Emma was in the lounge reading a book. But her and Snowflake heard a commotion in the training room so they they head over and found Hulk and Reptil fighting a Doom robot. Emma jumped thinking it was the real Dr Doom. Her eyes widened in fear. She was about to scream when she felt a hand on her shoulder and saw it was Wolverine.

*Wolverine kept his hand on her shoulder in a steadying manner, trying to soothe her and calm her down*

"Calm down, kid. It's just a robot. Not the real deal."

"Wait. It's a robot?" Emma asked.

Wolverine nodded his head, gesturing towards the robot that Hulk and Reptil were fighting, "yeah. Doom's sent countless of robots at us before. This is nothing new. They're just here to fight while the real Doom stays at his lair like the coward he is."

"Oh...good." Emma giggled awkwardly.

Wolverine chuckled a little and gave her shoulder a little squeeze, "you don't have to worry, kid. The rest of the team and I have handled these bots plenty of times. We've dealt with worse things than a few robots."

"But how is he able to sent them here pass the security?" Emma looked scared now.

Wolverine gave her a reassuring look, trying to keep her calm, "Doom's got his ways. Like those robot armies we've had to face plenty of times. He's got his tech people, those Doombots. And trust me, they are a pain in the ass to deal with. But we manage to hold our own."

"I see...I hacked into his system once to chain him in his chair." Emma giggled.

Wolverine smirked a bit, his eyes holding a slight hint of amusement, "that so?" he chuckled a bit, "I would've loved to see that."

Emma smiled softly. They both heard Hulk scream "HULK SMASH!" as he smashed the Doombot.

"So does this happen very often?" Emma asked Wolverine.

Wolverine chuckled again when he heard Hulk's voice. He had to admit, he loved watching the big green guy smash his way through those robots, "pretty much. He sends them about once a month. We've also gotten attacks from his lackeys and goons as well."

"Eeesh, must be kinda frightening." Emma said, trying to sound and look brave.

Wolverine chuckled again at how brave she was trying to sound and look. He knew she was obviously a bit frightened, and that was understandable, "nah. We've handled a lot worst situations before. A bunch of robots are nothing more than a routine battle for us. Like I said, we've seen and fought worst."

Emma nodded, "so who are the villains around here we have to watch out for?"

Wolverine paused a moment to think before he began listing them one by one, "let's see here. We have Dr Doom naturally. Then we got Loki, Red Skull, Mordo, Magneto, the Abomination, Mole Man, Ultron, Namor, MODOK, Enchantress, Kingpin, Apocalypse, and the list goes on."

"Loki? Who's that? The others I have heard, but who's he?" Emma furrowed a brow.

Wolverine looked at her, a bit surprised that she had never heard of Loki, "you don't know who Loki is? He's Thor's brother. He's a norse god and the Norse god of mischief, chaos, and lies. He gives me the creeps."

"You? Out of all the bravest heroes, he creeps you out?"

Wolverine grumbled a bit and crossed his arms at her comment, "what, you think I'm not allowed to be creeped out by a god? I've been alive for centuries, kid. I've gone through a lot, seen a lot, and fought a lot. But there's just something off about that guy."

Before Emma could speak, Wolverine turned and smirked. "Your little admirer is back."

Emma spun around and saw Thor with Silver Surfer sitting in the chairs around the training room and he was staring at her again. Emma blushed and looked away.

Wolverine chuckled at how Thor was staring at her, while Silver Surfer simply smirked as he noticed as well. The two were clearly amused by it, "he's been staring at you ever since he met you. I think he's smitten with you."

"I think so too, I never thought he would like a human like me...," Emma blushed.

Wolverine chuckled a bit more and nudged her shoulder, "not surprising. You're a cute girl. What did you expect? For him to not like you?"

"Well maybe admire me or somewhat, but not stare at me like a school boy on his crush...or a love sick puppy," she giggled.

Wolverine chuckled again at the comparison and nodded his head, "'love sick puppy', I definitely have to remember that one. It definitely seems fitting. But I wouldn't be surprised if Thor had that "love sick puppy eyes" for you, kiddo."

Emma giggled, but she jumped when more doombots broke in. One tried to grab her and she screamed. Wolverine tried to help, but he was ambushed.

Wolverine slashed and gutted the robot that attacked him. When he looked over and saw that another robot had Emma, he cursed, "hey! Let her go, you pile of scrap metal!"

He tried to attack, but more Doombots lunged at him.

"GHOSTY!!" Hulk cried out and tried to save her, but more Doombots came to distract Hulk.

"VELOCIRAPTOR TAIL!" Reptil shouted and attacked Doombots around him.

"Thor, my friend, we should help them," Silver Surfer said. "Especially Emma. She's struggling."

Thor nodded, agreeing with his friend. He got up from the chairs and summoned his hammer. He immediately rushed in to help, swinging his hammer, Mjolnir, and smashed any robot in his path towards Emma. He easily took down several of the robots in his path, each one that he destroyed, got him closer to Emma. He made sure he didn't lose sight of her as all he could think of was getting to her and getting her back safely.

Thor quickly destroyed the last robot and held out his hand to Emma to help her up, "Emma! Are you hurt or harmed in anyway? Are you alright, my lady?"

"I'm alright, I could've handle it." Emma said, trying to sound tough.

Thor chuckled a bit at her attempt to sound tough, but was glad to hear that she was alright,  "I have no doubt you could have. I have no doubt you would have found a way to defeat them alone. I simply came to assist you to get rid of them faster and ensure you were safe. I could not stand to see harm come to you, my lady."

Emma sighed, but then she screamed when more Doombots came and lunged at Thor. Emma rushed to help him but two Doombots grabbed her.

"Get off of me!!" Emma yelled.

Dr Doom was watching the security cameras in the Hellicarrier seeing the doombots grabbing her.

Thor was struggling to get the robots off of him, but he soon heard Emma scream and he quickly looked up to see her being grabbed by two other robots. When he saw her being grabbed, the anger and rage started to fill him and he used it to break free from the robots that were holding him down, "GET OFF OF HER!!!!"

Emma frowned and kicked the doombots, but she lost her balance as they also punched her. She fell through a window which shattered. Emma then screamed falling out of the hellicarrier.

Thor's eyes went wide when he saw her fall out of the window. His heart felt like it skipped a beat when he saw her scream as she fell. His heart started to race as his eyes stayed wide, frozen at how hard his heart was pumping when he heard her scream, "EMMA!!!!!!" he yelled her name out as loud as he possibly could as he dashed after her.

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In Dr Doom's lair, he was watching all of this. He smirked knowing Phantom Girl would find a way to get of this.

"Come on now, my dear, I know you have something to save yourself~" he spoke.

As Emma fell, everything that she'd ever thought, dreamed, or wanted flash before her eyes. She was scared. She was terrified, thinking she was dead for sure since it wasn't a soft landing below.

Snowflake was also panicking, trying to think of a way to slow or stop Emma's fall. But even she didn't know what to do to help. She was trapped in horror as well.

Time seemed to slow down for a second as Emma managed to grab her grapple gun from off her belt. She quickly raised her hand up and released the grappling hook. After a second of waiting, the hook grabbed hold of the helicarrier, and instantly brought Emma to a swift halt. The grapple brought her back up and she began heading upwards towards the broken glass she fell through and Thor.

Thor looked through the window and soon saw her coming back up and he sighed in relief. He extended his arms, preparing to catch her like a baby being tossed into the air.

She finally got in and climbed into the helicarrier.

"Ghosty!!! Ghosty girl ok!!!???" Hulk asked.

Thor quickly made sure she was alright, checking to see if she was hurt anywhere, mentally or physically, "are you alright, my lady? Are you unharmed? Is everything alright?"

Thor pulled her into an embrace, wrapping his arms around her and holding her against his chest as he held her close and tight. He ran his hand up and down her back gently, hoping the embrace would soothe her a bit, "just take deep breaths, darling. In and out. Nice and slow."

Emma was surprised by this embrace. But she then held onto him gently and slowly breathed normally.

Reptil, Hulk, Wolverine, and Silver Surfer all sighed in relief.

Thor continued holding her close, still running his hand up down her back in a soothing manner while his other hand gently held her head against his chest. He held her as closely as he dared, not wanting to let go anytime soon. He spoke to the rest of the team without taking his eyes off of her, "she's not harmed. She's just shaken up."

Back in Doom's lair. He then smirked impressed Emma did what he expected she would do.

Doom chuckled to himself as he watched the whole ordeal unfold. He had to admit, he was impressed by how quickly she managed to react in order to save herself from plummeting to her death. He was also amused as he heard how the other members of the team and especially Thor reacted when she fell out the window.

It didn't elude Doom that they cared for the young girl. He saw the way Thor held and embraced Emma as soon as she was safe. He even noticed the way some of the other members reacted when she was in danger. A knowing smirk appeared on Doom's face. He wasn't sure why, but he had a feeling this would end up being entertaining.

But he couldn't help but feel jealous of Thor how he held her. Doom felt a flare of possessiveness and jealousy when he saw them embracing. It was clear the god had feelings for the young girl, but so did Doom. He felt an even stronger sense of possessiveness and jealousy whenever he saw the way Thor acted or looked at Emma. In fact, the idea of someone else having feelings for her, bothered him. He felt like she was rightfully his.

As he continued to watch Thor and the others with her, he found himself clenching his fists subconsciously, to the point that his knuckles turned white. He had to fight the urge to not punch through his own screen. But as he watched the scene unfold, his eyes narrowed as his anger and jealousy grew stronger by the second.

"I want her now!!" Doom yelled, "I held this off for too long. Years to be exact. But what should I—"

Suddenly he heard them talking.

"Hey guys, everybody ok in here?" Iron Man asked.

"Yeah the doombots crashed in here," Wolverine said, "but everyone is alright."

"Well that's good, I just came to tell Emma that there's some trouble in the city. Those doombots aren't just attacking here. But I think we all should handle this and she watches the hellicarrier."

"Me? But why?" Emma asked.

"It's too dangerous, but I promise if Doom strikes again, you can help us out." Iron Man winked at her. "Alright, Squadies time to Hero Up!!!"

So Emma is going to be all by herself? Doom smirked thinking of a perfect plan.

In an instant, Doom started to think of his next plan, or at least try to come up with one. He watched as the remaining Squadron members grouped together and then heard Iron Man explain what they needed to do. He smirked when he heard them say Emma had to stay behind. When he realized that Emma would be alone, that smirk turned into a grin as a plan started to form in his mind.

"MODOK!! ABOMINATION!!" Doom yelled.

Abomination and MODOK appeared in front of Doom within seconds, "you called for us, Glorious Leader?"

Doom looked at them both, his eyes filled with determination while a smirk remained on his face, "I have an assignment for the both of you. I need you to do something for me."

"What is it?"Abomination asked.

"The Super Hero Squad are leaving the hellicarrier, and there is someone there I want you get for me." Doom smirked.

MODOK and Abomination glanced at each other before turning back to Doom, their interest piqued.

"And who might that be?" MODOK asked.

"Phantom Girl. I want you to bring her back here. And try not to harm her too badly. I have certain plans for her."

"Plans? What kind of plans?" Abomination asked.

"Just plans! Now if you boys get here before I do, put her in the dungeon. Someone will guard her while I am gone. And once that guard comes, I want you both to guard outside the lair."

Abomination and MODOK both nodded, both agreeing to do as Doom asked. They were still a bit curious to what these "plans" were, but knew it was best not to ask. They wanted to know, but they knew not to question Doom.

"Are there any other commands, Glorious Leader?" MODOK asked.

"Nothing else. Just retrieve Phantom Girl and keep her safe in the dungeon. I will return within the hour. Now...GO!"

Abomination and MODOK jumped and turned and left to do as Doom commanded. They both had a mission to do, and both knew they had to succeed or suffer Doom's wrath.

Back in the hellicarrier, Emma walked around the hellicarrier with Snowflake floating beside her. She was also adjusting the grabble gun so she would have to use it again for emergencies.

"I'm glad dad made this before he was gone. A lot of these gadgets are very handy. He knew I was gonna a superhero just like him someday. And now look at me. I'm part of Super Hero Squad."

