Work Text:
Ricky had been responding to a 911 call in a skyscraper.
There was someone stuck out the window. Ricky was inside, trying to see if he could pull them back inside safely, while the rest of the team worked on setting up the crash mat outside. There were a few more firefighters a few floors down, too, attempting to set up a rig to catch the person. All Ricky had to do was try his hardest to save them from the window, all while knowing he had a whole team waiting outside to help if anything went wrong. It was a lot easier than most things Ricky did as a firefighter, really. And, well, it also didn’t involve any hoards of rats, or evil pigeons, or- or any weird magic thing, and that was kind of nice.
And then suddenly the person stuck in the window was gone.
Ricky had been about to grab them, and then- and they just disappeared. They were stuck out the window, failing and screaming, and then- nothing. Just gone. Or maybe, Ricky thought. Maybe he was the one who was gone. Gone- somewhere else, maybe. Because all the furniture was different, too. All of Ricky’s fire fighter equipment that wasn’t on his body was gone, and the art on the walls were different, and when Ricky looked out the window, all of his fire fighter buddies were gone. So- had Ricky been teleported somewhere else? Maybe- maybe that was what what happened? Ricky wasn’t all that familiar with magic, to be honest.
But Ricky knew someone who was.
He opened up his phone, ready to take a selfie to send to Esther. She would know about weird teleporting-but-to-the-same-place-but-different things. Esther knew everything. Or most things, anyway, and when Esther didn’t know something she always knew exactly who to ask to learn something. So- yeah, Esther would know. Ricky just had to ask Esther. Except, when he grabbed his phone out of his pocket and went to open his camera app, except- his phone wouldn’t work. It- it was on, sure, but it wouldn’t do anything. We couldn’t get past his lockscreen, he couldn’t click a single thing. The time was stuck, too, even though he spent more than a minute trying to make it work. It was like- like the phone was stuck at one moment in time, or something. It was weird.
Ricky was interrupted from his phone troubles by someone walking into the room he was in.
“I found the intruder!” A man yelled behind him. He turned to face Ricky, with a sour expression on his face, and his hand… outstretched, for some reason. “Now. Who are you?”
“I’m Ricky,” Ricky said. “Who are you?”
“Tony,” the man said, slowly. “Do you not know the man who’s building you broke into?”
“I would,” Ricky said. “If I broke into a building. That sounds like good manners. But I didn’t break in. I just- kinda. Appeared here.”
“I know you used magic,” Tony growled. “No need to play dumb.”
“Oh, so it was magic!” Ricky said, proud he guessed right. “How did you know that?”
“Jarvis has magic sensors,” Tony said. “That’s why I knew you were here. Again, very hard to break in here.”
“I didn’t break in,” Ricky said. “I was already here, and then magic happened, and now I’m here here.”
“What?” Tony asked.
He glanced up at the wall. And then the wall started talking.
“His heart rate does not appear to be congruent with lying, sir,” the wall said. “Nor do I detect any sort of mental impairment.”
“So, it’s stupid magic bullshit,” Tony said.
Ricky nodded. “Magic is confusing. It’s okay.”
“You know magic, kid?” Tony asked.
“Yeah, of course,” Ricky said. “I mean, if you know magic, then I can tell you I know magic. I’m not supposed to tell people who don’t know about magic.”
Tony snorted. “It’s hard to not know about magic. There’s a wizard like- across the street, and a witch down the hall, and last week a warlock tried to rob a bank.”
“I didn’t hear about that,” Ricky said. “I mean, I know magic users. But it’s- you don’t tell people who aren’t in the Unsleepy City. That’s how it all gets screwy. Didn’t they tell you that before you got swore in?”
“Are you in a cult?” Tony asked.
Ricky blinked. “What?”
“Who’s in a cult?” A booming voice asked. “Do we have to fight a cult?”
“I mean, we fought Nazis, we can fight a cult,” a second voice said.
“We’re still fighting Nazis,” the first voice corrected. “Still- what cult?”
“This guy’s cult,” Tony said. “Ricky here’s brainwashed by a cult.”
“I’m not brainwashed,” Ricky said. “Are you okay?”
“He doesn’t seem all that brainwashed to me,” the second voice said.
“Yeah, Nat kinda knows about brainwashing,” the first voice said. “And he just- he kinda looks too nice to be a cultist.”
