red Skull replied "Look at it from my perspective. Even if I die, the borders could be so blurred I might be able to slip to Valhalla and pay her a visit. If she's even there. See how weak she truly is."
Loki let out a sharp yell, full of anger and finally ran at him. Surprisingly, Red Skull whipped around and ran the other way.
"Loki, wait!" Thor snapped, immediately running after him. He was rather surprised since Loki was usually the one who kept his cool much longer than him. Captain America was the first one to follow them.
Fortunately or unfortunately, Loki was much quicker on his feet than either of them. Red Skull, having had a head start, was already hitting the tree line a ways out from the house.
"Hogun, Sif, stay with them." Volstagg said, gesturing at house, but the other Avengers were in that direction as well.
"Why? The threat just left." Sif replied in annoyance as she pointed over urgently.
"That may have been a diversion." Volstagg said "Frost giants make sense, but one man does not."
"I'll stay here." Hawkeye said, backing up with his arrow still drawn. No one objected, nor was surprised.
Branches snapped and slashed their faces as Loki and Red Skull ran through the trees. The red mutant could almost feel the hot fury racing behind him. When he glanced back, his eyes weren't fearful, although he had to be uneasy. They were delighted.
However, as soon as he faced forward again, he was struck with shocking strength from the side. It took him a moment to come to his sense and realize that his face ached from the blow.
Loki stood in front of him, eyes glaring.
Red Skull got to his feet as the God of Mischief approached him.
"You're talented, I'll say that." Red Skull said, smiling.
Loki didn't waste time with words; he simply dove forward with the blade. Red Skull caught his arm in mid swing, but the other knife slashed across his cheek. His head snapped to the side with a pained growl.
"You would think you'd be better, considering all the time you spend there." Loki said darkly, stepping back towards him.
"He gave you the opportunity of a lifetime." Red Skull replied "And now you'll spend your lifetime rotting in prison because you failed. I suppose a worthy end for a traitor."
Loki half bared his teeth at the man, jaw clenched in anger. He swung again at him, but Red Skull twisted away, ready to face him upright again.
"Loki!" Thor's voice boomed through the trees. Him and Captain America came to a stop a few yards away.
Now the two Asgardian brothers were on either side of the mutant human.
"Loki, stand down." Thor ordered, brandishing his hammer.
"Not until he's dead." Loki responded angrily.
"Or until your 'friends' are." Red Skull responded, the word 'friends' spoken with pure sarcasm. It didn't take long for the rest of them to show up after he'd said these words.
"You surrender willingly now, or we will force you too." Captain America said with his usual serious, calm tone.
Red Skull responded by pulling out a weapon Captain America was all too familiar with; a HYDRA weapon. A weapon powered by the tesseract. Smaller, more compact, but definitely the same thing. The realization was evident on the soldier's face, as he instinctively threw his shield horizontally at his oldest enemy almost as if he were defending a crowd full of citizens.
Red Skull raised an arm to hit the shield away in the opposite direction. The clang when it hit was far too loud for his armor to be anything less than vibranium.
"Never again, Captain." Red Skull said "I am far too prepared for everything that's going to happen here."
"You have no battle to be won here." Thor responded.
"Really?" Red Skull asked, turning the weapon to him.
Loki was already on the move, leaving Thor no opportunity to throw Mjolnir. The God of Mischief leapt at HYDRA's previous leader, wrapping a knife around his neck while twisting to force him to the ground. He had him pinned, one long dagger pressed onto his throat. Oddly, Red Skull wasn't struggling in the slightest. Thor hurried forward, stopping only a few feet from them, ready to continue the fight.
"Enjoy your time in Hel." Loki half whispered this to him, the knife already drawing a hint of blood.
"Loki, don't!" Thor ordered, not wanting their greatest lead to go to waste.
"You've earned a spot at my side." Red Skull responded with a smile, although his eyes were slightly wide "Unfortunately, I think you'll be there before I am."
And just like that, he faded into the ground, leaving Loki to curse in frustration. He stabbed into the ground angrily, as if that could possibly do anything. Everyone stared in disbelief.
"Where did he go?" Captain America demanded, running over to where the God of Mischief knelt.
"They opened a portal. He's gone." Loki replied, pushing off his knee to stand up. He looked around them in the forest for a moment. He was clearly still furious as he turned around, walking in the direction of the house, dagger still grasped in his hand. Thor stared at the ground where Red Skull had disappeared.
"No. I mean, where?" Captain America asked sharply, walking over to his shield quickly "He said others might die today, what did he mean?"
When the God of Mischief didn't reply, Captain America walked after him.
"Loki! Where is he?"
"Do you expect me to know?" Loki snapped back at him. He had clearly been flustered by the appearance of Red Skull.
"If he's still on Earth then everyone is in danger." Captain America said.
Loki rolled his eyes away slightly as he continued back towards the house.
"He came back to the exact. Same. Place." Captain America said angrily "There's something else going on here."
"Well, we already knew that." Loki replied with a hint of sarcasm.
"What is it?" Captain America asked.
"I already explained that people like him want the scepter." Loki replied, his eyes narrowed as if speaking to child.
"Anyone would know that one man isn't going to be enough." Captain America said "And I know you know that."
"He's more than just a man now." Loki replied.
"He should have died when when the tesseract went off next to him." Captain America said.
"You should know by now that the tesseract has much more capabilities than simply killing." Loki responded.
"You knew him, he spoke to you like an old friend." Captain America said aggressively "How do you know him?"
