Hello, hello! Finally, I'm back to update! I can only update on weekends, but I found myself typing some of this story into my iPod's notepad app. It's so addicting to write, and I hope it's just as addicting to read.
AaylaKit: Don't worry; you will never lose the awesomeness status. And let it be known that you don't have to read this if you don't want to. I don't want to guilt anybody into reading it. It's one of those "try it, and if you like it, keep reading it" type things. You should totally see Thor. It. Changed. My. Life. I'm now Loki-obsessed!
Ayy Kaim: Unfortunately, I won't be able to implement Kit much in this particular story. And yeah, Anakin's between nine and ten. I decided to leave his and Loki's ages vague. As long as the reader gets that they're kids that aren't in their teens yet, I've achieved my goal.
ClarinetRox88: Glad you like it! Epic fail on the action figure thing. Kit has such a great personality that doesn't get recognized enough in the Star Wars universe. I shall update whenever I can, because I am really enjoying writing it.
Loki walked calmly beside his captors. He refused to let his pride be hurt by a collection of strangers. He took comfort in the fact that he could overpower them if he wanted to. Keeping his head held high was an ideal way to survive the curious stares from the others that were in the building. He met every gaze steadily. It was perhaps his calm demeanor and hint of defiance that forced onlookers to look away awkwardly.
"I wish you would leave him alone," Kit said unhappily. "He wasn't doing anything. He's just a kid."
Loki scoffed at the notion that he was an ordinary child, bound by the limits of innocence and naivety. He was anything but ordinary. Even Asgardians noticed this.
"Nevertheless, it is wise to get a good idea of who we are dealing with here," Obi-Wan pointed out. "If you cooperate," he added to Loki, "we may be able to get you a transport home."
"I highly doubt it is that easy," Loki said. "There is only one way in and out of Asgard, and that is Bifrost."
"Is that how you got here?" Anakin asked.
Loki shook his head. "No. I am not entirely sure by what means I ended up in this realm. But one thing's for sure—"
"Master Yoda!" a new voice interrupted. A girl about Loki and Anakin's age ran up to join them. She had long brown hair and matching brown eyes. Her hair went down to her waist. "Master Yoda, I—" She stopped and stared at Loki a moment. Though she didn't voice her surprise, it was written on her face. She shook her head vigorously and turned back to Yoda. "Liri is missing! I can't find her anywhere or sense her presence."
Yoda frowned deeply. "Relax, young padawan. Focus, we must, and find your missing sister, we will."
Obi-Wan addressed his apprentice. "Anakin, keep Loki occupied while we search."
Anakin nodded. "Yes, Master." The two Jedi left, followed closely by the frantic girl.
"Who is that?" Loki inquired.
"Anna Jefora," Anakin replied. "She's been an apprentice much longer than me."
Loki raised an eyebrow. "You two seem the same age to me," he remarked.
Anakin shrugged. "My training began late. You're out of luck, by the way. It was hard enough getting me into the Order. They'll never let you train. You weren't identified. Too bad for you."
"I am nothing like you," Loki said simply. There was an awkward silence. Standing alone with this boy wasn't Loki's idea of fun. He needed a little mischief to spice things up a bit. "Not that I'm not thoroughly enjoying this, but I think I have better things to do than stand here with you. No offense."
Anakin shook his head. "I was given strict orders. You're not going anywhere."
Loki grinned. "First off, you don't have your weapon. Your Master took it." Anakin swore under his breath. Loki chuckled. "Well, actually, I have it. I stole it while he was walking away. You're welcome."
Anakin didn't seem to know what to be more surprised at: the fact that Loki stole the lightsaber without Obi-Wan's knowing, or that he was about to get it back from an unlikely person. He resorted to mumbling a thank you and holding his hand out expectantly.
This time, Loki was the one to shake his head. "I didn't say I would give it to you. You have to let me leave first." When Anakin hesitated, he added, "Your mentor said to keep me occupied. He said nothing about standing here. You would not be disobeying orders as long as you come with me." He didn't particularly want the Jedi apprentice to come along, but it was better to explore with Anakin than stand there awkwardly.
Anakin smiled. "Sounds like we've got something in common here," he said, disregarding the reluctance in Loki's voice.
"It appears so."
"Everything has a loophole," they said in unison.
"Right," Loki said. "Let's go."
"Where are we going?" Anakin inquired. "You don't exactly know your way around here."
Loki shrugged. "Neither do you. You're almost as new to this place as I am. Follow me and don't ask any questions. I have a feeling—never mind. Just follow."
Anakin nodded and, for once, did as he was told. They walked straight to the hangar. Anakin immediately stopped in his tracks and looked around warily. "We shouldn't be here. I mean, I'd like to be here. I'm a pilot. But still, Obi-Wan—"
"—will thank us both later when this is all over," Loki finished for him.
"That's not what I was going to say. What could we possibly be up to that he would thank us?" Without waiting for a response, he muttered, "I hope you know what you're doing…um…"
"Odinson," Loki said. "Loki Odinson. Odin is my father."
"Odinson. Son of Odin. How original."
"Glad you think so. Now drive, mortal. I will direct you," Loki instructed.
Anakin's eyes widened. He was a bit surprised by the way Loki had addressed him. He had never been referred to that way before. This guy must be from a galaxy far, far away, Anakin thought. Mustering patience, the young Jedi slid into the pilot's seat. There were two seats in this particular ship. He started it and took off, awaiting further instructions.
Loki closed his eyes. "That way," he said. Anakin obliged. "Land over there."
Anakin was beginning to suspect why Loki wanted to go this way. "You sense a disturbance in the Force, don't you?" he asked.
