Standard Disclaimer: I own nothing in regards to Harry Potter or Marvel. All properties therein are those of their creators. I am only a writer working on my skills with worlds and characters that I love.
Note: By this point Harry and the girls are all sixteen with the exception of Valeria who is slightly younger at fifteen.
Note: Time jumping to the Avengers. Hell yeah!
Chapter Eleven - What's A God To A Prince?
Six And A Half Years Later
The people of Latveria were enjoying a time of unparalleled prosperity and their joy only increased as they looked to the sky and beheld the soaring form of their beloved prince and protector as he carried on his flying way to perform his duties to the realm. From the moment that he'd first revealed his armor to the public he'd made it clear that he planned to use it to keep them all safe and secure, and they'd been praising his name ever since.
For his own part, Harry was enjoying the feeling of flying. It was honestly his favorite part of the day, taking to the sky and observing the people and places that looked to him for guidance and protection. It was a noble feeling, to experience the love they held for him in the form of their cheers. He could have basked in it for hours, but he had other places to be and the others were waiting for him already if his clock was right.
{Approaching meeting point in 3.5 seconds.} A distinctly female voice whispered in his mind.
"Thank you Faraday. Prepare for casual mode." Coming into focus beneath him was a massive space observation platform with a group of people already gathered outside. Swiftly and easily Harry leveled his body toward the ground and soared in a descent at top speed, pulling up only at the last second and halting his momentum before coasting the rest of the way down to land right beside them. An instant later his armor receded back into his skin to be replaced by his usual attire of a red, gold, and black Topcoat military jacket in the old style with large folded cuffs at the ends of his sleeves, a heightened color, accented shoulders and a Victorian velvet waistcoat paired with a black buttoned shirt to tie the whole thing together. To his mind it was a good outfit for a prince, even if Val kept teasing him about donning a steampunk tophat to put the look together, whatever that meant.
The ensemble was finished officially however when the trio of Laura, Illyana, and Valeria herself approached him and his familiar pulled from her bag a bear pelt cape that she easily slipped over his shoulders and clipped into place. Each of them had a matching one retrieved from the clone's time in the mountains and they wore them as a sign of pride in their friend and her accomplishments. The pelts had become the unofficial badge of their group, and as such no place in Latveria was denied their access if one of them was wearing it.
"You're late." Valeria stated simply as she tapped her foot in an exaggerated fashion.
"And you are already supposed to be on the next flight back to New York if I am not mistaken." Harry teased right back, smirking at the guilty look that came to her face. "Aunt Susan is gonna be pissed."
"She has a fricking hovercraft that can make the trip in an hour. Why should I fly coach for eighteen?" the blonde grumped. "Besides, school only just ended so I have an excuse to take my time." When the Richards girl had turned ten it became clear to everyone in her life that her intelligence far oustripped every school in New York's ability to actually challenge her academically. So it was that Queen Valeria had eventually convinced her dear friend Susan Storm (she and Reed still couldn't pick a marriage date that worked without a world ending event and it was a bit of a running gag by this point) to let her daughter attend school in Latveria with her friends, where world class minds were brought in on a continual basis to mentor and tutor Harry and Illyana. It being the best option for their daughter meant the Invisible Woman and Mr. Fantastic had agreed… even if they weren't thrilled with sending their daughter away. It helped that Victor had poached a lot of their scientific contemporaries and set them, and thus their knowledge, to work for him.
It became even more worrisome for them when it became clear just how much Valeria loved living in Latveria. Every conversation spent in their home was about the beauty of the landscape, the kindness of the people, and the sweet tastes of the food. In the last couple years or so she'd even started to develop an accent!
"Oh, lay off her, Harry." Illyana laughed as she hopped over and took his arm. "We're here for a tour of the new observatory and to see the presentation, not to tease our friends."
