Trigger warning: contains mentions of 9/11.

Setting up for events was now second nature to Loki. Even in Asgard, Loki had been the organisational mastermind and Odin had often allowed Loki to organise diplomatic events and even sit in on some peace talks as he approached adulthood. In addition to that, Loki had written countless treaties, all designed to win his adopted father's approval. Even if Odin had shown no outward pride, the amazement of foreign diplomats and ambassadors and their compliments had more than made up for Odin's lack of praise.

"I think we're ready, Sir," Miss Potts announced, straightening a fork on a nearby table as she walked up to him. "Your notes are ready on the podium."

"Thank you," Loki smiled, "You've done an admirable job. How was it, organising your first press conference?"

"Stressful," the woman admitted.

Miss Potts was a decidedly likeable person. She was responsible and stern but still friendly and caring.

"I'm afraid, with Tony, it just gets worse," Loki commented, pulling out his phone.

"Just as I suspected," she replied with a wry grin.

Loki also enjoyed their 'banter', especially humour at Tony's expense. He laughed and she seemed pleased to have earnt his approval.

"I'll text Rhodey now," he commented, beginning to type. "Hopefully they're on their way and, if not, I'm sure Tony will exceed the speed limit to get here fashionably late."

Rhodey replied instantly.

On our way. Chill out.

Loki grinned. Tony had probably added the last sentence.

"Sir?" Miss Potts said suddenly.

She had her phone out and was staring, horrified, at news footage on her phone. She turned it to face him.

"Two planes are reported to have been hijacked in New York City airspace. The planes, although all we can do is guess, are headed straight for the Twin Towers."

Loki went cold hearing the words. The World Trade Centre was the tallest building in the world. Thousands of people worked there and visited the building every day. The passengers on the planes would die.

"Call Rhodey," he said, snapping back to business. "Tell him and Tony to get their suits and begin being superheroes."

And, without caring to reply to any of the questions she called after him, he raced outside and instantly teleported.

*

As Loki reappeared in front of the towers, uncaring of whether anybody saw him, thoughts flashed through his mind. If people had ever doubted Loki's goodwill, now was his chance to prove them wrong. Not only would he be risking his life to save others but he would also have to take down the shield hiding him from Heimdall's sight in order to save some of his seidr for stopping this crisis, alerting the gatekeeper to his presence on earth. They were in the endgame now. There was no going back.

He strode forwards purposefully and people recognised him. There were a great deal fleeing but lots were also filming the events taking place or even racing towards the building to get loved ones or simply help in any way they could. Those people no doubt wondered what he was doing there. It's not as if Alden Walker had any superpowers... Or so they thought.

As he walked, his armour wrapped around him. Green and gold - colours he had shied away from for years. His helmet, a fashion choice of Thor's of course, stood out, even to those who hadn't previously noticed his transformation.

"Oh my goodness," he heard someone gasp.

"That's Alden Walker."

"No. That's Loki. That's the bloody God of Mischief."

"A Norse god? In New York?"

Loki knew that Tony and Rhodey would take a little time to get there. They would be quick but not quick enough.

He heard the familiar rumble of planes and knew what he was going to do.

Taking one deep breath, Loki dropped the shield hiding himself from Heimdall and flew up into the air.

*

"What's the plan?" Yelled Tony over the roar of his thrusters.

He was going as fast as he could but even Tony Stark knows when he is beaten. It was desperation and absurd hope that kept him flying onwards.

Steve's cool but undoubtedly trembling voice replied.

"To save as many lives as we can."

"Steve, Clint, the Hulk and I will coordinate the evacuation effort on the ground," Natasha barked over the airwaves.

She sounded as understandably unsettled as the rest of them.

"Tony, Rhodes, your job is to get those hijackers," Steve ordered. "You know how to fly a plane; throw those bloody bastards into the turbines for all I care."

Nobody came between Steve Rogers and the city he loved.

*

"Wait a minute," said Rhodey, faltering slightly.

"Is that what I think it is?" Questioned Clint, running towards the building.

"I don't know about you guys," interrupted Tony, "But that looks like a man flying, wearing armour."

"Bit like us in that regard," Rhodey pointed out.

"But he hasn't got any thrusters. That's a flying man."

"Way to go Captain Obvious. Shouldn't we join him rather than sitting around doing nothing?"

*

Loki had admittedly never pulled a stunt like this before. He did small tricks and wasn't averse to some larger mayhem on the battlefield. But he was currently suspended between the two massive towers and holding back the planes with sheer emerald power. If he could only hold the planes until the towers had been fully evacuated... He could even make the planes disappear, if it came to that. He could send the planes to Svartelheim - there was plenty of empty space there.

But it would be more useful to coordinate with the Avengers who he saw, even now, beginning to help. Tony and Rhodey were flying towards the planes, presumably to steer them away. It was now or never. Loki wouldn't have been able to keep his secret forever.

He called on more of his magical reserves and conjured up an earpiece which he promptly set to the Avengers' secure line.

"What's the plan?" He asked mildly.

"Alden?" Tony questioned. "Who gave you an earpiece? I thought you were with Pepper! Why aren't you with Pepper?"

"That's Miss Potts to you," Loki muttered.

Holding back two heavy aeroplanes was hard work.

"Alden, if you can't say anything helpful, leave the line," said Steve, sounding irritated. "Don't be so flippant when lives are being lost."

"Actually, they aren't being lost," Loki replied. "You're welcome."

"What?"

That was Tony.

"Pleasure to make your acquaintance," stated Loki, always up for a bit of mischief. "Prince Loki of Asgard and God of Mischief, etcetera etcetera."

"What the hell is going on?" Uttered Rhodey, totally lost.

"Wow," was all Bruce said.

"I didn't see that coming," Clint said with a breathy laugh.

"My apologies, your majesty," Steve said awkwardly.

Loki tried not to laugh. Before he could say something, possibly to tell Steve that there was no need to call him 'your majesty', Natasha spoke.

"This is worse than Budapest."

Loki could have almost sworn that Clint was shrugging on the other end of the line.

"Why do you always bring up Budapest? I don't remember a Norse god there!"

"Can we, you know, focus on the task in hand?" Asked Tony, a little tentatively.

He'd done nothing to acknowledge Loki's secret identity. Loki appreciated that it would take time and now was certainly not the time.

"That would be prudent," Loki replied. "I am growing weary. I cannot hold much longer."

"Don't worry, Al," said Tony, sounding confident, "We've got this. Platypus - time to hijack some planes!"

Everybody groaned at the ill humour. Loki saw Tony and Rhodey each board a plane and then Tony's voice filtered back through the line as he approached the hijacker.

"Hi, I'm Tony Stark. I'm an Avenger and, if we can't save the world, you can make sure we'll damn well avenge it."

Loki heard those lines and felt his grip on consciousness weaken even as he watched the planes begin to fly away from the towers. As he started to close his eyes, he saw a red and gold blur descend from the clouds. And, despite his blurred vision, he was almost certain that this was not Tony.

The princes of Asgard were reunited once again.

*****

A.N. First and foremost, I'd like to apologise to anyone who is affected by this chapter. 9/11 was a disaster and a tragedy that we remember every single day. However, I thought that it was one specific time where, if there were superheroes, they would have done all they could. Especially since it happened in New York where most of the MCU heroes are based.

Thank you for reading this book and my condolences to anyone who lost loved ones then and those who have lost loved ones at the current time. <3