Chapter 6: Once An Avenger…

The slim, brown-haired man stopped his chopping of wood and turned to look up into the brilliantly blue Colorado sky. A sleek silver aircraft that he recognized as an Avenger Quinjet had made a pass over the square mile of clearing he himself had cut out of this remote forest with his own hands and was coming back around again for a landing. The slim man sighed and reached for a white T-shirt that he slipped over his torso. Before he had come here his skin had been an unhealthy, pasty hue and his arms resembled sticks. Nineteen months of solid physical activity every day, all day had added a full 90 pounds of muscle on him. He'd never be a WWE wrestler, his genetics wouldn't allow it but he had to admit that he was proud of the taunt ropy muscles that now filled out his upper body. He'd gotten the first decent tan he'd ever had in his life as well. Now instead of his skin having the color of uncooked dough he was brown as a nut.

The Quinjet was using its VTOL mode to land a good distance away from the slim man's log cabin, which he had also built himself. The sparkling silver craft landed, the whine of the five powerful engines that gave the craft it's name slowly fading as the Quinjet made a perfect landing on it's three wheels. The slim man stood some distance away as the craft was powered down. Then the side hatch opened, a short flight of stairs automatically folding from the underside of the craft to provide easy departure for the two striking figures that now emerged.

Captain America looked around with the practiced ease of a combat veteran, sizing up the terrain. Spying the slim man, he raised a red-gauntleted hand in salute and walked down the stairs, slinging his shield onto his back, sticking his long muscular arms through the leather straps that he used to hold onto it. By tugging on the straps in much the same fashion as a driver tugged on his seat belt he could loosen them enough to accomplish this. The Wasp followed Captain America and the slim man had to admit that she was just as breathtakingly lovely as he remembered. The Wasp was one of those women who just got more beautiful the older she got. And considered what she'd been through recently, it would have been understandable if she'd looked like an old hag.

Captain America held out his hand, looking the slim man up and down with a casual wariness. "You're looking well. Certainly a lot better than the last time I saw you."

They shook hands as the slim man smiled somewhat shyly and said, "Plenty of exercise, fresh air and eating right will do that to a man. I remember you saying that years ago at a Boy Scout Jamboree in Texas."

Captain America's eyes opened a bit wider. "You were there? With all those people? What if you had changed?"

"I'd taken enough sedative to ensure that didn't happen. Didn't want to take a chance on missing a Captain America speech." The slim man now turned to The Wasp and he took one of her gloved hands in both of his. "Janet, I was so sorry to hear about Hank. One of the things I greatly regret is that I never got to know Hank as well as I would have liked. The few times I did speak to him he impressed me with not just his intellect but his compassion."

The Wasp reached out impulsively and hugged the slim man. "He was all that and more. Thank you for your kind words."

Captain America asked; "How did you learn about Hank's death? You're a hundred and thirty miles from the nearest town."

The slim man jerked a thumb over his shoulder at the log cabin. "Got a bootleg satellite hookup out back. 500 channels. I watched Hank's funeral on The Marvels Channel. I may be remote as hell out here but I keep up with what's going on in the outside world." The slim man indicated that his guests should walk toward the cabin. "I've got some tea on and there's cold soda and I've made some salad and sandwiches. Sorry I can't offer anything better but I live very simply out here."

"That's very kind of you," The Wasp said. "We know how much it's costing you to agree to this meeting with us."

Robert Bruce Banner smiled sadly and it was a smile that somehow reminded The Wasp of a lonely piano being played very far off. "No, Janet.I don't think you know how much it cost me at all. I only pray that it doesn't end up costing you."

"Long live THOR, Lord of Asgard!"

Tony Stark turned away from the huge plasma communication screen as Thor entered the Communications Center of Sub-Basement Level One. The two huge ravens, black as midnight on the far side of the Moon were perched on each brawny shoulder of The Thunder God. Tony frowned at the ravens that eyed him with a curious mixture of amusement and wickedness.

"Hast thou located Hawkeye, Anthony?"

Tony turned back to the intricate console and his slim, artistic fingers were a blur as he sought to establish an open communications link with their long time comrade. "He had his communicard turned off but I found where he is by means of the locator chip. Can you believe he's in Australia?"

Thor's face frowned slightly. "Australia? A strange place for The Avenging Archer to sojourn indeed."

"Maybe he's gone walkabout. In any case, I've overridden the shutdown. His communicard will issue an annoying high-pitched beeping and it will continue to do so until he answers it." Tony turned and grinned up at Thor, scratching at the two-day stubble of beard on his cheeks. "Just a little something I added when T'Challa and I first designed the communicards. I figured one day we'd have a stubborn member who might not want to answer. This way he has to."

