AN: Thor and Loki...I do not own any characters save the OCs! I hope you enjoy.
Brothers
He couldn't do this anymore. He never wanted this. The memories were too painful. But what would Loki know of losing a brother-after all he still had Thor.
"Do you require constant repetition of every instruction? I said make fire." Icarus scoffed at Loki's insults.
"Shouldn't I learn to control it first? After all, I uh- 'lack any focus for simple spells,' that's what you said right?" Loki rolled his eyes and with a dramatic sigh entered the persona of a sophisticated professor attempting to explain quantum mechanics to a child-Icarus could only just barely tolerate it.
"Your fire represents the raw energy of your magic. I would say that it is at the core of your essence. Your problem is that your essence is as ravenous and deadly as Sutr himself," Loki sighed and clarified. "I thought you knew something of our history? Sutr is Jotunn whose very purpose is to wield the sword of flame during the Ragnorak."
"I thought Jotunns were more…frosty?"
"Typically, yes. We're venturing far from the point-you must focus and control your essence or it will be the end of you and everything surrounding you. Your magic is too powerful and unstable."
"My very own Ragnorak doesn't sound very pleasant."
"Thus, we come full circle, allow me to put it more corporeally. Make fire. Control fire. Focus essence."
"Okay but what if I make fire. Fire goes crazy and destroys everything and essence remains unfocused."
"I understand the reason for your developmental delay now," Loki sighed and leaned against the window. "Why not a new line of thought: Obey teacher who has had more experience with rampages then you will ever know. Make Fire. The end."
"But-"
"MAKE FIRE!" Loki bellowed, his voice echoing off the long-ranged training room. Startled and slightly angered by Loki's outburst, Icarus let fly a stream of flames nearly engulfing the trickster himself. Once again Loki did budge from Icarus' attacks. Rather he raised his hand and the fire died away instantly.
"Good, you made fire."
"Just like you told me to," Icarus barked through heavy panting.
"Any second-rate sorcerer can make fire. It takes a disciplined master to be able to control it. Try it again, but keep the fire small," Loki instructed.
"I've haven't made a fire that small since the helicarrier-"
"Therefore we know you can do it," Loki interrupted. "Will you just do as I say?" Icarus scrunched his face, took of his jacket and rolled up his sleeves. He concentrated on the molecules surrounding him and focused on the vibrations. Slowly he held his hand out, palm facing up. A few sparks came to life and then a flame no larger than that of a candle. Loki approached the young wizard and circled him, lowering his voice as he continued his instructions.
"Steady. Too little and the flame will die. Too much and we die. You must be focused on your magic-always. Do not look away. Do not become distracted. Do not allow yourself to fall off the edge and into the darkness," Loki stopped behind Icarus. "Find your essence and it will keep your center." Icarus opened his eyes and gazed into the center of the flame. The light was too painful for his eyes to bear, but slowly he allowed himself to watch the flames, eyes half opened. His breathing evened out, his body no longer fidgeted. He starred into the flame and remembered something he had hoped to forget.
00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
Three floors below the wizards, Vincent was exchanging blows with none other than Thor. Steve had been called away for debriefing at Shield, leaving the two to an unexpected sparring match. The god was a monstrosity of strength and tact. Vincent felt like a rag doll, his arms thrusting forth against the god, but making no noticeable impact.
"Excellent effort young warrior," Thor said clearly unexhausted by the fight. "First we fight with our hands, just as our forebears. The weapons of the dwarves who hath sprung from the corpse of Ymir, were not the first tools available to us-no you must learn to use the first tools of the warrior Bori, yielded from the sweet exhaustion of Audumla! Once you have mastered those, then my friend, shall you be ready," Thor droned on, blissfully ignorant that prior mentioned young warrior was about to faint. Vincent swung blindly, Thor catching his hand and flipping the man on his back. Thor turned and mused to himself. "Yes soon you shall be ready." Thor was broken from his stupor by an audibly loud groan. Thor looked down to see Vincent trying to get up from the mat. Thor grasped the man by his collar and lifted him to his feet.
"A valiant effort," he boomed as he gruffly swatted Vincent's back.
"Sure. You literally had me on the mats," Vincent groaned. "I think I got the short end of the rope here. Where's Captain Fitness?"
"Come now, the Captain will be pleased to know that you did not abate, but fought to your last."
"Thor," Vincent began. "I didn't even last two minutes."
"It is not the amount of time, but effort given!" Thor smiled a wide grin which made Vincent want to slap him silly. "Come, take respite." Helping Vincent hobble to a nearby seat, Thor continued to tell Vincent about his own training on Asgard.
