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"Anything?" Bruce asked over the com-link. Thor and Tony departed for the sight of impact while he Steve, Tasha and Clint stayed in the Avengers Tower.

*We're closing in on the sight of impact,* Tony reported.

*Stark! I see someone!* Thor's voice came over the com-link.

"Be careful, Thor," Tasha warned and Bruce looked at her. "It might be an enemy."

Steve and Clint exchanged a glance.

*We're landing.* Tony informed them and for a few minutes there was silence.

*Sif?* Thor's bewildered voice came over the link. *Sif!* there was a clear note in Thor's tone, and the others didn't need to guess that there was some sort of past between Thor and this Sif.

*Bruce, prepare the medic room. We have a man, well, woman down,* Tony addressed the Gamma-scientist, and Bruce jumped to his feet.

"On it," he said and disappeared within a moment.

*Thor, let's move it. She needs medical assistance.* Steve, Clint and Tasha heard Tony say.

*We must hurry. She is gravely injured,* Thor spoke up.

*We're moving back for the Tower; ETA 15 minutes,* Tony told them.

"We'll be ready for you, Stark." Steve said.

*Stark out.*

"Let's move it. Bruce might need help." Natasha stood up and the other two followed after her.

"I have a really bad feeling about this," Clint murmured.

"You're not the only one, Clint," Steve said. "You're not the only one."

cut

Thor and Tony landed and Thor rushed to the elevator, carefully cradling Sif to his chest. The woman warrior was pale and had several still bleeding wounds. Her armor was severely damaged and she was breathing with slight difficulties.

"Thor!" Steve called out for him and he found the Soldier running towards him and Tony. "Medical room is ready for you. Bruce and Tasha are waiting. Is she…"

"She is of Asgard," Thor confirmed. "We fought many battles together. I am proud to call her a friend and comrade." They entered the medic room as Thor finished the sentence.

"Put her on the table," Bruce instructed Thor placed Sif on the operating table while Tasha moved over and Bruce prepared everything they'd need.

"Wait in the living room," Tasha said. "We'll inform you of everything once we're done." Thor nodded and looked at Sif again. His heart and mind were wary. Not only was he unable to communicate with Asgard, he was also worried about Haruven, and he had an old friend bloody on the table in the medical room.

Thor looked to his left when Steve placed a hand on one broad shoulder. "Let's go, Thor. I'm sure you would do well with a drink. Bruce and Tasha will take good care of Lady Sif."

Thor gifted Steve with a small, strained smile ad nodded. "Very well." They left the room and entered the elevator. Once they entered the living room Steve went to pour Thor a drink and the Asgardian took a seat in an armchair, smiling gratefully when Steve offered him glass of Scotch. "I am grateful to you, my friend."

Steve shook his head. "Think nothing of it," he said and took a seat in the armchair opposite of Thor's with a glass of water in his hand.

"I had a feeling something bad would happen," Thor said and took a sip. "I fear to think what is going on in Asgard. Sif is a great warrior on par with the Valkyries. I cannot imagine what she faced to end up in such a condition."

"Were you able to contact Asgard?" Steve asked and Thor shook his head.

"No."

"Have you called Haruven?"

"He didn't answer the phone."

A frown marred Steve's face, even though he tried not to show his concern, knowing that Thor had it much worse. "Maybe he is just busy," he offered, trying to ease some of Thor's worries.

"No. The day is a bad one. He usually doesn't have much work on cloudy, rainy days," Thor spoke in a strained voice, no longer able to show a strong front.

"Maybe you should go and visit him?" Steve suggested and Thor looked at him.

The God of Thunder had a very, very bad feeling in his gut. His instincts were never wrong and now they were telling him that something very bad was going to happen, and that he should go to his Destined as soon as possible. "Can I count on you to inform me the moment Sif awakens?"

Steve nodded with a small smile. "Of course."

"I shall hurry back," Thor said and stood up. His armor shifted into a pair of jeans and a tight, white turtleneck and he grabbed his coat off of the hanger beside the elevator. He entered it and nodded at Steve before the door of the elevator closed to take him down to the entrance hall.

His heart was beating quickly in his chest. His palms were sweaty and he could hear his blood singing in his ears.

'I am coming Haruven. I only hope you are well.'

