I thought it was fitting that since this is the technical last chapter (there's an epilogue to follow but still) I needed to use a quote from Tom Hiddleston. I've never had to write a scene with so many people... nor did I have to write any fight scene in my entire life like this... New territory for me. But still, it's not that horrible I hope.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

WORLDS COLLIDE

"Stay hungry, stay young, stay foolish, stay curious, and above all, stay humble because just when you think you got all the answers, is the moment when some bitter twist of fate in the universe will remind you that you very much don't."
―Tom Hiddleston

MIDGARD

2:00 p.m.

Loki ran as though his life depended on it. In his mind, it made no sense. Tony was right… in his wrong way. Thor could handle himself. But what if things spiraled out of control? What if they angered Thor sufficiently?

His brother, he knew, was a skilled combater. He played it down for the most part, but Loki had seen him in the rage of battle.

And he had been compromised… because of that girl.

Steve and Clint saw him and their eyes flickered in recognition. But neither did they shout a warning nor attack. Merely stared at him as he rounded the corner into his yard.

Adrenalin was pounding through his veins. Loki, for the first time on this planet, was out of breath.

"Loke," Thor said, seeing his brother. "Has something happened? Did Stark…?"

He waved off the questions, taking deep breaths.

"Loki?" he heard Bruce ask cautiously.

"Nothing… has happened to me," he said slowly. "But Clint… Steve…"

He saw Natasha flash Thor a worried look.

He felt Bruce's eyes on him.

The latter gently touched him on his elbow and he turned to face his first friend in the town. "I came to ask you how things went, just in case you're wondering. Did you get to see the Tesseract?"

Loki nodded. "It was truly magnificent," Loki said, "Everything my father claimed it was, and more."

Bruce smiled. "How was he?"

"Tony? He is a different sort of human," Loki replied after a thought.

Two figures appeared on the stone path.

"Thor," Barton called, "I told I'd be calling."

"Hey everyone," Steve called, meeting everyone's gaze.

How curious… Loki thought, for a bully.

"I said…" Clint continued, stepping into the yard, "To stay away from Natasha."

"I don't think you have any say in who I talk to or not, Clint!" the sole girl exclaimed. "How dare you come here! How dare you threaten Thor!"

"How dare I? Can't you see there's something weird about him? I just think…"

"I don't care what you think. Everyone's different around here," she pointed out, "To tell me otherwise, or to pick on Thor just because… I like him… is not only unfair. But downright mean."

Thor was unnaturally quiet. He tried meeting his brother's gaze but the blond's was fixed at the sky. He followed his line of sight.

It was barely perceptible… the light shining through the clouds.

The Rainbow Bridge.

The Bifröst.

There were two possibilities, Loki knew, and Thor as well. Someone was either coming… or they were at long last, being called home.

…

MIDGARD

2:15 p.m.

Laufey was falling. The shards of colour were too much for him- a creature of the darkness and cold. But good things came to those who toiled.

His son awaited at the end of these heinous light bridge. A son he was finally ready to claim.

He landed onto the ground with a solid thud. Dust spiraling upwards into his nasal cavities.

He sneezed, an uncommon occurrence for a Jötun, then stood quickly looking at the land that surrounded him with a condescending authority.

Loki. He called mentally. Where are you, my son?

…

MIDGARD

2:15 p.m.

The raven-haired boy pressed his fingers to temples, trying to downplay the impending nausea. The world spun before his eyes. His heart rate elevated. He felt his eyelids being forced closed against conscious thought.

The ground rushed towards him.

"LOKI!" Thor screamed, seeing his brother crumple into the arms of Bruce. He left Natasha's side, forgetting for a moment he was in the middle of an open confrontation.

"WHAT DID YOU DO TO HIM?!" Thor roared, meeting Barton's eyes, with a fury that burned brighter than the light of a dying sun. He swept Loki off his useless feet and into his arms. Had he been in his Asgardian form…

"Nothing!" Clint backtracked. "I swear!"

