Summary: When four meet, a huge argument ensues, and truths unfold. Cue the tense music!
Tired and famished after their successful battle, Thor and the other Avengers arrived home. They talked eagerly about their roles in the conflict as they ate pizza.
"Who the hell did the Ultragladiators think they were?" grumped Tony, while taking another bite of his food.
The huge gladiators of Pollux Beta had arrived through a portal itching for a fight. Thor, Cap, Tony and Hulk easily knocked them down a peg; with the help of some well-aimed shots by Nat and Clint. The potential aggressors were soon beaten and retreated precipitously back into the portal from which they came. The damage on New York City had been minimal, as they had led the monsters into Central Park. But Tony had a feeling he'd be 'donating' (in other words paying) for the damage anyway. Oh well, all part of being a billionaire philanthropist.
"Did you see that one cross his eyes and tried to get my arrow out of his forehead?" Clint laughed, lifting his beer in a cheer.
"That only fell after Cap decapitated it." Tony added.
"I threw that monster half-way across the park!" Thor exclaimed, taking a deep draft of beer.
"Who here had to dodge the flying monster hit by Thor?" Nat asked in a sarcastic tone, while she, Tony and Clint raised their hands.
"Aye, but it was a glorious bout indeed!" The Thunder God announced in his usual boisterous tone and laughed.
All of the merriment ended when a loud boom resounded from the roof of the Tower. All of them had prepared for an attack in a matter of moments.
"What the hell was that?!" Tony groused. "I hope those idiot Eldritch wrestlers didn't come back for round two."
Cap's shield was in his hand. Tony's armor was already on, and Thor's hammer had been called to his hand by the time JARVIS had announced someone was on the roof.
"Who's our uninvited guest, Jarv?" Bruce inquired, waiting to be given the cue to go green.
There was a pause before the A.I. replied. "Odin of Asgard. He wishes to speak with Mr. Odinson. "
The relief was palpable as they all holstered their weapons. "Allow him entry, voice in the wall." Thor ordered.
A minute later, Odin arrived in the living room, his face unreadable. His body language was one of a clenched fist (the other holding tightly to Guginr) and set jaw. In a few strides, Odin stood before Thor, who was about to greet him. Asgard's King grabbed a fistful of the Thunder God's shirt and lifted his son several feet off the ground in a single movement.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! You just barged in here, and you're gonna manhandle my best fighter?! Rude! " Tony began.
"SILENCE!" Odin boomed. The whole team winced, not only at the command, but at its tone. He returned a glaring blue eye to Thor. "Where is Loki, Thor?"
Thor gulped, "He-he's upstairs taking a nap, Father. "
As Odin shook his son, he made the other tense. "DO NOT LIE TO ME, BOY! Where is Loki?! "
"F-Father. Please put me down and I shall explain. " Thor placated.
The All-Father relented, finally allowing The Thunder God's feet to touch the ground again, and causing the Avengers to breathe a relieved sigh.
"Em…would you like a cup of tea while we discuss this?" Bruce inquired patiently, earning a glare from Odin and looks of disbelief from his team-mates. He put his hand up. "Nevermind."
"Father," Thor finally spoke up, "We wronged Loki in many ways. We both made him feel less. And we did not allow him to attend Mother's funeral, one whom he loved dearly in all the Nine Realms. It is that which caused us to quarrel and part. He left the Tower and was rescued from the streets by Doctor Strange, whom he resides with now. Loki is also getting attention from a mental healer, a Doctor Xavier. He is in good hands Father but will not be any source of mischief or misdeeds on his part. "
"Then let us go see this 'Doctor Strange' you speak of and see if Loki is true to his oath."
A rainbow colored portal appeared as Odin raised his staff. He had gripped onto his son's bicep, before disappearing into it.
"Should we follow?" Cap wondered aloud.
Tony shook his head, "Nope. This is a family matter that I don't want any part of, thanks. Besides, Mystic Man is more than capable of handling All-Daddy. Now who wants pepperoni? "
"I think it's time we talked about your falling from the Bi-Frost, Loki." Xavier began.
The former demi-god sighed and looked away. "I didn't fall, I let go." Loki admitted, quietly. He glanced over to Xavier, "But then you already knew that. "
"You said earlier you fell, Loki." Xavier reminded him.
Loki nodded solemnly, while running a hand through his hair. "After I-I killed Laufey, I hoped it would be good enough to be worthy of my father. I wanted to be sure I destroyed the entire race that I sprung from and prove that I am-I was just as justifiable to rule Asgard as Thor... by overpowering the rainbow bridge so that it no longer became a portal, but a destructive beam. However, it didn't go as planned; Thor destroyed the Bi-Frost to prevent damage being wrought on Jotunheim. "
Xavier listened to this explanation of Loki's explanation of his attempted genocide of the Jotunar people passively, but with a grave expression.
"How old were you when this happened, Loki?" Xavier inquired.
The former Trickster stopped his speech and seemed to think for a moment. "I-I was perhaps sixteen Midgardian years old." Loki returned hoarsely.
