The day had been going so well for Loki. Though the morning had begun with Frigga relating Heimdall's disturbing message about Odin, the rest of the day was unexpectedly pleasant. Loki spent the morning reading and ignoring Thor's pleas to remove the hideous green afro from his head.

"Please, brother!" Thor whined, waving his hand in front of Loki's face as the trickster resolutely kept his eyes fixed on the book. "Take this abomination off me!"

"Are you saying that you wish for me to rid you of your hair entirely?" Loki asked, still not looking at Thor. "Because, if you do not stop annoying me, that is what I will do."

That made Thor shut up.

Loki passed the afternoon with Bruce and Tony in the lab, eagerly listening to their discussions and testing Tony's patience by touching and examining most of the equipment, even disassembling some of the less complicated devices, finally putting them back together when Tony's smile grew a little too forced.

"Seriously, Reindeer Games? I thought you and your brother didn't know squat about 'Midgardian' technology," Tony said with concealed wonder as Loki meticulously reconstructed a small microscope.

"Thor's intelligence is no standard by which to judge the rest of Asgard," Loki replied as he twisted the final screw. "Some of us actually have brains."

Tony's retort was interrupted when Steve knocked on the door. "Hey guys, dinner's ready."

"What is it?" Tony asked apprehensively. "Is it more of Pepper's 'healthy stuff?'"

Steve rolled his eyes. "No, it's pizza."

"Vegetable pizza?"

"No, Tony. The stuff you like."

"Alright, but if I get up there and it has asparagus instead of pepperoni..." Tony mumbled, setting down his tools and following the others out into the hallway.

"What is pepperoni?" Loki asked as they entered the elevator.

"Eh..." Tony paused. "You know, I don't actually know. Some kind of meat."

Loki was taken aback. "You do not know what it is, and yet you eat it?"

"Most people don't know what's in processed food," Bruce said, shrugging. "That's why I prefer organic stuff."

"Tree hugger," Tony grumbled.

"Hey," Bruce retorted as they walked into the kitchen. "Eating organic food and saving trees are two entirely different causes, though I don't see a problem with either one. Do you know how essential trees are for-"

"No, and I'd rather not," Tony quickly interjected, his attention captivated by the plate of pizza offered to him by Pepper. He smiled in thanks, then quickly buried his face in the food before Bruce could continue.

Loki accepted the 'pizza' with less enthusiasm, as he had never seen this particular food before. He looked at Thor, who was busy stuffing entire slices into his mouth, much to Clint and Natasha's amusement. Mentally scowling at his brother's childish behavior, Loki sat down, picked up a slice of the strange food and began to examine it closely.

"Never had pizza before?" Steve asked, taking a seat next to Loki.

Loki shook his head, tentatively taking a small bite. Steve grinned as Loki's confusion vanished, and the god quickly took another bite, much larger than the first.

"You like it?" Steve laughed as half the slice disappeared into Loki's mouth. Emmbarassed, Loki quickly wiped his mouth and set his face into an expression of condescending approval.

"It is passable, for Midgardian fare."

"You've eaten half a slice already."

Loki sniffed. "I've had little else in the past few days."

"Okay," Steve replied, deciding not to pursue the subject further. Loki proceeded to consume an entire pizza.

Frigga was delighted to see Loki eating. "You must feel better," she said warmly, as Loki pushed his plate away. "I have not seen you eat that much since... Since much too long ago."

"I do feel better, mother," Loki replied, smiling slightly at Frigga.

"Good. You must continue, so that you will not come back to Asgard looking like a starved bilgesnipe."

"A what?" Tony asked.

The thought of returning to Asgard left a sinking feeling in Loki's stomach, and he quickly pushed that idea out of his mind. "Yes, mother," he said, not wanting to upset Frigga, but privately doubting that he would ever set foot in the golden city again, of his own free will.

"Anyone up for a movie?" Tony called out, looking around the room.

"Sure," Pepper replied. "Which one were you thinking of?"

"Nothing rated R," Steve quickly added.

Tony wrinkled his nose. "We're not watching the Chronicles of Narnia, if that's what you had in mind."

"I like those movies," Steve replied stoutly.

"What about Twilight?" Jane asked excitedly. "I haven't seen one of those in a while."

Tony pretended to throw up behind the couch; Bruce shook his head rapidly.

"What is this 'Twilight?'" Thor asked.

