The Bifrost pt. 2
“Take them to the healing room.”
You recognized Thor’s voice and the flutter of his cape as he flew towards the castle. You heard some shuffling and Lady Sif’s face entered your vision. She moved beside you and helped prop you up against the stairs. You felt an arm reach under you but you pushed her away.
“No.”
Sif looked at you, concern on her face.
“I can… heal him...You need...to help Thor.”
You turned to the others who were awkwardly trying to hoist Heimdall between the three of them.
“Go...all of you. He will need...all the help he can get.”
You were still trying to catch your breath but the coughing had at least stopped.
“(Y/N), are you sure-”
“We’ll be fine Sif,” You turned back to her trying to put on your most reassuring face, “go help Thor.”
Sif turned to the other warriors and gave them a swift nod. You heard some shuffling then felt a presence next to you. Sif gave you one last nod before turning towards the bridge and breaking into a sprint. You heard the clang of metal and the other three entered your vision following Sif down the rainbow bridge. Please be safe. You didn’t know if that wish was more for them or Loki, but you somehow wished they would all return to you safe.
“You have done all you could.”
A voice snapped you out of your thoughts, your head turning to meet Heimdall’s all-knowing gaze.
“It’s up to him now.”
You felt a hint of sadness wash over you but you pushed it down, focusing instead on the task ahead of you. Your pain had almost all faded so you shifted your weight to your knees, and turned to face Heimdall. His face was calm but sweat trickled down his forehead. You gave him a once over. On the surface he seemed fine, there were no visible injuries, no cuts, no bruises, but you knew something was definitely wrong. You raised your hands to his chest but froze, a thought finally occurring to you.
“I don’t know if it will work.”
You meant to keep the thought in your head but it left your lips anyways. Heimdall gave you a questioning look and you gave a dejected sigh.
“The wounds I normally heal I can see. But, from what I can tell there is nothing wrong with you. But I know that there is.”
Your hands began to shake, healing an injury like this was completely foreign to you.
“It will be alright. Just try your best.”
You felt a heavyweight fall on your hands and realized Heimdall was holding them to keep them from shaking.
“I have faith in you.”
Your eyes met his, reassurance washing over you. He’s right, you can do this. It’s a wound like any other, just focus on the healing. You took a deep breath. Heimdall released your hands and you moved them to hover just over his head and chest. Just focus on healing. You took another deep breath as you felt your power take over. This time it was different, with nothing to focus on you released your power into his entire body. Just fix him as you fix me. You felt silly talking to your power as if it was its own person but it was the only thing you could think of. Your power healed you without you even willing it or even realizing it sometimes. You might not know exactly what was wrong with Heimdall but your power would, and your power could fix it. You felt your body weaken, your arms began to grow heavy and your vision hazy.
“(Y/N).”
The voice sounded distant. You felt a heavyweight on your hands once more as they were pushed back towards you. The motion broke your concentration and your powers diminished.
“I will be fine now. Focus on yourself.”
Heimdall’s voice was clearer this time. Your vision began to return and you could tell he wasn’t lying. His face looked less pale and he had stopped sweating. It worked? You looked at your hands, half amazed, half doubting. You turned your gaze back to Heimdall.
“Are you sure?”
Heimdall gave you a swift nod and you let out a breath you didn’t realize you were holding.
“Thank goodness.”
You moved back to slump against the stairs. Your body was heavy but all your pain had disappeared. With the threat of losing Heimdall gone your thoughts drifted back to Loki. You absentmindedly turned your head towards the castle in the distance.
“You did everything you could.”
The words once again caused you to turn to Heimdall.
“Loki’s mind has become cloudy, his ambition and fear have taken over. I fear no one can get through to him now.”
Fear and guilt took over you.
“No, there has to be a way.”
Heimdall locked eyes with you, sadness written on his face.
“Were you aware he was the one behind the first Frost Giant attack?”
You froze. You had your suspicions but nothing concrete.
“He knows of ways off Asgard even I cannot see and can cloak himself even to my eyes.”
You could hear the guilt in his voice. You tried to take in everything he was saying but a part of you still refused to believe it. You turned away glancing once again at the castle.
“It can’t be. Even he wouldn’t do that.”
You heard Heimdall sigh as if irritated with you.
“Were you aware he sent the Destroyer to Midgard to kill Thor?”
Your heart stopped.
“Thor was able to get most of the Midgardians to safety, however, the destroyer devastated their city.”
