Loki: Redemption

by Raven862

Before Loki faked his death, he begins having second thoughts of his past actions and latest plan throughout the experience. Once he got stabbed by Kurse and sees that Thor really does care. He realizes that he has gone too far and flees to earth to start a new life. Will Loki begin his new life and become the greatest hero of all time or will he fall back to being a villain?

57. Chapter 50 (part 1)

Thor soon appears in an unknown world, one that he never thought that he would end up or even think that he would have ended up in a world where he would think that he needs to get the Soul Stone and leave as quickly as he can. Loki wasn't exaggerating when he say that this realm would be a dangerous world, he can't believe that he's actually in a world that he has never thought that would ever end up.

It doesn't take a deep thinker to realize that he's in the nightmare dimension and from one look at it, he knows that he needs to find Thanos right there and now, he admits that Loki did outdo himself when it comes to actually taking the time to do the research that is necessary to make sure that this legend is true and at the same time took the risk to send Thanos there. He doesn't know how long Loki has known about the Dream Dimensions' existence or if he has been studying it for a while to send the Titan there. But he will have to wait to learn about the Dream Dimension and Loki's journey to discover it later, he needs to find Thanos and get the Soul Stone, he doesn't want to be any longer than he has to.

The dimension itself looks so colorful with a dark purple overlay, but at the same time a darker antnosphere is dominating the world and the danger has still yet to be seen and it is something that he knows that he needs to avoid at all times. He tries to see if he can find Thanos or hear him make some sort of noise, he has to find him before it's too late and is ready for whatever attack the Titan might be ready to inflict on him. From the sight of the Dimension, it looks vast and yet mysterious and it will take time to see if he can find anything, that is if things required the time or be placed in a situation where he would need to search the entire demension, he sees Thanos walking around trying to figure out his way around the realm and seems to be looking for something or trying to figure out how to escape from the world that they are now trapped in.

Thor decides that this is the moment that he is going to strike and make sure that he grabs the Soul Stone before Thanos grabs a hold of the Guantlet and the Space Stone. He is just going to strike and make sure that he doesn't leave until he has the Stone on the palm of his hand, the only advantages he has is the Space stone, his hammer and the knowledge of dimension that they are now in. He hopes that this would be quick and what he has always thought was part of the myth is still a piece of fiction and even then he doesn't care at the moment, right now he is going to make his move against Thanos and quickly throws his hammer right at the Titan and it successfully hits the Titan as fast as the speed of lightning and right on the head.

Before Thanos can even has a chance to see what might have hit him on the head or to try to see what might be trying to attack him, the next thing he knows is that he finds Thor giving him a punch. Without another word, the two begins to have a fight, one where both sides are determined to win and to complete their goals especially after Thanos caught a glance of the guantlet with the Space Stone in tact, with the hopes that he would be able to escape from the world that he would do anything to make sure he can grab a hold of the Guantlet. While Thor is not having any of Thanos's determination and persistence on trying to grab a hold of the guantlet, he simply fights harder and tries to see if he can place his hammer right on the Titans' chest with the hope that he would get the Titan to give him the stone or to take it from him. But the fight between the two of them are in a place where no one can tell what might happen or if there might be someone that is ready to get the upper hand in some way. That is until...

"I am honestly surprised to see that you of all people would have come and risk everything for that sorry excuse of a brother of yours." said Thanos as he tries to throw a punch that Thor just dodged from. "I would have thought that you would have avoided the risk of my return or lose the chance to say goodbye to him, but then again you were never there for him and even left him without even thinking about him the first two times he supposably died."

"I am not here to-" start Thor as he is about to hit Thanos with his hammer and didn't even bother to stop himself before...

"It's no wonder why your brother despised you, especially knowing that you would only care if he was either going down the wrong path or is on his death bed." said Thanos. "Though I might be doing you a favor, making you lose a brother and freeing you from that burden. Besides he deserves to die."

At that moment, the anger within Thor grows in a rapid speed as he unleashes lighting right at the Titan and is ready to make sure that the Titan is defeated for good and to find the Soul Stone in one way or another. He sends out more blasts of lightning and to send out more attacks than the Titan could even have a chance to counteract or try to find his way to defend himself. He wasn't holding back or even giving the Titan a chance to grab a hold of the Guantlet or the Space Stone, but with the determination to make sure that he does everything to make sure the Titan is defeated or to somehow stop him from making more attacks. The scuffle seems to be ending even more quickly then they thought that would end as Thor punches Thanos so hard that he quickly falls to the ground and before the Titan can even have a chance to get up and continue the fight, Thor simply just drops the hammer right on Thanos's chest and is ready to finish this fight.

"Where's the Soul Stone?" demands Thor as he is is about to pin Thanos's arms to the ground and to try to see if he can find the Stone whether it's through his pockets or to see if he can find where the Titan might be hiding it.

"I don't have it, when I landed here, it was gone. It disappeared right before my eyes and I have been searching for it." said Thanos. "When I find it, I will use it's power to take your soul and maybe-"

"Don't you dare lie to me, I know that you hate my brother more than anything else in this universe and you would gladly lie to preserve the stone and hide the only guarantee way that would sabotage his chances to survive." said Thor defensively and isn't having any of this

"You should know by now that I rarely tell a lie and I focus on the truth only because it hurts more than any lie." said Thanos with an evil grin. "If you haven't took the time to pay attention, I didn't tell you a single lie or told you something that might have slawyed away from the truth."

"I don't believe-" starts Thor who is ready to unleash the power of Mjonir and to somehow make Thanos confess where he is hiding the stone and to get it from him.

"It's the truth, whether you believe it or not." said Thanos who would have pushed Thor off him if he could. "If you must know, there is something that has been following me ever since I landed in this dimension and I believe that it may be watching us right now."

"Nice try, but there is no way that-" starts Thor who is about to make his move and argue with the Titan, right before...

All of the sudden, there was something that pushed Thor off Thanos and he stands his ground ready to fight off whatever just pushed him. He notices that there are many signs of something that is coming in this realm and what they might possibly or if they are going to be anywhere close to what might possibly have been causing the sudden changes towards the realm and how it might ultimately be causing a potential problem. Thor got his hand out, ready to call his hammer in case it might be necessary. He has the feeling that whatever pushed him must be a hundred times worse than Thanos and he is about to face a challenge that no one might be ready to face and he is yet determined to face it.

The environment that the dimension is holding quickly changes as something is fast approaching them and they are about to face whatever might be inhabiting the Dream dimension. Thor already has some ideas on who it might be, but he really hopes that he's wrong and that this time the story is completely false and that he wouldn't be facing one of the most dangerous beings in the nine realms that makes Thanos look weak in comparison. But soon the worst is about to come and from one sight, he quickly grabs his hammer and ready to face the monster of dreams that threatens to make everyone's dreams into nightmares.

Thanos is just as surprised and defensive as Thor, he quickly got up and was ready to fight the strange and dangerous foe that iss standing right in front of them. The figure right before him is a silver skinned being with messy black hair and wears a dark green suit with an even darker cape, he stands before them like a human but yet something that is more dangerous and terrifying than any creature that would dare try to attack them. From a place of darkness this being inhabited and he is ready to deal with the intruders in his home world and make sure they either pay the price or become his prisoners.

"Well, it looks like I have some visitors." said the being with an grin. "I have to say that it has been a long time since I had any guests over, at least I can enjoy your company right now huh boys?"

"I wouldn't say that I am here for a visit, I'm here for more important matters." said Thor as he lifts his hammer, ready to fight off the being. "Now if you excuse me, I would like to continue to interrogate him and can't afford to lose any more time.

"Of course, I know that you are here for one of the Infinity Stones and while your friend over there is sent here with one of the stones for his actions against your universe." said the being with an evil smile.

"What? How does he-" starts Thanos as he gets up and stares at the being, ready to ask more questions before Thor interrupts the Titan and gives the answers.

"He's a being that has infinite knowledge by sensing into our consciousness, he's the master of dreams and would be happy to use his power against all of us for his benefit." explained Thor. "Whatever you do, don't think anything that might lead to our downfall simply due to his physic abilities, he's the master of nightmares."

"Wow, it looks like someone has been doing his homework." said the being to Thor before turning to Thanos. "If I were you, I would listen to your buddy and you really don't want to mess with me."

"We are not friends, now if you will tell me where he has hidden the Soul Stone and I'll gladly be on my way." said Thor trying to see if he can defuse the situation with the hope that he can handle the situation successfully and taking a leaf out of Loki's book.

"You mean this?" Asked the being pulling the Soul Stone right from his pocket catching both Thor and Thanos by surprise.

"What? How did you- Wait did you give him the stone?" Demanded Thor to an equally surprised Thanos who is quietly shaking his head.

"Let's just say that I have a few tricks in my sleeves and I know for sure that I definitely would want the most powerful out of the six Infinity Stones in my grasp." said the being proudly. "I know you two must be desperate to get this back, but... I can't help myself, they don't call me Nightmare for nothing."

Thor gave his hammer a tight grip as he starts to try to figure out how to defeat this being. Nightmare was always the villain in the stories of the dream dimension and if he is real and somehow managed to pickpocket Thanos for the Soul Stone, then he's more dangerous than he could have ever imagined or the stories might have said and that alone is making this fight even more harder by the minute. He needs to figure out how to get the stone before it's too late and he loses his brother forever.

"Well boys, you both want this stone and I also want to have grip of it's power. Only one of us can have it all to ourselves." Said Nightmare as he takes a good look at the Soul Stone and turns to the two of them. "I think there is a fair way on how we can deal with this and let's just be gentlemen and talk about my proposition for you."

This only makes Thor more defensive, he knows that Nightmare is planning something and one where it guarantees that he would keep the Soul Stone. He doesn't even know what he would do to him or even Thanos, but it's clear that it wouldn't be a good end to their story. Part of him wishes that Loki is here, then maybe he would have figured out some way to out smart Nightmare and then they would already be back to their dimension by now. But he has to do whatever it may take to save his brother, even if he has to go through every challenge that he is about to face to do it. He just hopes that he can pull this off, somehow...

---

Meanwhile Back on the Ship

Everything is still the same as before Thor left, the Avengers and the Guardians are hard at work trying to get ready for the departure. Bruce is going back between both Nebula and Loki, though he is relief that Nebula seems to be ok. Aside from needing small reminders from Gamora whenever she forget something or a small detail. All she needs is that memory therapy that Loki suggested and more healing potion and she should be fine. Right then, he's making sure that she

Both sisters felt some sense of relief from that news, at least there is hope for Nebula and she will be alright. Gamora hopes that this would be the start of a new bond between the sisters and they can both heal from Thanos and yet, allow it to be the start of an opportunity for her to make amends with her sister. While Nebula is surprised to see Gamora staying by her side this long and how she feels somewhat comforted that she is getting the love that she has always wanted from her and now, she is finally getting it and wishes that she can remember every moment. Though she probably won't admit it out loud that this means anything to her, but she is going to see how long is this is going to go on before she can make any judgment.

While Loki on the other hand is trying hard to maintain the pain. He doesn't know how much longer he could take it or if he would be able to handle another minute. He just finished telling Darcy everything that happened and is currently trying to see if he can allow her to ask questions. So far she is being more understanding and isn't demanding him to tell her anything more than he may need to. Loki just wishes that he can somehow stops the pain from consuming him and really wishes that he can make an illusion where he would be able to mask it with an illusion and he would simply relax until whatever is set to happen occurs. At least he's done with telling Darcy everything that happened and he can just try to focus on staying awake as long as he can.

"At least we don't have to worry about dealing with Thanos anymore and we can just hang out and try to make the most of things and just live our lives." said Darcy trying to maintain her optimism. "Though I can't believe that we finally did it, so does this kinda make a superhero now? I mean I was the one who came up with the whole Mysto idea and practically helped with getting the Stones and doing everything to help out in the past few days. I mean I hit Thanos with a giant branch to save you from getting your Soul taken, well for the first time at least."

"I admit that was a good hit... At least it only... delayed the inevitable long enough for us to... put Thanos in his place." said Loki as he tries to add his input and to continue on the conversation.

"I know right, I can't believe that I did that to Thanos and convinced him to not to hurt you, I guess I must have picked up a couple of things when it comes to persuading and trying to get others to do what I want from you huh?" said Darcy rather happily. "I guess that this definitely answers the question and means that I am kinda like a superhero now, if we weren't right near an Avenger and on another planet, I would definitely be fan girling right now."

"I don't know about superhero, but you did help save the universe..." said Loki as he trying to find the words to answer the question and not make Darcy in over her head.

"So I'm more like your sidekick, you know the person that teams up with the hero and helps them fight crime, do missions and just as cool and fun as the main hero?" said Darcy who is happy with the fact that she might be considered as Loki's sidekick.

"Well that or partner, we both contributed our share... We managed to succeed in our goals... We both went to get the Stones and didn't let anything get in our way even when... things got difficult..." said Loki as he is trying to maintain his breath and stop himself from coughing.

"Ok then, partners it is." said Darcy happily as she continues to be happy at being at the same level as Loki/Mysto. "So should I come up with my own superhero name, like Mysteria?"

"Definitely not." said Loki without wasting a second and ready to dismiss the idea.

"Come on, I should kinda have a superhero name too and Mysteria would be perfect, it would be like... Mysto's female counterpart." said Darcy only earning an annoyed look from Loki. "Ok Mysteria's out, maybe something that is based more on my skills abilities or something that fits my whole outlook. Like the Teaser or Dr. Science or maybe something like... the Miracule?"

"I think that you should drop the idea or at least come up with a name that-" starts Loki trying to sound annoyed but actually believing that conversation is somewhat enjoyable, before he starts coughing rather viscously and it is becoming more viscous by the minuete and it is almost like it is never going to stop.

"Loki, are you alright?" asked Darcy almost immediately. "Do you need water or something?"

"I'm fine... I'm fine..." said Loki as he catches his breath and tries to see if he can continue on the conversation. "I don't think any... of those names work..."

"Are you sure you are fine? You just cough more than before and it's sounds... bad." said Darcy who is taken aback of what just happened.

"I assure you... I am doing the best as I can... But let's just focus on trying to make the most... of this, I want to make this to be... as well as it can be..." said Loki. "Now can you-"

"Hey Loki, are you doing ok? Do you need anything or are you-" starts Bruce checking over the two of them.

"What I need is for both of you... to stop with worrying over... my well being..." said Loki as he tries to maintain his breath and to try to make himself look decent and to try not increases any more concern.

"Loki, you just coughed like if there was no tomorrow." Point out Darcy. "I don't know if it might be a trick of the light but you look really pale. The not in a good way that we should be worried about pale."

"Not too mention, your vitals seems to be changing in a very bad way." Said Bruce. "I have never seen anything like it, it is almost looks like that loosing a soul is like losing a vital organ or any scenario in that vain."

"It is worse than that... the Soul Stone was created to inhabited souls... and many use its power to... make others lose something that allows one to... live and be who they are..." explained Loki. "Without a Soul... One would perish and... No one would be able to.. save them and their soul... will no longer exist..."

"Ok, explain that." Said Bruce who is still unsure how this has to do with Loki's worsening state.

"My Soul would... fade away and once it does then... I will no longer be able to maintain consciousness and... you won't be able to... return my soul because of it being lost forever..." Said Loki. "Once it's gone, then... My body will begin to shut down and... It has already begun..."

"Come on, there is no way we would ever let that happen." Said Darcy trying hard to comfort Loki and herself. "We're going to save you, Thor will get your soul back in no time, you'll see."

"That's the least of my worries in all honesty." Said Loki as he thinks about his brother and hoping some parts of the stories would be exaggerated.

"We just want to help, to try to make you feel as comfortable as we can." Said Bruce trying to make him feel ok that he would trust them. "Just think of us as your subjects who want to help you feel better by waiting on you on hand and foot while Thor is off on his mission."

"I'd rather think of you and the others as Thor's friends who would be more than happy to do this favor for him." Said Loki as response and clearly showing that he's no longer the same person who tried to take over Earth anymore.

