❝ In a mirror, darkly. ❞
• • •
Clint Barton. Spy, assassin, master archer. Caffeine addict. Hot mess. After the Battle of New York, Clint is forced to come to terms with the mind control Loki forced him into. The longer he's recovering, the cleare...
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CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Thor strode out of the elevator, brow creased in confusion. As he saw Sif standing in her full battle regalia, he nodded. "Sif. The Allfather sent you?"
"Yes. Thor, you need to return at once. Dark Elves threaten the Nine Realms, and Odin has called a war council." Sif glanced around. "These are your Midgardian warriors?"
Thor grinned. "Yes." He pat Tony on the back, causing him to wince. "Stout hearts and minds, all of them." Then he grimaced, looking at Paige. "I am loathe to leave the Lady Hnoss, Lady Paige, here, however."
Sif frowned. "Thor, the Elves are coming for both Asgard and Midgard. Malekith searches for an ancient power. Odin is gathering all his strength to assail him. Perhaps..." She trailed off and glanced at the others. "Perhaps these warriors would be able to assist us?"
Thor grinned. "A marvelous idea!"
The others merely stared between the two Asgardians. Natasha spared a glance at Clint who, simultaneously, looked her way. She could see his hand shaking ever so slightly. Bruce had already started objecting, but Thor argued with him.
"It would be fantastic!" Thor grinned. "You could meet my parents, and tell tales of your great victories in battle. Banner, the Hulk would be revered in Asgard."
Bruce shook his head. "I don't want the Hulk to be revered."
"Please, Midgardians." Sif paused. "I do not ask lightly. But the threat the Dark Elves pose is great. They will come for your Earth soon, and when they do, if Asgard has fallen, you will not survive."
Thor agreed. "A united front is our best defense."
Tony frowned for a moment. He looked around at the others. "He's right. I'd rather we plan for a strong first defense so we never have to do any avenging. Take the fight away from Earth. Jarvis, get Steve up here."
"Of course, sir," Jarvis replied.
Natasha bit her lip. She glanced from Clint to Tony to Thor and Sif. "I agree. If we let them get here, we risk high casualties." Then she turned to Paige. "Paige?"
The woman had stood quietly thus far. On the one hand, the prospect of visiting another world, another planet, one with beings like her... it intrigued her. But there was fear also. Paige clenched and unclenched her fists repeatedly with arms across her chest. Finally she nodded. "I'm in."
Bruce sighed. "Fine, fine. But let's try to keep the hulking out to a minimum."
All eyes turned to Clint. As they waited for him to respond, and grew slightly concerned that he hadn't yet, the elevator doors opened and Steve walked into the room. He raised an eyebrow at the sight of Sif in her battle armor.