"Thor, I don't think…" Bruce said, addressing the God of Thunder for the first time, "That this was Clint's fault."

"So, my brother collapses under the heat of this Midgardian sun? Is that what you claim?"

"No," said a voice behind them. Five pairs of eyes turned in the direction of the sound. They were met with the sight of a boy, no stranger to anyone.

"You are the last person I wish to see here!" Thor exclaimed. "What did you do to my brother while he was a visitor to your home?"

"A question I want to ask him myself," Bruce added.

"Uhhh… I injected him with a super-human formula…" Tony replied, a sarcastic smirk on his lips, "And right now his body will either accept the molecular change, or reject it… at the cost of his life."

Thor's voice was a deadly calm, like a mamba contemplating its kill. "You are a vile creature Stark. And it would be my pleasure to…"

"He's joking Thor," Steve sighed. "Honestly…" He stepped away from Clint, as though considering why, in fact, he had chosen to come.

"Someone sees through me," Tony said, rolling his eyes. "We talked, I took him to see some stuff… and we had ice-cream."

"Is that some lethal substance?" Thor asked.

"No Thor," Bruce answered, fixing his gaze on the rich boy, "It's a dessert."

Thor seemed calm at the news, but his warrior senses kicked in again. "So what brings thee here?"

"There was severe atmospheric disturbance moments before I saw Loki pass out," Tony replied, showing them his mobile phone.

"Abnormal?" Clint asked.

"Would I be here if it was otherwise?"

"Point taken."

"So what does this mean?" Natasha asked, moving her hair over one shoulder.

"The Bifröst," Thor answered. "Someone has come to Midgard."

"America," Steve corrected, earning him the annoyed glare of everyone. "What?" he asked, "I'm just being accurate."

"Not now, Steve," Clint said, "Be the all-American, patriotic boy some other time."

Rogers shrugged. "I take it it's an enemy force," he gathered.

"Why else would Loki faint?" Tony pointed out. "Wait… why would Loki faint?"

Thor racked his brain. "This is outside my area of expertise but our most likely cause is magic."

"Ooh… like centaurs and flying pegusi?" Stark asked, seriousness deserting him.

"You wish, human," Thor replied. "How long is it that you know my brother?"

"Two… Three days?"

"I am amazed he hasn't threatened to rip out your tongue as yet."

"He did, but…"

Bruce made a nervous noise in his throat. "Ummm… guys. Can we fight later?"

"That's the first time I've ever heard you made a call for arms," Steve said, mildly impressed.

"It doesn't matter," Bruce muttered, shaking the praise off, "I think I know who it could be."

"The Allfather?" Thor asked hopefully.

"No Thor," Bruce said, shaking his head. "Laufey."

MIDGARD

2:25 p.m.

Laufey felt the dry sand beneath his feet, wincing as the heat blistered his skin.

This realm was torture itself. Had he known… no, he would have come anyway. The boy was here. Weakened perhaps, but present on this planet.

He shielded his body with the cold, and sighed at the instantaneous relief.

In the distance, he spotted the beginnings of a small town, and he smiled.

It was a matter of minutes.

And if any humans decided to stand in his way…

He conjured the ice machete in his hand.

Well, he'd consider it a frontal assault. Now wouldn't he?

MIDGARD

2:30 p.m.

"We landed in the land of no water," Thor was saying, but everyone was scarcely listening, as he led them through the town.

Why Thor had decided to bring the unconscious Loki was beyond them. He was a liability in the case of armed conflict.

Basic war prep. Grade 2.

But Thor ignored their attempts to tell him otherwise. "My brother would soon awaken," he claimed, "And I will need him at my side."

So they trudged through town. The sun was blistering, but no one complained. Natasha, if any one there, recognized the experience for what it was: An opportunity to put all their training into practice.

Why call the authorities? Who was there to call? The town was never threatened; they had been assured of that at a young age. Scuto was a town of learning. And that was all.