"It's this movie about vampires and-" Jane began, but Tony cut her off.

"There's this depressed girl who falls in love with a sparkly guy and they have a love triangle with a werewolf who's shirtless most of the time," Tony summarized.

Jane scowled at Tony. "I love Twilight!"

"Please, anything but Twilight," Bruce begged.

"Star Wars, maybe?" Clint suggested.

"What's Star Wars?' Steve asked. Tony choked on his scotch.

"What's - what's Star Wars? Are you kidding me?"

"Tony, you know there are a lot of movies I haven't seen."

"But Star Wars?"

Clint was also shocked. "Steve, buddy, you seriously haven't seen any of them? Old or new?"

Steve shook his head.

"Your life is sadly incomplete," Tony said mournfully. "Well, Star Wars it is."

Ten minutes later, they all relocated to the den, Steve and Thor dragging in a few extra couches and Pepper making a massive amount of popcorn. Tony started the movie, and they all fell silent, except for Clint and Natasha, who were whispering and laughing with each other in the back of the room, oblivious to everyone else. Loki found himself squashed between Tony and Thor; he made up for the distasteful situation by causing Thor's eyelashes grow thicker every time the thunder god spoke.

"Loki, I cannot see the movie," Thor growled.

"Shut up," Loki hissed.

"Loki!"

"Fine. But stop talking, will you?"

Thor reluctantly acquiesced, falling silent. Loki let his eyelashes return to their normal size, but decided not to tell Thor that they were now lime green (to match his hair.)

It was halfway through the movie when they heard the crash on the roof.

The cold silence of the armory was broken as the vast doors swung open and Odin marched through, spear held aloft as he strode down the steps and towards the end of the tomb-like room. He halted by the pedestal of the swirling blue casket, bringing his spear down on the floor with a resounding thud.

"I summon you, Destroyer."

The criss-crossing network of the fall before Odin slowly melted into a blinding white glow, revealing a figure that towered over Odin. The behemoth creature stepped towards the king, the cool light of the armory reflecting softly on its smooth, metal body. It went to one knee before Odin, bowing its head, awaiting further command.

"Loki is on Midgard. Find him and return him to me."

The Destroyer looked up at him, and, though there were no eyes - only an impassive metal mask for a face - Odin clearly understood its question. Dead or alive?

"I would like him alive. Do not kill him, or the others, unless absolutely necessary."

Rising, the Destroyer swept past the king, soon disappearing from the armory with its long, purposeful strides. Odin did not move; he stood, seeming nothing more than an old man bent with age and worry.

"Jarvis?" Tony called, pausing the movie. "Did something just hit the roof?"

Yes, sir. It appears to be an automaton of some sort.

"A robot? What the-"

It appears to have some level of sentience. It must be quite strong, for it has just broken down the door and is proceeding down the stairs.

The realization of what had just landed on the tower hit Loki like a splash of freezing water. Shaking uncontrollably, he tried to stand, and would have collapsed if Thor had not caught him.

"Brother - what is it?"

"The Destroyer," Loki breathed, shaking off Thor's grip and leaning on the wall for support. "I need to leave. Now."

"What?" Tony exclaimed. "No. You are not going anywhere. Whatever this thing is, we fight as a team."

"You don't understand - it will kill you all - it only wants me-"

"We're not leaving you," Steve said firmly. "Now, how do we fight this thing?"

"You don't," Thor said, looking anxiously at the ceiling. "It is indestructible. We should probably leave the premises, friend Stark. The Destroyer will level your tower."

"Lovely," Tony muttered.

Steve quickly took control of the situation. "Tony, Bruce, Thor, Clint, Natasha - suit up and go fight this thing. Keep it away from Loki for as long as possible until we figure out some way to stop it. Pepper, Jane, Frigga, go with Loki in the Quinjet and get as far away from here as you can."

Frigga looked around. "Loki?"

The god of mischief had disappeared.

"Damn," Tony said. "Jarvis? Suit." Moments later, a flap in the wall opened, revealing a small red briefcase. Tony opened it, pressed a button and in moments was encased in the gold and red metal. The eyes of the helmet flickered to life. "Okay guys. Operation Stop Loki From Doing Something Stupid. Let's go."

Find Loki, return him, do not kill others. Find Loki, return him, do not kill others.

Unless it is absolutely necessary.

