Ha Ha! I can post a chapter within a week of the other! I did it! The last few reviews really got me working! I have to say to all the essential workers out there, thank you for everything you do and everything you're doing! I promise to try to get more chapters out so you all have something to read. This next chapter I'm very excited for… finally gonna get some Tony. On with the chapter!
-cluelessreader
Chapter 15
"This is Prince Loki, and he needs our help."
Okoye openly started, as well as the queen. Shuri didn't need them staring, she needed them helping.
"The Hall of Kings, it is back anew. And this boy did it." Princess Shuri said, walking further into the throne room. Only to be stopped by a reluctant Okoye.
Her spear blocking her way any further into the room. Her eyebrows furrowed but surprise did radiate from her dark eyes.
"That is not possible. Don't speak such nonsense. Now tell me why there is an outsider here at all." Queen Ramonda asked, her gaze not leaving the child.
Shuri sighed loudly. "Mother, he did fix it! I have proof!" The young woman exclaimed. She crouched down, carefully sliding Loki off her back, making sure she didn't unintentionally hurt him. Once he was set down, she stepped in front of the boy, clearly her way of guarding him.
She reached into her pocket where she kept the new herb. Lifting her hand, the purple glowing plant shun in her palm.
The queen and the warrior's eyes grew wide. Hearing from the Hall Keepers is one thing, but seeing the burned up plant perfectly healthy in the princesses hand… It was eye opening. The queen stepped forward, a scared but hopeful expression on her face.
Her more withered hands reached her daughters, both her palms hovering lightly over the plant.
"How… how is this possible?" She asked quietly. Her voice quivered a bit in her daughter's ears.
"It was all him, mother." Shuri said, moving a bit from Loki, her mother's gaze reached the boy. "Bast," Her mother gasped, eyes snapping to Shuri. "I know, I didn't believe it at first either. But Bast spoke to me as well. She made a deal with him. If he healed the hall and the herb's, Wakanda would help his people."
"That is preposterous! We've lost too much to help anyone else!" Queen Ramonda answered quickly.
"Mother, Bast told him we would help. His people have lost everything."
"That doesn't mean anything. Everyone's lost someth-"
"No! Everyone lost something but his people lost everything! First their home is taken over, then it is completely destroyed. Next the one who killed our people, kills half the refugees on their ship. Not by the snap, but with his bare hands. This boy… he lost his life to Thanos. He doesn't know how he's back or why, but he is. Now his people are tucked on some strange land with nothing." Shuri yelled.
"T'Challa wanted to help people, mother! Yet you stopped the progress he was making! We have done nothing with the outreach programs in the U.S he made. You stay locked up here in the palace, not seeing the people! They mourn just as much as us! Yet you haven't told them anything. You haven't done anything!"
Okoye watched on, her attention left the pair of royals however. A twitch catching her eye.
"Bast promised him. If he helped us, we would help him. Bast knew the talents he has, he fixed the burn of Wakanda. Now, it is our turn to help someone. They need our help, mother!" The outraged princess continued. Stepping toward her mother, anger radiating off of the girl.
The general stalked closer to the child, the princess and queen not noticing. The boy's eyes fluttered open a bit. Slowly, he was gaining consciousness.
"My brother is dead, mother, but what he wanted to do… shouldn't end. He wanted to help, and now we have a prince who was led to us. He has just helped bring back a piece of Wakanda, he has spoken to Bast, he is a friend." Shuri spoke quietly, her hands still shook, showing the passion her voice is not.
A small groan made almost everyone jump.
He felt light… like he didn't just use a ton of magic. His mother had told him before, using too much magic could injure him, maybe even kill him. He didn't understand why magic could harm him, but his mother was never wrong.
And yet he still messed up by using up magic, with life magic at that. Making a flower bloom didn't take too much life energy… but fixing burned land and bringing back plants to life? That definitely took more magic then he was planning.
Loki couldn't tell what was going on but he was swaying. He swayed and swayed, it was very calming to him. He was tired, so very tired and resting was helping him out.
Soon the swaying stopped. He doesn't know what was happening but it felt nice just staying still. Someone was muttering. He didn't know who… but someone was talking. It sounded fuzzy in his ears.
It was soft at first, but grew loud. Much louder. It was becoming understandable now.
"Yet you haven't told them anything. You haven't done anything!" A familiar young woman's voice rang out.
What hadn't he done? He thought he fixed the hall. Was it not done? His eyes were closed but under the lids they moved. If he could just open them…
"Bast promised him. If he helped us, we would help him. Bast knew the talents he has, he fixed the burn of Wakanda. Now, it is our turn to help someone. They need our help, mother!"
