Here is the seventh chapter, released just for the 1st April ^^ =P
But don't worry this isn't a prank! ...OK... I'll stop I'm pathetic at humor...
Please review and tell me what you think about it!
Disclaimer: I do not own neither Gakuen Alice, which belongs to Tachibana Higuchi, nor Avengers, which belongs to Marvel and even less Harry Potter, which is the work of the wonderful J.K.R :) But I do own the plot and my OC characters of course.
Chapter 7: Seduction Games and Compromises:
Every known muscle of Mikan's body was hurting like hell; a groan escaped from her lips. The young woman tried to open her eyes, a task which appeared to be more painful than expected. She blinked several times before to be able to correctly focus on her surroundings and froze, horrified by the unexpected scenery that came to her sight.
Mikan was in an unknown place and her body was only covered by a poor excuse of a robe, that revealed way too much skin for her liking or rather that covered nearly nothing! The young woman shivered and turned her head to the source of the cool breeze that had passed by; her eyes landed on an open window from which she could observe three suns. Wherever she was, it was obviously not on Earth.
The Alice felt herself start to panic: she was practically naked, had no idea of where she was, who could have brought her in another Planet, Realm or Dimension, she was still too weak to hope to escape from any possible enemy and the last thing she could remember was herself destroying the Foul's Horcrux and losing all the hell of control over the Corrosion Alice. At this point of her list, Mikan examined her body only to conclude that nearly all the dark marks covering it had faded: even though her body was still hurting, all danger over her life had passed. Well, from the Corrosion Alice at least…
Mikan tensed at the sound of footsteps within the place. The door of the room creaked open and Mikan jolted up. When Loki's familiar features appeared, she felt herself relax and couldn't help but groan annoyedly at him.
"This wasn't the kind of expression I was waiting from you sweetheart." Loki smirked.
"I suppose that you did find your way out of your capsule." stated Mikan, with a hoarse voice due to her dry mouth. Yet, the Alice was reassured to be facing him and not someone that she knew nothing about.
"Well if you do not remember, you are the one who appeared in my cell – quite a habit of yours I have to say – your body full of a powerful energy that it could barely contain. I only killed two birds with one stone by using it to free myself and get you rid of it." he grinned wryly, too pleased of himself for Mikan's opinion.
As Loki stepped fully in the room, Mikan could see him completely. The Alice remarked that he was wearing a complete Asgardian outfit, all in leather, bearing a long dark cloak, a long staff and a gleaming horned helmet. At the last detail, Mikan snickered, making no efforts to hide her laughter. She clutched her hurting stomach as she was laughing uncontrollably, her entire body shaking in hysterics.
"Loki! What is that thing that you are wearing on your head? You look like a cow!" cackled Mikan as Loki looked scandalized. "If you really wanted to impress me you should have removed it, or at least have the decency to come here by yourself!"
"Soul?" Loki arched his brow, as he realized his mistake. The frustration of being mocked still not forgotten.
"Yes, your clones radiate no feelings, no aura and are soulless. It feels just like I am facing a doll, or in your case, you are only appearing to me like a kind of hologram." explained Mikan, a small smirk still playing on her lips.
"I should have guessed it. You really and completely have the same abilities as Heimdall…"
"I am more restricted than him. He is the only being who can sense anyone from any place of the Nine Realms. Also, he is using Magic when I don't."
Mikan frowned and gained some seriousness.
"I think that we have more important matters to discuss. You would be lovely to take me back to Earth. Sadly, I am pretty sure that you won't… Loki, I wasn't in my right mind when I appeared into your capsule. It was your lucky day. Yet, believe me, I am far from being stupid: I know you need me. When you could have let me there, you choose to take me with you instead." Mikan said flatly.
"You're not even afraid of being held by me, nor that I have taken you so far from Earth, into a place unknown even to Heimdall, or that you are so weak I could crush with no effort!" he observed, slightly impressed.
Mikan looked at him, unfazed by the list of threats he had just mentioned.
"Would it have been someone else who had taken me away, I might have. I said might Loki, because I've never been afraid of dying…" the last part of her sentence was reduced to a murmur, but Loki understood too well what she referring to.
"Also… I trust the fact that you are not the kind of man who do things without a purpose. If you have bothered yourself to take me with you, this just means that you're expecting something from me. Now the question is what it is that you want?"
Mikan felt Loki's piercing gaze studying her, and, inwardly, she shivered. It was frustrating how vulnerable she was! Still too weak to be able to move and yet practically naked. Loki was, of course, too conscious of his advantage and took his time to examine her fully. From head to toes…
Even though the young woman lying before him was nearly colorless, that her long thick hair was a real mess and that her body was scarred, she wasn't less attractive to his eyes. It just added glory to her beauty. And, the fact that she was lying down, powerless, yet looking fiercely at him, daring him to try anything and that she was nearly covered by nothing didn't help the matters… 'Mikan Sakura clearly has the potential to drove any man crazy. Even me…' Loki thought reluctantly.
