Spy Games Ch. 8

Avengers

(Helicarrier, Command Deck)

We listen in from the Command Deck as Loki and Fury exchange banter and threats. Fury definitely comes away from the victor of that verbal exchange. 'Let me know if Real Power wants a magazine' was pure gold and I think everyone knew it. Then Stark walks onto the bridge and monopolizes everyone's attention. I watch on amused as he and Banner nerd out before departing for their lab.

Everyone goes their separate ways and I really don't have much to say to any of them right now, so I head towards the containment area. Seems even with my rebellious actions of late I'm still registered as a Level 7 SHIELD Agent and I'm allowed to enter the outer ring of the special prison they've constructed for the Hulk and dumped Loki into.

I blur into place outside the cage and it takes Loki a few moments to look up and see me. His eyes narrow dangerously and he stands up, walking a few steps towards me and allowing a small smile to grace his face as he looks to take control of the conversation, "I must say, I wasn't expecting you."

I smile at that, "Do you mean here and now, or at all Loki of Asgard? In their plans for the Tesseract and the Earth, did your masters even factor me in?"

He smirks wider at that even as I see the flash of anger in his eyes at the mention of his 'masters', "Not at all, despite your clearly high opinion of yourself, you mean nothing in the gran-"

I interrupt him, "You look terrible by the way."

He stops at the non-sequitur and looks confused at the concern in my tone, "What?"

My grin widens, "You hide it well enough Asgardian. Perhaps a touch of illusion to make yourself presentable, hmm? I can see the scars on your soul Loki of Asgard."

That gets to him and he approaches the glass of his tank with a snarl on his face, "You know nothing about me!"

I chuckle at that, "I have some experience in these matters my young friend. I know a victim of torture when I see one. Tell me Loki, how long did it take you to break?"

I step closer to the glass as well and continue as Loki slowly clenches his fists and grits his jaw, "Was it long before they were in your head and you were telling them everything they wanted to know? I can't imagine it was, if it only took them a year to turn you into their obedient little pet."

I punctuate each of those last three words with a tap on the glass of his cage. He doesn't like that, slamming his fist into the glass but not hard enough to crack it and roaring back at me, "I am Loki of Asgard! I am no one's pet!"

I take a step back and smile at his completely loss of control, "Of Asgard? How can you be of Asgard when you forsake your loving family for a hopeless chance at power that will inevitably slip right through your grasp? You may have been raised on Asgard, but all I see before me now is Jotun."

With those parting words I turn and begin to walk away. Loki isn't happy with that at all, screaming after me, "How dare you! Don't walk away from me! How?! How do you know so much?! We aren't done here yet!"

I turn and give him one last smile, "I think you'll find we're quite done."

And then I leave. I get down the corridor before Natasha grabs me suddenly and pulls me into what looks like an empty conference room. I blink at her forwardness, I had gotten the impression she was terrified of me after learning who I was but now she just looked angry and even a bit… lustful?

With a rather primal growl, she pushed against my chest and I let it make me stumble back into the wall, interested in what this was. Natasha definitely was not acting like herself. Finally she spoke, her teeth gritted, "What did you do to me?"

I blink at that and frown, "I think we've already been over that Agent Romanoff. I pulled you out of the water and healed you. My blood has regenerative properties and Agent Coulson gave me the go ahead to save you."

She pales slightly but maintains her anger, "And what else does your blood do? Because simple regeneration doesn't explain why I've been feeling strange ever since."

I frown at that, considering the woman in front of me, as well as the only other woman I'd fed my blood to since arriving on this world. Darcy had seemed a bit different after our night together as well, she'd definitely been more adventurous and aggressive when I'd come onto her with her boss so close by. I was beginning to wonder if there was something going on that I didn't know about. Omnipotent me might be fucking with me somehow…

But such musings weren't really helping me with the angered woman in front of me. I shrug my shoulders and smile sheepishly, "If you'd died with it in your system, you'd have become like me. But I assure you, you did not die. We'd both know it, as I do have to sustain myself on the blood of others, much like you humans eat and drink food and water. How have you been feeling different?"

She frowns as she takes this information in before answering almost absently, clearly considering what I'm saying, "Some urges. Heightened senses. A bit more strength, a bit more speed."

I blink at that. Honestly its sounding more and more like I turned her into a werewolf… but there have been numerous full moons since I fed her my blood back in Russia, and I'm pretty sure she'd be a lot more upset with me if she was breaking every bone in her body once a month. Not to mention I'm sure SHIELD would know and be a lot more upset with me as well.

