Wow, okay. I'm enjoying writing this, but not getting a lot of reviews here. The only things that are keeping me posting at this point are Pergjithshme's loyal reviews. So if you like this and want me to keep going, then take a minute of your time to let me know. So here's an announcement that I am posting on all of my updates tonight. There's this awesome fanfic author by the name of Nako13yeh. She posted an Avengers fanfic called Cross Reality, but it was taken down due to unintentional breakage of a rule and stuff. Well, it's back and it's legal now, so for those of you who were disappointed that it disappeared, it's BACK so get out there and read it!
Pergjithshme: Yes. Yes you do. And thank you, I find it very nice how Thor loves Loki despite the fact that he, Thor, is the obvious favorite. I suppose one can argue that hugging can be a Thor-like gesture. :)
Time passed. War raged on in the world of two sides: Republic and Separatist. Then there were those that wanted no part in the war. A lot of them were forced to become involved anyway. The war, however, would soon meet its dark conclusion. Anakin knew this as he knelt before the Chancellor. He felt anticipation run through his veins. He was about to begin a new life.
"Rise, Darth Vader," Palpatine said.
Everything happened so quickly after that. Vader was given his first assignment: to cleanse the Jedi Temple of anyone and everyone. Even his old friends. The army would take care of anyone outside the Temple. Vader's task was large in scale, but he would not have to do it alone. The clones would help him.
He departed for the Temple to begin his first steps as a Sith apprentice.
Liri and Anna stood back-to-back, deflecting shots from the very army that had pledged allegiance to the Republic that the Jedi served.
"Run for the hangar!" Anna ordered. "I'll cover you."
Liri did as she was told. As they ran, troopers open fired, not seeming to care who was struck down as long as they took some Jedi with them. The sisters sprinted as far and as fast as they could until they reached a blockade. Troops behind and in front of them kept them hemmed in. They didn't even speak to the girls. They just fired.
Anna deflected as many bolts as possible and created an opening in the group of enemies. "Run!" she commanded.
Liri got through just before the gap closed. Anna was still in there. Before Liri could act, her sister was shot down. "No!" she cried as Anna was pelted with shots. She stood there numbly as the clones fired until they were satisfied she was dead. They then turned on Liri, guns raised. She backed against the wall so that there were no soldiers behind her. She was trapped and would surely end up with her sister's fate. One trooper shot her in the leg. She cried out in pain, knowing this was the end.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, all the troops fell to the ground at one time. They fell in sync like they do when they march. They were stunned, but not dead. When they fell, they revealed a tall figure standing behind them, hand out, helmet on, and spear in hand.
"Loki!" Liri limped up and hugged him, tears flowing freely from her eyes.
"Has your army revolted?" he demanded.
She looked up at his face, though she did not have to crane her neck because they were not terribly far apart in height. "Yes. I hear there is a Sith running loose in the Temple. We've got to get out!"
"Follow me. I will get you out. I cannot save the Temple, but I can save you, and that's good enough for now. Any surviving Jedi is good. Let's go!" He scooped her up into his arms to get her off her injured leg.
She felt six years old again as she wrapped her arms around his neck. That's twice he saved her. How could she ever repay him for rescuing her from the bloodbath in the Order?
They arrived in the hangar. "Get in the ship and fly away from here. Get out of the Republic territory. Find a new realm to reside in."
"How? The whole galaxy will soon belong to the Sith. There's no escape."
Loki closed his eyes. "Father, forgive me. This will anger you." He raised his voice and called Heimdall's name. As the light appeared, he grabbed Liri's hand and they disappeared together.
Heimdall was not happy. "You truly are the god of mischief. Only you could pull this on me."
"The Jedi were being slaughtered like animals. I could not stand by and watch her die. If one survives, then the Order is not completely lost."
"The Jedi are of no concern to us, nor are they our responsibility, Loki," Odin said firmly, coming up from behind. "Their realm is far beyond our reach. We have no business there, and I thought I told you not to go there anymore."
