Chapter seven, Codename Heartlock

Loki eyed the alternatives with scepticism. Torgurn held a suit in his arms that was clearly to small and Tony held a dress that revealed more than it covered. Despite their best efforts they hadn't been able to find something else.

"How can everything be away for dry cleaning?" Torgurn said.

"I don't know, ask Pepper. That's usually her job." Tony huffed.

"Surely you are not expecting my brother to wear that?" Thor protested.

"Stop squirming", Loki said and took the items. "I will be back in a bit." He walked to his room. An idea had formed in his head. There was no doubt he had to return to Asgard and confront his doppelganger. It would be best if he could do so without causing more distress. Putting the suit and dress on the bed he undressed and took a shower. As he did so he changed from man to a woman.

Loki the goddess stepped into her room. She pursed her lips looking at the options. After a moment she smiled wickedly. The soles of her boots hardly made a sound on the floor. Two daggers was tied to her belt, hidden by the jacket. Her black hair was bound in a ponytail with strands hanging down her face. The fingernails were painted black and she wore red lipstick. Dark leggings covered her legs underneath the short dress.

As she entered the living room the men within rose. Torgurn and Tony recognised her of course. She had enjoyed their company like this many times. Thor on the other hand was clearly perplexed by the appearance.

"Don't look so confused, brother dear", Loki said in her sultry voice enjoying her brother's face go from confused to realisation to bright red. "I need a disguise in order to confront my imposter. What better way to do it?"

"Hardly a disguise", Tony said. "You look the same. A bit shorter and bustier but not that different."

"Maybe a bit different but you are still you", Torgurn agreed.

Loki smiled at them and twirled like a small girl. "You like it?" They laughed in response before turning serious.

"Loki", Tony said. "I will be coming with you. To Asgard."

"What? Why?"

"Last time I let you go alone you were nearly killed. I won't let that happen again."

"I don't have a suit", Torgurn said, "and I will probably not do much good. But I will also come with you."

Tears filled the young goddesses' eyes. She hugged them tightly, whispering softly: "Thank you, I love you."

"That's all good", Thor said. "But the moment we call your name everyone will know who you are. And what if your imposter mimics this form as well?"

"It is alright brother dear. I have a codename."

"Codename?"

XOX

The Bifrost slowed to a halt. Three men and one woman stepped out. Waiting alongside Heimdall were the king and queen. Thor went to them and hugged them tightly. Odin studied his oldest son and the people he had brought.

"Who are your friends?" Frigga asked nervously. Two of them were obviously mortal, even if one seemed to be clad in metal.

"Father, Mother. This is Tony Stark and Torgurn Larsen." Thor indicated each man in turn. "They've come to aid us."

The woman came closer, smiling mischievously. Her looks were eerily familiar. "And I", she said, "am Heartlock. Long time no seen mother, father."

Odin and Frigga stared. It was Loki. The old Loki. Yet at the same time, different. More confident. Happier. Clearly wearing the form of a woman their son seemed comfortable. Loki flicked her hair.

"Someone has impersonated me and caused chaos", she said. "Something I will not allow. Let's go, no time to waste."

"Go ahead brot... erm... sist... Heartlock", Thor said fumbling his words. "I want to exchange some words with our parents."

Loki shrugged and started walking with the two mortals in tow.

"What happened", Odin asked. "What did you learn."

"Loki has been on Earth for several months", Thor said. "We have failed him. By not realising that he was gone. By doubting him. Allowing him to feel hurt, to be hurt."

"What about the two mortals?" Frigga asked gently, her heart clenching as her oldest child's shoulders slumped.

"They... they befriended him. I think... I think they are Loki's lovers. He told me they love him, and he said that he loves them."

Frigga made a sound between a sob and a laugh. Ever since Odin had brought her the small child he found abandoned she had loved him. Watching him being lonely and sad, wishing to be loved. It had been painful. Knowing that two people loved her baby boy made her very happy.

Odin scowled but couldn't bring himself to be angry. What right did he have? Loki had been an outcast for all his life. To the point of him becoming detached. The All-Father couldn't put any blame on him. And there were more pressing issues to deal with. Someone pretending to be Loki was out to destroy Asgard. He would find out who.

XOX

People looked out from doors and windows at the three strangers. Some pointed and whispered but they lacked animosity. No one recognised Loki. She led her two friends through Asgard towards the palace and the training ground. Tony and Torgurn took in the sight with a sense of wonder. Even after the destruction Asgard conveyed size. Every building loomed over them. The city shone in the afternoon light. They didn't speak. This was no time for idle chatter.

Like the rest of the city the training ground had suffered destruction. A man was standing in the middle swinging a sword. His left arm ended in a stump. As Loki had hoped Tyr was still alive and refusing to bend. The god of honour turned to the new arrivals with suspicion and scorn.

"Who are you", he barked.

"The only one who can end the destruction", Loki answered. "You may call me Heartlock. This is my companions, Iron man and The Finder." Tyr lowered his blade but didn't relax.

"And why would you be better at stopping the prince than anyone else? Even Thor failed."

"That's because none of them knew who they were truly facing", Loki said. "They did not know the prince was an imposter."

"Yet you do?"

"As a fact, yes. In fact, I suspect it might be a giant. Anyone else would have trouble copying the seidr of our prince."

"Why seek out me? Why ask anyone for help? Just kill him."

"I intend to but to do so we need to lure him out. You are the general. Surely you can come up with a plan."

XOX

Tyr scowled and made a sound in his throat. This woman was grating on his nerves and he couldn't understand why. Nor did he understand why there were two mortals with her. She had turned to two men and said something quietly to them. Scoffing Tyr sheathed his sword. He could recognise that look.

"I will try to find, Vidar", she said. "We might need him." Heartlock walked away, leaving Tyr and the two mortals.

"Vidar is the god of vengeance, right?" the blonde said to his companion.

"You really expect me to know Norse mythology?" the metal man said.

"Hey! Mortals! Show some respect for Asgard!" Tyr growled at them.

The man in metal opened his visor and the helmet melted away. He looked displeased and unhappy. "We are not here for your little city", he said. "We are here because you are all idiots and can't be trusted."

Sighing the blonde man knocked on the armour. "Lay it off. It is still his home and he want to protect it."

"I know that."

"Then stop agitating everyone."

Studying them Tyr concluded that the mortals had to be acquainted with Loki. Something in their behaviour was reminiscent of the god of mischief. But why would they be here and not Loki himself? Or maybe he was...

The woman called Heartlock was returning, Vidar coming in her wake. They were exchanging gestures in sign language. Among the Aesir only one outside of the royal family had had any patience for Loki. Vidar. And this woman went and got him before going into action. As they came closer it seemed that the two came to some sort of agreement. Something about Vidar witnessing her vengeance. Tyr knew who she was. There was only one answer.

"I can't believe it", Tyr said. "You are Loki!"