20 minutes later
The Guardians (well mostly Gamora, Quill and Rocket) are hard at work on checking the ship to see the damages that happened when it crashes into thee tower. So far it is worse than any of them can imagine or at least what they would like it to be. Once they deal with the fight against Thanos then it is going to take them forever to get repaired long enough for a round trip. Loki and Jane were watching the three of them hard at work to see the repairs, while Groot is wandering around the tower to explore, they sent Drax to look for him and to make sure that he doesn't get in any trouble. Loki is just hoping that for some miracle that they will be able to still have some form of way to fix it as quickly as they can, but he doesn't think that will likely happen at the rate things are going. Jane on the other hand is waiting for the right moment to talk to Loki and at the same time wondering all of these pieces of alien technology work. After a quick investigation, the three Guardians already can tell that the damage is worse than they thought.
"Well I think it safe to say that little crash was worse than we thought and we'd be having a busy couple of 'days' once this is over on fixing it." said Rocket. "But there is also something... I have some good news and some bad news when it comes to all of this, do you have a particular preference?"
"Let's start with the bad news, to get it over with." said Loki really not in the mood for any more set backs.
"The ship is so badly damage that it might take us longer to repair it and that it might take more than a couple of weeks to possibly repair it enough to at least be able to get this thing off the ground." said Gamora in deep frustration. "Unless you can use your magic to fix the ship or your friend over there knows something about ship repairs."
"No I can't say that I do." said Jane. "But I have to say that your ship is so awesome, I would like to know more about space travel and how the ship works overall."
"Once this is over then maybe you can help out with the ship repairs." Said Quill. "We could use an extra hand when it comes to repairing this thing.
"Quil. Gamora. Loki and new girl we just met... A little help over here." Yelled out Rocket with his tail stuck under some giant motor where it looks to be some kind of engine or something. Both Gamora and Quill quickly went over to lift the battery high enough for Rocket to pull his tail out. Once Rocket does so then they both put the battery back in place and Rocket quickly check on his tail before about to get back to work.
"Yeah we can use the extra help we can get if we are going to somehow fix this thing before the fight upon us." said Gamora. "Is there anyway you do know a spell on how we can speed up the repairs?"
"I can't say that I do, the best I can do is see if I can levitate the ship from the ground but the only problem is navigation because I would have to remain here or be on another ship in order to make sure that I can see where it's going." said Loki. "Even then I don't know how we can do this without any guarantee that it would be completely safe."
"Beside if we can fix this before tomorrow then maybe we will be able to take off and maybe just maybe I will be able to fix this thing to at least be able to take this thing for a spin around the planet." said Rocket. "That is if if you still want us to go off and fight Thanos."
"That's the overall idea." said Loki. "Please tell me that good news you were referring to earlier."
"The good news would be that at least you would be on Earth for the next couple of weeks if we can't get this repaired on time." said Rocket trying to add some positivity but quickly notices Loki's frustration. "But I'm guessing that's not really good news for you is it?"
"Isn't it obvious?" said Loki annoyed. "At the rate we are going for ship repairs then we might as well call Thanos to declare victory already. I just hope they would be open on having the fight on this planet if we can't get this repaired in time."
"So you all want to fix the ship to possibly go back to space and fight off Thanos?" asked Jane surprised to see that Loki is willing to do something like that. "Especially after what happened the last time? I never really saw you as someone who is ready to admit your mistakes and to face them heads on."
"To be honest, I didn't think that I would come back here to get help to face him or enlist the Guardians to help me. But after sometime I realize that I may need some assistance if I want to stand a chance against Thanos." said Loki.
"Yeah since you thought going up against Thanos with a magic sword would be more than enough to stop him with the rest of us playing back up." said Rocket pointing out the last plan that Loki thought off that is mostly of him going alone to fight him off."
"Rocket, now it is not a good time for-" Started Gamora before she got interrupted by Jane.
"You were going to what?" Said Jane in complete shock. "What were you thinking of going it alone? What does he even mean by a magic sword?"
"I mostly thought that it might have been a better idea to go it alone and to see if I can stop him on my own." Said Loki. "I just realized that there is no way that I will be able to defeat him on my own and hiding and running from my problems is what got us into this predicament in the first place."
"Yeah but you still haven't-" started Jane before getting interrupted by Rocket.
"Come on you guys know that it would have been a huge lost to fight against Thanos the way things are looking it would five against an army." said Rocket. "I'm not even counting Groot just because he's a kid."
"He has a point." said Quill.
"How is predicting our odds is going to help us repair the ship to face Thanos?" said Gamora who is starting to share the same frustration as Loki may be feeling.
"Uh someone had to point it out." Said Quill not helping the situation.
"Did it have to be now?" said Gamora annoyed at how their supposed team leader is acting immaturely when it comes to this whole situation.
"Well anyway, going completely off topic from whatever this is." started Jane and she knows for the good of the current situation and everyone's sanity over this. "Right after all of that happened, they-"
"I am Groot! I am Groot. I am Groot." said Groot happily to the whole group with Drax following him.
"Guys you won't believe what we found, we found another ship that we might be able to use to get off this planet." said Drax excitedly. "I didn't know that this planet had space ships too?"
"Wait you guys have actual space ships now and you didn't tell us?" said Quill surprised at that announcement.
"What? There are no advance space ships on this planet and. the only space ships they have is mediocre compared to this one. Besides when Darcy and I had to go out to see if we can find any of the stones, we used hidden portals to travel off this planet." said Loki before stopping himself on a realization on what. the two might mean. "Are you referring to the Quinjets?"
"Uh. No there is an actual space ship right in this glass tower place, maybe we can use it to avert Thanos's attention from this planet." said Drax. "So that way we can still proceed with the plan
"That can actually work and with a different ship then we will be able to fly out without any detection from any witnesses and no one else but us would know that we. were on it." said Gamora who is starting to like this idea and is surprise that she is actually agreeing with Drax with a plan like this.
