Disclaimer: not mine

This might be a bit different to what was originally planned in that I think I will show small excerpts from their gift and some various lives rather than one longer segment of a life.

Sequel Part 3

Riku stared at the group nervously, before looking to Sora who was clinging to his hand. So this was the Afterlife, the place they'd thought they'd never see, like Harry. His eyes moved back to the group, taking them in. They looked exactly how he remembered the day he left to find Sora. He squeezed Sora's hand and then stepped forward. "Kairi," he called softly, and she turned curiously before freezing, eyes wide.

"Riku? Sora?" she asked, and the rest of the group turned, seeing them. "But how?"

"Hey guys," Sora offered awkwardly even as Donald and Goofy pushed to the front of the group, Mickey joining them.

"Sora?" the two asked, and Sora nodded.

Riku smiled as Sora was suddenly shoved to the ground as the two ploughed into him, hearing the three laugh as they hugged. He looked back to the King he'd spent so long travelling with. "Mickey," Riku smiled at him and then the King was in his arms and he tossed hi, just like he had when they'd reunited on the beach after defeating Xemnas.

"But I thought…" Mickey stared at him.

"it's a present from Death; to get our memories back and be able to visit the Afterlife," Riku explained, and soon the whole group had descended on them.

He saw Roxas and Ventus hugging Sora who was laughing and crying even as Terra clasped a hand on his own shoulder, Xion smiling shyly alongside Naminé, and then Kairi was hugging him.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Sora was as relieved as her sister to see the Commander alive. Liara had helped collect his body from the Shadow Broker's forces while Sora had been busy back on Thessia, giving even more reports on the battle with Saren. Sometimes she envied her sister for not being a Commando but science hadn't interested her in the same way and she definitely had no desire to be a mercenary or dancer. When Liara had set up shop on Illium, Sora had insisted on joining her as security. She missed the Normandy crew but with Saren's defeat, the reactions to their claims about the Reapers, and the ships' destruction they had been scattered. She knew Joker had left the Alliance when they clipped his wings, honestly, what other position had they expected him to hold given his illness?

Then rumours had begun to circulate that Shepard was alive, giving them hope, and now there he was. She could see the extra scars, from the crash? But otherwise he appeared unchanged. At his back were Garrus and a stranger in Cerberus armour. It matched the rumours, that Shepard had turned traitor to the Alliance by working with the group, not that she believed the traitor bit. Cerberus had brought him back at great expense, they had likely worked to ensure he would have no one else to turn to. But at least he had some of the crew back if Garrus was with him.

"Liara, Sora," Shepard greeted and Sora grinned as Liara went to him, so much for her saying there was nothing between them because that kiss was definitely something.

"I suppose I shouldn't expect such a warm welcome?"

"Sorry Garrus," Sora laughed, but offered him a hug at least. "It is good to see you. And this is?"

"Operative Riku Yamada," the young human male introduced himself politely but with no warmth.

"We're working on breaking the Cerberus anti-alien sentiments," Garrus stage whispered to her and she laughed, seeing the human's cheeks take on a slightly red tone.

"I've missed your humour, my friend." And then she sighed when Liara turned down the offer to re-join Shepard. She knew how desperately her sister had missed Shepard, but at the moment she was far too focused on the Shadow Broker and revenge, it did worry her a bit. She knew the Matriarchs were paying more attention to them now because of what had happened to their Mother, more attention to Liara than her though since she wasn't a Pureblood and was technically still a Commando. By human standards, or even most alien races, they were half siblings as they had different Father's. Sora's Father was a Turian, perhaps that was why she got on so well with Garrus?

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Riku kept an eye on the Asari Commando that had joined the crew. Apparently she was a powerful biotic but should they really trust the daughter of someone who had worked so closely with Saren? Then again, she had helped defeat her mother and Saren… still, too many aliens were joining up for his peace of mind. Cerberus was a human group for a reason but he supposed they should have seen Shepard trying to reassemble his old team coming.

"I don't bite."

He looked up to see the younger T'Soni sister leaning against the wall, watching him. She smirked slightly and Riku tensed. She stepped away from the wall, moving closer.

"I've read your file Operative Yamada, it's impressive."

"That's classified," he denied and she chuckled.

"And my sister is the information broker who helped Cerberus retrieve the Commander's body. Do you really think she couldn't get access to such things?"

Okay, she had a point. "Why did you come aboard when she didn't?"

"I'm not really into revenge," she shrugged but then sobered, "and I don't like the idea of entire colonies going missing. It doesn't matter whose colonies they are, that is far too many people. Besides, I like working with Shepard and I can't always be there to watch Liara's back, she's a big girl as you humans say."

She seemed sincere in her concern for the missing colonies, which was more than he'd seen even from some humans. But aliens couldn't be trusted, they were all out for their own species. Hadn't the First Contact war shown what they would do if given a chance? He'd lost most of his family to that war, though it had happened before he was born.

