A/N-To all my loyal readers, and especially those who have taken the time to R&R, thank you! There is a little Thank you gift at the end of the chapter...I hope you like!
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"I beg your pardon?" Sif asked, incredulous.
"Which personification of Death does Thanos worship?" Sauer looked at Sif as if she were dense.
"Personification?"
"Goddess of Death," Anne explained, growing impatient. "Which one is he interested in?"
"I thought your people didn't personify Death?" Sif looked genuinely puzzled.
Anne snorted. "Well, I don't, and guaranteed nobody else in the room does either, but the Avengers aren't the world. Plenty of religious groups through history had gods and goddesses for everything. Aren't I talking to the Norse goddess of war?"
"Well, technically yes, but..."
"But nothing," Anne shook her head. "Prince Loki told me that a lot of the ancient pantheons actually exist, just like you do, but in different realms or dimensions. Apparently there was a lot of traffic and trade between realms long ago, that was for one reason or another shut down. Hogun said war had a lot to do with it, and that we're lucky that Earth isn't still an intergalactic stomping ground due to a bunch of different treaties."
"Hogun used that many words in one breath?"
"Don't digress, Lady Sif. We could have a couple of hundred so-called goddesses to choose from, and we have to narrow them down!"
Sif's eyes narrowed. "What makes you think Thanos' intended is a goddess known on this planet?" she demanded.
"Thanos is from this system, remember?" Sauer grew impatient. "Since Earth-Midgard, excuse me-was the approved transit hub between realms when he was growing up, it makes sense that he would have encountered this woman here. That means she would have been known here, and probably worshipped here," she explained.
Sif sat up straight again. "This actually makes sense, Lady Anne," she said eagerly. "How many goddess of death did your ancestors have?"
"Hmmm. I don't know off hand," Anne Sauer's brow wrinkled for a moment, and then brightened. "J.A.R.V.I.S., how many Earth Pantheons have one or more goddesses associated with Death?"
There was a quiet 'hum' from the speaker before the AI answered.
"Voiceprint identification acknowledged: Sauer, S., age 25, personal administrative assistant to Mr. Anthony Stark and Ms. Elizabeth 'Pepper' Potts; clearance level Gamma Upsilon Nu..."
"What did it say?" Sauer gave a Sif a confused look, who translated the AI's comments for her. Anne Sauer scowled at the ceiling.
"Cut it out, J.A.R.V.I.S.! How many Earth Pantheons have a goddess for death?" Sauer repeated herself to the groaning AI, but it still did not answer. A few moments and a few clicks later, J.A.R.V.I.S. finally spoke again.
"Voiceprint analysis identified. Speaker is S. Sauer. Query unidentifiable. Please speak more slowly or choose a language from the drop-down list."
"What is wrong with that thing?" Anne muttered.
"You are still speaking the All-Tongue," Sif pointed out. "While it is magically understood by living hearers, the Man of Iron's mechanical servant is not alive. It therefore hears an un-translated dialect from another realm, and cannot understand or answer your query."
"Damn," the young woman muttered. "I really liked this job, too. Now, thanks to some intergalactic mojo..." she groused, but Sif cut her off.
"The problem is manageable," she said, waving at Pepper. "Miss Potts, would you join us, please? We are in need of your assistance!"
The slender red-head walked over and handed Anne a large glass of juice, which she gulped down.
"Thanks, Pepper," she gasped.
"No problem," Pepper said, giving her a gentle pat on the back. "Glad to see the two of you haven't taken each other's heads off. What's going on?"
Sif had to translate Pepper's comments for Sauer, but the three women soon had J.A.R.V.I.S. producing a detailed list of pantheons along one blank wall, organized alphabetically by culture.
"That's a lot of deities," Pepper said, her eyes wide.
"Look," Sauer pointed, "at the Greek mythology list. Isn't that our bad boy himself?"
Pepper enlarged the list so they could consider it.
Hades, king of Underworld.
Persephone, queen of the Underworld, wife of Hades and goddess of spring growth.
Thanatos, spirit of death and mortality.
Macaria, daughter of Hades and goddess of blessed death (not to be confused with the daughter of Heracles).
Angelos, a daughter of Zeus and Hera who became an underworld goddess.
Lampades, torch-bearing Underworld nymphs.
Gorgyra.
Orphne, a Lampad nymph of Hades, mother of Askalaphos.
Erebus, the primeval god of darkness, his mists encircled the underworld and filled the hollows of the earth.
