VIOLET

There was that wet-yourself fear again. Not that I was intimidated by Thor — I had encountered many worse foes, but I was intimidated by the Shadow Proclamation, the Space Police, if you will. They are my Scotland Yard — I consult for them — and if they somehow found out I was aiding and abetting a criminal's daughter, even for the sake of some sort of justice, my career was over.

As I faced the "God of Thunder", I sized him up, making especially sure of the hammer he was clutching tightly, Mjolnir. Warrior, as in the old stories. Tired, angry, distressed — Looking for Loki. Best strategy — pity.

"Hello," I said, using my feminine voice, the Shimmer already being off. Ljota had her Shimmer still activated, too stunned by the sight of her Uncle to do anything. Wouldn't blame her — Thor was the last person we needed to see right now, bar Odin, in her eyes.

"And who are you?" he growled, his voice like… well, like thunder. He was speaking more to her than to me — we had actually met before, on one of my cases, and while it was evident that he was racking his brain for an answer as to why I was now breaking the law, he was more concerned about the Aesir rummaging through his brother's royal cabinets, looking guilty.

For once in her life, Ljota Lokidottir struggled for a good lie. I gave her a nod — it would be better if she told the truth on this one. She smiled apologetically, another first (Good Rassilon, this is taking a toll on her), and disengaged the Shimmer. Thor nearly

dropped Mjolnir in his surprise; his blue eyes couldn't get wider. " Uncle Thor… it is I." she said, still managing to show a warrioress' pride. She actually stood up straighter in her defeat. This is why I call her Lokilein — she is so like her father, as I am mine, that it is slightly pathetic.

"Ljota — daughter of Loki?" he said, bewildered.

"Yes," she replied, quietly.

"You are that Midgardian that meddles with other's business through the realms like your Grandfather and father before you, the Lords of Time! Why are you assisting her?" he said, suspicious again. Thor just leaked subliminal messages through his body language: right now he was starting to think I was trying to trick his niece, or perhaps turn her in.

"I am a friend of hers — that I swear on my lives, so you may put your mind at ease, Lord Thor." At that title, Ljota rolled her eyes visibly, but I figured that if I was going to get on this man's good side, I might as well milk something. I continued: " I was trying to help Ljota find her father, but…" I shrugged.

Thor sighed. "I have been looking for him, believe me. All of Asgard has, but to no avail — he is good at hiding," he said, a little angry.

Ljota's face fell, but lifted again, when she said, "Violet has a… a device that we can use to track him, we just need one of his possessions. That was we came here, see. Could…" She literally had to force the next words out, as if they broke all her pride simultaneously — "Could you help us, Onkel?" Thor paused, sizing her up and down now, the carbon copy of his brother.

"I… I do not know if I can trust you."

"Well, I can return the sentiment, Thor, but I ask anyway!" she spat, getting angrier by the word.

"Daughter of Loki, what do you expect? Open arms?" he replied with a sarcastic giggle.

"YES!" she screamed, her eyes full of sorrow. Before Thor could reply, I interjected.

"Okay, calm down, both of you! Thor," I said, staring at him, and though he was at least a foot taller than I, I stood my ground, "Ljota is just looking for her father, whom she has not seen in years. She's still young in Asgardian eyes, yes? Just help us, please, and we'll be on our way." That would have worked on most people his type, and I could see he was contemplating it seriously, but he still frowned.

"I should tell my father about this."

"NO!" Ljota ran to his side and grabbed his arm, " No, he'd just throw us out, or worse, lock me up!" Oh, she was milking it, for sure, but Thor didn't seem to notice. I didn't say anything — she was right, so I let it happen. "You said you were trying to find my father? Well, we can help! Please, honestly, we will, and we can!"

Thor took a deep breath, and sighed, about to say no, but then — my Lord — Ljota actually used puppy eyes. That was a tactic often used by my father, but when Ljota manipulated people, she was usually a bit more subtle… but, of course, it worked. Not that I was proud, or anything…

" Fine. But why the Mid —... Human, I mean?" Thor said, still angry he was being used. Excuse me?

"Hello? The 'Midgardian' is right here! And I'm not just a human, I am a Lord of Time! If there is anyone who can help find your brother, Lord Thor, it's me — I have many ways to track him down." Thor was incredulous, as he should have been — I would have been too — but he said,

"Alright, then. We must go to the Bifrost. I can get you two past without question, but you must do as I say."

I nodded, and so did Ljota, but added, "I am listening, but I reserve the right to disagree. And — be nice to the Midgardian, or you'll have to answer to me."

