A/N Okay, so this one just focuses on Loki's memories. We'll get back to some of the team in the present in the next chapter.

Thanks to my reviewers! I'm glad to know some of you guys are really enjoying this story! :)

Ophelia Lokisdottir

Agent Ruby Red

melissa. valdovinos. 12

Guest

aliceindeepdarkwonderland

sailorraven34

Wicked R

More Pieces of the Puzzle

Thor was sitting inside the SHIELD compound when Loki appeared, dressed in Earth clothes and apparently cloaked from all eyes, as no one else besides Thor saw him.

"Loki, what are you doing here?" Thor asked.

Making sure you never come home, Idiot!

"I had to see you," Loki said.

"What's happened?" Thor asked. "Tell me. Is it Jotunheim? Let me explain to Father."

"Father is dead," Loki said.

Remember to look sad, The Voice reminded.

"What?" Thor asked.

"Your banishment, the threat of a new war, it was too much for him to bear," Loki said, careful to keep his face a bit sad as The Voice had ordered. "You mustn't blame yourself."

But go ahead if you wish.

"I know that you loved him," Loki continued. "I tried to tell him so but he wouldn't listen."

Oh, that's cold. Well done, The Voice praised.

"It was so cruel to put the hammer within your reach, knowing you could never lift it," Loki subtly taunted but kept his expression sympathetic. "The burden of the throne has fallen to me now," Loki said and it was all he could do to keep a straight face."

"Can I come home?" Thor asked.

Don't smile, The Voice ordered yet again.

It kept doing that and Loki supposed it was a good thing, since he never knew he wanted to smile or ever felt himself start to smile until after The Voice said that.

"The truce with Jotunheim is contingent upon your exile," Loki said.

"Yes, but couldn't we find a way?" Thor asked.

Oh, just crush him and be done with it already, The Voice said, sounding bored.

"Mother has forbidden your return," Loki said gravely. "This is goodbye, Brother," he said and felt a twinge of sorrow at the words and the pain on Thor's face, but just as soon as it came, it was once more gone again and Loki forgot that he had felt it. "I'm so sorry."

No, you're not.

He thought perhaps he should have been, though, but as had become typical as of late, Loki couldn't seem to focus on that thought.

"No, I am sorry," Thor said and Loki's heart twisted painfully.

Oh, he's just sorry he won't get to sit on the throne as King.

'Oh, of course. That must be it,' Loki thought.

"Thank you for coming here," Thor said.

It was our pleasure.

"Farewell," Loki said, fading away even before Thor said "goodbye."

Loki appeared in the section of the compound where Mjolnir was.

Try to pick it up. If you can, it will come in handy.

Loki moved over and gripped the handle. He pulled as hard as he could but it wouldn't budge.

Unworthy, The Voice whispered.

And for once, Loki actually started to believe it. After all, if The Voice told him so, then it must be true.

)()()(

Loki faded away from Earth and made his way to Jotunheim, just as The Voice ordered.

"Kill him," Laufey said.

"After all I've done for you," Loki said with a smirk.

"So you're the one who showed us the way into Asgard," Laufey said.

That was just for fun.

"That was just a bit of fun really," Loki said. "To ruin my brother's big day," he said contemptuously.

And to protect Asgard from the idiot.

"And to protect the realm from his idiotic rule for a while longer," Loki finished.

"I will hear you," Laufey said.

Oh, yes you will.

"I will conceal you and a handful of your soldiers, lead you into Odin's chambers, and you can slay him where he lies," Loki offered.

"Why not kill him yourself?" Laufey asked.

'Because he's my father and I love him,' Loki thought but it was quickly swept away like most of his thoughts.

Laugh, The Voice ordered.

Loki chuckled before answering Laufey's question.

"I suspect that the Asgardians would not take kindly to a king who had murdered his predecessor," Loki said. "Once Odin is dead, I'll return the Casket to you and you can return Jotunheim to all its, uh... glory."

"I accept," Laufey said.

Of course you do, you dimwitted fool.

)()()(

Loki reappeared in the bifrost chamber to see Heimdall studying him.

"What troubles you gatekeeper?" Loki asked.