"Fine, but she makes it so easy." Harry chuckled right back before setting off for the entrance. Piotr was already waiting by the door and raised a brow at his sister's current position. However he didn't say anything. Illyana had always been partial to physical showings of appreciation. Valeria was stomping along on his other side and Laura was taking up the rear. Gathered already and taking photos were the national news crews and several government VIP's. This research station was the single most powerful galactic telescope in the world and the people were justly proud of it. The prince himself coming to inspect it only increased its prestige and importance in their eyes. Honestly if he wasn't so bogged down in his own research Reed Richards might have shown up too. The guy was a sucker for all things space related.
As the four pelt wearing teenagers came level with the door, Piotr opened it for them and led the way inside. Over the years he'd gotten a lot better about his bodyguard duties and now knew to always enter a room before his charge. He needn't have worried though, as the only thing waiting for them was a line of ecstatic scientists, including Dr. Kinney herself. After the fiasco with Weapon X she'd devoted herself to changing her area of expertise and had become quite the renowned astronomer as a result.
The doctor gave her daughter a sad smile when she stepped out of the rest of the scientists to greet them. Though they were on speaking terms now, they'd never have the deep mother daughter relationship she desired and she knew it. "Prince Harry, welcome to the Observatory. We will be starting the first test run soon so would you like me to show you to your seats?"
"I would be very appreciative." The prince agreed and followed the doctor along the halls where countless white coated people continued running to and fro. Soon enough they ended up at a balcony overlooking the floor below where the massive telescope was aimed into the sky above. It was unique in the world in that thanks to the engineering of Olivia Octavius it had no issues cutting through daylight, water vapor in the atmosphere, and all other known obstructions. In short, it could access the heavens at any time and in any condition. Mounted to the wall beside it was a great viewing screen and a sea of chairs below were full of citizens already filing in to see what was about to happen.
As the group took their seats a mighty cheer arose below and they all spent a few moments waving before settling down completely as the good doctor scurried out and down to operate the main controls. The plan was to give the audience a guided tour of the solar system with the most detailed images of their planets ever seen by the human eye. It was to be a grand event with sound effects, expert narration, and really it was a chance for the people of Latveria to share in the advancements that had come their way. It honestly warmed Harry's heart to see so many parents with young children in attendance. It reminded him of nights when his father would point the constellations out to him and tell stories of the heroes and beasts they represented.
As he continued to stare out over the crowd, Laura began to rub his shoulders, seeking to ease the tension she felt building in him. Her human needed to spend less time in his armor and relax more. Though as she dug her fingers into the muscles of his traps she unconsciously shivered at the feelings of pleasure being generated inside him. She knew how attracted to her he was. With their bond it was impossible not to, and he no doubt knew what response those feelings created in her. Puberty had been 'very' awkward for them both as they'd been intensely aware of 'just' when each other had started 'noticing' the opposite gender. They could feel 'everything' about each other.
The mutant turned to look at the happily chattering away Illyana and had to acknowledge why she had not yet responded to his advances. Her best friend. The Russian girl had long ago confessed to her how she felt about their Harry and Laura refused to take away her chance at being with him if she ever mustered the courage to tell him how she felt. If after that was done they were both okay with sharing, well, then she would happily join in. It was only right after all; the head of the pack shared in the benefits of the pack in the wild. The girl felt a small ping in her senses and grimaced as the shoulders beneath her hand shivered with mirth. Of course he had heard that in her mind. Normally she was better at choosing her thoughts than this.
As Valeria pulled out her phone and began recording the event for her dad, the lights began to dim and Dr. Kinney took the stage before the massive optical tool to begin the event. The telescope rose into the sky as she explained its use and functions and in short order the massive monitor began to depict the image of Mars, much to the screaming joy of the gathered children.
One by one the black haired woman covered their solar system and proclaimed the merits and mystery of the stars; but just as she was about to cover Pluto the power went out. As the former screams of joy turned into outcries of fear, a tear seemed to open in the air on the main stage, and out of it stepped a strangely pale man with a horned helmet, a glowing blue cube in one hand, and an oddly curved spear in the other. Before anyone could ask what the hell he was doing he shot the weapon up and launched a beam of energy that exploded a huge section of the ceiling outward, bathing him alone in a ray of light.
