The Trouble Makers Club

Disclaimers: I do not own Marvel, Disney, or any companies affiliated with the before mentioned companies. All characters -except Mary- are owned by Marvel and it's affiliate companies. This is a work of pure entertainment and no copyright infringement is intended.

Summary: I am having some writers block on another story so I'm writing this to get my brain unblocked. Tony discovers that he has a kid a fully grown up kid. His worst nightmares have come true. Thor has Loki on earth because Asgard is full of jerks. Bucky is there too because Steve loves his Bucky bear. This story is basically why it is a really bad idea to put three insane individuals with the maturity of twelve year olds under one roof. Agent Coulson resumes his role as a glorified babysitter for a Stark.

Warnings: Odin reveals the reasons behind his visit. Mary tells everyone her decision. Loki will consult the Norns and make a difficult choice. Loki is a BAMF. Loki loves Mary and Mary loves Loki. Tony threatens to use his repulsors on Loki.

Chapter 10: Balancing Broken Scales 2

Mary walks in with Loki and Tony is about to question her when he sees Odin. Tony's mind reels back to what Loki said about Asgardian courtship and starts to panic. It's too soon to for her to be married. He's too young to be thinking about grandkids.

Mary looks at Tony and senses his panic. "King Odin visits in regards to the discovery of another Infinity Gem."

Tony sighs and approaches Odin. "Yeah. Hi. Welcome to my humble home. Have a seat. I assume you know everything."

Odin sits and nods. "Yes. I also understand that your daughter is being sought to be their architect. Their facilities are built deep into the ground. They hide well."

Tony nods and walks to the bar. "Care for a drink?" He sees Odin nod and pours two glasses of scotch. "Why are you here?"

Odin looks at Tony then at Loki and Mary. "Frigga's last wishes. She had the gift of sight from birth. She asked that I look and ponder over the evidence before judging Loki again. She asked that I aid him when the time is needed because Hel will judge me with greater favor if I let go of my bitter heart."

Loki looks at Odin. "You are a warrior, you will die as such."

Odin sighs and looks at Loki. "Nay Loki. I fear my next Odinsleep shall be my last. I will die in my bed." Odin sighs as his mind wanders. "You asked me once why I took you. I said that my plans no longer matter. I sought to stop Ragnarok. I feared at that moment that my lies destroyed that hope but when I left you to make your own choices you restored that hope. Both you and the lady you court."

Loki looks at Odin and sees a weary old man where a king once resided. "You tried to fight the path of the Norns."

Odin nods and looks at Loki and Mary. "Your mother told me once that fate is like time. It can never be controlled but it can be directed. I tried to control you but only managed to nearly end us all. I seek your forgiveness Loki."

Loki looks at Odin and bites his lip. "Things have happened and wise counsel given to me that allows me to better understand what you were trying to do. I do forgive you but the anger will take time to fade."

Odin nods and looks at Mary. "I cannot save you in my current state. All I have are wise words from a wise woman penned days before her death. Do not be afraid. The weapons on men fail but the weapons of the mind and heart endure. Only you can create and destroy."

Mary nods and feels Loki's hand on hers. "Thank you. I'm actually glad that we are gathered like this because I've made a difficult choice." She feels all eyes on her as she controls her breathing. "When Hydra comes I will willingly offer myself to them. They will kill thousands next time to get to me and I promise that they will come for me and kill as many as they can find in their attempts to draw me from hiding. I cannot let more people die."

Loki looks at her and clenches the fist not holding her. "It will not come to that. We can find another way."

Tony looks at Mary. "He's right. There has to be another way."

Odin looks at Mary and sees the eyes of a monarch. He sees a woman who has weighed her options and has found all other options lacking. "No. There is not. The options have been weighed. She knows the burden she carries and the burden she will soon carry."

Loki looks at Odin and then Mary. He realizes that Odin himself would have made the same choice. One life for thousands. Loki turns Mary's face towards his. "I will find another way. I swear it."

