Chapter 1

It had been six years since the first patrol to Midgard had returned. Six human years, but since he was King of Asgard, they seemed like thousands. Loki had to admit: being king… it kind of sucked! All right. He loved the power and all the other stuff and he wouldn't give it up, ever! But… even the God of Mischief had to admit he missed his past life. The scheming about taking Odin's, that old, senile fool's throne, getting rid of his arrogant brother, ruling the Earth… And even though Loki would never say it out loud, he missed the fighting. Not against his brother, but alongside his brother and his old friends: Lady Sif and the Warriors Three. Even after everything that had happened nobody could deny their efficiency as a team. Together they had won glorious battles, fought mighty enemies. More than once, Loki saved the lives of his friends and brother. Unlike them, he was a born strategist and therefore he knew when to fall back or when to attack. That was a talent his brother, ironically, didn't possess and his friends would always follow their prince blindly.

But that was all in the past. His former friends were locked away safely in the same cells where Loki used to be kept. The young king was almost certain Thor had told them what, according to him, had happened on Svartalfheim. And even if he didn't, they were not to be trusted. They would easily ignore every order of their king to warn their precious prince on Earth. Loki didn't mean to keep them behind bars for the rest of their lives, though. He would set them free on the same day he would tell Thor the truth. That day still needed to come. For now, Loki thought it was better to wait.

For now he needed to focus on the boring speeches of the Captain of the Guard who always said exactly the same thing: Asgard couldn't be better off! During his rule, Loki had not suffered from one attack. It seemed they had run out of enemies or their enemies where hiding in the shadows, afraid after the great strength Asgard had shown. Only news about Thor's whereabouts brought a bit of variation in the young king's life. Not that his so called brother had the most interesting life, no, but news of Midgard (yes, even that puny world) was way more interesting than the boringness of Asgard.

Loki waited until the Captain left the throne room before letting out a bored sigh. The Captain had just informed him - surprise – nothing special or thrilling had happened during the past month on Midgard. But Loki was still very interested in Thor's life. Five years before, a patrol had come back to tell the young king Thor had become a father. A beautiful little girl was born and before Thor had had a choice, the Midgardian women had named her daughter Frigga. She named the girl after Loki's and Thor's mother who had died in order to protect the Aether which had hidden itself inside the Midgardian woman's body.
Ever since that day Loki had found special interest in the little girl. He wanted to know what she would become being the child of an Asgardian and a Midgardian. But he didn't get any useful information. Thor tried to hide whatever talents she had from the rest of the world.

Loki sighed again, got up from his throne and walked over to the window.
"Six years…," he muttered. Only six simple years ago, a breath in the life of a God, Loki had been imprisoned by his own brother. From the moment Frigga had died he had been scheming over a new, better plan. A plan of revenge. He knew his brother wanted revenge as much as he wanted, but he wasn't sure he would risk setting free his not to be trusted brother.
The plan was formed within days, but could only work if Thor set him free. Loki saw no way out and for the first time in his life he let his grief take over his mind. And then, out of nowhere, Thor's little, mortal girlfriend turned up, carrying her own problem. But Loki didn't really care anymore, to be honest he never would have imagined Thor going against his king like that. Anyway, he had to think fast when Thor came to him for help. In the end he faked his own death, returned to Asgard disguised as a simple guard and told Odin about his son's death. After that it was almost too easy to take his throne. Loki put an illusion of himself in his former cell while he took the throne, disguised as Odin. The only problem left was Thor. Not that Loki couldn't handle it, he had a whole new plan ready. He was going to arrest Thor for being a traitor against his king by freeing Loki, but as turned out Thor just refused the throne and left.

A month after that, still in disguise, Loki declared himself king. Loki was Odin's only son left and after Thor's little speech about Loki being a better ruler, things just turned out exactly the way Loki wanted.

