1 To Freedom

A blue light burst inside the dark vault. Then, someone appeared and used his magic to break the handcuffs and rip off the mouth guard. Once free, he set the glowing blue cube on the podium in Asgard's vaults. Loki was smart enough to know Thanos would come for the Tesseract sooner or later. So instead, he took the Casket of Ancient Winters.

I cannot have the Tesseract in my possession, he thought. Or else Thanos will surely kill me.

But, Loki drew on its power just a bit and teleported himself out of Asgard, knowing Odin would send Einherjar and possibly even the Warrior Three and Lady Sif after him.

So, he returned to Midgard. This time though, Loki dressed in a black suit and watched the Midgardians walk along the destroyed streets of New York City. Chitauri bodies lay everywhere. He smirked, looking at the devastation he had caused. Then, he heard someone talking.

"The Avengers were so cool. I'm so happy knowing that we're being protected by them."

"Yeah, me too. And did you see the strong dude with that weird hammer and the lightning? He's so awesome."

Loki's hands clenched into fists.

Thor, you always take everything from me, Loki thought. But this time, I'm going to take Midgard away from you. Next time, I will not fail. I will rule over all of these pathetic mortals.

He walked away from the devastation and committed grand theft auto. After acquiring the black SUV, he drove out of New York City, knowing the Avengers would try to find him. Loki floored the gas and sped down the interstate.

He drove for the rest of the day, and had to change cars a few times when the gas tank went empty. Once, he out sped a few police cars. When night fell, he was in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He parked the little white bug in front of a restaurant and stepped out. Then, Loki stared at the restaurant on the water.

Must these Midgardians have no better options? he thought.

Loki sighed, but walked up to the host at the podium. The man smiled.

"Welcome, how many?"

"One."

"Okay. Right this way, sir."

Loki followed the man to a seat at a two-person table. He sat down in one of the seats, and the waiter handed him a menu.

"Someone will be by shortly to take your order."

Loki just nodded slightly. He listened intently to the conversations around him.

"Oh my God, did you hear about what happened in New York City today?"

"I can't believe there are real superheroes looking out for us."

"But can we really trust them? What if they turn on us?"

Loki chuckled lightly to himself.

"Good evening, sir. I'm Serafina, and I'll be taking care of you tonight. What can I get you to drink?"

He looked up at the waitress that had spoken to him. She had shimmering copper hair, soft slate grey eyes, and a sandy skin tone. Her cupid-bow lips had a light pink lipstick just to add some colour.

Loki cleared his throat, "Just a water."

"Of course. I'll give you a moment to look over the menu."

She left, and he perused the dinner menu. Eventually, Serafina returned with his glass of water. She noticed his closed menu.

"Are you ready to order?"

"Yes, I'll have the fish and chips."

"A good choice, sir. I'll put your order in."

She took the menu and headed back to the kitchen. Loki watched her go.

These humans are so susceptible, he thought. They will soon kneel to me.

He sipped his water as he waited for his dinner.

Loki closed his eyes and used his magic to check on the Tesseract. He watched as Odin stormed into the vault and looked shocked to see it there.

"Where has he gone?!" Odin roared. "He has left the Tesseract here, so he must be on Asgard. Find him!"

Loki hands clenched as he watched the Allfather send out a search party of Einherjar for him. But then, he smirked, knowing that only the Tesseract could lead the others to him now. The Bifrost Bridge was still destroyed after Thor had broken it with Mjölnir. He watched as the Warriors Three and Lady Sif also went to look for him.

Perhaps they think I have gone up into the mountains, he thought. But they won't find me there. Hmm, I wonder if my oaf of a brother has made his way home to Asgard or not.

"Your fish and chips, sir."

Loki opened his eyes.

"Thank you."

Serafina nodded and went to take care of another person. Loki stared at the plate of food in front of him.

Midgardian food is so fried, he thought. How do they eat this?

Then, he heard, "Sir, please, don't."

His blue eyes flashed as he looked up. Loki saw a man reaching for Serafina's skirt. She kept stepping around, like she was dancing, to avoid the man's hands.

This is no problem of mine, he thought. Thor can try to save these Midgardians; I still intend to rule them.

Loki took a bite of his fish and grimaced.

"Asgardian food far surpasses this Midgardian slop," he muttered to himself.

"Stop, please, sir."

He heard protesting and looked up once more. Serafina was still being bothered by the other customer. His blue eyes flared with anger. Before he could stop himself, Loki was on his feet and strolling over to the other table. He stood in front of Serafina, grabbed the man's outstretched hand and bent it backwards, nearly to its breaking point.

"I don't mean to impose," he said coldly. "But when she asks you to stop, you stop. Do you understand me?"

"Oww, oww, oww. Who the fuck are you, man?"

Loki stared the man down, ignoring the question, and the man shrank in on himself.

The man burst into laughter. "Who do you think you are? The police? The feds? Do you know who I am?"

Loki's eyes darkened further. His nostrils flared as he broke the man's wrist.

"AHHH! Holy shit, asshole! I think you've broken my wrist."

"I don't care who you are. And trust me, if we were anywhere else, I'd have done much worse already," Loki snarled. "I'm sure you've heard the news of the Chitauri invasion of New York City. Anger me further, and I will unleash tenfold of that upon your home."

"Who the hell are you?"

"I am Loki Laufeyson, Prince of Asgard and the rightful King of Jotunheim."