"The training of a warrior was by no means a simple task. It was arduous and required great sacrifice. Although as a child, I courted war, praying for the chance to lead my army in battle just as my father. Die a hero's noble death."
"Wow, that's some childhood dream," Vincent said.
"Yes, and I dreamed of it like a child would, not knowing the true meaning of war. My brother…" Thor paused. "Loki was less interested in starting a war."
"Wait. Loki was not interested in starting a war? We're talking about the same guy who tried to take over Earth, right?"
"In a manner of speaking," Thor replied. "Loki was not always the villain you came to know him by."
"Yeah, well forgive me but the villain I know is all I need to know."
"I understand your hatred for my brother," Thor interjected abruptly. "The devastation he has created can never be undone, but if you are to blame him then you must also place blame with me."
"Thor, you are nothing like Loki. You're an avenger who risked his life to save the planet-Loki is just a monster."
"That monster was and still remains my brother," Thor answered coolly. "That monster was created in part because of me." Thor rose.
"How could he have come to hate me so? What could I have done to make him hate so greatly that he would seek revenge in such a costly way?"
"Maybe it's because you didn't," said Vincent "No matter what happened between the two of you, you didn't force him to kill all those innocent people."
"I did not force him, but I did not save him. I did not protect him as I should have. I was too preoccupied with my own self to see the darkness enshrouding him."
"I don't understand."
"And you will not, because you do not desire to know the tragedy of my brother."
"Why do you keep calling him your brother? He doesn't think you're his!" Vincent blurted out.
"Because he is my brother, perhaps not in blood, but in heart. We grew up together, we played, fought, lived together. All those centuries can not be erased by one twist of fate."
"But the chaos and desolation he caused can't be excused because of 'one twist of fate'," Vincent interjected.
"I do not ask you to excuse him from his actions. I only ask you to understand that there was some good and love in Loki before."
"Maybe I don't want to." Thor's face contorted in momentary surprise, but fell to a somber look of understanding.
"Methinks that we have fought enough for the day. You may take your leave," Thor paused at Vincent's confused and worried expression. "Have no fear for I feel no ill will toward you. I am merely saddened. You are chosen, meant to see truth amidst all illusion. Perhaps there is no hope for Loki." With that the thunderous giant took his leave.
00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 00000000000000000000000000000000000000000
There were better times, before that day. He had buried those memories deep into his core, especially after his banishment. As he looked inward within himself, the barriers he had placed on those emotions crumbled. Sebastian. The name was so familiar and so bittersweet. Icarus felt his memories surface.
As was tradition, young wizards and mages were sent on a year-long furlough into the world as a rite of passage. Upon their return they would be given their title as a master in their arts. Icarus didn't care much for traditions or titles though, and as fast as his short legs could carry him he ran after his older brother.
"Sebastian!" the six year-old cried out. Against the wishes and commands of his parents, the young wizard had followed his brother to the outskirts of town. He was sure that he could convince Sebastian to stay-who needs to be a master anyway? He had just lost sight of Sebastian's tall and lithe figure as it climbed a hill. The little boy gasped and with the little magic he possessed teleported himself to the top, or nearly the top. The abrupt appearance on the ground sent the child tumbling down into the thicket. He landed in thorny bushes, scraped, sore and helpless.
"Sebastian!" The blonde choked out, flaying his arms as tears stung his eyes. He felt a sharp tug on his shirt coat and a voice speak 'solvo'. The branches of the bush gently pulled back into itself and the thorns fell away, as the boy was hoisted from his sticky predicament. Through his blurry vision he could see a mischievous but kind smile, tutting him.
"Is, you really know how to get yourself into trouble don't you?" the boy wiped his nose on his sleeve.
"I couldn't keep up with you, so I thought I would try to teleport."
"Into a briar bush?"
"D'no," the boy said through his stuffy nose and watery eyes. The older wizard laughed and set the boy down on his feet.
"Look at you, only six and already teleporting!"
"But I fell!"
"Ahh, who cares? You've already mastered the hardest part: getting there. Now we just need to work on your landing."
"You could teach me," the little boy whispered. "Come home now and then you can teach me and we'll show father…"
"Nice try," Sebastian interrupted. "But I can't turn back now. I've only just started."
"You can't go. You have to stay. No one likes me here Sebastian. They're all mean to me," the toddler pouted. "Father's elders make me write lines all day and get upset when I don't do spells right, and Cato and Leonardo and Lucas, they call me a fluke! They make fun of me all the time! And brothers aren't supposed to be mean to their family, but they don't care like you do. They don't want me here." The boy finished, face bright red from his rant. Sebastian knelt down and put both hands on the boy's shoulders.
