Loki gave Sophie his cellphone, and she stepped outside to call T'Challa. While she presented the idea she came up with to T'Challa and Shuri, Loki talked to Peter Parker. Sophie persuaded the Wakandans to agree to her plan, and Loki convinced Parker. With that, he was sent to Wakanda for the summer. By Sophie's birthday in late August, there were new communications in place between Alfheim and Midgard. Such a thing required additional treaties and negotiations between the two realms, but Sophie and Loki worked that out amongst themselves.

When Parker returned from Wakanda, however, they had to deal with the original problem. Parker was unwilling to stop crime fighting as Spider Man, but Loki didn't want anyone suggesting he could not enforce the law as the king. The summer months gave Sophie the thinking time she needed to come up with a compromise. Parker could continue his vigilante activities while Loki announced to the media that he endorsed Spider Man's actions and was in close collaboration with him regarding the enforcement of the law in Queens. In spite of the combat training Parker had been given daily by T'Challa over the last few months, Sophie found herself still worrying over the boy, even from her throne room in Alfheim. How much worse would it be, if he was actually my son? she thought.

That brought on it's own problematic ponderings.

"Can I tell you something?" Loki asked one night over dinner.

"Of course," Sophie replied, smiling.

How could he think otherwise?

"You were right. All those years ago, when you were still my Midgardian consultant. Being king hasn't made me happy."

Sophie merely nodded and took another bite of duck breast, which was lightly covered in a red wine reduction sauce. There was no need to say "I told you so" when he already admitted as much himself.

"I feel...I am not doing as much as I should."

"That's because there is always something to be improved upon," Sophie answered, "To be honest, I am not doing what I should be focusing on. I am failing in my most crucial duty as queen."

"I'm certain that isn't true," Loki smirked, "You're a much better ruler than I am."

"That's up for some debate, and not one I am interested in participating in. Yet I have not selected a husband. One of those is rather necessary, as I need to produce an heir."

"Ah. This is the most crucial duty you speak of?"

"Yes. The problem is, I don't want children. At all. Ever. But I must have one as soon as possible. Several, preferably."

"You hardly ever take your own desires into consideration when thinking of Alfheim," Loki said, eyes narrowing in suspicion, "Why delay now?"

"Because I know what it's like to grow up feeling unwanted. I don't want to inflict that sensation upon a child."

"You would be a wonderful mother."

"I beg to differ," Sophie snorted dryly, "I haven't the patience for a child. True, I could let it be raised by nannies galore. But then it would still feel, still know, that I did not want it. Oh, I'm sure I would love the child dearly. But wanting a child and loving it are not the same."

"If you say so," Loki said with a bemused expression.

"I do," Sophie responded sourly, drinking deeply from her wine glass.

After a few moments, she took the glass away from her lips and sighed contentedly.

"And yet, my first born would be raised as my heir, to take the throne in the event of my death. I would raise it to make personal sacrifices for the realm, as I do now, every day. Should such a sacrifice not also include feeling neglected and unwanted from a mother that had to make such emotional sacrifices herself? I mean, if I did what I wanted all the time, I wouldn't be very successful. This is what I'd aim to teach any child of mine. Life is unfair. We hardly ever get what we want."

"There's always adoption," Loki suggested.

Sophie rolled her eyes and shot him a long look.

"You know as well as I that's not how it works," she said reproachfully, "The throne passes to the person of the previous ruler's bloodline. If I die without children, that means civil war as elves clamor to be the next monarch. Unless I had a sibling the throne could go to, which I do not, as he was killed in battle five thousand years ago. To put this off as long as I have...I'm being reckless and irresponsible."

"Is this a proposal?" Loki asked with raised brows.

Sophie looked at him with both alarm and distaste.

"Stars, no! I'm still enough of a traditionalist to believe that is your job. But I am not ready to be asked. You see my problem? Am I making sense?"

Loki smiled widely. He couldn't help it. It was adorable watching her work herself into a tizzy over nothing.

"No," he said honestly, "It's as clear as a barrel of mud."

Sophie sighed and leaned back in her chair. Her eyes roamed over the table for a minute, then she sat up abruptly and leaned in towards Loki, her eyes intent on him.

"What should I do?"

Loki looked back at her, serious all of a sudden.

"You don't want my advice," he said bleakly, "Because you already know what I will say. If it were me, I would say not to wed or have children until you are ready. You want me to say you should do your duty and get on with it. I'm not going to tell you that. But you knew that already."

She sighed more deeply this time and drained her wine glass. She knew. Still, it was worth a shot.

"Maybe you're right," she said at last, "Maybe you are a bad king."

