Thor heard footsteps behind him, so he walked faster. So did the person behind him. I'm not going back. An arm reached out and turned him around. Val. Wait- Val? How was Val here? Probably the same way you are, said a voice that sounded much too much like Loki.
"I'm not going back." He blurted out before she could speak.
"As an expert of running from my problems, this is a bad idea."
"I am not running running from my problems!" He cried out defensively.
"Really? Then what exactly would you call this?" His mind blanked as his tongue stumbled for an answer.
"You once told me that heroes run towards their problems. Not away. This isn't a hero. This isn't you. Look, I know better than most what you're going through. You've hit rock bottom and you cling to anything that can alleviate the pain. Now, I let you drink yourself half to death for two reasons. One, it would be rather hypocritical of me to tell you not to and two, I was a coward and didn't know what to say to you. There was nothing I could say to make the pain to go away, so why not let you deal with it in your own way? However, I cannot let you stay here. Thor, you have to come home."
"I am home. Val, how can I go back? I can't face my people. I can't be king. How can I go back, knowing I have everything here?"
"So you're just going to abandon your people?"
"They will be glad to be rid of me. I have been a useless piece of lard since we got to Earth." I can't go back.
"I won't change your mind, will I?" Thor shook his head and said no.
"Alright. You know, you missed one heck of a battle. If you ever change your mind, you'll always be welcome in New Asgard." Silver popped out from the wristwatch and she was gone. He stared dumbly, wondering if anyone else from the future was coming. Nobody did. So he turned. Only to find himself face to face with Heimdall. This was going to be a long day.
"Heimdall."
"Thor. I have been watching you. Come, walk with me. We have much to discuss." Suddenly he felt very small and childish. Maybe this was a bad idea-
"I'm not going back."
"So I've heard. I'm not going to try to convince otherwise." Then what- Confusion must have been evident on his face because Heimdall continued.
"What exactly do you plan to do? I do not know what transpired in the future, but I do know you have endured much loss. Can you handle losing everything a second time? Or do you believe you can change fate?"
"It sounds like you're trying to change my mind to me."
"I am merely stating the harsh truth." Now you sound like Loki.
"I have tempted fate many a time."
"Messing with the laws of the universe is more than tempting fate my boy, it is tampering with fate. There will be consequences. Every choice you make will decide how the fate of this universe is shaped." That does not sound good.
"I thank thee for your counsel, Heimdall. Would you bring my mother, father, my other self and my brother to the council room?"
"Your parents and the prince await you already. I will implore the king to bring Loki up from the dungeons."
"Thank you." Nodding his thanks, Thor started towards the throne room. His heart rate steadily climbed the closer he got and with it, his breathing. His mind was screaming bad idea bad idea bad idea. He desperately wanted to turn back, but if he did, he would have to go back. That was not an option as far as he was concerned. He pushed the council doors open.
Odin was at the head of the table, Frigga at the foot and other Thor at the right of Odin. Odin looked astounded. Well, have you seen yourself lately? Other Thor- You really need a better name for him, the voice pointed out. Later. Other Thor pushed his chair back and stalked towards him, Mjolnir gripped tightly in his hand. Thor backed away, holding out his hands in a sign of peace.
"What is the meaning of this?!" Frigga stood as well.
"Thor, take your seat." Thor could tell that enchantment was laced in her words and had they been directed at him, he wouldn't have the will to resist. Which is why Other Thor did as he was told.
"I will explain only when Loki is present." This of course was followed by an outburst from Odin.
"Loki is not permitted to leave the dungeons. He is in there because he is paying for his crimes." Odin's voice left no room for argument, yet Thor did not care.
"Loki is innocent."
"He is far from innocent. He attacked Earth out of cold blood, before that, Jotunheim. He attempted suicide and tried to kill the prince of Asgard as well her gatekeeper."
"You know, I looked up to you. For centuries, I looked up to you. I believed every word that came out of that lying mouth of yours." Odin rose from his seat, pointing Gungnir at him.
"Watch your tongue. As your king and the AllFather, I demand respect!" Thor wanted nothing more than to curl into himself and die. No. I am not afraid of him. He didn't even believe himself.
"I will not be silenced! I know all about Hela, Loki, Laufey, the Valkyrie and the war that you set up. I know how you made the deal with Surtur. I know all about Bor and the Infinity Gauntlet.I know the history of Asgard and the Nine Realms. Do you wish for me to continue?" Odin was silent for a bit, the uncomfortable silence soon becoming stifling.
"I will not be manipulated by a child."
"And I will not be ordered by a murderer!"
