Hi everyone ! Here is the third chapter :) I really hope that you are enjoying this story ^^
Please review and tell me what you think about it!
Once again, a big thanks to Darksidefan5 ^^
Disclaimer: I do not own neither Gakuen Alice, which belongs to Tachibana Higuchi, nor Avengers, which belongs to Marvel and even less Harry Potter, which is the work of the wonderful J.K.R :) But I do own the plot and my OC characters of course.
Chapter 3: Of Little Games and Thanos' Threat:
Thor opened his mouth as if to speak, closed it, and then finally opened it again:
"Mjolnir seems to consider you worthy enough to hold it." he finally stated.
"So, you are called Mjolnir…" said Mikan in a sing-song voice, happily stroking the Hammer, making its humming only wider. She smiled at it.
"A-Are you… Are you stroking it?" asked Thor faintly.
"I've never seen such an artefact like this before," she explained, "it is genuinely humming at me!" Mikan smiled, before to frown slightly realizing what Thor had just told her. "When you said earlier that Mjolnir considered me worthy enough, did it mean that not everyone can hold it?" she asked, tilting slightly her head.
"This Hammer is very special, Lady Sakura. Only the worthiest beings in the Nine Realms can lift it. No one can possibly trick Mjolnir in any way. It is a real honor to be chosen by it."
"How is that even possible? Saint Steve, Barton, and Hulk can't lift it let alone my wonderful and amazing self. What makes her special?" Tony asked a bit peeved.
Mikan blushed not really knowing what to do or to say.
Suddenly, the young woman frowned. She knew that the Hammer was sensitive, but now Thor inwardly explained her the purpose of it. Her intuition was right. The artefact contained a fragment of the Soul Stone, so it could judge beings' souls. It couldn't be tricked Thor said, in any way.
"Do you know who forged it? After all, not everyone can do such a thing as giving a soul to his creations." she asked him, even though she had already made her guess. But it doesn't hurt to have a little confirmation, does it?
"Yes. Mjolnir's creator was a very talented and powerful Sorcerer, called Allice. He gave it as a present to Father."
Mikan tensed, stuck on the word "was". She tried not to feel, and of course not to seem, too disappointed. If she had been given the chance to meet the creator of the Alices, and particularly of the Nullification and Stealing ones, it would be so much easier for her to better understand the situation she was in.
"If I may ask, did you say just "was"? I thought that Asgardians were immortals." she tried to push her luck a little bit.
"Well, we are indeed, but he was killed by Thanos." Thor stopped as he saw all the color drained from her face. "Are you alright Lady Sakura?"
"Yes… yes, I'm sorry, it is just… it's my back… it's still quite hurting me…," she lied. Lamely. "I don't really feel well… can we possibly continue this discussion later or tomorrow…"
The Avengers looked at each other, nonplussed. No one had believed the now trembling woman in front of them. But, they did as she requested. They too needed time to process everything they'd learned today anyway.
When only Thor remained in the confinement capsule, Mikan walked silently toward him and handed Mjolnir back to him. When he understood that she wasn't going to tell him anything, he only nodded to her before to leave the room.
Mikan, now alone in her capsule, headed toward her bed with shaking legs.
Thor was too lost in his thoughts to really pay attention to what the others were saying. Who was this woman? At first, she appeared out from nowhere, created a complete chaos in New York without really harming anyone, made the six members of the Avengers run for their money, let herself imprisoned without any resistance when he was pretty sure that she could easily escape from their grasp, and then she surprised him again by lifting Mjolnir. How did she know that Mjolnir was sentient? Was she really a threat? Could he trust her now that she had been given the precious honor to lift Mjolnir?
Thor abruptly stood up and leaved his friends without any warnings… Heimdall could probably give him more information about this enigmatic Lady Sakura…
'Count always on Heimdall to know when he is needed.' thought Thor, as the familiar brilliant beam of energy covered him.
