ONE STEP FORWARD, FOUR STEPS BACK

A THOR/AVENGERS FANFICTION

CHAPTER ONE: Homecoming

As Thor materialized into Asgard the first thing he noticed was that Loki was no longer holding the Tesseract. The light faded and Thor could see once more. His heart skipped a beat when he saw that Loki was nowhere to be found. This must be one of his schemes, Thor thought. Thor turned to leave when he felt someone lightly touch his thigh.

"Thor?" It was a small, almost angelic, voice coming from his feet. The voice belonged to a small child, one barely out of infancy. Thor turned and knelt down to find a black haired boy on all fours, his green eyes full of confusion and fear.

"Loki," Thor breathed, instantly recognizing the boy as a child version of his younger brother. The boy's, Loki's, bottom lip trembled and he looked like he was about to cry. The adult's clothing was surrounding him, Loki literally swimming in a sea of black and green. A few tears escaped his eyes as he sat on his bottom, shivering.

"Wha's happening?" he asked, "Why am I naked, brother?" Thor wrapped the adult's cape around the boy and hoisted him up on to his hip. Loki buried his face into Thor's shoulder. Thor looked him over and saw that the child had retained all his injuries from the earthly battle and must be in pain. As he did this, fear struck him; guards and soldiers knew Thor's method of returning and knew also that he would bring with him the war criminal Loki. They would swarm at any moment, frightening the shaken child even more. Thor rubbed Loki's back soothingly, waiting.

"Thor," Thor turned to face the gate-keeper, Heimdall. Thor nodded to him and continued rubbing Loki's back.

"What a strange occurrence," Heimdall commented.

"Aye," Thor agreed, "strange indeed." Thor paused for a moment, wondering how to phrase what he was going to say next.

"Brave Heimdall, you know my father well," Heimdall nodded, and Thor continued, "What will he do to Loki? Will this...occurrence change anything?" Heimdall sighed deeply.

"I know not young prince what this transformation of Loki's will do for his own sake. Loki, babe or not, is a war criminal who threatened our relations with multiple realms and killed many." Thor nodded thoughtfully.

"Aye, but I do not think the boy has any recollection of committing those crimes. It is a troubling matter." Thor said. Heimdall nodded and Loki lifted his head up to look at Thor.

"Crimes?" he asked softly, "Wha' crimes? I didn' do anythin' wrong." The innocence in his words made Thor wince a little. So the child truly had no memory of his crimes. Would this deter the All-Father's wrath? Thor hoped so. He gave Loki a sad but warm smile and ruffled his hair.

"You need not worry of that yet, dear brother." Loki's brow furrowed as he studied Thor's face.

"When did you get so big?" Loki asked. Thor laughed softly.

"I will tell you later," Thor said. The sound of hooves was approaching and Thor sighed. "We have company to host now, brother." Loki looked behind him and saw hundreds of soldiers on horseback coming toward him and Thor. Loki studied the scene, wondering why all these men were coming this way. Had Thor been away? Loki couldn't remember his newly eight-year-old brother leaving the palace. So why? Loki assumed he would know soon enough. The leader of the soldiers stopped his horse and his brow lowered in confusion. He couldn't see Loki anywhere. Had he died in battle? Confused, the man got off his horse and approached Thor.

"Greetings, prince!" he called. Thor turned and the soldier stopped dead in his tracks.

"What in Odin's beard is this?" he asked, Thor approaching him.

"This, good fellow, is Loki." Thor said. Loki turned his head and blinked at the man, then buried his face into Thor's shoulder once more.

"He's a little shy," Thor commented, stroking the boy's hair. The soldier blinked.

"He is nothing but a babe! What are we to do? We cannot arrest him!" he said, his hands on his hips.

"Tell me your name," Thor said. The solider bowed.

"I am Askr, Lord Thor," he replied.

"Then, kind Askr, escort myself and Loki home. We have much to discuss with Odin." Thor said. Askr bowed again and gestured to his horse. Thor nodded and climbed on, Loki clinging to him for dear life.

The convoy was under way, and Loki shifted in Thor's lap. His green eyes were still wide and fearful. Thor decided to chat with him, make him feel safe.

"So, Loki, how old are you?" Thor asked. The child looked at him.

"'M five," he replied softly, a small smile playing on his lips. So young!, Thor thought.

"Hmm..." Thor murmured, unsure of what to say next. Children weren't exactly his strong suit. Luckily for him, Loki spoke up.

"Did you go on a journey?" Loki asked.

"Sort of," Thor replied.

"Did I go with you?" Loki asked again.

"Sort of," Thor said again. Loki glanced down at his small, battered body.

"Guess tha's how I got hurt," he commented. His eyes got wider as he looked at Thor. "Are you hurt?" he asked. Thor shrugged.