Loki had never felt any kind of attraction to a woman before, let alone sexually. He approached women only when they proved themselves useful to him, and let the mistresses and love affairs to his brother and the Warriors Three. He was quite of a virgin and was assuming it completely. Love, and all what followed brought even the strongest people into weak and begging beings while facing the other party. Once the act made, this image would eternally remain in the other's mind, a compromise that Loki was never, ever ready to make for such a delusional matter. However, his attraction to the woman lying before him was pretty real and wouldn't have been that much of a problem if Mikan Sakura, this delicate and strong flower, hadn't been able to sense his feelings. Loki was very conscious of how careful he had to be around her. Thankfully, he wasn't only interested in her for that very aspect. He had other plans concerning his Little One. For now, at least…
Loki shook off these disturbing, inappropriate thoughts and reported his attention on the Midgardian's body, which was undeniably in a better shape than the previous days: nearly all the dark marks had disappeared, and she was able of coherent thoughts. The Little One had come a long way and even him couldn't explain how she had survived her state, even though he was sure that it wasn't the first time something similar happened to her.
Once again, a cold breeze sent shivers down Mikan's spine. Loki frowned before to materialize a more decent dress of the color of the twilight sky that seemed more of an Asgardian outfit and a blanket but let the window open. Mikan covered herself with the blanket and waited to feel better to put the dress. Being more covered than she initially was – which wasn't that hard she had to say – made her feel safer. She relaxed a bit more and failed to realize that, of them two, Loki was the most relieved one.
"Your fever has dropped, there's no more need for this now." Loki said in a soft voice, close to a whisper.
"Are you trying to tell me that you got me nearly naked close to an open window, so my fever would drop?!" she asked incredulous, obviously waiting from him to explain himself. Mikan scowled at his shameless and provocative grin. Finally, he decided himself to clarify the situation she was in.
"When you appeared in my cell, four days ago…" Loki paused to let her digest this information. "Your entire body was covered by dark marks, you were burning with fever and delirious. I freed you of enough energy to materialize in another planet – just for you to know – and the past three days, even my Magic couldn't help healing you. I must admit that I wasn't even sure if you were to survive or not. As for why I put you here, it is quite simple since this was the only remaining option. You were burning so hot that your body had reached impossible temperatures. It was either this or you died. What I would really like to know thou is what or who did bring you to such a state."
Mikan shrugged and stayed vague about the subject.
"I overused my Alices, especially the Corrosion."
Loki waved his hand and a chair floated across the room, so he could sit in front of her without invading her personal space. From down below, Mikan couldn't help but think that his clothes suited him and particularly highlighted his tall, svelte and elegant stature. For sure, elegance was in his nature. He wanted to impress her and, even though she was reluctant to admit it, she had to say that he was achieving in doing so.
As he caught her blatantly staring at him, he gave her a sly grin. Mikan resisted the urge to roll her eyes. 'It sucks that he is looking down at me this way and that I can't do anything to shut him down!' Mikan thought frustrated.
"I should be mad at you, but surprisingly I think that I don't care that much about it, I am too tired to waste my energy into that." admitted Mikan. "As for your Magic being helpless to the matter, just know that even after spending years alongside the Sorcerer Supreme, we haven't been able to find a satisfactory solution." she sighed. "Loki, you still have not told me what you want from me."
"To be honest, I have never been interested into conquering Midgard, quite a loss of precious time I would say." he started.
"I already know this Loki." cut him softly Mikan. "The truth is that the Ancient One and myself were wondering about what could have brought you to choose the Earth over more interesting Realms, just as Jotunheim. But... I suppose that, since you are choosing to involve me, this means that it is my and its particular connection with Allice that might have interested you."
"You do realize how reckless of you it is to give me such an information like this before I even could have the chance to ask you about the matter?!" Loki laughed incredulous.
"I don't have that much energy to spend into being a hypocrite, Loki. You could perfectly have used the energy you have extracted from my body without taking me alongside with you. Yet, you did it anyway, when the only logical use you could have found in me is to free you from your cell. So, there are only two remaining options: either you want to bring me to Thanos to make up for your failure into bringing him the Tesseract, which I clearly doubt since he won't spare you anyway, or you have already figured the connection out." replied Mikan.
Loki smiled at her in a private manner and Mikan couldn't help but blink as she was sure to have seen a sparkle of both desire and contentment glim briefly in his icy green eyes. Whether she was right or not, it made her feel uncomfortable. Like if he was predator taking his time to appreciate his next meal, which was none other than herself.
"Well, if I start from where you have interrupted me, then yes, my only interest on Midgard is its particular connection with Allice. As the son of Hönir Borson, he had a special fondness for Midgardians: his works with both Herpo the Foul and Nicholas Flamel are the best proof of it. And, if I may say, also exactly as the nature of your powers. I am really lucky to have meet you, as you seem to be the embodiment of Allice's most successful achievements!"
"You puzzle me, Loki." whispered quietly Mikan, her eyes still closed. "If I were in better conditions, I may have understood why you are trying so hard to seduce me... But, darling, in my current state, your efforts are just useless." she smirked playfully, even though it was obvious that she was still too tired, just as she had claimed to be. "So, why don't you just tell me what you must tell me, like the grown boy that you are?"
