A.N. Hello all still figuring out my update schedule so I'll get that on my profile as soon as I can! Hope you all enjoy this chapter, it is a little long. The story will pick up pace in chapter three or four, it's very exposition heavy these first few chapters. Please let me know your thoughts!

Chapter Two

1880 AD- Asgard

Astrid watched the furrowed brows of the students before her, they all were focusing on the flowers before them. Their teacher stalked the front of the room explaining in detail how transference works. The students hovered their hands over the pale pink flowers, and slowly a glow filled the room from their magic.

Astrid watched with a smile as the flowers slowly transformed, some into beautiful bright butterflies, others turned theirs into a more vibrant flower; some even had the petals of the flowers float gently to the table in a steady stream.

The click of their instructor's steps stopped abruptly; the woman faced Astrid a frown on her face. "Is this too advanced for you, Astrid?" She hissed, her lips curling into a sneer worthy of the ugliest beasts.

Since Astrid began her studies, she had excelled in magic. In fact, she often found herself bored in lessons going over enchantments and spells she had learned long ago in her ventures through the palace library. But this was the only instructor she had that refused to allow her to move forward to more advanced courses.

Astrid smirked at the woman, a lazy grin stretchy across her face.

"You're the expert, why don't you asses my skill?" Astrid pointed a finger at the plant before her, it rose lazily in the air before a puff of confetti covered the room in a faint glimmering pink sparkle. The instructor opened her mouth to speak, but Astrid wasn't finished. With another flick of her finger it changed again, the glitter rising from the floor and pulsing in new life, a swarm of bright butterflies flew past the students finally getting their attention.

Astrid smiled her body humming from the energy she wielded, she pushed further the butterflies began to merge their forms becoming denser, their bright pink color shifting and turning into a deep multicolored black. Ravens began to swarm around the room their cries reverberating across the hall.

Astrid smiled closing her fists and a flurry of dark feathers fell overhead leaving the room littered with the object. The instructor didn't make a sound her fists clenched at her sides, her deep eyes burned into Astrid's. She met her gaze with a smirk, baiting her into saying something back.

Without another word she raised her finger to the door, that damned sneer returning on her face. Astrid rose from her seat her back straight, and piled her books into her satchel her hands shaking from anger. She made her way to the doorway but not before turning back, she titled her head at the woman a smirk beginning to make its way on her face.

"It's unbefitting of a woman of your age to be jealous." With that she stormed out of the building her chest getting heavy with each step. She felt the beginnings of rage begin to bloom, the further she got from the academy the more her body burned from anger.

Astrid wasn't sure where she was headed, and merely let her body take her where she needed to be. Her mind tormented her of the sneers of that woman, the way she mocked her dreams of research of knowing. Astrid stopped suddenly, the heat curling in her chest suddenly caving as the scent of flowers engulfed her senses.

Frigga's garden, as tranquil and beautiful as always. The scent of flowers perfumed the air, enough so to make one crave the pleasure of smelling it, but never so powerful to overindulge the nose. Astrid felt that anger begin to fade, and instead that same wonder she had as a child filled her.

She soon found herself absentmindedly touching the flowers, and collecting a few admiring their beauty and scent. After a while she sat under a tree the branches giving her ample shade as she weaved the flowers into a crown. Her face grew hot at the memories of searching for a certain Prince of Asgard in the gardens.

Astrid had been wandering the gardens during another one of her many visits to the palace. Her mother and the other women were busy doing who knows what, and Astrid was resigned to waiting in the halls.

Which meant Astrid was wandering again, after her first venture in the gardens she found herself drawn to its tranquility. She was soon humming happily to herself collecting flowers as she weaved them into a crown. She beamed at it and looked over her shoulder making sure no one would see her.

She then placed the object on her head and twirled happily in the garden, she giggled and imagined the most elaborate dress and a scepter! She turned once more to find the smirking prince behind her.

Astrid froze her heart racing as she met those cool blue eyes. His smirk deepened as he took a step towards her and tapped his cool fingers against her forehead.

"Nice crown, should I be worried?" Astrid's face was reaching violent levels of heat as she tore her eyes away from the prince. She fidgeted with the hem of her shift before taking a deep breath and meeting Loki's eyes with a sudden calmness. The ten-year-old girl reached up to the crown and placed it against the prince's head.

Trying hard not to tremble as her fingers brushed against his dark hair, Loki looked down at her in surprise. Something flickered across his face before being placed by that smug look that only Loki could manage.

