Chapter Two: Introductions

Alexis sat quietly in one of Stark Towers many conference rooms. She watched as Tony paced up and down the length of the room shaking his head and muttering to himself. She knew he would not explain what was about to happen, which assured her that she really didn't want to know. But she had to know who was coming.

'I've never seen Tony this anxious before…' Alexis thought. 'I wonder what's wrong.'

"Sir," Jarvis began. "Director Fury and the Avengers are here."

"Thank you, Jarvis." Tony replied as he dragged his hand down his face.

"We merely await the arrival of the Asga-"

"I said 'thank you', Jarvis!" Tony snapped and muted the super computer system that ran his house.

"You said I'd never have anything to do with Shield or the Avengers…" Alexis looked up cautiously. "What's going on Tony?"

"Look, Lexie…" he paused. "You'll see soon enough."

Alexis raised an eyebrow at his irritated tone. 'Okay.' She thought. 'This should be interesting…'

Alexis stared blankly at Director Fury. "I'm sorry, but… what?"

"You heard me. In a few minutes, three Asgardian Gods are going to materialise somewhere in this room." Fury stated calmly.

"Okay, let's say I believe you…which I don't, by the way." Alexis held up her hands to emphasise her statement. "What's all this got to do with me?"

"They asked for you. Apparently, you're the only person on Earth with the knowledge to aid in whatever disaster they're dealing with." Director Fury folded his arms across his chest and gazed at Alexis calmly.

"How could I help with any disaster? I mean, seriously, I know nothing about war, and I'm less than useless in a fight."

"Hmm, let me think," Tony began sarcastically. "What would three Norse Gods want with the world's leading expert in Norse Mythology? Suggestions? Anyone?"

Alexis' jaw dropped, but her expression quickly turned cynical. "Right… so Baldur and Freyja are going to drop through the ceiling, through eight floors, and land unscathed on the table before me."

"Not exactly." Tony's bland reply concerned her.

"Well then what exactly do you mean?!" Alexis fumed and stood abruptly, her eyes shooting daggers at each of them in turn.

A deep rumbling sounded above them all and the building trembled with the force of it. Fearing an earthquake, Alexis dived under the conference table and watched as small pieces of ceiling clattered to the floor around her. There was a blinding flash of white-gold light, and it was over. Alexis watched from under the table as three new sets of feet hopped down from the table and turned in the direction of Tony and Director Fury…or rather, Tony and Director Fury's feet.

"Thor." She heard Tony greet one of the newcomers.

"Stark."

"Thank you for burning that incredibly Celtic patterned circle into my expensive rosewood table… it's exactly what it was missing." Alexis snickered at Tony's dry tone. "And you've brought daddy and brother with you…how charming."

"None of us are pleased to be here, I assure you." A velvet smooth voice responded to Tony's jibe, the intended malice only just concealed.

"Should you have taken the muzzle off? Because he bites." Tony's jab at one of the other newcomers earned him an irritated hiss.

"We did not come here to throw insults at each other." She heard Thor nearly growl.

"Speak for yourself." Tony replied, his smirk evident in his voice as he reminded himself of Hawkeye.

"Stark." Director Fury's voice was cold. "Go cool your heels. If we need a smart ass, I'll call you."

"I'll be in the naughty corner then, shall I?"

"Director Fury, I present our father -"

"Your father." The velvet voice spat.

"Silence, Loki." A third, gruff and commanding voice, silenced the other.

"I recognise your 'All Father', Thor." Director Fury's voice remained cold and formal. "Welcome to Earth."

"No welcome is necessary," answered the same gruff, commanding voice. "But it is appreciated all the same."

"Would you have a seat." Director Fury moved to a chair and sat. The others followed suit. "Stark, where did she go?"

"You really think I'll tell you?" Tony asked, slightly irritated. "She'll come out when she's ready."

"The girl?" asked the gruff voice.

"Is the one hiding." Director Fury replied. "Alexis Vigdis, I don't have time for this…" When she made no reply, he continued, "Have you ever heard of… 'Ragnorrok'?"

Alexis rolled her eyes and came out from her hiding place. "You mean Ragnarok. And of course I've bloody heard of it. I wrote my dissertation on it." She let her gaze wonder over the three seated across the table from her. "Why is the Norse 'end of the world' myth suddenly of concern to Shield?"

"It concerns all humanity, young one." Alexis turned to face the old man. "It concerns all of the nine realms."

"Okay, this," Alexis gestured towards the three opposite her and then to Director Fury. "Is nuts. This is what gets people like me thrown into a mental institute. And I'm not buying any of it."

Thor spoke up then. "We are, as your people say… 'for real', Alexis."

"You can't possibly be! Nordic legends are just that… legends! They're not real. They're there to teach lessons, and give form to certain realities in life. Loki represents our desires, Hel our fears, Thor our courting of chaos." Alexis saw Tony roll his eyes. "What?"

"Would someone show her already? 'Coz talking just isn't working."

Alexis gaze narrowed on Tony. "Show me what?" she asked, and then gasped as several copies of the one they called Loki appeared around her in different positions. Alexis looked across the large conference table at Loki who smirked evilly. Alexis began to back away from them all slowly. "What are you?"

Loki's smirk turned into a sinister grin as he replied. "Gods."