Chapter XXVIII
"World on fire"
Someday, Tony will definitely think that things could have gone better for him and his companions. But not today. No. Today it went south, even before they made their trip to the cold realm, Jotunheimr. Strangely, it wasn't Tony's fault, so no one could blame him for this. It was Thor's fault. But, back to the moment when everything went down the road.
It was a sunny morning on Alfheim since they decided to stay the night in Alvis's hermitage. Eir needed to regenerate her mojo and Alvis needed to gather proper tools to help Tony bring Loki back to life. The old elf beckoned at Tony to his private chamber and sat him down on a bed-look-alike but with lots of furs and leaves. Did Tony mention he feels like in Asterix and Obelix movies? He was. Alvis started to explain to him what they were about to do.
"You understand that his soul was away from the body for a long time now, Anthony?"
"Tony," he corrected him automatically. Only Loki could call him Anthony. "And where's the problem with that? I'm no mage, but a man of science. You have to tell me everything."
"Interfering with Death's matters is dangerous," Alvis continued, as he packed several bottles into his small, leather bag. "It is not liked by fates, Tony. You must remember this. However, I foresaw Loki's fate before. It was not his time to give up his life. This is why his soul could not find its peace after his body died. The bond that connected your threads is strong beyond anything I experienced in my long life. It is not easily breakable, this is why his spirit cannot enter any afterlife realm."
"That's my Lolo."
"But you must know, it will not be easy to bring him from the depths of his death. He may not come back as you know him, Tony."
"What do you mean?" he asked the elf with concern in his voice. He won't be the same? How come?
"The longer his soul is without a body, the more he may be reluctant to come back to the body we create for him," the older one responded, placing the last bottle in his sack. He placed the bag on the bedside table and sat next to Tony on his bed. He turned his body to the mortal and placed his hand upon Tony's heart, where the medallion with Loki's soul hung. Alvis closed his eyes and muttered something under his nose far too quiet for Tony to understand properly. Eventually, he hummed and opened his eyes again. "Yes, we do not have much time. We must hasten our go. The first thing in the morning we shall leave for Jotunheimr. We must start recreating Loki's body as soon as it will be possible."
"Recreate?"
"Loki's body burnt within the magic of Yggdrasil, correct?" Tony nodded to that. This was the version he learned from Thor. "We do not have anything to… work with. We must create his body from the very beginning."
"How do we do it? And why on Jotunheimr? I get it, it's Loki's place of birth since he is a Jotun, but what's there that can help us?"
"There is one story of how the first and second creature was born to the worlds. Each realm adapts it to their visionary of a god, Tony. You surely know it as well."
Tony pondered about it for a moment, going through every possible story about the beginning of the world he knew of. Suddenly something hit him like lightning when he understood Alvis's words. He couldn't possibly think about it, could it? He wants to play a god and create Loki's body from Tony's rib? That was crazy! And impossible, right? Even magic couldn't do so… abnormal thing, right?
Just when Tony wanted to voice his questions, Alvis excused himself and went to rest. Tony didn't want to be ungrateful for the help he was providing him with, so he went back to the main room to find his friends arguing about something.
"What's going on?"
"Tony, this is crazy," Banner addressed him, as Tony walked towards them. "You don't know this guy and we don't know what kind of dangers we will meet on Jotunheimr. Thor says that the people there may be reserved towards us since Thor led a battle there with Loki's dad and Loki tried to destroy the planet. I don't think it's safe for us to go there. They may kill us."
"I never forced you to come here with me," he barked at them. How could they not understand that it was his only chance to get Loki back?! Tony will do everything to get him back. "I only needed Thor and Eir. And now I just need Eir, if she's willing to come with me."
"Of course, Consort Stark," she quickly replied to him, standing behind Tony. "I will be by your side. I will protect you with my own life. It is my duty, Consort Stark."
"See? I have a protector. You can all go back home now."
Tony couldn't really expect his friends to agree. Although one could hope, right? The moment those words left his mouth another shout contest erupted in the middle of the room. The usual insults of his intelligence, the brilliancy of his plans, and the never-ending meaningful looks from Thor. At least he wasn't that opponent to this plan.
"Forget it!" Rhodey announced sternly. "I won't let you kill yourself for nothing."
It was harder than any punch he ever received. Tony took a step back, his face full of shock and hurt. Did his friends think Loki meant nothing to him? It seemed that Rhodey realized his slip-tongue and bit down on his lower lip before he took a cautious step closer to Tony. Stark took a step back.
"I'm sorry, Tones," he tried talking calmly. "I know that Loki meant much to you…"
"Everything," Stark interrupted him. "He means everything to me. There's no me without him, ok? I know you must think me crazy to be so dependent on him, but… you just don't understand us. I need him back. And if I have an opportunity to do so, none of you can stop me. So, either shut your mouth about us or go home. I can handle this on my own. I've been in worse situations before."
"We will go with you, friend Tony," Thor said; the only reasonable voice in this whole chaos. Tony was glad that his brother-in-law came with him here. "We will stand by you and do everything we can to bring my brother back to life."
