Beauty and the Trickster

by Snapegirlkmf

Belle is forced into a marriage of convenience with Gaston to save her family's land, but a Trickster's mischief marries her to Loki instead. Making a deal with the exiled god, Belle agrees to allow Loki three months to court and win her heart, going with him to his castle in Sorcerer's Wood. Is love possible between mortal and immortal? Pan & Amora plot revenge. FrostBeauty!

32. A Bundle of Mischief, Gathering of Lokis

32

A Bundle of Mischief, A Gathering Of Loki's

Persephone paced back and forth in front of the brothers. "You two are going to learn how to feed babies, change them, give them baths, burp them, calm them down and anything bloody thing else I can think of that men have been making US do ourselves for centuries!"

"But….that's why we have nursemaids…"

"Again…making WOMEN do the work!"

Loki shook his head. Persephone was as stubborn as his wife, but he had to admit he was eager to learn how to do most of those things himself. His brother looked like he wanted to make a break for the Bifrost.

"I'm assuming we'll be learning with Robin?"

"Yes. Oh, and there'll be no magic use during any of this."

"I didn't use any when I was being taught how to diaper DJ Molk," Belle pointed out. "It's not that hard."

They heard furious screams coming from the nursery.

"Ah, the first lesson. Diaper changing."

They followed her down the corridor and into the nursery. Robin lay in her crib pounding on the mattress with her small fists, her face red with rage. As the nurse knelt down to pick her up Persephone waved her away.

"Loki, pick her up."

An unpleasant odor filled his nostrils as he lifted Robin out of the crib, her small foot swinging forward and delivering a sharp kick to his chest while she continued to scream.

"OWWW! What was what for?" he cried.

"Oh, what's the matter Brother? Can't handle a little bitty baby?" Thor taunted.

"Quiet!" he grumbled. "Now...now what do I do?"

"Carry her over to the table."

Robin continued kicking him, Loki thinking the girl would make a fine warrior once she reached adulthood, if she didn't kick his organs out first.

"Do babies do that often?" Belle wanted to know.

"Fuss. Yes. Especially when you want them to do something they're not ready to do."

"There are some babies who have terrible tempers. Alemedia was like that. She fought, screamed and cried day and night for me but her father was able to get her under control...most of the time."

"So some babies behave more for one parent than the other?"

"Yes."

Meanwhile Robin was squirming on the changing table. After six tries Loki was finally able to remove her onesie, fighting the urge to vomit from the stench from the diaper.

"It can't be that bad!" Thor rolled his eyes.

"Say that after you've smelled it!"

He listened carefully while Persephone instructed him how to remove the diaper. He started to pull it off.

"Careful! You're getting it all over...bloody hell!"

"But it's everywhere!" the god protested. "How does a baby have...never mind. I don't WANT to know!"

He grabbed some towels and started cleaning up the mess. Robin flipped over and while he was cleaning the other side of the table he felt something warm between his fingers and on the cloth.

"What...? Did she just...?"

Thor was clutching his belly laughing hysterically. "She PEED on you Brother!"

"Does that happen often?"

"Yes Belle, it can so keep alert!"

Loki held the messy diaper out in front of him and dropped it in the waste basket Persephone had conjured followed by the stained cloth.

"Now you have to clean her."

"She won't keep still!"

"If she were younger it would be less difficult," Persephone explained. "But the best way to learn is with one that is."

He grabbed the small push monkey that was siting on the dresser and handed it to her.

She cuddled the toy in her arms as he grabbed the pack of wipes and started cleaning her up.

Then he started singing an old lullaby he recalled Frigga singing to him when he was a child.

Belle placed her hand on her still flat belly.

Your papa will be singing that for you soon, little one.

She smiled dreamily listening to her husband's luscious voice.

"Hel, I can't sing!" Thor muttered. "Except when I'm drunk."

"You still can't," Loki snorted. "You just think you can."

"I'll be doing the singing in our house," Persephone muttered.

Robin's eyes fluttered open and she began to scream again.

"Ahhh.. she's not peeing again is she?"

"No, she wants you to keep singing. It relaxes her."

"Maybe we should make a tape of you singing. I've heard some of the other Belles say they did that with their husbands' voices." Belle suggested.

"Good idea," Persephone praised.

Their next lesson was feeding. Persephone cautioned the couple that children could be fussy when it came time for them to be fed and some would only eat certain things.

And since her mother wasn't the one doing the feeding, Robin played her part to perfection.

She cried, screamed, spit out her food, and threw some of it in Loki's face.

"Make it entertaining for her," Persephone instructed.

Loki wiped his face. "Oh? And how do you suggest I do that, Seph?"

"You're a god! Be creative!"

"Let me try." Belle picked up the spoon, recalling seeing Beth Molk's husband entertain their "Baby Cookie" by pretending the spoon was an airplane.

Robin watched while she moved the spoon back and forth, enchanting it to make the same noises she'd heard Beth's husband use. Robin started giggling and clapping her hands.

"Now here comes the pudding! Open the hangar!"

"Mmmm!" Robin murmured.

"There, that's a good girl!"

"Now try again Loki!"

Thinking Belle's flying machine trick wouldn't work, Loki decided he would try to get Robin to eat by using one of Frigga's old tricks.

He cast an illusion spell, making Robin think she was eating ice cream.

She finished the bowl and looked up at him, smiling. He was making progress.

He made silly faces at her while he cleaned her face with a wet washcloth, which he had seen Elsa do with baby Edmund when he had visited them last time. "All right, darling. Now I think it's time we got you dressed." He turned to Thor. "Brother, now it's your turn."

Thor looked alarmed. "Me? But Loki, you're the one who will have a baby soon!"

Loki frowned at the Thunder God. "So? You will be visiting and you're going to be Robin's new father, if everything goes as planned, right? So you had better start getting used to doing things with her, Thor. That way, I won't have to worry when you watch mine."

Thor heaved a sigh, looking like he was about to be tortured. Persephone smirked. Loki picked Robin up from her high chair and handed her to her soon-to-be-father, who held the baby like he would have a grenade about to go off.

Robin squealed and reached out to touch Thor's beard.

"Oww! Hey, don't pull!" the god yelped.

He tried to disentangle the little baby's fingers but Robin screamed bloody murder at being deprived of her new toy.

"I'm gonna go deaf!" Thor cried. He looked at Persephone for help.

"Thor, you need to give her something else to play with," the goddess chuckled. "Or else she'll keep screaming."

Thor looked around frantically. Then he spotted the stuffed monkey Loki had given her before. He grabbed it and showed it to Robin. "Look, here's your monkey, baby."

Robin refused to even acknowledge it. She just kept yelling.

"Now what?" Thor winced, convinced the child's howls had trebled in the minutes he had held her.

"Try this!" Loki conjured a few illusionary balls of light and set them to winking above Robin's hands.

The baby stopped screaming and reached for them, cooing happily.

"Holy Valhalla!" Thor gasped. "That was clever, Brother!"

"Thanks," Loki chuckled.

"Very good, Loki! Now you're using that brain of yours!" Persephone praised. "While she's distracted, Thor, go and dress her."

Thor carried Robin into the nursery again, and placed her on the same table as Loki had used to change her. The lights fluttered and twinkled, occupying Robin long enough for Thor to take the little dress and socks Belle handed him.

He examined the items, puzzling a bit at the tiny snaps in the back. "Umm . . ."

"You need to unsnap them," Persephone instructed.

Thor finally figured it out and then he sat Robin up so he could put the dress over her head.

Robin was still entranced by the colored lights so putting on her socks wasn't difficult. But when it came to snapping up the back of the dress, Thor realized his large fingers weren't very good at manipulating tiny things like that.

"While my boyfriend dresses my little cherub, let's have some tea," Seph suggested to Belle, and the two women left for the kitchen.

A frustrated Thor muttered, "Blast this damn dress!" and skipped a few snaps.

At that moment, Robin grew bored with the twinkling lights and began to fuss.

"There!" Thor declared. "That's good enough!" He picked up Robin, who then tried to pull his hair.

"Hey! What is it with you and my hair?" Thor grumbled as he went to show her mother what he had accomplished.

Loki followed, not saying anything, but his emerald eyes glittered mischievously as he noticed something.

Thor and Robin entered the kitchen. "Seph—oww—I did it!" Thor declared proudly. He lifted up the baby to show her mother.

Persephone, Belle, and Loki cracked up laughing.

"What? What's so funny?" Thor demanded.

Then Robin kicked her feet and the god saw the dress had nearly come off of her."By the Nine!"

"You forgot to button the top!" Loki announced gleefully.

"Oh shut up, Loki! I couldn't get the bloody thing to work!" Thor grumbled, and everyone laughed harder, including the baby in his arms.

"Maybe next time you should pick a different outfit!" Seph giggled.

Thor sighed, thinking it was easier to undress a lady by far. Then he shook his head, since he shouldn't even be thinking about undressing Seph at this time.

Loki came and helped Thor fix the dress, showing him how to manipulate the snaps.

"Easier with magic," Thor grumbled.

He decided he would add failing at dressing a baby to the list of things he needed to talk to Doctor Ozopov about at his next session. He shook his head, chasing his melancholy thoughts away for the time being. The last thing he wanted to do was worry Loki when being an expecting father brought enough of their he started laughing.

"At least the clothes aren't falling off! Doctor Ozopov said the first time he didn't use magic to dress his twins that's what happened to his son!"

They all began laughing again.

Robin squealed and then did something totally unexpected. She kissed Thor on the cheek. "Mmmaa!"

"Oh! How adorable!" Belle cooed.

"Better watch out, Brother," Loki laughed. "She's gonna charm all the boys when she's older."

"Over my dead body!" Thor retorted.

"Loki will turn all of the boys into frogs," Belle predicted.

"Or send them on impossible quests," his brother quipped. "Like trying to defeat the ogre of Glass Mountain."

"There really is an ogre? I thought that was just a story," Thor said.

"Not in Fairytale Land," Loki pointed out. "There half the legends live."

"Loki will turn all of the boys into frogs," Belle predicted.

"Damn straight I will!" the master mage declared. "Or snails, or puppy dog tails like in that silly nursery rhyme I read years ago."

"Snails!" for some reason this caused Persephone to go off in gales of laughter once more, causing Loki to peer at her askance.

"What's so amusing, Seph?"

"Snails!" she gasped. "Oh, you don't know about that. . . it's one of Rumple's favorite transformation spells . . ." she coughed and regained her equilibrium long enough to inform the Asgardians about all the Rumplestiltskins predilection for making unwanted guests become escargot . . . and sometimes crushing them beneath his shiny black boots . . .

Both Asgardians seemed mildly impressed by that story-since among the Norse pantheon such spells were commonplace with their mages. And among the Jotun also, Loki recalled.

Belle sighed. "I suppose I will have to convince you two overprotective gods to not try and turn every suitor our daughter has into a splotch on the pavement or some other loathsome creature."

"You can try, love," Loki smirked. "But I make no promises."

"If you have a girl," Thor reminded. "Do you think you shall?"

Persephone stirred her tea nervously. She was pleased to see Thor and Loki sharing some bonding time with her daughter and with each other but she knew Thor was still haunted by his experiences in New York, experiences he'd only talked about with his 'work colleagues', Jiminy Ozopov and her.

You still see him in your brother's face, she thought.

"I believe we will have a daughter," Belle announced.

The moment he'd heard the words 'pound into the pavement' Thor couldn't help seeing Doctor Banner in Hulk form pounding the man he'd believed to be his brother into the marble floor at Stark Tower

Stop it! It wasn't him. It wasn't him! he scolded himself.

