Chapter 36: New Asgard
At the Avengers compound, the whole surviving population of Asgard — so about nine thousand people — were just standing around the ground a bit everywhere. Stark Industry employees were trying to make sense of the whole situation, with Pepper at the head, but when Thor appeared, the people turned toward him, ready to listen. Hulk went to hide in a corner to change so Bruce could at least hide his nudity.
"Thor, so glad you've finally arrived," said Pepper holding Storm in one arm and a tablet in the other. "I was trying to compile a list of everyone here."
Pepper turned toward Loki and gave him his daughter.
"Dada."
"Hey Storm, how are you?"
"Daddy," exclaimed Alex from afar. Happy, a bit lost and scared, turned to see the boy running toward his father.
"Alex," said Loki. He embraced both his children.
Oh, it was good to be home, thought Loki.
"Thor, you should probably keep this," said Loki, giving him the tesseract.
"Oh, yes. It should be kept safe," said Thor. "Now, maybe we could get started with all the repercussions of Ragnarok.
oOo
The Avengers had managed to find Bucky. Wanda had managed to break the mind control in place and now, the Avengers were coming back to the compound. They just did not expect to see a not so small army on the front lawn, and back lawn, and everywhere on the grass and on the terraces. Well, let's just go with people everywhere!
"What is this," asked Tony. "Friday, I'm talking to you."
"Oh, yes boss. You see, Thor is back, with all of Asgard," said Friday.
"When you say all of Asgard…" said Steve.
"I mean all of it," said Friday. "Even misters Loki and Banner. Miss Potts is taking care of this, but for what I understood, they all need a new place to live."
"And they choose my lawn," said Tony.
The quinjet landed on a small free patch.
"Okay, Wanda and Sam, you come with me to set Bucky at the infirmary," said Steve. "Everyone else, go help Asgard. And if you see Banner, tell him where we are."
Steve had considered locking up his friend just to make sure, but he had to allow Bucky some medical attention. But Wanda could always neutralise Bucky if necessary.
oOo
The day had been very, very long. They had decided to improvise dormitories in some hangars and gymnasiums as well as camping outside. At least, asgardians were hunters, meaning they were used to sleeping outside if necessary. Tony had called for a super mega huge food delivery in order to feed everyone — meaning nine thousand asgardians, and giving Thor's appetite… Needless to say, the delivery truck did not past incognito.
Thor was relieved that the day was finished — well, it did start with him descending to Midgard to retrieve Loki for his now late father. He held the tesseract and just wonder what to do next. Loki and the Avengers came to join him in the living room.
"You need to keep this safe," said Loki.
"Steve, maybe you should get Loki back," said Bruce uncertain. "You've always been his master and it's not something I want. No offense, Loki."
"Wait, would that repair the link between you and the children," asked Steve.
They had told a summarised version of the recent events to the Avengers, including Odin's passing.
"The link doesn't matter anymore," said Thor standing up like it was such big announcement. "Loki, I promise you I would abolish slavery once I am king. I am keeping my promise."
"Thor, this is not a priority," said Loki who kept sitting. "Right now, you have so much to do as king. Passing a decree about slavery is something you do not need to do at the moment. Your people needs you, they need a king, they need to be led. They have nothing, they are just refugees. Take care of them first. I will still be here once you have found a new place to locate Asgard."
"Don't you want to be free," asked Thor.
"Yes, I do. But, Thor, I am free enough as of now. At this moment, I have more than the asgardians. They barely have a place to sleep and no belongings. I still need to earn more trust here on Earth. Even if I am free for slavery, I might not be free according to the humans. And I spoke with Odin when you left with Bruce. I should not be freed yet," said Loki gravely, "I should make repairs for my actions. I should help the midgardians and the asgardians alike before I get my freedom."
"So, you don't want your freedom," said Tony.
"I do, but I need to deserve it. I have learned much so far, but I also know I have not earned forgiveness just yet," said Loki. "However, I would very much like to earn the freedom of my children, legally, from Asgard."
