***Author's Note***

Well, this one went far more quickly than I expected! This is the last chapter for this one, and I truly hope you've enjoyed it. I certainly had fun dreaming it up!

***End Note***

When Sherlock explained the situation to Thor in his usual brusque manner, the Asgardian erupted with anger, "Where is he!? Where is my father?"

John held out his hands in a calming gesture, "Easy, Thor. Easy. I know, it seems bad, but your father is safe in the hands of your Healers, though if we'd been a few days later in returning, I don't think the same could have been said. Yes, he's in bad shape, but he'll be alright. I truly believe that. He's Odin. He's lived through worse."

At John's words, Thor calmed, "You're right. Of course you are. I'm sorry, my friends. What is the next step?"

Sherlock took a deep breath and sat down, stretching his long legs out in front of him and crossing his ankles, "We know now that our hunch is correct, we will lift the veil to peer beneath at the puppet master. We will show Loki in no uncertain terms that we know exactly what he's done, and that he hasn't gotten away with it as he thought. I do not doubt that it will come to a fight, but at least we know he'll have to show his true form. When he does that, I suppose you Asgardians will do what you do best – capture him."

Thor nodded, "Yes, but what about the Stone? He's bound to be more powerful than ever with it."

Sherlock nodded, "Yes, but I'm sure you can handle him. You've fought this thing before, right?"

Thor nodded reluctantly, "Well, yes, but..."

Sherlock held up a hand to cut him off, "Well, then you'll be fine. No worries. We should go now, before he has time to become suspicious."

Thor and John nodded, "Very well. Once this is over, you and John will receive your payment, along with the gratitude of Asgard before you return to Earth."

Sherlock nodded, "Well, then let us get going."

Together, the three men made their way from Thor's personal quarters to the Throne room, where the impostor wearing Odin's image awaited them. The moment they arrived in the Throne Room, Loki-Odin stood, "I heard you arrived an hour ago. What has taken you so long to make your report to me?"

Thor bowed, "Apologies. My companions were weary and required some rest. We took some quiet refreshments in my quarters before coming here."

Loki-Odin nodded regally, "I see. Very well, then. What did you find out?"

Sherlock stepped forward, "Your Majesty; we did, indeed, find the culprit behind these murders, as well as the theft of the Reality Stone. There is, as I suggested before, one man behind all three events."

Loki-Odin nodded again, though there seemed to be some small amount of worry in his eyes now, "Is that so?"

Sherlock smiled slightly, "Yes, Lord. I fear the culprit has been closer than any of us dared imagine. He is, in fact, within Asgard, itself."

Loki-Odin glowered, "Oh, is he? What is the identity of this man?"

Thor held out a hand to Sherlock, "Enough. You know full well who we're talking about...Loki."

The impostor straightened suddenly before a shimmer ran over him. Suddenly, standing where Odin had been only a moment before was a tall, wiry, handsome man with piercing blue eyes and midnight black hair that hung to his shoulders. He wore a dark green suit of armor with a matching helmet which sported great horns; in his right hand, he held a great staff. His complexion was slightly pale, and there was a malice that seemed to emanate from him when his brother named him, "So your little human pet fitted the pieces of the puzzle together for you, did he? Well, good for him!" Without warning, Loki pointed the staff at Sherlock.

"Sherlock, move!" Cried John, who wasted no time in flinging himself at the detective and knocking him out of the way, just in time. A blue bolt of energy rent the air where Sherlock had been standing moments before and split the stone behind him, "I think we'd better get out of harm's way, don't you?" John said with near-panic in his eyes.

Sherlock nodded, a similar look in his eyes, "An excellent thought, my friend."

The pair scrambled out of the way as the brothers lunged at each other and began trading blows that shook the air. Lightning flew from Thor's hammer and struck Loki in the chest, sending him end-over-end into the air before he slammed into the far wall. Loki stood and grinned evilly at his brother before leaping high into the air and bringing his staff down to meet Thor's hammer. Back and forth they fought until Loki brought from his pocket a stone that glowed with an evil red light. "You know what this is, Brother." Loki taunted with a sneer, "The Reality Stone. I am going to re-shape history with it. I will be king, and you will be little more than a blithering simpleton!"

Thor's eyes narrowed as Loki ripped open the casket that held the Stone and reached towards the small, deadly relic. Suddenly, a loud bang and the smell of sulfur filled the air, and Loki's hand jerked back, streaming blood. The bone showed clearly through the small, circular wound, and the Stone clattered away on the marble floor, stopping at Thor's feet. He immediately ripped the hem off of his cloak to wrap it around the dangerous article. Loki's blue eyes went as hard as steel and he gazed furiously around the room, looking for the offender who dared attack him. His eyes popped wide and his jaw went slack when he saw the human, John Watson standing across the Throne Room with his feet hip-width apart with a .9mm Barretta in his right hand while the left steadied the gun by gripping the heel of his right. Smoke curled from the barrel of the gun as Loki snarled at the man, "If I were you," John began in his calmest, most deadly tone, "I would not move again. You Asgardians may be long-lived, but you're not bulletproof."

Loki glowered at the man, "You, pitiful human, dare to harm Loki, Laufey's son!?" He began to advance on John, who bravely held his ground.

The doors to the Throne Room suddenly burst wide open to admit Odin. He was clearly still wounded, but refused to accept any help. He carried with him his spear and pointed it at his adopted son in warning, "Enough, Loki. The damage has been done. Do not make this any more difficult for yourself."

