"Hah…hah…do you concede?" I gasped out as I stood in the middle of a mile-wide crater, with even more craters of charred ground filled with bubbling water scattered all around the crater we were in.
Below me, Abomination's face was a swollen mess and his limbs bent the wrong way as he glared at me before giving a defeated nod.
"Yesh~" He couldn't even speak straight after having lost most of his teeth and I sighed as I placed Mjolnir on the ground, falling to my behind while wincing as I aggravated the bruises all over my body.
Looking up at the sun shining above, I saw that it was now slightly hidden behind the clouds in front of us whereas at the start of our battle, it was shining brightly a little bit behind us.
'I wonder how long our battle lasted.' I thought with a groan as I cracked and rolled my joints, thankful for my Asgardian physiology as my body was already slowly healing itself while I watched as Abomination's swelling faded faster than my wounds did.
I did try my best to not hit him too much when our battle started, but after the big idiot tried to bite off my face when I gave him a headbutt, all gloves came off and it was a brutal battle from then on.
Owowowowow~ You guys…did not hold back…huh?" Looking up as I heard Emil's hoarse voice, I winced as the man sat up with a black eye, a few of his front teeth missing and his upper body covered in purple bruises that were slowly fading away.
"Apologies for being too rough, but I did try to hold back against your alter ego."
"Eh, don'-ow~! Don't worry about it. Also, I found out…that I feel everything he does."
"...How painful was the experience for you compared to how it felt for him?"
"I didn't feel everything, but when I did, I felt every bit of pain." He answered and I nodded before grunting as I stood up, Emil doing the same before I frowned and looked around.
I had taken us to a arctic desert far away from anyone, but I guess the Valkyrie, and Captain America by proxy, were not here.
'You know, it's times like these where one really wishes you paid attention to every little detail in a movie instead of just being amazed by the action.' I thought with a grumble as I scratched the back of my head before Emil turned to me as I knelt down on one knee.
"What are you doing?"
"On my back, brother, or would you rather I drag you through the skies like wet linen?" I asked with an amused smirk, chuckling as the man thought about it before shaking his head and climbing onto my back for a piggyback.
"Go slow this time. I swallowed too many bugs along the way."
"That's good! Insects are protein." I spoke with a grin as I rapidly spun Mjolnir in my grasp and Emil just shook his head before the ground under us exploded upwards as we shot into the air and back to New York.
"So, what do you wish to eat when we get home?!"
"…You wanna get pizza?" He asked and I grinned as I nodded.
"Then it's settled! Ten large pizzas for each of us!"
"I think I'll just get one."
"Whew~! You won't believe the day I've ha-What the hell happened to you?" I looked up as Darcy walked in, looking back down at myself to note that I was still shirtless with a pair of dark blue sweatpants on.
"A bit of a training with Abomination that led to a full-on battle. I was too tired from our bout to put on any shirts, but if you wish, I shall."
"Nope, you keep the shirt off." She said with a smile as she walked towards the kitchen, picking up two slices of pepperoni pizza before walking over and plopping down on the couch next to me.
"So, what are we watching?" She asked as she looked at the TV and I smirked as I pulled her closer while looking back at one of my favourite shows.
"It is this TV show called Game of Thrones. There are only six episodes of it to watch, but do not worry. I have just started watching since Emil and I went to buy the pizzas." I answered as I pointed at the twelve large pizza boxes on the counter, to which she hummed and shrugged.
"Cool. What's it about?"
"So far, they have shown Draugr which lets me believe that it is about the undead being brought back to life, but it is also set in the medieval times that Midgardians love so perhaps it is a fantasy tale of misery and despair." Also, it was a bit weird for me to watch the show when every single actor had been completely replaced with different ones.
"…I'm going to need more slices." She muttered as she stood up and I chuckled as she placed her second slice into a large box before picking up three of the boxes and walking back over.
"Think this will be enough for both of us?" She asked as she sat down and I shrugged as I opened the top box and took out a slice.
"So, how were your classes?"
"Oh, I don't go to classes, mister. Your girlfriend is a member of the Political Science course so as long as I maintain an A- or above, I am free to do as I please."
