Oshkosh, Winsconsin 1985

There is a Renaissance Faire with music playing. "Make a wish." A child said. Hunter C-20 and three Minutemen arrive. "Hi! What's going on? You guys aren't dressed right. I... So..." a woman said. "Variant detected, Commander." The Minutemen said. "Let's move." Hunter C-20 said. "Some of us need this, you know." The women said. Hunter C-20 and Minutemen enter a tent. "No nexus energy yet, ma'am." The Minutemen said. Music blares over the speakers. "It's a trap. Watch your backs!" Hunter C-20 said. "My lords, my ladies, welcome and thank you for joining us, here at the castle. Please, settle into your seats for a great battle is about to commence. The prize? Our princess. Will evil prevail, or are we holding out for a hero?" The announcer said. "Holding Out For A Hero" by Bonnie Tyler begins playing. Hunter C-20 puts her back to a post. A hand reaches around and touches her temple with green magic. Green flashes in her eyes and she begins attacking the Minutemen. "Commander? What are you doing?" They asked. "Having some fun." Hunter C-20 said. Hunter C-20 collapses. The Minuteman checks on her. A cloaked figure steps out. Minuteman attacks the figure, who attacks him with a sword, killing him. The figure takes the reset charges and uses a Tempad to open a Timedoor. The figure drags Hunter C-20, who's still unconscious through the Timedoor. The Timedoor closes behind them.

TVA 2012 Mobius's desk

You and Loki sit at Mobius's desk, looking at a jet ski magazine. A bell dings. A projection of Miss Minutes stands on the desk. "Okay, y'all, let's review what we've learned. What happens when a nexus event branches past red line?" She asked.  "Very bad things." Loki said. "Come on, Loki. What is it?" She asked. "It's when the TVA can no longer reset a nexus event. Okay? Boring." Loki said. "Right. And that would lead to the destruction of the timeline and the collapse of reality as we know it." Miss Minutes said. "Can you hear us? Are you a recording? Or are you alive?" You asked. "Uh, sorta both." She answered. "Huh?" You asked. Loki rolls up the magazine and swats at Miss Minutes. She jumps out of the way. "Watch it! Where's your manners? Oh! Hey! Quit it! That is not nice. Jerk." She said. Miss Minutes goes back into the computer screen. "You can't hide..." Loki said. "Loki, leave the poor clock alone." You said. "Training goin' well?" Mobius asked. "Sort of." You grumbled.

"Is that my jet ski magazine? Put it down. Gear up. There's been an attack. Let's go." Mobius said. Mobius hands you and Loki a package. As they walk out, Loki opens it to pull out a TVA jacket. You open yours. "Put them on." He said. You and Loki put on your jackets. "Good. Yeah. Smart." He said. "C-20 and her team went dark shortly after they jumped into the 1985 branch. All signs point to another ambush. We've grabbed enough temporal aura to know it's our Loki Variant. But which kind of Loki, remains unknown." Hunter B-15 said. "They're the lesser kind, to be clear." Loki said. "Let me see the back of that jacket." Hunter B-15 said. Loki turns, showing the word "VARIANT" printed on the back. Hunter B-15 and the Minutemen look amused. "Very subtle. Well done." Loki said. "It says the same thing on the back of my jacket too, doesn't it?" You asked. "I don't want anybody out there to forget what you both are." She said. "Oh, your only hope of capturing a murderer?" Loki asked.

"No. A cosmic mistake." She said, you glared at her. "That's enough." Mobius said. "Lovely." Loki said. "Here's the deal. When we get out on the branch, we're not just looking for a Time Criminal. We're looking for a Loki. A variation of this guy." Mobius explained. A projection comes up showing other Loki variants: L1247/L6792 (Jotunn blue skin), L1247 (in athletic clothes holding a trophy), L6792 (giant), L8914, L5681, L7803. "A type we should all be very familiar with, because the TVA has pruned a lotta these guys, almost more than any other Variant. And no two are alike. Slight differences in appearances, or not so slight. Different powers, although, powers, generally include shape-shifting, illusion-projection, and my favorite..." Mobius said. "Duplication-casting." Loki said. The project closes. "Illusion-projection." Mobius said. "No, they're two completely different powers actually." Loki said. "How?" You asked. "Illusion-projection involves depicting a detailed image from outside oneself, which is perceptible in the external world, whereas duplication-casting entails recreating an exact facsimile of one's own body in its present circumstance, which acts as a true holographic mirror of its molecular structure. But you already knew that." Loki said.

