Asgard

May 31st, 2010

"The Jotunns must learn to fear me, just as they once feared you," Thor erroneously reasoned, something that forced Loki to use all of his self-control as not to smirk.

"That's pride and vanity talking, not leadership," Odin immediately replied. "You've forgotten everything I've taught you. About a warrior's patience."

"While you wait and be patient, the Nine Realms stand by and laugh at us. The old ways are done. You'd stand giving speeches while Asgard falls!"

Loki's plans had finally come to fruition. Tricking Thor by playing into his ego was child's play for him; his older brother was always impatient and thick-headed, which made him amusingly predictable. First, validate his beliefs, then "warn" him against taking action, which would achieve the desired effect. Thor's decision to rope his idiot compatriots into accompanying him on his foolhardy mission and risking their lives was merely an added bonus. All Loki had to do was secretly inform a guard, travel to Jotunheim and watch as the pieces fell into place.

The only thing that'd stumped him was being immune to the frost giant's icy touch. Volstagg's arm had received some nasty frostbite when he'd been grabbed yet Loki was perfectly fine, something that'd terrified him to the core. He decided to save his questions for later as he was too busy enjoying his schemes paying off. For now, the sight of Odin giving his beloved eldest son the verbal tongue-lashing that he'd been long overdue occupied Loki's attention. The Allfather glared at Thor, his single eye practically blazing with near-palpable rage.

"You are a vain, greedy, cruel boy!" He bellowed.

"And you are an old man and a fool!"

Odin stared at Thor, momentarily lost for words. For a moment, the Lord of the Nine Realms appeared wounded by Thor's words, his head bowing in sorrow. Loki actually felt discomfort and a bit of shame at the sight of his father looking so vulnerable.

"Yes...I was a fool to think you were ready."

Now, this was it, what Loki's machinations had been leading to. Odin would cancel Thor's claim to the throne and choose his more even-tempered son as his successor. Loki could practically feel the weight of a crown upon his brow, the cold smoothness of Odin's legendary spear Gungnir in one outstretched hand. Perhaps he'd demote Thor, force the proud thunder-god to be his cup-bearer or, better yet, the court jester. Now all it would take was some silver-laden words to calm his father's nerves and Loki would be king of Asgard before lunchtime.

"Father…-" He began softly.

"FIE!" Odin roared, his forefinger pointed at him like a spear.

Realizing that now was not the time for interference, Loki immediately backed down. Although Odin was known as a calm, near-stoic man, the rare occasions in which he became angry were explosive to say the least. Everyone in Asgard knew not to challenge Odin when he was in such a mood, with his beloved wife Frigga being the only one who could soothe his fury. Instead, Loki shut his mouth and remained quiet. The moment of rage passed and Odin, bowing his head once more, let his arm drop to his side, the anger replaced with heartbreak.

"Thor Odinson…" Odin stated solemnly.

Yes…

"You have betrayed the express command of your king…"

Here it comes!

"Through your arrogance and stupidity, you've opened these peaceful realms and innocent lives to the horror and desolation of war!"

Slamming Gungnir down, Odin inserted the blunt end of the spear into the Bifrost's portal generator. Bolts of energy flew from the generator, the entirety of Himinbjorg rumbling and whirring to life as the Rainbow Bridge's energy was channeled through it.

Puzzled, Loki glanced at his father. What was he doing?

Approaching the elder son, Odin began tearing off pieces of Thor's armor.

"You are unworthy of these realms, you're unworthy of your title, you're unworthy...of the loved ones you have betrayed!"

Loki blinked away the tears building up in his eyes. During the last few words of Odin's sentencing, what was once delightful mischief had soon turned sour. The sheer expressions of anguish on both Odin and Thor's faces erased whatever future plots Loki was dreaming up.

"I now take from you your power!" Odin announced as Mjolnir flew from Thor's grasp and into his open hand. He jabbed the hammer in Thor's direction, each gesture causing pieces of his armor to collapse and clatter to the floor. Thor could only gawk in disbelief at the situation and for once, Loki could relate, his confusion even surpassing his brother's.

"In the name of my father and his father before, I, Odin Allfather, cast you out!"

A bolt of lightning struck Thor in the chest, sending him flying backwards and vanishing in a cascade of prismatic light. Loki was dumbstruck. Had Father really just banished Thor and tossed him out of Asgard? The golden child, the champion of the Nine Realms, had been thrown away like a broken cup. This day had certainly been full of surprises.

Whispering to the hammer, Odin hurled it through the portal and it too disappeared. Once the Bifrost had powered down, Odin wrenched Gungnir free and faced the exit. Loki tore his gaze away from the portal and swallowed, his heart racing like it never had before.

"Father...what have you done?"

Remaining turned around, Odin merely stated, "What needed to be done."

Loki shook his head in disbelief. "But you...you've-you've just banished Thor from Asgard! That does not happen. That should not have happened!"

This time, Odin pivoted so that the two could stare eye-to-eye.

"It did and it has. Loki, he has disobeyed his king, dismantled a long-standing truce and started a war. He brought this shame upon himself. Thor's fate is in his own hands now."

Without another word, Odin marched out the door, his cape fluttering behind him like a pair of raven's wings.

Staring after him, Loki then looked once more to the now-deactivated portal.

"What have I done?"

Xandar

Planetary Coordinates: M31V J00442326+412708

Falling. That was all Thor could think, all he could feel. He was being battered and tossed around like a bird in the eye of a hurricane. The force of the Bifrost hurtling him through space slapped and clawed at his body, simultaneously burning and freezing the bare flesh of his face, neck and arms. It was similar to the time he'd taken his father's prized horse Sleipnir for a joyride, never anticipating the true power of the eight-limbed steed and being nearly thrown from Sleipnir's back at the break-neck speed in which the stallion traveled. However, the major difference here was that Sleipnir, while an animal, had still been domesticated and trained to follow orders. Conversely, the Bifrost was mindless, a collection of unfathomable dimensional energy that could be focused but never truly commanded.

Seemingly, eons passed before the Bifrost slammed into terra firma, momentarily deafening Thor with its thunderous roar and blinding him with loose soil. The pillar of color soon faded, leaving a nauseated Thor lying supine on an unknown planetary surface. Slowly rising to a seated position, Thor rubbed at his eyes and blinked away the debris. He appeared to be in some kind of wharf or harbor, a collection of conical and rectangular metal and stone buildings lined up beside a river of dark blue water. Staggering to his feet, Thor suddenly became aware that he wasn't alone.

A crowd of beings from various species had gathered around him, the majority of which were people with pink skin and dark hair. Some pointed and stared while others gossiped in harsh whispers. Personally, Thor didn't know nor care. He never had time for idle chit-chat with strangers, especially given that there were more pressing matters to contend with. Studying both the locals and surrounding structures, Thor realized that he must be on Xandar, though he was more familiar with the metropolis and not the more rural areas of the planet.

Wait, if this is Xandar, then that means-...

As if on cue, a trio of Star Blasters arrived on the scene. One of their pilots, speaking in a clear, precise tone, announced over his intercom:

"Halt! By the authority of the Nova Corps, you are hereby under arrest."

"Who are you to command me?" Thor growled. "I am Thor Odinson, prince of Asgard and I demand to be treated in a manner befitting my title!"

There was a crack-whistle and a bluish-white spark struck Thor in the chest, sending a burning tremor throughout his body. His limbs quickly turned into jelly and sent him collapsing to the ground. The ships activated their tractor beams, trapping him in a cage of golden light and lifting him up into the air. Then came the darkness.