Okay this idea is courtasy of AliceInTheCountryOfClover, sorry it took so long. So this is set in a time where Anna is mostly stationary and lives in Stark Tower. I tweaked her back story a bit, make of it what you will. I'd love to know what you all think, so let me know! =D
I was practically giddy, my entire family was going to be together today!
After much pleading I was able to get Thor to bring Loki with him on one of his visits, and I was ecstatic to see him again.
The last time we talked we kinda got in an argument, so I hope things are okay between us. Loki and I never stay mad at each other for long though. I probably should have told everyone else that Loki was coming, oh well they'll just have to get over it.
Both Clint and Tasha were back from their latest mission, Steve was using some of his seventy years' worth of well-earned vacation time.
Peter just got out of school for spring break, so he was free to do whatever. I tried to convince him to bring Gwen along but he refused. Said he didn't want to scare her off, he just might have a point there.
Tony and Bruce had been up in the lab for the last week, so after I pulled them out we could all be together.
Nothing could ruin this, or so I thought.
A couple hours later everyone was in the penthouse hanging out and I was out on the balcony waiting for Thor and Loki to get here.
"Come inside Stripes, they'll get here soon. You look like a popsicle, you're freezing out there."
Peter had a point, it was early march, and standing outside without a coat wasn't the smartest idea. I was totally shivering, but I tried my best to cover it up.
"I-I'm f-f-fine P-Peter."
Epic fail there.
"Sure you are."
I squealed as he picked me up, throwing me over his shoulder and carrying me inside.
"Peter, stop it put me down!"
My answer came in the form of him dumping me on the couch, right on top of Tony.
"Oof! Lisey what's the big idea?"
I just pointed at Peter, who had a giant grin on his face. Tony rolled his eyes and wrapped an arm around me.
A loud crack of thunder had me running back to the balcony. It was only Clint grabbing my arm that stooped me.
"Careful kid, just wait a second."
Too excited, I squirmed out of his grip and ran outside as soon as the biofrost cleared away.
Thor beamed at me.
"Hello Anna, it has been far too long."
I smiled back, it growing even larger when I saw Loki step out from behind his brother.
"Good to see you too Thor."
He smirked.
"Now then, I think you're far more excited to see someone else."
He shoved Loki forward, causing the trickster to glare at him. Forgetting that everyone else was watching, I ran and tackled him in a hug. Well I would have if I had the strength to tackle someone.
"Loki, I missed you!"
He didn't say anything, so I pulled back and looked up at him.
"You're not still mad at me are you?"
He sighed, a spark of amusement in his eyes.
"I can't stay mad at you for long. It was you who convinced Thor to let me out, if only for a little while."
Before I could reply a rather upset Clint spoke up.
"You asked Thor to let him out?! After all that he's done?"
I felt Loki tense behind me, the air around us was buzzing with his magic. After a while I had become sensitive to it.
I grabbed his hand in a hope to keep him from doing something he shouldn't.
"Don't give them a reason Loki, they'll take whatever chance they can."
He huffed and looked away.
"Wait a second, you planned a family gathering and invited him?!"
I glared at Tony, it wasn't only Loki's magic that I could feel now. My bracelet was letting off a weird hum.
"Yes I did, do you have a problem with that?"
"Hell yeah I do! He's the guy who let an alien army loose on the city, destroying half of it! Ring any bells?"
Peter looked at me strangely, while Tasha stood there expressionless but had a hard glint in her eyes.
"Stripes, you hang out with supervillains?"
It was the look that Steve and Bruce sent me that set me off though. They just looked disappointed in me.
"Really Anna, Loki?"
I glared at Bruce as Loki stiffened beside me at those words.
Trembling with anger, I balled my hands into fists and threw them to my side.
"Stop it! Loki is important to me, so don't talk about him like that!"
"But Stripes, he's a bad guy!"
Loki put his hand on my shoulder but I shrugged it off.
"Lisey, you have us. Why would you want to have him around?"
I froze, a deadly calm coming over me. I was so livid that I paid no attention to the white-blue sparks coming from my bracelet.
"Anna, calm down."
Glancing back at Loki, he looked worried but I paid it no mind.
"You don't know what it's like, being ripped away without a moment's notice. Loki was there for me when I needed him, before I even met most of you!"
The air was crackling, a metallic taste filling my mouth. You could almost see Loki's magic reacting to the power of the bracelet.
"We're your family kid, you don't need him."
My voice was almost a whisper.
"I've lost too many people that I care about, so I'm not losing anyone voluntarily."
Of course Tony had to open his mouth again, never knowing when to stop.
"No fudging way! He needs to go, I don't want him anywhere near you!"
At that Tasha glared at Tony and Clint, knowing they'd both gone too far.
That was it, my temper skyrocketed. The bracelet started giving out flares of light, finally drawing my attention.
