"Loki, my child. Please give us the name of whoever lured you to the dark."
"And as I have said so many times, Mother, you will find no answer coming from my lips." Loki responded with a roll of his eyes, amused yet exasperated at his mother's determination to find the name of his former benefactor.
As he turned his gaze away from the sad look in his mother's eyes to his brother, the trickster couldn't help his subtle smirk as he saw Thor standing with his arms crossed and looking at the ground.
"Oh, I did not think that we were boring you, brother. Perhaps you would like to try your hand in interrogation?" He asked, knowing that it both irritated his mother to see them fight while also hoping that Thor took the bait.
However, as Thor looked up, Loki couldn't help the slightly uneasy feeling in the god's eyes when he uncrossed his arms.
A moment later, his eyes widened as 'Thor' shot through the enchanted walls and pinned him to the wall, Loki struggling to free himself as 'Thor' leaned forward and whispered in his ears.
"I did warn you that if you failed, there would be dire consequences, did I not trickster?" However, the voice that spoke was not that of 'Thor' and as his brother leaned back with a grin, Loki himself was horrified as he realized who it was.
Thankfully, a spell slammed into the side of 'Thor' and sent him blasting out the dungeon, the god himself flipping over and sliding to a stop before glaring at his mother as Frigga frowned.
"Possession. Who are you?!"
"Hehehehe~ Wouldn't you like to know, witch?" Thor' whispered with a malicious smirk before her eyes widened as a dark blue portal opened behind 'Thor' right as the god leapt through it and snapped it back shut.
"Stay put!" Frigga ordered to her son as she walked out of the cell while activating the cell walls once more, Loki just taking deep breaths as he sat on the floor while rubbing his neck.
Up on the surface of Asgard, 'Thor' took a deep breath as he appeared at the front entrance of the royal castle, spreading his arms wide and smiling blissfully as he felt the cosmic energy of the planet flowing into him.
"Thor! My friend!" 'Thor' frowned at the annoying voices to his ears as he turned around, raising an eyebrow at the three men and woman that walked up to him.
A moment later, he smirked as the three men looked both confused and cautious while the woman had already unsheathed the blade at her side.
"Thor?"
"I'm afraid your precious God of Thunder is busy elsewhere. Until he returns…" The god spoke as he clenched his fists a few times before grinning as he blasted forward.
Volstagg could only let out a gargled gasp the next second as 'Thor' appeared in front of him and sent the man ragdolling across the Rainbow Bridge with a heavy stomp to the chest.
He was not given a moment to breath after that as Fandral was already stabbing at the thunder god's leg with his rapier while Sif aimed a stab at his heart and Hogun swung a spiked mace at the god's skull.
'Thor', however, was quick to show why he was the best fighter on Asgard as he reached out and caught both Fandral and Sif by their wrists while kicking away Hogun's mace by the handle.
The warrior was quick to reach out with his other hand and catch his mace as both Fandral and Sif grabbed 'Thor''s arms to stop him from moving away right as Hogun slammed his mace down upon the thunder god's chest with a roar.
At least, that what's they expected right before Hogun's eyes widened when a dark blue portal opened up in front of his attack, another one appearing below his chin and knocking his head back right before both portals snapped shut and severed the man's arm.
Seeing Fandral being shocked at the move, 'Thor' was quick to capitalize on it as he flipped backwards and into another portal, Sif quickly letting go and Fandral just the briefest moments later right as the god snapped his portal shut.
Taking a deep breath as he felt the body trying to force itself awake, 'Thor' frowned as he saw that he himself was in the middle of a hallway before grinning as he felt a familiar presence nearby.
'Even if we do not get Loki, making sure they remember what comes to those that go against Thanos would be the second best option.' He thought with a grin as he began making his way towards his room, opening it right only to wheeze at the powerful fist slamming into his chest and sending him crashing right through the wall behind it.
"Go!" Emil shouted at the Einherjar gathered inside the room and they all didn't waste a single moment as they rushed out and through the hole in the wall.
'Thor' stood up with a stumble and gritted teeth as the abrupt attack had nearly knocked the Mind stone loose and severed the connection, but he wasn't given a moment longer to move as numerous armoured Einherjar leapt onto him and pinned him to the floor.
A growl escaped his lips as he felt them all reaching for the stones and created a portal in front of his armour to stop them from doing so, an acrid smell entering the air around them as sparks of blue and gold electricity raced around Thor's body when he looked up.
With a roar, golden yellow and azure blue lightning shot out in all directions, sending the Einherjar flying everywhere as well as nearly destroying the part of the castle he was in.
Emil was quick to cover Darcy from the electricity with a leather cover and hissed as the lightning tore off chunks of his back, taking deep breaths to keep himself calm and not deactivate the transformation before he gasped as the pain finally ceased.
Darcy was concerned as the leather cover around her fell to the floor before looking horrified as Emil turned around to glare at his friend, ignoring the burning pain on his back.
"You!" Darcy's head snapped back to her boyfriend as she heard 'Thor's' voice and felt her heart sinking as she saw her boyfriend walking closer while lightning gathered around his hand.