Loki stared in astonishment at the aging King, "But, how did..." his gaze fell on Sherlock, "You," he snarled, "You ruined everything! Damn you! Curse you! I will have my revenge on you all! But it will not be this day, nor will I allow you to capture me!" Without another word, Loki turned on the spot and dashed to the rampart, jumping without hesitation.

Thor cried out in anguish and rushed to the spot where his beloved, tortured brother had jumped. There was nothing below, and no trace remained of Loki, save the trail of blood left on the marble from his wounded hand. "Gone," he said softly, "Gone, but not forever. He will return."

The real Odin limped slowly to his throne and sat heavily, gasping in pain. "Thor, my son; you have done well. Tell me, who are your friends?"
Thor bowed before his father and gestured the others forward, "Father, these are Sherlock Holmes and John Watson, of Earth. They each played a roll in your rescue as well as the recovery of the Reality Stone."

Odin glanced at the two humans, "It seems that Asgard is in your debt. I thank you, both for my life, as well as the lives of my subjects, which would certainly have been lost under Loki's reign of madness. Whatever price Thor promised you will be granted, post-haste. I presume you require payment in Earth currency?"

John and Sherlock nodded, "British currency, if it would not be too much trouble, Your Highness," John confirmed respectfully.

Odin smiled, "Granted. Is there anything further the King of Asgard can offer you?"

Sherlock smiled, "Only one thing, Sire. The next time you have a case as intriguing as this one was, please feel free to confer with me. I have a tendency to grow...unpleasant when I am bored."

John snorted, "'Unpleasant?' No, Sherlock, you are always unpleasant. Neurotic is a better word for you when you're bored, though you're that, also. Allow to phrase it this way, he shoots walls when he's bored, Majesty."

Odin watched the two men with great amusement, "Agreed. Perhaps we could have the pleasure of your company without a case some time? I find your interactions to be most amusing."

John smiled widely, "If it pleases Your Majesty."

Odin nodded, "It is settled, then. Thor? Please escort them to the Bifrost and return them home. Your payment will be...wired, I believe is the Earth term...to you by the time you arrive."

Sherlock stood and bowed deeply, "Thank you, Sire. This has been a unique experience." Odin nodded regally and Thor took Sherlock gently by the elbow, silently telling him it was time to go.

They walked across the Rainbow Bridge to the Bifrost in companionable silence, none feeling the need to speak until they had arrived. Thor turned to them, "Well, my friends, I thank you for your aid. I doubt I could have made such progress on my own, let alone so quickly. It has truly been my pleasure getting to know you."

John grinned, "Oh, believe me; I'll never get him to shut up about all this! Thank you, Thor. This has truly been a wonderful experience."

Thor gave John a quick, brotherly embrace before shaking Sherlock's hand. "Farewell, my friends. Heimdall? It's time." Without a word, Heimdall nodded and opened the Bifrost, "We shall meet again, my friends," Thor said in parting as John and Sherlock stepped through the Bifrost and back onto Baker Street.

The two entered 221B and immediately heard Mrs. Hudson, "Oh, boys! There you are! I've been so worried!"

Sherlock smiled kindly at the older woman, "No worries, dear Mrs. Hudson. We've just been on a case, that's all. We're home now. If you don't mind, we're rather tired, and would like to rest."

Mrs. Hudson grimaced slightly, "Well, that's going to be a bit of a challenge, dears. It seems that Inspector Lestrade was told you'd be home this evening, and he's waiting for you...Seems to want an explanation of where you two have been."

Sherlock grinned wickedly and sprinted up the stairs, but not before he stooped and pressed a loud, smacking kiss to the kindly woman's cheek. He burst through the door, John right behind him wearing a poorly-disguised smirk. Good evening, Lestrade!" Sherlock greeted the fuming Inspector cheerfully, "How have things been?"

Lestrade glowered at the two men, "How've they been? I'll bloody tell you how they've been! Bloody awful! First, you two disappear three weeks ago, then some bloody great brutes burst their way into the morgue three days later and took the body you two were investigating! Claimed there was some secret agency or other claiming them. Load of horse dung, if you ask me."

Sherlock laid his hands on the ranting Inspector's shoulders, "Don't you worry your little brain over this, Lestrade. Case solved! We were investigating this case along side another agency, and we figured it out together!"
Lestrade's face fell into a mask of confusion, "So...Who? The FBI? Interpol? Who?"

Sherlock bounced on the balls of his feet in his enthusiasm, clearly enjoying himself, "Asgard, Inspector. Asgard."

Lestrade's mouth fell open and his eyes bugged. John chuckled as Sherlock turned on his heel and strode quickly to his room to get some well-earned rest, "Don't try to understand, Inspector. You'll just hurt yourself." Without another word, John followed Sherlock's lead and retreated further into their shared flat. Moments later, he heard the Inspector's confused cursing under his breath, shuffling steps, and the slam of their front door.

Immediately, Sherlock's door burst open, "Well, that was quite the case, Watson. We must do it again sometime."

John smirked, "Well, it had its own benefits for me."

Sherlock's head tilted to the side, "Oh? Such as what, precisely?"

John grinned wickedly, "It's not everyday I see you flabbergasted and proved wrong." He ducked quickly into his room and chuckled to himself when he heard Sherlock's low curse behind him. Quite pleased with himself, John fell onto his bed without undressing and was instantly asleep. In the morning, he would have thought it all a wonderful dream, if it weren't for the Asgardian clothing he still wore.

The End

***Author's Note***

Well, that was short, but fun! I hope you all enjoyed it, thanks so much for reading, as always! I'll be putting the first chapter of An Unforeseen Ally up tonight or tomorrow morning at the latest. Lots of love!

-Lady Darkwind