Chapter Three
The doors hissed shut behind them, shutting out the sun and the wind. Winter almost whimpered, longing to go back outside. Phil started walking down the hall, and Winter jogged to catch up. The halls were like a maze, even more confusing than the ones back at her S.H.I.E.L.D. base. Finally they reached the bridge, and Winter stayed back, taking in all the details. There were rows of men and women on computers, presumably controlling the ship. Other people were rushing about, orders being yelled left and right. The ship lurched, a deafening sound filling the room, and Winter looked around trying to figure out what was happening. The ship slowly lifted up into the air, and Winter finally registered that it was actually a helocarrier, not a boat. She watched as Phil walked over to a tall man with a long coat, an eyepatch over his left eye. Director Fury. She continued looking around, amazed by the level of technology around her. "Hello Winter." She heard behind her. Turning around, she saw Mariah Hill. A smile broke on her face, and she rushed over to hug her friend. "Mariah! What are you doing here? I haven't seen you in months!" Pulling away, Mariah smiled, "I was promoted, although at the time I dreaded it. I left without saying goodbye and it haunted me for weeks." Winter rushed to reply, "No no don't feel bad! Phil told me everything, I knew you would have said goodbye if you could have." Smiling with relief, Mariah nodded. She then seemed to remember why she had come over, "let me show you where to put your stuff." Winter adjusted her bag, "alright! Let's go."
The door hissed shut as Mariah left her alone in a small bedroom. Sighing, Winter dropped her bag onto the bed, before flopping down herself. She laid there a few moments on the crisp mattress before realizing she had too much energy to relax. Winter checked the clock next to her bed, 11:32 am. Shoot I'm late! Groaning, she dragged herself off the bed, grabbed her key, and left the room. Jogging down the halls trying to remember the path Mariah had taken. Winter knew she was getting closer, and turned a corner running straight into a man's chest. He was forced a few steps back, surprise on his face to match her own. Winter's mind raced, quickly pulling up a name for the man in front of her, along with an apology, "Dr. Banner I'm so sorry!" He laughed lightly, still trying to shake off his surprise, "It's okay," he hesitated a moment before asking, "Are you heading back to the bridge?" Winter smiled before nodding, "Yep! I'm close right?" He smiled, "Yep! Just keep going down this hallway, and take the first left." Winter smiled, and began walking down the hall, after a few steps he called after her, "What's your name?" She looked back at him and smiled, "Winter."
By the time she got to the bridge she was ten minutes late. Winter tried to calm her nerves as she saw Phil, Steve, and Director Fury standing throughout the room. She quickly walked over and stood next to Phil and Steve. They barely noticed her, paying full attention to one of the agents sitting at a computer who had just spoken up, "Got a hit! 67% match. Wait, crossmatch… 79%." Phil walked over, "Location?" "Stuttgart, Germany. 28 Koningstrasse. He's not exactly hiding." Winter figured she should get a look at the man they were discussing, but his face flashed off the screen before she had even processed the thought. She stuck to just memorizing the location, giving her at least something. Fury spoke up, "Captain, you're up."Winter felt a pang of rejection, realizing she wasn't being sent with him. The disappointment must have been clear on her face, because Phil frowned at her apologetically. After Steve had left, Winter walked up to Phil. He looked at her as if about to speak, but she quickly talked before he could apologize, it would only make her feel worse for what she was about to do. "Hey Phil, I'm really not feeling well, is it alright if I spend the rest of today in my room?" He smiled, and nodded, about to say something else when another agent came up, drawing his attention from her. She took this opportunity to slip away. As soon as the elevator door opened onto her floor she rushed out and down the halls to her room. She changed into a sweater and a pair of jeans and gathered her small dagger, and her USB. Hiding them in the waistband of her pants, she walked into the washroom, and closed the door. It was roomy, similar to the washroom in her room back at home. Closing her eyes, she focused on the coordinates that had been given, and let herself slip away completely. Finally feeling herself come back, she slowly opened her eyes, finding herself in an alley. Walking out onto the sidewalk, she looked around to find out where she was. Only a few miles off, not bad. It was near sunset, so she didn't have much time. She walked down the street, looking for a store where she could buy (or borrow) the appropriate attire for the night. It was going to be a gala, so to fit in she had to dress the part. She finally found the perfect shop, but when she walked in she could immediately tell it was an expensive place, and she stuck out like a sore thumb. An employee walked over and, with a disapproving scowl, asked "What can I help you with?" Winter looked her in the eyes, maintaining contact before slowly replying "you're going to help me find a dress, my favorite color is green." The employees face was blank, "We have a beautiful green dress that would fit you perfectly, come with me."
