CHAPTER 182

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Seeing how the Corn feels rather good today, and y'all voted a lot yesterday, I have decided to do a double release later today.

Rejoice.

With love, Corn.

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[Sif POV]

Alex had won.

But he felt different.

"Alex," I muttered, running towards him.

But as I ran, his cold gaze stopped me.

"Erasing pocket dimension," Alex spoke, as everything around us started to crumble.

Was that really Alex?

"I see now," The Ancient One chuckled, as I turned to look at her.

"What is happening to Alex," I asked, she had to know, she knew him better than anyone else.

"That what you see, is the manifestation of Alex's power, the embodiment of symmetry," The Ancient One began, talking a few steps forward, "However, it seems that without Alex's input, his power was capable of doing much more,"

"Will… he go back to his usual self," I muttered, as Alex snapped his head at me.

"Affirmative," Alex spoke, "Exiting self-recovery mode,"

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[The Ancient One POV]

I finally understood how Alex operated.

He wasn't symmetrical, he was the embodiment of symmetry.

One moment, he was losing, and the next, his power had increased to the point he eclipsed even the likes of Dormammu.

It was… incredible.

And mildly terrifying.

The moment his power increased.

All signs of Alex disappeared.

Leaving what could only be described as a computer.

No more I would see the marks of his asymmetry.

What stood in front of us, was perfect.

Both physically and magically wise.

No flaws.

No emotions.

Just it.

I explained that to Sif, that almost seemed scared at how Alex was acting.

Not that I blamed her.

All spark of life in his eyes gone.

Leaving just an emotionless husk of the man we knew.

Even at my marvel, the sight of such a change was unnerving.

"Affirmative," Alex spoke, "Exiting self-recovery mode,"

I blinked.

His body fell to the ground as soon as he spoke those words.

His body and power, returning to what once was, as we were abruptly kicked out of the dimension were once were.

Leaving up in the middle of the desert where we had started the raid.

"Brother!" Thor was the first to move, rushing to Alex's side.

Soon, the rest followed, including me.

He was okay.

I could feel it.

And now, I could also feel his little defects within, the little things that made him, him.

I smiled.

I was glad.

"We have to take him home, he needs time to recover," I stated.

"No," Bucky shook his head, "If the girls see him like this, they will panic,"

"Then what do you suggest?" Sif asked, grabbing Alex's hand.

"Take him to Asgard, or with you, Ancient One," Bucky sighed, "The last thing he would want to do would be to scare the girls,"

I nodded, he had a point.

"He will come with me then," Thor nodded.

"Are you sure? I don't mind," I replied.

Thor turned his head to me, "I failed to protect him once, I won't fail again,"

I blinked, "What about Loki,"

Thor sighed, looking down, "I will do whatever is necessary,"

Impressive.

"Thor might not be able to kill Loki if the situation calls for it, but I will," Sif hissed, grabbing Alex's hand tight.

"Very well," I nodded.

Not like Loki could harm him, if that part of Alex decided to awake once again, Loki would be gone before he could plan his next revenge.

"I will take care of the girls," Bucky nodded.

I looked at him and smiled, "I'll help,"

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[Thor Odinson POV]

I arrived at Asgard with Alex in my arms.

The ones to receive me were my father, my mother, Loki, and Heimdall.

"What happened?" Father asked, seemingly lost.

"Alex… overexerted himself, he needs time to recover," I replied, looking at Loki, who was trying to hide a smile.

He dared?!

After all, Alex went through, to smile at his suffering!?

"YOU DARE!" I roared, my power cracking the asgardian marble floor beneath me.

Loki blinked, his smile turning into a fearful gaze as he hid behind mother.

"Thor control yourself," Odin spoke, putting both of his hands on my shoulders, "You have more power now than you ever had before, and it will only continue to grow, that power fluctuates with your emotions, as a King you can't let those emotions control you,"

I was in control.

The only out of control was Loki.

"I am in full control father," I spoke, glaring at Loki, "Touch him, and not even mother will save you, little brother,"

Loki nodded.

"Thor," Mother lamented.

I didn't care.

I had seen Alex bleed and suffer more than anyone should be allowed to, I failed to protect him, I would not fail again.

"What happened?" Father asked once again.

"He battled a being no one else could've and came out victorious," I replied, walking past them, Sif at my side, she had remained silent during the exchange, simply standing by my side, ready to strike however tried to touch Alex with ill intent.

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[Loki Odinson POV]

Thor and I had always fought.

But no matter what.

Thor was always the same.

A fool.

However.

Today.

His eyes frightened me.

They promised pain.

Lots of it.

For the first time in my life, I was actually afraid of him.

His power, his rage, everything was different.

"Don't mind Thor baby," Mother spoke, drawing my attention.

Was she blind? Had she not seen the murderous glare he had given me?

"Whatever happened, changed Thor," Father spoke, taking a deep breath.

That much was fucking evident.

"For the better, or for the worse?" I dared to ask.

"Time will tell," Father sighed.

I suppose he was right.

But now, I want to know.

What in the hell happened.

Even Sif seemed different.

They both seemed powerful, of course, Sif paled in Thor's comparison, but still.

They both felt, like monsters, compared to what I was used to.

"Well, time to start packing honey," Father chuckled, snapping his fingers to change his royal clothes to… a tropical set.

"Packing for what?" Mother asked.

"Well, I retired… Thor is King now," Father replied, and I almost choked on my saliva, same for mother, as we both broke into a fit of coughs.

"WHAT?" I shouted.

"Thor is the All-Father now," Father sighed, "He claimed the power of Asgard, and now he's the king,"

He… he never ever considered me a worthy successor, that was his plan all along, to give his golden child the throne, while I rotted in a corner.

"Why him?!" I asked, seething with anger, I had to know, why him, and not me.

Father sighed, as if picking his words carefully, "He never wanted the throne, all you ever did, was want the damned throne, there is more to life than that."

That was all? 

No…

That throne was supposed to be mine!

But…. could I really face Thor now?

"Loki, you are shaking," Mother muttered, her arms wrapping around me in a hug.

I guess I had my answer.