Reign

Chapter 13: The End of War

Ash and Loki suddenly appeared in the harsh, cold, and icy landscape of Jotunheim. He grabbed her arm and questioned, "What did you do?!"

Ash seemed almost terrified but relieved at the same time that her plan had worked. She smiled wearily at him and replied, "I... I believe I took us to Jotunheim. The planet of your people." She shivered as her breath came out in a mist.

She handed him his scepter and he hesitantly took it from her hands. "How..." He wasn't sure what to ask first. Just how? How did she get them here? Why Jotunheim? How could she know what he was?

"L- Loki..." She lightly chuckled, her skin was paling in the cold of the planet. "You're adorable when you're c- confused. The Tesseract." She gestured to the ring. "And Jotunheim because... I've seen images of y- your life in dreams ever since that day we first met. You- You need your father's help to t- take control over Earth."

"Odin-"

"Laufey, Loki. Your real f- father." There was silence before she continued, "He can h- help us. I know what happened, Loki, b- but his pride is stronger than- than his grudges. I've noticed that much."

He interrupted her plotting as he stated, "You knew I was going to get rid of the Chitauri."

"I kn- know you. You w-won't let then get their hands on the T- Tesseract." She began to walk to where Laufey was with the other Jotuns. Loki followed her with the scepter tightly in his hands, ready to protect her were something to go wrong.

The Jotun's managed to maintain the planet even after the onslaught from Asgard, not that Loki cared much, he despised Jotunheim. The two walked within a circle. Loki watched the Jotun guards who stood ready to kill as Ash's eyes were only glued on the Jotun in the center, the King, Laufey.

Ash took in shaky breaths, anyone looking at her would notice her weakness as the cold simply pierced her skin which her bare legs and unprotected face had to show for. She fell to her knees, in respect to the King before her, but also due to the fact that her legs could no longer carry her. She tried to speak loudly as hoarse as her voice was, "King Laufey of Jotunheim-"

Loki knelt beside her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Ash, we should leave..."

There was no regard to what either of them had said as "Loki Odinson, you bring this mortal before me dooming both of you to die."

"King Laufey," Ash said much louder and clearer than before, "I've come with an offer of power!" There was sudden silence as he was interested in what she had to say, "Loki requires assistance in taking over Midgard. He wishes to rule as King, as his father does on Jotunheim." That specific statement was made to touch his ego. Perhaps it would work. "King Laufey, I would offer my assistance in retrieving the Casket of Ancient Winters so that you may return Jotunheim to all its former glory if you would be kind enough as to provide assistance with Loki's wishes!"

There was silence before Laufey began to laugh in amusement, that made Loki stiffen in anticipation. But the King only questioned, "Loki, my son, why have this mortal in charge of negotiating? Has your silver tongue been transferred over to her?"

Loki stood in a defensive manner as he proclaimed, "I am free to speak! She is no mortal! This is Ash Storm and she is the future Queen of Midgard!"

Queen of Midgard? The thought swarmed in Ash's head. Could Loki be serious?

"Your queen is bold, boy." Laufey commented as he sat back in his throne and looked down at the two, "If you return the casket over to me personally, then, and only then, will the Jotuns provide assistance in your war with the Midgardians; that is, if you provide a way for us to arrive there."