It all started when JARVIS told him about an aircraft coming towards them, he let Romanoff know and things went to hell in a handbasket soon after.
When the camera feed in the whole Helicarrier went out, he didn't think he simply rushed to the cage. Tony ignored the waspish demands of Fury and the agents scrambling. Heart spiking when he checked in with Rhodey.
He heard obvious signs of fighting, worry flooded his system but Rhodey yelled to go after Loki. Tony'd have to leave Rhodey to his own devices as they had a small window to catch Loki before the slippery eel escaped.
Thankfully Tony hadn't wasted any time so when he blasted through the doors he managed to catch Loki by surprise, using his full force to tackle the self proclaimed god through the gaping hole where the cage once was.
They were sucked through and it wasn't long before Loki was free from his grasp, shooting some sort of green sparks his way. A quick swerve made sure it was evaded.
For a moment there was a stillness as the two hovered in the air, the Helicarrier overhead and then the two were crashing into each other. Seeking missiles launched and scattered into the sky before hitting their mark and promptly being backhanded by Loki.
Of course he couldn't go down with a few hits, it was never that easy these days. The thing that had the best result was his repulsor blasts, one of the few actually dodged rather than smacked away like it was a mere inconvenience.
What really had him on edge was how bored Loki looked, as if he was waiting for something even now. Tony felt like he wasn't playing with a full deck he couldn't even rely on Bruce knowing he couldn't give up his only trump card.
Their tussle was a short exchange of firepower before Loki went from passive to stepping up the game. A too wide grin over waxy skin and one blink Loki was in front of him the next he was behind. Tony was quick to whirl around but that only aided Loki's aim which was to lightly tap Iron Man's chest, the smug twist of his lips said the only real reason he was going easy was to keep Iron Man intact enough to work for him.
Panic choked Tony who could feel acid gurgle in his throat, there was a second where everyone at hand froze. Bruce who was staying back for this exact instance dug into Tony's mind like a bird of prey on his shoulder ready to take over should Tony prove to be compromised.
His final thought was that he hoped it would play out like he envisioned and Bruce could overwrite any mind control but when it became apparent nothing was happening the three of them stared at each other.
Loki remained slack jawed eyeing his staff that was poised over Tony's chest and still there was no result of mind hacking. Tony was too surprised to even comprehend what happened or rather didn't happen when Bruce was the first to snap out of it snatching Loki's hand and searing it with a close contact pulse.
Hissing Loki suddenly had a dagger in his free hand and swiped nearly lopping off Tony's arm, thankfully Bruce's aerial maneuvers ensured he kept his limbs intact but had to release Loki's wrist in the process. The bastard didn't even release the staff throughout the whole thing. They watched sourly as Loki sneered at them tossing the staff to his other hand and twisting his reddened wrist like they only gave him a minor burn.
"You will pay for that worm."
Holding his free hand aloft green energy coalesced and Tony tensed up ready for anything but was saved the effort when a cry of "LOKI!" came from below them, they turned to see Thor flying their way the green god snarled, sending one last glare Tony's way before straight up disappearing.
Unable to help it Tony relaxed but Bruce seemed to jab his mental claws into Tony's mind reminding him that just because Loki wasn't visible meant he was gone.
"Thor, good to see you're okay." Tony was still in a cold sweat over fighting with the illusionist. Spotting something abnormal Tony eyed the person who was strung over Thor's shoulder, scans told him they were unconscious.
"Worry not I am fit of body and mind. We must make haste lest he is able to fulfill his foul plans."
They made their way back into the Helicarrier and Thor gave his passenger over to one of the agents. From the way the security cameras were back online Fury must've gotten things settled on his end.
A quick update with JARVIS told him Rhodey was fine and that Romanoff not only reclaimed Hawkeye but was interrogating him. For some reason Captain Rogers was in a holding cell. Thor and Tony walked over to where everyone ended up ready to find out how things turned out the way it did.
"What happened?"
Tony asked, around the large round table Fury was glowering sporting new wounds but looked fine otherwise. After everyone gave a quick summary of their parts it was made clear that Loki had teleported some of his men inside the Helicarrier alongside himself. Their purpose seemed to be becoming a distraction while Loki made a mess of things. Fury had a fun time fighting them while also trying to get everything back under control.
"That's what I want to know. I thought you told me Loki couldn't use magic in those cuffs." Fury spat out looking at Thor who winced. Fury's rage only raised when Thor and Tony had to tell him Loki escaped.