THIS was real-life exposure, and she supposed, looking from Clint to Bruce, they all wanted it.

The roads gave way to the desert shrub. Sand rose from the ground in spirals, and they had to shield their eyes to prevent the watering.

"Why are we going there again?" Clint asked. "Because this seems kind of dangerous."

"We're the only ones who know… or believe Thor anyway, about the Bifröst," Steve replied in a whisper.

"What if this entire thing is a sham? For revenge?"

"Well…" But he didn't have an opportunity to answer, as Loki awoke in a burst of coughing fits.

"Thor," he said in a small voice, "You have reached your limit. I am not a child. You do not need to carry me anywhere."

"You were unconscious, Brother. And I couldn't leave you."

Loki didn't answer, but there was no mistaking surprise gentleness when he told Thor to put him down.

Loki fell into step with Bruce.

"Your friend's here," he said, his voice trembling slightly.

"Tony?"

"Yeah."

A pause. "Do you know where we're headed?"

"Into the desert, in case in wasn't obvious," Tony replied, appearing at their side.

"But why?" Loki asked, seeing Bruce shrink back a little.

"Brucie here thinks it's a dude called Laufey."

"Don't call him that."

Tony looked taken aback. "Fine."

They walked in silence, until Loki heard a whisper. "Thanks for that."

He smiled, and opened his mouth to reply, before a wave of frigid air swept into them.

MIDGARD

2:45 p.m.

"Are these the soldiers they send for me?" said a voice.

There was a reason one didn't find sand in the Arctic- the polar bears would go blind.

Blinking rapidly, Loki heard his brother's voice ring out. "LAUFEY! REVEAL YOURSELF!"

"Thor… son of Odin. What a surprise to find you here…" There was a level of humour evident in his tone. "What a pity your father sent you to meet your death."

"He is not alone," Natasha called out.

"You call on humans to render assistance, Asgardian? This world truly has changed you."

The wind ceased, and the seven children finally came face-to-face with the Jötun.

"Urgh," Natasha said, none too softly. "Definitely not from Asgard." She earned a smug smile from Thor, but it was quickly gone.

Laufey laughed. "Mere infants. No armour, no weapons. How can you hope to stop me?" His eyes scanned the group, settling on Loki.

"You," he said softly, almost endearingly.

"No," Bruce said softly, stepping forward. "No," he repeated, speaking up. "You can't take him."

"Bruce, what are you talking about?" Loki asked, pulling him back.

"Indeed Midgardian. What ARE you talking about?" There was an edge of humour in his tone.

"I… You… Loki…" Bruce sighed. "You can't take him," he stated matter-of-factly.

"He is my son. I believe I have the parental right."

"NO!" Thor shouted. "He kids you, brother."

"Not your brother, God of Thunder. And no matter what you say, or how hard you fight with your meager ability, Loki Laufeyson will be leaving with me today."

"Without Heimdall's blessing, you cannot seek to return to your home realm."

"You'd be surprised."

He turned suddenly at the sound to the back of the group. Clint had notched an arrow, and was aiming towards his face. "I don't know who you are, but you seem like a jerk." He ignored the disparaging noise from Steve's throat. "And I hate jerks."

He let the arrow fly.

Extending a hand, Laufey directed a gust of cold air at the arrow. It fell harmlessly to the ground, under its own weight.

"I now get why you call them Frost Giants," Tony mused out loud, "Fitting."

"You should not have done that," Laufey grimaced. "I could have easily taken Loki and left. But no. You seek to go about this the hard way."

"You didn't raise me," Loki said out loud, talking to Laufey for what the second time in his lifetime.

"Blood makes family, child. Sentiment is nothing."

"No." Loki shook his head looking at Thor and Natasha, then Bruce… then at last to Tony. "Even if you are my father, why is it that you never sought me out? If Odin, as you claim, kidnapped me… why did you not lead a raid into Asgard to find me? Why now?"

