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The day has gone by as quickly as it came, Loki and Darcy are making their way to the portal, with the Tesseract and Gungir in their grasps and one step closer on getting the Guantlet and the Stones. They still have a long road ahead and they still need to find the other five Infinity Stones before Thanos does, then once they do then they will go after the Guantlet. Though it may not be easy and Loki and Darcy will still have to face Thanos sooner or later, but they still need to try and find the other Stones before he does.
Though the real question is; why would Thanos leave the Tesseract and Gungir behind? Especially knowing that both objects would hold Infinity Stones and they are easily obtainable, Loki can't get all of these questions out of his head. He knows that Thanos may have something planned and it is something that may force them to face a even more difficult challenge. If only he can figure out what it is and see if there is a way to avoid the possible setback Thanos may have in store for them, especially knowing that he has his hands on the Guantlet. But Loki knows that he will have to worry about it later, right now they should focus on getting all of the Infinity Stones before Thanos does.
Loki knows that he should be grateful that they have at least two Infinity Stones in their grasps and they will have to act quickly if they are going to get the stones before Thanos does. Even if he is stuck wearing a costume and have someone like Darcy coming along on his journeys, but he needs to do this, do this and get it over with. Then he will make up for his past wrongs and then he can simply leave Earth without ever having to worry about any of this for the rest of his life and can move past from all this. That will be enough and then all of this will be over.
"I have to say that this is going to be a whole lot easier than you said it would be." said Darcy. "If we keep this up then we are going to get all of the Stones in no time, I mean we are going to definitely get them all before he does."
"Just because we got two of the Stones in our grasps, it does not mean we are going to get the same luck with the other Stones." said Loki. "Do not celebrate Thanos is vanquished and we physically have all the Stones and the Guantlet with us."
"But still we are making progress, so that should be good enough to celebrate right?" said Darcy.
'Progress and success are two very different things." said Loki. "If I were you I wouldn't look at progress as something worth celebrating and-"
Before Loki can even continue, something catches his eye and it's something that he can not help but continue to stare. He doubts that he will not let this go or feel as though he can even go back to Midgard, especially not going in to see. Loki has to know what he has done, to finally see what happened and face it and to finally say goodbye to her...
Right nearby it's a memorial where all of the fallen is immortalized through a statue or plaque, where many are welcome to come in and pay their respects. There were two in Asgard, one where Royalty, warriors, soldiers and scholars were honored and another where ordinary citizens are remembered and yet still respected by others such as family and friends. Loki knows that after the funeral, Odin would have ordered to have Frigga's statue being placed and it would be standing right now for many to pay respect for their late queen. Something that Loki still has yet to do and needs to do.
He has to see her, even if it's through a memorial and even then that will be the most difficult thing he has ever done. Loki wants to go in and see, yet at the same time he doesn't due to the fact that he will finally have a chance to say goodbye and then he can finally pay his respects and start to make amends for what happened. Even though Loki knows that what he did was unforgivable, but that does not mean he can't start now and finally go in there and say he's sorry. Loki gives a sigh, trying to hide all of the emotions that are starting to bubble up inside him and turns to Darcy.
"Darcy, take the Infinity Stones and return to Midgard." said Loki as he hands her both Gungir and the Tesseract to her. "I will catch up with you shortly."
"Ok, what- Where are you going?" asked Darcy completely surprised.
"I... need to do something, it will only take a minute." said Loki as he turns his back about to head on his way, before turning to face Darcy. "You do recall where the portal is right?"
"Uh... Yeah, sure, I definitely know my way around here and can find my way back home in no time." said Darcy acting rather confidently before changing her tone. "Are you ok?"
"Yes, this will not take long and I will see you in your home after I return." said Loki.
Before Darcy can say another word, Loki simply walk away without looking back to much of Darcy's surprise and confusion. Loki heads his way to the Memorial, not even knowing how to feel or what he will plan to do, once he arrives and finally pays his respect. This may be the hardest thing he will ever do in his life and Loki does not even know how he can more forward from this. Part of him will want to stay and never let his mother go, but at the same time he knows that he would have to move forward, it's what she would have wanted and deep down he knows that he can't...
