Hi all! Well, I just sort of got this idea in my head and thought "Hey, I have nothing better to do with my life..." so, voila! Hope you like it! :) and I'm not gonna fool you, I don't own anything in here but the OC.

The sun had shone through the open windows since it had first begun to peek over the horizon. The air was warm with a cool, light breeze. The creatures of the sky took advantage of this, and did not hesitate to take flight.

Some had awoken in the kingdom of Asgard, but not all. In the castle, in a chamber fit for a prince, a mass of a body still lay asleep, with its head beneath the pillows.

"Loki!" cried a deep voice, "Brother, wake up! Father has asked for us. I'm assuming it's another task he has yet to assign us. He said he would like us down quickly!"

The only response given by the mass in the bed was a small groan. Loki, a prince of Asgard, was a formidable foe, and a great ally to have. He was capable of many things; however, getting a decent night's rest was not one of them. Loki had loved his family and loved his kingdom…but he also loved his sleep, which he has been substantially lacking over an extended period of time.

Thor had knocked before entering the room. The curtains had been drawn to a close, shutting out most of the daylight and the senses that would be activated, had the curtains been opened. The sounds, the smells, the sight, all had been shut away, and Loki was content. "Brother, art thou alive?" he teased, nudging his brother's body in an attempt to stir him from his slumber.

"Yes, brother, unfortunately, I am…" Loki replied bitterly.

Thor ripped open the curtains, revealing the sun – which was near blinding for so early in the morning, "Rise up now, Loki! We must be on our way." Thor said, with a crescendo in his voice.

Loki's voice was like a mouse's squeak compared to his brother's roar, "A few more moments, brother? I'm still a little weary from yesterday…"

His request was childlike, yes, but Thor understood. Yesterday did give Loki a hard time, and his brother was never as excited about fighting as he was. Perhaps this was the main difference between him and his brother? Perhaps – besides birthright – this is what made Thor the future king?

"Alright, brother. I will stall you some time, but not for too long. Get dressed and come downstairs, then from there we shall go."

"Did father not say where we are going?"

"Not to my ears, no," Thor said. Loki was surprised at this, seeing as how Thor was always told everything by their father.

Loki lifted his head from his state of slumber, his green eyes at first wincing at the light, and then looked at his brother, "Thank you, Thor. I won't take too long."

"You better not," Thor said with a grin as he left the room and closed the door behind him.

Loki lay back down for a brief moment before realizing he was far too awake now to fall back asleep. He sat up, and the blankets fell from his figure, revealing his bare chest. Though Loki did not have Thor's strength, his muscles were well-defined; and what Loki lacked in strength, he easily made up with his intellect. He got out of bed and dressed himself for battle – since he knew that was what they would be doing, for his father, King Odin, hardly ever called upon the brothers for anything else.

Proceeding to the grand hall of the palace, Loki greeted all who passed, ending with his beloved mother.

"Good morning, my son…You look…" she paused, eyeing her son up and down, "fit for battle. Pray tell, why are you dressed so?"

Confused, Loki began to think of why else his father would request his assistance, "Good morning, mother. Did father not summon me?"

"He did," his mother responded with a smile.

"Then…are we…not going to battle?" Loki asked, still confused and in a mental struggle of other reasons he would be called down so early in the morning.

"Must my sons always expect bloodshed every dawn?" she asked, a little annoyed, "We must practice for the coronation! Your brother is to be king, Loki! And you…" she said, running her fingers through his ebony hair, tucking some away behind his ears, "are not just there to support your beloved brother, but to make all of Asgard proud."

Loki let out a chuckle, leaving a dark resonance afterwards. He began speaking with such bitterness in his voice, he could taste it on his tongue with every word, "There is no prouder sight in Asgard's eyes than that of their future king…"

Truthfully, Loki cared deeply for Asgard's opinion of him. He loved the people, though the feeling was not always mutual, especially when he was being compared to Thor. Thor: the stronger one; the braver one; the brother everybody loved and was perfect in every way, specifically for the throne, and exclusively in Odin's eyes – for, although the king would never admit it, Loki knew. The beloved king Odin showed favor towards Thor. Everyone did. Loki knew it was not Thor's fault – not entirely, and not purposefully. Thor acted as himself as Loki acted as himself. More were drawn to Thor's persona than Loki's, and, although it had taken many years to adjust to that, and although he is still not completely happy with the idea, Loki didn't argue; however, deep inside his heart he yearned for his own fifteen minutes of fame, seeing as how Thor has gotten a lifetime. No matter what opinions were of either of them, Loki loved his brother, his father, and he loved his mother very much.

Queen Frigga laid her hands upon her son's shoulders, "You are both my sons: equal in character, equally loved…by all, not just their mother," she said with a chuckle, bringing a smile to her son's face, "Thor may gain the throne, but you gain the freedom."

"What do you mean, mother?" Loki asked, his confusion lingering like his shadow.

"When your brother gains the throne, he will also gain many responsibilities, as I'm sure you're aware," and Loki was; he remembers well how his father had hardly been a father to him; he had always been doing his kingly duties as the Allfather, "and those may as well preoccupy him for the rest of his life. You, my beloved Loki, will be free to do as you wish, or to continue doing whatever you please, with no law binding you to Asgard – other than your eternal title as Prince."

His mother spoke kindly. Her words cooed in Loki's ear when she said "eternal title," but his heart sank when she said "prince." Loki wanted the crown – had wanted to become king – and he deserved it more than Thor (at least that's what Loki thought). Loki was far more intelligent, cunning, patient…whereas Thor, who reacted manly on emotion and never thought things through – which had always managed to get him into trouble – had taken to impulse, and he would certainly cause a few arguments if he were to be crowned king…if.

"Thank you, mother, I shall do my best to make you and Asgard proud."

"You have already made me proud, Loki," Frigga said, patting her son on the shoulder one more time, and then left her son, continuing on with the preparations of the kingdom.

Loki felt a twinge of shame in him. He knew his actions were near treason, but he would never let any harm come to the people of Asgard, most especially his family. Loki, the sorcerer between the two brothers, was a force to be reckoned with, and he had had enough of hardly getting enough sun in the shade of his elder brother.

He walked on through the hall, ignoring the other glances and greetings from the people who crossed his path. Loki was lost in thought of what he had done – of what he was going to do. Would his parents find out? And if they did, would they understand? Would they care? Why couldn't they just see him? See him as their other son, who was just as capable of accepting their love as Thor is; who can handle the same expectations as Thor can. His mother says she cares, but is it true? Why does he feel so estranged from his family? Why does he feel like he doesn't belong?

Passing by a window, Loki turned, straddling his hands on either side of it, and stared out at the kingdom. The citizens were in a frenzy: many were shopping in the small square and decorating their homes. All were bearing smiles on their faces… "What if I wasn't a prince?" thought Loki, "Would I be as happy as these people look?"

He continued eyeing the poorer people who seemed to be richer than he had ever been. Suddenly a familiar voice snapped him from his thoughts, "Loki? Are you not coming?" It was Thor.

"Yes, brother, I am coming now. I thought you said this was a battle?" Loki teased.

"A battle fit for the new king of Agard! Come, join me!"

As much as Loki was happy for his brother, he felt as if Thor's head was easy to swell with pride and arrogance. "That will soon change…" Loki followed Thor with a smirk across his lips.