Hi. Whether you've skipped here from chapter 1, 2, or decided not to skip, from here is where the real story begins. I hope you enjoy! 3

Loki stared at the blue and green planet before him. It looked like a marble. He sat, panting for breath, having just used a significant amount of his magic to travel to Earth, since the pod was not capable of traveling over long distances of space quickly without external help. Now, he took a deep breath and ignored the fatigue that started settling on him. He needed to get to work. He allowed himself a few more minutes of rest, before he again summoned his magic. Closing his eyes and focusing, Loki cast out his magic like a net, onto the planet before him. He felt it settle on a small portion, and Loki guided it around, until finally he felt his magic tingling and he knew he'd found them.

Opening his eyes, he pinpointed the area and set off, guiding the pod into the atmosphere. It wasn't until he had entered it did he realize the pod wasn't built for landings. Loki swore aloud in Norse, cursing himself for not thinking of it earlier. It was too late to turn back and Loki could feel panic begin to settle in. Focus. Stay calm. He could see the exterior of the pod heating up and things began rattling against the metal wall as the pod sped towards the ground. Loki felt his stomach lurching as the pod finally broke through the clouds. A massive expanse of forest and plains greeted him, and for a moment Loki was slightly confused. Until he felt his magic warning him, and he saw the faintest glint. Loki frowned and swore. What was that Midgardian swear word again? Ah yes.

"Shit."

Loki stared at the tiny patch of green forest that was quickly expanding as he neared it. He could see through an illusion anywhere-or at least something of the sort. This "green forest" wasn't merely that-there was an invisible shield around it, cloaking it. He chided himself. Of course he should have expected something like this. Of course Earth's Mightiest Heroes aren't just going to hide out in a random forest on earth. Of course they would choose a secret hideout. Nevertheless, I was unaware Earth's technology had advanced to this stage...

Loki's mind whirred as he pulled at the controls, trying to slow the pod. Now he could see some burning, twisted pieces of metal and debris seemingly floating in the air, but he knew there was a dome shield blocking it. He shuddered. That was not what he wanted to be in. He gritted his teeth. There was nothing he could do now. The pod was moving too fast to stop, he'd have to try something else. Thinking quickly, he cast out his magic again; sweeping over the vast expanse of green and brown and...grey? It was then Loki noticed the large, metal structures that looked like the massive point of an arrow. But he knew what it was, and he knew what it contained. He could feel the fear seeping into his heart without his consent. He could hear his own screams, feel their claws ripping at his flesh, taste and smell the freshly spilled blood that was his own...

Loki shook his head, wiping the sweat on his forehead. He had to focus. They were already here, there wasn't anymore time. Quickly, he found what he was looking for: an image of 2 figures standing next to a dome appeared in his mind. He frowned. He would have expected at least 3 of them, but the less the better. The pod was speeding so fast towards the ground he could hear the roaring of the wind outside it, he could see the exterior burning up and everything was shaking and rattling. Taking a deep breath, he pulled hard at the controls, trying to slow the pod. It barely did. Changing tactics, he jerked the controls to the right, slowly guiding it towards the location of the two figures. Now he could see the shield quite clearly, for some reason its cloaking had deactivated, and the treetops were merely a few feet away from his pod, and Loki knew it was time. If his plan worked he should be able to land unharmed; if it didn't...hell, he was probably going to die later anyway, if he died so be it.

He stood up, nearly falling over as the pod lurched forward. With a final glance out the cockpit and a glimpse of the two figures-if his eyes didn't deceive him they were Cull Obsidian and Proxima Midnight-Loki gripped the door and yanked it open. The wind whipped at his hair and he could feel the heat from the burning metal, but he didn't have a second thought as he leapt out of the pod. Hands outstretched and ready, he summoned his magic and muttered out the incantations he had been going over in his head. He heard the pod crashing into the shield, heard it destroyed and torn apart, felt a twisted bit tear his skin, even as he closed his eyes and said the final word.