Three hours later she was ready. Deep green full length halter dress, 6-inch gold heels, hair curled, makeup done to accentuate her pale skin and green eyes. She re-hid her dagger and USB throughout her person, somehow making sure they weren't visible. Giving herself one last look over, she walked out of the changing room, exiting the store and walking down the street towards her destination, regretting her choice of footwear. Once inside she immediately realized how stupid this was. I don't even know who I'm looking for. Almost everyone was taller than her even with her heels, so looking around, Winter decided she needed a higher vantage point. There was a second level balcony that surrounded the room, and she climbed the stairs, walking along the railing until she found an efficient position. She evaluated everything, watching as people laughed, talked, drank. It looked like a beautiful party, and Winter almost wished she could be down there with them. A man down below began to make a speech, and, not seeing anyone who could be a threat, Winter relaxed, choosing to look at the room itself. It was beautiful, a cream marble. The walls around the balcony were covered in beautiful paintings, and looking across she noticed there was another man up there with her. He was watching the area below as she had been. She hadn't been staring a moment when he looked up, and his eyes met with hers. She held his gaze for another moment before returning to look below. Without any further luck, she sighed. "The party is down there, you know." Said a deep voice behind her. She would have been surprised, but her training had left it impossible to sneak up on her. "I could say the same to you," she replied, turning around. He was a good foot taller than her, angled face, long dark hair slicked back. His suit fit him perfectly, accentuated with a beautiful scarf and a gold cane. By the time she looked back up to his face, he was smirking at her "I'm not here for the party." He said. "Then why are you here?" Winter asked, curious. "That, is none of your business." He said, and Winter cocked her head to the side, raising an eyebrow. "Tell me why you're here." She demanded, looking into his eyes to make the connection. He looked confused, and she could see her demand coating his thoughts. After a moment she felt him fighting it, and saw him override the command in his head, looking back at her bewildered. He took a step towards her, raising his cane which had suddenly become a scepter. "Where did that come from?" Winter asked, trying to buy herself time, knowing that this was the man S.H.I.E.L.D. was after. He didn't answer, just raised the scepter up and touched it to her heart. She immediately gasped. A feeling as cold as ice went through her heart, spreading up through her spine and wrapping around her brain. She felt violated, feeling this man sifting through her mind, her memories, and her thoughts. She could see what was happening but couldn't control anything. She watched him smirk at her, "You're strong, and you may be of use to me." Who are you? He looked over her shoulder to the crowd below, "Loki." He replied with a smirk, before walking off towards the stairs, Winter following without deciding to. Loki… Thor's brother? He waited at the top of the stairs for her, fighting down the unpleasant scowl that her thought had brought to him, and she put her arm around his as they began descending. Winter tried to pull her arm away, but her body wouldn't listen. "Don't fight me." He said to her. After a few more steps he pulled his arm out of hers and walked towards a guard, knocking him out with his cane. When had his scepter turned back into a cane? Rushing forward on an impulse that wasn't her own, Winter grabbed the man who was making the speech and flipped him over onto the flat surface of the statue in the middle of the room. Loki joined her, pulling out a device, raising it and pushing a button on the top of the handle. It opened up and began to spin, and Loki slammed it down