Tartarus, the darkest, deepest part of the underworld.
Keuthonymos, an Underworld spirit and father of Menoetes.
Lamia, a vampiric Underworld spirit or spirits in the train of Hecate.
Menoetes, an Underworld spirit who herded the cattle of Hades.
Mormo, a fearsome Underworld spirit or spirits in the train of Hecate.
Hecate, a Greek Goddess of witchcraft, ghosts, magic etc.
Artemis, bringer of sudden death, plague and disease to animals, girls, and women. Also to death in childbirth and infant mortality.
"Hmmm," said Sif. "Miss Potts, can you eliminate the males from this list?
Pepper nodded. "J.A.R.V.I.S., eliminate all males from the list," she commanded.
"Certainly, Miss Potts," responded the AI.
Persephone, queen of the Underworld, wife of Hades and goddess of spring growth.
Macaria, daughter of Hades and goddess of blessed death
Angelos, a daughter of Zeus and Hera who became an underworld goddess.
Lampades, torch-bearing Underworld nymphs.
Gorgyra.
Orphne, a Lampad nymph of Hades, mother of Askalaphos.
Lamia, a vampiric Underworld spirit or spirits in the train of Hecate.
Mormo, a fearsome Underworld spirit or spirits in the train of Hecate.
Hecate, a Greek Goddess of witchcraft, ghosts, and magic
Artemis, bringer of sudden death, plague and disease to animals, girls, and women. Also to death in childbirth and infant mortality.
"Lady Anne," Sif said thoughtfully, "you saw a rendering of Thanos' love while enslaved by him. How many heads did the woman have?"
"Just one," Sauer answered. "Why?"
"Hecate has three," Sif said with a nod. "She is off of our list. Very well. Did the lady's image have pointed teeth, any animal parts, or carry torches?"
"No, no, and no." said Miss Sauer.
"That eliminates the Lampades: Gorgyra and Orphne, as well as Lamia and Mormo," Sif said confidently. "Lamia and Mormo are part serpent, while Gorgyra and Orphne are...well..."
"Scarier than all unbelief?" Sauer guessed.
"That is one way of stating it," Sif nodded. "Very good then. Who is left?"
"J.A.R.V.I.S., please make the necessary adjustments," Pepper commanded.
The screen flickered for a moment.
"As you wish, Miss Potts," the AI answered.
Persephone, queen of the Underworld, wife of Hades and goddess of spring growth.
Macaria, daughter of Hades and goddess of blessed death
Angelos, a daughter of Zeus and Hera who became an underworld goddess.
Artemis, bringer of sudden death, plague and disease to animals, girls, and women. Also to death in childbirth and infant mortality.
"I thought Artemis was goddess of the moon and hunting?" Sauer frowned. "What is she doing here?"
"Same name, different pantheon," Sif shrugged. "Such things happen." She peered at the list again and frowned. "I cannot imagine Persephone tolerating courtship from someone as monstrous as Thanos. She barely tolerates her own husband, though he has made her a queen; she hates being surrounded by the dead."
"How did she hook up with Hades, then?" Pepper asked, curious.
"Bride-capture," Sif answered dryly.
"Bastard," Sauer muttered.
"He is actually a legitimate son of Chronos and Rhea," Sif corrected, "the oldest brother of Zeus and Poseidon..."
"Weren't Chronos and Rhea both Titans?" Sauer interrupted.
"Ummmm, yes, they were. Why?"
"The same as Thanos, or Thanatos?" Sauer continued. "If Thanos really hates Olympians, would he really go after one romantically?"
Sif pressed her lips together. "It depends on his lust, I suppose. Just because the Frost Giants are universally hated on Asgard does not mean that courtships do not happen between individuals," she explained.
"It would help," Sauer said slowly, "if anybody knew what Macaria, Angelos, and Artemis really look like. The woman in Thanos' shrine was beautiful; I would know her if I saw her again," she offered.
"THOR! LOKI!" Sif bellowed, "GET OVER HERE!"
Potts and Sauer shook their heads, stunned at the sudden noise, and clapped their hands over their ears. "Warn somebody before you do that!" Pepper groused.
The Aesir princes rose from their conference table and walked to where the women had been working. The rest of the men shrugged and followed in their wake.
"What is this?" Thor muttered, looking at the shortened list of Olympic goddesses.
"Miss Sauer had an idea that deserved exploring," Sif explained. "If we can identify Thanos' intended love, perhaps we can shorten his attack on the planet by bringing her here."