Pepper then entered the room.
"Thor, were your ancestors ever in Norway? Like, maybe a thousand years or two ago," asked Pepper.
"Yes, my father came here when the Frost Giant tried to take over your land," answered Thor. "Do you remember, Loki, the great war between Jotumheim and Asgard?"
"I remember the story," said Loki nodding. "That was around the time we were born. Odin found me at the end of that war. When father told us that story, you wanted to annihilate the frost giants once you'll be king."
"I did not know you were one of them," admitted Thor. "And we were twelve when I said that."
Part of that tale let an uneasy feeling to the Avengers, but Pepper brushed it off and continued.
"Well, giving that your arrival had made the news all over the world, Norway might be interested in providing you with some land for New-Asgard. Some place called Tønsberg."
"Yes, Tønsberg, I know of that place," said Loki. "Odin once gave the tesseract to the villagers there for protection. It was after the frost-giant invasion, around midgardian year 965. I guess the tesseract had changed place or have been stolen because I thought I would be landed in Norway when I came through the portal back when I tried to conquer your planet," continued Loki uneasy. "I tried to do the same as my biological father by invading the same place. But the tesseract was kept underground in this country."
"Yeah, the tesseract had been stolen by Hydra back at the beginning of World War II," informed Steve. "So nearly one thousand years later, in 1943."
"After the war, my father recovered the tesseract in the ocean while looking for you, Cap. It might have fallen from your plane. Anyway, my father trusted it to Shield with whom it was until you stole it, Loki."
"Then, you, Thor, left with it after the battle of New-York in 2012," said Steve.
"And now, it's back on Midgard," said Thor observing the cube.
"To go back to the subject of New-Asgard, we will need to arrange that new land if you want to take your people there," said Pepper. "In the meantime, we are still looking for hotels, refuges and other places who could take your people in until New Asgard is ready for them."
"But the priority is to keep families together," said Thor. "Whoever wants to help rebuild can, and those volunteers would be closer, but no one should be left behind."
"Okay, I'm going to bed," announced Bruce. "And Steve, I gave you Loki back. I, Bruce Banner from Earth, owner and master of slave Loki, transfer my slave to Steven Rogers of Earth."
Instantly, Loki felt the slave bond adjusted.
"Steve, I should tell you that, as my king, Thor is also my master. He is the only other one who can control my magic," informed Loki.
"Don't worry, I won't interfere," said Thor to Steve.
"Loki," said Tony. "You are calling Steve by his name now. That's cool."
"I realised we are equal," said Loki.
"Well, took you long enough," said Tony. "I'm going to bed."
Yes, the day had been long, so they all left for bed.
But once in bed, Loki contemplated his life. Oh, the number of master changes he had that day... But he had told the truth when he declared Steve and him were equal. They may not be entirely the same, but Steve had always treated Loki as a man. Loki was not a monster, nor a prince, barely a god, but not a slave. He might actually be a man, not a simple man, and definitely not human on his biology, but just a man living on Earth. And giving that all Asgard was also living on Earth, he was the asgardian man who knew the most about midgardian culture.
oOo
In the following days, Thor and the others had relocated the asgardians in temporary housing, such as hotels, foster families and other places ready to help the refuges.
"As new citizens of Earth, the people should also learn about midgardian customs," said Thor. "Loki, would you like to offer them some advice or even lectures about Midgard, its technology and its laws?"
"I would be honored, if my master let me," said Loki.
