A/N: So, I lied about this chapter taking awhile. I found some spare time and it was pretty easy to write. Moral of the story: don't trust anything I say. That being said, the next chapter, if I write it as I plan to, will likely be very lengthy. Not that you should believe me. (Also, there's a not at all subtle Ant-Man reference in this chapter:D)

Disclaimer: I do not own anything except the particular way I combine words to form prose.

Gently, the soft inferno of the amber sunrise spread across the rooftop of the expansive white facility, illuminating the tiniest crevices, spreading light into the darkest, most gloomy nooks. A gentle breeze caressed the awakening world, and the dew drops shimmered in a kaleidoscope of brilliant saffron light. It was a perfect morning, the temperature cool and refreshing, even the voices of stirring animals coalescing in a pleasing, natural harmony. Everything was still, and beautiful, and—

"I swear, Capsicle, if one more damn gnat comes within five feet of me again, I will blast it to goddamn Asgard with my repulsors."

And Steve was pretty much miserable.

He exhaled a sigh of the bitterest kind of regret, wrenching his eyes away from the breathtaking sight and forcing his mind back into reality. He gazed across the monochromatic white of the facility roof, eyes finally coming to rest upon the irritated billionaire standing but a few feet from him. He liked Tony, he really did, but the genius had an infuriating knack for spoiling Steve's peace and silence. He knew Tony had a deeper side to him, yet it was always so hidden behind snarky comments and an arrogant facade that Steve frequently found himself wondering whether the man ever just stopped and allowed his mind to think about absolutely nothing.

Which was exactly what Steve had been trying to do.

With his reverie shattered, all the thoughts and concerns that he had so desperately avoided came crashing down upon him. Loki was the obvious one- Steve still felt stirrings of dread at what destruction, intentional or not, the demigod might leave in his path. And of course there was Steve's nagging suspicion, persistent and unsubstantiated, that they were missing something crucial about the strange Asgardian. Steve could not quite form his misgivings, but they all seemed to stem from that one moment in his apartment, right before Tony had burst through the door. That second, Loki's haggard appearance, Natasha's suspicions- they created a deep unease within the Captain that hinted at danger to come.

And then there was Bucky...

Steve shook his head. Now wasn't the time to dwell on that.

"Well, all of the security sensors are functioning, I've got F.R.I.D.A.Y. on alert for anything out of the ordinary, and the weapons systems are in perfect working order..."

Tony stood up from where he had been bent over one of the many slyly concealed lasers installed upon the facility's roof. Steve stared at the panel concealing the weapon, feeling completely and utterly useless. He had many skills, from fighting, to leadership, to survival- but technology was definitely not one. All he could do was stand around awkwardly, listening to Tony go on about terms and concepts completely over his head, marveling at the stunning sunrise like a cliché romantic.

"Any threats, we should get a heads up the moment they come anywhere near this place..."

Steve snorted, stating the obvious problem belying Stark's hesitant tone.

"Right, because if a hole in the sky opens up right above Avengers facility and lets down an army of invading aliens, we're really going to need that two seconds heads up."

Tony pointed his finger threateningly at the Captain's chest, his face in mock affront. "You need to stop being such a Debbie Downer, Spangles. You gotta think positive. Trust the tech, grandpa- and any big stuff, we've got the Earth's Mightiest Heroes for that."

Yeah that's a great outlook, Steve internally rolled his eyes. If we get invaded by Chitauri, at least we're the only ones who could possibly put up any resistance. Comforting.

"Not to mention, I got some real new age stuff installed for stealth detection. I tell ya, Cap, nothing but an ant is gonna be getting in here unauthorized."

"Yeah, well..." The Captain's eyes drifted away from his fellow Avenger, a slight abnormality in his peripheral vision leading them to slide up towards the sky. The corners of his mouth turned downward and his eyebrows furrowed at what they saw; the previously clear and scorching sky had darkened, a slight bluish tinge mingling with the fiery sky. Steve's thoughts immediately slid towards the Tesseract... but that couldn't be right. The Cube was on Asgard, locked away... was this Thor's doing?

