Merciful [A Loki Fanfiction]

Planting the Seeds

Chapter Eight: Planting the Seeds

...

3rd Person

Natasha and Clint stared frustratedly at a pair of computer screens. One held a descriptive world map, while the other listed countless numbers and words.

"Try Italy," Clint muttered. Natasha rose an eyebrow.

"Why would Loki be in Italy?"

"I don't know, for the pasta?" Clint suggested. "We're running out of options here, Nat! We've checked every inch of New York, we have a face recognition program running world wide, we even have agents sneaking around the hostile countries! I don't know what to do anymore!"

Natasha was silent for a couple minutes, clicking away at the screen before standing. "Come on, Clint. Let's get outside. I'll have Agent Hill contact us if they find anything."

"Where are we going?"

"Malta," Natasha said. "We have a god to find, and this will help us cross off one more place."

...

Loki

It's all part of a plan.

But what plan? I asked, giving no outward indication of the conversation going on inside my head. You cannot believe that I will be a simple pawn in your games.

The voice laughed emotionlessly. Of course you will not be a pawn, I wouldn't dream of it. Then again, how can I be completely certain you will not betray me? Prove your loyalty, and I shall allow you equal input.

I was sick of this voice in my head, so I instead sent my mind out in search of Jaida's. As soon as I had found her, I realized that she had finally figured out how to beat Thor. I planted a small tidbit of advice in her head, practically ensuring she would win.

Jaida truly was a great fighter. She danced around Thor, frustrating him. She flitted around him like the bird she could be, reinvigorated with her new plan, constantly getting in sharp blows. Finally, Thor smirked as the barrier began sparking dangerously. Jaida noticed, and jumped away from Thor as he himself began sparking and gaining new momentum. He was cocky, though, relishing in the power and giving Jaida enough time to flip him on the ground and place a dagger at his throat with minimum pain to herself. Immediately, Thor stopped sparking and Jaida offered a hand for him to stand.

"Well fought, Lady Jaida," Thor boomed with a smile.

...

Jaida

Thor could have won at that last moment. If Loki hadn't told me what he would do, that is. Why did he? I wasn't certain, and decided I wouldn't dwell on such a small thing at the moment. Instead, I helped Thor up and stood at the edge of the barrier. I could feel my hair prickling, reacting to the electricity that it threw off, and I crossed my arms, staring at Loki. Mischief glimmered in his eyes, and I could see why.

Thor hadn't realized the barrier was still up, and slammed into it. It shouldn't have affected him, but it did, shocking him and throwing up his hair unrealistically. No one could help it; all of us, including Darcy and Jane, whom had been in the audience, burst into laughter.

"A bit late, Loki," I said with a wide grin. "Besides, didn't you say something about his being able to avoid shock being perfectly fair?"

"I said all's fair in war," Loki said flippantly. "This isn't war, is it?"

I rolled my eyes. "Whatever. Come on, let me out."

"Just walk through."

"Loki, I can feel the static," I said in frustration. "I'd rather not become dinner today."