Mother? Wait… who's talking to who? He remembers Bast, the Wakandan voice that he made a deal with. She spoke of help for his people, for his brother.
He was tired. So so tired, but he needed to see where he was. He focused, used all his strength to even get a bit of light into his gaze. It was bright and gold where he was.
"My brother is dead, mother, but what he wanted to do… shouldn't end. He wanted to help, and now we have a prince who was led to us. He has just helped bring back a piece of Wakanda, he has spoken to Bast, he is a friend."
His head hurt, the light burned his vision, and he was very hungry. A small groan escaped him. The voices stopped, but he didn't care, he was just trying to get his bearings.
He slid his arms under him and tried to push himself up. Loki's arm shook and he fell back down. He just wanted to sit up and see where he was! Norns that all! He knew he should have listened to his mother and not used so much magic.
He jumped a bit but recognized the hands that helped him sit up.
"Loki! Thank Bast you are awake. You look like crap, are you okay?" Princess Shuri asked, concern flooded her gaze but a happy relieved smile was on her face. He didn't know how the women's white markings stayed on her face, but there they were.
"Did I finish the hall?" Loki asked sheepishly.
Shuri looked at him oddly but a small laugh bubbled out of her. It was light but grew and grew. Tears welled in her eyes as she kept on laughing. "Yes! Yes Loki! It looks wonderful again. You even brought back the plants. Everything is as it was young prince." Shuri said with gratitude.
Loki looked away from the princess… noticing two other women in the area. "Who are they? Am I in trouble Princess?" He asked quietly, fear present in his hauntingly green eyes.
"No no! Loki, you are in no trouble. You are in the throne room of the palace." Shuri explained, her gaze followed the boy's own. Instantly her friendly tone changed. "This is my mother, the Queen of Wakanda. Queen Ramonda."
Loki looked at Shuri and the queen. He could feel the tension building between them.
"And this is Okoye, the general of Wakanda." Shuri introduced, her coldness toward her mother changed slightly warmer.
His thoughts changed instantly to how important the people in this room are.
"Oh my! I'm so sorry!" He instantly got up, and instantly regretted it. From seeing a pristine room and three people, the edges of his vision darkened. The room faded as he stumbled back a bit. Great. A head-rush. That's not what he needed while he was in front of royalty.
"Loki! Are you alright?" Shuri exclaimed.
As fast as his eyesight left, it came back. He saw Princess Shuri looking on in concern. "Yes, I'm good. Just got up too fast, I'm okay." He quickly answered.
Loki looked to the two others in the room, remembering that the two most important people were still in the room. That he was in the throne room.
"Queen Ramonda, General Okoye," He greeted. Bowing a bit at the hips with his arms crossing across his chest respectfully. "I am Loki Odinson, Prince of New Asgard." He finished.
The queen's eyes went from him to her daughter, yet she said nothing to him.
Awkwardly, he lowered his arms and his back lined with tension. He sifted foot to foot without realising it. His right hand messing with his left, Loki's nervous tick.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Prince Loki." General Okoye spoke up with a clear of her throat. Clearly she could sense the tension in the room as well.
"Mother, don't you have anything to say?" Shuri snipped, her arms folded on each other, pure annoyance all over her.
Queen Ramonda only watched the boy.
"Um… your highness. I mean you no disrespect but… i've come here to ask for he-"
"I know why you are here child." She spoke for the first time.
Loki flinched quite a bit. Did he say something wrong? "Oh… okay your highness. Well, I know this will sound crazy, but someone called Bast made a deal. It was for-"
"Why did you come here. Prince Loki." She interrupted again.
"Mother!" Shuri yelled, stepping next to Loki. "You know everything! I've told you what happened, what Bast promised him. We must-"
"It's okay… really." Loki chimed in, but his voice was drowned out.
"How do I know you're not lying, Shuri? You've always wanted to help the outside, why wouldn't you lie!"
"Oh yea, I just made up the hall coming back! Made up the plant coming back!"
"Princess Shuri please… It's okay really." He tried again.
"It wasn't this- this child! It was Bast, she was the one who gave us the plant in the first place, why wouldn't she just fix it?"
"Had she fixed it before today!? She couldn't! She needed him!"
"It's fine, really. I think it would be best if I left…" Loki said as the two kept arguing. They clearly didn't hear him or notice him stepping back. All but one person.
The other women in the room met his gaze and tilted her head toward the door. Loki nodded with a slight giggle.
He looked back to the princess and queen. The two very much still in their heated conversation.
