A/N: Welcome to Thor: The Dark World, aka, the one where Loki and Karina piss Thor off


It was dark in the healing room. The only source of light was from the numerous candles hanging off the walls and in candelabras in the corners of the room. Karina had settled herself in the corner of the room, leaning on the wall, as Eir and her fellow healers attempted to figure out what was wrong with Jane.

Thor stood almost next to Jane, who was lying on the table in the middle of the room, his worried eyes watching in amusement as Jane looked around in awe. She pointed to a thick mass floating above her, poking it slightly in curiosity.

"What's that?" She asked, poking it again much to Karina's amusement.

"Be still," Eir admonished, swatting her hand down. Karina chuckled softly as Jane sulked, putting her arm back down on the table.

"This is not of Earth," Thor said quietly to Anna who was standing next to him, "what is it?"

"We do not know," Anna replied, looking at something on the device in her hands, "but she won't survive the amount of energy surging within her."

Thor looked down sadly and Karina moved from her corner to stand next to her brother, taking his hand in hers as they watched an oblivious Jane poke at the mass floating above her again.

"That's a quantum field generator, isn't it?" Jane asked, eyes watching the mass as it hovered above her head.

"It's a soul forge," Eir replied stiffly, tapping at something on the table.

"Does a Soul Forge transfer molecular energy from one place to another?"

Eir stopped what she was doing, an impressed look on her face as she stared at Jane. "Yes."

"Quantum field generator," Jane said quietly to the siblings and Thor smiled affectionately whilst Karina huffed a laugh, squeezing her brother's hand when she saw the worry appear in his eyes again.

The doors to the infirmary suddenly burst open as Odin marched through them, a small legion of guards behind him.

"My words are mere noises to you that you ignore them completely?" He questioned, coming to a stop at the foot of the table. Karina resisted the urge to roll her eyes at her father, choosing to move closer to Jane in case he tried to kick her out.

"She's ill," Thor told him only for Odin to wave his concern away.

"She is mortal," Odin replied carelessly, "illness is their defining trait."

"I brought her here so we can help her," Thor walked up to his father, attempting to persuade him to let her stay.

"She does not belong here in Asgard any more than a goat belongs at a banquet table," Odin scowled.

Karina's mouth fell open, eyes widening at her father's complete lack of respect towards Jane.

"Did he just…" Jane asked, sitting up and looking between Thor and his father. "Who do you think you are?" She gave Odin a fierce glare as she waited for an explanation.

"I am Odin, King of Asgard and Protector of the Nine Realms."

Jane's shoulders slumped. "Oh. Well, I'm – "

"I know very well who you are, Jane Foster," Odin replied, and Karina had to resist a smile at Jane's expression as she turned to Thor.

"You told your dad about me?" She asked, smiling. Karina smiled softly at Jane's expression, taking a step closer towards her friend as she noticed her father beginning to grow impatient.

"Something's within her father," Thor said as he tried, once again, to persuade Odin to let her stay, "something I have not seen."

"Her world has its healers, they're called doctors," Odin replied, waving his guards forward, "they're called doctors, let them deal with it. Guards!" Instantly, they moved towards Jane and Karina moved closer towards Jane, ready to protect her as Thor moved towards Karina.

"No, I wouldn't –"

Thor didn't get a chance to finish as one of the guards grabbed Jane's arm, causing whatever was inside her to zap the guard and everyone in the room. Thor shielded Karina from the blast which knocked the guards approaching Jane over.

"Touch her," Thor finished unnecessarily, rushing over to Jane. Karina followed quickly behind, glancing over her shoulder at her father. He took a step forward, running a hand over Jane's arm. As he did so, her skin began to glow red, the same colour as the blast.

"It's impossible," Odin whispered as he stared at Jane's arm in astonishment.

"The infection," Eir said softly, "it's defending her?"

"No," Thor replied, "it's defending itself."

Karina glanced down at Jane, concern in her eyes as the woman mumbled something under her breath. She reached out a hand, gently grasping Jane's hand in hers.

"Come with me," Odin said suddenly, gesturing for the siblings and Jane to follow after him.


Odin led them through the Hall of Science and into a cavernous chamber that was the Library. It had an extensive collection of books, some dating all the way back to before Asgard was founded and several large tables in-between the tall shelves. In the middle of the chamber, on an ornate, gold table, a large, gold book, glowing gently in the dim light.

"There are relics that predate the universe itself. What lies within her appears to be one of them." Odin stopped in front of the large, golden table, where the book sat "The Nine Realms are not eternal. They had a dawn, as they will have a dusk. But before the dawn, the dark forces, the Dark Elves, reigned absolute and unchallenged."

Carefully, Odin opened the book, turning to a particular page where the intricate drawing gently moved.

"'Before the eternal night," Thor read, "the Dark Elves come to steal away your light'," he looked up at his father, "these were the stories mother told to us as children."

"I remember," Karina whispered quietly, "They made a weapon out of darkness or something."

Odin nodded, "Their leader, Malekith, made a weapon out of that darkness, it was known as the Aether. While the other relics, like the Tesseract, appear as stones, the Aether is fluid and ever changing. It changes into dark matter, and seeks out host bodies, drawing their strength from their life force.

"Malekith sought to use the Aether's power to return the universe from one of light to one of darkness. But, after the eternities of bloodshed, my father Bor finally triumphed; ushering in a peace that lasted thousands of years."

"What happened?" Jane whispered and Karina suddenly remembered why they were there. Not to read fairytales, to help Jane.

