Sigyn… Erika… Loki is having a real hard time. This is from his point of view, as Ari is spending her time worrying about him, even with four Asgardian warriors and his brother with him.

Differences mentioned in this chapter: All of it.

My brother and his friends went to Asgard with me. Just like when we were growing up, I was the tagalong. They gathered around Thor like he was the light and I was the darkness. Ariana never treated me like that. She looked at me like I was… everything.

I thought back to the time I was betrothed to Sigyn. Her red hair shown like fire, no matter the time of day. Her eyes were as black as night, drawing in anyone that looked into them. Her smile held a million secrets, all of them dark and twisted. I was young, only about four hundred, and in love with the idea of being in love. I thought what she gave me in those days was pure infatuation.

Ariana showed me otherwise. Knowing what I know now, Sigyn was cold, calculating, and devoid of any deep emotion. She would hurt others for fun. Something that only got worse the older the sorceress became. I loved mischief as a child, but I never enjoyed hurting others. It was because of her needing the pain of her targets that I began to learn I didn't, in fact, love her.

Ariana was different in her mischief. When faced with an enemy, she would zap them but not physically harm them if she could help it. She would give a monster a second chance. She did. She gave me many second chances. I always seemed to mess things up, but she always forgave me. She accepted so much of me without fear. I feared what I would have to do to protect her from Sigyn, who targetted her as a child, trying to kill the woman that was my other half.

We exited the Bifrost. No matter what, Asgard always felt like it welcomed me. Even when I was taken in change, with my love by my side, I felt like was safe. But it no longer felt like home. That was reserved for Ariana now. So while Asgard seemed to welcome me, it felt empty without her by my side.

"Brother, we will get to the bottom of this," said Thor as we mounted our horses. "If this is Sigyn, I'm sure father or mother can give you the answers you seek."

"If it is Sigyn," I said, "she has fallen too far for even Ariana to reach. You know as well as I do that she has harmed too many. Nothing on Midgard would hold her. With her magic, even the dungeons of Asgard may not be strong enough."

"You do not believe that, do you?"

"She has had six hundred years to perfect it. Mother was kind to her, sharing her magic with Sigyn, yet she has not used it the way she should."

"You have mother's magic as well. You used it in much the same way."

"Do not insult me, brother. I never used my magic to harm…"

"Me."

"Fine. But I was also hurt and angry. I fell far after being away from Ariana for so long."

"It is good you never succeeded, then."

"Yes. Without you, I would have lost her in New York and to HYDRA. I would not have my soulmate with me." My grip on the reins tightened. "To find that Sigyn tried to take her from me, even before we met…"

"It would mean she does have premonition powers, and that could be a problem."

"Untrained, she would mistake things." We dismounted outside the castle gates. "That is no excuse for attempting to take Ariana's life."

"No, it is not."

Our parents met us in the story room. Fandrel, Hogan, Volstagg, and Sif waited outside, giving the four of us time to catch up. Mother hugged Thor, pride spilling from her. She turned to me, giving me a hug as well before cupping my cheek, sympathy for my situation in her eyes.

"You seek Sigyn again?" Odin asked, his voice saying he was not pleased.

"Father…" Thor began.

"You think this wise, Loki?" father interrupted.

"I need to know if she is the one in this file," I answered, handing him the folder. "If so, I must stop."

"You fear her taking Lady Ariana from you?"

"She attempted to kill her when Ariana was a child. I only wish to protect her."

"She is currently not targeting our soon-to-be goddess," said Frigga. "But Sigyn is targeting another."

Her eyes sifted to Thor. It took a moment for him to register what mother was saying. When it did, he tried to hide the panic, his face going hard as the golden walls around us. I could understand. I had faced a similar moment when Ariana was controlled by the scepter and then kidnapped by HYDRA, my heart felt as if it would disintegrate in my chest. I went to Thor and placed my hand on his shoulder in a long-forgotten sign of fraternity.

"We will save your mortal," I said.

He walked away. I understood why. His thoughts were in chaos at the thought of his woman in danger from my past. I turned when I felt a hand on my shoulder, seeing mother there.

"Let him come to terms before you rush to Lady Jane's rescue," she said.

"After New York, he talked with her," I said. "They reconnected, but she is busy with research and him with the Avengers. They do not spend much time together."

"But like you and your consort, they always find a way to come back together."

"So, she is his soulmate?"

"Yes, and each pair is different."

"They do argue often, but Ariana and I do not. Are you sure?"

"Unlike you and Ariana, they do not share a telepathic ability. They can't feel the other's emotions or hear their thoughts. Your connection with Ariana is unique to both of you."

"Thank you, mother."

"Son," Odin said, calling my attention, "come look at this. I believe it has the answers you need in the coming years."