Loki blinked and eyed his brother. "Thor? Are you all right, Brother?"

Belle hadn't needed to use her powers to determine the sex of their child, she knew in her heart the child she carried was a girl.

Tell him!

I can't Seph...not now!

He has to know dammit!

He's dead! What difference does it make?

It makes a big bloody difference. Remember what Jiminy told you. Your past is going to be Hades' strongest weapon against you. He is going to use your fear of 'that' man to break you down."

"it's nothing," Thor said aloud. Persephone scowled.

Loki arched an eyebrow. He sensed his younger brother was not being truthful with him, but decided not to push the issue. Thor could be as stubborn as ten goats and he would only speak when he was ready. Loki knew from experience that trying to make him talk was a wasted effort. "I see. Well, when you've decided to share whatever is bothering you, I'm ready to listen."

"Enough. Tell him!" Persephone growled

"I agree with Persephone. We're family. If something is bothering you, please tell us. We want to help you," Belle pleaded.

"How much do you know about my exile, Brother?"

"Only what you told me," Loki answered. "Did something happen during that time that is haunting you?" the other god queried, his emerald eyes bright with compassion.

"Yes. I wandered around for a bit...dated a mortal girl...got a job..."

Loki nodded. "Then what happened?" He sensed whatever it was disturbed the other man greatly and that in turn raised his hackles.

"There is an agency on Midgard called SHEILD who somehow got hold of one of the six Infinity Stones. I'm sure you've heard Father talk about them. The space stone was supposed to be locked away on our Asgard or Loki Laufeyson's Asgard...I'm not certain which but either way it somehow ended up in this agency's hands and they were using it to make weapons to kill visitors like me...like us."

"Great Yggdrasil!" Loki hissed. "No mortal should ever have control of such power!"

"That's horrible!" Belle exclaimed.

"What happened to it?" Loki asked frowning. "Do they still have it?"

"Indeed they should not Brother but it was stolen and was going to be used to open a portal where the Chitauri and their leader Thanos waited to invade." Thor exhaled sharply. "The thief called himself Loki."

Loki stared at Thor. "What are you saying? Was this person a doppleganger of me? A clone?"

"I...I thought it was you..."

"Why?" Belle demanded.

"Things he said...how he acted when he was captured in Germany obtaining a device to help open the portal. He knew everything about us Brother. Everything!"

"Could it have been this Thanos disguising himself to look like Loki?"

"No. We didn't find Thanos until later."

But Loki shook his head. "From what I've been told, Thanos is a Titan-and has no recourse to disguise magic . . . or any sort of magic like what we possess. There is only one explanation I can think of-that this impersonator was one who scried upon us from another reality-thus learning all of our past-or that he was an alternate persona of me from a different reality . . . but one that turned dark. And if that is the case . . . he is very very dangerous."

"He was. His name was Ikol."

"My name spelled backwards," Loki hissed. "How fiendishly clever." He admitted grudgingly. "What happened with him?"

"SHEILD recruited a group of us...we call ourselves the Avengers to track Ikol, down and get the Tesseract...that's what they call the space stone. He was in New York and had the portal open when we got there using a power source one of our team members invented. His name's Tony Stark but we call him Iron Man because he wears a metal suit when he's working."

"How very resourceful," Loki remarked.

"We have an ex Russian spy Natasha who calls herself Black Widow...a guy given superhuman strength who goes by Captain America...Hawkeye is a SHIELD agent Ikol used the mind stone to control until Natasha gave him a good knock on the head and Doctor Banner who is a mean green giant when he gets mad. Then.." He laughed. "We sometimes have the ship of morons pitching in."

"A ship of morons?" Loki queried, his lips twitching.

"They call themselves the Guardians of the Galaxy but Rocket...the raccoon that's part of them calls them morons. The captain's Peter Quill. He's part human and Celestial and listens to a lot of old music. Drax is an ex con but he's got a good heart. Mantis is an empath and a healer...and then we've got Thanos's adopted daughters Gamora and Nebula. Never piss them off." He smiled. "Can't forget Groot. He's a tree...a teenage tree gamer."

Loki chuckled. "We have trees that are sentient here in the Enchanted Forest. And in Oz also, if my memory serves me."

"Yeah, It's hilarious seeing them all try to parent the tree."

Loki giggled. "Aye, I imagine it would be." Then he turned serious again. "And Ikol? What did he do to you?" He was prepared to hear the worst-since he knew that any magician of his caliber who turned dark could wreak destruction of terrible ferocity if given the opportunity. It sent chills down his spine.

"After we beat his army in New York he rejoined Thanos and started invading other planets. I was on a ship protecting some refugees from one of those planets when it was attacked. They killed everyone. Thanos had captured all the stones except two the time stone and the soul stone. I was floating out in space when the morons rescued me and brought me back to Midgard where the Time Stone was being kept."

"To get the soul stone Thanos had to sacrifice someone he loved," Persephone added.

"That person was Gamora. We had to protect her too."

"What else?" Loki scowled. "What else are you keeping from me, Little Brother."

"He got them Loki. He got them all."

"All the Infinity Stones?" the other clarified, feeling ill.

"Yes."

"Thanos killed Gamora to get the soul stone and Doctor Strange, the Sorcerer Supreme surrendered the time stone."

"Why would he do that?" Belle cried.

"He'd used it to look into the future and saw we had one chance to stop Ikol and Thanos from wiping out half the universe's population."

"How?"

"Sometimes you must surrender all to win all," Loki murmured, flinching. "Like surrendering pawns and knights in chess to protect the queen."

"He was going to kill all of us...and Strange knew if that happened the universe wouldn't stand a chance."

"So he gave him the stone...and then what?"

Thor laughed. "The time stone can only be used by its Keeper."

"Which was Doctor Strange, correct?"

"Yes. And the moment Thanos snapped his fingers they were wiped out of existence and Gamora returned."

"Ultimate power will ultimately destroy you in the end," Loki remarked sagely.

'Exactly. Stephen didn't tell us he was the only one who could use the time stone's power. He couldn't."

"Three can know a secret but only if two are dead," Belle whispered. "Benjamin Franklin said that."

"Yet for a few minutes we all thought we were going to watch each other die...I thought I was going to die while my brother just stood there smiling."

Loki reached out to clasp Thor's shoulder. "Norns have mercy! No wonder you are . . .an emotional wreck, Thor. Anyone would be if you didn't know . . .I am sorry," he said, reverting to Old Norse, as he did in times of stress.

"I went a little mad...put on some weight, drank, hid in the Avengers compound and yelled at some noob gamers over my headset when they were giving my boys a rough time."

"I can understand that," Loki said empathetically. "I went into a depression myself after I exiled myself from Asgard and all of my family."

"Now you understand why I thought that was you. You were so hurt and angry when you left...I thought...I thought you wanted vengeance on us."

Loki shook his head. "No. All I ever wanted was for Father to acknowledge me as your equal, Thor. I was hurt and angry, but over the fact that I had been lied to all my life-and I just wanted to go away and hide like a wounded animal. I never ever considered hurting any of you-you were my only family and family has always been sacred to me."

"And all my life I've thought I was just a prince of Asgard...now...now I find out I'm a reincarnated Titan who still doesn't know how the hell I'm going to defeat the God of the Underworld!"

He shook his head. "But enough about it. I can't burden you with anymore of my issues. You have a family of your own to worry about."

"Hey!" Loki frowned reprovingly at the other god. "I may be married now but you're still my family, Thor. And I am always available for you to come to. So don't forget that, Little Brother! Once a brother always a brother!"

"This is our war and Seph and I have to fight it alone."

"If anything happens to us, you, Regina and Robin are to share custody of my daughter. Keep her away from Hades and Alemedia," Persephone instructed.

"And now….it's time to learn the proper way to give a child a bath."

They'd been talking for so long that they'd lost track of time and young Robin had dozed off.

"Just remember what I said," the Master of Mischief reminded. "And it looks like this little imp has gone to the Land of Dreams. Be a pity to wake her."

Inwardly he thought that if necessary he would interfere in their private little war, because that was his job-to keep those he loved safe-even from themselves.

Belle clasped his hand in hers. It's mine too, she sent.

Are you reading my mind? he teased silently.

Always, mon couer, she replied, winking mischievously.

Seph gestured and a construct of Robin appeared. "We'll let her sleep and the construct will do...but it can be a little wicked."

As wicked as her own daughter could get when she wasn't ready for bathtime.

However Belle was confident her husband's own ingenuity and mischievous streak would see him through this trial. "Go ahead, love. You can do it," she encouraged. "Both of you can."

The brothers smirked recalling their own antics during bathtimes as children.

"Come here, darling!" Loki crooned. "Your Uncle Loki has a surprise for you." He picked up the construct, holding her securely yet gently.

"I hope it's not the same surprise you gave our nanny once!" Thor chuckled, recalling the time Loki had become a little sea serpent when she had placed the mischievous tot into the tub.

You could have heard her shrieking in Valhalla! Loki sent, snickering.

But the moment the construct saw the bathtub she let out a shrill scream and kicked him in the ribs.

"Nooo baaa!"

"Hey!" Loki yelped, startled. "No kicking, sweetheart! And who said anything about a bath? That's a kiddie pool!" He gestured and the bathtub transformed into a small kiddie pool complete with a slide such as he had seen in the United Realms when he had last visited.

"Im! Im!"

"You're gonna...in that?" Thor's eyebrows rose into his hair.

"Yggdrasil's Roots, Thor!" Loki rolled his eyes. "Here you go, darling!" He shifted into a sea otter, which could still hold the baby and slipped into the water. "See? Isn't this fun?" he squeaked, for as a shifter he could speak in any form he shifted into.

The construct stared at him then tried to scoop up some water and splash him.

Loki "smiled" at her and then splashed her back with his tail. "Come on, Thor! Don't just stand there like some great lump! Get in with S-O-A-P!"

"Now this is going to get interesting," Seph whispered to Belle.

"Loki! I . . . can't fit in there!" Thor objected.

"Oh. yes you can," the otter replied. Then he shrunk his brother down so he could fit into the bathtub. "Ta-da!"

Thor stared down at himself, horrified. "Loki!" he howled.

"Oh quit whining and get your backside in here!" Loki ordered, splashing the other god. "By the Nine, you'd think you were afraid to get wet!"

"I'm not afraid!" Thor snapped, then he jumped into the pool and splashed both of them.

The construct screeched in delight. "More! More 'plash!"

Loki blinked his eyes. "Hey, Mr. Brilliant! You forget something?" He indicated Thor's clothes, which were sopping wet. Then he giggled hysterically.

"Well I couldn't come in naked could I?"

"Oh for the love of Valhalla!" Loki sniffed. "Even you can do a swap spell. Mother taught you that." He looked at the construct. "You want to go down the slide, darlin'?"

"Ide!" she squealed.

Thor quickly swapped his clothes for a pair of swimming trunks and a tank top with the words POINT BREAK written on it.

"Better!" Loki approved. "Now watch this!" He paddled quickly to the slide with the baby held in his front forepaw. Then he climbed neatly up the stairs and went down the slide on his back, curled neatly around the construct. They hit the water like a cork and bounced across it.

"Ummm when we gonna use the S-O-A-P?"

"Soon!" Loki said wickedly and swam about Thor in a circle. "Hey, pretty girl, wanna get painted?" Get ready, he sent to Thor.

Bring it on!

"Uh?" the construct asked.

