The NightWalker: Reborn

Guardians of the Galaxy

We all woke up after a few hours. We couldn't sleep much. I was worried about the others. They all went to sleep before tending to their injuries. As the five of us fly to Tokyo, we try to recover from what happened at Frigga's mansion and Odin's surprise attack. I can still feel his lingering presence on the plane and in my mind. I hug myself and shiver, staring at the chair that Odin tore in half. Shortly after Loki woke up, I looked over to my right and saw Sif staring out the window. Despite a protest from Loki, I gently climbed off Loki's lap and walked over to Sif.
"Sif. How are you doing?" I placed a hand on Sif's wrist. Thor and Melody were the last ones to wake.
"I'm fine," Sif mumbled. Somehow, I didn't believe that but before I could talk to her, Melody and Thor started stirring.
"Ow... my head..." Melody groaned. Thor winced as he sat up.
"This ain't healed fully," Thor grumbled, pressing a hand to his side.
"You sure? It cannot have been easy to see him again," I sigh, looking out the window. Sif reins in her anger, taking a deep breath as her eyes go distant, haunted.
"I will be fine. Once he is dead," Sif gets up and opens a cooler in the back of the plane and comes back with blood packs. When she hands me one, I reluctantly take it, knowing it won't be as good as a fresh bag.
"Cheers," Melody raised her bag. The others drink from theirs and their bruises, their wounds healing and their bruises receding. Sighing, I begin to drink my own bag. The blood is thicker and colder than I am used to but still, it does the trick. The wounds and aches throughout my body begin to dissolve away, leaving me feeling stronger.

"Right, back to our mission," Sif clapped her hands together before she turned to Thor "Thor, are you positive about this psychic raccoon,"
"Pretty positive. Selvig mentioned him enough times for the name to stick," Thor gulped down his bag "Rocket is part of the Guardians of the Galaxy that reside in Japan,"
"Guardians of the Galaxy?" I scrunched my nose up. It sounds like something from Melody's fanfiction sites.
"Surely if they live in Japan, they should be Guardians of Japan?"
"I do not know them personally but I do know of them. But I do know that they were all turned by Odin. They established rule while the Black Order ruled Europe and while Odin created his shadow kingdom in America," Loki pinched his nose, crossing his arm across his chest "They began to gather power in the late 1800s, creating a safe haven for themselves while keeping other vampires out,"
"Keeping them out? Why?" Melody wrapped a blanket around her, letting out a yawn.
"Unlike Odin, They don't believe in making more vampires. Their number one rule is to not make any new vampires or to invite those who might cause trouble," Sif leaned back in her chair, feet up on the table and she started scrolling through her phone.
"Japan is their haven. Secure. Strong. Impregnable," Sif sighed. Loki nodded "They handle everything from top-secret government decisions to which potholes need to be filled,"
"My maker, Selvig... He made me promise I would never go to Japan. He said they would kill me if I ever set foot there," Thor ran a hand over his hair "I always dreamed of going there. I just thought it would with Selvig. Or my parents," Thor laughs bitterly "I guess that ship has long since sailed," He swallows nervously as Sif briefly lays a hand on his shoulder.
"I do wish we had got the chance to meet Selvig. He sounds like he was special to you and that he was an incredible man,"
"He was rough around the edges, a surly mean drunk but under all the gruff was the heart of a good man. He was there for me every step of the way after he turned me. He taught me about my new senses... my new life. He was the one that taught me to wield a sword and a hammer," Thor looked over at his sword "And then one day he was gone. There was a pile of ash in his place. A pile of ash and a stake. And I... I never got to say goodbye,"
"Thor..." Silence falls over the group, everyone is lost in their own thoughts.
"Oh, I have let my uncle know about Frigga. Forgot to mention it earlier but Odin kind of interrupted that," Melody spoke. I took a moment to peer outside the window. We were passing over the Atlantic, there weren't any lights to relieve the unrelenting darkness. A chill steals through me. Shuddering, I stand up to cross to the opposite end of the plane.

"Just count to ten. You are fine, Emily," I chanted in my head. I took deep breaths. Without thinking, my hand moved to my side. I heard movement and muttering behind me.
"Emily, are you okay?" I turn to find that Sif and Melody followed me. They both wore worried expressions.
"I... I'm sorry I panicked earlier. It's just when I saw him... I just..."
"Emily, there is no need to apologize. What you went through was traumatic," Sif placed a hand on my shoulder. I reached up and grabbed her wrist.
"Yeah, honestly I would be more worried if you didn't panic," Melody played with a few curls of my hair. I put my hand over the unseen sword wound. Where a scar would be if I wasn't a vampire.
"I don't know what I can do if he comes for us again. When he comes for us again," I really didn't. My powers seem to show up when they feel like it. The energy blast would have been great to have on more than a few occasions.
"Well, you did something that slowed him down," Melody smiled, leaning her arm on my shoulder.
"It was the only way I was able to throw him off the plane. Can you remember what happened?" Sif asked. I nodded slowly.
"I know it had something to do with my powers. When I looked into his eyes, I saw this... chasm of loneliness. Pain and fear. I think... Though I ain't 100%... I think I saw a glimpse of who Odin truly is,"
"A monster?" Melody scoffed.
"It was way beyond that. It was more the origin of the monster. The things that twisted and unmade him," I ran a hand over my hair, placing it on my neck. Sif looks away for a moment, her eyes pinched and then she lets out a sigh.
"This is good to know for the future. Maybe we can use it to our advantage," Sif frowned, looking at the door and then back at me "But for now, Emily, we just want to make sure that you are alright,"
"Yeah, anything you need, just let us know," Melody fist-bumped my shoulder.
"Thanks, guys," Overwhelmed with emotions, I take both their hands in mine "I... I don't know what I did to deserve you both. Thank you,"
"Nonsense. You are one of us. We look after our own." Sif smiled. It's taken a long ass time for her to accept me. But I understand why, she was looking out for Loki.
"I've been looking out for you since the day we met. You have been one of us since way before I was a vampire," The pair of them squeeze my hands reassuringly.
"Now, let's get some more rest before we land. We still have 9 hours to go," We walked back to the guys. Loki held up his arms and the blanket with a soft smile. Smiling back, I climbed back on Loki's lap and tried to fall asleep.

