TWELVE

Family Ties

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Gamora folded her arms, watching Loki frown in consternation and wondering if it had been the word 'Thor' that had caused it.

"I'll ask again - how do you know of Thor?" Loki demanded.

"He bounced off the window of our spaceship. In space," Drax said. "We thought he was dead, but the pirate-angel is tougher than he looks. This is amazing, because he actually looks very, very tough." He appraised Loki in detail. "You do not. I believe you must be adopted."

"Thank you," he said sarcastically.

"You are welcome," Drax nodded.

Loki rolled his eyes. "When you say he hit your window - where was this? And where is he now?"

"It was quite far from here - he told us about Xandar and the people of Asgard," Gamora said. "And… He was upset," she added quietly.

"He's always had a penchant for sentiment," Loki mused. "Although his planet had just been destroyed, and as we were making a getaway Thanos stopped us and ripped the ship in half. He killed half of the Asgard survivors and escaped slaves we rescued from Sakaar. I suppose if there were ever a time to be upset, it was then."

"No, he—." Gamora paused. "He thought you were dead. We need to find him."

"He thought I was dead?" Loki snorted. "Why?"

"I don't know, man - but he's gone to Never Never Land," Peter said. "That's where he's headed - he's got two of our crew with him."

Loki looked at Peter for a long moment, his face one of intense concentration. "Never Never Land?"

"Yeah. That's what he said, right?" Peter asked Gamora.

Drax shook his head. "No. It was Never Deliver Land."

"No I'm sure it was Never Never Land," Peter said.

"Nidavellir," Angela and Valkyrie said together.

The others stopped short.

"Nidavellir," Loki breathed. "But why… ah," he realised, nodding. "Mjölnir was destroyed. He's gone to get a new weapon."

"Mjölnir is destroyed?" Angela gasped. "How?"

"Hela," Loki said. "It's a long story." He looked back at Gamora. "You're in charge of these people, are you?"

"I am," Peter said.

"I highly doubt that," Loki said with contempt. He looked back at Gamora. "My friends and I will head to Nidavellir to find my brother, and after that, to hide these stones from the universe at large. Tivan here has claim on your adopted father's corpse. We just need his head."

"What? You can't cut his head off!" Peter gasped.

"I can," Angela nodded.

"No, I mean—. You don't go round chopping heads off dead people!" Peter protested. "It's like - disrespectful or something." He looked at Drax. "Right?"

"I agree with Thor's tiny brother. His head should be ripped off and displayed, as a warning to anyone who would try to wield Infinity Stones," he said firmly.

"But that was Gamora's dad," Peter said.

"That was not her choice. And how he is dead," Drax countered. He looked at Loki. "Chop it off, little man."

"The next person who calls me 'little man' gets my knife through their throat," Loki snapped, his voice like ice.

"Try it," Angela said from behind him.

He swirled around and glared at her. She lifted her chin and glared back. He took a step of intent toward her. Her hand snatched a sai from her thigh.

"Oh you two get a room!" Valkyrie cried, pushing between them and forcing them apart. She walked through them, ignoring their matching looks of outrage, instead pinning her gaze on Gamora. "Fine. We're not chopping off any heads. But we promised his dead body to the Collector, here. If you want it, you speak to him."

"I could be persuaded to part with it," Tivan said. "For a small price, of course."

Gamora turned to Peter. "Who says I want it?" she said.

"Well he was your father, and—"

"He slaughtered my family and kidnapped me - why would I want a piece of him dead?"

Peter put his hands to her face in an effort to calm her down. "I just thought you could bury him or something."

"Hide him in the ground?" she asked, horrified. She pushed his hands off. "Why?"

"Well it's a way to say goodbye, right, so—"

"Who made that up?"

"People on Earth do it," he argued.

"We're not on Earth!"

"I know, but—"

Drax came closer. "It is an honourable way to prompt closure."

"See?" Peter said. "Thank you. It would help you get over it."

"What, that he ruined my life, or that he's dead?" she demanded.

"I didn't mean you should be happy about it!" he cried. "Although we wouldn't blame you if you were, I mean—"

"He did plan to destroy a considerable amount of the universe," Drax put in.

Mantis wandered back out of earshot, noticing the three other people heading out of the entrance and back to the surface of Knowhere. Loki paused, sensing he was being watched. He turned and found Mantis looking at him. He had something quite large covered in a black cloth tucked under his left arm. He shifted it to be more comfortable and raised his other hand to wave cheerfully.

She giggled and waved back.

He turned and was gone.

