AN: there is a warning for this chapter., there is violence, cussing, and tears, but IW is starting, and I'm excited to finally to this plot, so enjoy.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Chapter 73: We All Have A Destiny
Loki and Thor charged at The black order; taking them by surprise, giving Loki and Thor the upper hand at the beginning of the fight; Tempest had joined in, attacking whoever she could; it took her a moment, but Saphira joined in to help, Thanos barely did anything just stood there, only interfered when Loki's side had the upper hand, so it was five against three. The black order was no joke; they were some of the best fighters in the galaxy, Thanos chose them for a reason, but Loki and Thor are gods; Saphira, a goddess, was more powerful or would be if not for being outnumbered, but a group that almost matched them in strength, skill, and durability. Their battle was destroying the ship. Mostly Ebony Maw, since all he did was use his telekinesis to rip pieces of the spaceship off and toss them at his opponents.
Corvus Glaive swung at Loki; he ducked and slid on the ground as he passed Corvus; Loki took his scepter and grabbed his leg with the blade and knocked him over on his face, causing Proxima Midnight to come at him with her spear; Loki blocked it with her specter, suddenly Saphira was jumped over Loki and tackled her to the ground, causing Proxima to drop her spear; both women immediately got to their feet, and Saphira ran to Proxima, jumped up, wrapped her legs around her neck, and flipped, taking her with her; when Proxima turned her fall into a roll and got to her feet, Saphira got her in the chin with a kick, knocking her back, and knowing his wife could handle her, Loki got up and turned to continue his fight with Corvus Glaive, to see he was gone, confused Loki looked around, then spotted the bastard helping Proxima beat up Saphira.
"Oh hell no," Loki said, walking over and gripping Corvus' shoulder, turning him around and decking him right in the face; Corvus stumbled back, holding his face as blood poured from his crushed nose. Saphira took advantage and knocked Proxima away from her, then stood next to Loki's side and looked at him; Proxima and Corvus looked at each other, then the two couples turned and looked at their opponents and charged one another, battling, throwing hits, and punches, kicks, and Loki a little with magic.
Thor was taking on Cull Obsidian, beating him back with Mjolnir, and he came down with his weapon; Thor ducked, went around him, and when he turned towards Thor, he got him again with Mjolnir and knocked him back. Then Ebony Maw stepped forward and used his telekinesis to send Thor flying away; Tempest roared and went to jump at Ebony, who used his abilities to send her out of the hole in the side of the ship.
"No," Thor cried; he jumped up to charge at Ebony Maw but got knocked back down; Cull raised his weapon to swing it down to hit Thor, and Loki blasted him back with magic. The distraction caused Corvus Glaive to get the better of Loki and knock him down, causing Saphira to attack him, punching him everywhere until Proxima stopped her by grabbing her and tossing Saphira across the corridor. Cull Obsidian got back up, and as Thor stood, he swung at him and hit him in the stomach with his weapon; Proxima joined Corvus in keeping Loki down, and Thor was lying on the ground, hurt Obsidian still beating him.
"Stop it," Saphira cried out; getting to her feet, everyone paused and turned towards her as her hair began to blow, and a gust of wind went out through the craft; the plants blew back and forth, along with everyone's clothes and hair. "Stop hurting them."
"Darling," Loki said; he was able to knock Corvus away and get up; he took a step toward Saphira; Ebony Maw used his abilities to send Loki back, and Saphira turned to him with a glare.
"I said stop hurting them." Saphira cried; she thrust her hand out, and a big gust of wind blew Ebony into the last remaining glass panel. Thanos watched it all happen, then turned to Saphira and stepped toward her.
"No," Loki cried out. He tried to stop him, only to get knocked by Obsidian, then have weapons from every angle pointed at him. Thanos ignored it and kept walking toward Saphira.
"You're a powerful one," Thanos said. "And a fighter, you would have fit in with my team."
"I hate you," Saphira replied, "I hate your voice, your look, the very sight of you makes me want to vomit."
"Is that so." Thanos chuckled, "Ah, yes, I've been told words similar to that before; let me guess, you want to kill me too."
"If I could, I would burn you alive right now," Saphira replied, "The Galaxy would smell your flesh burning." Loki stared at Saphira in surprise; he had never heard her speak like that before; the amount of hatred coming from her voice was shocking.
"I like you, " Thanos said, "You have a fiery spirit, fearless; it would be a shame if I had to kill you."
"Do not touch her," Loki yelled; he tried to stand again, but Cull knocked him down. Saphira glanced at him, then back at Thanos.