"Yeah, but the only problem is that they still haven't managed to figure out on how to have it fly out safely." said Jane. "After he got the stones and Loki, they all wanted to build the ship to go after Thanos and to save both of you, but the main problem is that they couldn't figure out how to launch it safely and keep it afloat while at the same time deal with any potential landing issues that may come in the way."
"Really? That's all?" said Rocket surprised, got up and ready to make his exit. "I think I might want to have a look at this thing and to see what you guys came up so that way I can make it better than whatever Quill can come up with."
"Hey, I have more experience with ships then these people and you are ready to assume that whatever us Terrans came up with is worse thing that you ever imagine." argued Quill going after Rocket with Drax following behind the two to see how this argument will end. While Gamora is rolling her eyes at the whole situation at annoyance before turning to both Loki and Jane.
"I better go and make sure that those three stay out of trouble, along with to see that maybe this thing might possibly have any potential to navigate in and we need to have some form of transportation if we want to do this." said Gamora to both Loki and Jane before kneeling down to Groot so she can talk to him. "Hey Groot, do you think you can show us where this ship is?"
Groot happily nodded and starts to head towards where the ship is, Gamora quickly gives a look to both Loki and Jane before beginning to follow Groot and joining the others. Once all of the Guardians are gone, there is suddenly a silence between the two not even knowing what to say to one another. Jane decided that it might be best for both of them if she is the one that starts of this conversation and she just hopes that Loki will be willing to hear her out and maybe they will find some common ground. She just hopes that he will listen to what she has to say and at least consider what she about to say, but first she needs to get at least one thing out of the way and to say it now. But she might as well start things off with a friendly conversation before they go over the topics that might not be a good thing to start of a conversation after everything that happened.
"So... You're friends seem interesting and really different then the Avengers, I'm guessing that they always act like that?" started off Jane. "I didn't think that I would ever guess that you would hang out with some jokesters that includes a talking raccoon."
"Well they are the most interesting group that I have ever encountered, they rescued Gamora and I when we escaped from Thanos. They and Gamora happened too save the universe once and even voluntarily help me when... I was up in space when they didn't have to help or accompany me embark on a journey that I needed to take, but they still did so and even save me at one point, they are reliable in combat." said Loki. "Well most of the time."
"I'll take your word on it, you guys did arrive on a working space ship that looks cooler than anything I have ever seen in Star Wars and went through who else what during your time in space." said Jane trying to lighten the mood before realizing that the next thing she should do is definitely apologize for what happened. "Hey look about the whole taking the stones and tried to use them against Thanos without telling you about it, I'm sorry-"
"I have already forgiven you, it is also partially my fault that I didn't explain to you how the stones work and how they can be activated or at least made sure that the stones were still in the vault." said Loki looking back at the situation and holding no forms of resentment towards Jane.
"Loki, you never thought that you needed to take the time to check or explain of the stones to me. If I just told you what I was planning to do then..." started Jane before stopping herself from going nowhere on this conversation. "Maybe we were both to blame, if only we just told each other everything and communicated better..."
"You're right, at least now there is some hope for us to rise against Thanos and we shouldn't focus too much on what happened on that day." said Loki. "We can only move forward and try to stop him before he does more than simply revealing my identity."
"Wow, since when have you been so good at being the voice of reason?" said Jane. "I never thought that you would even be the type that would care about taking the time to be nice."
"I have always been the voice of reason, someone had to be if they used to go on adventures with Thor and his friends. If I wasn't then we both wouldn't be alive to tell you the tales." said Loki. "Plus there is also the fact that I have been living with Darcy for this long, so her sentimentality seemed to be rubbing off on me. While we are on the topic of her, how did they treat her after I involuntarily left on Thanos's ship? Did they try to arrest her or is she currently paying the price? Not that I care of course, I just want to know if she didn't pay the price or might still do so because of me."
"Well they are taking things easier on Darcy and wasn't that hard on her and they might not even punish her just because of the fact that aside from hiding you and all of the things you guys did to try to obtain all of the stones. She was just trying to help and not too mention all the two of you wanted to do is to stop Thanos, so at least they realized that they can't punish her for that." said Jane. "I don't even know what they are thinking about you, but I bet once you prove to them that you are truly on their side then maybe they will be more forgiving towards you and they will let you remain free."
"I doubt that things would go that far or let alone they would all be forgiving because of my past, in case you haven't notice Stark has to pay for a new window and that's nothing compared to what I did in the past." pointed out Loki. "How did Thor take the news of Mysto's true identity and how I faked my death and survive? Was he furious at me?"
"He was upset about it at first, but then he was ready to do everything in his power to get you out of there and get you back." said Jane. "He really cares about you Loki, Thor was ready to risk his life, getting captured and getting lost in space for you."
"You do recall that Gamora was also on that ship too, he might have wanted to go on the ship to rescue her." said Loki who believes that Thor would be more angry then forgiving when it comes to the current situation.
"Even if Gamora wasn't on that ship, Thor would have still gone after you and do everything he can to save you." pointed out Jane. "Here's the ironic thing that here you are doing all of these things to prove that you are son of the year and to try to get everyone to care about you. But you never really needed to prove yourself and Thor, your parents and anyone that may have known your secret before Thanos like Darcy has always cared and you are running away from them. Why would you want to run away from the people that care about you?"
"I don't know... it would be for the best if I just focus on the task at hand and try to defeat Thanos before it's too late." said Loki unsure of himself. "I have already lost everything, so I might as well finish what I started and defeat him for good. Then I will leave and never look back, that has always been the plan and I am intending to follow through with that plan."
"But still things might be different now, why don't you just go talk to them?" suggested Jane. "At least fix things up with Darcy from that argument you guys had before all of this and go explain everything to Thor before you go off to face Thanos. So that way you can at least save the friendship you have with Darcy and whatever is going on between you two and you two will work things out. Plus you might as well give Thor a chance to understand why you made these choices and show him that you are truly sorry and changed. Then at least Thor will know everything and you will be happier that you got that clear up and at least you tried to make things right."