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With a pained groan a pair of emerald eyes opened. His head hurt something awful, his mouth was dry, his shoulders were tense and his wrists hurt. He looked around and realized he was chained to a wall, with his hands shackled above his head. The floor he was sitting on was cold and he could hear water dripping a few feet away from him. He was in a sort of a dungeon and his eyes widened when he saw Bruce Wayne chained to the wall in the same fashion as he was.

"Bruce?" he called out and tried to move his wrists around a bit. "Bruce!" he snapped and the man flinched, eyes opening and a groan passing slightly parted lips.

In a second Bruce was completely awake and looking around, taking their situation in. "Ven?" he breathed out, eyebrows narrowing at the scene in front of him. "What is going on?"

Haruven shook his head. "I have no idea," he said. "I do know that we need to get out of here." He reached inside himself, searching for his magic only to choke on a breath when an electrical shock surged through his body, swallowing a pained scream in the nick of time.

"Ven? Ven?! Haruven!" Bruce shouted trying to tear out of his bindings.

Haruven twitched in his binds when the shocking stopped, gasping for air as every muscle in his body cramped up.

"Haruven, what's wrong?!" Bruce snapped and Haruven made an effort to look at him, trying to catch his breath.

"I can't - I can't access my magic."

Bruce frowned and checked Ven's over to the best of his abilities, eyebrows narrowing at the sight of a strange necklace around Haruven's neck with a gleaming black gem as a pendant. "You didn't have that necklace when we were in the Café."

Haruven looked down and indeed; hanging just over his heart was a black gem, and if he concentrated, he could feel its power like a wall around his magic. "Damn it," he cursed under his breath and tilted his head back to look at the shackles around his wrists.

"Who was that guy?" Bruce asked and the both of them tried to get their hands out of the shackles.

"That was Loki." Haruven winced when to cold metal of the shackles dug into his skin and a small drop of blood trailed down his right forearm. "Norse God of Mischief, Magic and Schemes. You might know him as Loki Silvertongue."

Bruce nodded and gave up. "The shackles are too tight."

Haruven nodded and stopped his efforts. He was about to say something when the door of the dungeon opened and Loki walked in with a sly smirk on his face. "Good to see you're awake."

Haruven forced down a heavy swallow, even though his mouth was dry, and he looked straight at Loki, trying to put up a strong front. "Loki. What is the meaning of this? I thought you were a prisoner at Asgard."

Loki chuckled and spun his staff expertly in his hand. "I escaped," he spoke lightly and took a step forward making Haruven want desperately to be able to become one with the wall, especially after seeing the leering sheen Loki's eyes glimmered with.

"No one escapes the dungeons of Asgard," Haruven pressed out through clenched teeth and Loki grinned at him.

"I am Loki. I am a master of magic. Nothing is impossible to me." He walked over to Haruven, kneeled in front of him and gently cupped one pale cheek much to Ven's dismay. "I heard stories about you, Haruven Sigurdsson; or should I call you Harry James Potter."

Haruven's frown deepened as cold shivers ran down his spine. Loki dragged his thumb over Haruven's bottom lip and the wizard held his breath, eyes widening minutely at the sight of a strange, blue film over Loki's eyes, like a thin membrane visible only under certain light.

"I heard stories of your beauty and power," Loki murmured, brushing a strand of raven black hair behind Haruven's ear. "I must admit that they do not do you justice."

Haruven swallowed difficultly. "Why are you doing this, Loki?" he tried to become one with the wall when Loki trailed his fingers down Haruven's chin and neck. With a shimmer of magic the first two buttons of Haruven's shirt slid out of their holes and Loki trailed his fingers further down. Haruven felt bile rise in his throat and he flinched when Loki's eyes met his.

"Why am I doing this?" Loki drawled. "To get what I rightfully deserve," he hissed and Haruven let go of a wavering breath when Loki pulled his hand back and stood up, making Haruven tilt his head back to be able to look at the Sorcerer of Asgard. "Thor always received everything he wanted on a golden platter. I was the one who should have inherited the throne of Asgard! I was always, always the better son! I'm more powerful, stronger, and smarter; I'm better than him in every possible way!"

"You are nowhere near Thor!" Haruven snapped angrily and Loki spun on his heel.

"Haruven!" Bruce cried out when Loki swung his staff and hit Haruven over the face.

Haruven didn't even grunt although his head snapped to the side. He turned his head back and looked at Loki with harsh, darkened eyes. There was a deep cut on Ven's left cheek, going from his ear to just a little away from his lips and there were a flew splotches of blood on his lips as well from where he bit the inside of his mouth because of the impact.

