Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story. This is just for fun and I hope you enjoy reading it.
The God of Sweet Treats
By Angelwings Sorrow
Chapter 19 "A Visitor and More Visitors"
Profits have been going down, not too much that would put him out of business but enough to worry him. The Grand Master's side business had been on the up take since Chaos had been out of commission from the fights. He foolishly believed that the fight between Sleipnir and the King Pin had permanently retired the pilot. Oh how wrong he had been. Not only had Chaos returned to the ring but he brought an army with him.
His pilots were losing to the new blood under Loki's command. The worst was his plan had backfired. He was supposed to show that he had power over the God of Chaos by bring his brother and sister to the games. The Grand Master regretted his plan the moment when he realized that they were all in fact Gods of Asgard. While the God of Thunder was the friendliest and not as bright of the three they were all scary strong but the Goddess of Death had made him fear for his life just by being in the same room.
These Gods have not only brought in tough pilots with superior battle bots but they had really cleaned up at the betting box. The Grand Master was happy his side business of selling army weapons has been real lucrative if not for the supply problems. Some of his buyers were a bit jumpy because Chaos was on the scene again. He never understood why Chaos was a child back then and now he's a harmless baker yet they all fear crossing him. The Baron has been getting a bit hostile of late but as long as he had the blackmail the Baron will just have to follow orders.
"Sir you have a visitor." Topaz said with quiver to her voice.
"Send them in. Then go contact our friends in Afghanistan. They still have some left over Stark weapons; there is high demand for them from the gorillas in South America." The Grand Master ordered closing down his computer and turning on the office's hidden cameras.
"Yes Sir." Topaz bowed out before showing in their guest.
"Ah, Johann Schmidt, this is a surprise."
"Yet you do not seem surprised to see me."
"Your bot has performed well in the last battle but took heavy damage the new comer Iron Man. Are you here for parts or maybe new engineers? I have both on hand if you need of them."
"Actually I have message for you. The Higher Ups had a meeting and you were the top subject, you and The Chaos God."
"I was surprised that he came out Retirement just like everyone else."
"He was never retired and you know it. He has life outside the ring we all do. A talent like his is will never be retired, but a meddler like you is always causing trouble." The German Warlord walked up and tossed a file onto the Grand Master's desk.
"What is this?"
"It's proof of your attack on Chaos and your attempt at stealing his bots. Yondu gave us all the details and Baron gave us the photos and personal testimony. This has put us all under threat of the wrath of Chaos."
"Chaos is not a threat; you of all people know he's just a lucky little upstart." The Grand Master down played the Red Skull's concern.
"That might have been true when Chaos was still a child but he is a man now and you are incurring the wrath of a God. He has the respect of the entire Council as well as our world's Players and engineers. I have had words with him over a misunderstanding that happened years ago. He did not fall under the heat of my ring; proving not only his innocence but the strength of his resolved. Unlike you who cowards under the mere threat of a hang nail because you are weak. You are here by ordered to leave Chaos alone. If you so much as talk to him outside of the ring you will be Black Listed permanently."
"You have to be joking; I have been a big promoter in these games and have made a lot of those in the Council very rich. I should be given more leeway than a pilot with two lucky bots and a fetish for knives."
"He is more than just a pilot Grand Master and you know it. Those knives have retired more than one opponent over the years. You have been warned because while you have made some rich Chaos has made others twice as rich including me. Now that I have delivered that message, I want what is rightfully mine. You have been dodging my calls since you failed to deliver my personal order of the military arms that was supposed to be delivered last month."
"Oh yes, now I remember the order. We have been having some supply chain issues. Don't worry I have just made contact with a new supplier. You should have your order by the end of next week." The Grand Master promised as he started to sweat. The Warlord was not some one that you dared to double cross.
"They had better be delivered or else I return with my own enforcers." Johann Schmidt glared at the quaking so called Grand Master before turning on his heel and leaving. He was satisfied that both Messages were delivered and now he had to prepare for the next fight. He would not lose to Iron Man again.
"TOPAZ! In here on the double!"
"Yes sir?" the assistant ran in.
"The Red Skull's order that was delayed we need to rectify that immediately! Or the Hydra soldiers will be breathing down our necks. Where are we with that new supplier?"
