Hiiii! Welp, I have never written anything outside of bandom's before. It's been a good long time since I've written anything to be honest! But since Avengers came out I've had this little idea bouncing around in my head (which was initially just smut until I built the rest of the story around it, judge me) I thought I would open up my word processor and get to work. I would also really like to point out that nothing will be as it appears... It's not going to be one of those failed experiments gone wrong cliches (which is another reason it's taken a month or so to start writing) I would love to hear feedback from you guys! I feel like seven pages is too short, even for an intro. Let me know if it feels too quick. Constructive critics are always welcome. Enough of my rambling. Enjoy :)

(Prologue: Flickers)

"And the humans, what can they do, but burn?" Loki stood listening to the Other speak to his benefactor with little to no interest. The Chitauri were necessary, he liked them no more than he liked the pitiful human race he would soon be ruling, but if they truly did help him as Thanos said they would, he would tolerate the monsters.

The Other backed away from Thanos, submissively as Loki approached from the shadows, now giving the being before him his utmost attention. The desolate blackness of the edge of the universe was starting to enclose him like a physical thing. The time he had been stranded in this accursed place was almost enough to drive him mad. No matter the knowledge he had gained from the monster that now stood before him. He wished to be far away from here, even the earth would be more sufficient then this black hell.

"She will be of great use to you. Find her and she will give you what you seek and more." Loki's fingers tightened on the scepter and nodded. The thought of a mortal being as extraordinary as Thanos seemed to believe she was did not seem plausible to him at all. A sneer crossed his thin lips, hard as he tried to fight it. Thanos chuckled deeply, a smile of dark amusement twisting his face as he turned away from the banished Asgardian. The would-be king had no idea what he would be getting himself into. "She is not what appears to be, what lies within her could alter everything. I want her back here once you've made use of her."

Loki nodded again, finally turning to retreat down the dark staircase. Annoyed that Thanos would give him no more information then that he paced the barren landing, preparing himself for whatever lay beyond. Not that he was worried, the journey would weaken him, yes, but he would still be far more powerful than any mortal. He had healed sufficiently since his fall through the void, it had torn him apart yet made him ten times stronger. In some strange way it was like being reborn…

Inhaling deeply, he held the scepter firmly in front of him, reaching with his mind, probing the Tesseract. He felt it hum as it started to unlock the portal to the world that lay light years beyond where he stood. Bright blue light enveloped him, tugging him forward though the universe. He saw flashes of nebula's, seas of stars, unnamed galaxies and worlds flicker in and out of sight. He felt compressed, it was almost painful, though not nearly as painful as the abyss had been. He almost sighed with relief as the burning blue light became brighter. Hunching down he reading himself for the impact, energy rushed past him, squeezing, suffocating until finally he was there, he could breathe.

Clutching the scepter, he looked up as his surroundings, sweat coating his face and a triumphant, sinister grin stretching across his lips. He was breathing heavily and felt feverish, but he was here and in one piece. His ice green eyes narrowed as he glanced around the room, watching as a handful of foolish humans slowly advanced on him.

"Sir! Please put down the spear!" Loki looked down at the scepter in his hand. 'Now for some fun…'

15 years earlier.

Stella Anwar glared at the frills on the dress her mother had forced her into, kicking her tiny, Mary Jane clad feet against the tiles of kitchen floor as her hair was dressed and put into ribbons. It was hot and sticky in their kitchen, the southern heat had settled over their house like a wet blanket. Six year old Stella didn't care who was getting married that day, all she wanted to do was play down by the pond with her dogs.

Across the table, four year old Missy glanced at her sister reproachfully. Her own honey colored hair hair already done, small hands daintily smoothing out the pink and white ruffles that made up her own dress. Stella stuck her tongue out at her little sister, fidgeting again in her seat as her mother tugged on a lock of hair.

"Stella, please sit still, I'm almost done." Annette Anwar pressed on her daughter's shoulders with a sigh, running her fingers through the soft ringlets she had created in the little girl's tangled mane of light brown hair. Annette knew her attempts at keeping her rambunctious child's appearance as that of a porcelain doll were futile. She was nothing like her sister and refused to even consider behaving. She would be lucky if the girl kept herself in one piece by the time they got to her sisters wedding.

"But I don't want to go!" The girl whined "I hate weddings and it's too stuffy and hot in this ugly dress!"

