Mischief on Midgard

In the fire

Thor wasn't really sure he was following his friend's logic as Tony explained his plan. Friend Stark had decided that in order to stop the murderous robot, which he had accidentally created with the mind staff, he would purposefully create a second robot with that very same staff. Or rather the stone that had powered the staff.

Now, Thor was very familiar with the phrase 'fight fire with fire,' but in this case... he just couldn't understand his friend's reasoning. Wouldn't creating a second robot merely add fuel to the metaphorical fire in this case? Still, Thor stood by, ready to assist if the new creation turned out to be just as dangerous as the first.

It was the only real plan they had.

And... nothing bad happened. The newly 'born' robot was nothing like its'... his?... 'brother.' Which was good news. In fact, the robot was very curious and had an innocent air to him. He moved around the area, touching objects with a careful yet intrigued air. His head would tilt this way and that. He'd even smile in excitement when touching buttons or flipping light switches. He seemed harmless enough, this... Vision as he called himself. Thor was watching over the newly made being when a voice echoed softly in his mind.

"Thor? My Prince, may I have a word?" it was Heimdal. Thor nodded his head and turned to the others.

"Excuse me, my friends, I need to... take a call," he said, causing everyone to look at him in confusion.

"Uh, dude, hate to break it to you, but," Tony waved his hand at Thor in an up and down motion. "I don't see a cellphone on you. You need a better excuse if you want to bail on us."

"No, it's," Thor shook his head and tapped a finger against his temple. "You know us Space Vikings. Mystical magic and all. Communications are transmitted right into our heads."

"Huh... neat," Tony blinked at him and then looked thoughtful. "Maybe I should look into that..."

"Tony..." Bruce said in exasperation.

"Right! Later," Tony turned back to Vision. "Soo..."

"Excuse me," Thor said with a small bow of his head to the others and walked out to the empty hallway. "What is it, Heimdal?"

"I have lost sight of Loki," Heimdal said in a grim tone.

"You... what?" he asked with a stunned blink. It took him a moment to comprehend the All-Seer's words.

"Loki met with Doctor Selvig, as he said he would," Heimdal said. "Together, they entered the cave where the Water of Sight and the Norn reside. Loki performed the ceremony as planned and went into a trance while Selvig observed. From what I could tell, all was going according to plan... however."

Thor braced himself unconsciously.

"All of a sudden, something blocked my ability to see into the cave," Heimdal continued, a contrite tone ringing through his voice. "I kept my gaze locked on the cave, but I could see nothing within it. It was as if there was static interfering with my Sight. When I could See again, Loki was gone, and Doctor Selvig was on the ground, unconscious."

Thor's hands clenched into fists. He felt frozen in time. He couldn't even force himself to breathe. To think. Heimdal's voice brought him back to himself, and he shook his head.

"Thor?" Heimdal asked, concern in his voice. "My Prince?"

"How...?" Thor said, finally taking in a ragged breath. "Why?!"

"I do not know," Heimdal responded sadly.

"Where is Loki now?" Thor asked, mind racing.

"I do not know," Heimdal repeated.