No… it sounded like she was getting some of the qualities of my werewolf side from my blood, but not all of them. Certainly not the bad ones. I clear my throat and distract her from her musings, "That doesn't sound so bad. I admit, you are only the second human I healed with my blood since arriving on your world. It is entirely possible, these are side effects I wasn't counting on."

She narrows her eyes at me, before seeming to have some sort of revelation, "When you say your blood has regenerative properties, what does that mean exactly?"

Shrugging again, I answer truthfully, "My blood does not target or pick a focus. A few drops of my blood is all it takes to fix any problems your body might be having. It merely brings you to the best possible health for a woman of your age."

Now Natasha is looking a bit like someone punched her in the gut. In fact, her hand unconsciously moves to abdomen, hovering over it. She looks like she wants to ask something else, before thinking better of it and shaking her head, turning to go, "I need to go. Need to interrogate the prisoner."

As she leaves I call after her one last time, "Might want to give it a tiny bit! I may have pissed him off a tad!" She doesn't react, but I figure she probably heard me.

I stand there for a moment staring after her. How very interesting, this seeming change to what my blood is capable of. After all of this is over, I'm going to have to do a bit of testing. With a wicked smile at the fun 'testing' promises, I leave the empty conference room behind and head for medical. I have time for a bit of a snack and while I'd prefer to take it from a pretty doctor's neck, I'll settle for blood bags if my seductive abilities fail to penetrate the cold SHIELD exterior of those medical professionals on board.

XxScenebreakxX

Avengers

(Helicarrier, Research Lab)

I walk into the lab still nursing a blood bag to find everyone else already here. I get some looks, but mostly everyone is happy to be arguing with one another. Eventually Bruce takes hold of one of the screens and points at it, "I'd like to know, why SHIELD is using the Tesseract to build weapons of mass destruction."

Fury responds by pointing at me, "Because of him."

I freeze like a deer in the headlights for a moment, still sipping my blood bag. Bringing it down from my bloodstained lips, I smile weakly which probably doesn't help given the current red on my teeth. I was kind of expecting to stay in the background of this conversation. Fury was supposed to single out Thor here. I guess I'd changed things.

I don't respond, but Fury seems content to continue, "Last year, he shows up and turns everything on its head. He gives us evidence that aliens have been coming to Earth for longer than humanity has known civilization. According to Agent Masters, we're a dumping ground for dangerous technology and dangerous artifacts, and now we're a target for those out there that want them. We have to defend ourselves and right now we are hopelessly, hilariously outgunned."

Everyone is actually… silent for a moment at that, as Thor can't exactly refute the truth of my claims and the others digest the fact that it's not a matter of if, but when aliens invade Earth. Stark can't resist opening his mouth though, "Because nuclear deterrents have worked so well in the past."

Fury responds with a crack about Tony's past weapons dealings and Steve takes the moment to jump down Tony's throat alongside him. Thor jumps in with a crack about humanity being unevolved and Natasha jumps in to call everyone naïve. The argument grows and grows for a few moments before I finally speak up, "That is enough!"

Everyone actually does stop talking for a moment. Tony opens his mouth to make another jab but I cut him off, "You're all being influenced by the scepter."

That fully stops everyone in their tracks and more than one turn to look at the glowing gem at the top of the weapon. Fury keeps his eyes on me though, "Are we now? What are you seeing?"

I smile at that, I knew Coulson would include my bullshit magical sight in his report, "What I am seeing Director, is the scepter reaching out to all of us. It is a wave of negative emotions designed to ferment discord, divide us… build anger."

I include that last part with a look at Banner. He just grimaces and takes a long step away from the scepter. Now Fury is looking to the magical artifact with pursed lips, "Then we need to remove this thing to a safe distance. How far is its reach?"

I shake my head, "It's not about reach, nowhere on this Helicarrier is exactly safe from the thing's influence. But if we can all engage in a little self-control until the Tesseract is found, we'll be fine. Just keep in mind that any negative thoughts are probably the work of the magical artifact in our midst, and get angry about everything later when you know you're no longer being influenced."

This causes Stark to scoff, "Right, of course the SHIELD stooge wouldn't want us to talk about what SHIELD has been using the Tesseract for."

Steve steps forward with a stormy expression, and it's clear they're both about to go at it again when Banner's computer suddenly beeps with the location of the Tesseract. He rushes over to it and after a moment blinks, "This can't be…"

Natasha steps up behind it, "What is it Doctor?"

Banner turns to look at Tony, "The Tesseract is at Stark Tower."

And of course that's the moment the room explodes and everyone is sent flying. I had been beginning to wonder when the attack on the Helicarrier would start. I was pretty sure I did not remember Banner getting a chance to reveal that knowledge in the original timeline. I alone still stood amongst the burning wreckage of the lab having weathered the blast, watching as Tony and Steve helped each other to their feet and rushed out.

