Soon morning finally arrive, to Darcy's surprise; it is strangely quiet and calmer than she thought that it would be. Well she was mostly expecting something out of control to happen or anything that would automatically guarantee that she would be regretting later on. It seems to be perfectly fine, if not normal, that is if she somehow got this crazy dream about meeting Loki and he suddenly comes up to her saying that he has changed for the better and wants to start a new life. But that's impossible, there is no way something like that would ever happen. Though it would be cool to seeing Loki being a hero and seeing him change his ways, to actually see him do some good in the world.
But still she shouldn't focus so much on yesterday and just get on her day, it is probably is a crazy dream and she should try to do something. Even if there might be something big going on such as a Dark Elf invasion, she still needs to get ready for the day and have some breakfast. So that way she can get ready and head out to do something. Though she finds it wired that her door is locked and she never locks it, though she wonders... No it can't be, can it?
She quickly heads out of her room and to her surprise, she finds Loki with an opened refrigerator looking for something to eat. The living room itself doesn't even look that much like a living room, since Loki didn't exactly leave things better than how he first found them. The couch is a complete mess and it looks like if Loki made it his personal mission to mess up the couch and the kitchen. Loki took everything from the entire refrigerator both top and bottom to see what each object might be and whenever Loki either finds something that isn't appetizing or he doesn't even know what it is or if it's something that he knows, then he would put it on the counter in case he finds something better. Completely making a mess and putting everything on the counter regardless of what it might be and where it might need to be stored in specific location. From a quick glance, it's clear that Loki isn't even bothering to tidy up once he's done.
"Um... what are you doing? Staring at my fridge, keeping it open without grabbing anything and when you do then it's to just put it somewhere else, making a mess?" asked Darcy confused by her new roommate's behavior as he continues to stare at the fridge.
"A greeting would do just fine." said Loki defensively and turning over to face Darcy. "You said that if I wanted something, then I am more then welcome to grab it."
"I meant whenever you're hungry then you can grab whatever you want to eat." said Darcy. "Not open the fridge, stare at it and take everything out and not put it back. Why didn't you fix up the couch?"
At that moment, that question catches Loki by surprise and he doesn't even know what to say or think of the entire scenario. He doesn't expect that Darcy would even say such a thing to him. That alone makes Loki's mind go blank and he knows that there is something that he wants to say and that alone is something he needs to say and it's the most obvious thing on his mind.
"I thought that you were going to do it." said Loki honest and indifferent. "Besides I'm hungry, it's morning and there's no food on the table. So you really can't accuse me of needing to take matters into my own hands."
Darcy can't believe what she is hearing and is now feeling a wave of anger and shock all at once. Does Loki really expect her to do everything around here? Every little thing and hoping that he would be living in a five star hotel with the best living accommodations? But then again, it is their first day together and Darcy can't blame Loki for having this mindset. He was a prince of Asgard, she wouldn't be surprise if people waited on him on hand and foot before every crazy thing happened. Maybe she should cut him some slack for being used to that service, but still that doesn't mean she is going to do everything for him. She can't do everything for him and Loki is going to need to learn that if he's going to live here then she will have a say in everything and going to have some ground rules.
"Look, when I said that you can grab whatever you want, not just open it and mess everything inside up." said Darcy. "Plus, can you please try to keep the couch less messy? I don't have time every day to fix it for you every day, but since this is our first day together, I will make today an exception ok?"
"Fine, I believe I can handle the simplest task on my own and your food did not look appetizing anyway." said Loki cooly much to Darcy's annoyance.
"Why don't I get something that might be more appetizing to your taste?" offered Darcy as she got to the counter and begin to work.
"That would be perfect." said Loki quickly closing the refrigerator and heading towards the table to wait for Darcy to serve the food.
Darcy starts to get to work and try to see what might be a good enough meal that might satisfy Loki and that it would be good enough for them to eat and that it won't lead to some kind of argument with Loki. After doing some thinking, she has finally figures out what would be a good breakfast for both of them, that they might both enjoy. So she got to work on her idea of a great meal, one that would make anyone even a grouch be excited to eat. Well she hopes that Loki would agree with her and think that this would be a meal fit for a king. When Darcy is finally done, she quickly grab two plates, put the food on it and serve it for both Loki and herself. Without even saying a word or a glance, she begins to eat her meal and is relief that things seem to be quiet. It would have been a perfectly quiet breakfast, that is if Loki doesn't have a few things to say about it...
"Uh... what is this?" asked Loki pointing at his meal, still on his plate and even going as far as using his fork to point at it.
