Flight

Chapter 8-Distortion

Disclaimer: I do not own the Thor, Loki, or the Avengers. They belong to Marvel/Disney.

Midgard

Thor was just finishing the lunch dishes, listening to Darcy and Jane talk. They were arguing over the television show about the zombies, Jane trying to convince Darcy she was wrong about her reasons for why it could happen. Thor smiled. Jane wasn't trying to deny it couldn't happen—his presence opened up the possibilities for many different things.

Throwing the dish towel over his shoulder, Thor walked over to the table, sitting down between the girls.

"I've seen them, you know," Thor said.

"Seen what?" Darcy asked.

"Draugar," Thor said. "They exist. The walking dead. I've fought them."

Darcy stopped mid-sentence, turning away from Jane to Thor. "What?"

"Terrifying creatures," Thor said. "The stench alone is bad enough, but they are relentless enemies. Fire's an effective weapon. I'm lucky Loki was by my side each time. He's far better fighting them than I am. Fortunately it's a problem not experienced in Asgard since before my grandfather's time. I can't say the same thing about the other realms."

"You've fought zombies," Darcy said. "Real live zombies."

"Yes," Thor said, smiling. "Why does this make you so happy?"

"I'd love to see Coulson's face if he found out zombies are real," Darcy said.

"My father said there were outbreaks of draugar here in Midgard," Thor said. "Why do you think the people of the north who once worshiped us learned to burn their dead as we still do? And Jane, it is not sickness that causes a draugr to rise. They die and come back for many reasons. Loki could explain much better than I."

Darcy stuck her tongue out at Jane, and the scientist rolled her eyes.

Before Thor could anything about the now finished argument, he stopped, frowning. He felt the touch of magic. Even in his mortal form he could feel this, because it was from Asgard, and it would never leave him. He could sense it—the Bifrost.

Not only that, the clouds and the flash of light on the west edge of town marked where the Bifrost touched down.

Jane's equipment started going off, but Thor wasn't paying attention. From Jane's building they had a full view to the east and west, and Thor could easily make out what was coming their way. He walked outside, down the street, barely paying the people any attention as they went the opposite direction.

"Why are you here?" Thor shouted at the Destroyer. One of Asgard's most formidable weapons, forged to protect the treasures of the realm. Incapable of speech, the thing gave him the only reply it could—it knocked him Thor into the air and half-way down the block.

By now, everyone in downtown was aware something not good was happening, along with Darcy and Jane. It was Darcy who managed to pull Jane away from the computer.

"Something just knocked the hell out of Thor," Darcy said.

"We should help," Jane suggested.

"Do you see that thing?" Darcy said, grabbing her coat and running outside, Jane following. The girls ran down the street, watching as Thor picked himself up off the ground, wiping blood from his mouth and holding his ribs.

"Get everyone to safety," he said. Famous last words.

Darcy turned, starting to yell at whoever was nearby to get the hell out of town, but they already had the idea. A little encouragement never hurt, and neither did helping hand up several little kids, a dog and somebody's grandma into the back of a pickup. Jane started assisting, turning back once to look at Thor, who was once again knocked down by the Destroyer.

Also joining in on the sudden need to evacuate was Phil Coulson, who'd been on his way to the lab when the weirdness began. Flash of rainbow light, storm clouds, giant black robot looking thing breathing fire and throwing Thor everywhere. Yes, just another normal day on the job. He noted the job Darcy and Jane were doing herding people away from the one-sided fight, and watched as Thor faced down the thing with nothing more than a garbage can lid for a shield. And Thor was yelling about laying down his mortal life for those he loved, blah blah blah. Coulson couldn't move, or yell for Thor to get out of the way when it swiped at the big man harder than before, knocking him even further. He landed a couple of yards away from the SHIELD agent, and he winced as he heard the crunch of bones shattering as Thor hit the ground once again. And this time he didn't get up.

