(I will be editing this episode later tonight, but enjoy)

Where we left off with Loki, the Henchmen and Dr Doom. Loki was thrown and chained in the dungeon cell. Modok panicked as Doom did this to Loki and then punched Loki in the face.

Loki was thrown into the cell and forced into one of the manacles attached to the wall, his body aching from Doom punching him in the face.

"And there you will remain for the rest of the day as punishment for what you did...trying to help the wretched girl escape us." Doom frowned.

Loki remained silent, trying to be stoic through the pain.

"And as for the girl...she will be returned to us soon enough. And once she is back where she belongs, she will be punished as well!"

Doom then turned and left the cell. Loki glared at him and spat at him as he left the cell. There was no doubt in his mind the girl would be caught and made to suffer. And Doom was to blame. If only he could get out of this blasted cell...

Modok, who had been waiting outside of the cell panicked, "Lord Doom, don't punish the girl, please. She did nothing—"

"Silence, Modok! That wretched girl will be punished!"

Modok flinched at Doom's stern words. He should have known he wouldn't listen. There was no reasoning with him right now. They would still do whatever Doom wanted to do to the girl. Modok glanced down at the floor before speaking in a quiet voice, "Yes, sir. As you wish...," he sighed.

Doom then left without another word, leaving Modok alone outside the cell. Loki then heard Doom's footsteps fade away and spoke, breaking the silence with a harsh, cold tone.

"Now you have done your precious "Lord Doom's bidding", Modok. How does it feel?"

Modok kept staring down at the floor as Loki spoke to him, not sure what to say or do. He felt so conflicted about everything. He couldn't deny that he wanted to see the girl safe and unharmed. But all the same, he couldn't deny Doom either....

Modok spoke in a weak, almost apologetic voice, his words being a mixture of a statement and a question as he looked back up at the chained-up Loki, "I-I...I-I didn't want to do that...I had to..."

Loki scoffed at Modok's weak sounding words. He did want to believe him, but that was not a very convincing protest.

"Oh? You "had to"? It was not enough for Doom just to punish me. He wanted to bring the girl back to punish her too, and now you decide to show concern?" Loki's tone was more than a little mocking as he spoke.

Modok felt more of his guilt mounting up with every word Loki spoke. He really hated that Doom was wanting to punish the girl for simply running away. He couldn't stand to think of the girl going through any unnecessary suffering. But how to explain to Loki that Doom was giving him no choice in this?

Modok kept his eyes on Loki, responding back to him with a tone that was more serious than it was apologetic this time. He was getting more tired of Doom's attitude toward the girl and could no longer hide it, "What do you want me to say, Loki?"

Loki saw the growing frustration and annoyance in Modok's tone and expression. He spoke again in a snarky tone as he smirked at him, "Oh? It sounds like someone is getting a bit fed up with Doom's attitude...I take it you don't agree with his treatment of the girl?"

Loki was actually kind of pleased to see Modok starting to get frustrated with Doom.

"Of course I don't! I care for her! I...I even...started to like her...not like love...but like her...," Modok said.

Loki actually looked a bit surprised as Modok said that he liked the girl.

"Hmm, the girl really is starting to get through that armor and metal of yours, is she?" Loki smirked, seeing his chance to annoy and tease Modok even more, "You know, I think she likes you too, Modok."

Modok suddenly blushed and stammered nervously for a moment as Loki teased him, "...oh shut up, you fool! You don't know what you're talking about!"

Loki's smirk widened as he watched the already flustered Modok blush even more at his teasing. This was almost too easy and too much fun to stop. He spoke again, his voice almost singing as he continued teasing Modok about the girl and his obvious feelings for her, "Oh, but I do know what I'm talking about, oh mighty Modok. She's been stealing your heart with her adorable smile and her sweet, kind nature. And from the sound of it, it must be working~!"

"We are just friends, besides. She obviously liked you. She was worried about you. She even begged me to promise to never tell Doom or the others you will help her escape....," Modok said looking down.

Loki suddenly looked surprised as Modok said that the girl was worried about him. He also became just slightly hopeful, "Did she really? She was worried about me?"

Maybe she even...liked him? Loki suddenly began to silently curse himself for not trying to be more friendly or nice towards her at their meeting. Could something have happened if he had tried harder to get to know her? He thought he was trying to be smart and calculating, but now he wondered if he was just being a moron and a fool.

"She probably even likes you. I can tell she really cares about you," Modok continued.

Loki could feel Modok's sincerity as he spoke about the girl's worry for him, but he still had trouble believing it or wrapping his head around it all, "...really? She cares for me? Are you certain of that?

Modok smiled and nodded his head in response. He was sure of it. He had seen how much the girl wanted to see Loki again, and she even begged him to look out for him too.

Loki suddenly frowned, his voice suddenly becoming dark and serious as he spoke again, "Well if you're right about her caring for me, then tell me this...do you really think she wouldn't be concerned or upset if Doom punished her the way he wants to? And are you really willing to just stand by and let her suffer that way?"

Modok became silent and looked down on the ground again. Loki was right. He didn't want her to suffer that way. Not if he could possibly talk some sense into Doom. The girl meant that much to him. He wouldn't see her be harmed. He nodded and spoke again, his voice more determined this time, "I...I'll talk to him. I'll try and convince Doom not to punish her. I promise. I will help her."

Loki smiled as Modok made that promise, "Well...if you really mean it, then why not start by unchaining me? It will be a lot easier for me to help her once I can actually leave this cell."

Modok looked hesitant at first, wanting to trust Loki, but not sure if that was a wise choice just yet. After a moment, he opened up the cell door and released Loki from his chains.

Meanwhile in the Helicarrier.

Thor went to Phantom Girl aka Emma's room and knock on the door. She had been in her room all day since she got back. He was growing worried. Emma was not in a good mood. She had been hiding in her room for hours since she was brought back to the carrier. She felt like she was in trouble, and she didn't want to see anyone.

"Go away!" She cried out and pulled her blanket over her head as her door was knocked on.

Thor sighed as he listened to Emma's response through the door. "Oh Emma, don't be like that. Will you please let me in? I would like to see you."

Emma was silent for a while. Then she spoke out from under her blanket, her voice sounding tired and worn out, "...fine. Come in."

Thor opened the door and entered Emma's room, relieved she had agreed to see him. He closed the door behind him and looked towards Emma, speaking gently to her, "How are you feeling, Emma?"

Emma sighed as she heard Thor's question. She was exhausted from all the stress and the feeling that she was failing everyone. Her face remained hidden under the blanket as she spoke to Thor, her voice sounding weak, "I'm tired...and upset...I'm failing everyone..."

Thor was saddened as he listened to Emma. He hated seeing her like this, so down on herself. He quickly walked over to the bed and sat down beside her, gently patting the blanket, "No, Emma...no you are *not* failing *anyone*. We are all glad to have you back here with us. Especially me."

"But I couldn't even fight Doom while he held me captive for 24 hours...I couldn't fight anyone. I couldn't even protect Snowflake."

Thor continued to gently pat Emma's head on the blanket as she spoke, trying to comfort her, "That is not true, Emma. You did your best in what was clearly a very dangerous situation. None of us blame you for what happened. How were you supposed to fight Doom or protect Snowflake when he had you captured? It wasn't your fault."

"I don't even my gadgets anymore...Doom has them. If Snowflake didn't find you, I wouldn't have been able to escape...and ...Doom could've...he could've...," her tears choked up.

Thor listened as Emma kept going. He hated remembering what Doom was likely planning to do to her. If she and Snowflake hadn't escaped when they did, it could have been much worse. He would not let that happen again. He spoke to Emma in a soft, reassuring tone as he continued patting the blanket over her head, "Shh...let it all out. Don't worry, Emma. Doom will not be allowed to hurt you anymore. I will not let him. You are safe here, I promise you."

Emma listened to Thor's reassuring words. As much as part of her didn't want to believe that, especially since she was still blaming herself, she was grateful for what Thor was saying. Especially the promise to protect her. She still felt so worthless, like maybe she was more a nuisance than any actual help to the team.

"...Thor...why do you even want me on the team? You could have anyone you want...anyone better...more...useful. Why am I even here? I don't even have any powers."

Thor shook his head, still gently patting Emma's blanket-covered head, "Emma...stop putting yourself down. You don't need powers to be an amazing superhero. That's what makes you special; you are useful. You have all those clever gadgets...that's a super power of its own!"

"But Doom has them now. I'm nothing without them..."

Thor shook his head again, speaking in a determined, firm, yet still gentle tone, "No, Emma, you are not nothing without your gadgets. You already have the brains and bravery to be a hero on your own. Those gadgets are just a nice extension of what you already are. If you had never found your gadgets, believe me, you would still be an amazing hero. You could probably still be here with us on the team anyway. You don't need to be super-powered to be amazing."

"You mean that?"

Thor smiled confidently and nodded as he listened to Emma's question.

"Of course I do. I don't think I could've been any more clear than that," He then chuckled slightly and teased her a little as he continued patting the blanket-covered her head, "But don't be getting all big-headed now that you know how special you are. That won't do."

Emma pulled the blanket off her head and looked at him. Thor saw the red stains of tears in the girl's eyes and the puffiness of her face. He immediately stopped teasing her as he saw that, and the smile faded from his face. He could not tolerate it when someone he cared about was hurting. He reached out his arms, gently pulling her against him into a hug.

"Emma, how can I get you to stop blaming yourself? You did nothing wrong...please don't cry..."

"I'm just so scared. I'm afraid of him. I never been so afraid of Doom...he came at me..if Loki and others didn't—"

Thor frowned deeply as he listened to Emma continue speaking to him. He could hear and feel the fear in her words and actions. He hugged her tightly to comfort her as he spoke, trying to be reassuring and confident despite the fact he could feel his own blood boiling at the thought of Doom hurting her, "I know Doom is scary, Emma, but you will never have to face him alone. You have your friends here, and we all care for you very deeply. We would never let him hurt you again."

Emma teared up and threw her arms around him. Thor gently held her as she threw her arms around him and continued speaking comfortingly in a gentle tone.

"Shh, it's alright, Emma. That's right, let it out. It's alright for you to cry right now. I know it may not seem like it, but you are still stronger than you think."

Thor ran his hands gently behind her back, trying to comfort and soothe her as he held her with his other arm. She was safe with him for now.

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

Days passed, Emma refused to leave her room still. She was still afraid to fight when Doom was spotted in the city and the heroes were called. Finally at the third time she refused to go, the heroes returned after saving the city and Ms Marvel thought about talking to her.

After the heroes came back from saving the city, Ms Marvel decided to check on Emma to see if she was alright. She walked over and lightly knocked on Emma's door.

"Emma? Emma, are you alright? Can I come in?"

There was a long silence. Then Emma's voice came from inside the room, "...you can come in...."

Emma sensed now she was gonna be talked to. Like a boss talking to their employee. A harsh one, but Ms Marvel was not going to have such of a talk. Ms Marvel carefully opened the door and walked into Emma's room. She looked around as she saw that the girl was still in bed. She couldn't help but notice there were tissues scattered all over, some of them still wet with tears. She spoke in a warm, gentle tone, "Oh, Emma...how are you feeling?"

Emma slowly pushed herself up at the sound of Ms Marvel's voice. She was looking rather pale with her eyes still slightly red and puffy from all the tears. The bags under her eyes were so pronounced that she looked almost like she was sick in the face.

