"There is a force much greater than you have the ability to comprehend, heading for your realm," Lolly explained, wrists and ankles shackled to the chair she had been placed in. The Avengers sat around a desk in front of her, Fury in the middle, looking thoughtful.
"How do you know of this?" Thor asked, Mjolnir humming restlessly by his feet, his icy blue stare boring into Lolly. Lolly snorted and gave the thunder god her best condescending glare.
"Heimdall's gaze is not the only one that watches over the 9 realms, Odinson," she spat, momentarily forgetting about the shackles as she tried to rearrange herself in her seat.
"So you're an Ally?" Fury said finally, leaning back in his chair with a hiss of leather and folding his arms. Lolly scowled at him, cheeks puffing out once more.
"I believe you have experience in dealing with the Mind Gem, which is why I require your assistance."
"You know full well that the gem is safe in Asgard, Loki, why are you here?" Thor grumbled impatiently. Lolly focused disgusted eyes on him.
"My name, Asgardian, is Lolly...apparently," she argued, with the most devious smirk. Tony snorted into his coffee.
"If you are aware of the location of the Mind Gem, why are you here? If you're right about the forces coming for us, we do not have time to play your games," Steve input, trying his best to remain neutral in this situation. It was difficult for him. He seemed to be the only one aware that this may not actually be the god of lies, and just an innocent woman, no, girl, sat across from them. She had a strange look about her, a look that he had seen before. She had the same look of a brave jewish girl he had come across in Germany all those years ago. Dedicated to her cause, fierce and clever. But overall, absolutely terrified. He tried to balance the harshness of his comment by offering her a reassuring smile.
"I will protect your realm, in exchange for clearance of a name."
"You better not say what I think you're gonna say," Fury snapped, pointing a gloved finger at her, eye burning furiously.
"Loki is innocent," she protested, this time focusing her gaze upon Natasha. Natasha had remained silent, slowly absorbing all information and ticking it over, but the intensity of Lolly's glare threw her.
"Miss Romanoff," Lolly addressed, with a respectful dip of her head. Natasha returned the gesture. "What colour are Agent Bartons eyes?"
"What the hell does that-" Tony piped up, but was cut off when Natasha simply replied;
"Hazel."
Lolly nodded enthusiastically and continued; "And what colour were they when he was under Loki's influence?"
"Blue," Natasha said, uncrossing her arms and leaning forward against the desk, eyebrows furrowed slightly.
"Your point?" Fury interrupted.
"What colour were Loki's eyes when you interrogated him in the cage?"
Both Natasha and Clint's eyebrows flew up in realisation as Natasha muttered, "Blue."
Thor let out a thunderous chuckle, shaking his head and crossing arms.
"Barbaric. Loki has eyes of the most astonishing green!"
Then it clicked. To all of them. Even Thor.
"You mean, the Blue Stick Of Destiny was screwing with you're mind the whole time?" Tony asked, sharing a small glance with Bruce.
"Not my mind, Loki's."
"Ok, cut the crap Reindeer Games, we know its you."
"Reindeer Games!?" Lolly screeched, cheeks flushing red as she eyed Tony furiously. Tony smirked and leant forward over the desk, tongue running over his teeth.
"Oh, don't like that? How about Bitch Troll, I think that suits-"
"ENOUGH MORTAL!"
Tony's smug grin slowly turned into jaw dropping horror as Lolly disappeared in a cloud of smoke and reappeared right in front of him. No Shackles. Humming with magic. And absolutely furious. The click of 2 guns sounded from her left, the unmistakable rustle of an arrow against its bow and a low groan from Bruce from the right. Lolly's hand was clamped around Tony's throat, her face inches from his, smile twisted to reveal pointed teeth.
"I would watch my tongue, if I were you human. My patience is a little... short these days," she whispered, only loud enough for him to hear.
"Lolly."
She felt a hand on her shoulder, a gentle, comforting hand and she released Tony, who crumpled to the floor with a gasp. Steve gently pulled her by her shoulder, away from the desk and back over to the chair.
"You're playing by our rules?" he asked, his hand still firmly on her shoulder.
"Yes," she whispered, and she slowly lowered herself back into her chair.
Fury, Clint and Natasha slowly lowered their weapons and sank back down into their seats. Thor glowered at her, still stood defensively, Mjolnir in his hand.
"What is it you desire from us?" he demanded, raising the hammer above his head.
"Loki's-"
"Loki is dead! Heimdall confirmed it," Thor roared, flinging the hammer just past Lolly and destroying the wall behind them. He collapsed back into his seat, lowering his head into his hands. He shook his head and looked up, watery eyes focusing on Lolly.
"I do not know why you do this to me. Can I not mourn my brother in peace?"
"Loki lives. But only just," Lolly said. Thor considered her for a moment longer.
"Are you an illusion? Are you of Loki's images?"
Lolly shook her head.
"It is not important who I am. All that matters is we put an end to Loki's suffering and protect this realm from its perpetrator."
"Why? Why do you want to save 'lowly' Midgard?" Tony asked, his hands still rubbing his throat, casting a look of both fear and respect.
"I enjoy this realm. I come here often. I do not wish to see it destroyed," Lolly shrugged, crossing her legs and folding her arms. "How can we rely on you to fend of this enemy?" Fury asked. Lolly grinned.
"Because your enemy wishes to court death, Mr Fury."
