Hi Guys!

I'm back with another chapter! Hope your all doing well and that your still interested in this story of mine.

A couple of surprises lurking in this particular chapter for you all. One that came to me when I re-watched Avengers Endgame. I hope you get as much of a kick out of it as I did when I came up with it. Seriously I would love to see this happen even though I know that would be completely impossible.

Anyway, thank you as always for the favs, follows and reviews. Please let e know what you think, I'm really interested in your thoughts on this chapter and what I think is a cool idea, but that's just me.

I'll not bore you anymore!

On with the Chapter!

Cheers!

D.S x

Disclaimer: I do not own Thor, the Avengers or any other of Marvel's various properties

11

When Loki reappeared, he didn't expect for it to be in the middle of a road with a red coloured metal beast, which Midgardians would call a car heading right for him. Fortunately, with the rapid squeal of tires the car stopped right before it could crash right into the Prince, who could only stand there as he tried his best to settle himself from the large use of Seidr.

"Get out of the road, kid!" an angry Midgardian shouted, blasting a horn while he waved furiously out of the window. Loki didn't spare the mortal a glance, instead looking up to take in where he was. The sounds hit him first, echoing and numerous. A mixture of voices, music, the clanking of machines all coming together in a symphony that had Loki wanting to cover his ears with the escalating noise. That wasn't helped by the hive of activity that came with it. Mortals rushed around, all scurrying off further into the buildings which domed overhead, almost blocking out the sky, creating nooks and crannies enveloped in shadows. Signs flashed and smells wafted up on the slight breeze which made the air pleasant. Loki couldn't help but feel awe at the sight of such a place, who knew the Midgardians could create such chaos.

The horn came again, along with another angry shout. "Oi, move it before I do run down!"

Loki finally turned to the Midgardian, raising an eyebrow before deciding it might be best to move. Swiftly he made his way to where the majority of the Midgardians were walking. Some were giving him funny looks, but none dared approach him. Loki took the opportunity to get out of sight, he didn't want to draw too much attention to himself.

Ducking into a small ally way between two of the imposingly tall buildings, Loki settled himself. Taking stock of his Seidr he was pleased to see his teleport hadn't taken much of his reserves, but it would probably be best if he didn't push it too much until he knew what he was up against. From what he had observed when he had arrived, Amora had not started any of her plans. No, the Midgardians were much too calm, and Loki was sure there would have been panic if Amora's actions were in full swing. Which was good for Loki as it gave him time.

Closing his eyes, Loki reached out with his Seidr. He didn't bother searching for Amora, fixing instead on something much more important. It had almost seemed inconsequential in the beginning, but now Loki had to think it was a good thing that Amora had stolen the Tesseract. It was like a beacon to any Seidr user, lit up like a metaphysical torch, drawing Loki to it easily. Furrowing his brow as he felt it out, Loki couldn't help his confusion.

"It's a lot higher than I thought," he muttered to himself. Opening his eyes, he locked his focus on the Tesseract before making his way out of his hiding place. Normally he would cast his invisibility spell, but with the crowds of Midgardians milling through the streets it would be more of a hinderance than a help. However, he did suppress his Seidr. It wasn't a skill he was very adept at, but he hoped it would be enough to make him pass under Amora's notice.

He joined the flow of Midgardians making their way through the chaotic city. Even with the stress and pressure of what he was setting out to do, he couldn't stop his green eyes from flicking this way and that, taking in the sights and smells like a man dying of thirst. He had seen what modern Midgardians could accomplish, with their metal beasts and flying machines, but this city had to be one of the greatest marvels the Young Prince had ever seen. It certainly put paid to the idea that Midgard was a backwater little Realm that was filled with creatures that didn't have the capacity to look after themselves, never mind be a force recognised by the rest of the Realms.

