Loki activated the tesseract. Then took Thor's hands into his own and explained, "With this spell, not even Heimdall can see or hear us." To the avengers, they instantly vanished.

Together they stepped through the portal and entered the grand hallway at the edge of the palace. Without a word, they both stepped to the balcony that overlooked the entire city to take in the sight one last time.

"I miss it," Thor confessed sadly.

"There are parts I miss as well, brother," Loki replied, "but we have no time for sentiment."

Thor turned to guide them down the guest room Jane was staying in, when Loki created an illusion to go the opposite way without his brother's knowledge.

Loki's illusion made his way down the halls and through the doorways to the stairs that lead directly to the vault. Just as he made it to the bottom of the stairs, a familiar voice suddenly came from behind him. "You hid yourself from Heimdall well enough," Odin said, walking down the steps after him, "but you forgot my all seeing eyes." Loki turned to face him and gasped in shock that he had been spotted. "You're not my son," Odin added. Loki flinched at hearing such painful words. "You can't be," he continued, "my son is still locked inside his cell. Who are you?"

"Loki," he whispered.

Odin grabbed his wrist and pulsed his magic into it. He watched as Loki's skin turned blue like a Frost Giant's for a moment, only to return back to normal. "You are my son," he said.

"I am not your son," Loki spat, pulling away from him.

"Alright then Frigga is not your mother," he continued coldly, "and Thor is not your brother."

Loki bit his lip, not wanting to admit to such a painful thing out loud. "That they are not," he said, trembling.

Odin asked, "Why does the truth hurt you so much?"

"You have no right to ask me that!" Loki turned and shouted in his face, "You who lied to me my entire life about what I am and how I came to be! You who lied to me about my future prospects! You who used me for your own political gains as king! Why should the truth hurt me?! You filled me up with lies, then gutted me with the truth, leaving me as a hollow empty shell with nothing to call my own!" He took a deep breath and added, "Out of all of that, I take little solace in knowing no matter what you've done to me, it wasn't nearly as bad as what you did to Hela."

He stepped back in shock and asked in fear, "How do you know of her?"

"I'm from the future," Loki explained coldly, "where you die and release her from her prison. She breaks Thor's precious hammer, kills off all our friends and most Asgardians, and we have to induce Ragnorok just to get rid of her! That's what you have to look forward to old man! Asgard completely obliterated and your legacy ruined! Congratulations!" He watched as Odin stood completely shocked.

Odin asked, "Do you lie?"

"I tell the truth," Loki replied, staring him down coldly.

"You are my legacy, Loki," he explained calmly, as if he wasn't just yelled at, "you and your brother."

Stunned, Loki asked, "I am?"

"I failed you, my son," Odin explained, "after the battle with the Jotun, I found a woman sobbing outside the temple, injured in battle. That was not why she had tears. She told me her name was Farbauti, and she had given birth to Laufey's son, but he had rejected him. She asked for me to take the baby boy and raise him to be the rightful king of Jotunheim. She then died from her injuries. Inside the temple you awaited, full of fear, alone. I originally intended to raise you in Asgard until your 600th year, and then return you to Laufey as Farbauti wished, but I couldn't bear the thought of losing you. I loved you too much to let you go."

Loki couldn't believe what he was hearing. He didn't know how to react. "And what did Mother think of your scheme?" he asked, "She must have known."

He answered, "She was against it from the very beginning. She wished to keep you as her son, as did I." He closed the distance between them.

After hearing all that Loki didn't know what to think, and certainly not what to say. He stood frozen in complete and utter shock, unable to believe everything he had just heard.

Odin gave him a soft smile and said, "Look at that, I've tongue tied the silver tongued son of mine."

Still shocked, Loki asked, "Why did you never mention this years ago when you first told me my origins?"

