Helloo! Sorry for the long wait but life hit hard these last few months, among many things being I had to put a dog down due to Lymphoma.
On another note, please excuse any drop in grammatical and spelling errors from the usual. I lost my beta so this is all on my own merit. Hope you enjoy!

Shout Outs!:

NeptuneScribes

Glad it is that good :) Sorry, it shouldn't be like that anymore; I hadn't realized it had gotten quite that bad but I do see it.

WildlyLaughing

I'm glad! I struggled a lot of what to change in phase 1 because I wanted a good deal of stuff in phase 2 mostly intact, a lot more should be changing now.

yaoishipsforlife

Thanks! Hope the story can keep up to expectation.

Reader2

It was definitely a difficult desision, the hard part is is that I would and do have people that wanted it both ways so had to do what would work best for the story in the long run. There is so much I've wanted to write, at some point I had an idea for Loki to take Hiccup Realm hopping but it's time I don't have, especially to keep from pandering. I've been thinking about doing a sort of "What If" story after I finally finish this one for all the rabbit trails, might put it in there.

WeAreNumberOne

Speechless is always fine :) Oh, that gets worse in this chapter.
That was my thing entirely. I wanted him there and being a badass but at the same time I didn't want him destroying the city.
I was too! And Hiccup would in no way have left his godson to chance like that.

SmolAvidReader

Thanks. Oh good. Yeah, I have some fun with that later this chapter. He desperately needs it, Thorston Therapy is going to have their hands full for a while. He will eventually. Not entirely sure yet as (okay, tiny spoiler but I'm sure you would have thought of this anyway) Civil War is going to happen extremely differently if barely at all as Hiccup would not let them come to blows like that and Tony already knows about the whole Bucky and Howard situation, so how Spidey is going to be brought into their folds will definitely be a brain teaser for a bit until I solidify what I want happening with that whole mess. I remember a time when I was so excited for most if not all the Marvel movies and now just like, another-already? No cliffy this time, maybe in a few chapters when tension is proper again.

Journal 2, Entry 40: "Then Shawarma?"

Tony sputtered and gagged as spittle filled his mouth, shoving Toothless' head away while he continued to sniff along the armor. Steve was of absolutely no help, laughing at Toothless and just relieved Tony was alright.

Hiccup beamed at Tony but his attention was drawn back to Loki by the grip tightening on his shoulder, tugging him a little closer. He followed Loki gaze to Thor, now looking away from Tony to his brother—but he was unable to cross the distance due to the crowded roof.

Jör rumbled and lightly butted Loki's side. Loki hesitantly raised a hand to pat the shockingly small head. It brought back millennia old memories of when he was naturally this size and he smiled at them while Jör purred happily—chasing away the remnants of its control.

Tony grunted as he stood with Steve's help, his suit having not fully rebooted along with battle damage leaving the suit well below optimum capacity. Fatigue and strain the fight had put them all through beginning to hit him as well. "Oh, let's take the day off tomorrow. You know what, I vote for a vacation to the Archipelago. But first—I'm hungry. Is anyone else hungry? There's a Shawarma place a couple blocks from here. I don't know what it is but I want to try it. Has anyone had it before? Uncle H, you must have—you've been literally everywhere—is it good?"

Hiccup chuckled and shook his head. "I don't remember everything I've eaten in the last thousand years, kiddo. But just about anything is better than Astrid's cooking or my mother's meatballs. Gobber was right when he said those could kill a Gronkle."

He felt Loki shiver even as his stomach grumbled. He blushed violently and stared straight ahead, determined to ignore it, while Thor stared at his brother in disbelief.

Tony chuckled at Thor's expression while Nuffink offered a hand in mounting Dart, his suit officially dying after a few steps. "Well, Reindeer Games is on board and I know no Archipelagan is going to turn down food…Hm." He quickly scanned the city, spying the dozens, near hundred, mounted dragons. Not to mention all the Jötunns undoubtedly roaming the streets below. "It's kind of a small joint—I don't know if they can feed that many."

Hiccup chuckled and swung up on Toothless, Loki matching him in movement and time. His cheeks turned hot again as his stomach again made known its desires. He gripped Hiccup's shoulders tightly in a silent plea. Hiccup grimaced, not at the tight hold but at the reminder of just what Loki had gone through.

Natasha paused on the ladder, head still poking over the edge, and frowned at Loki. "How long has it been since you ate?"

Loki's brows pinched in thought, studiously not looking at anyone. "An actual meal…probably the last one I had on Asgard. My memories are rather fuzzy."

Thor stared at his brother in horror and would have rushed across the small roof to grab his brother by his shoulders and shake him in good-natured worry if it were any less crowded. "Brother, what do you mean? Who has done this?!"

