Writing on the wall - Verse 2 of 4

The library of Asgardia was generally a peaceful place, which was exactly what the librarian liked about her work the most. But things were spiraling out of her control and she just noticed how badly as lord Cul was standing before her menacingly.

“Um... what can I do for our minister of justice today?” she asked trying to sound professional. She wasn't fooling anyone not herself or the man towering over her, she was at the brink of panic.

“I heard rumors.” he said, which was actually not saying much considering Asgardia was full of gossipy hens especially among the servants, but his tone of voice implied dire things.

She looked around nervously: “What rumors?”

“That you're collaborating with the enemy. Hiding incriminating evidence. Should I continue?” He smiled at her like a snake at some poor furry woodland creature soon to become dinner which.

'He knows about the BOOK!' her mind screamed 'RUN!', but there was nowhere to run or hide. 'That's what he wants', she realized. The bloody evil bastard knew how scared she was and was determined to play it up until she broke. Of course realizing the deliberateness of the intimidation and actually not being afraid were two very different things.

She swallowed nervously and tried to calm herself as much as she could. “I think I might have an idea what could have caused that gossip.”

“You think?” he asked darkly mocking “'Might', 'could', a whole lot of weaseling in that sentence to deflect from your very probable guilt...” he paused dramatically “You might like to take a trip to the dungeons to help your memory, I heard they're lovely this time of year.”

She turned her back of him and started walking towards her desk.

“Where do you think you're going?” he asked putting his giant hand on her shoulder.

“I'm fetching the “incriminating evidence”.” she said even doing the air quotes. She won't break down, cry or beg, damn it! She won't give him that satisfaction, she thought, but as always doing was the hard part.

Cul let her go but walked behind her all the way to the desk, where she got the big leather bound book from a drawer.

“Here is it.” she said and handed it to him.

“And what do you think it is?” he inquired sarcastically, while looking at the cover with the green seal.

“Our history book on the 'Siege of Asgard'.”

“Don't mock me woman, or I can arrange that trip of yours to be permanent.”

Mocking him actually did help calming the librarian's nerves, no matter how suicidal it felt. She shrugged “As I said, it's our book on the Siege. Also someone apparently bespelled it so it can't be opened.” she sighed “Believe me lord, I tried.”

“So you admit wanting to possess Loki's secret.” he looked up in fake surprise “Nobody ever admitted treason to me this casually before. That generally requires more convincing.”

“Or maybe I'm responsible for this library and a sealed book is unusable.” she pointed out. If he wanted to send her in the dungeons she might as well be as blunt as she liked. “Also showing it to anybody or asking for help would've made me suspicious.”

“So you claim you just found it this way?” he asked. He sounded like he lost interest in playing with her dread, and she couldn't tell if that was good thing.

“Yes.” that was true. Someone put it two books away from where it belonged. It was probably the least severe misshelving she came across in ages.

“Do you know, who read it last?”

“No, the library is big and I'm only one person.” She had to admit to herself that annoying him was strangely fun, but this was maybe a bit too much as he reacted with violently punching the desk beside her and whispering in her ear in barely contained rage:
“Don't try my patience woman. Who. Was. It.”

She fell in a startled silence for a second but finally answered: “To my knowledge the lady Sif.”

---------

Billy excitedly prepared for whatever they were going to do. Not that he didn't believe Verity about the rescue, and actually wanted to believe the part about who they intended to save, but he knew Loki. That guy could manipulate anybody.

They already decided that he and Verity will stay behind and act as magical and technological mission control, because they were more useful here than that place. But still, this plan shaped up to be the biggest magic thing he attempted since the fight with Mother, well, at least it didn't involve channeling his future self.

Loki was chilling in his apartment, playing Bejeweled Blitz on his new phone and occasionally checking Yamblr, Legacy of the Lost, CNN, FreakingAwesome and Unfiction out of habit. He really tried to keep a low profile because his future could be watching any time. Even after he assured him to not do anything against him, which was entirely true, he just knew the old man didn't loose sight of him, because he wouldn't either. Paranoia is in the nature of all liars, or at least in the not crappy ones anyway.

A familiar sound filled the air. “Again? This is annoying.”

*VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWZZZZZZZZZZZZZZRRRRRRRRRRRRZZKKRRZADDOOOOMMMM!*

“Um. Hello, Doom. We really have to stop meeting like this.” he said to the overlord of Latveria. “Really. You could have at least texted before inviting me over. Are you going to try to imprison or murder me again?”

