Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Marvel Mayhem - Chapter Eleven (w/ Commentary Notes from the Author, Sean Livingston)

Chapter Eleven: In Search of Far Away Places…

            Where there once laid the bound, naked body of a young beautiful blonde on a steel operating table, there now was nothing more than white dust that glittered in gold and rainbow colors. The claw did its job: it triggered Genevieve’s reincarnation process, although Genevieve – being the final reincarnated form of Sean Thomas – had no new body to reincarnate into. To be certain of this, Yve Ette waited for an hour to determine if an arm, leg, or eye would emerge from the remains. None did.

(Narrative Note: The average time it takes for reincarnation to take effect in the World of Disney universe is twenty to thirty minutes. The process in the reformation of a new body can roughly take an extra ten minutes, depending on its size and density. In the one case of a male form emerging from the dust, less time is needed.)

            “Now we can begin,” she said with roguish delight.

            She approached the human-shaped pile of dust on the table. She was on the verge of scooping some of it up with her hands until she stopped for a moment to smile and relish in the true vulnerability her foe was in.

            Bending over with her face close to the dust, she whispered, “Genevieve? Honey? Can you hear me?” There was no response. She spoke to it as if there was an actual person there in front of her. “I know you probably can, even though I sound quite muffled to your non-existent ears. But I just want you to know how grateful I am for you donating your body to Skrull science…despite it being no decision of your own freewill.”

(Narrative Note: We've seen from the perspective of JeniLynn in Tales of the Disneyverse the firsthand experience of reincarnation. While in dust form, there is no sight and barely any sound, due to the eyes and ears not yet having formed with the new body. Cognitive processing also differs from form to form, with the subject gaining awareness more rapidly or gradually.)

            Cackling with glee, Yve Ette proceeded in digging her right hand into the dust pile, scooping up a handful of it that she took away from the table and into the darkly lit laboratory. The design of the lab was as alien as the species that operated it. Scaly, organic dark green walls made up the room with a floor and ceiling to match. Each step that Yve Ette took felt as if she were walking inside of an inflatable structure, slightly bouncing and creating squishing noises beneath the soles of her boots.

            Across from the operating table was a tall, cylindrical podium that possessed the same color and texture as the rest of the room. Yve Ette placed the handful of reincarnation dust on the top of the podium and cited a foreign incantation. The dust began to shift and mold itself into a new shape. The glow of the glitter encased with it grew brighter and golden mist seeped out. Within a minute, the dust had morphed into a living human organ…a brain…Genevieve’s brain.

(Narrative Note: This is the first instance that we see a Guardian with the ability to control the reincarnation of another. It was a rare ability that is missed by more seasoned sorcerers like Yen Sid and Merlin, on account of their unfamiliarity with the unique biology of the Guardian. Yve Ette only knows it because most of her mind that is Dawn's shares in her years of experience in her abilities.)

            It pulsated like a heart, shrouded in a golden/rainbow-colored vapor of reincarnation energy.

            Yve Ette harshly flicked at one of the lobes and the brain reacted, throbbing violently. The reaction brought out a thrilled guffaw from her. “Oh, she doesn’t like that at all, does she?” She addressed a tall, imposing figure standing in a shadowed corner of the room. She could just make out its pointed ears from its eclipsed spot. “This is just a sample of what your technology can integrate into your biology.”

            “We only need a sample.” The figure spoke in a deep, echoed voice that fit its hulking form.

            “Then we let her keep the brain – heaven knows she’ll need it once we’re through with her.” Yve Ette declared. “We’ll take a more meaningless organ from her body, perhaps a kidney…or lung. That’s all it will take to enable the integration, channeling all of her Guardian energy into the one piece of her.”

            “And what shall become of the specimen?”

            Yve Ette glanced at the dust that remained on the operating table. “Her body will be reformed and dumped back somewhere on Earth. After what we’ll have from her, she’ll never be the powerful Guardian she once was. She’ll be just like everyone else.”

----------------------

            “Thanks for this, Mindy.” Ciciley expressed her esteemed gratitude to the sorceress. “This is gonna provide us with an ass-load of help.”

