Winter, 2009

To say the small loft apartment was bright was an understatement. Everything was great about it! Special living, two bedrooms, 1.5 bath, beautiful ceramic flooring- Hell, she even got the rent cut down to half by her landlord. Her only complaint about the place was the stupidly large window that shined the rising sun right into her face every morning. No curtains were long or wide enough and he was tempted to just nail blankets around to cover the window. But she also enjoyed the nightly view upon the city of Philadelphia and moving anything every night and morning was just too much of a hassle for her.

Charlotte Lane lived alone- and she loved it. Private bathroom, no one eating her food, watching anything she wanted with no judgmental comments. Living independently had many perks, that she was sure of! She loved having the satisfaction of paying her own things; rent, internet, cable, dinner. And her landlord was the sweetest man alive! Tentative to anything she needed and checked up on her once a week when she returned from a nightly beat in Center City.

Charlotte was a cop, working hard for the past three years in protecting citizens and punishing those breaking the law. She'd let a jay walker go now and then or pick up after litter, not wanting to be a tight ass with the smallest of problems.

No, she was aiming for the big job!

Detective.

And this morning felt like it was going to be the day she'd get a case! Her sergeant had been promising to give her a case to prove her worth on being promoted. She was a hard worker, incredibly smart, and memorized the smallest details of people with her excellent photographic memory.

Sure, this special case she was waiting for had become a… Six month wait. But she was optimistic!

Her morning started with the usual groans and curses toward her large window, blinding her with the waking sun that rose over the city buildings. Now awake, she left her queen bed finding her four year old doberman, Mitsy, curled into the blankets on the other end of the bed.

"Lazy thing." She laughed, reaching to nudge her. "Wake up, Mitsy. Your walker will be here in an hour."

The thin angled dog yawned and moved to curl into the warm spot of her owner and returned to her slumber. Charlotte got her shower running, shedding her long night shirt that had an old band logo on it, 'Pink Floyd' and her undergarments. The water was hot but perfect for Charlotte, the temperature could scald a man if possible.

Giving her thick, strawberry blond hair a wash, she shaved the needed areas and rinsed herself turning the water off. Charlotte wrapped her hair up in a towel and tied a bathrobe around her body, exiting the bathroom. Her hair was blown dry letting it bounce around her face as the bangs framed the right side of her fair skin, the rest in layers down to her shoulder. She kept telling herself she'd let it grow long, but the temptation to cut it now was growing. Thankfully it wasn't the blazing Summer right now, so she could let it go a few more months.

Charlotte got dressed in her police uniform and made her way downstairs hearing Mitsy eating her food. She made a cup of coffee and a beagle for a quick breakfast, awaiting for her dog's walker.

Because of her job, she didn't have time to give Mitsy her needed walks. So, she managed to hire a dog walker for the days she worked, and walked the dog herself on her day offs to mix with her exercise. Not that she was an exercise nut, but she was determined to lose the weight she had on her butt and thighs.

Her dark blue eyes caught the mirror on the wall by the front door, turning her waist left and right. She may have had a petite waist and breast, but seeing her hourglass shape. "I got two asses." She muttered bitterly. Finishing her coffee, a knock came upon her door.

She greeted the dog walker and got Mitsy set up with her harness and leash, wishing her a good day with a kiss on her nose. Finally, she got her needed equipment and left her apartment to take her walk to her police precinct. A smile was on her face as she bundled in her scarf and police issued coat, waving to her landlord who lived in a few apartments down the block.

"Is that a promotional smile, I see?" He asked, grinning as he was checking his mail.

"We'll see, Mr. Hotchsetch!" She winked. "I got a feeling in my bones something big will happen!"

Little did she know, something big was far from a promotion.

That same day, in another realm, on another planet, the life of another was about to experience something big as well. In the realm of Asgard, people lived thousands of years with peace and prosperity under the protection watch of the Allfather, Odin.

Not to his brother of course.

