{The Avengers} Underneath it All {Open Roleplay}

Brief Back Story: Years have passed since the threat of the Asgardian horror known as Loki had destroyed New York city. Only to be stopped by the Avengers.

In order to stop such events from repeating, S.H.I.E.L.D has further developed the response team, new members were trained and the old members were still kept in touch.

But now, Loki is back, the world is threatened and the response team is ready.

But, will it be enough this time?

----


The night air was crisp and cooling; the wind blew refreshingly over Bernadette’s face as she exited the gym. It’s been a long day and all she wanted was to retire to her apartment and sleep till noon and never have to see another gym for the rest of her life. Unfortunately, her job entitled her to be in top physical condition, which meant getting up at five in the morning for a jog and ending the day on a power session at her local gym.

She stretched her arms as she walked down the sidewalk, no matter how long she’s been doing this her muscles continued to burn. “The definition of insanity,” She thought to herself, lips curving into a smile, “Doing the same thing daily and expecting different results.”

Sure, it could be dangerous for a young lady to be wandering alone on the city streets. Luckily, it wasn't late enough where she would bump into anyone prowling on the street. The cars zoomed by, paying no mind to the young women as she continued on her trek home. Her shadow loomed oddly behind her with each burst of headlight, trailing by bizarrely; it wasn't like she couldn't defend herself.

A soft chime echoed from her coat pocket, aware of her surroundings once more she dropped her arms. Fumbling for her mobile phone, she flipped the cover and her face was eliminated by the soft blue light.

“Hello?” Her accent was thick, French with hints of a southern twang. She stopped walking, listening curiously, “Director Furry, what seems to be the problem?”

“Director Fury, what seems to be the problem?”

Fury shifted his weight from foot to foot, well aware of what the trouble was. He would have never thought that the situation would arise, not again. It had seemed to be put to a rest all those years ago.

He could only imagine what the board of directives was thinking if they had caught wind of it already.

"The problem is that we've got an old threat arising and no immediate response plan," Director Fury snapped into the phone.

Already he had begun spreading agents out, collecting the old Avengers team. Barring the fact that they might be hard to reach for his foot agents Director Fury had taken steps to begin to reach out for other S.H.I.E.L.D. agents that had been trained for years for an occasion like this.


Tamara vigorously ran the towel through her hair, attempting to dry it as best she could. She owned no hair dryer, did not see much point in the loud device. She wondered who had been so vigorously attempting to call her during her shower as she exited the bathroom.

A knock at her apartment door drew her attention. She made her way towards it, swinging the door open to see none other than Agent Coulson.

"Coulson. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Her mind whirled with possibilities as to why he had arrived on her doorstep. No doubt he had been the one so desperately ringing her cell phone 'off the hook.' What was she so needed for that the rest of S.H.I.E.L.D. couldn't handle?

She gestured inside her apartment, allowing entrance to the man. She was well aware she was under dressed in nothing but a loose pair of jeans, a sports bra and the towel draped about her neck.

"That would be the gist of the plan, yes," Fury answered, his one good eye glaring out around him.

He was a little stressed at the moment. As far as Fury knew only Steve and Clint had been rounded up from the old Avengers I.N.I.T.I.A.T.E. program from before. The others were either being coerced at the immediate moment, trying to blow off phone calls or were being tracked down.

"The sooner we can gather everyone's butts here the sooner we can be prepared for Loki to cause more chaos," he continued further. "As it stands we're strapped for heroes at the time being and unprepared for anything Loki may plan."

Director Fury didn't say it but the hidden message in his words still stood. He needed everyone he could get here as quickly as they could come.


A small sound left Tamara as she inclined her head briefly in understanding. Despite the rush Coulson seemed to be in to gather up who he had been sent after Tamara didn't really rush herself though she did head into a little room on the side of the apartment.

From there she called out "so, what kind of situation are we talking about exactly, hm?"

