Althia slept for six hours before she started to stir. Bruce had been texting back and forth with Tony as Loki sat watching her and the constant rotation of personnel who came and went. It was apparent that something was going to have to change if they were to stay on the base she couldn't continue to have these relapses and be counted on as a functional member of SHIELD. Thor and Jane made an unannounced arrival with Director Fury. He wore a standard issue pilot uniform and went unremarked with the couple to the Stark jet shortly after Althia awoke. Tony texted Bruce as soon as the trio was on board and told him to bring Loki and Althia to his jet as soon as she was able. Plan B he said but Bruce didn't share that part with Loki. Loki had a staff member retrieve the sword cases from the gym. When they arrived he had Althia pick up her sword and focus on the hum it emitted. Bruce watched as Loki used the weapon to alter her focus bringing her back from the blank space that still hovered at the edge of her eyes. When she was calm and had an energy drink he told them that Tony wanted them to meet on his plane. As the men escorted Althia to the jet Loki and Althia had their swords strapped to their legs to make carrying them easier. She needed the reassurance of the blade to ground her and in the present and found it a strange feeling to take comfort in a blade. They were walking through the compound in the setting sun, half way to the jet a series of loud explosions resounded from the perimeter.
Men dropped from helicopters that darted into the air space over the base all stamped with the Hydra emblem. Without a thought Banner expanded to the hulk. His roar shook the base awake as the alarms sounded seconds later. Looking into the Hulk's face Loki's dark countenance was feral. "I will protect her none will see us; meet us at Stark's jet only when the battle ends. If there is need I will send up a sign." With those words Loki made the two disappear. The sound of Thor's battle cry came from the tarmac and the Hulk roared at the flashes of light and sound of explosions. The noise increased when the whistling screams of the Ironman suit joined it. SHIELD agents moved as predators through the base as more poured from the buildings. Cutting down any HYDRA men they found in the trained tactics that even Hydra fanaticism couldn't match. They knew Hydra was here for Althia and they weren't inclined to give her up. Sam went running for where he heard the hulk as did nearly two hundred SHIELD personnel all armed within moments of hearing the explosions. All SHIELD personnel on the base were combat trained veterans and most felt some personal attachment to the small healer.
The battle was even until a HYDRA weapon appeared. A woman who seemed everywhere at once. Cutting down agents, guards, and staff a hand full a minute. Her short dark hair and blank stare calculated the damage and threat of every person she took out of the fight. She had one goal and a detailed knowledge of the base. She was waiting in the shadows of the plane when Loki dropped the invisibility to secure Althia on the jet. Eldworth came at her from the right aiming his M4A1 Carbine at her. With a glance she dropped him dead to the ground. A dagger protruded from his throat as he collapsed his gun forgotten. Althia screamed watching him die. Without hesitation Loki dove off the stairs and barred her access to the plane. As Althia stood rooted at the foot of the stairs watching Loki darted into fight the Hydra soldier. He would score on her and she would retaliate; no wound he gave her made her pause and her right arm would rain sparks every time his blade encountered it. He kept himself between her and Althia even though it gave her the advantage. He took wounds that sapped his strength a little at a time but there was no cover to use except the plane and no help coming. Thor was busy holding the west line, while Fury and Hill organized the contingent facing the ground vehicles coming in from the north fence. The hulk jumped from one location on base to another while Ironman as well as a unit of personnel kept the south open from surprises and took out the aircraft. Loki fought like he was possessed the cloths he wore did nothing to protect him from the formidable strength in her weaponized arm and speed. It was pure skill on his part that kept her fighting as the minutes ticked away. Althia was forced to climb up the stairs to stay out of her reach as the woman forced Loki back towards her. It was barely perceivable but a flick of a blow a fraction too far to the left gave her the advantage she needed. She ripped the sword from his hand and it went skidding across the ground. Loki's dagger appeared in his hand and a fog billowed around him. The woman didn't hesitate as she barreled into the illusion and Loki found himself with her arm digging into his abdomen. The arm was covered in short sharp blades that tore through the dense Asgardian flesh slowly. He grabbed onto the woman refusing to let go his dagger plunging into her body. Althia screamed his name and her skin flared to brilliance that bathed the area around her in light. The assassin broke loose from Loki to face her target. Blood dripped from her arm as she shook loose the gore.
