So this was meant to be published near the 4th of July. Obviously, it's almost 3 months late at this point but it's also longer than any other chapter or part I've done so far. Also, this is the 20th part of a series, you are free to read it as is but you have trouble making sense of it as this one officially, all parts together, is my 3rd longest story.
"I bet Barry and Thor both had aneurysms when you told them that you were coming to this," Loki heard a familiar voice say from behind him, he didn't look behind him, he didn't have to. He simply kept his eyes on the dark skies. In a few minutes, the fireworks would be starting and he liked fireworks. Few things on earth he liked as much as the things whose main purpose were to make noises and bright lights. Until then the night air was cool, especially cool for July and yet it did not seem like there was a storm coming in. He sat up from his position leaning against the rooftop barrier.
"You were very persuasive," he replied to Tony, still not turning around but he could imagine Tony's smirk. He was truly persistent when he desired to be. Like a dog with a bone. Dog with a bone, he mentally shook himself. He really was quite the Midgardian, wasn't he?
"What can I say, I have a gift,"
"Pity you can't return it," he said but his voice betrayed his less than serious intent.
"You're kind of late though, "
"Don't start," he said shortly. If it wasn't Barry, it was Thor and if it wasn't Thor it was Tony. They all seemed to be conspiring to get him to work less, even after he had agreed to let Barry take on a little more of his duties. Apparently, it wasn't enough.
"I just mean most of the alcohol and schmoozing portion of the night is done."
"I've never done much schmoozing at any of these." Tony blinked and Loki could practically see the wheels turning. It was not his first time at one of these parties, not that he went that often but before they had never really talked. Loki hadn't done much than slightly antagonize but they never schmoozed at one of these before. Granted the 4th of July itself was one he had only been to once or twice. When he had first come to Midgard the celebration of freedom had not been something he was interested in. Over the years and his friendships with Barry, Tony, and getting closer to Thor again had changed his views.
"You're not going to try to steal my thunder again?" Tony asked, referencing the New Years that after Tony had finished his fireworks Loki had made some illusions of fireworks as well.
"I wasn't trying to steal your thunder, I was just trying to entertain myself, " Loki let a fond smile slip onto his lips as he remembered the event. Just he and Thor on this very rooftop watching his fireworks. It was quite the night.
"Rob, you came," Thor's gleeful voice sounded over the waves of conversation and pulled both of their attention to the blond. Loki was just glad that Thor had learned over the years to use the name of the face he was wearing with ease. This form did come with the added benefit of Thor not immediately throwing himself at Loki in a crushing manly hug as Rob and Thor were supposed to be mere acquaintances. He smiled gently at his brother's exuberance that always seemed present, even if they saw each other every week now, even if it was just for lunch.
"Did you think I would back out?" He smiled as Thor already knew he was coming. Thor ignored the half barb of his statement and came to stand on the opposite side of Loki.
"Merely happy that you choose to come," Thor said slightly softer as more people from the party were coming to stand with them in anticipation. Loki hated to admit it but it was kind of nice being here with Thor and Tony waiting for fireworks. The only person he was missing was Barry but he was with his daughter and pregnant wife. Cami was 3 months from her due date and they were expecting a little boy. Perhaps next year he would bring them to the Stark's semi-exclusive party. Tony wouldn't mind, he probably would have extended the offer tonight if it hadn't made Loki so jumpy bringing the two parts of life even closer together. It was bad enough that both Tony and Thor knew.
Before he could get more worried or morose, the sky filled with vibrant purple. The air split with the loud cacophonous sound and everyone oohed and awwed as the rainbow of colors splashed against the night sky.
They were probably about halfway through the display when Loki heard some bigger explosions coming from the opposite end of the roof. It was the 4th of July, so at first, Loki ignored it but then realized that there shouldn't be louder fireworks than Starks in this part of town. He turned his back to the fireworks and took in a sharp breath.
Not fireworks. The sound was definitely not fireworks. It was an explosion, one of the buildings about a block away top ten floors had just exploded. Thankfully, it was night, so there weren't likely to be any people in the building. Hopefully, though a bad feeling he didn't want to explore started to creep up .
Loki's eyes roved around looking for the source of the attack, although it was possible that it could have just been a bomb to grab their attention. In his search, he noticed that Tony and Thor were also on the same side of the roof. The people who had noticed from the other side were panicking and running to the elevators. The fireworks were still going on, apparently, whoever was setting them off hadn't noticed the problems on the other side of the building yet. The remaining crowd hadn't either. It was a problem that Tony had the solution for.
"Everyone inside!" Tony demanded as he turned around wading through his party guests, leaving him and Thor to try to find the source as they listened to Tony herd everyone back to safety. Finally after a few minutes of looking he spotted something unusual on the street. A flame that had a distinct unmoving shape sitting atop another form that could perhaps be mortal. As good as his eyes were, it was dark and the creatures were at least half a mile away and several stories down, he could only make just make out that they were probably two different creatures.
Loki locked eyes with his brother briefly and then they both looked down at the shapes. Try as he might it was quite difficult to tell anything from up here. Nothing about what it was, much less what it wanted from them. Probably to destroy them, the things that tended to attack the Avengers tower tended to want to kill them from the smattering of attacks he had been privy to, as well as all the ones he had heard about either from his brother or on the news.
"What the hell is that?" That was Loki's notice that Tony had made his way back over the two of them.
"Some sort of flame creature and another creature," Loki said, feeling rather unhelpful in his assessment.
"Okay?" Tony said, seeming to wait for more information then sighing when he realized that nothing else was forthcoming, he nodded determinedly and faced him.
"Gotta go buddy," And pressed the device that allowed his suit to form around him. A second later and Stark was in the air flying towards the threat. Loki's eyes snapped to Thor who simply nodded to him before following Stark off the roof. He absented noted out of the corner of his eyes a flash of green dropping as well with it looked like a person or two in his arms.