As he moved further through the city, Loki's awe turned to confusion as the Tesseract played at the edge of his consciousness. His sense of the great artefact was puzzling. It was still high up, well above his head, almost as if it was in the sky itself. It also seemed to be pulsing. The Seidr rolling, like a wave, getting bigger and bigger as though gathering to create a huge tsunami. Loki had to wonder what would happen when it reached its peak.

Following like a blood hound Loki soon found himself right in the city centre, the Tesseract having steadily signalled its nearness. As he emerged from a side road into some kind of courtyard Loki had to stop and take a breath. The Tesseract was close. Frantically looking about, Loki set eyes on another tall building, though this one dwarfed all the others Loki had seen so far. Going up so far that Loki had to crane his neck, appearing to almost pierce the sky it was so tall. Though it was the sign that had Loki rolling his eyes.

"Who names a building after themselves?" he mumbled, trotting over to Stark Tower where he could feel the presence of the Tesseract high above.

As he neared Loki did take the opportunity to cast his invisibility spell. With his past experience in Stuttgart he didn't want any Midgardians trying to stop him from entering. Fortunately, there were little crowds around, and Loki was able to slip through the doors and passed the darkly dressed Midgardians which stood guard at them.

Inside of Stark Tower was a buzz of contained activity, people were moving around with a professional air. All either carrying flies or had their nose close to the screen of one of those tablets. Loki watched for a moment before following a crowd that were heading towards what seemed to Loki like a hole in the wall.

It was rather strange to see the gathered mortals just waiting there, though Loki did jump when two doors suddenly slid shut in front of them, so they disappeared. Intrigued Loki sidled closer, watching in curiosity as another Midgardian came along and pressed a button where the two metal doors now blocked the hole in the wall. Loki stayed in the back as more Midgardians gathered before the doors. It took a couple of minutes before the doors opened once again, to release yet more Midgardians who spilled out into the corridor, while the ones that had been waiting surged forward.

Loki would have loved to take the opportunity to join them. The hole seemed the best way to go up the building, where the Tesseracts presence pulsed in his sensors. However, just as the doors were starting to close once more, a beep sounded followed by a man's voice, echoing around the building for everyone to hear.

"Attention all Stark employees," the voice was cultured and smooth, pleasant to listen to. "Due to structural issues we ask that all employees evacuate the building at this time. There is no need for panic, so please leave the building in an orderly fashion. Thank you for your co-operation."

Loki had to step back as the Midgardians in the hole all groaned, rushing out of the doors to disappear down the corridors, all bemoaning the latest announcement.

"Can't believe it, we only just got everything moved in."

"You know, Mr Stark, he probably messed with something."

"Does he know how much this is going to effect the stock cost? We're already behind schedule with how long it took to make this damn building."

The muttering disappeared as the Mortals went to follow the command of the voice. Loki stayed where he was, making sure not to get in anyone's path. He was surprised that the building was being evacuated, maybe it was Amora that had made the announcement through the system. No, Loki dismissed that thought, Amora wouldn't care about collateral damage.

Though that didn't mean Loki's mission was over, in fact with the evacuation of the Midgardians it made it infinitely easier for him to get around.

Once satisfied that no Midgardians were in the area, Loki turned his attention to the still open doors of the hole in the wall. Gingerly he stepped through them, it really was like a square hole in the wall, with lights in the ceiling along with a carpeted floor. His attention was snagged by a panel of buttons on the right-hand side. Knowing that the Tesseract was at the top of the building Loki pressed the one with the highest number. It lit up, but the doors did not close, instead the voice answered again.

"I'm sorry, but due to evacuation procedures all lifts have been shut down for safety, please make your way to a safety exit on your floor or make use of the stairs."

"Like that's happening," Loki muttered. He eyed the panel carefully, before summoning his Seidr and directing it at the electronics. It took much longer than Loki would have liked, almost as if something was trying to fight him, but eventually he was able to override the Midgardians electronics and force the lift to move.

