I don't own Avengers or its characters. I only own Riley Stark and other OCs that appear in the story.
Take on the World
Chapter 47: On Sakaar
Riley felt her head throbbing from the massive headache she was feeling.
The last thing she clearly remembered was getting caught in the Bifrost with Thor and Loki to escape Hela's wrath.
But as she slowly opened her brown eyes, she saw that the sky was grey and the advance world looked more like a junk pile in her surroundings.
Thought the Stark heiress felt she was not on Earth.
"You've got to be kidding me."Riley retorted in sarcasm."We've landed in the dumping yard of Astro Boy."
Riley looking around and in the distance, she could see large buildings, it seemed clean compared to the junk around her.
"Oh, look."Riley scoffed lightly."There's Metro City."
"Would you kindly stop blabbering and get off my back!"
Riley's eyes widen as she slowly turned to look behind and saw that an irritated Loki was laying down behind her.
She hadn't realised he was there until the man spoke, supposedly she had used him as a cushion for her fall.
"Oh, sorry!"Riley apologised.
Riley got off of Loki's back, so that he can stand up and dust off the dirt from his armour.
Loki send Riley an unamused look.
"Where are we?"Loki questioned.
"I have no idea, Reindeer Games."Riley replied and pointed towards the city."But my best bet to find out anything is to head over to Metro City over there."
"How do you know what it's called?"Loki questioned.
Riley shrugged her shoulders.
"I don't."Riley responded."It's an Astro Boy reference."
"Astro Boy?"Loki asked and then frowned."You know what, never mind."
Loki shook his head, watching astonishment as Riley started to walk around the piles of rubbish, heading into the direction of the city.
"If you're planning on walking there, it's going to take all day!"Loki called out.
Riley turned towards Loki with her hands on her hips.
"Got any better ideas?"Riley asked.
"Matter of fact, I do."Loki answered.
Loki then reached his hand out to Riley's shoulder and suddenly they were within the city, in front of the largest building there was.
Riley was quite pleased with the outcome of transporting with Loki's power.
It wasn't suffocating like the Bifrost.
It didn't make her stomach flip inside out.
In fact, she felt fine.
Riley smiled brightly. "That was cool."
"That's not all I can do."Loki responded.
Loki then began walking into the building.
"Was that meant to impress me?"Riley questioned.
Upon receiving no reply, Riley quickly followed Loki inside.
"Have you got a plan at all or are you just busting in here?"Riley asked.
"This is the largest most pristine building there is. Someone has to be here. Someone who is powerful."Loki exclaimed with a disapproving tone."Get on his good side then we can find a way out of here. The quicker we get out, the further away from you and my brother I get."
Riley's eyes widen upon remembering Thor.
"Oh my gosh! Uncle Thor!"Riley gasped worriedly."Where is he?"
"I don't know."Loki replied in annoyance."It's Thor, how far can he go? Now if you'd excuse me, I'm going to try and not get myself killed."
Loki continued walking away causing Riley to immediately follow after him.
"Loki, wait for me!"Riley protested.
Riley didn't want to be left alone on this unknown planet.
She didn't trust Loki since he was the guy who attempted to enslave her planet with an alien army.
But being with Loki was better than being alone.
Loki stalked along in silence, Riley following along quietly.
They had entered an elevator, one which was glass, allowing those who were inside to see out into the city.
Riley watched the city in awe as they went to whichever level Loki had chosen.
When the elevator stopped and let out a 'ding' with the doors opening.
Riley turned around to see Loki holding up his hands, her eyes followed his and saw a couple of armour clad people with weapons pointing towards them.
"Well, this is new."Riley muttered.
"Who are you and how did you get here?"Topaz questioned.
The woman known as Topaz held a large metal staff with a yellow sphere on the top.
Loki went to lower his hands with a grin on his face.
But when the people moved their weapons, Loki quickly raised his hands again.
"We don't want any harm."Loki assured with a casual smile."I am Loki and this is Riley, my..."
The Trickster looked towards the Stark heiress, seeming a loss for words as he didn't know what to call her.
"I am his niece."Riley finished.
"You're coming with us."Topaz declared.
Topaz motioned for two other guards to put away their weapon and collect the duo.
They stood from behind Loki and Riley, grabbing one of their arms and pulling them behind their backs.