Snowflake smiled as she snack on her baby carrots. While Emma was talking to Snowflake about her gear, she began to hear a strange noise coming from somewhere around the hellicarrier. It sounded like metal scraping and clanking, but it didn't sound like any of the machines around or on the hellicarrier. If anything, it sounded like some big and heavy robot approaching.

Emma shivered and thought, what if it's Doom?

But too her surprise it was not. It was MODOK and Abomination.

"Oh phew. You guys aren't Doom," she giggled in relief.

They both then chuckled darkly at her and MODOK spoke, "No, we're not Doom, you silly girl. And we weren't sent here simply to chat. We're here for you."

Abomination chuckled, towering over both her and Snowflake. He reached down for her, preparing to pick her up.

Emma pulled out her ray gun, "Hey Lizard hulk, say cheese!"

Abomination: why would I-

"Watch out!" MODOK yelled, trying to warn Abomination, but it was a bit too late. Emma quickly fired her ray gun, and as it hit Abomination, it caused a bright flash of light to go off. It happened so suddenly that it even blinded MODOK, who closed his eyes at the last second to avoid the bright flash.

The bright flash was electric shocks and Abomination had been shocked. Emma smirked and her and Snowflake ran.

"AAHHH!! WHAT THE-," Abomination yelled

Abomination dropped to the ground, letting out a growl of annoyance. He slowly shook his head and got back to his feet, his hands clenching into fists of anger. He looked over at Emma and angrily pointed at her while he growled.

"Oh, you're gonna pay for that!"

MODOK then yelled, "don't let her get away!! After her!"

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Emma ran down the hallway and nodded to Snowflake silently telling her to distract MODOK and ABOMINATION.

Snowflake nodded back to her and split off as she flew down a different hallway, while Emma continued to run down the hallway of the hellicarrier. Abomination and MODOK saw the little fairy split off, and MODOK quickly pointed for Abomination.

"Follow that rabbit fairy, I'll handle the girl."

Abomination nodded and went after Snowflake while MODOK continued to chase after Emma.

Abomination grabbed the fairy, but then he screamed once he felt shock waves hitting him again. He let go of the rabbit fairy and she smirked at him.

"Hey! No fair!" Abomination growled and chased her.

MODOK laughed at Emma as she kept running with him right behind her.

MODOK continued to laugh as he tried to keep up with her. At one point, he tried to shoot a bolt of electricity at her from his eye-stalk, but quickly missed.

"Stop running, child! It's pointless, I will get you eventually anyway!"

Emma smirked and threw marbles on the ground. He stopped and looked down confused.

"What the-," suddenly started to slip and slide from the marbles, causing him to slide down the hallway. He quickly tried to keep his balance, but unfortunately, slid straight into a wall, "ouch!!!"

"That wasn't supposed to happen, but it worked. I'm surprised you touched the floor when you usually hover!" Emma laughed and darted to the right.

MODOK groaned as he got back up after hitting the wall. He quickly floated back up into the air. He was more angry now that he was also now embarrassed from how he was tricked by something as simple as marbles. He also started to regret letting Abomination go after the "rabbit-fairy" as he heard Abomination's yelling and shouting somewhere in the hellicarrier the whole time up until then.

"Enough games, I'm not messing around anymore!!"

"Oh the big baby upset?" Emma called out, but MODOK couldn't see her.

MODOK growled at the sound of her voice. He quickly looked around, trying to locate her, but quickly found that he wasn't able to spot her anywhere. She had somehow managed to disappear right in front of him.

"Enough is enough!! Just come out already!! Quit acting like a child and just come over here!!"

Suddenly more marbles roiled towards him. He chuckled since he was floating and the bursted out laughing.

MODOK kept laughing, he assumed that he had her right where he wanted her. He quickly aimed his eye-stalk at where he assumed the source of the marbles came from. He quickly smirked and began to charge up the eye-stalk cannon.

"You think you can prank me, you little brat?? That's cute!"

Suddenly the marbles exploded smoke out so now MODOK couldn't see. He cursed as he was suddenly surrounded by a thick cloud of smoke. He couldn't see anything anymore, which frustrated and angered him.

"Damn it!! Where the hell did she go now?!!"

Emma slipped on her goggles to see through the mask and ran off past MODOK.

"Hey!! Where'd you go!!" MODOK fired at the cloud, blindly firing his eye-stalk in the direction where he last saw Emma as she ran by.

Emma laughed at him, but then screamed once she was grabbed by Abomination, "HEY!!! LET ME GO!!"

Abomination laughed as he held her in his grip. He easily had her gripped in such a way where she was unable to move, "nice try with all that cute little crap you tried to pull, but now that I have you in my clutches, you ain't going anywhere."

Emma struggled, "SNOWFLAKE!!!"

Snowflake flee towards them but then she was trapped in a jar by MODOK.

MODOK chuckled as he quickly closed the jar with a lid so Snowflake couldn't get out, "got you, you little pest! No more zipping and zapping from you!"

"Let us go! Why are you....," Emma grunted trying to get out of Abomination's grip.

Abomination continued to laugh as she struggled in his grip. He clearly thought that she was unable to get out of his tight grip, "oh we're not letting you go anywhere. We are under orders to bring you back to Doom, and that's exactly what we're gonna do."

Emma stopped struggling once she heard him say "Doom". She then shivered. Abomination smirked again as soon as he saw her shiver. He assumed that she was shaking out of fear of either him or of Doom. Both of which amused him, thinking that they had a hold over her, "awwww, scared of old Doom? How cute~."

MODOK joined in on Abomination's laughing. He also thought it was amusing that just the mention of Doom name was making her afraid, "that's right. You'd better be scared of Doom. You're coming with us, one way or another!"

MODOK and Abomination then took her away.

"No! Let us go!"

They got to the lair and called out for Doom, but he wasn't in the lair.

"Well he did say he probably won't be here when we got back, so we put her in the dungeon now?" Abomination asked.

MODOK nodded in agreement, thinking that that the best place for her was in the dungeon. He glanced down at her, a twisted grin on his face, "that's exactly right. Let's take her to the dungeon, she'll be perfectly safe there, until Doom comes back, that is."

They head downstairs.

"Didn't he say once we lock her up, we guard the lair outside too?"

MODOK nodded again at Abomination's question, "he did say that. After she's locked up, we should guard the entrance, just in case the Super Hero Squad should find and try to infiltrate the lair looking for her or to cause us trouble."

"What about the rabbit fairy?" Abomination nodded to the jar in MODOK's hands.

He looked down at the jar with Snowflake trapped inside. He then smirked, "as for the rabbit fairy, I'll put her inside a cell in the dungeon. If Doom wants her, he'll figure out what to do with her. For now, she'll be safe in a cell."

Emma then was thrown in a cell and she groaned when she hit the floor. She quickly got up and ran to the door, but Abomination slammed it shut. "No let us go!!!" Emma yelled.

Abomination chuckled as he locked the cell door with a key, making sure that she wouldn't be able to get out of the cell, no matter how much she yelled or tried, "nice try, brat! But you're not going anywhere! So why don't you just stay in there and behave like a good little girl?"

MODOK then turned towards Abomination, "alright, let's head back upstairs and make sure the entrance is secure. The less disturbances we have now, the better."

"Yeah. How about you guys do that." A voice in the shadows said.

MODOK and Abomination spun around and gasped, "Loki!?"

"Miss me?" Loki smirked.

"Wait, Doom asked you to guard the girl?" Abomination asked.

MODOK was shocked to see Loki. He and Abomination had no idea that Doom had called him. But now that he was there, they didn't have to worry about monitoring the entrance to the lair, leaving them to do as they pleased for the time being. MODOK let out a sigh of relief as he spoke, "oh, good. We didn't know Doom had called on you. You're here to guard her? Thank god."

"Yes, but he still wants you two to guard the entrance." Loki smirked.

MODOK grumbled, but nodded in understanding, "understood. Guess he wants to make sure all the bases are covered. Come on, Abomination. Let's head back up to the front entrance."

Once they left, Loki then turned his attention to Emma and leaned on the cell door. Emma backed up seeing him. Loki smirked as he leaned against the cell door. He was already a bit amused that she was backing away as if she was scared of him. He then spoke, a low and smug tone in his voice, "oh, now don't back away, little girl. There's no need to be afraid. After all, I'm here to guard you~."

Emma wanted to speak, but couldn't. She looked up and seen Snowflake still trapped in the jar now set on a table across from her and Loki. She looked sad seeing her trapped and sad as well.

Loki chuckled as he noticed her looking at Snowflake in the jar. He glanced over at the jar with Snowflake, then back at Emma, "ahhhh~. You're worried about her, aren't you? How cute~."

Emma glared at Loki. A look that made him uncomfortable. Loki then pushed himself off the cell door dropping his smirk. Loki flinched a bit when he saw the glare. It was a look that he wasn't used to seeing from such a young girl. Despite being a villain, he did have a bit of a soft spot for kids and women, "heh, easy now, don't look at me like that, I'm just here to guard you. But then again, you're already locked up here, so I'm more just here to keep you company until Doom comes back."

"...what does...Doom want with me," she shivered.

"You mean you don't know?" Loki tilted his head to the side, a bit surprised that she didn't know why Doom was after her. Then again, it's possible that Doom hadn't informed her about his plans yet. Still, he was certain that the girl had some kind of idea, "seriously? You have no idea? He hasn't said a word about it to you?"

She shivered and shook her head. Loki didn't know either. Doom was pretty quiet about his intentions towards Emma Becker.

"Hmm, interesting...," Loki leaned against the cell door. He thought to himself, trying to get a good idea of why exactly Doom would want her. Obviously he had some kind of plan revolving around the girl, he just didn't know what kind of plan specifically. He thought about this for a few more seconds, before he broke the silence between them with another question, "can I ask you something?"

She looked up at him, "I-I guess..."

Loki nodded before he spoke again, "let me ask you this: you and Doctor Doom, how do you know each other? How did you two meet?"

"Well..I've never met him...but I know him because of my father...Le Noir..."

Loki's eyebrow slightly raised in curiosity at her answer, "Le Noir? Le Noir...."

He thought about that name. It sounded familiar, but he had a hard time placing exactly where he had heard it before. He wasn't going to let the conversation stop, though, he was determined to get as much out of her as he could, "your father? He used to be a superhero, too, right?"

"The first one in Super Hero City."

Loki's eyes widened at the revelation that she had just made. He now immediately knew why the name Le Noir was familiar to him. Everyone knew who Le Noir was. He was the very first superhero in Super Hero City, "seriously? Thee Le Noir is your father?"

"Yes. My father fought against Doom. Doom was the first villain back then as well."

Loki was stunned to hear her say that Doom had been a villain since Le Noir's time. He knew that the evil ruler had been a villain for a long time, but he didn't realize he had been around for that long, "wait, seriously? Doom has been alive and evil for that long??"

"You sound surprised. How old would you think my dad would be now if he was still alive?"

Loki thought for a bit, "70's or 80's?"

"He would be 60."

Loki was even more shocked as she told him the answer to the question. He thought about the number for a few seconds in disbelief, before he responded, "he would be 60!?! How is that possible? I thought he would be at least 78 or 80! At the very LEAST!"

"He was pretty young in his time. Doom too....but yes that's how I know Doom, but never met him...face to face...and I was hoping I never would," Emma shivered.

Loki raised his eyebrow again curiously. She was definitely scared of Doom, and it definitely had something to do with her being the daughter of Le Noir, "hmmm. I see. May I ask you one more question, child?"

She nodded looking back up.

Loki tilted his head again as he got the go ahead from her to ask another question, "you said that you knew Doom as he used to be your father's enemy, but you also said that you never wanted to meet him face-to-face. May I ask why?"

"....he scares me...because my father told me the reason why Doom attacked the city was because he was trying to capture me. I have...nightmares meeting him and he hurts me...in...unspeakable ways...," she teared up.

Loki's gaze softened a bit as she began to tear up. She was obviously afraid, and it was starting to sadden him, "wait, wait, hold on. He attacked the city because he was specifically trying to capture you?"

Emma nodded, "it was even part of town meetings. My father almost snapped at a news reporter lady that suggested to just hand me over to Doom so Doom wouldn't harm the city anymore."

