Disclaimer, I own nothing but some plot elements and my characters. All rights go towards Rick Riordan.
The Return of The Asgardians Chapter 21
Return of The Prince
When a few moments passed with no sign of Loki...I didn't know what to do, the tears wouldn't stop flowing as I stared down at this being who has affected my life in impossible ways in such a short amount of time. It's hard to believe that I've barely known him a week, and now I was going to lose him because of some stupid prophecy.
"You bastard, you spat in the face of the prophecy time and again yet you couldn't avoid the part about you? How could you do this? Don't let me down like this" I begged.
I was angry, so angry that this man couldn't come up with a way for us all to go home, he promised he wouldn't do this, but he did it anyway.
"Sorry I'm late traffic was slow this evening" I heard from above me, it sounded like something Al would say so I wasn't surprised when I looked up to see the grinning face of Loki.
Everyone was shocked when Thalia's prayer was answered, one second they were staring down at the hero of this quest in sadness, the next his father was standing above him like he was there the entire time, he even came with a joke.
"Well you kids sure did a number on this place" Loki said looking around the destroyed ruins, craters, fissures, and scorch marks littered the area.
"Help him" Thalia said rising to her feet to face Loki who merely laughed.
"Of course I will, that's my son we're talking about" he said before kneeling down to inspect the damage, Alfred lie there still as the grave but still wearing that ever present smirk.
Even in death he looked victorious, despite his shirt being in tatters and his wounds still oozing that viscous purple liquid he still looked like he came out on top and Loki had never felt so proud to call someone his son, although he did eye the golden arm and shook his head.
"Only you would return the Protean coin to its original state" he chuckled before waving his hand over Alfreds body.
Everyone could feel the magic as it hung thickly in the air, and just like that all the wounds were gone and even his clothes were restored to their proper state, but he still wasn't breathing.
"Now for the final touch" Loki said raising his hand and with a flash of golden light an elegant staff made of solid gold appeared in his palm, rising he gained a look of concentration.
The winds picked up and thunder rumbled up above but he paid it no mind, his eyes seemed to glow, before he placed the tip of his staff onto Alfred's chest, and with a massive cracking sound the winds died down but the thunder still rumbled up above, and just like that Alfreds chest began to rise and fall steadily as breath once more entered his body.
Thalia let out a choked sound before kneeling next to him and placing her hands over his chest, his heart beat strongly under her fingertips and that's when she allowed a smile to sprout across her face, Loki's grin widened as he knelt in front of her.
"Thalia look at me" he said and she looked up into the face of the god that has done more for her than even her father.
"I have to leave now, I must return to Asgard" he said and her eyes widened at the proclamation.
"What, why?" she asked frantically more worried about Alfred's reaction when he woke up to learn that his father was gone.
"It takes a lot of magic to bring a soul back into a body, and my family didn't quite know that I was gone, but now they do, I knew I would have to return someday so I have to ask you for a promise" he said grabbing her shoulder, she was almost floored by the first serious expression she had seen on his face so she could only nod for him to go on.
"Promise me that you'll be there for my son" he said and a glint of determination entered her eyes, shocking him in return for he was sure that there would be at least some hesitation at the request.
"Someone has to watch his back because he's obviously incapable of taking care of himself" she said with a scowl towards the sleeping male in between them causing the widest smile she'd ever seen stretch across the gods face as he squeezed her shoulder.
"He couldn't have found a better woman, then again he is my son" he said with a sly grin, she smiled back and shook her head.
"Whatever" she grumbled but that was enough for him so he rose and locked eyes with Artemis.
"My son saved you, and I swear on my very godhood that if the Greeks stand against him, they will be no more" he promised, she could nod at the look in his eyes that promised absolute destruction of anything and everything she knew, then he looked at everyone in turn.
"It was nice meeting all of you, I wish you all good fortune" he said with a nod before turning towards the reason for all of this in the first place.
"The Titans Wrath, who knew it would be an actual titan?" he wondered as he sauntered over.
"So you must be that brats father" Atlas chuckled as Loki stood over him.
"I am Loki yes, and from the looks of it my son really did a number on you" he said with a grin as he glanced over the titans burnt and beaten form, Atlas growled at the reminder.
"At least I took the brat down, how does it feel to know your son died god?" he spat but Loki merely chuckled.
"Oh please restoring life is a trivial matter, but the fact that he died at all still sits poorly with me, so here's the true question...what to do with you?" he asked kneeling down to look the titan in the eye.
"Unless you want this world to crumble there is nothing you can do to me" Atlas growled back but Loki just chuckled looking at him like he would an ant.
"Oh on the contrary, I believe I have something to make sure that something like this never happens again" Loki said before waving his hand.