I barely pay attention as Fury makes calls into his ear piece to get everyone moving. Thor runs off somewhere, and I'm left staring at the windows that Natasha and Bruce just went flying through. Down on the deck below, Natasha's leg is trapped under some wreckage, and Banner is losing control and becoming the Hulk right next to her.

I know in the original timeline, she's fine. She gets thrown once or twice, but considering she then manages to fight off an alien invasion and eat shawarma, I imagine that the Hulk can't possibly have done any permanent damage to her. So I should be perfectly in my rights to not go down there and save her. She'd be fine without me.

But then, I've changed things haven't I? Natasha Romanoff is not the same anymore. And while those changes were probably positive, it does mean the outcome can also change. She might die down there in those maintenance tunnels up against the great green monster. With one last forlorn look to the door that Stark and Rogers went through, I move to the window and jump down.

With casual ease I pull the pipe off of a panicking Romanoff. She immediately scrambles free, looking at me with wide eyes even as Banner continues to freak out in the background. I fling my arm out towards what I assume to be an exit, "Go! I've got Banner."

She doesn't need to be told twice, but then the Hulk definitely comes across as one of her greatest fears. And as I turn to Banner and find the snarling face of a green monster staring me down, I'm forced to admit it's with good reason. His first swipe misses me. As does his second. I flash around him from moment to moment, causing him to roar in aggravation at his inability to hit me.

Once I'm sure Natasha has fled successfully, I come to a stop and beckon the Hulk forward. With a bellowing roar, he leads where I follow like a good little beast. I'm always one step ahead of him as I guide him through the Helicarrier towards a point I know he can run off an edge and not be able to come back.

As we go, Fury's voice speaks up in my ear, "Agent Masters, what the hell are you doing?"

When I speak, it's even and calm, my tone matter-of-fact, not slightly winded or breathless in the least, "The Hulk will destroy the Helicarrier if allowed to rampage freely. I'm going to get him off the ship before he brings the whole thing down."

"… Very well, continue."

I just smile and shake my head at Fury's continued attempts at shows of control. Finally coming to a window that gives a nice large view of the open sky I stop and swipe at it, shattering the glass with ease even as I feel the Hulk coming at me from behind. Admittedly, the next part is my own hubris that gets me. As I feel the Hulk leap at me from behind, I know I could flash to the side easily and he'd jump right past. But I go for the cool guy move and duck down so he'll go right over my head.

Let it never be said that there is not intelligence behind that anger filled gaze. Even as the Hulk goes flying over my head, his large hand reaches out and scoops me, and a moment later I'm flying through the air with him as we both begin a fall of thirty thousand feet. He has a hold of me now, his large fingers wrapped partially around my body as he roars into my face and brings his free hand down in a fist directly on my chest.

He impacts the center of my mass, and the sound of a gong rings through the air as my wonderful Kemiya Armor holds for the time being and his fist is propelled backwards. Not inclined to take too many more of those punches, in his moment of confusion I grab his neck and pull him down to eye level with me, or more accurately I drag my eye level as close to his as I can, "Enough! You will cease attacking me this instant!"

The compulsion works and the Hulk immediately turns docile. I have to latch onto him though as part of him turning docile involves him releasing the grip he has on me. As we fall, I consider the fact that I really need to look into getting some form of personal flight if I'm going to commonly be on aircraft such as the Helicarrier, because though both the Hulk and I will survive this landing easily, I really don't want to ever repeat it.

Making sure the Hulk is beneath me to minimize any damage I or my clothing might take, I watch the ground approach fast, and moments later we crash through the ceiling of a large empty warehouse and make quite the mess. As I dismounted from the Hulk, he got up, still angry and looked around for long moments huffing and puffing. But even though his gaze fell on me more than once, he was unable to do anything about it.

An elderly man, probably maintenance of some sort came out of the woodworks once Banner had de-hulked, staring at both of us in shock. I wave a hand dismissively at him. Don't have time for the old coot, because of my own hubris I missed a ton of fun stuff back in the Helicarrier, and I'm rather upset about that now. As I begin walking towards the exit of the warehouse, I call back to the old guy, "Tell him to meet us in New York when he wakes up. He'll be needed."

I don't listen for a response, just zipping away towards New York City with all of my speed.

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Avengers

(Stark Tower)

I don't bother with the door this time, my agility lets me jump up the side of the tower with little difficulty, so I use it, appearing behind Loki where he stands on the balcony. He whirls around in shock, eyes wide and scepter glowing with power in his hands, "You!"