Loki's eyes widened at hearing this. Why would Doom be so hell-bent on capturing a little girl? He almost didn't want to continue asking her questions, but he had to, he had to unravel this bizarre situation, "wait, wait, what? He wanted the city to hand you over? Why? What did he want with you anyways?"

"I don't know. He never told anyone, but my father. But my father never told my mom or me...I guess to protect me...," she then teared up.

Loki was getting more and more confused. Whatever it was that Doom wanted with her, it seemed to be something very intense. If Doom's plans regarding her would scare a child so much, then it had to be truly sinister, "....hmm. I understand. But, can I ask you one last question, little one?"

"Ok..."

Loki nodded and spoke again, his expression a mixture of curiosity and slight worry as he got ready to ask his question, "now just to be clear: if Doom were to find you now, and somehow get his hands on you......what do you think he would do to you?"

"....t-touch....," she couldn't finish.

Loki's eyes widened as he realized what she was about to say. She was too scared to say it. Still, him hearing her say "touch" definitely was enough for him to put together what she meant by that, "wait hold on. You don't think he'd....touch you...do you?"

Emma started to cry and dropped her head. Loki then teleported in the cell so he was beside her.

Loki's expression immediately changed to one of intense worry and concern. Seeing a little girl in such emotional and fearful distress did not sit well with him.

He gently knelt down and placed a hand on her shoulder, giving her a light squeeze with his hand as a sign of comfort and reassurance, "hey, hey, hey. Look at me, child. Look at me. Take deep breaths."

She looked up at Loki as she cried softly.

Loki's heart ached a little bit more as he saw the look of fear and despair in her eyes. It was honestly a bit painful for him to see just how scared she was. He gently pulled her into a soft hug. Despite being a villain and mischievous troublemaker, Loki had a soft spot for children and women, especially when they were in distress, "sshhhh, sshhhh. It's okay...it's okay...let it all out..."

Emma slowly calmed down, but still gripped on him, "I'm scared."

Loki patted her back a few times as she slowly calmed down. He could feel her clinging on to him, as if she was trying to somehow feel safe and secure while gripping him tightly, "hey, it's alright. I'm right here. I've got your back. I won't let anything happen to you...."

She then looked up at him and Loki looked into her blue eyes. He felt something strange inside of him.

Loki was caught off guard for a moment as he felt an odd sensation in his heart as he looked into her blue eyes. He had never known a feeling like this before, but whatever it was, it was very strong. He shook his head a bit and got back on track with comforting the girl in his arms, "just listen to me, alright? You're gonna be okay. I swear, nothing bad's gonna happen to you, alright? I won't let it."

Loki smiled gently as he felt her bury her face in his chest. He tightened his embrace around her, pulling her in close to him as he spoke again, "sshhhh, sshhhh. That's it, just calm down. Everything's gonna be alright. You're gonna be okay. I'm here. Nothing's gonna happen to you while I'm here..."

"I don't want to be here anymore...please help—"

Suddenly they heard heavy metal footsteps hit the stone floor. At the sound of the footsteps, Loki's heart practically skipped a beat. He let go of Emma for a moment before he teleported out of the cell, but leaned his head against the bars as he turned back to her and spoke in a harsh, whispered tone, "shhh! Stay quiet, alright? No matter what happens, you need to stay as quiet as you can, understand?"

Emma nodded.

"Hello, Loki," a chilling tone whispered in his ear spoke.

Loki's eyes widened a bit as he felt someone behind him. He then spun around to find Doctor Doom standing right behind him. He tried to hide the surprise on his face as he spoke back to Doom, "ah...Doom. You're back."

Doom chuckled as his red eyes glowed as he stood towering over Loki. He then spoke in that same chilling tone as before, "I take it you've been acquainted with our little guest?"

Loki didn't respond immediately. He glanced back at Emma for a brief moment, then looked up at Doom, "more than acquainted, I should say...though, we've just been talking, so far."

Doom chuckled again as he raised an eyebrow, curious, "oh, really now? What kind of talking, if I may ask?"

Loki quickly thought about how to respond. Surely Doom wasn't asking about the kind of talking they'd been doing, right? Right?

"oh, just some small talk, is all. Talking about this and that...nothing too interesting."

Doom smirked as he crossed his arms over his armor-plated chest, "I'm sure it wasn't quite as mundane as you make it sound. I could practically hear her crying from outside the lab. You must've been having quite the interesting conversation to have her crying that much."

Emma shivered when she heard Doom say that. Loki glance at Emma seeing her shiver, but looked back at Doom and tried to act natural even in his voice as he spoke, "well, you know, children do tend to cry easily."

Loki was having a hard time keeping his voice steady. He needed to act natural, though, or else Doom was gonna get suspicious.

Doom furrowed his brow. He didn't like him calling Emma a child. She was 18, not a child. Loki suddenly realized his mistake. He had been doing so good, only to mess things up by saying the word "child". He quickly tried to recover from it by speaking again.

"Well, you know what I mean. She's still young. They cry easier than anyone else, you know?"

Doom's eye narrowed a bit as he heard Loki's response. He definitely wasn't buying his explanation, "is that so? Are you, of all people, really telling me that children "tend to cry more easily"?"

Loki chuckled nervously, trying to play it off like a joke, "well, I mean, yeah, you know how kids are, right? Always crying over the littlest of things..."

Doom did not look amused by Loki's "playful" comment. He was clearly starting to lose his patience with his excuses.

Doom spoke snappishly, "Loki, I wasn't born yesterday. You think I don't know the real reason for her tears?"

Loki's heart began to beat faster. Doom was catching on, he had to think of something quick, "and what exactly do you think I did to make her cry?"

Doom chuckled as he put his hands on his hips, "oh, I don't think anything. I know you said something to her to get her all worked up. What exactly did you say to the poor girl? Hm?"

Before Loki spoke, Emma spoke up, "he didn't say anything that upset me."

Loki glanced at her making a look to make her stay quiet and turn back to Doom.

Loki's eyes widened at her response. The last thing he needed was for Emma to speak up and ruin his little attempts at lying to Doom to cover up their conversation.

"He didn't say anything that upset you, huh? And what, exactly, is it that you two have been talking about then?" Doom asked.

Loki spoke up quickly to respond before Emma could, "just chatting, right kid? Nothing out of the ordinary, really. Just having a nice little conversation is all. Just two pals chatting, yeah?"

Emma nodded.

Doom just chuckled again as he listened to their responses. Loki could see that he was just getting more and more suspicious, "'Just two pals chatting'? That's it? I find that hard to believe, given that she was literally sobbing just a moment ago..."

Loki chuckled nervously. He really needed to think fast to come up with something believable before Doom's patience ran out.

"Well, you know how girls are, right?

That was actually the worst thing he could've said. Doom did NOT appreciate that comment.

Doom's eyes narrowed and his hands clenched into fists as soon as he heard Loki's comment.

"Do I 'know how girls are'?"

Those four words alone were enough to send a chill down Loki's spine. Doom was not happy at hearing Loki's misogynistic response.

Loki was suddenly hit with a brief pang of fear as he saw how Doom reacted to his comment. He quickly tried to backpedal as he began to speak faster than usual, "ah, well, you know, girls tend to cry more easily, right? They're more, uh...more emotional, right? They get emotional about the most random of things, you know what I mean?"

Emma groaned softly at Loki's response. Yes some girls do get emotional, but he really was looking like a fool right about now.

Loki winced internally as he heard her groan. He knew he was doing awful job of talking his way out of this situation, but he kept trying anyway, "well, you know, it's true though, you can't deny that, right? I mean, girls cry at the stupidest, most random things, you've seen it, you can't deny it. Guys don't really do that nearly as often."

Once again, Doom's expression darkened and his fists clenched tighter with every word that left Loki's mouth, "are you really trying to imply that girls whimpering and sobbing is nothing more than their "random emotional outbursts"?!"

Emma now was worried for Loki now. She didn't know why, but she feared Doom would hurt him. Loki could tell that Doom's anger was intensifying with every word of his "explanation". In fact, he could practically see the hatred boiling behind Doom's mask, "well, I'm not just "implying" it, I'm saying it. You can't deny, girls tend to get emotional and cry way more easily than guys do. You know it as well as I do."

Emma whispered, "Loki," she was trying to make him stop talking. She knew this was angering Doom by the second like he wanted to punch him.

Loki glanced at Emma for a half second before looking back at Doom. He heard her warning and knew he had to stop talking, but he just couldn't help himself. Something was keeping him going, "I mean, come on, when was the last time you heard a guy cry over an emotional wreck of a drama film?"

"Loki," Emma begged, but then Doom yelled at him.

"ENOUGH!!!"

Loki's back stiffened as he heard Doom yell. He had really, really messed up now. He went totally still as he kept his eyes focused on Doom, not daring to look away as he waited for him to speak again.

Doom took a moment to calm himself and composed himself once again, "I will not stand here and listen to any more of your misogynistic nonsense, Loki. You would do yourself a favor by keeping those foolish stereotypes to yourself."

Loki just silently nodded, not trusting himself to respond. For probably the first time in his life, he was rendered speechless by fear. He was still completely stiff and unmoving, not daring to look away from Doom as he stood in place.

Doom smirked as he watched Loki freeze up and become unable to speak. He chuckled before he continued, "good. I'm glad that you've finally shut up for once. For a while, there, I thought I was gonna have to use my old methods to shut you up myself."

Emma shivered hearing Doom say that to Loki. She was now concerned for Loki. Even if Loki called himself the god of mischief. Loki heard Doom's comment about him shutting up, and he felt an icy cold tingle run down his spine. Just the idea of Doom using any of his "old methods" was enough to make him feel sick to his stomach.

"No, no, that's not necessary, I—," Loki's voice caught in his throat for a second before he managed to finish speaking.

"But you don't get to decide that." Doom snapped.

Loki felt his heart skip a beat as he heard Doom's snarky response. He could tell by Doom's tone that getting physical was becoming very much possible at the rate things were going.

Doom then turned to Emma in the cell and smirked happy to see she was here now. He decided to change the conversation to Emma, "now, I'm not gonna listen to anything more from this fool, so I'll just ask you a question instead."

Loki felt a pang of worry for Emma. Now that Doom was focusing his attention on her, he was starting to panic a little inside.

Emma shivered, "what..is it?"

Doom smirked again as he stepped closer to the cell, his eyes fixed on Emma, "well, before it was interrupted by him, we were talking about why you were crying. Care to answer that question now, child?"

Emma turned to Loki scared and back at Doom. Loki swallowed the lump in his throat as he watch Doom look at Emma with that smirk on his face. He could tell he was scaring her. He didn't like it at all.

"I-I guess I miss my friends...the Super Hero Squad," she lied.

Doom's smirk widened. He could tell she was lying. He took another step closer to the cell, "uh huh...and that's all it was? You were just crying missing your friends?"

"Yes, sir..." Emma shivered.

Doom chuckled as he shook his head slowly, "now now, lying to me won't do you any favors...I know you're hiding something. You know how I know that?"

Doom slowly began to walk closer to the cell, still staring into her eyes, "why, because no one cries as violently as you did just for missing a few friends, child. There's something more to it, something you're not telling me."

Emma shivered more, "don't come any closer!!"

Doom paused when he heard her response. He tilted his head to the side, his smirk now turned into a sly grin, "oh? And what are you going to do about it if I do, child? Hm?"

Emma shivered. She tried to grab her gadgets on her belt, but they were not on her belt. She looked and saw Loki hand them in his hands, but he also wasn't looking at her. He was looking down sadly. Emma teared up. He must've grabbed them when he hugged her comforting her earlier. But...why?

Loki felt a pang of guilt as he gripped the gadgets in his hands. He knew she was looking over at him. He desperately wanted to look back at her, to reassure her and maybe give the gadgets back, but he didn't dare take his eyes off Doom to do it. He was too worried about what Doom might do if he did.

Doom then smirked seeing her hurt all because Loki took her gadgets. Doom then grabbed her ray gun and chuckled. Loki flinched as Doom suddenly grabbed the ray gun. He could tell by his chuckle that he was up to something.