"It's fun!" the otter trilled and swam over to Thor. "Paint me, Brother!" he shrilled.

Grinning, Thor threw frothy soap on Loki and then "painted" him writing THOR RULES across the otter's chest.

"Like Hel!" Loki squeaked indignantly.

"Me! Me!" begged the construct.

"You heard the little lady," Loki smirked.

"All right," Thor said and then "painted" the construct, rubbing the soap all over her, including her hair. That was easy! he thought proudly. Clever, Loki!

Then the construct started screaming.

"What's the matter?" Thor gaped at it.

"The soap's getting into her eyes!"

"Oh Hel!" the god swore. "Uh . . . here!" he splashed hard at Loki and the construct.

A tidal wave flowed over them.

"Thor! You were supposed to rinse it off not drown us!" Loki screeched.

Both he and the construct began coughing up water.

"Sorry," he said sheepishly.

Loki sneezed. "Numbskull!" he muttered in Old Norse. "You okay, sweetie?" He nuzzled the construct who was now wailing.

Thor groaned. "Now what?"

Loki sniffed the construct, his whiskers tickling her cheek. Her eyes were now free of soap. "I know!" He began to sing a popular children's song he had heard on someone's iPhone while visiting Wicked Workout World one day with Belle. It was Rubberband Man by The Spinners.

"Hey ya'll prepare yourself for the rubberband man

You've never heard a sound

Like the rubberband man

You're bound to lose control

When the rubberband starts to jam..." Thor sang.

Loki began to tap the water with his tail. "Hmm . . . I was thinking more along the lines of "Baby Shark", but this'll do." He began to bounce in the water, and the construct soon stopped howling and started laughing.

"This is a song the morons like to play," Thor laughed.

"More!" the construct cried.

Persephone giggled wickedly. "Now you've done it!"

"Done what?" Belle wondered.

"Sun is shinin' in the sky

There ain't a cloud in sight

It's stopped rainin' everybody's in the play

And don't you know

It's a beautiful new day, hey hey!" Thor sang along ELO's Mr Blue Sky and began to dance in the pool.

Loki spun about gently and the construct grabbed his fur and screamed with delight. "More! More!" she yelled when Thor would have quit singing.

"Mr. Blue Sky please tell us why

You had to hide away for so long (so long)

Where did we go wrong?

Mr. Blue Sky please tell us why

You had to hide away for so long (so long)

Where did we go wrong?"

Thor conjured a Baby Groot and it started dancing in the pool with them.

"He's got a good voice," Belle remarked. "Just like Loki does."

"All of the gods do," Persephone commented.

But both gods were so wrapped up in their dancing that they forgot one small little detail-which the construct soon reminded them of.

"Boys!" Persephone mumbled, pointing

Thor was in the middle of a sentence when he saw it too. "Ahhh! Nine Hells, Loki!"

"What?"

"Look!" the Thunder God yelped.

It was then that Loki saw it. "Gross!"

The Baby Groot pointed in the water. "I am Groot?" it asked Thor.

"Ummm yeah...we ahh...we gotta get this cleaned up."

"It's time to get out, " Loki announced. Then he paddled over to the side and jumped out, shifting to his normal shape. "You clean that and I'll clean the baby, Thor."

"Really? You want ME to clean up the mess?" Thor winced. "I love you too Brother!"

"I am Groot!" the Baby Groot laughed.

"Shut up tree!"

"Now why didn't I remember to put a diaper on you?" Loki asked the construct ruefully. It just smirked at him.

Thor conjured cleaning supplies he and the other Avengers used to clean their compound, the Baby Groot entertaining Robin while Loki cleaned her.

"Does that happen often?" Belle inquired of Persephone.

"it can...if you don't pay attention."

Loki used some magic to clean himself up, even though an otter's fur was waterproof, he was taking no chances. That's the last time I forget THAT itty bitty detail! the god thought, embarrassed.

"Last...and most difficult lesson: bedtime."

"What's so hard about that?" Thor wondered. "Loki can just magic her to sleep."

"Not if she's a magical baby, Brother," the other disagreed. "The children with magic are often resistant to sleeping charms. Just ask Mother."

"And you can't always use magic to get a child to sleep."

Loki recalled hazily Frigga singing to him when he was very small.

She went on to explain how a spell done out of anger and frustration could become a curse.

"I . . . never thought of it that way," Thor replied.

"That's why I always stress to never cast when you're angry," Loki added.

Thor frowned. "But Loki . . . I've seen you kick the spit out of an enemy with magic when you're mad."

"Yes, but I'm not letting my anger fuel my magic. I'm using my anger to focus my intent and still maintaining control. But it's something I learned over centuries of practice."

Now that Robin was changed she was ready to be fed. The men glanced over at Persephone.

"Ah...do you have a wet nurse?" Loki inquired.

Persephone gestured and a bottle appeared in her hands. "Give this to her. It has breast milk in it."

"How are you able to do that?"

"Modern technology is astounding Belle. It makes some of a mother's job easier. Men can feed the babies when you're too tired to do so with this process. My sister and Hood feed Robin this way while she's staying with them. Come, I'll show you how its done." Seph teleported them into another room.

Robin seemed to enjoy feeding from the bottle Loki had been given and once she was finished Seph instructed him on the proper way to burp her and put her down for her nap.

The expecting parents felt more at ease now that they had been told what to expect when their child arrived.

"Thank you so much Persephone! I knew motherhood was not going to be easy."

"With Robin here you'll have lots of practice. She's bonding with you and she doesn't do that with everyone."

"She's family...at least she's going to be soon."

"Seph, I just got a call. Doctor Strange has something he needs to talk to me about," Thor informed her. She frowned. The Sorcerer Supreme never summoned him unless he'd used the time stone to see any potential dangers the Avengers needed to be aware of.

"I'll see when you get back then," she said softly and gave him a kiss before he vanished.

Portland, Maine

Summer, 2040

It had taken time and a great deal of patience, but the first stage of their plan would at last come to fruition. The Dark One knelt and began carving runes into the earth, runes that would unleash one of Odin's best kept secrets. The work finished, the Dark One rose and stepped back as a cloud of black smoke formed inside the circle of runes.

"From the dark depths of your eternal rest

I, the Dark One, command you to rise o Hela Goddess of Death!"

A tall female with jet black hair emerged from the cloud of smoke and glared at the Dark One and her companion.

"What does a Greek want with me?" she demanded.

The Dark One stepped forward and thrust her hand into the goddess's chest. Hela's eyes widened when she saw her own black heart in her summoner's hands. Only one race of beings held powers superior to gods….Titans.

"A diversion!" the Dark One hissed. "And to give a chance to have your revenge. You conquered the nine realms in your father's name but when he no longer had use for you, he locked you away, erased you from history. You are Odin's firstborn and the true heir to Asgard. Reclaim your throne!"

"I will," the goddess declared with a sneer. "And what do I owe you for this service, Titanspawn?"

"It's rather simple. Midgard is mine, the nine realms are yours. Violate our truce and I will send you back into the darkness."

"We have an accord, Titanspawn."

The Dark One's hand closed round the heart and squeezed it tightly. Hela gasped and sank to her knees.

"Cease! Cease…..I beg you!"

The Dark One seized a lock of the goddess's hair and yanked her to her feet. "Then DON'T call me Titanspawn!"

"What shall I call you?"

The Dark One smiled.

"By my name. Robin, well Alemedia."

It was a name Hela knew well. The second born of the Greek gods Hades and Persephone had been born with the Mark of Cain as were all the second born children in each generation, destined to slaughter their kin until the bloodline died out.

Hela hadn't needed the Mark of Cain curse. Her bloodlust had been well satisfied without it.

"Take me to Asgard and I will serve you well."

Alemedia grinned. "I'm counting on it."

Asgard- The present

Loki stared at the bottle. "Persephone, please explain to me how...ahhh...you get the milk in that bottle."

"Well . . . you need to use something mortals call a breast pump." The goddess smirked.

"Excuse me?" Loki stammered, his emerald eyes wide.

"I've milked goats," Loki began, still somewhat shocked. "But I never knew that ladies . . . could milk themselves!"

Belle winced. The process looked uncomfortable but it would be worth it for their child.

Thor doubled over laughing. "Oh Brother. That's your best one yet!" He couldn't wait to tell his fellow Avengers this little tidbit. It would make for an interesting conversation.

Loki glared at his brother. "Thor, shut up!"

"What'd I say?" his brother asked slyly.

"Oh don't play innocent!"

"The pair of you bicker worse than two old ladies," Belle retorted.

"So did our sons...Cronus and Coeus..." Persephone said and trailed off.

Loki eyed her sadly. "Forgive us. It's an old habit."

"Seph? What is it?" Thior asked worriedly.

"Our sons," she wept. "I remember them Thor. I remember!"

Belle put a hand on Seph's shoulder and said compassionately, "I'm so sorry!" Her other hand went automatically to her belly, a shudder running through her.

"It's all right. Of all the children I bore as Gaea and in this life so far Coeus and his consort Pheobe were the only ones who did not betray us. They fought for us to the last."

"And Ozmalita," Thor reminded her.

Persephone excused herself and went outside.

Loki shook his head. "I'm such an idiot. I didn't mean to make her relive those awful memories."

"To lose a child...children..." Belle sniffled.

"It is the worst thing that can happen to a parent," Thor muttered, recalling how devastated Odin and Frigga had been when they had lost Loki.

"My memories of my life as Uranus are slowly returning but forgetting my son...my only loyal son..." Thor wiped tears from his eyes. "The Mark of Cain, Loki."

"Is there nothing you could have done to reverse that curse?" his brother asked softly.

"Not when it was given to Cronus by Chuck or whatever the hell the bastard is calling himself." Thor laughed bitterly. "Doctor Strange told me he's been hanging out on Earth as an author. An author! What does he write about...how to be the biggest asshole of the primal gods?"

Loki scowled. "Some of us, Brother, are very arrogant and being immortal doesn't mean you stop being one, even though you should have learned better. But this curse . . .If it's magical in nature it can be broken. If the practitioner is strong enough. Or knows the right counterspell. What magic does, magic can undo." His genius mind was already running through possible spells.

"The only one who is powerful enough to reverse the Mark of Cain is Chuck's twin Amara. He cursed my children because it was prophesized one of my bloodline would dethrone him as the primal god."

"And where is she?" Belle queried.

"Locked away," Persephone said when she rejoined them.

"Then maybe someone needs to break her out of prison," Loki offered.

"The current bearer of the Mark of Cain can release her."

"Who is that?"

"Dean Winchester."

Loki's eyebrows rose. "I have heard of that one."

"He's human," Thor explained. "And apparently has a long history with Chuck's minions and his sperm deposit Lucifer."

"But will he help you?" Belle wondered.

"We're not giving him a choice," Persephone growled.

"I wish you luck, Brother,' Loki said sincerely. "I would help you but . . ." He gestured meaningfully to his pregnant wife.

"This isn't your fight. it's ours," Persephone said. "And our Guardians are not getting involved either. Removing the Mark is the only way we can stop the slaughter of innocents."

"I understand," Loki said. He recalled his own struggles with the sorcerer known as Pan . . . who was now locked up in Asgard.

"But we'll deal with it when the time comes. Now Belle, Loki, it's time to explain the childbirth process."

Thor heaved into a potted plant.

"Norns!" Loki groaned. Now he was starting to feel ill also.

Another video appeared of the same woman giving birth. The men kept looking away, embarrassed to be viewing the secret parts of a woman's body while Belle watched closely, understanding now why the women she knew who had given birth had feared for their lives.