Thor was now facing the golden eyes of the Bifrost's Gatekeeper. He was like always, standing, while holding the hilt of his impressive sword, in the center of his Observatory…
"Nothing can escape you as always my friend! It is good to see you again!" smiled Thor, comforted by Heimdall's company.
"It is the point of being omniscient" responded the all-hearing and all-seeing Asgardian.
"As you already know, old friend, I need to know more about this young Midgardian. I can't decide myself. She is powerful and dangerous, but I've the feeling that she isn't a threat. I wonder what you could tell me about her."
"The Midgardian Mikan Sakura is a very interesting woman. I've been keeping an eye on her since her birth. I've observed how she had faced all the issues she encountered in her life. She isn't one to fear taking the most difficult choices in order to do the right things. She is brave and selfless. I knew that Mjolnir would consider her worthy enough to lift him... You can be assured that she isn't a threat."
"I take it that we have to trust her? But why did she fake a Chitauri invasion then?" enquired a cautious Thor.
"She's seeking something in the possession of S.H.I.E.L.D. She had to destroy it. I won't tell you any more than this because it is only going to put her in danger. There is a task that she has to accomplish. She must do it, she is the only one who can achieve it. You and these Avengers should not try to stop her, it is a matter of intergalactic security. Were Thanos to find her, he would kill her without hesitation. Mikan Sakura has only ever had herself to rely on. It may be best to let her continue on this path alone."
"You are saying not to help her?"
"I am saying that her abilities are a powerful temptation to most, even the most good hearted."
"What should we do then?"
"Trust her. And be wary of Fury in regards to this matter. I fear he may become great hindrance," he advised, before to add: "Thor, just for you to know, the young Mikan Sakura and I have more on common than you think…"
Mikan Sakura had now established for a very long time that she was a very unlucky person. A living magnet for trouble! Just leave it to her to always find a way or another to be brought into the most awkward, impossible and dangerous situations...
'This is bad, really bad! so bloody freaking bad!'
Thanos was in the possession of the Soul Stone. The Mad Titan, the Intergalactic Conqueror, the most feared being in the whole Nine Realms, was in the possession of an Infinity Stone. She had to face three problems now:
1- Allice was the last and only registered owner of the Stone, she was quite sure of it. If Thanos had token the time to kill him by himself, it only meant that it was to gain the Soul Stone. And surely, he wanted to possess more than one. 'Is he the threat that I'm bound to face? The one who is going to try to reunite the six Gems?'
2- Loki had been under the control of someone who possessed both Mind and Soul Stones. This meant that Thanos was the one who controlled him. From what she had heard, the Avengers had discovered the Mind Stone inside Loki's Scepter… It also implied that Thanos was aware that at least one Infinity Stone was on Earth since he sent Loki, and that he had already been in the possession of two Infinity Stones. Now he knew that at least two of the precious gems were there. But since Loki failed him... 'How long will it take before he chose to come collects them by himself? Will we stand a chance against him?'
3- She may have made a mistake by helping Loki. 'Did Thanos sense the connection shatter?' Certainly. 'How will he react to this? Is my secret endangered?'
Mikan sighed, there was only one person who could give her some responses to her questions, and he was only two cells away.
When Mikan finally teleported into Loki's cell, she felt his curiosity, over-confidence and self-contentment humming in the air. It only made him look more suspicious to her. So, for the first time she took a better look at him, since she hadn't paid attention, before, to his physical appearance.
Loki was a tall man, well god, Asgardian or Jotün, whatever… and was at least two heads taller than her. He wasn't as muscular as Thor, rather slim, with svelte shoulders, but Loki was still well built and Mikan knew that he possessed physical abilities far superior to humans. However, none of these special attributes was his principal asset. Indeed, his influence rather laid on both his charismatic personality and his incredible wit.