The Avengers were getting closer and closer to the flame creature and the other and Loki found himself...uncertain. The roof was still half full, the elevators were at capacity and there was only one small staircase and a lot of people trying frantically to leave, despite the flame creature not moving. There was screaming in the air and the acrid smell of flames wafting from the building that was still on fire... And he was just standing there in the midst of it, acting like a normal human. But he wasn't.
He sighed and started cursing to himself as he headed towards the rooftop bathroom that Tony had installed a few years ago. With this many people around he couldn't just EMP and knock himself out again, though that had been fun enough the first time around.
What did he think he was some kind of hero? Nearly everyone on the rooftop would disagree.
Thankfully, with the rush to leave the roof, he doubted anyone noticed him heading towards the bathroom rather than inside and he may have moved faster than perhaps a normal human could in his haste, but hopefully, that would be unnoticed as well. The second the door was shut and locked behind him he changed in his more used to form. His more familiar dark hair, in contrast to Robert's medium brown and much lighter skin. His own tired eyes stared back at him and he really wondered if this was a good idea.
Screams echoed through the door and his decision was made, he teleported to the bottom of the Avengers tower. The ground was in a similar state, only worse, as all the people who had gathered around for the fireworks like they normally did on New Years and the 4th of July were screaming and running in the opposite direction the Avengers had gone. They would have noticed first, so most of them had moved a good half-block away. At their present pace, they should be out of the line of fire in a few minutes so Loki focused on the Avengers.
The others were about 100 feet from him looking at the creature and now that he wasn't several stories up, he could see what they were facing much better. What they were facing-Loki would not allow himself to dwell on that and instead took the creature in.
There was a flaming bird the size of a large turkey sitting on top of what looked like a human's shoulder? Loki focused on the firebird he had not seen anything like it before. Dragons occasionally, other beings that made or controlled fire definitely but not a flaming bird. If it was truly made of flame as it looked to be, how was it sitting on top of the human-looking male without causing him harm?
The mortal-looking man was taller than most mortals and broader than many as well. Other than his slight advantage in physical physique, there was nothing remarkable about him that jumped out at him immediately-other than of course the bird. He teleported closer to the Avengers, leaving only about 10 feet between them. The last thing he wanted to do was surprise the more-rightly-irritated members of their group and make it a fight into a Mexican standoff.
It wasn't as if he and the Avengers had never been on the same side before. He had helped them with the Goo and the Great Pumpkin and the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, but the goo had Thor and he had been in the party as himself rather than Robert when the movie creatures had come. They had reluctantly accepted his help then.
Tony's eyes flicked to his and a slight smile flitted briefly across his face before he focused back on the firebird and friend. Thor beamed at him and his brother looked like he was barely stopping himself from giving Loki a bone-crushing hug.
"How do you think the bird is on him but not burning him?" Tony asked aloud but it seemed directed at him. Magic was his first instinct but he said nothing because he wanted to test out the theory before. He reached out with his magic pushing past the Avengers surging across the black expanse of asphalt between their two parties until it reached the two.
Unfortunately, the bird seemed to feel his magic and immediately leaped up in the air. Flapping its glorious but destructive wings higher and higher in the air.
"Did you get anything?" Tony asked him quietly and Loki shook his head.
"Damn," he said, firing his repulsor again which just barely missed the very nimble bird. Any time it even brushed up against anything, whatever it touch was set ablaze. Which was quite unfortunate for any surrounding buildings, hopefully, no one was in them. His headquarters were safe blocks away-
But that didn't matter right now. Thor and Tony both almost simultaneously took to the air to follow the bird. Loki noticed that the wind had picked up and clouds were starting to gather and huffed as he was pretty sure his brother was behind that even if he wasn't aware at the moment. It was rather distracting though.
Loki blinked as he witnessed Thor use Mjolnir to call forth lightning at the bird who seemed to glow brighter the longer the lightning was in contact with its body. Thankfully, Thor noticed very quickly and stopped the assault, switching instead to flying and physically attacking the bird with Mjolnir.
Unfortunately, the damage was already done as the next time it opened its beak flames that normally spanned 2-3 feet from its body spanned twice that. Loki and The Avengers managed to avoid being lit and the fire lit the side of the building they were standing next to ablaze. The night was starting to get rather warm.
Loki jolted as he heard the sound of the Hulk yelling. Even years later and with more magical knowledge so that he had more of a chance now, hearing the Hulk yell like that made him shiver so that he twisted slightly towards the sound so that he could stay away from it.
He cursed as he saw the Hulk and the previously human-looking man battling. The man was likely not human as he moved quickly like the Aesir. He looked like he was enjoying the fight as well, like Thor would, only he seemed more skilled at evading attacks and moving his body in a way that seemed like he was trained well. Fantastic, this was getting better and better. Loki saw a streak of red that was Thor was going towards their match, a flash of blue and other patriotic colors showed Steve was following.
Leaving Loki, Tony, and the assassins focused on the bird. Unfortunately, only one of them could fly. Brilliant, especially since it was burning its way through a building. They were hopefully businesses and hopefully insured.
"We could use some water or ice," Tony shouted as he followed the bird. Ice. A cold hard thing settled in his stomach. No. Loki shook his head, he had already used his 'curse' once in this kind of situation but if he hadn't Thor might have died or been grievously injured by the rolling blob. But he would not use it again unless there was no other choice. Besides, Thor was more suited anyway. Steve apparently thought similarly.
"Thor, stop that fire," Steve directed and Thor surged up from the ground and Loki winced as he still didn't much like storms. The first five years on earth he had been half-convinced that every storm, Thor was going to break down his door, despite the disguise to tell him that he knew who he was and his plan wouldn't work and that Loki was going back to prison. Obviously, that had never happened but the years had made him very wary of storms.
