Fate
Warnings: This fic will contain graphic violence.
Prologue
Loki awoke to a loud explosion. For a moment, he thought it was Thor angrily smashing Mjolnir into the cell wall again. 'Temper tantrums,' Loki thought, shaking his head in disdain. They'd been arguing recently, but there really was no need for Thor to get violent. And, although Loki would never admit it, Thor's outbursts were slightly terrifying - Loki's magic had been stripped from him the second he was forcibly returned to Asgard, leaving him with only his physical prowess as defense.
But a few moments later, as his post-slumber haze wore off, he realized the explosion he heard was something much less trivial. The wall of his Asgardian prison cell now sported a gaping hole, presumably created by the menacing red creature standing only ten feet away from the stunned god.
"I didn't think I'd see you again," Loki greeted, trying to keep the fear out of his voice. He clenched his fists as he sat to face his visitor.
Loki received no response – and Loki wasn't sure he really expected one. But despite the fact that their exchange lacked dialogue, Loki was certain that this conversation would not end favorably for him.
xx
"Any particular reason you called this meeting?" Tony Stark asked, impatiently checking his watch. He and the rest of the team – Steve Rogers, Bruce Banner, Natasha Romanoff, and Clint Barton – had gathered to meet Thor. None of them had expected the god to visit, but because Thor was rarely in town, they'd all agreed to drop their plans to meet with him.
Although Tony was more than willing to meet with the god, Tony had important business meetings to attend. He'd postponed them for a couple hours, but he wanted to get them over with. He hated business meetings.
"Yes. Loki has disappeared," Thor said gravely. "We do not know if he has escaped on his own, or if some other entity has assisted him. The guards outside heard him talking, but he had already left by the time they entered his cell."
"You really need to upgrade your security system," Tony remarked. He received only a glare in response.
"I've come to warn you, in case Loki declares war on your planet again. I will be searching for him, but be on alert," Thor advised. "I might not be able to find him in time."
Nobody said anything, but the team looked worried. It'd been only half a year since the war with the Chitauri. None of them felt ready for another round.
"Thanks for letting us know," Natasha finally replied.
xx
As the group left the meeting spot, Tony's mind wandered to a common topic of his imagination – Loki. Ever since he spoke to Loki in his tower – when Loki attempted to control his mind – he'd been unable to banish the god from his thoughts. Right before Loki threw him to the ground, he recalled a brief flash of desperation in Loki's eyes – a moment of fear when his tactic did not work.
He could not understand why Loki would be afraid, since Loki still had the upper hand while Tony's suit was being prepared.
'What does it matter, anyway?' Tony thought to himself as he stepped into his car.