Immediately after that he fires a blast of energy from the scepter, but I'm already gone, kicking him in the back. Only, it's an illusion of course, and I'm forced to zip away again as he tries to skewer me through my chest. We both find ourselves staring the other down for a long moment, so I take the time to speak, a cruel smile on my face, "Me."

Loki sneers at me, "You can't stop it. Nothing can. The Chitauri come regardless of your actions. In the end, you are as meaningless as I said Outsider."

I raise an eyebrow at that, "Do you think you insult me with such a title Asgardian? I suppose you get closer with it then anyone else has so far. You're right, I am an Outsider. I am beyond you little Asgardian. I am beyond the one who holds your leash and I am beyond his master as well. I am outside your realm of understanding."

I have to flash away again as he once more tries to sneak up on me and use the scepter. He actually looks a bit smug at that as we once more square off, and this time he's the one who restarts the conversation, "Yet you fear the touch of my weapon. You fear the possibility I might control your mind."

I just smile back again, "The weapon you hold is beyond you as well little prince. You have been sent here to secure the Tesseract. Did you think they thought you capable of doing so as you were? You have been handed a weapon that houses an artifact of equal power to the Tesseract. Yet you cannot make full use of its capabilities. Your mind is closed to the possibilities."

I chuckle as we circle Stark's penthouse staring each other down and continue, "You hold in your hands incomprehensible power, and you use it in the service of others because you cannot comprehend it."

I can hear Stark approaching from miles away, mostly because I've been listening for it. While I'm quite sure that Jarvis will inform Stark of my appearance eventually, I smile and hold a finger to my lips before leaving Loki behind in Stark tower. He and Tony have their own act to play out after all.

A few minutes later and the portal is opening above the tower. I watch from the ground with everyone else as the Chitauri fly through and Tony moves to meet them, doing his best to halt the assault but failing. Bringing my fingers to my lips, I whistle sharply and catch the attention of everyone nearby. I suspect I cut a strange figure in my Kemiya, but my words and immediate actions afterwards get their attention.

"Everyone start running!" And then I grab the nearest parked car and toss it straight at one of the Chitauri speeders racing down towards street level. God I've always wanted to do that. I spend the next while killing aliens and saving people directly, yelling a lot about running away from the fighting as I tear through the Chitauri ground forces like so much paper.

Eventually I come to a stop at the ramp of a crashed plane right as the Captain along with Hawkeye and Black Widow step out of it. I incline my head respectfully towards Steve, "Captain, I'm at your command."

Natasha can't resist snarking, I think possibly because of the bit of wolf my blood has left in her, "Where the hell have you been?"

I smile at that, "Falling from thirty thousand feet in the air in the grasp of a certain Hulk we know and love. More recently? I've been saving people."

Before Steve can give any orders we're all forced to look up at the sky as the first space whale comes bellowing through the portal.

After a moment of staring Steve turns and points at me, "Keep doing what you're doing. We'll support."

Inclining my head again, I get back to work. I could speed through this city and kill thousands of the ground forces in minutes if I moved at full speed, but I was only letting this happen for the publicity, so I held back long enough that civilian after civilian knew they had me to thank for their salvation. I may have scarred a few here and there, as they watched me bat heads off alien bodies, or plant my arm straight through alien chests.

I made sure to move back through where Clint and Natasha were fighting multiple times, taking out Chitauri that were trying to sneak up on them as I went. Eventually Thor came down to our level and I came to a stop with the rest as we took a moment to regroup. I take that moment to pull out the case of vials I'd stopped and made along the way to New York, each filled with my blood.

That causes a moment of confusion as I hold them out so I explain, "My blood can heal you, something Natasha can attest to. Given what we're in the middle of, a reset of your health back to prime condition will probably be crucial to keeping us all going for however long this invasion lasts. A few drops is all you need, so keep the vial safe and secure and you'll be able to use it multiple times."

I see Natasha glance at the alien armies around us, and she nods slowly before taking a vial, as Barton, Rogers, and Thor all do the same. It seems she's not going to voice concerns about what else my blood does, not in the current situation. How adorable, she considers the Chitauri a bigger problem than me right now.

And then Banner showed up as well. He gave me a strange look and I wondered for a moment how much he could remember from when he was transformed, but then he looks back at Steve, "So… this all seems horrible."

Natasha makes a quip about having seen worse and I roll my eyes, she hadn't even had to fight him thanks to me! And then Tony is bringing the fucking space whale right towards us, Banner is telling us he's always angry, and a moment later there's dead space whale guts everywhere and we're all standing in a circle looking up at the Chitauri armies.

A moment after that Stark speaks up, "Call it Captain."

Captain America is in full business mode now as he makes the calls, "Alright listen up. Until we can close that portal our biggest priority is containment."