Althia didn't take the stairs down instead she executed one of her breath taking jumps and landed to the side of where Loki was crumbling to the ground muttering something she couldn't hear. She had to get that thing away from Loki. Althia's power made her itch to touch him but she focused her light filled eyes on her opponent and advanced into battle her blade cutting the air with a sound akin to a scream. It drew the attention of the few agents and HYDRA soldiers who had advanced on the sudden brilliance. The following fight stunned all who viewed it.
Althia stalked and corralled her enemy with the grace and cat like movements she was known to use in the gym. Any attack the woman made either failed entirely or simply disappeared in the light before more than a drop of Althia's blood spilled onto the surface of her skin. The super soldier HYDRA had sent had no healing ability and between the damage Loki had done and Althia's inexhaustible attacks her defenses were breaking down. Never getting close enough for the devastating metal that was the other woman's right hand. Althia used the series of dancer like moves Loki had been teaching her. In a stunning move she cut through the woman's arm between the shoulder and the elbow. She severed the limb completely and didn't stop her attacks. This was her moment of advantage and she was trained to take it. Spinning counter clockwise to complete a downward strike she severed her enemies head. Loki's voice rose to her ears clearly with one word "…sacrifice." more command than anything it pierced the air as Hydra soldiers swarming towards them as the special weapon failed.
All Helheim broke loose. The dead rose around Loki, crawling from the earth to swarm over his enemy as they charged towards him and Althia. Snakes that looked like nothing more that smoke shot off into the crowd and the base. The few SHIELD operatives close by tried to stop the sudden appearance of undead but it was useless. It was several minutes before they realized the undead did not attack or retaliate against the SHIELD agents but all Hydra agents were swarmed under and killed on sight. A slice of darkness rose from the earth. Tendrils of black that whipped and curled against the light of Althia's power. Fading down a woman was revealed her left side was exquisite but the right was the visage of a rotten corpse. Her black hair, straight and long, danced in a wind that emanated from her. Swirling around the strange armor her body was encased in. Loki's child, Hela, was a horror to behold in her wrath as she cut through the enemy bold enough to stand against her. Some with a blade, some by the bite of the asp, and some by her touch that stole the life from them. Clearing a large area around the Jet before pushing towards the center of the compound where heavy fighting could be heard Hela didn't even spare a glace for her father. Their weapons useless against the dead and their comrades rising to battle against them, HYDRA broke from the ring that had surrounded the tarmac. A tornado opened overhead and the bifrost seared the ground near Thor; the warriors three and lady Sif had come to their aid. Without hesitation SHIELD guards flocked to the warriors and together they began systematically annihilating the western lines of HYDRA. With the legendary skills for which they were known the four cleared the way till they joined Thor and rallied all to hunt down the enemy. The hulk wiped out enter troops of soldiers by simply sweeping through them with the flag pole he'd torn down. Quite a sight some would later say. Seeing the stars and stripes literally sweep their enemies aside.
Althia stood stunned in an empty circle where only the dead stood with her. Her bright form illuminated the side of the jet as she watched her enemies being defeated by the dead. A sound startled her from her silence and she ran to Loki's side dropping her sword near him. She cried out at the sight of the dreadful wound in his body. Loki cried out when she moved him to settle across her lap. Her dark hair brushed his pale cheek as their eyes met. "I pass my queen." He said in a soft and resigned voice. "No" she cried out pushing her power into him. "Please, Althia." Loki whispered "a kiss to carry me to Valhalla." His voice choking and fading away in his pain. Clutching him to her Althia lowered her face to his and kissed him. Her kiss filled with heart break she didn't understand and a retching in her chest that stole her thoughts. Amusement and delight filtered through the pain of his wound and her agony. She tensed and felt him chuckle onto her mouth before she jumped up dumping his perfectly healed body on the ground. Her own emotions had over run her power until the moment he was whole again. Loki grinned up at her as he sprung from the ground. His cloths in tatters she watched him dart away into the battle his laughter trailing behind him.
