A/N) Thank you for all the comments for the last chapter. I got a review from an unregistered user asking for the 'rape' chapter. Unfortunately their email didn't show and I have no way of replying to them. Not sure how I can get it to people. If you are interested just search for me on A03. I use the same username there.

SPOILERS FOR THOR RAGNAROK are in this chapter if you haven't seen the film.

PART THREE

The War Begins

Chapter One

Ragnarok

Aboard The Statesman, Post Fall of Asgard

Asgard was gone, fallen at the hands of Surtar.

So much had happened in such a short space of time.

Thor stood, looking out of a large glass pane, at the expense of stars ahead of them. The Asgardians were now without a home and they needed to find a new one. Heading to Earth seemed to be the most suitable option. How could he have lost Asgard in such a short space of time? Thor closed his eyes, thinking back upon the days just passed.

Thor had been looking for Infinity Stones, trying to trace them amongst the universe, since they had been emerging in the last few years. It worried him four of the six had been found and he didn't like the notion that someone was likely manipulating events so they could get their hands on them. Ultimate power and the ability to weave the universe in one's own image was swiftly closing in on them. All Thor knew was he had to stop it. Even one Infinity Stone in the hands of the wrong being could cause untold havoc across the universe: much like the fiasco on Xandar, where a small group of heroes had banded together to stop a Kree Warlord from destroying the planet.

Thor had heard of that particular tale on his wanderings before he had returned to Asgard, before he had unmasked Loki, before their father had died in Norway on Earth… Thor swallowed… And before their sister Hela had returned from her imprisonment to take the Asgardian throne which was rightfully hers by birth-right.

His father had led him to believe Thor had been his first-born, his one and only heir, only to find out upon his father's death Thor was the second-born, who had no claim to the Asgardian throne, unless his older sister, Hela, was dead. What irked Thor was his father had trained him to be a ruler, yet had hidden a vital piece of information from him.

Hela had wanted dominion of all people, had wanted to continue on her quest to subject all the realms to her rule. It had been the reason she had been imprisoned in the first place only to be freed when their father had died, thereby ensuring her return to Asgard.

Hela had succeeded in banishing both Thor and Loki from the Bifrost as they travelled back to Asgard, ensuring they didn't return and aid their people. Both had landed on Sakaar though at different times and places. Loki had already integrated himself well into the customs of the planet whilst Thor had been imprisoned and forced to fight in the arena.

The adversaries he had faced were not that impressive and Thor had beaten them all, though one opponent had proven to be tough to beat. Thor had succeeded after intensive struggling, quickly becoming the favourite of the Arena. He'd used his new-found fame on Sakaar to escape, managing to convince Loki to come along with him and a former Valkyrie, who had once fought Hela, to return to Asgard and help save it from Hela's rule.

Loki had, which was usual with him, betrayed Thor, but had redeemed himself by coming to Thor's aid when he needed it on Asgard, quickly atoning for the sins he had committed by rescuing his people.

In order to prevent Hela gaining control of Asgard, Thor had decided to unleash Surtar, thereby fulfilling a prophecy which had once foretold the end of Asgard by his hands. It had been the only way to defeat Hela and ensure the safe rescue of the people of Asgard. While Thor had kept Hela busy, Loki had set off Ragnarok.

Now, they were navigating away from the ruins of Asgard, having watched their home perish in a blaze of fire, unsure of where to go or how to proceed. The Statesman, the ship Loki had commanded on Sakaar to escape, with a bunch of inept gladiators from the arena, was large enough to accommodate what remained of Asgardian's people. The ship Thor and Valkyrie took, the Commodore, was docked on top of the ship and could remain a useful ship to use if they needed to dock somewhere for supplies.

Thor glanced up at his reflection in the mirror. The wounds he had obtained at the hands of Hela were healing though his missing eye would never heal. He would always be one-sighted but it was a mark of battle, one he wore with honour, even if it was covered by an eyepatch.