Emma speaking weakly, "I feel like...I just have a bad headache..."

Ms Marvel looked concerned as Emma spoke and looked at her. She did not sound well at all and looked like she might be sick. She spoke as she slowly walked over to the bed, sitting down beside the girl.

"You don't look well at all, Emma. Do you think you might have picked up a cold?...or the flu?"

"Neither...I have been down lately..."

Ms Marvel listened to Emma's response, growing even more concerned as she saw the downcast look in her eyes. She reached out a hand and gently rubbed the girl's shoulder. She spoke in a gentle, warm tone, trying to be as comforting as possible.

"I can see that, Emma. And...I know you've been through a lot recently. But you can't keep sitting here in this bed and being upset like this. I know I can't tell you when to stop feeling upset, but I'm worried about you."

"I'm...I'm just scared..."

Ms Marvel kept rubbing Emma's shoulder as she spoke more to her. She wanted the girl to know it was safe to talk to her.

"I know you're scared, Emma. What you went through would frighten anyone. But you're safe now. You're among your friends. You don't have to hide in your room anymore."

"But I am afraid Doom will kidnap me again. I even heard him told his henchmen and Loki once they capture me...he will punish me..."

Ms Marvel kept rubbing Emma's shoulder, reassuring and trying to comfort her friend, "Oh, Emma. I know you're afraid of Doom and him wanting to kidnap you again. But I promise you, Doom is never getting the chance to kidnap you again as long as we hero types are around. And you never have to worry about me, Hulk, Thor, Iron Man, Cap, Falcon, Silver Surfer or even Reptil letting Doom hurt you. That would be the last mistake he would ever make."

"...," Emma then nodded, "I'm not...fired am I?"

Ms Marvel shook her head, responding in a gentle, reassuring tone, "Why would you say that, Emma? You're not fired. There is no one or nothing that would ever convince me to fire you."

Ms Marvel smiled warmly at Emma as she said that, hoping to comfort her again with her words.

"Thank you...I was also worried about that..." Emma said softly.

Ms Marvel smiled again and nodded, still rubbing Emma's shoulder as she spoke.

"I just want you to know that you can talk to me, Emma. We're all your friends here and we're here to help you if and when you need it. None of us wants to see you suffer like this," as she said this, she leaned over and slowly pulled Emma into a hug, gently rubbing her back as she did so.

Emma was startled at first, but then relaxed as she felt Ms Marvel pulling her into a hug. Ms Marvel felt the girl's breath hitch again as she held her.

As she kept the hug, she gently started to stroke the girl's hair as she spoke again in a gentle tone, "Don't worry, it's alright. Let all those tears out. You're safe. Shhh...."

That night Emma was slightly ok, but still frightened. Whenever she tried to step out of the helicarrier, she immediately pulled herself back in. Or even heard someone talking about Dr Doom, she immediately leaves back to her room. Those nightmares. Those times he tormented her, and even made her scream all because she mentioned his mother, she was afraid. Feeling those cold metal gauntlets on her neck. She shivered. Those dark brown eyes under his metal mask staring at her.

"No...," she whimpered. She could even hear his voice in her head.

Emma tried her best to ignore the voice in her head. It was bad enough the nightmares kept bothering her, especially when she was trying to sleep. The last thing she needed was to hear that awful voice trying to taunt and torment her.

"Not now...go away...I don't want to hear you...just leave me alone..."

But of course, Doom in her head wasn't listening. He kept taunting her, trying to torment her.

What's the matter, wretched girl? Is the darkness still in you? What, are you still not brave enough to face me?

Emma cried, "leave me alone..."

I'm not going anywhere, wretched girl. I'm never leaving you.

Emma could now feel cold metal around her neck, the familiar gloved gauntlets of Doom wrapped around it. She could only hear Doom's voice taunting her in her head as it echoed.

No matter where you try to run and hide, I will always find you. Suffer for Me!

Emma began to cry, wishing there was something she could do to make it all stop.

Suddenly she heard tapping on the window. She saw a yellow and green bird perched on the window. She went over to open it. Once she opened it. The bird flew in and shapeshifted into Loki. Loki sighed and hugged her. Emma cried and hugged onto him.

"You're alright..."

Emma cried loudly, clinging onto Loki's armor, so thankful he was there. She kept her face buried in his chest, letting the tears run freely down her face.

Loki spoke slightly concerned, "Emma...what's the matter? Talk to me."

Emma tried to speak through the tears, the words slowly coming out in a shaky tone as she kept clinging onto Loki.

"He...he won't leave me alone, Loki. He's...he's always there...in my head...always. I don't...don't know what to do. Please, help me...make it stop!"

Loki listened as he rubbed the girl's back and spoke reassuringly to her, "Shhh...I'm here now. You'll be alright. Just let it all out. I'll do whatever I can to help. I swear it."

Emma gripped on him tightly, "I was scared I wouldn't see you again... I thought...I thought..."

Loki held her tightly in his arms as she spoke, still stroking her back as she spoke, "It's alright, Emma. I'm here now and I'm not going anywhere. I promise you, I will not let Doom take you again. You have my word."

Ema buried her face in his chest as she continued to sob. "I....I missed you..."

Loki continued stroking Emma's back and spoke again in that same reassuring tone. He then began to run his hands soothingly through her hair, "I missed you too, Ems. I wouldn't leave you if I had a choice. But I want you to know that I'm back now, and I made a promise to you before that I do not intend to break. I will never let Doom hurt you again."

She looked up at him and held his face. She sniffled as she rested her forehead on his. Loki smiled slightly as Emma held his face and then rested her forehead against his. He was still stroking her hair and rubbing her back. He then pulled her into another embrace as he spoke more quietly to her.

"You'll be alright now, my courageous one. Doom won't come near us as long as I'm around. I'll make sure of it."

"You're my best friend." Emma finally said.

Loki smiled again as Emma said that. He couldn't help, but be touched by that statement from the girl. She was just so kind and sweet to him. He was happy to see some life and light coming back to her, "You are my best friend too, Emma. I care for you deeply."

"...is...is Modok ok too?"

Loki nodded in response, speaking again in that reassuring tone, "I believe he is, Emma. He is a bit more worried about you than he is about himself. I think you mean more to him than you realize."

"...D...he isn't punishing Mo, is he?" Emma couldn't even say his name.

Loki felt his blood boil at the thought of Doom hurting Modok in any way, but he then shook his head and spoke again, trying to be reassuring, "No, no, Modok is fine, Emma. Doom just has him on a short leash. He wouldn't hurt Modok...right now. But...Doom's patience may start to wear thinner..."

Emma looked worried and looked scared again. "I really want to help, but...I'm so scared...," she buried her face in his chest again.

Loki sighed, then gently lifted the girl's face with his hand. He looked her straight in the eyes, speaking very seriously in a stern yet kind voice, "Look at me, Emma. You will always have my help and protection. You will survive this. Together, you and I will end Doom's reign of terror. I promise you that."

Loki then pulled her back into another hug, his voice softening as he finished speaking in a gentle, reassuring tone, "I'll even make you a new set of gadgets if you want or need them. And I can keep these ones to myself," Loki chuckled holding her old ones. He remembered that was another reason why he came to check on her.

Emma looked shocked. She immediately grabbed them and teared up. "You brought them back!"

Loki smiled as he saw her take her old gadgets back. He was a little relieved to see more of the light come back to her. He didn't like seeing her upset or afraid. He never wanted to see the girl cry ever again, "Yes, I did. They missed you just as much as you missed them, I'm sure. I'm afraid Doom had some of his scientists tinker with them for a while. Fortunately, I was able to work all that out...and I also may have made a few improvements with them as well...hehehe..."

"Thank you," she smiled and kissed his cheek.

Loki felt himself blush as she kissed his cheek. He actually felt a bit of an attraction towards the girl himself. He didn't think it was quite love yet; he didn't know her quite well enough for that just yet. But he did know he liked her, and that gave him some hope that maybe there was something there.

Loki smirked as his mind began to wander with that thought more. Then he spoke again in that same gentle but confident tone, "You're welcome, Emma. Anything for my best friend."

Emma then hugged him again, "can...can you please stay with me tonight. I don't wanna be alone...Snowflake and I don't wanna be alone."

Loki nodded and spoke reassuringly, pulling her close in the hug, "Of course, Emma. I would be happy to stay with you tonight. If you want or need anything at all, just ask. I'll be right here."

Emma smiled softly. She then kissed his nose. Loki blushed a little more as Emma kissed his nose, feeling himself becoming even more attracted to his younger friend.

He kept the girl in a warm, safe hug, then spoke to her again in a teasing tone, "Oh, I see. You're getting bold now, are you? Kissing my nose, hm?"

Emma blushed and giggled softly. Loki laughed with Emma as she blushed and giggled, then he spoke in a soft, teasing tone as he kept holding her close, "You're not planning to kiss any other part of me, are you? Such an attack would be a bold move on my armor-clad body..."

He smirked as he said that, hoping to tease the girl even more. She did look very cute when she blushed.

She blushed even more, "no no no."

Loki smirked a little more as the girl seemed flustered and a bit awkward, a deeper shade of red showing on her face. This amused Loki, and made him want to tease her even more, "Oh, are you sure? Are you positive you wouldn't want to kiss any of my exposed flesh?"

Loki pulled a sleeve down to reveal some of his own wrist to the girl, still smirking.

"Go ahead if you want. You are my best friend, after all."

"No, Loki, I couldn't do that...," Emma blushed even more.

Loki chuckled, enjoying both the sight and sound of the girl blushing as he continued to tease her. There was no doubt in his mind that she looked very cute when she blushed.

"You sure? Come on...just a little tiny, teeny, weeny kiss on the wrist. I won't mind. You are my dearest best friend, after all."

Loki winked as he said that, smirking wider at Emma.

"Now I feel like you're testing me...like you want me to kiss you somewhere else than your wrist..."

Loki felt a slight blush of his own as his teasing got a little more serious, "Well, I can't say that that's not exactly accurate..."

He gently reached out a hand and brushed some of Emma's blonde hair out of her eyes as his smirk widened, "But I don't want to push you, Emma. You can kiss me anywhere you like, and not just my wrist. You are my best friend..."

Loki hoped she would take the hint. He was now very interested in exploring the possibility of having a better relationship with her.

Emma blushed. She was about to lean in and kiss him when she heard a knock. Loki immediately shapeshifted into a frog perched on her shoulder.

"W-who is it?" Emma asked.

"It's me, friend, Silver Surfer."

"Oh...uh...come in."

Loki felt a little frustrated by the sudden interruption. He also felt slightly offended that he had to shape shift into a frog, but at least it was temporary. He sat perched on Emma's shoulder, hoping to see what Silver Surfer wanted, especially since it was getting late.

Once he came in, Emma spoke, "Can't sleep?"

Silver Surfer shook his head in response to Emma's question, speaking honestly and seriously, the way he usually did, "Unfortunately, you are correct. My surfboard is recharging, and I am feeling restless waiting for it to be ready again. Perhaps you cannot sleep either?"

"No...I thought you were just concerned about me like the others. Sorry your board is charging. I usually see you with it."

"You do not need to apologize for my surfboard recharging, friend. I only have myself to blame. I have already used the board much more than I had intended to during the rescue mission," He looked at Emma with concern and spoke in a genuinely friendly tone, "But what of you, child? Why are you not resting?"