"I am Loki!" he proclaimed, "And I am burdened with glorious purpose." He turned and grinned maliciously down at a shocked Dr. Kinney. "It is a purpose you shall help me with." He reached down to grab a hold of her only to be hit with a green beam of magical power and sent careening and crashing out the nearest wall.
The good doctor only had a moment to see her prince flying past her in his armor before he shouted, "Get the people out!" and followed after his quarry. A moment later the other pelt wearing teens joined her on the stage, grabbed the crowd's attention, and started directing the citizens out the safety doors and back to the roads leading to civilization and away from the massive booms of combat coming from outside. Piotr punched through a couple of walls beside the exits to add more room, Illyana began to portal as many children to a safe location as she could, Valeria erected a forcefield between the sounds of carnage the civilians, and Laura rushed out after her master.
What the clone saw upon reaching the open air again was awe inspiring. The two combatants were locked on opposite sides of the lawn in a duel of power, beams of arcane energy clashing in a constant stream from the strange spear and the prince's gauntlets in equal measure. The surrounding landscape was being torn asunder, but the two of them were motionless, staring each other down and both snarling with frustration. Until they weren't. The stranger gave a sick smirk, the cube flashed with light, and he was gone. The resultant blast, minus the construction of the foe, erupted into the earth and sent a torrent of grass, dirt, and rocks flying in all directions.
Harry and Laura shared a look of confusion before charging as one back into the facility. They arrived just in time to see the intruder pop into being, seize Dr. Kinney, and warp away. He did not return. At once Laura began inhaling the scents surrounding the area and eventually turned to her human.
"I have him."
"You can't track your mother?"
"No, she smells too much like me. It clouds the senses."
"Fair enough. Come, let us see that the people are safe and we can figure out our next step from there." Laura nodded and he took her by the arm to stare into her eyes. As he did he pushed every bit of comfort and confidence into her that he could. "I know things between you and your mom have been… strained, but I also know you still care about her. I promise you, we will get her back."
"I know we will." Laura placed her hand on his own. "I believe in you."
It took about five minutes for the police to arrive at their heightened elevation, but once they did and began seeing to the civilians the pelt wearing teens and Piotr portaled to Doom Castle directly. The path from point A to point B actually went through the realm of Limbo, but for some reason they never found anyone else watching in that hellish place. Ben Grimm's message had been well received.
Once they arrived at the castle it was a straight shot to the royal chambers where the queen was waiting. "I received a call from the chief of police but I want to hear it from you, what happened?" After her son informed her of the facts she groaned and sat at a nearby table. "Your father is currently sequestered in Kamer Taj undergoing his final tests with Yao. Damn it, what do we do here?"
"It seems pretty easy to me." Harry said simply. "Laura has the scent of the perpetrator, Illyana can take us out into the world and help triangulate him, and Laura, Val, and I can beat him down before bringing him in to face Latverian justice. Kidnapping a citizen from within our borders cannot be allowed to go unpunished."
Valeria was quite troubled by the suggestion. "I don't know, Harry. I am not sure about the prospect of you chasing after a fugitive across international lines. He seems so dangerous."
"And so am I, mom." the prince crossed the floor and knelt before her. "I can do this, and the life of Laura's mother is at stake. We cannot afford to wait."
All argument left the queen when her gaze took in the troubled visage of her son's familiar. The girl had become as another child to her over the years. It was hard not to considering how close she was to her boy at all times. The woman couldn't bear to see any of their group unhappy. Focusing back on her son she clarified, "You swear to be careful?"
"As careful as I can be. But I'll do what I must to see this problem handled."
The woman's hands rose to cup his face. "Then go with my blessing." Her eyes rose to the girls then. "Look after him?"
"Always." Laura answered.
"Of course." Illyana chirped.
"He'd be lost without me to point him straight." Val laughed.
Standing back up, cheeks a little red, Harry said, "Alright, jokes on me aside, let's get after it. "Illyana, are you ready for rapid transport? We'll need to open and close to several locations to allow Laura's nose to triangulate this Loki person's location."
"Of course, Harry."