But Loki knows that he has to find his mother's memorial and finally start, he searched throughout the memorial and look through all of the names. Having the hope that he will find his mother's name and statue soon, as he passed through the hundreds of names that continue to go through an endless hall of statues. Loki wonders how many lives were lost in all of the centuries and how they were not as senseless as what he has done. Every step makes the search harder than it already is and make Loki feel more and more desperate as he continues to try to find her. Wondering what he is planning to do to show his respect and how it's going to be once he does find her, if he is even ready for what he may face.
After a few more minutes of searching, Loki finally found her and all he can do is stare and nothing is going to break his focus away from the sight. He sees his mother's statue right before him and no words can describe the guilt that he is now feeling and how it is now running through his mind. He did this, he is the reason why she is no longer here and there is nothing he can ever do to undo this and nothing what he says or does, it will never matter. Loki does not even know if he will ever forgive himself or if he can even do so, he doesn't deserve this chance and he only wishes that there was something he could do to make things right or at least bring her back
The area is keeping a silence that feels as though nothing can ever break it and Loki is only glad that he is wearing a costume, so no one can recognize him. Even then he can't reveal himself to the world, no matter what or else he will be back in his cell, no one will ever want anything to do with him ever again and he will have to live with everything he did. Loki can already imagine how everything would play out and see his brother's disappointment that would never end and the guilt inside him overcoming him and he will have to live with it...
Why all of the sudden he is feeling guilty about his past actions? He shouldn't and yet he does, maybe it's from the fact that his mother is gone and it's all his fault. Nothing he can ever do will make things right and if he could take all of it back then he would without a second thought holding him back. All Loki can do is stare as time starts to feel more and more endless by the minute, only wanting to have this moment stay this way as he feels as though he can stay here forever and nothing else would matter. It continues to be this way until...
A loud bang sound of a sphere or a sword or something hitting a metal object, catching Loki's attention and he got ready for anything and slowly pull out his daggers, ready to strike. Only to be surprised by the sight, putting his daggers back into his pockets as he stares at the sight and not even knowing if he should be surprised by the sight or angry that she's here. Since all he wanted is to be alone and yet here she is...
"Sorry, I was trying to be you know totally secretive, but that completely backfired." said Darcy as she approach Loki trying to keep her cool and stay casual. "But anyway it's not really surprising that you'd find out sooner or later, I mean I am terrible at keeping secrets and you were going to find out sooner or later and-"
"Darcy, what are you doing?" said Loki annoyed. "I thought that you were going to- Wait where are the stones?"
"Oh, they are right by that statue." said Darcy as she heads over and pick the scepter and the Tesseract pulling them up to show Loki. "I just thought since you seemed kinda sad about something, so I followed you to make sure you're ok."
"That's uh sentimental of you..." said Loki lost on words trying to figure out what to say. "You shouldn't leave the Stones unattended, much less not take them to a safe place."
"Hey, after seeing you go off like that, I just had to make sure you're alright." said Darcy. "Well, are you?"
"I'm perfectly fine." said Loki. "Now that we got that out of the way, we really should-"
"Wow, I never knew Asgard was into museums or anything that involved statues." said Darcy. "Not that I think you guys are not the art types and just rough warrior tough guys who go around saving the day or occasionally doing magic spells. But hey, you guys need some hobbies to keep you busy on your downtime, can't blame you for having an interest in other things."
"This is not a art museum." said Loki.
"Well could have fooled me when it comes to all of these statues and-" start Darcy before something catches her eye. "Like the one you are looking at, I have to say she's really pretty."
"Yes... She was..." mumbled Loki.
"What?" asked Darcy turning to Loki trying to figure out what he just said and where this might be going.
"Nothing, this is nothing, I have done nothing more but wasted my time." said Loki. "This does not change anything and I should move past this and-"
"Ok, it's obvious that you are bothered by something. So what is it?" asked Darcy. "What is making you more grouchy, well more than usual?"
"Nothing, I am simply in a perturbed mood that's all." said Loki. "If you must know, we are standing in a memorial for the fallen, it is where we in Asgard have statues built to pay tribute to those who are no longer with us and for the living to pay respect to them."
