Chapter 2

A Feather Falling To Earth

"Thor. You may not be present for the trail. Nor you, my love." Odin spoke from his throne. The court present and already ready for the trial all of Asgard had been waiting for.

The breath was sucked out of Thor. He- he had to be present! He drew in air, ready to start arguing, but his mother only placed a hand on his arm. A sign of 'leave it' and so he did. As much as it pained him too.

"Yes father…" He and his mother walked. Reaching the large doors, the guards opening them for the two royals.

He feared whatever it was his father would have to do. As much as he knows Loki would have to be punished, he knows his father will milk the opportunity to punish his little brother more than needed.

The time spent mourning Loki showed him that.

There were many things that Thor could have done differently. Only now did he see the treatment of his fellow Asgardians to what used to be their prince.

Thor shook his head, sending the thoughts out of his mind. He didn't want to think of the past right now. He would wait and listen to hear what will become of his brother.

His mother smiled at him. "I'm sure he will be fine. Your father knows what he is doing."

Thor only nodded his head, hoping that was true.

The guards at his cell told him it was… about mid-afternoon. They, as always, ignored him. But something felt off today.

The other prisoners were loud and annoying as they typically are, but the guards today aren't doing much to stop that.

His mind already told him what was going to happen today. The fact that there were more guards around his cell only confirmed his theory.

Today is the day. He thought dreadfully. Hopefully they will just set him free and leave him in Niflheim.

He sat cross-legged, facing the entrance of his cell, preparing himself for the flashy show and inevitable humiliation that was to come.

"The king orders his presence." A guard a little ways away said.

The six guards on only the front side of his cell finally turned to face him. One holding the pair of chains they used to bring him here and the other holding the damned muzzle Thor placed on him.

"You heard. Stand up runt."

As much as Loki hates it, he flinched. He remembered that word…

"Finally. The Jotun runt bows."

Taking a deep breath, he pushed the memories away. Loki stood and stayed quiet while the two guards placed the rather unnecessary chains and muzzle on him.

It's the flashy humiliation part, remember?

"Start moving!" One guard yelled, kicking the back of his knee. Causing him to fall rather hard. The group around him laughed, clearly getting their kicks out of this.

Heh. get it?

He started to stand up, the one who muzzled him dragging him up quickly. "Come on! We can't have the king waiting!"

Loki only rolled his eyes. Let that old bastard wait. What harm is it going to do?

They marched him up the many stairs that lead to the palace. Loki prepared to be paraded around, many laughing faces and angry eyes on him… but for some reason, no one was around. Loki kept his head down but his mind was racing. What was Odin planning?

They walked through the palace and still, there was no one around. No maids, servants, other guards, nothing…

Soon enough he was faced with the familiar large oak doors with Yggdrasil elegantly carved in them.

They opened and he was shoved in, barely keeping his footing, he looked around the throne room. His eyes scan for the large and loud crowd of spectators to see the god of mischief's fate… but again. There was no one.

The only beings present were the All-father and his court.

What is going on? Since when did Odin skip a chance to show Asgard the punishment of his failure son?

The doors closed behind him, every guard had left.

"Loki Laufeyson. Today your crimes will be answered." Odin spoke. His tone radiating authority.

Loki only rolled his eyes. Can we just get this over with?

"Your destruction of the bi-frost, attempted genocide on the Jotuns, the invasion of Midgard, usurping of the royal throne, and attempted murder of Prince Thor, you are found guilty."

Yea. No shit.

"The court and I deliver your punishment this day."

Loki finally met the eyes of Odin. He wanted Odin to look him in the eye while sentencing him to death.

"You are to return to Midgard."

What?

"You will be forced to find the one meant to be your master."

Again… what?

"The Norns have announced a change in the universe. And have demanded Midgard be a part of it. You are to be their champion. The one who will fight for Midgards rank in the nine." Odin stood up. "Your master is unknown, if you will survive their realm alone is another mystery." He stepped closer. "This is the price for your crimes."

Loki kept his eyes on Odin, they were large and confused. What in the nine was he talking about!? Odin only walked behind Loki, with a wave of his hand he locked the chains to the ground. Stopping Loki from moving.

A small piece of paper was in Odin's hand, and whatever he planned to do with it, Loki did not like.

Odin moved the chain around his neck down forcefully, causing the metal to scrap more than it already had. Loki tried to move, he struggled to break the chains and move away!

What are the Noron's planning!?

"Stop struggling," Odin ordered.

Like hell!

Odin clamped a hand on his left shoulder, steadying him to do… whatever it was he was about to do.

"You are Midgards Sekirei henceforth." Odin announced, placing the paper on the back of his neck.

He instantly felt the magic around him, his eyes widened at the rush of the foreign energy. The mark burned, the power that surrounded Loki unconsciously pushed him forward. Everything around him faded away as the magic pulsed in him.

Odin released his grip on him as Loki tumbled to the ground. The burning spread all over, the magic sinking beneath his skin and resting there. He shook, his body moving on its own, clearly not happy with whatever it was that was now in him.

He forced his eyes open, there was no visual change to him it seemed. A green and white glowing fading away from himself.

"Guards! Take the Jotun to the bi-frost. Have Heimdall send him to Midgard."

In an instant, there are hands pulling him up and forcing him to move. Which he hated for two reasons. One: it reminded him too much of his time with the Chitari. And two: his body ached from the burning that had just happened.

They all jumped on horses, just throwing him onto the back like cargo. The wind was knocked out of him and the aching certainly didn't get better.

The civilians around the area looked on, hate and satisfaction in their eyes. Clearly, the chains on him made them happy.

Here's the flashy humiliation.

The damned horse galloping didn't help anything. He just hopes that wherever they place him in Midgards, it's away from people, he needs time to heal and figure out this crap in him and on his neck.

Not soon enough, they make it to the bi-frost. The watcher of the nine was already standing there, waiting.

"The All-father wants you to send him to Midgard. He didn't specify where though." The guard announced as they threw him to the ground, not even bothering to get off their horses.

Assholes.

"It will be done." The guardian answered.

The group of guards galloped away, happy to be rid of Loki.

Well good riddance of you too.

Heimdall grabbed Loki, pulling him to his feet. "You shall be sent away but not thrown as a dead dog." He said, giving Loki a little bit of dignity.

Loki only raised his eyebrow.

I froze you and tried to kill you. I figured you would be the one laughing as you blast me away.

Heimdall got the message. "You are still a prince of Asgard. Even if Odin refuses to see it that way. The freezing was a rather unique trick, but now I have sight to look out for it. Really a benefit to me. And you could have killed me, but you didn't."

Okay. Fair enough.

"You are going to want to sit. The magic within you won't make this trip easy."

Loki stopped walking, looking at the orange gaze with a question.

What even is this magic!? What is happening and what did Odin do to me!?

The dark man only shoved him a bit, getting them walking again. "It is a game. There have been people wanting a change in the ranks. And the Norns provided. Odin called you Midgards Sekirei, which is what the players in this little game are called. Their 'masters' as he put it are ashikabi's. Most are the leaders or rulers of the realm but for Midgard, no one knows who it is. This is why it is a punishment and your punishment. You'll wander the realm and maybe never find this ashikabi." He thankfully enlightened.

Loki sat at the base of the new bi-frost, listening to Heimdall's advice. His legs still felt like noodles to him, better safe than sorry.

"I wish you good luck. And prepare for the game. You will be fighting the other realms Sekirei's. Midgard only gets one, but the other realms have five to their names."

Of course they did.

With that, the familiar pull of the bi-frost activated. The rainbow light flashing around him as he was sent back to the realm he didn't even want to invade.

What joy.