"Well, I could certainly be worse," Loki reflected, "But I know what you mean. A better king wouldn't be as selfish as I. Kitten, you have been selfless since the moment I met you. In this one thing, take your time. You have enough of it at your disposal."

"Not necessarily. I could still be killed unexpectedly."

Loki winced.

"Let's not go down that maudlin road," he said.

They were both still trying to forget the fiasco with the other Loki, and his dire warnings that Sophie's selflessness would be the cause of her own death. Sophie nodded and changed the subject.

"Did I tell you about the charity I've started?" she asked nonchalantly.

Loki's brows shot up.

"No. But please proceed to do so."

"Well, it has occurred to me recently that living a very long life might come with certain mental issues. Depression chief among them."

"Mmmm, something tells me you have experience with this issue," Loki commented dryly.

Sophie threw a grape at him for his impertinence. Loki caught it in his mouth and grinned as he chewed.

"Perhaps, but it has never been officially diagnosed, so put that in your pipe and smoke it," Sophie replied tartly, "Anyway, I've started a charity that assists elves with various mental illnesses. It's not such a large charity, as elves are uniquely adapted to the consequences of living so long. But... perhaps, as on Midgard, the number of people suffering are larger than reported, due to certain stigmas. I'm working on getting elves to come forward and seek assistance, the charity promises confidentiality."

"Have you considered making use of your own charity?" Loki asked carefully.

"I..." Sophie sighed and looked away from him, "I have. But as much as I want other people to ask for help, I find taking that advice to be grating in its difficulty. Besides, if someone slips, if it gets out I've gone to therapy... well. People already suspect I'm mad."

"Hmmm," Loki hummed thoughtfully, taking a sip of wine.

He toyed with his wine glass speculatively as he thought.

"Perhaps if you got ahead of the problem. Before it can leak to public information, make it public yourself. Then you can use that as part of your platform. By citing your own previous struggles with anorexia nervosa – which I have discovered is a mental illness, by the way – you reinforce how important this issue is to you, thus why you started such a charity in the first place. In fact, that to me seems to be one of the more dangerous mental illnesses, as it affects not only your mind but the body as well, which if left untreated can lead to starvation and death. You can also mention you are going to therapy to ensure there are no lingering affects. No need for anyone to suspect you're mad, because they know exactly what's going on, because you've told them. That also might help your problem of attempting to get others to seek help. If their queen can be so open and honest, they see there's no shame in seeking aid."

Sophie smiled.

"That's a very good idea. And you present it so well."

"I hope that means some of that got through your stubborn head."

"All of it, actually. I'm going to take your advice."

"If they don't already, your people are going to adore you," Loki smirked, "Perhaps I should start a charity."

Sophie couldn't resist smiling at him. She really loved him.

"I've won over the common elves," she said, "My background of growing up as a peasant on Midgard has endeared me to the vast majority of them, as have my many, many public engagements with various establishments on Alfheim. The horticultural society, for one. The last tea I went to was absolutely splendid. The nobility, on the other hand... well, they don't like me as much. But then they wouldn't, as the improvements I've made mostly benefit those that need it, which are not them. But I have them so afraid of me none of them are likely to offer any true resistance."

"Remarkable, that you rule by love on one hand and fear on the other," Loki said as he gazed at her, "That would give me so much cognitive dissonance if I didn't know you. But it fits you perfectly."

"What about Midgard and Jotunheim? How's Parker?"

"Thankfully deeply involved in his new high school. He still sneaks out at night to fight crime... I wonder when he has time to sleep. His aunt is entirely oblivious, by the way."

"He should tell her," Sophie said, shaking her head, "Her, if no one else."

"You know why he won't."

"Because he doesn't want to worry her? That's ridiculous, as I'm certain she worries over him anyway. What, does he think she doesn't know he sneaks out at night? The only thing she doesn't know is where he goes, and why. Perhaps knowing would ease her mind, if only a bit."

"Sophie," Loki said in a warning tone, "Do not get involved in this."

"You're right. It's not my business," Sophie replied, "Still... I can't help but want to intervene."

"You wizards, always sticking your noses into places they don't belong."

Sophie looked at him with raised brows.

"Of course. Don't you know? It's a wizard's job to interfere. And usually the places we're most unwelcome are the places that need our input the most."

"I'm not even going to argue," Loki said crossly.

Sophie smiled widely.

"Because you can't," she said brusquely, "Because I'm right. And you know it."

Loki rolled his eyes and held his comments. Either she would get involved, or she wouldn't. He really had no say in what she did. She did what she wanted. Actually, it reminded him a bit of someone he knew...

