Freya's completely frozen. The barrier she had created in front of Steve disappears.
"Daughter?! No... no, no, no. This can't be true. He's lying!"
Though, in her heart, she knows he's telling the truth. As horrible and messed up as it seems, he's her birth father. This is the reason why his face had such a strong familiarity to it earlier. She knows she can't let this sidetrack her, though. She finally comes to her senses and throws her left arm up again, recreating the barrier in front of Steve. The Captain's eyes are wide with shock as he looks back and forth between father and daughter. She steels herself again as she narrows her eyes at Loki.
"Back away from the Captain and drop the scepter. Final warning."
"Darling, do you really think I believe you're going t-"
His sentence is cut short as she throws up her right hand this time. Using her telekinesis, she grabs a hold of Loki. Silver wisps envelope his body. She flings him into one of the pillars of the building. Creating a huge crater in it before he drops to the ground and falls flat on his face. He looks up at her from his position and chuckles. Slowly, he composes himself and gets back on his feet.
"I've underestimated you, Little One. You really have grown powerful over the years, haven't you?" he says as he begins to stalk toward her. "But don't think because you're my daughter I'm going to take it easy on you."
Freya just stares at him blankly as she lowers herself from the air. Planting her feet firmly on the ground.
"I'd be disappointed if you did," she replies.
Loki lunges, swinging the scepter at her. Freya blocks it with a barrier and throws a right hook at Loki, who throws his arm up to block it. Taking advantage of the opening, she kicks out her leg, landing a solid blow to his gut. The force causes him to slide back about five feet. When he looks back up at her, his eyes show not only anger, but pride in his daughter. He attacks again, continuously swinging the scepter. Freya dodges everything as she begins to overpower Loki. She starts to land solid hit after hit while staying untouched.
"Cmon, Freya. You've got this."
She winces in pain as she glances at Steve. It's enough of a distraction to give Loki a slight advantage and connect the scepter with her head. While she's slightly dazed, he walks up to her and Sparta kicks her off the stairs. She lands with a small thud, but quickly gets back up to face him again. With her anger rising, Freya's aura begins gain intensity. Her eyes are now glowing brightly as well. Loki makes his way down the stairs to continue the fight. But before either of them can make a move, AC/DC's "Shoot To Thrill" begins blaring from the quinjet's intercom. Freya lets out a loud sigh and closes her eyes.
"I'm so fucked..." she mutters.
She opens her eyes to reveal their normal green color while her aura fades. Looking to her left she sees her dad come swooping in, blasting Loki in the process. Who ends up landing on the stairs with a grunt. Freya watches as all of her dad's available weapons pop out of his Iron Man suit and aim at Loki.
"Make your move, Reindeer Games," Tony challenges. Loki slowly puts his hands up in surrender while his helmet and other battle gear disappear into thin air. Satisfied, Tony puts his own weapons away. "Good move." Steve is already on his feet again and makes his way over to the other two.
"Thank you, Mercury." He gives her an appreciative smile before turning his attention back to Loki. A quick nod is sent in Tony's direction. "Mr. Stark."
"Captain," Tony responds after a brief silence. He then turns his attention on Freya. "Well, look at this! So crazy running into you here, too! Hi, sweetheart!" Freya meekly looks over at her father and seems to wither under the gaze of his suit.
"Hi, Dad." Her reply puts Steve's attention back on her instantly.
"'Dad'?" he asks.
"Uh, yeah, I'm her dad," Tony says as looks over at him. "Hi. What, she didn't tell you?"
"No, she didn't actually," Steve says as he continues to look at her in disappointment.
A guilty expression begins to form on her face. Tony snorts and lets out a brief "huh" before working on getting Loki to the quinjet. They all walk in silence back to the jet before taking off and heading in the direction of the helicarrier. Steve is actively avoiding Freya, as is Tony. She takes it upon herself to sit in the chair across from Loki. Every now and then, she'll glance over at Steve and her father. Catching one of them, if not both of them, looking at her from time to time. Loki is also staring at Freya. A small, proud smile on his face.
"I can't believe she didn't tell me she's a Stark."
Freya winces, the pain in her head starting again.
"All these years and she was working for S.H.I.E.L.D. the entire time. Was there ever a time when she told me the truth about anything?"