"I can see Darcy ready to accept me back no questions ask, that's in her nature even if I don't deserve it. That is one of the most admirable things about her and one trait that I know I will always admire and that is one thing that I hope will never change about her." said Loki. "As for Thor, I doubt that he would ever forgive me for everything that I have done and besides it would be better for both of us if we stay apart."
"Just go talk to him, then that way you will at least clear things up." Said Jane. "If things don't work out and both of you guys think that things are way beyond repair then I'll back off and you can leave without looking back."
"Fine I'll do it, mostly to see if there might be a chance that he would be open to listening to what I have to say and to at least have the right to say that I was right when all of this is over." said Loki. "Don't be surprise if Thor later comes to you to complain about how I am the worst brother ever and he can hardly wait to never having to see me again."
"Trust me, Thor is going to be so happy to have you back and that you also want to fix things between the two of you." said Jane. "Though I don't really need to tell you that, you should know that better than anyone that Thor will be happy to have you back and you have nothing to worry about."
"For once I hope that you are right and maybe I will even take back every negative thought I assumed of you prior to when we first met." said Loki.
"Thanks... I think." said Jane who is not sure if she wants to know what things that Loki may be thinking about when he was in his cell before all of this happened.
"Now that we are on good terms, I need to ask you a favor and it is something that might change the overall course of whomever may get injured over the course of the battle." said Loki and he quickly pulls up a key and is about to hand it over to Jane. "I need to ask you a favor, I can't leave without getting someone suspicious and it might be best to try my best to be trust worthy if I want them to hear me 's the key to Darcy's and my apartment, I just need you to go grab something for me and it might be useful later on."
"What do you want me to go grab for you?" asked Jane who is ready to do everything she can to help.
"Remember the healing potion that I used to heal my injuries and fake my death in the first place?" said Loki with Jane nodding. "I have two bottles of it, one half and a full bottle of the potion. I need you to go and grab it for me simply because Thanos will try to use the gauntlet against all of us and we are going to need it before we go face him."
"Where is the potion?" asked Jane, quickly receiving the key and is now ready to help in anyway she can.
"I put the vials in a bag in my room, it's on one of the hooks near the bookshelves and it will be the only objects in the sack." said Loki. "But you will need to be careful because these vials are really fragile and we are going to need every drop if we are all going to survive what is up ahead."
"Ok got it, I guess I will see you when I get back?" said Jane. "Hopefully..."
"I know talk and hopefully make amends with Darcy." said Loki who doesn't know if he should admire or be annoyed at Jane's persistence.
"And?" asked Jane simply just wanting to hear Loki say it out loud.
"And to talk to my brother with hopes that he would be open on making amends and maybe he won't completely be ready to at least disown me." said Loki. "Is there anything you would like to add to the list of objectives?"
"Nope, I think that covers it." said Jane who can't help but smile at the whole situation. "I'll be back and you definitely got this."
"We'll see and I will find a suitable time to do so, but I can't promise the results that might happen." said Loki. "I am grateful for your help and maybe once all of this is over and when you and Thor finally proceed to the next stage of your relationship the you might want to consider to visit me in my cell."
"You're not going to jail if things work out and they will." said Jane. "Just trust me on this one, don't worry about it."
With that Jane left the roof, leaving Loki alone to think about everything that has happened in the past few days and how things are heading. He doesn't even know how he is going to approach Thor or convince him to listen to what he has to say. What if he wants nothing to do with him? But then again Jane and Darcy must have already told him everything and explained to the Avengers his side of the story, that is if Thor wants to believe it. At least Thanos did him a favor for making that reveal, but still he wished that he was the one that told Thor everything. He just hopes that Thor will listen to what he haas to say...
At least Darcy will be open to listen to him and maybe she will also be open to have a conversation with him. He knows that his past attitude prior to Thanos was anything but friendly and he wasn't the best friend that Darcy had in a while. But he might as well try to be now and if Thanos is going to try to destroy everything just because of power and simply just because he wants to see him fall. Though he knows that he will have no trouble in trying find Darcy because he knows that she is probably is going to find him first, then things are going to get a little interesting when it comes to the whole friendship department. Well before he deals with the wrath of his brother and hopefully he will be able to fix things with Darcy and they can at least spend some time together before they face the fight of their lives. He might as well have a moment for himself to reflect and go through the plan again to make sure that there is no flaw in the plan before they face Thanos.
10 minutes later
Loki goes to the outside edge of the tower where he first saw his invasion in action and prior to his fight with Thor. Even before all of this and during his brief little visit to New York, he really admired the view as he emerged out of the tower and despite all of the chaos that was going on at least he was able to have a moment of peace before having to go through all the troubles that he knows that he would face later on. That is one of the moments that he remembers where he didn't have to worry about Thanos or failure, now that things are going down towards a path that he doesn't even know where it will end or how things are going to turn out in the end. At least things can't get any worse from here or at least he hopes that there is some kind of sign that things might turn around.
"Looks like I finally found you, with a tower like this then you would think that it would be easy to find every Avenger or someone that is on their side that is a guest here for the time being that happens to be a superhero." said a voice from behind him. "Though to be honest this would be the last place I would ever think that I would find you here unless... Wait are you using your magic to create an illusion for no one else except us can see you?"
Loki turned around and he sees Darcy standing there, he doesn't even know what to say he is just surprise to see Darcy there or let alone wanting to talk to him. He didn't expect this and part of him thinks that she is just there just because of the whole Thanos situation. Hoping that he might be willing to put the Mysto back on and he would continue to fight after Thanos. It's probably that though he should tell Darcy that the costume got destroyed during his little escape, then maybe it will allow her to forget about it with no hopes on getting a new costume or suggesting he can just use his magic to recreate the costume. Though the emotional attachments may. be clouding his judgement but part of him is happy to see Darcy again, after a brief few seconds Loki finally found the words to start things off and he might as he would in any conversation before all of this...
