This power is yours... you are the master.
Jennica opened her purple eyes and lunged with a glowing fist. The blow collided with Vision's abdomen.
"Good job." Steve commended, watching from the outside of the training ring.
Good job. After two months of training, those were the words she wanted to start hearing.
She dove under a kick and blasted Vision with a wave of energy, but he absorbed the blast. Another punch and her fist went right through him. It's annoying when he does that... Her veins grew black again.
Thor uncrossed his arms. "Careful, Jennica, stay in control."
"I am perfectly in control." She huffed, blasting Vision again and it worked. His feet slipped from under him and he fell at last.
"That was an hour straight." Steve looked down at his watch as he made a stride towards the ring. "Your stamina has really improved."
"As well as your control." Vision added, standing up and offering a smile. "It seems that you are well on your way."
Jennica hopped out of the ring, grabbing her water bottle. "It's still hard to see where the finish line is." She took a gulp of water. "Thor, how was it?"
"Impressive." His arms crossed again. "You don't seem to struggle with controlling their power anymore. It's a comforting sign."
"I really hope it's me... not Oveaus."
"Your brother?" Steve asked, having learned about him through past talks with Jennica.
"Yes, he had been taking the pain away when these Fractals were restless. He weakened them somehow. So I hope I'm in control enough, not because they're weak right now, but because I'm ready to withhold them."
Her statement seemed to unsettle Thor, and only Jennica noticed.
"If I might say so, I do not believe you have anything to fear." Vision said, reassuringly. "Possessing an Infinity Stone myself, I can feel that your Fractals are wealthy with energy, and you control them with great strength."
"My father will be happy to hear that the Fractals are not a threat this day." Thor spoke as he strayed away to a nearby table, sitting on a stool and flipping through a book, one he brought from the Asgardian library.
Jennica knew there was something wrong. He spoke encouraging words but his heart was not at peace.
"Thor," her voice lowered, "tell me, what is it? If there is something wrong, I can fix it. I'll work towards whatever goal you set." She was standing beside him, close enough to see the page. She could not read the ancient writings, but the illustrations said enough.
"Through my recent studies, the behavior of your Fractals does not match with what our ancestors wrote about." Thor was conveying enough worry to be heard, now. Vision and Steve were listening. "The Infinity Stones are the masters, the Infinity Fractals require a master. You should always be in control."
Steve frowned. "So you're saying it doesn't make sense for her Fractals to have acted out in the first place?"
"That is exactly what I'm saying. The trouble is we have all these books and still not enough information. Just that they may be more powerful than the Infinity Stones collectively."
Jennica's mouth ran dry. "Isn't there any explanation? Some sort of worse-case-scenario chapter in the book?"
Thor huffed. "I don't know, these books were written in multiple languages, some too old for me to read."
Vision scanned over the page with his eyes. "Nothing's in the database. We would have to find someone who could read these ancient runes."
"I don't even think my father could read these. They're before my grandfather's time."
Jennica could feel her heart quicken it's pace. "So what do we do? We need answers or these Fractals will remain unpredictable."
"First things first, you rest." Steve replied, putting his demeanor at ease. "You've had a long day and we don't want you too worked up."
"Why? So I won't become a danger?" Her tone was sharp, and she swallowed anymore retorts before it was too late. She was exhausted.
"No, because we genuinely care about your health."
"I'm going to Asgard." Thor slammed his book shut and carried it with him. "I'll be back in awhile."
"What should I tell Tony?"
Thor turned back to look at Steve, standing halfway through the door. "Nothing to raise alarm." Then he was gone.
A silence fell over the room, thoughtful and dubious. Steve took a seat at the table, Vision remained standing, and Jennica forgot that either of them were there.
"Are you afraid, little sister?"
"I've been afraid, I've just swallowed that emotion." She thought. "What if I can't control these? I can't possibly expect you to weaken them forever."
"Au contraire, that was hardly my intent. I only give you guidance. I calm them. You're doing all the work. Be proud."
Be proud... She would be. He believed. He always believed. Even during those two months, he would whisper words of encouragement in her ear, chanting away his belief in her ability. He could use one sentence and change her emotions entirely. Oveaus was the perfect brother.
Eyes drifting down to her hands, she played with a swirling orb of energy, the delight tugging at the corners of her lips. It was fun, like playing with a marionette puppet.
She turned to face Vision. "Here, catch." She tossed the ball.