"And what grade do you have?"
"A." She said with a shrug as she bit half of her slice off and I nodded as I finished off my slice before shaking my head.
"Did that feel as wei-!"
"Yep."
"Do you wish to tal-!"
"Nope."
"…Watch the show?" I asked, a chuckle escaping me as she nodded while holding out another slice, biting half of it off before snorting as she ate both her unfinished half and my unfinished half.
'Time to see if they'll actually fix the story in this universe instead of the other one.'
"Thor." My eyes snapped open as I heard a voice whispering above me, my vision having already adjusted to the darkness as I looked up in surprise at the amused look Mother gave me while looming over me.
"Apologies, my son, but may I talk to you?"
"…What is even happening right now?"
"Shh~ Go talk somewhere else." Darcy grumbled as she rolled away and I rolled my eyes while Mother giggled as I stood up, thankful for the fact that we didn't do anything tonight before I huffed as I found myself sitting on the sofa with Mother right next to me.
"Would you mind not doing that? I have too many bad memories of Loki using teleportation for other things."
"Such as?"
"Teleport me head first into Sleipnir's feces." I answered and she winced slightly and nodded.
"Right, I suppose your brother would do something like that. However, that is not why I am here."
"Ah, yes. Why are you here, Mother? Usually, you would think twice before even setting foot on Midgard." I spoke with a frown and she nodded before I snapped fully awake as she continued speaking.
"I spoke with Loki."
"He's back?" I asked before frowning slightly as she smiled sadly and shook her head.
"If only. No, I found that I couldn't feel Loki's spirit in the afterlife so I tried sensing for his presence throughout the universe…and I did."
"So, can I retrieve him from where he is or not?" I asked before sighing as she frowned and shook her head.
"Unfortunately not. He has scattered his presence numerous times to make sure I cannot find him using reverse-tracking magic and he is also using some kind of artifact to camouflage his magical energy to match that of the universe itself."
'Sounds like he's using the phasing abilities of the sceptre holding the Mind Stone, but I have to admit that I did not think he could do the latter with it. I guess anything is possible with the Infinity Stones, huh?'
"Did he at least speak to you?" I asked and she smiled and nodded.
"Yes, he kept speaking of how it is his destiny to rule Midgard and lead them to a higher purpose just like how it is your destiny to fall to him. His mind…whatever artifact he has, it is corrupting his mind and forcing him to feel more and more hatred for everyone around him. I fear that when he does come meet you, he might be too far gone to listen to reason."
"Everything will be okay, Mother. I will make sure that Loki listens to reason even if I have to hammer it into his head like I used to when we were but little boys having our imaginative wars." I spoke with a smile and she giggled as she nodded, rubbing the back of my hand softly before taking a deep breath.
"Then, I suppose I must tell you that your father has asked of me to tell you that Ms. Darcy is now an honorary guest of the family. Also, he has agreed to send soldiers to Earth the moment Loki invades to fend off whatever army he wishes to bring with him."
"Tell Father I thank him for the support. Now, you must rest and be calm. It won't be long before our family is together once again."
"I am praying to the spirits that it be so. Hah, thank you for listening to your weary mother."
"It is always a pleasure, Mother." I spoke before blinking as she cracked and shattered into gold dust, realizing that she had most likely projected her consciousness here to talk.
'Why did I think she came using the Bifrost? If she did, the entirety of New York would be wide awake right now trying to see what the hell just happened.'
"So, family trouble, huh?" I looked up and smirked as Darcy walked down the steps, nodding as she walked over and sat down in my lap while dressed in just one of my dark red shirts and a red thong.
Her hair had also grown out over the past nine months since we started our dating life, but she usually styles it up in either a messy bun or a long ponytail.
The former is when she needs to help Jane out with her work to score that degree for Astrophysics and the latter…hehe~ Let's leave that for another day.
"Yeah, it appears my brother is going to invade Earth soon."
"Oof~ Need me to go get my tazer? I remember that I used to take out a god of Thunder with it." She said with an amused smirk before giggling as I gave a thoughtful look.
