King Loki

Chapter 34
Weeks of plotting and planning with his new 'friend' Pietro and they were ready to make their move. Krystoff was a little weary. At first he thought Pietro might be a decoy sent by Loki to make him look bad, but after some careful conversation he'd come to know that wasn't the case.
The King was in for a rude awakening.
The God of Mischief thought he was so smart, but his biggest issue was underestimating the humans. They really wanted him gone and now Krystoff had good reason to help.
Pietro not only guaranteed that this would show Cephera how unreliable and completely useless the King was, but also that she would not come to harm. Krystoff would be allowed to take her far from this wretched place never to return.
If the plan went well, the Resistance would have control of Eartn within a week and Krystoff would be long gone with his lover, whether she agreed or not.
He was sure that even King Yorin wouldn't question Krystoff taking Cephera by force if need be. After all, he would claim she was in trouble and most likely would have died if he hadn't 'saved' her. Krystoff was still unsure how Yorin would react to Krystoff having travelled to Earth in the first place, but it was a risk he would eventually have to take. Pietro promised that if Krystoff helped it would be kept secret. Cephera would never have to know.
The first plan of operation was put into action late one evening after supper. Becoming fairly predictable, Loki escorted Cephera up to his private tower leaving Krystoff to his own devices.
When the coast was clear he made his way down toward the Labratories where security blocked his path. "Good evening," he greeted them watching their weary faces. "It occurred to me just yesterday that I hadn't yet seen this part of this place," he said, casual and calm.
"This place is for authorized personal only." One of the guards replied.
"Just a peek?" Krystoff asked.
"We have our orders," the second said nudging Krystoff back the way he came.
"Ah come on. I won't tell." Krystoff pressed the issue and this time both guards pushed him back freeing a space behind them. From behind one of the curtains dangling nearby, Pietro shot into the opening with Krystoff raising his voice to avoid the guards hearing him. "This is no way to treat a man as important as me!" Krystoff yelled at the two men continuing making a scene.
"I'm afraid that if you don't leave quietly we'll have no choice but to force you." Krystoff forgot for a moment about the plan and stepped hard up to the guard easily wrenching the weapon from his hands.
"I feel as though you're forgetting what I am, human," he threatened not liking this mans tone. Krystoff could kill these men easily, but of course that would be counter productive.
The second guard raised his weapon. "Don't make me use it," he warned. Krystoff would give him credit, the man held fast to that weapon without so much as a tremble.
Another quick zip alerted Krystoff that Pietro was back and out. Taking a step back Krystoff glared at the men. "I will make sure the King knows how I'm being treated." He warned. "Until then, you're not worth anymore of my time." Turning, he left both men to return to their posts.
"You know Loki won't give a damn how they are treating you." Pietro said when they finally met up and began to walk down the hall like nothing had happened.
"I know," Krystoff shrugged, unhindered by the thought. Neither of them spoke of the plan. They both knew what they were doing.
XxX
Doctor Whitehall yawned and shook his head. It was getting late. He grabbed his clipboard off the table and paused. Tucked into the clip was a folded yellow paper he knew he didn't put there. Opening it up with his back to his helpers, he read it.
"Strucker is ready. Tomorrow, 2pm the Spire will be vulnerable. It's time to act. Be ready."
The note was simple and after reading it he kept it tucked in his hand and took it with him out of the laboratory to dispose of once he was alone.
XxX
"If we can repair it, we could possibly seek help from other worlds that currently have nothing against you." Cephera suggested. Loki shook his head.
"We don't have that kind of technology here on Earth." He replied. He was thankful for her open mind, but it's not like he hadn't already thought of that.
"Let Tony examine it, he'd be able to...,"
"Out of the question. We both know he doesn't trust me and I don't trust him. He'll either make excuses for taking long amounts of time or outright make it worse." The thought of giving Stark anything that valuable to examine gave Loki chills.
"You could always go back in time to stop all this in the first place," she frowned when he looked at her.
"Time travel is not possible." Loki replied. How many people had ever wished it was that easy?
"How do you know for sure? I mean we use magic Loki. Whose to say there isn't a way." She argued though she didn't sound too confident.
"I see your point, but even if it was possible it can't be so easy or every Magic wielders would be doing it." Loki shoo'd away the thought and then turned to give her a measured look. "What brought that up? Do you have some secret power you haven't shared?" He asked.
"No. I was just thinking how much easier life would be with a reset button." She replied her cheeks turning red.
"I'm not sure easy would be the answer. With every change you made in a distant past, that would cause a change to what happens next. A change you cannot predict. I could change my siege on Midgard, but then what? What would happen to me? What about Thanos, surely he'd send someone else for the cube." The more he spoke the less tempted that sounded for even dreaming about.
"I suppose you're right. Then we are left with the now and the now sucks." She folded her arms and sat back in the armchair.
"It certainly isn't a ray of sunshine." He agreed, glancing out the window into the darkness. "We should sleep on it." He offered his hand to her.
"Sleeping won't help create a plan." She replied, but took his hand anyhow.
"You never know. Some of the best stories were inspired by dreams, perhaps a good idea will show itself." He grinned despite the disheartened atmosphere. A smile worked its way to her lips, brightening up her face.
XxX
"You keep late hours. Back home you went to bed fairly early, all bright smiles as you looked forward to the next day and what it might hold," Krystoff said interrupting Loki and Cephera before they reached the Kings bedroom.
"Things change." Cephera shrugged. Loki kept his face unreadable. He would not allow this man to see how much it bothered him that he was there.
"You smiled brighter once too." He remarked. Loki resisted the urge to glare. It bothered him that Krystoff knew Cephera so intimately. It was one thing to just be aware of her past, but Krystoff was clearly trying to make it obvious to Loki every chance he got just how close he had been to the girl.
"Goodnight Krystoff," Cephera didn't play in to Krystoff game. She dismissed him and the annoyed expression that flared up on Krystoff's face made Loki smirk. Loki put his hand to Cephera's back and gently guided her passed Krystoff to the bedroom. She didn't resist and Krystoff was left steaming behind them.

Notes

A/N: For those who don't follow me on social media, my updates have changed. I now update Tuesday's and Thursday's. Thanks for all your support and understanding throughout everything over the years. I wouldn't have made it so far without all of you.