SHIELD Crater Base.
"It's a bold strategy," Coulson admitted. "Using ourselves as bait to trigger a diary entry."
"But it's the only way," Fury countered. "We can't ask him directly. The System punishes us. But if we create a spectacle... a headline... Lucas will write about it. And in his commentary, he might reveal the key to Thor's redemption."
Thor nodded. He was willing to try anything. Being mortal was exhausting. He had to eat three times a day. And he couldn't fly. It was barbaric.
"So," Thor asked, "what is the plan?"
"We stage a fight," Tony suggested over the comms. "Iron Man vs. Thor. A rematch. But this time, I let you win. Make it look like you're regaining your strength."
"Lucas will see it," Tony explained. "He'll write, 'Wow, Thor is getting stronger! Maybe he figured out the secret!' And then he'll hopefully explain what that secret is."
"Fine," Thor agreed. "But make it look convincing, Metal Man. I do not wish to be pitied."
Meanwhile, on Asgard.
Loki stood in the Weapons Vault, staring at the Casket of Ancient Winters.
The blue glow reflected in his eyes. He reached out, his hand trembling. As his skin touched the artifact, it didn't burn. It turned blue.
Blue. Like a Frost Giant.
"Stop!" A voice boomed behind him.
Loki turned. Odin stood there, looking old and weary.
"Am I cursed?" Loki asked, his voice shaking.
"No," Odin said softly.
"Then what am I?" Loki demanded.
"You are my son," Odin replied, pain etched on his face.
Loki's skin shifted back to Asgardian flesh, but the truth remained. He walked towards Odin, tears welling in his eyes.
"The Casket wasn't the only thing you took from Jotunheim that day, was it?"
"No," Odin admitted.
"In the aftermath of the battle, I went into the temple," Odin explained, his voice heavy with memory. "I found a baby. Small for a Giant's offspring. Abandoned. Left to die."
"Laufey's son."
Loki froze. "Laufey's son?"
He knew he was different. He knew he didn't fit in. But to be the son of the enemy King?
"Yes," Odin confirmed.
"Why?" Loki screamed. "You were knee-deep in Jotun blood! Why did you take me?"
"You were an innocent child," Odin said.
"No!" Loki roared. "You took me for a purpose! What was it?"
Odin sighed. The truth was ugly. But it was time.
"I thought we could unite our kingdoms one day," Odin confessed. "Bring about an alliance. Through you, bring about permanent peace."
"What?" Loki staggered back.
"But those plans no longer matter," Odin added quickly.
"No longer matter?" Loki laughed, a broken, hysterical sound. "So I am no more than another stolen relic? Locked up here until you might have use of me?"
"Why do you twist my words?" Odin asked, distressed.
Perhaps, in the beginning, it was political. A strategic adoption. But over the years, Odin had grown to love Loki as his own. Frigga loved him fiercely. He was their son.
But Loki couldn't see that now. All he saw was the lie.
"You could have told me from the start!" Loki shouted. "Why did you keep this from me?"
"You're my son!" Odin insisted. "I wanted to protect you from the truth!"
"Because I'm the monster parents tell their children about at night?" Loki yelled, tears streaming down his face.
"No, no..." Odin reached out, his strength failing.
"It all makes sense now!" Loki advanced on him. "Why you favored Thor all these years! Because no matter how much you claim to love me, you could never have a Frost Giant sitting on the throne of Asgard!"
Odin gasped. The stress was too much. The Odinsleep, long delayed, finally claimed him.
He collapsed on the steps.
Loki stopped. His anger vanished, replaced by panic.
"Father?" Loki whispered.
Odin didn't move.
"Father!" Loki shook him. "No, no, wake up!"
He was angry. He was hurt. But he didn't want this. He didn't want to kill the man who raised him.
"Guards!" Loki screamed, his voice cracking. "Guards! Help!"
The vault doors burst open. Soldiers rushed in to carry the fallen King away.
Loki stood alone in the vault, the Casket of Ancient Winters glowing blue behind him.
He was the son of Laufey. The brother of Thor. The Prince of Asgard.
And now... the Regent.
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