Those are the king's orders. The orders that must be followed.

Land on rooftop. The roof of the tower of the man of metal. Is Loki here? No one is on the rooftop. Loki is in the tower, then.

Door leads to stairs, stairs lead to Loki. Remove door, descend stairs.

No one is in sight. Have the mortals hidden themselves?

Sense Loki. Loki is here. Loki is running.

Find Loki, return him, do not kill the others.

This door leads to Loki. Remove door.

Inside tower of the man of metal. Cannot see anyone. Can hear footsteps. Footsteps running away. Follow footsteps.

Footsteps are Loki's.

Find Loki, return him, do not kill the others.

Loki is on balcony, looking for escape. There is no escape. No escape from the Destroyer.

He pleads, he begs. He uses magic to defend himself. He is weak; his magic has had little use. Magic deflects harmlessy off of armor. No damage.

Close fingers around Loki; not tight enough to kill, but almost. He cannot breathe, cannot beg now. Lift him from ground. He uses more magic. It still does nothing. Armor intact. The Destroyer cannot be destroyed.

"Holy cow."

Tony was dumbfounded at the sight of the great metal giant currently holding Loki in its massive hand. How tall was that thing, seven feet? Thor said it was invincible. Now that Tony saw the Destroyer, he thought he might just agree.

"Hey there! Optimus Prime!" Tony called out, flying dangerously close to the monster, hoping to persuade it to drop Loki. The guy didn't look too good; Tony doubted he could breathe in that grip.

His strategy worked. Too well. The monster turned to face him, and a beam of white-hot energy shot from the gaping holes in its face, nearly incinerating Tony's suit. Tony fired back, his own repulsor beams rather pitiful after seeing what the Destroyer was capable of producing, and, as Tony had woefully predicted, his own weaponry had no effect on the metal monster.

Scrap Plan A. The thing's armor was invincible. Tony flew in large circles, avoiding more beams of burning nastiness. He needed to get the thing to release Loki soon, because he wasn't sure the god could go without breathing for much longer.

"Plan B." Tony shot forward, aiming directly for the Destroyer's legs. Before the automaton had time to fire another beam at him, Tony had crashed into his feet, sweeping them off the ground. It fell backwards, the arm clutching Loki going slack with surprise. Tony made a dizzyingly fast U-turn, zooming back and snatching Loki away before the Destroyer could come to its senses (If the thing had senses. Tony was still trying to figure out if it was a robot or not.)

The Destroyer stood, preparing to fly after Tony, but was hit in the chest by a silver hammer. It stopped, looking around for its new attacker.

"Do not touch my brother!" Thor cried, running out on to the balcony. His hammer returned to his fist, and he called down a bolt of lightning just as the Destroyer fired its destructive beam again; the column of burning energy was deflected as Thor held Mjolnir before him, and the lightning caused the Destroyer to stagger backwards.

"Thor!" Natasha called. "Didn't you fight this thing before?" She was leaning out of a window a little above the balcony, pointing her pistols at the Destroyer, though seriously doubting her bullets would have any effect.

"I did," Thor yelled, blocking another beam of energy.

"How?"

"I created a whirlwind, and it exploded-"

"Yeah, well, a different strategy would be preferable," Clint shouted from another window. He had his bow aimed at the balcony. "We're kind of in the middle of a city right now. Not a good place for explosions."

The Destroyer stepped forward, swinging a giant fist at Thor, who rolled out of the way. "I do not think there is any other way!" Thor cried as he struck the automaton's armored back with his hammer, barely leaving a dent.

"There's always a way!" Steve had joined Thor on the balcony.

"Steve!" Natasha yelled. "You'll be incinerated!"

"Don't jinx me!" the soldier called back. As if on cue, the Destroyer directed a blazing beam at Steve, who held up his shield in defense. The impact on the shield was enough to send the supersoldier skidding backwards several feet, but the shield remained intact, albeit slightly scorched.

"So guys? What's the plan?" Tony flew back to the scene of the battle, having deposited Loki on the roof of a nearby apartment building, well out of the range of fire.

Clint let loose an arrow, which bounced harmlessly off the Destroyer's armor. "We were hoping you had something!"

"Well..." Tony flew around the Destroyer a few times. "No weaknesses that I can see."

"Thanks!" Steve yelled, jumping the side to avoid being burned.

