Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

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Loki, God of Mischief, shimmered into existence, atoms rearranging to form his body in Peter Parker's room at Avengers Compound.

"Peter?" he called softly, striding over to the boy.

"Loki! I thought you were coming tomorrow?" Peter asked, confused.

"Sigyn and I finished the pendant," Loki explained, dropping a green and black pendant into Peter's hands. "It should create a protective bubble when you are having a sensory overload. Try not to use it in front of others, but it shouldn't reveal many secrets."

"That's our dysfunctional family, full of secrets. How are they?"

"America and Hela have something to show you when you can drop by and Stephen should be back in two days. Sigyn has been waiting to celebrate your latest win."

"That's great! I might come over on the weekend or Friday if I'm not busy with stuff. How do I get out of the bubble?"

"Seven taps on the inside, do them quickly."

Peter paused, head tilted. "Shit, I'm going to have to use that pendant sooner than expected."

"Rub the orb three times," Loki instructed, waiting until a swirling green and black bubble formed around the boy.

Can you hear anything? Loki asked, opening the bond he had with Peter.

No...am I supposed to?

It's supposed to block out light and sound.

Then it works.

Good...oh shit. Loki whirled around, hearing footsteps. I have to go. Try not to reveal secrets when you explain, okay? The bubble will notify you when it senses the overload is over.

Loki began trying to open a portal. Fuck. My magic is depleted.

"Get away from him!" Stark yelled, aiming one of his gloves at the god.

"Stark," Loki greeted neutrally. Peter...don't you dare try anything or I will tell Hela and America. Or Shuri. I can handle this. Loki turned to face the other person with a weapon pointed at him. "Thor. What brings you here?"

"Stop playing games, Loki. What are you doing to the boy?" Thor hissed.

Don't make this worse.

Define worse.

Loki...

"Oh, that? Just a little spell, nothing harmful."

This is the very definition of making it worse!

Oh...I know.

Lovely.

Stark snarled and fired a beam at Loki. He dodged, twisting out of the way, only to duck to avoid Mjolnir. Loki...you can't use magic!

I can't use most of my magic, but there are artifacts I can use.

Of course you're going to do this...un-fucking-believable.

Loki nimbly avoided Stormbreaker, only to be hit by a blast from Stark. The two advanced on him. "Stop the spell!"

He ignored Stark, instead summoning the Casket of Ancient Winters from his pocket dimension.

"Where did you get that? Asgard was destroyed."

"Did you really think that the Tesseract was the only thing I took from the Vaults?" Loki replied, grabbing the handles of the Casket. His skin turned Jotunn blue, crimson markings creeping up his arms.

Loki closed his eyes, harnessing the power of the Casket.

"No, don't you da-" Thor was cut off by a wave of ice erupting from the relic and encircling him and Stark, trapping the two in place. Loki sighed and sent the Casket back to the pocket dimension.

He then turned and strode over to the bubble. Peter...you okay?

The bubble collapsed in on itself and Peter stumbled out. "That was an amazingly short overload. Thank you!" He then rushed forward and hugged Loki.

"You're welcome, kid. I'll tell Sig-" Loki was interrupted by a beep. He frowned in confusion as he pulled out his phone and accepted the call.

"Hello dear. What is it? Yes, the pendant worked. Wait, what? He's never early. Yeah, I'll bring him. See you soon." Loki turned off the phone.

"Who was it?" Stark asked.

"That is, quite frankly, none of your business," Loki turned to his nephew in all but blood. "Stephen's home."

"Wait...really? Dad is never home early."

Tuning out Stark's shocked sputtering, Loki replied, "He is today. Come on, we're going home."

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Loki stepped out of the portal and sighed. His arms and hands were still Jotunn blue. With his magic depleted and the after-effects of using the Casket of Ancient Winters, they would stay like that for a few hours or so.

"Stephen...you look terrible." Indeed, Doctor Stephen Strange did look terrible. He had multiple wounds, probably some broken or bruised ribs, his skin was grey (from ash and/or blood loss, Loki couldn't tell), and his clothes were singed and burned in places.

"Dad, what the fuck happened?"