            “No prob.” Mindy acknowledged. “Anything to save us the hassle of going on an otherwise dangerous mission into enemy territory to reach S.H.I.E.L.D.’s record room.”

            Ciciley rolled out the schematics to a complex across Elendriel’s living room coffee table that she, Sean, and Mindy circled around. Sean looked over them, not recognizing the structure that had been planned out on the decades-old, slightly worn-out spreadsheet.

            “What is this?” He asked.

            “It’s the layout for a secret underground bunker/S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters over one thousand miles beneath Liberty Island.” Ciciley then added in a notably sultry manner, “Nick and I used to hang out there for personal reasons.”

(Authorial Note: The idea for "Liberty Base" is another that comes from Torchwood, my main inspiration for the world I've created in Marvel Mayhem - much like the show it spun off from, Doctor Who, has with World of Disney. In Torchwood, the Torchwood team's base, "The Hub," is located underneath the Roald Dahl Plass in central Cardiff. Much like Liberty Island, it is a well-known public area.)

            “And let’s keep those reasons personal, shall we?” Sean demanded, already deducing the innuendo of his mother’s statement.

            Feigning clearing her throat, Ciciley moved on: “So, there’s a communications relay located in the bunker with a secure channel that no Hydra asshole would ever be able to trace. The only three people to have clearance in using this channel are me, Fury, and Howard Stark, who designed the bunker.”

            Sean frowned. “But Howard Stark’s dead. Who would his clearance have been passed down to?”

(Marvel Note: In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Howard Stark is one of the founding members of S.H.I.E.L.D. along with Colonel Chester Phillips and Peggy Carter. Because of his influence in founding the organization, he had a hand in designing "Liberty Base," intended to be used as a safe house for himself, his wife Maria, and their son Tony. Stark eventually entrusted it to S.H.I.E.L.D. when it was needed for "world surveillance," with Nick Fury and Ciciley Livingston the only two agents stationed there. It can also be assumed that the base was made with Stark's growing suspicions of Hydra infiltrators within S.H.I.E.L.D., which would ultimately lead into the death of himself and his wife.)

            Ciciley gave a clever smile to her son. “Suddenly, your idea of turning to Tony Stark for help doesn’t seem so pointless anymore.”

            Mindy placed her hands on her hips, piecing together Ciciley’s intentions. “Is that your plan? To reach the bunker so that we can contact Tony Stark?”

            “We need help,” Ciciley established, “and Stark – like it or not – is the only one who can provide it.”

            In the heat of their discussion, Elendriel stepped out of the bathroom, having spent close to an hour there to dye her hair in its new brunette color. She sported red lipstick, eyeliner, and eye shadow, as well as switched out of her shirt and pajama pants to wear a black shirt, a brown leather coat, blue skinny jeans, and black boots.

            “How do I look?” She succeeded in getting the attention of Ciciley, Mindy, and Sean and modeled for them.

            Sean chuckled. “Same as before, only a brunette with an actual makeup job.”

            Elendriel jokingly frowned, flipping the bird to her half-brother.

            Ciciley roughly elbowed her son in the side, reminding him of his manners. “She looks perfect.”

            “Thanks, Moms.” Elendriel smirked over her half-brother’s own choice of guise: a blue long-sleeved shirt, navy-colored pants, brown combat boots, and a dark blue trench coat. “You’re lookin’ good, too, lil’ bro. Got a nice Jack Harkness thing you’re channeling there.”

(Pop Culture Note: "Jack Harkness" is the central character in Torchwood, portrayed by Scottish-American actor and performer John Barrowman. Much of the character's personality and appearance was integrated into the Sean and Ciciley Livingston characters, with the latter's immortality influenced from Harkness's immortal abilities from the show. Harkness's World War II look was the basis for Sean's undercover attire, hence the direct reference in this scene.)

            “Well, Elle, unlike your cover, I’d like to put some ‘character’ into mine.”

            Sensing more bickering between the two coming, Ciciley quickly said, “Alright, children. Behave yourselves.”

            Mindy looked on the scene with amusement. Ciciley, appearing the same age as her two adult children, acting so motherly towards them. It would have been completely bizarre hearing and seeing the way she addressed them had she not known of Ciciley’s accidental rejuvenation of her age.

