Mischievous Mates

Recap: Last update we met a young Phil Coulson who had recently been hired at SHIELD. As Phil was enjoying his night off he received a knock on the door. When Phil opened his door he found a baby girl crying on his doorstep. Phil called HQ and talked to Maria and then Fury. As he awaited Fury's arrival, Phil talked to little Mara. When Fury did arrive he appointed Phil her guardian. As the prologue ended Phil drifted off while wondering if he would be a good enough father for Mara.

Chapter 1: Chaos

~Twenty Years Later~

Mara's POV:

I blew my curly mahogany hair out of my eyes while I concentrated on training. Dad and I recently discovered that I have powers. As if I wasn't enough of a freak already. All of the agents on the helicarrier stay far away from me which doesn't help my self-esteem. Dad tells me that they are just jealous that they don't have super powers. Ha! There is nothing super about these powers. All they cause is chaos! I received these quote on quote gifts on my birthday.

I have officially been put on the list because of theses powers. The infamous council created the list of Highly Dangerous People to monitor and control. I know that the men and woman that make up most of the list are on the Avengers Initiative file. A file that if anyone asks, I know nothing about. Everyone on this list is heavily monitored. I know that each person has at least two agents shadowing them 24/7. Ever since I received theses powers I have been a complete menace to be around.

Every time I train, something ends up totally trashed and somebody's hurt. Most of the time that somebody is me. My abilities are a curse! I don't understand Fury and dad's obsession with them. I would rather find a cure instead of mastery. As it is all I have mastered is telekinesis. I have a good enough control of telepathy to read minds if I try really hard. I also have an affinity for the elements. I have little to no control over the elements. It is an affinity none the less though.

Now I am not referring to Boron, Hydrogen, or Helium. The elements that I have control over is fire, water, earth, and air. I just have such a hard time training this particular gift. Unlike telekinesis and telepathy where the worst thing that can happen are: hitting myself in the face with a lamp, breaking an expensive item, getting a migraine, or hearing some nasty thoughts. One time I even caused a mini-hurricane when we were sailing on the Atlantic. Needless to say that Fury was furious.

"Hey Mara!" Agent Barton called as he jumped down from the rafters of the gym. The fire I was concentrating on manipulating flared up suddenly, consequently burning my arms. I quickly extinguished my flame. Then I settled my glare on Barton.

"Clint Barton! You know not to disturb me when I attempt to control these darn powers." I yelled.

"I didn't mean to scare you," Clint stated and came closer to what I call the danger area. "Those burns don't look too good, let's get you to the infirmary."

"They don't feel too good either." I snarked. We left the gym and began walking to the infirmary near the command center.

"So you were working with fire today? I thought you were still working on air?" Clint asked.

"Dad thought that it would be a good idea to give it a break for awhile. Air is complex." I told him. I am so glad to have Agent Barton as a friend. Unlike the other agents on board, Clint isn't afraid of me. Even if he should be. He doesn't ignore my entire existence or scorn me.
Agent Romanov doesn't shy away from me either but she is cautious when it comes to my abilities. Heck, I'm still adjusting to having this new energy inside of me, so I don't blame her. The energy inside that is the source of my powers feels natural and foreign at the same time. It is tearing me apart. It's almost like I am two different people inside the same vessel fighting for dominance.

I haven't told anyone yet but I sometimes have out of body experiences that I just can't explain. Most of the time when I am in these trances I can hear but cannot see what is going on around me. I also forget most of what happens in these trances, much like dreams at night.
Oh well, all I can do is hold my head high and try not to let the agent's rumors bother me. Also train until I have mastered these powers. These agents will most likely never change their opinion of me but I can strengthen my self-confidence.

"Hey Mara, you do know what happens when you play with fire, right?" Clint asked rhetorically.

"I got burnt. Haha! You're hysterical." I sarcastically answered him.

"We need to start keeping a fire extinguisher around you. I wonder if I can get one of the lab technicians to create one small enough to fit on your key chain? Or maybe you just need to carry around the fire extinguishers that come in a can." He pondered while rubbing an imaginary beard on his face. I swear Clint Barton is hilariously ridiculous, and the bad thing is that he knows it.