The doors slid shut and Loki tensed as the he felt the hole he was in start to move. With his Seidr still attached to the electronics Loki was able to get a feel for the space he was in. It was almost like vertical tunnel, that went up the building. The hole he thought he was stood in was in fact a small carriage that was able to move up and down the tunnel.

"Clever," Loki admitted as the lift, he was sure the voice called it that, continued to rise.

Soon he reached the top, the doors opening with a pleasant ping. Loki quickly stepped out and dashed down the corridor. He could feel the Tesseract, it was close by, though still somewhere above his head. He passed through what had to be a dwelling, though Loki had to wonder who would have their home at the top of such a tall building. He was able to find a set of stairs, which led him up towards a door. Loki pushed it open, the singing of the Tesseract loud in his ears. Wind snagged at his hair, tugging on it as he stepped out onto the roof. He was grateful that he had kept his invisibility spell in place as he was surprised by the number of Midgardians that were scurrying around the roof.

Ducking to the side, Loki stealthily made his way closer. Most of the Midgardians were dressed in black, much like the ones he saw on the flying beast. They were gathered together, guns in their hands while another Midgardian fussed with one of the big pieces of equipment, they had no doubt been responsible for lugging up onto the roof of Stark's building.

"Is it almost ready, Selvig?" one of them grunted and Loki couldn't help but gape at the sight of a familiar Midgardian, as he stood from his crouched position before a device which to Loki's horror, held the Tesseract.

"Nearly, I just need more time for the energy to build."

"We don't have much time; the Lady wants results now."

"She'll just have to wait," Selvig insisted, as he stared at the Tesseract, a hungry look in his eyes. "She wants to show us something."

Loki knew he didn't have much time, if he wanted to stop Amora's plans he would have to make a move now. Calling his pocket dimension Loki summoned a few of his knives to his hand. He would have to be quick and efficient, Amora could be anywhere.

Dropping the invisibility spell, Loki jumped out of cover and rushed the Midgardians. Fortunately, the element of surprise allowed Loki to fall upon them without them being able to raise their weapons, so Loki was able to get a few good hits in, rendering most unconscious before one sent of a round of small metal pieces which Loki neatly avoided. Not wanting things to escalate Loki thrust out his hand, his Seidr sending the last black clad Midgardian flying until he hit some of the equipment, his head cracking against the metal so he lay their motionless.

Satisfied, Loki turned to the Tesseract, only to see Selvig stood in front of it protectively.

"Move aside," Loki ordered, though it was ignored by the Midgardian who swiftly shook his head.

"Don't you understand, she's going to reveal something to us, something we need to see."

"Selvig," Loki took a careful step closer, hoping not to scare the man. "Don't you remember me? I'm Loki."

Selvig blinked and Loki thought he saw the bright blue that contaminated Selvig's eyes dim a little. "Loki?" he asked, sounding dazed. "Thor's brother."

"Yes, so can you please -"

A whirr cut off what else Loki might have been able to say, causing both the Young Prince and Selvig to look to the sky. Above them a shape was rapidly approaching, diving out of the clouds, heading right for the roof until it hovered there in all its red and gold glory. Loki gaped at the sight of the armour which he knew housed a Midgardian inside.

"Well, wasn't expecting two to be here, looks like the kids were right." Loki twitched and would have said something, but Stark didn't wait for anyone to respond to his quip, fixing his focus on the scientist. "Shut it down, Dr Selvig."

"It's too late. It can't stop now," Loki cringed at the fanatical gleam in the Midgardians eyes. "She wants to show us something. A new world."

"Ok," Stark said and before Loki could stop him, he raised his hand, palm glowing to fire at the Tesseract, right where Selvig was still standing.

"Wait!" he tried to intercede but fortunately Stark aimed to the left of the scientist, missing the Midgardian, though sending him flying across the roof from the rebound where he ended up knocked out against a wall. "Are you insane, that could have killed him."

"He's fine, we have bigger problems right now."

