I know I said I would update on Wednesday, but I couldn't help it. Who can say they updated on the LAST day of 2012? This Asian chick right here. Anyway, happy 2013 everyone! My new year's resolution: try not to freak out too much until Thor 2 comes to the cinema. Updates will return to the usual Monday by next chapter. Next chapter is going to be...frankly, pretty intense.
TheNelapsi drew another little Loki headshot inspired by this story! Please check it out on her dA account: /art/Remorse-344956526?q=gallery%3Athenelapsi%2F37061318&qo=2
(Also, I hope those that will read to the end of the story paid particular attention to the last chapter...I don't think I'm wrong when I say that in regards to the ending of the story chapter 22 is probably the most important in build-up)
"Great," said Tony. "This is just freaking awesome."
The Avengers and Loki were gathered in the still-destroyed living room, the edges of dawn peeking over the tops of buildings. The ticklish fragrance of brewing coffee hung heavy in the air like a fog as the interrupted sleep schedule took its toll on everyone. Everyone except Tony, who was more than used to lasting a week without sleep, and evidently Loki and Thor, who needed little sleep to keep their bodies going.
"So," said Tony, rubbing his forehead, "you're telling us that Thanos probably has his hands on another Gem?"
"Yes," said Thor. He interlocked his fingers, resting them on his lips in thought. "The Mind Gem can only grant its powers to the one beholding it, who is Loki. Although Thanos can manipulate when Loki hears the thoughts of others, and potentially which thoughts, only Loki—and evidently those who virtually bond themselves to him—can experience it. Thanos should not be able to use it for his own benefit, not unless he possesses another Gem."
"Why the hell do you crazy people come up with these weapons of ultimate power that mean shit to the rest of us if someone bad gets their hands on it?" said Clint. "We've only got atomic weapons and all that and we're already floundering."
"Which Gem?" said Steve. "How come he has one and not the others?"
"The Mind Gem has been missing from the Gauntlet for a while already," said Thor, remembering the missing hole on the knuckle of the famed glove in Asgard's Vault. "I do not doubt that he would have the Reality Gem, which can distort reality however he wishes. He must have reversed the workings of the Mind Gem for his own benefit."
"A gem that distorts reality?" said Clint. "How are we all not already dead by now?"
"The Gem's full potential does not show until it works with the Gauntlet and all the other Gems together," said Thor. "Without the Gauntlet, the most the Reality Gem could accomplish would be to manipulate its fellow Gems for certain purposes. Nevertheless, its power is…foreboding."
"Your old man isn't doing a great job guarding the thing, is he?" said Tony with a snort.
On the couch beside them, Loki's eyebrow twitched.
"I have no certain idea what bodes in Asgard," said Thor. "Mother had hinted that many conflicts arise back home, but she did not say what. I, however—well, Loki and I—" Loki raised an eyebrow at Thor. "—we think we might know. And however Thanos planned it, he may be utilizing it here on Midgard."
"Can you tell us everything you know?" said Steve.
"The Chitauri are natural shape-shifters," said Thor. "They can put on the form of whatever creature they desire, should it aid them in battle. I fear that there may have been a Chitauri spy in Asgard that broke into the vault and managed to take the Reality Gem for Thanos. And with the Destroyer—well—destroyed—" He and Loki exchanged a knowing glance. "—it would have escaped easily."
"How do we know that it didn't take the entire Gauntlet?" said Bruce. "I don't know how exhausting it must be to carry a gem back and forth, but I think it would have at least crossed its mind."
"When Loki and I tried to read Thanos' mind, Thanos made passing references that the spy—if it truly is an imposter—was not as successful as he hoped," said Thor. "Perhaps he was caught early on, but not early enough to stop him from stealing the Reality Gem."
"Besides," said Natasha. "If he really did have all the other components of the Gauntlet and was just missing the Mind Gem, I feel like we would have noticed already."
"Whoa, hold up a little bit," said Steve, holding up a hand. "You say that what happened on Asgard may be happening on Earth right now, right?"
"Indeed," said Thor.
"So…so does that mean that there might be Chitauri spies on Earth?"
Thor hesitated before dipping his head into a nod.
