The irony was not lost on Loki, he had finally achieved the status he had always desired. And yet he had to hide around like a snake in the grass.

Here he was… facing Stephen Strange… again. And he wasn't wearing his own face… Again. Instead it was the appearance of the old man Valkyrie seemed to have favored, with long snow white hair and beard, as well bright blue eyes, he was wearing a midnight blue coat that seemed like a mix between Midgardian and Asgardian fashion, he knew he made quite the figure, he had made sure of it.

Stephen Stranges blue eyes were looking puzzled at him. "I don't believe we met the last time I was here."

"I don't like interacting with more people than I have to." Loki replied, his voice sounding old and frail like his appearance. "So please make this short." she asked.

Strange looked at him then cleared his throat. "Right." he nodded. "You had entered some kind of sleep correct? To power up those corner stones so they can make a barrier. This sleep though set off a winter, I presume this wasn't intentional."

"No." Loki replied. "Normally that kind of act would be reserved for Odin alone, but he is dead now, I just happened to be the only other alternative still alive."

"Ah, I see." Strange commented. "I will have to ask you not to do that again as long as you are on earth."

"Believe me son, I didn't intend to." Loki smirked.

Strange glanced up at him, clearly annoyed.

"You are but a child in my eyes, sorcerer, visit me again in a thousand years perhaps then we can talk like equals." Loki asked, slightly amused. "Ah I see it in your eyes, you gained but a glimpse of all the dimensions out there. The place where time and space no longer exists, fascinating."

Strange halted, clearly he didn't want to, but the curiousity was lightning up in his eyes. "You know of those places?" he asked.

Loki snorted. "Of course I do." he stated. "Not just that, I've been there. To the emptiness between realms, a place where time doesn't exist. And as such, my stay there can both be described as lasting an infinity and seconds."

Stephen nodded. "I both died there… countless of times, but also I didn't die at all."

Loki lifted his head, really? Now this… This was actually interesting. "A mortal went through that and didn't go insane?" he had to ask.

"you seem surprised." Strange commented.

"No mortal man should be able to go to that realm without loosing his sanity." Loki informed.

"Perhaps we humans are made of harder stuff than you realize." Strange then commented. "Mr. Tjalfir." he addressed Loki by the name he had been given. "If that is your name."

Lokis eyes narrowed. "Why wouldn't it be?" he asked.

"Because I was here, a few months ago, combing the entire area for everyone with magic talent. Talked to all I found, I remember all their faces, you weren't among them."

Loki smirked. "I apologies, I forgot what faces I were using at the time, sometimes it all blends together." he commented. "I suppose there is no need for this anymore." he commented letting the old man fade away to reveal his true Asgardian self.

Stranges eyes narrowed. "Loki." he breathed, then his eyes narrowed. "I did have a suspicion." he admitted grimly.

"Hello. Mr Party magician." Loki nodded at him. Then suddenly, their room started to change, it looked like mirrors, fractured glass around them and Loki glanced around. "Oh, a pocket mirror dimension! How clever you are." he smirked. "Don't worry though, I have no desire to fight you." he commented. "Let me get rid of this for you." he asked as he reached out a hand, and suddenly all the glass around them seemed to shatter leaving them back where they came from.

Strange's eyes widened. "You… You broke it." he gasped. "So easily."

"I am a god, Doctor Strange." Loki replied calmly. "And not just a god, a god of illusion. Trying to trap me in a world made of mirrors wont get you far." he stated. "Aside from that, your potential is impressive I admit it, but you are clearly untrained. As I said to you earlier, lets speak in another thousand years, then perhaps I shall consider you a worthy equal. Perhaps." he added.

Strange was quiet, he was sitting still.

"Good, you realize you are out matched." Loki smirked as he leaned his head in his hand. "You could try to put me back in that dimension where you let me fall earlier, but we both know that wont actually hold me indefinitely."

Stranges eyes narrowed. "I met people that outmatched me before." he stated. "How-ever, that only meant I had to act smarter."

"Use trickery." Loki commented amused. "I whole heartedly invite you to try that on me, I invite the challenge." he smirked, intrigue genuinely shining in his eyes. "A battle between trickster sorceress, it does sound very amusing does it not? Everyone else always relies on brute strength and force, it does get rather tiresome doesn't it?" he asked. "How-ever, I must insist to leave my people out of it."

"Your people?" Strange asked.

"yes, my people." Loki informed firmly as he sat back. "I am the Prince of Asgard. And my brother Thor, left me with the responsibility while he went to space to find us a new home."

"Did he now?" Strange asked.

"He did, you can ask anyone here." Loki gestured. "He informed them all personally, grand speech as well."

