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"Don't look at me like that, I'm under a lot of pressure." Anthony shrugged when everyone turned to him, then straightened up, his expression turning serious.
"I think the hammer god—oh, sorry, Thor's plan is workable."
"Don't forget, Odin. The Aether Particle isn't in one piece… the other half is on Earth—Midgard."
The words were a calming pill; Thor's eyes lit up.
"That means even if I fail, Malekith will only get half the power," Thor added eagerly. "He still won't be invincible!"
"And I," Anthony said, eyeing Odin sharply, "will guard the other half."
"Call it risk-sharing, Your Majesty."
"If Thor messes up…" Anthony flashed a smile of supreme confidence, "…Malekith still has to come to me."
"Then this 'God of Earth' will show him what… earthly hell feels like."
Odin fell silent.
He looked at Thor, at Frigga, and finally at the arrogant yet overwhelmingly powerful "God of Earth."
Indeed.
Before, the Aether had been whole; once lost, all was lost.
But now, thanks to this Midgardian's unexpected intervention, the situation had become… delicate.
"…How do you intend to get there?" Odin's voice finally softened as he asked Thor. "Heimdall cannot see the Dark Dimension; the Bifrost Bridge cannot reach it."
"I know a path… but I'll need someone's help." Thor looked at Odin.
"…" Odin gave a slight nod. "You may take him, but you answer for the outcome."
…Asgard's dungeon.
Unlike the other prisoners' crude cells, Loki's had books, a table and chairs, even an illusion-kept tidiness.
Loki sat at the table, elegantly turning a page.
"So my thunderous brother has finally remembered his poor sibling."
Loki didn't look up, yet he already sensed his visitors.
Outside the energy barrier stood Thor, Jane, and the God of Earth.
"Stop the act, Loki."
Thor stood beyond the light-curtain, voice hoarse.
"I know what you saw."
Loki's movements froze for an instant.
"I don't know what you're talking about, Thor." Loki turned, his usual mocking smile in place.
"Here to laugh at me? Or to flaunt your mortal girlfriend?"
"Frigga doesn't blame you."
Thor ignored the taunt and dropped the line straight.
Loki's smile froze on his face.
"…What did you say?"
"The Cursed Warrior." Thor stared hard at Loki.
"That 'helpful' monster who pointed the way—he nearly drove his blade into Mother's heart."
"If not for the Homelander…"
Buzz—!
Loki's magical disguise shattered instantly.
The neat cell vanished.
In its place: total wreckage.
The table and chairs were smashed, books torn, the walls scarred by violence.
And Loki himself was no longer the elegant prince.
He stood disheveled, barefoot amid debris, eyes bloodshot, face filled with deep self-loathing.
He knew.
He'd heard the alarms in the dungeon, heard the rumors.
He had shown the Cursed Warrior the way. He had almost killed the one who loved him most.
"She… how is she?" Loki's voice trembled, a plea in its edge.
"She lives." Thor said, "But Malekith will return. We're going to kill him."
"I need you, Loki."
Thor looked at the brother he both loved and hated.
"I know a secret path to the Dark World—only you know the way."
"Help me, and I'll give you a chance at revenge."
Loki lifted his head, the playful mask snapping back, though flames of vengeance burned in his eyes.
"When do we leave?"
…Assembly point: a side hall of the Heavenly Palace.
Thor removed Loki's shackles, warning him not to try anything.
"So that's your plan?"
Anthony leaned against a pillar, watching the fully-equipped group.
"You steal a crashed Dark-Elf ship, sneak through a secret tunnel to Svartalfheim, then Thor pretends Loki betrays him, hoping that Teletubby-looking Malekith will obediently pull the Aether out of Jane so you can smash it?"
"It's the only way." Thor draped a cloak round Jane.
"Anthony, really not coming? More strength means better odds."
"No." Anthony shook his head. "I'm not going."
Loki let out a snort.
"See? Mortals can't be trusted. Give them power and they're still cowards inside."
"Watch your mouth, Reindeer Games." Anthony shot him a cold glance.
"Want another taste of my signature move?"
The red glow in his eyes made Loki instinctively shut up, dead silent.
"I'm not going because I have a more important job."
Anthony straightened, expression grave, revealing his big-picture mind.
"Thor, your plan has a fatal flaw."
"What if—just what if—you guys fail?"
"If Malekith rips the Aether from Jane, or you simply can't destroy it… where will he head next?"
Thor frowned. "He'll…"
"He'll come to Earth." Anthony tapped the floor.
"Because the other half of the Aether is inside Jessica."
"If I'm stuck in the Dark World with you, and Malekith bypasses us and strikes Earth…"
"Who protects Jessica? Who guards the other half of the Aether? Who protects… Midgard?"
Thor was stunned.
He hadn't thought of that. His mind had been full of revenge and Jane, blind to Earth's peril.
"You mean…"
"I'm going back to Earth."
Anthony walked up, clapped Thor hard on the shoulder.
"We split up, brother."
"You go to the Dark World, lure those bastards out, and smash them any way you can."
"I'll go home and guard the fort."
"If you succeed, great. If you fail…"
Murderous intent flashed in Anthony's eyes.
"…I'll be on Earth, waiting for Malekith to walk right into my trap."
"I'll prepare them… a grand funeral."
"You're right, Anthony." Thor gripped his hand. "You think further than I do. Protecting Midgard… that's the greater duty."
"You are our final hope!"
"Don't put it like that." Anthony looked 'sincere'. "I believe you'll succeed and come back alive, Thor. I haven't taught you Martial Arts yet."
Loki rolled his eyes at the sappy display, disgusted, yet he had to admit the mortal's logic was flawless.
"Since it's decided, move out." Anthony glanced outside.
"Before Odin changes his mind."
...