Yes, Loki was a very beautiful man and he was perfectly aware of it. With his clever, cold and observing eyes, of the brightest shade of green she had ever seen, his harmonious and perfect features, his pale and elegant face, and his raven hair… she understood quite easily why so many people had fallen for his lies or just simply, for him. But it was without counting on Mikan's knowledge on how to deal with charismatic, manipulative and dangerous men. Kuonji, was of course just a slight apercu of a now rather long list.
In such occasions, Mikan was truly grateful for having two fragments of the Soul Stone inside her body. Indeed, it allowed her to be always able to tell if someone was lying to her or not, which was the reason why she never really needed the Mind-Reading Alice. And god or not, no one can fool an Infinity Stone.
Loki was comfortably sitting on the edge of his bed, the book in his hand no longer the focus of his attention.
"Two visits in one day? I must say that I really appreciate the attention." he smiled, even though it didn't reach his eyes.
"Here we go." thought Mikan with an expressionless face. She would have to be persuasive and charming enough to get to him.
"I have to admit that I am a curious person. If something or someone takes my interest, I do like to investigate fully and personally." she practically purred the last word.
She was going to enjoy this.
"If it means I earn the pleasure of your company, then investigate away." His smile had a dangerous and seductive edge.
Mikan smiled earnestly in return before pulling the lone chair over in front of the bed and sitting.
"Tell me Loki, you seem to be pretty interested by me: from the instant I stepped in this room I've felt your spiritual presence in my capsule," she began, making him lift a patient eyebrow, waiting to see what she was planning for them. "And, as I've just said, the feeling is kind of reciprocated…" Loki his gaze turned predatory, already seeing what was coming next. "So why not do things civilly? no more spying on each other?" Mikan finally proposed.
Loki observed her. He had always been very gifted when the matter came to guess other's feelings, dispositions, ambitions and weaknesses. It was one of his best assets. Yet, the woman seated patiently in front of him was truly hard to read. He needed, of course, to learn to know her better and was curious about her mysterious dispositions. He was sure that she was his exit ticket and also knew better than to be stopped by her walls. Indeed, she wouldn't come to him with the only intent to entertain him… He smirked. 'She needs me.'
Mikan remained calm and composed as she watched Loki stand elegantly, rising to his full height. She raised her chin up and looked at him straight in the eyes. Neither of them broke eye contact, even when Loki finally leaned towards her, closing the already little space between them, so their faces were nearly touching.
"But it remains the best way to find the juiciest secrets about the person of interest…" he whispered, his lips now brushing seductively against the sensitive flesh of her ear. Mikan didn't back away even if every cell of her body was screaming her to do otherwise, didn't show signs of any possible fear, or pleasure. He pursued, "Do you have any that could entertain or please me, dear Lady Sakura?"
Loki pulled slightly away, to catch her in the eye again. He was greeted by her innocent and teasing 'you-can-do-better-than-that' smile. If it surprised or disappointed him, he didn't show any sign of it. In fact, Mikan knew that it had actually pleased him. Men like him always appreciated challenges.
"I've better than that... What about a little game?" she asked cheerfully, without responding to his attempt to seduce her. As she saw the sparkle in his eyes, she smiled and tilted her head. "A truth for a truth: It will be fair since both of us can't be lured by any lies! You can set the rules if you want."
He smiled, amused, 'Why not? She truly is a daring one, not that I would complain. It's far more interesting that way'. He finally pulled away and sat back on the edge of his bed, still close to her.
"Fine. What about five questions each per day? Each day, only one pass will be allowed. If one of us choose to pass a question, he will either do something the other wants him to, or respond to two other questions instead. Do you want to add anything else?"
"Yes, asking twice the same question won't be allowed, as for any request that will ensure your escape from this cell, or simply endanger the world's security."
"It seems pretty fair. You may begin Young Lady."
"Call me Mikan, Loki. Just Mikan."
Loki only lifted an eyebrow and made no comment.
Mikan immediately began. "How old are you?"
He seemed to ponder the question for a moment. "I'd say 2,405. Give or take a few years."
