War & Mischief

Chapter Three ~ Invasion

The ringing of the gong continues, bouncing off the corridor walls as Thor and his companions rush into the royal armory, donning armor as quickly as possible.
"How could they have gotten through?!" growls Thor, "Heimdall was watching!"
"Fight now, ask questions later," Hogun mutters to him, strapping a sword to his belt. Although he prefers a mace, he is skilled in all levels of combat, arguing you can never have too many weapons, especially when going into an unknown situation.
Loki throws open a chest in the corner, revealing a set of throwing knives, hand crafted specifically for him. He slides one into each boot and snaps the lid shut. Turning, he finds Sif watching him intently as she pulls her hair into a tight ponytail.
"What?" he asks, crossing his arms.
"That's all you're bringing?" she asks skeptically.
"Those are a precaution that I won't need," he states confidently, gesturing to his black boots where he has stowed the small, yet efficient, weapons.
"Whatever you say," replies Sif, evidently unconvinced.
On the other end of the room, Thor extends his rage about the breach. "Those Frost Giants can just crawl back to--"
"Thor!" Sif interrupts, turning to him in exasperation, "We haven't got time for this. Lets just go before they advance any further."
The group agrees as they start out the door, breaking into two separate groups: Loki with Sif and Fandral, Thor with Volstagg and Hogun. However, no sooner after they decide to split up, the clanking of armor echoes through the corridor and Odin appears, flanked by half a dozen guards.
"What are you doing?" demands the Allfather, holding his hand up to halt the guards in front of the group.
"Father, we were just about to come find you," Thor explains, stepping forward. "How far have the monsters advanced? We must stop this before--"
"Do not jump to conclusions, my son," warns Odin, "Stay here and the guards will take care of it."
Thor growls, tightening his grip on Mjolnir. The others hang back uneasily, awaiting instructions.
"If the alarm has been sounded that means they've already breached the palace!" argues Thor, "They could be here any minute." His voice is laced with determination. "We need to extinguish them before they get any further!"
Loki clears his throat. "We should find out how they gained passage into Asgard, then block the way so they can't get through anymore. Then we can wipe out whatever is left--"
"--It's not safe," Odin insists, barely glancing at Loki, "You are still untrained--"
"We are trained enough!" snaps Thor, his eyes flashing. "You have let us accompany you into battle before, father," he reasons. "Why not this time?"
Odin glances at Loki for a split second and their eyes meet. He frowns, turning away as Loki lowers his head, feeling degraded by the exchange for some reason that he can't quite place his finger on. Sif notices as well, looking at her friend in sympathy, but puts it aside for the time being, as she is unable to speak without permission in front of the Allfather.
Thor continues to argue fervently and determinedly, but Odin finally raises his hand in frustration.
"I said no, Thor!" he boomsin finality, his voice resounding through the halls. Outside the palace walls, turmoil begins to occur as the Jotuns slowly but surely approach. A second warning bell begins to ring and Thor's father looks out a floor-length window to the plains that will serve as a battlefield in simply moments. Turning to the youngsters with fervor, he says, "I do not have any more time to spare arguing. You may keep your weapons to defend yourselves, but you will stay in the royal armory until a guard has come to fetch you under my orders, is that understood?"
Thor's knuckles turn white as he grips his hammer in frustration, opening his mouth to appeal again, but Loki puts a hand on his shoulder.
"--We understand, father," he assures, giving Thor a meaningful look. Odin looks at his eldest son expectantly. Thor finally nods.
"Yes, father."
"Good," declares Odin, gesturing towards the door. "You stay there." Without another word he waves two of his guards towards the small group and turns, his golden armor clanking as he disappears around the bend of the passage. The guards he has left behind push the unwilling warriors into the armory and shut the thick, metal door tightly. They do not need to see outside to know that they won't leave their post for the end of the universe now.
The six friends fall back in disgust. Volstagg sets his ax down, rummaging in his pockets for some form of sustenance while Fandral scowls at him.
The heavy warrior frowns at his empty pockets. "I could have sworn I stashed an apple or something along those lines," he mutters.
"How can you think of food in a situation such as this, Volstagg?" Fandral scolds. "For shame."
"I did not realize you were my mother," retorts Volstagg, sitting on a trunk grouchily, arms crossed.
At the other end of the room, Sif and Hogun watch Thor pace back and forth, fuming.
"I do not understand," he complains, "This is no different than any other battle. The Frost Giants are weak, easily defeated! What is father so worried about?"
Sif and Hogun exchange a helpless look.
"Thor," the maiden reasons, "I'm sure the Allfather has his reasons. You cannot jump to conclusions before we know both sides." But her words seem to have no effect and he fumes on.
They all stand there in silence for a moment, even Thor, who has seemingly decided that his one-sided arguments will do no good, feeling useless and discouraged, when Sif notices something.
"Where is Loki?" she asks suddenly, scanning the room anxiously for any sign of their friend.
Thor growls. "If this is another one of your tricks, brother, we are not in a gaming--"
But Hogun hastily shoves his hand over Thor's mouth, silencing him. There is a rattling outside the door, like something bashing into armor. Sif draws her blade, readying herself.
"They couldn't have found us already," breaths Fandral, backing up to the far wall with the others. The only sound in the room is their soft, short breaths and an echo as armor falls to the floor on the other side of the door. With a thud, the door swings open to reveal a blue, towering form. A Frost Giant.
"Lady Sif and the Warriors... four?" he questions, looking at Thor with his blood red eyes. "Oh but no," he breaths, finally realizing, "it must be Thor, Son of Odin. How nice that we can finally meet face to face. I've heard so much about you."
"Do I know you?" inquires Thor, hammer readied for a blow.
"Of course. It is only--" the Frost Giant's form begins to flicker with a golden glow and it slowly melts away, leaving behind a dark-haired figure draped in green.
"Loki!" they cry, rushing forward.
"Did you miss me?" he muses with a mischievous grin.
Without a moment's hesitation Sif punches him in the arm. "We were worried!" she snaps, her deep green eyes sparkling with frustration, "Don't do that!"
"I couldn't resist," he says, obviously unrepentant. Thor scowls at him, trying to hide a smile. "Well what are we waiting for?" asks Loki. "Let's go fight some monsters."