We arrived at the infirmary shortly after his smart remark. Clint signed me in and we were shown an exam room. Normally unless it was a serious injury agents would have to wait in the waiting however, they never make me wait. Dad fired several nurses one time because they made me wait in the waiting room for two hours due to their prejudice. To make the matter worse, there was no one else waiting in the infirmary or in an exam room. Those ex-nurses had refused to treat me specifically.

Director backed dad when he fired them. I can still remember his booming voice as he yelled at them for making me wait with a broken leg because they were ignoramuses. Director's Fury's words were a bit different but I can't remember what he said verbatim. It was three years ago. Dad also went off on them and still does if they make me wait, which is why they don't have me wait anymore. Only when a group of agents come back from a mission heavily beaten.

"Go ahead and hop on the table Mara. You know they'll have you sit up there anyway." Clint ordered as he made himself comfy in the guest chair.

"Alright, so how are those new explosive arrows coming?" I asked him.

"The weapons division tell me that that the arrows are almost complete. The chief of staff explained they have had some problems with early detonation. I hope that they finish soon! I want to test those bad boys out so bad out in the field. However the lab technicians told me that they most likely will not be finished until after I return from the Tesseract mission." Clint informed.

"Neat! You get to go and see the Tesseract?" I asked. I have been fascinated by the cube since they brought it in sometime before Captain Rogers arrived. I did not have the clearance to get near the cube or meet the famous captain. Fury hasn't given me clearance to meet Captain Rogers or observe the Tesseract. He believes that my powers might actually be able to harm a super soldier and a cube if infinite knowledge and power. These powers aren't even halfway controlled yet so who knows. I could be able to manipulate Captain America and the unstable cube.

"You are being sent on this mission as well Chase." Fury said as he waltzed into my exam room. Fury always calls me by the first half of my last name simply for clarification. We cant have two Agent Coulsons running around the hellicarrier. It would be too confusing. That is why my name is Mara Leslie Chase-Coulson. I go by Mara Coulson when I'm off duty and Mara Chase when I'm working.

"What influenced you to make this decision?" I asked incredulous. As Fury began to talk once more a nurse came in and treated the burns soundlessly.

"We need to know if your powers can be affected by the cube or can effect the cube. Therefore, you will accompany Agent Barton and myself to the PEGASUS base. Is that clear Chase?"

"Sir, with all due respect, I find that extremely unwise. I have limited control over my powers. I do not want to cause the cube to com-bust in on itself," I said.

"Mara is simply being modest Director. I give you my word that she is more than ready and in control of her powers. So long as she stays focused that is. The burns from today are caused by me startling her." Clint told Fury. If looks could kill there would be an arrow lodged in his tongue for giving untrue praise about my powers.

"Then there is nothing else to be said. You will join Barton and I to base PEGASUS. Be prepared to leave tomorrow at 0600 hours." Fury said and with a wave of his leather trench coat he swept out of the infirmary room and down the hall. He most likely went to stand at the helm to keep his eye on the agents.

"Now Ms. Coulson, you need to take it easy on your mission. If you fail to do so your burns will tear open and become infected. Be sure to change your bandages three times a day. Also, gently rub this aloe cream on your arms five minutes before you redress the burns. Alright dear?" Nurse Macias explained. She is such a saint. She has always taken excellent care of me. Nurse Macias has never been prejudiced against me for the powers that I wield. She has been the closet thing I have had to a mother all these years.

Agent Hill was always there but she can be considered more of a female detached Nick Fury. I don't think there is a maternal bone in her entire body, not for lack of trying though. Dad has so many hilarious stories of her attempting to baby-sit me when he had to go on missions. He told me she always ended up taking me to Nurse Macias before the first day of babysitting ended.

Dad's ex-girlfriends were not any better. They always attempted to convince dad to send me off to military school or something similar. Dad's current girlfriend, Cora, is pretty nice though. Dad also seems quite smitten with the cellist from Portland.

"Of course Nurse Macias," I said.

"Now I hope to not see you back in my exam room unless it is a social visit." She ordered.

"Yes ma'am," I winked.

"Then you are clear to go my dear. Get busy packing your things for the mission." She encouraged.

"Thanks so much!" I exclaimed and hoped off the table. Clint and I signed the necessary documents then we headed out. As we headed towards the quiet wing of the Helicarrier, I asked "now why did you tell Fury that I can control my powers?"