“Do cultists have to look nice?” Tony asked.
Nat sighed. “Why does he think you’re a cultist?”
“I dunno,” Ricky said. “I was just telling him about how magic is secret, and then-“
“See!” Tony said. “In what world is magic secret?”
“A weird one,” the first voice said.
“Or maybe a normal one, Steve,” Nat said. “There’d be less broken buildings and robbed buildings.”
“Well, the same amount,” Ricky said. “Just less that the public know are magic. They think it’s a gunman, or some weird guy, y’know? New Yorkers don’t notice much.”
“You sure know a lot about this,” Steve said. He turned to Tony. “He really doesn’t sound all that brainwashed.”
“Sounds more crazy than brainwashed,” Nat said.
“What?” Ricky asked.
“Relax,” Nat said. “I said more crazy than brainwashed, not that you were crazy. Crazy people don’t randomly teleport places.”
“What about-“ a voice from the vents started.
“Don’t bring that up, Clint!” Nat yelled. “My point is, I think this is something magical, not just brainwashing. Or you being crazy.”
Tony sighed. “Like I said. Magic bullshit.”
“Then we should call someone, right?” Steve asked. “Like… a wizard.”
“Fine,” Tony said, with a sigh. “Let me-“
“Sir,” the wall said. “There has been a Loki sighting.”
“Okay, this is gonna have to wait,” Tony said. “J, tell me what’s going on. In my comm, please.”
“Why does the wall talk?” Ricky asked, when it was clear Tony was busy.
Steve frowned. “Tony didn’t explain it?”
“Tony mostly called me brainwashed,” Ricky said. “And being offended when I didn’t know who he was.”
“He is- pretty famous,” Nat said, slowly.
“Regardless,” Steve said. “Jarvis is his living intelligence. The wall is just a speaker.”
“Oh,” Ricky said. “Like a robot?”
“Sure…” Nat said. “Like a robot.”
“He has robots!” The Clint guy said, still from the vent.
“Is the vent a robot too?” Ricky asked.
Nat snorted. “No.”
That’s just Clint,” Steve said. “He likes it in there.”
“He’s antisocial,” Nat fake whispered.
“No I’m not!” Clint yelled.
“Okay,” Tony said, interrupting their conversation. “Screw whatever- whatever we’re talking about here. Loki was spotted going on a bender, stealing cars and robbing a fancy fashion boutique, with some blonde diva, so-“
Ricky beamed. “A blonde diva? Is she old? But old like a statue? And looks like she wants to use your teeth to make a pearl necklace, but in a fun way?”
“What does that even mean?” Steve asked.
“Jarvis,” Tony said. “Put her photo up on screen.”
A screen just kind of- appeared. And then a photo of Misty, and some guy with long black hair and a green outfit, appeared on screen too.
“Shit, you were kinda accurate,” Tony said.
“That’s her!” Ricky cheered. “That’s Misty!”
“And you know her?” Nat asked.
“She’s magic,” Ricky said. “And a famous actress. Do you- do you not recognize her? You should go to the theatre more.”
“I love the theatre,” Nat said, flatly. “I’ve never heard of her.”
“Does she know Angela Lansbury?” Steve asked.
“I think so,” Ricky said. “She knows a lot of people. Like a lot.”
“So do I,” Tony said. “I don’t rob clothing stores.”
“Sir,” Jarvis said. “What about-“
“Nope,” Tony said, cutting Jarvis off. “Nope. We are not talking about that.”
“What about-“ Jarvis started.
“Or that,” Tony said. “Or any kind of story about me being a kid. Or a teenager. Or a twenty year old. Or-“
“Or last week?” Nat asked.
“Hush,” Tony said. “Villain to stop, remember?”
“And my friend,” Ricky said. “I’m coming with you to get my friend.”
“You’re a civilian,” Steve said. “And Loki is dangerous.”
“I know about magic,” Ricky said. “I have my ax. And I’m, you know, a firefighter?”
“How did we not notice that,” Tony said. “I was busy seeing ‘intruder’ and didn’t notice the whole- firefighting pants.”
Nat shrugged. “I noticed. You just seemed to be stuck on ‘brainwashed cult member’.
“Whatever,” Tony said. “Anti Loki time. Come on, chop chop.”
“And we’re just letting the intruder come?” Clint asked.