"Good. Hey, Piotr." Addressing his bodyguard now he ordered, "Stay here and guard the queen. While we are gone you are the highest ranking super in Latveria and I trust only you with the responsibility."
The metal man slammed a fist to his chest and nodded. He would guard his charge's mother with his life.
A round of hugs followed before the teens ran down to the armory, loaded up with body armor and tools, and portaled out to begin the hunt. None could have foreseen the grand adventure that was coming their way.
Quinjet Over Germany
Natasha Romanov was certainly having an interesting few days. First her best friend had gotten possessed, then Director Fury had enacted the Avengers Initiative bringing several of the most dangerous people alive into their helicarrier base of operations. Finally Loki, the man that had started this entire series of events, had shown his face in Berlin of all places and they'd taken off at once to intercept him before he got the chance to go dark again. Of course nothing can ever go according to plan and a battle had taken place in the streets between the fugitive and Captain America but then Tony Stark of all people had arrived to end it. Now the three of them were riding together in the back of her quinjet and she could practically cut the tension with a knife. The files had said those two heroes might have some beef but openly quipping at each other in front of the prisoner was bound to end badly.
All other thoughts were shot from her mind as she veered the craft away from a sudden strike of lightning, the sky all around them filling at once with the deadly storm. Where the hell had that come from? The spy's attention remained focused on keeping them all alive in the new aerial terrain when the quinjet shuddered from an unknown impact. For a frantic moment she searched her instruments to see if they'd been hit, but then the back hatch slammed open to reveal a massive blonde man with a very familiar hammer on his belt.
Stark went to intercept him only to get shoved hard into the nearest wall before the stranger grabbed Loki and took off into the cover of the storm. Before anyone could say or do anything about that something even crazier occurred as a circular tear opened in the center of the hold, out of which stepped what appeared to be four teeneagers wearing bear pelts.
"Laura, where is he?" The only male demanded of a brunette who pointed out the hatch and slowly angled her finger down toward the ground. "Perfect. On me then." And before anyone could comment on a bunch of strangers just appearing out of nowhere he ran out and jumped into the sky with the same girl running after him. In contrast, the two blondes shrugged at each other and entered into another portal, leaving Steve and Natasha alone once more.
"What the heck was that?" Captain America asked as he grabbed a parachute off a nearby supply rack.
Natasha shook her head, "I have no idea, but the guy that took Loki is another Asgardian so be careful. Their strength is on the level of gods."
"I'll keep that in mind." And so saying, the Captain got a running start and dove headfirst out of the craft after the others.
In the air, Harry had already shifted into his full armor and Laura had caught up to him, wrapping her arms and legs around him like a spider monkey as he flew them ever closer to the ground. His scanners had already picked up Loki and whatever stranger it was that had apparently grabbed him. It didn't matter who he was though; anyone that got in the way of Latverian justice was his enemy in the end. The two were standing over a cliff which worked well enough for him, for as they stood 'talking' Harry merely crashed into Loki and carried him off into the trees before slamming him into the ground.
"Loki, I, Prince Harry Von Doom, am arresting you on charges of kidnapping, terrorism, and attempted murder. You are to be transported to Latveria to answer for these crimes. Do you understand the charges?"
Instead of being cowed, Loki merely seemed amused as he pointed behind him. "I rather think that fellow will have something to say about that." A moment later the weight of the prince was gone as another metal suit crashed into him and sent them both tumbling into the foliage. The Frost Giant was all set to rise and shuffle off when he felt a remarkably sharp blade pressed hard against his throat. "I don't know what you are, but Adamantium cuts through everything." The speaker was a feral looking teenage girl.
"Nay!" Both turned and beheld Thor, flying into their makeshift clearing hammer first. "Release my brother to me at once or I will put you down."
Laura nodded behind him in turn where a portal opened and out walked Valeria and Illyana, fists and soul sword raised and at the ready. "I think they'll have something to say about that."
Meanwhile, Tony and Harry were trading punches as they flew around the trees in aerial maneuvers that would make ace pilots jealous. The former was trying to figure out why none of the components on the enemy suit were showing up on his scanners and the latter was aghast that he was being held at bay by such an inferiorly designed model.
