"Human beings must be known to be loved;
but Divine beings must be loved to be known."
- Blaise Pascal
PART 29
Loki is having a hard time enjoying his afternoon tea, and it is not for the usual reason; Stark. For the past hour the outside world has been causing a ruckus, and it has only gotten louder as time continues passing. Hoards of people standing around the city and near his apartment are starting up at the sky and chatting animatedly. Helicopters could be heard flying about the clouds, as if they are searching for something. To Loki, it is just flat out madness and unnecessary commotion that is interrupting his tea time. With an irritated sigh, Loki finally placed his teacup down. He transformed his appearance as usual when he steps outside. The long black locks shortening and shifting to a soft ginger. A pinstripe fedora slightly tilted on his head that matched his charcoal suit appeared as well. Instead of teleporting like he normally would, he left his apartment the mortal way, out the door.
Despite the gray clouds, nippy weather, and chance of snowfall, it didn't deter the droves of people from standing in their spots, gloves on while holding a warm beverage. Loki weaved between the crowds, getting a few blocks away from his home. As he walked, he listened carefully to the words being spoken around him. Seeing if any news of interest would be spoken.
"I wonder if he will show up soon."
"He can fly pretty fast. But with these clouds it will be hard to spot him"
"People on Twitter and Tumblr said they saw him flying over Lake Michigan. He has to pass through Chicago."
A group of giggling teenage girls could be heard as they stared up at the dark sky. Loki came to an abrupt halt as he tilted his head up. He could easily see a bulky shadow in the clouds. A dark spot no one else has noticed. The man that is causing so much mayhem around the city finally broke free from the cloud coverage and could be seen clearly. His brother is that very body flying through the dark skies. With Mjolnir in hand and his golden hair blowing around his face, hordes of females began to giggle, shout, and screech at the sight. A few guys were also cheering, but could not be heard over the shrills of the fangirls as they spotted the Avenger in the sky.
"I Love you Thor!"
Was shouted by the masses, causing Loki to gag internally.
"Marry me Thor!"
Several other voices shouted, resulting in Loki rolling his eyes in annoyance. Part of him wanted to use his magic. Make his brother fall out of the sky. Humiliate him in front of his hoards of fans. But he knew he couldn't. It would give him away. Make Thor aware that his is in fact hiding in this city.
"Thor is so hot."
A slightly older woman, compared to the rest of the crowd, said to her group of friends as she looked dreamily at the well built body hovering in the sky.
Loki did his best to block all the trivial noise out as he stared intently as his brother, who is looking carefully among the sea of people. He debated if his brother went to Tony. Pleaded to Stark to give him his brother's whereabouts, if he knows them. Shout at Tony like he does with Odin. Be stubborn until he gets what he wants.
No. Another voice in his head spoke up. Tony would not so easily succumb to Thor and tell him where you are residing. Remember the other night. He could not answer you when you asked what he would say if Thor came to him. Stark said he didn't know what he would do. Yes, he is an Avenger. A friend of your brother. Planning to take you down when the times is right. But he would not tattle. He wants this grand battle as much as you do. That would not be possible if you are taken back to Asgard again. If Thor did go to Tony, he didn't tell him anything.
Then why is my brother here? His voice fought back. How did he know to search this city? It can't be a coincidence. Stark may not have told him outright, but he could have hinted at my location.
The tracking device. The voice that always seemed to push him towards Tony rang. When you found that tracking device and used magic on it. It could have given away your location before the spell took effect fully. Maybe the beast saw your location. He is Stark's little pet after all. They have worked on numerous things together in the past. He knows of your meetings to some extent. The doctor could have seen the data, and told Thor of that magic use all those months ago.
"What are you doing here Thor?"
A reporter, along with a camera man, only a few yards away from Loki shouted with a megaphone among the still excited fangirls and fanboys. It caused Loki to stop his internal fighting and look back up at his brother.
