Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story. This is just for fun and I hope you enjoy reading it.
Child of Silence
By Angelwings Sorrow
Chapter 9 "A Special Day Indeed"
Doctor Strange
Peace, calm, breathe in, breathe out. That is how to gain focus and see beyond yourself and into the infinite worlds. Focus on the serenity of mind without distractions without stress or strain of now and to the future of the astral-plane.
"Crash!"
"What, the…" Stephen Strange laid on the floor staring at the ceiling wondering how he got from his deep meditation to laying on the floor with a growing lump on the back of his head.
"Sir. Loki Odinson is here with his child."
"Thank you, Wong. Let me guess Harry is the reason that I am now flat on my ass." Strange asked looking up at his companion who was standing over him.
"He didn't fully come through the door when the cloak flew in and wrapped around him." The Chinese sorcerer answered with a bare hint of a smile.
"I thought it was supposed to be my relic to wield? It seems that it wields me most of the time. It totally ignores me as soon as Harry comes with in ten feet of the Sanctum." Strange sighed, picking himself off the floor.
"It's sentient of course it will have its own personality. It is your relic but it can play favorites from time to time." Wong followed the Doctor to the stairs. They stood at the top of the stairs watching as the cloak of Levitation flew little Harry around the open space of the sanctum.
"Cloak will you please bring Harry down so he can say his good-bye to his father. There will be plenty of time for flying later." Stephen called to the relic. The Cloak fluttered down gently setting the boy on his feet.
"Haraldr the Doctor is correct you may play with The Cloak after your lessons. I wish I could stay with you for these Lessons but your Uncle Thor could not follow some simple instructions and now I am forced to clean up his mess." Loki Signed.
"Uncle Thor said that today was a special day. That we we're going to have a Feast tonight." Harry signed in return. Their lessons with Clint were progressing in a rapid rate and Loki knew this made Harry feel freer without having to use his voice disc constantly.
"That's correct and you will see why tonight when you come home for dinner." Loki smiled before turning his attention to the waiting doctor. "I'm sorry for leaving on such short notice but my brother has made a mess of the Tower and I need to use my magic to repair it. Also I am sorry but I will also have to leave this one in your care as well. With a snap of his finger Shadow appeared and jumped in Harry's arms. "That little jinx is what started the Mischief with my brother."
"Interesting, I'm sure Wong can keep the rascal out of trouble while we are busy with our Lessons. What time should I bring them home?"
"We shall be done with our projects by six maybe seven but if we finish early someone will come to fetch them." Loki nodded and turned to his son and placed a kiss on the boy's forehead. "Do enjoy your lessons and do not let the Cloak distract you. You both can play after your lessons when Doctor Strange says it's okay to do so."
"Yes Dad, I promise." Harry watched his father disappear then turned to his Magic teacher.
"Well Harry come with me I think you will find today's lessons very interesting." Strange motion for the boy to follow and the cloak levitated the child and flew next to Strange. Shadow did not seem to like the flying and jumped from Harry's arms to Wong's arms, who grunted a little at the weight of the cat.
"What do you feed this cat a side of beef a day?"
"Oh come on Wong it's just a kitten. I'm you can handle the weight. Come along Harry we are going to travel to Kamar-Taj. Now Magic is done differently here than what regular wizards can do with wands." Strange slipped on his sling ring and opened the portal to Kamar-Taj. He knew he could have used the connecting doors but where was the fun in that?
XxXxXxXxXx
"So how was Mini Merlin when you left? He didn't suspect anything, did he?"
"Well, he knows not what we are planning Anthony, but my oaf of a brother did let it slip that today was a special day and that we are to have a feast tonight." Loki sighed as he used his magic to clean up the mess of paper and ribbon that Thor and Shadow made. Also repair the wall his brother fell through when the Jinx pounced catching the god unaware.