"Okay, take a breath. Noted. We're gonna break into two teams, including myself and Professor Loki and (Y/n)." Mobius said. "Why?" The Minutemen asked. "Because whoever this Variant is, we haven't been able to find him. So let's bring in some experts." He said. "That's me and (Y/n)." Loki confirmed. You, Loki and Mobius walk together. "Do we get a weapon?" Loki asked. "Nah." He said. "Well, (Y/n) and I will have our magic back. Is no one concerned about that?" Loki asked. "Of what?" Mobius asked. "Me betraying you." Loki clarified. "No." Mobius said. "Why not?" Loki asked. "Because you know that we can catch you. And how's betraying us gonna get you any closer to the Time-Keepers?" He asked. "An audience with the Time-Keepers is on the table?" Loki asked. "Keep that focus." Mobius said. The team goes through a Timedoor.

Oshkosh, Wisconsin 1985

"Apex of nexus signature located, ma'am." The Minutemen said. "Let me ask you this, why don't we just travel back to before the attack, when the Variant first arrives?" You asked. "Nexus events destabilize the time flow. This branch is still changing and growing, so you gotta show up in real time. Did you guys watch any of the training videos you were supposed to?" Mobius asked. "Well, as many as I could stand. Your TVA propaganda is exhausting." Loki said. "And what do these do?" The Minutemen asked. "Reset charges prune the affected radius of a branched timeline, allowing time to heal all its wounds. Which, by the way, sounds like a nice way of saying "disintegrate everything in its vicinity." You said. "She's on it." Mobius said. "I watched the videos. I mean, some of them." You said. "So he's taking hostages now?" Hunter B-15 asked. "The Variant's never taken a hostage before." Mobius said. "Maybe he's upping his game." Hunter B-15 said. "Or he pruned her." The Minutemen said.

"A Loki couldn't have gotten the jump on C-20." Hunter B-15 said. "I think you underestimate, actually..." Loki said. "Fan out and search for her. And hurry up because we're at three units until red line." Hunter B-15 said. "Let's go. She's right." The Minutemen said. "Come on." Mobius said. "Wait... If you leave this tent, you'll end up like them." Loki said. "What do you see?" Mobius asked. "I see a scheme, and in that scheme, I see myself. We have a saying in Asgard, "Where there are wolf's ears, wolf's teeth are near." It means to be aware of your surroundings. Which is absurd, because my people are, by nature, gullible fools. A trait that I, the God of Mischief, exploited time and time again simply by listening. My teeth were sharp, but my ears even sharper." Loki said. "We're running out of time, Mobius." Hunter B-15 said. "Hold it. Just give him a chance." He said.

"You remind me of them. The Time Variance Authority and the gods of Asgard, one and the same. Drunk with power, blinded to the truth. Those you underestimate will devour you. You underestimate me, just as you underestimate this lesser Loki. Which is why, you walk into one wolf's mouth after another." Loki said. The TemPad beeps. "Two units. He is wasting our time." Hunter B-15 said. "Okay. Come on, Loki, make a long story short." Mobius said. "We need to look for C-20." Hunter B-15 said. "That's exactly what the Variant wants you to do. It's a trap. He's waiting for you outside this tent." Loki said. "Should I secure the reset charges?" The Minutemen asked. "No. He wants me. I'm the key to his plan. He knows that I'm stronger than him." Loki said. "Almost one unit." Hunter B-15 said. "And he rightly believes that together we can overthrow and rule the TVA. But that's not what I want. I have a new purpose. I am a servant of the Sacred Timeline. Knowing what I now know about his tactics, I can deliver you the Variant... but I need assurances." Loki said. "Don't fall for it, Mobius." You said. The TemPad beeps. "He's lying. Just playing games. There's no one out there." Mobius said. "Took you long enough to realize." You said. "Reset the timeline." Hunter B-15 said. "You had me for a second. My ears are sharp too." Mobius said. Reset charge is set and goes off, disintegrating everything in its vicinity to restore the timeline. On scanners in the TVA, the variant timeline receeds. A screen reads "TIMELINE RESET".

