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Do you like Loki's creations, dangerous experiments, and willingness to challenge enemies that appear above his league? Then you will definitely like Thairon, the protagonist of my original story, Arrival : Ruptures. Comments, likes and reviews are appreciated. Here are the links for : AO3, Spacebattles, Royal Road and Webnovel.
—
Bialya
He was not about to abandon the country after setting it on fire, figuratively. Queen Bee's death had emboldened the population. With the upper management out of her control and the truth of her abilities revealed, the people were in a state of uproar.
He had done what he could. If the Bialyans wanted a better future, they would have to take it. He watched over the riots and the attempts to quell them. His interest was piqued when a man, one that wore his underwear over his blue spandex costume, landed gently in front of the crowd in the capital. He must have been a known figure because the masses stopped.
A closer look revealed he wasn't a human. The DNA had differences, but they were close enough he wagered the hero could have a child with a human.
He was negotiating, trying to peacefully end the protests. The people weren't so easily dissuaded, demanding all current ministers resign. They wanted free and fair elections to determine their future. It would not be left in the hands of the current administration, mind-controlled or not.
The administration was not so willing to relinquish its power.
The negotiator relayed the offer. The government would hold elections in one year after rooting out all of Queen Bee's accomplices.
The crowds marched once again. The superpowered individual did not attempt to stop them, merely calling for peace and reason.
His peace was disturbed by a chaotic feeling. Whatever approached felt like a mass of twisting, squirming strands of discord. He raised an eyebrow as the portal opened and something in the form of a child stepped out, holding an orange cat in his arms. He was dressed in a suit, with hair standing up like horns, a narrow, sharp face, and a grin.
"Well, well, if it isn't the one who killed the flightless pest. I have to admit, the chaos you spread in Bialya feels delectable."
Loki blinked at the words and turned ahead, continuing to stroke Cosmo's head.
"Are you ignoring me?!" the boy said, gritting his teeth. He did not answer, enjoying the moment. Whatever this creature was, he did not pose a threat to him. His chaotic nature wasn't something that piqued his interest.
"You are no fun," the boy said, pouting like a child. He opened a portal and left, knowing better than to start a fight he could not win.
—
Al-Qawiya
Superman's pleas fell on deaf ears. The massive crowd had no intention of stopping. He could not and would not use force. Batman suggested the man who executed Queen Bee might be able to influence the masses. The problem was finding him.
"Superman, I have him on satellite," Batman said. It was left to the world's greatest detective to track the unknown.
"What? Where?" he asked, rising above the crowd.
"He is resting in an oasis."
That couldn't have been so simple. "How did you find him so fast?"
"It wasn't there before."
"Who is going to speak to him?" he asked. Someone who could create an oasis noticeable on satellite wasn't an ordinary magician.
"I will," Wonder Woman said as she was closest to the oasis.
—
He was having another visitor, one who came by air this time. A demigod by the feeling of her, with half her DNA being pure energy.
"Greetings, stranger."
This Earth had quite the eccentric group of protectors. "Greetings."
"I am Diana of Themyscira."
"Loki of Asgard."
She crossed her arms, turning her head slightly to the side, narrowing her eyes. "Asgard? It has been a long time since a god from that realm was alive."
He raised an eyebrow. He had actually considered looking to see if Asgard existed in this dimension but had left it for later. She had answered his question. "In this universe perhaps."
"You are from another universe? What brought you here?" If he were telling the truth, which she had no reason to believe one way or the other, then what reason would there be for Loki the Trickster God to be here?
"Merely traveling to see what exists in the infinite," he explained, taking a sip from his mead.
She would take the trickster's words with a grain of salt. "You have caused quite a stir in this world."
"It is only natural that the death of a despot would ruffle many feathers." Who knew how many allies she had that feared they would be the next?
"It is the fact that there is a god who interferes in mortal affairs and executes someone." While the god part was new knowledge, someone of his strength overthrowing a government did indeed ruffle feathers.
He shrugged. She was not strong enough to pose a threat to him, and neither were her comrades. "These people were suffering, so I lent a hand. If you have an issue, you are free to try and fail to stop me."
"They are suffering now too. The riots are counterproductive to stabilizing the country," she said. There was truth to her words, for a state of order was necessary for Bialya to move forward. Yet, it would only come when the people were ready for it, not before.
