The Devil Is A Gentleman | Loki

24

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Around 20 minutes earlier
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It didn't take the avengers long to notice Wanda had been missing since just before their entrance into the throne room. Sat helplessly in their collective prison cell, the team could do nothing but hope Wanda was forming some kind of plan to save them.

Instead, Wanda had been out in the city, asking around for a mysterious girl by the name of Aria. No one could provide the slightest bit of information. She returned to the palace in hopes to find the others but couldn't find anyone.
She found a narrow staircase and took the risk of searching down there, only to find the Asgardian prison.

Well she found them alright.

Natasha and Bruce were slumped against the wall, watching Clint and Tony play slaps in the corner as Sam was staring blankly at Steve's failed attempts in breaking the impenetrable force field.
Wanda approached them, a shocked expression in her face, although she knew from her recent interactions that Asgardians were a little on the stubborn side, and they could've seen this coming.

The others practically leaped forward at the sight of her, all clamouring to be released. Wanda raised her hand up to the forcefield, ignoring the screams and shouts she was receiving from other inmates.
She whispered almost inaudibly, "get ready to run.", and in one swift energy surge she disabled the barrier, and those who were leaning against it (Bruce) toppled through it onto the floor.

Before they could react, an alarm sounded, and they all bolted for it.
Luckily they managed to find their way out a lot quicker than finding their way in, and burst through the front gates onto the rainbow bridge.
The others ran for it while Wanda turned around to face the palace, feeling ashamed she couldn't find her friend.
She joined the others in their escape, fighting down the guilty feeling in her gut. The Bifrost opened for them, and they rushed inside, the door closing behind them.

"Okay genius, now get this to work!" Sam exclaimed to Tony, gesturing at the contraption in the middle of the dome.

"You know, funnily enough, Birdie? I'm not Asgardian. So would you mind giving me a minute?" Tony shot back.

"We don't have time for this!" Natasha interjected.

"I should've stayed longer.." Wanda mumbled.

"That does remind me, what the hell happened to you, why did we get thrown in prison but you got off Scott-free?" Tony asked,

"I went off on my own, to find her. I knew that king was going to be no help."

"Doesn't matter," Steve spoke up, "we're still a team."

"Oh we're a team? Then why are you hiding what you really know about her from all of us?" Wanda argued.

Steve looked for Natasha and Clint for back-up, but Clint only said "actually, I agree. Stark better tell us what's up or I'm not sure what to think of this "team" anymore."
Natasha nodded in agreement.

Tony sighed, scrunching his eyes with weary and rubbing them. Whatever he was about to say, it was pretty serious.
Steve said, "well?... Tony?"

Tony sighed once more, bracing himself to say it.
"I was doing some research into Norse mythology. I came across something. Something bad."

There was a collective silence.
"What was it?" Wanda asked, stepping forward.

Tony opened his mouth to speak, but was interrupted by the sound of the dome door opening.

In stepped the very girl this had all been for.
Arianna Dean.

She looked up to see them all just as the door shut behind her. She opened her mouth in shock, her eyes wide. She darted her eyes from person to person, until they finally landed on Wanda.