Jane came out and stood beside Althia holding her hand surrounded in a wide circle of the dead who repulsed all who tried to come near them. Thor and the warriors three sent the last of their enemy forces running back across the desert night. SHIELD jeeps roared to life, small aircraft lifted vertically from the tarmac and special armored Hummers came roaring up from a ramp that appeared from under a retractable section of the road fast. The battle had raged back and forth but it didn't last very long. In all 45 minutes past before the last HYDRA personnel was captured or cut down. Thor and the warriors three joyfully greeted each other as SHIELD agents picked up their wounded and moved towards the triage that was rapidly being erected on the field near the runway. Ironman brought in eight wounded agents who needed care immediately while his unit made its way from the perimeter. The Hulk came roaring up to the plane bowling through the dead his eyes furiously looking for anything to attack until he saw Althia. She threw herself towards him tears in her eyes ad Bruce's name rang across the area. The living and the dead stopped to watch as she moved; her body soaring across the asphalt and grass. She threw herself up into his arms and he caught her cradling her as her light eased his tortured spirit to peace; she found herself in the arms of Bruce Banner. They kissed and held each other as the stench of war and death surrounded them.
Fury called everyone to begin helping the wounded and secure the prisoners. Althia tensed "I have to help. They were here for me Bruce they came for me." He grabbed her face when the pain choked her voice off "They failed; they will always fail. Go save who you can." He said and stopped his eyes widening as he glanced over her shoulder. Turning Althia came face to face with Hela, daughter of Loki and queen of the damned of the nine realms. "Take my hand Daughter of Life." The half woman said reaching out with her human hand to Althia. Loki screamed "No, Hela don't." Bruce started to drag Althia back but she shook off his hand and stepped away. "She saved us all." She told him her face clouded with worry and fear. She glanced at Loki as he was struggling to walk through the mass of dead warriors. He was moving but not with the power she was used to seeing in his stride even he'd been pushed to his limit in the fight. The dark form glided over between Althia and Loki "Take my hand and show me you are worthy of his life." Hela said undeterred by the commands of her father. Althia looked at the face one side so exquisite; the goddess' red and gold flecked eyes piercing but patient from the sharp chiseled features on her face. Her black hair draped over the ruin of her dead side hiding it from view, so much like Loki in the living half. The other half the dead long gone and Althia wasn't afraid anymore. She reached out releasing the hold she kept on her power once again. Hela's hand was cold and stiff a beautiful corpse even in her living half. "My father called you his queen, are you?" Hela looked deep into the eye of the petite woman. "Althia?" Banner said as the two women walked away oblivious to his voice. They walked as if strolling in the park but it seemed as if they moved one step and crossed a dozen; Hela lead her to the triage area. "Are these your men? Is this your army?" Hela asked. Althia looked down at the face of a man bleeding from his side. She'd healed him when he'd taken a bad fall and broken his arm. He looked at her like she was hope and light he looked at her like she was his angel and she said the only thing she could "Yes Hela, these are my people this is my army. Loki is mine. In time should he learn to be worthy he will be my king." Hela nodded and raised their joined hands. "Release your light Daughter of Life. Release your power and as the queen of death I grant this gift to you." Althia began to glow brighter, her power rising like the sun from within her no longer shielding her from the death that held her hand but joining with it. She looked out over the injured and dying; the blond hair of Sharron kneeling by a man doing CPR, three men who she teased in the gym carrying a man on a tarp his legs gone below the knees, the woman who taught her to fold origami swans held a hand over a bullet wound in her leg, every life she'd touched was on the field. Her eyes found Sam; his hand a bloody ruin tucked against his chest that left his face a pale mask. She'd never save them all she thought, there isn't enough time. She felt her power shift reach and Hela used her own to carry Althia's power from one to the other. Those close to death coughed lungs clear and opened their eyes. Those who had lost limbs found healed stumps where their life had tried to bleed out of them.