"Why would he do that?" Strange asked.

"Because, I am indeed a Prince of Asgard." Loki informed. "It is true, I care not for humans. I have already lived for over a thousand years, in my eyes you humans are like insects, you live and die so quick, it flashes before my eyes. The rate in which your world changes, your cities live and dies. There is no reason for me to grow an attachment because it will all wither away before my eyes as such a fast rate. Asgardians though, they stay around, they build wonders that reaches all other realms. I shall do anything to protect them."

Strange looked away.

"Heh, what's on your mind?" Loki asked.

"I hate that you remind me of someone." Strange admitted. "Then I suppose it makes sense, she's the only one on this earth who would be as powerful as you."

Loki frowned, clearly not happy about hearing that.

"Don't worry, she has died." Strange chuckled amused. "After a few thousand years of being alive. A shame you couldn't meet her, she would be sure to put you in your place."

Loki snorted.

Strange smirked, then he looked up. "I will concede that for the months you have been here, you have caused no trouble, as far as I know. If you continue like this, I wont bother you any further." he promised. "How-ever."

"Yes-yes, if I cause any trouble." Loki rolled his eyes. "Rest assured, I have no such desire. I created the barrier so my people could be protected, that's it. And it is my hope that Thor will return soon so we can begin to pack up."

Strange nodded, it was pretty clearly, neither one wanted to admit it, but they were intrigued by each other. Both asking themselves questions about the other mans abilities and limits. Loki was a bit more blatant about it, his green eyes scanning Strange, Strange though tried not to look, instead he had his attention on his hands.

Then Loki blinked. "You have harnessed the power of a infinity stone." he gaped. "How?! A mere mortal?"

Strange looked up. "The time stone, yes. I did." he stated.

"It should have obliterated you." Loki pointed out.

"I was chosen by it." Strange informed.

Loki frowned. "Why would it.." he shook his head. "It matters not, the infinity stones are no more." still though his eyes were curiously looking at Strange. "Time magic, you controlled time itself." he closed his eyes. "And, it is still at your core, I see, you were compatible. Fascinating." he looked up. "Time itself."

Strange couldn't help but straighten himself up looking proud. "Some thing not even you can do I assume."

"Neither can you without the stone, well, it will be at a much more limited rate. And you will have to work much harder to achieve it." Loki commented amused and Stranges face fell. "Still… If you learn how to control time, without the use of a stone." he breathed. "Come to me in another thousand years, the doors will be open." he invited. "I should like to see for myself."

Strange smirked amused. "I'll think about it." neglecting to say he probably wasn't going to live that long, he had no plans of making any deals with Dhoulmagus for a thousand year old life. Beside, he had a sinking feeling that even now Loki wasn't looking at him as a potential equal at all, but a very curious and unique specimen.

Worst of all, it seemed entirely appropriate, if Loki smashing his mirror dimension as if it was nothing proved anything, it was that Strange was no match for the god of mischief.

"I shall keep my eye on you." Strange stated.

"Oh I am sure you will." Lokis eyes glistening in amusement. "I shall return the favor party wizard."

Strange sighed. "Master of the mystic arts." he informed. "And a Doctor. Please address me by one of those two."

"Tell me something, are you an actual Doctor or just one of those adding that title because they think it sounds impressive?" Loki asked clearly amused.

Strange groaned. "I am a neurosurgeon!" he informed. "For your information."

Loki chuckled amused and Strange rolled his eyes as he finally stood up and started to make his portal.

"That's a neat little trick wizard, I should try that some day." Loki looked at the portal. "How distant can you make the other portal? Are you still confined to earth?" he asked as if he was only mildly interested.

Strange didn't even grace Loki with an answer as he stepped through and closed the portal behind him.

Only a few minutes after was Valkyrie blinking as she saw what looked like odd green sparks, they looked a bit like the portals the sorceress of the planet used, but again was green. She walked to the other side of the building and saw Loki himself making a portal, looking like he had a lot of fun with it to. "Oh this is convenient, this way an unlimited number of people or items can just go through." he pointed out. "Even bypass the barrier."

"Did you just teach yourself that?" Valkyrie asked.

Loki nodded. "It's a neat little trick." he informed closing the portal. "To bad it is very limited, confined to this realm. Well for now, there is room for improvement."

Valkyrie blinked. "I am… Pretty glad you're on our side." she had to admit.

"You should be." Loki smirked. "By the way, do you know what a neurosurgeon is?" he asked.

Valkyrie shrugged. "No idea. Why?"

Loki shrugged. "It's not important. It just annoys me when people give themselves titles they don't deserve." he rolled his eyes. "Doctor." he shook his head "Indeed." he commented, clearly not buying it.