Loki's dazed stare hardened into a glare and prompted Toothless. He leapt to the balcony below while the others shuffled down, Thor following quickly with the soft whirl of Mjolnir and landed near them. He dismounted Toothless quickly, suppressing a twitch at the sight of the Hulk, and swiftly walked inside—dutifully ignoring Barton and his blood brother's questioning stares.

Thor chased after him only to rear back as Jör dropped from the roof with an indignant roar and ran after his Commander—refusing to let him alone after the last two years.

The others filed into the broken penthouse and Hiccup trailed after his patron, leaning against Toothless with his arms crossed even as Býleistr and Helblindi converged on their brother. "So do you want to fix the Archipelago's wards before or after we eat?"

Loki groaned and rubbed his temple, peeking up at the sound of Tony's suit clunking in and falling to the ground in pieces. "If it's all the same to you, I'll have that drink now."

Tony chuckled with a tired but broad grin. "Great, 'cause I need one too."

Loki started to follow his Chosen's godson but was halted by Býleistr placing a hand on his chest, eyebrow ridges raised expectantly. "I don't suppose an apology would suffice?" Loki offered weakly.

Býleistr's brow furrowed as he crossed his arms. "To us? There's no need, but another has yet to make his formal apologies."

Helblindi huffed, shooting Thor a not-at-all conspicuous glare that he frowned in confusion at. "After all the pain you've been causing Hiccup and Jörmungandr, then the report Nuffink gave us of your return—we've come to beat some sense back into you."

Loki winced and held up a hand. "Brothers, please, that has been done."

Hulk stomped past them with a self-satisfied grunt.

Helblindi smirked a bit ruefully at the green giant. "Yes, so it seems."

Tony wordlessly passed Loki a glass before proceeding to the miraculously still working elevator.

Býleistr grabbed one of Loki's arms while Helblindi took the other and followed Tony to the elevator. "So now we will make sure that you receive proper healing and that the mind parasite is truly gone."

Hiccup joined Tony and Loki slipped away from his brothers to stand by his Chosen. Toothless bound in, green rippled over him as he entered the lift, leaving Torbjörg in his place.

There was an indignant cry from Loki and Tony squeaked, gripping his glass tighter, as they were suddenly pressed against the wall from Thor rushing into the elevator—refusing to leave Loki's side again.

Loki suppressed a groan at his brothers and practically hid behind Hiccup, the doors sliding shut as they awkwardly shuffled around and Tor yelped then snarled at Býleistr who stepped on his tail. Just before the doors closed entirely, Tony's face turned white and held up a hand—heart in his throat at Jör awkwardly running for them. "No! No, no! There is definitely not enough room for you too."

The doors slid shut and a mighty bang! followed by an angry roar, somehow just as terrifying even when the dragon was a fraction of his normal size. Tony took several breaths then glared at his godfather. "Uncle H, your family is trying to kill me!"

Loki snorted. "Hardly. In fact I tried quite hard to keep you and your brother alive."

Tony's eye twitched. "Stop calling Capsicle that!"

Thor frowned, glancing between Tony, Loki and Hiccup. "Rogers is related to Stark?"

"No!" Tony shrieked while Loki smiled coly with a, "Yes."

Thor turned a confused but hopeful eye to Hiccup who could only groan and bury his face in his hands.

*O*

Zephyr and Nuffink each held a tusk as Jör grumbled at the shut door and shook his head, She spoke calmly in Norse while Nuffink stroked his head and Jör reluctantly calmed, trudging away from the elevator with growls that echoed through the room. The Archipelagans continued to watch the elevator for another minute before making their way over to their dragons and Jör who was pouting between them.

Nuffink leaned over to Zephyr and whispered, "Was it wise letting uncle Thor on the elevator with uncles Býleistr and Helblindi?"

Zephyr eyed the doors warily, Pouncer warbling curiously, and casually shook her head. "Probably not."

Steve's head whipped around. "Why's that?"

Nuffink huffed. "Curse his advanced hearing."

"Uh…wha-what's the worst thing that could happen?" A new voice, to them, asked. "They're only going to be alone for about two minutes."

The siblings turned to see a blushing, dark haired man peeking around the bar counter and accepting some pants from Clint who must have filched them from a nearby room.

Nuffink swung up on Dart's saddle as Pouncer padded near Jör so Zephyr could place a hand on his flank, the latter answering, "Well, best case scenario, they break the elevator."

Natasha blanched. "And you let them go!?"

They shrugged, Zephyr eyeing the elevator again—noting how it still sounded normal. "Don't worry. Dad'll teleport Tony out. Loki, I'm sure, will grab uncle Býleistr and uncle Helblindi."

"What about Thor?" Steve quickly asked, looking around for another lift or stairwell.