After gods know how long, Loki gently shakes me away as the pilot announces that the plane is descending.
"Darling, We are here," Loki cupped my face, Kissing my forehead.
"Five more minutes," I groaned. Loki chuckled.
"Come on, up you get. The plane is already starting its descent,"
"Why are you so comfy to sleep on?" I sat up, rubbing my eyes. Loki had one hand on my back and one hand on my thigh. I glance out the window and realise it's nearly night. We have been flying all day.
"I have no idea," I sighed as I hopped off Loki's lap and onto the chair next to him.
"You know, I thought long aeroplane rides would be easier as a vampire but I still get all cramped and restless," Melody wiggled around.
"That's because planes are torture devices," Thor gripped his armrests.
"Don't go all tinfoil hat on me, Thor," Melody chuckled.
"They are long metal monsters that catapult you through the sky. They are all death machines," Thor closed his eyes as the plane rocked a little.
"We know who is walking back to the USA," I whispered in Loki's ear.
"I do hope you enjoy your walk," Loki smirked as he looked at Thor.
"Happily," Thor rolled his eyes. He then coughed "I mean the walking, not going back home,"
"Children, focus. Once the plane touches down, we will need to move fast," Sif looked at Thor "Thor, how good is your Japanese?"
"Decent?" Thor shrugged.
"Sif, you do know most phones come now with Google Translator?" Melody raised her hand.
"Not helping," Sif grumbled. Loki coughed, gaining our attention.
"I've arranged for a contact from my company in Tokyo's division to meet us. He will help us lay low," Loki straightened his tie. I feel the plane level out and land on the tarmac, jostling us all in our seats. Thor lets out a sigh of relief. You just know that in another universe, that man loves to fly. Melody cranes her head to peer out the window "Once we know we are safe, we will try to reason with the Guardians and arrange a meeting,"
"Is that him?" Melody points out the window. We all look out the window. On the tarmac, we can see a lone figure of a man.
"Must be," Loki shrugged.
"The Guardians have ears everywhere. He may well be compromised," Sif unbuckled her seatbelt.
"Everyone needs to be on their best behaviour, just in case. We have to show ourselves as peaceful and compliant," We all look at Thor.
"Why did you look at me when you said that?" He frowned.
"You are literally wearing a sword," Sif cocked an eyebrow. Thor frowned.
"Decorative effect," Thor sighed. Melody leaned in.
"If the dude had a gun, his finger would always be on the trigger," I giggled as Thor shot us a look.
"Let's go guys," I swallow and follow the others out onto the tarmac, where Loki's contact waits.

As the man's face comes to light, Loki scowls.
"That is not my contact," Loki whispers loud enough for us to hear. Loki and Sif are the first ones on the tarmac.
"No... It's... it's...." Thor stumbles down the steps and onto the tarmac, jaw on the floor. Melody and I share an uncertain glance.
"I see you have learned nothing, Thor," The man speaks. I regognize him from Thor's memeroies. But he is supposed to be dead.
"Selvig? What? how... How is this? I thought... I thought you were..." The man steps forward. His eyes are bleary, his appearance scruffy but he gives off an aura of power that I can not ignore.
"Dead? Yeah, that was for your own damn good," Selvig frowns at Thor.
"How... how are you alive? How are you here? How are you--" Before Thor can finish, Selvig moves forward in a blur, grabbing Thor by his collar. I go to rush to him but Loki holds me back. Sif grabs Melody. Stating this is something he needs to do.
"What did I tell you, huh? I told you never to come to Japan! I told you that you would get yourself killed! But of course, you never listen,"
"Never listen? Listen here, old man. I just spent the last twenty-five years thinking you were dead! I mourned you! And all this time, you were... all this fucking time," Loki steps forwards, gently placing a hand on Selvig's shoulder.
"We can rehash the past later. Right now, I need some answers. Where is my contact?"
"In my trunk," Selvig held his hands up as Loki and Thor stepped forward "Relax, he is alive. And I am doing this to save all of your lives,"
"Is that so?" Selvig's eyes flit to Sif. It's as if he is seeing her for the first time.
"Sif? Is that you?" Selvig's jaw dropped slightly.
"It's been a while, Eric,"
"Wait, you... You two know each other?" Thor pointed between Sif and Selvig. His head spinning as if he was watching a tennis match.
"We did. A lifetime ago. When you told me that your maker was called Selvig, I had never imagined that it was him. I had no idea he even came to America," Sif sighed. Melody rushed forward.
"Hi, uh, Melody Fury here. Quick question for everyone, What the fuck is going on?" Selvig swears in Japanese then lets out a weary sigh while Thor stares at him, stunned, incredulous.
"Look. You lot cannot be here. If the Guardians find out, they will come for you. You all need to get back on that plane and--" But as he talks, sleek black cars tear onto the tarmac, screeching up to us "And we are screwed,"
"Uh oh," I whispered as armoured soldiers poured out of the vehicles and surrounded us and the plane, Brandishing state-of-the-art crossbows and UV grenades.
"Hands up. All of you. If you want to live," Loki lifts his hands in a show of surrender. Even though she is scowling, Sif does the same. Melody and Thor follow suit. I raise my hands above my head like the others. I am not in the mood to piss off the heavily-armoured soldiers. The soldiers are tense as we all make our show of compliance but at least they haven't drawn their weapons. Selvig tries to reason with them but the soldiers ignore his orders. The soldiers close in, Two of them hold elaborate electric handcuffs in their hands.
"They look like the ones that Taneleer Tivan used to incapacitate us in Las Vegas," I whisper in Loki's direction. He nods.
"Oh man, This sucks," Melody backed away.
"Watch it," Thor snarled.
"If you touch me, I swear to god..." I clenched my fists. I saw that Loki was shaking his head at us. Not in disappointment but as if he was trying to say we have to back down.
"All of you... just go with it for now. We are on their turf. We need to play along," Loki spoke. Melody groaned, holding out her wrists. As does Thor.
"We can't win a fight here. Reasoning with them is our best hope," Sif sighs, holding out her hands. As does Loki. I sigh reluctantly, offering my hands. The soldiers clasp the handcuffs around my wrists and drag Sif, Thor and me into the back of one of the cars. Loki and Melody into the other.