His heart beat loudly in his ears as he opened his eyes. Smirking, Loki ignored the incessant pains throughout his body from his previous injuries and landed firmly on his feet, knees crouched and hair hanging over his face, his hands stretching out in one fluid motion as his trusty daggers slipped into their grasps. He smiled even as he felt his own warm blood trickle down the side of his face. So much for dramatic entrances. Slowly, he stood to his full height, his emerald cape waving gently in the wind and his hair slowly falling behind him, revealing his smirk as his eyes landed on the figures in front of him.

"Surprise, b*tches." Loki flung out his daggers before they had time to react, and he heard the satisfying sound of them burying into flesh and their angry cries. Burning debris from the pod still rained down on them as their startled faces were replaced with utterly furious, dirty glares. And Obsidian pulled out the dagger embedded in his shoulder and tossed it aside, while Proxima gingerly touched the bloody cut on her face, where the dagger had grazed her skin. Loki had to give her credit for being so quick.

"You!" Proxima nearly shrieked, and Loki cackled wildly at that. He smiled devilishly and pointed another one of his materialized knives at her, speaking in a dangerously pleasant tone.

"Yes, Proxima dear, it is I. Miss me?" Proxima's glare intensified two folds.

"You should be dead! Father killed you!" She spat venomously, but Loki laughed.

" Surely you didn't think ridding me would be that simple? After all, I am the god of mischief and lies, would I be so foolish as to attack the Mad Titan with nothing more than a knife?" Loki raised his knife and smirked at her mockingly. With a growl, he swung it forward, attacking her. As their blades connected, they pushed against them, glaring at each other. Proxima glared, stunned, at him, before finally breaking into an evil smile.

"Does it still hurt, liesmith? How did it feel to have the life slowly squeezed out of you, slowly, excruciatingly, shattered. How'd it feel to be left behind on that burning ship, mercilessly." Loki's smirk vanished immediately, replaced by a furious glare and a snarl even as he fought to suppress a flinch and his neck throbbed. He suddenly stopped pushing and Proxima stumbled before he pushed her back, stepping away. Proxima continued on, smile widening. She gestured with her hand.

"Where lies your pathetic brother? Abandoning you here, alone-..."

"DO NOT speak of my brother that way!" Loki shouted, glaring deathly at her without blinking, green magic swirling around his clenched fists as he felt the pain and anger well up inside him. She just smiled.

"Ah, so the pathetic god is gone. Tell me, how do you feel, seeing as his and your people's downfall was caused by you?" Loki gritted his teeth. Every word she said was true, he couldn't deny it. He growled.

"Thanos will pay for what he's done. So will you." They exchanged glares and Obsidian pounded his fist on his other hand. Their faces were an inch apart. Her face was twisted threateningly.

"And you shall pay for your past failures in your blood and screams." They glared at each other and there was a tense silence...

Loki struck out, like a snake that had been poised to attack. His dagger sliced at her stomach, but was quickly blocked by her sword. Snarling, they exchanged blows so fast it was hard to follow. Finally, Proxima saw her chance and sliced at him. Even as Loki drew back he felt metal bite into his skin and he hissed in pain as blood trickled down his arm. He leapt aside and rolled backwards, narrowly avoiding Obsidian. Proxima hissed at him from her slightly crouched defensive position.

"It is too late. You cannot stop what is coming. Father will get what he wants. After all, what's a little trickster like you going to do to stop this?" She mocked before charging at Loki with a loud battle cry, her companion pounding along beside her. But as they charged at Loki, Loki stood calmly and unfazed without moving. Proxima threw her sword straight towards Loki's heart, but as it flew towards him Loki stepped back and through the shield. He felt as if he was stepping through a sheet of iced water, but he smiled internally when he looked up to see the blade colliding with the shield before rebounding backwards. Proxima froze, stunned, before sneering at Loki behind the shield.

"Your tricks have improved, liesmith, but I thought you would have learnt by now. Illusions and trickery get you nowhere. You will not win this war." Loki stared expressionlessly at her.

"We'll see about that." He said, taking another step back. Proxima smiled.