"You're like 100 times older than me," she said more to herself than him. "I can't say I blame you for losing track."
"You stop caring after a certain age, Young One. Now, my turn. How did you discover your Alice?
"You know I have quite the thing for getting in trouble: When I was in my fourth grade, I met a girl named Hotaru. They say that opposites attract, and I think that it is true. At first, I disliked her for being so blunt and for keeping such a serious attitude all the time. But we eventually became best friends. We cared deeply for each other, even though she wasn't one to show it… While I was always cheerful and outgoing, Hotaru is the rational and brutally honest one: One day, she was suddenly transferred to the Alice Academy and since I was only 9 back then, I didn't really think twice when I ran away from home to go after her. I, then, literally ran into Narumi-Sensei, who realized that his Alice didn't work on me. The rest is history."
When she was done, Mikan inwardly smiled. Even after all what happened afterwards, she still couldn't bring herself to regret it. It was only after telling this to Loki, twelve years after the event, that she fully realized it. The latter, who was still observing her with his calculating eyes, just nodded her to ask her next question.
"How did you learn to use magic?"
"I've learned the Art of Magic from my mother who had learned it herself from a very powerful Sorcerer, whose name was Allice. I think that you already know few things about him since Thor told you about Mjolnir."
Loki chuckled then leaned forward and spoke.
"I have to admit Mikan, that I was truly bored to death before your arrival in the Helicarrier. Since then, you have never failed to entertain me. Especially earlier, the faces they pulled were priceless!"
Thinking back to her faux attack, the Avengers' frustration and their reaction to her being able to lift Mjolnir, Mikan couldn't help but chuckle herself. It wasn't supposed to be funny. But it was.
As she felt a strong wave of self-contentment emanating from him, she felt quite nonplussed. Was he genuine or did he thought that he was having her?
Suddenly, it hit her. Loki, who didn't want to recognize anymore Odin or Thor as family, still loved his adoptive mother enough to let inwardly his affection towards her slip. Mikan wondered now if his only intent had been to distract her from it…
"My turn." his voice brought Mikan back from her thoughts, she paid now full attention to him. "Were you lying earlier when you said you didn't own the Stealing Alice?"
He didn't need any other kind of confirmation, as he saw her eyes widen and her body went still. Mikan just looked blankly and distantly at him before finally nodding her head.
She didn't allow Loki time to dwell on the matter as she jumped in with her next question, "Why are you a prisoner on Earth and not Asgard? Asgard seems like it would be more capable in keeping you contained. Yet, S.H.I.E.L.D chose to rely on Earth. Why?
Her gaze was penetrating and so very much like Heimdall's. He didn't like that.
"I am here because of my crimes against the good people of Earth."
His voice was saccharine and his smile was worse.
"I wanted the unofficial reason."
"I was banished for the security of Asgard. The one I served may retaliate for my failure to conquer Earth. Odin doesn't want Asgard in the crossfire."
"He sounds very honorable - leaving us to fend for ourselves despite the fact that your master will destroy all of the Nine Realms."
"What do you mean?"
"I can't answer this question, it would be against the last rule of our game." responded Mikan calmly.
His jaw tightened but he let it go. Instead, he leaned, if even possible, closer to her, their noses quasi touching, his eyes trapping hers inside them… He finally cracked a cruel smirk and she couldn't hold back a shiver…
"Isn't it funny that someone, who craves so much for company, would choose loneliness instead of returning to her loved ones? You are struggling with your own self, and I am sure that it has little to do with that 'I-want-to-protect-them-from-me' nonsense. Mikan dear, they say in your Realm that 'The eyes are the mirror of the soul and reflect everything that seems to be hidden…' Your eyes are full of secrets, but I can still see the shame buried deeply in them; you are afraid to face your dear friends again: So, tell me Little One, what did you possibly do that you are so ashamed about?" his voice reduced to a murmur, smooth and cold.