"Oh...uh...just can't sleep because...of nightmares..."

Silver Surfer nodded in understanding as Emma spoke about her nightmares, then he asked the girl a question based on the concern he had for her, "I sense that these nightmares concern you greatly, friend. Are they about your capture by Doom?"

Emma nodded. Before he asked more, Silver Surfer noticed the green and yellow frog perched on her shoulder.

"What is this creature, friend? It looks very adorable."

Silver Surfer pointed to Loki as the frog on Emma's shoulder. It was a rather sudden distraction, but an unexpected one at that.

"Oh uh....a new pet. I found him in the park earlier while you guys were out fighting...the Doombots. Snowflake and I got attach to him so we brought him here. It's a frog."

Silver Surfer looked a little bit surprised. Then again, he was somewhat ignorant when it came to the ways of Earth, "A...frog? This small creature is a pet?"

He reached out his hand and gently stroked Loki on the head as the frog perched on Emma's shoulder.

"Some frogs can be as pets. I know some people in world keep spiders, lions, or bears, snakes, or even tigers as pets."

"Lions, bears, snakes, tigers? Oh, dear...now you have *really* surprised me, Friend. I could never do such things with any of the creatures you named. I would be far too afraid that they would try to eat me."

He gently continued stroking Emma's frog on the head as he spoke, "But this frog creature is rather cute. I do not blame you for taking him. He would make for a very adorable pet."

Silver Surfer smiled a little at the sight of Emma's rabbit. He thought Snowflake was rather cute and adorable as well, "I see. And now I see that you have another pet on your bed. May I ask what she is?"

Silver Surfer pointed to Snowflake after he asked about the rabbit.

"Oh she's a rabbit fairy. Or kwami."

Silver Surfer became even more surprised by that statement, but intrigued all the same, "A fairy? Truly?"

Silver Surfer had definitely heard of fairies before, but he had never met or seen a fairy with his own eyes. The very thought of one, even a fairy rabbit, greatly amazed him.

"Yes. Uh from what my mentor Master Chen told me, these kwamis are angel beings in the form of animal fairies and they are companions for Super Humans aka Superheroes."

"A fairy companion to help Earth's heroes. That sounds wonderful. It seems you have two of these companions with you. Two adorable animals to help and protect you," Silver Surfer then spoke more thoughtfully, almost as if he was considering something, "I must ask, friend...do all Super Heroes have such adorable companions like yours? I'm not sure I have ever seen any Super Heros use them in battle." He did not want to sound too ignorant when it came to things on Earth.

"Well some of my old classmates have one, I don't know if Reptil has one since he is still in Hero Academy."

Silver Surfer nodded in understanding, remembering that Reptil was currently a student at the hero academy in the city, "I see. And these heroes you mentioned from the Hero Academy. Do they have their own adorable companions?"

He was rather curious now.

"Yeah some. Portal Girl, one of the graduates has a raccoon kwami."

"Interesting. And what kind of abilities does this raccoon give her as a companion?"

The more he learned about the hero companions on Earth, the more intrigued he was. He had no idea Earth had such magical creatures to help the heroes. He wondered what other special creatures he did not know about existed.

"Well if i remember, he can blend into any environment. So no one or anything can see him. Plus since raccoons are nocturnal, he actually has x-ray vision also."

Silver Surfer seemed rather impressed as he continued listening to Emma's explanation, "Incredible...such a creature can blend in and become undetectable...and have x-ray vision?! My...that is almost like a hero's super power. Is such a creature even allowed to help the heroes in battle?"

Silver Surfer was both amazed and slightly confused at the same time. This seemed too good to be true, even for heroes.

"Of course..," before she continued, she noticed the frog (Loki) looking annoyed. "Maybe I will explain more tomorrow, Surfer, this little guy is little tired."

Silver Surfer chuckled at Emma's statement, nodding in understanding, "I suppose we can speak again tomorrow. We should let your two pets rest. They have had a rather busy day."

"Goodnight." Once he left and she shut the door, Loki shapeshifted back and he groaned.

Loki shapeshifted back into himself once Silver Surfer had left the room. He groaned a bit himself as he rubbed the back of his neck.

"I thought he would never leave..."Loki then smirked as he looked at Emma, chuckling a bit as he spoke, "And what was that about me being an adorable pet, hm? Am I not a prince to you?" He spoke his last sentence teasingly with some slight mock outrage as he smirked.

Emma giggled, "well...both..."

Loki smirked slightly as he listened to Emma giggle and then agreed with him in a way. He then spoke quietly, his tone somewhat flirtatious.

"Hmmm...yes, I suppose you're right...I do make a rather adorable-looking frog for you," he leaned in closer to Emma and raised a brow with a smirk, "But does that make you kiss me to turn me back into a prince?~"

"Well...I uh..."

Loki smirked and transformed into a frog and dropped in her hands.

Loki transformed into a frog and let himself fall into Emma's hands. Loki smirked as he looked up at his friend, still maintaining a slight teasing tone in his voice.

"Well, what will it be? Will you kiss your dear prince?~" He spoke with a flirtatious tone and chuckled, still as a green frog, as he waited for her answer. He was not going to be too disappointed if she didn't kiss him...but at the same time, he secretly desired it more than he would ever admit.

Emma blushed dark red. "I...," she set him on her bed she laid down. She pulled the blanket over her head blushing more. She was too shy.

Loki smirked slightly as he watched Emma become shy and red-faced from the teasing. He chuckled and hopped closer to her, speaking more softly as he kept watching her hide under the blanket.

"Now, come on...just a little kiss on my cheek, or forehead. I won't bite, that I promise.~"

He continued to speak teasingly, but at the same time softly and kindly. He didn't want her to be too afraid. He just wanted to have some playful fun with his new friend.

Emma sighed taking the blanket off. She saw him right next to her. She sighed again. She leaned down and kissed ontop of his head.

Loki watched gleefully as Emma kissed him on the top of the head. He smirked at her more as he hopped closer to her face and spoke again more playfully.

Loki with a slightly flirty tone, "Hmmm...now that wasn't so hard, was it? I'm afraid that's not quite my cheek or my lips. It will take more to turn your dear prince back into himself again.~"

He hopped around closer to her face, gently nuzzling her slightly and hoping for another kiss.

Emma glared at him, "Don't ever speak about this to anyone."

Loki chuckled as Emma glared at him and made her request, "I promise not to tell a soul, my dearest princess. No one from Asgard would ever believe that a prince would be turned into a frog in the first place," Loki smiled again, then continued speaking more playfully in his flirty tone, "Though...there is the small matter that I still need a kiss to become myself again...don't you think?~"

He leaned in closer and nuzzled her cheek again slightly. Emma frowned and kissed his cheek.

Loki chuckled as Emma kissed his cheek, feeling that it was good enough of a kiss, transforming back into himself. He stood up as he looked down at her, still smirking slightly.

"Much better, thank you, Ems. Though you have to admit, I did make a very cute frog.~," He spoke with a slightly playful tone, looking down at her mischievously. He was still hoping for some fun with her, and at the same time, secretly wanting more from her.

"I like you, but you're so stubborn."

Loki continued to smirk and spoke softly, but still in a flirty tone, "Well, I'm a prince. We princes do love to get what we want, Ems. And right now, what I want is to spend time with my favorite princess.~"

Loki winked as he finished speaking, smiling. He liked Emma very much indeed. He hoped he could spend more time with her, both for fun, but of course there was also the possibility of going even further with the princess from Earth.

Emma groaned and grabbed her pillow and laid down with the pillow ontop of her head. She really sensed Loki wanted to kiss her, but she didn't feel ready for a kiss. Not yet anyway.

Loki saw her pull the pillow atop her head and smirked a little as he spoke teasingly, "Oh, now, come on. That was barely a kiss, my dear. My dear, darling princess friend. Come on, be adventurous. Kiss your dear prince.~"

He spoke playfully, but also with a bit of a challenge in his tone. He was still hoping she would kiss him more, if he could get her to let her guard down.

"I'm sorry...I'm not...ready for that yet..." Emma blushed and said softly.

Loki smirked as she said that she wasn't ready yet. He then spoke softly as he leaned closer to her, gently stroking her face as he spoke, still hoping to persuade her, "Oh, but don't you want to get closer to the most charming, handsome prince you know? I'm sure that my lips are so soft to the touch...don't you want to find out?~"

He spoke softly, but with a more teasing tone as he gently brushed her lips with his thumb.

"Please not now...," she blushed more.

Loki continued to smirk as she pleaded, though he relented for now.

"Alright, alright...I won't kiss you at the moment. But I'm afraid I still want to remain close to you, my dear friend and princess. Do you think I could cuddle with you tonight? I promise I'll only hold you in your sleep, and not kiss you. Unless you want me to in your sleep..."

He raised an eyebrow in a curious, but suggestive way as he spoke that part, hoping that maybe he could get a chance to feel more intimate.

"...well...I do wanna be close to you...but no kissing.."

Loki smiled softly as she responded, "So you're allowing me to cuddle with you in your sleep? I'm glad for that, princess. And we can worry about kissing another night."

He leaned in closer to her face and gently touched her cheek. He spoke softly, still smiling.

"So, can I lay down beside you, princess? Or would you rather I sleep on the floor? You're the princess, after all. Your command is my desire," He spoke with a warm, gentle tone.

"Please hold me?"

Loki smiled and nodded in agreement, "I will hold you through the night. And if you should wake with a nightmare, I promise to comfort you."

He then pulled the blanket on her bed back and hopped into it with her, pulling her close into a warm, gentle embrace. As he held her close, he began to softly stroke her hair with his hand, trying to comfort her.

In the lair of Dr Doom, Dr Doom looked around his lair, scowling under his mask. He was frustrated with what had happened. He had come so close to capturing the girl. If not for those blasted Super Heroes, he would have her in his hands once again, "Damn those heroes...damn them all...I will get her back...I will have her."

As he spoke, he began to pace around the room.

"And once I have her...I will force her to marry me," Dr Doom smirked, "She will be mine, and she won't dare to say anything else. She has no choice but to love me and marry me. I am Doom, after all."

He then stopped pacing the room and stood in the center of it, looking around and imagining Emma by his side, under his control.

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

Emma still afraid to fight whenever the missions involve with Dr Doom. But she did help if it was just some villain henchmen of his. Also the others noticed the more she avoid fighting Doom, the more her behavior was different. To them. Emm looked so concerned for someone or about something.

Ms Marvel decided to talk to her. Emma was in the lounge alone reading a book. Ms Marvel walked into the lounge and came up to Emma, sitting down beside her and speaking in a gentle, friendly tone, "Oh, hey Emma. Whatcha reading?"

Ms Marvel continued to watch her, keeping an eye on the girl to see how she was holding up.

"Just some poems and some poetry stuff...," Emma sighed.

Ms M leaned closer to Emma and spoke softly, hoping the girl would open up about what was bothering her.

"You've been acting kind of different lately...is everything alright? We're your friends. You can talk to us about anything."

"Well...I have been concerned for someone. I hadn't seen them since...after I got back with you guys from Dr Doom."

Ms M looked worried. She already knew how afraid of Doom the girl was, and now she was seeing signs that the girl was not alright

Ms M: Who is this someone you're talking about, honey? We can help.

