All an Illusion - A Loki and Sigyn Story

Seven: Alive

A world away, the realm of Vanaheim was a battlefield. In the aftermath of the Bifrost's destruction, the Nine Realms had erupted into war and chaos. The Bifrost had since been repaired, but this had not stopped the fighting. Now the loyal legions of Asgard were sent from realm to realm in their defense.

It was strange fighting and knowing you did not have your beloved best friend there to have your back. Sigyn guessed that she would never get used to it. Sometimes though, she did feel his familiar presence behind her, as it was so familiar it was hard not to. However, she did have her fellow trusted Warriors Three and Lady Sif.

The Asgardians had managed to push back the marauders. Now they and the village they had just liberated were recovering from the battle, one which was still far from over.

"Lady Sigyn." One of Odin's guards approached. "You have been requested to return to Asgard. It is urgent."

"Oh. Nothing bad I hope?"

"I'm afraid I was not told what it was My Lady, only that you were requested to return immediately."

Sigyn turned to Sif. "Go," said the other warrior goddess. "I'll take care of things here until you return."

"Thank you." Sigyn looked up at the sky. "Heimdall, when you're ready." There was a flash and the Bifrost carried her away.

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When she arrived at the palace she found a distressed Frigga and solemn Odin.
"My King, My Queen." She bowed.

"Lady Sigyn," they addressed her.

Frigga came and took her hands. "We have some news-" She paused to take a deep breath. "Heimdall has spotted Loki."

Sigyn stared back, absorbing this. She felt as though all the breath had been knocked from her. Loki was... Alive?

"He's alive," she said in a voice barely above a whisper. "My gods he's alive!" A hand flew to her mouth. "H-how?"

"W-we don't know..."

"Where is he?"

The king and queen exchanged a glance. "He's recently gone to Midgard."

"Midgard?" Why Midgard of all places? There was something they were not telling her. "What? What is it?"

Frigga sighed. "Loki has gone to Midgard in an attempt to take over."

"Take over?"

"As its king."

Sigyn sighed. Somewhere along the line he had become obsessed with being ruler.

"Thor has gone to retrieve him and bring him back."

For a moment she wished she could go too. "Oh, thank gods-"

"He will face justice," Odin spoke. "He must answer for his crimes."

His crimes. This struck her. That's right, he was no longer the best friend she remembered. He had changed drastically. All had changed now, all was different.

For months now she had been mourning the loss of her beloved best friend. And now he was alive - it seemed almost dream-like.

After leaving the palace in a daze, she rode on horseback back out to the gate where Heimdall stood as always, watching over everything.

"Heimdall is it true? The happenings on Midgard?" She came to stand beside him.

The Gatekeeper's gaze was distant, as always. "Yes. He is alive, but he has stumbled further down a dark path."

"But he's alive, that's what's important. And he's coming home."

"Perhaps, but nothing will be as it was, not anymore." Almost as though he could read her thoughts.

She did not return to Vanaheim, and instead remained in Asgard until her friends' return. When word reached the palace that the princes had returned she practically raced to the gate.

A patrol of guards had beaten her there, ready to chain Loki up. He was a prisoner now.

Then she saw him - and when she did she audibly gasped.

He looked awful. Pale and sickly, bruised and cut. Oh Loki, what have they done to you? What have you done?

She watched the guards drag him away to the palace for the trial. He hadn't seen her.

Thor approached, looking distressed.

"Welcome back," she said with a small smile.

"Thank you."

"Is it really that bad?" she asked.

He nodded solemnly. "I'm afraid so."

(I can't believe I didn't notice before how tortured Loki was in 'Avengers' and in the end credits scene of 'Thor!' Oh Loki, what did Thanos do to you?!

So apparently 'The Dark World' takes place a year (I think) after 'Avengers', but that kind of confuses me cause Loki's just returned to Asgard and just having his trial at the start of the movie, so the timeline confuses me a little. But I'm condensing it, so its only been a matter of months since Loki's supposed death. Anyways, just thought I'd mention that :) Thank you so much for the 200+ reads! You guys are amazing!)