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Here is chapter 13, so please read and review! Hearing your kind words really brightens up my day! :)


Chapter 13: Caught


"I can tell you are trying so hard to ignore me, Asgardian. I don't know why you fear me so?" A voice echoed, "It won't take long, and it won't be too painful. I can tell your body is tired…just give in. Everything will be over soon…"

Trying to breathe, a wave of panic came over the Goddess of Medicine as she realized her chest had tightened. Echoing loudly in her head, she could hear the frantic beating of her own heart—deafening in the cold room. Trying to open her eyes, she grabbed the sheets in fear when she realized she couldn't. Caught in a suffocating darkness, the Asgardian could hear a laughing voice again.

"Don't panic, my dear. All I need is your body. I am sure your mind will go somewhere pleasant…" it said in a calm voice, a smirk evident in its voice, "All the pains of this world will be gone soon enough, Asgardian. I thank you for your cooperation."

Eir could feel a scream trapped in her throat, trying desperately to escape. Hearing her heart beat quicker, a fear washed over her as she felt herself go dangerously light headed—the sound of the voice and the sounds of her panic becoming more muffled. On her cheeks, she could feel the warmth of her tears as she spiraled further away from consciousness.

Suddenly, however, her eyes shot open as a bright stinging pain washed across her face. The scream, once locked, escaped her lips and her chest hurt as she took a painful, hungry breath of air. Turning her sore neck back, her panicked eyes were met with a pair of concerned green ones. Looking down at her hands, she could see a deep burn in one of them…roughly the shape of the furiously glowing green stone that now lay screeching on the cold wooden floor.

"I knew this would happen soon enough." Loki whispered, looking down at the deep wound that adorned the woman's hand, "You look sickly, Eir. You can't deny its power over you."

Blinking a few times, the woman looked down towards the screeching stone on the floor…its facets shaking across the dust in an angry fashion. She would be lying if she said she hadn't felt the power the stone held over her. She would be lying if she said she hadn't heard the curious whispers now and again. Glancing at her hand, however, she realized that ignoring the stone Odin had trusted her with was no longer a viable option. Loki's painful words echoed all too loudly in her head—it would control her, not the other way around.

Taking a deep breath, she watched as cold hands grabbed her injured one. Narrowing her eyes curiously, she watched as the fibers in her palm stitched themselves back together. Muscle covered her bones once again, and a new layer of skin left her healed—a painfully noticeable scar the only mark left.

"Forgive me, Eir." Loki sighed, looking at his work, "I fear I am not a master like you."

Moving her fingers to her palm, a small smile made its way to her face as she realized that she was fixed.

"Thank you." She whispered, voice broken from the ordeal, "I must work harder to control it. I thought I was progressing but—"

To this Loki laughed.

"Don't be foolish." He warned almost mockingly, "And what of next time? What will become of your mind when I am not there? I can promise you this—you won't escape."

Golden eyes looked down towards the stone on the floor again. For now, the screeching had subsided, but she could still feel its malicious power tingling throughout her body. She didn't want to admit it, but Loki was right. If she did not find a way to control it—or dispose of it—soon, she would lose herself to its mysterious power. Feeling defeated, she watched as the prince picked up the luminous gem and placed it in his pocket.

"Be hasty, Eir." He muttered, looking out the window, "We must leave this place."


"Well, it's giving off Alpha particles, but that really isn't dangerous." Bruce explained, reading the spectroscopy results, "What is more interesting, though, is the internal structure."

Tony looked interested as the famous Bruce Banner waved him over towards a microscope that he was sure cost more than even his most expensive cars. Looking on the screen, he noticed a number of structures laced together in an impossibly intricate pattern. In all his time in the sciences, he had never seen anything quite like it.

"I know, right?" Bruce smiled, "Our tests show that the internal molecular structure is more intricate than that of adamantium or diamond. It has elements in it that we don't have here. Amazing, really!"

Tony Stark looked at the screen again and then back down at the glowing red stone. Based on what Bruce was saying, it seemed as though these stones were indestructible…and dangerous. Since someone was after them, it was not a viable option to destroy them. It seemed like the best they could do was protect, and learn more about their abilities before the inevitable altercation happened.

"Isn't this amazing, Stark?" Banner asked with a smile, "As a scientist, I always knew my life would be a continual learning process, but with everything brought from Asgard…I'm beginning to see just how little we actually know. It's exciting."

Tony smiled at his colleague and let out a laugh.

"You're being dramatic, Banner." He smirked, "You should have realized how little we knew when you turned into a not-so-jolly green giant."

