Imagine Thor about 19, and Loki, 17.

Disclaimer: I do not own any these characters, but I made two, one in the first chapter, the other in the forth chapter. The rest belong to the brilliant mind of Stan Lee.


Chapter One: Training

Thor had requested Loki's presence at his battle training that day. He wasn't sure why, but he could guess. Thor could be such a show-off at times. As Loki watched his brother practicing with his trusted Mjolner, he became envious of the thunder god's strength.

Thor could defeat anyone. Loki was pretty good at fighting, too. But, unlike his brother, who used one-on-one combat, Loki usually did his from a distance. Muttering spells to do the dirty work, he never really 'fought' before. With a sword, or weapon or something. Maybe magic is all I'm good at, Loki thought to himself. He exhaled a breath of sorrow, hand on face, waiting in the bleachers.

"Loki!" Thor's cry yanked Loki out of his thoughts. "I'm glad you could make it! I was wondering if you would like to train with me tomorrow." Thor stated with his trademark grin. The news sent a bolt through his heart, this was his chance! But then he thought why he never fought before. "No, thank you, brother. I am weak. No match for you." He DID. More than anything. "Well, if you insist, but I'm warning you, I am no good." "That's what training is for!" Oh boy, he thought and sneered as he turned away.

That next day, Loki was sound asleep, when his curtains where flung open, and sunlight poured on his startled face. "Wha…? What is it? What's happening?" Loki mumbled, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. "Training starts today!" Called an over enthusiastic Thor. "Ugh…it's too early!" Loki grumbled as he slowly climbed out of bed. Thor's reassuring clap on the back nearly knocked the sleepy trickster god face first on the ground. "Oi! Watch it!" "Sorry brother! I'm just SO excited for today!" "Really? I haven't noticed." Loki mumbled under his breath.

After the boisterous nuisance let him get ready, Loki could wake up, and it finally set in. I'm going training today! It took all the self-control not to do a little dance around his room.

He met Thor on the training field, both rocking back and forth on the balls of their feet, impatient for it to start. The battle trainer, Saldon, walked out with a giant wooden chest. "Loki," he said. "Is it true you wish to try battle?" Loki gulped. "It is." "Very well, let's get started." He motioned for Loki to advance. He was so eager; he nearly tripped over his cape. A snort from behind told him incident had not unnoticed. He glared over his shoulder at Thor. His giant smirk was almost contagious. Loki rolled his eyes and focused back on Saldon and the chest.

"We will soon see which weapon will work best for you." Loki could barely contain his excitement. This was it! As the chest was opened, Loki gasped at what it contained. Dozens of newly forged weapons, all gleaming metal and screaming dangerous. He wasn't sure which to pick, they all looked perfect. As suddenly as it opened, it closed. "You think you can just show up one day and instantly start with one of these?" The trainer stated as he patted the chest fondly. "We're going to have to strengthen you up first." Ugh…

Saldon set the brother up to start with 50 push-ups and 50 sit-ups. Loki could barely do one. "Don't judge me, Thor. It's the first time I've ever done this before." Loki scoffed. "Just go down, don't come up. It's the easiest way to start." Thor commented.

After they 'finished', they did the sit-ups. Loki found this much easier. The heavier you were, the harder it was, and Loki was very light, unlike Thor. At the end, they both lay on their backs, panting. Loki had never been so tiered before. By looking at the sun's position, it was barely noon. He flopped onto his stomach, with every effort to rise. Thor was already up, and grabbed Loki around the arm, and pulled him the rest of the way. Loki barely had enough strength to thank him.

Next, was cardio. Loki didn't know what it meant, but he didn't really want to find out. Saldon told them to run around the field two times, about ¾ of a mile. He was glad he could almost keep up with Thor. Or, his big brother was letting him. After that, he plopped down on the nearest bench to catch his breath. As Thor approached, Loki moved so Thor could sit down as well. Loki looked at Thor, who was barely out of breath, and thought, wow; I am very out of shape. Loki was thin, he was very thin, but there was no bulk. Just brains. He could beat anyone in the house of Odin at chess. Thor was terrible at those types of games. That's why Loki and Sif did the planning before a battle.