A sharp pain went up Riley's back as the male guard from behind her twisted her arms in an uncomfortable position while pushing them against her back.
When they started walking, Riley tried her best to walk slightly ahead to her shoulders and back weren't aching from the way her arms were pushed against her.
The group walked through two rather large doors and was taken to an almost empty room.
The only thing that really occupied the area was an old man sitting on a chair by the back while a big window silhouetted his features.
"Grandmaster, we found the intruders."Topaz informed.
Topaz walked up to the older man, he instructed for the two to stop about five feat before the stairs which they did.
"Very charming intruders, I might add."the Grandmaster chuckled."Where are you from?"
Loki began to answer and created what quite a fake yet remarkable story to the Grandmaster all while Riley stood from her spot, almost glaring at the God of Mischief.
"Me and my giddy little niece were on our way home until we were ambushed and ending up in your charming planet, Grandmaster."Loki remarked."But surely the two of us have found sanctuary by coming here?"
"I wouldn't agree to the word, 'Sanctuary'. Many that come to Sakaar don't really leave here."the Grandmaster admitted."Those who try to leave, I usually end up having them melted to death or getting smashed by my champion."
On hearing that, Loki and Riley shared an equally nervous expression with each other.
"But I like you two."the Grandmaster complemented.
Riley became surprised when the Grandmaster stepped up from his seat with a great smile walking down to meet her.
"And don't worry about your pretty little head of finding trouble here, my dear."the Grandmaster declared."I am the ruler of this planet. But you don't like one of those females that lurk around to cause trouble."
"That's correct, Grandmaster."Riley agreed, secretly playing the damsel-in-distress."I am grateful for your hospitality."
There were a few hushed whispers from the civilians that were in the room until the Grandmaster snapped his fingers at them.
"No, I won't be melting them!"the Grandmaster announced.
Riley' eyes widened at this and looked to Loki, who turned to her with a smirk on his face.
"Now let's get you cleaned up."the Grandmaster stated.
Riley was taken into a room of mirrors where there were five other girls around her.
They seemed to follow the orders of the Grandmaster as he explained to them that she need a change of clothes.
The Stark heiress wouldn't lie, she felt awful having the girls dress her and it would be more comfortable for her to have dressed herself.
But every time she went to do something herself, one of them would quickly take over saying "I insist."
When the girls moved out the way, Riley was finally able to see her reflection in the many mirrors.
Riley wore a baby blue coloured outfit. The garment had two pieces, the top was of a crimped light blue fabric, decorated simply with silver trim and tiny shells and a decorative knot in the center. The outfit was turtle-necked and her sleeves were long. The bottom piece were a simple light blue skirt, cut wide to give her freedom of movement, clasped on her left side. She had it on with a decorative white cloak over this which was decorated in a light blue abstract shape a little down from the collar. It was clasped with a carved ivory clasp. She wore her chestnut brown hair down in loose ringlets held back by a simple light blue headband decorated with a diamond pattern.
A small yet bright smile appeared on Riley's face as she stared at her reflection.
The Stark heiress was then escorted out of the room and taken towards another door she had not seen before, this didn't lead the the throne room.
Instead when the doors were open she was greeted with music and chattering amongst other pupils within the room.
Riley slowly entered and looked around as she walked to the side wall.
At the far end by the windows were what looked to be DJ sets, then far left were drinks and food while the right mainly consisted of chairs and those who congregated around them.
Sakaar seemed to be a lot more of a scarier place than she had originally thought.
There were scavengers that lived in the junkyard that would eat those who weren't fighters and even if you were a fighter, no one was sure what happened to them.
On the other hand, if you were found by a scavenger that belonged to The Grandmaster you would be brought in to join his warriors to fight the champion.
Riley was just thanking the stars that the Grandmaster hadn't mistaken her and Loki for fighters.
Though the young brunette was a superhero-in-training, she wasn't looking for a fight.
Especially, not one to the death.
As she did in the party events back on Earth, Riley wore her best charming smile to the people that she was walking past before going over to Loki, who appeared to be drinking a glass of liquor.
Loki was wearing a new dark green suit with a grey cape that appeared to be bright yellow inside and black boots. His raven black hair was in it's usual silky style.
Riley cleared her throat, earning Loki's attention.
