A/N

(Media by me)

Can take place in both multiverses 418 and 419

***

Asgard, Treasure Room, Hundreds of years ago

A man and two boys walked together into a long, lit hallway lit by torches and one large fire forever burning in a large bowl on a stand. If one were to listen in, the man was telling a story to the two boys. It started in a small town known as Tønsberg, Norway. The year was 965 A.D.

"Once," the man started. "Mankind accepted a simple truth: that they were not alone in this universe. Some worlds, man believed, to be home to their gods. Others, they knew to fear. From a realm of cold and darkness, came the Frost Giants, threttaning to plunge the mortal world into a new ice age. But, humanity would not face this threat alone. Our armies pushed the Frost Giants back into the heart of their own realm. The cost was great, and in the end, their king fell. The source of their power was taken from them. With the last great war ended, we withdrew from the other worlds back to the realm eternal: Asgard. Here we remain as a beacon of hope, shining out across the stars. And though we have fallen into man's myths and legends, it was Asgard and it's warriors that brought peace to the universe. But the day will come when one of you will have to defend that peace."

Odin stopped at the end of the hall where the Casket of Ancient Winters was kept. He turned to his two young sons, who were listening to his story eagerly.

"Do the Frost Giants still live?" The youngest, Loki, asked eagerly. He was an intelligent boy with black hair and green eyes that differed from the others in his family.

"When I'm king, I'll hunt the monsters down and slay them all. Just as you did, Father." The oldest, Thor, vowed. His blue eyes twinkled as he slashed at imaginary monsters with his arms, his blonde hair flapping around as well. Loki looked at his brother with a look that said he had heard this sort of stuff from Thor a lot.

"A wise king never seeks out war. But he must always be ready for it." Odin said to his sons, turning to leave the trophy room. Loki's eyes lingered on the Casket, before he turned to look at Thor. They smiled as they chased their father down, passing by a hammer as they went.

"I'm ready, Father." Thor said.

"So am I!" Loki added.

"Only one of you can ascend to the throne. But both of you were born to be kings." Odin said. Then, two more people entered the vault. A woman with gold hair and dark brown eyes was flanked by a young girl with red-brown hair and caramel colored eyes. The woman was Frigga, Queen of Asgard and mother to Thor and Loki.

The girl was Olivia, the daughter of the late General Aemon and the late head medic Iri. They had died in the war Odin was telling about, so the Royal family had taken the girl in as one of their own. Though, she only really saw one of the brothers as a sibling.

"Thought we'd find you down here. Enough with the old stories, dinner is ready." Frigga said, laughing a little.

"Ah, yes, of course. Run along ahead, you three." Odin said to the children. The three of them went on their way, Thor leading as Loki took Olivia's hand. They all laughed joyfully as they ran.

"They'll find out one day." Frigga whispered to her husband.

"They might. But we'll cross that bridge as we come upon it." Odin replied.

***

Years Later, Preparation Hall.

Today was the day Thor was to be coronated. All of Asgard had gathered for the ceremony, their cheers echoing through the amphitheater and heard faintly from the hall. Thor strode in, wearing his ceremonial outfit. He snatched a goblet of wine, downing it in a single gulp.

"Another!" He yelled, throwing the cup into a roaring fire. Thor could faintly see two shadows through the yellow curtains. In special coronation regalia were Loki and Olivia, now offically courting each other. They saw Thor approach and greeted him with warm smiles.

"Nervous, brother?" Loki asked.

"Have you ever known me to be nervous?" Thor asked, laughing.

"Well... There was that time in Nornheim." Olivia pointed out.

"That was not nerves, sister, that was the rage of battle." Thor claimed. "How else could I have fought my way through a hundred soldiers and pulled us out alive?"

"As I recall, I was the one who veiled us in smoke so we could make our escape." Loki said as a servant came up with a cup of wine that Thor requested.

"Ah, yes. Some do battle, others just do tricks." Thor said. The servant suppressed a laugh, but Loki caught on. He waved a hand and the wine he had turned into bright blue snakes that spilled out. Shrieking, the servant dropped the cup and tray it was on. Loki and Olivia shared a laugh.

"Loki... Now that was a waste of good wine." Thor chided. Olivia bent down and handed the cup and platter back to the servant. He nodded and went on his way.

"Just a bit of fun." Loki claimed, making the snakes disappear. A guard approached and handed Thor his winged helmet. "Ooh, nice feathers."

"You really don't want to start this again, do you, cow?" Thor asked.

"I was being sincere."

"You are incapable of sincerity."

"Am I?"

"Yes."

"Thor!" Olivia scolded, lightly smacking his arm. Thor just smiled and pat Olivia on the shoulder.

"Look, we've looked forward to this day as long as you have-" Loki started.

"Yeah, you've had dreams about it, basking in glory until all of Asgard realizes you're not wearing any pants." Olivia cut in. With Thor as God of Thunder and Loki as God of Mischief, over the years Olivia herself had grown into Goddess of Dreams. She could influence and view everyone's dreams all over the realms, often appearing as a winged spirit after being trained by Valkyrie Queen Frejya to travel from person to person.

Loki laughed while Thor reddened in embarrassment.

"Well, as I was saying, you are my brother and my friend. Sometimes I'm envious, but never doubt that I love you." Loki said to Thor, who smiled and placed a hand on his brother's shoulder.

"Thank you." He replied.

"Now give us a kiss." Loki said teasingly. Thor laughed and lightly punched Loki's chest.

"Stop it." He laughed.

"I mean, if you say so." Olivia said, pecking Loki on the lips. He smiled down at her while Thor beamed.

"Really though, how do I look?" Thor asked.

"Like a king." Loki replied.

"It's time." Olivia said. Sure enough, a horn blew once from outside, signaling Thor would be out shortly.

"You go ahead. I'll be along." Thor said. Smiling, Olivia took Loki's hand as he led her to the amphitheater. People cheered as they walked down the path leading up to the throne. Lady Sif was on the left side of the stairway, two steps empty. On the right stood the Warriors Three. Frigga stood on the left side of the throne where Odin sat, Frigga smiling down warmly as Loki took his place at the top of the stairs, Olivia a step below him. Sif was on the bottom step.

