AN: This chapter doesn't have much happening, more of a filling to what's to come, a bit slow, but does leave off on a cliffhanger. I hope it's not too dull and enjoyable.
Disclaimer I own nothing.
Chapter 42: Nothing Ever Goes Right.
Loki was annoyed; he had wanted to leave Midgard and go back to space the next day following Saphira's disappearance then sudden reappearance, but sadly, that was not to be; when they got up the next day, it was to find Mystique gone, she had folded up the blanket she had used the night before and left it on the sofa with a note saying she had something important to do and would be back in a few days, maybe a week, Loki had not liked that and would have taken off without her if it had not been for Mystique taken the spaceship with her. He just wanted off this damn planet before the other Avengers, or some form of authority, found them still here; plus, he wanted to get the last Infinity Stone and get that over with also.
One good thing that came out of being trapped here a little longer, and that was getting to hear his baby's heartbeat, Enid decided with everything that's happened lately, maybe Saphira should be checked, make sure everything was okay with her and the baby, she first toyed with the idea of giving Saphira a disguise to wear and coming up with fake names to use. However, she decided it might still be risky, so Enid bought some books about childbirth, some doctor equipment, including an ultrasound machine, and once again did a combination of Midgardain medicine and magic to check Saphira herself; that was how Loki was able to hear his son's heartbeat, and how Saphira now had a photo of the inside of her stomach she was happy to show anyone who cared to see.
How and where Enid got the expensive medical equipment and so fast, Loki had no idea, but he guessed it was easy for a famous Avenger (even though Enid still denied being one) that had tons of money to get ahold of some. It was a good thing, too, because it would have been hard for them to explain why Saphira had a womb full of ice to a doctor once it showed up on the ultrasound. They were happy; the thought of becoming parents and having a child to care for and love made them both happy, but Loki was not optimistic, so he had this nagging feeling in the back of his mind that something was going to go wrong, the reason he wanted to get back to hunting for those damn stones and get it over with, then find a planet to live on lay low for a while then maybe take over the place and rule it; alongside his wife.
Speaking of his wife, after a couple of days, she soon grew restless and bored and wanted to get out and do something before being shut up on a spaceship for days to weeks at a time; her restlessness was one of the reasons they stopped at a lot of planets while flying around, anyway, Enid had that disguise she had bought, so, Saphira put on brown contacts, a black wig, and an outfit that belonged to Enid, they decided to go shopping, so, after Loki disguised himself by shifting to having blonde hair and blue eyes, slightly shorter than he usually was, and put on jeans and a t-shirt, with a jean jacket, he believed he looked like an idiot. They left, with Saphira complaining about Enid's jeans being baggy on her because of her sister's big hips.
They first stopped at a breakfast place; Thor had his plate loaded down with every kind of breakfast food you could think of, Enid had a waffle, Saphira ate pancakes, and Loki had two small sausage biscuits; Enid never liked using her status to get stuff, but today, she had called in a few favors at a few stores, used her "hero" status combined with money, and had some shops reserved to be closed to only them at certain times, so they can buy the baby things it will need because it may be the only chance Loki and Saphira to do so.
"What is it with women and shopping?" Thor suddenly asked. He and Loki were sitting in metal chairs by a large window as Saphira and Enid did the shopping; it was their third store, and the two brothers quickly grew tired of it and were a little bored, they couldn't leave though as it was their job to carry everything to the car, Enid had rented an SUV from a car rental place, she and Thor usually just walked or took public transportation whenever they needed to go somewhere, but Enid didn't think it was a good idea with Loki and Saphira with them, preferring not to be seen by many people.
"I have no idea, but we are here for a good reason." Loki replied, "Plus, Saphira has always loved shopping; look at her; how happy." Loki smiled and figured sitting here bored out of his mind was worth it to see Saphira smile like that.
"Yeah, Enid is happy to get to spend time with her sister." Thor pointed out. He suddenly nudged Loki in the shoulder, making him scowl, then looked to where Thor was pointing. It was a large mirror on the wall. "Look, brother, we look alike ."
