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Prologue: Return to Asgard

The return trip to Asgard was tense and heavy, a strong sense of dread hanging over the two brothers as they touched down on the rainbow bridge that once lead to the bifrost from the castle. Thor and Loki took a moment to register that they were finally home, admiring the beautiful golden sunset that graced the sky, but the moment was solemn. Both knew that this could be the last sunset Loki would ever see. It was Thor's duty to bring him in to Odin the Allfather, and it was Odin alone who could decide his fate. As much as Thor knew that Loki wished he could take all of his actions back, his crimes were punishable by death. The most that Thor could do to help his brother was plead that his father spare his life, but there would still be punishment, imprisonment, or even exile.

As they stood in silence, Loki still chained and gagged, Thor sighed, looking down at his feet in sorrow with the casket to the Tesseract hanging loosely in his hand; Loki had released his hold on it the moment they arrived. He didn't want to move, his emotions would not allow him to take another step, for as soon as he did, his brother would be one step closer to death. He wanted to prolong it for a long as possible.

"Please believe that I don't wish to go through with this, Brother," Thor said sadly, glancing over at Loki. The silver tongue was looking down at his feet, avoiding his brother's gaze. Thor looked at him sadly, wanting so much to just embrace him, to be able to savor one last moment of them as brothers and nothing more. Instead, he simply leaned forward and removed the gag from Loki's mouth, allowing him to speak freely, yet he remained quiet.

"I know you wanted to do the right thing," Thor continued. Loki swallowed heavily, looking up at the sky, but still avoiding the lighting god's gaze. Thor reached out with his free hand, the one that wasn't holding the glowing blue casket, and grasped his brother's shoulder tightly."I know you wanted to come home with me during our conversation on Midgard. You wanted things to be right again, to go back to the way they were."

"Things can never go back to the way they were, Thor," Loki replied softly, his voice like velvet, but his vivid green eyes betrayed his emotions. "Not ever again…"

"We can try-" Thor started.

"No," Loki interrupted, his voice slightly raised. He finally looked over to his brother, sadness and regret etched plainly on his face. "We can't try. I am not the same anymore, Brother, I am the one who damned myself to… to this. All of Asgard will know of my origins now, and due to my recent decisions, I doubt they will welcome me back with open arms. Even if the Allfather did. I would be shown respect, but it would be a lie, false; that's not something I can live with."

Thor held his brother's gaze, the sadness mirrored in his own eyes. As much as he hated to admit it, he knew Loki was right… things had changed so much, and they could never go back to the way things were, no matter how much he wished it. When had things gone so wrong? When had it all changed? He and Loki had always been so close, why hadn't he come to speak with him if he was feeling inadequate next to him? Brothers were meant to stick together, to not keep secrets, to support one another… If anything, Thor felt guilty that he hadn't done anything to help his brother.

"What happened, Brother?" Thor asked quietly. "How did we end up like this? I remember how we were, but I forgot what it felt like somewhere along the way. What caused this rift?"

"You're just stalling now, Thor," Loki said, shifting his arms slightly so that the chains of his irons clinked together. "We both know we can't stop what's coming; I think it best to get things over and done with."

"I'll ask him not to execute you," Thor promised, hoping Odin would understand.

"What good will that do?" The god of mischief asked, sounding annoyed.

"We will find a way, Brother," Thor vowed, hitting his fist against his heart. "I swear it to you."

Loki simply looked at Thor with sadness, his green eyes eventually dropping to his feet again. With a small sigh, he let out a single laugh, but there was no humor in it. It was the defeated laugh of a defeated man who knew his fate. It was best to accept it with dignity now.

"Please, Thor," Loki pleaded softly. "Let us get this over with."

Thor swallowed hard on the lump in his throat before steeling himself against the pain of what was about to come. Heavy with regret, he took his first step forward, leading Loki along with him, his heart growing heavier every moment. He would have liked to spend his last moments with Loki alone, talking things out, finding just what had happened between them that caused this valley of a rift. However, that was not the case; as soon as they reached the steps to the vast golden palace, they were greeted by the Lady Sif and the Warriors Three. Thor had never been unhappier to see them.

"To what do I owe your company?" Thor asked politely, but there was a bite of anger behind his words.

"The Allfather has requested that we accompany you to the throne room," Sif explained, stepping forward. Her eyes barely glanced at Loki, but he saw the shame and anger in her eyes, could almost feel the accusations of betrayal radiating off of her. He couldn't help but smirk wryly to himself. He knew what she was thinking. How far the false prince of Asgard had fallen.

"With all do respect, Sif, I think I can handle this on my own," Thor said, using an arm to gently move her aside, and he passed her, pulling Loki gently along.

Sif narrowed her eyes slightly, looking over at Hogun, Fandral and Volstagg. They shrugged as Thor passed him, Loki still in tow, and she noticed with annoyance how gentle Thor was being to his 'brother'. Certainly much gentler than she'd have been if she'd brought him back. Knowing Thor, he would probably argue with the Allfather as much as possible in order to keep Loki alive. As far as Sif was concerned, he didn't deserve even the kindness of death, for it would be swift and painless. Out of everyone, she was the most bitter about Loki's actions; no one else cared for Thor as much as she did – Loki had proved that much – and she had been the one to stand by and watch while he suffered over his lost brother. And, upon finding him again, had almost died by his hand. Any and all affection Sif had once felt towards Odin's adoptive son was now replaced by loathing and contempt.