"Whoa—shit—okay," said Tony, backing up. "A shape-shifting spy or two on Earth. This is going to turn into the McCarthy trials. How do we know one of us isn't the spy? Or someone from SHIELD?"
"Cut you open and see if you bleed red?" said Clint.
Loki shifted in his seat, but made no attempt to give his input.
"No—no, we are not going to freak out like this," said Steve. "We know each other well enough, we can tell if something's off—"
"Oh, I forgot, the Cold War was after your time, Cap," said Tony. "The whole point of the McCarthy scare was that no one could trust each other because no one was certain of the whole truth."
"Guys, calm down!" said Bruce. Everyone muffled their voices the moment they saw a hint of green pass Bruce's skin. "We've already got enough problems and getting worked up about whether or not the other person is an alien is not going to help. The less we trust each other, the less we can get done and the more that Thanos and his army can accomplish while we're chasing our own tails."
Everyone shrunk back in respectful intimidation. Bruce rubbed the bridge of his nose, taking in deep breaths before continuing.
"Okay. First. We know that Asgard was infiltrated and they're missing a gem. Chances are they're upping their security just as much if they caught the spy. Second, we know—or at least, we suspect—that there is an imposter here on Earth. What for, we don't know. Probably to find the last Gem, also known as Loki, and get his way around us. But most likely for Loki, because if he has all the Gems he needs then we aren't going to pose as much of a problem."
Loki crossed his arms across his chest, as if to shield the Mind Gem from all view.
"Second, Loki's magic," said Bruce. Loki perked up at those words. "We've reached something of a tentative conclusion about how to keep the Mind Gem suppressed but not have Loki's magic go all over the place, and that's if he has a staff."
Loki's eyes brightened at those words, but Thor furrowed his eyebrows.
"A staff may help him for a while," said Thor. "But if Loki let go of it for a moment, will his magic take advantage of it and go out of control."
"Bambi will just have to…not let go of the staff then," said Tony. Loki shot Tony a very skeptical look before Tony shook his head. "No, fine. Look, I still like to think I'm a genius, despite the last little slip-up. If I can have Loki's old staff with me to study, I think I can come up with something that could work like a staff until his magic calms itself back to normal, but look like a bracelet. Or a ring or something, if Loki's a fashionista."
"Better make it a ring," said Clint.
"Where is Loki's staff as of now?" said Thor. "We did not take it to Asgard."
"No, you left it with SHIELD," said Natasha. "Under extreme surveillance and security that challenge even me to get through."
"You? You, Natasha? One of SHIELD's deadliest and agile spies?" said Tony, throwing out his arms.
"Don't even try with your honeyed words, Stark, I'm being serious," said Natasha. "If there's one thing SHIELD hates right now, it's Loki. And the idea of Loki's staff being anywhere out of their own control and guard is blasphemy to them."
Loki narrowed his eyes.
"Where did you get the staff in the first place, Loki?" said Thor. "You never needed one before."
Loki leaned back in his chair, giving a casual shrug.
"What do you want to do?" said Clint. "Pull some Mission Impossible stunt to sneak the staff out?"
He caught Tony's look of expectation and he clasped his forehead with his hand. "That is what you're thinking, isn't it?"
"You guys are spies. SHIELD's spies! You know better than anyone else what's between us and that staff," said Tony. "Steve would think it against his morals, I would be blamed regardless of whether I do it or not, and Bruce—no offense, Bruce, but if he steps into SHIELD, they'll know immediately. The other guy's not on the guest list."
"Are you forgetting the fact that only about four people are ever allowed near that staff?" said Clint. "And surprise, surprise, neither Nat nor I are any of those people."
"Well," said Bruce, somewhat amused, "that's where the Mission Impossible part comes in."
"Oh, good," said Clint. "And how will we manage that? Seduce Fury?"
"Oh, hell no," said Natasha immediately.
"What I would pay to see that one," said Tony. "But seriously, whatever gets the work done. You—" He pointed at Loki, who straightened at the attention confusedly. "You need to fix JARVIS and pronto. If Nat and Clint have to sneak into SHIELD for this, they're going to get our support and JARVIS is the key."
Loki tapped his chest twice, fastening his gaze on Tony.
"Yes, I mean you. Who else can do it?" said Tony.