"I turned my gaze upon you in Jotunheim but could neither see you nor hear you," Heimdall said. "You were shrouded from me, like the Frost Giants that entered this realm."

That's because he is old and weak.

"Perhaps your senses have weakened after your many years of service," Loki said.

"Or perhaps someone has found a way to hide that which he does not wish for me to see," the gatekeeper replied.

"You have grate power Heimdall."

That's debatable.

"Did Odin ever fear you?" Loki asked.

"No."

"And why is that?" Loki asked.

"Because he is my king," Heimdall answered.

Was.

"And I'm sworn to obey him," the gatekeeper finished.

"He was your king," Loki said. "And you're sworn to obey me now. Yes?"

"Yes," Heimdall reluctantly admitted.

"Then you'll open the bifrost to no one," Loki ordered as he walked out of the room. "Till I have repaired the damage my brother has done."

)()()(

Loki stood on one of the palace balconies and watched as the bifrost was activated.

They are going to warn Thor. Everything you have achieved will be undone!

'No. I can stop them. I have just the thing,' Loki thought.

He made his way down to the weapons vault and stood in front of the Destroyer's door. Then he tapped Gungnir on the floor, opening the door and calling the Destroyer forth.

Make sure he never comes back.

"Be sure my brother does not return," he ordered.

Destroy it all.

"Destroy everything."

)()()(

"Tell me Loki. How did you get the Jotuns into Asgard?" Heimdall asked.

"You think the bifrost is the only way in and out of this realm? There are secret paths between the worlds to which even you with all your gifts are blind," Loki replied scathingly. "But I have need of them no longer, now that I am king. And I say, for your act of treason, you are relieved of your duties as gatekeeper and no longer citizen of Asgard."

"Then I need no longer obey you," Heimdall said before raising his sword to attack.

It was a simple matter for Loki to use the Casket of Ancient Winters to freeze the gatekeeper, as The Voice instructed him to do. And this time, Loki didn't even blink as his skin once more turned blue for a few moments. He idly wondered if that was a good thing or not. Wasn't he supposed to be bothered by his Jotun appearance? But the thought was fleeting and quickly dissolved as he went about his task of sending the destroyer to Earth.

Once finished, Loki returned to his throne to watch the destroyer's encounter with his good-for-nothing brother and his worthless friends. However, Loki was somewhat surprised when Thor stopped fighting and approached the destroyer.

"Brother, whatever I have done to wrong you, whatever I have done to lead you to do this, I am truly sorry," Thor said. "But these people are innocent. Taking their lives, will gain you nothing."

Loki was taken aback by the words. Thor never apologized. And he never stopped fighting, always so sure that brute strength was the best and only way to prevail. This was different. This was completely out of character for Thor.

Could it be that Loki's brother had finally changed? That he had finally matured and learned from his mistakes?

Lies. All lies. He's trying to play you. Weasel his way out of what he knows he deserves. As soon as this is over he will return to being as he was before.

Then Thor did something Loki never thought he would see or hear his older brother do. He made a selfless offer.

"So take mine, and end this."

Loki sat on the throne, inwardly stunned. If it was all lies, why would Thor offer his life to end the fight. Thor was mortal now. Loki could easily kill him, and he offered his life up freely?

He let the destroyer power down as he stood from his throne and turned the destroyer away from Thor.

He's bluffing. He knows you won't call him on it. He expects you to play into it. Feel sorry for him and let him go. You are the master manipulator. Don't let yourself be played. Now hit him.

'No!'

That was crossing a line that Loki refused to cross. For everything Thor had said and done to him growing up, Loki still loved him and he wasn't going to kill him. Destroying a small town, wreaking havoc, and playing tricks were one thing but this... this was a step too far.

Do it! Now! The Voice practically screamed.

Loki winced but still refused as he determinedly turned back toward the throne.

As long as he lives, your father will never love you.

Loki froze.

If he's gone, you will be The Golden Prince. You will rule.

'I don't want to rule. I never have.'

Yes, you do, The Voice whispered.

Did he? He couldn't remember wanting to rule but apparently he did.

All you have to do is turn around. Just turn around.

Turn around. It seemed so simple. Just turn around and his father would love him.

Suddenly, Loki found himself turning back, slinging out one arm as he did so. The destroyer copied his movement and backhanded Thor, sending him flying.