She ambled around the gallery, looking at all the tiny knick-knacks and exhibits as voices raged on behind her.

Eventually they fell silent, and she found Gamora crouched by the dead form of Thanos, her face in her hands. She crossed to her, sitting cross-legged and being very quiet.

Gamora raised her head and wiped away tears. "Loki was right; the universe is safer now."

"Perhaps," Mantis said. She patted at Gamora's arm. "It doesn't mean you aren't allowed to be sad though."

"Thanks," Gamora said, a rueful smile pulling at her lips. She wiped at her face again. She sat properly, then looked around. "Where is Loki? And the other Asgardians?"

"They left," Mantis said quietly. "While you were arguing."

"Oh." She sniffed. "Where's the gauntlet?"

Mantis looked over at the entrance. "I don't know."

"Right. We should find some way to contact Rocket and Groot, bring them back to the ship."

"Maybe we should wait here. Loki will find his brother and then they will know where we are."

"Yeah. You're right," Gamora said. "Wait - I didn't see another ship here when we landed - how are they going to get there?"

.

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Loki produced a small blue stone and rolled it around in his fingers. "Ready?" he asked.

Angela nodded. Valkyrie held tight to her sword. "Let's go before they realise we sneaked out."

He smiled. His fist clenched over the stone and he closed his eyes.

A whirling, giant blue hurricane buffeted them, just yards from the open main street of Knowhere. As it took hold and sped faster, Valkyrie realised Knowhere was disappearing from outside the circle. She shouted to Loki but her voice was ripped from her and scattered around the storm.

Angela drew her sword and used the tip to keep her balance against the ground. She watched as the storm chased itself round them faster and faster - until everything beyond it was black.

It stopped. As if it had never been, the wormhole closed up behind them. Valkyrie turned and crouched, ready for attack. But the place was dark, empty.

"Is this the right place?" she asked.

Loki opened his eyes and panted in breath. He wobbled and Angela came forward and grabbed his upper arm in support. As Valkyrie looked around and took stock, he let himself get his equilibrium back, climbing down from the monumental battle for control the blue stone had just put him through. At last he stood straighter.

"I'm fine," he said stiffly.

Angela lifted her hand, coming to face him. "Perhaps we should find a ship to the next place. Who knows what using that stone is doing to you."

"Your concern is touching," he said coldly.

"My concern is actually reaching our next destination," she shot back. "If something happens to you whilst we are in one of those transportation wormholes, then Valkyrie and I will also be forfeit."

He nodded wearily. "I am aware."

"Good." She patted his shoulder firmly, making him almost stagger for balance.

"Thor!" Valkyrie shouted. Loki and Angela looked up to see her break into a run. She zipped off in a straight line, past some kind of huge smelting equipment that blocked their view. They hurried to follow.

As they rounded the monstrous vats they saw Valkyrie locked in a bearhug with a taller, wider Asgardian who was obviously pleased to see her. They parted but then grabbed arms and began talking at each other in eager happiness.

Angela sheathed her sword and folded her arms. "Will he be as happy to see you?"

"I very much doubt it," Loki said.

She looked at him. "You sound troubled."

"You sound like you care."

"Then I'm sure we were both mistaken." She sniffed and looked back at Valkyrie and Thor.

Loki resisted the urge to glance at her. Instead he couldn't help counting the seconds, hoping they would stretch on forever, that Thor would never look up, never see him standing there. "You know what," he said quietly. He put a hand to Angela's back and gave a polite push. "You go first."

She opened her mouth but when she turned he was gone. She sighed and put a boot out, walking up to the pair and bracing herself for a long explanation.

Thor looked up and grinned. "Angela! My god - how have you been?" he cried.

She smiled and Valkyrie let him go. He put an arm out and the two of them clasped wrists. "Thor," she said. "Or King of Asgard, I hear."

"Well, still Thor too," he grinned. "You are well, I see."

"I am," she said. "Did your hair not survive your travails off Asgard then?"

He grinned. "No. So tell me," he added, letting his arm drop and looking at Valkyrie. "How come two of Asgard's mightiest warriors are both on Nidavellir at the same time - and just after I've created a new weapon with help from my friends Rabbit and Tree?"

"That is a long story," she said.

"Where's the ship? Where are the Asgardians, and everyone we saved from Sakaar?" he asked, his face falling. "And if you're here, then where's Korg? Are you here to help me stop Thanos?"

"We are here to tell you that there is no need," Angela said. "Thanos has already been stopped."

Thor stared at her - then at Valkyrie. "What?"