"Okay, lunch break, then the fun starts." Saldon told them as he began to clean up and prepare. The brother left the field and entered the banquet hall. There, his father, Odin, and his mother, Frigga, were waiting for them at the table. "We are sorry to keep you waiting, father." Loki apologized. "It is fine, I watched you this morning, and I understand why you are late." Loki sighed; his father had watched him fail. "Will you joining us again this afternoon?" Thor asked eagerly as they sat down. "Perhaps." Odin replied, as the food was being set out in front of them. Thor started shoveling food into his mouth, loudly and very rudely. Loki hated it when he did that. To show his disapproval, he stomped down, hard, on hid foot. "Ow!" Thor cried, rage burned in his eyes. "What was that for?!" Thor demanded, swallowing the food still in his mouth, looking murderous. "You very well know what. You know I hate it when you do that. And no on else wants to see that either." Loki spat, he could see his parents out of the corner of his eye, and they tensed to see what the thunder god would do next. Loki always asked nicely for Thor to stop, never had he done anything violent before. "I'm sorry, brother, I'll try not to do it anymore." Both of his parents exhaled with relief.

They met Saldon on the field again. Loki felt much better now, he wasn't sure why. Was it the food and the rest? Or was it that he finally stood up to Thor? He shook his head to clear his thoughts. Thor glanced sideways at him. Thor was quick to forgive; the incident at lunch was already forgotten.

"Are you ready to choose your weapon, Loki?" Loki approached the chest one last time, with his brother at his side. "I would like something simple, understated, if you know what I mean." The battle trainer looked in the chest, and chose five: the first, a regular, shaped sword. No. The second choice, a mace. No way. The third, a curved sword. Maybe. The next, a hammer. Thor chuckled at the idea. The last, a selection of a dozen or so throwing stars. Perfect! "I would choose these. They are wonderful!" "Hmm…warriors always pick the big things, but you are not an ordinary warrior. You are not an ordinary Odinson. I sense a peculiar future for you, young prince. Loki couldn't believe the words that issued from Saldon. The brothers turned to each other. There was a prominent proud look on Thor's face. Thor was proud of his little brother!

"Now, let's get started!" Saldon led them to the middle of the field, where practice dummies were set up. Loki held the stars in his hand, thumb running on the razor edge. He wouldn't want to be on the business end of one of these, given he could hit his target.

Saldon sent Thor to retrieve something. This gave Loki some time to practice. "Just like rock-skipping." He explained. That didn't really help, there were no lakes for miles to practice on. They tried to prefect his technique. He was getting better, but not by much.

After the long day, the two brothers went to their rooms. Loki was so exhausted, he hoped father wasn't there, that would have been embarrassing. His clothes were clinging to his body with sweat. He began peeling off the outer layer of his armor. He went to his bathroom. He didn't even wait for the water to warm; he just climbed in, and jumped right back out again. Brr! He reluctantly went back in. Within a few seconds, it didn't seem so bad. The pounding water massaged his sore arms and back. After the most refreshing shower, Loki put on his pajamas, and climbed into bed.

This same routine went on for over a month, every day.

Loki could feel the new muscles taking shape on his sturdier frame. His posture, if it was possible, grew even straighter. It even seemed that he was taller than Thor, who slouched. Loki now knew physical strength. He never before would have believed that he could do anything, or accomplish what he had. Now it was Loki who ran fastest, not Thor. Thor countered with that running is for cowards. Loki didn't care what his brother thought. He could now hit the targets from across the field with deadly accuracy and force. Thor would often spar with Loki No weapons, no tricks, mostly. Thor was relieved to have Loki on his side in battle. Loki was now an opponent to be feared. Thor was so proud of his brother. He used to think he was a useless, good for nothing bookworm.

That could do magic.


Whew! That was a long chapter. More will be posted soon!