"If we could access their galaxy, would we help them? Anakin is probably dead like the rest of them, all because their army turned on them. What would happen to our realm if our warriors turned on us? On you, Father?"
"We must not speak of what could have been or what if this could happen. Dwelling on what-ifs can lead to madness," Odin answered.
"What-ifs are methods for being proactive rather than reactive. Anticipating what may happen will prepare us for what could be," Loki countered.
"All arguments aside, I will get to the point; she cannot stay here." Odin's voice held a note of finality that allowed no space for debate.
Loki, however, was willing to debate. "Where will she go? We cannot send her to her death," he said, testing the water.
"She will be sent to another realm. You will not find be informed of which one, nor will you know the coordinates. I assure you that it will not be the world she came from. She will be happy there."
Liri had stood quietly the whole time father and son duked it out with words. She didn't like how Loki's father assumed she would be happy when he didn't even know her. They were talking about her as if she wasn't standing there. Finally, she spoke up. "I don't want to be a problem. How about a compromise? I'll stay here a couple of days to get healed, then go to my new home. What do you say?"
Odin considered this a moment, then reluctantly agreed. "I suppose we cannot send her away with that leg."
Liri tried to contain her excitement. She was going to see Asgard! And she would finally meet Thor, whom Loki had talked about quite a lot. "Thank you, All-Father," she said.
Odin nodded, mounted his horse, and gestured for Loki to do the same. "I expected you to be here, so I brought an extra horse. Your friend will have to ride it with you." With that, he galloped away and was soon swallowed by the horizon.
"Will you be all right?" Loki asked.
"I'm a Jedi, Loki. I've been through a lot. I can ride a horse."
"Yes, but can you ride a horse with the god of mischief in a strange realm on a magical bridge?" His tone was dead serious, but his eyes were alight with humor.
"I can manage the bridge and realm. The god of mischief makes me nervous, though." Her tone matched his, but so did her eyes.
"Have fun walking, then." He pulled himself onto the horse and got it to trot away.
"Loki!" She could not contain her laughter now. "Get back here!"
"What, don't I make you nervous?" he asked, turning the horse around.
She waved a hand, knocking him off the horse with the Force. His eyes widened in surprise as he hit the bridge and lay splayed on the ground. "That's what you get!" she said accusingly. "Never insult the injured, much less a Jedi."
Loki grinned. "You really shouldn't have done that."
"Get a move on, you two," Heimdall said.
"Right." Loki bowed. "Ladies first?"
Liri shook her head, smiling, and let Loki help her onto the horse. "Now you choose to be a gentleman," she mused. Once they were both on, Loki started them off slowly. As they picked up speed, Liri wrapped her arms around Loki's waist. The Asgardian didn't seem to mind. They soon arrived. Liri could not stop gaping at the wonders of the ancient realm. It was as Loki had described it and more. It was so…beautiful! "Loki, I…" She wanted to say more, but couldn't find the proper words.
"Brother, you never told me you had a girlfriend!" a new voice piped up before Loki could respond.
Loki realized too late that Liri still held onto his waist. It certainly appeared very different than what it was. "In case you haven't guessed, Liri, this is my obnoxious and arrogant older brother, Thor."
"This obnoxious and arrogant brother of yours is to be King of Asgard, don't you forget," Thor said pointedly.
"You never let me forget," Loki remarked.
"Hiya, I'm Liri Jefora," Liri said to Thor, interrupting them. "I'd come down to meet you properly, but my hurt leg keeps me glued to your brother's back." She winked. Thor smiled.
"Let me help you with that problem," Thor said, helping her off the horse. "We'll take you to get that treated."
"It's not terribly bad," she said.
"Still, you need to get off of it." He offered his arm. "Are you from the Galactic Realm?" he asked as they started walking. "My brother spoke very highly of your kind."
Liri smiled and glanced backward to where Loki still sat on the horse. "Did he now?"
Thor nodded. "He has grown very attached to your world." He led her to a room, leaving Loki behind to watch, baffled, as they disappeared from view.
