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Floating. There was only emptiness and void at first for Loki. It should be cold, but unlike his brother Thor cold was Loki s natural state. He could have wept that not even now would he be permitted to forget his exposed heritage. Sensing a flicker of weakness he reached for it. Surely it would be fitting of the Prince of Mischief to cheat death, no not death but endless eons of loneliness all the more harsh for the voices and images of memory.
Reaching, stretching he manages just to touch the gate and finds himself, weakened and drained but not alone. Surrounded by creatures dressed and training for battle, a moment of laughter almost bubbled up out of Loki s throat. Fate was ever a greater trickster, and he was the favored plaything still it seemed. Daring not to show weakness he smiles and greets them as the inferior beings they no doubt were. Warriors, those of weak minds, and heavy fists. Already an idea was forming in his mind on how to use them to get back home. He would have to be clever, but that just made him smile all the more. It would take an army to get him home once more and all he had to do is make the army his. How hard could it be?
Deals made and promises given, more threats on his new allies behalf but he expected that. He had already figured out the only way he could go back home. He knew his brother after all, and the warriors pride. He, Loki, would play them all, one against the other until he had what he wanted. Maybe not all that he wanted but he would steal what he could from Fate.
If he brought his new army to Asgard, his brother and all his allies would banish him once more, but he if set out to conquer the earth, with the bridge closed Odin could only send one, and who else would he send but his beloved true son Thor. It would be easy to trick Thor into revealing what his feelings were and the feelings back at Asgard. He could get his brother drunk, never an easy task for Thor s appetites and capacities were godly indeed, or he could get his brother angry. Loki s smile faded as he looked over earth, his timing would have to be perfect, is lies with just the right hint of truth to them. Thor must never guess Loki s plans or how much he missed his brother. If Thor was to always be the stronger warrior, Loki only chance to a place in the sun was to be far more clever, cunning, and manipulative. He had offered up a great victor to his father and instead of being seen as worthy was revealed to all to be a lie all these years. No more Odinson was he, but known to be a frost giant, those who is anything respected brute strength even more then Odin and Thor did.
No it was clear to Loki, that the only way back home was as Thor s prisoner and for that to happen he needed an army. An army and trust that the humans bussing around would keep Thor so off balance that he never wondered how if Loki alone was a match for them, then how could they succeed against Loki and an army. Let them think that Fate favored them. He knew the truth. Loki, prince of tricksters, was fate s favorite plaything and he would go home, even if it meant as his warrior brother s prisoner in chains. He was going home.