Steve, Tony and Loki had then decided it would become Loki's job to educate the asgardians to midgardian life. Tony had freed him from his job as a handyman and offered him a conference room for his classes somewhere at the compound. So now, Loki was a teacher of some sort. Every day, some asgardians would come to the compound and listen to him. Giving that some asgardians were currently a bit far to attend, Tony had made sure to install a camera so Loki could also be heard via an internet connection, even though it took some getting use to from the asgardians. Sometimes, he would be accompanied by a lawyer, a financial advisor or even Captain America himself to dive deeper on one subject or another. Laws in Asgard were very different than those on Earth and even if they were not human, Thor had declared the Universal declaration of human rights would also be effective in New Asgard and that every asgardian is equal to midgardian. Those lectures were also preparing the people for the abolition of slavery according to Thor, but it made sense. Asgard was changing and each time a new king got crowned, things such as laws had been changed in Asgard. Now, the change was more profound because the kingdom was also moving to a new land. But the fact that a slave and criminal was giving those lectures had a huge impact on the asgardians. They had seen another side of the fallen prince and they had seen he was different, reformed.
Pepper had compiled a list of every asgardians now on Earth with their status on Asgard. Thor decided to hold a memorial for the fallens and a formal ceremony of mourning. Over 700 people had perished in just one day either because of Hela and her army or Surtur and the demolition. Then, Thor worked through the list of remaining asgardians and was surprised to see they were a total of exactly 100 slaves, including Loki and his family, but Pepper had chosen to write down whether they were slaves by birth or by trial. Only around 30 of them had actually been sentenced to slavery, but for Thor, it was still a huge number and he decided he would come up with a plan to totally abolish slavery and change the sentences into something more human. Unfortunately, three slaves had also been in the casualties. On the bright side, Thor had realised his brother had been the last one to be sentenced to such a fate and the one before was a few decades before. So it was not such a common sentence. So Thor's priority on that subject was to first: not sentence more people into slavery, and second: freed those who were born into it. He also realised Storm had been the last one born a slave, but there was a woman pregnant, and said woman had been born a slave as well. Loki, on his side, had told Thor to not bother with slavery as long as New Asgard was not completely established.
It was only a whole month after Ragnarok that the accord with Norway to secure Tønsberg was finished. People would soon start to finally move into New Asgard and Steve had made it an Avengers' mission to help them.
"Loki, you know most of them and you had help," said Steve. "Do you want to come with us?"
So Loki, Alex and Storm, with Pepper and Happy had followed the Avengers into the private Stark plane to Asgard.
"Loki, I'm going to put you with Pepper at the reception," said Steve. "Basically, families are going to arrive, you check their identity, found their new address in the system, give them the key to their house, give them the key to their new car if they have one, and they should be set. We are going to be a bit everywhere in the city to help them move in and orientated themselves."
It had been a lot of organisation to make sure every asgardian have been able to get a place to live, but Loki had helped Pepper a lot when he was not busy with his lectures. And knowing what New Asgard would look like, Loki had been able to include that into his lectures, introducing asgardian to the concept of GPS and how midgardian maps were working. Well, at least a GPS was a map that they could recognise given that it was a helpful map closer to what asgardians were used to. So Loki could actually help a lot as an interpreter between asgardian and midgardian cultures. And he was grateful for his useness. He was doing something for Asgard and his status of slave had given him knowledge that other asgardians did not have. Of course, Loki had been sceptical about the reactions of people, but he had stressed over nothing. The asgardians were treating him as an equal, not a slave, not a prince, not a fallen prince, just someone who was helping them and he felt worthy of their smiles and thanks. Until...
Until Loki met the pregnant slave. Up to now, he had not seen the other slaves, maybe their owner just ask for them to remain outside the reception when they were checking into New Asgard, or maybe the few asgardians who own slaves had not arrived yet — there were still a lot more asgardians left to arrive to New Asgard.
For Loki, it was strange to work with people. His presence on Earth was to not be advertised and Stark employees were sworn to secrecy. When he had giving his lecture, it was at the compound in front of a lot of asgardians, but they already all knew he was a slave on Midgard. To be working out of the compound was different, but still with people who knew of his station, even though they did not acknowledge it too much.
"You are the midgardian's slave," said the slave owner.
