Thor honestly couldn't remember having been as scared as when he ran through the battlefield, desperately looking for Loki.
No one had seem him, he had been one of the people attacking Thanos head on, then when they finally won. No one knew what had happened to Loki.
Thor had run to the spot Thanos had been standing, tears in his eyes as he searched, calling out Lokis name but to no response. At first he had missed it, but then he saw.
A lump on the ground, small. Black fur caked and covered in blood. No! No no no! With a shaking body had Thor picked up the poor creature. A cat! Its fur though was such a mess, stiff and caked and he wasn't moving!
Thors voice trembed as he called. "Loki! Oh by the norns! Loki! Loki please! Loki!"
And then… The cat had stirred, and slowly opened its eyes to reveal their brilliant green.
Thor had never been as relieved in his life! And he cried and bawled as he hugged the cat close, he barely even remembered Valkyrie gently guiding him away.
Thor remembered hands trying to take Loki from him and he protested, bawling and crying before he met a pair of piercing blue eyes belonging to a sorcerer.
"I am a doctor." Stephen Strange informed in a patient voice. "And I am a master in the mystic arts. I swear, I will do all in my power to help him."
And finally, Thor let go.
Thor wanted to stay by his brothers side, but Valkyrie yanked him away and reminded him, the Asgardians whom had helped in the fight needed to see him and Thor nodded.
He took a deep breath and reminded himself that he was king, then he went to them and offered them a smile. Told each one of them how proud he was of them, how they had proven their courage and spirit in battle they all smiled, declaring they would drink for their victory in the evening. At New Asgard.
Then questions came… about Loki. Loki had been at the battlefield, they had all seen him.
Thor swallowed then he nodded. "Loki was here." he affirmed in a nod. "He was here to help, to aid us in battle."
"Then… Where is he now my King?" A warrior asked.
"He." Thor swallowed.
"He is among the wounded." Valkyrie stepped in. "But he should be fine. That is, with some rest and a bit of healing magic. He will join us at New Asgard soon enough."
And they all brightened up.
The sun had begun to set and that was when finally Stephen Strange stepped out, now holding a cat in his arms, the cats black fur clean and shining, as clean and groomed as any cat ever was.
"STRANGE!" Thor gasped running to him. "How… How is he?"
"He's fine Thor." Stephen Strange smiled defeated. "It's the oddest thing though, I checked him over and over. But there doesn't seem to be a single wound. The blood was his own, I checked. Maybe he healed himself?" he asked. "Physically, he is as healthy as can be. But he is drained for energy. He needs rest, a lot of it." he informed handing the cat to Thor.
"So he'll be fine?" Thor asked.
Strange smiled amused. "He'll be fine." he assured. "Provided he gets lots of rest, lots of water and nutrition and." he halted.
"What?" Thor asked.
Strange looked at him then shook his head. "I want to offer you a trade." he informed.
"Huh?" Thor blinked.
"This." Strange held up a well known amulet. "Is what Loki took from the museum in England, to help him transform."
Thors eyes widened.
"It is a power source of sort, containing raw magic. In exchange for this amulet, I offer you this." Strange held up what looked like a golden bracelet with green scales in it. "The magic energy in it is about the same, how-ever it is designed for just one purpose in mind… Transformation. With this in his possession, Loki should be able to maintain other shapes for much longer time spans."
Thor gasped, then his eyes watered.
"I take that as a yes." Strange smirked. "Please allow me." he asked as he slipped the bracelet on one of Lokis paws and then magically the bracelet shrank so it fit. "Just a little spell so it will always fit Loki no matter what shape he takes."
"Thank you." Thor breathed.
Strange shook his head. "I gazed upon several million outcomes of this entire conflict." he informed. "Lokis presence is what allowed us an outcome this good. At least I owe him for that."
Thor smiled lightly, holding the cat close.
Soon Thor was returned back to New Asgard, these portals sure were convenient!
Carefully he carried Loki to the house, and carefully Thor placed the cat on his own silk pillow in front of the fireplace.
