"We are not sending the Destroyer after Thor." Astrid protested.

Loki rolled his eyes but also sighed in annoyance. They had been going back and forth on what they could send down to Midgard to Thor in order for him to reawaken his power. He'd finally settled on the Destroyer, one of them at least, but Astrid was against it.

"Astrid; we don't have many options. At least with the Destroyer I can be clear on its objective. It's better than, say, sending down trolls or dragons are bad since they can destroy everything and kill many innocent lives."

Astrid rolled her eyes.

"Trolls wouldn't 'destroy everything'; you're suggesting we are sending down a Destroyer, whose job is to destroy."

Loki chuckled at that.

"The irony is not lost on me Astrid I know, but we don't have many options. This one is at least the most reasonable is it not?"

Astrid remained silent and just walked outside onto the balcony. She wanted Thor back in order for things to be at least somewhat normal. It would even be a miracle if no one else knows Loki let the frost giants in. She was torn by the giants as well; her biological father respected them but yet she couldn't shake off the clear distrust to them. What is Laufey planning, to be so…eerily quiet in action.

Loki went to his lover's side and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Your mind is thinking and racing again; I see it in your eyes."

Astrid nodded and simply sighed.

"So many worries Loki; I wish we weren't in these fragile and uncertain times but we are. Things were so much simpler back then weren't they?"

"They were but we can't look back; only forward. That includes getting my brother back up here and dealing with Laufey. I hate that he's actually my father by blood and I hate even more that he's planning something but we can't see what yet."

His stomach churned at the fact that his silver tongue was perhaps inherited by Laufey since he hated to at least acknowledge the praise he was given by him. Loki wasn't his son…he was Odin and Frigga's son.

"Is it bad I am thinking like everyone else; including Egil that the frost giants of Jotunheim are perhaps…just so different from us and are bad. Frode saw their humanity but the only humane Jotun I know is you and you were brought up in Asgardian ways."

Loki could see Astrid was torn, conflicted, worried, and deep in her thoughts. He wondered if she was perhaps overwhelmed and perhaps felt she was obligated to fill Frode's shoes with relations to Jotunheim but couldn't after her encounters with them.

"Lest I have to be the one to remind you Astrid; you are your own person. A person I've loved growing up with and had the pleasure to be my lover for most of our lives. Clearly you want to be open minded but sometimes…it's hard to shake off what you've been taught….I'm finding it hard as well."

Astrid shook her head and felt Loki's grip tighten. All their lives they were taught frost giants were cold blooded monsters and Loki learned he was in fact one of them. He couldn't be farther from that and he shouldn't linger on that.

"You're no monster Loki; you never were and never will be."

Loki hoped so; he didn't want to play the role of a villain or hurt the people he loves most.

"So we are going to send the Destroyer down right; that's what we decided?"

Astrid sighed; back to that she thought.

"Is there no monster we can send down? I would hate for us to misuse one of our greatest weapons for this. I wouldn't be against risking a creature of such power if it meant Thor could come home."

Loki shook his head.

"We have better control if we use a Destroyer. I can't assure lives being spared if we send down anything else."

"Or maybe we can send Allister…"

Loki growled in a low tone against Astrid's ear.

"You're not going to fight my brother. I don't want you getting all bruised, bloody, and damaged in this. We can have the Destroyer come down, destroy some things and have Thor come out a hero. But I don't want you to go into a fight you will lose."

Astrid scoffed.

"I would cheat Loki…you know magic since Allister is not supposed to be good with magic."

Loki smirked and chuckled at that statement.

"In all forms you are wonderful in magic but I don't want you breaking a sweat or hurt Astrid"

Astrid shifted to face him and stroked his cheek. She heard the doors of his room opening up and they both re-entered his chambers to allow the guard in. Loki raised an eyebrow and asked,

"What news do you bring?"

"The Warriors Three and Lady Sif are on their way and planning to go to Midgard by the Bifrost Bridge."

Loki scowled at the news and Astrid raised an eyebrow.

"Are you sure of this; despite my words to Hiemdall not to let anyone off Bifrost until I fix things?" Loki asked.