TVA 2012

You and Loki were sitting outside the room waiting for Mobius. After a few minutes, Mobius leaves the office and whistles for you and Loki to join him. The three of you walk back. "You're probably wondering what happened out on the mission. That was your first lesson in catching a Loki. Expect the expected. Half the fun of being a trickster is knowing everyone knows you're a trickster, and then, many of your tricks can come from exploiting the fact that you know that they know..." Loki said. "Okay. Just shut up! Please. What happened to the guy I met on the elevator? Who didn't like to talk. Remember him? Now I'm stuck with this guy who won't stop yacking away about what makes a Loki tick!" Mobius shouted. "What? Isn't that precisely why I'm here?" Loki asked. "No. I don't care what makes you tick. You two are here to help me catch the superior version of yourself. That's it!" Mobius said. "Hang on. I'm not sure "superior" is actually quite the right word." Loki said.

"See? There it is. Right there. I believed, stupidly, that insecure need for validation would motivate you to find the killer. Not 'cause you care about the TVA mission or bein' a hero, but because you know this Variant is better than you and you can't take it." Mobius said. "Very nice. I mean, it is adorable that you think you could possibly manipulate me. I'm ten steps ahead of you. I've been playing a game of my own all along." Loki said. "What, charm your way in front of the Time-Keepers, hustle them, and seize control of the TVA? Am I getting warm? A double cross by history's most reliable liar." Mobius said. "Okay. Why are you in there sticking your neck out for me?" Loki asked. "I'll give you two options, and you can believe whichever one you want. A, because I see a scared little boy, shivering in the cold. And you kinda feel bad for that ice runt. Or B, I just wanna catch this guy, and I'll tell you whatever I need to tell you." Mobius said. The three of you enter an elevator. "I don't need your sympathy." Loki spat. "Good, 'cause I'm runnin' out of it." Mobius said. "I don't blame you." You said. "What's this then? The next step of your manipulation..." Loki asked. "No, this is the final step. Your last chance." He said. "Oh, and what does my desperate last chance require?" Loki asked sarcastically. "Work." He said. "Work?" You and Loki asked at the same time.

TVA archives

"I need you both to go over each and every one of the Variant's case files, and then, give me your... How do I put it? Your unique Loki and (Y/n) perspective. And who knows? Maybe there's something that we missed." Mobius said. "Well, you're idiots. I suspect you probably missed a lot." Loki said. "That's why I'm lucky I got you both for a little bit longer. Let me park ya at this desk. And don't be afraid to really lean into this work. Here's a good trick for you. Pretend your life depends on it. I'm gonna get a snack." You sighed. "All right. Let's get to work." You said. You and Loki look through the files. He flips open another one to read it. "Oh, my goodness. Don't tell me the Variant ambushed and killed another team of Minutemen." He gasped. "And stole their reset charge as well." He mocked. A woman sitting behind shushed him. Loki turned around and shushed her back and you chuckled. You and Loki approach the archivist's desk where she's typing. "Hi." You said. She continues typing.

"Hello?" You asked. She continues typing. Loki rings the bell on her desk. She stops and looks at the two of you. "Can I help you?" She asked. "Yes. We're on some important TVA business. Follow-up to a field mission. You know how it goes. We red lined near the apex, and... Well, it's never good." He chuckles softly. "Um, we'd like all files pertaining to the creation of the TVA, please." He said. "Those are classified." She said. "Okay. We'd like all files pertaining to the beginning of time then." He said. "Those are classified." She repeated. "Okay, the end of time." Loki said. "I'm going to guess that those are classified as well." You said. "Yes." She smiled at you. "Okay, what files can we have?" Loki asked. In the stakes, the archivists pulls out two files and hands them to you and Loki. Files on variant L1130 and G3320, yourselves. "Happy reading." She said. You and Loki sigh. "Back at the desk, Loki pulls up the file on the Destruction of Asgard. Total planetary destruction. 9,719 casualties. Entire civilization annihilated. Zero variance energy detected. You turn and thought you saw a single tear from Loki. He walks over to you. "(Y/n), come on. I found something." He said. You nodded and you and Loki
go to Mobius.