"Then the government should give people what they want."
"You should know it's never that easy. The government is willing to..." she began, but he stopped her. "Hold elections in one year after clearing all of Queen Bee's followers in the administration?"
Her eyes widened for a fraction of a second. She realized he was actually watching the events that were unfolding across the country. Most likely the League too. "Yes. Bialya has already suffered too much. With all the different factions vying for power, there will only be chaos."
"I am sure the people will do what is best for them."
"Certainly. But they will need someone to calm them down first. They are too emotional to choose the best path."
"Well, far be it from me to interfere as long as the people aren't harmed in any way. Good luck to you with that," he said, shooing her away with his hand.
Diana rolled her eyes. "I meant you. You killed Queen Bee; they would listen to you."
Loki created a hat, putting it over his eyes. "I only meddled enough to give them a chance to fight back. They must work for the rest."
"Even if chaos grips this country?" she asked. He was willing to execute Queen Bee on live television, but telling people to calm down was too much?
"If I give them everything on a silver platter, it will not have a meaning. The people must fight, bleed, and die for what they want. Otherwise, when the next dictator wannabe comes along, they will be looking for someone to fight for them," he explained.
She fell silent, thinking and realizing the truth in his words. Her people had fought for the peace they currently enjoyed. She hesitated. Could they deprive the Bialyans of that chance?
"Wonder Woman, you can stop. The government just agreed to step down immediately," Batman explained.
She took a deep breath, her shoulders relaxing.
"Well, it appears your wishes have come true."
He huffed, a quiet, annoyed laugh escaping his lips. "This is not my home; my wishes mean nothing. This victory is people's and no one else's."
Diana smiled, gave a nod, and left.
—
The League's attempts to peacefully quell the riots poured gasoline into the fire. The palace was long surrounded. The government refused to meet their demands, and the Justice League's intervention was seen as support for the government.
The people climbed over the walls, broke down the doors, and prepared to tear the ministers apart. Only when the main building was covered by Green Lantern's light did the government fold. There was nowhere they could hide. If they left with the League, they would be exiles.
It left them only one option.
The Prime Minister announced the resignation of the cabinet. While the citizens rejoiced, the Green Lantern took them away so there wouldn't be bloodshed. The people were quick to elect an interim prime minister to lead the country until the elections.
Meanwhile, Loki watched everything with a smile.
—
Al-Qawiya
"The God of Mischief? That Loki? You didn't tell us about Asgard," Flash said, whispering. He knew a little bit about the Scandinavian myths. Loki wasn't looked at favorably in any way, shape, or form. He didn't know how many of the myths were true but wished they were not.
There definitely would be trouble if this got out. A god interfering so openly on Earth was not allowed due to many reasons, as Diana had said.
"Because they died a long time ago from what exists in Olympus' records. This Loki says he is from another dimension," she explained. The destruction of Asgard and many other pantheons wasn't detailed. The legends said that it had happened long, long ago.
Either they didn't know or it was kept a secret.
"Bialya just elected an exiled activist as the interim prime minister," Red Tornado reported.
Flash whistled. "They work really fast, don't they?" Barely a couple of hours and things seemed to be progressing well for the people.
Batman looked at him for a moment, his stone gaze not wavering. "Returning to the matter at hand, you said he seemed disinterested in doing more than he had?"
She nodded. "Correct. He seemed content to laze in the oasis with his dog." Whether it was out of laziness or actually the desire to let the people handle their problems, she wasn't certain.
"Assuming he doesn't suddenly decide there are more dictators to dispose of," Manhunter said. Queen Bee wasn't the only despot in the world. If Loki decided the rest had to be disposed of as well, they could not stop him in countries outside the League's jurisdiction.
"I honestly can't say anything about it."
"We could invite him for a chat," Flash suggested, but their attention turned to the final teammate, who was trembling now.
"Fate, are you alright?" Lantern asked, raising a hand to shake the Lord of Order awake.
Dr. Fate, who was meditating, suddenly went stiff. His head snapped back. A torrent of green energy blasted out of his eyes and mouth, blinding them all. It abruptly stopped, and Fate fell forward, helmet and costume disintegrating, leaving Zatara's breathing form behind.