"Of course it is. Today is the First Birthday Harry has ever had and it's extra special because he's spending it with us." Tony smiled as picked up the box of supplies that came up the super high tech parcel lift A.K.A the dum-waiter.
"I can't wait to see his face when he comes home tonight." Bucky laughed as he and Steve continued to blow up Balloons. "He didn't even realize what day it was today."
"Yes the beauty of routine is that one lose track of time and days until something breaks it." Steve responded. He and Bucky had been ordered to blow up balloon because they didn't get winded as the others or over fill them like Thor did. Thor had over inflated a balloon and in the shock of the balloon popping in his face he sent a small bolt of lightning out frying the Microwave into a smoking mess.
"He also had the added distraction of it being Magic Lesson day. Strange has been so far teaching him the meditation and taking Astral forms. Today they will be doing Magic spells. He believes Haraldr has already had some raw experience with them from being in that place." Loki hated being reminded that his baby boy had been held captive by HYDRA. The night of his return from Asgard Tony had told him of what had happened in the training room and he went into denial. Haraldr had been doing so well with his healing and the nightmares were so few and far in between. It wasn't until Jarvis played the video footage from that morning that he could lie to himself no longer. He broke down at the sight of his child turned in to a soulless fighter. He hadn't realized he was sobbing or that he had been pulled into strong warm arms that held him close. Tony was very kind as he held the god close, muttering softly reassurances into the raven hair. He didn't even notice when the smaller and deceptively strong man had carried him to his room and tucked him into bed with his son.
"Hey Reindeer Games no sad thoughts today it's a happy time for everybody. So when is your Mom going to be here?"
"Thor will bring her just before the party is to start so she can adjust to the time and being on Midgard. She has been here only once Centuries ago when Thor got stuck in a bind with some of the early witches. She was not pleased to find Thor and miss spoke and accidentally propose marriage."
"Ha-ha! I bet you were laughing your ass off when you heard about it."
"Yes, I did I teased him for a century after that. Since then he has tried to be very careful when he speaks or he just let's me do the talking when dealing with strangers." Loki smiled focusing on the good Memory. The Man of Iron was correct today was the day to celebrate his son's birth.
"Do we really need this much beef?" Clint whined entering the room carrying a large box and headed for the kitchen.
"Suck it up Barton. Harry likes steak and hamburgers it's his birthday and he gets to pick the meal. Also there are a lot of big appetites to feed that live here." Natasha scolded carrying two bulging sacks of groceries.
"See this is going to be the best birthday party ever."
"I agree Stark it seems to be the beginning of a great party but some how I didn't get an invitation." A cold humorless laugh filled the air.
"Jarvis, what's going on?" Tony and a The Avengers were suddenly on guard.
"Sir my System has been by passed but they can not access any of your encrypted projects." Jarvis sounded pained but made clear all files relating to Harry were safe before he was shut off.
"Who are you and what do you want?" Tony grounded out.
"Oh you know who I am or at least you should. As for what I want? How about giving me my life back? I know the cliché of revenge a dish cold but it couldn't be helped it took me twenty years to get the resources I need to take you on."
"Twenty years? My twenties are a hazy recollection." Tony muttered to which Loki rolled his eyes.
"It figures that you would be too drunk to take notice of the lives you ruined." The voice said coldly and you could hear the irritation loud and clear. "So Stark whose life are you planning to ruin with your little party? According SHEILD's records none of you has a birthday today."
The whole team stiffened at this. Tony was muttering to himself about SHIELD and poor firewalls while Loki had magic rolling off of him in waves. The others had set glares upon their faces. Bruce who had been quietly working in the kitchen had to take several deep breaths to push the big guy back down as he tried to surface.
"My cat's two month birthday is today and we decided to throw him a party. Sorry but this is a private party; so leave your name and number and I'll be sure to send the Avengers to your door tomorrow." The Genius glared.
