Awakening

Infinitas says I own nothing, so I don't...right?

Tony's POV

"Sir, I am happy to report that Miss Penny is awake and says that she'll be there soon."

I almost laughed in relief at Jarvis' report as I soared through the air, towards the dimensional rift and the Chitauri flooding out of it.

"Keep me posted Jar," I stated as relief flooded my veins. "We'll be needing her help soon."

"Of course sir." Jarvis replied as I fired a repulsor blast towards the reptile like aliens on scooters and rolled out of the way of the blue return fire. Their weapons were bulky, and not to mention ugly, and seemed to be powered by an energy similar to the Tesseract.

I rolled and spun through the air, left to right and right to left as I attacked and dodged. I barely even had to move for the suit to respond, it was like we were communicating mentally, even though I knew it wasn't. The Mark VII truly was the most sophisticated armor yet, it was obvious to all who could see.

Avoiding the large energy beam I did my best to shoot down as many of the aliens as I could, and even though it seemed like ages that I was fire time after time again, it was merely seconds.

A Chitauri slammed into my suddenly, barely managing to avoid my repulsor blast. I cursed as its arms wrapped around me but didn't pause. Twisting my arms around me I released another blast, and at close range the attack sent the thing flying, before falling towards the ground below.

The Mark VII had my latest tech installed, including but not limited to lasers, the shield recreated from Pen's, and an EMP generator. I was planning on saving most of my toys for later, when things really got bad. Right now I just needed to keep these brutes off the street as much as I could.

However, my one man attack wasn't getting me very far. For every two Chitauri that I struck down, seven more sprung up to take their places. Either way, I killed a lot of those bastards.

"You guys know that it's an open invitation right?!" I exclaimed as Jarvis opened up the Avenger's com, they really did need to hurry the fuck up.

"We're trying Stark, just keep them busy!" Thankfully, it was Rogers not Romanoff who answered. I might have yelled at the woman if she had.

"What do you think I'm doing? Inviting them to tea?" I drawled as I narrowed my eyes.

"Jarvis, engage." I muttered as multiple targets lit up on the HUD, and mini-missiles exploded from my right shoulder.

All of them hit their mark, and I smirked as twenty fireballs appeared in the sky, ensnaring a few more along with the intended targets.

Sadly, my victory was short lived as I turned around at the sound of screams erupting from beneath me. I glanced down at the ground and my vision zoomed in, showing that Chitauri had managed to get past me and were now attacking the civilians.

"Crap," I muttered as I flew back into battle with new energy. "You better be moving quickly Pen."

I could definitely use her help right now.

"Sir, the jet just entered NY airspace." Jarvis told me only minutes later, and no, I didn't sigh in relief.

"Nice of you to join me!" I drawled lowly as thunder suddenly crackled across the sky and Thor appeared with a humongous bolt of lightning that tore through the invaders like butter, and send dozens of them dropping like flies.

Man, he had good timing.

"Yes, Stark we're here." This time it was Romanoff who replied, but I ignored her.

"Welcome to the party!" I exclaimed through the speakers, and was surprised when Thor's voice echoed through the com.

"Glad to be here, Man of Iron." The Asgardian replied as he flew by, his hammer swinging left and right, scattering Chitauri.

I watched with half an eye as the jet icon on my HUD flew around the city, blasting Chitauri left and right before one of their engines was taken out, and they were forced to land.

I snickered, that is why my suit is so amazing.

"Alright guys, we need to keep them away from the civilians. I'm going to see how much longer I can stall them, and Thor, Buddy, I know you want to deal with your brother, we all do, but right now these buggers are our concern." I stated simply as I rolled through another attack and fired some more of my own.

"We need to try and bottle neck the situation, at least until we can get the Tesseract shut down, and that portal closed." I knew that unless Pen showed up soon, like she said she would, then my plan sucked. But then again, I was counting on Penny showing up, Mortem, Hel, and possibly Insania, in tow.

"You expecting someone Stark?" Barton asked, his voice sharp but not unkind. I smirked; I might actually like that archer.

"As a matter of fact, yes; yes I am." I stated simply, trying not to think about how if it hadn't been for Romanoff…

I shook my head; I didn't need to get pissed at her now. I needed to think straight, at least until this was dealt with, then I could break down. Once Pen was back on my side I could deal with all of the sticky shadows around me.

I blasted another three Chitauri before a loud, growing metallic sound filled the air. I paused in the air as my HUD lit up with readings and warning, I cursed under my breath.

"Did you all hear that?" Rogers asked suddenly but he wasn't the only one to speak.

"Sir, the rift is increasing in side and the power output on the Tesseract and Reactor are increasing. Something large is coming through." Jarvis reported instantly and even though I would watch the hologram from my HUD I spun around to face the portal anyway. Just in time to see a large ass, butt ugly, whale-turtle-crab-thing about the size of twelve city blocks slithering out of it.

"Damn." I breathed to myself, Pen, you better hurry.

"Do you all see that?!" Barton's voice cracked as it echoed over the com.

"Heart it; see it...still working on believing though." Rogers said, his voice sounding faint to my ears.

"Welcome to our world." I drawled heavily, as I switched all systems to full power and had Jarvis setup visuals on all of the Avengers; ven with Bruce, who was just on the edge of town.

"Jarvis, tell me as soon as Bruce gets here, he shouldn't miss the party." I stated loudly enough that the others heard as well.