"Oh, you're still here."Loki commented.
A scoff escaped from Riley's mouth.
"Of course I am still here, jackass greasy hair."Riley insulted smugly."You're stuck with me. Whether you like it or not."
"Charmed to hear that."Loki retorted.
Loki took another sip from his liquor beverage before Riley sat down on the seat next to him before she began waving her hand at the bartender.
"Excuse me?"Riley asked in a bright smile."I would like something bubbly, please."
The bartender brought a glass in front of Riley before putting various mixtures on her beverage until it had a pale pink texture.
Riley looked at her beverage since it wasn't clear if it was alcoholic or not.
"The drink is not to your liking, Miss Stark?"Loki questioned.
"I don't know if it is safe to drink."Riley declared with a troubled expression."I am not even the right age to drink alcohol."
Loki rolled his eyes at Riley's unsureness.
"Well, since the two of us are stuck in this dump planet together, you might as well as learn to drink and devour what they have here."Loki informed simply and then smirked in amusement."And surely, the last thing you want to do is starve to death."
Riley gave Loki an annoyed glare.
"Thanks for the tip, sassy queen."Riley insulted.
Riley looked at her glass cup before taking a deep breath and started drinking the beverage she was given.
To her surprise, it had a sweet and bubbly texture.
"Hey."Riley remarked in approval."This is actually really good."
Loki frowned at seeing Riley in her bright mood again since he was expecting to see her spit her beverage out in disgust.
He then focused back on drinking his liquor.
The frown on Loki's deepened when he noticed Riley staring at him with a somewhat charming smile.
"What is it?"Loki asked.
"You like me, isn't?"Riley assumed.
Loki scoffed. "Excuse me?"
"You act like a cold hearted jerk, but deep down you actually care about those around you."Riley remarked."Even Thor."
"Don't flatter yourself, Miss Stark."Loki declared."I don't care less what happens to you."
Riley gave Loki a face expression that expressed disgust.
"Yuck. As if I'll ever hit on you, Reindeer Games."Riley retorted with a frown."You do realise you're literally millennia older than me, right?"
Loki rolled his eyes.
"You're the most annoying mortal I have ever met."Loki informed.
Instead of feeling hurt by the Trickster's words, Riley simply covered her mouth to giggle.
Riley smirked. "I know, Rock of Ages."
Riley's eyes widen and her jaw was hanging a bit as she walked around the room she was going to stay in with a hop in her step and her warm brown eyes sparkled.
A golden rimmed bed which was situated not too far from the door, two grey couches in the middle with a white fur rug under them, a wooden door situated by the back wall which leads to the bathroom.
There were doors covering the far left wall which Riley was able to see that they were clothes, mostly female.
Half the back wall was covered in glass which gave a view of the city where there was a door which leads to a balcony with a small round table and two seats.
Noticing her Earth clothes were folded on the bed, Riley became relieved upon seeing her iPhone was still in her jacket as well as her bracelet.
But she doubted Sakaar had Wi-Fi, so it was not possible for her to contact her loved ones from here.
Riley suddenly became nervous as she collapsed on her bed.
She was in space and probably on a planet far away from her home.
Her family.
Her friends.
Now she was feeling very sorry and upset with herself.
If she just ignored seeing Thor and Loki, she wouldn't have ended up not being far from Earth.
"Aw, man. I completely even forgot missed my date with Peter too. I hope he will forgive me."Riley muttered in dismay."Or worse, Dad and Pepper will likely start panicking when they learn I am not on Earth anymore."
Riley got off her bed and became startled when Loki suddenly teleported in front of her.
"Hey, Lokitty!"Riley snapped angrily."You could've knocked on the door and ask to come in!"
An unfazed look appeared on Loki's face.
"And have me encounter the Grandmaster's guests?"Loki scoffed."Haven't you notice some of them were staring at us as objects?"
This caused a shiver went down Riley's spine.
"Good point."Riley answered and grinned when a plan hit her head."Hey. Here's a fun idea. Why don't the two of us see more of Sakaar?"
"I don't see the point of exploring a planet that's clearly a dumpster, Miss Stark."Loki commented.
Riley's head gestured to the window which showed the city view of Sakaar.