Loki frowned. "I know nothing of your Force. I only know what my powers are telling me." Without another word, he jumped out of the ship. "Wait here."
Anakin opened his mouth to protest, but the serious look in Loki's eyes made him stop. "Please don't be long. Obi-Wan will kill me if he knew I was letting you run off."
Loki nodded and walked away, letting his powers guide him. Sure enough, he stumbled across a dark alley. He was not alone.
"Help me!" a voice screamed from inside.
Seriously. Why was it always the dark alleys? Shaking his head, Loki rushed in to find a lttle girl with beautiful golden curls and blue eyes, bruised, surrounded by sketchy-looking men of different species. One held a lightsaber. He was sneering at her. "Not so touch without your weapon, are you, Jedi?"
"Please!" she cried. "I'm n-not a J-Jedi yet!"
"No, perhaps not. But a sweet thing like you could do wonders for me." Loki decided not to probe the man's mind for his intentions as to what to do with the girl. It was probably very private and very disgusting. "Especially with your Force sensitivity," he went on. "Load her in my ship, boys."
"That's one option," Loki said, stepping closer. "There's always Option 2, where you walk away slowly and keep your heads on your bodies." The head of the gang turned around. "I'd tell you to pick on someone your own size, but I am not overly fond of clichés."
"Get out of here, boy! This is not your concern."
Loki laughed. "First of all, I am not a boy. I am a—never mind. I'd like to see you make me leave."
The man nonverbally accepted the challenge, nodding to his goons to take care of the nuisance. They advanced on Loki, guns raised.
"Useless mortal weapons," Loki mused. He summoned his power to cloak him into his full armor. He truly looked like an Asgardian now. Holding up a spear that he had conjured from the air, he launched himself at the nearest goon, knocking him to the ground. He then dove behind a building in the same instant that he created a duplicate of himself. The men all rushed at once, going right through the illusion and knocking each other over. One even blasted another in the confusion of Loki's duplicate.
"Where is he?" the leader demanded.
"Right behind you," Loki answered. The man turned to see Loki, spear in hand, in a battle stance. Though he was no warrior, he knew the basics. These guys, evidently, did not.
"You don't scare me, kid," the gang leader scoffed.
Loki's gaze locked on his enemy's. "You will be," he said. He waved his hand again, veiling the alley in smoke. He executed a perfect flying kick to the guy's head, knocking him out cold. In one fluid motion, he made the smoke dissipate. "Ready for Round Two?" he challenged. The gang dispersed, clearly unwilling to engage Loki again.
A sob came from behind. The girl was shaking violently. "Are you going to hurt me?" she whispered.
Loki knelt down beside her. She couldn't have been more than six. She looked very different from her sister,—if she was Anna's sister—but there was a resemblance in the face shape. "Are you Liri Jefora?" he asked gently.
She nodded. "H-how do you know my name?"
Loki telekinetically pulled the girl's lightsaber to him from the leader's limp hand. "Your sister is looking for you," he answered. "She is worried."
"I'm sorry!" she wailed in dismay. "I didn't mean for this to happen. I wandered off and got lost. I—"
Loki put a finger over her lips. "Calm yourself," he murmured. "I'm taking you home."
She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around his neck, crying softly. The hug caught Loki off guard, but it was very welcoming nonetheless. He pulled her into his arms and made his way back to Anakin and the ship.
Her cry turned to sniffling as Loki carried her. When they arrived, Anakin drew in a shocked breath. He said nothing, though. As soon as they sat down, he hastily took off toward the Temple.
Upon arriving, they were greeted by an anxious Kit and an angry Obi-Wan.
"They're back!" Kit breathed, relieved.
Obi-Wan opened his mouth to chastise Anakin, then stopped when his eyes took in Loki and Liri. "You…found her," he spluttered, unsure of whether to be relieved or continue to be angry. He settled for baffled. "Take her to the Healers. Quickly."
Loki nodded silently. He did not put the girl down. He felt a strange protectiveness of her. Seeing an innocent being in pain and terror drew out the best side of him. The helpless human girl needed him. He was not about to abandon her.
He followed the Jedi to the Healers. Liri's grip on Loki tightened. She was afraid to let go.
"Liri!" Anna rushed in and wrapped her arms around her sister. Liri finally let go of Loki so she could fall into her sister's embrace. "You're so beaten up! The Medical Droids and Healers will fix you right up. You're going to be okay." She turned to face Loki. "Thank you," she said seriously. She stepped forward and hugged him as Liri had done.
Loki wasn't sure what to make of this. Hugs weren't exactly given out to him on a daily basis back home. His parents always told him they loved him, but it was Thor who got all the attention and affection. Loki had made a silent promise to himself that he would not dwell too much on the obvious favoritism his mother and father showed his brother. He refused to become bitter over it. Little did he know that one day the bitterness would take over his life. But now, though he would never admit it aloud, Loki was a kid. He was still innocent in some areas.
"You're welcome," he said, coming back to the present. "I am glad she's okay."
"Thanks to you," she said.
Loki smiled. "I'll leave you alone, then."
"Don't go," Liri whimpered. She would not cooperate for the Healers and Medical Droids. She kept squirming every time they tried to touch her.
"I guess I'm staying," Loki said.
Anna cocked her head to one side. "I never got your name. There's no way you're a Jedi apprentice."
"Loki Odinson from Asgard," he introduced himself.
"Where is that?" Liri asked.
"If you cooperate, I'll tell you all about it," he answered.
Liri immediately held still so the Healers and Medical Droids could care for her injuries.
Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars or Thor. The only things I own are the two characters of my imagination (Anna and Liri).