"Loki found something." You said. "No, I said, "Don't bother me until you've read all the files." He said. "We have." You said. "Every file?" He asked. "Yes." You said. "Pertaining to the Variant?" He asked. "The answer isn't in the files, it's on the timeline. He's hiding in apocalypses." Loki said. "Which apocalypse? Any time in history, there's, like, a million of 'em." Mobius said. "Ragnarok. Are you familiar?" Loki asked. "Yes. The destruction of Asgard and most of its people. I'm sorry." Mobius said. You turned to Loki with a soft gaze. The destruction of Asgard? Was that what his tear was for? "Yes, very sad. Anyway, it got me thinking..." you scoffed. Maybe not. "Go ahead." He said. "Nexus events happen when someone does something they're not supposed to do, right?" Loki asked. "Well, it's a little more complicated, but, yeah." Mobius said. "Great. And then that thing they're not supposed to do, cascades into a whole range of other things that aren't supposed to happen. And so on and so forth, until eventually, a new timeline branches. Yes?" Loki asked.

"Chaotic alterations of a predetermined outcome." He said. "Exactly. So, let's just say..." Loki takes Mobius's salad. "Mmm-hmm. What are you doing?" Mobius asked. "your salad is Asgard in this scenario." Loki said. "It's not Asgard, that's my lunch." Mobius said. "It's a metaphor. Just hang in there." Loki said. "I want that salad." Mobius said. "And I could go down to Asgard before Ragnarok causes its complete destruction and I could do anything I wanted. I could, let's say, push the Hulk off the Rainbow Bridge." Loki starts shaking salt into Mobius's salad. "There he goes." Loki said. "The salt's Hulk?" You asked, smiling a little, trying to hold back a laugh. "And I could also... Set fire to the palace." Loki starts shaking pepper into Mobius's salad. "No, just stop. Don't set fire to the palace." Mobius said. "Okay? I can do whatever I want to do, and it would never matter. It wouldn't go against the dictates of the timeline because..." Loki picks up Mobius's can of Josta but it's empty. He runs to the next table where Casey is eating. "Excuse me?" Loki asked. "Oh god!" Mobius said. "You!" Casey said. You snickered.

"Nice to see you. I just need this for a second. Thanks." Loki takes Casey's drink back to the table with Mobius and continues. "Because the apocalypse is coming. Ragnarok, Surtur will destroy Asgard no matter what I do." Loki pours the drink into the salad. "No, don't do.." Mobius said and he sighs. "There's the apocalypse." Loki said. "That's the apocalypse?" You asked. "Ragnarok obliterates the salt. Ragnarok. There it is." Loki said. "What am I lookin' at?" Mobius asked. "Okay, it was a clumsy metaphor. But you see what I mean. It doesn't matter. It could be any apocalypse. It could be a tidal wave. It could be a meteor. It could be a volcano, a supernova. If everything and everyone around you is destined for imminent destruction, then nothing that I say or do will matter, because the timeline's not gonna branch. 'Cause it gets destroyed. Hence, the Variant could be hiding in the apocalypse and do whatever he wants, and we wouldn't know!" Loki said.

"Not bad." You said. "Take me to a real apocalypse, take me to Ragnarok, I'll show you." Loki said. Mobius chuckles. "Yeah. So you can run away back to your homeland? No." He said. "No, I'm not going home. We can go anywhere." Loki said. "I'm not taking you for a stroll along the promenade, much less an apocalypse." Mobius said. "Oh, Mobius, come on! What could possibly go wrong? We gotta properly test this theory." Loki said. "Well, here's a fun theory. You lure me out into the field, and then you stab me in the back. And that's a theory I don't wanna test." He said. "I'd never stab anyone in the back. That's such a boring form of betrayal." Loki said. You scoffed. "Loki, You've literally stabbed people in the back, like, 50 times." You said. "Well, I'd never do it again, because it got old." Loki said. You chuckled. "Okay." You said. "Okay, look, you don't trust me, you can trust one thing. I love to be right." Loki said. "Well, that's true." You said.

