Disclaimer: All rights remain with DreamWorks, Marvel/ Disney, Stan Lee, and Cressida Cowell, and Rick Riordan

There Be Demi-gods

By: iamCambria

Introduction: Norse deities have been known to be more protective of their children than other mythological gods. Especially if their children are in constant need.

Chapter 3: Oh Brother

Loki gave a tired sigh. He hadn't expected telling Hiccup so early. They had just finally begun to listen to each other; he wasn't ready to give up that relationship so easily. But then Odin just had to break in and ruin everything.

Curse you, father. Loki growled, slowly changing his form back into Stoick the Vast. He didn't want any unexpected visitor to barge in on him. You had to ruin the small bond that I was repairing with Hiccup. The bond I had once had with him when he was but a small babe.

Oh how he missed the good old days. Sitting back in his wood chair, he leaned his head against the long back. He could see Valhallarama smiling jovially while she played with Hiccup on the floor. All the while Hiccup was babbling non-stop, his too large emerald eyes wide as he and his mother played with a set of rune-blocks.

"Nothing is simple anymore." He sighed again, wishing he had grabbed ice from the frozen pit. Being a Jotunn under an extreme amount of stress, he needed the soothing cool to calm his nerves.

But even then the ice probably wouldn't help.

It wouldn't solve his problem with Hiccup.

Or his problem with Odin.

It would only temporarily relieve him of more migraines to come.

"I need to do something." Loki decided. "Perhaps I will go around the village. Surely someone might need the help of their chief."

Hefting up, Loki causally strolled out of the house, trying to ignore the pulling feeling of his guilt. He hated that little conscience he had. He wished he could kill it—it certainly would make life so much easier.

He walked down the hill, savoring the peace of his village. Rarely was Berk silent or peaceful; it was moments such as these that Loki truly enjoyed living in the village. It was hardly the splendor of Asgard, but it did carry its own splendor. This little village with long, impressive docks and a Great Hall that truly lived up to the "greatness", were all built with the sweat and blood of men.

Not by Asgardians who were superior to men in strength.

But by short-life, little mortals.

"Stoick!" a female voice cried out.

He turned around to see Astrid running towards him, Stormfly in tow.

"Ah, Astrid, lass—there ye are." He said, allowing Stoick's much more gruff voice emanate from his throat.

"Sir, have you seen Hiccup? He didn't show up today." She said worriedly.

Loki couldn't help but feel worried. When Hiccup was angry, he didn't break things like other Vikings. He ran. Hiccup would run away—whether on his own foot or on that dragon of his varied. But when Hiccup was distressed or furious he would go away, finding solitude for his muddled thoughts.

"I'm sure 'e's fine lass." He said, the lie rolling straight off his tongue.

"True, but I'm worried, you know?" Astrid continued. "Ever since the Berserkers attacked, I can't really feel too great when he's out there on his own. Even if he's got Toothless."

Loki nodded. "I understand Astrid, but Hiccup's a growin' boy. 'E needs time to 'imself to sort things out."

"Do you know where he went, sir?" She asked hopefully.

"'Fraid not."

Astrid gave a frustrated sigh. She really didn't like losing.

"Well, I'm going to look for him. He shouldn't be out there on his own." She gestured to Stormfly, and the vain Nadder came over obediently. "Come on girl, let's go find Hiccup."

"Be careful, a young lass like you shouldn't be goin' out on yer own either." Loki warned. Especially with raging grandpas floating around in the sky.

"Don't worry sir, I'll be careful. And don't worry; I'll find Hiccup."

She patted the blue dragon on the neck. The Deadly Nadder nodded, and flapped her wings taking off into the sky. Loki waited until the blonde was far away before he began walking through the village again.

It took him a good two hours to finish his patrol. He stopped to say hello to many of the villagers before trekking back up the hill to his house. Surely by now Hiccup would be back. As he approached the house, he let out a sigh. It was clearly empty. The door was still completely shut and the house as silent as the ether.

"You really should be keeping tabs on that son of yours," A husky voice joked from behind him.

Loki spun around, preparing to be met with Gobber but was surprised.

"Hello, brother!" Thor greeted, enveloping him a bone-crushing hug.

Loki gasped, the air squashed right out of him. But also, his fury taking over his entire body. Thor! How in the name of Hel did he get here? How did he even know me in this form?

