It seemed to take Loki hours to reach the outskirts of the city that lead into the Mountains of Divination. The actual trek into the seldom tread mountain range was sure to be a test of endurance and strength. He kept his mind focused on the prospect of meeting The Chronicler and of returning to Jane and the 'beyla'.
Winding, uneven, faded trails of eroded and isolated stone cut into the jagged mountain range as its only road. Ascension up the mountain was quick but fraught with long dormant peril. Any misstep or loose rock that could easily give way under Loki's weight would send the fallen God to his doom at the foot of the mountain and lost forever.
Looking back down the path he had tread, Loki felt as though he was far enough away from the city to avoid unwanted detection and he allowed his disguise to fade away in order to preserve his limited magic. Climbing higher and higher Loki felt the sting of the increasing wind and cold burning his exposed face and irritating his eyes. Pulling his green tunic higher up around his neck he would duck his face down and raise his arm to shield his eyes from the onslaught of nature.
Peering through one opened eye at the looming peak of the mountain Loki felt the warm ray of the setting sun shining at his back. It would soon be nightfall on Asgard.
"J.A.R.V.I.S., is everything still on schedule for the launch?" Tony returned to his workshop and was meticulously reading over final calculations for the impending satellite launch.
'Yes, Sir. All systems are fully functional and the predicted weather pattern is holding.'
"Good. Keep me posted on any changes whatsoever."
'Will do.'
Tony looked down at the time worn watch resting on his work desk. The very watch his father, Howard, always wore. Luckily it was recovered from the ruins of Tony's destroyed manor in Malibu.
Despite the massive damage that the watch sustained during the destruction Tony was able to repair the family heirloom.
"Six hours to go." He spun around in his chair and scanned his new workshop. "I miss my cars."
Jane felt tired, physically and emotionally, and decided to rest in her room for the evening. Except, she didn't actually go to her own room. She was resting in Loki's room. She couldn't understand why but being near Loki comforted her. Perhaps it's because he and Thor are Brothers, or it was Loki's enigmatic mannerisms that caught her attention. She wasn't sure. All she knew was she trusted Loki and hoped he would return soon.
Pulling a book off the shelf Jane began mindlessly thumbing through it when she suddenly felt like crying. Pepper had developed a sixth sense for when Jane needed a little emotional support and quickly found Jane sitting on the bed in Loki's room.
"Hey? Are you okay?" Pepper sat next to Jane on the bed. "What're you doing in here anyway?"
Jane wiped a tear from her eye and took a breath. "I was getting restless. I was hoping I'd get lost in a book or something, but it didn't help."
Pepper took the book from Jane's hands. "'Gone With the Wind', no wonder it didn't help." Pepper teased her trying to get a small laugh.
Jane managed a weak smile as she regained composure. "Pepper, I'm scared."
"I kind of figured." She patted Jane's arm warmly. "Everything will be fine. Not only is the Tower the most secure building in the Western Hemisphere, but you have two of the smartest and most resourceful men on this planet working to keep you and the baby safe." Pepper remembered the term that she had overheard Loki using to refer to the baby and corrected herself. "The beyla safe."
"I know." Jane unconsciously began cradling her middle. "It's just, without Thor- without a husband or a father..."
Unfortunately Pepper didn't know how to respond to Jane's understandable concern. She had seen firsthand how the lack of a father can damage a child by being with Tony. She even began to suspect that Bruce had some family issues of his own, almost like Loki's issues.
"Come on." Pepper helped Jane to her feet and put the book back on the shelf. "Let's go watch some TV or pick out a movie. Want to watch fluffy kitten videos again?"
"No." Jane couldn't help but laugh as they walked out of the room together.
Loki refused to stop his climb until he reach the peak. He wanted to find The Chronicler as soon as possible and return to Midgard before Odin discovered his presence in Asgard. The air grew thinner and colder each step further toward the peak, he slowed his pace and evened his breaths to keep himself from collapsing. In the distance a faint orange glow emanated from a single point on the peak.
"Fire." Loki said to himself. "A beacon from The Chronicler."
With this recognition Loki found his second wind. Step by treacherous step Loki ascended the jagged, lifeless mountain. Though his body was weak his heart was strong and his mind was set. He would not stop, he would not give up, he would journey forth until he reach the peak.
"Show time!" Tony prepared for the launch of the satellite alone. Everyone else had gone to bed for the evening leaving Tony to witness the launch as a solo party. He spun around his chair and rolled it toward the large touch screen opposite side of the room. "J.A.R.V.I.S. let's get this party started!"
'Yes, sir.' J.A.R.V.I.S. began the launch sequence while simultaneously remotely selecting a song from the jukebox 'Will this song be appropriate?'
"'The Final Countdown'? Seems cliché but damn it if I don't enjoy theme music." With swift movements from his skilled hands Tony began activating sensors and layout readings from the satellite's hardware.
The display screen showed the preprogrammed trajectory for the satellite's launch. Power gages were reading normal levels and in the corner a digital clock was counting down the seconds until launch.
"Ten seconds, let's do this!"
'Eight,' J.A.R.V.I.S. continued. 'seven, six, five, four, three, two, one.'
"Launch!" Tony pressed the launch button and with a quick blast from the opened storage doors on the top floor landing pad the newest of Stark satellites burst to life with a small blaze of fire and smoke. From the display Tony watched as his latest creation flew through the sky and made its way into orbit, leaving only a small trail of white smoke behind. "J.A.R.V.I.S. give me an update!"
'Scanning systems now.'
Tony snapped his fingers together as he awaited J.A.R.V.I.S.'s report.
'All systems fully functional. No errors detected.'
"Damn I'm good." He leaned back in his chair and reached for the bottle of bourbon on his desk, as he poured himself a shot a new reading appeared on the display.
'Sir, a strange energy reading is picking up on the satellites sensors.'
Tony put the drink back on his desk. "Talk to me J.A.R.V.I.S., what's going on?"
Loki found himself at the end of the rocky mountain trail. The orange glow from The Chronicler's cave entrance shone onto his face as it sat idle on the ridge approximately twenty feet above him. Gripping the jagged rocks that jutted from the ridge Loki continued his climb up the mountain, the sharp edges from the rocks in his grip began cutting into the palms of his hands. Ignoring the pain Loki finished the climb and pulled his weary body up and onto the edge of the ridge.
A faint sensation of warmth washed over his body as the fiery glow from the cave bathed him in orange. He rose to his feet and walked into the mouth of the cave cautiously. White stones lined the entrance.
The cave was vast and deep, he used the orange glow as his guide. The narrow pathways of the cave suddenly opened into a large room at the deepest point of the cave. The room was rounded with intricately craved stone furniture, each piece covered in finely woven silk. Large leather bound books, each in varying degrees of aging and wear lined the walls and reached from the floor to the ceiling. A large tapestry depicting historical moments throughout time stretched across the wall above an incredibly large, flawless marble fireplace.
Standing in front of the fireplace was a lone figure, a dark blue cloak concealing their identity.
"The Chronicler." Loki spoke aloud in awe, his voice echoing gently through the cave.
...to be continued...