"Kill me if you must," Saphira told him, making Loki's heart jump.
"No," Loki said, "Please."
"But I promise you this; I will get my revenge on you and your minions for everything you have done or might do to Loki and me," Saphira told him. "Laugh all you wish, but you'll see, and one day you will regret ever hearing the name Loki."
Thanos started laughing as he mockingly clapped his hands, "Nice speech; you're almost as good as Maw; I almost want to see if any of this comes true, but unfortunately, none of you have to die, at least not at this moment, all you have to do is give me the stones."
"You get nothing." Thor suddenly yelled out, jumping up; he ran at Thanos, and tackled him, got a good few hits in before Thanos was able to send him flying back. Loki figured Thor wasn't using his powers for fear of accidentally killing them all by tearing the craft apart. Thor jumped back up; Obsidian left Loki's side and walked over and knocked Thor down; Loki jumped up to help his brother only to have to fight both Proxima and Corvus again.
"Enough!" Thanos shouted, making everyone pause what they were doing and look at him before Loki was shoved to the floor once again.
"Get away from him," Saphira demanded, rushing over; she dropped to her knees in front of him, pulled him to her, and kissed him; Loki kissed her back even though he was a bit surprised by her decision to kiss him in the middle of them fighting for their lives when it ended Saphira put her forehead to his. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."
"For what, love?" Loki asked; Saphira shook her head.
"Promise me you'll wait for me," Saphira demanded.
"Wait for you?" Loki demanded, "I do not understand; where are you going?"
"Just promise," Saphira begged.
"I promise," Loki replied, though he had no idea what she was talking about, it wasn't making sense to him; as far as Loki knew, she had done nothing to be sorry for, nor was she going anywhere.
"Let go of me," Thor demanded; Loki and Saphira pulled apart and looked that way; Thanos held Thor down on his knees by the back of his neck.
"You all have fought admirably," Thanos said, looking toward them, "But it is time to stop struggling and hand over what infinity stones are in your possessions; not all you need to die; there is no need to keep fighting, accept your fate this day."
"For it is a day to Rejoice." Ebony Maw picked up, "Not a day to fight, for you have the privilege of being saved by the great Thanos. You may think it is suffering, no. It is salvation. The universe scales will tip towards balance; those left behind should celebrate; even for those chosen to die, you all become children of Thanos."
"Fuck off with that cult bullshit, Jar Jar." Saphira cried out, "You brainwashed heathen, you sicken me. Do you think killing billions is a cause for celebration? He'll be killing innocent people, including children; animals, plant life, people will mourn, not rejoice."
"I know what it's like to lose," Thanos said, "To feel so desperately that you're right yet, fail nonetheless." He paused, gripping Thor's neck harder. Loki wanted nothing more than to grab Saphira's arm and teleport away with her, but he couldn't leave his brother behind defenseless; he would get killed if only Thor were next to them; he could teleport them all away right now.
"Frightening, isn't it?." Thanos was saying, "turns the legs to jelly. I ask you, to what end? Dread it? Run from it? Destiny arrives all the same."
"You talk too much," Thor said; Thanos put his gauntlet to Thor's head, Loki saw the space stone glowing in it; how he got it; Loki had no clue; he thought Saphira had it; Saphira most of put it back in Odin's vault for some reason and that Hakon idiot stole it, while Asgard was under attack. But why would she put it back in the first place? And what was all the I'm sorry about earlier? Loki decided he didn't want to know the answers to those questions.
"I'll make you a deal," Thanos said, "Give me the stones you have. I give you your brother, no stones, and it's his head; I'm sure you have a preference."
"There's always the third option of me killing you," Loki replied. A moment later, Thor started screaming as the space gem glowed; Thanos was doing something.
"Stop! " Saphira cried out. Thanos pulled his hand away from Thor's head.
"I did warn you." Thanos replied, "What will it be? Your husband's Brother or infinity stone?"
"You're insane." Saphira said, "sick, something isn't right in your head."
"No, I'm just a man with a goal." Thanos replied, "A destiny to achieve."
At that moment, Thor came back with his elbow and got Thanos in the gut; he let go of him and stumbled back in surprise; Loki decided to take advantage of it and rushed forward, kicking him in the chest, causing Thanos to stumble back more; Thor held out his hand, Mjolnir came to him, as Loki made his scepter appear in his hand; Thor jumped up and smacked Thanos with Mjolnir; he stumbled back more as Loki blasted him with magic from his specter; then the brother's worked together, beating Thanos back, Thor with Mjolnir, Loki with his magic, and scepter. The Black Order tried to step in and help, but Ebony Maw held out his arms, stopping them.
