We're beginning our rainy season here in Trinidad and last night, Mum and Dad decided that we should pay my grandpa a visit. Massive downpour and we had to stay the night. So I apologize for this coming a bit later than usual.

So much happens in this chapter... I just hope it isn't TOO much. But I guess by the end, everyone can see that it's the rising climax. (On another note, Thor: The Dark World trailer came out on Wednesday. And it very nearly killed me with feels. You all should watch it too, if you haven't already :P)


CHAPTER NINE

THE TURNING POINT

"It's complicated. I think when bad things happen—whether someone dies or people argue or split up—you get to a point where it's just too hard to go back. There's so much lost. So many versions of the truth. So many versions of how things might've turned out differently. We all long for what could have been. For some people, it's just easier to move forward and try to forget."
Sarah Ockler


ASGARD

DAWN (TO MIDGARD'S STANDARDS)

Odin's eyes were bloodshot as he made his way to the Bifrost. Each step forward was labored; each movement decisive.

But it was a necessary trip. Heimdall had said it was urgent. And despite the importance for the Odinsleep, he knew that the Keeper of the Gates would only summon him from the Palace if it were of great consequence.

As dawn broke, Asgard was on the brink of waking up. Daily commuters greeted him jovially and he raised him hand in greeting. But his heart was not in it. Not since his boys had gone to Midgard.

His footsteps echoed on the bridge, and in the rising light, he saw Heimdall's outline.

"I'm glad you could make it Allfather."

"I'm glad myself," Odin replied, looking up at the Gatekeeper.

Heindall looked at him critically. "You're due for an Odinsleep, aren't thee?"

"I am. But there are more pressing matters to intend to."

"Yes… Yes, Allfather." Heimdall turned around, looking to the horizon. "I sense a great evil is upon us."

"Ragnarok?" Odin asked.

"Not quite. The Frost Giants wish to make a presence on Asgard. They are seeking permission."

"It sounds like hardly a threat, Heimdall. But I suppose in my state it is not advisable, isn't it?" He frowned slightly. "What do you think?"

"They are quite adamant, my Lord. And the way it sounds, it does not seem to me to be a war threat. They come under a white flag. Maybe it'd do us well to hear them out."

"But…?" Odin asked, hearing the subtle undertone.

"I don't trust them."

"Neither do I," Odin sighed, "But you are right. We should hear them out. I wonder…"

"Any theories, my lord?"

"Several. Many as unlikely as the next. I just hope…"

"That they ask not for Thor and Loki."

Odin flashed him a worried glance. "How are they, Heimdall? Time passes so differently here, as opposed to Midgard. Are they men yet?"

"It's been not yet a month. Both your boys have made allies."

"Even Loki?"

"Even Loki."

Heimdall heard the Allfather breathe a sigh a relief. "There are times, such as these, that make me feel as though I've made the right choice… sending them to Earth."

"When have you ever done otherwise?"

"Many moons ago, I was once like Thor- impulsive, irrational, till my father took me aside one day and showed me the price of war." Odin shook his head. "There are some mistakes I do not wish for my children to make."

"But we need them to forge their own path, do we not?" Heimdall pointed out, "And have good faith, my lord. They are doing a fine job."

"I have no worries about that. Rather, the place I've sent them… I wonder if Loki has uncovered the secrets as yet."

"Not yet… he has discovered the Tesseract though."

"Do my sons have it?"

"They seek to procure it. As for their plans… I will keep you posted."

"Thank you, Heimdall," Odin half-whispered. "And do send the Frost Giants soon. I will be waiting in the palace."

The Halls of Asgard were alight with a renewed power. The flames flared with an energy that seemed to have been diminished with the absence of the princes. Laufey could not help but admire the sheer beauty of the palace. Compared to his- with the rocky footpaths, the cold darkness- Asgard was truly the more advanced. Marble tiles with golden furnishings? Such things were beyond his world.

"Odin Allfather."

"Laufey of Jotunheim… To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Quite the opposite," the King of the Frost Giants replied. "I do not feel remotely honored to make this visit."

"But under a white flag?"

"For I did not wish to alarm you unnecessarily. I do not wish to bring any harm to you, or your world. I merely want answers."

"Regarding?"

"Your son."

Odin's grip on Gungnir tightened, ever so slightly. "Which one?"

Laufey's mouth curled into a smirk, as though the answers were sprawled on a table for the Asgardian king to see. "Whichever one concerns me."

