Chapter 3

Loki walked for almost an hour before getting rid of his most disturbing memory of his life. Before he realised it, the young king found himself lost inside Central Park. Now he came to think of it. He didn't even know for sure Thor would be here today. According to the information he got from the patrols, he and his family only visited on Saturdays, during the afternoon. According to the clock in the car it had been two o'clock in the afternoon. Now Loki only had to find out what day it was. For a second he thought about asking a passer-by, but he didn't want to look like a complete freak, so he quickly forgot about his idea.

After another ten minutes strolling around, Loki saw a little shop at the side of the path. It sold stuff like ice cream, soda and… newspapers. Obviously he had no human money on him right now. Loki could of course just create an illusion, but he had no idea what human money looked like. Therefore the young king decided to just stroll past the stand and take a swift look at the newspapers, but because Loki had no idea where to find the date, it took him a little longer than he initially meant.
The shop owner, a big man in a way to tiny shop, looked at him looking irritated.

"He, dude! Are ye gonna by the bloody thing or not?" he said harshly between the smacking of his chewing gum.
Loki looked up at the big guy. He realised his new appearance was two heads smaller than the bodybuilder in front of him, but the young king was starting to get enough of these mortal's stupidity. He really had been facing to many idiots in one day and it was starting to bump him out.

"Human!" he hissed. "I've fought guys who were ten times bigger, smarter, stronger and better looking than you. So if I were you, I would shut my greedy mouth and keep quiet. You really don't want any trouble with me…"

The shop owner's face turned red. Furiously he slammed his meaty fist on the counter. The people standing around them went quiet.
"You think you're smart, little man?" he asked in a whisper. "Turn around now and run back to your sweet, ugly mommy. I think she made pancakes for you…"

Loki didn't move a muscle and kept an nonchalant expression on his face.
"That', he started, "was a really stupid thing to say…"

If possible, the crowd went even more quiet. Loki got the feeling this guy was a known agitator and that everyone was freaking scared of him.
The fat face of the man turned purple. He slowly walked away from the back of his stand, showing a pile of empty beer cans. Loki took a step back to give the man the chance to put his massive body in front of the stand.
"I gave you a chance, pal. You're lucky I'm in a generous mood today. One more chance to run away and never show me your stupid face again."

Loki didn't move. He just stood there, keeping up the eye contact. A small, challenging smile formed on his lips.
He may've been looking like a common, puny, soft Midgardian, but that did not mean he didn't keep his own strength and fighting skills.

The shop owner had had enough. He raised his fist, ready to smash it on Loki's face, but before he got a chance to attack, Loki slipped underneath his outstretched arm. The man missed him with inches. Confused he looked around, but Loki had already grabbed his other arm and kicked hard against the man's left shin. The grotesque shop owner screamed and turned around furiously. Exactly what Loki wanted him to do. The young king ducked under the man's swinging left arm, grabbed his right one and tucked it behind his back. Using his true strength, Loki grabbed his attackers head and smashed it hard on the counter of the newspaper stand.

Everything had happened so quickly that the shop owner had had no time to defend himself. He was now lying, confused and dazed, with his head on his own counter while the strange man was holding him down with an incredibly great strength.

Loki leaned over the body of the shop owner.
"Like I said… You. Don't. Want. Any. Trouble. With. Me."

The fat man tried to nod, but that only made Loki push him harder on the counter.
"Yes, sir…" he squeaked in agony. Loki smiled evilly.

"I'm happy we understand each other… Next time you see me, you better run… Am I making myself clear?"

"Cristal clear, sir…" the shop owner peeped.

"Excellent!" Loki suddenly called out. He let go of the man's head and stepped back. The groaning man tried to get on his feet again. Loki looked around. Everybody was staring at him in an admiring way. He knew it wasn't necessary, but the young king just wanted to finish this in the right way. He looked back at the stand and his eye fell on a red, plastic bottle filled with a brown fluid. It looked disgusting, but he had noticed that many people were drinking it, so it had to be good.

Loki fixed his attention back on the shop owner. He smiled and pulled the man towards him. The man yelped and closed his eyes, waiting for Loki's attack. But the young king let go of the man's sweaty T-shirt and cleaned of the dirt on his shoulders.

"One more thing, pal", Loki whispered sarcastically just loud enough so the crowd would hear every word.
The young king waited a few seconds and watched the fat man swallow in fear. Then, without warning he kicked right between the man's legs. The shop owner squealed and sank to his knees, not able to keep the tears from his eyes. Loki looked down at him, his eyes filled with cold hatred. He kneeled right before the defeated man and looked him straight in the eyes.

"Next time you insult my mother I make sure you'll join her in death!"

The man nodded fiercely, but that wasn't enough for Loki.

"What did you say?" he asked viciously.

"Yes, Sir…", the man yelped in pain.

Loki nodded approvingly. Suddenly a friendly smile appeared on his face.
"See, that wasn't that difficult. You're getting smarter already!" he said happily.
With that said, Loki got to his feet again and grabbed a bottle of the potion that was called Coca Cola. He kneeled before the shop owner and asked in his most innocent voice: "Can I have this, beating someone's ass make's you thirsty…" The man nodded quickly. Loki raised his eyebrows.

"Yes, sir, of course…" the man said in a hoarse voice.

Loki smiled.
"Thank you very much, my friend!"

Loki turned around and was ready to leave when someone suddenly appeared.

"What's going on here?" a voice called out from the crowd. Police? No. Way better!

Out of the crowd came a small woman. She had long, brown hair and her face said: I'm a know-it-all! A stern look covered her, obviously, young face while she inspected the situation like a real scientist. Loki was paralysed for a moment. Finally things were beginning to turn out right! Out all people, Jane Foster needed to intervene! After a few seconds Loki realised he had been staring at Thor's girlfriend way to long. He quickly forced his friendly smile back on his face and held up the bottle.

"Nothing, miss, just a slight misunderstanding…" he said innocently.
Jane squeezed her eyes to a minimum and observed the stranger standing before her. Afterwards she threw a quick look on the shop keeper who was still sitting on the ground.

"You kicked that idiot's ass?" she asked suspiciously. Loki grinned.

"I'm stronger than I look, sweetheart. Why don't you come with me, then I'll show you…" he said flirty.

Jane opened her mouth in awe.
"You dick!" she cried out while raising her hand to hit Loki in the face, but the young king saw it coming – this time – and caught her hand in mid-air. A dirty frown appeared on his forehead.

"Oh, sassy..." Loki whispered. "I like that!"

Jane freed herself from Loki's grip.
"Get out of here, you freak!" she shouted.

Loki winked and before anyone could do something, he disappeared in the crowd, leaving behind a confused and shocked Jane Foster.

Yes, I know, I promissed a longer chapie... But hey, I uploaded two chapies for you guys in one day! ;)

Let me know what you think! I had a lot of fun writing this one! I hope you like it as much as I do!

x :)