"Barton, I want you on that roof, eyes on everything, call out patterns."

"Stark, you've got the perimeter. Anything gets more than three blocks out, you turn it back or you turn it to ash."

Then he looks to me, "Vali, you've got more speed than any of us. There are still people trapped in the war zone. I want you doing your best to keep them safe and get them towards the perimeter."

I give him my best winning grin and nod before racing off, not really needing to stick around to hear the rest of the team's orders. After that it's more of the same as I save people and kill aliens left and right. I'd probably be coated in blood by now if it wasn't for the enchantments on my outfit keeping the whole thing relatively spotless.

It keeps me looking nice as I save the day personally for countless normal people trapped in this mess. This is exactly where I wanted to be for this battle. I could have ended this conflict before it began, I could have even stopped this whole thing at the point that Loki had come through the Tesseract in the first place. But this was what I wanted. I wanted this war, this battle. I wanted the spotlight and I wanted the world to see me as its champion, a hero that stood alongside the likes of Iron Man and Captain America and saved the nameless masses from harm.

Time went on, alien bodies piled up, buildings crumbled from the furious battle going on overhead, and I just kept saving people secure in the knowledge that others would end the actual battle. Eventually though I hear Natasha call out that she can close it, and then the fateful call from Stark as he talks of the missile that the World Security Council has sent at us. There are no Chitauri left in my vicinity, so I'm treated to a front row seat as Tony flies the missle right through the large portal in the sky. The Chitauri begin to fall over dead a few moments later as the nuke strikes the mothership on the other side.

A few moments after that Steve tells Nat to close it, and she does so, the large gaping rift beginning to grow smaller instantly. Then Tony is falling and I zip forward to arrive beside Thor as the Hulk drops the limp Iron Man suit to the ground and Thor rips off the faceplate. I watch as Steve believes Tony to be gone, the Hulk roars, and Tony opens his eyes wide gasping.

There are more quips all around and we head back to the tower to take Loki into custody. I'm only really half present, too happy to have finally made it to this point to really celebrate with the rest. Soon enough the group was heading out for Shawarma. I just smiled and made my excuses for why I couldn't come. I had something to do on the Helicarrier still after all.

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Avengers Epilogue

(New York Coast, Helicarrier)

Fury was living up to his namesake when I arrived in one of the hangars. He looked like he wanted to do nothing more than shoot me, but I brushed both his anger and him off as I walked past him, speaking at him without even looking at him, "How is he?"

After a moment Fury did fall into step beside me, and god how much that much have galled him as he spoke through gritted teeth, "What gave you the right?"

I turn to look Fury in the eye even as I continue walking, "Are you telling me you weren't planning the exact same thing Director? Or am I not supposed to know about Project Tahiti? At least this way Coulson keeps his mind intact."

Fury's jaw clenches even harder, his face growing even stormier if that's possible, "Will he? He's been asking after you."

I blink at that, but before I can ask what that means we come upon Coulson's room. I step inside without another word to the Director, and a moment later Phil Coulson uses his newly acquired speed to appear in front of me wearing a hospital gown, "Vali."

I smile, though I've never heard Phil use my first name like that before and it's slightly worrying, "Agent Coulson, I'm glad to see they've given you blood. I was worried they would try to hold it back. How are you feeling?"

Coulson just smiles, "I've never felt better. How did you manage to pull this off? I assume you spiked something I ate or drank?"

Chuckling, I shrug my shoulders, "After the events at the Joint Deep Space Energy Facility, where you escaped with your life by inches, I realized how displeased I would be if you were to die. Given how dangerous the last few days have been, I've been sneaking in drops of my blood in your water and meals every couple days to keep it in your system. I apologize if you feel violated in any way, but your continued existence means quite a bit to me."

He shakes his head, "Not at all, I'm thankful for the second chance. Hoping to be cleared soon despite the changes, I want to get back to work if SHIELD will still have me… unless you need my help with something? I owe you a great deal."

Smiling faintly, I shake my head, "There's nothing I need from you Phil. Stay with SHIELD if they'll have you, keep helping people. And if you ever need me, come find me. You'll always have my help when you need it."

He blinks at that but nods and I turn and leave him in the room. Fury is still standing outside managing to look even angrier, if that's even possible. He opens his mouth, probably to yell at me, but I put a finger against my lips and lead him away from the hallway.

Eventually we're far enough away that Coulson probably won't hear us and I speak up, "Part of the rebirth means you feel everything far more intensely Director. Whatever gratitude Coulson feels to me, however small it is, is now multiplied a hundred fold. He feels indebted to me, but it won't stay that way forever. It will take time but he will eventually get his emotions back under control. He just needs to get used to things."

