I did mention this was going to be an AU hybrid. We're starting to get into that now. As well, this story has comic oriented elements too. Don't worry; it won't be confusing to those who have no idea what happens in the comics. I will explain after the chapter.

Thank you everyone for the views and reviews. So please, enjoy.

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Chapter Two

With a giant splash, Tony spluttered awake. He flailed upright in the water and swabbed uselessly at his soaked eyes with his dripping sleeve, head pounding a nice dull staccato in time with his heartbeat.

"Oh good. I wasn't sure that would work," another voice called out annoyed. Tony lifted his arm from his face, glaring up at the person glaring down. And there stood Steve, hands on hips, face once more stern. "You're not a man of great first impressions, are you Mr. Stark?"

Tony spit stale water as he stumbled out of the fountain, water flinging everywhere. Passersby stepped out of the spray with expletives and shaking fists as Tony grinned sheepishly. He looked around as he wrung out his shirt recognizing the area as the same from last night. Distractedly yet with more than enough cheek, he answered. "What are you talking about?" He lifted a winning smirk to an unamused Steve. "I make great first impressions! Ones that last a lifetime!"

Steve scoffed, an eyebrow quirking. "The first time we met was in a tavern with you so drunk you picked a fight with the All Father, DURING a search party that he himself called of his war generals to find the missing man they were supposed to be greeting in high esteem and holding a feast in his honor. And, the next time we meet, Mr. Stark, right now? You're sleeping on the lip of a fountain in public where children and good people congregate and hold business, in stained old clothing, smelling of alcohol and sweat, flaunting your night of superfluous drinking and debauchery."

Tony paused in his mussing of his hair and cast Steve an almost flirtatious smile, a damning finger pointing to the man. "But you won't forget it, now will you?"

Steve pursed his lips but held his tongue. Pick your battles, his eyes seemed to say. Tony almost chuckled as the tension slowly left Steve's hands. He must have decided this one wasn't worth it. Good call.

Sitting down on the ledge, Tony glanced down at it with annoyed amusement toying at his brow. "How-This ledge is huge. How could I have rolled over so far? I'd had to have moved quite a distance to roll in to the water."

"I wonder how indeed."

At the stale statement—and even more dry look shot his way—Tony glared suspiciously at the armored man. "It was you, wasn't it? You kicked me into the water didn't you?"

Steve shifted his hands from his hips to clasp them behind his back. "I can neither confirm nor deny that."

"Bullshit." Tony's eyes sparkled with stunned amusement even as his frown deepened. The blonde didn't look like he had a single sly bone in his body. What a pleasant surprise. Though, the disapproving look cast his way due to the language dampened that glee… if only slightly.

Steve sighed and his stiff stance loosened. "Look, I didn't come here to pick at… sore spots. I actually came to take you to meet Odin and the other generals to brief you on the events currently taking place."

Tony rubbed his chin, ignoring the cold of his damp clothes and noted he needed a trim soon. "Well, that's what Queen Frigga spoke about last night… Ooooh I suppose I'd better go figure out what exactly this whole shindig is about and what specific song and dance I'm expected to perform."

Judging from the irritated look the blonde gave him; he didn't care for the satire. Tony couldn't honestly give two shits. Some people just didn't have a sense of humor.

.:.:.:.:.

First impressions aside and ignoring completely annoying attitudes, Steve believed Tony was a good man. He might not look it, act it, or hell even claim to be one but Steve could almost see it. He could smell it, deep deep deep down buriend beneath all the crap and irritating smiles, the good man was there. All he needed was a firm pull and a guiding hand. Perhaps Steve wouldn't be the one to do it, but he'd be there to help him rise from the ashes of Tony's outer shell.

… Maybe. Steve grit his teeth as Tony continued to blather aimlessly about things he had never even heard of. Maybe he'd be there to see this great man rise… If he could survive his ridiculousness, then yes.

Steve looked helplessly at the side of Tony's face, slowly making their way to Valhalla. He turned forward once more. This was going to be quite the undertaking.

"Ya know, you look familiar."

'Yeah? And you love the sound of your own voice.' Steve didn't say that because lord knows it would just make the man carry on even more. Instead he spoke, "Oh? And how so?" Steve stopped when he noticed Tony staring intently at his face. "What?"

"… No really. Your face is so familiar. Why? Did ya travel to Earth recently?" Tony paused and cocked a brow. "Or, Midgard, as it were."

