Thor

When we landed on the bifrost I was surprised by the lack of soldiers. There were only three horses awaiting us. I glanced down at Nyx. She had her eyes closed and her jaw clenched.

"Nyx?" She looked up at me.

She looked around and relaxed. She sighed with relief. The pure white horse came up to Nyx. She patted the horse on its neck.

"Hello again, Mystique. It has been to long my friend. I have missed you so much." She smiled and climbed up on the horse.

She looked down at me, "I will hold the Tesseract while you get him situated upon his horse."

I handed the Tesseract to her. She smiled at me. I knew she was nervous. The black horse came forward and nudged Loki. My brother looked troubled. His horse knelt down so he could mount on his own. His horse stood and Loki turned him around. Nyx got in the way of Loki with her horse. She was glaring at Loki.

"Thor, are you going to get on? We do not want to keep your father waiting." She looked at me.

Her eyes were troubled. She looked away and I mounted my horse.

"It's nice to see you again, Lily." I looked at Nyx.

I nodded and she moved to the other side of Loki.

"Let's go." Nyx nodded.

We all took off for the palace.

Nyx

After Thor gave the go ahead I didn't wait for him or Loki. I went into a full run with Mystique.

Nyx, talk to me please?

It was Loki. I couldn't speak to him right now, so I just ignored him. I wasn't safe coming here because of him. As we got closer to the palace I began thinking about my mother and father. I had happy and unhappy memories of this place. I didn't know what awaited me, but I was afraid. I was afraid I would never go home. I looked down at the Tesseract. It opened portals across planets, but I doubt it was capable of taking me back in time. I wish it could. I took a deep breathe. I needed to get out of my head.

"Nyx?" I looked down.

Thor was next to me with Loki. I looked up at the palace. I didn't realize we were here already. I handed Thor the Tesseract and climbed down off of Mystique. I stepped in front of Mystique and placed my forehead against his.

I hope I see you again.

I pulled away and smiled. Mystique was one of the few things I had left from my parents. Mystique whinnied and trotted away. I missed him so much during my time on Earth.

Nyx?

I turned to Thor and Loki, "let's go."

I walked past them up the palace steps. I hoped that things would go smoothly.

Loki

Nyx was ignoring me. We were almost to the throne room. Nyx stopped once she reached the throne room doors. She waited for us and then stood behind us with the Tesseract.

Nyx, what are you doing?

She didn't answer me.

"Are you ready, Nyx?" I turned as she looked up at Thor.

"I'm as ready as I will ever be, Prince Thor." Thor yanked on my arm and pushed the doors open.

Nyx followed behind us.

"Thor, my son, you are back. Welcome home," Odin looked over us and then behind, "what is the meaning of bringing that monster back here?"

I looked back at Nyx. She hadn't looked up, but I saw the irritated from upon her face. She didn't look up, she didn't react to my fathers words. She just kept her gaze on the floor.

"She is here to ease your concerns, father." Nyx looked up.

Nyx

I looked up at Odin. I would prove I wasn't a monster. I walked forward with the Tesseract in my hands.

"I am here to make sure this doesn't fall into the wrong hands again, Your Majesty," I looked back at Loki, "I also bring proof that Loki's actions were not his own."

How do I know I can trust her?

I turned back to Odin. He narrowed his eyes at me. I looked down at the Tesseract in my hands. I thought about Phil and my vision began to blur. I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked up at Thor. Then I looked up at Odin as tears began to slip down my face.

"You may not know how to trust me, but I do. I have lost my parents because they were your warriors. I have lost a father figure on Midgard because of this," I held up the Tesseract, "I lost my home because I sacrificed myself to bring Prince Thor back so he could stop Loki from usurping you. So the reason you can trust me is because I am tired of losing the people I love. I will never betray Asgard because my parents loved their King and Queen. I will never betray Midgard because Phil knew I would do great things. I have lost enough, Your Majesty. I will not risk anyone else. That includes Loki."

Odin stepped down from his throne and moved in front of me. I never broke eye contact with him.

"What happened on Midgard," I took a deep breath, "it would be better if I showed you, Your Majesty."

I handed the Tesseract to Thor. I smiled at him. I turned back to Odin and placed my hands on his arm.

"I will show you everything I know about why Loki did what he did." I closed my eyes and focused.

Odin

When Lady Nyx removed her hands from me the images stopped. She looked worried. She bowed and stepped away. I turned to Thor.

"Take that to the vault." Thor nodded.

My son left. I glanced at all the guards in the room and then at Lady Nyx. She had changed from the last time she was here on Asgard. She wasn't headstrong, she was broken.

"Loki?" Lady Nyx turned as Loki stepped forward.

Lady Nyx cringed as Loki stood beside her. She kept her gaze locked on the floor.

"Lady Nyx?" She looked up at me.

"Yes, Your Majesty?" She met my gaze.

"Are you sure that Thanos is a threat," I saw Loki flinch, "yes, Your Majesty. I am positive. I was able to access the memories of the scepter that Loki brought to earth. It was horrible, Your Majesty. Thanos found out that I exist, but he can't see me. So I wanted to ask something of you."

I waited a moment to answer her. If Thanos couldn't see her, then she would be an asset against him.

"I'm listening." She looked at Loki.

She turned back to me, "I think it would be wise to have Loki serve out his time on Midgard. Thanos knows that Loki is your son, Your Majesty. He will expect Loki to be here on Asgard. I believe Loki would be safer on Midgard, but also benefit from having to live among mortals rather than a cell, Your Majesty."

I looked at Loki. He met my gaze and then looked away. I turned my attention back to Nyx.

"You would protect him during his time on Midgard?" She smiled sadly.

"Yes, Your Majesty. I would protect him just as I did when I lived on Asgard." I nodded my head.

"Then it is decided. Loki will return back to Midgard with you as punishment for his actions." She bowed.

"I have two more requests, Your Majesty." She didn't look up at me.

"You may ask, though I cannot promise that I will grant your requests." She stood up.

"I understand," she took a deep breath, "I believe it would be best if Loki's magic was bound until he proves himself worthy. I also ask that we may retrieve some of our belongings from our chambers and my parents home to take with us to Midgard, including my horse Mystique."

I had no problems with her requests. They were reasonable considering she was now a citizen of Midgard. I summoned a pair of golden wristbands. Lady Nyx removed Loki's shackles. I met Loki's gaze.

"Your magic will be bound until you prove yourself as worthy, just like your brother had to." I placed the gold bands on his wrists.

I could see the hatred in my son's gaze. It hurt to see so much hatred for me. I ignored it and turned to Lady Nyx.

"It is done. Please visit the Queen before you leave to let Loki and his mother say farewell to each other." She bowed to me.

"I will, Your Majesty." She stood and smiled at me.

He will come around. Just give him time, Your Majesty.

Lady Nyx linked arms with Loki and began walking to the doors with him.

Do you still love him?

Lady Nyx stopped in her footsteps. Loki looked down at Nyx. He was concerned for her. She turned her head and locked eyes with me.

I do, Your Majesty. I never stopped loving him. However, there is some work to be done before I let him know that I still feel that way. I will make sure he is safe at all times on Midgard. You should do all you can to ready your people for Thanos. I know not when he will come, but his arrival is inevitable. It won't just be for one realm, Your Majesty, it will be for all of them.

Tears were gathering in her eyes.

Thank you for allowing me to return one last time, Your Majesty. Guard the Tesseract well. It holds something Thanos needs and he will do anything to get it. Thanos will darken Asgard's doorstep. It's only a matter of time.

She turned away and left the throne room with Loki in tow behind us.

Be safe you two.