Part I: Ragnarok

*Thor is in his room, leaning against a vanity, sporting an eyepatch. His wounds are mended and his clothes are clean. He barely recognizes the man in the mirror. He doesn’t know how he will ever live up to his father’s legacy. He sighs when suddenly, he hears a voice*

Voice: It suits you...

*Thor turns to see Loki smiling at him. He grins*

Thor: Perhaps you’re not so bad after all, Brother.

*Loki’s grin broadens*

Loki: Maybe not.

Thor: If you were here I might even give you a hug.

*he throws a small, crystal shaped lid at Loki. He catches it and smiles*

Loki: I’m here...

*thor grins and turns back to the mirror. Loki hesitates, sighs, and exits. A while later, after they had decided their destination, and Thor’s unofficial coronation had taken place(Loki hadn’t felt that proud in a long time), he’s walking the halls again, muttering to himself. He does most of his deep thinking while he’s walking. He still can’t help but smile at Thor’s comment that he wasn’t so bad. And he had let him stand beside him after all these years. He begins to laugh at himself.*

Loki: For a moment I thought he was serious... I mean I haven’t been hugged, or shown any affection in- in years, what did I expect?... In eight, lonely years... Eight... Brilliant...

*He stops and sighs. He suddenly feels someone hug him from behind and lift him off the ground. He looks up to see Hulk*

Hulk: Puny god sad?

Loki: I’m not sad, Hulk.

Hulk: Lying.

Loki: I’m honestly fine.

Hulk: Not honest. You never honest.

Loki: What do you care?

Hulk: You friend now. Hulk not want friends to be sad. Even if he is always angry.

*loki chuckles then sighs*

Loki: Perhaps you’re not such a dull creature after all. Thank you, Hulk, but it isn’t quite the same. I was being silly. I assumed if I did one good thing, it would all be good again, but... Oh, if only he knew what really happened... but I cannot tell him... if he knew he would think I was a disgrace to Asgard... Please, Hulk. Let me go.

*hulk does so. Loki sighs and pats his arm before walking away. Hulk thinks. One of the things he hates, despite his own anger, is for his allies to be upset. No matter who they were. Especially since he spent time on Sakaar. It was a bit of Bruce that crossed over during his transformation. Hulk walks down the hall and peers in Thor’s room. Thor is there pacing*

Hulk: Thor.

*thor turns and smiles at his friend*

Thor: Hulk! You still haven’t turned back into Bruce? Not that that’s bad, just, don’t keep him in there for two years again.

*hulk grunts. He ducks and enters the room. He points out the door*

Hulk: Puny god sad.

Thor: Sorry?

Hulk: Puny god sad!

Thor: You mean Loki? He was fine a minute ago... although now that you mention it, he seemed kind of down when he left my room earlier... Oh my gosh... he was...

*hulk nods. Thor face palms and runs out of the room. Meanwhile, Loki stands looking out the window. He hears footsteps approaching. He sighs*

Loki: Hulk, I told you-

*he turns to see Thor*

Loki: Oh. Hello, Brother. Forgive me, I thought you were someone else.

Thor: I am not your brother...

Loki: Oh... no, of course not...

*thor approaches Loki. Loki looks at him and smiles weakly. Thor suddenly hugs him*

Thor: I am more than that. I am your family. Your friend. And now that we’re reunited, I’ll always be here for you. Nothing can change that.

*he hugs him tightly. He suddenly notices Loki shaking*

Thor: Loki, are you crying?

Loki(crying): No...

Thor: Liar.

*loki sobs and clutches fistfuls of Thor’s cape. He sniffs and begins to speak shakily.*

Loki: Thor... there’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you, that I’ve wanted to say for a long time now... I’ve wanted to explain... I’m so sorry for everything. I’m sorry for crashing the coronation. I swear I thought I was doing the right thing. And I’m sorry I lost control after finding out my heritage, I was just so angry... and afraid. I’m sorry for faking my death. I didn’t want to be remembered as a villain. I guess I would rather people think I was a dead hero than a living villain. I swear I was going to bring Father back. I didn’t know the spell would... a-and I’m sorry for betraying you on Sakaar. I just liked it there. People liked me, I could get in good with the grandmaster, and... I sort of had a thing for Scrapper- I mean, the Valkyrie. Brunhilde. And I thought you could learn to like it there too. I thought I could put in a good word with the grandmaster and we could be a family again. We could live a life of luxury, away from danger. Rise to the top. And I’m sorry for every other rotten thing I did. But most of all, I want to explain something big. I’m just... scared to... it’s embarrassing...