A resounding roar from the crowd rose as Thor appeared at the far end of the path, raising his hammer high and wearing his helmet. He slowly made his way down, doing tricks with Mjolnir to wow the crowd. When he eventually did reach the end, he knelt down, removed his helmet, and faced the Allfather. The crowd went completely silent.

"Thor. Odinson. My heir. My firstborn. So long entrusted with the mighty Mjolnir. It's power holds no equal. It is a weapon to destroy. Or a tool to build. I have defended Asgard and the lives of the innocents across the Nine Realms from the time of the great beginning. Though the day has come for you to claim those duties. Do you swear to guard the Nine Realms?" Odin spoke.

"I swear." Thor replied.

"Do you swear to preserve the peace?"

"I swear."

"And do you swear to cast aside all selfish ambition and to pledge yourself to the good of the realms?"

"I swear!" Thor said, smiling wide.

"Then on this day, I Odin, Allfather, proclaim you..."

He trailed off, sensing something was wrong. Thor's smile slowly faded. Olivia bit her lip. Something wasn't right.

"Frost Giants." Odin said.

Panic swept through the amphitheater, people scrambled to escape. If the Frost Giants were near, it was dangerous.

"How'd they get in?" Olivia asked, mildly panicking.

"I-" Loki started, but the chaos drowned out his voice. Someone actually crashed into him before fleeing.

After a few minutes, a guard came up to Odin.

"The Destroyer has done it's job. The palace is safe." He reported before leaving. It sort of calmed down after that, but Odin asked Thor, Loki, and Olivia to follow him to the Weapons Vault. Actually, he only specifically requested his sons. Olivia tagged along anyways. She was just as curious to see what happened.

When they entered, ice was all over the walls and floor. The little pools of water were frozen over, blue hands sticking out of one. The bodies of two guards and two Frost Giants were dead on the floor (the third Giant underwater).

"The Jotuns must pay for what they've done." Thor said.

"They have paid. With their lives. The Destroyer did it's work. The Casket is safe and all is well." Odin said.

"All is well? They broke into the Weapons Vault. If the Frost Giants had stolen even one of these relics-" Thor started.

"But they didn't."

"Well, I want to know why."

Olivia and Loki shared a look. Here we go again.

"I have a truce with Laufey, King of the Frost Giants-" Odin reminded Thor.

"He just broke your truce! They know you are vulnerable." Thor said.

"What action would you take?"

"March into Jotunheim as you once did. Teach them a lesson so they never dare try to cross our borders again."

"You're only thinking as a warrior."

"This was an act of war!"

"This was an act of but a few, doomed to fail."

"Look how far they got!"

"We will find the breach in our defenses and it will be sealed."

"As King of Asgard-"

"But you're not King! Not yet." Odin finished, brushing past the three of them back outside. Thor stalked off next.

"We should change, then check on him." Olivia suggested.

"Good idea." Loki agreed, both of them leaving the vault.

***

Dining Hall

Thor yelled in rage as he flipped a table over.

"Redecorating, are we?" Sif asked as she and the Warriors Three entered the hall. From another entrance, Loki sat down next to Thor, Olivia close behind.

"It's unwise to be in my company right now, brother." Thor said.

"Who said I was wise?" Loki asked.

"This was to be my day of triumph." Thor said.

"It'll come in time." Olivia reassured him.

"If it's any consolation, I think you're right. If the Frost Giants found a way to penetrate Asgard's defenses once, who's to say they won't to it again, next time with an army." Loki said.

"Exactly!" Thor said, relieved someone finally understood his point.

"There's nothing you can do without defying Odin." Olivia added.

"Yes there is." Thor said, standing up.

"Wait, stop, I know that look, stop right there." Loki tried to say.

"It's the only way to ensure the safety of our borders." Thor argued.

"Thor, it's madness!" Olivia said, trying to dissuade him from the idea.

"We're going to Jotunheim." Thor proclaimed. Loki buried his face in his hand and Olivia rolled her eyes and groaned. Here we go again, Thor being headstrong and stupid as usual.

"Thor, of all the laws of Asgard, this is the one you must not break." Sif tried to reason with him.

"This isn't like a journey to Earth where you summon a little lightning and the mortals worship you as a god. This... This is Jotunheim." Fandral added.

"We would just be looking for answers." Thor argued.

"It is forbidden!" Sif said.

"Thor, we could die out there. Or worse, provoke a war and get a bunch of other people killed. Just let it rest, we'll figure it out." Olivia said.

"My friends, we've all been through so much together. A few giants shouldn't be that difficult to deal with. It'll be a quick in and out trip, I swear it." Thor said. "You're not going to let my brother, sister, and I take all the glory, are you?"

"What?" Loki asked.

"You're coming, right?" Thor asked in response.

"I... Yes, of course." Loki replied. He turned to Olivia with a slightly pleading look. Neither of them wanted to get mixed up in this, but Thor wouldn't stop until they agreed.

"We're most likely going to die, but..." Olivia started, but just rolled her eyes, nodding.

Slowly, everyone sighed and nodded their heads.

"We're going to regret this." Sif said.

***

The Bifrost

The team of seven found horses, cold weather gear, and were riding along the rainbow bridge to the gate. Reaching it, they dismounted and approached the bridge's guardian, Heimdall. Loki strutted forward confidently.

"Leave this to me." He told them before facing Heimdall. "Good Heimdall, we-"

"You're not dressed warmly enough." Heimdall pointed out.

"I'm sorry?"

"You think that you can decieve me?"

"You must be mistak-"

"Enough." Thor cut in, shutting Loki up. Olivia sent a dirty glance in Thor's direction. "Heimdall, may we pass?"

"Never has an enemy slipped my watch until this day. I wish to know how that happened." Heimdall said.

"And tell no one where we have gone until we have returned, understand?" Thor said, not bothering to wait for an answer before brushing by, along with Sif and the Warriors Three. Olivia stood behind for a moment with Loki before they brought up the rear. Circling around the platform, they stood in front of the entrance to the gate. Heimdall inserted the Bifrost Sword into the navigator, which charged the room up. The gate opened to reveal a swirl of colors.

"Be warned. I will honor my sworn oath to protect Asgard as it's gatekeeper. If your return threatens the safety of Asgard, the Bifrost will remain closed. And you will be left to die in the cold wastes of Jotunheim." Heimdall warned.