"Not as bad as you," Thor answered quietly. Loki sighed.

"I wish I coul' 'member," he said softly. Thor looked away. No, you don't, he thought, Loki snuggling up to him silently.

Loki was asleep when they reached the palace. Thor careful dismounted as to not wake Loki. He looked around and saw Frigga, his mother, standing on the stairs, waiting for them. Her face was tear streaked and pale with worry for her sons. Thor walked toward her, her face confused.

"Thor," she began, eying the bundle he was carrying, "where's Loki?" she asked.

"Mother, this is Loki," he replied. Frigga gasped and Loki woke up, a smile splitting his young, chubby face.

"Hello mother," he chimed, reaching out to her. Frigga stood in shock for a moment, Loki's arms still outstretched. Thor nodded at her and Frigga blinked. She grabbed the boy, securing the cape around her child, and he immediately nuzzled into her, inhaling her scent. Thor gestured for Frigga to follow him and she did, Loki clinging to her.

"What happened to him?" Frigga asked.

"I'm not certain, mother. We left earth and he was a man. We return to Asgard and he is a child. Even Heimdall held no answers." Thor explained.

"Do you think Odin will pardon him?" Frigga asked. Thor sighed.

"I'm not sure. He doesn't remember his crimes, but he has many. This may not change a thing." Thor said. Frigga sighed sadly and stroked Loki's raven hair.

"I hope Odin can find it in his heart to do so," Frigga whispered. Thor said nothing, but agreed inwardly. He hoped Odin would be merciful. Askr escorted Thor, Frigga and Loki to Odin's audience chamber and hesitated at the door.

"Should I come with you Lady Frigga?" Askr asked. Frigga nodded.

"Of course. It might delay Odin's anger." Frigga responded, holding Loki tighter.

"I shall go first," Thor said. Frigga nodded and Askr knocked on the door.

"Come," came Odin's booming voice from the other side of the door. Askr opened the door and went in, bowing.

"All-Father, I have good news. Thor has returned." Askr announced. Odin straightened up in his chair.

"And of Loki?" he said.

"I'll let Thor and Frigga explain," Askr said, walking to the side of the chamber, Thor taking the center. He bowed deeply, trying to get on Odin's good side. Frigga stood back, waiting for the right time to enter.

"Rise Thor," Odin said. Thor stood and made eye contact with his father.

"Where is Loki?" Odin asked. Thor stiffened.

"I assure you, father, I apprehended him with the aid of some Midgardians called the Avengers. It was a glorious battle, father, and Loki was defeated." Thor began. Odin's face hardened.

"Then where is he? Askr mentioned Frigga. Where is she? What is going on?" Odin asked.

"Frigga will speak shortly," Thor said, "Father, something odd has occurred. When Loki and I materialized in Asgard, Loki was no longer a man, but a child of five. He is here, father, in Frigga's arms." Thor finished and Frigga stepped into the room, Loki in her arms. Odin stood and approached, Frigga holding him tighter.

"Father, I assure you, the boy has no recollection of his deeds." Thor said softly, not wishing to anger Odin. Loki turned to look at Odin, his green eyes wide. Odin stared at him, studying the small, bruised boy. Loki looked back at Odin intently, not fully understanding what was going on. After studying Loki for several minutes, Odin walked back to his throne and collapsed in it, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Wife, take Loki and care for him. Thor, stay here," Frigga nodded and left, Loki waving good-bye to Odin. Askr closed the door behind them and Odin beckoned Thor to stand at the foot of his throne.

"My son, do you know if this is a trick of Loki's?" Odin asked.

"I do not, father," Thor admitted, "but we should not harm the child." Odin grunted.

"I am not entirely convinced that this occurrence was an accidental one." Odin said sternly. Thor stiffened but knew better than to argue.

"Leave," Odin said, "I shall inform you of my decision tomorrow." Thor bowed and left, heading for Loki's chamber. It had not been used in months, and Thor had truly missed Loki's presence, especially when he thought his brother to be dead.

Thor entered and looked around. The room was a medium green with stone floors, the bedspread a lighter green. No one had touched this room out of respect for the dead, so books and clothes were still scattered around and piled up. The desk was covered in notes, quills and spell books, the room still smelling of the adult Loki. Thor looked into the closet and saw numerous childhood things packed away, Frigga insisting they stay in Loki's room. Thor smiled at the portraits of a younger, happier Loki, his own artwork bellow it. At the bottom of the box was Loki's old blanket, a ratty old thing that Loki slept with until he was twelve. There was also a stuffed goat, one Odin had given him as an infant. Thor grabbed the blanket and goat and placed them on Loki's bed, knowing he would need them tonight. Thor then sat on the bed and waited to see Loki and inform Frigga of what Odin had said.