I turn fully towards Fury and stop where I am, "I hope that you'll let him stay with SHIELD, but if not I'll be happy to take such a useful man off your hands."

Fury gives me the stink eye at that, "I've heard that before."

That makes me laugh and consider the parallels between this moment and the first time Fury and I met before shrugging my shoulders, "Have I failed you in any way Director? Have I ever done anything but deliver optimal performance for the good of SHIELD? I think we both know this will only make Coulson a better asset. If you can't even stomach him anymore, then he can leave with me."

We both know I haven't, so Fury crosses his arms over his chest and fires off with something else, "And how many other SHIELD agents have you grown so attached to that you've fed them your blood in case they die?"

I just smile, "None. I healed Natasha on Phil's orders in Russia, but you already know about that. Honestly, Coulson is the only one I consider irreplaceable. And I think we both know you agree. He's as important to you as any Avenger is he not? Even more important than some of us Avengers I suspect."

Fury just stares me down for a long moment before suddenly a voice speaks into his ear, "Sir, the Council is on the line."

My smile widens into a wicked grin, "Oh excellent, I need to have a chat with them."

Before Fury can react I've moved away, arriving on the command deck and pressing the button that would connect me to the council before anyone can react. I look at them as they stare back in blatant surprise. Eventually the woman speaks, "What is this?"

I can hear Fury making his way here, so I smile and place my hands behind my back, "This is me officially tendering my resignation from SHIELD before this council. I find that after your decision to nuke New York, I can no longer remain a part of this organization. I suppose I just like human life too much."

Another of the council speaks up, "Mr. Masters, let me remind you of your unique circumstances. You are an extraterrestrial. You are an outsider, a guest to our world. You have no rights. Are you so sure you wish to forsake the protection we can provide?"

I raise an eyebrow at that even as Fury finally arrives on the bridge. He stays silent though, watching the exchange taking place as I fire back, "First of all, please call me Vali. I do not actually have a surname. That was to… fit in as you humans say. And now? I find I no longer need to fit in. You talk of protecting me, but what do I need protection from? The public knows of me, I am exposed, revealed to their eyes. My existence is fact now."

My smile morphs into a smirk, "Is SHIELD going to hunt me if I cut ties? I would advise against it. I am an Avenger after all. We're about to be a very big deal."

Its clear my words are upsetting to the Council, as another takes up the reins of the conversation in place of the last, "Publicity doesn't last forever. Your fifteen minutes of fame will end Vali. You'll want us on your side when that time comes."

I chuckle, "Are we not on the same side? It seems that the solution here is obvious. Thank you for the offer Council members. I will graciously accept the position of SHIELD Consultant."

"Wha-"

That's when I hang up on them. The call back is almost immediate, but I don't answer again, turning to Fury and winking at him as I begin to walk away, "Got a bit of a thing to get to Director. I'm sure we'll be in touch. I think we both know that SHIELD doesn't really want to be my enemy. Try to remind the Council that I have never let humanity down as of yet, when they try to call for my head on a platter."

He watches me go and I'm not one hundred percent sure what sorts of feelings he's currently experiencing. Not that it matters, the only member of the council not to speak up had been watching with clear amusement. Alexander Pierce, one of Hydra's many heads, was still very much on my side… so long as he continued to believe I was on Hydra's. Thanks to my connections with them, anything SHIELD did try would get back to me long before they could come at me directly.

With that bright thought, I left the Helicarrier and SHIELD behind. Definitely a better thought then the realization that Coulson had a sire bond to me.

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Avengers Epilogue

(Central Park)

Everyone was gathered to send Thor and Loki off. There was an air of silence, of finality to the whole thing… so of course I took the chance to break it, stepping forward and clearing my throat.

"Right, while I still have you here Thor, I figure I'll say this now so I don't have to repeat myself later. I know you all still have some of the blood I gave you from the battle. Now that things aren't so dire, it's best that I come clean and tell you what else it can do."

That gets everyone's attention, Natasha crossing her arms and pursing her lips as she's already in the know. I just smile at her before continuing, "Basically, so long as you draw breath, my blood will heal you. If you die after that though, before it filters out of your system, you will not stay dead."

That gets an immediate reaction from Thor, who actually steps forward looking concerned now, "Your blood makes Draugr Vali?"

I shake my head in a quick denial, "No no! As I'm sure Tony can attest given the number of times he's scanned me, I am one hundred percent still alive… and when someone dies with my blood in their system, they come back like me. Immortal, fast, strong… and maybe craving a bit of blood with their meals, like one might enjoy a fine glass of wine with a good steak."

Stark can't resist jumping in, "There's always a catch, isn't there?"

