Summary: The war between Jotunheim and Asgard draws to a close, but thanks to a horrible twist of Fate (or perhaps not), the nameless runt of Laufey-King is not discovered by Odin and so begins a remarkable journey of life that should not have been. Jotun!Loki AU. Set pre-/during-/after Thor/Avengers Assemble. MCU-verse only.
Warnings: ANGST! Loki-whump! Language, adult situations, violence, child abuse, dub-con, sexual assault (also of a minor), substance abuse, one abortion scene (sort of), slavery, sex trade (maybe), some mild original character/Loki M/M pairings.
Comments: This is not a slash fic. Sorry. It's Loki-centric, although I definitely show the rest of the Avengers and etc. Please review! Constructive criticism welcome.
Disclaimer: I do not own Avengers. Marvel owns it. I do not get paid for this piece of work. Sadly, but understandably. LOL.
Back from my trip! I went to an anime convention in Malaysia! It just happened to be running and I was able to drift and take pictures! It was soooo awesome! I love cosplay.
Thanks to all my lovely reviewers! You are the awesome - Double-Gemini, Ellie, ClaMiAl, DragonsFlame117, wbss21, Winter Cicada! You guys have mentioned some interesting things and be sure to check out author's notes at the end where I'll discuss some things that came up over the last couple of chapters or so. XD
Ellie: Thanks a lot!
Warning! Slavery! Warning! Angst! Warning! OH MY! Warning!
Distortions In Time
[Bitter Desolation, Incandescent Harmony]
Chapter 30
Sun's Ascension I
[... are you ready?]
[... the drums of war are beating...]
There was no warning: no omens to be read for the fate of Sharda'aa, the Planet of Pleasures, Den of Vice and Counterfeit Gold, no klaxons to be heard, no bell to be rung, no premonition to rouse them from the illusions of their world.
[... they will never wake...]
One minute, the perpetually grey-black skies of Sharda'aa showed the usual long traffic lines of hover-cars and shuttles. Above in the higher stratospheres, smaller spaceships zoomed about and beyond, hanging in closer orbit, the eternal debris of space garbage, larger space-cruisers and freighters. Further out, three pale moons hung – on most nights unseen by those below, unless the eternal smog thinned a little – and lesser man-made satellites with high-powered signalling stations for the holocam broadcasts.
One minute – business as usual.
[... the skies of Sharda'aa are filled with ships and waste and rock and metallic moons...]
[... the skies of Sharda'aa are filled with Nothing...]
[... and empty winds without a Voice whistle through the crevices of brick and stone and metal and glass...]
The next minute, there was the roar of a thousand waterfalls, the crackle of millions of volts, the cry of countless voices – it was the Bifrost, ripping its brilliant multi-coloured path through time and space. Ripping through the atmosphere of Sharda'aa. It hit the surface of a megablock's roof in the northern quadrant of the planet with reverberating pressure. Then, just as quickly, it disappeared, leaving behind it an increased wind, whipped up clouds and two large companies of Aesir. Fifty tall, muscular, clear-skinned, bright eyed warriors.
[... they came...]
No sooner had the Bifrost disappeared, several security alarms began to ring loudly, but it was too late. Already the surge had begun again with greater winds rising and the clouds gathering as the Bifrost disturbed the planet's atmosphere a second time, releasing another two companies of warriors further down the megablock's flat roof-top.
[... without warning...]
Sirens wailed and alarms rang out. Security details and various warriors poured out of the surrounding buildings, hopping onto their hover-cars, shuttles or aero-scooters as coordinates flashed across various screens, showing where the warriors had landed. Another flash of the Bifrost. More Aesir.
Civilians on foot who traversed the flat megablock paths on their way to work or leisure fanned out, diving towards the lifts in a massive effort to get off the higher levels and further down toward relative safety. Womenfolk yelling, children screaming, men hollering – warriors shoving their way out of the lifts only to meet their death almost instantly thanks to arrows, throwing knives and blades.