I gasped, instead of the familiar hot sensation there was a cold burning.
I was able to get out one last thing before a blast of light knocked me out.
"Family is everything to me, you have no idea."
Tony
What happened? Oh right, Lisey happened. I forgot how mad she could get.
I looked around and saw everyone sans my sister picking themselves up off the ground.
"Uhg, where are we?"
"I don't know birdbrain, what do I look like? Google maps?"
Tasha put a hand on his shoulder and shook her head. Whatever, spies and their creepy mental conversations. Then Clint turned to look at the two Asgardians.
"This is all his fault!"
We all looked at Loki, who was dusting off. How can such a jerk look so elegant and composed all the time?
He glared at all of us.
"I assure you, I had nothing to do with this. Anna's bracelet was reacting to her emotions, which is what caused us to be sent here. Why and where, I'm not sure."
Thor clapped his brother on the back.
"Loki would never do anything to harm Anna, I can promise you that."
Clint huffed and scowled at the ground.
"I doubt that, he probably kicks puppies when nobody's looking."
Loki shoved Thor away from him and advanced toward Clint.
"Are you implying that I would hurt Anna? Because if you are, I would retract that statement. Nothing could cause me hurt her."
If this came to blows, I'm betting on Legolas. He has enough pent-up anger towards Loki to take down the hulk.
Of course Spangles just had to ruin the fun before it could even get started.
"Hey now, fighting isn't going to help. We need to figure out where are and how to get back. If Loki is right then we could be anywhere."
God I hate it when he's right.
Taking a further look around, I could see that we were on the side of a road. An empty intersection in the road to be precise, with a town off in the distance.
"Look here comes a car, maybe they can help us."
We all looked in the direction Bruce was pointing, and sure enough there was a car. Before any of us could signal it, another car that was traveling very fast in the intersecting lane rammed into it, t-boning it on the driver's side.
The impact set the first car rolling, the other was crunched to the point where you'd never recognize it.
Steve took off running towards the first car before it had even stopped rolling and after a glance the rest of us followed.
He reached it just as it stopped rolling, and as we reached it the sound of a kids cries could be heard.
"Both the front seat passengers are gone but there's a little girl in the back seat."
I looked away. This was how my parents died, I didn't really want to think about it.
"What are you waiting for Cap?"
He looked back and glared at me before starting to climb in the car but instead fell right through it.
"What?"
He stood up and tried to touch the upside down car but his hand ghosted through it like there wasn't anything there.
Before the rest of us could come up and try, the little girl started to climb out the broken window. She had a little green backpack on that got caught on the window, but after a minute or two she tumbled out. By the looks of it she couldn't be more than eight or nine.
The same thing happened when Cap tried to help her, she didn't seem to see any of us at all.
"It seems we are to observe only. This is powerful magic indeed."
I sighed.
"Good observation Thor, I never would have guessed."
Finally succeeding in getting out the little girl walked a few yards away and sat down crying. She held her arm close to her, a large cut on it.
I think everybody was shocked when she pushed her hair out of her face.
It was Lisey.
The hair color should have given it away, but those golden eyes were unmistakable. It was definitely her, a much younger her but still her.
Peter who still seemed a little dazed, crouched down in front of her.
"Why can't we help her?"
No one had an answer for him.
"Momma, daddy! Come out, I'm scared."
I could feel my heart shatter, she looked so lost.
"Look, someone's coming."
Tasha, speaking for the first time nodded toward the road. The sound of sirens could now be heard and in minutes an ambulance had arrived.
"Over here sweetheart, we're here to help you."
She took one look at the paramedics and ran back to the car.
"No! I won't go without them!"
The medic took one look in the car and grimaced.
"We need to go now, it's not safe here."
He grabbed for her, but Lisey was fast and ducked back inside the car. With a sigh he started to pull her out of the car.
"Let go of me! No!"
We could only watch as she was dragged, kicking and screaming back to the waiting ambulance.
Soon enough everyone had gone and we were left standing next to an empty car.
"Why did we have to see that?"
I looked back at Peter and frowned.
"I don't know kid."
Bruce looked aghast, a hint of green showing in his eyes.
"This didn't really happen did it?"
"I'm afraid so. These appear to be memories."
I stared at the car, not looking at Loki.
"She never told me about this, she only said her parents died never told me how."
"Poor Anna."
I glanced over at Steve, he looked like I felt, horrified.
Before anyone could say anything more, a stinging icy sensation washed over me and the white light that brought us here flashed bright wiping away the current scenery.
Loki
When the light faded, we were all standing in a large room that had several bunk beds.
"Ugh, if that happens every time I feel sorry for Lisey because that sucked!"
I was still a bit disoriented but that didn't stop me from glaring at the infuriating man Anna called brother.
