Mischief Makers Ch. 11

Joyce's voice was heavy with emotion too. "Of course not."

"Do what you have to do," Bobbie said to Loki. "We'll be here."

Joyce finally handed Cami off to Bobbie and went to Loki.

Cami was grateful to see Loki curb his own discomfort to allow Joyce's quick hug.

"You need a few bags so you can pack some things?" Bobbie asked tentatively.

"We're going back to S.H.I.E.L.D.," Loki said. "We'll be fine."

Cami broke Bobbie's hug and wiped at her face. "We should call in then," she said to Loki. "You happen to know the number?"

When Loki said that he did, Bobbie rushed to retrieve his cell phone and brought it to him.

Cami sat on the bed, staring at the floor and wringing her hands while Loki made the call.

Joyce settled beside Cami, reaching over to fluff her hair, wipe away tears and straighten her outfit as if making her presentable for an important meeting. Cami was tempted to mention that S.H.I.E.L.D. wouldn't care about her appearance, but didn't because Joyce meant well.

"This is Trainee Thomas Murphy. My new authentication code is 8, Bravo, 1, Romeo, 2. I'm requesting extraction for myself and Trainee Barton from 957 Eagle Ridge Road, Cedar Falls, Iowa."

Cami heard the operator's response amid the other noises in her head. "Your code is verified," the woman said. "Is this a secure line, Trainee Murphy?"

"No."

"State the priority level of your request."

"Four with high probability of escalation."

"Noted. Please hold."

Loki stepped close to caress Cami's cheek and softly say, "Stop biting your lip."

Cami hadn't realized she was doing that. She rubbed at the soreness there, feeling the indents from her teeth.

"You look so tired," Joyce said to her.

Between her tears, worry and the continuous strain to manage her magic, Cami was sapped.

"If this is going to take a while," Bobbie said, "I'll start a pot of coffee."

They went downstairs, once again gathering around the kitchen table, but Loki paced with the phone.

Finally Director Fury came on the line. He said, "We've requested that Cedar Falls P.D. transport you to the regional airport in Waterloo. We're still working on what happens after that, and your police escort is ten minutes out."

Loki stepped clear of the kitchen, speaking low. "I'd like to get moving, Sir. Is there somewhere we can meet them?"

"Just hold tight. We'll get you to a secure facility as soon as we can."

"I don't believe any location is going to be secure enough. We should rejoin the team."

"Understood. I'll inform your family." After a brief pause, Nick asked, "How is Cami?"

Cami shook her head sadly as Loki turned back to look at her, his eyes questioning. His tone was purposely unconvincing as Loki said, "She's managing."

"Catch your ride. We'll work through the details and be in touch."

Loki had just hung up and handed the phone back to Bobbie when the doorbell rang.

"That was fast," Cami said.

The group moved to the front room where Joyce promptly opened the door to reveal Dalton Peck dressed in black attire and aiming a handgun. "Move back," he ordered the stunned and paling Joyce before stepping into the house.

Cami reached out to grab and pull Joyce behind her. About the same moment, Loki sidestepped in front of Bobbie.

The burn in Cami's chest intensified. She focused on the energy, trying to keep it contained. She was considering the option of unleashing it instead and hope for an effect that would work to their advantage, but decided not to take the chance with the others so close to her.

"What is this?" Bobbie asked. His tone hardened. "How dare you..."

Loki silenced him with a cautious shake of his head.

There was a figure standing on the dark porch behind Dalton. It moved to enter and Cami recognized the balding head, round features and thin, wire glasses of Arlo Vahdati. He wore a satisfied smile as he took in the group, but settled his gaze on Loki.

"So, now you're British, Mr. Lukin?"

Loki offered him a coy, yet temporary smile. "I didn't recognize your security man before."

"Our options were limited. Truthfully, I didn't expect surveillance on the Murphys to pan out, but we've caught you both."

"To what end?"

Cami was impressed that Loki seemed so calm. Both she and Joyce were trembling.

Vahdati narrowed his eyes and stroked his chin, showing the ugly purple scar Loki had given him on his right hand. "I haven't decided."

Through the open door, Cami saw lights then a dark, unmarked van pull in front of the house.

Dalton noted the arrival and asked, "Are we taking all of them?"

"We have no further use for the parents."

Dalton's gun was already pointed at Cami. "Sorry Joyce," he said, and then ordered Cami to move.