"Never hand over a crown." He reached for the crown on his head, but it was Astrid's turn to smirk.

"I am not, it's a loan."

Astrid skipped away but not before hearing the soft snicker of the prince as she left.

Astrid felt her face grow hot at the memory of her boldness, she was never one to shy away from people, but she was rendered a complete idiot in the presence of the prince. Astrid groaned at the secondhand embarrassment (from an event that took place five years ago but embarrassment nonetheless).

She leaned against the ivy-covered wall the trees providing filtered shade. Her hands buzzed from the magic around her, and it surprisingly didn't comfort her. It made her angry, she wanted to be taken seriously.

She had this deep desire to know how things worked, why she could tap into the energy provided by the universe. In what ways can they be harnessed, what it all meant. She had so many questions and thoughts on the matter, but her age was holding her back.

Astrid huffed out another sigh lying on the grass and staring up into the blue sky, she clenched her fists and just released that energy building up inside her. A strong gush of magic pulsed from her body and throughout the garden shaking the trees and bushes around her, the garden was suddenly alive with a violent song.

Astrid sat up her eyes widening at the sight of it, leaves traveled down from the tree the greens almost blinding her. She looked up again in a mixture of wonder and horror at the once full green tree now sparse from the violence of her power.

"That was a perfectly good tree." A voice drawled snapping Astrid out of her trance, her eyes slowly left the tree and her face immediately grew hot. Leaning casually against another tree stood Loki, his pale blue eyes sparkled with their usual mischief. But something else lied beneath those beautiful eyes, and Astrid wasn't quite sure what it was.

"I-I was angry." She stuttered, her mouth suddenly forgetting it's basic function in the presence of Loki. He smirked stepping closer, analyzing her as he did his face contorting from its usual mischievous to one of curiosity.

"Why." He didn't say it as a question but a statement, a demand not a request. Astrid frowned but indulged him either way.

"They're limiting me, they think I am too young to understand. That I am not…that I lack the power they want from me. Because I don't have the sight." Astrid mumbled out the last part, the embarrassment getting to her. She knew she wasn't gifted in the way her uncle and mother were, and she saw the disappointment everywhere she went.

But she was powerful, that was clear. It was like they were purposely keeping her behind, trying to subdue the powers he had.

"I know I am young I hear it every day, but I will not be limited by their lack of ambition." Astrid braved a glance at Loki, and she saw something she had never seen in him. In all of her days of trailing the prince and searching for him she had never seen this look from him.

It was understanding, as if he too understood the burden of being so vastly different from the others. What it was to want and to crave it with all of your being, Astrid knew her ambition would get in her way one day. But at that moment she felt bold, she dared a step closer to Loki her eyes burning with a fire.

"And I will learn, and you will teach me." Loki locked eyes with her for a moment before a laugh escaped him.

"I'm sorry that was adorable, you truly think I'd waste my time teaching a child?" Astrid rose to the challenge, her face never betraying her the embarrassment she may have felt speaking to him a moment ago was gone. When Astrid put her mind to something, she would not yield, and this moment was no different.

"You, Loki, desire much more than you are given. Imagine how valuable it'd be to have a seer by your side, one that hails from a powerful family." Astrid watched carefully, biting her cheek at her brazen response.

Loki looked down at her, something dangerous flickering in his eyes. "You should think very carefully about what leaves your mouth next."

Astrid smirked up at Loki, "I know precisely what I said, and you should think twice before underestimating me. I do not worship at your alter Loki, you lost the appeal about three minutes ago."

With a sharp turn, Astrid walked out of the garden her shoulders set back, and her head held high. She was going to be a force to be reckoned with.

As Astrid walked from the garden Loki smirked at the girl storming out the garden her braid whipping behind her as she went.

She was going to be powerful, and he intended to keep someone like that in his corner.

1882 AD – Asgard

"You intend to do what?"

Astrid fought back the witty retort she had saved for the reaction, and instead focused on writing down her observations of the material before her. After getting her mother and uncle to intervene she was now in the highest level of classes in the academy. Currently, she was studying elements and how magic could be imbued into other materials, and it fascinated her.

Astrid was already planning the next twenty years of education, her plans were to study beyond. She had already looked into the theoretical works of the dark magic her family possessed, the one that laid stubbornly dormant inside of her. If was the very magic that was prevalent in the universe, but there was little on how it worked.