"You can think anything you want of us, but just let us help you long enough that we won't find ourselves giving Thor an explanation why you look worse than when he left you just because we didn't look out for you." Said Bruce who can't even imagine what he would say to Thor in that scenario.

"Well if you really want to assist me then... I might require some... water..." Said Loki. "From all of that coughing...I have become really parched..."

"Yeah of course, I'll go grab some." said Bruce as he heads towards the supply room to grab some water bottles, he can't believe that they didn't put some in there. He quickly makes sure that Loki would be alright for a few minutes, once he's sure, then he quickly leaves the room to get the water and anything else they might need. Once Bruce is gone, Loki just gives a sigh of relief that he doesn't have to deal with Bruce for a little bit and he can at least try to relax for a little bit and he can at least try to make the most of the situation and try to continue on with his conversation with Darcy before anything else happens.

"You do realize that he and the others are just trying to help right?" asked Darcy who doesn't know what to make with Loki trying to push them away from them trying to do anything.

"I know... it would be better if we avoid... making this harder than it needs to be..." said Loki who knows that it will take a while for Thor to face whatever he is going to face that he hopes that for his brother's sake, the myth isn't true.

"We're just trying to save you, if we had anymore healing potion then-" starts Darcy as she tries to figure out what to say.

"I don't mean to interrupt but there is still some of that potion left, I left some when I drank from the bottle you gave me." said Nebula. "I may have some details missing from my memory, but I knew I remembered that Loki lost his Soul or at least thought that I might have, that is until I got the confirmation from Loki prior to being brought up here."

"I see that your memory is starting to come back." Said Loki who is feeling relief that Nebula is starting to get memories back and happy that the Potion and the spell has started to help her.

"Wait, are you telling us that you left a bit of the potion?" asked Darcy rather excitedly grabbing a hold of the vial and sees that there is still some left in there.

"I saved it in case Loki might need it later and I think I must have done so, as a token of gratitude for helping me escape from Thanos." said Nebula. "I know that it won't make up for the things I have done, but it might be able to help in some way."

"I wish... There is no cure for a lost Soul unless the Soul is returned..." said Loki as he tries to point out a fact that he wishes that it might be true.

"Loki, don't you realize what this might be? The potion might help us, it can help buy us time and you might have a couple more minutes of being awake and then you might... get better." said Darcy with the hope that Loki deep down would agree with her or at least share the same hope that she is now feeling.

"We should... save this... for emergencies..." Said Loki as he tries to convince Darcy that the potion would be more beneficial for the others, that he doesn't deserve this possible chance.

"This is an emergency, one that you might possibly die and we need to do everything to save you." Said Darcy who is no longer having this or even want to deal with Loki being like this. "Why can't you see that we are trying to help and just stop pushing us away?"

"I know that you are trying, but..." starts Loki before an intense pain reaches his stomach and he is trying to maintain his breathing pattern.

"I think that you definitely need it more than me." Said Nebula almost immediately as she watches the situation.

"I agree." Said Gamora who can't help but voice her input as she finally comes in to the conversation and says what she thinks of the entire situation.

"Yep, if we are having a vote then it would definitely be unanimous." Said Darcy as she hands over the vial to Loki and hopes that he would be accept it without any more arguments.

Loki just gives a sigh, he can tell that he would lose every argument that he would give all of them and they would be insistent. He knows that this won't fully heal him or if he fully deserves the chance that they are trying to give him. If it weren't for him then none of this would have happened, Thanos wouldn't have one after him and maybe they could have avoided many things and it might have not gone this far and maybe they would have been able to avoid Thanos long enough for him to forget about the Stones or at least avoid Earth. But still he might at well as drink it if it means that not only they all would just drop the matter and believe that he would be alright. So he quickly drinks the potion, to much of everyone in the room's relief. Loki is happy that he has gotten some relief from the pain from his chest, the potion must have started to heal some of the burn marks that he has gotten from his first fight from Thanos. He knows that it might not be enough to save him and he will still feel the pain of losing his soul, but for now he's going to enjoy this moment

Darcy can't help but feel some relief as she sees her roommate and friend get some form of healing and a break from the pain. She just hopes that Thor would come back soon, to end the last bit of drama Thanos caused and for Loki to get healed by getting his Soul back. Though she knows that Loki is going to get through this, he has to...

"There, I finished it off." Said Loki annoyed as he handed the empty bottle back to Darcy. "Happy now?"

"Yes, I am." Said Darcy giving a smirk and is happy to see that at least Loki is feeling a little better to act like himself for a moment when he's not in the mood to deal with anything.

"At least you might have some relief? So that has to be worth something? Especially knowing that your brother might be back at any moment." Said Gamora. "Knowing Thanos, he won't have any patience and will let his anger dominate the battle, that alone won't allow him to think through a fight and allow Thor an advantage."

"Yeah, maybe..." Said Loki as he remembers the legends and hopes it's not true.

"Well, Thor's tough and he will be able to fight off anything that dares try to stand in his way." said Darcy rather confidently. "There is no way that he would lose any battle, even if the most powerful thing in the world tries to beat him up."

"I guess..." says Loki and figures that it might be best to change the subject and to try to get the most of the time that they have left together and to try to take their mind off things. "You know, I have been thinking about the sword and I have decided to change its name."

"What? Why?" Asked Darcy caught completely off guard from the current conversation.

"I figured that since I am now the owner of the sword and given the history of it, that it should get a new name for its new beginning." Said Loki.

"Yeah the whole thing about your sister and how she probably used this thing to hurt who knows how many people while she was dating Thanos." Said Darcy. "Talk about giving a legendary artifact a bad name and needing to give it a clean slate."

"That and the fact that it's meaning in Asgardian is anything but something I would like to keep calling it." Said Loki as he gives a sigh from the very thought of keeping the name and the moment his body is giving him some peace.

"Wait, you guys have your own language?" Asked Darcy almost immediately.

"Of course we do, as a matter of fact all of the rest of the nine realms with the exception of Earth has a language in tact with a culture." Said Loki. "It's similar to what Earth has towards those Roman numerals and those hyrogriphics, but a little more sophisticated. Did you think that Asgardians are less cultured than most planets and mostly have brainless warriors walking around? Though it's only true for some..."

"Ok, sorry about that. It's just that I never thought that the other realms and planets would have languages of their own." Said Darcy and quickly turn to Nebula and Gamora. "Do you guys have your own language?"

"Yes, we both have our own specific language and can speak many others as well." Said Nebula.

"The only good thing that Thanos has ever did to us." Said Gamora. "He made us study every language in existence, so that way it would be easier to negotiate and threaten anyone we may encounter."

"All Asgardians and Jontuns are birthed with an ability called the All-speak. It gives us the ability to understand and speak any language even all of the ones humans speak." Said Loki. "Though I am honestly surprised that I don't understand Groot, maybe it's because Groot can make the words have more than one meaning thus making it more complex or it's something I need to study because no one from Asgard even knows Groot exist thus that knowledge gives the ability a limit of some kind."

"Other than that, it's still cool that you guys can speak all of those languages. Maybe once you are all better and when we get some down time, you can give some pointers." Said Darcy. "Out of curiosity, what does it mean in Asgardian?"

"In English and many other languages, it is known as the Laevetin. A sword of legends and with all the power anyone could ever imagine." Said Loki. "But in Asgardian, it is referred to as to a 'damaged twig'"

"Ok, that would suck if you kept that name and if everyone knew what that means." said Darcy who agrees with that new development. "So what are thinking of calling it then?"

"I'm still trying to come up with some ideas and it might take a while for me to decide on the perfect one." said Loki.

"Here's a good idea, why not the Sword of Destiny?" suggested Darcy with only gaining an eye roll from Loki. "Ok, too cheesy and it doesn't match the whole Loki/Mysto image, what ideas have you come up with or do you need my help to come with some names?"

Loki just gives an annoyed sigh as he continues to hear Darcy give her ideas of what would be a great name for the sword. He doesn't like any of the names that she suggested or would ever consider calling it the 'swordarang,' then he would rather keep calling it Laevetin. But still at least it worked keeping Darcy's mind off the current situation and they can at least have a conversation just like they always had in the past and they are now having a break before having to face the inevitable. Part of him wishes that Thor would succeed in his quest and return with the Soul Stone, thus being able to return his Soul to him. Then by that miracle, it would allow them to have some kind of happy ending and they would be able to get through this.

But he knows that it can't happen or the chances are high for it to happen, simply because even if Thor is able to defeat Thanos, there is the other challenge that he knows that he would have to face and that alone is what might diminish his chances to even make it out of the dream dimension. From his knowledge of the stories, he knows that the monster in the dimension is known as the Nightmare is a creature who would do anything to win and find an escape.

The idea that Thor would have to face two despicable beings who would do anything to grab a hold of not one, but two Infinity Stones is what they are going to make sure either one of them have not only the power of two stones, but their ticket out of the dimension prison that they are both are now trap in. He just hopes that even if Thor fails, that he would be able to escape from the dimension that he is now in. So that way he will be able to live his life and won't have to pay any potential consequences and he will be able to move on and live his life with the Avengers, Jane and Darcy, carry on his duties in Asgard when the time is right like how it was supposed to, then move on from everything that has happened and most importantly move on from him. He just hopes that Thor would be ready to let him go for good.

For now, he is just going to make sure that Darcy gets through this and try to make this last moment as enjoyable as he can for both of them. To try to say anything that he might need to say, in hopes that it would somehow make amends and let them all know that he is sorry for what happened and hopes that it would be enough to fix it. He might even take the time to tell Darcy how he feels about her and apologize for dragging her into this and for taking her on a unpredictable journey that might have made things harder on her and ruin her life. Loki wonders if that would be enough and if it might not be too late for Darcy to sort things out and for Thor to find a way to get out of that dimension. Then at least he would know that they would be able to move on and he will at least be able to meet his fate easily.

Though he just wishes that it won't have to be this way, that he at least knows that the Guardians would have fixed their ship, Nebula would be ok from the concussion and she would at least be able to heal from the exspirance and maintain her memories. That Jane would at least remain by Thor's side and they will be together. At least none of the Avengers will face the consequences of his actions and that they will easily move on from all of this.

Now all any of them can do now is wait and see how things are going to turn out. That it would somehow work out for all of them and they will get an resolution to all of their problems that they will at least have the chance for a brighter future without Thanos and without him.

---

Meanwhile in the Dream Dimension

Thor still has his guard up as he watches Nightmare pace right in front of him and Thanos. Clearly is planning to do something and with the hope that he would get both of the Infinity Stones and the Gauntlet would be seen as a bonus. He has to be ready for any fight that might be on the horizon and whatever Nightmare might be ready to give him. He just needs to grab a hold of the Soul Stone and escape without angering and accidentally unleash the most dangerous threat that would only lead to more trouble. The type of trouble that would lead to more pain and would completely be dangerous and hard to stop.

While Nightmare on the other hand, he knows that this could be his opportunity to get out of this dimension where he was imprisoned. That he would have another opportunity to finish what he has started and to finally have the start of his new reign of darkness and to somehow use the power of the Infinity Stones as a way to create a new reality where he will be in charge. That many would be happy to live in unless they want to be trapped in their own worst nightmare. He has to figure out the best way to manipulate the one with the Gauntlet to give them to him. At least he has the Soul Stone to use as an advantage. Now he has to find a way to show him what happens when he dares try to fight him off. Just to give him a warning that will intimidate the Asgardian long enough to make him give him the Space stone and the Guantlet.

"It has been a while since I had anyone come to see me, let alone hold something as powerful as not one but two Infinity Stones." said Nightmare rather slyly staring at both of them. "Now if you both please take a seat and I have some things to say and really looking forward to getting to know the two of you."

Without a second thought, he suddenly creates three chairs and a desk. With two simple chairs right in front of the desk, while the most grander and most elegant chair is sitting right behind the desk. Nightmare wasted no second in taking his seat in the chair behind his desk, while both Thor and Thanos awkwardly approach the desk. They both stood right in front of the being, not even sure if they should even sit.

"Sit down, I don't even know why you boys are so paranoid." Said Nightmare in a sly grin on his face. "Do either of you want something to eat or drink? I have to say that I have plenty of food and beverages to go around?"

Thor just shakes his head as he glares at Nightmare, can't even believing that the being is being this civil and feels like that he's mocking the situation. If he wasn't dealing with a being who would predict his every move without him even trying then he would have beaten Nightmare up and left this dimension with the Soul Stone in his hands and to leave this realm and get back to the ship and give Loki his Soul back. He would be more than willing to avoid a fight and leave in a civil manner.

Thanos is paying close attention to the being and Thor's reactions to the current situation. It is obvious that he knows a little bit of this creature of darkness and he needs to keep an eye on him. So that way he will be able to learn from the Asgardian and somehow get a hold of the situation for his own advantage. All he needs to do is regain the Soul Stone and get the Guantlet and Space Stone, escape and continue his reign of power by taking back the rest of the Infinity Stones. All he needs is to come up with a plan and to somehow grab a hold of the stones, then he will finish what he has started, leave Thor in this dimension with the guilt of failing to save his brother and keeping him trapped, with only Nightmare for company.

Other than that, both Thor and Thanos, who at this point are wiry at Nightmare and suspicious at whatever the being might be planning. One of the rare moments that two rivals of any kind would put aside their differences and would find something to agree on. Sure, Thor and Thanos wouldn't agree to team up and try to fight Nightmare, but at least they have gotten to the point that they can find at least one thing to agree on and will at least put a stop to their fight with one another to keep their guard up and be ready for whatever might be up ahead and if they will be able to simply stop the being or convince him to give up the Infinity Stone and then return to fight another without a second thought.

"I'm going to safely assume that you both must have eaten before you both decided to stop by? It's clearly a shame, my meals always garentees that everyone's worst nightmare come to life in some form or another." said Nightmare trying to act civilly towards the two. "Oh well, at least I can always keep the element of surprise to myself and many more can experience everything that has to come with paying me a visit."

"Look, it's not that I don't appreciate the hospitality but I need to leave as soon as possible." said Thor as he tries to reason with the being. "Now if you can give me the Infinity Stone in your possession then I will be forever grateful and will find some way to repay you."

"Yeah, about that... it's crazy to think that there is so much power in this little gem then the three of us combined." said Nightmare as he pulls out the Soul Stone and observes it. "Yet we all want want different things, our desires are so far apart that it's a wonder on how many can sit down and think about what they can do with all of power in the world or at least one of the Infinity Stones within ones' grasps."

"I don't have time to play your games-" starts Thanos as heads right towards Nightmare and ready to take the stone back to his grasps.

"Do you think that anyone wanted to play your games? If anything you are the biggest pain in the entire universe by popular opinion." said Nightmare calmly as he catches Thanos by surprise. "Yes, I know everything about you, 'oh great and mighty Thanos.' All I needed is to just quickly see through both of your minds and I can see how you wanted to destroy the entire universe for your own twisted version of world peace and that everyone including Thor over there despises you and think you are the worst."

"It doesn't matter what anyone else may think of me, as long as I get that stone and finish my goal then that would be the only thing that matters." said Thanos. "Besides there is only one person in any universe that would ever love me and that's Gamora, who has been too blind to-"

"Oh yes, the girl who you destroyed her home, slaugther her people which included her mom, tortured her and her sister even more to the point that she hated her for it." points out Nightmare with am evil grin. "While we are on the topic of her sister, you nearly destroyed a beautiful bond that will take some time to repair for it to get anywhere close to what it was, there is also the fact that you tore her apart to try to turn her into a machine and imagine who knows how much pain she was in when you did that. Now let's look over recent events, you threatened both of your daughters at least one time during your tantrum and not too mention threaten to kill Gamora's friends if she didn't go home with you, willing to kill both of them if they stand in your way, You even said to Nebula and I quote 'Remember when and if you find Gamora, do everything you can to defeat her in combat and aim to kill her.' It's a miracle that both of them stayed with you this long as they did, especially if you are ready to do all that just because one of them disagrees with you."

