Chapter 3

On Earth, Harisa observes Loki from the other side of the room. From behind, Dellinger approaches and whispers, "Valkyrie and the others that survived will be here shortly. They just passed Mars and should land within an hour."

"How many survived?" she asks.

"Families, and a few soldiers that were escorting them safely. She said she'll explain it to us as soon as they arrive."

Harisa nods as she sighs. "What about Loki? Has he woken up yet?"

"Only once. Loki mumbled, saying that it was his fault, but that was it. When I examined him, I noticed many cuts and burns on his arms and wrists, but they will heal. There was a bump on his head, and I also noticed blood on his head. So I used some herbs, and I patched it up."

"But he hasn't woken up since -"

Harisa shakes her head as she turns to reply, "I'm going to have him under surveillance and have any updates if something comes up."

"Ok," Dellinger replied. He gets a notification. "They're here. Come on."

They leave the room.

Loki is pacing back and forth, wandering where Colora could be. Thor watches his brother's frustration and then asks, "Did you know that she was on missions like this?"

"I...I was hoping that she wouldn't," Loki answered. "Before I faked my death, I told her everything. About Thanos, the stones, and I told her not to go looking for them. I even talked to her as father, and she told me that she was going to go on a mission."

"You told her about Thanos and the stones?"

"She needed to know the truth!"

"But not the truth about you faking your death?

Loki stops to face Thor. "I wanted to tell her the truth, but I thought what would have happened if I did."

"Well, if I was her, and you told me the truth just like you did now. I'd probably be angry."

"Exactly, but she would have probably done much more than just yell at me," Loki replied.

Thor is confused but understands Colora's emotions toward those who betray her. He takes a step toward Loki and says, "You may be right, Loki, but she does need to know the truth. Now what we need to do is not only take our people to Earth as quickly as possible. We need to find Colora."

"We must find her. Because if he has her...Oh, God!" Loki covers his eyes and cries. "This is all my fault!"

Thor sighs, then gently place his hand on Loki's shoulder. Once his hand is there, Loki looks up at Thor as tears fall on his cheek. "Loki, we will get her back. I promise." They stare at each other for a moment. "We should probably listen to that message."

"Yeah," Loki replied as he wiped the tears from his eyes and face and followed Thor to the hologram.

Before Thor pushes the button, he looks at Loki, sees a look in his brother's eyes, and asks, "Loki?"

"I'm fine," Loki replied quickly as he prepared for whatever the is on the message.

Thor presses his hand on the keypad and activates the hologram. The hologram says, "Voice activation required."

"Thor."

"Access denied."

Thor and Loki look at each other confused. Thor decides to continue. "Thor, son of Odin."

"Access denied."

"God of Thunder."

"Access denied."

"Point break!"

"Access denied."

"Seriously? Why isn't it working?"

"Maybe you're not doing it right," Loki implied as he leaned next to Thor.

"Oh, come on! Of course, I did it right!"

"Here. Let me try."

"What?"

Loki moves Thor's hand and presses his hand on the keypad.

"Voice activation required."

"Loki of Asgard?" he hesitates.

"Ah, come on. No way is that -"

"Access granted."

Thor and Loki are shocked. They turn to each other. Thor looks at him angrily and shouts, "You did something to it! Didn't you?!"

"No, I didn't, I swear!" Loki proclaims.

Thor turns his head and gasps, "Oh my God."

Loki turns his head and sees on the hologram that a woman in chains is bounded to the floor. "Colora!" Loki gasps as he is shocked to see that she is covered with bruises, cuts, and blood. "Oh God, what have they done to you?"

Colora leans in closer to whisper, "Thor! Thor! If you get this message, I need you to listen to me carefully! I don't have much time. I have an urgent message for you and the Avengers. I've been held prisoner for over a year. Thanos. He knows about Vision! He knows where he is! If you don't find him and Scarlet, they will!"

Colora's voice chokes as she tries to continue but feels the pain from being tortured. Loki's eyes begin to tear up as he sees what he has done to her. "Thor, please help and protect my family. They're in terrible danger. If Thanos finds them, he'll kill them." Feeling that he cannot take any more of what Colora has to say, Loki quickly leaves the room. "Thor! Please help me!"

Thor notices and shouts, "Loki. Loki!" however, Loki doesn't listen and is gone. The message stops playing and turns off the hologram. Thor's facial expression changes as he realizes that the message has impacted Loki much harder than expected.

At the same time, Loki walks to his temporary chambers to think. He leans next to a wall and starts crying.

He turns his head and reflects on the past, especially when Loki faked his death and the sound of Colora's scream and crying echoes in his mind as it comes back to him and makes him weep even more.