"Couldn't you just leave the bridge open for us?" Volstagg asked.

"Leaving the bridge open will unleash the full power of the Bifrost and will destroy Jotunheim with you on it." Heimdall answered.

"You know, it's not too late, we could turn back now and maybe not risk our lives?" Olivia suggested.

"I have no plans to die today." Thor said confidently.

"None do." Heimdall replied. With that, the gatekeeper turned the sword and one by one, the seven of them were sucked into the rush of color.

***

Jotunheim

The bridge crashed down on a rocky plain covered in snow. And just as soon as it touched down, it was sucked away, leaving the seven Asgardians behind.

Olivia could see her breath in front of her. She couldn't imagine living in a place like this. Then again, Frost Giants were more suited for the cold.

"We shouldn't be here." She said.

"Let's move." Thor said, ignoring her. Olivia rolled her eyes, but reluctantly followed. The group walked carefully between structures that would occasionally lose bits and pieces. They were sort of pretty, Olivia thought, but the fact that the whole place was so dead and quiet, it uneased her.

They came upon a castle with two turrets jutting out from the top.

"Where are they?" Sif asked as they walked inside.

"Hiding. As cowards always do." Thor replied. They came to a small clearing that was blocked by a wall. They slowed to a halt.

"You've come a long way to die, Asgardians." A voice boomed in front of them. Olivia jumped at the sound.

"I am Thor Odinson." Thor started.

"We know who you are." The voice replied.

"How did your people get into Asgard?" Thor asked. Olivia could finally get a glimpse of who was speaking. Laufey was at least double, if not, triple her height. She hadn't ever actually seen a Frost Giant before, and she was slightly terrified.

"The House of Odin is full of traitors." Laufey answered.

"Do not disrespect my father's name with your lies!" Thor snapped.

"Your father is a murderer and a thief. And why have you come here? To make peace? You long for battle, you crave it. But you're nothing but a boy trying to prove himself a man." Laufey scoffed. That's when they realized that they were surrounded by Giants.

"This boy has grown tired of your mockery." Thor said.

"Thor, for Frigga's sake, he may be 'the enemy,' but he is a king and should be treated with respect so that we may have a chance at going home. We're intruding on their land, you know." Olivia tried to reason.

"You should listen to that one, son of Odin. She knows as well as I what you actions would bring as you may not." Laufey told Thor. The Giants around them started forming weapons of ice, ready to attack.

"Thor, stop and think. Look around you, we're outnumbered, just listen to Oli-" Loki started.

"Know your place, brother." Thor snapped.

"Go now, while I still allow it." Laufey told the group. Thor huffed in annoyance.

"We will accept your most gracious offer." Loki replied.

"We apologize for the intrusion." Olivia added. "Come on, Thor." Thor grumbled, but stalked back to follow his friends.

"Run back home, little princess." One Giant said to Thor.

"Damn." Loki swore.

"Seven hells..." Olivia groaned. They both knew where this was going. Thor chucked as he let his hammer slide into a fighting grip. He swung it to nail the giant in the face.

What can only be described as chaos ensued after that.

Giants swarmed the seven left and right. Both sides had weapons ready. Despite the odds, Giants fell and flew left and right. Sif speared some with her doubled bladed sword, Loki threw knives at oncoming soldiers.

"At least make it a challenge for me!" Thor called. More Giants poured in, but Thor fended them off with ease.

One Giant in particular had Loki cornered on the side of the cliff. It charged for him, but never made contact. It merely fell through an illusion, crashing down the cliffs below. Loki appeared around the corner and waved his hand, making his clone fade away. Similarly, Olivia stood along another edge of a cliff, but merely teleported when giants got too close. They didn't have time to stop before plummeting down below.

"Don't let them touch you!" Volstagg warned.

"This is it, we're gonna die. May as well pray to Valhalla now." Olivia mumbled to herself.

A scream of agony could be heard as Fandral was speared by jutting icicles.

"Thor!!" Sif called, but Thor was too busy to hear her.

"We must go!" Loki called.

"Then go!" Thor yelled back, summoning a huge blast of lightning to send more Giants flying. Huffing, Olivia made a break for their starting point, running alongside Loki, who occasionally threw a knife back at the gaining soldiers just to keep them off their tails.

They reached the clearing, only Thor nowhere to be found and Fandral being carried by Volstagg and Hogun to the clearing.

"Heimdall. Open the bridge!" Volstagg called. Nothing.

"It's not safe to open the bridge." Sif said. Suddenly, a huge claw grabbed for them as a massive beast rose over them. Looking into it's red eyes, Olivia drew her sword again as Loki put an arm in front of her as if to guard her. The beast was about to go for the kill before Thor flew above them, piercing right through it's skull, killing it instantly. Thor landed among his friends, still ready for a fight.

But by this point, they were surrounded by hundreds of Giants.

"I didn't even want to come." Olivia muttered to herself. Then, a colored storm emerged above them as suddenly the Bifrost opened, Odin emerging from it in battle armor and on his steed.

"Father! We can finish them together!" Thor called triumphantly.

"Silence!" Odin hissed as Laufey approached him.

"Allfather... You look weary..." He said.

"Laufey, end this now." Odin commanded.

"Your boy sought this out."

"Yes he did, but these are the actions of a boy, treat them as such."

"We are beyond diplomacy now. He'll get what he came for. War, and death..."

"... So be it." Odin finished, before opening the bridge and taking the seven of them with him.

***

Bifrost Chamber

"Do you realize what you have done, what you have started?" Odin snapped at Thor.

"I was protecting my home!" Thor defended.

"You couldn't even protect your friends. Get him to a healing room, now!" Odin said, sending Sif and the Warriors Three along to get Fandral to a healer. That just left Olivia and Loki to witness the argument.

"There won't be a kingdom to protect if we ate afraid to act. The Jotuns must learn to fear me as they once feared you!" Thor yelled. Olivia sort of noticed Loki biting his lip and averting his gaze, but she didn't pay much mind.

"That's pride and vanity talking, not leadership. You've forgotten everything I taught you about a warrior's patience." Odin said, ever so slightly calmer.

"While you wait and be patient, the Nine Realms laugh at us. The old ways are done and you'd stand giving speeches while Asgard falls."

"You are a vain, greedy, cruel boy!" Odin yelled.

