The silence between them was suffocating, her heart beating so fast she believed that maybe her friend could hear it as they stared at one another. Aria looked upon the wolf with admiration and fear. She didn't know whether to try and leave her mindscape or to stay to figure out things. She knew that time went differently in her head than it did in reality for some reason, however she wasn't sure she was ready to face whatever answers were to come from this meeting. She still wasn't quite over the fact that the beast in her head was an actual beast, she always just thought that maybe she was being possessed by a demon, God, or something of the sort. A majestic wolf had never been up on the list for her companions' image. She tried to take in his full size but she was a speck of dust compared to him, also making her wonder how the hell she was even able to contain him in her head.

What...what are you?

His eyes gleamed with mischief as he let out a snarky growl before lowering his head to lay flat against the grass floor. Aria's eyes widened before she looked around them, the black abyss being replaced by a meadow. A meadow she knew intimately from her younger years. She breathed out shakily before turning around to face the wolf and sitting down. The grass was soft underneath her hands, softer than she remembered it being.

I am nothing yet I am everything, child. I was created when the worlds were by the stones. I shall show you the day I became a prisoner. His voice, which Aria noted sounded more masculine and animalistic than before, echoed around them as his snout raised slightly to press softly against her forehead. Energy surged through her and she closed her eyes against its ravish power. Yet instead of any pain, a memory not of hers began to play behind her closed lids.

The sky was dark and the stars were gleaming brightly, the moon full and colored red. While the sky was peaceful, the Earth below it was not. The large wolf was seen terrorizing the meadow it found itself on, wisps of icy blue magic swirling around it. It slashed with its gigantic paws, heaving up chunks of the ground to fly away towards whatever it seemed to be agitated by. It growled menacingly, his teeth showing saliva mixed with blood that glistened on his canines. There was a crazed look in his eyes, panicked even. He let out a deafening roar before chains began to form around his neck and snout.

A blinding light beam shot towards the Earth and upon contact came a group of men and women who hastily moved to form a front against the beast. Others came from the woods surrounding to join this group of people, orange magic coming forth from their hands as they moved them in a weird manner. At the sight of them forming together, the wolf began to thrash wildly at his chains trying to break free. The etchings on his coat began to gleam violently and once the people on the ground began to see the light, it seemed to make them rush whatever they were doing. Two people stepped forward, presumably the leaders of each group, and were chanting together in an old language.

As they began to chant more fiercely, one of the others rushed forward and brought something wrapped in blue silk. They put the object on the ground in front and center between the two leaders, unwrapping it to reveal it a small infant. The infant smiled at the woman who had brought it forward, his amber eyes showing joy. The woman had tears running down her cheeks furiously, her shaking hand coming up to reach the little child's cheek and rubbing along it gently. The leader from her side put a hand on her shoulder, his face full of gratitude, anguish, and determination. She stepped back behind where she came from, orange magic erupting in front of her as she continued where she had left off. Her eyes however, were fixated on the child she had left on the ground.

The wolf continued to thrash in his chains, his mouth opened enough to let out a bone-chilling roar. Undeterred they pushed on, the chanting growing louder and louder. A bright light began to form around the child before striking the wolf in his chest. A pained howl came from the wolf as his thrashing began to slow to a stop. On his chest a black symbol formed in the style of a crescent moon, and as it neared completion the aura surrounding the wolf began to recede into the child who began to cry. The wolf seemed to slowly dissipate into thin air in small wisps of light blue light before being sucked into the child's head where the white light had been coming from. Once the light plays dampened, the only sound in the area was the wails coming from the child. On the child's forehead a mark that matched the one on the beast's chest stood out on his skin.

Aria's eyes burst open as she stumbled backwards breathing heavily. She looked up at the beast and her eyes wandered to his chest where she could see the tip of the black crescent moon peeking as he moved his head up. Her mind was whirling at the memory that she now knew was his, many dots that were not connecting forming in her head. She knew that orange magic for she had seen it before in human sorcerers she had met long ago but none of the ones she had seen in his memory were ones she was acquainted with. She knew that wolf had powers that were able to amplify her own but how strong was he really? In the memory, the land was decimated by him. Tree's overthrown and the earth was riddled with holes done by his paw alone. Why was he on Earth of all places? Who were the people coming out of the rainbow beam? Her head swirled with questions and she knew he wouldn't answer them unless he wanted to.

I sense I have created more questions than answered I'm afraid. But all in due time my dear, you have more pressing matters to attend to outside of your head.