Doom said nothing for a while, then Valeria ran past them with long paper strips with symbols printed on them in hand and an almost manic grin on her face.

“Well, she is obviously having fun.” Loki observed. “I have seen those things in other places too. Let me guess, something went viral on the net again?” he winked. “Is it hard to take care of a child?”

Doom sighed exhausted “You've no idea, trickster.” he stopped “Or maybe you've, but Doom's more interested in talking about your plan currently.”

“What plan?” Loki' eyes widened with feigned surprise.

“The plan we already help with.” said Doom as if that was the most obvious thing in the world.

Now the god looked genuinely surprised “You want to help me? And willingly? Why?”

“Because the world is ending.”

“Well, it's nice to have confirmation. I've suspected that for a while now.” frowned Loki.

Doom continued seemingly not even noticing the interruption “Because the future can't look bleaker. And because you take a great personal risk to not let it happen.”

“I'm also risking a whole bunch of other people too, including but not limited to my own ex-apprentice, and my intentions are anything but noble.” added the trickster.

“Now let Doom ask you: Why? Why do you do it?”

“Because desperate times call for desperate measures I suppose. I've come too far for anything else.” he said with a rueful smile. “So what do you think you need for helping me?”

“Doom thinks the arcane algorithm to generate coordinates would suffice,” he answered “also doesn't appreciate of being quizzed, chaos bringer.” added with a warning tone of voice.

“Point taken.” said Loki “I'll give you the link.”

Valeria chimed in “You put it on the internet?” as black vines crept in the border slowly.

“Sure! It's perfect. Hidden in plain sight.” laughed the god of mischief.

“So we reached an agreement.” said Doom “Only, if you don't mind, Doom would rather not have that personal note included.”

Loki waved dismissively “I don't. If he happens on it through you, you can tell him in person or bot. I'm quite sure he'll be delighted.”

“You're probably right.” agreed Doom.

-------------

A bit earlier.

King Loki was very pleased with himself. Bringing together the enemies of Asgard to an all out attack before the impending doom went very well, he already secured the alliance of the dark elves, but the fire giants turned out to be surprisingly hard to bargain with. Really after all this politics he needed to do something for fun.

“Let's see what's young me is doing!” he proclaimed to the darkness, or maybe you, and summoned a scrying sphere of green light.

“Well, that's a big pile of nothing.” he observed as Loki was playing on his phone. “He's trying so hard to not get into trouble! That's not right. I'll have to fix this asap! But how?” he looked thoughtful for a minute and then a way too wide smile spread on his face “I know! I got an idea. An awful idea. King Loki got a wonderful, *awful* idea!” Hey! Did he just stole my Grinch joke? That's underhanded.

“I'm off to arrange it. Don't be good while I'm gone!” and with this he disappeared in a flash of green light, just before the scrying spell got to the part:

'*VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV...'

THAT'S FOR STEALING MY JOKE! JERK!

Chapter 7: Will they be as black as shadows

The star-portal opened in a dimension close to Asgard and three young heroes stepped out of it into the deafening silence. Well, it was known by the very inviting name of the 'Isle of Silence' for a reason. America caught a glimpse of something dark around the edge of the star as it closed behind them that she couldn't place but she didn't have time to worry about it.

They were standing at a crossroad, paths stretching on both their left and right to the distance. The scenery was gry; rocks, mist, some sickly looking vegetation, but mostly mist obscuring things.

All adjusted their enchanted earpieces which provided anchor for the mental connection spell between them and the mission control, Billy and Verity.

*Do we split up, to search for the two prisoners?* asked Teddy while taking his battle form, and resisting the urge to rekindle the argument over this mission needing a telepath the umpteenth time.

*No. Both quests would be pretty similar in nature, according to you-know-who anyway, so I'll attempt to overlap them.* There was blue light and the world began to change. It contracted before and expanded behind them until the left and right paths met and merged into one *This will make it harder, but hopefully less so than dividing our powers.*

*What happened with 'subtle and quick to anger?'* Asked David.

*%$#& subtle!* replied Billy sounding exhausted even through the mental link.

So they started down the path, which was long and dull and nerve wrecking. Sometimes the horrible inevitably jumps on you, on others the inevitable horrible takes its time. Sometimes the nothing is worse because your imagination fills it with monsters, your monsters. This whole place felt like being explicitly designed to pull out that primal dread. Empty and without any noise. They didn't even see animals if you don't count the occasional black bird flying overhead. It almost felt like they were watching.