Pompeii, Italy 79 AD

You, Loki and Mobius are hidden to the side against a building, out of the way. People walk the streets. There's a rumble in the distant. "Here we go." Loki said. "Shh, any minute now." Mobius said. "Until this entire town is wiped off the face of this planet. Imagine. All that volcanic ash..." Loki said. You turn to glare at him. "You really are heartless." You snapped. Loki only rolled his eyes at you. "I know. We don't want to get too giddy." Mobius said. "Oh, come on! It's cool." Loki said. "The death of thousands is cool to you?" You asked. "When is it not?" Loki asked. "No, it is cool, but it's just, it's just not in good taste because of..." Mobius began. "They're all gonna die anyway." Loki said. "Nice, Loki. Real nice." You said sarcastically. "I know. Now listen, I'm gonna watch the TemPad for any variance energy." Möbius said. "Okay." Loki said. "Okay, because we gotta be careful. If you're wrong, and there's a good chance you are, anything we do can create a huge branch." Mobius explained. "Oh, Mobius! You make even the end of the world sound boring." Loki complained. "Listen! Okay, we're not meant to be here. Okay?" Mobius asked. "Okay." Loki said.

"Anything we do can impact the course of history. Do you get that?" Mobius asked. "Yes. Yes." Loki said. "So we're gonna start with very small disturbances." Mobius said. "Got it." You said. "Can you make bird noises?" Mobius asked. "Bird noises?" You asked. "Yeah. Bird noises. Like some, like, whooshing noises." He began to mimic bird cooing noises. "Oh." Loki groans. Loki runs out into the street. "Loki! Loki!" Mobius said. Loki goes to a cart with goats. He opens the latch so they can escape. "Go! Be free, my horned-friends, be free!" He then starts speaking in Latin. "My name is Loki. We are agents of the Time Variance Authority. I bring you all dark tidings. All of you! You're all about to die. That volcano is about to erupt! I would know, because I'm from the future." He then speaks In English to Mobius. "We are from the future, right? What is the TVA? I mean, it's from the future. It sounds from the future. It's pretty future-y." He said. You face palmed. The volcano rumbles in the distance and begins to erupt. The people scream and begin to run. "Right on cue!" He chuckles. "Enjoy your last meal while you can! Nothing matters! Nothing has any consequence! Dance while you still can! Whoo-hoo! How'd we do?" Loki asked. You gave Loki an "are you serious?" Look. "I don't believe it. Zero variance energy. No branching in the timeline." Mobius said. You turned to him in surprise. "Wait, seriously?" You asked. "The TVA would never even know we were here. If it were me, this is where I would hide." Loki said. "Of course." You said.

TVA 2012

"Doomsdays. The Variant's been ambushing our soldiers and hiding out in doomsdays to cover his tracks." Mobius said. "You're welcome." Loki said. "Yeah. But in order for this theory to hold, the disasters have to be naturally-occurring, sudden, no warning, no survivors." Mobius said. "How many of those disasters could there possibly be?" Loki asked. "I don't know. We're gonna find out." Mobius said.

TVA archives

You, Loki and Mobius are back at the desk in the archives, files all around them. Loki has fallen asleep. "Hey? Come on guys, let's take a walk." The three of, you go to the cafe. It's empty except for you three. "By the way, at your desk, that magazine?" Loki asked. "Yeah. The one on jet skis?" Mobius asked. "Yes. Why do you have that? Because they're awesome." Loki said. You chuckled. "Yeah. You know, some things... Actually, most things in history are kinda dumb, and everything gets ruined eventually. But in the early 1990s, for a brief, shining moment, there was a beautiful union of form and function, which we call the jet ski, and a reasonable man cannot differ." Mobius said. "You ever been on one?" You asked. "No... No. I think a TVA agent showing up on a jet ski on the Sacred Timeline, that would create a branch for sure." Mobius said. "It'd be fun, though." You said. "Yeah, it'd be really fun." Mobius agreed. "So, why read about them?" You asked. "Just helps remind me of what we're fighting for." Mobius said. "I mean, you really believe in all this stuff, don't you?" Loki asked.

"I don't get hung up on, "Believe, not believe." I just accept what is." Mobius said. "Three magic lizards..." Loki said. "Time-Keepers." You corrected. "...created the TVA, and everyone in it..." Loki went on. "Right." Mobius said. "...including you?" Loki asked. "Every time I start to admire your intelligence, you say something like that." Loki said. "Okay, who created you, Loki?" He asked. "A Frost Giant of Jotunheim." He answered. "And who raised you?" Mobius asked. "Odin of Asgard." Loki replied.
"Odin, God of the Heavens. Asgard, mystical realm, beyond the stars. Frost Giants. Listen to yourself..." Mobius said. "It's not the same." You said. "Yeah. It's completely different." Loki agreed. "No. No. No." Mobius said. "It's not the same." Loki repeated. "Actually it's exactly the same thing. Because if you think too hard about where any of us came from, who we truly are, it sounds kinda ridiculous. Existence is chaos. Nothing makes any sense, so we try to make some sense of it. And I'm just lucky that the chaos I emerged into gave me all this... My own glorious purpose." Loki scoffs. "'Cause the TVA is my life. And it's real because I believe it's real." He finished. "Fair enough. You believe it's real." Loki said. "Yeah." Mobius said.