"He killed them all," Odin said bluntly.

"Are you certain? Thor asked, "because the Aether was said to have been destroyed with them, and yet here it is."

"The Dark Elves are dead."

"Don't," Karina muttered, putting a hand on her brother's arm when he opened his mouth even though she could tell her father was lying.

"Does your magical book happen to mention how to get it out of me?" Jane asked nervously.

"No," Odin replied, staring at Jane with his one good eye, "it does not." He turned around and began walking towards the doors. "She can stay."

"So generous," Karina muttered as Odin left. Jane scoffed, starring after Odin. "Come on," Karina called, grabbing Jane's hand in hers, "there's an empty room next to mine you can stay in."


Loki sighed as more prisoners were filed past his cell, most of them grumbling the entire way. The guards yelled every so often when one of them stepped out of line, pushing them back into the single file queue that weaved through the dungeons and up the stairs.

"Odin continues to bring mew new friends. How thoughtful." Loki turned to face his mother, hands behind his back.

"The books I sent, do they not interest you?" Frigga asked, glancing at the piles of books stacked along the walls of Loki's cell.

"Is that how I am to while away eternity?" Loki questioned, frowning at his mother. "Reading?"

"I've done everything in my power to make you comfortable – "

"Have you?" Loki swirled on his heels, taking a step close to his mother. "Does Odin share your concern?" Frigga's silence answered his question and he laughed humourlessly. "Does Thor? Does Karina? It must be so inconvenient, them asking after me day and night."

"You know full well that your actions brought you here. You also know that Karina worries about you."

"Does she? I am yet to see her –"

"Because should she even set foot within the dungeons, Odin will restrict her access to Midgard and keep her on Asgard for the rest of her life."

Loki stared at his mother for a while before saying, "she plans to head back to Midgard?"

"She's made friends down there. She's found a purpose, thanks to your actions."

"My actions? I was merely giving truth to the lie I've been fed my entire life. That I was born to be a king," Loki growled.

"A king? A true king admits his faults. What of the lives you took on Earth?"

"A mere handful compared to the number that Odin has taken himself," Loki snarled. He knew his mother was only trying to help, but he couldn't help the anger he felt whenever Odin was mentioned.

"Your father – "

"He's not my father," Loki yelled, finally losing his temper. He glared at his mother, a glint in his eyes as she stood her ground.

"Then am I not your mother? Is Karina not your sister?"

Loki paused, looking down at the ground as he finally realised what denying Odin as his father truly meant. "No," he said quietly.

Frigga forced a smile to her face, trying to keep the tears in her eyes at bay as she took a step closer to her son. "Huh, always so perceptive about everyone but yourself," she said, looking her son in the eye.

Loki sighed, shaking his head as he moved closer to his mother, reaching out to grab her hands. But as he came into contact with her, her astral projection disappeared and Loki closed his eyes, feeling a wave of emotions roll over him as he realised that he'd never get to hug his mother again. Or his sister.


Karina and Thor walked through the bustling streets outside the palace, smiling whenever someone greeted them. Karina linked her left arm with Thor's as they walked, holding the hem of her dress off the floor with her other. Karina let out a quiet chuckle when she saw Jane playing with a little boy's toy in the middle of the street – much to the disgust of the boy and his friends.

Karina giggled quietly, trying to hide her smile as Jane continued to be oblivious to the glares the boys were sending her.

Jane turned, noticing Thor and Karina walking towards them and a smile overtook her face as she stared at the ball in amazement. "This thing is amazing," she said as the approached. "I'm so taking this apart."

"Uh, Jane," Thor called, noticing the boys. "Jane."

"What?" Jane asked, looking up from her attempts at dismantling the ball.

"You've got their ball," Karina explained, nodding to where the disgruntled boys sat.

"Ah." Jane sighed and threw the ball to the boys who quickly ran away with it.

Karina chuckled, approaching the woman with a skip and took her arm. "Don't worry," Karina said as she led Jane down the street, "I've got one you can have."

Karina didn't miss the loved-up smile Thor had on his face at Jane's excited squeak at the prospect of being able to have something from Asgard and she rolled her eyes in fondness as they walked down the street.

"Right," Karina said, withdrawing her arm from Jane's, "I'm going to leave you two love birds alone. I've got stuff to do." Karina chuckled as she dodged Thor's punch, running up the stairs and back towards the palace. She slowed her pace down when she turned into the palace, nodding respectfully at the servants who bowed to her. Instead of following the corridor down to the royal apartments, Karina took a sharp left and disappeared down a flight of stairs, heading for the archives.

There was a particular record book she was after, one that had a detailed account of every battle ever fought by an Asgardian. Her father was lying, and Karina knew, there had to be something, somewhere, that mentioned a rogue Dark Elf not being caught. How else would the Aether suddenly appear at the exact same moment as the Convergence?

She quietly opened the heavy oak doors, squeezing through the gap she made, grabbing a torch off the wall as she went. The archives were kept under ground in relative darkness to protect the precious documents, some dating to well before Bor was King. Her eyes squinted as she scanned the shelves, waving the torch precariously close to the books as she struggled to find the one, she was looking for. Karina felt a victorious feeling rise in her when she spotted the book she was looking for and reached out for it, gently pulling it off the shelf -

"Karina!"

Karina froze, slowly turning around to face her mother. Using her shoulder, she shoved the book back onto the shelf and smiled.