While his brother is a fool, he is not foolish enough to tell people what he is actually doing. It would cause mass hysteria if he says he is looking for his brother and received a tip he is hiding in this city.
In any normal circumstance, he would revel in such chaos. Make himself known and soak up the screams of the mischief he caused. All the mayhem would be music to his ears and a pleasure to watch.
But at this point in time, he cannot indulge in such revelry. He needs to say hidden. It will work better for his plan this way. The plan that he is still not ready to put into effect.
Thor remained jovial as he looked to the reporter "I am just studying your planet. Despite my time here, I have yet to find time to travel the lands. Learn more about this realm and it's cities. With the peace among the realms, I thought it is time to partake in such a journey." Thor answered the reported, trying to stay focused on her, but his mind still seemed distracted. Looking for any sign of Loki. But the god of mischief would not give away his location so easily. His brother should know that. Still, Thor is a persistent one. "I shall thank you for such a jovial welcome, and continue my journey." Thor said his smile still not wavering before flying off, searching elsewhere in the city, and perhaps another state, if not the country as a whole.
The people around him, waved and continued shouting at Thor, until he could no longer be seen in the sky. He vanished into the dark clouds, and the helicopters slowly followed, hoping they could keep up with the god. After a few more moments, the city finally began to settle down. The fangirls went back to their phones chatting animatedly about what they saw and looking at the pictures they took. The older ladies walked back into an office building, returning to their work. The city has returned to its normal chaos once again.
He walked the streets for a bit, his eyes slithered between the crowds, none of them knowing the man they feared. The reason Thor appeared moments ago, is walking among them. He finally made his way to his apartment building, walking up the stairs, and using magic to open his apartment door. His appearance returned to normal, as soon as he closed the door behind himself.
Now what? Go to Stark? He would not be surprised if Tony already knows about Thor's visit to the city. It was probably on every news station across the nation. Nothing would be gained from going there. Then again, Thor didn't look very hard. Maybe it was because of the hoards of adoring fans. They prevent him from searching the city more thoroughly, which is quite advantageous. Well, they were mainly irksome but still, it will keep his brother off his back for a while longer.
Maybe he should go to Stark after all. Tell him operation hide and seek was a failure. Still, one thing is curious. Stark flies about the skies all the time. Has flown to this very apartment complex without a single one of his adoring fans, stalking him. Preventing him from walking around. So why is it, that when his brother flew to the city, it became a spectacle? That the whole city seemed to come out for him. It appears something else may be going on. Something that only Stark could accomplish.
Tony paused his TV. Thor finally went to Chicago. He flew about the sky, but never landed on the ground. Walked around the people. How the hell is he supposed to find Loki if he just sticks to the skies. Then again, as soon as he landed, the fangirls would rush him, wanting pictures, autographs, maybe even steal some of that golden hair.
Maybe Thor thought Loki would make his appearance known at the sight of him in the skies. React in some way or another. Hell, Thor could have some Loki sense and know where his brother is, by a feeling in his gut.
Still something about all of this seemed off to Tony. The few times he flew to Chicago and landed in the alleyway of Loki's apartment, there were no news reporters. People following him. Maybe his shadow in the sky looks more like a plane than a god who looks like he was on steroids for most of his adult life. Still, how did the masses find out Thor was flying around? Loki obviously didn't tip them off, and Bruce wants Loki caught and trapped for good. So who was the one that caused the massive Twitter feed and news reporter stalking?
Tony heard a loud clunk come from his terrace, making him lose his train of thought. Speak of the devil. Thor landed on the balcony of Stark Tower, setting Mjolnir by the side of the door, and entering the penthouse. However, the jovial face Tony saw on the TV moments ago had evaporated into a stern grimace. "Thor." Tony said curtly as the much taller and bulkier man walked into earshot. "What brings you to my humble abode."
"Where is my brother Son of Stark?" Thor questioned, his voice reminiscent of the first time they met.