He nearly jumped when a hand touched his shoulder, eyeing her warily, but she just smiled sadly. He shouldn't get lost in thought like that around any stranger. "I'm not your enemy, Riku. If we are to beat the Collectors then we must work as a team, don't let the past keep you from reaching out to others." And with that she was gone.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Riku suspected a conspiracy when he kept ending up teamed together with T'Soni and Vakarian but both Shepard and Miranda denied it. they'd played back up for the main team on the Collector's ship which had been so much fun…he'd nearly fallen to his death but Sora had caught him with her biotics, bringing him back to the platform they'd been on. And Vakarian…Garrus was an excellent sniper, best he'd seen actually. With every mission…he found it easier to talk and work with them and that had to be Shepard's' plan.

It was interesting when the Justicar joined them, compared to Sora and even what he'd seen of Liara, she was a very different kind of Asari, or was it just the age difference? Either way, she gave him the creeps.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Sora sat on a stool in the armoury, watching Riku work on some upgrades to her assault rifle. They were headed back to Ilium to help Liara since she finally had a lead on the Shadow Broker.

"So what's the deal with your sister and the Shadow Broker?"

"He's tried to kill her a few times, tried to sell Shepard to the Collectors…and killed her partner."

"Partner as in…" Riku glanced at her.

"Work," she answered. "When we run into his forces, don't take them lightly. They've been known to give even our Commandos trouble. Money buys the best and he has a lot of resources," Sora warned.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Riku tackled Sora out of the way, the two of them rolling across the deck as the grenade detonated. He forced himself to ignore the way their armoured bodies were pressed tight together, how wide her eyes were as she looked up at him, and the fact he liked it. "Okay?"

"Fine," she nodded, and he rolled off.

The never-ending lightning storm was a pain to fight in since it meant they weren't just trying to avoid enemy weapons fire but nature itself. He supposed the Shadow Broker had chosen well since it made an assault on his vessel a lot more difficult.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Soft hands rested on his shoulders and Riku turned to face her. They were on their way to the Omega relay, the ship eerily silent with the crew gone. He felt sick if he considered what was happening to them. They would get to them in time, they would.

He blinked as he realised Sora wasn't wearing her armour. He swallowed, knowing what she was offering, what they'd been moving towards for months. "Sora…"

"Riku," she smiled at him.

"Are you sure?" he asked, nervous.

"Are you?" she asked in return, hands running down his armoured chest. "I know what you thought when we first met. Can you be with an alien?"

He lifted his hand to touch her cheek and then leant in to kiss her and it felt completely right in a way nothing ever had before. "I stopped thinking like that a while ago. This crew opened my eyes I guess."

"Then be with me?"

"Yes," Riku agreed, letting her lead him to the small cabin she used.

Between the two of them, they soon had him divested of his armour. They lay on the bed, kissing and touching, their clothing slowly vanishing piece by piece to lie scattered on the floor. He was nervous but that faded gradually, he'd had sex before, but not how the Asari did it with the whole melding thing.

He watched as Sora's eyes seemed to darken as she stared at him. "Embrace eternity," she whispered, and Riku gasped as the world faded away as their nervous systems joined, images flashing through his mind…their time together on the ship.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

She was relieved when the two groups met up and she could see they were all alive, sporting wounds yes, but alive. She moved to Riku's side, helping apply medi-gel to a nasty wound on his side where the armour was still self-repairing, something having gotten through his shields and the hard suit itself.

"Just shrapnel," he murmured, leaning his helmeted head against hers. Technically, the air was breathable otherwise the crewmembers they had saved and freed from the pods would have died, but none of them were willing to risk being exposed to something.

They ignored the debate on how to split the team to go after the Human-Reaper, taking a few seconds for themselves. They were still in danger, still at risk of dying, and she just wanted even a few precious seconds more with him.

"Sora, you've got the fire team, Riku, you're with me," Shepard called to them.

Sora was surprised to be named in command but then realised why, Shepard was taking not only Riku, but Samara to run the biotic barrier and Miranda to back her up. Mordin and Jack had returned to the Normandy with the crew, so it made sense to have her with the fire team as main biotic and she did have leadership training at least. Garrus mock saluted her and she smiled.

"Be careful," Riku squeezed her hand.

"You too," she told him and then she left, leading her squad on the second route to reach the Reaper.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

They lay on her bed together, basking in the fact that they were alive. Somehow, everyone had made it back alive from the Suicide mission…so was it really a suicide mission. He pushed the thought aside to look at the lithe blue body in his arms. He…he was in love with Sora, couldn't imagine his life without her anymore. They'd also managed to piss the Illusive Man off by refusing his order to stop Shepard from destroying the Collector Base. Miranda had warned him that they may have to vanish for a time but he hated the idea of doing that. But could he put Sora in danger? Then again, she wanted to see Liara, surely the Shadow Broker's ship would be safe?