She screws her eyes shut, trying to block out the voices.
"Was she ever going to tell me she's a Stark?"
She begins to grip the seat of the chair, knuckles turning white. Its metal frame starts to fold in on itself.
"Was she ever going to come clean about what she was really doing all this time?"
She shakes her head, trying to rid it of the voices.
"Can I ever trust her again?"
"Will I ever be able to trust my own daughter again?"
Her grip on the chair gets tighter as her breathing starts to get heavier. The pain in her head almost unbearable.
"Darling, look at me. You're going to be fine, just look at me. Please, Freya. Open your eyes and look straight at me."
Freya's eyes fly open and make contact with Loki's. He smiles softly and nods.
"Now breathe, Little One. Come on. Concentrate on me and only me and breathe."
Freya focuses in on him and her breathing begins to even out again. Her grip on the chair starts to loosen.
"There you go. Good girl. You're doing so well. Don't worry, you're going to be just fine."
The pain in her head subsides, causing her to relax back into her seat. She stares at Loki with pure curiosity.
"How did he know what was happening to me?"
"Because you reacted the same way I did when I started acquiring the same ability."
Freya's eyes grow wide and her mouth slightly falls open. Loki smiles at her and nods his head.
"This has been happening to you more frequently lately, hasn't it?"
Freya just numbly nods her head in confirmation.
"It will get better, darling. You have to find something to focus on when the noise becomes too much. An anchor of some sort. Something to tie you down and keep you grounded. If not, you will not find control and it will be a long and painful process."
Freya nods her head again in understanding, watching Loki as he speaks to her telepathically.
"You look so much like your mother."
Her eyes widen again in surprise.
"You know who my mother is?"
"I do, Little One. But now is probably not the time to discuss that."
Freya gives him a slight nod, understanding.
"You have my eyes, though. And obviously my mischievous nature."
He cracks a small grin at her. Freya fights the urge to return one. She had noticed that his eyes are the same emerald green as hers.
"It looks like you do have some form of my magic. Though, how far along it is, I do not know. But you are a talented and strong warrior. I am very proud of you. Your mother would be too."
Freya looks away and blinks back tears that are threatening to form. Looking back at him, she narrows her eyes.
"How do I know that you're really my father?"
He gives her a sad half smile.
"You already know in your heart that it is true. If you want to confirm it, just ask those who are in charge."
She tilts her head in question, wondering what he means. Steve's voice breaks her away from her conversation with Loki.
"I don't like it."
"What, Rock of Ages giving up so easily?" Tony asks. "He was putting up a pretty good fight with Merky, though. She was kicking his ass and then it seems like he just gave up." Steve gives him an odd look at the mention of Freya's nickname. Tony ignores it as he glares at Loki. "Speaking of Freya. I don't like the way he's staring at my daughter." He emphasizes the last part so Loki can hear him loud and clear. Steve hums in agreement as he watches Loki. He then shakes his head and gets back on topic.
"I don't remember it being that easy. This guy packs a wallop."
"Still, you are pretty spry for an older fellow," Tony says. They both turn to look at each other in challenge. Freya is listening in on them in the meantime. Wondering if she'll have to step in and tell her dad to knock it off. "What's your thing, Pilates?"
"What?" Steve deadpans. Freya can tell he's already getting fed up with her dad's bullshit.
"It's like calisthenics. You might've missed a couple things, you know, doing time as a Capsicle," Tony raises an eyebrow humorously. Freya's eyes slightly widen and she watches Steve intently.
"Fury didn't tell me he was calling you in," Steve almost growls. A small smirk forms on Tony's face, enjoying the rise he's getting out of the soldier.
"Yeah, there's a lot of things Fury doesn't tell you," Tony says while pointedly looking over at Freya.
She just gives him a big, toothy smile and waves. Tony looks back at Steve in order to keep from breaking into a grin. She's already wearing him down and she knows it. Suddenly, a flash of lightning illuminates the cabin of the quinjet. Immediately followed by a loud clap of thunder.
"Where's this coming from?" Natasha asks in confusion before looking over her shoulder at Freya.
Freya shrugs and shakes her head. Indicating she has no idea either. The storm instantly becomes intense, causing Loki to lean forward in his seat and look up nervously. While looking around, Steve's eyes land on him.
