Disclaimer: I don't own anything...
So good news I have written the rest of the story! Bad news is there only 3 more chapters plus a epilogue not including the chapter your about to read! Some major stuff is going to happen in these next couple of chapters! Stuff I would hope that somebody picked up on while reading along! I have ever intention on going back to previous chapter and fixing some typos!
Also another disclaimer: I must tell you I am not super well versed in the Marvel universe, so I did a little research but I also made some stuff up, so don't judge me if you read this and realize that it came from nothing Marvel at all, and connections I made are pure imagination. ;)
Chapter 18: A Burden With Glorious Purpose
Loki felt the fog of mind control being lifted off of his mind, allowing him to completely see that Darcy was unconscious and bleeding from the head, while her left leg jutted out in an unnatural angle. The wall she crashed into was crumbled around her, and all Loki could do was yell and run over to her.
"Darcy! Come on Sweetheart get up!"
Tears ran down Loki's face, and he could hear the team kick into action, Thor taking on Malekith with his hammer. The sound of Elven magic swam to his ears and it ignited the angry and vengeful spirit inside him, all though this time it was directed toward the evil fighting his brother. Casting a protective shield over her and dealt with various Chitari, his Anger and sorrow fueling his every spell, and he found himself disabling Chitari twenty at a time. His goal was to get to Makekith, and he when he did, he caught the elf by surprise by firing his scepter at his chest, causing him to fly backwards and crash into a car, smashing its windows and flipping it onto its side.
Thor looked at Loki, he knew his brother was powerful, he had never doubted that, but this was a new level for the sorcerer.
"Brother will you fight this bout alone?"
Thor asked, ready to fling Mjonir wherever she was needed. Loki looked at Thor, for a moment and spoke.
"Yes. This is between him and I, and that it shall stay. Go help the others defend Midgard, as I have failed to do."
Loki said, looking back at the green sphere surrounding Darcy.
Thor said,
"Dear Brother you have not failed Midgard. You stand with it now. I will make sure Banner gets to Darcy."
Loki nodded at Thor, it was a way of Thanking the man who no matter what acted as his brother. Thor flew off to battle Chitari, and Makekith was raising himself up from wreckage of the car.
"It is sad, You have more power than you know what to do with, let you allow yourself to be swayed by a foolish mortal girl, who will die before you in a year."
"I have many things to do with my power. Using them to destroy you is only the beginning."
Said Loki calmly and smirking as a way to throw the elf from his self-assured way of thinking.
" Surely you realize you could grow to unparalleled heights with dark magic. The knowledge you seek will never be learned through the side of the good. It does nothing but make you weak."
He hissed at Loki, who folded his hands behind his back,
" The knowledge that dark magic brings can never meet a tamer. No matter how hard you try, dark magic will always be unruly and able to distinguish the good from bad and does not care to stop in its cruel nature. You wish to tame such a thing Malekith?"
" Of course power is the drive to all-powerful beings."
" Still doesn't explain why you want it?"
Malekith finds himself irritated by the barbed comment.
" The magicks I seek will finally make you Asgardians learn your ways as my slaves!"
He fired at Loki and Loki avoided the blast, then they began to battle hard, each looking to kill their opponent. Soon Loki got the upper hand when Makekith fired at his copy instead of him, giving him time to deliver a crippling blast of magic causing the dark elf to clutch at his stomach, and then Loki rapid-ed to him, his hands turning frost giant blue and then slapping him hard. Malekith's face burned because of the intent behind Loki changing. He screamed moving to grab his already scared face, that had blackened under Loki's touch.
"What MAGIC is this?"
Malekith asked with a shriek, not uncommon amongst people who are shocked.
"My Magic"
"This is no spell I have ever heard of."
Loki laughed, and yanked him up by the neck, letting the Jötun side appear full force, his red eyes bleeding into his green, causing the Elf to shrink back, trying to hide his fear.
" And you never will"
Loki said letting the frost bite on his fingers encase Malekith's throat and then he called his spear into his hand and ran Malekith through his stomach. He yelled at Loki, trying to heal himself and Loki dropped him at his feet.
"Now you kneel before me!"
Loki sneered, and before he had a chance to finish Malekith said...
"You shall see me again."
And dissipated. Loki cursed and took out his anger at Malekith getting away out on the Chitari army. He heard the high-pitched cry for what he assumed was retreat but they all left to the portal before it closed, signaling the end of the battle.
Loki didn't breath a sigh of relief because he saw the green shield still around Darcy's form. Transporting himself to her side, he tried healing her back, but the second his magic tried to touch her he found himself thrown backwards, but a force that wasn't his own. The other Avengers all surrounded him, much like they did the first time, except for Bruce who shrunk back down to normal size to help Darcy, and when tried he found himself laying right next to Loki.
