Chapter 22
As soon as Coulson left, Harry had Jarvis latch onto the Shield database so he could monitor everything. There wasn't much information and their searches for all of their controlled agents plus Loki had just started, but it was more than that Harry had before. He leaned against his desk, watching the collected footage and eying the people Fury wanted on his band of misfits. He tried not to linger too long on Bruce, but he missed the man.
“We need to help,” Hermione said, voice quiet. “Harry, you know we just can't stand here and hope that something happens.”
“I know, but I've run into too many situations blind. I've grown since then.” Harry expanded a picture of Loki, frowning. “Does this look strange to you?”
“Not really. I mean, Voldemort didn't even have a nose.”
Harry turned back to Hermione and motioned her closer. “Come here, I want you to see something. I'm pretty sure I saw him before, but he looks more crazed. I just want a confirmation before I jump to things.”
She pulled out her wand and pointed it at his temple. “I don't see why you can't use a pensive.” Still, she performed the spell and watch the memory of the New Mexico footage. When she pulled away, she glanced back to the screen and nodded. “He's different, yeah, but that does look like the same guy.”
“That's just perfect. I think I sent him after Clint, then, because of that arrow.”
“Or Clint just has really bad luck.” Hermione rubbed his back. “Come eat something please? Blaise is making his pasta and Neville has that soup going.”
“Giving Edwin the night off?” he asked, attempting a grin.
“Edwin's looking through the rest of the Shield files.”
The smile dropped. “I know, that was a--”
“I know, Harry, but you need to eat something. Shield doesn't need you to leave until tomorrow afternoon and--”
“I'm leaving once I'm done eating.” He gave her another smile and went toward the kitchen.
“Harry? Harry, you've got to be kidding me.” Hermione trailed after him, fists clenching. “Agent Coulson said--”
“I need to do this.” Harry accepted the plate Neville handed to him. “We need to decide what we're going to do as well. I mean, there's no point in you guys just sitting here waiting for word.”
“I'm going with you,” Blaise decided. “I don't care what you say, I'm going to Shield.”
“I need you here.”
Blaise scowled, pointing his fork at Harry. “Hell no. I'm not letting you go off on your own to get killed.”
“Maybe he's got a good explanation, Blaise.” Neville set the pot of soup in the middle of the table before passing out the bowls. “What's your plan, Harry?”
“This Loki, he's a mage of some kind, right? The Muggles won't know what they're fighting against.” Harry stabbed at his food for a bit. “We don't know where he's going to hit, so I think we should warn who we can.”
“I can get in touch with the American society here,” Hermione offered. “I already have a few contacts here just in case, so...”
“That sounds perfect. Just warn them that something might be coming and to be on the look out.”
“I'll get started in the morning.” Hermione nodded and took out her phone.
Harry turned away from her to look at Blaise and Neville. “I need--”
“What about the Muggle military?” Blaise asked. “I can get them.”
“What, no more whining about wanting to come with me?”
He shrugged. “Hermione's going to have her hands busy with the wizards here and Edwin will most likely be helping you. I'll join you when I can.”
“All right,” Harry agreed. “I can live with that.” He turned to Neville. “Think you can get the Ministry back in England to get their heads out of their asses?”
“I could try. Blaise, you think Draco would help?”
Blaise shrugged, leaning back in his chair. “There's a good chance he might and, if he can't, he knows who can. I'll write a letter you can give him.”
“Portkey?” Hermione asked. “And don't give me that look, Blaise. I know you know where he is.”
'Fine, I'll make a few. We each take two, but only use them in an emergency.”
“Should we send one to Miranda just in case?” Harry rubbed at his chest. “I mean, if I get hurt and Draco doesn't know what to do...”
“Yeah, that's fine. Hermione can give it to her.” Blaise pushed the last bite of food around his plate.
“Blaise?”
“Yeah, Harry?”
“You have ten minutes to make mine. I'm leaving now.” Harry shoved the last bit of food in his mouth before standing. “Meet me in the hangers.”
He didn't stop to wait for any of them, getting into the elevator and immediately telling Jarvis to let Edwin know what he was doing. He could fly to their base since the current coordinates were in the files – he figured Fury meant for that to be there for just that purpose – and deal with what needed to be done there. He had to know what happened to Clint and how he had gotten taken, the real story.
Edwin met him in the hangers and wordlessly helped him get ready. Harry smiled as his he shrunk his trunk and then sent Edwin off to express ship the electronics he was sure to need for the Tesseract. He didn't trust his magic to not affect those and would rather not shrink them. Blaise came in when Edwin left, holding the door for him.
