Asgard. The Throne Room.
Loki sat on Hlidskjalf, the high seat of Odin. His mind was a storm.
Just an hour ago, he was a prince. Proud. Royal. The son of the All-Father.
Now? He was a monster. A Frost Giant runt. A political pawn stolen from a battlefield.
The love he felt for his family was curdling into bitterness. Odin's "love" was a lie. Frigga's affection was pity. And Thor... Thor was the golden child who never had to wonder if he belonged.
"I am a stolen relic," Loki thought, gripping Gungnir, the spear of kings. "Locked away until useful."
"Well, I am useful now."
Footsteps echoed in the hall. The Warriors Three—Volstagg, Fandral, Hogun—and Lady Sif strode in.
They looked at the empty throne, expecting Odin. Instead, they saw Loki.
"All-Father," Sif began, then stopped. "Loki? Where is Odin?"
"Father has fallen into the Odinsleep," Loki announced, his voice smooth and cold. "Mother fears he may not wake."
"We wish to speak with her," Sif demanded.
"She refuses to leave his side," Loki replied. "You may address me. I am King now."
The warriors exchanged uneasy glances. They knelt, reluctantly.
"My King," Sif said through gritted teeth. "We ask you to end Thor's banishment."
Loki's expression hardened. "My first decree cannot be to undo the All-Father's last command. We are on the brink of war with Jotunheim. The people need stability. They need a strong leader. Not a banished prince."
"But—" Volstagg tried to argue.
"Enough!" Loki slammed Gungnir on the floor. "The decision stands. Thor remains on Midgard."
"Wait for my word," Loki dismissed them.
As they left, Loki knew they would disobey. They were loyal to Thor, not the throne. Not to him.
"They will go to him," Loki whispered to the empty hall. "They will try to bring him back."
"And Father... even in his sleep, he plots for Thor's return. The hammer. The test."
"He never wanted me," Loki realized, the pain transforming into cold resolve. "He only kept me as a spare. Plan B."
"Well, Plan B is in charge now."
"Thor doesn't want the throne anyway," Loki reasoned, twisting the logic to suit his hurt. "He wants glory. He wants battles. Let him rot on Earth. Let him be a mortal."
"I will be the King Asgard needs. I will destroy Jotunheim. I will prove I am worthy. More worthy than the Golden Boy."
"And if Thor tries to return..." Loki's eyes flashed green. "I will stop him."
New Mexico. SHIELD Containment Cell.
Thor stared at the ceiling. The stark white lights hummed.
He was a prisoner. Or a "guest," as Fury called it. But he felt like a failure.
He couldn't lift Mjolnir. He couldn't go home. He couldn't even fly.
"Is this the test?" Thor wondered. "To sit in a box and feel useless?"
"Brother."
A familiar voice cut through the silence.
Thor sat up. There, standing in the cell, was Loki. Wearing a fine Asgardian suit, looking sad and regal.
"Loki!" Thor's face lit up. He scrambled to his feet. "You're here! Is Father okay? Did he send you?"
Loki's expression was a mask of grief.
"I had to come," Loki said softly. "To say goodbye."
"Goodbye?" Thor's smile faltered. "Why? Can't I come home?"
"Father is dead," Loki lied.
Thor froze. The world stopped spinning.
"What?" Thor whispered.
"The strain of your banishment... it was too much," Loki said, his voice trembling with fake sorrow. "He collapsed. He didn't wake up."
"No..." Thor staggered back, tears filling his eyes. "I... I killed him?"
"He loved you, Thor," Loki said, placing a hand on his brother's shoulder. "But he couldn't bear the shame. And with his last breath... he made me King."
"And the truce with Jotunheim," Loki continued, "depends on your exile. You can never return. If you do, it means war."
Thor sank to the floor, broken.
"I understand," Thor sobbed. "I... I accept my punishment. I will stay here. To protect Asgard."
"Goodbye, brother," Loki said, turning to leave.
"Loki," Thor called out. "Can I... can I come home just to say goodbye? To see him one last time?"
"No," Loki said firmly. "The people... they don't want you. They blame you."
Loki walked out of the cell, leaving Thor shattered.
As he walked away, Loki's sad face melted into a smirk.
"Goodbye, Thor," Loki whispered.
But he didn't notice the security camera in the corner. Or the fact that Nick Fury was watching the whole thing.
And Fury had a copy of the diary.
[Loki's Lies 101: "Father is dead." Classic move. Don't believe him, Thor!]
Fury watched the screen, narrowing his eye.
"He's good," Fury admitted. "But he's not that good."
"Time to intervene."
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