With the holiday season quickly approaching, Loki actually did begin his own charity on Midgard, which focused on providing aid to the homeless. It was timed perfectly, as with winter coming on and deep snows falling in different parts of the world, many homeless people appreciated the shelter, as well as the warmth of a good wool blanket and hot stew in their bellies.

"Do you really care?" Sophie asked him once night as they sat by the fire in her chambers, "Or is this just a political move to make people think well of you?"

"Does it matter?" Loki asked with a charming smile.

Sophie wasn't won over by it.

"Yes," she said seriously, "Intention is everything."

Loki suddenly grew serious. Watching the change take place over his face made her realize his smile was an act. He was so used to hiding behind it, he didn't even realize when he was doing it.

"I do care," he replied, "Not having a home... I can only imagine the stress and vulnerability a person would feel. Growing up as a prince, I can't pretend to personally identify with such a situation. But I do know the people of Midgard are not frost giants at ease in frigid conditions. Even in more temperate climates, homelessness is still a problem. I want it gone. So I'm doing something about it."

"And Jotunheim?" Sophie asked gently.

Loki's smile returned, this time is was more genuine, with a bit of crookedness to it.

"Oh, the Jotuns would be insulted if I offered charity of any sort, so I'm not going to bother there. It would be more trouble than it's worth."

"Pride is the only thing the truly poor can afford," Sophie said thoughtfully.

"Speaking from experience?" Loki asked in a joking tone.

But Sophie wasn't smiling.

"Yes."

As the harvest came in, she reflected on everything she had and was grateful for. There was much of that, at least. Christmas and the New Year passed. The wheel of the year turned into January of 2017. But for all the cheer of the season, Loki saw Sophie drifting into that deep, melancholic state that meant she was worried about something. She hid it well from the court, but he noticed. By the time spring began, Loki had enough. He waited patiently for her to talk to him, but clearly that wasn't going to happen.

"What is it?" he asked, "What has you so disturbed lately?"

"I don't know. I just... I have a bad feeling. I've felt a shift of energy, more like a ripple, I suppose. But something bad is coming. Maybe not now, but soon. Before the end of the year."

Precognition is probably the most annoying talent I have. Even more than the visions.

This general feeling of impending doom was what made her practice working with her aura more. In a couple months, she could form her aura into a solid silver suit of armor around her from head to toe, and could fashion various weapons out of it. Loki wanted to tell her she was imagining things and everything would be cream and berries. But he knew better. He knew her. If she said some bad shit was coming near the end of the year, he believed her, despite all evidence to the contrary. After all, did the sun not continue to shine? Did chocolate not still delight his tongue? Sophie woke screaming in the middle of the night the morning after her birthday. Loki was there beside her, as he had given her the tradition of birthday sex before they went to sleep. He sat up fast as soon as he heard the screams.

"Sophie, calm down! It's alright, it was a dream!"

For a moment, Loki worried it was another nightmare about what his copy had done to her. And he thought those were finished... She looked at him with terror in her eyes, then the expression quickly turned to grief, and even a hint of... guilt?

"Oh, Loki. I'm... I'm so sorry."

Her lower lip trembled, and Loki brushed away her tears with his thumb. She hardly ever cried. It took something huge to get that reaction from her. And even when her body produced tears, she held them back by pure force of will, not wanting the world to see her weak. Loki was the only one that ever saw her cry. Still, his heart ached to see it.

"What is it, kitten?" he asked in his most soothing voice.

Something already told him that it wasn't a dream. She had a vision just now, he was sure of it.

"Asgard," Sophie whispered, the shocked look still in her eyes, "It... that's..."

She shook her head and squeezed her eyes shut. Loki fought with himself not to shake her and demand answers. His fingers tightened on her shoulders, and his mouth tightened. He took a deep breath, mastering his emotions and tone to sound calm and comforting.

"Sophie? What about Asgard? It's alright, you can tell me."

She put a shaking hand to her mouth and looked at him through tear filled hazel eyes. She was so much paler than he thought she could ever go.

"Asgard will be destroyed."

Loki stared at her.

"What, the world will end? Ragnarok will come? Yes, we've known this for centuries."

Ashen, she looked away from him again.

"I hope it doesn't happen for many centuries now," she said solemnly, "All I saw was this fire beast erupting out of the palace."

"That would be Surtur."

"Figured as much. I was so hoping you'd laugh at me and say 'silly hooman, there's no such thing!' But you didn't."

Loki shook his head.

"We can't even warn Odin. We don't know when. It could in fact be centuries from now. And he wouldn't even be around for that. I'm pretty sure, anyway."

"I'm sorry, Loki."

"Don't be sorry. It isn't your fault," he sighed.