Loki sent to her. You remember how I told you once that I can take the pain of someone or something and transfer it into an object? I can do that with you also.

If you wish my love, she sent back.

I do, darling. If there is one good thing that comes of having magic-it is using it to save you from this. He replied tenderly.

"Now some women these days give birth in water. It's supposed to be more comfortable. I know two women who did."

He spread his hands. "Belle, whatever you think would make this easier I'm willing to do for you."

"It's too bad you couldn't just magic the babe out of her," Thor remarked.

"Or have it yourself," Seph suggested evilly.

Loki hit himself in the forehead. "Honestly?"

"Well, in all those stories . . ." Thor grinned.

Loki scowled. "That's all they were, Brother. Stories. Even a shifter can't go against nature. I can shift into a female but that doesn't mean I'm fertile as one. I was born a male and that's what I can reproduce as."

"Damn," Persephone muttered and laughed.

Still, that crack had Loki's wily brain thinking . . . though at present he didn't want to reveal what path his thoughts had taken.

Confident they had prepared the new parents as best they could, Persephone and Thor knew they couldn't stay away from the Realms too long. Doctor Strange had seen something disturbing in young Robin's future and both feared the Mark of Cain curse would claim more innocents unless they found its human bearer.

Loki sensed the other two immortals needed to be going soon. "I think you've helped us tremendously, Seph. You too, Brother. Even if you can't recall much about your first life."

"I'm getting there. Send us word when the baby comes."

"Of course we will," Loki assured him. "You'll need to meet your new niece or nephew."

"I can't wait," Thor said eagerly.

Then he added wickedly, "Just don't faint, Loki!"

Persephone tossed a coin and a portal appeared on the wall.

"You wish!" Loki snorted. Then he waved. "Farewell, darlings!"

The couple stepped through the portal and vanished.

Robin missed her parents terribly but to Belle and Loki's relief she gave them very little trouble.

"Perhaps we'll get lucky and our little one will be an easy infant," Belle mused after gently tucking the blanket around the sleeping baby.

Loki coughed. "Umm . . .we can pray. Although . . . I was good as a baby," he remarked hopefully. "It was only later that I started getting into mischief."

"I suspect our baby will be no different. Oooh, my feet feel like stone!"

"Come, lie down and I can massage them," Loki purred.

She shuffled over to the bed, her growing figure making even walking more difficult. She now had to rely on one of the servants or her husband to help her dress, her outgrown dresses sent to the town for the other ladies to wear.

Loki sat on the end of the bed and propped his wife's feet in his lap. He gently warmed his hands with magic and used soothing lavender and chamomile oil to rub into her aching feet.

"Much better," she murmured.

Loki smiled and continued working. One of the kittens came in and jumped onto the bed, curling up against Belle and purring loudly.

Together, Mischief God and cat soon soothed Belle to sleep.

They were awakened hours later by a flash of light.

A dark-haired man dressed in modern Midgardian clothing stood in the room, a sliver dagger in his hand. At his side was a woman also in modern Midgardian clothing holding a sword.

"Where is my sister?" the man demanded.

"Who in Hel are you?" Loki growled, sitting up, one hand clenched and glowing with pure magical fire.

A pair of wings appeared on the man's back, tearing through the tan trench coat he wore.

"My name is Castiel."

"Loki!" Belle gasped in awe. "He's . . . an angel!"

"In this life yes. In my first my name was Coeus. This is Kelly...but in her first life she was Pheobe...my wife."

"You . . . your parents believed you to be dead." Loki stared.

The woman placed her hand on Castiel's shoulder. "Jack was right.…"

Loki rose, holding a hand out to Belle. "Why don't we discuss this elsewhere besides my bedroom. Like over some tea in the drawing room?"

Castiel nodded.

They followed Belle and Loki down the hall. Loki summoned tea and some scones with clotted cream and butter.

"I don't understand...Persephone said you died...long ago," Belle said.

"And we did," Phoebe explained. "Chuck the god of light...stole our souls to have us reborn, me as a human, Castiel as an angel that would serve him.

"Why?"

"Revenge?" Loki guessed.

"To escape his own death. He knew a child of our bloodline would destroy him."

"He had his son Lucifer get me pregnant thinking he could make the child another of his slaves but my son rejected Lucifer and made Castiel his father."

"Our son Jack fulfilled the prophecy. Chuck is now mortal but the Mark of Cain is still active and it must not reach Robin."

"Is that why you've come?" Loki asked.

"To protect my sister, yes." Castiel replied.

"And you. " Kelly smiled at Belle. "You're almost ready to give birth. "Be sure you have plenty of diapers on hand or Cas will buy out stores of them."

"We will be in your way as little as possible," Castiel added.

The couple was true to their word, taking charge of Robin's care so that Loki and Belle could prepare for the birth of their own child. As her due date approached Belle's fears that something would go wrong increased. She would give birth to a deity.

Loki was also near to biting his nails with nervousness. Despite his reassurances, and the fact that his beloved was a goddess and no longer mortal, he was still worried that something would happen. Which was why he considered having Belle give birth on Asgard-with all of their magical science.

One night Belle was awakened by sharp pains in her belly.

"Loki...Loki..." she whispered, shaking his shoulder.

"Hmm . . ." her husband stirred, slowly awakening from a lovely dream. He blinked and stared up at her blearily, "Yes, darling?"

"I think...I think it's time…"

"Time?" he repeated, his brain still fuzzy with sleep. Abruptly he sat bolt upright. "Oh Holy Yggdrasil! The baby . . . you're having the baby . . .!" He sprang up from the bed as if he had laid upon hot coals.

Belle gripped the bedpost and pulled herself up, The pains were coming faster now and more intense. "Help me…"

"All right . . ." Loki panted, his gaze intense. He touched his wife's belly, timing the contractions, his brain spinning with anxiety.

"We must get the midwife…"

"I'll go," Castiel said from the doorway.

"Thank you!" Loki breathed again. "I'm reading about five minutes apart, darling."

"Not anymore!" she cried. "Ohhh you promised me you would send this pain away. Send it away! Anywhere!"

"Shhh, love." Loki soothed. He grasped her hand, wincing as she crushed his fingers. "Just a minute." He concentrated hard, willing the pain to go from his wife and into someone most deserving of it . . .

The Transference spell surged through his wife and took the pain away upon the wings of magic.

Asgard Prison

Pan was dreaming of the day he would finally break out of this bloody cell and have his revenge upon everyone in Asgard who had put him here-especially that Jotun beast Loki and his pretty consort. He was going to make their deaths slow and painful . . .so they would learn the folly of crossing him.

A smile of vindictive pleasure crossed his boyish face.

It was suddenly wiped out as pain such as he had never known lanced through his lower abdomen.

"Oooh! Ahhh!" He clutched his belly. "What . . . is wrong with me?"

It pulsed through him in waves and he went to his knees upon the cell floor.

"Hey!" bellowed one of his guards, glaring at him through the forcefield. "What in Hel is the matter with you?"

"I . . . don't . . . ahh . . . know . . .!" whimpered Pan, writhing as the pains seemed to crest like the tide.

"Maybe he ate something off?' muttered his other guard.

"Don't be ridiculous!" snorted the first guard. "He ate what all the prisoners do-and none of them are ill. Quit your whining! It's an act, Olaf!"

"It is?" Olaf frowned, and stared as Pan writhed on the floor, making the most wretched sounds. "He reminds me of a goat in labor!"

"Help . . . oohh . . .ahhh . . ." screamed Pan.

"Knock it off!' roared the first guard. "You're not fooling anyone."

Rrafnwulf:

"How's that, Belle?" Loki crooned. "Better?"

His wife swallowed sharply. "Oui, Loki. Much."

Just then Castiel arrived with Iseult in tow. "I've brought the Headman's wife, Loki. She says she will be honored to assist your lady wife."

Belle panted slightly. "Iseult . . . thank the Norns. How much longer?"

Iseult frowned and muttered, "Let me see how far along you are, dearie." She wondered at how calm the young mother was being. Then again, this WAS a goddess and mayhap birthing was different for them.

Loki paced up and down while Iseult examined his wife, hiding a wicked chuckle as he did so. I hope you're enjoying my little joke, Malcolm!

Asgard:

" . . . Oh gods . . . please, please . . ." The evil sorcerer screamed as more pain assailed him. He did not know what curse had been placed on him but he knew there was no worse torture . . . " . . . shut up, you arseholes!" he screeched at the guards, who were pointing and jeering at him.

"I will . . . curse you . . . unto the tenth generation . . ." he howled.

"He's totally lost it!" giggled Olaf.

"He was already crazy!" growled his companion. "I swear by the Nine, why do we always get the insane ones?"

"Some demon is in me! Get it out. GET IT OUUUUTTTT!"

"See? See?" the first guard threw up his hands.

Pan began beating his hands against the floor.

"Kjell, maybe there really is something wrong . . .?" Olaf began, pointing. "Look!"

Kjell gaped. "What in Nine Hels . . . .?"

"Hey! Don't you dare soil that cell!"

"I'll SHITE you out DEMON!"

He began squatting and groaning loudly.

"How much did you have to drink?" Olaf demanded of his fellow guard.

"Nothing when I'm on duty!" Kjell cried.

"BEGONE VILE CREATURE!"

Hrafnwulf:

"The babe is crowning my lady!" Iseult shouted. "You must push now!"

"Belle, just like that image we saw," Loki coached and took her hand.

Kelly appeared in the room and took Belle's hand. "Together. Push!"

She grunted and pushed hard, feeling the baby move slightly.

"Good, my lady. Keep going!"

She pushed again. Iseult nodded. Fortunately there was no tearing as she had often seen with mothers as young as the goddess. Soon the baby's head and shoulders were free.

"Can she stop now?"

"No, my lord. She cannot stop until the babe is free. A few more should do."

Asgard:

"Ah! Ah! Yes, leave me you vile thing. Torment me no more!" Pan screamed.

"You swine! Stop that this instant!" Olaf shouted.

Hrafnwulf:

"Once more my lady!"

Belle gripped Kelly and Loki's hands tighter and gave one final push, the baby gliding gently into Iseult's awaiting arms.

"It is done, it is done my lady!" she praised and held the child up for the couple to see.

Asgard:

"I CAST YOU OUT DEMON. RETURN TO HELL!" Pan yelled.

The guards groaned and held their noses as a foul stench filled the cell.

"Get me outta here. I ain't sittin in a cell next to that loony!" one of the other prisoners shouted.

Another laughed while he covered his nose. "Lookit the great Pan. You expelled a demon alright. Was it your dinner?"

Hrafnwulf:

"Look, Lady Belle!" Iseult said as she deftly cut the cord. "You have a fine healthy girl!" As she did so, the newest member of the Asgardian Royal Family opened her mouth and wailed lustily.

Loki gestured and a cleaning charm soon removed the birthing fluids. "Welcome to the world, baby girl!" he crooned, his green eyes glittering with love and tears. "Come, let's go see your mama." He tenderly took the baby from Iseult and placed her in Belle's arms.

"Oh, Loki! She's . . . she's perfect!" Belle cried.

The new mother cradled her most precious treasure close, gently counting the little fingers and toes. The newborn was a bit red, but the hectic color soon faded until she was a soft rosy pink. A tuft of dark hair stood up fuzzily across her head. "Look, beloved! She has your eyes!"

For the newborn goddess did have eyes the green of new spring leaves, just like a certain Trickster god.