With no warning, (how could there be any without any sound?) a humanoid figure not much taller then them ran into them. America stopped him or maybe her, who just starred, eyes wide with fear, then tore him(or her)self free and stumbled towards some boulders.

*Guys... if something scared it, we might not face the...* David began and but stopped when something got Teddy and sent him flying. Luckily he managed to open his wings to break his fall.

The something was huge, not giant huge mind you but still, scaly, grey amphibian like and humanoid. It also didn't care much for them after its first strike, but went straight after the hiding place of the first one.

The young heroes looked at each other and lunged into attack.

America's punch landed right between the thing's shoulder blades which got its attention, but didn't seem to do much harm. It turned to them and tried to swat away the girl but she was fast and dodged easily. Teddy got into the air too and attacked the thing from behind while it was trying to fight off America. This became a pattern fast, when the monster focused on one of them the other went into offensive.

*I don't think we do more than making it angry.* Hulkling sent out the thought to the others *Someone with a big brain could think of something.*

*I heard that.* answered David *Attack the joints, especially the knee and ankle. Something this big can't be too stable on its feet. I'm trying to find a way to trap it, but the local geography doesn't give much to work with.*

Teddy's next punch sit much harder as the blue light engulfed his hand *Oh yeah! Our magical backup is here!*

*About time.* America observed. *And attack the alleged weak point. Got it.* she landed a kick against the thing's left knee, and this for the first time made it stumble, but also very angry. It punched down again with intent to kill and while it only grazed its target it did knock the girl out of the air. Even without sound they could feel the shock-wave of her impact.

*AMERICA!* they shouted mentally, but there was only dead silence.

The thing struck down taking advantage of their moment of distraction, grabbing Teddy and pulling him towards its gaping mouth. And then it shook and fell forward. For a second there were just confused stares as America was standing on its back covered in green blood, grey dirt and blue light, stars shining. She frowned, lifted her hair and gestured towards her ear. It took a moment for them to get it: her enchanted earpiece was missing. All sighed in relief.

They tried to collect themselves, and free Teddy from the clutches of the dead monster, so they almost didn't notice when the smaller creature returned. (S)He put his(her) hand on America's shoulder to get her attention and handed her something before turning away again and leaving.

The girl showed them what she got: her ear piece, unfortunately totally trashed magic symbols broken and useless, and a red stone on a leather band, which after some contemplation she bound to a button on her jacket.

*I really hope this doesn't mean that she has to marry it.* snarked David.

*We'll so tell her that.* came Billy's voice weekly through the link. *Also please try not to pull stunts like this too often. I really don't want to pass out before I got you back safely.*

So they continued their journey through the monotone and noiseless plains, which turned into an even more nerve wrecking ordeal. A close encounter with the local hazards made it much clearer what kind of a dangerous grounds they were treading, than Billy's stories about rock trolls, tangle weed infested swamps and the like could ever have.

They walked for what felt like an eternity... but finally...

The twisted plants became more and more frequent and the ground softer. The plains slowly gave way to a forest, tangled and malevolent, and then the forest to a settlement made of plants and stone. They saw large humanoid creatures move in the mist, but not one attempted to approach them. Damn, America must be looking fierce.

------------------

King Loki admired his work through the scrying spell while eating popcorn.

Getting some trolls to rampage through the outskirts of New York was easy, and he correctly guessed that this will get the attention of the new Thor. He made sure that a lot of people saw him letting the beasts loose too. He gave less than ten minutes before someone told the girl that Loki was responsible... his young self could really thank him for boosting his social life, that kid spends way too much time online!

Through dangers untold and hardships unnumbered by following the not-yellow not-brick road the Young Avengers finally reached a cave with seven identical looking red doors. How? Why? Ask our lazy ass writer... um Hello, thorny black vine. What are you doing in my narration box...
…
…

*Which one should we try?* asked Teddy.

*We have only one shot.* observed David pointing to the red stone on America's jacket *That seems to be the key, and one use only.*

America even not hearing the discussion could guess the gist of it from the others' body language and really didn't want to loose her keepsake, but well, she didn't have much choice.

Verity's voice came through the psychic link *I can check if they are real or not.*

*Where is Billy?* asked Teddy worried.