Zephyr snorted. "Fat chance of grandfather helping him."

Nuffink laughed dryly. "We are talking about the guy that stabbed his brother for fun. That, and he's still a bit sour about—certain things."

Bruce's eyes widened as he situated the shirt properly. "Wait, what!? Stabbed? Actually stabbed?!"

Zephyr rolled her eyes and shared a knowing look with her brother. "Well it's not like he didn't have it coming if even a tiny fraction of the stories are true. And I'm pretty sure most of them are very true."

Clint's hand twitched to grab an arrow and defend himself from these people. "But, stabbing—just as a daily occurrence?"

Nuffink shrugged. "It's not like it really hurt him. Asgardian biology is a bit different than Midgardian. I think a similar comparison would be one of Natalia's Widow Bites."

Zephyr nodded and looked away uncaringly. "Besides, it was usually just a small knife."

Clint hummed unsurely but received no further comment because in a red-saffron flash, they vanished. He turned to Steve who was nervously waiting for the elevator to reopen.

*O*

"I want Tracker dragons checking all buildings. Get Boulders on the undergrounds and basements—we've undoubtedly got cave-ins." Astrid ordered various Archipelagans.

She again shot Tony's tower a look, desperately wanting to go and check on her husband…and Loki too, admittedly. She sighed and leaned close to Stormfly, letting her take the reins as she sniffed out a building. Being closer to Tony's it had thankfully been fully evacuated at the first sign of alien invaders and Stormfly chirped that it was clear.

Astrid started to pat her neck and head for the next skyscraper when a line of black SUVs miraculously navigated the rubble up to Tony's tower. Her eyes narrowed as heavily armored men exited the vehicles and prompted Stormfly to land.

Pierce stepped out of the lead car with a deep frown, but not too deep, he couldn't show just how disappointed in the whole affair he was. The fact that New York and all of the mysterious help was still alive and standing was irksome to say the least, especially since their extermination had been handed to him so nicely on a silver platter.

A squawk startled the men, including Pierce who just managed to disguise a shout of surprise for a sharp gasp. Between them and the glass door, less than twenty feet away, Stormfly landed with a small plume of dust.

Stormfly chittered irritably at the sight of gun muzzles being pointed at her, spikes instantly flaring. But Astrid slipped off her back with a reassuring pat. "Easy girl." Stormfly squawked, still chittering in aggravation and Astrid smirked, letting her hand trail the scaly flank. "Alright, if they make a move, you can spike them."

Pierce eyed her distrustfully but smiled pleasantly as she approached, not missing the way her right arm swung as she walked—always keeping the axe that rested on her back within a moment's reach. "Excuse me ma'am, we have official business here and as helpful as…you and your beasts have been; this is a matter of national security."

She hummed, eyebrows raising unbelievingly as she carefully stared down every armed agent—nearly all of them Hydra plants. "Yeah, you were helpful too with that nuke you threw our way."

Pierce's eyes widened fractionally but said evenly, "Ah, well, we had no guarantee that Fury's ragtag group would actually succeed and you must admit—the battle didn't look good."

"Battles never look good." She glared at them with the same burning eyes that the twins feared to cross and crossed her arms. "You never even gave them a chance." She spat. "Either way, you have no business here. Loki will be dealt with and I'm sure Hi-Hakon is going to refuse to allow the Tesseract out of his sight after this."

Pierce gaped for a moment before hardening his resolve. "That is not his prerogative to decide. It has been the property of SHIELD for over seventy years and Loki is to be handed over to the state for due process."

Astrid snorted, still eyeing many of the agents nastily. "Hardly. SHIELD's done a Thor awful job of keeping the thing secure and I'm pretty sure you don't have the therapists required to handle all of Loki's issues…and now all of his new ones." She said softly with an annoyed roll of her eyes.

Pierce's eyes narrowed and clenched his hands, trembling slightly. "He is to be tried for crimes against the state, really, against the world. And the Tesseract-"

Astrid shook her head, looking more amused than she felt. "You really don't get it, do you? This is an issue beyond SHIELD's regulations. Loki is a threat, as you have deemed him, from outside this Realm—thus it is an Archipelagon matter."

Pierce fought back a growl, nearly stepping closer to attempt intimidation but the low hissing of the beast behind her stalled that thought. "And what right is it of yours to claim authority of that?"

She smirked, eyeing something over their heads. "Oh, I don't know, how about relations with an alien race—friendly relations too. And you're kind of wanting to incarcerate their king."

Pierce's brows furrowed deeply until a deep, nearly inhumanly so, chuckle startled him and the other agents. They whirled around to face a throng of blue giants who were standing on the other side of the cars and casually making their way towards the Astrid.