"Thor, how do you know the thing's indestructible?" Tony asked.

"Well," Thor furrowed his eyebrows. "No one has ever destroyed it."

"You did that one time!" Natasha yelled.

"That wasn't permanent."

Clint leapt backwards as a beam of energy nearly scorched the hair from his head. "Nothing gets through the armor. Is there a way to kill it from the inside?'

"I have never tried that," Thor replied, calling down another bolt of lightning as the Destroyer swung a fist at Steve. "What would you suggest, Barton?"

"I dunno, maybe freeze it or something," Clint yelled. "Stop it from using that heat ray."

Steve threw his shield at the Destroyer just as it prepared to fire a beam at Natasha. "How would you freeze this thing?"

Tony smirked. "Easiest thing in the world. Jarvis, call Pepper and tell her to find me some liquid nitrogen."

Tony circled back to check on Loki. He was still breathing, thankfully, but unconscious, and Tony guessed there would be some pretty bad bruising left from the Destroyer's crushing grip.

Sir, Miss Potts has a container of the requested nitrogen.

"Good. Tell her to throw it out the window."

Are you sure?

"Yeah. I'll catch it."

Moments later, Tony saw a small capsule fly out of one of the windows of his tower. He dove for it, catching it with one hand and streaking back towards the Destroyer, who was bearing down on Thor and Steve.

"Guys, you might want to get out of here!" Tony shouted. Sensing Tony's meaning, Thor quickly grabbed Steve's arm and shot up into the sky. Tony hovered just above the Destroyer, which tilted its head back, preparing to incinerate him. "Not today, Decepticon." He tore off the top of the container, and tipped it over the Destroyer.

A great cloud of white vapor billowed up from where the liquid nitrogen struck the Destroyer, followed by a loud, lingering hiss. When the vapor subsided, Tony was rewarded by the sight of a newly frozen alien robot.

"Nice work, Iron Man," Tony called.

"Hey, it was my idea," Clint scoffed.

"Not about the nitrogen."

"I was the one who said to freeze it."

"Oh, shut up." Steve and Thor had landed back on the balcony, and Steve wasn't in the mood for bickering. He examined the frozen Destroyer warily. "Will it stay like this for long?" the supersoldier asked.

"No idea," Tony replied. "Hang on a minute, okay? I need to go get Reindeer Games."

Thor paled, having forgotten about his brother. "Loki!"

Pepper, Jane, and Frigga emerged onto the balcony as Tony returned with the unconscious Loki in his arms.

"My son!" Frigga cried, running forward. "What happened to him?"

"I think he had a hard time breathing when that thing grabbed him," Tony said as he carried Loki inside.

Clint caught up with the group just as they reached Loki's bedroom. "So what do we do about the robot popsicle on the balcony?"

"It will break from the ice soon," Thor said worriedly as he helped Tony lay Loki out on the bed. "We should return him to Asgard."

"Can you do that?" Natasha asked.

"I can," Frigga said. Her face darkened as she brushed a strand of hair from Loki's forehead. "I will be returning to that realm anyway. It is time for Odin to step down."

Thor paled with shock. "Mother?"

"This madness must end. Loki is not a criminal, nor is Thanos an ally of Asgard. It seems Odin refuses to understand this. Therefore, it is my duty to either change his mind or remove him from the throne."

"How will you do such a thing?" Thor asked with quiet awe.

A small smile crept onto Frigga's face. "I have more power than most, even Odin, are aware of. I think he has forgotten that there are others who can challenge his strength and rule from his throne. This is not something I do gladly, but it is something I must do all the same."

"Well, may the force be with you," Tony said. Steve's face lit up.

"I understood that reference!"

"Was that from the movie you showed us?" Thor asked, eyebrows furrowed.

"Yeah, Chewie."

"Chewie?" Thor glared at Tony. "That was the name given to the great hairy beast!"

"Which is why it fits you so well, Rapunzel."

"Okay, everyone out," Bruce said. "It's way to crowded in here. Loki needs to sleep. And I need to check the bruises, make sure there's nothing serious."

"Whatever you say, Doc," Tony replied, extending his arms and pushing everyone towards the door. "You heard him - out!"

"Let me tarry a moment more," Frigga said to Bruce as everyone else squeezed through the door. "I would bid Loki goodbye before I depart for Asgard."

Bruce nodded. "Fine. I'll give you a minute." He left the room, closing the door behind him.