"That's a pancake." said Darcy as if it is obvious.
But from one look at Loki's face, Darcy can already tell that answer is not good enough for Loki and it's clear that he's not going to let it go. Now she's a little worried that Loki might use his Asgardian magic or some unknown Frost Giant magical ability that might end up the entire apartment in being destroyed. Maybe all she need is to give Loki some encouragement, that way she won't have to deal with this any longer than they may need to. At least she hopes so...
"Come on, it's pretty good. You are going to love it." said Darcy reassuringly as she continues eating.
"I believe I am no longer that hungry anymore." said Loki who got up from the table, clearly not finding the meal fit for an Asgardian, much less a prince and that mindset alone is starting to get on Darcy's nerves.
"Seriously?! Come on, one minute you are raiding the kitchen for food and the next you suddenly loose your appetite because this food isn't good enough?" said Darcy frustrated. "You can't just expect me to drop everything and get you something else whenever you want or if you are not in the mood for anything on your plate."
"Pardon me, but I do have a right to have a say in this matter as well." said Loki defensively and getting a little frustrated. "I do live in this household now, so I have a right to make a stand whenever I disagree or if I ever feel like it."
"I'm the one who's giving you a roof over you're head, so don't be surprise if I'm a little snappy." said Darcy angrily. "No scratch that, make that really snappy. Since this is my apartment and I have a say in everything around here and that includes anything that would require me of putting my foot down. Also fun fact, not many people are open in letting super villains who wants to take over the planet to move in with them, so there is also that fact you should consider before going all high and mighty about it."
"Well, I'm you're housemate now, so get used to my complaints." said Loki ready to give Darcy a piece of his mind.
"Well, I'm you're roommate too and the one who pays the rent around here." argued Darcy. "So, get used to my orders and rules that is going to make us living together more tolerable."
"How am I supposed to follow any rules if you are not so kind enough to tell me what they are?!" said Loki angrily.
"I would have told you if-" begins Darcy and she is about to continue, but suddenly the phone starts to ring and stopping this argument from going from bad to worse.
"I'll get it!" said Darcy as she quickly get up to grab the phone and before she can even reach it, she stops and turn to Loki. "Don't move! The last thing I need is for you to break this as well."
"Is that another one of those cell phones of your's?" asked Loki who quickly let his anger disappear and let his curiosity take over, but that doesn't mean he has stopped being angry at Darcy underneath that cloud of curiosity.
"No! Wait you're right, it is a phone but this is one that can only work here." said Darcy feeling like she owes Loki an explanation. "It's a home phone, that one can use for emergencies like when you can't find your cell phone or use it at all if you either loose it or if someone breaks it into smithereens."
Loki can't help but give Darcy an angry glare, how dare she create that encounter a bigger deal than it needs to be? If anything she should be amazed by his presence and move on from the entire situation. It might not even be a problem if she still has a mean to communicate with the outside world, but she is just refusing to see that he might have a point or could possibly see that this might be a blessing in disguise. But still there are a couple of things that he wants to say and it's something that he is planing to say a couple of things to her and he's ready to give her a piece of his mind. That is...
"Look, I would like to discuss the history of phones with you and maybe even argue with you more." interjected Darcy sarcastically. "But right now, I really need to answer this call and I might even owe him an apology if he tried to call me and I couldn't answer because of my phone problem. We can talk about all of this later and preferably sometime after all of this is over."
"Wait just a minute, I-" starts Loki and before he can get another word in, Darcy just picks up the phone and is happy to have an excuse not to talk to Loki for a moment.
"Hey Ian, what's up?" asked Darcy relieved that it's Ian and she having a break from the roommate trouble.
"Darcy, I have been calling you for about an hour now? What's happening on your side of the city?" asked Ian, resulting in Darcy giving a laugh, while Loki is rolling his eyes.
"No, there is nothing going on over here... It's just that I have been having some technical difficulties that's has been an unplanned inconvenience." said Darcy glaring at Loki for a moment before returning her attention back to Ian. "Can you just call me on this number until further notice?"
"Yeah, I understand, it happens." said Ian understandably.
"So have you heard anything yet? About Asgard, Jane or Thor?" asked Darcy and at that moment, Loki becomes more interested.
"Yeah, I have the other piece of this equipment thing that you and Jane use, it's starting to beep out of nowhere." said Ian. "I don't even know how it started or if it happens regularly... Haven't you seen or heard your piece beeping?"