"So, we're skipping the pleasantries and going straight to business then?" Tony questioned hypothetically. A small grin forming as he stepped towards Thor. "And I have told you Thor, just call me Tony or Stark. The whole son thing, not exactly the way we address people on Earth these days. You probably missed a few things in the past thousands years, since that is when you were last here."
"Where is he Stark?" Thor's voice boomed again as he towered over Tony. The blue eyes were not wavering as they intently started into the chocolate.
Tony shrugged his shoulders, not allowing himself to get riled up from this big brother mode Thor seemed to be in. "You're guess is as good as mine. Might I suggest somewhere with some valuable object that can help him with operation rule the nine realm." Thor's glare didn't fade, in fact it only seemed to get darker as Tony spoke. "I'm being serious Thor, I don't know where Loki is."
"Then where has he been hiding?" Thor asked switching tactics. "He is hiding somewhere among the mortals. And he still has been coming to you. You must know something."
Tony bit his lip. Bruce already told him exactly where Loki was hiding. Thor was only four or five blocks from Loki's apartment. But he still couldn't find him. The only way for Thor to actually find his brother is if Tony takes him there personally. "It's like you said Thor. Loki comes to me." Tony said with a sigh and swallowing the partial truth. "Besides Bruce already told you what our first attempt at tracking magic found. It picked up a frequency similar to your brother's magic. But we really don't know if it was Loki. There is no way to prove it." Tony said answering back the best he could. He doesn't fully know why he is dancing around Thor's questions. Why he feels the need to keep Loki's location a secret. "Why are you so set on finding Loki anyways? He always pops up eventually. And we always catch him."
Thor sighed as he began pacing around Tony's penthouse living room. "My brother stole a very valuable weapon. It's called the Casket of Ancient Winters. With such a powerful weapon in hand, I fear what he may do the next time he does attack."
There it was again. The Casket of Ancient Winters. Steve mentioned it, and Tony is almost positive it is the glowing blue box he found in Loki's scarf collection. But hearing that name come from Thor's lips, it sounded more menacing, dangerous, it caused goosebumps to appear on Tony's forearms. "What? Does it have thousands of years worth of Arctic storms in it or something."
"You are close." Thor said contemplatively. "The Casket of Ancient Winters is an ancient treasure that belonged to Jotunheim. Many years ago, Laufey used the casket to enslave mankind. But my father came here to Earth, stopping Laufey, saving the mortals, and taking the casket for himself so the Frost Giants could never enslave and kill mortals again. Since only a Frost Giant can open it and use its power, my father always assumed it was safe there..." Thor trailed off, his voice became melancholy near the end. Despite learning of his brothers true parentage, he never once saw him as a Frost Giant. To this day, all he sees is his younger brother. Pale skinned, dark locks that curle if not properly cleaned and brushed, and the most vibrant green eyes in all the nine realms. Despite, knowing his brother could open and control such a powerful ancient artifact, he could never picture him with the icy blue skin or crimson eyes, and he never would allow himself to think that either. Tony understood why Thor is so torn up about this. Why he needs to find his brother. Despite knowing this, and hearing his friend's plea for help, he couldn't do that to Loki. His loyalties were once again being screwed by his heart and brain. "My brother has used the casket before; in Asgard. While it only immobilizes most Asgardians, it would kill a mortal in seconds. If you know anything about my brother's whereabouts Stark, I beg of you, tell me. I must find him and stop him from using the casket before innocent people are killed."