"That might work. I'll just supercharge it so it knocks his socks off."
"…Let's scratch that idea and go back to the drawing board." She said with a smirk and I smirked as I nodded.
"Very well, we'll leave that on the 'Maybe' board. Also, getting you out of here is also on that board."
Oh, not maybe, buster! I'm definitely getting out of here! You think I'm going to stay and fight against alien monsters? I've seen the Alien movies and I don't want to give birth to a face-eating monster!" She said with an affronted look and I couldn't help my laughter as she huffed and crossed her arms.
"Thinks I'm going to fight against some damn monsters. I might be a bit of a badass, but there is no way I'm helping you with all of that."
"Okay, 'Objective: Get Darcy out of the city' is now the number one priority I must do."
"Good! Now, let's get back to bed because it's way too early to be thinking up battle plans." She said as she took off her shirt and threw it haphazardly over one of the sofas and I watched as she gave me a smirk before rushing up the stairs with a happy squeal as I bolted after her.
I'm so thankful that I bought that house for Emil a few months ago because I don't think he would like another night of restless sleep like he usually would.
It's been two months since that meeting with my mother and since then, I've been on the lookout for any sign that I could find of Loki.
Doing everything from listening to the radio to searching the world manually in the skies, but unfortunately, I did not find anything.
Taking a deep breath, a content smile was on my face as I basked in the sun shining down on Central Park.
All around me, people were dancing, playing, chatting and having fun in general as we all enjoyed the day like we should, but unfortunately, it appears that my fun was coming to an end as I heard someone familiar sitting besides me with a soft grunt.
"What brings you here, son of Coul?" I asked as I looked at the people walking past in front of us, to which Phil took off his glasses and sat peacefully for a while before speaking.
"Sixteen hours ago, a secret facility of SHIELD was attacked by someone calling himself Loki the god of Mischief. Two of our staff were compromised by him as he seems to have taken control of their mind with a sceptre that seems to have a special ability."
"…Oh, my apologies. Are we finally telling the truth?" I asked as I looked at him and he simply looked at me before sighing as he looked forward once more.
"I do apologize on behalf of SHIELD for not telling the truth, but seeing as you were an unknown that knew information that no one outside of the organization did, we decided that sharing as little information about it would keep us safe."
"Oh, don't worry. I'm just messing with you." I spoke with a grin and chuckled at his sigh before he looked at me as I stood up.
"So! Where is my wayward brother now?"
"He's your brother?"
"Adopted." I answered with a smirk as I helped him up, dusting off my pants before gesturing for him to follow as we made out way towards the exit of the park.
"Do we need to go pick up Ms. Lewis?" He asked and I shook my head as I looked at the numerous cars and agents waiting for us.
"No need. Since Mother and Father expected Loki to attack within the next month, Darcy asked to go live with them until I said that it was okay for her to come back. That and she wanted to bond more with Mother so Father decided to not say anything."
"I see. Well, we must ask you to not speak of or tell her anything that happens today, if possible."
"If it's top secret, you don't need to worry. I know when secrets must be kept for the sake of peace. So, where are we heading?"
"Since you are the last member, I am to bring you to the airport for transport to our secret aerial base." He said as he climbed in and I smirked as I shrugged and followed after, making myself comfortable as I felt the cars turn on and begin to drive.
Time to see just how big the Heli-Carrier really is.
A/N:A quick and short chapter, especially since I'm only operating on a cup of coffee and five hours on sleep right. If there's any points I need to fix, I'll do that tomorrow when I don't feel like I'm going to pass out any second.
Along with that, I feel like the chapter was a bit too long so I might just add more parts tomorrow to expand more upon it.
Anyway, the chapter kicks off the next Arc and Movie: Avengers with some added additions~!
What those additions are, we'll have to wait and see.
Like always, you can go to my Pat-reon-.-com-/-KingCrimsonNova to read ahead on this as well as many other stories & even some that haven't been released out to this site yet. If you want to, you are free to, but if you don't want, all's good as I will still be uploading here. This is just me trying to get some extra cash.
Anyways, as always, read, enjoy, review and until the next chapter...
Ba-Bye~!