Over the next week, Loki read the novel Xavier had 'assigned' to him. Xavier would have been disappointed if he hadn't completed the book and he had much to his own surprise, struggled to the end. He also ended up reading "Oliver Twist" as recommended by Doctor Strange.

When they met in the library for their weekly 'session', Xavier steepled his hands together.

"So Loki, have you finished the novel?" When Loki nodded, he continued, "And...how did you like it?"

Loki snorted, "It's utterly incredible how much unnecessary drivel is in it." He snapped, drumming his fingers on the side table. "Why would the author placed so much stock in background details?"

"That's not what I meant. How did you enjoy the story itself?" Xavier cut off the rant with another question.

Loki looked nonchalant, "Valjean's redemption is not infeasible I suppose, given the time period in which the story took place. Are people as hypocritical and intolerant now as they were during that time?"

"Well, not really." Xavier answered cautiously, "Many people today have relationships that result in a child without being married. As to felons, well, it depends on what crime was committed and what job they seek. But there are more jobs than back in the 19th century. But sometimes it's still difficult for them to receive a second chance at life and set themselves straight again. "

A pause ensued and then, Xavier added, "And of course, adoptions are extremely common in literature as well as in the real world." Xavier nodded to the book in his hand, "There's Valjean; he took in Cosette, and they taught one another to love again. In Anne of Green Gables, the title character Anne is reluctantly taken in by an older brother and sister who ultimately learn to love her as their own. It's a story very much like your own, Loki."

Loki turned sharply, his eyes hardening as he began to speak. "Ah, but then there are tales such as with Oliver Twist. The criminal Fagin exploited the boys for his own means; instructing them to become thieves and hoarding their ill-gotten gains and addressing them as 'my dears' to instill a distorted sense that he genuinely cared about them."

Xavier nodded, "True. I've accepted a few students who have been...ill-treated at the hands of their parents, adopted or not. Mostly because of the X-gene that gave them a mutation or power. It frightens them that their child is not normal or will not be treated as such by society. That's why they come to the Institute. The children are disciplined in understanding that it is not what defines them. "

Loki seemed to consider this before Xavier established another line of inquiry.

"You told me that he considered you both worthy of ruling Asgard. And that his punishments were befitting a king to a prince and son." Xavier said, shifting the subject.

Loki nodded, "It was so for both Thor and I." he admitted quietly. "I have the same sort of prowess with daggers as Thor has with Mjolnir."

"And your mother?" Xavier inquired.

Loki's head rose at the mention of Frigga, "She tried to be firm but gentle with both of us and compel us to understand what we did was immoral." Loki put a hand to his forehead and uttered an abrupt laugh. "I seem to vaguely recall one night, I showed up to a feast and pretty much insulted everyone after having gotten drunk; with the exception of Mother. I'm surprised Heimdall didn't punt me halfway across Asgard for I said. Norns, I'm surprised Thor didn't either, for that matter. Odin sentenced me to a flogging, and I was not to consume any alcohol for one Midgardian year." *

Xavier's eyebrows rose at this, "Didn't your mother object? Or Thor?"

Loki nodded, "Frigga did, all for naught. Odin's word is irrevocable, especially when it came to punishment. Mother-mother and Eir cared for my wounds afterwards, but Thor...Thor didn't speak to me for a fortnight after what I had done." Loki leaned back in the chair not looking at Xavier, but rather stared out the window.

"And how old were you then?" The professor asked.

"1006..about 15 of your Midgardian years. " Silence reigned for a moment before Loki spoke again. "There was no one but Thor and the Warriors Three that were my age, except Amora. But she had been banished back to her homeland by Odin for her attempt to sew chaos. "

"So, you nevertheless consider Thor to be your brother, do you not? It is possible he recognized some of the good in you that you don't see in yourself."

Loki felt the tears begin to prickle behind his eyes. "He knew how overwrought I was at my-our mother's death. He perhaps believed that once we avenged her, I would return to my evildoing...and no longer trusted me. The black hole bomb used by Kursed began to suck me in after I knocked his woman out of the way, and he saved me. Kursed was pummeling him, so I thwarted him. I didn't-I didn't expect to die, but I detected the anguish in his voice as I faded away.

He took a steadying breath and added, "My magic spared me. I healed that enough when the Einherjar arrived to search for us, I merely disguised myself as one and returned to the palace. I foolishly thought that the All-Father would mourn my loss, his tone of voice…he almost sounded mournful. But when I revealed myself…" His breathing became rapid, his heartbeat quickened in his chest. Suddenly the room was extremely warm, too hostile. Sweat beaded down his temples as the memories of blood and screams from both Odin and Thor as he lay there, wounded flashed in his mind. He could recall the shocked face of his brother, trying to plead for help…

"Loki….." The voice of the professor pierced through the memory. "Loki, you're alright, you're safe on Earth. We're in Doctor Strange's home. I need you to take some deep breaths...in...out…"

After a few long minutes, the air began to clear; he could see Xavier, his breaths becoming deeper and more normal. Exhaustion induced him to sag back in the chair, willing his stomach to unknot itself and his heart to palpitate in a steady rhythm again. Next to him stood Wong, equally concerned. Loki wondered when he had arrived but set it down to not being aware of anything in his moment of panic. His head swam but soon this too, lightened a little.

A few tears of embarrassment at what had happened and the memory that triggered it, fell. Loki cleared his throat and uttered a hoarse, "I-I'm sorry."

Xavier looked serious, "No, I'm sorry that I caused you to recall that moment. That was not at all my intention. I think that we will not carry on any further today." He spoke to Wong, "Take him up to his room and allow him to get some rest. I don't think we should have any more sessions this week."

Loki could do nothing but sag against Wong who aided him up the stairs. He hazily understood his shoes had been removed and had been helped to lay down. The curtains were closed, allowing the darkness to engulf the room. Wong had wished him well before exiting the room. Loki recalled the warmth and safety he had felt not only in his mother's arms but in Thor's presence as well.

His eyes closed, as he recalled what his chamber looked like on Asgard. In his mind's eye, he saw his four-poster bed with its emerald coverings, at the books lining his shelves that were filled with magic and academia that interested him. The white curtains hanging in the window fluttered in a light breeze. On his desk sat even more tomes, parchment, ink and quills.

After a long time, the former god could recognize the gift he'd received on his last name day. He had been escorted down to Agard's vaults where the most precious of treasure were held.

Its golden hilt glittered in the torch light as they approached, a sword that had the shape of a dagger etched into its blade was mounted above a much older looking one. Father….Odin had called it Gram-the Sword of Truth. Loki had snorted silently at this when his eyes fell upon it the first time. The Trickster God wielding a sword of truth seemed odd…unnatural in nature. Had this been forged in hopes he'd amend his untruthful ways?

"Loki," Odin had proclaimed, "The keys to unlocking this sword are the powers of journeys, endurance, secrets, new beginnings, and brotherhood. Unlock these, and you will be competent enough to wield Gram's power."

Loki hugged his knees to his forehead. He could never return to Asgard, and perhaps would never reconcile with Thor. The Mad Titan would hunt him down and take his life. In some ways, he had started unlocking these keys, but he feared a complete redemption would never come.

TBC...