Six years later and nothing had changed. The Asgardians still believed he same story. Thor freed Loki, defeated the Dark Elves, saved the Earth and the other realms and in the end he brought Loki back to Asgard. There he refused the throne and left to live on Midgard.

Everyone who could be a thread was locked away. Except for one: Heimdall. He guarded the Bifröst and protected Asgard from intruders. Heimdall could see what happened on other worlds and therefore he knew Loki had faked his death. Loki knew Heimdall didn't trust him in the slightest, but he also knew Heimdall would never go against his king. So fare, nothing had gone wrong between Loki and Heimdall.

"My King?" a voice sounded through the throne room.

Loki, who was lost in thoughts, turned around a little too quickly and almost started shouting at the guard who just entered, but he could stop himself just in time. Even after all this time he couldn't fully hide his former self.

"Excuse me, my King, I didn't mean to startle you," the young guard said quickly. Loki tried to smile, but it didn't really work out so he decided to just get to the point.

"Why are you here?" he asked making sure he sounded at least a bit friendly.

"I bring word from Heimdall, Sire. He requested a hearing with you."

Loki sighed. Heimdall had been watching him. He quickly nodded as a sign he would go to see Heimdall. Sometimes he had the feeling Heimdall could read his mind. Or was this just a coincidence? The guard didn't seem to notice his king's unusual behaviour and just kept talking.

"Shall I inform the stables, Sire? How many guards will accompany you?"

Loki thought for a moment and nodded again.
"Ready my horse and two other horses. I will arrive in a moment."

The guard bowed and left the room. Loki fetched his sceptre and followed.

"You two!" he commanded the two guards guarding the door leading to the throne room. "You will accompany me. I have to speak with Heimdall." The guards bowed and followed their king. Two other guards took their places at the door.

Ten minutes later Loki and the two guards left the palace. Outside, three horses were waiting. Loki greeted his steed by tapping on his neck.

"It's been a while…," he muttered.
The guard who had informed Loki stepped forward. He held up Loki's golden helmet.

"Aren't you going to wear your helmet, Sire?" he asked cautiously.
The guard knew Loki could just change his appearance at will, but since he never seemed to wear his helmet anymore, the Captain of the Guard had insisted to make an exact replica. But even then, their King refused to put it on.
Loki looked at his helmet. Immediately his head was filled with horrifying memories. He didn't really understand why his helmet in particular seemed to bring back all those memories. Loki had tried to wear it again, as it was a symbol of power, but after the first months of his reign, Loki had put it aside and never changed his appearance again.

"Not today!" he said shortly. He and the guards mounted their horses and set of in a swift gallop. Loki in the middle, the two guards either at one side of their king, right behind him.

The fellowship crossed the rainbow bridge leading to the Bifröst. When they reached the Bifröst, Loki slowed down and dismounted his horse.

"Wait here for my return. I have to speak with Heimdall alone," he demanded the guards before walking into the Bifröst.
Heimdall was standing in front, his sword held in both hands, point resting on the ground. His golden eyes pierced into the universe.

"You wanted to speak to me, Heimdall!" Loki called out. Heimdall didn't move until Loki was standing right beside him. He looked at his king and bowed his head.

"Indeed, my King. Forgive me for speaking out of turn, but I see it as my duty to speak my mind."

Loki shut his eyes for a second. He had a feeling he knew what was coming.
"No need to apologize, speak your mind Heimdall. What is bothering you?"

Heimdall waited a few seconds before continuing.
"It has been five years… With all due respect, Sire, but isn't it about time you tell your brother the truth?"

Loki smiled, but there was nothing friendly about his smile anymore.
"Thor is not my brother and I will decide myself when it's the right time to tell him!"

"The longer you wait, the harder it gets…", Heimdall muttered.

"Know your place, Heimdall!" Loki shouted before he could stop himself. Immediately he realised that he had just said the same thing Thor always used to shout at him. He wanted to take it back. Not because he pitied Heimdall, but because it made him feel like he was changing into his brother.