"To answer your question, I have set an illusion for only you, Jane, the Maximoffs and the Guardians to be able to see me." responded Loki. "If you are here just to give me one of those motivational talks to encourage me not to give up or to try to find ways to convince me to be Mysto again then just leave me alone. I am not in the mood to talk about-"
"I actually wanted to see if you are alright and check up on you." said Darcy capturing Loki by surprise. "I mean come on Loki, this is the first real conversation we have in like a week and so much has happened since then. You have been through a lot and two of the major things is being trapped on an alien ship with a overpowered Thanos and who knows what happened when you and Gamora escaped. Plus there is also the big fact that the Avenger and especially Thor now knows that you have been Mysto this entire time. I just want to be here if you want to talk or anything."
"Well since your here and now that we are about to face a monster that is going to make sure that I suffer a fate worse than death and that everyone will pay the price for simply trying to help me." said Loki. "I might as well clear things up before it happens, I'm-"
"It's fine I have already forgiven you for that part and I guess I should have listened to your side of the story and should have never doubted that you would have done something like that." said Darcy. "I should be the one apologizing to you for reacting the way I did and for calling you-"
"I moved past it, we are in the midst of an battle that we haven't even won and you honestly think that I would be sulking over a past argument when we have all of this to worry about." said Loki. "Not too mention there is also the fact that Thor now knows that I have been playing Mysto for two months and keep it a secret after supposably dying in the Dark World and been keeping it a secret during that time frame. Unless he suddenly is happy about all of this."
"Yeah Thor had a really intense reaction to say the least, long story short I think he broke the record for being able to go through the five stages of grief the fastest." said Darcy. "Other than that, he seems to be happy you're alive and wanted to go after the ship to rescue you. I don't think that he's going to be ready to give you a shouting match or secretly finding an excuse to take you back to Asgard to put you in a jail cell. At least things can't get any worse from here."
"Define worse." said Loki in a monotone tone before sighing. "I should have never agreed to do this."
"Come on, we were this close in winning and all Thanos had to do is create an elaborate plan that trick us into giving him the stones." said Darcy. "At least he hasn't done anything with the stones yet."
"Wait two days from now and you'll see that Thanos will be using the stones more often to simply try to find my location and destroy everything in sight starting with Earth." said Loki. "No thanks to us, Thanos's plans for the stones are going to happen sooner rather than later and now we have the others against me. Why did I agree to become Mysto in the first place? Why couldn't I have just gotten up and leave rather than agreeing to do this?"
"You're asking me? I'm not the one who woke myself up at two in the morning ready to be a hero." said Darcy. "Now that I think of it why did you change your mind that day? I mean one minute you were like 'there is no way that I will ever be a superhero' and the next minute your ready to be a hero. It did come out of nowhere and it was really surprising to say the least."
"Let's just say that I saw it through a new perspective and I felt like that I had to do this to fully redeem myself." said Loki. "To make things right for myself after everything that happened and besides my mother wouldn't have wanted me to remain a villain to everyone's story and she would have wanted me to do this."
"Ok I take that as answer, are you sure you're decide to do this for your mom or maybe you wanted to do this more for yourself?" asked Darcy. "That maybe deep down you knew that you needed to do this and you want to be free from your mistakes and think that if you try to do this then maybe it will be the first steps in the right direction."
"I don't know... Maybe you are right, that maybe I didn't agree to do this just for my mother or even for anyone else including Thor." said Loki. "Maybe I chose to go on this quest because..." started Loki. "It doesn't matter, it was all for nothing and our efforts only sped up Thanos's plans quicker than he may have if we haven't interfered."
"Come on it does matter, you took the time to try to gather these stones to try to stop Thanos." said Darcy. "Sure you needed some persuasion at first, but over time you started to want to be a hero, well most of time and it's often to try to get the Stones and defeat Thanos for good. I mean you could have walked away when we got captured, but you didn't and tried to save all of us. Plus you came back, so that has to count for something."
"I almost didn't, but after everything and what happened in Thanos's message, I realized I can't run away from my problems any longer." said Loki. "Being Mysto, avoiding my past and Thor led to all of this. That I need to finish this and maybe I can finally be free from my past and start anew, Thanos will do more than just make Earth suffer just because no one else outside of this tower except Thanos and his army knows that I am alive. He will gladly use that ignorance as an excuse to attack the planet and later Asgard."
"Ok ignorance is not bliss in this case, at least Thanos hasn't done anything yet and we have the advantage of having time to plan our next move." said Darcy. "Uh what is our move? What's the big plan that you already cooked up and how are you planning to stop Thanos?"
"Well all I need to do is to try to convince the Avengers that I am truly on their side and then tell them of my plan." said Loki. "If we're lucky then they will see sense and we will finally defeat Thanos."
"Wait did you say 'we?'" said Darcy hopefully and excited at the idea that Loki is not only more willing to work with the Avengers but to possibly consider that they are both a team.
"Of course I did, the Guardians and I are going to need all the help we can get if we are going to defeat him for good." Said Loki. "Plus I can also use your help as well and maybe even more of your unconventional ideas that works surprisingly well at times."
"Yeah I can do that, so I'm guessing that you are now considering us a team and you now want my help?" asked Darcy.
"Well you did help me and was there from the very beginning, so I have to give you that credit." said Loki. "Besides we are now on good terms again, so we might as well take advantage of this moment and try to work together before anything else happens."
"Are you talking about Thanos, Thor or some other problem that I'm not aware of?" asked Darcy.
"Right now it really depends on the scenario and besides this has gone on long enough and it is about time that we put an end to this story." said Loki. "If we are going to put a stop to this then we are going to need to make sure that Thanos doesn't expect the unexpected."
"Ok we're going towards the element of surprise." Said Darcy. "So how are you going to address the major elephant in the room? You know the whole thing about Thor knowing that you are alive and been Mysto this entire time? How are you going to talk to him about all of this? Are you even going to go talk to him?"
"Of course, I made a deal with Jane to do so, even if it is going happen sooner than I have originally planned." Said Loki. "I was also thinking that maybe before I leave I should talk to Thor and tell him everything. If there might be a fraction of a chance that maybe Thor would listen and he might be open to at least letting me go without a fight then I should take it."
"I'm sure you guys will work it out, I mean you and Thor already want to make things right and that alone is a good start." said Darcy. "All you have to do is try to start the conversation off in a casual light, then apologize for everything that happened and then you guys will be best friends again."
