C.H.A.S.M. [MARVEL FANFICTION] ✓completed

12

Where I learn each Avenger's weakness (and nickname)

-

"So?" ASSASIN3 enquired in Pepper's voice, "where are we headed, Low-Key?"

"Nowhere yet," Loki stated, not bothering to correct the AI, "we leave tomorrow morning."

"It's only 4 PM," Sarah began, "why not leave now?"

"I still need to test your skills," Loki answered mysteriously, "report to me at the jogging track in ten minutes. First test — speed."

Penny grinned; she had a feeling she would outrun everyone.

-

After the speed test came the flight test. The only one who passed that, of course, was (three guesses) Sarah. Then the fight test, which almost everyone passed, even Nutmeg and Diana.

Then was the climbing test, which Nutmeg and Diana failed.

"No worries," Rocky reassured the little redhead, who was sniffing a little, "you can still come on the mission."

Loki opened his mouth to protest, but was silenced by Rocky's death-glare.

"Okay, okay," Loki surrendered, "she can come."

He turned around, muttering something under his breath about taking after someone.

Rocky growled in reply to his mutterings, and they quickly moved on to the next test.

"The next test will be..." Loki trailed off dramatically, and Michael imitated a drum roll with his fingers, "...held tomorrow because it's becoming dark."

All of them groaned.

"Tell us what it is!" Daniel demanded.

"No."

"Pwease?" Nutmeg begged, her big eyes radiating cuteness.

"Oh okay," Loki gave in (again), "it's a breathing test."

"A what?" Daniel exclaimed.

"A breathing test," Loki repeated, annoyance clear in his voice, "don't you know what a breathing test is?"

He was answered with blank looks, even from the twins.

"Odin help me..." he mumbled, "how did I get myself talking into babysitting a bunch of mini-avengers?"

"You've been doing okay until now," Loraine encouraged him, and Loki sighed.

"A breathing test," Loki began for the third time, "in which you all swim from one end of Stark's pool to the other... underwater..."

Understanding dawned on their faces.

"Swim-ming!" Nutmeg squeaked happily.

"...so you have until tomorrow to practice."

Rocky's hand shot into the air.

"Yes Rocky?"

"Are we allowed to use our powers?"

"Or tech?" Diana added, "I'm pretty sure Edward had some breathing-thingies somewhere..."

"No," Loki replied, "well — powers, yes; tech, no. You're not allowed to use anything that could be taken away from you. That's assuming they don't have some sort of powers-draining machine. Anyway; as long as you don't use something they could take, or come up for air, you can do it any way you like."

Diana scowled.

"Who are 'they'?" Sarah enquired.

"And does that include your scepter?" Daniel informed.