"You know you're not allowed down here without permission," Frigga reprimanded, holding out a hand for Karina to take. Reluctantly, she took her mother's hand, handing her the torch as they made their way out of the archives.

"what were you even looking for?" Frigga asked as the ascended the stairs, carefully putting the torch back in its holder.

Karina sighed, "Father is lying about the Dark Elves being gone, I know he is."

"Karina –"

"No! How else is it that the aether happens to appear around the same time as the occurrence of the Convergence? There must have been a single Dark Elf that escaped or something."

Frigga sighed, halting Karina in her tracks. "Your father did what he had to do to protect you and Asgard – I'm not finished," Frigga said holding up a hand to stop Karina from talking. "Sometimes that has involved lying to you and your brothers an whilst some lies have had dire consequences, some have not." Frigga put a gentle hand on Karina's check, staring at her daughter lovingly, "I know you want to protect your brother and Jane, but you need to let this go." Karina sighed as her mother embraced her, hugging her back tightly.

"Do you," Karina began slowly, withdrawing from the hug, "ever…regret sharing your magic with Loki and I?" It was something she'd been thinking about a lot since New York.

Frigga paused for a moment, thinking. "No," she replied softly as they continued their walk back towards the gardens. "Loki was always overshadowed by your father and Thor and he needed something that was his. And when you came along, a young girl surrounded by boys, I knew that you too needed something.

"I have no regrets, Karina, none. You have become a brilliant young woman, one who won't take no for an answer," Karina laughed, wiping away a stray tear, "and one who cares. Loki has been through so much and been trusted so little that this was the only way he saw fit to escape the shadow."

"It's just," Karina sighed, fiddling with her bracelet, "what if I end up like him?"

"You won't," Frigga assured her. "I admit, we failed Loki as a family, and we might've failed you too. But I know that your friends on Midgard will always be there for you. Whilst we might not be a functional family, I know that no matter what, they will always be there for you."

Karina smiled tearfully at her mother, hugging her tightly. "Thank you," she whispered, burying her face in Frigga's shoulder.

"Come on," Frigga said, "I want to meet Jane."

Karina laughed, linking arms with her mother as they walked to where Thor and Jane had disappeared to.

After asking a few servants, they found the balcony that Thor and Jane had taken shelter on, away from the bustle of the town down below.

"My father doesn't know everything," Thor said as they approached, holding Jane's hand.

"Don't let him hear you say that." Frigga smiled as Jane and Thor turned around, surprised.

"Jane Foster, please meet Frigga, Queen of Asgard. My mother," Thor told Jane. Jane quickly dropped Thor's hand and scooted away from him in embarrassment and Karina let out a laugh.

"Hi," Jane said waving awkwardly.


They'd been talking to Jane for a while now, the scientist very excited to finally meet Thor's mother who, she'd decided, was a significantly nicer than his Father. As they strolled through the palace, an alarm went off causing all three Asgardians to panic.

"The prison," Frigga said quietly, eyes wide with worry.

"Loki," Thor growled, looking around as guards began running toward the prison.

"Go, we'll look after her," Frigga ordered her son. Thor looked to Karina who gave him a curt nod. Knowing that his mother and sister would protect Jane, he ran on to the balcony, shedding his cloak as he leapt from the edge. He reached out a hand for Mjolnir, grabbing it as it zoomed past him.

Karina quickly to Jane's arm, dragging her further into the palace, Frigga behind them, as they headed towards Frigga's room.

"Send a squadron to the weapons vault," Odin yelled as they turned a corner, coming face to face with him, "defend it at all costs. Seal the dungeon."

"Odin," Frigga called as they walked up to him.

"Frigga," Odin said quietly, walking up to his wife. "It's a skirmish, nothing to fear."

"You've never been a good liar," Frigga told him with a smile, noticing the fear in his eyes.

"Take her to your chambers," Odin ordered them, "I'll come for you when its safe."

More soldiers marched past them, among them Cassian and Sif. Karina locked eyes with Cassian as he passed and he gave her a pointed look. Karina knew what it meant and nodded as Cassian threw her her sword. Karina caught it, mouthing a thank you to him as he walked past.

"Take care," Frigga told her husband, watching him worriedly as he ordered the soldiers to keep moving.

"Despite all that I have survived, my Queen still worries for me." Odin grabbed Frigga's hand.

"It's only because I worry over you that you have survived," Frigga retorted, and Odin smiled as he followed after his soldiers. Karina and Frigga began walking briskly away, Jane following behind them. As they walked past another legion of soldiers, Frigga grabbed a short sword from one of them, holding it tightly.

"Listen to me now," Frigga said lowly as they walked, "I want you to do everything I ask and listen to everything Karina tells you to do – no questions."

"Yes ma'am," Jane replied, glancing around worriedly as they made their way to Frigga's chambers.


Karina looked up as the doors to Frigga's chamber banged open. As Jane stood up, eyes wide with terror, she moved in front of her friend, sword raised, as Malekith marched into the room. Frigga moved to stand next to Karina, short sword in her hand, as Jane disappeared behind a pillar.

"Stand down, creature, and you may still survive this," Frigga said calmly as she began to face off against Malekith.

"I have survived worse, woman," Malekith growled, glancing to where Jane was hiding.

"Who are you?" Karina called and Malekith's head snapped to face her.

"I am Malekith, and I would have what is mine," he growled, eyeing Jane hungrily. Karina glanced behind her at Jane, knowing that he was clearly after the Aether inside her. She took a step back, moving closer to Jane as Frigga struck Malekith across the face with her sword. Malekith was quick to defend himself, drawing his own sword and blocking Frigga's next attack.