The guard nodded and Loki only groaned angrily as he thanked the guard and dismissed him. Astrid could tell Loki was annoyed and she was too. None of them truly respected Loki and this could be seen as treason in some ways. They would never do this if Odin or Thor was in charge but then again it's their friend on Midgard. The nerve of them all to disregard Loki's words and this angered her.

"They need to be punished it seems." Astrid spoke.

"Maybe the Destroyer could rattle them once they reach Midgard. Loyal to a fault to my brother they are and always look down on me…except maybe Fandrel but he's a sheep."

"Or they will get their punishment now and have to deal with the consequences of leaving against your orders. I will see to it that they will be at least sore when they get to Midgard."

Loki raised an eyebrow and questioned,

"You're going to punish them?"

"I'm more than capable in any form. I might be considered a goddess of compassion; but I'm also a goddess of loyalty and loyal I am and will always be to you. It angers you that they are going off after Thor, I know it does."

More like infuriating Loki thought but he nodded.

"So I will take it upon myself…or rather Allister with some new 'tricks' to take care of them. I just hope I can prevent them from leaving since I am fighting four against my lonesome."

"Sif and you were close, still are. You sure it is wise for you to punish her on my behalf."

Astrid flashes a slight wily smile and shook her head.

"She's betraying the king's orders; friend or not she must speak for her actions with words and combat. Everyone has their place and hers is supposed to be to serve you."

Loki was moved at Astrid's devotion. He had peeked at some books Midgardians had written about them and they didn't do a justice to 'Sigyn's' loyalty. Astrid despite their fights, disagreements, and troubles at times still loved and respected him. He was worried since he didn't want her to fight alone but she's stronger than any maiden he's seen.

"Your loyalty to your king pleases and impresses me." Loki purred lightly.

Astrid laughed softly and playfully tapped his shoulder.

"Even if you weren't the king; if they hurt you I would do something regardless. However they need to not get involved if they don't have to. I just hope what I am going to do will be enough. Now my king, give me your orders on what I should do?"

"Teach the Warrior's Three and Sif a lesson about not obeying their king, by any means necessary."


"I'm telling you all this is suicide." Volstagg whispered as they were making their way out of the palace.

"We need to do this Volstagg; he would do the same for all of us. I'm just very cross that Astrid doesn't see what we see. Who knows where she is now and what she and Loki are planning." Sif expressed with bitterness in her voice.

"Or maybe we don't see what she sees. In all fairness, we were never going to have her come to our aid in this even if we wanted to." Fandral explained.

In a way he could understand Astrid's stance. Out of all of them, she was the fairest and kindest to Loki and perhaps loved that he was on the throne. Also they were lovers so he was very positive they knew every inch of each other.

"Well now I am really sure we shouldn't be doing this. Astrid with her magic can be deadly if she's betrayed or crossed."

"We need Thor here." Hogun stated firmly.

Volstagg sighed since he wasn't going to get anywhere with these three. He did miss his friend and the fact he was all alone did make him worry. They were discussing how to persuade Thor to return when they heard,

"Ah look at all the dastardly traitors to his Majesty King Loki. His word is law as is the word of Odin; yet here you all are. Pity you must be among them Lady Sif but you shall not be getting another step."

All of them were stunned at the man who was in their way; a very toned, strawberry blonde haired, blue-eyed man with a very menacing sword. Sif sighed and she got her sword out.

"Return to your lover Allister; this matter doesn't concern you at all. Stand aside." Sif spoke firmly.

Allister chuckled and sashayed his hips slightly, approaching Sif with a soft glance. It had been awhile since Astrid had taken the form of Allister in the company of the warriors and Sif. Despite knowing 'Allister' was a taken man, there was still a softness in Sif's face and a tender blush on her cheeks.

"If it's a matter of Asgard then it does concern me greatly. You heard Loki, no one is to leave Bifrost and Thor needs to suffer his punishment. Though I heard he may return soon if he undergoes a trial his Majesty is planning; a perilous and dangerous trial." he smirked.

Volstagg and Fandral glared at Allister and got their weapons out.

"If that's the case, he needs us more than ever. You're not going to let us pass, then we will make you! You will fall at our feet" Fandral spoke with conviction.