Steve actually smiled, nodding his head once to the palace guards as they walked through the courtyard once more. "Heh. No, I haven't been to Earth in a long time. Not since I last fought there, Mr. Stark."

"Okay, first off. Nnnot Mr. Stark. Makes me feel old and I'm not there yet. Secondly, how long ago was that? It must have been recent enough for me to know your face. Or was it grand enough that it went into history?"

The blonde laughed heartily. "Actually," his brows furrowed in sudden sadness. "… Probably a bit of both." At Tony's questioning gaze, Steve sighed. "Seventy. Seventy years ago, I was fighting against men trying to… change the world, and not for the better. I was taken down while trying to save my friends. I went down over water."

All was silent before an awed laugh spilled through out the hallways. Steve looked to Tony, almost offended until he saw the positively delighted look in his eyes. He was almost bouncing around like a kid in a candy store. "… Captain America."

Steve's brows shot up in surprise. "I haven't heard that name in so long. I didn't even know people still knew that name." A pleased flush covered his cheeks and rose to his ears. "But yes. That's who I was."

"Wow! That explains why no one could ever find your body! I know my father looked for years. He was obsessed with finding you… And it also explains the easy to pronounce name."

Steve looked skyward for patience even as a begrudging tiny smile grew. "Yes. I was taken in by the Valkyrie before the water stopped my heart." He scratched his head, confused eyes looking to Tony. "Who was your father? You make it sounds as if we were incredibly invested in each other."

Tony's smile turned strained. "Howard."

To say he was gob smacked would be a certifiable understatement. "Howard?!" Steve rubbed his mouth as Tony nodded once. Well, Odin had said that he was the son of Howard Stark, it just didn't connect. To think… his young friend had had a son who he now stood beside and who also appeared older than him in age. Steve huffed a laugh sadly. "I'd no idea… I was taken away from Earth and haven't heard a single word since… How is he?"

Tony's eyes turned dark. "Oh he's probably rolling around in his grave at the moment, knowing his son was the one who found the man he spent his life trying to find. But before that… well I wouldn't know. Howard was too busy or drunk to really speak with his unfortunate son."

Steve winced, sorely wishing he'd kept his mouth shut. "… My apologies. I had no idea what—"

"Don't worry about it. He's been gone for years. I'm a big boy now. Can feed myself and everything." Steve narrowed his eyes at Tony's almost harsh grin. "I can handle it."

The blonde nodded and they continued down the hallway in silence. It lasted for all of a minute before, "… by the way."

Steve grunted in response to Tony. He was staring forwards but he could hear the mischief in Tony's voice. "Don't think I didn't notice you turning red there earlier, old man. Did little ol' me embarrass the Captain?"

Steve sighed and once more rolled his eyes skyward for patience.

.:.:.:.:.

Tony could have found happier people in a graveyard than in this room. Wow, just uhm… wow. They were highly decorated and greatly distinguished at least. None more so than the king of Asgard, Odin himself. Tony felt heat pricking at his pride as that damned eye landed on his person. It was too soon to lay eyes on this ancient man, the delivered blows still too painful from the night before.

But as it were, Tony'd have to suck it up and face the music. Besides, there were other people to entertain himself with, not withstanding the warriors three and the Lady Sif. Tony caught Fandral's eye just in time to see the scandalous blonde shoot him a heated wink. Unfortunately, Thor spotted the look as well and turned to give Tony a surprised smile.

Oh god. Hammer Time was reading into the situation incorrectly. Tony shook his head no, hands lifted in placation, mouth primed and ready to refute any misplaced congratulations when Odin spoke first.

"Anthony Stark. Steve Rogers." He greeted civilly before stepping down from beside a giant table covered in what looked like really old ancient maps. Four people in differing states of armor and robe quieted and turned to stare at them. Tony looked on in confusion, as the red headed woman from yesterday was one of the four there.

"Wha—?"

"Stark." Odin spoke.

Tony's mouth snapped shut as the woman smiled secretively and his eyes turned to the All Father once more. The man stood before him and Tony was again reminded how tall these Asgardians were. His singular eye burned on his person, looking him up and down; judging him. "We have started out on the wrong foot. I wish to remedy that before anymore bad blood can build between us."

Tony raised his brow in sarcastic contemplation. Somehow, he got the feeling it cost the All Father a lot to admit that. Either way, Tony nodded his agreement even though his blood boiled to have to bend his neck in this situation. "… I suppose in this case it was my fault."

