Thanos could be spied emerging from a hollow, his malice evident in his visage. He approached the sorcerer, who was oddly calm in his demeanor.
"So...she meant nothing to you?" he screamed. "She meant so little, that you released her and sent her off to her love in Asgard!"
Loki pulled his arm back and green emanated from his fingers. Thanos fell backwards, and yelled at his lieutenants to charge.
Loki stepped back, and his hands went above him...a shield bloomed all around. He turned momentarily, and a gigantic snake rose from behind him. He smirked. The snake struck at the warriors charging...and then hundreds of snakes emerged from the ground, pulling some troll-like warriors, some giants, down to the ground in their coil. And Loki drew up a spring from the depths of the hollow, and it bubbled in its boil.
The giants screamed as their frozen skin blistered, as their breath ceased, and the tiny gruesome creatures writhed and stopped.
The giant snake followed its master as he made way to Thanos.
The release he felt was profound. Kill this thing. Kill it dead, and then...
"You are transparent, Prince," Thanos yelled from behind him. "How much of a fool do you take me for?! That mortal shall never know peace, for I shall hunt her down like the bitch that she is, and she shall know my wrath."
And Thanos wielded a scepter, and pointed it at Loki.
Loki fell backward, his shield faltering in the power of the spell.
He jumped to his feet, but before he could summon the giant serpent, Thanos had raised his instrument, and aimed if above him. The sky fell, and stinging rain descended upon Loki. His face soon bore the signs of burn, and he scowled.
His shield reformed, and the snake struck at the eye of Thanos. It bore its fangs deep in the socket, and tore it from its haven.
Thanos screamed.
Loki seized on the moment. A great dynamism erupted from his person, and Thanos fell in a heap, overcome from the force of Loki's spell and the pain of his eye being gauged.
He turned. The remaining fighters stopped still.
"If you do not wish to share the fate of your conquerer or your kin, you shall retreat to your unsound dwellings and remain there. Your false King has fallen. Heed my words or suffer my wrath," Loki concluded.
They scattered in their fear.
Loki approached the fallen ruler.
"Oh, Thanos. You are so very mistaken. You always were," and Loki took the scoundrel's head off, and threw his remains into the boiling pit below.
He sighed.
Now, he should retreat to parts unknown. Wait for Odin to leave for Valhalla.
But something was stopping him...something was pulling him to Asgard...
It would be an egregious error to go there. Though he had been taken prisoner, he had faith that neither his foolish brother nor his false father would see it thus, unless...
Unless Jane had told them.
She landed in the watch room with Heimdall.
He looked down on her. "And how was Jutenheim, Lady Jane?"
"As well as you'd expect, Heimdall," and she got up and ran to the palace.
Jane entered the palace, still being tended to from the battle a few days previous.
"Thor!" she screamed.
Jane had been attempting to explain everything...all of it, except the bit where she admitted that she was drawn to the dark Prince of Asgard.
She told Thor how she had visited him, how she felt guilty and she desired his release; how he had checked on her during the fight with the Frost Giants, and how he had seen to her own release from Thanos.
"Well, Jane. You have been keeping secrets," observed Thor.
"In manner of speaking."
"What think you of this, father?"
"I shall ask Heimdall if Loki needs help on Jutenheim..." and Odin left.
Thor heaved a very great sigh. "Jane...what am I supposed to do with this?"
Jane shrugged.
He looked away. "Are your injuries healed?"
"My ankle hurts, but other than that, yes..."
He nodded. "Come. I shall take your to Eir."
Odin entered Heimdall's station.
"How are things in the land of the Frost Giants, Heimdall?"
Without breaking his glance, he said, "The Prince has ridden the place of Thanos. He is dead, and...I believe that Prince Loki is approaching..."
And sure enough, Loki appeared.
"Hello...ah...King Odin," he bowed his head. "Heimdall..." and again a bow in acknowledgment.
"Loki. Heimdall tells me that you have rid our cosmos of the terrorist Thanos. You have fought gallantly alongside your brother in Jutenheim's attack. Therefore, you are a free Prince."
Loki was a bit taken aback. "I...well. That is good news, Odin."
Odin laughed a touch, "Indeed. Come, my son. Let us see to your wounds and have conference."
Loki was brought to Eir while she finished her work on Jane's ankle. It was nearly healed. She blanched at his entry, though he seemed unfazed enough.
"Eir," began Odin. "See to Prince Loki's face...he has some burns," and he left.
Jane swallowed. "Did you...defeat Thanos?"
"I did, as you say," and he sat on a chair by the window. "So, Thor...how have things been in Asgard in my absence? Have you had the opportunity to use your hammer at all?"
Thor cleared his throat. "No, Loki. We've been busy seeing to putting things right, and bothering Heimdall in vain attempts to see you or Jane."
"That is a sad state, Thor. I know how irritable you become when your hammer collects dust," and he smirked.
The thunder god did not find this funny. "Did Odin pardon you?"
"He did."
Jane's eyes shot up. Well. That's a relief. She could leave...
"And what now, brother?" Thor asked.
"Now..." began Loki, "Eir will begin her paltry attempt at ridding me of these acid scars..."
Thor chuckled and left.
Jane didn't know what to say.
Loki stared steadily at her. "Well, Jane. It appears you are in my debt yet again."
"What?"
"Well...I saved you once more...therefore, by your logic, you need to save my life. I suppose I should hold you accountable..." he smirked at her.
"Oh come on. I wanted you to leave, too!" she paused...the recollection of their kiss made its way to the forefront of her thoughts.
