There was a large boom that shook the ground as the dark haired god landed and almost immediately something heavy slammed into him and he felt the air leave him and he hit the ground hard. This day was just getting better and better, Loki thought sarcastically.

"I think that was legally your fault," A voice said from the darkness.

"Get the first aid kit," Another person spoke and in the haze, Loki could just make out that they were both female. He blinked, clearing his blurred vision and feeling grateful for his Asgardian physiology. The woman breathed a heavy sigh of relief and two more people came into his line of sight. Loki struggled to sit up.

"You should lie down," The older man said, moving to place his hands on Loki's shoulders and gently try to push him back down. It didn't work.

"I'm fine," Loki said, pulling himself to his feet and calmly walking around the site. Interesting. Midgard seemed so different to how it had been when he last walked here. The temperature was hotter and there were no forests, just open, dry land.

"Where did he come from?" A voice asked as they hurried around Loki, trying to get him to stay put.

"Who is your chieftain? I must speak with him." Loki demanded and they all exchanged confused glances. Loki frowned and then took in their clothing. Very different to what he had last seen mortals wearing. As was their general appearance.

"By the Norns, it's been longer than I had thought." He muttered to himself before raising his voice.

"Forgive me, kind women and gentle man. it seems I find myself caught out of time." He said.

"Um, it's about 11 pm." The darker haired woman said, looking towards her watch.

"Jane, you need to get him to a hospital." The man suggested and Loki sighed. This was not going to be as easy as he had thought. He was fortunate enough that his magic allowed the understanding of these mortals.

"Perhaps I should prove to you that I am indeed different," Loki said and with that he created a perfect image of himself and the mortals let out a gasp. The trickster looked up at the sky. He wasn't too certain his father would be pleased with this blatant showing off but Loki already had a plan to get back to Asgard. He worried for Thor and was uncertain whether his oaf of a brother would had figured out the truth behind the change in his arm's colour yet. Thor would need him.

"Wow, that's a pretty neat trick." The dark haired woman said, waving her hand through the image and then coming closer to try moving her hand through Loki who grabbed her wrists and lowered them.

"I do have physical presence, you need not concern yourself." As he spoke, he removed the image, watching the other two who were staring in confusion.

"How, you can't just do that..." The woman stuttered out and Loki rolled his eyes and chuckled.

"Do I need to prove it again? I am from a different realm to yours, one were magic-" His eyes caught sight of the large metal box and he frowned. He did keep up to date with some mortal things but this was completely new.

"But there's no such thing as magic, it's all science." She said and Loki's attention returned to her.

"Ah yes, I've heard about you mortals working on trying to explain this universe. Magic and Science are the same, although it would be best if you could keep that hidden. I believe that I'm not meant to interfere with the progression of mortals." Loki said, smirking at the confusion on their faces.

"Realms? Mortals?" The man said and green eyes fell upon him. The mortal shifted uncomfortably under the gaze.

"Yes. Look, my being here is only temporary. I just need to get my bearings and then I will be gone. Do you know how close I am to any tribes of the Norse?" He asked and they all looked at one another again. Trust mortals to not recognise a god when it really did matter. How times had changed.

"Do you believe that you're some Norse god?" The man asked slowly.

"I am one of the Aesir and I have been worshiped by the Norse men. Now tell me where I can find their lands." Loki said, his patience wearing thin.

"Hospital." Eric muttered and Loki placed his head in his hand.

"Did my trick mean nothing?"

"He's got a point," The darker haired one said.

"Should we try introductions?" Loki suggested after a heart beat. Glancing around, the mortals nodded as his gaze fell upon them.

"Good, I'm Loki Odinson, God of Mischief among lots of other titles but we can leave those behind. And you are?" He asked, pointing at the male.

"Selvig, Eric Selvig," He answered and Loki gave a nod. Good name. Promising.

"You?" He asked, pointing to the darker haired woman.

"Darcy," She smile.

"I'm Jane." The last woman said hastily.

"Right, now we are all acquainted, I assume that one of you will be kind enough to help me get back the the lands of the Norse. Eric?" Loki asked, turning to the man.

"Why me?" He asked.

"You're older and your name suggests that you are more likely to have links to the lands I need to get to."

"Well," The man said, scratching the back of his head.

"Was that an Einstein-Rosen Bridge?" Jane asked suddenly as Eric remained silent.

"I am not familiar with that term. Please be aware that there are several centuries between my last visit here and this current time."

"Um, a bridge between two different places," Jane said, looking up at the sky.

"A wormhole?" Darcy questioned and Loki frowned slightly. He didn't know how worms got into it.

"I did travel through the bifrost, which is known as a rainbow bridge."

"What was it like?" Jane asked hurriedly and Loki raised a hand, silencing her. She clutched her throat.

"Jane?" Eric said, going over to the woman and placing his arms around her.

"Please tell me this is a dream. Jane, pinch me." Darcy said, holding out her arm.

"I'll release her voice when you tell me how to get to the lands of the Norse,"

"You'd need to take a plane. It's quiet some distance. Over the seas." He said and Loki gave a nod and returned the mortal's voice.

"It seems I will need assistance. I will acquire you to help me transverse Midgard."

"We're not going anywhere, I have lots of work and-" Jane started.

"I am a god, you do not simply defy me. Besides, I hold the answers that you seek." Loki said and Jane fell silent and looked at the other two, eyes begging them and Loki grinned. He didn't plan to tell her anyway but there was no harm in those empty words. Especially if it could get him to the roots of Yggdrasil from which he could return home. He needed to help his brother.

Thor sat with Sif and the Warriors Three, staring at his arm. If Loki hadn't been banished, he would have sought the guidance of his brother but as it was, he was gone. Thor hadn't even been able to get to talk to his mother. Since finding out about Loki's punishment, she had withdrawn to her chambers. Thor felt slightly bitter about this. Not only did his brother win favour with their father but also with mother. There was such a conflict within him and he couldn't deal with it. Thor was a man of straight means and now there were too many lines, all mixed together. He clenched his hands.

"We should have talked him out of it," Volstagg practically growled. They had been confined to this room and in truth, Thor had been lucky to even be able to send out a message to ask for an audience with his mother.

"We never could. He's Loki," Sif answered.

"I'm just thankful that we're all alive," Fandral said, rubbing his chest, remembering the wound that he had recently received.

Hearing that, Thor thought back to his on actions. He had harmed the gate keeper and it was truely his fault. But while Loki was banished (which he could not deny he was somewhat pleased about), he was left in here. Could his father not come up with a punishment for him or was he to get off free. He stretched his hand. What had come over him? Why had he done that? He was lost. He didn't know himself.

"I need to see father," He announced, standing up and looking at the guards.