"This really doesn't feel like you at all," Loki said incredulously as he followed Thor. "Leading a prison break, and such a covert one at that. Are you really not planning to smash your way out with brute force?"
"I'll hit you if you don't shut up," Thor warned quietly, moving with great care. He had no intention of being caught red-handed—if that happened, they wouldn't make it out of Asgard, let alone out of the prison.
"Fine, fine. You're the boss," Loki shrugged. "Anyway, I'm not really here."
As he spoke, his body instantly shifted into the form of an Asgardian soldier, spear in hand, walking alongside Thor.
"Better now?" Loki said cheerfully. "Don't I look much more pleasing to the eye?"
The voice was still Loki's, but his appearance had become that of a bearded warrior not unlike Thor himself.
"Better than your real face," Thor replied, glancing at him before quickening his pace toward the exit.
Karl remained silent, discreetly pulling out his phone and snapping a photo. This was a classic moment—one absolutely worth preserving. After all, Loki would later turn into Steve Rogers; this was priceless material.
"Still, I think we can be even more low-key," Loki said.
A flash of green light rippled outward.
Loki himself remained unchanged, but Thor suddenly transformed—now clad in Sif's silver armor.
Karl captured the scene perfectly, recording the entire transformation in crisp detail. This was pure gold—future blackmail material. Not recording Thor's darkest moments would have been a crime.
By now, Karl's phone was filled with embarrassing moments from various superheroes, starting with Tony and now Thor. Every hero Karl had encountered had their "black history" preserved on this device. It was easily the most valuable phone in the world. Tony had once offered an absurd price for it—high enough to pick any artifact he wanted from the Louvre—but Karl hadn't been tempted in the slightest.
Influenced by Karl, Tony had started his own collection as well. His phone was packed with embarrassing footage—mostly of Karl and Rhodey, followed by the original Avengers and even T'Challa. Anyone Tony met was fair game.
"Brother~~ you look absolutely stunning right now," Loki said, admiring Thor's new appearance.
Behind them, Karl was quietly snapping photos like his life depended on it.
Thor looked down and immediately noticed something was wrong. His chest felt… larger. Much larger. Then it hit him—his armor was clearly female. A second later, he realized the horrifying truth.
He had turned into a woman. Into Sif.
"If you ever turn me into this again," Thor said darkly, "I will make sure you die a very miserable death."
Though his face was dark, Thor wasn't truly angry. In fact, he felt strangely relieved. This felt familiar—like old times. Ever since Loki had learned the truth of his origins, their relationship had grown distant and awkward. Now, for the first time in a long while, it felt like when they were younger. A faint smile even crept onto Thor's face.
"Alright, alright," Loki said lightly. "Maybe you'd feel more comfortable if I turned into one of your newer friends instead?"
Green light flashed again.
This time, Loki transformed into Steve Rogers—star-spangled uniform, vibranium shield and all.
Why not Karl? Because Loki was still subconsciously avoiding him. Turning into Karl? He wouldn't dare.
Behind them, Karl eagerly recorded everything. An opportunity like this came once in a lifetime.
"Ahh, this feels much better," Loki said, flexing slightly. "Look at this physique—far better than yours. This uniform though… ugh, it's way too tight. I honestly don't understand how this guy fights in it."
"But that confidence," Loki continued enthusiastically. "It just comes naturally. I can feel justice surging through my body! Wow! Endless strength! I could fight you all day long! God bless Ameri—"
Thor clamped a hand over Loki's mouth. His voice was getting louder by the second. Had he forgotten they were fugitives?
Loki struggled, so Thor covered his nose as well—completely, without mercy.
Another flash of light, and Loki reverted to his original form. Following Thor's gaze, he spotted two patrolling guards nearby.
"Brother," Loki whispered, "shouldn't you at least give me a weapon for self-defense? Perhaps my daggers?"
Already irritated beyond reason, Thor simply tossed Loki his daggers. He wasn't worried about being stabbed in the back—he knew Loki wouldn't do it. And with Karl right behind them, Loki would behave. Fear was a powerful motivator.
---
Deep within the palace, guards lined both sides of the corridor. Sif moved swiftly and silently, dispatching them in moments before pushing open the door.
"I'm not hungry. You don't need to bring food anymore," Jane said without looking up. For days now, only servants delivering meals had come.
"Perfect," Sif replied. "Then come with me."
She glanced Jane over once, then the two immediately left the room, moving quickly down the corridor. Thor and the others were already waiting.
Jane spotted Loki instantly at Thor's side.
"You?!"
"I'm Loki," he said politely. "I believe we've met."
Her response was a sharp, resounding slap.
"This one's for New York!"
Smack.
Even Thor was stunned. Jane had clearly used all her strength—but to Loki, it was no more than a mosquito bite. Asgardians were far beyond humans physically. Loki could have knocked her head clean off if he wanted.
Loki chuckled and glanced at Thor.
"I think I'm starting to like her~~"
"Move," Thor said firmly. "Heimdall should already be in position."
He looked toward the observatory at the end of the Bifrost.
---
High atop the observatory, Heimdall stood watch as Odin arrived with his retinue.
"Heimdall," Odin said calmly, "you asked me here urgently. What have you seen?"
Odin trusted Heimdall completely—his sight spanned the Nine Realms.
"Someone has committed treason, my king," Heimdall replied evenly, as though he had already accepted the outcome.
"Who?" Odin asked, his eyes narrowing as his power began to stir.
"Me."
As Heimdall spoke, he drew the sword embedded in the platform. Instantly, more than a dozen guards rushed in, forming a protective barrier in front of Odin.
Odin stared at Heimdall. He did not believe for a moment that Heimdall had betrayed Asgard. He already understood what was happening.
Just then, a group of messengers hurried in.
"Your Majesty," the lead guard reported urgently, "the Midgardian woman has been taken."
Odin let out a long sigh. Everything was clear now.
Heimdall had called him here for one reason only—to buy them time.
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