Flight

Chapter 10—Harbinger

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

Germany

Tapping into the power of the Tesseract took effort, but it was easier for Loki than expending anymore of his own energy and magic. Using the cube's power to transport himself over a distance was simple, and Loki made his entrance while Barton was busy with his own task. Loki figured his orders to not kill anyone unless absolutely necessary would go unheeded.

Gaining his own entrance into the mortal soiree was simple enough. Loki walked in, acting as if he belonged. And it looked like the mortals had learned sophistication since his last sojourn in the realm. Walking down the stairs, Loki spun the scepter, now in the form of a cane, snapping the neck of the man coming toward him. A mercenary. His death was quicker than he deserved. Loki continued on, grabbing the scientist, flipping him onto his back onto the ancient sculpture. The mortals, of course, screamed and started running like stampeding cattle. So easy to fool them, making them see what he wanted them to see. They thought he killed the scientist, when it was far from it. Maimed was more like it, but he wouldn't die.

With Barton's part of the mission over, Loki followed the herd outside, changing his garb back to his traditional Asgardian ceremonial armor. He was claiming to be their king, so he might as well look it. Loki was enjoying himself, a little, causing so much chaos. It was liberating, but he was playing a role, and he couldn't lose himself. Isond was counting on him, and she was his one link to sanity, who he was, not this creature he was becoming. He was Loki of Asgard, brother of Thor, son of Odin and Frigga, chosen of Isond. The Other was watching, and Loki wouldn't fail to deliver.

"Kneel before me. I said kneel," Loki bellowed, slamming the scepter into the ground, catching the attention of the mortals, bringing them to their knees. So much better.

"Is not this simpler? Is this not your natural state?" Loki said. "It's the unspoken truth of humanity, that you crave subjugation. The bright lure of freedom diminishes your life's joy in a mad scramble for power, for identity. You were made to be ruled. In the end, you will always kneel."

One of the crowd actually had the gall to get to his feet. "Not to men like you," the man said.

"There are no men like me," Loki said.

"There are always men like you," the man replied.

Loki raised the scepter, wishing he didn't have to make a threat. He wasn't going to hurt the old man. He could see in his mind the ordeal he went through as a boy, and Loki was appalled by the sheer butchery and evil he found there. This was the realm to which Odin exiled his brother?

"Look to your elder, people. Let him be an example," Loki said, aiming the scepter, when something deflected the blast. The blast was reflected back at him, knocking him down.

His assailant was in a blue uniform with red and white on it.

"You know, the last time I was in Germany and saw a man standing above everybody else, we ended up disagreeing," he said.

Loki knew who he was—Steven Rogers, also known as Captain America. The Other was very thorough in letting him know about his potential foes.

"The soldier. A man out of time," Loki said.

"I'm not the one who's out of time," Rogers said, taking a swing.

Loki deflected the blow, and commenced beating the Hel out of the mortal, who surprisingly, was able to hold his own. Right up until the other mortal showed up, the mouthy, overconfident one in gold and red armor. Quickly followed by the aircraft with the very large gun pointed in his general vicinity.

"Make a move, Reindeer Games. . ."

Loki surrendered.

"Good move."

88888

Loki wasn't keeping track of time. He was strapped in his seat. Listening to the mortals argue, amusing. Almost. One was child-like, and the other had never been child enough. Loki didn't need the scepter to deduce that. It was written all over them. Then there was the lightning, and he gave them a terse answer when they questioned him. The jet lurched, then Thor was there, jerking Loki out of his seat, then tossing him onto the ground.

"Where is the Tesseract?" Thor asked.

"I missed you too," Loki managed, picking himself up off the ground, turning away from Thor.

"Do I look to be in a gaming mood? The Bifrost is destroyed. Do you know how much dark energy our father had to muster to bring me here?" Thor asked. "Laufey came, told Father you were dead."

Loki's head snapped around, gaze meeting Thor's. "Did you mourn?" he asked.

"We all did. Our father. . ." Thor started, but Loki cut him off.

"Your father! He did tell you my true parentage, did he not?" Loki asked.

"We were raised together. We played together. We fought together. Do you remember none of that?"
"I remember a shadow," Loki said. "Living in the shade of your greatness."