Thor turns to look at Thanos, he doesn't even know if he should feel more disgusted by him or worried of where this might be leading to. If this might be a warning sign of something bigger that might happen and if it might lead to a problem that might jeopardize his chances on saving Loki and being trapped in this realm with Nightmare. This is an environment and a stituatiton where no one would be able to predict what might happen or know the best solution, he just wishes that Loki is here to outsmart nightmare or Jane and Darcy to try to figure out a plan or distract Nightmare or the Avengers and the guardians to have a team to help him fight nightmare off. It's not like that he wants them to be placed in a dangerous situation, but at this moment he is going to need all of the help he can get to do this. He really does not want to know what this moment is going to lead to and whatever it is, he just hopes that it's not going to cause any trouble that might lead to anything worse than Thanos.

"Might I also add that you also most recently threw Nebula to a rock wall and giving her a mild concussion simply because she was helping a friend, saving at least saved five lives, joined the opposing side and actually stood up for what she believed in and herself. Besides you have already hurt Gamora in more ways in less than a day." said Nightmare who is having fun with his taunting. "You may have ruined her life before she met her friends, but you nearly made her lose two people that she truly cares. Her sister is at risk losing her memories and might still be in danger due to the concussion you gave her and the friend that happened to help both of your daughters is now fighting for his life and I hold the key to it. Imagine how angry Gamora must be feeling towards you and the disappointment that her first true friend, dies because of you, your other daughter is in pain because of you and the rest of your children died through your failed quest of glory. Yeah all that and your demented views of life is definitely not going to let you win father of the year."

"Why- Maybe your right and Gamora does deserve discipline, but you have no right to-" starts Thanos ready to make sure that Nightmare pays for his insults.

"Thanos, whatever you are going to say, don't say it." Said Thor who is not having anything that might make things worse. "He will be ready to use anything-"

"If you know what's good for you, then you would stay out of this Thor." Said Nightmare in a defensive manner and becomes more threatening towards Thanos. "The weakling is about to see first hand, what happens when one tries to question me. He may say all of the things he wants about being a savior for the universe, but at the end of the day, he's nothing but a villain who keeps being blind to the real world."

"I am not-" starts Thanos who got up from his chair and is ready to fight, Thor simply looks nervously as he sees the chaos unfolds.

"You are about to say that you're not a villain weren't you?" Asked Nightmare with that sly grin becoming bigger by the second. "People have said a lot of things about me being the invaded of dreams and a monster who wants nothing more than to gain a universe to warp reality until it pleases me even if others are my prisoners. But at least I admit that I am bad news, I always hated others who would refuse to accept the truth."

At that moment, Nightmare slowly got up and pulls out the Soul Stone right on his grasp. He even makes a quick head gesture towards Thor to let him aware that things might get ugly and get out of the crossfire's before he does the next thing, he has in mind for Thanos. Especially since he would be doing everyone a favor.

Without a second thought, Thor quickly got out of his seat and stares at the situation happening right in front of him and no one needs to tell him what is about to happen to the Titan and it's going to result in something that might make anyone want to back away and get out of this dimension as fast as they can without looking back. The tension between the two is only increasing by the second, it looks like there is no hope for this confrontation to end peacefully. Nightmare has a determined look in his eyes and ready to do the next thing that he knows will be perfectly fun and yet ironic for the Titan. While Thanos is ready to defeat the being and just finish what he believes to be a waste of time, he may not have the power of the Infinity Stones on him. But that doesn't mean he is going to back down and going to do everything to make sure that he leaves the dimension victorious.

"You have to be foolish to dare insult me? You think that you can get away with-" starts Thanos as he starts to approach Nightmare, ready to make sure the being knows first hand what happens when one dares insults him.

"From where I'm standing, you're the only one who's a fool." Said Nightmare. "Now let's see if you like having a taste of your own medicine as you face your doom as you might say."

Thanos starts to race towards Nightmare, ready to punch the being and make sure that he grabs a hold of the Soul Stone and then later deal with Thor. Then he will finally succeeds in his goals, but he is placing every single bet on the hope for the power to be regained and him to somehow finish what he has started. While Nightmare on the other hand is giving a smirk and waited for a couple of seconds to do what he has been planning to do, once Thanos is close enough. He quickly activates the Soul Stone and aims right towards the Titan, without wasting another second, a big blast appears, aiming right towards the Titan. It is consuming him as it continues to grow and surround him, Thor can barely see Thanos from where he is standing and is trying to block his eyes from the bright light that is coming from the blast.

The next thing Thor knew is that the blast starts to diminish and slowly fade away from the area. Once Thor moves his hand away from his eyes, he is surprised to see the sight right in front of him and knows now that this is going to be harder than he has anticipated. He also knows that if he doesn't make a move or some kind of plan right then and there, then he might meet the same fate as Thanos and Pietro...

Thor sees only burnt marks from the place where Thanos once stand. The Titan has been absorb by the blast as well, Nightmare must have figured out how to be able to absorb people into the Soul Stone without the Space Stone. He needs to get the Stone now before it's too late, since so far the odds are definitely not looking like it might be in his favor and he needs to do something and it needs to somehow work and it has to be fast.

"Pretty impressive on how I can use my abilities to warp reality and combine it with the powers of the Soul Stone to absorb him into it." said Nightmare with a giant smirk on his face. "Plus doesn't it seem ironic that I happen to have defeated Thanos with the power that he crave for and would have done everything to somehow gain the power of the Infinity Stones and now he is trap within one with no escape."

"Then that would mean... he is truly gone..." said Thor as he acknowledged that Thanos might have come to an end and worries that there might not be any hope for them to get Pietro out of the Soul Stone.

"Of course, no one can escape the Soul Stone if they are ever absorb into it, their bodies and souls becomes part of the Stone itself. They can live only in the realm within the Stone, that only will keep them alive and yet if they dare try to return to the dimension of the living then they'd be dead." Said Nightmare. "It's almost like a one way ticket actually and now this is the part where I walk away and you go back home, since you were the only one that showed me respect during that little... whatever that was."

"Wait, I still need the Stone! My brother needs that stone..." Said Thor as he starts to head towards Nightmare, ready to do anything to make him hear him out.

"Yeah everyone 'needs' an Infinity Stone at some point, but they always use it for their own personal gain. Like how your brother once did." Said Nightmare. "He might use it to try to take over the universe in order to gain some kind of throne, I might be also be doing you a favor. You would lose the brother that caused you so much trouble in the past, it would make your life easier and you no longer have to deal with whatever problems that he might bring to your life."

"How can you say... No, I am not going to lose my brother and not leaving here without the Soul Stone." said Thor determinedly as he lifts his hammer and only earns laughter from Nightmare and thus making Thor put his guard up in case of anything.

"I think you have forgotten one little thing, I can see through the minds of anyone who can dream and will be able to detect every attack you try to make." said Nightmare rather slyly. "If I were you, I would go back while I still can and make my final goodbye."

"What do you want for the Stone?" asked Thor as he realizes that Nightmare was right, there is no way he would be able to fight him and somehow succeed in the fight that might be his loosing battle. "I am ready to do anything for my brother and will do anything to make sure that he lives, give me the Soul Stone and I will return it as soon as I am done."

"Here's the thing, you really don't want to make a deal with me, it never really ends well." said Nightmare. "But since it's clear that you truly are desperate, I am prepared to offer you a deal, well it's more of a challenge really. If you really want to save your brother that is."

"What would I have to do?" Asked Thor who is ready to hear him out.

"Here's what I need you to do, I need someone to test something that I have been working on. I have created a way to surround one in their worst nightmare and I need someone to test it, to see if it's inescapable." said Nightmare. "If you can escape then I will give you the Soul Stone with no other arguments or excuses in mind."

"If I don't?" Asked Thor feeling like there might be something else in the way and one that he should be worried about.

"If you fail, then you would give up the Gauntlet and the Space Stone and you will be trapped here forever." Said Nightmare with and evil grin.

"That would mean, you will be able to escape from this dimension and-" starts Thor.

"Take over everything in your universe and make sure that everything becomes rightfully mine, you got it." Said Nightmare. "Don't worry, I am going to pay your brother a visit and give him back his soul. I'm not that heartless and need to tell someone my victory speech and he would need to know that his brother will never return to him."

Thor stares at Nightmare, feeling the anger at the deal he would have to make if he wants to save his brother. At the same time he knows that he has no choice but to do it, he knows that if there is a way to save Loki then he would be ready to do anything to make sure that he would succeed. But he is mostly worried of what happens if he fails to escape from whatever Nightmare might be planning and if he has a hold of the Space Stone then Nightmare will be able to escape and who knows what might happen if he manages to escape from the dimension that has kept him a prisoner for many centuries and would unleash chaos to the universe to make sure that he gains some kind of control. Now he has to somehow figure out how to save his brother and prevent a potential escape from Nightmare who might be worse than Thanos, at this moment everything seems and feels lost...

"So what do you say?" asked Nightmare grabbing Thor's attention in hopes that he would make a rash decision. "Do we have a deal?"

Thor is in deep thought as he tries to see what might be the best choice for the matter and he soon realize that doing what Nightmare wants might be the best choice. Since there is no way he would be able to fight off Nightmare and guarantee a victory or him leaving the dimension alive. But the only hope that he might have is to do it and find his way out through whatever Nightmare might have planned for him and see if he can somehow escape from the trap and then see if Nightmare is being honest with his word and if not he'll figure things out from there. He just hopes that he knows that he knows what he is doing and save his brother and prevent Nightmare in escaping from this dimension and being responsible for any catastrophic events that Nightmare might be planning. Thor turns to Nightmare, ready to give his answer and yet have mix feelings on what he is about to do. The fear of failing ultimately gets overturned by the determination to do everything to succeed and to make sure that he gets the Soul Stone for Loki.

"Well then let's get started." said Thor determinedly, earning a sly smile from Nightmare who is ready to give Thor a real challenge...

---

Meanwhile back on Titan, in the main Control Room

The Avengers with the exception of Wanda (who is hiding out in the supply closet with the desire of being alone) and Bruce, The remaining Guardians of the Galaxy and Jane are working on getting the ship ready for take off. But there are also some things that they know that Thor would come back at any moment and they are worried for the fact that if they took off then Thor might land on the planet rather than inside the ship. None of them have any idea how the Infinity Stones work, they don't know what would happen if they fly out and when Thor comes back he ends up on Titan or the ship. At least they are almost done, that they would be ready to leave once they just do a couple final steps on the control panel and then they would be off.

But despite that, there is still a silence in that room as they are getting everything ready. No one knew what to say or if they can say anything, but the Avengers and the Guardians knew that they need to make some kind of decision on what they should do while they wait for Thor. As they face many concerns with Thor being in trouble, Loki is now dying with his only hope relying on Thor, Nebula's current condition and how Darcy and Gamora are holding up.

The Guardians are concerned for both of their friends and how they might possibly lose Loki from the Soul Stone. Especially after everything he went through to finally achieve some sort of happiness. That Thanos would just take away Loki's chance for it and that there is no telling what would happen if it does happen. They also thought of Gamora who might lose Nebula or at least have to help her while she heals. Wondering if both sisters will finally let go of the past and start anew or will they fall apart? At least there might be a chance, simply because Nebula chose to leave Thanos and help them fight Thanos rather than simply remain on Thanos's side. So at least they know that she is not to far gone and would want to have a chance to start anew. The others are willing to give her a chance for Gamora's sake, but she would also have to stay committed to their side and not try to betray them or hurt Gamora.

The Avengers on the other hand are trying to make the most of the situation and trying to decide whether they should do. They know that Thor probably would want them to leave for Earth without him and then he would use the Space Stone to somehow teleport wherever he may end up. But they don't want to find out the hard way if what Thor thinks what might happen doesn't happen. The last thing they need is him to end up in the wrong place, especially if Thor is hoping that he would be able to save Loki in time and they know how much Loki means to him and how he probably would be really upset if he was too late to even save Loki due to location trouble.

The last thing they all need is to be indirectly responsible in Loki's demise and to not even allow Thor to finish what he went out to do. Even though they all have mixed feelings towards Loki, especially after finding out that he was Mysto this entire time and they are still trying to get over the fact that he has changed and decided to go after Thanos to stop him from gathering the Stones and make up for everything and even going as far to save them from Thanos. So they kinda owe him one and are willing to help in anyway they can, especially if it means they would have to save Loki and at the same time help make things easier for Thor when it comes to helping him save his brother.

Jane really wants to say something or suggest something as they were all about to finish the maintenance, she is hoping that they would all stay and wait for Thor. Since the fact that Thor might arrive at any moment and none of them know what to expect or if Thor will be able to get to the exact location once he comes back. She just hopes that he would hurry back soon, she is wondering what is happening in that dimension and if he is going to be alright. Along with having the hope that Thor would succeed in getting the Soul Stone back, she can already imagine how upset he would be if the worst might happen.

There is also Darcy and Loki himself to worry about, she knows that Darcy is probably still denying it right now and can't imagine what is going to happen how Darcy will react towards any scenario. She doesn't want to see Darcy get hurt and get a harder time to move past it. She remembers how hard it was to try to let Thor go, but at the same time, she knows that no matter how hard Darcy tries she would never let Loki go like how she couldn't let Thor go. She just hopes that Darcy won't have to go through that and unfortunately Loki won't be able to come back...

All she knows that she doesn't want to see Loki go through any more pain than he already did and wants to see Loki die for real. Especially after getting to know Loki ever since she found out that he was Mysto, she grew to care for him as a friend and sees him as more than the guy who wants a throne, take over Earth and prove to his dad that he is just as good as his brother if not better than him. She at least grew to care for Loki as she would for a friend and even though she doesn't even know if they are friends, but she wants to do everything she can to help save him and at least make things easier for him. She just hopes that they would be will to hear what she has to say and if she can convince anyone on what she might say.

"Guys, I know that our best move is to take off and head back to Earth as fast as we can." Said Steve as he acknowledges the situation right before them. "But I think that our best move should be is to wait for Thor to return or give us some kind of signal, we don't know what might happen if we try to fly back."

"I was... actually going to suggest we do that..." Said Jane who is getting over her shock and can't help but say that out loud.

"Well it is a good move, do any of us know if the Gauntlet and the stones would really have that amount of power to make him appear out of nowhere?" Said Natasha who is skeptical of the possibility that the Stones are that powerful and yet knows that they shouldn't take any chances from recent events and remembering the Ultron incident.

"Yeah, it definitely looks like that Thor is hoping that he would pop in here out of nowhere with the Soul Stone in hand." Said Tony agreeing and quickly notice something. "Guys, don't look now, but I think Groot is trying to sneak in to the Med bay again."

They all turned and sees Groot getting close enough to the door. Without wasting any second, Rocket quickly jumps right in front of Groot and crossed him arms blocking the door. Groot just gives a little sigh as he sees the raccoon blocking his way. He just hopes that Rocket would at least be open to hear him out and be more understanding.

"I am Groot. I am Groot. I am Groot?" said Groot. "I am Groot. I am Groot. I am Groot? I am Groot."

"What have I told you earlier?" asked Rocket who stared down at the sapling.

"I am Groot. I am Groot. I am Groot." said Groot as he turned away the raccoon, wishing that this is the moment where Rocket would say he changed his answer.

"That's right, we don't want you to bother them and you can... sometimes get yourself into trouble and that it always never ends well." said Rocket as he looks down on Groot. "We-"

"I am Groot." said Groot with big pleading eyes.

"No, not right now and I'm sure you will be able to see all of them once we are sure that everything will be alright." said Rocket. "Once we're sure, then you can go in and see Loki, Nebula and whoever else might be in there."

"I am Groot." said Groot who just gives a defeated groan and now is trying to think of a way to sneak past everyone without being seen.

"Going back to the current situation, Gamora made it clear that the stones have crazy cosmic powers." Said Quill. "So anything is possible at this rate and that's coming from a guy from Earth who spent most of his life in Space and meeting a ton of interesting people, the stones might have more power than we might thought or if we might be underestimating it a little bit."

