Truthfully, heights didn't bother me. Sometimes, depending on the place, I found them to be extremely captivating, mainly because of their views.

Though New York was hardly Asgard, it was a sight to behold. Its buildings looked to reach beyond the clouds; some looked as though they could almost touch the white, fluffy wisps. The sunlight that reflected off the windows gave it an unearthly feel.

Down below looked so cluttered, and sometimes orderly in some places. Humans meandered about, whether catching a cab or walking along the sidewalks. They were completely unaware of what was about to happen. New York would be just the start. Once this was dominated, we would spread across the globe. Or maybe we would start with America and work our way around the world afterwards. I wasn't sure how Loki wanted to handle it; I couldn't get into his head. My mind ability went as far as communication.

Dr. Erik Selvig was already atop the very highest point of Stark Tower, powering up the device that would open the portal, the very thing that would start the war against the humans. While the scientist did what he did best, I kept on Loki's flank.

A thought occurred to me: what happened to Agent Barton? Surely if Loki had him under control still, he would have joined us by now. Did S.H.I.E.L.D. recover him in his normal state? Was it even possible for a human to break hold from Loki's control? It didn't look like Loki missed Agent Barton very much, probably because he upgraded to me as an asset.

"Bringing you to my side was perhaps the best move," Loki said, grabbing my attention. "It makes it all the sweeter since you are wearing whatever S.H.I.E.L.D. gave you. I will admit I do miss Asgardian attire on you."

"I've weaned myself off of the idea. I could readjust if I ever went back." I sniffed. "So, we're just waiting on Dr. Selvig for the portal to open?"

"Yes."

The faint roar of engines caught my attention. My eyes searched the sky only to notice Stark was heading our way. I called the fire to my hands, ready to catapult myself off his tower and greet him.

"Easy, my dear, don't get hasty." Loki put a hand out to stop me.

I extinguished the flames but didn't take my eyes off of Stark, who was donning his Iron Man suit. The red and gold trademark colors contrasted against the clear sky. I watched in curiosity as he completely ignored Loki and me, heading towards the top of his tower. "Can I go now?" I shifted uneasily.

"You are that eager to fight?" Loki chuckled. "He cannot do anything, Kiara. Dr. Selvig has made sure of that."

"If you say so."

Loki proved me right, as did Stark. He threw a blast of power towards the portal—which I couldn't see—only to have his own attack thrown back at him. I nearly laughed out loud at his foolish attempt. When it comes to defeating villains, it is always a battle. In all the books that I read and all the movies that I had watched here on Earth, the heroes always triumphed. However, this story wasn't going to have the same result.

The villains were going to take this victory and change everything.

Stark looked down to notice Loki and I. We both watched him as he landed close to us, just within striking distance if I leaped. As Stark headed inside, spinning rims surrounded him, removing pieces of the suit. Even though I wasn't on his side, I had to admit, that was pretty impressive. Tony Stark was very inventive; a mind like his couldn't come around in the world very often.

"He wants to negotiate?" I scoffed.

"We better not be rude and leave him there all alone. Stay close, and whatever he tries to persuade you with, do not listen."

"Say the word, and I'll take care of him for you."

Loki smiled. "It is nice to know I won't have to do any dirty work."

"Don't expect me to do all of it."

With Loki taking lead, we filed in towards the other entrance into the tower. The interior was really nice and it looked to fit Stark's attitude. On the other side of the room looked to be a bar.

"Please tell me you're going to appeal to my humanity," Loki said, finally breaking the tense silence.

"Actually, I'm planning to threaten you," Stark clarified. Even I had to scoff at that.

"You should have left your armor on for that."

"Yeah." I could see where Stark was headed. "It's seen a bit of mileage, and you've got the glow stick of destiny. Would you like a drink?"

"Unbelievable," I muttered.

"I'll take that as a no then, Blondie."

My temper spiked. If he's trying to provoke me, I can't let him. I need to save myself for the war to come.

"Stalling me won't change anything," Loki declared.

Well, I guess being your second-in-command means nothing to you. Whether or not Loki heard that, I wasn't sure.

"No, no. Threatening," Stark corrected him. "No drink? You sure? I'm having one."

I kept an at-the-ready stance, arms folded over my chest. Loki wandered past me, towards the polished windows.

"The Chitauri are coming. Nothing will change that. What have I to fear?"

"The Avengers. That's what we call ourselves. We're sort of like a team." Stark poured alcohol into a glass. "'Earth's mightiest heroes'-type thing."

"Yes, I've met them."