Hogun got out his mace and the three warriors got in positions around Allister. Tsk he thought as he channeled the magic in his veins.

"Ah you see my fellow warriors…you will not take another step." Allister taunted.

They all lunged at him with their weapons but Allister swiftly escaped with his quick footwork. He glanced at the ground and muttered something, causing Volstagg's feet to freeze in place. Volstagg grunted as he tried to move his feet but to no avail. Allister smirked as he slammed the hilt of the sword at Volstagg's chest and made him fall on his back. The hit was imbued with magic that casted Volstagg several feet away from him and fell on his ass. Volstagg couldn't get up and he flailed like a fish.

"You bastard! You cheat, you know magic!" Volstagg yelled.

"Guilty Vols-ass. Now you take a load off while I deal with the rest of you." Allister teased and gave him a wink before shifting his attention to Fandral.

They crossed blades several times and Fandral couldn't help but chuckle bitterly.

"It's like looking in a mirror, only I have the talent to back up my sword play." Allister mocked.

Fandral clashed his sword against Allister's and noticed it looked very familiar. On closer look, it bore Egil's crest and he spat,

"You a thief too? You truly have no honor if you lie about what your tools and talents are."

"Oh you finally noticed. Took you long enough. Then again if I'm not a maiden your focus and attention aren't as sharp huh."

"How is Lyra by the way? Is she pleased that you're doing this?" he asked.

Allister smirked as he cast a fireball at Fandral's chest.

"She's thrilled I am serving Loki, our king. Now enough talk since I'm tired of this game with you." Allister chuckled as he engulfed Fandral in a grey aura, gasping as he started to see fur growing.

Soon his form became that of a brown dog, complete with a muzzle so he wouldn't dare try and bit him. Fandral's eyes widened as he barked angrily at Allister.

"Ah, perfect. Now you can sleep like the dog you are…maybe I will neuter you once all of you are dealt with."

Fandral whimpered as Hogun stepped up to fight Allsiter. He glanced over Allister's body and this caused him to chuckle. Astrid has completely developed a cheeky and playful personality for Allister that really got her blood pumping. Knowing Hogun, he wouldn't be much of a talker and it would still be fun to try and get a rise out of him.

"Sorry, you're not really my type Hogun. I will give you a chance to kneel and give up now since I respect you."

Hogun saw the aura's color and he was rather curious about it.

"Your magic is no longer just your own…what did you do?" Hogun questioned.

He scoffed and simply said,

"All the best for me, but I don't think you're in the mood to talk?"

Hogun nodded and got out his mace. Allister wasn't phased as he blocked every hit with magical energy shields. The thought of him using these shields brought him back to Egil and how they were a signature of his. Thankfully it seemed not even the Warriors knew of Egil's magical skills since Hogun couldn't connect Astrid's alter ego to herself. Hogun was studying Allister and noticed he wasn't attacking to kill, but to disarm and tire. He knew something was off about Allister but couldn't figure out what.

"Just who are you, Allister?" Hogun asked as he swung down his mace once more.

Allister didn't answer and instead channeled his magic to take Hogun's mace in the air and threw it to the sidelines. He finished his duel with Hogun by shifting the ground below him and engulfed his legs into the ground to prevent him from moving. Sif wasn't backing down and saw Allister was getting winded and was tired from her previous battles.

"Not so smart, leaving me for last Allister." Sif expressed.

Allister chuckled and got into a nice fighting stance. Sif noticed Allister's stance and she has seen it before, but where and who.

"You're right, ladies should have been first but the warriors were brutes about it. Such a shame we need to do this since I really don't want to do this with you."

Sif raised an eyebrow and saw sincerity in Allister's eyes.

"Then come with us and get Thor. With the war looming closer, we need him." Sif appealed.

Allister shook his head and slashed at open air in between them as a warning.

"He should have listened to his dear friend and his brother. Now he will need to prove if he's worthy. But now, prove to me you're the stronger hero of us."

Sif sighed angrily as they went toe to toe with one another. As they fought, Sif definitely had experienced combat like this before...more like sparring. Allister wasn't making an active effort to show off or hurt her, which made Sif wonder. Sif's practice with Loki and Astrid made her skilled in facing magical opponents and neither so far laid a blow on the other.

