Trigger warning for a mention of rape.

***

On Asgard, the Queen was visibly trying to prepare herself as one of her sons was dragged in front of her. While he was not her son by blood, she had raised him. It still pained her to see him be brought to the throne room. "Loki," she whispered.

Loki stopped in the center of the room, took one look at her, and smirked. "Hello, Mother. Have I made you proud?"

"Please, don't make this worse," Frigga begged.

Loki looked down at the shackles on his neck and wrists, then held them up. "Define 'worse.'"

"Enough!" Frigga closed her eyes when her husband's voice boomed. "I will speak to the prisoner alone."

Frigga left without another word, leaving Loki to face the Allfather alone. He laughed as he was brought closer to the throne. "I really don't see what all the fuss is about."

"Do you not truly feel the gravity of your crimes?" Odin growled. "Wherever you go, there is war, ruin, and death."

"I wanted to rule the people of Earth as a benevolent god, just like you," Loki retorted.

"We are not gods!" Odin bellowed. "We are born, we live, we die, just as humans do."

Loki shrugged. "Give or take five thousand years."

Odin scoffed. "All because Loki desires a throne."

"It's my birthright!" Loki protested.

"Your birthright was to die as a child!" Odin snapped. "Cast out onto a frozen rock. If I had not taken you in, you would not be here now to hate me."

"If I had fully asked for true mercy, I'd say just swing it," Loki rolled his eyes. "It's not that I don't love our little talks, it's just . . . I don't love them."

"Frigga is the only reason you are still alive, and you will never see her again," Odin declared. "You will spend the rest of your days in the dungeon."

"And what of Thor?" Loki raised an eyebrow. "You'll make that witless oaf king while I rot in chains?"

"Thor must strive to undo the damage you have done," Odin retorted. "He will bring order to the Nine Realms, and then yes, he will be king."

***

In Vanaheim, Sif was having a difficult time keeping an eye out for each of her friends. There were Fandra, Volstagg, and Hogun, members of the Warriors Three, but there was still no -

She felt a rush of wind behind her and turned to see the Bifrost neatly deposit the person she was looking for in the middle of the battlefield. With one swing of his hammer, several of the invaders were sent flying. Sif mockingly glared at him. "I've got this completely under control!"

Thor raised an eyebrow and made an exaggerated gesture around them. "Is that why everything's on fire?"

Sif just rolled her eyes, watching Thor's back as the two of them fought together. She caught something out of the corner of her eye, then raised her shield to cover Thor. The spear thrown by one of the invaders punctured it, and Thor turned, startled. He took one look at the spear, then looked at Sif in surprise. "You're welcome," she said dryly.

Thor gave her a grin, then they both froze when they heard a massive bellow. They turned to see a giant, lumbering creature made of stone tromp its way across the battlefield, swinging Asgardian soldiers out of the way. As the invaders cheered, the two exchanged glances, and Sif raised an eyebrow. "All yours."

Thor nodded and walked forward towards the creature. "Hello," he greeted it casually. The creature roared at him, and Thor nodded. "I accept your surrender." The invaders burst out laughing, but Thor just swung his hammer hard, throwing it up at the creature.

It shattered into rubble with one blow, and the laughter was instantly cut off. Thor took back his hammer and looked around, one eyebrow raised. "Anyone else?" he asked casually.

The air was filled with the sound of steel hitting the ground, and the invaders all knelt in surrender. Fandral rode up, took a look around, and snorted. "Perhaps next time we should start with the big one!" he quipped.

***

"Where do we go next?" Hogun asked as he joined Thor in walking around, surveying the damage to Vanaheim.

Thor turned to his longtime friend and shook his head. "Hogun, the future is nearly won when we cross the Nine Realms. You should stay here and be with your people, where your heart is. Asgard can wait."

Hogun seemed surprised, then bowed his head in respect. "You have my thanks."

"As you have mine," Thor smiled. The two clasped arms in a warrior's salute, and Hogun walked off. Thor nodded and looked up to the sky. "Heimdall, when you're ready!"

Hogun looked back one last time to see the Bifrost transport Thor back to Asgard, and then he continued on to be with the Vanir.

***

Thor walked out onto a palace balcony to see Odin overlooking soldiers training. "Is Vanaheim secure?" he asked.