Tony swallows his scotch down and looks at Odin. He sees the same haunted look of responsibility in Odin's face that he sees in Mary's face. "We will find another way."

Mary nods and feels Loki's hand rub her back. She stands and smooths her dress. "Perhaps we could take dinner on the roof and forget this discussion for a short time."

Loki nods and stands with her. "Gentlemen follow us please."

Odin and Tony nod and follow Loki and Mary. Tony sees Mary and Loki as a royal couple in the midst of a pointless war waged against them by madmen. Odin sees Loki and Mary as children forced by fate into roles of power and sacrifice that only old kings and queens should fret themselves over.

Odin is old. His mind is sharp but his body fails him. This is his last chance at redemption. He gently takes Loki's arm and leads him aside. "I will tell you how to help your love but I warn you a sacrifice will be asked of you."

Loki looks at Odin and tilts his head. "I've nothing to give. What could this force ask of me?"

Odin shakes his head. "I know not. The sacrifice is different for each person." Odin leans next to Loki's ears and whispers instructions that not even Heimdall hears. "I pray my son you will forgive an ill tempered old fool with a serpentine tongue and live the life your mother wished for you."

Loki nods and looks at Mary as she and Tony set up the table. "I already am. She is much like mother. I cannot see how I would be unable to be happy yet well managed."

Odin smiles tiredly and hands Loki a small chest. "Your mother wished you to have this. Use it well."

Odin sways and braces against a post. "Frigga left various items to you. I didn't understand the reason until now. I wish I could have seen as clearly as Frigga. My page will deliver the other items later."

Loki helps Odin to the table. "Bifrost lag. What is on the menu?"

Tony sighs and looks at the date menu. "Not fit for a family gathering. I ordered Norwegian."

Mary nods and sits as Tony joins Odin on one side of the small table. "So how could we find a way to stop this?"

Odin looks at Tony then Loki. "You must consult the Norns. They will give you what you seek."

Loki pales but keeps his mask of composure steady. He feels a hand gently squeeze his own. "Who would guide me to a Norns Pool?"

Odin looks at Loki. "I will upon the morrow. Tonight we eat and rest. Mr. Stark shall accompany you and I. The lady must stay. The Norns are fond of young maidens."

Mary nods and looks at Tony. "I have Bucky and Bruce to protect me. You need answers and maybe you can find them in the Norns Pool."

The four eat silently but Loki and Mary stay side by side. Loki kisses Mary's hand before they part to their rooms. Mary kisses Tony's cheek and bows before going to bed. Loki bows and closes his door. Odin and Tony sit alone.

Tony looks at Odin. "Why are you really here?"

Odin looks at Tony. "I'm dying. The power that once made me great is now tearing me apart. I'm an old man Mr. Stark and have done terrible things in my life. I started and fought in many wars and saw the blood shed. I tried to control destiny and yet I discover that I merely guide it. I regret my actions towards Loki. My dying wish is to see both sons happy."

Tony studies Odin and taps his fingers. "I can buy that but you hate Jane but like Mary. Why?"

Odin chuckles and sits up. "Mary has the makings of a queen. Strong, intelligent, independent, and loyal. Jane is fickle and doesn't understand the sacrifices of power. She ignores too much. Mary is like Frigga. She knows better than most the consequences of ill judgement."

Tony sits up as Odin coughs and dabs blood from his mouth. Tony hands him a glass of water. "You really are dying."

Odin nods and looks at Tony. He accepts the glass and sips. "Do not tell Loki. He frets like Frigga."

Tony nods and helps Odin to a guest room. "Get some sleep. Use this time to reconnect. Don't die with this kind of regret."

Odin nods and sits on his bed. He's been a horrible father to Loki and he knows it. Tomorrow he will tell Loki the great truth as they travel.

Mary is the first to wake. She packs the trio snacks and drinks for their trip. It is a small gesture but she feels their journey will tax them. She puts the snacks into their travel packs and waits. She wishes she could go.