Ms M scooted closer again to try and take the girl's hand comfortingly

"It's...it's Loki."

Ms Marvel nodded and looked deep into the girl's eyes, holding her hand tighter. She wanted to comfort the girl, but she was also a bit surprised. She had noticed how close the two had seemed, but never to this extent

"Oh, I see...tell me, has anything bad happened to him? Do you believe he has been captured by Doom? Or...perhaps...do you have feelings for him?"

"I think I do have feelings for him,"

Ms Marvel was now worried, feelings for her kidnapper? *Ms M was both stunned and surprised by that answer. It was not so much what Emma had said, but rather her tone of voice and her body language. She was still trying to process that Emma had feelings for Loki, the man who kidnapped her, held her captive, and was in league with Doom.

Miss Marvel tried her best to stay calm, but she was deeply concerned for her young and now confused friend, "Oh sweetie...you know that Loki is...not a good person, right honey?"

"But he treated me with care and..."

Ms M didn't know what to say. She was still shocked that Emma was attracted to someone like Loki, someone who she had seen first hand how dangerous they are.

"You...do realize that Loki...doesn't feel the same about you...right?"

Ms Marvel spoke in an even gentler tone now, hoping she wasn't hurting poor Emma's feelings.

Emma wanted to cry, "no...but he does care...he..."

Miss Marvel held Emma's hand tighter, speaking softly and caringly to her friend.

"Emma...honey...he doesn't care about you. Not in the way that you're hoping he does. Loki is not a good man, sweetie. He's a bad man. He may pretend to be good, especially to you...and especially if he knows he can get something out of you. But it's all a front."

Miss Marvel tone was gentle and kind, trying to be as loving and caring as possible while making sure the girl understood what she was saying.

"No...."

Miss Marvel realized this was worse than she thought. Emma must be suffering something from all this...

Ms Marvel looked at the girl with concern, seeing that she was not ready to let go of her hope that Loki was actually a good person.

Knowing that she could not let Emma keep living in this delusion, she continued on carefully and spoke with a kind but firm tone, "Honey, I know it's hard to accept that Loki isn't good. You must really like him to be hoping so hard to be wrong about him being an evil man...but it's better you face the truth now rather than be even more hurt..."

Ms M continued to look at Emma with concern. She didn't know that Loki had been visiting the girl at all since she had been saved by the super heroes...but it was not a far fetched theory. He was in league with Doom...and he had seen Emma's room before...

Ms M did not know for sure if Loki had been visiting her, but she had to ask...just to make sure.

"Emma...honey...when was the last time you saw Loki?"

"3 nights ago...the night I came back from Doom...," she shivered saying Doom's name.

Ms M's heart sank as she listened to Emma say when she had last seen Loki. She had to continue, she did not want to hurt her friend...but she had to get to the bottom of this.

"I see...and how has he been visiting you, Emma? Has he been coming to you in your dreams? In your room?"

Her tone was still gentle, but now with a hint of concern, trying to see if Loki had been visiting Emma while she slept.

"He came to my window as a bird."

Ms M took a deep breath to try and compose herself. She had a sinking feeling in her stomach, but she had to stay strong and find out more.

"As a bird? He has been coming to your window as a bird?"

Ms M was now very concerned, but she had to do this. She had to find out what was going on, and she had to find out quickly.

"He was checking up on me, since Doom scared me."

Ms M was now both shocked and disturbed by that statement, but she tried her best to remain calm. She had to push through this, she had to make sure the truth was out in the open so Emma could let it sink in.

"He was coming by your window to check up on you...because Doom scared you?"

Ms M spoke softly, trying to get her friend to tell the truth, to spill out the whole story.

Emma nodded.

Ms M was stunned by that confession. She couldn't believe that Loki had the nerve to sneak around as a bird to the girl after he kidnapped her...and to try and act as if he did it to check on her because he cared for her. It was a slap to the face to everyone who risked their necks on that mission to rescue Emma. However, she had to push through.

"Emma...honey...has he touched you in any way? Has he been inside your room?"

"Yes, but we only hugged. He didn't do anything wrong."

Ms M felt a bit of relief at that news. She was glad that Loki hadn't assaulted Emma in any way, or done anything too inappropriate towards her. However, she was still worried for the girl

Ms M took Emma's hand again to comfort her, but her voice was firm as she spoke softly to her.

"Sweetie, Loki is not a man you want to embrace. You may find him adorable and charming, but he doesn't care about you. He is in league with Doom, remember? He helped Doom kidnap you."

"B-but he—"

Ms M held up a hand to stop Emma, her voice stern as she continued to speak, but still soft.

"No, honey, stop. You need to listen to me on this one. Loki was doing Doom's bidding. That's why he came to your window. He was checking up on you not because he cares about you, but because Doom ordered him to do it. You need to realize that."

Ms M took Emma's face in both her hands, looking deep into her eyes as she spoke, hoping the girl would get the message.

Emma teared up, but held the tears back. She got up and ran to her room. The whole time the other heroes had overheard their conversation...even Thor which he looked hurt since she said to Miss Marvel that she may have feelings for Loki.

Emma ran to her room crying and locked the door.

*Ms M was now concerned that she had said too much. It hurt her to see her young friend so upset, but she knew that Emma needed to hear the truth. She watched as the girl cried and ran off, then spoke softly as she called after her, "Emma, honey! Please listen! You're making a mistake!

Miss Marvel then looked up to see the other heroes of the team nearby, feeling a little embarrassed she knew they all heard her argument with Emma.

Thor looked over at Wolverine and tried his best to keep a strong face for everyone, but he couldn't hide how hurt he was.

"I...I will be alright, friend. I...need a moment."

He spoke a bit weakly as he looked away, trying to recompose himself.

"It's Emma's feelings for Lo—" Reptil was cut off by Wolverine.

Wolverine shushed Reptile briefly and then spoke softly to Thor once again, trying to cheer him up.

"I know it hurts, Thor. Just remember she is very young and she is still learning about life."

Wolverine spoke softly and kindly, patting his back a little as he continued.

"She doesn't mean any harm, she's just confused because of Loki playing with her heart. If she saw through Loki's tricks, she would understand he does not belong with her.

Thor nodded in silent understanding, but he was still hurt that Emma had feelings for Loki, especially after what he had done to her. He understood her youth and inexperience played a factor as Wolverine had indicated, but it still hurt him*

He just stood there, silently trying to sort out his own emotions about the matter.

"Let's just have the kid calm down for now. What I believe we are dealing with here is Stockholm Syndrome. So we need to treat Emma with care like we always have," Iron Man replied.

"Yeah is that?" Hulk asked.

I"Stockholm Syndrome is when a victim is taken hostage and develops a positive relationship with the captor and even forms a romantic attachment. It's very unhealthy, but in this case it fits. Emma is in love with Loki even though he is a villain," Iron Man explained to Hulk what Stockholm Syndrome was to the best of his ability while continuing to observe Thor being heartbroken.

Iron Man then turned to look at Thor, knowing the hurt he was feeling, "Thor...it's gonna be okay, buddy. She's confused, she just doesn't know Loki the way we do."

He spoke softly and kindly, wishing there was a way he could make him feel better.

Thor listened to Iron Man's words, hearing the gentle tone in his voice. He took a deep breath to compose himself, then turned back to Iron Man, "I know, Tony...but it just hurts. I am worried for her. What if Dr Doom tries to use her feelings for Loki to hurt her?"

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

later that week, Emma worsen. She felt she was on trial and had to walk on eggshells around everyone because they treated her differently all because they thought she was mentally ill. She knew she wasn't. Loki wasn't just kind to her, he was with Snowflake and tried to protect her. Snowflake knew the truth also. Emma stayed in her room never coming out. The only person that understood her was Snowflake. She couldn't tell her mother Stacy when she tried to check on her by calling or texting her so see how working with the Super Hero Squad was. She didn't know about Dr Doom had kidnapped her, her friendship with Loki and Modok, and now this.

Emma wanted to escape. She wanted to clear her mind. So she grabbed her grapple hook and got out of the helicarrier with Snowflake in her pocket.

Thor stood outside Emma's bedroom door to bring her a gift in the form of flowers. Just holding the gift made him feel conflicted and worried. He was scared for the girl and was hoping she was alright.

He raised a hand and knocked on her door softly and gently*

"Emma? My friend? You in there?"

Thor didn't hear a respond. Thor knocked again, speaking a bit louder now, "Emma? It's me. Please, may I come in? I just want to talk."

He waited outside her door, holding onto her gift as he hoped she would answer the door.

Thor became worried by the silence and he was now more concerned for her, After a moment, he tried the doorknob to see if it was open, trying to turn it as gently and softly as possible.

Thor's sense of concern intensified when he found her room was locked. Now he was panicking, thinking maybe Loki had actually tricked her and made her leave.

He began to bang on the door in a panic, now trying to get her attention as loudly as he could, "EMMA! EMMA, PLEASE OPEN THE DOOR!"

Thor then slammed into the door with all his godly might, bashing into it hard with his shoulder, hoping his sheer force would be enough to open the door and let him see if she was okay.

It opened a crack when he hit it, allowing him to look inside to see if she was there. Thor's sense of concern grew even worse now that he saw Emma was gone from her room. She had clearly ran away...

That could really only mean two things...she either decided to try and run away herself...or Loki got to her and lured her away. He felt his heart sink a little as he wondered which of those choices was true.

Thor then tried to compose himself and think. He had to put his own feelings aside. Right now, he was the only one who knew Emma was missing. He had to find her...and fast. He had to hope the other heroes would listen to him.

After a moment of calm, he spoke into his comm line to contact the other heroes

"Heroes of Earth...I have very bad news. Emma is gone. I fear she has either run away or been lured away. We must find her quickly."

Iron man nodded, "Super Hero Squad, search party mission starts now! Hero up!"

The other heroes of the team nodded in agreement as they heard Ironman and Thor. Soon, they began to fan out and search the surrounding area around the helicarrier for any sign of Emma.

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

Meanwhile, Emma walked down the street with Snowflake on her shoulder. She needed someone to talk to. Maybe...maybe Master Chen could help. She always open up everything to him. She rushed to Hero Academy her old school and looked for his office. He would be done with school anyway, but she found out he was home already. So she went to his apartment.

Emma came to his door on his floor and knocked hoping he was home.

Master Chen heard the knock on his door and immediately looked over, curious about who it would be. He slowly walked over to the front door, speaking softly to himself as he did, "Hmmm...who could that be?"

He arrived at the door, looking through the peephole to see who was outside.

Master Chen smiled softly as he saw Emma standing at his door. He unlocked and opened it, speaking in a warm and gentle tone as his smile grew, "Emma. It is lovely to see you again. Come inside."

He then stepped aside to let her walk inside, closing the door behind her after she came inside.

"Hello, Master Sensei...um, I need to open something up with you," she said walking in with Snowflake.

As Emma walked inside and Snowflake hopped onto the ground, Master Chen looked down at her and spoke, his voice warm and gentle, "Please, come. Have a seat and tell me what is on your mind."

He spoke in a caring tone, leading her to sit down on the couch as he sat next to her.

"Maybe I need to start in the beginning that why it makes sense...," she started off.

*Master Chen nodded and listened quietly, letting her speak freely and letting her share what needed to get off her chest*

"Well...a few weeks ago...I was kidnapped by Dr Doom..."