There was a pause but you didn’t respond. Thoughts of the old Loki filling your mind, you refused to believe he was capable of any of this.
“I am not telling you all this to turn you against him. But you must realize, the Loki you knew is gone. You will have to accept that one day.”
I can’t give up on him! He never gave up on me!
“And that day might come sooner than you would like.”
You finally turned to face Heimdall, but he was looking towards the castle. You turned back trying to match his gaze. All you saw was the endless rainbow bridge with the castle glimmering in the distance. You turned back to Heimdall, his eyes were fixed on the bridge as he tried to stand but stumbled back to the stairs. You quickly moved your arms around him, shifting him back to lean against the stairs.
“You shouldn’t move. It will still take time for your body to fully recover.”
“We do not have time.”
You caught his eyes but it was if he was looking through you. You turned to once again look down the bridge, this time noticing something moving in the distance.
“What is-?”
You cut yourself off finally making out what Heimdall was seeing. Familiar golden horns came into view.
“You must stop him.”
You felt a hand on yours, but you couldn’t look away.
“(Y/N).”
Your name snapped you out of your trance and you turned to Heimdall.
“You must stop him.”
You felt your hands begin to shake but Heimdall squeezed them tight.
“He is not the same boy you met in the dungeon. He will destroy everything.”
Your chest felt tight.
“I can’t.”
“You must.”
You heard hooves in the distance grow louder. He was nearly at the entrance of the Bifrost, but you sat frozen like the little girl in the dungeon all those years ago. Heimdall gave a soft sigh, squeezing your hands tight before letting go. You went numb, countless thoughts and memories running through your head. When did he change? Why couldn’t I see it? Why couldn’t I help? Heimdall had to be wrong. Loki couldn’t have done those things. The final thought echoed in your mind and something finally clicked. You felt Heimdall shift beside you and heard a soft grunt. Your hand instinctively reached out, softly forcing him back down. Your breathing had slowed to its regular pace as you rose from the stairs. You felt Heimdall’s eyes on you as you moved towards the entrance of the Bifrost coming to a stop just inside the entrance. You could make Loki out fully now, riding a horse, green cape flowing in the wind, Gungnir in hand. You took a deep breath, strengthening your resolve. Loki seemed to notice your presence as the horse slowed coming to a stop next to the dead Frost Giants that remained on the bridge. Loki’s eyes locked with yours a look of disbelief on his face quickly replaced by one of annoyance. He swiftly dismounted his horse, his eyes finally breaking from yours to observe the Frost Giants on the floor. He quickly aimed the spear at both Giants, a burst of energy erupting from the edge. The energy hit the Giants causing them to turn to dust. You flinched. The Giants had attacked you, but you and Heimdall had taken care of them, there was no reason to completely obliterate them. You pulled your eyes away from where the Giants once lay and realized Loki once again had his gaze fixed on you, however, this time there was not a trace of emotion in his eyes. A shiver went down your spine. He slowly made his way towards the Bifrost, and you found yourself absentmindedly taking steps backward. Your resolve wavered, the Loki in front of you wasn’t the one you remembered, there was no kindness, no compassion. Your feet hit the first stair, you finally came to a stop. Loki strutted through the entrance of the Bifrost coming to a stop a few meters in front of you.
“I need you to move (Y/N).”
Hearing your name from him sounded wrong, like a stranger saying it.
“No.”
Your voiced surprised yourself.
“Move.”
“No.”
You responded again, this time stronger. A flash of anger appeared on his face, but it disappeared in an instant.
“Do you really want to do this?”
The playful voice you knew so well sent a sharp pain through your chest.
“I don’t know what you have planned, but you need to stop Loki.”
“Stop? Why? I’m doing this for Asgard.”
“You’re hurting people Loki!”
Your voice was louder than intended, Loki took half a step back as if surprised and gave you a questioning look.
“I know about the Giants and Midgard!”
Loki’s eyes darted to Heimdall and back then back to you.
“I was just doing what needed to be done.”
His voice was calmer now, which in turn calmed you down slightly.
“You hurt innocent people Loki.”
The words caused Loki to flinch. You thought for a second you finally got through to him, but that hope quickly disappeared.
“No, they were merely weak and in the way. The fault is their own.”
You couldn’t believe the words coming from him. You both stood staring each other down for what felt like hours.
“I will ask again, move aside.”