As much as she wanted to help her mother, Karina knew that she had to protect Jane or risk ruining the plan. Frigga managed to disarm Malekith, throwing him against a pillar and pointing her sword at his neck. Karina's eyes widened as Kurse marched into the room, disarming Frigga and lifting her into the air. He pressed his sword against her back in warning as Malekith stalked towards Karina and Jane.

"She has something of mine," Malekith ordered, picking up his weapon and pointing it at Karina's chest. "Give it back."

"Never," Karina growled, raising her sword to meet Malekith's. Her eyes glowed purple as she launched herself at Malekith. The Dark Elf managed to slice Karina's arm with his dagger and she cried out as pain exploded in her arm. A rush of purple shot at Malekith but he dodged it, grabbing Karina's arm and throwing her to the side. Her back hit the wall and she slumped to the floor, winded. Malekith stared at Karina for a moment, eyeing her curiously as she saw her glowing. He nodded slightly, confirming something in his head, before turning back to. He reached out to grab her, but as he did so, she dissolved in front of him. Karina smirked at the rage on Malekith's face as she stumbled to her feet, ready to defend her mother.

"Witch!" Malekith roared as he marched up to Frigga. Karina tried to sneak up on Kurse, only for him to roughly grab her neck with his other hand, holding her captive too. Karina's sword fell to the floor as she tried to free herself, feeling the monster beginning to choke her, but Kurse's grip was unrelenting.

"Where is the Aether?" Malekith snarled at them both, watching as Karina squirmed, trying to free herself.

"We'll never tell," Frigga smirked, trying to delay Malekith a little longer.

"I believe you." Malekith nodded slightly and Kurse dropped Karina to the floor, pulling out his sword and stabbing Frigga in the back. Karina gasped for air, tears falling, as she watched her mother crumple to the floor. She tried to crawl forward but failed, falling next to her mother, reaching out her hand.

She vaguely heard an anguished cry and through her fuzzy vision saw a burst of lightning hit Malekith in the face. But Karina didn't care anymore. She found her mother's hand, holding it tightly as she desperately tried to wake Frigga up. But deep down, Karina knew.

Knew that her mother was dead.

She slumped against the floor, resting her head on the floor, her mother's hand in hers, as Odin walked in.

He stood still in the doorway, starring in shock at his wife and daughter. Slowly, he walked over, scared of what he might find. He gently knelt down next to his wife, closing his eyes in grief when he realised, she was gone. Odin looked to Karina and saw her chest gently rising and falling and felt a glimmer of hope.

Odin gathered Frigga in his arms, careful not to dislodge the grip Karina had on her mother's hand and allowed himself to mourn. Thor stood on the balcony, too deep in shock to know what quite to do. Jane emerged from where she had hidden, stopping when she saw Frigga's body in Odin's arms. For a moment she feared Karina was dead too and slowly walked over, not wanting to disturb the King in his mourning.

Jane gently grabbed Karina's hand, checking for a pulse and sighed in relief when she felt it. "Thor," Jane called quietly, noticing a bright red mark on Karina's neck and a small pool of blood from the cut on her arm. "Thor."

The God looked down at Jane, finally snapping out of his trance and rushing toward Karina. He gently gathered her in his arms, blinking back the tears when he saw her hand holding Frigga's. Thor carefully moved Karina's hand, lifting his unconscious sister into his arms and carried her to the healing room. As they walked through the palace corridors, Thor noticed Jane pulling Cassian to one side probably informing him of what had happened.

Thor glanced back at his lover, feeling a deep sense of gratitude for her as she hurriedly caught up with him, holding open the door to the healing room and stepping aside as Eir rushed up to him, guiding him to a spare bed.

Jane, knowing she was no longer needed, stood in the doorway, watching as Thor hovered protectively over Karina as Eir began mending her arm. She could see his shoulders drop in grief as he released what had happened and she walked up to him, placing a gentle hand on his arm as he turned to face her. Jane smiled sadly at his broken expression, hugging him tightly as they stood by Karina's bedside, protecting her.


The banks of the waterfront were lined with dozens of Asgardians, waiting to bid their Queen a final goodbye. Among them stood Lady Sif, a glowing orb of light in her hands. All around her, dozens of Asgardians also held an orb, eyes misty with unshed tears. Sif tore her attention way from the water for a second, glancing to where Thor stood with Jane and Karina. The Princess stood at her brother's side; grief evident on her face. She'd been dismissed from the infirmary by Eir merely two hours before and exhaustion was beginning to eat away at her.

Thor had given her his cloak as they made their way to the waterfront. Not the bright red one everyone knew him for, but the black one Karina had given him years ago for his birthday. Karina had buried herself in it, finding comfort in the familiar feel as they stood on the bank. As they stood there, watching as Frigga's boat was pushed out onto the water, Karina found her brother's hand underneath the cloak, holding it tightly as a wave of emotion swept over her, threatening to break the hold she had on her tears.

It wasn't her first funeral – that had been a while ago when Frigga's older sister had died – but it was the first personal funeral that she'd been to. They hadn't thrown one for Loki. Instead, Karina and her mother put a wreath of flowers on the water, setting fire to it and watching it float away. As it turned out, that funeral didn't count.