Fury walked towards the women holding his side and watching two super beings one light and sunrise the other death and darkness made real. As the power brushed him he felt the wound he was holding close seamlessly. All across Gambit Base the injured rose as the power touched them. Althia's power breathed through the reach of the Goddess of death and gave a gift of life. Hela lowered their hands and she turned to lean down over Althia touching her forehead to Althia's "When you come into your own, remember me in my lonely home." She whispered as she let the woman's hand go. Looking up towards the plane "I told you father you are not welcome in my kingdom. Why do you not listen?" she smiled as Loki walked up his face a cool mask. "How else am I to see my beautiful daughter if I cannot visit her?" He replied as he reached them. He wrapped his arms around Hela and lifter her up laughing with delight and spun her around. The woman smiled at her father as he set her down. "I must return father, you are whole and my time grows short. Try not to make my efforts a waste." With that she vanished as she had arrived into dust and shadows. As the queen vanished the old dead and snakes turned to dust and blew away. The newly dead falling where they were like puppets suddenly without their strings. Bruce came walking up and looked at Althia like he'd never seen her before he stopped less than arms reach away she fell into him. Between the two tall men Althia was a childlike figure. ''Hela gives no gifts without a price. What did she say to you?" Loki asked when she release Bruce from her arms. "She asked me to remember her when I come into my own." Sadness replaced the relief on her face. "She's lonely." Althia told them. Thor, Jane, and the Asgardian warriors approach from one direction while Ironman, Fury and Agent Hill approached from the other. The three groups met in the middle of the triage area. Thor grabbed Loki in a rough embrace both men laughing. "It was good to see Hela brother, she is a mighty warrior." Thor was smiling like he'd just left a party. "We appreciate Asgard's assistance today how did you know we needed a hand?" Fury asked the warriors. "Heimdall was set to check on Loki to see to it he abided by the terms of his punishment. He saw Loki defending the Lady Althia and Thor had entered battle without us. He sent word asking if we cared to join them. We could not decline and allow Thor and Loki all the glory." Fandral answered "Whatever your reason, thank you. Agent Hill get this mess cleaned up." Fury said "Yes, sir." She relpied and moved off towards the nearest group.
"I have to ask, what was with the zombie horde?" Tony asked when he landed. Loki smiled with pride "My daughter Hela is queen of the condemned she has forbid me from entering her kingdom." He shrugged. "When my life was in jeopardy she felt compelled to act lest she find my spirit upon her doorstep so to speak." Fury look at Loki his face plainly stating that he didn't believe him "uh huh. You have any other children who would rather turn the tables against your enemies than see you?" Fury asked "Wait don't answer that I don't want to know." Sif was holding her side but grinning broadly Althia walked over and held out a glowing hand "May I?" she asked. Sif look at Thor and he nodded Sif stood up straight showing where a bullet cut through her side; it had passed completely through the warrior an attack by a hidden Hydra soldier after Hela had left. Althia laid her hand on the wound and Sif's eyes grew wide. When Althia removed her hand the wound was gone. "Your magic is everything Thor said it was. You have my thanks." Sif said with a small smile. Althia smiled and went to Fandral he was favoring his left shoulder. His eyes held a speculating look as he felt her power ease effortlessly the score in his shoulder. When she finished healing them she walked back to Bruce and Loki. Sif tuned to Fury "It is good to meet you Director Fury. Phil son of Col spoke highly of you when last we met. Tell me how has he faired?" Fury looked at her "Agent Colson is still running all over the planet with his team giving me a head ache as usual." He replied. "When next you speak, give him and the warrior May my greetings." Fury nodded. "I need to speak with my people for a few minutes. Thor."