"Release her from whatever prison she is in Loki!"
Tony all but sneered.
"I didn't put her any prison. She has done it herself, the magic shield I put on her has dissipated. Somebody help her please, I don't care if you lock me up in my spelled cage you can't let her die!"
Loki was frantic, more frantic than anyone had ever seen him. Thor yanked his brother up who was busy looking at Darcy and the other Avengers trying to get past her bubble, Tony stood next to Thor.
" If she dies this is all on you Loki!"
He yelled before running to Darcy. Thor on the other hand-held him tightly and forcing Loki's eyes to meet his. Seeing his true brother in them he released him and they ran to Darcy, shocked when at that exact moment Tony, walked right through the golden mist and dropped to his knees next to Darcy. Everyone tried again only to be thrown back like that had before.
"Why is Tony allowed in but we aren't?"
Natasha asked, confused and worried for the still girl. Bruce picked himself up off the ground and thought for a second.
" It may have something to do with the fact that since he is covered in metal, he can't be classified as a threat to her body. I say she is throwing that up as a protection from everyone, don't take it personally."
Bruce said and then started talking to Tony.
"Tony carefully pick her up, eh...carefully... Don't hurt her back... Okay bring her back to the tower and into a medical room, keep her calm until we can join you. I'll walk you through what you have to do okay?"
Tony nodded, and flew off to the tower. Loki not caring about anything but making sure she was okay, he spoke up.
" Everyone grab on I'll transport us there."
"Thor can we trust him?"
Asked Steve. Thor nodded yes, before touching his brothers shoulder. The other followed suit and were transported to where Tony had taken Darcy. Immediately Tony looked at Bruce.
"Doc she's burning up, and thrashing around. I'm trying to get her to calm down, but she is fighting me hard."
Bruce made Natasha go get some ice-cold water and a towel so they could wet it and stick it on her head.
"We have got to cool her down, her temp gets to high for too long and she's at risk for brain damage, cardiac arrest, a multitude of other shit I can't think about or I'll hulk out. Put the towel on her forehead, then you are going to have to start a IV on her.
"ME?!"
Natasha could tell Tony was nervous and needed encouragement about the situation.
"Stark you are the only one that can save her life right now. I'm looking and I can tell you just from looking her arm and leg are broken. She needs you Tony."
That seemed to sober him up, and he listened to Bruce's instructions, but had to take his suit hands off so he could work. Then things got stranger, the needle wouldn't go into her arm. He tried a few more times before the needle actually bended instead.
"Bruce her arm is not taking the needle."
Bruce was at a loss, he knew whatever power Darcy possessed was stopping them from taking care of her, but then he saw that her leg was straightening out and her arm was. He was sure she was healing herself, and nothing he could do would help.
"Tony just let her know you are on her side and are there next to her. It looks like she is healing herself."
Tony brushed the hair back from her face, and spoke.
"Darcy, it's okay Kiddo, nobody is out to hurt you anymore. I'm here."
Darcy started mumbling incoherently.
"Darcy are you awake?"
She mumbled again and turned her head toward Tony's face.
"It's okay Darcy."
"Iron man is taking care of me again, damn it..."
She said and everyone released a collective breath they hadn't realized they were holding. Loki didn't feel 100% relieved, he needed her to open her eyes first.
They were about to say something else, before Jane came running through door, tears in eyes.
"Darcy! Oh no!"
She tried to run to Darcy but found herself thrown back like everyone else, and she landed in Loki's arms. When she figured out who caught her she yanked herself into standing position and started going off on him.
"What are you even doing here Loki? Shouldn't you have run and cowered in another realm with your army?"
Loki looked at Darcy, then back at Jane. He was confused, he didn't have an idea of what had happened while he was out of control of himself. He must had done it again...
"Lady Jane I...I don't have much memory of what I did while I was under. I gather it wasn't good, if my own brother held me down and made sure I was myself first. I...don't...Darcy...she's all I care about in the moment..."
He said barely above a whisper, clearly ashamed of himself, wearing an expression only few had seeing. Most realized that Loki really, really had no idea of the chaos he started, and that he loved Darcy.
" Yea! That's very convenient for you isn't Loki! You've killed my best friend and you can't remember it! I knew this was a bad idea..."
Jane started ranting at Loki who felt bad enough about Darcy's condition and let her yell, if Darcy didn't make it, he let them kill him. It was only a few seconds before they heard.