The effect was instantaneous. Mikan was now shaking, all the color had been drained from her face. The young woman seemed near to hyperventilate, and Loki wondered if that was it, if he had finally had achieved to break her barriers. At this instant he was sure that she was going to ask to pass this question: 'It just seems that she isn't that strong then…'
Mikan was truly considering passing this question. She never felt more like a coward than in this instant.
Loki wasn't here for nothing. He didn't need any superpower to read her. Closing her eyes, Mikan took a deep, calming breath.
When she opened them, there was renewed determination.
"You ask me this question in the hope it would weaken me, throw me off my game," her voice grew stronger as she spoke. "There is a good reason why I hate Fury so much. It's the same reason why Miss Granger left S.H.I.E.L.D."
Mikan sat a bit straighter in her seat. "When Natsume and I were only fourteen, S.H.I.E.L.D paid Kuonji for his services. To say the mission was dangerous would be an understatement. It's honestly a miracle that I'm even alive. S.H.I.E.L.D sent us to retrieve an artefact that was protected by a very dark, very powerful magic."
She paused, recomposing herself. "Long story short, I had to kill Natsume. There really was no way around it."
Mikan let the confession hang, watching Loki for any sign of what his thoughts may be on the matter. But his face was devoid of any and all emotion.
She wasn't expecting the god of Mischief to be moved by her story, but his complete lack of response was frustrating. He wanted her to reveal herself to him, but wouldn't even allow her the courtesy of even the smallest reaction.
"You know that quote you said has an end," she began. " 'The eyes like a mirror, they also reflect the person looking into them.' Though, I don't know how my eyes reflect your own image. From what I've seen, you struggle to trust anyone, are terrified of being seen as weak, and you allow your emotions to control your actions - the strongest of which is your perpetual self-loathing."
She never got the chance to continue as Loki sprang from his bed and tackled her like a feral animal onto the floor. All his weight was on her, his hand right hand placed menacingly on her throat, while the other one imprisoned firmly her arms over her head. His icy green eyes laid on her cruelly.
"Don't you even dare think that you can understand me!" he hissed at her. "You might be one of the most powerful of Midgardians, but you still remain as pathetic as the other ones of your kind!" He then smiled viciously at her, "You are so breakable Little One... I could crush you so easily, after making you beg for it."
Mikan was afraid of course, Loki didn't need his magic to be imposing. His physical abilities were far superior to humans, she couldn't escape from him without using her Alices. Yet, both of them were very aware of the fact that she couldn't possibly escape by teleporting, he would either be brought along with her into her capsule or find his way out of the Helicarrier. Even with her Illusion and Technologies-Mastering Alice, she couldn't possibly dream to hide a possible fight between her and the Asgardian. Pulling a fight with him would ensue to her failing a plan she had prepared for three years, which wasn't also an option. Mikan sighed, she had no other choices.
"Loki, we both know that I have only said the truth. Stop acting like a teenager." she declared calmly, "In fact, I dare you to kill me, but what will you gain from it? Tell me. You know that I'm your only chance to get out of here, especially when Thanos is now for sure coming after you…" she finally warned him.
Loki stiffened, but eventually loosened his grip on her arms. He didn't move from his position over her though. She didn't try to pull away either.
"What makes you think that Thanos is after me?" Loki asked quietly.
"Don't give me that Loki. Thanos killed Allice, who was the last owner of the Soul Stone. Yet the being who was controlling you, and who sent you to bring him the Tesseract, or in other words, the Space Stone, was the owner of both the Mind and Soul Stones. It isn't hard to put the pieces altogether. Just to say it out loud, this morning I've released you from his grip without thinking twice about it. Which means that he is now aware that someone on Earth is able to counter him and I don't really think that the Mad Titan appreciated this. Now, at least two Infinity Stones, the Asgardian who failed him, and the mysterious being who was able to remove entirely the essence itself of an Infinity Stone out of that same Asgardian, are on Earth… What a better way to kill two birds with one stone than to come to you Loki? All realms want you dead and he won't spare you. In other words, Loki, I'm your only hope." Mikan finally stated.