Tony felt his palms begin to perspire, so he wiped them on the side of his pants. He began pacing around the room now, trying to collect his thoughts. Thor made a valid point. If Loki does use this weapon, then many would die, but what if he doesn't. Who is he kidding. Of course Loki would use the casket. So, sending Thor to go fetch it, would be the logical thing to do. At the same time, he feels like Loki is starting to trust him, and he trusts Loki. If he tells Thor anything, this misguided trust the two have formed would crumble. Tony stopped pacing, turning to face Thor, "Sorry Thor, I can't help you." The words came out naturally, despite his mind shouting no at him. No. You can help Thor. Loki is still plotting, and you still can go about your plan even with Thor going to his brother. But he did his best to ignore his brain, and listen to his heart, the heart that seems to be enchanted by Loki and won't be swayed otherwise. Thor's face dropped at those words, but Tony continued. "Listen, I know you are not the biggest fan of your brother coming to me over you for someone to confide in. And I know the current Loki still is attacking cities and wants to rule Earth, Asgard, and every other realm, but I think I saw him." Tony's gaze dropped to the floor for only a moment before meeting Thor's once again. "I think I saw the Loki you remember. The brother you are trying so hard to pull out of the darkness. And maybe, just maybe, if I spend more time with him..." Tony took a deep breath before speaking again. "He could see the man he used to be, the one before all this Lifetime family drama happened, that that Loki is not lost forever. That's why I think you should not try to find your brother. The more you force yourself into his life, the more he will pull away. Dive deeper into this self-made darkness. So I ask you Thor. Give your brother same space. Take a break looking for the casket. And just trust me and Loki. I know out in public, he is still putting on the evil guy act, but when we are together...I don't know he is different. I know you want to find the casket before he uses it, but he has not used it so far, so I don't see him icing the planet any time this week..."
Thor placed a hand on Tony's shoulder, interrupting him mid rant. "I have trusted you this far Stark. I have not interfered; waited in the skies watching you, hoping for a chance to see my brother. There are many times I have wanted to do so, but withheld. If what you say is true. If you have seen even a glimmer of who my brother used to be, I will continue to keep my distance. But the moment my brother attacks. The second he harms any people of this realm or another, I will no longer be so tolerant."
Tony exhaled in relief. Despite Thor still not looking pleased that Tony is the one shaving away the darkness that enshrouds his brother, at least he doesn't have to worry about Thor camping out in the city for a chance to Loki. "Hey Thor." Tony started before Thor could fly off into the sunset. "Loki once mentioned one of your first adventures together was rescuing some girls apples?"
A small grin began to form on Thor's face, "The Golden Apples of Iduna. I remember that day well."
"Well I was curious if I could hear the story from you." Tony said moving to the couch sitting down. He motioned to the chair across from him, inviting Thor to sit. "Loki is not the best story teller when it comes to your guy's childhood." Tony added as Thor as down across from him.
"My brother and I were young then, still boys. Loki still needed to speak the spell when using his magic, and I was still wielding a sword, not yet ready to wield Mjolnir." Thor said with a chuckle. "Our father still didn't like us going on adventures without the proper escorts, but that still did not stop me and Loki from adventuring out to other lands. On one such adventure, I spotted the sons of the Storm Giant. They had stolen the golden apples of the goddess Iduna. Loki and I followed the giants into their castle with the intent to get Iduna her apples back. We were able to hide under their table until we thought of a plan. Loki came up with a brilliant one. He pushed me out into the view of the giants so I could distract them with my sword while he searched further into their castle to recapture the apples. I was not quite as skilled in battle as I am now, so I had to think outside the box. I broke their table with my sword, and used their pepper shaker against them. However, Loki saw that the tides of battle were turning and the giants were starting to get the upper hand. Thinking quick on his feet, he saw a pile of leaves in the castle and pushed them into the fireplace, to create a smokescreen so I could escape the giants and follow him further into the castle. Since Loki moved on ahead of me, he found the apples on the back of Agnar, King of the Eagles, and was already on top of him, ready for us to make our escape. He did jokingly say he would leave me behind, but he was always like that back then. Making jokes to lighten the mood of the danger we were in. As the giants finally made their way to us, I broke the tether on Agnar, and we escaped, returning the apples to Iduna. Father heard of our latest escapade. While he was not pleased we left the kingdom behind his back, and without any of the royal guards, he was pleased that the apples were returned to Iduna. And due to my good deed, I was able to lift Mjolnir a little higher."