Loki shook his head. "No Laufey. Maybe blood makes family. But love binds it. And keeps it strong. You can drag me, kicking and fighting, back to Jötunheim. But we will never be family. Unless family would promise to burn every house, palace, building of your realm to the ground."

"You possess the insolence that finds itself in my… our… people. Stalling me won't change anything. You want to come with me kicking and fighting? So be it."

Tony aimed his cell phone at Laufey and it ejected a beam of bright light, knocking the Giant off of his feet.

"Laser," he shrugged, at Steve's confused expression.

Clint notched another arrow, having more at a moment's notice and released them in a flurry, a small smile on his face when Natasha gave him the thumbs up.

Loki and Thor set off together, taking the path of least resistance to get as close to Laufey as possible. They were powerless- no magic, no lightning- but they still had their innate abilities- strength and cunning.

Steve heaved rocks in the direction of the Jötun. Some interceded those arrows of his friend, but others came rather close to his target, only to be shattered.

Bruce edged away from the fight, bracing his back on a large boulder while the others did what they did best. He had to keep his breathing in order. He had to keep his adrenalin levels under control. He had to…

What did he have to do?

He clenched his hands into fists.

The boulder behind him exploded into shards of ice, catapulting him into the air. He landed at the feet of Laufey.

"You are right to kneel, Midgardian," Laufey said, grabbing him up by the scruff of his collar. He was careful not to touch the boy's skin. Rare consideration.

"Cease your fire!" Laufey called out, "Else the boy would breathe his last."

His hand expanded thrice its size, resembling a dangerous icy glove.

Not Bruce, Loki thought. Not my friend.

He felt the rage build inside him. Similar to the anger he felt that Physics class, and once again, something cold materialized in his hand.

Laufey was not lying, he thought forlornly, but emotion did not reach his eyes. He threw it, and missed the Jotun king. It sunk into Bruce's skin, and he roared.

His friend was convulsing now, a green hue rippling across his skin. His shirt tore in multiple places as Bruce Banner grew, much faster than what was expected of humans.

He was a monster.

The small boy he knew was gone. Replaced by a beast that didn't seem to recognize any of them.

He grabbed Laufey by his arm, impervious to the cold. The King seemed just as paralyzed as all of them as Bruce bodily smashed him to the ground.

Once.

Twice.

Thrice.

And three more times for good measure.

Laufey lay on the ground, motionless.

As though marveling in his good work, he stared at the fallen Giant and dusted his hands.

If he turns on us… Loki feared, but it was inconsequential. Bruce Banner, the green monster, barreled off towards town.

"What if he…?" Loki asked, but was silenced by Tony's hand on his arm.

"He'll change back in a couple of minutes. Just needs to calm down."

"How are you no stranger to this truth?"

"My… dad," he admitted almost painfully.

And Tony Stark, for the first time, was rendered silent.

…

A bright light shone, casting Laufey's body in its almost heavenly fire. His body de-materialized, and Thor and Loki looked up in a meaningful gesture to Heimdall.

But the light did not fade.

The brothers looked at each other, then turned backwards to their friends.

"Father wants us back home," Thor announced, stealing the words from Loki's mouth.

"And will you go?" Natasha asked.

"I…" He turned to his brother.

"I have another request," Tony said suddenly, stepping forward.

"If I wish to comply," Loki said. He didn't want any more games. Home was less complicated than this… place. He wanted to find Odin and ask him why he never told him. He wanted to ride his horse through Asgard's innumerable vales. He didn't want to feel this pain. He wanted home.

And looking at Thor, he could see that he was tired as well.

This place had secrets.

Maybe secrets that were best left under lock and key.

"You promised," Tony reminded him, and Loki was struck by how gentle he sounded. Not like when he was communicating with everyone else- with his superior attitude. As though he understood.

"Tell me," Loki said in a breath.

Tony's brown eyes met Loki's green one's.

The ultimate sign of authenticity.

"Stay."