larrykins - Tumblr blog

larrykins · 7 years ago

Text

MYTHS, LEGENDS, LIES AND STORIES: An Attempt to a Loki-centric Fanfic

AUTHOR’S NOTES:

The last fan fiction I wrote was Absolution (for Broadchurch) which was two years ago. I haven’t returned into creative writing in years. To be honest, I’m just too tired to think sometimes and moreo ften than not, I find myself lost in my thoughts. Most of the story ideas I have remains as ideas because I am just too damn lazy to write these days. Now, confined at home for almost two weeks due to chicken pox, I I have the time to sit and write down these story ideas in my head.

This is my first attempt to write a fan fiction that is Loki-centric. I have so many feels after watching Thor; Ragnarok last November and frankly I got hooked in so many fanfictions about Loki. I am putting aside my fear of writing a fan fiction about Loki and decided to let go much like what I did when I wrote “After Life” (a Soujiro-centric fan fiction under Rurouni Kenshin). I do not know whether I’d be able to get Loki’s characterization correct but I am using his MCU incarnation and will reference a few materials from Loki: Journey Into Mystery and Loki: Agent of Asgard comic books. I do hope you enjoy this work. This is me and my imagination running wild.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Loki or any other Marvel Characters that appears in this fan fiction. All characters belong to MARVEL. All original characters that will appear in this fan fiction is min though.

gifs and pictures are not mine. Credit goes to the photographer(s) and creator(s).

MYTHS, LEGENDS, LIES AND STORIES

Only one of you can ascend to the throne. But both of you were born to be kings.

Loki opened his eyes. His fitful slumber was interrupted by a gentle ray of sunlight peeking through the windows. He groaned in frustration as a realization dawned on him. It was another boring day in this hel hole in Midgard. Closing his eyes as if to muster the courage to get up, Loki consoled himself with the thought that at least this time he had a room and he was not confined in some glass prison.

Midgard was on high alert after Thor and the rest of the surviving Asgardians arrived in the Grand Master’s ark. Migardians, while fond of Thor, was not overly keen on welcoming a few hundred survivors from Asgard who could potentially be as powerful as he or Thor. Heimdall and Valkyrie were surely powerful Asgardians but they are far too loyal to Thor to even think of conquering Midgard.

He was a different case however. As Loki got up, he smiled at the memory of seeing Midgard’s welcoming party for him. High-powered artillery fit to incapacitate an “alien” (as what Midgardians call those who come from space) were on stand-by. A replica of the handcuffs and muzzle he wore when he was captured in New York was immediately placed on him. Thor pleaded with the Midgardians and tried to regal them with the story of his heroic rescue of the Asgardians but apparently it was not enough to vouch for his “change of heart”. In the end, it was Midgard’s Sorcerer and master of the New York Sanctum, Doctor Stephen Vincent Strange who took the responsibility to be his keeper.

Which brings us to Loki’s present situation. As he got up from his bed in his appointed room in 177A Bleecker Street, Loki opened the curtains of his window to allow the soft morning light to enter the room. He raised his hands and observed his wrists as a thin band of light briefly shined before it disappeared.

As Doctor Strange took over the responsibility of watching him (since according to the sorcerer, he was among the top 10 of his most dangerous beings watch list), Doctor Strange installed a power dampening spell which limits his powers to mere party tricks. It was only Doctor Strange who can adjust or remove the spell on him.

The god of mischief and lies has been reduced to an almost mortal existence. His adopted older brother on the other hand, the god of thunder and king of Asgard was busy rebuilding Asgard on the place where they had last seen Odin (and encountered their older sister Hela). Norway and the European Union was kind enough to allow the Asgardians refuge on that place.

I am the better diplomat. Came the bitter thought as he slammed his fist against the window. Thankfully it did not break (because he will never hear the end of it from the second rate sorcerer) and the same time, it was a bitter reminder of how weak he has become.

But both of you were born to be kings.

Odin’s words from a distant memory. Loki smiled and his reflection on the window smiled back at him. Yes, he and Thor were born as heirs to the throne but one of them was the unwanted heir. He was neither welcomed in Jotunheim and Hel would freeze before Asgard sees a frost giant ascend its golden throne.

Odin’s words were neither truth nor lies; they were not empty promises too.

He was king of nothing. His entire existence was built on a lie.

”WOOONNGG!!!” The loud shrieking outside his room was enough to cut any more thoughs from Loki’s morning musings. Pushing himself away from the window, Loki decided to prepare and join the rest of the occupants of the Sanctum for breakfast.

