"So," Thor said, pressing his royal seal against the warm wax on the last invitation, "Do you really think that inviting our mortal friends over for the holidays is going to make them change their opinions of you, brother?"
"No, but it will be fun." Loki took the letter from Thor and stuck it in a satchel, already full to the top with invitations. "Tala says I need to be more social, and show people that I have changed, and since- even on Midgard- the winter months are a time for friendship and festivity I thought it would be the perfect time to show how far I have come."
Thor nodded and gave his brother a hug, he was proud to see him changing for the better, even if the change was slow. "Your heart is in the right place, Loki. We should take the letters to Heimdal, and he can make sure they are delivered."
The brothers, dressed in their warm winter clothes, made their way to Heimdall's post at the end of the Bifrost. Loki smiled as he handed off the satchel, feeling as though he was making the most of his second chance.
A sylvan sprite alighted on the ground before the doors of Aperture labs. The little sprite scratched her head in wonder. Could it be that the princes were actually sending an invitation for the holidays to such a derelict place? Shrugging off her feelings of apprehension, the sprite took to the air again and darted into the facility.
A beautiful voice caught the sprite's ear as she flew, "There you are..." it said. Before the sprite could react, a spray of bullets caught it in mid flight-the sprite disappeared back to it's home plane in a burst of light, and the heavy parchment envelope it was carrying dropped to the floor.
On the same plane, but far from the facility where the sylvan sprite met her end, a book imp scrambled through the vents of a top secret, S.H.I.E.L.D. facility. He had a stack of invitations clutched in his razor sharp teeth, and his only wish was to get them delivered so he could be released from the spell binding him to this plane. He found two of his targets in a laboratory, the kind of place where the book imp would feel at home.
He pulled two of the invitations out, and slid them through the vent, with such force to strike one of the men in the head with the letter. Laughing to himself, the book imp continued his search through the facility.
Stark rubbed the side of his head, "What the hell?"
Banner was already picking up the envelopes that had shot out of an air vent, "They've got our names on them."
"Weird, give me mine." Stark took the envelope and looked at the wax seal-it was deep crimson wax, with a complex seal bearing an eagle surmounting a rather familiar hammer. He broke the seal and pulled out the letter, he read it quickly and looked up at Banner, who was just finishing reading his own. Stark grinned, "Someone needs to teach Thor how to text."
Spike was curled up in bed, shaking miserably. The mane six were gathered around, all worried for the little dragon's health. Ever since they had met those strange ponies from "The far North", Spike had been in the best of moods-he had learned that pony-dragon relationships were not unheard of and the knowledge had stimulated him.
But, this morning he had fallen ill-his stomach was cramped and he could barely crawl out of bed. Twilight was worried sick about the poor creature. Spike moaned and sat up, "Ugh, I don't feel so...so good-" with that he belched a torrent of green flame, and carried on the magical fire were six heavy parchment envelopes, all addressed to the ponies already gathered in the library.
Meanwhile in Skyloft, Link was sleeping peacefully in his room when a Loftwing poked it's head through the window with a squawk. Link gave a yell, tumbled out of bed and hit the floor with a thump. The Loftwing spit out a letter onto the floor. Link blinked in puzzlement, feeling a sense of deja-vu. This was too much like the morning of the Wing Ceremony. He picked up the letter, fully expecting it to be another scolding from Zelda, but the seal was unfamiliar. Furthermore, it was addressed to Fi. What in the name of the Goddess?
Nonetheless, he took the letter and a few moments later was laying it on top of the pedestal next to the sword. Hylia only knew what business a sword had with a letter, but far be it from him to interfere.
Lucca sat morosely in her laboratory, twirling her screwdriver between her fingers. Her latest project wasn't going well. Suddenly the teleporter in the corner of her room sparked and fizzled. Going over to investigate she discovered a letter resting on the platform. Odd. She turned it over to look at the seal. Thor's hammer? Suddenly grinning, she tore open the letter. Her project could wait a couple more months.
Yuffie sat pouting in a corner of Turtle's Paradise. Once again she had managed to yoink a bottle of sake from the bar without a hitch, but none of the WRO was doing anything exciting for the holidays. Stealing random knickknacks and bottles of sake was getting boring, especially when no one cared anymore. Still, for old times sake...she had been meaning to take that sweepstakes poster down for years.
Idly turning the poster over in her hands, she discovered the back was covered in a flowing script. What was even weirder, there was an emblem down near the signature that looked like a massive hammer. And that signature...she was almost positive it read "Loki Odinson." She decided she'd better take a better look at this poster.
Minion noticed the piece of paper lying on the corridor's floor. "Hello there," Steve the Turret greeted her as she bent over to pick it up.