Odin waved the statement away as he lightly tapped Gungnir against the ground. "No. The fault lies with me. I had not thought to have you informed of the importance of our meeting. It has been a long time since I have encountered one with such curiosity as you." Odin's eye darkened in old pain and sadness. Tony couldn't help but wonder what the cause was.

Odin continued, "I am not too proud to admit my shortcomings when I am able to see them. You may thank my Frigga." The unspoken sentence that everyone heard was Don't do that again. I will not tolerate your foolishness twice.

But that was that and Odin was moving on. "This is not why you were all called here today." He moved back up the few stairs to the giant table. "It was time you met your fellow generals and shield brothers." He motioned to the four beside the table and then to Thor and his mates.

Steve stepped forwards and moved to stand beside a man who looked like he longed to be anywhere but there, his shifty eyes watching everyone and everything. He nodded once to the Captain before staring resolutely at the map. Odin stood at the head of the table and tapped his staff once more.

"Please, introduce yourselves. Though, it would seem you've already met my Thor and Steve."

Thor smiled to Tony and winked. What… what was with the winking now too? Tony wasn't sure he wanted to know. But –small mercies –he didn't have the time to linger on it for long before the man closest to Odin introduced himself.

"Stephen Strange. Consultant to Odin and a friend to Asgard." His cape billowed behind him as he bowed ever so slightly.

The man beside him stared Tony down creepily. It stayed silent long enough for Tony to glance around to be certain he wasn't the only one finding this weird, spotting the red head rolling her eyes in exasperation, before the brunette smirked. He cocked his head as he spoke. "Clint Barton. Are you wearing women's clothing?"

Tony jerked back in surprise. "It's all they had in the room I woke up in. Besides, cut me some slack, they're pants and those Valkyrie are kickass. And… it's nice and flowy."

Clint lifted his hands in surrender, chuckling. "Hey woah now! Don't bite my head off. Been there, done that. There are times when a dress is the only answer."

Steve rubbed his temples and sighed as Tony smiled mischievously. "Oh yeah, there have been sometimes. I know exactly what you mean. Many a day waking up with more questions than is healthy." Tony liked this guy.

The red head slapped the back of the guy's head just as he opened his mouth. He glared at her as he rubbed at it, muttering unintelligible words under his breath.

Tony smirked at her now. "Ah! Ms. Boundless Information, we meet again." He pointed at her accusingly. "You didn't tell me you were a general."

She raised her brow, unimpressed, her arms crossing across her chest. "You never asked." She eyed him up and down too. "… Natasha."

"Weren't you supposed to turn me in at first sight?"

Natasha smiled her creepy little smile once more and Tony regretted asking. "Always get to know your prey first." She said nothing more and Tony was man enough to admit to the goose bumps running down his spine.

The shifty guy nodded once to Tony in greeting. "… Bruce Banner."

Thor stepped forwards and slammed his giant palm onto Tony's shoulder in jovial greeting. Tony lost all feeling in that very same shoulder a split second later. Thor smiled winningly. "T'is good to see you again in better terms, Anthony Stark. How is your head? My friends here tell me you had quite a bit to drink last night."

Tony, despite his now ruined shoulder, smiled at the overgrown puppy. "Oh, I'm great. I can drink like a tank. It'll take near liver failure amounts to knock me on my ass for good."

Tony caught the intent gaze Natasha tossed him, looking to her in askance. She shook her head once but watched him silently. Tony turned back to Thor once he began to laugh. "Yes, so I heard! Fandral and Volstagg were singing you praises about your prowess with drink. I do believe you even impressed Lady Sif."

The aforementioned woman grumbled in embarrassment, turning away as Fandral relentlessly teased her.

Tony chuckled but nodded his greeting to Volstagg and Hogun who in turn nodded back.

Odin cut in once more. "Now that you all know each other, let us discuss the true reason for this gathering." He paused to look each and everyone gathered in the eye. He let the suspense build, just like the closet diva Tony believed him to be. "Thanos."

The atmosphere became suddenly five times more intense and Tony couldn't help but glance around confused. Bruce hugged his arms tighter, eyes flickering over everyone quickly, looking mildly sick to his stomach. Was he looking a bit green?

Tony quickly snapped out of it as the silence drug on. "Uhm, yeah, hello?" Several fierce stares landed on his person. Tony soaked up the lime light for a second before grinning, "Yeah, new guy here. Who or what is a Thanos?"

