Sylvie's POV

The next moment when I realized where I was, a Frost Giant crashed to the ground as I pierced its heart with my sword. He was the last of the second troupe that attacked us. The Chitauri didn't make their presence yet.
"Everyone alright?" A voice cracked in the earpiece. Pepper.
"Never better," I said.
"I should have stretched before coming," Clint groaned.
"Heads up, guys," Natasha said. Shielding the eyes from the midday sunlight, I tried looking at the sky, only to see more giant spaceships waiting to annihilate us.
"They're trying to tire us out one by one," Wanda estimated.

"Is that the best you can do, Mad Titan?" Thor shouted as loud as he could to the sky. Surprisingly, the voice boomed in the entire neighbourhood. Soon after, the spaceships opened to send swarms of giants and Chitauris down to us. "You had to ask," Captain scowled.

We gathered around in a circle, bracing for impact. Iron Man, Iron Heart, Captain America, Black Widow, Hawkeye, Hulk, God of Thunder, Scarlet Witch, Quicksilver, White Wolf and... Goddess of Beauty standing ready with weapons. What a cinematic shot. I wish someone could take a photograph like this.

The Frosts stood far away on the other side of the broken road with major upheavals. The weird creatures which Chitauri rode hovered above us. I wasn't happy to kill these innocents, but I had to bring down Thanos and Laufey. There was a war cry on the enemy's side, and the ground began to shake as they ran towards us. They started raining fire on us.
"Avengers...assemble," Captain announced.
We marched onto them, slicing their bodies in half with whatever weapons we could get. I had a close call with the ice spikes someone launched on me, but I dodged it just in time, only to slay the person who did it.
Adrenaline coursed through my veins when I saw a person on a golden chariot lead the second half of the army. The familiar golden helmet shone under the sun, highlighting his arrival.
Great to see you again, Loki.

"That's him guys. The one on the chariot," I informed the others.
"A reindeer on a sleigh. Quite an interesting scene. Christmas came too early this year." It had to be Tony. "Jarvis, take a picture and save it in the archives. That'll be his Christmas present." I facepalmed.
"He knows how to make an entrance," Pietro noticed. Huh. Loki was not much a fan of grandiosity. Mind control's really changed him around.

"Hawkeye, now," I said.
"On it."
I saw the miniscule figure on the top of a building shoot an arrow at Loki. I narrowed my eyes to notice he caught the arrow, only to get blown up by it a few moments later. He crashed on the nearest building terrace.
"Distract the others and keep the Tesseract safe. I'm going after him." I high-jumped and rolled over building tops to get to him. Almighty, I hope he's alright.
"I'll cover you," someone spoke in the earpiece but I didn't bother to know who. I had only one goal now : save Loki.

I stood in front of him soon. He had the sceptre in his hand. Thanos planned to take me hostage like Loki? He's got high expectations. His blue eyes burned holes in my eyes, a mix of rage and agony in them. He looked a little weak, but could cut me in two any moment now.
"Before we start, I have a deal for you. Duel for this puny god with me through him and suffer a painful death," he spoke hoarsely.
"And the second option?"
"Surrender to me and opt for greatness alongside Loki."
I scoffed. "Never in your wildest dreams."

Loki conjured a dagger while he held the sceptre in the other hand and charged at me. I knew Loki's tactics well but I wasn't sure if he changed his fighting style over the years. He tried stabbing me, but I had the shield to my protection. I ducked as he swung the sceptre at me. He was either trying to physically injure me or enchant me.
"Loki, if you are there, please stop. I don't want to hurt you."
"Oh, but I can kill you." It gave me goosebumps as I realized Thor was right.

We were equal as we combated. Sometimes, I suffered a blow, or he flinched as I jabbed him. I was cautious not to hurt him much, considering how weak he looked. But he didn't mind it, as Thanos commanded him ruthlessly.
Finally, his weapons fell away from him as I launched a roundabout kick on him. I seized the opportunity when he staggered to the ground. I knelt down and pressed my fingers on the sides of his forehead, desperately trying to break the connection. I closed my eyes and tried to focus. The block was too strong. I felt drained after a while. Was it absorbing power from me? It's fine until the job is done.

I heard a growling voice behind me. My mind caught thoughts of a Chitauri. I freezed. If I distract myself now, I would lose Loki forever. Not today, Death. Not today.

I instead focused on Loki. "Come out you idiot, before I die," I mentally scolded the block. I almost felt a sharp weapon thrust in my back when there was a curdling scream behind me. I saw blue blood spatter on the side. I turned around to see my saviour. James Barnes.
I smiled at him before I set myself to task again. James kept a watch on me as he slew whoever came to attack me.
Focus Sylvie, focus. Remove the block. Save Loki.

