Loki's Chance

Summary - After two months, Odin finally awakes and Loki leaves Asgard for Earth with a very specific purpose in mind.

It had been a long two months for Loki during which time he wanted nothing more than to flee the golden shores of Asgard, leaving behind all duties that were not his own and the lies that followed him still. With Thor still banished to Midgard, Loki was pestered almost daily by the Warriors but each time he told them that he did in fact have a plan. He just wasn't going to do anything about it until it was time for him to leave, which, as it turned out, was now upon him.

Odin had awoken and after he was briefed on all that had happened in his absence, he summoned Loki to his chamber. His son arrived in all his regal splendour and stood before the Allfather, holding the royal staff, his posture tense as the doors closed behind him.

"My son, you did well," Odin said, "I have been informed of every decision you made these past two months. You made me proud."

"Proud of a Frost Giant runt," Loki scoffed, "How noble of you, Allfather."

"Please..."

"No, Odin, I have waited two very long months for this," he sneered. "It is time you answer for what you did!"

"I did answer, I told you, as you mother has. I took you out of mercy, if I hadn't done what I did, you wouldn't be here now to hate me."

"Is it any wonder I am Lord of Lies...when I learned from the best?"

"Loki," Frigga breathed sadly.

"You love your mother still and yet you hate me," Odin remarked.

"You have always favoured Thor," Loki told him, "Always. But I have fulfilled your purpose for me. I have created that peace which you always intended me to...I have suffered the dark effects of your lies for long enough," he said. "I have done what was required, you are well now and you are king," he added, walking over to Odin and handing him the staff back.

The still tired man, took it and lay it across his legs without breaking eye contact with his son. "And I am leaving," Loki told him.

"Where will you go?" Odin asked.

"You don't even try to stop me," Loki tilted his head.

"I have no hope of succeeding where your mother has failed. Once your mind is made up there is no dissuading you, you always were stubborn," he said fondly.

"I leave tonight," the God of mischief remarked and turned to leave, taking a few steps towards the door. "One last thing," he said, looking back. "As part of the truce, the Frost Giants were promised the return of their Casket, as I'm sure you know, after a period of ten years, provided that the Asgardians are satisfied."

"I know this," Odin sighed heavily, "I trust you know what they will be capable of once it is returned to them."

"Of course I do."

"I cannot simply deliver it to them," the king said.

"Then you risk war and you undo all my work," Loki replied bluntly, "The choice is yours now. Helblindi is...perhaps not the cleverest of beings, but he will honour our agreement. Will you? Or are the Frost Giants still a monstrous race of dishonourable creatures who will double cross you once they have what they want?"

"I never said that."

"I care nothing for what you think about them, they're not my kin regardless of whose blood flows in my veins. They abandoned me and you lied to me. I have no kin," he declared before he threw open the doors and stormed away.

A single tear dropped from Frigga's eye and her husband turned to share her sorrow filled expression.

"My son, you do not have to do this," Frigga begged him that night in his rooms. Loki was slipping one of his thin journals into his clothes, for it contained the location of every secret pathway between the worlds that he had discovered. He would have need of it soon and he didn't want it falling into anyone's hands but his own.

"Yes, I do," he sighed, "Fear not, Thor will be returning soon."

"How do you know that?"

"My last act as his brother will be to give him the opportunity to prove his worth."

"You have...been planning this for some time?"

"Yes," he nodded, "Although, to be perfectly honest, I didn't think I'd need to intervene. Thor was always the 'hero', I can't believe it's taking him so long to prove it. He needs some encouragement and I will provide it now that I am free of my royal chains...And you might as well inform the Warriors. Their constant pestering has done nothing for my fragile sanity these last two months," he scoffed. "Their beloved Thor will return to them and I will be gone. While I do hate to be making them so happy..."

"Loki!"

"It is necessary," he finished, as though she'd said nothing at all.

"What do you intend?" she asked.

"Just a simple show of strength," Loki said, "I daren't risk anything too complex. Thor might miss the point entirely," he added. "I don't care what you tell the court in regards to my absence," he said after a moment and began to route through a drawer where he found a simple black piece of string, on which hung a protective amulet blessed by the Light Elves on one of his many secret journeys through the Realms. Loki placed the necklace around his neck and hid the amulet under the chest piece of his armour before he turned to his mother. "I don't know if I'll come back," he told her.

Frigga gave slow, disbelieving nods and took his hands in hers, "Please...please be careful...I don't want you hurt..."

"I've left Asgard before and I'm more than able to defend myself," he remarked.

"I know," she said, hugging him tightly.

"Goodbye..." Loki breathed, pulling back after a moment.

"Loki," she stopped him, grasping his arms, "I love you, don't ever forget that."

He nodded briefly before he gently shook off her arms, took a step backwards and promptly vanished before her eyes, teleporting away, leaving her alone.

