"Your savior is here!"

Jadis smiled at Loki as he stood dramatically at the front of the ship, trying not to laugh as he made his entrance. He was clearly enjoying his moment—it simply wouldn't do to ruin it for him. He looked quite dashing in his black uniform and golden helmet as he let the light of Asgard rain down on him.

When the ship docked and lowered its ramp, Loki strode out, greeting the crowd of his people waiting on the bridge. "Did you miss me?" Based on the murmurs and surprised expressions, she guessed they hadn't expected him to return.

She wished to follow him, not willing to be parted from her love, but his instructions had been clear. She was not to leave the ship unless it was about to be destroyed or invaded. It was the safest place for her right now and Korg would need help managing the Asgardians. That's what Loki said anyway. He was known to be the 'god of lies' so it was possible he stretched the truth a bit, but she knew it was intended for her own good.

Loki was brimming with confidence as he ordered his people onto the ship and marched through the crowd, horns high above everyone's heads, towards what appeared to be the person in charge. Could that be Thor? The man looked nothing like Loki, he was dark-skinned, with a slightly thicker build, and long dreadlocks, but Loki had mentioned they weren't brothers by blood, so it was possible.

The prince lined up with Korg, who was apparently not going to help herd the desperate people flooding into the ship, Meik, the leader, and two other aliens, ready to defend the Asgardians as an undead army hurled towards them.

Jadis ushered people into the ship as quickly as she could, directing people to move back so more could squeeze in, but she also did her best to keep an eye on Loki as he battled, afraid for his life every time a sword flashed.

"What in all of Asgard!" cried someone, pointing at the sky. Jadis turned around and saw a blue flash falling towards the battle. There was a huge flash when the object landed, obliterating the group of enemies near it. Jadis couldn't see well from her distance, but it looked like a person stood up from the destruction, lightning crackling around him. She only hoped he was on the right side.

There were more flashes of light, but from the other direction. Is that Father's ship? Jadis wasn't sure what to think of the Commadore, which was rested on the other end of the bridge, shooting multi-colored fireworks from its body. Who stole Father's ship? Besides Loki that is. A woman swaggered from the downed vehicle, blue cape ruffling in the wind. Scrapper 142?! What is she...? How...? She couldn't even form a proper sentence in her mind. But the woman appeared to be on the Asgardian side, so she supposed she shouldn't concern herself too much with it.

The almost skeletal army was vanquished not long after the arrival of the two warriors. The Asgardians were still piling into the ship, but Jadis turned her attention to Loki, who was striding up to a man that was wearing Sakaarian clothing. Scrapper 142 joined them, forming a line as a woman in green slowly approached. Hela, if Jadis had to guess. The trio appeared to be discussing something for a minute, which led to Loki dashing back towards the ship.

Jadis pushed through the small crowd on the ramp, trying not to hurt anyone, but also desperate to get to her love. "Loki!" She grabbed his arms as he reached her. They spun a little so his back was to the Commodore, although he started walking backward, taking her with him.

"Jadis, love, I have to go. Please, stay on the ship. Everything will be all right. Just stay on the ship." He tore himself away from her, sprinting toward the Commodore.

"Loki?" she said faintly, watching him jump into the golden ship. He wanted me to stay onboard. He knows what he's doing. Loki has a plan. He has to. She waited at the edge of the crowd, allowing everyone aboard the ship before she also climbed up the ramp. "Is that everyone?" she asked, looking around. She didn't expect anyone to answer since she asked so quietly, but a few people nodded their heads, also glancing around. The Commodore zipped overhead, flying towards the huge golden palace at the center of Asgard. Be safe, Loki.

Something snarled.

Jadis spun around, gasping and stumbling back as a few skeleton-like creatures crawled up the ramp. Several people screamed, everyone pressing against the back walls of the ship, creating an empty space inside for the skeletons to clamber into.

They didn't stay long. After one of the creature from Saakar tried and failed to defend the people, an Asgardian came forward, long-range weapons blazing as he shot the skeletons out of the ship and continued shooting them as they kept coming. When the line of them was defeated, he took a deep breath, eyes raging with as much intensity as his weapons. "For Asgard," he grunted before jumping off the ship.

The giant black spike holding the craft broke, freeing them to being floating away from the battle. A few people, Jadis included, hung out the open doorway to watch the valiant efforts of the man. He cut through a mass of skeletons with ease, them seemed to aim for Hela. She made quick work of him, felling the man with a sword to the chest.

One of the onlookers was leaning so far out he almost fell from the ship, but another man pulled him back. "Away from the edge," Jadis said, shooing people back. "It's not safe." No one knew who she was, she clearly wasn't Asgardian, but they listened, taking a few steps farther into the safety of the craft.

There was a tremendous noise, drawing everyone's attention to Asgard. A giant fire monster reared its head back as it burst out of the golden palace, destroying it. "Asgard!" he cried. "I am your doom!"

Loki. Jadis leaned against the ship's inner wall, clenching her fists. He was going towards the palace... Please don't let him still be in there.

Hello humans and welcome back to Stealing Grandmaster's Treasure! The chapters are shaping up to be a bit short since I'm trying to have more chapters rather than longer ones, but it's my goal for each chapter to have at least nine hundred words. Thanks for coming back to read after such a long absence! 

Stay happy!

~AJ.