Tony aimed again in quick succession as he followed after the bird in the air. It dodged the first few, then unexpectedly came to a halt just long enough for his repulsors to hit it… And for it to grow again.
No lightning, no repulsors, fantastic. It was obviously able to absorb energy attacks and use them however he wanted.
"No more energy-based attacks," Someone yelled but Loki wasn't paying enough attention to see who. Rain started to drizzle from the sky. The bird let out a loud squawk that vibrated much louder than he would have expected it to. It didn't shrink in size but it didn't seem to like the rain. It seemed more agitated.
The drizzle was making it harder to see. The streets had darkened with the rainclouds blotting out the half-moon that was shone before. He could just make out Steve, and the Hulk fighting the man. Thor was out of the middle of the sky probably focusing the heaviness of the rain in the areas that needed it and the rain remaining lite in their area. The fires were starting to ebb but hadn't gone away.
The assassins had disappeared but Loki doubted very much they were gone, probably either conferencing with SHIELD or getting something or going somewhere to better aid in the fight.
Temporarily leaving him and Stark with the bird. The bird was now the size of an emperor penguin. if a penguin could fly or was meant to. Possibly because Stark stopped firing, it started chasing Stark rather than Stark chasing him.
And Loki doing nothing on the ground. He couldn't fly and even if he could, what would he do? Except that he could kind of fly, he reminded himself. He had only ever done it once and he hadn't really been thinking about it, he had been focusing on the other monster he had been facing and the fact that he was seeing Thor in a way he had never wanted.
It wasn't flying exactly, not like it was with Thor or Stark. So much as moving something with magic as he stood on it. All he had done though was move a few feet above the ground quickly. Twisting and turning to avoid a bird of flames? He wasn't sure if he was prepared for that
But could he do much on the ground? Could he do much more in the air? He could throw magic at it but that was also potentially energy-based and it could also feed the creature.
Stark landed next to him as they both looked at the bird that was keeping his distance from Loki by flying about 20 feet above them. It was afraid of magic, just how to use his magic was the problem.
"Can't you teleport him, like you did with Stay Puft and The Great Pumpkin?" Tony asked him.
"I can try," Loki responded, not particularly confident. He had to detangle the magic from the others before he could teleport them. But he had a feeling that this was going to be a bit more complicated. The bird was a much smaller target for one. Plus, his first attempt to suss out his signature the bird had felt and immediately fled from. Without knowing if it too had a protective field, he wouldn't be able to teleport it. There was another option that he had thought of after the Halloween incident but he would save that for if teleporting wasn't viable, though he had a feeling they would need it.
Loki noticed a couple of arrows flying in the bird's direction. Despite the bird's speed, some even connected, unfortunately. They did nothing even, the exploding ones.
There was only one way he would know if he could teleport it, or the best way was to fight it. He was going to have to get close, close enough to probe it. Loki smiled a fierce smile he didn't feel, lept into the air, teleported about 15 feet on top of the bird, and brought out a silver platter he had in his magic storage. He still didn't know if he was ready but if he wanted to do anything he was going to have to do it anyways. He reached out with his magic and he slowly fell through the air because he was trying to get closer.
The bird was wrong and not just because it was made of flames that sometimes didn't burn. The more he sensed it the more he sensed the wrongness in it, even if he couldn't quite put his finger on why it was so wrong. However, the bird seemed to notice his attention and set his sights on him.
Fantastic, he used his powers to make the metal platter move backward, even as he still probed at the creature trying to figure out what was wrong with it.
Something else stole his attention, magic. The creature has magic laced into his very cells. This was no mere creature made by a magician. It was magic. It was born with magic and he couldn't strip that magic away without killing it and he doubted he would be able to anyways. Also, the bird was getting closer and was incredibly ho,t so there was probably no way that he was going to be able to touch it without burning himself, thus it was impossible to teleport it away.
Which only left the other option. Portals. He had looked into it after Halloween and he could have potentially used it on the creatures without having to detangle their magic first. He could send the bird away and then the group would only have to deal with the Aesir-like man, however, with the 7 of them, it would probably be easier. The problem was he had only practiced and achieved making a portal a few times, none of which under duress. Loki teleported himself behind the bird by several feet and focused.
Greenlight started surrounding the area around the bird and Loki felt himself falling more quickly to the ground, as he was having trouble focusing on both the emerging portal and keeping the platform steady. He closed his eyes as he focused on stopping the falling and visualizing a tunnel between the area surrounded by his magic and the destination. The same desert he had sent the first creatures. He opened his eyes to find the bird gone and himself still about ten feet from the ground. A success.
One being was not happy with his success. He turned to watch the being yell loudly looking at him like he wanted to murder him. Now that he was closer to Thor the rain was even lighter, barely a drizzle and he could clearly see the guy pushed the Cap backward and starting towards him. This whole evening was just going fantastic.
Loki took in a deep breath watching as Thor tried to tackle him but the being sidestepped. He had a menacing glint in his eye but before he tried to attack him, he stopped and put his hands out. Blue light started streaming from his hands and Loki realized that he had made a mistake. This being was strong but he also had magic and apparently, also knew how to make portals. And faster than his own portal had appeared a new portal did and the bird was back in the equation with more ease than it had flown in...And it appeared rather close to both he and Stark.
"Oh come on!" He heard Tony grouse from about 15 feet away. Loki teleported 50 feet up. Stark was fast but so was the bird. The bird tried to follow only to let out a loud squawk and looked up, Loki's eyes followed...and he found where the assassins had gone off to, or at least Clint. The archer went to higher ground for a better angle. Apparently, whatever they were throwing at it had gotten its attention this time around, whether it was actually doing anything other than that was hard to tell. But it gave Tony the opportunity to get away from the flame bird.