"To make a long story short, it is because you can control your powers Mara. You've had your powers active for five years now. You have the control just not the confidence you need. This mission you are headed on tomorrow is fairly easy and will help you to see that you don't cause chaos everywhere you go. I believe that you can do this and more Mara. Just trust you instincts." Clint said.

"Oh wow, the great Hawk-eye. You're so sweet. What would Agent Romanov say if she could see you now?" I teased.

"Nice try. Changing the subject won't help you. And, for your information, she doesn't care who I have interests in. Not that I would have any interests in you other than a sisterly bond."

"Thanks for the compliment. But who said I was talking about romantic feelings? I just implied that she would be worried about you letting your mask drop and emotions show." I said. I watched him turn a little pink then said, "Oh, you might want to get to know your partner a little better if you think she doesn't care."

"What's that supposed to mean?" He queried.

"Just that you do not know the Black Widow as well as you think you do. Now if you do not mind, I need to go pack. So, go ruminate on what I've said. I'll see you in the morning bright and early alright?"

"Of course you will see me early in the morning pip squeak! Early bird gets the worm and you get me as your wake up call!" He smirked.

"Oh bother." Then I left him laughing in the hall and headed to dad's office. I hope he is in here and not running around. I hate trying to track him down on the monumental flying beast. I knocked on his door hopefully.

"Come in," I heard dad shout. So, I opened the door and walked in. I shut the door once I was in the well furnished room. I didn't want the other agents on board to eavesdrop on our conversation or inevitable showdown. This can go either way and I don't want everyone here knowing about our personal lives. The agents are well known for meddling with everybody on board. I am glad they are not biased in that perspective.

"Hey dad," I said and sat down on the comfy couch he has in here. "So I have something to tell you."

"Does it have anything to do with why your arms are wrapped up?" He asked and continued going through his tall stack of paperwork. Dad is a superb multitasking individual. I have trouble focusing on one thing at a time, I would get a migraine if I tried doing all the things he does at once.

"Yes, I mean no. Ugh! Dad I am just going to say it. I'm being sent on a mission to base PEGASUS tomorrow to test my powers on the cube." I waited with baited breath as I watched his expression for any changes.

"That's great Mara. I hope you enjoy your first mission." He said.

"I thought you would be mad?" I exclaimed confused.

"Now, why would I be mad when it was my own idea?" He asked rhetorically.

"It was your idea that I go on this mission?" I asked.

"Of course, not the test the powers part. But you are more than ready baby girl." He soothed.

"Thank you dad!" I walked over and gave him the best hug that I could with these burns on my arms. "I don't agree with my powers being used on the cube but I will do my best and follow procedure and Fury's orders."

"That's all that I ask of you princess. However if he asks anything that you are uncomfortable with just decline politically." He told me.

"Of course dad. I will treat Fury like a drug. Just say no!" I laughed and he joined me in my mirth.

"Now will you tell me how you received these massive burns on your arms?" He asked worriedly while stepping around his desks and sat beside me to examine my arms.

"Blame Barton, I was busy training with fire when he spooked me. The fire in turn got out of control and burned my arms." I informed.

"I will be sure to give him an incredibly trying and unhygienic mission soon then." He teased then continued in a more serious countenance, "No one messes or hurts Agent Coulson's daughter."

"Dad, you would never do that!" I said.

"You're right," he sighed. "However, I could ask Stark to do me a favor by hacking into the All Personnel Chore Calender and change Barton's chore to cleaning toilets every time he debriefs from mission. Cleaning the toilets on the Helicarrier would be heck after finishing a mission." Dad teased.

"That is an extremely thought out plan that sounds like something Stark would have Fury doing that line of work instead of Barton." I replied.

"True, so you better not inform Stark about the All Personnel Chore Calender." Dad laughed then demanded in a mock serious tone, "Now young lady get out of my office and go pack your bags for your first classified mission."

"Aye aye sir! But one question. How much should I pack?" Fury didn't tell us how long we would be at Base PEGASUS. Then again, Fury doesn't tell us a lot of things.