She tugged down a shirt in the dark, hangers clanking against one another as she did this. Next she searched out a hair tie to slip around her wrist for later and grabbed her boots.

"Don't you think you should have some sort of signal for this kind of thing?" she answered snarkily. "Like a bat signal just Avengers themed."

Pulling the shirt over her head she listened as Coulson spoke. Tamara emerged from the room, boots still in hand as she examined the S.H.I.E.L.D. agent.

From the sounds of things everyone who was being called upon were still scattered about. Tamara sniffed at this. She would have thought there would have been an easier method in S.H.I.E.L.D. to round them all up.

"It would be much appreciated if you could arrive as soon as you can," Fury answered, a little less snappish. Out of the agents and heroes he had been trying to get in touch with Bernadette had been the only one aside from Steve that had immediately answered.

He paused, his gaze lifting up to the ceiling as he spoke next.

"And if you could, Bruce Banner is in the area. If you can swing around and manage to pick him up that would save us time and energy."

Once he received a positive answer to this Fury waited until Bernadette was prepared before he rattled off the address Bruce had last been at. At Bernadette's insistence that she had the address memorized Fury bid her farewell and hung up. Now all that was left was to hope that the rest of his agents could collect those they still needed.


"Well," Tamara answered, striding past Agent Coulson and out the doorway. "Best not keep the party waiting."

Once Coulson joined her in the hallway Tamara gestured for him lead the way. No doubt he had some sort of a ride rigged up to get them easily to the S.H.I.E.L.D. ship that served as an HQ for Director Fury.

"Tell me, what's the plan of action then," she plowed on as they walked, taking the apartment's stairs. It's was much too cheap a place to afford an elevator of any kind.

She'd rather not go in blind, not with this past enemy. Last she had heard the enemy had been taken care of by his Asgardian brother. If he had managed to escape whatever punishment he had received there what else was he capable this time around?

“Banner?” She questioned, pausing in her steps, eyebrow rose curiously, “I’ll try to get to him, sure.”

Her eyes narrowed slightly as she thought of the interesting carpool ahead. If Professor. Banner would take her up on the offer, of course.

“The address?” She asked politely, fumbling in her jacket pocket for a writing device. Pulling a pen from the left pocket and preparing to scribble it out on her hand.

She continued on her walk, waiting for the digits needed to locating Bruce Banner.


“Well, at the moment our main plan of action is getting everyone rounded up.” Coulson admitted, working his way down the stairs.

They continued down the flights at a mildly rushed pace, not wanting to look too suspicious to any of the other citizens living in the building.

“But, once that’s done and over with,” He continued, “We plan on looking into his escape a little more carefully, see if we can’t find any new motives for coming back.”

They reached the last flight and walked through the main lobby of the building. Parked outside was a sleek, black car awaited.

Fury rattled off the address that Banner was currently located at. It wasn't too far off from Bernadette's location, really only a couple of city blocks over. He repeated it once just to make sure she had the right address.

"Now, if you've no questions for the time being I'll let you go."

In truth Director Fury was in a bit of a rush. No doubt the council would be on his ass again soon once they got wind of Loki's return. They'd be hounding for some sort of reparations due to Fury's decision to let Thor be off with Loki the last time around.

Fury only hoped that he'd be able to stay out of their clutches while maintaining the safety of Earth and its citizens from Loki.


Tamara hummed in response. So Loki was back and no one knew his plan of action. That could definitely prove disastrous later on.

"Possibly revenge?" she suggested, eyeing the sleek vehicle. The city's lights reflected off of its surface and once she was close enough she could even view her own reflection on the side.

Tamara grunted, allowing herself in. She nodded waited until Coulson was inside the vehicle to speak more. It would have been fruitless otherwise.

"Any other cronies with him this time around or do we not have that much intel yet?"

“No, none.” She spoke flatly, reading and rereading the address on her hand, “We’ll be there soon, Fury.”