"It takes us a while to get any traction; I'll give you that one. But let's do a head count, here. Your brother, the demigod; a super soldier, a living legend, who kind of lives up to the legend; a man with breathtaking anger-management issues; a couple of master assassins, and you, big fella, you've managed to piss off every single one of them."

"That was the plan."

Something was different on Stark. Had he been wearing bracelets a minute ago?

"Not a great plan. When they come, and they will, they'll come for you."

"I have Kiara."

"Eh, don't think that's much of a threat. Compared to them, she's a weak link. No offense, Girl on Fire."

At the comment, my hands lit up. "Keep taunting, Stark. I'll make you ash."

"I don't recommend irking her further," Loki said, touching my arm. "She may discover some things about herself, things powerful enough to defeat you all."

"Like I said, she's nothing." Stark shrugged his shoulders.

"I have an army."

"We have a Hulk."

This made my fire disappear. I remembered the green monster and all his strength. He was perhaps the only Avenger I could fear out of the group. He was the only one who could really do any serious damage to my body. He had Asgardian strength, or something equal to it.

"I thought the beast had wandered off," Loki mused.

"You're missing the point," Stark said. "There is no throne. There is no version of this where you come out on top. Maybe we never get Blondie back on our side. Maybe your army comes and maybe it's too much for us, but it's all on you. Because if we can't protect the Earth, you can be damn well sure we'll avenge it." He took a huge swallow of his drink.

I kept still as Loki walked towards Stark.

"How will your friends have time for me when they are so busy fighting you?"

It should have been easy, the moment the scepter touched Stark, and it should have rendered him under Loki's control. I stepped closer, wondering why it wasn't working. Loki was in the same field as me; he kept trying over and over. Stark just watched Loki as he unsuccessfully tried to turn the Avenger to our side.

"This usually works," Loki murmured.

"Well, performance issues, it's not uncommon. One out of five—" Stark was cut off by Loki grabbing his face. He chucked the human towards the windows. Stark was on all fours. "Blondie, if you're playing a trick, now is the perfect time to snap out of it," Stark coughed.

I watched hungrily as Loki picked up Stark by his face again.

"You will all fall before me."

"Deploy!" Stark was tossed through his window. Glass shattered everywhere, landing outside and in.

I ran to the edge, only to hear something going on behind me. I yelped as a red and gold mass shot out of a compartment, taking out Loki and nearly hitting me. I watched as Stark fell, the mass in hot pursuit behind him.

I conjured up a fireball, ready to take out Stark as he was flying. However, the mass that followed him transformed. I snarled, watching as Stark was consumed by yet another Iron Man suit.

I backed away from the open area just as Stark was thundering up. I watched him with malevolent eyes, my fireball still ready to throw. I was very tempted to leap out towards him and rip him out of the air, rip his suit apart bit by bit until he was only a man again.

"And there's one other person you pissed off," Stark said through his helmet. "His name was Phil." Stark shot a blast at Loki, getting a direct hit. I retaliated on Loki's behalf, shooting my fireball at him. "You'll thank me for this later, Blondie."

I dodged out of the way as Stark tried to blast me off my feet. He gave off a second blast; this one nicked me in the side. I yelled in outrage.

Before I could retaliate against Stark, my head exploded into furious pain. It was like someone was trying to break open my skull from the inside, the kind of headache that made me want to crawl into a fetal position.

I cried out as the pain increased. Stark didn't hit me, so why is this happening? I soon understood as my thoughts were jumbled, good and evil fighting each other.

In midst of all the internal madness and the ferocious pounding in my head, one word—a name—kept repeating itself in my head: Phil.

~*~

I cannot deny that things here on Midgard were strange, because then I would be lying.

Why did I pick this city to settle in? It was ridiculously noisy! How did anyone ever sleep here? How did Todd manage to get any rest?

At least Todd was nice enough to help me out. He got the concept of me being foreign, but I did not believe he understood just how foreign I was to this place. He had no idea that I was from an entirely different world. Maybe if he could handle the truth, one day, I would tell him. I was not about to get my hopes too high, a lot could happen. We could part ways, which would not benefit me in any way. I knew it would be hard for me to find another helpful person like him should we separate.

I was adjusting to the simplicity of this apartment. It was no place in Asgard, but I never wanted to have a lot coming here. I did not expect to be welcomed with open arms and have things handed to me on a platter. I knew better than to come to Midgard with that mindset.

A loud rapping on the door caught my attention. Very wary, I grabbed one of the knives from the counter and stalked towards the door. Todd was the one who insisted I kept a weapon on hand in case it was someone who could hurt me. I was not going to take any chances today.

