I NEED REVIEWS! Anyone who likes (or dislikes) this story, shoot me a review. It only takes a minute and would greatly help me. To those of you who have reviewed, you have my thanks. :)

Nako13yeh: Thanks! I enjoy doing Loki's character. There's so much I can do with his childhood.

Anonymous Coward: I was thinking about having Loki meet Palpatine at some point in the future. Your review confirmed my idea, so methinks I will make them meet. Glad you like it!

Loki settled down and launched into the story of Asgard. He found himself speaking of the Nine Realms and his parents and his brother. Both sisters listened intently, nodding and cringing at all the right places. They were very interested to hear about the victory against the Frost Giants of Jotunheim. He wasn't sure how long he spoke, but there came a point in time when the Healers themselves finished and stopped to listen more closely. Loki did not consider himself a good storyteller, but he had certainly captivated his audience. Even Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Kit listened. They originally planned to leave the room once the girl was in safe hands, but Loki's story interested them.

When he finished, Anakin said quickly, "I only stayed because you have my lightsaber. Give it back." He would not admit out loud that the story had drawn him in.

Loki laughed. "I never had your lightsaber in the first place. I lied." At the look of horror and fury on Anakin's face, he added, "You seem surprised. Consider that Liri would not be here had I not lied to you."

"Yes, but you lied!"

"Yes. I do that. You will have to get over it."

Anakin turned to Obi-Wan, who handed him the weapon. "Don't lose it again."

"Don't worry. I won't." He sighed, turning to Anna. "This Loki character is worse than me. I was supposed to be the awesome one! He's a bomb just waiting to go off."

"I think he's sweet," Anna said in Loki's defense.

Loki was unsure how to respond to that, so he instead held up a very familiar device. "Skywalker? I hate to break it to you, but check your belt."

Anakin's eyes widened. "No way! That's not even fair!"

Loki grinned. "All's fair in love and war."

Obi-Wan shook his head disapprovingly. "Twice in one day, Anakin. I'm not impressed."

Anakin snatched the lightsaber back grudgingly. "You're going to get me kicked out," he complained, addressing Loki.

Loki raised an eyebrow. "Is this the part where I pretend to care?"

Kit snorted. Obi-Wan surveyed the young Asgardian with much interest. There was something likeable about him. He had a funny feeling that he and Anakin would one day get along very well. They shared a fiery spirit that the Council feared in the apprentice. Yoda would not approve of Loki's influence, but Qui-Gon would simply adore the boy. Obi-Wan wished for his former mentor's wisdom and guidance now.

While Obi-Wan reflected this, Loki had reflections of his own. Was he missed? Was his family looking for him? What if he could never return to Asgard?

Before he could voice any of these concerns, Anna grabbed his arm and tugged on it. "Come with me. I want to show you something."

Loki gave in to her pull. He was dragged all the way to her private room. "You want me to go in there?" he asked, surprised.

She shook her head. "Wait here." She disappeared into the room and returned a moment later. She was holding the rock that Loki had been holding back in Asgard. "Recognize this?"

Loki inspected it. "Yes. It was the last thing I remember before waking up here."

Anna grinned mysteriously. "It worked, then."

Loki waited for her to elaborate, but she did not. "How did it work?" he asked her finally.

She shook her head. "Can't tell you. Want to play a game? Anakin has a Wii."

"A what?"

"Wow. They sure keep you sheltered on Asgard." She grabbed his arm again. "Come on! I'll show you. It's loads of fun."

What an interesting girl. Loki had no choice but to go with her. They went into a room where Anakin sat cross-legged, holding a small device that Loki could not identify.

"We're taking over your Wii," Anna informed him.

Anakin laughed. "Go ahead and try. I'm playing it. I only have two games, anyway."

"Which one are you playing? MarioKart…or the other one?" Her gaze flickered to Loki, as if she was threatening to tell him what "the other one" was.

Anakin's eyes widened in alarm. "You swore never to speak of it."

Anna grinned evilly. "I think Loki here is very curious, though. It'd be awful if you refused to let us play, forcing me to let a certain name slip off my tongue."

"You wouldn't."

"Try me."

Anakin took a breath. "There are two more controllers over there," he said, resigned. He jerked his head in the direction of a meager collection of gaming stuff. It looked like Anakin had just started collecting.