"T-Thor…Thor, please…I know you're in there. Please, don't let him do this." She begged as she took out the dagger that Sif had gifted to her when she arrived all those weeks ago, her hands shaking as she gripped it just as the woman had taught her.
"If you want to kill her, you're going to have to go through me!" Emil growled and 'Thor' snorted as he saw how heavily the man was breathing.
"I may not be here for long, but with your death, he shall grieve…and he shall understand…" 'Thor' spoke with a grin as he raised his hand towards her and Darcy's breathing hitched as the sparking electricity around his hand grew more powerful.
However, as he went to attack, her eyes widened as Thor's other hand came around and snuffed out the electricity with ease, 'Thor' himself looking just as surprised as his other hand struggled to force his first hand down.
"N-No! You…still need me!"
"I…do not! I…am Thor Odinson, son of Odin Borson and the dark witch Frigga! Brother to Loki Laufeyson! Heir to Asgard and GOD OF THUNDER!" Thor roared as lightning shot up like a pillar, the god himself reaching for the Mind Stone and ripping it free.
A moment later, Odin and Frigga burst through the floor while the Warrior Three and Sif leapt over the balcony, the latter four racing forward to cover Darcy and a wary Emil while Odin immediately raised his spear to his son's neck.
"Hah…hah…" Thor was heaving for air as he let the Mind Stone drop to the floor, Odin already sealing the stone up with a barrier made out of his Odinforce as Frigga levitated it.
They then looked back at their son as they heard his breathing hitch, Frigga wanting to comfort him while Odin sighed as he saw the horror dancing in his son's eyes when he looked at them.
"What…have I done?"
"Let me see him." Darcy said to Odin as she walked into the throne room, the old king sighing as he gestured for his Einherjar to leave while Frigga sighed.
"Darcy dear…"
"Nope. No 'Darcy dear'. The father of my unborn triplets is currently sitting in jail for something he didn't even do and we're just letting him stay there."
"We're not, Darcy. He wishes to stay here." Odin said bluntly and Darcy froze at that as she looked at the king.
"Why?"
"He feels that since he was the one who brought the stone here, the blame fell upon him for nearly putting Asgard at risk and I agree."
"Odin…" Frigga spoke with a warning tone and Odin frowned as he looked at his wife.
"I did warn him of what was going to happen just like how I warned you of what would happen if he kept pursuing the stones. These are not playthings. These are tools that are capable of empowering a race tremendously just as much as they are capable of nigh-infinite destruction on a universal scale. At least, this one is." Odin spoke with a frown as he held up the Space Stone.
"And what of the other one?" Darcy asked with a slightly confused look while pointing at the Mind Stone that was still sealed away in a golden orb before her eyes widened as Odin scoffed and snuffed both the orb and the stone out of existence.
"A mere orb made out of Uru that has been enchanted with Asgardian, Greek and many other enchantments to make it seem as if it was an Infinity Stone. It was most likely forged by the actual wielder of the Mind Stone who searched for the most powerful enchantments that would get the job done. Truly, I feel the highest shame for not noticing it sooner."
"Do not blame yourself, dear. Thor never stopped using both it and the Space Stone so its presence was enhanced by being in close proximity with the other stone. That and you were just told shocking news so you not being able to sense it was to be expected." Frigga spoke and Odin gave a thankful smile to his wife before they looked forward as Darcy spoke.
"So…I can go get Thor?"
"If you can get my son to leave his cell, I will personally make you an honorary Asgardian at your marriage."
"No take-backs! I'm holding you to that!" Darcy spoke rapidly with a smile as she rushed out of the room and the king looked amused before he looked at his wife as she giggled.
"Does she not remind you of someone?"
"Yes and she is standing right besides me." Odin answered before a soft chuckle escaped his lips as Frigga slapped his arm with a huff.
"Quiet, you."
"You did ask."
"Hahahahaha~! Oh, this is hilarious! Truly the greatest joke I have heard in my entire life! Thor, god of thunder…now my idiot cell mate~! Hehehehahaha!"
'Ignore your brother, Thor. Focus on wallowing in your own self-pity.' I thought with a deep breath as I rested against the wall of the cell besides his, the two of us alone in the deepest levels of the dungeon.
"Come now, brother. Truly, you do not believe that you did all of that simply because you were controlled? Have you forgotten the brute that you are?"
"Loki, I have neither the patience nor the energy to play your games."
"Oh, I bet you do not, but I do. It is rare that I get to see the great Thor being humbled by his own wrongdoings."
"Well, at least you're not the only disappointment of the family, eh?" I said back, smirking as his laughing stopped and he stared at me with a frown.
However, I sighed as he grinned moments later and nodded.
"That is indeed the truth. Do not worry about being on my side. The disappointment comes and goes, but the pity is where the true fun is."
"Do you truly enjoy this, Loki? Being an annoyance to everyone?" I asked as I looked at him, to which he raised an eyebrow before shrugging.
"It is quite the intriguing role to be truthful. Many would rather be the hero or the villain, but why settle for such linear roles when one could be both and neither at the same time? Is life not more fun when you surround yourself with nothing but chaos?"