"This war...a war you helped create...you hope to stop it? You've had your fair share of causing this chaos, you've played your part in this. Do you not remember? Oh. Of course you don't. You were his favourite little pet. And you still are." Loki's jaw tightened.

"After all, there was a time even you swore loyalty to our father...brother." Proxima was smiling wildly now, and she gestured behind him. Loki felt his stomach drop. Slowly, he turned to face the people he knew were there yet he'd completely missed. Standing there, armed and cautious stood a blonde Black Widow and a bearded Captain America, significantly different from the last time he saw them, although they both glared at him. Next to them stood a man dressed in a cat suit that he did not recognize, and behind them he could see the vast army of people readied for battle...for war. Loki could hear Proxima's amused laughter.

"Loki." Black Widow's voice was filled with contempt and bitterness, and Loki could feel the grimness of the situation. Maybe he had made a mistake coming to Earth. He tried smiling at them as he stepped towards them.

"Ah, here's the real reason I-..." all of them raised their weapons, poised to attack, and he took a step back, raising his hands. Loki opened his mouth to speak, but stopped when the man he didn't know took a step forward and claws shot out of the tips of his fingers.

"Wakanda is protected by the most advanced technology. Not even their ships could pass through. How did you get in?" The man had a thick accent and his tone was suspicious and commanding, with a hint of pride for his apparent home, and was clearly connected to this place. Hmmm...military...or royalty maybe?

"Yes, how did you get in? And how have you evaded death once again? I'm sure father would be curious to know." Proxima said with a wide smile and Loki glared at her before turning to the heroes.

"That is not important as of now. Thanos is coming, he wants the infinity stones. His army is coming and...-" Loki started but was interrupted by Proxima.

"Does he lie? Lie, like he always does? Say what you want, trickster, but they will not believe a word you say. And now your time is up, and we must return to fulfilling our father's wish. Tell us what you've learnt about them when you return to us, brother." Proxima smiled widely as she and Obsidian stepped back. Loki whipped around, knives materializing in hand. And although he knew they would not penetrate the shield he threw them at her.

"Be silent! I am not your brother! I do not work for you or your master!" He screamed venemously, but Proxima just sneered as she continued stepping backwards. Loki turned around, heart pounding in his ears as they slowly approached him. Anger in his heart burned towards Proxima, and he swore to kill her; but even so he knew her words already affected the heroes, and now he would have more difficulty persuading them to listen to him. He took a step back.

"Now..hold on one moment." Loki said, raising his hands, but the cat-man pounced at him, and Loki could feel the sweat on his head as he leapt aside, narrowly avoiding his claws. And suddenly he was bombarded with a barrage of punches and kicks from all 3, that only centuries of experience had helped him dodge. But even so, he knew his body was still weak and hadn't recovered fully from his injuries.

Weak! Pathetic! Even as his mind screamed at himself, Loki felt claws dig into his arm and he hissed in pain again. Knowing he had to put some distance between them, he stepped back quickly and veiled himself in invisibility, before quickly running ahead of them, away from the shield. The war was starting, and there was nothing he could do. Finally, he dropped his invisibility, and just as he hoped, they turned around and chased him. He'd led them away from the shield. He sighed in relief. I don't know if the shield will hold against the beasts, but at least their safe for now.

Running, he stopped as he neared the army of people, a man with a metal arm, a giant one of Stark's metal suits he vaguely remembered was called 'hulkbuster', a man with wings and another man with a similar suit to Stark's. Loki sighed. More unfamiliar people means a harder time convincing them because he was sure all these people remembered about him was the attack on New York. He could hear the pounding of their footsteps behind him, yet he could see the offensive stances of those in front of him.

Great. Perfect. Just brilliant, Loki. Why don't you go to the planet you're most hated on. Even better, why don't you go find the people on that very planet that hate you the most. Excellent idea, Loki, jus-... his thoughts were interrupted as someone pounced onto him and he grunted as he fell forward onto the ground. Rolling over, he pushed the person off, kicking him firmly with both legs. Shit I hit someone. Norns, this is hard. Oh, brother, you had to go make friends with these kind of people, didn't you? He heard a thud as the person fell onto the ground next to him, and Loki now lay on his back.