"And you are an old man and a fool!" Thor roared back. Olivia shared a glance with Loki... Thor screwed up and they knew it.

"Yes, I was a fool, for ever thinking you were ready."

"Father-" Loki started, but Odin's unintelligible shouting shut him up immediately. Olivia stared at Odin, shocked that he would just scream like that.

"Thor Odinson, you have betrayed the express command of your king, and through your arrogance and stupidity, you have opened these peaceful realms and innocent lives to the horror and desolation of war!" Odin said, approaching Thor and placing his staff into the Bifrost control, activating it. Odin then ripped off Thor's cape and bits of his armor. "You are unworthy of these realms, you are unworthy of your title! You are unworthy! Of the loved ones you have betrayed."

Odin summoned Mjolnir to him and pointed it at Thor.

"I now take from you your power, in the name of my father, and his father before him." Odin proclaimed, Thor's arm's shedding their armor as Odin said this.

I, Odin, Allfather, CAST YOU OUT!" Odin said, sending Thor tumbling into the Bifrost, completely losing his armor. Olivia and Loki stared wide eyed at Odin, not believing what they had just seen. Realizing it might be a good idea to leave, Loki took Olivia's hand as they mounted their horses left behind from before they left and riding back to the completely at a loss for words.

***

Healing Room

"We should never have let him go." Volstagg said, a healer rubbing a frostbite remedy on his forearm.

"There was no stopping him." Sif pointed out.

"Well, at least he's only banished and not dead. Which is what we'd all be if that guard hadn't told Odin where we'd gone." Fandral said. Olivia picked at her lip, a nervous gesture of hers, as she listened to the conversation. She glanced at Loki, not meeting her gaze and examining at his left hand like it had just been cut with a table knife. She didn't recall seeing him get touched, so the healer hadn't put the salve on it. Then again, it was the heat of battle; she couldn't keep her eyes on him 24/7.

"How did the guard even know?" Volstagg wondered aloud.

"I told him." Loki said, snapping his gaze to the group. "I told him to go to Odin after we left. He should be flogged for taking so long, we should never have reached Jotunheim."

"You told the guard??" Volstagg asked, shocked.

"He saved our lives. And Thor's." Olivia added.

"Oh, well of course you'd defend him." Volstagg scoffed. Olivia rolled her eyes.

"I had no idea Father would banish him for what he did." Loki continued. Sif stood up.

"Loki, you must go to the Allfather and convince him to change his mind." She said.

"And if I do, then what? I love Thor more dearly than any of you, but you know what he is. He's arrogant, he's reckless, he's dangerous. You saw how he was today. Is that what Asgard needs from it's king?" Loki said, before stalking off. Feeling that something was off, Olivia went after him. No one else followed. Catching up to him in the hall, they stopped.

"Loki, something's wrong. You've been off ever since we returned. Is there something you want to tell me?" Olivia asked.

No, really, Loki didn't really want to tell her. To be fair, he wasn't 100% sure... No, he was. His hand didn't burn, didn't get frostbite. It all added up. Still, he just had to be certain. There really was only one way to do that.

But how would Olivia react? That's what he was scared of. Would she reject him, hate him? Or worse, fear him?

He could lie to her, tell her nothing was wrong.

No, no he couldn't. He lied to many people, but he could never bring himself to lie to Olivia. Besides, she was just as good as he was at sensing lies; Loki taught her himself how to. She was maybe not as skilled at telling them. But she could sense them. No, lying wouldn't work.

There wasn't any way out of it. She had to know. Besides, maybe she won't take it as poorly as he thinks. She'd stuck with him through the best and worst of times. Who's to say this would be different.

Taking a breath, he looked into her concerned eyes.

"I... Well... Look, it might just be best if you came with." Loki told her. A little confused, Olivia let Loki take her hand as he led her down several hallways. Eventually, they came upon the Weapons Vault. The guards at the front let them pass as they cautiously walked down the newly cleaned room. They paused at the end of the hall.

"What's the Casket got to do with anything?" Olivia asked. Loki simply sighed and pursed his lips. Now or never. Nervous, he placed his hands around the handles on the side of the glowing box.

"Loki, careful, your hands are freezing." Olivia said. More and more seconds passed. The blue passed up past Loki's neckline and Olivia could see marks on the skin.

"Loki, put it down, the frostbite is-"

She cut herself off, covering her mouth with her hands and gasping. Her eyes went wide as it slowly dawned on her.

"Oh my gods... You're a...." She couldn't bring herself to finish the sentence.

"A monster." Loki finished for her. His eyes were red and his skin blue and patterned.

A Frost Giant.

"No. Loki, of course not. You are not a monster." Olivia said, about to bring up a hand to touch his cheek.

"Don't. I... I don't want to hurt you. You'll get burned." Loki said.

"You could never hurt me." Olivia said, gingerly touching Loki's face. Surprisingly, it only felt mildly cold. Her hand didn't burn. She pulled it away and her hand wasn't frozen. "I... I think it only burns when harm is intended. I suppose no one ever bothered to check."

"But... how?" Loki asked.

"I... I don't know."

As if on cue, the doors to the vault burst open.

"Stop!" Odin yelled.

"What am I?" Loki asked.

"You're my son..." Odin said.

"And what more than that?" Loki asked, finally turning to face Odin. The blue on his face melted back down to turn back to his usual look.

"The Casket wasn't the only thing you took from Jotunheim that day, was it...?" Olivia asked.

"No. In the aftermath of the battle, I went into the temple and I found a baby. Small for a Giant's offspring. Abandoned, suffering, left to die... Laufey's son." Odin explained.

No, it can't be... Olivia thought. My Loki is...

"Laufey's son?" Loki asked. Olivia could see his mental gears turning.

"Yes..." Odin confirmed.

"You... You lied to us! Oh, this... This explains everything..." Olivia snarled.

Odin knew he was in deep shit. Telling Loki alone would be bad enough. But Olivia being there with him... And the fact that they were both obviously very pissed...

"Why? You were knee deep in Jotun blood, why would you take me?" Loki asked Odin.

"You were an innocent child..." Odin tried.

"No, you took me for a purpose. What was it?" Loki asked.

Silence.

"Tell me!!!" Loki screamed.

"I thought we could bring about an alliance, bring about a permanent peace... Through you."

