Chapter Text
Thor made his way cautiously up, pushing gently through the glowing strands of time that surrounded him and provided the only light in this strange place. Ahead, he could just make out a shadowed figure slumped on a throne, head down and arms dangling languidly from the ends of the arm rests, a dark, horned crown on its head.
Here was the truly evil version of his brother, the variant they said was behind the incursions, somehow controlling the entire multiverse.
The one responsible for the deaths of trillions.
A wave of anger swept through Thor. This warped, depraved creature was not his brother. The monster did not merit the honor of death in battle.
With a mighty roar, Thor hefted Mjölnir and threw it at the villain. The horned head did not even rise at the sudden noise. Instead, one hand shot up — and caught the hammer by the handle.
Slowly lifting his head, the figure looked at Mjölnir in his hand, and, finally, at Thor, who stood dumbfounded. What sorcery was this?
“Always wanted to do that,” Loki said. With a soft smile and unfeigned warmth in his eyes, he added, “It’s good to see you, brother.”
“Loki?”