"It suits you."

Thor whirled and saw Loki standing by the door to Thor's suite. He was smiling slightly.

"Perhaps you're not so bad after all, brother." Loki had, after all, helped rescue his people from Hela.

"Maybe not," mused Loki.

"Thank you, Loki." Thor turned and picked up a soap dish. He was well aware of Loki's tricks now. "And if you were here, I might even give you a hug." Loki never appeared to him in the flesh now. He threw the dish at his brother.

Loki caught it. "Do we have to hug now?"

Thor smiled. Loki really was here.

Stepping out onto the main deck, Thor saw an assembly of both Asgardian and Sakaarian refugees who were awaiting him. With his father's and Hela's deaths, Thor was now the rightful ruler of his people. Slowly, he walked through the crowd as it parted for him, looking at each face. They looked hopeful for the future now. They didn't cheer for him instead they inclined their heads in a gesture of respect, smiling as they raised their heads, grateful to him for what he had sacrificed to get them this far.

Once upon a time Thor would have swaggered through the crowd, basking in the glory of being King yet what he had survived had changed him. No more was he impulsive or arrogant or cocky. He was stately, contemplative and dignified, understanding now how his younger self had been unfit for rule. In a roundabout way, Loki needed to be thanked. If he hadn't sabotaged Thor's coronation years ago, this moment may be very different now. Without Loki, Thor wouldn't be here.

Standing by the viewing port, next to the Captain's chair which faced outwards into space, were Loki, Valkyrie and Heimdall. In light of an actual throne, the Captain's chair would still cement Thor's place as Asgard's King.

Valkyrie smiled at Thor as he reached her. "Your throne."

Thor paused, staring at the chair for a few moments before turning and sitting down upon it, flanked by Valkyrie and Heimdall. Loki stood to the side.

"So, King of Asgard…" Heimdall began as Thor looked around behind him at the thousands of people staring, silently awaiting word from their new King. "Where to?"

"I'm not sure," admitted Thor. "Any suggestions?" He glanced at his new companions. "Miek, what's your home planet?"

"Oh," Korg looked down at Miek who he was holding in his arms. "Miek's dead. I accidentally stepped on him on the bridge. I've just felt so guilty I've been carrying him around all day." But then the creature in Korg's arms wriggled to life. "Miek, you're alive! He's alive everyone! What was your question?"

Thor smiled and looked forward already certain of where he wanted to go. "Earth it is."

He had thought long and hard about his choice. He trusted the people of Earth would welcome them. His people were homeless and if Asgardians could live together with mortals… It could be beneficial for both races.

Later Thor stood alongside Loki, looking out at the stars. He had joined his brother in his own cabin. Now they seemed to understand one another better, Thor's brotherly relationship with Loki was stronger and better than it had been in years.

The stars moved slowly past them as they travelled through the vastness of space. It would take them a few months to reach Earth but they would make it, despite it being a long and arduous journey. They would need to stop at the nearest habitable system so they could gather more supplies but they had enough for now they didn't need to worry about it.

"Do you really think it's a good idea to go back to Earth?" asked Loki quietly.

Thor's reply was instant. How was it not a good idea? "Yes of course. People of the Earth love me. I'm very popular."

"Let me rephrase that. Do you really think it's a good idea to bring me back to Earth?"

It was a valid question. Loki had laid waste to New York a few years ago. Showing up on Earth with him wouldn't necessarily be a good idea.

"Probably not to be honest," replied Thor. He glanced towards his brother. "I wouldn't worry brother. I feel like everything is going to work out fine."

After everything that had happened recently, it felt like things were finally going their way.

But as they stood there, staring out of the viewport, a shadow fell over them. Ominous feelings developed in Thor's stomach as a large ship, over fifty times the size of the Statesman rose up in front of them.

"You were saying, brother?" Loki mentioned.

"Shut up Loki," responded Thor.