The car streaks along the streets of Tokyo. I sit in the middle, Thor on one side and Sif on the other.
"He's alive... he is still alive... all this time, I have been living a lie," Thor took several breaths before he shot his head around at Sif "Sif, how do you know Selvig?"
"Odin and I visited Japan in the 1200s. Selvig was a great warrior and Odin's close friend. Odin turned him as a reward but I haven't spoken to him in at least six centuries. But I do know he was foundational in Japan's history, and in its society. In The Guardians. Though back then, they went by another name. The five,"
"Do you know their names?" I asked, looking out the back window. I was hoping to catch a glimpse of Loki and Melody to make sure they were alright. Melody is probably fangirling about the sights as we speak. Or grilling Loki about our relationship. Or both. I think it's most likely both.
"There's Gamora of the clan Zen-Whoberi and now CEO. Peter Quill, A great warrior turned pacifist. Mantis, billionaire businesswoman. Nebula, Gamora's adopted sister, She's the..." Sif trailed off at the end of her sentence.
"Nebula is a what?" I asked. Sif sighed, looking at her feet.
"Nebula is a cyborg. She's obsessed with overcoming her mortal form and has spent centuries using her healing powers to enhance her body. I swear she was an experiment in a different universe," Sif looked out of the window "Nebula sees flesh as a prison and has done everything she can to escape it,"
"Melody is going to lose her mind," Both Thor and I replied.
"So that's four members. Who is the fifth?" Thor held up 4 fingers.
"Eric Selvig. Your maker," Sif stared at Thor "I did mention earlier that he was part of Japan's history,"
"Selvig? No... he... he told me that he was just an exile. He said he hated the guardians," Thor frowned, shaking his head in disbelief "He was lying to me... the whole time,"
"I doubt you were the only one" Sif sighed.
"I'm sure there is an explanation. I know it looks bad but... Selvig spent years with you, Thor. He clearly cared about you. Whatever's happening here... I'm sure it will make sense soon,"
"He lied to me for twenty-five years, Emily. He let me believe that he was dead. There's no explanation for that," Thor snapped. I wanted to snap back but the cars pulled into a parking garage. The soldiers drag us out of the car and into an elevator. I'll bitch at him later.

When we emerge, we are in a sleek high-tech conference room. My other friends push up around me. I blink as I look around.
"Shiny," I whistled.
"Loki, this puts your office to shame," Melody spoke. Loki rolled his eyes.
"Now is not the time, girls," Thor nudged us "What is this place?"
"Is this Tony Stark's lab? Please say yes," Melody crossed her fingers.
"Stark is an idiot. This place is far more advanced than his and if you value your life... be silent. Trust me," Selvig alone is not bound. Thor glares at him.
"When the hell were you going to tell me that you are one of... The guardians?" Thor's voice trails off as some chairs descend from the ceiling around us.