Out the corner of her eye, Karina saw her father give the signal. A flaming arrow shot over her head, landing in the boat and setting it alight. As Frigga's boat began its short journey, hundreds of lit arrows flew through the air, finding their mark on the hundreds of boats following their queens. The all ignited, burning away as they floated out to the cosmos.

Because Frigga wasn't the only person to die that day.

Karina felt a tear fall down her face and she quickly brushed it away, inhaling shakily as the burning boats floated away. Thor glanced down at her, squeezing her hand tightly as she struggled to keep herself together. He knew she didn't want pity. She simply wanted someone to be there.

As Frigga's boat reached the end of the Asgardian sea, Odin struck his staff on the ground, the thud echoing out over the waterfront. Frigga's spirit soared into the sky, drifting into the galaxy and merging with the stars that the mother and daughter loved so much.

As the hundreds of other boats began their descent, each Asgardian holding an orb of light lifted it into the sky, watching as they floated into the sky like lanterns. Karina's eyes glimmered with unshed tears as she watched the orbs float up into the stars, joining their queen in Valhalla.

It only occurred to Karina several hours later, when she was lying awake in her room, that Loki had no idea.


Karina sat at the back of the tavern, almost completely empty due to the early hour. Thor sat in front of her, eyes watching her worriedly as she just sat there. Karina looked up, eyes locking onto Thor's, giving him a small smile. Thor smiled back as Heimdall walked in, sitting down next to Karina and putting his helmet on the table in front of them.

"You're not in Odin's war council?" Thor asked quietly as Heimdall leaned back in his chair with a sigh.

"The Bifrost is closed by your father's orders," Heimdall said crossing his arms, "no one is to come or to go. We face an enemy that is invisible even to me. What use is a guardian such as that?"

"Malekith will return, you know this," Thor told him, "but I need your help."

"I cannot over-rule my King's wishes," Heimdall reminded him, "not even for you."

"We're not asking you to," Karina said quietly, her voice croaking slightly as she spoke for the first time in days. Both men turned to her as she sat up in her chair. "The Nine Realms need a strong leader who remains unchallenged. But our father is blinded by hatred and grief that he does not see the consequences his actions will have."

"We're all blinded," Heimdall added, beginning to realise what it was they were going to do.

"Well, I see clearly enough," Thor said lowly, eyeing his friend.

"The risks are too great," Heimdall ventured, trying to discourage the idea forming in their brains.

"Everything that we do from here on is a risk, there is no other way," Thor countered.

Heimdall sighed quietly, looking down at the table as he thought over the proposition. "What do you require of me?"

"What I'm – we're – about to ask of you is treason of the highest order. Success will bring us exile and failure shall mean our death. Malekith knew the Aether was here, he can sense its power. If we do nothing, he will come for it again, but this time lay waste to all of Asgard."

Karina hummed, turning to face Heimdall, "basically we're all committing treason."

Thor sighed tiredly, a fond smile on his face as Heimdall chuckled. Karina smiled back, a sparkle in her eyes that hadn't been there for a while, as they began to plan.


"We need to move Jane off-world," Thor began, looking around. They were still in the tavern except for this time, Sif, Fandral and Volstagg had joined them.

"The Bifrost has been shut down and the Tesseract locked away in the vault," Sif reminded them.

"There are other paths off Asgard," Heimdall said, "ways known only to a few."

"One, actually," Thor and Karina said in unison, given each other a knowing look

"No," Volstagg gasped as he realised what they meant.


"Are you sure about this?" Thor asked quietly as the descended the stairs into the dungeons.

"Yes," Karina replied, holding the hem of her dress up, "I trust him. Stupidly, I do."

Thor sighed, pausing just before the doors to the dungeon, and glanced down at his sister. "I trust you."

Karina gave him a small smile as they quietly made their way into the dungeons and towards Loki's cell. She pushed Thor forward, letting him go first.

"Thor," Loki said lowly as he appeared in front of him. "After all this time, and now you come to visit me." Loki turned around to face his brother, "Why? Have you come to gloat? To mock?"

"Loki enough," Thor growled, "no more illusions."

Loki sighed, closing his eyes and bowing his head. There was a ripple of magic as the illusion disappeared, revealing Loki sitting on the floor, furniture upturned, books ripped apart and eyes red.

"Now you see me brother," Loki said quietly. Thor walked around to the other side of the barrier, Loki's eyes following him. "Did she suffer?"

"I didn't come here to share our grief," Thor came to a stop opposite his brother, "instead we offer you the chance of a far richer sacrament."

"We?"

Karina stepped out from behind Thor, heels echoing on the tiled floor as Loki's eyes widened. "Hi, Loki," Karina whispered, hands clenched tightly in front of her.

"Karina," Loki breathed, examining her quickly. He noticed the bruises on her neck and the bandage on her arm but dismissed those when he saw her eyes. She was broken. He swallowed, sitting up properly against the wall and turned to Thor. "Tell me of this plan."

"I know you seek vengeance as much as we do," Thor began, "you help me escape Asgard and I will grant it to you; vengeance."

"And then this cell," Karina finished softly.

"You must be truly desperate to come to me for help," Loki said, eyeing his siblings carefully, "what makes you think you can trust me?"

"I don't," Thor interrupted, "Karina does. And mother did." Thor shifted on his feet, wanting to hurry the conversation up.

Loki blinked at his brother's words, looking to Karina to confirm what he said. She nodded and Loki rested his head against the wall.

"But you should know that when we fought each other in the past, I did so with the glimmer of hope that my brother was still in there somewhere. That hope no longer exists to protect you." Thor stood to his full height, glaring at Loki, "you betray me, and I will kill you."

