Chapter 7: 2012

I was in the lab with Tony, who was meticulously crafting the latest Mark suit. I had suggested he include a deploy feature this time, something I thought might come in handy. Meanwhile, I was tinkering with Tony's cars, giving them a once-over to ensure they were in perfect condition—again. It wasn't like I had anything new to add to my suit, at least not at the moment.

Ring... Ring... Ring... My phone went off, but it wasn't as boring as a basic ring tone.

"Miranda, the Tesseract started acting on its own," Clint's voice crackled through the phone.

"Thanks, Clint. I'm on my way." I hung up and turned to Tony, wiping my hands on a rag.

"Where are you headed, kid?" Tony asked, turning to face me, curiosity evident in his eyes.

"Just checking up on something," I said, already moving toward the door. "I'll be back."

I dashed to my room and quickly suited up, slipping on my glasses and strapping on my tech. With a swift motion, I opened the sliding window I'd added to my room and took off, flying out into the open sky. "Alex, text the Best Bro group chat—'It's starting.' Actually, scratch that. Just text Fury and connect a call with Phil."

"Right away, Mir," Alex's voice responded in my ear.

"Hey, Miranda, kind of busy here," Phil answered as the call connected.

"Yeah, I know, Phil. I'm on my way. This is it—the start. You need to evacuate the weapons vault and get everyone out of there, ASAP."

"On it."

"Phil," I hesitated for a moment, "stay safe, and make sure Fury knows. If you feel the building shake, don't waste time—get everyone out, weapons be damned."

"Got it. See you soon."......

"Fuck!" I cursed as I finally arrived, surveying the destruction. The base was demolished. "Alex, connect me to Fury."

"Miranda, he got away," Fury's voice came through, tense but controlled.

"It's fine. That's how it's supposed to go... Time to assemble."

"Do you want to get Cap or Tony?" Fury asked, already anticipating the next move.

"I'll get Cap. Phil's on Tony, and tell him to call Nat to bring in Bruce. Let her know Clint's compromised."

"Understood.".....

"Late night workout, Cap?" I asked as I approached Steve, who was in the middle of pummeling a sandbag.

"Hey, Miranda," he greeted me, pausing his punches to look over. "What brings you here so late?"

"I could ask you the same, but I think I know why." I stepped closer, holding out a folder. "We need you."

"You've got a mission?" he asked, his tone shifting to something more serious.

"Yep. Things are about to get crazy," I said, handing him the folder. "Remember how I told you I was from Asgard?" He nodded. "Loki, one of my childhood friends, is coming to take this."

His brows furrowed as he looked at the photo of the Tesseract. "This was lost in the ocean—"

"Howard found it while searching for you. I know we should have left it there, but we're human—we make mistakes. Big ones."

"So, what do you need from me?"

"We need that good ol' soldier back. Plus a little bit of that spirit. Fury's putting together a team. Loki's bringing an alien army to Earth, and we need you."

"Where's Loki now?"

"On his way. But before we go after him, I need to explain something about him to the team."

"Alright. Do we leave now?" Steve asked, his focus unwavering.

I shook my head. "Tomorrow," I said softly, patting his back. "We can go after our run and you can ask more questions then.".....

____F: I got Nat and Bruce. Are you going to brief them when you get here, or should I?

M: Let me do it. I'll probably explain it better than your deadpan voice.

F: I'll gather them in the same room then.

M: Yep, herd those sheep.

P: Baaaa. I've got Tony. Sort of.

M: Don't worry, he'll show.———

The next morning, after a run filled with endless questions from Steve, we boarded the jet and headed for the Helicarrier.

"Hey, guys!" I called out as I stepped off the jet, Steve right behind me. "I'm Miranda. Not sure if Fury mentioned me." I shook hands with Nat, who looked me over with mild curiosity.

"He's mentioned you a couple of times. They need you on the bridge—they're starting the facial trace."

"Got it. And this," I gestured to Steve, "is Steve Rogers. Take care of him—he's like a lost puppy with all this tech around." I patted Steve's shoulder, earning a small smile from him.

I couldn't wait to be up in the air. I planned to put on my face mask and just sit on the deck, watching the clouds drift by. They were one of my favorite things about Earth—so serene, so beautiful. But that would have to wait.

"Hey, Cateye!" I shouted, spotting Fury across the bridge.

"Miranda," he replied, deadpan.

"God, you're always so uptight in public. My heart," I teased, catching the faintest smirk on his face. "Looks like my special brand of butter is working."

He rolled his eye. "Any idea where Loki is?"

I nodded. "But if I told you...""It would affect the timeline," we both finished in unison.

"Can you tell us anything at all?" Fury pressed, though he already knew the answer.

I sighed dramatically. "Just be grateful I'm here. I could be on a beach somewhere, enjoying my life," I smirked, "but you know I won't, because I'm a goody two-shoes when it comes to saving people."

