A figure stood in a dark hallway. He sighed. He knew what he had to do. He was willing to risk the sake of embarrassment. He absolutely had to warn the Avengers, or what remain of them. Loki, the god of mischief, used his temp pad to open an orange portal. Into Earth 616.
He looked around. He didn't know when on the timeline he was or what planet he was on, but he knew only that fate had brought him here, and fate had a funny way of turning out in the end.
In the distance he saw two figures walking side-by-side. One was tall and blonde. The other short and carrying a large axe. Could it be?
"And see, that is a knock knock joke, little one," said the god of thunder.
"I want to try..." said Love.
"By all means."
"Knock knock."
"Who's there?"
"Love."
"Love who?"
"Love you."
Thor and his adoptive daughter giggled, enjoying each other's company.
"One more."
"I'm listening."
"Who?"
"Who who?"
Love paused for a second. She saw the figure slowly coming up to them. The thin man with raven black hair and a perceptive face.
"Well?"
"Who um... is that guy?"
Thor turned his head. What he saw drove him into such shock that his face went blank. He dropped Mjolnir onto the sand.
Loki had sort of seen this coming. He was prepared for whatever was to be said.
"I... I understand I haven't exactly-"
Loki was interrupted by a slap to the face. He hardly reacted.
"All right, I'm not past saying I deserve that, but-"
"How long?"
Loki didn't know what to say.
"How long will it be... until you die for good? Understand something! For years I've mourned you, I've sobbed for you! What tale have you this time?"
Loki sighed. This was not going to be easy.
Namor and the other Wakandans had taken a ship to the U.S. when they heard the news.
Sam Wilson and his team of new Avengers had assembled along with the Thunderbolts, and they were discussing what was to be done.
"One thing's for damn sure," said Sam.
"We've gotta rescue Scott."
"I've said already, it's too damn risky," said Bucky.
"Say this Kang fellow kills Scott while we try to rescue him. What then?" asked Yelena, drinking some whiskey and not sounding too bothered with the task at hand.
Sam was interrupted by Shuri and Namor entering their compound.
"You're late," said Sam.
"We were held up," replied Shuri.
The large group discussed what they were going to do. Namor heard of this Kang, and he was enraged. When the mission was going on, he was going to avenge his people, he thought. He was going to take vengeance on the one they called Kang.