Loki.

Loki tripped over a loose stone and plowed headfirst into the snow. He shook his head, snow flying everywhere.

For a second, he imagined he heard Cassandra's voice. His eyes darted around the henge wildly, searching for any trace of her.

Tony stared at him like he was a lunatic. "Come on, Sideshow. We're going back to the village to regroup. This isn't the time to make a snow angel."

Wiping a hand over his face, Loki stared at the stone slab in the center of the henge.

Loki.

"Seriously, we've wasted enough time here." Stark prodded.

Loki held up his hand. "Shut up, I'm trying to concentrate."

The billionaire regarded him with disgust and stalked away leaving Loki kneeling in the snow.

Loki reached out tentatively for Cassandra. Darling?

Loki nurtured a kernel of hope. This shouldn't even be possible.

He felt her relief. Loki. I wasn't sure this would work. Nimue said we have a connection but part of me doubted it. There's so much I want to tell you, but that can wait. I need your help. Its Thor.

Alarmed Loki shot up out of the snow. Thor? What did he do to you? If he hurt you, I'll-

Amusement trickled through quickly replaced by worry. No. He hasn't hurt me, but I need your help with stopping him. Arthur Kensington's alive and has him under mind control.

Arthur Kensington, alive? Loki should have suspected. The man's 'death' had been far too convenient. Darling, where are you? Banner was so sure you would be at the henge outside New Asgard but no one showed. The circle is empty.

Loki, I am in a henge. I don't know if it's the same one. There's a dark barrier of energy surrounding it. I'm not sure, but I think we might be on another plane. The tension in her voice was almost palpable.

"Everyone, stay where you are." Loki barked at the retreating heroes and Asgardians.

Tyr turned around. "What is it, Loki?"

Melting snow dripped down Loki's hair. "Banner is right. They are here but in another dimension."

"What dimension?" Wong demanded.

Loki mentally flipped through the information he'd learned from the Ancient One's spell books. "The Shadow Dimension. It's an in-between place connected to this world and the Dark Dimension."

Strange floated over to Loki. "Then let's open a doorway."

"We must be cautious. If we do open a door, it will give the Dark Dimension an opportunity to slip through once its summoned." Wong warned.

"There is no option. This has to be dealt with. Wong and I will remain to guard the door." Li decided, speaking for the first time in several hours.

The warrior had been content to be a stoically silent participant up until now.

Loki reached for Cassandra's blossoming warmth again, the feel of her mind connecting with his near addictive. Darling, we're going to break through in just a minute. Hang on.

Loki, I love you. I'm sorry. I wish I could have said this in a more romantic way; with rose petals on the bed, champagne, and candles, but this will have to do since I'm currently surrounded by an army. I just want you to know in case the worst happens. I shouldn't have let my fears and insecurities get in the way of telling you the truth.

Loki's eyes widened at her unexpected confession. Warmth suffused his cheeks, and a shy smile graced his lips. I love you, my Sweet Cassandra. Although, I would prefer to look into your eyes when I tell you.

Then come and get me handsome. I think I deserve a happy ending after all the crap I've been through. So get in here and help me kick some ass so you can sweep me off my feet for our happily ever after!

Gladly, my love. Loki released the connection, reluctant to feel Cassandra depart knowing the kind of danger she was in. "Open the gate Wong. Strange and I will take point. The rest of you follow."

Stark looked like he wanted to argue, but a warning look from Natasha shut him up.

Banner thumped his giant green fists together and grinned. "Well, then what are we waiting for? It's time to smash!"

Loki dusted himself off and drew Excalibur from its scabbard. The others fell into line behind him as Wong and Li positioned themselves between two stone monoliths and used their sling rings to form a portal.

Strange landed softly beside Loki, blue eyes sharp with concentration as he summoned a pair of glowing shields. "Are you ready?"

"Yes." Loki was long past ready to be reunited with Cassandra.

*************************************************************************************

The witches circled around Cassandra boxing her in. She watched the three warily for a second then switched her gaze back to Thor who stood behind the witches, bristling lightning.

Her muscles tensed as she waited for someone to strike her with lightning or plunge a dagger into her heart.

No one touched Cassandra.

When Arthur stormed over, the witches parted to let him through. The guards hung back busy keeping an eye on the blob men, leaving the confrontation to their boss.

"How in the hell does she have her powers back?" Arthur snarled, blue eyes flashing. A flush crawled over his handsome angry features. "Well?" He demanded when the witches remained quiet.

The blonde witch shrugged. "The potion should have worked. However, the Merlin's magic has always been difficult to predict. He is a worthy adversary."

Discreetly, Cassandra summoned a ball of fire into her palm, the warmth of the flames giving her courage.

"Go. Greet my sister. She will be coming through soon." Arthur growled at the witches.

"Sire, she is dangerous. We should deal with her immediately." The blonde pressed, tilting the sharp edge of her dagger in Cassandra's direction.

Arthur barked a harsh laugh. "Her? She's clueless. Emrys chose a complete idiot to be his heir. She is no threat to me."

"Don't be so sure." Cassandra murmured and flicked the fire at the blonde witch.