Loki shook his head and tapped his chest again. Natasha's eyes widened.
"No way," she said. "Out of the question."
He scowled at her and stood up, repeating the motion. The others gawked between Natasha and Loki, the mute conversation flying right over their heads.
"Remember the last time you went to SHIELD? Yeah, they're definitely going to have a problem if they see you back," said Natasha. "And if they hurt you, you know how many pissed off people there will be? I'll give you a hint: one of them will be me and I will be pissed off at you."
Thor turned sharply to Loki. "You do not mean to follow Agent Barton and Agent Romanoff, do you?"
"We have no room for tourists," said Clint.
"That's not a good idea," said Bruce. "You'll be in the most danger than the rest of us. They might use this as a failsafe reason to arrest you and lock you up, and we're not risking that."
Loki threw his hands in the air, as if to proclaim, But it's my staff!
"You're going to get your ass handed to you if you go," said Clint. "And if you don't have your magic, how are you going to defend yourself?"
Loki gave Clint a scathingly indignant look, so searing that even Clint had to step back.
"We already have to find a way to sneak the staff out of the headquarters," said Clint. "Don't ask us to sneak out a staff and the freaking god of mischief as well."
"To be fair, Loki is adept in the art of disguise," Thor said.
"Thor. Not helping," said Clint. "Nat and I can handle it on our own. We don't need his help."
Loki glared at Clint before turning to fully face Natasha.
"Oh great," said Natasha. "Oh no, don't you dare. Don't you dare."
Bright green eyes wide. Tragically sad eyebrows. The trembling bottom lip. The Asgardian puppy dog face in its full majesty.
"No, no, no, no, no," Natasha said, turning away (the rest of the Avengers could only gape in absolute bewilderment with no idea what was going on). "You realize the more you do that face, the more I want to freaking protect you so I won't let you come with us at all?"
Loki only responded by leaning closer, squeezing himself into her line of vision again. Natasha growled and averted her gaze again.
"Not going to work. Not going to work on me. No. Stop. Stop your face. Stop it right now."
She could have sworn that she could see tears welling so artistically in his eyes now.
"Okay, fine, fine, fine, do whatever you want, asshole, just stop it!" She shoved Loki hard in the chest before burrowing herself in the corner of the room, punching the wall.
Immediately, the tears vanished and the bottom lip ceased its quivering, and all that was left on Loki's face was a triumphant smirk.
"Did that actually just happen?" said Clint.
Thor had the look of absolute sympathy on his face, as if he could relate too well to Natasha's predicament.
Loki clapped his hands as if to say, well that's settled, before beckoning Natasha and Clint to follow him in an allonsy-fashion to begin planning. Natasha, still hiding her reddening face, gave the wall another good punch before stalking after him out of the room. Clint cast a pleading glance at the rest of the Avengers before Natasha could hook his elbow with her fingers and drag him through the doors. The other Avengers could only gape at the swinging door where they disappeared through, wondering what was it that just happened.
"If you don't mind me saying this, Thor," said Tony, "your little brother probably could take over any world he wanted if he didn't keep insisting on using an army."
Clint knew he had no superpowers to speak of. He had no armor that could send him flying to the stratosphere. He didn't have unbeatable strength and a Frisbee shield. He didn't have a Mr. Hyde to his Dr. Jekyll, to put it bluntly. He couldn't conjure lightning with a whack-a-mole sledgehammer, nor did he have the ability to kill someone with a pair of thighs.
But as he pulled back the string of his bow, he felt absolute power strumming through his veins. The arrow between his fingers, the elbow pulled back, the shot zeroed in—a slip of the hand would send this arrow flying through anyone's skull, whether it was made of bone or titanium. Power.
The target was a good sixty meters away, but his hands were perfectly still and the tip of the arrow only trembling a fraction of a millimeter. Taking in a deep breath, he released the string, and the arrow hit dead center in less than two seconds.
He checked the time on his watch. He had barricaded himself in Stark's training basement for a good hour already, coming immediately after Loki wheedled the layout of the SHIELD headquarters before retreating somewhere else to apparently concoct the plan himself, the arrogant bastard.
