Ladies and Gentlemen, I am SO EXCITED to bring you the sequel to In One Moment - KINGDOM OF MIDGARD. The continuing adventures and misadventures of Loki and Astrid continue! I hope you enjoy, as always. And I've noticed that comments make me write faster. :P Onward!
- Rose
"My lord, Loki's invasion was a success. He has conquered the Earth, and he is in possession of the tesseract."
"Excellent," The Mad Titan sat straight on his throne, golden armor shining in the dim light of the stars in the void. "It seems our fallen prince was as effective as he claimed…"
"He allied with a group of humans." the Other hissed. "The Chitauri were formidable, but he managed to use the humans' limited technology and cultural strife to achieve stability following the attack, without imprisoning or destroying the entire species."
"Interesting...this endeavor is proving to be more fascinating than I had anticipated. Enslaving the planet would have been the easiest path by far. I wonder why he chose allegiance over destruction."
Thanos looked out into the stars, considering his ally's strategy. Regardless of whether the conquest was a failure or a success in the long run, he would learn much by letting it play out. Out of sheer curiosity, he decided then to let this experiment with Loki continue.
"Shall I have him return what you gave him? Shall we recall the Chitauri?"
Thanos chuckled darkly before turning back to his minion. "No. Let the new King of Midgard have his fun...satisfied with his little victory; there is no risk to leaving them with him for now. The convergence will be upon us soon, and we must prepare to collect the Reality Stone. That is our priority."
"Yes, my lord," The Other simpered, and he returned to the shadows.
Then Thanos smiled. THAT smile.
OathThe hall hummed with the dull roar of anxious conversation, echoing off the marble walls of the throne room. The green and gold velvet banners hanging gracefully down from the ceiling did help dampen the noise some, but the sheer number of people ensured that raised speaking voices would be necessary. Hundreds filled the room - international delegates sat behind long curved tables that stretched in rows across the hall and tiered back toward the entrance, while journalists huddled around the edges in what little space remained, standing with their backs against the walls or crouching on the floor.
It had been a week since Loki's speech to the world. A week since the excitement of victory and the revelry that followed. A week since Loki took over Stark Tower, renamed it the Palace of Midgard, and took his place as Earth's first global leader.
No one could have anticipated the speed at which his conquest would proceed across the planet. Following his speech, the Chitauri continued to flow from the portal, day after day, flying off in squadrons and capturing the capital cities of the world almost methodically. In each city, leaders were given a choice - surrender, or be destroyed. Most invasions met no resistance at all - in some cases, civil coups had already displaced the leaders and welcomed Loki's forces by the time the Chitauri arrived. No harm came to anyone in those countries. But in the cities that resisted, battle was efficient and brutal. Without nuclear weapons, human forces were hopelessly, hilariously outgunned. And now, only a week later, every country in the world had fallen under the command of the God of Mischief. The Earth had surrendered, completely. Every delegate was there to sign away their country's freedom and swear loyalty to their new king.
The din softened slightly as several people noticed Loki enter from behind the dias, followed dutifully by Astrid and Steven. They walked to their seats - Loki's throne in the middle flanked by his most trusted advisors - and stood solemnly in front of the crowd. The room, however, did not go completely quiet until Loki pounded the base of the scepter on the ground. The sound resonated through the room like thunder, and all eyes turned to face him. The blue stone glinted hauntingly in the silence, but as Loki stood before them, he drew their attention with a well-rehearsed, charming smile.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he began, slowly opening his arms in a welcoming gesture. "I am honored that you have joined me on this historic day."
In the dark streets below, activists crowded outside the Palace, waving homemade signs, chanting and screaming under the harsh floodlights that dotted the Recovery City grounds. The Chitauri guards easily kept them at bay on pure intimidation - so long as they remained on the correct side of the barriers, the Chitauri didn't move. No one wanted to see what happened when one of them did. Loki's supporters were just as energized and vocal as Loki's opponents, and while his allies clearly outnumbered others near the base of the tower, riots raged further out in the streets of New York. The orange glow of fires dotted the city's night skyline as illuminated smoke floated into the air.