----OoO----

“I swear you are trying to kill me.” Zelma Stanton said as Wong served a cup of tea to the energetic librarian and apprentice of Doctor Strange. She was about to make another remark but she was rendered speechless as Loki waltzed inside the open-spaced breakfast area. Doctor Strange and Wong eyed him warily and followed his every motion. It was a daily dance routine that he has gotten accustomed to since becoming a “guest” in the New York sanctum.

Loki took the seat opposite Zelma. Carefully placing the napkin on his lap, Loki chose to have the freshly baked bagel and cream cheese for breakfast. As he was spreading the cream cheese on his bagel, Doctor Strange spoke. “Your brother sends word that he will come and visit you this week. Seems like the Asgardians are settling well in Norway.”

“Visit? He is more likely to check if I am up to something here.” Loki responded.

“Maybe. Maybe not.” Strange agrees. “So be good won’t you.” Loki rolled his eyes in response to Strange.

“Tea?” Wong offered.

“Early Gray with milk.”

“How come you ask him and he gets to choose his tea?” Zelma complained. “And here you give me another tentacle tea with lemon squeeze. Talk about bias Wong.”

Wong was about to respond to Zelma when a portal opened in the breakfast room. A young woman with dark brown hair messily tied in a pony tail appeared from the portal. Wisps of hair beautifully framed her face as her amber eyes seem to sparkle in amusement.

“Looks like I am in time for breakfast.” She cheerfully announced as the portal closed behind her.

“And the prodigal apprentice returns.” Wong teased. Setting down the teapot, Wong opened his arms as the young woman ran towards him and embraced him.

“I am not a prodigal apprentice. Doctor Strange ‘loaned’ me to Thor to teach Asgardian scholars about Midgard.” The woman responded as she glared at Strange. Strange just smiled at her.

“Good to have you back though.” Zelma declares as she stood from her chair to give the young woman a welcome hug. As soon as Zelma released the young woman from her embrace, she turned to Loki.

“Good Morning Prince Loki. Your brother says he misses you and that he looks forward to visit you this week.”

“Doctor Strange have relayed that message to me already.” Loki retorts gently. “And welcome back Lady Brielle.” Loki offers.

“Please, Brielle is just fine. I’ve had enough of the ‘lady’ title to last me a lifetime! Asgardians and their Victorian sensibilities.” She counters as she takes the seat beside Loki.

The breakfast table was then filled with lively chatter and friendly banter. Loki mused as he carefully observes Brielle how her presence easily changed the atmosphere of the room and the dynamics of its occupants. In the months he had spent in the sanctum, he had several interactions with Doctor Strange’s valet and guardian, Wong, his librarian and apprentice Zelma and his other apprentice Brielle Aine McKenzie.

Strange as his sworn keeper has always been guarded around him despite disguising it under intellectual conversations. Wong have always regarded him with careful measure of caution while Zelma occasionally converses with him but he realized that his mere presence unnerves the woman. Brielle was Zelma’s complete opposite however. While he knows that he intimidates her, the woman has never took a step back whenever they discuss and debate. She possesses the cool and calm intellectual facade of Strange but underneath it all is a fiery and fierce creature prepared to tackle any obstacle before her.

“Brielle Aine. Your name suits you perfectly.” Loki commented as he smiled. They were in the middle of a heated argument about the true meaning of freedom when Brielle lost her temper and pushed him in the mirror dimension.

“Your compliments won’t save you from this argument Loki, Prince of Asgard.” She chides. She was in her battle stance.

“God’s bravest and brilliant woman. Whoever gave you that name must have seen into your future.” He quips. He raises his arm as if surrendering already.

“My name has nothing to do with what we were discussing. Freedom is not something you derive from fear and subjugation. Freedom is the choice to follow what you believe in.”

“And from that argument darling, I do have the freedom to conquer Midgard since I believe that to be its benevolent leader would mean to give freedom to Midgardians.” Loki argued.

“Where is freedom if we fear you and fear for our very life. That is not freedom, that is a prison.”

“And so you are prepared to fight me to prove your point then?” He inquires. “Punching me in the face to make me agree with you is not freedom at all.”

“No it won’t.” Brielle answers confidently. “But it will give me one hell of a satisfaction that I punched the would-be conqueror of New York in the face.”