"You are making it sound that easy." said Loki turning away from Darcy. "What if you're wrong and Thor will and is angry at me?"
"I saw him back there and he was more upset about you being captured and not being comfortable enough to be honest with him." said Darcy.
"About my survival or my secret identity?" asked Loki who knows that those are the major reasons that he wouldn't be surprise to see Thor angry about that.
"No, for not telling him or your parents everything that happened between you and Thanos." said Darcy. "He wasn't happy that he had to find out the truth from Gamora and me rather than from you."
"I didn't think he would care, at least I know that I am likely to have Thor giving me a scolding about not telling him anything." said Loki can't even help but laugh a little bit at that even Darcy find it funny.
"Yeah he definitely would, but then again isn't that what big brothers do when things like this happen? They are ready to tell you off the moment that you make a mistake or you have been in some dangerous situation where we had to go on some crazy adventure to retrieve four of six overpowered magic rocks before Thanos does." said Darcy. "But still it would have been fun if we weren't fighting off any of the things that we had to fight off, at least we now have only Thanos to worry about and I guess this is it. The grand finale that we have all been waiting for."
"Yeah, it is not going to be easy." said Loki with a sigh as he becomes confident about the situation itself. "But we are going to stop him and I am going to make sure of it, if everything goes accordingly then we will win."
"Wow, talk about a boost of confidence and determination. Just remember that..." said Darcy who is unsure of what to say without making it sound awkward and decided to play it towards the friendship route rather than the other way. "You're not alone and I have you're back, you know in case you are doubting it or something. That I believe in you and things will turn out alright with Thor, defeating Thanos and everything in between."
"I know, no matter what we are going to stop him, we started this together and we're going to finish this together." said Loki. "Even if I might..."
"Hey, nothing like that is going to happen, I won't let it..." said Darcy. "Besides it's going to take more than Thanos to take us down and we are not going to give up without a fight. Yeah it's time to finally turn our loosing streak around, we're so going to win as long as we stick together and not give up."
"Well depending if everyone else will be willing to hear me out and remain on my side." said Loki. "After that little fiasco, I am not sure if they will be willing to do anything I suggest, let alone work with me."
"No matter what happens with the Avengers, Thanos or even Thor, I will stand by your side and will never give up or leave you." said Darcy. "We're friends and a team, we stick together and we won't ever let each other go."
Loki gives Darcy a smile in which Darcy returns, they find themselves admiring the view for a couple of minutes and to at least have a moment for themselves before reality returns and Thanos will be doing everything to make sure that things does not end well for Loki or the universe. But before they have to return to reality and face Thanos, they might as well enjoy this time and little did both of them know. The two of them started to hold hands out of nowhere, they both stared at themselves for a couple of seconds before Loki quickly pulled his hand away from Darcy. He definitely does not want to go any further than this and before he can even try to find some way to figure out a way to get out of this situation, Darcy decides to make a move and simply just hug him.
Loki is more than ready to try to push himself out of the embrace and stop the entire moment, but at the same time he didn't even bother to try to break out and for once he feels happy towards their interaction. Not that he would ever admit it to Darcy or anyone out loud, but he's happy that Darcy and him is back on good terms again. At least he doesn't have to worry about their friendship being ruined anymore and he might as well let Darcy have this hug simply because of all they have been through so much in the past few days and he doesn't even want to imagine what it might have been like for Darcy when he was up in space. He wouldn't be surprised if she had to pay some kind of price no thanks to him and at least they will soon see that he means no harm. For now he just simply hugs Darcy back, at least they will be able to at least have this moment before facing Thanos and the future.
Before either of them can say a word or find an excuse to break out of the hug...
"I am Groot. I am Groot." said Groot from behind. "I am Groot?"
"There is no way I am going to translate that." said Rocket standing right next to Groot, after seeing the two Loki and Darcy quickly break the hug up with Loki trying hard to look like that they were not just hugging just now.
"Uh what did he say?" asked Loki nervously not even sure he wants to know what Groot said.
"Trust me you don't want to know." said Rocket who put a paw on his face, shaking his head.
"Actually I do." said Loki already fearing the worse and wouldn't be surprised if they are assuming that they are a couple.
"Awe, there's talking raccoon and the little baby tree boy." said Darcy already going towards the two of them and crouching down. "You never told me that you guys have this in space, just look how adorable they are and I just can't get over how cute they-"
"Hey who are you calling cute?!" said Rocket angrily.
"Uh... sorry I didn't mean to call you um cute." said Darcy rather awkwardly. "I didn't think that it would have offended you."
"I am Groot?" said Groot unsure what to think about all of this.
"Is there any reason why you two wanted to find me?" said Loki trying to stop this from going any further than it has already have.
"Yeah, the big blond guy who keeps calling me rabbit is looking for you." said Rocket. "You guys should see him, tearing this place apart to see if he can find you so he can talk to you. I'm going to safely assume that he's you're brother?"
"Yes that's Thor, at least I know that he wants to talk to me." said Loki with a sigh."It looks like I'm going to have to face him sooner or latter, it's time."
"Loki, you don't have to go to him alone. I mean he's cool with me now, so maybe I can go with you and be there you know be the peacemaker. That is if you want me to come with and be the buffer between the two of you guys." said Darcy. "If you don't then I completely understand and won't tag along, I'm not saying that you need some moral support or-"
"Darcy, I appreciate the offer but this is something that I need to do on my own." said Loki. "Thor needs to hear what I have to say and I need to at least try to make things right with him or at least give him some kind of an explanation and show him that I had a change of heart and really am sorry for everything that has happend. I just hope that he will be willing to listen."
"He will." said Darcy reassuringly putting a hand on Loki's shoulder as a way to give him some comfort to him.
"Yeah, he's looking for you right now. So at least there is some hope for you guys to put all that stuff behind you and straighten things out." said Rocket.
"Yeah what he said, just go in there and explain everything then maybe you guys will finally be cool with each other and you can move past all of this." said Darcy. "If things don't work out, just remember that you're not alone in all of this and at least you have nine people by your side."