"Yes, I know," he said, handing me a tablet. "I've already started evacuating the area around Stark Tower, slowly so it doesn't raise suspicion. We've got agents on the streets to maintain the appearance of normalcy."

I glanced at the tablet, which displayed a map of New York with highlighted areas showing where and when evacuations were taking place. "You made sure the families knew first, right?" I raised an eyebrow at him. "You're not just forcing them out?"

"I might have a cold exterior, but I'm not an asshole, Miranda," Fury replied, crossing his arms.

"Sure... I'll be in my room. Call me when you've got Loki in custody and all the Avengers plus Phil and you are here," I said, heading out.

I was shown to my quarters, where I summoned an Asgardian book and started reading. This was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to dive deep into advanced technologies—how could I pass that up?.....

"I do. I understood that reference," I heard, walking in on Steve as he proudly declared his recognition of the monkey reference.

"Finally, everyone's here! Phil!" I called out, waving him over. Phil nodded and made his way toward us.

"Lady Meredith!" Thor's voice boomed as he strode into the room, arms wide open.

"Thor!" I ran over to him, matching his enthusiasm. "How's my best buddy?"

"I am well, and Loki is alive, just as you said!" he exclaimed, his grin as wide as ever.

"I know. Don't worry, Jane is safe. Phil will fill you in on the details later," I assured him. "Alright, everyone, get your butts in your seats!" I commanded, and everyone quickly took their places, except for Fury and Hill, who remained standing.

"I want everyone to listen to Miranda," Fury announced, signaling me to take the floor.

"Thanks, Fury."

"Miranda?" Thor asked, puzzled. "Her name is Meredith."

"Thor, on Midgard, call me Miranda, okay?" He nodded in understanding. "Alright, here's the deal. Loki is currently under the influence of the scepter, just like Barton and Selvig. But the scepter is giving him free will while amplifying Loki's rage, which is why he's bent on taking over Earth. The real Loki doesn't want to dominate anything. Yes, he wants a throne, because that's what he was raised to believe he deserved, but this is not the way he wants to achieve it."

"So Loki isn't actually trying to take over," Bruce asked, seeking clarification.

"No, he's not," I confirmed. "Deep down, Loki wants a throne like his brother, his real and adoptive father. But all that jealousy has been twisted by the scepter into something much darker. This is where Bruce comes in."

"Me?" Bruce looked surprised, pointing at himself.

"Yes. To break someone free from the scepter's control, they need a serious knock on the head. But since Loki is a god, we need something a bit more... Hulky." Bruce looked down, fiddling with his glasses. "Once we've broken the scepter's hold on him, I'll use my magic to bring his... positive, memories, and emotions,0 back to the surface. But I warn you, this won't be easy—before Loki came to Earth, he was tortured mentally and physically."

"How do you know all this?" Natasha asked, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"Let's just say I can see things others can't. Like visions," I explained, keeping it vague. She nodded in understanding. "Loki's goons will be coming for him, along with Barton. So, Nat, you're going to need to hit him hard if you want him back."

She nodded again, her expression steely.

"So, how is this going to play out?" Steve asked, always the strategist.

"There's going to be a war, and we'll have to fight, but we'll win. People are slowly evacuating New York, so casualties should be minimal, thanks to Fury and the Agents of SHIELD."

Fury allowed a small, satisfied smirk to cross his face. "Only because you warned us, Miranda."

I rolled my eyes. "Only because you believed me and listened when I called you Cateye."

"Cateye?" Natasha asked, intrigued.

"Don't," Fury growled at me, but I just laughed.

"One more thing... we cannot let Loki know that we're aware he's being controlled. At all," I warned, and everyone nodded in agreement......

Natasha was having her moment with Loki, and I waited outside the door for her to finish. I was practically buzzing with excitement. Loki was one of my favorite characters. Sure, all of them were awesome in their own way, but Loki... Loki needed some love. Beneath all the pain, he was a fun, mischievous, and cunning guy who loved books and magic. I wanted to see that side of him, to show him he wasn't alone.

As Natasha exited the room, her expression focused, she paused when she saw me. "Oh, Miranda. I have to go," she said quickly.

"Safe travels," I replied, waving as she hurried off. Once she was out of sight, I took a deep breath and stepped into Loki's prison room.

"Well, if it isn't Meredith," Loki seethed, his voice dripping with venom.

"Yep, it's me," I said, moving to stand in front of the glass, trying to ignore the way his smirk sent a thrill down my spine. "Thought you died. Glad to see you didn't."

"I thought you would die. Unfortunately, that didn't happen," he replied coldly.

I clutched my chest in mock shock. "Oh, my heart! You wound me, Loki," I teased with a smile. "I missed you."

