Loki let out a sharp gasp as the monster turned and pulled him into the spear he had just stabbed it with. In the moments he hung from the blade, he quickly grabbed hold of the black hole grenade on the monster's belt, and activated it. Clutching his chest, Loki was thrust forcefully onto the gravel. Although his vision was starting to blur, he held the monster's gaze fiercely.

"See you in Hel, monster." Loki snarled, and the beast was enveloped in a black hole, screaming.

As it vanished, Loki began to realize what his play had just cost him. His heart was fluttering frantically, and he could feel energy ebbing from him. He was dying.

"No, no..." Thor's voice seemed to crack with effort. "You fool, you didn't listen…"

Was that grief Loki sensed?

"I know...I am a fool." Loki gasped, trying to meet his brother's gaze. "I'm a fool!"

He reached back for his chest, squirming in pain.

"Stay with me. Stay!" Thor yelped, Loki could spot tears glinting in his eyes.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry…" Loki pleaded, as if his apologies made some difference.

But Thor reached out for his brother, his gaze softening. At once, Loki knew Thor recognized how this would end. He rested his head back on his brother's hand.

"Shh...It's alright. I'll tell father what you did here today." Thor shushed, and Loki could see him fighting an expression of anguish.

How silly of Thor. Did he not realize the apathy Odin felt for Loki? After all they'd been through. Surely he didn't believe Loki was doing this all for a selfish man who had never truly cared for anything but himself.

"I didn't do it for him." Loki croaked, and shuddered as a wave of cold enveloped him.

Darkness crept into the outer reaches of his vision, and he shut his eyes, supposing he would never again open them…

The darkness was heavy, but something rough prodded Loki's side.

"Well he seems to be dead, but we can't know for sure!"

A voice seemed to stir his conciousness. Was that Fandral?

"Did you check to see if he's breathing, you idiot?"

Another voice came from nearby. That was Sif.

"Ew, I don't want to check." Fandral replied.

"Move over," Sif snapped, and he felt her hand roughly on his throat. "I don't believe it."

"What, is he alive?!"

"He is," she murmured. "Loki, Loki can you hear me?"

Loki forced his eyes open, as Sif's face faded into view.

"Sif?"

"Fandral, go get the cruiser." she ordered Fandral, before turning back to Loki. "What happened."

Loki's breath came in ragged gasps as he struggled to make sense of what was happening. He was alive…

"The Aether…" he rasped. "We managed to free Jane from it. But Malekith took it to Midgard, and I was stabbed…"

"I can see that." Sif quipped. "You're quite lucky to be alive."

"I don't know why you're so surprised, Sif." Fandral called out, he sounded as if he were walking towards them now. "Do you not remember the time I was stabbed by a frost giant on Jotunheim? Loki's a tough one! If I can survive being stabbed in the chest, certainly he can."

"That is a fair point," Sif agreed. "But we'll still need to get him back to Asgard."

"If we bring him back, I'm not sure Odin will be willing to treat his wounds." Fandral noted ominously. "He didn't seem keen on keeping Loki safely locked up with Frigga gone."

"Of course." Sif looked thoughtful. "Perhaps he could disguise himself as the guard who came with us."

"The one that stepped of the cliff after we landed?!"

"Yes." Sif concluded.

"You expect me to conjure enough magic to make myself appear as this guard in my condition?" Loki piped in, writhing as a wave of burning pain tore through him. "You'd think I'd say in the matter."

"It's either that or we leave you here." Sif pointed out.

"Alright," Loki huffed. At least give me a chance to catch my breath...what does the guard look like?"

"He's the one who used to patrol the East wing of the castle." Sif stated.

"Really?" Loki looked up in shock. "He used to help Thor and I sneak out when we wanted out of the castle. How sad."

Sif nodded.

"We'll meet you at the cruiser when you're ready."