"This is an orphanage. огонек…I never knew." *
I looked over at the redhead, a frown fliting across her face.
"Why would we be here?"
I rolled my eyes, for someone so who was supposedly smart Stark sure could be stupid.
The answer to his question ran in the room, right through him. He shuddered and crossed his arms.
We all turned to look at who it was that came in the room.
"Leave me alone!"
It was Anna, she looked older here maybe ten or eleven. She ran to the bed in the corner and pushed herself against the wall.
"Sure thing nerd. Oh here, wouldn't want to get caught with this."
I turned around and at the doorway there were two older kids a boy and a girl. In the hands of the boy was Anna's green backpack. With a sneer he tossed it across the room towards Anna, several things flying out.
The youngest of the group flinched as it passed through him. I think his name was Peter.
"You say anything, you're dead got it?"
She just nodded without looking up.
I clenched my fists, incensed that there was nothing I could do. The look on her face had me cursing myself. Just the other day, she and I got into an argument. I told her that she would never understand what it was like to feel like an outsider. That she couldn't possibly sympathize with me because she wasn't adopted. She never said anything to lead me to believe that she in fact could.
"Those bullies! You can't let them get away with that Lisey!"
I took a step back when I saw the doctor who turns large and green sigh. He looked upset, his hands were fisted, shaking by his side. I was still wary of him, I would not soon forget what he was capable of.
"She can't hear you Tony. She can't see or hear any of us."
Before he could reply Anna came to pick up the spilled contents of her backpack. She started stacking what looked like some type of books.
"Why can't they just leave me alone? If you guys were here they'd never do that."
Upon closer look they were thin paperback books, and it seemed that they were comprised of only illustrations.
"What's the kid doing? Why is she talking to her comic books?"
Frowning, I wondered what a comic book was, most likely the type of book she was holding.
I smirked as the fierce black-clad woman smacked him on the back of the head and glared.
"Shut up Clint."
He just huffed and looked back at Anna.
"I wish I was strong like you, I wish I was a superhero too."
At the sound of a new voice, in unison we all took up a protective stance around her. It didn't matter, the child walked over to her like we weren't even there.
"Hey are you okay? I saw those two kids chasing you."
She sniffed and looked up at a boy who looked about her age.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I've gotten used to it. Are you new?"
He smiled and sat down next to her.
"I'm Danny, what are you reading?"
A bright smile appeared on her face. It seems no matter her age my little dreamer could light up a room with that smile, even if it was a bit crooked.
"My names Anna. These are my comic books, my dad gave them to me."
Danny grinned at her.
"That's so cool! Who's you favorite?"
She started to dig through the large pile.
"It's so hard to pick. I guess I'd have to say Spiderman."
I think Anna mentioned something like that. It seems he saved her from one the many times she found herself in trouble.
"Why him? Daredevil is way cooler!"
I looked at the others to make sure they were as confused as I was. They were.
"What is going on?"
No one answered Peter because Anna started talking again.
"Well, he's super brave. I mean he's only a teenager and still goes out and saves people. Besides his costume is the best! But all the Avengers are awesome. Black Widow is so cool, she could probably kick all their butts and not break a sweat."
"Yeah, she's really pretty too."
I couldn't help myself, I started snickering at the look on everyone's faces. All of them looked offended while the said woman just smirked.
Danny picked up a different one and grinned.
"Awesome, you have my favorite! Captain America is the best."
She smiled and grabbed a different one.
"Yeah, I like him but the wings on the side of his helmet are kinda silly if you ask me."
I glanced over at the captain as did everyone else. He was looking away and anywhere but Anna.
"It was a phase!"
"Yeah right Capsicle, your phase of bad fashion choices isn't ending any time soon."
I laughed, while he just looked embarrassed, the tips of his ears turning pink.
"So you don't think the horns on Loki's helmet are dumb?"
My smirk fell as the attention turned to me.
"Okay you're right they are pretty ridiculous. So is Hawkeye's mask, he looks so much better without it."
I scowled at the ground. Of course she did tell me once that they were a bit ostentatious, but no one else needed to know that.
The archer frowned at Anna.
"I don't wear a mask but if I did it wouldn't be ridiculous."
The redhead next to him raised a brow while Thor started laughing at me.
"I've been telling you the same thing for year's brother."
I glared at Thor and sneered at him.
"But I like him, green and gold are my favorite colors. And you have to admit his magic is awesome."
A grin crept back onto my face.
"See there, even as a child Anna likes me."
Stark rolled his eyes and sighed.
"So it started young, shame on you Lisey."
Danny wrinkled his nose.
"I guess, I like Thor better though. Nobody can beat him!"
I rolled my eyes as Thor smiled.
"Typical."
She smirked and shook her head.