"I got confirmation that he has delivered to one of our warehouses yesterday. The inventory hasn't been taken yet."
"Well take and have it delivered to the address on file by the end of next week. Then I want reports on Loki Friggason. It seems that the men I sent after him and his bots have failed and the Council has issued me a warning. This means we have to strike faster and with more stealth. He as a threat level has just risen to nuclear. We must eliminate him before he destroys us."
"Yes sir." Topaz ran out of the office scared of threats hanging over them. Her boss was getting into hot water with some every powerful people and was gambling with everyone's lives not just his own.
XxXxXxXxXx
The storms seemed to slow down and Loki had returned to the bakery but not alone. Tony sat in the dining room part of the café keeping watch over his new boyfriend while going over his stocks and projects on his stark pad. Fenris was still limping around but the pup was now more sore than painful. He mostly stayed at the Billionaire's feet near the fire.
"Would you like refill Mr. Stark?"
"Yes thank you, Yelena." Tony smiled at the new Blonde waitress. When Natasha and Clint came by the tower and told Loki that they had come up with some extra hands the baker nearly had a heart attack. Tony reassured his boyfriend that everything will be fine and that he would take over payroll of the Café and make sure everyone got paid fairly and what ever went into the red he would cover. Loki was upset with this at first but Tony talked him around to letting the billionaire becoming a silent partner in the Café so he could all the free Blueberry muffins Loki could make. The baker relented but insisted everything was legal and that Mrs. Coulson be in charge of dotting the 'I's and crossing the 'T's because Tony was too absentminded to word it properly. The extra staff would help with Loki being able to take more time off for not only the bot fights but also spending more time with his mother during her Chemotherapy treatments.
"Thank you Kate, I have three pies in the oven that are going to be ready in an hour." Loki said as he and his new apprentice pastry chef carried in the finished the sweets to the display case.
"No problem Mr. Friggason." Kate smiled as they worked in tandem filling the refrigerated case. Peter was ringing up orders and all was working like clockwork.
"I am Groot."
"Uh, So that's a sandwich and a dozen Cranberry scones?" Peter asked the extremely tall man. He had never met anyone so tall, even his Uncle Thor wasn't as tall as this guy.
"Throw in a large coffee for me and a roast beef sandwich. He'll have a large glass of milk with his lunch." The short guy added.
"Yes sir,"
"Thanks kid, we'll be over by the fire." Rocket paid the bill and turned right in to the baker/ Pilot. "Loki fancy meeting you here."
"Yes, it is amazing to find me in my own shop. What you doing here Robert?" Loki asked his arms cross. He was careful not to use his code name as he stared down at the mechanic knowing this wasn't a social visit.
"Hey can't a friend stop by for lunch?"
"Robert, I could understand if George came in here for sweets but you buying lunch and not trying to haggle for a free meal, that means something or someone has brought you here under orders."
"I AM GROOT!" Loki turned to Groot who was waving his long arm as he petted Fenris.
"Of course you may play with Fenris; but be gentle he is still healing." Loki smiled at the child like man.
"You spoil him." Rocket snorted.
"No more than you do. Anthony will keep an eye on them while we discuss why you are here." The Baker turned to the mechanic.
"Boss' orders. Got anywhere private we can talk?"
"Fine, come through the kitchen." Loki led the shorter man through the kitchen to the tiny office he kept for all the café paperwork. "Alright tell me what is going on that has you and Groot here?"
"Yondu has orders to keep an eye on you. So we drew straws to do a kind of spot inspection. Groot drew the short straw and I said I'd come with. Quinn and the others placed lunch orders on that app of yours said it would be ready soon."
"Yes I saw a huge Sixty Dollar order for Star Lord. I thought it was a typo but I guess he finally got his allowance. Why am I being watched? Surely the Grand Master should be the one on the HP's watch list."
"Oh he is but we like you more to make sure he doesn't try another fast one. Your rep has gotten stronger since you first entered the ring and The Old Witch knows it. She said so to everyone." Rocket explained sitting in the tiny chair in front of the desk.