Loki's first destination was Midgard where he sought out his powerless 'brother' and found him living in a mansion suspended on a cliff overlooking the sea in North America with a man whom he had been informed was called 'Man of Iron' when the Warriors had reported back to him not long ago. They'd met with Thor and with S.H.I.E.L.D and they'd met others who were different, people who used their abilities to protect the mortal Realm and all had been reported to Loki. He'd been careful to learn as much as he could, as always, knowledge was power.

When he entered the building, concealed by magic, Loki found that there were others living there as well. A woman called 'Pepper' and the scientists that Thor had met when he'd first been sent to earth. He didn't spend long inside the building and he left quickly.

His next step was find Bruce Banner which took him some considerable time, but he did it. He found the scientist living pitifully and alone in a dark, subterranean building provided by S.H.I.E.L.D, where he hid even from himself and Loki wasted no time in casting a simple sleeping spell. The dark haired man fell asleep where he stood and fell to the ground, a dead weight.

With a grin of satisfaction, Loki transported them both back to California, in the middle of a large, open park. Luckily, a simple illusion charm made sure that they weren't seen by the people walking aimlessly by in the mid-morning sun. He placed his hands on either side of the mortal's head and seconds later he was writhing from the nightmarish vision that he was now seeing. His head began to toss violently from one side to the other and his moans of protest turned into animalistic growls and hisses and his skin began to take on a sickly, green tinge.

His work done, Loki stepped back to conceal himself behind a large tree and watched the small, unassuming mortal, transform into a creature that would rival any fully grown Frost Giant. Its green muscles were huge and it was clearly confused as it stumbled around for a moment as though trying to get its bearings.

Loki took one of his daggers and using his magic, he threw it at the creature, the blade sliced its muscled shoulder blade and then came soaring back to do the same thing again and again. As intended, this served only to enrage the beast and it began to spin furiously on its huge feet, trying to find its 'enemy.'

So, without a word, Loki removed the illusion and when the screams of panic started instantly, the creature was enraged further, letting out a roar of anger. It began to smash its fists into the ground. It pulled a bench from the ground and threw it at a large building and it uprooted trees as well, tearing them apart with its bare hands as people ran in all directions in a frantic panic.

"Hands on the ground, Hulk!" a uniformed officer ordered, pointing his gun, uselessly as three others did the same beside him.

"Grrrrrrr!" the green creature only growled in response and smashed its hands on the ground again causing a small earthquake.

"Alright, back off, big guy!" a slightly echoed voice called out suddenly as Iron Man landed in front of the officers who scrambled to their feet again.

"Right on time," Loki smiled.

He'd heard tell of it many time, but he'd never actually seen the Iron Man's suit and though it lacked the elegance of Asgardian armour, Loki couldn't deny that it was impressive for a mortal creation.

"Bruce!" the man shouted, holding up his armour covered hands, "You don't wanna do this! Just calm down and everything'll... "

"Argh!" the beast hissed, clenching his fists as he roared.

"Worth a shot," the Iron Man shrugged with a sigh and preceded to fire a small blast of golden light from him palm. It sent the Hulk hurtling backwards but he recovered instantly and swatted Iron Man away as though he were little more than an annoying bug.

"You don't appear to be doing very well," Thor breathed heavily. He was standing a short distance away, ignoring the policemen telling him to move back as he watched his friend push himself up off the ground.

"Thor, what are you doing?!" the man yelled.

"I will not sit idly by while you fight!"

"Whoa!" Iron Man flew up into the air to avoid being squashed by Bruce. "Look, we barely got Fury on board with the whole 'let's let the God of Thunder stay with Iron Man for a while'...he'll have me grounded and suit-less if he finds out I let you anywhere near this fight! You guys, get him outta here!" he yelled at the officers.

"You cannot stop me," Thor shrugged them off.

"And you can't help!" Tony yelled back.

"I am tired of being treated like a powerless mortal!"

"You are a...arghhhhhh!" he broke off when the Hulk grabbed his wrist and flung him to the ground like a rag doll.

"Sir, the suit is not designed to withstand this kind of..." JARVIS began from inside the suit.

"Not helping, JARVIS!" Tony yelled as he was tossed up into the air and bright back down to the ground again.

Thor relied on brute strength, so it would take a show of brute strength in order for him to prove his worth. Loki knew that, hence, his little detour to retrieve the tower of strength before him. Perhaps he should feel guilty for manipulating the mortal's demons but it was the best and quickest way for Thor to prove himself. Really, what choice did he have?

With a magical nudge, Loki directed the Hulk's attention to the on looking crowd; it wasn't mind control, far from it, it was simply a suggestion, he could whisper words and plant shadows into people's minds only, but that was often all it took.

