Universal Chaos

Chapter 24

"Loki."

Steve and Nat both stood tense and on edge. With him at their backs and Thanos' goons at their front, they were in a terrible situation.

Loki's attention shifted to Corvus and Proxima for a moment. Despite his snarky comment, he was still wary and watchful. Corvus and Proxima had been surprised by his appearance as well, but that wouldn't delay their attacks.

"She's finally used the... cube," Loki said. "Bring her here and let's go."

Steve held Sutton's limp body closer. Her breathing was shallow and the back of her suit was still much too hot to not be burning her. They needed to get her somewhere actually safe.

"I don't think so."

Nat cast a look at him, eyes cutting back to the threats before them.

"There may be a lesser of two evils here."

The only thing stopping them from being decimated at the moment was Loki putting up a shield, and with the frantic look he cast, it didn't appear he expected it to hold long.

"She's one of the few things that can take him down, do you really think I'm going to endanger her anymore than you already have," Loki snapped.

The gibe hit too close to home. Steve's jaw clenched and he cradled Sutton even closer. Nat shot him a stern look and he felt his defense crumble.

Loki was many things, and survivor was one of them. He'd had the opportunity before to deliver Sutton up to Thanos himself and win back favor. But for whatever reason, he hadn't. Steve doubted there was much good in him, but at the moment he could only trust the god's will to live.

He hurried towards Loki; Nat matched his pace and muttered.

"Better the enemy you know."

The shield Loki projected flickered and Corvus and Proxima looked to be doubling their efforts. Proxima raised a blinding spear over her head and Corvus prepared for another mighty blow with his weapon.

And then they froze.

Steve and Nat didn't stop or slow. A dark mass expanded in the air, casting a shadow behind them, twisting and thickening until it looked solid.

"Faster," Nat urged, her voice tight.

Loki's features strained and he looked pale to the point of being blue. His hand was already outstretched as they came into striking distance and he eyed the bag still hanging from Sutton's shoulder.

"Any day now." He hissed.

"I told you not to injure her."

Thanos stood on the lawn when they reached Loki. The ground below him was already charred and covered in ash. A few trees burned and a smoky haze curled around his knees as it continued to drift in the air.

He adjusted a large bronze gauntlet on his left hand and one purple gem glittered from the base of his pointer finger. His two followers backed off, Proxima doubling down in her resolve despite his pointed stare.

"They would not yield."

"I'll deal with your failings later."

Thanos directed his full attention back to the group and Loki reached forward, shoving his hand down into the leather bag to reach the Tesseract.

"You're noble warriors," Thanos said, examining his now clenched fist. "Hand her over and I will spare you to lead those I leave behind."

"No he won't." Loki breathed.