Tony watched as the other scientist gave him a playfully annoyed face. Walking around SHIELD's extensive lab, he saw a number of interesting things. There were lists of data from Selvig, there were countless X-rays of people who had metal laced across their bones, and even some data about his own suits. In fact, he was going to have to smuggle those out…

"I heard we are getting another stone, too." Bruce explained, typing in some information, "I hear this one deals with space-time. I am so excited. It would unleash the secrets physics has been missing and—"

"So wait, there are even more Asgardians here now?" Tony asked raising his eyebrows, "What does SHIELD expect to do with all of them? They throw a fit dealing with Thor. Besides, if I need to listen to more 'thy' or 'thou' I will honestl—"

Before Tony could finish, Bruce interrupted him by greeting a lab coat clad woman. She was a tiny thing, her spunky bob hairstyle bouncing as she walked towards them with a silver box. Flashing them both a smile and adjusting her glasses, she presented the case to Dr. Banner.

"Director Fury wanted this delivered to you." She said-her brown eyes filled with excitement, "The Asgardian Heimdall was found with it."

"Thank you, Kate!" Bruce grinned, opening the case to see a radiant purple gem. Noticing Tony's smirking face, Bruce blushed and rubbed the back of his head.

"Tony, this is Dr. Katherine Waynesboro. She is my lab assistant."

Tony shook the hand of the bubbly woman and watched as she sent a small glance towards Bruce. He had watched too many movies to know where this relationship was going to go. Excusing himself, he gave a wave to the duo before leaving the state-of-the-art laboratory. It was all right, he supposed…

He had an Asgardian he needed to meet.


Thanos let out a breathy sigh as he looked at the environment around him. Having left Asgard in pieces, he now found himself on the dark world of Svartalheim—the light of the flames around him illuminating his gilded accessories. Looking ahead, towards the end of the glorious floating staircase before him, he could see the vague shadow of a figure. Around him, he could hear the shuffling of other Dark Elves, trying to hide from his prying eye. Finally coming into sight, a wide smile found its way to Thanos' face as he saw his ally.

"Well, this is certainly a surprise." A satisfied voice rang out, "What do I owe the pleasure?"

Yellow eyes looked at the bicolored man before him. His platinum locks were bright against the fire around them, and his smile was one filled with an excitement he had not seen in some time.

"I come looking for Loki." Thanos explained, "I know well you are allies."

Thanos watched as Malekith looked thoughtful for a moment before shaking his head.

"I fear I have seen him not." The dark elf explained, "I heard whispers that he was to be executed for his stunt on Midgard."

Clenching his fists, Thanos let out an angry grunt before sending his yellow gaze back to the ruler.

"Like all vile creatures, it seems the filth has slipped through the cracks." Thanos muttered, casting a gaze to the flames again, "The gems, too, are gone—though I know not where. A number of Asgardians were left unaccounted for…they must have them."

Malekith looked down at the purple being in front of him with interest. Thanos certainly wanted the stones, and would stop at nothing to get them. However, Thanos was not one for patience—and going on a scavenger hunt throughout the realms was not to his liking. Unlike him, Thanos did not possess such a powerful means of travel. A smirk came across the elf's lips as an idea came to mind.

"I know of a number of leads, Lord Thanos." Malekith grinned, "I would mind not going on this quest for you…if it was profitable, of course."

Thanos gave a look that urged the other man on.

"You know well my desire for one of Odin's treasures." Malekith elaborated, "I pray it would not take much effort for a powerful being such as yourself to obtain such a thing. In return, I would seek out your gems-and that traitor Loki."

A grin found its way to the Titan as the Dark Elf explained his plan further. With Malekith as his ally, he would be able to find the stones much quicker—and avoid any risk that may arise from his less than graceful planetary visits. With stealth on their side, the Universe could succumb to its demise with a whisper instead of a scream.

Giving an agreeable nod, Thanos watched as the being in front of him disappeared in a gust of mist, leaving him with only the company of Svartalheim's dancing flames.


"So what exactly is this guy capable of?" Nick Fury asked, looking at the newly found Asgardian on the security camera, "Is he dangerous?"

"Miss Hill assured me he was quite the gentleman." Selvig explained, "As for abilities…Heimdall is known to be Asgard's gatekeeper. He is empowered with senses that are enhanced even by Asgardian standards. It is said he can hear and see everything."

Nick Fury narrowed his eyes as he looked at the Asgardian. The ability to see and hear everything around him was certainly an unsettling ability. It was unlikely that they could keep any secrets around the man. As such, containing him in the world's largest secret organization was unwise. Rubbing his forehead, Fury watched the screen again as Thor and Jane came into view.

"Heimdall!" Thor bellowed, embracing the man in a tight hug, "I am pleased to see you are well!"

Nick watched as the Gatekeeper gave the God of Thunder a bright smile.