Anna grinned triumphantly and handed Loki a device similar to Anakin's. "It's a Wii Remote," she explained. "It has motion technology that allows you to play a game interactively. Here, put it in the steering wheel. I intend to make a gamer out of you."

Loki politely accepted. He felt strange around these…what could he call them? They were no mere mortals. They had called themselves Jedi. Whatever that meant. Uncertain what exactly they were, Loki settled with being content that they were so accepting of him. Anna especially. She adored him for saving her sister. Was she just being nice to attempt to repay him? He wasn't used to such treatment. It was strange and suspicious to him.

The race began. Anna instructed Loki on what to do. He felt fine until he was hit with a red thing that sent him spinning off course and over the edge of a cliff. Loki let out an exclamation of protest. Who dared send him to his doom? The steering wheel was beginning to grow hot. He realized that he was burning it.

Anakin paused the game. "Hey, knock it off! Those things are hard to get, you know!"

Loki dropped it like hot iron. "It's over," he said. "He's dead."

Anna laughed. "No, silly. You don't die in this game. You'll be picked up and dropped back onto the course in mere seconds."

Loki's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "I will be resurrected? Is that possible? What is the point of this?"

Anna giggled. "Fun, of course. Anakin, unpause it. I think Loki'll be okay."

Loki picked up the steering wheel uncertainly and continued gameplay. Anna urged him to press the B button. When he did, a blue shell with wings exploded on top of Anakin, taking away his first-place lead.

"Hey!" Anakin protested.

A slow grin spread across Loki's face. "Did I do that?"

Anna nodded. "You sure did. This game isn't just about skill. It's also about manipulating your weapons and outsmarting your opponents."

Loki's grin widened. He had a feeling he would like this game.

Hours passed. Loki did something completely out of character (in fact, it was quite Thor-like): he fist-pumped the air. "That's ten in a row!" he boasted. "Your bananas are no match for my shells, Skywalker."

Anakin groaned. "I'm getting tired of being pwned by a new driver," he complained.

"You'll get over it," Anna said. "Good job, Loki."

Loki beamed, which was something he never recalled doing before. He saw Anakin's grudging attitude slowly fade into respect. The Jedi apprentice was warming up to him. It took a few moments, but Anakin finally returned Loki's smile.

"You're alright, Odinson," he said.

"Mission accomplished," Anna murmured.

Anakin got to his feet. "Want to bother Obi-Wan?"

Loki stood up as well. "Sure." He waved a hand. A duplicate of Anakin appeared. "This should come in handy."

Anakin's eyes widened. "Where did you learn that, anyway?"

"Asgardian magic. Come on!"

"I'd better go check on Liri," Anna said. "See you boys later!" She ran off, delighted at how much fun she had.

When she was out of earshot, Anakin commented, "She's pretty. And nice. She reminds me of Padmé."

"Who?" Loki was confused.

"A beautiful girl I met on Tatooine. I'll talk about her later. For now, we've got some bothering to do!"

Loki and Anakin fled the scene. Only when they had put plenty of distance between themselves and the irate Obi-Wan did they stop to catch their breath and laugh. Anakin collapsed onto the floor of his room, shaking in uncontrollable laughter. Loki joined him. They were side-by-side.

"That was great!" Anakin gasped. "Did you see his face?"

"I didn't know it could turn that color," Loki answered.

They took a moment to get their laughter out, then sighed in unison. They both let their bodies relax as they enjoyed the moment.

"Loki?"

"Yes?"

Anakin hesitated. "Are you going to stay with us?"

Loki frowned. "I'm not sure. If there was a way back to Asgard, I would have to go. My family is probably worried."

Anakin nodded. "It must be nice. Having a family to get back to."

Loki decided not to mention that he was a bit of a shadow next to his brother. He resorted to nodding silently.

"I mean, you're the only person I've truly connected with since coming here. And you're not even from this galaxy! It's hard to find friends when you've been a…" He swallowed, then continued. "…slave all your life."

This got Loki's attention. "You were a slave?"

