Author's Note: So, you lovelies, this is the final chapter. I know, this one was long but updated really fast, and the sequel will be up momentarily. It's called Ambiguous, and I hope you review it and enjoy it as well. I love you all, I truly do.

Epiphany

Epilogue

But he was not dead.

He followed beside the human scientist in the hall, fascinated by the building they were in but knowing his purpose was. To find the Tesseract. To bring it to the Other and to subjugate Midgard, to ease the anger and power and destruction that overflowed across their planet because he abhorred it in every way. Gods, but he wanted to return to Asgard and hold his son once again, perhaps convince Thor that he was not as bad as he seemed, that, in the end, he had done what was right. He had helped destroy the bridge and had rid Asgard of the monster of the House of Odin. Perhaps, one day, his brother would forgive him. Perhaps, one day, his brother would even love him back. Until that day, though, he only hoped Jormungandr was well cared for, and that Odin had softened having the child so close to him during his sleep. Had discovered that the boy, though the mirror image of his dark, twisted mother, was sweeter than the freshest roses in the warmth of summer.

When they finally came to a room with someone waiting within, Loki waited slightly behind the scientist, feeling a thrum of unknown power in the room. Extreme power, he noted. And he knew it was the Tesseract. How the dark-skinned mortal with the patch over his eye and the black clothing had come by it, he did not know, but so be it. They were mortal, and he was a god, and he would take the Tesseract and soothe their planet into the peace Asgard was a symbol of.

It was the only good thing Asgard had ever offered, and he hoped he had not destroyed that peace.

"Dr. Selvig." The dark man's voice was deep and startling, but it did not faze the scientist at all. Loki nodded in approval. He already liked the mortal very much, liked the complex inner workings of his mind, and carefully drifted closer to him. Protectively. Just in case.

"So you're the man behind all this?" Selvig sounded slightly amused, not the least bit intimidated as he gestured to the room around him. "It's quite a labyrinth. I was thinking they're taking me down here to kill me."

Not a chance of that, Loki thought, and did not know where the protective edge had come from.

The dark man did not appear amused, and Selvig's slight laughter faded into uneasy silence. When the dark man stepped forward and began to speak, Loki twitched at the closeness of him. "I've been hearing about the New Mexico situation. Your work has impressed a lot of people who are much smarter than I am." And of that, Loki was certain the mortal was telling the truth.

It did not make him dislike the dark man any less.

"I have a lot to work with," Selvig said, as if trying to explain how simple it was for him to be intelligent or, Loki thought discontentedly, perhaps trying to apologize for how intelligent he was? But intelligence was nothing to apologize for. It was a true gift, one that could never be learned and one that could not be taught. "The Foster Theory. A gateway to another dimension. It's unprecedented… Isn't it?"

The dark man turned his back to Selvig, an unwise decision since it would have been so simple for Loki to strike him, and began to stroll toward a large silver case placed on the a table. It was the source of the power in the room. Loki skipped ahead of Selvig a bit to guarantee himself an excellent vantage point with which to appraise the case and its contents from. But, of course, he kept his eye on Selvig, watching the mortal hesitantly begin to follow the dark man. Wisely enough, Selvig did not trust him, and Loki yet again smiled in approval. He liked this mortal.

"Legend tells us one thing," the dark man said, and Loki rolled his eyes at the cryptic words. Mortals had such a flair for the dramatic. If they could but learn to be direct with one another, perhaps their stupid little arguments would be so less wounding. So less foolish. "History, another. But every now and then, we find something that belongs to both."

Loki felt his pulse speed slightly when the dark man opened the case, and he peered at the small, glowing, sizzling blue cube within with a frown. That little thing was what the Other wanted? That was what was so secret Selvig had been drawn into the maze that was this S.H.I.E.L.D. building so no one else would see? That was the source of so much drama? How ridiculous. At least the Casket appeared interesting with its stone frame and delicate carvings. The cube looked more like a poorly-crafted children's toy.

"What is it?" Selvig asked, more confused than impressed. Good again. Loki was starting to like him even more.

"Power, Doctor," the dark man replied, finally smiling. It was the smile of a snake. Loki did not trust it. "If we can figure out how to tap it, maybe unlimited power."

Ah, that explained it. Loki stepped closer, caught his reflection in the mirror beside him and smiled. Well, I guess that's worth a look. And he pushed the thought into Selvig's mind. He did not trust the mortal to not get hurt. So, for the nonce, he would take over and protect him. It was only right.

"Well, I guess that's worth a look," Selvig echoed, smiling.

Loki nodded approvingly.

And a new plan began to form inside his head.

To Be Continued…