"And then I'll kill you too," Karina added, crossing her arms.

Loki smiled, eyes glinting with a menacing look as he met his sister's gaze. "When do we start?"


"He will betray you," Fandral said, his toning obviously advising against the suicidal plan.

"He will try," Karina confirmed, a glimmer of a smirk on her face.


Karina was internally cursing her decision to trust Loki. He'd been freed from his cell for less than five minutes and had not shut up once.

"This is so unlike you, brother," Loki said, practically jumping up and down at the prospect of being allowed vengeance. "So clandestine. Are you sure you wouldn't rather just punch your way out? Or stab, in Karina's case."

"If you keep speaking I just might," Thor grumbled, looking around, checking the any guards.

"Fine, as you wish," Loki sighed, "I'm not even here."

Karina rolled her eyes, sighing exasperatedly as Loki transformed himself into one of the guards. She was beginning to regret her decision to trust him.

"Is this better," Loki asked, a smirk on his face.

"It's better company at least," Thor replied, eyeing Loki out the corner of his eye.

"Still we could be less conspicuous." Loki transformed back into himself and Karina sniggered as he transformed Thor into Sif. Thor – well, Sif – glared at Karina, who laughed even harder and sighed.

"Mmm, brother, you look ravishing," Loki complimented, eyes raking over Thor's feminine body.

"It will hurt no less when I kill you in this form," Thor muttered, swatting Karina as she kept giggling.

"Very well," Loki sighed, "perhaps you prefer one of your new companions, given that you seem to like them so much."

Karina laughed even harder when Loki transformed himself into Steve. Thor glanced at her, rolling his eyes when wiped away the tears that were forming.

"Oh, this is much better," Loki exclaimed, and Karina's eyes widened when she realised it was actually Steve's voice. "Woah, the costume's a bit much, it's so tight!" Loki looked down, examining himself, swinging the shield around and Karina had to stifle her laughter, trying to attract any attention. "But the confidence! I can feel the righteousness surging!" He spun on his heels and Karina giggled, ignoring the ache in her chest for her friends, as Loki carried on talking, "Hey, wanna have a rousing discussion about truth, honour, patriotism? God bless America –"

Thor suddenly grabbed a hold of Loki, dragging Karina with him, and slammed him into a nearby pillar, putting a hand on his mouth. Karina stumbled, catching herself on Loki's arm as she hid behind the pillar.

"What?" Loki spat, glaring. Thor turned to where two guards marched past them, footsteps echoing throughout the plaza. "You can at least furnish me with a weapon," Loki complained, looking between the two siblings, "my dagger, something!"

Thor glanced to Karina. Karina nodded and Thor sighed, handing Loki a piece of metal.

"At last, a little common sense…" Loki sighed as he held up his handcuffed hands. Karina chuckled quietly at the disgusted look on his face.

"I thought you liked tricks," Thor commented, smirking. "It was Karina's idea."

Loki turned his glare to his sister, who chuckled, skipping off ahead of the brothers. Thor laughed, dragging Loki along with him as the continued onwards.


"But what then?" Fandral asked, "your lovely mortal is being guarded by a legion of guards who will see you coming from miles away."

"I won't be the one who comes for her," Thor said slowly, looking at Sif and Karina. "Karina goes in first – a friendly face and all – and then Sif knocks out the guards and, tada."

Karina rolled her eyes at Thor futile attempt at explain. "And," she began, drawing the table's attention to her, "I've got a friend on the inside."


"You'll be committing treason, Cassian."

The two of them were standing in behind a pillar, whispering quietly about Thor's plan. The last time she'd seen Cassian since the invasion, he'd been in the infirmary, sitting by his lover's bedside.

"To save Asgard from total ruin," Cassian replied, leaning on the pillar.

Karina sighed, running a hand through her hair. "You'll be exiled."

Cassian shrugged, "A week ago I would be saying no, but I lost too much in that invasion to let it happen again." His shoulder's slumped and Karina put a hand on his arm, rubbing it gently.

"I'm sorry," she said quietly, "for what happened to Mathieu."

Cassian laughed tearfully, "It really felt like he was my soulmate. And then this happened," he gestured around at the piles of rubble and glass, "and it was ripped away from me."

Karina gripped Cassian's hand in hers. "I'll get vengeance for Mathieu."

Cassian blinked at her, a stray tear falling down his tired face. "Really?"

"Whatever it takes."


Karina nodded politely to the guards standing outside Jane's room as she approached. One of them opened the door and Karina disappeared inside, shutting it behind her. Jane stood up in shock as she noticed Karina appear in her room and walked towards her.

"What's going on?" She asked, looking her friend over, "are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Karina said, waving her concern away. "We're getting out of here. Sif's coming in a minute, but I need Cassian to -" she turned to Jane, eyebrows furrowing in concern when she noticed her eyes glowing red. "Jane?"

Jane jumped violently, shaking her head furiously, "I'm fine," she muttered, rubbing her face. "What's happening?"

"Cassian and Sif are distracting the guards and we," she said, grabbing Jane's jacket and throwing it to her, "are going to escape."

"How?" Jane asked as she pulled on her jacket, untucking her hair from under the collar.

"You'll see," Karina said, smiling knowingly as Sif slammed open the door, a guard falling unconscious at her feet.

"Let's go," Sif ordered, titling her head to the door. Karina hurried Jane out the door, smiling at Cassian, who was hurrying the other way, as she passed. He turned on his heel, saluting her and disappeared around the corner, heading to stop the onslaught of soldiers heading their way.

