Chapter One

Banished

Blackness.

That's all he could see. Never ending, all consuming… Suffocating.

Despair washed over him in waves, crushing him from within. His mind overflowed with a million thoughts and tears threatened to spring from his brilliant green eyes.

He had been banished. Cast out of the only place he had ever known and loved; the only place he had ever called home. The wrath of his father had been revealed in all its terrifying glory, as confusion…maybe even hatred marred his piercing blue eyes. His last words still bounced around Loki's mind:

"Loki Laufeyson… you have betrayed the express command of your King. Through your arrogance and stupidity, you've opened these peaceful realms and innocent lives to the horror and desolation of war! You are unworthy of these realms, you're unworthy of your title, you are unworthy… of the love of those you have betrayed! I now take from you your powers! In the name of my father and his father before me, I, Odin Allfather, cast you out!"

His cunning would not get him out of this one, he could not argue. He had done wrong by his father and his King. It was one trick too many, one attention seeking act too far. Now, because of him, his land and his people were in danger.

He was plagued by reason. Why had he done it? What had pushed him to trick Thor into attacking the Frost Giants? He knew they would retaliate the only way they knew how – War.

He knew why he had done it; he knew his selfishness was behind it. He had spent his life in the shadows cast by Thor and his brilliance. He could do no right by his father, whilst Thor could do no wrong. No matter how hard he tried to make his father proud, he just wasn't good enough… he wasn't Thor! He wanted Thor to know how it felt, if only for a second. He didn't resent Thor, he loved him, but he often found himself wondering what life would be like if he was the favoured son and not the cursed half-breed he was! He thought if he could wipe out of the Jotun and their realm, his father would be proud; would look at him like he looked at Thor, face brimming with pride, a smile across his aged face. But things had gone horribly wrong.

Thor was convinced they didn't need an army, his arrogant smile asserting his confidence over the small group. They were certain only a handful of Jotun remained after their Father had dealt with them. A surprise attack would deal with them swiftly. But, the Jotun were smart, they were waiting for them. They berated them and teased them and proud Thor was close to snapping under their heavy words. One push from Loki was all it took and suddenly Thor was flying through the sky, hammer raised in his hand. Loki watched with gross horror as it crushed a Jotun skull like paper, before the familiar rush flooded his veins and he found himself caught up in the battle.

In what seemed like moments the battle turned from their favour and they were outnumbered. Their end was certain, Loki could feel it… But they were saved by their Father; the Jotun's last words were a promise… a promise of war. In that second Loki felt ashamed, what had he done?

Now he was paying the price of his betrayal. Floating through the realms to Odin knows where. Would he ever be able to return to Asgard? He closed his eyes and readied himself to accept his punishment; his mind ready to end the numbing pain that flooded through his body. He took and a deep breath and waited for an age.

His eyes opened to blinding light, he was no longer floating through the velvety blackness. He was surrounded by brilliant, blue skies. Fluffy clouds passing effortlessly past him as he descended toward his destination; narrowly missing absent-minded birds as he fell. From this height the ground looked soft and welcoming; a blanket of plush, green grass as far as the eyes could see. Dandelions, daisies and other wild flowers were appearing as the ground rushed up at him from below.

Faster and faster he fell, tumbling out of control. His stomach was in his mouth, threatening to escape at any second. He closed his eyes and braced himself.

With a loud THUD he hit the ground.

"You didn't have to cast him out!"

Thor's voice echoed around the room, reverberating in Odin's ears. He could see his son was upset, but he did not regret his actions. It was done.

"Loki has put Asgard in danger, he needs to learn his place or he can never be King" He could see this did little to soothe Thor, his sons eyes flashed with anger.

"You have abandoned him! He is mortal! You have doomed him!"

"NO!" Odin yelled, taking Thor by surprise, "No! He has doomed us! The Frost Giants will attack and we will lose and that is on Loki's head... your brother is selfish... reckless... i cannot teach him anymore." Sadness filled his voice, brimmed in his eyes. He had sacrificed a lot for Loki, had always loved his mischievous nature. He could not deny the boy would be missed; Asgard would be a quieter place without him.

"Can the Bifrost be fixed?" Thor asked his voice heavy with regret at the upset he had caused his father.

Odin turned his eyes to meet Thor's "I know not what will happen to the Bifrost, but there is always hope. The Realms are not lost to us"

"And what of Loki... will he ever be able to return?"

"He has disobeyed his King... his fate is in his own hands now... my son"

Thor ran a hand through his blonde hair. He knew his father spoke the truth. Loki had brought war to Asgard, had intended to wipe out an entire population of Jotun. His behaviour was unacceptable and his people would pay the price. But banishment! Was that really the answer?

"You don't regret your actions?"

"I have sacrificed much to achieve peace" Odin started, his face grave "Responsibility! Duty! Honour! These are not mere virtues to which we must aspire..."

"Yes, but..."

"They are essential to every soldier, to every king! Your brother had no responsibility... no sense of honour... perhaps he will return a better man!"

Thor was defeated. Loki was lost to the realms and Thor was alone.

"Oh brother... what have you done?"