Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Thunder and Reign

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 03:

Maggie Sawyer knocked on the door at 8 AM, hoping Alex was up and not at work, or hoping she was asleep or at work. Honestly, she and no idea what she hoped.

She also had no idea why she was here. Nothing had changed between the two. She had left town to avoid her, not being able to deal with seeing her all the time and remembering how close they came to sharing a life.

All gone because of one very big difference.

So why was she here? No idea. Work trip and being in town was always a good excuse but why did she need one?

The answer was simple. She had to see her face.

Knocking hesitantly on the door, her heart began racing when she made out the sound of footsteps from the other side.

Expecting to see Alex, her heart stopped at the sight of another woman, one who was dark and beautiful and appeared amused, wearing one of Alex’s t shirts and holding a bottle of tequila in her right hand.

“Hello. Who are you? Kind of early for visitors, isn’t it?”

“Uh… is… uh… Alex… here?”

Valkyrie smirked at the woman. What little her and Alex had talked the night before, the woman did mention her ex fiancée two bottles into warm up. Valkyrie had a feeling this was her. Not that she would give her the satisfaction of knowing Alex said her name.

“Alex is in the bath. She had a long night. I suppose I should say we had a long night. Who are you?”

“I… never mind, why are their white stripes over your cheeks?”

“Alex wanted to see them on me.”

“Oh… okay, I have to go.”

Valkyrie shook her head, greatly amused at that graceful exit and closed the door, just in time for Alex to limp out of the bedroom, hair wet and clad in a robe.

“Who was that?”

Valkyrie shrugged her shoulders.

“Didn’t leave a name.” the woman told Alex honestly. “Probably lost.” she lied.

“Yeah… this building… anyway, we should get dressed and go to Kara’s, so you can give me one of those blades. You might want to think about taking the war paint off.”

Valkyrie pouted.

“I thought you liked it?”

“Last night, yes. Strolling around National City, probably would draw attention.” Alex told her with a wicked grin. Yes, the night before had been rough, Valkyrie was not as good at controlling her strength as she was at handling her alcohol, but it had been so worth it. Now she had an indestructible blade about to be in her possession thanks to her sister’s shy nature, making it impossible for her to have taken home a guy from another dimension that she just met. She was still getting over Mon El. Even last night she had been worried and asked if he was okay… then suggested once again he go back into cryosleep.

No, the woman laughed to herself. Not Kara.

Alex became concerned an hour later when she saw the storm over Kara’s building. The cloud was dark and threatening, rain pouring and thunder rolling across the sky.

Strangely, the storm was literally only over Kara’s building.

“Looks like the God of Thunder is making it rain.” Valkyrie told her, laughing at her suspicions being true.

“Could be some freak weather thing.” Alex mumbled, her dreams of an indestructible blade and her certainty about her sister’s inhibitions being shattered by the second.

Five minutes later, the two were at Kara’s door. Alex hesitantly knocked, heard footsteps, a couple of stumbles and the door unlocked and opened.

Kara was before her, face red, not from embarrassment but from exertion which made no sense to Alex. She was dressed in a short blue silk robe Alex did not even realize she owned and her hair was wild, even frizzy in spots.

“Alex! Valkyrie? Uh… okay, what are you two doing here?”

Alex shook her head, trying to make herself believe what she was seeing.

“Val… Val was looking for Thor and thought he might be here but that’s ridiculous of course because…”

Alex’s rambling stopped when Thor walked out of the bedroom, wearing only a towel.

“Kara, do you have an extra toothbrush, or can I use yours… oh… hey Alex, Valkyrie. What brings you two out this early… wait, were you together last night?”

“Kara, are you aware there is a storm over your apartment building and nowhere else?” Alex asked, avoiding answering that question.

“Oh! Yeah, that’s probably me…” Thor told her, snapped his fingers and the rain outside stopped. “Got a little carried… uhm… I’ll keep looking for a toothbrush.”