"I don't need to tell you anything about it." Loki said.
"I think you do. You better explain. Now." Captain America said, stepping closer to him.
Loki held up a blade right in front of the soldiers face, the hand grasping it twisted to the side "You threaten me and you're going to have a whole different kind of fight on your hands." he said darkly.
A shocked Captain America leaned back slightly from it instinctively as Thor walked over and pushed between.
"Whoa whoa whoa." Tony said, holding out both hands.
"Both of you stop." Thor growled. Volstagg and Fandral had joined him a moment before, kneeling by the spot where Red Skull had disappeared, but were now on their feet in alarm. Everyone else moved forward warily.
"Loki, put it down." Thor said, looking straight at his younger brother intently. He knew if a fight broke out now, he would have to intervene and that was the last thing he wanted right now. He knew from experience that Loki was much stronger than he looked.
Everyone seemed to hold their breaths for a moment as they waited tensely. The God of Mischief remained where he was for several moments, staring at Captain America with razor sharp eyes. It was clear he badly wanted to ignore Thor. Then after a second more of waiting and with clear reluctance, he slowly lowered his weapon. Captain America regarded him warily, but with a new found respect that hadn't been there before. Loki continued to look at him with narrowed eyes.
"How do you know him?" Captain America asked, his voice even, but not friendly.
Loki didn't reply right off and for a moment they weren't sure if he was going to or not.
"We met. Many years ago. And if it wasn't blatantly obvious, we're not friends."
"Where did he come from?" Captain America asked.
"That I can't know." Loki responded. Captain America scowled slightly at him, but he didn't have time to protest.
"He was provoking a fight." Tony said, walking over "I mean, he's just one guy. Even if we didn't have Gods here, we'd still be more than he could handle alone."
"Don't count on that." Loki muttered under his breath and then spoke in a louder tone "He wanted me to follow him."
"So you did?" Captain America asked seriously, tilting his head forward.
Loki's eyes flicked over to him "Well, being who I am it's a little harder to fool me. He didn't count on that fact that I'd actually be able to kill him. Unfortunately, I can't control where they open their portals. Obviously they had an escape route planned."
"That means they know how to control them." Thor said grimly.
"Barely." Loki replied.
"You keep saying 'they' like you know who you're talking about." Captain America said "Do you?"
Loki glanced at him with the barest hint of contempt, but he didn't say anything.
"Loki, do you know who that man is working with?" Thor asked plainly.
The God of Mischief pointedly kept his eyes low, although it wasn't all too hard to notice the small gleam of satisfaction.
"Loki?" Thor asked, his voice growing slightly more wary. Finally his younger brother looked at him.
"Someone well beyond your reach." Loki replied.
Several of the people there shared a look, before every eye landed back on him. There was something just a bit too sly about his tone.
"Who is it?" Thor asked. He knew the only time Loki would have met Red Skull was his time in the Void. And they all knew what had happened after that.
Loki leaned his head forward, eyes narrowed to slits.
"That kind of information comes with a price."
The forest went silent. Thor blinked as he stared at him. He'd been dreading this moment for a while now. Volstagg held his breath, eyes weary.
"You're not in a position to bargain here." Thor replied tensely.
"Oh, I think I am." Loki responded. He suddenly appeared much more calm. He let out a smug sigh, moving his head along with it "And while I'm fully aware Odin isn't above torture, I know that you are. Although, the great king would probably abstain from it this time. And even if he didn't, well, you'll find that I'm fairly well versed in it. You'd lose anything I have to offer forever." he paused a moment, looking at Thor with raised eyebrows "You don't have another option."
"What exactly do you know?" Volstagg asked.
"Enough." Loki responded without turning to him.
"And you haven't told us this whole time?" Captain America asked. He wasn't particularly surprised, but someone had to say it.
"I didn't know. Not until I saw Red Skull." Loki replied, still with a tiny smirk on his face.
"Red Skull?" Volstagg asked. The God of Mischief didn't acknowledge his query.
Thor looked at Loki for a moment, aware that the others eyes were on him. The God of Thunder glanced at the ground before letting out a deep breath and looking back up at his brother.
"What do you want?"
"We're not really going to start there are we?" Loki asked. Volstagg rolled his eyes, clearly not able to stand this anticipation.
"What are you suggesting?" Captain America asked, but he was practically ignored.
Thor walked over to Loki, teeth clenched as he leaned in towards him.
"Loki, what are you doing?" he said softly, but angrily "If you know what's going on, then tell us. Tell us now. You're not going to help yourself by making father any angrier. Who is that man working for and why did he come here?"
Loki turned his head with a bit of sarcasm "I think it might be best if I spoke to the great Allfather himself. Not through you." he continued to look at Thor as his older brother leaned back away, eyes in a conflicted scowl. The God of Thunder stared into Loki's cruelly triumphant eyes with frustration.
"You know you can't be set free." he said under his breath.
"That's not my problem." Loki replied darkly.
Thor turned away from him angrily. He remained there for several seconds before facing the others.
"We will travel to Asgard." he said definitively.
My theory is that pretty much anyone who was ever bad in the universe is somehow connected to Thanos, including Red Skull. When he was blasted away by the tesseract, he met He Who Must Not Be Named and, well, joined him.
Please review, that chapter was hard. Just a reminder that EVERYTHING is planned in this story. :) I rarely surprise myself. Except when I do, then that is my best writing.
The reviews are falling behind and I NEED them! Please, if you like the story, REVIEW! :DDDDDD!