"Why is it that hate comes out so easily, yet...love? It gets trapped inside."

-UNKNOWN

PART 37

Tony decided the best way to track down the God of Thunder was to go to his lady love. Dr. Jane Foster. After the whole Loki trying the rule the word…Well the first time Loki tried to rule it, and he didn't pop by to let Jane know he was in town. Let's just say she didn't take it too we when she saw the guy she has a crush on, on tv, saving the world alongside the thawed out capsicle; and not stopping by to say hello. "Jarvis we need to find Jane Foster. Do a scan of possible observatories she could be doing her research at."

"Of course sir." Jarvis said while pulling up various articles and papers she has written or written about her the past year. "Sir it looks like she is doing consulting work at Kitt Peak National Observatory."

"Well it looks like we are taking a trip to Arizona. Jarvis see if you can find out what hotel she is staying out. We need to find ourself a Norse God."

"Already on it sir." Jarvis said as Tony got his suit on and blasted off to the desert that is Arizona.

Finding the hotel Jane is staying at was easy enough for Jarvis, but the only question is, does she actually know where Thor is. After smooth talking his way with the receptionist, Tony heading to the elevator and knocked on the room that supposedly was checked out to a Dr. Foster. He only waited a few seconds, before for the door was cracked open as far as the chain would let it. "Mr. Stark." Jane said, closing the door so she could open it properly and let her guest in. "What are you doing in Arizona? How did you even find me? Is SHIELD still keeping tabs on me?" She stepped a few feet back so Tony could join her in the small room. He could hear the sound of running water from the bathroom and realized Jane had a hotel robe wrapped around her body. "I don't need the MIB to help me track anyone down. As for why I'm here, I'm looking for Fabio. Last I knew he had to return back to Asgard. Have you seen him lately?"

"He just returned from Asgard a few days ago." Jane said slowly. "He is in the shower. I'll go get him for you." Her eyes moved curiously over Tony. She lingering on the suitcase in his hand, before she opened the bathroom door, allowing some of the steam to sneak into the main room. Tony immediately heard Thor's jovial voice over the sound of running water, but he had a feeling Jane was not so amused. The water was shut off and a few moments later, Thor appeared walking through the door and closing it behind himself. His hair was glistening with beads of water and thankfully, to Tony, he was wearing a pair of dark wash jeans. But, he did think a t-shirt would have been a nice addition to his wardrobe. The sound of running water could once again be heard, meaning Jane was letting to two of them talk in private.

"Friend Stark. What brings you here?" Thor asked while sitting on the edge of the bed. Tony set the suitcase down on the small desk and grabbed the chair so he could sit across from him.

"I need you to tell me everything you know about Karnilla." Tony said directly while lacing his fingers together so he could rest his chin upon them.

Thor paused for a second, his face quizzical and eyebrows furrowed as he processed what Tony ask. A question not about Loki, but instead another enemy of Asgard. It was curious move. He wondered what Tony needed to know with such information. Questioned what Loki is talking to him about. But the only way he could figure any of this out is if he told Tony what he knows. "She fancies herself as the Queen of the Norn, but they have no true ruler. She is also proclaimed herself as the Queen of the Asgardian providence Nornheim. She does rule her lands justly, but she is no friend of Asgard. She is a powerful sorceress, whose power is said to only be matched by the Allfather. Both Amora and Loki have gone to her to learn. Study under her. But I know not of what they learned during their brief time with her." Thor said as thought back on the time Loki left home to visit her. He was gone for five months, and when he returned, he refused to talk about his time with her. He never paid much mind to it at the time, since the same happened when Amora returned. But perhaps, now if he thinks about it. There was a reason to his silence. "It is also rumored that her power is so great and vast that she was able to create the Norn Stones." Magical Stones. Now that was something that piqued Tony's interest. It also sounds like a reason as to why Loki keeps such strong ties to this woman.

"Magical Coco Pebbles?" Tony asked hoping Thor could shed some more light on this topic.

"It is said that the Norn Stones are a powerful magic item that Karnilla has embedded with her own magic." Curiouser and curiouser. This definitely sounded like something up Loki's alley.

"So only a sorcerer can use them?"

"Nay. I heard that they can grant any user power, so long as the stones themselves deem the wielder worthy. But as I said, if these stones do exist, Karnilla would not hand them over so easily."

"Not even with baby brother Balder as a bargaining chip?" Tony asked directly. "Speaking of Balder, are there any other siblings I should know about? Or should I add middle child syndrome to one of Loki's many identity issues?" Tony was border lining sarcasm, with that last part, but his somber tone for the most part staying intact.

"Loki told you about Balder?" Thor was actually shocked by this news. His blue eyes widened, and body frozen. Loki talking about Balder, is defiantly not normal.