"Yes, sir. May I ask your name to check you in and give you your keys?"
Once Loki gave him his keys, the guy just handed them to his slave. She was heavily pregnant and could not catch them on time, so the keys ended up on the ground. Her master had made his way toward the exit and did not notice yet.
Loki decided to help her.
"Let me," he said while picking up the keys and giving them to the woman.
She did not make eye contact with him and barely whisper a "thank you", common slave behaviour, but Loki was still concerned.
He then wondered if the slaves had been allowed to come to his lectures, if they knew being a slave on Earth was not the normality.
"Pepper, how many slaves had arrived to New Asgard yet," asked Loki while there were not that many people at the reception.
"Only two, I think," answered Pepper. "But I did not see the first one. He did not come in the building. But don't worry, everyone will come this week."
Well, it was only the first day of a week long moving into New Asgard for the aliens. Loki and Pepper had made a small place for Alex and Storm to play while they were working so they could keep an eye on the children while working.
"How are slaves treated in Asgard," asked Pepper.
"They are giving orders, mostly. In public, they stay behind their master, they carry the luggage. Basically, a good slave should not attract attention."
"And when they are not in public?"
"Each master is different in that regard. I'm afraid I cannot answer for them all as I have never been into a private asgardian slave-master relation, but I can guess it is very different than how Steve and the Avengers had been treating me."
"Do you think they would want the abolition of slavery?"
"Not all of them, but some yes. Not the wealthiest. Here, if you were to increase the taxes for the rich, the less wealthiest would be in favor of such a motion, but not those it would impact. It's the same with slavery, the slave owners would lose their servants so they are more inclined to oppose. But those who don't have a slave, they would be in favor of such a motion as it won't even affect them. But there is one more thing to take into account; slaves through sentencing have committed a terrible crime to get such a sentence. It will be much easier to abolish slavery for those who were born into it."
"But it might be a good first step in the right direction," said Pepper. "If some can get out of slavery, the others might as well."
"Fear not, Lady Pepper, Thor wants to abolish slavery, but he will have to do it in steps if he wants the population to follow the change."
oOo
That evening, the Avengers and their friends were trying to relax after a long day of work. Pepper had estimated that they would need the whole week in order to get everyone settle in their new home, here in New Asgard. Thor was glad to have the help of his friend.
"Hey, it's nothing," said Stark. "It's what we do."
"Well, it's a lot," said Thor. "I have been king for just a bit and already I have to rebuild everything."
"It's Ragnarok, we always knew it would come," said Loki.
"And now, you cannot say Asgard is too far and that you cannot visit," said Tony. "And you have two ravens who can deliver mails for you."
"But I am king now, I have responsibilities," answered Thor.
Yes, Thor had also inherited his father's ravens, but he would not use them as spies.
"And you need to do something about slavery," said Pepper.
"Oh, I will abolish slavery, but you all know it's not that simple," said Thor.
"But you have a plan," asked Steve.
"Yes. First, not sentencing anyone else to slavery," said Thor.
"I don't think it's that good of an idea," said Loki surprising everyone.
They were all looking at him with big eyes. Him, out of everyone, was supporting slavery?
"There is something called community service here on Earth," said Loki. "A convict had to work freely for the community. Some people just do it because they want to, but some are sentenced to that work. It is not slavery as we understand it, but it is useful and can teach the convict about responsibilities. What I am suggesting is to maybe change slavery for community services for the lesser crimes."
"That's actually a good idea," said Bruce. "Your slaves work for a master, but in the case of community services, they won't have masters and will help everyone."
"It's not like our common slave, Thor," said Loki. "It's more that the person is assigned to some work, sometimes of his choice. And it is only for a fix number of hours, not for life. Maybe it could be a sentence for lesser crimes, fewer criminals."
"I'll keep that in mind. But I won't sentence people to strict slavery anymore. And second, everyone who was born into slavery would be free easily."
"How," asked Loki.