All part of the plan.
"Today, we truly enter a new era. Today, we officially establish my kingdom, the monarchy of Loki Odinson."
In his cell below the tower, Thor sneered, watching his former brother lambast his name on the closed circuit television outside his transparent prison. Odinson...he was Odinson. But that was as far as his thoughts got before the sedatives turned his mind into a confused, foggy mess once again. Revenge...was the only feeling, the only word Thor could remember. Revenge, revenge, revenge…
"It is with great appreciation and steadfast determination that I lead you into the future. A future where oligarchs can no longer deny the health and happiness of our most vulnerable citizens. A future where every person has a right to survive and an opportunity to prosper. A future where the human race's greatest achievements are yet to come."
There was some applause, but it was obvious that not everyone in the room was there of their own free will. Some delegates shifted nervously in their seats, some scowled, But some looked thrilled and enthusiastic - those from the country that had willingly bent the knee upon the Chitauri's arrival. They all knew what they were to do. Say the oath, exactly, word for word, each in their own native language - Loki could understand them all.
"Today, I accept your commitment to work with me. We will make your glorious future a reality. Together, we will build a world that ushers in a renaissance of technological, scientific, and cultural advancement. Humans will no longer be hindered by the limits of their planet, and I will guide you as your species expands to the stars. My citizens, I humbly and gladly accept your promise of fealty, and look forward to the peace and prosperity to come."
On cue, a black woman in traditional Swahili dress stood proudly, a smile across her face.
"Mimi, Shali Furaha, mwakilishi wa taifa kubwa la Tanzania, swali uaminifu kwa Mfalme Loki Odinson."
Then she sat back down, and wrote her signature on a treaty, handing it with pride to the staffer collecting the documents. She beamed at Loki, and he gave her a smile and a nod of appreciation in return. Then his attention turned to the person to her left.
The next delegate stood, visibly uncomfortable. "Yo, Alberto Rodrigo Francisco Adelante, representante de la gran nación de Venezuela, juro lealtad al Rey Loki Odinson."
As he sat and signed his paper, he glanced up at his king. Loki gave him a solemn nod of approval, then turned to the next delegate.
A young woman in a blue dress with flowing red hair stood and locked eyes with him. He almost flinched; her gaze was strong. "I," she began, a slight North Irish accent tinting her words, "Matilda Taylor, representative of the great nation of Britain," - her voice cracked - "swear loyalty to King Loki Odinson."
As she spoke, he felt the resistance in her, the anger. The utter fury at what she had to do. She violently scribbled her name on the paper and practically threw it at the collector. Loki's eyes lingered on her a bit longer. This one, he would remember.
Each country, in turn, swore their allegiance to Loki and the papers were collected. One after the other, whether with enthusiasm, fear, outright loathing, or supposed indifference, the documents were signed, and Loki watched as each country was officially given to him. The oath wound its way through the tables, serpentining back, until an older white man in a charcoal grey suit stood. Loki watched him, expecting to hear the words, but as the silence grew longer, he leaned forward with impatience.
"I…" the old man's voice shook. "I...Gideon Malick, representative of the great nation of the United States of America…"
Loki stared him down. He recognized him as soon as he heard him - the voice Loki had to imitate a week ago to prevent catastrophe. The man who ordered the nuclear attack on New York...the man who would have murdered millions…
"...refuse to swear loyalty to King Loki Odinson."
There were gasps, followed by a thick silence. After a few tense moments, Loki simply looked down his nose at the man. "Come forward," he commanded. Malick walked toward the dias, visibly shaking despite his best efforts. Watching Loki like a man waiting to be struck down, he stopped in front of the king.
"Turn, and face them," Loki said. Malick looked confused for a moment, but he turned and looked at the crowd. The entire room stared back at him. Some were scared, some were morbidly fascinated by what might happen to him, some were angry. No one looked like they wanted to be where he was. And the fear of having the deadly Asgardian behind him made his shaking even worse.
"Continue," Loki signaled to the next delegate, and gave a slight smile to put her at ease. She rose and gave the oath, then signed and handed the paper to the collector. The procession carried on.