"It will only be for a few hours and then you can go play. Just don't mess up your clothes or your hair until after the pictures are taken, okay?" Annette sighed, tucking the last curl behind Stella's ear "I'm going to go get ready, go find your daddy downstairs and tell him to hurry up. He can finish his work when he gets home."

Annette straightened up, walking out of the small kitchen and up the staircase to the bathroom, Missy trailing behind her like a curious kitten.

Beaming, Stella hopped down from the chair, skipping out of the kitchen and down the hallway towards the basement door. She yanked on the brass knob and hopped down the staircase until she reached the bottom landing, hand pressed flat against the plaster as she staring up at the electronic door that now barred her way. She hesitantly tried to push the door open but was met with a loud beeping noise. She glared at the keypad as it squawked in a metallic voice 'Password!'

"Open up!" The little girl snapped at the device. She grinned happily as the doors slid open silently after a bright green light appeared on the touch screen next to the space a door handle should have been. Her father had been gotten so tired of his older daughter banging on the steel door that he had programmed it to open at her voice. She was told she was only allowed in the lab if it was extremely important though.

Stella walked into the room slowly, the harsh florescent lights making her squint her eyes as she looked around the large space. It stretched out farther than the limits of the tiny house her family resided in, there was another entrance to the lab in the barn at least an acre away from the house. She looked around the room when her eyes adjusted to the sudden brightness, the small heels on her little black shoes clicked against the floor "Daddy?" she called, as she approached the desk he primarily worked at.

Her father not in sight, she pranced up to the desk, climbing into the chair to look at all of the technical papers and gadgets he had scattered across it. She traced her fingers along one of the sheets in front of her, over the swirls and lines of atoms that were strewn across the page. She often heard her father and mother discussing the things he worked on down in the basement. He spoke of fire, and things hotter than fire. He wanted to make something that would repel it completely, or harness it... Stella didn't understand what those things meant but she knew what her father did was very important. Men in black suits would often appear at their house unannounced and enter the basement, carrying boxes and suitcases full of things he had made for them.

Stella scooted the chair back, spinning herself around and around in it until she was dizzy and giggling happily. It wasn't often she was allowed down here, especially by herself. There were so many fun toys she wasn't allowed to play with and devices that were too dangerous for her to touch. Her gaze flickered around the room as she heard a surge of energy and a sparkle of light. There was a door off to the side of the room that was ajar. Brilliant blue beams erupted from it every few moments as she watched curiously.

Cautiously sliding off the chair she crept towards the room, her eyes alight with curiosity. She put her small hand out and opened the white door, gasping as she entered a stark room. In the center a sphere hung, glowing blue and white, hurting her small eyes as she wanted it pulse. The white walls seemed to grow brighter with each throb of energy that emanated from the sphere of light. It was so pretty... Stella was enthralled, she knew she would be in a heap of trouble but her curiosity was too great to back away from such a pretty object. It was light and warm, how could it be bad? This didn't look like fire to her.

Looking behind her surreptitiously, her father still not in sight, walked towards the sphere, standing right in front of it. It seemed to beckon to her with each pulse of light, drawing the little girl closer like a moth to flame. Hesitantly she reached out her fingers, holding her breath as her hand reached the light. Her grey eyes widened and a gasp reverberated around the room. The light and energy rushed up her tiny arm, under her skin, sending tiny shocks through her system until her whole body was illuminated. Stella whimpered and tried to pull her arm away but could not move it. Each rush of the sphere's power sent a jolt of brightness throughout the room, making the florescent lights that hung from the ceiling hum and flicker and buzz louder and louder. She started to cry trying to tug her arm free terror coursing through her.

As the humming reached it's peak and the light was the brightest of whites she yanked her arm away once more, toppling over as all of the lights in the room fizzled and died. Scrambling her to feet she brushed bolted out of the room, racing out of the lab and up the flight of creaky wooden stairs.

Stella slammed into something hard as she turned in the hall to run upstairs. Her father looked down at her, doing up his tie as his brow furrowed in concern "What's wrong, baby doll?" He bent down and scooped the trembling girl up in his arms as she wrapped her arms around his neck, shivering as each shock from the blue energy jolted through her tiny body.

Terrified of what would happen if she told him the truth, she scrambled quickly to compile a good lie "Mommy said you were downstairs and I couldn't find you so I thought you left." She sobbed.

"Aw baby." He squeezed her gently "I'm right here, don't worry. I haven't left."