"How you know what Harkness said. I thought Yondu was the only on in the inner chamber?" Loki asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yeah well the boss never checks his jacket when he leaves the office. Anyways you got the Salvage Crew looking out for you. Also rumor has it that you are tight with Gamora. She and her bot Nebula have been rising up the ranks and Quinn is tripping over himself trying to get a date with her."
"That Man is not playing with a full deck. Did no one tell him that Gamora is the Mad Titan's daughter?" The Chaos pilot pinched the bridge of his nose at the insanity of this conversation.
"Yeah tried that and he's convinced that he can charmer her out of that green body paint."
"Then I'll call her to give her fair warning."
"Don't do that, I want to see her deck him when he tries to kiss her." Rocket protested.
"Yes Dear Peter's misfortune is always a source of entertainment, but I feel that Gamora will take him for a trial run before she either guts him or starts dating him which ever way her mood swings."
"I hope it swings right at him and smacks in the nose. Quinn almost destroyed DAX in that last battle. We just got him back up and running." Rocket complained as crossed his arms with a sour look on his face.
"Peter is still new to the fights and he's in his early twenties so he believes he's invincible. He'll calm down and Gamora will put him in place one way or another. Now let's get out of here so you can report that I am fine and Groot won't steal my dog." Loki got up from his chair with the mechanic to follow him.
"Kate how is the Order for Star Lord coming?"
"Just finished and sent it out to Yelena; she said the tall guy was waiting for it."
"Thank you Kate. Take Robert here to the café I'll finish up his orders." Loki smiled watching the two walk back to the public area. He needed to work and get his mind off Grand Master and his surprise attack. He relaxed better when he cooking and putting the worries to the back of his mind.
"OW! I YEILD! I YEILD!" Hearing that yell Loki rolled his eyes as he finished packing up Rocket's lunch before heading out to save Fandral from his own stupidity.
"Order for Robert."
"Thanks Loki. Blondie got some skills. Come on George Quill is waiting for his food." Rocket took the bag and headed for the door Groot followed when the giant bag of food and large pink box filled with his favorite sweets.
"Yes, I can see that. Yelena you can let Fandral go now. I'm sure whatever he said warranted your wrath but I don't want to have to bury the body. Natasha trained you did she not?"
"Actually it was our Mother; she was a High Commander in the Russian Army before she married our father who was a tank Commander. She wanted us to be just as strong as her soldiers and take shit form no one." Yelena beamed with pride for her skills and family.
"Than I shall send you mother some flowers for raising a fierce and wonderful daughter."
"Already on it Reindeer Games; so who is the guy gasping for air on your nice clean floor?" Tony set his stark pad down and slid up next to his boyfriend who was glaring at said man on the floor.
"This is my brother's best friend since we were children, Fandral. He owns the restaurant I tend to frequent called Sakaar. Fandral this is Anthony my lover and new partner in the café."
"Nice to meet you Anthony," Fandral took Tony's offered hand and was helped up to a standing position. "Thank you. Miss Yelena, I am sorry if I offended you, I meant no harm."
"Next time you hear 'No Thank you', you might want to listen. I got tables to bus. Peter get, Mr. Charmer his coffee." The waitress shrugged and went back to cleaning table while Peter and Kate handled the incoming customers.
"Now that you have caused a scene I believe it's time for a private chat. Get your coffee and follow me upstairs. Anthony can you get Fenris and follow us? I think we shall have a nice quiet lunch while we call Thor." Loki ordered and watched Fandral get his coffee then made sure that Fandral didn't get lost.
"Sure thing, Come on Fenny." The genius grabbed his Stark pad and coffee before following the others out of the café. He was glad that there were only a few college students in the café all with headphones on and no idea what was going on around them.
"Come in and lock the door Anthony." Loki called out from his kitchen. This was the first time he had ever been in Loki's apartment since they met. It was nice and cozy. He wouldn't mind spending a few quiet evenings here sitting by the fire curled in each other's arms.
"Boss you are daydreaming." Friday's voice came out of the Bluetooth stereo on the bookshelf where his Helmet also sat.
"Not daydreaming just getting lay of the land. Hey little cookie miss me?"
"Mew," Chris unwound himself from the from his little cat bed where his brother was still sleeping and jumped into the arms of the genius.
"I am sorry for the trouble I caused Loki. I was here for a visit and the beautiful young lady caught my eye." The restaurateur apologized as he sat at the kitchen table.