"I ran into dragons..." With that, Stephen collapsed. Hela sprang forward and caught her uncle before his head could hit the floor and give him a concussion. Sigyn dropped the plate she was holding and strode over to Stephen, magic lighting her fingertips. She began casting a healing spell, sealing up his wounds, erasing contusions, and righting his bones. "He'll need rest for at least four days. You are not to give any magical or scientific books to him at all. No paperwork. Stephen is to stay in bed and let his body rest for two days and he can have scientific books for the other two days. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Mom. Where's America?"

"America is at Kamar-Taj. Do you want to call her?"

"Yeah. I'll just call the group."

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Stephen had just woken up a few hours later when America Chavez opened a portal in the sitting room. "I got the message. What happened? Is he okay?" America directed her questions to Peter, who had stepped out to greet his sister.

"Yeah, dad is fine, Amy. How is Shuri?" he replied, wrapping his sister in a hug.

She smiled at the mention of one of her girlfriends. "Shuri's fine, Pete. Is Hela around?" she asked, referring to her other girlfriend.

"She went out to get some...jewelry." If America noticed his slight hesitation, she didn't show it.

"What about Mom and Loki?" she inquired.

"They're with Stephen, MJ and Ned are coming over in an hour, and we have to go to the Tower."

"What? Why?"

"Loki and I got caught while I was using the pendant."

America stilled at the mention of the pendant then let out a squeal of excitement. "They got it to work? Can I see it? Are they going to create more copies for people who need it?"

"Yes, they did, here, you can see it, and they might. I don't really know."

"Damn, there is some pretty hefty magic on here. How did they get the eldritch magic to work with the Jotun & Aesir mix?"

"Amy, I don't know. I don't use magic."

"Sorry, Pete. I forgot."

"It's okay."

Ring.  The doorbell rang.

"Michelle! Ned!" America reached the door first. "How are you? How's college?"

"Amy! It's great! You're missing out with this online shit."

"No, she isn't, MJ. Don't lie to America like that," Ned rebutted.

"MJ, Ned," Peter greeted, pressing a kiss to his girlfriend's cheek.

"We have to go to the Tower now," MJ commanded, the time for pleasantries over.

"Why?"

"They've captured Loki, Sigyn, and Hela."

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Chapter Text

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"They've captured Loki, Sigyn, and Hela."

"What?! MJ, are you sure?" America looked sick.

"I'm positive."

"We need to make a plan." The other three turned to Ned. He gave a grim, close-mouthed smile. They won't know what is coming for them, who is coming for them.

"Okay, let's plan."

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The four stood around a table, with a whiteboard and figurines to map their rescue plan.

"How long do we have?" Peter asked.

"I don't know. In fact, I only know they were taken in because I saw them when I was leaving the Tower. I got Ned from the upper floors and came here."

"There was no screaming yet, only threats. But they looked serious," Ned supplied.

"How many guards?"

"Around ten for each room, Amy."

"They're being held separately? Do we know the layout? What floor?" MJ asked Ned.

"Floor...I think they are in the basement prison, that's what I overheard. Loki is farthest from the exit, with Hela and Sigyn in rooms diagonally across from him, forming a triangle. Rooms are magic-proof."

"Who do we call?"

"I can help with that." The question came unexpectedly from an expected source.

"Shuri?"

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Peter, America, Shuri, MJ, Ned, and later, Stephen Strange, had formulated a plan. It would be stealth, with two of them for each room, getting in and out as quick as possible. The other three would remain as backup.

Stephen opened a portal to an office on the fourth floor of Stark Tower, and the others walked through. "Here's the plan: Peter, America, and Shuri, you go in and free them. We remain as backup. Let's go, use the stairs and look inconspicuous."

They moved out, going to the stairs and then to the basement prison. Stephen cast a cloaking spell over the three who were to break and enter. "Even I dind't know this place had a basement prison," Peter breathed out.

"We don't have time, Pete. Let's fucking move," America snapped.

"Got it, Amy. Shuri, you take Loki, I'll take Hela, and Amy, take Sigyn. Move!"

Stephen, MJ, and Ned remained in the alcove and listened to the shit happening. Peter was knocking out the guards with punches to the jaw and by using choke holds, somehow remaining somewhat silent. "Come on, hurry up." Amerrica finished casting a sleep spell, and Shuri just used her sleep ray to knock out their guards. They entered the rooms. Dad, the cuffs need to be taken off before we can leave.

Do it. Hope that no one comes.