Shepard was turning himself into the Alliance over the destruction of the Bahak system. Riku thought they were crazy but they were still denying the existence of the Reapers, despite the readings the Normandy had managed to take while outrunning said destruction. No one wanted to believe, and in a way he couldn't blame them, but it meant the galaxy was in serious trouble. Thankfully, Shepard was dropping them off before heading for Earth, Riku hated to think what charged the Alliance would decide to press on him for being part of Cerberus.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Sora threw a mech back into a group of oncoming soldiers, swearing under her breath as Riku opened fire beside her. They were holding the line, giving Liara and Feron as much time as possible to load the equipment into the shuttle.

"Fall back!" Riku yelled, and she moved back, opening fire herself once she was in cover.

Riku tossed a grenade and then fell back behind her. They worked their way to the hanger in that manner, leapfrogging backwards. And then she heard a muffled cry and turned, they'd gotten behind them! She saw Riku hit the floor and not get up, Cerberus soldiers converging on him and she cut loose. A massive shockwave sent them flying as she rushed towards him, a barrier wrapping around her. But then a mech got between them and she had to take cover. By the time she'd dealt with it…Riku was gone.

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"Sora seems…angry," John offered as Liara joined him in his cabin.

"She is, and with good reason. It wasn't just the three of us on the Shadow Broker's ship, Riku was with us. Sora saw him go down but there was no body or sign of him alive anywhere. It seems the Illusive Man gave orders for him to be taken. If he died in the attack then I doubt they will revive him as they did you, it simply costs too much. But if he was alive…I fear what they will do to him, especially after seeing the soldiers on Mars," she admitted.

He grimaced, Riku was a good soldier and had become a friend, the thought of him being used like that made him sick. "If he's alive, we'll find him."

"I have all my agents on the lookout for even a whisper," Liara nodded. "I would not want to be the Illusive Man should Sora find him though. I have never seen her so angry. They…they were going to be married, she agreed to a human ceremony for Riku."

"Do you want that Liara, marriage?" he asked. Marriage? He'd never really considered it; Liara would outlive him by centuries if they survived the Reapers. But with her…

"I think that it might be nice, one day."

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Sanctuary…the supposed safe haven from the war, was anything but. Seeing the Cerberus markings and then signs of Reaper forces, was not encouraging. That was before they even accessed Miranda's message about her Father. The deeper they got the more horrific the atrocities.

And then Sora froze before one of the tubes used to convert the refuges into Husks, only to fall to her knees, her cry bringing the team running.

"Goddess," Liara gasped after several moments, it had taken time for her to make out what she was actually seeing. Then she knelt and gathered her sister close, turning her head away so she wouldn't have to see anymore.

Shepard stared in horror at the ruined body suspended within the tube. It still looked human, mostly, it definitely wasn't a Husk though it bore the strange blue tear like marking many of the Cerberus troops now did. Would his eyes also be like theirs if open? He'd been torn to pieces, signs of experimentation all over his body, but…it was him; it was Riku…or what was left of him.

"Get him out of there," Shepard ordered, and Garrus stepped forward with James, the two men working to pry the tube open.

EDI had moved to the console to download the information on what had been done to him while Kaidan moved to pull the body free of the tubes and wires.

"He's alive!" Kaidan gasped in horrified shock as he felt the ruined body take a tiny breath.

Sora scrambled up to take Riku from him, cradling his body in her arms even as Liara moved to apply medi-gel to try and stabilise him.

"Shepard, according to these records Operative Yamada has resisted indoctrination," EDI announced.

"Alright, get him back to the Normandy, see if Doctor Chakwas can keep him alive long enough to reach the Citadel. Javik, EDI, and James are with me, we'll find Miranda and shut this place down."

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Sora held one cold hand in her own as Dr Chakwas worked to keep Riku alive and stable. The Huerta Memorial Hospital was the best on the Citadel, had saved Kaidan after he'd nearly died on Mars, had done their best for Thane… but this was…

"I've done what I can," the doctor began only to stop as Riku rasped in a deeper breath, remaining hand flexing in Sora's.

"Is he…" Sora trailed off and then lunged forward as Riku began to thrash weakly, helping hold him on the bed.

Eyes that glowed with a white/blue light opened, staring up at the ceiling as Riku writhed, mouth opening and closing soundlessly.

"Riku it's alright, you're safe now," Sora called to him, not sure if he could hear her or if he could, if he could understand. She hadn't even glanced at the data EDI had retrieved, didn't want to know the horrors that had been perpetrated so she didn't know how much his brain might have been damaged. "Riku, it's Sora, can you hear me?"

To her relief, Riku went still, but his eyes didn't move from the ceiling. His mouth kept moving, a low moan sounding, but the hand she was still holding moved weakly in hers.

"He shouldn't be conscious," Chakwas was frowning, running every scan she could.

Sora used her other hand to gently brush over shorn hair, missing the soft blond locks that he'd been allowing to grow longer since he was no longer serving with Cerberus. "Just keep breathing Riku, we're taking you to the Citadel hospital.