Waving his hand to the others he walked off; Thor joined them after a minute. They discussed the incident between Althia and Agent Hill which was heated and made Jane mad enough she started cursing and hugged Althia despite the gore on her. "Thor, Althia can't stay here. Agent Hill has to rebuild the base. We have to get her out of their reach." Jane said. Bruce closed his eyes took a deep breath and looked at Loki then at Thor "Take her to Asgard. If the Allfather agrees to Loki and Jane going with her." Althia turned and gave him a shocked look. "Why? Why are you sending me away? Bruce, please I don't want to go!" she cried. The confidence she had shone dealing with Hela gone. Bruce folded her in his arms and held her close "I know how they found her. I figured it out in part when we were in the infirmary before the attack." He said into her hair loud enough for the group to hear him. "With this attack I'm sure now. Whenever she uses her powers I can feel it like a hum against my skin. Whatever her powers are they can be picked up by the same technology that detects gamma radiation. Until I can figure out a way to shield her from the sensors any time she heals someone she leaves a residue in the environment that can be detected. The more she does it in one area the more residue builds up in the environment around her. This base needs to be cleared director Fury. Don't rebuild; move. HYDRA knows what they are looking for and will come here looking again." Turning to Thor, Althia still in his arms crying "I know you can't answer for the All Father but talk to him. Explain what happened and ask him to let her stay until I can find a way to protect her without locking away her powers." He was fighting the urge to scream. He'd just found her and now he had to send her away to keep her safe. The same as always; he couldn't stand the idea of HYDRA chasing her till she stopped using her powers or they caught her and he knew that at some point they wouldn't be able to count on surprise visits from allies to save them. Loki had almost died today protecting her. Jane had been inside Starks plane if it had been hit she would have died. "Doctor Banner, your words are true and your sacrifice is noble." Thor said clasping the man's shoulder in his large hand "I have no need to seek my father's approval he spoke to me when Lady Althia found the Chitari worm." Thor said squeezed the man's shoulder. "That alone would have ensured her welcome in the halls of the palace but it was her freeing Loki of its influence that ensured her the eternal friendship of Asgard." Bruce looked into the bigger man's eyes and tried to accept his words. "Do not think that this is an indefinite separation. I am free to travel the realms and would be glad to escort her anywhere she cares to go, as would my bother." Thor's words slowly sank into Althia's mind. She could travel anywhere. "Here, I would want to come back. Often." She said sniffing as her hands continued clutching Bruce. He looked down at the woman in his arms his face losing the haunted look. "I'd like that, and it would give us a chance to test out any solutions I come up with." Bruce kissed her up turned face. "We old buddy, we come up with. I've got a team setting up the California tower for us already. So, when glow bug and reindeer games come visit it's easier to party." Tony interjected making Althia and Bruce laughed. "That's settled then, Ms. Foster I'll have my people contact yours and keep them informed as to the situation. I want the four of you off this planet before dawn. Do I make myself clear?" Fury said and watched as everyone agreed.
That night Bruce and Althia stayed in the mostly undamaged residential hall. Under guard of a full battalion of shield guards and agents. When they crawled into bed Althia began to cry again clinging to his chest. "Althia, don't cry. It isn't forever and once Tony and I have the California tower set up we can install shielding so HYDRA can't detect your presence. It won't be perfect but it will offer us some protection when you visit." He kissed her tears and lips. "Tony and I will be working to make you safe, and Fury is going after the man who held you. If either comes to completion then I'll cook you dinner the first day your back." He tilted her head to look into her eyes still full of fear and anguish "I've got a place in the woods up north on a lake, it's beautiful. We'll go there for a week." He whispered promises of their future into her ear until she silenced them with her lips. "You don't understand, I love you but there's more making me want to stay now." She whispered. He pulled back from her confused. "Did you hear what I said to Hela when we walked away?" she asked and he shook his head. "She made me realize that the men and women here are mine. My people, my family and now I'm leaving them. I'm not going to be here the next time someone gets hurt on a mission. I won't be here to heal and take care of them." She was heartbreaking in her loyalty and he loved her more for it. "I know but the doctors here are exceptional. Althia in the long run if we can make it safe for you to be here you can help more people than if you are constantly on the run. I know, I've been there." She nodded she knew he was right but she didn't like it.
She remembered her words to Hela on the battle field just as she was packing her music for Asgard. 'If he is worthy Loki will be my king' she was confused by her own words. They were true and she felt that in every fiber of her being but she loved Bruce Banner with a hopeless abandon she couldn't and wouldn't fight. What did it mean for both to be true? She couldn't have them both. Would she give up Bruce when Loki was fit to rule? Would Bruce turn from her? How could she have told the Queen of Helheim that she would make Loki her king when she loved Bruce? How could he be her king when she wasn't a ruler of anything? She could almost remember something about it. Something important she was missing. Something from her past that she couldn't recall. 'Jibana Meye' a voice whispered in the corner of her mind but the sound of Thor calling to Loki distracted her.