"Thanos is dead," Valkyrie said. "I saw it myself."

"Which one of you killed him?" Thor demanded, annoyed. "He had much to pay for - I wanted to do it." Then he blinked. "Wait - you've saved the universe! You're heroes! More than that - icons! Legends!" He laughed suddenly, putting his hands on their shoulders and shaking them in his jubilation. "Tell me - which one of you dealt the killing blow?"

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He headed off down the steps, making his silent way down to the docking bays. He found the first one empty of ships, and the second. He rounded the stone pillar for the third bay, spotting the metallic wing of some large shape and grinning to himself.

Rounding the corner he found an old but apparently powered-up ship waiting for use. He rubbed his hands together and walked around the side.

A hand shot out from the gap in the wall. It captured him by the throat.

"Huurgh!" he spat in shock. The hand yanked him backwards. "Will - people - stop - doing that!" He grabbed the thumb and jerked it back sharply. The hand let go. He whirled to a ready crouch as daggers appeared in both hands.

Thor stepped out from the gap. "Loki."

"Bugger," he breathed. He straightened up, the daggers disappearing back whence they'd come. "You."

"Me," Thor said cheerfully. He folded his arms. "And you."

"Uh… yes," he said carefully. "Hold on - why do you have a new eye that's a different colour? Is it even yours?"

"Loki—"

His put his hands up hastily. "Before you even start, I can explain."

"I'm sure you can. You always can," Thor nodded with a proud smile.

"Right. Yes. So here's a funny story - Thanos is dead and—"

"Oh I know," he said, still smiling. "Valkyrie and Angela were just telling me all about it."

"Right. Ok." He watched Thor carefully, but he appeared completely at ease and pretty happy. "So… What's next?" he asked suspiciously. "You hit me, shout at me, tell me off, threaten me with punishment, banishment - what?"

"No," Thor said sadly. "Much worse."

Loki backed up a step.

Thor walked toward him. Loki's eyes darted from his hands to his eyes and back again as he panicked, desperate to see where the threat was coming from. But Thor simply raised his arms and grabbed him in a bearhug.

As he felt all breath being squeezed from him, his arms pinned to his sides, Loki closed his eyes and decided the safer option was to just wait it out.

Thor slapped at his back as he crushed him in his grip. "I believed it, this time. I actually thought you were really dead. I told Rabbit what had happened, and… that's when it felt real."

"C-code word," he wheezed.

"What?" Thor asked.

"Co - code word," Loki managed. "Get off me, you oaf!"

Thor let him go quickly. He held him at arm's length. "Just wanted to make sure you were really here."

Loki pulled his leathers straight by the collar and cleared his throat. "Well now you know."

"Yep." He patted at his shoulder, then stood back.

"I gave you a code word and everything," Loki said. "Right there, in front of Thanos. He had to believe it was real - he had to believe he'd killed me. But you were supposed to hear the code word and know that I had a plan."

"A code word?" Thor asked. "What code word? All I saw was you trying to knife a huge fella with a tiny little pocket knife!"

"And when have I ever used a small blade on someone I meant to kill?" he accused. "I mean I've stabbed you enough times for you to be able to tell when I mean it."

Thor nodded. "True. You might have me there."

"Moron," Loki tutted. "The ridiculous murder attempt, the code word - don't tell me you missed all of that?"

"I was distracted. And restrained."

"And yet when people call you a dumb blonde I defend you," Loki said, shaking his head.

"Who does?"

"Anyway, I called myself Odinson - you were supposed to know that meant I was lying and I had a plan."

"What was this great plan of yours?" he asked.

"Well getting the unarmed and vulnerable half of the ship to safety to start with," he spluttered. "I mean I knew you'd be ok, but a lot of Asgardians and a load of Sakaarians were on that vessel before Thanos ripped it in half."

Thor nodded. "All good points." He turned away, thinking. "Why did you not greet me when the others did?"

"I…" He bit his lower lip, watching Thor turn back to look at him. "I honestly thought that… you wouldn't be very happy to see me."

"Why?" he asked, his eyes narrowed.

"Because… because I've got this far knowing when to steer clear. And although we parted on ok terms and Thanos is dead, that doesn't…" He paused, and although Thor waited, Loki took his time finding either words or courage. He kept his eyes on Thor's boots. "Sometimes… I think there's so much dubious history I will never truly know when I should rightfully be wary… or if it's just a knee-jerk reaction to expect condemnation."

Thor shook his head. "You should have said hello."

"That and… I have three Infinity Stones."