"Your rage was blinding," he explained, "and my sleep was fast approaching. When I awoke, I expected you to have a hundred questions for me, instead I rescued you and your brother off the rainbow bridge, only to watch you fall into an abyss. When I thought you dead, I felt pain like no other. By the time Heimdall finally found you again, thankfully alive, you were conspiring with a Titan to take over Midgard. I was so disgusted with your actions, and feared you were too far gone for me to ever get through to you, just as Hela was. So I locked you up in the dungeon with your Mother's hopes you would someday see the light." He paused. "Do you regret your actions on Midgard?"

He confessed, "No. I had too much fun while I was down there wrecking havoc. I only regret angering a certain green monster." He wished he could lie and tell his father what he wanted to hear. Instead he watched him shake his head in disappointment.

Odin said sadly, "Of course you have no remorse."

In order to cut through the conversation, Loki asked, "Do you miss your daughter?"

"Every day," Odin confessed, "I missed her so much I gave your glamor her coloring. Her blue-green eyes," he reached up to caress Loki's face, "her striking black hair that made her stand out against most other Asgardians. Lovely. Handsome. Perfection." He held the back of Loki's neck tenderly. "You know you can break the glamor any time you wish now that you know of its existence."

Loki asked, "And walk around as a hideous blue creature? Never." Odin smiled at that remark and hugged him tight. "Father, you should tell the Loki wasting away in his cell everything you just told me."

"Will he listen?" his father asked, "Or will he twist my words around in anger and hatred?"

"He believes you have no love for him," he confessed, unable to look him in the eye as he added, "he'll listen."

Odin replied, "Very well then, I shall go speak with him once I'm done here with you. Now, tell me Loki, what is your illusion from the future doing down here inside my vault?"

Loki panicked. His father knew he was an illusion all along? He tried to fight against the truth spell, but of course he couldn't even think of a lie, let alone tell one. "I am...taking...something...from here...for myself," he struggled to hold back his words, the truth spell fighting back hard. He physically distanced himself from his father and fought to keep his mouth physically shut.

"What are you doing?" Odin asked, looking him over completely puzzled, "Dancing around a truth spell?"

"Yes, dammit!" he said in relief and frustration, "How did you know?"

His father replied, "Because you're a good liar, but that display of half truth was painful to witness. Although, this means the future you spelled out moments ago is the truth, just as I've dreamed of in recent years."

Loki said, "Every word I spoke was true."

"Since you cannot tell a lie," he said, "what are you doing sending an illusion to sneak around down here?"

In that moment Loki wished his lips were still sewn shut, or that his voice was taken from him, or that he never ate that damn chocolate Thor offered him days earlier. Try as he might, he couldn't fight the spell and they both knew it. He confessed slowly, "I am down here...stealing...the tesseract...for my own personal use." He took a few steps backwards towards it.

"Prey tell," his father asked, "what are your plans for that, more death and destruction?"

"I don't know yet," he answered, "I have not planned out the next 4,000 years of my life. I simply remembered it was here, ripe for the taking, and I couldn't resist, so here I am."

As Loki stepped backwards away from his father, he continued to step towards him. "And what is your original body doing with Thor upstairs?"

He shook his head, not wanting to say too much even though he already knew this universe was already messed up thanks to this conversation. "Attempting to save the future," he answered.

Odin walked up to the tessereact sitting on a shelf. "Open your hand," he commanded. He did as his father asked, and watched as Odin set the tesseract down on his palm and enclosed his hands around it.

Loki asked, "You're letting me leave with this?"

"Loki," he explained, "my son, you are the God of mischief, and if I were to stop you from being mischievous, it would go against your very nature. That's where I went wrong with Hela. I tried to stop her from being the Goddess of death and failed miserably. All I ask is that no bloodshed comes from this."

He was serious. Loki couldn't believe it. He cupped his hands around his father's. "Alright," he said, "I promise. No deaths shall come of this."

Odin released his grip and said, "One more question before we part. You claim in your future I am dead. Do you miss me?"

Loki hung his head. He had lied to himself for years, insisting that Odin wasn't his real father, not even calling him such a title anymore. But he couldn't lie now. "I do." They hugged one more time before letting go. Loki made the tesseract disappear with his magic. "Goodbye, father," he said.

"Goodbye, my son," Odin replied.

