Loki's Last Chance: The Chosing of a King

Plans; Past and Present

Loki POV

Laying on the floor of my circular cell, I could not help but feel guilty for whatever I did to upset Maria. Through the mental link we shared, I could feel her crying for most of the day. It was only fairly resently that she had stopped. I was not willing to risk reaching out to her through the mental link and risk enraging or upsetting her.

I would just have to wait for Mari to aproach me.

Mari POV

It was an hour before Jane Foster arived, just as Pepper said. She was just as I knew she would be. Know everything, remember?

"So you are the famous Jane Foster..." I say with a smile as I shake her outstreatched hand.

"Hardly. Have we met? Your face seems familiar..." Jane's brow creases as she tries to remember.

"In Asgard... I was at the mass funeral and was Freyga's head handmaiden." I suply, a small pang of sorrow flits across my heart. "I also helped Sif buy you guys some time on your way out."

"Right... I don't remember you being in on the escape plan."

*FlashBack*

Sif had just unsheathed both ends of her double sided sword, preparing for a fight, when I arrived.

"Need a hand?" I asked, joining her.

"I should have known you would learn of our plans." Sif remarked, giving me a dry smile. "Would it not be a better use of time to warn the AllFather of our treachery?"

"Odin does not have as high a faith in my abilities as some, so does not ask of my knowledge on such things." I adjusted the crimson cloak the hid me nearly completely from those around. "Also I would much rather side with my friends and commit treason than sit idly by and watch as disaster unfolds."

"Could you so easily see the faults of Odin's plan or do you have other insight, Mari?" Sif asked, knowingly, as we moved to stand side my side.

Being the only girl in the group other than myself, she was the only one I told all of my abilities. This being my knowledge, true sight, and limited knowledge/glimpses into the future.

"Many will die unless the girl is taken and Melekith drawn away from Asgard."

We kept the hord of guards at bay until Odin personally came to stop us. Sif fighting as the warrior she is and me using my mind and instincts to render the men unconscious. Hitting presurepoints and a good chop to the neck, that sort of thing.

All who helped Thor escape were rounded up within an hour or two of his departure and marched to the throne room. Where Odin thoroughly reprimanded us.

He did not punish us however. I believe because he realized that if I had joined them, it must have been the right course of action.

*End FlashBack*

"Yeah," I replied. "I was never really included in the planning stages, I just sort of jumped in."

We sat down on the couch with Pepper, just as Tony came to stand in the doorway.

"Is it safe yet?" He asked, mock cowering with his arms shielding his head.

"Yeah, you big wimp." I crossed my arms as he sauntered over to the kitchenette, pouring himself a whiskey.

"I could call you the same, Athena. What was the cry-fest for again?"

"None of your beeswax!" I snapped, almost playfully.

"Just asking." He shrugged.

Just then, Steve entered with his too-tight t-shirt showing off all that perfect genetically-modified body of his. Seriously, is he still buying in his original size or does he like leaving his muscles out for the world to see? Tony was just wearing another Black Sabbath shirt that actually fit him. But I digress...

"Feeling better, Mari?" Steve asked politely, taking a seat in one of the chairs beside the couch.

"Yeah, I'm fine." I answered.

"Good. You guys called about watching a movie?" He crossed his legs, getting comfortable.

"Pepper thinks we should watch the Sound of Music because I go by Maria half the time, and since you are still catching up, I thought you should watch it with us." I explain as Jane takes the disk from its case and places it into the player.

"That's a musical, right?"

"Yep."

"Bruce and Clint are going to go pick up pizza for dinner. I'm supposed to tell them what everyone wants." Tony interrupts, heading for the door, whiskey in hand.

"Hawaiian, please." I answered.

"Meatlovers for me."

"Cheese."

"Cheese."

Tony toasted his glass in our direction before leaving.

"Do you guys know what today's date is? I didn't have time to look when we arrived from Asgard." I looked to Pepper as she skipped through the commercials.

"Wednesday, October 29th."

"Awwww, I'm going to miss Halloween." I complain, crossing my arms. "Stupid Loki had to get himself spotted..." I muttered angrily.

"I almost forgot about it..." Steve commented.

"We should do something!" Pepper said, finaly making it to the movie.

"Like what?" Jane asked.

"How about a little costume party? Just the Avengers and maybe Director Fury..." She suggested as the movie panned through scenery.

"You would have to talk to Fury." I stated, secretly very exited. "Also, I'd have to go home and grab a costume."

"I'll talk to him after the movie. We could all go to a Halloween store and buy costumes tomorrow."

Got to love a holiday that lets you be anything you want.