"Mayhap he will merely dispose of the irritating device? Cast it into a deep lake?"

Tony shrug. "Wouldn't be the first time he's done so. I keep reminding him of how much those things cost to replace but you know Clint.anyway, I'm betting that his curiosity will overcome his being pissed off at Steve."

Thor nodded as he said; "But in truth, Anthony, I cannot blame Hawkeye overmuch if he does not answer the call."

"Neither can I, Odinson. Neither can I."

The huge communications screen resolved into a picture of a blond haired man who appeared to be standing outside, perhaps on a dock as Tony and Thor could see water and various types of boats in the background. The resolution of the picture was so amazingly clear it was as if the two were looking through a window and not at a screen. The man was handsome, with startlingly blue eyes and shaggy blond hair. In fact, there was more than a passing resemblance to Captain America himself and many had been the time when Steve Rogers and Clint Barton had gone to a ball game or shot pool in a billiards parlor and they had been taken for brothers.

"Oh.it's you two. I though it was Steve. And lemme tell you something, if it hadda been him, I'd've told that star spangled son of a-"

"Clint, we've got a situation here and we need your help."

"Oh, NOW you need my help! You got some huevos calling me, Stark. After I practically begged Steve to take my help after Hank's funeral. 'Mr. Avenger' himself showed two dozen others and me the door and said "thanks, but no thanks". That was hardcore cold, Tony. You don't treat people like that. Especially not people who have laid their lives on the line time and time again for you."

"Steve realizes he made a mistake, Clint-"

"So why isn't he on the line telling me this? Why are you doing his dirty work for him? He too good to get on the line and speak to a lowly grunt and admit he was wrong?"

"Clinton, why dost thou sojourn in Australia? Mayhap thou hast difficulties of thine own?" Thor interrupted suddenly. Tony half turned in annoyance but then he realized that The Thunder God had deliberately changed the subject so as to allow time for both Tony and Clint to cool down.

"Nah. I'm okay. Just taking the Australian government up on a long-standing offer. Seems as if they've got quite a sizeable superhuman population down here and about a dozen of 'em are interested in forming a team along the lines of The Avengers so I've been asked to consult with The Australian government as to the best ways to implement such a team."

"Forming your own Australian Avengers, Clint?" Tony chuckled.

"I could do worse, smartass. I'm not so bad when it comes to organizing and training a team."

"Oh, I agree. Look at the wonderful job you did with The Great Lakes Avengers and The Thunderbolts."

"Y'know, Tony, not for nothin' but you can kiss my-"

"Enow!" Thor roared in a voice that made the seat Tony sat in vibrate. "This pointless bickering achieves naught!" Thor turned to the screen. "The Avengers hath need of the righteous bow of Hawkeye, greatest of mortal archers. I ask thee, Clinton as a comrade, a fellow warrior and, aye, as a brother: Come Home."

Without hesitation, Clint said, "Well, why didn't you say so? Gimme a few hours to let the folks down here know I'm heading back to The States and I'll catch the first available flight back to New York."

"I think we can do better than that." Tony tapped the button and the screen split to show Clint Barton on the left and the third floor hangar on the right where a stocky bald man wearing a brown flight jumpsuit with the stylized slanted A on the backwas busily fueling a Quinjet. "Jarvis, how's it going up there?"

Edwin Jarvis, the longtime butler of both the Stark family as well as The Avengers looked up from his work and smiled slightly. "It goes well, Master Anthony. The Quinjet is almost fully fueled and all that remains is for me to run through the pre-flight checks. I will be ready to depart in exactly 37 minutes to pick up Master Clint. It only remains for you to provide me with a destination."

Clint whooped with laughter. "I'll be a son of a crossbow! Jarv, I didn't know chauffeur service was part a'your duties!"

"I was privileged to drive Master Anthony's parents in their limousine many times, Master Clint. I see this as much the same. I am fully qualified to pilot a Quinjet having been trained by The Black Panther and Captain America in the operation and maintenance of these vehicles."

"Hey, I'm not knockin' a free ride. I appreciate it, Jarv."

Tony spoke up. "Leave your communicard on, Clint. Jarvis will home in on your signal. On a commercial flight it would take you 24 hours to get back to New York. In a Quinjet we can shave that time in half."

"Cool. Who else have you called in?"

"You're the first one we thought of, Clint."

Clint Barton looked somewhat embarrassed. "Well.thanks, Tony.an' you know not to pay attention to all that bull I was spoutin', right?"

"Already forgotten, Clint. Just get back here as soon as you can. Avengers Mansion OUT." Tony Stark broke the connection and sat back in the high-backed seat, rubbing his tired eyes.