"Lady Astrid is quite right. We are friendly with Midgard but that could change in a second if you threaten the Archipelago, as they are our spokespeople—and that's only coming from our king, our interim would also be greatly displeased. Especially since we came all this way to help you, and him." He grumbled the last words a bit frustrated.

One of his companions nodded. "Laufey's youngest knows no bounds of trouble."

Pierce's eye twitched as he turned back to Astrid but kept the new group well within eyesight. "Be that as it may-"

"Be that as it may, nothing." Astrid scowled at him, making a silent sign for Stormfly to puff up but not yet fire. "This is an Archipelagon issue and we are dealing with it as you, while you have had time, obviously cannot. You will have representation through the Avengers and Nick Fury if you and he play nice."

Pierce glared at her. "Then why didn't you deal with it sooner?"

"We were trying to." She snapped, glaring at the SHIELD council member. "You try finding one lone god in the vast expanse of the universe then fight a war after he basically locks you in your room. We will assist with clean up and any injuries our healers will tend to. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd like to check on my husband and deck the resident trickster god."

Pierce couldn't find his voice as the stubborn blonde walked away, braid swinging behind her. Rumlow glared at the mortal enemy of his organization as he stepped closer to Pierce. "Should we push, sir?"

Pierce clenched a fist before relaxing it and growled, "No, back off for now but keep close eyes on the Avengers and any Archipelagans associating with them. And collect any information you can on them while they're here."

*O*

Steve, Natasha, Clint and Bruce stepped off the elevator with trepidation and were pleasantly surprised to see all parties were calm and no further blood had been shed. Well, maybe calm was a bit of an overstatement. The Jötunns were not happy and glaring at Thor who was looking down at his feet with cheeks as red as his cape. Tony, Hiccup and Loki were only a few feet away—with Loki being yelled at by an unknown blonde while Jör grumbled along with her, pinning Loki under a disapproving gaze they hadn't known dragons were capable of.

Loki seemed to be attempting to put up a small verbal fight but she kept tearing him down, though they had no clue what was being said exactly. Finally, she shouted and punched him in the gut. Loki grunted and tipped forward, holding the abused abdomen and turning to Hiccup to mouth 'ow'. Hiccup winced sympathetically and shrugged.

The quartet stood in shock as she suddenly turned on Hiccup and decked him on the shoulder, earning a very confused expression, before she grabbed his breastplate and kissed him—both grinning happily.

Tony shook his head and watched Astrid warily as she broke away from Hiccup and said to his uncle, "Seriously uncle H, we can never let her and Pep meet. I won't survive."

Astrid snorted. "Oh, you'll be lucky to survive her when she gets back without any of my help."

Tony paled drastically. "Don't remind me."

The others finally joined them, still very on edge with Loki being completely unrestrained. Tony beamed at them and clapped his hands together. "Now that everyone's here—can we please get food?"

Tor yipped and ran for the doors. They met more Jötunns just outside the glass doors but they took little notice of the exiting group, their attention fully on the agents standing across the road who were glaring mostly at Hiccup and Loki. Steve frowned at their expressions but was even mostly confused by Tony's scowl at SHELD's men as they passed to get their well-earned Shawarma.

Once at the restaurant, the meal was a mostly silent affair. The Midgardians barely took a dozen bites between them before they were falling asleep on their plates. It was only by Tor's work that they were barely kept awake.

Steve slowly chewed a bite, it was rather good—if only he could enjoy it more, when a nose rammed into his leg. He gave a tired sigh as he reached into the communal fry basket and gave one to the not-a-dog and Tor continued on his rounds around the table.

Natasha was his next target and she dropped him a piece of chicken before he moved on to Clint whose shoulders dropped tiredly, this being his third round around the table. He snatched a wrapped Shawarma from Bruce's pile, the most enthusiastic eater of the Midgardians, and tossed it clear across the room. Bruce made a noise of indignance before huffing and continued filling his ravenous stomach.

Tor finished the wrap far too soon and stared unblinkingly up at his next gift bearer. Only, there was no food coming and Tor huffed and smacked Loki with his fluffy tail.

Loki sputtered as he batted the fluff away and glared at the dragon. "Go find your own food." He pointed harshly at the glass storefront. "The river is little more than a mile out and dragons are no longer a secret knowledge."

Hiccup shot Loki an unhappy glare. Tor wuffled and plopped his back end down, glaring at Loki then tilting his head incredulously at Hiccup. Hiccup shrugged and took another bite of his own meal.

Jör grumbled from the doorway. Shrunken though he was, the restaurant was still a little too small for the bipeds and him—Tor just barely squeezing through legs as it was. Tor snorted at him then went back to begging for food, moving on to Helblindi—setting his head on the Jötunnar's knee and staring pitifully up at him.

