Loki Laufeyson – Nightmare
Loki Laufeyson – Nightmare
I frowned, my eyes narrowing at Tony as he gripped Amelie's arm tightly. I could see the pain etched on her face, and it infuriated me. "What do you want?" I demanded, trying to keep my emotions in check.
Tony smirked, almost unrecognizable from the man I had come to know. "It's simple, Loki." He said, his voice dripping with arrogance. "My new friends and I, we're going to bring down the Avengers."
I rolled my eyes, irritated by his vague answer. "Yes, yes, I get that." I snapped, taking a step closer. "But then what? What happens after the Avengers are gone and their reputation is ruined? What's your endgame here?"
For a moment, Tony hesitated. It was unlike him to be at a loss for words, and I found myself wondering if the people who had given him the serum had neglected to brainwash him with any details past their ultimate goal. As much as I wanted to believe that there was still some part of the real Tony Stark beneath this twisted facade, I couldn't deny the chill that ran down my spine at the thought of what he might become under their influence.
"Does it matter?" Tony finally replied, his grip tightening on Amelie's arm. She winced but made no sound. I admired her courage, but I wished she didn't have to be so brave.
"Of course it matters!" I exclaimed, my frustration mounting. "You're not just destroying the Avengers, Tony. You're destroying yourself!”
Tony scoffed, looking away from me.
"Try me." I challenged, fighting the urge to lunge at him and free Amelie from his grasp. “Tell me whatever it is that you seem to think I won’t understand.”
The sound of footsteps echoed through the corridor, and I glanced over to see the rest of the Avengers catching up. Their expressions were a mixture of shock and disbelief at the sight before them - Tony, with Amelie held captive in his iron grip.
I hissed under my breath, staring at them in surprise. "You were supposed to escape while I came to find Amelie!"
Bucky continued walking as the others stared in horror at the two Starks. He stepped forwards, his eyes dark and cold as ice. "There was no chance of us leaving Amelie behind." He said in a low, dangerous voice, so deep it might have been a growl. There was something almost feral about him in that moment, and I couldn't help but appreciate just how formidable a man - and friend - Bucky Barnes truly was.
"Ah, look who finally decided to show up." Tony sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. He didn't sound scared. In fact, there was an unsettling confidence in his tone. "Well, you're all wasting your time."
"Tony, please." Steve's voice was tentative, as if he was trying to reason with a crazed man instead of the hero we had once called our ally. "We can help you. Fight whatever it is that's controlling you. We don't want to hurt you."
Tony sighed. "Save it, Rogers. We’ve been through this already.”
As they talked, my mind raced to find a way to reach Amelie without setting Tony off. I could see the fear in her eyes, and the tightness of his grip on her arm must have been causing her immense pain, but what really got me was the desolate look in her eyes. She looked lost, her eyes not quite focussed as she breathed heavily. My heart ached for her, and I wished more than anything that I could fix this for her.
"Let her go, Tony." I demanded, my voice barely controlled. "This has nothing to do with her."
He smirked slightly and I clenched my fists, frustration and anger bubbling up inside me.
"Let her go, Stark." I pressed again through gritted teeth.
Tony scoffed, his eyes blazing with defiance. "You think if you ask enough times, I'm suddenly going to change my mind? Let me make this very clear, Loki; Amelie isn't going anywhere."
I could feel the rage bubbling within me, threatening to spill over. I hadn’t been this angry in a very long time. My fists clenched at my sides, itching to strike out and teach the fake Tony a lesson he wouldn't forget. But I couldn't, not while he had such a grip on Amelie, and I couldn't bear the thought of hurting her uncle in front of her, even if it meant saving her from him.
"Tony." Bucky interjected. He leaned casually against a wall, arms crossed over his chest in a position I was starting to think played a big part in how intimidating he could be. His piercing blue eyes held an intensity that chilled me to the bone. “Maybe the 'real' Tony would approve of us murdering you to save her. Did that occur to you?" He said quietly. There was an edge to his voice that sent shivers down my spine, the kind of murderous intent reserved for ancient Norse myths of old.