I smile amicably and shrug, "I've found myself doing just fine with blood bags since I joined SHIELD. It's not at all negative, but considering you all haven't used every drop of what I've given you, I figured it was best that you know what can happen."

There's a bit of awkward silence at that, but everyone seems to get the deal. I'm already moving onto the next subject though as I step up to Thor, Loki standing beside him. Still smiling, I clasp my hands in front of me, "Also, I have no idea how much it really matters, but Loki was at least partially under the control of the Scepter, while he still wielded it."

That gets another round of shock and Clint is the one stepping forward angrily now, "What the hell does that mean?"

I turn to him and shrug, "All I can tell you is what I know Agent Barton. The Scepter tried its best to influence all of us, and it wasn't until then that I realized exactly what it was doing to Loki as well when we first faced him in Germany. He came to our world freshly tortured by the masters who sent him. The Scepter they placed in his hands was connected to him and fed him all sorts of nasty thoughts and feelings."

I turn back to look at Thor and Loki, my gaze locking with Loki's as I deliver the punch line, "Now, how much of that was the Scepter and how much was Loki? I couldn't begin to tell you. As he liked to remind us, Loki is very much a god. Did he welcome the Scepter's corrupting influence or was it forced upon him? Was he a pawn sacrificed against his will, or did he go willingly to the slaughter?"

I shrug my shoulders still smiling amicably and nod at Thor, "I'm sure the Allfather will know the truth of the matter and Justice will be served. Until next time Thor."

He nods in agreement, clearly having faith in his father's ability to discern the truth. Loki's searching eyes don't leave me for a second, even as they both take the containment unit for the Tesseract in hand and disappear in a swirl of blue energy.

I turn back to everyone else and give a lazy salute, "If you need me, call. Tata."

And then I'm gone as well, vacating the area in a flash. I've got a few more things to do before I can go on vacation, preferably somewhere in Europe, close to where my next goal would appear. Shouldn't take more than a few days.

XxScenebreakxX

Avengers Epilogue

(WNEX New York)

I'd given a lot of interviews over the last few days across various forms of media. I'd even done an IAMA on reddit, which Tony had pouted over, wanting to make one as well after but upset he hadn't come up with it first… he ended up doing it anyways. Steve had no idea how to do it and both Clint and Natasha didn't even consider it.

I quickly found myself becoming the smiling PR face of our little group of heroes. Thor was a planet away, Captain America was depressingly out of touch with the modern world, Clint and Natasha were classified, and Tony Stark was withdrawing from the public eye and had handed over some of the reins for Iron Man to his friend Rhodey of all people.

That just left me to answer question after question, usually the same questions from a dozen different people. I played my part beautifully though, cultivating the image I wanted to portray. And most importantly, I had everyone calling me Vali instead of trying to saddle me with some stupid cape name. I didn't have a secret identity to hide, and I made it clear that I didn't need one.

And now I was appearing on what seemed like just another venue. A radio show hosted by a moderately popular young host, seemingly unimportant in the long run to everyone… except for me. As I sat down across from Trish Walker and put on the headset provided, I gave her my best rogueish smile and watched as she smiled back with a faint blush.

Honestly, I could already smell her arousal, it seemed our young friend had a crush on the savior of New York and it seemed to be visibly affecting her as the interview went on. Once again I answered the same questions I'd been answering for the last few days, all the while spending the majority of my time imagining this beauty underneath me panting from the exertion I wished very much to put her through.

Finally the normal line of questions led to my name and my status as a 'super hero'.

"So Vali, we all know you're not exactly from around here by now. And we all know you've chosen Earth as your new home anyways. You've set yourself up as a protector of our planet, as a super hero. But you still go by just Vali? No desire to want to separate your personal life from your acts of heroism? Don't you value your privacy at all?"

I smile winningly, even if only Trish sees it… it's mostly for her anyways, "Not at all. I am who I am, and that is Vali. I think most people know better than to pester me overly much and if someone truly needs my help, all they have to do is ask. I have always been a very public figure… Earth isn't so different in that regard."

Trish leans forward and even her voice is husky at this point as she responds, "That's very brave of you Vali."

Then she perks up, "Hey! Maybe we should call you Valiant!"

She chuckles at her own joke and I'm forced to chuckle along with her as a tic develops in my cheekbone and I resist the slight urge to bend her over the table right there and teach her a lesson while hundreds of thousands of people listened in. Of course I maintain decorum easily enough and the interview continues to its conclusion. I kiss Trish on the cheek and she slips me her phone number and then we're done.

The next morning I turn on the TV to find that every news media outlet is still covering the attack on New York and the Avengers… and they're calling me Valiant now. The headline of the New York Times is "Valiant! Protector of Earth?"