"My apologies, my King…," Heimdall said in a low voice.

"Was there anything else?" Loki asked trying to put the incident behind him.

"Yes, Sire, it's about the whereabouts of your father, the Allfather."

A new wave of anger accompanied by a great feeling of panic raced through the young king's body.
"Odin was never my father!" he hissed between clenched teeth. "What about him!"

"I know it's not of my concern, not anymore, but again, I must speak my mind!"
Heimdall waited for Loki's permission to speak but his king just looked at him with withholding rage.
"The Allfather suddenly disappeared from my view. He didn't die, I would see him entering Valhalla. The question that remains is: where is he then?"

For the first time Heimdall looked at Loki. His golden eyes pierced into his light grey eyes. Loki shivered. Again, he got the feeling Heimdall could read his thoughts. Loki found his courage and refused to break the eye contact. In a silent voice, almost a whisper, he answered.

"This is not of your concern indeed!"

Heimdall fixed his eyes on the universe before him.
"Please accept my apologies, my King", he said.

It remained silent for a few minutes. It was Loki who started speaking again.

"Tell me, Heimdall, do you trust me?" he asked.

Heimdall didn't move when he answered.
"It is not my job to question my king!"

Loki smiled again. No friendly touch to be found.
"Then answer me one question: has Asgard or any other realm suffered from attacks or threats under my rule?"

"No, my King…" Heimdall answered shortly.

"In that case I think I'm doing my job quite good. All I ask from you is to do yours!"

"Of course, my King!" Heimdall answered, the sarcasm in his voice noticeably.

"Excellent!"
Loki scowled. The conversation was finished. He was ready to leave, but something drew him back. Loki looked past Heimdall. The stars outside the Bifröst ogled. Loki looked behind him at the entrance of the Bifröst. For a second he saw himself dangling over the edge again. His father, no, Odin looked down at him.
"No, Loki!" Loki heard him say. Again a dark emptiness filled his heart. He felt how the will to live slowly left his body. His fingers lost the grip on the sceptre and then... Thor, screaming his name in agony...

The young king swallowed and looked back at Heimdall. Why go back to Asgard? It was only a place filled with bad memories and nightmares. Why go back if he could leave it all behind, even if only for one day?

Loki made up his mind. Asgard was in perfect hands. The Captain of the Guard was a good man and Loki would be back soon! Besides, Loki knew just the perfect place to go. He walked back to Heimdall.

"Heimdall, send me to Jotunheim. Tell the guards outside to leave my horse and to go back to the palace. The Captain of the Guard is in charge while I'm gone!"

Heimdall casted a suspicious look on Loki.
"May I ask what your business is on Jotunheim, my King?"

"No! You may not! Do as I say!" Loki demanded.

Heimdall walked towards the centre of the room and placed his sword in the hole there. The Bifrost started turning.
"As you wish, Sire!" With that said he pushed the sword deeper into the ground. Loki felled how the rainbow grabbed him and sucked him away from Asgard. Loki enjoyed the ride. It had been a long time! But before he knew it, his feet touched the ground again.

The first sign that showed something was not right was the fact that Loki didn't feel any cold. His concerns where conformed when the dust had disappeared. Loki found himself in the middle of nowhere. The sun was shining, the sky was blue. Somewhere in the far distance emerged a huge city. Loki looked at the soil beneath his feet. Sand… He sighed.
You've got to be kidding me! he thought. Loki looked up at the city in the distance. A city he knew as New York in a place he knew as Midgard...

So... That was the "official" start of my first fic! Hope you enjoyed it! Let me know...
The first few chapters are written, so all I have to do is a bit of editing... You can expect an update pretty soon! :)

And for those who set their hopes on a Lokane fic, I'm sorry, but this isn't one of them... The original ships stay the same...

Anyway.. review or correct me if needed... (I know, there're probably some really weird sentences to be found...)
and of course: ENJOY!

;) Rumple