(Authorial Note: The Livingstons are the one family I've written in the World of Disney series to bear strong similarities to my real-life family. Ciciley's characteristics are in fact based upon those of my actual mother, as are Elendriel's on my real-life siblings.)

            The scene only got more amusing once Chrissy stepped out of Elendriel’s bedroom with her new look. Having dispensed of the 1940s style in her appearance, she replaced it with a more contemporary one at the request of Ciciley. She now wore black knee-high leather boots, black skinny jeans, a purple tank top worn beneath a grey button-down cardigan sweater, and a plain blue scarf. Her long red hair, once brandishing the victory rolls style, was worn down, her locks draped down her back and over her shoulders.

(Character Note: Chrissy's contemporary look is based on one she used for a Christmas photo shoot from which she made Christmas cards. I received one of the cards and liked the look so much that I'd intended on using it for a character I'd developed for her in The Disney Access, before deciding it was best suited for her Marvel Mayhem character's undercover outfit.)

            “No offense, Elendriel, but I feel so weird in these clothes.” She nitpicked.

            “All modern-day women your age wear them, Grandmamma.” Elendriel indicated. “You’ll fit right in.”

            Despite her granddaughter’s assurance, there was still much discomfort registered on Chrissy’s face. “That’s good to know, sweetie, but it doesn’t change the fact that I’ve never in my life been used to wearing pants – particularly a pair this…tight!”

            Ciciley giggled, reveling in her mother’s moment of distress. “Count yourself lucky, Mama. Most girls your age also wear a thing called low-rise jeans where your butt crack is all out in the open, sometimes without the thong over it.”

            An expression of dread filled Chrissy’s demeanor, her left hand going over her chest. “Dear lord! I can’t even begin to wonder what a ‘thong’ is!”

            “Like I said, count yourself lucky,” said Ciciley, who then moved over to Chrissy, circling her to survey her new look. The jeans were undoubtedly as tight as she claimed and even gave her curvy buttocks quite some exposure. Ciciley merely smiled and indicated, “These are awesome pants. Your ass is makin’ them work.”

            She playfully gave her a slap on the behind, a gesture that put quite a surprise on Chrissy’s face, enlarging her bright blue eyes. “Ciciley! Really!”

            Everyone erupted in laughter from Ciciley’s act and Chrissy’s reaction. It was levity that was much needed in light of their situation with Hydra and S.H.I.E.L.D. Of course, order had to be returned, and Sean had the unfortunate responsibility in doing so.

            “Alright, alright. Let’s focus on this plan Moms has laid out for us.”

            “So what’re we doing next?” Elendriel asked.

            Ciciley brought her and Chrissy up to speed. “Well, like I told Sean and Mindy, we’re going into this bunker beneath Liberty Island. It’s got everything we need to help keep a low profile and an eye on all that’s happening within S.H.I.E.L.D. without detection.”

            The entire time Elendriel was filled in, Sean did his best to refrain from smiling, waiting for the part of the plan that he knew she would undoubtedly hate.

            “Cool, cool.” His half-sister approved. “Anything else?”

            There was a bit of hesitation in Ciciley’s next words: “It also has a communications relay that offers two-way contact among three authorized users: me, Fury, and Howard Stark. But, obviously, since Howard has long been deceased, that one relay should belong to none other than—”

            “Shit.” Elendriel muttered, having already made the connection. “Living off the wealth of daddy’s fortune, as usual.”

            “Elle, he’s an Avenger, and we need his help.” Ciciley stated. “Once we get in touch with him, you’d better be nice.”

            Elendriel snickered. “Tony Stark gets more hate than Kim Kardashian, so I can’t be no exception to that demand.”

(Character Note: Elendriel's disdain for Tony Stark is first introduced in this story and nowhere featured in The Marvelous World: World of Disney 2, despite the two working together in the climax to battle Dr. Facilier and his army. More about this will be explored in Marvel Evolution, which - fittingly - fits right into the events of Captain America: Civil War.)

            “Look, the only concern we should have now is reaching Liberty Island.” Sean specified. “I’d advised us in using any currency for fares on a bus or taxi.”

            “How about our young sorceress friend here use her powers of transportation and teleport us all there?” Chrissy suggested.