"Why do you insist on being loyal to Loki? He's not our king." Sif argued.

Allister chuckled and shook his head.

"He is our king and so long as he's on the throne while Odin sleeps; I will serve him. Loki truly is a king we need and deserve."

They clashed swords again and Sif growled at Allister as he smirked at her.

"Ah don't be like that now, you usually are in better spirits when you fight." Allister spoke softly.

"Yes, well seeing how you're making fools of us all for the sake of Loki of all people, I'm not in a very good mood. And for what to prevent us from seeing Thor. Just who in the hell are you, Allister?"

Allister chuckled a bit more.

"Ah now that just breaks my heart. We're sadly on the opposite ends of friendship because of the ties we have to the two sons of Odin. I really wish I didn't have to punish you Siffles..."

Astrid realized her mistake far too late as she saw Sif's eyes widened. Her shock grew to anger as she kicked Astrid's sword from her hands.

"Astrid Egildotter! What in blazes are you doing?! How dare you make fools of us all and for what, your devotion to Loki?!" Sif yelled.

Astrid sighed as she tried to conjure a magical bow but Sif slammed the hilt in her chest to make Astrid stumble. Sif was beyond mad, but pissed as she fought with Astrid.

"Sif please, let me explain. I didn't have any intention..."

"Intention of what screwing with me? You've been doing this just as long as your affair with Loki."

It was then Sif recalled Allister's lover; Lyra. She looked so familiar and it finally dawned on her.

"Wait Lyra...oh for Norns sake, Lyra is Loki isn't she! You two were playing us all for fools."

Astrid managed to nod before feeling an intense pain on her upper arm, gasping a bit in pain. She used her magic to shift her form back into her true self, exposing herself to The Warriors 3. Hogun didn't look shocked but Fandral and Volstaag's mouths fell. Sif started to tear up angrily as she left more cuts and bruises on Astrid's body.

"Free my comrades and I will stop. At this point Astrid, I feel as if we are enemies. You've shown where your loyalties are and you know where mine are."

Astrid sighed as she freed Hogun and Volstagg from their magical traps and changed Fandral back to being human.

Astrid hissed in a bit of pain and felt blood leaking down her body.

"Make no mistake, Loki and I adore Thor. We were trying to figure out how to get him back. You all always were on Thor's side and never gave your respect or dues to Loki. This was the last straw for the both of us Sif and I wish you'd at least trust my words."

"I don't know how I can trust you...sometimes it's hard to separate the two of you, if it's even possible at all. You're not the girl from when we were children Astrid and it's not for the better."

Astrid sighed and knew she was acting selfishly once again but Sif was never going to see Loki as a decent man.

"Go find Thor but I am warning you, we are sending something down as a test for him to become a hero again. It's what Thor, Loki, and I agreed to in order to help him. I never wanted all this pain, betrayal, and conflict. You all just don't have any idea how Loki feels and I'm just being the friend and lover he deserves while you devote yourselves to Thor. I just hope in the times ahead...we can hopefully get past this if we can. You are dear to me Sif, don't think I want this all to end."

Sif said nothing as she went up to Astrid and slapped her in the face, glaring at her with intense hatred.

"You have some nerve to think you could use your tongue like Loki does and things will be smoothed over. I should have seen it many years ago that you were always going to be Loki's lover and would betray anyone to have his heart. We will be back as soon as we can to help with the frost giants...but don't think we can simply 'get past this' since I'm not sure if we can Astrid." Sif expressed as she left with the warriors to make their way onto Bifrost.


Astrid teleported herself to the palace healers so they could look over her injuries. She expected Sif to be mad once she slipped out the Siffles comment as Allister and blew her cover. The fury and relentless assault was something she didn't expect as Sif really left her bloodied and cut up. Astrid truly felt bad for perhaps maybe leading Sif on in some way when she masqueraded as Allister; it was never her intention. Now thanks to this, Sif was very crossed with her and hoped their friendship wasn't destroyed because of divided loyalties.

"Where is she!?" a very angered voice could be heard from outside the healing chamber.

Shit Astrid thought; Loki was going to be mad that the Warriors Three and Sif got past her.