No one dared to say anything else. With this plan, they went to rest before the morning travel.
Traveling to Jotunheimr went smoother than via Stormbreaker. Alvis walked them all through the secret passage between Alfheim and Jotunheimr. Before they stepped out of a cave, he advised them to pull the furs he collected for them. Tony tied his fur around his frame with the wire of leaves. It was as strong as a rope. It was probably enchanted or so. Or maybe there was some strong flora on Alfheim. With the proper clothing, they stepped out of the cave and were immediately hit with the freezing air. Sure, Tony was in Siberia, but this… Jotunheimr was freezing his bones. Alvis and Eir walked ahead of the team, Thor and Bruce behind them, with Rhodey, Nebula, and Tony at the end. Nebula was constantly teasing him about his red nose, while Rhodey's teeth were chattering.
Eventually, they stopped on an ice-land. The place was dark, but Tony was able to outline a few stalagmites here and there, and stuff made of ice. However, he couldn't continue his marvel over this place, as a blue-skinned figure emerged from the shadows and startled the whole group.
"Stand your places, intruders," a deep male voice boomed through space. When Tony was finally able to see the whole creature he was shocked. The man, a half-naked, blue man, was at least twenty feet tall. His body was muscular with markings decorating it from his face to his feet. Tony was familiar with such markings, he had seen them on Loki's body when he turned into his Jotun form twice. He had a good memory. His lower half was covered in a leather skirt-like and there were chains pinched to his ears and nipples. In any other circumstances, Tony could find this look quite enhancing, especially if Loki would sport it. The man's red eyes traveled between all Tony's companions. "Who are you?"
"I am King Thor of Asgard…"
"You shall die tonight, King Thor," the man interrupted him. "You killed many of my kind."
"I would like an audience with your king if you allow. As the king of New Asgard and the new Allfather, I would like to create new relations with Jotunheimr."
"New relations?" the Jotun laughed throatily. "You killed many of my kind and destroyed half of my realm. There will be no peaceful relations between Jotunheimr and New Asgard. And as soon as we learn where the New Asgard is, you shall expect revenge, king Thor." The Jotun made a small pause before he spoke to Thor again. "Or, perhaps, I shall kill you just now."
"King Helbindi," Alvis stepped in front of Thor and bowed to the Jotun. Tony, who learned a thing or two about etiquette from Loki, stepped in front as well and dropped to one knee before the king. The Jotun king regarded him with a curious look before his eyes traveled back to Alvis. "We come to ask you and your mother for help, if she still lives, your highness."
"Help from us?" Helbindi wondered loudly. "You have always been kind to my mother, Alvis of Alfheim. However, I cannot aid you, if you ally yourself with a pest, who tried to destroy my home realm. You know your way out of Jotunheimr, Alvis."
With that, Helbindi turned on his heel and stepped away from the group. Tony acted instinctually. He got up from his position and ran after the Jotun king. He grabbed him by his leg and made him stop. Helbindi turned back to him and frowned at Tony.
"Please," he said in a broken voice. "You are my last hope. I need your help. Please, don't look through the actions of the past. I beg you for help, king Helbindi. I can offer you whatever you want to in exchange for your aid. Whatever I can provide from Earth or any other realm."
"Who are you, mortal?"
"I'm Tony Stark from Earth and I need your help."
"A mortal?" another, more female voice reached his ears. A moment later the voice was connected with an equally tall female frost giant, who joined them. When Tony looked over her, he spotted the same jewelry decorating her ears and neck, as Helbindi had only hers were full of crystal blue gems. She wore something similar to a short skirt and a bra. Her breasts were covered by black leather material, tied at the front and she had the same skirt-like as Helbindi. Her marks weren't close to what Helbindi or Loki had, they were lighter. Her scarlet eyes were eyeing Tony from head to toe. "How did you find yourself here, mortal?"
"Queen Farbuati," Alvis stepped closer to him and the giants and bowed his head to her. "I'm pleased to see you as a survivor of Thanos's action."
"Alvis of Alfheim," she greeted him back. "What brings you and this mortal to my home?"
"We are in need of your help, my Queen."
From there, Alvis started to explain what they would require from them, with Tony providing a small story of how Loki died and how they were bonded by Freyja. Queen Farbuati was nodding to this, as tears pooled into her eyes when Alvis revealed that Loki is her firstborn. Oh. So, Tony just met his other mother-in-law and a brother-in-law. From a non-existent family, he suddenly has two new brothers and a mother. Well, maybe after everything will be fixed, they can start knowing each other better as a family. When Alvis and Tony were done with explaining the whole thing, Farbauti decided to help them, if only Thor and the rest of their band would be sent back home. They were very reluctant to leave the place, trying to plead with the Jotun king and queen, but they didn't want Thor anywhere near them. The rage was still boiling inside of them, even though it was not Thor who tried to destroy the realm with Bifrost's magic. In the end, Alvis advised Tony to not mention it was Loki's doings, otherwise they may have gone back on their help.