"So everything is written. Past, present, future. There's no such thing as free will." You asked. "Well, I mean, you know, it's an oversimplification..." he tried to explain. "So, in fact, in a way, you and I here at the TVA, we're the only ones who are actually free." You said. "Where are you going with this, (Y/n)?" He asked. "How does it all end?" You asked. "That's a work in progress." Mobius said. "Oh, those lazy Time-Keepers. What are they waiting for?" Loki asked. "Au contraire. No. Because while we protect what came before, they're toiling away in their chamber, untangling the epilogue from its infinite branches." Mobius said. "Ah, I see. So, when they're finished, what happens then?" Loki asked. "So are we. No more nexus events. Just order. And we meet in peace at the end of time. Nice, right?" Mobius asked. "Only order?" You asked. "Mmm-hmm." He said. "No chaos? It sounds boring." Loki said. "I'm sure it does to you." You said. "You know, you called me a scared little boy." Loki said to Mobius.

"I called you a lotta things." He said. "You did. You're wrong, though. You see, I know something children don't." Loki said. "What's that?" You asked. "That no one bad is ever truly bad. And no one good is ever truly good." Loki said. "Wow, Loki. That's deep coming from you." You said. "Scared little boy." Mobius realized. "Yes, it was quite patronizing. I thought it was a bit too far, actually." Loki said. "You're very clever." Mobius gets up. "I know." Loki said. You chuckled. Back in the stacks, Mobius pulls open a box. "The Variant left something behind at an old crime scene. A cathedral. A candy box. An obvious anachronism. I gave it to Analysis, but they couldn't find anything real." He said. "Why does that matter?" You asked. "'Cause now we have two variables. Apocalyptic natural disasters and... Kablooie." He answered. "What's that?" Loki asked. "Candy. Do you have candy on Asgard?" He asked. "Yeah. Grapes, nuts." Loki said. "Those don't count, Loki." You said. "No wonder you're so bitter." Mobius said. You chuckled.

The three of you went back to the desk. "Okay. Kablooie was only sold regionally on Earth from 2047 to 2051. All you gotta do is cross-reference that with every apocalyptic event. I'm gonna give you half. And let's make it a competition, see who finds it." Mobius said. "Sure." Loki said. "Why not." You said. "Do either of you wanna bet something?" He asked. "Yeah." Loki said. "Yeah, let's play for pride. Okay. May the best win. Go." He said. You rolled your eyes. You three begin going through the files. "Anything?" Mobius asked. "Uh... It's not the climate disaster of 2048. Or the tsunami of 2051." You said. "Let's go. Let's go. Come on." Mobius urged. "2050. The extinction of the swallow... Is that a thing?" Loki asked. "Completely screwed up the ecosystem." Mobius said. "Krakatoa erupted in 2049 as well. No Kablooie." You said. "God, it's just one damn thing after another, isn't it? Cyclone, famine, volcanoes, floods..." Mobius listed. "Got him. That's where he is." Loki holds up a file on a hurricane in Haven Hills, Alabama in 2050. "Alabama, 2050. You're gonna take my job if I'm not careful." Mobius said.

Time Skip

Mobius leaves Ravonna's office, where you and Loki are sitting, waiting for him. "We're on. We are doing some good work today." He said. "I thought so too." You said. "I'm tellin' you. You actually help us catch this Variant, and who knows, my friends." He said. "What, good enough for a face-to-face with the Time-Keepers?" Loki asked. "I didn't say that. One step at a time." Mobius said. "Just in case." Mobius hands Loki his knives. "Yeah, don't those feel..." "Absolutely not." Hunter B-15 takes the knives from Loki and places them in a locker. She turns to the team. "Gather around for a briefing. Roxxcart is a vast superstore common to the era. It consists of a series of sprawling sections, including a large warehouse. This warehouse is being used by civilians as a shelter tryin' to ride out the storm. Remember, this is a class ten apocalypse. While the Variant shouldn't know we're coming, he could be hiding anywhere and should be considered hostile. So stay alert. Every time there is an attack, the Variant steals a reset charge. He's planning something. We just don't know what. So keep an eye out for the missing charges, and if you see a Loki, prune it." She said. "The bad Loki, preferably." Loki added.