‘A warrior indeed’ Loki muses as he listened to Brielle’s story about her ‘classes’ with the Asgardian scholars. ‘And brilliant as the sun, it warms and burns at the same time’.

----OoO----

Loki was not really allowed to leave the Sanctum. Not that he blames Strange for that. New Yorkers were still recovering from the trauma his failed invasion has caused and he knew that walking around New York would provoke people to attack him just for vengeance. Loki values his life and his keen sense of self-preservation has always kept him out of sticky situations. The last thing he would want was to die in Midgard from an attack by the Midgardians because he is ‘almost’ mortal.

And so, he has found a quiet reprieve in the sanctum’s library. Zelma was quiet enough to allow him to read in peace. He was in no mood to spar today despite the fact the Wong generously offered to spar with him. Loki preferred the quiet of the library especially now that too many unwanted thoughts have plagued him since he woke up.

Your mother calls me.

I love you my sons.

A moment of sentiment creeped into Loki’s being as he heard and remembered Odin’s last words to him and Thor. Did the mighty king of Asgard truly loved him as a son? Was it sentiment that moved Odin to bring Laufey’s unwanted child to Asgard?

“What am I?” Loki asks.

“You are my son.” Odin answers.

He never really was his son. The thing about Odin is that his words were never plain. He’d lead you to thinking that he was speaking of a fact but underneath that lies more meaning and more messages. Odin’s words were like a cipher, you have to decode it in order to truly understand it. Odin was never a man of simplicity when it comes to his words. He was a wordsmith.

A silver tongue just like him.

The truth about mortality is that it leads you to questions everything about yourself. So many things to do with so little time. So many dreams to plan but none really turn out as you envision it. Loki, being almost mortal, have come to a moment in his long existence that causing mischief had become tiresome and evaluating what he knows about himself has become more excruciating. The god of mischief and lies’ life has been founded on an intricately woven lie. It would have been better if he was abandoned in Jotunheim or have died in the void.

The Void. Another moment in his life that blurred everything he knew about himself. The Void and The Other made him question what is real and what is not. It tormented him in so many ways that made him fear beyond logic. And his failure to conquer Midgard had already sealed his fate. It was only a matter of time. Not even the sanctum can protect him from his fate. This, everything that he experiences now, were just a momentary reprieve. The inevitable would be coming.

And he chooses to use this momentary reprieve to ponder on his existence.

I have grown soft. He thinks.

“Just in case you haven’t noticed, you haven’t really turned a page in that book you are reading. I wonder if you even understood that page or you were merely projecting an image that you are reading.”

Loki looked up and saw Brielle leaning against the library’s doors. Her sling bag was around her and she was holding her coat. Loki cleared his throat as he closed the book, doing his best to regain his composure. Brielle laughed softly at him.

“Are you heading out?” He inquired. “You just got back from Norway.”

“I have to get a few things from my office in the university.” She responded. “Would you like to come?”

It took Loki five seconds to register and comprehend what he had just heard. He had a surprised look on his face while she looked at him determinedly.

“I beg your pardon?”

“I said, do you want to come?” She repeated. Her eyes locked on his piercing green eyes that were full of questions.

“Strange won’t...”

“I already asked permission from Doctor Strange. He is confident that you will be under control since he has cast a limiting spell on you. I may not be as strong as the sanctum’s master but I am also confident in my own abilities that I can take-on a de-poweered demigod.” She explained. Loki looked at her incredulously. She smiled at him warmly. “Since you still have a little magic in you, you think you can cast a glamour or disguise? I wouldn’t want the Prince of Asgard to be mobbed by angry New Yorkers.”

----OoO----

It was his first time out of the sanctum since he arrived six months ago. He was seeing New York from a different perspective. He saw it before atop Stark’s Tower but seeing the city from the ground was a far more different experience. He walked closely behind Brielle. The last thing he needed was to get lost since he doesn’t have enough magic to transport him back to the sanctum.

New York is indeed a concrete jungle, Loki concluded.

“Jeez, you could have chosen a more subtle disguise?” Brielle admonishes.

“I believe I have chosen the perfect disguise. Polished, sophisticated and commanding. It is very appropriate for this city.” Loki retorts proudly as he examined his reflection from the cart of the train they had ridden.

(In case you are wondering, this what I had in mind when I imagined Loki’s disguise.)