Selvig kneels and I can see the figures in four of the chairs. There's a woman with feelers coming out of her head, A giant tree, A blue-skinned woman and a green-skinned woman in a sleek business suit, which narrows her gaze. Melody leaned in close.
"Now, I get why they are called the Guardians of the Galaxy... I think we are dealing with aliens,"
"I think you might be right," I replied. Melody started bouncing "Stop that. Best behaviour remember," Melody pouted but stopped moving.
"Sif, It's been a while," The green-skinned woman crossed her arms as she stood in front of Sif.
"I wonder why, Gamora, considering what you do to vampires who try to come here," Sif frowned.
"And yet you tried anyway, despite knowing the rules," Gamora crossed her arms.
"So I did," Sif smirked.
"Indeed,"
"You failed to mention Gamora was green-skinned," Thor whispered into Sif's ear.
"I didn't think it was important,"
"Am I way off base or do those two have... a vibe...?" Melody leans over and whispers in my ear.
"Shush and yeah, they do," I smiled at Melody. Loki clears his throat and tries to take a step forward but a soldier stops him.
"Please, hear us out. We wouldn't have come here unless it was of grave importance," Another member of the Guardians raises her hands to call off the soldiers.
"We will get to you in a moment, young man. First, we must address the grave crime our peer has committed," The woman's eyes pierce through the room, Going from Selvig to Thor. Thor swallows as his muscles tense. I can tell that he is preparing for a fight "Selvig. You know the rules. You took a vow not to turn and you deliberately ignored it,"
"Mantis... I..."
"It bad enough that you fled to America for fifty years. Now we find out you spent that time breeding?" A slight whirring noise cuts through the room before another of the Guardians looks up. I hold back a gasp at the sight of her, half flesh and half machine.
"Oh. My. God," Melody whispered, her eyes lighting up.
"My sister is correct. Eric Selvig made a vow never to turn. He has failed," The Cyborg tilts her head at us before glaring at Selvig.
"I am Groot," A tall tree-looking man emerges from another chair. Melody starts to squeal and Loki elbows her.
"Groot is right. Breaking the vow must result in punishment," Selvig steps slightly in front of Thor, looking grim.
"This... creature is a sin," Gamora spats, looking down her nose at Thor. I step forward. Loki reaches to grab me, hissing my name but he is held back by a soldier. Thor grabs me instead, holding me tight. He looks back at Loki and both men nod at each other.
"You cannot talk about Thor like that! Thor is not a sin! He is a vampire like you and me!" I yell. No one gets to be horrible about my friends.
"I am Groot," The tree looks at me, smiling. At least, I think he is smiling.
"Groot... now is not the time for that," Mantis sighed. I dread to think about what he said.
"Young Miss, you are incorrect. He is a direct result of Eric Selvig disobeying our laws. Therefore he is a sin," The cyborg crossed her arms.
"Thor was dying and Selvig helped him survive! He was attacked by another vampire!" I wanted to slap the guardians. I guess this is why Loki or Thor hold me back a lot.
"How do you know what happened?" Selvig whispered. I wiggled my head. How do I explain that I am a BloodKeeper?
"Emily has a gift," Sif replied. That is a lot easier.
"The turning of..." Mantis looked at Thor. Thor rolled his eyes. They could have learnt his name by the number of times I said it.
"Thor," Thor stated as he pushed me behind him.
"The turning of Thor wouldn't have happened had the American vampires followed the same laws we did. Sin begets sin," Mantis sat back in her chair.
"You can make all the excuses you want but Thor is one of us. And that makes him one of you. Deal with it," I poked my tongue out at the guardians. The guardians mutter amongst themselves. Thor turns a grateful look towards me.
"Thanks, Emily. Seriously," Thor nods. After taking a deep breath, Thor curls his hands into fists and addresses the guardians "I get it. You don't want me here. But this is about me and it is not about Selvig," Thor looks at Selvig and then back to the guardians "We are here because we are in trouble. All of us. New York has fallen and we have nowhere to go,"
"Again? I thought New York was just liberated from Odin," Mantis hid her face in her hand.
"Who, please do tell, has it fallen to now," Gamora walked back to the guardians but did not sit down.
"The first vampire herself, Frigga," Loki replied. A whisper goes through the guardians. The only one who has spoken yet leans forward in his seat.
"The first vampire,"
"I am Groot," Groot frowned as he looked towards his friend.
"I know, Groot. I too had heard the rumours but never did I dare to believe they were true," The man crossed his hands as he stood up.
"They are true alright. She's already taken control of New York and it will be a matter of time before all of America bends to her will,"
"She killed our friend... Got into our minds..." Melody pointed to her head.
"She is a monster," Thor hissed. Gamora gives a low, mirthless laugh.
"And why should we care about the fall of America? About time, I'd say," Gamora scoffed. Her friend told her to shush "Shut up, Quill,"
"You should care, Gamora. Because once Frigga is finished with us. She will come for you," Sif snapped. Gamora frowned as she faced Gamora "All she craves is power. And the more she kills, the more powerful she becomes,"
"She is not going to stop until she has claimed it all," Loki finished Sif's sentence.
"You come here declaring doom and expect us to drop everything? Especially when you throw Selvig's crime in our faces?" Mantis rasied her voice.
"I have had enough of this," Loki grumbled "We... only came for Rocket. Emily, here is--" There is a collective gasp as the guardians recoil.
"How do you know of Rocket?" Gamora snapped.
"I am Groot!" Groot exclaimed. He kept looking at the door.
"No one knows about Rocket except for us! No one is supposed to know of his existence!" Gamora yells out. We all look at Thor, who looks at Selvig. Selvig buries his face in his hands.
"Oh for god's sake, boy... did you tell them about Rocket? I swore you to secrecy!" Selvig sighed heavily.
"You told the mutt about Rocket?" Gamora scoffs, glaring at Selvig.
"It was an accident, all right? I was drunk. It slipped out. He promised not to tell anyone,"
"Oh, he promised. He promised. So I guess that makes it right then," Gamroa threw her hands up and started pacing.
"I didn't tell anyone until now. When it is literally the end of the world!" Thor growled. He walked up to Gamora "Emily is a BloodKeeper. All of the memories of every goddamn vampire are stored inside her. As a vampire herself, this gives her incredible psychic abilities," I feel the blood rush to my face as the guardians stare at me. I give an awkward little wave.
"Hi," I gulped. I backed up to where Melody was standing.
"The BloodKeeper? And yet she is a vampire?" Quill stared at me.
"It's complicated," Melody wiggled her head. The unknown vampire nodded.
"And we just learned the Frigga can take complete control over a vampire's mind. But Emily was able to resist her power," Loki smiled at me before turning his head back to the guardians "Thor only told us about Rocket because there is no other vampire with psychic power that we can trust. If we are going to defeat Frigga, Emily is our best chance," Definitely no pressure then. I wanted the ground to swallow me up. My powers are not that impressive.
"Which means someone has to teach her," Sif stated. Thor and Melody agreed. The guardians stare at me again. I shift under their uncomfortable scrutiny. I took a deep breath and stepped forward.
"Look. I know we are not following your rules but we can't afford to at the moment," I was never one to follow rules "People I care about have already died. It's only a matter of time before Frigga's teeth are at your throat. So you can either help us or watch as the world around you falls and burns, knowing that you had a chance to stop it,"
"Impudent little..." Gamora snarls. Selvig turns a snort of amusement into a cough while Mantis quietly assesses me again.