"Let him have his fun; we had ours," Ebony Maw said. As Thanos started getting the upper hand on them again, Loki ran over and took out Thanos's knee with his scepter, which caused him to fall to one knee; Thor held out his hand, and Mjolnir came to him, and he hit Thanos under the chin making his head fly back, Loki then hit him on the back of the head. Ebony Maw must have gotten worried because he dropped his arms and let the others run in and help Thanos; Thor had to turn from Thanos to fight Cull Obsidian, as Loki was taking on both Proxima Midnight and Corvus Glaive with his scepter. Thanos got back to his feet and pointed his hand with the gauntlet as Thor tossed Mjolnir at Obsidian; blue light surrounded Mjolnir, and it disappeared.
"You son a bitch!" Thor cried out, turning toward Thanos, and Obsidian hit him on the back of the head with his weapon, and Thor fell to his knees, with it pointed at him; all this distracted Loki enough for Proxima Midnight to get the better of him, and now Loki was on the ground with two weapons from Proxima, and Corvus Glaive pointed at him. Thanos looked toward Saphira.
"Unless you want the Odinsons dead, you'll give me the stones you have," Thanos said. Saphira looked between Loki and Thor, closed her eyes for a moment, took a breath, opened them, and made the necklace housing the reality stone appear in her hand; then, a moment later, Ronan's hammer appeared at Saphira's feet, Saphira looked at the necklace, as Maw snatched the hammer and handed it to Thanos, he broke it, picked up the power stone, and sat it in his gauntlet, it glowed purple, and Thanos looked at Saphira.
"The other one too," Thanos said; Saphira looked at Loki, then the reckless than to Thanos, and to Loki's shock, she tossed the necklace towards him, and Maw caught it, and Thanos smiled.
"No." Thor cried; he jumped up, but Obsidian knocked him back down, then grabbed the back of Thor's neck, keeping him still.
"My humble personage bow before your grandeur. No other being has ever the might, nay the nobility, to wield not one, not two, but three Infinity Stones. The universe lies within your grasp. " Ebony Maw said; he got on one knee and held the necklace out to him, and Thanos took it from his hand, crushed it, and the red liquid of the reality stone went into his glove and formed a gem.
"That's not exactly true," Saphira said, walking towards Thanos.
"Saphira, darling, stay back." Loki said, "Please." Saphira paused in walking; as tears fell from her eyes, she took a deep breath and looked at Loki sadly.
"What's not true?" Thanos asked; Saphira turned towards him.
"That you are the only person to wield three stones, I have done that." Saphira told him, "After all, these are my stones. I am their protector, and as long as I am alive, they will not work correctly for you; you can collect them all, but as long as I'm alive, they won't do your bidding."
"So, you're the protector of the infinity stones?" Thanos asked, "The woman Loki loves so much is the one between me and finally fulfilling my lifelong goal."
"I am," Saphira answered, "I'm sorry, but I can't let you misuse my stones that way. I'll have to punish you."
"Then I'll have to kill you," Thanos replied.
"Saphira!" Loki cried out; he knocked down Proxima, then Corvus, and jumped up.
"Now!" Saphira cried out, and before Loki could go after Thanos, Saphira's plants wrapped their vines around Loki everywhere, his arms, chest, legs, stomach, and pulled him down to the ground holding him no matter how much he tried to get away, even when using magic or teleoperation he couldn't somehow, the vines were stopping him from being able to do anything.
"Brother!" Loki cried, pleading to Thor, who knocked Obsidian away and ran towards Thanos, only to be stopped by vines and pulled down to his knees, like Loki was.
"I'm sorry, baby," Saphira said, "Take care of Fenny; tell him I love him, and remember your promise."
"Darling, please, get out of here, I beg you." Loki cried, struggling against the vines, his heart pounding in his chest; Saphira was talking and acting like she was going to allow Thanos to kill her; he had to stop her; he couldn't let it happen; he couldn't handle losing his wife; she's his world, his queen, his kingdom, his everything.
"Everything will be fine," Saphira told him, "You'll be fine, handsome." Her words made Loki struggle against the vines more, his heart pounding in his chest; he had to get free, he had to save her.
"I will give you one chance, " Thanos said, "Hand over the last stone you have, and allow me to use them for what I need, and you live."