The definition of pressing matters seems to differ between you and I...Finding out what exactly is in me seems a little more important wouldn't you say?

The answers are right in front of you. But for now, you must go. His chuckle bounced around her mind before he pushed energy out towards Aria.

Her eyes peeled open slowly to reveal she was in the same position as she had been moments before she had been dragged into her headspace. Heavy breathing could be heard from in front of her to which her eyes snapped to. A seething Loki was staring back at her and for a moment, she thought that she could see steam coming from his ears. She smirked at the thought, which seemed to anger him even more if his scowl wasn't any indication. Within seconds he leaped forward and pushed into her body slamming her on her back. His hands made his way to her throat and tightened around it. A choked gasp came out of her throat and Aria's eyes watered at the impact. He bared his teeth at her, emerald and emerald clashing as his eyes rapidly flickered back and forth staring into hers. Her hands went up to meet his grip on her neck, panic bubbling in her chest.

"WHAT DID YOU DO TO ME PEASANT?!" He angrily shouted, his grip tightening as he spoke.

Aria felt a cold chill go down her spine at his yell before narrowing her eyes at the God. Her head started to spin from lack of air so she commanded energy into her arms and hands to push the maniac off of her. With ease now that energy was directed there, she broke his hold on her neck and shoved him back where he had been. She jumped up to her feet quickly, expecting him to rush her but was slightly relieved to see he just sat there instead. Gasping for air, she grabbed at her chest and also put her hand on her hidden blade in the hip of her jeans just in case.

"You finally have your mind straight because of me and that's the thanks I get? You truly are of such sound mind," she rolled her eyes and grimaced at the slight throb that came from where his grip had been around her throat. Her eyes rolled to the camera watching over them to make sure the red light was blinking. It was. That means whoever was watching knew what had just occurred and were probably coming down to them.

"Your powers...what do you mean mind straight? I feel no different than as before. Presumably due to your inflated ego about what it is you think you can accomplish. You are not anything you failing scum," he spat out maliciously, his eyes swirling with anger as he stared up at her.

"Then maybe my impression of you was wrong...maybe you didn't need any influence to do what you've been doing...I don't know about you but I know one thing; a king wouldn't kill his own people." She coldly stated, her words dripping with disappointment.

The doors adjacent to them swished open and revealed Thor and Fury along with some other agents filing in. Aria knew her time was up with the complicated being. A small pang hit her heart, she had wanted more time to figure him out but at least she had an idea of who Loki Laufeyson was. She strode towards the prison cell door, the thoughts she tried pushing down again resurfacing. She was just like him; alone, afraid, and angry. She wondered how her life could've gone had it thrown her down a different path. Her thoughts jumped to the dark part of her life and her breath hitched in her throat. She stopped just outside the doors to look back at the suffering God, his eyes connecting with hers. So many emotions ran through his emerald eyes and Aria couldn't help the sadness she felt run through her as they stared at one another. Had they met earlier, maybe he wouldn't be as angry and affection craving. Maybe she wouldn't be so cautious and untrusting. Maybe.

Loki slid down the side of his cell, his heart hammering against his chest. He had lied to the woman, which wouldn't have been a first in his life. But she was right, his mind seemed to be of his own. Loki felt he could actually think of what he wanted to do without the titans consistent jabbering of his morale. Even with that accomplishment, he knew he had to continue with the plan. He shuddered at the thought of what could come to him had he not followed through with everything the titan wanted. However, the woman was of issue if Loki were to be able to see his plans through. She was the oddball not accounted for and Barton only had known so much when Loki had asked him about her. If his plans were succeed, she would need to be taken off the board.

He closed his eyes shut and began to ponder over what she had done to him exactly, better to think of that instead of torture, only to wonder how she was able to. The magic he learned from his mo- from Frigga took him years to conquer and even more years to be able to do so without uttering a sound. And he was just over a thousand years old. This woman was a lot younger than him yet was able to conjure up that spell like nothing. Her magic had felt calming and pacifying at first, it had made his skin tingle when it wrapped around him. But after a few moments, the feeling had changed into something sinister. Loki was baffled at the conundrum that was the woman.