"You're right," Loki choked out. He was breathing deeply and that same smirk was on his face. "I'm worlds better than my brother."

Haruven snorted. Despite his pulsating, aching cheek he smirked at Loki. "Thor will find me," his words sounded like a promise, "and I'm quite sure he won't be all that happy with you."

Loki chuckled and Haruven's smirk turned into a frown. "Brother dearest will be too busy fighting for his life to go looking for you," he drawled leeringly. "As we speak, my Chitauri army is conquering Asgard." Haruven's breath hitched in his throat, his eyes widened and all color disappeared from his face. "Once they finish their work there they will move onto Earth. All of you pathetic, disgusting humans will meet your end."

"What makes you so sure you will succeed?" Loki turned to look at Bruce and the millionaire looked at him defiantly.

"What makes you think I won't?" Loki drawled with an easy smile and Bruce frowned. "Last time they weren't ready for the Avengers. This time they will crush them. They will crush them like the miserable worms they are. And you, my dear?" he looked at Haruven again. The Wizard swallowed difficultly when Loki's eyes darkened and thin lips stretched into a leering grin. "Once I'm done with everything I will make my brother watch as I kill you." He kneeled and slowly moved closer to Haruven until he was just a breath away from Ven's face. "I will make him watch as I have my way with you. I will make him watch as light fades in your eyes. He will see you break and he will see you draw your last breath."

Haruven tried to stay calm, but his magic was raging inside him, trying to break free of the bonds that were holding it in and his body was shivering almost uncontrollably.

"I will take everything from him!" Loki spat out. "Just like he took everything from me."

"You're insane," Bruce pressed out, staring at Loki with wide eyes full of horror, and Loki looked at Bruce with a dark smirk.

"Insane you say? No, my friend. I just lost everything." Loki stood up and Haruven finally managed to take a deeper breath. "You two just sit tight here. I have a lot of work to do." With that said and with a single dark smirk thrown at Haruven, Loki left the dungeon.

"Haruven?" Bruce inquired when Haruven immediately moved raising himself into a crouch before lifting himself up a bit. Ven winced when he managed to push his fingers into his hair, digging through messy, mated locks and cursing under his breath. "Haruven, what are you doing?"

"Getting us out of here," Haruven pressed out through clenched teen and let go of a relieved sigh when he found what he was looking for.

Bruce raised an eyebrow when he saw a single hair pin in Haruven's hand. "You're full of surprises," he commented and Haruven let go of a breathy laugh as he fumbled with the shackles around his wrists.

"You know nothing yet," he muttered as one shackle opened and he moved on to the next. Once he was free he moved over to Bruce who thanked Ven and rubbed his wrists once he was free.

"Let's go; before he comes back," Ven urged and Bruce nodded. Together they moved over to the door and to their surprise found it unlocked.

"Overconfident much?" Bruce muttered as they entered the hallway and stopped.

Haruven chuckled and winced as he dragged the back of his hand over his left cheek and lips. "That goes in our favor."

"Which way?" Bruce asked and Haruven took a look around.

"This way," He nodded to the right. "There is a slight breeze and it's coming from that direction." They hurried down the hall, listening carefully for any sounds coming from anywhere around them. "Heaven knows where we are," Haruven muttered as they climbed up a set of stairs.

"Ven!" Bruce called out quietly and nodded towards a window. They ran over and looked out frowning when they realized they were at a sea side. The walls were made out of stone which made them conclude they were in a fort of sorts.

"Let's go. Before he realizes we're gone." Haruven grabbed Bruce's hand and Bruce allowed him to lead him honestly surprised with Ven's ability to find his way around relying on a breeze Bruce could hardly feel.

'Must be his experience,' Bruce concluded, although he couldn't even imagine the sort of missions Haruven had to have undertaken to be able to gather so much knowledge about moving through unfamiliar surroundings this way. 'Must be why he stayed alive for so long.'

In that moment they rounded a corner and Haruven pulled Bruce into a sharp stop when they were faced with a huge wolf.

"Fuck…" Bruce muttered, lowering into a crouch only to tense up when Haruven gave Bruce's forearm a warning squeeze.

"Don't. Move." Ven pressed out through his teeth.

The wolf growled lowly with its hackles rising and sharp bared teeth glimmering in the weak light of the torches aligning the walls.