Loki smirked, too amused the provocative allusion to really feel insulted by her comment.
Mikan, her hazel eyes still closed, raised a patient eyebrow, a small smile on her face. Loki clenched his hands into fists, containing his frustration, as he realized that he could have watched her harmonious traits for hours without getting bored.
"Allice, as you may already know, was one of the most powerful Sorcerer that has ever seen the day in Asgard, or in the whole Universe. His works on Magic but also on the Infinity Stones are the most accurate to this date. Yet, this work is lost as he had divided it in four books, that he had hidden. Two on Asgard and, of course, two on Midgard."
"And you are interested in finding them, am I right?" asked rhetorically Mikan.
Excitement and adrenaline ran through her veins. Mikan opened slowly her eyes. She was already in the possession of one of these books, even though she still wasn't going to tell this to Loki. Herpo the Foul's words still fresh on her mind, she understood that Loki knowing about them meant that he possessed at least one of them too.
"Well, not specially, I am already in the possession of three of them." Mikan gasped faintly, the four books were already in their possession! Not hiding her surprise, that Loki misinterpreted for astonishment, she opened her mouth to speak, but he beat her on it: "The only problem I have faced until now was to decrypt them since they are not magically encrypted, and my intuition tells me that you may be able to help me into this."
"Say that I could read them… Or use my Alices to do so, why would I do this for you Loki? If they contain information that could make you even more dangerous than you already are, I am certainly not to help you!" scoffed Mikan. "And do me a favor please, don't you even try to threaten me. This won't work!"
"I won't need to threaten you, you are going to do it by your own will." promised Loki in an imperious tone. "We do both know that these books only do appear when the chance of the six Stones being reunited is to its highest. Furthermore, this is your only way to protect Midgard from Thanos."
Mikan tensed and glared at him. "There is no proof that he is going to attack, and, to prevent this from happening, I can just ask Thor to remove the Infinity Stones from Earth and, even if I am not the one to tell him to do so, the Ancient One or Heimdall are both wise enough to do it. Moreover, I have already destroyed the Gauntlet!" She retorted.
"Impossible! It is guarded in Odin's Vault and is indestructible…" frowned Loki.
"This is only what Allice wanted you all to think! The one in Odin's Vault is a fake. The only real Gauntlet possessed a fragment of the Soul Stone and was made of Vibranium. I got rid of it."
"This is only what Allice wanted you all to think…" Loki smirked triumphantly at her and Mikan paled as she realized her mistake: "You are already in the possession of Flamel's diary. Things are going to get way more interesting than what I have originally planned! I suppose then that I had a good guess, you are indeed able to decrypt his works!"
Mikan's jaw tightened, her hazel eyes flashing dangerously. She was too tired and not careful enough, which resulted in her committing obvious mistakes. Loki was starting to seriously get on her nerves!
"Let me tell you something, Loki. Whatever it is that you are waiting from me, I won't help you, or cooperate." she affirmed firmly.
For an indeterminate space of time, Mikan and Loki regarded each other, challenging, daring the second party. It was a nonverbal battle, in which each one of them was trying to impose his will. Finally, Loki stood up.
"You are still too tired for us to have this discussion. You should rest, and then maybe you will gain some right senses."
"Then, the next time make me the pleasure to come here by yourself!" scowled Mikan.
Before to disappear, Loki caught once again Mikan's pretty and daring eyes. To come to her by himself?! In his state? It would just be his doom!
Without agreeing or making his refusal clear, Loki leaved silently the room. Mikan sighed, and way too tired to think, she fast fell into a dreamless sleep.
Mikan had been sleeping for at least five hours when Loki decided himself to materialize in her room. Deeply asleep, the new dress he had materialized for her still lying on her side, darkness invading the room, the young woman was completely unaware of his presence, his closeness.
He sat in the same position as he had earlier and took a closer look at her. His Little One seemed at peace. Far too innocent for her own good… She hadn't shown any signs of fear earlier and seemed rather frustrated by the situation she was in than afraid by it. 'But, mostly, she isn't afraid of me either' Loki wondered how he should react to this fact. Indeed, how insulting it was for him! And, yet, he couldn't help but admire the calm she had shown in face of such a situation.
It was obvious she knew that he wasn't going to hurt her the way some might have tried to. He wasn't of that kind of evil. If he really wanted to have her that way, Loki would rather have the satisfaction of gaining her, seducing her. His red eyes darkened at these thoughts. If he had guessed right, it was most likely that the Little One had been the victim of such assaults. After all, anyone who was ready to send a twelve years old girl into dangerous and impossible missions, who had her at his mercy, would have been vicious enough to try.
