Disclaimer: I do not own these characters.
A/N: Okay I don't know shit about Thanos. Also part of this will make a bit more sense if you've read 'Shining Stars' on my AO3 but it's not necessary.
Warning: Character Deaths.
The god throws knives and bursts of magic when he leaps off the boat. A familiar flare of energy makes hims turn sideways to catch Gabriel's arm. Once they land they begin hurling magic and their fists meet flesh. Gabriel stretches his powerful wings sweeping away his foes in a tangle of bloody limbs. Loki turns a dark blue as he calls the sleeping ice in his veins, shooting spears of frost with deadly accuracy.
The archangel pushes the god away from a flying dagger and Loki breaks the skull of an alien behind Gabriel. Before the younger trickster can race away to continue fighting Gabriel grabs a handful of his collar.
"You have a lot of explaining for what you've done to them."
"They seem to be handling their own pretty well. Dean and Sam are naturals."
"Whatever."
In a blink they separate to slash through a monster hurtling out of the sky towards them. Gabriel's laughter fills the air as he wipes away the gore covering his face and sword.
"Just like old times."
The god grins back menacingly because he remembers. He knows battles like these have happened before in different pasts that no longer exist. He knows this is what he's meant to do.
"Are you ready?"
Gabriel's eyes harden but he nods.
"Yeah, let's get this over with."
~~0O0~~
They freeze as a large being immobilizes and rips through Samandriel. The angel's brilliant white Grace flares for a moment and then it disappears. Loki can't stop his hands from shaking as the torn body of the angel's vessel is thrown aside. The alien faces the angel and the god,
"Ah, the traitor."
"Steady," growls Gabriel when Loki hisses.
"With these weapons," laughs Thanos, twirling an angel blade, "we will destroy this pitiful rock."
They leap, attacking from both sides in a attempt to distract their opponent. Loki is blocked by a different sword and an alien soldier pushes him away leaving Gabriel to engage Thanos alone.
~~0O0~~
The trickster cringes away as the sharp metal pierces his ribs. He only realizes too late that he's left himself defenseless while he tries to stop the blood from gushing out of his wound. The dagger is too close to avoid and Loki braces himself for what will happen. From the corner of his eye he sees the earth explode and a shower of rocks fly towards him and his opponent. Mayhem, disguised as a piece of shrapnel, flies between them to imbed himself into the aliens outstretched arm. In a puff of smoke and a wink Mayhem is gone but that small distraction is enough for the god to twist the dagger away barely missing his heart.
Loki grins in triumph when a knife hidden in his sleeve rams through the armor causing his enemy to fall. But something isn't right. The dying creature laughs and laughs at the confused god.
"Fool."
A dark feeling sweeps through him and a horrible cough bubbles up his throat sending him to his knees gasping for breath. The blood in his veins feel like liquid fire boiling his insides. He screams, tearing at his eyes when they bulge from the pressure but the pain continues. When the ache dies down he's on his back bleeding from his eyes and mouth. His ears ring when the din of war around him comes back to full force. He stands on shaky legs ignoring the knife in his shoulder, hand over the fresh burn on his chest.
There is only emptiness where the glow of Grace used to be.
A yell of anger and fury erupts from him as he throws himself back into the fray. The presence of both Winchesters and Castiel near him drive him forward. He dimly hears the Avengers in the background as they making their way through the mass of bodies.
"Thanos!"
The immortal grins at the trickster.
Loki isn't in the right mind as he runs head on with a handful of magic and a broken sword to fight. The sword is quickly knocked away and his magic sputters weakly as Thanos crushes his fist. Air rushes out of his lungs when he slams against the ground and a heavy foot is placed over his bleeding chest. He snarls defiantly, ice spreading across the ground beneath him, even as the cold metal touches his neck.
~~0O0~~
Dean sees the spear about to impale the trickster. Something pulls him, makes him push against the line of aliens surrounding him until he breaks through. He doesn't think as he extends a hand letting it fall into a familiar hold and shoots. Loki pulls away as Thanos suffocates on the bullet lodged in his throat. The trickster barely has a chance to savor the Mad Titan's frown before a white hue surrounds him. The light begins to dim but Thanos is still alive, cackling at their failure.
Mayhem materializes in a whirlwind jamming a bare hand into the bullet wound, digging deeper and twisting.
"I'm the magic breaking through your defenses. I'm the bullet making its way towards your heart. I'm Mayhem."
Dean is shooting again. After watching their master fall at the hands of a man the few remaining aliens flee but are captured in Jörmungandr waiting mouth or Fenrir's claws.
The hunter is breathing heavily and is still too angry and shaken to realize there is no gun in his hand.
~~0O0~~
Loki tries to focus on the lifeless body in his arms. The shock is still too fresh, too much to push away, because this isn't suppose to happen.
A whisper echoes sadly, 'The angel never dies first.'
That single thought makes him choke as guilt and pain crash down harder. He can't pay attention to anything as agony spears through his heart. He doesn't want to focus on anyone but his fallen friend. Yet, the god does notice the smear of dirt across Gabriel's pale cheek, the smell of crushed flowers under the heel of his boot, and spray of blood across yellowing grass.
"Mala?"
Loki turns away from Gabriel's body when he hears Mayhem panic.
"Mala!"
La Mala Suerte stumbles in their direction, clutching his chest, each breath becoming shallow and painful. He raises a paling hand intending to reach Mayhem even as he falls apart. Those with the ability to See watch in shock as Mala scatters in the wind. Mayhem's face twists in horror, his uncontrollable energy rises and a vortex of wind surrounds him.
"NO! NO! NO!"
Clumps of earth and debris from the enemy wreckage fly around them as the small storm becomes a powerful tornado. Shield and the Avengers fall back to avoid the onslaught as the Winchesters move forward.
"Loki, he's out of cont-!"
"Stop him Loki! Sto-!"
Their yells are cut off as Castiel whisks them away from the dangerous winds. Somewhere in the background Loki hears Thor calling but unable to reach him due to the flying obstacles.
"Loki! Stop! Please, brother!"
The trickster frowns before realizing those around him aren't able to see that Mayhem is the one grieving. Mayhem is the one screeching in despair as his soul is torn apart. They can't see one of his closest friends be devoured by the anguish of loosing himself again after so many centuries of being whole. Loki reaches out to pull the chaotic being into his arms, clutching him when the screams gain volume.
Together, with Gabriel's body, they slip through a hidden door.
Edited: 10-30-2013