Author's note: This is post-TDW and AU from there. It will encompass CA2 somewhat, but quite AU…also, I started writing this before I knew much about the infinity stones, so they are also quite AU and I think the colours match the comic stones, and like the Aether is the power stone because I didn't realise it was the reality stone at the time. Anyway, you'll see. It's not explicit, but I rated it M because later there is a scene and it's not faded to black, but not explicitly written either, just kinda implied I guess? I'll put a note on the chapter it's in just in case.

Enjoy!

Chapter one

Rebirth

Consciousness returned to him slowly and the first thing he felt was the dull ache from the wound given to him by that damned elf. Still, the pain wasn't quite as horrendous as one might expect it; then again, he was rather desensitised to it by now. Little truly hurt the dark Prince anymore, save for the death of his mother. He remembered the moment he was told the news by the guard, how he had simply nodded to the man before he walked off, leaving Loki alone again. The very first few seconds held him in shock; surely the Queen of Asgard, his mother, a fierce warrior in her own right even if such was often forgotten, could not be dead. After the moment had passed, he had stood up and spent some time simply taking out his anger, sadness, loathing and grief on the items within the cell, not caring about image or pride. His very last conversation with her simply haunted him. His words had not seemed to sting her; whether she had hidden her feelings or knew he never meant them, he would never know.

Loki clenched his eyes shut, trying to ignore the feelings that he had quashed in all of his mischief and spite, tormenting Thor and acting out for lousy thrills. Thrills that were becoming easier as time passed; he was quite used to numbing himself to the pain and letting what must really be his true nature through. After all, he was a Frost Giant, even if he was a runt and abandoned by his people. No, Loki would forge his own path as his own person. Loki. No home, no race, no name other than that of his given one. Loki laughed to himself, sitting up easily and his fingers flying to the wound in his lower chest; it was already well on its way to healing and the blood was dried. Loki used magic to heal it up completely and fix his tunic before standing up slowly.

He walked a little distance, feeling the effects of the convergence and even seeing some of the dead elves lying around. Loki couldn't help the smirk that came to his face as he took terrible amusement in seeing their dead corpses. Those that killed his mother; the last semblance of love he knew, though a small tug pointed at the possibility of Thor. But, no. Thor loved the old him; the one untainted by the bloodshed. He held onto a hopeless dream. That Loki was dead. Another part of him died with his mother. Loki was now his own Agent; destined for whatever he desired. It was simple, really; he could easily sneak into Asgard and put an end to Odin's life. He could become the King of Asgard…though that posed the question of Thor. Loki shook that thought from his mind; he did not care for his not-brother. He cared for no one.

After all, who would care for him?

Loki's attention was drawn to a small sound that was punctured by voices. He turned invisible to assess the situation. Two mortals, a young man and a young woman were looking around the place, clearly lost. After all, they were the first mortals after Jane to step foot on Svartalfheim.

"Where the heck are we?" The woman asked.

"Uhh, I have no idea," the man responded, looking around with slightly wide eyes. He started walking forward, looking for some way back.

"There are cars over there! It looks like this is where everything keeps getting dumped," the woman said. Loki chuckled quietly to himself, wondering how the poor, lost little mortals would find their way back. However, that was partially answered in the next beat as the male was suddenly pulled back to Midgard, he would assume. He watched as the female ran forward to where he had been, but didn't also disappear.

"What?! Intern? Ian? Where are you? Why can't I—" The woman proclaimed. "Typical." The little mortal huffed and looked around, fixing her glasses and kicking at some dirt. Loki came up behind her and made himself visible.

"How sad. Lost and alone on this desolate wasteland," Loki said softly. She whirled around and looked up at him, her eyes narrowing momentarily before they widened in recognition.

"You…you're Thor's brother…the one who terrorised Manhatten and sent a giant robot down to kill us in New Mexico," the woman proclaimed. Loki cocked his head, smiling all the more.

"Yes, although I am not Thor's brother. Clearly he is still quite thick-headed. You must be one of his mortal lover's little friends," Loki spoke.

"Darcy. My name is Darcy and you're supposed to be dead," Darcy said.

"Dead indeed. The universe has other plans, apparently," Loki said. He laughed a little. "Does he mourn?"

"Of course he does! You didn't see his face when he mentioned that you were dead; Erik was relieved, but Thor wasn't. He, oh nevermind. I am sonot getting into this right now. Because I'm stuck on a place that looks like something out of an Austen novel with a murderer who'll probably kill me," Darcy said, but Loki noticed there wasn't a tremor of fear in her voice where there should be. She seemed more worried about being stuckhere than with whom she was stuck with. Interesting. Loki stepped closer to her and leant his body to the side like he was trying to work out a curious puzzle.

"Are you not frightened?" Loki asked, closed-mouth grin plastered on his face. Darcy looked at him like she had forgotten he was there.