"What!" he hissed. "Who knows of this?"

"You, me, Amora—"

"Amora? Where is she?" Thor demanded. "I can't believe you freed her to help you, Loki!"

"I did no such thing," he bristled. "She was freed when Asgard was turned to gravel, idiot. And I needed her help against a mad Titan about to destroy an entire universe. That's the difference between you and me, brother - needs must."

He rolled his eyes. "Aye. But where is she now?"

"Inside an Infinity Stone."

"What?"

"Calm yourself," Loki smiled, his hands out in a stopping gesture. "She attempted to use one and it swallowed her up. She's trapped for the foreseeable future - in a prison of her own making."

Thor wagged a finger at him. "And how did you engineer that?"

"Me?" he asked with utmost innocence. "I did nothing."

"Hmm," he managed with suspicion. "But apart from Amora, who knows you have these stones?"

"Angela, Valkyrie, the Collector," Loki said. "There was a group of people we passed as we were leaving. They told us where to find you."

"Yes - Rabbit and Tree's friends," he nodded. "And they know you have them all?"

"They probably think I have the two from Thanos' gauntlet. They didn't ask how many and I didn't volunteer the information."

"What are you going to do with them?" Thor gazed at him, then nodded. "Ah. Is that what all this was about? Not stopping Thanos to save a universe, or even our own people, but to get the stones?"

"And there is it," Loki said with an accusing, vindicated smile, his hands out to gesture to Thor. "The fact that I prised the stones from a madman and brought them to the one place where I knew you would becan only mean I want them for myself. Do you see now? Always the guilty-before-proven-innocent party, aren't I? And you wondered why I didn't say hello."

Thor's face clouded. "But…"

"Or no, let me guess - you think this explanation right now is me somehow making you believe I did this to save a universe, so that later I can double-cross you and every one of the Asgardians and slave-gladiators left alive, and walk away with Infinity Stones. Which is it, brother?" he demanded.

Thor's mouth opened but he didn't have words. He shook his head, then looked around the hangar as if searching for help. "I wanted to believe you brought them here to give them up. I wanted to trust you. But a part of me… will always suspect you."

Loki smiled, but this time it was with genuine relief. "The truth, then. I'll take that. And… you wouldn't really be much of a king if you did just believe me." He paused, watching Thor nod ruefully. "I don't want the stones any more than you do but we need to find a safe place for them this time. If one man can track them down and collect them like children's toys then we must either destroy them or hide them better."

Thor studied him. "Really?"

Loki threw his hands out. "Fine. I don't care if you believe me. I don't care if anyone believes me - not any more. Do whatever you need to do." He turned to walk to the ship.

"Mother."

Loki stopped dead. "Your mother."

"Frigga, then. She always believed in you. She always thought you could put your talents to good use. Wasn't that why she spent so much time teaching you everything she knew?"

Loki didn't turn. "I'm not doing this for her."

"Then who?"

Loki turned and looked at him. Thor had expected anger, but instead he saw weariness. "I just want it back as it was. I want Asgard back when Odin was younger, when you and I were barely a hundred years old, when you were stupid and easy to manipulate into fights, when people thought I was just the 'second son' and unimportant. I want it all erased - right back to when our fights were just playground shin-kicking. I want Frigga back, and I want it to be easy again."

Thor smiled. "No, you don't. You like it how it is. You like people expecting you to be the bad guy so you can turn around and do something altruistic just to confuse them. You want Asgard gone so all your crimes are wiped out. You never wanted Odin around - you banished him to a rest home on Earth so you could pretend to be him to rule Asgard, Loki. Don't pretend you want anything to do with him."

Loki looked at his feet. "I never said I wanted him back. But…" He paused. "But some of his last words to us were calling us both his sons. Both of us, Thor." He didn't look up. "And that made me think. I was angry with him for a long time, for lying to me, for shielding me from what I could have been. But in the end… he still considered me a real, actual son to him."

"We all did," Thor said quietly.

"Did," Loki said. He looked up, smiling ruefully. "Did." He laced his hands in front of him, rocking on his heels. "So what do we do now?"

"You give me the three stones and then you do whatever you want."

Loki inclined his head. "Ok then."

"What?" he blinked.

"Of course you can have them. Were you not listening?"

Thor folded his arms. "You're just going to hand them over?"

"Yes. There's just one tiny thing I have to do first."

"Loki—"

"Oh don't worry, brother - you're going to help me."

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Thanks for reading, people! Just a few fun chapters left after this. It's all for you, you reading readers who read!