Loki scuffled at Thor, but then he took a good look at their reflections in the mirror, and Thor was right, with Loki's hair blonde, eyes blue. The way his body looked right now, he did look like a smaller, less muscular version of Thor.
"I need to get off this planet," Loki replied; Thor laughed and hit Loki on the back so hard he nearly knocked him out of his chair, causing Loki to turn around and push Thor out of his.
"That was uncalled for, brother," Thor said as he got back in his seat. "That was an accident; I had not meant to hit you that hard."
"I know, which is why I did not stab you," Loki replied. Thor gave him a weird look.
After that store, they went to one more, then out to lunch, after that, back to Enid and Thor's apartment, where they put all the stuff they bought in the guest room Loki and Saphira was using. When heading back down the hallway to the living area, Loki groaned when he heard the voice of Remy LeBeau; when he entered the room, Remy was standing in front of Saphira, handing her a book.
"It's a name book; help you pick a name for the little guy," Remy told her.
"Aww, you're so sweet, thank you," Saphira replied, hugging Remy; Loki scuffled. He wasn't jealous of LeBeau; he wasn't; the man just annoyed him, and since he was married to Loki's sister and Saphira considered him a brother, Loki was stuck with him for a long time.
Calling Rogue his sister was new to Loki since he hadn't been around here much since finding out about Mystique; he didn't know how to act around her or what to say; Loki gave her polite greetings whenever she came by, like now, she said hello to him once she saw him standing there, he nodded in reply. Loki answered her on the rare occasions she spoke to him, but not more than that, Loki got the feeling Rogue felt just as awkward around him as he did her, after all the Battle of New York wasn't that long ago, and not only did she get a few good hits in on Loki, but she beat Saphira in a fight, Loki understood why Rogue fought by using her strength, Saphira was used to her opponents using weapons, and fighting with special skills or even magic, not pounding you with punches every place they can. Rogue caught Saphira by surprise.
The next day was uneventful; there were no shopping trips or outings, just mostly sitting around the apartment being bored; Loki and Saphira had spent most of the day in the guest bedroom, spending time to themselves. They came out a few times to use the bathroom and get food, but most of the day was spent in the room, going over their plans, their future, and doing other things.
They finally came out of the room around dinner time, showered, ate supper, and stayed out to chat with Thor and Enid; for once, none of the others were there, and when night came, Loki found himself sitting in the living room, along with the other three; Saphira sat on the other end of the couch he was sitting on, Mischief in her lap and she was brushing his long fur, that bratty cat had been in a bad mood all day, or so Enid had told them, Loki had spells on the room to keep noise from the outside coming in, and nose from the inside going out, so, they missed the commotion, but Mischief had been fighting Rosey all day, so much so, Enid had to lock Rosey up in her and Thor's bedroom.
Right now, the news was on the television, but Loki would only pay attention to it if something interesting were showing. Other than that, he sat forward on the edge of the couch; the scepter he had retrieved when they picked up Enid was lying on the coffee table; Loki had it on a stand, so it was easier to fix, which is what Loki was doing now, having already replaced the blades. Loki made them from some indestructible metal Remy LeBeau had gotten somewhere. Now, all he had to do was fit the new glass ball in the middle that was glowing green with his magic. Then his scepter will be good as new.
On Loki's right sat Enid in a chair; she had a small table set up in front of her, and she looked to be doing some paperwork. Across from her on Saphira's left sat Thor in his recliner, watching the television.
Loki glanced up to the television; at the moment, the news was showing the weather; it looked like they were going to get a break with the snow, but temperatures were still going to be cold, and possibly rain some days; Loki surprised himself when he found he liked this kind of weather, probably due to his jotuun side.
"This is boring. Can't we watch something other than the news?" Saphira suddenly asked; Loki glanced over at her amused and watched as she pulled fur out of the brush and set it on the couch arm.
"Sister, don't do that," Enid ordered, frowning over at her. "It'll get all over the couch and floor." Saphira rolled her eyes.
"I'll throw it away when I'm done," Saphira told her as she pulled more fur out and laid on top of the couch arm.