"I suggest you point that my way instead," Loki said as a swift chill filled the room and he was suddenly standing there in Jotun form, his blood-red eyes intense and grin wide.

"My god!" Vahdati cried out and stumbled back.

Loki lunged at Dalton before he could turn his body, tackling the broad man to the floor.

"Run!" Cami ordered, frantically herding the terrified Joyce and Bobbie toward the short hall into the kitchen.

- - - - -

Dalton fought with a vengeance as they wrestled for the gun, proving that he was very strong and agile and prompting Loki to not hold back. He blocked an attempted punch, delivered one of his own then got a good grip on Dalton's wrists. He let his body temperature plummet, causing immediate and severe cold damage to the flesh. Dalton howled in pain and panic as ice quickly formed over the blackened, dying skin.

Vahdati screamed, "Shoot him!" to his men as he ran from the porch toward the van.

Loki snatched the gun from Dalton's loosening grip and rolled away from him to avoid gunfire that flew through the open doorway. The large, front window shattered, showering glass on him as he flattened out on the carpet.

Hel will watch over me, he tried to reassure himself.

Mixed in with the loud bangs and destruction were distant sirens and, to his surprise, a rumble of thunder.

When the men stopped firing to reload, Loki scurried to the corner, sitting with his back to the wall so he could cover the front door. He eyed the still and silent Dalton as his heart pounded and potent adrenaline coursed through his system.

Moments later, there were shouts, more gunfire and loud crashes and crunching of metal from the front yard and street. The unseen carnage was brief, lasting less than a minute. Then a new, larger form stepped into the house, clad in dark blue and silver armor and a long red cape.

Loki lowered the gun, growling as Thor moved urgently forward to ask if he was injured.

His system flooded with anger and embarrassment. "No, I'm fine." Loki shifted back to his human form and begrudgingly accepted Thor's assistance in standing.

Cami rushed in from the kitchen, sharing a quick hug with Thor before easing into Loki's offered embrace and holding him tight. She admitted, "I was so scared for you."

She was soon followed by the Murphys who were shocked by the destruction of their living room. "What...?" Bobbie started to ask, but quieted when his gaze fell on Dalton's body.

The police arrived with bright, flashing lights and blaring sirens.

"I'll handle them," Cami said. She was dialing the cell phone as she headed out to meet the officers.

"Thomas, what happened to you?" Joyce asked.

Loki turned toward the wall, shamefully avoiding their stares. He could only guess at the terrible thoughts Joyce and Bobbie must be having about him and couldn't quite decipher his own, turbulent emotions. "That thing is what I am... a monster." He nearly choked on the admission, feeling an excruciating stab of self-hatred.

Thor's hand rested on his shoulder. "He is a Jotun," Thor explained; "born in a land of ice and rock. Magic allows him to take on a human form."

Joyce considered this information with wet and compassionate eyes. She took Loki's free hand in her own, waiting for him to meet her gaze before thanking him and Thor for saving their lives.

"We brought this trouble to your door," Loki said guiltily. He took in the room. "All this damage..."

Bobbie smiled, the uncertainty dissolving from his features. "Don't worry about that. Fixing stuff is what I do."

Having calmed some with the Murphys' acceptance, Loki attempted to recover by joking, "You probably recognize this imposing brute. This is Thor."

"You raised Cami," Thor acknowledged with admiration, shifting Mjolnir to shake hands. "She means a great deal to our family as well."

Bobbie indicated Loki, but asked Thor, "He's your adopted brother, isn't he?"

Thor said, "Yes; he is my brother, even when he doesn't want to be."

Tired of being literally cornered by them, Loki dropped Dalton's gun and slipped past Thor to meet up with Cami and a female officer in the doorway.

"She needs a statement from you both before we can go," Cami told the brothers. "S.H.I.E.L.D. will handle the rest."

It took about a hour to answer enough questions to satisfy the police. Dalton proved to be the only fatality and was shot by his own people. Thor had been careful while knocking out the other men, though the van took considerable damage.

There was another round of handshakes and farewell hugs and some promises made before the Murphys left with their own police escort to spend a few days at a safe house.

Thor, Loki and Cami traveled north to a bifrost site across the Canadian border in Manitoba and then on to Asgard.

- - - - -

Clint had never been this cold before. He was shivering so hard that he heard it in his breathing and it took extra effort to hold his bow steady. Surely this had to be colder than some of the extreme places he'd visited on Earth.