"Don't you touch that, she needs th—"

He quickly cut himself off before he finished that sentence. He didn't want Doom to get any ideas. But Doom stopped chuckling and noticed something on the ray gun. Le Noir's symbol. Loki's eyes widened a bit. He didn't think Doom would've recognized the symbol. Then again, this was Dr Doom he was talking about. Of course he'd know the symbol of a heroic "nuisance" like Le Noir. Doom turned to Emma and pointed the symbol to her angrily. Emma's eyes widened fear as Doom angrily pointed the ray gun to her, the symbol clearly visible on display.

"You care to explain to me why your little ray gun has this symbol on it?!" Doom snapped.

"It's...it's my father's symbol—"

Doom's anger intensified as he heard her response. His hands gripped tighter around the handle of the ray gun, "and who, exactly, is your father...?!"

"...Charles Becker....Le Noir..."

A deep, guttural anger filled Doom at the sound of her response. He began to shake as his eyes glowed bright, "of course he's your father! Why wouldn't your father be that infuriating nuisance Charles Becker?

"DON'T CALL HIM THAT!" Emma screamed.

Doom smirked, chuckling a bit at her outburst, "oh, did I touch a nerve there? But it's true, he is nothing more than a nuisance. A thorn in my side!"

"That's because you always targeted me!!! For so many years!!!"

Doom's smirk widened a bit, "of course I did. You know why? Because you would have been perfect leverage to use against him. After all, Charles would do anything for his precious little princess, right?"

Loki suddenly spoke up, finally looking directly at Doom this time, "let her go."

Doom stopped and looked at Loki, tilting his head to the side again as he slowly turned to look back at him, the smirk fading slightly, "and why should I do that, mischief maker? Hm? Why would I allow her to wander out of her cell?"

Loki swallowed the lump in his throat as he thought of a response that would convince Doom to let her out, "well, because it—it's clearly affecting her psychological health, keeping her in that cell..."

Doom rolled his eyes. He grabbed the gadgets form Loki and the cell keys. He was leaving but turned looking at the small rabbit fairy still trapped in the jar.

"NO!!! Please leave her alone!" Emma cried.

Loki's jaw clenched as he heard her cry out. He knew exactly what Doom was looking at, "and who's this, child? Hm?"

"She's....a kwami.."

As soon as Doom heard her describe Snowflake as her "kwami", a sinister look appeared in his eyes, "a kwami, huh? And what exactly is a "kwami", child?"

"A angel that takes the form of a fairy..." Emma replied, "they are sent to help super beings that are heroes."

The sinister look in Doom's eyes brightened, almost looking excited at the information, "a "fairy" that helps "super beings". Fascinating. Fascinating indeed...and you said she's your kwami, correct?"

"Yes. Please don't take her. Or hurt her!" Emma begged tearing up.

Doom sneered and chuckled a bit as he saw her start to tear up again. He stepped up to the jar that kept Snowflake trapped inside, "tell me...I have to ask: does your tiny little "kwami" have any specific abilities? Any useful powers? Or can she just fly around and look cute?"

Doom shrugged with a smirk as he gently tapped on the glass of the jar, "curiosity. I'm just wondering if this tiny little "fairy" has an usefulness to her. After all, she is your "kwami", is she not? If she's your kwami, she must certainly has some sort of ability that would explain why she's your kwami."

"....electricity and creates force fields." Emma looked down.

Doom's smirk turned into a sinister grin as he heard Emma describe Snowflake's powers, "ah, she can generate electricity and create force fields. How very interesting. Quite a useful little "kwami" you have there, child. But what's the limit to her powers, hm? Do you know, Emma?"

"Well if she doesn't have enough carrots she...she is weak...," Emma looks down. She knew now what Doom was doing, "please don't take her!"

Doom chuckled. He seemed to be enjoying this, "and where does she get her "carrots", child? Hm? Where does she recharge so she doesn't become so "weak"?"

Loki stepped forward again, getting between Doom and Emma this time. He glanced back at her for a half second before looking back at Doom, "you're not taking the rabbit, Doom. No way."

Doom smirked again and chuckled at Loki's firm denial, "is that so, mischief-maker? And who's going to stop me from taking this "kwami"? You?"

Loki clenched his jaw. Doom was purposely challenging him. He didn't know if he could do anything against him. He was the ruler of an entire country after all. But still, he had to try, "yes, me. I'll stop you."

As soon as Snowflake appeared in Loki's hands, Doom's eyes went wide and a look of anger and surprise overtook his expression, "what the—?!"

Doom whipped back around and fixed his glare on Loki. He had immediately caught on to what he had done, and he was furious, "MISCHIEF-MAKER! Give me that "kwami" back, NOW!"

Loki was shaking, desperately trying to appear calm. He knew he had just signed his own death warrant with that little stunt, but at least he got Snowflake out of the jar and away from Doom, even if it was only for a few minutes, "I don't think I will, old friend. I can't let you take her."

Snowflake flew to Emma and she smiled holding her close, but then they both heard Loki screamed as Doom grabbed him by the collar of his suit.

Loki grunted and winced as he felt Doom yank him off his feet and by his collar. It was painful. His eyes widened with fear when he saw the anger glowing in Doom's eyes. He could tell by the look on his face that he was ready to kill him right on the spot, "Doom, wait, we can discuss this—"

Before Loki could finish that sentence, Doom slammed him against the wall. Loki's eyes widened again and he gasped in pain as he was smashed against the wall, "oh, there's quite enough discussion, mischief-maker. You knew what you were doing when you took that "kwami" from me, didn't you?"

Emma gasped. She rushed to the cell door, "STOP!! Leave him alone!!"

Doom turned his gaze to Emma as she rushed to the cell door, "shut it, child. This is not your business."

He then turned his attention back to Loki. He still had him pinned to the wall, still by his collar and his feet hovered in the air.

"LEAVE HIM ALONE!!!" Emma yelled again and shook the bars. "DON'T HURT HIM!!"

Doom slowly turned his head to look back at her again, this time with a look of irritation on his face, "what did I just say, child? This is not. Your. Business. And if you continue to persist, I will find a way to silence you. Permanently."

"IT IS MY DAMN BUSINESS!!! He's my friend!!!"

Doom snarled at her outburst, his grip on Loki's collar getting tighter and tighter as he grew angrier and angrier the longer she spoke to him like that, "I said keep your mouth shut! I'm sick and tired of hearing you speak!"

"THEN LET HIM GO, METAL BRAIN!"

Doom's eye twitched as he heard her new nickname for him. He'd about had enough of her insolence and her outburst, "that's it, I'm done with you, child! I've let you speak for far too long!"

Doom threw Loki down and unlocked the cell and dragged her out. Snowflake rushed over to shock him, but Doom swatted her away like a fly and she hit the wall. "SNOW!!!"

She whined and squirmed as he dragged her out of the cell.

"Let go of me!!"

Loki grunted again as he was thrown down to the ground like a rag doll. He tried to push himself up, but winced just as quickly. He looked over at Snowflake and his eyes widened again as he saw Doom swat her away, "Snowflake!!"

Snowflake pushed herself up and pointed to Doom and Emma silently telling him to go save her. Loki immediately nodded, fully understanding what Snowflake wanted him to do. He tried to push himself up again as quickly as he could despite the pain. He managed to push himself into a sitting position to watch what was about to happen. He just hoped he could get up fast enough to help Emma before Doom did something terrible.

"LET GO OF ME!!" Emma yelled at Doom.

Doom just ignored her as he pushed her through the halls of the castle. He tightened his grip on her arm as he led her through the winding halls. As they walked, he looked down at her with a sinister smile creeping across his face as he spoke, "such bravado you have, child. So much confidence that comes with such a strong will and attitude...it's almost admirable."

Doom chuckled arrogantly as he felt her struggle. He was enjoying how difficult it was for her to get away from him, "yes, keep struggling. It'll only make this so much more entertaining when you realize how wasted your effort is."

Doom stopped, his grip on Emma loosening slightly as he heard Loki's voice ring out from behind him. He turned his head to look back at him. He chuckled again as he met Loki's glare, "how admirable. You think you're actually going to save her, mischief-maker? How precious."

Loki finally managed to push himself up all the way and fixed his gaze on Doom and Emma. He slowly started to make his way over to them, his hands clenched in determination.

"And I must say, you're quite a determined one, too...aren't you "mischief-maker"? Trying so hard to stop me and to save this little girl. How very heroic of you," Doom smirked.

Doom suddenly stopped, realizing he was rambling. He shook his head and focused his attention on Loki as the younger man approached, "come to rescue poor, defenseless "princess" Emma, have you? So brave. So admirable. Do you truly think you can best me, in the condition you're in?"

Once Loki came up to him, Loki punched Doom hard in the face as Doom laughed.

Loki grunted as his fist connected with Doom's face. But immediately, his eyes widened as Doom started to laugh. Despite the strength behind that punch, Doom didn't even flinch. He continued laughing and shook his head, "did you really think that would do anything to me, "mischief-maker"? So predictable, Loki."

When Doom finished laughing, he turned his head to look back at Loki with a sinister smile, "I should really teach you a lesson for that. And her too, for her insolence. She's clearly too arrogant and needs to be shown her place."

Emma panicked when she heard him say then tried to get away.

Once again, Doom tightened his grip on Emma to stop her from running. He chuckled again as she struggled to break free. At this point, he was having far too much fun with the whole "cat and mouse" game he was playing with Loki, "no, no, no, don't move, child. I'm not done yet. I have a lesson to teach you, remember?"

Loki frowned and growled at Doom.

"Something wrong, mischief-maker? Does my lesson plan bother you?" As Doom said that, he smirked at Loki. It was clear that he was enjoying how much he was getting under Loki's skin, "does it bother you that I'm going to teach your precious little "Emma" a lesson right in front of you? That I'm going to teach her that she is not as powerful or as important as she thinks she is? Hm? Would that bother you, mischief-maker?"

Emma teared up shaking. Doom looked down at her and taunted her. Loki had enough and yelled at Doom.

"aw, don't cry, princess. It's not like it'll make any difference anyway. Your tears won't save you." Doom taunted,

Loki snapped once he heard that last part come out of Doom's mouth. All the self control and restraint he had suddenly vanished. He stormed up to Doom again and grabbed a hold of the collar of his armor, "Enough! Don't you dare speak to her like that, Doom!"

With a firm grip on Doom's armor, Loki looked him straight in the eye with a look of anger and rage. He was fed up. Doom had insulted him, insulted his name, and now he was taunting a young girl and making her cry. It was time to stop holding back.

"Loki! Unhand me! I'm your boss!!!" Doom yelled.

Loki ignored him and refused to loosen his grip on Doom. Despite the fact that Doom was technically the leader of their little "team", he was still a self-centered, power hungry asshole. If he could, he would have thrown a punch at him again, "like hell you are! You don't get to do whatever you want, Doom! You don't get to just order everyone around because you're the "leader"!"

Loki's other hand clenched into a tight fist at his side as he continued to snarl at Doom. His eyes were burning with anger. It was clear that he was moments away from throwing a punch at him, consequences be damned.

"Loki! If you that, he will hurt you!!" Emma cried out.

Loki paused, almost as if he suddenly remembered that Emma was there. He quickly looked over at her, his gaze softening just a bit as he saw she was crying again. He knew she was right, and he knew he couldn't do anything too drastic. But that didn't mean that he couldn't stand up to him. He slowly turned back to Doom and scowled at him, "let her go, Doom. Right. Now."

Doom growled. He dragged her back to her cell where Snowflake was still at and threw her in. "I will let her go...but I won't let her leave this hideout."

Loki gritted his teeth as Doom threw her into the cell, "fine. You have yourself a deal, Doom. Just don't touch her.

"I can do whatever I want with that girl," Doom grabbed Loki by his neck choking him, "if you tell me again, I will take you to a bad dimension that I think you aren't a fan of~." Doom smirked.

Loki grunted and struggled to breathe as Doom grabbed him by the throat, "hrk! D-damn it Doom! Let me go! I...promised...I wouldn't...do anything..."

He desperately tried to get free of Doom's grip. But damn it, the man was strong with or without the armor.

Doom chuckled as he watched Loki struggle. He was enjoying tormenting him with his own promise and not living up to it, "aw, is it hard to breathe...for you, mischief-maker?"

"Stop! You're hurting him!!!" Emma screamed.

Doom chuckled again and turned his head back to look at Emma as he continued to hold Loki up by his neck, "oh, I have to say, I'm quite enjoying this so far. Watching him struggle, watching him squirm...it's quite entertaining, actually."