Helblindi frowned at the shapeshifted dog then turned to Hiccup. "By the Ancients, is he always this bad after battle?"

Hiccup hummed and peeked over his Shawarma at Tor whose tail was now decidedly less cheerful in its wag as he was continually ignored. "Well, normally there's troughs of fish for the dragons to eat—well…he has his own basket at home. Spoiled reptile."

Tor snorted at his other half and pointedly walked away from the Jötunn family.

Tony groaned and stood, shoulders sagging as he slowly made his way to the counter. "Do you guys have any fish? Prepared, unprepared, doesn't matter—he'll eat them whole."

The employees quickly spoke with each other before one came out with two salmon, one half prepared. Tor perked up and almost pounced on the poor man in his eagerness to devour the divine meal.

Tony plopped back down in his seat and stuffed a fry in his mouth. "There, problem solved."

A deep whine from the doorway interrupted his small victory and Tony hung his head in defeat.

Steve watched with his head propped up as Tor finished his meal then trotted over to Jör and proceeded to regurgitate some of the fish. He grimaced along with the other Avengers but Hiccup was sighing in relief that, for once, Toothless decided to share his meal with someone who would actually enjoy it.

Tor finally curled up on Hiccup's feet, tail curled around Loki's. Loki smiled softly at his Chosen's familiar and wound an arm around said Chosen's shoulder as he took another slow bite of the Shawarma, stomach uncomfortably full after only two—not normal after the amount of magic he'd used in the last few days alone.

He missed the glances his blood-brothers shot him before they resumed their vigilance on either side of him. Silence returned to the small restaurant and was only broken by the dust covered TV playing the local news, many of the people on it being rescued from the inner city and thanking the Avengers.

Eventually Hiccup stood and shot Býleistr and Helblindi a look to which they responded with nods. Loki's shoulder's fell but followed without prompt.

Immediately, the heads of every Avenger whipped up to stare questioningly at them, Thor leaping to his feet with Steve close behind out of habit. "Where are you taking my brother?"

The Jötunns shot Thor light scowls while Hiccup stared unimpressed at Loki who resolutely refused to look at him. "To the Archipelago so he can fix the border situation. We only have so many modified Ygg-Hops and no idea how long they'll last. They were kind of a last second invention."

Tony, who'd lost interest after realizing Thor was just being over protective of his brother—or of wanting to 'bring him to justice' he wasn't quite sure, suddenly rejoined the conversation. "Oh, can I come!"

Hiccup shrugged. "I don't see why not."

Thor almost barreled over the table in order to reach the exiting group. "You are not taking him anywhere without me!"

Natasha and Clint were on his heels, the former shouting, "He is a criminal and is under arrest by SHIELD, he will not be taken anywhere without SHIELD representation!"

Hiccup paused and grinned back at her. "And of which, I'm a founder."

Natasha's cheeks burned in anger but Clint cut in before she could snap. "And technically you're retired."

"Forcibly." Hiccup huffed tiredly and left the joint without a word, giving Jör a pat as he passed. Jör snorted happily at him before pressing against Loki's side and following the group. Dragons with and without riders still swarmed the streets and air of Manhattan but ignored them as they picked their way through to a clearing large enough for all of them.

Hiccup flicked his hand and with a familiar green flash the Tesseract reappeared.

Loki tensed at its appearance while Clint flinched at the display of magic, instinctually fearing an attack from the trickster god.

Hiccup frowned at Clint even as Torbjörg ran his head underneath Hiccup's hand. "You, uh, gonna be good?"

Clint shook his head to clear it and waved Hiccup off. "Yea, yeah. Just, wary of voodoo now."

Natasha's eyebrows rose. "Now?" She'd never truly believed magic existed until mere days ago but that didn't mean she wanted to anger a ved'ma and she'd heard the witch doctors of the Southern bayous.

Thor pushed past them impatiently, also shoving Loki's blood brothers aside—to which they sent Thor nasty looks. "Enough of this prattle—I want to see this Archipelago already! How is Berk? It has been a millennia since I last saw it. I know that you are a brilliant inventor, Hiccup, has it changed much?"

Hiccup felt his ears flush hotly while Loki grunted in annoyance. "Yes…Keeping you out of the Archipelago was part of the point."

Hiccup rolled his eyes but focused on the Tesseract. "It was not."

Loki scowled at his Chosen. "My apologies, but who is it that was most likely to blab to the All-Father about your continued existence there?"

Hiccup arced an eyebrow. "Amora?"

Thor's mock anger turned true but before he could speak, the Tesseract exploded.

Steve gasped as the misty wave enveloped him; the sensation vaguely familiar to when it had disintegrated,transported? Schmidt. Everyone was still even after its grasp disappeared only moments later, leaving them on a plain atop a knoll.