"Certainly you look well brother." Thor complemented, setting the man down. Even in the form of Stoick, Loki looked half as impressive as the blonde god of thunder.

"Thor." Loki growled, his body stiff and hostile.

"Come now Loki," Thor guffawed. "Is this any way to treat your long lost brother?"

"A more correct term: long forgotten brother." Loki quipped, allowing the tips of his lips to tilt up.

"I have missed you brother." Thor continued, his smile growing bigger still.

"I wish the same could be said for you." Loki snapped, small grin disappearing again. "I set up many spells to prevent you from finding me. So how did you do it, Thor?"

"Mjolnir sensed your magic." Thor explained, a frown gracing his features as well. "We had not felt the presence of your doings since you have left. After Mjolnir was able to track your signal, I was able to see what has happened to you during this life you have decided to live."

"And my son?"

"I know all about him, brother!" Thor piped up, smile once again blooming across his face. "I am more than thrilled to be the uncle of such a clever warrior."

"Hiccup is far from a warrior."

"For now he is, but that will not be his future."

"How would you know of this?"

"He is of Viking and Asgard. It is in his blood."

"That means nothing."

Thor simply shook his head, still beaming at the Stoick like Loki.

"Why did you really come Thor?" Loki said, changing back into his Æsir form. "Being that it is easy to tell when you are lying, I wish to know why you've truly come to me."

All levity stopped there. Thor's face became darkened, his eyes grimmer, and his lips pursed in a fine line.

"I came for your help, Loki."

The god of Mischief laughed. "You came to me? For help? Oh, you truly must be desperate Thor."

"This of grave matters, brother." Thor rumbled, voice dangerously calm.

"Oh?" Loki chuckled, piping up a brow.

Thor crossed his arms, his mighty Mjolnir clenched tightly within his fists. "There are wrong goings on in Asgard."

"Really?" Loki questioned, crossing his own arms. Something about Thor's tone made him think about what Hiccup had told him earlier, about Odin.

"Something is wrong with the Alfather…" He paused and then corrected himself. "With our father."

Loki inclined his head, giving Thor permission to continue.

"Few of us have heard contact from him. He has not held Council in months, and even Frigga is worried that father is far more ill than anything we could imagine."

"And I suppose, given my vast knowledge of magic, you were to find me and consult me." Loki guessed.

Thor nodded.

"Give me the symptoms of Odin's malady."

"He is silent. And when he speaks, his voice shakes with power—"

"This is his voice." Loki interrupted, waving his brother off dismissively. "What else?"

"His eyes have no light." Thor snapped, angry at the Trickster for interrupting him. "They are not their once ice blue, but a pitiless black."

Loki hummed.

"He makes no eye contact, he uses profanities when he does talk to others, and worst of all… he disappears at night."

The Trickster god cocked his head to the side in confusion.

"He does not return to his quarters with mother." The thunder god explained. "He disappears at night and does not return until the light of dawn. Frigga worries, as does the Warriors Three, Lady Sif, and the rest of Asgard."

"Well," Loki pondered aloud thoughtfully. "From what you have presented to me…it sounds as some sort of possession."

"Possession!" Thor boomed. "Nothing can possess the Allfather!"

"Calm yourself Thor." Loki glowered. "It was only a guess. What you have explained to me gives little information. I would have to see father myself to see the true cause and origin of his illness."

"Then you must come with me to Asgard."

"Thor, I will not." Loki said, preparing to tell his brother of Hiccup's experience earlier that day.

But instead, thunder cracked furiously.

Loki rolled his eyes. "Thor, honestly, you cannot throw a fit every time you are denied something. I was simply going to—"

Thor looked at Loki, his baby blue eyes wide.

"What?" Loki demanded, his own emerald eyes narrowing.

"That was not I, Loki." Thor stated.

Loki's own eyes widened with fear as he looked out for the source of the sound. Accumulating over Berk were dark, ominous storm clouds. They were almost as black as the midnight, and as impregnated with rain as a cloud could get. Loki's stomach form a pit. Only one other Asgardian, other from Thor, could create a storm like that.

"Odin." Thor spoke anxiously, beginning to twirl his hammer around.

Loki swallowed his fear down hard, his eyes looking around for a black dragon.

"Hiccup."