Steve nudged the kneeling prodigy beside him, Stark's attention fully focused on double checking the nearest security sensor. Tony glanced up, eyes narrowing at the small, unusual storm brewing above them.

"Uh... did the weatherman call for creepy blue storms this morning?"

"Not on the weather channel I watch. I'm calling it in."

Steve had just pulled out the walkie-talkie he was carrying when an alarm began blaring beside Stark, F.R.I.D.A.Y.'s voice surrounding them. "Sir, I have detected an abnormality originating directly above the facility. Analyzing readings now, but they resemble those of Tesseract technology."

"Yes, thank you for that completely obvious information, F.R.I.D.A.Y." Stark mumbled, concern now evident upon his face.

Steve pressed down the talk button, his voice reaching the earpiece of every Avenger within the premises. "Uh, guys, we've got a problem. Bluish looking... thing... right above us. Possible portal. Code 7-1-Alpha."

As the swirling azure mess grew larger, Steve gripped his shield tightly, tense and vigilant, thoughts of defense swirling within his head. There was no longer any doubt in his mind- something was causing this mess, and no way it was of Earth. The voices of the other Avengers sounded in his ear, affirmations as the heroes set off to their predetermined positions of defense. Guns and lasers rose out of the roof at a command from Stark, and the genius, mind completely clear of jokes and mockery, began striding towards the roof access point to retrieve his suit.

He had barely gone three steps when the monstrous shock reverberated down upon the roof, bowling the Iron man, the Captain, and the top notch security to the ground.

...

"You kept it?! The stone... is here?!"

Natasha waited patiently, silent and still.

"You fools! Did you learn nothing from your time with the Tesseract? You pitiful, dimwitted, arrogant, creatures!"

Natasha narrowed her eyes at Loki's vehemence—for the entire interrogation, Loki had maintained an inimitable air of calmness and composure. Even in his brief moments of openness, he reached no emotion wilder than a dark iciness. Even in his flicker of horror, Loki had remained collected, ready to recall his haughtiness at a moment's notice.

Now Loki seemed to be doing his best not to strangle Natasha. He clenched his teeth, glaring at the Widow as though through sheer stare he could unravel whatever crazy motivations could possibly result in the Avengers keeping the scepter. His words churned with fury and fervor- and the slightest tinge of panic. Natasha dismissed away the confusion that clouded her mind at the Asgardian's reaction- half of interrogation was learning to adapt to any situation.

"Well that was an extreme reaction." She commented candidly.

"You want to see extreme?" Loki hissed, teeth gritting and expression equal parts scorn and ferocity. Spite and malice poured out with his voice, seething through the air and almost seeming to freeze the room."Trust me, you'll be seeing plenty of extreme. Will damn well have brought it on yourself as well."

Natasha quirked her eyebrows up, conclusions clicking into place."So who's after the scepter, Loki?"

Loki shook his head, turning away and gazing anxiously around the room as though he expected someone to materialize instantly before him. His eyes darted towards the steel door, the cameras, and finally back to the waiting Widow. They slid past her, becoming unfocused, as though he were seeing beyond the wall, or perhaps in another world altogether. As time ticked by, the fervor drained out of Loki's face, traces of composure once more lingering in his expression. When he spoke, his voice was empty and distracted.

"Matters not... he'll be here soon. There's nothing can be done about it." His eyes slipped shut, and something akin to despair slid across his face.

For the first time, Natasha felt a true stab of fear towards this mysterious entity. Horror, and rage, and bitterness were one thing- but dejection? That went against everything she knew and had gathered about Loki. And it quite frankly terrified her.

She leaned close to Loki, garnering as much sympathy and gentleness as she could muster for the alien she so intensely despised. Loki's eyelids slid open, and Natasha met him straight on, gazing deeply and pleadingly into the Asgardian's convoluted eyes. Normally so guarded and arrogant, they now held a frighteningly intricate mixture of emotions: fear and hatred, desperation and rage, bitterness and cruelty. They were insane and deadly, and sent a chill down Natasha's back that seemed to leave tendrils of ice in its wake, clutching at her heart and gut. And yet, she held steady, refusing to budge or back down from the alien glare. When she spoke, her voice was soft and entreating, a tone she never imagined she would use with the demigod- and one she was unaware Loki had not heard since his last words with his mother.

