Dear Readers,

I hope you enjoy this chapter, I will do my best to post weekly, but it might take longer.

I appreciate the reviews of ThePhoenixandtheDragon and everyone that has left a review throughout the story.

I look forward to reading your reviews.

vonny25

Necessary Travel.

Loki finished the registration of all citizens a month after the rescue mission. He thought there had to be a more efficient way to do it. He had no plans to give the citizens identification cards until he figured a way to automate the process. At first, he thought about Midgard as it was so close, but discarded the idea as the planet did not accept credits.

He decided to talk to Angrboda about the problem. Angrboda listened to Loki carefully. She responded, "We can buy basic thinking machines at Saakar, for very little, but they will be used and possibly needing repairs. We could go to Kylos where we can get new machines, we'll pay a bit more, but they will be ready to go."

Loki considered the pros and cons of each possibility and finally said, "Let us start at Kylos. We can at least buy what we will need to run the realm there. Depending on the price, we will buy what we need to educate the children and citizens either at Kylos or Saakar." Angrboda said, "That sounds like a solid plan. Who will you be taking with you?" He considered it and said, "I wish I could take Byleistr and Kari, but I do not think it is a good idea. Byleistr needs to stay here to govern while I am gone and give the people a sense of continuity. As for Kari, it might be too dangerous. Of course, I hope you will agree to go with me."

Loki explained the plan to Byleistr, who said, " I understand Loki, and it humbles me that you have so much confidence in me. But are you sure I am ready to govern?" Loki said, "You will have the help of Lady Atla as well as Lord Baugi and Lady Fenja, who are part of our advisory council. We did grant them noble titles, so it is their responsibility to help you while I am away."

Explaining things to Kari was not as straight forward. Still, she accepted the departure of Loki as Byleistr would be staying with her. Besides, Loki promised to get her a present. The morning of the departure, Loki walked to the launching tower with his brother and sister. Angrobda had already boarded with the rest of the crew members. Loki hugged his brother, who said, "I will strive to make you proud, Brother." Loki smiled and, taking a step back while positioning his hands on Byleistr's shoulders. He said, "I am already proud of you, Brother." Then he crouched and picked up Kari for a final goodbye. Kari said, "I'll miss you, Loki, don't forget to get me my present." Loki laughed and responded. "I will miss you too, and worry not getting you a present is one of my priorities."

While Loki was thriving in the new life, he was forging for himself; Thor was not as lucky. As Loki was launching in his space ship, Thor was sitting brooding in his bedroom. He wondered where he went wrong. After avenging his mother and saving Midgard from the Dark Elves, Lady Jane had dumped him, saying that lifestyle was not for her. To keep his dignity, he had told everyone that it was a mutual decision.

Thor had returned to Asgard, intending to abdicate the throne. Only for his father to have a fit telling him how irresponsible he was before putting him under house arrest. He was only allowed to leave the family quarters to attend council meetings with his father and other tedious obligations. On top of that, after dinner, he had to participate in daily lessons with his father. He wondered if his bad luck was due to letting his brother die for him.

Odin was not pleased with Thor. What was the boy thinking? Trying to abandon his responsibilities towards his people. He thought he had brought him up better than that. Besides, there was no one else to take Asgard's throne with Loki dead and Hela imprisoned. He supposed he could consider freeing Hela under certain conditions. Still, he would rather have Thor take the mantle of All-Father when his time came.

The All-Father wondered if he had been wrong in stopping Hela. If he had let Hela continue to conquer realms and planets, Frigga most probably would still be with him. Hela would have also talked him out of adopting a Frost Giant. While he had loved Loki, the boy had given him more problems than what he was worthed. Besides, a frost Giant could never be a King of Asgard. Maybe if he had let his boys destroy Jotunheim, the Dark Elves would have been too afraid to attack Asgard.

Odin sighed. There was no point in double guessing his action from the past. The best he could do now was make sure that Thor was ready for the throne. The problem being that Odin now realized he had been wrong in seeking peace. Peace was for the weak, and that was the reason he lost his beloved Frigga. If Odin had helped Loki conquer Midgard, maybe Frigga would be alive today. He made his way towards Thor's room with heavy steps to start a new lesson for his son.

Loki woke up to the smell of food, and after washing and dressing, he walked towards the dining area. He found Angrboda already eating her breakfast and went and sat at her table. A young woman came with a plate of food for him. Loki said, "Thank you, Fala." Fala curtsied and said, "You are welcome your majesty."

Angrboda smiled at Loki and said, "Good morning; how did you sleep?" "As well as can be expected while being away from home. What about you, my love?" responded Loki. Angrboda said, "Well, I am excited about visiting Kylos, which kept me awake for a while. I was also thinking that if we do end up going to Saakar, I will see my friend Val. I miss her, you know, she is like a big sister to me."

Loki took a few bites of his food and then, looking at Angrboda, said, "If you convince Val to join us, you know she is welcome. I will even grant her a noble title." Angrboda laughed good-naturedly and said, "I don't think Val cares for noble titles. But are you serious? You would let her join us despite her being Asgardian." Loki said, "But of course, she has skills that would be useful to our kingdom. I do not think that we should limit ourselves to accept only Skufelse as citizens, but anyone that needs a home and has something to offer to our people."

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