"This is the one you were telling me about?"
"'This one' has ears and a mouth, you know," Blaze grinned cheekily at the monocled man before her, "Hi."
"She claims to be Asgardian, sir!"
"Is this true?"
"I wouldn't lie to you, Wolfgang! And it's not like anyone else would come visit you on purpose."
"You know my name?"
"Wolfgang von Strucker - sorry - Baron Wolfgang von Strucker," Blaze glanced at the Hydra agent behind her, who held her cuffed wrists behind her back. He was an irritating bug who'd been pushing her around all day so she donkey kicked him into the old stone wall behind them and snapped the flimsy cuffs. Strucker took a step back, but looked more intrigued than afraid. He didn't seem at all concerned for the agent that had probably just broken some very important bones.
"No ordinary human could break through shackles that easily," he commented, "So you are either as you say you are or at the very least an individual with abilities that I would very much like to study."
"No ordinary human could break my sternum with one kick either!" The guard on the floor wheezed as two other men carried him off to be cared for.
"I am of Asgardian decent, whether you believe it or not," Blaze rubbed her wrists, "But I come bearing greetings from Muspelheim."
"If I remember my mythology correctly, that is the realm of the fire giant Surtur, is it not?"
"He's my boss. Great guy. If you weren't so uptight you'd probably like him a lot," she spotted some fancy Hydra weapons on a nearby desk and grabbed one, examining, "This is pretty high tech for earth. How'd you manage that?"
"Why do you think I will tell you anything, Asgardian?"
"Well, listen to my boss' proposition," she dropped the tech and waltzed over to Strucker, "He's heard about Hydra and he thinks it's adorable. He sent me to help you guys out."
"How?"
"You guys want to know about the worlds beyond your own, right? You want information about all the galaxies out there and the realms and Yggdrasil and all of that fun stuff. Well, it just so happens that I've been around the block a few times. I just had my thousandth birthday last week for the Norns' sake!"
"And you are offering us information in exchange for what? Everything has a cost."
Blaze tilted her head and gave him a curious look.
"What? Don't trust me?"
"I trust you as easily as I can lift Thor's fabled hammer."
"Not so much then?"
"Not so much," Strucker nodded, hands clasped behind his back, "So what is it that you want?"
"The only thing Surtur and I want from you guys," she crossed her fingers behind her back, "Is to know about the Infinity Stone you're using to make all this fun stuff. That's all we want to know."
"The scepter is what we are using. No stone."
"Oh Strucker, Strucker, Strucker," Blaze smiled widely, "You've got so much to learn. And in order to learn it all you have to do is let me take a look at that scepter. I swear that's all I want."
"I will contact the other heads," Strucker said, his lips twitching thoughtfully, "And should they say yes… then we will be in business, Asgardian."
"Call me Blaze."
"Should the other heads deny giving you the chance to look at the scepter, Blaze, then we will get what information about the universe that we can by cutting you open."
"Yeah right!" Blaze laughed and then saw that he was serious, "Wow, you're cutthroat. I like you. It'll be a shame to have to kill you if you try that."
"We shall see," Strucker smiled and Blaze grinned right back at him, fingers still crossed out of sight.
A note from the author: Did you forget that Blaze was in this story? I know it was a while ago that she last made an appearance. Chapter 13 was the last time we saw her I believe, but don't worry! She'll be back! Or rather... do worry. She'll be back! ;)
Thank you so much for being patient with me! It has been a crazy month so far and it's only going to get crazier. :P Hopefully I'll be able to post again soon!
Special thanks to my spectacular reviewers:
Guestanewone: Oh my gosh, Linn and Mantis would totally be best friends! While the Guardians don't make any appearances, I might just have to write a one shot where they meet! It would be so much fun!
ferbette: The security guards don't care if you're evil, they're always interested in a good show. XD
Ninja Squirrel: I think I'm going to have to go check out that fic now lol. I always love hearing about new fun stories! Lol, Loki verses the coffee machine! He's definitely not a morning person.
CheetahLover: I wish Loki and Jarvis had gotten the chance to meet in the movies lol. I feel like they would have been so sassy together.
nina del carmen: Thank you so much for reviewing even though you have wacky interenet! :)
You guys are the best! Until next time!