"Give me a minute while I look it up in the missions in progress reports." Dad told me while typing away at his computer. We waited in almost silence. the only noises disrupting it were the clicks of the keyboard and the whirring of his computer tower. I decided to go ahead and pull my hair back into a fishtail braid. I don't like having my hair in my face. That's why I have to keep it long, no pixie cuts for me. My hair is so long right now it touches the top of my pants. Thank goodness it is not thick! "Got it Mara!". He exclaimed. Then he read from the report I suppose, "Agents Barton and Chase will stay at Base PEGASUS for two weeks."

"Alright then, I am off to go pack my bags! Love you dad and thanks." I said, stood, then stretched.

"Love you as well sweetheart. I will see you bright and early tomorrow to see you off on the quinjet. Now get out of my office Agent Trouble," Dad said.

"Dad!" I exclaimed. "Fury changed it back to Agent Chase." I added as I walked out of his office. I didn't hear his reply as I was too far down the hall. I made my way quickly to my quarters to pack for the mission. I passed several agents on my way. Many of them looked at me with utter hatred or disdain clear in their countenance. The X-men scandals have caused prejudice within government systems such as S.H.I.E.L.D.

Sometimes I don't think Clint and Dad know how bad the prejudice surrounding what I can do is onboard. Most of the agents that hate are just afraid and I completely understand that. I constantly cause chaos and set off the alarms with my mishaps.

Even my nightmares can cause my powers to go haywire. I have caused hurricanes so ferocious that the helicarrier was in danger of being torn apart. When I have nightmares Fury typically has to turn the submarine mode on. However, it is unable to stay under for more than twelve hours, due to its' magnitude. Therefore, someone has to wake me up so that I can put a stop to the storm. Fury normally will send dad in. The only other people to come in and wake me would be Fury himself, Clint, Hill, and Romanov.

However, during one particularly bad night everyone on board learned about what happens when they send an unknown and uninformed agent in to wake me. I think Dad was busy with Iron Man, Fury was dealing with some plane wreckage in the Ocean, Clint and Romanov were in Budapest, and Hill was busy tracking Dr. Banner.

The night was pitch black and the silence was deafening. My nights were filled with visions of malicious men and women screaming and violence all around me. I was currently drowning in a raging sea when a white hot pain blossomed from the center of my face. I shot up in bed holding my aching nose. Then I felt the helicarrier plummet down as I turned to face the intruder in my room. I could feel the storm outside become stronger as my panic increased.

"Get up and stop this storm brat. You're causing a whirlpool massive enough to engulf us all. I will not drown due to your freak powers." Agent Whittier said. I didn't find out if that was his name until later however. I stumbled out of bed still holding my nose and made my way to the command center. I watched the storm rage from behind the glass. We were very far underwater by this point. I don't know why Agent Whittier thought it would be a good idea to wake me up by punching my nose. I cleared my mind and took control back over what the weather was doing. I was able to finally calm the storm a couple hours later. However, it was a temperate thunderstorm by the time I passed out from exhaustion.

After I regained consciousness having to explain myself to Fury was not fun. I was shocked that Fury didn't yell at me after I explained that I thought I was being attacked. Anyone would if they were woken up like that. Dad was another story completely. He did not yell at me though. He yelled at Agent Whittier for days and had Fury reassign him off the Helicarrier permanently.

Dad told me he is stuck at S.H.I.E.L.D.'s New Jersey HQ stuck in a small cubicle entering in debriefing files on the computer. However, he tried to get Fury to make him Tony Stark's personal lab janitor at three dollars an hour. Dad compares Stark to some of those spoiled children on Supernanny. Clint also likes to joke that Ms. Potts has Tony Stark whipped into shape. Obviously not physically in shape, he is whipped more on the social level than anything else. I suppose everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I like to come to my own conclusions after meeting someone rather than going off of what someone tells me.

Yes! I have finally arrived at my room, Agent Quarter's #13. Coincidence? Nope, the room manager on board, at the time, thought it would be hilarious. It doesn't bother me though, thank goodness that I am not superstitious. If I was, then we would be dealing with more chaotic accidents than we currently are. I swiped my keycard to get inside. Then I began pulling out my travel supplies.

"Alright, let's get packing." I said aloud to me, myself, and I. Oh, and of course my pet sugar glider. I have had this little guy since I was fifteen. I named him after my favorite, at the time, fairytale character, Puck. I named him after the little mischievous fairy in A Midsummer's Night Dream. I liked Disney's version best rather than Shakespeare's. The old House of Mouse cartoon show rocked in my opinion.

