Loki didn't move. The kiss was... unexpected. Soft and sweet, as though she had never kissed before. And completely genuine, not even borne of the traumatic events of the past hours. Strange. He had never meant to win her heart, at least not this quickly. He had thought it would take much, much longer. But, Paige had never been like other women.
Paige blushed as she pulled away. I'm sorry. I don't know why I did that.
He felt the distance when she pulled away, but he would not pull her back. It would only alarm her. And he never wished to alarm her again. She had been terrified of him since the incident. He wouldn't risk the same outcome. So, instead, he offered her a rare genuine smile.
She turned away from him and walked to the window, consumed with her thoughts. Why had she kissed him? She still loved Drake. Didn't she?
Drake had saved her on the island. He had sacrificed himself for her. But, none of that was real. It was real to her! But... Drake had changed so much since then. She had powers far beyond what he could comprehend. She could move matter and minds with a mere thought. He couldn't do anything. The last words he spoke to her before she was kidnapped played over and over again in her head. Drake would never understand her. She knew that.
But, still... didn't she owe him loyalty? He had saved her. No... technically Eric and Minna had saved her. Drake was just a nice friend. A nice guy. So much distance had come between them since the project. She was superhuman, he was average.
Besides, she would never see him again. How did she know that? Well, because she didn't want to see him. Why should she be with someone who would only mock and make fun of her great power when she could be with one much stronger than herself? One who not only understood, but was willing to help her reach her full potential.
Paige reached out and grabbed an edge of the golden curtains, twisting the cloth nervously between her fingers as she stared out at the countryside.
"There is no need to apologize," Loki insisted. "I am not offended." He waited for a response he knew he would not get and instead cleared his throat and straightened his shoulders. "Would you like to rest for a while before we begin your training?"
What? Paige asked, startled from her thoughts. She turned from the window. No, I'm fine. I was just... remembering. We can start the training whenever.
She walked back over to him and smiled. Finally, she was getting somewhere. Her training was finally about to begin.
Loki smiled at her, wider now that the mischief had begun anew. "Alright. Catch."
He conjured a large melon midair on the other side of the room and waited to see how she would react. Reflexes were everything, even he knew that. And he generally used his duplicates to avoid military situations. Not that he couldn't fight, oh no! It was more fun that way.
Without looking away from him, Paige held her arm out straight beside her, catching the melon with her telekinesis and causing it to hover midair. Easy. Next?
Loki raised an eyebrow. "Ah, you've been practicing, have you?" He reached through her telekinesis to make the melon disappear and instead conjured hundreds of eggs, each dropping from the ceiling at a different rate and in a different spot in the room.
Paige dashed around, trying to keep the eggs from falling, but her efforts were in vain. Soon, she was covered in the yellow sticky goo.
She turned around and glared at Loki. That was a cruel trick! Do you think you'll get away with it so easily? She flipped her hair, trying to get the matted mess out of her face. Oh, just you wait! I'll get you when you're sleeping! You'd better learn to sleep with one eye open!
With a huff, she strode to the lavatory and slammed the door behind her. Soon, the sound of running water told that she was bathing.
Oh, yes, I have plans for you! She continued broadcasting, knowing he was still out there, dropping eggs on me. Oh, you'll rue the day! Rue it! I'll come up with something far more evil for you. Mark my words, you'll regret the day you dropped eggs on me! Eggs! How awful! And in my bedroom, too. Savage! That mess better be cleaned up by the time I get back out there! Oh! Eggs!
Loki cleaned up the eggs in a matter of seconds. Cleaning wasn't hard when you knew as many tricks as he did. He thought about interrupting her bath to end her tirade, but decided against it. She would only become that much more infuriated.
Instead, he took the opportunity of her absence to settle her violins and other equipment near the bed. He arranged it as it had been set up in her previous abode, careful not to break anything.
I only did so to see how extensively you have used your power, he broadcast, tired of the word "eggs". I never meant to cover you in them.
Although, it had been amusing. He settled the last piece of equipment – her acoustic violin – gently in the center of the bed and smiled. Perfect. Paige would be very pleasantly surprised.