Loki's glare turned from the Midgardian as he nodded at the Tesseract. Loki could only raise an eyebrow in surprise to see the glowing cube still in place, the machinery housing it completely unharmed even from the blast Stark had sent right at it.

"My repulsor should have been enough to at least put a dent in it," Stark continued to mutter. "There must be some form of barrier."

"Aye, you are right," Loki said. Sheathing his knives on his belt, his stepped closer, reaching out with his Seidr to feel around the Tesseract. "A combination of Seidr and your Midgardian science, it seems. It's created an energy barrier which is fuelled by the Tesseract itself."

"He is right, Sir," Loki startled at the familiar voice from the wall box within Stark tower, only this one was coming from the armour. "The barrier is pure energy. It's unbreachable and the Mark VII is not ready to be deployed."

Stark cursed but quickly refocused. Turning his armoured head, he looked at Loki. "You're Loki right, the little emo Prince?"

Loki didn't understand the last comment but got the gist enough to know it was insulting. "And you're the billionaire, playboy, philanthropist, Tony Stark."

The Midgardian laughed, though it didn't last long. "You know your stuff, those two friends of yours weren't kidding."

"Sigyn and Leif, are they alright? Where are they?" Loki couldn't help but ask, worry gnawing at his stomach.

"Fine, fine kid, but right now we have business to sort out. Think you can do something with your mojo to unlock that thing?" he gestured to the Tesseract, whose glow was starting to increase.

Loki frowned, but nodded. "I can try to counter it with my own Seidr. Like conduit I could filter off some of the energy, releasing it slowly so it doesn't have enough to do whatever Amora has planned. Though I'll have to be careful not to use too much Seidr myself. I could cause it to overload and speed up the whole process which would be -"

"I have no idea what you're saying but it sounds like a plan," Stark said, hand coming to his head where he stayed hovering silently for a moment. "Back up will be here in a few, so I'll keep watch while -"

Loki suddenly hissed, curling into himself as a shot of feign Seidr rushed through his sensors. It made his head spin and his nerve endings tingle; he gritted his teeth to block out the pain while his Seidr quickly erected a barrier to keep out the intrusion.

"Hey kid, what's wrong, are you hurt?"

Loki shook his head as he straightened. "Nay, Amora simply felt the need to reveal her presence." Loki's hands shook and he itched to pull his knives and go and find the Witch. But the logical part of his brain, which had been absent as of late finally asserted itself. He couldn't face her, not now, he had other things to do.

Stark cursed again, looking down below before turning back to Loki. "You start work here; I'll go head her off."

"You can't. She's -" but whatever warnings Loki could impart fell on deaf ears as Stark wheeled around in his armour and flew off out of sight.

"By the Norns, he's going to get himself killed," Loki mumbled. But now wasn't the time to be worrying about that. Putting the Midgardian out of his mind for now Loki fixed his attention of his task. The Tesseract was pulsing, and Loki could feel the waves of Seidr even through the barrier. With care he stepped closer, not wanting to agitate the thing any more than it already was. The Midgardians wouldn't be able to tell, having access to no Seidr of their own, but this close Loki could feel the pain of the Tesseract. It screamed out for anyone with the ability to hear. Its own Seidr being used in a way that was not its will. Loki grit his teeth and pushed his righteous anger aside; it wouldn't help him free the thing.

Reaching out a hand Loki felt for the physical barrier. Once located he placed his palm against it and slowly began to direct his Seidr into it. It was a delicate process, one that could easily backfire on him and he would end up either blasted halfway across the city or dead. He let his Seidr feed into the matrix of the barrier, feeling and teasing at it, looking for an opening in which to exploit.

"This is well made," Loki muttered as his brow furrowed and a bead of sweat formed on his brow. "I can't find an opening." It was frustratingly true, the Seidr was solid, moulded well with the machines which released some form of energy that Loki found difficult to decipher. But he wasn't giving up, all workings had at least one loophole.