A terrible silence falls, making my limbs lock up and my heart pound. Mantis stands up from her chair.
"While I cannot say I am pleased... we must also consider Rocket's wishes. And I know he would be most interested in meeting this generation's BloodKeeper," Mantis lets out a small cough.
"Mantis..." Gamora sighs heavily.
"I vote that we grant them an audience with Rocket. If he accepts..." Mantis looks at me.
"Emily," Both Melody and I say. Mantis nods her head. I wonder if she is bad with names or just stupid.
"If he accepts Emily, they can stay. But if he refuses, then they must leave at once and never return,"
"Mantis! Their very presence is a threat," Garmoa points angrily at us all. Sif scoffs and steps forward.
"Oh, save it, Gamora. You're just bitter that I left you and you know it," Sif frowned.
"The vibe! I knew there was a vibe," Melody beamed. We all stared at her. I shook my head and Melody shut up. Gamora stutters indignantly as Quill shakes his head with a smile. He then orders the soldiers to take off our cuffs.
"Despite all these vampires being doom and gloom, I for one, am glad to have you. It will be fascinating to see what you and Rocket might do together," Quill grins as he shakes Thor and Loki's hands.
"I disagree, Quill. This has a high probability of ending in a disaster," Nebula crossed her arms as she walked off, not before taking one last look at me.
"I suppose we shall see. Selvig," Quill turns to his friend "I imagine you vote to let them stay,"
"Why should he get a vote on the mess he created?" Gamora snapped.
"Why shouldn't I? I technically didn't break any laws. I turned the boy outside of Japan, remember?" Selvig frowned at Gamora.
"I am Groot," Groot smiked. He looks like he is a troublemaker.
"You do have a point, Groot. It is decided then. Selvig, they will stay with you," Mantis grins.
"Wait, what? I didn't--" Selvig stuttered.
"Do not make me repeat myself," Mantis frowned.
"Should have kept your mouth shut, mate," Melody mumbled.
"Erugh. Fine. Follow me, I guess. Not that I have a choice," Selvig walks out of the room, muttering under his breath. I glance around the others, then reluctantly follow Selvig out of the room.

A little while later, we follow Selvig into an upscale penthouse.
"Man, that was intense AF. Are they always like that?"
"Unfortunately. Welcome to my place, I guess. It's not much but hey, I have no choice," I am surprised to find a swanky penthouse. There's trash and dirty clothes littered around, which Selvig kicks out of the way. Thor is the last to enter the penthouse, looking around with a frown.
"Covered in beercans. What a shock," Thor kicked a load of cans "Is this why you left me, old man? Why did you lie? So you could drink yourself in oblivion?"
"You absolutely have no idea, boy. No idea!" Selvig shouted in Thor's face.
"We're... urm... doing this, huh?" Melody shuffled on her feet. Loki wrapped his arms around me.
"Yes. We are," Sif sighs heavily.
"Thor, I think you should hear him out," I reached out to touch Thor's arm. Thor ripped it away from me.
"Hear me out? Who says I am talking?" Selvig snapped.
"I do," I snarled, fangs descended.
"And who the hell are you, anyway?" Selvig takes a step forward. Loki steps in front of me protectively. I crossed my arms.
"She is someone you will speak to with respect," Loki snarls, his voice low and deep. Selvig's eyes flit back and forth between the two of us with understanding.
"... Ah."
"Seriously, Selvig. Talk. Who are you really? What were you doing in America?" I speak. Selvig lets out a weary sigh. He goes and stands by a window.
"I am one of the original five. Have been for centuries. But in the 1950s, I burned out. Couldn't do it anymore. I felt purposeless, lost. So I fled my duties and went to a place I knew I could get lost,"
"America," Thor muttered. Selvig nodded.
"It was going all right and then I met Thor,"
"We were going to take down the clans together. Protect the clanless. Did you ever mean any of it?"
"... I did,"
"Then what happened?" Thor put his hands on his hips.
"The guardians came for me. Killed the vampire that I was with, and demanded that I go with them. I knew if I didn't comply then they would find out about you," Selvig sighed, looking at Thor over his shoulder "I didn't abandon you, boy. I saved your life,"
"You could have left me a message!" Thor exclaimed. He did have a point.
"And if you knew I was alive, what would you have done? You would have come after me and got yourself killed. Again," Selvig bit back.
"I..." Thor opened his mouth and then closed it.
"This was the best way," Selvig sighed.
"The best... way? You left me on my fucking own! The things I went through... the pain. The loss,"
"It worked, didn't it? You lived! until you came here and put both of us at risk," Selvig spun around, knocking over a few cans.
"Yeah, I know you don't want me here. Right now, you probably think that you should have left me to bleed out in that bloody alley," Thor yelled. Selvig stumbled a little, his shoulder drooping.
"What? No--"
"Just admit it, old man. You wish that you had never turned me," Thor rushed forward so he was now in front of Selvig.
"Thor, I..." Selvig refused to look Thor in the eyes. With a loud growl, Thor leaves the room, going off to be alone, I try to go after him but Sif puts an arm in front of me, shaking her head. She tells me to let him calm down. Selvig leans back in his chair with a deep sigh "Always with the temper,"
"Hey, if you need us to clear out while you like... have your cats in the cradle moment..." Melody claps her hands and then points to the do with her thumbs "We can go out the door,"
"No. He just needs time to cool down and accept what's happened. You all just..." Selvig shoots up, grabs something from a cabinet and practically slams it down on the table. It's a bottle of very old Japanese whiskey. We all watch as he pours himself a hefty glass. Loki examines the label and raises his eyebrows.
"This is... very expensive,"
"And very potent. Try some," Selvig pushed a glass towards Loki.
"You might as pour me a glass. I need it after seeing Gamora," Sif ran a hand over her hair.
"I take it you two have a history?" Melody lays down on the rug, on her stomach, leaning her head on her hand. Sif chuckles before she takes a sip of whiskey.
"A fling from a very long time ago,"
"A fling. Vampires seem to have a lot of those," I mumbled, crossing my arms. I walk over to a window and gaze out of it. Tokyo looks so beautiful at night.
"What else do you expect us to do century after century? Things get dull," Sif scrunched her nose up. Does this mean Loki will find me dull after a few years?
"See, this why I am telling you to get into video games. They are always coming out with new ones and they only occasionally break your heart," Melody grins as she picks at the rug.
"Again, I'll pass," Sif shook her head.
"Not even Bloodborne?" Melody pouted. It was her fifth favourite game.
"I said pass,"