"Make sure you do," Thor ordered. Loki glared at him. He did not like Thor telling Saphira what to do. "If that hair gets all over the floor, you are vacuuming."
"Leave her alone, Thor," Loki demanded; out of the corner of his eye, he saw Enid shake her head at Thor when he went to argue. Most likely not wanting the two to fight, Thor listened as he turned back to the television without another word.
"He sheds a lot," Saphira said. Her complaint about what they were watching seemed forgotten.
"If it bothers you shave him," Loki replied. Saphira gave him a look that suggested he had just told her to shave her head.
"I'm not doing that to him," Saphira replied; She was scratching behind Mischief's ear with one hand; the other was playing with the fur lying on the couch arm. Loki smiled a little at his wife; then his attention turned to the news when he heard the name Graydon Creed; it was a story on how a mutant rally of his anti-mutant group got attacked by a group of mutants. He was now demanding better laws to protect "innocent." people like himself. He also announced he was going to run for some office.
"Isn't that.." Saphira started to ask.
"Indeed," Loki answered before she finished. He didn't want to hear the words your brother or Mystique's son when it came to that piece of fifth who rather his brother and mother die than acknowledge they should have the rights Creed himself has. And honestly, with their powers and abilities, they should be considered above Graydon Creed.
"Wonder if he knows about you yet?" Thor asked.
"No, of course not." Loki replied, "And I prefer it to stay that way."
"I wonder where Mystique went," Saphira said. Mischief climbed out of her lap and curled up on the couch next to her. She took a sip from her hot chocolate; she was drinking out of a metal mug with a lid; Enid had given her; it had the name of Enid's casino on the front.
"I don't know, but she better be back in the next couple of days, or we are leaving without her," Loki replied, carefully placing the glass ball into the scepter.
"How?" Saphira asked, "She took the ship remember?"
"We'll have to get another ship," Loki replied. "I'm sure your pet thief can steal one somewhere."
"Remy isn't my pet," Saphira replied, "He is my guild brother."
"I do not understand why you are friends with him; he is so annoying," Loki said.
"Babe," Saphira said, "You think everyone annoying." Loki laughed at that.
"That's because most are," Loki replied; Saphira rolled her eyes with a smile; Loki smiled back at her, then leaned back a little and reached out for her hand. But regretted it when Mischief suddenly jumped up and attacked it, clawing and biting; he would have done more, but Saphira quickly pulled him off.
"I'm so sorry," Saphira said as she pulled Mischief onto her lap, "I guess your hand got too close to him. He didn't like it."
"No kidding," Loki said, checking his hand out, then turned to Saphira. "It's alright, darling, not your fault."
"I'm surprised you don't get along better with cats, brother," Thor said.
"Why is that?" Loki asked, still looking his hand over; it was nothing; the bites and scratches should be gone when he goes to bed.
"You're a lot alike," Thor replied; Loki looked over at him.
"How?" Loki demanded; Thor smiled at him.
"You both are sneaky, cunning little bastards that'll cut you the moment you turn your back," Thor answered, grinning with amusement in his eyes, as Enid started laughing, and even Saphira snorted as if trying to stop herself from laughing; Loki looked over at her, Saphira mouthed "sorry" at him, Loki winked at her with a smile, then sat back on the couch.
"Very funny, Thor, you're real witty," Loki remarked. He wanted nothing more than to reach out and take his wife's hand and hold it, but that stupid pile of fur will attack him again. Loki glanced down at Mischief to find him staring at him. If Loki didn't know any better, he would swear the cat was gloating; then he had the nerve to start wagging his tail; as Saphira ran her hand through his fur, Loki narrowed his eyes and glared at the cat.
"Loki, " Saphira said, catching the look he gave Mischief. "I wish you would try to get along with him."
"It's his fault; he hated me from day one," Loki replied. "I have no idea why."
"He's a cat, baby," Saphira answered, "He does that to most people. That's what cats do."
"That cat has it out for me," Loki replied; Saphira gave him a funny look.
