Odin sits on the throne in the castle's inner sanctum, the chamber empty of guards, courtiers, and councillors. He wants solitude, time to think and time to mourn his wife and son.

A green glimmer catches his eye. Frigga, his heart says, but his mind knows it it not so.

"Loki," he names the intruder that has returned from the dead.

"Hello, Odin," he growls, a dagger dancing in his hands. His face betrays no emotion, but Odin knows that murder lurks in his heart.

"How did you survive?" Odin asks.

"I was never injured, All-Father. Did you forget that tricks are my specialty? Thor simply saw what he wanted to see- me out of the way, but honorably. "

"Thor would never-"

"Of course he does, Odin. I threaten all he loves, the girl, the Earth, everything. He desires me dead, though he hides the urge deep within his mind. We both got what we desired- Thor thinks I died with honor, he believes that I am out of his way forever, and I am free to operate without him constantly trying to lead me in chains. It's better this way, Odin," Loki finishes. "Once I receive what is mine."

"Loki, what you try to do is folly," Odin cautions.

He laughs. "I come to claim my birthright, father." Loki spits the last word like poison. "And there are none who will oppose me."

Odin knows the truth of this. Thor is on Earth, and Odin has warned his guards that he is not to be disturbed.

No one can stop Loki, Odin knows.

"Do what you've come to do, then," Odin challenges. "I will not cry for mercy."

"I would think less of you if you did, All-Father." A flash of green, and Odin stares at himself. No one will know that he has died, Odin realizes. Everyone else believes that Loki is dead. Loki will wear his form and trick everyone.

"Loki, this thing must not be done." Odin tells him. "Kinslaying-"

"Kin!" Loki sneers. Loki changes his form, and again is himself in green robes and dark hair. "I have no kin, Asgardian, as you damned well know. This day Loki, son of Laufey and Odin, shall twice be an orphan!"

Loki raises the dagger and stabs Odin in the heart. He savagely yanks it out and stabs him again, this time in the stomach." All I've ever wanted is you and Thor dead at my feet!" Loki rages. "My birthright!" Loki stabs Odin again, and again. Odin counts thirty before he closes his eyes and surrenders. Frigga, my love, I'm coming.

Odin's breathing becomes shallow and then stops altogether. "My birthright," Loki whispers to his body.

Your birthright was to die as a child! Cast out on a frozen rock! If I hadn't taken you in, you would not be here now to hate me.

"I have desired the throne, and now I have it," Loki says to the empty sanctum. "But..." he looks down at his bloody work, and against his will, tears come. "Oh, I have it..."

All his life he knew Odin as his father, and even now a part of him is reviled and horrified at what he has done to the man who loved him as a son.

"He never loved me! " Loki rages. "What's done is done. I regret nothing," he tells himself. "I regret nothing." He begins to believe himself.

Calm, as if nothing had happened, as if he had not killed the All-Father not even three minutes ago, Loki stands and makes the mess disappear. He again assumes Odin's form and sits on the throne that he has desired for so long.

"Attendants!" he calls. Four of them rush into the sanctum and kneel before him. Loki smiles.

"Bring Thor to me."