She grabbed the bag she was bringing to Asgard. Loki and Jane assured her that she would be given appropriate clothing and necessities once she reached the palace. Jane had texted her things she might miss while they were there; things Jane had missed when she had spent time there. She had loaded an iPod with her music and some favorite videos, her perfume, the dance slippers and a gorgeous Indian belly dancing outfit went into a small box. It was from Dr. Amin; a gift to her. She had been learning belly dancing from her in the woman's off time. The other odds and ends fit in the bag around it. Bruce sat in a chair by the door staring at her. He wasn't sure he could walk her to the Asgardian's and keep his control so he told her he was going straight to Tony's plane and heading for California as soon as the bifrost closed. Seeing him she dropped her bags and stood there, every time she looked at him she found herself studying his face memorizing each line, curvy, and expression. "Bruce?" she whispered the question; he took deep breath. She walked over and straddled his legs. Just as she had done the first morning after they made love. She laid her head on his hair pulling his face into her bosom his hands traced up her legs over her body. She rubbed her cheek against his hair taking in his scent. She let herself forget what she was supposed to do and relaxed into him.
Bruce felt the tension ease out of her as she straddled his legs and they hugged. It was the moment she started purring that he knew she'd come back to him. It was the first time he'd heard her purr when she was fully awake and he let himself fall into the sound and scent of her for a moment. "You've got to go. Fury wants us all gone before sunrise." He remaindered her. She nodded in his hair. "I know. I want you to keep this." she said sliding her hand between them to show him a lock of her hair braided carefully and the cut end sealed with wax. He smiled up at her sweet face and kissed her softly. "Thor will let you know when we have the tower ready but it maybe a couple months. I want you to have fun and bring back happy memories from Asgard." He tapped her thigh and she got u stepping back as she listened to him. "I had Jane bring her camera so she can take pictures of all the stuff you guys see up there. It will give us something to do at the cabin." He said holding the lock of hair. She smiled "oh, you want to spend our week looking at pictures?" he tilted his head fighting the smile that kept tugging at his lips "Well part of it, maybe." They laughed together hugged again after got up. "Tell my angel I'll miss her." Althia said before she grabbed her bags, she straightened her spine, and walked away. It was the longest trip out of the building she's ever made.
Bruce watched from the window as she met up with the others. His eyes hardened when she was out of sight and a flicker of green showed. He wasn't going immediately to Tony's plane he hated lying to her but this was different. Once the base was clear Bruce Banner was going to let off some steam and make sure there wasn't anything for HYDRA to find the next time they visited. Clint would be on standby to pick him up when he calmed down.
Loki watched her come out of the building and the tears on her cheeks told him how much she wanted to stay. Jealousy had always had a strong hold on him and he was definitely jealous of the way she felt about Bruce Banner. When she got close Jane hugged her tightly. "We'll get you through this, and then you'll come back. Just wait Tony and Bruce will find a way." She said and all Althia could do was smile sadly. She looked with lost eyes at Loki and he saw her trust in him. It was still surprising that someone looked to him like that. Unconsciously he reached out and cupped her cheek in his hand wiping a tear away with his thumb. He sighed she leaned into his hand and blinked hard. Giving himself a shake he turned and knelt opening the case that allowed her sword to be moved by hands other than her own. He stood and stepped back not touching the blade or the sheath. All three watched her put on the sword in silence. Loki could see the confidence it gave her and the strength she found having it close. It wasn't a part of the sword but her own sense of rightness with the blade that caused her spine to straighten her shoulders to relax as she looked at Thor and nodded. Thor gave her a brief hug before heading towards the bifrost clearing.
The warriors watched her come Thor and Jane on one side Loki on the other and Sif realized she looked and moved like one accustom to command and power. Fandral, Volstagg, and Hogun bowed to her unconscious of the action until they stood up. Her skills in battle displayed the night before made them respect her as a warrior but her healing made their esteem rise to a new level. Each was serious and there was no mocking in their motion or faces.
"Shall we go?" she said her voice calm and controlled but the tears on her cheeks made a lie of it. With a sharp nod Thor pulled Jane tight against his side and looked up. Loki took her hand and wrapped it around his arm with a gentle pat of his other. "Hold tight" he said "the passage is not always easy to adjust to your first time." She reach her other hand up and gripped his where it was laid on hers. "Thank you, Loki." She said just as Thor's voice boomed "Heimdall open the bifrost."