Then he left to attend to matters involving some very annoying superhuman warriors.
/
Brooke entered after Drake, holding Thor's hand – maybe to soothe him, maybe because he was one of the only people not scared of her – and tilted her head to study Demetri for a moment, reading his lips but saying nothing about it. She narrowed her eyes.
"Radar man," she finally blurted. "Hiding things."
"Not now, little one," Thor scolded as he, too, turned to Demetri. "What is this about?"
"Your psychotic family," Tony answered.
Thor flinched. "Watch your tongue, Metal Man, lest you find it missing."
"Kinda hard to watch," Tony threw back, keeping a level eye on Demetri. "Especially when it's so far down from my eyes. I'd get tired just trying, don't you think?"
Thor growled and ignored the sarcasm.
Demetri quickly walked to the front of the room. "JARVIS, this will be the only time I'll allow you to do this, but please access the Avril Corporation's files. Override sequence Delta. It has a bio-lock." He felt for a nearby touchscreen and placed his hand on it. "It also has a voice lock." He then spoke a phrase in Russian. "Access all video files for Project X. it will tell you they don't exist. Override sequence Chi. As I speak, I want you to pull up the corresponding videos on the screen."
Demetri gave a sigh and turned to face everyone. "My name is Demetrius Avril. My company, AVCORP, specializes in military weaponry. Nearly three years ago, we created a device that, when implanted, was supposed to create a super-soldier."
The screen changed to show a 3D image of a metallic object which had four metal wires coming out of it.
"The device would amplify brain activity, modifying skills and honing them until they became powers. Once the device was implanted, it could not be removed without killing the patient. We tried."
The screen showed a video of an operation. As soon as the device was extracted from the brain, the patient flat-lined.
"Three years ago, we decided to try out the device on eight test subjects, myself included. It was my uncle's idea. Dr. Paileo was a sadistic man, and I'm glad he's dead. He had planned to extract the devices from us, terminating us, in an effort to own my company entirely. I had no idea he would torture us."
The screen changed again to show simultaneous implantations. Young men and women screamed and writhed in pain.
Drake looked at the screen and clenched his fists. "There," he pointed to the screen, "that's Paige. Those movements she's making with her hands, it's sign. She's saying... stop... please." He turned and glared at Demetri, ready to knock his friend to the ground.
"Now I said all that to say this," Demetri continued. "We all still have the implants. Look at how powerful we have become."
The screen showed videos of AVCORP's training processes. Overlapping voices told of names and powers.
"My name is... Eric Thompson... Adamina Thompson... Krystal Hartman... Kenna Dryden... Bruileo Dryden... Demetrius Avril... and I can... control metal... raise the dead... control liquids... control temperature... control electricity... draw to life."
The videos showed the participants using their abilities, each video showing how their powers had improved.
"Now, show what Paige can do." Demetri instructed.
The screen changed again to show Paige standing in front of the camera, holding white cards.
MY NAME IS PAIGE BARNETT. She let the card drop to the floor. I AM A TELEPATH.
The video changed to show Paige sitting at a table, a female scientist across from her. "Move the glass, Paige."
Paige easily telekinetically moved the glass that sat in front of her.
"Good. Now, don't spill the water." The scientist poured water into the glass. "Move the glass."
Paige easily moved the glass again, the water remaining still the entire time. She looked up at the scientist, her expressions changing as if she was speaking.
"You're bored? Well, these tests are not for your entertainment. Move it again."
Paige looked away from the scientist for a moment, then looked back with fury in her eyes. She stood, lifting her hands and causing the scientist to hover in the air. The poor woman struggled in midair, while the others fled from the room. Paige tossed the scientist across the room and watched as she, too, fled.
With a smirk, Paige leaned against the table, picked up the glass of water, and took a sip. She then looked at the camera and signed.
"My name is Paige Barnett," Drake translated. "I am a telepath."