Hmm, I wonder if Director Fury will let me take Puck with me to Base P.E.G.A.S.U.S. I shook my head and decided to get to work. I won't have time in the morning to pack. It is only nine o'clock right now. I have plenty of time to get in bed by eleven to get a good night's rest.

Done! Thank goodness. I am finally finished packing all of my necessities and my clothes. I checked the time and was not surprised to find that it is one in the morning. To be fair I have been working on and off this whole time. I also decided to clean my apartment, which took a good portion of my time. I also experimented a bit with my powers. I used air to aid my quest of cleaning Puck's gross cage. Why do animals have to be so dang messy? Yuck!

Anyway, I used the air to float the dirty bedding out. Then I used water to do a thorough rinsing. Afterwards, I heated the cage with a small flame in order to dry it off faster. Lastly I put new clean bedding in there for Puck. He was extremely happy once I put him in there. He was chirping away and munched on his treats.

I am exhausted. I put on my sleepwear and grabbed my netbook. I lay down in my bed and opened it up. I typed in my password and then quickly composed an email to Director Fury about bringing Puck along. Afterwards, I decided to just take a quick look at what's new on Pinterest before I shut my netbook down and put it in the travel bag along with the charger.

I stretched my stiff muscles and then turned my lights out. I need sleep. If I don't I probably will kill myself by running myself ragged with all of the little things I need to get done. I checked the locks on my apartment door then I hopped into bed. I was out as soon as my head hit the pillow.

Light flashed from behind my closed eyelids and I could hear murmurs from all around me. A crash of thunder resounded and I snapped my eyes open.

"You have humiliated us for the last time." A rather muscled man with a thick beard boomed from an embellished throne before me. To his right sat a woman in an equally impressive throne. I looked in the direction they were glaring and found another woman in the room. However this woman was heavily bound and kneeling as two men in archaic suits of armor stood guard on either side of her.

All of these strange people were wearing odd and archaic clothing. Their outfits remind me of Greek togas. I looked around at the grand architecture of the room. The paintings and sculptures then caught my attention. The unfiltered art caused a blush to flare up my face. Yup, this is definitely Greek. I continued to look around and found more people. More angry people, should I say, seething by the far wall behind where I originally stood. Many of the men and women were in various states of dishevelment. Some of their clothes were soaked and slimy looking, others had singed and blackened holes, and covered in soot.

"Look to your family Eris!" The man on the throne boomed once more. "You have caused enough Chaos on Olympus to last us a century and a half!" The woman kneeling on the marble floor shot her head up then.

"No family of mine reside here today great Zeus." She spat his name with such hatred it rang through my bones. Wait, Zeus? Am I dreaming about Greek mythology? Weird. "Why are you distraught with my marvelous chaos great Zeus. It does not bring you to anger when Hades welcomes the dead into his realm, Aphrodite matches mortals, or Ares declares war. You and you alone gave me the powers of Chaos and destruction. Am I not to use these powers for their intended purpose? Should I try to tend a garden with my rotting nature? Or perhaps I should try to create peace with my grand storms. Please enlighten me mighty Zeus." She hissed out at the man on the throne, who now I finally have a name for: Zeus.

"You had the mortal realm to cause chaos within. Your powers of chaos are not welcome on Mount Olympus. Your purpose as goddess of chaos is by your brother's side. Your purpose was to stand by Ares' and aid him in causing war and strife between the mortals. As your King that is what I planned for you to accomplish" Zeus spoke. I moved around the bulky guards to get a better look at who this woman is. Her voice sounds familiar.

"My purpose is my own. You may be King of these fools, but you are not my king. I do not answer to you. You are nothing to me other than a sorry excuse for a king. I have free will Zeus. You will do well to remember that I am not a mere mortal you can use when you see fit to." She said with bitterness. As she finished her rant I came around to finally face her. I gasped and stumbled back a couple steps as I saw her face. Her face is a mirror of my own. I see that face every morning in the mirror. How can she wear my face? Definitely a dream! Now how do I wake up?

"Then face treason and be rightly punished for your crimes Eris. I have tried to reason with whatever humanity you might have left within you, but I can see there is none left within that blackened soul of yours." He threatened her.

