So... I know I said I would upload soon, but that obviously didn't happen :( I'm genuinely so ashamed of myself, and I can't say how sorry I am. But you just want to start reading, so enjoy!

Chapter 72

Loki kept his gaze locked on the walking form in front of him. Dale Goterson was leading them through the quiet hallways towards Lord Skati. The God of Mischief still wasn't entirely certain of their plan. Dale was going to "turn him in", claiming that he had indeed captured the real Loki and the one in the dungeons was fake. Hopefully, this way, they would be able to cause some doubt within the ranks and give Lord Skati enough reason to overthrow the young Jotün prince. Only a few minutes ago Loki had carefully used his illusion in the cells to deliver a message to the others containing the plan. He only hoped it arrived, since it was not that easy to use magic within the cells if you were outside. It had always been a safeguard. Only his mother had found a way through, but naturally she had not shared her knowledge with her mischievous son.

To make sure Loki's capture looked convincing, Loki had placed an illusion of chains around his wrists. It was too risky to try and send an entire illusion of himself towards Lord Skati since the first thing he'd probably do was check whether or not Dale's claims were honest. They would just have to make sure, he didn't check the chains. Somewhere else in the castle Loki was keeping up a few extra illusions as well. One was for Frigga and Jane to secure their safety while they escaped the palace. If the plan worked out, and the door in the dungeons would open, the palace would soon go in a full lockdown, so they had to leave. Since walking through the front gates was too risky, Loki had quickly explained how he had snuck out the palace before from his chambers. Hopefully they wouldn't run in to any Jotüns, but just in case, Loki had insisted they'd be under cover until they had left the palace grounds. Loki new that somewhere just outside the lower city walls, there was a portal leading to Vanaheim. If Jane and Frigga could make it, they'd be safe. If they couldn't make it before Heimdall disrupted the core, they could at least try to hide in the lower city.

The other, much harder task, was the illusion covering Heimdall. Since the Guardian had no idea where exactly the core was hidden, he was now randomly wandering the palace, making it a lot harder for Loki to focus on his illusion and keep it stable without precisely knowing where the Guardian was. As a result, Loki was starting to feel tired, dizzy and a headache was beginning to build up. He only hoped both he and Dale would be able to get away safely before Heimdall disrupted the core, effectively making any kind of magic impossible for a while. Their only safeguard was that a small force of warriors would be able to make it from the dungeons into the palace in time. Loki tried not to think about how much could go wrong, but panic was growing none the less. With every step he took, he became more and more certain their plan would fail. Much more time to ponder he didn't get, because they were closing in on their target. The few Frost Giants they'd already passed jerked their head in their direction, their ruby eyes glistening with hatred and questions.

Dale knew Lord Skati would be patrolling around the weapons vault, charged with keeping an eye on the casket. Since the Frost Giants last attempt to steal the casket, Odin had ordered a few extra spells to be place around it. Therefor the Jotüns couldn't remove it… for now… Dale only hoped they hadn't figured out a way to break the spells yet.

The closer they got to the vaults, the more shouting was heard.

"Then who placed the spells!" a low, angry voice rumbled towards them.

"I belief the Allfather must have placed most of them himself, my Lord Skati, perhaps the Guardian placed some others…," a female Jotün voice answered. A loud bark of frustration made the hallways tremble as Skati angrily knocked over one of Odin's treasures. Dale swallowed, but he didn't slow down, in fact the situation had just offered him an asset in their plan, so he marched into the weapon's vault and resolutely made his way over to the infuriated Skati. Loki nonchalantly followed in his wake, forcing any emotion to leave his features.

"My Lord Skati!", Dale called out, immediately dragging all attention to him and his prisoner. "I might have found a solution to your problem!"

Skati turned to the newcomers. Dale didn't even have to say another word. The moment everyone's attention was fixed on Loki, the whole room turned quiet.

"What is the meaning of this! Why is that murdering criminal not in his cell!" Skati barked loudly.

"Allow me to explain, my lord!" Dale answered with a short bow. Inside the ex-Captain was screaming, but he just managed to keep his fear at bay. "When you and your forces attacked the palace, I soon heard the news of the royal family's capture. However, I've known Loki long enough to always doubt his every move. To surrender this easily sparked my suspicion, so I went looking for clues on his whereabouts myself!"

Skati grunted and angrily eyed the man in front of him. "Are you suggesting we were fooled?" he asked harshly while his nostrils flared in anger. Loki could feel the temperature drop instantly. In all honesty, Skati genuinely scared him. It was obvious why he could be considered a threat to the throne. However, Loki could sense Dale was entering dangerous waters, so he quickly interfered.