Anakin nodded. Before he could stop himself, he launched into the story of his early childhood, his life, his mother. He talked about the podracing, the slave owners, and what it felt like to wake up every morning without hopes or dreams or motivation. He spoke of Qui-Gon and Padmé. He kept going until he got to the part where Qui-Gon's funeral took place. "I miss him," he concluded. "Obi-Wan told me to stop thinking about him. And my mother. But it's so hard. Everyone here knows where I came from. Anna's the only one who is brave enough to befriend me. I don't want pity," he added quickly. "I just want you to stay."

Loki, who had been listening intently the whole time, was at a loss for words. This boy had just let his guard down. To him. He trusted Loki with his story, just as Loki had trusted the small group with a bit of his. The only difference was that Loki held back. Anakin had not. The apprentice told him everything. His instincts told him that Anakin knew what it felt like to be completely and utterly alone, no matter how many people pressed in on all sides. Finding someone else who suffered the same way he did opened Anakin up like a book.

Loki, however, was not ready to share his full story. Not yet.

"I wish—" Loki began, but was interrupted by a beam of light. He knew it all too well. Hemidall was going to take him back to Asgard. "Anakin." The Jedi sat up and gazed at him, horrified. "This is not goodbye." He did not hear Anakin's reply.

"Loki," a familiar voice said as Loki stepped onto Bifrost. It was Heimdall. "Your father is on his way to search for you here. We haven't much time. Before he gets here, I must explain what has happened to you."

Loki knew that this would be interesting. The Gatekeeper never talked much. He nodded for him to continue.

"You should never have found that rock," Heimdall began. "It was bewitched by an ancient spell. When you touched it, you were sucked into another realm that exists outside of the Nine." He paused a moment to make sure Loki was listening. He was. "When you touched it, it activated a new Gateway. Only you can access it because you reactivated something that has been dormant for countless years. How the rock got there, I do not know. Nevertheless, you can now go there as you please. The traditional means of travel has now recognized you as the Opener of the Galactic Gateway. You can get there in the same way you can get to Jotunheim, though I do not recommend it."

Loki's eyes grew wider as Heimdall explained the phenomena that had occurred. "Does anyone else know of the Galactic Gateway?" he asked.

"No, and you must speak of it to no one. Not Thor, not your parents, not anyone, Asgardian or otherwise. Understand? I advise you strongly not to go there again."

Loki nodded, recognizing the seriousness of the situation. He couldn't help but be a little excited. He had made a discovery that was his and his alone. Thor would never know because if there was one ting Loki was good at, it was keeping secrets. For once, he had something that his brother didn't. Regardless of what Heimdall said, Loki fully intended to go to there at his leisure.

"Heimdall! Loki!" Odin stopped his horse a few feet away and dismounted. "Loki Odinson, what were you thinking, coming all the way down here?"

Loki felt his cheeks burn with shame. "Were you worried, Father?" he asked quietly. Odin said nothing. His expression said everything. "You…Didn't you notice I was gone?"

"I did," Odin said coldly. The look on his face, however, revealed that he had only noticed Loki's absence mere minutes ago. Loki was quick to notice this, though he kept his thoughts to himself, careful not to let them show on his face. "Where were you?" his father demanded. "Were you badgering Heimdall to let you go to another realm?"

Loki met Odin's stern gaze steadily. "The mortals are interesting creatures."

Odin sighed, resigned. "I don't remember giving you permission to leave. You are still a child, and you are my son. I expect you to take responsibility like your brother."

Thor was perhaps the least responsible person Loki knew on Asgard. He always talked of fighting in great battles and becoming a powerful warrior and king. He was not exactly the model of responsibility. The very idea that Loki was being compared to Thor in this way upset him.

"Come on, then," Odin said, gesturing for his son to get onto the horse. Loki obeyed.

"Mother. Loki's back!" Loki heard Thor's voice coming from nearby. Their mother, Frigga, came out to meet them.

When Loki dismounted, Frigga pulled him into a hug. "What happened to you?" she whispered in his ear.

Loki hugged her back, relieved that she was not angry with him. "I'm fine, Mother," he said, meaning it.

"He wasn't gone long," Thor remarked.

Loki looked over his mother's shoulder. "I was gone for hours!" he objected. "Did you just now notice?"

Thor shrugged. "I figured you were off breaking rules. When I didn't hear any commotion, I knew something was wrong."

Loki wasn't sure if that was an insult or a casual comment, so he let it go.

Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars or Thor. The only things I own are the two characters of my imagination (Anna and Liri).