I think you guys might know where I'm going here judging by the chapter name. So...I'll mention this at the bottom, but I think I might actually end the story with this chapter. Read it real quick and tell me what you think in a review. Let me know if it would be a good idea to build on it or leave it as is.
Pergjithshme: Mwahaha I love doing cliffhangers! Why? Because it makes people want to read more. I'm so mean. Anyways, my heart goes out to Loki as I write these chapters.
Ayy Kaim: Unfortunately, I had to go along with what the movies' plots demand. SPOILER ALERT! If you watch Thor, you'll see that they do indeed think Loki dead. I had to make them not recognize Loki in my story because Thor, as you know, is surprised to see Loki alive in the Avengers. So it wouldn't work if they already knew he was alive and on Midgard.
AaylaKit: If all goes to plan, then Vader might be seen again. And no, I didn't think of it as the Portal of Destiny. And yes, believe me, I've been hunting down some good Loki fanfics, too. My favorite is Cross Reality by Nako13yeh. It's really interesting. If you find any awesome Loki-centered fanfics, tell me the names so I can look them up and read them.
Vader and his men retreated. The Asgardians returned to make sure Loki and Liri were unharmed. Well, alive is probably a better word. The two had taken a lot of torture, but they were otherwise okay. Odin asked Loki, "Will you need medical aid?" He still did not recognize him through the wall of magic. In response to Odin's question, Loki shook his head. He did not want to speak for fear of giving himself away. Magic could protect his identity, but he was not powerful enough at the moment to conceal voice recognition.
"Don't worry, All-Father. We can handle ourselves," Liri said confidently.
"Of course, Liri. It is certainly good to see you again." Odin smiled and turned to Loki. "Take care, my friend. We will celebrate the lives we saved, including yours."
Thor sighed, his eyes on his brother. "Why do you remind me so much of him?" he wondered. Loki merely shrugged, feigning ignorant innocence. "I suppose you don't know what happened to Loki, Liri," he said.
Liri detected in Loki that he did not want his identity revealed, so she shook her head. "Is he alive?"
"I'm afraid not. I suppose it is best if you do not know what occurred that night."
Loki felt himself tense up. Oh, how he wished he could attack his older brother right now. Revenge and tension built up inside him, making it very difficult to keep his mouth shut.
Liri was a very good actor. The sadness that twisted her features was believable even to Loki. "He's…gone? But I didn't even get to say goodbye…" A tear slid down her cheek.
Thor caught it with his thumb. "I know you were very fond of him. I'm sorry we all have to suffer this way. I miss him as much as you do." He whispered, so silently that only Liri heard, "I blame myself every passing day."
Loki wondered what he had said to her. His gaze flickered from one face to another. There stood the people he had left behind. Among the ranks were Sif and the Warriors Three. His mother was not among them. He felt a stab of disappointment. He wanted to see her face one more time, as he had not seen her since Odin lay in the bed, helplessly drowned in Odinsleep.
"It is time for us to depart. The emergency has passed. We will be unable to return if this happens again, but as long as the enemy does not know of this, Midgard is safe. Heimdall! We wish to return. Open the Emergency Portal."
Emergency Portal? Loki knew not that there was such a means of travel. Well. So that was how the Asgardians had arrived. The portal must be difficult to use, as Odin had warned that he could not come back.
"I must see Jane," Thor pled. Loki refrained from rolling his eyes.
"No, Thor. We came for a purpose. That purpose has passed and been fulfilled. The people are safe now, so we must return home." He gestured for Thor to go first as a gigantic blue portal appeared. Thor reluctantly stepped in, followed by others.
Once they were all gone, Liri turned on Loki and threw her arms around his neck, laughing cheerfully. "We're alive, Loki! Midgard is safe!"
Loki found himself grabbing hold of her waist and twirling her around twice. He felt a sense of jubilance that he could share this happy moment with one of his closest friends. They both collapsed on the ground, side-by-side, laughing. "They didn't recognize me," he said after a pause.
