The Dark Angel¹

2.2 𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛

"C-20 and her team went dark shortly after they jumped into the 1985 branch. All signs point to another ambush. We've grabbed enough temporal aura to know it's our Loki Variant. But which kind of Loki remains unknown." C-15 explains.

Mobius, Loki, C-15 and some minutemen and women stand in a circle for a mission briefing.

"They're the lesser kind, to be clear." Loki chimes in.

B-15 sighs. "Let me see the back of that jacket."

Loki turns around and everyone can read the word "VARIANT" printed on the back. They all look amused at that.

"Very subtle. Well done." He gives in after turning back.

"I don't want anybody out there to forget what you are."

"Oh, your only hope of capturing a murderer?" Loki counters.

"No. A cosmic mistake. And besides, we have already someone who is great at sniffling out the Variant. " B-15 states.

Loki grins. "Oh, then where is said person."

"They were on the team with C-20. That's another reason why we need to get there now." She already regrets taking him with them.

"Why are they oh so important. I doubt they have as great powers as mine or are even a Loki Variant."

Mobius steps in. "That's enough."

"Lovely" Loki comments.

"Here's the deal. When we get out on the branch, we're not just looking for a Time Criminal. We're looking for a Loki. A variation of this guy." Mobius points at Loki and shows a projection of other Loki Variants.

L6792 with Jotun blue skin.

L1247 is in athletic clothes holding a trophy

L6792 looks very much like the hulk, but more Loki.

L8914 is a mix between Loki, a goat and a gnome.

L7803 is a Viking version of Loki.

"A type we should all be very familiar with because the TVA has pruned a lotta these guys, almost more than any other Variant. And no two are alike. Slight differences in appearances, or not so slight. Different powers, although, powers, generally include shape-shifting, illusion-projection, and my favourite..."

"Duplication-casting." Loki finishes for Mobius.

Mobius closes the projection. "Illusion-projection."

"No, they're two completely different powers, actually."

"How?"

"Illusion-projection involves depicting a detailed image from outside oneself, which is perceptible in the external world, whereas duplication-casting entails recreating an exact facsimile of one's own body in its present circumstance, which acts as a true holographic mirror of its molecular structure." Loki professionally explains. "But you already knew that."

"Okay, take a breath. Noted. We're gonna break into two teams, including myself and Professor Loki."

"Why?" A minuteman asks.

"Because whoever this Variant is, we haven't been able to find him. So let's bring in an expert." he tries to reason.

"That's me." The trickster clarifies.

Loki and Mobius start to walk.

"Do I get a weapon?" Loki asks with a hint of hope.

"Nah."