Everywhere I go… it's everywhere. I'm officially Valiant now. The tic in my cheek is back and my hand won't stop clenching into a fist.

XxScenebreakxX

A Day Later

(A certain Host's apartment)

Trish let out a cry, and I honestly couldn't tell if it was more pain or pleasure. She collapsed face down on the bed panting heavily as I pulled out of her and lay beside her, running my fingers over her back. We'd been going at it for hours now, and I was actually surprised by her natural endurance. I wouldn't be surprised if she was a werewolf already. Well okay I would because it should be impossible, but damn this girl had stamina. I certainly hadn't been nice to her.

Now though she seems to be reaching the end of her rope, her eyes heavily lidded as she mumbles to me, "Y-you're rougher than I expected…"

I chuckle and my ghosting fingers leave her so I can leave a light stinging slap on her upturned ass, "I might still be a little irritated over the name you've managed to saddle me with."

Her laughter comes out a bit choked as she pants and smiles at me exhausted, "If this is what I can expect from you being mad at me, maybe I should find another way to piss you off."

I smile back and lean in to stare into her eyes, "I'm curious Ms. Walker. What do you want out of life? You're rather successful aren't you? But are you accomplishing your dreams?"

Adding a dose of compulsion along with my question gets an immediate truthful response and she mumbles out, "N-no… wanted super powers. Wanted to be like you."

I grin wickedly at that and brush some hair out of her face, "I could make you like me darling. I could give you the power you crave."

That actually gets a reaction, her eyes open a bit wider and she struggles to look up at me with pure hope, "You can."

Nodding, I caress her face, "Would you like that?"

Her eyes are smoldering and I imagine she's actually ready to go another round now, if we weren't focused on this now. Looking into my eyes she responds with a hissed, "Yes."

I smile and bring my wrist up to bite into it. Showing her the wound I command her, "Drink." And then I bring it to her lips. To her credit, she doesn't even pause, drinking down the blood as fast as she can until the flow slows and I heal. I don't give her anytime to question me, breaking her neck a moment after her mouth leaves my wrist and letting her body slump down on the bed.

When she wakes up reborn, I give her a cup of blood and she drinks greedily after only a moment of the scent reaching her nose. The change is completed and she looks at me with wide eyes, the adoration already growing there, "Is it done?"

I raise an eyebrow at her, "Of course. Can you not feel it?"

She nods eagerly, "I… I can. It's amazing."

The next several moments are her taking in everything with her new senses, zipping back and forth across the large bedroom as she gets used to her new speed. Eventually she flies back onto the bed and brings her face inches from mine as I watch her amused. She breathes me in and her eyes cloud with lust, "You smell… so good…"

Needless to say, we don't get much sleep, but neither of us need it anymore, so there aren't any complaints.

The next morning came quickly and I finally disentangled from the eager newborn hybrid. She looks at me hungrily, "So what now?"

I look to her even as I begin getting dressed, "I'm going on vacation darling. Europe is looking wonderful this time of year."

She perks up, "I can come with you!"

I resist the urge to roll my eyes as the sire bond begins to assert itself. Stepping forward, I smile down at Trish, "No you can't love. You have a life here, you have work to do. You need to stay here."

She looks like a kicked puppy at that, "Oh… okay."

A moment later she perks up again, "I can take over for you in New York while you're on vacation. There's a lot of clean up to be done in this city, and now I have the power to help. I'll do it in your name!"

I shake my head at that as well, "Not yet darling. We have to wait for a time before doing anything. There are people watching me, quite dangerous organizations. They aren't exactly happy with the amount of fame I'm accumulating because of the invasion."

Bringing my hands up I cradle Trish's face in my hands and rest my forehead against hers, "I'm going to deal with them, and then I'll come back to you. Until then, you must not reveal your new nature. You can't draw any sort of attention to yourself. To that end, I've already set up a very discrete service to provide you with regular shipments of blood. You have to lay low, do you understand?"

After a moment of hesitation I feel her nod against me and draw back to smile at her, "That's my girl. I'll call you soon, we'll keep in touch alright? And one day soon you'll be able to use what I've given you to the full extent, to save people. Alright?"

She smiles back at me, "Alright Vali."

I resist the urge to order her to call me Master… I'd definitely had her do it last night in bed, but this was a bit of a different situation and I didn't want to push the control I seemed to have over her, "Thank you darling."

Moving away from her, I finish getting dressed, we say our goodbyes one last time, and I head for the airport. Hopefully she follows my orders, but I won't be surprised if I find her vivisected in a SHIELD or Hydra lab down the line.

-x-X-x-

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