"I'm hurt, Tony Baloney, we used to be so close. So close in fact that you stole my idea and became even richer. I'd like to continue this trip down memory lane but it seems your AI has recovered from my shutting it down and is chasing me out. You'll be hearing from me soon Stark. Oh and one last thing give up on the god you are unworthy just like Howard has always said you were."
"I have blocked out the intruder, sir. I am sorry it has taken so long to reboot, Sir. He was very knowledgeable about my system."
"How is that possible? I made Jarvis when I was barely even twenty. I got to go to my lab I got to figure this out." Tony was pacing the floor. His Jarvis had been attacked, his son was just violated. Yes he knew that Jarvis was just a computer with ones and zeroes programming his system but Tony had created him gave him a purpose a life. He hated when people referred to Jarvis as an 'it' rather than a 'him' or that he was a soulless computer because he did have a soul. He had part of Tony's soul.
"Anthony!" the raven hair god stepped in his path and grabbed the man by both shoulders squeezing them to get his attention. "Stop rambling. Take a deep breath and let it out. There you go, again." Tony did as he was told calming down after every breath. He focused on the emerald eyes that were locked on his chocolate brown ones. "There now, have Jarvis run those scans and gather information while you ignore what that Juarcha's arse was saying. Today is Harry's day and we will not let some villain with not sense style or presentation disrupt this day. So snap out of it and get back to decorating for the party."
Stark was just nodding his head agreeing with the handsome God. Feeling calmer Tony wandered to the wall that he could manually control Jarvis and had the AI begin internal scan and tracing of the invader. He then resumed his task in hanging banners and streamers his body running on auto-pilot.
"You feather head." Loki called Clint over to him the spoke in a soft whisper so the man of Iron couldn't over hear. "Contact your boss, the one eyed man, and tell him he is needed here. Do not tell him what has happened here yet in case the villain appears again; he seems to be watching us. Bring him to the party Haraldr seems to has a strange affection for him and his Flurken. After the party and when Haraldr is in bed for the night we will discuss what our next move is."
"Got it, horn head." The archer whispered back. "Hey Guys I forgot the soda; this is a kids party I don't think it's legal to serve Harry Alcohol. I'll run to the store and be back before the party starts."
"Hurry back Clint, I can't cook all this food by myself." Natasha yelled back.
"Got it Nat!" Loki watched Clint leave. The archer may dislike him because of the attack on New York but he was a good man and trustworthy; he would carry out Loki's request for the good of the team.
"Hey Loki I finished hanging the banners." The Asgard prince winced internally at the lack of nickname from the genius. Yes they were annoying and the man could act like a needy child at times but it was just so wrong to hear such a dead tone from the man.
"Thank you Anthony; you can help me bake the cake." Loki swallowed the anger at the faceless villain and smiled at his mortal. 'Not my, Mortal, he's just a comrade in arms.' At least that's what he tried to tell himself.
XxXxXxXxXx
"Well done Harry. You are ready to try the Sling Ring." praised Strange.
"He mastered the spells faster than you did; he might be the next Sorcerer Supreme." Wong smirked, ribbing on the current Sorcerer Supreme. Stephen rolled his eyes and turned his attention back to the little wizard.
"Now Harry you have to concentrate on the place you would like to go and feel the magic that surrounds you and guide it in to the ring. Now your Father is busy at the Tower with your Uncle Thor so who else can you think of that we can open a portal to?"
"My Uncle Phil!" Harry signed using his magic to form the golden letters.
"Good now concentrate on your Uncle and focus gathering the power into the Sling Ring." Strange stood off to the side; allowing the boy to focus on his destination. He watched as Harry formed the golden sparking circle. After a minute it opened and then though it was small it was a successful cast. They were now staring at Agent Coulson who was sitting at his desk at shield.
"Hi Harry, I see it is Magic lesson day." Coulson smiled un-phased by the magic circle appearing in his tiny office. Harry fished out his voice disc and was tapping happily.