Not waiting for a response, she clicked her mobile device closed and continued on her way. Reaching her apartment complex a few minutes later, she quickly ascended the stairs into the lobby and headed for the stairs. She lived on the third floor, but the elevator was either under construction or crowed, and she was in a hurry.

Bernadette quickly unlocked the door to her apartment and threw on the lights. Set against the door was a medium sized duffle bag; she kept it close in case she was needed by S.H.I.E.L.D. She wasted no time grabbing it, double checking it's contents and turning to leave. Next stop was the garage, where her pride and joy of a car was kept.


“We’re not too sure yet,” Coulson stated, buckling his seatbelt before starting the vehicle and pulling out onto the street, “From what we know about Loki, he doesn’t fight alone.”

The streetlights shined off the sleek surface of the vehicle as they drove down the street. A few turns here and there and they’d be on the highway in no time.

“We’ll be making a few stops,” He spoke, turning his blinker and heading down a side street, “Rallying the troops and all.”

If he wasn’t so absorbed with said book, he would have noticed the bright yellow Volkswagen parked in front of the apartment complex. A cheery vehicle like that would be a little out of place given the district the apartment building was located; in fact it seemed a little bizarre.

Moments later, a faint knocking was heard from the door and a shadow had voided the cracks at the bottom. It had cast a sidelong shadow from the hall lights outside.

Bernadette stood on the other side, biting her lip and shifting nervously from foot to foot. She’d never met Bruce Banner, but she’s heard enough to be on the concerned side.

“Well, Agent Stark needs to be reached,” Coulson kept his eyes on the road as he spoke, “We’re still trying to find Agent Romanoff.”

He paused, turning his blinker on and cruising back onto the main street, “She usually turns up in the last place you look, really.”

Agent Coulson was quiet once more, stopping as the streetlight above them turned red.

[[OOC; I know, I’ve been giggling over that fact for a while now~ I guess S.H.I.E.L.D keeps copies of their staff now]]

She reminded herself to try and speak clearly; her accent always seemed to get the best of her when she was anxious. As she stood before Bruce Banner, her mind raced with possibilities. What if he wouldn’t come with her? Or if he didn’t believe she was really a S.H.I.E.L.D agent?

Those thoughts aside, she met his gaze and gave a very serious, professional look.

“Yes,” Bernadette began, holding her hand out. Politeness had always opened a lot of doors for her in the past, and this shouldn’t be any different, “Doctor Banner, my name is Bernadette Jereatt. Nick Fury has sent me to inform you of a situation S.H.I.E.L.D is facing.”


Coulson gave a low chuckle as the lights of Stark Tower bounced off the windshield, “He’s not know to play well with others,” He pulled down the drive way, “So we’ll see.”

A few more moments and the car was stopped just in front of the large building. The lights radiating in the night sky, and the make of the building altered slightly. If memory served, it was remodeled a few years back after the big fiasco with Loki ended.

“If you like, you can wait here.” Coulson unbuckled his seatbelt and looked towards Tamara, “Your call.”

[[OOC: Plot twist, this isn’t the /first/ Coulson clone. Hehe~!]]

“Fury had called me to pick you up.” She stated bluntly, resting her hand back at her side, “I live in the area, you see.”

She shifted feet again, honestly was probably the best way to explain her sudden arrive. Especially since she barely knew this guy in the first place.

“Apparently, an old threat has made a reappearance.” Bernadette continued, “Fury wants to get everyone gathered before going too far into details.”

The main room was littered with interesting glass fixtures and various other knickknacks. The whole building sent out a rather chic, futuristic vibe.

“Yes, it’s not an easy feat.” He admitted, taking out a mobile phone from his suit pocket, “Better give him a warning call, be on the safe side.”

He dialed the number, holding the phone to his ear and waiting for a moment, “Ms. Pots? This Agent Coulson, is Stark available?”