Tony turned to Bucky, a strange look on his face.
"Let her go." Bucky snarled, sounding less like himself and more like a character from a nightmare - fierce, unforgiving, and utterly ruthless.
"Or what, Barnes?" Tony challenged, his voice dripping with contempt. "You'll kill me?"
"Eventually, once you beg me to." Bucky replied coldly.
This time, Tony faltered, his eyes widening in a brief moment of fear before his face returned to it’s hateful sneer.
"Let her go." Bucky said again, his voice impossibly low and dark. "Or so help me, Stark, I will end you."
Tony's gaze flickered between me and the rest of the Avengers. Then, suddenly, his eyes focused on something behind us, and a wicked smile spread across his face. My blood ran cold.
"Looks like we have company." He said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. I turned to see that the guards and the group's leaders had circled around us, their weapons aimed at our backs. Someone was wriggling in the arms of several guards, and a feeling of dread settled in my stomach as I realised it was Peter.
Thor roared in anger, the volume making everyone jump. The leader of the group raised a hand, signalling for everyone to stand down. My fists clenched, fury simmering just below the surface. I felt like I could burn through the floor with the intensity of my rage.
"Let the boy go!" Thor demanded, his voice thunderous.
"Stand down, all of you." The man commanded, his voice cold and calculating. Reluctantly, the Avengers lowered their weapons. My hands stayed raised, clenched tightly into fists.
I looked at Bucky, noting the anger in his eyes, a murderous intent that matched my own. If he looked dangerous before, now he was absolutely terrifying.
"Take her and the boy downstairs." The tall man ordered, his voice smug.
I could no longer contain my rage. A wave of magic distorted the air around us, crackling like a storm just waiting to be unleashed. Bucky and I exchanged silent glances, our expressions promising retribution as we made an unspoken pact: we would burn this place to the ground and absolutely disintegrate anyone who dared to stand in our way.
"Let her go, Stark!" I snarled, my anger so palpable that it seemed to vibrate through the very walls.
"Easy now." A familiar voice interjected, smooth as silk but carrying a note of authority.
Steve, Clint, Natasha, Bruce, and Amelie all froze in shock as Nick Fury appeared next to the enemy, his one good eye fixed on me. Even though I'd seen him many times before, there was something about his sudden appearance that made my mind go blank. It had never once occurred to me that he was still alive. Though, judging by the other's reactions, he either wasn't meant to be, or he should have been very far away.
"Stand down." Fury commanded, his gaze never leaving mine. "We can work this out."
"Work this out?" I spat, incredulous. "They have Amelie and Peter, and you want us to stand down?"
"Amelie." Steve said softly, his eyes careful. "Are you alright?"
"Unharmed." Tony replied coldly, not loosening his grip on her arm. She winced, and I felt my anger rise anew.
"Enough." Fury said firmly. "We need to remain calm and find a way to resolve this situation peacefully."
"Peacefully?" My laughter was bitter and hollow. "There will be no peace while they hold them captive!"
"Listen to me, Loki." Fury's voice was steady, even compassionate, but it did nothing to quell my rage. "If we act rashly, we risk putting them in more danger. We need to think this through."
I rolled my eyes. They could not think we were this stupid. "Why are you here?" I barked.
Fury didn't answer me. The Avengers looked between him and me, seemingly confused.
Okay, maybe we were this stupid.
"Serum." Bucky said dryly. "He's been dosed too."
The room went quiet as the others processed this. Fury sighed, turning to the Avengers. “Do what they say. They’re more powerful than you think.”
Bucky pushed himself up from the wall, walking calmly next to me, signalling that he was ready to follow my lead. I flicked my eyes to him briefly. So this is what it felt like to have backup.