Die a human, reborn an Asgardian… maybe?

Differences mentioned in this chapter: All of it.

The next day, Steve tried to think about why he was so jealous of Loki when Ariana and he had split on good terms. It had been mutual. He couldn't really remember the one who had done this to him or anything about the day, but he had to make things right. He walked down the halls of the palace, lost in thought when Odin came up to him.

"I will need you to be part of the Trial of Temptation our young Goddess must endure," said Odin bluntly. "She needs more than just the royal family with her. Can you bring those she claims as family?"

"Allfather, that would every Avenger," Steve said.

Odin shook his head with a smile. "Then her parents and siblings, James and Wanda."

"He prefers Bucky, but yeah, I'll get all of them, but why?"

"Before, only the royal family oversaw such a thing. But Ariana has become important to everyone here, and I would be remiss to not make it more comfortable for her at the very least. Those she is closest to will help her get through the trials."

"How?"

"I can only say we will know when the time is right, then, one of us will say exactly what she needs to hear."

"When will it take place?"

"When the moon is at its highest point. Midgardians would say midnight."

"Kind of dramatic."

"It is also when the moon is at its most powerful."

"We'll be ready."

"Good."

Ariana wore a white dress, feeling more like a sacrifice than someone going to face a deadly trial. Loki walked with her. He was dressed all in black, which she found just as disturbing as they walked down the darkened and empty halls. It was like he was going to her funeral and she wanted to run back to her room to panic alone.

Loki took her hand. It was too late to back out now. They both knew it. Nerves were part of the walk. The anticipation would always be worse. At least, he wanted it to be that way. It was just as hard on him. He would have to watch his father stab the woman he loved in the heart with his favorite dagger. He didn't know if he could do it.

They entered the throne room. It was lit by only a few candles. Tony, Pepper, Steve, Bucky, and Wanda stood to the left, Thor and Frigga to the right. Odin stood in the middle, holding the gleaming green-handled dagger. Loki and Dalla walked together to the dais. Loki kissed her deeply before going to stand between his mother and brother.

Behind Odin lay a stone table, like a funeral bed or sacrifice table. Ariana swallowed hard. Odin motioned for her to lay down as the royal family and her chosen family circled around. She lay on the stone, her breath coming fast. Steve stepped forward to strap her down, making her panic. She looked at Bucky, who couldn't look at her. Both were having HYDRA flashbacks from this and that wasn't good for either of them.

She looked up as Odin loomed over her. She stared fearfully up at him. She wanted to cry out, to scream at him to stop. It never stopped HYDRA. Crying, begging, it didn't make the pain stop. Tears fell as he raised the dagger. I'm scared. Loki…

Her fear-fueled thoughts were so loud, Thor and Frigga had to hold him back. He couldn't let her suffer like this. Wanda had to keep Bucky in place, just as Steve had to handle Tony and Pepper. But all Ariana could see was the gleam of the dagger as it slashed down. She didn't have time to cry out. She felt the dagger cut through her skin, through bone, and pierce her heart.

She was thrown into a shadowy realm. She sat up with a start. She got off the slab as fast as she could and ran from the room. However, when she opened the door, she was in the dining room of the compound. Everyone was around the table, laughing. Even Loki. She smiled.

"Love, come join us," Loki said.

"Ari, the food's getting cold," said Tony. "Loki made dinner."

She almost took a seat when she remembered what she was doing. She walked past them. Dad would never call him Loki. It's not real! This is Niflheim, not Asgard or Earth!

She ran through the next door and found herself at a wedding in the palace gardens. Loki stood in front of Odin, looking regal. She found herself in a dress fit for a princess. But again, she ran past it, tears falling. She hadn't realized how much she wanted moments of Loki smiling, being accepted, and loved by those around him. So many situations where you watched the Avengers, Asgard, and Earth accept Loki and her broke having to run past those moments that may never come.

The last one was the hardest to accept as fake. She walked into the throne room. Everyone was cheering and she felt a hand in hers. Loki looked nervous. Seeing this, she forgot about the trials. It was their coronation day. Loki would become king.

"I don't know if I can do this, love," he said as they walked towards the throne.

"You're not the same man that tried to take over all those years ago," she reminded. "You've grown into a wonderful man and you deserve this."

Back on Asgard, there wasn't a drop of blood on Ariana's body. Her eyes had closed the moment the dagger had stabbed her heart. Other than Odin removing the restraints, no one moved as they were too shocked at what they saw. Ariana looked peaceful for a time, but then tears began to fall. It felt like they stood watching her for hours waiting on something more to happen. Loki felt her pain, but every time he tried to go and at least touch her hand, his brother and mother held him back. He felt helpless. He looked at Bucky and Tony's faces, mimicking how he felt. Steve felt sick from restraining her, but this was worse and he couldn't look at anyone.

