[A/N]: The first GOAL of the week is to achieve 250 Power Stones and unlock TWO bonus chapters. Comment, share, and you know the drill šāØ
Blue energy rippled and deposited Jay and Domino at the ancient stone steps leading to Kamar-Taj.
Domino stumbled slightly, catching herself against the stone railing. She exhaled slowly, her breath misting in the cold air.
"Are you tired, honey? Should we take a rest?" Jay asked.
Domino sighed, running a hand through her white hair. "Nah, it's not that. Your friends were just... a lot. Especially Maria and Linda. So much hugging and crying and 'oh thank god you're okay.'" She grimaced. "And seeing Bobby? After we broke up right in front of him? I kept waiting for everyone to tell me I'm a terrible person."
The visit to check on everyone had been emotionally exhausting. Bobby had been professional, polite even, but the hurt in his eyes had been impossible to miss. The others had been carefully neutral. Too carefully.
Jay pulled her close, straightening her hair with gentle fingers. "Aww, they don't hate you, babe. They love me, and I love you, so by the transitive property, they love you too." He kissed her cheek softly.
Domino rolled her eyes, but she was smiling. "It's not that simple, genius."
"Love is really that simple," Jay countered.
"You think?"
"Ahem. Ahem."
They turned awkwardly to see the Ancient One standing at the entrance, serene in her yellow robes. Behind her, Wong stood with his phone out, clearly taking pictures.
Jay instantly released Domino, causing her to stumble. He stepped forward, giving a formal bow.
"Master! You didn't have to come all the way out to get me!"
The Ancient One's expression remained neutral, but her eyes held a glimmer of amusement. "Enough with your antics, Jay. We have business to attend to."
Wong lowered his phone, still grinning. "These are going in the group chat."
"Don't you dare," Jay muttered.
"Already sent. Hamir's going to love this."
Domino straightened her jacket, trying to recover some dignity. "Nice to see you again, Ancient One."
"Miss Thurman. Your presence is welcome."
The Ancient One turned, her robes sweeping across the ancient stones. Wong gestured for them to follow.
They walked through the familiar corridors. Sorcerers in training paused their practice to watch Jay pass, whispers following in his wake. The guy who'd caged a god. The one who'd brought back the dead.
The main hall was already occupied. Kaecilius stood near the windows with his arms crossed, Hamir sat with several ancient texts open before him, and Mordo paced near the far wall.
Jay and Domino took their seats on cushions arranged in a circle. The Ancient One settled gracefully across from them, Wong taking position at her right hand.
The Ancient One's gaze settled on Jay. "Jay, I remember sharing a lesson with you regarding the blind pursuit of power and its consequences."
Jay smiled, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "I remember it well, teacher. It's just the opportunity was there, plus Franklin would now have a better chance to live a carefree childhood. Well, as carefree as it can be for the Fantastic Four!"
"Carefree?" Mordo's voice cut sharply. "You wielded reality-warping power that nearly destroyed you from the inside out. You resurrected twelve hundred people, violating the natural order of death itself. You imprisoned a prince of Asgard and threatened the Allfather on a cosmic broadcast watched by every major galactic empire!"
"The boy saved twelve hundred lives," surprisingly Kaecilius interjected. "That counts for something, surely."
"It counts for everything," Domino said, her hand moving toward her gun. "Or have we forgotten that part?"
"No one forgets the lives saved." The Ancient One raised a hand. "But actions have consequences, Jay. I needed you to understand that before we proceed with what comes next."
Jay nodded slowly. "I understand, Master."
"Good." The Ancient One's expression softened fractionally. "What's done is done. Debating the ethics of past actions serves no purpose. We have another matter to discuss." She gestured, and three playing cards appeared on the table between them. Two pulsed with contained cosmic energy while the third showed a one-eyed god still silently screaming.
Jay recognized them immediately. The Mind Stone, the Space Stone, and Loki's prison.
"Thor Odinson has been waiting here for days, ready to discuss your terms for his brother's release."
Jay straightened despite his exhaustion. Domino caught the shift immediately. The way his shoulders squared, breathing steadied, and eyes sharpened.
"Let's meet the Thunderer then."
The Ancient One nodded to Wong, who opened the door.
Thor entered, and the room's atmosphere changed. Even in human attire, jeans and a dark jacket over a plain shirt, he radiated presence.
"Ancient One, sorcerers of Kamar-Taj, Warrior Jay, and lady Domino." Thor's voice carried the weight of centuries. "It is good to see you all again, though I wish the circumstances were more pleasant."
Jay smiled warmly, seeing that Thor was desperate and Desperate meant negotiable. And ultimately, negotiable meant opportunity. "Likewise, Thor. Please, sit. Let's discuss this like civilized beings."
Thor settled onto the cushion, but his eyes kept drifting to Loki's card. His fingers twitched toward where Mjolnir would normally hang at his belt.
The thunder god's words came out rushed and almost rehearsed. "I come on behalf of the Allfather. I need to retrieve my brother and return him to Asgard, where he will face justice as decreed by Odin himself."
"Ha!" Domino's laugh was sharp. "You really think he's going to get off scot-free? After the massacre he caused? That would've been permanent if it weren't for Jay bringing everyone back."
Jay placed a calming hand on her arm. "Easy babe, please"
He turned back to Thor. "Now, Thor, let's be reasonable here. I understand family loyalty. I respect it, truly. But we need to discuss the appropriate compensation for Loki's... let's call it early release."
Thor's jaw tightened, but he nodded. "Name your terms."
"Ah, but that's not how this works, my friend." Jay leaned back, spreading his hands. "You came to me. You want something from me. So, the question is, what are you offering?"
"The Allfather has given me authority to retrieve Loki. No matter the price." Thor's hand unconsciously moved toward the card. "Within reason."
"Within reason," Jay repeated slowly. "Tell me, Thor, what does the mighty Asgard consider 'reasonable' compensation for attempted genocide, mass murder, generational trauma and global-level property damage?"
Wong leaned toward Hamir, whispering. "Here we go. I've seen this look before. Thor's about to get fleeced."
"Should we warn him?" Hamir whispered back.
"And miss the show? Absolutely not."
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