"That's what you wanted, right?"
Loki nodded. "I still cannot believe that Anakin Skywalker was the monster behind the attack."
"The Force tells me that he led the assault on the Jedi Temple, too." Liri sighed. "The galaxy I grew up in is doomed. I'm sure democracy is torn to pieces. He mentioned an Emperor. That can't be good." Her laugher had died now, replaced by deep sadness.
Loki waved a hand. All around Liri, flowers grew. Loki didn't usually make cute gestures, and he found it repulsive to use his magic in this manner, but she needed cheering up.
It worked. The smile returned. "Loki," she scolded. "How am I supposed to lament over the death of democracy when you're playing one of your little jokes?"
"Tis a gesture, not a joke," Loki said defensively.
"Whatever it is, it's lovely," she said, sitting up and watching flowers grow where she had just lain. Thank you. I feel better. Why don't you use your magic for this purpose instead of pranks and mischief?"
Loki shrugged. "Where's the fun in that?" He sat up as well. Liri leaned over and shoved his chest, forcing him back down. "All right, all right. In all honestly, mischief and pranks define me. There is no Loki without them. As of late, I've been too weary from disowning my family to think about using my magic for anything nonproductive." Liri began to feel pity again, which she knew he hated. She tried to hide it, but it did not escape him. "Stop right there. I know that look. What did I say about pity?"
Liri stood up and helped him to his feet. "Right. No pity. You're so broken, though, that it's hard to ignore your pain."
"Do not dwell on it. There are other things to think about. The first thing I'd do if I were you is relocate."
"Wise idea." A thought suddenly occurred to her. "You will be coming with me, right?"
Loki hesitated. "I'm not sure."
"I'm all you've got left. I can't leave you now. I need you."
"How could you possibly need me?" Loki wondered.
"Because you know me. The real me. Not the girl in the white coat or even the undercover agent. You know me personally and you know who I am. You care about me. I know you do. That is why I need you." She smiled warmly and took his hand. "Run away with me. Forget our old lives. It'll be just you and me. No worries about shattered democracy or severed family ties. Would you like that, Loki?"
Loki wanted to say yes. But how could he? "I…will think about it," he decided. "Give me a night at least."
Liri placed the back of her hand on his cheek. "Take as long as you need. But not too long, okay?"
Loki actually slept that night. His sleep, however, was far from peaceful. He was in another realm. Words were exchanged.
You will be burdened with a glorious purpose, a voice told him.
More was said. It concerned magic and something called the Tesseract. The Cosmic Cube. They wanted it. Loki had to get it for them.
In exchange for what? he asked.
Power. Real power. An army that will help you rule Midgard. They were made to be ruled, and you will be the one to do it.
Loki pondered this. Here was his chance. This was what would fill the empty void. A purpose. A role as supreme leader of a realm of his very own. The possibilities…
Let us discuss this, Laufeyson. If you fail, the consequences will be great…
Loki departed that night. He would not let Liri know what he was planning. He traveled a long way, putting as much distance between them as possible. She wouldn't understand. It was better this way.
Loki came to a resting place and used his power to cast his mind over a long distance. There he was, standing next to Thor's friend, Dr. Selvig. Selvig was facing an unfamiliar man with an eyepatch. Loki gazed hungrily as the eyepatch-man opened a case. There lay the Tesseract. Loki focused his mind on influencing Selvig's. "Well, I guess that's worth a look," he whispered.
Selvig parroted him. "Well, I guess that's worth a look." He smiled. Loki smiled. Thus, the journey began.
Majorly short chapter, I know. Sorry about that, guys. I had to end the update on that note in order to make the story flow better. You'll understand when the next chapter goes up, if I decide to post another chapter. I might just end it there. What do you guys think? Should I continue, or drop it right there? Disclaimer: I own nothing except Liri and random mortals that pop up here and there.