The roofs of the megablocks were now vast empty deserts of flat concrete only covered by the dark-clad, blaster-armed planet security and the variously decked free-lance warriors and indentured fighters who were allowed to roam the planet for hire. This moment, however, was not a matter of entertainment for across from them faced the strong, rowdy, confident companies of Aesir warriors.
This was war.
[... suddenly...]
[... they came...]
[... without warning...]
[... they will never wake...]
Unstoppable, the Bifrost opened, closed, opened and closed again, leaving behind even more of the tall, brawny, blond-haired race known (and feared) as the Aesir. In the centre of one particularly regal looking group, an older man bearing a crown stood, surrounded by generals and other scholarly-looking folk. Already, the Aesir had taken up positions about him, radiating outward, fearless eyes facing outward, weapons at the ready.
For a moment, no one moved – and then on the far side, heads turned and feet shifted as three warriors made their way toward the tall, regal King, dragging along a weedy-looking, un-shaven individual. With distaste, they threw the babbling half-breed before their lord and nodded, leaving the King with his top-ranking officials.
"An idiot," the battle-hardened General Tyr spat. "That is all they can find these days. Witless creatures, addled by their herbs and toxins."
"Peace, Tyr," Odin All-Father smiled down at the trembling green-yellow scaled humanoid. "Addled, maybe but every bit of news will aid us."
"I will question him," Mage Flarathir stepped boldly forward. "The bite of a soldier may strike fear too deeply in such a weak one's heart. We would not wish for it to pass on before it tells us what it may."
"And the tender caress of would-be men such as you–"
"Peace, Tyr," Odin repeated, this time his voice a tad bit harsh. "Ask if he has heard of Captain Thoko and his ship and his crew and his... cargo."
"Worm," Mage Flarathir tipped his head and two soldiers raised the alien to his feet roughly. "What is your name?"
"K-K-Kr-Krav."
The blow came swiftly.
"Show some kind of respect to your superiors, worm."
"Ah... ah..." The green-yellow half-breed Skrull bowed then and licked his lips, eyeing the other lords and the man whom everyone bowed to. Surely it was not Allfather himself come to Sharda'aa? "Your... Lordships?" He hazarded. "I am... I have never..."
"You will address me as Your Honour." A pause, and Krav nodded. Then Mage Flarathir continued. "We are on a quest to discover the whereabouts of this man," and with this, the Mage flicked open a wide picture bearing the likeness of a Slaver. Below, there was another image of a Slaver's ship. "Captain Thoko and his ship Nu'Mahvee'sako. Have you any knowledge of this being?"
"It is a – a – a – a large planet, Your Lordships and, uh, Your Honours, sirs, Honour, uh – ah – but – but – butbutbut," Krav twitched then and nearly prostrated himself as everyone about him ominously tensed. "But I do know a way to find out – we could – I mean, Your Lordships, uh, Your Honours could – I could – there is the Air Controller Offices who would know –"
"And how to find this Office?"
"Well – on this – on my, uh ah, here..." With that, Krav scrabbled into his pocket and drew out a small hand-held pad and flipped through the small screen with his quivering fingers before finding the number he needed. "I can – if I may – if your Lordships – that is –"
"Speak with them."
"Right – right – very well – uh ah – let's see..." Krav twitched again and began his call.
-0-0-0-
It was about 28:45 SST when Sharda'aa Air Controller Offices got a panicked call from Krav. Given that he was speaking for the ruler of the Realm Eternal, he was transferred immediately to the "Big Woman Herself" - a pale-skinned, politically-savvy female Shi'ar going by the name Lisha'o Cormo. Within moments, she had a reply for the invading Aesir while simultaneously sending out a warning to the Planet Governor (an equally politically-savvy Skrull by the name of Jylla) that this concerned a shipment of three Aesir.
Captain Thoko and the Nu'Mahvee'sako had unfortunately left Sharda'aa only three weeks ago. However, there was good news – the three, er, captives had been left on Sharda'aa and were even now being located for the Aesir.