Loki and Sif settle down to enjoy their whiskey while Melody turns on the flatscreen TV. Her face lights up with the colourful game show that comes on.
"Oh. My. God. What is this? Why is that girl in a giant hamster wheel? Why is that one being blasted by a power hose? No, wait. Don't tell me. I want to enjoy this," Melody's eyes grew wide.
"Is she always like this?" Selvig asks as he points to her.
"Yes," we all reply.

Everyone begins to relax, recovering from the recent ordeal. I sit down next to Loki and curl into his side. Sif offers me a glass, which I accept.
"This is the smoothest whiskey I have ever had. I'm almost upset," Sif stares at the amber liquid.
"I swear if we get through this. I am buying up as many bottles as I can," Loki groaned as he leaned his head back.
"Okay, Mr Moneybags," I roll my eyes.
"One of them will be for you, of course," Loki kissed my temple.
"Now, you are talking," I smile.
"It feels so strange being back here after so long away," Sif gazes out the window.
"So Sif, When was the last time you came here?" Melody asked. Sif tapped her chin.
"The late 1200s. Back when Gamora was the head of her clan,"
"And I have never been at all. The farthest I have travelled before now was... Europe. I think it was Turkey,"
"Isn't Turkey part of Asia?" Melody tilted her head.
"It is both Europe and Asia. Thanks to its river," Loki replied.
"Dork," I rolled my eyes.
"You love me for it," Loki smiled.
"Makes me wish we could go out and explore without the vampire police breathing down our necks," I pout as I too, look out the window. After a few minutes, Thor slinks back into the main room.
"Come for a drink after all?" Selvig offers Thor a glass.
"Don't try me, old man," Thor snarls through gritted teeth. Setting down his empty whiskey glass, Selvig gets to his feet with a tired groan.
"Right. I have to go take care of some errands but I will be back later. Don't break anything while I am gone. There's more whiskey in that cupboard," Selvig points to a cupboard that he walks past. He stops by Thor's side "We will talk later, boy. I promise," Selvig raises his hand to pat Thor's shoulder but after a second, he lets it drop to his side and leaves. Thor glares after him, putting his middle finger up at him. Melody clears her throat.

"So we made it to Japan. And we are alive. And at least for now. we are safe," We all glance at Melody as she pours. She holds up her glass "Cheers?"
"To live to fight another day," Sif clinked her glass.
"To Emily and Rocket. And what will they do together," Loki smiled at me. I hope I can learn something from Rocket.
"To meet an actual real vampire freaking cyborg,"
"To us and only us," Thor nodded. We all raise our glasses together and clink them together.

After a lingering moment of grateful silence, Thor rises and drowns his drink. Shuddering.
"Right. If the old man can leave. So can I. Do you want to come to explore the city with me, Emily?" Thor turns to me "I can't promise we won't get lost but I can't stay cooped up any longer,"
"The Guardians said that we could stay here, They didn't say that we couldn't explore," I was tempted. Loki looks over his shoulder, smiling.
"Normally, I wouldn't condone disobeying the guardians but I am feeling a bit cooped up myself. I might go check out Tokyo Tower," Loki also stands up.
"You have fun with at. After a day like today, all I need is this whiskey," Sif holds up a bottle. Melody has gone back to watch the TV so we know what she is going to be doing. A night out in Tokyo could be fun.
"Thor, why are you asking Emily? We all know she is going with Loki. Plus, as her best friend and roommate. I know for a fact that she has always wanted to go to the Tokyo Tower," Thor puts his hands in his pocket.
"Deep down, I already knew you were gonna go with Loki,"
"You don't know that she was going to pick me," Loki frowned.
"Really?" Thor raised an eyebrow. He then swung his head to look at me.
"They are both right. I was gonna go with you. But only because I wanted to see the Tokyo Tower," I rubbed the back of my neck. It wasn't a total lie. Loki licked his lips as he chuckled softly. Thor gave us a salute, put his hands back in his pockets and jumped out the window "He is gonna be salty about me choosing you for a long time," I sighed, crossing my arms.
"He will get over it," Sif sighed.
"She ain't wrong," I smiled.
"Then we should get going," Loki offered me his arm, which I happily accepted.

