Chapter One

"I really don't see what the fuss is all about."

"Do you not truly feel the gravity of your crimes? Where ever you go there is war, ruin, and death."

"I wanted to rule the people of Earth as a benevolent God, just like you."

"We are not Gods. We are born, we live, we die, just as humans do.

"Give or take five thousand years."

"All this because Loki desires a throne."

"It's my birthright!"

"Your birthright, was to die! As a child! Cast out on a frozen rock. If I had not taken you in you would not be here to hate me."

"If I had fully asked for true mercy, I'd say just swing it. It's not that I don't love our little talks, it's just... I don't love them."

"Frigga is the only reason you are still alive and you will never see her again. You will spend the rest of your days in the dungeon."

"And what of Thor? You will make that witless oaf king while I rot in chains?"

"Thor must strive to undo the damage you have already done. He will bring order to the Nine Realms, and than yes, he will take over the throne."

. . .

London was a beautiful city. There was so much to see and do that I was almost always busy. Darcy was showing me the best spots according to her while Jane was busy with the lab equipment she brought with her. And I have to say, I'm really glad I was asked to tag along, even if that whole scenario had seemed random at the time.

And now I was pacing around the small apartment, phone against my ear while Darcy had the news turned on. It was around that time again.

"Yes, everything's fine Clint," I muttered while still pacing. Darcy was trying her hardest not to laugh - by now she'd gotten used to the random messages left by my overprotective father. So far Jane was never around to hear our conversations, and that was probably a good thing. "No, I haven't run into any strangers... yeah, I got it. Believe me, I can take care of myself. Yes, I'll call tomorrow."

Holding back a sigh of frustration as he hung up, I tossed the phone on the sofa next to Darcy. She just grinned as I joined her shortly after.

"Don't you just love overprotective parents?" she chided.

"They're just wonderful," I replied with a laugh.

But I was nice to hear that someone was worried about me. After everything I went through it was difficult leaving the country. You wouldn't believe what it took to convince both Clint and Natasha that I was capable of doing this.

In just seconds the doorbell rang, causing Darcy to jump in surprise. I glanced up from my seat as she answered the door. Standing at the entrance was a young looking man, probably in his early twenties. Last time I checked we didn't order any food. So this obviously wasn't a delivery.

"Um... hi, I'm Ian Boothby... I'm looking for Darcy Lewis," he greeted Darcy opened the door even wider.

"Oh hi, that would be me!" She glanced over her shoulder, and noticing my confusion she quickly explained, "He's my new intern!"

That didn't make any sense. I thought Darcy already was an intern? I wasn't entirely familiar with those terms, but didn't you need to have some kind of profession to have an intern? I doubted Darcy was even responsible enough to have an intern.

Darcy led Ian over to the kitchen where a mass of dirty dishes had made themselves at home. While she instructed him on cleaning the dishes, I took the chance to check up on the outside world. For the most part I'd stayed inside while on my own. Plus this would be a good chance to chat with Beck.

All in all Darcy had been very curious about him. She didn't know about the Grid but she did know that Beck wasn't from our world. Luckily she didn't question where he came from. Jane hadn't even bothered asking as she was too busy studying scientific phenomenons.

As I sat outside on the balcony I took note of the people walking by. It was cold and gloomy out. By now I'd gotten used to London's cloudy weather. That was just part of their lives as far as I was concerned. And I was just a visitor.

Taking a deep breath I pulled out the tablet Tony had given me and switched it on. It didn't take long for Beck to answer. Because he was working alongside Tony and Sam, it gave him a chance to take breaks more often. Unlike Tron they weren't nearly as strict, which was probably a good thing for Beck's sake.

"Is it that time already?" I raised an eyebrow when Beck answered it, grinning sheepishly as he looked back at me.

"Nice to see you too, bitbrain," I retorted. "How's work going?" A loud clang sounded in the background as I asked that. Beck turned to see Tony muttering a few curses before looking back at me.

"Not bad, for the most part," he replied. "Thanks to Bodhi's tool we've managed to create a few new vehicles that work similar to the ones on the Grid."

That was why Tony wanted to merge companies. Being able to design such vehicles would create more Earth friendly methods of transportation, whatever that meant. All I knew was that Tony had given me a prototype version of a light cycle. He wanted to know whether or not it would work without the Grid thanks to the codes Beck had designed for him. Having three geniuses in the same room wasn't exactly a good idea now that I thought about.

"When do you think production will be finished?" I may not be familiar with those kind of terms but I was quickly learning thanks to Tony. I couldn't help but wince when an explosion suddenly sounded in the background, followed by a stream of more curses.

"That might take longer than we thought," Beck replied while fighting back a fit of laughter. "I should uh... probably go," he added when Tony noticed that he was laughing.

"Try not to get yourself blown up." I smirked when Tony stuck his tongue out like an angry child. Remind me again how he made his fortune? Beck just grinned before the screen went black once more.