"Fandral you will never learn no matter how many times you are rejected and beaten by these young ladies. Yelena is the younger sister of a dear friend and you are lucky her sister isn't here or you would be six feet under. Now what is the reason for your visit; because you are the third person to arrive who has come to check on me."
"Yes, Thor asked me to stop by but I also wanted to tell you Mr. Van Doom came to Sakaar and left this letter for you. I did not open it but I do not believe that is to wish you well." The blond took out an envelope out of his pocket and placed it on the table.
"Victor has been getting bold and he wants me to know that he is always watching me. Thank you for playing messenger but you didn't have to travel all this way. Thor could have picked it up; I know how busy you are."
"Loki, I know we didn't get on as children but I've grown as have you. I was humbled when you first came to my restaurant, that you would give me and my place a chance. While I may have been immature when we were growing up, I always thought of you as younger brother. As you grew, you became strong and capable I was proud of you over coming the teasing and rough housing that the Warrior Three put you through. I wanted to show you my support for your new business just as you have shown for mine."
"Fandral you are an honorable man. If it weren't for your flirting with every woman you meet, than I would have believed you years ago when you first apologized for your behavior towards me. Alright I forgive you, and you are welcome to visit again provided you don't bother my female staff. They are family of friends and I will not have them harassed. Wand has a boyfriend named Vision, he works for Hela. She'll approve of his dismembering you should any lines be crossed with his beloved." Loki warned as he set out a full lunch of sandwiches and bowls of stew to fight the cold weather.
"I guess you have put me in my place. If not you Russian waitress has made the point clear. Oh this is delicious, just like the desserts Thor brought to our dinner with the Warrior Three." Fandral moaned as he ate the well made food.
"So you are going to be popping in more often now?" Tony asked as he dug into his own lunch with kitten Chris pawing at the plate from the billionaire's lap.
"Anthony, why must you spoil my Lovelies?"
"I am not." Tony protested after slipping the kitten a piece of turkey meat.
"I text Thor he says he will see you tonight so have his table ready." Loki said as he phone buzzed with said message.
"Aye, I'll inform my staff when I get back to my restaurant. What is for dessert?"
"I made Blueberry Cheesecake. Anthony, eat your Brussels sprouts." The baker glared at his boyfriend.
"Yes dear." Tony pouted, he had tried to hide the vegetables under his salad. Loki Smirked at the moodiness of his lover. Despite the visitors it had been a rich and full day.
XxXxXxXxXx
"MODOK what are we all doing here?" Rocket asked as sat on a crate cleaning his gun and Groot stood by eating a scone from Loki's café.
"This meeting was called because of Supply issues. Also we need to vet your new friend." MODAK the ever whiny engineer glared at the mechanics.
"Winter here is new but he's backed by the Chaos God. If you want to question him on his taste in Mechanics go right ahead." Rocket gave a feral grinned to the now pale MODOK.
"Chaos? Why would he vouch for this guy?"
"The name is Winter Soldier and I'm right here." Bucky glared at the snotty engineer who was shaking at the mention of Chaos. "I work for The God of Thunder and the Goddess of Death they are the Sibling of Chaos. So I am more than qualified to be here." Bucky sneered while enjoying how the shorter mechanic quivered in fear.
"What's wrong with the Supply chain Bub?" a gruff voice asked.
"Wolverine, you don't have to here Professor X has his own Supplies. This is just for the more common fighters." MODOK snapped. He hated the rough surely mechanic because one wrong move and he would face the Three clawed gloved fist of the fierce Wolverine.
"The Professor gets some parts through the commons so he wants a full report." Logan snapped bring all the mechanic and engineers to attention.
"Some of our contacts have been caught by the authorities over the last couple of months so we have had to find new supply chains unfortunately they are not timely in their deliveries. We need some one who can help with their shipping needs."
"MODOK, what happened to your AIM troops?" Rocket asked with a raised eyebrow.
"They are indisposed."
"Translation: they were the ones caught by the feds." A feminine voice laughed.
"Shut up, Black Mamba!" MODOK snapped at the Mechanic for the Warrior Women's team.
"Yet, no less true. So what are we going about getting parts?" Black Mamba asked filing her nails with her dagger.