"What's the matter? Scared of a little lightning?"
"I'm not overly fond of what follows," the god responds cryptically. Freya's eyes squint in confusion as Loki's meets hers.
"Get ready."
Her eyes widen in realization. The sudden freak lightning storm. Loki's reference to thunder.
"Thor?!"
He gives her a slight nod and she quickly stands while looking around. Waiting for something to happen. Steve and Tony look over at her.
"Merky, what's wrong?"
She looks back at her father and starts to reply when something lands on the roof of the jet. Everyone looks up in panic as the quinjet shakes from the impact. Tony and Steve turn their separate ways to grab their helmets while Freya moves herself in front of Loki to protect him. Her hands at the ready by her waist. She notices movement to her right and looks over to see her dad walking to the rear of the jet.
"What are you doing?" Steve questions.
Tony ignores him and presses the button to lower the back ramp. As soon as it's open, a large, muscular, blonde man lands on it. A hammer held tightly in his hand.
Mjölnir.
Freya definitely knows it's Thor at this point, but wonders why he's being so aggressive. Thor begins to walk forward as Tony powers up his repuslors. Mjölnir still in hand, Thor thrusts it forward into Tony's chest. Causing him to fly back into Steve. Both of them fall in a heap with a loud thud. Thor then turns his attention on Freya. As soon as his eyes land on her, his angry glare goes soft.
"Freya, is that really you?" he asks in disbelief. Her eyes go wide in surprise when he recognizes her. Knowing he's still there for Loki, she brings her hands up and her aura ignites. Thor eyes her closely, but winds back his hammer anyway. "I do not wish to harm you. But I will if I must."
Freya stays silent and watches Thor closely. He quickly throws his hammer at her, but she easily deflects it. Sending it into the seats she was sitting in only minutes ago. Thor's eyes widen in shock, but he recovers quickly. Seeing how Freya is distracted by what happened with Mjölnir, he grabs her and throws her into the side of the jet near Steve and Tony. She hits the wall hard. Falling, she catches the edge of the seats with her head before collapsing to the floor of the jet with a groan. She wasn't expecting him to be so strong. Or for that to even hurt that bad.
"Okay, ow," she hisses.
"I am very sorry, dear niece," Thor apologizes with a frown. "But I must retrieve your father."
She watches him summon Mjölnir, walk up to Loki, rip him from his chair and jump out the back of the jet. Tony stands up with a groan and begins to walk toward the rear of the jet.
"And now there's that guy," Tony sighs.
"Another Asgardian?!" Natasha shouts from the cockpit. Freya looks up at her from the floor and nods while shouting back.
"Yeah, apparently that was my Uncle Thor!"
She suddenly feels a pair of strong hands grab her and help her off the ground. One of the arms wraps around her waist and pulls her close to help keep her steady. When she fully stands, she looks up and meets Steve's familiar blue eyes. Quickly realizing her body is flush against his, a blush instantly forms on her face. His gloved left hand reaches up and gently cups her cheek as he looks her over for any injuries. Noticing a small gash on her forehead from hitting the seats, his eyes widen when he sees that her blood is blue. Ignoring his growing curiosity toward the small woman in his arms, he frowns down at her in concern.
"Are you okay?" he asks worriedly. She nods, unable to break eye contact. He slowly brings his hand back down to his side as she mutters a quick, "Thanks." He gives her a nod in return, but doesn't remove his arm. He finally tears his gaze away from her and looks over at Tony. "That guy's a friendly?" he asks Tony. Tony turns back around to them and makes a quick, unhappy mental note of their close proximity to one another.
"Doesn't matter," Tony says. "If he frees Loki or kills him, the Tesseract's lost." He turns back to the rear of the jet and continues walking towards the open ramp.
"Stark, we need a plan of attack!" Steve shouts.
"Dad, he's right!" Freya agrees. Tony briefly stops and looks at them over his shoulder.
"I have a plan. Attack." Then he's gone, flying out the back of the jet. Freya closes her eyes and shakes her head before placing her forehead on Steve's chest.
"What the fuck is going on?!" she groans in frustration.