So he couldn't simply portal it away and he couldn't teleport it away. He couldn't touch it and nothing so far they had collectively thrown at it did anything but strengthen it. Why had he decided to get involved in this in the first place? What had possessed him to throw in his lot with the Avengers of all people?
Everything seemed loud. The grunts and shouts from where the physical fight was taking place. The distant sound of sirens was in the air because of course, the fire department was coming. The police and S.H.I.E.L.D as well, soon this place would be the center of attention. Even the ebbing fire seemed to roar, even though he knew it couldn't be as loud as it seemed since the nearest burning building was more than a block away. And his heartbeat, hammering away his chest, somehow, even with all the other louder noises he could hear his heartbeat in his chest. There was nothing that he could do here. Nothing he could do but just stand there as the firebird was circling overhead, perhaps looking for a target.
And apparently found one, it was heading straight at the archer and while whatever he was shooting at it was irritating, it clearly wasn't stopping it. Loki teleported to the rooftop right by Barton and then immediately caught the arrow that Barton had apparently aimed at him for to his sudden appearance. It was cold and steaming it was made out coated in some cold substance. Loki threw it to the side before he could think much more about it as the bird hadn't stopped and was still heading for the archer.
It wasn't a permanent fix but it would divert the bird's attention. Possibly to him, Loki thought grimly. He summoned a portal again, this time was a bit smoother but more draining. Portals were no small feat of magic. He couldn't just keep opening them up, especially if the guy they were fighting would simply bring him back.
The guy was 70 floors down and a block and a half away but he still heard his cry of rage. And then suddenly there was a blue portal right by him. Fantastic, as it was only he and Barton. Loki was physically stronger than most Midgardians but this being had gone head to head with Thor and The Hulk and Steve all at the same time. Physically Loki was no match and his magic would only be able to help so much. It was rather unfortunate. Loki smirked even though he didn't feel it. Better to let him think he had a plan, even if he didn't.
"You keep taking my Flame Bird away. I don't appreciate it. " This was the first time he heard the being speak. His voice was gravelly. It was also the first time he had gotten a really good look at the being. His hair was long and blond but a dull blond that almost looked gray. He really was massive, almost as big around as Volstag but all muscle. It was impressive that he was both so built as he had mastered portals as well. If only they were not on opposite sides of the fight. His black tank top and tan pants were unremarkable though.
"Well, it keeps trying to burn things and people and I'm unfortunately I'm currently against that," Loki spoke as flippantly as he could even as the being looked at him maliciously. Fantastic, just fantastic. The being stepped towards him and Loki found himself taking steps back, which he hated. It had been quite some time since he found himself outmatched even in single hand-to-hand combat, especially once he had learned to teleport.
He scanned the rooftop for something close that was loose to throw at him but the rooftop was very empty other than Barton. He could throw knives but they probably wouldn't do anything. Still, he materialized a set just to make him feel a little bit better. He should add more weapons to his storage, he just hadn't fought other than a handful of times in the last decade.
One of his greatest strengths had always been his speed, so when the being attacked him Loki was able to dodge under his arm and get around behind him. The man turned around surprisingly fast and Loki backed up again.
"What are you doing here?" Maybe if he could figure out what he wanted then he could stop him that way? However, he recognized that glint in the other beings' eye, he was here to cause destruction. The being was grinning and he seemed to be really be enjoying himself as he stalked towards him intent on maiming him. The being reminded him of the tales of the berserkers. As he didn't seem to have any goals or make any demands, he seemed to simply want someone to fight. The Avengers sometimes drew that sort in. It was one of the many complaints people had about them.
"You know there are other planets out there with more sophisticated fighting forces," Loki mentioned as he swerved out of the way again of the Berserkers fist, but this time managed to only scrape the being's side with one of his daggers. This time when the two faced off again the Berserker looked a little annoyed, and Loki was slightly satisfied. Well, until he also revealed a dagger. It was about 8 inches long and very sharp and wicked-looking.
"This is earth's mightiest heroes," The being spoke again. Yes, it was. They were. They were strong and fiercely protective of their planet, as he could personally attest to being on the other side of it. Loki wished he wasn't so rusty. Back on Asgard, he would have done so much better. Even if he wouldn't have been able to teleport, he would have used illusions and unfortunately, he hadn't worked with them in a long time so they wouldn't likely fool anyone.
He heard the caw of the Flame Bird and looked up instinctively, only to see a flash from the corner of his eye of silver. He jumped back again, only grit his teeth as a swell of pain radiated from his shoulder. The stranger was faster than he had thought and he had allowed himself to be distracted; something that his teachers on Asgard would have reamed him about if they still cared about him at all. They likely didn't. He couldn't inspect the wound without taking his eyes off of the enemy. Who seemed even more ecstatic now that he had drawn blood from him. There had to be something more he could use rather than just his fighting skills.
Right. Just because he couldn't teleport away without being followed, didn't mean that he couldn't use his teleporting to fight. Not that he had done so before but he had seen others do it. He waited until the blond Berserker came out of him again and when he was almost there, Loki teleported behind him and hit him with all the strength that he had. It was like hitting a brick wall, he was just that built, only a brick wall would actually fall for him. Loki was pleased, however, to hear a grunt of pain.
Still, it didn't keep him down, not surprising, however disappointing. Loki teleported around the Berserker hitting and slicing, retreating before he could get hit again and again for a few minutes before he thought of something else he could try, especially since multiple teleportations right in a row were starting to drain him.
This being was not made of fire. Yes, he could come back but it had to be draining for him too. Portals, no matter how frequently you used them, were more exhausting than teleporting. So the next time Loki made contact he sent him to the desert he had sent the bird. He noticed that in his reprieve that his breathing had gotten heavy.