Golden runes sprang into existence all around the Titan before sprouting spiked chains that sunk deep into the his flesh, Atlas roared in agony but could do nothing to stop them as they dug deep into the earth holding him in place, then the chains grew barbs and wrapped around his skin keeping him from moving an inch.
"There we are, now there's nothing anybody could possibly do to release you again, but don't worry you'll get used to the pain in a few millennia" Loki said idly.
Atlas growled at him like a rabid dog but Loki paid him no mind before gazing at the sky in irritation when thunder rolled once again.
"Well then I believe that I should get going, Arty I would be correct in believing you have transportation?" he asked, Artemis scowled at the name but nodded nonetheless.
"Good, well good bye everyone, keep an eye on my son would you?" he asked before just as he came he disappeared.
Only to reappear moments later with a thoughtful expression.
"I knew I was forgetting something" he muttered making his way over to stare down the side of the mountain at the coming horde of monsters and demi-gods, he cleared his throat and then in a voice that boomed all the way down the mountain, and even to the city of San-Francisco though no one would believe it even years later when no proper explanation could be supplied he spoke.
"All of you who follow the titan currently lying on his back from the proper ass-beating my son delivered upon him listen closely" he said and as one every being making their way up stopped in their tracks.
"My name is Loki, yes that Loki and I am giving you one chance to surrender, turn around and hop back onto your pretty little boat before I decide to wipe you from existence" he finished glaring down upon all of the feeble creatures.
There was no hesitation, they could find no reason to risk their lives against this god on this day for a titan that was defeated by a mere demi-god, in their eyes, the decision was already made and every single one of them turned and returned from whence they came, and for all the regrets they have experienced or will experience this will forever go down as not one of them, Loki nodded once before once again looking towards the group.
"Well that takes care of that, honestly I was expecting at least a few of them to continue on but I guess you don't inspire much loyalty Atlas. Ta-ta now" he said with a grin and a wave before disappearing once again, silence reigned over the mountain top, only broken with the occasional groan of pain and exertion that spilled from the lips of the once mighty Atlas.
Before long a silver chariot containing all of the beauty of the moon pulled by deer that not even the most heartless of hunters could bring themselves to shoot touched down before the group. Artemis rose and motioned for them to enter and through the efforts of everyone they managed to lift Alfred into the chariot comfortably, head resting in the lap of Thalia who couldn't even gather the strength to grow embarrassed.
He never stirred but any fear the group would have had over his well being was waylaid every time they caught sight of his still present grin of triumph, it was a grin that reminded them that they had won, the quest was finally over so the group was content to simply let their bodies rest and enjoy the smoothest ride they had ever experienced.
Everyone perked up when they began to hear quiet mumbling, only to turn and see that it was none other than Alfred and from the looks of it whatever he was dreaming about was very enjoyable. Thalia shrugged before Al's voice rose for but a moment, but that was all they needed to know exactly what he was dreaming about.
"Pig-Mother, become bacon...it is your destiny" he mumbled before smacking his lips once, twice, then falling back into blissful slumber, silence once again reigned over the group before Artemis asked the million dollar question.
"Who is this Pig-Mother the son of Loki speaks of?" she asked gaining a very confused expression, almost like a switch was flipped Thalia snorted, then slowly but surely the chariot began to fill with laughter, even Zoe allowed her laughter to ring out into the night sky while Artemis only seemed to grow more confused as time went on.
Her question was never answered in the end.
Artemis landed in what seemed to be a random stretch of land at the bottom of the mountain, motioning for them to exit the chariot the group did so making sure to keep Alfred comfortable with his arms thrown over the shoulders of Percy and Thalia, before turning to the goddess.
"I must head to Olympus immediately, I will not be able to take you but it would appear that the god of mischief has left something to aid you" she said before pointing to their left.
"What is that?" Percy asked in abject shock, because before them coiled upon itself comfortably was what could only be called a massive serpent, black scales glinting in the moonlight with bright green horns protruding from the sides of its skull.
It seemed to be asleep but after a moment it's large tongue shot from its mouth and tasted the air, then one huge golden eye opened and studied the group of demi-gods and the goddess before seeming to zero in on the person they carried.
"So the brat still slumbers, as far as first impressions go...color me unimpressed." it said in a surprisingly smooth and deep voice.
"Who are you?" Thalia asked shifting herself so the slumbering demi-god was as hidden from the creature as he could get without being dropped, the serpent let out a sigh before lifting its head. The size of the creature had everyone in the group tense but it either didn't notice, or didn't care as it's school bus sized skull tilted in a thoughtful manner.
"My name is Jormungandr, and I was created by Loki to watch over the brat" he said tiredly, the group was stunned, Jormungandr seemed to assess them for a moment before nodding his massive head.
"Well come on then, Loki already told me where you need to go next" he said, and that seemed to snap the group from their stupor.