'No!' Loki's mind screamed. 'What have I done?'

What was needed.

'That's not what I wanted!' Loki mentally screamed.

Yes, it was. You wanted to rule and you wanted him gone. He never loved you. He only looked down on you.

That was true. Thor had always seen him as inferior and had always made fun of him. It made sense that he wanted him dead. He couldn't quite figure out how it made sense but he was sure it did. After all, The Voice told him so.

But then Loki was spinning back around in surprise as Thor's hammer flew to his hand and lightning crashed all around.

)()()(

That insufferable oaf had not only survived, he had gotten his powers back and destroyed the destroyer. Fortunately for Loki, he couldn't get back to Asgard now that Heimdall was no longer there to open the bifrost for him. Now, Loki was the only one who could open the gate, which he did, but not for Thor.

"Welcome to Agard," Loki said as Laufey and a few other Jotuns appeared in the gate room.

Loki led the Jotun king out of the gate room, past the still frozen Heimdall, and toward the palace. Soon his plans would be completed and he would finally have his father's love and respect. He would deal with the matter of his brother later.

Loki waited as Laufey entered Odin's chambers and knocked Frigga aside. He winced in regret at that, but he knew she wasn't harmed and all would turn out all right. He let Laufey believe he was really about to have his revenge, even waiting until the Jotun raised his ice dagger over Odin, about to plunge it into the Allfather's chest. Then Loki stepped into the room and blasted the blue skinned monster with Gungnir, sending him flying across the room to land near the wall.

"And your death came by the son of Odin," Loki said.

The son of Laufey actually. The Voice reminded him.

Loki let Laufey get a good long look at him before leveling Gungnir once more and blasting the Jotun into dust.

"Loki," Frigga said, climbing to her feet. "You saved him." She ran forward and embraced him.

"I swear to you, Mother, that they will pay for what they've done today," Loki said.

"Loki!"

Loki jerked around at the sound of Thor's angry voice. How had he managed to return?

Heimdall, that traitor. You should have killed him when you had the chance. This will ruin everything.

'I can defeat Thor,' Loki thought arrogantly.

No, you can't, The Voice whispered.

"Thor. I knew you would return to us," Frigga breathed, running to embrace her eldest son.

Her only son.

Loki began to back away, keeping his distance from Thor as he stepped farther into the room.

"Why don't you tell her how you sent the destroyer to kill our friends, to kill me," Thor said.

"What?" Frigga asked, disbelieving.

"Oh, it must have been enforcing Father's last command," Loki said.

"You're a talented liar, Brother, always have been."

"It's good to have you back," Loki said, sarcasm lacing his voice. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to destroy Jotunheim."

With that, he sent a blast of energy at Thor, hitting him square in the chest and sending him through the wall and falling from the tall tower.

Loki quickly exited the palace and mounted his horse, riding swiftly toward the bifrost. Once inside, he slid Gungnir into the slot and activated the bifrost, sending the energy blasting into the surface of Jotunheim. Then he opened the casket and tendrils of ice snaked out over the staff, splitting off until it covered the flashing arcs of energy branching out inside the bifrost chamber, freezing the staff in place and making it impossible to shut off.

Perfect. The Voice praised. Now no one can stop it. Your revenge will be complete.

Revenge? He wanted revenge? Why?

Before he could try to come up with the answer, Thor arrived.

"You can't stop it," Loki said. "The bifrost will build until it rips Jotunheim apart."

Thor took several steps forward and raised his hammer to smash the ice but Loki fired another blast of energy from Gungnir and sent Thor flying back once more.

"Why have you done this?" Thor asked.

Yes, why had he?

To prove to your father that you are the worthy son, The Voice helpfully reminded him.

"To prove to Father that I am the worthy son," Loki said. "When he wakes, I will have saved his life. I will have destroyed that race of monsters. And I will be true heir to the throne."

"You can't kill an entire race," Thor said.

Why not?

"Why not?" Loki asked with a chuckle. "And what is this new-found love for the Frost Giants? You, who'd have killed them all with your bare hands."

"I've changed," Thor said.

