A/N All righty! Now it's time to find out just how cruel I am. Is Loki alive or dead? Well, read on and you might find out. At least a little. ;)

Thank you so much to all my reviewers! Guys, seriously, I love all of you and your thoughts. I love to entertain people with my writing so it means the world to me that you guys actually get some enjoyment out of this story! :)

Guest- Yeah, sorry about the cruel cliffhanger. You're probably not going to be too happy with me at the end of this chapter either, but I have to do something to keep you guys coming back for more, right? :P

Ophelia Lokisdottir

pallyndrome

ImperfectIsPerfect

Ellamena

Princess PrettyPants

maliha1205

aliceindeepdarkwonderland

Son-of-hiddle

Couplets

RossyGaray

foxare

Aka-Baka Hoshi

OkieDokieLoki

ImagiTheNation

Guest- Yes, as a matter of fact I am a Whovian. I just couldn't help myself with that reference last chapter. I know! I wish Loki was going to be a main character in Age of Ultron too! But at least he's supposed to have a scene in the movie. Maybe that'll be enough to tide me over until Thor 3.

thewriterstory

Aftermath

Thor watched in awe as his brother fought and defeated Thanos, then made the Chitauri flee with his presence and a single look alone. Pride swelled in the older prince as he witnessed Loki fight in a way Thor had never seen him fight before. The victory, however, was bittersweet as Thor held his injured father in his arms. Odin was still alive and as far as Thor could tell had remained conscious, if dazed. Even though Odin was likely in pain, part of Thor hoped that his father had been able to witness Loki's bravery and strength so that Odin could feel the same pride in Loki before he...

Growing up, Thor had always thought his father was invincible. As he got older, he learned that wasn't true. No one was completely invincible. However, his father was still a very strong and imposing man. To see him cut down was equal parts shocking and horrifying, and as much as Thor desperately didn't want to accept it, the prince had seen enough men injured in his life to know a fatal wound when he saw it.

Even if they got Odin to the healers right then, he likely wouldn't survive the grievous injury, and the healers wouldn't be able to get there that fast nor get Odin all the way back to the palace in time to help him at all. Thor knew he was going to have to say goodbye to his father on that battlefield. He just prayed that Loki would be able to finish his battle, and that Frigga would arrive in time for them to do the same.

Thankfully, Odin still lived as Loki finished off Thanos before making his way back over to them. Loki's eyes were unreadable as they met Thor's and the younger prince was the first to look away, turning his gaze to Odin as he knelt down next to his father.

Thor couldn't tell if Odin was still coherent or not, but the king's eye was still open and he seemed to be looking at Loki, even though he didn't move or show any change of expression.

"Brother..." Thor trailed off, not knowing what else to say, how to give voice to the terrible emotions burning in his chest and the awful truth swirling in his mind.

But Loki ignored him and reached out, gently placing his hands on either side of Odin's face. A look of concentration crossed Loki's face and he let his eyes slip shut, Odin's doing the same a moment later. Thor had no idea what Loki was doing, but as his hands began to glow green, Thor began to feel some small hope that maybe whatever Loki was doing could save their father.

Thor watched as, where Loki's green glowing hands rested on their father's face, Odin's own golden magic began to glow, slowly spreading out until it covered his whole body. It was very faint and weak but it proved that Odin was still alive, he was still holding on.

A moment passed, then the green light on Loki's hands traveled up Loki's arms until it covered his entire body, the shine of his magic much stronger and brighter than Odin's. Distantly, Thor was aware of the many warriors and friends who's eyes were on the, at first tragic, but now equal parts curious and amazing scene unfolding between the king and his magic wielding son. However, the eldest prince didn't pay any attention to the onlookers. His eyes were glued to his brother's and father's auras as they slowly began to change.

It was so slight and subtle, that at first, Thor thought he was imagining it, but after a minute, it became clear that Odin's aura was growing stronger and brighter. As much as that made Thor's heart leap with hope, though, the fact that Loki's was dimming, caused worry to claw at the thunderer. Especially when Loki shuddered slightly, a wince of pain and fatigue flashing across his face. However, the youngest prince never lost his expression of concentration and determination.

