A/N: three more chapters and an epilogue to go ;)

Thor felt energy rush around his body, awakening every limb. He awoke with a gasp, Jarnbjorn in his hand.

"Thank the Norns, Thor." Sif said from his side before she pulled him into a hug. "I was worried you wouldn't survive."

He laughed and pulled her in tighter. "The universe won't let me die until Thanos is dead. Fate isn't so cruel that it would be otherwise."

"You don't know that, Thor."

"Of course I do." He replied. "Are we on Earth yet?"

She shook her head. "We couldn't take any jumps with you the way you were. I'll go tell Nebula that we're ready to go, she was ready to kill you if it meant we got to Thanos faster."

"Nebula?"

"Gamora's sister. She joined the Guardians after she escaped Thanos' prison."

Thor sat up abruptly. "Were they able to get the reality stone?"

She shook her head once more. "Thanos got there first. They lost Gamora."

"That's... a tragic loss. I could tell she was a warrior of great strength and heart."

Sif nodded and stood up from the chair she was sitting on. "I need to tell Nebula to start jumping. We'll be on Midgard soon."

She left the room and Thor's thoughts drifted to Earth. He was eager to see his teammates again. After the loss of Asgard, it would be good to be surrounded by so many friends.

But how would he tell them that Banner was lost to them? Perhaps he would leave it until after Thanos was defeated, he wouldn't want to dampen people's spirits before such a great battle. Plus, some small part of him held hope that Banner and some of the others had survived.

He also decided that after Thanos was gone he'd make up for lost time on Earth. He'd kindle a friendship with Jane from the disaster that was their romantic relationship, and reconnect with Darcy, Erik and Daryl. He'd visit Clint and his family properly, share battle stories with Natasha, train with Steve, drink with Tony...

There was so much about Asgard that he wished he'd appreciated more. He wouldn't let that happen with Midgard.

He stood up, axe in hand, and left the room. He found the Guardians and Sif at the front of the ship; Star-lord at the wheel and Nebula punching something into a screen.

The atmosphere was heavy, suffocating even. Thor barely knew Gamora or of her relationships with her teammates, but he could feel her loss fully. He wondered if that's what it felt like being around him, the loss of his home and people a thick cloud of depression hanging around him.

Thor sat down beside Sif, who's hand rested on the hilt of her sword. Thor recognised it as her being nervous, but didn't bring it up. He stayed silent, as did everyone else, as the ship sped forward.

Jumping through space was a strange feeling, but it wasn't too different to the bifrost for Thor to feel uncomfortable. Soon the Earth could be seen from the large window of the ship.

"Wow," Star-lord said in an exhale of breath, awe in his voice as he looked down at the jewel-like blues and greens, and the swirling clouds of white. "I haven't been here in so long... It's beautiful."

Rocket scoffed. "How's it any different to any other stinkin' planet?"

Star-lord glared at the rabbit. "Hey! That's my home you're talking about."

"I think Earth is the most beautiful of the nine realms," Thor said, "but I haven't seen enough of the rest of the universe to say how it compares to everywhere else."

"Thanks, man." Peter said softly.

"Should we contact the Midgardians?" Sif asked. "The last time they saw alien spacecraft, it was the Chitauri. And if they know Thanos is coming..."

"We'll send out a message." Star-lord replied. "Nebula?"

"I got it." She replied, pressing a few buttons. A screen lowered down in front of her.

"This is Nebula of the Guardians of the Galaxy. We're tracking done your most advanced systems and sending this message through them. We're allies of Thor, and we've come to help in the fight against Thanos. We are about to enter your atmosphere."

The screen buzzed and crackled for several moments and Sif asked, "Is it really so easy to find the most advanced systems on Midgard?"

Nebula shrugged. "Terran tech is really basic. Accessing anything with a camera and a microphone could be a game for children."

Soon a clear image of a man appeared. "This is General Ross speaking. What are your intentions?"

"We've come to prevent the infinity stones of your planet falling into Thanos' hand. Just don't shoot us." Nebula replied.