“If you don’t get out of the vents, we aren’t gonna let you come,” Tony said.
“Oh, come on!” Clint cried out. “Rude!”
“Hurry up!” Steve yelled.
“Or don’t!” Nat added.
Ricky smiled. This kinda reminded him of his brief time in the Unsleeping City, really, helping the city and goofing off. Even if he wished Esther was here. And everyone else, obviously.
—
Misty grinned, laughing unrestrained.
She was having a darling time. It wasn’t every day she got teleported to another universe, after all. She had recognized the magic as soon as it had happened, although she hadn’t been able to stop or reverse it. And if she was stuck here, for the foreseeable future- she may as well enjoy it. Especially when the universe she ended up in was so fun. Similar enough to her own universe, just with a few small changes. She, apparently, was not an actor, here, which was a tragedy. But- there was also much more outward magic, here, and that- that was interesting. And more than that, the person that Misty met who used magic was interesting. And rather fun. Devious, perhaps, but fun.
Misty took a sip from her bottle of champagne.
“This is exactly what I needed,” Misty declared. “Thank you, Loki.”
“Oh, any time,” Loki said. “It’s so hard to find a like-minded spirit, you know. So many people are against chaos, these days.”
“Humans simply don’t understand it, sometimes,” Misty said. “Chaos is an artform.”
“Exactly,” Loki said. “Like theatre.”
Misty raised an eyebrow. “Are you a fan of the theatre, darling?”
“Very,” Loki said. “I always wanted to be a director, you know. But apparently princely duties come before being an artist-“
“A tale as old as time,” Misty said, shaking her head. “You should take it up again, you know. Maybe try some acting. You certainly have the facial expressions for it.”
Loki laughed. “Are you calling me dramatic?”
“It’s a compliment, darling,” Misty said. “What fun is life without any dramatics?”
“Too true, Misty,” Loki said. He laughed loudly. “Too true.”
Misty opened her mouth to answer. But before she could- A massive, black, jet landed in front of them, interrupting.
“Oh, bother,” Loki said, with a dramatic sigh. “Alas, the party poopers have arrived.”
“Friends of yours?” Misty asked.
“Enemies,” Loki said. “The aforementioned people who do not understand chaos.”
The jet opened, and several people wearing costumes worse than those of a regional theatre exited. And behind them-
“Huh,” Misty said. “Unexpected. It’s a friend of mine.”
“Oh?” Loki asked. “Please, don’t tell me you’re friends with Tin Can Man, over there.”
Misty huffed. “No, no. Not the walking coke can.”
“Which one, then?” Loki asked.
“Mr. March,” Misty replied, pointing at where Ricky was walking down the ramp.
Loki wolf whistled. “I see why.”
“Misty!” Ricky yelled out, running towards her. “Are you okay?”
“Oh, I’m just fine,” Misty said. “Just enjoying my time here while I can.”
“Here?” Ricky asked. “Are we- are we not in New York?”
“We are,” Misty said. “Just- not our New York, Ricky, dear.”
Ricky shrugged. “Is that why I got accused of breaking and entering?”
“Yes, yes,” Misty said. “That would be why. It seems we both got sent to a similar New York, but one that’s more…”
“Interesting?” Loki filled in.
“Weird?” Ricky added.
“Open about its strangeness,” Misty decided. “They have magic everywhere, without hiding.”
“Freeing, isn’t it?” Loki asked.
“It’s weird,” Ricky said. “They just- know wizards!”
“You know a wizard,” Misty said. “Several, in fact.”
“Okay,” Ricky said. “But- they just talk about them! I can’t tell any of my firefighting friends about Esther!”
“Well, you could,” Misty said. “Just not about her magic.”
Ricky paused. “Do you think- is Esther here? Or- is there an alternate Esther here? My phone wasn’t working, and I couldn’t send her a selfie-“
“I’m unsure,” Misty said. “For all we know, she could just be in our New York, unaware of anything going on.”
“Then we should get back,” Ricky said, quickly. “I mean- do you know how to get home?”
Misty shrugged. “I may know magic, but I’m no a wizard. Loki?”
“I’m an illusionist,” Loki said. “A chaos mage. Not- I don’t deal with universes. Too messy.”
“Then what do we do?” Ricky asked.