It certainly didn't feel that way. Sophie wrestled with herself over the next couple of months. She wanted to go to Muspelheim and deal with Surtur, but what if by doing that, she only made Ragnarok more likely to happen? On the other hand... never before had she stopped or prevented a vision from occurring in the Waking World. Maybe there was a reason for that. If I do this, and Asgard does experience Ragnarok, Loki will hate me.

In mid November, Sophie stopped her worrying and decided to just do it. She was convinced that her vision could not be stopped. It would happen, no matter what she did, and Loki would be upset. Whether or not he was upset with her or just the situation in general, she couldn't control. Sophie dressed in her armor, and Soeren accompanied her to Muspelheim, sticking to his smoke form for the most part. Sophie snuck around the fiery realm with Mjolnir clutched tightly in her fist, following Soeren deeper and deeper, to a vast cavern where she found Surtur.

"He's not nearly as huge as I was expecting," Sophie whispered.

She didn't know if that was meant to be a comment for herself or directed at Soeren. For a few moments, she stayed hidden, staring across the cavern at Surtur. She had no doubts about her ability to take him in a fight. But then all his fire demons would come to save him. And while Sophie knew she could still take all of them – by now sending Sophie to fight someone was the same as sending an army – she didn't want to fight the entire realm if she didn't have to. Maybe it was lazy of her, but whatever. Surprise and speed seemed to be the best option here.

"Soeren?" Sophie whispered.

The shadows twisted and pooled beside her, and suddenly, Soeren stood by her side.

"Your Majesty?"

"Can you manage to get over to him without being seen?"

Soeren smirked.

"Okay, stupid question," Sophie admitted, "I want you standing by. As soon as he's... I don't even know. I don't want to kill him."

"You don't have to. Just knock his crown off."

Sophie squinted at Surtur, peering through the gloom intently.

"That's a crown?"

"Indeed."

"Okay. If you say so. Well, stand by. I'll knock his crown off, you grab it, then grab me, and we get out of here. We need to deliver this to Asgard. Odin need to lock it away in his vault."

"Where he keeps the Eternal Flame?" Soeren asked with arched brows, "Which could restore Surtur to full form if he unites with it?"

Sophie felt a sinking feeling in her stomach. If she went through with this, Ragnarok would definitely happen. And it would be her fault. She took a deep breath, closing her eyes, feeling her mouth settled into a determined line. After a moment, she opened her eyes with new resolve.

"Yes."

Soeren looked unsure about that plan.

"Very well, Your Majesty."

He transformed into smoke and shadows once more. After a few moments, Sophie lost track of him. Judging the moment was right for him to be in position, Sophie drew back Mjolnir and let it fly straight towards Surtur. He never saw it coming. He hammer hit him on the head and knocked the crown off, and when it did, Surtur's body disappeared. Sophie theorized it was somehow contained within the crown, either way, she knew he'd come back bigger and badder than ever for Ragnarok, so she wasn't really concerned. A flash of pale skin signified Soeren picking up the crown before he vanished into smoke again and appeared by Sophie's side. They locked arms, and Soeren turned to smoke again, taking Sophie with him.

The last time he'd done this was the battle with the dark elves, and it was just as much an odd sensation now as it had been back then. She had no idea how she was able to see, having no eyes in this form, but she could. Albeit, it was fuzzy at the edges. Likewise, she could hear, but it was distorted, as if she was hearing things through water. She knew, somehow, that they were rising into the air, leaving Muspelheim and entering space. Sophie felt no difference in temperature, could breathe just fine. It could have been minutes or hours later, she didn't know, lost track of time. But eventually, Soeren shifted into his corporeal form, yanking Sophie into a physical state as well. She stumbled as she got her feet under her and squinted at the sudden brightness. For a moment, she was disoriented as sounds, lights, smells, and the weight of gravity struck her full force. Sophie grabbed Soeren's shoulder, who put a hand to her elbow to steady her.

"Woah," she said, "I don't know how you do that so often so easily. You never react like this. It's like the sudden influx of sensations don't bother you."

"Lots of practice," Soeren replied.

"What are you doing here?" a soft voice asked.

Only then did Sophie realize they were on Asgard. Soeren had taken them straight to Odin's throne room in the Royal Palace of Valaskjalf. Frigga sat on the steps leading up to the throne, a small piece of cloth in her hands. Sophie saw her eyes were red and realized the woman must have been weeping.

"Where is Odin?" Sophie asked, "We have something he needs to have locked away in the vaults. Are you alright?"

"My husband has said his goodbyes to me, and has left for Midgard to say the same to Loki," Frigga said.

Sophie stared at her, unsure of what exactly she just heard.

"He... he what?"