Marvel: AS A PRINCE IN ASGARD

"My dear brother, the great ruler of the Heavenly Palace—you saw all of this coming, didn't you?"

Far beyond the galaxy, Loki projected his psychic reflection before Ragna, using the power of the Mind Scepter.

"As an Aesir, glimpsing the future is not unheard of." Ragna's voice was calm, almost welcoming. "And besides, who else would be better suited to retrieve the Space Stone from Midgard than you?"

Acquiring the Mind Scepter from Thanos was a nearly impossible task, but taking it from Loki? That could be arranged.

The Tesseract had always been an Asgardian treasure. Millennia ago, Thanos had attempted to seize it, launching an incursion against Asgard itself. But Odin had repelled him, striking with a force so devastating that even the Mad Titan dared not challenge the All-Father's dominion again. Since then, Thanos had never risked a direct confrontation with Asgard or Kamar-Taj.

The Time Stone, safeguarded by the Ancient One, remained out of reach. Thanos was well aware of this. He knew that as long as Odin and the Ancient One lived, he lacked the means to claim either stone. He wouldn't dare tread Midgard himself—not yet.

And so, for thousands of years, the Mad Titan's obsession with the Tesseract endured. He had even suspected that the Collector had obtained it from Odin. But when Thanos confronted him, he realized it was merely a lesser artifact imbued with spatial energy.

Ragna, too, had come under Thanos' scrutiny. After demonstrating mastery over space, he had drawn the attention of the Black Order's Supergiant, an unrivaled telepath sent to investigate. But in the ensuing encounter, Supergiant perished—leaving Thanos with no answers.

At the time, Ragna had already acquired teleportation abilities, concealing the fact that he had the Space Stone in his possession. Yet he knew how to bait Thanos.

Deliberately, he had manipulated the Space Stone to emit erratic fluctuations, ensuring that the signal emanated from Midgard.

Midgard—one of the Nine Realms, still under Asgard's jurisdiction.

Thanos couldn't take it by force, not with Odin still alive. But if an Asgardian prince—someone with a legitimate claim—were to seize the Tesseract under the pretense of a political struggle, things would be different.

There was no better candidate than Loki, former Regent of Asgard, and a rightful heir to the throne.

A foreign invasion would invite resistance from the Ancient One, but a royal dispute? That was another matter entirely.

Ragna had known this from the beginning. That's why he had kept the Space Stone's location hidden and had carefully set the stage for Loki's arrival.

Now, it was time for the deal to be sealed.

Ragna extended his hand, waiting for Loki to provide the coordinates. With the Space Stone, he could retrieve the Mind Scepter instantly.

But Loki hesitated.

He didn't provide the coordinates.

Ragna narrowed his eyes. He understood.

Loki wanted more.

Sensing Ragna's shift in demeanor, Loki quickly clarified, "My dear brother, I was merely considering a different arrangement." His voice carried its usual charm. "What if—rather than one or two distant planets—you allowed me to take Midgard instead?"

His eyes gleamed. "I want to rule all of Midgard within the Nine Realms! I will prove to everyone that I am a worthy king!"

From the beginning, Loki had only ever wanted to prove himself.

To prove he was more than just Odin's second son.

To prove he was a true ruler.

But what he failed to realize was the significance of Midgard.

Midgard wasn't just another realm. It was under Ragna's dominion. It was where Ragna had established the Angels' faith, where he had forged divine pacts with humanity.

Midgard belonged to him.

Ragna's expression turned cold.

Loki instinctively took a step back. He had traveled the cosmos, learned from Thanos, and grasped the magnitude of Ragna's power.

And yet, his desire for recognition outweighed his fear.

Frigga was still alive. Ragna wouldn't kill him over something so trivial.

Would he?

Loki straightened. "I am a king! The rightful ruler of the Nine Realms!" His voice carried conviction, though his hands trembled slightly.

Seeing Ragna's silence, he pressed further.

"Thanos has already agreed to my request. He will send the Chitauri fleet to aid me." His lips curled into a smirk. "With their support, I can easily claim Midgard."

Ragna's eyes darkened.

"So you would threaten me with Thanos?"

Loki faltered. "N-no… I only meant—"

"The price?" Ragna cut him off.

Loki swallowed. "I will retrieve the Tesseract for him." He lowered his gaze. Then, regaining his composure, he added, "I only need an army to rule Midgard. But I will never surrender the Tesseract to Thanos."

"My dear brother, if you agree to help me, I will hand over the Mind Scepter immediately."

Ragna studied him carefully.

Then, with a slow, deliberate tone, he said:

"Loki… You don't understand, do you?"

He took a step forward.

"But that's fine."

His expression shifted, his eyes gleaming with an unsettling light.

"I will help you."

Loki's breath hitched.

"I will open the space bridge for you. I will summon the Chitauri fleet." Ragna's voice was smooth as silk, but his intent was razor-sharp. "I will let them aid you in conquering Midgard."

"If you succeed, I will ensure Asgard does not interfere."

Loki felt a chill run down his spine.

Ragna's eyes gleamed with something unreadable.

Chitauri's invasion would serve him just as well.

Tony Stark needed to understand the true nature of the world.

Earth's newly settled inhabitants needed a reminder of who their true protector was.

And when the Chitauri descended upon Midgard, the Angels would descend as well—annihilating them.

Besides, Thanos had to believe that he was one step closer to obtaining the Space Stone.

Only then would he seize the opportunity of Bifrost's destruction to invade Nidavellir—forcing the dwarves to forge the Infinity Gauntlet.

If Thanos didn't come, the gift Ragna had prepared for him would go to waste.

If Thanos didn't come, how would Ragna convince the stubborn dwarves to forge a weapon of his own?

Let Loki play his game.

Ragna would ensure that the Battle of New York unfolded exactly as it was meant to—only this time, it would serve his agenda.

And so, he and Loki set the date.

In ten days, when the Chitauri fleet was gathered, Ragna would open the space bridge.

Five days later, he would unleash them upon Midgard.

Blink.

Ten days later…

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