"You just sound paranoid now," Saphira replied. Mischief snugged into Saphira more, enjoying the warmth from the heating pad she had laid across her stomach.
Loki said nothing; he just crossed his arms, a mad look on his face, and Saphira turned back to the TV, looking upset and still playing with the ball of fur, frowning. It fell quiet for a moment; the only sound was from the news.
"Saphira," Thor cried out; Saphira squealed, then jumped into Loki's lap, causing him to groan; she had accidentally knocked her heating pad and Mischief to the floor, he made a sound that was a cross between a hiss and growl, as he fleed to the other side of the room.
"Careful, darling," Loki told her as he wrapped his arms around her waist; he couldn't help but smirk at Mischief.
Saphira didn't answer. Instead, she pointed towards the couch arm. Enid frowned at them; then she looked towards the couch arm where everyone was staring in surprise.
Sitting there where the big ball of cat fur had been was now a tiny creature; it looked almost like a small kitty, but with some differences, like the snake-like fangs that showed as it hissed or the gold horns that stuck up in the middle of its head between its cat-like ears, and it's glowing eyes that slanted, other than that it looked like an extra tiny kitty, it's fur was longish; black, with markings like a tortoise cat, but with green and gold patterns and it had a long tail that forked at the end.
"Loki," Saphira cried out, gripping his arm and shaking it, bringing him out of his shock.
"What the bloody hell is that?" Loki demanded, his grip on Saphira tightened.
"I don't know, but I swear to you, Saphira made it," Thor replied.
"What?" Saphira demanded, "No, I didn't."
"Yes, you did," Thor replied, " I sat here and watched you do it; you created that out of that big ball of fur you were playing with."
"But...that's not possible," Saphira replied; she looked towards Loki, then back at the creature, moved forward to touch it, but it hissed and scratched at her with tiny claws.
"Careful, love," Loki replied, standing and pulling Saphira up with him, then held her to him in a protective way.
"I don't understand how I could have made that." Saphira replied, "It doesn't even like me." Loki rubbed her back in comfort. He frowned as he thought about Rosey; Saphira had made her also; he thought she was alive like that because of the Reality Stone, but maybe it was something else.
"I think it's time we read that book that ancient person gave you, love," Loki said.
At that moment, Mischief came running across the room, jumped over the back of the couch, and went after the creature; Saphira shouted at him, but Thor was quicker, and he scooped the tiny creature up in his hand and held it protectively to his chest.
"No...bad cat, leave the...umm kitty, alone?" Thor glanced at Enid, who shrugged.
"Darling," Loki put his hands on her arms and rubbed them, "What were you thinking about a moment ago when playing with Mischief's ball of fur?"
"How I wished you and Mischief got along." Saphira replied, "Why?"
"Because you made that from those thoughts, sweetheart," Loki told her gently, pointing at the creature. He felt guilty because of Saphira's answer; he didn't realize it upset her so much that he didn't get along with her cat.
"But...but..how could I have made that?" Saphira demanded, "It's alive; I can't bring things to life."
"What about Rosey?" Loki asked, still speaking gently; one of his hands moved to her face, and he pushed her hair back; one of Loki's go-to moves to help keep his wife calm.
"She's a plant," Saphira answered. Loki laid his hand on her face.
"Yes, but still alive," Loki replied, rubbing her jaw with his thumb, another go-to move that helps keep her calm.
Saphira frowned and turned back to the creature in Thor's hand, she took a good look at it, and her eyes widened, and she turned and buried her face in Loki's chest; he put his arms around her. Loki looked at the creature; it now sat in Thor's hand, licking its paw.
"Is it bad? That I am amused at how that thing looks somewhat of a mix of Loki and Mischief?" Enid asked, walking over and taking a good look at it; it stopped licking its paw and looked up at her and hissed.
"That thing does not look like me," Loki replied.