"Nuh-uh, Hulk kicked his butt. It's so cool how he can be an invincible giant and then go back to being one of the smartest guys ever. Being smart is like a super power by itself."
The doctor smiled fondly at her.
"That's my girl."
Danny sighed.
"Whatever, Thor is still awesome. So you must like Iron Man if gold is one of your favorite colors."
The man in question puffed up and grinned at us.
"Finally, saving the best for last!"
Anna furrowed her brow.
"He's alright I guess. How Pepper puts up with him I don't know."
He visibly wilted, a pout forming on his face.
"What?! I'm just alright?"
Even I joined the group in laughing at him. But before he could say anything else the sound of approaching footsteps cut him off.
A very worried looking couple rushed into the room followed by a frustrated employee.
"Daniel James Harrison! Your father and I have been looking for you everywhere!"
Sheepishly Danny looked up.
"Oh, sorry I was here the whole time. This is Anna, we were looking at her comic books."
Their expressions softened when they saw the two of them sitting on the floor surrounded by a mess of comic books.
The man, a brunette with glasses smiled at her and sat down next to Danny. His wife, a tall blonde sat on the edge of the bed and smiled at them.
"You've got quite the collection here Anna."
She beamed at him.
"Thanks, they were my dad's when he was a kid. Are you Danny's parents?"
The adults glanced at each other before responding.
"Yes we are, I'm David and this is my wife Amanda. Anna sweetie, how old are you?"
"Nice to meet you, I'm Annalise but you can call me Anna. I guess you already knew that though. I'll be ten in two months."
The boy, Peter nudged Stark.
"Looks like she's still just as awkward now as in the future."
He smiled.
"Yeah, same old Lisey."
Having had enough the orphanage worker that had come in with them cleared her throat.
"I'm sorry about this, if you'll just follow me I ca-"
Amanda stood up and cut her off.
"Actually, I think we've seen all that we need to. What do you think David?"
After handing the comic book he'd been looking at back to Anna, he got up and nodded.
"I agree completely, we're done here."
Flustered, the sour looking woman gaped.
"You're sure?"
Narrowing her eyes, Amanda nodded.
"A hundred percent, if you will…"
"Of course, I'll go get the paperwork."
With that both of them left leaving Anna with David and Danny.
David knelt down nest to Anna.
"Anna?'
She looked up with a smile.
"Yes Mr. David?"
"I have a very important question for you. Would you like to come home with us?"
Her eyes widened comically.
"What do you mean?"
Danny grinned and threw his arms around her.
"For you to come home and be my sister!"
She seemed stunned for a second before wrapping her arms around him.
"I would love that Danny."
With a grin on their faces, the two of them started putting everything back in her backpack.
David grabbed her hand and smiled down at her.
"I might have a few to add to that collection."
"Really!? You like the Avengers too?"
He laughed and shook his head as they headed for the door.
"No way, Fantastic Four is where it's at. I'll show you when we get home."
She looked back over her shoulder at the room.
"Home, that sounds good."
As they left someone started sniffling.
"Stark are you crying?"
We all turned to see Tony furiously wiping his eyes.
"No, shut up! I just have something in my eye."
He crumbled under the archer's unwavering gaze.
"Okay, okay but are you really gonna tell me that after watching that none of you felt anything?"
Thor clapped a hand on Stark's back.
"It was most touching, Anna has done much of all of us. It is good to see her happy."
I nodded in agreement, that was the first thing the oaf had said I agreed with all day. Although the whole thing only served to make me feel worse about what I had said to her. After seeing all this, if anyone could understand it would be her.
Before I could think on it any longer the now familiar light flared bright and the room before us vanished in an instant.
Steve
I blinked, white spots dancing in my vision. As it cleared I could see a medium sized house with a large tree in the front yard. In the tree was a treehouse, a rope ladder dangling down from it.
"Where are we now?"
I looked over at Peter. He was a good kid, I'm glad that Anna found him.
"Exactly I'm not sure, but we're somewhere in the south."
We all looked at Dr. Banner, who was looking at the ground sheepishly.
"I recognize the climate, I hid out in Louisiana until for a while. Just until I could get out of the country. You didn't think that huge mudslide several years back happened itself did you?"
Tony barked out a laugh.
"That was you? For being green, the big guy sure isn't environmentally friendly."
Just as Clint was about to pile on, the front door burst open. It was Anna and Danny, both looked a little older but not much. They streaked by us, heading toward the base of the tree.
"Ha I got here first! You know what that means Anna."
Getting there right after him, she leaned against the tree a pout forming on her face.
"Not fair! You got to use it yesterday, it's my turn."
Danny picked up a blue bike helmet and a…garbage can lid? As he turned it around, it was clear to see my shield design painted on it. Obviously done by one of them going by the crooked star.