With the back of his hand, he caressed the sensitive skin of her naked throat. Why couldn't he just simply get rid of her? 'These four days wasting my precious time to try save the life of a worthless Midgardian! Worthless… worthless… Is she? Am I in the position to say so after what she had achieved to do to me? After what she had turned me into?' thought Loki frustrated and lost. Indeed, removing that energy out of her body hadn't been priceless: unconsciously, while the Little One was still delirious, she had tried to attack him, an instinctive reaction, worsening both her and his state. She had done enough damage to achieve breaking the spell that gave him an Asgardian appearance.
Lost in his thoughts, Loki hadn't realized that a pair of hazel eyes were watching him. With his bare and cold blue hand posed on her throat, Mikan didn't knew how she was supposed to react. As she had regained some forces, the young woman realized that she was in the possibility to fully sense his feelings again: pain, shame, triumph, doubts and desire. Mikan shivered at the last since it was obvious that the feeling was directed at her.
"The Corrosion has had its effects on you." she whispered quietly. "So, this is how you do look like as a Jotun…"
Mikan sensed his fingers tense over her skin. She had hit a soft spot of his, she was pretty sure of it. However, there was no anger directed at her. He just wanted to leave, so she wouldn't see his real appearance. Yet, Mikan was also sure that she didn't care that much about it. Indeed, as a grown man, Loki had to accept himself for what he was first, or no one else ever would.
"You know what Loki?" started Mikan, posing her hands over his, so he wouldn't leave before she had finished. "Asgardians are as stupid as they claim the Earthians to be! Indeed, isn't it a kind biggest flaw to believe themselves superior to all the others?"
Loki's red eyes were frowning at her as he understood clearly what she was implying.
"You can keep your sweet nonsense for someone else, Little One. Don't you bother waste your time, I won't listen to you." he replied to her in a defensive mode. Mikan smiled mysteriously at him, as she already knew that he wasn't mad at her.
At that very instant, Mikan couldn't help but be hit by the enormous similitudes between Loki and Natsume, which didn't stop to the red color of their pupils! 'Don't bother coming to the darkness that you don't need to see… I don't want to show you the darkness that doesn't belong to you…' Natsume had told her once, of course she was still as stubborn as she had been back then. No one ever stopped her from telling the truth. She stroked his hand absentmindedly.
"You are right, Loki. You're not someone to be pitied. I am just stating that the racial prejudices present in Asgard are the major reason why you didn't take the news very well. To be honest, I don't see a real difference between your two appearances. You are just as insufferable in the two forms! I mean seriously?! I have to say that I have met many stubborn men in my life, but you out best all of them for sure! Loki… Isn't impersonating one of your best specialty? You can change your appearance as you please thanks to your Magic, so… You do realize that it isn't the costume that does matter but the man inside the suit, right?"
Puzzled and lost, Loki stared at the young woman lying down before him. How could such simple words be an ointment to his wounded heart? Why was she so compelling to him? Why could she see right through his pains? He stayed silent and removed his hand from hers, realizing that the skin contact hadn't burned her. Mikan didn't try to stop him, her kind and warm hazel eyes observing him patiently.
Finally, Loki sighed and just nodded wordlessly.
Mikan smiled earnestly at him and took his hand back in hers. When Loki lifted a curious eyebrow, the brunette ignored him and activated her Stealing Alice. As she was finished, a black crystal of the darkest shade and of an impressive volume was laying on the palm of her left hand. Loki's hand in hers had gained its white pale color back.
"Your body isn't used to the effects of the Corrosion Alice, and it better doesn't. It is the one that had allowed me to destroy the Gauntlet which was made of Vibranium. Even though you have physical abilities far more developed than humans, it will affect you just the same."
"Then… Wasn't it a reckless move of yours?" Loki smirked, his eyes green again and full of humor.
"What, helping my supposed kidnapper or the only person who can bring me back to Earth?" replied maliciously Mikan, earning a grin from Loki.
With a move of his free hand, Loki closed the window, dimming the brightness of the already dark room in the process. Straight afterwards, he materialized a little orb of light. Mikan's hazel eyes widening in surprise, she realized that Loki had guessed that she was afraid of the dark.
"So… Little One, are you planning on giving me my hand back?" Loki asked teasingly.
Mikan smirked amused, but did as he asked anyway.
"You really do not seem to be preoccupied by the situation you are currently in."
"I am still too tired for that."
"I still think that you really should."
"I think that I am the one who should vote on that."
"You really are lucky that I do not intend to kill you Little One: you have just proved that you have no instinct of survival."
"I have, Loki, do not worry about that. I am just unafraid of being your prisoner. I've dealt with way worse actually and have had several experiences of imprisonments to know who and what I am dealing with."
Loki arched a curious eyebrow, encouraging her to elaborate.
"Not falling for it, try again."
"I beg your pardon?"
"Your little game to gain my trust, Loki. It is not working."
"And what if I am genuinely interested onto learning more about you?"
"I know that you are. Scratch the fact that it is either to find a weak spot for you to exploit or just to have a better idea of whom you think that you are dealing with."
"I think that I have already made myself a pretty clear idea of who you are Little One. People of your kind tend to be overly sentimental and you are just like most of them. Except that you are more daring and do not seem to be stopped by your fears. You belong to the ones who would prioritize their loved ones' needs before their own."