"Thou spokest an untruth, Anthony. Captain America didst approach The Beast first to return to our hallowed ranks."

"And I was going to tell Hawkeye that?" Tony sighed. "He'd have never come back for sure. What he doesn't know won't hurt him. He and Steve can hash out their beefs later." Tony rubbed his eyes again. "Boy, what wouldn't I give for a good stiff drink right about now."

"Long Live THOR, Lord of Asgard!"

Janet Van Dyne sipped her pouchong tea and smiled up at Bruce Banner. "It's delicious. Thank you."

Bruce smiled back. "You're more than welcome." He looked over at Steve Rogers, who had pushed back his cowl and sat with his head exposed, his shield next to him, propped up on the leg of a table, as if within easy reach should this meeting go badly. "I'm sorry I don't have any coffee, Steve. I ran out about a month back and I only make the trip into town every three months."

"I'm fine with my orange juice, Bruce. Thanks. I'd just as soon get down to the reason why we're here."

"Can I ask a question first? How did you find me?"

"Stephen Strange was good enough to help us out. He said that in the past he could always find you when he needed The Hulk to help out The Defenders."

Bruce chuckled. "I thought so.I had a dream last night where I was talking to Stephen.that must have been his astral form.but it's been a long time since he's sought me out. Stephen's respected my privacy." Bruce pulled out a hand made chair that impressed both Steve and Janet with its craftsmanship. "I've finally found a sort of peace here. I've discovered that the regular physical exercise I've engaged in here seems to fulfill a psychological need that tamps down the repressed anger that builds up in me. I haven't turned into The Hulk for nearly two years. I'd like to keep it that way if you don't mind."

"But we need The Hulk now, Bruce." Steve said urgently. "And it's not as if The Hulk hasn't helped out The Avengers before. The Hulk IS a founding member of the team. And you know the saying."

Bruce smiled without humor. "I know, I know.'Once An Avenger.' but you haven't yet stated a compelling reason why I should give up this life. I'm happy here, Steve."

"We've got a situation, Bruce. Once in which it looks like Loki is trying to manipulate Thor into coming back to Asgard. There may be serious trouble. Odin may be dead. We don't know. But we're going back to Asgard to Thor to see what's going on and put things right."

"And when you say 'we' who exactly are you talking about?" Bruce wanted to know.

"We want it to be The Founders, Bruce." Janet answered. "Thor. Iron Man. Myself. Captain America. And The Hulk."

"But one of The Founders has fallen." Bruce looked sadly at Janet. "I don't understand what this gesture is supposed to mean and as much as I respected Henry Pym I don't see why it should matter to me."

"Maybe for the simple reason that we're asking, Bruce." Janet said quietly. She reached out a hand. "The world may like it or not.hell, even some Avengers may like it or not but The Hulk was and is a Founder of the team that many call Earth's Mightiest Heroes. And now one of us is gone. One of us is dead. This is a point in Avengers history that calls for a reaching out to all of our members. Especially The Founders. And The Hulk deserves to be asked back."

Bruce looked at Steve. "This was her idea, wasn't it?"

"Actually, we all sat down and talked it out. Tony Stark didn't think it was such a good idea."

Bruce's face darkened. "I just bet he didn't," he mumbled.

Steve's head cocked to the side as he looked carefully at Bruce. "Matter of fact, he called me a damned fool and said that The Hulk would end up biting my head off and not to call him for help if that happened." Steve reached out a hand to lightly touch his shield. "But that's not about to happen.is it, Bruce?"

Bruce's eyes lost that spark of greenish anger that flickered briefly. He smiled that sad smile that made Janet feel as if her heart would just break. Bruce Banner was no stranger to tragedy. She felt a sudden bond with this brilliant man who had never known anything resembling a normal life.

"No. That's not going to happen. In fact, I don't know if it could..I used to feel The Hulk all the time here," Bruce touched his chest. "And here," he touched his forehead. "It's been a while since I have. I don't know if he's not asserting himself out of spite or just laying low. But before I could feel him all the time, demanding to be let out, roaring and raging inside my mind and spirit."

"Bruce, will you come with us?" Steve asked simply. "Go with us to Asgard?"

"You'd be better off rounding up every single Avenger you can than taking The Hulk with you." Bruce said firmly. "I cannot guarantee that he's going to co-operate with you. Hell, he may get to Asgard and decide that he hates the place and tear it apart."

"Probably not. The Hulk's been to Asgard before."

Bruce looked honesty surprised. "He has? Well, that's certainly news to me. But it really shouldn't be.there's huge gaps of time when I was The Hulk and I've never been able to find out where he was or what he was doing at that time."