“I think I will help His Blondness.” Valkyrie offered and followed the son of Odin into the bedroom.

Alex stepped inside and closed the door.

“You didn’t.” she whispered.

Kara shook her head. “Of course, I didn’t! I can’t believe you would ask me that. What kind of person would do that after knowing someone for a day… besides at a wedding of course. Weddings are different. Wait a minute, did you and… her?”

“Of course not! I’ve only known her for a day. She just stayed over. We talked and had a few drinks then went to bed… I mean I went to bed and she went to… the couch. Yeah… so, I lost a bet because of you. I didn’t think you would bring him here.”

Kara rolled her eyes. “I did suck him through an interdimensional tear I caused. It would be rude not to offer him a place to stay… for a few days until he finds his own place or… however long it takes. He is a perfect gentleman. He is making breakfast after we… he showers.”

“Uh huh.” Alex mumbled, not convinced. “Have you looked in the mirror this morning? Your hair is really frizzed. Your hair is never frizzed. I’ve seen a train run over strands of your hair and it didn’t cut it. A few strands are sticking straight up. Must have been some serious electricity in the apartment to cause that kind of static shock.”

“Oh yeah, he was showing me his powers, so when we team up again like last night, we know what to expect. It’s important we are familiar with each other. He has super strength. His muscles are like cords of steel, but his skin is so soft, despite how tough he looks. His eyes… his eyes do this thing when he gets excited… I mean when he wants to show his power, they glow with electricity. Its amazing and beautiful and that has nothing to do with his powers, does it?”

Alex shook her head and looked at Kara a bit closer.

“Is that a mark on your neck? A bruise… what is that… did he seriously… you so did…”

“I did not. We talked, hung out and went to sleep… a few hours ago. I must have accidentally… hit my neck myself. It happens. Did you seriously just come here to see if I brought him home?”

“Yeah, I really wanted one of her blades. At least it sounds like the two of you talked last night. I admit there was not much talking on my end.” the older sister admitted, causing Kara to smile. She could tell last night who her sister would be going home with. Especially after the battle. Violence was always a clincher for Alex, Her and Maggie practically based their relationship on it. “So, I told the truth, your turn.”

“I told the truth. Now get your new one night stand out of here. I need to help him find a toothbrush. I wouldn’t be a good hostess if I didn’t.”

Not much later, Alex was at the DEO, deciding on the best way to get Valkyrie in the warehouses storing the remaining Daximite ships. Figuring the best way to do it is assume permission and ask forgiveness later, she grabbed the key cards and left with her new friend.

While this was going on, in a private room in the back, Mon El was pacing, Imra and Brainy watching him closely, wondering how close he was to blowing up.

The man finally stopped moving and turned to the two. A heated discussion followed and ended when they realized Loki was in the room, leaned against a wall with a wicked grin on his face.

“I am usually the one with dark secrets. I am impressed. I suppose the three of you would rather the DEO and Kara Rogers not find out this information?”

All three stiffened, not having seen the man in the corner, dressed in a solid black suit and hanging out in the shadows, sporting a creepy grin.

Mon El let out a breath and accepted it. He could tell what kind of guy this was immediately after meeting him. The man had no scruples.

“What do you want?” he asked, getting to the point. He had a million things on his mind. This mission that was planned behind his back, Kara, Imra and the storm he saw over Kara’s apartment building when he thought of visiting her early this morning. Remembering that Thor claimed to be some sort of God of Thunder told him what may have been going on and he didn’t need confirmation with his own eyes.

“Billions. I can find all the money I need on my own, but I need a background, one of a reclusive Billionaire who will be buying stock and taking over Edge Industries while the unfortunate Mr. Edge is facing some very serious charges. A man I detest, once told me when I attempted to take over the Earth, that there was no crown, no throne. As loath as I am to admit it now, he was right. Industry rules this planet and one must be in the game. Your friend with the unfortunate hair can give me everything I need. He is a computer, of a sort, correct? Computers are important to humans, or so I have been told. I have always preferred more elegant sources of information but for simple humans they do have a purpose. While my brother was no doubt entertaining your ex, I was conducting research on this planet. Give me what I want by this afternoon and I promise; your dark little secrets and deceptions will be kept discrete.”