"Don't listen to Cato and the others, they're just…envious morons. As for the elders, they want you to be ready. You're the chosen one Is, you are going to do great things."
"I don't wanna," the boy crossed his arms and starred at his brother. "I don't wanna be the chosen one and I don't want to take over. Can't you just stay? If you stay, you could be head of the family instead of father, then you can tell them that I don't want to be the chosen one."
"The second born is rarely head of the family. Cato is first in line."
"But I'm not first in line and the elders say I'm gonna be the head, but I don't want to. Can't I just make you the head of the family now?"
"Is," Sebastian began. "I know you're scared about this, but that's why I need to go. When I come back, I'll be a master in the arts. I might even be qualified enough to teach you, and I'll definitely be able to ensure that Cato and the council leave you alone. You've got to let me go, Is, or nothing will change."
"But I don't want you to go."
"Nobody wants to let people they love leave, but here's the thing. We never really leave. We're always there. It's a special connection."
"Like magic?"
"Like magic. Whenever you feel upset or alone, just reach down in here," Sebastian pointed to Icarus' chest. "Within your core, within your magical center-look there and you can always send me a message and I'll be there." Icarus touched his heart and looked in awe at his brother.
"That's all?"
"Yes, that's all you need to do, Icarus. No matter what happens. As long as you can find your essence, we will always be connected."
But we're not connected, Icarus thought, I severed the connection when I killed you.
His eyes flashed and his heart dropped as he felt the flame begin to grow out of control. He felt the heat consume him as he tried to battle his own essence. Icarus wrench his palm back and felt the energy surge forth. The roar of the fire drowned out Loki's cries of alarm as he tried to pull Icarus from his near catatonic state. When Icarus finally returned to his consciousness, he could not believe the damage before him. The entire hall was scorched with small fires burning. He turned to see an equally singed, but alive Loki staring at him with livid green eyes.
"What were you thinking?" he spoke softly but dangerously. "You nearly killed us. I told you to keep the fire small, but you fed it-giving it the energy it needed to endanger the entire tower. What justification have you for this?"
"I'm sorry," Icarus choked out.
"Magic is not some kind of game you play with. It is very real and so are its consequences."
"Don't you think I know that?!" Icarus shouted. "I probably know that better than anyone here!" Loki gave Icarus a disgusted look and turned on his heel.
"Where are you going?" Icarus demanded.
"To explain that your misfire had nothing to do with me," Loki spat.
"My misfire? You're supposed to teach me how to control it, yet all you do is condemn me when I can't. What the hell is the matter with you?"
"Your callous disregard is the issue I have with you. I could not condemn you if you had no control, but the issue isn't that you lack control, it's that you are not willing to control it. You do not desire to learn magic, I can see it in your eyes. Do not blame me for what you do not wish to learn. I will however blame you for not taking this matter seriously." Loki reached the doors, but gave one last look to his pupil.
"Give up magic, refuse to learn it, but do not attempt to access its energy recklessly!" The doors slammed and Icarus fell to his knees. He couldn't do this anymore. He never wanted this. The memories were too painful. But what would Loki know of losing a brother-after all he still had Thor. As if by some moment of incredible irony, the sprinklers activated dousing all the flames and the kneeling wizard.
It figures, he thought, I can never activate those things when I want to.
00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
Retreating to the lower floors, Loki searched for the so-called Avengers. The voice in the walls wasn't altogether helpful, it continued prattling on about 'elevate or'-the omniscient voice could barely finish a sentence! He knew he had to elevate, but what else? What was this 'or'? If he stilled had a margin of his powers, this fool's errand would have been long over and he could finally retreat to his own privacy. It wasn't that he was afraid of them, and it certainly wasn't that he didn't want to take credit for the destruction in the training room above, but he hadn't completely figured out the 'unbreakable vow' predicament, and until he did, he wouldn't take any chances. His time would come. Loki sneered at the thought of that damned girl and her ridicules bargain.
Soon, Loki thought, soon I will be free of this, and I will make her pay. Somehow he managed to find stairs to the bottom gyms. The moment he entered the area, Loki could tell by the raucous smell that he would find Thor, there.
"Maybe I don't want to." A voice called out from a room.
"Methinks that we have fought enough for the day. You may take your leave," Loki continued to head into the direction of the voices until he heard his name. "Have no fear for I feel no ill will toward you. I am merely saddened. You are chosen, meant to see truth amidst all illusion. Perhaps there is no hope for Loki." He stopped short of the door, and at the sound of the booming foot-steps, hid himself behind the frame.
What a fool, Loki thought as he watched his brother pass through a pair of magicked sliding doors, you've finally figured that out? As the doors shut, he decided to have a chat with the pupil.
