From Thor's tone, it sounded like Heimdall was definitely a subordinate, not a brother.
"He just shouts into the air, and Asgard hears him? What kind of technology is that?" Tony Stark was clearly more interested in the tech specs.
Shouting on Earth and being heard instantly by Heimdall across the galaxy? And then getting a precision teleport extraction? Tony was awestruck.
There was a reason Asgard was considered a god-level civilization, far ahead of Earth.
"But it also means Earth is under Asgard's constant surveillance," Fury said, his voice laced with meaning. "Asgard can monitor anywhere in the Nine Realms via the Bifrost. The myths say Heimdall watches the Giants to prevent attacks, but watching Earth? That's child's play for them."
Tony glanced at Fury, recognizing the onset of a paranoid episode. The bald director always wanted everything under his control.
But Tony had to admit, the worry was valid.
Having an alien god-civilization watching your development 24/7? Who could be comfortable with that?
Sure, they said they had no ill will now. But "ill will" might not exist for a thousand years, only to appear in year 1001.
So... Tony started getting anxious too.
After all, paranoia was contagious among control freaks.
Asgard. Odin's Bedchamber.
With Loki's help, Laufey, King of the Frost Giants, had infiltrated the palace. He crept toward the sleeping All-Father.
Odin lay still, his face peaceful in the Odinsleep.
Laufey reached the bedside. Queen Frigga drew her sword to defend her husband, but she only managed to slash one Frost Giant soldier before Laufey backhanded her, sending her sprawling across the floor.
Laufey glanced at Frigga with disdain, then turned back to Odin. He forced Odin's eye open with his thumb.
"They say you can still see and hear everything around you. I hope it's true," Laufey hissed, an ice blade forming in his hand. "So you will know that your death comes by the hand of Laufey."
He raised the blade to strike.
BOOM!
A blast of energy from Gungnir slammed into Laufey, sending him flying across the room.
The attacker was none other than the man who invited him in: Loki, the Second Prince of Asgard.
Loki stood over the wounded giant, Gungnir glowing in his hand.
"And your death," Loki said coldly, "came by the hand of the Son of Odin."
He fired another blast, disintegrating his biological father into dust.
Queen Frigga scrambled to her feet, rushing toward her youngest son with a mix of fear and relief.
"Loki! You saved him!" she cried, embracing him.
Loki looked at her, his expression serious. "I swear to you, Mother, they will pay for this."
He felt the performance was perfect. He killed a Frost Giant—who cares if it was his biological father?—and in doing so, proved his loyalty. He saved Odin. He saved Frigga. He secured his place as the hero of Asgard.
Now he had the moral high ground. When Thor returned, Loki would be the savior, and Thor would be the exile.
As for Laufey?
Loki felt nothing. Laufey had abandoned him in a temple to die because he was small. A runt. That man wasn't a father.
Odin might be biased. He might favor the foolish Thor. But Odin never abandoned him. And Frigga? Frigga loved him unconditionally.
That was why he made his choice.
He would live as Loki of Asgard, Son of Odin, future King—not as a blue-skinned monster in the frozen hell of Jotunheim.
"What a touching scene of righteous patricide."
Suddenly, a teasing voice echoed from the doorway.
Loki spun around.
There, leaning against the doorframe, was his brother Thor. And standing next to him was that monster of an Earthling.
The mocking voice belonged to Lucas.
Lucas smirked at Loki. "I have to admit, you might be weak in a fistfight, but when it comes to killing your own dad? You're a pro. Didn't hesitate for a second."
First he tries to kill his brother. Now he kills his biological father.
If there was anyone Loki wouldn't kill, it was probably only Frigga.
Seeing Thor, Frigga immediately let go of Loki and ran to her firstborn.
"Thor! I knew you would return!" she sobbed, hugging him tight.
That simple action stabbed Loki in the heart. Even after he saved Odin, she still ran to Thor first.
Thor stared coldly at Loki. His anger was suppressing his usual brotherly affection.
"Why don't you tell her?" Thor demanded, stepping forward. "Tell her how you sent the Destroyer to kill me and my friends."
"What?" Frigga pulled back, shocked. "Loki?"
"It was just enforcing Father's final orders!" Loki lied smoothly, gripping the spear.
"You've always been a talented liar, brother. Always," Thor retorted.
"It's good you're back," Loki said quickly, trying to pivot. "Now we can go destroy Jotunheim together! End the threat of the Frost Giants forever!"
He tried to distract Thor with a common enemy. He knew he couldn't beat Thor in a fight—history had proven that a thousand times.
And with that terrifying Earthling standing there? Loki had zero chance.
Damn it. Damn that mortal!
Loki screamed internally, but his face remained calm. He couldn't let his mother see the monster inside him.
That was the only thing he had left.