"But still it might be best if we don't take any chances if we have to wait for him right?" said Drax. "From what is said, the Infinity Stones are objects with more power than any of us can ever imagine if they are ever combined, no one knows what would happen if one tries to do what Thor might be hoping to do and we also have to worry about if Thanos tries to escape."

"Yeah, that is a really good point and one that we can't ignore." said Natasha. "It would be a very bad idea if Thanos shows up instead and we are in the middle of Space, we can't risk if that scenario happens and we need to make sure that if the worst scenario happens to be ready to stop it. We can't do that in space without destroying the ship or crashing it on some other planet."

"Yeah, being stranded who knows where is the last thing that we need and not too mention the worst thing is that we won't know what might be out there or even be ready for it." Said Tony as he trying hard not to imagine that scenario and hoping that it won't lead to that.

"Yeah, especially since the communication that we set up for this thing can only be reached to either our ship or your main communication base in the tower back on Terra." Said Quill as he catching the Avengers, Drax and Jane by surprise. "We can't communicate to anyone else in the galaxy and didn't even think of adding a wider communication base or even thought that we would be in this scenario."

"Now that's comforting..." said Natasha as she stops to think about the idea of potentially being lost in space. "Let's agree for the sake of the trip, Bruce, everyone in that room and their well being and our own for that matter, not to say a word to him until we are safely back on Earth."

At that moment, everyone started to shake their heads in agreement and adding their own comment as they all can already imagine how the situation would turn out. As much as Steve doesn't want to lie to anyone or keep a secret like that but he knows that they might have to for the good of the team and not to start a panic by a rampaging Hulk that might guarantee them being stranded until hopefully Thor comes back with both stones.

"Yeah, we definitely don't want something like that to happen." Said Steve who is still trying to figure out the words he want to say or even how to say it.

"Shouldn't someone go in there and at least tell them what you guys decided to do?" Asked Jane who looking towards the door. "So that way they will know and it might not also hurt to check on them, to see how things are going for both Nebula and Loki. I mean it has been a while, so..."

"It might be a good idea to check up on them, I'm going to safely assume that you want to go in there and do that?" Asked Steve as he quickly figures out the obvious part of Jane's request.

"Yeah, I think that it might be best that Loki sees a familiar face that he might trust." Said Jane. "I know I'm not Thor, but I'm the next best thing and to also check if Nebula needs anything."

"Well if you are going there to see what's going on. Can you also check on Gamora for me?" Asked Quill who is trying hard to keep a cool look and not make things obvious for everyone. "I mean she has been through a tough time with all of this Thanos drama and now with everything that is going on with Nebula..."

"I will definitely see how she's holding up." Said Jane. "So I am going to safely assume it might be alright, I know no one said anything against going in to go see them or if you guys still need me to do something. But I just want to make sure that they are alright and-"

"Jane, it's perfectly fine, go and see them." Said Steve. "I know that you really care about your friends and they need you right now."

"I just hope that Darcy is doing alright and Loki is doing better." Said Jane. "Though I don't even know if we're friends or Loki sees me as a friend, but I know that I am ready to help in anyway that I can and besides we have gotten close enough to be considered at least to be allies or at least be cool with each other."

"Uh, ok you and Loki are not close buddies. I think we can all get that Loki needs some time to warm up with people." Said Quill. "But at least he's cool enough to call every member of the Guardians of the Galaxy, not to make it a competition or anything."

"Ok, I guess I'll see you guys in a bit." said Jane as she starts to head towards the door and quickly stops herself and turns to see the others. "Just let me know when Thor comes back or if anything big happens that we should be worried about."

Jane starts to leave and head towards the room where she doesn't even know what she is going to see or if she'll be ready for anything that might be right in front of her. She just hopes that by the time that she arrives, Loki will be far from where Hiemdell was when he lost his soul. But still maybe Loki will at least stand a chance and things might be end up well as they start to get everything ready to leave and for Thor's return, they still have a long way to go. Maybe things are going better than they are imagining and that they will at least be able to save Loki from his fate and that things will work out somehow.

As Jane is starting to leave, Groot eyes begins to perk up as he gives a big smile as he realize that this is his big chance and is determined not to waste a perfect opportunity to get to the other room and see how things are going for himself. So he starts to sneak around, to try to see if there is a perfect chance to get to the other room and to somehow get to that door without being seen and hopes that he would finaly make it towards the door. The sapling slowly makes his way towards the door and hoping that no one would spot him. As he is about to jump right towards the door the moment as Jane is about to go through it, Groot suddenly feels like something is grabbing a hold of him and he tries to see if he can squirm out and when that doesn't work, he quickly turns to see Rocket caught him in the act and stopping him right in front of the door with Jane walking away.

"I am Groot." said an annoyed Groot who just gives a sigh as he turns away from Rocket.

"Nice try." said Rocket who can't help but grin as he has a hold on Groot and quickly puts him down as he stands right in front of the door to make sure that Groot doesn't try to get through that door.

Groot is not discouraged by this and is determined to find a way in there, to see what's going on and to actually try to see what he can do in there. He doesn't want to miss out on anything and to see if he can at least try to b there and maybe even play while everyone do everything that they need to do. He'll find another way to get inside and he will find a way to get past Rocket. All he needs is a plan and one that would work, he wonders what might be going on in there and how it might be going? If he can get in there and actually do something? But he's determined not to give up and is ready to do anything to get in there, since he's not going to give up that easily.

---

A Couple minutes latter in the Med room

Jane finally makes her way towards the room, she opens the door ready to give the full report and to also see what is going on and how the situation is going. She just hopes that it's not as bad as she thinks and it would be better than she is anticipating, when she opens the door, from one glance, she can already tell that it's worse than she can ever imagine. From one end, she is happy to see that Nebula is doing alright and both of the sisters are at least being civil to one another and maybe it will hopefully lead to some kind of reconciliation between the two. Gamora is doing her best to allow Nebula to speak her memories of the most recent events of her life and even try to engage in some memory tests that would help her memory. From one look, Nebula seems to be more relaxed and at peace with Gamora being by her side and she seems to be doing well for someone who is starting to recover from a concussion.

She wishes she can say for Loki, Jane doesn't even need to be a doctor to know that the situation is not looking good and she wishes that there is something more that she can do to help. She sees that Darcy is trying hard to keep a conversation going and trying hard to make it more engaging and asking Loki for his input, looking more pushy when it comes to the trying to make Loki answer any questions, she comes up with. While Loki is trying so hard to be awake and is slowly starting to drift off, but he is fighting off the erge to close his eyes and the fate before him as he lands towards unconsciousness. She notices how much paler, Loki has become over the course of the time that he had lost his Soul and how Loki is losing himself the longer his Soul is gone.

Jane slowly starts to make her way towards the room, ready to do what she came here to do and at the same time to be there for them. She quickly look over towards Gamora and Nebula, taking a good look at them and is about to go over to them and see if they might need anything. But from one look on Gamora's face that reads they are doing fine, it makes Jane feel a sense of relief as she goes towards Loki and Darcy. She notices that Bruce is hard at work at making sure that all of Loki's vital signs are still stable. He is also trying to think of ways to help make things easier for Loki as they wait and he won't have to go through more pain. Jane doesn't want to disturb him, so she quickly went straight to Loki and Darcy and not even wasting a second to make her presence known the two and trying to figure out what to say until she finally find the words.

"How is he or rather are you Loki?" Asked Jane quietly as she grabbed both of their attentions and tried to include them both when she asked the question.

"We're doing great..." said Darcy trying hard to deny the reality of the situation and doesn't want to address the truth, but can't help but think it. "As great as it can be if you are just doing all of the talking and your friend might take a nap that we don't know if he might wake up from. But I think that... he will be fine and we can get through this..."

"Darcy, you don't have to... I'm-" starts Loki before he stops and starts to feel a glimmer of some hope. "Is Thor back yet?"

"No... he hasn't returned." Said Jane quietly as she feels bad at seeing the disappointment fall on Loki's face.

"Oh... I just thought... or rather I was hoping that..." starts Loki as he realize that his brother is still in the dream dimension and is still in danger. "I am safely assuming that you are here for either a message or to check on Darcy?"

"Well actually yes for both and to see how you are doing." said Jane catching Loki by surprise. "I mean it's clear that Gamora has everything covered and Nebula is doing better, but you are still seem to be..."

"Looking the worst and feeling as though that Kurse inflicted the same wound multiple times and that I have been stampeded on by an army of bilgesnipes." said Loki as he takes an exhausted breath and notices that both Darcy and Jane are confused and realizes that he owes them an explanation. "They are a species of creatures in Asgard that are really... a pain to fight off and can be more destructive... than The Hulk with only Thanos being the only one that can rival... them..."

"Ok, it's a good thing that we don't have that to worry about that on Earth..." said Darcy as she trying hard to imagine what a bilgesnipe might do. "Especially when we only have Hulk to worry about... No offense mr. or Dr. Banner, sir."

"None taken." said Bruce as he tries to figure out what he should do next that might be more effective and to help reduce some pain for Loki.

"But anyway, at least you might be getting close on getting better right?" asked Darcy. "I mean if Jane's here then maybe she might have gotten a message from Thor or something?"

"How can I if he's in another dimension?" asked Jane who can't believe Darcy's denial lead to that conclusion.

"Oh, good point..." said Darcy rather awkwardly. "But one can't blame for maintaining some kind of hope, I mean it hasn't been long now."

"Darcy, it has been almost an hour." said Jane pointing out one fact that she knows that wouldn't exactly make any of them feel any better.

"That would explain... why I have been feeling more... exhausted lately." said Loki as he tries to maintain his breath. "I believe... my Soul is starting to fade away..."

"Come on Loki, all we need to do is make sure that you stay awake long enough for Thor get the Stone back." said Darcy confidently. "I know it has been an hour, but time hasn't run out yet and we still have plenty of time before the two hour mark hits."

"Darcy, let's not-" starts Loki before he starts coughing for a bit before giving a groan of pain as he tries to maintain his composure and consciousness.

"So, I'm guessing that has been happening a lot?" asked Jane trying to be there for Loki.

"Unfortunately..." said Loki as he tries to maintain his breathing pattern and to stay awake. "I have been trying to... do some simple breathing exercises... that seems to be helping... But at times-"

Before Loki can even finish, he starts to cough for a bit and trying to stop himself from having another outburst and it seems to be getting even more harder by the second. He can't even imagine what it must have been like with Hiemdell and according to Thor, he was unconscious from the entire experience and even then he didn't have the Power Stone placed upon him, ready to burn his chest off and for once he is grateful that he listened to Gamora, Nebula and Darcy earlier. The potion seems to have started to heal his injuries and the never ending pain that the burn created seems to start to go away and heal on it's own. But he knows that it's not enough, he is still in danger of losing his soul and judging from how Thor still hasn't returned, things are not going well and he just hopes that if Thor fails then he would at least comes back so he can at least say goodbye...

At least he is starting to feel some relief, as he starts to feel the pain inside him start to go away and his coughing is starting to stop. For much of his relief, though he would like it better if people stop staring at him and normally he would be annoyed by everyone being overly concerned over him. But due to the situation itself and he doesn't have much time left, he would tolerate it more than he normally would and if Thor does get the Soul stone back then he would make it his personal mission to restore his reputation from all of this. Eventually Loki stops coughing and he just tries to catch his breath and tries to fight back the tired of simply falling asleep or else he might not be able to wake up.

"That usually happens." Said Darcy as she looks over Loki. "Please tell me that... you are no longer feeling any pain..."

"Uh, do you need anything?" Asked Jane wanting to help.

"Yes..." said Loki as he tries to sit up. "Can you get me... some... water?"

Jane quickly got up, she starts to look around to try to see if she can find any sign of a water bottle or a pitcher of water or something. So far, she hasn't seen anything and is starting to worry that she might have to head towards the storage room to see if she can find a water bottle. Fortunately Bruce taking a quick glance, notices that Jane is having trouble and drops every thing to address her troubles.

"The water bottles are in the refrigerated cooler that Tony invented, it's right near the bedside table underneath the tv." Said Bruce pointing towards the table from underneath.

Jane quickly heads towards the cooler and once she makes it, she opens the cooler. Jane is surprised to see the cold air being blown to her face and sees all of the bottles lined up in a perfect straight role. She picks up a bottle and is surprised to see that the bottle was colder than she thought and wonders if the temperature was set any colder if it would have become ice. So she closes the lid and heads back to the bed, wondering if it would be a good idea to give Loki water this cold. She nervously hands the bottle to him and Loki accepts it, he quickly opens it and starts chugging it down and in a quick second the bottle is almost half way done.

"Are you guys sure that it's a good idea for him to drink water that is this cold?" Asked Jane concerned as she watches Loki drink the water more rapidly by the minute.

"It was the only thing that he can drink without it hurting his throat." Said Darcy.

"We tried room temperature, but it only just made Loki feel like his throat as he putted it like if we purposely set it on fire and covered it with sand." Said Bruce. "So Nebula and Gamora thought that since he was from Jontuherrm, Jontunland, Uh... Jontun-"

"Jontunhiem. They thought that since I am a Jontun biologically and we are more tolerant not to the cold weather compared to most species, then I might need something frigid cold to help my throat." Said Loki as he caught his breath and is relieved that the coughing finally stopped for a moment. "It's working and at least now, it no longer feels dry."

"I'm guessing that you feel worse than having the flu?" Asked Jane wanting to get a better idea on how Loki might be feeling and the situation they are in.

"The flu is a human sickness that makes you feel the worst." Darcy quickly explains after getting some confused looks from Gamora and Nebula. "It's basically like the cold but a hundred times worse."

"Believe me Darcy, a flu would feel like if your health was the best there is, when it compares to a soul being taken." Said Loki. "It's nothing compared to this or maybe my symptoms could be similar to a flu but it's... worse..."

"Hey, don't worry, you are going to feel better in no time." Said Darcy as she faces Loki. "Once Thor, comes back and give you your soul back then you will be alright."

"Darcy, it's time that we face the facts-" starts Loki gently, hoping for her to see reason and finally accept the possible reality before them.

"We can't think that way, I mean we should be thinking positively." Said Darcy. "Especially after all we been through and-"

"Darcy, I think it's time for us to have a little reality check." Said Jane calmly as she carefully place her hand on Darcy's shoulders. "Can we talk?"

At that moment, Darcy knew that they were going to have one of those talks where she would be in over her head and Jane would come over to either tell her it's a bad idea, that something's not possible or she was way in over her head. But is it so wrong to try to be there for her friend and to at least have the hope that he would make it out of this.

Loki gives a sigh of relief and gives Jane a quick grateful smile before cringing at the pain again. He's hoping that Jane would talk to Darcy and make her see the gravity of the situation. With also now having hope that she would diminish all of the false hopes that she might have and be ready if the worst happens. He doesn't want to see her hurt and doesn't want to be the cause of that pain he would leave behind. Though he hopes that it won't be the case, but with the rate things are going then it looks like that that hope is setting Darcy for a hurt that no illusion can make disappear.

Both Gamora and Nebula exchanged a concerned look, not even knowing what they should do. Nebula is wondering now whether they should leave the room, since Nebula is doing well enough for a break and they probably need to just start her treatment soon or if they should stay and see if they can help in anyway. They don't want to see Loki like this and want to do anything to help, Nebula is starting to feel as though this might be partially her fault because of the fact that she was with Thanos when he was going around on his rampage. She brought all of this to Loki and it might result in him meeting his end and she has become as bad as Thanos by hurting one of the few that ever considered of being kind to her.

While Gamora on the other hand, is not happy to see one of the few people that she ever considered as a friend being like this. Especially after everything they have all been through and how she feels a sense of gratitude when it comes to Loki's role in helping her escape Thanos twice. She feels a sense of anger at Thanos for going this far and hopes that Thor will beat him hard for the three of them and would come back with the Soul Stone at hand. But first the two of them needs to decide what they should do right then and there, to at least try to find what might be the best way to help the situation. Before Gamora can even find the words to say anything...