"I personally belief the barren cold of Jotenheim is not very beneficial for brain cells, so I really wouldn't take it to harshly!" he said with a smirk.

Skati's blue skin almost turned purple, but Dale quickly took over again. "My Lord, I belief it was simply a mistake on the prince's, my apologies, King Visi's side. Perhaps his inexperience on these matters made him act to fast and without consideration."

Loki couldn't hide a smile on his lips while he watched Dale's words create doubt under Skati and his men.

"The one they belief to have captured in simply an illusion, my Lord. I found the real Loki trying to hide in the castle like the murdering cowered he is. I believed it was best to hand him over to you, instead of the King since we can't have another mistake like this. Loki is too dangerous to be left in the care of someone like him. You are far more experienced on Asgard and on Loki than any other."

Skati seemed to calm down a bit, yet his face stayed put in an angry scowl. Loki doubted it ever changed at all. For a moment all stayed quiet.

"How do we know this one isn't a fake like the other one?" the female Jotün next to Skati suddenly asked. "You too, Dale Gotarson, have been fooled by this villain!"

Dale swallowed, but quickly regained his posture."Indeed I have been!" he admitted in a strong voice while narrowing his eyes. "However, I am not about to make the same mistake again. This is the real Loki, you can check yourself!"

With that said, Dale took a step to the side, allowing the Jotüns to walk closer. Loki tensed up, but managed to remain calm. The female Jotün carefully scanned his body from top to bottom. Loki had the feeling she was familiar with at least some basic forms of magic, that was probably why she could tell who had placed the spells on the casket. The strong magic protecting the casket made other, simpler spells hard to detect, so Loki hoped she wouldn't sense his minor illusion. Luckily, she didn't seem to notice, since she carefully raised one blue finger and softly touched Loki's forehead.

"Solid as it gets, I suppose…," Loki joked without much emotion.

"Why would you allow yourself to be captured now?" Skati suddenly asked.

Loki smirked. "None of you ever accepted it," he started with a scowl, "But I was a king! I know when I have been defeated! I tried to find a way out before, but Asgard has fallen. I came to bargain! My life for Asgard! You get me, and you leave!"

For a moment no one responded, until a hoarse laugh filled the room. Skati seemed to enjoy the situation.

"You Asgardians never cease to amuse me!" he said. "I'll do you a better offer…," he continued. "You undo the spells on the casket, and I'll consider your previous begging!"

Loki scowled. "Even if I could undo the spells, how would that help my case?" he asked coldly.

"It wouldn't!" Skati said with a grin. "But then again, you're not exactly in a place to make demands…"

Loki bit his tongue as he thought over the possibilities. With the casket, The Jotüns would only get stronger, but Skati could use it to support his claim for power… And they were running short on time.

"Fine, I'll do it!" he said, faking his desperate surrender. "But you have to promise me to leave! I am certain Asgard and Jotunheim can continue to live in peace! You get me, and the casket, and Asgard goes free! You return to your home world and I swear you have Asgards promise to be left alone as long as you don't pose a threat to the other realms! If your Prince Visi doesn't understand that war will only bring ruin to both our realms, than he is not fit to lead!"

Skati smirked, but Loki could sense he had found something they agreed on. No answer came, so Loki finally made his way towards the casket. He carefully scanned the glowing box in front of him. The spells shielding it were indeed quite strong magic and Loki struggled keeping them apart. He was already tired from keeping so many illusions in place, but his fear for failure gave him the strength to keep going. The seconds crept forward as Loki slowly and carefully skimmed through the spells, steadily removing them one by one. Some were quite tricky, or existed out of ancient magic Loki hardly mastered. But after what seemed like an eternity the last spell finally slit out of place. Loki breathed out in relief while dark spots started appearing in the corners of his view. He stumbled backwards and groaned. The air was still filled with traces of the strong magic and Loki hoped it would be enough to keep shielding his own illusion. He desperately tried focusing on his other illusions in the castle. Jane and Frigga seemed quite fare away already, so he allowed himself to drop that one. He couldn't find Heimdall and hoped he hadn't lost focus on his illusion. But those were problems for later. Skati roughly dragged Loki to the side while he closed his hands around the handles of the casket. Immediately Loki could sense the Jotüns gaining strength. Skati laughed shortly and turned to his men. "Finally!" he shouted. The room filled with excited shouts of victory.

After a few minutes the cries died out. Skati's ruby eyes rested on Loki, while his mind went back over the words he'd heard before.