It was as he was starting to worry this may be beyond him that Loki finally noticed it. Seidr is hard to describe even for the most seasoned of practitioners, but the only way Loki could later come to explain what he saw was simply a knot. If the barrier was physical, it would more than likely look to be made up of many brightly pulsing threads, all knitted together to create an impenetrable wall. But at the bottom, where the Seidr and technology met, a place more experienced Seidr users would dismiss was a knot. It was small, not glaring or overly noticeable, but it was there.

Loki quickly zeroed in on it, allowing his Seidr to get a feel for the area, before smiling in victory.

"You thought you could pass it off as weave, Amora?" his question of course would get no answer, but that didn't stop him from beginning his attack. Carefully he directed his Seidr at the knot, teasing at the threads until one was freed. The whole barrier pulsed, and Loki felt the Seidr shift. Grinning Loki set about untangling another thread, then another, until the complex ball of pulsing Seidr thread was only made up of three threads. He was tempted to simply cut them, but even with all his work, the barrier was still in place and probably had some form of failsafe if he didn't do this carefully.

Taking a deep breath, Loki picked up a thread and began to pull it free. Only for his concentration to jerk as a shattering of glass erupted from somewhere. It was followed by shouting and a familiar surge of Seidr that set the Young Prince's teeth on edge. Loki couldn't help it, his Seidr was already finely balanced and his stress was not helping. So, the breaking of his concentration allowed his Seidr to slip his reins, sending more than needed at the threads, causing them to snap.

Loki felt the barrier shiver and the Tesseract pulse angrily. Upon opening his eyes, Loki could see that the usual blue, white glow of the Tesseract had become even brighter, the barrier he had been working on falling away, but the damage had already been done. Loki's own Seidr surged, the Tesseract responding, the glow becoming almost unbearable to look at.

Just as a door was banged open somewhere behind, a beam of energy shot from the top of the Tesseract, right into the cloudy sky, where it suddenly exploded like a firework. Only a large hole was ripped open, revealing the familiar territory of Yggdrasil. But it was not that which had Loki gaping and feeling his insides well with fear. No, that was the creatures, that had almost killed him, Sigyn and Leif when they had made their journey through Yggdrasil. They poured through the portal like ants, carried by their speeders and a ship that almost seemed alive with the way it twisted like some mutated fish.

Loki stared up at it, horror welling in his gut. He didn't even notice the Midgardian behind him, or the gun aimed at his head.

No, it was the grunt and the worried exclamation that had Loki turning.

"Prince Loki!" Leif stood before him, sword in his hand from where he had used the hilt to knock the Midgardian out. He was pale and sweating, probably from having run up the tower. Sigyn was not far behind, followed by Romanoff, whose guns were already in her grip, eyes assessing for any more threats.

"Mr Prince, are you well?" Leif asked, taking a step closer, to which Loki could just shake his head.

"I think I might have accidentally caused an invasion."

"What?" Sigyn cried, while Romanoff eyed him critically. But anything else they could have said was washed away when the Tesseract gave another pulse of frightening energy. Loki turned, throwing out a hand, using his own Seidr to push Leif and the others away from him and to the floor.

"Get down!" was all he managed to shout before the Tesseract released the energy backlash he knew must have been building since he destroyed the barrier. It hit him in the chest, sweeping him off his feet and right off the tower. Loki could barely make out Sigyn and Leif's cries of terror at seeing him blasted away, but the Young Prince couldn't help but feel a surge of warmth. They were both alright at least. Though with the invasion he didn't know for how long.

He sailed through the air. The shock of the initial impact of the Tesseract's Seidr stunning him, it was only as he started to descend that he gathered his wits enough to teleport. Though he still landed heavily on a roof, rolling until his back hit a wall and he laid there, still and aching.