"Hi Uncle Phil! Yes it is Magic day. Uncle Thor said today there would be a special dinner tonight, are you coming?"
"I'm sorry I can't tonight Director Fury has me working on some leads that came out of the case you started. It seems it went international. But I have some thing for you to celebrate this special day." Coulson pulled a wrapped gift out from his desk drawer then tossed it through the portal.
"Thank you Uncle Phil what is it?" Harry asked after catching the small gift.
"I can't tell you, because it's a surprise. You can open it tonight at the dinner. I'm glad you were able to peek in but I got to get back to work I'll see you soon."
"Okay, Uncle Phil, thank you for the Gift." Harry waved and closed the portal.
"Well done Harry. Mastering the Sling Ring will be a great asset because almost all of wizarding travel is unpleasant. Also the ring draws on the magic of the universe rather than your own core. You will be able to get in and out of most warded areas." instructed Strange.
"There are text relating to wards in the library, but no portals allowed in the library. Some people tend to think they're better than the rules and end up fighting a dark entity on a time loop." Wong cautioned.
"Thank you Wong for explaining library policy but the added anecdote was not needed." Stephen glared at his companion. "Anyways Harry, let's try traveling to a few places make sure you have this down. Is there any where you would like to go?"
Harry smirked and began to concentrate and opened a portal large enough for all of them to pass through. As soon as his sling circle was stable he ran through with the two sorcerers following. Strange took in the world around him and sighed; it figured that you give a child the power to travel great distances they would travel this place.
"What is this place?" Wong asked confuse by all the children running around and Parents trying to carry bags and food as well as a six foot Mouse and Dog like creature waving and greeting the children.
"We are in the Happiest Place on Earth, Wong. Welcome to Disney Land. Here you are in charge of the phone. I'm sure Loki will want ample photos of his son's day." Strange tossed Wong the Stark Phone that Tony had given him before running after Harry who was now hugging a six foot duck.
"Well at least the child will have a good birthday." Wong muttered before taking pictures of the little wizard with the biggest smile he had ever seen on the boy's face. He also took a picture of Strange being molested by an enthusiastic Girl mouse with a polka dot Bow.
XxXxXxXxXx
"Well Harry that was fun. I'm sure I will never forget it." Stephen said holding in the snicker as they walked through the portal back to the New York Sanctum. It seemed that Tony had graciously provided young Harry with a credit card to use as he wished. And now Wong was sporting Mouse ears on his head and his arms were bulging with bags of gifts for the Avenger Family.
"It was fun! I hope Daddy likes the shirt I got him."
"I'm sure he will. We can say for certain that you have mastered the Sling Ring. Your father is going to be very proud."
"I'm sure my son will be proud of any accomplishment Haraldr achieves." A regal voice answered.
"Your Majesty, I was not expecting your arrival." Strange bowed taking off the Goofy hat he had been wearing. It was not everyday the Queen of Asgard paid a visit to earth.
"I suppose not." Frigga smiled. "I was to be a surprise guest for tonight's feast but I confess I could not wait to meet my grandson."
"I see; I take it Loki and Thor does not know that you are here." Strange grinned and gently pulled Harry from his hiding spot behind his legs.
"No they do not. Thor was busy with Odin and Loki is finishing with his preparations I had Heimdall send me to my grandson. I wish to spend as much time as I can with him. Loki will not bring Haraldr to Asgard after his last fight with Odin. So a grandmother must do what she can to enjoy her grandchildren." Frigga explained slowly walking toward the trio. Her long Asgardian gown was changed to a modest pale yellow tea length sundress and simple sandals. Her hair rearranged from the complicated updo to a simple twist braid that hung over her shoulder.
"Harry I would like you to meet your Grandmother Queen Frigga from Asgard. She is your father's and your Uncle Thor's mother." The Sorcerer introduced the timid child to his new grandmother.