"He did mention a few things. Like how baby bro was kept hidden. His death would jumpstart the Norse Apocalypse. Oh yah. Also that his ex, Karnilla, who I never heard of until that day, is madly in love with said third brother. Learning that got me thinking. Loki must be up to something. That this is part of his master plan. But it's not like he will tell me anything like that. So this is where I need you, Thor. I need you to help fill in some of the missing pieces." Tony gripped his pants, looking down at the tacky red carpet before meeting the crystal blue eyes. "Do you think there is any chance Karnilla gave Loki those magic rocks? That may be. Just maybe. He promised to hand Balder over to her, if she gives him the stones."

Thor sat in silence for a few moments. Seriously thinking over everything Tony has said. "Do you know for certain that my brother went to her?" Thor asked forlornly, as if he were admitting defeat. That no matter how much he thought and tried to find a way around this theory, he couldn't.

"He flat out told me that he visited her." Tony responded without a moment's hesitation. "But a part of me thinks that this is not the first time he has paid her a visit in the past few months." Tony's voice slowly beginning to trail off the more he thought about it. The longer he pondered over Loki's schemes, the more quickly the ideas came to him. "He said she was of little help. That she will not be useful until he attacks Asgard...What if the day Loki broke out of his Isle prison, he didn't just steal the icebox. What if he got his hands on two treasures that day?"

"If all that you say is true, Loki will use the stones to not only amplify his powers, but those of the casket as well."

"The only question left then, is if Loki really does have these stones and the casket, why has he just been sitting back? Watching everything he started unfold from the sidelines?" Tony questioned more to himself than Thor.

"How is my brother doing?" Thor's question caught Tony off guard. He was not expecting the subject to switch so abruptly. Even though he was taken by surprise, the hesitation in an answer was because he was not sure what to say. He needed to word this answer carefully. After all, he didn't imagine Thor would be eager to hear about his younger brother having a one night sexcipade with Tony, then vanishing for a month without a single word.

"Seeing as how he has yet to rule the world, I would say it's all good on that front." Tony started out, looking at the one positive. "But he has been more secretive than usual. He still opened up to me about some things. But honestly. I don't know. Some days I see the Loki you remember, and others, I see the Loki I first met." Tony didn't know how else to explain all that has happened without going into every bloody detail. But this seemed like the best way to explain the situation.

"If my brother has not started his battle, despite having all he needs to do so; it must be because of you. As good of an actor I know my brother can be; I cannot see him taking this long to put a plan into action. And the only reason I can think of this being is because of you. Despite that. I know Loki is up to something. As much as I want to tell myself otherwise, I know it to be true. We must prepare ourselves for the worst if he so chooses to put his plan into action."

"One more question." Tony gripped his pants even tighter as he spoke. "Your parents hiding the fact Loki is a Frost Giant. Now I learn they actually hid your baby bro Balder from both you and Loki. Do you think your parents were in the right doing that to them?" His breathing became inconsistent as he waited for an answer. Not sure what type of answer to expect from Thor.

"While I do not always agree with my father's choices, at times I do understand the reasoning behind them. With Loki..." Thor trailed off for a moment, allowing himself to collect his thoughts. "Our mother told me how he discovered his true parentage. It was cruel. And I am partially to blame. If I didn't fall into Loki's scheme. If I was not so persistent about charging into Jotunheim. None of this would have happened. But I understand why our parents chose to keep the fact his is not born of Asgard secret. The Frost Giants are our enemy. Many fear and hate the race. They are deemed monsters in the eyes of the masses. If Loki grew up knowing what he was, and it was found out by the whole kingdom. His heart would have darkened long ago from the torment. Our parents didn't want him to be seen or feel different. Have to live his life being condemned." Thor spoke honestly to Tony, his cerulean eyes still shifting from side to side. "Even after learning of his true parentage, I saw my brother no differently. But not all of Asgard's citizens think that way. Their hate for the Frost Giants run deep. Despite all this, Loki and I were raised together. We played, fought, and journeyed together. His blood being that of Laufey means nothing. I will always see him as my brother. My friend. I just wish he knew that too."

"He does. It's just easier to justify his actions by pretending otherwise." Tony knew all too well the truth behind those words.

The sound of water shutting off shattered the mood, both men becoming deathly silent. They knew this conversation could not be heard by any other ears. "Well Romeo, I won't take any more of your time away from Juliette." Tony rose from his seat, grabbed his suitcase, and headed for the door, but felt Thor's firm hand on his shoulder. "I'll let you know if I learn anything else." Tony promised, taking note of the crestfallen look in the god's eyes.

Thor nodded his head and let Tony go. Jane exited the bathroom, drying off her hair with a towel. She noticed Thor sitting alone on the bed, Tony Stark no longer present. "That was a quick visit. What did he need to talk to you about?" She asked, joining him on the bed.

