Bruce was fumbling with the seatbelt straps over his shoulders nervously as the privately owned 'Stark Industries' jet screamed into the sky. He was sitting in the second row of seats just behind Maria who was acting as pilot. After he finally secured himself into his seat Bruce expressed his annoyances. "Tony!"

"What's the matter Bruce? Airsick?" Tony was sitting next to Maria and adjusting the microphone on his headset.

"No! I just... Why do I have to go?" He hated himself for sounding like a whining little kid.

"Because we might need some help from the 'Other Guy' and you're his only outlet."

"Are you expecting trouble?" Bruce was fixing his own headset and microphone so he wouldn't have to keep yelling over the loud engines. "It's just a storm!"

"Correction: An Asgardian storm. The 'Other Guy' seems to have no problem handling Asgardians. Literally."

Bruce reflexively clenched his hands into fists. "You want me to punch a storm?"

Maria was smiling at the ludicrous conversation taking place around her.

"No." Tony replied then paused at an interesting thought that popped into his head. "Wait, can you do that? Because I would love to see that."

Bruce didn't respond to the question, instead he pulled his phone from his pocket and began checking to see if he missed any calls or texts.

Tony noticed his friends silence immediately and began seeking an answer. He saw the phone in Bruce's hands. "What? Did you have a date with Betty?"

"Betty isn't..." Bruce put his phone away, he was tired of trying to convince Tony that Betty wasn't in town. "It's not about Betty."

"Jane, then?" Tony's voice flattened as he asked.

"Yes." He sounded almost guilty for admitting it.

Now Maria was getting nervous as well. She kept her silence and focused on piloting the jet toward their intended destination safely and quickly.

"What's wrong with her?" Tony didn't want to admit he was just as worried about her. "Is she sick?"

"No, it's just that she's so close to her due date... And she's scared."

"Oh." Tony mentally kicked himself for not taking her into consideration. "Well, we should be back sooner than later. It'll be fine. After all, Pepper is with her and Pepper has kept every plant she's ever owned alive. And me."

The small boat sailed to the end of the Rainbow Bridge and precariously close to the thundering falls that cascaded through eternity. Using a strong rope Loki secured the boat to the large support beam that anchored the bridge and Bi-Frost in place. Standing carefully, his legs still sore from the venomous burns, Loki set foot on the stone base of the pillar and held out his hand for Thor to grab onto.

Thor, still in a zombie-like trance; his only motions were of primitive instinct, weakly gripped his Brother's outstretched hand and set foot on the base of the pillar. He stood in dumb silence next to Brother without even knowing who Loki was or why they were traveling together.

In order to hide their (uninvited) presence from any curious onlookers Loki cut the rope and allowed the boat, the only evidence of their arrival, to fall to its demise down the falls.

"You have returned." Loki spun around quickly and gazed into the amber eyes of Heimdall. From above Heimdall had seen the boat sailing toward the bridge and patiently awaited its arrival. "And you are not alone." He looked past Loki and his injuries to Thor with unparalleled astonishment.

"Yes. We must return to Midgard, it is the only way for Thor to regain his former self."

Bowing in acknowledgement and respect for Loki's accomplishment Heimdall showed Loki to the small stone steps that had been carved into the pillar. The secretive staircase spiraled upward to the Bi-Frost platform on the opposite side of the bridge.

Heimdall led the way up the stairs with Loki and Thor following. "It is of the gravest importance that you must return to Midgard soon, my friends."

Loki felt a pit of dread build in his stomach. "Has something transpired during my absence?"

The trio stepped foot into Bi-Frost. Heimdall took his position at the central pedestal while Loki guided Thor to the appropriate position on the opposite side.

"A great storm has been building from Mjolnir itself." Heimdall answered grimly as he placed his sword in the center of the pedestal to activate the Bi-Frost. "I fear the emergence of this power is connected with the return of Thor, from the dead."

"What can be done?" Loki asked, fearing the possible solution.

Heimdall smirked lightly at Loki's question. "You already know the answer. You must reunite Thor with Mjolnir to quell the building energy surge."

The gate of the Bi-Frost flashed open in a brilliant aura of swirling blue. "But be warned Loki." Heimdall cautioned the weary traveler with a heavy tone. "If Thor reclaims the hammer before his sanity, the destruction that follows will be immeasurable and absolute."