"You are right not to trust me," Loki said as Vincent swirled about to face his unknown guest.
"What are you doing here?" Vincent spat.
"I've come to alert someone that we have had an accident," Loki began but was interrupted by Vincent's sudden assault. He slammed Loki against the wall, his hands tightening around the god's neck.
"How quaint-do you intend to kill me boy?"
"What the hell did you to do Icarus?" questioned Vincent.
"I did nothing," Loki chocked out "He, however, burned down the training room." Vincent slammed him against the wall again.
"You were his teacher! You were supposed to keep him out of danger!"
" ," Loki rasped out. Vincent's grip slackened.
"What?" He dropped Loki to the ground. The trickster caught his breath and then raised his head to sneer at Vincent.
"He is alive." Vincent heaved a sigh of relief. Was this man some kind of sociopath? Why did he purposefully push people in these cruel ways?
"Get out," Vincent ordered "Or I'll break your neck for real this time."
"You don't have it in you to kill an innocent man," Loki taunted.
"But you," Vincent swung about holding a sword to Loki's face "are from innocent."
"It seems that you are the only one to understand this," Loki swatted the sword from his face "I too can see past illusions, King, and know this. You are not a murderer." With hands raised, Loki turned on his heel.
"Will you pass on the message of good will to the others? No one was hurt, but the training range might need a renovation," the god spoke as he left the room.
00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
Ever since their soccer escapade had ended, Anna had seen less and less of Cornelius. He mostly gave her things to study, the history of the Three and so on, but that was often indicated to her through a written message. Finally, Cornelius had returned from his mysterious outings and Anna approached him.
"Anna, I was hoping you would be the first to catch me."
"You've been rather elusive lately, what have you been up to?"
"This and that. I am fairly sure that you originally had a different question." Anna sat across from Cornelius and sighed.
"You set me up."
"Pardon?"
"You knew I would see a gap in the history of the Oracles," Anna observed.
"I had hoped you would figure it out."
"And you couldn't tell me?"
"No. It was better that you learned this for yourself," Cornelius explained.
"Then could you at least tell me why the last Oracle is not mentioned at all?"
"I can not tell you much for little is known about the last Oracle."
"Then tell me one thing," Anna interjected "Did they-or were they…was the death of the King and the Wizard because of the Oracle?" The old man looked at Anna hesitantly.
"Yes." Anna took a deep breath.
"I have been looking into this topic myself, Anna, and I have every reason to believe that the last Oracle helped the Deceiver rise to power," Cornelius paused upon seeing Anna's shocked face. "I had wanted to postpone this discussion, but the most recent information I have obtained suggests that we can no longer wait."
"What do you mean?"
"I have every reason to believe that you will not be able to transcend until your connection with the prior Oracle has been restored."
"But, I've been training. I can intuit numerous things. I'm even having the visions of the other Oracles and their memories. Surely that means I am progressing!"
"Yes, you are progressing, but you will never reach transcension until you have reached the Oracle before you. Unfortunately, the nature of the last Oracle's deceit has wiped their existence from our history."
"Then how am I supposed to do this? And should I, for that matter?" Anna questioned. "If this person helped the Deceiver gain power, then do I even want to be connected to them?"
"It is not a question of wanting," Cornelius clarified. "You have to be connected with all the Oracles in order to transcend. By not having the connection with the prior Oracle, you are missing a vital part of yourself."
"Part of me," Anna whispered. "That vital part of me caused the death of thousands and set the dimensions out of balance." Anna stood up.
"How could they do this?" Anna lamented. "How could the Oracle let that atrocity occur?"
"I do not know," admitted Cornelius. "Anna, we have to find a way for you to reconnect with them. Perhaps there is more to this story than we know." Cornelius rose and gently grasped her shoulder. He guided her back to her chair.
"I will continue my research; someone has information on this Oracle, I just need to find them."
"I'll help you!"
"No," Cornelius ordered. "No, you can't and will not help me. The people I will be meeting are not the most pleasant. Should they find out that the next Oracle is not only found but here-no it is safer that you remain here."
"Then what should I do?"
"Continue building your connection with the others. The Oracle before you is key, but without the rest of the Oracles, you have no possible chance of transcending. You mentioned that you've been having visions?"
"More like deja vu. It's like a sudden moment of remembering something-even if it hasn't nothing to do with where I am or what I am doing at the time. Some of the things correspond to the histories of the Oracle."
"You must tap into this," urged Cornelius. "Meditate on these visions. Allow your memories to come to the surface of consciousness."
"I'll give it a try," Anna said.