Chapter Twelve: A Private Identity

“Of course I remember. I remember your mockery, your sarcasm, and how you cast me into the abyss,” Loki turned to face Thor. Even though Loki knew his actions were influenced by power at the moment, these were words he genuinely wished to say to Thor.

“So you trample upon the world I love as compensation for the slights you have endured?” Thor strode toward Loki. The quarrels of brothers should not involve innocent lives. “No, Midgard is under my protection, Loki.”

“Oh, what fine protection you offer.” Loki let out a mocking laugh. “People gather in crowds, slaughtering each other, and what have you done? I can give them a new future—why is that wrong?”

“So you truly believe yourself above them?” Thor looked at Loki.

“Yes, of course.” Loki saw no fault with his reasoning.

“Then you are mistaken, brother. You do not understand the true meaning of rule. Such thoughts will never make you a real king,” Thor drew closer once again, only to be shoved aside by Loki.

Out of Thor’s sight, Loki rolled his eyes. He’d heard this sermon too many times. Perhaps he wasn’t fit to be a king, but he certainly did not care to hear Thor, that lumbering oaf, lecture him about it.

“So what? Am I supposed to quietly accept humiliation? I have grown, Odinson. I have witnessed the true power of the Tesseract. Once I possess its might, I will—” Loki’s words were cut off by Thor’s urgent interruption.

“Who showed you the Tesseract’s power?” Thor advanced a few steps, suddenly realizing something was amiss. “Who’s been manipulating you, you king-obsessed fool?”

“I am the king!” Loki shouted in protest. Thor, furious, grabbed Loki by the collar. “Stop deluding yourself! Hand over the Tesseract! Let go of your foolish obsession!”

Thor took a few shaky breaths, his left hand cradling the back of Loki’s head as he whispered softly, “Come home with me.”

Loki smiled faintly. Perhaps his brother was not entirely witless after all. Still, he had to see his plan through; these matters could wait until after they returned to Asgard. “I don’t know.”

Watching Thor raise Mjolnir in anger, Loki replied unhurriedly, “I’ve moved it, so I don’t know where it is now.”

“Listen carefully, brother.” Thor leveled the hammer at Loki, but before he could continue, Iron Man crashed onto the scene, cutting him off.

Watching Thor fly off with Iron Man, Loki arched an eyebrow. “I am listening.”

“Aren’t you worried he’ll come after you later?” a voice sounded behind Loki—Artanis had just teleported over, sensing Thor’s lingering presence. He’d arrived just in time to see Thor knocked away.

Loki shrugged nonchalantly at Artanis. “Who knows? Perhaps he’ll be so delighted he’ll leap for joy.”

“You seem to know him very well,” said Artanis, gazing into the woods. “They appear to be fighting. What will you do next?”

Loki shot him a glance. Artanis suddenly switched to telepathic speech, clearly wishing to discuss matters best left unspoken aloud: “I’ll sit back and watch for now. I plan to visit that so-called S.H.I.E.L.D. Can you appear openly?”

Loki was well aware of the Protoss Empire’s laws—no interference with primitive races and such. Asgard had no such peculiar clauses, hence his question.

“I’ve already contacted the high council. They’ve allowed me to join this conflict in a personal capacity. Have you chosen your role?” Artanis nodded, inquiring after Loki’s plan.

“Since you’re joining as a private individual, I’ll keep that to myself for the time being. Let me guess, you’re posing as Thor’s friend? How long have you known him, and already you’re friends?” Loki glanced over Artanis, who wore warrior’s armor, though they’d first met in a library.

“I’m your friend too, am I not?” Artanis winked. If Loki was keeping secrets, it must mean circumstances weren’t yet right for full disclosure—perhaps the minions of the Dark God were watching.

Loki turned to the forest. “I’ve obtained a strange scepter. Its energy clouds the mind of whoever wields it. Luckily, I have the Khaydarin crystal you gave me.”

“A scepter?” Artanis frowned. Spells of language could not directly divine the Six Infinity Stones. Artanis had no way of knowing what form the relic had taken, unless it unleashed a surge of psionic power or revealed its true form.

“I understand. The Protoss Empire thanks you for your help. Whether the relic is the scepter or not, we will do all we can to help you through Ragnarok,” Artanis conveyed his gratitude, gazing at Loki with some awe. He hadn’t expected this prince to choose such a perilous path as a double agent.

“Your seers aren’t entirely useless, it seems,” Loki replied, his face impassive as he stared at the ruined valley. “Are you prepared with your story?”

“Naturally. To prevent your escape, a friend from the Protoss Empire is assisting Thor in guarding you,” Artanis replied, his amusement clear. He’d refrained from joining the battle below precisely to better integrate with Thor’s group.

Loki rolled his eyes. This one was certainly not cut from the same cloth as Thor. Still, that was likely for the best.

While Loki and Artanis conversed, Thor was deep in the forest, locked in combat with Iron Man. Tony had witnessed firsthand the resilience of Asgardians and the power of Thor’s command over lightning.

What he hadn’t anticipated was that Thor’s distant lightning attacks could be absorbed by his own reactor as energy, forcing Thor to engage him in close combat.

Meanwhile, Tony was already considering the design of an anti-Thor suit. As the two fought, Captain America descended from above, putting a stop to their battle.

Unaware of the taboos surrounding Thor’s hammer, Steve provoked Thor’s anger, prompting an attack. However, with his vibranium shield, Steve absorbed the powerful blow, sending Thor backward with the force of the impact. The energy wave from their clash obliterated the nearby forest.

“Have you had enough?” Steve climbed to his feet, and as Thor looked around at the devastation, he finally calmed down, exchanging glances with the other two.

“Damn, Loki!” Suddenly remembering Loki left alone on the hill, Thor, worried Loki might escape, reacted first. He spun his hammer and flew off, while Tony, realizing what was happening, glanced at the grounded Steve and carried him in his suit as they flew to the scene.

Upon landing, Tony eyed the figure dressed in ornate armor, deep in conversation with Thor, while Loki stood off to the side, seemingly admiring the view. Was this yet another Asgardian?