"Nope, fair's fair. I get to be Captain America and you have to be captured by Nazi's so I can save you."
"But I don't wanna."
Nat snorted and Clint grinned, elbowing me in the side.
"Looks like she doesn't want to be rescued by you Cap."
"Yeah, tough luck Spangles."
I rolled my eyes at Tony's ridiculous nickname. But I smiled, Anna had never made it easy for me. So not wanting to be 'saved' by Captain America was par for the course for her.
"Well there isn't anybody else you can be, Black Widow doesn't team up with Cap until way later. And don't you dare say She-Hulk!"
She frowned.
"She-Hulk is awesome and you know it."
Dr. Banner flushed as everyone looked at him.
"I have no idea what she's talking about!"
Tony smirked at him.
"Something you want to tell us Bruce? The big guy been out having fun?"
Peter faked a cough to cover up his laughter, even Loki looked amused. I intervened before Tony took it further than he had already.
"That's enough, leave him alone."
Tony glared at me.
"You just have to suck the joy out of everything."
A loud crash drew out attention back to Anna and Danny, he had dropped the make-shield.
"No way! You can't, you're a girl!"
Nat glared at the little boy.
"And?"
I smiled at her and the glare lessened a tiny bit.
"Why not? I could so be Bucky, I could be…Beca Barnes the first woman sergeant in the 107th! Best pal to Steve Rodgers and Nazi butt kicker. "
I froze, thoughts of my best friend flooding over me. He would have loved this, he and Anna always had a good friendship.
"Are you alright Captain?"
I looked over at Thor, who was the only one who noticed me stiffen.
"Yeah, just thinking."
Danny seemed to contemplate it, before slowly nodding.
"Alright, you can be Bucky."
"Beca."
He rolled his eyes.
"Beca, whatever. Now grab you weapons and let's go save the world!"
She giggled, picked up a stick from the ground and held it like a gun.
"Okay Captain, where to now?"
Finally grinning back at her, and pointed at a doghouse several yards away.
"To liberate the prisoners of HYDRA's top secret base!"
Then he ran off holding the shield high in the air, Anna hot on his heels.
As odd as it was, I couldn't help the giant smile on my face.
"She looked so happy. Why do you think she never talked about this?"
Clint was frowning in confusion.
"I think she doesn't remember it."
Tony's voice was so soft that I almost didn't hear him.
"What do you mean? Why would she not remember this? It is plain to see her love for the young Danny."
Not glancing up at Thor, Tony frowned.
"A couple of years ago she called me in a panic. She kept saying she couldn't remember, I didn't know what she was talking about."
Dr. Banner looked at him, recognition, understanding and horror dawning on his face.
"That's right, Anna was hysterical. Later that night she had a nightmare, I tried to wake her up but she started screaming. She kept saying 'I want to go back' and when she woke up she clung to me like a lifeline. All she would say is she thought she lost us, all of us. You don't think…"
Tony nodded grimly.
"That' exactly what I think. How is that possible though?"
I sighed.
"Please explain, not all of us can communicate telepathically."
Tony rolled his eyes.
"Right, I forgot. To put it plainly, all of this is real. These really are her memories but for some reason she doesn't remember any of it. It has something to do with that bracelet. Hey chuckles, you got any ideas? The thing is Asgardain, you've got to know something."
All eyes turned to Thor, who shifted uncomfortably.
"Loki knows much more on the subject of Asgardain relics."
I narrowed my eyes, wonderful.
"That's because I actually wanted to fill my head with something other than mindless violence."
Clint glowered at him.
"Do you know something or not?"
Loki smirked.
"Of course I do. Anna's bracelet is ancient, older that Asgard itself. Very little is known about it except for myths passed down through the centuries."
Seeing the glares being leveled at him, he continued.
"It was thought that the bracelet was made for an adventure seeker, someone who wanted to be needed. Whenever the wearer was needed it would take them there regardless of the place, time or realm. So I find it entirely plausible that Anna could have been born in a reality different from our own, as for forgetting it might be the power of the bracelet at work. The place that needs her most became her only reality."
I was gob smacked and so was everyone else.
"So let me get this straight. Lisey is from a completely different reality? One where we are all comic book characters?!"
Loki deadpanned.
"So it would seem."
Peter was gasping for breath like a fish out of water.
"The science…impossible! How!?"
We all turned to Loki again, who just sighed slightly frustrated.
"There were probably many different places that she could have been sent. The need was greatest here, so here she was sent."
I glanced over at Anna, she was on top of the doghouse her 'gun' held high. I was suddenly very sad that she couldn't remember this, the smile on her face was blinding. She looked so happy, it was criminal that all of it was gone.
"You know I don't she forgot everything."
I snapped around to look at Clint.
"What do you mean?"
He frowned.