Stuck in a daze Loki was unsure of how long he simply laid there. His Seidr was sparking, having been jolted from the blast of the Tesseract. But it was the sound of screams and crashes of buildings being smashed that finally roused the Young Prince. Hissing he clambered to his feet, using the wall for support even as his body groaned in protest. Staggering up right Loki could only gape as he stared out from his place on the roof to the city that was displayed before him. The beam from the Tesseract had opened the giant portal in the sky, the creatures that had infested Yggdrasil were swarming through, flying on their crafts to shoot purple bolts at the frightened Midgardians, who could only run for their lives as the threat descended upon them. Loki felt his stomach drop as he could do nothing but gape.

"What have I done?" he whispered as another hive of creatures came through the portal, intent on raining destruction on Midgard.

Loki's melancholy didn't get the chance to last though as suddenly three of the creatures flew overhead, firing their purple bolts at the buildings where several Midgardians were screaming as they tried their best to escape. Horrified Loki snapped out a hand, summoning his Seidr to erect a quick barrier, which caused the bolts to splat against it in a shower of sparks. The action however drew attention to himself.

Loki cringed as the crafts turned as one to charge at him. The Young Prince grit his teeth, ready to take on the threat, but when the creatures shot at him, their bolts were halted before they could even hit the building. Loki blinked as the purple bolts cracked against a barrier, but it was nothing like Loki's own. It was a bright golden colour and in some form of design, like a matrix with the way the lines twirled and fused together. Loki gasped as they continued to appear as more shots were fired. He'd heard of matrixes, they were the formulaic breakdown of spells, most great Seidr users could break down a spell into a formula, which they could then use to tweak and alter a spell to their liking. Loki had done it himself when he had messed around with his invisibility spell, though he had used an old matrix which he had pilfered from one of his Mother's spell books. But apart from barrier construction Loki had never seen Seidr manifest as the matrix itself. Seidr was semi sentient, an offshoot of its user and so usually took on a form that the user visualised. Loki didn't know of any practitioner that visualised the Seidr as the basic matrix.

Suddenly the golden Seidr pulsed, and the purple shots it had taken were fired back. Loki stared in awe as he saw the creatures, along with their flying machines explode from the impact, taken out as quickly as they had come.

"It absorbed the blasts," Loki muttered, taking a step closer to the edge of the roof as he watched the Seidr matrixes slowly vanish. "A barrier which absorbs energy which then can be used to attack. Impressive work."

"That's a compliment that I thought would never come from your mouth. Then again you've always appeared much older."

Loki swung around, hand coming up with Seidr ready. He was startled at the foreign Seidr signature that had appeared behind him, seemingly from nowhere. He was sure he hadn't been that distracted that he wouldn't notice someone appearing on the roof. His face didn't twitch as he glared at his opponent, though it was difficult to stop his eyebrow from raising. A woman stood behind him, her skin pale which was further enhanced by the yellow robes she was wearing. No hair adorned her head, but that just made her appear all the fiercer. Loki couldn't help scanning her with his Seidr and he was unable to stop the gasp that left his lips.

"You're a Midgardian?" he asked, which got him a chuckle from the woman.

"I never thought I would ever get the chance to see you shocked. Timelines are wonderous things. I almost wish I could have seen his face if he got a look at you."

"What are you -?"

"I think we have other issues to discuss right now, Prince Loki," the yellow robed woman smiled serenely at him, which had Loki tensing.

"How do you know who I am?" he demanded.

"It's difficult not to know one of the Princes of Asgard," the woman shrugged. "Plus, your talent with Seidr has reached even Earth. Impressive work I must say."

Loki felt his lips twitch, and he had to try his best to suppress a smug smile of satisfaction, but he squashed it down. "That doesn't tell me who you are though."

The woman laughed, "figures you wouldn't be easily distracted. I am the Ancient One and before you inquire further, yes I am Midgardian."