"New information on an old quest. You needn't worry." He said with a small smile, but inside knowing he is playing a dangerous game. He is keeping a secret that not only affects one realm but two. That by keeping what little he knows about his brother and Tony he could be seen as a traitor. And yet, his heart is telling him to keep it. That this may just be the thing Loki needs to be pulled out of the darkness.

Once all of this is made known, he doesn't see his father being pleased. Thor knows too well of the Allfather's displeasure with him gallivanting off to Earth to help protect it and being with Jane. A mortal. Having another son smitten by one would only add fuel to the flames. Asgardians were supposed to stay away from Earth after the war with the Frost Giants. Sure they broke the rule now and again. That's how some of the crazy mortal myths were formed. But now, things are getting out of hand.

Humans are learning too much. Advancing. Becoming a beacon for other races in the galaxy to come to; whether it is to fight or make peaceful relations. And it all started with his banishment and Loki sending the destroyer. That is why he needs to protect Earth. That is why he needs to help his brother. It could be the only way to make sure the Asgardian Earth relations do not become tainted.

There are other ties keeping him to Earth, Jane for example. But fixing the mess he started will always be the top priority. And if Tony can help him with that goal, he is willing to keep this secret for a little while longer.

Tony sat in his garage, not doing anything in particular. His chat with Thor helped a bit, but not as much as he would have liked. Karnilla's magic stones were the one piece of information that could be of some use. Magic Stones. Stone that apparently have a mind of their own, because they only work if they deem you worthy. Would they consider Loki and his goals worthy enough for their power boost?

As much as Tony wanted to think no, he knew the answer was yes. Thor said the stones would not only amply his power, but that of the casket. Tony remembered holding the blue box. The eloquent designs on the outside. A box that could freeze and kill many mortals. It could easily take down him, Cap, Natasha, and Clint. Maybe he needs to power boost because it won't work as well on Thor and the Hulk.

Maybe I'm looking at this all wrong. Tony though out loud as he leaned back on the top of his chair. Extremis. The Casket of Ancient Winters. The Norn Stones. He knows for a fact Loki has the casket. He saw it and held it with his own two hands. He knows Loki took Extremis, and supposedly gave it to HYDRA, but they are calling foul play. So there is a chance Loki still has that. Then there are the stones. It's unknown if he does have them. But knowing he did go to Karnilla, it's safe to assume that he would attempt to get his hands on them. Three items. What is their connection? Each one has a purpose. A reason for Loki needing them. And all reasons are obvious at that. One is a distraction. Extremis. That one would most likely be the distraction, while the stones and casket and the focus. So why does it seem like that is not what Loki is doing. That it is too obvious and logical.

Tony felt like his mind was moving in circles as he continued pondering over these three items. He just couldn't figure out the missing piece. The glue that ties all this stuff together.

What he is sure about though, is one of those three items are a distraction. Something to throw him off. Only two of those items are of complete necessity to his plan. If only he could figure out which two those were.

If only he had another Asgardian to talk to. Someone else besides Thor. Some who understand the complexity of magic. If he could, he could book a one way ticket to Nornheim to see Karnilla. Even Amora would be an ideal candidate for his questions. But he had a feeling even they are in the dark when it all comes down to it. They just know their roles. Their specific purpose in the grand scheme of things, and that's it. They have no clue what the bigger picture is.

Karnilla might. Something whispered in the back of him mind. Loki's reaction when you mentioned Karnilla being a master of time. Seeing what has yet to come or what has passed. All Loki said was that he creates his own future. So, Karnilla may know something. She could have shown Loki the future. Something he wants to prevent. That could be the reason behind Loki's newfound cautiousness. Why he is saying he wants to be with you, but cannot allow himself to be with you fully. He has strong feelings for you. And those feelings could result in something that he wants to avoid at any and all costs.

Tony waved off the voice and its lack of helpfulness. All they have are speculations. Those of his own and those of that irksome voice that keeps popping up. He has nothing more. No solid evidence or proof of Loki having the stones or Extremis. And while Loki has the casket, he still hasn't used it yet.

All Tony feels like he knows for sure is that he cannot stop thinking about Loki. Whether it's wanting to get physical with him, talking, or figuring out what his grand plan to become the king of the apes is. He is hopelessly and relentlessly addicted to a Norse God. And that god also has strong feelings for him. Desires that he tries to avoid, but ends up succumbing to.

That's all he should be focusing on. Him and Loki. Nothing else. He also should probably help out Bruce with the device to stop Loki's magic. But that is it. He needs to stop worrying about things that may never come to pass. He cannot let this unknown future control him. This future that Loki might already know everything about.