Of course, that's when the alarm started blaring. "Intruders in Basement Level 5! Intruders in Basement Level 5!" Hurry up, Pete. How long left?

Shit...fifteen minutes for each pair of cuffs, and I have to do Sigyn and Loki too.

Stephen heard footsteps and turned, recognizing Stark's arc reactor light. The Avengers are here. I'll hold them off.

The Avengers?! Dad, wait! Stop! Don-

Stephen closed the bond and turned to face MJ and Ned. "You have your weapons right?" They nodded, gripping them. "On three...one...two...three!"

MJ spun out first, her twin swords, gleaming and flashing as she swung them in tight arcs, keeping the Avengers at bay. Ned and Stephen stepped out, sling rings ready. "What are you doing here?" Natasha growled.

"Being an "all-knowing" spy as you are, you should probably know that," MJ snarled. "Hurry up, you three!"

"I need more time!" Peter yelled back.

Stark blinked in shock. "I know that voice...Pete?!" He took half a step forward, but Ned blocked him, eldritch shields at the ready.

"Know that we gave you a choice," Banner growled.

Taking that for a warning, Stephen raised his shields to block the repulsor blast. Thing quickly swung into chaos. America and Shuri slipped out and joined the fighting. MJ was facing Captain America, swords dancing as she expertly wielded them. Where did she learn to do that?

Shuri and America were fighting back-to-back, taking on Hawkeye, Black Widow, and the Falcon.

Stephen found himself back-to-back with Ned, fighting Iron Man, War Machine, Thor, and Hulk. Stephen shot a overpowered sleep spell at the Hulk, thankfully putting him out of commission. Still, they were terribly outnumbered. "I should've called Daredevil," Stephen grumbled as Hela and Scarlet Witch began taking each other on.

"Ned, raise a shield. I have to make a call."

Ned raised an eyebrow but complied. "Who are you calling?"

Stephen smirked at his pseudo-apprentice. "Daredevil."

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Matt Murdock, attorney-at-law, aka Daredevil, faced the stack of paper that occupied his desk. He sighed and picked one up, running his fingers over the ink to "read" it. It was about a potential new client, Caroline Kent, who had been charged with murder and arson.

Stephen. Stephen. Stephen. Matt's phone rang.

"Hello Stephen. Why are you calling?"

He could hear a battle occurring on the other end. "Hi Daredevil. I don't suppose you could come over and help out with - Amy, drop! - this fight, could - Hela, on your left! you?"

"Depends." He frowned. "Are you fighting the Avengers?!"

"Well...yes. Shuri, her left is unguarded! Could you please - reinforcements coming, prepare for them! - come?" Stephen grunted.

"Fine, I'll come. Open a portal."

He clicked off and picked up the case with his suit in it. "Karen, I'm leaving early!"

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Stephen sighed. Hurry up. He tucked his phone away and opened a portal in the ceiling as he joined the fight, blocking a red blast of magic. He lost himself in the fight for a few minutes, ducking and sending eldritch magic toward anyone who looked to be gaining the upper hand. MJ, Shuri, Hela, and America were doing the best out of them, MJ driving Stars and Stripes back against the wall, aided by America's magic.

However the rest of them were losing. Badly.

"F.R.I.D.A.Y., activate the anti-magic field."

"Activating in 2 minutes."

Shit. Come on, Daredevil. Before the portal closes.

The clock kept ticking. "Anti-magic field activating."

The portal began to close. They still fought on.

Daredevil dropped down into the room.

They all stopped for a moment. Then Daredevil kicked Steve Rogers in the face and the fight was on. Since magic was out, Stephen, Ned, America, Sigyn, and Hela couldn't do much so they settled down to watch.

"Michelle, right?" Daredevil asked, getting a nod. "Get Thor to use his lightning and fry Iron Man instead. He'll survive it," he whispered.

He turned and punched Steve Rogers in the gut, actually causing damage. Iron Man stared in dumbfounded disbelief, allowing Peter to disconnect his visor, making Iron Man unable to see. "No luck, Loki's is far more advanced than the other two. I would need at least 2 hours to open it," Peter replied to Stephen's silent question.

A loud thump had everybody's heads turning Daredevil's way. "Y-you knocked out Captain America? The supersoldier?!" Clint exclaimed.