"Thanks for the help Barton," he spoke as Barton had done nothing during the fight, just stood to the side with his arrow and watched the two of them.
"Trying to figure out which one of you to shoot," he said snidely back and Loki inwardly winced but didn't speak of it further. Blue started gathering in the air near him and he walked over to Barton.
"Would you like to be somewhere else before he comes back?" Barton clearly reluctantly nodded his head and Loki teleported the two of them to another rooftop on the other side next to the burning building. The rain was worse here. He couldn't see the spot that they had just come from and it was unlikely, unless the being had very superior eyes, that he would have seen where they went. It did, however, mean that they were very quickly getting wet. It was much more of a problem for Clint than himself since he was covered, except for his head, in weather-resistant leather. Plus, he wasn't planning to stay there long.
Of course, his exit plans got interrupted by Tony moving towards them. In a few moments, he set down next to him.
"That guy is an asshole," Tony groused as he set down.
"Then the two of you should get along well," Loki replied tersely as he looked to see if the bird or the 'guy' had followed Tony to them.
"You mean the 3 of us." Tony shot back and Loki grinned briefly looking toward Tony in his suit of armor, wishing for a second that he could actually see his friend's face. But only for a second before his eyes went back to looking for either of the current threats.
"Man is it raining over here," Tony complained again. Loki nodded, it did make it rather difficult to see what was happening to the others. Plus his hair was getting plastered to his face and the liquid was distracting but Loki had been taught in all different conditions, rain one of those. His training, while rusty, was quite helpful.
A flash of light came from the corner of his eyes and he turned expecting to find the flame bird, but it was just a light in a building close to him. He was close enough that he could just see a small huddled group against the glass for a second before the light was hastily turned off again. These buildings were not unoccupied.
Whether they were residential buildings or people had brought their family to their office for a good seat for Tony's fireworks was unclear and made no difference. These buildings were not unoccupied. The buildings that were currently set on fire may have been occupied. There was no way to know which ones were or weren't. The longer they took to stop it, the more potential lives were lost and they probably wouldn't know how many had already been lost till the end. The one bright side was that he could see lights flashing close to them.
He caught sight of the bird on the far side headed towards the group that had been fighting the berserker.
"Where's Nat?" Tony asked Barton.
"She was contacting S.H.I.E.L.D but she should have been back by now." Worry was present in his voice.
"She's back," Tony said suddenly motioning to the group, and if Loki focused he could see a flash of red in with the others. They had split their forces again, only it seemed like both the bird and The Berserker were closing in the other group. Loki could teleport their group to the other and recombine their forces but there was something stopping him. There had to be a way to stop them. There had to be something he was overlooking.
"I'll be right back," he told Tony before teleporting to the other side of the group but in a building about 5 floors down. The bird was flying just a few floors above him. Loki ducked down so that he wasn't visible and sharply probed the bird with his magic. His first attempt had revealed that the bird was made of magic, this time it revealed something different.
Loki smiled grimly as his probing led to only one conclusion, one that he didn't particularly like. He teleported back to the group on the rooftop in the rain.
"This bird isn't from earth, nor is it from where the man's from," He announced his findings to the group, or rather to those in his immediate range since he didn't own a communicating device like the others. He had felt the Berserkers' energy during the fight, it unsurprisingly wasn't from earth but also not Aesir nor Jotun, a handful of other species he had fought against enough to recognize.
"Come again?" Tony asked as he was one of the few in range and who didn't hate him. Hawkeye was also a few yards away but he seemed more like he was trying to keep an eye on him rather than take in anything he was saying. He honestly, didn't blame the man much, considering everything in their past.
"So what can we do with that?" That was the big question. Since it was not of earth or of Asgard, he was unfamiliar with its magic and biological signature. Unsure of what it was, much less how to stop or harm it. However, this information was helpful because he now had its magical signature and its particular trace of where it was from. If he could send it back there it would be quite difficult for the Berserker to bring it back, at least right away. There was a small problem with that plan though.
"I don't have the strength to send it back." Not as he was currently.
"What do you need?" Need? Only about a million things.
"My books, my spells and ingredients, time." None of which he had thought to bring to a Halloween party and time was hardly ever on his side. Now he could retrieve the supplies quickly but these kinds of extraplanetary portals required combining things carefully and in controlled settings; the rain would make that impossible. Plus, once he started it, the two beings would probably attack him. No, the traditional way would not work.
"Is there any other way?" There was one other way...potentially, he had never tried it himself, mostly because it if didn't work it would cause a lot of damage to him or worse.
"Potentially."
"We don't have a whole lot of options right now. The rain that Thor's throwing down seems to be the only thing we're throwing at it that it doesn't like. The lightning seems to make it stronger and the arrows, shields, and repulsors don't seem to be doing anything because it is not corporal, traditionally.
"It doesn't like the dry ice arrows but it's also not stopping it," Barton added. Ah, that's what the cold arrows had been.
"If I could channel energy through me, I might be able to send the bird back to its home dimension." Tony's body jolted slightly and then his voice sheepishly said.
"So since you don't have a communicator I was relaying your message to the others." Loki was pretty sure he knew what had happened then.
"Thor not so politely demanded to know how you planned to do that." Thor may not know a lot about magic but he knew that channeling energy could be a tricky thing. Loki winced as Tony would probably go for it given the need but Thor would probably oppose it. He saw a red streak coming towards him followed by the bird this plan was centered around. The benefit of Thor coming over meant the rain lessened though to just a drizzle. He waited until Thor was in earshot before he responded.
"Electrical current." There was a way to channel an electrical current through his body and transform it into energy, much like the way that Tony's suit had been able to absorb Thor's lightning energy when the two had met many years ago and the way the bird was able to. Unfortunately, Thor seemed to recognize the danger in it.
