Ok, so this is the last chapter. Thanks everyone for reading, and for your reviews, favorites and alerts. I hope you liked it.


The round up was almost hilariously easy.

Hela broke Livamjo's scepter in half and crushed the stone on top of it, unsealed the Throne Room and freed the souls still lingering there, quadruple-checking there were no more trapped souls on the whole Realm. Then she took control of the skeletons to hunt down his remaining followers. In less than a day, they were mostly eradicated. Finally, she put Livamjo's head on a pike at the palace gates, as a warning for any of his surviving followers.

So two days later, her Realm still wounded but in peace, Hela was pacing in the little private chamber behind the throne. Her whole family was present for the occasion.

"Sit down or you'll wear down the floor," Angrboda said.

Hela sat down with a flourish, tapped impatiently the armrest and stood up again to resume pacing. Angrboda sighed. Loki just watched in silence, his eyes following her every move.

There was a knock on the door.

"Come on in," Hela called.

"My Queen?" Ganglot opened the door. "The Lady's here. We are ready to begin."

"Thank you, Ganglot. I'll be there in a moment."

Ganglot left and Hela squared her shoulders. Angrboda stood next to her.

"Come down here, let me see you," she said, and Hela knelt in front of her. "Look at you, all tall and proud and about to be crowned. You've grown to be such a strong, smart woman. And you're so pretty too, it always throws them off guard." Angrboda laughed a bit and looked at her, a smile on her lips. "I'm so proud of you." She hugged her daughter and sniffed a bit. "Look at me, crying like a baby."

"I love you, Mother."

"Love you too, akjellt." They hugged one more time and Hela turned around to face her father.

Loki unfolded his arms from behind his back and stepped closer to her. Hela reached out and he took her hands in his, carefully. She grimaced a bit.

"How is it healing?"

"It's going well. But my middle finger won't move for a while."

He rubbed her knuckles. "You'll be an excellent queen. Fair to your subjects, and terrifying to your enemies." He smiled. Hela hugged him, and he petted her hair.

"You should be going," she said, pulling away. "Take your seats. I'll be there in a second."

Loki offered his arm to Angrboda and they walked away, to sit at their places of honor. Hela closed her eyes and took a deep breath, letting it slowly out through her nose. Exactly two minutes later, she opened her eyes and made to clap, but caught herself in the last moment. She looked at her hands and scoffed. Then she squared her shoulders and teleported to the Throne Room doors, stepping forward slowly and gracefully.

She walked along the corridor formed by the Geste, getting closer and closer to the throne. As she ascended the stairs, she saw out of the corner of her eye her niece and nephew waving enthusiastically at her. She was dying to wave back at them, but she settled for a subtle wink.

She reached the throne and turned around. On her left, there was her father, a big gap, then the Asgardians and Midgardians close to each other. On her right, in a tight bunch, her Dwarf family.

She took a deep breath. "Where is my Lady?" she said loudly.

No answer.

"Where are you, my Lady?" she repeated.

"I am everywhere. I am next to you," somebody said next to her.

Hela bowed her head in respect for the figure next to her. She knew that the Dwarfs, Asgardians and Midgardians would see a beautiful woman, but the Geste and her were able to see Death as she truly was.

"Who are you?" Death asked.

"I am Hela, born in Nidavellir from Angrboda and Loki."

"Yes, you are, but who are you?" Death said.

"I am Hela."

"Yes, you are, but who are you?" Death repeated.

"I am one who will die, as everything does."

"Then you are one who understands."

Ganglot approached them with the crown on a pillow. It was made of rusting iron and polished gold.

Death took it and placed it on Hela's head, and then lifted her chin.

"Fulfill your duty until I call you to my side. Behold the Queen of Helheim!" she bellowed, and the room erupted in cheers.

When the noise died out, Hela took the crown from her head and offered it to Death.

"It is not mine to wear. I am but a Steward," she said.

"Yes, you are," Death agreed, and took the crown, "but who are you?"

"I am the Queen of Helheim, and the Servant of Death."

"Then you are one who understands."

Hela sat on the throne, and the light inside the deer skull on top of it flashed brighter.

The room cheered again.

"Will you stay for the celebration?" Hela whispered to Death. "We have lemon cookies." She wiggled her eyebrows.

"You know how to reach a girl's heart, Hela," Death said, "but my presence makes people terribly awkward. Besides, I have a Titan to visit. Do you know about Titans, like Thanos?"

Hela frowned. "I know a bit."

"Then you should know more."

"I will."

"May you have the best of reigns." Death disappeared.