"Odin always said we were both meant to be kings," Loki said. "I think Midgard will do, don't you, brother?'

"So you take the world I love as recompense for your imagined slights? No, the Earth is under my protection, Loki," Thor said.

"And you're doing a marvelous job with that! The humans slaughter each other in droves, while you idly fret. I mean to rule them. And why should I not?" Loki said.

"You think yourself above them?" Thor asked.

"Well, yes," Loki said.

"Then you miss the truth of ruling, brother. A throne would suit you ill," Thor said.

Loki didn't say anything about how ill-suited Thor was for a throne, so he changed the subject. Distraction was a good idea.

"I've seen worlds you've never known about! I have grown, Odin's Son, in my exile! I have seen the true power of the Tesseract, and when I wield it..." Loki said.

"Who showed you this power? Who controls the would-be-king?" Thor asked.

"I am a king," Loki said.

"Not here! You give up the Tesseract! You give up this pointless dream. Come home," Thor said, his voice breaking, almost desperate now. And Loki almost gave in, when his brother put his hand on his neck, his brother's familiar old gesture of affection. But Loki didn't break, as he held on to his resolve. Too much was at stake.

"I don't have it," Loki said, eyes dropping to Mjolnir, which Thor was brandishing. "And without the cube, I'm as good as dead. You'll need the Tesseract to bring me home, but I've sent it off, I know not where."

"You listen well, brother. I..." Thor never finished the thought as a streak of gold and red knocked him off the edge of the peak.

"I'm listening," Loki said, watching as the annoying mortal fought with his brother. But his attention was captured by the two ravens circling over his head. Odin's ravens. Huginn landed on his shoulder, and Muninn flew down, taking a perch from which to watch the fight.

"So you've found me," Loki said. The raven cocked its head, watching him. "I'll give you a message for Odin—tell him I'm sorry."

The raven cawed to its companion, and Muninn flew overhead. Huginn took wing beside his brother, and the ravens disappeared. Loki turned his attention back to the fight, watching the mortals and his brother trying to one up each other, until the moment he saw Thor gunning for the soldier. Loki closed his eyes, hands going over his ears as Thor brought Mjolnir down on the shield. The shockwave knocked the thunderer back, flattening trees, but the soldier still stood, proud. Then they were coming for him, putting him in shackles. Another ride on the jet, this time he kept his mouth shut, and then he was transferred to a large glass cage on the mortals' flying ship. That was followed by another engaging conversation with the man called Fury.

Another mortal showed up a little later, a woman this time.

"I'll make this short. I'm Agent Natasha Romanov," she said. "What are your plans for Agent Barton?"

Loki stared. At least she was direct. "I haven't thought that far ahead," he said.

"Seriously. That's the best you can do?" Natasha said. "I don't care what you're doing here. I just want Agent Barton back."

"Your world in the balance and you bargain for one man?" Loki asked.

"I owe him a debt," Natasha said. "Simple as that. I've got red in my ledger, I'd like to wipe it out."

Loki opened his mouth to say something, but suddenly, he was unable to speak. The Other stood before him.

"The Chitauri grow restless," the Other said. "As does my master."

"Let them gird themselves. I will lead them into glorious battle," Loki said.

"Battle? Against the meager might of Earth?" the Other said.

"Glorious, not lengthy. If your force is as formidable as you claim," Loki said.

"You question us? You question HIM? He, who put the scepter in your hand, who gave you ancient knowledge and new purpose when you were cast out, defeated?"

"I was meant to be a king," Loki said. "Until my birthright was taken away by my own sire. Thanos put the scepter in his hands, not mine. I only want vengeance."

"Your ambition is little, born of childish need. We look beyond the Earth to greater worlds the Tesseract will unveil," the Other said.

"You don't have the Tesseract yet," Loki said. "I don't threaten, but until I open the doors, until your force is mine to command, you are but words."

"You will have your war, Asgardian. If you fail, if the Tesseract is kept from us, there will be no realm, no barren moon, no crevice where he can not find you. You think you know pain? He will make you long for something as sweet as pain," the Other said. "The games you play must end, Asgardian. Give us the Tesseract."