Loki made his illusion rejoin Thor, the tesseract in tow.

Meanwhile, upstairs, Thor stopped outside Jane's door and anxiously hesitated. "I have nerves, brother."

"I'll make her forget we were ever here once this is all said and done," Loki replied, "she'll never remember what we're about to do to her. Knock on the door, I'll hide behind you."

Thor knocked.

"Yes?" Jane asked on the otherside.

"Jane it is I, Thor," he said through the door painfully, "May I enter?"

"Just a second!" she said right before she opened them and revealed herself to be in long white robes. "These outfits everyone wears around here are so comfy. We should wear this stuff on Earth again. Forget suits and heels." Thor stepped inside with Loki right behind him, unseen.

Thor replied, "I'm glad you're enjoying your stay on Asgard."

She said, "Of course! I can't believe you're from here and this is what it's like. Your mom is great, by the way. I kind of wish your dad could be a little nicer. What are you doing?"

He grabbed her arms strongly and stopped her from pulling away. "I apologize, Jane," he said, "this will only take a moment. Please don't resist."

Loki came out from behind him and grabbed her tight just as Thor released her. "Who are you?" she asked, unable to pull away.

"No one you should care to remember," Loki replied, "after such a long journey you're so tired. The sun is so calming and it's so warm in here you can't help but relax and go to sleep." He hypnotized her and she instantly fell to the floor out of his grip.

"Loki!" Thor scolded, "You could have caught her!" He kneeled by her side.

"I didn't expect her to fall asleep so quickly!" he said, "I forgot how weak mortal minds are."

Thor commanded, "Shut up and start the spell!"

Loki brought out the ancient massive book and held it in the air with his magic. He opened it to the pages Baldur had translated before and started working his magic. There was no guarentee with would work. He had never tried using dark elf magic before. Just as he feared it wouldn't work, red mist slowly began pouring out of her.

"It's working," Thor whispered.

Knock. Knock. Knock. "Jane," Frigga's voice came through the door, "I brought refreshments!"

Thor and Loki gave each other panicked looks. Thor jumped back to his feet and gestured in fear. Now what were they going to do? Loki shut the book tight, changed his voice and said, "Standby! I'm indesposed!" He turned and pointed at Thor.

"Oh no," Thor whispered, shaking his head, "I'm not transforming into her! You make a better woman!"

"You know her," Loki insisted, pointing to Jane on the floor.

"I can't lie to Mother," Thor whispered frantically, "not with this truth spell on me! I won't be able to convince her of anything, certainly not that I'm a petite woman!"

Frigga asked through the door. "Jane, dear, are you alright?"

Loki transformed himself into Jane, clothing, voice, and all. He pushed Thor back and transformed him into a bedside table and quickly pushed the real Jane under the bed along with the book. He dove under the covers, careful to hide most of his face, and said, "I'm fine! You may now enter!"

Along with several servants, Frigga walked in gracefully with large trays of Danish, drinks, and Asgardian snacks. "These are the refreshments I was telling you about," she said, "I hope you enjoy some of our delicacies."

Another woman brought over a hot kettle and presented a cup for tea. She placed it on the table Thor was transformed into. "That's alright," Loki said, "I have no craving for tea."

"I'll set it up for you in case you change your mind," the servant replied. She poured the hot tea directly onto Thor. He began shaking from the heat.

In order to cover for him, Loki make the entire room shake with his magic. "Oh," he said, "you get earthquakes here?"

"Not usually," Frigga said, puzzled, "how odd." She looked down at Loki covering most his face as the shaking stopped. "Are you alright, dear?" She reached out and touched his hand.

"I'm fine!" Loki insisted.

Frigga recoiled, "You're so cold to the touch!"

"May I have more blankets from the pantry, please, your majesty?" he asked, hoping she'd leave quickly.

"Of course," she replied, "I shall fetch them for you." She motioned for the servants to follow her out of the room.

As she left, Loki whispered, "Goodbye." She didn't appear to hear him.

