Chapter 7

Nat rushed in. "Hey, calm down big guy. Hulk! Stop smashing!"

Hulk looked at her and then the rest of the group. "Hulk sorry. Hulk no smash."

I just stared. Was this really the same mild-mannered Bruce Banner I had met? I watched as the green receded and his size came back to normal. I did notice that Loki had given Hulk a wide berth. I wondered why.

"So that's the Hulk. Very strong, very destructive."

"I see that. But I can also see where it can be helpful and needed at times."

I looked at Thor. "So, you said God of Thunder before. What does that mean exactly?"

He grinned. "Well, I have superhuman strength, speed, durability, far beyond any human and pretty much invulnerable. I can also control lightning." Then his eyes filled with what looked like lightning. Electricity danced in the air and the smell of ozone filled the room. Lightning struck the top of the building from a clear sky. 

"And that's why I put in lightning rods on the roof," I heard Tony mutter.

As the lighting in Thor's eyes faded, he held out his hand like he was waiting for something. I heard a whistling noise coming up behind me. I knew I was safe here, so I just continued to stand there and look at him, waiting. A large metal hammer flew past me, ruffling my hair and slammed into his hand handle first. I never blinked. 

"I like this one as well Brother. Maybe not as much as you seem to do, but she has nerve. This is Mjolnir. Indestructible, always returns to me, and only those worthy can pick it up and wield it."

"What do you mean worthy?"

"Worthy of ruling Asgard, where Loki and I are from."

"Where is Asgard exactly?"

"It is not of this realm."

"So you aren't from here either? Honestly, that makes me feel better not being the only one." 

I looked over at Loki. "Ok Mischief Man. What you got?"

"Oh, I have plenty darling." The room around me shifted and became a beautiful garden with the most beautiful flowers I had ever seen. The smell was intoxicating. I looked around in wonder.

"Oh my" I breathed. 

I heard his voice in my ear. " I would give much to hear that breathy voice as I have you in my bed, pet. I would give more to hear your screams as I give you pleasure."

I stopped breathing. I looked over but couldn't see him. "I knew you could do illusion, but I didn't know you could do all this."

The garden fell away. I was once again back in the training room and Loki looked at me with a smug face. 

"I also have magic." Green energy, almost like fire hovered over his palm. "I am far superior to humans in all ways, including fighting. I do have many more tricks, but I am not going to demonstrate those at this time my dear."

Tony stepped forward again. "I know we saw some of your reflexes when you got here, but we need to evaluate your fighting skills if you feel up to it. I'm not sure about your wounds though. I don't want to reopen them."

I shrugged. "I've fought with worse wounds. It's good stitching. It will hold. So how do you want to evaluate me then?"

"Well, I had figured have you fight someone. We need to see you move more than you would against a training dummy and your weapons ability. Do some sparring with one of us." 

"Sure, I'm game. Who with?"

Before Tony could answer, Loki spoke up. "Me."

I cocked a brow in his direction. "Sure Mischief Man. What are the end terms? Yield or first blood, or either? And are daggers ok? I left my sword in my room."

"Either will do well. Daggers are a preferred weapon of choice. Prepare to yield my pet."

"In your dreams."

"Oh definitely."