"So have I," Loki said, and it was the truth, he just couldn't quite figure out if it was for the better or not, but The Voice kept telling him it was. "Now fight me." He swung Gungnir, hitting Thor in the face and sending him sliding across the floor. "I never wanted the throne!" Loki screamed and truer words he had never spoken, but that didn't seem to matter now. "I only ever wanted to be your equal."

"I will not fight you, Brother!" Thor yelled.

He's not your brother.

"I'm not your brother. I never was," Loki said, his eyes growing bright with unshed tears.

"Loki, this is madness."

"Is it madness? Is it? Is it!" Loki asked, a tear rolling down his cheek. Part of him (the part made up of The Voice) said no, but the other part of him was actually afraid he really was slipping into insanity.

He's gone soft!

"What happened to you on Earth that turned you so soft?" Loki asked. "Don't tell me it was that woman. Oh, it was. Well maybe when we're finished here, I'll pay her a visit myself!"

That got Thor moving as the two brothers launched themselves at each other. They fought, staff against hammer, punching, hitting, and kicking for several minutes before Thor smashed into Loki and sent them both flying through the wall of the bifrost and onto the rainbow bridge where Loki rolled across the bridge and fell over the side, clinging to the edge and calling out for Thor.

Thor stood up and walked to the edge, towering over Loki.

"Brother, please," Loki said.

Thor hesitated for just a moment before reaching down to grab Loki, but as soon as his hand touched his brother's, Loki disappeared in a shimmer of green light. It took Thor only a split second to realize it had been an illusion, but that second was all Loki needed as he stabbed the end of Gungnir into Thor's stomach, sending Thor to his back on the bridge.

As Thor looked up at him, Loki duplicated himself until Thor was surrounded by smiling, laughing Loki's.

"Enough!" Thor yelled, sending out a bolt of lightning, spearing through the illusions, dissolving them, and sending the real Loki flying backward several feet.

Thor climbed to his feet and walked over to the prone Loki. He looked down on his brother for a moment before bending down and placing Mjolnir on Loki's chest, effectively pinning the younger man to the ground.

Loki felt like a bilgsnipe was sitting on his chest, and the comparison wasn't all that far off. He reached up and tried to lift the hammer, but just as on Earth, Loki was unable to even shift it an inch, letting out a frustrated yell as he strained against the unmovable weight holding him down.

"Look at you! The Mighty Thor!" Loki taunted. "With all your strength. And what good does it do you now, huh?" He let out a grunt and let his head fall back as the hammer pressed mercilessly into his chest. "Did you hear me, Brother?" he spat. "There's nothing you can do!"

Suddenly the weight on Loki's chest disappeared as Thor called the hammer to him and proceeded to bring it down in a mighty swing, slamming it into the bridge at his feet. Over and over he smashed the hammer into the bridge, cracking and damaging it.

Stop him!

"What are you doing?" Loki screamed as he sat up. "If you destroy the bridge you'll never see her again!"

Thor ignored him as he continued to slam Mjolnir into the buckling bridge. Loki quickly got to his feet, picked Gungnir up, and ran at Thor. Just as Loki leaped into the air to attack him, Thor sent one last mighty swing at the bridge, putting all of his strength behind it. The bridge shattered in a massive explosion that engulfed bother brothers and sent them flying up into the air. The bifrost collapsed and fell off over the edge and into open space.

Thor and Loki fell through the air falling past the end of the now broken bridge and toward open space, but suddenly they both stopped their decent. Loki looked up to see Thor holding the other end of Gungnir and a now awake Odin holding onto Thor's leg. Loki dangled out over the edge of Asgard, the only thing keeping him from falling to his death, his grip on Gungnir.

"I could have done it, Father," Loki called out. "I could have done it! For you! For all of us."

"No, Loki," Odin said softly.

Two words, so small and simple, and yet so huge and profound. Just two words and Loki's heart shattered.

Let go.

Two more words. Once more, so small and simple, and yet, those two whispered words were all it took and Loki let his fingers loosen and slip off Gungnir.

Then he was falling.

A/N Let me know what you think! :)

Next up we'll be moving into my version of what happened to Loki between his fall at the end of Thor and his appearance on Earth in The Avengers. There is going to be plenty of Loki whump so be sure to come back next Friday for more.