"I can get what you need Mamba, The Salvage Crew has been getting in so great parts and tech in lately." Rocket volunteered. "But we ain't going to cover the odd request if you know what I mean."
"The Red Skull has new supplier for his special requests but you better have quality parts." One of HYDRA crew demanded.
"Yeah, yeah we got you covered. Now if that's all we got real work to do." Rocket hopped off his crate "Come on Groot."
"I am Groot."
"Hey I did not dismiss this meeting!"
"Shut up MODOK. You didn't say anything that we didn't already know. So stop wasting our time." Logan snarled as he grabbed his leather Jacket following Rocket's lead.
"You should keep your trap shut MODOK, those weapons request are private." The Engineer/Pilot called The Builder hissed. "My associates are needing to up there defenses and you better deliver."
"Of Course Builder we have confirmation that it has arrived stateside. Delivery should be this week."
"Good." The builder turned to leave when he notice the shiny arm of the wither Soldier. "That's a fancy arm you got there Soldier."
"I picked it up from a Russian Doctor experimenting with Prosthetics."
"Here is my encrypted email address I would like to know more about you arm." The engineer gave Bucky his card before he left the meeting.
"This was a waste of time. Hey One Arm need a ride?" Asked a kid, who looked no older than fourteen, wearing a shirt with a four and a half sign on it.
"No, aren't you a little young to be driving?"
"Yeah, but since you don't need a ride can you give me one?" the blonde kid asked.
"Didn't you folks tell you not to accept rides from Strangers?"
"Yeah but your with Chaos. If you can trust Chaos then you might as well as retire from the games. So can I get a ride?"
"Sure kid. What are you doing here? I thought there was an age limit on these fights." Bucky asked leading the kid to his bike.
"Yeah that's why I'm a mechanic. My name's Ben Richards my Uncle Johnny is the pilot and I build his bots. I heard the Chaos God is back in the games. I'm a big fan of his. My uncle brought me back film of his bot's upgrades." The kid gushed taking the offered helmet.
"Yeah he has new shape shifting tech, also its voice activated." Bucky mounted his bike pulling the kid on to the back.
"Wow, do you think that you can give him my codename on Dark web sites so I can ask him some questions?"
"Yeah kid if you promise to do all your repairs at home and not to set foot in the pits until you're over eighteen."
"Yeah Okay. I know I shouldn't attend these Mechanic calls but I am just so bored. I already passed high school and got a bachelors degree in mechanical engineering. Sometimes it sucks being the genius kid of a genius Doctor."
"I hear yeah kid. My cousin use to complain about the same things. Now hold on tight I'll have you home in no time." Bucky started up the engine and the peeled out of the parking Lot with the teen holding on tight squealing with joy at the adrenalin rush. He would have to talk to Loki about this kid. He was like a mix of both Tony and Steve, too smart for the room and too pure for the dark world.
XxXxXxXxXx
"You know we should hold these family dinners more often. Red brings the best wine." Tony said taking a deep drink of the wine Natasha brought for dinner.
"Anthony, we have these dinners to connect with each other not bum our guests for alcohol." Loki chided as he laid out the dishes on the table. It was fajita taco night and every thing was colorful and smelled divine.
"Yelena said you had an interesting customer today." Natasha said as she filled her plate.
"Ah yes, That was my brother's best friend since childhood. He is a terrible flirt, but your sister put him in his place. She said it was your High Commander mother, who trained you both so well." Loki smirked.
"That's true mama is too modest to tell others she was Melina Belova, The Original Black Widow High Commander. She was highly decorated and yet some how fell for a fat Tank Commander named Alexei Romanoff. They now run a Bed and breakfast in upstate New York enjoying their retirement."
"So, when are you taking Bruce to meet the Rents? I bet you ten bucks Alexei will challenge him an arm wrestling match." Clint snickered.
"That's fool's bet, if I ever heard one." Steve said as he took a drink of his beer. "I met the tank Commander Romanoff during a briefing at the Pentagon once. He was brought in for a cultural exchange of classic military tactics. He challenged most of the young soldiers at the meeting."
"Yeah that sounds like my father. I am waiting until this mission is over to take Bruce to meet them."