"I could decree it," said Thor.
"You have around 70 slaves belonging to probably less than that number, but those owners are mostly nobles who have power. Do you really want to have them against you," asked Loki.
"If you put the numbers into perspective," said Tony, "You have a handful of slaves and therefore, a handful of angry people who will lose their slaves. I know you are probably worried about the politics and who might contest your authority and power as king, but if I were you, I would not worry too much."
"What he is trying to say," said Pepper, "is that it is a minority of people who would be angry at you. On the other side, most of the population would agree with you. Since they arrived here, they saw Loki pretty often and they all know his children are mostly free."
"Think about the family of those slaves," said Steve. "They would be happy to see their own being free. To be a family once again."
"And what is step three of your glorious plan, brother?"
"Well, I was thinking about resentencing every slave. An appeal of some sort. Most of them had done terrible things to deserve such a fate," said Thor.
Every prisoner in the asgardian dungeon had perished during Ragnarok, either because of Hela or because of Surtur. At least, some had fought and tried to protect Asgard and they had died with honor, so they are now in Valhalla.
But giving the longevity of asgardian, maybe life in prison was a bit too long of a sentence.
"Please don't sentence any of them to death," request Loki. "Slavery is hard, really hard, but it is a life sentence. Probably that some of their crimes would warrant a death penalty. But think, if someone got a hard life as a slave, and you change their sentence to death, it would just be cruel at this point. It's like telling them their servitude was not enough."
"I agree with Loki," said Tony. "You might want to bet more on rehabilitation. Reform a person so he can be a good citizen after."
"Anyone can change," said Bruce.
"And I am not suggesting to just free a slave," said Loki. "We already talked about a system where a slave could buy his own freedom. Thor, you know I have a job, I earn money. Maybe those who are slaves now should also get a real job and buy themselves. It won't be easy, but those who have committed greater crimes would have to work more toward freedom. Of course, freedom should not be automatic, some may not have learned and might still be criminals inside."
"Basically, you have a big problem in your hands," said Tony.
"But there are ways to make it better," said Pepper. "Giving that you are a new leader, people will expect you to make changes. And we will help you rebuild."
oOo
A week later, they were finally back at the compound. Well, all of them except Thor who stayed in New Asgard. Steve was eager to see Bucky again. In their absence, Bucky had been handled by Shield for some tests and he was now 100% mind-control free. Bucky had also been placed under house arrest and trusted in the custody of the Avengers. It was soon decided that the trustworthy Captain America would be ideal to have custody of his old friend. Wanda's spell had completely taken off the mind control, but the general public did not trust the Winter Soldier to be let free just yet. Tony had offered the court to give Bucky a fancy house arrest bracelet — just like the one Loki had, but he was still a secret to the world. The judge at Shield decided Bucky would stay at the compound.
"So now, you have two people in your custody," teased Tony. "Maybe you should consider a career as a parole officer."
Maybe. But Bucky was a temporary prisoner. It would be just the time to make sure he was rehabilitated. Of course, it came with a few rules that he would have to respect, but nothing too bad.
"Hey Steve. Long time no see," greeted Bucky.
"I'm sorry, I had to help New Asgard."
"Hey, I understand. And I'm not surprised you went to help. But it's been a few decades since we last hang out. How about a nice chat?"
Tony had offered Bucky a room right next to Steve, so the two friends took their evening to catch up. Well, it was also an occasion for Steve to educate Bucky in new technology.
As for the rest of the Avengers, they were just happy to be back at the compound. Compound sweet compound. Loki had brought a lot of toys with him in New Asgard to keep the children occupied, but it was great to go back to his room and the playroom.
And then he realised he doesn't have a job anymore. He had left his job as a handyman to give lectures to the asgardians, and then he had helped in New Asgard. But now, he was back at the compound with nothing to do. If he had been truly human, the fact would have worried him much more, but he was still a slave, therefore his master would tell him what to do in due time.