The thought alone made Astrid giddy, but she quelled her excitement, instead focusing on her friends tone. "Do you have such little faith in me Tara?"

Her friend shrugged returning back to her own notes, Astrid waited about four seconds before Tara began her argument.

"It's not that I don't think you're excellent at the sword I just think…" She trailed off before suddenly meeting Astrid's eyes. "You cheat a lot."

Astrid let out a loud bark of laughter, causing the rest of their classmates to turn to their table. Astrid turned to her friend her golden eyes shimmering, "That's exactly why I want to go."

Tara just rolled her eyes knowing well that she was better off letting Astrid cause whatever mischief she intended to cause, it was far safer than being on the end of it.

Astrid liked sword fighting, she was nowhere near as good as the others her age. But she loved the theatrics of it, and now was that time.

Astrid twirled the sword in her hand, a smirk beginning to make its way on her face. Sweat was beaded at her forehead and began its trek down her face as she circled her opponent. He watched her carefully, his shoulders rounded in an almost predatory stance.

Astrid met his cool grey eyes her smirk stretching into a full smile. "Was that all you got?"

The young man charged forward with a snarl, she darted to the side bringing her sword down and slicing through his belt. His pants fell to his ankles and the other students laughed in their hands, Astrid gasped in mock surprise.

"Oh Finn, my sincere apologies." His face turned a ripe shade of red as he fumbled to lift his trousers and keep his sword in hand. Astrid flashed him a wink as he walked out of the center, she brushed a strand of hair from her face and met the eye of her instructor. He eyed her he usually did with casual disdain and a touch of amusement.

She understood after all, whenever she took his classes, she was known for making a scene. It was hard for her not too, she found immense pleasure in sending young men flat on their asses.

The instructor gave a sympathetic look to the fumbling young man and took the sword from him. "Have no shame Finn, you fought with honor. Now, let's see Astrid stand her ground…without resulting in childish tricks."

Astrid put her hand on her chest with mock sincerity as she said to the instructor, "Sir, I believe you are right. To prove that I value this art I choose to fight Bodvar!" She pointed her sword to her old friend, they hadn't spoken to one another in years, but he was the second-best fighter in that class. He was definitely the burliest of the bunch, but nowhere near the sheer power of Ingrid.

Astrid shuttered at the sharp brown eyes of the woman, she smiled at Astrid as if reading her thoughts. Astrid was thrown across the room by her once and she was not actively looking to have it happen again. But if anything, else Bodvar was easy on the eyes it'd be her pleasure to fight him.

Bodvar smiled grabbing his axe as he sauntered down to where Astrid stood waiting. He wasn't hulking muscle, but he was definitely in good shape. His bicep was roughly the size of Astrid's head and he rose a good head taller than she was. His light brown eyes shined in that same hunger Finn had, she smiled back albeit flirtatiously; it was one of her weapons.

"Go easy on me handsome." She winked, Bodvar roared out a laugh but smiled none the less.

"You're beautiful Astrid, but I've got a point to prove now. Have to prove that witches are better off studying"

Astrid blinked back at him, "I retract my previous statement." The instructor rolled his eyes signaling them to pay attention, Astrid flashed another wink at Bodvar who stalked around her his eyes sizing her up.

Astrid knew she wasn't the most threatening looking; she was shorter than most of the other warriors, but it gave her a better center of gravity. She didn't have their muscle mass, but she was lean and fast, and that was enough. Bodvar lunged forward and Astrid lowered herself waiting till he was just near her before dodging to the side and brining the butt of her sword down towards his ribs.

Bodvar grunted, a quick smile flashed on his face before he turned and brought his axe down, Astrid caught it with her sword her arms shaking at the sheer strength of his blow. She shifted her feet letting his weight come down on to her and turning out of the way sliding under his arm and letting him crash to the ground. Bodvar rose to his feet quickly his eyes narrowed as he came at her again, Astrid skirted past the stripes of sword dodging his attacks easily. Before swiping her legs under his, he jumped easily bringing down his axe again. She caught it in the nick of time another grunt leaving her mouth as she struggled to hold him back, he pushed harder forcing her towards the ground.

Astrid blew the air in frustration her black hair floating before falling back into her face. She dropped her arm letting his axe crash in the ground behind her before rolling between his parted legs and kicking the small of his back, sending him crashing towards the ground. He rose again just as Astrid got back to her feet.

"I'll admit you're not bad." Astrid boasted, Bodvar eyed her an exasperated look on his flushed face.

