Ryra's Thunder (PAUSED)

Chapter 21 - The Fight...part 1

"Do you see anything yet?" Tony said over an ear piece.
"Nothing...looks like we must've mis...hang on a second"
Steve and Ryra bent down behind a container, watching as a random goon was pacing back and forth.
"What do you see Captain?" Thor asked as he was making his way to their position.
"There is a random goon out here. He's pacing back and forth like he is guarding something"
"Or someone" Ryra chimed in.
"That is one of the ones who tried to carry you out before I got to them"
Steve pulled the strap on his shield tight.
"Wait, shouldn't we wait for the others? I mean you know how Thanos is. He wants to draw us out then ambush us. I don't know if I can be of much help as I am still healing from his last attempt."
Steve looked directly at her..
"Ryra! You got this. To be honest, you one of the strongest ones here..so I am sure you got my back."
"Plus, you do have back up. We won't let him take you little one."
Thor said as he knelt down near them.
"You are one of the strongest on Asgard. But don't tell Loki I told you that."
Thor grinned and handed Ryra Mjölnir.
"You just gotta focus your magic and let it bring you back. Either way, we got this"
All three of them stood up and got ready.
"Okay, Thor you go ahead and take out the guard. Ryra, you come with me as we see what's inside."
He grabs his ear as he speaks into his ear piece.
"Everyone else keep a sharp look out, let either one of us know if you see Loki or Thanos."
Thor heads out and takes care of the goon guard. Steve and Ryra head towards the door, but Ryra stops suddenly as her surroundings change again.

"Welcome back, my child"
Ryra fought the urge to throw her dagger at his face.
"I've already told you...I am not your child...never will be"
Thanos grinned super big.
"I am sure I can persuade you..."
"Why don't you come fight me yourself? Instead of just empty threats with your goons..."
"Empty threats eh?"
Thanos gives a little laugh as he looks towards his left.
Ryra follows his line of sight and locks eyes with Loki right before he doubles over in pain.
Ryra screams "Noooo STOP!!...please...."
Thanos looks back towards her with a slight grin as he let's Loki relax.
"See just a matter of your cooperation..."
Loki leaned back against a container breathing heavily as he locks eyes again with Ryra.
She can see the pleading in his eyes for her to not give in.
She feels someone come up next to her, she looks over and sees Steve.
She relaxes some but keeps on edge.
"I told you you won't be alone in fighting him....whenever you're ready..."
Steve adjusts his shield and gets into a fighting stance as Ryra pulls out her daggers.
She looks at Loki and mouths "I love you" to him, ignoring the look of pure fright as he knows what she is about to do.
Loki looks up and notices Proxima Midnight is watching Thanos, Steve and Ryra and manages to escape her grasp by distracting her with a wolf he conjured up. He teleports himself away as she is busy fighting the wolf off and he hides behind a container to watch things unfold.

Ryra and Steve get into a fighting stance as Steve radios the others to tell them their position.

Tony flies over head and notices Thanos standing and waiting for them to make it through his goons to him.
He speaks into his ear piece.
"Thanos is waiting up on the hill for you. Be careful and watch her back!"

Steve slams his shield into one of the goons' face as Ryra grabs another by the arm, brings him closer and stabs him in the stomach.
One of them hits Steve from behind and knocks him to his knee. The goon then brings up his spear and swings it down. Steve puts up his shield to deflect it and punches the goon in the face. The goon goes to swing again but gets knocked to the side. Steve looks over as Ryra catches Mjölnir and swings it back around to knock another three goons out.
She walks over and extends her hand out to Steve.
"Aren't you suppose to be watching my back?"
Steve grabbed ahold of her hand as she helped him up.
"Funny...I had it handled."
Steve said outta breath.
"Yeah, you really had him scared there with you laying on the ground"
Ryra gave him a smirk as she patted him on his shoulder.
Steve just shook his head and chuckled.
"Watch it, sounds like you starting to like me..."
"Well, if you die, then I don't got anyone to pick on...come on Mr. America!"

They walked a little up the hill until they saw Thanos. He was sitting on a tree stump, grinning as he watched.

"You sure you ready for this? I mean...he isn't going to let up until you or him is beaten down"
"I...I think so. Either way, this ends here and now. I can't keep living my life scared of him. Plus I need my husband back. He is the only tie I have to my old life...and I would very much like it back!"

Steve adjusted the strap to his shield and took a deep breath.
"Then let's do this!"
They both headed up the hill to meet Thanos head on.