[[OOC: And nobody says anything~ but when Cap comes back hes really distraught and doesn’t understand how and his whole perception is warped~]]

Carefully, she led him back down the creaking stairs of the apartment complex and outside into the cool night. Her car was parked right in front of the lobby and naturally locked. With a click of her key chain the punchbug was unlocked and she nodded from Banner to it.

“I apologies for just barging in on such short notice.” She started, settling herself in the driver’s seat and starting the car.

She waited for him to seat himself in the passenger seat before continuing, “But I’m not too familiar with everyone in the Avenger’s Initiate, so calling was a no go.”


“Yes well, he might have to get his act together,” Coulson chuckled lightly despite the seriousness of the situation, “We’re experiencing a rather big problem,”

He paused looking from Tamara to the ceiling, where Stark’s location must be, before adding, “An Avenger’s problem, we need to speak with him asap.”

As the words left his mouth, footsteps could be heard from upstairs. Tony Stark poked his head out from the stairwell, a brief look of concern on his features.

[[OOC: And he is just done, he is so done with everything he's like just put me back in the ice maybe things will make sense then ]]

“I hope you don’t mind me asking,” She began, eyes lingering off the road for a brief moment to peer at Banner from the corner of her eye, “They’ve told me a little about you but…”

She trailed off, turning her attention back to the road, biting her lip in hesitation.

“Not to be rude of course,” She adds, “I’m just a little curious about your situation.”


Coulson raised a brow towards Stark, briefly meeting Tamara’s glance, before speaking into the phone, “Well, speak of the Devil. Thank you for your time, Ms. Pots.”

After a small goodbye from both ends, Coulson flipped the phone shut and turned his attention to Tony Stark.

“Shame the force field isn’t on,” Tony began, tone sarcastic despite the serious expression, “Maybe then it’ll keep you agents out.”

He took a few steps forward, coming within arm’s length of the two, “What is it this time, Coulson? The end of the world?”

“Close,” Coulson stated, “We’ve got a situation with an old Asgardian villain type.” The shrill ring from his jacket pocket indicated Coulson that he had another call, “Don’t make me spell it out, Stark. Excuse me.”

He held the phone to his ear, turning towards Tamara before wandering off, “You two better get acquainted, I have to take this.”

[[OOC: Oh my gosh, yes, he is just super concerned about Captain and Cap is just really put off every time he talks to him ]]

“Ah, that’s a bit of a story.” She murmured, sharing a small smile, “Let’s just say we’re in similar boats, yes?”

She seemed hesitant at keeping it at that, indecisive about whether she should continue or not. Finally, choosing the latter she spoke up, “I was in a bit of trouble with an organization; Director Fury got me out of it.”


“Well, if it’s any conciliation, I don’t even know who you are.” Stark spoke with a shrug, before tapping the glowing sphere on his chest, “But, I’m the real deal, chickadee.”

He smirked slightly before adding, “So what’s got you riding with Coulson? You don’t look much like the agent type.”

[[OOC: Steve is choking back tears as Coulson fights for his attention, he doesn’t know you, people are monsters, how can you do this to him I am so unbelievably done right now ]]

“They told me you’ve dealt with this man before,” Bernadette was always eager to break any awkward silence, this was no exception, “This Loki. I understand little about him but,”

Her eyes lingered off the road slightly as she sneaked a glance in Banner’s direction, “I know enough to be worried.”

Maybe worried isn’t the right word. In fact, Bernadette was pretty railed up, her stomach was in knots and she couldn’t really place why. This isn’t her first mission for S.H.I.E.L.D. but something was different. Unnervingly so.


“Enough.” Tony spoke bluntly, hands in his jeans pockets, "I mean it's not like this is my summer home or anything posh like that."

He seemed calm and composed, relaxed even, despite the statement meaning to make a jab at his belongings.

“So, the little prince is back, huh?” He didn’t wait for an answer, he just kept speaking, “Any word from his brother slash keeper?”