"Oh, come on."Riley remarked with a smirk."Where's your sense of adventure? Since you have extensive training in sorcery, you clearly have the ability to teleport yourself or others across dimensions."
Loki raised an eyebrow.
"What makes you think I would want to go somewhere with you?"Loki questioned.
"Despite being history's most reliable liar, you're really terrible at admitting that you don't like being alone, Loki."Riley complemented."Think of me as a friend."
"I rather think of you as a temporary acquaintance."Loki scoffed.
Riley smiled brightly before giving Loki a hug, much to his dismay.
"Great!"Riley chuckled in delight."Let's go!"
As it expected, Sakaar was the home world of the Sakaarans and many other species stranded on the planet from different parts of the cosmos.
Though the trash planet was created by the Grandmaster, it turned out to be located at the Tayo star system and was surrounded by numerous wormholes that deposit space waste.
Riley and Loki were now at a place that appeared to be some kind of bar that aliens use instruments to make music that gave less catchy jazz theme.
"Say Loki, aren't you planning on dating a girl sometime soon?"Riley asked with a small smirk."I am not going to lie. You're quite a handsome guy."
Loki frowned and glanced away, his cheeks went a bit pink.
"Not exactly."Loki answered."I had a few women. But nothing was ever real."
"What about that chick you grew up with named Amora?"Riley questioned."Thor told me once that you and her were quite close."
A small scowl escaped from Loki's mouth.
"Amora was more like another of my brother's admirer, Miss Stark."Loki admitted as he fiddled with the fork on his plate."Whether my mother was busy, she used to instruct me in the ways and usages of Asgardian magic while we were both teenagers. One of the tricks, I remember she taught me was to shape shift water into a snake."
Riley smiled in delight.
"Wow."Riley remarked, eager to hear more about Asgard."It sounds like life in Asgard is kind of fun. You know learning magic and fighting mystical creatures."
"I guess you would find Asgard intriguing since you were born on Midgard."Loki replied."There is hardly any magic in your realm expect one that you, humans, call Science."
On hearing herself being called a human, Riley smiled in a fragile smile.
"Believe it or not, I am not really a human, Loki."Riley declared."I'm a mutant."
"You're a what?"Loki questioned.
"Watch this."Riley instructed.
Riley's eyes glowed magenta pink before she focused using her telekinesis to lift her plate up a bit before slowly spinning it a little bit and then placing it back where it was.
Loki was surprised at what he just saw.
"I don't recall remembering you having any powers or mentioning that you had any, Miss Stark."Loki stated.
"That's because they came last year during my school's homecoming dance. I learned that I was a Psionic. A mutant that possess psychic powers."Riley explained."A mutant is a human being that possesses a genetic trait called the X-gene. It causes the mutant to develop superhuman powers that manifest at puberty which was exactly what happened to me."
A small smirk appeared on Loki's face.
"My, it seems that I've not seen Midgard clearly."Loki sneered."To think, there are mortals that possess powers which I didn't think was possible."
Riley gave Loki a simple nod.
"Mutants are the evolutionary progeny of Homo sapiens and are actually revealed to be the next stage in human evolution."Riley continued before a sad frown appeared on her face."But due to their differences from most humanity, mutants are subject to prejudice and discrimination. In other words, mutants are mostly bullied or hated just because they are different."
Loki felt silent at Riley's declaration.
"You know I always felt second best compared to Thor."Loki declared with a deep frown."He was the popular good-looking brother who had all the women swooning before him while I was always stuck to my books and seem to look on in his shadow."
"But what about Lady Sif and the Warriors Three?"Riley asked."Weren't they friends of yours?"
Loki down at his reflection in the pale blue beverage in his glass cup.
"They were more Thor's friends than mine."Loki commented."All my life I was told that I meant to take the throne that I was born to be a king. Just the throne to the race that people tell their children to be afraid of that their monsters."
"You actually wanted to be accepted and loved by your family."Riley admitted, being careful with her words."But instead King Odin basically told you that the only reason he had kept you was so he could stop a war. Is that why you lie and cause so much mischief, Loki? So that people notice you?"
Loki took a sip of his alcoholic beverage in his glass cup down.
"Well, Miss Stark."Loki said with a unfazed look."How else is anything done in this universe?"
Riley smiled. "Live long enough to see yourself become the hero you're meant to be."