"Do...do we just climb on then Mr. Jormungandr-sir" Bianca asked not bothering to hide her intimidation in the face of the massive beast, Jormungandr only smiled revealing rows of sharp teeth.
"No need" he said simply before lunging forward faster than any of them could react.
They didn't even have time to scream before they were swallowed by the serpent, falling into a dark abyss as it's maw snapped closed, he hissed in amusement then focused on the goddess that stood by the silver chariot, their eyes locked for a few long moments before he let his tongue taste the air once more.
"Later" he said simply before lunging towards the sky his massive body uncoiling until he disappeared from sight breaking through the clouds, Artemis merely shook her head.
"I feel this particular demi-god will be the most troublesome of them all" she muttered before climbing back into her chariot and shooting into the sky.
Thunder rolled and lightning flashed over the skies of Manhattan, seemingly centered over the empire state building, no one noticed as a giant serpent broke through the clouds veiled under the cover of the darkness the storm provided. Jormungandr continued to rise until he finally broke through the final layer of clouds and before him Olympus stood, magnificent and truly massive, almost filled to the brim with Demi-gods, sprites, and even minor godlings as they bustled about the city in the early morning light.
He paid them no mind instead heading towards the palace that stood above them all, bathed in a near golden light the towering and blinding white Hall of The Gods. He touched down in the courtyard before the massive silver gates before opening his maw allowing the demi-gods to walk out in varying states of confusion, Thalia and Percy had Alfreds arms thrown over their shoulders once again as they made their way from Jormungandr's mouth.
Percy turned and stared at the serpent, a look of utter bewilderment dominating his features.
"Did you know that you had a living room for a stomach?" he asked, Jormungandr merely rolled his golden eyes.
"That's not my stomach young naive one, that is merely a holding space Loki placed within me for when his son uses me to travel" he informed.
Then right before their eyes he began to shrink, steam rolled off his scales completely obscuring him from view until from the smoke screen a snake about only twice their size slithered out. No one questioned it thoroughly burnt out from the events of the quest and the arrival of the great serpent in the first place, Jormungandr didn't mention the lack of surprise and merely wrapped his tail around the waist of Alfred. He lightly placed him upon his head where the Demi-god fit almost perfectly.
"Shall we?" Jormungandr asked motioning towards the giant silver gate that proceeded to open of its own accord.
Oh, oh wow I feel drained, like empty, not even running on fumes anymore my magic is just completely gone. Holy shit, am I moving? Did we make it out of there? Did they solve the purple problem? So many questions and I can't even open my eyes, well if I've been taken prisoner then I'll just have to think of something amazing once again, bust out save the girl and the others I guess then go home and fall into a coma.
Wait, wait a minute I hear talking...why is it so muffled? Am I going deaf? Man I wish father was here, alright focus listen to the words...and they make no sense whatsoever, it sounds like that old cartoon my father is so fond of, what was it again? Oh yeah Peanuts, yep I've just come to the realization that I'm bored. Completely and utterly bored, am I even awake? Is it possible to be awake but not awake, sleep paralysis maybe? Oh wait hearing's starting to clear up.
"These half-bloods have done Olympus a great service, would any here deny that?" wait a minute I recognize that voice! Arty's alive, how lovely so I guess that means we won, so that means I can kick back relax and fall back to dream land and wait what are they saying?
"These two are dangerous! It'd be much safer to simply rid ourselves of them while they're here" a voice growled. Ares? Who's he talking about? Probably me, though I'm pretty sure the group won't except that but who's the other one?
"Ares, they are worthy heroes, we will not blast my son to bits" another voice chided. Poseidon? Oh so they're talking about Percy and I, well that's odd he hasn't really done anything to deserve-
"Nor my daughter, she has done well" another voice said gruffly...Zoe's not a half-blood, Bianca is but she's a hunter so she falls under Artemis, the only other one that I could think of is...
OH.
HELL.
NO.
"However no one can deny that there is a security risk with leaving them alive despite what they've accomplished" a woman said but I think I've heard enough.
Come on, gotta get up! I know I'm stronger than this, let's go body get with the program, lovely Thalia is in a predicament! Oh well that's a warm feeling, a very, very powerful warm feeling. Somewhere in the chest area, oh there's my strength, just enough to move I think but it'll have to do for now.
"So the child finally awakens" a deep smooth voice said as I finally opened my eyes to stare at a very high, very beautiful constellation filled night sky.
"Somebody mind running that last bit of conversation by me again?" I asked sitting up on whatever it was I was on, oh hey a giant snake... how lovely, questions later cunning power activating now.
My feet touched the ground as the large serpent lowered it's head and while I didn't show it, standing took a bit of effort but it was easily bearable with a grin.