A teenager then, without the mental development to grasp the consequences of his actions. Xavier thought to himself. To Loki himself, he said, "And then what happened? "
Loki's hands were clasped tight, his head lowered. In a hushed tone, he spoke again. "T-Thor and I fought on the bridge. He destroyed the Bi-Frost to halt it, and we both went over the edge. F-Odin had awakened by then and had saved us by extending Gungnir." Loki paused. " I promised my father that my actions were for him, and for all of Asgard. " He made a laughing sob. " I still thought I could be king. He said, 'No Loki.' No more, no less than that. At that moment, I knew nothing I did would gain his approval, ever. So… I let go. "
As he clenched his raven hair, he closed his eyes and took a shuddering breath. "I was stupid to try to reclaim the throne after returning from Svartalfheim. As if Odin would relinquish the throne, especially to me, after all I had done... He tried to kill me, something I didn't anticipate. He may have been within his rights, though, as I was a traitor. "
"Maybe not, Loki." Xavier said in response, which caused the former demigod to lift his head with a devastated expression. "But you are not an unworthy son. Your actions deserve scrutiny and punishment, but not abuse in any form. Do you understand? You grasp what you did was wrong? This is your path to atonement, a method to regain the respect of your family and rediscover who you are. Loki, you must own up to your mistakes and decisions. "
Loki choked back a sob but nodded even as tears started to glisten in his eyes. "I-I regret not having known you sooner, Professor Xavier."
Charles laid a hand on his shoulder. "You're doing fine, Loki. I'm proud of the progress you've made. I think it's time we ended our session for the day. You need a break for the weekend. Let's pick this up -"
A loud whistle and then a thunderous crash interrupted him. Loki instinctively stood up as he sensed the visitor. Odin and Thor had appeared in the study in front of them. The former demigod took a step back, drawing in a sharp breath, his eyes widening to their fullest extent. Thor's expression when he looked at his brother was one of apology, which led Loki to believe this was not his idea.
The appearance of the two Asgardians didn't appear to trouble Xavier in any regard. He turned his chair around to face the pair. "Ah. It's Odin, correct? It's good to see you again, Mr. Odinson. "
"I will speak with Loki Laufeyson." Odin ordered. Loki caught his one good eye, which caused him to shift uncomfortably.
" I believe we haven't been introduced properly, All-Father. I'm Professor Charlies Xavier. Someone you would perhaps call a mind healer... "
In a colder tone he continued," I've been attempting to some extent to repair the harm you have caused to your son, Loki."
"You dare!" Odin roared, starting towards the Professor, but Thor stepped in front of him and placed a hand on his chest plate.
"Father, please."
Odin resumed his tirade, "A healer of the mind, you say? What if you are only manipulating his mind? "
"Because we all have free will. We can choose and make our own decisions. This is something you need to think about as a father, Odin. Any sensible parent would never do such cruel things to their son or raise them the wrong way. The question is, do you see Loki as your own child or a pawn? " Both Loki and Thor gaped at the man, but Odin looked at him, struck. " You rescued Loki when he was a baby; did you ever see him as your son? "
The All-Father's eyes flickered, first to Charles and then to Loki. "Yes," he admitted quietly. Loki's eyebrows rose as Odin addressed him. "When I returned to Asgard, your mother- Frigga was overjoyed to have another son in the palace. She feared Thor would be lonely as an only child. You became our second son: mine and Frigga's boy. What I said before is true. I only wanted to protect you from knowing your heritage of being a Jotnar. As you grew, the desire to return you to the Jotunheim became less desirable to all, especially to your mother. " His voice hardened. " Then you turned against your family, Loki. You grieved Frigga's heart... twice. "
Loki froze as though he had been knocked across the face.
"Odin, you are still partially responsible for Loki's behavior," said coldly. " When he needed someone most, he was alone. You didn't give him a moment's consideration. By pitting Thor and Loki for the throne of Asgard, you built a resentment between them, especially considering he would never be king. You demeaning Jotunheim and convincing Thor that they were only worth destroying did not help. That coupled with p sychological harm was inflicted on Loki as a result of his fall from the Rainbow Bridge. I am convinced he did not invade Earth of his own free will. "
Once again, Odin's eye was set on his second son. Loki, is that true? Be aware that I will find out if you lie now. "
Loki glanced up with haunted eyes. A hoarse reply came from his lips. "It is."
There was a look of shock on both Thor and the All-Father's faces at that answer.
"Who, Loki?" Thor asked, moving towards his brother, arms outstretched as if he were about to place a hand on his shoulder.
Loki shook his head. With a melancholy expression, he took a step back. I'm sorry, but I'm unable to say… not yet. "
"You have to understand," Xavier interrupted, "what he faced after falling into the Void is difficult and may take some time for Loki to open up about it. There is still work to be done to address all his issues and set him back on the right track. One not made easier by your presence after trying to execute him. "
Odin growled, "Take care with your words. Loki tried to seize control of Asagard's throne through force. "
"I- was angry, vengeful… stupidly blind. " Loki admitted. His eyes grew dark with anger. "Keep your damned throne, Odin of Asgard. You look like you're not going to be ruling from it very much longer. I no longer desire it. It has always belonged to Thor, and it always will. You've made that abundantly clear. "
The All-Father considered this for a moment. "My command still stands. You will reform or return to Asgard as a prisoner. " Odin declared. After a pause, he added. "It is nearly Yiir.* You have 11 months to fulfill your honor. "
"I won't give you the satisfaction of returning to a cell, Old Man." Loki raised his head and hissed.
With a command to Heimdall, a blinding beam of light appeared, and the All-Father was gone.
TBC...