Seeing that they were heading to Earth to face Malekith, Loki thought for a moment before speaking.
"I won't go to Earth and get in everyone's way. I'm no match for Malekith anyway."
Thor turned toward Loki.
"Then where will you go?"
"Back to Asgard?"
Loki's voice grew heavy. "I want to see Mother."
"Perhaps when you return victorious, you'll find me in Asgard's dungeon."
Thor avoided Loki's eyes. If Loki learned he had lied about their mother, would he really try to stab him a couple more times?
"If you've decided to go back, take the ship to Asgard."
Charlotte wondered whether Loki would still impersonate Odin if he never faked his death.
Loki nodded and looked at Charlotte and Thor. "I'm counting on you to deal with Malekith. I'll await news of your victory in Asgard."
With that, Loki turned and headed toward the ship they had arrived in.
Watching him leave, Charlotte asked Thor, "Aren't you worried Loki will cause trouble when he gets back?"
"Escaping the dungeon without permission is hardly a small matter."
Thor shook his head. "He's my brother."
Charlotte let the matter drop.
"In that case, let's return to Earth."
With a wave of his hand, Charlotte used the Space Stone to open a portal before them.
"Let's go!"
Charlotte stepped through, and Thor followed close behind.
On the other side lay Greenwich, the focal point of the Nine Realms' convergence. Thor smiled as he emerged. "Getting around is much easier for you now."
Charlotte waved a hand and closed the portal behind them.
It was night, and the square in Greenwich was nearly empty.
Thor glanced around. "Malekith will come here?"
Charlotte nodded. "The Nine Realms have converged before. It happened several thousand years ago."
"If Malekith wants to use the Aether