As he said it, Loki could see what Enid meant, the green and gold markings, clearly his colors; the most surprising was the horns that stuck upon its head; they resemble the horns in his old helmet. It wasn't an ugly creature, quite pretty once you got used to its odd appearance. Loki noticed the left side of its face was gold, with a green eye, and the right side of its face was green with a gold eye; one ear was black, the other gold, and its forked tail was primarily black, with a bit of gold on one side, other than those weird oddities it looked like a cat. Though a relatively small one. Loki guessed it was a baby and would grow evidently.
"Think Saphira will let me keep it?" Thor asked Enid as it rubbed the side of its face to Thor's chest while making a purring sound.
"If you want it, you can have it," Saphira said, her voice muffled because his face was still in Loki's chest. "It doesn't like me." He held her tighter and rubbed up and down her back with one hand; she soon turned her face to the side so she could breathe.
"You seem to be the only one that thing likes," Enid told Thor, watching as it tried to climb up his chest. "Here, until we can figure out how safe it is."
Enid used her magic to conjure up a circle glass cage. A little bed for the thing could sleep in, then conjured up a led that had air holes; Thor sat it in the cage, and Enid fastened the lid; it stood on its hind legs looking out at Thor, that's when Loki noticed the toes on its front right foot were green.
"Is it me, or does that look somewhat familiar?" Thor replied; Enid laughed, and Loki narrowed his eyes at him, understanding what he meant.
"Oh, you're just full of comedy tonight, brother," Loki replied. "You should be Odin's court jester."
"I'm going to bed." Saphira suddenly announced, then pulled away from Loki and left the living room, without another word, while looking upset, Enid looked as if she was going to follow her, but Loki reached out and grabbed her arm to stop her.
"I'll go talk to her," Loki told her, then left the room, heading towards the spare bedroom. Loki found her lying on the bed crying; he closed the door and laid down next to her; he ran his hand through her hair and said soothing words as he let Saphira cry it all out; she was scared, Loki could tell, his wife was afraid of what was happening to her, Loki himself didn't think it was all that bad, she would be a bit more powerful than before and would be able to do different things, nothing wrong with that, she'll just have to learn to control her abilities, he would help her best he can.
Two days later, Mystique finally decided to return; she didn't say where she had been or what she was doing, only announced that the spaceship was now theirs; they owned it, thanks to a favor she did for Eric. "Magneto" Lensherr. And the first thing the following morning of her return, they all went up and started getting ready to take off; they concealed the ship and went into the air, stopping to pick up Kurt, Rogue, Remy, and Remy's three cats, then Mystique put the spaceship on full speed, and they took to the sky heading towards space.
After a week back in space, everything seemed to go back to normal as if they had never made a stop on Midgard. Rogue was settling in as if she'd always been there, and weirdly Saphira and she seemed to have struck up a friendship; she hung out with Remy and Rogue when Loki was busy teaching Kurt magic, though sometimes she did, hang out with Loki, and Kurt, and at times even Mystique.
By the time a second week passed, everyone had agreed with Loki about Saphira needing to read that book about a creator and learn better control because whatever was happening to her powers, things were getting weird; after bugging Mystique enough, she broke down and permitted Saphira to plant flowers on the sides of the corridor. Now they couldn't walk down them without seeing flowers moving as if dancing, back and forth, or waving their leaves, or vines that were growing up the side of the walls that if they were in the mood, sometimes reached out and grabbed you; Remy learned that the hard way when he had been captured and held to the wall for over an hour until Loki found him, then had to wait fifteen minutes more for Loki to stop laughing enough to get him free.
They all agreed on one thing that both annoyed Saphira, and that was to ban her from using fire in any way while on the ship; since everything she did come to life in some way, they didn't want to risk it because really, they didn't need some fire creature running around catching the ship on fire. At least not until she was willing to read that book and learn control over her new power. Loki has already read it a few times, and he's pretty sure he understands what's happening to her; he just couldn't get Saphira to be willing to listen to him explain; it was like she suddenly decided she didn't want anything to do with any of it.
By the third week, and Saphira now ten weeks pregnant, they learned to avoid the plants in the corridor. They kept Saphira busy with other things, like getting her to play games or watch movies. To keep her from using her abilities as much as they could, she took to reading the name book Remy gave her and started writing down names, none of which Loki would agree with, especially the name she had just suggested to him right now, which had Loki looking at her as if she just told him to take a running leap out of the spaceship.