Tor yipped which shifted into a gleeful roar as the dog ran down the slope and leapt off the cliff with Jör hot on his tail—though the white dragon took a tumble and ended up rolling over the edge.

Loki's eyes widened—feeling Jör's excitement as he fell—and snatched Hiccup, covering his child with his own body as a torrent of water rained down on them in a mock tsunami. The Avengers cried out as the wave swept them off their feet but didn't drag them further down as the water receded.

Tony coughed out water and glared at the Nearby New Berkians lowering their shields—Loki doing similarly. "Thanks for the warning."

The New Berkians shrugged, shooting Hiccup and Loki eager glances. Loki left the Avengers to regather themselves from the unexpected soaking—though delightfully amusing. The group that surrounded New Berk's branch, trying to figure out a way to open it even though Hiccup's attempts failed, gratefully stepped away as the pair approached. They watched intently as Loki stood in its center with his palms facing the ground and began a quiet chant, Yggdrasil's mark glowed with his green.

The Avengers quietened and watched warily despite the Archipelagans and Jötunns' ease. The mark pulsed brightly then pulsed out. They blinked and looked up, surprised to just now notice the ever so slight green tinge the sky held as it now disappeared.

Loki stepped away from the branch with a small gesture. A woman from the group stepped forward and disappeared with a flash, reappearing moments later. "It works again!"

The others were quick to follow with her thrilled cry, many congregating around Loki—both curious and worried. Hiccup breathed in relief and turned to the outsiders. "Well, uh, welcome to the New Archipelago I guess."

Pierce breathed deeply, thumbing the drive in his hand as the elevator descended. The door opened and he wordlessly entered, ignoring Zola's customary greeting and slotted the drive—fingers drumming on his arm as he waited for Zola to assimilate the reports of Loki's invasion of New York. As well as everything their SHIELD plants garnered, including the disturbing tidbit about a certain elderly man.

Zola's computers whirred as the information processed and stored. One computer hitched then whirled, sounding similar to a VHS tape rewinding. The computer tape played again at normal speed and Zola's computerized image frowned in confusion or worry, Pierce wasn't quite sure.

"It is unfortunate Stark managed to redirect your nuclear missile." Pierce grunted in irritation but Zola continued without a care to his frustrations. "Dragons. That is, interesting. It seems my old friend Schmidt was not so mad in some of his more ludicrous beliefs. But Hyse is, intriguing."

Pierce bit back a growl. "That's one way of putting it. If even a fraction of his people are like him, how can we possibly fight against them? With dragons? We may have some of the most advanced machines in this world but if the recordings of their battle against these invaders are to be believed, we're outmatched. By something organic of all things!" Peirce added as a hysterical after thought.

Zola was silent for a long moment before his screen switched to an old recording of several men sparring before one suddenly went berserk, one of the men—his arm glinting—ushered an evaluator out of the room and camera range. "I believe it is time we reevaluate the validity of our Winter Soldier program."

Pierce glared at the frozen recording. "Sure, but do what with them? We can't possibly create an army large enough to fight them off—not if there's an entire hidden civilization out there. As strong as our numbers have finally become again, even if we used every man, it wouldn't be enough."

Zola smirked. "Quite right. But, if we use them to capture a few—key players. The rest will fall."

The screen changed again, showing the few clips they had of Hyse and Loki together. "If we can get Hakon Hyse, not only can we get the perfected formula, but we will have a so-called 'god' on our side."

Pierce's brow pinched. "But how can we get him? Our last attempt failed and that was when he was, apparently, acting the part of an old man—he's not likely to go back to that ruse."

The image shifted again to a grinning Tony walking out of a convention. "We draw him out."

*O*

Come sunset, dragons still flew throughout the city though their numbers were thinning as most people had now been rescued from their hiding places and most streets were cleared enough for emergency vehicles to make their way through.

Ruffrunner crooned and pawed at some rubble, grabbing a beam and easing it away from the single door. Ivana waved her hand and teal magic wrapped around the larger bricks that Ruffrunner struggled to move, they floated away from the door with just enough room for the people trapped inside to wiggle out. She sighed as they settled back to the ground, her magical strength had always been in the healing arts and not the more physical aspects.

She grasped the door and wrenched it open, the hinges squealing as the metal was twisted around broken fulcrums. It was impossible to see through the glass, the dust so thick only shadows were visible as the people shuffled further away from the door. The door cracked and a woman gasped "Peter" while a man whisper-shouted, "Peter, get back here!"

A small, brunette head just barely peeked out the door and brown eyes grew wide upon seeing the Night Light. Before the boy could speak he was pulled away from the doorway.