"Loki, please. We will help you, if you only tell us what is coming. Who is after the scepter? Why are they after it?"

Loki said nothing, and Natasha pressed on.

"Don't be a fool, Loki. If we share a common enemy, if your pursuer is a threat to this planet, then we will stop at nothing to defeat him. You know we will. But we need you."

Natasha was barely able to choke out the words. Though Loki's knowledge was crucial towards facing this threat, it still hurt to admit it. Still, she leaned back slightly, and the silence between them seemed to seep into every corner of the room, oppressive and apprehensive. Though it was only a few seconds that passed, the tension stretched it out into what felt like minutes. Finally, Loki spoke, his voice barely more than a whisper, an unsettling resignation highlighting his tone.

"His name is Thanos. He is insane, and if he gets a hold of that scepter, our doom will be that much more imminent."

"Doom?" Natasha questioned, excited at Loki's willing, and most unexpected, cooperation. When she had first entered this room, she would have been thrilled to sneak a clue out of Loki- never did she imagine she would garner his full collaboration. "Why? What is so important about the scepter?"

Loki's voice was dead serious, his words dropping into the air like lead bricks. "Its potential is far more vast and powerful than you could imagine in your darkest dreams."

A glance to the side, a slight hesitation.

"They are called infinity stones. For years, I thought them mere legend, a tale twisted and exaggerated through the course of time. Only recently has the legend sprung to life."

Eyes once more turned to meet the Widow's, hatred lingering within.

"There are six of them. Whoever possesses them all... would have complete, unparalleled control of the entire universe."

Great, thought Natasha sarcastically, despite the gravity of the situation. Another universe conquering psychopath using Earth as a stepping stone to galactic domination.

What has my life come to?

"So Thanos is after these stones?" She questioned aloud, anxious for answers, but wary of Loki's temporary willingness. Who knew what could compel the strange alien to shut down again.

"Obviously." Loki deadpanned. "I never thought you would be foolish enough to covet the gem for yourselves. Suppose I should have seen it coming, what with Stark being a part of your team."

"Where are the others?"

Loki waited awhile before answering; now that he had gotten over his initial fury and horror at the revelation of the scepter's whereabouts, he seemed to have regained his control and poise. Nevertheless, he still looked more wary and anxious than Natasha had yet to see him.

"I don't know." He said simply, eyebrows rising in apology. "I cannot help you with that. But I offer you advice, as I wish no more than you for Thanos to find success.

"Hide the scepter. Protect it with all of your resources. And the minute you can transfer it to safer storage, do so. You are probably too late. But it is worth a shot. It is your only shot."

Natasha opened her mouth to direct towards Loki one of her many pressing questions, but was interrupted by a blaring alarm throughout the facility. Loki stiffened across from her, eyes once more darting to the steel door. Her earpiece crackled, Steve's voice echoing in her head.

"Uh, guys, we've got a problem. Bluish looking... thing... right above us. Possible portal. Code 7-1-Alpha."

Loki sucked in a sharp gasp, but Natasha barely heard him over her own rapidly focusing mind. A portal... Thanos, no doubt. She glanced longingly towards the demigod, desperately wanting to wring as much information as she could out of him. But there was no time. Their enemy was here, and they would have to face him with what they had.

Natasha stood up, and sent back to Captain her confirmation that she had heard. She slid open the door, knowing Bruce would enter after she departed to keep an eye on the rogue and dangerous demigod.

She took a step across the threshold- and a massive shock drove through her body, paralyzing her limbs and slamming her into the ground.

The world swirled around Natasha- confusion and disarray- bewilderment clouding her thoughts... twisting her surroundings into... into... an impenetrable mess- blurriness and chaos.

The situation- the attack- seemed to disintegrate before her. And yet, through the... the chaos- the disorder- cut one clear thought, one distinct voice that sounded- peculiarly- like Loki.

They are here.