Thor: I’m not going to think any less of you...

*loki inhales and mutters something so low and quiet Thor can’t hear it, even though his mouth is right next to his ear*

Thor: Pardon?

*loki mutters again. This time thor catches the words “I was”and “the”*

Thor: Loki. Tell me.

*loki inhales and blurts out*

Loki: I was being controlled by the scepter during everything that happened in the attack on New York and the effect of Thanos being in my head still lingered a long time, I’m sorry!

*thor lets out a dramatic fake gasp before saying*

Thor: I know.

Loki: You do?

Thor: My brother has green eyes, not blue. You think I didn’t notice? My only regret is I didn’t handle it better. Why didn’t you want to tell me that?

Loki: I- I was weak. I let Thanos take my mind. And I allowed the results to linger.

Thor: You were a victim. Don’t be dramatic. I think no less of you, especially now that you had the courage to explain all this to me.

Loki: But you said our paths diverged...

Thor: That’s before I knew you were still in there, you knucklehead!

*he chuckles and pulls Loki down, giving him a noogie. When he stops, Loki stands up straight*

Loki: So... you aren’t mad?

Thor: Of course not! If anything I’m proud of you for telling me the truth. Just remember, I’m more than just your brother. I’m your friend. You can confide in me.

*loki smiles and wipes his eyes. They both turn to face the window*

Loki: Do you really think it’s a good idea to go back to earth?

Thor: Of course. The people of earth love me. I’m very popular.

Loki: Let me rephrase that... do you think it’s a good idea to bring me back to earth?

Thor: Probably not to be honest.

*they both chuckle at Thor’s tease.*

Thor: Don’t worry. I have a feeling everything will work out just fine...

*loki doesn’t respond. Thor looks at his brother. A large shadow passes over his horrorstruck face. Loki gapes, as his skin drains of color. Thor follows his brother’s gaze. He goes as pale as Loki. A humongous ship overshadows theirs. Their ship is minuscule in comparison.*

Loki: ... It’s... him...

Thor: Who, Loki?!

*loki swallows.*

Loki: Thanos...

Part II: Infinity War

*Thor doesn’t waste a second. He turns and runs to ready his subjects. He shouts an order behind him*

Thor: Loki! Force field! Now!

*Loki knows a force field won’t hold him off for long. But he summons one anyway to buy time. Thor runs into the main room and shouts. His voice booms like thunder*

Thor: We are under attack! Get women and children to safety! Signal help! We are outnumbered! Outgunned! Outmanned! Ready yourself for battle!

*there’s a rush of panic. Thor runs back to the room Loki is in. Loki’s arms are extended. He holds up the incredibly large force field. He strains under the pressure. Thanos’ ship shoots it. Loki roars under the strain*

Loki: I... can’t... hold it... much longer!

*loki winces. Suddenly he feels two hands on his shoulders. Thor stands behind him.*

Thor: I'm here for you!

*Lightning crackles along his arms. He’s reinforcing the barrier. Lighting flows along the force field, repelling missile fire using its electric charge*

Loki: Genius!

Thor: Er... yes. I knew that would happen...

*loki rolls his eyes. The force field flickers. Even with Thor’s reinforcement, he’s just not strong enough to hold it. He collapses, and the force field disappears. Loki pants. The ship draws closer... until..*

Thor: We’ve been boarded...

*loki stands up. He and Thor run into the main room and gasp. It’s filled with chitauri. Ebony maw leads them. Thanos watches from behind. Before Loki can stop him, Thor charges at thanos. Though Loki is angry at thanos, he knows this is a bad idea. Thor sends forth a lightning blast. Thanos deflects it with his gauntlet. Thor looks closer (or as close as he can considering he’s in a fight). Inside the gauntlet is... no... the Power Stone.*

Thor: Oh, boy...

