Avengers Generations

Chapter 26

The helicarrier's bridge was nearly silent, except for the chorused breathing of the armed men and women. Jake, Peter, and Peggy stood behind Tori and Charity, who had arrived at the commotion before their friends. They all stood together in Director Fury's control station, overlooking with terror the slain agents draped across the rows of computers, the terrifyingly amused Hrimthurs, and the circle of his small army. The windows made up the Frost Giant's backdrop as they showed the sky blackening, flashing, and swirling with dark, powerful energy.

The kids' hearts were beating heavily as Hrimthurs looked at them through piercing eyes. He seemed to be holding them in place and probing their emotions - feeding fear into their veins.

"Jacob." He said, his deep voice echoing in their minds as he spoke "And Victoria... Always a pleasure."

Jake clenched his jaw and Charity backed into the protection of Peter's arms as Fenrir and William ran in behind them. They seemed to have come for the same reason Jake had - curiosity.

"Ahh..." Hrimthurs purred, looking at Fenrir "One of my kin, I see - Another one of Loki's bastards? Who was you mother, boy? Or was this a father?"

Fenrir felt the hairs on his neck stand on end as he tried to remain steady, but he knew he had to do everything in his power to keep William calm as well.

"But there is one missing, I see..." Hrimthurs observed, scanning over the children with his dark, probing eyes "Where is the daughter of Thor?"

"She is being closely guarded." A wounded agent said with great difficulty. None of the kids had ever spoken with him before - most didn't even recognize his face - but he fought the urge to die, simply to stand against Hrimthurs. "We intend to keep her there." He said defiantly before one of Hrimthurs' men silenced him by removing his head.

Hrimthurs grinned. "How quaint." He said "And I suppose I don't stand a chance against your team?" His circle of followers laughed.

"That's right." Charity said responded in a moment, her voice carrying from the balcony as she stood wrapped protectively in Peter's arms "We won't let you take Einmyria. We will fight for her and keep her safe at any cost."

Hrimthurs' eyes flashed with a cruel joy at her words. "Such devotion." He said "How ironic. Peter, maybe you could learn from her selflessness?"

Charity turned suddenly to her boyfriend, who gave Hrimthurs a cold glare. "What's he talking about, Peter?" Charity asked.

Hrimthurs chuckled in his ancient laugh. "I'm sure you had wondered how I came to find you." he said.

All the kids turned to look at Peter with a gaze that revealed horror, anger, and a mental pleading with the universe that what they were hearing wasn't true. The boy himself looked at Hrimthurs with daggers glinting in his eyes as Charity pushed out of his arms in disgust.

"No." She said firmly "No, I don't believe it. I won't!"

"Suit yourself." Hrimthurs's voice sent shivers through her heart with each syllable "But it is the truth."

"Really?!" Tori shouted accusingly. All eyes were trained on Peter as he groped for words.

"I offered him a heavy bounty for the location of this base." The Jötun continued.

"And I refused!" Peter said defensively.

"Yes he did." Hrimthurs agreed "Quite sternly. He wouldn't put his beautiful, talented trophy in danger...That is, until..."

Charity felt hot tears streaming down her cheeks and neck as she looked down at her hands. "Until this...?" She whispered.

Peter was growing irritated with the situation - it hadn't been supposed to happen like this. He was fed up with trying to be nice. "Look at you, Charity." He said sternly "You can't do anything anymore, and you look repulsive! Why would I-" he paused "Why would anyone want to be with you now? You're worthless!"