Here is the final chapter! This was such a challenge and I really enjoyed it.
We were up on the roof of the tower. I was standing next to Thor, who had Mjolnir in his grasp. The others stood at a distance.
"Are you ready?" he asked. "Do not be frightened. It may appear dangerous, but you will not be harmed. Simply think about the lightning you are trying to manipulate." he instructed.
"Got it. I'm ready." I reply, and clench my fists in preparation, not taking my eyes off of Mjolnir.
Thor smiled and looked to the sky. He thrusted his hammer straight up, and immediately the skies began to storm. A spear of lightning shot down and connected to Mjolnir. "Set your hand upon Mjolnir and try to transfer the lightning unto your hand!" he shouted.
"Uh, okay!" I shout back, and cautiously set my right hand on the hammer. I pulled back; still expecting it to hurt, but it was fine. I then deliberately grabbed the lightning and stepped away from the hammer. The lightning continued to connect to my hands.
"THIS IS INSANE!" I yell. I turn around. The Avengers are just staring at me, mouths open wide. Lightning cracked and sparked in my hands, but it only felt a little warm on my skin. I looked up and saw the luminescent streaks exit the clouds and followed them down to the tips of my fingers. It was beautiful and loud and frightening, and I loved it. I could feel the energy up to my scalp where my hair was standing up. Never had I experienced a sensation so breathtaking.
"Well done Beth! Amazing!" Thor shouted, being the excited older brother that he always is. "I want you to try to direct the lightning at me. I will not be injured." he suggested.
"I don't know Thor...I don't want to electrocute you..." I say, apprehensive about sending Thor's own weapon back at him.
Through the storm I could make out Steve taunting "He's THE god of thunder and lightning, I doubt you can hurt him."
I tried to ignore Steve and just concentrated on keeping the lightning in my grasp, but somehow my mind didn't listen and I shot all that I had at my brother. Steve shook violently and then crumpled to the ground. Thor immediately stopped wielding his hammer to calm the storm.
I ran over and flung myself on the ground next to him. "Steve! STEVE!" I shouted. "I'm so sorry! It was an accident! I wasn't trying to hurt you!" I said, but he wasn't moving. I begin shaking his shoulders and then actually slapped Steve across the face. He still wasn't moving. "STEVE! Nooo! I didn't-I wasn't-I- I'm sorry!" was all I managed to say before I started sobbing on the ground. Nobody else knew what to do and just stood where they were.
Suddenly a baseball mitt of a hand poked my arm. I looked at Steve. "Why...are you...crying?" he cough-whispered, his eyes still closed but a small smile on his face. "It was only...a little...static..." he joked, and finally cocked one eye open.
I sit there bewildered, and then smack Steve on the arm. "That wasn't funny at all!" I exclaim and wipe the tears off my face.
"Whaddya say we go inside?" Tony suggested. "I think we've had enough Norse-related drama for a while."
"I cannot agree enough." Thor replied with a chuckle and turned to the door on top of the roof.
As we filed into the elevator, I overheard Clint and Steve behind me.
"Great performance." Clint said and high fived Steve.
I turned around and gave Clint my best death glare. Steve just laughed and laughed along with the rest of the family.
This sure beats Go Fish in a hospital bed, huh?