Stella nodded, sniffing as he carried her into the kitchen, setting her on the table as he fastened his cufflinks. Annette's high heeled shoes came clicking down the stairs as Stella continued to shiver lightly. Why did she have to touch it? It was dangerous after all. It made her insides feel funny and achey. She they were being torn apart and put back together again.

"Stella what's wrong?" Annette came into the kitchen, Missy in her arms. Her mother placed her free hand on her oldest daughters forehead, stroking it gently with loving fingertips as she looked down in concern "You're shaking! I hope you're not coming down with something. You were fine a few minutes ago…"

"She just had a scare, Annie." Her father said, leaning over to kiss his wife on the cheek "She thought I had left already."

"Sweetheart!" Annette leaned down to kiss Stella on the cheek "We would never leave without you, honey." Missy scowled and stuck her tongue out at her sister but started giggling moments later, making Stella smile.

Annette walked over to the counter to grab her purse, swinging it over her shoulder as she motioned for Stella to follow her to the car "The wedding will be over soon baby, then you can come home and play."

Stella could hardly hold still throughout the ceremony, each tiny jolt of power sent shudders down her spine. The heat of the day wasn't helping either, the air was so thick she could hardly draw breathe. Squirming in her seat every so often, her parents would look at her out of the corner of their eyes, worry radiating off of them. Biting her lip she wondered if she aught to tell them the truth about what happened in the basement. They had told her time and time again that she wasn't to play with the things her father kept down there, that they were dangerous. They would be so angry and disappointed in her.

Sheer terror jolted through her when she looked at her fingers and saw blue sparks dance across her fingertips. Hiding them in the lacy folds of her dress she prayed that no one would see them. Was it magic? Was magic supposed to hurt? The surge of power, accompanied by the heat of the sun was making her dizzy and achey. Oh, when would this stop?

She frowned as she watched her aunt lean forward, grinning at her new husband as they kissed for the first time as man and wife. Looking down at her fingers again she watched the sparks seep into her skin, tickling her before settling. She couldn't feel it anymore. Her body had stopped vibrating with nervous and she felt normal again.

Stella looked around in some confusing. It was over? Just like that? She took a deep breath and exhaled, relief filled her as all of the buzzing and jolts of pain had ceased. She felt like her normal self again. She glanced at her fingers, making sure the glint of blue had vanished.

A smile spread across her face as the happy couple retreated down the aisle. It was over. She could go home and take off this ridiculous frilly, hot dress. Annette caught Stella's arm as they stood, preparing to leave the small meadow the wedding was held in, towards the large white tent that held the reception "Stella, are you sick honey?" Stella looked up into her mothers worried face and smiled brightly.

"No momma, I'm feeling better now." Annette's shoulders relaxed visibly as she took her daughters hand, leading her towards the canvas. The wind was picking up, fluttering their dresses about their legs as they slowly made their way across the field. Stella looked down at the silken pathway under their feet and flowered arches over their head. Each gust of window knocked petals down from it, showing them both in pink.

She could hear her little sister giggling uproariously and clapping behind them as the petals rained upon them "Storm's coming!" Her father called from behind them. Annette and Stella looking up at the sky, sure enough, forbidding black clouds were rolling in from the north. It would be pouring within the hour.

They four entered the tent, met with soft music and the smell of delicious food. Stella sighed, noting caring in the least as she pulled on her mother hand "Can I…?"

Annette merely sighed, patting Stella on the head "Yes!" She said with exasperation "Go play, but don't get too dirty."

With a squeal and a grin the little girl dashed off through the forrest of legs, out of the huge tent, big enough to fit a circus and out into the golden field. She knew this area well, having gone on picnics here with her family. The sun was still shining in front of her as she rain through the tall grass. The black clouds behind her as she rain with each gust of wind. It seemed to carry her further, pulling her faster towards the sunshine. She raced up the hill toward the giant, crooked oak tree. There was a pond beyond that, it was a veritable lake and Stella intended to be knee deep in it and throwing rocks. Nice dress be damned. She had a rough morning and she deserved some fun!

Skipping through the golden grass she skidded to a halt in front of the sparkling waters edge, carefully taking off her shoes and socks, placing them on a nearby rock. The call of ducks to her left caught her attention and she grinned, wishing she had breadcrumbs to feed the feathered creatures. She watched the splash about for a few moments before turning her attention to the rocks beneath her bare feet. Making sure the ducks were a safe distance from her, she flung one of the rocks into the middle of the pond, watching the water splash and ripple at the disturbance.