"I think that I do. Sentiments may seem to be a weakness in your humble opinion, but I would describe it otherwise. It gives people strength, especially hope and love."
"Love? Isn't it the biggest trick of life people do fall into? Believe me sweetheart, there is no such thing!" mocked her Loki coldly, bitterly.
"Love doesn't just consist on saying I love you to someone or sharing a sexual relationship with the concerned person! Believe me, as someone who can sense auras and who had experienced it by herself, it really doesn't. We do love your friends, our family, our lovers… I give you the fact that true and powerful love is rarer, but it still exists!
A French writer once said that 'Aimer, c'est savoir dire je t'aime sans parler'. To love is to be able to transmit your feelings to the beloved person without voicing them. It is most likely that people who does not believe in love are just too blind to see its most subtle manifestations! Loki, you have no real friends, chose to consider yourself family-less and most likely never had any kind of romantic relationship. It really does make sense that you are stranger to this feeling. Yet, you are the one who chose to be the way you currently are, which means that you are also the only one who can change it." whispered softly Mikan. She raised her hand and posed it over Loki's heart. His dilated green eyes were fixing her intently, hanging on every word she said and drinking it all in.
"There is something in here." began slowly Mikan, pressing the palm of her hand over his strong chest; she felt his heartbeats, proving her right… "You have neglected it a lot, but it is still working. I really do think that it is the reason why you do have such stormy feelings… However, your heart is the only thing that keeps you from fully falling into the darkness, Loki. You should be conscious of this and be thankful for it. It isn't too late for you to learn how to use it again."
Loki covered her hand by his, stroking distractedly its back with his thumb, while reflecting on her words. He was aware of how right she had been. He had chosen the path of loneliness for a long time by now. But, it was necessary: feelings, sentiments were the biggest obstacles to the path of greatness…
"And how do you suggest me to learn how use it again?" Loki asked her ironically, "Let me tell you, Little One, there are two kinds of people in this world. The ones who…"
"Loki!" cut him coldly Mikan, "I don't give two shits of credit to your theory of power. After all, it is so obvious that you are completely wrong, I would even say that you don't really believe in it yourself! I'll rather tell you what I do think about this! There are the people who do only believe and follow their minds, and believe me Loki, you do not belong to this category. Then comes the people who try to listen to both their minds and their hearts. These are the wisest! Yet, we also can witness people who does only listen to their hearts, never giving thoughts to the consequences of their actions and living lives full of passions.
But you Loki, you do belong to another category. The ones who can't reconcile their reason and their feelings: You have planned Asgard's invasion by the Frost Giants and killed your biological father just to prove yourself worthy enough and that your only father is no one else but Odin. You may have used your cleverness and wit to execute your plans but all of these results of your strong feelings. You are jealous of Thor for clearly being Odin's favorite, which is the reason why you are trying to get rid of him. Yet, it is quite obvious that you do love him too. Isn't it strange that someone as reasonable as you claim to be would try so hard to do something that he, by himself, would try to prevent? You were defeated by the Avengers exactly for the same reason. Your plan was very clever, and even though this wasn't your main goal when you did come to Earth, your lack of convictions is what made you lose the battle!
Loki, as long as you won't be able to listen more to this beating organ of yours, you will be the one to stand in your own way…"
As his eyes hardened, Mikan glared at him, daring him to deny what she had just said.
"The cleverest men are the ones who are able to recognize when they are in the wrong, Loki. This is a quality that you should learn. You are way too stubborn and proud for your own good!" added softly Mikan.
Loki felt Mikan let her hand fall back to her side, taking away that comforting warm in the process. She was telling the truth, he was well aware of it. Yet, his proud nature was inviting him to make her regret all her words. How could he allow such an insignificant creature to tell him a few home truths? Why was he even listening to her? How could it be possible that even in such a state she seemed to be the one to rule in this room? Why did it hurt so much to hear these words from her? 'Because all of what she said is the truth. Your greatest source of pain is your loneliness and she knows it… Of course, she does know!'
Mikan caressed his cheek with her fingertips, tracing slowly the lines of his face. He let her do as she pleased, never closing his eyes. The Alice could feel that this simple gesture had managed to calm him down…
Loki was right, he wasn't one to be pitied… But, after what Herpo the Foul had told her, it was obvious that Loki had been used all his life without his knowledge. It didn't mean that he was less guilty for his deeds, but it explained why he had turned into the man who was facing her. Asgardians never did give him as much credit as they did to Thor and growing into his brother shadow just worsened the matter, finally learning about his adoption had been the last straw. She was also conscious that Loki was still pretty young, as both an Asgardian and a Frost Giant. If they did an equivalence between their lifespans, he might even turn out to be younger than her. All he wanted to was to impress his fellow Asgardians and prove himself worthy enough.
A part of Mikan knew that if Loki hadn't been under the control of Thanos, there would have been way less deaths counted. Of course, he was cunning man, able of cruelty, but he had also his honor and dignity.
"You are quite unique in our own kind" admitted finally Loki.