"No," his brother said stubbornly even as he dodged the flame bird who had closed in him. It wasn't like Loki was looking forward to it, especially if he did it wrong, then he could end up in a lot of pain or potentially worse. But he had read all about it, he had just never needed to try it himself. Plus his mother had always told him not to try it by himself, but this wouldn't be the first time he tried and succeeded at something that his mother told him not to do and he was a bit more powerful now.
In order to try, he needed more energies to channel, which meant Thor had to be on board. So he was going to have to convince Thor to do something that was potentially incredibly dangerous to his health. If only they could just have this conversion alone in a vacuum but that was impossible.
"You always wanted me to be a hero rather than a villain," Loki shouted to his brother as he teleported to the other side of the bird who had tried to dive at him.
"You do not have to do something so risky to be a hero. You are already being one by being here and fighting with us." Thor shouted back as he swung Mjolnir at the firebird, only to watch the hammer go through the bird. Thor didn't seem troubled so this had probably happened before. He seemed more bothered by the proposition. Loki was aware that Thor was not fond of the thought of him dying since he thought that Loki had faked his death, twice. Intention didn't matter, only results.
"Yes, but real heroes do whatever it takes, even give their own lives to save others." The words he was saying felt wrong, because even if he was trying to get Thor to agree to do this, Loki was definitely not a 'hero'. Also, because the way through is not something he particularly wanted to talk about or remember and they would need a moment in private. Or at least semi-private. So Loki touched Thor's shoulder and teleported the two of them a few rooftops away. Thor faced him looking angry and spinning his hammer like he could beat the thought of Loki risking his life out of him. Loki raised an eyebrow at the irony but focused on calmly speaking the words he wanted to say.
"Did you know you would survive when you gave yourself up so everyone else would live?" Loki asked softly hating to bring up that time in their lives. One of the times he had tried to kill his brother, this time using the destroyer. He had no idea what he would have done if it had actually happened. At the time he had thought he wanted it but what would he have done if he had actually ever accomplished it? If he had really killed his brother? The fact that he had even tried made something throb so harshly in his chest. Guilt? Shame? Pain? A combination of the three maybe?
He hated it, hated that it had happened and there was nothing he could do to change the past. To change that it had happened, even if they had mostly gotten past it. But they did it mostly by not talking about it, or really most of the sensitive subjects between the two of them. That had been the way their at times tenuous relationship worked and he was risking that because he wanted to risk himself? It didn't make sense to him, he had no idea why it would to Thor.
Thor looked at him directly and Loki could see the pain in his eyes and his eyes were glassy. From the memory of the destroyer? From what happened afterward? From the thought of Loki risking himself? He wasn't sure which would be worse.
"I don't want to lose you," Thor said fiercely, though at least he stopped twirling his hammer. Loki stepped up to him and put his hand on his shoulder.
"Nor I you, but the bird keeps spreading the fire, and the longer it goes the more fire will be spread and more lives endangered. These buildings are not unoccupied...There is only a small chance of things going wrong and more of a chance of someone being hurt if nothing is done." Thor didn't seem to believe that it was only a small chance, which was fair since he actually wasn't sure about the percentages.
"Okay," Thor reluctantly agreed his body slumping slightly in defeat. Loki nodded, again wondering why he was trying so hard for this.
"I know that I've never actually said the words but I am sorry," Loki said, he was fairly confident but if he was overconfident and something did happen he did want Thor to know that. Before Thor could respond, Loki teleported the two of them back. Perhaps it was cowardly, but it was all he could handle especially before trying to channel this much energy.
He nodded at Thor, who hesitantly held up his hammer as Stark directed his repulsor to Loki. Grimly Loki smiled hoping that this would work or he would be in for a world of pain, or worse if channeling it didn't work. Loki focused on keeping his center of magic open and on accepting only the energies rather than then heat and painful electric burns.
It wasn't exactly a pleasant experience but at the same time not exactly painful. It felt raw in a way, opening himself to accept others' energy and he felt the power inside of him building stronger and stronger.
This certainly would have helped when he was planning to take over Midgard. Except, he was rather glad he hadn't had the capability back then. It had been better for everyone.
He could feel everything much more strongly. The wind, the slight rain. Could smell the cologne of all the men who chose to use it on the roof.
He was able to stretch his magic so much further than before and focus on the bird's magical signature and origin, until he could practically taste where it had come from, until he could feel it in his whole body. Now the only thing that was left to do was open up a portal to send it back.
The green split the sky much easier but at the same more painful than the last time. That's when Loki realized it was actually getting more painful and less raw the longer the energy was in contact. He had heard this could happen. It probably meant that he wasn't channeling exactly right. But it didn't matter he could deal with a little bit of pain, he gritted his teeth to avoid making a sound that might cause his brother or friend to stop. He focused on making the portal and because of the distance, needed the portal itself needed to be larger. Sharp pain spread through his bones and sinew. . He just had to finish that he could let them stop. Intricate lines of magic were drawn and then he moved it so that it swallowed the bird whole, leaving the sky wholly gray. The two stopped the second that the bird disappeared. The pain did not go away but did ebb to a dull ache.
The Berserker immediately and predictably screamed in rage and it wasn't a surprise when yet again there was a blue portal in front of him. It was however unfortunate, as he was rather tired and his body ached from the inside. Still, it would be 7 against 1 or rather 6 and a half-hearted attempt from Loki. That was if he was correct that the 'guy' wouldn't be able to bring back the bird. He heard in the distance something large crashing against the sides of buildings. It was probably Hulk and either Romanoff and or the Captain making their way up the building to join in the fight.