Hela stared at the empty space where Death had been, and then rose. "Let the celebration begin!"

o.o

The next day, when the sun peaked, Hela, Angrboda and Loki walked leisurely toward the Afterlife Gates. They remained mostly silent and contemplative until they reached their destination.

"Well, here we are." Hela tried to break the silence. Loki stared at the Gates for a long time, and finally took a step forward.

"Loki," Angrboda called to him. He turned around. "You were my first love."

He smirked. "Well, everybody makes mistakes when they're young." He paused. "I have never met another woman quite like you. Ever."

"There's nobody even remotely like me." She paused too. "Those were good times."

"Yes, they were." He bowed his head and faced the Gates.

There was a crash behind them, and they turned around as one.

Thor straightened up from the crater his landing had made and walked forward.

"Are you here to see me out for good, Thor?" Loki said with a smirk.

"I'm here to bid you farewell, brother." He extended his hand. "I will miss you."

"There is no need for that," they shook hands, "but it's refreshing to see the manners Mother pounded into your head are finally taking hold."

Thor just rolled his eyes and gave him an unimpressed look.

"Well if this is all for interruptions, I will be going now."

"Take care." Hela waved at him. "And don't embarrass me in front of my friends on the other side."

"But I'm sure they'll love to hear stories from when you were a baby."

"Don't even think about it!"

But Loki was already heading to the Gates. Without pause or doubt, he stepped into the orange glow, and vanished from sight.

Thor was still staring at the Gates when Angrboda and Hela turned around and walked toward the palace.

"He's planning something," Angrboda muttered when they were a safe distance away.

"I know," Hela replied.

o.o

As the sun set, Hela led her guests past the bronze statue of the fierce warrior with his weapons ready, across the bridge and to the other side of the river Gjoll. The bridge was covered in a bronze roof, and the Dwarfs, Midgardians and Asgardians' footsteps echoed a bit ominously, though the sound was covered by their idle chat. The group stepped on the little island and an enormous dog with eyes of fire greeted them.

"Queen Hela," she said in a deep voice. "Guests of the House of Hel."

Darcy's eyes flew open, and she stepped back, clutching her recovered philodendron protectively. Jane, instead, stepped forward.

"Wow. Hi, I'm Jane Foster."

"Nice to meet you, Jane Foster. I am Garm, the Guardian." Garm put her nose on Jane's forehead. Jane patted her snout.

Berling and Vestridis appeared next to Jane.

"What was that?" Vestridis asked.

"Was that a greeting?" Berling spoke over her.

"Why are your eyes on fire?"

"Is your nose wet?"

"Can we pet you?"

Garm looked at Hela, befuddled. "If you want to," Hela answered noncommittally. Vestridis and Berling took it as approval and latched themselves to her front legs. Then they tried to climb her.

"Help," Garm mouthed.

"Dear stars," Lynd said. "Children, come here immediately! I did not rise you as goblins!" She and Hela pried them away, and Lynd gave them a stern lecture.

"They should be terrified of me. I am terrifying."

"You are, Garm." Hela patted the dog's side. "It's just... children don't have a sense of self-preservation."

"I am," Darcy said. "Terrified, that is."

"I'm still wary," Jane added.

"You are just trying to make me feel better."

"They're just saying the facts." Angrboda had approached them. "After all, you're an incredible resilient, skilled warrior, with eyes of fire and fur of the darkest night. I've fought enough in my time to know fear itself when I see it."

The present warriors nodded in approval.

"Thank you. Anyways, I'll be in my cave. May you all have a safe return home." Garm bowed her head and walked away. Hela sighed.

"Will she be ok?" Darcy asked.

"Yes. She'll sulk a bit in the cave, then come out with more ways to terrify visitors. She's the best there is." Hela walked toward the house in the middle of the island and opened the door. Inside, there were eight other doors, invisible from the outside, even though they seemed to open to the island too.

Hela approached a gilded door. "Lady Sif, Lords Volstagg, Fandral and Hogun, you have lent your weapons and strength in the service of Helheim. Without your help this wouldn't have been possible. I am indebted to you all." She shook hands with the four Asgardians. "If you ever need anything from me, do not hesitate to ask."

They said their goodbyes to the presents and Hela opened the gilded door for them. They stepped directly into Heimdall's observatory and waved one final time, as the door closed behind them.

"It applies to you too, Uncle. Don't doubt to call me if you need anything."

"The same for you, Hela. If you ever have any trouble, I'll be right here." They embraced.

"I know you will." She pulled back and turned around. "Now. Doctor Jane Foster, Darcy Lewis, if it weren't for your goodwill and intelligence, we wouldn't even have reached this Realm. And even with no training in battle, you fought valiantly. I think it makes you twice as courageous, and in turn my debt to you is twice as big. Also, my proposal for you two to come here and learn whatever this Realm has to teach you is still standing. Just call me and Garm will let me know."