“And I look like your trashy personal assistant. Feels like I am walking with that famous British actor that every female student I have is going nuts over with.” She rants as her companion offered her a smug smile. Loki examined their reflections and he could not help but agree to her analogy. She was after all wearing a baggy coat, faded jeans and worn-out chucks. Her scarf was hastily wrapped around her neck. Whereas he, he wore a three-piece suit and a trench coat to compliment his polished look. He changed his hair color from black to blonde and wore a pair of eye glasses that made his green eyes look like deep blue instead.

“Thank you for your compliment.” He teased and she rolled her eyes.

“A little cliche with the eyeglasses for a disguise though.” She smirked at him but Loki was lost as to how the eyeglasses made his disguise a cliche.

“I believe my dear Lady Brielle, you are just jealous of how I look.”

A few minutes later, they emerged from the subway to an expansive university grounds. Loki took on the scenery while keeping Brielle in sight. She knew the place like it was the back of her hand and he followed her around. They entered one of the buildings that Brielle called a hall. Taking several flights of stairs, they stopped by the third door on the third floor’s corridor. She opened the door and they were greeted by a cheerful middle-aged woman sitting by the reception desk.

“Doctor McKenzie! Welcome back. I hope you had good trip.” She greeted.

“It wasn’t vacation Betsy. It was work. Thank you though.” She responded as she removed her scarf and coat. The woman called Betsy carefully studied Loki then. He nodded at her as his way of greeting and acknowledging her.

“Quite a handsome fellow you have here. Are you sure you didn’t go for a vacation?” Betsy quips as she raises a brow to her.

“Oh he is an Asgardian envoy who flew back with me. Part of the culture and history exchange program we have agreed with Neo-Asgard.” Brielle explained without looking at Betsy. She quickly rummaged her desk for various documents and stacks of papers.

“Is he now? I hope Doctor McKenzie is not giving you a hard time?”

“Doctor McKenzie is an excellent guide.” Loki answers. “I have learned much about Midgard, I mean Earth’s history and culture from her.”

“As long as she isn’t grading your paper son. You don’t know how many students have come to me begging to have an appointment with her.” Betsy recalls.

“In my defense, their papers were poorly conceptualized and poorly written.” Brielle said from behind the desk. “Found it! I knew I left it here.” She triumphantly raised two worn out books and was grinning like a child.

“And here I thought you were here to get the papers your students have submitted for their final paper.” Betsy shook her head in disapproval.

“Oh I am getting those too. Time to raise some merry hell on them.”

After shoving her worn out books and a stack of papers in her sling bag, Loki and Brielle left Betsy and began their trek back to the subway. Brielle asked if he wanted to look around for a bit which Loki agreed to. She pointed various halls that house the university’s colleges and schools. She showed him one of the university’s libraries (which he found impressive) and brought him to a park that students would usually use a hang-out place. Brielle then took him to a small cafe within the campus. Since she has been a regular customer, the cafe attendant was quick to give them a quiet yet cozy spot by the windows.

“Thank you.” Loki said as they were waiting for their orders to be served.

“You are welcome. I hope you are enjoying your field trip.”

“For once its nice to be out and about.” He reveals.

“You look like you needed fresh air anyways.” She counters. “You were so deep in thought earlier I wasn’t so sure whether you were musing about something or just plain depressed.”

Loki smiles sardonically. “No time to be depressed. No time to mourn.”

“Says the god of mischief and lies. For once you do not sound convincing.” Brielle informs him. Loki was not surprised because he didn’t believe himself either.

“Tell me Doctor McKenzie, what makes history fascinating to you? For all we know, history is just a big lie.” He challenges.

“As an old saying goes, history is written down by the victors;” she begins “however, it doesn’t mean that those on the other side of history have no story to tell. Every experience, every account is a truth that is truer to the person who experienced it.” She looks outside the window, her eyes were thoughtful and warm. “You learn history not to become a bitter person. You learn history because you want to understand how things were before, how they came to be and how they can be better. Learning history changes you because you value more what you have right now and work hard to be better than the ones who have come before you.”

“It could be lies. Evidences can be falsified and accounts can be twisted to serve a specific intent and purpose.” Loki asserts.

“Could be. Could not. It is always a search for understanding and truth. Every story fabricated or not is tied to another story. There is always a bigger picture.” Brielle answers. The waiter finally came and served their meal. There was a brief interlude in their discussion and Loki welcomed it.

Every story fabricated or not is tied to another picture. There is always a bigger picture.

‘So what is my history then? What is the bigger picture?’ He asks himself.

----OoO----

‘So why did he lie?” Loki asks. He was in Odin’s bedside as the king had fallen to another Odinsleep.

