A Tale of Mischief and Mutants part 2

Those Who Don't Know

—-Thor—-

The others arrive with Strange via portal including Mary and Peter the latter of which looking like he's just been pulled out of bed. Even Jane is here now. I told her not to worry about it now that we have a location and thought by leaving her in New Asgard I'd keep her from potentially putting herself in harms way.

But of course her and Darcy's overly stubborn spirits caused them to do the exact opposite of that and end up right here beside me. Sam speaks first before Jane and I can start arguing about her presence here. We're both quickly distracted from any quarreling by the current problem at hand.

"Strange, something's wrong. It's like there's a barrier, we can't get to the cave."

Strange comes closer and tries walking towards the cave looking a bit like a video game character continuing their walk cycle even when there's a wall blocking their way.

"Hmmm..."

Strange performs hand movements causing a blast of orange magic to reveal the barrier to us. The barrier is purple with runes I don't recognize running along it. Strange studies the runes for a moment.

"It seems like there's some sort of prerequisite that needs to be met by anyone who wants to cross the barrier."

My heart drops.

"Like a sacrifice?"

Strange shakes his head.

"No no nothing like that, like a piece of knowledge you need to have or need to lack or a mental barrier you have to overcome or burry deeper. If I'm deciphering these correctly it's not anything physical."

Peter seems disheartened and having just woken up with the hopes of finding his friend today only to be once again met with a roadblock is probably not leaving him in a very good mood.

"Well what now?!"

Strange answers.

"We attempt to figure out what that thing is. We already know it's something Thor, Sam, and I all share in common. We need to use a method of trial and error so we can figure out what's going on here. Peter you try."

"Peter tries to approach the cave only to have the same thing happen to him."

He huffs in frustration.

"This makes no sense! What do me, Strange, Sam, and Thor all have in common?!"

Strange ignores his mood.

"Mary now you."

Mary steps forward and reaches the barrier she looks back at us before taking the next step closer then another then another. Peter frowns in confusion.

"So she's not impacted by whatever this is. Why?"

Strange frowns looking like he's thinking hard. He seems to come up with no answer for Peter though and calls out to Mary.

"Ok Mary come back. We don't want you going in there by yourself."

He looks over at the other Avengers an idea seemingly sparking in his mind.

"Banner you're up."

Bruce looks taken aback unsure why he's been called upon first he points to himself looking at Strange questioningly whilst mouthing 'me?'

"Yes you. Try it."

Bruce shrugs like he doesn't understand at all why he's next and starts towards the mouth of the cave. Once again it looks like something out of Grand Theft Auto. Strange contemplates for a moment before speaking again.

"Okay, and just to test a hunch, Rodgers?"

Rodgers nods curtly and heads towards the cave having no problem getting through the barrier. He scratches his head in confusion and heads back. Strange looks at me.

"Who here all knows?"

"...knows? Knows what?"

Strange looks around at the group then at me and leans in as if trying to be subtle.

"About your brother..."

'Oh...!' 'That could be a factor!'

"You, Me, Sam, Peter, Bruce, Val, and Sif."

He nods a bit.

"And you're sure he never told Mary?"

"Not that I know of..."

Mary steps closer a curious look on her face.

"Told me what?"

I smile a tiny bit at my little sister my heavy heart being slightly lifted by her innocent curiosity.

"It's not for me to tell you if he hasn't already."

Mary thinks for half a second then responds.

"Thor, I already know he's bi."

If the situation weren't so serious I'd laugh. 'Mary that's fairly obvious.'

"No, it's not that."

Mary frowns in confusion.

"Then what...? You're not gonna tell me are you?"

"No. Sorry. Besides if we're right and that's why you can get through then us telling you would ruin that."

Strange interjects.

"That actually might clear this all up."

I shake my head.

"No. I will not breach his privacy like that unless absolutely necessary."

Strange sighs.

"Then we're just going to have to operate under the assumption that that's why."

I nod.

"It really seems like it is at least so far."

We quickly set to work figuring out how we're going to tackle searching this cave system with the people here who don't know about Loki's Frost Giant form. Rodgers suggests splitting off in small teams of three in order to cover the many winding paths in the cave's system. I approve of it and it's quickly settled who is partnered with who. Finally the real search can begin it pains me I can't search the caves alongside them.