"I really look forward to it." Jane beamed.

"Can I bring my boyfriend over?"

"Darcy!"

"What? You can bring yours over, what with him being her uncle and stuff. I want to know if I can bring mine too."

Jane sighed.

"It won't be a problem. Just let him know there's no internet here." Hela shrugged.

"Awesome."

Hela opened the green, blue and brown door and let them into Midgard, waving them goodbye. Then she turned to face her family.

"You all too. I'll put a door in the craftshop so you don't have to bother calling."

"Funny you say that," Lofnheid answered. "I thought you were going to apologize for leaving us out of the most important moment of your life."

"Don't give me that. This just happened, out of nowhere. I didn't have time to fetch you."

"Sell that pyrite to another Dwarf," Angrboda said. "You planned this almost step by step."

Hela scowled. "Yes, I did. But the timing caught me off guard."

"You didn't even tell us to get ready," Alfrigg said. "Didn't you think that maybe we all wanted to help you? We are your family, after all."

"Exactly! There was an eighty percent chance we all were going to die here. I would never, ever put any of you through that kind of danger! I will not be responsible for ruining my family's lives."

"Then why did you call the Asgardians?"

"You know why."

"Enough!" Angrboda cut them. "I appreciate your concern for our wellbeing, Hela, but we all have a right to choose our own fates. Helping you was our choice, and you stole that from us. You will never do that again, am I clear?"

Hela mumbled under her breath.

"I said, am I clear?"

"Yes, Mother."

"Good. Now," Angrboda's eyes softened, "don't go down that path, not just with us, but with anyone. Lies and manipulation, never mind how well-meaning they are, leads to nothing but destruction. You know it first hand."

"I'm sorry."

"I know. Now, come here and hug your mother."

o.o

It was past dinnertime when Hela finally was able to go to her chamber. She took a deep breath and opened the door.

"Hela," Loki greeted her when the door was closed. "I must admit, your hospitality, while imposed, is quite thorough." He wiped his mouth with a napkin and took a sip of wine.

"I would be sorry, but I had to make sure you didn't leave while we have so much to discuss. What are you planning?"

"Well, we'll get to that eventually. But I'd rather we first discuss your plan. The one that included controlling my mind."

"It was but a graze on you mind and you know it. You could have broken it any time you wanted, and it was your choice to play along to see how it would end. I just needed the authenticity a compulsion to fight me would bring to the scene. But, there are more interesting things to talk about. Like your plan."

"So you just controlled my mind for the sake of credibility? Don't I have enough of your trust to be let into your plans?"

"I want to trust you. I really do. But I don't understand why you're doing all of this. If you want my trust, I need your truth."

"Do you fear my actions may bring harm your way? That I may be a threat to you? Daughter, listen to me. You can choose not to trust a single word out of my mouth, but trust that I will never let any harm come to you. Ever."

"I know that. I always did. But they're just pretty words following a behavior I don't understand. To understand, I need the whole truth. You are impersonating the man who raised you. Why?"

"Very well, sit down and we'll have a heartwarming father-daughter moment." Loki gestured to a chair. "Shortly after Malekith attacked, Odin fell when no one was around to help him... excuse me, willing to help him. I saw an opportunity and I took it. Besides, what was I supposed to do? Let the big oaf play king? He would have Asgard torn apart in two days. This way, he's happy being a hero on Midgard, and Asgard still stands in all its shining, golden glory."

"That is the how, not the why."

"No, I guess it isn't." Loki stood up and paced the room. "Asgard has never loved me, the second prince that fought with words and wit and sorcery instead of brute force, but I still love it, despite all the years of scorn and despise, and I will not see it crumble to ashes."

"Ashes?"

"Yes." He stopped pacing and looked around. "That is all Thor would have accomplished, the fall of Asgard."

"Is that all there is to this?"

"Hela, you better than anyone understand the love for a Realm, even if it's not the place that saw your birth. Is this that difficult to understand?"

"It's not that. It's that you speak with... certainty. You are sure Asgard would burn to ashes if you aren't there."

Loki scoffed. "I have many gifts, daughter, but foresight is not one of them. It's just a logical conclusion."

"I'll let it rest for now, but first a question. Will any harm come to my Realm, or Nidavellir, in this your not-foresight?"

"Maybe I'm not expressing myself clearly? I do not see the future, Hela."

It was Hela's turn to scoff. "Fine, as you wish. But maybe it's time you stop with charade. The longer you sit on the throne, the more likely you are to be found. I told them Odin may not wake up in a thousand years. Don't go back; Let Uncle Thor be the regent."