"Bruce, we're just asking you to come with us." Steve said urgently. "When it comes time for The Hulk, we'll deal with him. But I can't think of a better backup to take along with us to the realm of the gods than The Incredible Hulk."

Bruce sighed again. "You're not going to give me a stirring speech about duty, honor and self-sacrifice? Nothing about placing the needs of the many above the needs of the one?"

"Nope."

Bruce shrugged. "Pity. I always enjoy your speeches. But I guess there really isn't a need for one, is there?"

"No. There isn't. Either you're in or you're out."

Bruce nodded. "Could you give me a few minutes in private to think about it? I'd appreciate it greatly."

"Certainly." Janet stood up, indicating to Steve that they should go outside and give Bruce his privacy. The two Avengers left the log cabin and slowly walked across the clearing to the Quinjet, enjoying the crisp air and dazzlingly beautiful sunshine.

"Do you think he'll come back with us?" Janet asked.

Steve pulled his cowl back over his head as he answered; "I honestly can't say, Janet. And truth to tell, I'm having second thoughts about this. Maybe the risk of turning The Hulk loose on the world again isn't worth the advantage we gain by taking him with us to Asgard. Bruce may have a point when he said we should just round up every single Avenger we can find."

"And how long will that take us, Steve? Especially after you told so many of them that we didn't need their help. There's a helluva lot of fences that are going to have to be mended and Thor doesn't have that sort of time. Neither does Asgard."

Captain America opened his mouth to speak but then they heard the door of the log cabin slam shut. Bruce Banner was walking towards them, carrying a duffle bag. He had donned a leather jacket and a Mets baseball cap was pulled low over his face. He had also put on his glasses and looked more like the Bruce Banner they both remembered. He walked over to the two Avengers and said simply; "Okay. I'm in. I can't speak for The Hulk but that'll be your problem, I guess."

"Thanks, Bruce. This'll work out. You'll see."

Bruce shrugged, said nothing and started for the Quinjet, followed by Captain American and The Wasp. They all climbed aboard the sleek, silvery craft and in a few short minutes, it was airborne and carrying the trio back to New York and Avengers Mansion.

The Quinjet was perhaps five minutes gone when the first traces of fire and smoke flared outwards from the interior of the structure. Thanks to the gasoline that Bruce had splashed around the inside and lit before leaving, the fire spread quickly, hungrily and it was not long before the entire cabin was an inferno, casting billowy coils of midnight black smoke into the otherwise beautiful blue sky.

Tony Stark so seldom heard the doorbell of Avengers Mansion ring that when he heard the musical chiming throughout the mansion he had to consult the main computer to find out what it was for. Usually Jarvis had the doorbell's signal routed through to his communicard so as not to disturb The Avengers so when it was pressed, the card vibrated and let him know someone wished admittance. But since he was picking up Hawkeye in Australia, he had that function disabled.

Tony keyed in the outside monitors and when he saw who it was, he grinned delightedly. "Hold on for just two minutes! I'll be right there!" It actually took him two minutes and twenty-nine seconds to reach the front door and fling it open wide and in all that time the grin had never left his face.

"Well for the luvva little fishies! Steve told me that The Avengers needed my help but I had no idea things were this bad! When billionaire playboys have to answer the doors of their own mansions, you have to take it as yet another sign of the coming Apocalypse!"

"Oh, shut up and get over here!" Tony flung his arms wide and what appeared at first to be a large blue gorilla dressed in a leather jacket, sunglasses and cutoff jeans bounded through the door to hug him. Dr. Henry McCoy aka The Beast planted a resounding kiss on Tony's cheek and stepped back, grinning with a mouthful of sparkling, razor sharp fangs. Although he looked for all the world like a wild humanoid/animal hybrid he was much more than that. Many would say that in the field of biochemistry that Hank McCoy had no equal. And he had more than once put his life on the line to protect Earth and its various races as not only as a member of The X-Men and X-Factor but also as a Defender and as an Avenger. Although at first one thought that The Beast was gorilla-like, closer examination revealed that he was actually more leonine, covered in silky blue-black fur.

"I can't tell you how good it is to see you, Hank. When Cap said he asked you to come back and help out I thought it was one of the best decisions he'd made recently."

Hank grinned. Any one not used to Hank's appearance would probably have shrieked and run away as the grin looked definitely predatory. "What can I say? When Captain America waves the flag and says 'Son, your country needs YOU!' what can you do? You pack up your gear and march!" Hank guffawed. "And The X-Men know where to find me if they need me." Hank's demeanor became slightly more serious. "And Cap indicated that a fresh face would be most welcome in these halls grown dank with the haunting reminders of Dr. Pym everywhere."