"As I am to see you!" Heimdall remarked, kissing Jane Foster on the hand, "I am elated that I am not alone on this planet."

To this, the director watched as Thor gave his comrade a confused look.

"I know not what you mean, Heimdall." Thor muttered, "I thought we were to travel in groups."

Heimdall blinked a few times—his glittering eyes bright from the lights above—before giving Thor an equally confused look.

"I traveled alone, Prince Thor." The man explained slowly, "Lady Eir assured me she had a way off Asgard."

Thor could feel his eyes widen as a wave of sick realization washed over him. Eir was not known to be a proficient traveler, though gifted in the magical arts as she was. Outside of Heimdall, there was only one other being that he knew to have such intimate knowledge of Asgard's routes—and that being was to be locked in Asgardian prison.

"Jane, we need to speak with Fury urgently."


Loki looked down at the hot liquid in his hands and let out a sigh. He had been in custody of the Soul Gem for less than a day, and he could already feel himself becoming ill. He could feel an unsettling presence washing over him, constantly trying to fight him for control. Since he ripped it out of Eir's hand, he had felt sick. To be honest, he didn't know how she had lasted so long with the strange gem before succumbing to it.

His eyes moved away from the glass for a moment and looked at the Asgardian across from him. Even now, he couldn't fathom why she had spared his life. He had known the woman for centuries-he knew her better than most-and he knew when she was lying…she didn't save him for virtue of some filthy promise with his brother. No—there was something else, and he couldn't think of what. Eir was not known to forgive, and he had certainly done some unforgivable things. To put it simply, he was frustrated.

What did she have to gain by sparing his life? Nothing. In fact, he was sure it would only bring her pain. If she made it back to Asgard—and to be honest, he wasn't sure they would—she would be persecuted for sparing his life. Even here, these Midgardians would treat her as a criminal. Eir was strong-willed-more so than most of Asgard's women-but he knew these Midgardians would break her.

And that thought, for reasons he didn't want to admit, unsettled him greatly.

Before he could let his mind contemplate further, however, his green eyes widened as a large crash caused the woman across from him to jump—spilling some of her drink on the small table they shared. Looking outside the window of the small café, he watched as a number of mortals ran towards the origin of the sound, screams escaping their lips.

Crashing through the small café door, a hysterical man with windswept hair came in screaming.

"Is there a doctor?! Please, someone call an ambulance!"

Before he could stop her, the Asgardian across from him was gone. Biting his lip, he could feel the anger in him grow as he watched the woman run after the man. Eir was going to make it all too obvious they were not from around here, and when they were finally found…

He didn't even want to think of the horrors they would face.


Golden eyes widened as their owner approached a crash site. In front of her, there was a strange, large vehicle that had crashed into the side of a building. Within the rubble, she could see a woman screaming for help over the body of a small child. Standing behind the kneeling, grieving mother stood the shadowing figure of a boy. Eir could feel her heart beat faster as she approached the scene- the ghostly figure sending her a concerned look.

As she approached the woman, she could hear the desperate prayers to save her child. She could hear the desperate pleads to take her life instead. She could see the glittering tears of a mother falling on the child's bloodied face as she shook him, only to see no response. Sensing her approach, the woman turned to her—blue eyes filled with a sorrow Eir had seen far too often in her lifetime.

"I'm a doctor." The Goddess explained, putting a hand on the woman's shoulder, "Please."

Eir watched as the woman reluctantly stepped away from her child's broken body. In the corner of her eyes, she could see Loki walking towards the scene with a dissatisfied look etched across his face. Looking down towards the small boy, she could feel her heart breaking. Touching the boy's head, she could see blood rapidly pooling on her hands as his bright, blue eyes looked back at her—fixed and dilated.

He was dead.

Taking a deep breath, she looked at the small ghostly figure standing over his own body. There was a fear in his eyes that pained her, and while Loki would have her head, she knew what she needed to do. Glancing around her quickly, she put her hands towards the boy's chest and breathed life back into him. It was a delicate magic, ancient in nature, and it was one that had eluded all but her. From her hands, she could feel the blood rushing back into the child—she could feel the tissues regenerating, and finally-she could feel a heart beating.

Suddenly, a gasp escaped the boy's lips as his blue eyes sprung open. Sitting back, Eir watched as the boy started to cry as his mother rushed over and pulled the boy into an impossibly tight embrace. Looking back to her, the woman started to cry tears of joy while stoking her child's unbroken skull. Before she could open her mouth, Eir felt herself pulled off by a familiar figure—fury evident in his emerald irises.

Looking back while being pulled off, a wave of terror came over her as—in the middle of the dense crowd-a man pointed to them and spoke into a radio.

They were caught.


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