"What...?"

"But those plans no longer matter."

"So I am,no more than another stolen relic, locked up here until you might have use of me?" Loki was crying now.

"Why do you twist my words-" Odin tried to say, but he was cut off.

"You could have told us what I was from the beginning, why didn't you?"

"And how long would we have to wait? Thor's stupidity revealed this, but how long would we have been in the dark if that didn't happen? A hundred years? A thousand?" Olivia hissed.

"I only wanted to protect you from the truth." Odin said.

"What, because I'm the monster parents tell their children about at night?" Loki asked. Odin suddenly started to sit down, looking very weary. Olivia knew what was going on, but she wasn't about to intervene, let alone help. No, she was too far beyond pissed now.

"You know, it all makes sense now, why you favored Thor all those years! Because no matter how much you claimed to love me, you could never have a Frost Giant sitting on the throne of Asgard!" Loki yelled.

Odin slumped on the stairs, suddenly motionless. Loki and Olivia looked at each other, realizing they might have gone too far.

"Guards! Guards, please help!" Olivia called. The guards from outside burst in and came to the aid of their king. Olivia and Loki stepped back as the guards carried Odin from the room. They looked at each other with a mix of shock and a little guilt.

"I... I..." Loki started, but Olivia shushed him by pressing a finger to his lips.

"It's okay. It'll be okay." She said, kissing him lightly and embracing him in a hug. Hesitantly, Loki hugged her back, both on the verge of more tears. After a few moments, a guard approached them.

"The Queen has requested your presence in the Allfather's chambers." He told them. Loki and Olivia shared a nervous glance as they slowly made their way out of the room.

***

Odin's Chambers

"I asked him to be honest with you from the beginning. There should be no secrets in family." Frigga said. They were in Odin's chambers as he slept. Frigga was on one side of the bed, Loki and Olivia were on the other.

"So why did he lie?" Loki asked.

"He kept the truth from you so you would never feel different. You are our son, Loki. And we, your family. You must know that." Frigga explained. She turned her attention to Odin. "You can speak to him. He can hear and see us, even now."

"How long will it last?" Olivia asked.

"I don't know. This time it's different. We were unprepared." Frigga admitted.

"I'll,never get used to seeing him like this. The most powerful being in the Nine Realms lying helpless until his body is restored." Loki said.

"He had been putting it off for so long. And I fear..." Frigga trailed off before continuing. "You're a good son. We musn't loose hope that your father will return to us. And your brother."

"What hope is there for Thor?"

"There's always a purpose to everything your father does. Thor may yet find a way home."

There were a few seconds of silence before Loki and Olivia stood up. They would leave their mother in peace. Olivia looped her arm around Loki's as they began to exit the room.

Then, the doors burst open. Five guards stood there, before suddenly crossing one arm over their chests and kneeling down. Confused, Loki and Olivia shared a look as a high councilman entered the room bearing Odin's staff. He held it out to Loki as he and Olivia looked back at Frigga in bemusement.

"Thor is banished. The line of succession falls to you. Until your father awakens, Asgard is yours." Frigga said. Olivia and Loki looked back at each other, both their mental gears turning. Olivia removed her arm from Loki's as he gingerly took the staff in his hands. The Councilman stood up, bowed, and left the room.

"Make your father proud... My king." Frigga finished. Biting her lip, Olivia thought about what to do. Uncertainly, she crossed her arm over her chest and started to sink down before Loki took her free hand and gently pulled her up.

"There will be no need for that, my queen." Loki told her, a tiny smile on his face. Olivia glanced at Frigga, who gave a short nod in her direction as if to indicate she was giving her approval. Olivia looked back again at Loki, now she had a tiny smile on her face.

The staff in one hand, Loki extended the other to Olivia. She took it and they exited the room, the troops following closely behind with every intention to protect their new king and queen.

***

Throne Room

The formal wear that Olivia and Loki had worn for Thor's coronation were what they were expected to wear. Olivia wasn't as much of a fan; she wasn't overly fond of dresses or not having her hair in a simple ponytail. It also kind of sucked that the throne really only had one seat. However, she made herself sort of comfortable on one of the armrests when she didn't want to stand.

She also sort of had a bad feeling that was in the back of her mind. Like something was off. Olivia put it up to being promoted as temporary Queen of Asgard on the spot. Well, at least she sort of hoped it was temporary. She would be lying if she said she wasn't at least a little pleased with herself. But she hoped it was temporary because, as she reminded herself, it was so sudden that she had no time to prepare or anything.

Besides, Odin would most likely awaken soon. If not, Thor had a chance of returning and claiming the throne. Maybe then she could change into some more comfortable clothes.

And anyways, even if she was supposed to maintain an image, she wasn't going to sit placid faced all day. She had a book with her and sat on the floor in front of the throne. Her head was rested on Loki's left knee as he lightly stroked her hair with his free hand.

That's when four people entered the room.

"Allfather, we must speak with y-" Sif started to say, but she cut herself off when she realized that something wasn't quite right.

"What's this?" Volstagg asked. Olivia vanished her book and stood up, dusting herself off.

"My friends..." Loki started.

"Where's Odin?" Fandral asked.

"Father has fallen into the Odinsleep. My mother fears he may never awaken again."

"We would speak with her." Sif said as the four of them stood directly in front of the throne.

"She has refused to leave my father's bedside. You can bring your urgent matter to me." Loki said, standing up. "Your King."

Olivia picked at her lip as Sif looked at her friends uncertainly before they got down on one knee and crossed their arms over their chests.

"My king..." Sif started, venom lingering in her tone. "We would ask that you end Thor's banishment."

"My first act cannot be to repeal the Allfather's last. We are on the brink of war with Jotunheim, and our people need a sense of continuity during these difficult times. All of us must stand together for the good of Asgard." Loki said smoothly. Sif shot up but Hogun grabbed her wrist before she could do anything rash. The look in her eyes could kill someone.

"Yes, of course." Fandral said, covering for Sif.

"Good. Then you will wait for my word." Loki said.

"If I may... Beg the indulgence of your majesty... To perhaps reconsider?" Volstagg interjected.

"We're done." Loki snapped.