"Ssssss….." it trailed off into more moaning but it gave her hope.

"I'm here," she promised.

An hour later, the team was back and they were on their way to the Citadel. Three days later, the Fleets attacked the Cerberus base and Sora ripped the Illusive man apart with her biotics for Riku.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

As the wave of energy spread over the galaxy, causes synthesis, Riku's body jolted on the bed in the secure private room of the recently opened hospital. Green energy washed over him, sinking in, changing him even as it changed his companion. Grievous wounds that had refused all attempts at healing began to mend and slowly his eyes opened, blinking up at the ceiling. His lips parts and he swallowed. "Ssss…Sssorraa…" he slurred, mind clearer than it had been in months, aware.

Then a familiar face was hovering over his, blue eyes full of hope. "Riku?" she called, and then a hand was wrapped around his and he struggled, feeling his fingers twitch. "It's alright, we're on Rannoch, with the Quarians. You're safe now, Cerberus is gone."

He jerked at the mention of the name, Cerberus… images flashed through his mind, the Illusive Man…Lawson…tubes, people screaming…a noise in his head…

"Shh, it's okay," Sora's voice drew him out of the memories.

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Sora watched as Riku took jerky steps towards her, wanting to help but the doctors had made it clear that Riku had to get used to the various prosthetics. They were all partially synthetic now and it was a big change, but it also felt natural. What had Shepard done? The Citadel was apparently a wreck, with no sign of the Commander…or his body. Admiral Anderson had been found though, badly wounded but he'd survived and had explained that Shepard had continued on to activate the Crucible. The war was over, the Reapers even helping to rebuild what they had destroyed.

They had remained on Rannoch, the Geth being a great help with Riku's healing. Riku was more synthetic than most humans now, more in line with what Shepard had apparently been. His eyes were still the same as a Husks but the glowing blue 'tear marks' were gone. The prosthetics weren't obvious, Cerberus records had helped them with how to hide them under real flesh. The Galaxy was at peace, societies advancing with the Reapers' knowledge, but Sora didn't care. She was done with it all, she just wanted to live in peace with Riku, Liara, and her newborn niece. The Quarians and Geth had been very welcoming and helpful, Tali insisting they had everything they needed.

Riku stumbled and she caught him, holding him close. "Sssoryy." There was a strange buzz to his voice now and he still had trouble with speech, but that was the beauty of being a synthesised being now, there were other methods of communication. But Sora still encouraged him to speak because it didn't bother her and she had missed the sound of his voice for too long.

She smiled at him, not flinching from his strange eyes, reaching up to gently run her fingers over the blond hair, it was regrowing well. "I love you, Riku."

His lips twitched into a small smile in return. "Llovee."

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Riku held the small baby in his real arm, watching as she contentedly drifted off to sleep. She was so small and perfect, how could any of her have come from him? He was a Dad and he still couldn't believe it, even after watching Sora's body change with pregnancy for months. Sometimes, he couldn't believe Sora had stayed with him after everything Cerberus had done to him. He often had the Geth in his head now, helping him cope with the torture and experimentation, the attempted indoctrination…and no one knew how he had resisted, not even the Reapers when asked.

He'd panicked the first few times the Geth had accessed the implants in his brain that Cerberus had placed, but they had done a lot to help him. His speech was almost normal now, except for the slight buzz from where his vocal chords had been rebuilt synthetically. The Geth and Reapers were everywhere now, it was hard to get used to since he'd been stuck as an experiment when peace had been made with the Geth. Everything had changed, he even had a government pension because of how he'd been used by Cerberus and left changed.

Liara had her work, though it had changed with the galactic peace and rebuilding, but she did most of it from Rannoch due to little Joannie, named for her Father. Sora was happy being retired and now they had their own daughter, their precious Hope. It wasn't a very Asari name, but they thought it fitting. No one knew yet how the changes would affect lifespans, if it would at all, and if it didn't then Sora would always have a piece of him with her in their daughter, in away. Hope might not carry his DNA, but the changes in her DNA to differentiate her from Sora had been caused by their melding.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Harry held Riku as he trembled, memories returning. "I love you," he whispered.

"Harry," Riku breathed, slumping against him. He then turned and Harry kissed him softly.

"How do you feel?" Harry asked in concern.

"It's so…quiet," Riku murmured. He laughed then and Harry arched an eyebrow. "Are we going to end up being all colours of the rainbow?" he asked, and Harry laughed.

"Maybe," he admitted.

"At least Sora makes a very attractive Asari." Riku rubbed at his arm, the arm he'd lost to Cerberus, and Harry took his hand, lifting it to kiss the back. The prosthetics had been the best Harry had observed in many dimensions, they had looked totally natural, but Riku had known they weren't. "I'm just glad our lifespans were extended, otherwise Sora would have been dying very young for an Asari."

Sora would still be dying young, Harry could already see the cracks forming in her sanity, but thanks to the marvels of their medicine, they could conceivably keep her going for another few decades before she died.