*Master Chen's heart sank when he heard what Emma had said. He knew what Emma had been through at the hands of Doom, so he had a pretty good idea of why she came to him now. He had a bad feeling he may know where she was going to go with her story...*

*He continued to sit quietly and listen on, knowing he had to hear her out and let her get it off her chest before he gave her any advice.

"But during my held captivity, I befriend two people...Modok...and Loki...Loki I know is a trickster since Wolverine told me, but I started to to trust him after he saved me from Doom. Doom was angry with me because I mentioned his mother and he assaulted me, but Loki and Doom's henchmen held him back. Modok was there for me when I was scared and alone. But Loki...he comfort me also...he is the one that helped me escape from Doom and sacrificed himself to stay behind and deal Doom's wrath, and I may have feelings for him, but the heroes think I am sick, because they claim he doesn't care...I don't understand I he didn't why did he do all those things??"

*Master Chen nodded slowly, listening with a deep concern for the girl. He was starting to understand why she was so mixed up. Doom had done a number on her psychologically, leaving her mind vulnerable for Loki to manipulate her*

*He took a deep breath, speaking softly and kindly as he replied to her*

Master Chen: I understand you are confused, but it is *because* of your confusion that the heroes are concerned for you. Doom has made you vulnerable, and Loki is trying to take advantage of that.

But Master Chen stopped himself to add more. He remembered Le Noir, Emma's father trying to help Chaser a member of their team back then. She was like Loki. She cared for people, even though her history showed she was a monster and hurt people back then, but with Le Noir, she changed. Maybe, Loki did care. He may have a bad history as a villain. Either Loki did care, or he was doing this to hurt alone, or he was following Doom's orders to hurt Emma? It was most likely the last two options, but a small chance he did care also.

*Master Chen paused, taking a moment to compose himself. He had known The Chaser, and Loki did remind him a little of her in regards to her being a reformed villain and changing for the better*

*However, he also knew that Loki was the kind of person that could manipulate you one second and hurt you the next. He spoke with a calm, but firm tone now*

Master Chen: Emma...even if Loki *does* care about you...you have to remember that he is still dangerous. His mind is a web of games and tricks. He's not to be trusted

"I know, Wolverine warned me. I was cautious when he talked to me and charmed me before. Trying to get to me, but when Doom assaulted me because I mentioned his mother, I saw the fear in his eyes."

Master Chen nodded, giving a small smile as he listened to the girl carefully. He had a deep concern for Emma, and he wanted to do everything he could to help her. However, he also knew that Emma was very smart and was starting to think through things logically.

He spoke softly to her, offering some advice to her in her time of need, "It sounds like you are being cautious, which is very good. It proves you are being smart and thinking logically, rather than listening with your heart. That's very good, Emma."

"Thank you. I know the heroes are concerned, but I have heard villains changing for the better, if Loki truly cares even if it's an act, there has to be some little good in him atleast. Just a little. My father said I was too soft," she looked down.

Master Chen gave a small nod, agreeing that it was possible Loki cared...deep down somewhere. He had seen this many times before, a villain becoming a hero...or at least, a villain's  ally, like MODOK.

He gently took her hand, speaking softly and caring.

"You may be soft, Emma. But if Loki truly wanted to change...he would have to prove it to everyone, including himself, by doing the right thing consistently. Right now, he is unpredictable...a dangerous card to play with your heart."

Emma nodded, "Thank you, Master. I feel little better talking to you about this. I felt like I had to walk on eggshells around the heroes because they assumed I was mentally ill."

Master Chen looked at her with concern, gently letting go of her hand, "They do not know you as I do, Emma. As I do, as a friend, but also as a teacher. They just heard that you had feelings for Loki and got worried for you. I am glad to put you at ease, but I must also ask...will you be alright if you see Loki again? Will you be safe if Loki tries to persuade you to leave with him?"

"Well he tried to ask for a kiss, I managed to ease him telling him no that I wasn't ready so he told me he would wait till I was. So yes. I can."

Master Chen nodded, trusting the girl would stay strong around the trickster God. However, he had to ask one more question just to make sure...

"Are you sure? Just a moment is all it takes for Loki to try and persuade you to run away with him. Please, I ask you to consider my words carefully...are you sure you won't be swayed by him?"

"You have my word, Master." Emma smiled.

Master Chen nodded, putting a hand on her shoulder, "Then I trust you, young student. You are a smart girl, if a little too soft, and you know Loki is a dangerous man. Stay vigilant and careful. If Loki does appear, promise me you won't be alone with him, alright?"

"I promise, Snowflake will be with me."

Master Chen smiled softly, glad he managed to reassure her. He then looked to the rabbit fairy, speaking with a playful tone, "Well then I have nothing to worry about with Snowflake watching over you. I imagine she will be more than a match for Loki if he does appear again."

After the talk, Emma and Snowflake left after saying their goodbyes to Master Chen. Emma walked down the street, but that's when she was cornered by a bunch of thugs. It was Thunderball and his gang.

"Oh look who we have here, an innocent little girl." Thunderball chuckled.

Emma and Snowflake backed up, but suddenly she heard a voice behind them. It was Loki.

Loki had been keeping a close eye on Emma, not only to make sure the other heroes weren't around...but to see if he truly had a second chance with the girl. As she was suddenly cornered by the thugs, he saw his chance and spoke up to grab the thugs' attention, "You know, I don't think the young princess particularly wants to talk with your kind."

"Well well well, if it isn't Loki! The god mischief and lies!" Thunderball laughed, "what are you doing here? Messing up my plans to charm this girl?"

*Loki looked at Thunderball and his thugs with a smirk, looking over at Emma and Snowflake behind them before replying, "Yes, you could say I am *messing up your plans* to *charm* this girl, since your kind knows nothing about *charm*"

Loki spoke the last two words with particular contempt and sarcasm.

"Why you little—" Thunderball tried to grab Loki, but the God of Mischief moved with great nimbleness, easily moving aside to avoid him. He spoke with a tone of contempt, but still with a sly smirk

"Tut tut tut. *Little* is right. You and your group are *little* pests, trying to pick off a young girl all alone in the dark. How cowardly can you be? Not particularly *charming* behavior if you ask me."

"Like you care for a pathetic little runt like her!"

*Loki glared at Thunderball, speaking firmly in Emma's defense*

Loki: Oh yes, a *pathetic little runt* she is, but she is still a young lady and still deserves better conduct from you thugs

*He glared at the thugs who were cornering Emma before replying with a sly smirk*

Loki: I see now why you went with the name Thunderball. No wit or cleverness in your mind, merely a big mouth to try to compensate for the small *stones* you're holding.

*Thunderball charged Loki and attempted to strike him with the chain ball, but Loki showed his quick reflexes as he easily side stepped the attack*

Loki: *Tsk tsk*. Did no one ever teach you you should always aim for the *head*?

*He then reached into his cape and produced a small knife, throwing it quickly and precisely into Thunderball's shoulder before speaking*

Loki: You know that's where I would aim...right in the face...or between the eyes. You're still alive and can walk away for now.

Thunderball growled in pain, "screw this! Let's go boys!" He and his thugs ran off.

Loki chuckled at them. Loki smiled and put his hands on his hips in triumph as he watched the thugs run off. He then turned back to Emma and Snowflake, speaking with glee

"Hah! That was easy. They won't be bothering you again, darling."

"...t-thanks...so where have you been lately...I-I was worried Doom might've...," Emma hesitated.

Loki approached Emma a little closer as she talked, concern showing in his eyes. He spoke softly, the girl's words of concern clearly getting to him the most.

"Oh? Worried what that fool Doom might have done to me, eh? I'm impressed you can even think about me when *you* are the one who is being hunted for his own gain. Such empathy and compassion, truly heroic."

He spoke in a soft, almost sweet, tone towards Emma.

"What about Modok? Is he...ok too?" Emma asked.

*Loki gave a small nod and a gentle smile*

Yes, even the fool Modok lives. Doom is too preoccupied with his grand plans to take anyone with him, so we are all alive...and well."

He held out a hand toward Emma, offering to take her hand*

I was also worried about you after Doom kidnapped you, darling. You were not hurt, were you after you escaped?

She looked at his hand, she sighed, "not physically and not by him..."

Emma's response peaked Loki's curiosity, and caused him to drop his outstretched hand. He looked at her with concern and spoke in a gentle tone, with a hint of playfulness, "Mmm, not physically. I'm glad you're alright, sweet thing. But there seems to be something bothering you. Perhaps the kidnapping has troubled your nerves?"

It was obvious Loki was now fishing for the truth, but he was doing a good job at keeping his tone playful and gentle.

"Not just that...but the heroes...they...," she looked down.

Loki looked at Emma with concern, seeing the distress on the girl's face. He spoke now in a soft and caring tone, no longer trying to keep his tone playful.

"Shh, shh...it's alright. You can tell me, darling. What happened? Tell me everything..."

"...they think I'm sick...because I told them I was worried about you." Emma spoke looking up.

Loki felt a pang in his heart at Emma's words. His heart truly sank as he looked at her and spoke again in that soft, caring tone as he looked her in the eyes.

"You...you told them you were worried about me? After all the things we went through together...to think that you would care for me like that even after our ordeal..."

His voice almost cracked as he spoke, but he held it together for Emma, "You...you're not sick, darling. You're...compassionate. And caring."

"But I over heard them saying I am suffering Stockholm Syndrome...because you're hurting me and really don't care about—"

Loki held up a hand to stop Emma before she could continue. He shook his head and took a slow step closer to her, his tone now firm but still soft, "I don't want to hear it, darling. You are many things, but you are not sick. And I certainly didn't hurt you, and yes I do care about you."

He took another small step towards Emma now, speaking again in a confident and firm tone.

"I care, I truly care about you, Emma. And I *won't* let anyone tell you otherwise."

"....but they say you lie and—"

The fact that Emma was clearly being swayed by what the heroes had told her really was starting to infuriate Loki. He was not going to let these heroes keep feeding her doubt and confusing her so.

He took another step forward, his voice taking on a more assertive tone, "Yes, yes. I know all of this. I lie, I manipulate, I do bad things. And yet, despite all these things, I do truly care about you. I..."

He then stopped, suddenly unsure if he dared reveal the extent of his feelings.

Emma's expression of curiosity stopped Loki. He felt now was not the time to lay out his feelings. He had to take it slow with her and let his intentions come naturally.

Besides, he didn't want her to think he was just saying that to manipulate her, despite it being true. He was in conflict whether he should say it or not, eventually giving in just a little.

"I...I would do anything for you, my little dove..."

"You...you would?" Emma titled her head when she said that softly. She felt she wanted to believe since he was by her since the captivity and he even helped her escape. Why would Doom even punish him for real if Doom wanted Loki to act polite and nice?

Loki nodded, keeping his voice gentle as he continued to speak.

"Anything. Just say the words, and I will do anything for you."

*He then gently grabbed her hand, looking down into her eyes with an honest and sincere look to his face*

"I will give you my heart. Anything you want. Just say the words, sweetheart."

He spoke softly to her, hoping Emma would pick up on the fact he was not speaking in metaphors. He truly would give her his heart...his absolute and entire devotion.

She looked down seeing him holding her hand and she blushed. She looked up at him at him. Then she turned to Snowflake. Snowflake nodded silently telling her that Loki was being genuine about this. She then turn back to Loki.

