Magic Mania: Book One

7

"You're teaming up with Loki the God of Mischief and you think that's a good idea?" asked Wong when Strange told him his plan.

Stephen had just opened a portal back to the Sanctum and bought Loki with him, to find Wong already waiting for him to ask about his plan. Loki had started looking around the place and Wong had taken Strange to one side to talk to him. Strange's cloak seemed to have taken a liking to Loki and was following him around, though it wasn't bringing him sticks anymore.

"Well, I know it's a bit risky," Stephen replied.

"A bit? Strange, this is the god who destroyed New York, betrayed everyone he knew countless times, and has escaped death 4 times! I don't think you should trust him."

"I've escaped death," Stephen said a little defensively. "And the Battle of New York was 11 years ago. And the cloak likes him." He gestured over to the cloak, which was hovering around after Loki like, well, a dog. What was up with this cape? Strange turned back to Wong, who wasn't amused. "Oh come on, don't you trust me, Beyoncé?"

Wong was about to say something, but then Loki took that moment to wander over to them. "It's a cool place you got here, not gonna lie."

"Why thank you," Strange said, appreciatively. "Nice to know someone appreciates my interior design skills. I see you've made a new friend?"

Loki looked behind him at the cloak which was still following him. He turned back to Stephen and Wong. "You would not believe how many times this has happened in my lifetime."

Strange laughed, and even Wong gave a little smirk.

"Oh, look, Beyoncé, you're smiling," Stephen teased him, while Wong just scowled at him in return.

"Is that his name?" asked Loki, without a hint of sarcasm. He held out a hand. "Nice to meet you, Beyoncé."

Stephen was desperately trying to keep a straight face while they shook hands.

"OK, I have to go do... Kamar-Taj-er-y stuff now," Wong said, opening up a portal. Before he walked in, he said, "Keep me posted."

When the portal closed behind him, Stephen made a strange sound like a laugh crossed with a sigh crossed with the sound of someone being strangled. Loki raised an eyebrow. He'd truly mastered that look. "His name's not really Beyoncé, is it?"