Reign

Chapter 14: Happily Ever After- Not Really

It didn't take long for Ash, Natasha, and Erik to meet with the other Avengers right outside the building on ground level.

Ash was annoyed at how everyone was giving her looks. Why was everyone so freaked out that she was wearing Loki's jacket? Was it so strange? It could have been stranger if she had been wearing his helmet.

As the other Avengers averted their attention to talking with each other Thor had pulled Ash aside to privately talk with her. He asked, "Ash, why is it that you are both wearing my brother's clothing and also wearing a shirt that seems to idolize him?"

She looked down, deep in thought. It was a few moments before she was actually able to look up into his eyes. Her eyes were deep with emotion as she quietly asked, "Thor, do you trust me?" He nodded his head as he waited for her to explain. Tears began to run from her eyes as she began to cry true tears of a person who was broken and confused. "I'm so sorry, Thor. I- I tried so hard to protect the Avengers... Thor..." He had a hand on her shoulder as she pleaded to him, "I can't fight Loki... I tried- I did everything I could! I swear to you, I didn't mean for all of this death and destruction..."

The other Avengers were suddenly caught at the sound of her shouting and weeping. Everything seemed calm except for her less than subtle emotions.

With a hand gently on the side of her face, he asked, "What has happened, Ash? I feel you were not being completely honest."

There was a tense silence as a blue ray was suddenly shot from on top of Stark tower. They watched as a small bright circle formed a couple of blocks away from them.

Selvig muttered, "Another portal..."

Ash tugged on Thor's arm and pleaded, "You have to go back to Asgard. Loki won't let you leave if you don't go now..."

Loki suddenly arrived with a slight limp in his walk as he held his scepter in his hands. He asked lowly, "Ash, love, do you already encourage them to retreat? Now, when we have ultimate control?"

Thor stepped in front of her despite the obvious connection between her and Loki. She seemed terrified of the situation as it was. She wanted to both protect her friends and fulfill Loki's plans. But doing both was seemingly getting too damn hard to accomplish.

The portal suddenly opened and the army of Frost Giants began their entrance from the portal in their war-like manner. The air turned cold and crisp as frost and ice covered the ground as they entered.

The Avengers were suddenly out of their element as they had no idea how to react to such an attack. They were soon surrounded by huge ice monsters, though they all held their weapons ready for attack. Except for Erik and Ash, of course. Tony too, considering he had just escaped from his nonfunctional suit.

Thor, being the only one in the Avengers to have ever faced Frost Giants, questioned, "What is the meaning of this, brother?"

"I was simply living up to the lie that I had been fed my whole life," He paused as he walked around the Avengers like a predator. "That I was born to be a King."

"Loki, you can be a king! There's no need for further destruction." Ash spoke up as she turned, watching Loki as he observed them, "Please let them go... Let them live where they can't affect us."

"So they can gain their strength for their next attack against us?!" Loki calmed himself as he looked down at her. "I'm beginning to question whose side you believe you are on. I believe I told you to put aside these attachments of yours."

The Hulk suddenly made a noise of pain before falling to his hands and knees. His transformation suddenly grew weak as the Hulk suddenly turned into the mere man of Bruce Banner. Natasha and Ash averted their eyes to other directions as his pants were much too large to fit properly. He held his head as Steve knelt down beside him. "Banner? Banner, what happened?"