Loki and I stroll through the Tokyo streets, gaping at our new surroundings. I gaze up at the buildings studded with advertisements and signs. Cars zoom by while people in long coats hurry past.
"It is so beautiful here,"
"It's almost like Times Square," Loki looked around the place. We gaze at stalls and windows.
"Yeah. Kinda is like home, isn't it?"
"And if we don't stop Frigga, this place will fall too," Loki sighed, looking up at the stars.
"Loki..." I take his hand in mine. The air is cold around us but his skin feels warm against mine "I know what is happening is terrible but we can not dwell on it every second or else we will go mad," Loki sighs and nods, squeezing my hand with his.
"You're right. Let's just enjoy our walk," We continue to hold hands as we keep wandering the busy, lit-up streets.

Eventually, we come across an incredible sight. On either side of the pathway where we are walking are trees completely lit up with dazzling lights.
"Oh wow..." The hedges and surrounding gardens are covered with lights as well. They lead us towards the Tokyo Tower, multicoloured and shining against the dark. People stroll through the garden and courtyard, taking their time to admire the sight.
"This must be the Winter Illumination I have heard about. They do something like this every year,"
"It's incredible, I love it," I squeal. I must have looked like a tourist as I ran around.

The two of us walk slowly through the lights and I can feel them weaving a calming spell around us. In the courtyard, I can see more displays: A tunnel of glass and a fountain going off in time to the music.
"What do you want to do? Tunnel or fountain?" Loki whispered in my ear.
"I think we should check out the tunnel," I pulled Loki towards the tunnel which is made of diamond-shaped pieces of multicoloured glass.

As we enter, I realize all the lights from outside and refracting on the glass, turning it into a kaleidoscope.
"Ooooh... it's pretty,"
"Is now a good time to tell you that Vampires can't show up in mirrors?" Loki joked.
"Totaly myth," I point at Loki as I can Loki's reflection in the glass "And if it was true, doing any makeup would be a total pain," I laugh as I pull out my phone. but it doesn't do the place any justice. The lights fall across Loki and me in a spectrum of purples, blues and reds.
"You don't need to wear make-up. You are beautiful just the way you are," Loki wrapped his arms around me "Make-up only enhances your features,"
"Smooth," I gently kissed Loki before we carried on through the tunnel.

When the two of us exit the tunnel, I sigh happily.
"Coming here was a good choice," I leaned against Loki's arm.
"Being with you was a good choice," Loki kissed my forehead as he wrapped his arm around me. Eventually, Loki and I turn to Tokyo Tower and ascend the steps.

The view at the top is breathtaking and I take a moment to clutch onto the railing and admire the lights burning below and the sky looming overhead.
"Wow, I am so glad I got to see this. Another thing on my bucket list checked off," I turn to Loki. He is quiet and I realise that his smile from earlier is gone "Everything okay?" Loki glances guiltily at me, raking a hand through his hair.
"I'm sorry, Emily. I know I shouldn't be dwelling on it but I can stop. I can't stop feeling disappointed. That Frigga disappointed us. That she ended up just being another power-hungry tyrant," Loki sighs and leans his arms against the railings, gazing out at Tokyo's skyline "Look at what humans can create. Stunning cities, breathtaking displays of art. And then our kind comes in and destroys it,"
"That's not true. You and the others have gone so much good, Loki," I shuffled over to him and hugged his arm.
"And what if it just... stops? What if we are all destined to become like Frigga, living only to mine power and create chaos? After all, we share her bloodline," Loki stared down at the streets "Maybe it is true that all vampires are corrupted. Maybe... one day... I will be just like her,"
"Well, I don't believe that for a second. Not one bit of it," I shook my head, I turned Loki so he had to look at me "Loki, look at all you have done with your life. You keep trying so hard to find goodness in the world, to create it for others," I place a gentle hand on his cheek "That more than anything proves you are good. Not just as a vampire but as a person," Loki stares at me, his throat bobbing as he swallows.
"Emily..." I pull his face down to mine. The kiss is gentle and sweet, a little hesitant. I can feel the sadness pouring off him like smoke. Then Loki pulls me closer, his kiss becoming hungrier, more desperate. I open my mouth to him and hold him back just as tightly "Emily..." Loki's hands cradle my face as he kisses me so intensely, my legs begin to weaken. The whole city falls away until it's just the two of us. I am so caught up in him that nothing else matters. Now I know, I have to tell him. I have to say those three little words that scare me.
"Loki... I love you," I speak clearly. Loki's eyes go wide and the sadness on his face melts away almost instantly.
"Emily..." Loki's eyes widen in hushed awe "You... You love me?" He says it with shocked reverence.
"Oh, you silly vampire. Of course, I love you. I love everything good, bad and otherwise. I love you," I look down at my feet, worried about his reaction "I get you don't feel the same way but I needed you to know--" Loki sighs. I look up at him, His gaze never breaking as he draws closer. My breath shudders in anticipation. He brushes a thumb against my cheek, His eyes staring deeply into mine "Loki?"
"Who says I don't feel the same?" The most beautiful smile breaks out across his face.
"What?" Loki touches my cheek softly then tilts my chin up so our lips meet.
"I can't deny what I feel any long, Emily. I have to finally be honest about my feelings. I love you too, Emily. More than I have ever loved anything in the world," My heart swells as he leans down to kiss me, filled with giddiness and satisfaction "I love you so much, Emily. That it hurts," He kisses me proudly, fiercely. I laugh into the kiss as I wrap my arms around him, my chest about to burst with joy. When I finally break away, I smile playfully at him. Loki presses his forehead to mine "I have wanted to tell you that for so long."
"Is that what you tried to tell me, back at the MET? Right before I... After he..." I couldn't find the right words. Loki simply nodded.
"I got 'I lo' part out before you... you know..." Loki whispered as he cupped my cheek "I should not have waited so long to tell you," Loki pulled me close, His touch tender.
"So you will never tire of me?"
"Emily, I don't think I could ever get enough of you," Loki turns to me but his phone buzzes.
"We have to go back, don't we?"
"Yeah. Sif's orders. Something about how Selvig could return at any moment," Loki smiles once again cups my chin. I look up at him, meeting his eyes in the moonlight "Thank you, Emily. For everything,"
"You know this means you don't have to growl at everyone, right,"
"I will keep it in mind," Loki kissed me again. Hand in hand, the two of us headed back to the penthouse, leaving the lights behind.