"Good thinking, Annie," Barton said, giving his young pal a friendly squeeze on the shoulder.
"Thanks, Clint." The young office assistant frowned anxiously at the bruises appearing on her friend's throat. "Did I...Are you all right?" she stammered.
Clint waved her off. "It's only a flesh wound."
"He's had worse," Natasha nodded.
Sif translated for Sauer, who (to the older warriors' surprise) dissolved into laughter. "What did I miss?" The Aesir wondered.
"Just an old movie reference," Sauer answered through giggles. "I needed that, too."
Pepper rolled her eyes. "Monty Python hooligans," she snorted.
"Laughter doeth the heart good, like medicine," Bishop Gentry quoted. "Though I doubt the Holy Grail will help us in this circumstance, children. What do we look at on this wall?"
"It would appear to be a short list of the ancient Greek pantheon, Bishop," Thor said thoughtfully, pulling on his beard, "but with the males eliminated. Why do you consider this, Sif?"
She raised an eyebrow at him. "I did just say why, Thor. Wast not listening?"
"He heard you, Sif, but I doubt he makes the necessary connection," Loki answered. "It is a good idea...there even was a Thanatos connected with this list at one time..."
"We already eliminated him," Pepper volunteered. "We were trying to find out if perhaps one of these goddesses could be his Lady."
Thor shrugged. "That I could have told you right off. Thanatos and Macaria wed some 500 years ago."
"They did?" Pepper looked stricken. "But we thought..."
"A noble enterprise, Lady Pepper," Loki said dryly, "but Thanatos and Thanos are not the same person.
"Oh," Sauer breathed, crestfallen. "I was hoping to find out what the other goddesses looked like, in case one of them resembles the idol Thanos has on his bridge."
Loki nodded silently. "Still a good idea, Miss Sauer," he finally acknowledged. "Perhaps your mechanical servant has an imaging program that can perform such an artistic function?"
"J.A.R.V.I.S. does have a program that can do that," Stark nodded. "Get on it, kiddo."
"What?" Sauer looked up at her boss, perplexed. Sif had to translate again.
"This is beyond aggravating," the young woman groused. "I really need to speak English again. Is there any way to fix whatever is going on in my head?" She looked hopefully up at Loki.
The Dark Prince grimaced. "That is a complicated piece of sorcery, young lady, and one forbidden to me. You could end up permanently brain damaged or worse. We should consult with the All-Mother or Lady Eir for such treatment."
"What is wrong with the young lady?" Bishop Gentry asked. "She seems perfectly healthy to me."
Loki explained the young woman's dilemma to the old priest, who nodded sagely.
"Hmmm. I have heard of such a thing. I may be able to help her, but I shall have to consult with some of my brethren first," the old man said.
"Truly? Your seidr is most impressive, then, Bishop. I would hear more of it," Loki admitted.
"Seidr?" The Bishop looked puzzled.
"Magic."
"Hemmmm, well, I don't believe it is properly categorized as 'magic'," Bishop Gentry admitted. "In reality..."
The Bishop and Loki ambled off, talking in low tones about magic, science, and spiritual gifts. Thor stayed behind for a moment.
"Don't be discouraged, lad," he said, giving Sauer a seemingly affectionate pat on the back. "It is, in truth, a good idea. Let us know when the rendering is finished, will you?"
Clint cleared his throat awkwardly, but Thor seemed not to notice. He was consulting with Lady Sif again. Clint looked down at Sauer. Her face was stony.
"Annie?" he prodded cautiously.
She glanced up at him, then looked at Thor and held up three fingers. Clint grimaced.
"Do you want me to..." he made a few motions between himself and Thor, who still had his back turned to the pair, but the young woman shook her head.
"I've used words, Clint. They don't help. I'll handle this my own way," she said, shaking her head. She held up placating hands at the look of consternation that appeared on Clint's face. "Don't worry! Nothing drastic, I promise!"
Clint stuck out a fist, one digit extended, and scowled. "Annie," he said warningly.
She scowled back. "I refuse to pinky-swear with a 40-year-old super hero," she groused. "You just have to trust me."
"Thor is a big boy, Clint," Natasha shrugged. "I say let him take his lumps." She turned to Sauer and patted her on the back. "Give him Hell, girl."
Sauer smiled and turned back to the list, and suddenly froze. Hell...was it still there? "Pepper?" she croaked. "Pepper, help me!"