Loki stared at the little miracle he had created and thought he had never seen anything so glorious-except perhaps his beautiful wife. He examined her with his Sorcerer's Sight-and Saw that the baby had also inherited a great deal of magic-both his and Belle's. Her aura was a panorama of green. blue, purple, gold, and rose.

"She is lovely, my lord!" Iseult praised. "Like both of you."

"What will you call her?" Kelly asked.

"Shall we name her for your mother Loki?" Belle asked.

"How about for yours?" Loki asked. "Collette Skadi Lokisdottir."

"Oh Loki it's perfect! Merci, Merci beaucoup!"

Together the two traced runes of protection on the baby's forehead. Then they said together, "We bless and keep you, child. In our love you shall thrive, in our magic you shall be protected, from now until forever!"

Castiel gestured and a small necklace with a charm shaped like the silver blade he carried appeared in his hand.

"It will become a blade should she need it. We will go find my parents and tell them to come meet my cousin," he added.

The pair opened a portal and vanished as Belle began to sing a lullaby she'd remembered from her childhood.

Loki sent to Rumple, Mal, Bae, and Morraine to come and see the baby.

Little Collette's eyes were shutting when the two apprentices, Loki's squire, and Belle's personal maid entered the room, filled with joy to welcome the newest Princess of Asgard and Hrafnwulf.

"Now there's a beautiful sight, dearie!" Rumple grinned. "I'm hoping the wee one didna give ye much trouble coming into the world!"

"Well . . . not as much as you'd think," Belle laughed. "Thanks to Loki's Transference spell."

"Oh? Where did you send the pain?" Mal queried.

Loki smirked evilly. "To one who richly deserves it. You know him as Pan!"

Rumple nearly collapsed on the floor laughing.

"Oh, dearie, dearie, dear!" he gasped. "'Tis a fitting trick indeed, my lord!" He clutched his sides, still giggling hysterically.

"Good! Serves the old toad right!" Bae growled.

Collette yawned and Mal smiled. "She's precious, Belle. May she grow up strong and brave."

"She will," Belle said softly and kissed the baby's forehead.

"She sure is tiny, Papa," Bae observed. "Like a scrawny wolf pup."

"Scrawny, you scamp?" Belle gasped and chuckled.

"Bae!" Rumple scolded, aghast.

But Loki waved off the other magician's apology. "It's all right, Rumple. The lad is just being honest. Although I'd wager you weren't much bigger yourself, right Rumple?"

"Aye, he was a bit puny," the other teased.

"Papa!" Bae whined.

"Oh hush!" Morraine hissed at him. "After that comment you're lucky they aren't kicking ye out to sleep in the stable!" The girl came over to admire the baby. "Dinna listen to him, he's a boy what do they know? I think she's a wee darling!"

"Thank you, Morraine," Loki beamed at her. He stroked the baby's cheek, which was softer than rose petals.

Just then, Ragnar padded into the room. He heaved himself over the side of the bed to peer intently at the newest member of the pack. His tail wagged briefly and he half-yipped, "This is your pup, is it not, Loki? She is a fine strong one. His nose sniffed Collette, getting her scent.

Ragnar, meet my daughter, Collette, Loki sent to his familiar. She is the very best thing I have ever done, save for marrying her mother.

Quite! the wolf yipped, his eyes softening with affection. I shall guard her with my own life if need be.

"You must get some rest soon my lady," Iseult reminded the new mother. "You've had a long ordeal."

"Yes. You're right." Belle agreed, yawning. She reluctantly handed Collette to Loki, who put her in the small cradle beside the bed.

The others left the new parents alone, sensing they needed time to bond with their baby and also get some much needed rest. Iseult would go home and tell her husband and children the good news, and soon all of Lokisianna would know and celebrate the birth of their new lady.

Gifts began arriving early the following morning, some teleported in by magic, others delivered.

Diablo flew to Asgard to inform Odin, Frigga, Skadi, and Njord.

"A granddaughter!" Frigga exclaimed.

By the Nine! That is the best news I have heard all year!" Odin said. He picked up his mead horn. "A toast! To my new granddaughter!"

"To our granddaughter!" Njord raised his goblet.

"May she always be wise and clever, like her papa!" Skadi said, and toasted the newest member of her family.

Frigga had consulted her spellbook in the weeks before the birth for which blessings to bestow upon her granddchild and now that she knew the babe was indeed a girl as she'd Seen, they would serve the child well.

"You owe me a bauble, Odin," she reminded him.

"Indeed, dearest," the King of the Nine sighed. "I haven't forgotten."

Skadi laughed. "Never wager against a woman's Sight, Odin. How many times did I tell you that?"

"Now don't gloat, Skadi!" Odin grumbled. He had been sure Loki would have thrown a boy, but his eldest son had a way of continually surprising him.

"Not often enough dearest or he would have remembered," Njord snickered.

"We'd best get going. Belle will still need to recover her strength after her ordeal and Skadi and I can see to her and of course spoil our granddaughter."

"Will they be coming to Asgard for the Blessing of the Heir In Waiting?" Odin wondered. That was an old ceremony to welcome his granddaughter and also to mark her rightful place in the line of succession to the throne of Asgard and the Nine.

"That is a question we must ask our son."

"Please do so. We will need some time to prepare," Odin reminded the two goddesses.

As Frigga stood up she felt a tightness in her chest.

"Frigga?" Skadi cried.

"I am well."

"You've had a vision?"

She smiled.

"My lord...you'd best prepare for two ceremonies."

"What?" Odin looked as if he had been hit over the head with Mjolnir.

"That is what we will be asking our second son when he returns."

"What have you Seen?" Odin queried.

"We have another grandchild, and one to come."

Skadi and Njord stared at her in confusion.

"I knew from the moment he was born my Thor carried the soul of Uranus. but now I have seen that his firstborn Coeus has returned to him."

"By My Good Eye!" exclaimed Odin. "So that is our other grandchild."

"Your second son is a Titan...one of the four primordials?" Njord exclaimed.

Frigga nodded. "We will speak of it along the way. Come, our grandchild awaits."

Then she called, "Heimdall, open Bifrost!"

In moments the interface had whisked Frigga, Njord, and Skadi to Sorcerer's Wood.

Hrafnwulf:

Belle stared at the pile of gifts that now took up an entire room.

"Good heavens! I think we need to add on another wing for all these, Loki!" she joked.

"These just appeared from the United Realms this morning."

"They are most generous. I never expected . . ." Belle trailed off.

"They consider us family now," he said after reading a letter written by one of the other Belles.

She picked up a sand dollar and waved her hand over it per the instructions she'd been given and an image of her other selves appeared.

"Hello Belle," Belle Strogoff greeted. "You will no doubt still be tired but we wanted to give you something special for the birth of your daughter."

A glass jar with a rose inside appeared before her. "We call this our symbol and now it is yours. Welcome to the family our sister."

Belle picked it up, her eyes shimmering with tears. "It is . . . magnifique! Thank you!"

"We are here for you, always," Belle Bordreaux murmured.

His brother's other self sent several kegs of beer with a note that he would need them to keep up with a baby.

"No wonder Seph calls him a 'frat boy'," Belle shook her head.

"I wonder what my other self has sent me?" mused the Prince of Asgard.

Belle noticed a scroll sitting on top of one of the larger box with his other self's insignia on it.

"Loki, look over there!" she pointed to the scroll.

Loki went and unrolled the scroll, reading the following letter in Loki Laufeyson's handwriting. "Dear Twin, First let me offer my sincere congratulations on the birth of your daughter. May she grow up proud and free and always do what she wants! (within reason of course! But since she is half a Loki, be prepared for some expert wheeling and dealing.) But of course, you knew that already. Anyhow, here is my gift to you and your beautiful goddess wife. Something to help you out during those long nights when the sweetest baby in the Realms keeps you up all night!

Love, Your Better Half

It was signed with a double L rune.

Before Loki could think to check the parchment for magical jinxes, it began to glow and then a green wave of smoke washed over him.

When it settled and Loki could see again, he rubbed his stinging eyes. "What by the Nine?" he muttered.

Belle's mouth dropped open. "Yggdrasil's Roots!"

"What?" What has happened?" Loki asked, for he could see nothing the matter, but judging from his wife's reaction there was clearly something amiss.

"It's . . . umm . . ." Belle stammered, overcome with laughter.

Just then a portal opened and out of it stepped Njord, Skadi, and Frigga.

"Hello, Mother!" Loki greeted the two queens, who were staring at him as if he had grown an extra head.

"Holy Valhalla!" gasped Frigga.

"By the Nine!" Njord chuckled.

"Just what in Hel is wrong?" a frustrated Loki growled.

"What lady did you tick off, son?" Skadi asked mirthfully, trying to control herself.

Loki gnashed his teeth. "For the last bloody time . . . what in Hel is the matter?"

"You've grown a pair . . . of breasts!" hooted Njord, doubling over.

Loki muttered a few choice words in Asgardian under his breath. "Why that . . . that miserable . . .!"

"Has one of your spells gone awry son?" Odin asked.

"Father!" Loki coughed, waving his hand and trying to cancel the spell, his face red as a sunset. "It's not me who did this! Well . . . I mean not this me . . .!"

"Ah. I see. Your other self decided to have a go at you, eh?"

"Yes! That meddling interfering conjurer!" a steaming Loki growled.

A message appeared on the wall in green paint. "Congratulations, you boob!"

"Just you wait Laufeyson!" Loki promised. "We'll see who gets the last laugh-old friend!"

Then he too started laughing as he now could see how ridiculous he looked.

"Bring it!" he heard his other self say.

"With pleasure!" he replied smugly. Then he blurred into his Jotun form, which broke the spell over his Asgardian self, and then back again.

"I'll be waiting." Laufeyson laughed.

"Don't close your eyes!" Loki taunted.

The green paint vanished, to be replaced by a green banner which read, "Welcome to your new family, Princess Mischief Maker! May laughter follow you wherever you may go!"

"I can't argue with that sentiment, son," Odin chuckled.

"Collette darling, say hello to your grandparents," Belle murmured.

The baby looked at her smiling relatives . . . and giggled.

Belle's own father had arrived that morning but he wanted to give Loki's family time with Collette.

"Oh!" Frigga gasped. "That laugh . . . is just like your papa's! Come to Granmama, little Lokisdottir!"

She cast several runes over the baby, one bestowing the gift of wisdom, one for strength of heart, one for knowledge of one's enemies and finally the gift of forgiveness.

"They will serve you well, my precious."

"You Saw these were the blessings she needed, didn't you?" Loki asked her.

"I See with more than eyes, you know that."

"Aye, Mother," Loki acknowledged.

"Like mother, like son," Odin stated quietly.

Frigga handed the baby to Skadi.

"Hello, little snowdrop," the proud Jotun grandmother cooed. "I see you have your mama's bright inquisitive nature and daring . . . and your papa's shifter talent too! But that will not awaken until you are five years old."

"How much magic does she have?" Belle queried.

"Quite a bit, Belle," Skadi answered. "Enough to perhaps someday wear the mantle of Goddess of Magic."

She turned to her husband. "Loki-did you know?'

"I had a hunch, darling," he admitted.

"But her magic shall sleep mostly . . . until she is older," Skadi reassured the new mother. "It is always so with the strongly Gifted. And a good thing too-for the last thing anyone wishes is for a house to be blown up by a two year old in a tantrum."

"I remember when Thor blew a hole in the ceiling when he was seven," Loki recalled. "Because he lost to me in a board game."

"I did what?"

A portal appeared on the wall and Thor stepped through with Persephone at his side. Both looked exhausted with gray streaks in their hair.