Tony was right, this story did slightly vary from when Loki told it. Loki never mentioned burning leaves to create a smokescreen to help Thor escape. If anything, Loki made that smokescreen so he could escape, expecting Thor to be killed by the giants. Then he would get all the glory while possibly fake mourning the death of his elder brother. One thing was true though, Thor really was blind to Loki's true intentions back then. "What about Loki?" Tony finally spoke up. "Did Odin give him the good old pat on the back for assisting in this quest?"
He saw the pause in Thor's face and that one expression made his point. It answered his question. There is no point in Thor speaking now, but he did anyways. "Father always congratulated us for any good deeds we performed that bettered the kingdom." That seemed to be code for, he never once saw his father congratulate Loki personally or hear his father speak of any kind words about the adventures he went on. "I have a question for you now Stark." Thor said, his voice still not up to its usual vigor. Tony's interest was piqued, his head cocked in curiosity. "Loki. Do you think he will ever go back to being the brother I remember? The one I still see."
Tony gripped his jeans, deeply taking in breath, but exhaling slowly. "I don't think anyone is past redemption." He finally started slowly, choosing his words carefully. "The thing is, that person has to want to be saved. They have to want to change. For me, it started with terrorists taking me captive, and using my own weapons against me. That was what began my change in wanting to be a better person. But with Loki...It's different. He thinks himself past saving. He has buried himself in so deep, darkened his heart so much; he has become blind." Thor's eyes seemed to darken and his shoulders slumped at Tony's words. He wanted to speak back in protest, but Tony lifted up a hand to silence him. "But, I have seen the cracks in the wall. His veil slowly fading. But it's not happening purposely. Not because he wants it to. It's happening on its own. And I think it's scaring him. So he will put up more walls. Darken his heart more. So no. I don't think Loki will ever go back to being the brother you once knew. The one I have only seen in glimpses. But one day, he will become a different Loki. Not the ghost of a brother you are chasing. Not the Loki that wants to rule all the nine realms. I don't know what kind of Loki he will be, but I do know, he will become a better man in the end. A better man that will eventually fall into the darkness all over again." Tony finished, finality in his voice.
"Again?" Thor questioned his eyes hardening as he listened to Tony. "Why do you think Loki will change for the better, only to fall back into this madness?"
"No matter how much darkness you banish from your heart, you can never get rid of it completely. A small speck will always be with you, waiting for the right moment. The moment it can consume you again. Warp you. Enshroud you from any good you have done. In the moment you are susceptible to the darkness, it will take over. Creep back into every crevice. There is no way to stop it. Evil never leaves. It only sleeps. That is why Loki will fall again. That is why he will never fully be the brother you remember. Because once you taste evil. Unspeakable darkness that words will never fully be able to describe. It will always be a part of you."
"And how do you know this. What proof have you?" Thor asked leaning in to better hear Tony's hushed voice.
"Because I'm fighting a similar darkness within me every day. Some days are harder than others. But the only reason I can keep it at bay is because I have you guys. You, Bruce, Pepper, Rhodey, even Steve. You help me battle that darkness. Make sure I don't let it control my life again. But Loki, he is not fighting this battle. He wants to be alone. Because of that, the darkness will always prevail." Tony noticed how crestfallen Thor was becoming at those words. The truth Tony has learned from all his meetings with Loki and his own experiences. "But, I'm not giving up on the reindeer, and I know no matter what I say, you won't give up on him either. Who knows. Maybe Loki will prove me wrong. Me being wrong rarely happens. But between the two of us..." Tony started, his voice lowering even more, as his heart began to speed up, "I hope he does."
A/N: Thank you for reading. I hope you all enjoyed the latest chapter and looking forward to the next. Also a big thank you to those of you still following, faving, and reviewing. It really does mean a lot to me and give me that extra push to make each chapter the best it can be. So till next time.