"Aren't we all? What a boring world this would have been if we were all similar, don't you think so?" grinned Mikan.
She raised her eyebrows in a curious manner and he smirked at her antics.
"You are too kind for your own good." Loki reproached her, returning her the favor.
"My friends used all to reproach me this…" admitted Mikan, feeling a bit nostalgic. "Yet, do not worry, I won't make it any easier to you, after all there is a difference between being kind and being naïve. I am not someone to be played with." she smirked playfully.
"You should not be too confident Little One…" he warned her.
Mikan tilted her head to the side to have a closer look at him. Loki was a real mystery to her; his versatility would always take her by surprise. Indeed, it just seemed that his feelings followed any kind of logic!
"The Silver-Tongue, the Trickster… You were attributed a lot of names by humans, all of them well earned I suppose... Yet, with my capacity to read people, I think that you have found in me a good match."
Loki only smirked at her, seeming to enjoy a joke only he could understand, much to Mikan's frustration who huffed at him.
"Are we on Asgard?" she chose to ask instead, not really hoping for such a dream to come true.
"Do you really think that I would make such a stupid and reckless mistake, Little One?" Loki nearly purred at her.
Mikan scowled.
"If I may recall you, I am a grown woman Loki. So, stop calling me that!"
"I am two heads taller than you and have hundred time your age, young one. I think that I'll keep going and call you as it pleases me!" then, more seriously, he added. "We are in the Andromeda Galaxy on an uninhabited planet situated somewhere between Xandar and Morag. Allice had worked a major part of his life in here and he is the one who constructed this habitation."
Mikan paled, for the first time realizing how bad her current situation really was. If they were in the Andromeda Galaxy, it literally meant that they had completely left the Milky Way! She was 2.5 million fucking light-years away from Earth!
"You don't do things by half, do you?" she said faintly.
Mikan thought quickly. Was she to escape, the only planet to her reach would be Xandar. Yet she didn't even know where in this system she was, nor had she the ability to teleport from a planet to another. 'Crap! He has me completely at his mercy! At least for one more day or two… I still have to gain back enough energy to be able to fairly face him. Still, I am the one who has the upper hand! He may be in the possession of the three other books, but they are useless to him since I am the only who knows how to decrypt them! He needs me more than I need him! And he is fully aware of it. He wouldn't have bothered to hold me so far away from Earth otherwise.'
"I have had enough of sleeping. I need to make up for the four days lost! Loki, I'm famished: I want to eat something. Also, since it seems that I am going to spend a meaningful among of time in here, I want to see the construction. So, please make me the pleasure to get out so I can change myself." there was no room for discussion and Loki had the decency to do just as she had required, but not before leading her to the bathroom, so she could clean herself up. He knew better than pushing her too far.
Her body still hurting, Mikan had a hard time before to put the Asgardian dress Loki had materialized for her. Eventually, she managed to do it and exited the room to find him waiting patiently for her. He looked appreciatively at her before to lead the way. Obviously, he liked what he saw.
Silently, they moved across the habitation, which was wider than what Mikan had firstly expected. Through an open door, Mikan observed, impressed, an imposing library which size reminded her the one in the Disney movie The Beauty and the Beast. Composed probably of both Allice's and Loki's collections. 'If Allice had let this as a heritage to both of us, then surely there is something in there for the possessors of the Two Alices...'
"When did you discover it?" asked casually Mikan.
"Four years ago."
The Alice took her time: her muscles were atrophied as she hadn't used them for four days. When Loki showed his intention to lift her, Mikan accelerated her pace as she didn't want to accept his help. Finally, they arrived at the level of the dining room which was more of a great hall which was expensively and luxuriously furnished with four long tables, laid with glittering golden plates and goblets.
Mikan looked in awe at the real starry night sky that she had mistaken for a paintwork. To her amazement, when she stepped in the room, it retracted itself and only a single table for two was left. A subtle scent of vanilla relaxed Mikan. Conscious of Loki's stare, she tried to ignore him. Still, the fact that they were to have a candlelight dinner felt weird, and kind of wrong. Especially after Loki's failed attempt to seduce her earlier.
Loki elegantly moved to pull out the plush chair for her, gracefully moving it as she sat, before taking the place across from her. Mikan smirked at the sight of the golden goblet already filled with red wine.
"I am really impressed by all your efforts Loki. Sadly, I am still not interested by your propositions."
"This place, and in particular this room, is charmed. Even though I would like to, I can't attribute myself its deeds and merits."
"Creating food from nothing goes against the rule of the Universe." pointed out Mikan when the entrée appeared in their plates.
"I don't really think that Allice cared that much about it when he enchanted the place." he replied before to take gracefully a sip of wine.
"What are the books in your possessions?" Mikan asked abruptly, taking Loki by surprise.
"The Theory of the Seven Universes, The Tales of Beedle the Bard and The History of the Nine Realms, which contains an annotated copy of The Book of Cagliostro." he said, laying his utensils down. Loki leaned slightly toward her over the table. Because of his tall features, their faces were nearly touching. Hazel met burning icy green. Mikan resisted the urge to turn her eyes away. "You are willing to ask me some lots of question tonight, which I do perfectly understand since I am the one who brought you here in the first place. Yet, you are unwilling to reciprocate the commitment which seems quite an unfair situation to me."