on the poor man's eye. Winter was still trying to fight whatever hold he had on her, unsuccessfully. Everyone was running out of the room screaming, why did it take so long for them to run? Winter pushed the man off of the table, Loki apparently being done with him. They both walked towards the doors, the sound of Winter's heels resonating loudly throughout the now empty room. Loki's body began to shimmer as his outfit changed from the suit into armor. Winter followed, but unfortunately her now ripped dress remained. She felt her form slip away, and she fell back, remaining near the door. Loki continued walking, using his scepter to blow back and approaching police car. Loki began to gather everyone into a large circle, containing them with projections of himself. Once everyone was in a gaggle, looking around nervously, Loki got their attention again, demanding, "Kneel before me". Everyone looked around confused, and this time he yelled, "I said KNEEL". People slowly dropped to their knees, and he went on, resuming his calm kept demeanor, "Is not this simpler? Is this not your natural state? It's the unspoken truth of humanity, that you crave subjugation. The lure of freedom diminishes your life's joy in a mad scramble for power, for identity. You were made to be ruled, in the end you will always kneel". How many times has he practiced that? An old man stood up defiantly, "Not to men like you" Loki tilted his head, "There are no men like me". The man sighed, "There are always men like you." At this Loki laughed, before bellowing to the crown "Look to your elder people, let him be an example." Winter tried to move as Loki raised his scepter, aiming it at the man, but she just stood there, invisible and useless. The scepter fired a ball of energy, and Winter reigned in all the control she had, using her mind to grab the projectile in midair right before it hit. So I can't move but I can still use my mind powers? Loki wheeled around to glare in her direction, clamping down even harder on her brain. Before he could do anything else, Captain America dropped down onto the sidewalk near them. Where did he come from? Taking more effort than usual, Winter shot the ball of energy back and knocked Loki off his feet. Steve looked confused, but ignored it, walking towards Loki, "You know, the last time I was in Germany, and saw a man standing above everyone else, we ended up disagreeing." Steve said. Loki on his knees brought his head up, "the soldier." He growled out, using his scepter to help him up, "a man out of time". "I'm not the one who's out of time" Steve replied. Winter heard a jet pull up, and Natasha said over the speakers, "Loki, drop your weapon and stand down." At this he shot a wave of energy at the jet, which Natasha dodged. All the pedestrians scrambled away, and while Loki was distracted, Steve threw his shield. Loki deflected it, and went to hit Steve with his scepter. Steve knocked it away with his shield, and punched Loki in the face. Winter started moving forward, drawing out her dagger as she did so. Please don't make me do this, she pleaded. He ignored her, and she fought against her body, failing to stop herself from stabbed Steve in the side, leaving him gasping and looking around but seeing nothing. While he was distracted, Loki pushed him into his knees using his scepter, "kneel" he growled. Dang. Before Steve could respond, faint music could be heard, getting louder. Everyone turned their heads and Tony came flying around the corner of a building in one of his suits. He shot a blast of energy at Loki, who landed on the stairs with a groan, and Tony aimed his palm at him again, "Make a move reindeer games." Loki let his gear slip away, transforming into a lighter armor while raising his arms in surrender. "Good move" Tony said, but Winter was confused, she knew Loki wasn't intimidated, he could have defeated them and walked off. His surrender was on purpose. The jet touched down a moment later, and as they carted Loki onboard, Winter snuck on.