“Got it done?” Harry asked, pulling the undershirt for the suit on.
“The closest thing I had was Hermione's necklace and Neville's watch.” He held both out. “The word to activate them are the same from the war.”
“That seems safe enough.” Harry pulled on the necklace and then attached the watch. “Are you guys going to be okay?”
“We'll be fine, but I think I should be asking you that.” Blaise crossed his arms and leaned against a table. “You'll let us know if you need anything?”
“Of course. Edwin will be in contact with me the entire time, so you have nothing to worry about.”
“It's you, so I have everything to worry about.” Blaise shook his head. “Go consult or save the world. Just bring Clint back in one piece, okay? He's annoying, but he grows on you.”
“That's my plan.” Harry stepped onto the platform to suit up. “This'll probably all blow over soon.”
“When does anything you're involved in just 'blow over'?”
Harry childishly stuck out his tongue and let the faceplate snap shut. He waved to Blaise, waited until his friend backed up a bit, and then took off. “Autopilot, Jarvis,” he said and let the system take over the flying. Sleeping while in the suit wasn't comfortable, but it was better than sitting there doing nothing, so he shut his eyes and let himself drift off.
It felt as if only five minutes passed before Edwin woke him. “Sir, it seems as if Loki has been spotted in Germany. A Shield jet took off a short time ago.”
“Go ahead and follow it, then. Might as well jump right in.”
“It's not advised that you do, but I'll have the suit follow.”
“Thanks, Edwin.” Harry yawned before shaking his head to wake up a bit more. “What do you know from the reports?”
“Things I barely understand. There's a lot of astrophysics involved and--”
“Right, keep you in my ear. Have the others left?”
“They've gone where they need to.” Edwin paused. “Sir, are you sure you should be doing this?”
Harry wasn't sure, so he didn't answer that question. “Just get me to where he is, Edwin. I want to see this bastard face-to-face.”
When Harry finally arrived to Germany, he feared he had gotten there too late. He saw two figures fighting while a jet hovered by and it didn't take much for him to know that the red, white, and blue outfit belonged to Captain America. This wasn't the introduction he wanted with the man (he never actually wanted to see him), but he would have to take it.
First things first, he smirked and let one of the smaller rockets fly, one used more for shock than damage. It hit Loki and sent the man (God?) stumbling back. Both Loki and Captain America looked to the air and Harry tried not to roll his eyes and he came flying in. Someone needed to teach Steve Rogers not to look away from an opponent.
“Jarvis, get me into the jet comm systems.” He turned and held out a hand just as Loki lifted the spear. One blast and he fell back against the nearby steps, just as his radio hacked into the jet's. “Miss me?”
Natasha Romanoff's voice answered, and Harry was just glad that it was someone he recognized. “Mister Stark, nice of you to come.”
Harry landed, keeping his palms up and facing the downed god. “Always a pleasure. Switch to speakers and show him all our toys.” He paused as Jarvis followed the command. “Make your move, Prince Antler.”
On the ground, Loki slowly lifted his hands, the armor around him disappearing. Harry frowned, not moving from his position. In his experience, mad hostile take-overs didn't have this happening. He expected a fight, not a surrender.
“Hm. Good enough. Jarvis, put it away.” He lowered his arms, his various weapons disappearing back into the suit.
Captain America stepped up behind him, out of breath. Harry felt a little bad since he had basically came and took over, but the job was done and that had to be enough. Steve said his name, but Harry ignored it and stepped closer to Loki, hauling him up.
“Come on, coward. Let's take you to the happy prison cell.”
Captain America frowned. “Mister Stark, I don't think--”
“Don't worry, Cap, it's not like I'm going to hurt him.”
He frowned, but anything he had to say was thankfully stopped when Natasha landed the jet. Harry didn't care that he manhandled Loki toward the back and into one of the seats there. When the god put n the safety belt, however, he had to let out a small laugh. Out of everything he expected, that was not it. Once it was on, Harry tugged it a bit.
“Comfortable enough for you?”
“It will suffice.” Loki settled back and held out his hands, letting Captain America cuff him. “Your hospitality is generous and I seek mercy.”
Harry scowled and stomped further into the jet, resisting the urge to strangle him. “Take us up, Agent Romanoff. The sooner we get to your base, the faster your boss can get answers from him.”
Natasha let out a breath and pulled the jet back up, shutting the back as she did so. “I get first shot at him, Stark.”
Harry's lip quirked. “Just leave me a piece of him and we'll be fine.”
The dangerous smile across her face made Harry glad that she was, for the moment, on his side.