Loki raised an eyebrow at Riley.
"You're not serious, are you?"Loki questioned.
"I am. I don't see the point of lying about anything."Riley complemented."I may be a daughter of a billionaire, but I know from right and wrong."
Loki stayed quiet for a while, thoughtful, before he talked again.
"Answer me this question, Miss Stark."Loki commented."Why would you show me compassion? I attempted genocide and killed hundreds of innocent people."
Riley shrugged in respond.
"I know. You clearly attempted to kill the Avengers and rule the entire Earth aka my home."Riley stated."Clearly, I would hate you for that. But for some strange reason, I think you're not really that bad at heart, Loki."
Loki stared at Riley silently, not knowing what to say.
The Stark heiress looked like she actually believed it, with her warm brown eyes and her damn innocence.
"And I don't think you're a monster."Riley declared and then chuckled a bit."Though you're the prime example of the phrase, 'A child not embraced by the village, will burn it down to feel its warmth'."
Loki gave Riley a expression that appeared to be a small smile.
Riley and and Loki glanced behind the bar of the club, observing their surroundings as well as the alien band that was playing.
"Man, this music theme here is a bit lame. It could use a boost."Riley scoffed as she began to remove her white cloak and place it on the chair she was sitting on before walking away."I'll be right back."
Having no idea what the Stark heiress was up to, Loki simply shook his head and went back on drinking his beverage.
All the sudden the music in the background changed into one that was carefree and almost joyous attitude.
Loki nearly choked his beverage upon seeing Riley happily heading up on the stage to sing while the alien band played with their instruments.
What good is sitting alone in your room?
Come hear the music play
Life is a Cabaret, old chum
Come to the Cabaret
Riley moved to circle her hands outwards and around above her head.
Put down the knitting,
The book and the broom
It's time for a holiday
Life is a Cabaret, old chum
Come to the Cabaret
Loki watched Riley singing on stage with an unfazed expression while the Sakaarans and many other species in the bar became interested in hearing her sing.
Come taste the wine,
Come hear the band.
Come blow a horn,
Start celebrating;
Right this way,
Your table's waiting.
Riley beckoned to the audience in front of her as she danced a bit while going a bit backward.
What good's permitting
Some prophet of doom
To wipe every smile away.
Life is a Cabaret, old chum,
Come to the Cabaret!
Riley did a twirl before facing the audience again before giving Loki a wink, making him smirk and roll his eyes before the spotlight on her changed to a softer yet gloomy colour.
I used to have a girlfriend known as Elsie,
With whom I shared four sordid rooms in Chelsea
She wasn't what you'd call
a blushing flower...
As a matter of fact
she rented by the hour.
The music theme changed softly as Riley gave the audience of what appeared to be a somewhat neutral face.
The day she died the neighbours came to snicker:
"Well, that's what comes from too much pills and liquor."
But when I saw her laid out like a Queen,
She was the happiest corpse...
I'd ever seen.
The spotlight colour and music theme went back the way it was before, making Riley dance back in a joyful way.
I think of Elsie to this very day
I remember how she'd turn to me and say:
"What good is sitting all alone in you room?
Come hear the music play
Life is a Cabaret, old chum,
Come to the Cabaret
Riley smiled as she moved her hands while dancing a bit.
And as for me,
I made my mind up back in Chelsea,
When I go, I'm going like Elsie
Riley raised up her hands as she finished the last lyrics of the song she was singing.
Start by admitting
From cradle to tomb
It isn't that long a stay
Life is a Cabaret, old chum,
Only a Cabaret, old chum
And I love a Cabaret!
The audience clapped and cheered at Riley, who chuckled lightly before giving a small bow at them.
Loki casually clapped at the performance he just witnessed as Riley went back to join and put her white cloak back on.
"So how did I do?"Riley asked.
"That was some performance."Loki declared slightly."I thought we were supposed to keep a low profile."
Riley lightly grinned and shrugged her shoulders.
"Oh, the song 'Cabaret' is a musical song that was first sung by Liza Minnelli in 1970."Riley remarked."Thank you for asking."
"You are one strange yet interesting creature, Miss Stark."Loki admitted.
A small smirk appeared on Riley's face.
"Still, it took 6 Avengers to equal 1 Loki."Riley praised in amusement."Now that is a something to remember."