Disclaimer: I own nothing. The characters should pray for their good fortune.

Title: Liars and Cheaters

Summary: Sequel to "A Gods Proposal" and Prequel/Eventually Absorbtion of "Where to Levy the Blame" Time has passed since their journey, but not all is as it seems, and with the introduction of some new characters the best kept secrets will be revealed. Odin has broken the law with Loki's punishment, and now he must pay. Loki/OC Warnings: Rape and Torture

Author's Note: I am still unsure about the possible story concerning Loki's daughter, but this will be the end of this story and possibly my story chain. If interested in a sequel please say so as I have only heard of one person who is. I hope you enjoy the end to this story, and it has been an interesting experience writing it.

~[~ (Odin's POV)

Odin had endured the trial and was sure that he could endure the punishment as well. During the trial he had watched the spectators, his family, and the victims. He would admit that he would not feel sorry for them since he did not believe in dwelling in guilt, but he did feel bad for upsetting his wife who was furious with him. He had not seen her since the council stormed in and arrested him, but her tears during that moment were enough to haunt him for a lifetime. Loki had been cooperative and not aggressive at all during the trial like he had expected, and Thor just drowned in his sadness and guilt. It hurt Odin to see how vulnerable his family had become because of this, and he admitted to himself that he went too far. He wished he could tell them that, but it would probably have to wait until after he returned in two weeks.

Sitting in his cell he was able to dwell and think clearly for once. He had been very angry at the state that had befallen his family in the last few years and only wanted to try to fix it, but instead he further divided them all. Thor was certainly against him now, and so was Frigga, yet at the same time they had grown closer to Loki. He knew that of everyone Loki at least deserved an explanation for his suffering, and perhaps an apology on his part for his ill-conceived punishment attempt. It amazed Odin how sitting by yourself so utterly defeated could put things into perspective, and the isolation made his mind wander endlessly. So many what-ifs passed through his mind, but he knew that they were of no use. He idly wondered if this was what Loki experienced in the Void, isolation and a constant mantra of unwanted thoughts. Perhaps that is what resulted in Loki's actions; his mind must have been plagued with such things since he travelled through endless space weak and alone.

As Odin sat and pondered he heard footsteps descending down toward his cell and was surprised when his youngest strode up to the bars. Loki looked angry and more imposing than he had earlier at the trial, and Odin wondered if that was just a front he put up for the rest of Asgard. However, Loki's anger seemed to dissipate and he crossed his arms regarding Odin with a bored expression. "Why?" That was all he asked and it didn't seem any more enthusiastic than his expression.

The question caught Odin off guard and the surprise was evident on his face. He did not know how or what to answer. Loki remained standing in the same position waiting patiently for his reply so he tried to explain something. "Because I thought that was what was necessary. Does it not bring you joy that I will suffer the same fate as you did?" Odin was generally confused as to why his child was just standing there like some apparition appearing to plague his already troubled mind.

"Clearly you do not know what you will face to act so impassively, or perhaps you do and you have resigned yourself to your fate." It was strange to watch Loki as he said this because he looked away and didn't appear to be seeing what was really there anymore. "But to answer your question, no it does not. I feel that it should, yet I am left with a hollow feeling almost like the Void I fell through." Loki smiled at this and Odin was confused and slightly alarmed at his child's strange demeanor.

"That surprises me since you have always been one for revenge." The reply was stated plainly yet it elicited an angry reaction.

Loki stared straight at him clearly irate. "I am not sadistic though you seem to think so. I understand your plight since I was in a similar position once, and it brings me no joy to see someone else suffer as I have."

Odin contained his uneasy feelings and pressed forward. "I admit that I went too far, but I only sought to bring my family closer together. I thought the only way to fix things was to break what had driven us apart."

Loki smiled slightly and shook his head now leaning on the bars and looking away from the cell to the area around it. "Blaming me as usual, yet remember it was you who drove our family apart in the first place. You lied to me and Thor our whole lives, and drew mother into your deceit. You cannot be trusted and are better at spreading chaos than even I. You have fallen from grace because the rest of Asgard has seen you for what you really are."

Loki looked back at him then and he felt his stomach drop at the words. He shifted uneasily on his bench as the accusation sunk in. He did often place the blame on Loki, yet he usually felt that it was justified, but perhaps not. "I admit that what I did was wrong, but know that I only wished to help bring my family back together again and that is the only way I thought it achievable. I wish to apologize to you for what has transpired, and ask that perhaps you will find it in your heart to forgive me one day." Odin knew it was a lot to ask, but it was true that he just wanted his family to be whole again. He had just been so desperate for it to happen that his rational was compromised.

Loki looked away again and the faraway look in his eyes returned. "You do not know what you ask, nor do you conceive it. I once respected you and yearned for your affection, but now I care not for it since it has been tainted so in my mind. I can no longer see you as kin, and you will forever be seen as the King of Asgard, and the Allfather in my mind, but not my father." Loki looked back at him now. "Perhaps we will be able to co-exist, but not as family, only as political figures."