"Aren't you the least bit tired?" He rasped, Astrid shrugged flashing another wink at him.

But the amusement was gone, Bodvar rolled his shoulders before bringing his axe down in relentless swings, there was no room for Astrid to dodge just face it taking blow after blow, her arms were beginning to shake. He kept raining down attacks, his tanned skin flushed red as he roared with each strike.

Astrid cursed her cockiness she usually fought with a shield, but at this moment it wouldn't matter. She managed to push him back for a second and landed a kick in his side. Bodvar took it grabbing her leg and throwing her back, Astrid groaned hitting the ground hard.

She got to her knees breathing hard as Bodvar stalked forward, suddenly something bloomed inside her. The heat of her magic licked its way from her stomach the warmth spreading from her solar plexus and fanning out through her veins. Her body was a conduit to the force, she closed her eyes savoring the feeling.

Without her physical sight she could see it, Bodvar raising his axe again. But Astrid was not there to meet his blow, she shimmered out of existence leaving a faint breeze in her wake. Astrid appeared again with a roar of her own bringing down her sword.

Bodvar didn't have a moment to prepare, her attacks were relentless with each move he made she was would disappear. It wasn't much of a match anymore, before Bodvar even had the chance to register she was behind him she hit him hard at the back of his head.

He crumpled to the ground a moment later, a red mark blooming into a bump at his temple. Astrid smirked down at his form, she crouched to the ground brushing a curl from his forehead.

"Sorry handsome, I do love to win."

Astrid's instructor looked towards her with that same distasteful sneer, she rolled her eyes and sheathed her sword. "Don't bother saying it, I know. I'll fight fair…next time."

And without another word to him Astrid sauntered out of the classroom, a mischievous smile on her face. They both were well aware that Astrid would never play fair.

Astrid pulled on a fresh pair of trousers her body protesting at the movement from the brutal sword fight the day before. It was a torturous process to braid her long hair, but Astrid didn't dwell on it. She was far too excited to get to the library, Frigga had given her permission to study from her private collection.

Astrid secured her satchel to her and tore out of her home, her mind already abuzz with the possibilities. Frigga wasn't one to let those scour through her work, never mind her private library. Astrid was touched that the woman let her, but also her hovering around the witches after their meetings did not hurt.

Astrid strolled through the palace halls the guards nodding as she went, it wasn't strange to see her there after all. She was sure the guards were relieved she was older, and no longer prone to running down the halls and scaring them. Astrid smiled at the memory before turning the corner she reached a case of stairs and took them two at a time.

By the time she reached the top her breath was coming out in quick rasps, but the excitement that bloomed in her chest was enough to shake any discomfort. She reached the ornate doors her heart thundering at the closeness, before her stood a beautiful golden archway. It was nestled in the cream walls of the palace the doorway itself looked like a garden come to life with leaves intricately crafted from gold.

At the center was a gleaming stone of opal green, it glowed faintly magic thrumming from it and radiating a pleasant warmth. Astrid reached out a hand, the stone changing color suddenly the pale green turned into a bright white. The stone grew warm under her touch and suddenly the golden leaves fell away, vine by vine fell away revealing a beautiful library.

Astrid gasped, her feet planted firmly at the archway as she gazed into the room. The sky was bare before her from the large frameless windows. The treetops grazed the bottoms of the window but other than that it was open sky.

It was the only part of the room not covered in shelves, beautiful shelves of polished mahogany lined the walls the dark color a stark contrast to the golds and creams. Astrid finally dared a step into the room, her heart thundering at the sight of it. Her gaze traveled above her and if she hadn't been able to catch her breath before she surely couldn't know.

Above her was the cosmos themselves, she could imagine how it would look at night. The stars gleaming in the light leaving their heavenly glow as illumination to a reader. The swirls of galaxies filled her vision, making her heart thunder in response.

It was at that moment that Astrid felt something, a pull inside of her. It was more than that deep yearning she had for understanding, and knowing what she was and how to wield her magic. It was a pull of something she couldn't quite place, and she needed to know.

With the books ahead of her, Astrid smiled and went to the shelves.

1885 AD – Asgard

Astrid poured over books, in the past 3 years she went through Queen Frigga's collection learning everything she could. She read about seer's and how their powers manifested, and spent weeks trying to get herself to see anything.

After a couple of months she was able to glimpses into the future, nothing too exciting but at least a week ahead if she really focused. But nothing like her mother or uncle's power, which infuriated her to no end.

