Here's another update! I definitely tried to make it quicker than the last one, but I also like to wait a day at least to make sure everyone has a chance to read and review. I know I definitely annoyed some people by cutting it off before Fury and Mace meet. 0:) Well, you shall wait no longer. Let's see what you think about a little twist in the events of the story. I totally had a breakthrough. I know where this story will go now. Drop me a review and let me know what you think!

JapanRules555: He will, I promise. I'm trying to develop this story as much as possible before the battle breaks out. The thing is, if I do the battle too soon, I won't know where to go next and I might have to end it prematurely. If I develop it a lot before the big moment, then I'll have more room for post-battle events. See where I'm going there? Next chapter will not disappoint, though.

demonic hellfire: As cool as that would be, this is an Avengers Crossover, so other Marvel Universe superheroes, while awesome, probably can't fit into the plot.

Irish-Brigid: Sorry about that. I was worried about doing that, but I also knew that it was necessary to develop the story. Now you can rest assured that everybody knows each other, so it'll go uphill I hope. That's up to the reviewers to decide.

Tiger of the Storm: I've had some reviewers rant before. It makes me happy every time to see people get into my writing. :D I was so worried that I wouldn't capture everyone's characteristics, so it's reviews like yours that reassure me that I'm getting it right. Ha, I've fangirled over Loki so many times! He's just so awesome you know? *swoons*

NARUTO SON OF ARTEMIS: That would be a good idea. I'll store that in the "Good ideas for Invasion" section of my brain. Maybe after the battle is said and done, Padmé could come down to Earth and…yes. Thanks for the idea!

AaylaKit: I'm not a big fan of the Guest thing either. I understand, though. I did it because I know Fanfiction won't give my email away to anybody. I got Thor for my birthday. Seen it twice now. I totally cried both times I saw Loki let go! It changes your perspective of him, doesn't it? He's so villainous in the Avengers that you wouldn't expect this emotionally unstable guy in Thor. And yeah, that would be epic! I'll think about it. ;)

Ptroxsora: I like it to some extent. I don't like how people without an account have to go by Guest. It's harder for me to do shoutouts like I'm doing right here. Either way, I'm glad you like it!

Brutus Silentium: Glad you like it! That's how I've found a couple of my favorite fanfics. Just skimming, then thinking "Why not?" and giving it a try. Sorry it's so hurried. I'm trying to develop it as much as possible.

There was awkward silence as Nick Fury stepped into the center of the circle. Each and every Jedi on the Council looked from Fury to Mace and back again several times. No one dared break the quiet stillness that filled the room. The Avengers, including Tony, understood the significance of the moment and decided to remain quiet. Loki was still standing in place, his expression blank and his mind racing with memories. Mace's gaze was hard, suspicious, and calculating. Fury stood calmly, awaiting comments. When none came, he spoke.

"I am Nick Fury, Director of S.H.I.E.L.D and the Avengers Initiative. If you wish to speak of an alliance, you must speak with me. Seeing as we have no ruler, I will speak on the planet's behalf. Having averted an attack before, I know what is best for Earth."

Kit gasped. "Wow, he actually sounds like you too, Mace." Though he didn't seem to pay attention to what Fury said, he actually absorbed every word of it.

"I see that," Mace said, eyeing Fury. "Is this some kind of joke?"

"I was about to ask the same thing," Fury commented.

"Any thoughts, Master Yoda?" Kit asked.

The ancient Jedi Master frowned pensively. "A strange turn of events, this is. A tremor in the Force, I sense. If find Dooku through them, we can, then help them we must."

Tony, who was still standing in the circle, chuckled. "You know I can't let that go without commenting, right?"

"Leave it, Stark," Fury said sharply. "If you sever any potential ties with them, we could lose our planet."

"Lose our planet over a simple comment?" Tony challenged.

"You'd be surprised by how easily offended some can get," Banner pointed out.

"Are you one of them?" Tony asked, facing the doctor.

"Fortunately for you…no, I'm not. If I was, then the other guy would be around much more often than I."

"Are we really deviating from the matter at hand again?" Loki asked, finally coming back to them. Only then did he realize that he was still in the middle of the meeting. He took a cautious step toward the nearest gap in the circle of chairs, but Tony took his arm, stopping him. "Let go of me, Stark," he said, feeling a rush of panic that was unlike him.

"We need you to be front and center, Loki," Tony said. "Calm down. You're shaking."

Loki wondered why he felt so tense. He wasn't entirely trustful anymore, especially of those that resided outside Asgard and Midgard. This group might know of the Chitauri, who were probably searching for him right now. Why was he so paranoid about them? It wasn't like they were going to show up at the front door and demand that he be handed over to them. He was safe as long as he was with the Avengers. "I am fine," he said through his teeth. "Please continue."