He sighed quietly as his mind raced with memories of what transpired trying to make sense of it all. She was human but not. She could use magic yet probably couldn't conjure a fire spell or a cloaking one. She was strong willed but also vulnerable. Loki couldn't seem to figure her out because where one answer came another four questions seemed to follow. The one thing he couldn't put his finger on was the blue glaze that overcame her whole eye as she just was bent over in front of him. He had been furious because he thought she had taken his magic since he wasn't able to conjure it for quite a moment after her little gimmick, which fortunately wasn't the case, but now he was furthermore confused. She had stayed so still he thought her dead but within minutes she was back and the blue blanketing her eyes gone. What had happened in those few minutes that had caused her to have such panic etched into her face when she came back from wherever she had gone?

Loki didn't like not having answers and didn't like staying in this stupid cage any longer. He hoped his control on Barton was still intact because he couldn't stand being here much longer. He had a plan to put into action and questions to be answered. Smirking to himself, he began to devise a plan.

"What the hell happened in there Aria?!" Fury all but yelled as Aria grabbed her head in slight discomfort.

"I did what I needed to do. My theory of him being controlled by the scepter was right alongside the theory that he's being held captive on purpose. Why though I have no idea," Aria grumbled out slightly irritated, "now will you shut your mouth and quit screaming like a toddler throwing a tantrum."

"Do you know where the Tesseract is? Did you even find out anything from your little pity talk with the mass murderer?" He asked loudly, but quieter than before. He guided her through the maze of the ship before gesturing to enter the door first.

"No. He didn't tell me anything useful," she quickly lied. Loki had given her so much more than maybe he even knew, but Aria was a woman true to her word.

Tony and Banner came into view as well as the lab they were working in. Or at least supposed to be. Banner was behind the table with a pencil in the side of his mouth staring at something and Tony was eating some kind of snack leaning against the tables other side. Both their heads snapped up at their entrance, a smug look working over Tony's face. Banner looked at her pensively with a small nod before turning to look at Fury. Aria looked at the two quizzically, expecting them to have their monitors out everywhere in front of them as they searched for the cube. She had seen it before earlier when they had first come into the lab, screens floating into mid-air. Aria didn't think she would ever get accustomed to the advances in technology these people could achieve.

Fury stepped ahead of her with his hands balling up into fists, "What are you doing Mr. Stark, Dr. Banner?"

Tony clicked his tongue before pushing himself off the table, "Uh...kind of been wondering the same thing about you."

"You're supposed to be locating the Tesseract. All I see is you sitting on your asses." Fury spat at the men, glaring at both of them.

"We are. The model's locked and we're sweeping for the signature now. When we get a hit, we'll have the location within half a mile." Banner spoke up as he retrieved the pencil from his mouth, apprehension apparent in his voice.

"And you'll get your cube back tough guy. No muss, no fuss," Tony shrugged and popped a chocolate looking snack in his mouth before his monitor pinged and a message stating SECRET FILES popped up, "Ah! What is Phase 2?"

Tony turned the monitor towards them and Aria narrowed her eyes at the information pooping on the screen. She internally berated herself, she had a thought that this organization was to good to be true but threw the thought away. That was a mistake. A loud bang drew everyone's attention away from the monitor to the table behind them where Steve was, a weapon of some sort on the table.

"You were making weapons and planning to use the cube to power them..." Aria said slowly, eyeing the weapon. "I thought this organization to be true but I guess I was wrong."

"Aria, no. We gathered everything related to the Tesseract. This doesn't mean we're-"

"I'm sorry Nick," Tony sarcastically stated before opening a file labeled WEAPONS on the monitor for everyone to see various other creations, "what were you lying?"

"I was wrong Director. The world hasn't changed a bit," Steve huffed out as he stared at the monitor.

At that moment, Thor and Natasha walked into the lab. Aria noticed her features seemed alarmed and how her eyes stayed trained on Banner. So that must mean she knew about all of this then, if the blasting weapon images on the screen didn't alarm her. But why would she stare at Banner as if she was scared of him? They were in a tense situation, put there by the lies orchestrated by this stupid organization, but Aria didn't believe it was stressful enough to invoke Hulk. She stepped forward towards Banner to stand next to him, an action that surprised the both of them. She felt a weird connection with the scientist and if anyone could handle his other half, she assumed it'd best be handled by her.

"Since you don't seem surprised about this newfound information, I assume you knew about it all Natasha?" Aria asked coldly, leveling her with a glare.

"None of it matters. Banner, wanna think about removing yourself from this environment?"

Banner laughed at her question before staring at her, "I was in Calcutta. I was pretty well removed."

"Loki's manipulating you Banner." Nat stated matter of factly, her body tensing under his stare.