"Would it be alright... if I leave for a little bit, so I can at least get some fresh air?" asked Nebula hoping that it would be ok for her to leave the room and try to at least hope that with her out of the way, then it would allow them to focus only on Loki.

"You're sure about that Nebula?" asked Bruce. "You still have some healing to do and your memory is still a little foggy, but you seem to be doing better, surprisingly..."

"It seems like that the potion and that memory spell might have worked." said Nebula. "Even if I am forgetting some details or barely remember some parts of what happend just now, I think that some fresh air or at least as much as I can get from here to the control panel."

"Well, I'm guessing it should be ok." said Gamora who is unsure if it would be a good idea to allow Nebula to roam around the ship when she is still healing and after everything that has happened. "As long as I'm with her, to make sure that she's alright and to get help if anything happens."

"Ok, I guess that it would be alright." said Bruce. "As long as she's not alone and you keep an eye on her. But I don't think that it might be a good idea this soon, though at least you two will have some time to make amends and Nebula will have a chance to relax for a bit before we start to try to give her more of that potion, help her maintain and recover her memory and heal the wound."

"Believe me, I am not planing to do anything strenuous and would be fine for an hour or two." said Nebula hoping that it would convince them that she would handle being out for a bit and can be trusted.

"Ok then, just be sure to stay by Gamora's side and don't try to wander off alone." said Bruce.

"Just what I need to spend quality time with my sister." said Nebula sarcastically.

"At least it's alright for you to leave the room, someone needs to make sure that you don't collapse from any unplanned complications." said Gamora as she got up and grab the remaining Stones carefully and made sure that they are carefully placed on each of the pockets on her pants and her brown jacket and is about to help her sister up, so they can start walking before turning back to Jane. "What was your message by the way? You still haven't told us."

"I was here to tell you guys that... they decided to wait for Thor and not launch the ship." said Jane. "For a precautionary reason, in case anything happens..."

"Yeah, that makes sense..." said Darcy as she quickly figured out why. "The last thing we need is to get lost in Space just because Thanos escaped and he trashed the ship or something."

"What? That would be a disaster." said Bruce who starting to feel a bit panicked by that idea.

"Darcy, did you have to say that out loud?" asked Jane feeling a sense of annoyance as she facepalm herself and only let her hand slide to see what happens next.

"Just what we need an excuse to make Banner anxious enough to turn big and green." said Loki who is feeling the same frustration as he gives an annoyed groan, that he is relieved that he did it voluntarily rather than in pain and earning some concerned looks, it made him more annoyed. "What? Now I can't even express my frustrations in a auditory way such as a groan that would only display my frustration?"

"At least I know that you are feeling well enough to be defensive and being well you." Said Darcy rather happily. "You are showing your... Lokiness."

"My what?" Asked a surprise Loki at what Darcy just said, before trying to correct her. "That's not even a thing."

"Yeah sure it is. I mean you are doing it right now." Said Darcy rather happily. "You are trying to be right all of the time, I have a point or I am trying to get you to do something that you are totally against or think it's a bad idea and you just get annoyed and try to prove your point. Yep you are definitely pulling out your Lokiness and maybe this is a good sign when it comes for you getting through this and might get better."

"I am not-" starts Loki before he stops himself and just gives a frustrated sigh, as he realize that Darcy has a point and there is no way he can counter argue that, but there is something he can do. "You do realize that's not even a word and I believe we should use real words if we are going to have this discussion."

"You know I would think if there was anyone who would be happy that someone would use their name to create a word, it would be you." Said Jane as she tries to add on to this discussion in a playful manner.

"That's not the point, I am simply saying-" starts Loki before stopping himself as he realize how ridiculous this conversation is getting and how it is starting to get more absurd by the minute. "Don't you realize that you are not helping?"

"Yeah but..." starts Jane before stopping herself, what can one say to someone that is at risk of dying and they are kinda on a line that it would only take one more step for them to finally become friends.

"Guys, I hate to interrupt whatever this is. But am I still the only one that is freaked out about the idea of us being lost in space?" Said Bruce who is trying to do some breathing exercises to help make him calm.

"Sorry about that..." said Darcy rather awkwardly. "I just meant as a joke that wasn't at all really funny... Uh Jane, you said you wanted to speak to me?"

"Yeah, let's talk right over here..." said Jane pointing over to one of the supply rooms or rather closet.

"Sure, as long as we don't get locked in something again, then I am cool with anywhere on this ship." Said Darcy getting up. "We'll be back soon."

Soon Darcy and Jane heads right towards the storage closet, about to have a conversation that they don't even know how it might turn out. But Jane knows for the good of Darcy and Loki's friendship and Darcy's own good, she needs to hear what she has to say. Both Gamora and Nebula starts to make their way towards the control room, they both takes one last glance at Loki before they start to make their way. Wondering if there is any hope to save their friend and if there is a way to do so.

Once all of them left the room, all there was left is Loki and Bruce. Two who would have never believed that they would have gone from not being able to stand each other to eventually ending up on the same side with one trying to help save the other. The silence between them feels as though the two had a long battle where they can't find the words to say to one another, trapped within their own fears. Bruce figured that it might be best to break the silence, he might as well try to be friendly even if Loki won't accept it. Besides he needs to get his mind off the idea that Darcy unintentionally placed on his head, maybe talking to Loki or at least maybe to hear his advice on the subject.

"So Loki... do you have any tips on how to get your mind off things and reduce stress?" Asked Bruce as he is trying hard to get the image of Thanos coming in and being the reason why they would be stranded on Titan for months until they figure out how to fix the ship.

"Wait... Are you asking me for advice?" Said Loki. Surprised that Bruce would ever call consider of asking him for advice for anything.

"Well, you were stuck with Thanos for who knows how long..." starts Bruce trying to find the words to explain himself.

"I was imprisoned by Thanos for a year." Said Loki trying hard not to think about that year and how hard it was.

"Yeah... I figured out if anyone should know about how to handle stress then it should be you..." said Bruce awkwardly. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to insult you or make you relive anything that you might not be ready to talk about it yet. If you want, I can just stop now if you want..."

"If I were you, I would focus on a set goal or something as simple as a memory that might give one the comfort to push through." suggested Loki. "When I was... trapped with him... I focused on my desire to..."

"Take over our planet, then later your own and get your revenge on your brother?" finished Bruce hoping by finishing it would help make things easier.

"No to prove that... I am worthy in the eyes of fath- Odin, to take my anger out on Earth and to some extent Thor and to survive Thanos." said Loki. "I also had Gamora and Nebula by my side, Thanos would have killed me if Gamora didn't convince him to spare me and afterwards... he had them supervise my training and they were the closest thing I had to friends at the time, I think they are the closest thing to sisters I think I will ever have. Sure Hela is technically my... sister. But I will never know her and... Thanos took that from Thor and I. But ever since... my initial arrival, the three of us looked out for one another... Well Gamora and Nebula... did bicker a lot, but they agreed that I was one of the only few people that they can talk to aside... from themselves. It was just the three of us..."

"At least, you had some company back then." said Bruce. "Ok then I guess I'll take your word for it, I just don't want to let the big guy out and bring more trouble, do you think that it's likely for us to get stranded on this planet if..."

"Banner, I highly doubt that things would go that far." Said Loki bluntly. "Why don't you just focus on something else before... you transform from worrying over that scenario."

"You're right, I think I will just think of being back on Earth, no more Thanos and Nat." Said Bruce as he tries to calm himself.

"See there you go, now that's a good- Nat? What do you mean by... Do you mean Romanoff?" Asked Loki quickly figuring out what might be going on. "Are you and Romanoff courting?"

"It's not what you think." Starts Bruce before earning a 'really' look from Loki. "Ok maybe it's exactly what you think, it's been going on since the Ultron thing. It sort of happened and we haven't exactly told the others yet, so is there anyway we can keep this between us?"

"Alright, I have my experience of wanting to keep something a secret and wanting to avoid anyone else knowing simply because of further problems. Though to be fair this is nothing compared to Mysto and the only thing that would change is the whole team dynamic." Said Loki. "I can't believe that you two are together and that you haven't turned big and green and smashed me again."

"I just can't believe that we just spoke a casual conversation civilly." Said Bruce who is trying to real in the idea that they are being on good terms.

"You are surprisingly more tolerable than I thought that you would be." Said Loki who is surprised at this development and hopes that this would be a good sign for him, when it comes to interacting with the Hulk in the future. "As long as you don't smash me then I think that we would continue on with good terms, but I don't think I would have a positive opinion on you if you dare to smash me again. But I believe I won't hold it against you or at least I'll try not to, mostly for Thor's sake, since the four of you are his friends and you all did help me defeat Thanos, so I feel some gratitude towards you all."

"Uh... now that is something I did not expect." said Bruce. "Let's just hope that this is over soon and everyone is done doing whatever they are doing."

"Of course, the sooner Thor comes back, the sooner I might possibly get my Soul back and we will return to Earth." said Loki. "At least then, Nebula will start to recover even faster if we get more of the potion. Hopefully Jane makes Darcy see the facts in a rational manner and that if the worst happens, she would be ready for it. I know that Jane would take this in a responsible manner that would put any thoughts that might be close to the ideas of me being able to live without a Soul or anything else that might be highly unlikely."

---

Meanwhile in the supply closet

"Darcy, I know that you and Loki have become really great friends..." starts Jane trying to figure out the words to say towards her friend. "But we need to face the facts..."

"Come on Jane, this is Loki we're talking about, he can get past anything anyone can throw at him." said Darcy rather confidently. "He will make trough this, when Thor comes back then he will have the Soul Stone at hand and return it to Loki."

"If he fails to get the stone?" asked Jane nervously. "Best case scenario, he comes back and doesn't have the Soul Stone if he does fail, then you might have to..."

"Thor is not going to fail, he will come back and bring back Loki's soul." said Darcy confidently before she can only whisper to herself. "He has to..."

"I know this is hard and we all want to see Loki survive and make it through this." said Jane nervously. "But we also have to stop and think of the other possibility, you know the one that you don't want to think about..."

"I am not going to give up hope, I don't know how or if it is even possible but I believe that Loki will survive and Thor will succeed in getting the stone back." said Darcy. "I mean Thor practically wins every battle he ever faced and he would do anything for Loki."

"You do realize that he doesn't win every battle right? Sure he's a warrior prince from another planet, but he's not Asgard's secret weapon like the Destroyer and even that doesn't win every battle that comes up." Said Jane. "Though I think that he can handle Thanos, even if he had one Infinity Stone in his disposal. But other than, placing bets on whether or not my boyfriend can win any battle, Loki is not looking good and I don't even think comparing this to the Flu is even accurate anymore."

"So, people can get sick or injured." Said Darcy trying hard to deny it. "That doesn't mean they are going to die, he can heal from this... I just know it."

"Yeah, but it doesn't always work out on everyone." Said Jane and giving out a sigh. "I just want you to be prepared if things don't work out... in case you might have to say... goodbye..."

"I am not going to give up on him, I will never give up on Loki." Said Darcy denying it even more. "I mean when Thor returned to Asgard to fight off Loki and later after the whole New York incident, did you give up on ever seeing him again?"

"No, but that was different, Thor didn't have his Soul taken by some evil villain and I wasn't relying on Loki to somehow get it back." Said Jane. "But I do know how it feels, the feeling of losing someone you care about and even if it wasn't a permanent thing. But still... it hurts regardless, I just don't want to see you more hurt than you would be."

"Do you have any idea on how much this already hurt?" Said Darcy unleashing her own worries. "Loki's in pain over there and we can't do anything to help him, we're out of miracle healing potion, we have no idea what is going on or if Thor's alright and I know the one thing that would stop this and we can't even get it to him. If Thor fails, not only Loki will end up like Hiemdell and everything we did would be for nothing if Thanos returns and we might lose both Thor and Loki..."

"Darcy, you can do something, just be there for him. He needs all of us right now, but he mostly needs Thor and you." Said Jane. "Ever since I first found out about you and Loki, when you two we're having that big fight right after you broke up with Ian. When Loki explained to me what happened, I realized something that I didn't think that would happen. He cares about you and values the friendship you two have, he would want you to be there and not to get hurt from this and to move on and be happy."

"Yeah, I guess..." said Darcy as she is trying hard not to imagine a world without Loki.

"Besides, you are right about one thing. We should think positive, but we shouldn't let it cloud our judgement and be ready to face reality, no matter how hard it is." Said Jane. "Don't worry things will work out and I hope that it does."

"Yeah, I'm sure that Thor is putting up a good fight." Said Darcy. "I should head back there, to check on him and... to be a good friend and all of that stuff. Though I really think that he does stand a good chance of getting through this, I mean at least the odds are in our favor right?"

"Maybe..." said Jane not even knowing if she got through to Darcy and really hopes that Darcy's right for all of their sakes.

Without even another word, Darcy quickly leaves the closet and Jane only just quietly follows her. She is hoping that things are going better right there and then, she wonders how Loki might be doing and if there might be any changes that might have happened. Once she exits out of the room, Jane doesn't even know what to think of the sight right before her. She sees that both Loki and Bruce seems to be getting along fine...

Darcy is just as surprised as Jane, she never thought that Loki would ever have a friendly conversation with Bruce Banner A.K.A the Hulk. If anything, she would think that Loki would be cool with Black Widow, Iron Man or heck even Captain America. But the Hulk?

Though part of her is happy to see Loki bonding with the other Avengers. That they are starting to move forward and leave the past behind. Besides maybe it would be good for them all to be on friendly terms for any reason that might come up and just to expand the circle aside from her, Thor, Jane, the Guardians and maybe Nebula.

She just wishes that she can say that she is happy to see Loki's current condition. Loki is now even more paler than he was before she and Jane even left them alone. He even seems to be more tired and trying hard to stay awake and yet, Loki kept trying to engage in the conversation and seems to be fighting the fatigue that seems to be ready to take over him at a given chance. Darcy finds the chair that she has been sitting on next to the bed still empty and walks right towards it. Loki still haven't noticed her and she doesn't even know if it's because of the current situation or him being too caught up in the conversation.

"Hey, I see that you have been busy." Said Darcy trying to make it sound casual, with Loki slowly turning to look at her.

"Darcy, can you please try not to sneak up on me?" Said Loki looking a little annoyed as he have his eyes half closed and yet trying to open them up. "I was just... having a conversation..."

"Yeah I can see that, but I wasn't trying to sneak up on you or anything. I would never do that... to someone who is sick, injured or doesn't feel well..." said Darcy taken off guard, before becoming more considerate towards Loki. "How do you feel?"

"Well, nothing has changed... As much before you left, I have now started feeling as though my body and muscles are in more pain ." Said Loki. "I don't know why, but I am even starting to feel a little cold."

"Cold?" Asked Jane as if Loki said the most surprising thing in the world.

"Yes... It's strange because as a Jontun... I am more tolerant towards the colder climate..." said Loki as the three of them stared at him. "Is there any chance, one of you can bring me an extra blanket?"

"Ok, this is definitely is the out of the ordinary wired that we should be worried about." Said Darcy as she notices Loki's checks starting to become a light shade of pink that is slowly turning red.

"Loki, do you think you can tell me more? Are you feeling more pain than you did before or is it about the same?" Asked Bruce.

"I believe.. it's... more than before..." said Loki in a daze. "Can you please stop talking so loudly, I have a headache and I do not want any more distractions or for it to hurt anymore than it already does."

"I wasn't shouting..." said Bruce who is taken aback.

"You weren't?" Asked Loki who opened his eyes up, surprised by this development.

