Loki and the Bouncy House

Chapter Five

"This is why I needed the tesseract! Look at what you've done," Loki raised his voice. "Now 'WORLD'S MIGHTIEST HEROES' ALONG WITH MY BROTHER ARE COMING HERE FOR ME AND THAT TESSERACT, and it's ALL YOUR FAULT!" He pointed at Bucky. "You. Do you HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY ABOUT YOURSELF?"

"Um."

"YOU. You there. PUT THAT DOWN. Yes, yes, that. NO, NOT THAT. THAT. YES, NOW PUT IT DOWN. No, no, no, no, DON'T DROP IT. Gently, place it down gently!" Loki yelled at a couple guards with some plums. They had picked up the tesseract, and were handling it quite rudely.

Loki rushed over to the glowing blue tesseract, finally being able to feel it in his hands. At last, he had what he needed. Loki had to get out of there, with the tesseract. He looked at the tesseract, examining its glory. He silently walked away, and with all the commotion, was barely spotted. Loki fully believed he was safe to leave the bouncy castle, when he felt a strong grip on his arm.

"I can help," said a voice that belonged to none other than Bucky.

"Oh, yeah, sure. What are you going to do, Snowflakes? Make it snow?"

"I- that- wha-uh- no. No, I can't do that," he responded. "I'm just a hundred year old man." He paused. "Come on. Let me help. I think I know a place. Please. Let me make it up to you."

Loki wasn't sure what to say. On one hand, he barely knew this man. This man had kept him prisoner, and sent plums to attack him, and Loki wasn't really the type to work with others. Working alone usually ended up much better. On the other hand, Bucky was the Bouncy House King after all. If anyone knew more about America and its bounciness, it would be him. Loki sighed and rolled his eyes.

"Fine." He had no other choice. Bucky would probably just send more plums to capture him again. Those plums truly were vicious.

Bucky grinned stupidly. "Yay," he said. For some reason, Bucky seemed more excited than nervous, or worried that they had to hide the dangerous tesseract.

Loki rolled his eyes, something he did frequently in his day to day life. "Come on." The two men walked up stairs, entering a room Loki hadn't seen yet. Bucky guided Loki over to a big oak door (What a surprise. It wasn't made out of plastic). This is it. I'll be freeeee.

They stepped out into the sunlight. Loki wasn't sure how long he stayed in the bouncy castle.

"So, Bucky... where exactly are we going?" Loki smiled, trying to be friendly.

"You'll see," Bucky replied, looking around. He turned a corner. "I saw it one day when I was running away from... from some bad people," he continued, deciding not to give too many details.

Loki thought he recognized the alleyway. But who was he kidding, all the alleys looked the same to him. Growing up in a castle, Loki wasn't one to hide in dirty, musty streets. He liked to think that he was... destined for glorious purpose. Bucky, however, seemed to know his way around busy cities. Loki figured as much, since, after all, Bucky had been trained to be an assassin. He was probably used to sneaking up behind his targets, silently, whether it was in busy crowds or empty, gloomy alleyways like the one they were currently in. Either way, the ground was still bouncy.

Loki sensed something was wrong. This was not going to end well. He started walking slower, looking around. Suddenly, Bucky stopped in the middle of the path. Loki was unable to stop before running into him.

"Ahck!" Loki yelled. In response, he got a hand clamped over his mouth.

"Shhh. There's something around here," Bucky said quietly.

Loki looked at Bucky. He could sense it too? That something, something bad was here?

Bucky lowered his hand, and told him to move, making sure not to make any sound.

Loki followed, closely behind. He had a bad feeling in his gut, not that he was scared. Loki wasn't scared of anything. He was more... worried for the the mere mortal walking in front of him. As much as Loki hated to admit it, he needed Bucky.

He knew they were getting closer. It would ruin everything. Closer... closer... closer... Bucky stopped again. He knelt down on the bouncy floor and pushed over a cardboard box. Loki couldn't make out the shapes behind it.

He heard Bucky sigh. "What do you want this time?"

There were some squeaks.

"Listen," started Bucky, "I understand that you have these desires, but I don't think our friend here would appreciate it."

What?

More squeaks.

"Yes, yes, I know, but— no, no, of course not! I would never."

There was more squeaking.

"Me? Me too? Listen, I appreciate the offer, but we're kinda busy here. We're on a very important mission," Bucky explained.

Loki went to stand next to Bucky. On the bouncy ground, he saw plums. Plums part of the plum army, nonetheless.

The plums squeaked some more, causing a frown to appear on Bucky's face.

"Are you sure?" the man asked the plums.

Loki could swear he saw the plums nod. Bucky stood up and turned to face Loki.

"They won't listen to me," he said.

"What do you mean?" asked Loki.

"I could explain everything, but that would take all day. And we just don't have that much time, am I right?" Bucky waited for Loki to nod. Then he continued, "The plums have taken a liking to you." Loki wrinkled his nose, disgusted.

"It's not like that, I promise," pleaded Bucky, "they just want to, uh, how to I say this, give you a makeover."

Loki hesitated before answering. "A makeover?"

"Yeah..."

This was not going according to plan. Originally, Loki had pictured everything to go smoothly. Leave Asgard, go to Midgard, find a hiding spot, hide the tesseract, and leave. He had not wanted to be taken prisoner, and now it seemed he had to get a makeover.

"I know you need to hide that glowing blue object, and I know you need to do that fast, but I swear the second this is over, you will be able to leave America," Bucky told him. Loki didn't say anything, making Bucky continue on. "It's best you come with me now. The plums get very vicious if they're not obeyed."

Loki rolled his eyes. "Ugh."