Thor raised an eyebrow, but Ljota was dead serious. He gave in. "Right. I understand. She is all you have, besides your father, is she not?" At this, Ljota looked ready to kill him again, and, in honesty, I was too — that was just not the topic to touch upon. Do you like open-heart surgery without anesthesia? Because that's how Ljota's life is, when it comes to relationships, and I'm not much better, when it comes to peers. Thor (I see why Lokilein hates him, I really do — he is much like my Uncle Mycroft, just… not a genius…) continued to talk, oblivious of our death-stares. "I will help you. Come on," he said, leading us through the dark hallway from whence we came. He walked very quickly, which is saying something, because both Ljota and I are used to lives of speed, and an awful lot of running.

But, after a few quick paces, running, really, Ljota and I finally caught up to Thor.

"You may be able to get us into the Bifrost," Ljota said, clipping the Shimmer back into place and magicking her voice back to the deeper one, " But I still wish to get out of here without being killed, thank you."Thor gave her a look that wasn't all to friendly,but said nothing. Ljota, however, raised a good point, so I activated my Shimmer as well, and I appeared an Asgardian soldier once again.

We walked along at top speed, and the long passage, and it widened; light streamed into it, and it had an air of legality, unlike the rest of the quest. Thor suddenly put his arm out to stop us, to the utter chagrin of Ljota, whose now masculine face still managed to make an expression belonging to a teenage girl. "There are guards up ahead of this passage, so be quiet — especially you, Violet,"he said, pointing to my throat , because of my still-feminine voice.

"Yes, Thor, we know that!" Ljota hissed, as she walked forward.

"Yes, Loki, but —"

"I am not your brother! I am —"

"SHHT!" I hissed louder, as we got closer to the three guards who were still drinking ale. I did not need to be in the middle of a family feud, I heard enough of that when Uncle Mycroft was over, thank-you-very-much.

Thor's plan, it seemed, was to just walk innocently past the real guards — he was the son of Odin after all, he could go where he pleased — but the Fates had another idea.

"You two, again?" One of the less-drunk guards asked. (Apparently, there was some celebration going on on Asgard, so even the soldiers on duty could drink. I asked Lokilein about it later, but since she said she didn't really care, I am still in the dark.)

"What are you doing here? How dare you abandon your posts!" Thor then stepped forward and gave the man a stern look.

"They are with me," he said. "We have orders from Odin — that is all you need to know. Understand?" Thor could be quite intimidating, when he wished, and I believe the exposed muscles and Mjolnir had something to do with it. Just a theory.

"Yes, sire," the guard replied, straightening, and lowering his head and eyes a bit.

Submission. Good.

"Good," Thor said, and we walked past them, to the Rainbow Bridge. As we walked, I stared down at the bridge — Ljota and Thor were obviously used to it, but I had only been to Asgard once before. The thing is quite mesmerising, let me tell you. I still have no idea how it works, because Ljota has no scientific explanation, which is aggravating, because I don't like not knowing things. As we walked, I got kind of lost in the investigation as I stared past my feet, wondering how in the name of sanity my feet were still there on this-

"Violet!" Ljota said, and I might as well as heard her roll her eyes., because I know she was doing it. She had disengaged her Shimmer, which I thought was idiotic, because HEIMDALL WAS STILL THERE, but I then realised he, of all people could see through it anyway.

"Asgardians," I muttered, as I disengaged my own, and ran up to the two of them.

"Heard that," they both muttered back. I smiled — Thor and Ljota finally agreeing on something, well look at that. Oh. Heimdall!

"Wait, isn't he all-seeing? Why —"

"He cannot see Loki for some reason,"Thor said, aggravated and sad again. "If he has found a way to mask himself, he has help again —"

"No."Ljota simply stated. "He — he has no help — if he is looking for me, he would do it alone." she said, with all surety. At that moment, I trusted a force along with, but not God (though, He had something to do with it, I'm sure) and more powerful than science. Ljota had a real bond with Loki, as much as I had one with my own father — if not stronger. They were all each other had, and I could respect that, knowing the Doctor… It hurts, being that alone. I trusted what she said about Loki.

"I think — I think he's going to the Jotunheim,"she whispered, and we stopped. Thor turned around.

"What makes you so sure?" he said, afraid. I knew what he was thinking — last time Loki went to the Jotunheim…

"If you were abandoned by your own adopted kin, where would you go?" I said on her behalf, because I could not honestly deal with how stupid some people could be. Loki had done wrong, but who had pushed him off the edge? And now he was trying to do the right thing — no. For once, I felt bad for the baddie. Thor said nothing — his eyes said enough. I walked forward, dragging Ljota behind me.

