Loki
A/N First of all, let me say how truly sorry I am that this took me so long to write, and to post! I'm not going to list all my excuses, because you probably don't want to hear them, so here it chapter five! Thanks for reading and remember, I love reviews :-)
Loki's arrival date was self set, and so on the 29th of October, the Avengers, and their newest recruit, gathered in Stark Tower, awaiting five pm anxiously.
Thor, back from Jane's, walked over to Lena slowly. He could feel the gathering tension in the room, as thick as the treacle in the cupboard. No one knew the origin of this treacle, but it was there.
The origin of the metaphorical treacle, of course, was obvious. The last time most of these heroes had met Loki hadn't given them the best impression of him, as after all they had to fight off his alien army whilst he killed for fun. Thor had assured them that time in Asgard's prisons had had a good effect on Loki, but they were ready to believe this when they saw it.
Thor's shoes squeak on the shiny floor, and he pauses, seeing several heads flick up. As well as stepping on the floor, he's also stepped on tight nerves, willing to snap at any moment.
"Lena." He says quietly. The girl tilts her head slightly to show she's listening. "Loki.. He's does these tricks. Illusions. To make you see things that aren't there." Her brow furrows for a moment, but then she nods. "You will be able to read his mind," Thor continues, "and there is a possibility you might be able to see his true form, or have a good idea of his true form. We are going to hide from him the fact that you are a telepath, and use this to our advantage. If his true form, if you can find it, is far from whatever he is showing us, I want you to send all of us a telepathic warning immediately. It is vital to the safety of this realm."
Lena nods again. She feels as though she should say something, but it feels like there is nothing to say.
The clock strikes five, and Bruce stands up.
"I think I should leave." He proclaims. "Who knows what effect Loki could have on me."
Natasha rolls her eyes and stands up too.
"Bruce! He doesn't have his sceptre anymore, and you've gained more control since then."
Bruce isn't convinced.
"Yeah, I had control last time, and look what happened. I almost killed everyone." He turns away, towards the doors.
Steve now stands up, blocking his way.
" come on, this is stupid. What happened last time isn't going to happen again. We need to stop looking to the past. It's not going to help us now."
Tony laughs.
"Cap, I thought all you did was look to the past? You know, following orders, being good little soldiers." He rolls his eyes. Steve clenches his fists, and walks away from Bruce towards Tony.
"Shut up Stark." He says, real malice in his voice, malice that has not like him, not like Steve. Tony opens his eyes wider, and prepares a nasty retort.
'Stop.' A voice as cold as ice echoes in all of their heads, making them wince slightly. Lena tilts her head slightly towards the door, where a man clad in green and black robes now stands.
They all suddenly feel calmer, and blink a few times, confused. Then they see Loki.
Bruce's face loses its usual hint of a smile, and he frowns. He walks past Loki without a word, and Loki watches him go, a smug grin on his face.
"What, no warm welcome?" Loki holds his arms out, as though expecting a hug. He pouts, pretending to look heart broken. "My old friends. And a new one."
He talks happily again, as though Christmas has come early, seemingly oblivious to the death stares being sent his way by most of the people in the room. He takes a few steps towards Lena.
"And you are?" He smiles warmly. Lena raises her eyebrows and steps back slightly.
"No one of importance." It's Loki's turn to raise his eyebrows.
"Really? I don't believe you. What, with all the nervous glances you are receiving from your friends, when they aren't too busy glaring at me, I would imagine you are quite important. And immune to my anger inducing tricks, I see." He steps backwards, chuffed with himself. "Don't try to deny it."
Lena frowns, and scans his mind. She sees a concentration point in his mind, a point which large amounts of focus are being placed on. This must be he part that controls his illusions.
She sends a quick telepathic message to Thor, who knows him best.
'I've worked out a way to take down his illusions. Should I?'
Thor folds his arms, thinking. To take down Loki's mirage would give them a huge advantage, and he wouldn't be able to trick them. On the other hand, he would probably deduce Lena's power.
He thinks his response as loudly as he can, and Lena nods.
The Avengers gasp as Loki shimmers, and is replaced with a man with an identical face, identical hair, but wearing Hawaiian shorts, a T-Shirt, and flip flops.
Tony chuckles and praises Loki on his new look.
Thor frowns.
"These are not the normal robes of an Asgardian."
No one is more shocked than Loki. He scowls, and sends out glares like lasers.
"How?" He demands, furiously trying to send up more magic, but finds there is a block in his mind.
He looks towards Lena. "You!" He hisses, and charges towards her, leaving what is left of his dignity behind as he smacks into a purple force field, hitting his nose hard.
He falls to his knees, clutching his nose, which is swiftly turning red.
Lena smiles at him.
"Nice try honey. Better luck next time." With that she turns and walks away, ponytail swishing behind her.
Tony laughs again.
"Well, Loki. Looks like you've lost your position as supreme keeper of the last word."
Loki glares, still kneeling on the floor. She'd almost be funny, witty, pretty, if she wasn't out to embarrass him, he thinks.
Lena, upon hearing this thought, smiles to herself.
She sends a message to him.
'You'd almost be funny, witty, handsome, if you hadn't tried to take over my world.'
Loki frowns.