She bent down again, the wind picking up, tossing her brown curls over her shoulders and into her face as she grabbed a smooth, flat stone from the bank. She angled it and tossed it with all of her might, watching it sink to the bottom of the pond. She sighed in disappointment. Her father had told her it takes a lot of practice to make the stones skip.

Her hopes did not waver as she failed to skip each stone she picked up. She stood there, ankle deep in the water for at least half an hour, the golden glow the sun had cast on the rippling water was almost gone, replaced by the grayness from the clouds above.

A clap of thunder from above her made Stella jump, almost slipping in the cool water. She held out her arms to balance herself as she looked up. The sky above her was almost pitch black, each roll of thunder practically shook the ground beneath her feet. She glanced behind her, staring at the top of the tent that lay behind the hill with the twisted oak tree. She ought to go back… Before it started raining and her dress was ruined.

A harsh gust of warm wind tugged playfully at her hair, making her turn back to the pond with a smile, but of course she didn't need to go back yet… No one had called her! The thunder was getting louder, accompanied with forks of lightning through the sky, reflecting in the water under her feet. More beautiful, dangerous things… Her mother had always made her come in during lightning storms. She remembered the terror in her voice when she was calling for her to get inside, out of the field she and the dogs were playing in…

After this morning she was more inclined to listen to what her parents said was dangerous.

Quickly reaching down to grab one more stone, she threw it as hard as she could, shrieking with glee as the rock skipped, once, twice, three times, four times, across the surface of the water. She had finally done it!

Leaping up into the air in triumph she let out a whoop of happiness, wait until she told her father "I did it!"

Stella clapped a hand over her ears as the thunder gave a roar louder than those she had previously heard, looking up she saw a great flash brightness above her. Lightning? She did not know, she didn't have time to process it as it tumbled from the sky, hitting her squarely in her small face. The flash of light illuminated the field, followed by a reverberating crash. Her scream rang out across the darkness as rain started to fall.

Her small body lay in the center of a crater that destroyed the pond completely, she twitched and convulsed, opening her mouth to scream again but closing it immediately as a luminescence emanated out of it. Casting bright lights around the dark crater. Her skin sparked and tingled, more so than it had when she had touched the sphere. She was glowing! Her entire body was glowing dimly as rain poured down from overhead.

Stella couldn't wrap her mind around what was happening, her head felt full, too full and hot. Like her blood was boiling. She started to cry softly, whimpering and calling for her mother. She didn't know what all the stuff that had happened today meant, she didn't know what was in her fathers work room and she didn't know what fell from the sky and hit her. It was like liquid fire was taking over her being.

"Stella?" A shriek came from above "Stella, where are you?"

"Mommy!" Stella tried to yell, her voice a tiny croak, a smaller flicker of light escaped her mouth this time, dying as soon as it appeared like a flashlight that needed a new lightbulb.

"Stella! Oh my God, James! Come quickly. Call an ambulance." She saw the fuzzy outline of her parents and several guests from the wedding clambering down into the crater. Her father wrapped her up in his arms, his face stark white with fear as he gently picked her up. The glow of her skin had vanished by the time they had reached her

"James, what if she was struck by lightening?" Annette hissed, she was shaking with pure terror as she stroked Stella's damp curls away from her forehead "She's so hot. Too hot."

"I don't know Annie…" Was all he would say as they carried the little girl out of the crater, past the bystanders in soaked through wedding attire and down the hill of tall golden grass, painted grey by the clouds above.

Stella woke with a start, her eyes frantically sweeping the room, her skin was hot again, so hot. 'No no no, calm down, callllm down.' she tried to reason with herself as the panic bubbled beneath the surface, threatening to engulf her 'It was just a dream, just a dream.' Running her fingers through her long hair, she shuffled across her room, opening to door to hurry into the bathroom. Once the door was closed she flicked on the lights and turned on the cold water, leaning down to drench her face as she pressed her hands to her fevered skin.

Taking several shuddering breathes she looked up at her refection. Her tired grey eyes were dark with shadows, mixed with her stark skin and sunken cheeks she was starting to look like the dead, as well as dream about them.

Stella tilted her head back, letting the cool water trickle down her throat as she took another shuddering gulp of air. 'This doesn't need to get messy, just calm down…'

She looked down at her glowing hands, willing away the blue fire that lay under her skin.

'Don't want to kill these people too...'