"No, absolutely, not," Loki replied; they were sitting together in the entertainment room; the only other person in there was Kurt, and Saphira sat turned sideways with her legs in Loki's lap, Loki was watching one of the only movies he liked.
"Why not?" Saphira demanded, "It's a pretty name."
"Pretty?" Loki demanded, "Are you even listening to yourself when saying it?"
"It is pretty," Saphira answered. "We could call him Jorry or Jor, or maybe even Mundy for short."
"Saphira darling, I love you, but there is no way we are naming our son Jormungandr," Loki replied. "And certainly not given him a nickname like Mundy."
"Kurt," Saphira said, turning to her brother-in-law, "What do you think? "
"Me?" Kurt replied, looking a bit startled, "That's your and Loki's decision, isn't it?" Loki smiled a little; Kurt was trying to avoid saying the name was ugly not to hurt Saphira's feelings.
"I know, but I want someone else's opinion," Saphira said; Kurt frowned.
"Well...umm... it's a bit long, yeah, long, and hard to pronounce." Kurt replied; Loki tried not to laugh. "It's all up to you, of course, but maybe a simpler name is better, something the kid wouldn't have trouble learning to pronounce or spell."
"That's a good point," Saphira replied; Loki looked at her in surprise, then became impressed by how Kurt avoided saying the name was ugly and got Saphira to decide against using it. "I won't put it on the list."
"List?" Kurt asked as Loki felt relieved.
"My wife has already made a list of names she likes," Loki replied, "I told her we have plenty of time to decide."
"Loki, our son, is due in September; it's already the third week of March; choosing the right name is going to take time," Saphira replied, "Besides, you have added names to that list yourself, don't act like you haven't."
"Yes, dear," Loki replied, smirking; Saphira lightly smacked him with her book; Loki laughed, "Oh, you're going to regret that, love." He started tickling her, Saphira cried out, then started begging him to stop between giggles. When Loki finally did stop, Saphira was out of breath and smiling as she now laid down on the couch.
"You are a mean person," Saphira told him; Loki smiled at her.
"That's just a part of its charm." Loki joked.
"You're an idiot too." Saphira decided; Loki didn't say anything as he took her hand and helped her set it up.
"You love me, though," Loki replied, leaning in to kiss her; Saphira smiled when he pulled away.
"I might," Saphira answered. Loki said nothing; knowing she was joking, he leaned in for another kiss, this one deeper and longer.
Loki pulled Saphira closer to him, and their kiss was starting to get a little heated; Kurt decided they must have forgotten he was there, so he stood to leave when there was a sudden big bang, sounding like a bomb, the spaceship tilted, on its side, sending Kurt sliding across the room; the couch Saphira and Loki flopped over on its back, and they too went sliding across the floor; everything around them went flying around, Loki covered Saphira to protect her, as the craft went spinning out of control falling towards whatever planet might be under it, or Loki hoped there was some planet or something; he looked around for Kurt, to see him a few feet away, stuff covering his body. Kurt wasn't moving and looked knocked out; Loki swallowed; he prayed to any other god that might listen that his brother was only knocked out and would be okay.
Then as fast as it happened, it was over, and their ship slammed down onto a planet or some solid ground, causing them to fly up a little bit for only a second; before then, the boat was hit and knocked over a bit when whatever hit it (most likely another ship) had slammed down next to theirs and causing their craft to move.
Loki raised, and the first thing he did was make sure Saphira was all right; she was or at least seemed to be, as she was frantically asking if Loki was okay; once they were sure each other was fine, Loki stood, helped Saphira to her feet, then they both walked towards Kurt, he still wasn't moving, and Loki hoped he was alive, he doesn't think he could handle it if his brother were...well Loki didn't even want to consider that possibility.
It won't be confusing; it turned March before they left Earth, which they were stuck on for a week when the crash happened; they had been back in space for three weeks, so it is now the third week in March 2014. Probably be a bit of a time skip later, maybe.