"Did someone just threaten to destroy a Thalia in my presence?" I asked looking up at the wow, very large beings seated in a semi-circle around a burning hearth with a very familiar creature swimming in a large ball of water.
Oh that's Timmy, another thing to question these, I see Dionysus so I'm going to go with gods.
"Alfred!" multiple people yelled in surprise until a lovely weight crashed into me, I bit back the groan I desperately wanted to let out in favor of staring down at the messy black hair of one Thalia currently crushing my ribs.
"I feel that this is always how you should greet me" I said smugly.
"Shut up" she replied voice muffled in my shirt, I looked up at the large gods and stared them down unflinching.
"So who suggested the killing of my Thalia? Speak now or everyone will be held responsible" I said, the outrage could be felt for miles as many leaned forward with various shouts of you dare? And other nonsense I mean really? If I didn't dare I wouldn't have said anything.
Though by the looks the rest of the group was sending me that was probably not the best way to start off this little conversation but I could care less at the moment, I'm tired, irritated, this tingling warmth in my chest is slightly worrying and someone is trying to kill my Thalia so sorry if I don't care about their egos.
"So judging from your voices I would say that it was you Ares that spoke first, and you whoever you are that brought it back up" I said pointing at the large growling god then the scowling goddess in turn.
"All I have to say to that is, no matter what your reasoning for suggesting such a thing the answer is no, as well as you're welcome to try" I said eyes narrowed and smirk challenging.
I felt a massive amount of shifting under my feet that almost put me on my ass but I kept my balance and soon I was rising up until I was eye to eye with the seated gods, I glanced down to notice that the once large serpent was now a very large serpent.
"The son of Loki is looked down upon by no being, god or otherwise" that smooth voice said once again, cool.
"Why you are absolutely right…" I paused waiting for a name.
"Jormungandr" it said and I nodded, wait that sounds familiar.
"Jormungandr...The world serpent?" I asked with a tilt of my head and he nodded.
"Should anything happen to you, I am under orders to swallow this plane of existence, spelling the end of all of Midgard and all it's lesser gods" he hissed and now I really felt the tension rising in the room.
"Oh, well how lovely another thing to tilt the scales of this conversation in my favor, pun definitely not intended" I said with a grimace that only grew when Apollo's smiled widened just a tad as he shot me a thumbs up for the slip up.
"So, here's how this conversation will continue, you will thank us for saving your little pantheon, and it's okay I don't need or want anything from you so you can reward everyone else, we will then proceed to go home where I will continue my efforts to woo the lovely Thalia into marrying me" I said with a nod.
The indignant groan was amusing but the look from the god at the center of the semi-circle had to be ten times better.
"Hey I get to meet the parent, Zeus I'm currently dating your daughter and if everything goes to plan will then marry and have kids with your daughter, just thought you should know" I said with a nod towards the large bearded being in front of me.
I swear I heard thunder rumble outside and those were some mean sparks coming off his hands, I guess that's a family thing, oh wait I think Thalia's trying to get my attention if the shaking of my person was any indication.
"Yes dear?" I asked glancing down at her withering glare.
"Are you trying to get all of us killed?" she growled and I shook my head, what an odd question.
"No, i'm trying to get all of us home, now let me wrap this up please" I assured her.
Vision was starting to blur, I need to end this fast for I am not long for the conscious world.
"So in summation, you will not kill Percy or Thalia because if you do it would upset me and no one wants that. They are under the protection of Asgard, and to threaten them is to declare war, Zeus if your mighty beard is any reminder you're really smart especially when it comes to the survival of your pantheon." I said and he rose a single brow as I continued.
"A war on two fronts with one side being a bunch of really pissed off super beings led by none other than the daddy of the main gods, while the other will be packed full of a bunch of really pissed off gods of war and bloodshed led by none other than my father whom I am sure you have met." He twitched slightly so I believe their meeting was...less than pleasant.
"At that point you wouldn't have to worry about the Titans because they would end up dying too, then the world, and I like the world, it's my world so my meager suggestion is to not stack the odds in the enemies favor and instead pool your resources, like me for instance the so called half-blood who kind of beat the shit out of their General already and make these titans rue the day they decided to fuck with Olympus" I finished.
"The heir of the true king of Asgard has spoken" Jormungandr said before that rather important thing known as feeling in your legs left mine.
"I'm going back to sleep now" I said and could feel more than see Thalia look at me before everything blacked out once again.
Another chapter down, and we're reaching the end of this book, and for those that got the prophecy Loki found should know that this story will be expanding into my very own universe, which will be rather entertaining if I do say so myself.
P.S. Obviously I wasn't going to leave my boy dead, this was just a means to getting Loki who in this story could solve most problems with a snap of his fingers off the scene, for now.
Read, Review, Flame it's all love to me.
Alfred Vonstein, signing out.