With only Eir and Nebula left, Tony, Alvis, Eir, and Queen Farbuati began their work on recreating Loki's body. With the ice of Jotunheimr and strange nature-magic, Alvis created something that looked like a cradle of Helen Cho. The one where Vision's body came to life. When it was done, Farbuati, as Loki's birth mother, was asked to put her blood inside of it, as same as a part of her own flesh. Tony then realized that Alvis didn't make a joke about this Adam and Eve story. He truly wanted to create Loki's body from Farbuati's flesh. Of course, she didn't cut off her rib. No. What she did cut out was a part of the skin on her hip. Tony was fascinated by how she healed herself immediately with ice that was coming out of her palm. He started to talk with her and Helbindi about their ice powers and wondered whether Loki had the same when he was in his blue form. When the cradle was ready with blood and flesh, Tony gave the medallion with Loki's soul to Alvis and let him do his work. The elf informed him that this kind of magic may go for days, even months, seeing as he isn't as young now. Tony didn't mind. It could last even years for all he cares, as long as he gets to cuddle the skinny ass of his spouse once more. He could wait.
"When I birthed him, I could fit him in my palm," Farbuati joined him in his usual evening's sitting by the cradle. The golden magic of Alvis was pulsing around it, as Loki's body was creating itself again. The cradle was hidden by the ice, so Tony couldn't see much. But he felt it was working, at least he hoped so. "He was so small. It was unusual for a Jotun to be so small. But he was so beautiful and mine. I loved him from the moment I realized he's growing inside of me."
Tony didn't reply to her, but he listened to her calming voice.
"When I birthed him… I only held him for a moment before Laufey took him away from me. I went into labor in the dawn of the war with Asgardians. It was such an unfortunate time to be born, but my Loptr wanted to join this world," she continued. Yes, throughout the last few weeks that Tony was here, he learned the real, Jotun name of his lover. Loptr. This was the name that was chosen for him. Similar to Loki. Perhaps Odin knew about it then? "Laufey took him from me and told me, he will hide him. But he fooled me. He told me that Loptr died because he was too small for being a Frost Giant. A runt among his kind. I grieved for my sweet baby for so long. He was my firstborn. After the battle, Laufey, who was pronounced the king then, as his father died in a battle against Borr, was quick to impregnate me again. My other children were born from me, but some of our sons were born out of Laufey himself. Helbindi is my youngest and the only one who survived Asgard's attack and the snap."
"Wait…" Tony caught on her words. "Laufey… that's Loki's father? A male right?" Farbauti nodded to that. "Then how could he have been born Helbindi?"
"Jotuns… in the aftermath of the first battle with Asgardians, when most of us were slaughtered, it turned out that there were only a few, precisely three females who lived. Two of them were or too old to bear children and one was too young to do so. And so, males bodies started to develop proper mechanisms to bear children to prolong the kind," she explained with a small smile. "All of the Jotuns are able to bear children, Tony. Loki as well."
"Holly shit…"
"It was a natural need to survive and prolong our kind," she finished, looking at Loki's cradle. "I wish I could see my boy grow up to be the king he deserves to be. He is after all the firstborn of Laufey, even if he wasn't… he killed Laufey, so he could easily take his place."
"You know?"
"There was one trait I shared with my firstborn, Tony," Farbauti stood up, towering above Tony, and took a step to the exit. "I have the same magic as him. I could easily connect my mind to another Jotun like I did that night when Laufey went to kill Odin. I saw how Loptr… Loki killed him, protecting Odin."
"So why did you agree to help us, if you know what Loki did?"
"He is my son."
Recreating Loki's body took seventeen more days. At least Tony counted them like that, seeing as the day wasn't much different from the night, the only difference was the moon shining in far. Nebula found out from Helbindi, who very officially had hots for her, that their day lasts longer when the moon is further from the realm. Apparently, it wasn't moving like Earth's moon. During their stay on Jotunheimr, Helbindi started to make official advances on Nebula. Using the natural magic of theirs, he shrinks himself to six-foot height, so he wasn't that much towering and started to court her, as Loki would say. At first, Nebs wasn't very into him, but as the days passed she found herself smiling around him. At least she was happy.
On the final day, when Alvis announced that Loki's body was ready, he pushed his soul into the body inside the cradle and decided that now it was Loki's time to wake up. It took another five days, but eventually, Alvis opened the cradle and presented them with Loki's blue, full Jotun body. Loki was breathing, his chest raised and fell. His body was unmoving, but his eyes were making small movements behind his closed lids. Finally, after what it seemed forever, Loki opened his eyes and stared ahead.
Tony took a cautious step closer to him and leaned over the cradle to look into his now red eyes. However, instead of the usual fire in his eyes and the spark of love he had for Tony, Stark saw nothing but emptiness in them. Loki crossed his eyes with him and stared, lips pressed in a thin line.
"Baby? Loki? Can you hear me? Loki?"
But the god didn't give a single sign of coherency, not even when Tony moved to place his hand into his, despite the cold. Eventually, with eyes still crossed with Tony's, Loki opened his mouth and let out a single, dreadful word.
"Dead."