"Loki couldn't manipulate us if he wanted to from that cell. You're just being over-bearing," Aria challenged her, her nails beginning to dig into her skin.

Seems to me we have found ourselves in a peculiar situation little one, his voice slithered into her mind. Hearing him agitated her even more so.

You were right...I'll admit it. Should've dropped this ship, plane, whatever this is the moment I got on.

While this is true, I'm not speaking of the situation outside our mind...

What? What other situation- her thought was cut off when she started hearing Banner's voice raise.

"I'm not leaving because you suddenly get a little twitchy. I think everyone would like to know why SHIELD is using the Tesseract to build weapons of mass destruction." Banner stated as he angrily pointed at the monitor that still was flashing through various blueprints of weapons.

A moment of silence laced the room before he pointed at Thor and then her. "Because of them."

Aria narrowed her eyes and gripped her arms tighter. Anger began to swell through her chest at Fury's accusation. Thor looked taken aback, his hand coming up to cover his heart as if he had just been shot. He shook his head and all Aria could think is how many ways she could torture Fury. Her eyes widened slightly at how easily the thought invaded her mind. She never resorted to violence unless it was absolutely necessary, torture being one of the things she avoided ever since the last time she inflicted it on someone.

"Last year, Earth had a visitor from another planet who had a grudge match that levelled a small town. That day we learned we are not only not alone, but we are hopelessly, hilariously, outgunned," Fury eyed Thor up and down before his gaze shifted to Aria, "And thirty years ago we caught wind of the gifted woman who wrecks hell on whoever she faces. She worked solo and answered to none. Those she did answer to eventually ended up dead or missing. On top of all that, did no one else witness what I witnessed as she interrogated Loki? We have no idea what she's capable of and have no idea where or how strong her alliance is."

"You say that as if you know what you're talking about. You are right about being helpless, you're helplessly informed." Aria snarled as her words came out dripping with anger. "Those people deserved it. Now I'm thinking your face might end up on a piece of paper here soon."

Without thinking, Aria stepped towards Fury menacingly. Anger and hatred swirled together in her chest to which she felt no control over. Thor's hand shot out across her body effectively stopping her from continuing. He shared a knowing look on his face as he stared at her, his eyes seemingly pacifying her irrational anger. He nodded his head at her before turned to look at Fury, "My people want nothing but peace with your planet. As for Lady Aria, I believe that if she was a murdering mindless as you put it that you wouldn't still be standing there able to voice those doubts."

"While you may be right, you're not the only people out there, are you? The world's filling up with people who can't be matched," Fury looked around before his eyes set on Aria, "they can't be controlled."

"Like you controlled the cube?" Steve piped in, crossing his arms.

Thor lowered his arm but took a step forward effectively placing himself between her and Fury. Aria silently thanked him for that before moving to his right side away from Natasha. She felt like if the woman were to say anything she'd turn and punch her through the wall.

Delightful it is to see you all worked up over this silly banter.

Silly banter?! They made weapons to try and kill us and you call it silly?

If it's powered by the Tesseract and I absorb the power, it'll hardly do anything besides leave a bruise to someone's ego.

Aria blinked before huffing at his words, not paying attention to the people arguing before her. Suddenly, she began to feel a lull in her head. Blinking rapidly, Aria found that she couldn't focus on anything. Looking around silently she found everything was blurred. Everything besides the scepter. Its glowing gem seemed to brighten at her eyes focusing on it and Aria found she couldn't tear herself from staring. As if entranced she slowly inched forward. A cackle wracked through her mind but she paid no attention to it, all of her attention was on the scepter itself.

Go on my dear...take what is ours...its calling for us...

Her shaking hands began to reach out towards it.

We both crave the power now...like I said before...

Her breath hitched in her throat as her hands wrapped around the staff. Her eyes fluttered in bliss as wisps of energy ran down to meet her hands. The energy began to crawl its way into her palms slowly, tauntingly. Unknown to her, Thor's gaze was resting on her back just watching as the others still argued.

We've merged together in more ways than one...especially now after our last encounter with this power...We are more than just captor and vessel...

Aria slowly lifted the scepter from where it was being held, tightening her hold around it. She enjoyed the rush through her veins as it felt perfect in her hands, before she noticed that everything was quiet. Gasping as if she couldn't breathe, she turned around quickly to face the others. Natasha and Fury had their hands on their guns while the others just had varying degrees of shock on their face. Thor was already stepping slowly towards her, a look of slight curiosity gracing his features.