"I think some of it is still there, or repressed. This one time I was following her-"
At the looks being shot at him, he raised a hand.
"Hey it was right she got kidnaped, do you blame me? Didn't think so, as I was saying…she was in Central Park and there was this kid that looked a lot like Danny. He was lost and she stayed with him until his parents came back looking for him."
Tony scoffed.
"So, she would do that anyway."
"No, it was different. It was like she knew the kid, I think some part of her was remembering Danny."
Now we all looked at the two of them, it was bittersweet. The Anna that I ha-all of us had come to love had no memory of this.
"Poor Stripes, it's not fair that we get to see this when she doesn't even remember. No wonder family is so important to her, when she said she'd lost people this must be what she meant. The only thing she remembers is that she forgot."
Just as Tony was about to comment a stinging chill swept across me. I squinted as Anna and Danny faded from sight, the bright light wiping them out.
Bruce
As the light disappeared, we were in the same yard. The only difference was the tree next to the driveway was bigger and there was another car sitting in the shade.
Anna was leaning against the tree and I had to do a double take to make sure it was her. She had to be around the age of sixteen or seventeen, I had always imagined what she would look like at that age but I never thought she'd look like this.
For one she had braces, I was surprised. She had such a beautiful smile but I suppose this is why. It really just made her look cuter than normal.
Her long hair had been cropped to a short bob that framed her face, but it was the color that really caught my attention.
It was dyed a deep green, almost black. It was only when the light filtering through the tree branches hit could you see the true color.
It looked so wrong on her, but I guess all teenagers go through a rebellious stage. Apparently I was not alone in my thinking.
"What the hell did she do to her hair?!"
Tony was stunned, in fact the only one that didn't react was Natasha.
"I think the real question is why the hell did she do that?! Why kid, why would you do that?"
Even Loki looked disturbed.
"As much as I like green on her and as much as I hate to agree with anything you say, it does not suit her."
Clint grunted.
"A broken clock's right twice a day, although in your case I'd say twice a year. Maybe."
Before Loki could rise to the insult a large yellow school but cam rattling up the road. Anna perked up at this and ran to the end of the driveway. When the doors opened and Danny jumped out, she grinned.
"Hey Danny how wa-"
She stopped short seeing the bruise on Danny face.
Two other boys got off with Danny and going by the looks of his face they weren't friends.
"Hi, are you friends of Danny's?"
Danny was frantically shaking his head causing Anna to glare at the boys.
"So you're Danny's sister. Why weren't you at school today?"
Her glare darkened.
"I had an orthodontist appointment."
Both of them laughed, the taller of the two smirking.
"You really are a freak! I heard you were adopted but no one said anything about the stupid hair or the braces."
Now the entire group was glaring at the two boys.
"Why did you get off here if all you're gonna do is be jerks?"
"Didn't you hear, we just moved in down the street. This is our stop too."
Ignoring them, she turned to Danny.
"Are you okay?"
He sighed.
"Yeah, I'll be fine."
She smiled.
"Good, go inside and get some ice on that. I'll be inside in a minute."
He looked like he was gonna protest, but the look she gave him silenced whatever he would have said.
"Dang, Lisey had been using that look to get people to listen for a long time."
I rolled my eyes, of course Tony would get that look.
I watched as Danny hesitantly walked inside, Anna's eyes didn't leave him until he had closed the door. Then she whirled around, absolutely furious.
"Which one of you hit him?"
The shorter one sneered.
"I did, he was asking fo-"
Cutting him off she grabbed his collar and pushed him against the tree.
"Way to go Stripes, you tell him!"
I smiled at Peter, Anna did good finding him.
"Listen here, you little piece of crap. If I ever find out you laid a hand on my brother again, you're gonna regret it."
She shoved him hard and let go, turning on the other now frightened boy.
"That goes for you too! And before you leave and never come back, I've got something to tell you."
Trying to look unafraid he glared at her.
"Yeah? And what's that?"
A positively evil smile crawled on her face.
"My parents picked my out special, yours just have to put up with you. Now get lost and quit picking on people!"
Both of them took off down the street, not looking back.
She grinned and shook her fist.
"That's right! No one messes with my family!"
"Good to know."
She jumped in surprise. None of us had noticed her father come up behind, we were so busy watching Anna.
"Oh hi dad, you saw that?"
Now, not in the dim light of the orphanage I got a good look at him. Anna wasn't lying, I bore a striking resemblance to him. Apparently the others noticed too.
"Wow, didn't know you had a twin Bruce."
"Shut up Tony."
She rubbed her hands together, a nervous tic I had noticed over the years.
"You're not mad are you? They were picking on Danny and I ju-"
He chuckled.
"No, I'm not mad. But you really shouldn't be threatening the neighbors before we've even met them though."
She smiled sheepishly.