"I wouldn't have done that."
Vision struck the orb with a beam from his Infinity Stone.
Stupid idea... stupid...
The energy collided, Infinity versus Infinity, and the shockwave propelled itself across the entire facility. Lights went black, the walls cracked, their eardrums were ringing... Jennica's back hit the floor.
She didn't want to move. She heard Vision helping Steve up while the back of her head throbbed.
"Okay, who fried the circuit breaker?" Tony stomped into the room, carrying a flashlight. Wanda followed, red glowing from the palm of her hand.
"It was an accident, we assure you." Vision said. A quick excuse.
Steve rubbed the bridge of his nose. "More powers gone awry. They didn't mean it."
"Really?" Tony whined. "I can fix it but come on, guys."
"Hey," Wanda helped Jennica to stand, carefully stabling her and making sure she wasn't hurt, "you alright?"
Jennica nodded, fidgeting with her locket. She bit her lower lip. "I think so. I... really didn't mean to do that."
"Trust me, I've done more in my day than fry a circuit breaker."
"Hey, can one of you get Newbie over here?" Tony called out. "Hello? I need Boldt to test the lining while I replace the circuits."
"We'll go." Wanda answered, patting Jennica's back. She lowered her voice. "Come on, you've been training in here too much."
The two of them had also bonded over the course of those two months. Wanda and her related in many ways. Jennica never felt close with her, but she was trusted and they got along well. She was good company.
They caught up with Layten in the hallway.
"Layten?" Wanda grabbed his attention. "Tony wants you to test the lining. The circuit breaker's fried."
"Is that what this blackout is about?" Layten asked, looking up at the light fixtures that were dark.
"Yeah. Don't ask why."
"I won't. Want to give me a hand?"
"Sure." She broke from Jennica's side, expecting her to follow, but she did not.
Jennica stood there, in the darkness, hearing the distant rain echo through the walls. Her back met the nearest wall. She stood there, closing her eyes. Breathing, thinking.
What is wrong with me? Why can't I think? Why can't I be at peace?
"Oh sister... what troubles you?"
"Stop pretending not to know. If you really cared, you would be here in person, like you promised me."
"These things take time."
She sniffled and blinked her eyes. She was angry. "No. Don't talk to me about this anymore. Keep your promises or I won't keep this connection."
Silence. Nothing. Was he going to respond? Did she make him upset?
There was a sigh.
"As you wish."
Her eyes were blinded by the lights in the hallway snapping back on. She blinked quickly to adjust, thankful that the blackout was short lived. Turning down the hall, she headed towards her room, promising she would be more careful with her powers next time. Oveaus gave her too much confidence.
A knock sounded, hard and heavy. It was from the front door. It rattled the halls. Jennica's heart froze. She stopped walking. The weight of the knock rattled the wall.
She stood near the door, eyes a little widened. The knock sounded again and her breath caught. Did the security come back on? No one was coming, no one was alarmed but her. Did she dare open it? Something in her stirred. She wanted to open it but could not explain why.
Her fingers were typing on the keypad. Her heart pulsed in her chest. The door lifted open, the rain pelted in, and when she realized what she was seeing, she could barely breathe.
Green eyes met hers, piercing through her soul. She seemed frozen in time and space. He was dressed in poor clothing, soaked and shoeless, looking pitiful. How could this man be Loki?
"Jennica..." Loki stood up and looked deep into her eyes, searching them for contempt of any sort.
"Loki..." her body felt weak and she took a step back, "why are you here?"
"I know it has been a very long time, but I felt like a coward every moment I thought of you. And believe me, I never stopped." Loki walked closer to her as he said these words, even letting himself in. Old feelings Jennica had tried to push away resurfaced, stronger than it had been for years.
"Why... are you here?" She repeated her question without conviction, almost fearful. Part of her wanted to run away and the other wanted to run straight into his arms that looked so inviting.
"I... for all this time I wanted to come back to you, beg you to accept me..." Loki was close enough for Jennica to feel his breath, and it stung.
She could see every detail on his face, sharpening the picture she had of him in her head.
When Loki did not receive a response to his previous statement, he continued. "I was afraid... I was childish, afraid that you wouldn't change your mind. I have thought over and over about what you have said and what I should have said... I will say it now."
Jennica was stuck in place, her lungs unable to take in any air. A sudden impulse to shake her head and run away entered her mind but she couldn't force her feet to flee.