Dale and Loki held their breath in fear, knowing that all could be lost in seconds, but at last, Skati seemed to give in.

"Men!" he shouted. "I belief we have enough proof that Prince Visi is not a fit leader! He failed to captured the murderer of his parents, nor understand the dangers he is exposing his people too as he wishes to take over Asgard! I say we return home! With the power of the casket we can build up our world stronger than before! Who's with me!"

For a few seconds all remained quiet, but there was never any doubt among Skati's men. Within the next minutes Loki and Dale were led out of the weapons' vault towards the throne room where Visi would be waiting. Along the way, Skati and his men gathered more followers, eagerly taking Skati's plan's of greatness over Visi's vague dreams of taking over Asgard when their own world could be rebuild. By the time they reached the throne room, Loki could already sense the friction between groups that was building up, slowly yet steadily. Word was travelling across the hallways and was hopefully already starting to build up doubt within the dungeons.

Skati marched in the throne room holding the casket in front of him. Visi, who had taken a seat on the throne rose to his feet. He was young and undoubtedly smaller then the average Frost Giant and Loki started wondering whether or not it was just a family trade and he himself had simply be too small to even be recognized as a Giant in the first place. Nevertheless, Visi still towered above him and Dale, so maybe his Farbauti had decided to give her second son a chance after all.

"My Lord Skati!" he called out. "I see you have succeeded in bringing me the casket! Now we can begin…," but his words died out when his eye fell on Loki.

"What is that murdering monster doing here!" he exclaimed infuriated and full of hate. Again the room grew colder. Visi's ruby eyes shone bright with pure hatred for the murder on both his parents. He raised his hands, ready to strike Loki on the spot. Immediately Loki felt an ice cold stabbing fill his being, but before Visi's attack could reach it's full power, he was interrupted by Lord Skati.

"The one in the dungeons, the one you captured, was a fake! You were too quick to belief you had captured the whole royal household! A mistake that could have had severe consequences knowing this cowards background!" he said with a short nod towards Loki. The God of Mischief had fallen to the ground and was gasping for breath after Visi's attack. Even though it had only lasted for a second, Loki immediately understood just how powerful the Jotüns would be with the casket. While the conversation continued above his head, Loki desperately searched the room for a way out. Any second now, Heimdall could disrupt the core. More and more Frost Giants had started to fill the room while the shouting continued.

"You cannot take power!" Visi suddenly roared over everyone's heads. "I am the rightful heir! I am the king!"

"You are blinded by hatred for one man, you don't see the bigger picture!" Skati shouted in response. "You will get us all killed eventually! I say we return home with the casket, regroup, grow to the mighty people we once were and then we can attack the realms!"

"We have Asgard in our grasp!" Visi threw back. A low murmuring sound filled the room as his followers agreed. "If we run home now, The Allfather will attack once more and destroy us all! We must act now!"

"We have knowledge on portals, the Allfather does not and the only Asgardians who do are either at our side, of within our clutches! We have the upper hand, none of our people need to die today! As we speak, Asgard's allies are probably allying their forces and the Guardian is still at large! Who knows what threat he poses? If we retreat now we can return stronger and mightier than the Allfather has ever been!"

Loud shouts of agreement filled the room. Immediately the shouts turned into fighting as the two camps launched themselves at each other. Loki could feel the danger rising. He exchanged glares with Dale and nodded almost invisibly towards the exit. Loki had placed an invisibility charm over them and carefully, yet steadily started making his way through the fighting crowd before anyone would notice the two Asgardians missing. More then once they had to dodge blasts of ice being thrown over their heads. The temperature in the room had reached a minimum, but the two men stayed warm as their fear and adrenaline kept them going. Finally they reached the exit and Loki led the way sprinting towards the dungeons, hoping most Jotüns would have left already and they would reach them before Heimdall would disrupt the core. Sadly enough, fate wasn't on their side, because a few seconds later, a loud shouting could be heard behind them.

"He escaped, the murderer escaped!"

Loki looked over his shoulder while skilfully avoiding the Frost Giants who were fighting in the hallways. A group, led by Skati, had started the pursuit. His female friend pointed in their direction. "I can sense them ahead, my lord!" she shouted, her ruby eye digging right through the invisibility illusion straight into Loki's.

"They know we're here!" Dale shouted. Loki nodded and started running even faster. By the looks of it, most of the Frost Giants had joined the fight in the palace, so hopefully the dungeons would be safe… the only problem was that they were obviously followed.

"We should try lead them astray!" Loki shouted, while taking a turn to the gardens.

"That will get us killed!" Dale shouted infuriated.