Loki Odinson, second born and in line of the throne behind his older brother, Thor. Known as the God of Lies or the God of Mischief by the humans, true to the name he was. Years of tricks and ruse to his brother and friends. Sometimes even the guards or servants were victims to his schemes, at times thinking well deserved for the comments he would hear.

Mostly comments on Thor becoming the next king eventually. How Loki wasn't a strong warrior or looked meekly compared to his robust muscle head of a brother. His magical tricks and sorcery was a thankful gift by his beloved mother, Frigga. She always soothed his worries and encouraged his skills as he grew up. He favored telling her anything compared to his distant father. He was too busy teaching Thor being king or praising his adventures -despite he had been present in the battles himself-.

Today, he wanted to make his father see him. He might not have the strength of his brother, but he had the brains of a king. Strategic and planning his attacks were his specialty. Not running and punching as Thor tends to do.

Ignoring the blonde brute beside him, he squared his shoulders and took in a breath. One would think the younger brother was trying to make himself larger, possibly an attempt to be noticed by Odin. Sure, Loki stood out like a sore thumb; his dark locks, slender form, and despite his tall stature, it was small compared to other warriors.

The brothers stood side by side that morning, looking up upon their father who sat on his throne. He was extremely aged, a normal human would've guessed eighty, but he was far much older than that. Odin was reaching around over 5,000 years old, past the limit of an average Asgardian alone. Despite this, seeing Odin stand down seemed hard to imagine as he had been ruler long before the sons' birth. The next in line, obviously would be Thor, Loki knew. He was the first, the favorite of Odin, the spitting image of a perfect king in the eyes of Asgard.

And what of Loki? Well, his brother was still young, naive, and hot tempered. There was time for Odin to see and maybe rethink on his next heir of the throne.

But for now, he stood by his brother, awaiting for what their father had summoned them for so early this morning. Guards stood by proudly awaiting any word of orders by their king, in Loki's peripheral he spotted his beautiful beloved mother. She smiled at her sons, her eyes lingering on Loki as she gave her a small smile and nod of a greeting.

"Good Morn, mother!" Barked Thor, startling Loki from his booming voice.

His mother nodded in greeting, smiling at him as well. Clearing of a throat was heard from the Allfather.

"Thor. Loki." The brothers turned to their father. "My sons, do you know the name of all nine realms?"

Loki stepped up to answer, more quick witted than his brawn for brains brother. "The realms are Asgard, Midgard, Jotunheim, Svartalfheim, Vanaheim, Nidavellir, Niflheim, Muspelheim, and Alfheim." He answered, earning a nod from his father.

Odin proceeded to inform them of the realms.

Jotunheim was a cold planet of ice and barren lands. The Frost Giants reside there, and have had peace with them since the long ago war between Odin and the Frost Giant king, Laufey. Most of the information was based off of stories told to children as Frost Giants were monsters and large blue creatures with baring red eyes.

Svartalfheim was another barren-like planet where the Dark Elves resided. Known as the Dark World to them, the Dark Elves call it Harudheen. A war once took place against the Dark Elves by their grandfather, Bor.

Vanaheim was a realm of beautiful forests where the Venir resided. Hogun was native to the realm, his race having similar life longevity and strength to Asgardians. Out of all the realms, Vanaheim is the most well connected and traveled of the realms.

Nidavellir was a vastly different realm compared to the others. It was more of a forging planet, home of the Dwarves where Mjølnir itself was forged and many weapons before. Thor has been there before to handle a problem with one of the dwarves trying to overthrow Odin. It was dealt with quickly.

Loki didn't fail to notice the proud grin on his brother's lightly bearded face.

Niflheim… was a realm neither the brothers had ever heard much about nor visited themselves. Odin spoke how he handled the realm alone, but spoke how it was a silent desolate land of the dead. The brothers never questioned it.

Muspelheim was a realm of fire where creatures known as Fire Demons spawn and live under the rule of Surtur. Another realm Odin keeps track off, and one where the brother's haven't ventured through as well.

And finally, Midgard. This realm was populated by humans and animals, and is named Earth by the humans. It's the third planet from the sun along with being the only habitable planet in it's solar system.