"Jane I am not dead, and I swear to god you don't shut up and stop yelling at my boyfriend I will make Natasha punch you in the boob, and then your face."
Darcy said her eyes slowly opening to glare at the blonde girl who looked shocked. Jane didn't say anything back and tucked herself into Thor's arm. He was not happy with her comments of belittlement toward his brother, but he would discuss that with her later, when Lady Darcy was not so grave.
"Darcy oh thank god your awake."
Tony said, letting his head drop onto her bed frame.
Loki then released his breath, wanting to drop to his knees and praise the fates for letting his Darcy live.
"Yea, now why is everybody so far away, I'm not diseased am I?"
She said touching her face worriedly. It broke some of the tension and they laughed.
"No Love you are not diseased."
"Then why won't you guys come closer, I feel like a leper."
"No, we just can't come any closer until you lower your shield Lady Darcy."
Said Thor.
"What shield?"
Tony spoke up this time to answer her question.
"Well it looks like you have some kind of magical shield around you, that you put up to protect yourself. Nobody can get around it, but me."
" Oh. I, I don't know how I'm doing it. Tony how are you in here?"
"Bruce said its my suit. It was like your body didn't recognize me as human because I'm covered in metal."
"Now I'm not so sure about that theory, I mean as soon as your helmet and hands came off the suit then you should have been thrown out, because her body would recognize your body as warmth, with a pulse. It can't be the suit that's keeping you in the bubble."
Said Bruce scratching his chin and looking at Darcy.
"Darcy to lower your shield, you must relax and feel it being pulled back into yourself. Know that you aren't any danger anymore, and it should go down"
Loki said to her being as close as he could be to the bubble and desperately wanted to get closer quicker. Darcy wanted to do the same thing, from what she could gather Loki was back to himself and she wanted to kiss the real man she loved. She concentrated on doing what he said and sure enough her shield came down slowly. When it was completely off, Loki was at her her side and his lips on hers a second later. Gods how she missed kissing him, and trying not to be overly emotional, but failing tears streamed down her face. They kissed fiercely for a few minutes before someone (Tony) cleared their throat rather loudly. Loki pulled back from her face, all his emotions swirling in the deep green pools of his eyes.
"Darcy, my love I am sorry for all of this, I can't even begin..."
She reached up and pressed her finger to his lips to silence him.
"It's not your fault, no matter people ( She moved to glare at Jane for a second, before moving back to look at Loki) may tell you Loki. I knew from the moment I had that vision of you pacing around I knew you weren't yourself.
"You had a vision?"
Loki said surprised.
"You had a vision of Loki, and you didn't say anything Dar?"
Asked Natasha.
"Well I told Tony, and besides I couldn't trust myself or my emotions, how in the hell could I trust my visions? I'm sorry, but hey I kicked his ass didn't I?"
" You what?"
Loki exclaimed, and looked at Darcy wide eyed. Darcy blushed a bit and started laughing.
" You were about to steal the scepter, I apprehended you. No biggie sized fry or anything..."
Sensing her discomfort and knowing a little bit more than apprehension happened, everyone gave a small laugh.
"And some how I don't think your telling me everything love, but I will find out"
He kissed her forehead as Thor stepped closer to the bedside.
" I hate to be the one to break this touching reunion and while I'm glad you have returned to us Lady Darcy, I'm afraid we have a much bigger issues to discuss."
Loki looked at his brother than stood up straight, as he waited for his brother to begin discussion on his punishment. Thor noticed his brothers expression and shook his head.
"Not for you brother, but of Lady Darcy. On the field we all witnessed Darcy's irises glow bright grey and remain that way for a long period of time."
Loki's head shot to meet Thor's eyes. No... It couldn't be...
"Brother you cannot be serious..."
" But I am."
Everyone looked at Thor and Loki quizzically, not understanding what was going on.
"Will one of you explain, why you look like you've seen a ghost?"
Asked Darcy, she wanted to know what had caused the looks on their faces, I mean after all it was about her.
" Darcy, Glowing Grey eyes were the identifying trait of a race long lost to the nine realms"
Loki settled on the bed next to her, taking her hand into his.
"And what was this race?"
" They were known as Elementals."
Said Thor, Clint stepped forward.
"Wait, isn't this Thanos guy one of those?"
"No, he is an eternal, who were more of a sister race, much like those of Vanaheim are to us. No, Elementals hold some of the greatest power these realms have ever had in existence"
Thor said, beginning to pace the floor, and then he continued the story.
"Long ago, even before myself and Loki were born, the Elementals were only second in power to Asgard. They had control among other things of course, of the elements in all of the realms."