Roxxcart in Haven Hills, Alabama 2050

"Anything?" Mobius asked. "Nothing yet. Move out!" Hunter B-15 said. The team enters the Roxxcart store. Loki sighs and uses magic, and suddenly he's dry. "The hell was that?" Hunter B-15 asked. "That was me using magic to dry my clothes. So I don't announce myself with every squeaky footstep like the rest of you." Loki said. Thunder rumbles and the power flickers. "Take both teams and sweep the storm shelter." She said. "Yes, ma'am." The Minutemen said. "Loki, (Y/n) and I are gonna check out the Green House. We'll meet back at the showroom." Mobius said. "No."Hunter B-15 said. "No?" He asked. "You go with D-90 and (Y/n). He stays with me." She said. "What are you talking about? He's under my supervision." He argued. "This is my field op, Mobius. If he's not a threat, then it won't be a problem." She pointed out. "Of course he's a threat. Do you not remember the Time Theater? That's why I want him with me." He continued. "Mobius, you are welcome to go back to the TVA and litigate with Renslayer, but right now..." she went on.

"We're here. We're not going back. The Variant is here." He said firmly. "Mobius, it's fine. It's fine. You can trust me. I understand I have to earn that, so, I will." Loki said, breaking up the fight. You didn't know why, but you were having a bad feeling about this. "Why is it the people you can't trust are always saying, "Trust me"? Okay, try to hang on to your Time Collar this time." Mobius said. "We'll see you in the showroom." She said. "Wait." You said. Everyone looked at you. "Can I go with Loki?" You asked. His eyes widened. You looked back at Mobius for conformation. He sighs. "Fine. Go with Loki." He said. You gave him a grateful smile. The team splits up. Meanwhile, the Variant watches the exchange on the store's security cameras. The Variant sets a TemPad with a 20 minute countdown. "I for one am glad we're getting to spend this time together." Loki said. "Quiet." She snapped. There's a sound of soft clicking in an aisle. "I don't think she's really one for talking, Loki." You said. "Shh." She hissed. The three of you see a person looking at plants on a shelf. Hunter B-15 lifts her weapon. "Hey!" She said. "Whoa, whoa. It's okay. It's okay." The shopper said as he lifts his hands up. "What are you doing?" She asked.

"Shopping for plants." He said. "In this storm?" You asked. "It's a hurricane sale. Azaleas are half off." He explained. "Could that be you?" She whispered to Loki. "I mean, I probably would have worn a suit, but... yes, maybe." Loki said. Hunter B-15 approaches the man, who touches her arm and green magic runs from him into her. The man collapses. "Is he dead?" You asked with concern. "No. They usually survive." She said. "Usually?" You asked. "So, you're the fools the TVA brought in to hunt me down." She suddenly said. You tensed. "Us, I presume." Loki said. "Please. If anyone's anyone, you're me." She said. "How nice to meet you." Loki said sarcastically. "Enchantment is a clever trick. Cowardly, a bit amateur-ish, but clever." Loki said. "Almost as cowardly as working for the TVA." She said. "There's nothing cowardly about that." You said. "I'm working for me." Loki said. She scoffed. "You really believe that, don't you?" She asked. "Yeah." Loki said. "And here I was worried that they'd found a better version of me." She said. You glared at the other Loki. An employee then approaches.

"Hi, are you guys looking for the disaster shelter?" He asked. "No." The Variant in Hunter-15 touches Randy's arm. With a flash of magic, Hunter B-15 collapses, unconscious. Green magic flashes in Randy's eyes. You check Hunter B-15. "Hey, are you okay?" You asked her, but she was out cold. "Oh, bless. Are you going to call your little friends for help?" The other Loki chuckles. You glared at him. "What's the matter? You too scared to meet me face-to-face? Show yourself. You know, gaining their confidence was no mean feat." Loki demanded. "Oh, my God. You went undercover." The other Loki said. "If you could possibly sheathe your smarm for a moment, I have an offer for you. That's why I found you." Loki said. You stood up and watched what was happening. "Go on." The other Loki said. "I'm going to overthrow the Time-Keepers. And, uh, cards on the table, I could use a qualified lieutenant." He offered. Your eyes widened. Was he being serious? "And I assume you mean... Me?" The other Loki asked. "What say you... Loki?" Loki asked.