“He kept the truth from you so you would never feel different.” Frigga answered. “You are our son Loki and we are your family.”

Sleep eluded Loki that evening. What was the bigger story of his life then? He kept asking himself and yet he seems nowhere near the answers he seeks. The more he looks back, the more he realizes that there was nothing about himself that was true.

“Am I not real and true my son?”

Loki snaps out of his reverie. It was surely his tired senses playing on him but he thought he heard Frigga. Frigga, his adoptive mother who treated him like he was a child that came out of her own flesh and blood. Frigga who stood by him but never condoned his wrong doings. Frigga who probably was the only one whom he can truly acknowledge as someone who cared for him.

Always so perceptive of everyone but yourself.

What is the point of looking inside when people around you are busy pointing out who you are in the first place? Loki was a prince, a god, an heir, a silvertongue, a son, a brother, a deceiver, a usurper, a traitor, a villain. He was all of that and none of that at the same time. He was no one, and his only birth right was death.

His birth right would be fulfilled very soon.

Can a person be someone and no one at the same time?

His self-reflection was interrupted by a knock on his door. Getting up from his bed, Loki openned his door and was surprised to see Brielle with her hair disheveled standing in front of him.

“Sorry to disturb you but I really have to ask you something. I’ve been meaning to ask this to you before but I got shipped away to Norway.” She says while catching her breath.

“Did you run from your room to here? Whatever it is you will ask, it must be of grave importance.” Loki concludes.

“Not really but I have to ask you this before it slips my mind again. Is it true that you are the father of Hela and Jormundgrd? And did you really give birth to an eight-legged horse named Sleipnir?” She asked.

“What?” was all Loki could say because of the absurdity of the question. If only he could resurrect Volstagg and Frandal and kill them again with his own hands.

“I said...”

“I know what you said” Loki interrupts. “But I fail to see how important those were that you had to run here looking disheveled.” He points out. “The answer is no. It was a rumor that Volstagg and Frandal started spreading after Sigyn turned down my proposal.”

“Since you had your heart broken, you turned yourself to a horse and had sex with another horse? What a strange rebound practice.” Brielle joked and she was doing her best not to laugh out loud.

“And Hela is apparently Odin’s oldest born. The rightful heir to Asgard’s throne. Since she became megalomaniac, Odin had to cast her out somewhere.” He leaned on his door frame and began massaging the bridge of his nose. “Since Hela draws her power from Asgard, Thor and I decided to destroy Asgard. I went to Odin’s vault, took Surtur’s crown and placed it in the eternal flame therefor summoning Surtur in Asgard that led to its destruction and fulfilling the prophecy about Ragnarok. It’s the reason why we ended up here in Midgard.” He explained.

“I know about the last part but the one about Hela...well...” Brielle cleared her throat. “I’m sorry about that.”

“Just in case you are wondering, I was never married and am still unmarried. I know your Midgardian myth says I was married to Sigyn and we had sons named Vali and Narvi. Fact, we were never married. She turned me down. Your myth also states that I was chained to a rock while snake drips his poisonous venom on my face and Sigyn collects the venom in a bowl. That never happened as well. Thor and I were both punished by Odin because we played a prank on an Alfaheim princess who was supposed to be Thor’s fiance.” Loki explained.

“So King Thor is a mischievous little child too. Something I can use to tease him when I see him again.” Brielle excitedly announced and Loki just sighed.

“I told you, history is a lie. Look at how they twisted our stories.” He proclaimed.

“First and foremost, Asgard shut us out after the Jotuns attacked us during the ancient times. Second, myths and legends came into existence to explain things that does not make sense to us. They were created as a source of learning and to teach morality.” Brielle then let out a laugh. “Too bad but it seems like you are the Norse Mythology’s Hades, painted as perpetually evil but for all intents and reasons, a perfectly misunderstood being.” Loki refused to comment further on what Brielle said. Brielle smiled as she walked away from Loki’s door. She bid him goodnight and proceeded to return to her room.

Loki closed the door and leaned on it for a couple of seconds. He was catching his breath. His mind was raising and his carefully structured thinking was destroyed in mere seconds.

...painted as perpetually evil but for all intents and reasons, a perfectly misunderstood being.

He closed his eyes willing every fiber of his being from clinging into something he had no right to ever have.

----OoO----

#canon divergence #loki (marvel)#loki fanfic #Loki Laufeyson

5 notes · View notes