Sing a Song of Freedom
Loki woke up early in the morning. The headache had somewhat subsided, but now he felt significantly weaker than before. His stomach started doing flips as the bright lights of the room around him blinded him. He puffed out his cheeks for a moment as the wave of nausea hit him. His eyes wandered the room aimlessly while he woke up. It was clear to him that his magic not being present was starting to take its toll.
He slowly sat up and as soon as his stomach settled again. The door opened to Coulson balancing a tray of food in one hand and a bunch of games in the other. Loki snorted a bit at the sight. Coulson set the things down on a table in the corner and sat beside Loki. "How are you feeling?"
Loki thought it was kind of a dumb question considering what had happened. But he answered nonetheless. "Weak. The headache is better at least." He paused for a second before asking, "How's retrieving the stone going?"
"Great! They actually retrieved the scepter already and are trying to figure out how to get the stone out." Loki furrowed his brow in confusion. He thought that it would have taken longer than one night to do so. Coulson didn't seem to notice as he continued. "Bruce came to check on you last night. Clint was asking if it was normal to be sleeping that much and Bruce was a bit worried after that. Thor has been dying for you to wake up so he can show you a trick he learned with Mjolnir while on the mission."
This made Loki even more confused. "What day is it?" He asked.
"The twenty-second," Coulson responded nonchalantly
"WHAT?!? I'VE BEEN ASLEEP FOR A WEEK!?" Loki screeched as he threw the covers off of him and started to get out of the bed, eyes wide.
"I don't think that's a good idea, Loki..." Coulson was cut off as Loki started walking towards the door, his feet unsteady. He threw it open and made his way to the labs. He was scared silly and didn't even attempt to not to show it.
'You have one week to give me the stone.'
His head was spinning as he rushed down the hallways. Loki tried to ignore the voice in his head as he burst into the labs. The Avengers and Fury were gathered around the scepter, trying to get the stone out. They all whipped their heads to turn to Loki when he burst through the door. "Hey, you're finally up! Could you--" Tony was cut off as Loki screamed.
"HE ONLY GAVE ME A WEEK TO GET THE STONE TO HIM...THAT WAS A WEEK AGO!!!"
Almost as if on cue, the shadows in the corner of the room started expanding. By the time they receded, Thanos stood in their place. Everyone froze as he came out of the shadows. Tony jokingly asked, "Who's the Oversized California Raisin?"
Loki was petrified. He immediately kneeled before the titan.
Thanos ignored Tony as he fixed his gaze on Loki. "Where's the stone?" Loki shakily pointed at the scepter.
The Avengers stood firmly in front of the Titan's way. Thanos scoffed as he swiped his hand through the air and all on them were pushed against the wall.
He stalked over to the lab table and picked up the scepter. In a blinding flash, the scepter was gone, leaving behind a glowing yellow stone. He put it in his gauntlet and the power of the stone shot through his arm.
He went over to Loki, who was still shaking as he kneeled, and brushed his large hand against the head of the Jotun. "Well done little one. You have made me proud." Thanos stood before him and produced the green orb from thin air and opened it. The magic seeped back into Loki and the orb disappeared. "Come, my child. We have much to discuss, especially with that Frigga out of the way..."Loki looked at the titan, mouth parted slightly. "Oh, yes... I sent the dark elves to kill her. "
Loki froze as his vision became pure red. He slowly stood up, still looking at the floor. "You killed my mother." You're the reason she is dead... and you deem to call me your child!" He lifted his head up and everyone could see his eyes glow a dangerous green.
"I am not your child, and I am done being used by you." He stepped confidently towards the larger being. "I am Loki Friggason, former Prince of Asgard, Rightful King of Jotunheim, God of Mischief..." he turned his head to glance at his friends.
"Avenger."
His friends smiled at him. He turned his head back to the Titan as he smirked. "You hold no power over me any longer. You killed my mother and threaten my family...." He glared at the titan. "You'll meet your precious Lady Death soon enough."
Loki sent a blast of green magic at his face to distract him. The titan recovered quickly and sent his broadsword swinging at Loki's neck. The trickster blocked it with a conjured forcefield. Thanos swung the other way only to be blocked by Loki's daggers. The titan ripped them out of his hands and pushed down the blade. A swirling green light surrounded the blade, not allowing it to hit Loki. Loki's eyes were glowing brighter as he pushed his magic and sent the titan toppling backward. Loki used his magic to levitate off of the ground and hurled a blast of magic at Thanos, sending him through the wall and into the training room next door.
Loki followed him through the hole as Thanos got up and the red stone glowed. The landscape took over the shape of the sanctuary. Loki reminded himself it wasn't real and sent a burst of magic all around and knocked the titan over yet again while also breaking the illusion. This time the other Avengers pinned him down.
Loki put his hand out and nothing happened. The friends all looked at him confused. Thanos broke free of them while they were distracted and raced towards Loki when there was a flash of lightning and a shock wave that pushed him back, not enough to topple him, but enough to keep him at bay. The dust settled and they all looked up at Loki.
