Chapter Twenty-two: Unexpected Meetings

The funeral was beautifully tragic; a sight to behold. Emma had felt the weight of everyone's sadness including Thor's. All that she could do was place a hand on his arm in comfort and just as she was about to pull away Thor placed his other hand over hers and held it there. Everyone was burdened with the grief of their losses but none more so than Odin. He was blinded by grief. All he could see to do was lock up Emma after the funeral, basically imprisoning her, and to destroy as many elves as possible.

Thor knew there was another way of doing things and formed a plan with his warrior friends. It was treason, of course, but it was better than doing nothing at all or to do what Odin was doing. He needed another way out of Asgard and the only person who would be able to help him was Loki. As much as it pained him to admit it, Thor needed his brother. If Frigga had trusted Loki then Thor needed to try to as well. Jane and Emma had been sitting in their cell when Lady Sif had come to break them out. They both stared at her for a moment when she had knocked out their guard but they soon followed quickly to where Thor was waiting with Loki.

"You're Loki," Jane stated in shock.

"You've heard of me," Loki started to smile but stopped when Jane slapped him.

"That was for New York," Jane told him.

"A well deserved slap," Emma said in agreement, not bothering to hide her grin.

"Oh, I like her," Loki said, indicating that he was talking about Jane. "I have no clue who you are or why you are wearing one of Mother's necklaces."

He was suddenly very serious as he stared down at Emma, glaring at the necklace around her throat.

"Have care, brother, this is Emma Carter. She is my descendant and in the short time that she has been here she has managed to stand up to father and gain Mother's affections. Mother bestowed that necklace upon her," Thor replied.

"I can stand up for myself, Grandfather," she smiled softly at him and then turned to Loki with a serious expression on her face. " I am stronger than I look. You more than anyone should know what appearances, after all, can be deceiving. So, if you do anything to cross anyone of us then I will be sure to use the full force of my strength against you."

Loki's expression changed while Emma was threatening him. He wasn't sure what it was that surprised him so, maybe it was because she had reminded him so much of their mother in that moment. Loki's expression changed once more to that of affection.

"Sharp and small like a dagger, my favorite weapon of choice," Loki replied with a smile.

"Should I say thank you?" Emma asked.

"While it is indeed a compliment coming from Loki. . .I wouldn't," Thor replied with a small grin.

They boarded on of the elves' ships as Thor's friends bought them some time to try and get away. Loki did what he did best and pestered Thor as he was trying to figure out how to fly the ship. Emma was amazed that Thor could figure it out all with Loki buzzing in his ear like a gnat. If only he were actually a gnat then she could crush him with her foot and she grinned at the thought then stopped, that was quite a dark thought for her. The Aether was getting stronger within her and she felt a little faint. She decided to lay down.

It had been amusing to watch from where she was at as Thor pushed his brother off of the ship and down to the skiff below. Thor then wrapped both arms around both Jane and Emma, jumping down with them to the skiff to join Loki. The god of Mischief eventually led them to his secret getaway which it had been a very narrow escape. . .literally. Emma wasn't sure when she had fallen asleep but she had distinctly remembered Loki and Thor's voices before nodding off. The power inside of her was becoming too much. . .she couldn't wait for it to be over soon. Emma was woken up when they arrived at Malekith's ship. Things escalated from there.

Loki stabbed Thor, cut off his hand, and grabbed Emma to deliver her to the dark elf himself. She struggled against Loki to make it seem more real. After all, this why they were here. . . To trick Malekith. Jane kneeled over Thor, not catching onto the plan. Emma just hoped she wouldn't stab Loki, not yet at least. Pretty soon, Emma felt the power ebbing away from her as Malekith began to take control. She prayed this would work but her prayers went unanswered and the elf got control of the Aether. Malekith took off in his ship, leaving them behind to fight his minions.

Emma had no weapon on her until she stole one of the elves' weapons, fighting back using her strength to do so. They fought hard, the three of them fighting side by side until they defeated everyone of them. As hard as they fought, they were too late to save Loki from being stabbed by one of Malekith's minions. It was difficult to watch Thor say goodbye to his brother, anguishing at having lost both his mother and brother in one fell swoop. Emma held Thor's arm as they wondered into a nearby cave. She couldn't get images of what just happened. The images from the Aether. . .

"They are going to unleash it," Emma began. "Not just on Asgard or on a star. Malekith is going to destroy everything."

"How, Emma?" Thor asked in confusion.

"I saw him on Earth, why would he go to Earth?" she asked.

"The Convergence," Thor replied.

"Oh, God," Jane said in realization. "None of this would have happened if I hadn't found the Aether or tried to touch it. It should have been me in your shoes, Emma."

"Malekith would have found it only that much sooner," Thor reassured her.

"I only found it because I was looking for you," she told him truthfully.

Emma stood there awkwardly as they were about to kiss when Jane's phone started to ring. Relieved, they found their way back to Earth.