Fury eyed Loki a moment, then addressed the Council. "If you are not hostiles that will threaten our world, we would like your help."

"If we did help you, what would your status in the Clone War be?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Neutral," Fury responded. "We do not wish to harm either side, nor give aid to anyone. We would proclaim ourselves friendly to your Republic, though we will not help or hinder the war in any way. We are a peaceful planet that does not want to get involved in other-worldly affairs. We've got enough to deal with already."

"We can respect that," Ki-Adi said.

"If we were to vote, I would vote in their favor," Kit said. "To capture Dooku is to see a light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to the war."

"I agree," Anakin said. "My vote belongs to them."

"Your vote doesn't count," Obi-Wan reminded him.

"Then vote for me," Anakin said exasperatedly.

"Of course we should help them," Obi-Wan said.

The vote was almost unanimous. Everyone liked the idea of Dooku being captured. "Send aid, we will, as soon as possible," Yoda said.

"We cannot send troops over right away," Plo warned. "We cannot spare them at this time. But rest assured that you will have plenty coming your way."

Fury nodded. "Will any of you be joining us in battle?"

"Some of us will accompany the soldiers, yes," Mace said. "Masters Fisto and Koon will certainly come with us."

"Us?" Thor asked. The Council could hear his voice, but could not see him because he was not in the circle at the moment.

"Yes," Mace said. "I will be there."

After the meeting was over, everyone dispersed to do their own thing. It was getting late, so some of them were preparing to rest. The battle could happen at any time, so sleep was critical at the moment. A lot of them couldn't sleep, though, considering the impending threat that hung over their heads. Banner and Tony went to the lab to do as much studying as possible. Steve retreated to a room to sleep, though he knew that he probably wouldn't get much rest. The agents went to another part of the room and talked in low, serious voices. The three Jedi were hungry, so Fury led them to the kitchen where they would discuss important war matters and exchange information. The droid rolled into the lab to join Tony and Banner.

Thor and Loki sat on the couch. There was quite a bit of space between them and the tension in the air was thick enough to be sliced with a knife. Finally, the former turned to the latter and said in a low voice, "Brother?"

Loki did not turn his head. "What is it, Thor?"

"Are you all right?"

Loki sighed, a slight smile pulling at the corners of his mouth. "I'm in a building with the very group that defeated me. I'm surrounded by enemies on all sides, there are countless people that want me dead, I am the son of Asgard's most hated enemy…" He let out a breath. "Yes, Thor, I am perfectly fine."

Thor edged a little closer, but a pained glare from Loki stopped him. "I wish you would open up to me, Loki," he said softly. "I know something is bothering you. Something deeper than being in a building with the Avengers."

"What, the fact that most of them hate me isn't enough?" Loki asked bitterly.

"There's more than that, isn't there?" Thor prompted.

Loki shrugged. "If there was, why should I tell you?"

"Because I'm on your side here."

I know you are. That's the problem. I don't want you to be. He somehow wanted Thor to hate him. Everything would be so much less complicated if they mutually hated each other. But the fact that his adoptive brother gave him chance after chance…The fact that he wanted Loki's redemption so much…It wasn't even about Thor. What worried him was something way bigger.

"You should sleep. You didn't exactly have a good rest last night."

"I was unconscious. I think I slept pretty well," Loki pointed out.

"You are stressed, though. Don't think I didn't miss the episode during the meeting."

Loki really wished Thor would forget about that. "I froze up is all," he said. "Nothing to worry about." He had to avoid sleep as much as possible. He was afraid of what would happen if he slept. Sleep will make me vulnerable, he thought. He did not like being vulnerable. Not one bit.

"You're anxious about the war," Thor said understandingly.

Loki was deeply relieved that Thor had come to the wrong conclusion. "Yes, I am," he pretended to admit. "Very much so."

"I know it's strange, fighting an unknown force with the same people that you fought not too long ago," Thor said. "But you'll be fine, I promise. When the time comes, you'll be fighting as fiercely as the rest of us."

"What difference does it make? What will happen when the war is over?" he challenged.

Thor did not have an answer for this. He was pretty certain what would happen when all was said and done. If he and Loki were still alive, they'd return to Asgard. Both would be wounded. Thor would be taken to be treated, while Loki would be locked away again. Odin might be so furious that he would take his anger out on the younger of the two. Loki could be severely punished for leaving Asgard. "I do not know," he said. "I…I just…I'm not sure."

Loki had a sudden thought. "What if you die in battle, Thor? What then?"

Thor did not want to think about this. "I will not die, Loki, listen to me." He drew closer to his brother. Loki did not protest this time. "It will not happen. You are under my protection and you always will be." He put an arm around Loki's shoulders and pulled him close. "I care about you very much, brother. More than you may ever know."

"Speaking hypothetically, of course…what would happen if you did die in battle?" Loki was afraid to hear the answer.