"If we lead them to the dungeons everyone will be in danger!" Loki threw back. But Dale didn't listen. He suddenly stopped in his tracks. "I am not dying today!" he spat out. "I will see my daughter again!" he turned on his heels and retraced his steps towards the dungeons.

"Dale, damn it! Don't!" Loki shouted, but it was in vain. The ex-Captain left the protective circle of Loki's invisibility illusion. When his path crossed Loki's pursuers he quickly pointed in Loki's direction. "The murderer ran that way! To the gardens!" he shouted. Loki froze for a moment, but it didn't last long. Before he knew it, his legs were carrying him away, until suddenly…

With a loud roar, the whole castle trembled. Walls cracked, floors opened up and columns came crashing down as a unexpected earthquake ripped through the entire realm. But Loki had other problems. From one moment to the next he felt his power drain. With a sickening feeling, he sank to the ground, while the whole world started turning around him. His illusion dissolved and Loki felt as his entire body was about to fall apart. The Jotüns clearly felt the same. His pursuers struggled getting back on their feet, so Loki took his chance. With all his might he tried to keep moving, but his legs just wouldn't cooperate. Heimdall had disrupted the core and Loki knew this feeling would only be temporary, yet he didn't know just how long that would be. Since his legs didn't seem to function, Loki just dragged himself over the floor, as far away from Lord Skati and his followers, but it was in vain. Loki's head slowly started clearing up, but by the time he had reached the corner of a hallway and finally found a way to get back on his feet, his pursuers had almost caught up with him. In his panic, Loki tried to blast them away, but obviously nothing happened. His mind as racing, trying desperately to come up with a solution, until suddenly a loud uproar filled the hallways, only this time it was coming from the charging golden forces of Asgard. Loki breathed out in relief and felt his heart jump when his eyes fell on the black silhouette of Arya leading the charge. With the crashing sound of metal hitting ice, the battle started again. The Frost Giants quickly realised something had disrupted their ability to use the power of the casket. They were as good as powerless. Screaming filled the hallways as many of the Jotüns scattered, desperate to get out of the palace, but every doorway they tried was locked. Loki's sense of victory didn't last though, because Skati was not one to surrender so simply nor flee. His ruby eyes locked on Loki.

"You… You set this all up! It was a trap!"

Loki laughed even though his entire body was aching and he felt exhausted. "Trickster…," he said with a grin while gesturing to himself. Skati and his men didn't seem very amused and attacked as one.

"You will suffer for this, Asgardian!" Skati shouted. He'd cast aside the now useless casket and went in for an attack until a dark arrow suddenly buried itself in his shoulder. Skati roared in pain as he turned to his assailant. Arya jumped up from behind him and planted her dagger deep in his chest. Skati screamed, but the light in his ruby eyes had died before he hit the ground.

"Find your own boyfriend, creep!" she spat at the lifeless corps while pulling out her dagger. She was soon joined by Thor and Fandral.

"Having fun without us?" the golden warrior asked with a grin.

"You look dreadful, brother!" Thor added. Loki rolled his eyes, but smiled.

"You took your time!" he threw back.

With that said the four of them threw themselves on the Frost Giants. But the battle was harsh. Even without their power over ice, Frost Giants were still superior in strength. Although many had chosen to flee, other stood their ground. The four warrior were soon separated and fought for their lives. Loki's eyes never left the fighting silhouette of his girlfriend, but she was getting further and further away from him. Even though he knew she was currently far more capable of protecting herself then he was, Loki couldn't help worrying. In his absent-mindedness Loki didn't notice the female Frost Giant from before charge behind him.

"Loki!" Arya's voice suddenly sounded. Loki turned to her in fear and barely managed to duck when one of Arya's arrows flew over his head and buried itself in his attacker. He looked up and wanted to throw a cheeky smile at his girlfriend, but what he saw made his heart run cold. A new Frost Giant suddenly appeared behind Arya and brought down a blade he had found scattered on the floor. Loki acted on instinct as he grabbed one of his own daggers and quickly threw it in Arya's direction, but even before his fingers had left the cold metal of the blade, he knew he was to late…

Okidoki... Not that long, I know, you guys really deserve better! But I couldn't help myself with such a cliff hanger ;p

I'm currently going straight for the destructive forces of my examens, so I'm gonna be super busy. I don't know when I'll be able to write, but I'll try.

Anyhow, have a wonderful day!

PS: If you've seen Endgame, let me know what you thought, but obviously NO SPOILERS PEOPLE!

(I THINK IT WAS AMAZING, I'M STILL DYING THOUGH!)