"So what did happen to John Shepard? No one knows."

"He died in providing the blueprint needed for synthesis. He was given the option for it, to destroy the Reapers, or to control them and he chose synthesis so that the Geth and EDI would live as well."

"And we made things better?" Riku asked softly, and Harry kissed him again.

"Because of you, Cerberus took longer to get as far as they did in their experiments meaning less people died at their hands. They got so fascinated with your ability to resist Indoctrination that they focused on you more. Plus, the Illusive Man, otherwise known as Jack Harper, was caught sooner. This saved more lives, including Admiral Anderson. Liara would not have her daughter if she hadn't seen what happened to Sora when you were captured, because of that she chose to have a child from the last time she melded with John. There are infinite possibilities, all playing out, but in this dimension, the two of you, through your actions and even sometimes just your presence, more people survived the Reapers. And maybe this John chose synthesis in part because he saw what Cerberus did to you. "

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Kakashi looked away from his parents and stared at the young man standing in the doorway. It wasn't possible and yet…

"Dad?" the question was hesitant, and Kakashi stood up. He looked exactly how he had when Death had shown him the young man who had been reborn as his son.

"Riku," he whispered, and the teen smiled. It took three steps to reach him and draw him into a hug. He didn't know how, but his son knew him! "How?"

"A gift for my five hundred years from my first death. We can remember now and visit the Afterlife. It's kind of…overwhelming to remember just how many lives I've lived now."

There was something… "The last one was bad?" he asked gently, glad the rest of the family was giving them space.

"Ended up an experiment, missing limbs…yeah. But hey, Sora ended up a blue alien who was technically not male or female. We had a daughter too."

Kakashi just stared at him, they'd done what to his son?!

"I'll be okay," Riku promised. "Not the first time our lives have gotten weird. We seem to end up in space a lot though."

"Where's Sora now?"

"Still there, she…he is being treated for his deteriorating mental state. Harry thinks up to a decade before he succumbs. The Asari look a lot like human females so the translators tend to treat them as female. Which is now confusing…then again I was female, though human, about four lives ago," Riku rambled.

"Then you must have a lot of very interesting stories to share," Sakumo spoke up, and Kakashi groaned, making Riku laugh.

"Loads, want some about Dad too?" Riku offered, and the family laughed.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

The three of them lay in bed together, just enjoying being finally together again. The last life, they'd died together as the ship they were on was blown up, thankfully a very quick death. The time between lives was now split between the Nexus and visiting old friends and family in the Afterlife. There was only one group from his previous lives that Sora never went to and that was those from his original life. What was the point when none of them remembered him? It would only cause him pain to have them look at him like a stranger, especially Noctis and Prompto.

"Harry?" Riku asked, wondering about that a few days later when it was just the two of them in one of the massive libraries.

"Yes?"

"There's infinite possibilities right?"

"Of course, what is it?"

"How have other versions of Sora's home gone?"

"Ah, you want to try and save Eos in a different way to the one Sora used."

"Could we? Maybe it'd give him some kind of closure to save another version of his brother."

"Or it could make it worse," Harry warned.

"I'd like to do it," Sora said and they turned to find him standing in the doorway. "If we can?"

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Sora faced Ardyn, sword in hand, and he would swear he could feel revulsion coming from the Lucii. The Ring was in his pocket! Riku was at his back, his fiancé fiercely guarding him from the MT's that littered the Keep. Somewhere, Prompto was being held, and the others were hopefully on their way to rescue him.

"Who are you, really?" Sora demanded. He knew too much, was behind too many plots, and he had to have magic, it was the only explanation for what had happened on the train.

"My, my, you really are the smarter twin, aren't you?" the man purred. "Well…what does it matter now?" he swept his hat off, bowing theatrically. "Ardyn Lucis Caelum, at your service Highness."

Sora's eyes widened at the name. How could that be? And then he felt his magic surge under his skin, whatever had stopped it gone, and he flung his sword at the man. Ardyn snarled, blocking it, and then two Armigers flared to life.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Noctis ran into the room with the others and then screamed in denial. Lying on the ground, pale and unmoving, were Sora and Riku, blood soaking their clothes and pooling beneath them. Riku had obviously fallen defending Sora to the last. And nearby was the body of the Chancellor….bubbling and decaying like a daemon.

They all blinked as outside, the sunlight suddenly broke through the darkness of the ever-lengthening night, proving it was actually still daytime.

Noctis knelt beside his younger twin, taking a cold hand in his, seeing the dead Ring on his finger. "What did you do Sora?" he whispered, but he knew there'd never be an answer.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Harry kissed Sora eagerly as the younger male straddled him, both naked. It was sweet of them, the way they handled their relationship. They had said that since they always ended up together when alive, that it was fairer if they were always with Harry when in the Nexus, either alone or together. They didn't really spend any time alone together now when home, wanting to spend it all with him or those who had passed on.