Coulson watched as the faceplates on the giant closed, and he gained enough composure to move, and he knelt down beside Thor, checking for a pulse. He found none, and stood up, getting out his phone, hitting speed dial.

"Sitwell, get a team here now," he said. "God, I don't even know. . .send medics, a security team. . .no, not the standard protocol. We're talking Hulk-broke-Harlem level security needed here. Yeah, center of town. Hurry."

He ended the call, putting away the phone, when the robot, or whatever the hell it was, started moving again. Toward him. And the face was opening, Coulson could feel the heat radiating off it, and then there was lightning from the blue clear sky, the scent of ozone, and a hammer flying into the now-revived Thor's hand.

"Son of Coul, now would be a good time to leave," Thor suggested.

Coulson nodded, scrambling back to his vehicle, but he didn't get in. He wanted to see the fight.

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Thor couldn't relish the feeling of joy at having Mjolnir back in his hand or the return of his powers. No fear, no distress, no speculation over why the Destroyer was there for him, as he was too busy trying to kill it. Already half the town was destroyed, and he hoped Jane and Darcy were far way by now. Innocents were in the line of fire, and he would not let them be harmed, as it was his presence that was the cause of their potential harm.

He wasn't getting anywhere on the ground, so Thor started spinning Mjolnir, taking to the sky, drawing the Destroyer's fire. It could not touch him, and Thor, suddenly finding his advantage, spun up a storm, lifting it into the sky. Thor dove straight for it, satisfied when Mjolnit took out its head, and the Destroyer fell to Earth. Thor followed it down, striking it with lightning, making sure it would not get up.

Closing his eyes, Thor took a deep breath. Mjolnir was in his hand. He was no mortal anymore. Opening his eyes, Thor called Heimdall. Moments later, the Bifrost appeared, and he stepped into its light, popping out into the observatory, but it was not Heimdall who greeted him. Standing before Thor was a Jotun—Laufey, holding his father's spear, Gungnir, and a staff with a glowing blue gem.

"You're amazingly resilient," Laufey said. "Your famed Watcher is not so lucky."

He gestured at Heimdall, who was frozen out on the Bifrost.

"Why are you here?" Thor asked.

"Making a little mischief before I head back to Jotunheim," Laufey said. "Worry not little prince. I will return for what is mine, if there's anything left when I return."

Thor frowned at the cryptic remark, watching as the Jotun king slid Gungnir into the keyhole of the Bifrost, and it activated, rotating away from its normal path, and turning back toward the city.

Laufey disappeared in a blue flash of light, leaving Thor alone. The Bifrost was turning white with the fire of Gungnir, losing its rainbow hues. Shielding his eyes from the light, Thor pulled Gungnir from the keyhole, but the Bifrost didn't stop. Frustrated, he threw the spear down the Bifrost bridge, grabbed Heimdall, dragging him out of the observatory. The energy from the open portal was starting to build, working its way down the bridge toward the city. Thor took a look over his shoulder, at the palace and its surroundings. So many people would die if he did nothing. He would never see Jane again. The lives of his people compared to his promise to a mortal? Even he wasn't that foolish.

Raising Mjolnir, Thor brought it down, smashing the bridge repeatedly until it started to crack. Large fissures appeared under his feet, and the Observatory went off the edge of the world, taking with it the Bifrost under Thor's feet, and the resulting shockwave knocking Mjolnir from his hand. He fell, pieces of the shattered bridge cutting him as they flew by, the jagged edges of the broken path digging into the hand he was using to hold on. Then his father was there, pulling him up and over the edge, back onto solid ground.

"I've got you," Odin said, holding his son close as Thor sank to his knees.

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Odin Borson, king of Asgard, Allfather of the Nine Realms was sat upon his throne, listening as his thanes and some of the minor nobility bickered among themselves. Tyr, commander of the Einherjar and his trusted friend, stood at his side, although two steps down from the throne. Only five days after the Bifrost was turned against them by the Jotun king, and people were wanting answers, but Odin had none to give them.