"You say that and just a few hours ago, you were trying your best to subjugate Midgardians into accepting you as their king. Is that the actions of a trickster…or the actions of a boy that simply wants to draw attention to themselves?"
"What are you implying, brother?" Loki asked with the same smile as usual, but there was no hiding the animosity in his eyes as I smiled and shrugged.
"Nothing at all, brother. What do you think I am implying?"
"Nothing, your brain is neither developed nor are you intellectual enough to understand the usage of subtle wording."
"And yet here you are, thinking over my words as if there is another meaning to them." I said and Loki stared at me before we turned as the door opened, my eyes widening as Darcy walked in with a frown.
"Ah, lo-!"
"Bitch, no one cares for you. Sit down and shut up." While both Loki and I were surprised by her quick response to him, I frowned as she walked up and stopped in front of my cell.
"Darcy, please go. I can't risk hurting you."
"Your old man has already checked out the stones. It was-!"
"A fake. Father has told me already and yet, that does not change the truth of the matter in that I attacked you. Darcy, I nearly killed you and Emil if it was not for the stone being knocked loose and myself gaining back some control over my body."
"Yet here I am, standing before you and you know why? It's because I knewthat you would not hurt me no matter what."
"Even so-!"
"Oh, do spare me this nauseating display of affection and find another corner of the realm to flaunt it, will you?" Loki cut in with a disgusted frown and while Darcy looked affronted, I couldn't help my smile as I stood up.
"Is that perhaps your way of telling me that I need to leave, brother? Ah, it warms my heart to see you care, brother."
"Spare me the sentiment, Thor, and go elsewhere before your nauseating joy blinds me."
"…Is he always like that?" Darcy asked as I walked up to the front of the cell and I snorted as an Einherjar walked over and turned off the cell walls while removing my cuffs.
"Oh, yes. It takes a while for one to warm up to him, but once you do, you'll come to find that he is quite the loveable guy."
"Lovable? Me? Clearly, your definition of the word has suffered a severe blow to the head."
"Like I said, it takes a while." I said as Loki responded to my words, Darcy giggling as I turned to see Loki sitting down against the wall before smiling as I turned and followed my girlfriend out of the dungeons.
"You know you can walk besides me, right? No one blames you, especially not those that are close to you." She said and I gave a soft smile as I wrapped an arm around her and hugged her close.
"Truly the Old gods have blessed me with such a wonderful woman such as yourself."
"And don't you forget it. Now, your dad has decided to make me an honorary Asgardian when we get married if I managed to get you out so we're going to cash in on that check."
"…Not bad."
"…I see I have underestimated your ability of persuasion, Ms. Lewis." Father spoke as Darcy and I walked into the throne room and she gave a slight bow while I smiled as I walked over and bowed my head.
"I would like to apologize. Not just for attacking you all, but for bringing a dangerous artifact into Asgard and for letting an enemy of Asgard invade the mind of its finest warrior."
"Careful there, son. That title belongs to only one person and they're in this room." Father spoke up with a smile and I rolled my eyes before looking over at Mother as she spoke up.
"I assume the effects have worn off?"
"Yes, I…no longer hear his voice and the illusions have begun to slow down."
"I see. Would you mind if I check?" She asked and I shook my head, to which Mother walked down and reached forward to place her hands on both sides of my temple.
"Hmm, it appears…that the presence has faded for the most part. There still seem to be some hints of his energy clinging to your soul, but those parts are minuscule compared to the overwhelming presence it had before. I would recommend staying on Asgard for a month or two longer to make sure your energy is fully cleansed before you decide on returning to Midgard."
"Oh, we're not returning." Surprisingly, Darcy was the one who said that and she rolled her eyes as we all looked at her.
"What? It makes sense, doesn't it? With the stones that you stole, that makes you an international criminal and anyone affiliated with you will be arrested as well. Besides, Asgard is so much nicer than Earth and I really don't want to go back."
"But what of your best friend that you spoke of? And perhaps any family members you may have?"
"That 'best friend' and I went our own ways three years ago and haven't spoken to each other since. Also, there is no love lost between what remains of my family and I as they want me to marry a rich guy while I wanted to go work for myself."
"Speaking of work, you will be happy to know you passed the test, Darcy. I will be sending over your certificate tomorrow."
"Thank you, mother-in-law."
"Test?" I asked, ignoring the rest of their interaction as Darcy grinned and nodded.
"Yep, my astrophysicist test. You're looking at Dr. Darcy Lewis, who has a doctorate in astrophysics." She said with a proud smile and I looked at her before turning to my amused parents.
"Does anyone mind catching me up on what I miss?"
A/N: And this chapter is done as Thor and Darcy talk about what happened. Also, a quick talk from brother to brother and…the stone was fake?
How? Why? Who could have done it? I guess we'll have to wait and see.
Like always, you can go to my Pat-reon-.-com-/-KingCrimsonNova to read ahead on this as well as many other stories & even some that haven't been released out to this site yet. If you want to, you are free to, but if you don't want, all's good as I will still be uploading here. This is just me trying to get some extra cash.
Anyways, as always, read, enjoy, review and until the next chapter...
Ba-Bye~!