Devil of Menace

6 - Stuttgart

I watch from the corner of the room as Loki scans the museum for something. Drawing on the energy of the sceptre to remain hidden, I leave my corner to get a better viewpoint. Loki strides down the marble stairs of the museum, sceptre disguised, hair slicked back. A guard notices Loki's suspicious behaviour and pulls a gun on him but before he can fire Loki knocks him out with his cane. As the body hits the floor chaos erupts. The guests scramble to leave the museum but I stay and watch Loki slam one of the doctors onto a marble table. He pulls out what looks like an optical torture device and stabs it into the doctor's eye. I grimace as the squelch resonates in my ears.

Crowds of people gather on the streets as they run to escape Loki. He confidently exits the museum as his suit materializes into a new outfit. Green and gold armour complete with a horned helmet. The green is similar to the colour I chose for my suit although I'm now regretting not adding gold. A police car swerves around the corner, sirens blaring. Without a second thought Loki blasts the car, causing it to flip in the air and land upside down on the other side of us. "Kneel before me." I hear Loki say, but his voice is lost on the crowd. I walk up behind him, still invisible, and lean in whispering "Louder." He whips his head around to try and follow my voice but is met with nothing.

Three more Lokis appear, effectively barricading the crowd in the street. "I said KNEEL." Loki yells. A hush falls over the crowd as they drop to their knees, Loki opening his arms with a wide smile. "Is not this simpler? Is this not your natural state?" Loki asks, beginning to walk through the crowd. "It's the unspoken truth of humanity, that you crave subjugation. The bright lure of freedom diminishes your life's joy in a mad scramble for power, for identity. You were made to be ruled. In the end, you will always kneel." The words appear to resonate with the crowd as many bow their heads. An elderly man stands, "Not to men like you." He says. Whilst Loki is distracted I make myself visible, giving the signal for Steve to make his way to my location. 

"There are no men like me." Loki retorts. "There are always men like you." The elderly man responds. Loki aims the sceptre at the man, "Look to your elder, people. Let him be an example." The blue light expands but as he fires it I draw the energy away to hit Steve's shield and reflect back at Loki,  knocking him back. Steve makes his way through the crowd, "You know, the last time I was in Germany and saw a man standing above everybody else, we ended up disagreeing." Loki stands and scoffs sarcastically, "The soldier. The man out of time." Steve smirks, "I'm not the one who's out of time." I roll my eyes, "Really? You're doing cheesy quips now." I grumble. Loki smiles in recognition of my voice, "Hello darling." I scrunch my face into a smile, "What's up weasel?" Loki glares at me and his retort is interrupted by the sounds of the Quinjet hovering into view. 

A machine gun and speaker descend from the base of the jet and Natasha speaks from inside the aircraft, "Loki, drop the weapon and stand down." It's a futile attempt as Loki immediately sends a blast towards the jet however it's manoeuvred out of the way in time. Using the diversion, Steve throws his shield at Loki. The pair fight as I begin to clear the crowds, Loki flings Steve to the ground. Steve throws the shield but Loki swats it away, letting it land with a clink on the ground. Steve is knocked down, the sceptre pointed at his helmet. "Kneel." Loki demands. "Uh, not gonna happen." I say, swiping Loki's legs from under him. "He only kneels for me." I smirk. Loki grabs me and pulls me down to the ground, we grapple for a few moments before Shoot to Thrill blares through the Quinjet speaker. 

Tony appears in the Iron Man suit from behind the jet, hitting Loki directly with a blast and knocking him to the ground. Tony touches down and deploys every piece of weaponry in the suit, aiming it at Loki. "Make your move Reindeer Games." He taunts. Loki puts his hands up in surrender, his armour once again becoming a normal suit. Steve and I stand on either side of Tony. "Good move." Tony says. "Mr Stark." Steve acknowledges. "Captain," Tony states, "V.P" He nods at me. "Starko." I smile. "Let's get him on the jet before he escapes." I order, Steve moving to handcuff Loki. 

Back on the Quinjet Nick speaks through the headset, "Said anything?" He asks. "Not a word." Nat replies simply. "Just get him here. We're low on time." Nick orders. I stand from the co-pilot seat and move to stand between Steve and Tony. The two men are staring at Loki, who's tied up and cuffed to his seat. "I don't like it." Steve whispers. "What? Rock of Ages giving up so easily?" Tony replies. "What is it with you and pop culture references today?" I ask incredulously, Tony shrugs. "I don't remember it being ever that easy. This guy packs a wallop." Steve contemplates. "Still, you are pretty spry, for an older fellow. What's your thing? Pilates?" Tony jokes, completely deadpan. Steve looks at him, "What?" He asks incredulously. "It's like calisthenics. You might have missed a couple things, you know, during your time as a Capsicle." I stifle a laugh at the pun and Steve frowns. "Relax Stevie, he's just agreeing that you have a great ass." I say.

Tony frowns this time, "Woah I never said that." Steve sighs, "Fury didn't tell me he was calling you in." Tony nods, "Yeah, there's a lot of things Fury doesn't tell you." I shrug in agreement, "We didn't know if he was gonna be here, he's stubborn." I explain. Booming thunder suddenly rumbles overhead as lightning begins to flash. The jet shakes violently. "Where's this coming from?" Nat questions, scanning the skies. Loki stares out of the window intently as the thunder sounds again. "What's the matter? Scared of a little lightning?" Steve asks. Loki turns to look at us.

"I'm not overly fond of what follows."