"But Thor you are the god of Thunder and Lighting, are you an elemental as well?"
Asked Darcy.
" No, Mjonir was forged and given its power by the Elementals while in the war that destroyed them. It was to have been said that they sent Mjonir off onto Asgard where then only the most worthy would have the chance to possess even a mere fraction of their power. As it stands only our father and myself have been found worthy enough to hold her."
"But why not use that power to fight with, it's obviously a very powerful weapon."
Asked Bruce, who was listening with rapture.
"We all believe it wouldn't have helped them. You see Thanos was the one to destroy them."
"You mean ole' big and purple destroyed a whole race?!"
Said Tony, who looked like he had been woken up from a cat nap, but in a "throw water on him" type of way.
" Yes. He sought to steal their powers and control them for his own. He planed to use them against the realms in his quest for power. He didn't because he couldn't transfer the power to himself, the power can on be put into un-life filled organisms. Like the hammer, but unless they willing transferred it, the powers stayed with the holder. He and his men destroyed the whole realm in revenge, killed them all, or so we thought, but now I assume it was plausible for some to get away. Now we have Darcy who could only have received her power if willingly given or being a descendent."
Darcy paled a bit, she WAS adopted and had no clue who her real parents were. It would make sense for her to be a descendent she supposed. Everyone looked at her expectantly, waiting for her to say something.
" I honestly have no clue who my real parents were. I was adopted, and it was a closed adoption, no matter how hard I've tried I've been hit with brick wall after concrete slab and couldn't get anywhere, even through SHIELD technology."
"Darcy you went through SHIELD tech?"
Asked Jane astonished, that she had never known her best friend was that desperate to have answers.
" Yea, I had nothing better to do and the prospect of knowing made it fun."
" Lady Darcy we must try to find your parents, if they are Elementals then they will be in danger if Thanos finds them. You said you have tried everything to find them?"
Darcy sat up, and looked at Natasha for a moment, and thought about what she did find in her SHIELD file. She thought for a moment and Loki gently squeezed her hand.
"Love, you looked puzzled. Talk to us so maybe we can help you."
" I was just thinking over my SHIELD file. It was small. Like it had basics you know data strengths, weaknesses all of that, then a birth certificate with my adoptive parents names on them, background info, which was shallow stuff but that was it."
"And?"
Steve said wondering forward. Now everybody surrounded her bed tightly.
"So, isn't that strange to you guys? I mean SHIELD can tell you the last time you went to the bathroom, down to the millisecond, but they can't get past red tape litigation on an adoptive process to figure out my real parents' names and background info? It doesn't seem right to me, that info should haven been in there in case, for some odd reason they become a threat or I do. No, something's not right at all!"
Darcy started trying to get up and used Tony for support. The other let her words sink in. Bruce spoke up first.
" They did lie about using the cube to make weapons."
"Who's to say they don't know more than we've been let on to."
Said Steve with a harsh look on his face.
"Exactly my point. I want answers, because if its not hereditary then it was given to me, and we need to find out why as soon as possible before Thanos discovers the truth."
They nodded, Steve always taking the lead turned to Darcy.
" Okay Darcy. I think you are onto something. Any ideas on what to do next?"
" Well I think only one person is going to able to give me the info, and he has an eye patch and a bad ass attitude."
"You want to go to Fury on this one?"
Nat, looked perplexed, she knew Fury and he would lie through his teeth if it helped him save face until the time is right.
"Natasha, his secrets have secrets. I think we should see what Mr. Sour Patch has to say."
Said Tony.
" Thanks, Tony."
"It sounds good and all, but what makes you think Fury will even tell us the truth?"
Clint asked Darcy who now stood tall by herself, without leaning on anything or one. Loki snapped his fingers and dressed her in a new uniform. She smiled at him, and moved toward the door.
" I say we will make him, plus I think if he thinks he can collect me into his little game play hero deck of cards, then he will tell me, and if not I will beat it out if him."
Darcy said, eyes flashing over for a moment, and everyone jumped apart from Tony who was used to her eyes changing. Loki walked to stand next to her, as he knew he would always want to do. Stand by her whenever she needed him.
"Everyone Stark Penthouse 15 minutes. We will go from there. Everybody clear?"
Asked Steve, his captain mode back on full force. They all agreed, and Darcy sent Loki with Thor then stopped Jane before she could leave the room.
"Janey my dear, I think you and I need to have a talk..."
So anybody wondering what Darcy has to say to Jane? Wondering the truth about Darcy's powers?
PS. YES I MADE UP THE TRUTH ABOUT MJONIR'S CREATION, AND THE ELEMENTALS!
Until next time...