Halfway through the flight, having listened to Steve and Tony debate for what seemed like ages, Winter was just about ready to jump out of the jet. Which would be great if she could actually move. She had been sitting next to Loki the whole time, and he was silent. She was exhausted from fighting against his hold on her mind. She remained invisible, which was good because no one was supposed to know she was there. Loki must have found that little tidbit when he ripped through her brain. A crack of lightning flashed across the sky, tearing her from her thoughts and causing her to jump. She had no control over her body, so it must have been Loki who was scared. He was looking up, worry written all over his face. Steve caught this, and said "what's the matter, scared of a little lightning?" Loki looked at him, "I'm not overly fond of what follows." Confused, Steve and Tony looked at each other, before a bang was heard on the roof of the jet and their eyes were drawn upward. They shared another look, before Tony reached for his helmet and opened up the ramp. He was about to go out when a figure landed heavily. It was Thor. At once he started coming towards Loki. Tony tried to stop him, but Thor hit him with his hammer, knocking him back into Steve. Just as Thor grabbed hold of Loki, Winter caught hold of his arm. Thor swung his hammer and suddenly Winter felt a pull stronger than anything she had ever felt before. She was barely able to hold on to Loki as they whipped through the air. Just as she felt her grip slipping, they landed. Well landed was putting it nicely. Thor threw them into the ground. She was next to Loki, the air gone from her lungs. Her wheezing was covered by his loud groan. "Where is the tesseract" Thor asked him. At this Loki laughed, "I missed you too". "Do I look to be in a gaming mood?" Thor asked angrily. "You should thank me, with the Bifrost gone how much dark energy did the Allfather have to muster to conjure you here? Your precious earth." Thor dropped his hammer heavily, and as Loki was trying to stand he grabbed him by the shoulders, heaving him to his feet. He put a hand on the side of his face, cradling his neck in a surprisingly intimate way, while still somehow remaining upset, "I thought you dead". "Did you mourn" Loki asked, and Thor responded, "We all did, our father..." Loki interrupted him, emphasizing his words, "your father". Thor was silent, and Loki went on, "He did tell you my true parentage did he not?" Winter laid there listening, Loki seeming to have forgotten her, but she knew he hadn't, he wasn't letting her get up but making sure she could see what was happening. Loki walked away from Thor, bracing his back, and Thor followed, "We were raised together, we played together, we fought together, do you remember none of that?" Loki turned, "I remember a shadow, living in the shade of your greatness. I remember you tossing me into an abyss, I who was and should be king." They both seemed to be holding back tears, which surprised Winter. Thor went on, "So you take the world I love as recompense for your imagined slights. No. The earth is under my protection Loki." At this Loki laughed, "and you're doing a marvelous job" sarcasm dripped from his voice, "the humans slaughter each other in throes while you idly fret. I mean to rule them!" Thor was sober, "So you think yourself above them." Loki looked confused, "Well yes". Wow. "You miss the truth of ruling brother, the throne would suit you ill". Loki stormed past him, almost stomping on Winter as he went by, Rude. "I've seen worlds you've never known about," he shouted, "I have grown, Odinson," he spat the word like it was poison on his lips, "In my exile. I've seen the true power of the tesseract, and when I wield it," he was interrupted by Thor, "Who showed you this power? Who controls the would-be King?" Loki's face broke out with rage, and he yelled, "I AM A KING". Thor grabbed him, yelling back, "NOT HERE! YOU GIVE UP THE TESSERACT! YOU GIVE UP THIS POISONOUS DREAM," his voice softened, "You come home." Loki laughed, a short sarcastic laugh filled with sadness, "I don't have it." Thor pushed him away, summoning Mjolnir and raising it to strike. Winter felt herself stand up, pulling out her dagger again, but she stayed where she was and Loki continued, "You need the tesseract to take me home, but I've sent it off I know not where". Thor pointed his hammer at Loki, "Listen well brother..." Tony chose this moment to crash right into Thor, taking him with him as they both flew into the forest. "I'm listening" Loki said, before turning around to look at Winter. Her form reappeared and he walked towards her. "You know, it's very disruptive when you keep fighting me all the time, you can't overcome the hold I have on your mind, and your efforts are annoying." Are you sure? I managed to stop your glowing ball of death from hitting that man. He scowled, "Do not test me, if you annoy me I will take my anger out on you, and I can assure you that it will not be enjoyable." If I could roll my eyes I would. Seriously though, you take over my body and expect me to be okay with it? Of course I'm going to fight it. "It's a waste of your time. Do as you wish, but know that you will suffer the consequences." Whatever. "You and I have the same goal you know. Indirectly of course. We both want to stop S.H.I.E.L.D, obviously our reasons are different, but you may still be of use to me." He paused, contemplating, before continuing, "You seem to be used a lot, your whole life really" S.H.I.E.L.D. Never used me... "I was talking about Hydra. They created you, but I know how you really feel about them, and how you feel about Phil." It's part of my mission, I'll do what I need to do. "I hope for your case that you do." Loki turned and looked over his shoulder, and you felt your form slip away, becoming invisible. I hope I do too.