Liri fit in very well with the Asgardians. Every child in the realm wanted to see the strange lightsaber. Odin didn't particularly like the fact that the cat was out of the bag. Soon a lot of people would wonder where she came from and not be satisfied with the lack of information given on the subject.
Loki liked having Liri there, but he did not appreciate his brother's constant butt-ins. Thor always seemed to be talking to the young Jedi, asking her questions and tending to her every need. She was simply shot in the leg. She and Loki both knew that she was stalling to stay in Asgard longer.
Whenever Loki would question Thor on why he spent so much time with Liri, the reply would always be the same. His brother had never been to the world that Loki had been to, so he found the opportunity to learn more about it through this girl.
"Why is she sad, brother?" Thor asked one day.
"She lost everything in the battle at the Jedi Temple. Her sister included. It will take awhile to heal. I'm surprised she didn't tell you herself."
Thor was quiet a moment. "There is one thing that she did not lose that day," he said finally. Loki waited for him to continue. Thor gazed at him awhile before saying, "You."
Loki snorted. "Really, Thor. Why do you make fun of me?"
"I jest not. She is very fond of you. Her eyes light up when I say your name. I know she admires you."
"What is there to admire?" Loki asked.
"More than you think."
Liri was asleep when Loki went in to visit her. Even in sleep she was attractive. No mere mortal could be this pretty. She looked so peaceful that Loki did not want to disturb her.
Out of nowhere, she tensed up and started thrashing around. A choking cry escaped her lips. "Anna…Anna, no!" Tears streamed down her face. The faint rise and fall of her chest had turned to ragged, gasping breaths.
Loki rushed to her side, unsure what to do. Should he wake her? Before he could make a decision, the thrashing stopped. Her breathing deepened and the tears were gone. "Loki…" she whispered so faintly that he barely heard it. She slept on, unbeknownst of Loki's presence in the room.
She had said his name. What was she dreaming about? It was obvious earlier that it concerned the bloodshed on Coruscant, but what was going through her subconscious mind now? Loki sat down on the edge of the bed, gazing down at her face. How could she admire him, as Thor said? What did she see? She whimpered softly and shifted a bit. Loki was afraid she would have another breakdown, but she merely shivered and snuggled deeper into the blankets.
Loki was not tender by nature. He always kept his focus on learning magic and causing mischief. But here, in this moment, Loki Odinson found a soft spot within him. In one small movement, he placed the back of his hand on her cheek and stroked it gently. She meant a lot to him. She and her sister had stepped forward to befriend him when he was a stranger to their realm. He could never repay their kindness. Or Anakin's, for that matter. Loki wondered sadly if the Jedi Knight had made it out alive. Probably not, though it was a nice thought.
"Loki…" Liri whispered again.
Loki decided not to go anywhere for fear that she would have another fit of terror. For the duration of the night, he sat on the edge, listening to her rhythmic breathing.
"Loki…Loki, wake up."
He opened his eyes to find himself sitting on the floor, leaning against the bed. He'd fallen asleep. "Thor?" Loki blinked several times. "What are you doing in here?"
"I could ask you the same thing. Father wants to speak with us." He helped his brother to his feet. "Do I want to know?"
Loki shrugged. "It matters not. Let's go." Reluctantly, he led the way out. He would catch up with Liri after he found out what Odin wanted.
They appeared before their father, whose expression was grim. "Loki, Thor, the time has come for the girl to find a new home." Loki opened his mouth to protest, but Odin lifted a hand to stop him. "She has been with us long enough. As I said in the beginning, she cannot stay. Personally, I think I made a bad decision in letting her remain here this long, because she has obviously formed a bond with our realm and the people here."
"She fits in so well," Loki said unhappily. "Why can't she stay? What's wrong with forming a bond with us?"
Thor mumbled agreement. Odin sighed. "I brought you both here to tell you that she will be off to another realm. You will not know where. I want you two to stay put while I take care of this. Saying goodbyes will only make it harder, so you will remain here."