She was currently searching more on that dark magic, the one thing they knew so little about. Currently she was researching on the origins of the universe, it wasn't light reading, and she was getting progressively more frustrated. With a sigh she closed the last book she read her eyes straining from the text.

"You, again."

Astrid jumped at the voice, her traitorous heart thundering at the sound of his voice. In the past few years, she was used to seeing Loki lurk around the corner. There first interaction in the library wasn't pleasant but he was there often reading something, or researching for one of the many quests his brother went on.

They often stayed out of each other's way, but since Astrid began her research, they would strike up conversations on magic. As irritating as Loki was, Astrid had to admit that he was knowledgeable on many things.

"Don't you have someone else to bother Loki?" Astrid smirked, her blood are reading boiling at the dangerous flicker in his eye. Astrid had not grown out of causing mischief and she found immense pleasure in making Loki annoyed.

"You do realize your only here as a courtesy right?" Loki sneered, but the malice didn't reach his eyes. As much as he pretended Astrid knew she wormed her way into his good side, although he didn't really have a good side, she'd take what she could get.

"Besides, I heard you still haven't chosen your thesis, already behind?" Loki taunted, Astrid grinded her teeth at the comment. One of her classmates had already begun belittling her for not having a focus on her research and it made her livid.

Astrid turned to Loki suddenly serious, "I'll admit it…I could use your help. You're quite intelligent…on rare occasion."

Loki dropped into the chair in front of her propping his feet on the mahogany table a smirk beginning to stretch on his face. "I don't see how this could be of any interest to me."

Astrid leaned forward knowing well where this was going, if she knew anything in her years of being around Loki it was how to get him to do what she wanted. "I want to get back at someone."

Astrid whispered, her eyes flashing with a mischievous light. Loki leaned forward a full smile stretching on his face, "There's the menace."

Astrid smirked back at him, "Help me get back at her…and a thesis I do need help with that."

Loki rolled his eyes suddenly loosing interest, Astrid leaned forward placing a hand lightly on his forearm. She smiled at him suddenly, using her doe like golden eyes to her advantage.

"Loki, god of mischief I would truly be at a loss without your guidance these years. You molded me into a better sorceress and not to mention I am mastering the art of mischief. Indulge me, just this once."

Loki only rolled his eyes but she could see him faltering a bit, "Well, since you asked so nicely."

Loki leaned back in his chair and a book appeared in his hands. The mischievous light in his eyes were suddenly replaced by a seriousness. Astrid peered at the book he laid on the table, she rounded from her chair and stood by his side. The leather was old, it was carefully cared for but the age was still apparent from the texture of its cover.

Astrid held her breath as her fingers hovered over the cover, Loki caught her hand before she touched it his eyes saying more than enough. With a nod she moved her hand back and let him open it.

Inside were beautiful images, Astrid was so entranced she almost didn't register Loki's voice. "Before creation there were six…singularities you can call them. Once existence began they were harnessed into physical manifestations."

Astrid nodded in understanding her eyes drinking in the images, "The infinity stones."

Loki nodded, his hand caressing the page as turned it his eyes drinking in the picture before him. "They haven't been kept in the same place for a reason, because when they are together the power they behold." Loki paused something dangerous flickered across his face, something that made Astrid grow cold.

"What if… what if our power is from the singularities themselves. What if we are all in some way connected to one aspect or the other…" Astrid trailed of reaching for her journals the thoughts suddenly pouring out of her.

She wrote for who knows how long, and when she looked back up at Loki his face was a mixture of so many things, she wasn't quite sure what to make of it. But that same hunger was so apparent it forced her hand. So, she did what she often did, when Loki's violent rage began to simmer.

When the man she admired would disappear behind that hunger that terrified her, Astrid put down her pen and smiled slyly at the prince.

"Thank you, Loki, now that you've helped me." She rounded his chair and held out her hand, "Allow me to indulge you."

Loki smirked and took her arm in his, "I have no time for your childish quips, Astrid." The two walked out of the library the doors closing behind them in their quiet slink of metal.

"This isn't childish Loki." Astrid said innocently, "It's a matter of vengeance." Loki laughed at that their minds working as they thought of how to cause the most mischief.

Evidently one of their plans was less harmful than the others.

redrenegade0: Glad you're enjoying it! Hope you like the chapter :)

yzalex: Thank you so much! I won't lie I have no time for writing competitions but I appreciate it either way :)