Setting the Stage

"Whoa..."

Linda froze looking at the scene in front if her as she came out of the room she and Shocket shared. Walt was already up budily pouring over documents, scrolls and tomes while making notations at the table in their adjoining suite.

She was tempted to comment on his bedhead but decided against it. At least their Captain worked hard. "First one up?"

Walt gave a slight shake of his head and without looking up pointed and said, "Nope."

Limda followed his fingers pointed direction to a comfy looking padded bench. Elyia was laying there with a blanket draped over her and a book on the floor near her dangling fingers. Linda blinked. She was wearing her dress from last night.

She looked at Walt scribbling away his shirt open and disheveled looking. It wasn't bedhead from sleeping.

She sighed. "After the party you came back, slept with out sleeping with those ladies and then worked all night, didn't you?"

"Hmm?" Walt asked without looking up then nodded and started writing. "Yes, that'd be best and be a simple transfer exchange... you say something, Linda?"

She shook her head. Maybe he worked too hard? She poured him a glass of water. "How's it coming?"

Walt nodded. "Good... tricky but good... I got several ideas on how to fix the Bifrost I just"- he froze looking up and then nodded. "It's super complicated and I need to talk with an expert to be sure of several things. I can't afford to mess this up, Linda. People are seriously counting on me getting this just right... and it could be disastrous if I get it wrong."

She smiled and nodded. Reaching out she tried to fix his hair for him. "You could probably use a catnap, shower and a cup of a hot caffeine beverage, Walt."

He chuckled and looked at himself. "Thanks, Linda. Think maybe you could rustle me up that last part? I'll try to do something about my appearance and we'll skip that first part." He blinked. "Shocket still asleep?"

She waggled her fingers. "Maybe she-"

*Thud!* There's the sound of barely muffled cursing as tge door opened and A very disgruntled Shocket exits her and Linda's room. "Grrr... fucking doors... mornin'..." she says as she made her way to the washroom.

Linda nodded. "She's not exactly a 'morning person'. Shocket Walt needs to go fir-"

She didn't even break her stride as, flipping them both the middle finger salute, she into the washroom.

Walt chuckled. "How about we change the order of those things? I'll get us morning beverages and you ladies take first crack at washing up?"

Linda smiled. "You're a wise man, Captain." She chuckled heading after her friend.

Walt nodded his head. "I learned a longtime ago to try not to fight battles I can't win. If that makes me wise then so be it."

---

"You understand that this is madness?"

Walt shook his head. "Believe it or not I've done this before."

Thor looked at him shocked. "What? When-"

"Not here," Walt said and patted the trunk of the ygdrasill. "Not this tree. Another world... and my people have a similar ceremony." He smiled. It's one of the interesting twists in your world. You grew a second world tree. It birthed itself in our sun after an odd coincidence. Your people carried here a piece of it. Planted it at the entrance of the city of Asgard and rebuilt around it. It's beautiful... and powerful. Linked to It's brother that stretches throughout the realms. If we rebuild the Bifrost and anchor it to this tree it'll work even better as they're connected. At first I started to wonder if the "Architect of the Bifrost" was the Elder known as the 'Architect'. But he's always specifically said to be a 'wizard who traveled dimensions', like myself. He's mentioned again in the records Elyia brought me as the creator of the Prismatic Bridge of Asbru as the only one who can cross the Brona's Barrier separating the two lovers who wished to be together."

Linda raised an eyebrow. "How does the story go?"

Walt nodded patting the tree. "As the two lovers promised they would pay any price, the wizard needed "two souls who long to touch". So the wizard completed the bridge while the lovers died, without having ever seen each other but joined together for eternity inside the Prismatic Bridge of Asbru."

Shocket shook her head. "As a fucking bridge? What a crap story!"

Linda shrugged. "I think it's at least a little romantic."

"Was Asbru the name of the wizard then?" Thor asked.

Walt shrugged. "No one knows. There are some who speculate that but none are certain... what is certain is that the bridge, like the Bifrost, does exist and that the wizard created both of them. The Prismatic Bridge connects two souls... and we'll make a similar connection between the two trees."

Sif joined them carrying a wrapped bundle in her arms. "I brought it." She unwrapped the sword contained within. "Hofund. My brothers sword. What is this about?"

"Well Sif," he said. "I think with it I can call the Bifrost using this small sibling tree to Yggdrasill and then anchor it... but Heimdall specifically gave you this sword. I believe your brother meant for you to take up his old post."

Sif blinked. "That... sounds just like him." She smiled and nodded without hesitation. "I'll do it with my kings permission!"

Walt smiled and nodded too... but Linda, Shocket and Thor frowned.

"That's not all," Linda said crossing her arms as Shocket pointed at Walt. "The crazy SoB wants you to impale him onto the tree with it while he hangs from it!"