Loki walked out, not waiting for an answer. He knew they would do as he asked. By leaving, he left no room for negotiation.

While Thor took a stroll around the city with Kara Danvers wrapped around him and Alex broke into a warehouse, so Valkyrie could steal whatever parts she needed, Bruce Banner was at Winn’s workstation with the man, fixated on another mystery.

The moment of their abrupt entrance into this universe.

“I’m not seeing anything, Dr…”

“Call me Bruce, please.” the man offered. He liked Winn. In the brief time he had known him, Banner could tell the kid was bright, and while not in the same league as him or Stark, was incredibly intelligent. Because he was not in the same league as him or Stark also gave him confidence Winn would never accidentally build a murderbot like he and Tony had once done.

“Okay, Bruce. So, uh… why are you looking for radiation signatures of the dimensional rip in other parts of the world if the rip happened in our building?” the man asked, half fascinated and half worried. Bruce Banner did not strike him as a person who did things on a whim.

“The dimensional rift would have been huge. We were next to the entrance point but any lingering effects or an unclosed doorway could have been left open, allowing other things to follow us. If so, whatever or whoever entered, would have most likely arrived in a different place since the rift would have hit them at a different place.”

“And something came through? What?”

Bruce shook his head. “Probably nothing. I just want to make sure. The ship we had been on was well away from us, most likely in the opposite direction of the rift but anything behind us, space debris, space ships… the odds are highly unlikely, but I like to be prepared and I also want to make sure the rift is closed, not just here but everywhere.”

Winn was impressed with the man’s thoroughness and not having been party to Thor and Kara’s conversation the night before, had no real idea how he seemingly possessed super strength. Winn decided while he was busy, a casual drop in question might be subtle enough.

Before he had the chance, an alarm sounded along with strobe lights turning.

Bruce nearly panicked.

“This is so not good. I don’t do well with stress. What is going on?”

“An alien has escaped from the cells.” Winn told him, surprisingly cool, making Bruce wonder how many times this happens. The two men ran to the main atrium where armed agents were firing at will in the direction of a very large, seven-foot-tall, one eyed humanoid with four arms.

“Oh, this isn’t good.” Winn whispered and jumped behind a desk to avoid an agent who had been tossed in his general direction. Bruce got on the floor next to him.

“If this happens all the time there must be a plan, right? How long does it usually take to get this guy back in his cage?”

“Uh…”

Banner was a bit disturbed at the doubt on Winn’s face.

“See, here is the thing. J’onn is with his father somewhere, I have a feeling Kara is still with your friend, the God of Thunder, I saw Alex leaving with her new friend, the hot warrior woman and no agent has ever actually apprehended this thing. It took, J’onn and Kara to bring him down last time.”

“What about the trio of Superheroes?” the man asked, becoming very worried.

“Kara doesn’t want them around and… its complicated? One of them will stand there with his arms behind his back and not do anything but look condescending. Mon El isn’t as strong as Kara or J’onn and Imra hasn’t really done anything that has given anyone here a lot of confidence in her. We are kind of on our own. He will probably escape the building and Kara can bring him back in as soon as I can get to that station in the middle of the room and call her.”

“The station he just stepped on?”

Winn’s head popped up next to Bruce and saw that the com station was gone, and he hoped Kara was even awake.

“I could be wrong, but it doesn’t appear he is trying to escape. He is walking this way.” a new voice told them.

Both men stood up, to find Loki leaned against the console.

“Loki! I never thought I would ever say this. I thought I would tear my own tongue out before saying this but thank God you are here. Do something, take him down with your stolen chunk of star on a stick or stab him.” Bruce ordered.

Loki shrugged his shoulders.