Malick got more and more uncomfortable as the oaths were spoken and documents signed, until finally, everything was done. The delegates had all sworn loyalty to their new king.
Loki stood and smiled. "My citizens!" he exclaimed. "You are, all of you, under the protection of the King of Midgard."
Some cheers rose from the crowd, as did polite applause. But everyone was wondering what Loki would do to the man, and the country, who had refused to swear loyalty to their king. Once the applause died down, Loki turned his attention to the unfortunate soul.
"Gideon Malick," he said, and his voice chilled Malick to the bone. It was murderous, seeping with rage, but icily controlled. Malick began to turn, but Loki pounded his scepter on the ground and shook the hall with its rumbling noise. "FACE THEM!" he yelled, and Malick turned back to the sea of terrified faces.
Astrid focused hard on maintaining her composure as she watched Loki lower the point of his spear and press it cruelly into the man's back, making Malick's legs almost buckle. This man who deserved whatever punishment the God of Lies could conceive.
"I want you to answer me truthfully, here, in front of the world." Loki growled. Malick's face went completely white
"Were you a member of the World Security Council before being assigned as a delegate at this meeting?"
"Yes," Malick said, tears of fear welling in his eyes.
"And were you put in that position by the shadow organization known as HYDRA?"
A hushed mumble rose from the crowd. As far as the rest of the world knew, HYDRA had been defeated back in the 1940's. Malick's throat closed. He couldn't even speak. He stared into the eyes of the world and said not a word.
"I assume your silence is an affirmative answer, unless you say otherwise," Loki sneered.
Again, a fearful gaze was the only response Malick could muster.
"Did you personally order the nuclear attack on New York City?"
Malick was shaking so badly he was barely able to stand. He remained quiet, his terror palpable.
Loki would not accept his silence this time. "ANSWER ME!" the king yelled.
Malick jumped at his demand. "YES!" Malick shrieked, and the tears began to stream down his face.
"Were you, Gideon Malick, willing to sacrifice the lives of millions of innocent people to maintain the position of power you were given by HYDRA?" Loki's voice boomed through the hall, resonated through him like thunder.
"Yes…" Malick sobbed. His legs finally gave out, and he slumped to the floor. Surprise and fear spread through the crowd like a wave. He was a pathetic heap of a man, now pissing himself in front of every person on the planet. Loki looked around, at the delegates, at the journalists, then back to the crumpled person on the green carpet. "This is a wicked man," he declared somberly. "Willing to murder millions to keep his status and influence that he garnered through corruption and subversive means. This is the man that was in control of the most devastating weapons your species has ever created. Now look at him."
Malick's cries echoed through the silent room as all stared on.
"You are not a worthy representative for the great nation of the United States of America. Gideon Malick, I hereby charge you with treason."
Malick was so overwhelmed he couldn't bring himself to respond. Though at that point, he didn't need to. Two soldiers came and picked him up by his arms, and dragged him out of the room, his cries resonating through the chamber.
"You will be detained here in the Palace until such as time as this assembly can formally sentence you for your crimes," Loki continued as he was led from the hall. "And you will be punished to the fullest extent that our laws will allow."
Malick's pitiable cries followed him through the doors until silence filled the room once more, every person too on edge to make any noise at all. Loki waited a few moments, then took a deep breath and spoke to the delegates once more. "Effective immediately, I appoint Chloe Barnes as the new representative of the great nation of the United States of America." A confused murmur rose through the crowd, and Loki's sidelong smile spread almost imperceptibly across his face. Many of the journalists recognized her name immediately - she was the one who had interrupted her own televised interview to kick a falling piece of building away from a group of endangered refugees during the first hours of the recovery. She had virally become the face of "Loki's Army" overnight, and a huge social media following blossomed under her influence.
"Chloe is a native of New York. Before the attack, she came to us and volunteered to fight for me, for a better world, and was one of the original 300 soldiers who saved lives during the Battle. Though I met her only days ago, I am impressed by her tenacity and foresight, as well as her outlook - everyone deserves an opportunity to succeed, regardless of influence, regardless of money. I believe that is the heart and soul of America, and I believe this woman represents those values through her resolve and actions."
