Bodega Girl

So It Begins

The mood in the quinjet is one of both apprehension and relief.  Everyone aboard wrestles with their internal fears and self-doubt while there is a great sense of relief that the time for battle has finally come.

This time, Loki chooses to ride in the back with Mickie not willing to lose even the smallest of moments with her.  They don't have to tell him that it is his job to protect her because it is already his personal primary objective.  He will sacrifice himself, if necessary, regardless of the promise he has made to her.

He can see the fear in her eyes though she tries desperately to hide it.  Two months ago, she was a cashier at a corner market, blessed or cursed with an unusually long life, yet now she is engaged to a Prince of Asgard and is part of Thanos' end game.

Loki knows that Wanda shares his feelings.  Vision isn't just artificial intelligence, he isn't just an android, he is something more. He and Wanda have grown into something more. Two lost souls who found each other.  An overused cliché for sure, but appropriate.

The quinjet passes through the holographic projection and lands once again in front of the Wakandan palace.  The team disembarks.  Steve walks up to Loki and Thor.

"The Asgardian troops are coming through the bifrost.  Your father has requested the two of you to join him as he greets each formation."

Loki turns to Mickie.  "Are you going to be okay?" he holds both her hands.

"Go, see to your princely duties.  I'll be fine. By all accounts we have two more days.  The faster the Asgardians arrive, the faster we can put up the main shields."

Loki nods and pulls her in for a gentle kiss.  He then turns and walks toward the rainbow tower of light signaling Heimdall transporting the warriors.

"Strange would like to speak to you." Steve adds.  "He was adamant that he speak to you without Loki."

She pauses at this thought.  She remembers Strange had had a similar conversation with Tony in the movie and her heart grows cold.  She makes her way to a private room where she finds Strange floating in midair in the lotus position.  He seems to be phasing in and out as the Time Stone pulses with power.

"Dr. Strange?" she asks tentatively. "Stephen?"

Strange opens his eyes, uncrosses his legs and floats until he is standing in front of her.

"It is no accident that you are here.  Thanos had been searching for the Reality Stone for quite some time through numerous realms and realities.  He knew the only way to access the power you possess was to bring you back to this reality. So, he sent one of his minions to kill you and force your essence back to this reality."

"You asshole." Mickie whispers.

"I beg your pardon?"

"You wait until now to tell me all this? It's like I really am in a freakin' movie. The Sage character reveals all after the hero goes through HELL! How long have you known all this?"

"I have suspected for quite some time."

"Quite. Some. Time. You really are a dick." Her eyes start to darken.

"There is no need for attitude." He says cautiously.

"Yes, there fucking is! I HATE stories like this.  They piss me off."

"You need to listen to me."

"Why?" She asks.

"I have looked at all possible scenarios and come to one conclusion."

"Don't want to hear it."

"You need to listen."

"I AM the Reality Stone, as you say.  So I say that I control my reality! Not you! Not Thanos! So fuck off bitch!" She stomps out of the room.