            “I’m afraid that’s gonna be impossible, Miss Livingston.” Mindy prohibited. “I can’t teleport us to someplace I’ve never been to or even seen.”

(Marvel Note: This minor setback to the Guardian's teleportation ability reflects in that of the X-Men mutant Nightcrawler.)

            “But you said that you’ve been everywhere in this universe in the last twenty-eight years and know all the secrets about it.” Sean recalled. “You even retrieved the plans to the bunker.”

            Mindy shrugged. “I’m sorry. The bunker is the one place in the entire realm I’ve not ventured into. There’s something about it that I just can’t sense right away, meaning there’s no way I can get us there with my abilities.”

            “Well, what good are you to us?”

            “Sean.”

            Ciciley calmly whispered his name and lightly touched his left forearm, hoping the gestures would put him at ease after lashing out at Mindy.

            Mindy despairingly sighed but a hopeful smile soon emerged from her disposition. “I can alter public perception – or keep any prying eyes off of us – while we’re heading for Liberty Island.”

(Pop Culture Note: A similar method to this is featured in Doctor Who called a "perception filter," which have the effect of directing attention away from the object or its bearer, rendering them unnoticeable.)

            Sean nodded in satisfaction. “Good. Real good.” He then checked his watch and noted the time. “Last ferry for the day leaves in another hour. We’re gonna still need a mode of transportation to reach it.”

            In response to his concern, Mindy slightly (and purposefully) let out a cough and instructed, “Everyone look out the window.”

            Sean, Ciciley, Elendriel, and Chrissy did as she said and moved to the rectangular window that encased much of the living room wall. Ciciley opened the woven wood shades and revealed the majestic view of the street Elendriel lived on. Directing their focus to the corner below, they discovered a cherry red 1962 Chevrolet Corvette parked right near the building.

            Elendriel grinned, recognizing the particular model of the vehicle. “Isn’t that Lola?”

            Chrissy raised a confused eyebrow. “Who’s Lola?”

            “Phil Coulson’s personal car.” Elendriel clarified.

            Mindy simpered. “I just couldn’t help manufacturing one for ourselves. It’s a pretty kick-ass car.”

-------------------

            From his central position on the raised platform within the observatory, Heimdall kept his focus on one area of the room directly ahead of him, as if anticipating something or someone to appear from there. Sure enough, two forms slowly manifested from the area – one a short-statured being made of foam, the other a black-haired young woman with caramel-colored skin. Both of them dressed like typical Midgardians to Heimdall.

(Marvel Note: In the comics, Heimdall is the brother of Lady Sif. Although this relationship has not been explored in Marvel's cinematic universe, presumably due to the racial difference between Idris Elba and Jamie Alexander, concept art exists portraying Sif as a black woman, confirming that the relationship was originally propped for 2011's Thor.)

            “Welcome.” Heimdall greeted whilst removing Hofund – his sword and key to the Bifrost Bridge – from the central platform. “I anticipated your arrival at the moment I sensed you, as you sensed me in return.”

            Natalie admiringly smiled. “Nothing ever gets past you, Heimdall.”

            Walter was surprised to hear Natalie address the Asgardian by his exact name. “Wait. You know this guy?”

            Natalie briefly looked to him, tapping at her forehead. “Told ya how certain stuff randomly pops in up here.” She returned her attention to Heimdall and said, “Thank you for guiding us.”

            Heimdall approached Natalie and gazed deeply into her bright green eyes, looking through the dark space of her enlarged pupils. “You have another soul that resides in you? I detected it upon your arrival. You are two spirits of one body – and one is screaming out in fear.”

            Natalie grimaced. She could hear that other spirit, and it was exactly as Heimdall described. The sound haunted her since the merge between herself and Sean. “I know,” she solemnly confirmed the Asgardian’s observation. “And it’s my duty to keep him protected. If he gets out, he’ll be the one that takes over – and I can’t have that while we’re here.” After a burdened sigh, she finally returned to her main purpose for being in Asgard: “I have to see Thor.”

            “Thor has resided on Midgard since the incursion with the Dark Elves.” Heimdall informed.

