"No… there's no need, Thor. I know my condition."
Odin's voice was ragged, his chest rising and falling with effort. "I am about to enter the Odinsleep, Thor. I have always told you a king must have patience. Do you understand that now?"
Thor's eyes brimmed with tears. "I understand, Father. I understand everything now. It was always my fault. If it hadn't been for me, Laufey would never have invaded Asgard."
Beside him, Loki lowered his head, his expression dark and unreadable.
Odin managed a faint, approving smile. "Thor, once I fall into slumber, Asgard will rest in your hands."
His tone grew heavier, more deliberate. "Remember this: recklessness is not the way of a king. You must weigh every decision for the sake of the people of Asgard and the Nine Realms."
"Father…" Thor began, his voice cracking.
But Odin lifted a hand, silencing him. "In the name of my ancestors, the All-Fathers who came before me, and in my own name, Odin, I hereby charge Thor Odinson to act as regent of Asgard and caretaker of the Nine Realms."
Odin's gaze hardened. "And remember, from this day forward, Asgard and Kamar-Taj are bound as allies. Our strength, our knowledge, our resources—all are to be shared."
When he finished, his eyes flickered past Thor to Malrick, who stood quietly in the distance. Odin gave a small nod. With that confirmation, he finally allowed himself to weaken.
"Father!" Loki's voice broke the air as he suddenly stepped forward. His eyes burned with desperation. "What about me? Thor inherits your throne, but what is left for me? What place do I have?"
Odin's tired eyes locked onto Loki's. His grip, surprisingly strong, tightened on his son's hand.
"Loki, you led the Frost Giants into Asgard. Their invasion brought devastation, their presence cost countless lives. You failed this realm," Odin thundered. His voice, despite his failing strength, carried the weight of a king. "Because of your sins, you must go to Midgard. Live among mortals. Repent as one of them."
"What?" Loki froze. "Me… a mortal?"
Odin's grip dug painfully into his son's hand. Even in his weakened state, power radiated from him. "From this moment on, I strip you of your magic. Until you learn compassion, until you find sincerity, you are Loki in name only. You will remain powerless."
Green light crackled and surged, wrapping around Loki before vanishing in an instant. His magic was gone.
Loki stumbled back, collapsing to the ground. His eyes were wide, his expression shattered.
"Father!" Thor cried, rushing toward Odin. He tried to help Loki up, pleading, "Please, take this punishment back!"
But Odin cut him off with a roar. "Stand where you are!"
Thor froze. His father's authority left no room for disobedience.
"You will take Loki to Midgard," Odin commanded, "and you will ensure he stays the course. Watch him. Urge him to change."
Thor's jaw tightened. He lowered his head. "Yes, Father."
Loki's laughter suddenly echoed across the chamber, sharp and bitter. He sat on the ground, shoulders shaking. "Father, do you know? When I was struck by the Frost Giants, I didn't freeze. I became like them. I took on their form." His voice rose, trembling with anger. "Tell me—was that a curse?"
Odin hesitated, then answered firmly, "No."
"Then what am I?" Loki demanded, his eyes burning red.
"You are Loki, Prince of Asgard, son of Odin," Odin said carefully, though his eyes betrayed the truth.
Loki sneered. "Lies. I came from Jotunheim with the Casket of Ancient Winters, didn't I?"
Odin closed his eyes briefly, then gave a weary nod. "Yes. You were Laufey's child. I found you there, abandoned, helpless. I believed raising you as my son could bring peace between Asgard and Jotunheim."
The words broke Loki. Tears welled in his eyes as he rose to his feet. "So that's it. I was never your son. I was a tool, a weapon to secure peace." His voice cracked with anguish. "You never loved me, did you? Did you ever love me at all?"
"No… Frigga and I both love you," Odin whispered. His strength faltered, his body trembling.
"Lies!" Loki screamed. "Thor was always your favorite! The throne, the praise, the recognition—it was always his! And me? I was nothing but a monster from a storybook. That's all I ever was to you!"
His rage boiled over. He leaned so close Odin could feel his breath.
"You were never going to let me be king. Never!"
"No, Loki… no…" Odin's hands weakly pushed him away. His chest heaved violently, his eyes suddenly wide as he clutched at his heart.
And then, with a final breath, Odin collapsed.
He had entered the Odinsleep.
Loki's fury drained in an instant, replaced with horror. "Father? Father!" His voice cracked as he stared helplessly at Odin's motionless body.
Thor rushed forward, lifting his father into his arms. "He's asleep. The Odinsleep has taken him…" Thor's anger bubbled, and he turned to Loki. "Look what you've done. Why, Loki, when Father was weak—"
But he stopped. Loki's empty eyes told him everything. All of Thor's accusations died in his throat.
"You're still my brother," Thor said quietly. His hand pressed to Loki's shoulder, firm and reassuring. Then he turned, carrying Odin back toward the palace.
Frigga met them at the entrance, her arms wrapping around Loki. "No matter what anyone says, you are still my son. And I will always love you." She pressed her forehead against his, then pulled away to direct the warriors to begin repairs.
Meanwhile, the sorcerers of Kamar-Taj joined in. Wong and Banner worked spells of healing and restoration, patching wounds and repairing shattered walls.
But their efforts were nothing compared to Malrick and Wanda.
Malrick raised his hand, channeling the Reality Stone. With a single sweep, the collapsed buildings of Asgard reformed, towers and halls restored to glory.
Beside him, Wanda's Chaos Magic swirled across the sea, knitting the shattered Bifrost Bridge back into place.
Though many Asgardians had perished, the realm itself stood renewed. The Warriors Three and Lady Sif, by some fortune, had survived as well.
Hours later, Asgard's golden halls rang with farewells.
Thor, armored once again, clasped Malrick's hand. "Sorcerer Supreme, I entrust Loki to your care."
Malrick inclined his head. "Don't worry. He will have a place at Kamar-Taj. Perhaps even a purpose."
Wong had already suggested bringing Loki into the fold as an instructor, and Malrick hadn't objected. Loki, having seen his true strength, wouldn't dare risk open rebellion in the Sanctum. Besides, Malrick suspected Odin had planned it this way all along.
Thor turned to Tony and laughed, Mjolnir in hand. "Next time, Iron Man, I will best you in battle."
Tony smirked. "Yeah, sure. And if you can't handle a Nine Realms rebellion, just give me a call. I'll bring reinforcements."
With those words, the Avengers prepared to leave.
As the portal shimmered open, Tony stretched with a satisfied groan. "Finally, it's over. Best Christmas ever."
Pepper seized his arm, glaring. "Best Christmas? You nearly died! Come home now. I need to check every inch of you." She whisked him away in a flash of energy, vanishing into the sky.
The others laughed quietly and returned to their homes. Banner walked with Betty. Wong with Sarah.
And Malrick? He left with Natasha and Sherry at his side.
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Milestone
100 Power stones = 1 Bonus Chapter.
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