"I am sorry, it appeared we fell to his ruse. I think we had captured one of his illusioned men while he lay in wait nearby keeping the magic alive, ensuring the cuffs uselessness."
Fury's countenance soured further, "You didn't tell us about his powers."
Tony frowned in agreement. It would've been nice to know the madman could teleport anywhere anytime with people, and cast such realistic illusions on top of something that was meant to cancel out magic.
Rhodey chimed in,
"It was freaky, he looked just like Coulson. Who's to say he wasn't in here the whole time?" It was a good question and one that bothered everyone present even causing each other to trade suspicious glances. The thought they might not be who they should was on everyone's mind. Tony noted some of Rhodey's armor had some scrapes and dents, he held back from fretting now wasn't the time.
Coulson for his part was hiding a grimace and seemed to try to stop from rubbing his neck it was clear from their talks he did not like that his likeness was used to attack Captain America and that one of his own knocked him out. Said Captain was sitting miserably in a containment cell after profusely apologizing.
"At least we got one good thing out of this," Coulson nodded towards Fury. "Black Widow reclaimed agent Hawkeye, he appears to have regained his sense of self after some blunt force trauma to the head."
Apparently she wasn't fast enough as Hawkeye's ship landed a hit or two but nothing integral was harmed before she cut him off.
Rhodey added, "Captain Rogers went back to normal after some electrocution and a hit to the head."
The destruction of their fight had the potential to be far worse but his Honey Bear was always quick on his feet. At least the Helicarrier was still flying even if it was mostly due to luck.
Fury deadpanned, "So to regain their senses we need to either electrocute or knock them out."
Rhodey agreed. "Or both."
Tony didn't see why they couldn't have the Captain and Birdboy present so they could hear what happened from them but Fury and Bruce figured it was safer to at least have them under watch for a while longer. Other than those two everyone else figured they were back to normal.
Does this clear Fury and Coulson as possible sleeper agents?
At this point no one is considered safe but for now we can allow that thought to be true of this moment.
It really did seem like Loki could only control people one way and if he wanted to use some sleeper agents he would've by now so while they wouldn't completely cross off that possibility it was put aside for now.
Who knew getting the weirdness knocked out of them was so easy.
Bruce's essence shrugged. It isn't always.
Still for all the scare Loki gave them they ended up having gained more than they lost.
I don't get it, why did he come in show us what he could do and leave?
Loki could've caused so much more destruction while inside, everything he did appeared calculated even letting Tony tackle him.
I can't tell if he actually has a plan or all he does is on the fly.
He's testing the waters. Getting a feel for our abilities and reaction speed, no doubt he is doing his best to sow doubt and suspicion. He is one who likes to get in people minds in more ways than one.
Tony could see where Bruce was coming from, maybe the guy just wanted to mess with them. Freak them out with his show of power and leaving of his own accord. The fact they never truly caught him was jarring if you weren't already weirded out by his behavior.
Wait, but if he wasn't the guy we thought he was and the Loki captured was a nobody how come Thor didn't notice when he was up front and personal?
Either he did and went along with it or Loki's illusions were not on one single thing but cast directly upon our minds.
Loki had to be nearby when the two were fighting, their arguing was pretty heated, especially if it was an illusion all along. Damn... So the guy could be invisible and untraceable by my sensors, that is at least good to know even if it sucks. Do you think he was Coulson in our conference with us and that's why Coulson went to Romanoff because he wasn't aware he was supposed to be somewhere else?
He might be here now.
Tony shivered,
Hey don't scare me like that.
Though he said that he could see the others had the same thoughts cross their minds. Although whether they knew he could go invisible was unknown, telling them when they might be Loki undercover or he was hidden nearby wasn't wise. Best have some cards in his hand that their trickster wasn't aware of.
Not to mention it would only serve to feed their suspicions of each other, they needed to work together not fight each other. Tony'd feel safer at home with J who might be able to see through Loki's illusions or at least tell him if anyone's brain patterns were off.
JARVIS!
Hawkeye visited the tower a few times, JARVIS knew his normal brain scan data and body scans if something was different he should be able to tell. And if they could get a definitive reading they might be able to scan the rest to see if they were who they said they were.
While everyone nursed some bruises or the heavy knowledge they now knew Tony went over to Fury who was barking orders at some poor agent, watching them scurry away Tony cleared his throat. Fury turned his one good eye to look at him.
Before the Inventor could tell him he was interrupted by JARVIS, Tony blinked at the news.
"What?" Fury snapped.
"Apparently Loki is in New York and it's being invaded by aliens."