Krav, the udji'oo junkie, had moved beyond 'this is merely a bad trip' to 'this is reality and the entirety of this planet's well-being depends upon my non-existent diplomatic skills' – which made him six times as jittery. By the time the designation for the three slaves, er, captives were unearthed in the ever-capacious files of the International Employment Bureau, the half-Skrull was literally vibrating. No one had shot each other yet – but if the missing Aesir are not located...
Krav felt ill.
[... there would be no mercy...]
[... no mercy for Frei'thovee of the Empire of the MahKo'nai...]
"From now on," Mage Flarathir stepped back to allow Krav to half-faint against the metal struts of an aerial tower, "I think these... people... will think twice before accepting trade of our kind."
"Indeed," the All-Father shook his head, blue eye hard and yet sorrowful. "It is unfortunate that this kind of thing should encroach upon our borders." He turned. "And they developed such abilities as to hide our own from us. Worrying, think you not?"
"Yes," the High-Mage Agaeti moved to the All-Father's side reassuringly, "but no longer. Our message to the Slavers was clearly received – and it will only be matter of time before our magicks and workings and their... removal of the magic barriers will allow Heimdall to see as our Prince as he ought."
"And perhaps, this Krav, this Daughter of Cormo will bring him to us before then," Odin smiled grimly. "It would be prudent for them to make haste."
"We have given them but a short time, your Highness," Mage Agaeti replied calmly, "but I feel that they will meet our demands. See, Krav has heard some news."
With that, the generals and mages, the All-Father and the junkie Krav gathered to hear the news.
-0-0-0-
The All-Father's son (Prince Thor himself!) - and Krav knew better than to question the Aesir's veracity on this matter - apparently, was apparently stashed away in a mega-block a half an hour over to the west. Sending a good company of scouts and foot soldiers in that direction, Odin made camp on the megablock upon which they now rested. Paying no heed to the growing number of opposing warriors (a mixed crowd of blood-thirsty volunteers, criminals, Enforcers and actual Planet Security officials), the rest of the camp set up an orderly watch, commandeered a goodly row of seats and a few tables, erected a neat array of tents and then began to, more or less, make themselves more comfortable.
Several curious (and slightly foolhardy) denizens of Sharda'aa passed by or approached the golden Aesir, taking images of the tall, muscled warriors on strange metallic devices. The women in particular sidled up with easy grins and attempted to make small talk. However, a certain grimness hung in the air and the warriors smiled broadly but made no move from their allotted posts.
Yes, the Aesir were definitely on the alert.
A half hour later, the Bifrost opened again leaving behind a tall, lithe, dark-haired girl who looked excited – and announced that she bore information from Heimdall himself. Within moments, she was escorted into the King's presence and paying homage by a formal kneeling stance with a fist on her heart, the beautiful warrior princess (Krav supposed that was what she must have been, she was so gorgeous and terrifying) relayed the message given to her.
"Speak, Sif," Odin nodded easing back in his high-backed, padded chair. "What news from Heimdall?"
"Heimdall's eyes have penetrated the barriers of the Mahko'nai, your Highness," Sif nodded and added tersely. "Their shields have lowered as per the treaty and her Highness the Queen is currently overseeing the return of the Emperor's sons and the other hostages." She paused. "Heimdall has told me that Thor – that the Prince – he is currently imprisoned several levels down in a place that is known as..." And here she repeated the words dutifully but not fluently as the words did not seem right to her - "The Battle-House of Shax."
"The Battle-House of Shax!" Krav sighed with relief. "I – I – I know that! That I know! I mean – I've been there once or twice and you know what – yes – yes – yesyesyes – now you mention but – but, uh, but I've not been there recently – busy you know and what with -" Krav caught sight of the Mage's lowering gazes and Odin's stony look. "Right – uh – I did hear tell of some mighty warrior there with blonde hair as golden as the sun and blue eyes like Midgard's sky. Rumours, I thought, but perhaps –"
"You know where this place is?" Odin asked, beckoning several messengers over with a peremptory finger. "You would be able to lead us to it?"