"You — how did —" she stammered, looking for words — gratitude was not her area.

"Don't worry about it, Lokilein, I was taught how to deal with idiots early on."

We reached Heimdall, and he looked even less happy than usual.

"Lord Thor."

"Heimdall. We need you to open the Bifrost."Thor said.

"You wish to go to the Jodenheim to find Loki." Heimdall replied. It was not a question. Ljota was squirming a little again — she hated when people had the upper hand, as I mentioned before, and right now, almost everyone, but her, had something over her.

"Yes, Heimdall. We must find him, you know that." Thor said, almost pleading.

"I believe that his daughter is right behind you,"he replied, in way of response. Ljota stepped forward.

"Yes,"she said, no longer quaking. "I know that I am not the most wanted person around, Heimdall, but if anyone is going to find Loki, my father, then it is I!" she was angry. And sad. Those two things usually coincide when it comes to her, and, I guessed, and later learned, that it was inherited. I stepped forward — Heimdall , I had seen before. I could deduce him. I decided to take a page from Loki and Daughter's book as well.

"Heimdall, I know you want to find Loki — how embarrassing must it be that you cannot see him! He could be anywhere. But we have a clue as to where he is, and I have a plan. We find him, and that's one less problem for you," I said, keeping my cool, trying to sound nonchalant — that usually got people. It got Heimdall.

"As you wish," he said, opening the Bifrost, looking more at Thor and Ljota than myself.

We walked closer to the Bifrost — the Vortex, to me. It was time to initiate the plan, but no one was going to like it. I took the Chitauri Sceptre from my pocket.

"How came you by this?" Thor said, staring more at the Sceptre than myself. The power was radiating off it — I could feel it. But I shook it off — it was designed for a Frost Giant, for Loki — if anyone was going to feel it's power, it was Ljota. And I felt bad for her.

I gave a look to Thor, and he shut up — I suppose Ljota and Watson were correct — the glare of a Timelord silences all. Good thing too, because I needed that.

"What is the plan, then, Holmes?" Ljota said, still daring to be excited.

"Well…"I took out my sonic, and pointed it at the Sceptre, holding the button down. It started to track Loki.

"Okay, this is tracking Loki now, but I'm afraid it will be no use on the Jodenheim unless we're within a mile of him…

" But we have no idea where he is!" Ljota said.

"I know. That's the thing. Just listen.

"The Sceptre is like a remote control — my sonic is a guide. They're somewhat connected now, so they could lead the way to him ; we step into the Bifrost, we land near him." Thor looked happy, but Ljota did not.

"What is the catch, as you say?" She had been taught there was a catch to everything early on. She could spot it. I spoke on, quieter now.

"Well… the Sceptre and sonic aren't quite connected. I'm afraid… I'm afraid you have to use your magic to conduct them, if you will…" I hated saying it. She had magic, sure, but it wasn't strong. Not like that — she could do illusions, she could transform little things, but complicated processes like that… I was afraid. She was too.

"If we succeed, how close will we be to him?" she asked.

"Within 20 feet, by my estimates." I said, with false confidence. It could work, but…

"And, by your estimates, what happens if this doesn't work?" I took a breath. How could I say this? There was no way to say it lightly, so I said it the only way I knew how — without emotion. That's the only way I could get it out .

"The magic burns you up first, and Thor and I take an extra few seconds to freeze in the Vortex — ... Bifrost."

Thor almost said something, but Heimdall, for some reason, gave him his own death-look, and the supposed "god of thunder"said nothing. Ljota took it surprisingly well.

"What are the odds, good to bad?"

I sighed. "50/50" Everyone knew what that meant.

"WHAT?"

"You are joking, Holmes, tell me you are joking!"

"She is correct,"Heimdall said. They looked at him.

"Thank you, Heimdall,"I said. "This is the safest way, I swear, or else I wouldn't tell you."

Thor looked angry again, but I didn't care: it was his brother, but Loki was Ljota's father — this was about her. And she was determined. She put her hand out for the Sceptre.

"I'll do what I must. Thor, you may stay, I do not care, but I am looking for my father, whatever the cost." Thor nodded, and stayed put.

"I understand. You must realise, Ljota, I still do love your father, my brother. I just wish…" He stopped. We knew what he wanted. He nodded again, and Ljota took the Sceptre in her hand. She smiled, and I feared it was taking over her mind, making her hungry for power — but she said, with fake hope, "Are you sure there is no other — AGH!"

She doubled over — the Sceptre's magic was too much. I ran over, ready to take it from her, to use my Regeneration energy, if necessary, but she thrust her hand out for me to stop, and stood up again.