The Berserker made the hand gestures he usually did to bring the flame bird back, only it didn't work. He tried it again and Loki felt relief flow through him that at least the pain he was feeling was for something. The Berserker's eyes narrowed at him into slits. He was mad and the Berserker stalked towards him again, unfortunately, he didn't have the energy he had the first time around for a fight.
Still, he did his best to project an image of confidence as the distance between the two of them got smaller and smaller.
"I rescued her from that world and you put her back there." He liked animals and he didn't particularly like the notion that he had put a creature back into a bad environment. At the same time, what else could he have done but tried to kill the poor creature who had developed loyalty to its' apparent savior? If that was even possible.
Still, if there was anyone in those buildings they were dead and it was probably too much to hope that all of the burning buildings had been unoccupied, especially since they were prime viewing spots for Tony's party. Their purpose had been to cause destruction and death and he had to tamp down on any sympathy so that it didn't show through, along with any emotions that might make the Berserker try to test him on this.
"And I will do so again if you continue to use it to bring strife here," Loki spoke resolutely, even though he couldn't have channeled much more power and if the guy pressed him on it much, it would show how weak he was. But if he could make the Berserker believe he was strong, he might be able to get him to stop without the 7 of them having to fight. Despite the pain, he stood as stiff and resolute as possible trying to make it so that the berserker wouldn't call his bluff. His senses were still heightened and Loki could practically feel the Berserker sizing him up. He could somehow feel the Berserkers confidence waning and added.
"I won't stop you from retrieving her but if you attack us or New York again, I'll make it much harder to get her back. " Us. He had used the word 'us'. The Berserker nodded grimly and then to his surprise opened up a portal for himself and stepped into it. The portal didn't reappear anywhere in eyesight. The battle was done. What Loki had done had actually worked and the side effects were exhaustion and pain.
Now that he didn't have to bluff anymore he tumbled not so gracefully to the ground.
"Loki!" He heard two voices say, he could guess easily who even if he couldn't see very well. It was like everything that had been heightened while he was channeling was diminishing now to make up for it. Yet another proof that he hadn't done it exactly right.
"I'm fine, just tired," he told them mostly truthfully. He felt more than saw someone grip his hand and allowed them to help him back up to his feet. Once he was standing he was able to make out his brother's relieved face. Now that the fight was over Loki wondered if Thor was going to demand that they talk about what he had said. He hoped not, the last thing he wanted to do was be even more drained and talking about that period was going to make him even more drained.
Now that they weren't fighting Loki noticed that Thor was bleeding from his hairline. There was probably a wound there. When had that happened? Why did he suddenly feel so lightheaded? Thor seemed to notice because the grip tightened on his hand.
"I'm fine," he said again as he fought to stay up and slowly the light-headedness ebbed a little until he was more stable.
"I'm fine," he repeated though he wasn't sure how many times he had repeated it now. Thor's grip lessened slightly but it didn't seem like he trusted Loki's words enough to completely let go yet. Unfortunately, Thor was probably right too as while he was feeling more stable he was still lightheaded.
"Perhaps, we should head back to the tower where you can rest." Loki couldn't see anything but Thor but he was sure if he had the strength to look behind him, all the other avengers sans Tony would likely have a problem with that. It was one thing to accept his help, another to accept his solo presence in their home.
"I'm not sure I'm welcome, " Loki spoke softly. There was a time when he wouldn't have cared, would have done it just to prove that he didn't.
"I will make it so," Thor said stubbornly, there was no doubt in his voice and Loki's reluctance melted away. Sitting right now sounded quite appetizing. Loki nodded. The tower wasn't very far away. However, they were on a rooftop with no simple way to get back. If he did it unaided, he would have to walk down 50 or so flights of stairs, walk to the building and then go up again. There would be an elevator, probably on both buildings but the one on the building they were currently on might require security credentials they didn't have. Even if it didn't, it just seemed like such a long way to go.
Thor seemed to sense his hesitation. He tightened his grip once again. "You are strong, brother. You need only allow me to carry you." It was tempting, especially after today but he hated flying with Thor and he would not allow Thor to carry him unless there was no other way.
Loki shook his head, Thor opened his mouth to probably argue but Loki wasn't in the mood to argue. Instead, Loki stubbornly and probably stupidly teleported himself back to the party room.
"Thanks for the help Lokes," Tony said a few moments after Thor left, righting a stool that had probably been overturned by a panicked party goer early in the night. Loki nodded, grabbing himself a drink from the previously open bar and taking a long draught. He had work in the morning but as he was Aesir, or at least grew up that way. He knew that he would have to drink a lot to get drunk and thus hungover and Midgardian alcohol was less strong.
Most of the other Avengers had more or less immediately gone off to bed. It had been quite a long night.
Thor had taken much longer as he had taken the time to yell at him for teleporting while already weak, then fussed about him until Thor was satisfied he was going to be okay before finally going off to bed as well. Thor had thankfully not brought up their conversation, because Loki could not handle much more tonight. Though as he had watched his brother exit the room, he realized it wasn't the first time they had talked about their issues while fighting. It probably would also not be the last. At least this time they had fought on the same side. It was progress.
Loki nodded but didn't know what to say otherwise. He had always been awkward when people genuinely thanked him probably because he rarely did things that would cause them to. Until recently. He jolted out of thoughts as Tony sat down a bottle of vodka on the counter. Tony had a high alcohol tolerance but the proof of that was definitely high.
"I don't-" Tony held his hand up and interrupted him.
"It's not for me. Pepper's been trying to get me to cut back on the alcohol." Loki had always admired the woman for putting up with Stark in a romantic relationship and now even more for trying what he would have thought was a fruitless endeavor.
Then why-" Tony pointed at his right side. Right, he had forgotten about the tear in his right shoulder.
"Surely you have medical grade stuff?" He asked, looking dubiously at the bottle.