"Yes, yes, of course, absolutely."
"Our reward will be great, if you do not lead us astray," Odin smiled a small smile then, but it was still unnerving to the junkie. His blue eyes fell heavily on Krav and for a moment, Krav felt like there was a planet lowering down on his shoulders. "And should you attempt to decieve us..."
"No no nononono," Krav babbled, wondering if this would be the first time he would be caught sweating. "I, uh, no deception here – come come –" And he twitched and scuttled off, followed by the girl called Sif and two messengers who sent off hawks, no doubt bearing messages to the companies out scouting, and they were off.
[... the planet drew its breath...]
[... perhaps...]
The Battle-House of Shax, according to Krav's pad was three megablocks to the north and west, which meant a good half an hour of running. At one point, the slender, unfit alien found himself slung over the back of one of the Aesir warriors. Part of him wished it could have been the girl, part of him was glad it wasn't. He would never be able to face his friends dirt-side again.
Then, the megablock was in sight and Krav nearly sobbed in relief – and then froze as a massive explosion ripped through the roof, blowing concrete and metal and plastic and glass sky high in a massive plume of black. The companies, converging on the megablock paused as smoke drifted and hung in the air ominously – as a wild wailing of something metallic filled the air. An alarm of some sort. Various customers who had not left for the safety of the lower levels were straggling out on catwalks and ramps, coughing and yelling.
For a moment, dread filled Krav's heart and then he saw it – a hulking silhouette surrounded by three others. A glimpse of gold hair and a broad sword.
[... Sharda'aa would be blessed with Asgardian mercy...]
[... to live to die another day...]
[... yes, one day...]
One day, Sharda'aa will burn with the fires of unrest and war and slowly give way to the hunger of the Void.
But this is not that day.
Annddd... how is Thor? Where is Kol'la? Dun dun dun...
Author's Note 1 - On Loki and His Thoughts On His Kids
One thing to be wary of is the author's power to present only one point of view on information. Loki is not infallible - and his ideas about his kids may not be correct. They may be. In this fic, Loki will be biologically able to have kids - as in sire them and bear them. He will also be able to procreate with certain other humanoid species (ie. Jotunn, humans, Aesir, elves). Whether he will successfully have a long-term relationship (much less have kids) remains to be seen. My encouragement to readers is to think critically and read between the lines in regards to any character sharing an opinion. LOL. I like to mess with you guys! XD
Author's Note 2 - On Loki and Glo-Glo
There is a possible spectrum of approach to Loki and Glo-Glo's relationship. You may read it however you like - but I'd like to point out the possiblities for interpreting the relationship and my personal point of view as an author. On one end (point A) is a very cynical reading of the pairing - they are both using each other. Glo-Glo wants sex with a hot, cute, new celebrity and Loki wants his stuff. On the other end (point B), they are in love with each other. My personal opinion lies somewhere in between - which is, IMO, sad and poignant without being depressing. That is, Glo-Glo is NOT Loki's choice - but neither is she a burden. Against his expectations, she gives him a gift - a positive memory to hold on to and a sense of getting back on the horse (as it were) for sex. HOWEVER! This is not love, as Loki repeated. So don't expect a Loki/Glo-Glo ending. LOL.
Thank you for reading~!
Thank you for reviewing~! (I'd love it if you did~~~!)
See you on... Saturday or Sunday or something. XD
-KI
Numbers (for this quadrant):
0 - nai
1 - sa
2 - tho
3 - frei
4 - ah
5 - ko
6 - yul
7 - vee
8 - mah
9 - lei
Alien Glossary:
'auzha – fucker
Dou'ma – idiot
r'senk'ne – a kind of deer/cow hybrid
n'ch'nka – a kind of cow
chi'iano – a radioactive piece of rock similar to uranium
cho'ai - lover
kol-sava'atha – a titanium-rich ore
Morning-star - a mace.
oma'auzha – mother-effer
oto'oa - big sister
udji'oo – a drug, like opium