Thor knew that the time to leave on his search for Loki would come, but he stood on the edge of the Bifrost, still jagged and broken, looking down into the endless depth of the swirls, holding the horn in his hand as he prepared to begin the journey. He let out a sigh as he thought on the events that had caused such destruction of the bridge, wishing so dearly now that he had been able to speak to Loki before everything had gotten so out of hand.

It was true the two of them were very close as boys, but now Thor really wondered if he understood Loki at all. He mustn't have if things spiraled out of control the way they did if Loki would even go as far as vehemently taking the throne of Asgard from him. Loki told him during their last fight that all he wanted was to be his equal. That he never wanted the throne or its power. Was Thor always so blind to Loki's needs? This set his mind back to times they spent together as boys. Thor had always known Loki didn't much get along with their peers, and he always assumed it was because he wished to hone his skills in magic, while most lads honed their skills in physical fighting.

Growing up, Thor had very little interest in Loki's passion with magic, only recently figuring out just how skilled his brother was. If only he had taken more interest, Loki might not have continually felt as though he was in his shadow, continually striving for his acceptance and acceptance from their peers. This loneliness and frustration must have turned to bitterness over the years, so it was no wonder Loki lashed out at all of them, wanting to take everyone's respect by force.

Thor didn't understand any of it until he was holding Loki up from falling into the void, and to see the look of absolute heartbreak on his face when their father rejected him, it killed him. He understood Loki in that moment, but it was too late, or so he thought. He was certain that he would never see Loki again, and that he would have to live with his guilt of driving Loki to such actions to win something he never should have had to fight for.

He let out a regretful sigh as a particular memory from their youth came to mind. They were but young men, barely having left childhood, and he believe now that those years were the roughest for Loki, when all of them attempting to become the men they thought they wanted to be. With no acceptance to be found with him as a group with his friends, Loki had no choice but to become an outsider.

And, now, Thor knew how deeply the torments of those boys had hurt Loki…how deeply he himself hurt Loki either because he didn't know or simply didn't care, believing Loki to be far too sensitive for his own good. Loki really only seemed to be sensitive on matters that involved him, and now he wished one more time that he told Loki there was no need to feel that way, since he had his love and respect always.

In the situation he remembered, he was spending time with his other peers, with Loki reluctantly in tow, as he usually was, and all of them had decided to have an impromptu competition of sorts. Thor thought it was all in good fun, since all the lads were trying to spar and build their skills more frequently at that age, but on making the suggestion to the group, he saw the look of displeasure that crossed Loki's face.

Thor didn't pay that any mind, knowing that usually Loki turned down those opportunities in the past. He saw the disdainful and patronizing looks the other lads gave Loki on noting his, and it appeared that his brother saw it too, since, unexpectedly he suddenly insisted that he be included in the sparring as well. Thor was about to assure Loki that he didn't have to if he didn't want to, but the other boys seemed to be pleased as they shouted their agreement. But, immediately most of the boys chimed in that magic needed to be restricted from the competition, and only hand to hand weapons would be allowed.

Thor thought he saw a split second flash of worry in Loki's eyes at those terms, but he nodded his own agreement, appearing to look brave. How brave his brother really was, and Thor wished he knew it then. Going against others in a fight that one knew he would not win? But, at the time, Thor believed it was Loki attempting to finally fit in with him and his friends, and he approved of this, not wanting the other lads to feel as though his brother was a strange one that did not deserve to be another prince of Asgard.

For a long time, he knew that was the general agreement among the young men, although no one said it out loud to him, with the rightful fear that he would defend Loki's and his family's honor verbally as well as physically, if it was needed, it was still spoken about quietly among them. He wanted Loki to prove himself to them, and so if he would take part in what they regularly did, it was the right step. He smiled and had clapped Loki on the shoulder at his agreement, but, even that little show of friendship seemed to make him unsteady on his feet.

Thor then had tried to ignore the uncomfortable feeling in his gut as one of the boys then immediately challenged Loki. He thought that since he was the top contender to beat, he would be able to take most of the challenges from the group, but this lad, he had it out for Loki since they were young boys. There had been many confrontations between the two from that time, and more than once, Loki had used his magicks on him to fend him off. Thor would not interfere though, knowing that this was the way disputes were solved among the boys of their society, so it was a matter of honor and pride that he not say anything.

Thor wished he did though, since now in their teenaged states, this boy toward over Loki and exceeded his strength by at least two times. Thor took in another difficult breath as worry passed over Loki's face, but he nodded, still trying to keep on his brave face. Thor had then thought it to be Loki attempting to claim his rightful place in their society, so he supported that. He wished well for his brother, so he let him do this.

Thor set the rules at one being claimed the victor when the other was incapacitated, and he leant Loki his heavy broad sword since the other had no weapons that were appropriate for this challenge. Loki depended on magic, so there was no need for large weapons, but he did train some with them just as a matter of tradition, since all boys in Asgard were trained with hand held weapons from a young age. But he knew Loki paid little attention during these lessons, far more interested in training with his magic. That would leave him at a disadvantage in this fight, but he trusted that Loki would hold his own. He would have use of his powerful and well balanced weapon. It was easily considered the best sword in Asgard, and he trusted to the core that Loki would be able to wield it successfully. He was an Odinson, after all.