She went up like a torch with an agonized screech. Staggering, she crashed into a line of guards. The flames leaped to them, spreading quickly.

Cassandra swallowed bile as the stench of cooked human flesh and death filled the air. She pressed a hand to her mouth and gagged. It was a cruel way to kill someone, but she couldn't afford for any of them to poison her again.

Keeping them at a distance seemed to be the best way to handle things until Loki and the others broke through.

The two remaining witches regarded Cassandra with open fear. Even Arthur backed away from her, his expression guarded.

Fingers trembling, Cassandra summoned more fire and tossed it at the witches.

They shrieked and dove out of the way. The fireball struck a blob man. The creature wiggled like gelatin absorbing the fire into its core where it burned merrily in its belly.

Cassandra stared in disbelief. Well as stupid as the blob men looked, they were a damned effective defense.

"Take care of her." Arthur ordered Thor.

"I thought I was your queen. Typical man, offering false promises." Cassandra drawled lazily, tossing a fresh fireball up and down into her palm. "Not that I expected any better." She tilted her head to the side. "Or actually care you view me as expendable."

Cassandra swung back and hurled the fire like a baseball. "The feeling is mutual."

Arthur paled, a strong tremble running through his body. Pivoting on his heel he fled, the roaring crackling flame speeding toward him. He dove between his guards legs, seeking safety in their number.

Thunderclouds built rapidly overhead as Thor raised his hammer and blocked the fireball.

Shit.

Thor rose into the air and shot toward her like a bullet, hammer spinning in his fist.

Cassandra muttered a spell to conjure the strongest shield possible. Bending her knees, she braced herself for impact as the blow came down.

Suddenly, an energy blast struck the god, sending him flying into one of the remaining monoliths. Iron Man adjusted his thrusters and zoomed for the blob men. "The calvary is here, kid!"

Cassandra sagged in relief as the Avengers and several warriors raced through a hole in the barrier, Loki at the head of the charge.

Twirling a sword, Loki cut a path through the enemy to reach her. "Stark I told you I would take the lead!"

"A day late and a dollar short, Side Show." Tony spun effortless in his suit like a propeller blasting blobs to pieces.

Natasha landed in a crouch, flipping her hair. Hawkeye stood beside her on the tilted stone slab with his bow.

Were they seriously posing? Cassandra shook her head. Heroes. She raised her shield, blocking a knife strike.

The guard bounced off and crashed into a blob. Immediately he began screaming as his body dissolved in a puddle of liquid flesh and blood.

Cassandra winced. Ew.

Loki almost reached Cassandra when a group of five guards attacked him.

Strange caught three of them into a magical lasso and thrust them into a portal.

Loki cut through the remaining two with ruthless efficiency, blood spraying like a fine mist in the air. The sword clutched in his hand pulsed with incredible power, blazing like the heart of a star.

Cassandra watched as he spun, sliced, and thrust his way through Arthur's army. Gunfire erupted. The bullets bounced off Loki's armor, having no effect. He merely smirked and sliced the shooters to pieces, flipping his hair out of his eyes.

Heat pooled in her belly. He was so hot when he fought.

Cassandra squashed a bit of envy, wishing for her own Asgardian leathers. Stray bullets pinged against her shield, making her grateful for her magic.

Recovered from his tumble, Thor dropped out of the sky, spearing the ground with a violent lightning strike.

Yelping, Cassandra ducked behind a monolith as clods of dirt and snow flew everywhere.

The Hulk bounded up beside her and stole her hiding place, leaving her an easy target.

"Hey, I was using that as cover!" She cried.

The green giant, huffed at Cassandra and used the monolith to smash Thor into the ground where he repeatedly struck the god until he lay still.

Okay, so maybe the Hulk had a better use for it. Cassandra thought wryly as Thor sank deep into the earth with each blow.

Loki waded through the fray until he clasped a hand tenderly over Cassandra's shoulder. "Darling." His blue eyes glittered with adoration as he leaned down and kissed her.

Cassandra melted against him, sliding her fingers into his hair.

Loki gently eased her away by the shoulders.

The kiss was far too brief, but they were in the middle of a battle.

Priorities.

Cassandra stroked his cheek with her thumb, the brief touch making her skin tingle. "Loki. I love you." The words tasted like the sweetest darkest chocolate, heady and intoxicating. A burst of ambrosia on her tongue.

Loki glowed. "I love you too, my heart. Though I must ask...what are you wearing?"

She sighed. "A wedding dress. Don't ask me to explain."

"Very well, I'll save my curiosity for later. Including why you are covered in bruises." He spun her out of the way and thrust his sword through one of the witches who had been sneaking up behind Cassandra to stab her in the back.

The woman coughed, blood dribbling down her chin. "You're...too...late..." She pointed a finger up at the sky. "She comes."

With a sigh, the witch surrendered to her death swoon and slipped slowly off Loki's sword.

The moment the witch's body hit the earth, a lethal stillness fell over the battlefield. Everyone stopped fighting to look up at the beautiful woman emerging from the rift.

Morgan le Fey.

A/N: Sorry for the cliffhangers. Its easier for me to organize the battle properly. I hope you liked the chapter.