After what seemed like eternity, I felt light. As soon as I retreated my fingers back, Loki fell to the ground, unconscious. "Thor, the work is done. Take Loki back to the tower. We need to drive the sheep back to the pen."
"I am coming," came back the reply. 

The blonde haired God soon arrived. He took Loki in his tight grasp and off he went flying, with Mjölnir in one hand, and the victim in the other.
"Take care of the sceptre," I told James. He gave a curt nod and jumped off the building with the sceptre.

The golden chariot lay damaged on the rooftop next to me. It wasn't much damaged, so I rode it to a Frost Giant on another chariot who seemed to be the army commander.
"My Lord, I have come on Midgard's behalf to sue for peace."
He tilted his face, studying me.
"Everyone, stop!" He commanded as he pounded his gold staff on his chariot base. There was a deafening sound, due to which everyone looked at us. Two people on chariots making a peace pact.
"Sylvie, are you okay? He could kill you in an instant," Wanda spoke. I ignored the voice, and instead smiled at the giant.

"So what is your offer?" He demanded.
"Leave Midgard alone and go back home. You've lost the war."
"What?" He asked in disbelief.
"Prince Loki and your beloved sceptre are in our custody now. We have killed half your army. You aren't getting the Tesseract anyways. So why waste your life fighting this pointless battle?"
"Sylvie, what are you doing?" Pepper asked, concerned.
"Don't worry, I got this," I murmured.

"You think we will give up that easily? We.." I interrupted the icicle.
"Chit-chat."
"We can..
"Chitty-chat."
He cleared his throat. "You are.."
"You talk too much."
"Listen well, you doll. You are an insect in front of us. It will take us half a moment to finish you off. Thanos and Laufey would love to see your corpse presented before them. We are destined to rule the universe, to rule.."

I aimed my palm at him, directing a fireball at him. He turned to ashes immediately as the flames consumed him. "Such a boring TED talk," I yawned. The Avengers stared at me, mind-boggled with what I just did.

I chanted a spell which raised my voice to higher decibels. "Frost Giants and Chitauris, you have lost the battle. Your commander died, your prince is with us. If you want to go home and live your lives happily, you can do so. We give you all a second chance to live. If you wish to stay back and fight, you are only inviting death." The opposition members looked at each other. I heard their thoughts and smiled knowing that they agreed with me. Slowly, the flock returned back to their spaceships. The fleet soon disappeared in space, clearing the beautiful blue sky. I felt a bit bitter seeing fallen buildings and structures with debris around, but the greater aim was accomplished.

I landed the chariot on the road and walked past the Avengers.
"We'd appreciate if you did that the first moment the battle ensued," Tony shouted.
I walked on, without looking back. "I needed a good workout." I winked at Clint, Natasha and Steve as I passed them by.

*****

Thanos' POV

A few hours later..

My elbow rested on the armrest of the throne, the fist of my hand supporting my head. I closed my eyes, contemplating the loss.
We lost the battle. I lost.
All because of that goddess.

Someone slammed open the door of the throne room. I sat back confidently, watching as Laufey stormed into the room. "I need answers." His blood red eyes glowed more with fury.

"Not now, partner," I tried to avoid him.

"We lost because of a delicate doll? We had an army as large as Midgard's population, still we lost to a handful of men?"

"I lacked knowledge about.."

"I do not need excuses. I gave you my army because you promised me glory and power, and all you have given me is shame and loss. Do you take this lightly?"

"We may have lost the battle, but not the war."

He pointed a finger at me, stepping close with each word he spoke. His face was inches away as he threatened me. "Battles, Thanos. Plural. First Svartalfheim, now Midgard. Don't you dare take this lightly, because if you do, you know what.."

His speech interrupted as someone struck a blow on his head from behind. He groaned when he crashed to the ground. I dismissed my trusted guard who protected me from the wrath of the monster. A Frost Giant lying unconscious on my feet made me anger even more.

I paced the room, thinking for answers. She did not have powers till yesterday night, then how come she broke Loki's mental connection, and burned away the commander? She was to be at my command. But everything went wrong. Not only she got away with Loki and the Mind Stone, she sent an entire race back to me to remind me of my biggest failure so far.
I clenched my fist as hard as I could, drawing blood from my palm. Eight months laid to waste.
All because of the challenge. All because of her.

Watch out Sylvie, things are going to get bad for you.

*****

A.N.: Hey everyone! Just want to clear that though Wanda, Pietro, Pepper and Bucky weren't a part of the Avengers during the New York battle in the MCU film, they are present here. The story of Captain America: the Winter Soldier and hostile entry of Wanda and Pietro in the group happens before the battle here. However, Avengers : Age of Ultron (the battle) takes place later in the following chapters.

Also, I apologize for less description of how the battle was fought by Sylvie and other Avengers. I am not an action writer, more of a conversationalist and thought- expressing one. Apologies to action lovers!

Thank you for reading!
Till then, stay tuned!