"I am Groot. I am Groot" said Groot encouragingly.
"He says he thinks that things turn out alright and good luck." said Rocket.
"I will need all of the luck in the world if I want things to go well." said Loki. "If I know Thor, if he finished searching the tower for me then he would go to his room or find some space for himself to reflect or calm down of what might be happening currently that is upsetting him. Let's hope the next time we meet that I am not only in a pleasant mood and the only thing that I have to worry about is dealing with Thanos and that alone sounds more pleasant than dealing with my brother at the moment."
"It's not going to be that bad, just go in and talk to him." said Darcy. "You got this."
Loki just give the three a unsure look before he goes off to find Thor and hopefully things will work out between the two brothers. Darcy just hopes that things work out between the two and that they will be able to see how much they both care about one another. The ironic thing she has learned of both Loki and Thor from all of this is that they are terrible at communicating and they can avoid half of this trouble if they sat down and talk about their troubles. At least Loki is making the first move now and that they are one step closer on possibly reconciling. She just hopes that things works out for them and that by the end of this Loki will finally see that he doesn't need to leave Earth and that he can find the strength to make amends. That maybe he can be happy without the weight of the past or Thanos blocking his way and she just hopes that Loki is happy in the end no matter what might happens in the end...
"Uh how much do you two want to bet that they are going to fight?" said Rocket.
"They're not going to fight." said Darcy confidently.
"How can you be so sure?" said Rocket. "Haven't this gone on for a little over a year and siblings always fight over the littlest things and those things always come back. Have you met Gamora and Nebula?"
Darcy is about to argue back and wanted to say that there is no way that is going to happen, but she stops herself because even she has to admit that Rocket has a point. From looking at everything that has happened and how things are for Gamora and Nebula, there is a chance that things might not work. But she just hopes that things do end well and that maybe they will work things out and besides both Loki and Thor wants to make amends, so that's a good start and then they will at least find the words to talk about everything and before they all know it then they will be brothers again. She just hopes that Loki will pull this off and that they can both be happy again. Loki needs to do this, not just for the fight up ahead or for Thor but for himself. To start to move on from the past and be free from the guilt that he is now feeling towards everything that has happened and to move forward to the future with a possible strong renewed relationship with Thor.
Ten Minuetes Later
Loki is standing outside of Thor's room and doesn't even know if he should go in, for starters he doesn't even know if Thor is in there and the last thing he wants is for Thor to think that he has been in his room for this entire time. Plus there is also the fact that he doesn't even know what to say or if he can even do this, there are so many things that are blocking between them and Loki doesn't even know what to say first. Should he start by simply apologizing or just give Thor an explanation of everything from being held captive by Thanos, after the Dark World and later on his attempt to gather the Infinity Stones as Mysto with Darcy by his side? How is Thor going to react to him? Will he be willing to listen to a word he say or would the attempt to have a conversation with his brother turn into an argument? Will he be happy to see him or angry that Loki lied and faked his death in the first place?
These thoughts are going through Loki's mind rapidly and he has half the mind to just leave without saying a word and try to avoid his brother for the rest of his time in the tower and just focus on stopping Thanos and his plan. But he knows that he needs to do this, not only because of the deal he made with Jane back when she first discovered the truth. To also see if he can start to repair his relationship with his brother, he just hopes that Thor would listen to him and that maybe they will be able to start to repair what has been broken for far too long. He just wishes that whatever happens, his brother will at least his apology and the truth, even if they never see each other again.
Soon he sees Thor entering the room, he is happy that not only Loki has an illusion covering his presence but he was right, he knew he'd come there to think or at least be there to try to calm down. He knows that his brother would take the time to calm down from his frustrations or to think about everything that might have happened. That was always the first place Thor would go to whenever he got in trouble with their father or an argument that he may had with Odin, his friends or even Loki himself to think about everything that has happened, the only exception was when his failed coronation and when he let the Jontuns into Asgard. They all know how well that ended...
Loki is happy to see that hasn't changed and at the same time feels a sense of guilt, it's his fault that Thor is like this in the first place. Well as it was many times in the past, Loki knows that this is the moment, so he quietly entered the room. He didn't know when would be the perfect moment to take down his illusion and to talk to Thor and hopefully he will be able to still call Thor his brother. He stares at Thor, he can't believe that he is going to do this and just hopes that he is ready for a potential rejection from him.
While Loki is watching Thor before he finds the moment to appear and to try to start to make amends with him. Thor is already in deep thought about his failed attempt to try to find Loki, already assuming that maybe Loki doesn't want to see him and just going to simply help them defeat Thanos and leave Earth once all of this is over like Darcy said. He needs to find a way to convince Loki to at least hear him out and to at least be willing to give him a chance to be a better brother and to start things anew. He doesn't even know what to say or do once he finds a good moment to talk to Loki, that is if he can even find him in the tower before and after their fight against Thanos. Even if Loki doesn't want anything to do with him then Thor just hopes that Loki would be happy, safe and free from Thanos no matter what he may choose afterwards. But still that doesn't mean he wishes that his brother would be open to remain by his side and they can start anew...
"You know I never really expected things to turn out like this," said Loki as he appears right in front Thor to his surprise. "and to be honest, I have always thought that if I ever did tell you it would have been after Thanos is defeated and I would have told you everything including my true identity privately."
Thor is surprised to see that Loki's here and he's here voluntarily to make things right. He doesn't even know what to say and one of overall emotions is happiness as he sees that his brother is here and is making amends on his own. That the hope that Loki is alive and truly went down on the path of good, he has seen the errors of his ways and Loki is doing everything to make up for his past actions. Thor is happy to see that Loki has not only started to see the error of his ways, but to see him here, letting go of everything in the past and to try to make amends now.
For once Loki can't tell if things are going and what Thor might be taking all of this, he doesn't even know what Thor might be thinking or if he's accepting Loki back. He figured that this should be a good moment to try to explain himself and maybe then Thor will understand and he will at least be able to clear things up with his brother. He just hopes that Thor will hear what he has to say and then they will be able to move past from everything that has happened and to try to make amends. He just hopes that things don't go downhill from here.
