62Chapter 1: He Kindly Stopped For Me
Loki knew as soon as he saw the Black Order's ship looming on the horizon that he didn't have much time and limited time quickly became no time.
The onslaught began.
It was complete chaos. The ship was split in half as the enemy ship rammed into them. His people shrieked as they were torn from the ship and tossed into the cold recesses of space. Thanos himself soon followed with his minions striking down Asgardians left and right as they fled. Thor, Valkyrie and the gladiators on the remaining half of the ship rushed straight into the slaughter trying to hold back the enemy long enough for the civilians to flee. Loki didn't lift a finger to help. He knew Thanos, it would be of no use.
He needed a plan. He cursed viciously under his breath as he slunk into the shadows. Think! Think! He willed himself. Even with the Tesseract in hand, Loki couldn't use it well enough to best Thanos, not when he already had the power stone firmly tucked into his golden gauntlet. No, whatever he did he needed to play the long game. Lose now to win later. Thank the Norns he had experience in that realm. If only Thanos had come a bit earlier, then Hela and him would have sorted themselves out and the rest of them could have escaped. Hela would have—
His brain stopped. That. That was it. Loki breathed in. They needed Hela. A shiver ran down his spine just thinking of her. His sister's final guttural scream as she struggled alone against Suter echoed in his mind. A plan began to take shape in his head.
Oh, this would be a tricky piece of magic indeed.
"The Tesseract or your brother's head. I assume you have a preference." Thanos ordered his hand squeezing Thor's head.
"Hah," Thor breathed out, "If that's what you're after we don't have it the Tesseract was destroyed with Asgard!"
Thor took in the shared look between Loki and Thanos. His eyes widened as he realized the truth.
"Kill away." Loki shot out, trying his best to look uncaring. Thanos drove the power stone against Thor's head and the screaming began. They were bloodcurdling sounds, Thor should not be making those sounds. His vocal chords seemed to be rearranging themselves and Loki just couldn't take it, "Enough. Enough."
I'm so sorry brother, Loki prayed silently, I thought I was strong enough. That I could be the hero and make this sacrifice, but I will always be greedy.
Blood dribbled down Thor's lips, splattering to the floor.
"I have it." Loki flexed his hand and the Tesseract fell from where he had safely tucked in between dimensions, "Take it." He said holding it out to Thanos.
"Wise choice." The Titan said, dropping Thor to the ground in a bloody heap. Thanos took the cube and crushed it, gently slipping the blue space stone into his gauntlet.
"We're done here balance has been obtained." Thanos started to walk away.
"Wait," Loki called, "If you're returning to Earth you'll need a guide." Loki held his arms wide in a welcoming greeting.
"And you think your failure makes you a worthy guide?" Ebony Maw sneered.
"I think my experience makes me a worthy guide. Unless any of you can claim to have been to the planet before?" Loki asked staring down each of the Order's members.
"You're just the worst brother." Thor gasped out. That, that stung. It stung to know his brother might die thinking so little of him. But if he made it, if they both made it, he would thank him later. Thor went to spit more venom, but Maw waved his hand and the metal from the hull wrapped itself around his brother silencing him and binding him in place. All Thor could do was watch. That was probably for the best this would be hard enough as it was.
"Brother, I promise you the sun will shine on us again," Loki said. This time that would be a promise he would give his life to keep. Loki turned slowly back to where Thanos was looking at the two of them, a thoughtful look on his face.
"And why should I trust you little Asgardian?" Thanos asked cocking his head to the side. Loki could tell his audacity had caught the Titan's interest momentarily.
"Because I am not Asgardian and I shall swear it to you." Loki took a knee, "I, Loki son of Odin rightful ruler of Jotunheim," His eyes met Thor's as his brother stilled when he realized what he was about to do. He summoned his dagger, "Swear my undying fealty to you." Sorry, Thor, I hope to see you again brother with that he stabbed upwards towards Thanos's neck.
"You should have chosen your words more wisely trickster," Thanos chuckled, his gem stopping the knife mere inches from his jugular, "Undying was far too much even for you."
Thanos lashed out with his other arm wrapping his fingers around Loki's neck. He couldn't breathe. The fingers tightened. He vaguely heard muffled thrashing coming from Thor's direction. That was his brother valiant to the last, but he didn't dare try to face the look of horror on Thor's face.
With the last of Loki's energy, he glared at the Titan willing all his magic into one final spell, "You… you will never be a god." He choked out. Then there was a snap, and everything faded to black.
Author's Note: So this is my response to Loki's death scene. I really do hope that his death has some role in the next movie. Also I didn't put the Hulk in because I couldn't remember exactly how that part of the movie went so just assume that Banner has already been sent to Earth courtesy of Heimdall. Also I've been meaning to write a fic with more Hela, Loki, and Thor interaction I felt like it's currently a little under-explored in the fandom so this hits two birds with one stone. The title is from the Emily Dickinson Poem by the same name. This story has not been Beta read so all mistakes are my own. As always please read and review!