Demetri sighed. "Can you imagine what Loki could do if he got his hands on this type of power? All he needs to do is brainwash a couple of my scientists, get them to implant the devices into already trained soldiers, brainwash them, and he'd have his own super-soldier army. You thought fighting those sky monsters was tough, imagine fighting your own kind. They look like you, act like you, and think like you. He very easily could rule the world. I believe he kidnapped Paige because she is the first of this kind. Her powers and abilities far surpass what any of my fellow participants can do. What is a little fire and ice if you can control minds and matter?"
Brooke glanced to Drake and shook her head. A single finger trailed the scar behind her ear. "Not glass in mind. Spider in mind?" she moved her head to glare at Demetri. "Radar put it there."
Thor was still trying to compute the whole video, his brows furrowed in deep concentration. He didn't bother to correct her.
Demetri turned his head to look toward Brooke. "There's no need for name calling. Besides, I'm not the one who put it there. You forget, I have one too. I was an experiment too."
"It's fine, De. Brooke went through her own experimentation. She gets it. And that's probably why she doesn't trust you. Heck, I'm not sure I trust you."
Demetri glared towards Drake. "After all I've done for you? You forget, Drake Kier, that I am the one who pays your bills. The one who puts food on your table. Without me, where would you be?"
"The Institute of Technology." Drake flatly replied.
Demetri didn't say anything. He felt completely betrayed.
"I think perhaps we should all – how do you phrase it, Metal Man? Take a step back and reevaluate?" Thor finally stood and began to pace. "I know my brother and his tricks, but how would he have known about this... this... instrument? That certainly would not be his only motive, either. If you think of it, Loki is a great magician. He balances many balls in the air and never drops one, always concentrating on more than one plan. We must try, at least, to think as he does. What does he want most?"
"Love," Brooke answered before anyone could say anything.
Tony choked and looked down at the girl. "Love? Loki? You really are crazy, small person. And, De, just because I let you rant doesn't mean you get to take over this whole meeting and insult my guests. She calls that guy," he pointed to Drake, "Dragon. And that one," to Thor this time, "Lightning. Say you're sorry."
Demetri scoffed and sat down in one of the chairs. "Sorry." His apology was forced, but it was the best he could give.
"Love?" Drake asked, looking down at Brooke. "Of all things, why love? And why with my girlfriend? He can go find his own woman if that's what he wants. As to how he found out," He looked at the group again, "Paige has a tendency to... broadcast... her thoughts into the minds of others. She doesn't always realize she's doing it. Perhaps he was nearby and heard her."
"All people need love," Brooke said wistfully, turning to stare out the giant windows. A host of tears gathered in the corner of her eye.
Tony and Thor stared at her for a minute, until Thor broke his gaze and spoke. "Loki cannot have been here long. I would have felt his magic long before now."
"But you said he was stronger this time than he was before." Drake commented as he walked over to join Brooke at the window. "Perhaps he was able to hide it from you." He looked down at Brooke. "Hey, are you okay?" Drake whispered.
Brooke shook her head and sniffed to keep the tears back. "Love," she said simply. "Everyone wants it, crazies don't get it."
Drake pulled Brooke into an embrace. "Hey, you're not crazy. And I'm sure there's a great guy for you. Don't cry."
Brooke nodded once and sniffed back her tears.
"Touching," Tony interrupted. "Thor, address the stronger magic thing."
Thor stepped to the center of attention and let his hands drop at his sides. "Though my brother's magic is stronger now than before, I would have felt his presence on Midgard, as I feel it now. It is not something I can track to his exact location, but rather more of a knowing." He tapped the side of his giant blonde head. "Up here."
Since Drake was preoccupied with Brooke, Demetri took his opportunity to speak. "So, does your 'knowing' give us a general location to where they are? Maybe a state? A country? Something? Are they even on this side of the world?"
Thor shifted uncomfortably. "I can sense him in the realm, and I can feel him faintly. But, with his magic, this could mean that he is across your world from us or that he has tried to cloak his position."
"With what we know of him, I think it's safe to bet the latter," Tony interrupted. "I say we work off that assumption. I'll get JARVIS on it, and crazy chick can do her 'arrows and lines' thing. Oh, and De, why don't you get SID on it as well. No time to waste on a petty feud. Especially since we all know I'm right, and better, and will win in the end."
