Chris and Heimdall arrived in the throne room to see Odin and one guard stood by the throne. Chris marvelled at the elaborate decoration in the room. It was like in the films but so much better. When Odin turned to face them Heimdall knelt and Chris followed suit. It seemed like something Thor would do.
"Leave us" Odin commanded gesturing to the guards who had brought them. Curiously the one to his right remained. "You may rise Chris Hemworth" Chris started surprised that Odin knew who he was. As he rose he started to speak "I..."
"I do not believe I gave you permission to speak mortal" Said Odin and the guard beside him stifled a smile. Heimdall raised an eyebrow, it was unusual for Odin to speak in such a manner.
"I am aware of your actions today and in the past" Odin said and strode towards them, "I must admit myself surprised at the ingenuity"
If Heimdalls eyebrows could have risen any higher he would have been in danger of losing them. He was seriously confused by the way Odin was speaking. Suddenly the door burst open and a guard charged in. "I'm sorry Allfather but you told me to alert you immediately when this returned" he said holding up the hourglass.
"Thank you" he said "You may go"
He walked back over to Chris and Heimdall holding the hourglass. Chris felt despair wash through him and he called out to the leaving guard "There wasn't a man with this hourglass"
The guard looked at Odin for permission to speak, he nodded. "No sir, i'm sorry" he said as if aware of what this meant.
Chris looked at Heimdall and saw regret crossing his vision. He sunk to his knees, "No" he murmured.
"He may not be dead" offered Heimdall.
"What is the likelihood of him being alive."
"Low" muttered Heimdall.
Chris stood and grasped Odin's arm, "You must organise a search of the grounds for a man resembling Loki"
"That will not be necessary"
"You can't.."
"It will not be necessary because any man resembling Loki would have been found by now. There was a search when we discovered his body, he has fooled us so often before"
Chris sunk to his knees again. "It cannot be true"
"Actually that was not the reason" Said Odin's guard moving forward and speaking without permission. "May I" he asked Odin gesturing to the hourglass.
"By all means" he replied handing it over. Chris and Heimdall watched in puzzlement as the guard removed the lid and closed it just as quickly with seemingly no change.
This odd behaviour was beginning to get on Chris' nerves. They were acting as if his friends death meant nothing. "I demand you begin a search for him"
The guard chuckled as Odin opened his mouth to speak. That was the last straw, Chris launched himself at the guard and knocked him to the floor. The guard gasped trying to remove Chris' hands from his throat. "Enough!" Shouted Odin.
Chris did not relinquish his hold. He saw a flash of blue cross his victims eyes as they formed the look of a moping puppies. Reeling he let go falling backwards.
The guard turned to Odin "Enough" he said and the grin on Odin's face disappeared.
"Ok fine" and with that Odin's form shifted into that of Loki's.
"Loki?"
"I think you will find my friend more appealing"
Chris turned to see Tom standing before him, looking apologetic. Once again Chris launched himself at him, but not out of anger, out of joy.
Pulling him into a firm hug he gasped,"You're alive!"
"I did try to tell you that was not the reason for the search for me" He laughed.
"How long have you been here"
"About five months, its been an experience"
"A rather interesting one" chipped in Loki
"The plan worked then"
"It did"
"And are you a changed man"
"Due to a change of fate yes"
Tom chuckled softly.
"I am sorry to interrupt but if Loki is here then were is Odin."
Tom and Loki looked guilty, in a very not good way.
"Tom?"
"It may change your view of me."
"As long as you have not killed anyone I do not care"
The look on Tom's face caused Chris to despair. Loki drew a knife very quietly as he saw Heimdall draw his sword.
"Tom you wouldn't have" he started as Heimdall pulled him back raising his sword.
"The worst decision of my life" he muttered. Loki moved in front of Tom.
"Please let me explain"
"I think you should never have gone to him. A change of fate indeed"
"PLEASE" shouted Tom, trying to get past Loki who was holding him out of harms way. "It wasn't meant to happen. Neither of us meant it"
Chris shook his head in disbelief. Tom despaired. He hadn't wanted this to happen.
"Please let us explain" shouted Loki
"Guards!" shouted Heimdall and with that both Tom and Loki drew weapons and started to run. Only to be brought down by a pair of guards. Chris could only look on as they were subdued. "Tom?" he whispered as the pair were dragged away...