Lost Our Minds |5| The Ascension

Chapter Thirty-Two: Finally Some Peace And-Oh For Fuck's Sake!

Later, once everyone had had their wounds cleaned and bandaged, Thor had retired to his chambers. Despite having saved most of his people from Hela, he couldn't help but blame himself for destroying Asgard—the place, at least. His people were safe enough with Heimdall for the moment and well entertained if the faint cheers were anything to go by. He made a mental note to check in on them later, to make sure nobody had challenged McKenzie or the Valkyrie to a drinking contest or anything life-threatening like that.

He regarded his reflection in the mirror, one hand lifting to touch the new patch over his missing eye gently. A fine price to pay to keep his people safe.

"It suits you," a familiar voice commented.

Thor turned to see Loki standing in the corner. "Perhaps you're not so bad after all, brother."

Loki tilted his head. "Maybe not."

"Thank you. And if you were here I might even give you a hug." He threw a small trinket at Loki, only to stare when Loki caught it.

Loki smiled. "I'm here."

***

"Quick," McKenzie said, raising her eyebrows as Loki joined her and the Valkyrie at a table. "Get me something to throw at him."

Loki chuckled nervously, casually moving a dagger out of her reach. "No need, I'm really here." He raised an eyebrow at the macaroni tin she was eating out of, several empty cans on the table already. "Eating for two?"

She rolled her eyes. "Bitch."

"Is his royal highness going to join us at any point?" the Valkyrie asked sarcastically. Judging by the empty bottles on the table, she and McKenzie would have been on the wrong side of drunk, if they had been human.

"Oh, I shouldn't think so," Loki smirked. "I might have jammed the access panel."

The girls snorted into their drinks.

***

A few hours later, once he had escaped his brother's little trick, Thor joined his people in the main chamber. His subjects parted for him, reminding him of his first coronation. This time, though nobody cheered, his people all held respect and gratitude in their eyes, and that felt better to him. He himself had changed hugely since those younger years, had become more stately, more contemplative. After all, he had learned to see through at least some of his brother's deceptions.

Loki was stood near the throne, watching his brother come into his power with no jealousy. At his side were their new and old friends, the Hulk, the Valkyrie, Heimdall, and McKenzie. When Thor reached the dais, they each nodded to him respectfully.

"Your throne," the Valkyrie said, gesturing her king to the seat of his power.

Reluctantly, Thor accepted the silent challenge and took the throne he'd been avoiding for years. There was a tension in the room, each and every one of his people waiting to hear what he would say. In truth, he didn't know either.

"So, king of Asgard," Heimdall said, stepping up to support his friend and king. "Where to?"

Thor blinked, unprepared. "I'm not sure. Any suggestions?" He saw Korg and Miek nearby. "Miek, what's your home planet?"

Korg bit his lip. "Oh, Miek's dead. I accidentally stepped on him on the bridge. I've just felt so guilty I've been carrying him around all day..." Before anyone could even attempt to process that nightmare, Miek wriggled, perking up tremendously. Korg grinned. "Miek, you're alive! He's alive everyone!" He turned back to Thor. "What was your question?"

Thor turned back to the view of space outside, realising it would be better if he took charge on this one. For a moment, he was silent, trying to think of what his first move as king should be. Not war, obviously, and not exploration either. His people were still for all intents and purposes refugees, and they needed some stability, some humility. A peaceful king, a man of his word. And he had promised to take Bruce home. "Earth it is," he decided.

***

Months had passed, and the Ark was still lightyears away from Earth. That was the drawback of travelling in large numbers. You could only teleport so many people. But still, spirits were relatively high, in that they weren't being attacked or murdered, and Thor was content in his reign. He had sensed relief in McKenzie that they were going to her home, and he thought he knew why. It was clear there was something wrong between her and the Doctor, and he knew she wanted nothing more than to repair the divide.

Still, some people weren't quite so happy with their destination.

"Do you really think it's a good idea to go back to Earth?" Loki asked one day as they looked out into space.

"Sure! They love me there," Thor assured him.

Loki sighed. "Let me rephrase: do you really think it's a good idea to bring me back to Earth?"

Thor smiled and patted Loki on the shoulder. "Probably not. But don't worry, brother. I've got a feeling that everything's going to work out."

The room grew dark, and they both looked outside to see a ginormous ship dwarfing their own, a ship that Loki recognised with horror. He could only say one thing.

"Get the Angel."

~~~