Brooke tilted her head. "SID?"
"Oh really? That coming from the guy who needed an alien force to keep a piece of shrapnel out of his heart. Meanwhile, I invented superhumans." Demetri challenged.
"SID is short for SIDNES," Drake explained to Brooke. "It means Simulated Intelligence Defense Network for Emergency Situations. He's like JARVIS, but... different."
Brooke nodded and watched Tony's face turn red. Like a tomato. A very red tomato.
"Uh, sorry, but Capsicle's got you beat there. He was a superhuman in the forties. And it is not an alien force!" Tony snapped. "It is very much human, just undiscovered. Until my dad, of course. At least I don't go around ink-smearing the community with my stupid etch-a-sketches! And where do you get off insulting my guests and me in the same ten minutes? Just get out of my house and get to work."
"Etch-a-sketches!" Demetri was immediately on his feet. With a flick of his wrist, a black dagger was out of his sleeve and flying towards Tony's face. It barely missed. "I may be blind, friend, but I never miss. And had it not been for me, you lot would still be stuck with your heads in the sand wondering what that madman could possibly be doing on earth."
"De. Shut up." Drake said, turning from the window, "before you get hurt. Angry superheroes don't make for good company."
Demetri huffed and snapped his white cane open. "Fine. Drake, if you want some real company, someone with some sense, you know where to fine me." He left the conference room, slamming the door behind him. He was gone from the building before the others ever left the room.
"Ugh! That man is so frustrating!" Tony said, sauntering to the bar and pouring himself a glass of... something. He downed it in one swallow and went for another.
"Not frustrating," Brooke corrected. She watched the doors where he had disappeared and shrugged. "Confusing."
Thor laughed and sank onto the couch, finally done with his pacing.
Drake glanced at the superheroes, and then at the door Demetri had left through. "Thanks for your help guys. I'll be back in a couple days to see how things are going. But, right now I think I should go help Demetri." He turned, gave a quick hug to Brooke, and quickly dashed out the door after his friend.
Brooke watched Dragon leave and shook her head slowly. "Don't like this. Radar not worth trust."
"Couldn't agree more," Tony saluted her with his glass, accidentally sloshing some of the liquid onto the counter.
Thor took Brooke by the shoulders and propelled her toward the couch. "Why do you not sleep, tiny human? I have not seen you close your eyes to rest since our first encounter, and it is best not to interrupt the Iron Man while he is in such a dour mood."
Brooke took the advice and laid down, throwing one last look to the giant blonde warrior. "Thanks, Lightning."
/
Kitania bit her lower lip to hold in a cry of glee and hugged the keyboard. It had been too long. But, she couldn't play right now. It was rude to ignore Demetri's mother. Especially after all she'd done.
Kitania shuffled back to the kitchen and propped her elbows against the counter. "So, uh, what are you doing?" she asked.
"Sorting," Dr. Sara stated, laying a pair of white gloves on a stack of others. "These are special gloves. Can withstand extreme temperatures. Come, watch and see."
With that, Dr. Sara walked over to the stove and turned a burner on high. While it was heating up, she slipped on one of the white gloves. The gloves were paper-thin and felt like silk. Once the burner glowed red, Dr. Sara placed her hand directly on the burner.
She shrugged. "I can't feel a thing." Dr. Sara turned the burner off and showed Kitania the glove. It was still white. "Wanna try?"
Kitania studied the glove and then the burner. She faced her palms toward herself, and thankfully they didn't light up. She looked to the burner again.
She wondered how expansively they had stress-tested the gloves. What if she could hold her hands there until they burst into flame? Would that stop the never-ending suffering of her power? Would it melt away the pain of knowing she would never be normal, never have friends, never love?
She knew the answer. No, it wouldn't. It wouldn't cure her. It wouldn't bring back any semblance of normalcy. She was doomed to live like this forever.
"Probably not such a great idea to let me try," she answered quickly, and put her hands palms-down on the counter.
Dr. Sara shrugged and walked back over to the table.
A ding from the elevator, followed by the slamming of a door, told her that Demetri was home.