Odin's gaze alone burned hotter than any holocaust. His words spilling from his lips like the most fearsome poison. "Thanos is a fiend, a tyrant, insanity incarnate. He is the mad Titan, destroyer of worlds and infatuated with Death. He is a cursed being, nigh unstoppable and immortal."

Tony cracked a laugh and rubbed at his nasal bridge. "So how do we stop a being that is unstoppable?"

"That is where the problem lies, Tony Stark." Thor was grim, his lips pressed firmly shut. Tony could see nothing but grudging acceptance of the dire truth in his eyes. "That is why this battle, this war is never ending. T'is a ceaseless cycle of death, battle, blood and bones. This is not a thing of glory. Battle is glorious… But this—this is mindless killing."

Tony glanced at all the dark faces and couldn't help but to ask, "But why? Why does he do it? If he's so unstoppable, why does he kill?"

Thor's eyes were hard and cold as ice. "Because his own deathless state forces him to vicariously derive the feeling of it from those who fall beneath his fists. He will never stop, not until all else ceases to be."

"Ragnarök," Clint said loudly in the following silence. The Asgardian folk tensed and hissed at the word, faces full of stubborn determination. Odin nodded once, as his intense gaze remained focused on Tony.

"Ragnarök?" Tony questioned, not enjoying being completely out of the loop.

This time it was Natasha who answered. "The ending of this world."

Here, Sif heatedly cut in. "But many believe Ragnarök has already begun! Loki has been missing for how long? We all know that he is one of the first! Thanos must have already destroyed him!"

Thor flinched and looked away from her. Fandral laid his hand on her shoulder. "Must we speak of such tragic things? There are ears present that wish to not hear—"

She shook off his hand roughly. "No! We cannot simply ignore this! If this has come to pass, we must prepare for all else that comes! Once it has begun, it cannot stop." Her eyes turned haunted, terrified even. She looked to Thor and they stared into each other's soul. Sadly, she shook her head. "The end will be inevitable but we can prolong it."

Odin sighed and sat down in his chair, shoulders heavy with the weight of the entire universe on them. Tony stood confused as to what was even being said and who they were talking about.

He withstood the next awful silence for all of five seconds before, "Who is Loki?"

Everyone clammed up as if it was some big secret that everyone knew about but wasn't allowed to speak. Irritated Tony tapped his finger on the table. "If you guys expect me to be able to help you with all this… this shit then I need to be in the know. Who is Loki?"

"…. He was my brother."

Tony stopped and turned to look at Thor, his eyes heavy with a deep longing and sadness. Thor looked to the floor, eyes unfocused. "We had a spat. I couldn't see what was happening to him, so blinded by my own stupidity… until it was too late. My brother… he fell. From the Bifröst and into darkness."

Thor looked to his father. "I dare not believe he is gone."

Sif exploded, her hands thrown high. "How can you be so willfully blind?!"

Thor turned on her, anger twisting his face. "Because the Bifröst still stands!" Sif bit down on her comment, ashamed of her outburst. Thor stepped to her, his voice passionate. "It is foretold, Sif. The Bifröst shall fall after him in Ragnarök. Can you not see this?"

Subdued but still angry she boldly looked him in the eye even as she whispered. "Just because it has not fallen now does not mean it will not soon."

They both stared each other down in tense silence, a disagreement that would never come to terms. Tony scratched at his itchy beard. And he thought he and his father could fight like champions.

Steve finally spoke up once more, voice tight and resigned. "I think… not much else is going to be accomplished in this meeting. Everyone is too high strung now; too tense."

Odin nodded sagely, "Aye. I agree. We will postpone the rest of this meeting until the morrow. For now, good day." With that, the All Father swept up from his seat and glided from the room in a swish of mantle and cawing of following ravens. The remainder of those present watched him leave; silence a dear companion in the proceeding moments.

Tony scratched again at his infuriating beard. "Well shit. Was that my fault?"

The Warriors Three and Sif barely spared a glance as they whispered to Thor and headed out. Tony felt someone stand beside him. "I wouldn't worry over that. It would have come out sooner or later. I am glad that it happened sooner. The longer those unspoken words festered, the more the gaping wounds would ache."

The shorter man glanced up at the stranger, noting it to be Strange. The man glanced at Tony, his face incredibly grim. He looked deep into Tony's eyes. "Loki is a sore subject amongst the Asgardians."

Tony nodded along. "Yeah, I can see that. Why? What'd he do? Besides, ya know. Possibly starting the end of days."