Then found fresh water and fresh food.
Thor hesitated a bit, unsure what to do next, but finally elected to actually put a blanket over Loki, it just felt right.
Then Thor was left to look hopelessly at the cat. "Erhm..." he hesitated. "You need rest so… I'll just be quiet okay." he whispered backing away. "Real… Quiet."
Then Thor sighed, he had to check on the village.
In the evening they had a feast, drinking beer and praising the battle. Thor joined them, but asked Korg to look after Loki.
Loki though, didn't wake up.
Neither did he the next day, or the next… Three full days, and Loki had not moved an inch on his pillow. Still sleeping.
Thor started to get nervous, wondering if he should contact Doctor Strange. Someone who could help him! Anyone!
Thor was now seriously scared, he was shaking as he was sitting at the harbor looking towards the ocean.
Would Loki be all right? Please by the norns let him be all right!
Then Thor blinked as he saw something which looked like it was made of golden mist flying in front of him, a bird of sorts. He turned and saw Brygul whom put down his hands, dispelling the bird.
"You seem… Lost my king." Brygul breathed.
"Just anxious." Thor admitted. "Your illusions are improving." he smiled lightly.
"Not really." Brygul pouted. "I keep going over the paper again and again, but I am stuck." he formed his hands and between them came a mouse, still just golden mist and he frowned annoyed.
"The key." a smooth voice sounded. "Is focus."
Thors eyes widened and so did Bryguls they both twirled around and there was…
Loki, standing tall. Wearing, for him rather modest green clothes. But there was still a certain elegance and finesse to the design. Also it looked Asgardian. Thor looked at his wrist and saw the bracelet then he looked up at Loki.
Loki whom looked pale, there were bags under his eyes. Honestly he looked exhausted, but he was here.
Brygul lost it. "Pri-Pri-Pri-Prince Loki!" he stammered.
Loki smiled an exhausted smile, then Thor stood up and walked over to him. Then without a single warning, he just reached over and pulled Loki into a crushing hug as he cried. "BROTHER!"
Loki smiled lightly. "Nice seeing you to Thor." he informed.
Thor sniffed. "You are the worst brother ever!" he cried. "You scared me so much!"
"Sorry… I guess I overspend." Loki sighed deeply as Thor finally let go.
"How are you feeling?" Thor asked.
"I'm okay." Loki informed in a tired smile. "I have no idea where you got this from, but it works pretty nicely." he informed holding up his hand showcasing his arm with the bracelet. "Not as good as pure infinity energy. But you know, I think I can handle that."
"That's good." Thor smiled and Loki turned to the red haired boy whom was still gaping.
"So you're Brygul." Loki commented. "Thor told so much about you."
"He… He has?" Brygul asked.
Loki nodded. "I'm glad to see the piece of paper I wrote was put to good use."
"You-You wrote it your highness?" Brygul asked, it looked like he was about the faint.
Loki nodded. "Seems to me though, you have gotten as far as you can without a instructor so..." he sat down. "Show me what you got."
"Huh?" Brygul asked.
"I've been wanting to see this for a long time." Loki admitted. "Please." he asked.
Brygul swallowed. "O.. okay. It's.. It's not very good."
"Of course not." Loki smirked. "Learning magic is a task which takes a lifetime. Don't worry, I am here to help."
Brygul gaped. "Really?" he asked.
"Yes." Loki replied very honestly. "Any secrets my mother taught me, any knowledge I garnered from the books of Asgard which has now gone lost. It's yours. As well as any Asgardian who will listen."
Bryguls eyes were wide.
Thor smiled as he sat down beside Loki, then put a firm hand on Lokis shoulder. "Don't strain yourself brother." he asked.
"I wont." Loki assured just as Brygul formed his hands and formed the first animal which made Loki smile. Even though he was clearly exhausted, his smile was real. And Thor smiled as well as he sat beside Loki while Loki delivered pointers to Brygul whom eagerly listened.
Things… Were going to be okay. Thor just knew it.