The tension in the palace had grown in the last few weeks. No one was speaking to one another within the palace. Thor had decided to seclude himself even more to make sure no one spoke to him about the current situation. Years, maybe even decades, he trained to be able to wield the hammer and be honored with the task of protecting all the nine realms, to be King of Asgard. All that time wasted and the announced for him to be heir to the throne delayed even more. Jaw clenched, he knocked over anything that was within arms' reach.

'I see my dear brother is still troubled,' a figure slowly approached from what seemed like thin air.

'This is not a good time to be pestering me with your words, Loki.'

'I wish to just sooth your anger, to restore what is lost,' he bowed slightly.

'Then do you suggest something different than our King?' He turned around to face him. 'Is this one of your pranks? Do you have it?'

It was clear the torment Thor was experiencing. His hard face expressed anger, stress but his eyes said something different, fatigue, regret. Loki had been by his side from the beginning. The years of training to finally wield a weapon that was worthy of him only to have it disappear. Loki could always read his brother like a book since they were children. The blonde always portrayed an air of confidence and strength for the sake of the people around him.

'I suggest you follow his orders. Find it yourself.'

'This should not have happened!' He shouted and came face to face with his brother, attempting to restrain his actions. 'When I find Mjolnir, I will kill the person who took it from me with my own hands.'

Loki stepped back from his brother, his eyes never leaving his. He would be leaving at sunset on his quest to find what was lost to him. The first Odin-son regarded his brother one last time, turned away and left his younger sibling to wait his glorious return. But waiting is something he would not do and his brother's return is something he was going to prevent. Seeing the blonde leave the palace, Loki took a moment to himself and then turned away into thin air.

The weekend forecast was looking to be the perfect weather to be outside. One would have to be crazy not to spend the weekend outside enjoying the sun and barbecuing with friends or family by the poolside. Unfortunately for Samantha, she was going to be trapped inside all weekend with no hope of seeing the gorgeous weather or anytime for herself. At the corner of her eye she saw Marco glance over at her. She instantly crossed her arms and looked out the car window.

'How long are you not going to talk to me for?' He kept his eyes on the road.

'Until I get a weekend to myself for once.'

'Don't be like this. You do this every time it's a nice day outside.'

'That's because I want to be outside instead of inside,' she finally looked over at him. 'I have readings to complete. I'm not done the ones you've given me this week.'

'Samantha,' he looked at her. 'You finished those readings.'

'Agent Maxwell,' she only used his formal title when she was cross with him. 'How do you know?'

'Samantha,' he sighed. 'You know your training is important. You'll forget about this once you get there anyways.'

'But I'm bored with my training. I want to use weapons and learn to actually fight. Please?'

'You know you're not allow.'

'I'll be gentle this time,' she pulled her best smile.

'No,' he kept forward. 'And that's an order.'

And that was the end of that. He had seen right through her. She had completed the readings he'd given her so she really couldn't use it to get out of training. She kept her arms crossed for a few moments more before relaxing them. There was no point in arguing. This had been her life. Schooling and hobbies during the week and then training on the weekends. It had always been her and Marco as long as she could remember. He was some agent for a large organization, a real higher up so he had time to be both her teacher, training and father figure.

Looking out the window, they entered the underground parking area of the building she knew so well. Headquarters was always a busy place no matter the time of day it seemed. Samantha understood that Marco was real important but she still couldn't get over other people stopping and saluting him. She would always smile ridiculously and get a glared from him at the corner of his eye. No one really knew him like she did.

They entered the training quarters where they changed into the proper attire. Returning from the changing rooms, she looked upon Marco preparing the area. His light brown hair was tied back and the training suite complimented his large, muscular build. He turned around and smiled a warm smile that reached his kind green eyes. He was definitely a different person around her rather than the suite sporting agent he usually was around Headquarters. Tying back her curly brown hair, he approached her carrying what looked like training weapons.

'I think these are in order,' he held up a training sword.

'Marco, Marco,' she crossed her arms. 'Why the sudden change in attitude?'

'I have given it some thought,' he stood up to his full height. 'And it seems you have mastered non-weapon techniques.'

'So?'

'I'm trusting you to be gentle.'

Samantha looked at her trainer very hard. Last time they had engage in combat with weapons got a little out of hand. They had to build a new training quarter. Since that little incident, Samantha had been working on close quarter combat and using one's force against themselves. It was interesting but nothing gave the thrill of having a weapon in hand. A mischievous smile appear on her face as she held the training sword in hand. Maybe this weekend wasn't going to be a waste afterall. Stepping back, she settled into her stance.

'And that's a wrap,' Marco kicked her down.

Samantha stayed where she had fallen. Her exposed skin and most of her training uniform was drenched in sweat. They had been training for the last two days, only taking a break to sleep and eat in the guest quarters. Samantha lifted her head up with great effort and looked at him. He had beaten her down in every aspect of the swordplay. She could not beat him even when she tried to cheat. How could he be so well rounded in every aspect of combat? It was not fair. Marco appeared at her side and helped her up.

'You did good, Samantha,' he patted her on the shoulder. 'So training is not boring anymore, is it?'

'I like this new regiment,' she smiled.

'Go shower off and change. I'll meet you at the car?'

'Okay!'

She quickly changed and headed out to the parking lot where the car was waiting for her. Stepping into the car, she settled into the seat and dozed. It was a long drive home and she was tired. Marco shook her shoulder to wake her and she seemed to sleepwalk into the house. Taking a quick shower, she climbed into bed. She lied there for a bit and was about to fall asleep when a flash a light filled the room. Thunder made her jump out of bed and look out the window. In the distance beyond the low mountains, she saw a type of tornado form. It was something she had never seen before and with another flash of light, it was gone. Climbing back into bed, she pulled the covers over her head and fell to sleep.