He chuckled again and tightened his grip on Loki's throat a bit more.

"What do you want!? I will do anything!!!"

"Anything? For him? You just met him," Doom chuckled.

"I still don't want you to hurt him!!! A life is a life!"

Loki couldn't do or say anything as Doom continued to torment him. He was starting to actually feel the effects and he could feel himself growing weaker the longer this went on.

Doom chuckled at her desperate request. He was clearly enjoying all of this way too much, "anything, you say? Hm~? That's a rather desperate plea, child. You're willing to do anything for the "mischief-maker" here?"

"...yes. Anything for him."

Doom chuckled again, impressed and amused by her response. He was enjoying how far she was willing to go to help Loki, despite the fact that they had just recently met. It was almost admirable, "hm~ how interesting. You've only just met him, and yet you're this willing to help him. Why is that, I wonder?"

"Because I care for any life. If you hurting a child I didn't know, I would do anything still!!"

Doom chuckled again and nodded his head in understanding. He was also starting to grow more impressed and a bit curious about this young girl, "I see...you care about life. How very admirable of you, child. But surely, you must care about some life more than others? Especially that of a "mischief-maker" like him?"

"JUST LET HIM GO!!!" Emma screamed.

Once again, Doom chuckled at her outburst. He was clearly enjoying watching her get frustrated and emotional over all of this. Then he smirked as he spoke again, "and why should I, "princess"? Why should I let him go? Hm~?"

"He still has family...even if his brother and him are enemies, Thor would be upset!!! Would you be upset if someone killed someone in your family...like your mother?"

Doom immediately dropped Loki once she mentioned his mother.

Loki immediately coughed and gasped and clutched his throat as soon as Doom let go of him, desperate for air. It took a moment for him to regain his composure before he slowly pushed himself up, "cough, hrk! cough, y-you... cough, bastard..."

His eyes widened as he heard Emma mention Doom's mother. Was she really going to use that against him?

Doom was silent for a moment as she mentioned his mother. His eyes widened slightly, taken off guard by the mention of her, "how do you know about her...?"

"Well when your henchmen brought me here an hour ago...a I saw a painting on the wall in one the hallways...she wore a suit armor as well, but grey hair and older. I assumed she was your mother..."

Doom's eyes widened again as she told him how she saw a picture of his mother. His mother...his mother was a sore subject for him. He never spoke about her, and no one in the hideout ever mentioned her to him. Or at least, they didn't when he could hear them. So how did this girl notice,

"You...you saw a painting...of my mother?"

"Y-yes...."

Doom's arms went through the bars and grabbed the collar of her suit.

Loki's eyes widened again as he watched Doom reach through the bars and grab her by the collar of her suit, pulling her up against the bars, "Doom, no! Let her go!"

Emma squeaked and was completely terrified. She grabbed his wrists trying to pry him off. MODOK and Abomination came down talking with Mole Man when they heard and saw the commotion. The three of them immediately ran to intervene.

Mole Man and Abomination were clearly startled and confused, while MODOK just looked annoyed as they spotted Doom manhandling Emma in her cell, "Doom! What's the hell are you doing down here?"

Loki gritted his teeth as he spoke up, his voice still a bit hoarse from being choked earlier. He glowered at Doom, clearly furious at the way he was handling her, "he's grabbing her by the collar and scaring her half to death! Let her go!"

Abomination and MODOK both lunged at Doom and started pulling on his arms, trying to get him to let go of her.

Abomination then yelled, "Doom! You're going to hurt her! Let her go, damn it!"

"Please, lord Doom, she's scared!" Mole Man said.

Doom grunted and stubbornly held onto her for a moment, glaring at them as they tried to pry him away from her, "she should be scared! All of you should be scared!"

As he said this, he started to slowly loosen his grip on her, looking like he was about to let go. Emma then screamed. She was too terrified now and tried to pry him off, Loki finally lunged in helping MODOK and Abomination.

Loki, Abomination, and MODOK finally managed to force Doom to let go of her, Loki grabbing onto her and pulling her away. Doom just grunted as he let go, glaring at them all again.

Abomination turned to Doom and yelled at him, "damn it, Doom! What the hell is your problem?!"

Emma sat on the floor curled in a ball and rocked herself as she sobbed and whimpered. Loki quickly teleported into the cell and sat down beside her. He wrapped an arm around her and pulled her into a tight but gentle hug, trying to soothe her sobs and to bring her some comfort, "it's alright, child...it's alright. Shh..."

MODOK at this point was steaming with anger. He never usually did this to his boss, but he was angry. He turned to Doom and yelled, "Doom! What in the hell is wrong with you?! What the hell were you thinking, grabbing that girl like that and scaring her like that?! What has gotten into you?!"

Mole man nodded agreeing with MODOK. He was surprised by his friend's outburst, but he agreed. Abomination nodded as well, looking equally as surprised and alarmed by MODOK's outburst. Doom himself was also taken off guard by his "right-hand-man" yelling at him. He quickly composed himself and scowled at all three of them.

"I was simply teaching the girl a lesson! She needs to learn what happens when you insult and defy me! Someone needs to show her that!" Doom yelled.

As soon as she started sobbing harder, Loki held her tighter and moved one hand against her head, gently stroking her hair to soothe her. He cast a quick glare over at Doom, his eyes burning with anger and defiance. He didn't like the way Doom was treating her, and he certainly didn't appreciate Doom trying to "teach" her a "lesson". He needed to get her out of this place, and soon.

"You're not teaching her anything except to be afraid of you, Doom! You need to back off!"

Once again, Doom was alarmed and taken aback by MODOK's yelling. He was not used to his "right-hand-man" questioning or challenging his behavior. But he quickly shook himself out of his state of shock and scowled again.

"I will do as I damn well please, MODOK! You do not order me about!"

He turned his scowl to Abomination and Mole Man, "and neither of you get to give me orders! The girl needs to learn who's in charge around here, and that is me! So I will handle this situation how I see fit!"

He was getting angrier and angrier as he spoke, and he was starting to look like he was about to lose his temper. A vein was even starting to pulse on his forehead from the exertion he was putting himself through with his yelling and gesturing.

Meanwhile back at the Super Hero Squad Hellicarrier.

"She's not here!" Reptil called out.

"Ghosty not here either!" Hulk said looking in the laundry.

Ms Marvel was now getting worried.

Everyone had been searching around the whole ship. And yet, there was absolutely no sign of Emma anywhere. No one had seen her, and she had seemingly disappeared without a trace. No one was quite sure what to think.

Ms Marvel spoke in a worried mother tone, "we've looked everywhere...and we still haven't found her. What in the...how did she just...disappear like that?"

Iron Man went over to the computers to check the security cameras. "Just as I thought...she and Snowflake got kidnapped. By MODOK and Abomination!!!"

Captain America spoke up, "What do you mean, Tony? MODOK and Abomination kidnapped her and Snowflake?"

Iron Man quickly looked at the footage showing MODOK and Abomination taking Emma and Snowflake, getting more information, "they definitely seem to be the ones who took them. But...why would Doom let his henchmen take them? Something's fishy here..."

"Well ok then, let's bust in and save the kid!" Wolverine said, "time to—"

Everyone in the Squad quickly protested the plan Wolverine was about to propose. They all talked at once, sounding alarmed and/or exasperated by the suggestion.

Ms. Marvel held her hands up, "woah woah woah! We're not just going to charge in there and storm the place! That's a terrible plan!"

Falcon jumped infront of Wolverine, "wait a minute, how about we think this over before we do something rash or reckless?"

Hawkeye nodded, "yeah, you ever heard of a damn strategy, Wolvie?"

Iron Man nodded, "for once, Hawkeye actually makes a good point. Charging in there and just blindly taking on Dr. Doom is certainly not the brightest idea."

Hulk nodded, "agreed. Need smart plan."

Everyone quickly nodded in agreement with Hulk. Although it pained them to do so, they knew it was smarter to think this over rather than just rush in.

"But we are wasting time to think of one!" Wolverine said.

Thor nodded agreeing with Wolverine.

Captain America sighed and shouted, "listen! I know this is a time-sensitive situation. We can't just sit around and debate the pros and cons while Emma and Snowflake are stuck with Doom. But if we want to have a chance of getting them back unharmed, we have to come up with a plan. And I sure as hell know that a no-holds-barred charge into Doom's lair is not a plan."

"By my father Odin's beard, our soldier friend speaks the truth, my dear friend. As much I want to save my lady, we have to think of this—"

Thor was interrupted by an alarm. Something was going wrong in the city.

"Damn it!" Iron Man cursed, "we will think of one while we fight. It looks like Abomination is causing trouble at the water plant. Maybe they found a fractal. It's probably the only reason why he is doing this."

The rest of the Super Hero Squad groaned as they heard Iron Man's explanation of a fractal being the reason for Abomination's actions. It seemed like the entire city was at risk, on top of the already present danger of Doom and his henchmen kidnapping Emma.

Captain America, "alright. We're going to have to split up for now. Half of us will go deal with Abomination, the rest will keep thinking of a plan to save Emma."

"Alright, Cap, you, Ms Marvel, and Hawkeye get the fractal with Hulk. The rest of us will think of a plan." Iron Man said.

Captain America nodded, "got it. Let's move."

Captain America, Hawkeye, Ms. Marvel, and the Hulk then rushed off to go rescue the fractal and deal with Abomination. The rest of the Super Hero Squad were left behind, all having looks of unease and concern plastered on their faces.

Later that night. Modok came down with some food to give to Emma. She was still shaken up from earlier. He was starting to feel bad, but kept the villain persona in check.

Emma looked up as Modok approached her cell, watching as the short but strong doctor set down a tray in front of her. She was still sitting in a balled-up position, looking very shaken and wary. Despite everything that had happened, Modok could tell she was still more worried about Loki's well-being than her own.

"...is...Loki ok?"

Modok nodded as he looked down at her, an odd sense of pity for her suddenly rushing through him. He quickly squashed it down, reminding himself that he was supposed to be a "villain" and her "enemy", and it wouldn't do him any good feeling sorry for her, "he's just fine, child. Doom didn't hurt him all that much. He's sore, but he'll survive."

Modok watched her nod and sniffle with another pang of pity. He reminded himself once again that this girl was supposed to be his prisoner, he wasn't supposed to feel bad for her. But he just couldn't help himself. She had done nothing to them, (except attacked them because she was self defending herself), and yet she was the one locked up in a cell and being treated like dirt.

"...you should eat something. You need to keep up your strength."

"It's not...drugged is it?" Emma asked.

That question surprised and alarmed Modok. Why would she think the food was drugged? And why would she think he would drug it? "what? No, no...of course it's not drugged. Why would you even think that?"

"...I thought Doom would something like that....not you."

Modok's sense of pity and alarm skyrocketed at her statement. She was actually starting to trust him enough to think that something was wrong on the sole basis that Doom would have been the one to do it? And that she didn't think it'd be him? "...you...you actually trust that I wouldn't do something like that?"

"I really can't see it in you for you to do that."

Modok was stunned. This little girl had only known him for maybe a day or two at the most, and yet she had no trouble trusting him? Didn't she know that he was supposed to be one of her captors? She was supposed to see him as her enemy, not someone to trust. And yet he found himself feeling honored by her trust at the same time, "...you...don't think I'd do something like that? Why?"

"You...saw I was scared when Doom attacked me. Usually henchmen just laugh or watch it happen..."

Modok's heart panged as she said that. It broke his heart to hear her say that henchmen would just laugh or watch something like that. And she'd just accepted that as normal. He knew Doom and the rest of the henchmen were assholes, but to hear it all said out loud like that...

"...yeah, I saw how scared you were. I...I didn't like seeing you like that."

"I know you're not a monster like him. You don't try to be."

Modok was touched by her comment. Someone...actually trusting him and not thinking that he was a monster, like Doom? He couldn't remember the last time someone had any sort of positive, genuine opinion about him.

"...you really think that?" He was trying not to sound too emotional, in an effort to keep that "villain" image going for now.

"No," Emma made a soft smile. "Why did you become a villain anyway?"

