Collide

Thirty-Six

By the following afternoon, they had made it to the edge of the forest. Astrid had them all leave their things, not wanting to be hindered by anything. She had conjured her own suit, as her brothers wore their asgardian armour and Bruce was wearing casual clothes. She knew he wouldn't want to be restricted if he turned, but had spelled his clothes to keep him warm.

'Is it just me, or does anyone else think this feels a little off?..'.. Bruce looked at the trees in front of them, and Astrid nodded.

'Yep..'.. She popped the 'p'... 'This is definitely a trap of some kind. Loki, can you feel it?..'.. She turned her head to him, seeing him frown.

'Yes, something or someone has power like yours sister..'.. Loki looked across to her... 'It is strong, but yours is stronger..'

She smirked, and conjured daggers... 'Then what are we waiting for? You stay with Thor, and I with Bruce. First sign of real trouble, meet back at the compound..'

'Are you sure this is wise sister?..'.. She heard Thors hesitancy, and walked ahead of them.

'Trust me brother, whoever this is, has no idea who they are dealing with. They dare lay a finger on any of you, and I'll remove the hand, the whole arm if necessary..'.. She gripped her daggers tight as she walked. Bruce to her left, and the other two behind her.

'Anyone even thinks of coming at you Asti, as we won't hesitate to rip them apart..'.. She smiled hearing Bruce and Hulk as he spoke.

'Don't worry, they won't have a chance to take a step. We both know, exactly what I am capable off..'.. She smiled at him, as they walked further into the forest, deeper into the silent woods.

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'Damn it!..'.. Tony huffed, watching the feed... 'Friday, any chance we can switch to thermal?..'

'Sure thing boss..'..

The feed changes slightly, showing three heat signatures and one slightly colder than the others... 'That's Loki..'.. Tony turned, frowning at Wanda as she spoke. She blushing slightly, pulling on her sleeves... 'Uh, he-hes a frost giant, so his body is a little colder than the others..'

'How do you know that?..'.. Tony gave her a confused look, and by the way she was blushing he held his hands up... 'Actually, I don't want to know, don't need to know, forget I even asked..'

You sure the others can handle what's out there?..'.. Rhodey moved to his side.

'Oh I'm terrified she's going to kill me for going against her, but whatever it is, it feels like a trap..'.. Tony ran a hand over his face. He had spent yesterday thinking it all over, and it seemed too much of a coincidence, and it was a really remote island. Why now? Why was this information coming forward now, her family knew about what she was for the last few years.

Tony hadn't slept all night, worrying about Bruce and the others, Loki not so much. He had run through everything he could find on this so called 'angel of the island', and he barely found anything. It was as though they were being lured there, well, Astrid was being lured there, for what, he didn't know.

He had spoken with the others, and Rogers was leading the team. Him, Barnes, Romanoff, Wilson, Belova, Barton and Vision had gone. The twins had been made to stay back, as they could help protect the compound, should anything happen.

Tony watched the four dots as they moved further through the forest, and he sighed... 'Something bad is going to happen, I can't explain it..'

'Boss I'm picking up reading of another jet nearby, and they are sending a request to speak with you..'..

'Who is it?..'.. Tony turned to the other screen, and it flicked on. He was surprised to see Astrids family, but even more surprised by what they were wearing... 'I'm guessing you're not just teachers..'

'No Mr Stark..'.. The red headed woman spoke, and he remembered her name, Jean... 'Much like you and your team, we also help the world, only we do it without being seen, no offence..'

'Offence taken..'.. He chuckled... 'You're out there too huh?..'

'Yes. We feel that something isn't right about it. The one who passed us this information, about the 'angel' out there, isn't really someone we trust. He had his eye on trying to persuade Asti to join his crusade against humanity..'.. She sighed.

'You say that like you're not humans..'.. Tony gestured to the screen.

'We have been called many things. Mutants, inhumans, enhanced. Each of us was born with a genetic mutation that gave us our abilities, much like Miss Maximoff and her brother, only theirs were dormant until it was triggered by the stone..'... She smiled.

'Lot of secrets floating around..'.. Tony muttered... 'So what's your plan out there?..'

'We are currently tracking Asti and the others, and we picked up your jet on our radar. I know she wanted to keep you all out of this, but from what I know of you and your team, you're as stubborn as she is..'.. Jean chuckled.

'Yeah, kind of a defect fault of ours. What do you need us to do?..'.. Tony folded his arms.

'Can you put us through to your team? We can coordinate together. We have a plan, and it's a dangerous one, but we need your trust in this..'.. She said, and turned to behind her... 'Wade, can you please stop? Or I'll let Logan go instead of you..'

'She's family, and I don't want to be sat here with my dick in my hands, while you all play with each other. Let me the fuck out, and I'll kills that cocksucker myself..'... Tony heard the man, and shook his head.

'Wade, if we go in there without a real plan, she could get killed. We have to do this right, who knows what Eric has planned. Tell you what, I give you full permission to be the one to take the first swing, if you sit down and shut up..'.. Jean huffed out, and Tony heard silence behind her as she turned back to the screen... 'Sorry about him..'

'No need. I'll link you up with the team now. Friday..'.. He called out to his AI.

'Already on it boss..'.. The screen split, and Steve's face appeared.

'Tony, what's wrong. Uh, hi, Jean right?..'.. Tony saw Steve was confused, and the others on the team moved into view.

'Yes Captain Rogers. We're in a jet ourselves to the east of you. We have been tracking Asti and the others, when you appeared on our radar. We have a plan, but I need you to know it is dangerous, and one you will not like..'.. She sighed.

'They're family, so what do you need us to do?..'... Steve asked, and she filled them in. She was right it wasn't a plan they liked but she made every point clear. Who or whatever it was that was out here, was an unknown being, with unknown powers. If they had any chance of saving the four below, and stopping whatever this thing was, they had to work together.

'Not going to lie, I'm terrified of Astrid, so if she comes at me about this plan of yours, and sending her to you..'.. Tony pointed to Jean.

'We've known Asti longer, and believe me, she's going to kick all our asses for this..'.. Jean sighed... 'But at least she will be alive..'

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