I stood by my father as I saw in a book a giant machine standing next to a woman I could only assume was Sigyn. The red hair was unmistakable. Mother took my hand.

"Sigyn and one that calls himself Iron Menace are after Lady Ariana," my father began. "To answer one question, yes, Sigyn can read the future, but it is unrefined and does not come when she calls. It is, for this reason, she reacts before asking questions."

"How did she learn this?"

My mother said, "I gave her magic. You loved her and I wanted to thank her. I never know what form of magic one takes on, but in her case, she can see the future and create illusions."

"Ariana can also create illusions on top of helping her control her telepathy."

"That is because it is your magic your shared and it is what she needed. Perhaps she will discover her own magic from it. For now, focus on this."

Odin continued, "She received a broken vision."

"What was broken about it?" I asked.

"Rather than tell her everything in a moment, it was parts of different moments. She made her own conclusions from it, some right and some wrong. It is based on this, she now follows a path no one can save her from."

"Ariana will try."

"The prophecy from this is that two souls tied together must face mistakes of the past to move to the future."

"Face them how?"

"It does not say, but we can assume that there will be much conflict."

"If Sigyn is involved, it is almost certain."

"Where will you go?"

"First, to find Thor. After that…"

"You do not even know where Sigyn is. You cannot rush after her."

"Has Heimdall seen her?"

"No, but there are other ways to find a sorceress."

"We know she is after Thor's mortal. We can look at her last location. Find clues. The question is, why her?"

Thor returned and said, "Jane does not have the same protection as sister does. She is easier to get to. Sigyn will believe I will trade Ariana for Jane." He looked at Loki. "And perhaps it is."

"You cannot be serious. We are not handing Ariana over to a madwoman!"

"Ariana would want us to save Jane anyway we can and you know it. We can return to Midgard and ask…"

"No, Thor. Sigyn is my mess, and I will clean it up."

"Did you not hear the prophecy, brother? You need Ariana to take her down."

"If I can stop Sigyn before she meets up with the Iron Menace, the prophecy does not need to take place."

"That is not how this works!"

"I'm trying to save them both, Thor! Stop thinking in straight lines! Sigyn would never just give Jane up once she had Ariana! She'd force Jane to be the one to kill her! So, no, we are not handing her over!"

"You still think you can run things, brother, but I do not see how this plan will fair better than when you tried to take over Asgard!"

"This isn't the same as stealing a throne! We are talking about the lives of the women we love! You cannot stand there and ask me to let you place Ariana at risk when if our places were reversed, you would fight tooth and nail to keep me from handing Jane over to Sigyn!" Thor looked down. "I understand your anger and fear, brother, but I cannot let Ariana get into a madwoman's hands! She would be the one to pay for it and you know it! So go clear your head so we can find a way to get Jane back and keep Ariana safe!"

Thor hit the table. "You know as well as do, Ariana would be more than willing to try! So why aren't you trying to be a hero like her?"

"Because heroes do not take unnecessary risks, or have you forgotten, brother?"

"The both of you stop!" Frigga yelled. "This arguing will get you nowhere!" Thor and I looked down. "Thor, you will not suggest Ariana be traded for Jane again, because you know it will not end well for either woman. Loki, the prophecy says you are stronger together, and you have said the same, yet you weaken yourself."

Thor looked at me and said, "I am sorry, brother."

I looked at him and replied, "I understand, Thor. You fear for Jane's life, justifiably so, but to suggest we place the woman I love in the same position…"

"I shouldn't have said it."

"I shouldn't have let my temper get the best of me."

"Now that that's settled," our father said, "this is not the confrontation the prophecy is talking about. Find a way to rescue Lady Jane. You will bring Sigyn back to Asgard, where she will face punishment for her crimes."

"I am unsure how effective the dungeons will be," I said.

"Her magic has you worried?"

"Yes. It would not take much for her to slip away once she is here, but any Midgardian prison would be less effective."

"There is the raft," Thor suggested.

"Explain this to me," said Odin.

"It is underwater, so even if she escaped, she would not be able to get out. They also ways of keeping people from using their abilities. She would be powerless."

"It could work until we find a way to secure her here."

"A temporary placement," I said. "She would likely escape by the end of the week if we are lucky."

"We will figure something out, brother," said Thor.

That is when we received a message from Heimdall, saying, "My princes, you're Majesties, Lady Ariana is in trouble."

My heart seemed to drop out of my chest even as it began to beat at a rapid rate. Thor and I ran from the castle. He grabbed hold of me and flew us to the Bifrost. Heimdall didn't need to ask where we wanted to go. He opened the pathway and we headed to Midgard and my trouble-prone soulmate.