Modok was not expecting her to suddenly ask such a question. He'd never really thought about why he'd become a "villain" before. He'd kind of just...done it. But he suddenly found himself starting to think about why he'd decided to take that path, thanks to this little girl's query, "...that's a good question. I've never really thought about it before. To be honest, I guess...I guess I just never had a choice. I just...fell into villainy."

"Just fell into it?" Emma giggled softly.

Modok chuckled as well. Her giggling at his explanation of "falling" into villainy had been unexpected, and also kind of funny, "it's true. Just sort of...happened. I never really had much of a choice about it. And once you're in the world of villainy, it's not the easiest thing to get out of."

"...I'm sorry."

Modok's heart panged again as she said that. She'd suddenly gone from giggling about his explanation to sounding sorry for him. How the hell did this little girl have such an effect on him? "...why're you apologizing?"

"I feel bad for you. I mean I think it would be hard to get out of a life of a villain. Kinda like it would be hard to stop smoking."

Modok chuckled again at her comparison to being a "villain" to smoking. It was actually an apt comparison, now that he thought about it. He hadn't really thought about how hard it would be to stop being a "villain" before. He just sort of accepted that this was his life. He also found it amusing that she felt sorry for him over it, "yeah, I guess that really is a good comparison. Although it doesn't really make me feel any better. And you still didn't answer my question. Why're you feeling sorry for me?"

"I guess, maybe because I see you really don't want to hurt people, but you also have no choice...or...Doom might hurt you...I've seen what he has done to Loki. Makes me wonder if he has done the same to you and the others..."

Modok was again shocked at how perceptive and empathetic this girl was. She hadn't been around the henchmen or Doom much at all, and yet she'd already picked up on how Doom treated his "minions" and figured he might've hurt him and the other henchmen, "...yeah, Doom has done the same to the rest of us. You know, for someone who hasn't been around us too much, you sure are observant and empathetic."

"I have been around a lot of people like you guys. Not villains, but people in abused relationships or households..."

Modok's heart panged as she said that. So her empathy and observational skills came from being around other people who dealt with abuse?

"...you've been around people like us a lot, huh?"

Emma nodded sadly.

Modok once again felt a surge of pity at her nodding and sad expression. So she had been around people like him a lot...

"You've seen a lot of other people be abused? And you've seen a lot of people not be able to stand up to their abuser?"

"Yes. My cousin on my mom's side, he's one of them."

Modok's heart panged yet again as she revealed that. She'd seen all this firsthand from her own family, "...your cousin was abused? And you saw all of it?"

"Yes, but I was too young to stand up. I told my father about it and intervened the abuse himself."

Modok felt a sudden sense of respect and admiration for this girl. She had witnessed her own family member be abused, and, though she'd been too young to intervene herself, she had gone to someone who could.

"I'm guessing that your father put a stop to the abuse, huh?"

"As his hero persona he did. Le Noir for the second time. The first time the abuser did it again."

Modok paused for a moment as he heard her explanation. Her father had used his powers as a "hero" to stop the abuse? That was a rather interesting thing to note, "...wait. Your father is Le Noir?"

Emma nodded, "I'm sure Doom told you about him when you first joined after he passed."

Modok now paused for a moment for a different reason. He suddenly remembered what Doom had said about Le Noir. That he was an "irritating do-gooder" who "stood in his way all the time"

"...yeah. Doom's told me a few things about your father. How his "heroism" tends to get in his way a lot."

"Yeah...well that's my dad of course.
He had to do what was right."

Before Modok and Emma could continue talking they heard Doom call for him from upstairs.

Modok suddenly tensed up as he heard Doom call out for him upstairs. This couldn't be good. He had a feeling he knew what Doom was going to say. He looked back at Emma before he responded, "...I guess I have to go see what he wants. I'll be back, ok?"

"Ok...if you see Loki, tell him...I'm praying for him."

Modok smiled softly as he heard her words. She was so caring. Even as a prisoner, she still found room to worry and be caring for others, "...I will let him know. I promise."

After he left, Emma was left alone. She worried about Snowflake and even Loki.

Modok appeared to Doom in his throne room.

Doom looked up as Modok entered the room, a calculating and yet irritable look on his face, "Ah. There you are. Come here, my little lackey. I have a job for you."

Modok swallowed hard, not looking excited to hear what "job" Doom was about to assign him. He had a sickening feeling it was going to be something he did not want to do, but he had no choice but to approach Doom and listen.

"Y-yes, lord Doom?"

Doom looked at him with his usual air of superiority and contempt as he spoke, "My little "guest" needs a guard to watch her while I'm off "handling some business" for a few hours. And I'm certain that *you* will be the perfect guard for her."

"Me? Why not Loki?"

Doom looked rather irritated and somewhat annoyed by Modok's suggestion, "Loki is still quite sore and wounded at the moment. He's unfit to guard my "little guest". You, on the other hand, are perfectly healthy and capable for guarding her."

Modok clenched his teeth as Doom said that. He didn't want to guard the girl. He hadn't hurt her yet, but now Doom wanted him to hold her hostage too? It was bad enough that he had to help kidnap her and lock her away. Now he had to guard her...this wasn't going to end well, "...you...want me to guard her then...?Why not Abomination? Surely he's big and strong." Modok asked.

"Well that's the problem, I sent him out to distract the Super Hero Squad."

"Mole Man?"

"He's guarding the rabbit fairy." Dr Doom explained.

Modok felt his heart sink as Doom continued to shoot down all of his suggestions on other "minions" to use "guard" the girl. There was no way he could get out of doing this. And he really didn't want to, "...you're really going to make me guard her, ain't you...?"

Doom smirked as he saw the resignation in Modok's face. He knew that he had trapped him in this situation. Either he guarded the girl, or he risked making Doom pissed off at him, "I am going to make you guard her. And I'm counting on you to make sure she doesn't escape. Can you do that for me, my little lackey?"

Modok didn't want to say "yes". The thought of having to guard that girl, who was such a sweet, harmless and innocent person, against her will and not let her escape was making him nauseous. But he had no choice. If he refused, Doom would punish him, and that could have an effect on how he treated the girl too, "...yes. I will guard her. And I will not let her escape."

*Doom's smirk grew once he heard Modok's "answer". He was sure that he had his little lackey right where he wanted him. But Doom was also slightly concerned. Modok was such a soft and "wimpy" villain. Would he really be able to make sure the girl didn't escape? "Are you certain you're up to this? I don't want you to fail in guarding and ensuring my guest does not escape. I'd be quite angry if you failed in your task, you know."

Modok winced as Doom said all that. He was questioning his ability to guard and "control" the little girl. He was obviously concerned that Modok wasn't "tough" enough to keep the girl under his control and keep her from escaping. Part of Modok wanted to reassure Doom that he could do the job...but another part wanted to fail, "...I promise I won't fail you in your task, sir. I'll keep the girl under my watch and control. She won't escape. I'll make sure of it."

Modok then left, but he stopped by to check on Loki. Mole Man was there and Snowflake was out of the jar nuzzling close to Loki who was asleep. Modok paused as he saw Loki asleep, with the little fairy nuzzling him as he slept. That sight immediately made his heart pang again, both at the sight of Loki being hurt and asleep and at the adorable sight of the tiny fuzzy being nuzzling against him. He looked over at Mole Man and spoke quietly.

"...is he asleep or unconscious...?"

Mole Man looked up as Modok asked that. He observed Loki's still body and spoke in a low, quiet voice as well, "He's asleep. I just gave him something to help him rest. It really should help speed up his healing process."

Modok sighed, "when he wakes up, can you tell him that Emma is praying for him?"

Mole Man nodded as he listened to Modok's request, "You got it. I'll pass your message on to him."

Modok gave a small, grateful smile at that, before looking once more at Loki and the little fuzzy fuzzy creature nuzzling against him. His heart still felt pained at the sight. This all still felt wrong. This wasn't right, and deep down he knew it. But he had to keep all these emotions and thoughts inside for now. He didn't want to give anything away to Mole Man.

Mole Man patted Modok's arm and Modok smiled seeing Mole Man was comforting him. They maybe villains but they all cared for each other. Modok then left and head down to the dungeon. There Emma had eaten a little of the supper he left her. But not much.

Modok observed this as he entered the room. He felt his heart pang again as he saw her sitting in the corner, obviously not having eaten much. And knowing that she didn't have much of an appetite made him feel even more guilty and sick. He slowly walked closer to her, speaking softly as he approached, "...you not hungry, kiddo?"

"I guess my fear is causing my lack of appetite...," Emma replied still looking down.

Modok felt his heart pang again as he heard that. She really was scared. She was scared enough to even lose her appetite. He slowly sat down on the floor of the cell opposite her, putting his hands in his lap and sighing as he spoke, "...yeah, that makes sense. You've been in a scary, stressful situation for a while now. That can mess with your appetite."

"Is Loki ok? And Snowflake?" Emma asked looking up.

Modok gently smiled as he listened to her concerns and questions. He was again astonished and touched on how empathetic and sympathetic she was. Even now that she was a prisoner, she was still worried for others, "Yeah, Loki's asleep right now. He got a little something that helps speed up his healing process. And Snowflake is fine too, don't worry. She's currently nuzzling against him on the bed."

"She must be worried about him as much as I am..."

Modok chuckled at her comment. The poor little bunny really was worried about Loki. He also chuckled remembering some of the expressions he caught on the little creature's face earlier. He smiled again as he spoke, "Yeah, that bunny is terrified of losing him. She's been nuzzling the side of his face practically the whole time."

Emma giggled. She then dropped her smile, "why aren't they coming?"

Modok assumed she meant the Super Hero Squad. "Doom sent Abomination to distract them with some others like Thunderball and Toad...but I fear Doom is going with them."

Emma looked at Modok, "is that why you are guarding me?"

Modok nodded gently at her question. Her assumptions were correct. That's how he ended up being the one to guard her. Doom was personally leading the other "minions" in distracting and fighting off the Super Hero Squad, "Yeah, I'm guarding you because the others are going to confront the Super Hero Squad. And Doom is going with them too."

"Something tells me they won't help Loki. I want them too. But him being a villain, they might not." Emma looked down.

Modok thought about that for a moment as she said that. Her thoughts were correct. He was almost positive that the Super Hero Squad would not offer any help or concern to a "villain" like Loki. They probably wouldn't care about his injuries at all. He could tell from the girl's expression as well that she knew that too, "...yeah, I had that feeling too. They likely won't care about Loki being injured."

"But if Loki finds a way to help me and Snow escape, promise me something, Modok?"

Modok looked at Emma again curiously as she spoke. What was she going to ask? He could sense desperation in her voice as she spoke about Loki somehow helping her and the bunny get away. He spoke with concern as he answered her, "...what is it you want me to promise you, kiddo?"

"Promise me you won't tell Doom that Loki was the one that helped us escape. Or anyone else that helped. Please give me your word?" Emma pleading looking in his eyes.

Modok was again surprised by the girl's plea. She still wanted to make sure that someone that helped her and the bunny escape would not get any "punishment" from Doom for it. This girl was so empathetic and generous. He swallowed hard, then sighed and nodded gently as he spoke, "...I promise. I won't tell Doom that Loki was the one that helped you and Snowflake escape. And I won't tell any of the others either. I give you my word."

Emma smiled, "I know Loki can take care of himself, but I know deep down Thor would be hurt if something happened to his brother, even if he is a villain." Emma then hugged Modok. "Thank you, Mo."

Modok felt his heart pang once more as he listened to her say all that. She really was such a sweet and empathetic girl. He gently patted her back as she hugged him, a small, tired smile on his face, "You're welcome, kiddo. And you're right. Thor really would be upset if something happened to Loki. But you don't have to worry too much, ok? Loki's a tough guy. He can take care of himself."

Emma nodded and smiled. She then kissed his nose.

Modok felt a surprised but genuine smile form on his lips as she kissed his nose. Once again her sweet and compassionate nature was showing. But her little gesture also made him feel guilty and conflicted. Like it wasn't right that a sweet, angelic little girl like her could still remain so kind when she's being held captive as a hostage.

