Loki and the Bouncy House

Chapter Four

Loki woke up in a bouncy cell. Not again.

This time, he had chains holding him against the bouncy wall, preventing him from moving into the light. Loki tried to shift into a more comfortable position, but lost his balance, tumbling onto his side. Looking up, past the bars on his cell, he saw someone standing. Observing him silently.

Loki closed his eyes and sighed. How had he gotten himself into this situation? He could have gone anyone else besides America. Anywhere. But nooooo, Loki had to be clever and pick the United States of Bouncy Housiness, only to end up in the dungeon of Lord Bouncy Plum Soldier Man.

"You woke up," said the man.

"Yeah, I think I know that," replied Loki. He knew who this voice belonged to. "Are you going to burn me on a stake or something, Soldier?"

"Nah, I'm not really a fan for that type of... punishment," the Winter Soldier said.

"What do you want?"

"Justice. Freedom. Peace. Lots of things that you can't give me."

Loki held his tongue. Was the dreaded Winter Soldier such an idiot?

"What do want from me?" Loki specified.

"An explanation," said the Winter Soldier. "Nothing much." Loki could see the Soldier look behind him, searching for something, or someone perhaps. "Would you be willing to do that?"

"Sure, if you let me out of this cell."

The Winter Soldier took a step closer to the cell, taking out an object from his pocket. Loki heard a click and the cell door swung open.

"Come on," said the king, grabbing Loki by the arm and pulling him upwards.

After unlocking the chains, the two men walked down the dimly lit bouncy hallway.

"So, Prince, tell me about yourself. You have a brother, no?" began the Soldier.

"I am Prince Loki of Asgard. God of Mischief. Yes, and there's nothing more you need to know about me" answered Loki.

"There's plenty that I need to know about you. Tell me, Loki, what's that shiny blue object you seem so fond of?"

Loki looked at the Winter Soldier, stopping them in their tracks. "It's the tesseract and has nothing to do with you or your plums. Not even HYDRA would make a deal about it again, not after the last time." The Soldier flinched at the mention of the organization, looking away with a pained expression in his eyes.

"I simply have to hide it, and nothing more," he continued. "I've said enough about myself. Don't you think I ought to know more about the king I've been so fortunate to meet?"

"My name is Bucky." Bucky? What kind of name is Bucky?

"Mm hm. Great name."

"I've perfected the way of moving as if I wasn't even there."

"That's called stealth."

Bucky (seriously though, who names their kid Bucky) stared ahead, at a particular spot on the wall. "I knew that."

"Did you though?"

"I was born over 100 years ago. The word 'stealth' didn't exist then."

"I don't think you understand. The word 'stealth' has been around for thousands of years. I should know. I, myself, have been around for many, many years." Loki held his head up high. He was proud of this. It wasn't everyday you got to brag about your age.

"Dude, that's so cool. We're like not only greasy hair bros, but also like old guy bros."

Loki was not amused. "I'm much older than you," he said. "Now, can I get the tesseract back or not?"

"Ehgh," said Bucky.

"What?"

"Ehghg."

Was this some kind of language Loki didn't know about? Was this mortal trying to communicate and couldn't? Or (this was the most plausible theory) did he have nothing else to say?

"I'm sorry. Are you unable to speak?" asked Loki.

"It's just, well, you did try to escape."

"I thought we were... bros."

"Yeah, but—" Bucky was cut off by an explosion. He looked around, frantically. "What was that?" he asked Loki, expecting him to know.

Loki thought for a moment, realization dawning. "A great nuisance."