Sora shimmied down his body, grinning, before his lips parted, and oh that felt good.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Riku stood opposite Loki, feeling calm even as she recited her vows. There was no deep, saga worthy love between them, but they were good friends and companions. But Loki needed someone to anchor him, she had always seen that, ever since they were children. As the distance grew between the brothers, Loki's pranks had turned nastier, his jealousy growing. If she could be the anchor he needed, then she would do it.

She turned her head to glance at Frigga, feeling the weight of the intricate braids in her hair as she did, her skirts shift slightly from the movement. On the braids she wore the Queen's own bridal crown of intricate metal work, inset with precious stones. Her own Mother's had been lost in the fire that had left her orphaned as a child. The gown was stunning, as befitting a royal wedding, but was definitely outside of her normal wardrobe. She, like Sif, was a warrior! Well, she had been, it had been allowed for a maiden, but now that she was married she would be expected to turn to the kind of things the Queen did.

They exchanged weapons and rings as was traditional and then the feast began.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Loki stood with Riku as Thor played to the crowds, walking down the aisle to where Odin would pronounce him King of Asgard. Well, he would have if Loki hadn't arranged a little distraction. His original plan had been scrapped at his wife's urging for something less lethal but just as likely to prove to Odin that Thor wasn't ready. Sure enough, his brother lost his temper and for once Odin saw what Loki did. The banishment was not something he'd seen coming, not with the way Odin favoured Thor, but maybe it would work out for the best.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Riku sat at her dresser, brushing out her long silvery blond hair. Hands came to rest on her shoulders and she looked up at her husband. She set the brush down and turned to take his hands. "What has happened?"

"Father has entered the Odin sleep," he admitted quietly.

"Is Mother to rule as Regent?" she had done so for as long as Riku could remember, but Loki shook his head.

"She refuses to leave his side."

"Then that leaves you as Regent?" she asked gently, and he nodded. "I will be at your side my husband," she promised.

"Thank you," he whispered, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "I need you at my side Riku, I don't know who else to trust."

"You can always trust me," she swore, standing to lead him to the bed. With Thor banished and now this, the sooner an heir could be provided the better.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Sora watched the doctor, her assistant, and the rather large, loud, blond man who had joined them and seemed totally lost with normal behaviour. Puente Antiguo, New Mexico was pretty much the middle of nowhere which suited him perfectly. It ensured he was well away from any who would seek him for his powers and made ending up in a situation where they'd be revealed very unlikely. Though…he could sense something from the blond, something strange. He shrugged it off, assuming he was like him.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Loki sat on the throne, Gungnir in hand, the symbol of his authority. Riku stood beside him, in the place he was used to seeing his Mother when she attended court. He was glad for her presence; he needed her calm support when faced with the suspicion and disdain of the older nobles. They had never liked him. and of course once they were all gone…Sif and the Warriors Three approached, appearing shocked by his presence on the Throne before immediately launching into a plea for him to lift Thor's banishment. He couldn't, he didn't have that power, he was only Regent. Well, he could bring him back but he couldn't give him back his power.

He warned Heimdall to not allow them to use the Bifrost but…would he obey?

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Sora blinked as the four strangers walked right down main street. Okay, what the heck? Cosplay wasn't really a thing in the tiny town…and they were headed right for Doc Foster's lab…just like the creepy men in black the other day. Sora sighed, it looked like it was time for him to move on, the town was getting a little too exciting and he knew the whispers of what the government did to people like him.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

"Loki, calm down," Riku soothed, stroking her hands over his shoulders and arms. "So they find Thor, what does it change? Father's banishment still stands. The people are unsure of how you will be as Regent, with time they will see you are a good one," she assured him.

"I…I can't…"

"Shh," she kissed him softly. "Would it help if I go? It's been a few years but I am sure my armour still fits. I can check how Thor is and make sure the others do not make a mess."

Loki closed his eyes, wrapping his arms around her, before his hand moved to her still flat abdomen. They had only had word that morning of her pregnancy, but she was not expecting to actually have to fight. Besides, she was Asgardian, there were stories of their women fighting when far further with child than she was. "You will be careful?"

"Of course."

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

"Are you lost?" Sora called, and the woman turned to him. She…she was beautiful, the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen.

"No, thank you sir," she smiled, her accent was like nothing…no, it was like the man with Foster. And her outfit was like the other woman who had arrived with the three men earlier.

"Are you with the others who arrived earlier?" he asked.

"Have you seen them?"

"Everyone saw them, they were headed for Doctor Foster's lab," he answered. He couldn't help lowering his shields, trying to get a feel for her, and what he found sent him reeling.

Soft yet strong hands grabbed him, steadying him. "Are you alright?"

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Riku was shocked but caught the young Midgardian before he could collapse. Bright blue eyes met hers dazedly, before he shook his head. She wasn't aware that mortals had such abilities, if she had, she would not have reacted so forcefully to his mental touch. She wasn't sure how Midgardians aged, but she thought he would be counted as an adult. He was shorted than the average Asgardian male, though his wild spikey brown hair added a little to his height.