"Good plan. Speaking of plans, an unplanned meeting was called for of all the Mechanics of New York. MODOK wanted to warn us the Supply chains have been arrested so the Commandos have been cracking down on the info we've been giving them."
"Good it will cut back on some of the more violent pilots as well as their sponsors. I take it Rocket and Groot were there."
"Yeah they were and others that we have seen in the ring, but there was a couple I didn't know. A Guy called The Builder took an interest in my arm; he also gave a mild threat to MODOK." Bucky relayed in between bites of his fajitas.
"Be careful of the Builder, James. He is the Middle Man to a lot of the Underworld's Darkest Members. He is a brilliant engineer and is undefeated in Europe. I wonder what he is doing over here. The World Champions is not for months and it's held in Monte Carlo." Loki warned.
"Got it. The other Mechanic I met was a kid about fourteen, name was Ben Richards."
"Ah yes, the protégé at surpassed even Anthony's genius."
"Cough*! What? You got to be kidding!" Tony choked on his wine.
"His Full name is Benjamin Franklin Richards son of the famous Dr. Reed Richards and Susan Storm-Richards. His Pilot is the Human Torch a.k.a. Johnny Storm. Their bot called the Thing is a clobbering monstrosity. Young Benjamin passed high school at seven and MIT at ten getting a bachelors degree in mechanical engineering. I believe he has taken a break before going for his Master's Degree. Storm is a great pilot rarely gets damaged during a fight so he doesn't need an on sight mechanic. If I had seen him in the pits I would have sent the boy straight home." Loki stated with a stern expression on his face.
"Yeah I figured that. The kid idolizes you and wants you to write him through the dark web as to keep your Chaos id secret. I think you would get along good with Ben, Tony, Genius kid to former genius kid. From what he said his dad is an okay guy but gets too involved into his projects he sometimes forgets he has kids."
"Sounds like a nice version of Howard. I met Dr. Reed at a symposium. I hate to admit it but the guy might be a tad smarter than me but only because I'm too lazy to put any effort into saving all mankind." Tony waved off.
"I take it Dr. Reed has no idea that his brother-in-law and son are in these ark games." Bruce stated pouring more wine for his fiancé.
"You are correct. I have the feeling Susan might have an idea as the Human Torch's costume has greatly improved from the body paint and red sweat pants."
"Maybe when this is over you can introduce Ben to Peter. I bet they would be great friends." Steve suggested.
"Yes I'm sure you are right but that is for another day. Now everyone eat up I have fresh made empanadas for dessert." Loki smiled as everyone ate with gusto wanting to hurry up and get to that dessert.
"Mr. Loki, your mother has turned in early. Dr. Cho said that her blood work looks good and that treatments will resume in three weeks." Jarvis informed the diners.
"Thank you Jarvis. Please put a grocery list with vitamin enriched vegetables together so I can make her some healthy food to help her recover faster."
"Yes sir. Mrs. Johansen is nearly finished with her knitting project. I suggest that she order some more wool through the stark account set up for her but she doesn't want to impose."
"I understand, Mother is too polite sometimes. I'll get her more wool when I am shopping tomorrow." Loki agreed as he began to clean up the empty dinner plates.
"You'll have to make it an early day; Reindeer Games, Friday just got an Email from the fights. Someone called a special fight no details given just date time and place. You better check you mail as well." Tony said holding his phone.
"I got one too." Bruce reported answering the buzz of his own phone.
"Yeah, me too. So Steve no movies tomorrow night, sorry Babe." Bucky apologized to his husband.
"We'll let Fury know in the morning then meet here again for the pre-op." Clint said texting Agent Hill who was Fury's assistant.
"I wonder why there is a fight a week before the next round." Natasha wondered.
"It must have been someone important to call this fight. That makes this round especially dangerous." Loki warned as he check his own for the invitation.
"Don't worry, we'll beat them hands down, Bambi." Tony soothed kissing the Baker's cheek. "I got your back."
Loki gave his lover a faint smile but could help but worry about the battle yet to come.
A/N: Yay, Another Chapter Down Buns are on a roll, Halloween is coming up so the writing might slow down again but either way the Plot Bunnies are getting there plots lined up. Thanks for Reading Keep reviewing.