"Sorry, I just lost it. I don't care if they make fun of me, but I draw the line when Danny gets hurt."
"It's alright princess, you're a good sister. Life wouldn't be the same without you."
I froze, that was my special name for Anna. No wonder she started crying happy tears the first time I called her that, she must have remembered.
She beamed up at him.
"Thanks dad, I love you."
I couldn't help feeling an irrational spike of jealousy. Seeing her with him reminded me that Anna was never really mine.
"Don't you dare go there Banner!"
I looked up to see Natasha glaring at me.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Her glare only hardened.
"You mean the world to Anna, she would kick you for thinking that you didn't. You should feel lucky, Anna has already lost two fathers. The fact that she thinks of you like that should honor you, so don't negate that."
Stunned, I just nodded.
"Yeah Brucie, Lisey loves you almost as much as me. That should tell you something right there."
Finally I smiled.
"Okay, okay I get it."
As they started to go inside the arctic tingling flowed through me, the house and yard disintegrating before my eyes.
Clint
Having gotten used to the unsettling sensation of changing locations, I started scanning the area immediately. We were in a very opulent room, almost royal looking.
"This is Anna's room. We are in Asgard."
I looked over at Thor, he looked excited to see what would happen.
"Phff, I've seen nicer hotel rooms. Not impressed."
Leave it to Stark to find an alien world lackluster.
"She loved it, did she not brother?"
Loki only nodded, looking paler than usual.
"I remember this night."
As if on cue the lump I had noticed on the bed when we arrived started to move. After throwing off the covers, Anna was revealed to be tossing and turning. She was crying in her sleep, I think she was having a nightmare.
"Oh god, Tony I'm so sorry!"
Stark stiffened, but before he could say anything Loki came in the room. Well that won't be confusing at all.
He rushed over to her and grabbed her shoulder.
"Anna, wake up! Anna!"
She jerked awake and threw herself on him, sobbing loudly. They just stayed like that for a while, with him holding her while she cried.
"It must have been really bad for her to cry like that. Do know what it might have been Tony?"
Stark looked at Peter and shook his head.
"I don't know. Why don't you ask him, he was there after all."
All eyes turned to Loki, who was looking at the ground uncomfortably.
"Well, what happened?"
He glared at Peter.
"If you just watch all your questions will be answered."
I narrowed my eyes and was about to snap at him but Anna interrupted me.
"I-I'm a terrible person Loki."
He ran his hand over her hair in a soothing manner.
"Shh, that is in no way true. Why don't you tell what made you so upset?"
She pulled away and looked up at him, her eyes were red and puffy. I hated seeing her like that, as much as I like to pretend I didn't I really cared for the kid.
"It was Tony, he was all alone. I promised I would never leave him, I pinky promised!"
She looked like she would start crying again.
"It's not your fault, you didn't choose to leave did you?"
Shaking her head vehemently, she frowned.
"I would have done anything to stay. He was my everything, I was don't know what I would have done if he hadn't found me."
Tony was frozen, a look of horror and shame all over his face.
"He sounds like a good person."
My eyebrows shot up, Loki complementing Stark?
She finally smiled a tiny bit.
"Tony was exactly what I needed, he's my brother."
His gaze softened.
"I'm sorry, it must be hard for you."
Her eyes welled up with tears.
"I think about him every day, I try to hide it so Lady Frigga doesn't worry. But at night I cry myself to sleep, thinking about the last thing he said to me."
Tony gasped.
"No, I didn't mean it!"
Sniffling, she wiped her eyes.
"What was it Anna? What did he say?"
He face crumpled in distress.
"He said…he told me he didn't need me anymore. He called me Anna, he never does that. He was so mad at me."
Loki frowned, anger in his eyes, in fact all of us were looking at Tony in anger. He looked like he wanted to disappear, Nat and I giving him the death glare probably didn't make him feel any better. The real Loki was shooting daggers at Stark.
"Out of all the people Anna cares for, it doesn't shock me that it was you who hurt her like this."
He winced and looked back at Anna and memory Loki.
"I'm sure he didn't mean it. People say things they don't intend to when they are angry."
A few more tears ran down her face.
"I know, I just can't help but feel that he did. I'd never seen him so angry before, he must hate me."
Poor kid.
Having had enough, Peter punched Tony in the stomach.
"How could you do that to her!?"
Not expecting it he doubled over in pain. Slowly he stood up with the most sincere face I've ever seen on him.
"I spent every day after that regretting what I said that night. I'll never forgive myself making her feel like that."
Somewhat satisfied Peter nodded and turned back to Anna and Loki.
"No one could ever hate you Anna, you're too likeable. I'm sure he would understand."
"I hope so… I just miss him."
Memory Loki sighed, while Stark drew in a ragged breath.
"You love him that much is clear, I find it hard to believe that he didn't hold the same sentiment for you."