Loki closed his green eyes tightly, hiding the fear that was mounting. "I understand." He glanced at his Brother with a pleading look of desperation. "I will not fail."

"I wish you the best of fortunes." Heimdall unleashed the power of the Bi-Frost with a single motion.

Flying off toward Midgard in a flash of energy, Loki and Thor were helpless to the guidance of the Bi-Frost. Loki grabbed onto Thor's shoulder in a superfluous attempt to keep Thor under control during the chaotic journey. The purple cape that Thor had been given had fallen loose from his body and was lost the floor of the Bi-Frost back on Asgard.

With a sudden jolt of dissipating energy Loki, alongside Thor, landed in the icy wasteland of the arctic. The swirling mass of black storm clouds surrounded the duo. Bolts of lightning brightened the dark sky while gusts of wind sent clusters of snow and small shards of ice into the air.

Loki shielded his eyes and face from the bombardment of ice crystals and focused on Mjolnir sitting idle at the center of the storm. Its handle was aimed high toward the sky why the head of the hammer was partially buried in drifting snow and ice.

On the opposite side of the hammer, standing alone in slouched posture was Thor. Quickly Loki positioned himself between Thor and the hammer with his fearful eyes focused on the clearing vision of his Brother. Thor's once cloudy blue eyes began to brighten and his gaze focused on Loki as his loose blonde locks danced freely around his head and face.

"Thor? Brother?" Loki tried to reach Thor's mind even though he remembered The Chronicler's warning. "Can you hear me?"

Thor slowly lifted his head up and glared angrily at Loki. His pupils began to dialate with his building rage and confusion. His shoulders tensed and his posture straightened, his arms flexing emphasizing his incredible strength. As his fists clenched into tight fists his knuckled turned white from the strain. Letting out loud roar of anger Thor lunged at Loki!

Using swift balance Loki ducked to the side and avoided Thor's tackle. Before Loki had a chance to prepare for the next attack Thor was back on his feet, snow and ice falling from his armor and cape. He drew back his left arm and unleashed a fierce punch that made a sickening crunch as it made contact with Loki's right eye.

Loki flew backward and landed hard on his back in the snow. Covering his damaged eye with his hand, he felt his eye swelling and bleeding beneath his palm. He clumsily rose to his feet and proceeded to back away from Thor as his madness grew. Thor's strong hands gripped Loki's armor at his chest. Lifting the smaller man high into the air Thor slammed Loki down hard on his back, snow clouds filled the air and the icy surface beneath cracked under Loki's body. The force of the impact knocked the wind out of Loki and struggled to catch his breath.

Thor held Loki down by placing one hand on the center of Loki's chest and proceeded to strike Loki's defenseless body over and over again. With each landing blow Loki felt his ribs fracture one by one. Dark purple bruises began to form over Loki's chest and torso, but remained concealed beneath his armor. Loki gripped at Thor's hand and desperately tried to loosen the mad man's grip.

"Thor!" Loki struggled to get his words out, his voice weak and nearly hoarse from the pain that was choking his body. "Thor! Please, stop!"

In an angry response Thor picked Loki off the ground again and held him high over his head. With little effort Thor was able to throw Loki's beaten body far away, flying past Mjolnir.

Loki landed with a heavy thud on the unforgiving ice and clutched at his ribs in pain. Using one arm to prop himself up, Loki watched helplessly as Thor came barreling down toward him in a maniacal rage. With a sound kick to Loki's ribs Thor stood over his Brother's wracking body. But Thor did not recognize his Brother and continued the merciless beating.

"We're at the coordinates." Maria was circling above the storm looking for a place to land. "Now what?"

"We get on the ground and take a look." Tony answered dryly. "Ready Banner?"

Bruce didn't respond, he was fixated on the ground outside the window.

"Banner?" Tony repeated. "Now what? Did Zora's Domain freeze over?"

"No! It's Loki..."

"Loki?" Tony climbed out of his seat to look out the window himself.

"And... Thor!"

"Thor?!" Now Maria wanted to look out the window too, but she had to focus on landing.

Tony couldn't believe his eyes. He and Bruce watched helplessly as Thor savagely attacked Loki down in the snow below.

...to be continued...