"Then we shall accompany you for moral support," Sif said, marching up the steps after Thor. The Warriors Three fell into step behind her.

"As much as I appreciate the sentiment, Sif," Thor said curtly, stopping to turn to her. "Moral support only works if both parties feel the same. I respect you and care for you, but you cannot possibly know how this feels right now."

"I…" Sif started, taken aback by Thor's intensity. She bowed her head apologetically. "Forgive me."

Thor nodded, glad that she understood her place and pulled Loki with him again as he approached the throne room. Without turning around, he called back to her, "You're forgiven."

All too soon, they arrived in the throne room. Odin sat in the ornate golden chair, looking grim, Frigga close by. As soon as she saw her sons come in, crossing the golden floor, her hands went to her mouth at the sight of Loki. His dark hair was longer now, dark circles around his eyes, and he had cuts along the bridge of his nose, his cheeks and his forehead. But all of that paled in comparison to seeing him in irons, being escorted in by Thor. Her heart went out to her older son, who was being exceedingly gentle with Loki. Before Odin could stop her, Frigga stepped down from the platform where the throne sat and approached her sons. She glanced at Thor, who simply met her eyes sadly before looking away, and finally she looked at Loki. His face was carefully composed into an expressionless mask, his jaw clenched tightly. He seemed to observe her with vague indifference, but Frigga knew better; behind his green eyes was a deep regret, a profound sadness she had never seen in Loki before. Her eyes had started to tear up, but she gave him a watery smile, reaching her hands up to touch his face. He didn't pull away, but he didn't lean into her touch the way he had when he was a child either. He simply held her gaze, cool and collected as she brushed her fingers across his alabaster skin.

"Loki," Frigga breathed with relief. "My son…"

"Hello, Mother," Loki replied indifferently, but his throat felt thick as he swallowed.

Frigga's tears were falling freely now, a mixture of relief and joy at seeing her son again, and also sadness for what she knew was going to happen. She stroked her son's face, brushing his dark, feathery hair back, noting just how long it had gotten. She searched his beautiful face again before emotion overcame her and she pulled him into a hug. Loki was unable to return the gesture, but he looked momentarily surprised that this woman was still showing him affection, despite everything he had done.

"We missed you so much," she whispered to him. Loki didn't answer; he simply lowered his head slightly, looking at the floor as Frigga held him.

Thor watched from the sidelines, the scene warming his heart and saddening him all at the same time. Out of all of them, Frigga was the one to mourn Loki the most. He wished his mother could have more time with her second son, but Thor noticed Odin rising from his throne out of the corner of his eye, and his heart sank. It was time. Reluctantly, the thunder god moved closer to his mother and touched her shoulder, gently detangling her arms from around Loki's neck. Instantly, Frigga began to weep, and she held onto him even tighter for a moment before pressing a loving kiss to his scratched cheek, finally allowing herself to be pulled away. Odin tapped his staff on the ground three times to signal attention, the sound echoing off the walls. Loki exhaled deeply before lifting his head to observe his father.

Finally, after a long time of simply staring at one another, Odin finally said, "Loki… Odinson."

Loki flinched at that name. Was this truly Odin's belief, or had Thor begged him to use that name?

"You stand here before me under trial for the crimes you have committed against Asgard and Midgard." The Allfather announced formally. "Crimes… that are punishable by death."

"Father-" Thor started, stepping forward, but Odin simply held up a hand to silence his eldest son. Thor exhaled sharply through his nose, frustrated that his father wouldn't allow him to speak. He didn't want Loki to die…

"However," Odin continued, cutting Thor off again just as he opened his mouth to speak. "I cannot bear to condemn my youngest son to death."

Loki narrowed his eyes slightly. "To what do I owe this show of kindness?"

"I feel as if it's my fault that you have turned down this path, Loki," Odin said, stepping down off the platform so that he could be level with the boy. "You've only acted out of anger and betrayal, all because of your true parentage, and your spirit fell deeply into darkness. You cannot take the blame for this alone.

"However," The Allfather continued. "The things you've done have been severe… and as King, I cannot let it go without punishment. As such, I hereby declare you banished from Asgard, to live on Midgard, where you will live with the people you once sought to rule."

Loki slowly licked his lips as he observed his father, nervousness bubbling in him. Was he truly being sent back to Midgard? Suddenly, Frigga had her arms around him again, pressing her tear-stained cheek to his. She held his numb body tightly, whispering, "We will see you again, my son… please be well."

And finally Thor, clapping him on the shoulder. "Be well, Brother."

Before Loki could truly register what was happening, Odin was saying, "I now take from you your power."

The wind was suddenly knocked out of Loki's lungs as he felt his strength drain from his body, his power gone. He tried to regain his breath, but for some reason it wouldn't come.

"In the name of my father," Odin continued, his voice calm and solemn, now suddenly with the Tesseract in hand. Loki looked at it with a mix of hatred and fear before glancing up at his father pleadingly, silently begging him to stop. "And his father before, I, Odin Allfather, cast you out."

A second after Odin turned the handle on the crate to the Tesseract, Loki felt his body being wrenched away from Asgard. He plummeted through space, and all of a sudden, he landed hard on the ground, vaguely aware of someone moaning in pain beneath him.