Battle of New York: 29 Years Ago

Loki Laufeyson de-materialized his horned helm as he approached the Midgardian prince, Anthony Stark. Loki's advance on the self proclaimed genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist, didn't stir the human, much to the Trickster's amusement.

"The Chitauri are coming, " he said, raising his scepter, pointing to the sky, "nothing will change that. What have I to fear"?

"The Avengers", Stark said, pouring a glass of, well it wasn't his best bourbon, but it would do. "That's what we call ourselves; we're sort of like a team. 'Earth's Mightiest Heroes' type thing".

"Yes, I've met them ", Loki said, amusement crossing his face.

"Yeah, took us a while to gain some traction ", he said, as if he was hosting a dinner party, talking about a nearly failed product that out performed initial projection numbers, "but let's do a head count: your brother, the demi-god; a super soldier, a living legend who sorta lives up to the legend bit; a man with breath-taking anger management issues; a couple of master assassins, and YOU, big fella, you've managed to piss every, single one of them off".

"That was the plan".

"Not a great plan. Because when they come, and they will, they are all coming for you".

"I have an army".

"We have a Hulk".

"The beast that wondered off"?

"You're missing the point. There is NO throne. There is NO version of this where you come out on top. Maybe your army comes and maybe it's too much for us, but it is all on you, because if we can't protect the earth", Tony said, looking into the stunned eyes of the would be conqueror, "you can be damned sure we'll avenge it".

Anthony Stark kept that promise. As Loki watched the Hero of Iron carry the nuclear warhead into the portal he played his last card. Cutting his hand he took hold of both the Space and Mind Stones, hoping he would be given another chance. He had no idea what that would mean.

National City: 29 Years Later

Lucas Queen squinted through the welding goggles as Winslow Schott Jr., tech wizard extraordinaire, added the finishing touches to the large, metallic block in the middle of the DEO's communication center.

"Alright Luke", he said, removing his welding mask and gloves, "here goes nothing".

"Winn, you've said that the past ten times'.

"Please, those were trial runs".

Lucas didn't say anything, he just moved to safety as Winn threw the switch, sending a large current to the massive machine. Then he smiled as he watched the display light up.

"Thank you, Stark", he said, a smile gracing his lips. To his right he heard the click of a camera phone and a distinct giggle.

"Kara, what are you doing"?

"Capturing that smile for posterity".

"Don't get used to it, we've still got work to do".

As he admired the work Winn and he had accomplished he sensed the presence of one of, if not his least favorite people.

"How can I trouble you, agent Danvers"?

"You can start by explaining to me why you and Mr. Schott have been making a mess of my floor for the past three weeks".

"Well it's quite simple, we have been developing an intelligence program that has the thought matrix of a human, with the capabilities of an android and controlled by the laws of robotics designed by Isaac Asimov".

"What the hell are you talking about, Queen".

"I apologize, I forgot you don't speak 'intelligent'. Allow me to translate so you can understand; it's a machine that goes 'blee-bloop'".

"You don't scare me Queen, I know exactly what you are"?

"Everyone does, but you can't say the same about yourself...can you"?

"Tread carefully, speak not of things you know nothing about", she said, getting in his face.

"Oh, but I do know about it. I know what it's like to wake up, knowing that you are not like everyone else, to know in your heart that there is more to you than what you LET people see".

Agent Danvers stood there, shocked at the implications Lucas Queen threw her way, and unnerved by just how right he was. But she also was scared, because he was so close to the truth that she HAD to take him into her confidence.

"Come with me", she said, heading towards the access stairway to the roof. Lucas followed her as she climbed the stairs, sometimes two at a time.

"What's the hurry"?

"If I don't show you now I never will".

She said this as they stepped out into the sun. As she did her clothes shimmered and were replaced with Asgardian battle dress, her hair grew into flowing black locks. Lucas immediately knew who she was.

Thor Odinson walked in silence to the Bi-frost portal, rebuilt after 29 years. Heimdall, as always kept watch over the nine realms, but one place in particular was especially watched.

"Has she found him Heimdall"?

"Yes, my liege".

"I shouldn't have sent her alone, I should have gone with her".

"I truly would have enjoyed watching that argument".

"How is she"?

"She searches for a way, back to you".