When Vladimir Hyrrson awoke, it was with a horrendous pounding headache and an absolute certainty in the depths of his gut that everything was wrong. He tried to struggle to his feet, but his limbs weren't responding like they should. He had lost all orientation. He had no idea where he was. It was dark and enclosed and smelled rather musty. Hyrrson stared down at his paws for a solid five minutes before realizing with a jolt of horror that he had paws. With that realization came full understanding of where he was and what had happened. He had been on the verge of victory when that idiot had shown up and now…now he…now he was a fox, locked in the same cage he had not that long ago confined Loki in. Unlike Loki, his fur was an unnaturally bright red. Horrified at the state he found himself in, Hyrrson began wailing aloud and pawing desperately at the gate of the cage.
"Ah. So you are alive. I was beginning to have my doubts. Can't say I'm not a little disappointed." Hyrrson stopped his flailing at the sound of the quiet voice from across the room. The other person was just outside his range of vision, but there was no mistaking the voice. It was definitely Loki, and this was definitely Loki's room. Hyrrson opened his jaws, and were he in his usual form a torrent of profanity would have certainly come tumbling out. As it was, all that emerged was a grating, high-pitched series of snarls. Loki chuckled. "Annoying, isn't it, losing the ability to speak. I feel your pain. Honestly." Hyrrson growled in frustration. "I suppose I might have given you the Animal Speech spell, but frankly I didn't feel like it. What I did feel like was turning you into a rug, but for some reason Thor thought that was a bad idea." Hyrrson's growling petered off into silence.
This can't be happening. This has to be a bad dream.
"I have to admit, your plan wasn't half bad. Exploit Thor and I's weakness in order to eliminate us and take the throne yourself? Clever, clever. But you should thank us for stopping you. Even you had pulled it off, you realize that you'd have had to wear that glamour of my face for the rest of your pathetic life? You would have cursed yourself to looking like your object of hatred, to becoming it. It would have been delightful." Hyrsson was very quiet now. "If you're going to wear a mask," Loki said after a while, "at least wear the mask of that which you truly wish to become." From his cage Hyrrson couldn't see Loki lift his arm and stare at his skin as it shifted from pale to blue. "You once told me you had no weakness, Vladimir Hyrrson. You were wrong. Everyone has a weakness. Everyone can lose."
Loki, are you ready? Loki felt Thor's mental touch on the fringes of his consciousness. His breath caught in his throat, hitching against a lump that had just formed. He had offered to deactivate the Link again after subduing Hyrrson, but this time Thor had politely declined and Loki didn't really object. It was comforting knowing Thor was always a thought away.
As ready as I'll ever be, I suppose.
I'm on my way. Loki ran his fingers over the carved Runes in his desk. He had been meaning to fix that for days now, but somehow had never gotten around to it. He rose from his chair and moved towards the door. The moment he moved into Hyrrson's line of sight, the fox let out a surprised yelp. Loki's robes were magnificent and elegant, elaborate and beautiful. Loki glanced back at the cage and laughed.
"Oh yes, I forgot to tell you. You woke up just in time to congratulate me! Today is the coronation, Vladimir. I'm off to become king alongside my brother. Do enjoy the festivities from the confines of that cage. I'll bring you some of the banquet if I remember to, but you must keep in mind I'll be terribly busy today. You can't fault me if I forget." The howl that escaped Hyrrson was one of raw despair. Loki was still laughing as a booming knock sounded on the door. Thor swept in a moment later, looking equally as splendid as his brother, helmet in hand.
"Shall we?" Thor said brightly. Vladimir was still howling miserably, and Thor spared him only the shortest of glances. "I see our guest has awoken." Loki reached for his own helmet, sitting on the edge of his desk, but hesitated before grasping it. Thor smiled warmly. "I can see your doubt from here, even without the Link, Brother. It's all right, I promise. Today is a good day." Loki heaved a sigh. The past couple days had been spent with Thor, going over his doubts and voicing his concerns. He felt like a fraud; after all, he was still a Frost Giant by blood. He felt like a traitor to Asgard. "No," Thor said vehemently, stepping closer to him and grasping his shoulder. "Stop that, Silvertongue. You belong on the throne, and you belong by my side. We've always worked best when we're together, and we always will." Loki took a deep breath before nodding and grabbing his helmet. Thor had been immensely patient with him the past several days, as Loki realized he always had been.
"Always the optimist, Thor. You never change." Thor laughed.
"Yes, I do. Though hopefully for the better." Loki smirked at him.
"Doubtlessly." I hope the same can be said for me.
Of course.
When Loki stepped out into the hallway, he was surprised to find Jane, Sif, and the Warriors Three waiting for him. There were all dressed in their finest. Jane had never looked lovelier.
"Are you ready?" she asked with a warm smile, reaching out a hand to gently touch his arm. Loki briefly touched the back of her hand to acknowledge her support. Jane was the only person they had told about their little misadventure with Hyrrson. Loki knew for a fact that Sif and the others would never let him hear the end of it if they knew.
"I certainly hope so, at this point. No going back, now." Thor clapped him on the shoulder before leading the way down the hall.
"Come, Brother, friends! The people await!"