Loki appeared to be straining under the weight of the sword, Thor could see that, but he still let Loki walk to the center of the small circle they made for the fight. He should have known better. Asking Loki to fight like this would be like asking him to cast magic. He then just watched, hoping for the best. The other boy sneered at Loki struggling slightly with the blade, but Loki, as always, put on his hard face, no matter how unsure of himself he was. Thor knew it was a great deal now.

The boy gave little warning as he ran forward with a powerful blow, and Loki was just able to dodge with a counter swing of his own. Naturally, since Loki never trained with such a heavy weapon, the blow was easily sidestepped by the more experienced boy, and he slammed the butt of his sword against Loki's chest, earning a grunt from his brother as he was sent to his knees by the powerful blow. Some pain flashed on Loki's face, but he did not make a sound as he rolled away from the next powerful blow that was aimed at his head.

Loki kicked his leg out to trip up the other, but since the other weighed so much, the kick did little more than make the lad stumble, and in response he brought his sword down to Loki's chest, and it glanced off Loki's armor, causing his brother to almost fall backwards. Loki counter balanced by swinging hard with his sword but since he was so inexperienced with the weapon, his swing wobbled severely and was easily parried.

The boy then did a round house kick and caught Loki's shoulder, rocking him sideways. Thor then was trying not to cringe at how easily Loki was pushed around by the other boy, not understanding that wasn't this kind of fighter and never would be. Though Loki stumbled as a result, he tried to jab outward with the sword, but it was clear that he almost lost his hold with the force of the swing.

The boy then kicked the sword out of Loki's hand so that it clattered by their feet and he slashed out with his own. The strike ended up slashing right over Loki's cheek, and blood ran down his face as the boy shoulder butted his brother to the ground. Thor had to cringe at that, since it appeared Loki fell at a strange angle on his arm, but his brother didn't give up, reaching his other hand out to scrabble for the fallen sword.

The sword was swiftly kicked out of reach by the other boy, and that arm too was almost injured when he tried to stomp on it. Luckily Loki was able to yank his unharmed arm out of the way and used it to yank the boy's foot and pull him off balance enough to stumble, but when the boy fell forward, he used his momentum to fall hard on Loki's body and then swung a fist to punch Loki's face.

Loki struggled to get the boy off of him, but he wouldn't let up on the punches. Thor could see that Loki was really suffering now, and finally he couldn't take it any more, finally yelling at him to stop. Thor couldn't take the sight of Loki defenselessly laying there while he was beaten, not making a single sound. The boy took one more punch before he moved off Loki, and it seemed that not only was Loki injured, but he was dazed as well, letting his head loll to a side as he let his good arm fall to the ground when the beating stopped.

Thor naturally approached to see if Loki would be okay, but, to his great surprise, Loki opened his eyes and used his good arm to haul himself up, very unsteadily, yes, but quite a feat with the kind of injuries that Thor suspected he suffered. At first, Thor thought Loki to be fine when he spit aside some blood in his mouth when he was back on his feet, informing them that he had far better things to engage himself in than to stay with them, and without another word, Loki moved away from the group with a staggering pace, quickly rounding a corner into a building that lined the courtyard they were training in. The other lads jested about Loki's easy defeat in battle, but Thor refused to say a word on the topic, unable to have one bad thought about his brother.

He continued to train with the other boys for a few minutes, but the arduous way Loki shuffled away stuck in his mind. Thor knew just how stubborn Loki was, and in such a situation, he suspected his brother let them think that he was far less injured than he was, so finally he bid the other lads good bye, deciding that he needed to personally check on Loki to make sure he was alright.

Thor was shocked to find Loki unconscious in the neighboring corridor just hidden from the courtyard, presumably just collapsing there from his injuries. Thor hurriedly scooped Loki into his arms and rushed him to the healers, then only thinking Loki to be a fool in not calling off the fight the second that he felt that it was getting out of hand. He felt a stab of guilt on recalling how he'd rubbed it in further by scolding Loki the second he woke after the healers finished on him.

Loki had looked so happy for the split second when he found him waiting by his side in the healing room, but that look was replaced by a bitter kind of resignation the moment he gave Loki his thoughts on Loki's situation. After Jane opening his eyes to the fact that other people's point of view had to be considered in an assessment of a situation, he knew just how wrong of him that was.

Loki wasn't a fool, far from it. Thor knew now that Loki fought in a battle he knew he could not win because he wanted to be Thor's equal, and since this was the easiest way that he could change Thor and the other boys' view of him, he did it. He was too prideful to admit that his strengths lay elsewhere. It was no surprise now then that Loki refused to see or speak to him for a good week after that event, and Thor realized that it was just one more event on top of a large pile that caused his brother to be even more lost to him.

Thor let out one more sigh, knowing that now was finally the time to set those wrongs to right. He would not give up until Loki knew just how sorry he was for everything and for how much he wished to make it up to him now. It would of course be Loki's choice at that point to forgive him or not, but the least he could do was tell Loki that he now understood.