The only positive from the breaking of the Bifrost was the fact Asgard was now effectively cut off from the other realms, meaning the Jotun had no easy access to Asgard. The secret ways were being searched out and closed by the Einherjar and the best mages of the realm. Unfortunately for them all, the best he knew of was gone. His son, Loki, gone, and all because of his own pride and damn foolishness. Odin's other victim, Thor, was still in the healing rooms recuperating from his battle and efforts to save Asgard.

Odin only wanted to go see his son, and talk with Frigga about how next to proceed, not deal with nobles. He was almost about to dismiss them when the sound of lightning filled the throne room, the crack reverberating off its walls. The nobles scattered as something appeared in their midst. Chaos ensued as they realized it was a Jotun.

Odin's eye narrowed. It was King Laufey of Jotunheim, holding a scepter in one hand and a bundle wrapped in black fur.

"Greetings Allfather," Laufey said. "I bring you news, and also wish to offer a proposal that will prove beneficial for both our realms."

Odin struck Gungnir against the floor. "I will speak to King Laufey in private."

Gathering their shredded dignity, the remaining nobles quickly shuffled out of the throne room, followed by the guards, who took up their places.

"What do you want Laufey?" Odin asked.

"Give me back the Casket of Ancient Winters and I promise I will spare you what is to come should you refuse," Laufey said.

"I will never return the Casket to your hand, Laufey," Odin replied. "What is this news you have for me?"

The Jotun king walked up the steps to the throne, setting the bundle in his hands at the Allfather's feet.

"That belonged to the Aesir we found hiding in my realm," Laufey said. "The one you stole from me is dead. I can't say his death was painless, but it was quick."

"You killed your own son," Odin said.

"I granted him a mercy. He never should have been allowed to live. I gave him to the snows as he was once promised," Laufey said. "There lie his belongings as proof of his death. The weapons bear your taint, Allfather. As did he who wielded them."

Odin opened the bundle—a cloak of black wolf fur, wrapped around the knives he'd given Loki, and his dagger. Objects Loki would never part with.

"He was no one's son, Allfather," Laufey said. "He was never granted a name."

"His name was Loki, and he was my son," Odin said.

"Mourn him as you will," Laufey said. "But know this—I will have back the Casket of Ancient Winters by any means necessary. War is coming, Odin Borson, and it will mean the end of everything you love."

Odin watched as Laufey stepped away, disappearing the same way he appeared. The fact the Jotun walked into throne room so easily should have bothered Odin, but at the moment, he didn't care. Instead, he drew one of Loki's knives, wrapping his hand around the hilt with one hand, running his fingers over the flat of the blade with the other. Bowing his head, for the first time he could remember in centuries, the Allfather wept.

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Thor woke, something warm and heavy draped across his middle. Propping himself up on his elbows, he saw Herja, his mother's forest cat. The white-furred, green-eyed demon purred loudly, bumping his forehead with her own.

"I see my lady, you're with child again," Thor said, noting the cat's protruding sides, and scratching her under the chin. "Congratulations are in order, but if you birth them in my bed again, we will have words. Loki's chambers are far better suited. More nooks and crannies to hide a brood. And dark corners filled with mice. Good hunting, I promise."

The cat purred harder as he petted her, and Thor was grateful for company that didn't treat him as if he would break. Seven days he'd been in the healing rooms, an entire week wasted. The first four days he spent mostly sleeping, but he knew his mother and father had been in to see him. When he was awake, Thor asked the healers when he was getting out, where was Loki and when would he see him? Their reply? No one would look him in the eye. They politely evaded his questions. Until Eir entered his room, Herja hissing at the healer. Thor frowned, as normally Herja was a friendly creature, and Eir and the animal were well familiar with each other.

"My prince, your parents request your presence in Lady Frigga's chambers," Eir said. "You are to go as soon as you are presentable."

