Sierra dashed down the halls with Thor and Sif, bound for the throne room. They burst into the large hall, startling Odin and Frigga where they stood talking.

"Thor, what is this?" Odin asked. Thor came to a stop in front of his parents.

"We've found where Loki is," he said breathlessly. Sierra nodded in agreement, gasping for air.

"We have to organize a rescue party," she added.

"Patience, child," Odin snapped at her. "Thor, where is he?"

"According to Heimdall, he is held captive by Thanos, on a small planet far from here. Heimdall is able to get us there to rescue Loki, but we think it's a trap. They're hoping we'll knock on their front gates. Normally, Thanos's fortress is already heavily guarded by his armies, but we'll be facing his strongest forces if we go. Not to mention, Loki is being held in his deepest dungeons." Thor explained. His father considered this for a moment.

"This will not be an attack. It will be a rescue, and as quiet of one as you can manage. Thor, get together a group of our best warriors to take with you. We shall send you all on horseback to Thanos to find Loki. I will leave it to you to plan your rescue strategy." Thor accepted this and twisted to face the girls.

"Find the Warriors Three. Them, and you two will accompany me. There is no one better suited to the job than the five of you." Sif nodded once.

"When do we leave?" she asked.

"Why me?" Sierra said at the same time. Thor slapped a hand on her shoulder.

"We all have strengths that could be useful, and I saw you sword-fighting; you're a natural," he said, then added, "As soon as possible," answering Sif. She made for the door, and said over her shoulder,

"Let's gather the group. We have some planning to do."

**********

"Let me get this straight. They're taunting you, expecting you to come, and you want to do just that," Fandral asked, leaning forward in his seat.

"Well, yes," Thor said as though that was obvious.

"Oh, splendid. No problem whatsoever. I cannot wait to have my ass handed to me as soon as we step foot on the planet. You know, I think I've lived long enough anyway." Fandral reclined back in his chair and lifted his feet to rest them on the table. "Do tell my family that this wasn't my idea or preferred way to go."

"No one will die," Thor said, chuckling at his friend's sarcasm. "Thanos is hoping, betting on the fact, that I will march up to his gates with an army and demand my brother back. He has not heard enough of me to expect differently, I'm sure of it. I have never been one of secrecy or stealth in battle."

"So, we have to go in a back way. Get in and out quickly," Sierra piped up. "Find Loki before they even know we're there." Fandral gestured to her in agreement.

"Does anyone know what his...well, we keep calling it a castle...do we know what it's like at all?" Sif asked.

"Titan was once a flourishing planet, and what is left is small but ancient. What can be seen on the surface is unimpressive, but nearly impenetrable. It's low and spread out, with stone walls too tall or rough to climb. The majority of it is in the ground, halls and stairs and rooms carved into the planet's crust. There are few ways in or out besides the main entrances, which will be full of guards."

"This already sounds really bad," Sierra groaned.

"There is a way in," Thor replied. Everyone remained silent, waiting for him to continue.

"Heimdall knows of a passage that will let us in that will not be guarded by many, if any at all. It is hard to see if you don't know where to look but will put us in the perfect position to find the dungeons. I know where to go. I also want to use our inner knowledge from Heimdall to find and kill Thanos. This needs to end. Leave that to me." Nobody objected, but an uneasy atmosphere filled the room.

"This all sounds possible, but what if we are found out?" asked Volstagg. "Have you thought of that?"

"Indeed," Thor said. "If we are found out, then it will be the most honorable defeat in history. But, my friends, we have faced worse odds together and yet here we are."

**********

They stood in the Bifrost on horseback, heavily armed and armored. Heimdall and Thor consulted one another before the group departed. Sierra reached down and pet her horse's neck absentmindedly, trying to calm her nerves. Thor walked back over.

"Alright, here's the plan one more time. Heimdall will send us to Titan, a few miles from the fortress. We will ride until we are in position. I will lead us to the passage and in, where we will split into to two groups. Sierra, Sif, Hogun, you will find the dungeons and rescue Loki. Volstagg, Fandral, you will come with me to find and assassinate Thanos. Getting out isn't the important part. Heimdall will be watching to get us out." Everyone chimed in their understanding, and Thor glanced back at Heimdall.

"We're ready."

Heimdall slid the sword downward into the center of the Bifrost.

"I will honor my sworn oath to protect this realm as its gatekeeper. If your return threatens the safety of Asgard, Bifrost will remain closed." Sierra stared straight ahead as the Bifrost began to spin rapidly and drew the party into its vortex.

The horses settled down on the ground, and everyone took a moment to take in the view. The light gave everything a dull orange tint, and at first glance, the land appeared rocky. Upon closer inspection, they realized the rocks were ruins. Long ago, devastation reigned fierce. They stood on top of a hill and a couple miles in front of them, a fortress rose up among the ruins. Thor's voice interrupted the silence.

"Let us move."

**********