"Look I know that what I did was hurtful and living in a lie and later learning the truth and being hurt from the fiction that the illusion created." said Loki. "I didn't mean for it to go on like this or for everything to get worse like how it did. I know that you are angry and what I did was unforgivable and-"
Before Loki can even finish trying to say everything o his mind or find the words say to continue on and to try to apologies for everything, the next thing he knew is something that he has never expected and is surprised to see it happen. Thor almost immediately hugs Loki, capturing by surprise and Loki doesn't even know what to make of this. He is surprised to see that Thor would be open to forgive him that easily and is happy to see him, Loki always thought that things would be worse between them and everything would have ended in an shouting match. Instead Thor is just hugging him and happy that he's there and alive, rather than just simply standing there in shock, Loki feels a sense of happiness and relief, so he simply just hugs him back.
"I'm sorry for everything." said Loki. "I didn't want things to turn out like this, first I wanted prove that I was a worthy son and then afterwards, after I realized that I was wrong about everything, about you, power, Odin and you were right the path I was going on was dangerous and only hurted me more. After meeting Darcy and her insistence on going to gather the stones to stop Thanos, over time I realize I needed to do this and have to stop Thanos before he causes any more trouble and to at least make up for my past-"
"What matters now is that you're here now and you're safe. You're no longer on that ship with Thanos and you are free from him." said Thor.
"Well until two days from now and Thanos will do everything he can to hunt me down and he will use the stones to not only destroy Earth but everything on this planet and the universe until he finds me and make sure that I pay for everything that has happened." said Loki as he breaks away from the hug and turns away from his brother. "Maybe he's right, that this is all my fault and that it would be better if I... it doesn't matter, if things go according to plan then this will be enough to. stop him for good and...
"You're worried about what might happen after all of this aren't you?" asked Thor with Loki turning to face him nodding his head, before turning away from Thor already ashamed of recent events and at the same time ashamed that Thor knows his insecurities. "Loki, everything will be fine."
"You saw what happened back there, Thanos will be willing to do anything to make sure that he gets what he wants and he won't be willing to give in that easily." said Loki.
"Why didn't you tell anyone about Thanos in the first place? You could have told me before we fought in New York or at least hinted about it." said Thor. "You could have told Mother or myself when it was over and after we returned back to Asgard."
"Would you have believed me if I told you?" said Loki. "After everything, I wouldn't blame you for that and at least I know you're not that much of an oaf if you refused to believe Thanos when he was telling you the truth."
"I wish I had..." said Thor as he reflect on how he failed to protect his brother from Thanos.
"Thor, a lunatic came to Asgard and made a scene with the claim that he is after me and wanted me to give up the Infinity stones that I acquired to keep from him." pointed out Loki. "It would be sensible to not believe him, I know I wouldn't believe it if it was the other way around. You did see me die after all..."
"Yes about that, Loki is there anyway we can avoid another episode like this in happening again?" said Thor. "I don't think I would ever want to go through something like this again."
"It wasn't exactly the first time that you thought me dead or I played some sort of trick. At least you didn't have to wait a year or more to find out the truth and Ragnarok is happening right before our eyes." said Loki trying to be reassuring and making the last part into a joke, but he quickly notices that Thor is not having any of it.
"Loki, I honestly thought that I lost you and died to save Jane and me. Do you have any idea how much I mourned for you?" said Thor.
"Uh maybe..." said Loki remembering all of the times hearing this from both Darcy and Jane. "But I couldn't have done anything without revealing my identity..."
"So what? At least I would have known that you are alive and I would have been happy. What if something like that act you put on happens for real next time? What if you were so badly hurt that you..." started Thor before he stops himself and later continues. "Just think of this way, imagine if it was the other way around and I pretended to die and have you think it was your fault. Then through unexpected circumstances, you find out that I'm alive and well, how would you take it?"
"I'd probably would be upset if I thought that your death was my fault and I wouldn't be surprise if I would blame myself for it too." said Loki a bit regretfully. "I don't know if I'd be more angry or happy to see you're alive at first, but over time I would be happy to see you're ok."
"That's exactly how I felt throughout all of this, I don't think that I ever want something like that to happen again." said Thor. "What's worse is that I had to find out the worse way imaginable and you were trapped with Thanos. What if you and Gamora didn't escape? What if he did something to you and when we arrived it would have been too late? We'd probably wouldn't be having this conversation right now if you told the truth from the very beginning."
"If it makes you feel any better, I'm not planning to pull any stunts like that again especially after all of this." said Loki. "If the plan works then we will get hurt from all of this and after we defeat him, then I will face whatever fate that father may have in store."
"I haven't told father anything yet, to be honest I don't even know how to tell him everything." said Thor. "Though we can go to Asgard soon if you want, we are going to need all of the help we can get if-"
"We can't tell him, if we do then not only we might not be able to do my plan but you know the laws." said Loki. "The moment that he sees me then he will put me back in the dungeons so I can finish my sentence, he will never pardon me."
"Once he hears everything you did as Mysto, how you came back even after your identity was exposed and then going to help us defeat Thanos." said Thor. "He would be happy and proud that you are doing this and-"
"That he will overlook it and will focus on the past, Thor you know how he is with every criminal, he will never listen." said Loki. "Even if he sees the truth right in front of him, he'll put me in a cell and this time under tighter security than it was initially. He would never make any exception to anyone who have either broke the law or betrayed Asgard in the past, what makes me any different?"
"You're his son and you made an effort to change and fix your mistakes unlike all of the others, that alone has to count for something. Father may be angry at first but he'll be happy in the end." said Thor.
"How can you be so sure?" asked Loki. "Do you have any idea what the consequences might be if he does know and if I'm right about that choice? Being stuck in the dungeon is the least of my concerns, it would be the most lenient punishment compared to execution. He would never allow me out of there even if I stopped Thanos single handily and would rather see the monster that I became as a cloud of judgement. I'll never be able to see anyone again, I doubt he would allow Jane or the Guardians to pay me an occasional visit. The same goes for Darcy, that alone would be terrible and I highly doubt that he would make any exceptions for you..."