"You don't know the half of it. But let's go somewhere where we can sit and talk. You got luggage?"

"It's being delivered later. I could use a sandwich and some coffee. Let's raid Jarvis's larder." Hank fell into an animalistic lope alongside Tony as they headed for the kitchen. "So how bad are things?"

Tony grimaced. "How bad you ask? We're asking The Hulk to rejoin the team. That give you an idea of how bad it it?"

"Yowtch. Who's bright idea was that?"

"Steve and Janet's. I'll tell you something, Hank, between the two of them I don't know who's the more shaken by Hank Pym's death. Right after the funeral was the perfect time for Steve to reorganize the team. Instead he insists that the five of us carry on as The Avengers and we've been running around ragged trying to keep up with what seemed to be a sudden outbreak of every supervillain wannabe calling us out for a fight. Janet's keeping herself together with nothing but guts and barbed wire. And Thor's got a problem back at Asgard that could be very serious for all of us if Loki's involved in it and I think he is."

"Loki? You think he'd really want to involve The Avengers in one of his schemes?"

"Hank, nothing Loki does would surprise me. He's probably lounging on a golden couch somewhere in Asgard laughing his ass off, sipping wine and being fed grapes by half-naked serving wenches and getting his jollies watching us burn up brain cells trying to figure out what he's up to."

The screams of Loki had filled the hallowed halls and golden streets of fabled Asgard for long days and even longer nights. There were dungeons below the great meeting hall of the gods called Gladsheim that had not been used in long centuries as All-Father Odin had mellowed in his advancing years and no longer kept his foes locked away far below the surface of Asgard. But in recent days, those dungeons had been opened up again and they were now used for purposes that would have brought down the wrath of Odin indeed. If Odin were Lord of Asgard. Which he was not.

And Loki's screams continued to fill the air, causing the other gods who were imprisoned by spell and stone to tremble. In living memory no one could remember having heard The God of Mischief scream. He was more inclined to be causing screams if anything. But this time, The Contriver Of All Frauds was on the receiving end of torment.

It would have been hard pressed to recognize the trembling, tortured being strung up on a framework of enchanted Asgoror metal that dampened Loki's magical abilities. His captors had spent a full day weaving enchantments to keep Loki from using his considerable magic to free themselves. Normally, Loki would have been able to free himself with but a word but his foes were cunning and full of guile that they had learned themselves from many dealings with The Trickster God.

Loki was hanging naked above a massive brazier of coals the size of a human head that blazed white hot, dehydrating him. Blood dripped from numerous cuts and slashes on his arms, legs and torso and the coals hissed as the precious liquid struck them. Every morning his captors would come to tear the eyes from his sockets and they cast them into the brazier to burn and Loki's head would explode with agony for by the spells his captors had wrought, Loki would still feel the pain of any limb or organ they removed. By the next day, his eyes would grow back and they would be torn anew from his skull.

The painful creaking of the massive iron door opening signaled his captors entering the chamber that stank of Loki's own waste, his fear, and his misery. Once upon a time Loki had been proud, vain, and arrogant. Now he only wished for two minutes to be free and have his vengeance on the three who stood before him.

"We have returned to ascertain if thou art ready to speak at last, Loki Laufeyson. We know thou hast contrived to send word to thy brother Thor. We must know exactly what message thou hast sent him."

Loki spat in their direction. "I wouldst think thou would be more concerned about the message I sent to thy mother concerning her proficiency in the boudoir and thanking her for-"

A crackling burst of magical energy lanced from the outstretched hand of one of the shadowy figures, engulfing Loki and drawing forth a hideous scream from his already sore throat. Loki slumped, his body smoking, panting in agony.

"Where be Huginn and Muninn?"

"And is Loki now the keeper of a pair of mangy birds?"

"None but thee would have the wisdom to send Odin's ravens as far away from us as possible. Thou knowest that any who possess The Raven of Thought and The Raven of Memory have much access to Odin's knowledge. We must have those ravens!"

"Have you not The Odin Ring? What else do thou needest? With that ring thou hast conquered The Golden Realm and all who dwell there!"

"And we have humbled thee, Loki. Let us not forget that. We have humbled thee like the cowardly cur thou truly are!"

"Only for the moment.only for the moment."

"It does not matter.we are prepared. The Odin Ring has tripled our already considerable power and we have all the gods of Asgard securely locked away. Odin has vanished from The Nine Worlds. The only god of Asgard not under our heel is Thor. And if The Thunder God dares return he will find THE ENCHANTERS more than ready for him!"