That mental touch though…it had felt so different to when she and Loki touched minds to communicate but it had also felt good, right. That worried her, she was a married woman, a mother-to-be.

"Could you tell me where this 'lab' is?"

"Uh, of course." He indicated a large building a fair distance away and she thanked him before walking away.

She needed to see what her brother-in-law's friends were up to.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Jane wasn't sure what to do with all the…aliens? Thor seemed very upset by the news of his Father's health and his brother ruling as Regent. She spotted the young waiter from the café walking by and smiled at him, getting a wave in return. He then purposely glanced at a nearby alley as if…was he saying they were being watched? By who? Those Shield people?

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Loki wandered the Vault, remembering happier times when Odin had taken them in as children to tell tales of their ancestors. He stopped before the Casket of Ancient Winters, staring at the object he'd originally planned to lure the Frost Giants into attacking for. He found himself stepping up onto the platform where it rested, reaching out to the handles. He touched them and nothing happened, shocking him. shouldn't it at least feel cold? He gripped them properly and watched in shock as his skin turned blue. How?

He staggered from the Vault and to their rooms, collapsing on the bed, hugging Riku's pillow to his chest, breathing in her scent.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Riku froze in shock as the Destroyer levelled a nearby building. "Run!" she yelled as the terrified mortals. She rushed forward to get them moving, seeing as Thor and his friends began doing the same. She closed her eyes, focusing her magic, to send a query to Loki. Who could have sent the Destroyer? Only the King or Regent should have that power and authority but Loki would never.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Loki jolted awake as he wife's magic reached him. What? And then he realised, he had left Gungnir in the Vault. No! He rushed for the Vaults, staring in horror and where the Destroyer should be. Who could have done this? Why? He sent a whisper of magic back to Riku, to let her know the truth, torn over what to do next, before heading for his parents. If this was a coup attempt then they could be in danger, if not then perhaps Mother would know what to do to fix his mistake.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Riku felt a body hit her at speed, knocking them both to the ground just as the blast went through where she'd been standing. She found the Midgardian from earlier beside her; fear and determination in his eyes.

"Alright?" he asked, scrambling to his feet, and she nodded, getting up as well.

"You need to leave; it is too dangerous."

He shook his head. "Not till everyone else is out," he then took off for a nearby building, ushering people out and towards the strange vehicles they used.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Frigga was alarmed by Loki's news. Who would dare?! "You must go to Midgard Loki, Riku and Thor will need you."

"Mother…"

"I am quite capable of defending us. I had hoped by making you Regent, it would help you be more accepted, I am sorry." She took his hands and kissed his forehead. "I shall deal with this; you protect our family."

"Riku is with child," he choked in fear.

Her eyes widened and then she smiled. "I am so happy for you. A grandchild… go my dear son, protect your Lady."

"She might take offence at the assumption she needs it."

"Very true, but the Destroyer is not to be underestimated," she warned, and he vanished. She had a traitor to deal with.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Loki found a town on fire, Sif and the Warriors Three battling the Destroyer but not winning. Thor was…helping evacuate the locals and Riku…where was his wife?

"Loki!" a familiar voice called before he could truly panic, and he turned to find her rushing towards him.

"Are you injured?" he asked, looking her over. He was surprised by how much he had missed the sight of her dressed for battle.

"No. I have been helping the evacuation."

A Midgardian male approached then. "There's people trapped in the building over there, all the exits are blocked." He told them.

"We will handle it Sora," Riku told him.

He nodded. "Thanks. I better go keep the idiots from panicking too badly." He jogged away, heading for a group of panicking youths, who very interestingly…calmed within seconds of his joining them.

"Yes, it seems some Midgardians at least have evolved to develop powers," Riku answered his unasked question.

"NO!"

They both turned at the scream, seeing Fandral holding back a mortal woman as…as Thor collapsed to the ground at the Destroyer's feet.

"No," Loki whispered. He had wanted his brother to grow up, to not have everything for once…he had never wished him dead! They would pay! Whoever had done this, they would pay!

"Loki!" Riku snapped at him, and he looked at her. "It may not be too late, come." She ran towards the group and Loki joined her.

He quickly cast several illusions, covering the group, while creating decoys, hoping they would fool the Destroyer…and they did.

"Loki!" Sif snarled, and Loki barely spared her a glance as he knelt beside his brother.

He knew some Healing, and Riku had been training with the Palace Healers, but… "No…no Thor, not like this," he pleaded.

And then the sky darkened, thunder rumbling in the distance. He got up, pulling Riku with him as the storm hit, not taking his eyes from his brother. He smiled as he heard and felt the approaching weapon, Mjolnir returning to a worthy wielder.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Aliens, real aliens. Well that was even more incredible than mutants. Sora hung back as the group gathered but then the woman, Riku, saw him and walked over, the man who had seemed so worried for her at her side. Her husband? Not like he ever would have had a chance with someone like her.