"Coward. You are nothing more than a coward. Always slaying the demons you refuse to face. Kill me Zeus. Be rid of me! Send me to Tartarus! Force me to roll a boulder up a hill until the end of time next to the old Sisyphus!" She screamed at him. Well, I am confused.

"I, Zeus, King of the gods, hereby sentence Eris, goddess of chaos, to death for treason against all residing on Mount Olympus." He boomed and lightening flashed. "Hades escort her to the solitary pit in Tartarus to await execution." Zeus ordered causing many shocked countenances to appear throughout the angry horde watching the judgment come to pass.

"Brother, is this wise? Eris has merely caused chaos and added grief into our lives. She has not acted so treasonous, as to endanger our lives." One of the men covered in slick and slimy goo stated. This man was dark personified. He bore dark skin, wore a black toga, and had dark blue flames that licked his scalp. Even his sandals were black for goodness sake!

"Hades, do you question the judgment of your king?" Zeus roared, his face flushed with eminent anger.

"Brother, Hades meant no disrespect. He does not wish to question your wise judgment but to remind you that Eris is still our family." Another man covered in slime spoke. This man was tall, slender, and clean shaven. Even his legs are clean shaven. He is also holding onto a rather large trident like his life depends upon it. I bet that this last brother must be Poseidon.

"Eris is a daughter of Nyx. She once was welcomed as my daughter as well, but no longer. Enough of this argument, even powerless she is causing discourse among us. Hades take her to Tartarus. Her execution will be on the morrow. Bring her back to Olympus only then." He ordered then turned to the skinny guy with the burnt clothes. "Hermes, I need you to send a message to all of the gods, goddesses, satyrs, sprites, and deities alike. Every immortal being will witness this execution. Eris will teach all who dare to cross me how unwise and what a terrible fate awaits them should they so choose to act. The judgment of Eris is final. Dismissed," He thundered. The disgruntled crowd at the back of the room vanished one by one in a cloud of different colored smoke. The big man on the throne took his wife's hand and they too vanished. This only left Hades and the goddess Eris, who is a perfect copy of me. Why does she look so much like me? Hades bent down to Eris.

"I am truly sorry little one." He spoke in a gravelly voice.

"Waste no tears for me old friend. I beg of you to let go of the familiarity between the two of us. I am now nobody. I was given the title of Eris, the goddess of Discord and Chaos. However, on the morrow I shall be tuned mortal and executed as if I were a traitor to Olympus. The name alone gifts me with the powers needed to cause discourse and strife. That is the job I was destined for since birth. However, I will be executed for following the path the fates had me destined to accomplish." Eris spoke with the dignity of a fallen queen. "I will not let Zeus destroy my willingness to answer my true calling. If I am to be executed I shall do so with my dignity intact."

"Do not be too quick to give all hope to the winds on staying alive. You do not have to suffer the fate Zeus has planned for you. Mortality would not suit you, for however brief moment that may be before he has you executed."

"Hades, if you suggest I run from Zeus then you are without the proper amount of sanity. I am not a coward I will not run from him." Eris snarled.

"I would never do such a thing as to suggest you run from Olympus. I am suggesting a way in which you and I can exact our vengeance on the man who has wronged us both repeatedly." Hades persuaded.

"Count me in. I will gladly take my vengeance on the man who has sentenced me for acting upon the powers he bestowed upon me at birth. That man has not only wronged me, but he has wronged my mother by callously abandoning her with so any mischievous children by her lonesome."

"Yes, Nyx did have it rough with all of her pesky children making chaos everywhere they went. Poor dear could hardly leave home without having to return and build an entirely new structure." Hades chuckled. "Now let us leave from this horrendously prejudice place."

"Tell me first how you plan to help me escape execution." Eris demanded.

"We need to move our conversation down to the Underworld little one. The walls have ears. You know that as well as I. Trust my word that I will explain how we will go about defying Zeus." Hades said then snapped his fingers. The floor split apart and left a jagged opening from which came forth a large opaque chariot. The beasts pulling the chariot were unlike any horse I have seen before. The dark horses pulling the chariot were wispy and smoke rolled in place of where their manes and tails would hang on them. The horses' hooves were also smoking as they pounded their feet against the marble floor. The horses closely resemble Clydesdales. Only with a ton more smoke. "My dear you are unfit to ride in my chariot while wearing those heavy chains. My poor horses should not have to endure the heavy chains Zeus thought were necessary. Let me remove those ugly pieces of jewelry from your person." Hades said and snapped his fingers again. The chains vanished in a puff of smoke. This guy is all about the smoke isn't he?