"Thor is currently unavailable."

"Not your prince of thunder," Laufey near-snarled. "The other one."

"Loki?"

"Lo-ki…" Laufey repeated, rolling the name on his tongue.

"What of him?" Odin asked sharply.

"Is he the boy I abandoned in the temple, left to die?"

Odin didn't answer, though his eyes, though an aged appearance evident, steeled over.

"Is he the runt that disgraced the family of Laufey…"

"I will not have you speak of my son in that manner."

"Your son?" Laufey hissed.

"My son by any other definition but blood."

His amber eyes flared, and his blue-skin tone darkened in hue.

"YOU DARE…"

"You left him to die, if my memory is correct. And I assure you, it is," Odin said in a quiet voice, "I spared your soul the punishment for such an innocent death."

"I need not your sympathies, Allfather," he spat the last word. "He was a disgrace to me. It would have been better that way. But no matter. Loki has redeemed himself."

Fear struck into the heart of the King of Asgard. "What do you mean by that?"

"He is powerful… almost as powerful as Thor… He is a fitting successor to the throne of Jötunheim. Is that not what you sought?"

Odin said nothing.

"Your silence tells me enough. Where is he?"

"With Thor."

Laufey laughed. "You cannot seriously be considering playing this dangerous game with me, Odin. You… seem a bit tired."

Odinsleep. How did he know?

"A being as powerful as yourself needs to rest occasionally to restore your energies. Can you battle me now and hope to win? No…" He answered for the Allfather. "So, I suppose we have two choices. The easy way… or the painful way." He smirked.

"You did not come under a white flag, did you?"

"I did. But fabric is somehow quite capable of adopting any hue I wish. And right now…? I want to know where my son is."

"I will not answer you. My children's safety rank much further than my life."

Laufey's mouth was a thin line. "Brave words. But reckless. Tell me where he is, and I will leave Asgard as I found it. I will spare your people's lives… Your life."

Odin regarded him… and briefly, he wondered how much energy would be demanded from him to summon the Destroyer. He could not risk it. But… Loki… Thor… For the sake of Asgard, could he send Frost Giants to them, especially when they were powerless?

He stood his ground.

"Never," he said.

Laufey laughed mirthlessly. "Then Allfather," he said, "Asgard shall have a new king, due to the unfortunate tragic death of previous administration."

Laufey's hand covered with ice daggers, resembling a crude morning star. Odin raised Gungnir, trying to fight the impending dizziness and nausea. His powers, he realized too late, were at at all time low. He could barely lift his weapon, much less use it.

The doors burst open, and Heimdall burst in, flanked by a handful of Asgardian guards.

"They are on Midgard," Heimdall said without a pause.

It was all Odin could do but to flash a startled look at the Gatekeeper before passing out.


MIDGARD

3:00 p.m.

Chemistry has taking an abnormally long time. And time, Thor knew, was something very relative. So why did this seem like purgatory?

He snuck a careless glance at his brother and was glad to see that at least, he enjoyed this class. Today they were attempting to titrate some sodium bi-something against some acid thing… he really had to talk to Loki to get the notes… and so far, everyone on his desk had either blown up something, or spilt something. It truly was tragic.

Natasha was on the far side of the class, attempting to complete an assessment she missed because of the competition. He wished… what did he wish exactly? Loki was right. In a matter of days, they would have to make the choice whether to return or stay.

And yes… when he thought of Natasha, the answer was obvious.

But then, when he remembered Asgard, the palace, the hunting excursions with the Warriors Three and Lady Sif, his father… THIS was the home sickness that plagued Loki when he had first arrived. And frankly, had he known it felt like this…

Thor drummed his fingers on the table, wondering how much time remained before class ended. Maybe he could leave a bit earlier?

He felt a finger prodding his back. Spinning around, he found a brunet looking at him as though calmly assessing his physique. Oddly enough, it happened a lot in battle, but when one was protected in layers of armor, it did not feel as unnerving as this.

"Yes?" Thor asked shortly.

"Someone wants to see you outside."

Outside… of class?

"Who?"

"I'm just the messenger… He said to come urgently," and there was urgency in his tone.

"Okay. I'm coming," Thor said. He hoped to catch Loki's eye, but the boy was engrossed in his experiment.

The pair left the classroom, with the taller in front. "You know, I didn't catch your name."