"Thor!" Thor turned and saw a bandaged and bathed Loki sprinting to meet him. Thor smiled warmly as Loki climbed into Thor's lap, bouncing slightly.

"You seem to be feeling better," Thor commented. Loki nodded eagerly.

"Yeah! Mother bathed me an' fixed all my cuts. It took a long time t' find a pair of pajamas tha' woul' fit me, though. But tha's okay! I like these." Loki said, talking fast. Thor glanced over to Frigga and their eyes met.

"You should check in the closet. You kept a lot of his childhood things." Thor said. Frigga nodded and sat down.

"I did so for both of you," she said softly. Thor blushed slightly.

"Yes, I know," he hated admitting it, but Thor often rummaged through those things, fondly remembering his careless early years. As they sat there, Frigga leaned over so that her lips were touching Thor's ear.

"Darling," she whispered, "what was Odin's word?" Thor turned his head so that now his lips were touching her ear.

"He will enlighten us tomorrow. We shouldn't frighten Loki, not now when there's nothing to fear." Thor whispered back. Frigga nodded then stood.

"Well, Loki! It is time for sleeping." she said cheerfully, almost as if her conversation with Thor hadn't happened. Loki's young face fell.

"So soon?" he asked. Frigga nodded.

"Yes, dear. You can speak with Thor in the morning." Loki sighed, but crawled off of Thor's lap all the way to his pillow. Frigga tucked him in and kissed him. She blew out the candles as she and left.

"Thor," she said, "what do you think will happen tomorrow?" Thor shrugged.

"I know not mother. All I know is that I will support Loki." Thor said.

"It's funny, having a little boy again," Frigga paused for a moment. "Do you think it's reversible?" she asked.

"I'm not sure. Perhaps. I hope not." Thor said.

"Why do you wish so?" Frigga questioned.

"He has a second chance at life. That is something that men seldom experience. He may choose good." Thor said.

"Think on this, son. Perhaps after this experience, he shall be a new man, blessed with a new chance." Frigga said.

"That will be so if father doesn't kill him," Thor said. Frigga grabbed Thor's arm.

"Don't say that. War criminal or not, Loki is still our son. I wouldn't let Odin kill him, even if I had to flee and hide for all eternity." Frigga said.

"You say that now," Thor said, "until he is put right. What if he still chooses evil? What if Loki destroys all of Asgard, slaughtering millions like he nearly did on Midgard? Would you protect him then?" Thor asked.

"I…I know not," Frigga admitted. Thor embraced his mother and kissed her.

"Fear not and sleep well. No harm will come tonight." Thor said gently. Frigga nodded and left, Thor standing in the hall way alone.

Instead of sleeping, Thor took a walk. He wondered what would come of Loki in the morn. He worried what Odin's decision would do to Frigga, to Loki. The moon was high, engulfing the empty halls with pale light. Thor rested upon a rail and looked over the peaceful, sleeping kingdom.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Thor turned and could barely make out Odin in the dark. Thor nodded.

"Yes, it is. How I miss Asgard when I am away." Thor said. Odin was now standing next to him, his old hands gripping the rails.

"Son, you know I love both you and Loki right?" Odin asked.

"Of course," Thor instantly replied, even if he didn't entirely believe it. He knew Odin loved him dearly but recently, he wasn't sure about Loki. Odin didn't even attempt to find Loki when he fell from the bridge, didn't try to console Thor over the loss of Loki. Was that how fathers behaved? Thor wasn't so sure.

"Then you'll know that whatever happens tomorrow, it is because I love Loki. I want him to be a good, strong man, and that can only be achieved through a firm hand." Odin said. Thor said nothing, but couldn't ignore the strange feeling in his stomach. Was it apprehension or foreboding? Was Odin outright saying he was going to punish Loki? Thor couldn't be sure, but he did know that he didn't like the feeling he was getting.

Thor bid Odin good night then headed to his chamber, Odin's words still swarming in his head. He was worried about tomorrow and what would become of Loki. The child didn't remember anything and was stuck in the body, mind and feelings of a mere babe. Thor shook his head. This wasn't right; Loki shouldn't be punished as a child for crimes his elder-self committed. They should wait until Loki is returned to normal-if it is even possible to do so-to convict him. Thor entered the room and saw a lump under his own red blanket. He approached it, poked it, and it moaned softly in that same small voice he knew as Loki's. The boy sat up, his eyes heavy with sleep and rubbed them.

"Loki," Thor began, "why are you in my bed?" Loki yawned.

"'M s'rry," Loki said tiredly, "but my room is too dark an' scary." Thor smiled. He might as well humor him while he can.

"You may stay," Thor said, getting into bed. Loki instantly cuddled into Thor's side and released a contented sigh. Thor put an arm around the boy, Loki's raven hair tickling his nose.

"Sleep well, Loki," Thor whispered as sleep claimed him too as its own.