Avengers, Loki, and the Wild

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Marvel characters; however, the character, Elsa Wild, is indeed mine. The character, as well as the story, is inspired by a book I read called Into The Wild one year in middle school.

Author's Note: Hey guys! Sorry for the long wait; it's been a rough couple of weeks with college finals and stuff, but thankfully winter break is here. Yay! Anyways, because Christmas is coming up, I'm going to try to right a one-shot to celebrate. Maybe. We'll see how that goes. However, I do already have an idea for a different project to tackle. But, before I start that, here are the next couple of chapters of this story. Sorry it isn't much, but it's better than nothing. Remember, don't be afraid the review, comment, critique, etc. etc. etc. Thanks and enjoy!

Chapter 16

He opened his eyes to find himself staring up at the ceiling. Blinking, he just laid there, staring up until finally he started to move. He was laying on a something soft. Where was he? He tried to remember, but that only caused his head to hurt. Sighing, he slowly lifted himself off the bed, sitting on the edge with his feet touching the floor. He looked around, noticing how ornate and extravagant the room was. There were tons of portraits on the walls. The furniture was all a dark brown, almost black, including the bed, which was also decorated with a blue blanket. The wall he now faced had a huge window, looking out at…whatever it was looking out at.

Slowly, he got out of bed, making his way towards the window. He passed a full body mirror and…what he saw made him stop. Looking back at him was a huge, green beast. Suddenly, he remembered. He was Bruce, a man cursed to be a beast as punishment for not giving shelter to a sorceress. The curse will not lift unless he fell in love and, in turn, someone fell in love with him. This, of course, was impossible. Who could ever love, befriend, or appreciate a monster like him? He passed the mirror and looked out through the window. Outside was the vast dark forest. It was raining, which matched the gloom he felt inside. Looking down, in the blackness, he could make out the form of a…a horse. What was a horse doing at his home? Wanting to get to the bottom of this, Bruce made his way downstairs.

Chapter 17

He woke up, his body aching all over. Well, your body would ache if you slept on the cobblestones of an alleyway, against a wall, wouldn't it? He got up, dusting off his ridiculously multi-colored outfit. His shirt, which at one point of time was a plain red, was patched up with different colored fabrics, including green, yellow, blue, and plaid. His pants were brown, but also patched up. At his waist was a leather belt with a pipe attached to it. And his feet…well, he was barefoot. Where was he? How'd he get there? What…Who was he?

Rubbing his now hurting head, he walked out of the alleyway and was greeted with the night. He was in a small town; the road lined with shops, and above each shop was more than likely the home of the shop owner and his family. Suddenly, he realized how hungry he was. If only he could find some food. But, after searching his person, he soon found he had not a morsel or money on him. Sighing, he began to walk down the street to who knows where when the lights started to turn on, one by one, in each of the homes. It was soon followed by screaming. People dressed in night clothing filtered out of the buildings, all screaming the same thing: "Rats! Rats! My home, my shop, everything is infested with rats!"

He didn't know how, but, looking at the situation before him, he came up with a plan to solve his and their problems. Feeling bold, he approached the swirling mass of towns folk. "Ladies! Gentlemen! Settle down and listen to me!" he called out. As if by magic, everyone suddenly turned towards the man, eyes wide and curious. "Let me introduce myself. I am Tony," he said, bowing, and not knowing where that name came from, "a mere traveler. However, I come with a gift! I am an expert rat catcher with my pipe," at this he lifted up the instrument into the air for everyone to see. "Give me a chance, and if I successfully rid your homes of rats, then, in turn, you must pay me with money and food. Is that a deal?" The town's people al looked at each other. An important looking man, who was decked out in a black suit, then emerged from the crowd and approached Tony. "I am Phil Coulson, mayor of this town. Do as you say, and we promise to reward you with as much bread and silver you wish," he said smoothly. Tony soon found himself grinning widely, lifting his pipe to his mouth.

Chapter 18

Thor woke up, not sure of the cause. He looked over at Loki to see him still sleeping. Thor sighed at the sight of his now innocent brother. Before, Loki was filled with hatred, anger, and resentment, not afraid to hurt or kill anyone at any moment. But now…now his little brother seemed to be just that, little. As if he had never known what it was like to bear these emotions. Thor thought back to what Loki had said before, about the huntsman and how the huntsman didn't kill Loki because he couldn't kill something so innocent. Innocent. Loki, strangely enough, really was the innocent one now.

Thor got out of bed to kneel before Loki's side. He looked into the pale face, sleep making him look even more like a child. He tucked a loose strand of hair behind Loki's ear, finding that Loki really was cold to the touch, suddenly reminding Thor that Loki before did not see them as brothers due to his adoption, but…but now he doesn't remember that. Now, all Loki knows was that he and Thor were brothers, and that, that right there filled Thor with hope that maybe Thor could somehow mend things with his little brother, maybe fix their relationship. Thor then, quietly made a promise to himself to not tell Loki of his true heritage, his past wrong-doings, or the betrayal his family had caused him. No, Thor would let him figure that part out on his own. However, for now, maybe he could just tell him all the good things they experienced together as children. Yes, that would work.

"Is that really what you want though?" a voice asked quietly from behind. Thor whipped his head around to see Snow standing in the doorway, leaning against the frame, with her arms crossed. "I know what you're thinking. It would be right to start with the light memories, yes, but you will have to tell him everything eventually," she said, walking over towards the two men.

"I do not want to see my brother hurt from my words," Thor responded, looking back at his brother.

"Take a good look at him, Thor. Is this really your brother? At this moment, he is not. The good is important, but so is the bad. Both shaped him to be what he is today," Snow whispered, looking down at the sleeping figure.

"My brother is not a villain!" Thor hissed.

"I never said he was. Elsa Wild is a terrible woman; however, one thing she is skilled at is seeing the true souls of people. She did not see your brother as a villain, so then he must not be a villain," Snow explained.

"Then what did she see him as?" Thor asked.

"A threat," Snow answered, "a threat to her system, her throne, her power. The only way for her to be released is by power as strong as hers, perhaps stronger. It was Loki who freed her, Thor, not on purpose by all means, but it was still he. And, therefore, it is only he who can stop her."