Now it was Loki's turn to be impressed. He had never heard of a Midgardian having talent for Seidr, their short life spans not conductive to developing the potential to wield Seidr to a degree like the rest of the Nine.

"The Ancient One? I've never heard of you."

The Ancient One smiled nematically, "I would be surprised if you had. I along with the practitioners of magic here on Midgard have gone out of our way to remain hidden from the other Nine Realms."

"Why?"

"Why else, to not draw attention," the Ancient One said, much to Loki's confusion. "Your Father was right in banning the other Realms from Midgard. We are young compared to the rest of you, and still have much growing to do. If it had been discovered that Midgardians had found a way to wield some form of Seidr." She left the statement dangling, but Loki didn't need for her to finish it. Seidr users would have flocked to Midgard to study them, the various councils of the Realms would have wanted them to be monitored to ensure they would not pose a threat to the rest of the Nine. They would have meddled so much that it would have been impossible for Midgard not to have become some form of battle ground, which would have impacted the Midgardians, instead of allowing them to develop naturally, like the rest of the Nine had.

Pushing aside his thoughts on the Seidr users of Midgard for now, Loki glanced to the sky before back at the Ancient One.

"Did you make that barrier?" the Ancient One nodded, following it up by summoning golden Seidr to her hand. Loki ignored his want to gape and instead narrowed his eyes to study the Seidr intently. The Matrix wasn't complex, on the contrary it was laughable simple, especially compared to the more sophisticated works Loki had been exposed to. But the Young Prince had to marvel that with the basic simplicity of the matrix the power behind it was on par with some of the Seidr users of Asgard. "How is it possible that you can use Seidr?"

"I don't think that's relevant for the time being Prince Loki," the Ancient One said, suddenly throwing out her arm and sending the summoned matrix into the air, where it crashed head long in to yet another creature. Exploding it and it's flying machine into pieces. "I think you have other concerns for right now."

Loki, even with his curiosity on the edge of its seat, couldn't ignore the reprimand. Flushing, he turned back to the city, only to feel his insides churn at the sight of it being systematically torn apart by the army he had unintentionally brought through.

"They'll destroy everything," he whispered.

"Ah, it looks like that's their goal," the Ancient One said, coming up to stand at Loki's side, staring out at the destruction with a cool, calm façade. "Quiet the mess you brought to our doorstep."

Loki winced, "I didn't mean -"

"I know Young Prince, I'm well aware of your efforts to stop Amora's plan. And though your way would have worked, it had far too many risk factors, but that is the price of youth."

Loki couldn't help feeling as though he was being scolded by his Mother. Curling his shoulders in he twitched his fingers as another explosion sounded in the air, followed by the screams and cries of the Midgardians.

"I thought I could stop her," Loki muttered, unsure if the Ancient One was even still listening to him. "I thought it was my duty to stop her. But I was a fool." It came out more of a hiss as Loki allowed himself to wallow in his pain. "How could I have possibly been that stupid. She's far more powerful than me. Has experience, resources, I could never have hoped to stop her."

A tear slid out from his green eyes unbidden, Loki didn't even bother to wipe it away.

"Ah, you're right there. You had no chance of stopping Amora."

Loki's chest felt as though it had been stabbed through, but he didn't respond, just accepting the words for the truth that they were.

"It was foolish of you, downright dangerous. But that's not necessarily a bad thing."

Surprised Loki turned to stare at the Ancient One, but the yellow robed woman wasn't looking at him, her gaze was fixed on the city, a smile playing at her lips. Loki followed her gaze and he couldn't help but chock on his own tongue at the sight. Flying above the city, battling the creatures while swerving between the bolts of purple energy was Stark. His armour was bright in the overcast sky even as he fired his own shots at the enemy taking out a few as he swiftly moved on to avoid being taken out.

"What is he doing?" Loki cried as Stark narrowly avoided being blasted. "He's going to get himself killed."

"Possibly."

"You need to stop him!" Loki turned to the Ancient One, who shot him an unconcerned look.