I kept the knife behind my back just in case this someone was friendly. I did not want them running off screaming and calling the police on me.

When I got the door open, I was met with a stranger. He looked very important judging by his attire, but he did not look very intimidating. Appearances can be deceiving, I reminded myself bitterly.

"Can I help you?" I asked.

"You're Kiara Rivers?"

I swallowed. "Yes. I'm sorry, do I know you?"

"Not yet you don't." He nodded his head. "Can I come in?"

"I suppose." I stepped away awkwardly to let the man in.

"By the way, you don't need the knife, Ms. Rivers. You can go put that back."

"I don't know what you mean."

"You can't fool me."

"Who are you?" I shut the door, supporting my back with it.

"I'm Agent Phil Coulson, with S.H.I.E.L.D."

"Sorry. Who?" I tilted my head.

"We're a counterterrorism and intelligence agency."

"Should I have heard of you?"

Agent Coulson didn't respond.

"I do not understand why or how you know me."

"We've been watching you, Ms. Rivers."

"How?"

"We have our ways."

"Do you suspect I am a threat to the people here?"

"Yes and no. I was sent here to ask you some questions."

"You do not plan to kidnap me from my apartment and interrogate me somewhere else?"

"I'd rather not make you more uncomfortable and combative, not when I don't know what you're fully capable of." He sighed. "Don't think about using it, Ms. Rivers. You may have a knife, but I have a gun."

I scoffed. "Like your weapon can harm me."

"I don't want to have to find out. Go put it back, and then we'll talk."

"No tricks?"

"No tricks."

I wrinkled my nose before leaving Agent Coulson in the small living room. As I put the knife down, I inhaled deeply. He seems trustworthy, but it is scary how this S.H.I.E.L.D. knows of me.

Agent Coulson did not bother to take a seat on any of the furniture, he regarded me patiently. I could not even throw a smile his way, I was still very skeptical of him.

"What do you need of me?"

"What business do you have being here?"

"I am just settling into my new life. If you have been watching me like you claim, then you will know that I have not been here for very long. My intentions for being here are my own and to not cause harm to the humans here." I covered my mouth when I realized what I had said.

"Don't worry, we know what you really are," Agent Coulson said coolly. "Nobody outside of S.H.I.E.L.D. will let your true identity get into the wrong hands. We know your name isn't really Kiara Rivers."

"Then you should know my first name is my real name. The second half I thought up." I sniffed. "I do like it; I wish that was my real last name. It just sounds right."

"Focus, Ms. Rivers."

I blushed. "Sorry."

"Would you consider coming with me to headquarters?"

"Why? What would you have to offer there?"

"You could work for us, become an agent. Do some on-the-field work."

"Are you sure this is not a ploy to kidnap me and conduct experiments on me?"

"Ms. Rivers, I can assure you if we wanted to take you away from here, we would have done so already."

"That is terrifying to know. As for your proposal, though I may be an Asgardian, I am not one for getting into danger."

"If you ever change your mind, the offer is always there."

"So, this means that I am under your protection?"

"Yes. We'll get along just fine if you don't step on any toes."

"What if something happens on accident because of me?"

"We can take care of it." An eyebrow of Agent Coulson's shot up. "Are you gifted?"

"A little bit. I am guessing you want to see so you know everything about me?"

"We don't want any surprises." He smiled thinly.

I pursed my lips before calling the fire onto my open palm. I watched Coulson's reaction, he seemed unfazed. I guess I was not the first Asgardian he had seen here on Midgard. Maybe my talents were nothing new to him.

"It only goes as far as my hands, I cannot light myself on fire," I explained, staring into the flame on my hand. "I can sometimes get really angry and set things alight as well if I focus on it very hard."

"Is that your only talent?"

No, I thought. I saw him jump a fraction. I can communicate through thoughts too. It is strange, I know, to have two completely different gifts. Neither of my parents could explain it.

"You don't morph into objects or disappear, do you?" he half joked.

"No. But with my thought communication, if I have a strong bond with the being, they could be on an entirely different world, and I could still talk to them." My face fell. I cleared my throat awkwardly. "Was this all you wanted to ask of me?"

"Yes. Sorry to have caused you any stress." He extended a hand out for me. Thinking it through, I took it carefully and shook it. The last thing I wanted was to break Agent Coulson's hand—that would not get me in S.H.I.E.L.D.'s good books. "Word of advice: don't answer the door wielding a knife. People will get a wrong impression."

For some reason, I had to laugh at the comment. "I will not make the mistake again. As much as I hate to say it, I hope I do not have to hear from you, Agent Coulson."

"I hope you don't have to, either."