If Clint had to be honest with himself—and it wasn't a difficult feat—he had to admit that the thought of Loki leading him anywhere was a bad omen altogether. If past attempts were anything to base his assumptions on, when exactly was Loki ever successful in anything he planned?
Not that Clint ever brought that up to Loki, as much as he wanted to. The guy may not have his magic, but Clint too knew how Loki was able to bodily throw Stark out of a window.
Still, it was unsettling. In only the course of several months, they had gone from grudging enemies to circumstantial housemates, and now Loki was leading them to sneak into their own division's secrets. Out of context it spelled doom in every language, so why the hell was Clint even consenting to this?
Simple. Clint was probably suicidal by this point. It was the only reasonable explanation.
He pulled another test arrow from his quiver and strung it on his bow. The robotic target was programmed to move unpredictably across the room, jerking like a madman from corner to corner. With the release of the string, the arrow pierced its midsection cleanly.
Applaud broke out. Clint rolled his eyes; leave it to Stark to program praise into his training room whenever he made a hit. That was, until Clint realized that someone was actually in the room with him, clapping.
He turned around, hands flying to his arrow in defense, before grunting.
"Oh, it's you."
Loki was at the doorway, watching the moving targets pierced with Clint's arrows with interest. When he realized that Clint was gawking at him, he raised his eyebrows questioningly.
"Can I…help you?" Clint said with as much formality as an ice cube.
Loki shook his head. He waved his hand as if to urge Clint to go on doing whatever he was doing. Clint awkwardly shifted his attention back to the targets, drawing back the string. He could almost feel Loki's gaze freezing on his skin and he groaned inwardly. He never liked audiences, not even back in his circus days.
The arrow flew from his bow and shanked the head of the dummy. It ceased in its movements and hung lamely from its post.
"So have you spelled out some grandiose plan on how to get your magic wand back already?" said Clint. He turned around to realize Loki was no longer at the door. He took a one-eighty turn to find Loki at the weaponry station, admiring one of Clint's old bows.
"Oi," said Clint. "Don't touch those."
Loki looked over his shoulder toward Clint, almost challengingly.
"The least you could do is ask," said Clint.
Oh wait. Maybe that wasn't the most tactful thing to say to a mute person.
Loki made a gesture that almost screamed I do what I want before unhooking the bow from its place. Clint rolled his eyes, thankful that Loki took the less expensive one.
"Asshole," he said before shooting another arrow toward the target, not even sparing a glance at it. The arrow landed almost perfectly.
Loki cocked his head at Clint's impressive shot before holding out a hand to request an arrow. Clint raised his eyebrows.
"What, you want to have a go at it?" said Clint.
Loki nodded.
"Well, I dunno if you can," said Clint. "See, archery kind of requires a lot of upper body strength. Slenderness doesn't really help."
God, it was worth seeing Loki's grimace of irritation. Clint was going to have so much fun.
"Besides, these babies might not be the same as your medieval style of bow and arrow," said Clint. "It might explode in your hand or something."
Loki looked down warily at his bow in his hands. Clint hid a snicker behind his fist.
That was, before Loki bonked him on the head with said bow.
"Hey!" Clint said, rubbing the top of his head. Loki grinned. "What are you, five?"
Loki crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow boldly. Clint narrowed his eyes before tossing an arrow at Loki. Loki caught it between his fingers swiftly.
"All right, let's see what you can do," said Clint. "Don't hurt yourself."
Loki took Clint's place as Clint stepped aside, drawing the bow. He certainly knew the techniques of archery; his poise reminded Clint of a prince straight from a fairy tale—taut and barely trembling limbs, ramrod straight back, eyes open and focused. Throw in a gust of fashionable wind and a horse and he'd be set.
"Lift your elbow a bit more," said Clint. "It's a little too low."
Loki scowled at Clint.
"Are you really going to doubt me?"
Loki ignored Clint and kept his elbow where it was. When he released the string, the arrow sped toward the moving dummy. It hit just three inches off target.
"Ooh," said Clint. "It burns you to have come so close."
Loki glowered at Clint before holding out a hand for another arrow. Clint rolled his eyes and relented. Loki turned swiftly and restrung the bow, face absolutely still with concentration as he focused on the targets. Clint noted with triumph that Loki's elbow was a mite higher than the first time.