Tony walks in first and sees Mary wearing sweats and packing their food. "You don't have to do that."

Mary shrugs and zips the back packs. "I know. It makes me feel better to do this."

Tony nods and walks over. "You don't have to play brave."

Mary looks at Tony. "I always knew that Hydra would demand my return. I've been preparing for this for a long time. My only fear is whether or not they force me to unleash the demon."

Tony tilts his head and stops her movements. "The demon?"

Mary nods and looks at Tony. "When men are given the power of gods they can often become demons in the pursuit of a self-defined utopia."

Tony looks at her and nods. "The whole "absolute power corrupts absolutely" deal." He looks at Mary a moment longer. "Is that what you call what you did in Russia; the act of a demon?"

Mary nods and looks at him. "There is never a day that goes by where I don't think about the innocent lives lost. I still see their broken faces as I beg them to leave with me."

Tony wraps his arms around Mary. "There was nothing you could do. You did everything you could. You aren't a demon."

Tony feels her tears soak his shoulder. He holds her closer to him as Loki and Odin enter. He shakes his head at them and they remain silent.

Mary sobs for a few more minutes and turns her gaze to him. "You must go. I've kept you all long enough. Be safe."

She kisses Odin and Tony on the cheek. "Promise to return safely and then you may return my kiss." She looks up at Loki and he leans down and kisses her gently but passionately. "If you return safely I will kiss you forever." She smiles as he caresses her cheeks. "Be safe."

Tony looks at Loki as they leave. "If I catch you kissing her like that again I'm taking my repulsors to your face."

Loki smirks but gets in the car with Odin and Tony. His thoughts wander as the landscape becomes wild and dense with trees and rock. The Norns will ask of him a great sacrifice and he has nothing to give. Fear fills his mind and his heart races. He jumps when the car stops.

Tony looks at Loki and Odin. "Let's go see the wizard."

The hike to the cave is short but seems so long. Odin sits on a rock in front of the cave entrance. He looks old and tired as he sits. Loki kneels and offers him water. Odin accepts the water and looks at Loki. "I am half Juton Loki. I must tell you that they are not beasts. Juton born small are great magic users. They can control magic with ease and you are among that number. Laufey did not know that you were a child of destiny. You are special Loki."

Loki nods and sees Odin's mind fading."Thank you." He pats Odin's shoulder and walks into the cave with Tony.

The cave is a natural formation with an unnatural feel. Ominous mist rolls off of the water and swirls about their feet like a snake snaring it's prey. The air smells of molded moss and death. The waters of the pool swirls and moves without outside interference. A soft whisper -inaudible to the conscious mind- beckons Loki forward towards the pool.

Loki removes his outer clothes and looks at Tony. "If the Norns ask for my life I wish you to tell Mary that I love her."

Tony shivers and nods. He watches as Loki cautiously steps into the pool. Everything in Tony screams danger. He wants to pull Loki out of the water and go back to Mary but the need to protect and save his child glues him to this nightmarish place.

Loki feels phantom hands touch his body as he wades deeper into the pool. He doesn't fight when the phantom touches become forceful and pull him under. His mind screams in protest but his heart stands firm as the phantom hands probe his mind and soul.

His body shudders as ethereal and dark voices scream in his mind. "A vessel! A voice!" The phantom hands probe deeper flaying his nerves and exposing his soul. "A child of Destiny! Give us voice Child and we shall tell our price!"

Loki accepts the chaotic forces tearing through his mind and he feels sleepy. His mind watches as the water rushes pass him as his body ascends from the water. He can see everything but his body is not his own.

Odin hobbles in and looks at the body of Loki. Loki's eyes shoot open and glow an ethereal white. His body floats out of the water and only the tips of his toes touch the surface. Odin eyes the possessed body and stands straight. "We have come for help. A great evil desires to use an Infinity Gem."