"That's because I didn't tell you."

The stranger bent the corner, where lockers lined the halls. Thor was struck by how odd this whole thing seemed… but only when it was too late.

Barton.

"You know Thor. You're not allowed to leave class until half three."

The blond turned to the boy next to him. "I thought you said…."

He shrugged. "I said it was urgent."

"What do you want?" Thor asked, fixing his gaze on the boy in front of him.

"Let's just say I don't like people taking my stuff."

"You sound like Stark. What bothers you Midgardian?"

"YOU! YOU with your over-confidence, waltzing into a classroom and taking the one girl that I've ever liked!"

"Do you speak of Natasha?"

"Who else? And two days ago…"

Thor raised his eyebrows. He knew what the boy was speaking about. "You cannot be serious."

"But I am, Thor. And you have made me very upset. Stay away from Natasha."

"And if I don't?"

He paused, as though imaging the school handbook. "Well, Steve and I would have something to say about that."

"Steve is upset about this as well?" he asked, turning to the brunet.

The boy scoffed. "No. But from what I hear, you pretty strong for someone of your size. And Clint's afraid that you're as good as your brother."

If looks could kill... Thor wondered, seeing Clint shot a murderous glare at Steve. It occurred to him that the two were friends, and Steve, whether or not he agreed wholeheartedly with the archer's views, would forever be the loyal friend.

Thor could not fault him. He was a true soldier.

"As good? I'm better," the blond retorted, "And for your request, Barton…"

"Thor?" he turned at the voice.

"Natasha. I was…"

"Did you leave class early?" There was no mistaking the concern there.

"I was not faring well," he replied. "I met Steve and Clint outside."

"Okay… are you ready to leave? Your brother is waiting for you outside too."

"It would be my pleasure."

Thor turned away from the pair, feeling their glares at his back.

"I hope they weren't troubling you," Natasha whispered as they walked away.

"No… and besides, I think I can handle myself."

She laughed. "I was not worried. It's just that… I wonder about Steve. He's a good guy, with a moral compass. Good with hand-to-hand as well. It's just that… sometimes, he fights on the wrong side, without knowing all the truths."

"Don't worry about it. We were just talking."

She flashed him a look.

"Just talking," he repeated.


MIDGARD

3:30 p.m.

"I can't believe you did that," Bruce said at last, his voice clipping slightly, as he struggled to keep up with Loki's pace.

The dark-haired boy frowned. He had just finished telling Bruce the events of what had happened the day he had detention. The bookworm had missed the last day of school, owing, he said, to bad health. Which made little, if any, sense to Loki. Healthcare in the town was exemplary. But it was not his concern.

"Why?" he replied.

"Because…" Bruce buckled over, bracing himself on his knees.

"Are you faring well?" Loki asked, concern creeping into his tone.

"I'm… fine. Slow down?"

"Of course."

When Bruce caught his breath, he fixed a peculiar gaze on Loki's. "You are known as the God of Lies and Mischief. Yet now, despite everything that seems to be pointing in the direction of a big joke, you… you don't seem that way."

"Why does it need to be a joke?"

"Tony's father has the Tesseract. You need it… So you need him to get it. Why am I telling you this?" Bruce berated himself, suddenly thinking about it.

"It hadn't occurred to me. I was planning to get it myself."

"Really Loki? … And that's the THING! You are not lying!"

"But… am I truly incapable of insincerity?"

"I never said that," Banner said quickly, "But in all mythology, it is not something Loki of Asgard would do without expecting something in return."

"I…" Loki broke off. Was it true? Would he have even considered forging a friendship at the reason that he simply enjoyed being with a person? He did not CARE that Stark's father practically ran the town, or he held the Tesseract. All he wanted to do was get to know him better.

Had Midgard truly changed him?

He felt a hand on his shoulder, and turned around to come face-to-face with the boy who brought more questions to his existence than answers.

"Tony," he said, surprise evident.

"Loki," he replied, taking the brief moment to exchange a silent greeting to Bruce. There was something distant about the motion. Not as warm as he had addressed Loki himself. "You know I told you that we should change the setting to cater for a more formal apology? How's Saturday?"

Loki's eyes widened.

He felt Bruce's prodding, in a 'Be-careful' manner.

He saw Tony's genuine excitement.

"It would be my pleasure," he half-whispered.

Why was the Tesseract the last thing on his mind?