Thwack. The arrow darted from the bow and punctured the target on the mark. Loki raised his eyebrows as if secretly impressed.
"Told you," said Clint.
Loki bit his tongue to keep himself from sticking it out at Clint. He handed the bow to Clint before retreating to the back of the room. Clint couldn't help but chuckle to himself, double-checking the bow to make sure Loki didn't accidentally-on-purpose tamper with the weapon.
Sfft. He jumped back, barely missing the flash of silver that flew past him. He nearly fell onto his back in surprise as the knife cut through the air and with a satisfying thud stabbed the target in the head. He turned back to see Loki at the weaponry, a smirk on his lips as he tossed the throwing daggers from one hand to the other.
"What are you, a ninja?" said Clint.
Without a second of consideration, Loki flicked his wrist. The dagger slipped from his fingers and flew with remarkable speed toward the target, slicing through the bull's eye. He flashed a cheeky grin at Clint.
"Oh, is this a challenge?" Clint said, shouldering his favorite bow. "It's on. JARVIS, if you're functioning, bump up the level to impossible."
"Right away, sir."
The targets suddenly grew numerous, moving at intimidating speed around and toward them. Clint strung two arrows at once and shot them toward the dummies. One, two robots fell with immediately on impact.
"Your move, pretty boy," said Clint.
Loki hurled the daggers with such force that it cleanly cut through the first two dummies and stuck itself deeply into the third.
Clint aimed his arrow at the most violent dummies and shot; the arrow stuck through both of the dummies and like Siamese twins they fell together.
Loki wielded two blades in each hand, whipping them forth until they split off in independent directions and found their victim.
The robots were moving faster—much faster than Clint knew JARVIS was capable of, and as he stabbed one robot when it got too close with his arrow, he wondered if JARVIS was as fully functioning as he had originally assumed.
"If you ever wondered what it was like for us to fight your stupid army," yelled Clint as he aimed a kick to the stomach of one of the droids, "this is kind of like it!"
Loki kicked one of the robots so hard that it knocked its head against the wall and split open, wires and knobs spilling from its metal skull. Loki gaped at the machinery, never having actually seen a robot or its inner workings before. He leaned in closer, evidently drawn with curiosity at the sparking wires, as other dummies drew closer.
"Dude—Loki—all around you!" said Clint.
Loki looked up and immediately ducked as the dummies aimed for his head. He swiped his leg at them, knocking them off of their feet.
"JARVIS, you can tone it down a little!" said Clint.
JARVIS made no sign of understanding. Clint cursed loudly.
"JARVIS, end session! Come on!"
Something hard and round hit him against his back and he stumbled back. He turned around, only to see the head of one of the robots rolling around his ankle. He looked up, finding Loki standing over a decapitated robot that had aimed its paintball gun at Clint. Loki gave a cursory shrug.
"Once we get out of this mess, you are so fixing JARVIS," said Clint right before kicking down two robots. They retaliated with shooting pink paintballs at him, splattering his black vest.
Clint always suspected a robot apocalypse would be possible, but he never expected to happen now.
Loki, however, only understood the meaning of a bullet and never a paintball, and promptly looked positively murderous at the sight of the bubble-gum colored wounds on Clint's chest.
"I'm not hurt, I'm not hurt!" said Clint when Loki hurried forward, his raised hand almost glowing with healing magic. "Stop that magic. It's just paint. Watch out behind you!"
Loki ducked just in time for the robots behind him to shoot Clint in the face.
"Okay—rule number one of teamwork," said Clint, wiping paint from his welted skin. Loki rose to his feet guiltily. "You don't duck unless everyone else is ducking."
The robots were flooding the room now, whether they were KIA or wading their way toward Loki and Clint, paintball rifles at the ready. Loki and Clint exchanged glances.
"JARVIS, are you there yet?" said Clint.
A bit of static was all he could hear. Clint turned back to Loki.
"Let's scram," said Clint.
Loki shrugged before the both of them immediately booked it to the door.
"Anyone care to explain why my basement is covered in pink paint and robot heads?" Tony said that night.
Loki and Clint were holding ice packs to the welts on their arms and face. Loki was bent over a computer screen, tirelessly recoding.
"Nope," said Clint. "No idea."