Behind them were Castiel, Kelly, a young boy in his twenties and Ozmalita.

"Greetings, Brother!" Loki said, grinning. "Glad you're back!"

"Papa, you should sit down," Castiel said to Thor.

"What's happened?" Loki asked, eying Thor with concern.

"Later," Thor murmured as the boy gestured and chairs moved over to where Persephone and Thor stood.

"We've pleaded with them to come when they rested but they won't listen," Ozmalita informed them.

"My brother is stubborner than nine goats and then some," Loki sighed. He snapped his fingers and two vials of his magical Strengthening Cordial appeared in his brother and sister-in-law's hands. "Here. Drink that. Don't argue with me."

Thor raised an eyebrow at Loki's tone. "Hel, Loki, you sound like Father."

"Only I am no longer the Allfather, am I, son?" Odin asked him. Thor glanced up at him scowling.

"We have something to discuss Father but now is not the time."

Persephone finished her cordial and handed the bottle back to Loki. "That will help."

"Why is your hair grey?' Belle asked worriedly.

"Even primordial gods have weaknesses dear," Persephone told her. "We simply used ours for the greater good."

Skadi handed Collette to the exhausted goddess.

"I will give you my gifts when I am well, my pretty girl," she murmured.

"That will not be for a while, will it not, Persephone?" Frigga queried with a twinkle in her eye. "Say...ahhh...nine months."

Thor and Persephone's mouths dropped open. "How did you know...?"

Loki started laughing. "Really, Brother? You ought to know our mother Sees with more than her eyes."

"I'd forgotten. Yes, Mother, Persephone and I are umm...expecting but we wanted to wait a bit before announcing it."

Suddenly, Collette reached out and touched Persephone's hair. The grey vanished. The baby cooed happily, waving her little hands in the air.

"Collette! How did you do that?" Belle cried, astonished.

"She...she restored the life force I'd sacrificed!" Persephone exclaimed.

"What magic has done, magic can undo," Skadi recited. "And she is a fledgling Goddess of Magic."

Seconds later the grey in Thor's hair vanished.

"And mine!" he cried.

"But . . . what about magic's price?" Njord muttered.

"If giving us life force depletes her own it must go back to her."

"It hasn't," Loki marveled, eyeing his daughter with his Sorcerer's Sight.

The young boy smiled. "She is a special little goddess."

"There's no arguing that Jack. She is special. Just like you were from the moment you were born," Castiel murmured. "Together you will be the ones to bring peace to the realms."

"As her mother, I certainly agree," Belle said. "Loki, do you know how she could do that?"

"Is she like me...darkness and light in harmony?" Jack asked Castiel.

"I don't know."

"Well . . . if she is Goddess of Magic, then magic responds to her differently than for many of those with the Gift. She can do things unconsciously now that would be impossible for any of us, because for her, magic is part of her very being."

"Harmony..." Frigga whispered. "You defeated the first primoridial god and merged the dark goddess's soul with your own!"

"Yes," Jack confirmed. "But I have to release her because she must occupy the second dark throne. That's the proper order."

He glanced down at the baby and smiled. "She is the Goddess of Magic."

Belle handed the baby to the boy. Jack cradled her in his arms protectively and began to sing.

"Believe it or not, I'm walkin' on air

I never thought I could feel so free

Flyin' away on a wing and a prayer

Who could it be?

Believe it or not it's just me…"

Suddenly Castiel and Kelly burst out laughing.

"What's so funny?" Loki asked.

"Oh, ummm….when I was human for a brief time I sang that to try to get a baby to go to sleep. It didn't work out," Castiel admitted sheepishly.

"I take it this song is from modern Mdigard?"

"Yes. A show called Greatest American Hero."

"Ah."

"It worked though." Belle whispered, pointing to their daughter now asleep in Jack's arms.

After Collette was taking to the nursery Loki asked the household staff to prepare rooms for their guests. After so long in exile he wanted to have his family as close as possible. Ingeborg was delighted to have a niece and offered to help care for Collette herself to give Belle a rest.

"I will have my own someday," she declared.

"Not too soon, daughter," Njord said sternly.

Skadi and Frigga giggled. "Oh, I pity the boys who come a courting Skadi. I do not believe Njord will make it easy on them."

"Neither would I if we had a daughter," Odin spoke up. Loki was shocked to see Thor glaring daggers at him. Seeing his son's angry look, Odin cleared his throat nervously.

What was that look for, Brother?

Now is not the time. Let's enjoy the celebration of Collette's birth.

You're angry with Father over something. What is it?

Later, please.

He would leave it be...for now.

Around two am Loki awoke and to his horror the castle walls seemed to be shaking.

"What in the Hel?"

"Loki, what's wrong?" Belle sat up as he climbed out of bed. Seconds later they heard a crash. The pair raced to the nursery to find objects flying around the room while their daughter lay in the crib screaming.

"Collette, Collette mon couer, what is it?" Belle cried and picked her up. The baby kept screaming.

"By the Norns!" Loki gasped when the rocking chair barely missed his head. "Is she wet? Dirty?"

"No."

"Then why…"

"It's feeding time!" they heard Persephone call out and laugh.

"At two am?"

"She did say Collette would be hungry at odd hours, darling."

Loki shook his head and said a silent goodbye to his nights of long, interrupted sleep. He stayed in the nursery watching Belle nurse their child, a small smile on his lips, neither mother nor child seeming to mind his presence. After Belle finished she walked over to the crib to put Collette down. The moment she sensed she was about to leave her mother's arms she began screaming again.

"Now what?"

"I don't know!"

"You burped her, didn't you?"

"Yes?"

"Is she wet?"

"No."

Belle picked her up again and began to sing to her while she paced around the room but the baby continued screaming.

"What am I doing wrong?"

"Let me try," Loki offered.

He took the baby from Belle, singing to her as he'd seen her do while he paced the floor, Collette continuing to howl like a banshee.

"I don't understand...why won't she go to sleep?"

They took turns pacing the nursery, singing and rocking in the chair to no avail. Collette continued screaming while they fought to keep their own eyes open. Finally at dawn she dozed off in Belle's arms.

"Thank the Norns!" Loki whispered. Belle lowered her into the crib slowly, praying to every god she knew this time their little goddess would sleep. They tiptoed out of the room and fell into bed, praying for a few hours' sleep themselves.

The others were in the dining hall having lunch when an exhausted Loki and Belle shuffled in.

"Rough night?" Thor teased.

"Oooh, Brother, if looks could kill you'd be dead!" Ingeborg giggled.

"Coffee. Make friends with it," Persephone suggested.

"Will it be like this every night?"

"No, it's called the Mother's Curse and it works," spoke up Ozamlita with a grin.

"What?" Belle shrieked.

"Relax, dear. It's just an old saying that when your children have children they act the same way you do...sometimes worse!" Frigga explained. "I seem to recall Loki and Thor being difficult to put to sleep some nights. Collette is simply returning the favor...and so will your child, Thor."

"Thank you Mother," he muttered.

Loki and Belle were learning quickly that being parents required a great deal of patience and many nights of little or no sleep, their extended family members offering them some help when they needed it but not too much for they wanted the couple to learn on their own as they did. In the meantime Frigga and Odin began to make preparations for the Blessing of the Heir ceremony that would take place on Collette's first birthday. As Loki's firstborn, she was now third in the line of succession though there was still some doubt as to whether Loki wanted to take the throne after his father.

"You prefer a quiet life here, don't you?" Belle asked him one day.

"I do but I don't want to disappoint my father either."

"Maybe Thor will…"

"He can't Belle. He is one the four primordial gods. He has a greater responsibility maintaining the Balance in the cosmos...and he still has his 'day job' with the Avengers. Mother has told me in confidence she has Seen Collette as his successor."

"Loki, we haven't discussed it but….I was hoping...I was hoping Collette would not be our only child."

"She won't be. We can have a few more if you would like. Perhaps twins." He grinned.

"Soon?"

"What would you say if we waited until Collette was three to have more?"

If you think it's best. yes."

"Considering the powers our children seem to inherit, I think it's wise to do so."

"And that we barely get any sleep."

"You took the words right out of my mouth."

Collette began to scream.

Loki raised an eyebrow. "Hmmm . . . maybe she needs a pet? Like I have Ragnar and you have the kittens?"

"Most of the children in the United Realms have pets from what Persephone tells me and it soothes them."

"I can see that. But I hope it can protect her too."

"Speaking of them...your mother invited everyone from there! I hope the castle has room!"

"Of course it does. Space warp spell."

Asgard

Heimdal opened the Bifrost early the day of the celebrations. The United Realms guests had opted not to use their portal tokens out of respect for their hostess as Frigga had instructed Heimdal to direct the guests where they would be staying. One of the first groups to arrive was the royal family from the alternate Asgard.

"Your other self sends his regards. He has elected to remain at his post," Loki Laufeyson informed him.

"As he should. We will meet one day soon. I have Seen it."

He had been surprised to see a large group of cats had followed them.

"Your familiars?" he inquired of Loki.

"Indeed...and their mates...and children."

"Their Majesties have prepared quarters for you in their wing of the palace."

"We would be happy housed anywhere, wouldn't we Odin?"

"Indeed we would dear," Odin replied to his wife.

A short time later the residents of The United Realms began to arrive, many of the children stopping to talk to the Gatekeeper until their parents reminded them to move along and let him do his duty. As he was about to close the Bifrost a large alligator wearing a helmet similar to Loki's entered the chamber and slipped quietly past him. It was no easy feat and not one a regular alligator from the Juno Beach district of The United Realms could accomplish.

My presence will bring some mischief for certain, it chuckled.

Rafnwulf castle:

Belle sang as she gave Collette a bath, an old French song that she recalled her mother singing to her. The baby splashed in the warm water and squealed happily, her tiny hands wreathed in soap bubbles.

"Today is a very special day for you darling," she murmured.

Drawn by his wife's singing, Loki Odinson came through the connecting door from their chambers to the nursery and from there to the bathroom. "Hello, darlings!" he greeted, smiling happily. "Are you all ready for your big day, sweetheart?" he asked his daughter, who laughed upon seeing her father.

She grinned wickedly and splashed her father as he leaned over the tub.

"Little minx!" he playfully scolded and then splashed her back gently.

"Loki!" Belle murmured, dodging soap suds. "We can't play Splash Wars today. We have to get ready!"

Collette promptly splashed her mother and giggled.

Belle sighed. "You are just like your papa, non? Full of mischief and surprises."

"How could you doubt it?"

"I never doubted it," Belle returned. Her cerulean eyes twinkled. "Help me wash her hair?"

Collette sometimes fussed when they washed her hair, so Loki provided a distraction with some conjured bath toys. There was a mermaid, a sea serpent, and a rainbow alligator.

"Watch the alligator, Collette!" he crooned, making it swim with his telekinesis. "It's coming to nibble on your toes!"

His daughter giggled as the toy swam through the water and Belle hurried and used some baby shampoo to wash Collette's dark locks.

She was in the middle of pouring water from a small cup to rinse off the baby's hair when something unexpected entered the bathroom.

Out of the corner of her eye she saw a glint of gold. Puzzled, she turned her head and screamed. "Loki! Nine Hels! An alligator!"

The alligator grinned, showing all its teeth.

"By the Nine!" Loki swore and summoned a dagger out of thin air. "Get away from my daughter!"

To his shock, the alligator, which was wearing a replica of his own helmet, curled up on the floor and growled, Will you stop that! I'm not here to hurt her!