*Thor gulps. Thanos knocks him back. Hitting him with one blast and punch after another, until Thor’s punch-drunk. He staggers, and falls back. Two chitauri catch him under his arms. Loki gasps.*

Ebony: Pick a side. One will lead to salvation. The other, death.

*Thor is too dazed to protest when the chitauri drag him to one side of the ship. Thor stands, swaying on his feet. The chitauri laugh and instruct Korg to hold him up. Loki suddenly feels cold hands grabbing his arms and pulling him to the opposite side. Eventually, the entire ship is divided. Half are pinned against one wall, the chitauri weapons pointed at them. The other side is the same. Only one group will fire. One half of the population will die. Either the side Thor is on, or the side Loki and Valkyrie are on. Loki gulps. Either way he will never see Thor again. Thor stumbles. The chitauri laugh, and kick him in the legs. He falls down, already loopy from so many blows to the head. They kick him more*

Loki: LEAVE HIM ALONE, YOU MONSTERS!

Thor(slurring): Brother...

*the chitauri laugh and kick him some more, before having Korg hold him gently on his feet. He is almost completely limp now. He’s in an incredible amount of pain. His head falls forward. He mutters stupidly*

Korg: Hold on, Thunder...

Ebony: On my signal...

*The chitauri ready themselves*

Ebony: 3...

*they take aim. Thor doesn’t acknowledge it. His eyes are half closed*

Ebony: 2...

*ebony maw smiles*

Ebony: 1.

*loki closes his eyes. He hears loud fire. But he doesn’t feel anything. He opens his eyes to see the other side being fired upon*

Loki: NO!

Ebony: Save your breath traitor...

*loki sobs*

Loki: WHY?! HE HAD NO QUARREL WITH YOU!

Ebony: An ant has no quarrel with a boot... and besides... I figured it would be a more apt punishment...

*Loki stares ahead at him savagely. This man had not only destroyed his brother, but he had been the one to hold him still as thanos tortured him and stole his mind. He wants more than anything to make him writhe. To make him squeal. To make him bleed. He suddenly lunges, the Valkyrie holding him back*

Loki: YOU’LL DIE! I’LL K-

*the Valkyrie puts her hand over his mouth. She knows it’s best not to draw attention to them.*

Ebony: It looks as if you cannot handle a taste of your own medicine...

*Loki goes red in the face. Suddenly his jaw drops as he looks towards the opposite wall. The smoke clears to reveal Thanos holding Thor by his collar... he’s alive! Korg is behind them. Why on earth had thanos saved him? Saved them? Loki sobs. Thor looks up slightly, before falling unconscious*

Loki: Thank you... I am eternally gratef-

Thanos: Don’t thank me yet...

*he throws Thor on the floor hard*

Thanos: Come...

*ebony maw begins his speech. Thor opens his eyes slightly. His vision out of his one good eye is blurry. His ears ring. He sees Loki approach. He can’t hear what thanos says to him, but he knows Loki is scared. Finally his hearing recovers, just in time. Thanos picks him up by his head. It hurts, but he’s too weak to move. Thanos had been testing his reaction. He now knows the one thing Loki had come to value more than the tesseract was in his hand*

Thor(slurring): You... talk to much...

Thanos: The tesseract...

*he holds his gauntlet up to Thor’s head.*

Thanos: Or your brother’s head... I assume you have a preference?

*loki looks at Thor. Thor stares blankly at him. The only part of his face that gives any clue as to how he feels is his single blue eye. It shines with fear. And selfless bravery. As if daring Loki to do it. He knows that if he spares Thor, he puts the universe at risk. The choice is obvious. But that doesn’t make it any easier. Thor was the only person who cared about him. Viewed him as more than a wretch with no right to live. He sighs and fakes a smile*

Loki: Oh, I do...

*thanos cocks his head*

Loki: Kill away...