"You'll have it when I'm ready," Loki said.

"Stalling will not save you, or those on this ship. Your failure to cooperate will cost you. I hope you're prepared to deal with about what's about to be unleashed. You consider yourself a monster, but you're nothing compared to the creature the mortals have in their midst."

It occurred to Loki what the Other meant to do—unleash the alter ego of the man called Banner.

"No. No you can't," Loki screamed at thin air.

"Uh, are you guys seeing this?" Natasha asked, talking into her comm.

"Rock of ages flipping his lid? That would be a yes," Tony Stark answered. "You need help down there?"

"No. I'm good," Natasha said, leaving Loki, heading up to the lab.

Loki braced himself as the ship lurched. He had lost complete control of the situation, if he'd ever had it at all.

88888

Jotunheim

Byleistr made his way through the palace, ignoring the looks he received from other Jotnar. He'd been gone several days, just to get away. He'd crossed Laufey again by attacking the being called the Other. The third time in as many months he'd tried to kill it, and he failed. Again. He'd only returned to check on Helblindi, and make sure what was left of Utgard was still standing. And of course, he couldn't find any sign of his younger brother. Byleistr made his way to the healing rooms, finding his friend Annar, busy making healing stones.

"Where is Helblindi?" Byleistr asked.

"Napping in front of the fire in the kitchens with my wolves," Annar said, stopping his work long enough to clasp Byleistr's hand.

"Has he behaved himself?"

"Mostly," Annar said with a grin. "He did ride Aima through the great hall the other day, and the other morning he took Aim and Venni exploring."

"Outside?"

"He's fine," Annar said. "I healed up the worst of the cuts. He didn't cry once."

"You let him outside. Alone," Byleistr said.

"I didn't let him do anything," Annar said.

"You weren't watching him, were you?" Byleistr asked.

Annar frowned. "I left him with the wolves for only a few minutes. He was drawing, quite content, and when returned, he was gone."

"What was so important you left Helblindi alone?" Byleistr said.

"Suttung killed a pair of Laufey's pet Chitauri, and he asked me to help get rid of the bodies," Annar said. "We ended up cutting them apart instead to see how they work."

"They're not very intelligent and seem to have no independent thoughts," Byleistr said.

"True," Annar said. "It was a waste of time."

"And in that time, Helblindi snuck out with the wolves," Byleistr said.

"Yes," Annar said. "And that's not all. Laufey threatened to kill Suttung this morning."

"What did he do this time?"
"He took Helblindi out and showed him how to unfreeze and call one of the guardians. It was amusing, but Laufey was not pleased," Annar said.

"How did Suttung take the threat?" Byleistr asked.

"Laughed and spit in the king's face," Annar answered.

"He's going to get himself killed," Byleistr said. "Is he crazy?'

"Suttung is missing part of his arm, not his wits," Annar said. "He also laid kinship claim on you and Helblindi again."

"Laufey doesn't recognize the claim," Byleistr said. "He never has."

"Suttung is Farbauti's brother," Annar said. "He's of a noble line, has no sons of his own. Why won't Laufey accept the claim?"

"Suttung is only alive because he's blood kin to Farbauti," Byleistr said.

"He also offered to help you. . .remove Laufey from the throne," Annar said. "All you have to do is say the word."

"I'm not killing Laufey," Byleistr said.

"It's your birthright," Annar said. "You're the oldest."

"I'm a bastard and outcast," Byleistr said. "Do you think anyone would accept me on the throne? And what would happen to Helblindi if I failed?"

"Suttung and I would take Helblindi with me to one of my uncles," Annar said. "Maybe leave Jotunheim, go to Vanaheim. They're not completely against us."

"How do you know this?"

"I don't," Annar said. "It can't be any worse than staying here, can it?'

"I don't know," Byleistr said.

"You know, I wasn't done telling you about Helblindi's little adventure," Annar said. "He dragged me back out with him, he said he'd found something, and wanted to show me. The wolves and I followed him to the temple. He'd found the entrance into the tunnels below. He took me down, yes, indeed, Helblindi has found something. What's a dragon doing in the caves beneath the temple?"