"Ugh. Don't call me that. You can call me..." he looks down the nametag. "Randy." He said. You couldn't help but snicker a little at that. "God. Now I understand why Thor found this so annoying. Listen, enough with your games. I've been trying to help you. I kept them vulnerable at the Renaissance Fair for some time." He pointed out. "That he did." You said. The other Loki turned to look at you. "Ah. And if it isn't (Y/n) The Witch?" He mocked as you glared at him. "Nice to see you again, darling. Say, why don't you ditch this pathetic version of myself and come with me?" The other Loki offered. "No thanks. Not interested." You said. "Aw, don't be like that. The two of us will have fun together. You'd have much more fun with me then you'd ever have with this pathetic excuse for a Loki." The other Loki said. You scoffed. "I think this Loki is a better Loki than you'll ever be." You said. He scoffed. "Whatever. Now stop wasting time and come join me." He urged. "Didn't you hear her? She said no." Loki said. He then tried to change the subject. "If you don't wanna rule the TVA, then what do you want?" He asked.

"It doesn't matter. You're too late." The other Loki said. "I think you'll find I'm well ahead of schedule. I found your hiding place like that. I'd say that makes me the superior Loki, wouldn't you?" He asked. "Uh, Loki?" You pointed to a reset charge connected with wires. "I see. That's your plan. Lure us all here so you can blow the place up." Loki said unimpressed. He looks back to The Variant / Randy, but he's gone. As you both look around, someone kicks him down. The Variant, in a new man's body, chuckles. "Loki!" You said. "I miss Randy." Loki said. The Variant / Man kicks Loki again. Thank you for helping me stall for time. You really do love to hear yourself talk. "Thank you for helping me stall for time. You really do love to hear yourself talk." He said. "You're the first person to tell me that." He said sarcastically. The Variant / Man throws Loki across the floor. He mumbles in mockery of what Loki said. You turn to glare at the other Loki and summon your fire powers with your hands. "I would never treat me like this." Loki gets to his feet and faces The Variant / Man. The two of you begin to engage in battle with the other Loki.

Loki use magic to bring a rumba-like appliance to shield himself. "Oh, come on. Stop hiding." Loki said, The Variant / Man throws you and Loki aside and tosses away the appliance. Loki grabs a vacuum cleaner as a weapon and they fight. The Variant tries to strangle Loki with the electric cord. You get back up and help Loki. "Loki, if you had any honor you'd fight me as yourself." Loki said. "I have shit to do." He said. "Enough!" You said. The Variant / Man throws Loki through a stack of boxes. Electric toy dogs drive around him and bark. You continue to fight the other Loki with your elemental powers, until you are thrown back. The Variant / Man connected a TemPad. You and Loki get back up and walk toward him. "What do you want from us? What is this about?" Loki asked. "Brace yourself, Loki." The Variant / Man laughs. His eyes flash green with magic, and then he collapses. Loki sighs. Behind is the sound of a recording of Loki's words. "What do you want from us? What do you want from us? What do you want from us? What is this about? What do you want from us? What is this about? What do you want from us? What do you want from us? What is this about? What is this about?"

Loki turns to see The Variant, cloaked and hooded. The Variant pulls back her hood, revealing herself. Your eyes widened. "This isn't about you." She said. "Right." Loki said. The timer on the TemPad reaches zero. The power in the store goes out and the lights go dark. Dozens, perhaps hundreds, of reset charges activate. Small Timedoors begin opening beneath each other, dropping them to other destinations. "Where they going?" Mobius asked. The red emergency lights have come on. You and Loki turn back to The Variant. She lifts the TemPad and opens a Timedoor. She waves to you both and steps through. You both take a few steps toward her. The lights partially come back on, some white, some backup red. Mobius and the team runs up the aisle behind him. You and Loki look back at them. "Loki! (Y/n), wait! Wait! Loki! (Y/n), wait! No! Wait, Loki! (Y/n)!" You and Loki step through the Timedoor and it closes behind. "Damn it!"