With this in mind, he lifted the horn to his lips and blew hard, creating a loud sound that seemed to echo outward into the void, and after a moment, causing a bright flash of light. From the light emerged the rams and fine chariot as promised, and they moved toward him, as he was the origin of the sound. If the situation he was about to face wasn't so serious, he might have been amused at the horn actually working, but now his mind was on seeing Loki again.

He got himself settled in the chariot and then ordered the rams to travel to Midgard. They seemed to know where to go without much direction, so he let them take him where they would, trying to keep the words he would say to Loki when he saw him again straight in his mind. He could not afford any more mistakes, because what he said now may determine if Loki would be lost to them forever once and for all. He felt the weight of this knowledge pressing down on him, but he stayed strong. He had to do this both for his and Loki's sake.

Loki immediately rode to the Bifrost gate and activated it using Odin's spear, pouring all of his energy into freezing the gate open to Jotenheim, wanting to end all of the conflict between Asgard and Jotenheim once and for all. All in Asgard, his father and his family included, would know of his greatness and would never again be able to look down on him. Whether he was a frost giant or not, he felt he was an Asgardian, even for all the poor treatment he'd received over his life.

It was all he'd known, and now that he was so close to fulfilling his plan, he would not stop. He watched as the Bifrost shot to Jotenheim, hopefully for the last time. It wasn't long before Thor made his entrance one more time, but Loki was prepared, speaking coolly, "You can't stop it. The Bifrost will build until it rips Jotenheim apart."

To underline his words, he shot Thor with Odin's spear, not with enough power to harm him, but more as a warning. Thor would be forced to see him as an equal this day, and he would do what he must to make that happen.

"Why have you done this?" Thor spoke to him both in anguish and confusion, and Loki almost wanted to scoff.

His brother could honestly be so completely oblivious about things, and Loki spit out, "To prove to Father that I am a worthy son. When he wakes I will have saved his life, I will have destroyed that race of monsters, and I will be true heir to the throne."

To Loki's surprise, though he held that in well, Thor fervently replied, "You can't kill an entire race!"

Loki couldn't help but feel slightly confused on this coming from Thor of all people, so he just laughed and spoke as he approached him, "Why not? Now what is this new found love for the frost giants? You, who would have killed them all with your bare hands."

Thor just gave him a sad look to that, "I've changed."

Loki was unused to this sort of sentiment from Thor, so he tried to provoke him out of this thoughtful mood by warningly striking Thor across the face with his spear, "So have I. Now fight me."

Loki then hit Thor with force to send him flying across the floor, and he felt his bitterness beginning to bubble up inside of him. Thor slowly got himself up and Loki stalked up to him, speaking the most truthfully he had with Thor in years, I never wanted the throne! I only ever wanted to be your equal!"

"I will not fight you brother!"

Something about those words from Thor brought up his memories of Thor always feeling as though he had to protect him because he was weak and he almost wanted to laugh at the irony of being the progeny of their most hated enemies, and this caused him to speak darkly, "I'm not your brother! I never was!"

The pain that Thor looked at him was almost enough to break him as he said, "Loki, this is madness!"

Loki felt his voice beginning to crack as all of his hate and bitterness found its way to his tongue, "Is it madness! Is it? Is it? What is it on Earth that has turned you so soft? Don't tell me it was that woman!"

Tears were running down his face uncontrollably as he voiced his greatest fear. He was fairly certain that he would never receive Thor's attention in the way he desired most, but the glare he got in return from Thor confirmed it. This woman on Earth had so easily taken what he had wanted for almost his whole life and that caused more tears to squeeze out of his eyes as he replied in a bitter and cutting tone at the realization, "Oh. It was. Well, maybe, when we're finished here, I'll pay her a visit myself!"

That finally was enough to provoke Thor into attacking, and he finally fought him on what he felt was equal ground. Loki never was looked upon by Thor as a worthy opponent, he knew that, so now if it took him becoming a villain in Thor's eyes to gain that view, so be it. The fight went on, but ended abruptly when Thor stunned him with an energy blast from Mjolnir.

Before Loki could shake it off, Thor was upon him and put the hammer right on his chest. He sucked in a breath with trouble, given how heavy the hammer was to someone 'not worthy,' and this caused his bitterness to boil even more. Maybe he wasn't worthy of any of anything after all, but this didn't stop his mouth from running, long having become his coping mechanism for his self doubt, "Look at you. The mighty Thor. With all your strength! What good does it do you now, huh? Do you hear me brother? There's nothing you can do!"

Thor seemed to think a moment before summoning back his hammer, and Loki sucked in a large breath, wondering just what Thor was up to, but he was horrified to see that he began to break the bridge that held up the Bifrost.

"What are you doing? If you destroy the bridge, you'll never see her again!" Loki screamed at Thor, feeling anger at his plan so easily being foiled and hurt that Thor would rather do this than see the woman he loved again.

Did Thor think so little of him that he would rather put his feelings for this woman on Earth aside just to make sure he was foiled? It was a disturbing question that flitted through his mind with a thousand other thoughts as he ran forward, trying to stop Thor from preventing what he had planned for so long.