"You'll discover nothing through me," Amora hissed, an insane grin split across her face. She didn't bother straining against the chains that bound her hands or the metal gloves that prevented her from casting even the most rudimentary of magic. Those bonds were thanks to Asgard - similar restraints had been used against Loki, but the retaining gloves were a new touch. They had left her enough room with the chains to lift her hands to her mouth so she could eat the food they brought her, but her fingers were completely immobile. All she had done so far was ignore her meals and throw the team members scathing glances when they passed her.
"And why do you think we weren't prepared for that?" Nick Fury responded calmly.
"You are all mortal fools. Caught up in your daily lives you see nothing beyond your petty, childish desires. You will never have true power. Not power enough to frighten me."
"You'll find you are sorely mistaken," he said.
"Oh? Found a new toy?" She threw her head back and laughed, her golden hair catching the light despite the filth and grease of spending days unwashed.
Fury breathed deeply as Thor joined his side. The God of Thunder came occasionally to check the chains or anti-magic barriers that had been installed. He also questioned her about Loki, Asgard, and the Infinity Gems, but all to no avail. The Enchantress, as always, merely laughed.
So much like Loki they could be related, thought Thor. He had suspected it, but a delve in Amora's parentage had dismissed his fears. Thor considered the fact that the magic arts could possibly leave one mad and delirious, but his own father had never shown anything but morality and strength. He put a finger to his bearded chin in thought and stared at her. She winked, but he didn't react beyond turning back to Director Fury.
"What say you?" he asked.
"I have half a mind to ask your father to leave her in the darkest, coldest part of the universe, but I have a feeling he wouldn't consent."
"You are right on that. She is too powerful, too knowledgeable - she would no doubt find a way to escape and cause mischief again."
"Like your brother."
"Yes, like…" He hesitated. It still hurt to say his name sometimes. "Like Loki."
"I don't like the fact he hasn't made a move yet," said Fury, exiting Amora's prison and walking back towards the lab so they wouldn't be overheard. Thor followed, his muscular legs matching Fury's quick pace easily.
"The fact that they haven't made a move," he corrected. Everyone kept forgetting about Lyanne - except Thor. His thoughts about her were always troubled, confused; what could make his cold-hearted brother extend his protection to a mere mortal?
"Yes, they," Fury parroted. "Even though Loki is obviously the ringleader in this."
"But Lyanne did follow - willingly. She is as much of a threat as he is now."
"I think it wise to accept her as dangerous, but not on the same level as Loki. Not by a long shot."
"You told me that she had destroyed a town. You think that that is not a threat?" asked Thor angrily.
"I didn't say she wasn't one, I'm just saying her boyfriend's the much bigger problem," he snapped back.
"He wouldn't have been able to escape had it not been for her!" he argued, but it suddenly hit him - that was why Loki had taken Lyanne. Her power. He had used it to generate the shield around himself and teleport them both away. He would not have been able to do that without either Lyanne or the Infinity Gauntlet. He sputtered for a moment, running a hand through his hair, before continuing his argument with Fury. "Loki took her because he needs her powers to activate the gems so he can find them. He can wield a gem by itself, but to use them in conjunction with each other takes as much energy as finding them. That's why he needs Lyanne - and eventually, the Gauntlet."
"Why wouldn't he just be able to finds these gems himself, and what happens if he tries to use them all at once?"
"Ordinarily, in order to reveal them, a massive display of power must be shown. At least for the ones remaining that are hidden - Even if Loki was able to trigger them alone, he would be left exhausted and vulnerable. His and Lyanne's abilities combined would be more than sufficient, and leave them with enough energy to escape again afterwards. Also, this same energy is expended when the gems are used together - more gems, more energy has to be used. If he were to have all six, and were to try to use them at once, they would sap him completely of power and burn him into dust."
"Why her?" Fury questioned, sounding angrier than he meant to. "She doesn't seem any more powerful than the others. Why not Banner, or Stark's suit, or even Rogers? Hell, even you would have been perfect for his needs. So why Brooks?"
"Because I truly think he loves her," he said, feeling awkward. Discussing his brother's relationship was not on his list of desirable topics. "Or at least trusts her."
"But why?"
"If I knew what was in my brother's heart or mind, I would be much less troubled than I am now. As it is, his actions are dangerous, unfathomable, and an honest and true threat. When facing him again I have no doubts in my mind he will try to kill us."
"We'll just have to kill him first," Fury said. He saw Thor's face and backpedaled. "Unless he fights fair."
"Fighting fair isn't my brother's style," he said sadly.
Nor are his current actions, Thor thought, confused once more.