The Hulk threw Iron Man away, as though bored or even annoyed with him as he now turned his large eyes to the people who stood around them. Many had simply run off in fear, and rightly so, but others had chosen not to and for that, Loki was grateful because they made the perfect bait.

"Hulk...smash...little people..." the Hulk ground out.

"Thor, get 'em outta here!" Iron Man cried as he pushed himself up.

But before he could do anything further, the Hulk had advanced on the powerless crowd who now all had the presence of mind to start back away, despite the fact that it was slightly too late for that.

Thor ran to stand between the crowd and the Hulk, and for a moment he seemed to forget that he was lacking his usual strength, after all, a thousand years of having such powers couldn't be forgotten in the space of only two months, it was really more of a reflex than anything else.

"Go!" he yelled back at them while the Hulk fixed its eyes on him.

"Grrrrrrr..." the Hulk breathed.

"This ain't right!" someone from the crowd said suddenly, "Green dude's one o' the good guys!"

"Not today! Now I suggest you run!" Thor replied hastily watching in horror as the speaker stepped forwards.

It was a young man, dressed casually in messy jeans and a leather jacket but before he could say anything further, the Hulk raised one of his massive hands to attack him. Without thinking, Thor shoved the man aside and went to block the green fist that descended on him, without success and he was knocked to the ground with enough force to shatter his bones and then he was thrown like a feather-light rag doll and he went straight through a brick wall a few feet away and out through the other side of the building.

"Thor!" Tony yelled. He leapt up into the air and fired a quick blast at the Hulk, forcing him backwards but doing little in the way of damage. "JARVIS, gimme something to knock him out with!" he yelled.

"The rockets are not..." the AI began but he stopped when Tony was forced to leap aside to avoid being struck by the black, flying blur that rapidly zoomed past his head at a speed that defied all laws of physics.

"What the..." he muttered, confused.

A second later, there was a great clap of thunder and flashes of light shone, bright enough to outshine the sun in the morning sky. It struck the ground at the Hulk's feet and he leapt backwards, then roared at the lightning, seeing it as an enemy. But he wasn't given any time to react as he himself was struck by the next bolt that flashed down from the gathering storm clouds above their heads. The clouds were thick enough to block out the sun and the very air itself crackled with electricity.

The Hulk roared at the lighting that struck him, but even he couldn't defy Thor's power and he fell to the ground, unconscious.

Thor then flew forwards, his clothes now changed into his Asgardian armour and cloak with Mjölnir in his right hand. He stared down at his defeated enemy before turning his attention to a silent Iron Man.

"Well done, brother," Loki murmured, before he disappeared.

"Nice threads, dude," Iron Man muttered after finding his voice.

"Thanks," Thor nodded.

"Guess this means you're worthy again, right?"

"It appears so."

"Y'know this means I'm gonna be in big trouble when Fury finds out I let you get within five feet of a Hulk'ed out Bruce Banner," Tony sighed. "Okay, okay...we, erm...we better take him back," Tony said, looking down at the now sleeping Bruce Banner. "What's he even doing here?" he muttered.

"This...transformation, it is involuntary, correct?" the God of Thunder asked, as though recalling something he'd been told previously.

"Usually, yeah."

"It is remarkable."

"Not for him, it's not."

After a celebration to mark Thor's return, Odin strode into the Bifrost and came to stand beside the Gatekeeper with a sombre expression.

"Well," Odin breathed heavily, "Can you see him?" he asked.

"You know I cannot," Heimdall answered, "He is concealed from us both, and that is no small achievement."

"He is responsible for Thor's return, is he not?"

"Yes, that is my belief."

"My wife informed me that Loki had planned from the beginning to aid his brother," the king said.

"He was well informed of the mortals that Thor met and there were times that he journeyed there, hidden from my sight."

"I wasn't aware that my son had such a power," Odin admitted.

"Was that not his intention; to hide it as long as he could?"

"Of course, it was..." he sighed, "I should have encouraged his talents more than I did..."

"Loki has always been different. I did warn you that the child would have...difficulties," Heimdall told him.

"I could not leave an innocent new born to die!"

"Nor would I condone such an action..."

"But you agree with Loki and my wife? You believe I should have told him what he was, what his own kin had done? What would that knowledge do to a child; to know that you were outcast the moment you were born? I did not want that on his mind as he grew."

"What will you tell Thor? The prince has many questions," the Gatekeeper said.

"I will tell him what I should have from the beginning, I will tell him the truth now."

"He will search for Loki whether he knows the truth or not," Heimdall pointed out.

"He will not find him."

"That will not likely deter him."

"No...Nor should it deter us," Odin said, "You will keep searching, as will I."

"Very well, my king," Heimdall nodded solemnly.

"I may very well lose the son that is left to me once he knows the truth," the king said and his companion remained silent, letting him speak, "But I know what you're thinking, my old friend...that this is my own making and I deserve nothing less."