"You are magic like me and dad?" Harry tapped out on his disc. The queen smiled trying to hold the sadness at bay. Loki had told her of the child's painful and heartbreaking beginnings. She was glad her son at taken care of the monster already or she would have dealt with the man herself and there would have been nothing left of the body not even ashes.
"Yes young one. Your father and I are the magical ones of the family. While Asgard may praise and revere strength and brute force, we are special because we can wield magic and bend the laws of reality to our will. Never be afraid of your gifts they make you the brightest star in the known Galaxies." Frigga reassured the boy that he was special and loved. He looked so much like her Loki. She had been so proud of her son standing up to Odin and his stubborn beliefs that he was all knowing and never wrong. As much as she loved her husband he was pushing their son away. Even Thor was starting to see the truth beyond the words of glory and power. Now because of her husband's stupidity her grandson will grow up on Midgard away from her. She would still visit but it wasn't the same as having the patter of little feet running through the palace again.
"I have a kitten." Harry was a little awkward with this new relative and did not know what to say to make her like him.
"Yes, I believe your father has mentioned it in passing. I would love to meet it." Frigga watched as the boy's face lit up. He put his disc away and slipped on his Sling Ring. He focused on Kamar-Taj where they had left Shadow sleeping in the sun. The portal was small but large enough for the cat. Harry gave a loud whistle through the open portal and not a moment later the Jinx jump through and into his arms.
"Well isn't he a handsome Jinx. It reminds me of the one that would follow Jareth and Loki around when they were children. Oh the Mischief those two would get into and poor Thor had often bore the brunt of the prank." The queen seemed to lose herself in the memories of centuries past.
"I'm sure they were rascals around the palace. Come this way where you both will be more comfortable than standing in the entry hall." Strange moved them to a pleasant sitting room and Wong who had ditched the mouse ears brought in a fresh pot of tea.
"Thank you dear I must say I am parched from travel." Frigga smiled as she took the delicate china for herself and handed Harry a glass of milk.
"Queen Frigga what was my dad like when he was my age?"
"You need not be so formal Haraldr. You may call me Grandma or Granny Frigga if you want." Smiling Frigaa set her tea down and gently brought the child to sit on her lap. "There now that's more comfortable. I have centuries worth of Stories about your Father, Uncle Thor, and your Aunt Hela. You will meet her at a later time as she is very busy. Now one story comes to mind when your father was just eighty years old and your Uncle Thor had just turned a hundred. You see we have very long life spans so we age slower and your father and uncle were still but children at that age. Well being children we could not leave them home unsupervised for the night as we were called to settle a dispute on another realm so we asked your Aunt Hela to Baby-sit as she was two hundred and twenty what would be considered a teenager in Midgard terms. We left her in charge and left to aid the realm in distress. All was well between the three, but when we return it look as if war had broken out in our palace."
XxXxXxXxXx
Thor had one job and he couldn't even do that right. All the oaf had to do was bring their mother to Earth from Asgard and what did he do? He lost their mother! Heimdall was no help at all as he said all he did was send her to earth upon her request. He also told them that she was cloaking herself from his vision so he had no idea where she was. It was already getting to be late and Haraldr had been at the Sorcerer's place an hour longer than he had planned.
His magic was flaring his agitation that as soon as he stepped on to the front steps of 177A Bleecker Street he fell through an open portal. This was the last thing he needed, but his usually endless trip through space was brought to a quick end as he found himself floating in mid air in a spacious drawing room. Soon his frame was righted and he was lowered to his feet by his son's magic.
"Thank you Haraldr you saved me from another painful landing." Loki sighed taking the boy into his arms giving him a hug.
"Do you often travel in such an ungraceful manner?" Frigga asked hiding her amusement behind her tea cup.
"Mother? What are you doing here? Thor and I have been searching for you everywhere."
"I have been having a lovely visit with my grandson and the young Sorcerer Strange. Where is your brother?"