They ducked behind pillars, avoiding the guards looking for them and made their way to the corridor where Thor and Loki were waiting. Jane had a hand on Karina's waist as they came to a halt in front of the gods and Karina was leaning on the woman, struggling to stay standing.

"You're –"

Loki smirked, "I'm Loki," he said, interrupting Jane before she could finish. "You may have heard of me."

Jane smacked Loki across the face and Karina chuckled softly, closing her eyes as pain lanced through her head.

"That was for New York," Jane told him, pulling her jacket down as Loki looked back at her and smiled.

"I like her," Loki chuckled. Karina rolled her eyes, smacking her brother on the shoulder.


"And what of the Allfather?" Sif asked, picking up on the one thing the siblings had missed out.

"It is my sworn duty to notify him of crims against authority," Heimdall informed them, his orange eyes glowing.


"You called me here on an urgent matter," Odin said as he marched in to the Observatory, "what is it?"

"Treason, my lord," Heimdall replied, turning to face his king.

Odin sighed, glancing at the guards standing behind him. "Whose?"

"Mine," Heimdall replied, pulling his sword out of the control panel. The guards surrounding Odin moved forward, halting when Heimdall surrendered it up. There was a flurry of movement as Tyr, Captain of the Guard, entered.

"My king, the mortal has been taken," Tyr said breathlessly. Tyr turned to look at Heimdall and Odin followed his gaze, realisation dawning on in his face.

"Stop Thor and Karina," Odin said quietly, turning to face Tyr, "by any means necessary."

Line break

Karina hurried behind Jane, sword in hand, as they made their way to the ship. Jane was still woozy from the Aether and stumbled every so often

"There they are!"

All five of them turned as a legion of guards found them and began running towards them. Thor took a step towards the legion, but Sif put a hand on his arm.

"Go, I've got this," she told them, nodding to the ship.

Thor nodded, "Thank you." Thor ushered Jane ahead of him, making sure Karina was following and began heading to the ship.

Loki moved to follow them, but Sif put her sword to his throat. "Betray him, and I'll kill you," Sif told him threateningly.

"It's good to see you too, Sif," Loki laughed, sauntering after his siblings.


"Assuming you can get Loki's help," Volstagg began, "and you can free this mortal, what good would it do?" He scoffed, shaking his head, "we'd be dead the minute we step one foot outside the palace."

Thor smiled, "that, my friend, is why we won't be leaving by foot."


Karina was astounded by how much of a mess the Dark Elf invasion had caused to the throne room. The ship had crashed in the middle of the room, pillars and rubble strewn all over the floor and glass crunched under foot as they walked. Volstagg and Cassian stood in the middle of the room waiting for them.

"I will give you as much time as I can," Volstagg told them, patting Thor on the back as he passed.

"Thank you, my friend," Thor replied, ushering Jane on to the ship.

"Thank you," Karina whispered, standing on her tip toes to hug Cassian.

"Whatever it takes," he whispered, hugging her back tightly.

"Whatever it takes," Karina repeated firmly, taking in her friend on last time.

She took a step back, waiting for Loki to pass, chuckling quietly and hiding a smile, when Volstagg grabbed his arm, pulled him to one side.

"If you even think about betraying him – "

"You'll kill me?" Loki guessed, tilting his head. "Evidently there will be a line."

Volstagg shoved Loki, giving Karina a cheeky wink as she passed, and sighed, gripping his axe tightly as he watched his friends board the ship. He turned to Cassian, giving him a curt nod which the commander returned.

Thor held out a hand as Karina clambered into the ship, holding her dress up with one hand. She took it grateful, grunting as he pulled her up and inside the ship. Karina quickly pulled her dress off, throwing it to one side, revealing her armour and sword underneath.

"Was that there all this time?" Jane asked, looking at the sword in awe.

Karina nodded, pulling the ship door shut as Thor began pressing random buttons on the control panel.

"I thought you said you knew how to fly this thing," Loki questioned, watching Thor smack a particular button.

"I said 'how hard could it be?'" Thor replied, glaring at his brother.

"Evidently very hard," Karina smirked standing in between her brother's. Thor turned his glare to her and Karina laughed, raising her hands in mock surrender.

All eye turned to the door as there was a distinct roar followed by the sound of metal clashing as the guards finally caught up with them. Karina felt a sense of guilt at the thought of Cassian being arrested and exiled, but swallowed it away, focusing on the current situation.

"Well, whatever you're doing, brother, I suggest you do it faster," Loki muttered, glancing around uneasily.

"Shut up, Loki," Thor growled, still pushing random buttons.

"He has a point," Karina pointed out, raising her eyebrows.

"Both of you, shut up," Thor ordered, smacking the control panel in anger.

"You must have missed something," Loki sighed, looking down at the panel.

"No, I didn't," Thor insisted, hitting the buttons again, "I'm pressing every button on this thing."

"No, don't hit it. Just press it gently."

"I don't think he's capable of that."

"Shut up, I am pressing it gently! It's not working!"

Thor smacked the panel hard and let out a triumph 'aha' as the ship whirred into life and a the lights flickered on.

"Of course, brute force worked," Karina muttered, rolling her eyes as Thor began to try and pilot the ship. "Anytime today, Thor!"

"Will you be quiet?" Thor hissed as he finally figured out the controls for the ship. Karina felt it judder as it slowly began to rotate and heard a distinct rumble as Thor took out the remaining columns lining the throne room.

