Thor trudged carefully through the woods, Mjolnir almost humming in his grasp and a small arsenal of soldiers a mere distress call away. He, Natasha and Clint were all combing through the woods, Steve and Bruce left behind at SHIELD Headquarters as what Thor assumed was a punishment. Tony was overhead, scouting from the sky, but so far he had remained silent. He and Thor had not spoken since they had visited Asgard - Tony and Steve had gone with him as a show of good faith, and as a representation of the force that was going to try to secure Loki once more. Odin was obviously aware of who they were and found their presence unnecessary, but Fury had insisted. Thor had wondered why he had argued so hard for their inclusion, but he pondered this for only a short amount of time before concluding that the Director must have wanted them to keep an eye on him and report back on what had transpired. That must have been why Odin had secured the room magically before presenting the gem to Thor - not only as a precaution so that it might not be revealed to enemies, but also to keep others in the palace from overhearing their conference. This burden was Thor's to bear alone; to share it with the Avengers would not only belittle his duty, but it would put the team in even more danger, as well.
"Any sign at all?" Clint said through the transmitters they were all wearing.
"No," Tony responded.
"No, I have found no signs of them yet, but we will eventually," Thor cut in immediately. He heard Tony scoff, the earpiece he was wearing making it sound uncomfortably close. He did not like some of these mortal inventions - they were deceptive and irritating.
"Keep your heads straight," warned Natasha.
Thor nodded regally, as though his approval were a favor instead of an agreement. Natasha shook her head and ignored it - let the boys fight over who wanted to be King of the Mountain. She and Clint were heavily trained agents - mind games and power plays were for the rookies. She glanced over at him, catching his eyes through the trees and smiling in spite of herself. He grinned back, distracted, stumbling over something along the bank of the river. He almost fell into the rocks, but he was agile and quick enough to land on his hands and immediately push himself back upright. He froze, staring at something with a concerned scowl that Natasha knew was always reserved for the most distasteful of things he encountered. She began to run over even before he asked the team to investigate what he had almost fallen over. In a matter of seconds they had all joined him by the side of the river to look at the mess by his feet.
Bones - large, bloody bones that still had rotting meat on them, merely sitting along the riverbank otherwise untouched.
"What the hell are those from?" she asked.
Clint nudged the leavings with his thick boot, examining them carefully.
"Well, too big to be anything like a rodent," he said. "Also too big and thick to be any kind of bird. This looks like a femur, here - but it's not anything like a wolf or coyote's. Must be a bear. An adult one." He glanced up at them all with a heavy, knowing expression.
"What in this world could do that to a fully-grown bear?" Thor asked with concern.
"I'll give you one good guess," said Tony, pointing to a mutilated paw a few feet further down the river. In its claws was a small lock of purple fur.
"I'd guess it was someone you were hunting for," sang a light female voice from above them.
They formed a tight circle immediately, backs pressed against one another's, weapons raised and eyes searching the sky.
"I thought you had scanned thoroughly around you," snapped Thor in an accusatory tone, glancing sideways at Tony with a disgusted expression.
"I did," Tony retorted, "She must be using magic. She's from your homeworld, you should know her capabilities."
Thor was about to argue back but Clint elbowed them and Natasha hissed.
"Not now," she snapped, pointing her gun at a cluster of branches that had rustled above them. A small puff of light and smoke and suddenly Amora appeared before them, instantly collapsing to the ground, breathing heavily as she righted herself. She held her arms out in defense, a submissive grin on her face as she addressed them.
"Before you shoot, you might want to hear me out."
"What makes you think we want to hear anything you have to say?" Tony said.
"Where's Lyanne?" asked Thor.
"I thought you didn't want to hear anything I have to say? Pity," she sighed mockingly.
Thor and Tony glared at each other before Clint stepped forward, an arrow still notched in his bow and aimed directly at their enemy.
"Tell us what we want to know and maybe I won't shoot you," he said.
"Oh please, you wouldn't kill me, not when I have valuable information about your prey," she laughed.
"You're our prey, too," he answered calmly.
"True, but I'll make a bargain with you. I doubt that your other enemies would be willing to do the same. Didn't Lyanne already refuse to tell you anything of Loki?"
"What do you know of their whereabouts?" Thor interjected, but Natasha hushed him.
"I cannot give you my secrets for free - you should know that already, God of Thunder. I will, however, have you know this: Assist me, and I will lead you right to them."
"Assist you how?" asked Tony curiously.
"I need to return to Asgard very soon," she said in a low, angry tone.
"Why?" asked Natasha.
"Because," Thor said slowly, "Her powers weaken while away from our realm."
Amora glared at him with a deep hatred, but nodded slightly and crossed her arms over her chest.
"And if we return you to Asgard, what is to keep you from turning on us once you have your full powers back?" Thor asked.
"I wouldn't ask for this on trust alone - no, I understand you're not complete fools. I already told you I am offering the Trickster and his mate on the finest of platters for you, but it appears that is not enough. Fine. I shall promise this, then: Once you have the pair of them, I will not interfere with your repossession of the gems they have. That should allow you the safety of knowing I would not stand a chance against them, therefore, I would not attack you. Once I give you Lyanne and Loki, you will receive the artifacts, and, outmatched, I will be on my way."
"You should face punishment for your crimes!" roared Thor, lifting his hammer threateningly.
"Who would you rather see punished, me, or your twice-traitor brother and the monster he calls his love?"
"How do we know you're not in cahoots with them?" asked Tony.
"You don't. But it's either the devil you know or the devil you don't - you know my motives, but not theirs. I am the better option."
They all glanced at each other unsurely before deciding to bring her back to headquarters, bound and gagged for their safety, though not as cruelly before. She grinned softly and followed in their path.