Stephen's lip lifted for a second before he was serious once more. "Loki was an Asgardian of many talents and gifts; one such gift being that of a vast and twisted sense of humor. He was not well loved by many. Several felt he was going to 'pull the carpet out from everyone's feet' so to speak. He was not trusted and it… changed him. Made him bitter and dark. His pranks slowly turned from childish fun to morbid and dangerous plots."

Tony looked to the solemn man. "Oh yeah? How do you know all this?"

Strange glanced to him from the corner of his eye. "Because I have known him. Known him for a long time, since before his view on life grew somber."

That caught Tony's attention. "That so? Well aren't you just a social butterfly. Gotta be gettin' up there in the years department then, huh? How'd you even meet these people? It's not like they are out trapezing around Earth."

Stephen huffed a little laugh, his grey eyes once more turning to Tony. "To be so ignorant, I wonder. Do not believe all that you see and remember, Anthony. There will always be someone or something that can alter your perceptions of your surroundings."

Tony crinkled his brow in distaste. "What is it with everyone here and the cryptic as hell answers? Can I get a straightforward yes or no without the beat around?"

"Your reputation for being an ass proceeds you," Stephen drawled calmly.

Tony smiled thinly, "Oh, so I've been told once or twice. Mostly by women scorned or former business partners."

Stephen hummed in noncommittal answer before returning to the original topic. "I met Thor by way of Loki. He tricked me into a battle with Thor. It was during this that we were able to understand what had happened… We had been played by his little brother." With a disdainful sniff, Stephen held his hands behind his back, watching as Clint spoke animatedly to a silent Natasha. "Needless to say, when we found him, he was practically vibrating with smugness and laughter… We beat the ever living life out of him."

Tony quirked his eyebrows. "And he didn't hate you for it?"

Stephen looked surprised for a moment, his heavy brow also lifted high. "Oh he supposed it was all good sport. He thought it was a great challenge. One cannot assume to understand the inner workings of Loki's mind… Sadly, it was shortly after that tomfoolery that he began to grow withdrawn."

And once more, much to Tony's annoyance, another silence passed over them. Strange simply observed Tony as Tony thought over what little he learned of.., well too much at once. As Stephen continued to stare, Tony finally turned to return the gaze. It was then that Strange spoke.

"… I feel as though you will play an essential part in the battles to come, Tony Stark." His eyes lowered to stare at the light shining through Tony's shirt. He nodded once. "If you'd like, I could take a look at that."

Tony glanced down at his arc reactor, lifting a hand to drum a beat against it. He looked back to Stephen, a tentative smile forming. "Ya know, that'd be great. But now's not a good time. Ya see, end of the entire universe and all that. Thanks for the offer though."

Stephen nodded once more and stepped back. "When this is over, come see me then. I will stay true to my word." He bowed his head and with a lift of his hand and a flash of light, the man stepped through—Tony did a double take, was that what he thought that was— a portal and was gone.

"Man! Gotta get me one of those!" Tony whistled appreciatively. He glanced over to see Bruce smile weakly at him in agreement.

"Well, it takes years of training and a predestined fate of being the next Sorcerer Supreme." Bruce intoned.

Was that sarcasm Tony sensed? Who knew that shifty eyes here could have that much sass. Tony smirked. "Sorcerer Supreme… well I guess I'm out then. Not a lick of magical talent in me. If you exclude my otherworldly gift of snagging gorgeous women that is."

Bruce shook his head with a wane smile. The brunette sighed as he stood next to Tony. He leaned towards him. "So what do you think of everything?"

"Honestly? Half the time I think I'm still buried under fifteen stories of rubble and any second now what neurons in my brain that are firing will stop and I'll cease to be."

Bruce stared at Tony blankly. "Well that was… morbid."

Tony shrugged. "It's the truth. You asked for it. Not my fault if you don't like it." Bruce simply raised his hands in a placating manor, shaking his head. The former billionaire looked him up and down. "You know, your name sounds familiar. Kinda like a name I saw once and vaguely stayed in my memory."

Bruce nodded once. "You know, Steve said the same thing when he first arrived here." Banner hugged his arms around his chest, his demeanor defensive even as his eyes burned with an inner fire. "I was known for my works in alchemy and works concerning the formation of the Philosopher's Stone."

It was in this moment Tony realized he was speaking with a man who was far older than should be possible. It was surprising; Tony really was awed. "Woah, Philosopher Stone? Jesus, alchemy hasn't been used in… well, about two hundred years." At Bruce's flat look Tony laughed. "Judging from the fact you're still here, you found it?"