"Hello Steve. Don't even THINK of sniping my ass while my back is turned." Steve's metal supports quivered as he thought of the horrible torment awaiting him in Android Hell should GLaDOS ever find out her minion had been killed by one of his errant bullets.
Minion's eyes widened as she looked at the letter. Suddenly she was off and bolting down the corridor, yelling for GLaDOS. Steve's entire body began to shake with fear as visions of Android Hell swam before him. If Minion tripped and broke her neck... "I only killed the sprite!" the turret desperately called out.
"You really SHOULD learn to use the handheld dual portal device," GLaDOS remarked as her aide skidded to a halt in front of her. Minion refused to equip one, claiming that she was too uncoordinated and that shifts in gravity made her nauseous, and thus had to resort to running through the facility to get to wherever the android was located.
"Loki invited us to...to..." Minion gasped for breath
"Can't the man be bothered to use the Aperture trans-dimensional communicator?" GLaDOS reached out her hand for the letter and at the same time raised a floor panel to sitting height for Minion. She scanned the letter and groaned. "You humans and your seasonal celebrations. Don't you understand that there's Science to be done?" Then she spied Minion. The girl was giving her such a wounded, miserable puppy-dog look that for a moment GLaDOS wondered if someone she loved had died. Then she spoke.
"The holidays aren't about Science, Gladys. They're about celebrating the relationships we have with our family and friends. Think about what's happened to you this past year. Aren't we important to you? Aren't I important to you?"
GLaDOS's processors whirred. This past year she had gone from being an insane, homicidal monster to someone who, although snarky and sarcastic, had a successful career as a scientist. She had gone from having no one to having a family, friends, a rival, and even a...
She realised she was still staring at Minion, and that furthermore, that wasn't really what the girl was.
GLaDOS dropped the beakers she was holding. "Tell Orange and Blue that we're packing for two months. We're headed to Asgard."
Minon yawned and stirred in the nest of cables that suspended her from the ceiling. Loki had outdone himself this time, allowing GLaDOS to use an old observatory to house her chassis as well as coming along as her android analog. Now she was nestled in a sort of hammock on the back of the chassis, snuggled up to the humanoid robot. Both of the robots were drooping limpy in sleep, but that wouldn't last long. As soon as the smell of breakfast hit her olfactory sensors, android-DOS would be headed for the mead hall, along with a very eager Minion.
The cook here was simply superb. Everyone agreed. Even Fi, who wasn't normally inclined towards food, had to admit that "there (was) an 87% chance that every single one of us is going to put on a couple of pounds."
As the guests devoured the delightful and fattening Asgardian breakfast, Loki staggered into the mead hall with disheveled hair and a grin plastered to his face. "Morning, everyone," he said with a sarcastic turn of voice. "How did you all...sleep?"
He sat down next to Minion and loaded up a plate with eggs, sausages and other savories from the kitchens. He grinned at her- a sort of lopsided, still half-asleep grin- and muttered, "Morning, love, how's the tower treating you and GLaDOS?"
Minion, her mouth half-full of delicious noms, grinned back just as lopsidedly. "Oh, ish graat," she said around her mouthful of food. "Ish like 'ome away frum 'ome." She swallowed, and continued, "Only we get to sleep in as late as we want."
GLaDOS was licking grease off of her fingertips with all the delicacy of a cat. "I had no idea that extended rest periods could be so...rewarding," she remarked.
Loki cut his food into bite sized chunks and ate demurely compared to the other Asgardians. "Ahh, well, I love sleep. However, today begins the first part of the Harvest Festival-the tournament. Thor wants me to fight this year, and well-" he paused to eat a piece of sausage, thoroughly chewing it before continuing, "I thought, with my friends and my whole family here this year, why not?"
Loki ate another piece of sausage, and looked thoughtful. "I ought to go wake Jorg, he stayed up pretty late last night." He took another bite and then stood, wiping his mouth on a napkin. "Enjoy your meal, ladies."
"A Tournament!" exclaimed Minion excitedly from around another piece of bacon. "I haven't seen a Medieval tournament since I was a Sophomore in high school and the orchestra went to compete in California!"
"Then it wasn't really Medieval," corrected GLaDOS. "It was a re-enactment."
Yuffie, completely on another line of thought, mused "I wonder if they'll let me do some hand-to-hand combat? OOOHHHH, or maybe they'll have live monsters!" She leaped onto the table and began to throw punches at imaginary enemies, until she stepped in a plate of sausages and faceplanted inches from Fi's plate.
Fi, who was apparently thinking of something else entirely, sighed and said, "I wish I could participate too. However, the chances that a compatible swordsman will come along are close to 0%"
Lucca looked up from her plate quizzically. "I thought that whoever picked up a Wiimote Motion Sensor Plus and a copy of the game became your 'Master' by default?"