"I am a little worried, but not scared. Not much, anyway," Darcy said, looking around and stepping cautiously away from Loki, walking a little through the dirt. Loki watched her for a moment before turning away. However, his attention was brought back to her when she screeched. Darcy was backing up and he saw a bunch of Dark Elves looking disorientated for a moment before spotting Darcy and she pulled out a weapon quickly and fired. One of the elves started shaking uncontrollably before the others aimed theirs at Darcy. Loki swooped forward, dipped low and stabbing one of them with his knife, before turning and smashing another in the face. Darcy had fallen to the ground and Loki had defeated the five elves rather easily. Such ancient creatures, so weak. Loki turned towards the mortal lying on the ground and observed her. She held the weapon in her hand and he wondered if she had been the one to fell Thor on his arrival to Midgard. She had attempted to protect herself, but the sheer number of elves were too many for her to handle.

"What? Are you going to kill me now or something?" Darcy asked. Loki laughed and stepped over towards her, kneeling down in front of her.

"No. I have nothing to gain from such an action," Loki said. He stared at her for another moment, reaching forward and putting his hand around her weapon. He felt it shake and saw her finger deliberate over the trigger. Her face was full of bravery and determination, as if she were daring him to try something. However, Loki made no further move for the moment, other than simply turn it over slightly to get a better look at it. He carefully yanked it from her grasp, much to her annoyance, to which he held up a finger before running a hand over the electrical device. Loki then gave it back to her and he watched as she looked at it suspiciously.

"What have you done to it?" Darcy asked. Loki stood up and brushed himself off.

"You will need more than a feeble electrical weapon to defend yourself out here; the green button will form a barrier around you. That way I will not have to fight and protect you at the same time," Loki said.

"Wait, what?! What do you mean? I so hope you're not implying that I'll be coming with you, because I'm not travelling with a mass murderer," Darcy said.

"You need not come with me. However, what will you do instead? I am the only way you will get back to your realm," Loki replied.

"There'll be one of those portal thingies…right?" Darcy asked. Loki shrugged.

"A slim chance, and it will not be long until the convergence ends. Perhaps ten minutes, maybe more, maybe less," Loki said.

"Whaaat…" Darcy said. "How the hell am I going to get home?"

"Your only chance would be to come with me; I can get you back there eventually," Loki smirked.

"Stay here and be stuck on some desolate planet or go along with a murderous alien and potentially get home eventually. Really tough choice," Darcy said. She sighed and looked around, as if hoping for a portal to open up and take her somewhere else. Asgard, maybe. Then at least she would have a chance at living past a day. "Fine, it's not like I've got any other choice, is it? Although, can't Heimdall beam me up to Asgard?"

"I doubt it; I would imagine he is in enough trouble with Odin as it is, and you are a mere mortal. He probably has not even noticed you," Loki said.

"Wow, they really neglected to mention how nice you are," Darcy said, walking past him and Loki smirked, thinking her somewhat amusing. The mortal girl got far before something came through from nowhere and made her jump. He could see that it was Malekith. Oh, how he would like to have killed him himself. Loki was then brought from that thought by the sound of Darcy's scream as one of the elves' ships appeared from nowhere and crushed Malekith. Loki walked forward, smirking widely and putting a hand on her shoulder, feeling it tense a little underneath his palm. Brave little mortal indeed. Loki stared at the ship for the briefest of moments before blasting it away, walking swiftly to the elf's fallen form and kneeling down. The elf was barely alive, but still alive at least. For now. A dagger flew into his hand before he stabbed Malekith through the heart, a twisted smile on his face. Once the elf was definitely dead, Loki pulled it out and magically cleaned it, stashing it away before turning back towards the mortal. She was looking rather pale and shaken. Obviously not used to seeing people die.

"Need you rest?" Loki asked.

"Oh, like I'm going to sleep with you around. I may as well put up a sign saying 'stab me' on my chest," Darcy retorted. Loki smirked.

"Now why would I want to stab someone with your ample bosom? I am hardly one to waste such gifts," Loki said.

"Stare all you like, psycho perv; you're not getting any," Darcy said. Loki appeared right in front of her, which unfortunately didn't make her jump, and clasped his hands around her fine appendages.

"I have no time for such frivolities, as enjoyable as they would—" Loki started, before he was shaking and twitching, falling to the ground. He was conscious, just about.

"I said you could look, not touch, psycho perv," Darcy said, keeping her taser to her side. Loki laughed.

"You are quite something," Loki said.

"I'm surprised that even worked," Darcy said. "What with your magic and everything." Loki stood up and brushed himself off.

"I'm still recovering from my injury," Loki replied.

"You never did tell me how you survived…" Darcy said. Loki just smiled.

"I have no answer for you; I know not," Loki said. "Come, if you will not rest, then we will start our journey." Darcy sighed, wishing she could be anywhere but here right now. How on E…no, that wasn't really the correct term, now, was it? How on Svarralheim did she get into this situation? She was just an intern for an Astrophysicist; she wasn't cut out for all of this scary stuff.

She let out another sigh.

Here we go.