Frigga waited a moment, then sat on the bed next to Loki, taking his hand and pressing it firmly with both of hers. "I love you, Loki. I always will and I always have. I should have told you so more often, before you became so bitter ..." her voice trailed off, overcome with sadness. "You were always loved, Loki, whether you realized it or not. I know we were not always there when you needed us, but I promise that we never loved you any less than Thor, not then and not now. It is our fault that you think yourself unworthy of that which was always yours, freely and without price. No matter what happens, what you do or say, we are your family and we will always love you. I will always love you. And I promise I will come back, when all is right in Asgard." She bent down and kissed Loki's forehead. He stirred but did not wake, unconsciously drawing closer to her warmth. Wiping a tear from her eye, Frigga stood, turning to leave. "Goodbye, child."

A golden haze enveloped her body, and she was gone.

Several minutes later, the door tentatively opened, and Bruce peered in. Seeing Loki alone, he entered. Wordlessly he lifted Loki's shirt, grimacing at the purple bands of bruising around Loki's chest and stomach, and gingerly felt the skin, hoping there were no broken bones. As luck would have it, he could feel at least four cracked ribs. Bruce sighed at the fresh injuries; Loki had almost been healed before the Destroyer came.

Careful not to wake Loki, Bruce wrapped a thin layer of bandages around the bruises, hoping that the god's returning magic would be able to repair the injuries before too long. Just as he was finishing, he heard a soft knock on the door.

"Come in."

The door swung open to reveal an anxious Thor. Bruce nodded, motioning for him to enter.

"How is my brother?" Thor whispered, tiptoeing over to the bed.

"There's some bad bruising and four broken ribs, but other than that, he'll be fine."

Thor did not reply; he stared longingly at Loki, wanting to reach out and touch his brother, but too afraid that he would wake him. He looked at Bruce. "Can I... stay with him?"

Bruce bit his lip. "Er... Don't take this the wrong way, but you might not be the first person Loki wants to see when he wakes up."

"I know," Thor said sadly. "And it is for this reason that I wish to speak with Loki. I owe him many explanations. And apologies."

Bruce considered for a moment before answering. "Okay. But don't stick around if Loki wants to be alone."

"I will not. Thank you, Doctor Banner, for all that you have done."

"No problem."

"Loki is fortunate to have you as a friend."

Thor's words made Bruce feel strangely warm inside. He opened his mouth to respond, but found no words. Nodding to Thor, he left the room, quietly shutting the door behind him.

"Oh, Loki," Thor sighed as he pulled a chair next to the bed and sat down, preparing himself for a long wait.

Loki's first thought when his mind drifted back to consciousness was that he would rather be sleeping. A warm, all too familiar pressure on his right hand told him exactly who was beside his bed, and the thought annoyed him. Why couldn't Thor leave him alone, for once?

Thor noticed that Loki was stirring, and sat up excitedly. "Good morning, brother! Or perhaps it is good afternoon now. You have slept many hours."

Loki groaned and turned his face away from Thor. Unfortunately, his brother did not take the hint.

"Do you feel better? Banner said that perhaps your magic could heal you. Are you well enough to walk? Stark has suggested that everyone join him at a restaurant later this evening."

Loki screwed his eyes shut. "Leave me alone, Thor." His face burned with embarrassment at the weak rasp that was his voice. He tried to turn his back to Thor, but the idiot was still holding his hand. In response to his movement, Thor only gripped it more tightly. Loki gave up, too tired to fight. Instead he opted for venomous insults. "Do you bother the others in this manner? Or am I the only one privileged to have your idiotic words for company?"

Thor refused to even become angry at Loki's mocking. "Brother, I am sorry. For everything. I never behaved toward you as I should have when we were younger, and now you doubt your worth in our eyes. I know that much of this is my fault, and for that I ask your forgiveness."

Loki tensed with surprise. Had Thor just apologized? Unsure of what to say, or even of what he felt, Loki retreated behind the mask of coldness. "Well, if you want forgiveness, you can start by letting me rest in peace, instead of this annoying chatter."

"Loki." Thor hoisted himself up onto the bed, next to Loki, placing a hand on the trickster's shoulder. Loki growled. "I know you have little reason to forgive me, but I know that I have wronged you and I only wish to make amends."