When the door was shut Loki immediately transformed them both back. "Ow!" Thor dumped the hot water all over the floor. "That was hot! Dammit!" He felt the back of his neck for the burns.

"You're lucky I can think on my feet or you would have given yourself away!" Loki said, jumping out of the bed. "Make haste already!"

"Would you be more gentle!?" Thor asked as he watched his brother yank her out from under the bed.

Loki reopened the book and this time, without any hesitation, he managed to get every last drop of the aether out of Jane and it filled the room with the red liquid. With the power of the book at his disposal, Loki pressed together the aether and created the reality stone. It dropped to the floor and Loki caught his breath.

Thor dove for it quickly. "We have it!" he exclaimed, "We did it. Loki, you did it." Loki could only give off a weak smile before turned to the door longingly. Thor added, "We must depart."

"I never got the chance to say goodbye to her," Loki said sadly, staring at the door, "I wasn't even allowed to attend her funeral."

"That's your own fault," Thor insisted harshly, "Make no attempt to have me pity you, Loki. You know very well the reasons why you weren't invited to leave your cell to mourn."

Loki turned to him and said, "We could save her."

Thor said, "It's not our place."

"Do you believe that?" Loki asked, "Or do you say such a thing in an attempt to hold yourself above me and my idea?"

Thor bit his lips, not wanting to confess the truth. "No, I don't believe my words, but it is the right thing to do. You know this, Loki. We must depart for Midgard and save the universe. We have no time for this." He pushed passed him to the door.

Loki asked, "Do you believe Mother deserves to die?"

"No."

"Then we shall save her," Loki insisted, "that is the right thing to do, to be the hero." He turned and grabbed one of the trays full of Danishes and make it disappear with his magic.

Thor scolded. "Loki!" He took three pastries off another tray and stuffed his face with them.

"What," he replied, "she is a tiny mortal woman. She can't eat this much."

Thor pulled him along towards the door and said, "If we're going to do this, we must be quick about it. Make haste."

With the invisibility spell still activated, they found their mother roaming the halls with several other women. Loki used his powers and attempted to get inside her head, something quite difficult to do on his own mother who was also a master of magic. He managed to catch her off guard and sneak in. "I'll be right back ladies," he said, "I'll be in my chambers."

"I'll be right back ladies," Frigga suddenly said, "I'll be in my chambers." She turned and separated herself from them.

Just when she made it to her room, she stopped. "Why did I come in here?" She turned and saw magical rune writing on her door.

It is I, Loki, it read, with Thor. May we enter?

Frigga opened her door to see both her sons standing before her. "You're not my Loki," she said, "he's down in his cell, and you're not my Thor. He's outside with his father. Where are you two from?"

"The future," Thor answered, quickly moving into the room.

Loki walked up to her and asked, "Have you spoken to me inside my cell yet today, Mother?"

"I have," she replied.

He hugged her tight and said, "I'm sorry. You are my mother, and you always have been. I regret denying that fact." She patted his back.

"It's alright, Loki," she said, "I know those words had no weight behind them." She pulled away and took each one of their hands. "Look at this, my sons are speaking again, and it appears you've seen the light, Loki, as I've hopped you would." She kissed their hands.

Thor hugged her tight, "Hello again, Mother."

After their hugged she motioned for them to sit on her bed together, Loki on her left and Thor on her right. "So, you two came all this way from the future," she said curiously, "what's wrong with your eye?" She motioned to Thor's face.

Loki shook his head anxiously as Thor answered, "Uh, someone cut it out, and then someone else gave me a new one and Loki put a glamor on it to turn it blue, like my natural eyes should be. That's all." He smiled as best as he could. "I'm fine."

"Well alright," she said, "as long as you're well." She turned to Loki and said, "I suppose the future hasn't been kind to either of you." As she caressed his hair and stopped at his nape. "Why are there stitches in the back of your head?"

"Thor threw his new axe at me," he answered quickly.

"Thor!" Frigga scolded, turning to him.

He choked. "Uh it's true but it was an accident!" he insisted, "I swear! He just so happened to be downwind of it when I lost my grip."