Ivanna laughed quietly as she finished pulling the door open. "It's alright, we won't hurt you. The battle's over—this is clean up and rescue now."

The group huddled inside the store peered cautiously at Ruffrunner but the little boy squirmed again, staring at the dragon in awe. It took a few more minutes of coxing and the healing of a woman with a gash on her arm to convince them she came with good intentions.

They were still wary of the creature thought to be only myth, all but the boy. Peter laughed as Ruffrunner sniffed his hair then licked him, making his locks spike straight up. His mother, Ivanna assumed, held his shoulders tightly while Ruffrunner crooned and laid flat on the ground with as cute a face a Fury could pull. While the mother was far from convinced, the father looked to be amused and fascinated by her familiar and struggled to contain a smile if only for her comfort.

The group moved outside so Ivana could properly check the rest of the group for injuries when she heard Peter giggling and pointing upwards. She glanced at the boy's parents and noted their confused expressions as they stared up at what Peter found so funny. She tilted her head up and chuckled, startling the group.

"Now that is truly a work of art." She smirked at the Chitauri skiff that lay impaled with ice between buildings.

*O*

Fury walked out of the Board Meeting, his good eye aching. The council were upset about the entire attack, understandably, but had varying reactions to the Archipelago essentially claiming all rights to prosecuting Loki. Some had been quelled by the Avengers at least being present, trusting Natasha and Clint to represent SHIELD; others were miffed especially upon hearing Hyse's claims that Loki had, in some regard, been brainwashed like Clint. Pierce had been incensed.

Fury understood their frustrations well, had them himself. But there was little he could do when supposed gods appeared, apparently having been here all along, and snatched everything out of his hands. He rubbed the bridge of his nose as he entered his office, taking in the silence for a whole three seconds before the door slid open and Phil entered. Fury narrowed his eyes at the agent.

"You wanted to see me as soon as your meetings were done, sir?"

Fury took a deep breath before leaning forwards on his desk. "Yes, I did. Take a seat Agent Coulson—if that's even your name."

There was the slightest twitch in his eye as he took a seat. "I'm assuming you want to discuss Hyse?"

Fury subtly shifted to bump his knee against the button that would seal the office and kill any recording devices. "What I want to know is your loyalty. You're one of his people."

Phil frowned. "And why are you so sure?"

Fury grunted, glaring at was once one of his top agents—his confidence on that being shaken now. "That creature Hyse flew off on, you were far too sure and unsurprised to see it then claim it to be a dragon."

Phil sighed with a tiny nod before a small smile broke his features. "I suppose so. My loyalty is to my chief and people—which also means to this agency and ensuring certain parties don't weasel their way too far in."

Fury grunted, resisting the urge to rub his brow. "I suppose Hyse would only send others if I were to, dismiss you."

Phil grinned and laughed. "Oh, to be sure. We've been at this game a long time."

Fury glared at the man. "Since its conception, if I were to bet money on it."

Phil tilted his head with a confirming grin.

The Avengers stood in an awkward clump amongst the Viking and Jötunn throng. Natasha and Clint were keeping sharp eyes on Loki, who had yet to go more than five steps from Hyse. Thor kept shifting nervously anytime a Jötunnar came close, grip always tightening around Mjolnir. Bruce ran through breathing exercises as the chaos grew by the minute and Steve stood quietly observing everything and taking in his friend's strange home in wonder.

Tony had abandoned them almost as soon as they entered this near forgotten land, they could just make him out amongst a group of New Berkians. Keeping track of him, Hyse and Loki grew infinitely harder as Search and Rescue groups and clean-up crews started returning and joining the celebration.

Thor suddenly perked up, expression dumbfounded, and bolted from the group—greatly startling the assassins. "Mother?!"

Frigga wove effortlessly through the crowds and they split for her as she passed blindly, only having eyes for the son she thought lost to her two years ago. Loki turned suddenly as if she'd called out to him and stared directly at her, too many emotions crossed his eyes until they overwhelmed him and he looked away in sorrow and regret.

She rushed to his side and cupped his face, turning it to face her again. She choked out a breath as tears threatened her eyes. "Norns, it's true…When Zephyr said, I could hardly believe—but it's true."

Loki's breath shuddered as he reached up to grasp her hand. "Mother…" He whispered the word, afraid she'd disappear like a dream if he said it any louder. "I-I never meant for this to happen. For any of this."

She hushed him and drew him into a hug. "I know. Hiccup explained it all to me. Well, all up until this latest stunt—you'll need to explain that one."

His cheeks turned bright red. "I-" He started before words failed him for the first time in many years.

She smiled and dropped her hands, one to clasp his and turned to reach out for Thor who was standing at the edge of the small space the Archipelagans made for them. "We can discuss all that later—I'm sure Odin will demand it all anyway."

