The Guardian chosen by the Moon

Darkness enveloped the room where we had gathered in secret. Thor spoke to Lady Sif and the Warrior Three in a grave voice, detailing his plan with an assurance that left no doubt about his determination.

"We need Loki," he declared. "He knows pathways between worlds that no one else can navigate. Without him, we won't be able to reach Svartalfheim and ambush Malekith."

Volstagg grimaced and crossed his massive arms over his chest. "You want to free Loki? After everything he's done?!"

Fandral shook his head, looking skeptical. "He will betray you, Thor. He always does."

Thor slowly nodded. "I know. But it's a risk I'm willing to take."

I spoke up next, hovering slightly above the ground. "I'll make sure he doesn't do anything reckless. I've got your back, Thor."

Lady Sif shot Thor a piercing look before reluctantly nodding. "Fine. But if he tries anything, I won't hesitate."

As Thor continued explaining, my mind drifted for a moment. I knew Loki before even stepping into this universe. I had seen him in action in the movies—the master of illusions and manipulation. But seeing someone through a screen and facing them in person were two very different things.

Was I ready to interact with a living legend, a god who wouldn't hesitate to betray me if it suited him?

The answer was yes. But I wouldn't let him out of my sight.

I had never seen Asgard so tense. The air itself felt charged, like before a storm. Thor walked with determined steps, and I followed, both curious and excited at the thought of meeting Loki in person. After all, who hadn't dreamed of seeing the God of Mischief up close?

We stopped before an immense metal door. Through the bars, Loki's silhouette was barely visible, seated on the ground. I could perceive his illusion—immaculate clothing, a noble posture—but something felt off.

Thor sighed loudly, crossing his arms.

"Drop the tricks, Loki. Show me your real face."

The illusion shattered instantly.

I held back a grimace. He looked… pitiful. His hair was disheveled, his eyes sunken, and his cell was in ruins. It was one thing to see him charismatic and mocking on screen, but in real life, he was a broken man. Yet even in this state, he smiled, as if all of this were just a game to him.

"Brother, what a pleasure. I thought you had forgotten my existence."

Thor ignored him and stepped into the cell. "I'll be brief. I'm going to fight Malekith on Svartalfheim. I need you to get us there."

Loki narrowed his eyes, visibly surprised. "Oh? And what do you gain by bringing me? A dagger in the back, perhaps?"

Thor didn't react to the provocation. "I promise you freedom if you help us. But if you betray me, I will kill you."

Silence fell, then Loki chuckled softly. "Well, when you put it that way..."

This was my moment. I stepped forward, hovering just above the ground, my staff resting on my shoulder. "You must be Loki. Nice to meet you. I'm Jack Frost, spirit of winter and Guardian of fun."

Loki slowly turned his head toward me, raising an eyebrow. Then he shifted an accusatory look at Thor. "You replaced me?"

Thor sighed, already exhausted. "That's not what—"

"Oh, but of course!" Loki exclaimed theatrically. "You needed someone else with an affinity for cold, a touch of mischief, and a tendency to be insufferable." He eyed me up and down. "Interesting, though I doubt a mere spirit can match a god."

I shrugged with an amused smile. "I may not be a god, but at least children like me."

Loki grimaced, but I caught a glint of amusement in his eyes. He slowly stood up and held out his wrists toward Thor. "Well then, let's get this over with. I'm eager to see how brilliant this plan really is."

Thor handed him a dagger—or at least, that's what Loki thought until the last moment. Instead, Thor snapped a fresh pair of shackles around his wrists.

Loki blinked, caught off guard. "Oh, really?" he said, exasperated.

Thor smirked mischievously. "I've learned to be wary of your taste in weapons."

I chuckled. Loki rolled his eyes, but I could tell that, deep down, he enjoyed the game.

As soon as we left the cell, Loki wasted no time having fun. He disguised himself as an Einherjar guard to sneak through the corridors, but he didn't stop there. Soon, he transformed Thor into Lady Sif, earning a murderous glare from his brother.

"Loki, stop."

"But I'm doing you a favor! You make a magnificent warrior maiden."

I stifled a laugh, and Loki shot me a conspiratorial look before shifting into Captain America. "Ah, the Avengers! They must miss me. Patriotism, honor, virtue!" He marched exaggeratedly, placing a hand over his heart.

Thor grabbed Loki by the collar and slammed him against a wall. "Focus."

Loki returned to his true form, laughing softly. "Fine, fine."

I shook my head, laughing as well. "Damn, you're insufferable."

"And proud of it, dear spirit."

We continued moving through the palace until a group of guards blocked our path. Thor immediately stepped in front of Loki, raising a hand.

"No killing."

Loki rolled his eyes. "Oh, how delicate."

Before he could say anything else, I stepped forward. "Let me handle this."

Loki gave me a skeptical look. "You?"

Thor raised an eyebrow but eventually nodded. "Alright. Show us."

I gripped my staff and spun a small snowball in my hand. With a smirk, I tossed it straight at the nearest guard's helmet. He blinked, confused. Then, something incredible happened.

He dropped his sword.

His features softened, his gaze turned curious—almost childlike. He looked at the snow in his hands as if seeing it for the first time. Then, without warning, he tapped his neighbor's shoulder and exclaimed, "You're it!"

The others stared at him, stunned. Then, one by one, they seemed to fall under the same effect. A guard leaped behind a column, another rolled behind a stack of crates. Within seconds, a massive game of hide-and-seek had broken out before Loki's incredulous eyes.

"That's terrifying," he murmured, dumbfounded.

I smirked. "And effective."

After neutralizing the guards, we regrouped with Sif and the Warrior Three, who had managed to extract Jane from her cell thanks to Heimdall's intervention.

As soon as Jane saw Loki, she walked up and, without a word, delivered a resounding slap.

The sound echoed in the air. Loki blinked, stunned, while I burst into uncontrollable laughter.

"For New York," Jane said, crossing her arms.

Loki touched his cheek and exhaled, looking impressed. "I like this woman."