"You... you ignored me. You didn't miss me," he snarled, his anger bubbling to the surface. "You turned your back on me when you found out I was a Frost Giant."

"No, Loki, that's not the reason," I began, but he cut me off.

"Yes, it is. Odin told me how you refused to see me. How you hated me," he snapped, his voice full of bitterness.

"And when has Odin ever told you the truth?" I countered, my tone calm. "I've known you were a Frost Giant since we were young, and I didn't care because you were my friend." This was the moment. I had to play this just right. "The only reason I ignored you was because I couldn't stand the thought of marrying Thor... when I wanted you," I confessed, my voice softening. "I thought if I distanced myself..."

Loki's eyes narrowed, searching my face for any hint of deception. I could feel the tension in the air, like a taut wire ready to snap. "I don't believe you," he finally said, his tone icy. "My kind killed your brother, made you drench yourself in blood."

Meredith's memories flashed through my mind, making me cringe at his words. "Yes, they did. But you are not like them. You are Loki of Asgard, my best friend. The only thing that ties you to Jötunheimr is your biology, and that's it."

"You say that as if you believe I won't hurt you," he sneered, banging his fist against the glass. "When I get out, I'll prove how much you fear me. I'll uncover your lies. Mark my words, Meredith, I will destroy you and everything you hold dear."

"Then you'll have to destroy yourself," I shot back, stepping closer to the glass. "And I do not fear you because I know you won't hurt me."

He smirked, his eyes gleaming with dark intent. "Just wait until you're not safe behind that glass. My army will come, and you'll end up groveling at my feet."

"No, Loki," I said softly, stepping even closer. It was almost time. "Change into your Jötunn form, and I'll show you I'm not scared."

He grinned, a wicked chuckle escaping his lips as he shifted into his Jötunn form, his skin turning a deep blue, his eyes glowing a fiery red. "Is this what you wanted to see?" he hissed.

Without hesitation, I teleported into his cell, landing just a few feet away from him. His expression morphed into one of shock.

"I'm not afraid of you," I said, taking a step closer. "You need to stop hating yourself for being Jötunn. It's part of you, and it's a part I love because it's you." His face remained emotionless, but I could see him searching my eyes, looking for any sign of deceit. "Is it too late to stop this madness? Go somewhere far away with me. We don't need to go to Asgard. We can stay here or go to another realm."

Maybe the Avengers are together enough. SHIELD has the scepter, and Hydra will get it somehow and the story will be the same. Maybe Loki doesn't have to go through with it completely. Maybe I can take him away, separate ourselves until it's time to defeat Thanos.

"There is no stopping this. I will have my throne," he said, his face hardening once again.

"Can I ask you a question?" I whispered, taking another cautious step closer. "Do you love me?"

"Mer," he began, his voice softening just a fraction, "I have loved you since—" But before he could finish, I grabbed his face and pressed my lips to his.

A scorching pain shot through my fingers and lips as the frostbite from his Jötunn form began to set in, but I didn't pull away. I needed him to understand that I wasn't Meredith, that I cared about him in a way she never could. I needed him to understand... No, maybe this wasn't a need for him. Maybe it was just a fantasy dream for me?

He pulled back abruptly, horror written across his face. "What did you do?! You idiot!" He shifted back into his Asgardian form and grabbed my hands, quickly healing the frostbite on my lips and fingers. "Why would you do that?"

"To prove I don't care about your Jötunn form," I replied, cupping his cheek with my hand. "You are Loki. You are a Laufeyson and an Odinson, but the last name where you truly belong is Friggason. You are not alone, Loki."

His expression twisted in anger, and before I could react, his hand was around my neck, pinning me against the cold metal wall. "What are you playing at?" he hissed, his grip tightening. "You think these lies can fool me?"

"I'm... not... lying," I choked out, struggling to breathe as his grip intensified.

"I know a lie when I hear one. There is no way you could ever love a Frost Giant. No way you want me when you have Thor. I have no one!!" His hand pressed harder, cutting off my air.

"Loki," I rasped, my vision blurring. "I don't... don't care for T-Thor... like I do... you." I stopped clawing at his hand and stared into his eyes, willing him to see the truth.

For a moment, his grip tightened further, but then it loosened slightly as he looked into my eyes, searching for something—anything—that would justify his anger.

"I can't have weaknesses. I am a King, and to become what I must, I can't have you messing things up," he said, his voice breaking as he tried to convince himself of the words.

"I... love... you," I managed to whisper, a tear slipping down my cheek as my vision darkened.

His grip faltered, just for a moment, and I felt the pressure ease slightly, but the conflict in his eyes was clear. This wasn't the real Loki—this was the scepter, twisting him into something he was not.

As my consciousness began to fade, I held onto one thought: If I could just survive this, I might be able to reach him. To save him.

Everything went black.

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