"That's sweet of you guys to do this, it must be hard-" starts Darcy before she stops herself before she continues. "That's her, isn't she? You came in here to see her right? You wanted to say goodbye to your mom?"
"Maybe, I only came in here to pay my respects, nothing more than that." said Loki trying hard to keep all of the emotions inside him from coming out. "It's the least I could do, after everything..."
"Do you want to talk about it?" asked Darcy.
"No, I do not think that will be necessary." said Loki trying to drop the topic and ignoring all of his emotions. "There is nothing to say and I have already move past that."
"I mean it's your mom and you just lost her, that alone is a lot to take in." said Darcy. "I just thought that you might want to talk about it and-"
"What do you want me to say? Take a moment to open up and tell you everything." said Loki annoyed. "In case you have not noticed I am not human and I am not the type who will open up to anyone."
"I know that, but I think sometimes it helps to talk about these things." said Darcy. "Especially if it's bothering you, it always helps to-"
"Darcy, I highly doubt that a conversation will change anything and there is nothing more to say on the matter." said Loki. "I do not want to talk about any of this, I do not want to tell you how my actions is responsible for my mother's death."
"Wait, what?" asked Darcy completely surprised by Loki's revelation.
"Forget about it, I do not even know what I was thinking by saying that." said Loki quickly covering up what was just said. "We really should leave here before-"
"Loki, wait." said Darcy not even wasting a minute. "You can't blame yourself for something beyond your control and-"
"Darcy, please I don't want to talk about this." said Loki rather impatiently.
"I know you don't, but I think you kinda need to talk about it." said Darcy. "Look I know that we only just became roommates and we just agreed to go on this quest and-"
"Darcy, I do not see how any of this is going to help." said Loki. "If anything it is only going to be more harmful than helpful, as I said I do not need a companion, I never needed one or will ever have one."
"Wait, you never had a friend?" asked Darcy completely surprised.
"No..." said Loki completely shocked by what he just said. "Aside from Thor, I never had a friend."
"What about those warriors that came after Thor, you know when you sent a giant robot to have a rampage on the town?" asked Darcy. "Didn't you hang out with them?"
"They were never really my friends, if anything they were more Thor's companions than my own." said Loki. "We all never truly got along and we mostly had to put up with each other for Thor's sake. Trust me when I say, you do not want to talk to Sif of my little hair prank on her, unless you want to have an injury and a newfound enemy."
"What hair prank?" Asked Darcy curiously.
"It was rather hilarious, let's just say I used my magic to give Lady Sif a little makeover or rather a haircut." Said Loki trying hard not to laugh.
"Wait, you cut Sif's hair?!" Asked Darcy completely surprised.
"No, I simply created an illusion on her hair being massively humongous. She thought that I used magic to make it grow to that length, which is not possible by the way." Said Loki rather happily. "But through my magic, I was able to trick her in feeling the texture and stands of hair, her real hair that is."
"Don't tell me, you made her shave her own hair off?" Asked Darcy not even knowing if she wants to know.
"No, but she did cut her hair in an unflattering length or at least an uneven one." Said Loki. "I removed the illusion and let's simply say Sif was furious to say the least."
"Loki, I may like a good prank as much as the next person, but that was kinda mean." Said Darcy. "Why would you do something like that?"
"Simple, only to get revenge on her." Said Loki. "She made me mad and since her hair was her pride and joy, I thought that it would do her some good."
"Exactly what did she do that made you so desperate to do a prank like that?" Asked Darcy wondering what could have been so bad.
"Simple, once when I was practicing a new spell, the first attempt was a failure, she mocked me, so I came up with a plan to get her back." said Loki giving Darcy a smile. "You should have seen how ridiculous she looked and after that she never wanted anything to do with me ever again. I believe she still holds a grudge against me to this day over nothing."
"Well I wouldn't call giving someone a bad hair day due to being made fun of, nothing." said Darcy. "I mean you did give her a bad look until her hair grew back."
"You are not the first to side with her, the Warriors 3, Odin and even Thor sided with her." said Loki as he sighs. "But none of you truly knows why doing that spell right was important to me."
"Ok, tell me." said Darcy.