"Yes." Daredevil allowed the Captain to crumple to the floor and then turned to Natasha. The fight was back on.

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Fuck. Wong was going to kill him.

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Chapter Text

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Fuck. Wong was going to kill him.

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Stephen firmly believed it was not his fault they ended up in the magic-proof interrogation room.

After the first hour, reinforcements poured in, and even with Daredevil helping them, the sheer number of mostly enhanced heroes had overwhelmed them.

And they ended up in the magic-proof interrogation room.

And now they had to wait.

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The Avengers came in rather quickly, so the wait wasn't that long. But still, it was a wait.

Stark decided to open with his usual tact, "Why did you try to rescue the psycho over there? Is he mind controlling you?"

"Stark, it's so, so pathetic that you think I would succumb to mind control," Stephen snapped back. "What makes you think we'll tell you?"

"Easy. We injected you with truth serum when we knocked you out. It should kick in right about...now."

"Fuck you."

"Gladly. Now where were we? Ah, yes. Why did you rescue Loki?"

Stephen was just glad the serum didn't make them tell the whole truth. "He's...family."

The others started to stir and immediately shot awake. "Where are w -  the interrogation room. Great," Peter groans.

"Truth serum," Stephen offers as to the way they are making the "rescuers" talk.

"Explains why my blood flow feels sluggish," America muttered. That was slightly disturbing to hear.

Stark turned to Shuri, "Your brother is coming to see and question you."

"Shit."

Rogers stepped forward and asked, "How is he family?"

"He is Stephen's brother, my husband, Hela's father, America & Peter's uncle, Shuri's godfather, and Ned & MJ's honorary uncle. We are quite close," Sigyn answered unwillingly.

"Damn," Clint whispered. "He probably has you under mind control. Loki, why did you use your mind control on them?"

"I didn't." The Avengers all looked shocked.

"Ask him again. There is no way that he has a family...I mean, look at him! Who would love that?"

Peter snarled at that and moved forward. "Peter..." Stephen warned.

"You! All of you! What's your relationship to Peter?"

Ned, Shuri, and Hela replied, "He is my friend and cousin."

"Uncle/aunt." Sigyn & Loki.

America, "Brother."

"Boyfriend." MJ.

Peter, "I am Peter."

"Peter is my legally adopted son," Stephen replied.

Stark growled. "I don't believe that! Who would pick you for a father when they could have had me?"

"Someone sensible," came the reply from Peter.

Stark stepped forward threateningly.

"Tony, calm down. Let's get this over with," Steve said, placing a hand on Stark's shoulder.

"I have a question for you. Why isn't Daredevil waking up?" Loki inquired.

Bruce looked up. "I would suspect that something, most likely what got him his abilities, is interfering with the serum and causing him to stay unconscious."

"Okay. Fine. Get this over with."

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After ascertaining that the intruders were not a threat, they decided to let each of the original Avengers ask one person one question and then they would go.

Stark asked Peter, "Why would you pick Dr. Strangelove over there?"

"He saw me for Peter and not only Spider-Man, he also didn't blackmail or threaten me, he actually was a parent to me, I could go on and on but I don't think you'd want that."

Iron Man collapsed into a chair at that answer.

"Why did you attack New York?" Thor questioned Loki.

"Oh, I was just under threat of torture and was under the influence of two infinity stones. Oh, I'm over it now, don't worry," he said nonchalantly.

Thor looked very shocked, to say the least.

Bruce asked America about her childhood, which was decent. Natasha conversed with Hela about her magic and fighting. Barton asked Sigyn about married life with Loki.

Nobody noticed Daredevil had woken up until he said in the deep, gravelly voice of his, "Are we done here?"

"M - Daredevil, you're awake!" Peter said brightly.

Rogers turned to him. "I'd like to ask a few questions. Who are you?"

"Daredevil."

"What other names do you have?"

"The Devil of Hell's Kitchen."

"What is your job?"

"Cleaning up Hell's Kitchen by whatever means I deem necessary." Rogers looked slightly disturbed at that, but quickly wiped his face of emotion.

"How did you get your abilities?"

"Chemical spill. This interrogation is over," he said, getting up and walking out of the room.

"What - how?"

"I burned through the truth serum. It's terribly ineffective, by the way. I'd suggest letting them go."

They were let go.

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