Slowly, Loki removed himself from above her and helped Mikan sit down. They were now in a more decent position. The young woman was patiently waiting for him to speak first.
"What are expecting from me? For a Midgardian, you are very well informed on these subjects, Little One… Am I wrong to suppose that your presence in here has something to do with the Infinity Stones?" he said, finally breaking the silence.
"Loki, few years ago, I've became aware of the existence of the other Realms and that the threat of the six Stones being reunited is to its highest. When I came here, I didn't expect that the one chasing after the six of them was Thanos. In fact, I kind of hoped that such a thing wasn't going to happen at all…" Mikan replied quietly. "As for how to respond to this threat, I've have my part to do, but I've absolutely no idea if this will be sufficient. Just as for what I am expecting from you. You're not someone to be easily trusted and the situation is too grave to be even more endangered by one of your schemes. " she simply stated.
"I may want to conquer Asgard and Midgard, but what would be the point of it if they are to be destroyed?" Loki countered, frustrated. "You need my help. I am the only person in your access, who knows enough about Thanos, the way he thinks and his possible plans: when he will come after the two of us, you will need this. Furthermore, you know you'll need my help if you're trying to keep him from collecting the Gem. As for what you are looking for and I'm pretty sure that you are looking for something, it is obvious that it is in the possession of the S.H.I.E.L.D, and that you can't rely on them to help you, nor give it to you. Then, even though you are really powerful, it still isn't enough to even dream about facing Thanos, let alone beat him. You still have no access to the other Realms, and I am one of the few people who knows every one of them very well. I don't need the Bifrost to go wherever I want." he argued.
"You guessed right. I am, indeed, looking for something. An artefact that must be destroyed. That's the reason why I can't rely on the S.H.I.E.L.D since Fury sees it as a possible weapon or as a very strong power source. But, regarding to the last things you have said, it still doesn't ensure me that you won't stab me in the back as soon as you get your hands over an Infinity Stone or anything like that. I have to find a way to make sure that you won't try anything of that kind."
Loki chuckled and put dramatically a hand over his heart.
"You have wounded my already bleeding heart Mikan" he sighed theatrically. "To get out of this situation, the better would still be to cooperate. Cross my heart, darling, I won't betray you." he laughed, a now very amused grin dancing on his lips.
Mikan couldn't help but be amazed again by the quickness of his mood swings and tried to no think about how beautiful was the man sitting few inches near her when he smiled like this. Although he was 2405 as he had declared, he looked younger than someone in his mid-thirties… She was sure that he might have been an adorable person, so sad that he was as impossible as a god of Lies and Mischiefs could be! If only he wasn't so blinded by his feelings...
"Cross your heart… heart… hmm… hearts… cross our hearts" she hummed dreamily, trying to figure out a way to be able to entrust him.
"Cross our hearts, you said?" frowned Loki.
"I beg your pardon?" asked Mikan, nonplussed.
"You said cross our hearts: you are in possession of a fragment of the Soul Stone, aren't you? Do you think that you would be able to use it?" he explained reluctantly.
Loki hated the idea. But he had no other choices. If Thanos was to come after him and especially after the Stones, he would kill him, but he would also destroy both Midgard and Asgard, which meant losing his people, his throne but mostly endanger his Mother's life. Something that he would never allow, not even in million years!
As much as he hated to admit it, he needed the Midgardian woman, now that they were to be Thanos firsts targets… She was the only one who would possibly accept to help him, without her he had no possible way to escape from him (especially not when he was still confined in that cursed capsule), and her powers might be more than helpful… But he had, firstly, to convince her that she needed him too. And to win her trust...
"A-are you trying to say that you want us to bound ourselves through the Soul Stone to ensure our fidelity to each other?" asked hesitantly Mikan, who didn't really appreciate that idea either…
"Exactly."