"Like my Father once did to learn of runes and I did to learn how to defeat Malakith," Thor said frowning. "And what's more he wants me to ask Loki to get involved!"

That last part made Sif frown. Which was understandable. She'd witnessed and borne his mischief since childhood. Sometimes first hand as the victim like the case with her hair and so many other schemes. But- "I need Loki's expertise in this. And while Loki's record is far from spotless, there is much that has been done well as of late-"

Sif frowned. "Yes and then he turned round and became the King of Jotunheim and did little to change their ways."

Walt frowned and raised his voice. "Enough!" He sighed as everyone stared at him surprised. "Forgive me, friends... I have other ways to do this but they're dangerous. If it was simply me I'd take those risks... but I won't jeopardize the safety of Asgard and her people. I need Loki to help me in ensuring that."

Walt tiredly sits beneath the tree at its roots. "Let's get right to it, shall we? You blame Loki for becoming King of Jotunheim... but someone had to do it. A position Loki doesn't even want let alone the rest of you. It's always been about Asgard and you, Thor. Of course the Jotun keep being Jotun. Should a wolf become a hawk, or the sun become the moon simply because we tell it so? The Jotun won't change for a longtime... maybe never. They barely recognize Loki as one of them. Few actually acknowledge him as king and then only begrudgingly. Loki for all the many flaws is an Asgardian. He is your brother, Thor."

Thor and Sif both look thoughtful about those words. "You speak the truth," Thor said finally nodding. "It's not a comforting truth though... but I suppose few are."

Sif nods. "Well said like a wise king... would Loki even come?"

Walt chuckled. "Would Loki miss the chance to put on proformance?"

They both chuckled at that. "Also true," Thor said.

"There'll be no living with him afterwards," Sif said. "Loki won't let anyone forget..."

Walt chuckled. "Which is exactly why Loki will do it... and you're in luck. You don't live with him now anyway."

They laughed for that was also true.

---

"... and so now... in your time of need... you call upon me... Loki!"

Walt tried not to laugh as Loki put on the usual spectacularly, gradiose proformance. He was hardly paying attention though. "A bit much don't you think?" He asked in a whisper to Loki/Elyia next to him.

She smiled. "Perhaps but it is what's expected. Must play to your audience you know. You don't like it?"

Walt shook his head. "I didn't say that... but well, let's just say I find the directors commentary track more enlightening and entertaining, " he winked.

She smiled. "In truth so do I. Thor is tiresome and predictable as much as I. Watch in a moment he's going to say-"

Thor shook his head. "Oh brother... if only you were actually here." He threw a cup at Loki who caught it saying, "Wish granted."

Walt smiled. "Classic."

She nodded. "Thank you... but you aren't surprised. As well you shouldn't be. It's just the same old song and dance. I also find the directors commentary more engaging. And speaking of proformances your's was quite good at Yggdrasill earlier. Not great, but good. Entertaining to be sure."

Walt chuckled. "That's good. I feared it was terrible, myself. I'm not a great actor... plus I cribbed a few of Odin's lines. I doubt he minded. He was nearly as theatrical as you, my dear."

Loki/Elyia nodded. "I learned so much from him... so, you're going to hang from Yggdrasill to tap it's power and become an anchor point by using Hofund... or that's the story."

Walt nodded. "It's close to the truth actually. You said before a good lie or fiction contains some truth. We're doing the opposite and playing against type. We're burying the fiction in a web of a truths. We are fixing the Bifrost. Sif will gain the sight that Heimdall possessed as well as his position. This also has the benefit of bringing her closer to Thor again if she wants to make that play for herself-"

"A bit contrived but Thor will eat it up and she'll think herself so clever," she shrugged.

Walt shook his head. "And who was it who posed as a pretty little servant recently to advance her own schemes by trying to get closer to the one she served?"

She gave him side eye but smiled. "Touché... and now I get to be Loki who once again helps Asgard doing something Thor could not. I'm the one who returned us here, seems fitting I also gain the accolades of reconnecting us to Midgard... sorry. I meant co credit."

Walt nodded. "Which serves my end. Thor and Asgard indebted to me slightly will make them active participants in our little group project... and I do need a few more heavy hitters in my back pocket just incase." He sighed. "My roster is filling out a bit more but it's still a bit sparse. If some of the real big threats like Galactus, the Beyonders and so many more start acting up this reality will be in serious trouble. Having you and Doom on the team plus Thor and others will help if things take a turn." He shrugged. "Maybe I'm asking for trouble mixing Avengers and Cabal members but drastic times call for drastic measures... Anyway I gain access to Yggdrasill and Bifrost this way. Handy that. I shouldn't over use it though and-"

"Time to sell the other fiction as well. Your lines coming up in 3... 2...," Loki/Elyia told him smiling.