(Marvel Note: At the end of Thor: The Dark World, Thor chooses to stay on Earth with Jane Foster, the love of his life, as opposed to becoming king of Asgard as his father Odin wishes. After the final exchange between the two, it is revealed that Loki has masqueraded as Odin on Asgard, thus technically becoming king himself.)

            “You’re telling me Thor’s been on Earth this whole time?” Natalie’s voice raised in response to her increasing frustration. “Dammit! I could’ve just transported me and Walter there the entire time!”

            “And you would’ve still teleported us to somewhere else, like Koozebane.”

(Pop Culture Note: "Planet Koozebane" is a location of general weirdness in Muppet continuity. It was first introduced in The Muppets Valentine Show, in which the "Galley-oh-hoop-hoop" mating ritual of the male and female Koozebanian creatures was reported by Kermit the Frog. The same mating ritual was later featured, again reported by Kermit, in the Florence Henderson episode in the first season of The Muppet Show.)

            Walter’s sudden criticism would have drawn out more anger from the already irritated Natalie. However, an amused chuckle emerged out of the young lady, her bright white teeth exposed for a moment.

            “Good one, buddy.”

            “Since you are here on Asgard, you are welcomed to seek Odin’s aid to reach Earth.” Heimdall offered. “My service is vacant as well. I am the only capable being on Asgard to open the Bifrost to Midgard.”

(Factual Note: In Norse mythology, Heimdall guarded the Bifrost, which the Vikings believed rainbows to come from.)

            “Sure.” Natalie agreed.

            “Yeah, that sounds like fun.” Walter added, genuinely excited at the prospect of another, safer method of travel.

            Heimdall turned to take his place once again at the central platform, yet he stopped once he caught sight of a familiar figure making its way into the observatory. An elderly man with long flowing white hair and a beard to match, donned in dark golden armor with a long red cape and aided by a lengthy bladed golden staff. Over his right eye was a gold-plated eye-patch, concealing a centuries-old battle scar.

(Marvel Note: In the comics, Odin sacrificed his right eye in order to obtain the knowledge to stop Ragnarok from occurring. In 2011's Thor, he lost his eye in battle against the Frost Giants.)

            “Heimdall,” he said at his entrance, “who are these outsiders that have come here without my approval?”

            Natalie bravely stepped forward and addressed the king of Asgard. “Your Highness?” She was not absolutely certain if that was the appropriate address for him, but she rolled with it anyway. “My friend and I arrived without the aid of Heimdall. I am a lone species known as ‘Guardian,’ and…well…even though I’m only half-Guardian, I have connections to multiple dimensions of space and time. I was the one who brought us here, Your Lordship.” She truly felt awkward on that last address, wondering whether or not if she laid it a little thick.

            Odin was nonetheless fascinated by her, particularly after her self-description. “What is your reason for coming here, Guardian?”

            “I’m here for your son – Thor.” She established. “I need his help to stop an invasion that’s coming to Earth…I mean, Midgard.”

            “What form of invasion?” Odin inquired.

            “It’s by an alien race known as Skrulls.” Natalie replied. “They can mimic other species, including Asgardians, and you won’t even find them in plain sight, because they blend in so well.”

            Heimdall gripped the hilt of his sword as he listened to Natalie’s warnings. “She speaks truthfully on this matter,” he told Odin. “I have seen the Skrulls wander among the stars in one instant and vanish from my sight in the next.”

            Odin paused in silence for a brief duration of time, his gaze fixed solely on Natalie. He then instructed Heimdall, “Leave us. I must have a word with these outsiders.”

            Heimdall accepted the command with a bow. “As you wish, All-Father.”

            Natalie snapped her fingers in recognition of what Heimdall had said. “All-Father! That was it! Man, I need to work on remembering that.”

(Factual NoteAlföðr is the Old Norse name of Odin, translated as "All-Father" in most American text.)

            After giving one last curious look to Natalie, Heimdall made his departure from the observatory, leaving Odin alone with Natalie and Walter.

            “I am mindful of the Skrull Empire and what danger they represent to the Nine Realms.” Odin stated, circling the central platform to move closer to the two beings he addressed. “They are a masterful race. Experts of true deception. They will lie to you – make you believe they can be a force for good, when they are truly one of evil. Have you, Guardian, come upon one of the Skrulls in your journey?”