Loki gently leaned down closer to Emma, still holding her hand. He was now looking into her eyes again, speaking softly as he did, "Please...please tell me you believe me."

His tone was soft and hopeful. He almost looked like a child waiting for confirmation that they had done something right. He was waiting for her reply, and he felt himself wanting to hold his breath while he waited.

"...," Emma smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck.

The moment Loki felt Emma hug him around the neck, he felt a sense of elation fill him. His heart nearly jumped in his chest, and he smiled the biggest smile he had as he wrapped his arms around her in return and held her closely. He then gently leaned down and kissed her forehead before speaking softly to her, "You don't know how happy you've just made me, darling..."

Suddenly Emma noticed Thor standing before them looking shocked.

Loki was so caught up in the moment of holding Emma that he hadn't noticed Thor coming. At the sight of the God of Thunder standing there, Loki's eyes widened as his heart sank. He spoke quietly, looking like he had been caught doing something he wasn't supposed to be doing.

"Er...hello, Thor. What a surprise."

Thor did not speak, and his expression was a mix of shock and anger. He said nothing as he marched forward, grabbed Loki by his collar, and pulled him away from Emma and shoved him harshly against a wall.

"Thor!" Emma gasped.

*Loki grunted as Thor shoved him against the wall, speaking quickly at him as he did*

Loki: Hey, what the hell is your-

Before Loki could even finish speaking, Thor's fist came shooting forward and delivered a heavy blow directly into Loki's jaw. Loki spat some spit and possibly some blood when the fist landed, his lip busted.

"THOR!!!" Emma yelled and grabbed his arm.

*Emma's intervention made Thor let up for a moment, but he was not done. He still looked furious and spoke in a loud and angry tone*

Thor: Do you have any idea what you're doing, Loki?! *Do you?!*

He glared at Loki, keeping his fist balled up as he clearly was not done throwing some more punches.

Loki tried to defend himself, but Thor was not having it. He took another swing at Loki, and another one. Each punch landed harder than the last as Thor began to really let his rage out on him.

"THOR!! Stop it!!" Emma screamed.

Thor was in a frenzy of rage at this point. He punched Loki again and again, speaking louder and louder every time his fist landed. His words were full of anger and malice, and each landed blow was like a cannonball against Loki*

*Loki tried to deflect and dodge the hits, but he was severely outnumbered and outgunned. The best he seemed capable of was blocking and trying to keep his head from getting rocked*

Thor: This! Is! For! Hurting! Emma!

"HE DIDNT HURT ME!!!" Emma scream and grabbed Thor and pulled him away from Loki.

*Emma's shouting and pulling managed to finally get Thor to stop. He turned abruptly and looked at Emma with confused shock, still seeing red from his temper*

Thor (speaking loudly as he looked at Emma): How can you possibly say that? He lied to you! He manipulated you!

*He then turned his head and scowled at Loki before speaking again*

Thor: He is tricking you to hurt you!

"No he just told me—"

*Thor interrupted her, speaking again loudly before she could finish*

Thor: Lies! They are all *lies!* He is the God of mischief and lies, for gods sake! You cannot trust him!

"Thor, please he—"

*Thor was not in he mood for any explanations. His temper was still high, and he was still seeing red as he spoke again, yelling louder now*

Thor: I don't want to hear it, Emma! *Loki is manipulating you!*

"HE IS NOT!!" With that Thor slapped Emma and she gasped.

*Emma was stunned when Thor slapped her, her hand flying up to cover the cheek he struck*

*Thor, however, was the one stunned now. He had reacted on instinct and hit her, but he immediately regretted it the moment he realized he did it. He slowly reached out to her as he spoke, speaking in a softer and gentler tone as he tried to comfort her*

Thor: Emma...darling, please...I didn't mean it. I am so sorry...I...I was angry and...I couldn't stop myself. I'm sorry...

*Loki, despite having received his fair share of punches from Thor's rage earlier, did not hesitate to leap up and come to Emma's defense. He put himself between her and Thor as he spoke, speaking defensively as he faced Thor but kept a protective stance over Emma*

Loki: How dare you, Thor. You say *I* am the menace, and yet you lay your hands on her in such a violent way. How hypocritical of you, *God of Thunder*.

*Loki turned to Ms Marvel, fixing his gaze on her and speaking in a firm and indignant tone*

Loki: And you, I expect no better from the one who calls herself the mighty *Ms Marvel*.

*He spoke with disdain as he gave her name an insulting emphasis*

Ms Marvel frowned, "You the lier and the beast her! You hurt Emma worse than Thor did!!!"

*Loki's expression darkened further. He was now almost snarling at Ms Marvel as he spoke, his eyes showing his anger as he spoke*

Loki: I did no such thing, you foolish little girl. *You* are as much a savage and simpleton as Thunderbolt over there. Your tiny mind has been poisoned by the mindless rhetoric of the rest of that so-called team!

Hulk frowned, "HORNS BULLY!! HORNS HURT GHOSTY!!! HORNS MONSTER!!!"

*Loki fixed his gaze on the Hulk, feeling his temper flare as this monster now also joined in the accusations against him. He spoke in a cold, firm tone as he stared at the green beast*

Loki: And you, o brainless oaf. If the extent of your understanding of the situation is that I'm the big, mean bad man, by all means come fight me. You *brute*.

*Loki was now almost itching for a fight, not even caring if he could take the Hulk or not right now*

Loki: You want proof that I did not harm the child, come at me, *monster*. Otherwise go back to your mindless smashing and leave me be.

The heroes ganged up at Loki and yelling at him. For Emma and Snowflake they looked hurt and Emma's aniexty rise more. She held her head sobbing.

Loki stood there and let the heroes yell at him, taking their insults and accusations in stride as they hurled them at him. He said not a word in his own defense now, but he still kept a protective position in front of Emma. His eyes now showed his concern for her as he silently observed her becoming more and more distraught by the heroes accusations. Loki did not speak now, but in his mind he was beginning to regret not taking Emma quietly and quickly away from these heroes when he had the chance. Her distress was beginning to trouble him deeply, and he was starting to get even more upset by the fact that they were the ones causing it.

Ms Marvel was the first to notice Emma run away, and she started to go after her, but then she suddenly stopped and turned her gaze to Loki. She fixed her gaze on him, her eyes narrowed as she spoke, "This is *your* fault, Loki. *All* of it."

There was an intense anger and resentment in the way Ms Marvel spoke the words. She truly blamed Loki for everything that had gone wrong, not even considering the fact that Thor's own actions moments ago had also contributed to it.

"And I swear, if you *move* an inch to go after her, I will drop you where you stand! If you follow her and try anything, I will pummel you to the ground like the menace you are!" Ms Marvel continued.

The threat in Ms Marvel's words were not a hollow one. She would absolutely come after Loki if he made even the slightest move to go after Emma, and she was prepared to use a rather excessive (potentially harmful) amount of force to stop him. Ms Marvel held herself at the ready now, just waiting to see if Loki would do anything. Her breathing was heavy, and her eyes were narrowed and filled with anger at Loki. She was still holding onto the belief that Loki was the bad guy in this situation, and all of her focus was on him as she waited to see if he would attempt to run after Emma. Ms Marvel wasn't alone, either. The other heroes, including the Hulk, had all turned their gazes towards Loki as well and were watching him closely. They, too, believed he had caused all of this and were waiting to see if he would now attempt to follow Emma. Loki frowned and tried to speak.

"Shut up! Don't talk, don't move an inch! If you so much as raise a finger, I swear, I will break it!"

Suddenly the heroes all heard Emma's scream and they reacted quickly. They instantly forgot about holding Loki in place and they all ran towards the source of the scream. Due to Ms Marvel's threat, Loki was unable to follow the other heroes to the source of the scream. He was forced to stay in place, and he hated every moment of it. The entire time he was silently worried over what was happening with Emma...

Emma had ran into Dr Doom and he was smirking happy he found her and going to take her back to his lair. Dr Doom was standing alone on a street when Emma ran into him. The moment he saw her, he immediately recognized her and smirked sinisterly at his find.

"Well well, my dear...look who just dropped herself into my lap..."

Emma screamed and pushed away from him. Dr Doom chuckled at her reaction, amused by her terror. He did not take her pushing him back as a serious resistance, and he still smirked sinisterly at her as he continued.

"Now now, darling...there's no need for such dramatics and fear, my dear. Don't you understand? You're safe with me now. I'm going to take you somewhere safe. Somewhere no one will ever try to take you from me again."

Emma got up and ran, but he grabbed her arm. Dr Doom quickly grabbed hold of her arm and pulled her back, pulling her against his body and holding her so she could not escape. He spoke again as he held her against him, chuckling sinisterly again.

"i told you there's no need to run, my dear. I'm not going to harm you. *You're going to be perfectly safe with me.*"

"Get away from me!" Emma screamed. "HELP!!!"

Dr Doom ignored her screaming and called out in a mocking tone, "Oh, is that so? Who is going to help you, darling? You're all alone in this city. There's no one to come and save you. *No one to rescue you from me.*

Dr Doom had no time to react as Loki suddenly appeared and struck him on the back of the head with his scepter. The blow forced Dr Doom to reel around to see who had hit him, and his eyes widened with surprise when he laid eyes on Loki.

*Dr Doom's surprised expression quickly turned to anger. He released Emma and turned to fully face Loki. He spoke in a cold, angry tone as he fixed his gaze on Loki*

*You*...how dare you try to interfere! You are meddling in my plans and getting in my way! You're a fool, *silvertongue*!"

*Loki stood his ground against Dr Doom, and spoke firmly as he faced Dr Doom down and fixed his gaze on him*

Loki: You are the fool, Doom! I've come to take Emma from you! I won't allow you to take her back to your lair!

*The entire Super Hero Squad had arrived at the scene a few moments after Loki had hit Dr Doom with his scepter. Ms Marvel, in particular, was not at all happy to see Loki there after she had threatened to stop him. She fixed her eyes on him and spoke in a frustrated tone*

Ms Marvel: What are you doing? I told you to stay in place!

*Loki looked up at Ms Marvel and faced her as he responded in a firm tone, "I ignored your orders because I knew this mad man was after Emma, and I wasn't going to allow him to harm her. I couldn't just let her stay here alone. *Not with Doom*."

"You broke a direct order I gave to you! I *personally* told you not to go after her! *You did not listen!*"

"If I had listened, it would have endangered her! I had to come and stop Doom. If I had heeded your order, she would be in his lair right now, under his wicked influence! Is that what you *wanted?!*"

*Dr Doom was just standing there, silent and waiting, as Loki and Ms Marvel had their disagreement. His expression clearly revealed his annoyance at the two of them arguing instead of focusing on him, "You idiots are talking about me like I'm not standing right here, *fools*!"

*Ms Marvel quickly turned her focus away from Loki and back to Doom. She spoke to him in a cold, firm tone, clearly annoyed that he had interrupted her argument*

Ms Marvel: We know you're there, Doom. We were just having a *private conversation* right now.

Emma frowned, "Private! It's not—"

*Ms Marvel quickly cut Emma off before she could continue, speaking to her without even turning to look at her*

Ms Marvel: *Quiet*, Emma! *Adults* are talking right now!

Emma looked away tearing up. She was angry now, "Loki did nothing—" iron man then cut her off.