Sure enough, that loud exclamation was from Loki as he stormed into the chamber. His eyes locked on her and they widened at the blood leaking cuts on Astrid's body. She averted her gaze and simply said,

"I'm sorry I couldn't stop Sif. The warriors weren't the issue and I guess I got too full of myself; Allister was full of himself. She got so mad when she pieced together that Allister was me and…"

Loki sighed since it wasn't her he was angry at. She just had a bravado about her when she became Allister. He knew this and yet he still decided to let her masquerade as him to try and stop them.

"Stop just stop Astrid. I'm not crossed with you."

Astrid tried to avert his gaze, but Loki playfully motioned her to look at him with his fingers.

"From what I was told…you weren't taken down easily. Sif was that angered with her little crush being you and you going off about me when you become yourself again."

Astrid recalled Sif's anger and pain in her eyes. She should have been smarter to see through her façade sooner, but Sif never seemed to notice. Was her magic truly that strong that not even her best female friend didn't know she and Allister were the same until her slip of the tongue. Astrid hung her head back and got out of Loki's touch.

"I really am a deceitful witch…aren't I? It seems like I can only hurt people lately. I've hurt Odin with my refusals, Thor with my magic and sneaking around, and now Sif might not even speak with me again after this. My magic truly is for my own selfish use and not for a wonderful purpose huh?" Astrid commented as she looked at her hands.

Loki bit his lip and bent down to kiss Astrid's forehead.

"You're not bad Astrid and no one is truly good. In some ways, we are just…misunderstood in what we want and how we use our talents."

Of course Loki would defend her and appease her; she was probably guilty of doing the same to him.

"Well it seems like my talents are just hurting everyone that isn't you Loki. I never wanted to hurt others I cared for yet it seems that's all I'm doing. In doing what's right I've been taking many missteps in judgment. There was no need for me to go after them; the Destroyer would have been enough."

She wasn't wrong, but Loki wanted to see just how much Astrid would do for him. It wasn't anything new that Astrid loved him; but seeing how she would be an extension of himself and partake in fights…just really took things to another level. Perhaps the blood ritual changed her and was changing her as a person just how her love itself changed him.

"You are right….you didn't need to get yourself hurt for me; in fact now I am really bitter towards Sif now, but I was impressed when you wanted to use your magic and sword play to serve me."

"Not serve you, just do what is right. I can't stand how they always look down on you and not respecting you unless their asses were on the line. I've bided my tongue for over a thousand years and I guess this was the tipping point. I blame my Asgardian life at times."

Loki saw that the healers were very slow and it annoyed him.

"You're taking forever. Astrid could have healed herself in half the time you're taking. I can't stand to see her bleeding!" he snapped at the healers.

The healers picked up the speed as he stared into Astrid's golden eyes.

"I'm going to be fine. I'm not some delicate maiden or fragile princess; you and Thor would be ashamed if I couldn't take this."

"To be fair, Thor would hate that he missed the fight. He would have stepped in to stop Sif…all the more reason we need him back."

Astrid nodded and she could sense a change in the air.

"They must have gone onto Bifrost by now…"

"I know I saw them leave; guess when I'm on the throne everyone turns traitor. No worries my love; they will be dealt with, especially Sif. I'm going to send Thor his trial and return to get you. There is more we need to plan about the frost giants."

Astrid nodded as she rested back down on the healing table.

"I truly am sorry about this."

Loki forced a smile and shook his head.

"You have no reason to be sorry…Sif on the other hand will be sorry indeed."

Loki left the chambers and went into the vault. He slammed the scepter on the ground to summon the Destroyer.

"Teach the Warriors Three and Sif a lesson. Provide a trial and make sure my brother doesn't return home. Give everything you have and if you must…destroy everything." Loki stated clearly in a firm voice.


Not much to say for why this wasn't updated aside from lack of inspiration and boredom. Even what I wanted to do seems to be not good enough. In some ways I want some redemption for Egil and yet a part of me just wants to rush to a happy ending and just not even cover the Dark Elves. Sorry this was long and I can't promise the next one will be quick either. Hopefully I get inspired soon and feedback really helps to motivate me. Hope this was worth the wait.