"What?" said Loki completely taken aback by Darcy's gesture.
"Why was that spell so important to you that led you in tricking this Sif to chop her hair off?" asked Darcy.
"You will think that it's petty, foolhardy and simply plain nonsense." said Loki. "No one would ever understand..."
"Come on try me." said Darcy. "It can't be that bad."
"Alright, I mostly wanted to do it, do it right..." said Loki. "I wanted to do it, for my mother. I wanted to impress her with a complicated spell and yet I couldn't do it..."
"You were just trying to do a spell for your mom?" asked Darcy completely surprised.
"I have been practicing and now she will never have a chance to see it." said Loki rather sadly. "She always understood me, listened to my side of the story and...
"Sorry to hear that and briefly doubting you." said Darcy trying to comfort him.
"Well it doesn't matter, you know the rest of the story, everyone sided with Sif and make me the whole villain of the entire incident as always." said Loki deeply frustrated.
"Does Thor know that-" start Darcy.
"Not even Thor knows why I did it and I plan to keep it that way." said Loki. "If he and everyone else wants to see me in that light, then why should I even bother to argue?"
"I don't see you that way and I don't think Thor ever saw you as an evil irredeemable bad guy." said Darcy. "I think Thor was mostly hurt by what you did and I just want to help you out."
"Well... You may be only the first, everyone always assumed the worst of me." said Loki. "No matter what I do, it was never enough or the only time someone truly gave their attention to me is always for the wrong reason. The only ones that ever truly cared or paid attention to me was..."
"Thor and your mom." said Darcy quietly.
"She doesn't deserve this fate Darcy..." said Loki as he turns to look at the statue.
"I know..." said Darcy. "Look-"
"It should have been me who should have met my end, never her." said Loki. "I don't know if I will ever be able to forgive myself."
"Loki, there's nothing you could have done." said Darcy trying to comfort him.
"I shouldn't have said those things to her, I should have enjoyed her company and told her everything she means to me." said Loki. "That or try to break out of my cell, maybe I could have saved her or..."
"Loki, you didn't know what was going on and there was really nothing anyone could have done to stop it, unfortunately." said Darcy. "Plus maybe she knew you didn't mean it, did you even try to apologies?"
"No, I was about to before she ended her visit and never had the chance." said Loki. "I only wish I could go back and make things right, to show her I am truly sorry, to undo what I have done."
"I hate to break it to you, but you can't." said Darcy.
"That is a surprising wonderful amount of encouraging words." said Loki as he rolls his eyes. "Do you have any more to lighten my mood?"
"No, what I meant is that like it or not, you can't do anything to change the past, but you can do something to change the future." said Darcy.
"What do you mean by that?" asked Loki confused and not even knowing what to make of it.
"You can make different choices, you don't have to make the same mistakes like you did before." said Darcy. "You can create your own path and make a new journey, you can start to make things right if you really want to."
"Darcy, I am a Frost Giant, I am a creature made to destroy everything I touch and I should not even care about what happened, yet I do and I am sorry." said Loki. "So sorry, that no words or actions will ever make it right, I do not believe I will ever forgive myself. How can anyone forgive someone who is meant to be a monster? I don't even deserve to have this second chance, let alone standing here to say all of these things."
At that moment, Loki turns away, full of deep thoughts and regret that will never disappear. All Darcy can do is stare, not even knowing what to say or how to make of the situation, as she starts to see the same side of Loki she saw after the news report. But at the same time, she feels sorry for him and does not even know what to say or if she can even can. For the first time, she feels sorry for Loki and wish she can do more to help, not just with their quest on tracking down all the Infinity Stones, deep down she knows Loki needs more than that.
Judging from everything Loki just told her, Darcy never had any idea on how lonely he must have been before all of this. Aside from Thor, he never really had someone to hang out with and talk to. That is before Loki and Thor started to drift away and fall apart, even then it wasn't enough and Loki needed more and still does. She is starting to realize that maybe Loki never had a friend aside from Thor, and maybe he needed a friend. Someone who he can trust, someone who would listen to him and give him another chance even after everything, someone who cares for him and he can learn to care for in return. Maybe she can be that friend and be there for him, she figures the first thing she should do is try to be there for him.