"That's Thanos' warship," continued Loki. "We have no chance."

"Maybe they haven't noticed us?" Thor's response was hopeful but unlikely. He saw Loki hesitate. "What is it brother?"

"I think I know what has brought them here." Loki sounded very quiet, afraid even.

"What is it?" Thor took his eyes from the ship bearing down upon them.

Loki took from his robes a small blue cube. One he had attempted to steal and then use against Earth a few years ago.

"LOKI! How could you?" glared Thor.

"They were coming for it anyway," admitted Loki. "Thanos is after the Infinity Stones, brother."

"Why did you take it? Why not leave it?"

"Brother, you know it is not in my nature to leave a useful bargaining tool behind. Besides, do you really believe Surtar's fury could destroy an Infinity Stone? If I hadn't stolen it, they would have plucked it from the ruins of Asgard," explained Loki, sounding quite reasoned. "I spent time with Thanos. I have the measure of him."

Thor shook his head. "Thanos cannot be reasoned with. He will take what he wants and kill everyone aboard this ship!"

Loki shook his head. "No." He tucked the Tesseract back in his pocket. "I have a plan." Loki's eyes glanced over Thor. "Seems like it is rule for one yet different for another, brother."

Thor threw his brother a sharp look. "I know not of what you mean, Loki."

Loki dared to laugh, despite the worrying circumstances they had found themselves in. "I may have an Infinity Stone, but so do you, brother!"

At a loss for words, Thor gaped at his brother in astonishment. "How do you know?"

"My sceptre which you retrieved from Earth held one of the six Infinity Stones. It was the one stone Thanos had before he leant it to me. You were supposed to put it in Odin's vault but you didn't. You kept it on yourself. And I only know because I was father at the time you returned with it! You felt the same as me: wary of having two so close together! You said it was in the Vault when it was really on you! Hidden in a small crevice of your undershirt? Barely noticeable to anyone unless they really went looking for it?" Loki stood there with his arms across his chest.

"That's completely… It's not… What."

"Don't tell me it is not the same." Loki rolled his eyes. "It is. We both have a stone. Either way this ship would still be a target for Thanos. He was on his way to Asgard to retrieve the stones. He may not have known the mind stone was in Asgard but he is well aware of the space stones location! Chances are he would have attacked this ship because it would be the only one fleeing from the destruction of Asgard!"

Thor deflated. "You may be right, brother, that we have both made mistakes."

"Do you believe he cannot sense when a stone is near?" Loki pressed cautiously. "He had a stone for years, enough to become attuned to its power. Even if it was the stone I carried that bought him here, he still would have gained it from the ruins of Asgard. And…" Loki paused for dramatic effect. "We can still save our people with the Tesseract."

"How?" Thor asked.

"To get to Earth I manipulated the energy of the Tesseract. I needed a larger device to make the portal big enough for the Chitauri army… but if I can manipulate it here, I can hold it open whilst everyone escapes. I can send them to Earth, Thor! You would need to distract Thanos. But… the only problem…" Loki shifted on his feet. "I will not be able to go through, not if I am manipulating the Tesseract to stay open. I wouldn't be able to bring it with me if I did go. Thanos would acquire it."

"We cannot allow him to gain any Infinity Stone," retorted Thor.

"What choice do we have?" countered Loki. "He'll come to Earth eventually but at least you'll be able to prepare them for his arrival. He will not stop looking for the stones. And the stone you have? How are you going to stop him from taking it from you if he knows you have one too?"

But Thor ignored Loki's question. "You're not going to Earth. You're staying here."

Loki nodded. "Yes. I served Thanos once before. I can do so again… if he spares me for my failure of New York. You need someone on the inside Thor, who may be able to help you stay one step ahead of him. I can help you with that but I can only gain his trust-of-sorts by handing him the Tesseract. And… it may give us the time we need to get our people to safety."

"You may be right, Loki. I do not like it."