"As are Nornheim and Ria, though our work would have gone more quickly with you in form," Thor nodded, giving his report.

Odin gave him a look. "You must think I'm a piece of bread that needs to be buttered so heavily."

"That was not my intent," Thor promised.

Odin just smiled grimly. "The first time since the Bifrost was destroyed, the Nine Realms are in piece. We're well reminded of our strength, and you have earned their respect and my gratitude."

"Thank you," Thor bowed his head, accepting the praise.

"Nothing out of order except your confused and distracted heart."

Thor sighed. "This isn't about Jane Foster, father."

"Human lives are fleeting. They're nothing. You'd be better served by what lies in front of you." Thor turned to see where Odin was gestured, and his gaze landed on Sif as she easily defended herself against the others. "I'm telling you this not as the Allfather, but as your father. You are ready. The time has come for you to take the throne. Embrace it. Celebrate what you have won. Join your warriors, eat and drink, revel in their celebration. At least pretend to enjoy yourself."

+++

"You still look like you went through a blender," Saleen noted as she set a mug of hot chocolate down in front of her best friend.

"Can you blame me?" Jessie asked tiredly as she wrapped her shaking hands around the mug.

Saleen watched with an eagle eye as some of the liquid sloshed over, then she shook her head. "No, I can't," she admitted, sitting down across from her. "This is why it's never a good idea to stay in one place, Jessie."

"Your main reason for moving about is because one of us could get raped at any spontaneous moment?" Jessie raised an eyebrow.

"No, but if we stay too long, we get too involved," Saleen corrected. "We get recognized."

"You're already a candidate for full-ride at NYU," Jessie shook her head. "Don't waste that because of me."

"Jessie, you have years left with those sick bastards," Saleen stared at her. "You honestly want to stay?"

"Saleen, you're my best friend, and I love you, but I would prefer just to pass out in bed and stay that way for a while," Jessie closed her eyes. "And try and make these memories go away. But we are not leaving."

"Hmm." Saleen wisely left it at that. "We'll talk later."

Jessie picked up her mug and headed towards her bedroom before pausing. "Saleen?"

"Hmm?" her fellow mutant looked up from getting a glass of water.

Jessie swallowed. "Thanks for coming to get me."

Saleen held out her arms. "Isn't that what friends are for?"

"Oh, just take a thank you," Jessie rolled her eyes.

Saleen just stuck out her tongue, and Jessie finally left, heading for bed.

There were many times during the rest of the year that Jessie woke screaming from nightmares. It was a miracle she went through her remaining years at the middle school with the grades she did. When Saleen got her full ride to NYU, that was the clincher for having them stay.

When they were both freshmen at their respective schools - New York University for Saleen and Ericksburg High for Jessie - their lives went back to hell.

+++

"Ward said you wanted to see me?" Jessie plopped herself down in one of the comfy chairs.

Phil Coulson looked up from the report he was reading and raised an eyebrow. "Good morning to you, too, Jessie."

"I just got a solid three hours of sleep with a nightmare," Jessie held up the thermos. "It's getting there."

"Ah. I'll make this quick, then." He handed the report over to Jessie. "This just came in from London, where Dr. Foster and her assistant are currently working."

Jessie read the report, then raised an eyebrow. "Saleen is the sciency one, Coulson. I can't make any sense of this."

"It's similar to what Dr. Selvig was working on."

Jessie looked up, eyes wide. "You think this could be an issue?"

"We don't know," Coulson shook his head. "But the Director needs my team still circulating around. You'll be flying out on a Quinjet tonight for London to check in with them."

Jessie looked down at the paper, then took a deep breath. "Do you think Thor might show up?"

"I think it's very likely," Coulson nodded, watching Jessie look much more relieved as she stood to leave. "He's one of your favorites, isn't he?"

Jessie smiled sadly. "He was always one of the kindest following sleepless nights."

"Enjoy the time change!" Coulson called after her as she left.

"Not likely!" Jessie shouted back.

Coulson couldn't help but chuckle as she closed the door a bit harder than was necessary. "Don't ever change, Vertigo."

***

As you can see, this will be a bit like Series 3 and 4 of "Apocalypse Rising," where a lot of backstory is in flashbacks throughout the current story.

I still think it'll work out pretty well, though. :)

And speaking of the Apocalypse, we should be getting Jane next chapter! :D Stay tuned!