Loki winced. "Can, we skip the mockery of a trial and just banish me to Midgard now?"

Frigga sighed and let go of Thor's arm to grab Loki's with both hands. "I think not; some things need to be cleared up about the 'attempted Jötunheim destruction'. Odin still does not know the original plan." She shot Loki a scowl. "And it was a rather reckless one—someone on Asgard should have been told. I cannot believe you, of all people, would go through with such a reckless plan on your own!"

Loki's nose wrinkled. "As if any of you would just have let it happen?"

She sighed. "I suppose not, not without a better plan."

"Yes, well, who would have guessed Thor would have such a change in heart." A gruff voice turned their attention to the two Jötunns standing near the group.

Frigga smiled politely and they nodded to the Asgardian queen while Thor scowled at them. She turned to Hiccup standing at the edge of the group, sharing a moment with Astrid now that she returned. "Will Ivana be back soon?"

Astrid shifted in Hiccup's arms with a nod. "Should be. The attack zone has been cleared, she's just checking some of them over since the hospitals are a bit full right now."

Frigga hummed approvingly and started to say something to one of her sons when an odd ruckus rose from the heart of the celebration. The group of Asgardians, quasi-Asgardians and Jötunns looked towards the shouting and laughing—Thor nervously spinning Mjolnir as he spied the Jötunns growing more eager. Hiccup and Loki exchanged unknowing glances with Hiccup throwing in a shrug.

"Hakon!"

Hiccup bolted from Astrid's side and through the crowd until he and Steve collided with one another. Hiccup looked around his friend's shoulder, trying to see what the problem was—probably an over eager dragon if he had to guess.

Steve gripped his shoulders and stared him in the eyes. "What do they mean!?"

Hiccup's previous worry morphed into confusion and he looked again, seeing not a dragon but well over a dozen Jötunns staring expectantly at the pair, many with arms crossed and silently cautiously demanding—something. "Okay, I'm gonna need more explanation than that."

Steve took a breath but couldn't get his hands to release Hiccup. "Them." He finally succeeded and pointed to the blue aliens. "They keep asking if I've 'developed more' and demanding a spar—I don't mind that one so much—but then they asked me how my brother was doing!? I have a brother?! Why didn't Fury tell me, does he know? How is this possible?"

Hiccup's eyes narrowed while his cheeks began burning. "Loki!"

Steve frowned as Hiccup stomped away, the onlookers parting hurriedly, and tailed his friend. "What does he have to do with this?"

Hiccup stopped in front of said god and glared.

Loki raised an eyebrow at his Chosen and said nothing for a long moment before rolling his eyes and gesturing to Steve and Tony with a huff. "By the Norns, it's what they are!"

Hiccup threw his arms out, nearly smacking Steve who had to step back to avoid them and caught Astrid's sympathetic glance. "Neither one of them are my children and in no way brothers! Well, except maybe brothers at arms now—but beside the point!"

Loki crossed his arms and frowned at his Chosen. "Steve carries your blood and Tony is your Chosen in all but name. They are brothers."

"Gods, Loki!" Hiccup pulled on his bangs in a fit of frustration and not knowing what else to do.

Steve blinked and stepped closer to the two. "What do you mean I 'carry his blood'? Am I related to you in some way I don't know about?"

Hiccup groaned, face in his hands. "No—sort of—it has to do with the serum."

"Ah." Steve nodded but still not fully understanding. "And the part about me 'developing'? One of them asked me if I've made an ice dagger yet." He finished, beyond perplexed. "Is that something I can do? Erskine didn't even hint that I could do anything at all like that."

Hiccup continued to rub his eyes as he looked up at the many circling Jötunns. "Guys, he probably won't get anything, it was barely a drop. It's a miracle it put him into hibernation when the plane crashed."

Steve muttered to himself as the Jötunns grumbled disappointedly. "I don't understand. Why would I get ice—abilities?"

A familiar chuckle came from next to him and for a moment he thought Howard had come back from the dead. "You mean no one's told you yet?"

Steve shot Tony a tired glare that the younger man ignored and pat his back. "Well you remember how Thor said he's Loki's kid and sorta Asgardian?"

"Yeah." Steve said, sounding a bit unsure—this day's been too long and crazy.

"Well…there's a small bit about Loki that, uh, both of them forgot to mention…" Tony chuckled as he led Steve away from the squabbling father and son duo, Frigga watching silently but highly amused. "Though I will still deny that you are my brother 'till my dying breath." Tony shouted over his shoulder at Loki who only smirked with self-satisfaction.

Well, hope it was an acceptable bridge, struggled a bit with just what to do. Next up, Iron Man 3, 'till then!