*thanos frowns and holds the stone to Thor’s head. Thor screams in agony. Loki’s smile falters. His breathing quickens. His brother was practically dying at his hands. Tears come to his eyes. Even when he was conflicted, he had never wanted this. He had never wanted Thor to die. He, at the time, didn’t mind hurting him, but he always knew Thor would survive what he threw at him. Even the destroyer. He had known perfectly well Thor would survive. He had thought he could pull the strings enough to keep Thor alive, and succeed. This was different. Thor was on the verge between life and death. Barely holding on. This pains him to watch. Finally, he caves*

Loki: ALRIGHT STOP!!!

*thanos smiles, and lowers his gauntlet. Thor pants. He’s delirious. When he speaks, his voice is weak*

Thor(slurring): The tesseract... was destroyed... on Asgard...

*loki sighs. He regrets this... he makes the tesseract appear. Thor speaks, stumbling over his words more than ever*

Thor(slurring): You really are... the worst, Brother...

*loki sighs and walks forward*

Loki: I assure you, Brother. The sun will shine on us again.

Thanos: Your optimism is misplaced, Asgardian.

*loki comes to a halt*

Loki: First of all, I’m not Asgardian...

*thanos cocks his head*

Loki: Second... we have a Hulk.

*loki dives to the side, pulling his brother out of thanos’ clutches, and dropping the tesseract. The Hulk tackles thanos. Loki smiles. He likes Bruce much better as an ally. Thor tries to get up. Loki holds him down*

Thor(slurring): The Hulk... needs help...

Loki: Stay!

*loki stands up. Thor tries to get up. Loki sighs*

Loki: I said “Stay”...

*thor watches, as green mist flows out of Loki’s palm. Everything goes dark. He falls over, weaker than ever*

Loki: I’m sorry. I can’t let you hurt yourself...

*loki runs off, and out of view behind a pile of rubble. Thor’s vision is blurry still. He can no longer see his brother.*

Thor(slurring): Loki...

*thor’s gaze shifts to Hulk. He’s losing. There’s nothing Thor can do. Thanos lifts Hulk over his head and throws him on the ground. Hiemdall also watches. Thor sees him mutter something*

Hiemdall: All-fathers... let the dark magic flow through me... one... last... time...

*the bifrost crashes down, carrying Hulk away. Thor smiles, now on his knees. Suddenly, Proxima Midnight stabs Hiemdall through the heart. Thor roars with rage*

Thor: YOU’LL DIE FOR THAT!

*Ebony Maw uses his telekinesis to bend metal rods into a case, holding Thor down. It covers his mouth. He then grabs the tesseract and presents it to Thanos. Loki walks up from behind the pile of rubble. He walks forward, putting forth his best acting... but acting nonetheless*

Loki: If you’re going to earth, you’ll need a guide. Preferably someone with experience.

Thanos: If you call failure experience.

*loki chuckles*

Loki: I call experience experience.

*he pauses, then walks forward, hand behind his back*

Loki: I, Loki, prince of Asgard...

*he looks at Thor sadly*

Loki: ... Odinson...

*he straightens up and continues to walk forward. A dagger materializes behind his back. Thor, still delirious, goes wide-eyed. He thinks, Odin’s beard, don’t do anything stupid, Loki...*

Loki: God of mischief, rightful heir to the Jotenhiem, hereby pledge to you my “undying” fidelity...

*he looks at Thor one last time. He bows, and suddenly jabs the dagger upwards. It stops in midair. Thor gasps. Loki’s face is the picture of fear. Thanos grabs his arm. The dagger falls to the ground. Thanos pulls him forward and grabs his neck, lifting him off the ground. Loki thrashes and writhes. Thor screams.*

Thanos: You should choose your words more wisely...

*Loki knows if he goes limp he won’t be able to breath. He finally exhausts himself, and falls still, pulling himself up enough to say his last six words*

Loki: You... will never... be... a god!...

*Thanos cracks Loki’s neck. Thor yells. Loki stares blankly, unknowingly ahead. Thanos drops him. He uses his gauntlet to set the ship to explode. He and his minions portal out. The beams drop from Thor, allowing him to crawl over to Loki. He grabs his shirt, and cries, resting his head in his chest. This had to be a trick. It had to...*

Thor: No...

*the ship explodes*