"Why would you accept to do such a thing?" Mikan was truly curious to know.
She watched him carefully, as he pursed his lips. Mikan sensed his conflicted feelings. He did have to explain it to her, even though he didn't want to do it. And she truly needed to be convinced by him, and he knew it better than anyone else.
"To let Thanos do as he please would firstly mean to let him get to me, which is not an option. Then if he achieves to collect the six Gems, I won't have any kingdom to rule or possess. Finally, I don't want to lose Asgard to this man. Especially not when my mother is living on it." he admitted through gritted teeth.
Mikan sensed that he had been earnest, which had really annoyed him… She tilted her head and thought about her options. Now that he said it, she couldn't ignore that she was desperately in the need of someone else's help. If she was to have access to other Realms, she would be able to have a better knowledge about the Stones and maybe even to hide them or to increase their security.
When she had prepared herself to this mission, she still had been hoping that, (even though that with her luck it was so unlikely to happen), no one would try to collect the six Gems, and wished that she could live the rest of her life in peace. Now this was most likely to happen, and she was partly responsible for it… Mikan sighed at the thought and looked at the man in front of her. Yet, she could blame him for the death of thousands of people, but not truly for this situation. If it hadn't been him, Thanos would have send someone else.
"What do you think of it, Little One?"
"… I think … that we might do this. But then, what do plan for us to do? I haven't really thought about such a situation when I came here! I knew that maybe a crazy being somewhere in the Universe might try to do such a thing… never thought that it would be the Mad Titan himself!" she admitted.
"First, tell me what are you looking for?" he enquired patiently.
"I'm not sure that I should tell you… Even after, (and if we really do this), we're bound. Actually, there are two that I want to destroy: one that is primordial for everyone's safety and the second artifact is the same one I had to deal with back then with Natsume. I may be the only being in the whole Universe that can't be really affected by their powers: I'll have to do it alone, or it will end up like ten years ago."
Loki pursed his lips. He didn't like being kept in the dark about such an important matter, but he would have to deal with it for now.
"How long will it take for you to be done with this?"
"Not more than two or three days. In the meantime, I'll do also some research about Bounding-Souls. I think that the best would be to bound right before I destroy it, we won't have much time to do this after since I won't be able to hide it. Even with my Alices. And I won't risk to free you without having previously bounded ourselves." Mikan declared.
"Where do you intend us to go afterwards?"
"First, we are going to my grandfather's place. I've few things that I'll need to take along, as my researches work… Then, we will head to my house. It's highly protected and the S.H.I.E.L.D won't be able to find it."
"If Thor asks for Heimdall's help, I doubt that it would be sufficient." Loki countered.
"Heimdall won't help the S.H.I.E.L.D. or Thor. After all, he is omniscient, which means that he is already aware of the aim of my powers. If he is as wise as from what I've read, he won't tell a soul about it or he will ask your brother to help us."
Loki's emerald eyes darkened at the mention of Thor. He clenched his hands into fists. As he was going to tell her what he thought about this, Mikan beat him to it:
"Yes, your Brother, because that what he is Loki. When Miss Granger came into my cell yesterday I activated my Mind-Reading Alice. I can't choose just one person to focus into, so I've also heard his thoughts. I was surprised to see how much he still deeply cares and constantly thinks about you. If one of you two should complain about anything it should be him. You have only caused him endless pain in return of his endless love!", she told him sternly. "And the reason why he still suffers so much is because he still does. 'We were raised together, we played together, we fought together! Don't you remember none of that?'… Doesn't it remind you of anything?
Don't even think that you can intimidate me, Loki. In fact, if we are going to team up together, you will have to get used to this." she added as he brusquely grabbed her by her wrist and pulled her closer to him menacingly. His lips curved into a cruel smirk, as he cocked his head to the side.