Jane looks at Loki and sees how flushed he looks, she also noticing that he seems to start to sweat a little bit. She quickly heads closer to Loki and look at the monitor and realize that it's only been ten minutes at most since they left. She has a hunch on what might be happening, but she really hopes that she's wrong. Jane carefully and yet slowly just placed a hand on Loki's forehead, to feel if Loki might be warmer than normal. The moment that she does, then she feels a warm firely heat coming up from Loki and one that feels too hot for anyone to touch and she instantly frowns and is not happy from how hot Loki felt. She is surprised that neither of any of them noticed it and now starting to feel some level of concern. Aside from the fact that Loki is dying for real would break Darcy and Thor's heart, but Loki is really hurt right now and maybe to the point that the lack of a soul is making Loki sick in a way. She just hopes that Thor comes back with the Soul Stone soon, but for now she has to break the news and hopes that they would try to help Loki be a little more comfortable at least until Thor returns. She at least hope they would at least deal with Loki's most recent symptom and they will at least get rid of it or lower it.

While Jane is doing that, he simply tries to shake off her hand and tries to at least to simply make sure that she doesn't get any ideas of what might be going on. The last thing he needs is to know that he is not one step closer to dying and that he has the worst symptom a Jontun might have. Though he would have been able to tolarate it, if it's was an illness similar to what humans call a cold and if he had the worst luck simply because of the spells Odin placed on him to fit in. But with his Soul being taken and with the potential risk, he knows that it would happen and he's surprise it hasn't happened yet. He just wish that Jane didn't have to check on him, then he would be fine for now or as much as he would if it's the case. It's not like that he doesn't want a confirmation, but the last thing he needs is to have his suspicions to be right and to get this unwanted attention, especially for something that is not only untreatable, but if he was back on Earth or Asgard, he would mostly want to sleep in his room and be alone until he is well again. Now he knows that his suspicions might be correct, then it will definitely be a long hour or so...

"Loki, I think you might have a fever, you feel very hot." Said Jane. "It might also explain the body aches, chills and headache."

"Now that's simply wonderful." Said Loki sarcastically and is annoyed on this latest development and simply touched his face to get his own reading and simply groaned as he compares it to Jane's cooler touch.

"Ok, I'm surprised that this thing hasn't read that you have one." said Bruce as he places a hand on Loki to see for himself and frowns at the touch. "Tony invented it, so that way incase any of us need it urgent care and we are far off Earth or any city, we can start treating anyone without wasting a second."

"Maybe, he thought the worst that could happen is a broken leg or something?" suggested Darcy as she stares at her roommate and friend.

"Yeah could be." said Bruce. "He made it, so that way we can simply scan anyone that may be injured and we would be able to at least know some of their vitals. I guess he never thought of any of being sick on the job or having a sudden change in body temperature like hypothermia or a fever."

"Great, out of... all the days he had to make some flaw... in one of his marvelous inventions... he had to pick today and it had to be..." starts Loki even more annoyed at the situation, before he starts coughing even more than he had prior and only groaned from the pain that he is feeling and his own annoyance.

"So what should we do?" asked Darcy who is now wondering what would be the best thing to do and wonder what do the other Jontuns do if they get sick, especially since she figured that someone that was born in the coldest planet in the universe and heat shouldn't go together.

"I will have to get some more supplies and talk to Tony to see if we can adjust this thing a little bit." said Bruce. "If he can't then we are going to need check his temperature the old fashioned way."

"I'm sure that if you just simply-" starts Loki before he starts coughing again and simply turn over from the bed, wishing he had more time to run to a bathroom or at least ask for assistance to go to it, before he can even have a chance, away from where anyone may be, he simply threw up anything that he might have eaten before they arrived to Titan and his defeat of Thanos. No one needed to say a word, to know that Loki needs his Soul back right now and they have to do something now or at least make things as make Loki more comfortable and at least deal with trying to reduce his symptoms to help delay him losing his Soul entirely. None of them know if they could delay it, no human had ever dealt with a situation like this before.

"I guess, I'll get a mop and a bucket." said Jane as she was about to get to the supply closet and stopped herself when she realized that she didn't see either one in there, so she is going to have to go to the other supply room and grab the ones that she saw earlier.

"It looks like the two of us are going to have leave here for a bit." said Bruce as he look over the situation and turns over to Darcy. "Do you think you can stay here, in case of anything and..."

"Don't worry, I was going to stay here anyway." said Darcy as she make herself comfortable."See you guys in a bit."

With that both Jane and Bruce exchange an unsure look to one another, then they start to leave the room and once they did, there is a silence that took over. Both of them are quiet, neither of them knew what to say or if they can say anything. Darcy wonders how much longer it's going to take Thor and can't even imagine how he is going to react when he sees Loki like this. Especially after everything that has happened, she knows that the two brothers can't lose each other and they have to stay together, though she would't be surprised after Thor's return than he would tell their dad. At this point, she doesn't care if she gets in trouble or if anything happens to her or she never sees Loki again (though she hopes it doesn't go that far). She just wants to see Loki get his Soul back get better and live, nothing more and that alone and him being happy is more than enough, though she doesn't even know how to start things off as she face the reality right in front of her.

Loki on the other hand, knows that his time is almost up and just wonders how Thor is doing in that realm and is happy that at least his brother won't see him like this. But just wishes that he would return, so that way he would know that his brother is alright and even then he needs to say whatever he may say to Darcy. From what he remember on reading a book of the Infinity Stones during his time studying them, when he first learned about them, he knows that anyone who is about to die from the Soul Stone, once their Soul is taken would start having a fever and it would be low at first. But over the course of the remaining hour, he would start to get worse and he will lose consciousness and then he would be gone, he knows that he would have to face the fact that he might not be able to say goodbye to his brother, but he knows that Darcy would probably tell Thor everything that he may have to say and he might as well try to say everything he may need to say to her. He just needs to think of a good way to start the conversation...

"Darcy, can you get me that blanket... I asked for?" asked Loki as he winced in pain.

"Yeah, sure..." said Darcy who's not sure about this

She quickly goes up to try to see if there is a light blanket, she doesn't know if it is a good idea to give Loki something that would cause too much heat or might add some discomfort and it would later make his fever rise. So she just grabs a light green one, head back and gives the blanket to him and almost immediately Loki simply wraps the blanket around him and tries to get some sense of warmth. She notices that while he is doing that, Loki takes off his leather overcoat vest jacket thing that he always wears while wearing his Asgardian armor and simply collapses onto the bed after he succeeds and gives a cough as he made himself comfortable. He looks as though he's trying his hardest to maintain his compulsure and yet to become as comfortable as he can. But no one needs to ask Loki to know that he is absolutely miserable and Darcy simply just grab a hold of Loki's overcoat vest jacket that is now on the floor, so that way it will be placed on the bed side table and save it from possibly being covered in vomit, if Loki throws up again then it won't be all over his jacket and while she does that, a conversation between the two starts.

"I always hated being ill..." said Loki as he gives a frustrated groan.

"Yeah, join the club." said Darcy as she places Loki's jacket on the table. "I think everyone would unanimously agree with you on that one."

"I don't know if... it's for being seen as weak or just the plain misery of it." said Loki. "I also miss... having my magic... then maybe I could create an illusion to hide the pain... and being this cold or hot... I don't even know anymore."

"I'm surprised that you gotten this bad or rather things went down this way, I thought Thor would be back by now, hopefully he's alright." said Darcy. "I'm guessing that's why you took off this manually without magic?"

"Yes... Once Thanos used the Soul Stone, I used my magic... to continue on fighting and to use every ounce to maintain my strength." said Loki. It's either that or I meet the same fate as Hiemdell and it probably... would take me longer for my condition to... get this bad. Even then... I wouldn't have much of a choice because Thanos would still be around to finished... what he has started and even then he would make sure... I don't survive. I didn't have any other choice..."

"Ok, I can see your point." said Darcy quietly before she was about to go back to the chair before narrowly escaping from escaping the puddle of vomit from earlier and then become more blunt. "Though do me a favor, the next time you barf or rather throw up, just give me a warning. I mean, sure I know you won't do it right on me, but I might need to get you or myself something and if I forget... I don't want to... accidentally step in it... No offense."

"That is perfectly understandable, Sorry about that." said Loki who doesn't blame Darcy for having that attitude and would probably feel the same if the scenario was turned around.

"Yeah, this conversation just turned awkward and let's change the subject." said Darcy who already feels a sense of awkwardness as she turns away rather uncomfortably.

"Agreed. Darcy... In case I don't make it through this and... um... ok this is rather new for me..." starts Loki who doesn't even know how to start things off and decided to get one part done. "Tell Thor, that he tried his best and... deep down I am grateful for his efforts and only sorry that we couldn't have rebuilt what we once had and... that I have hurt him for so long..."

"You will tell him that yourself, when he comes back and I am not going to give up hope." said Darcy trying to reassure him. "I know that the odds may be against us, but I am not going to give up on you and we will get through this."

"Darcy..." starts Loki, before he stops himself and realize that this might be the last time they might ever speak to one another, he's not going to possibly end their friendship with an argument. "I just wanted to say... thank you for believing in me..."

"Of you getting well or-" starts Darcy rather confused at what Loki might mean.

"For seeing that I can become more... than what I was and giving me... a chance that no one would... even consider on giving me..." said Loki. "I couldn't have done any of this without you..."

"No problem..." said Darcy who is slightly touched by Loki. "Thanks for giving me, the greatest adventure that I could have ever asked for. One that I didn't even know that I needed."

"I can't believe that I finally defeated Thanos..." said Loki. "That he's gone and we no longer have to worry about dealing with him ever again... At least, I hope that he's gone..."

"Even if he isn't, then we still have the other five stones and... we have the time stone." Said Darcy. "We can use it to defeat him and bring you back. I mean we could show up before he used the Stone on you or something."

"What? No you can't do that." Said Loki almost immediately. "Time travel can be extremely dangerous for anyone who is reckless enough to play around with time and often the user of the time stone would later have to pay some kind of price."

"I don't care, as long as-" starts Darcy.

"But I do. Besides we have no guarantee that if you or anyone else dared to do it, that Thanos would still be defeated or a worser outcome would occur. Even if you kept trying to do something by always returning to the same point then it will always go wrong no matter what you do." Said Loki who caught his breath long enough to speak. "Just promise me that you will make sure that the others focus on Thanos if he does return, make sure that Thor is alright and you won't use time travel to try to bring me back."

"Loki, I really think-" starts Darcy who can't even imagine wanting to give up the chance to save Loki.

"Just promise me that and you would move on, let me go and simply just live the best life that you deserve." Said Loki as he gives a cough. "I don't want to be brought back... To see and live in a world where Thanos has won... I just want you to be ok and... be happy even if... I'm not here..."

"Alright, I promise..." said Darcy as she hears Loki's coughs in the background. "But there has to be a way, even without time travel. There's always another way."

"Darcy, can't we-" starts Loki before this time, he is cut off.

"No, I can't let this go." Said Darcy simply. "You are one of the best friends I ever had and I don't want to lose you..."

At that moment, that response catches Loki by surprised as he sees how much Darcy cares about him. He sees that she turned army from him, unsure what she just said or if she can say anything. Loki feels a great sense of discomfort as he sees how Darcy is feeling and just wanting to say the words that he has been wanting to say and if he can provide some comfort.

"You were one of the few that ever accepted me for who I was. You showed me that I didn't have to hide from the people that care about me and it is ok to let others in, that strength comes in different ways not just power, and admitting that you are wrong. That one can make a difference and can fix their mistakes, I will always appreciate that you showed me this wisdom." Said Loki as he quickly came up with a way to at least cheer her up. "Those days before all of this started, before my mother's death. I was just living in a daydream, I didn't see the way things were and you helped make things crystal clear for me. You were here, allowing me to see the path that I needed to go and helped me heal from the past. I saw the light because of you and I still see it right now..."

"You... memorized Tangled?" Said Darcy who didn't think that Loki would value their friendship or say anything like that to her.

"Of course, I did enjoy the film remember?" Said Loki. "Once you are friends with me, then I'll care and treasure... the friendship for as long as I live. You, the Guardians, Thor, Jane and to some extent Nebula are the only ones that I ever called a friend and... I value them and I... need to tell you something..."

"Wait, before you go on, I just need to say that I also value your friendship too, thanks to you, I got to see what truly makes a hero and it's not just about the superpowers or the fancy costume." Said Darcy. "It's having the courage to... go out there and do what you believe in and that there is more to it, that simply being an inspiration is more than enough."

"I am not inspiring... If anything I am more of a villain than a hero,..." said Loki as he thinks about everything that has happened in the past few days and even going back to when he first started on this journey.

"You were never just a villain... You also showed me that there is more to it, I mean you were never truly evil and you were more lost than anything else." said Darcy. "Even if I didn't come along then you would have found your way, I believe you would somehow. You are not a monster, I don't think I will ever forgive myself for calling you one..."

"Darcy, I have already forgiven you and besides you had every right to be angry with me." said Loki. "I ruined... your relationship with Ian and should have told you right away or... tried to find a way to save it. I am just a friend... One that many would be more than happy to break off or not even consider to pursue a friendship... I might not even be worth be kept as a companion..."

"You are definitely worth keeping around and anyone who thinks that way really needs to stop and sort out their priorities." said Darcy. "I mean Ian's cool, but not the type of guy I would want to date and over time I just see him as a friend nothing more. But the friendship that we have and everything that we have been through, it's a once in a lifetime thing and I would rather have it then any perfect relationship and a normal life. While we are talking... there is something that I need to tell you too-"

"Well, what is it?" asked Loki. "I also have to tell you something remember..."

"Ok, this is awkward..." said Darcy. "So who should go first? I mean go on ahead."

"No, you can go." said Loki. "What I am about to say can... wait..."

"I mean you were going to say it before I interrupted and you kinda should go first." said Darcy. "I mean you were going to..."

"No really, it's fine." said Loki as he is trying to stop himself from coughing. "Go on ahead..."

"Loki, it's alright. I'm cool with waiting, just say whatever you need to say." said Darcy as she waits to hear it.

"Ok.. um, what I am about to say... I don't even know how to say it..." starts Loki who is trying to find the words, before stopping himself. "Is this the thing you wanted to tell earlier before I stopped you?"

"Maybe, but just keep going." said Darcy. "I can wait."

"Ok then, I just want to say that... I..." starts Loki before he can finish, he just starts coughing and this time it seems to be the worst of it and that alone is catching Darcy's attention.

She stood there for a couple of seconds, as Loki coughs even more vigorously than he has ever done so before and is now seeing him in more pain, the type of pain that it would be hard to ignore and would be the final straw for anyone. It is almost like that whatever left of Loki's magic is fading and his Soul is about to reach it's final point. She simply just got up to grab another water bottle, hoping that maybe it will help and that he would still be awake long enough. Darcy quickly grabs the water bottle and is still holding on to it, Loki's cough continue to become more dry and worse by the minute and even she knows that if Thor doesn't return with the Soul Stone then Loki might not even make it past the hour. She wonders if he's ok and if something else might be going on, it's unlike Thor to take this long for any battle. Especially when it comes to saving anyone that he really cares about, she can't imagine what might be preventing him, according to Loki, whatever is in this dimension, it's worse than Thanos. For now, she is going to be there and she just hopes it would be enough, that things doesn't get worse from there and that would be easier to believe if she didn't see what she is now seeing.

Loki soon eventually stops coughing, but he seems to be doing worse than before and no one needed to be a doctor to know that he's about to lose consciousness. She just hopes that by continuing on the conversation would help Loki keep him awake. Darcy notices that Loki is sweating even more than before and his eye lids are nearly closed, she didn't even need to check to see if his fever has risen. She doesn't know why, but she thinks that it's only getting higher and will continue to do so as Loki's soul is fading away and that they are running out of time.

"Uh... Loki are you... alright?" asked Darcy quietly and nervously. "How do you feel now?"

"I just feel really tired..." said Loki quietly and yet weakly. "Weaker... and hot. Very hot..."

"Do you need anything? I got some water, if you're thirsty." said Darcy. "Just tell me what you need and I'll get it for you, should I go to the others and get help?"

"Just be here... I think this is it and I don't have much time left..." said Loki.

"Hey, Thor is going to be back any minute now and he will have the Soul Stone." said Darcy with a weak reassurance. "You have to pull through for him, you two have been kept apart for far too long and... he can't lose you again."