"I don't think you are meant to destroy everything you touch and I don't think you are meant to be a monster, well as long as you chose to not hurt others." said Darcy. "Plus I believe in second chances and everyone deserves a second chance and you can be more than whatever some fairytale told you to be. Just putting those words out there in case no one has ever said that to you during all the family drama you had to deal with."
"I believe, it's a little too late for me to fully turn away from the path I have chosen." said Loki rather defeatedly. "Besides I will be making amends by at least defeating Thanos and saving the universe from imminent destruction, at least it will do this universe some good. Even if I it may never be enough or change the fact that my mother is gone because of me."
"You shouldn't blame yourself, I may not know exactly everything that happened back there, but I do know that your mom wouldn't have wanted you to blame yourself." said Darcy. "She would have wanted you to go out there and live your life, to do more than destruction or regret, maybe be something more, be someone you can be proud of."
"I guess, but it will never be enough." said Loki, seeing as though he is going to become more gloomy, Darcy decides to change the route if she is going to help Loki.
"So, what was she like?" asked Darcy as Loki turns to her completely surprised. "You're mom?"
"Well, she was... A truly compassionate and wise person. A true queen of Asgard, she was the only one who encourage me on learning the art of magic, even when no one else did." said Loki. "She truly made me believe that I can do anything, that I can be anything."
"From what you're saying, she sounded really wonderful." said Darcy. "I'm really sorry about what happened."
"I am as well, if I only could, I would go back and undo it and save her from this fate." said Loki. "I only wish there is something I can do to make things right, I would give anything to make this right, to undo everything."
"Maybe you can, if it's not for you, do it for her." said Darcy. "Look I know this quest won't bring your mom back and things will never be the same, but you can start a new path and do something more. Things don't have to go down this path, you don't have to go down this path if you don't want to. You can rewrite your own story and make things right if you really want to."
"You make it sound so easy..." said Loki as he turns away to face the statue again. "Do you think she would, was ashamed of me?"
"What?" asked Darcy completely surprised.
"For how things turned out and everything I did?" asked Loki rather upset.
"No, I think she would still love you and be proud to call you her son." said Darcy.
"Even after everything I did and what I said?" asked Loki.
"From what you said, after hearing what she's like." started Darcy. "I don't think nothing in the whole world would ever make her stop loving you, no matter what happens a part of her will always live inside you, no matter what."
All Loki can do is stare out in silence, taking in all of the words that Darcy just said, as he process everything he lost. He lost his mother, his brother now believes him to be dead and he may never go home again. But at the same time, he also got a second chance to start anew, to change, to begin again and maybe find a new purpose for himself. Even though he personally believe that this quest is impossible, but he needs to try...
"You're right, I will keep trying to make her proud and will pursue this quest for her." said Loki. "She would have wanted me to do this."
"Yeah, but only if you really want to do it." said Darcy.
"I think I do..." said Loki. "Thank you..."
"Wait, what?" said Darcy completely surprised.
"For your wise words, your kind words." said Loki. "You may be wiser than I assumed."
"Hey, stick with me and you will see the perks of hanging out with me." said Darcy happily as she nudged him.
"Please, do not make me rethink my words." said Loki who can't help but smile at Darcy.
"Don't worry I won't." said Darcy happily, things would have continued this route, before...
"We should return back to Midgard, the longer we stay here, the longer the Infinity Stones are out in the open." said Loki as he got up and picked up Gungir. "It is imperative to get them to a safe location before-"
"Come on, we were just making progress!" said Darcy being playful and yet trying to sound annoyed.
"Consider it enough." said Loki as he tries to make things brief and push Darcy away.
"Wait, how about you show me that spell you were trying to do?" asked Darcy. "You know the one that you wanted to show your mom?"
"Darcy, you really don't want to see it, I am not good at this spell." said Loki as he turns away. "I can't do it..."
"I really do, only if you want to." said Darcy. "I am not going to push you, but I just wanted to see what this spell is. I mean you did make it sound cool and I think it is cool you can do magic, that's all."