Suddenly, Ariana convulsed and blood appeared on her dress. She was in a temptation that threatened to take her from him. Loki fought harder, tears forming. Wanda couldn't watch, focusing solely on Bucky, her own tears blurring her vision. Steve watched as Ariana's face began to pale and blood trickled out of the corner of her mouth. Tony had to hold Pepper, both of them breaking at the sight of the girl they had raised together dying in front of them.

"Ariana, whatever you're seeing isn't real!" Steve yelled, making everyone jump and look at him. "You are stronger than that illusion you're trapped in! Fight, damn it!" He looked at Bucky. "Everyone here, the Avengers and the royals of Asgard, all of us believe in you! We are with you until the end of the line!"

Ariana went to kneel with Loki. As his Queen, she would support his rule of Asgard. She just wished the Avengers could be here for something so important.

Then, she heard a voice, like a whisper. Ariana, whatever you're seeing isn't real… She looked around her. You are stronger than that illusion you're trapped in… Fight, damn it… It was getting louder. Everyone here, the Avengers and the royals of Asgard, all of us believe in you…

"Steve?" she asked aloud, shock taking hold so that she backed away.

Everyone began murmuring. She had forgotten something. No. This wasn't right. Loki looked at her, bewilderment on his face.

"Ariana?" he asked.

We are with you until the end of the line! the voice shouted. Ariana had to cover her ears, it was so loud. But it helped her remember. She ran past the throne, fear driving her more than anything. When she opened the doors at the end of the room, she was in nothing but white space. In front of her were two doors. One was black and cold surrounded it, the other golden and Steve's voice replayed over and over from it.

"Loki," she said, tears falling. "I… I don't know which is the right one. Help me!"

Help me! Ariana screamed in Loki's head. She was stuck. He had to get to her. She was so close. Ariana! Connect with me! Anything you have to do! But don't stop fighting!

She sat and cried. But only Steve's voice played over and over. The doors could be lies… but they could be truths. But something compelled her to stand. With closed eyes, she let her mind reach for Loki. Letting instinct take over, her hand moved away from her body and took hold of a door knob.

She opened her eyes, the cold, black door in front of her. Without hesitation, she opened it. Her body on Asgard bolted upright, the dagger falling from her chest, any and all blood having returned to her body. Dizziness took over and Loki ran to catch her.

Ariana leaned into him, her eyes shut tight. She was afraid it was another trick of Niflheim, another illusion and she'd never be free.

"Love, open your eyes," Loki said, fighting the bile in his throat. "Look at me."

Her eyes fluttered open. He expected her to hug him, but she bolted from his arms and to the nearest set of doors. She opened them and saw more of the palace. She wasn't fooled, going to every door the throne room had until they were all open.

"I'm back?" she asked, tears forming. "I'm really back?"

"Yes and it was the longest three hours of my life," said Loki, going up to her.

She turned to look at him. "Three hours? It felt like I was there for days!"

"I would not have been able to wait that long. Thank the Gods, Steve knew what to say to bring you back. We almost lost you. I almost…"

Ariana hugged him, showing him quick flashes of what she saw. The one thing he noticed was each one became more realistic as it went on. It made everything more difficult to think of false. Steve's voice had cut through the illusion of a coronation. He knew it was impossible for his father to give him the throne, but Loki no longer cared. All he wanted, forever, was Ariana. He kissed her deeply, conveying his fear to her in the only way he knew how.

"The first mortal to survive the Trial of Temptation," said Odin. "We should let her rest, but then, a celebration." He walked up to Loki and Ariana, who stopped kissing long enough for him to say, "We will keep the knowledge of your success a secret. It is the safest option at this time."

Ariana nodded and said, "It's no wonder I am the only one. I nearly failed. This knowledge should only be passed on to those who rule and no other." Loki looked at her in surprise. "It's too dangerous for it to be common knowledge."

"I agree," said Odin. "Everyone in this room will undergo a ritual that will ensure they do not speak of how you survived. But tell us, how did you?"

"First, it was Steve's voice, but when I was faced with a choice of a golden door or a dark one, I couldn't use my senses. I almost became stuck there too, knowing all the tricks that lay behind me. No sound came from the black door and it was covered in ice. The gold door had Steve's voice playing over and over." She looked at Loki. "Something compelled me to close my eyes and go with my instincts. I chose the door that lead me back home."

Loki wanted to weep. He buried his head in her hair, hiding how the tears fell. Odin patted her shoulder and left. One by one, they left Loki with Ariana until they were alone. She didn't want to move, still afraid this wasn't real.

"Let's go to bed, Loki," she said. "Show me all of this… that you are real."

He teleported them to his room, kissing her with a fierce passion. Throughout the night, he worshipped her, proving numerous times just how real he truly was.