"Sure but you're not human. I think your body is more used to this." Honestly, Loki had no idea. It wasn't like he often got injured here on earth. Other than the times he fought with the Avengers, his days mostly consisted in sitting in an ergonomic chair in front of a computer, or a similar chair in front of a desk as he tried to put new technologies together. Other than maybe a stubbed toe and an injury in college, he was sure he healed faster than the normal Midgardian. Still, he reluctantly pulled the leather back, he was going to have to mend it.
There was a slightly more than superficial wound, nothing that he probably would have gotten help for back in Asgard. It would heal in a few days without much assistance. Still, he held it open as Tony poured the alcohol directly onto his wound, he hissed slightly as the liquid burned his opened skin for a few seconds before Tony stopped. Loki stole the bottle from the man and took another drink from the bottle. He should go home, but something stopped him.
"You know, you're not so bad anymore, Lokes." Loki snorted in a very undignified manner, he very much doubted that, or bought that anyone else save perhaps Tony and Thor thought that of him. He suspected the others thought he had some sort of ulterior motives or was just doing it for Thor, despite Thor not being in grave danger that night. In fact, Thor seemed, when he did see him, to more or less enjoy fighting the being, at least until Loki had proposed his plan.
"You know this the third time you've helped. They might not still hate you as much as you might think." Loki lifted an unimpressed eyebrow.
"Hey, don't believe me but I'm not even sure Clint hates you anymore." He doubted that even more. Clint of all the Avengers had the most valid reason to hate him. A few good deeds would not erase that. Especially after tonight.
However, Clint, in particular, was not who he was worried about so much as the court of public opinion. They were going to find out eventually. The humans, they would find out. He would slip up or Thor or Tony would, or some of the other Avengers could find out and tell the world. Whether it was in a month or 100 years they would find out. The best he could do was mitigate their response when the time came so hopefully, it wouldn't completely destabilize his company and all who worked there. Who had no clue he was, who they were working for but had decided and established their careers there.
There was a solution, pity he didn't like his solution. If he wanted people not to totally abandon him if it ever came out, he was going to have to change his public image. Not Rob's public image but Loki's and since he had come here with flair it would take a lot: time, and some very big good deeds like he had before with the creature on Black Friday or on Halloween. Those events had changed him in Tony's eyes and if he did more of them…
"Tony I would like to do what I did tonight...more," Loki failed at expressing what he wanted eloquently, thankfully Tony seemed to understand anyway.
"You want to be an Avenger?" Loki took in a deep breath, as he had never really wanted to be an Avenger and couldn't believe what he was asking for.
"More Avenger lite? Just help with the bad guys in the city like-"
"Today," Tony interrupted with a nod looking pensive.
"You you or you you." Loki knew that Tony was asking if Robert would be helping or Loki.
"Robert doesn't make weapons," he said softly, even though no one else was in the room and no one was listening besides Tony and Jarvis who already knew. Besides, the whole point was to show Loki as a good guy. People already liked Robert, well as much as one usually liked a somewhat reclusive billionaire who regularly gave money and products away as one tended to do.
Who they didn't like was Loki, who every year had his face flashed on TV on the anniversary of the invasion. Granted, the videos were often grainy and rarely showed him well but they were still present.
"I'm not opposed but when are you going to fit that in? You barely sleep as it is." Tony rubbed his own eyes showing the exhaustion. It had been a long night for him too.
"Perhaps I will just forgo it," Loki said only half-seriously. He may not need a lot of sleep compared to others but eventually, he did need to sleep. Tony smiled at that. He was going to have to do what the others had been harassing him to do and that was delegate some of his responsibilities, or delegate some of Barry's, so that he could take on some more of his. His brother and few friends would finally get what they wanted but since he intended to take on more responsibilities he wasn't sure they'd be pleased.
"Yeah and become even more pissy than you already are. That would go so well for everyone." Tony sarcastically and Loki shot him a glare in response, Tony shrugged.
"I'm not one to turn down help, especially magical help, since none of us really specialize in that. Me and Bruce have both tried to figure it out but haven't been able to."
"And the others?" Thor would probably not have a problem but the others did not trust him, no matter what Stark thought. Tony waved a dismissive hand.
"Like I said I don't think they hate you anymore, but if they do harbor some feelings of resentment they'll get over it because you helped us save lives and infrastructure tonight. Who knows how much damaged the two of them would have done if you hadn't sent the bird far away." The praise again made him uncomfortable.
"I wouldn't live here of course, " Loki added because even if he wished he saw the Avenger tower more he was quite fond of the place he called home. Quite big for a New York apartment. Tony rolled his eyes.
"Of course, you're barely even home." Loki rolled his own back, he was already conceding some of the control to help with villains like this. His eyes glanced around the room that had more than few bar stools and cups askew. Maybe one day he would be able to be here on a normal day without it being in aftermath of a battle from space and it would feel normal. Though it would probably take years. Tony stood up from the stool yawning as he did so.
"Call me when-"
"When maniacs want to destroy New York or take over the world, will do. Great to have you on the team, buddy," Tony interrupted patting his shoulder as he passed him. "I'm going to go to bed but I'll give you a communicator later and because I'm such a good friend, I'll even break the news to the others. Hey, Jarvis turn off the lights when Loki leaves", he spoke as he exited the room. Team. He was on the team.
Oh by the Norns, he was an Avenger now.
So I'm going to consolidate this series into one story since it is one story, even if it's months or years apart in places. It will also be easier to receive updates for this story in particular. I'll also edit them a little bit so that they're a little more correct. I'll start taking down stories and posting them into one story in a few days. Do you want me to keep your reviews and repost them to the new ones as guests? That aside how did you like this part? Do you like the longer style or do you like the smaller stuff?