"Do you fancy winding those three up?" I asked as we approached the apartment.
"A chance to cause mischief? Always," Loki smiled. I swear he has the mind of a child.
"Since you don't have to growl anymore, you know they will question us, right," I sighed. Loki nodded.
"Melody is going to be very persistent," Loki sighed. If I know my best friend, she ain't gonna be just persistent. She is going to be downright annoying.
"Oh that she will be. Maybe we don't tell them the reason why you are not growling,"
"You mean to lie to them," Loki groaned. He hates lying
"I know lying makes you ill but don't you think it would be nice to know something they don't?"
"You do make a very tempting offer," Loki grinned as he pulled me into an alley, causing me to squeak.
"What are you doing?" I whispered. Loki put his hand over my mouth as he pointed to a nearby building. Thor was standing on top of a building "Is he pretending to be a comic-book hero or something?"
"It is wrong to shout, do a flip?" Loki smiled "So about your plan?"
"My plan would drive them crazy. Melody in particular," I licked my lips "You up for causing a little mischief?"
"Always," Loki kissed me hard on the lips "You are a bad influence,"
"You love me for it,"
"That I do," Loki kissed me again, making me want him more "Come on. Before Sif sends a search party," I might have sulked as we left the alley.

We pretty much passed out in bed when we got back and when I woke up the next night, I walked out into the main room and found Selvig speaking with the others. Everyone looks serious. Except for Thor, he just looks angry.
"What is going on?" I rubbed my eyes. Loki smiles softly at me as I stand next to him.
"The guardians have reached out to Rocket. He has decided that he wants to meet with you," Loki sighed.
"Great. When?" I grin.
"Tonight," Selvig replies.
"Tonight?" my jaw drops. I thought I would have at least another day or so to prepare.
"You better get ready. he is waiting for you. Although," Selvig looks me up and down, tapping his chin "You might want to change into something else first,"
"What's wrong with jeggings and a T-shirt?" I looked down at my outfit. But I did want to make a good impression "What did you have in mind?"
"Nebula sent you an outfit. One she made herself. She thinks it might suit you," Selvig walked over to the sofa and picked up a box.
"Nebula made me an outfit?" Selvig handed me a box. I frowned in confusion "Why?"
"Beats me. I stopped trying to understand her back in the 1800s. That was when she started replacing her organs with clockwork gears," Selvig sighed, rubbing the back of his head.
"That's a joke, right? You're making a joke," Melody asked. Selvig shrugs and I hold up an elegant sparkling dress.
"Whoa," If Nebula sent me this herself then it would definitely impress Rocket. Even if he is a raccoon. The dress is a skater-style outfit and it has little neon patterns that remind me of the Pacman game "Be right back," I go into the bathroom and change.

The dress fits me well, hugging all my curves in all the right places. I admire myself in the mirror before returning to the others.
"Well? Is this weird?" I do a little twirl. I notice Melody and Loki's jaw drop. Thor smirks.
"No... It's striking," Loki licked his lips as he beamed at me proudly.
"Am I dreaming? I feel like I am dreaming. Emily is in a sexy cyberpunk outfit. Oh lord, have mercy," Melody fanned herself before frowning "Hold the phone... Something's not right,"
"I never truly like futurism. Until now," Sif grinned. She then looked at Loki, confused.
"Does it do anything or does it just look great," He spins so he is facing Loki "And don't... you are not growling,"
"I noticed that," Sif frowned, still confused.
"It has come to my attention that I have no reason to be jealous," Loki shrugged as he smiled at me. I winked at him. Melody then looked at me.
"What did you do to him?" Melody asked as she leaned in to whisper.
"That's our secret," I pushed Melody's face away "We will have to find out what this dress can do,"
"Now then. I will take you to Rocket. Alone," Selvig walked towards the door.
"Alone?" I gulped. I looked back at Loki and he nodded. Mouthing that I have this in the bag. At least, that's what I think he said.
"Yes. And you better hope you can impress him. Because if you can't, then you will all be going back to America. Back to Frigga," Selvig snapped.
"You know, you could do with being less snappy, You're not a turtle," I crossed my arms. I didn't want to go back to that hell of a city.
"And you could be wise to show a little more respect," Selvig sighed. I raised an eyebrow.
"Respect is earned, not given," I let my arms fall to my side as I pushed past Selvig "Now, move it. I got a mission to complete,"