"I am the protector of the infinity stones." Saphira said, "I agreed to protect those stones, that means from theft and getting misused; I can't make deals with them, so, as long as I breathe, you will never be able to use the infinity stones the way you want."
"Saphira," Thor shouted, "You dumbass, shut up." Saphira smiled a little at his words.
"She lies." Loki cried out desperately, struggling against his bonds.
"No, I believe she speaks the truth," Thanos said. He reached out and gripped Saphira's chin and pushed her head back so that he could look into her eyes.
"Let go of her!" Loki cried, "You hurt her, you son of a bitch, and I'll kill you, I swear it!"
"I can feel it, the power that runs through your vines," Thanos said; Loki didn't like the look Thanos was giving Saphira, "Such a beautiful being to hold so much power."
Saphira made a face and stepped back from Thanos, looking sick; Loki himself felt ill. Saphira regained herself and looked up at Thanos.
"If you want the power stone and get them all to work for you, you'll have to kill me," Saphira replied, "but I don't think you have it in you."
Loki's eyes widened, and he shook his head, struggling more; why was Saphira trying to get Thanos to kill her? Did she think it was the only way to save him? Her actions made no sense to him.
"Let her go, and I'll help you." Loki cried, "I'll help you find the other stones, and I won't let anyone stop you; I'll help you snap away half the universe if you don't kill her. Please, If you have to kill someone, kill me."
"No," Saphira and Thor cried out; Saphira turned back to Thanos. "It wouldn't matter if he helped you; my power over the stones could still stop you from using them."
"Is that so?" Thanos asked. He looked her face over as if trying to detect a lie. "You can still agree to let me use them; I can always kill Loki if you don't."
Saphira snarled in anger, stepped forward, with her hand turning red, and touched Thanos's face; he cried out in pain as Saphira burnt his face, then he reached out with his other hand and grabbed her the neck, checking her as he lifted her off her feet.
"So be it," Thanos said as he squeezed Saphira's neck; she gagged and grabbed his arms, as both Loki and Thor were struggling to get free,
"No," Loki screamed, "Get your hands off her."
"Let her go!" Thor yelled.
"I'll kill you!" Loki yelled, but then he heard the snap and watched in horror as his wife's body went still, her head falling forward, and her arms dropped to her side.
"Such a shame," Thanos said, dropping Saphira's body to the floor, her head turned to where it was looking at him, and Loki saw no life in them.
"Saphira," Loki whispered, staring in shock; next to him, Thor had stopped struggling.
"You're going to die for that," Thor told him; Thanos ignored him and turned to his children.
"The time stone is on Earth; get it for me," Thanos said, "And that robot will likely be there too, find him."
"Father, we will not fail you." Proxima Midnight bowed to Thanos.
"And what of you, sire?" Ebony Maw asked.
"Oh, I have a mission myself to go on." Thanos stopped talking and looked down at Loki and patted his head; he jerked from him. "It was a great loss, but I had to do it."
Loki said nothing as he stared at Saphira's unmoving form; Thanos and his so-called children disappeared into the blue light of the space stone; that was when the vines finally let them go and pulled away; Loki rushed to Saphira's side and gathered her in his arms.
"Do not worry, my love; I'll heal you," Loki said; he held her in one arm and laid one on her neck; green magic flowed from his hand to her neck. Thor knelt next to him and put his arm around Loki's shoulders.
"Brother, "
"I can do this, Thor." Loki snapped, then hope grew as Saphira's neck bone went back in place. "See, done, I healed her neck; I only have to wait a moment; she'll wake."
"Loki, her eyes are open." Thor replied, "I'm sorry, but.."
"Give her a moment, brother." Loki said, "Please."
Loki hugged Saphira to him, rocking and crying, saying please repeatedly, then pulled away from a little and pushed her hair from her face, his tears falling on her face, her eyes staring unblinkingly at him; Loki kissed her forehead. And cried more; he felt as if his heart had been ripped from his chest, leaving nothing but a hole; he healed her. Why won't she come back to him?
"Saphira," Loki said, "Come on, love, speak to me."
"Loki, "Thor tried again; he was trying to be gentle, but they needed to go, find out if the rest of their people made it to Alfheim, find out where Kurt took Enid, and stop whatever Thanos had planned with those stones, but his words caught in his throat; he couldn't bring him to tell his little brother they needed to leave, and that meant Saphira's body would have to be left behind, at least for now.