"I have it under control, for now, do what you must, Vi!" She struggled . We had to hurry.

"Into the Bifrost, now! Thor, do not interfere, it'll be the death of us!"I yelled, as I helped Ljota into the Vortex.

We were in, but going nowhere! I looked around in the Bifrost — shades of blue and purple, like the Vortex, but it was not moving. Ljota — she didn't have enough control of the Sceptre. I didn't want to have to do this, but I did — there was no other way . I mentioned before, Timelords can meld minds with others, like Vulcans in that cheap and inaccurate space show. The only difference is we can do it without the other person being unconscious.

The mind is like a hallway, with many doors — we have memories that fade, that are locked up — in the "backs of our minds"for safety. Things we are thinking of are in the first doors, the ones that are unlocked. I knew that Ljota's front rooms would be full of her father, at the moment. This is going to hurt.

I found my way over to where she was, and put my sonic-free hand on her temple.

Immediately, her and my mind were connected. If she wanted to, she could see my memories, but she was a bit busy trying not to die. I dove into hers.

I looked for memories of her father — quite easy, she was thinking of him.

Laughter. Smiles. The feeling of fear only seen when you're playing a trick, and do not want to be discovered. Joyous fear. A smiling man with straight black hair, a chiseled face, and sleek, black, green and gold clothes. A golden glow coming from his hands as he teaches me how to use my own magic. I am smiling — but it is not me! It is Ljota! My father taught me the magic of deduction, not illusions. But this is beautiful.

"Remember this?"I said to Ljota, who was trying to keep the tears out of her eyes — both from the pain of remembrance of happier times, and the pain of the magic that was now killing her. Part of her, yet killing her, like a cancer.

"Yes, I do!"she whispered. She was sad, but happy at the same time. I could feel the Vortex moving, but not enough. If this messed up…

I dug further into her memories. Yes.

Father is laughing, and I am too! My hands are glowing, and the magic is working.

"You have improved. Very good." he says. I am beaming with pride — he is not one to just give out compliments. This is going perfectly. Onkel will not be pleased. Fantastic.

"Oh, Lokilein! This is a beautiful memory. I see your father really loves you."
" Of course… of course he does! Why would he not, Holmes?"

"Exactly. And you love him too. You'd do anything to find your —" Vater. How sweet. She uses the Norse and German words…

" You would do anything to find your Vater, wouldn't you? Because he's actually not so bad — he is just misunderstood, and you have to be there to help him!"

"Mm-mm!" she said. She was a child again — I put her in her memories so she would live them; so the connection would be stronger.

" Remember this?" I prompted.

"Uh-huh! My magic was working well for the first time, and Vater was teaching me how make illusions more complex… The hammer… Mjolnir, we made it look like it was in different chambers…." We fixed up the real one. Thor will be so angry, but we don't care, it is so worth it!

"That was you?" Thor said, hearing us. He knew — he knew how to help, he was making the memory more real. He could be an idiot, but now he was a genius.

"It took me weeks to take all of the frills of! And the beads, the PINK beads!" he said with fake disdain.

Ljota was laughing. It was actually quite funny, the memory.

"You can see him again, relive that again!" I said to her. Her eyes brightened. And so did the Bifrost. We sped, faster than the speed of light. She blacked out for a moment, and let go of the Scepter. I caught it, just in time — but I too blacked out, because I was still melded with her consciousness.

When I woke up, I was freezing. I could feel my arm bleeding, and my back ached from the rocky surface. I opened my eyes — we were on the Jotunheim. It took me a second to get up, but get up I did. I found the Scepter, and held it — I knew I was the only one who could, for the time being, without dying. Thor was up, scanning the area.

"I did not want to wake her — she looks drained."

I decided to be the one to bring her to her senses. I slapped her face a bit, and she woke up, quickly, ready to fight back — as always.

"We're here. We're alive, Lokilein!" I said, putting my hand out for her to get up.

"How are you feeling?" I asked. She looked paler than usual.

"Oh, 'I am on a roller-coaster that only goes up, my friend,'" she hissed, but still smiled afterwards. She had quoted a "Midgardian" book that I forced her to read a while ago. The fact that she remembered, even quoted a book so emotional (it is emotional — it moved even me, and I could have sworn I saw her clench her jaw a few times when reading it) meant she was still shell-shocked. But the fact that she was sarcastic? That was a good sign — she was recovering.

"Well, we are alive, we beat the odds! We're fine," I said, still a bit breathless.

"Not for long," a voice behind me said. It was masculine, deep — but not Thor's. I turned around to see a dark haired man with a chiseled face, with sleek black, green, and gold clothes.