Loki allowed himself a few strong breaths before rolling himself over. It was painful, but it could be done. Chest heaving, he pushed himself up, and stood rather shakily. Sighing, he transformed into the East Wing guard. As the cruiser traveled back through the portal into Asgard, Loki focused on keeping his breathing steady. All he had to do was hold this illusion. Once they were at the castle, he could head to the healers. Perhaps he could even start a new life…

After landing, Loki stumbled a few steps from the cruiser and leaned against the wall.

"Right," he panted. "To the healer."

"Odin requested the East Wing guard report back." Sif stated. "Fandral is to meet with Valstagg and Hogan, but I can accompany you to Odin's throne to report."

Loki glanced up at her.

"Are you serious?" he chided. "You expect me to hold this form long enough to report to Odin, in my condition?"

As he spat these words at her, he became overwhelmingly dizzy and slumped to his knees.

Sif rolled her eyes and lifted him up.

"Fine." she hissed. "But you know how Odin feels about a late report."

She dragged Loki to the healers, and relief flooded him as he was bandaged tightly with a gold ointment covering his wound. His pain was reduced to an annoying throb, and warmth flooded his chilled limbs. A smile began to creep onto his face. Everything was going to be okay.

They lingered only a few minutes before Sif whisked him back towards Odin's throne room. As they walked, Sif turned to Loki.

" Loki, why did you attack Midgard?" she inquired.

"It wasn't my choice," Loki responded evenly. "I was under the control of a Titan with a scepter that could control minds. He sent me, under his control, to fetch the Tesseract. And now…."

His voice trailed off as he realized how strange it truly was. The scepter, the Tesseract, the Aether...they all resembled Infinity Stones.

"And?" Sif whispered.

"The Aether." He concluded. "Sif, have you heard of the Infinity Stones?"

When she shook her head, he continued.

"If Thor is able to recover the Aether, it will need to be hidden." He trailed off, as they had arrived at Odin's throne room.

The scuffed gold walls and broken pillars seemed to make the hall seem empty, and Odin looked so small on his throne. Loki knelt down in front of his father.

"Forgive me, my liege." Loki cleared his throat. "I've returned from the Dark World with news."

"Thor?" Odin asked, his eye glimmering.

"There was no sign of Thor, or the weapon, but…"

"What?"

"We found a body." Loki finished darkly.

"Loki." Odin murmured, looking away.

There was a pause, and Loki held his breath, willing Odin to say something. Suddenly, Odin let out a mournful howl. Taken aback, Loki stumbled backwards. What was happening?

Odin's screams turned louder as he tumbled from his throne, clawing at the stone. Shaking, Loki approached him, dropping his guise.

"Father," he murmured. "It's me. It's Loki."

He glanced at Sif, who looked bewildered.

"What have you done?"

"Nothing," Loki mumbled, attempting to lift Odin to his feet. "I told him my body was foundm and he went mad."

Sif helped him lift Odin.

"We've got to do something," Sif muttered, as they tried to move Odin out of sight.

"I have an idea," Loki said, looking at her with concern. "But you're going to have to trust me."

Sir and Loki stood in Midgardian apparel outside the New York nursing home, and watched as Odin puttered around the courtyard with an idyllic smile on his face. A breeze rustled the budding blossoms of nearby trees, and Loki heaved a sigh.

"He does look happier than I've ever seen him." Sif commented.

"He does." Loki agreed. "I've cast a spell on him to keep him calm and at peace. He thinks he is a retired poet, and that he has lived his entire life in this city."

Sif nodded, and Loki turned to walk back down the sidewalk.

"Loki," Sif called after him. "If you were under Thanos' control, then I don't think you need to continue to punish yourself. I believe you."

He turned.

"You do?"

"Yes." she replied. "I've seen some strange things, and if what you've told me is true, we need to act fast."

Loki nodded.

"We do. I can cover as Odin, so Asgard doesn't have to suffer more loss. I will need you to find a safe place for the Aether." He explained. "Can you do that for me?"

She took his arm in hers.

"Leave it to me."