"And then what? I'm still dead."

"I... I don't know. Travel through the Universe, or stay here with me, or... or whatever you want. Just don't go back to Asgard. I'm being selfish." Hela's eyes teared up. "When we thought you died at the Bifrost, it was... hard, thinking I had lost the parent I thought was going to be with me longer. And Mother will soon be gone, too. I just want you to be by my side, making up for the time we lost when you were questing with Uncle Thor. Please?"

Loki's eyes were wet too. "You make it sound like I can choose to leave." He smiled tightly.

"Please, don't go." A tear escaped her eye.

Loki took her in his arms and kissed her head. "I have to. Let me go now."

She clung tighter to him. "You'll be lucky if they just kill you when you're found."

"I am aware, but I'll be fine. I always am. Now let me go."

The door opened behind him. He kissed her hair again and pulled away.

"I swear to you," he said, looking straight into her eyes, "that no harm will come to your Realm, or your Mother's, as long as it is in my power. We all will be fine." And he flickered away.

Hela pressed her fist on her mouth, trying to hold back her tears.

In Asgard, Odin opened his eye.

o.o

All rights and characters belong to Marvel. This is a non-profit fan-based work.

Directed by: AwfulLoneliness.

Written by: AwfulLoneliness.

Produced by: AwfulLoneliness/nayanroo

Executive Producer: nayanroo

Beta'ed by: nayanroo

Director of Photography: Your Brain

VFX Creative Director: Your Brain

CGI Creative Director: Your Brain

Chris Hemsworth as Your Mind's Thor

Natalie Portman as Your Mind's Jane Foster

Tom Hiddleston as Your Mind's Loki

Kat Dennings as Your Mind's Darcy Lewis

Jaimie Alexander as Your Mind's Sif

Josh Dallas or Zachary Levi as Your Mind's Fandral

Ray Stevenson as Your Mind's Volstagg

Tadanobu Asano as Your Mind's Hogun

Idris Elba as Your Mind's Heimdall

Alice Krige as Your Mind's Eir

with

Anthony Hopkins as Your Mind's Odin

and

Stan Lee as Your Mind's Old Man With Slicked Back Hair and Tinted Glasses.

Fancasting

Terence Stamp as King Livamjo

Samantha Boscarino as Hela

Patty Maloney as Angrboda

Cecilé Bayiha as Lofnheid

Osita Iheme as Alfrigg

Meredith Hope Eaton as Lynd

Dana Michael Woods as Dvalin

Debbie Lee Carrington as Ganglot

Phil Fondacaro as Ganglati


The man poured himself a drink and refilled his companion's glass.

"Good thing is," he enunciated, "this place is full of jobs, you know? With all the rebuilding and stuff. What the Hel blew up to destroy it like this?"

"Ronan happened." His companion slurred a bit, and downed his drink. Some of it fell down the side of his bill and spilled onto his coat. He clumsily cleaned it with his hand.

"Ronan, like the Accuser? That Ronan?"

"Yep. Remember that business when he tried to blow up Xandar?"

"Yes."

"He stole the super powerful exploding thing here. But Gamora had it so it was kinda messy."

"Gamora?" The man refilled his companion's glass again, and took a gulp of his own.

"Yep. She tried to sell it to the Collector, but it blew up his house. Next thing I knew, Ronan and Thanos' other daughter, Nebula, were destroying the place to get the glowing thingy."

"Those people are screwed in the head. Powerful glowing things are bad, bad business."

The companion scoffed. "You tell me. I was at the Collector's when it exploded. He threw a monologue about how it was a old stone or whatever, one of the girls took it and exploded, and the Collection with her."

"At least Ronan's dead now. He can't use that thing again." The man poured another drink.

"They say the Nova Corps have it now. Don't make me feel any better, though. I'm moving outta this galaxy when I catch a ship. You from outta the galaxy?"

"Nah, from near the Eye."

"Then get the hell away from here."

"Sure thing. And I've got to go, have to call the old lady back home." He tossed his companion a couple of units. "Drink one for me. Nice to meet you, Howard."

Howard the Duck vaguely waved him goodbye, drink still in his hand.

The man approached his ship and the loading ramp descended. Ganglati was waiting for him inside.

"Master." He bowed his head.

"Litnir," Ganglati greeted back as the ramp closed. "Any news?"

"Many, actually. Pertaining a glowing old stone of great power and Thanos' daughters. Queen Hela will be pleased."

"That man Thanos has been in the middle of a lot lately. And here I thought this trip was a waste of time." Ganglati sat in front of the controls and prepared to relay the information to his Queen.