On the plus side it was good to see that things were picking up. For a while it took Sam some time to agree with Tony's idea. Even Alan Bradley seemed more than happy to make more energy efficient vehicles that were affordable for average citizens.

"Hey, check this out!" Ian was sitting on the sofa after washing all the dishes in what I thought to be inhuman speed. Darcy was busy looking at something on the table when he turned up the volume on the TV.

The news broadcasting showed images of a famous national park known as Stonehenge. And of course it was showing something that made me want to wash my eyes out. Someone was streaking in the public. And that someone happened to be Dr. Erik Selvig. On the plus side all the unpleasant body parts were blocked out, but that was something I could never unsee.

"I'm here at Stonehenge for what happens to be an interesting unfolding of events today," the news reporter explained. "The police reported the scene shortly after 11 AM this morning, after a seemingly harmless rambler approached the area and started to strip naked, than terrorized there with scientific equipment while shouting that he was trying to save them. The man, later identified as noted Astrophysicist Dr. Erik Selvig, has been called into questioning by the police."

Wait, wasn't he brainwashed by Loki when he waged war on Earth? I remembered Natasha mentioning it when we were still getting to know each other. My eyes widened as I thought of how lucky Clint was that he didn't end up like Selvig.

But hey, at least we knew Selvig was okay. And apparently naked. I didn't even want to think of that now.

"Oh, we have got to find Jane and tell her about this," Darcy said after a commercial turned on.

"Do you even know where she is?" Ian asked.

She had mentioned going out to study some kind of scientific phenomenon. Though something told me that this was more than just about studying phenomenons. When she left she had been wearing a fancy outfit and hadn't taken any of her equipment with her.

Just as I thought of that one of the scientific equipments Jane had scattered around the apartment went off. Darcy jumped at the source of the noise, while Ian raised an eyebrow. Anomalies like these happened rarely. I'm guessing that's why Darcy was so surprised as she started banging the toaster against the wall.

"I don't think you're supposed to do that," I pointed out while trying not to laugh. Jane would not be happy if she saw what Darcy was doing to her equipment.

"Hey, do you know how to turn this thing off?" Darcy looked between me and Ian, we both just shrugged in response. "Where the heck is Jane when you need her?"

"Dunno, she mentioned something about going out earlier," I explained. "Something about meeting with a Richard guy..." I paused and suddenly recalled that she was the one who had helped Thor during his banishment to Earth. Wasn't it Clint who had been called on that mission?

I wonder why Jane suddenly started meeting with someone else. If I remembered correctly than she was Thor's girlfriend, or something along those lines. Than I reminded myself that Thor hasn't seen Jane in quite a long time. Maybe this was her way of getting past the fact that he might have forgotten about her.

"Perhaps those readings are important," Ian suggested as Darcy complained about the signal not turning off.

Darcy looked at Ian as if he'd made the dumbest suggestion of the century. Than she studied the instrument for a few more seconds before her eyes widened. I wasn't around when the signal went off last time in New Mexico. All I knew was that Mjölnir, or Thor's hammer, had ended up being found in the area along with Thor himself. And Jane was the one who had first discovered those readings.

"Oh my God, these readings are exactly like the ones in New Mexico, and the ones Erik was rambling about!" Darcy suddenly exclaimed.

"Do you know where Jane is?" I eyed the device warily. I've gotten used to being surrounded by technology thanks to my time on the Grid. But this device was something Jane had made herself. It was a toaster strapped with scientific equipment.

"She's on her date with that Richard dude," Darcy replied with the biggest grins. "We so have to crash that date!"

Wasn't that rude? Beck and I have only been on a few dates. We weren't exactly the 'dating' type. The closest we'd ever gotten to a romantic evening was that dinner with the Avengers. And of course having Clint and Natasha watching our every move didn't help matters.

This was going to get interesting.

. . .

"Is Vanaheim secure?"

"As are Nornheim and Ria, though our work would have gone more quickly with you there in battle."

"You must think that I am a piece of bread that needs to be buttered so heavily."

"That was not my intent."

"For the first time since the Bifrost was destroyed, the Nine Realms are at peace. We are well reminded of our strength and you have earned their respect, and, my gratitude."

"Thank you."

"Nothing out of order except for your confused and distracted heart."

"This is not about Jane Foster, father."

"Human lives are fleeting; they're nothing. You'd be better served by what lies in front of you. I'm telling you this not as the All-Father, but as your father. You are ready, the time has come for you to take the throne. Embrace, celebrate what you have won. Join your warriors, eat, and drink, revel in their celebration. At least pretend to enjoy yourself."

AN: Apologies for not updating sooner. I got a bit distracted ^^ On the plus side the interview went well. At least I think it did. Best part is I can walk to the job if I get it, so I wouldn't have to worry about transportation. Big thanks to 2theSky and Panda Bear Lover 317 for reviewing! You guys are awesome :D