"I doubt that I will even be awake for that long, please tell him what I said and I said goodbye..." said Loki. "Maybe things will be better for... everyone this way..."

"What? No! We all need you to stay." said Darcy. "Thor needs you to stay. He'd be devastated without you and this was going to be the start of a new beginning, one where the two of you can be brothers again. You can't leave, not like this. Please stay..."

"Darcy, my time is almost up and whatever happens it will be ok... You will have a bright future ahead of you, simply because you might be seen as one of the heroes... Once the truth comes out..." said Loki as he tries to fight off his desire to sleep to say what might be his final words.

"I don't need the credit..." said Darcy. "I just need you to stay and be alright, I mean we started this together and we're going to finish it together right?"

"We did..." said Loki using the last remaining bits of his strength to grab a hold of Darcy's hand and be a comfort. "We finished everything we set out to do and I wouldn't have wanted it any other way... At least I get to see you one last time... I will always be grateful for what you did for me and... no matter what happens, just know that you helped me... find my true glorious purpose..."

"Loki... You can't be done, there are many glorious purposes waiting for you. In fact, you never needed one, you create your own path now without Thanos or anything holding you back." said Darcy as she gives a small squeeze with Loki squeezing it back. "We can have many more adventures..."

"Yeah, we can... I wish we could..." said Loki. "I need to tell you that..."

"Yes, what is it?" asked Darcy.

"Darcy, I..." starts Loki, but he never finished as he closes his eyes and fell into an unconscious state. Darcy look at Loki already feeling a sense of concern and hopes that it's not too late.

"Loki... Loki, Loki! Please don't tell me that you are-" said Darcy trying to shake Loki awaken and then quickly realize something, she simply squeezes Loki's hand to see if he would squeeze it back. "Loki, please tell me that you can hear me. Say something, anything."

Loki just gives a groan and simply gives Darcy's hand a squeeze back, she gives a sigh of relief to see that Loki is still alive and that even if he's unconscious than he is still responsive more or less and can at least hear her or at least she hopes that he does. Darcy doesn't know what to do, should she go and alert the others and get help or should she just stay and see how Loki might be doing. She decides that she needs to stay in case anything happens, as long as Loki doesn't get worse like if he stopped breathing or something, then she'll hurry to get help. Until then and hopefully she's not jinking it, so she decides to take the time to make sure Loki is alright and to try to see if she can help reduce any pain. She reached over to try to reach Loki, to have an idea on what she might be dealing with and really hopes that she is wrong about Loki's fever rising, now that she thinks about it, what would Loki's normal body temperature even be? She imagines it would be cooler than a human or an Asgardian, not only because of his heritage but he always seems to be more cooler than anyone that she knows. Maybe it's because he's a Jontun, though she wonders how he can handle drinking such cold water or anything that feels less than twenty degrees.

Once she feels the heat that feels like Loki has been set on fire or something that is even hotter than an heatwave where no one wants to do anything but to cool off. Now that she thinks of it, how does Loki handle heatwaves? Does Asgard even have heatwaves? Maybe with the magic Odin placed on him, he's a little different from the other Jontuns and can handle it, she has seen Loki eat warm food and he was fine? It's not like a warm slice of pizza and hot chocolate is going to give him an allergic reaction, besides they lived for hundreds of years and probably have to deal with heat in someway in at least one of their adventures and Loki wouldn't even be here if that was the case. But going back to the situation at hand, she stares at Loki as he is now breathing heavily and trying to pull through as he lies there unconscious.

What about right now? How does he and everyone handle situations like this? What was she planning to do if Loki ever did get sick or get so injured that they might need a doctor to help? She always assumed that he would have enough of his healing potion to deal with these sort of situations, but she always assumed that they would never run out or he would get more. But she figures that he would probably recover from a cold or a flu, if he uses his magic or might recover it quicker than most humans and if worst case scenario ever happened, then she would tell Thor, so he would get the help that they would need. It's not like she can take Loki to a doctor, they might recognize him or figure out who he is and she can already imagine the panic that they would start. Though she doesn't know if they'd be much help on treating someone who isn't even from this planet and they would need to answer many questions that she doesn't even know how they would cover it up, that is if they can even do so.

But even then she would figure something out and at least Loki would be awake to help her do so. Though she is really surprised that neither of them have ever thought of this or even considered planning it. Sure, she knows everyone gets sick or hurt or in this case possibly both at one point in their lives, but she never thought that it would happen to this extent. She feels really underprepared and don't even know how is she going to handle this. That is if she can even handle this and help her friend and save him from dying. She has to, Loki deserves a happy ending as much as the rest of them. Especially after everything that has happened and how he just got his brother back.

At least, she came up with an idea to help bring his fever down or at least reduce some pain and any heat he may be feeling. She breaks free from Loki's hand to go and starts to get some things to get ready to get some stuff that might help them. She goes over to the bath room around the corner and grabbed a small towel. Before she heads back to Loki, before she continues she finds a thermostat and temperature adjustment, she quickly makes the room more cooler for Loki. Then she moved the cooler to be closer to them, once she does then she starts to make herself comfortable. So she simply opens the water bottle from earlier and poured it right on the towel. She places the towel right on his forehead and just let it sit on him. She hopes that what they showed in movies are accurate and that this is the way that she can help, she'll remove it once it becomes warm or the towel somehow becomes dry or something.

After starring down on Loki, wondering how did things went from yesterday to today? She wonders what it would have been like if they stopped Thanos during the first time they all confronted him, would things still turn out the way it did? Would Pietro and Vision still be alive? Would Loki be alright, would he still end up like this? How is Thor going to take any of this? He probably wouldn't know what to say about Loki and just hopes that he would come back soon and put an end to this, she never expect things to go this route or things to get this dark. Sure Loki warned her that things would be hard, but she didn't think that one of them would have a high risk of dying or all of this would happen. When did this stop being a simple quest of getting the Infinity Stones before Thanos does and the happier times that they have?

For now, she is just going to be here and just be the friend that Loki needs right now, so that way he doesn't have to be alone and to be there. Darcy doesn't know how she is going to keep this up, she's not good at dealing with these situations and just wishes that someone would come in here and take over. Not that she doesn't care about Loki and still like him, but she isn't the type who would be crying over this while there is still a chance to save him and be treating it like the end of the world. Of course she hates seeing Loki being hurt and doesn't want him to die or anything, but she's not sure if she's the best person to actually play doctor and just wishes that Loki is awake, so that way they can at least have a conversation. Maybe try to take his mind off the current situation, she just hopes that it would be alright and things work out, that Thor does come back before it's too late...

---

Meanwhile in the Dream dimension

Nightmare is getting ready for what he is about to do, he just hope that the test would only make anyone give up hope. He just needs to make sure that he makes it good enough that it would make Thor lose all hope and somehow it might be more than enough to disappoint anyone, a nightmare that anyone would be so desperate to escape from, but they would fail from escaping their reality. Well for Thor's case a reality that would happen if he fails, and one that would haunt him for the rest of his life, he has to make sure that he hit every single insecurity and then the Space Stone and the Guantlet will be his. He would be one step closer on finally getting one step closer on finally defeating anyone that may stand in his way and escape the realm to finish what he has started. To complete his life mission and to finally be one step closer on his life goal and he has a good idea on how to do it...

Thor is standing there, ready for anything that might be thrown at him with the only goal in mind to save his brother and make sure that Nightmare doesn't get out. He wonders what Nightmare is planning to do and how is he going to get out of it. At least one advantage he has is Loki's illusions, so he has some experience on fighting something that seems real and it isn't. He just hopes that he would finish it quickly and then grab the Soul Stone and return to Loki, but first he needs to get ready for whatever the challenge may up ahead him. He doesn't even know what he is going to face, whatever it is is then he is going to make sure that they don't put up that much of a fight and he will end it quickly. He just hopes that whatever it is, it would be easy to defeat and one fight that he would get over with quickly, ready to do anything to save his brother and is ready for whatever Nightmare has in store.

"Well, I have already come up with a perfect challenge for you and one that I am sure that you would find fun." said Nightmare with an evil grin. "But first, I am going to give you one last chance to get out of this deal because once you are in this and you are part of my masterpiece, there will be no turning back. It's not too late for you to give me the space stone voluntarily."

"Why would I do that?" demanded Thor who doesn't like that idea and is becoming more defensive.

"I thought heroes would be more open on being... generous." said Nightmare as he sees Thor giving him an annoyed glare. "I am going to take that as a no. But other than that, you can always leave now and spend whatever time you may have left with your brother, I'm sure deep down he would be more than happy that you are there to say goodbye. Just imagine not giving him the opportunity to see big brother for one last time, that is definitely not going to let you win brother of the year anytime soon, if anything it would make you win worst brother in history."

"Thank you for the words of encouragement, they were very comforting to hear." said Thor sarcastically.

"Anytime, someone has to point it out." said Nightmare. "Especially if you fail, but still you probably would if you back down now, that is are you?"

"I am not going to back down, I am going to fight my way through any obstacle to make sure that my brother lives to see another day." said Thor as he hold his hammer in a tighter grip and is ready to fight for Loki and to stop whatever Nightmare might be planning.

"As you wish and now it's time for us to go over the ground rules, I think that the first important rule would be is that you only have ten little minutes to escape from the world I will create and that world will be the same as any realm, planet or dimension that you have ever been, you will be able to interact within it. But you will need to escape the scenario in one way or another." said Nightmare. "If you defeat your nightmare then you get the glorious prize of the Soul Stone and keep your Space stone and guantlet and if you don't then you would give everything up and will stay in this realm forever. Since I am feeing extra generous, I will also give you a chance to accept defeat the first moment you call my name and request to give up. But if you do that, then you lose and I will take what I want."

"Are you purposely making this harder for me and hoping that I would give up or better yet lose?" Demanded Thor who is clearly getting more frustrated with the being.

"Maybe..." said Nightmare. "Oh and He one more thing, I will be watching the whole thing and will see if you are not cheating, by cheating I mean that you try to do anything that might annoy me like using the Space Stone."

Without wasting another second, the Gauntlet disappears right from Thor's grasp literally. He sees that Nightmare is placing it right on his grasp like a shiny trophy, he even places the Soul Stone right in its place to make it feel more like if he has made the greatest accomplishment of all time. Thor becomes more defensive, he hasn't even started the challenge and Nightmare has already taken the guantlet and the Space Stone. He has had enough of this and is about to throw his hammer right at the being, before Nightmare simply places his hand right in front of Thor, indicating for him to stop.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you, I could beat you in a heartbeat." Said Nightmare menacingly as he grabs a rock and crushes it with the only hand that is guantletless.

"Just give me back the Guantlet and the Space Stone." Said Thor trying to withhold his anger and his desire to fight Nightmare. "If you are feeling really 'generous' today then you might give me the Soul Stone and I will leave peacefully."

"Don't worry, you will get the guantlet and the Space Stone after you complete my challenge. This is just a precaution to make sure that you don't cheat or think of any clever ideas of escaping." Said Nightmare with a sly grin. "I'd wish you luck, but I wouldn't get what I want if you win. You better be ready for what's next."

Thor makes a defensive stance and he is ready for whatever he might face next or if he would have a chance to win whatever he's going to face. But before he can even have a chance to do anything, he notices some red auras is swirling around him and it is becoming more and more prominent by the second, he looks up as he sees Nightmare give him an evil grin. Before he can say another word or even ask what's happening, the magic teleported him to a new world.

Once Thor disappears, Nightmare stares at the Guantlet with an evil grin. His plan has already started and if he is going to win then he is going to need to use the Soul Stone and a change in reality to make sure that Thor feels a sense of confliction and knows that it would give him an easy win. He starts combining the use of the Soul Stone and his powers, he knows that it will show Thor that he won't stand a chance against his worst nightmares.

---

A couple of seconds later in the makeshift reality

Thor gets up and stares at the world that he has now landed in, completely shocked by the place he landed. He looks around and sees a destroyed city, with many people or rather humans simply just working on tedious tasks quietly as some Chitauri and other humans looking over them. He takes a look around and recognize where he was, it was New York and for some reason it looked like If has been invaded or an intense earthquake happened. The once glorious city has turned to rubble, he looks around to try to see what might be the cause. He didn't see any sign of the Black Order or Thanos, but he did see the once glorious Avengers tower now completely destroyed and turned to a giant piece of rubble. With the signature A now being gone and the tower looks like if someone failed to remodel it as there are two wired separate curve shapes.

Thor decides to walk around to see what might be the situation that he would need to resolve, if that was part of the challenge that is. He doesn't know know what to make of a city that he calls his second home being this way. He wonders if there could be anything he can do to fix this, but he has to keep reminding himself that this is just a made up reality, the city is fine and no one is stuck under the control of the Chitauri. Though he doesn't know what he is going to do with those strange looks from everyone he is passing by. Maybe they are expecting him to go along with whatever rules that are in place or something else might be going on. As he continues on, he notices that any signs or tributes for the Avengers have all gone and the only thing he sees is propaganda posters of him and the rest of the team or at least the founding members reminding everyone of their failures. With quotes written over their such as 'the failures of these heroes brought you to a worse fate' and 'don't live up to these heroes or dare think like them if you know what's good for you' and many things that either insults or mocks the Avengers. But there was one poster that caught Thor by surprise...

There is a ton of wanted posters of him and according to the fine print , whomever is looking for him must be desperate with all the rewards being promised and the hope that the smallest tip would result in them getting paid. He also noticed that there were also more posters, ones of the remaking five of the original Avengers and the only difference there is that over the face of their picture the word 'captured' is in big red bold capitalized letters. Thor realize that whatever happened here, it must have been bad and it must have made everyone lose hope in the Avengers. He quickly check over the wall to see if there are many more posters, but so far he hasn't seen a Scarlet Witch, Quicksilver, Vision, Falcon, War Machine and/or a Mysto one. Even then Loki was more of an on and off member and the longest he stayed as an Avenger was when he had to return to Asgard and the start of everything. He just wishes to see someone or anyone with a familiar face, that way he can talk to them and ask what's going on and figure out what might have happened in this reality and figure out what the challenge is.

Before Thor can even have a chance to go anywhere. All of the sudden, he is kicked from the behind. He quickly turns around to see who might be responsible. He is surprised to see that it was Gamora. Who is not wearing her black jumpsuit with a brown leather overcoat, she has a darker piece of armor surrounding her over a darker jumpsuit with only some hints of gold that are shinning through. Her normally loose black hair with magenta pink tips dominating the end is now tied up to a firm hairstyle that looks like a braid and yet, it's not and her hair simply looks as though it was perfectly in tact. He doesn't know what happened, but he knows that he is happy to see her and hope that she would give him some answers.

"Gamora, it's good to see you or rather a version of you." Said Thor happily as at first he caught her by surprise and yet her stern and determined look. "I need your help, I am supposed to escape this reality and I don't even know what I have to face or even happened here. Maybe you can-"

Before Thor can even have a chance to finish, he is taken off guard as he sees Gamora pulls out her sword, ready to fight off the Asgardian and the other Chitauri and eventually more humans comes in ready to fight him off. He is surprised to see that Gamora is with them and wonders what might have happened. He hopes that he is wrong on what he is assuming and that he doesn't have to fight her. But things are about to get worse when Gamora turns to one of the humans and has a determined look on her face.

"Go report to Commander Nebula that we found him and to bring in reinforcements." Commanded Gamora to a couple of the humans. "Alert the king, he needs to know that he has another chance to regain the prize that he desires the most and this time we won't let him escape."

"Yes, General Gamora." Said some of the humans who didn't waste another second to race toward the other way to do their orders.

"Wait, General Gamora? Commander Nebula?" Asked Thor who is taken aback from the recent development. "Gamora, tell me who did this? Who is this king? Where is he? I will do everything in my power to-"

"I don't want to hear any of your nonsense." Said Gamora who got ready to fight the Asgardian if nessicarry. "You are not going to go far this time."

