Marvel Short Stories

Chapter One

*Avengers Headquarters*

"Excuse me, why is your brother here?" Tony asks, pointing at the man clad in green. Everyone is circled in the meeting room, and they're all glaring at two particular people. Thor and Loki.

"Loki's a changed man," Thor argues, glaring back at Tony. "And he can be of great help to the Avengers."

"Doubt it," Tony denies, grabbing a blueberry and tossing it into his mouth. "He led an alien invasion in New York."

"Tough luck," Fury states, walking into the room. "Asgard wants him here, and would you rather him here or out there doing who knows what to the outside world?"

Natasha looks at the scene unfolding, before turning to Wanda and whispering, "What do you think?" Before gesturing to Loki.

"He's conflicted," she murmurs back. "But he wishes no harm." Natasha nods, resuming her silence.

"So Asgard wants us to babysit a god?" Steve asks, annoyed. "We are not nannies."

"At least we'd know if he were up to something," Peter says, rather optimistically. "And a chance to prove he's better."

"And he's well paid for his crimes," Thor assures, keeping his eyes trained on Stark.

"We'll see," Stark responds, ultimately resigning his argument. Steve and the others continue to argue for a good minute until finally, something interrupts the conversation.

The lights go out.

"Loki," Vision warns, standing up.

"This wasn't me," Loki announces, holding his hands up in innocence. "I should know better from past battles to go against you all in the same room."

Then, Bruce walks in, holding a flashlight. "What's going on?" Bruce asks, shining the flashlight on everyone. Then it lands in the center of the room as a large, white feather floats to the ground. On the feather is a small note, the two items tied together with string.

Natasha, being the only one willing to grab it, picks up the note and begins reading. "In the past, your enemies have all announced themselves, making them known to each and every one of you. I have elected not to do that. In fact, you may not know that I am in the very room you stand." Immediately, everyone arms themselves, looking around the room yet finding no intruders. Natasha stands, wary of her surroundings but still continues. "I have attached to this letter a hint to my identity, and if you can discover my identity you shall be rewarded greatly, should you tell me within my few moments of clarity."

Bucky, who's been silent this entire time, perks up at this, and he eyes the feather warily. "However, as a pawn fighting in a game long lost, I can only follow my fallen king's last order, so I will continue to take you one by one against my free will, and I have already started."

"What!?" Thor exclaims, the anger in his tone rising.

"Whoever wrote this is crazy," Tony starts, his arms covered in suit armor. "You hear what Natasha said? This person only has a few moments of clarity." Tony seems to relax, folding his arms. "This is probably just a prank."

Natasha raises an eyebrow before finishing the letter. "If you work a head count in the room, you will see one less person among you. Help me discover my identity and the odds will surely be in your favor." Natasha sharply inhales, dropping the letter. "P.S. Natasha, you have a beautiful reading voice."

"How did they know you would read the letter?" Bruce asks, picking up the letter and reading through it. "For a small slip of paper, this person was able to get a lot written down."