"I know, sorry for dumping all this on you. Surely you hadn't planned on spending the evening with a crying female."
Funny, here in Asgard her speech was decidedly more…formal.
He raised a brow.
"Anna, I like spending time with very few people and yet I still find you tolerable."
She giggled, although it came out more like a hiccup.
"That's true, I would have thought I was too bubbly for you."
He grinned.
"What can I say, you grew on me. Not many are so keen to be my friend in the first place, I would have thought you would like my brother better."
Can you say awkward? The real Loki was looking at the floor and Thor was staring at him, hope for reconciliation in his eyes.
"Thor is great but I was drawn to you. Besides Thor is too much of a flirt to be my best friend."
At that Cap and Bruce started glaring at Thor. Tony was still too busy wallowing.
"This was before I met Jane! But you cannot fault me in saying Anna is very beautiful."
Nodding in reluctant agreement both looked away and Thor sighed in relief.
Memory Loki smirked at her.
"It's good I'm not like my brother then."
"Yeah it sur-Hey you're trying to distract me!"
He grinned.
"Is it working?"
A small smile came on her face.
"Yes…I don't know what I would do without you Loki."
She wrapped her arms around him and put her head against his chest.
I frowned, it was obvious that he cared for her. Maybe he was capable of something other than death and destruction.
I looked over at the real Loki, he had a hint of a smile on his face as he looked at Anna. I narrowed my eyes at him.
"You actually care about her don't you?"
He glanced at her and then to me.
"I know you don't like me, hate me even. But Anna is as much a part of my life as she is yours, and that will never change."
Before I could reply, Nat beat me to it.
"He's not lying, he really does care for her."
Loki just turned back to the memory playing out in front of us, ignoring everyone's incredulous stares.
"Do you think you can go back to sleep now?"
Anna pulled back, yawned and nodded at him.
"I think so."
He let go of her and stood up.
"Sleep well little dreamer."
She watched him until he shut the door.
"You too Loki, goodnight."
It wasn't long before she had drifted back to sleep, a peaceful look on her face.
Tony walked closer to her and rested his hand right above her hip.
"I am so sorry Lisey."
As soon as he said that the freezing cold, intense light returned. Then the room and Anna vanished before my eyes.
Peter
With a bright flash, we were all back on the balcony of Stark Tower. I was still reeling from all that I'd just seen, it gave a whole new insight on Anna. Speaking of, she was sprawled out in the middle of the floor in front of us. Faster than the others, I rushed over to her and knelt down next to her.
"Come on Stripes, wake up."
In a heartbeat Bruce was beside me, checking her for a pulse. He sighed, relieved that she was just knocked out.
"Anna is fine, it seems she is only unconscious."
Just then she began to stir, blinking slowly.
"Uhg, what happened?"
Before anyone could come up with a reasonable excuse Tony dashed over and picked her up in a tight hug.
"I'm so sorry Lisey."
She pushed him back and frowned.
"What for T?"
He faltered for an answer for a second before responding.
"Uh, for making you trip. You fell and got knocked out, so um…sorry about that."
She rolled her eyes.
"It's fine, no big deal. Now can you let go of me?"
He abruptly let go of her and grinned. There was an unspoken agreement between all of us not to tell Anna what had really happened.
As she looked around, a large grin appeared on her face.
"Loki, Thor, you're here!"
"But Lisey th-"
Natasha's hand shot out and covered his mouth.
"Don't worry, they just got here a second ago."
Tony glared at her as she removed her hand. Then it dawned on me, she didn't remember anything. The fight, the bracelet, none of it.
"Oh, good."
Leaping up she rushed toward Loki and much like she had before, she threw her arms around him. Loki smiled down at her and responded in kind.
"I missed you Loki."
She peaked up at him.
"You're not still mad at me are you?"
His answer was immediate.
"No, I could never be truly angry with you Anna."
Grinning she let go and turned to Thor.
"It's good to see you too Thor."
He smirked at her.
"It is good to see you as well lille." *
Tony sighed, drawing her attention. She frowned at him.
"Do you have a problem Tony?"
His eyes widened, as he frantically shook his head.
"No! Ah, I just think we should take this inside before Cap turns back into a Capsicle."
Surprise flited across her face before beaming at him.
"Of course, now who's up for shwarma?"
Chattering the whole time, she led the way inside.
I grinned, I had the best sister in the universe.
*This is Russian for little light. It also translates to twinkle, ginger, and and lively. It will show up again, I plan on doing a Tasha/Anna bonding one-shot in the future.
*This is Norwegian for little one. I have several ideas for Thor, Loki and Anna, so I thought it fitting.
Oh and for all of you that have sent me requests, I have not forgotten them. I have a list and will get to it eventually. Thanks for reading!