Chapter 11
"I am loath to admit it but they are formidable warriors." Thor announced once they were regrouped. Fury was pacing back and forth in agitation. "We do not have time for this. Loki is out there with the scepter again and now we have to deal with these people!" Natasha looked confused. "What I don't understand is why he wants the scepter." She voiced. Everyone was just as confused.
Bruce said "It does not matter why now. The point is he wants it and Loki has it. We find Loki we find Potter." Steve agreed with him. "And when we do we apprehend Loki and take the scepter. Maybe then Potter may comply." "Easier said than done." Tony inserted. "What is Loki going to do with the scepter?" Thor replied "Along with the tesseract it can open a portal from which armies can come out to destroy Midgard. Loki wants to defeat your plane and rule it. He will bring an army of chitauri to do this." "Chitauri?" Steve questioned. The thunder god nodded. "They are a vile creature that loves destruction." "Great." Bruce leaned back in his chair tiredly."
~The next day~
Loki stood at Stark Tower, watching the droves of chitauri pour in constantly from a tear in space-time, bringing destruction on the city below. A smirk was plastered on his face. His plans were coming together. Soon, every human being will bow before him and he would be the king he was meant to be. Though, he thought with a worried crease to his temples, he did not trust Thanos to keep his end of the bargain. The titan would destroy Midgard if he so wished and take the scepter from him. If he did so, Loki would allow Thor to take him back to Asgard and there he would plan further. If he lived long enough to do so that is.
He then thought of the Midgardian magician he met earlier. The man was quite powerful, Loki could tell, and he also wanted the scepter's power. He could not allow that.
He felt a presence behind him and turned around. It was the magician, walking casually to stand beside him. They stood in silence for a while, Loki watching the man while he in turn kept his eyes fixed on the invasion.
Loki finally asked "Who are you?" The man turned to him. "Hadrian Salazar Potter is my name. There's no need for you to introduce yourself though. Everyone knows you are Loki of Asgard." Loki eyed him critically. "You never answered my questions." Harry decided to indulge him. "I know your work with Thanos because I saw your thoughts and memories, unguarded as they were at the time. Yes, I am a mind walker. I stay with these 'insignificant fools' because I want to build my empire among them. They may be insignificant as you say but they are not fools. They have their uses." The Asgardian sniffed. "You wish to rule them as I do." Harry shook his head. "No. They can rule themselves. They do more damage to themselves that way. And I, well I just take advantage of their failings. It's subtle, it's effective. It's practical." "What do you want the scepter for?"
The raven took a few seconds to answer. "I want the prize hidden within it. You can keep the scepter then." "You mean the infinity stone. What makes you think I will give it to you?" Loki asked with narrowed eyes. He backed away from Harry, grip tight on the scepter. Harry followed his movements, head cocked in contemplation. "Don't you think I can just take it? I can acquire it from you just like I acquire everything else I wish to own."
"Well, you cannot just take anything from me; I am not a weakling that is easily defeated." Loki defended. Harry smirked. "We'll see." The scepter suddenly lurched in Loki's hands as if summoned. The Asgardian held onto it. Incensed, he threw a blast of magic at Harry. The raven ducked away from it. He threw a stunner at the god, who rolled away from it. It was followed by a blasting hex and a petrifying spell, all dodged. Loki returned fire, fire and lightning spells threw at Harry at a rapid rate. As they continued to fight, the spells grew inn intensity and strength.
A spray of conjured acid flew at Harry. It splashed harmlessly on a shield. Harry conjured water to counter the spell fire Loki threw. With the other hand he transfigured lions from the rubble. Loki was forced to cast the animals away, giving Harry leeway to slip in a cruciatus. It never hit, with Loki rolling to the side. The Asgardian threw spell after spell at him without pause. Harry cast a spell chain to block all of them, incantations falling from his lips with practiced fluidity, flawless in its attack and defense. His feet moved in sync with his spell casting, body almost instinctively moving and dodging spells.
Loki was having a difficult time in this battle, backed into a corner as he was. It was quite obvious he could not win in a fair fight. He subtly left an illusion to take a hit while he moved away. Harry's senses tingled dangerously, the hairs at the back of his neck raising. He whipped around with a conjured sword, in time to block the scepter that threatened to pierce him. They exchanged blows for a while until Harry managed to kick Loki away, gaining a slash at his cheek for his effort. Loki created multiple clones of himself to surround him, all with scepters pointed at him and glowing ominously. As blue light flashed towards him Harry raised a shield that blocked the attacks followed by a cascading jinx then a wide range cutting hex.
There was a yelp of pain behind him. He turned around as the illusion popped away. He cast a binding spell which bound Loki in tight ropes and a summoning charm brought the scepter to him. From where he stood Harry could see the nasty laceration on Loki's leg. The man was glaring daggers at him. Harry ignored him. He reached into the ball of blue energy held by the scepter. It tried to fight him but Harry forced his way in, ignoring the pain coursing through him for his trouble. He yanked the stone out, the blue orb fading from the scepter.
The mind stone was yellow in color. It constantly tried to snake its influence into his mind but Harry blocked it out. He conjured a locket with six oval-shaped holes inside. Harry cast multiple spells onto it to block the infinity stone's influence. He shrunk the stone and placed it in one of the holes. He closed it and hung it around his neck. Then he left Loki bound on the floor.
A/N: Short. I know. I hoped you enjoyed the battle between Harry and Loki. Personally I think it could use a bit more, but silver linings and all that.