Loki found the planet fascinating as they were referred to as Gods by the people when once visited so many years ago with Odin and Thor. Though they haven't been down since, it feels to be the most disconnected of the realms.

"Do you know why I speak of these realms?" He asked his sons.

Thor stepped forward, "We rule these realms, protect them from outsiders who wish to rule and destroy them." he told.

Brash, but true, Loki thought. "Is there a reason as to why you speak of them, father?" He asked.

"Yes." Odin stood, leaving his throne to stand before them. "It has been decided, that you both must learn more of these realms from your own view. You will visit these realms and return within one year's time."

The brothers were taken back by the notion, leave Asgard and live among the realms for one year?

"Are we to learn from the realm of Jotunheim as icicles?" Loki questioned, a tad snarky as usual but respectful all the same.

"You will not be venturing to that realm, for they have been chosen for you." He answered patiently to his youngest. He stepped down and first approached Thor who puffed his chest out proudly. "Thor, you are to venture to Nidavellir."

Thor's shoulders attempted to slouch, but he kept them up. Seeming he was hoping for Vanaheim, a realm he was too familiar with.

"Learn from the Dwarves; they're daily life as forgers and understand hardships of crafting weapons."

"I shall." Thor nodded.

Odin stepped to Loki, despite his head high once, he lowered it a bit keeping his gaze to meet his father. "Loki, you are to venture to Midgard."

Loki was stunned, but so was Thor. "Midgard?" He questioned. "The realm we haven't stepped foot on for almost a thousand years?"

A sudden thud of his brother's hand connecting with his back nearly made him stumble. "You're in luck, brother! What a grand idea it is for you to visit that realm!"

Loki cleared his throat, fixing his tunic. "Would that be wise father, sending someone from our realm?"

"Why concerned, son?" Odin questioned his queen, Frigga, approached them.

Loki didn't know where to start. Maybe the fact that they haven't been in the realm for years- which he had already mentioned-. Or maybe that they were Gods and walking among them might cause something? An uproar or such? These were mere mortal humans, weakest of all the creatures of the nine realms. Unknown to the open worlds outside the galaxy they reside in.

"Many things." Loki responded, brows furrowed and frown prominent.

"Come, Loki." Frigga assured, her hand reaching to turn his shoulder to motion a walk for them. A private talk between mother and son. "What ails you?"

Loki took a deep breath, glancing to see Odin talking with a very enthusiastic Thor. "Of all the realms, why Midgard?" His eyes reached his mother's. "It's too.. Easy."

"Easy?"

"Yes. There's no dangers, no deadly enemies or need to defend myself. It's insulting to be given such a pitiful realm." He spat, meaning no ill intent toward his mother. "Mere mortals ravenging about like animals."

Frigga sent her son a look, one that told him to still his temper. "I apologize, mother."

She smiled, her hand reaching up to caress his features, her them resting on his cheek bone. "I chose this realm for you. It suits your advantage of your powers and spells."

She nodded, her hand resting down to hold his hand in hers. Same thumb gently rubbing his knuckles, Loki smiled and held her hand back. "I understand, mother."

"Can you imagine your brother among the humans?" She added with an amused look.

Loki grinned side eyeing his brother, the thought of his loud attention needing a brother trying to blend in with humans. He could see him throwing his name around looking like a child wanting recognition.

"Certainly can." He chuckled, looking to his mother. "I want to show father what I can do. That I am a prince in his eyes."

"You are in both our eyes, my son." Frigga assured gently.

"Loki." The call of his father gained their attention. "Thor and you shall leave for the bifrost for your journey. I wish you safe travels and to be aware of your surroundings, my sons."

He nodded, indicating they could leave. The brothers bowed their heads and turned to leave.

"This is exciting, brother!" Thor exclaimed once they left the throne room. "We've gone to many realms with father and on our own for battles. But to be there for a whole year!"

Loki smiled to appease him. "Yes, this will be quite an adventure."