*Resting. Tired but fine. Please don't get into any trouble... OK. That was way too late.*

Verity concentrated on the magic picture, this would be much easier through technological surveillance.
- The leftmost door just wasn't actually there, an illusion on the wall.
- The rightmost was actually not a door at all, but the mouth of something big with big pointy teeth.
- The middle one was a door, but a giant snake hid over it under an illusion with a connected mechanism that would let it loose if opened.
- The one left from the middle one was actually green and leaked something, judging from the burns before it probably acid, and opening it would release a torrent of the stuff.

She told this information to the others.

*So we're down to three.* Said Teddy raising three fingers to signal to America.

*I see a well hidden but perfectly mechanical death trap on the one next to the rightmost.* David added. Teddy closed one more finger pointing on the ones still in.

America walked around the room and checked the doors in question, then took the stone and pressed in the lock of the one next to the leftmost. The others looked horrified, but it just clicked and opened.

She walked in with the boys right after her and they all found themselves on a clearing with a dead tree in the middle. The sun was shining, the birds chirping, which sounded almost deafening after all that time in total silence.

“Oh god! Sounds!” sighed Teddy happily.

“How did you know?” asked David.

“The other one had vines of the black stuff. And I think I can't described this better.” she shook her head “It's sometimes at the edges of my portals too.”

“Well done young warriors” said a stranger dressed in long grey cloak and a big hat that left most of his face in shadow. “To get the boon you seek, you must answer three questions for me.”

“Oh. God. Riddles.” frowned America.

“I can assure the lady these are not. My first question to you is thus: Why did you embark on this quest?”

They looked at each other than answered in unison: “For a friend.”

“I so hope he never hears this back.” Teddy sighed. “He is insufferable enough already.”

“That must be a great friend indeed.” Was this sarcastic? They really couldn't tell “Do you trust this friend?”

“Trusting him? Not a chance.” said America. The stranger looked at them with an unreadable expression on his face.

“But we have trust in him.” David added and the others nodded in agreement.

“I see. Then last question. If the price for success was equivalent in nature, what would you do?”

“So two of us for the two prisoners? We would take it.” answered Teddy.

“Then go and beat the shit out of Loki.” continued America.

“And make him fix it, but he'll probably have a plan by the time we get back anyway.” ended David.

The stranger got up and walked to the dead tree behind him. “They're already free.” he said finally.

*He's telling the truth.* Verity assured them *I just got a call from them... they said something about beating up Loki.*

“Their punishment was meant to keep them 'forever apart'. Your sorcerer brought them together unwittingly, when he choose to merge the paths.” he sounded sort of amused “Do one thing and accomplish another, this was a plan by the trickster alright.”

“Then what was our quest for?! His amusement...” David stopped “We were his god-damned contingency plan!” he whispered in disbelief.

“Go home children of Midgard, and chose wisely with whom you spend the remaining time because the day the sky falls and everything ends is near.” he waved his hand and they were gone. “This even brought it closer.” he observed to himself “My child, do these people mean more to you than the fate of the world?”

They appeared in Wiccan's room startling both him and Verity.

“I'll never get used to this.” she complained.

“You know who that was? Freaking Odin himself!” proclaimed Billy in amazement.

“So apparently we... won?” asked Teddy hesitantly, and nobody dared to answer.

----------------

Meanwhile in Asgardia Cul was engaging in serious detective work, and by this we mean he tried to intimidate people into confessing stuff. Some were more resistant to this approach than he liked however:

“What are you insinuating, Cul? That I somehow cast a spell in the name of Loki to seal that damned book?” Sif sounded insulted.

“You were asking the librarian for it, were you not?” asked Cul accusingly.

“Yes, I hoped to find more information about Loki's death in the Siege.”

“Did you?” inquired Cul in feigned interest.

“No.” that was true, she had time to think about what she saw in the hidden room: a crime scene. Apparently she found something out about a different death of the god of lies, and didn't know if she should feel honoured or creeped out by this.

“Any idea how to break the spell?”

“You need a StarkPhone with the right question.” she observed the obvious. ”I own one of those, but I highly doubt it has the key you seek.” she put her phone down beside the book. “As do among others Fandral, some of Volstagg's children and, you know, Loki himself. Now there is a more likely suspect!”

He took the phone and put it into the seal and... the book stubbornly refused to open. He sighed:
“Do you've any idea where to look for it?”

Sif shrugged “I would go to the source. If it's Loki's magic, ask the pain in the ass himself. Not that that doesn't have its own perils mind you. May I go or would you like to inquire about something else too?”

Cul seemed lost in thought but finally signalled that she can leave. Even in this time of turmoil he really didn't want to risk Odinson's or gods forbid Odin's wrath.