“I told you!” The coke can guy yelled. “We know a guy! So long as Loki-“
Loki disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
“I was going to say so long as he surrenders,” Coke Can said. “But-“
“Just get us home,” Misty said. “Please and thank you.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Coke Can said, waving his hand dismissively. “Let’s get you talking to someone who understands magic bullshit. And out of here. And not teaming up with Loki-“
“It was just some harmless fun,” Misty said.
“She’s not bad, Tony,” Ricky said.
“You robbed several stores,” Tony pointed out.
“I left cash,” Misty said. “And the car was just a little joy ride.”
sighed. “Whatever. To the wizard with you.”
“Wonderful,” Misty said, fully aware that she was the only one who would understand the reference. “Oh, do I get to fly in your little jet?”
“He’s like, a block away,” Tony said. “You don’t get to go in the-“
“Please?” Misty asked. She used her best puppy dog face, batting her eyelashes.
“No,” Tony said. “We’re walking.”
“You let Ricky in the jet,” Misty pointed out.
“Ricky didn’t steal a car,” Tony said.
Misty huffed. She supposed all universes had party poopers.
—
“Hey!” Ricky said, brightly, as he nearly bumped into a familiar friend. “Kugrash!”
“That’s a terrifying rat man,” Tony said. “Why do you know a rat man?”
“Why do we know you?” Misty asked.
“The real question is what are you doing here?” Kugrash asked. “What are we doing here?”
“Multiverse magic,” Misty said.
“Yeah,” Kugrash said. “I figured out something like that- but why?”
“Did we get cursed?” Ricky asked.
“Or maybe there was a… natural disaster," Kugrash said. “But for magic. Can there be magical disasters?”
“Sure,” Misty said. “But we haven’t found a million people from our New York stuck here, so I am of the mind that this was targetted.”
“Great,” Tony said. “Do you think whoever sent you all over here sent themselves too? Is there a threat?”
“I have no idea,” Misty said. “I don’t know everything, you know.”
“Isn’t that why we’re going to see this wizard guy?” Ricky asked. He looked down at Kugrash. “We’re going to see a wizard. You coming?”
“Yeah,” Kugrash said. “Sure. I’m not getting separated from non crazy people.”
“You’re a rat guy,” Tony said. “And you’re calling me crazy?”
“Yes,” Kugrash said. “Considering that you’re not supposed to be able to see me!”
“I never thought about that,” Ricky said. “Everyone can see you as you, and not just a bit rat. Weird.”
“Really weird,” Kugrash said. “But not as weird as a woman with bone spikes coming out of her skin-“
“What?” Misty asked. “Bone spikes?”
“Can you folks catch up while we walk?” Tony asked. “I have other things to do today.”
“You’re the one who wouldn’t let us talk the jet,” Misty reminded him.
“You have a jet?” Kugrash asked.
“Walking time!” Tony snapped.
They started walking again. They got stares for, you know, having a rat man with them. And- maybe because Misty was on the news for going on a crime spree with whoever that green guy had been. And also maybe because Tony was famous? He wasn’t sure if that was true or not. But either way, they were definitely getting stares. Still- once they got Kugrash, it was a quick enough walk. And a lot more interesting, hearing about Kugrash’s run in with people with bone spikes growing out of their skin in tunnels underneath the city, and the fact that Tony was weirdly resigned to it. He just sighed, whenever they mentioned it. Ricky had no idea what that was about. Ricky had no idea what any of this was about, really. And then, finally, they were at the wizard’s tower. Which was another skyscraper. Not exactly what Ricky had been expecting, honestly.
“Wait a second,” Misty said, offended. “Is that- is that my building?”
“He lives in the penthouse,” Tony said. “I’m calling him to let us in.”
“No,” Misty said. “I live in the penthouse.”
“We’re in another universe,” Ricky said. “Things are gonna be different sometimes.”
“But my penthouse!” Misty cried out. “My- my penthouse!”
“The sooner we talk to the wizard, the sooner we get back to our universe,” Kugrash said. “And your penthouse will be yours again.”
“With Esther,” Ricky added.
“And people will know me again,” Misty said, dreamily. “Can you believe it? No one even knows the name Misty Moore here!”
“That isn’t even your-“ Kugrash started.
“Enough,” Tony said. “He buzzed you in. Just get inside already, and get yourselves out of my hair.”
They walked inside the building, and got inside the elevator.