"It was not long ago that you sought out war, spilling blood everywhere you went."
"Then lock me up after you lay your own neck on the guillotine. This is not about us, it is about Loki and I will not explain until he is present." Father and son continued to stare each other down, Other Thor looking back and forth, unsure what to do and Frigga alert in case she needed to calm them down. Finally Odin broke eye contact and said,
"Frigga informed me that you are from the future. Given the information you have presented, I am inclined to believe her. Loki will attend this meeting, in chains and he will return to the dungeons to carry out his sentence afterwards. First, you must prove that you are indeed Thor Odinson, God of Thunder." He wants me to call Mjolnir. Am I still worthy? Thor was unsure. It had been years since his hammer was alive. Without the need to be worthy and prove himself to Mjolnir or Odin, he had just given up. Mjolnir didn't like quitters. All the same, Thor stuck out his open palm, begging Mjolnir to come.
Nothing happened. Val's words rang in his ears. 'You once told me that heroes run towards their problems. Not away. This isn't a hero.' But I'm trying to fix everything and save everyone. {"You can't save them all, Loki."} Please. The hammer did not move. I have to prove that I am Thor. So he called for a storm. He drew energy towards him, channeling it into electricity until all he saw were heat signatures and all he heard was crackling. He fueled his rage and loss into it and the cracking increased twentyfold. Except now he had nowhere to channel it.
So he shot it at Gungnir. Thor hadn't the faintest idea what possessed him to do such a thing but there was a deafening splintering sound and they all ducked as a torrent of energy exploded.
When it was safe to stand, Thor was horrified. Gungnir lay splintered on the ground, jagged burns traveling up the shaft. Odin stood above it, his hand blackened and shock evident in his eye. Young Thor looked like he wasn't sure whether to attack or assist Odin and Frigga had her hand over her mouth in horror. Eventually Thor made himself speak.
"Bring up Loki." Young Thor looked at Odin and Odin nodded. Younger Thor walked past, readjusting his grip on Mjolnir as he went to the doors. Thor felt fatigued, yet he hadn't even begun. Mother summoned a chair next to Loki's and motioned for him to sit down. The awkward silence felt like a heavy weight pushing down on them and Thor found himself wishing for a drink. Gungnir lay dead, no matter how many times Thor glanced at it.
The doors boomed open, the sound of chains rattling following. Loki walked with his head held high despite being chained and lack of sleep evident. The chains blocked his magic and he couldn't cast a projection. Young Thor had his hand on Loki's shoulder, reminding him not to try to escape. Surprise briefly flashed across his face at the sight of him. As quick as it came, it was gone.
"The hypocrite, the witch and the oaf times two, oh please put me out of my misery and return me to my cell."
"Loki please try to be civil."
"I am chastised for lying, so I try to be truthful and get the same result."
"Enough! I tire of my sons being disrespectful. Take your seats." Odin went to pound Gungnir on the floor, only to remember it was shattered on the ground. Loki's eyes widened and he scanned the room, eyes stopping on him. They seemed to bore into him and Thor knew he had questions.
"I'd rather stand." Loki stated. Young Thor shoved him forward, guiding him to the left of Odin, next to Thor before taking his own seat. Odin leaned forward, fold his hands on the table.
"Loki is here, now explain your business here." Thor opened his mouth to speak just as the alarm rang. The prisons. Thor cursed as everyone else to their feet. Before Young Thor could make it to the door, Thor ran into him, grabbing the keys to Loki's keys before Young Thor could notice. Stuffing the keys in his pocket, he turned and said,
"I'll stay here with Loki and make sure he causes no mischief."
"I don't tru-" Odin started, but Mother cut him off.
"We need to protect the Aether. I'm sure they will be fine." As the door shut behind them, Thor rushed over to Loki and jabbed the key into the cuffs. The lock clicked and Thor pulled Loki to his feet.
"Come on. We need to protect Mother." The brothers ran to the doors, nearly running into Frigga, who was waiting at the doors with her arms crossed.
"I thought you were watching Loki."
"I am. See, I can see hi-" Thor turned, but Loki was not there.
"You should find him before your father or the Einherjar do." Why could nothing ever go his way?
A/N: Okay this chapter seemed really redundant, not interesting and hopefully next chapter is better. Any ideas as to where Loki went or why Odin set up the war with Jotunheim? I have most of the structure for this story, so I'd love to hear some guesses. Thanks for reading and have a great day!
Disclaimer: Nope.
Disclaimer: Technical Difficulties; yes.
PS. Apologies for any grammer/spelling errors.