The women, Okoye, walked to the large doors and opened them enough for both to get through. Aiming to be as silent as possible. Loki looked back to make sure the two wouldn't notice. He hoped this wasn't to rude... and that Princess Shuri would understand, plus they were only going to wait outside... so.
The two slipped out and Loki sighed a sigh of relief. He hates arguing...
"You look glad to be out." General Okoye said with her own sigh of relief.
"That obvious?" Loki asked with a slightly nervous but relieved smile.
"I've heard them argue before, I suppose I'm used to it."
Loki looked at Lady Okoye, he noticed something different… "Lady Okoye, is it okay if I ask you something?"
She looked at him in her perip, she was calmly leaving against the wall next to the throne room doors. Hand still gripping the large spear that Loki recognized all the other guards and warriors carry with them.
After some consideration she nodded.
"Why is your armor gold and not silver?"
She huffed a small laugh. "Out of all the questions you ask, you ask about the color of my armor?"
Loki felt his cheeks get red. Was it a stupid question?
"Since I am the leader of the army, the gold is a way for others to know my position."
Loki nodded, having his answer.
"Plus I look better in gold." Lady Okoye added very seriously.
That got a laugh out of him. "That you do. Gold suits you."
"Great! You scared him off!" Shuri yelled after seeing two people missing from the room. Because of course her mother would be able to scare not only a new friend but scare someone who has magic she really wanted to study. Plus it's a deal with Bast! She said they would help him and instead he's met with suspicion and is now gone.
"Why do you support this child? You've only known him for a day!"
She gaped. "Why do I- are you- why do I support Loki? Cause he's powerful! He has abilities I can only dream of studying! He's someone who's suffered just as much as us, if not more!"
Her mother only scoffed. Turning away and walking back toward the throne.
"His magic sent him to us, he didn't know where he was going! He didn't come to us because of our herb or vibranium or tech. He came to us because he is looking for help." Shuri continued, following her mother.
"I don't understand mother… why? Why won't you let us help him? His people?" She asked as her mother sat upon the throne.
"Mother please! Bast promised him we would help! What about him makes you not want to fulfill the promise she made to him?"
"Because we couldn't even help ourselves!" Her mother yelled back. The normally calm yet strong demeanor of her mother was gone. All that was left was angry, sad and grieving women. "We tried to help and we lost hundreds of our own. We lost… we lost your brother. I can't help our own… how am I supposed to help him?"
Her mother hadn't spoken about the snap since it had happened. She refused to speak about it. Shuri… she never thought about the snap in that way. She knew it took people, and her brother… of course she mourned but she didn't want that to stop what her brother wanted.
"Mother… just because we lost once… doesn't mean we will lose again." Shuri spoke up softly. She stepped closer. "Bast sees something in this child. And she was right, he healed our burned land and only wishes for help." Her mother looked up. "T'Challa would help him, even if the boy hadn't done anything. You and I both know that."
"I know he would have helped."
"Then let's help them! We will help New Asgard, they don't know earth and they have nothing… please mother."
Her mother breathed in, ready to respond and Shuri knew what it would be.
"Please mother, for T'Challa…"
She didn't want to pull that card but if she was right, then that would get the help her friend needed. And an amazing alliance that would be best to form. Helping New Asgard would be the best for everyone and it really would be what her big brother would do. She knows T'Challa would have helped, so why not her mother and her?
Her mother sighed. It was definitely tired but Shuri still hoped…
"For T'Challa." Her mother nodded.
Shuri ran the last steps, arms reaching around her mother. A happy and relieved smile on her face. She didn't see it but her mother did roll her eyes.
"I don't hear yelling anymore." Loki pointed out. He was sitting down, his knees drawn up to his chest. He had his hand out and had a little bit of green light dancing between his finger tips.
"Want to go back inside then?" Lady Okoye asked, she still stood but did watch the magic intently.
Loki clenched his fist, stoking out the magic. "Yes, if you think we can go back, Lady Okoye. " He nodded.
She laughed a bit. "Why do you say 'Lady' it is just Okoye."
He flushed, not realizing it was weird. "Oh… I didn't… um- I apologize if it's rude. For my people all women are ladies, no matter what they do. It is considered respectful to my people." Loki explained quickly.
La- Okoye nodded in understanding. "Different cultures, I get it. You may call me that if you wish."
Loki smiled. "Thank you. Lady Okoye."
Their attention was brought back to their surroundings when the door clicked open. Princess Shuri standing in the doorway, a huge smile on her face.
"From the looks of it, I would say you got your mother to agree to hear him." Lady Okoye joked.