A green glow surrounded him. His clothes had changed to his iconic leather and cloth armor, with a few changes. He had a long, flowing green cape, his overcoat was without the shoulder flares and was green and gold instead of mostly black. There was no helmet. Instead, a crown of golden leaves surrounded his head. Braids circled the back of his head but left some of the long locks resting on his shoulders. In his left hand, green magic flowed around his fingertips. In his right, outstretched, hand he held Mjolnir.
"Your death will come by Thanos, ruler of the universe." Thanos snarled as he leapt at Loki. Loki threw Mjolnir with lightning and green magic flowing behind it, pushing it forward-right into Thanos' skull. The Titan fell on his back and Loki, eyes still glowing, walked right up to him. He sneered at the dying titan.
"And your death came by The God of Mischief."
Loki sent a green lightning bolt directly into Thanos' forehead and the titan was no more.
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Epilogue:
Soon after the Titan's defeat Loki had officially been announced publicly as an Avenger. A few months after defeating the Thanos, it was time for the concert. For them all it seemed so long ago that they had made this deal. Backstage, Loki was pacing nervously. He had never performed for that many people before. Tony noticed this as he was tuning his guitar. He put a hand on Loki's shoulder. "You'll be fine! You are an amazing singer." Loki smiled and the announcer called them onto the stage. They all got into their spots while the lights rose.
Clint started clapping his hands in an interesting beat. Then the guitar and piano started. Loki tapped his foot to the beat.
'This is for you, mother' He thought as he gripped his microphone.
Then the beat picked up and he started singing.
"If you love somebody,
Better tell them while they're here cause,
They just may run away from you.
You'll never know what went well
Then again it just depends on
How long of time is left for you
I've had the highest mountains,
I've had the deepest rivers,
You can have it all but life keeps movin'
Now take it in but don't look down
'Cause I'm on top of the world, 'ey
I'm on top of the world, 'ey
Waiting on this for a while now
Paying my dues to the dirt
I've been waiting to smile, 'ey
Been holding it in for a while, 'ey
Take it with me if I can
Been dreaming of this since a child
And I know it's hard when you're falling down
And it's a long way up when you hit the ground
Memories of the tortures of the sanctuary and the fall from the Bifrost clouded his mind.
Get up now, get up, get up now
But they were soon overtaken by memories of him and his friends. This was the happiest he had ever been.
And I know it's hard when you're falling down
And it's a long way up when you hit the ground
Get up now, get up, get up now
'Cause I'm on top of the world, 'ey
I'm on top of the world, 'ey
Waiting on this for a while now
Paying my dues to the dirt
I've been waiting to smile, 'ey
Been holding it in for a while, 'ey
Take it with me if I can
Been dreaming of this since a child
I'm on top of the world
The song ended and the applause was enormous. They all went backstage to celebrate. Loki remembered something and told them, "Wait here." He quickly jogged away and returned a minute later with a box. He opened it and inside lay five of the golden apples, one for each of the human Avengers. His friends stared at the box, flabbergasted.
"Are you serious?" Clint asked. Loki nodded and gave each one of them a precious golden fruit. As he was holding his fruit, Steve asked, "Wait, will this make us immortal?"
Loki and Thor both laughed at that. Loki explained," Well, not exactly... you can still get wounded, but it is harder to do so. But yes, otherwise you will have a very extended lifespan. "
They all lifted their apples to their mouths.
Nat counted down, "3."
Tony said, "2."
Steve finished as he brought the apple to his lips.
"1."
And they all bit into the apples.
-------------------------------------------------------
Loki sat on his bed later that day and finally read through Frigga's letter.
"Dear Loki,
Your life has been full of hardships. Many more than a single person should endure. But you overcame them and I am so proud of you. I have watched over you from Asgard and have seen the progress you have made with the humans in that tower. Friendships will be bourne of this I'm sure.
I have never thought of you as a monster or a disgrace. I only see you as my beautiful son. If you are reading this, then I have passed on to the next world. Know that no matter where I am, I will watch over you.
You and your friends all have something special.
Natasha has the spirit of a warrior, but also the kindness of a sibling.
Steve values life above all else and will do anything to defend it.
Bruce is a healer at heart as well as in body, he knows emotions like no one else.
Clint knows the benefits of Laughter and knows it is better to cry of mirth than agony.
Tony knows the value of Freedom because there was a time when he had none.
Thor is full of trust, but distributes it carefully, afraid of being hurt once more.
And I know who you really are. You may not realize it yet, but all of them represent an aspect of your own self. Life is about the legends and the stories you'll create.
Your friends will help you through struggles as you will help them. They will comfort you and you will do the same to them. Why?
Because you need them to. Because at the end of the day, there will be seven friends, sitting and arguing in a huge tower...like they've always been there and always will be. The best and wisest people I have ever known to exist...
The Avengers
The End