"Gamora, I don't want to fight you, I just want to talk and want to help." Said Thor as he tries to explain himself.

He doesn't even know that he would even be ready to fight off an ally that he starts seeing as a friend much less any of the Guardians. Especially since he knows that they are basically the first group of friends that Loki ever had aside from him, Darcy and possibly Jane. That he is happy to see that he is at least expanding his group of his friends and Thor knows that he will always be grateful for their help on bringing Loki back to him. He just hopes that he doesn't have to fight her and that they can resolve things peacefully.

"I don't need your help!" Said Gamora viscously. "Get him now!"

The next thing, Thor knew is that the Chitauri and the remaining humans start to fight and attack him. He starts to fight all of them off and is surprised to see how easy this so called "challenge" has become and that he will probably defeat all of them in less than a minute, though he doesn't know what to do about Gamora simply because he doesn't want to fight her. Especially after everything that has happened and no matter how many times he would have to fight off someone he considers as a friend or a brother, it never gets easier and he doesn't even know if it will ever will.

Once he reaches towards Gamora, that he sees that she is ready to fight him off and to bring him to their king. He simply just uses his hammer to create a little wind and to blow her back for a little bit. So that way he can simply leave and then see if he can figure out what's going on. He uses his hammer to zoom up to the sky and to make sure that he can make a good distance. Once he's up, he sees Gamora giving a frustrated sigh and is about to head to another direction and at that moment, he decides that it might be best to follow her. Then maybe she will lead him somewhere that might give him all of the answers. He doesn't like this idea, but if this is the only way to find out what might be going on then he would have to do it. He just wishes that Loki was here then maybe he could have reasoned with her or created an illusion. He also wishes that all of the Avengers and the Guardians including the Gamora he knows are here then at least they would give him back up or at least be a helping hand. Just the fact that he wishes that anyone would be able to help him with the challenge that is up ahead and to at least be better prepared for whomever this Earth's king is.

He tries his best to not make a sound or to draw any attention to himself as he flies from above. Keeping an eye on Gamora, wondering if she will take him to wherever this king might be or if he will see what happened to Nebula in this reality. He doesn't know if things would be better for Nebula if things turn out the way it did, but he has the feeling that she would be more aggressive than she would normally be if he has to base his assumption from Gamora's attitude then Nebula would be more angry and yet aggressive to say the least. He continues to follow Gamora, that is she stops after she finds a group that is being led by Nebula and from the sight of her, he sees that she is wearing a a dark red jumpsuit that has longer sleeves to cover Nebula's metal arm. But is wearing the same armor that Gamora is wearing and he notices that the armor also has the same hints of gold that Gamora has, he figures that it might be best to overhear the conversation, to at least have some context to the world that he is now in.

He also wonders who is the king in this reality, he wouldn't be surprise if it's Thanos and this is what the future would have looked like if he was able to take over Earth the first time. Though it is unlike Thanos to let everyone live and to give Nebula the same position of power as he would towards Gamora, maybe something else happened during the timeline that might have caused this destruction. It's must have happened before Ultorn if the later additions for the team got Wanted Posters and the propaganda keeps saying that they have failed their mission. But the question is what happened and where is this king, maybe he is the challenge, if Gamora and Nebula wasn't the challenge then he needs to face this king. He hopes that it was the case that way he wouldn't have to defeat Gamora and Nebula, whomever this king is must have wanted to destroy everything on this planet.

"Commander." greeted Gamora.

"General." said Nebula returning the greeting. "I'm safely guessing that you didn't catch him and need help locating the Asgardian."

"Isn't it obvious?" said Gamora with an annoyed sigh. "We need to secure the city and make sure that he doesn't escape again, he must think that it's wise to face him again."

"If so than the king is not going to show any leniency no matter what their history may be." said Nebula. "We should locate him or at least alert the king."

"Of course, we owe him this much." said Gamora. "He freed us from Thanos and for that I am always will be grateful for that."

"I will send a patrol out and then we will go face him together." said Nebula. "He would want to hear from us anyway, he consider us his most trusted allies."

Gamora simply nods and watches as Nebula gives out the order, after she does the two of them starts to head their way towards wherever their king may be. Thor slowly follows them and is ready to finally face this challenge and to finally put an end to whatever game Nightmare is playing. He does feels bad towards Gamora and Nebula in this outcome, how they are still trapped in this reality and yet at the same time, it is better for them. He may not know who might be running the show in this reality, but he is not liking what he is hearing. He knows that he is going to hit this king with everything he got, to make sure that he doesn't leave the dimension without the Soul Stone.

As Gamora and Nebula continues to head towards their king, the intensity is building right in Thor, ready to fight whatever he has to face. It has to be the challenge, he knows it and he has to see this through and somehow defeat this king but the real question is who is this king and how will he be once he faces him. Judging from all the damage and how he has the power to defeat all of the Avengers, it doesn't take a deep thinker to know that he must be more powerful than any of them combined, he just wishes that Gamora said something or mentioned his name when they took the time to talk. Then maybe he would have an idea on what he might be up against. soon he realizes that he will get all of the answers to his questions soon.

They finally arrived to what looks like some kind of palace and one where the two sisters are about to enter the palace, he watches to see what they have to do in order to get in. He's surprised to see that there wasn't any guards or a stronger sense of security, he would think that a king would have some sense of protection or take every precaution nessicarry unless he's that powerful. Once both sisters entered the building, Thor slowly lands and starts to walk over to the entrance rather slowly, he opens the door and is relieved to see that neither one of the sisters are still there and starts to head right towards the door ready to walk through the hall to see what might be up ahead, that is until...

Something seems to be pushing right towards him as if it is a gust of frigid wind and it is almost like if he is being pushed right towards the path to wherever the king may be. He is about to face whomever it may be and if they are that dangerous, as he continues to head towards the path, all of the sudden there are many rocks and debris starting to fly right at him. Thor quickly lifts up the hammer and starts swing it to hit the debris and to keep it from hitting him, it takes him a good couple seconds to continue doing the same routine, that is until when he throws his hammer to see if he can somehow just hit the upcoming debris is that his hammer seemingly just goes through it. He realizes that he might about to face a sorcerer of some kind and it would explain the damage that he saw when he first landed there. It looks like that he about to face something that have more magic the he would believe that he would be dealing with.

When he arrives, he sees a golden throne room as he would have seen in Asgard except it's more asymmetrical and has a darker anthenossphere and one that there are only black, gold and green being the main color theme. He starts to take a good look at the environment and to try to see if he can find anything that would be a sign of what he has to face. But before he has a chance to move forward, Gamora and Nebula starts to make their attack and starts to fight off Thor and make sure that they defeat him for good. Thor tries his hardest not to hit either one of the sisters too hard and part of him can't believe how once can get too caught up in a fake reality like this one, if he is starting to become worried on the possibility of hurting both sisters. He tries his hardest to simply block their attacks to make sure that he didn't hurt them, before the fight can even have a chance to become a full on battle between Thor and the sisters...

"Enough! Well done ladies,at least I was right about him coming to us." said a yet familiar male voice. "Now, go and make sure no one disturb us, make sure that he didn't bring an army of his own. The last thing we need is for us to get any unwanted visitors."

"We'll tell the troops to inspect the area and make sure that no one dares to try anything." said Nebula who glares at Thor and turn to look more calmer to Gamora. "Come on, let's get to work."

"Just let us know if you need any help with this one, he's so annoying." said Gamora as she and Nebula puts their weapons away and begins to exit the room.

Once both of them are gone, Thor got ready for whatever he is about to face and if he would be ready to face it or else. He wonders what sort of spells the sorcerer is planing to do or his level of magic. He knows that the person he is about to face is probably going to have advance power and magic that he would be ready to use against him, though he wonders how is he going to handle the spells that might be advanced magic that only well trained sorcerers like Loki and his mother knew. He just needs to be ready and just hopes that whomever he has to face, hoping that whomever he is that this would be quick. He already is now standing in a fighting position ready to fight back and for anything that will be ready to give him a fight.

"Well after all these years, you finally decided to come and face me? But you should have known by now that I have more power than I ever had before." said the male voice that sounds so familiar to Thor and it is becoming more clear as he starts to make it out of shadows. "But then again you have always been an idiot who would rely on the false hope that I would still be the same person you knew. I believe it's about time you finally accept the truth and meet your end."

Once the figure escape from the shadow that is blocking his presence, Thor stares in shock as he sees who is right in front of him as he sees who is standing right in front of him. As he starts to take a couple steps back and even drops his hammer at the sight. He doesn't even know how he is going to fight off the challenge or if he would be able to defeat the opponent right in front of him. He doesn't even know how to deal with this or if he can at all.

"No... It can't be..." Said Thor in shock.

"But it is, I believe it's time that we settle our unfinished business. As I said to you before Thor, I have seen worlds and power that you will never known and it will rival your strength." Said Loki as he appeared out of the shadows. "I have finally escaped from your shadow and I am going to protect my rightful place as king of Asgard, Midgard and the rest of the nine realms. I am ready to toss you to the same abyss as you once threw me and will get my vengeance."

Loki glares at Thor and got a hold of Gungir, ready to make sure that his brother doesn't get far. Thor notices that Loki is wearing his horned helmet and rusty gold armor that covers his chest, arms, legs and wrists. While the shirt and pants are a black leather material that doesn't have any shade of Loki's signature green with black leather boots with only some traces of gold. He looks different than how he was when they faced each other in the past, Loki simply looks as though he has been obsessed with power and has been doing everything to maintain his power and to make sure that no one would take it away. That his heart has been hardened and yet at the same time, that he is hurt by the events of the past and is angry over everything. With the only goal on his mind is to defeat Thor once and for all, to do the last thing that he needs to do to ensure his victory.

While Thor is too busy thinking on how he is going to even do anything close on completing this challenge. Sure that he knows that this isn't his brother and he is now trapped in this reality until the ten minutes are up. But still he can't bring himself to fight him, even if it is an illusion and came here to save his brother not fight him. He quickly realize that if Loki is king of all the nine realms and all of the other Avengers are gone then that means in this reality, they didn't win and over time Loki has been taking over the other Realms and maybe even other planets. Without them defeating Loki, then he wouldn't have gone to Asgard to do his sentence for his crimes on Earth, then Thor couldn't have gone for him for help when he needed to find a way to the Dark World, then Loki wouldn't have been able to help him defeat Kurse and later fake his death and even getting close to meeting Darcy and his brother wouldn't have seen the error of his ways.

He doesn't want to fight him or even know if he can fight him, that after everything they have been through and how long he have waited and hope for Loki to see the error of his ways and they can rebuild their brotherly relationship. But seeing Loki like this, even if it's an illusion of this reality, he doesn't even know what to make out of everything or if he can even fight his brother like he had done so many times in the past. He knows that Nightmare must have thought of this challenge because of the fact that he knows how how much Loki means to him and the lengths that he is taking to try to save his brother. Nightmare knows that he would be ready to do anything to try to save his brother and knows that whatever challenge that he might have in store, he would ready for except fighting his brother even if he is not the Loki that he knows and is fighting for his life right now back on the ship. He has to find a way to defeat this challenge, find a way to deal with any conflicting emotions and hope that he doesn't fail this challenge. But as he takes a good look at Loki and reflect everything and soon starts to realize that things are easier said than done as he tries to get ready to find another way out of this before the inevitable...

---

It's finally here! The first part of Chapter 50 is here and it's being split into two parts, sorry about that and for the delay. I was originally going to make it a longer chapter, but I figured that it would be better for pacing to split it like I did with the other two parters, plus this chapter is prety long and I don't even know how long the next one might even be, so maybe it's for the best. Plus leaving things off in this cliffhanger was too cool to resist, don't worry this is going to be the last two part chapter of the entire story and it will be capturing all of the feels and be the chapter where we will get to see things play out and this will be a chapter where we get to see everyone shine or at least the moments that we have been waiting for and Thor's big moment.

Ok, for the challenge I have been thinking hard on what the challenge could be and what would give Thor something that he would have trouble fighting and put him at a high risk of losing the battle that he is trying to win. Then I realize that I had my answer, through one of the main focuses of my fanfic: Thor and Loki's brotherly relationship. It's more of a what if situation if Loki had won and a Thor who has gone through the events of the story and knows that Loki can be redeemed. It's the fight that he needs to win and one that he doesn't want to fight Loki or even knows if he can even do this.

Plus it also gives me a chance to write Loki in a new way and to explore a concept of what would happen if Loki didn't go through the events of Redemption or the Dark World Ragnarok and the Loki series. At least he's finally wearing his horned helmet and it's about time right? I hope that this surprise is good enough for something as big as the fiftieth chapter and you guys enjoyed the first part.

I really hope that this part and the next part is not going to disappoint you, I am hoping that this chapter would be a moment where we can see everything that has been built up, feel that the end is near and to see how these characters has grown over the course of the main story or at least the main characters. That we get to see how far the story has come and yet have the same excitement and unpredictability as the first 49 chapters were. Especially since it's been almost seven years since we embarked on this journey and saw the story grow over time. Along with the set up for any form sequel I might ever write and to resolve many story arcs that are still lingering around.

I am going to releasee part two sometime between Monday to Friday of next week earliest, I'm getting close on the halfway point of the next part and I am going to make it worth the wait and it will be a second part that you will all remember. It will be a chapter where we are going to get a ton feels, even more so than the whole conversation/potential goodbye that Loki and Darcy had back there. Even then it is going to be a emotional rollercoaster, well I hope that it is an emotional roller coaster and the final battle and the 50th chapter are the best chapters I have ever written.

Yeah, you didn't expect a certain Marvel comics character being in this didn't you? I wanted to include him because I found him so cool and plus I thought that it would be cool to have him in the story and if there's a Redemption sequel, this character will definitely be one of the villains. Sorry if I got him out of character since this character hasn't appeared in the movies yet and I apologies ahead of time if I get the character wrong, just think of it as my own interpretation of him. I'll explain more in Part 2, in order to not give away any spoilers.

But I am excited for what's yet to come and for you all to see the end of the 50th chapter and to see the last two chapters, I can't belive that we made it this far and that Redemption is almost done...

But that doesn't mean I am completely done with the story and still going to do the rewrites and one shots and open for a sequel, I have a few ideas... While we're on that subject...

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 and yet still be part of the story (think of it like a spin of series of a movie that the story takes place between the previous movie and the sequel like How to Train your Dragon (the first and second) or Tangled (for the movie and Ever After short) for example.) 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 or even one before she even met Loki or went through the events of the first Guardians of the Galaxy movie?)

Though I would be mostly doing Loki ones but I am open to the idea, but I was also thinking of having them to be more interconenctive than one may think, that it would be telling an overall story which would serve as a prequel, but at the same time they would be stand alone stories and within them, they will have a story arc that will lead into the rest of Redemption after the Age of Ultron arc. But the Gamora one is definitely going to be stand alone and I am open to doing more Redemption, but before I make any decisions I want to finish this story first before I get started on one shots or any sequels.

There are also the rewrites to look forward too, which will improve the grammar and for any continuity issues that I still have to address and maybe even expand on the story. Just think of it as an expanded edition. I just did the prologue and the first three chapters if you all would like to check them out in the future and the fourth chapter rewrite will be coming out really soon and I am hard on work on that one. Sorry for it taking this long, i just wanted to make the newer chapters my top priority and will continue on as soon as I can. :)

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 :)

So will Thor defeat his challenge? Who is the Nightmare and what is his plan? Will grab a hold of the Infinity Stones and the Guantlet? Will Loki be alright and get his Soul back? Will Gamora and Nebula find the words that they need to say in order to start making amends? What can Darcy, Jane, the Guardians and the Avengers do anything to save Loki? How will Thor even get the Soul stone and escape any dimensions, Realities or whatever other foe that might stand in his way? Can he even find the courage to face him? Is he even ready to face him? Are you all ready to see how Redemption will end and if things will have a happy ending? Could I have possibly changed my mind? Find out in the next part of the 50th chapter of Redemption, see ya in the next update. :)