He sensed it. "Not to worry, mortal. I'll not divulge your slip to Thor. It was a heated moment, and perhaps you romanticized the situation a bit, as I was your only friend in hell."
Jane nodded. "Yeah," but she couldn't help but feel as though there was much, much more to this. Loki was likely sparing her his rejection. "You are wise, though. What shall you do, now that you are free and Thanos is dead?"
Eir began to weave a spell along his face. "Oh...a bit of this...bit of that..."
"YOU don't have a plan?"
And Eir finished...his face once more smooth, and Jane was suddenly struck with the desire to touch his cheek.
"Contrary to what most believe, Jane, I often have no plans...though it is usually from my idleness that problems ensue."
Jane nodded. "I can well believe it. Perhaps you should go back to your cell and pretend as though you are imprisoned, just so you can devise ways of escape."
Loki laughed heartily. "That, my dear, is not a half bad idea...the next time...and there will be a next time...Odin decides to place me there, I'll be prepared sans my emancipator."
Jane laughed now. "It was rather fun though, wasn't it? Attempting to fool Odin?"
"You, Jane Foster, have a mischievous streak in you. I like it."
"It's not something I usually own up to, unless it suits specific purposes."
"Such as...?"
Jane giggled. "Freeing a criminal from his cell."
Loki stood, and cleared his throat. "Well, Jane. I believe I should take my leave..." he paused. "Will you be leaving soon? For Midgard?"
"So anxious to be rid of me?"
"On the contrary, you are one of the only diversions Asgard affords at present."
She didn't know what to say about that, so she laughed. "I have no fixed plans."
He cocked an eyebrow. "Indeed? No fixed plans? I believe, not that long ago, you were in haste to leave Asgard. Perhaps someone has altered your design...?"
Jane's thoughts slowed..."Someone?"
"Yes. A someone who wields a mighty power...crafted in the fire pits of Anaheim...with the Light Elves at the helm...that someone happens to be my false brother. He has convinced you to stay."
He thought she still cared for Thor, despite her assurances to the contrary. Of course he did...he was a liar, he assumed everyone lied. And if Jane was smart (which she was, undoubtedly), she would agree and leave it.
Instead, she said the following: "The only person who changed my mind was me. I made my decision independent of any outsider's opinion, and I do not mean to stay long," she finished, and held her head high.
He nodded curtly and left.
There. She hadn't lied. She merely did not divulge the entire truth.
Loki made way to Odin for the "conference" he desired. It was a tiresome affair.
He found Odin in his quarters. "Well, Odin," and he stopped, held his hands out to his sides. "Here I am. Eir tried her best..." and he rubbed his hand across his cheek. "Of course, I'll need to see to the bits she missed in her ineptitude later."
"Eir is a fine nursemaid, a capable healer and possessor of magic."
"As you say, All-Father."
Odin looked steadily at his son. "It is good to see you, Loki."
Loki laughed. "Oh, please Odin. Do spare me your false dictums. I care not, and I tire from the sullied attempts you pander."
"My honest observations are not for sale. I am pleased that you fought in the name of Asgard, it does you credit..." he paused. "And to kill Thanos single-handedly. Well. That is something, son."
"Have I at long last culled your favor? Have I pleased the mind of Odin the conquerer? The vanquisher? The King? I have done well, true. But it is hardly the battles alone you can boast victory," he ended irritably.
Odin shook his head. "What is it with you and Thor's mortal?"
"It?" and Loki sat down.
"Yes. What fuels her desire to aid you?"
"Guilt," replied he, though he held Odin's gaze purposefully.
"And...? What of you? Why didn't you leave her to rot on Jutenheim?"
"I suppose..." and he looked away finally. "I suppose some of that similar medicine. Perhaps I felt inclined to return her gesture. It was..." he paused again, and looked at Odin again. "...unfair, what Thanos was doing to her."
"Since when do you care about the fate of a mortal?"
He stood and glared hideously. "Since this mortal was more concerned about me than my own so-called family!" he spat. "How could I not regard her with some semblance of interest? She was faithful and true! She visited me in my cage without fail!" he slowed. "I...did not want her death on my hands."
Odin nodded. "You have a conscience, son. A heart."
"Whatever allows you your repose, Odin, do take comfort in it."
"Do you deny it?"
"What? That I have a heart? A conscience? Because I refused to allow a beast to torture the one being in the Nine who offered me kindness?" He laughed.
"Yes."
"Then yes. I deny it."
"Loki...you are not the monster you believe yourself to be," and Odin began to turn.
"Am I not?" he yelled. "I am of that race who was taught to me as monstrous beings. I am not your son, nor am I Thor's brother. You may simper all you like...but my eyes are open, Odin. I see the truth."
Odin turned. "You see what you like! I love you, Loki, but by the gods, you are stubborn. You care for Thor's mortal...whether she was the catalyst, whether she has a bigger part to play in your life, I know not. But Jane Foster has awakened a sentiment in you, and you'd be a fool to deny it," and he left his son alone to ponder these thoughts.
Loki stood there. He wasn't certain how he felt about Odin's diatribe.
He turned and left to retire to his chambers.
And Jane went to Thor's rooms, and sat on a massive chair by the fire. She fell asleep there, and when Thor came in later, he did not move her, she appeared to be so peaceful.
And Jane's dreams were marred with a tapestry of symbols...an old woman, a doe in a meadow, a white daisy, a bubbling brook...
Her thoughts were of Midgard, her parents...of Erik and Darcy...and her soul bade her come home. But her heart whispered another plea.