Mikan cocked her head to the side, a mannerism she had the bad habitude to adopt when she was curious or uncomfortable, only to realize that it only brought her face even more closer to his, if possible, than they already were. She couldn't shy away: she had to seem strong. 'No. I don't have to pretend, I am strong!'
"Do you really think so? To me it rather seems to be the opposite. Isn't holding me in here against my will enough of a compromise? Furthermore, I doubt that you are ever to release me, even if I do accept to cooperate. It seems obvious that apart from you I am the only other being alive who knows about this place. And, I do not have to remind you why I can't take your words on that!"
"Why don't you rather consider yourself my guest? If you accept to cooperate and even if you don't, you will be as free as you want to wander in the house or use the library as it pleases you. The only thing that could change is that I will bring you back to Midgard once we are finished, if you do accept to cooperate. And as tempting as this does sound, I will never try to handcuff you. Furthermore, you do not have to fear from me any kind of violence, and…" Loki posed before to carefully chose his next words: "Of course, I will never try to force myself on you."
Mikan tensed and looked at him with wide eyes, her face drained of all its color because of the clear allusion of her previous assaults.
"You were only a child. You don't have to blame yourself for it."
"I do not. I couldn't have prevented it, I am just grateful that I only do remember one of them…" whispered faintly Mikan, not really speaking to him.
Loki couldn't help but clench his fists, disgusted by the wickedness of such beings.
"Still, I don't see what in you promising me to not hurt or rape me would change to my current situation! As for the first promise you made, I don't believe you. I still have in mind how our previous encounter had ended." reminded him Mikan, changing the subject.
Loki had the decency to look ashamed. His eyes darkened, and he backed away.
"I usually do have more self-control… and I admit that I have to apologize for hurting you last time."
He sounded sincere and his feelings weren't in contradiction with his words, so Mikan chose to accept his apologizes, even though she knew better than to tell him. Instead, she took a sip of wine. As it always did, it turned into water into her mouth. Mikan sighed.
"If what you said earlier was true, then Thanos remaining option to conquer both the Universe and the Infinity Stones is to get the support of Death herself." announced Loki.
Taken aback by the sudden change of the subject, Mikan reflected on what he had just told her.
"The Cosmic Entities composed of Death, Entropy, Infinity and Eternity are responsible for the creation of the Infinity Stones. While Entropy's purpose is destruction, his father, Eternity's goal is creation. Together they keep the cycles of creation and destruction in balance. Eternity is the timeless representation of the Universe while his sister, Infinity represents all space in the Universe. Both brother and sister are in competition with Death who attempts to reduce life while they expand life. Then comes Death, who embodies decay and can possess the soul of a living being. She can manipulate reality, time, and space, and came to existence at the same time as the three others, which means at the dawn of time. Immortals are immune to her ability… A Midgardian legend says that Thanos wanted to rule the Universe with her and that he has fallen for her. In an attempt to impress her, he killed all life in half of the Universe with the snap of his fingers." thought aloud the Alice.
"I see that you have done serious research on the matter." stated Loki, nodding at her. Even though he didn't make a show of it, Mikan knew that she had inwardly impressed him.
"It is surprising what we can find in books, Loki, you surely do know that better than I do. But, Thanos and Death… How appalling this does sound!" she sighed. And suddenly an idea came up to her mind!
It was her turn to lean over the table, a mysterious smile playing on her lips: "Loki, tonight I think that I am going to give you a unique chance to prove yourself to me! If you achieve to convince me that there is a real threat of such a thing to happen, I may accept to help you. Be careful, take your time and think well, Loki. You better do not fail to this, because this will your one and last try."
A wave of triumph build itself inside Loki. This was going to be easy as child play! In fact, he wouldn't even need to open his mouth. The Little One had just offered him a golden opportunity!
Loki stood gracefully from his chair and rounded the table, so he would come to her level. He extended a hand, inviting her silently to take it. Mikan silently an eyebrow, curious, but did as he asked her anyway. Elegantly, the Alice rose up and stood by his side, hands in hands. Loki surprised her by drawing her closer to him, placing his arm around her waist.
"I am not going to speak tonight, my dear. Sometimes words don't suffice and need a little illustration. I will show you the reality of this threat by itself."
It didn't take long to Mikan to compute the meaning of his words. She drew a sharp breath before to nod silently, colorless, trying to master the fear that was building inside her.
Suddenly, everything around her was vanishing, the romantic and warm décor of the dining room slipping away...
They appeared in a huge dark room, dark because of the nonexistence lighting and of the tainted auras surrounding her. Loki and Mikan were facing a group of aliens: guards, a woman with a green skin, another with a blue one that looked like a robot, a black man with metallic hair and finally one man with a blue and dark skin, who was undeniably the chef of the group.