"You told Loki that you took him so that he could one day forge an alliance...you lied to the God of Lies," Heimdall spoke after a moment.

"I did, and he believed me."

"Why did you lie?"

"He would have believed nothing else. He can't understand sometimes that deeds can be done purely out of emotion with no sense or care of the future. Maybe one day he will learn..."

"Or maybe his resentment will grow to encompass the Nine, not just you."

"You don't believe that, do you?"

"I think we all are guilty of underestimating Loki's power. I have no wish to be on the receiving end of his anger. He is capable of much destruction if he so chooses."

"He is also capable of great good."

"But at heart he is the God of Lies and Trickery..."

"At heart, he is my son," Odin corrected him.

"Let us hope, my king, that he knows that as surely as you do," the Gatekeeper replied, respectfully.

"Why were we not told?" Thor demanded sometime later. He was stood at the feet of the grand, golden throne as he looked up at his father with his mother standing at his side.

"It was thought to be in your best interests...both of you," Odin answered.

"Is it in Loki's best interest now to believe he doesn't know who he is?! I had no love for the Frost Giants, it is true...but we were always...they were thought to be monsters...barbaric creatures that care for nothing. Loki is...neither of those things," Thor said.

"I believed I was doing what was right for him..."

"Loki is my brother, I care not where he was born or to whom," the thunderer remarked.

"I am relieved to hear you say that," Frigga smiled.

"Have you any idea where he is?" Thor asked.

"None," Odin said, "Neither Heimdall nor I can track him."

"How is that possible? Heimdall sees all."

"Not all, clearly, but if anyone were to find a way to stay hidden, it would have to be Loki," the king sighed.

"I will not rest until I find him," Thor said.

"He does not wish to be found, Thor, you will not succeed," his father told him.

"I don't care. I owe it to my brother. I will not give up on him."

"Nor will we," Frigga told him.

"...I am glad you are returned to us, my son," Odin said after a moment, "Asgard needs a new king..."

"Father," Thor began slowly, "I leaned much during my banishment. Chiefly of all...I know now that I am not ready to be king, perhaps I never will be," he said.

"No good king is ever ready, Thor," Odin told his son, "But he sees his duty for what it is and he does the best he can with what he does know."

"I am a soldier, father," the thunderer reiterated. "I know my duty is to protect the Nine Realms and I will do so. But I cannot...I do not believe I can do it from where you sit."

For a moment, Odin was silent as he looked down at his son and then, he took a deep breath and released it before he spoke. "Is this my son speaking or the mortal woman he is falling love with?" he asked with no attempt at subtlety.

"Jane has nothing to do with this," Thor protested quickly.

"This is a bold decision...regardless of your reasons, I advise you to consider it."

"I will, but I want you to consider...that Loki is perhaps more suited to the throne than me. He understands diplomacy and court policy far better than I ever will. He ruled with honour and his actions saved many lives."

"That is all true, but he is not here."

"I vow to find him..."

"Even if you succeeded, even if you found your brother...can you honestly say that you could convince Loki to return to be king when he fled the moment I awoke?"

"He fled because he was lied to," Thor breathed, "I do not blame him!"

"Thor..." Frigga sighed.

"...I...am sorry, father, I only..."

"I understand, Thor," Odin shook his head. "It is all my doing. It is my fault that Loki is so lost...to us and to himself. But always I feared that if he knew the truth...he would not think of me and your mother...and you, as his family. We have raised him as we have raised you, from infancy...it is not possible for anyone to raise a child and not see them as your own."

"You have had a thousand years to come to terms with this, Loki has not. He may need...time."

"That is what he said," the queen told him.

"I do not have another thousand years in me, Thor," Odin said suddenly. "You were to be crowned because you are old enough to be king, but also because I am weakening."

"But, father, surely..."

"You know that we are not immortal and I am far from the young man I once was. Loki was king in the absence of us both and yes, he proved to be invaluable, but the line of succession is clear. You are my eldest son, you are to be king."

"...What if I refused?" Thor asked, curiously.

"That is your right," Odin answered, "But you have not been raised to shirk your duties."

"No, I have not, but I have a duty that is far more important than the throne and that is my duty to my brother," the thunderer said, "And that I can call Loki my brother is my honour. I know I am guilty of undervaluing him...I will not now abandon him so that I may rule as king."

"Your loyalty does you credit," the king conceded, "But you must understand..."

"Father, I'm aware of my duties," Thor snapped, "I don't do this because I want to inconvenience you, I'm doing this because it is the right thing."

"...As you wish, my son," Odin nodded after a moment of tense silence, "But there will come a day when Asgard must come first. Do not forget that when the time comes."

"I understand," the God of Thunder breathed sadly.