Loki hid behind a table while his older brother and his friends the warriors three fought a band of Ogres. Frandral smirked and attempted to flirt with a young woman, while Volstagg clobbered a beast with his turkey leg and Hogun skulked into his ale mug.

Loki enjoyed watching his brother fight. He was grown up and strong, like Thor told him he used to an adult too and he was going to be a grownup again. Loki swore to be a better grownup this time, not do the things the old Loki used to do.

His pet bird Ikol swooped down and landed on his shoulder. "There is a beast you may be able to take on." The bird snickered gesturing towards the confused and dazed young man who walk inside the house. He wore thick bandages over his face making it hard to tell if he was a beast or a boy.

When the boy regained composure he looked his eyes working almost as light a flashlight in the dark. The boy looked at the Ogres and smiled moving his hand in a certain way causing them to go flying out the door.

"Hey!" Frandral said turning his attention away from the bar maiden for a moment. "Why has the action died down?!"

Thor frowned and looked to Loki. "Did you do that, brother?"

Loki hastily shook his head. He knew better then to mess with anyone Thor was sparing with, not that he could get hurt, but that fighting was one of the gods favorite pastimes. Ikol let out a devious squawk. "Twas the beast over there." He said pointing at the young boy, who was now sitting at a table almost copying Hogun by the grim way he sat.

Thor walked up to the boy and spun his hammer around. "Demon, you have ruined a perfectly good battle!"

The boy stood up and a battle-axe appeared in his hand. "What did you just call us?" He growled, his voice much scarier then he expected, it echoed letting the whole tavern hear him. Thor coughed. "A demon. That's what you are is it not?"

The boy growled at Thor's near brutally honest confusion. Loki hid his eyes and Ikol laughed. "I am beginning to like this child."

The boy lifted his hand and Thor began to float in the air. "What are you doing child?" Thor nervously shouted. The boy quickly lowered his head and Thor slammed into the pavement. The boy walked over and placed his foot on Thor's chest. "We are not a demon."

Loki mischievously smirked. "Then what are you then?" He blurted out, covering his mouth after he said it. Ikol harshly hissed. "Just great Loki no you've brought his attention to us!"

The boy looked at Loki, then to the bird. He watched the beast bird to speak and his eyes brightened in glee, forgetting about the current battle.

"Did that creature just speak?"

Loki nodded shyly and the boy ran up and sat beside him and stroked the bird. "Never in Outworld have we seen such a amazing and beautiful creature! Most creature their are hideous while this bird is enchanting. What his his name? Wait, what is your name? We apologize for our rudeness."

Volstagg smugly looked at the boy. "The demon... I um, mean creature seems to like Ikol"

Loki smiled and stroked his bird.

"I'm Loki and this is Ikol."

The boy stroked the bird and gestured towards Volstagg, Hogun, Thor and Frandral. "Who are those boisterous oofs?"

"The worriers three and my master's brother, Thor." Ikol explained. The boy smirked and began to laugh.

"Master. Such an odd thing to call Loki. We too have a master, but not one like him. Our master is a lot taller."

Loki began to laugh as well. "You are a fine jester."

The boy awkwardly got up. "Thank you, Sir Loki."

Thor stumbled up to them and the boy looked up at him in hatred. Thor just chuckled. "You are also quite a fine sparrer too I might add. What is your name child?"

Ermac looked up at him. "We are Ermac of Outworld."

The entire tavern froze and gasped. The Worriers three all marched over.

"How dare you say that!" Frandral exclaimed.

"Especially in front of the sons of Odin!" Volstagg boasted.

"Ermac was a name that Odin wiped from the memories of all people of the nine realms, except for nobles of course." Hogun explained.

The boy, Ermac shifted away. Ikol, let out a small sniffle and flew onto Thor's shoulder and quietly whispered into his ear. "If the boy is telling the truth you should make him remove his mask."

Thor nodded. "I will Ikol, do not fret about that."

Thor walked up to the so-called Ermac and said. "We all are unsure about the amount of truth in your words. Could you please remove your mask?"

Ermac nervously shook his head. "Our master told us to never remove our mask."

Thor looked around. "I do not see your master around."

Ermac closed his eyes as if he was sleeping, his mask lowered down exposing his pale face and dark black shaven hair. He looked as though he could be twins with Loki, minus one small detail. Ermac had large gashes and battle scars covering his face, while Loki's was pure and unharmed.

"It's impossible he died as a newborn!" Volstagg shouted in wonder.

"Who, brother?" Loki asked wonder filling his eyes. Thor looked to his feet. "Your son... I guess I should say the old you's son."

Ermac and Loki looked at each other and awkwardly glared. Ermac finally spoke up.

"Our apologizes but the Emperor Shoa Khan created us. As far back as we remember we have never heard of Loki, well until now."

Ikol let out a spiteful snarl. "Shoa Khan. I should have guess that brute would destroy my son, I mean Loki's son."

Ermac shrugged. "Family or not we have just came here for refuge."

Loki happily smiled. "You could always stay at the place! The AllFather would probably want to learn all about you!"

Thor and the worriers three shook their heads nervously. Ermac bowed his head and smiled. "We would love that very much. Thank you so much for the offer."