Thor took his time getting cleaned up and dressing, as a formal summons from his parents was not something he was expecting. His stomach churned as he finally left the healing rooms and went to his mother's chambers. He entered, finding his parents standing side by side, Odin's arm around Frigga, his father looking old and tired and Frigga's face pinched with worry and something else.

Thor felt the bile rise in his throat. It was about Loki. Why else would everyone be avoiding him, and his parents looking so out of sorts?
"I know you've something to tell me about Loki," Thor said.

"Loki is dead," Odin said.

"What?" Thor asked in disbelief. His vision swam, and his chest felt heavy, as if he could not suddenly catch his breath.

"King Laufey of Jotunheim appeared two days ago, and he brought with him Loki's knives. You know as well as I Loki would never willingly part with his knives, not matter how much he denied his dislike of sentiment."

Thor put a hand on the back of a chair to support himself. "How. . .Laufey appeared? Here? In Asgard? The Bifrost is destroyed. How did he come to be here?"

"I know not," Odin said. "He carried with him an unusual scepter that seemed to have something to do with it. It was magic, ancient and powerful, of a kind I've never encountered."

"How did Laufey come into possession of Loki's things?" Thor asked.

Frigga walked over to Thor, taking his hand, guiding him to sit down, and she knelt down beside him, hand on his cheek. "Loki disappeared a few days after your exile, and your father had fallen into the Odinsleep. Loki was beyond my sight, and even that of Heimdall."

"What does this have to do with anything? If he left Asgard, why didn't anyone go searching for him?" Thor asked. "Not even our friends bothered?"

"They tried, Thor," Frigga said. "But they found no sign of him."

"So you'll believe the lies of an enemy who walks into our realm, and tries to destroy us?" Thor asked.

"Not lies," Odin said. "Of us all, Laufey is probably the most honest. I do not blame Loki for leaving us. The fault is completely mine."

"Why do you say that?" Thor asked.

"Loki is not of our blood," Odin said. "At the end of the war, I found him in Jotunheim, an infant, only a few days old, left to die. I couldn't leave him to his fate, not after the deaths of so many. . .so I brought him home to Asgard. I thought one day Loki would be the key to building a lasting peace between our realms but it was not to be. And that is not all, my son. Laufey was Loki's true sire."

Loki, Jotun. Fine. Thor could deal with that. Laufey's son? The king of the Jotnar?
"Why didn't you tell him?" Thor said, standing so forcefully he knocked over his chair, and he began pacing. "And I went to Jotunheim to destroy them, called them monsters…"

Odin walked over, grabbing him by the chin. "Thor, look at me," he demanded. "I made mistakes. I've wronged both of my sons. Nothing I can ever say or do will make up for that fact. Despite what Loki thought, I loved him, as a father should love his son. And I never told him. Nor did I tell him how proud I was of the man he became."

Odin handed Thor Loki's dagger, touching his fingers to his son's cheek for just a moment.

"I'm so sorry my son," Odin said. "I should have told you both the truth from the beginning. Perhaps none of this would have happened. You both deserved better. And Thor, I know I don't say it often enough, but I love you, my son."

Odin walked away, leaving Frigga alone with their son. She wrapped her arms around Thor, sinking to the floor with him as he fell to his knees.

"Is he really gone?" Thor whispered.

"I can't see him," Frigga said. "I had thought. . .never mind. It's not important right now."

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In the years to come, Loki would remember glimpses of worlds and the spaces between the realms. Waking up suspended, staring at stars not in Asgard's sky. Svartalfheim, with its dead cities, broken ships and all the earth scorched black. A fleet of black space ships shaped like nails, each with a glowing red orb, hanging in the dark of creation. Leviathans that looked like Midgard's great whales, only these truly massive creatures swam the seas of space. And last, a terrible face vowing to court death itself, even if it meant the end of all creation.