Sighing, she lifts her head and looks up at the soldier again. He briefly scans over her face before reluctantly removing his arm from her waist. She watches him as he moves away from her to grab a parachute and begins to quickly slip it on.
"I'd sit this one out, Cap," Natasha says over her shoulder.
"I don't see how I can," Steve replies as he grabs the last buckle of his chute.
"These guys come from legend. They're basically gods," Natasha tells him before glancing at Freya quickly. Steve does this as well. Freya looks at both of them and narrows her eyes in annoyance.
"There's only one God, ma'am," Steve says as he tightens the last strap. "And I'm pretty sure he doesn't dress like that."
Freya holds back a snort as she watches him grab his shield. Without thinking, her arm shoots out and her hand latches on to his forearm. He stops and turns to her with an expectant look.
"Just... please be careful, Spangles," she tells him. His mouth almost twitches up into a smile, but he stays serious and gives her a short nod before leaping out the back of the jet. Freya puts her hands on her head and lets out a loud, "Ugh!" Turning around, she sees Natasha smirking at her.
"I'll be fine," Natasha nods. "Make sure things don't get out of hand with them. Call me when you guys need a ride. I'll keep circling overhead."
Freya lets out a short laugh before turning around and taking a running leap out of the back. The wind whips through her hair as she free falls through the night sky, enjoying the feeling of freedom. Looking down, she can see Steve is almost to the ground with his parachute already open. Triggering her flight, she rockets downward towards him and lands just as he's removing the last of his chute. Glancing over at her, a small smile falls on his lips.
"I thought you were gonna stay on the jet with Romanoff."
"She's a big girl, she can take care of herself," Freya smirks. "Plus, someone has to make sure you boys don't kill each other."
Steve looks forward and shakes his head, clearly amused. They suddenly hear a loud boom ahead of them deeper in the forest. They glance at each other and take off running, praying they get there before someone gets seriously injured. Freya ends up flying ahead of Steve and stops in a clearing that has obviously been newly created by Thor and her father. She watches them as they duke it out, not sure what to do at this point. Steve jumps up on a tree next to her that had been snapped in half, also analyzing the situation.
"Hey!" Steve shouts at them. Throwing his shield at them, it ricochets off of Thor's head first, then Tony's. Both stop fighting to look up at them. Like magic, Steve's shield comes straight back to him. Freya looks on in wonder as he casually catches it and puts it back on his arm. He looks up at Thor and Tony sternly. "That's enough."
Jumping off the tree, he lands in front of them. Freya floats down and lands as well, standing next to Steve on his right. They all just stare at one other. Freya is the first one to calmly speak up as she looks at Thor.
"I don't know what you plan on doing here..."
"I've come to put an end to Loki's schemes," Thor snaps in frustration.
"Then prove it. Put that hammer down," Steve offers.
"Uh... Yeah... No. Bad call. He loves his ha-"
Thor interrupts Tony by backhanding him with Mjölnir and sends him across the clearing. He returns his attention to Steve.
"You want me to put the hammer down?!"
Steve slightly crouches as Thor begins to charge him. Led by Mjölnir, he takes a giant leap into the air. Steve's arm shoots out and grabs Freya by the waist. Ducking them both down after he pulls her against him, Steve covers her body with his and then covers them both with his shield. As they prepare for impact, they tightly grip on to each other. Freya tightly closes her eyes when there's a deafening, deep-sounding ring as Mjölnir makes contact with Steve's shield. Then there's silence.
As Steve slowly releases his tight hold on Freya, she turns to him and makes sure he isn't hurt. He nods at her, letting her know he's fine as keeps his arm around her waist. They both stand and finally look away from one another. Surveying the area around her, Freya realizes that anything within a mile of them has been leveled. She turns to look at her dad and Thor as they climb to their feet. Everyone silently stares at one another until Steve finally speaks up.
"Are we done here?"
Still silence.
"You guys do realize that what you did here was completely unwarranted, right?" Freya asks as she eyes her father and Thor.
The two of them look around at the destruction they had caused before their eyes guiltily land back on her. Though, you can't see Tony's due to his suit. She rolls her eyes and steps out of Steve's arm. She sighs as walks off with her hand to her ear, giving Natasha the all clear to come pick them up. Steve starts to smile a little as he watches her walk away. Knowing there's no way he can stay mad at her.