Loki reached out and placed a hand on Thor's shoulder. "What other option do we have, brother?"

Thor couldn't articulate an answer.

They had estimated they had only minutes to spare to begin their plan of evacuating the Asgardian people before Thanos' entourage boarded their ship. Thor had to be quite verbal to ensure Valkyrie was going to leave without putting up a fight against their boarders. Their people needed a leader in case Thor did not survive. Though Heimdell was formidable, he was not one for leadership whereas Valkyrie, which she now preferred to be known as, rather than by her real name, had a proven history of leadership. She'd be able to help their people more than Heimdell ever could.

Thor calculated the enemy were going to board the ship in multiple places. They only had a small chance of getting this right, of ensuring his people survived. He had to trust in Loki. Even now, Thor could not think of any other way that could prevent Thanos from obtaining an Infinity Stone.

Loki had been correct about Thor carrying an Infinity Stone. He had never placed the Mind Stone in the vault on Asgard. He hadn't wanted two Stones to reside close by. Instead he had taken it upon himself to guard it, knowing he was capable of resisting the power to use it. There had been great dangers in keeping it to himself however there had not been any alternative.

He didn't have the Stone anymore, having passed it on to someone he could trust to keep it safe. For Thor to allow Thanos to obtain two stones was out of the question. If they had to give him one, then one was the most Thor was willing to give up.

Thor stood close to a section of the hull, where they knew boarding ramps were already beginning to pierce into this section of the ship. One thing was for sure, this ship would not fly again once Thanos was finished with it.

It had taken a lot of power for Loki to rig a device that could harness the energy of the Tesseract. Though he didn't need a large portal to materialise, he did need one large enough that more than one person could pass through it at a time. They didn't have time to waste. Thankfully both he and Valkyrie were able to put a system together which allowed them to harness the power of the Tesseract in a greater way.

The portal was now large enough for groups of five to go through. Loki had rigged the device's location to send his people to Earth, to a place where he hoped they would be less noticed, though he was sure the Earth's security forces would pick up on the foreign signal or at least recognise the signature of the Tesseract.

Still, it was the only way to save the Asgardians. Loki did love his people even if he never really showed it.

He turned to face Valkyrie who was helping to shepherd everyone through. "You should go."

"If I am to leave then it will be as the last one," she stated coolly. "Regardless of what Thor thinks."

"If the Tesseract signal is picked up on Earth, they will unleash their armies against us. We need you there to protect them and to at least make a case for us," stated Loki. He hated being the voice of reason but it seemed he was more often that these days.

"Why can't it be you?" she shot back.

Loki had forgotten Valkyrie didn't really know much about his history. He decided to enlighten her with the simplest answer he could muster. "I doubt the Earth would welcome me or our people if I tried to vouch for them, considering I invaded their planet with a Chitauri army."

"You did what?"

"It's a long story. One best saved for another time. I had my reasons," he admitted. "Thor trusts me. All I care about now is getting our people to a safe haven. Besides, I'm needed here."

Valkyrie shook her head. "Thor told me you had a plan here other than helping us escape."

"I do. I'm not letting you become partial to the other half which does not involve you."

"Nice." Valkyrie rolled her eyes. "Besides, I'm not the best negotiator. The people have Heimdell. He'll protect them. I'm staying."

Loki sighed. Valkyrie would go through the portal. She didn't know the full details of the plan. It was obvious she would not want Loki to surrender an Infinity Stone to Thanos. Still, as long as Thanos wasn't here, he would be happy with her company.

As they watched the people to continue to pass through the portal, the ship juddered hard and the Asgardians stumbled to the floor as the shakes continued.

Loki gritted his teeth, holding onto a pole to keep himself upright. "They're on board." Scrambling to his feet, reaching out for the first Asgardian he could, Loki spoke swiftly: "Hurry!"

They needed to be quick.