"What will she think of us, then? She has lost so much. She would be devastated to lose us without a proper farewell," Loki pointed out, a step away from pleading.
"My decision is final. Await my return." He turned and left.
Loki waved his hand, producing duplicates of himself and Thor. "Coming, brother?" he asked.
Thor grinned. "Just like old times. Lead on."
They quickly departed. Odin was off preparing his horse so he could let the girl sleep longer. Loki and Thor seized their opportunity. When they arrived, Thor stood at the door. "We both know that it is you she wants to see. I will stand here and keep an eye out."
Loki nodded appreciatively and entered cautiously. She still slept, but lighter, as if she would wake soon. As soon as Loki resumed his post on the edge of the bed, her eyes fluttered open. The first thing she saw was his warm green ones.
"Loki!" She sat up. "Hi."
Loki hated to be the one to break the news to her, but he also knew that it was best if he did it. "Rough night?" he asked conversationally.
"How'd you know?"
"I heard you cry your sister's name," he replied.
"I miss her," she admitted. "But being here on Asgard makes me calmer and happier than I would have been. She would've wanted me to be happy. It was all she cared about in life, really. She knew I always wanted to come here, and here I am!"
"Remember the compromise," Loki reminded her. "It's coming sooner than you may think."
"Do you know when yet?" she asked. Loki hesitated a heartbeat too long. Understanding dawned on Liri. "It's today." It wasn't a question. She knew Loki too well to miss the cue.
"I'm afraid so. I've been told not to say goodbye, so, naturally, I came to say farewell instead." A glint of amusement entered his sad eyes.
Liri's lip quivered, then she lunged forward and wrapped her arms around his neck as she had done both times he'd rescued her. She hugged him tightly, fighting back tears. "Will I ever see you again?"
"My father will see to it that you don't. But worry not. He will find a nice place for you."
"This is the place for me," she said firmly.
"Try telling that to the All-Father," Loki mused. "When he makes up his mind, his mind is set. Anyway, your place is with the Jedi. If they were still alive, we would send you there." He pried her arms off his neck and held them a moment. "You must be strong. You are a strong mortal, Liri. My father is coming. Please comply without objection. It will be easier for all of us."
Liri nodded. "I won't forget you. Goodbye, Loki."
Loki smiled. "Farewell." He slipped away to a place where his father would not find him.
Time passed since Liri's transportation to her new home. Loki kept his focus on increasing his magical abilities. The mortals in the galaxy of the Jedi crossed his mind more than once, but he dismissed the thoughts of them almost immediately.
The big day was upon them. Thor's coronation. His brother would become King of Asgard. Loki tried not to dwell on it too much. There were other matters to attend to.
He couldn't avoid it forever, though, when it finally did come. Dressed fully in Asgardian armor, Loki wandered the city awhile, deep in thought as always. As he walked, he suddenly heard his brother's voice.
"Another!" Thor shouted. There was a crash. Thor had a bad habit of breaking things. Especially cups and glasses.
Smiling, Loki went out to meet him.
"No, Loki."
Those two words were the breaking point. As Loki clung to the last thread of life, countless thoughts rushed into his mind at once.
I'm the monster that parents tell their children about at night?
It all makes sense now, why you favored Thor all these years…
You could never have a Frost Giant sitting on the throne of Asgard…
I never wanted this throne! I only wanted to be your equal.
I could have done it, Father!
Laufey's son…?
NO, LOKI. No Loki. No. The pain seared his heart as he saw the look of disappointment on Odin's face. The words of disapproval. As these thoughts built up and combined with the All-Father's words, Loki knew what he had to do. He had to let go. He loosened his grip, much to the horror of Thor.
"Loki, no…" Thor pled.
Loki did not listen. He couldn't. He was too far gone to hold on. So, he let himself fall. Thor's cry followed him until he was out of hearing range. After that, his life was fair game.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything except Liri and the deceased Anna (sadface).