Loki's magic allowed them to remain invisible, but Loki placed nonetheless one hand over Mikan's mouth and with one finger he told her to not make a sound. She rolled her eyes and activated both the Barrier and Silencing Alices.
"There is no need for that, Loki, I made sure that they won't hear us."
"Then watch the show."
"Where did you take me? Who are these people?"
"You see sweetheart, I am not the only one Thanos asked to retrieve him an Infinity Stone. The one with the hammer is called Ronan the Accuser, he is a Kree fanatic whose goal is to cure Xandar from its population." explained Loki. "Theses two women, Gamora and Nebula, are Thanos adoptive daughters." he posed at Mikan's strangled noise of disgust and horror. "I have to admit that there are better options as a parent choice… But enough of speaking Little One, watch and learn."
Mikan did just as he said, but not before glaring at him darkly.
"…Master, he is a thief, an outlaw who calls himself Star-Lord. But we have discovered he has an agreement to retrieve the Orb for an intermediary known as The Broker" the man with metallic hair stated, frustrated by his own failure.
"I promised Thanos I would retrieve the Orb for him. Only then will he destroy Xandar for me." the so-called Ronan the Accuser stood up from his throne like chair. "Nebula, go to Xandar and get me the Orb." he ordered to the robot woman. She advanced toward him confidently.
"It will be my honor."
"It will be your doom." affirmed the woman with the green skin color. "If this happens again, you'll be facing our father without his prize." she warned her.
"I'm a daughter of Thanos. Just like you." retorqued Nebula in a defensive tone, disdain ringing in her voice.
"But I know Xandar."
"Ronan has already decreed that I…"
"Do not speak for me." Ronan cut her coolly. He turned is attention to the woman called Gamora. "You will not fail."
"Have I ever?"
Mikan had watched enough and showed it to Loki who materialized them back in the dining room.
"This Ronan is both dangerous and ignorant! It is a chance I think. Anyone well informed knows that the Orb contains the Power Stone! Thanos played him well!" scoffed haughtily Mikan, once comfortably seated on the plush chair.
"Was it enough of a proof or are you still not convinced enough, darling?"
"Well… I think that it would only depends on the terms of the agreement we might come to." suggested Mikan, feeling confident. She may be his prisoners but, technically, Loki needed her more than she needed him. "I am listening to your propositions. If they are reasonable, I might just add some conditions and the deal will be settled. If not don't worry about me. I will find one way or another to get away from here. Because, you see Loki, no prison is unbreakable."
Loki smiled mysteriously at the end of her sentence but made no comment about it.
"It is fine with me. We may begin discussing affair then."
Mikan nodded, encouraging him to pursue.
"I ask from you to share with me your knowledge about Allice' works. You will translate me the four books in our possession, even though I am sure that you have already done this with Flamel's diary. In exchange, I will help you chase after the Stones and put them in more secure places, which will only be known by the two of us. You have my word that I won't try to use them to any ill intent. Furthermore, you will be allowed to go to Midgard once a month accompanied by me, of course. Finally, at the end of our agreement, you will be released."
The Alice cocked an eyebrow.
"Loki, you are 'The god of Lies and Mischief' all is in the title. As for your reputation it speaks for itself! What can ensure me that you'll fulfill honestly our accord? Just as I have told you at our previous encounter, I can not possibly afford the mistake of being manipulated or betrayed by you."
"There is still the Soul Bonding, but I doubt that any of us wants to do it… However, the Asgardian custom to cement vows and contracts is to exchange blood. It is a kind of Unbreakable Vow if we do the comparison to the Wizarding Society. If one of us break the vow, he will dye. Of course, we will still be bounded, but it will be less inconvenient for both of us."
Once again, Mikan nodded absentmindedly trying to find any more attractive options. Of course, she couldn't think of any.
"Alright then. It is fine with me… well I suppose it is. It is my turn to give you my conditions. Firstly, I will be the one who will write the contract. I don't want to have any bad surprises after signing it. Secondly, to set up a proper deal I want us to sign it in front of a witness. I have three propositions even though I think that I already have a preference for the last one. Heimdall seems to be a good choice. The Ancient One, the current Sorcerer Supreme, is aware of my quest and may agree to do it even though she will be a bit reluctant to trust me to you. Finally, I think that Luna Lovegood, a witch, may also agree to do it for us. We will discuss about it.
And, if we are to live together in here, I will expect of you to respect my intimacy and all the civility rules, of course. Furthermore, I want to be informed of all your whereabouts, were you to go somewhere without taking me alongside with you. Finally, I want you to teach me Asgardian Magic."
Loki and Mikan eyed each other, wordlessly arguing. Finally, he raised his full of wine goblet.
"To this new alliance." Loki smirked.
Mikan smiled, hoping that she wouldn't have any regrets, and raised her goblet to the same level of his. They toasted together to this new partnership, to a new adventure, and, unknown to them, to even more.
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A.N:
So here we are X)
I really hope that you have enjoyed this chapter!
Mikan and Loki relationship has already taken a big turn!
Please review and tell me what you think of this new chapter ! ^^