Bruce shook his head no; he adjusted the collar of his robes away from his neck. "No, I was not successful. And I wasn't trying to find it, but to make one." Bruce shrugged bored, as if this wasn't a sore topic of discussion. "I was finally able to create a fragment stable enough to consume… So I did."

"Wait, you ate your own unfinished and untested experiment?"

Bruce lifted the circle glasses from his nose and cleaned them profusely with his robe. "Yes, well I never claimed to have been smart at that moment in time." He waved his hand about softly. "It was a break through. I was desperate to see results. So I took a leap of faith… The results were not what I expected."

Tony, besides himself with curiosity stepped closer, hoping that maybe the closer proximity would somehow soak Bruce's memories into his own head. "That's hardcore… And? What were those results?"

Bruce stared before sighing and rubbing at his still exposed eyes. "My studies were based in the human body, how it functions and ages. The purpose of the Philosopher's Stone was to cease aging and ailment. It was meant to keep us from becoming sick, from becoming feeble, to be a boon to all of humanity. Instead, it became a curse that twisted me in a grotesque way." He eyed Tony warily. "If you are lucky, you won't have to meet this byproduct of deranged science. But knowing what is to come, it is more than likely to happen."

"Ah! I think I remember now— reading about your work in a history book once when I was a child. Used to be suuuper into the old pseudosciency stuff. If I remember correctly, your work was from the early 1800's."

"1815, to be exact. That was the year of my final experiment."

"Wow, sure are kickin' for someone, erm, two hundred something years old."

Bruce chuckled and rubbed at his head. "Tony, I'm not the oldest one here." He nodded vaguely in the other generals' directions. "You should speak to them and find how young we both are in comparison. You especially."

Tony shook his head in awe. "But how is that even possible? Everyone keeps spouting 'mortal man, mortal man' but here you are… a human and yet still far older than we could ever hope to live."

Bruce chuckled again. "Because, for all accounts and purposes we are no longer human." He grimaced a bit when Tony's eyes all but bugged out from his head. "No no, we aren't actually not human; not completely When the Valkyrie pulled us from the grips of death, we more or less were chosen to be rid of our human lifespan. We are men – and women – of Asgard now. We still have the same weaknesses and faults as before, we simply live much longer."

Tony glanced away in thoughtful silence. "So if I were to be stabbed in the kidney, perchance, I would still die?"

At the unimpressed look sent his way, Tony took that as his answer with a bark of laughter.

.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.

1. Bruce is an alchemist. I needed people from all over the Earthly timescale. Alchemy in the late 1700s/early 1800s was focused on the human body and the search for immortality: the Philosopher Stone. I chose the year 1815 for his final experiment because that was the year the book Lives of Alchemystical Philosophers was released. It was also during the highlight of alchemy in Europe and transmutation in general (of this form). It would make sense that an alchemist of such standing would be prominent during the heyday, now wouldn't it? It also stood to reason that his antics following said final experiment would be more widely noted at this point in history. If you catch what I'm throwing.

2. Time frames for the comic events are more or less kept, but are twisted a bit to fit the framework of my story. As for the comic-verse, I won't be throwing out ideas and events that many probably have no clue as to what even… It will mostly be touched upon as it was in this chapter.

3. I adore Dr. Strange. He is my favorite. Loki tricking Dr. Strange into fighting Thor is cannon. Them realizing the trick and then fighting Loki is also cannon. My stating that it was a prank and laughy 'oh-ha-ha-you-got-me' was my own twist. At this point, Loki (in cannon) was already bat shit, the works. I wanted to paint his background a bit with cannon but in a different time and feeling. There will be more on Dr. Strange background eventually.

4. Ragnarök is noted in Norse mythology as a great battle foretold to kill off several key figures: Odin, Thor, Heimdall, Loki, so and so forth. It is also foretold that several natural disasters will occur. One of which being the destruction of the Bifröst as Muspell's sons attempt to cross it (you don't need to worry about who those guys are, honest). I took liberty to mix mythology with movie verse. In Thor, the Bifröst was shattered by Mjolnir. So, instead of having Thor shatter the Bifröst, I had Loki fall from the bridge and it would shortly collapse after his death, as foretold (there's that liberty I took. See it?). It was not specified how long it would take, only that it would. I'll go into deeper detail as to what transpired that day.