"Sif?" Olivia called. Sif faced Olivia with a slightly soured expression. Truth be told, Sif and Olivia weren't exactly the closest they could have been. They were warm at the most with each other. There was a little mistrust on Sif's side because Olivia seemed a lot like Loki, and he wasn't always the most trustworthy. They trained in the past, sure, but they slowly stopped once Olivia started using things like magic (Sif called it cheating). Yes, warm seem like a good word to use.

"Yes, milady?" Sif asked, sounding almost sarcastic.

"We have this under control. You need not worry. I promise." Olivia said, trying to emulate Frigga's softness. Sif didn't reply. She just stared at Loki and Olivia for a long time as the Warriors Three slowly departed the room, Sif being the last to leave.

"I have a bad feeling about this..." Olivia finally said.

"It'll be fine, I promise. I have to do a few things. You can stay here with your book if you like." Loki offered. Olivia smiled and walked over to the throne, sitting on it sideways with her legs dangling over the left armrest. Loki smiled softly at her before departing the room.

He had to make a quick visit to Midgard. Make sure Thor would be staying right where he was.

***

A Couple of Hours Later

The ceilings were higher than Olivia realized. She had finished her book and found herself staring above her. Not to mention, the view outside from her position was beautiful. She could have almost fallen asleep if Loki hadn't burst into the room.

"I have an idea." He said to her.

"About what?" Olivia asked.

"Follow me." Loki simply replied, taking her hand and leading her out of the room. They turned a few corners until they entered Loki's chambers. He shut the door behind him.

"So, your idea?" Olivia asked.

"Okay... So, about Thor's coronation-" Loki started.

"You let the Frost Giants in, didn't you?" Olivia cut him off, folding her arms. Loki opened his mouth to retort, but he shut it, nodding his head.

"How did you-?" Loki again tried to ask, but again, Olivia cut in.

"Your paths off Asgard that we use sometimes are all but invisible to Heimdall. If you led them through one of those, it makes sense why he didn't see them. Look, I don't like the idea of it, our people could have been put in danger. But I understand why you did it. Thor's actions in Jotunheim alone show that he wasn't ready to be king. So, I don't like it, I don't completely agree with it, but I accept it. Now, you said you had a plan?" Olivia said.

"Ah... Yes. Okay, so we both know war is looming. There's no reasoning with the Frost Giants at this point. The fact that I let them in already lays down a small layer of trust. What if we were to go back to Jotunheim and offer Laufey the chance to slay Odin in his sleep and reclaim the Casket, but before he can, we kill Laufey first. It will stop the war, and Odin may finally realize that we are capable of ruling Asgard and prove to him that we aren't simply second best to Thor." Loki explained. Olivia thought for a moment, weighing the idea in her head. After a moment, she nodded.

"It's crazy enough that it just might work. And I have an idea to build another layer of trust." Olivia agreed.

"Yes?" Loki goaded her to continue.

"Use your natural form. Look, I understand you don't like it, but for one thing, it could help us here. And for another, I think it looks rather pretty..." Olivia suggested.

"If you think it will help, then I agree." Loki said, nodding. "Shall we go now?"

"Better now than later." Olivia agreed. They left the room and found their horses in their stables. Mounting them, they rode once again down the Bifrost to meet with the gatekeeper.

"Heimdall, we have decided to try and reason with Jotunheim and we request that you take us there." Olivia said. Heimdall looked at the pair with the ever so slightest suspicious glint in his eyes, but neither of them noticed.

"As you wish, your majesties." He said, leading them to the gate. He inserted the sword into the navigator and turned it. In an instant, the world became a rush of color.

***

Jotunheim

Landing in the same spot where they had started with Thor, Loki and Olivia began the walk to the palace.

"What if Heimdall sees us?" Olivia asked, barely whispering.

"He won't, I promise." Loki reassured her. Olivia didn't question it, she just continued. A few minutes of walking in the snow led them to the castle throne room.

"Kill them." A voice commanded.

"After all I've done for you?" Loki replied.

"So you're the one who showed us the way into Asgard?" Laufey asked.

"It was just a bit of fun, really. To ruin my brother's big day and keep Asgard safe from his idiotic rule for a while longer." Loki said with a sinister smirk.

"I will hear you."

"We will conceal you and a handful of your soldiers. Lead you into Odin's chambers and you can slay him where he lies."

"Why not kill him yourself?"

"The Asgardians would not take kindly to a ruler who had murdered his predecessor." Olivia pointed out.

"Once Odin is dead we will return the Casket to you so you can return Jotunheim to it's... Former glory." Loki added.

"And what makes you think we will trust you?" Laufey asked. Loki simply smiled as he allowed his natural form to fade over. The Frost Giants seemed a little stunned that the King of Asgard was one of their own. "Ah yes... The son who was stolen from us. And yet... you have a mate from Asgard..."

"Who cares where I'm from? Your son is on the throne, so you have influence over Asgard in a sense. I'm the extra link, if you will." Olivia said.

"You're the little Asgardian girl who tried to put the son of Odin in his place, aren't you?"

"Thor was being foolish as he always was. Though, had he not done that, I doubt we'd be here right now."

"I like you, little Asgardian... I accept your bargain."

***

The Bifrost

"What troubles you, gatekeeper?" Loki inquired.

"I turned my gaze upon you in Jotunheim but could neither hear you nor see you. You were shrouded from me like the Frost Giants that entered this realm." Heimdall said suspiciously.

"Perhaps your senses have weakened after your many years of service." Loki suggested.

"Or perhaps one has found a way to hide that which he does not wish for me to see."

"You have great power, Heimdall." Loki started, dodging the accusation. "Did Odin ever fear you?"

"No."

"And why is that?" Olivia asked.

"Because he is my king and I am sworn to obey him."

"He was your king. And you are sworn to obey me now, yes?" Loki asked.

"Yes."

"Then you will open the Bifrost to no one until we repair the damage that my brother has done." Loki said as he and Olivia left the chamber, mounted their horses, and rode back to the palace.

***

A few hours later

Standing on the balcony, Loki overlooked the kingdom. Olivia was asleep in her chambers at this time. The day was taxing on her and Loki knew that. He'd let her sleep. They had matters to attend to soon and he wanted her well rested.

Besides, after he saw the Bifrost be activated and heard that Sif and the Warriors Three were missing, he knew what must be done. It was best if Olivia didn't know about it.

