Reign

Chapter 21: The Ball of the Drama Queen

(A/N: I know I usually speak at the end but I just want to warn that this is a bit dramatic but I couldn't help it! The lyrics were so corresponding with Ash's situation! So, on to the story!)

It was time. Ash spent all afternoon preparing with Natasha for this very night. Rather than the blue dress, she had ordered for Tony and Steve to find a green one at any cost. Of course, she had multiple different colors of dresses that looked exactly like the long blue silky one she wore for lunch so it was quite simple for them to find a dark green one for her to wear. It was just as silky as the blue dress and was definitely something that would impress Loki. That was certainly her plan. Her lips were a vibrant green along with the eyeshadow that she decided would be a nice touch. The colors certainly brought out her bright green eyes even more-so. She still wore the gold pieces within her hair and on her dress and cape. It was all a nice touch for her.

There could be no mistaking her for anyone but Loki's Queen. Even the Avengers had to agree that she had Loki written all over her. She smiled as she stood at her door with Tony and Steve keeping her dress from dragging behind her.

The sun had just set which meant that the banquet would have already finished and the ball would have been immediately started afterwards. Loki had warned her about being late but this was going to give the opportunity for an entrance. She took in a nervous breath and Natasha and Clint both gave her reassuring nods as they opened the doors to her room. As her guards, they escorted her to the ball room where the dancing, drinking, and partying would commence as soon as Ash made her arrival. It wasn't necessary for her to actually go eat supper with Loki and his selected mortal rulers- which she obviously decided not to go. She was simply waiting for the ball. That was what she had been waiting for all afternoon. She would get on Loki's good side. She would save Midgard. She would save Thor. She knew her objectives.

She smiled as she walked up to the large doors that would be directly across from the throne, which the throne room was the area where the ball was taking place. Of course, Loki was going to first introduce Ash from his mighty throne.

Ash glanced nervously at Natasha as they simply stood at the door and she asked, "Is Bruce ready?" She was visibly shaking at her mad plan of an entrance. Even Tony thought it was a bit over dramatic but that was just what Ash wanted to hear. Her plan was supposed to be over dramatic.

Clint pressed a piece from his ear before looking at Ash and answering, "He's ready. Just waiting for your word Ash."

Natasha was about to put the ear piece in Ash's ear just before she pulled away taking in unsteady breaths as she broke from the pressure. Ash gave in, "I can't do this. I think I'm going to be sick... Maybe I should just go in there and face up to purposefully being late."

Tony placed a hand on her arm and looked into her eyes. "Ash, you're going to do fine. You're going to impress King Loki like no one's ever done in the universe. We'll be right here for you."

"I don't know what I'm doing! I'll just mess-"

"Just wing it." Clint suddenly advised to her, "You can't mess up if you wing it. You're good at that. I've seen it."

Ash was silent for a moment before she looked up with a bright smile towards Clint. "Thank you, Clint. That's... That's just the thing I needed to hear." Natasha moved to put the piece in Ash's ear as they once again stood in front of the large doors of the throne room. Steve and Tony quickly situated her dress before they all stepped aside with Ash ready for her entrance. She nodded her head with a new determination in her face though still with the unsettling feeling bubbling up in her stomach. "Tell Bruce I'm ready..."