Thor paused thoughtfully. He knew that, without him, the Avengers would have no reason to protect Loki. Anything and anyone could harm him. "I'm not sure. Unless it happens, I wouldn't worry about it. Just rest." He hugged Loki closer. "No harm will come to you."

"That's a lie, Thor. This battle could take any one of our lives."

"I know. That's why you need to sleep now while you can. We all need our strength."

Loki closed his eyes a moment. Images of blood and terror flashed before his vision. He saw Thor a small distance away, bashing droids with Mjolnir. Captain America stood in front of civilians, using his shield to protect them from a large tank-like machine that fired relentlessly. The agents were back-to-back and Iron Man flew through the air, blasting the ships. The Hulk was there as well, smashing droids to bits. Loki wasn't sure which side was winning, but the Avengers were holding their own. Suddenly, out of nowhere, he felt himself being dragged away. He tried to scream his brother's name, but no sound came out.

Loki jumped, finding relief in Thor's sleeping form. The god of thunder still had his arm around Loki's shoulders, but the hold was limp as he slept. Loki gently took Thor's arm off and walked over to the window. The room was dark. Everyone was either asleep or in another room. All that could be seen were the lights of New York that shined on as if nothing was wrong. He had a funny feeling in his gut that he did not like. "The battle will be tomorrow," Loki murmured, "and I don't think we're ready."

"You are a fool to try to invade the Earth, human," a deep voice said, addressing Dooku. "My army is far greater than yours, yet we were defeated by the Avengers."

Dooku glared at the shadow defiantly. "Just because you failed does not mean that I will. My Master foresaw a glorious battle, and glorious it shall be! My grand army of droids will crush the so-called Avengers into the ground. My soldiers may not be great like yours claim to be, but at least I have the advantage of numbers."

"As did we," the figure said, "yet they still found a way to destroy us. Their weapons are superior to yours. You will lose."

"You do not know the power of the dark side," Dooku said menacingly.

"You do not know the power of combined forces."

Dooku's threatening glare turned to one of surprise and confusion. "What are you saying?"

"His army cannot defeat the planet alone. I am certain that yours cannot as well. There are two things that interest him, and I am certain that a combination of our armies would help him get what he wants."

"Is this why you invade my dream?" Dooku wondered. "You wish to make a bargain with me in exchange for my help? Who is 'he'?"

"He does not wish to reveal himself to you at this time. I, the Other, speak on his behalf. You are correct from a certain point of view. We do indeed want something from you because your army is of use to us."

Dooku eyed the Other warily. "What is it that you want? As leader of the Separatists, I could possibly supply you with almost anything you desire."

"He wants two things: vengeance and power." Dooku waited for him to continue. After a pause, the Other explained. "He is angry with the planet Earth for defeating him, but he is even angrier with the one who failed to bring him the power he desired. We seek the Tesseract. Perhaps you have heard of it."

"I have not."

"Good. It is best that you do not know of its power. He does not wish to compete with you over it. He hopes that you will help him obtain it. If you help us subjugate Earth, we will then be in a position to get it."

"How?" Dooku asked. "Where is it?"

"It was on a realm known as Asgard," the Other said. "Two Asgardians used it to transport to Earth. Do you recall the man that attacked you last night? Green eyes, slick black hair, slightly skinny…"

"Loki? That is his name, correct?" Dooku vaguely remembered the mention of the man's name before the droid hit the poor guy with a frying pan. He also recalled the Mace Windu look-alike talking about how he had tried to take over the world. "What about him?"

"He was the one that led our army to its doom," the Other explained. "We gave him an army in exchange for one thing: the Tesseract. We warned him that if he failed to bring it to us, he would be subjected to unimaginable punishment. He—"

"You were Loki's army?" Dooku cut in. "You were the ones that Fury mentioned to me?"

"Yes. It has been revealed to us that Loki Laufeyson has joined the Avengers. Also, they are seeking the aid of an unknown force. Perhaps you know them."

Dooku thought this over for a moment, then his eyes widened. "The Jedi are in league with the Avengers?"

"It has been confirmed, yes. If we can attack them before the army arrives, we may have a chance. But you must swear to us that you will help us obtain what we seek: Loki and the Tesseract."

"How will we get the Tesseract?"

"If and when we are successful, we can obtain it from the Avengers themselves. If we could capture the Avengers and take the Tesseract for ourselves, then he will have both of the things that he wants. The Earth will then be yours. All you have to do is swear your alliance with the Chitauri."

Dooku gazed at the Other seriously. "I am a man of my word. I swear it."

Disclaimer: I own nothing of the Marvel Universe nor do I own the Star Wars Universe.

AN: So what do you guys think? Cliffhanger, yay! I'm so evil. Well, everything's built up to the next chapter. What do you guys think will happen? I have this whole thing planned out now. I don't think the battle will be at all what you expect. ;)