Sometimes we publish fiction here at Tweetspeak Poetry. And we definitely give a place to student writing. This series qualifies as both. If you’re a fan of The Avengers or the Thor movies, you’ll be more prepared to enjoy The Loki Goodness Campaign. If not, you’ll still recognize a fun story when you see it. For those who don’t follow the Thor and Loki characters, it might suffice to say that Thor is the good guy and Loki is the bad guy. Except? There really are many people who campaign for Loki’s inherent goodness. This phenomenon inspired our student writers to come up with an actual Loki Goodness Campaign. Well, an actual fictional campaign. Read on.
Chapter Five
There was a situation in the Avengers Tower: Thor stood looking through some cabinets, complaining assiduously about the lack of Asgardian snack items.
Natasha, who had just walked in, watched for a moment with a small smile, but before Tony could answer, she said, “We have bigger problems on our hands.”
That got their attention. “Seriously?” Tony complained. “It’s another supervillain, isn’t it? They have no respect for anyone’s schedule.”
Natasha ignored him, turning to Thor. “Loki’s been spotted.”
Thor set down an empty box of graham crackers.
***
A few minutes later, the Avengers had arrived at Grand Central, where they set up a perimeter and watched to see what Loki was doing. Strangely, the expected explosions still hadn’t occurred.
After a few moments, Tony couldn’t resist commenting. “He doesn’t seem to be doing much, ” he said. “Are you sure he’s not just waiting for a train?”
As if in answer, Loki turned his head and smiled in their direction—even though they were hidden from view, he seemed to know just where they were.
A shiver of magic swept over him, and suddenly all the innocent bystanders could see him. There was a great panic. He cleared his throat, and said in a voice magically amplified so everyone could hear, “In a place of dread darkness evil raged, dealing death, ten thousand bone-beasts, riding through the land, like rocks rolling down a mountainside.”
Slowly, the panic subsided into bewilderment. “Is he reciting a poem?” someone asked.
“Is this the beginning of some sort of spell?” Steve asked.
“It does not seem to be, ” Thor answered. Loki continued: “Now the people despaired, crying in dread to their heroes, helpless against the onslaught. Then came the Avengers, mighty warriors, clad in battle-gear, a shield of safety from the shadowed sky, striking out against their enemies.”
“Did he just compliment us?” Tony asked incredulously.
“Either that or he’s stalling, ” Clint answered. “Can I shoot him now, before he brings out the flying pigs?”
There was a groan.
“Don’t remind me, ” Tony said.
Loki seemed to be on a roll. “The great captain, friend of his people, threw forth his headland of swords, and the man of iron flying above rained fire upon the unbleeding dead…”
“Is he talking about last week?” Steve asked after a short silence. “Because that was kind of humiliating for all of us.”
“Except Thor, ” Clint muttered.
“Despite the subject, the poem is well-formed, ” Thor mused. “I can imagine how hard it must be to compose verse in your language.”
“The terrible giant sprang into the spear-din, crushing the cries from the throats
of his great enemies. Now the shieldmaiden shot down many fierce foes, and the hawk aimed from high above, every arrow true.”
Clint smirked.
Loki had warmed up to his subject. By now, he was practically acting, arms flung in increasingly theatrical gestures as he paced across the room, relishing in the attention. But the end of the poem neared, and he lowered his voice the slightest fraction. The entire audience held their breath. “Soon the streets stood empty but for the bones of the twice-slain.” Loki paused dramatically, and let the last few words trail off as he ended. “Then the people came in thanks, rejoicing for their enemies ruin.”
All at once, everyone seemed to remember exactly who it was they had been listening to, and the panic resumed as Loki flashed out of existence.
“What was that all about?” Tony asked.
“Thor?” Natasha prompted.
“He has written a battle-poem to praise our valour, ” Thor admitted at last, sounding more than a little embarrassed.
“Let me guess, it’s some sort of insult.”
“It is a high honour, ” Thor said. “But Loki has always been adept at twisting words, and his choice of battle is highly suspect.”
“That wasn’t a battle, ” Tony said, “that was a fiasco. Walking dinosaur skeletons, remember?”
***
FRONT PAGE NEWS:
The infamous Loki was seen at Grand Central yesterday afternoon, at which time he forced the population to listen to a so-called ‘poem’. Officer Riley T. Jones said, “Yeah right.” When asked what Loki’s actions may truly have been about, Riley stated, “This move? It’s only the beginning. Next thing you know, he publishes an autobiography.” Well, one thing’s for sure: If he wants to sell us anything, he’ll have to get rid of the horns.
To be continued…
[Tweet “Is he reciting a poem?”]
Browse the earlier chapters:
Art from Superbwallpapers.com. Story by Anonymous.
Read more fiction
Browse writing prompts
- Loki Goodness Campaign 8: Inventions and Dreams - August 21, 2015
- Loki Goodness Campaign 7: At the Salon - June 26, 2015
- Loki Goodness Campaign, 6 - May 22, 2015
Simply Darlene says
Oh my land – the last line! Kudos on the story, ladies. 🙂
(Because of this campaign, I might dip into the super-hero waters and watch a flick.)
Anonymous says
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Also, if you decide to try the Thor films, I’d certainly do them in order. Thor 1 (2008), then The Avengers. If you really like it then you can watch Thor 2 after The Avengers, (but although it’s fun just to see more of the characters, the movie isn’t very good.)
lynn__ says
This is entertaining! But I’m with Capt. Riley about Loki getting rid of the horns before I’ll buy any of it 😉
Anonymous says
Well, I suppose he likes them because they’re the one thing he’s had for most of his life, even back on Asgard with Thor before everything went badly.
But that’s just a random theory. He might just think it’s cool. 🙂