"Yes! I did! Come Loki, you must speak with my mother." Shuri grabbed Loki's wrist and quickly lifted him up, dragging him back into the throne room. Lady Okoye watched on with a slight smile on her face.
The princess dragged him to the center of the room, Queen Ramonda sat on her throne, Lady Okoye took her place behind the queen. Still holding onto her vibranium spear.
"Queen Ramonda." Loki greeted, forming an X over his chest once more. This time however, she nodded in acknowledgement.
"Prince Loki, of New Asgard. I have heard what you've done for my people… Princess Shuri speaks of your people's hardships. Please, I would ask you to tell me yourself what is going on and what's happened to them."
Loki tensed up again, but did nod. "My home was destroyed… a woman named Hela took over Asgard and the only way to defeat her was to destroy the realm of Asgard. She killed many of my people and the rest escaped on a ship. My brother thought Midgard would be the best place to come too. But… but someone attacked the ship, killing half the refugees."
Princess Shuri listened on, her face conveying sadness. Lady Okoye looked as straight faced as before but something in her eyes gave away her horror.
"I had taken people to escape pods and they escaped but I stayed behind. To help my brother. He tells me I… it's going to sound crazy but… I saved him and died doing so."
Queen Ramonda's eyebrow raised up in suspicion. Same for Lady Okoye.
"I was an adult and when I came back, I came back as this," He gestured to himself. "I know not how I came back but I am here now. My people made it here and started setting up a small settlement. It's small now… only a few wood buildings and tents… that's why I came here. I focused my magic to find help and it led me here! Your people's buildings look like home to me so I know it would look like something familiar to my people. I hope that you would be willing to help us build our home, in return I will help Princess Shuri in her tech. I promise." Loki finished. A feeling of hope rushing through him as the queen seemed to think of his request.
After a moment she looked back at him. "Prince Loki. You ask for our help and I see no reason to reject you. Bast promised you our help for you healing the hall. Which you did. For your help, Wakanda will offer its support. All I ask, as queen, is for an alliance with New Asgard." Queen Ramonda spoke.
"Yes! Of course! You will have an alliance with New Asgard for your help." Loki agreed instantly. His eyes shone more brightly than before. He did it! He just formed a powerful alliance and got help for his people!
He turned and looked at Princess Shuri, she had her own smile.
"I give you my thanks, your highness." Loki said as he looked back to the queen.
"Princess Shuri will give what you need to begin your people's construction." Queen Ramonda spoke, nodding to her daughter.
"Of course mother. We will make preparations immediately. Come Prince Loki, we have much to discuss."
The young prince nodded and clearly couldn't contain his excitement. Loki smiled and nodded to Lady Okoye, she returned it. Princess Shuri and Loki bowed once more then took their leave.
Both buzzing with ideas.
Loki had been gone for two some odd days now. And Thor still waited. Sure he went home to sleep but he did leave the work of New Asgard to Valkyrie.
"You deserve a break Thor. Just wait for your brother and leave everything to me."
Part of him wanted to tell her no. That there was too much work to do in New Asgard but he decided against it. Thor trusted Valkyrie, so he would leave the work to her. Thor knows he can trust her while he waits.
And with work being handled, that's what Thor did. He waited and waited. Thor would sit by the ocean and once he got tired enough, he would go home and sleep. He wishes he knew where Loki went at the very least.
He had to admit that working on New Asgard for the past 5 months straight was more than exhausting. Thor was happy to have a little brake.
It was a nice day at the coastline. Thor sat, watching the sun rise once more.
"Come on Loki…" Thor muttered quietly.
He still found humor in 'get help' and the fact that the one time Thor didn't want Loki getting help, his little brother goes off to wherever he is.
He hopes his brother is okay…
After getting him back, he doesn't want something happening so soon to Loki's new life. Thor knows there is no reason to be so protective of him… but something is making him. He still has the memories of him and his brother growing up, and has memories of the issues and problems. He just doesn't want what happened to Loki before to happen again.
His thoughts were quickly interrupted by someone shaking his arm. He jumped and looked to the person, his reflex of a fight dying quickly. At his side was Valkyrie, a sly smile on her face.
"Come Thor! We must leave, your brother has returned."
Thor shot up quickly and the two took off toward town. They both ran and made it to the tent filled town square. It seemed everyone was here. Thor could see some sort of light through the crowd.
Valkyrie and him pushed their way through, trying to find his brother who should be in the area.
"Come on people! Move!" Valkyrie yelled ahead of Thor. The people around the pair seemed to realize they were trying to get through and split a small path for them.
Thor's blue eyes searched ahead of him and Valkyrie to find anything that looked like his brother, but one thing he could see was some sort of portal.