For what seemed an eternity, they watched as Odin's gold grew brighter and more stable, his face seemed to take on a much healthier look, and the wound on his chest began to fade, while Loki's aura grew fainter and his already pale complexion grew even more so as pain and fatigue began to line his features. Through it all, Thor sat there, feeling helpless to even know what was happening, let alone how to stop it. He didn't even know if he should stop it. Loki looked bad and it seemed that whatever he was doing was harming him, but Thor couldn't be sure of that. And surely Loki wouldn't do anything too terribly dangerous to himself. Would he?

Whatever was happening seemed to either finally finish, or else became too much for Loki as both auras faded from sight and Loki slumped back, all his strength gone. As his hands left Odin's face, the king's eye flew open and he sat up, reaching out and grabbing Loki, catching the now unconscious prince before he could hit the ground.

"Father!" Thor cried, his hands supporting the still unsteady Odin as the king gently lowered Loki the rest of the way to the ground.

It was at that moment that the healers finally arrived, Frigga following closely behind them.

"My King," Eir said, crouching down next to Odin who was rapidly regaining his strength and no longer needed Thor's help to sit up.

"I'm fine," Odin gruffly said. "Help my son."

Eir turned to the unconscious Loki laying next to Odin. Odin had one hand resting on Loki's chest and the other gently caressing his pale cheek. Odin could sense how weak Loki's energy was and it was growing weaker. The transfer was done. He shouldn't be fading. And yet he was. That could only mean one thing.

Odin quickly scanned Loki's body looking for what he knew had to be there. Sure enough, as he moved his hand from Loki's face to run it over his body, Odin felt something warm and wet coat his fingers as he brushed it down Loki's left side. The king pulled back his hand and cursed upon seeing the red covering his palm. His curse was quickly echoed by both Thor and Eir, the latter of which quickly moved to Loki's left side, opposite where the All-Father was kneeling, and pulled back Loki's coat to begin inspecting the wound.

It was a clean slice in his side, just below his ribs. It wrapped from the left side of his abdomen around to his lower back. It was deep, but hadn't gutted him. It was bad and would have been easily noticed before had it not been for his coat hiding the wound and the black material of his clothing concealing the red of his blood. Eir quickly covered the injury to staunch the blood flow, and had one of her two assistants hold the pressure on it as she searched the rest of Loki's body for more wounds. The gash in his side was deep enough to cause worry and quite a bit of blood loss, but it shouldn't have drained Loki so much as to render him unconscious.

"I don't understand," Eir said upon finding no other wound. "This wound is severe but it should not have cost him so much. He is not otherwise injured and yet..."

"He drained himself healing Father," Thor said. At least he thought that was what had happened, from what he had seen.

"I wish it were so simple," Odin said. "He didn't just heal me. He performed a lifeforce transfer."

"He did what!" Eir exclaimed as Frigga cursed. "How did he even know how to do that?"

"I do not know, but he did," Odin said.

"What is it?" Thor asked.

"He shouldn't even be strong enough to do that at full health let alone injured," Eir said in wonder.

"My Son is much stronger than any of us realized," Odin said.

"What's wrong?" Thor asked, again. "What is a lifeforce transfer?"

"It is a spell which allows the caster to transfer some or all of their life energy to another. It is extremely complex and difficult. Only the most skilled sorcerers can do it and even then it takes a massive amount of energy. There are very few who are skilled enough to cast such a spell and even fewer who possess the strength to do so," Frigga explained.

"It is a very dangerous spell and can easily kill the caster," Eir said. "And that is when they are at full strength and completely healthy, not tired and wounded from battle. The fool had no idea what he was doing."

"He knew," Odin said, silencing everyone. "He knew the price."

"And it's one he won't have to pay if I have anything to say about it," Eir vowed and then quickly began to bark orders at her assistants. Together, she and her apprentices got Loki onto a stretcher.