            Natalie slightly shook her head. “I haven’t. I’ve only seen them through visions.”

            Odin nodded, standing in close proximity of Natalie. “I see. That’s good.”

            She raised a curious eyebrow at this. “It is?”

            “Yes. Because I need the leverage.”

            Natalie blinked, seeing Odin stare down at her with intensity in his eye for one second and then with much ferocity the next. An unbearably sharp sensation of pain overtook her abdomen, and she heard Walter gasp loudly in distress. She looked down at her body, curious to find the source of the sharp pain in her chest. She found Odin’s staff running right through it, tearing through the fabric of the plaid shirt and her own flesh.

            From his nearby position, Walter bore witness to the gruesome display of Odin’s staff impaling Natalie’s body. The bladed end of it was caked with her blood as it protruded from her back.

            “I thought you were one of the good guys!” Walter shouted to Odin.

            Odin directed his attention away from Natalie momentarily to sneer at the Muppet. “Never judge one by their reputation.”

            It was then Odin’s appearance shifted to that of another god of Norse mythology – the God of Mischief, Loki.

(Marvel Note: Loki is the one villain in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to appear in multiple films in the series, not counting appearances through photographs and archive footage. In addition, he is also the only one to serve as the main antagonist of multiple films. Ironically, his performer - Tom Hiddleston - was originally up for the role of Thor before it went to Chris Hemsworth.)

            The sudden metamorphosis baffled Walter. “Who are you?”

            His query was met with great annoyance from Loki. “Seriously?”

            Opting to ignore the Muppet’s ignorance, Loki refocused on the young woman he just attacked. He delivered a fierce kick to her mortally wounded body, separating her body from the bloodied staff.

            Natalie fell to the floor of the observatory, fleetingly sliding across its sleek, marbled surface – her blood trailing.

            Standing proud of his vicious deed, Loki mockingly told her, “Thank you for your helpful information on the Skrulls, my dear. Their empire is one that has remained lost from Thanos’s control. But if I were to have power over them, just as I have over Asgard itself, then I will have enough to destroy him.”

(Marvel Note: Following his first defeat at the hands of Thor, Loki was lost to Chitauri Space and came in contact with the Other, a servant of Thanos, who offered a pact that would allow Loki to become ruler of the Earth while Thanos and the Chitauri would take the Tesseract left on Earth and under the study of S.H.I.E.L.D. For this deed, Thanos gave Loki ancient knowledge through the powers of the Tesseract, providing him with a golden-bladed scepter with a different type of Infinity Stone embedded into it. This deadly alliance set in motion the events of The Avengers.)

            In Loki’s moment of monologue, another metamorphosis began to take place – this one over the form of Natalie. Hers shifted between it and Sean Thomas’s. Woman became man. The light tone of her caramel skin turned to a darker shade. Her long, straight black hair shortened into a cropped, curly style. Bright green eyes dissolved to a dark brown pair. And, most importantly, the notable bust size that showed through the red plaid shirt deflated while a sizeable bulge emerged from the crotch of the leggings.

            Witnessing this, Loki stood amused. “Looks as if I’m not the only one keeping up with appearances.”

            The God of Mischief advanced towards his morphing opponent. The action alarmed Walter, who refused to sit by and watch whatever Loki was about to do to his friend. In a bold move, the Muppet rushed at him.

            “LEAVE HIM ALONE!” He screamed as his small body soared across the air.

            Unfortunately, it was futile effort by Walter. Loki swatted him away like a fly with his staff, sending Walter soaring into the nearest wall. “Pesky creature,” the god muttered.

            Meanwhile, the metamorphosis between Natalie and Sean had been complete. Thomas now lied in her place, wearing the same clothes she had chosen to suit her body that only somewhat suited him. The plaid shirt that looked oversized on her had fit his frame, yet the leggings basically turned into shorts for him, hugging his buttocks more than they had with hers. The shoes were much tighter on his feet, a few sizes too small.

            But nothing was more striking to Loki in this change than the mortal wound he delivered to Sean’s chest. To the God of Mischief’s immediate shock, the wound healed itself, closing up the gaping hole left there.