"Thor has returned to the Tower the feast will start soon. I was coming to retrieve Haraldr. Now that you are here, we can all attend the feast together." Loki informed them.
"Excellent Cloak why don't you go and get Harry bags from our trip today." Strange asked his relic.
"Trip? Haraldr did you go somewhere?" The God of Mischief looked to his son in curiosity.
"We went to Disneyland!"
"I have never heard of this land of Disney of which you speak. You must tell me more of this place." Loki looked lost in thought as did his mother.
"No worries Loki we took lots of pictures that we will share with everyone at the party." replied Strange opening a portal to the tower. Cloak flew through first carrying a mountain of bags followed the Asgardians. Wong opted to stay behind at the Sanctum he was worn out from the trip to the happiest place on earth.
"It's about time you guys got here its hard keeping Thor away from the food." Clint said as he brought in a tray of freshly cooked steaks and burgers.
"Where's Mini Merlin? I haven't seen him all day." A voice called out from the living room.
"Uncle Tony!" Harry mouthed what would have been a shout of delight before he released his hold on his grandmother and father and ran to the Genius jumping into his arms giving him a huge hug. As soon as he was through the portal Harry could feel something was wrong with his Uncle Tony's energy. It was sad and scared like he was attacked by something. Hugging his uncle he could feel the tension melt away.
"Hey kiddo, guess what today is?" Tony asked balancing the boy on his hip.
"A special day?" Harry signed.
"Yes it's a special day. A very Special day, Buddy. It's your special day and I'll show you why." Tony turned around and pointed to the sign hanging behind them.
Happy Birthday Harry!
"Happy Birthday!" everyone cheered. Harry could not stop smiling. He had never had a birthday before not since he was with his daddy and step-mother. Now his Daddy of the Stars was giving him one and his new family was all around them. He couldn't be happier if he tried.
"Thank you everyone I love you all!" he signed tears of joy rolling down his cheeks.
"Okay Birthday Prince let's go over here and you can start opening presents." Tony took the boy off to his throne of honor.
"So I take it despite the social setting my presence is hardly here for a social call." Fury said in a low voice now that everyone had left the room to watch Harry open his gifts.
"You are correct Man of Fury. Normally I would not call upon you for any thing if I had a choice but there are some things that even I can not accomplish on Midgard. I had the birdman ask you here because during the party preparations someone hacked in and shut Jarvis down; then they taunted my Man of Iron. Anthony was near catatonic afterwards. Someone taking control of Jarvis like that was a violation of a personal nature for him. It was just short of rape to him because Jarvis was his first successful AI, it is his son." Loki snarled trying to keep his voice low.
"They were able to hack Jarvis? That is serious. So this guy spoke mostly to Stark and tried to get him to react?" Fury stroked his chin in thought.
"He was goading Anthony; trying to get him to remember something. They have a past going back twenty years but you know how Anthony was back then he barely remembers what happen last week let alone decades ago. After I put Haraldr to bed and have my mother settled for the night I want to talk about what we should do next. I'm not sure how much help Anthony will be but he will be angered if we do not include him."
"Stark would have found out about it eventually; he seems to hack our servers on a daily basis. Okay let's go back to the party before your boy starts to worry about why we are not celebrating his birthday. He reads human behavior like a master and the last thing we need is him worrying about this, the boy is still recovering."
"Agreed, this is his first Birthday since James died he needs happy memories not the worries of unknown peril. I hope you brought your appetite it seems Anthony had an earth cow slaughtered and brought here for the birthday feast." Loki gestured to where the others were seated.
"Steak, my favorite."
A/N: Sorry for the Late Chapter. After I was well enough to write Christmas came up and bitch slapped me with a bunch of shopping and chores to do to get ready for the holidays. So please keep feeding the plot bunnies with reviews and I'll try to sneak away and post another chapter. Coming up next Bruce and Hulk. Thanks for Reading, Keep Reviewing.