Mischief on Midgard

Glacignis

"The news my son, Loki, has brought to us at great personal risk to himself is most dire indeed," Odin said, speaking with magic enhancing his voice to a large crowd of Asgardian citizens. Warriors, healers, smiths, shopkeepers, and more crowded together in front of the main palace as this was one of the few times that the King made an announcement to the whole of the populace. "Heimdal has turned his gaze outward to encompass the whole of our Universe and has confirmed the danger that now faces all of the Nine Realms."

Loki and Thor stood side-by-side behind Odin as the older man spoke to the crowd. Thor glanced to the side, smiling proudly at Loki. Loki smirked back, causing Thor to chuckle. He then placed a hand on Loki's shoulder, squeezing gently in a show of comradery.

"If this Mad Titan, this Thanos, should win, then half the people of the Universe, half of even Asgard itself, will vanish in an instant. At this very moment, the Titan is moving his forces toward the realm of Midgard. This threat concerns everyone, and as such, after a thousand years of non-involvement, we will step forward and lend our aid to Midgard," Odin said, his voice regal and commanding. He turned and gestured to Loki and Thor behind him. "My sons know Midgard well, both from their journeys in the realm in centuries past and their more recent travels. They will be the ones to lead and guide you once we arrive. Follow their orders as if they were my own. Let us show this Titan, and the Universe itself, why we are called the Mightest of all of the Warrior Races!"

As he finished speaking, the crowd before them burst into a roar of approval and excitement. It had been many years since the full might of Asgard had been called upon, and many wished for the chance to prove their worth on the field of battle. As Loki looked over the crowd, he began to wonder how many of them truly knew, truly understood, the truth of the harsh reality of an active battlefield. The screams of pain, the death, the fear that takes root in the back of one's mind when they lose sight of their allies... Loki was drawn from his thoughts as Odin turned to look at them.

"My sons," Odin said, moving closer to them. "You each have your own missions to carry out, correct?"

"Yes, Father," Thor said with a nod of his head. "Loki had asked Heimdal to look for Friend Banner earlier while he was confirming the threat to Midgard. Banner has been found on a world called Sakaar. I will be heading there to retrieve our friend. His strength is mighty, indeed. Mightier than even an Asgardian. We shall need his aid in the battle ahead."

Odin nodded his head and turned to look at Loki. Loki straightened his shoulders.

"I need to return to Earth," Loki said calmly. "They need my aid in preparing their defenses, and I need to prepare them to welcome the Asgardian Warriors that are being sent directly to Earth. It would be good to avoid any cultural faux pas this time around."

Loki shot Thor an amused look, and Thor rolled his eyes. They both knew Loki was talking about Thor's little mistake in breaking the beer cups that had been brought to him the first time he'd ordered a beer when he'd been banished to Earth. Odin chuckled at their antics and reached out to clasp them both on the shoulder.

"Truly, you have both come so far, and in only a decade no less!" Odin said with a booming laugh. "The two that stand before me are no longer boys. No longer two youngsters caught up in petty jealousy, anger, and revenge schemes. No, what I see before me are two proud, strong men! I am very proud of you both."

"Aye," Thor said with a beaming smile as he placed his hand back on Loki's other shoulder. Thor's eyes began to sparkle with good humor and joy. "We have come far, indeed!"

"It's far too early for us to celebrate, Thor," Loki chided gently, though he smiled back. "The battle has yet to be fought, the war still undecided."