Then Eir quickly called out to the onlooking warriors around them for two men to bear the stretcher to the palace while she and her apprentices tended to Loki en route. For a moment, no one moved, too stunned and overwhelmed with the many developments over just the last half hour. Then, suddenly, they all seemed to break from their trances and every warrior in earshot of Eir's call stepped forward, all willing to help their fallen prince who had more than proven himself worthy of the title 'hero.'

Eir quickly designated two of the closest warriors. They came forward and bore up the stretcher without hesitation. Thor helped pull Odin to his feet and stayed by his side in case he needed support. The warriors took off carrying the stretcher while Eir and her apprentices saw to Loki. Thor and his parents followed closely behind them. Thor glanced back to see the other Avengers (who until now had kept a respectful, but still supporting, distance from Thor and his family) following right behind them and Thor was extremely grateful for their presence. He had a feeling he was going to need their support in the coming hours.

As the stretcher moved toward the palace, the many men still on the battlefield quickly separated to allow the stretcher and the following family and friends to pass. All on the battlefield had witnessed Loki's amazing fight against the seemingly unbeatable Thanos and word of his sacrifice for the All-Father had spread through the ranks like wildfire. So, as the injured prince passed by on the stretcher, the warriors came to attention and one by one crossed their fists over their hearts, saluting the youngest prince as he was carried past them.

Loki's rank as prince had earned him the authority over the warriors of Asgard for years, and his strength in the face of his captivity and torture at Thanos' hands, had earned him their respect, but it was his actions this day that had earned him their loyalty. There wasn't a true and honorable warrior among them who wouldn't follow Loki anywhere and die for him now. After so long struggling and longing to be Thor's equal, Loki had become so in the eyes of their people without even trying.

)()()(

Thor had stayed near Odin during the walk to the palace, ready to reach out and steady his still weakened looking father if need be, but although tired and strained from the recent ordeal, Odin made the journey without problem.

The royal family and five Avengers followed the unconscious Loki right into the healing chambers which, fortunately, was large enough to accommodate so many. However, after watching Eir and her apprentices tend to Loki with speed and barked orders verging on a feeling of panic, Odin suggested that they all wait in the hall to get out of Eir's way so she could tend to Loki.

Odin's real reason for the suggestion was to try to lessen the distress he could plainly see in both Frigga and Thor at the sight of the pale, unmoving Loki. Odin himself was feeling no small amount of worry, knowing better than the others just how much Loki had given and how weak he had been at the end of the transfer, but he had to be strong for his wife and he had to be the strong, confident king that his kingdom needed. The responsibility of husband, father, and king was a heavy weight to carry but it was one that Odin had to endure for the people and the realm he loved.

Thor and Frigga were reluctant to leave but Odin, with a bit of help from the Avengers, managed to convince them it would be better for Loki if the healers could work without so many people in the way. The eight of them filed out of the room and into the hallway.

Odin lead Frigga over to a cushioned bench positioned against the wall opposite the door and had her sit down. He sat next to her and wrapped his arm around her as she leaned against him, seeking comfort.

Thor felt suddenly drained as the adrenalin of the battle seemed to evaporate from him all at once. Without really thinking about it, he leaned back against the wall and slid down to sit on the floor.

The rest of the Avengers made themselves somewhat comfortable in similar positions on the floor around and across from him, offering their silent support as they all settled in to wait for however long it took.

For the next hour they were mostly silent as they all got lost in their thoughts. Steve's thoughts kept going back to the battle and everything that had happened. He couldn't believe what Loki had done. Steve had never seen anyone fight like that. It was amazing! There was no way any of the rest of them could have defeated Thanos. He'd just been too strong, too quick, and too powerful. Loki had saved all of their lives, as well as the entire kingdom.

Steve shook his head slightly in wonder.

"Steve? You okay?" Tony asked, nudging his son's shoulder and breaking him out of his thoughts.

"Yeah, I was just thinking."

"About what?"

"About the battle," Steve answered. "The way Loki fought was amazing. And I just can't help but wonder..."

"If he can fight like that, how on Earth did we ever beat him," Tony finished.

"Exactly," Steve said.