You were still frozen in place, hoping, praying that a smirk would appear on his face and he would play this off as a joke but the moment never came.
“Why?”
Loki cocked his head slightly to the side as if trying to understand your question.
“Why do you need me to move? What use do you have for the Bifrost?”
A smirk finally appeared on his face, but this one was far darker than you had ever seen.
“I wish to destroy Jotunhiem.”
His tone was so matter-of-fact. There was no hesitation or uncertainty in his voice.
“What?”
You had to have misheard. There was no way that could have been right.
“I will destroy Jotunhiem, and that race of monsters along with it.”
You could hear the anger rise in his voice as he took a few more steps towards you. You felt Heimdall attempt to move, but you stepped in front of him, shielding him from Loki.
“There is no such thing as a race of monsters. You taught me that.”
“You defend them after everything they have done to you, to Asgard?”
“A few lone attackers does not make the entire race monsters.”
You tried to remain calm and keep your powers in check but Loki seemed to be poking every one of your buttons.
“You were there, they jumped at the chance for war!”
“A chance you gave them!”
You were practically screaming at each other now but neither of you made the first move.
“Move aside!”
“No!”
Flames coated your clenched fists causing Loki to take a step back. Eyes jumping from your hands back to you.
“You know I’ll win.”
The once playful words were like a stake to the heart.
“And I won’t go down without a fight.”
Your response did not carry the same bravado it once did. Loki gave a small mocking laugh.
“Ah, but now I know your flames will be useless against me. And it seems you lack any weapon. I do not foresee much of a fight.”
Loki readied his spear but you knew he was right. Your knives were gone and your flames were useless, your only hope was to get up close and use your fists. As if sensing your thoughts Loki produced enough duplicates to fill the room, each one staring you down with lifeless eyes. You tried to distinguish the real Loki but without getting close they all seemed the same. Fine then. If it’s a fight you want it’s a fight you’ll get. You took a deep breath, extinguishing the flames in your hands, and darted towards the nearest Loki. The quick motion caught him off guard and you took the chance to hit him with a right hook to the jaw. Your hand passed right through as the duplicate disappeared.
“Honestly, I’m disappointed. You think I would really come that close.”
Loki’s mocking voice filled the room, only adding to the anger inside you. You quickly pivoted, this time darting past two duplicates towards a Loki that lay near the perimeter of the room. This time he was prepared and raised his spear as if to attack. You quickly dropped low, sweeping his legs out from under him and slamming your foot into his chest for good measure. The duplicate disappeared as your foot collided with the ground.
“Fancy footwork there but how long can you keep it up?”
Loki’s voice once again filled the room. He has a point. With all the energy you used up healing Heimdall as well as fighting the Giants earlier, you couldn’t fight all these duplicates. You took a breath, trying to think this through. If I were Loki, where would I be? You glanced around the room, most of the Loki’s were placed near the entrance of the Bifrost, where the real Loki used to be. But there was no way he was there now. You continued to survey the room, the rest of the Loki’s were spread out pretty even, there was no recognizable pattern and none of them stood out. Where would he hide? You tried to put yourself in the mind of Loki. He wouldn’t hide. He would plan his next attack! You thought for a moment. The Bifrost! You turned your gaze to the Bifrost. Three Loki’s were on the stairs, heading towards the sword. Two on the side you once were the other on the opposite. There you are! You quickly raised your hands causing a wave of flames to shoot out ahead of you, taking out a few duplicates in the process. You used the distraction to quickly dash along the edge of the Bifrost moving towards the opposite side of the stairs. The distraction seemed to work as all of the Loki’s eyes were on the still burning duplicates. You swiftly climbed the stairs. I’m sorry Loki. Your hand formed into a fist and you aimed it directly at the Loki in front of you but it never connected. You felt a cold hand wrap around your wrist freezing you in place.
“I told you, I will always win.”
Loki’s voice came from beside you as almost a whisper. You turned your head towards the sound and locked eyes with Loki. His eyes were different this time, there was a hint of sadness and fear. It reminded you of when you were in the dungeon all those years ago, and you felt the urge to give him a hug but your thoughts were cut short by a sharp pain in your side. You let out a soft gasp, your eyes never leaving his.
“I’m sorry.”
You don’t know why you said that, you don’t know why you still felt the need to hold him in your arms and tell him everything would be okay, but you did. You watched a single tear fall down his cheek before everything went dark.