Modok then walked her over to the mattress on the floor of her cell and she laid down. Modok watched her as she laid down on the mattress, gently pulling the thin blanket over her. He hated seeing her sleeping on the cold, hard floor of this cell, in a "little jail room", instead of in a warm, safe, comfortable bed in her real home. It was wrong. She's such a kind and caring person, she should be in a place that reflects her goodness. Not in a place like this. But again, he had to force himself to keep those thoughts and emotions in as he looked down at her while she laid there. He had to be careful that he didn't give away any of his inner feelings. As painful and difficult as it was. He spoke to her gently as she got settled into "bed".

"...you just rest now, ok? And don't worry about anything right now. I'm right here. I won't leave you."

"Thank you, Mo."

Modok smiled again, that sincere, but also guilty and painful smile, as she thanked him. It really was a sweet nickname that she gave him. But it also made him feel even more guilty about this whole situation. Again he just nodded gently at her, still struggling to keep his true feelings hidden, "You're welcome, kiddo. ...sweet dreams."

Emma fell asleep. She was lost in her thoughts. Yes she was afraid. Deep down she was afraid of Dr Doom and even feared he would hurt her, but she was trying to stay positive. It was hard to be that way. It was even hard to stay kind and sweet to anyone while being a prisoner, but deep down, she couldn't help it. It was just her nature. She cared for people.

Emma was now dreaming. She was little again and in the garage of her home in Super Hero City watching her dad work in his new gadgets.

Little Emma watched her father quietly as he fiddled with his gadgets. She was observing him intently. Even when she was little, she knew her father was very intelligent, always working on some new invention for his business. As she watched him, she slowly approached him and spoke up innocently, "What are you doing, Daddy?"

Her father smiled down at his daughter, taking a small break from his tinkering to gently pat her head. He chuckled warmly at her question and spoke while he continued to work on his project, "I'm just working on a new creation, sweetie. You know how I like to always make new things for my business."

Little Emma smiled, "business as in as Le Noir?"

Mr. Becker chuckled again at her question. He gently patted her head again and nodded as he spoke, "That's right, sweetie. The business where I use my inventions to help people as Le Noir. I'll have this new gadget finished soon. You want to see what it does?"

Little Emma nodded. Mr. Becker chuckled as her daughter nodded at his question. He picked up the ray gun and spoke as she watched.

"Ok, watch the wall on that side, ok? There'll be a small flash when this thing goes off."

Emma giggled excitedly and did what he instructed her to do. *Mr. Becker chuckled again at his daughter's adorable excitement. He aimed the ray gun at the wall and pressed the trigger, "Ok, get ready. It's going to fire in three...two...one..."

Then the ray gun fired. There was a small, temporary, blinding white flash of light.

After the small flash disappeared, Emma could see that her father had carved the name "Le Noir" into the wall. Her father chuckled with pride as he examined his work and looked down at his daughter, "What do you think, sweetie? Pretty cool, huh?"

Emma's eyes were wide and her mouth was open in surprise and awe as she looked at the now carved "Le Noir" carving in the wall. It was incredible what her father's invention had done. She looked up at her father, still stunned, "Daddy, that's awesome! How did you do that?"

Mr. Becker chuckled once more at her excited reaction. Seeing her so amazed and enthusiastic about what just happened made his heart feel very full. He enjoyed it when she looked up to him like that. He twirled the ray gun in his hand again, a proud look on his face as he spoke to his daughter, "This little gadget I built has what I like to call a super-powered cutting beam. It can carve words, images, even other things into surfaces."

"Can it do it anything else?"

"Well...not yet, but I am putting some shock electrics in here and lazers." Mr Becker chuckled.

"Wow. Cool!" Little Emma squealed.

Mr. Becker couldn't help but chuckle once more at her reaction. He enjoyed seeing her so amazed at his work. He was going to say something when his phone started ringing from his desk. He looked over and grunted gently, "...hold on, kiddo, I need to take this. Ok?" When he answered. He was surprised. "It's for you kiddo."

Little Emma looked confused and answered. "Hello?"

"Emma! Wake up. It's time to wake up!"

Little Emma looked confused, but the voice sounded familiar.

Emma then woke up from her dream and saw Loki shaking her.

"Loki?"

Loki was by her bedside, gently shaking her. It was obvious from his expression that he was concerned. He spoke quietly as she woke, "Yeah, it's me. Thank goodness you're awake. You were mumbling a bit in your sleep, and you looked a little scared."

Loki looked at her quizzically as she said that. If she wasn't having a nightmare, why was she mumbling and looking scared in her sleep? He gently tilted his head to the side as he spoke to her, "...but you still looked scared. What were you dreaming about?"

Loki's question caused her to recall her dream and the memories and emotions of the dream rushed through her head again. She then spoke in a soft, quiet voice as she thought of the dream, "I was having a happy dream. I was reliving a happy memory with my...with my..."

Her voice trailed off as emotions began to overtake her. Thinking of the dream made her miss her father very much.

Loki watched with concern as she began to get emotional at recollection of the dream. He knelt down next her, gently pulling the blanket closer around her to make her more comfortable. He spoke softly, trying to comfort and assure her, "...your happy dream was of your father, wasn't it?"

Emma nodded.

Loki felt his heart pang as her dream was confirmed to be of her father. Remembering him was obviously very painful and difficult for the girl, but it was also extremely clear she loved him very much. He spoke softly, trying to comfort her as he gently tucked the blanket in around her, "I'm sorry, darling. I know how much of a difficult subject your father is for you."

"Thank you, Loki. You don't know how that means to me."

Loki gave her a small, sympathetic smile as she thanked him. Her gratitude was so sincere and endearing to him. He understood how important it was for her to be able to reminisce about her deceased father. He spoke gently to her as he looked down at her on the mattress, "You're very welcome, darling. It's ok to miss him. It's ok to think of him with happy memories whenever you need to, ok?"

She nodded. Loki then got up and helped her up. He came down because he was going to help her escape. Loki helped her get up as he spoke, a serious expression on his face.

"Come on, darling. It's time for us to get out of here. I have everything planned out."

"You're helping me and Snowflake escape?"

Loki nodded gently as he answered her, his eyes and expression serious as he spoke, "Yes. I am. I have figured out a way for us to slip past Doom and his minions discreetly and escape this place. So let's hurry, ok?"

"Ok. Modok even promise not to tell. To keep you safe."

Loki's eyes widened a bit at her words. Modok had promised not to tell Doom or anyone else that Loki had helped her and Snowflake escape? That was good and helpful! He looked at her again as he spoke, "Really? He did?"

"Yes," Emma nodded.

Loki was surprised and almost a little touched by the fact that Modok had actually promised her that. He let out a little sigh, then spoke again, "Well, that's good. The fewer people who know I helped you and Snowflake get out of here, the better. Anyway, come on. We need to be stealthy and get going now. Quickly."

Loki gently, but firmly, held her hand as she took it. A feeling of concern and protectiveness towards her overcame him as he felt her holding onto him tightly. He spoke quietly, gently pulling her to the open cell door.

"Ok, just remember to be as quiet as possible, ok? We will be running past a lot of the other henchmen, so I need you to be silent."

Emma nodded holding his hand tightly. Loki led her up the stairs, to the hallway, they had to walk pass the throne room. But the door was wide open. Loki stopped by the door and peeked in. Modok, Abomination, and Mole Man were in the throne room talking with Dr Doom. Loki watched Modok, Abomination, and Mole Man talking with Doom through the open door. His heart sank a bit as he saw Doom there, looking almost bored, and Mole Man looking very uncomfortable. The other henchmen were also in the room, looking at the others with a bit of curiosity or concern. He looked back down at Emma and spoke gently, but quietly to her, "...this makes things a bit more difficult. It looks like Doom and some of the henchmen are in there. It will be especially important now that you be quiet as we try to sneak past them. Got it, darling?"

Emma nodded. She looked nervous. Modok saw them escaping and glanced seeing Doom noticing, Modok had or think something fast before Doom saw them, "Uh...Doom! I have a plan to stop the Heroes!!!"

That immediately got Doom's attention, and he turned towards Modok quickly, "Hmm? ...what plan? Spill it."

Modok was suddenly at a loss for words. He was hoping that his sudden exclamation without any kind of plan would distract the other henchmen and Doom, but it seemed it wasn't working because Doom wanted to know what his plan was. He stammered a bit nervously, trying to come up with something else to say, "Ummm...well...uhhh..."

Loki assumed this was the best time to sneak past the door so he rushed passed first with Snowflake. Once he was on the other side, he held his hand out silently telling Emma to wait.

Modok continue to hesitate.

"Come on, spit it out," Mole Man said.

"Indeed, Modok. Spit out your plan and tell us quickly before I decide you are wasting my time," Doom said.

Modok stammered again, then suddenly had an idea. While trying to keep the other henchmen and Doom's attention focused on him, he glanced over at Loki, subtly signalling him to get a move on with getting the girl away, "Yes, of course. I-uh...I was thinking, maybe I can send an evil monster to attack the Heroes or something. Like we sent Abomination that one time."

"Oh and that time my cave monsters attacked when Super Mayor made that pathetic wall to keep Doom out." Mole Man added.

Doom glared at them.

Modok winced as Mole Man remembered the attack from his underground monsters and Doom glared at him and Mole Man. They really liked to bring up his failures, didn't they? Modok quickly started stammering again, "Yes...like the Abomination or Mole Man's...er...monsters. My thought has always been if we can distract the Super Hero Squad with some kind of attack, we will have a better chance of defeating them."

Before Modok could finish, Doom interrupted him, "Hmmm...that might work. It's possible another attack could divert the Super Hero Squad's attention enough to allow the other henchmen to get the upper hand.

Modok suddenly breathed a sigh of relief as Doom seemed to be buying what he was spinning. That might work to give Loki and Emma an opening to get away.

Loki then signaled Emma to follow and she did. But she tripped and fell.

"What was that?" Doom said.

Modok then started to dance and sing.

Modok did his best to look and sound silly as he continued to talk and dance. The other henchmen had turned to look in his direction as they heard the girl fall, so he had to work doubly hard now to keep their attention, and it felt kind of weird to speak gibberish and do the hokey-pokey so they wouldn't get suspicious, "Oh, nothing. I just...decided to dance. Just because. 'Now, everyone do the hokey-pokey!!'"

Doom just watched Modok as he spoke and danced around goofily, but he didn't look completely convinced by Modok's odd behavior. He continued to watch him while speaking with the other henchmen, "...that is very strange behavior...even for him."

"Yeah I don't know what's gotten into him," Abomination said.

*Doom nodded at Abomination's words, still keeping his eyes on Modok. He knew his henchman was not being entirely honest about what was going on. He was doing something. And it definitely was not dancing, "Indeed. I sure hope he doesn't have a screw loose...like Mole Man..."

"Hey!! I don't...," Mole Man then noticed something but in a flash it was gone, "that was weird."

Doom gave Mole Man a skeptical look. Was Mole Man actually seeing things, "Did you just see something, Mole Man?"

That question got the other henchmen looking in Mole Man's direction. It was a strange thing for him to just suddenly say, like he might be seeing things again. Mole Man looked at the others, confused, then answered, "I thought I did. For a moment. It looked like Emma. But then it was immediately gone."

The thought of the girl having been nearby got all of the henchman's attentions. Even Doom now looked more serious and concerned. Mole Man spoke again as he still looked around trying to see what might have been there.

He continued, "I only got a brief glance at whatever I saw before it disappeared, but I swear it looked like Emma. As hard as it is to believe, I don't think she's in her cell anymore."

Modok still was doing his best to act silly and dance around like a monkey, but now he felt like his heart was in his throat. Why in the world did Mole Man have to mention the girl by name right when Loki had just left with her? That wasn't good. Doom was going to want an explanation as to why she wasn't in her cell, "Uh...well, I'm sure your eyes are just playing tricks on you, Mole Man. You, uh, you did say you only got a brief glance."

Mole Man looked back at Modok as he made his comment. He looked a little hesitant to believe what he was saying, then spoke again,  "My eyes might have been playing tricks on me, but I'm going to check and make sure she is still in her cell. Just to be certain."

Doom listened as Mole Man said that, then nodded and spoke, "That sounds like a good idea. And when we confirm if your eyes are playing tricks or not, we'll figure out *why* you're seeing things that aren't there..."