"What is it?" Her boss was at her side in an instant, but Sauer was pointing at the list again...at a spot just below the Greek deities of death...Sauer made an expanding motion with her hands, and Pepper nodded.
"J.A.R.V.I.S., minimize the Greek pantheon, and expand the next one," Pepper commanded.
"As you wish, Miss Potts," the AI responded.
Norse Gods of Death appeared on the wall, followed by only three names.
"That...that has to be it," Sauer said, barely able to breathe from excitement. "That's it! I know it!"
Pepper made to call Sif, but Sauer was already out of her chair and across the room.
"Prince Loki!" she found him still deep in conversation with the Bishop, at the other side of the conference table, and barged into their conversation without warning.
"I beg your pardon, young lady," the Bishop began, but Loki cut him off.
"She can't understand you, your Grace," he explained. "What is it, Miss Sauer?"
"You said that you raised three children. Was one of them a daughter named 'Hel'?" Excitement brought fresh blood to her face, and Sauer found herself flushing.
"Yes. Why?" Loki's face was cautious, but calculating.
"Is she the Aesir Queen of the Dead?" Sauer couldn't keep the excitement out of her voice. She just kept it from shaking.
She had Loki's full attention now, and he nodded. His dark brooding eyes seemed to pierce her soul. "Hel rules in Niflheimr. She has authority over all those who do not die in battle." Those piercing eyes narrowed. "Why do you ask?"
"Is she half-black, and half flesh-colored? Does she have long black hair, a beautiful face, a green cloak, and a sad face?" Sauer continued.
Loki's eyes widened, and his face...shifted. He took Hel's form before the eyes of Sauer and the Bishop.
"Is this the woman you saw? Is this the idol on Thanos' bridge?" Loki's voice out of a woman's body...strong hands grabbed Sauer by the shoulders, shaking her... "IS THIS SHE?" Neither of them was aware of the small crowd of people gathering around them. Their raised voices had gathered...attention.
Sauer's eyes went wide as she nodded, and Loki released her, returning to his Jotun form.
"All this time, all the deals, the quests for power, for rule...the supposed mercy..." Loki breathed, staring at the nothing in particular.
Sauer thought the demi-god was in shock.
"It was all a scam, wasn't it? Just a ploy to make nice with you, so he could have your blessing to get under your daughter's skirts..." Sauer said breathlessly. "Does this change anything? Can we..."
Sauer didn't get to finish her question. Loki grabbed the young woman and bent her backwards over the table, his mouth passionately molded onto hers, tongue probing, the two of them oblivious to the roar of indignation around them until Thor's massive hands pulled Loki off of her. Their eyes met for a fraction of a second.
"What was that for?" Sauer breathed in shock.
One eyebrow lifted, and the Dark Prince gave her a feral smile.
"Thinking. Well done," he said smoothly, gradually releasing her even as Thor hauled him away.
Sauer blinked as she stood up, shaking, her lips burning and her head spinning. She staggered as if she was drunk, and Pepper's hand on her arm gave her some support. She turned to her boss.
"Chair?" she croaked. Pepper nodded and grabbed the nearest seat, which the young secretary gratefully sank into.
"Annie?" a concerned Barton said, floating into her field of vision. "You ok?"
She gave her archer friend a wobbly smile and nodded. "Ohhhh, yeah. Great. Thanks!" Her head dropped backwards and her eyes closed.
"Lady Anne, are you well?" Sif prodded. Sauer opened her eyes to see an upside-down Sif.
"Yup!" she answered drunkenly. "Sooo, Sif...how long has Loki been kissing girls? Be honest, now," she chided.
"Hmmm, about 900 years or so," Sif said wryly. "Why?"
"He's reeeeeeeeeeally good at it," Sauer gave her a conspiratorial nod, and clunk, she fell over again.
Pepper shrugged as she struggled to life her young friend's form. "Long day," she said to no-one in particular.
Clint Barton stepped up to Pepper's side. "Here, Miss Potts. I'll take her," he offered. Arms that easily bent a 200 lb bow lifted Anne Sauer as if she were a doll, and he carried her to a nearby couch.
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Loki made eye contact with Thor, and gave his older brother a wolfish grin. "Still got it," he gloated.
"You're incorrigible," Thor groused, dragging Loki over to a seat.
"You finally noticed," Loki snickered. "I'm surprised it took you this long." He sighed, relaxing back into his chair. "The game is on, gentlemen. Shall we play?"
TBC