"I hope you're wrong about him, that you are just assuming the worst of him from your fears." said Thor. "That you two will make amends and what you are doing now will make up for most of the things that you have done and he will understand and forgive you for that."
"How can you be so sure?" said Loki.
"I'm not, at least I hope that he would." said Thor who doesn't know what to say and after a quick second, he sighed already thinking of something. "Why don't we just focus on trying to stop Thanos and then we'll figure things out from there?"
"Yes, let's do that, it will buy us some more time and we really should focus on Thanos before he does anything else." said Loki. "Especially after how this surprisingly turned out better than I expected."
"It's good to have you back, I missed you." said Thor.
"There is no way I am going to say anything like that out loud, it's too soon for any more sentiment than what had already occurred." said Loki trying to be defensive and yet trying to add some humor to the situation.
"So Mysto huh?" asked Thor. "Nice costume."
"It was Darcy's idea and I mostly went along with it in order to obtain the stones." said Loki."It wasn't as bad or as annoying as I thought, at least it it allowed me to build a reputation for myself and possibly gain some trust from your friends, though that it's now partially lost due to circumstances. Oh well at least I still have Darcy, Jane, the Maximoffs and the Guardians by my side, it looks like now I have you back."
"You will always have me by your side, I am never going to let you go again." said Thor with Loki giving a genuine smile.
Both brothers spend the rest of the time together, rebuilding the broken bond that they would have given anything to gain back from the moment that the truth is revealed. One look at the two and no one would have ever guessed that these two would ever been fighting or let alone be apart for so long, it's a moment where they truly become brothers again and let go of the past start to move forward into the future. They both start to enjoy the time that they are spending together and try their best to enjoy each other's company once again and forget about their trouble and Thanos. Even if Thanos is going to destroy everything and things might change after they face Thanos and whatever wrath he may have, then they are going to spend most of the remaining time to be together and to be brothers. For once in these past few days, they have the hope that things will work out and that maybe there might be future ahead for both brothers and the universe to heal and survive the events of the future...
Yes! finally! They made up and brothers again! Not too mention, Loki and Darcy made up and are good friends again! It's about time, especially for Thor and Loki. Either way it's about time! :)
Especially since the next chapter is the last one before the final battle and it's going to be even more intense. Though the next chapter is more of a prologue for the final battle, where we're going to find out Loki's plan and see the elements that are going to play a huge role in the final battle play a role in the final battle. The next chapter is mostly a chapter where the Avengers, the Guardians and Loki will come together and head out to face Thanos. It is the prep chapter and where we're going to see everything fall into place, though we might see some interesting developments in the next chapter and this will later on lead to the final battle.
It's going to be a three parter with a fourth chapter to wrap it up, but that doesn't mean that this is the end of Redemption. There are going to be a couple of chapters left to fully wrap the story up and show the fate of these characters and the aftermath of the final battle.
The reason why this chapter is a two parter, ever since writing both chapters, I realized that both chapters are pretty much the same chapter but cut in half. It's a chapter where they all have to face the past and everyone has to move forward to face a bigger threat like Thanos, that this is the start for them to face an intense fight. I mean it's technically fifteen (if we count baby Groot, Darcy and Jane) vs an army with Thanos leading it with the Black Order and Nebula by his side. What are the odds?
Plus the next chapter will come out sometime mid June latest, you guys will see everything fall into place and we'll see how the story is going to transition to the final battle.
I also forgot to mention that I'm rewriting the first 28 chapters to match up to the standard of the most recent chapters grammarwise. You guys can check it out if you like, I am going to start rewriting the third chapter shortly.
On another note, I'm also thinking of possibly doing one-shot chapters for Redemption that takes place during the time skip and it can be anything like slice of life fics, Loki teaming up with the Avengers or just Thor and Loki as Mysto of course. teaming up (it can be a midquel story with multiple chapters), maybe even a Loki and Hiemdel team up (I still want to do it and would be happy to do it in a one shot) or maybe even Loki and Darcy's adventures of searching for the Infinity Stones. But it has to take place during the time skip and not be something that would add more to the main story that it would be necessary to read them. They are mostly would be stand alone stories that still in the Redemption canon. I'm open to any idea that you guys might have, just put a review or pm me with your ideas and I'll be happy to use your ideas to write them into one shots. (Maybe even a Guardians of the Galaxy prequel/midquel before Gamora got caught by Thanos?) Though I would be mostly doing Loki ones but I am open to the idea, if I don't make the deadline I might put one out in between to make it up to you guys.
Lastly, I want to say is that I am dedicating the Redemption fanfic to a good friend that has been there for me for the last couple of years. One that I will always appreciate that our friendship happend for the rest of my life. I am dedicating this story to Brigitta Pekelharing, a friend that helped me out of the darkness that I often take for granted. But I want to thank her for everything and helping me during the darkest time of my life, her friendship has made me grow into a better person and writer. I am always going to be grateful for the friendship that we shared and the impact that it made on me. In a way if it weren't for our friendship then there might not even be a Redemption because she got me into Marvel movies and helped me at the beginning of writting the fanfic. Thanks Brigitta for everything :)
Also special thanks to AskertronNidavellir8 for giving and allowing me the idea of Thor and Loki hugging with Loki trying to explain and he simply hugs him, before some scolding and being happy that Loki has turned over a new leaf. Along with giving me fantastic grammar advice, that I am still working on being consistent with. Thanks again for the idea and helping me out on the past chapters of Redemption. :)
Another thanks for Brigitta for helping me out with this scene, for giving me advice and helping me figure out that Loki should make the first move in this scene.
I hope that this is the best I can do and that the reunion is what you all have been waiting for and was worth the wait. So will they all come to together to stop Thanos? What is Loki's plan? How are they going to get Thanos to them aside from coming up with the idea of using Loki as bait and luring him to Earth? How is Loki going to convince the Avengers that he is truly on their side, I guess you all will have to wait until the next chapter to find out. See you in the next chapter. :)