*Iron Man spoke up before Emma could finish, silencing her. It was obvious that none of the heroes wanted to listen to her right now*

Iron Man: Shut up! No one is talking to you, ghost girl!

Emma was now torn. Her heart broke in pieces all the heroes of the Super Hero Squad we also frowning at her, but Thor and Reptil.

Dr Doom noticed how hurt Emma looks and smirked. Loki how ever yelled angrily at the heroes when he saw Emma torn.

Loki was getting angry at the heroes. The way they all were treating Emma, the young and innocent girl, had angered him. He felt a deep need to protect her now, his own paternal instincts rising up now to make him want to take her away from these people...

Loki: *Enough*! Why are you talking to her like that? She is still a child! She isn't a fool, nor a nuisance, nor an idiot!

*There was a very fierce and protective tone in his voice as he spoke, his anger towards the other heroes now very clear to hear*

Loki: She is just a girl. An innocent girl. She is young, and fragile, and easily wounded. *Why are you all talking to her with such coldness and disdain*? You are all *grown adults*! You should be treating her with more care!

Dr Doom had been silently watching Loki's display, and now, when he spoke, he spoke in a mocking tone, "Oh, look at the mighty *God of Mischief*. All riled up at such a sight. How adorable. You really care for the child. *How sweet...*"

*Dr Doom chuckled sinisterly. He found the whole thing very amusing that Loki was so protective of this girl, and now he had a rather nasty little thought in his head about how to exploit it...*

Loki was about to react to Dr Doom, but Iron Man suddenly snapped at him, drawing his focus away from the man, "You need to shut up, *right now*. You are not in a position to be giving us orders! *We are the heroes here!*"

*Wolverine had noticed Emma making a move to speak up again. Immediately, he spoke up, his tone firm and almost like a warning*

Wolverine: *Easy*, little one. *Don't cause more scenes right now.* You need to stay out of this and let us handle things.

Snowflake watched as Emma broke away and ran off again. She stayed behind, and immediately began to look at the heroes, her eyes filled with anger. They were all treating the human girl terribly and she could not understand why. She really wanted to speak, but kwamis couldn't talk...to other beings that is. Instead she just growled and left going after Emma.

As Snowflake hurried off to find and follow after Emma, the heroes back at the scene all just watched but then turned their gazes back to Loki, who was still standing at the ready and still on edge. It was obvious that the heroes were still not fully satisfied with Loki, and they looked at him with a lot of suspicion...

*The heroes all glanced at each other when Loki yelled in outrage. Their suspicions towards Loki had been confirmed when he had yelled at them*

Ms Marvel speaking coldly to Loki, "You're yelling, which only makes you look guilty! And Doom surrendering is only making me more suspicious of you!"

*The heroes all listened to Loki's explanation, still looking at him with a great deal of suspicion*

Ms Marvel (speaking bluntly to Loki after he finished explaining): If what you say is true, what were you *thinking* coming here!? You *knew* this was a heroes-only mission!

Iron Man (piping up immediately after Ms Marvel's question): Yeah! You had no right to intrude on our mission and *endanger the child!*

Wolverine chiming in as well, "You just had to butt into the operation and cause more trouble!

Dr Doom speaking up, his voice filled with feigned concern, "My my, so many accusations, silvertongue. It doesn't look very good for you, does it?"

Loki really wanted to beat Dr Doom for saying that, but he calmed down turner to the heroes.

Loki was visibly angry, but he suppressed the urge to physically attack Dr Doom and he focused instead on the heroes, speaking to them in a firm tone, "I know I should not have come here. I know that I meddled in this operation. But I did not do it to cause chaos. I did it because I was worried for Emma's safety."

Dr Doom piping up again, still faking concern as he spoke in a mocking tone, "Oh, how noble of you, silvertongue. You were only looking after the child. What a shining act of heroism."

Loki frowned, "you all have to believe me. I know I have lied so many times in the past, but I didn't hurt Phantom Girl! Yes I was part of the kidnapping, Doom wanted me to watch her, but I took care of her and helped her escape because...," he turned to Doom angrily, "this monster almost killed her all because she mentioned his mother!"

There was a moment of dead silence after Loki's explanation. All of the heroes were listening, and they all seemed rather surprised at Loki's final statement at the end there. They all, however, glanced over at Doom, and their attention was now drawn to him now.

"I would never hurt Emma. She's my friend!" Loki said. He now had tears in his eyes. This final statement from Loki, which he declared in an emotional tone, was the one that really convinced the heroes that Loki was telling the truth. The fact that he was crying, that he was emotional, and that he clearly cared immensely about Emma's well being now made the heroes accept Loki's innocence in the matter.

"Wait. You actually *care* about her...,"Ms Marvel spoke, and there was a very surprised tone in her voice. It was clear that none of the heroes had ever considered the possibility that Loki might genuinely care about the girl.

Iron Man sighed and shook his head, "I can't believe it. The *God of Mischief* actually *cares* about the child? *Impossible...*"

Wolverine piping up in agreement with Iron Man, "You've gotta be kidding me. It can't be possible. *Loki?* *Caring* about someone other than *himself*? *Ridiculous...*"

Dr Doom chuckled at Loki, "Looks like they still don't believe you, Prince of Asgard."

As Loki listened to the heroes, his thoughts darkened. Every single one of them clearly still did not trust him. They probably still thought that he might be trying to manipulate them, or something to that effect. Loki clenched his fists angrily as he listened to them talk, and as he looked at Doom with narrowed eyes.

"Why don't you all believe me?! I didn't do anything to harm Emma! I *care* for her! I only came here to *protect* her!"

Tears continued to roll down Loki's cheeks as he spoke, his voice now more emotional and intense.

Iron Man sighed, "It's hard to believe. You're *Loki*. A renowned villain. You've done *countless* evil deeds, manipulated *so many*, and deceived *plenty* of people."

"If I didn't care about the girl, i wouldn't helped her escape, I wouldn't take the punishment from Doom. Just ask Doom if he punished me! Ask him!" Loki cried.

Doom chuckling as he spoke, "Oh, he's right. I *did* punish him for helping the girl get away."

As Doom spoke, a visible look of shock and surprise appeared on all the heroes' faces. They all turned to look at Loki, their eyes wide.

Loki held his wrists showing the chain marks. "Would I lie about this!?"

The heroes all looked down at Loki's wrists as he held them up, and they all gasped and murmured when they saw the marks from the chains. Their eyes all widened as it suddenly hit them: Loki was actually telling the truth. He actually cared for the girl and he actually had taken her side, despite being punished by Doom for it.

Thor had come over and seen the marks on Loki's wrists as well. He was absolutely shocked right now, and tears welled up in his eyes.

Thor, tears now running down his cheeks as he spoke, "You...you were telling the truth. You really *do* care about her."

Loki, responding to Thor in a somber yet firm tone, "Yes. I *do* care about the girl. I know that it may seem unusual, and completely unexpected, but I actually do. *I really do care for Emma*."

Thor continued to cry silently and he could barely speak. Clearly, he was just floored by this revelation. Even though he had seen and known of Loki's changing ways, he clearly would never have ever thought that Loki would actually form a connection, a bond with this girl...

"Now if you all excuse me, I am going to find her. Since you all pushed her damn away!" Loki growled still crying at the heroes and stormed off. Loki had let out a brief growl as he finished speaking and he quickly turned and stormed off, leaving the heroes behind. None of them even tried to stop him. They just stood there and watched as he left, still trying to come to terms with their shock at what they had just learned from him.

"So...let me get this straight...," Iron Man spoke as he turned and looked at Doom. His entire demeanor was very confrontational-looking, as if he was now looking at Doom with a new light. He clearly was not happy with Doom at the moment.

Iron Man continued, "You hurt the girl... And you punished Loki. Is all that true?"

Dr Doom answered honestly with a smirk, "That is correct. I did, in fact, torture the girl because she mentioned my mother, and I did, in fact, punish the Asgardian. What about it, Stark?"

Iron Man was getting angry with Dr Doom, his demeanor still confrontational, "You bastard! You tortured a child! How could you?!"

Hulk then screamed, "Doom hurt Ghosty!? HULK SMASH!!!"

"No, Hulk! DON'T!!!" Reptil screamed

Hulk charged at Doom and slammed him body to the ground. The heroes were in shock.

Iron Man noticed sparks and rolled the Doom body over and gasped, "it was a Doombot...Dr Doom didn't really leave his lair..."

"But he obviously was communicating us with that Doombot," Wolverine pointed out.

Ms Marvel speaking as the heroes all stood there and watched, "Then where the hell is the real Doom?!"

"It would be obvious he would be still in his lair," Falcon and Silver Surfer pointed out.

Wolverine speaking with a huff of anger, "Great. So now we have to go into *Doom's lair* to go find him and stop him..."

Iron Man stopped them and sighed, "as much I want to punch Doom for what he did to Emma, believe I do, but we also hurt Emma and yelling at her when she tried to tell us about Loki. We should go look for her also. She is more important right now than dealing with Doom."

Thor, who was still coming down from the shock of learning about how much Loki actually cared about this human girl, immediately spoke up at this, "Iron Man is right. We need to find Emma first. We hurt her quite badly. We need to make that up to her *first*, and *then* we can deal with Doom."

Hulk teared up, "does Ghosty hate us now because we were mean?"

The other heroes all looked a little guilty at the way Hulk had worded that. They all had a feeling that it was very likely that Emma was not likely to ever want to speak to any of them again...

Wolverine patted his arm comforting him, he quietly responding to Hulk's statement, "Not gonna lie...I kinda think she probably does hate all of us right about now..."

Hulk started to cry.

"Seriously, Wolverine?" Reptil said frowning, "Hulk, she probably doesn't. She has a good heart. She is hurt, but I don't think would hate us."

Wolverine speaking with a shrug, "Eh, you have more faith in people than I do, kid. We've all seen her hurt. I don't think her heart being good would be enough to make her want to forgive us for treating her like that."

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

Loki continued walking through the streets of the city, calling out for the young girl. He couldn't believe that the other heroes had been so cruel to her and he just wanted to find her and make sure she was okay. He also wanted to make sure she stayed away from any more harm's way. Unfortunately, however, Emma was nowhere to be seen right now. That made Loki worry, but he kept up his search, looking around everywhere he could.

As he walked, Loki called out again, trying to listen for any sounds that might indicate her presence, calling out again, his voice filled with concern, "Emma! Where are you, little one?!"

He then stopped seeing Snowflake by the forest park outside the city. She motioned him to come. Loki then cowled her in the forest, she led him to Phantom Girl, who was sitting on the ground with her back facing them. Her hood was up covering her face partly. He continued walking towards the girl, his worry and concern growing stronger with every step he took.

*Once he was close enough, Loki slowly approached the girl. He made sure to keep his footsteps slow and light, careful not to startle her, speaking in a gentle tone, ...Emma?"

Once Emma heard him she dropped her head down. Seeing this made Loki's heart ache even more. He could tell that she was upset and he was not surprised in the slightest. He moved a little closer, his steps still cautious and careful, "...Emma? Please, say something."

"Should I? What if...I am sick...and you really aren't here...what if you don't...," she broke down.