"The stitching work isn't the greatest," Frigga said, gently stroking it. She conjured her own scalpel and said, "Hold still, this'll only take a moment. She quickly undid and redid Loki's stitches for him. Still unamused, she said, "Let's see this weapon of yours." Loki pulled it out with his magic and plopped it onto the floor at their feet. She stared at it in awe and said, "What a monstrosity."

"That's what I told him," Loki said, he took it back.

Frigga looked back over at Thor and could sense something wasn't right. "Thor, what's the matter?"

"There's..." he hesitated, unsure of what to tell her, "A lot that's wrong, Mother, but I shouldn't tell you anything. You're not supposed to know what's going to happen." He shook his head painfully.

She took his hand carefully and said, "I'm your mother, Thor, you may burden me with your struggles. It's my purpose in life. Tell me, what troubles you so?"

"I can't tell you much," he confessed, "but I'm a huge failure. If I was stronger, I could be a better king to our people. Everyone is traumatized now Mother; everyone is plagued with nightmares and there's nothing I can do about it. We've all lost so much, and I can't bear the thought losing anyone else, especially not Loki, but he doesn't care." He looked over to see his brother sitting in shock.

"Thor, I know everyone is upset," Loki said, "that is the reason why I've been messing around so much! They need something to take their minds off the devastation we've all suffered. Although I had no idea you feared losing me." He couldn't help but give himself a small smile.

Frigga said, "The only thing a king can do, Thor, is his best. If everyone is scared, you must inspire hope for the future. A good king admits his faults-"

"Like Father ever has-" Loki scoffed.

She turned and took his voice directly out of his throat. Surprised, Loki attempted to pull and poke at her, only for her to clamp his hands together with magic.

"As I was saying," she continued, "a good king admits his faults. I've tried to convince your father that transparency is better than shielding the past mistakes. I may not be able to get through to him, but perhaps I can get through to you. Even as a failure, Thor, you can still be honest with our people, admit your fears, and rejoice in the hope of the future with them."

Thor smiled at her and hugged her again. "You really think I can be a good king?" he asked.

"Better than your father," she replied.

He stood up and said, "I apologize for being so curt, Mother, but we must leave."

Loki stood up and motioned to his mouth. Frigga smiled and said, "Oh, am I forgetting something? Your lovely voice, perhaps, my son." She unbound his hands and returned his voice.

"You silenced me because you know I speak the truth," Loki replied quickly.

"Yes," she said, "your father has his many faults, Loki, but he is still your father and my husband, so I still love him as such. It is just as you have your own faults, Loki, but you're still my son, and I've always loved you as my son." She smiled at him.

Feeling petty, Loki asked, "What about Thor?"

She replied, "Yes I love him and his many faults as well."

"Hey," he teased. Together the three of them hugged.

Instead of releasing her, Loki managed to latch onto her mind again and said, "It's so beautiful outside. A beautiful day to take a walk." He felt himself beginning to control her mind.

Thor said, "Have her take Jane with her."

"And you should take the mortal woman with you," Loki added, "on a nice long walk far away from the palace and all the drama that goes on here. Walk someplace safe. Once there is danger you should run and duck for cover, protecting the mortal by your side."

As he released his mother, Frigga said, "I think I'll take a walk. Perhaps Jane would like to join me."

"Great idea," Thor said.

"Goodbye, Mother," Loki said, barely able to make out a smile. Thor repeated his words.

Their mother nodded. "Goodbye, my sons."

"Wait!" Thor said, outstretching his arm.

"Seriously?" Loki asked as he waited for his hammer to return to him.

As it came into his hand, Thor rejoiced. "Yes!" he said, "I'm still worthy!" He couldn't help but smile wide.

It hurt for the two of them to walk away from her, knowing it would be the last time they would ever see her. Thor pulled Loki along to the portal. "We must leave," he said, "we can't bring her back, but we can bring back billions of others if we make it in time."

They ran back to the portal, stealing one last glimpse of Asgard before making the final leap back to the avengers' headquarters.