"What the heck was that?" Green Lantern asked, rushing to the magician's side. He was alive and breathing but did not respond to him.
"What was he doing?" Batman asked.
Manhunter looked at the still form of Giovanni. "He said he would try to divine more about Loki."
"Giovanni, can you hear me?" Lantern asked, gently slapping him on the face. There was no reaction, not even a groan.
"Let's take him to the Tower first. We are done here anyway."
—
The Watchtower
The preliminary diagnosis showed that Giovanni was in a coma due to the magical backlash. They were assuming Loki did not like the fact he was being spied on and destroyed Nabu. Of course, there would be no action taken unless they were absolutely certain.
If they ever would.
There was a more important matter to handle first. Zatanna deserved to know her father was free, even if he was in a coma.
Diana left for Themyscira to find more about Loki and Asgard. The only knowledge they had came from the source god in question. With all that Loki was known for, the veracity of his words was nonexistent. Green Lantern left to search Oa's archives for the same reason, leaving Batman to reach out to the magical side of the world.
In truth, the Caped Crusader did not eliminate the information that Loki might be from another universe. Someone that strong did not lie hidden for so long, only to kill Queen Bee and then sleep in an oasis.
Him being from another dimension would explain it.
Superman contacted New Genesis, seeking answers. It was possible that the New Gods knew something about Loki and Asgard, perhaps more so than any other source. While they weren't a fan of interfering with Earth's matters, a god that was supposed to be dead would no doubt have their interest.
—
She barged into the medical room, ignoring the calls to slow down. She threw her arms around her father, sobbing. She already knew he was in a coma. Just being able to hug him like this was enough.
"How did Fate let him go?" she asked once her tears stopped. She hated that golden rust bucket of a helmet. She also knew it wouldn't let her father go so easily.
Manhunter's blank gaze looked at the still form of the man. "I am afraid the situation is too complicated."
Robin rolled his eyes. "Which means you are not going to tell us anything."
"When the right time comes, we will explain it to you. For now, Zatanna is excused from the team so she can be with her father," he said.
Displeased with the secrecy, the team left Zatanna with her father. They would find answers, one way or another.
—
Loki's Oasis
He scoffed, feeling the unwelcome eyes burn out of this realm. He was just about to fall asleep when he felt something try to gaze into his existence. He ignored it at first since he could not hope to succeed. However, the scrying got more intense and pushy.
As it had gazed at him, he gazed back, finding himself displeased with what he discovered. A self-proclaimed lord of order who was keeping his host a hostage after blackmailing him with his daughter. Disintegrating his connection to this realm was a far kinder fate, but outright destroying him would be too time-consuming.
For now, it would do.
—
Unknown Location
When Loki cut Nabu out of Earth, it had consequences. The Lords of Order were alarmed. It was not something any being, even if they were a god, could do so simply. Whatever had happened had greatly weakened their hand.
And strengthened the enemy's.
The Lords of Chaos were overjoyed, especially one Witch Boy. With Nabu gone, the Earth would be their playground. Once Earth was theirs, it would put the golden lords on the backfoot. The war that had been continuing for eons might finally have an end.
Klarion began to prepare, though he wondered what managed to banish Nabu from reality. The unknown god was a possibility, but if he was willing to kill that human for being evil, why would he vanquish Nabu? Someone else could be responsible, but he did not believe in coincidences.
Unaware, or rather, indifferent to the idea of learning dangers that were coming his way, Loki slept. Two superhero teams, an organization hellbent on domination, a group of beings who only cared to spread chaos, a multitude of governments, and, of course, the people of Bialya searched for him.
—
In the next chapter:
"Guess who just found out how your dad was freed?" Robin asked as he sat on his chair, taking his plate full of pancakes.
Zatanna sucked in a breath, coughing. "What? How?" she asked, gulping down a glass of water to soothe her throat.
The whole table stopped eating, turning to Robin.
The Boy Wonder smirked. "That new guy? His name is Loki, from the Scandinavian myths."
"Great, a trickster god was what we needed," Kid Flash said. Like New Genesis and Apokolips weren't enough, now they had the Scandinavians.
"Not only that," Robin continued, earning their attention once more, "he is also from another universe."
"What's he doing here?" She wanted to know everything.
"Traveling, apparently. I also learned where he currently is."
"Where?"
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