A young woman in a Lokian military formal uniform, very similar to Steven's, began to make her way toward the front of the room. Though she often exuded a carefree innocence that instantly drew people to her, today she grinned as she kept her eyes locked on Loki and approached the dias with a look that was both humble and confident, bright hazel eyes gleaming. Loki smiled and looked at to her, though he was truly addressing the crowd once more. "Chloe Barnes, do you take the oath and swear loyalty to your king and this monarchy?"
Chloe kneeled and bowed her head, but she spoke loudly enough that the assembly could clearly hear her. "I, Chloe Barnes, representative of the great nation of the United States of America, swear loyalty to King Loki Odinson." As she stood, a document was brought to her, and she signed it with an air of pride. With that, she walked to the empty space that had been vacated by Malick, and took her seat among the delegates.
Loki smiled and opened his arms once more. "To the Kingdom of Midgard!" he shouted. All of the delegates stood, as if on cue. "To the Kingdom of Midgard!" they replied, and a chorus of applause broke out among the masses. For several seconds, Loki continued to smile with his arms open, then he lowered his arms, and the room became silent once more. "I look forward to our first official meeting tomorrow. Thank you, everyone, for your cooperation." And with that, he pounded his staff on the ground, and the rumbling echo rattled through the marble chamber once more.
The noise level rose steadily as the journalists began reporting to their stations, commenting on what just happened. Some delegates stayed chatted for a while, others left immediately, while others began to do interviews with the ring of media around them. As expected, the largest group of media swarmed Chloe, and she addressed them all with a beautiful, happy smile. Loki, Astrid, and Steven exited the way they had come, behind the dias, and back toward their private chambers.
Loki took no questions afterward, he simply walked away from the cacophony. Astrid followed him quietly. Despite the show he had put on just seconds ago, she could see he was nervous; his jaw clenched and his eyes always looked forward. Even the God of Lies had his tells.
Steven walked next to Astrid, his face pale though his expression remained controlled. The riots outside were his responsibility, not only to start, but to end once the broadcast was over. They didn't use the Chitauri because Loki wanted people to be afraid of the rioters, not the aliens. It was about showing the people of New York that they had more to fear from those who resisted the new king than they did from Loki himself, a subversive tactic that Steven had not wanted to begin with, but Loki had insisted, so he had gone along with it. He was the king, after all. But that didn't make it any less difficult to bear the mental burden of putting his soldiers in harm's way for a lie - men and women he had been on those same streets with a week ago, keeping the citizens safe. His face stayed that way until they reached the door to Steven's quarters.
"Sir," Steven breathed. Loki reached out and put an arm on his shoulder.
"Steven. Thank you." A rare, genuine spread across Loki's face. "I know how hard this has been for you. I promise it will all be worth it." Steven felt a chill run through him and his stomach jumped a bit. A while ago he realized that smile on Loki was his favorite expression, but he'd gotten better at hiding what it did to him. Steven wanted to hug him, to bring Loki into his arms and tell him through his embrace alone how he felt...but he resisted that urge, and instead extended his hand. Loki shook it firmly, with intense eye contact, then nodded and released.
The new feelings that had developed in Steven over the past week surprised, scared, and excited him all at once. He'd never been so infatuated with anyone, man or woman...it wasn't the same as the attraction he had for the opposite sex, but it was no less powerful. There had been about a dozen moments Steven caught himself unknowingly staring at Loki, gazing vacantly at his king while lost in his own thoughts. He didn't know if he'd ever been caught, but if he had, it was never brought up.
He ignored it, denied it, even got mad at himself for feeling anything in the first place. It was risky, it was stupid, it was inconvenient. But...it was there.
Steven quickly looked at Astrid, then back to Loki. "Goodnight, Sir," he said, "I'll see you at 0900 tomorrow," and he entered his room, casting one last furtive glance at his king before closing the door. Once he heard Astrid and Loki's footsteps echo down the hall into silence, he leaned back against his wall and took a shaky breath before finally letting the tears roll down his cheeks.