The light that radiated off the small portal was his brother's familiar green.
"Loki!" Thor yelled into the crowd, seeing a small child with black hair, the child's back to him. A rush of nervousness hit him for some reason, he couldn't tell why…
Out of everyone's talking and noise, it seemed the boy heard him. He turned around, his amazing green eyes searched the crowd and eventually settled on Thor. A wide smile growing on his face. Loki turned back around and grabbed some young girls arm and started dragging her behind him, the portal dissipating.
"Brother! Guess what!" Loki said excitedly as he rushed into Thor's embrace. Thor laughed as he hugged his brother tight. Loki came back… his little brother is fine and got back home.
"What little one?" He responded finally releasing the small boy.
Loki looked up and a smirk formed on his face. The same 'i was right' smirk Thor remembers seeing on his face as they grew up.
"I got help." He said cockily.
Loki was buzzing with excitement!
He made it back, has the support of Wakanda, and now with Princess Shuri with him, they were going to do great things for New Asgard.
She immediately questioned the portal Loki made, hoping to get tests on his magic. He quickly told her she would, but after they went to New Asgard.
They stepped through the green portal and he saw home.
He was back home… sure he was gone for two maybe three days but he still missed it, especially if he just up and vanished on Thor.
Soon enough a huge crowd was all around him and the princess. He wasn't too surprised about that. Considering he used magic and the people were less then happy with boys using it… he knew he would hear an ear full from Thor about using magic in front of people and… and for leaving without telling him…
Loki would cross that bridge when he got there.
"Welcome to New Asgard, Princess Shuri." Loki said.
Her eyes scanned the area and the people. "You weren't lying about needed help… tents?" Shuri observed.
"No need to be rude, we will be fixing this place up with your help in no time." Loki sassed back.
The princess giggled a bit but nodded anyway. "I suppose you're right. My apologies Prince Loki." She said with a mock bow.
Loki laughed a bit but stopped.
"Loki!"
He knew he heard that. It was Thor but he didn't sound as mad as Loki thought he would. He turned and there his big brother was. He couldn't help it but besides expecting one hel of a punishment he smiled and ran to Thor. Not without grabbing Princess Shuri and leading her to meet King Thor as well. His magic automatically dissipated the portal.
"Brother! Guess what!" He yipped excitedly, happy to back with his brother.
"What little one?" Thor asked once he released him.
"I got help." Loki said with a sly smirk. He was waiting to say that!
"I can't believe we missed you." Lady Brunnhilde spoke up from behind Thor.
Loki was ready for a mind of wits off with Lady Brunnhilde but Shuri spoke up first. "King Thor, a pleasure to meet you properly." Princess Shuri said, stepping next to Loki.
"You know him?" Loki asked, eyes wide at the Wakandan.
"Not personally, but my brother knew him. I only saw glimpses of him fighting so technically this is my first time talking to him." Princess Shuri shrugged.
"You are the black panthers sister, yes?" Thor asked, kind of figuring out who she was.
"Yes, your highness. I am Princess Shuri." She introduced, forming an X over chest instinctually.
Loki smiled a bit. He closed his right hand into a fist and placed it over his heart, bowing a bit. "Hopefully I am not in too much trouble, King Thor." Loki said. He heard as Princess Shuri gave a small "oh."
"You are not little brother… I believe you were right in all of our fights…" Thor admitted.
"I- what? I'm sorry what did you say?" Loki stuttered. Really thinking he's hearing things.
"I said, you were right, brother. I should have let you help me. Instead of keeping you home, New Asgard could be so much more if I just let you help sooner."
"I swear I'm hearing things… but I think you not only apologized to me but also said I was right, I'm correct yes?"
"Okay little brother, now you're milking this." Thor said with a roll of his eyes, but did have a smile on his face.
"You bet I am. Now let us return home, we have much to discuss with Princess Shuri." Loki replied.
Loki was happy to be home but needed to focus on the project ahead. Introductions were held between the princess and Lady Brunnhilde, they seemed to form a quick bond. Princess Shuri told her of the warrior handmaids, and instantly they were having an interesting conversation on training and lessons.
Soon the quartet was in the small home.
"You live here?" Princess Shuri said, eyes looking around the small wooden shack really.
"Yea… for now anyway! Once we start building, everything will be much better than wood houses and tents." Loki said, walking to the kitchen table.
"I think you mean hut. These are not houses." Shuri said as she followed Loki.
"Are you gonna keep trash talking about my home or are we gonna start fixing it?" Loki said less than amused.
She held her hands up in surrender. "Okay," Shuri said as she slid off the black beads. "Let's get started shall we."