"I cannot leave the Sanctum unprotected. If the Chitari or Amora were able to gain access here it would spell disaster."

"But -" Loki's protest was cut short as a purple blast was aimed at Stark's back. Loki let out a strangled cry, but there was nothing he could do to save the mortal. He waited with bated breath for the shot to hit, only for it to be intercepted by one of its own.

"What?" Loki asked, eyes searching until he found one of the creatures, Chitari the Ancient One had called them, flying machines that was being piloted by the red-haired Romanoff. She flew it around Stark, seeming to talk to him a moment, before both headed off back into the fray.

Loki let out a relieved breath, though he couldn't help but scoff. "What do they think they're doing? They're going to get themselves killed."

"Maybe."

"It's too dangerous for them to be fighting," Loki continued, oblivious to the Ancient Ones smirk. "They don't stand a chance against those kinds of numbers, that type of technology or Amora." Suddenly a feeling of dread came over him. "Sigyn! Leif!"

Closing his eyes, he rapidly reached out with his Seidr, searching faster than he ever had before. It was only when he felt the familiar tendrils of Sigyn's Seidr, followed by the less illuminated presence of Leif did he let himself relax.

"They're alive," he breathed out, though his happiness was swiftly washed away when he realised where exactly his two companions were. "They're still at the tower," he hissed. Turning to the construction, only for his gut to clench at the swarm of Chitari that enveloped it. "Those fools, they need to run."

"Why?" Loki frowned at the Ancient One's question.

"They're outmatched, they can't possibly hope to -"

"Much like you then, your companions are," the Ancient One cut him off. "Running head long into the fray even when some would call it a fool's errand."

Loki was struck dumb, unable to speak even as the Ancient One continued to stare out at the destruction of the city with a sombre air. "Some say there is a fine line between bravery and stupidity. But if that is so, wouldn't you rather be stupidly brave knowing that you have probably saved many lives, friends and strangers alike with your actions, than sit on the side lines watching them struggle and die being a clever coward."

Finally, the Ancient One turned and smiled at Loki, the Young Prince couldn't say a word, his mind paralysed by the Ancient Ones speech, running it over and over as though berating himself.

"Stupid," Loki muttered, head lowering as he shook it, sending his raven locks flying. "How could I have been so stupid."

"It happens to us all once in a while," the Ancient One said. "And you're not as old as you usually are. Though in this case I think the change was for the better."

"What are you –?"

Another explosion cut short Loki's inquiry. Both mortal and Prince turned to see part of the Stark Tower sign start to fall, having been hit with several blasts from the Chitari.

"If you're going to be stupidly brave, you better hurry up," The Ancient One urged Loki. "By the looks of things, they could do with some help."

Loki nodded, but still he hesitated. "But I couldn't beat Amora before," he said softly. "What could I possibly do to -"

"Don't think, just do," the Ancient One spoke calmly. "Magic, or Seidr doesn't need your mind to do as you wish, it only needs you, all of you, every last facet of your being to work in your favour."

Loki gulped at the pointed look she gave him. Clenching his fists, he felt the nails dig into his skin, along with a cold wash of Seidr that came from somewhere deep inside. Calling out to him in a soft frightened voice, asking to be used.

Throwing back his shoulders, Loki turned his green gaze to the Ancient One, face determined as he spoke.

"I understand. I'll do all I can. It might have been stupid for me to come after Amora, it might have been motivated by selfish intentions to begin with. But now I can't let her hurt these people. Hurt my friends. She needs to be stopped, in any way that I can."

The Ancient One nodded regally and Loki quickly gathered his Seidr, allowing it to cocoon him before setting his destination in mind and he vanished in a puff of green smoke.

The Ancient One stood there, staring at the empty spot the Young Prince had once been before her face broke into a wide grin.

"Yes, I think this change is for the better. This time our little Trickster god may just become the man he was always meant to be."