“I would love to, but unfortunately I can’t. Oh, the Trio of Superheroes, sort of, left about five minutes ago, most likely to somewhere private, so you are on your own.”

Bruce shook his head and gritted his teeth. “You won’t help?! Damn, can you make up your mind if you are going to be a dick or not?! I can’t keep up!”

Loki appeared a bit annoyed but smiled regardless.

“As I said, I would love to help but I can’t. I’m not here. I’m at very nice suite two miles from here.”

Bruce attempted to hit the man in the head, only to find to his great dismay that Loki was not lying. He was simply an illusion, or… whatever it was that Loki did.

“Teleport here!”

“I can’t teleport. What gave you the idea I could teleport?”

“You do it all the time! You did it yesterday!”

Loki grinned, remembering that little trip. Nothing like letting a government organization know that you can be anywhere at any time.

“That was a simple displacement enchantment. I could explain it to you, but I doubt your mind ground in your human science would understand. He is getting closer and the agents are running out of bullets. I’m not crazy about this either. You know I am not a fan of your idiotic other half but if you want to survive, you are going to have to end this. I’ll stop in later and find out how it all went. I’m thinking brunch right now would be good.”

Loki disappeared.

“God, I hate that guy.” Bruce whispered. Winn and Banner’s eyes both widened when they realized there was no more gunfire in the atrium. They peeked over the desk once more and saw numerous agents lying on the floor.

None appeared dead, but neither would they be getting up anytime soon. The large monster looked at the two and back to the bodies on the floor. He prepared to grab one, no doubt to finish the job when Banner stepped around and raised his hands.

“Hey, big guy. I realize you are a little disoriented right now, probably angry, rightfully so, but maybe we can talk about this. Can you talk?” he asked, continuing to move towards the creature.

“Of course, I can talk.”

“Oh great. He isn’t a rampaging monster. I think that’s worse.” Banner mumbled.

“Great. Glad to hear it. Whatever you did to get put in that cell, I am sure we can talk about it. My name is Bruce Banner and I am friends with the man who runs this facility. Maybe if we can all talk about it, no one has to die. I don’t want anyone else hurt and I don’t want to have to hurt you.”

The creature laughed at the small man’s threats.

“Where is Kara Zor El?” he asked.

“Zor El? I hope you are talking about Rogers… damn it… I mean Super… girl, or woman?” he asked Winn.

“Girl.” Winn whispered.

“Really? She is what 26, 27?”

“It’s a sore spot, don’t bring it up. Maybe you should run? Or beat him up? Can you? Beat him up? You have like super strength, right?”

Banner shook his head. “We can resolve this peacefully. Right… what is your name?”

“I am Xena of…”

The monster stopped speaking when Bruce suddenly laughed and tried to cover it with a fake cough.

“Do you mock my name, human?”

Banner shook his head but couldn’t stop smiling.

“No.” he finally told the man. “But seriously? Like the Warrior Princess? You are joking right? Wait, that’s a thing here right?” he asked, turning back towards Winn who shrugged his shoulders and shook his head.

“Oh… my apologies. Where I come from…”

Bruce never got to finish his explanation. A fist struck him in the back, throwing him across the floor and over the desk Winn hid behind.

“Dr….Bruce? Are you still alive?” A panicking Winn asked.

Bruce Banner’s eyes opened. Winn’s relief was cut very short when he noted that Banner’s eyes were glowing green and he was smiling. It wasn’t a smile that conveyed humor.

Banner stood up and walked around the desk.

“I gave you a chance. Warrior Princess.” the suddenly very deep voice told the alien, who was now looking worried.

Before Winn’s eyes, Bruce Banner, grew, and grew and grew. He became greener than J’onn, only the pants he had on before, parts of them anyway, remaining.

The Hulk roared, shattering the windows in the large room.

Winn took in the sight with a mixture of awe and fear, as the huge green monster ripped off two of the alien’s four arms.

The man struggled to find words to convey his feelings.

“Oh… shit.” he settled for.