He made his way down to the weapons vault. Banging the spear on the floor once, one of the walls melted away. Out came The Destroyer, the robot protector that obeyed every command given by the King.

"Ensure my brother does not return. Destroy everything." Loki commanded.

***

Olivia was now awake and the pair of them rode back out to the Bifrost. They were met again by Heimdall, but he had a grave expression on his face.

"Tell me, Loki, how did you manage to get the Jotuns into Asgard?" Heimdall asked.

"You think the Bifrost is the only way in and out of this realm? There are secret pathways that you are blind to even with all your gifts. But I have need of them no longer. As King, I hearby revoke your duties as gatekeeper and you are no longer a citizen of Asgard." Loki hissed.

"Loki, I think-" Olivia started.

"Then I need no longer obey you." Heimdall said. He picked up his sword in a quick, deft movement.

"Loki!" Olivia cried, fearful for her life as well as Loki's. Though, it seemed Loki was already prepared. He waved his arms and suddenly the Casket materialized in his hands. Activating it, a blast of ice engulfed Heimdall, freezing him before he could strike. Loki's form changed to his Frost Giant one as Heimdall froze solid in a pose pointing his sword dead ahead. A moment later and he would have speared Loki. He waved his hands again, and the Casket disappeared.

"Oh my gods... He... He was going to kill us!" Olivia said, gripping Loki's arm and panting with fear. Loki pulled her close and stroked her head.

"He can't hurt us like this. We'll leave Giants posted here so he can't escape." Loki reassured her.

"At this rate, I'd rather the Frost Giants actually murder Odin so he can't reinstate Heimdall." Olivia muttered.

"I know, but what would Mother think?" Loki reasoned. Olivia just nodded into his chest, taking a few deep breaths. "Now, shall we finish this?"

"Yes." Olivia said, pulling away. She and Loki approached the navigator. He inserted the staff inside and opened the bridge for the Frost Giants to come in. A moment later, five of them were standing inside the dome. Four soldiers and Laufey.

"Welcome to Asgard." Loki said, before he and Olivia led them to the palace.

Gods, I hope this works. Olivia thought.

***

"I have a really bad feeling about this..." Olivia commented after they had pointed the Frost Giants in the direction of Odin's chambers. They followed close behind, ready for when they would swoop in and save the day. "Something's not right."

"My dove. You worry too much, we'll be fine." Loki told her.

"Yes, but Frigga's in there as well. What if she gets hurt? Or what if it all goes wrong in ways we can't even fathom?" Olivia replied, picking at her lip. She picked off a layer of dead skin and tasted a little blood on her lower lip. Still, she kept picking. They approached the doors to make their move. "I'm nervous. Something's telling me something else is going on."

"It will be fine. Once we finish this, everything will be back to normal." Loki said. Olivia let out a snort.

"Nothing's been normal since the coronation, you and I both know this." She said.

"That's true. Now, shall we finish this?" Loki asked. Sighing, Olivia nodded as she slowly and silently opened the door. The first thing she noticed was Frigga lying on the ground, presumably unconscious. Then, her gazed snapped to Laufey hovering over Odin with a knife in his grip.

"... So that you may know that your death came at the hands of Laufey." He said, before raising the dagger. Before he could do anything, Loki aimed the spear at him and blasted him away.

"And your death came by the Son of Odin." He replied, before delivering one last blast. Thus, his birth father was no more. Frigga came to and raced over to embrace her son.

"Loki, you saved him!" She said.

"I swear to you, Mother. They will pay for what they've done." Loki assured her.

"Loki!" Came a voice from the doorway. The three of them turned around, shocked to see Thor standing there.

"Thor! I knew you'd return to us!" Frigga said running over to embrace her other son. Thor looked at Loki and Olivia with a slightly harsh look in his eyes. Olivia saw in Loki's eyes that he was panicking. And he was hurt. He just saved Odin, and now Thor was suddenly the most important thing in the room.

"Why don't you tell them?" Thor said to Loki, the pair circling each other defensively. "How you sent the Destroyer to kill our friends, to kill me?"

"What??" Olivia and Frigga said at the same time?

"That's not true, is it?" Olivia asked.

"Oh, I must have been enforcing Father's last command." Loki replied smoothly.

"So it is true! Loki, why? Why would you do this?" Olivia asked. He looked at her, realizing his mistake.

"You're a talented liar, brother, you always have been." Thor replied, reclaiming Loki's attention.

"It's good to have you back." Loki replied snarkily. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to destroy Jotunheim." He aimed the spear at Thor, before blasting him with energy, sending Thor crashing through the wall and out into the night.

Loki left the room in a hurry, not even sparing Olivia a second glance. It's not like she would have noticed anyways. She was in a sort of daze, unable to fathom what just happened, what she just found out. All Olivia did was stand in the middle of the room, staring ahead blankly as if she were an apparition. Her heart was beating furiously and she felt her hands quivering. She had sensed something was off earlier and now she understood.

She was brought back to reality after she felt Frigga grab her wrist. Blinking, Olivia turned to face her.

"You have to go to them, try and stop them from hurting each other." Frigga told her.

"I... I don't understand... What happened?" Olivia said meekly, not fully registering the command.

"I do not know. Maybe something snapped. As Midgardians say it, I think finding out his heritage was 'the straw that broke the camel's back.' You have to difuse the situation. Loki will listen to you, I'm sure of it."

"What will happen to us?"

"Worry about that later. Go." Frigga said, lightly pushing Olivia in the direction of the door. The idea finally set in, and picking up her skirts, Olivia bolted out of the palace. By the gods, she really hated that dress. Fed up with it, she finally just ripped the skirt off, leaving just the top armor and the pants and boots she wore underneath.

She found her horse in the stable and mounted it. Without a second's hesitation, Olivia snapped the reins and rode down the Bifrost, where she could see the bridge activated and she could hear yelling.

Time was running thin.

She arrived at the chamber and swiftly dismounted. Shocked, Olivia saw the two brothers fighting tooth and nail with each other. They'd had their spats in the past, sure. However, this time it really seemed like they could kill each other if they wanted. She sent her horse back and ran to the chamber's entrance.

"Loki, please! You have to stop this!" She yelled. He looked over at her, the murderous look in his eyes dissipating in an instant. Thor took the opportunity and he collided with Loki, shooting them through the wall of the chamber to crash onto the bridge. Too many things were going on and Olivia felt drained. Emotionally, mostly.