Then why are you here?

By the Nine, you're a god. You tell me you do not know a familiar when you see one!

Loki's jaw dropped. But . . . you . . . she's only a baby . . .! he was so shocked his mind speech stuttered.

That is when she needs protected the most. When she is young. Did you have a familiar come to you when you were a babe?

If I did, it was killed by Laufey, Loki sighed, putting the dagger away. My apologies. What is your name?

Elvis. It laughed. What can I say? I am from Midgard and I named myself after an alligator on a show called Miami Vice.

Suddenly Belle giggled, having followed their conversation with her own telepathic ability. Oh! Regina has told me about that show! If you're a familiar, what kind of powers do you have?

I am capable of casting illusions, that is what allowed me to slip past the Bifrost Guardian so easily. He will be cross with me but he'll get over it. These teeth of mine can bite through anything...magical and non magical. I also swim faster than my mortal gator brothers. If I lose a limb, I can grow it back. My teleporting ability is somewhat limited but I can travel in the darkness easily. Nothing will blind me there. Protection spells are what I do best, Mistress.

How wonderful! Do you also have the same weaknesses as a mortal gator? Belle queried.

Some. I'm not fond of fire-it can blind me. I don't get ill but extreme cold will put me into hibernation for a day. And I can eat anything.

It laughed. But not Buddy Holly records. It's a joke from the show. If you watch it, you'll get it.

Belle, we're going to have to watch that next time we go to the United Realms, Loki smirked. All right, you're approved. Oh-can you sing?

Can I sing? Are you joking? My singing makes the crew at the bar cringe.

It laughed again. I sometimes work with the officers catching drug dealers. I can sniff them out easier than dogs can.

Now that I can believe. Loki nodded. An alligator was renowned for its sense of smell.

Suddenly Collette peered past Loki's shoulder at Elvis. "Hi!" she cried and waved her hands, not frightened at all by the large reptile in the bathroom.

Elvis came and heaved himself up the side of the tub, making a soft purring growl. Hi, Collette. I'm Elvis.

She touched his snout with her tiny fingers, and a green spark leapt from her hand to the familiar's, outlining him with green light.

"Loki...what does that mean?"

"It means she has accepted him as her familiar," her husband said softly.

In other words-we're bonded. the gator explained, his eyes slightly dreamy.

He knew he was not what they expected for their daughter's familiar but he would serve her well.

Collette patted his snout again and laughed, babbling at him. At least it sounded that way to her parents. But to her familiar, she could send limited thoughts and feelings.

Fun! Bathtime! Play with me?

Why not? Elvis sent, amused. He flicked his tail and the tub enlarged and deepened enough so he could fit inside. Then he teleported into it. Collette screamed with delight as her new friend swam around her.

It was a welcome change from chasing drug dealers but he knew the gator brothers he'd been training would do well serving the officers.

Collette grabbed the horn of his helmet, and then splashed him. Elvis play!

Loki ducked and said, "Guess we won't be needing bath toys anymore!"

"Not with him around!" Belle agreed. "And I think our daughter will be able to swim before she can walk."

"I can only imagine the shock everyone will have seeing him there." Loki chuckled. "And I suspect he has a bit of mischief in him."

Does a Jotun turn blue? Of course I do.

"How come you are wearing my husband's helmet?"

Oh that? I worked for the Avengers for a bit...that New York thing...and Thor took a shine to me because of the pranks I pull so he made me this helmet and called me Gator Loki. I also bit Ikol's arm off. He howled like a baby. Were he bitten by one of my gator brothers he could have easily grown it back but my bite is permanent.

"That's good to know. Perhaps you can bite any wicked suitors that come calling when she's old enough to date," Loki said, pleased.

Ah...and I know just the place. The women in the Realms speak often of giving a man the Lorena Bobbit special. I will do the same.

Belle gasped, her goddess power of knowledge informing her what that meant.

Loki picked up on it through their link and started laughing. Oh, you're definitely a Loki, my friend!

Elvis grinned snarkily and Collette giggled, petting his head.

Soft! she sent to him.Then she hugged him. My Elvis!

Aww! Belle smiled at them. How sweet!

Elvis snorted. Sweet? Lady, I don't do sweet! Except with her, he amended. Don't do that in public, kid. You'll ruin my rep.

He could just see the United Realms Sheriff's department officers now...

Loki was laughing quietly at the sight of the large alligator completely enthralled by the tiny Goddess of Magic. Damn! I wish I had a phone! That has blackmail photo written all over it.

Little did he know the Avengers, including his brother had more than a few of those.

Such as the one Thor had taken of him in the town square of Lokasianna, when he was having story hour, surrounded by children of all ages, and the youngest of them were sitting in his lap, eating candy while drooling all over his shirt and one was climbing on his shoulders and had wound her fists in his hair!

He'd also sneaked in a video of Belle snoring after an exhausting day with Collette having gotten the idea from the Nevenger Adriana Bordreaux.

"Didja say 'You're listening to SNORE before you started?" she'd asked.

"Of course, little imp!" Thor chuckled.

"And make copies. You gotta make copies in case they find 'em."

"I've got them hidden away," Thor reassured her with a chuckle. With Persephone, where they would never be found.

Tony had edited them and the ones he'd taken of Loki to Yakety Sax and they planned to air them when Thor decided it was time.

Asgard

"The youngest of our son's counterparts has arrived," Frigga said to her husband. "Oh he does look like our Loki when he was a boy."

"I was not certain the others would reply but we have been fortunate. If the counterparts in the United Realms can co-exist peacefully, so can we."

The two elder Asgardians watched as a thirteen-year-old boy wearing a festive green tunic over a black shirt with a hood, wearing a diadem with small wings and horns, entered the castle. He was accompanied by a petite girl with brown hair and hazel eyes, wearing a golden apple diadem and dressed in a soft pink and gold gown with golden sandals.

"Your Majesties," he greeted. "I am Loki and may I present the Lady Brenna?"

Ah but she is more than a friend to you, is she not, dear? Frigga sent.

Umm . . . he blushed. Right now she's my BFF, but when we're older . . .we will marry, he replied, recalling the dream both of them had of his older self proposing to Brenna.

That was no dream, child, it is your future. Believe.

Brenna squeezed his hand. "Oh he does. Right, Loki?" she curtsied to the monarchs, her Best Friend necklace swinging from her neck as she did so.

Odin saw a matching pendant about young Loki's neck as well.

"My son will be so happy ton see you. Having his other selves join him for this celebration was our gift. He's been lonely for some time." Frigga added.

She wondered whether the Loki they'd dubbed Mr Mom would arrive with his brood and my they were a large one!

Odin chuckled when the image of cape decorated with what was called a bedazzler flashed before his eyes. Whatever the device was it had even made the dreaded Kang double over with laughter.

"We're happy to attend," young Loki said, smirking. "This was our excuse to get out of boring etiquette and political lessons."

"You will room with the other teenagers from the United Realms. They have a sort of club that I believe you will fit right in to."

"Pranksters, the lot of them...even the little ones are doing it!"

"We will?" Brenna looked uncertain. Most kids she knew weren't always welcoming to them. But then she shrugged and thought that if they were Loki's guests then they probably wouldn't make fun of her or her BFF.

"Oh yes. They recruited another Loki's daughter and nephew to the club recently. The fee was a prank."

"We can handle that, Brenna," Loki said, his green eyes glittering. "We're the two best pranksters in Asgardia . . . well, if you don't count Father."

"Have fun, dears!" Frigga chuckled and teleported them to the room.

As soon as they arrived one of the boys tossed them a pair of leather jackets. "My name is Bae and we are the Scorpions. Do your best and you're in!"

"The Queen has explained the fee, has she not?" Loki Laufeyson's nephew Modi asked.

"Sure she did," Brenna answered. "Give us a sec." She turned to her best friend and sent, Okay, Loki. What do you want to do?

Loki thought for a moment. Then he grinned mischievously. Let's do Opposite Day, Brenna!

Okay, she agreed with a wicked chuckle.

This was a prank they had played on half the court during a rather boring dinner one night. It had almost caused some of the stuffier courtiers to pass out in their mead or in their desserts.

And unlike last time . . . we won't be grounded, Loki sent. Ready?

The two spun about, concentrating hard, their hands clasped together.

"This is gonna be good," Henry Strogoff laughed.

"They're making me dizzy," Andi chuckled.

Magic flashed from their outstretched hands in tandem, washing over Bae and his friends and altering them . . . into the opposite sex!

"YOU'RE IN!" they all yelled and laughed.

"Aww crap I look hideous as a girl!" Modi moaned.

"Nah! You look like one of those biker chicks on steroids!" Brenna giggled. "Welcome to Opposite Day!"

"That's a good one. We need to do that for the next summer festival. Papa will love it," laughed Miri Laufeyson.

"Is this a real shift? Or just illusion?" Bae asked, examining herself curiously.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" Loki chuckled.

Brenna nudged him. "It's illusion . . . but a semi-permanent kind. We don't have enough power yet to do true shapechanges on others. But this will last until we remove it."

"And if you're anything like us, you won't...until you feel like it," Modi added with a grin.

"I just hope we don't shock your parents," Kid Loki added.

"Well my lass doesna look bad in my kilt," Ewan remakred.

The Highlander Scorpions grinned.

"Oh no! You sing the kilt song at the party and Papa will have us scrubbing the palace from top to bottom!" Bae warned his friends.

Loki tilted his head. "What song is this? Mayhap I'll learn it."

Ewan leaned forward. "Listen and learn laddie,"

Together he and his friend Bobby began to sing.

Loki and Brenna's eyes widened as they listened to the naughty lyrics.

"They put a ribbon around a man's...oh my!" Brenna laughed.

"Fandral will LOVE that song!" Loki gasped, wiping tears from his eyes.

"Yeah, but we sing that in front of Freya and Odin or my mom . . . and we'll be polishing crystals and cleaning the stables till our fingers fall off," Brenna predicted. "And be banned from the joke shop for a month!"

"Yeah we sang it a few times and Bae's da makes us scrub or write til our fingers fall off. Tell 'em about the Snowman!"

The two intrepid mischief makers of Asgardia perched on chairs to listen to the tale of the Wicked Snowman . . . and share their own story of the Thor-man they had made last winter.

"Oh yeah, you're gonna fit in real good here!" Bae declared.

They were always on the lookout for new members to their club and they were hoping for a few more if another Loki had accepted the Queen's invite.

Kid Loki nodded. "I think this is the start of a wonderfully mischievous friendship. Right, Brenna?"

Brenna grinned. "Got that right, BFF!"

"There's another club for the little kids. They call themselves the Nevengers and the True Love Mafia," Bae said. "Killian Gold and my sister run it."

A few minutes later the door opened and another group of teenagers arrived.

"We miss all the fun?"

"Finally!" Bae exclaimed. "Sam, I didn't think you guys were gonna make it!"

"We're late cause our mom got a little morning sickness," the skinny girl with pink-tipped hair replied.

"Yeah. She says with twins it's twice as bad," Hunter Laufeyson sighed.

"It is!" Bae said. "Uncle Archie and Marie were real grouches when she was having them and Mama was too having my three sisters."

Sam set a bag down on the table and opened it. Inside were treats she'd spent days making for the group.

"Three?" Jorgy looked horrified. "Yggdrasil's Roots!"

Sam smirked. "Now as our prank, we're gonna let my little sister and Max bedazzle Loki's cape."

The others gaped at her and then started laughing.

"Yeah! " they hi-fived each other.