Loki's head snaps towards Odin. He smiles wickedly and a thousand voices seem to laugh as he grins. "The dying old god. You tried to control us!"

Odin nods and kneels. "I have done as you accuse. I come to make recompense. How do we stop the evil?"

The voices from Loki let out a thundering and tumultuous laugh. "We demand sacrifice! After so much pain you ask our help! The Child of Destiny has offered of himself. We ask for his glamour! The prison of false flesh that binds his true might!"

Loki hears this and begins to panic. Mary will see his true self. The monstrous creature parading as a man. He agrees. He fears she will turn him away but she will never again be the Architect of Hydra.

Tony watches in amazement as white mist billows around Loki. The mist seems to leech his creamy pale skin from his body and dark cobalt blue takes its place. Tony sees that the once humanoid colored eyes take a ruby hue. This is the real Loki.

The mist receeds back into the pool but the Norns grip on Loki still holds. His now pink -the white of his possession still holds firm- eyes stare at the two men. "From the ashes of darkness rises a new god. The god will withhold fury from the innocent. Evil creeps into the ranks of the mighty defenders to steal the god. A broken soldier and reluctant king will stand as the serpent lures the god into it's hold. The god will be made stronger when crowned supreme! They will tremble in fear and beg!" The laugh that roars from Loki's mouth resonates through out the cave.

Tony swallows hard and steps forward. "How do we protect my daughter?"

Loki's head snaps towards Tony. "The god will be frightened. Call upon the god in understanding. Give the god kindness. Allow the god and reluctant king to join."

Tony shakes his head. These damnned Norns talk in circles and riddles. "Are you saying there is nothing we can do?"

Loki's body moves higher above the water. "The fabric is woven, the scales balanced. Your position comes from your heart."

Loki is tossed from the cave. Tony runs after him but Odin stays behind leaning against a stone. Loki looks at Tony and groans. "Now you see the monster."

Tony helps Loki sit up. Loki looks more like an alien now. His cobalt skin marked with strange lines and his ruby eyes seem to sense everything around him. Tony though can't tear his eyes from the frightened demeanor Loki holds. "Let's get you home."

The ride home is silent and Loki keeps himself covered. Odin naps but Tony feels that it isn't by Odin's choice. Tony looks in his rearview mirror and sees Loki bite his nails. Tony prays at this point that Mary has the Stark sense of adventure.

Mary is playing poker with Bucky and Clint. So far She has a new jacket, two new watches, and a quiver full of explosive arrows. She calls Clint's bluff when the door opens. She hastily hides her winnings and greets the trio.

Mary kisses Tony and Odin on the cheek. She moves to Loki and notices that his hands are covered. "Loki? What's wrong?"

Loki keeps his head down. "May we speak in my quarters? Privately?"

Mary ignores Tony and the others as she follows Loki to his room. "Loki what's wrong?"

Loki paces. "There are no words for it. I must show you." Loki continues his pacing until Mary gently grabs his arm. He sighs and lifts his hood. "I'm sorry. This is my true appearance."

Mary looks at Loki for a moment before gently touching his face. She traces his heritage lines with her index finger and gently coaxes Loki to look at her. "You are gorgeous."

Loki looks into her eyes in search of a lie. "You really think me handsome."

She nods and traces the lines to his neckline. "I love you Loki. Your soul, your mind, and your mercurial moods. I liked you before but now I see the real you."

Loki is taken aback when she kisses him. He holds her close as she kisses the doubt from his mind. "Mary, please. Marry me. All I can give you is love."

She looks at Loki and smiles. "That's all I ask. Let's go tell our fathers."

Mary opens the door and Bruce, Bucky, Tony, and Odin fall into the room. "Or we can tell the others."

Odin looks up and smiles. "Midgardian oak?"

Tony nods. "What he said."

Bucky helps Odin to his feet. He's not sure but he's sure he heard Odin mumble. He's sure he heard Baldur's light will soon shine again and the scales properly balanced.