Loki thinks about what Darcy just said and the spell itself, the practice he put in trying to get it right and how much he wanted his mother to see it. How she will never have a chance to see him finally mastering the spell. He wishes he could have done the spell the last time they spoke rather than completely disowning her, but he knows deep down that his mother wouldn't have wanted him to abandon the spell just like that. Maybe he should do it, as a final goodbye...
"Ok, I only hope that you will not be disappointed." Said Loki.
"Try me." Said Darcy.
Loki just gives a sigh as he pulled out a hand and can only stare as Darcy watches the scene, ready to see what may be one of the most exciting things that will ever happen and does not want to miss a second. He doesn't know if this will work or if he should even do so, but he has to do this, Darcy wants to see this spell and it would be the least he can do, for Darcy, himself and most importantly his mother. Loki knows that he can't fail, not this time, not again...
So he concentrate and allows his magic to do the spell, to allow himself to do the spell that is still on his mind ever since he was a child and finally let it out. Loki closes his eyes, not wanting to see the failure he is about to do and to see the look of disappointment on Darcy's face, to see that he failed in doing the spell again. He doesn't want to face the reality that he can't do it, he just can't. Waiting to hear, Darcy's disappointment and something going completely wrong will happen, he brace himself for what may be coming...
"Wow, that is the coolest thing I have ever seen in my life!" said Darcy excitedly.
Loki completely surprised, opened his eyes and sees the fireworks coming right out of his hand through magic and to his complete surprise Darcy doesn't seem to be at all disappointed by the mere sight of the spell. He can't help but feel a sense of happiness as he sees what he just did, to finally be able to do a spell that at first seemed impossible to do and yet he is doing it right now, to much of his surprise and pride. All Loki can do is stare at the sight, as he realize what he is finally able to do and feels as though a burden suddenly disappears and he just did the impossible, that he finally did it...
"I can't believe I did it..." said Loki as he continues to stare at the fireworks and his magic true capabilities.
"But you did." said Darcy and she gives Loki a playful nudge. "I bet you're mom would be proud."
Loki turns to Darcy, completely surprised by her kind words and the mere fact that she believed in him. No one has ever believed in him like that and he didn't think that anyone would ever see him in that light. Here Darcy is, being there for him and comforting him, even after everything he has done and knowing who he is. Maybe he should do this for her, but if he is going to do this then he is going to make sure that Darcy stays safe on these missions and to focus on getting the Stones before facing Thanos. But first, they need to return to Earth and deliver the Infinity Stones they do have and come up with a plan on their next move.
"We should really return to Earth, the longer the Stones are out in the open, the more dangerous it will be." said Loki as he stops himself from doing magic and start to make his way towards the exit. "We need to go now. We already stayed too long as it is and-"
"Loki, wait." said Darcy stopping Loki on his tracks, causing him to turn to her direction. "Are going to be ok? I mean are you alright now? We kinda hit a new moment of unplanned deepness just now."
"I will be, I am now." said Loki. "Now come on, we do not have a moment to lose."
With that, they both left the memorial and make their way out of the area, to leave Asgard behind. They still have a long way to go and still need more time to finally be ready to face Thanos. The war ahead of them is full of unsurity and to see that there is something that will allow them to have a chance to push forward, to have a chance to win the fight. But at the same time, to also allow themselves to find something more than a victory, something even more valuable than anything they could ever imagine.
Darcy feels as though her views on Loki has changed, that she is now seeing him in a new light. That maybe everyone is wrong about him and that maybe, someone needs to be there for him. To show him that he's not alone and maybe she can do that, she can be the one who will listen to him and be there for him. She does not know what will happen next, but for now she will be happy to see Loki is starting to heal and he is starting to move forward. They still have a long way to go and there is no telling what the future will hold, but for now they will go with the flow and face whatever they will have to face together. As she and Loki continues on their way out of Asgard together, she is happy to see Loki is feeling better and he is starting to open himself up or at least in his own Loki way. She is feels as though she and Loki has grown closer, that she and him may have finally became friends.
It took them long enough, but they made it. Darcy always believed that people can become friends in the most unlikely places and situations, as if they are about to reach their destined path on being friends. Maybe a trip to Asgard and having a heartwarming conversation is one of them...