Loki felt his heart break as she began to cry. The poor girl sounded so hurt, so upset, so sad, so lost. Loki knelt on the ground and moved a little closer, trying to reassure her, speaking in a firm yet still gentle tone, "Emma, please listen to me. I am here, I really am. I really am with you right now. It's really me, I'm not an illusion, I'm not a hallucination."

"But...you don't—"

Loki stopped her mid-sentence, still speaking in a calm and gentle tone, "No. Stop. Stop. Please listen to me."

Loki reached out and gently placed a hand on the girl's shoulder. He wanted to turn her around to face him, but he also realized that she probably wouldn't want him to see her in this sad, emotional state right now.

"I'm sick...no one really cares about—"

Loki interrupted her again, speaking in a firm yet gentle tone, "No. No. Please, please, don't speak like that. Never speak like that. Don't ever say no one cares about you. That's not true, Emma. That's never, ever true. I care about you."

"But they said—"

Loki interrupted her again, but speaking firmly and strongly this time, "No. Stop. Ignore what they said. Ignore what they did. They were wrong. They were so wrong. I do care about you, Emma. Don't let what they said get to you. Please don't."

Phantom Girl broke down again. Loki gently pulled the girl's hood down. As soon as he laid eyes on her face, his heart just broke for her all over again.Tears were running down her cheeks, there were visible tearstains on her face where the tears had run down, and her eyes were red. She looked upset, heartbroken, and just so, so sad...

Seeing her in this emotional state, Loki instantly wrapped her up in a tight hug. He pulled her close to him, wrapping his arms around her to give her a comforting embrace.

She wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in his chest as she sobbed. "You're my best friend. I knew about your past but even when I was cautious I could see good in you...why can't anyone else see it like I do?"

Loki continued holding her close as she clung to him and sobbed. He just felt more and more of his heart break more and more at her words. He tightened his embrace, trying to reassure her the best he could, speaking gently in response to her question, "...don't know. I truly don't know. It's as if they just won't see past my past, no matter how much I've changed, how much I've tried to be a better person..."

"If you really didn't care, I don't see why you would help me escape. That has to be the main sign to see that you have," she sobbed more.

Loki, agreeing with her, speaking gently as ever, Exactly. That's exactly what I've been trying to tell everyone. If I truly didn't care, why would I have helped you get away? Why would I have stood up to Doom in front of the other heroes?

He gently pulled her against his chest again in a tight hug. His heart broke for this girl.

"Not only that, you sacrifice yourself to stay behind and have Doom punish you, instead of fleeing with me. And even protect Modok so he would not him punished either."

Loki, holding her close, continuing to agree with her, his voice still gentle, "Exactly. You see it. You see it. I'll admit, I have done many terrible things in the past. There's not a single one I'm not remorseful for. But I truly thought...I really thought that they would be able to see past that, and see that I'm trying to change for the better now. That I'm not the same old "Trickster God" that I once was..."

Phantom Girl sniffled and looked up at him still tearing up. Seeing how upset and emotional she still was, Loki gently cupped the girl's face with his hands and looked her directly in the eyes, speaking gently as he looked right into her eyes, "Please listen to me, little one. Please don't cry. Don't get hung up on what the others said like that. You are loved, you are cared for, and you are important, do you understand me? You are important. You are so important to me..."

She sniffled again. "You are too, my best friend."

Loki smiled faintly at hearing those words from her. Hearing her call him her "best friend" was the most heartwarming thing he had ever heard, responding to her gentle, his smile still present, "You are my best friend as well, little one. You are my best and most dear friend in all the Nine Realms. You are my most important friend. You are more important to me than you even realize..."

Loki gently pulled her face forward to bring them forehead-to-forehead, and he closed his eyes as their foreheads touched. The entire time, he kept his hands gently cradling her face. It was a very tender, and very intimate moment between them right now. As they were like this, he moved one of his hands to gently stroke her hair, trying to soothe her. He smiled faintly as he spoke to her in a gentle tone, "It'll be okay, little one. I'm here. I'm here for you, and I'm not going anywhere, okay? I'm not leaving. I promise. I swear..."

Phantom Girl sniffled softly and started to cry again. She was thankful for him being her friend. Her best friend. He was definitely the one she felt closer than to anyone. Any best friend she had. She felt safe, cared for, and peace.

Loki kept his forehead against hers as she wept. He could tell that she was feeling a lot of things right now. Gratitude, affection, love, and safety, if he was not mistaken. He wanted to soothe her, and if he was understanding what he was sensing from her properly, then he was doing exactly that.

He could sense that she felt most safe, most at peace, with him, which further warmed his heart. Knowing that he was the one person she could feel like that around...oh, it felt incredible.

Loki continued to stroke her hair as she cried, still having his forehead pressed against hers. He wanted to help soothe her and comfort her, and if holding her like this was doing it, he would hold her like this for hours if he had to, "Shhhhh, shhhhhhh, shhhhhhhh. It's okay. It's okay. You're safe, little one. You're safe with me. I promise, you're safe with me..."

"I really don't want to loose you again, Loki. Please don't leave me...I don't want to loose my best friend...my bestest friend..." Emma cried.

Loki felt his heart break at her words. Oh, sweet, sweet child...he would do anything she asked, especially when she put it like that. He responded to her with a firm yet gentle tone, "I promise, I promise. I am not going anywhere, little one. I swear to you on all that I hold most dearly, I will be by your side. Always. I am not leaving you. I promise..."

Emma tightened her grip on him as she cried. Soon the other heroes arrived and looked guilty.

Loki frowned at them, "what do you all want?"

Once all the other heroes had gathered, Iron Man spoke up as he turned to look at Emma. He looked guilty, and also looked a little nervous and speaking to her in a gentle voice, "Emma...we...we need to talk. Will you look at us, hon?"

When they finally get a proper look at the girl, the other heroes all look so incredibly guilty. Seeing her face, seeing the tear stains on her face where the tears have run down, and seeing the tears currently streaming from her eyes was enough to show them how badly they messed up with her.

They all have different expressions of remorse on their faces, and all have a slightly sad look in their eyes.

Iron Man spoke softly, still looking at Emma, "Emma, we...we're so, so sorry. You have to believe us, we really, *really* are sorry. We...we messed up really bad..."

Captain America, speaking next, sounding sincerely remorseful, "We really didn't mean to upset you. We all were just...really worried about you..."

"And mostly frustrated with Loki because we thought he was really hurting you, not Doom," Ms Marvel said.

Ms Marvel's comment caused all the other heroes to look uncomfortable, because it was the absolute truth. They really had thought that Loki was hurting the girl. That was what had motivated them to treat her the way they did. They hadn't even paid too much attention to Doom's possible involvement in any of this...

"Why wouldn't you think Doom was the one hurting me since his our arch enemy?" Emma teared up more.

That statement, that question, from the young girl hit them all very hard. It was honestly a very good question. They honestly had to admit that they should have expected Doom to be responsible for any trouble she had. They all knew how obsessed he can be with anything.

But they didn't. They were stupid and they let their blind anger at Loki cloud their judgement and not even think of Doom as a potential factor in this.

They were all feeling even more remorseful and ashamed of themselves at realizing this.

Captain America, responding, his tone saddened by realization, You're right. You're absolutely right. We know how obsessed Doom is with anything, we should have known right away that he was involved in this. We all just let our anger at Loki at the moment cloud our judgement..."

Hulk looked at Phantom Girl sadly, "Does Ghosty still hate us?"

"Oh, Hulk. I don't hate any one you. I was just hurt. I could never hate you...and I do forgive you all. Like Ms Marvel says, we are family." Phantom Girl said softly.

Hulk, along with several of the other heroes, all softened their expressions at the girl's reassurance. There was a visible feeling of relief at hearing she didn't hate them at all. That was good...that was very good...

Still, the remaining feelings of guilt and remorse were still there. They wanted to fix what they did, and fast...

Ms Marvel, agreeing with her, looking somewhat relieved, "See? She forgives us! I told you guys she would be forgiving again once she calmed down! She's so kind, and she really is like the little sister of the team!"

Phantom Girl smiled at them. She turned to Loki and then hugged him. "But you will always be my bestest friend, Loki."

Loki smiled faintly as she said that. Hearing her say that he would always be her 'bestest' friend was quite wonderful to hear.

Loki, responding, his tone and expression gentle as ever as he hugged her, "And you will always be my best and dear friend, little one..."

Thor approached Loki with a somber expression on his face. It was obvious that the thunder god wanted to say something to him, and by the look of things, it was something that he felt he really needed to say to his brother...

Thor, speaking softly with a sincere remorseful tone, "Loki, I...I have to apologize to you. I'm sorry I didn't even give you a chance. I...I really thought that you were hurting her, that you'd been manipulating and tricking her into believing something that wasn't true..."

They were all apologizing, all of them were feeling incredibly remorseful for what they did to this girl and for not even listening to Loki's side of the story before jumping to their own assumptions and conclusions...

They had really messed up, and they knew that they did. They wanted to fix this situation, fast, and make it up to both her and Loki for what they did...

Iron Man, speaking out to the girl and Loki this time, "Look, we...we really want to make it up to both of you. We really do. Is there anything either of you need, anything at all, that we can do for you to show how sorry we are?"

"I don't think so, your friendship is enough," Phantom Girl smiled.

Hulk smiled, "Ghosty so nice..."

The other heroes were all rather fond of the little nickname Hulk had come up for the girl. They found it both adorable and hilarious at the same time, and it was nice to see her smiling again despite the events of the day.

Ms Marvel, agreeing with her, looking relieved at the girl's smile, "See? I wasn't kidding about how forgiving she is. She's just so, so sweet, she really is."

Meanwhile in Dr Doom's lair...

Doom had been watching the hero's through the city's security cameras until they left in the forest park. He was pondering now how to kidnap Emma again.

Doom sat back in his seat, his expression blank and emotionless while he was deep in thought. He had been watching the heroes with the girl through the city cameras before they had vanished from the screen as they left the city area, and now he was thinking up ways to get his hands on her again. He had not given up on claiming the child as 'his', not by a long shot...

He continued to sit in his chair, staring forward with his unblinking red eyes while he thought on his plans. He had gotten so close, so close to finally getting his hands on the girl, and she was now slipped from his grasp. Again. He would make sure that he will never let this happen again, and he would make sure he had her back with him, where she 'belonged' in no time flat...

He then turned to an old photo he kept hidden from his bots and henchmen. A photo of Emma when she was born. The day he first laid his eyes on her.

Doom's expression softened slightly as he regarded the photo in his hand. It was a picture of the infant girl from when she was first born, and Doom had kept it hidden away from his bots and the others under his command since they would no doubt destroy it if they knew he had it. In that moment, he was looking at the small infant girl with a rather tender expression on his face that would've shocked any who would've seen him in that moment...

Doom, speaking quietly, his tone strangely tender as he looked at the photo, "You are my most special little girl. You are my most precious little jewel. You are so beautiful..."

He ran his fingers over the girl's tiny form gently, as if he was caressing her small cheek while he spoke. In that moment, it was almost as if he was actually speaking to the child, with her in the room with him to hear these words from his lips...

"And don't worry," he added, "I will bring you back to me...my queen."

His voice held a certain sinister tone in it as he made that final statement of his. There was a note of sinister possessiveness in that tone, making it clear that he fully planned on having her back with him again, no matter what it took to do so...

He will not fail a 3rd time. Failure is not an option. He will get her back...he absolutely will.