(Character Note: Sharing the same body, Natalie and Sean are somewhat equaled in the amount of Guardian power that they possess, such as immortality. Natalie only possesses a greater amount, due to her Guardian spirit, whereas Sean's humanity limits his quantity.)

            “What manner of man are you?” Loki inquired in his state of disbelief.

            Dazed and confused, Sean stood up and looked around at his sudden new surroundings, having no idea how he got there in the first place. His vision was hazy for a couple of seconds, until it focused in time for him to spot Walter lying unconscious nearby.

            “Walter?” He whispered with much concern for his good friend.

            He attempted to run after him, but he was swiftly cut off by Loki, who aimed the bloodied end of his staff at him. “What type of creature are you? To change faces – and sex – and heal yourself like a god? You clearly are not one, so tell me!”

            Between the savagery in Loki’s voice and the blood-drenched staff just an inch from his face, Sean was beyond terrified.

            “Look, dude, I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about! And I have absolutely no clue how I got here! One minute, I’m in an attic; the next, I’m standing in some freaky room, wearing my favorite shirt and my wife’s leggings – which are riding something fierce up my butt!” He then gestured to the fallen Muppet and added, “I just want to check and see if my little buddy is alright. Is that so much to as—?”

            Impatient with Sean’s inconsistent blathering, Loki made another attempt at the young man’s life with his staff, this time attempting to cut off the head of his opponent. Sean instinctively flinched, his arms and hands going up to shield that part of the body Loki targeted to strike. Suddenly, a powerful flash of light escaped from his palms, which had faced Loki, and instantly blinded the God of Mischief.

            Loki fell back from the surprise attack, howling barbarously.

            It was just the distraction Sean needed – and had not expected – to rush over to Walter and carry his small body in his big arms. “Walter,” his whispered to his inert friend. “Walter. Are you alright?” There was no response, which scared Sean.

            “I will KILL you, creature!

            Sean realized Loki blindly gazed in his direction, signifying a recovery in his eyesight. He was totally dumbfounded in how to escape from the strange room, finding only an exit that led into a long, rainbow-colored bridge, which in turn led to some type of kingdom in the distance.

            “I know what you’re thinking, but you definitely don’t want to go there now after what we just found out.”

            There was another party present in the room. Sean followed the voice and discovered a raven-haired young woman with bright green eyes staring back at him and wearing the exact clothes he currently had on.

(Authorial Note: The idea for Natalie's incorporeal form came about when I wanted some way of them interacting that wasn't just a disembodied voice in their heads, depicted through italicized text. For this idea, I was inspired by Fight Club, with the exchanges between "Bob" and Tyler Durden. Technically, this is the second dual personality character portrayed in film by Edward Norton to give inspiration to the Sean/Natalie connection - the other being Bruce Banner and the Hulk.)

            “Who are you?” He asked her, only to realize afterward how she repeated his words in perfect synchronization with him. “How did you—?”

            “Know what I was gonna say?” She finished to his surprise. “Think of Iron Man.”

            “What?”

            “Think of Iron Man. Now.”

            It was the oddest instruction he received from someone he never met before or was not possibly even physically present in that room. Nonetheless, he did as she told him.

            Loki’s blindness subsided, only for him to discover that he was completely alone in the observatory. There was not a single trace of the two outsiders left, except for the trail of blood on the floor.

            Heavy footsteps approached – Heimdall was returning. Quickly, he changed his appearance back into that of Odin, and it was the manifestation of the All-Father that Heimdall was greeted by. “I am well. No need for worry.”

(Factual Note: In their Norse mythological backgrounds, Heimdall was predicted to kill or be killed by Loki during the doomsday scenario of Ragnarok. Whether or not this may happen in next year's Thor: Ragnarok remains to be seen.)

            “I sensed a strong conflict in this room.” Heimdall noted, before seeing the trail of blood on the floor, which only made him more concerned.

            Detecting that concern, “Odin” calmly told him, “Fear not, Heimdall. Our visitors wanted to give a message...but I made sure to give them one of my own: Asgard will no longer tolerate acts of war from outside forces. If any more outsiders come, they shall be perished.”

(UP NEXT: The Man Himself Comes to Marvel Mayhem!)

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