a/n: FORGIVE ME, I got caught up in the Hamilton fandom in July!

This is a short-ish chapter to get myself back into writing this story.

Loki's training with the Ancient One began in earnest. He himself found a refreshing opponent in her and learning the patterns in her fighting style. When he was on Asgard, his training was with only a sword. There were few worthwhile challengers in the training ring where it took no time to discover their pattern of attack and work that to his advantage to win. Often times he was accused of using his magic, but his mother knew that it was based on his intellect alone. The Ancient One's fighting methods were harder to discern, as she had a level of magic even, he had not seen from another mage; himself included.

The Ancient One had a veritable arsenal of magic to draw upon, making it hard for Loki to land a blow against her. In his latest attack, he had missed the fan's movement completely and was taken to the ground when it literally shifted underneath him. Finding his feet again, Loki dodged the magical whips that breezed past his left ear and charged, only to be stopped at the last second by her own shield.

Loki jumped back as the world again seemed to shift and the ancient mage away from him backwards.

"You're an excellent tactician, Loki." Ancient One commented. "I watched you consider my movements while in a fight. You are a formidable fighter. Did you use these against Thor in a fight?"

Loki snorted. "I grew up in a battling ring. Brute strength, not tactics were the fare of 'true warriors.' He said the last words bitterly. 'Even daggers were no match for a much bigger broadsword. I was not appreciated for the magic that I could wield in a fight."

Loki looked at the long stick that was in his hands, "I could not strike a blow at you. I saw the world, or rather, the setting of the room shift, the ground went out from beneath me. Do all Sorcerer Supreme have this ability?"

"It is one that only I possess, yes." she answered, coming to his side. They walked together back into the main space of the temple. "Most of those who come here learn to defend themselves in a fight via shields or weapons. Though, chosen ones have mystical weapons that aid them. Doctor Strange, for example, has the Cloak of Levitation."

Loki made a mental note to ask Strange about that at a later date. "Like that odd looking wand behind you?" He inquired, pointing to it. It was odd. Small, only about a foot in length and made of gold with horns and a face adorning end of it.

She turned to look at it, then back to Loki. "The Wand of Wantoob?" His nod made her continue, "That is indeed a powerful artifact, one that must be wielding by someone with the knowledge of how to use it."

Loki nodded, understanding. He already knew what the Mind Stone could do in the hands of the wrong party, let alone the Tesseract. Hadn't the humans of Earth wanted to use it for world ending weapons?

The Sorcerer Supreme stood at the low table and poured tea into two small cups.

"Master Wong tells me that you've read almost all the books in the library." She said, changing the subject as she handed him a cup of tea. "Not much different that Doctor Strange. One who has an insatiable curiosity will read whatever they can get their hands on."

At this, Loki did smile. "I was like that on Asgard. Reading whatever I could about politics and mathematics, and magic, of course." He looked a little rueful, "My brother always called me a bookworm, but I wanted to know about our realm and others." He eyebrows furrowed, "Though there was no mention of this type of magic in any of them." He shrugged, "It would make sense to secret away such a powerful type of magic."

"It helps that not many wield it either." The Ancient One replied.

He glanced at the hand now adorned with a sling ring. "I wonder…" He looked up at her with a mixture of worry and thoughtfulness. "If this magic will override my own and I shall never get it back."

"Time will tell, Loki." The Ancient One re-assured him. "I believe that it lies dormant, in need of a spark to re-awaken just as it had a while ago. When it does, you'll be a very powerful mage indeed, possessing both the Mystical Arts and the mage power of Asgard."

Let us hope that it does not lead Odin to kill me right where I stand Thought Loki while squeezing his hand shut.

"Perhaps," The Ancient One's voice cut through his thoughts, "it's time for you to show the Avengers what you are capable of, Loki."

Loki looked up suddenly, "What? I-I can't." They would surely throw him into a dark dungeon if they knew that he could use a form of magic.

She looked sympathetically towards him. "Loki, they wanted you to have your magic back, or they wouldn't have agreed to let Doctor Strange bring you here. They know, especially your brother, that it is who you are, what make you a warrior in your own right. You can show them that your magic can be used to benefit fighting for good."

Sensing his hesitation, The Ancient One stood, "You have fought toe to toe with others with courage and fearlessness. You are not the man you were before, Loki. Now is the time to show the Avengers and everyone who doubts it what you are."

He hesitated for another moment before with a flick of his hand, he opened a portal, where Stark Tower's kitchen was visible from the other side of it. With a re-assured nod from the Ancient One, Loki stepped through. He found Stark in his pajamas and t-shirt drinking coffee which he promptly spat out at the sight of him.

"Loki?! What the hell-" Tony stammered, picking up a cloth to clean the mess the coffee had made.

"Nice to see you again too, Stark." Loki returned in a snarky tone.

"Didn't I ask you not to arrive unannounced? Who knows what we could have been doing!" Tony grumbled.

Loki rolled his eyes, "Is my brother on the premises?"

Without taking his eyes off of him, Stark called to the A.I. "Jarv, get Thor down here, quickly. Tell him baby brother is back."

'Right away, sir.'

It was not long before Thor had thundered into the room, a ray of sunshine at seeing his little brother again. "Loki!"

He picked up Loki and squeezed until he was sure that they were cracking. "Thor, let go of me!"

Laughing, the God of Thunder obeyed and set him back onto his feet. "Where have you been all these weeks, Loki?"

"Tibet." Loki answered casually with a shrug.

"Tibet?" Both Tony and Thor chorused, both looking at each other and then to him again.

"Shall I show you?" He grinned ear to ear as he created a portal to Mount Everest, the snow blowing in from the winds making the engineer shiver slightly.

"You've made your point now would you…" Tony huffed. Then his mouth went slightly agape when he looked from the portal to Loki. "Magic…you can do magic?"

Loki's mouth split into a toothy grin. "So you finally figured out." He slow clapped, "Congratulations."

Now it was Thor's turn to be aghast. "Y-you have your magic back?!"

Loki smiled sadly. "Partly. This magic is part of the Mystical Arts; the one Dr. Strange uses and the Ancient One taught me. My powers-" he shook his head slightly, "they haven't come back...yet."

"Worry not, little brother. I am sure they will! But you must show me the breadth of your new powers! Shall we have a training session? Perhaps you'll join us for dinner and can regale us as to how you gained them?"

Loki's eyebrows furrowed as he spoke with conviction, "Thor, you have never appreciated my magic, not even in the heat of I assure you, now it is a powerful force to be reckoned with.'

Thor's demeanor softened as he spoke, his voice returning to a more gentle tone. "I can see now how integral they are to you, Loki. I'm sorry for not understanding that before."

His words were filled with genuine concern and empathy, and Loki felt a sense of relief wash over him. It was clear that Thor truly cared about his brother's feelings.

"May I suggest that we gather in your training room? I am eager to demonstrate how my newly acquired abilities can be of great assistance to the team…if you'll have me, that is. " Loki added almost as an afterthought.

"Of course!" Thor slapped his back almost causing him to stumble forward a few feet.

TBC...