"Banner?" Romanoff questioned but I ignored her again, here was neither the time nor place.

"Find me a soft spot." I stated, narrowing my eyes on the large creature as I once again had to start weaving through the sky. "Humpty-Dumpty needs to take a fall."

"Seriously Stark?" Rogers sighed and I saw him shake his head on the security camera that was currently tailing him.

I ignored him as Thor spoke up, "I do not understand."

"Don't worry," I told him as I scanned Jarvis' scans of the thing. "I'll submerge you in Earth culture references once this is over."

"That would be most appreciated Man of Iron." Thor stated as another bolt of lightning went crashing through the air, Thor right behind it.

I dodged another two Chitauri attacks and blew up six more when Jarvis finally called my attention to the action on the ground.

"Sir, I am picking up some very peculiar energy readings."

"From the portal or the Chitauri?" I asked as I changed directions and caused two of said aliens to collide.

"Neither sir, from the shadows…"

I barely heard Jarvis' words as the world suddenly darkened all around the city. The shadows seemed to lengthen and black mist starting sweeping the streets. Thick clouds appeared overhead, casting the city into a darker shadow.

Then, I got a serious case of deja vu from the Expo fight a few months ago, as Chitauri were suddenly dragged and disappearing into shadows violently and quickly. A wide evil grin spread across my face as the pieces fell together.

"Jarvis, do these readings have any similarities to the ones we have on Mortem?" I asked, though I already knew the answer. Ok, I was glad my daughter was dating Death now...but I would never say that.

"Yes sir, they're completely identical except on a much larger scale." Jarvis reported almost instantly and I chuckled.

Of course.

Twisting around in the air I shot off towards the rest of the group, watching as Thor landed in surprise next to the others. I smirked as the energy spiked slightly and Thor's voice echoed through the com.

"Lord Death? What are you doing on Midgard?"

I chuckled and my smirk turned into a grin. If Mortem was here then Penny was sure to follow.

Third POV

Thor, who had landed at the sight of the Chitauri suddenly vanishing and sensing the Immortal's presence, stared at the Immortal in surprise after speaking. He was confused; though glad, to see his niece's boss. As that most likely meant that Hel, and he were around. Thor hadn't gotten to thank Hel for her assistance in his escape earlier.

He was confused though, because Immortals were only able to interfere in the Mortal world if Aequivalere allowed it, and he had not seen his Godfather in many years.

"Thor," Rogers said, glancing around but not seeing the Immortal. "Who are you talking to?"

Mortem chuckled and seemed to fade into view. His hood was down, and his eyes silver, but his aura was practically solid, power radiating from him like light would the sun.

All of the other Avengers, who had stopped fighting as the invisible Reapers attacked in their place, just stared, horrified and shocked at the sight of Death.

"Tell Mortem that I'm glad he joined the party." Tony's voice echoed through the com and Thor was surprised to hear the human call Lord Death by his first name.

"Glad that I was able to attend." Mortem chuckled, very amused at the situation, even if it meant more paperwork for Hel, and more work for him.

"Since when can you talk?" Tony asked his tone filled with surprise and a little irritation.

At the same time Rogers asked, "Just who are you."

There was silence for a moment as Barton's hand twitched towards his bow. Then Mortem chuckled again and shook his head.

"I am Mortem, and I have always been able to speak Stark. It's only now that your human ears can understand what I'm saying." Death stated simply and Romanoff's eyes widened, as she realized what his name meant.

"So, basically, you just learned English." Stark drawled as he flew past and gave Mortem a little mock salute.

"Something like that," Mortem stated with a smirk as Thor turned towards him with a question on his lips.

"But, tis you not prohibited from interfering?"

Mortem nodded slowly, choosing his words carefully. "Normally yes, but I am here on her request, and as such my...employees, are currently helping dispose of some of these...pests…"

"We'll only ask one more time," Romanoff said as she had the gall to point her guns at Mortem. "Who are you?"

Mortem sighed, knowing that he couldn't collect Romanoff's Soul, even if she was the one who had hurt his Bonded.

He was saved from answering however, when with a loud clatter and a dust cloud, a Chitauri fell in between them, almost crushing Thor.

Hel, decked out in red and black armor, her eyes red and glowing, jumped down from the dead beast, a spear in her hand.

"I thought that it would be obvious." She drawled taking a leaf out of the Starks' book. "This is my boss, Lord Death, the physical entity of Death itself. So, you might want to lower your guns."

Hel glared at Romanoff, her thoughts very similar to her boss' as Romanoff gulped, and the other two men paled.

Tony chuckled to himself as he watched their reactions. He had been right, this was fun.

I am SOOO sorry that I haven't updated! I was busy all day Saturday and then ended up babysitting all day Sunday. Then Mondy we had a school overnight and FF is blocked on my school laptop, Tuesday…I was sick and not in the mood to write, and Wednesday was the same…the reason I didn't update yesterday…eh, I was being lazy. ^.^

The overnight wasn't bad, we had an Iron Man marathon (we're a metalworking elective, we managed to convince our teacher that it was relevant ^.^) TONS of food, and soda, and goodies. Not to mention I had Pandora and Netflix on my laptop…we didn't even turn off the projector till 3am ish…it was fun!

Anyway, your prob sick of my rambling,
Thanks for reading!
Cp