The Superiors: The Gift

Author's note: this is a sequel to all the stories in "The Superiors" universe. The first is found here: http://bigclosetr.us/topshelf/fiction/17639/saga-e-girl-than...

And the fourth is here:
http://bigclosetr.us/topshelf/book/23823/lucky-one

Prologue:

At the center of the multiverse, there is a small moon-sized planetoid. On the surface is a large tree, whose branches give the impression of giving shade to the whole of Creation.

At the base of the tree is a dwelling that looks like a traditional North American native teepee, and it would have looked quite natural on the North American plains.

What steps out of the teepee would not have looked as natural.

It was a coyote.

In fact it was the Coyote - trickster god to many native American tribes, who was stuck at the center of the multiverse thanks to an encounter with a certain Asgardian.

Coyote sniffed the air, and frowned.

Most of the time, Coyote grumbled to himself about how boring things were since he got stuck. “Oh sure” he’d say, “I managed to have a little fun by sending my power to Earth, and turning one poor schmuck’s life totally upside down, that had been a good time, but other than that ... this is no place for jokes - or a joker.”

But today felt different.

Something was about to happen, Coyote could feel it.

Then the air shimmered, and there in front of Coyote was what looked exactly like a Christmas elf. About three feet tall, in striped socks and a hat with bells on it, and carrying a candy cane.

“Hello, Loki.” Coyote said with a sigh.

“Well, well, well, look who’s here!”

“Where else would I be. You got me stuck here, remember?”

“Ah, yes. Not a bad prank, I think. But not as good as the one I’ve got cooking now.”

The air shimmered again, and Loki was now holding a large chest.

“Guess what’s in the chest, Coyote.”

“Nope. Not gonna.”

“I’ll give you a hint. It has eight legs, and used to be a god.”

“Loki, you didn’t ...”

Loki threw the chest at the ground in front of Coyote, which opened it. Coyote peered inside, and said, “Anansi. What are you up to, Loki?”

“Something that required a little more power. So I’ve been visiting all the tricksters of all the myths everywhere. Believe it or not, most were glad to help. Especially when they saw what happened to the Spider, here.”

“Well, you can’t take my power, Loki. I don’t have it. My avatar on Earth does.”

“Yes. But I have enough anyway. I just thought you might want to watch the show. It will be a real exciting time!”

The air shimmered, and Loki vanished.

“Is he gone?” said a voice from the chest.

“You still alive, Anansi?”

“What’s alive to someone like me? But I’m not going anywhere for a while, if that’s what you mean.”

Coyote sighed. He’d promised The Doctor he’d stay out of his avatar’s life, but this was an emergency.

He took a deep breath, and shouted “Fluke! You got company coming!”

To be continued ...