"Faraday, let's kick his ass."
{Confirmed, father.} Faraday rerouted more power to the thrusters and shot them at twice their usual velocity into the red and gold man to impact the cliff wall. As stone cracked and the man grunted, Harry leveled one hand in front of his face and said, "Boom." An instant later Iron Man was completely buried in stone and rubble and the prince was flying back to his point of impact where he beheld Laura still holding Loki at bay while Valeria and Illyana did battle with the blonde. It was… rather one sided. The girls were holding their own, but the big man clearly had way more experience than them and seemed to merely be going through the motions.
He blocked Val's powered punches with ease and even halted the soulsword with that hammer of his. Must have been magic. Regardless, as long as they were keeping him busy… Harry floated over to Laura, punched Loki in the face before hitting him with a stunning charm and tossed him bodily over his shoulder. The two nodded and he called out, "Girls, it's time to go!" At once they broke off combat and ran toward him only to stop as a star spangled asshole parachuted in between them.
"What the hell now?" Harry exclaimed as the blonde caught up and joined the newcomer.
"I am Thor, prince of Asgard, and that is my brother you are manhandling. Release him at once!
The newcomer stated, "I am Steve Rogers, and I represent SHIELD. Your 'brother' has killed eighty humans in three days and needs to be interrogated and brought to justice for their deaths.
"And I am Prince Harry of Latveria, and justice is exactly what I seek from this bastard. Wait your turn."
The new guy calmly raised his hands and slid what looked like a shield onto his back. "Look, clearly we got off on the wrong foot here." He paused as an explosion sounded in the distance and soon enough the plume of Iron Man's thrusters could be seen. "The really wrong foot. But how about we start over. Whatever else is going on with Loki he is currently working on something that could be a threat to our world. Surely we can interrogate him first, end the threat he represents, and then squabble over who has jurisdiction to try and punish him?"
They all shared uneasy looks and when his girls nodded that they agreed with the sentiment he sighed and lobbed the unconscious deity onto the ground, smiling at the untidy pile his limbs made of him. "Very well. Take me to the Triskelion."
Steve blinked owlishly at the man before him. His face was bare in his suit but with the dim light of night it was near impossible to make out his features. "How do you know about the Triskelion?"
"Let's just say that your Director's secrets aren't nearly as secure as he likes to think they are." Yes, the multi-viewer had revealed much about SHIELD's activities and he was far from impressed with what he'd seen. "Let us go."
A short time later they were all cramped into the quinjet with Loki bound, gagged, and still unconscious, and the trio of Tony, Steve, and Thor found themselves astonished by what they were seeing of the others. They were all kids! Teenagers, yeah, but still!
"H-How old are you really?" Steve had to know.
Harry, who was still in his armor with his arms crossed, stated, "Sixteen."
Laura, in her kevlar-weaved bodysuit said, "Seventeen."
Illyana wore a pair of reinforced pants, a crop top, and arm and leg guards. "Sixteen."
Valeria had elected to wear an altered suit similar to her mother's with a leather jacket over the top. "Fifteen."
Tony was now equally shocked. "I did some crazy shit in my youth too but chasing down a god?"
Harry shrugged, "If he is truly a god then he's disappointing in the extreme. And I merely did what was necessary to protect my people."
Thor gestured to his scars, "What has occurred there?"
"Nothing that concerns you."
"I can't believe a fricking kid knocked me out." Tony grumbled.
Harry merely chuckled. "With such an archaic suit you shouldn't be all that surprised. Seriously, you still use gold-titanium bio-carbonite alloy? Please."
Tony arched a brow, more than a little impressed by such snark in one so young. "And just what is your suit made of, your majesty?"
In response, Harry merely smirked and willed his suit to recede once more into his skin, leaving him in his regular clothing and bear pelt. "More than you can imagine. Though at least one of you knows how to actually address royalty."
Back in the cockpit, Natasha finished sending a message to Fury directly about their new guests and just knew that the next few hours were going to be trouble.