"I...I don't know..." Aria stuttered, her body beginning to tremble in fear.

"Just put the scepter down Aria," Fury softly said as he motioned with his other hand a downward signal.

Aria's eyes widened with wonder as she began to stare at what was in her hands. Why didn't she notice herself grabbing it? It felt as if she was there but also not there at the same time. Her mind felt lucid, her thoughts not gaining any traction unless it was about the scepter. The power. The beauty. The destruction. She found that she yearned for it, starved for it. Almost as if hearing her thoughts, the gem sparked to life. Blinding light flashed before them and Aria screamed as its energy touched her skin. But she couldn't let go of the damn staff.

Just as quickly as it happened, it stopped. Aria's eyes paralleled a river as tears ran down her cheek. The lighted gem shown brighter than before and Aria knew she had to be the cause of it. She breathed heavily as the tears kept pouring down unable to get a reign on her emotions. What happened? Why was she so emotional? Why couldn't she just let go of this damn magic stick? She breathed out angrily, the thought of throwing it flew through her mind. She turned around and began to try and put the staff down when a loud pinging noise rang through the room.

"Got it." Tony's voice cut through the tension.

"Fucking hell...we'll deal with Aria after. Tony. You located the Tesseract?" Fury asked, his eyes still on the motionless woman.

"No I found my lost dog from ten years ago. Yes of course I found it, I'm brilliant," Tony bragged before hearing Banner huff in indignation, "I meant we. We are brilliant."

As they spoke, Aria eyed the scepter angrily. She couldn't figure out why it was stuck in her hands. She pushed a small amount of energy into her eyes and was taken aback by the color of her aura. Yellow was mixed within hers but instead of blanketing her own aura it seemed to mix together. It wasn't taking over; it was integrating within her.

WHAT IS HAPPENING?! Aria panickily called out to her dweller.

An emergence. The stone chose you when the light shown brightest, it carved a piece of its power within us. Power we can both draw from child. The only reason you can stand it is because of what you are and because you are my vessel.

Because of what I am? WHAT AM I?! What do you mean the stone chose me?! What powers?

Child relax, your heart is beating too quickly and you'll lose focus, control, sanity. I wouldn't let anything harm you, for you and I are one. What you feel I do as well and right now panic isn't the thing we should be feeling. Let me help...

I don't like the sound of that. What do you mean help?

Almost immediately Aria felt at ease, her shoulders slumped down of their own accord, and her grip on the staff slackened that she was able to set it down. However, Aria found she wasn't in control of herself. She was just able to feel and see what was happening, not command it.

WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING?

"I'm merely doing what you cannot do at the moment, which is remaining calm," He whispered to her using her own voice and mouth. "I can't keep control too long; the seal won't permit but you must take reign. The stone piece grants me enough power to be able to do this. You cannot expect these people to trust you or even like you if you lose sense of self. We both know how that goes."

Aria felt a small wave of shock go over her. He could take control of her body? A damn wolf creature could control her better than she could thanks to his birthing stone. Anger bubbled in her chest at herself and at his lack of answers but now that she wasn't holding the scepter the feelings were more manageable. She stopped crying while also being able to calming herself to a functioning level. After all of this, Aria vowed to find the answers she was searching for. And one just landed right in her lap as to why she became uncontrollable in the first place.

The scepter! That's what was heightening my emotions wasn't it? The dread, the anger, everything...until it merged with me. Am I right?

Aria blinked and turned around, finally back in tune with herself. She felt in full control now, only out of it for about a minute or two. The comforting thought that he couldn't stay in control too long was empowering, despite the fact that he actually helped her. Shaking her head, she looked up to see the group talking, or arguing more so, before Banner gasped loudly. It took about three seconds before their world tilted. Hard.

*AUTHORS NOTE*

I AM BEYOND SORRY HOW LONG THIS TOOK. I had family from outta town, birthday parties, and work :( So I wasn't as able to write this up. However this chap is FINISHED. Finally hehehehhe I'll try to upload weekly and even twice a week though from now on! Please please please don't hesitate to let me know what you think! It matters to me hella. Big thank you to sakurhita for the review :) I hope you and the other keeping tabs enjoy this installment of T.E.H.

I'm thinking that I might do different installments for each movie in the MCU? What do you guys think? Or should I just leave it all in one story? I'll let you all decide that :) Happy reading!

p.s. i don't own shit. Aria is the only one I own but like even then. Also i'm not making money i do this outta pure enjoyment.