"Not to sound impolite," General Ross said, "But I don't trust you in the slightest."

"That sounded impolite." Mantis whispered to Drax. Drax nodded solemnly.

Thor stood from his seat and went over to Nebula, looking at the screen over her shoulder. "Greetings, General Ross! It is I, Thor, returning to fight for you once more! I give you my promise that the Guardians of the Galaxy are highly trustworthy and are noble warriors."

"Your words don't hold any weight, Thor." Ross said. "You abandoned the Earth for two years. We don't just forget things like that."

"I'm very sorry for that, but I had important business elsewhere in the nine realms."

"Is Earth not worthy of your attention?" Ross pushed.

"Of course it is!" Thor exclaimed. "I just-"

The screen started buzzing again, and the picture of Ross disappeared. Thor looked at the blank screen in confusion. "Did something happen?"

"Someone's interfering with Ross' broadcast." Nebula replied.

"Thor, buddy, you're alive!" came a voice from the screen, and then Thor was looking at an image of Tony Stark.

"Friend Stark! It's wonderful to see you!" Thor grinned. "Why did you think I was dead?"

"The chick told me, what's her face..." he raised his voice. "Hey, Wonder Woman! Come over here!"

Thor was looking at someone he thought he'd never see again. "Valkyrie!"

Valkyrie grinned. "Hey, princess. Thought you were dead?"

"I thought the same of you! Who else-?"

"A good half of us are still alive. Heimdall, Bruce, Korg, Meik-"

"Loki?" Thor asked.

Valkyrie's face froze and she looked quickly at Stark. Thor took that as a no.

"Sorry, buddy." Tony said. "Your brother didn't make it."

"Thank you," Thor said quietly, "But I've already grieved his death, I'm just relieved that so many Asgardians survived. Surely this is a good sign. Fate is on our side!" He looked to Sif at that last part.

Tony smiled sympathetically. "Get yourselves down here, I'll make sure Ross doesn't throw any missiles your way."

"Like he could hit us." Nebula scoffed.

"Many thanks, Tony." Thor replied with a smile.

"See you soon." Valkyrie smiled before the screen shut off.

"They sent coordinates." Nebula said, and Thor went back to his seat as she inputted them into a command pad beside her.

It wasn't long before they were speeding towards the planet. "She said Heimdall was alive?" Sif asked.

"You heard right." Thor replied with a grin.

She smiled widely. "You also called the woman Valkyrie? I thought they were all dead."

"I have a long story to tell you." Thor said. "The short version is: I had this secret evil older sister who was locked away in another dimension, and then Loki and I ended up on a trash planet called Sakaar. There I found the Valkyrie and my ally from Midgard – the Hulk. Together, Loki, Valkyrie, Bruce and I came to assist Heimdall with the evacuation of Asgard along with the gladiators of Sakaar. We had to destroy Asgard to kill Hela."

"You must tell me the entire story at a later date." Sif said. "Did Loki help for a noble cause?"

"He could've stayed on Sakaar and lived an undisturbed life of luxury, but he came back."

Sif smiled. "Then Asgard will remember him as a hero."

Thor smiled back and blinked away the water in his eyes. "As they should."

It wasn't long until they reached the coordinates. Star-Lord frowned at the cluster of trees in front of them. "There's nothing here. They must've sent us the wrong coordinates!"

"Typical." Rocket muttered. "It's probably a trap."

"Tony Stark would not deceive me like that. He's a friend of mine." Thor said. "At least... I think so? We're coworkers."

"There's a lot magic in front of us." Sif said, her sense for magic so much greater than his own. "I suspect it's an illusion created with Midgardian sorcery."

"Electricity." Thor translated.

"Let's hope you're right." Star-Lord mumbled, sending the ship forward.

As they moved forward, the trees seemed to disappear until they passed by a blue barrier. An enormous city expanded before them.

"Woah." Star-Lord whispered.

"I didn't think Terrans were so advanced." Drax said, leaning forward in his seat. "Peter didn't make it sound very appealing."

Star-Lord looked offended.

They chose to land in a large area of grassland. Thor was the first off the ship, nearly bouncing in anticipation.