"I think you missed a column," Loki quipped, smirking.

"Shut up!" Thor growled, tapping furiously on the panel as the ship took off, smashing through the back window.

Karina cursed quietly as Thor flew them into something, stumbling into Loki as she tried to regain her balance.

"Look," Loki began as he helped Karina up, holding onto her shoulder, "why don't you let me of take over? I'm clearly the best pilot."

"Is that right?" Thor asked, not looking away from the screen as he dodged another building. "Well, out of the two of us, which one can actually fly?"

"Evidently you can't!" Karina exclaimed, holding onto Loki as a tremor rocked the ship. Thor sighed, spinning the ship through a tight bend as the guards chased behind them in the sky boats, firing at them.

"Oh dear," Loki drawled as Jane fainted, falling to the floor. "Is she dead?"

Karina smacked her brother, giving him a warning look as Thor checked on Jane. She waved off his concern, but Karina could see the distinct red glow under her skin and knew they were running out of time.

Thor turned his attention back to the screen, narrowly avoiding the top of a building as he swerved away from the Sky Boat following them. He turned back only to swoop too close to another building, taking the top spire off it.

"Not a word," Thor grumbled as both of his siblings opened their mouths to critic his driving.

"Now they're following us," Loki commented, noticing the presence of four Sky Boats behind them. Which then preceded to fire at them. "Now they're firing at us!"

"Yes, thank you, for the commentary, Loki, it's not at all distracting!" Thor yelled.

"He has a point," Karina said, shrugging. Thor glanced at his sister and gave her a pointed look which meant shut the hell up. The glance proved a mistake as Thor accidentally turned the ship too far left, decapitating the statue of King Bor that stood outside the viaduct.

"Well done," Loki scolded, "you've just decapitated your grandfather."

Thor waved a hand behind him, smacking Loki on the arm, as he pulled the ship parallel to the bridge that led to the mountains.

"You know," Loki began, clasping his handcuffed hands together, "this is wonderful. This is a tremendous idea. Let's steal the biggest, most obvious ship in the universe and escape in that!" Karina rolled her eyes as her brother began walking about, "Flying around the city, smashing into everything in sight so everyone can see us. It's brilliant Thor! Truly brilliant!"

Karina let out a shocked gasp as Thor opened the door and pushed his brother out of it. Loki let a shriek as he fell through the air and Karina turned to her brother.

"Really?" She asked, gesturing to the door, "Was that strictly necessary?"

"What?" Thor asked as he lifted Jane into his arms, holding his hammer tightly, and made his way to the door. "He was annoying me."

Karina rolled her eyes, jumping out of the ship after Loki. Her stomach jolted as she jumped, the wind screaming in her ears as she fell through the air, her hair whipping at her face. Karina groaned as she landed in the skiff Fandral was piloting, losing her footing as he turned and falling to her knees.

"Sorry!" Fandral called as Thor landed beside her, Jane in his arms. Karina stumbled to her feet, waving off Fandral's apology as Thor laid Jane down at the front of the skiff.

"I see your time in the dungeons has made you no les graceful, Loki," Fandral laughed as Loki clambered to his feet, dusting himself down.

Loki ignored the warrior, looking up to where the Dark Elf ship veered right, the Sky Boats following after it. "You lied to me," Loki said, looking to his brother, "I'm impressed."

"I'm glad you're pleased," Thor replied, standing up and moving next to Karina, "now do was you promised."

Loki nodded, taking the tiller from Fandral and began steering them to the secret pathway. Karina smiled softly as Loki began grinning in genuine glee, his eyes sparkling with happiness at the temporary freedom.

"Uh, Thor," Karina called out as she noticed two Sky Boats following them as Loki raised the ship up in line with the pathway.

"Fandral," Thor called, and the warrior nodded.

"Right, for Asgard," he said taking hold of a rope and dropping off the edge of the boat, landing in the skiff pursing them.

Knowing that Fandral had the guards handled, Karina turned her attention back to the cliff face in front of them. And the tiny cave that they were hurtling towards.

"Loki," Thor yelled warningly, a hand coming to rest on Jane's shoulder as the cave approached. Karina crouched down too, holding on to the side of the boat tightly as it got closer.

"If it were easy, everyone would do it," Loki replied, carefully manoeuvring the ship so that it lined up exactly with the cave.

"Are you mad?" Thor yelled, eyes flicking frantically from the cave to Jane.

"Possibly."

"I think you mean yes."

Loki took a second to glare at his sister as they entered the cave. The passage was so narrow the sides of it scraped the wall, sparks flying. But as they flew further into the cave, the sparks were replaced by crystals, the same colour and texture as what the Bifrost was made from. As they began to pick up more speed, the darkness of the cave was replaced by the bright, rainbow light of the Bifrost and everything blurred together.

There was a loud bang and a thud as the skiff left the cave and bounced off the black sand that was Svartalfheim.

"Tada," Loki sang, slowing the boat down. Karina groaned as she sat up from where she'd fallen onto the floor, glaring at her brother. Loki simply smiled in return, winking at her.


A/N: That's all for now. I've got an art exam this week so god knows when I'm going to update again.

I know exactly what Karina's going to be doing in Infinity War, Endgame, however, not so much...I have two, possibly three options but I really need to see Far From Home before I decide.

Karina: is he crying?

Clint: a little.

Karina: you should be wailing you, stone-cold bitch!

Karina: Now call my other brother