"I beg you... allow me to prove that I am worthy of forgiveness. I promise you that if I ever, ever did anything to harm you... I will leave you myself." He held eye contact and sensed her hesitation. "Of course, if it's too late, and you have forgotten about me, I will leave you alone. I just couldn't stand it, not saying what should have been said. I thought maybe this feeling would end, but I was very wrong—"
"Loki... please stop talking," Jennica began, taking in a deep breath. She crossed and uncrossed her arms with unsurety of how to stand.
"Yes... I should have." He looked defeated, questioning what his use was of coming to her. "I will go now." Turning to leave, he looked towards the door with shame, but Jennica grabbed his arm.
"I didn't say go," her voice was faint and shy, but she believed the words. There they remained, unmoving. Afraid, although they weren't sure what of.
The silence dragged on until Loki finally turned around. His expression was miserable, but there was a glint of happiness in his glossy eyes.
"Is it too much to ask? Forgiveness? Or maybe a chance to prove myself that you-you have changed me for the better."
Jennica met his eyes again. "No. I wish I had allowed it then. I have regretted leaving you all this time." She relished this moment of showing affection. It helped to lift the weight of guilt she had been carrying the past year. She couldn't stop herself.
Pulling her close into a tight hug, Loki whispered in her ear, "Always, my love."
Ear-piercing alarms rang through the facility, starling the two of them out of their embrace. Layten came running down the hall, gun in hand.
"Loki?!" The young agent shouted in distaste while pointing the gun at him, knowing full well who this man was.
Loki held his hands up, unsure of what was happening.
"Jennica, you let him in?!" Layten shouted, backing Loki up to the wall. He pressed the gun to his back.
"Stop, he didn't hurt anybody!" Jennica shouted, to which Layten replied,
"Oh didn't he?!" He forced handcuffs on Loki's wrists.
Steve and Tony entered the scene, followed by the rest of the Avengers.
Screw the security system...
"Why is he here?" There was a deep root of anger ridden in Tony's voice when he said this. It shook Jennica to her core.
"I'm not sure, but Jennica let him in." Layten replied.
Loki struggled. "Unhand me!"
"Shut up!" Tony huffed. His eyes snapped over to Jennica. "I don't want to know why you let him in. Don't even say a word. You've caused enough trouble already."
"Ah, Man of Iron, we really should stop meeting on sour terms." Loki tried to chuckle it off before two hands roughly grabbed his arms.
Loki was dragged off by Vision, and the team took him to the conference room. Jennica was never allowed in there. It was hardly ever used for interrogation, but to have all of the Avengers there seemed fitting.
Jennica kept silent, unwilling to protest too much against the Avengers. She knew their reasons to mistrust Loki, but she feared it would ruin her reputation. If accusations were made, she was already prepared to counter them.
These thoughts were swiftly put away as they entered the conference room, and all the eyes of the Avengers met their captive. Loki was shoved in a chair across the table from where Jennica was seated.
"Talk to us." Steve leaned forward a bit as he spoke. "Why are you back on Earth?"
"Not to repeat my past actions, if that's what you are already thinking." Loki didn't mask any already obvious annoyance.
"It's a thought lingering in the back of my mind. You caused a lot of damage, a lot of pain the last time you were here."
"The countless lectures on Asgard made me well aware. I've had my own fair share of sorrows, thank you very much."
Tony scoffed. "Don't believe it. You're a trickster. A master of lies. You could be putting on a show."
"And what would that gain me?"
"A chance to rule Earth again?" Wanda questioned. "I wouldn't put it past you."
Loki narrowed his eyes. "You hardly know me. You make guesses without even really knowing why I'm here."
"Then tell us." Sam spoke up, making his presence known. "You seem pretty set on convincing us that you're not here to rule the world."
"No." Loki huffed. "I am not. I was banished from Asgard. I have no powers, no strength. There is no need to fear me."
Jennica could feel her heart drop when hearing those words.
"What did you do to get yourself banished?" Steve asked.
"I asked to be. I could not find redemption there. Not when the entire realm begged for my execution and my father tried to forget about my very existence. There was no hope for me locked away in a cell. I went someplace where there was someone I could find." His eyes drifted to the brown ones he so dearly loved. Hers.
Vision interrupted the pause. "What makes you think we can trust you?"
"You don't have to." Loki looked up. "Just let me stay."