The Avengers (with some new faces) came to the site in flying ships that reminded Thor of some Asgardian vehicles.

Steve was the first one to reach him, hopping out of the ship and greeting Thor with a warm smile. "Good to see you, Thor. Like the new haircut."

"And you, Steve. I can't say your beard is much compared to mine though."

Steve chuckled. "Let's get you back to the palace."

Tony, Valkyrie and Bruce were in the ship. Thor greeted both Valkyrie and Bruce with a crushing hug and they all had another 'I'm glad you're not dead' exchange. Tony made one of his pop culture references that confused both him and the captain. He introduced Sif and the Guardians to the group, and in turn, was introduced to T'Challa – the King of this land, Okoye – a fierce general, Shuri – a young scientist and Peter – an excitable child.

"It's nice to meet you, Mr Thor sir!" Peter practically squeaked out. Shuri snorted.

"Well met, young Peter!" Thor grinned.

The trip back to the palace was a short one, and soon Thor had reunited with all his other teammates and had gotten to know the new faces. Most of the Guardians mingled well, especially Star-Lord who seemed excited to learn about Earth culture despite the obvious dampen Gamora's death had left on his mood. Thor was glad to see him look happy.

Nebula however, chose to stick outside, Star-Lord claimed she would rather die than be sociable.

At one point, Valkyrie – Brunnhilde, she had corrected quickly – approached him. "Thor, I need to talk to you."

But Natasha had appeared at his side at that same moment. "Hey, big guy, are you going to tell us all what you were up to in space?"

"Of course!" He replied. "But, Brunnhilde, you wanted to talk?"

She looked panicked – Thor didn't miss the quick glance over at Natasha – and smiled somewhat awkwardly. "I guess it can wait 'til later."

Thor wasn't convinced but he nodded and went to where the others were sitting to begin his tale. Valkyrie stood on the spot for a moment before she went over to Sif. Before he could begin, he paused.

"So," he began, "Are the other living Asgardians here?"

Tony shook his head. "They're all up in New York. Pepper's taking care of them. It's just Valkyrie and Loren here right now."

Thor thought over the name. "Loren?"

"Yeah, she's out with Strange right now talking to the Defenders."

He couldn't think of anyone with that name. "Who's Loren?"

They all stared at him. Except strangely, Bruce, Peter, Wanda, Vision and Shuri, who all looked at each other.

"The royal treasurer of Asgard's vault?" Natasha pressed.

"Asgard's vault doesn't have a royal treasurer..." Thor replied, cogs slowly turning in his mind.

Steve looked worried. "Wait, then who-?"

"Vile cur!" Screeched a voice from outside.

They all rushed to their feet and followed the noise. "Loren, calm down." Strange said as they came outside.

A woman held a knife to Nebula's throat, though she seemed unfazed by it. "How can I calm down? This is Nebula! She's Thanos' daughter, Strange!"

"Loki?" Thor let slip before he could help himself.

Loki looked over and dropped the knife. They looked like they were trying to figure out something, probably how to repair the cover Thor had likely blown.

But then that disappeared, and there was only a soft. "Thor?"

"What the fuck?" Tony said, less softly.

Thor rushed forward and scooped Loki into his arms, lifting their feet from the ground. He was relieved to feel Loki's arms tighten around his neck and their head burrow into his shoulder.

"I thought you were dead." Loki said quietly.

"As I you." Thor replied. "You've got to stop doing that."

"It wasn't even my fault this time."

Thor put Loki down, keeping his hands on his sibling's shoulders. "They're alive." Loki said. "Brunnhilde and Bruce and Heimdall-"

"I know, I saw. Sif's alive too."

"Sif?" Loki repeated and then their eyes widened. "I completely forgot about her."

Sif rounded Thor and scoffed. "Glad to see you're the same old Loki."

"Wait, wait." Stark persisted. "You're-"

"I am Loki. Friggadottir." They shifted to a more androgynous form. "Laufeychild..." they paused and looked to Thor sincerely before grinning at Tony and shifting into their more recognisable masculine form. "Odinson."

