"Laufey, welcome to Asgard."
Loki stepped past the frozen Heimdall, the Eternal Spear gleaming in his hand, and led Laufey and several Frost Giants straight toward the palace where Odin lay in enchanted sleep. He dismissed the guards protecting the Allfather with a few cold words and watched as Laufey stormed inside.
When the Frost Giant king struck Frigga aside and moved to kill Odin, Loki clenched his jaw and held back. Only when Laufey mounted Odin, raising his weapon for the final blow, did Loki rush forward.
The Eternal Spear flared with blinding power.
The first strike hurled Laufey across the chamber. Before he could speak, the second pierced his chest, ending the Frost Giant king's life where he stood.
"You dared to assassinate the Allfather," Loki declared loudly. "I, Loki, son of Odin, will not allow it."
"Loki… you saved your father," Frigga said, pulling him into an embrace.
Loki stiffened, then gripped her shoulders, fury burning through his composure. "They dared commit such a crime. I swear to you, Mother, they will pay for it."
"We should bring Thor back," Frigga said hesitantly. "This is not a decision to make alone."
"Thor was exiled by Father's command," Loki replied smoothly. "I cannot defy his will. Leave everything to me."
He dragged Laufey's corpse into the open and shouted across the palace.
"Summon all citizens and soldiers of Asgard to the central plaza. I have an announcement."
Half an hour later, Loki stood before tens of thousands, holding Laufey's body as proof.
"The Frost Giants failed to steal the Casket of Ancient Winters," he proclaimed. "And now they dared to assassinate our Allfather. If we do nothing, their next step will be a full invasion."
Anger rippled through the crowd.
"For the honor of Asgard," Loki continued, "I declare war on Jotunheim."
"For the honor of Asgard!" the army roared.
Loki raised a hand for silence. "War brings casualties. As king, I will not trade Asgardian lives for Frost Giant blood. Therefore, I will use the full power of the Bifrost to destroy Jotunheim entirely. This threat will end forever."
Many cheered. Some hesitated, unsettled by the idea of annihilating an entire world.
Among the uneasy were the Warriors Three and Lady Sif.
"This isn't right," Sif said sharply. "We need Thor."
They slipped away and raced for the Bifrost.
When they arrived, they found Heimdall encased in ice.
"By the Nine…" Fandral muttered.
With a thunderous roar, Heimdall shattered the ice binding him, though the effort left him barely standing.
"It was Loki," Heimdall said hoarsely. "He let the Frost Giants in. This is all his scheme."
The Warriors Three and Sif bristled with fury. "Send us to Midgard. Now."
"It's too late," Heimdall said, staring toward the palace. "They're coming."
He planted his sword into the control mechanism and summoned the last of his strength.
"I'll bring him here. And the mortals he's with. They may be our only chance."
The Bifrost ignited.
Across space and light, its radiance slammed down into Jane Foster's rented house in New Mexico.
Rowan, Tony, Steve, Logan, Bruce, Betty, Thor, Jane, Erik, and Darcy vanished in a wash of color.
They reappeared in Asgard, staring in disbelief as the Warriors Three and Lady Sif rushed to Thor, while the alien grandeur of the realm loomed around them.
Rowan blinked. "Well… this wasn't in the plan."
So this was the butterfly effect in action.
He recovered quickly, listening as the Asgardians explained what had happened. The situation was worse than expected. Loki wasn't just a manipulator anymore. He was marching with Asgard's army.
"At least I brought Banner," Rowan muttered. "And Steve can lift the hammer."
Thor clenched his fists, fury burning openly now. "Loki… it really was him."
Then he turned to Rowan and the others, guilt heavy in his voice. "This is Asgard's problem. You shouldn't be involved. I'll ask Heimdall to send you back."
Rowan shook his head. "If Loki becomes ruler of Asgard, Earth will eventually face Asgard's armies. This stopped being only your problem."
He met Thor's eyes. "Asgard once defended Earth from the Frost Giants. Today, Earth returns the favor."
Heimdall, supported by Sif and the Warriors Three, forced himself upright. "If the battle turns against you, fall back. I'll send you home."
The Bifrost pulsed softly beneath his hand, ready.
The war for Asgard had begun far sooner than anyone expected.