Fi answered, "I am bound to serve that person for the duration of the game. However, a true Master develops a bond with their sword, through the Link between their world and Hylia's."
Lucca glanced pointedly at Minion, who was absolutely rabid about Skyward Sword. "And you and her aren't sufficiently...bonded?"
"Oh no, that's not the problem at all." Fi smiled fondly at Minion. "She simply lacks the athletic ability and training that Link provided in the game."
Minion smiled sheepishly. "The only exercise I get is running around Aperture, and Gladys keeps making shortcuts for me even then."
"Ohh, I feel like I just came back in at an awkward time, everyone is blushing." Loki snickered behind his hand free hand. He was holding Jorg in the other, the boy was still wearing his soft woolen pyjamas and yawned openly at the assembled ladies. Loki looked at his son and whispered, "I think they're talking about kissing."
Jorg made a face, "Ugh, I hate kissing!"
Loki smirked and kissed Jorg on the cheek, putting him down at the bench. "Eat your breakfast, son, today I am fighting in the tournament."
Jorg poked at a heap of scrambled eggs, and muttered in a dark voice, "You're going to lose."
Loki sat next to the boy, "So, not even a vote of confidence from my own son? I'm not that bad with a sword."
"Yes you are," Thor said, walking into the mead hall. "You're terrible with a sword. The only way you could win is if you used trickery." Thor looked at the spread of food, "Hmm, did the cook not make any oatmeal? Hmm, I'm going to have to have a word with him."
Loki shook his head, "I promised you that I would win legitimately, and I will. No tricks, no illusions-just my skill versus my opponent's. Really, there aren't that many swordsmen in Asgard that could compete with me-"
Thor cleared his throat, "I was selected as your opponent, brother. You're going to lose."
"Told you so." Jorg muttered, cutting up a strip of bacon.
GLaDOS was formulating a better plan. She would need Jorg's help, of course, and she was sure Fi would be more than willing to be back in action again. However, Minion was probably not going to like it.
Loki grimaced and drank a cup of tea, "Well, I should go start preparing for the tournament. Tala said she would meet me at the tournament grounds." He ruffled Jorg's hair and stood up, "I guess I will see you this afternoon, brother." Loki left the mead hall, trying to keep his head up even though he was now dreading the afternoon's tournament.
Thor shrugged, "It was a random draw, I just feel that Loki and I are unlucky that we have to fight each other again."
Jorg was in full pout mode by now, but Auntie Gladys had a plan to make everything better. "Jorg, I know you must feel terrible about your father fighting Uncle Thor. Would you like to give him some help?"
"But Grandpa said it had to be a fair fight..." Jorg looked doubtful
"He said that so your dad wouldn't try any tricks. There's nothing to stop US from interfering."
Jorg seemed convinced. "What do you think we should do?"
GLaDOS began rapid-fire whispering into the young dragon's ear. His eyes grew wide with surprise and delight.
"Minion won't like it," he declared, frowning the tiniest bit.
"Leave that to me," GLaDOS winked.
A few minutes later, Minion was pinned to the wall and lip locked with the android. She murmured appreciatively as GLaDOS's fingers found their way into her hair and simultaneously began to massage her scalp and keep her head effectively in position. "You know," GLaDOS said through her external speakers as her chassis dangled lazily, observing the whole affair, "We could keep this up all Yule long if I wanted. There's just one little thing I need you to do..." Minion "Mmmhmmm!"-ed enthusiastically, so GLaDOS continued, "You are going to help Loki win this tournament."
By this time GLaDOS had the girl firmly in her grip under the guise of massaging her shoulders. Minion groggily replied, "Yes'm," and Gladys called, "You can come in now, Jorg."
"Is the kissing over?" Jorg walked in with a hand over his eyes.
"Sadly, yes," replied Minion. "So how are we going to do this?"
"Close your eyes." Instructed GLaDOS.
Jorg stared hard at the cover art of Skyward Sword, conjuring up Link as best he could in his minds eye. Carefully he let his magic shape Minion as close as he could to that form. Her muscles grew toned and firm, her ears became pointed, her clothes transformed into a green tunic with chainmail underneath. Finally it was done. Standing in front of Jorg was a female, red-headed Link. Or was it Minion in really good cosplay?
Minion opened her eyes. "Okay, what did you do?"
"Do a backflip," GLaDOS instructed.
"What kind of nonsense is this? I couldn't do that if I tried!"
"Just do it"
"Oh, you mean like THIS?" Minion asked sarcastically, throwing herself over backwards. To her surprise, muscle memory kicked in and she did a perfect back handspring.
"THE F*** WAS THAT?!" exclaimed minion.
