Prepare for an explanation regarding the unusual events of chapter 8 :P. The following chapters should get quite entertaining, since I have quite an interesting arc planned. There will be Romanogers, funny moments, and action. It all begins here, with a meeting. So read on, and enjoy the tenth installment of the story! (I can't believe I've written ten chapters! :D) I promise the upcoming chapters will be longer...after this one which is a teensy bit short.

"Something's happened." Steve said.

Tony watched as, one by one, all of the Avengers and their respective companions reappeared in the common area in a flurry of chaos and sound. Steve and Natasha exchanged many strange glances and whispers, expressing an unusual closeness as they made their way up. Thor emerged next, oddly enough, shirtless and bedraggled as though he had been through a street fight. Jane followed him closely, appearing shaken and bearing several cuts on her face and arms.

Finally, taking up the back of the pack was Clint Barton, who Tony had never expected to see so soon. The archer was a welcome sight, but the expressions painted upon the other Avengers' faces conveyed that the joy of his arrival was overshadowed by whatever had just happened.

Tony took in the grim group around him. "Someone needs to tell me what is going on." he called with a hint of frustration. "I'm calling a meeting- everyone at the dining table now."

Silently, the Avengers plus Jane and Darcy took seats around the expensive oak table. A moment later, Pepper was aroused from Tony's suite and she took a spot in the meeting as well, sharing in Tony's confusion.

Tony sat back with his arms crossed, staring his companions down in his anticipation. "Well, talk." Tony said calmly, waiting for someone to speak.

Thor piped up, sitting forward to regard everyone in turn. "Jane and I were attacked, by a small band of enemy entombed ones."

"What is an 'entombed one'?" Steve asked curiously, joining the conversation.

"The entombed ones are an ancient race of humanoid aliens who reside on a rocky planet in a distant galaxy." Thor responded, clenching his fists.

He continued, not meeting any of the others' eyes. "They are known as the entombed, because they are believed to be permanently encased within their fortress of underground caves and tunnels, sworn to guard a sacred treasure from the hands of evil."

Natasha observed Thor critically. "If they have sworn to remain in their rock caves, then why are they here on Earth? Is there a threat to their treasure here?"

"And more specifically, why are they attacking Thor about it?" Tony added.

Thor shifted in his seat, and paused a moment before continuing, as if contemplating his words. "Their guarded object has, indeed been compromised. It has been stolen."

Several pairs of eyes around the table widened at the news.

"Jane said that they accused you of stealing it." Hawkeye murmured suspiciously.

"And they would be right. I did steal it." Thor said blatantly, the corners of his mouth twitching into a smile.

Immediately Jane's head whipped around, and she eyed Thor furiously. "The leader called you out on being a liar, and you denied it!" she said powerfully.

"I spoke truly, for I am no liar." Thor quipped firmly. "Albeit, I may have lied in that one, life-or-death instant, but I don't generally make a habit of it..."

Jane rolled her eyes but shut her mouth.

Tony interrupted quickly. "We aren't here to question Thor's virtues. What I want to know is what you stole, and how you did it." he said seriously, glancing at Thor.

Thor cleared his throat. "As you know, I was away for several months investigating the whereabouts of the infinity stones. There were rumours around this galaxy that the sacred treasure of the entombed was, in fact, one of the stones. There was also talk that the entombed were in dealings with several darker connections throughout the universe, and that their stone could soon fall into dangerous hands." He explained slowly, almost dramatically. The surrounding Avengers' eyes remained transfixed on Thor. He continued passively. "So I travelled to the distant planet of the entombed ones and pulled off an elaborate and treacherous plan to recover the stone, with the help of Lady Sif and the warriors three. We were able to secure it and escape, leaving the entombed in chaos. Presumably they tracked me somehow, and traced my location to Midgard."

Natasha looked doubtful. "Where is the stone now?" she asked quietly.

"I think it's best none of you know that, for fear of interrogation." Thor suggested, casting his gaze around the table. "For now, it is safe and secure."

For a moment no one said a thing, presumably since everyone was still absorbing all they had just learned.

"One down, five more to go." Hawkeye muttered suddenly under his breath.

Steve looked back at him, his brow furrowed with concern. "What now, then?" he wondered, and the uncertain glances passed around the room confirmed that Steve was not the only one confused about what their next plan should be.

Thor appeared thoughtful. "The stones are obscenely powerful, and must certainly not fall into the wrong hands." He proclaimed. "Eventually, we shall need to secure them all, simply to ensure they don't end up among others."

Natasha and Tony nodded in agreement. "I think the first step is to find Banner." Tony stated simply. "We need all of our strength together. I'll keep scouring the globe and eventually he's bound to turn up somewhere."

Natasha turned away, pensive in the face of Tony's suggestion.

Pepper broke the awkward silence with a sudden brainstorm. "Tony, the tesseract had something to do with the stones, right?" she inquired, her expression concentrated.

Tony observed her quizzically. "We've had theories about certain things we've come across and their potential connections to the infinity stones, including the tesseract..."

Pepper brightened, her enthusiasm growing.

"There's a man in Great Britain who has been attempting to contact me for a while about selling a limitless source of power to Stark Industries...you don't suppose he has something like another tesseract, do you?"

"Pepper, why is this the first I'm hearing of this?" Tony demanded, throwing his arms in the air.

Pepper appeared taken aback. "I assumed it was a hoax! I get messages all the time about things like that- they're usually just hopeful people looking to meet you!" she said, clearly offended. She crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow at Tony.

"Well, get me this guy's contact info right away and I'll call-"

Pepper stood up and interrupted Tony, silencing him with a raised hand. "He actually invited us to an event tonight in London, but seeing as it's already almost four o'clock, and the party is at seven, there's just no way..."

Tony stared back at her, a grin creeping on to his face. The surrounding Avengers couldn't hide their bad feelings, since historically a grin like that implied the beginnings of elaborate, Tony-esque plans.

"I can get us to London for seven." Tony nodded, already muttering to himself, something about adjustments and last minute testing. The billionaire turned on his heels and walked briskly back toward his suite, calling over his shoulder as he walked. "Dress nicely everyone, we're partying London-style tonight!"

The others watched him go, and as soon as his door was shut, they all flashed Pepper How serious is he about this? glances. She turned to them and nodded. "You heard what he said, be ready to go for seven. It's black tie, so dress appropriately. You should find everything you need in your closets."

Everyone got up to leave, but Steve remained. "How is Tony planning on getting us across the Atlantic in less than three hours? It isn't possible even in this century."

Pepper shrugged. "I haven't got a clue. If it were any other man, I would say forget it. But this is Tony Stark."