"He had to be holding back a lot on Earth," Clint agreed.

"He had to be holding back for longer than that," Bruce said. "I mean, did you see Thanos' face? Even he had no idea Loki was capable of that."

"I don't think anybody did," Natasha said, surreptitiously glancing at Thor and his parents.

"I must admit, I could not have done what my brother did," Thor spoke up softly. "I would have tried, but Thanos would have killed me, probably easily. Loki knew that. That's why he stopped me from challenging Thanos. He saved my life... again."

"He saved all of our lives," Steve said. "There is no way any of us could have beaten Thanos. At least, I know I couldn't have."

"I don't think even the other guy could have taken him down," Bruce said. "The Hulk may have the strength, but he doesn't have the kind of agility or focus needed for a fight like that."

After that, they all fell silent again, their thoughts on the battle and even more so on Loki. The longer the wait stretched on, the more they worried. None of them wanted to lose Loki. Not his family, and not his new friends. As far as the five of them were concerned, Loki was as much an Avenger now as Thor was. He was part of the team and none of them wanted to lose a teammate, or a friend.

Tony glanced over at Odin and Frigga and he didn't see a king and queen. He saw two parents, worried for their son's life. Tony reached over and wrapped his arm around Steve's shoulders just needing to hold onto his own son. He knew the pain of losing a child. Thankfully, Tony had gotten a second chance that most people never did. He had gotten his son back and he fervently hoped that Odin and Frigga didn't lose theirs. Steve relaxed, leaning into his father's side, and rested his head on Tony's shoulder.

Tony couldn't believe it had been nearly two weeks since he had gotten Steve back. It seemed so short, and yet, in some ways, it seemed like so much longer. So much had happened over those weeks, a reunion, an invasion, a battle, innocence proven, a family reunited and their bonds reforged, and yet another battle. Despite everything going on, though, Tony and Steve had managed to effortlessly pick up their relationship where they had left off, just as close as they had ever been. As if they had never been separated.

Tony softly kissed the top of Steve's head and ran his fingers through his son's hair.

"I love you," he whispered.

"I love you too, Dad," Steve said, shifting so he could wrap his arms around his father.

)()()(

It was a little more than an hour from the time that Loki was taken into the healing chambers to when Eir finally emerged. As soon as the door opened, the eight people in the hall were on their feet, looking at Eir with worried and expectant expressions. Eir stopped in the hall and took a deep breath.

"Is he going to be all right?" Frigga asked.

"I don't know," Eir admitted. "The wound itself wasn't too difficult to take care of and normally would heal within a week for an average warrior and even quicker with Loki's magic. However, these are not normal circumstances. The lifeforce transfer has complicated things. It weakened him severely. So much so that it has made the wound much more grievous than it should be. He's so weak. His body is having trouble handling the wound and the blood loss."

"So, you're saying that the transfer made him more susceptible to a wound that normally would be non-life-threatening," Steve said.

Eir nodded. "The transfer on its own would have been dangerous, and the wound alone would have been concerning. However, when added together..." she trailed off.

"One alone is serious. Both together are possibly fatal," Bruce concluded.

"He's stable for now but due to the transfer coupled with the blood loss... He may not have enough lifeforce left to come back from this," Eir reluctantly told them. "He's unconscious. If he wakes up in the next few days he'll likely make it."

"If he doesn't?" Odin asked, already knowing the answer.

"He'll grow weaker and eventually slip away," Eir said as gently as she could. "He has a hard battle ahead of him. But after what I've seen and heard, if anyone has the strength to win such a fight, it's him."

"He can and he will," Thor said with certainty.

Then he moved past them all and into the healing chambers to sit at his brother's bedside. The others watched him go and fervently hoped he was right.

A/N So... yeah. I still haven't told you guys for sure one way or another what Loki's fate is going to be. Have I drawn it out long enough yet? :P Feel free to leave me your rants and raves and desired outcomes in the review section below. :)

Next chapter, you guys FINALLY find out Loki's fate. Yay! But be warned, there will be feels! Whether good or bad, I'm not saying. :P