"If it looks like your dad's people are gonna laughing so much they'll be crying or peeing themselves."

"He still has it!" Jorgy giggled.

"When I saw it I almost died laughing!" Fenris giggled. "Only the little spark could do that and get away with it."

"Her and Max," Belle added.

"This is gonna be the funniest day ever," Henry Laufeyson laughed.

"Which is only proper considering it's a gathering of Loki's and their friends and relations," Kid Loki chuckled.

After Loki and Rhiannon Laufeyson were settled in their room, Frigga sent a message to her son that the celebration was about to start.

We're coming, Mother, he sent back. "Belle, everyone's waiting to see the guest of honor."

The Bifrost awaits, Heimdal sent.

Belle cradled a wide-awake Collette dressed in a beautiful gown of gauzy gold tissue with green accents and together she and Loki entered the rainbowed portal, followed by Elvis.

Skadi and Frigga wept as their son and his family entered the Great Hall.

Loki walked proudly beside his goddess wife and their baby, waving to everyone. People gasped in shock at the alligator accompanying them.

"Hey, what's Elvis doing here?" Emma Strogoff asked. Her fellow officers shrugged.

"Unless somebody's got dope on 'em," said Sheriff Wyatt Cain.

To everyone's surprise the alligator began to speak in Loki's voice.

"Ladies and gentlemen I am here with glorious purpose. I am now the familiar of Collette Lokisdottir."

"An alligator familiar?" Skadi murmured. "How unusual!"

"She's a Lokisdottir." Odin chuckled. "They invented the word."

Loki spotted his counterpart and shook his head. "Really?"

Loki Laufeyson was wearing a green velvet jacket with a button reading VOTE LOKI attached to it.

"Come on! What'd you expect!" he teased.

His great grandchildren started laughing.

"I knew we never shoulda let him watch Disney Plus!" Rumple Gold groaned.

Young Aleta stared at Loki's cape, ideas already forming in her mind on how she would decorate it to be as beautiful as her father's.

Loki was astounded that his parents had been able to find so many of his other selves that were willing to come to share his daughter's special day with him.

"I hear congratulations are in order for you also, Loki," he paused before his counterpart who was fated to one day rule all the Nine in his own realm, but was now currently King of Jotunheim, standing next to his beautiful wife, Healer Queen Rhiannon Laufeyson, who was quite pregnant.

"Thanks. The Norns have doubly blessed us, cousin," Rhiannon said, smiling at him.

"When are you due?" Belle inquired.

"In about six weeks," she replied. 'If I don't go early, that is."

"You never know with Loki brides."

"Or Loki twins," her husband said softly.

Sigyn patted her hand. "Don't worry dear. If you do go early you'll have plenty of us here to assist."

"Thank you. You're all very kind," Rhiannon said, flushing a bit. "But please, don't worry about me. This is Collette's day, let us celebrate it."

Party, Elvis! We have party!

Got that right, babe! Elvis grinned toothily. Where ever Loki is-so's the party!

(the Blessing of the Heir ceremony)

Loki, Belle, and Collette, along with her gator guardian, processed up the walkway to the dais where two throne-like chairs and a podium were. The chairs and the podium were draped in the signature gold, green, and black bunting which were the signature colors of Asgard's Crown Prince. Also on the dais were Odin, Frigga, and Skadi.

Odin tapped Gungnir nine times on the floor and said, in a voice that was soft yet authoritative, "Welcome all here to the Blessing of the Heir of Asgard, as well as of Rafnwulf. This ceremony is to give the blessing of the Norns to my granddaughter, as well as formally induct her into the line of succession. I, Odin Borsson, King of Asgard and Allfather of the Nine, do ask you all to be still and witness this ancient ceremony." He handed Gungnir to Frigga and held out his hands in a gesture of welcome. "Who brings this child before me?"

"We do, Allfather," Belle and Loki said in unison.

"What is your wish?"

"We ask that you give the Blessing of the Norns to Collette Skadi Lokisdottir," the new parents replied.

"I shall grant your request," Odin answered formally. "As well as bestow the title of Heir in Waiting upon her." He beckoned to both Thor and Persephone. "Will Thor Odinson and Persephone come up, as godparents to the Heir?"

Thor, resplendent in new armor that had symbols of both his Greek and Norse heritage, sprang up on the dais followed by Seph, who was wearing a gorgeous yet daring cocktail dress in crimson.

Thor handed Odin the ash rune sticks he would need and then went to stand on the left side.

Odin took the ash sticks and lit them with magic.

He then began to trace several runes in the air above the baby's head, chanting nine times in Old Norse, "May the Norns bless and keep this child, named Collette Skadi Lokisdottir, and give her clear sight to see the path before her, the wisdom to walk it, and the strength to meet any obstacles placed before her. May she always know love, and always know laughter, may the magic of family and friends surround her forever and always. Blessed be!"

"Blessed be!" echoed Frigga, Skadi, Thor, Persephone, Elvis, and her parents.

Tendrils of gold and purple magic drifted down over the baby in twinkling motes, like fireflies set free, and Collette laughed and tried to capture them in her hands.

Then Odin blew on the rune sticks and they went out. He handed them back to Thor and took a crystal vial shaped like an apple from Persephone. Inside was the rarest of elixirs, oil of the Golden Apples from Asgard's Sacred tree.

"With this elixir I now anoint thee, Collette Lokisdottir, Heir in Waiting to the throne of Asgard!" Odin intoned and dipped a finger into the oil and inscribed the rune for rulership on Collette's forehead. He also traced runes for wisdom and cleverness and strength. "May the Norns bless and keep thee, Princess of Asgard, all the days of thy life! I give thee the kiss of peace!" Then he bent and kissed Collette on the cheek.

Thor, Skadi, Persephone, and Frigga followed suit, giving her their blessings and acknowledging her as the Heir.

Lastly, Odin placed a tiny gold diadem on her little head, with the multifaceted diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires. He then turned with Collette in his arms and presented her to the crowd watching. "Kneel before the Goddess of Magic and Crown Princess of Asgard, all here!"

Everyone did so and Collette squealed and waved her arms about. After a moment Odin bid everyone rise and join the party. "Let the celebration begin!"

Frigga and Skadi had decided that the festivities would be of modern Midgardian ones. Some of the Asgardian nobles were scandalized at first when one of the young boys from Midgard began playing their music but soon the Midgardians were getting them out of their seats and teaching them how to dance along.

Collette cheered and clapped her hands when Elvis stood up on his hindpaws and started dancing to Elton John's Crocodile Rock in front of her while Loki filmed him on the phone Thor had given him as a gift.

"But the biggest kick I ever got

Was doing a thing called the Crocodile Rock

While the other kids were rocking 'round the clock

We were hopping and bopping to the Crocodile Rock."

"Our man Elvis!" the officers of the United realms cheered and raised their mugs.

"Those Midgardians certainly know how to have a good time," Volstagg said to Thor.

"Oh you better believe it!"

"Darling, would you excuse me for a moment," Loki whispered to Belle. He stood up and walked over to where his counterparts stood. They conjured a stage and climbed onto it, each holding a microphone. They'd started planning their performance after the ceremony. Young Loki sat at the piano and began to play Elton John's "I'm Still Standing."

"I'm still standing

Better than I ever did

Looking like a true survivor

Feeling like a little kid

I'm still standing after all this time

Picking up the pieces of my life without you on my mind

I'm still standing

Yeah, yeah, yeah!" they sang and started to imitate Elton John's moves and costume changes from their video. As Loki spun around everyone burst out laughing when they saw his newly decorated cape.

"What...what...is that?" Odin chuckled, nearly spitting out his mead.

Aleta and Max had bedazzled a large smiley face on the cape with his name under it in pink hearts.

"That," said Tony Stark, "is what happens when you give a kid a decorating tool!"

"Look! They all got it!" little Killian Gold hooted and pointed.

By the Norns….if Collette gets her hands on one of those things….

Belle smirked. There was one among the gifts given to her daughter that she would give her when she was old enough to use it.

Aleta had even bedazzled Elvis's helmet to read: Gator Loki.

The Avengers then went up on stage. "In honor of our newest members Loki and Belle we've put together a little presentation… New Parent Mischief!" Tony said with a smirk. "Stroke those keys Jolly Green," he ordered Bruce. Bruce was trying not to laugh as he connected Tony's laptop to a screen. Yakey Sax started to play while everyone watched all the videos Thor sent them of Loki and Belle.

"Oh my God!" Belle gasped when the video of her snoring came on. "Thor!"

There was a video of Loki on the exercise bike at Wicked Workout World and another of him chasing Thor down the beach after the other god had drawn something on him in sunscreen.

The next video showed Collette clobbering them with food during a temper tantrum and another where she'd crawled out of the bathtub and tried to crawl naked down the hallway with her frantic parents in pursuit.

"You wait Brother. You just wait," Loki murmured.

"Loki!" Belle gasped. There was a video of Loki sneaking into the bedroom while Belle was taking a nap and planting a frog under the covers. He'd denied it when she confronted him with it but she'd suspected he was the culprit.

"And now the piece de resistance!" Thor announced gleefully. The final video was of Thor painting Loki in his otter form with the message THOR RULES and another he'd painted clown makeup on Loki and Belle while they were sleeping.

"Ah hah! I KNEW it was you!" Loki growled and laughed.

"You were such easy targets being wiped out from the baby."

"You have to sleep sometime," Belle warned.

By now everyone in the room was laughing so much tears were streaming down their cheeks. The festivities continued until early in the evening.

"Those of you with little ones can go ahead and put them to bed," Skadi announced.

While Loki waited for Belle, Loki Laufeyson approached him with one of the officers from the United Realms PD.

"I'd like you to meet Deputy Mobius."

"Hello Deputy."

"We're going for a ride on my jet ski. Wanna come?" Mobius asked him.

"A what?"

Mobius frowned. "He's been to the Realms and he's never ridden on a jet ski?"

"I guess not. First time for everything, right?'

"I think I'd like a ride," Loki said with a smile.

"Meet us on the dock in ten."

When he arrived at the dock his other selves were already waiting for him, Mobius's jet ski magically altered to fit them. He, King Loki of Jotunheim and young Loki climbed onto the back of the jet ski with Mobius while Loki Laufeyson donned a pair of skis and tossed them a long cable.

"Wooooo!" Mobuis cheered and gunned the engine.

"Yeah! This is great!" Young Loki cheered.

Loki Laufeyson gestured while holding on to his cable and Journey's Be Good To Yourself began to play out of the dashboard of the jet ski.

"Be good to yourself when, nobody else will

Oh be good to yourself

You're walkin' a high-wire, caught in a crossfire

Oh be good to yourself…" they all sang.

I find out that I am not even Asgardian! I am the monster mothers tell their children about at night! I am a creature that Thor would kill without batting an eyelash.

"When you can't give no more

They want it all but you gotta say no

I'm turnin' off the noise that makes me crazy

Lookin' back with no regrets

To forgive is to forget

I want a little piece of mind to turn to

Be good to yourself when, nobody else will

Oh be good to yourself

You're walkin' a high-wire, caught in a crossfire

Oh be good to yourself…" Loki sang and smiled.

He was free at last. The monster that he'd feared had been banished forever in the light of love and new friendships.

A/N: Hope you all liked and thanks to all our loyal readers for being so patient while we went through new jobs, Covid, moving and so on. You'll note that some of the characters we liked best from the Loki series are here as well as many other Loki's from my Getting Away With Mischief series, Gold Standard, and the Gift of Friendship. If you haven't read them, you can find them all on here!