Darcy quickly look over at the piece of technology on the table and notices how it's beeping wildly as it continues to light up and attract both Loki and Darcy's attention. They are both surprised by the object and how it suddenly is becoming more active by the minute and that alone is so surprising that it made them aware that something is definitely going on. Darcy quickly takes a glance towards Loki to see if he's doing any magic that might have gotten the equipment to react that way and if that might be the reason why the devices are going haywire. But Loki just shakes his head, as if he was saying that he's not doing magic of any kind, Darcy just gives a sigh of relief as she returns her attention back to Ian.
"I noticed it just now, maybe it has something to do with Asgard." said Darcy. "Maybe it's Thor or some other Asgardian or... Something that has to do with whatever might be going on. Yeah, I'll be right there, then we can talk some more."
"Alright, where do you want us to meet?" asked Ian who is unsure if he should step in or not.
"Let's meet at Erik's place, so that way we can make a quick update with him of what's going on and to hear his input. Then we'll figure something out from there and maybe something will get done. See ya there."
With that she quickly hangs up the phone and starts to get ready to leave, it's looks like that things might be moving quicker than plan. She just hopes that it's something big that might change everything or Thor and Jane returning back to Earth. But there is still the fact that she will be leaving Loki here, home alone and she doesn't even know if any of this would lead to trouble or if she'll even have a home once she gets back. Then again, maybe things wouldn't be so bad and besides she should really give Loki a chance and see what happens. But first she has a couple of things to say to him...
"Listen I have to go, apparently my job is to help save the world from evil Dark Elves." said Darcy. "So I want to set some ground rules before I find this place turn into a pigsty or if you completely demolish the living room if you are practicing spells or something. The last thing I need is to clean up a mess all night long, so the first rule should be if you knock something or move something put it back where you found it, the second rule is to do only small spells that might not cause some crazy amount damages and more importantly-"
"Darcy, are you going to spend the rest of your time telling me what to do or are you going to leave and deal with whatever you may have to deal with?" said Loki annoyed by Darcy's rambling.
"Ok then... so you got all that?" Asked Darcy nervously and awkwardly, hoping that she is not going to regret this.
"Yes, I believe I already have the idea and won't need you to write me a rule book." said Loki. "Before you leave I have one request for you."
"Yeah, I'll be sure to tell you everything." said Darcy before stopping herself in realizing that she hasn't heard what Loki's request is. "What do you want exactly?"
"To not to tell anyone of my location and that I am back on Midgaurd or my survival." said Loki briefly, hoping that he isn't going to be dealing with more Midgaurdians or worse the Avengers.
"Don't worry about it, I wasn't planning to tell anyone anyway." said Darcy. "I mean who would believe me if I sat down to tell them everything that has happened and all of the things I know about the Dark Elves and you? Everyone would be skeptical of the idea of you of all people want to turn over a new leaf, they probably wouldn't even let me come home alone without a bodyguard. Besides Thor is probably going to tell everyone that you died, so I can't just go around telling people that you are alive when two of my friends had a front row seat seeing that happen."
"Then good." said Loki relief that there is that fact to consider and only hoping that he was right to put his trust in Darcy.
"Well then..." starts Darcy rather awkwardly. "See you later..."
Without another word, Darcy leaves the apartment, leaving Loki alone and he doesn't even know what to do or make of the situation. He still has to figure out what his next move should be, where he should go next after his unplanned detour to Earth. He knows that it is going to take a while to figure out what's next for him and how is he going to make the most of it. It probably going to be another planet outside the nine Realms, in a place where no one will detect him, but for now he is going to need to make the most of the situation right then and there. He just hopes that he will be able to keep his sanity from having Darcy as a roommate and find an escape from this planet as fast as he can before the real trouble begins...
Two Hours Later
Loki is bored out of his mind, not even sure on how he can entertain himself and yet desperate to find something to do. To his surprise after Darcy left and sometime for himself planning what his next move should be, he starts to feel bored and really can't find something to entertain himself. He tries to see if there is any books that Darcy has that might interest him and so far he hasn't found anything that catches his attention. So far, he has found nothing that would capture his attention and it's mostly books with colorful illustrations and words in bubbles blurbs. Loki is surprised to see that many humans finds this literature and their idea of entertainment, as he frowns at the illustrations and tries to see if he can find something that is more appealing to him. But so far, the only books that he managed to find is The Hunger Games and possibly it's sequels. There's also some signs of other books or rather novels that would be better than simply reading the illustrated books that seems to childish for his liking.
For now, he figures that it might be best for him to venture out and see what the city looks like and to possibly see if there is anything going on. If he's going to stay here for a while, then he might as well see the city and figure out how to navigate here and to simply explore a little bit. It's better than him sitting around and doing nothing but simply lounging around with no other reason than to be bored. So he quickly changes from his Asgardian outfit to a Midguaridan suit and tie, to avoid anyone recognize and that he won't draw attention to himself.