Walt blinked just in time to hear Loki say, "and this is the Midgard Wizard who counciled you on enlisting my aid?" He swept his arm dramatically to indicate Walt.

Walt stepped forward hitting his mark and lines. "I am," he said drawing himself up before Loki and staring down at him arching his eyebrow. "We have not yet had the pleasure of meeting though I know well of you, Loki Laufeyson. I am Walter Stark of-"

"No real impotance or worth noting-!" Loki butted in but Walt made an arcane gesture and his words were silenced as his mouth still moved a stunned look on his face.

"I wasn't finished speaking yet if you please," he said. "Even a young god should know better than to triffle casually with a wizard." Walt smiled enigmaticly. "As I was saying, I am Walter Stark of lands faraway in another realm entirely. Warrior, Wizard and Adventurer. Interlopers from my home wrecked mischief across the realms and I have taken upon myself the task of undoing and mitigating some of their misdeeds and preventing more of the same for the benefit of all realms."

"Perhaps you could leave him like this?" Thor smiled.

Walt smiled softly but shook his head. "I don't think so. Loki you are as clever as you are creative as well as a gifted practitioner of mystic ways and arts. What you say is true. Once again Asgard has great need of your talents and abilities. It was by your doing that allowed her people to return to home to these lands from Midgard. Working together we can repair the Bifrost and the connection between Asgard and the realms," he gestured again releasing Loki from his spell but held out his hand. "I ask you Loki... please will you join me, us, in this endeavor?"

Loki blinked and stared at the hand then looked around at all assembled before meeting Walt's gaze. He dropped his 'grandstanding' persona and said with humility and sincerity, "I have ever held Asgard in my heart. I shall be glad to join you in this in the hopes that it brings Asgard peace and prosperity." He clasped Walt's hand smiling. "Working together."

Walt smiled too as they shook. "We can do great things." They held that moment as people cheered and applauded before releasing their handshake. Walt stepped back to where he was before as Thor, predictably, descend from his throne and greeted Loki warmly now and Loki did the same.

"Not bad," he whispered to Elyia/Loki. "Not five stars but maybe four?"

She smiled while clapping and whispered. "Yes. A touch over the top... but that's good theater. You underestimate yourself, in my opinion. Let's call it four and a half stars out of five?"

Walt smiled and clapped too. "Four and a half stars for now... the show isn't quite over yet though in many ways it's perhaps the most important one."

Elyia/Lady Loki nodded. "Agreed. It helps sells the rest and establishes us as partners."

Walt nodded. "And so we begin to change the story of 'Loki' and perhaps this world... I'm looking forward to working with you but I warn you Goddess of Stories, I generally prefer 'happy' endings."

She nodded. "Believe it or not, so do I... that was the 'truth' I uncovered in the beyond. In the House of Ideas... that even the precious few 'good' Loki stories there were no Loki stories with 'happy endings'. One way or another all end badly-"

"For Loki," Walt added keeping things honest.

She nodded. "Quite... but even the 'good stories' for Loki don't end well. I want a happy ending. More than Asgard. More than my brother or my father and mothers affection and recognition. More than any of the things I wanted before... and everything I've done since has been in service of that goal one way or another."

Walt nodded. He was half tempted to collar Loki. The Loki's had figured out for themselves what the 3S 'villains' had... the need to break the cycle of "bad ends" and "game overs" on their own terms freed from the confines of their stories. And what's more Loki figured it out inside his own story! Granted his awareness of it was a bit spoty but he was a self-aware fictional character. In some ways that was zanier than characters who interact with the fourth wall! And they'd managed it on their own in a huge multilayered and compartmentalized scheme that took years to get them to this point!

Loki might actually enjoy Prime... but then again maybe not. Either way- "We're partners now... I'm trusting you Loki and I promise. I will do everything I can to help you get a good story with a happy ending."

She nodded seriously as they watch Loki and Thor embrace one another. "And I will do the same for you... partner."

[Walter Stark Penny Polendina F.R.I.D.A.Y Neopolitan Pyrrha Nikos Nora Valkyrie Yang Xiao Long Blake Belladonna Kali Belladonna Sienna Khan Willow Schnee Glynda Goodwitch Zwei Ahnassi Lifts-Her-Tail Senko Sayoko Shinozaki Roberta Cisneros Haruna Sasha Blouse Ilulu Rachel "Raven" Roth Manami "La Brava" Aiba Tsuyu "Froppy" Asui Haruhime Sanjouno Anastasia "The Baroness" Cisarovna/DeCobray Demona Mystique Pirotess Lydia Aela the Huntress Serana Mission Vao Curie Ada PAM KL-E-O Merida Gwen "Gwenom" Stacy Jubilation "Jubilee" Lee and Jennifer "She-Hulk" Walters

Will Return In

Showtime

Coming Soon]