Loki ignored his brother and held Saphira close to him; she'll wake up; she had to; he healed her neck; Loki sat cross-legged and pulled Saphira into his lap better, so his wife would be more comfortable; his eyes happened to look down at her feet, and saw she had yet to take off the shoes he had magically put on them. Loki decided Saphira wouldn't want to have them on her feet, so Loki took her left shoe off and threw it, then took the right shoe off and tossed it too.
"Saphira hates to wear shoes," Loki said, as Thor gave him a confused look.
Thor opened his mouth to try again when he heard a noise sounding as if the door opened; he stood and looked down the corridor frowning when Thor heard footsteps coming toward them; Thor picked Loki's scepter up and stood in front of him, raising it ready to strike, when a group of people Thor had never seen before came running into view; it was the weirdest bunch he had ever seen; Thor had no idea who they were, but Loki knew them, as The Guardians of the Galaxy. So, since Thor didn't know them, he went into a protective mood and swung the specter and nearly took off Quil's head.
"Wow, He-Man, we came to help," Quil said, jumping back and holding his hands.
"Thor, Loki," Mantis pushed her way through. Thor hadn't seen her because she was so small; he wouldn't have tried to attack them if he had. "Kurt called me, said you guys needed..." She trailed off and looked around Thor and gasped, rushing forward and kneeling on Saphira's opposite side from Loki.
"I am Groot." Groot cried out, noticing Loki holding Saphira, and rushed forward and sat on Loki's right side.
"She'll be fine," Loki assured them, "I healed her neck; she just has to wake up." Groot frowned, realizing Loki was in denial.
"Loki, " Mantis said gently, reaching out; she closed Saphira's eyes, "I can't feel any emotions coming from her; I'm sorry, but Saphira.."
"No, no, you are mistaken." Loki said, "Manny, please, tell me you are mistaken." Loki felt Saphira's neck, no plush, so he raised her chest to his ear, no heartbeat. And Loki didn't care who was there. He burst into tears.
"I'm sorry," Mantis said, as green magic surrounded Loki; he was about to lose if that happened; if he just let loose his magic, they'll all be in trouble.
"You are lying to me." Loki caused, his voice turning angry.
"Brother, stay calm," Thor said, "Mantis, you might want to move." Mantis ignored Thor's warming and instead reached out and gripped Loki's hand; her antennas lit up as she calmed him a little, taking away his anger; she wouldn't do it, but they couldn't have him blowing them all up in a fit of rage. Loki looked at Mantis; she had tears falling from her eyes where she could feel his grieving emotions. Drax walked over and knelt next to Loki on one knee and awkwardly patted his back.
"I know how you feel," Drax told him, "I lost my wife and daughter because of Thanos." Loki looked up at him in surprise. "The pain never goes away; you just learn to leave with it."
"What happened?" Gamora demanded, "Kurt called Mantis and said Thanos was attacking you and begged us to come to help you."
"You were too late," Loki replied. Groot put his hand on Loki's shoulder and gripped it.
"I am Groot." He said; Loki shook his head and looked back down at Saphira in his arms.
"Where are the others?" Rocket demanded, "Why did Thanos attack you? What did he want?"
"Infinity stones," Thor replied.
"Infinity stones?" Gamora demanded. "Did he.."
"Three." Thor replied, "He now has three."
"Hold on, does that mean you guys have been traveling around the galaxy with three Infinity Stones the whole time we've known you?" Quil demanded.
Loki made a painful sound and pulled Saphira to his chest, her head fell back, and he reached up and held it in place, hugging his wife as he wept over her stolen life.
"I'm going to kill him." Loki vowed, "Slowly and painfully."
Thor shoved his way through the guardians and dropped down next to Loki and put his arms around him, and hugged him, trying to be comforting; Loki leaned into Thor and cried.
"I can not live without her, Thor, " Loki said, "It hurts too much."
Thor thought about Enid, having to tell her what happened to her little sister, it was going to crush her, and he'll have to comfort her too; with tears in his own eyes, at that moment, Thor vowed to help them avenge Saphira's death if he had to kill Thanos himself that bastard would pay.
AN: according to wiki Corvus Glaive and Proxima Midnight are supposed to be married; there was no hint of the this in movies, so I'm guessing that's a comic thing, but I threw it in there anyway since the others were busy that Kurt would call Mantis out of desperation, and if I remember the reason for the vines stopping Thor and Loki from using their powers will be explained later. And Saphira was lying; she could not prevent anyone from using the stones; she feels them being used and is supposed to protect them.