"I give you my thanks Lord Hades," Eris said while standing. The dark lavender dress that pooled around her, as she kneeled before Zeus, rose with her. Eris rubbed her chafed wrists as she watched Hades climb into the ominous chariot awaiting passengers by the bottomless pit.

"No thanks needed little one. And since when have you ever addressed my Lordship title? Please do not begin now." Hades paused then extended a hand towards her. "Slide in my dear, we have no time to waste dallying in the halls of Zeus." Eris took his outstretched hand. Once she settled into the seat beside him, Hades cracked the reins. The room rumbled as the chariot descended down into the crevice. The floor sealed the floor so swiftly that it wasn't at all noticeable.

I closed my eyes and shook my head hoping I would wake up from this strange dream. However, when I opened my eyes I did not see the ceiling of my S.H.I.E.L.D apartment. The room appeared to be someone's personal study. This room was absolutely freezing though. Chill bumps spread across my exposed skin as I looked around. As I rubbed my arms attempting to warm myself I ran my fingers across the great mahogany desk.

I craned my neck to look at the filled bookshelves that lined up three of the walls in the study. I made a move to go sit in the grand leather chair at the desk when I was stopped. A heavy weight landed on my shoulder. I turned my head slowly to view what object fell on me. I ghostly white hand curled its' fingers around my shoulder. I followed the hand, up the arm, and to the owner.

The man was extremely tall. His shoulder length black hair was gelled in place. My eyes met his emerald eyes however a stormy, electric blue color was swirling on the edge of his pupils. It doesn't look natural. This is a dream, it probably isn't natural. I know this because I could never conjure up a man this good looking.

"Who are you?" I asked while pulling my shoulder out from underneath his hand.

"I was given the name Loki." He spoke in a rich and deep sounding voice.

"Why are you here? Why am I here? And where exactly is here?" I shot off my questions as quick as I would shoot S.H.I.E.L.D issued guns.

"Here is my personal study. Well, an illusion I have created to give us the time to have a little chat. I have not had the opportunity to reach your realm completely. Therefore, I needed to access you while you were vulnerable so I could call upon you." He answered.

"Call upon me for what exactly?" I asked,

"I will require your assistance when I arrive. I will arrive fairly soon, you need to be ready to receive me." He said.

"I am not helping you, Loki. You have yet to give me a reason to assist you. I don't even know you. This is all a dream anyway. You will vanish into the recesses of my mind as I go about my life." I said which made him visibly angry. In the blink of an eye he had his hands wrapped around my throat and pinned against one of his bookshelves. I could feel the hard shelves digging into the small of my back. I attempted to claw his hands from around my neck, but it was to no avail. His iron clad grip didn't slack an ounce as I hung there. This nightmare is never-ending.

"You will help me in my quest. I plan to return you all to your natural state and free you of the iron shackles that ground you. If you do not willingly aid me my dear, I will kill all those you hold dear." He threatened.

"You wouldn't dare," I croaked out.

"I will do so without feeling a shred of guilt. I promise you pain and suffering like you have never known. You will never find the answers you seek. You will never know who you truly are little Mara." He thundered maliciously. "I am coming for you my dark queen. Be ready for my arrival. Now you need to wake up."

(AN: Hello everybody! I am so very sorry. This college semester was insane! However, I did not stop writing, just typing. I promise, I will be typing up storms left and right for this story and my many others. I also am working on my novel. Which I am happy to say is finished; I am just revising and spicing the love story a bit. I hope you enjoyed this chapter! This is how long all future chapters will be. SO you might have to wait on them, but know that the chapters will be long and full of mysteries and our favorite Avengers! Sadly, I do not have ownership of the Avengers. However, I own the character Mara and this plot line! Have a fantastic day guys! Don't forget to send me a nice review!)

○Forever and For Always, ○
~LHNT~
A.K.A.
*Heather* :D