Mikan had lied. Of course, she was intimidated by him, he seemed ready to eat her alive… Then again, she wasn't one to be stopped by her fears, especially when she was only facing a grown brat.
"And pray tell me Little One, what can you possibly knew about real pain?" he whispered coldly, his cold breath sending shivers through her body.
Mikan smirked, looking haughtily at him. As his grasp tightened painfully around her now bruised wrist, she let out a humorless and cold laugh.
"What do I know about real pain? Certainly, more than you do! So, what!? I've also been adopted, and unlike you, I've never made a fuss about it! I've witnessed my parents dying in front of me, being as helpless as a twelve years old child can be! Tell me Loki, where are your parents? ALIVE in Asgard. And don't give me that 'they-are-not-my-parents' bullshit. They have raised you for 2405 years for God's sake! Earlier you called Frigga 'Mother', which means that still consider yourself her son! My grandfather, the man who adopted me, let himself die from sadness, thinking that I was dead. When I came back to see him, it was already too late. He died alone, and I wasn't even given the chance to tell him how much I was grateful for everything he did for me, how much I love him or even just say goodbye. You still don't know this pain Loki, but you are heading straight toward it! I had to end the life of someone who meant the world to me: you're lucky that you didn't achieve to kill your brother, because I'm pretty sure that then you would know how it feels. Again, you are the one imposing these superficial sorrows to yourself. I may have suffered from countless physicals tortures, but the heart's and mind's injuries were the most painful ones. Yet you are the one who asked for it, since you went to Thanos according to your own will! I was imposed my exile from my loved ones! In your case, you were the one looking for it! The worst is to have no choice over your own life Loki. I have been taken the chance to live mine twelve years ago. But you, you are wasting yours for nothing! You are fully aware of it and this is the reason why you hate yourself so much!" Mikan stopped as she sensed Loki releasing her wrist, her hazel eyes now full of unshed tears. "You keep hurting people around you, and destroying the most beautiful things for no reasons… But you still remain free. Free to change your life, free to be happy again, free to stop acting like a spoiled brat whining for attention! I'm heading back to my capsule. I'm coming back tomorrow, until then I hope that you will fully understand that I'm not going to associate myself with someone who will try to hit me each time I'll only state the truth!" she simply added.
Now, Mikan just wanted to flee from his cell. It was too full of his personal turmoil. Frustration, Anger, Hatred, Self-Hatred, Shame, Loneliness, Pain… As he wasn't touching her or even looking at her, she took this opportunity to go back to her capsule. It was the first time in twelve years that she had such an outburst. Putting him back to his place by confronting him with her own personal experience had just been one of the most difficult things she had ever done in her life…
When she sat on her bed, Mikan felt, for the first time in seven years, hot tears slip down her cheeks. She was shaking. Until confronting Loki, she hadn't realized the seriousness of the situation. Although she had guessed that Thanos was going to come to Earth any time soon, she still hadn't fully realized it. Now the fear was building inside her as she understood that Hotaru, Luca, Tsubasa-Sempai and all the others would be exposed to that threat! She might have to face him. No. She would certainly have to face him. And the only thought of it made her shiver.
Mikan had never felt as lonely as when she had been in Loki's presence. Even though she had kept her barriers strong and firm in front of him, the young woman had never felt so weak in her life. She felt so tired, so weak, and so unsure of herself. She had just planned to get rid of that cursed artefact! Now she was going to be hunted down by Thanos himself, with no one other the god of Lies and Mischiefs himself as only possible ally. The worst was the bounding soul part... She couldn't trust him any other way. But his soul was so tortured, tormented and so full of suffocating emotions… Would she be able to handle this?
Mikan, now lying down, cried herself to sleep.
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A.N:
So here we are X)
I really hope that you have enjoyed this chapter!
In fact, bounding soul for Loki and Mikan means that they will never be able to betray each other. It's quite the same thing as making an Unbreakable Vow in the Harry Potter Universe...