That had hurt Odin deeply, yet he understood what Loki meant and respected his wishes. He bowed his head in acknowledgement, and looked back up into Loki's green eyes which shone brightly in the torchlight. "I understand, and please give my regards to your mother and Thor for me, for I believe they deserve some comfort."

"They do, but I hardly doubt that yours will be appreciated. I will pass them on regardless though." Loki was walking away now and the blank expression he wore chilled Odin to the bone. As he walked away all Odin could think of was when he first started to adapt such a demeanor, and remembered that he had done so at a very young age. That should have been the first sign that something was wrong, for no child should be that cryptic if their parents were good.

~[~ (3rd Person POV)

The next two weeks passed by quickly for everyone and Loki spent most of his time jumping between Rinigard and Asgard. Apparently it was decided that he would be the ambassador for Asgard while he was in Rinigard and was to help smooth things over since utter chaos currently remained after the trial.

He didn't mind and enjoyed travelling around the realm and meeting Karmin's friends and family. They all seemed to love him and treated him well, always asking questions about his magic abilities and unique magic signature. Karmin had to fend off all of her friends who were head over heels in love with him after he first met them, and they would not leave him alone now. The two went on dates to different places around the realm when they weren't busy and it was great for them to get to know each other better.

Karmin spent the next few weeks working with her father, who was dealing with touchy political issues most of the time, fighting with the elders about how it was her life and that they were to stay out of it. They had no problem with her choice of husband, but they wanted the wedding to commence immediately and Karmin and Loki had already decided against that. Though it was tough she managed to win her argument and as long as she and Loki didn't delay too long they accepted the idea that the two would court first. Really she believed they only consented because they knew of how delicate the situation was in Asgard, and that Loki was working to try to help Thor keep things together.

She spent her remaining time training and preoccupying herself learning new spells. Rinigardian's bodies were fragile like mortals, so it was important that she build up a good spell base to protect herself because often times one hit from an enemy could take her out and disable her. She was very aware of her weakness in this area and though she trained hard, she was always trying to compensate for it. Granted she did have some Asgardian genes, but because of the strong pull her Rinigorium genetic line had her mother's genes had little effect. She was grateful that Loki's genes would contribute to making their children less vulnerable and hopefully allow them to reach levels she was unable to attain.

Frigga was instrumental in holding Asgard together because as queen she still held power over foreign affairs, and right now Asgard's relationship with other realms was disastrous. She spent most her time smoothing things over with other ambassadors ensuring them that Asgard was in strong capable hands, and that her husband was being dealt with. She didn't mention that he would have more to deal with from her when he got back no matter what shape he was in, for she believed that was a personal affair. The ambassadors where exhausting but she managed to get through it.

The queen spent her remaining time connecting with her children trying to rekindle their family relationship that Odin had severely damaged. They all spent time together in various places, but liked the gardens most when it came to relaxation. She occasionally ventured to Rinigard to help Riggar smooth over his political adversaries, and to see how Loki was doing. She admitted that she really liked Karmin and that she was happy that he finally found someone whom he had a close relationship with.

Thor had the most difficult time of all since he was adjusting to the role of King while dealing with the mess that Odin left behind. The other realms were unsure that they could trust Asgard to be fair in their dealings and it took a great deal of convincing before they were willing to accept his assurances. In his downtime he relaxed with his mother and brother who were just as stressed as he was, and they all enjoyed those small moments more than anything they had in the last few years. It was good that the family was connecting because during these hard times they needed each other to release stress and ease the burdens of their current distress.

Thor had also spent time with his friends who helped him to feel more confident, and assured him that he was doing a good job while filling in for Odin. It was clear that attaining the throne had unsettled him and that prompted his friends to help in all the ways they could. Thor was grateful for them at this time, even more so when they apologized for being so hard on Loki, even inviting his brother to hang out with them.

Finally after the two week punishment Odin was returned and it was clear that the punishment was affective. It was another week before the council allowed him any freedom and he used it to heal and reflect. Before the month was out his power was restored to him, but the council would be monitoring him closely, and this was his last chance to do things right. If he so much as overstepped his boundaries again they would remove him from office and lock him away forever to protect Asgard and the rest of the universe. He was careful about what he did and often slipped off to Rinigard to rekindle his friendship with the king and his people, while also escaping the critical eyes of the council members at the same time. He often invited Loki to go with him when he was around, and though he had taken Thor a few times, it was decided that that was not a wise idea. Thor seemed to offend everyone he spoke to on the planet, and it was clear that he needed to learn more about the culture.

Loki was still wary of Odin, and he spent more time on Rinigard than when Odin was imprisoned to no one's surprise, though Frigga and Thor were still angry at Odin for driving Loki away. Loki was cautious when on Asgard even though Odin had assured him that he had nothing to fear, and the look of suspicion was still present in his eyes. Loki was getting better around him, but everyone knew that things would never be the same.

The End

~[~ This is the end of this story, and Where to Levy the Blame picks up where this left off.

I hope that you all enjoyed this story, and if you are interested in a sequel about Loki's daughter please say so. I will post an author's note on this story if I do write the sequel and everyone with an alert will get a notice. I want to thank everyone who read this story and my others for your continued support, and I hope you all enjoyed reading them.