With that he heads out of the apartment and starts to head towards the outside world, to see more of Midguard and from one glance of the city, Loki realize to his surprise and relief, he wasn't in New York. That the only thing that makes him feel a sense of satisfied when it comes to his luck and how he doesn't have to worry about an angry mob of midguardians and he can safely confirm that at least that part of the past won't catch up to him. But he wishes that the environment of the outside world is better than it looks right now.
The outside world is being attacked by Dark Elves, the destruction that the Elves are causing is prominent. They didn't care for what they might be doing and how it will affect the humans, but as long as they don't get in his way and Thor stops Malekith and the rest of the Dark Elves, then it would be perfectly fine. That monster will be defeated and the he will focus on himself. But still the damage of the city continues to grow, Loki has to admit that they might be going a bit far, but this is nothing compared to what he has done.
He might as well go back inside and try to see if he can protect the apartment, the last thing he needs is to deal with the fact that not only he would need to find a new place to stay. But part of him doesn't want Darcy to come home and find her home completely destroyed, not that he cares about Darcy or wants to be partially responsible for possibly leaving Darcy homeless. Not only he won't be able to escape her constant reminders, but it might increase the chances that someone might find out his presence on this planet and him being taken back to Asgard as a prisoner.
Before he can even make it inside, there is suddenly a scream and judging from the sound of it. The person who screamed sounds like they are in trouble and that they need help right now. Loki starts to get a little curious and wonders what might be going on and to see what might be happening, so he starts to run towards the cries for help and to see the current events. He doesn't know what he might do once he gets there, but he knows that he won't be able to do anything unless he uses an illusion to hide himself. Though he wouldn't take action unless it is absolutely necessary and he knows that he has to avoid as many confrontations and troubling moments as he can. It has to be this way, for the sake of his freedom and himself...
Looks like I'm on a roll, the third chapter rewrite is finally here and it's finally out, sorry that it took this long for me to finish this and I will try to get the next rewrite sooner than I did with this one. But right now I am right at work on the next chapter of Redemption, let's just say that it is going to allow one to feel many emotions and we're definitely going to see everything pay off.
Yeah the rewrites are made for me to not only check for grammar, but to also expand the earlier chapters and to be kinda the extended edition. With the hope that they live up to the same standards of the later chapters and with the hope to not only expand the story, but to explore ideas that I haven't gotten around the first time.
On another note, I'm also thinking of possibly doing one-shot chapters for Redemption that takes place during the time skip and it can be anything like slice of life fics, Loki teaming up with the Avengers or just Thor and Loki as Mysto of course. teaming up (it can be a midquel story with multiple chapters), maybe even a Loki and Hiemdel team up (I still want to do it and would be happy to do it in a one shot) or maybe even Loki and Darcy's adventures of searching for the Infinity Stones. But it has to take place during the time skip and not be something that would add more to the main story that it would be necessary to read them. They are mostly would be stand alone stories that still in the Redemption canon. I'm open to any idea that you guys might have, just put a review or pm me with your ideas and I'll be happy to use your ideas to write them into one shots. (Maybe even a Guardians of the Galaxy prequel/midquel before Gamora got caught by Thanos?) Though I would be mostly doing Loki ones but I am open to the idea, I'm also thinking of possibly making a sequel to Redemption and I already got an idea for it and will share more in the future updates.
Which would you guys rather see more, midquel one-shots that would help expand the story or a full-length Redemption sequel? Be sure to vote on the poll that just opened right now on the Author page.
Lastly, I want to say is that I am dedicating the Redemption fanfic to a good friend that has been there for me for the last couple of years. One that I will always appreciate that our friendship happend for the rest of my life. I am dedicating this story to Brigitta Pekelharing, a friend that helped me out of the darkness that I often take for granted. But I want to thank her for everything and helping me during the darkest time of my life, her friendship has made me grow into a better person and writer. I am always going to be grateful for the friendship that we shared and the impact that it made on me. In a way if it weren't for our friendship then there might not even be a Redemption because she got me into Marvel movies and helped me at the beginning of writting the fanfic. Thanks Brigitta for everything :)
So what is that scream Loki heard? What might be the trouble that might be happening right now that he might not even know about? Will he make the choice to help whatever is going on or will he be too focus on his own wellbeing to even bother? Be sure to find out in the chapter of Redemption whether it's through a rewrite or the original chapter itself. :)