"Ah! Apologies, I didn't mean to-" But before he could get up, two sharp spears were crossed and held at his neck, forcing him to stay down, and he felt cold metal slapped onto his wrists. Loki stared up at Black Widow and internally cringed, before raising his cuffed hands. The action, however, proved to worsen the situation as she tightened her grip on her blades and thrust them closer. Loki could feel the cool metal beginning to bite into his neck and he winced. Realizing his daggers were still in hand, he opened his palms and they fell out, disappearing in a shimmer of green before they touched the ground. He sucked in a deep breath of air, raising his hands defensively again.

"Wait! I'm...I'm on your side!" Black Widow's glare hardened.

"Yeah right. You're supposed to be on Asgard-..." Loki stiffened as the words opened a floodgate of memories he tried to keep contained.

"Asgard is gone, destroyed, it's people decimated. I am but one of the few survivors left." Loki said, dropping his gaze, but she only readjusted her grip on her weapons.

"Where's Thor?" This time the question come from the Captain, standing a little behind Black Widow.

"I see you all have changed, have ya? Had a little makeover-..."

"What did you do to him? Did you kill him?" She sneered but Loki's patience snapped at that.

"I did not kill him, they di-..he's not dead, stop saying he's dead! Do you all so wish him to be? Do you really think I would come back to this Hel of a planet if it weren't because of my brother? I know not where he is but my brother is alive, and he'll be here...He has to be." Loki knew he probably sounded pathetic and his gaze hardened.

"And we are wasting time! Thanos is coming, his children are already here-..."

"Yeah and you're one of them." Cap's voice was stern and hard and Loki sighed, desperately trying to get up but crying out as the blades bit into his neck and began to draw blood. He iwinced.

"I...I am not one of them, at least not anymore...depending on the definition of 'children'...You must listen to me, they are about to strike! They are going to send out their army you must-..." Loki was interrupted by a familiar voice.

"Loki? Is that you?" The giant orange metal suit stepped forward into his view, and Loki felt relief flooding him.

"Bruce?" He asked hoping his ears did not deceive him. The armour opened at the top to reveal the familiar doctor.

"Yeah yeah, one of your friends sent me here as the hulk, I think. You're alive?! How did you get here?" Loki stared in shock at him.

"He's dead. Heimdall's dead. So are most our people. All that is left is aboard a ship in-..." Loki's voice was low and emotionless before he stopped abruptly, eyes darting up and around wildly.

"We are out of time. Banner, Bruce! Help me out here! Ack, please, we have no time!" Loki's hands reached for his neck, feeling the pain beginning to intensify. His words must have struck something as Bruce turned to his companions.

"Wait, guys, hold on. Loki's on our side now. He fought against his evil sister back on Asgard when I was stuck there as hulk." All heads turned to Bruce and stared at him. Black widow shook her head.

" Cognitive recalibration, Loki's done something to him we need-..." Banner stepped back.

"No! Don't touch Bruce, don't you touch him! He's done nothing. I'm not controlling him! I can't anyway, not without the scepter which you have." Loki shouted, feeling his heart race against his chest.

"We have no more time! Their about to send out an army of..of..creatures! Countless numbers, far outnumbering everyone here. Mindless beasts with no other purpose besides what they were created to do: to destroy, kill, conquer; regardless the cost. They'll get through that shield one way or another. They'll surround us and overwhelm us. You can't let them get behind us-...Oh Hel! Just let me up, we're wasting time!" Loki shouted in frustration before wincing in pain again. Before anyone could reply a loud rumbling good be heard and the ground was vibrating.

"Err...guys I'm detecting multiple heat signatures breaking through the tree-..." the rest of the words went unheard to Loki as reality was tuned out. He could hear his heart roaring in his ears, could literally feel the colour leave his face and the blood just rushing in his veins.

They're here. They're here.