My Friend Loki: Strange Magic

Chapter 2

Doctor Strange opened a portal that deposited us into an alleyway beside the bar.

"Are you ready?" Strange asked.

"As I'll ever be," I replied, feeling a tad nervous. "I sure hope this plan is just as easy to execute as we discussed."

I can do this, I said to myself and took a deep breath.

Before entering the establishment, I took note of the sign above the door. The place was called "Joe Friday's."

Pushing the door open, as I followed Doctor Strange inside, I was relieved to find it did not have a bell or some other device that made noise to alert the entrance of a patron.

My breath caught in my throat as my eyes immediately noticed the condition of the interior. There was major damage; broken chairs,  knocked over tables, some shattered glasses and plates. The main bar that showcased a variety of several expensive bottles of alcohol was also smashed.

Then I noticed that there was a man lying on the floor, unconscious.

No wait - make that two, as another man soon fell to the ground near the other.

What the hell?

Sitting at their tables, with some cowering under them, patrons were staring in a certain direction...

Turning to look in that direction, I saw my friend... and gasped.

With a sardonic laugh and a menacing expression, Loki had a large man pressed up against a wall and kept him immobile holding - and squeezing - his jaw with one hand.

Seeing what was going on in front of me was hard to process. Admittedly, along with Loki being part of that new initiative, I was aware that he was a warrior like Thor - but there's quite the difference between hearing about such altercations and actually witnessing them.

Patrons were trying to get our attention, gesticulating to not interfere, but I waved and shook my head in a manner to indicate that I was fine.

Strange just ignored them.

Then I heard someone say my name.

Suddenly I remembered - Loki's 'radar!' He had the ability to sense I was in his presence.

Whatever Strange and I had planned, it looked like this might go easier than we expected.

I walked up closer to Loki and the poor ignoramus that he held fast. The last thing I wanted to do was have my friend lose his focus and have this person turn things around on him, although I could see Loki did have things well in hand.

"Beverlee?!" Loki asked in an astonished voice, to which I nodded, "how... why?"

"I could ask the same of you, my friend, but that's not important right now," I said quickly, knowing we didn't have much time.

"This-this isn't me," Loki said apprehensively, his eyes anxious. "This isn't what it looks like."

"It's okay, Loki," I said soothingly. "I know this wasn't you." I looked at the man who was restrained then looked back at my friend. "The owner has called the authorities, I need to get you out of here before they arrive."

"But... I was defending myself. Even my probation allows for this," Loki said, giving me a look for clarification.

"Loki," I said, "you shouldn't be here in the first place. Come on, let's go."

Another voice then spoke, making us both turn out heads.

"Listen to your friend, Loki," it was Doctor Strange. "So I can fix this damage."