157: The Avengers' First Meeting (1)

Gwen breathed a sigh of relief seeing Captain Rogers burst in and knock Loki away.

Anna shook her head, still reeling from whatever Loki had done.

Gwen immediately contacted Tony, "Are you almost there?"

"Just about! Want me to cue up some dramatic entrance music?" Tony joked.

"When you arrive, please check on Anna - see what Loki did to her," Gwen requested urgently.

"You got it!" Tony wasn't surprised Gwen knew the situation. After their last team-up, he realized her AI assistant matched JARVIS' capabilities.

Above the hotel,

Black Widow circled in a fighter jet. Gazing down, she saw Loki duplicates surround civilians below.

"So this is magic? Asgardian fashion looks a bit shabby."

A thunderous impact drew her gaze - Rogers and Loki were battling furiously.

Though stronger than normal humans, Rogers was still slightly overpowered against the giant Frost Giant.

Plus Loki's mind scepter weighed heavily on Rogers' spirit.

Seeing Rogers disadvantaged, Black Widow told her co-pilot, "Take the controls."

She moved to unbuckle herself and assist Rogers below.

Suddenly the fighter's systems blared an intrusion warning and loud, drum-heavy disco music pumped through the speakers - Stark's trademark entrance fanfare.

Immediately Widow realized what was happening. Stark's voice followed, "Long time no see,Agent Romanoff! Miss me?"

"Always. I'll be waiting for you." she shot back.

"Ok, let's settle the matter in front of us first!"

Tony spotted Rogers and Loki brawling below. Seizing the timing, he blasted Loki aside with a repulsor ray.

Loki crashed heavily as Tony touched down, weapons trained on him.

"Now, lay down your weapons and surrender!" Tony ordered.

Loki raised his hands cooperatively, his armor fading away.

Rogers approached Tony, having seen Stark's profile already. His Iron Man persona mattered little to Rogers - only that Tony was old ally Howard's son.

"Stark," Rogers greeted simply.

"Captain," Tony returned politely.

Rogers didn't pry further, just nodding.

Tony had unfinished business.

He moved inside finding Anna dazed in a corner. "Miss Anna Granger?"

"J.A.R.V.I.S., scan Miss Anna's physical condition with X-ray."

"Okay, sir."

"Sir, Miss Anna's body is fine, she must have been a little frightened just now."

Sweat beaded Anna's pale brow as she looked up bewilderedly.

"Tony Stark?"

"Yes, it's me."

"A friend sent me to check on you," Tony explained.

"Need medical assistance?"

Anna shook her head, steadying herself.

"Can you take me back to New York instead? I...I don't want to stay here."

Normally taking on passengers in the suit wasn't feasible, but now there was a fighter jet waiting outside!

Tony agreed easily, "No problem, your safety is my mission, after all."

"Thank you," Anna said gratefully.

Tony escorted Anna aboard, where Rogers raised an eyebrow.

"This is..."

"A friend, Captain," Tony said simply.

"The playboy seems to have quite a few lady friends globally," Black Widow jabbed playfully.

Tony didn't bother correcting assumptions. so he sat opposite Loki with Anna and asked, "Do you need Agent Romanov to buckle your seat belt for you?"

Hearing this, Black Widow looked at Tony in surprise.

Not because Tony was calling her, but because Tony was such a gentleman to a beauty of this level.

It's not like his style.

Could it be that this beauty is really just Tony's friend?

Pale-faced, Anna gave a small smile.

"I can manage, thank you. I just need to rest."

"When you get to New York, I'll arrange for someone to pick you up."

"Just tell the driver where you want to go."

Anna nodded, and then leaned on the side a little tired, and fell asleep.

Across from the slumbering Anna, Loki stayed silent, smiling to himself.

"Learn anything about the Tesseract?" Tony asked Rogers quietly.

Rogers shook his head.

"He's said nothing since boarding. But capturing him seemed too easy..."

Tony understood Rogers' misgivings. "No matter - he's in custody now. Leave the interrogations to Cue Ball."

Cue Ball? Rogers pictured Fury's bald head. An accurate comparison! Despite herself, Black Widow also smiled at Stark's irreverent nicknaming.

She radioed to HQ, "Director Fury, we are en route with Loki in custody. Awaiting orders."

Fury's voice responded promptly, "Bring him in. We must uncover the Tesseract's location."

"Yes sir!"

Suddenly the sky darkened with heavy clouds and rolling thunder echoed around them. Loki noticeably flinched at the sounds.

Rogers commented wryly, "Afraid of a little lightning?"

"I just don't care for what follows," Loki muttered uneasily.

Before Rogers could decipher that, a heavy thud sounded from above.

Loki paled, staring at the ceiling. "It's here..."

To be continued...

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