About five feet ahead of Clint, Diani was leading their group in her fox form, which afforded her better vision in the gloomy tunnels and the advantage of more sensitive hearing and scent detection.

Mitzi stayed at Clint's side, carrying both her longsword and Diani's dagger.

"You're gonna have to tell me about Wraith Hunters sometime," he whispered.

"It's a good story," Mitzi told him. "History that many have forgotten."

Three of Farbauti's warriors followed behind with their clubs and two glowing ice orbs. Their distrustful glares and combined chill in the cramped space added to Clint's discomfort.

"That is the way to the prison," the group leader said, gesturing to the left as they reached a junction.

Mitzi stopped at almost the exact moment Diani did and put out her arm to slow Clint.

Diani's head moved to one side then the other, her nose up and ears turning in as she took several moments to evaluate. Finally, she shifted her body to the right, looked back at them and gave a small whimper.

Clint activated his power, straining to see into the darkness beyond the light of the orbs. "What is it?" he asked.

"I see nothing," the leader said, his tone brusque. "Move on."

"What's down that way?"

"Empty rooms."

The Jotun did not look to be in a compromising mood.

"Watch our backs," Clint said to Mitzi. He gestured Diani to take the lead down the left passage and they soon came upon a lone door at the end.

Clint approached the door, scanning around its edges for any signs of tampering. "I really hope this isn't booby-trapped," he whispered to Diani who was waiting between his boots. "Maybe you should back up."

Diani complied, slipping around him.

At that point, everything Clint did was slow and methodical. He lifted the latch, pushed open the door and peeked through the doorway at the top stair. He detected nothing so far, other than what might have been a whisper in the darkness below.

As he moved onto the stair, Clint quickly recalled the vision he'd had, focusing on Bad Loki's movements as he had descended into the prison, noting how he stepped and if he skipped any stairs, which he hadn't. So, Clint kept close to the wall and started down, keeping his gaze moving.

"Who is it?" a hushed voice asked.

Clint stopped, his attention now on the small lantern situated on a slender, stone pedestal in the center of the room. The lantern's flame was green and fairly limited, yet magical energy radiated from it.

"Friends," Clint said.

Another voice made a quick shushing sound and warned, "He'll hear you."

Clint reached the bottom and peeked into the first of the cells. He caught faint movement in the darkness and a definite chill coming from that direction. "Hey, I'm Clint," he said, keeping the volume of his voice low. "Can you tell me what's special about this lantern out here?"

The form approached. It was a female Jotun slightly taller than Clint. Her expression grew more fearful as she got a closer look at him and accused, "You are Asgardian."

"I am Human, actually," he explained, "and here to help. Tell me about the lantern."

A second chill washed over Clint as the leader stepped up beside him. "Speak child," he said. "The lantern is magical?"

"Yes. The Bad Man listens. When it shines bright, he is watching."

"Anyone else watching?" Clint asked. He scanned the space again now that his eyes were better adjusted.

"Sometimes. He has helpers."

The leader produced a large master key from a pouch dangling at his side. He slipped it into the keyhole, unlocking and opening the cell door, which creaked loudly and put Clint more on edge.

Diani was standing halfway down the stairs. Clint caught her gaze, pointed to his own eyes then waved her back up to the door. She nodded, seeming to understand that this was a request for her to help Mitzi keep watch. Since she had yet to leave her fox form, Diani had to jump one stair at a time.

The leader made his way around, unlocking each door. The last cell was empty, confirming to Clint that Bad Loki had indeed taken the boy who had spoken out against him.

Seven children gathered at the staircase and started the climb with the Jotun adults.

Clint waited, willing to go last to avoid being surrounded by the combined chill of the group. He focused on the lantern, which hadn't brightened any, as he backed up the stairs and into the passage.

The Jotun returned the way they'd come, but Clint found the twins once again stopped at the junction, crouched low and looking down the opposite passage.

"We heard a noise," Mitzi whispered.

"Let's check it out." Clint caught the eye of the leader. "Coming?"

Hesitantly, the Jotun gestured the other men to continue on with the children. Then he fell in line with Clint's group as they crept forward.

The passage connected to a cavern with decorative archways leading out of it. The location looked familiar to Clint, possibly the same he'd seen in his vision of Farbauti and Ashaunti.