"Ven!" Bruce cried out when Ven moved forward and the wolf barked and moved for a deadly attack. "Haruven!"

Bruce could only gape in shock and wonder as he watched Haruven run beside the wolf, making the huge black animal slide to a stop. Haruven grabbed a curtain that hung on the wall, ripping it in half. The wolf charged at Ven again and, moving in a way Bruce has never seen anyone move, Haruven somehow climbed onto the wolf's back with the big piece of the curtain around the wild animal's neck.

Haruven growled and pulled, keeping himself on the wolf's back with his strong, Quidditch formed thighs. The wolf started to trash around, trying to get free of the raven haired man, and Haruven cried out in pain when the wolf reared back and slammed backwards against the wall.

It was done in a few minutes. The wolf sagged to the ground, dead, and Bruce ran over to help Haruven get it off of himself.

"You're crazy!" Bruce breathed out and Haruven gifted him with a small smirk.

"That craziness just saved our lives," he breathed out and Bruce rolled his eyes with a huff.

"We're not safe yet. Let's get out of here."

Haruven nodded and started to lead the way again. Both breathed a sigh of relief when they saw a grand door that marked the entrance. They ran over and pushed the door open.

"Finally!" Bruce said and they ran out. Bruce was half way down the stairs when a pain-filled, terrifying scream made him freeze in his step. He turned on his heel and saw Haruven on the threshold, practically bent in half on his knees with arms wrapped around him and fingers digging into tense shoulders as electrical shock surged through the slight frame.

"Haruven!"

"Don't touch me!" Haruven roared when Bruce fell on his knees in front of him and tried to grab him.

"Ven…"

"Go!" Haruven snapped and opened his eyes weakly. "You have to - you have to get out of here!"

"No! I'm not leaving you behind!" Bruce snapped and moved forward only to be thrown back when Haruven pushed him away.

"Go!" Haruven shouted and Bruce froze in his place. Those raging emeralds looked at him, pleading him, begging him to get himself out of danger.

"I'll find help," Bruce promised and slowly moved backwards. "I'll save you. I swear."

Haruven grunted and squeezed his eyes tightly shut. "GO!"

Bruce turned on his heel and ran. He wanted to go back. He wanted to save the man that saved him, but the rational part of his brain told him to run. It told him he was of no use to Haruven trapped.

'I'll save you. I swear.'

cut

Haruven sagged to the ground when the surges of electricity finally stopped. He lay on his side, twitching with the aftershocks. A shiver ran down his spine when a cold, creepy chuckle came from behind him. He opened his eyes weakly and saw Loki's boots in front of him. His sight was fading, his head was splitting with pain and his magic was raging angrily in his body, not able to find a way out of his system.

Loki chuckled and kneeled beside Haruven. "You're quite resourceful." He caressed Haruven's cheek making the Wizard flinch and try to pull back. Loki chuckled again. "Well. I didn't need him either way. But you killed my wolf." Haruven tensed up when fear flashed in his heart. "I'll have to make you pay for that."

In that moment pain comparable only to the Cruciatus curse surged through Haruven's body. It took him a moment to realize that he was screaming. He was begging for unconsciousness. It felt as though he was being torn apart with each passing second. His magic was raging inside him, trying to break free, and finally, finally his mind started to go blank.

Last thing he remembered was a malicious laugh.

And then he fell into blessed unconsciousness.

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Thor hurried his step as the feeling of foreboding washed over him. He took a turn into the ally where the Café was and all but ran to the door. He stopped and took a few deep breaths, trying to calm himself.

'He is fine,' he told himself. 'Please. Let him be fine.' He pushed the door opened. His breath hitched in his throat when he entered the Café. The tables and armchairs were overturned and scattered, and the glass behind the bar was shattered.

"Haruven?" he whispered in a raspy voice and ran in. He ran to the back of the Café and up the stairs to Haruven's loft. "Haruven!" he called out, frantically looking through the rooms hoping, praying that Haruven was somewhere in there. He could handle finding Ven injured as long as he was there and alive.

"Haruven!" he shouted, turning in his place when he found the loft empty.

Like a tidal wave, the realization struck him.

He was gone.

Haruven was gone.

Thunder roared outside and lightning flashed as Thor's heart filled with fear and terror when he realized that his fears have come true.

"HARUVEN!"

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Dear lord….

Whatever will happen?!

Find out soon in 'Third Sign Of Trouble'!