The henchmen remained in the throne room to wait for Mole Man as he went to check on Emma's cell. Doom, however, had the feeling Mole Man wouldn't find her there, and he suspected something else might be going on since Mole Man had said his eyes were playing tricks. He suddenly started walking down the hallway in the direction that he felt Loki took with the girl.

Suddenly Emma appeared infront of him alone. "Oh darn, you caught me!"

Doom did a slight double-take as he saw Emma suddenly stand in front of him. At first, he was caught off guard by the girl suddenly being in front of him. But he recovered quickly, a slight grin on his lips as she made her comment to him, "Oh, did I? How clever of me." Then he leaned in a bit closer to her, his eyes narrowing slightly as he looked at her with a shrewd suspicion, "...what are you doing out of your cell, girl?"

"Oh uh...Mole Man let me out to stretch out my limbs. So nice he is."

Doom tilted his head slightly at her response. Mole Man was many things, but "nice" was not one of them. He certainly did not have a reputation for that. It raised his suspicions even more, "Oh, he did? Why, how unusual of him. I did not know he had such a "generous" side. I'm amazed he's so "nice" to you. So do you feel all stretched out?"

"Yes sir...I-i assume I'm gonna be punished huh?"

Doom's grin widened slightly as she said that. Again, this sweet, kind girl was a mystery. And it made him curiouser and curiouser.

"Yes. You will be punished, sweetheart. And it will be severe. But before you receive your punishment, I have one small request for you...," His voice lowered, sounding almost friendly, despite still having that deviousness to it, "...what were you doing out here? You can tell me. I promise I won't tell the others."

"Uh well...I was curious of this hideout and I thought I had myself of tho little tour."

Doom smirked as she said that. What a little sneak she was. Trying to come up with a harmless excuse for being out of her cell.

"Hmm...just a little tour. Is that so?"

He reached his hand over and gently patted her on the head, "...you're a curious one, aren't you?"

But once his hand touched her, his hand went through.

Illusions! Doom thought.

Doom jumped back as his hand suddenly went through the girl in front of him. Of course! Why didn't he realize before? This was Loki's doing! His "generousness" as he put it. How foolish of him. He now looked around, searching for the girl's actual position. She and Loki had to be somewhere nearby.

Emma and Loki were running to the exit. He then stopped and opened the door. "This is as far I can go."

Loki released Snowflake and she perched on Emma's shoulder, "but Loki—"

Emma turned to ask Loki a question, but he put his finger to his lips and spoke to her in a low, whispering voice, "Shhh...don't worry. I have a plan. I will distract Doom long enough for you to and Snowflake to escape outside. Be careful, darling, and run as fast as you can. And don't look back. Do you understand?"

Loki had his own plan for how he was going to help them escape, and he was hoping Emma would trust him enough to do what he asked.

Emma teared up. "Please be careful. If he hurts you, I—"

Loki shushed her again as he gently wiped her tears and spoke, "Shush, shush. Don't worry about me. I'm tougher than I look. I can handle it. I promise. Just trust me on that."

Then he pulled her into another quick hug, "...and I promise I will see you again someday. Ok, darling?"

He tried to give a small, reassuring smile at her as he said that.

"LOKI!!!" They heard Doom yell. Loki then turned to Emma.

Emma jumped as she heard Doom roar for Loki. This was it, the time to leave. Loki placed his hands on the girl's shoulders and spoke again, trying to reassure her, "Remember, run as fast as you can and don't look back. Ok? Can you do that for me?"

"Yes."

Loki then kissed her hand and said, "now go....Go!"

Emma and Snowflake bolted out of the hideout and went to the wall.

Loki heard Doom down the hallway and turned to face him. He braced himself as he listened to Doom getting closer. He knew this wasn't going to be pleasant, but he was determined to hold his ground until he was sure Emma and Snowflake escaped.

"Loki...what is the meaning of this?! Where is the girl?!"

Loki smirked and chuckled at the question, trying to sound casual while at the same time trying to annoy Doom a bit, "Oh, did your little "pet" escape, did she?"

"Shut your mouth, and do not make me repeat myself, Loki! Where is the girl?!"

Loki chuckled, seeing how his teasing was starting to get under Doom's skin. He smirked as he spoke to Doom, "My my, you seem a little hot under the collar of your armor, doom. Why is that? What has you so worked up? Could it be because that sweet, innocent girl slipped away from you and is probably running for her life as we're speaking?"

"What did you DO?!" Doom now was getting angrier at Loki as his taunting continued.

"What I did was help a sweet little girl get out of the clutches of a selfish, greedy, sadistic tyrant like yourself," Loki paused as he continued taunting him, knowing full well he was going to make Doom even angrier, "...I'm actually quite surprised you didn't kill her or have your goons do it for you yet."

Doom's eye twitched as Loki continued to make his little jibes and taunts. He was now seething with anger, "Silence, you insolent buffoon! I will find her, and when I do, I will make you and her pay dearly!"

Loki smirked as he listened to Doom's angry words. This was all part of his plan. As far as he was concerned, this was going well.

"Oh, please do find her, Doom. Please tell me how you'll make her pay. I can't wait to hear it!" Loki smirked again and did a little mock bow, "And I'll stand here and wait patiently for you while you continue to spout your threats of doom. Or...do you actually intend to do something to me? Go on. I'm still waiting, oh mighty Doctor Doom!"

Doom growled in anger as Loki continued to taunt him, daring Doom to attack him. He was not used to being mocked and teased like this, "You insufferable fool, you think you can make a mockery of me! That you are safe from my wrath?! I will show you just how wrong you are!" He had to stop and calm his temper down a bit, reminding himself that this was probably Loki's intention. Make him angry to distract him until that infuriating girl got away, "Well Loki, you will soon learn..."

Loki smirked again at Doom's threat. This taunting and mocking was too much fun for him. He was loving this. So Doom wanted to show him he was wrong? Loki was looking forward to seeing him try, "Oh, I'm trembling at the mere thought. I'm shaking in my boots. Whatever will you do to poor, defenseless me?"

Doom growled at Loki's continued snarky attitude. Then he suddenly lunged at him, looking to grab him by the throat. His eyes burned with rage while his hand glowed with energy, "You want to find out what I can do, you fool?! I'll show you!"

Loki was prepared for Doom's attack. He quickly ducked under Doom's outstretched arms and rolled on the floor and got back up. He turned to Doom, looking like he was getting himself ready for another go, "Is that all?! Come on, Doom! Surely you can do better than that!"

Doom snarled in his anger, not believing Loki had managed to evade him like that. He charged at him again, this time raising his energy-charged hand, a powerful ball of energy now forming in his palm. He suddenly tossed the energy attack at Loki, speaking in an angry, sinister tone, "Then how about THAT, Loki?!"

Loki was ready this time also. He easily dodged the energy attack. Then he smirked and laughed again as he watched Doom fail. Doom's anger was making him much too predictable and Loki was enjoying every second of it, "Again, Doom? Seriously? You disappoint me! You need to come up with some better tactics to try and intimidate me! You're obviously out of practice! What, Doom? Are you getting old?"

While the fight was going on, Emma and Snowflake got to the wall. There was no way to open it with her bare hands. The only way was to climb. Emma then started to climb and Snowflake flew up to the top. Emma caught her breath once she got up to the top. Suddenly she heard Loki yelling at Doom as Doom ran outside after Emma. Emma gasped seeing Doom as Doom yelled at her with Loki chasing him.

For a brief moment, Loki actually let himself get a bit distracted by the sight of Emma and Snowflake being chased by Doom. He quickly managed to compose himself and ran to his friend's aid.

"Emma! Get out of here! I'll hold Doom here!" Loki ran over and stood in Doom's way, trying to prevent him from getting to the girl, "Doom, you're not going any further!"

Doom looked at Loki in anger as he stood in his way. Loki wasn't scared of him at all. A slight shiver ran down Loki's spine as Doom spoke, his eyes burning with anger, "Out of my way, Loki! The girl is mine!"

Loki then tackled on him and the two of them wrestled in the ground. Emma then climbed down on the other side. Once she jumped down, her and Snowflake raced back to the city.

Loki tried to reach for his scepter as Doom had him pinned to the ground.

Doom pressed his hand to Loki's throat as he had him pinned, making Loki cough and choke. His eyes were bright with anger, and his voice had a tone of rage, "You insolent fool! You thought you could help that wretched girl? I will make you and her both pay for this insolence!"

Suddenly Modok, Abomination, and Mole Man rushed out. They saw him choking.

"DOOM!!! Get off of him!!" Mole Man panicked.

Doom narrowed his eyes at Mole Man who looked genuinely concerned for Loki. But Doom was not letting Loki go yet. His anger still had a firm, tight grip on him. He spoke in a low tone of rage, "You dare interrupt me?! I have Loki right where I want him! This is not your business!"

"He's still important to this team. We still get the girl!!!" Abomination said. Modok nodded.

Doom's eyes narrowed even more at Abomination's words. His anger wanted him to dismiss all of them and continue to go after the girl. But he knew there was merit to Abomination's argument. He had to remain in control and he reluctantly let up on Loki, slowly getting off of him and standing up.

"I will hold off on my revenge for now. But mark my words, Loki, you and that wretched girl will both pay for this!"

Loki got up from the ground, rubbing his throat from Doom choking him.

Doom turned toward his minions, addressing them with a cold glare.

"All of you, find that girl and bring her back! That is your new main objective, understand?!"

They all, but Modok nodded. Modok now was more worried for her. But he followed the others. He had to think of something to slow Abomination and Mole Man down to help Emma and the rabbit fairy get to the Super Hero Squad in time.

Emma and Snowflake ran through the woods, hoping that the cover of trees and foliage would help to conceal them and slow Doom and his henchmen while they tried to catch up to them.

"And remember, there is no need to be gentle about this! I want her now!" Doom ordered.

Soon the both got to the city. They looked for the heroes or even the helicarrier. Once they found the helicarrier above them hovering over Super Hero City, Emma turned to Snowflake, "Snow, can you fly up there and tell them I'm just down below?"

Snowflake nodded and flew up to the Helicarrier. Snowflake made her way up to the carrier and flew on board, immediately looking for any of the heroes on the ship. She made her way through the carrier, her eyes fluttering as her continued to fly herself around. She hoped she'd find one of the heroes soon.

The first person she found was Thor. She then tapped her little paw on the window. Thor was in the room with Mjolnir, polishing it with a cloth. He heard the faint sound of tapping on the window. He set the polishing cloth down on his nearby table and walked over to see what the cause of the sound was. Once he saw it was Snowflake, the little rabbit fairy pointed down.

Thor looked out the window to see what Snowflake was pointing at. He didn't see anything at first, until he caught a glimpse of Emma through the trees. He quickly opened the window and spoke to the little fairy as he did so.

"I see her. Is she alright? Is she injured?"

Snowflake shook her head.

"Thor, hurry! Doom and the others! They are right behind me!!" Emma cried out.

Thor nodded in response as Snowflake shook her head, relieved she was unharmed. Then he heard Emma's cry for help. He was not about to let his friend be captured by Doom.

"I'm coming, Emma! Hold on!"

With that said, Thor jumped out the window. His cape fluttered around in the breeze as he began to fly downward. He grabbed her and they both flew back up the helicarrier. Emma then cling onto him crying and sobbing once they got inside. Thor hugged the crying girl tightly, trying to comfort her.

"There, there, Emma. We have you here on the carrier. You will be safe now. No one will hurt you. You are safe with us."

He kept holding her as she cried. Emma sobbed more in his chest. Soon the others came and sighed in relief seeing Emma, but were still worried seeing her cry in Thor's chest.

Thor looked up as Captain America, Iron Man, and Ms Marvel came over. He addressed them as they looked concerned about Emma and were relieved to have her back, speaking in reassuring tone, "Don't worry, everyone. She doesn't seem like she's injured. But Doom and his wretched henchmen chased her to the carrier. We barely got away."

He gently started to run his hands soothingly through the girl's hair, trying to help her stop crying.

Emma continued to sob gripping on Thor. "I missed you...I missed you..."

Thor continued to hold her as she wept against his chest. It broke his heart to see her in so much pain. He kept talking to Emma in a calm, gentle tone, "It's alright, Emma. I am right here. You are safe now. I won't let anything bad happen to you. You have my word."

He continued to stroke her hair, trying to soothe her to help her stop crying.

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