Then he heard sounds, and turned toward them, stepping through the nearest archway and inching down the short passage. He stopped before he reached the end, flattening out against the wall while he took in the view through the open doorway ahead. Clint saw hundreds of reddish cylinders stacked chest-high in bunches with short fuses.

"What are those?" Mitzi asked uneasily.

"Explosives. Dynamite."

"A trap? Bad Loki knew we were coming?"

"I don't know, but I'm guessing there are enough explosives in there to cause significant destruction to these tunnels."

Again there was a noise from the room beyond and everyone tensed.

Clint continued down, his gaze shifting and his bow ready. He peeked around the left side of the doorway seeing thousands more explosives stacked along the walls and in a large pile in the center of the room. Resting atop or along the base of the stacks were weapons and objects of various functions and sizes. From their glowing auras, Clint assumed these items were the magical artifacts stolen by Bad Loki and that their positioning with the dynamite was intentional.

A sudden growl from Diani made Clint turn his head in time to see her lunge from concealment toward a figure crouched down on the right side. With a leap, the fox sank her teeth into the arm of Marcus Rodriguez who snarled and then slammed her against the jagged rock wall.

By the time Clint got completely turned around, Diani was crumpled on the floor, having been jolted out of her fox form.

Marcus dashed behind the dynamite pile. Instead of pursuing him around to the right, Clint stepped to the left, clearing the doorway so Mitzi could get to her sister.

"Give up, Marcus," Clint said, "or you're a goner as soon as I get a clear shot."

Rodriguez's flat response was, "I have fulfilled my purpose."

The Jotun cleared the doorway, moving to come around the pile from the opposite side.

"Heimdall," Mitzi said urgently, "Diani is seriously injured and Clint says we're surrounded by explosives called dynamite."

"That's right," Rodriguez said. "I only have to light one of these fuses. It doesn't matter which. The whole mountain could come down."

The tone was too cold for the compassionate Marcus Rodriguez that Clint had worked with for over a year and considered one of his best soldiers. One glimpse at the blue glow in the Mexican's eyes told Clint the truth. His friend was now separated by layers of madness, unable to break free of the double's commands that directed his thoughts and actions independent of his own will.

I know what it's like to be unmade, Clint thought, and he wouldn't wish the experience on his worst enemy.

Clint whipped around the pile, spotted the lighter in Marcus' hand and the bulk of his armored vest and went for the kill shot to the throat. It took two seconds, maybe less, for his body to register the injury before Marcus collapsed, but Clint was too late.

One fuse was lit.

It was a moment for action, but no solution struck him. Even a retreat was out of the question with the amount of explosive power about to be unleashed.

Then the Jotun snatched the shortening fuse between his large forefinger and thumb and extinguished the flame with his freezing touch.

Clint gasped and gripped at his chest, feeling a rush of relief. "Great reflexes," he complimented the Jotun between deep breaths.

The Jotun appeared amused by Clint's reaction. "Tell your people that the great warrior Mabrun, son of Nagrun, saved your life."

"It's a deal," Clint agreed and crouched down beside the body and spreading pool of blood.

The natural chocolate brown of Marcus' lifeless eyes stared as Clint picked up and pocketed the lighter. "I'm sorry, My Friend," Clint whispered and reverently closed the man's eyes.

Mabrun leaned closer to bathe Clint's features with his corrosive chill. "He was your friend?"

Clint refused to flinch as he met the warrior's harsh stare. "Yeah; he was a good man, when he was himself."

With an accepting nod, the Jotun reached his hand toward the dynamite beside them.

"Don't touch," Clint warned. "Frozen dynamite is usually safe to handle until it starts to thaw, but we can't take any chances. We've got to find a way to get all this out of here and Diani needs medical attention."

"If we can't touch them...?"

"My people can find a way to do it safely, if Farbauti will allow it."

The Jotun stood, looking around as he considered. "We must guard this room," he decided. "Help will come."

- - - - -

Dr. Lloyd met Loki, Thor and Cami at the garden entrance of the command center as they landed. "Anyone hurt?" he asked, making a quick visual inspection.

"You should look her over," Loki said, glancing at Cami with firm insistence.

Cami indicated the adhesive bandages on her cheek and ear. "I got these and some bruises before Cedar Falls."

Lloyd nodded. "King Odin sent word to the Zovodna. Jorn and Mahlora are waiting with Queen Frigga to examine you. Hopefully they will figure out what's going wrong with you magic."