The explosion threw Thor back as the door shattered on impact and his body hit the durasteel metal of the floor as he landed. Scrambling to his feet, he pulled on his power and lightning ripped through his body, crackling around him as he stood, watching as the first members of Thanos' famed Black Order stepped onto the ship.

Thor had never had the pleasure of meeting them in person before, but their deeds were well known among the universe. They acted upon Thanos' will. Taken from their families as children, twisted and corrupted to serve his purpose, they were completely loyal to their adoptive father. They were some of the most wanted people in the universe, with several bounties attached to their names however no highly skilled individuals had ever beaten them in combat.

The first to step through onto the ship was large, heavily muscled, tall and wore heavy armour covering their body, leaving their arms and head without protection. They were reptilian in looks, with hard skin and glowing black eyes as he thundered towards Thor, a satisfied smile crossing his face.

Thor raised his fists, lightning circling around him. He didn't need his hammer to fight; the power had always been within him. He had learned, very recently, he could channel this power himself. Now would be a good time to further test out the powers he now knew he had.

"You shall not pass!" stated Thor.

"You are just one obstacle against the Black Order," the creature said darkly. "You are no match for Cull Obsidian!" The creature leapt forward, pouncing towards Thor at haste, the beefy fist of his right arm extending forward, in line with Thor's face.

Thor grabbed his power and hurled it at Cull, pushing him back as lightning struck his body before he was even in reach of the god of thunder.

"How dare you!" Cull stomped forward, uninjured from the blast of lightning.

Thor kept his focus. "Come any closer and I will do it again!" He clenched his fists, standing poised for another attack. "Leave and I will let you live!"

Cull showed many teeth as he grinned. "You cannot stop us. You are just a sapling compared to Thanos. He will rule this universe and you will bow to him as a loyal subject. My brothers and sisters already invade this ship from other directions. It is futile to resist us."

"You've lost your chance," growled Thor. He flew forward, hands crackling with lightning but Cull was prepared for the attack and swiftly turned, allowing his back to be struck, but he'd planted his feet hard against the metal grating, managing to withstand the assault and not be forced from his position.

And then Thor went flying as Cull twisted and punched Thor in the face.

The lightning stopped and Thor crashed into the wall. His vision swam as he tried to regain his balance.

Cull stalked towards him. "I don't have time for you. We are here for a purpose. Desist and you will live."

"No." Thor flew forward again but Cull battered him aside like he was a flimsy toy. He hit the wall again, wincing in pain. With each hit, Cull was moving further down the corridor, towards Loki and the rest of the Asgardians. Thor wasn't stupid to believe Cull was the only boarder. He was just unfortunate to be facing him whilst the others probably slinked through the ship to Loki's position from other entrances.

Cull reached forward and grabbed Thor by the throat, lifting him up.

Clenching his fists, Thor let his power flow through him, summoning as much power as possible, as the force of the strike from being so close, caused Cull to let him go and fly backwards.

But Cull had been pushed further into the ship rather that away from it. The alien grinned malevolently. "You lose, Prince of Asgard!"

"I thought the Black Order was supposed to be the most lethal force in the universe and you're running away from a fight now?" Thor yelled in an effort to antagonise Cull. He couldn't let him get any further into the ship.

"Oh we're not. It's just Cull has somewhere else he needs to be."

Thor turned and saw a figure, floating in the air, covered in black armour, with very thin red and gold stripes across colouring the gauntlets on its wrists and ankles. The helmet the figure wore obscured their face but the voice seemed vaguely familiar, yet Thor couldn't place it.

Before he could do anything in response, the figure raised its palm and shot Thor straight in the chest.

To be continued...

Please let me know what you think!

FWIW: Thor having an Infinity Stone... In Part 1 CHAPTER 4 'The Years Between' I explained a bit about the current locations of the Infinity Stones. It may be worth while rereading it to familiarise yourself with it :)

More in, hopefully, two weeks!

Until then,

the-writer1988