She saw Loki seemingly hanging off the edge of the bridge. Thor of course went to help, but Olivia knew it was just a clone. The real Loki came up behind him and knocked him down.

A circle of Lokis appeared and surrounded Thor, going in to strike.

"ENOUGH!" Thor roared as he summoned lightning to knock out the clones and knock the real Loki down.

"Thor, Loki! You must stop this! You're going to kill each other, for Frigga's sake!" Olivia tried to reason, but neither of them seemed to hear.

The Bifrost was becoming more and more unstable, and Olivia knew it could only take so much. Thor approached his brother lying on the bridge, and later his hammer on top of him to keep him from moving. Loki tried to pry it off, but of course, he couldn't even budge Mjolnir. Thor slowly made his way back to the gate, which Olivia took as a time to make her way over to Loki. She bent down and tried to move the hammer. Again, it wouldn't move.

The chamber started to collapse, and where the bridge extended into the cosmos, a wormhole started to form.

"Why are you doing this? Loki, this is not going to fix anything!" Olivia told him. Then, the hammer flew back over to Thor. After a moment, he began to pound the hammer into the bridge, cracking and breaking it. Loki sat up next to Olivia.

"What are you doing? If you destroy the bridge, you'll never see her again!" Loki screamed at Thor.

Her? Thor found a woman? On Midgard? Olivia thought.

"Forgive me, Jane." Thor said. Finally, after repeated blows, Thor brought the hammer down one more time. The bridge broke and shards went everywhere as it exploded. A brilliant flash of white light emitted as well. The chamber collapsed and started to get sucked into the wormhole that had formed. Olivia found herself gripping onto something, feeling the pull. Opening her eyes, she saw she had Loki's hand clasped in hers and Thor with a tight hold on her ankle, keeping her from falling. Olivia could barely glance behind her, but she saw Odin to her surprise keeping a hold onto Thor.

She held on tight to Loki. He was seemingly floating as he was the closest to being sucked in.

"I could have done it, Father! For you! For all of us!" Loki yelled over the sound of debris falling. No one said a word.

"No, Loki." Odin replied. Olivia squeezed her eyes shut. Gods, sometimes she wanted to rip Odin's head off. Reopening them, she saw a look in Loki's eyes she had never seen before. Accepting, determined, something like that.

Even if Loki had never had that expression, Olivia understood what was going on.

If they survived this, neither of them could go back to normal. They'd both be punished. But there was still a chance for Olivia. She could walk away free if...

"Loki, please, no!" She said, tears pouring down her face. "I can't lose you! Please! Think about this!"

Their eyes met with a bright intensity. No, Loki didn't want to. But it was the only chance for her to walk away from what happened. He'd do it for her. Besides, it's not like it mattered anyways. It seemed that in Odin's mind, he was still unworthy.

"I love you. I'm sorry." Loki said to her, before he smiled at her softly...

And let go.

Olivia screamed as she tried to reach out. Tried to grab him back. But it was too late. Loki was too far away. She could hear Thor's distress behind her, but she didn't care. Loki slowly shrank away almost to nothing as he fell further and further away.

Olivia didn't think twice before trying to shake Thor's grip. She had to go after him. They'd wind up together, wherever they ended up. Nothing else mattered to her. Thor's grip was just too strong, though.

Eventually, the wormhole closed and the space around Asgard was silent once more.

Olivia felt herself being dragged back onto the broken bridge. She felt lifeless and deflated. She gazed out over the broken edge, tears rolling down her cheeks. After a few minutes, she finally fully processed everything.

Letting out a loud sob, Olivia completely collapsed onto her stomach and sobbed into her arms. Sobbed like she never had before.

In just a single moment, she had lost everything.

***

The Next Night

Apparently Thor's return home warranted a party in the palace. Even if Odin insisted that she be there, Olivia refused. There was no way in Hel that she would be celebrating after what had happened to her.

For the first few hours of the party, Olivia let out some aggressions on training dummies in the training arena. She didn't even regret the fact that they were absolutely destroyed after. It helped her to pretend the dummies were Odin. Her distain for him had bloomed into a fully fledged hatred.

The next few hours she spent in her chambers. She was in her night garments and under the covers, on and off sobbing into her pillow. When she wasn't crying, she stared off into nothingness. She either felt extreme sadness or extreme nothingness. Sad and angry were her only emotions.

One of the times Olivia was staring into space, she heard a soft knock on the door. She sat up and wiped her eyes.

"Come in." She croaked. The door opened and Frigga stepped inside. Olivia felt a little relief. She would have turned away anyone else. Neither of them exchanged any words. Frigga just sat down on Olivia's bed and opened her arms. Olivia practically collapsed into her embrace, once again starting to sob. Frigga softly stroked her hair as she let Olivia cry into her chest.

Olivia had said earlier that she wanted to be left alone, but Frigga knew all she really needed was a mother's love and time.

***

One Year Later

"The Allfather has requested your presence in the throne room, my lady." A guard said after Olivia opened her door. She looked at him coldly through the three inches she had her door open. She knew the guard was just giving her the message, so why should she give him a nasty look? Truthfully, her logic and reasoning had been all over the place for about a year. Sighing, she nodded and shut the door. She would go, but she wouldn't make any attempts to look like less of a mess.

She met Thor in the hallway in front of the throne room.

"Any idea what this is about?" Olivia asked, a slight edge to her tone.

"No." Thor replied simply before they went inside. Odin sat on the throne and looked at the two of them with a sort of expression Olivia couldn't place. Thor got down on one knee as was expected. Odin looked at Olivia expectantly, but she just crossed her arms and stared back at him coldly, her lips pursed. Was it rude and disrespectful? Absolutely, and Olivia relished the feeling.

"You requested us?" She asked.

"Yes. I have unexpected news and I need both of you to take care of it." Odin replied. Before Olivia could make a snarky quip, Thor apoke up.

"What is it, Father?" He asked.

"Loki is alive and is preparing an attack on Midgard."

***

To be Continued....

***

A/N

For those of you who are interested, I drew what Olivia's outfit changes are throughout this chapter (so imagine pants and boots under the skirt of the dress)

Hope you enjoyed, my dudes!