"I am sorry for the damage our people have done to your home," the man stated formally.

"Thank you, but it isn't my home," Sora told him. "And with all this, I think it's time to move on before the men in black take too much interest." He subtly indicated the Agents.

"Are you in danger?" Riku asked him in concern.

Sora shifted slightly, running a hand through his hair. "I'm not powerful enough to really be on anyone's radar but…there are a lot of stories about people like me going missing when agents show up."

"I think you have more power than you know young mortal," the man told him, eyeing him. "I am Loki, Prince of Asgard. You have aided my wife and for that I owe you a debt."

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Loki could feel something between his wife and this mortal and yet strangely…he felt no jealousy. A debt was owed and perhaps… "I offer you sanctuary within our household."

He could feel Riku's surprise at the offer, but it was genuine. He supposed he should use his name, Sora. He hadn't been lying, with training his mental abilities could reach their full potential. They weren't based in magic like theirs which could prove very useful in court too.

Sora looked between them and Loki knew the mortal was looking for any deceit, but there was none to find. "Leave Earth?" he whispered. "You wouldn't get in trouble for this?"

"No," Riku answered for him.

"Can I get my belongings?" Sora asked, and Loki nodded.

"Are you coming Loki?" Thor called.

"We will follow," he answered, moving to his brother's side. "Mother said she would deal with the traitor but…I wish to be sure before taking Riku home. Do not tell anyone, only Mother knows, but she is with child," he explained, seeing Thor's eyes go wide.

"That is marvellous news Loki! Congratulations."

"Thank you."

"And you are right, we shall go first and ensure your Lady's safety. I do pity the fool if Mother has found them already."

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Asgard was incredible, even if things were tense due to the idiot who'd tried to get Thor killed and Loki blamed. King Odin had woken and taken the Throne back, he'd agreed to Sora's presence, though he didn't seem entirely happy with it. he'd been welcomed by the Queen who'd had a strangely knowing look in her eyes.

He'd never lived somewhere so nice before. He had everything he could ever need or want; he was living in a real Palace! And training would soon begin with Loki, that made him a little nervous. The idea that he might be more powerful than he had realised made him curious.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Riku held Loki close, stroking his hair gently. He had shakily admitted what he had learnt, what Frigga had told him when he had pressed. Her husband was the son of Laufey, a Frost Giant. It actually explained a lot and made her angry at Odin. "You are my husband Loki, the Father of my child. That is what is important, not who your parents were. And if our baby takes after you, I will still love them," she promised. "I will not leave you. If Thor says anything, I will hit him for you and we can pass it off as mood swings."

That got a watery laugh, which was what she'd been aiming for. Her quick changes of mood as her pregnancy progressed were fast becoming legendary and feared.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Harry had to admit, he hadn't seen any of that coming. It had never happened before after all. So long as they were happy though. And they would keep Loki from going down darker roads.

He sighed as a soul passed on, he would have to let Sora know that Liara was now dead. How would she react to the fact that her sister was actually male?

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Sora wriggled his fingers in front of the baby's face, laughing as his fingers were caught. The baby had Loki's black hair and blue skin, but Riku's blue eyes. The blue skin had been a shock, but Sora had no reason to hate Frost Giants, so it didn't bother him at all. In fact, he thought Loki looked rather hot when he allowed the illusion to fall, even if Loki refused to let it do so often, fearing harming someone with the cold of his body. Sora didn't think little Asmund was cold though, maybe because of Riku's heritage?

He looked up when Loki emerged from the bedroom, still looking half asleep. "Go back to bed," he whispered.

"Riku wants to feed him, besides we missed you both," Loki answered, leaning down to brush a kiss to his lips before lifting Asmund into his arms.

Sora laughed but got up and followed him into the bedroom, lying down beside Riku, watching in awe as she fed her son.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

"Liara," Sora sat beside his sister. Sometimes it felt so strange, remembering lives where he was something other than a human male. It could make interacting with those from that life rather…interesting. But Liara had taken the revelation well, John had too.

"Hello Sora," she smiled at him.

They sat and talked for hours before he left for home.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Harry held his loves, his Hands, close to his sides as they lay before the cheerfully burning fire. It wasn't real, but it was still nice. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, the worlds seemed to be taking care of themselves. He had no need to send them out and didn't see anything that would need it for quite a while. It would be very nice to have them mostly to himself for decades, maybe even centuries, other than the time they spent visiting the Afterlife.

He would never regret answering Sora's summon and then offering to allow Riku to remain with them. He loved them more than he had ever loved anyone when mortal himself. And he knew they loved him for who he was, every aspect of him.

The end.

I was re-playing Mass Effect and the idea of an Asari Sora popped into my head. And I couldn't decide fully how to handle the Marvel idea, so I put them both together in the one chapter.

And this is definitely the end.