Jorg giggled and held up a mirror. Minion gaped. "Jorg, you are getting too good at this. I even have the earrings!"
"I always thought he was a bit androgynous," commented GLaDOS flippantly. "Come on, you two. Let's go find Fi."
Fi's room was fairly spartan. She didn't need much in the way of material things. Just a place to rest her weapon form, that was all. The silk cushion on the raised dais was a bit of overkill, if you asked her (Loki insisted on a Dais, he loved dais'). No, Fi didn't ask for much. All she wanted was to please her-
"M-Master?!" Minion blushed as the sword spirit gaped at her, taking in every inch with those huge, ever-staring eyes. Fi never stammered. She was always correct and precise. But then, Minion reflected, she never glomped female Links either.
Jorg giggled and groaned, "Ugh, more kissing. Auntie tell them to stop kissing, we have to save dad...he can't lose the fight, he just can't. Come on, we have to get to the arena before it is too late!"
Jorg lead the way through a secret tunnel that lead into the armory. Jorg pointed through a grate in the wall, "Look, there's mom and dad!"
Loki was sitting on a stool, he had his leather greaves and boots on, but had not yet put on his cuirass. Sweat covered his chest, and a fresh bruise stood out against his green serpent tattoo. Tala was wiping the sweat off his chest and he was simply staring at his longsword that was resting across his knees.
"I can't even beat you in training, how am I to beat my brother." He muttered, pushing Tala's hand off of his shoulder.
Tala kissed him on the cheek, "I hunt monsters for a living, lover, I don't really fight fair. And, I didn't pull any punches- your brother fights fair and will want to make a show of this, he will try to prolong the fight. You just need to let him waste his energy in the first half of the fight. Be patient, don't let him hit you, and strike when he is exhausted. You have superior speed and agility, you need to use that to your advantage- you can't beat him in strength."
Loki scowled and sheathed his sword on his belt. "Alright, help me get the rest of my armor on then. I'll try to do as you say, I'll just stay away from his blows and keep moving."
Tala nodded, "exactly." She helped him into the curaiss of the armor, buckling up the sides and clasping on his cloak. "What helmet do you want? I have your large helm and your cornet band. I would suggest the cornet over a leather helm, it will be lighter and you'll stay cooler."
Loki nodded and took the helmet/cornet combo from Tala. "Do you think Thor has been preparing this morning?"
"No," Tala said, shaking her head, "He was in the kitchens, berating the head cook. He was quite upset over the lack of oats at breakfast."
"Hmmm, maybe I should have made him oats and slipped him a sleeping draught. No one would really be surprised if he missed a fight with me," Loki laughed softly, pulling Tala against his side. "I guess you should go get Jorg dressed- I don't think he will want to miss the fight."
"He admires you, you know." Tala kissed his cheek, "He told me once that he wants to be just like you, though he swore me to secrecy."
"I don't want him to be like me though, I've made too many mistakes. I want him to be better than me." Loki shook his head and tightened his gauntlets. "I don't want him to be like me, I've been a fool and an ass."
"He won't have to make those mistakes, you said it yourself; you've already made your mistakes so he doesn't have to. That is why he needs you in his life." Tala smiled and kissed him firmly.
In the secret tunnel, Jorg groaned and buried his head in GLaDOS' clothing. "Ugh, mum and dad are kissing, and mum told my secret!"
Minion smiled wryly. "Parents are like that."
GLaDOS patted Jorg's head. "Why don't you run along to your room so that your father can help you get dressed? Then just come to the tournament and watch the fun. No one will suspect anything."
"Okay," Jorg nodded and began to jog off in the direction they had come.
GLaDOS, meanwhile, was busy using the mechanical implements stashed in hidden compartments of her body to remove the grate. Loki and Tala were gone. Minion dropped to the ground in a crouch and then caught GLaDOS as she fell from the hole. It was wonderful, really, being this strong. She could do all kinds of things now; maybe she could fight one-on-one with Yuffie, or learn street parkour, and she wouldn't be such a lightweight when it came to making lo-
WHACK! The blow knocked Minion back a couple of steps. She'd been hit by the flat of a longsword wielded by- GLaDOS?
"Time to prove your capabilities," GLaDOS said. "As your previous self you did a lot of 'feather-dusting' with your Wiimote. Lets see how you handle a real sword now!"
Minion's face became set in determination. She drew the Master Sword from it's sheath on her back and raised it skyward. The blade began to glow and hum as the sunlight struck it. With a yell she brought it down, sending a whirling beam of light that GLaDOS was barely able to counter in time.
GLaDOS knew better than to play with fire. "I b-believe this testing has been sufficient..." she stammered. "Go and make me proud."