"Get off me," Loki snarled, but his voice lacked spite. He coughed suddenly, and the action caused an explosion of agony in his chest. Eyes watering with pain, Loki tried to hide his discomfort as he coughed again, wheezing, his free hand clutching involuntarily at the bandages.

"Brother?" Thor asked anxiously, rubbing Loki's shoulder soothingly as the god continued to wheeze, his pain evident in his drawn face. "Brother, are you well?"

"Yes, I'm well," Loki snapped. "Don't I look the picture of health to you?"

"Loki, please. I want to help you."

"Really? Then stop being such a confounded idiot, brother."

Thor felt his heart swell. "You called me brother."

Loki cursed inwardly, falling silent as he regained control of his breathing. He finally opened his eyes, but stared pointedly at the window. "A bad habit only, Thor. Do not get your hopes up."

"You do not fool me, Loki."

Loki scowled, but did not protest when he felt Thor's fingers running gently through his hair.

"I love you, brother. I only ask that you give me the chance to prove it."

Those in the throne room turned in surprise when the queen suddenly appeared in their midst, a terrifying fire burning in her eyes. Without a word, she strode over to the throne, where Odin beheld her in shock.

"My queen-"

"DO NOT SPEAK TO ME!" Frigga shouted, slashing her hand through the air. An unseen force struck the king, and he was momentarily stunned as Frigga stormed up the steps to his throne, rage emanating from her regal figure. "YOU TRIED TO KILL OUR SON!"

Odin stuttered, dumbstruck. "Frigga - let me explan-"

"NO!" she screamed, grabbing the front of his tunic and pulling him to his feet. His spear dangled uselessly in his hand. "You betrayed your family and your kingdom! You are unworthy of your throne, traitor!"

"Frigga- please-"

"No! This time, you will recieve no mercy, just as you showed your SON no mercy!" Frigga cried, hurling Odin down the steps. He fell to the floor, then staggered upright, still in a daze.

"It was necessary for the good of Asgard! The alternative was war!"

"NOTHING - I repeat - NOTHING - justifies what you just tried to do to Loki!"

Odin raised his spear angrily. "Do think this was what I wanted? I had no choice in the matter?"

"You could have come to me! You could have at least asked my advice - anyone's advice - before throwing your son to the dogs! Why the secrecy, Odin? Why the lies? Why was I led to believe that my son was safe, in Asgard, when you have sent him to the Chitauri?"

"It couldn't be helped! I only did what was necessary?"

"THE DESTROYER WAS NECESSARY?" Frigga shriekd. "Loki almost DIED! You would rather see your son die than disobey the command of an enemy?"

"Yes!" Odin roared. "Yes, I would! Loki's life is not worth the safety of the realms!"

"ENOUGH!" Frigga's hands began to glow; she suddenly thrust them forward, a rush of golden energy flying towards Odin. He held his spear out before him, shielding himself from the wave of power. "You are unworthy!" she cried, reaching out her hand; the spear wrung itself from Odin's grasp and flew into hers. "Unworthy of your title-" Odin's cape and armor fell from his body- "Unworthy of the loved ones you have betrayed!" Odin stumbled backwards, sagging with defeat as his wife bore down on him. "And until such a time as you make yourself worthy of these things, until you can again be trusted with the lives of those close to you, I cast you out!"

There was a burst of white light, engulfing the king as he fell into the blinding portal. Frigga stared, her face a mask of steel, as her husband disappeared from the throne room.

Silence reigned. Those still present stared in dumb shock at Frigga, who stood with her back to the throne, Odin's spear held in her hand. They had never realized what an imposing figure she was.

"Return to your duties," Frigga said shortly. "Asgard's king will return, when his heart is pure. Until then, you will answer to me."

"Yes, my queen," was the reply murmured in return. The people quickly dispersed, except for one solitary messenger who approached Frigga.

"My queen?"

"Speak."

"What would you have us do with the Destroyer? It seems to have been incapacitated."

"Return it to the armory. It will repair itself."

"Yes, my queen."

Frigga collapsed onto the throne, the significance of her last act a heavy weight on her shoulders. Yes, it had been necessary, but it was not easy for her to banish her husband, even with the fire of rage at his attempted kidnapping of Loki still burning in her veins.

It was then that she noticed the small hourglass on the floor below the throne. As she watched, the last drop of blood slid from the top half to the scarlet pool below.

Time had run out.