"Fuck." Steve said.

Loki looked back to Thor again, and Thor nodded. He understood what Loki was telling him with that display. 'Odinson' was Loki's way of saying 'you are my brother and I love you'. It was also their way of being a dramatic little shit.

Thor clamped his hand back onto his siblings shoulders as they shifted back into their feminine form. "Has Loki not helped you? I see no reason for you not to treat them as you have these last few days."

"Thor," Steve said gently, "Loki tried to invade Earth. We really should be locking them up."

"Scouting mission." Loki muttered.

"If you try to lock up my..." he looked to Loki.

"Sister," she finished.

Thor smiled at Steve. "Captain. If you attempt to lock up my sister I will not hesitate to attack you with the full might of Jarnbjorn. Brunnhilde and Sif will no doubt assist me, as will the Hulk and the Guardians.

Bruce looked like he wanted to object, but Thor gave him a pleading look and watched the man melt into compliance.

"Woah," Star-Lord said. "I'm not going to attack the heroes of Earth my first time back!"

"I'll do it." Nebula said, despite having being attacked by Loki just moments before. "If they're going to fight someone for following Thanos' orders, I guess they have to fight me for the same thing. They can also drag up the corpse of my sister that Thanos killed and fight her too."

"You don't work for Thanos?" Loki asked.

"Not anymore. He manipulated me and killed my sister."

"Oh, same hat." Loki said, whatever the hell that meant. "Sorry for trying to cut your throat."

"It happens." Nebula replied.

"I'll fight these a-holes too." Rocket said, taking out a gun. "Should be a piece a cake."

"I am Groot."

Rocket laughed. "You tell 'em, buddy."

Drax took out his knives. "We've heard of the angel's love for his sibling. I will not allow another family to be separated under my watch."

"I'll fight too." Said a tiny voice and the young excitable child from earlier put himself beside Loki. "Loren- Loki's my friend. Even if she was evil in the past, she isn't anymore!"

"Peter." Loki and Tony said at the same time with the same level of exasperation.

"Same here." Said the Princess Shuri, placing herself beside Peter.

"Stop this, Shuri." The king said.

"No, brother." Shuri insisted. "I've known that Loren is Loki for a couple of days now and I believe it would be of strategic advantage to keep her on our side. Especially now that Thor is willing to fight anyone who tries to lock her away. Peter's known her for as long as I have, he can vouch for her. Strange too."

Everyone looked to Strange, who shrugged nonchalantly. "We can lock her up later. Right now we need as many people fighting as is possible."

"I've seen into Loki's head." Wanda said, having made her way over to Shuri's side without anyone having noticed. "She means it when she says she's going to kill Thanos."

"There. All sorted." Thor said. "Now Loki, perhaps we should go elsewhere and you can catch me up on the events of your last few days here. Battle plans and all that."

"Of course, brother." Loki smiled innocently and she led the way back into the palace, making sure to pass Tony and Steve with only a few centimetres between them, practically preening.

"Thor, we really need to talk about this." Steve said.

"And we shall." Thor replied. "Later."

"Let him reunite with his sister, Steve." Natasha said gently, putting a hand on his shoulder. "We'll talk about what to do later."

Thor was near laughing as he followed behind Loki. He waved at the Guardians. "I'll return soon, my friends! Don't start any fights without me!"

As they both came inside and the door closed behind them, Loki started laughing. Thor joined in and they both looked at each other while laughing, tears beginning to run down their faces.

"You're crying." Thor pointed out.

"No, you are." Loki shot back weakly, eyes wet and red.

"I missed you." Thor said.

Loki was still laughing, though some teary hiccups were starting to break through. "Is that-" she hiccuped. "Is that what it felt like? Every time I died?"

She had stopped laughing.

Thor stepped closer to his sister and enveloped her in a crushing hug. "At least you didn't have to go through it three times."

Loki hiccuped again.

"You're not allowed to die again for at least two hundred years," Thor said, "Do you understand?"

Loki buried her head into his shoulder and mumbled an "I promise."