A Note to the Reader: Hello, everyone. I'm a kinda old member here, but I've just recently gotten back into writing. This might be a bit of a bumpy ride at first, but I'm expecting a fairly good story! I don't think there'll be much shipping in this particular fic – aside from your usual Clintasha. But this story mainly focuses on the events immediately following the end of The Avengers. I know it's not the most original idea, but I have some special things lined up for this particular story that'll hopefully set it apart from the others. I hope you enjoy~.

"There must be a way. He is my bother, by blood or not, I don't care which. I know he can change, Barton, but we must give him a chance," Thor pleaded, taking a step in front of the exit that Clint had been striding towards at the mere mention of Loki. The two stared each other down for a moment, and then Clint shifted his weight on his feet, obviously thinking hard.

"I don't want that bastard around here, but if you really think he can change, then I want some kind of proof," Clint snapped finally, obviously frustrated with the back-and-forth argument going on in his head. A few days ago, the answer would have been a definite no and maybe an arrow to the chest. Once he had learned of the full aftermath of Loki's attack, Clint was anything but willing to allow the god anywhere near the planet, much less within a hundred mile radius of either Natasha or himself. But Thor had been going on about him for weeks, talking about how much he's already changed, about how compliant he is on Asgard, and the agent hadn't ever a reason to doubt the thunder god before. Then again, this was another matter, entirely. "I want more proof than washing the dishes or taking out the trash, or whatever else you have him doing back there."

"He went to his home planet, of his own accord," Thor muttered, recalling the event clearly in his mind. That was the first thing Loki had wanted to do, especially since he thought he was going to be sentenced to death. It'd been a challenge to convince the Allfather of Loki's decent intentions, but once they'd received permission, it was as though Loki had changed completely. "He saved the remainder of the world he'd wanted destroyed. He took what small supplies he could over, and with no outside help, he saved countless lives. He gained a truce with a deadly force for Asgard, and with no strings attached. I even had the chance to see him as he worked – helping a young frost giant find his mother, only to realize the poor creature had been orphaned. Loki sat with him as he cried and helped him find a new home. Does that convince you?"

Clint wouldn't have believed it if it weren't Thor telling the story. The way the god talked, the gestures he made – and more importantly, his pained expression,- made it obvious that those were not the well-fabricated lies that his brother was so easily capable of. But, still, Clint was hesitant to aid Thor in his plans. Bringing Loki back to earth was like a mouse chatting with an angry snake. The skilled hunter drew in a deep breath and exhaled it through his nose.

"I'll talk to Fury about it," Clint began, "on one condition."

"I'd have it for you, whatever it is." Thor promised.

"Good, 'cause you aren't gonna like what I have in mind."

The cell they kept him in was exceptionally small. There was enough room to comfortably sit maybe four average Asgardians. Each wall was mirror-like, not unlike the room in which he had paid a visit to Thor - back when the throne was rightfully his own. These mirrors were foggier than that of the interrogation room, but even the ceiling and floor carried the unnerving quality. That meant Loki was forced to look himself in the face at all times, unless he was asleep. He was alone, but always seeing another body. It was a strange feeling that his mind never quite adapted to in the five days he'd spent completely without contact. There was hope, however, as he knew that Thor would do anything to keep him from death. Loki figured he was either with the Allfather or with Director Fury pleading. In his mind he thought the idea of Thor pleading for his sake pitiful, but the weight in Loki's heart lightened considerably when he thought of his brother working to save his life. It didn't lighten every burden upon him, but he was otherwise comfortable knowing he had plenty to think about aside from the possibility of death and all his previous wrongdoings. He had helped the Jotuns, he had made peace with several beings that would have otherwise loved to send Asgard hurdling into an abyss, and he had even talked to the warrior's three. That wasn't enough to justify his crimes, he knew, but it was enough to keep his mind occupied lest he go insane in his small prison.

Just as he was running out of those occupations, the thousands of miniscule bolts in his cell walls whirred and collapsed against each other, signaling a visitor – likely the guards. Loki was on his feet in seconds, but the trained men were faster than he. All at once the cell was at full capacity and Loki's hands were forced behind his back and the familiar feel of the suffocating restraints clamped to his wrists returned. He was given the benefit of not being forced back into the muzzle, which he was more than thankful for, but the restraints would keep him from using magic and escaping. Loki didn't say a word as he was led – pushed, more like – from the cell. He was walked once more through the maze of corridors lined with cells and who knew what else until finally he could hear the familiar roaring of lightning. He immediately perked up, but had to force back a hopeful expression at the sound, as well as keeping himself from throwing a glare in the direction of a guard that snickered at him from somewhere in the back.

Just as his impatience was peaking in his chest, Loki was led into the outer hall that led to the great throne room, where Odin delivered speeches and (almost) crowned Thor. As he shuffled across the glorious red carpet, he thought of his childhood and his short-lived life on the throne. Thousands of thoughts shot back and forth between his ears as they neared their destination. Once they'd entered the throne room, he could feel all the eyes of Asgard turn to him, but he couldn't bear to look up. The people he'd know all his life, hispeople, his family, were at his back with knives. All he'd ever done, all he'd ever aspired to, was for their benefit. And it had finally landed him in the worst possible position - in the face of death.

"Loki Laufeyson," Odin called so that the whole kingdom might hear him, "You are here today to face your crimes and to receive your punishment. Your wrongdoings are as follows: The slaughtering of Jotun innocents, the slaughtering of human innocents, delivering the prospect of war to Asgard, destruction upon two of the realms, and unauthorized use of the Destroyer. Do you deny these crimes?"

While Asgard had been dead silent throughout Odin's words, they were now quietly muttering among themselves. Unwilling to pick up any of their words, knowing they would make his already heavy pain nearly unbearable, Loki lifted his head and caught Thor's eye. The two of them swallowed at the same time before Thor looked away.

"I do not," said Loki with finality. Then, without any warning, he was shoved to his knees. His eyes widened and he stared ahead at Odin, already fearing the worst. Would they have him beheaded on the spot? Loki had only attended a few trials as he grew up, but none of them were quite as serious as his own. His breathing became shallow and he felt lightheaded, but he kept his expression blank to match the Allfather's. The chattering of the Asgardians immediately died down again once Odin raised his scepter.

"Then I sentence you to banishment to earth," Odin began quietly, his voice only just ringing throughout the throne room, "And the loss of all your memories."

Loki was shouting incoherent words, whether he was begging or cursing was unclear to him, but tears were on his cheeks before he could stop them. He kicked at the guards that restrained him further, and fought back as he was pulled from the throne room. He didn't stop his struggling for a moment, not even all the way to his cell. Once he was back within the four walls, still bound by heavy chains, his voice was hoarse and even breathing was painful, but he continued screaming until his throat was raw. When he was done, he simply lay there as he'd been thrown in, his chest heaving, his mind racing uncontrollably, and his shoulders shaking.

Time droned by until finally the clacking of bolts and the creaking of the door signaled yet another visitor. Loki didn't even have to lift his head to know who would be darkening his doorway. Thor hovered at the threshold before collapsing to his knees next to his brother. He rested a large hand on Loki's still-shaking shoulder, but to no reaction from Loki.

"Brother, I know the sentence is grim but," Thor paused, his voice cracking, "Is it not better than dying, as father had been contemplating?"

"Oh, how easy it must be for you to say those words, dear brother, when you aren't the one that has to lose everything! You get to carry on, you get to go home. I don't have a home! Isn't that punishment enough!? Isn't what you sick fools have done enough? Or do you just want to watch me slowly wither aw-"

Thor picked his brother up off the floor and began shaking his shoulders, "Brother, you mustn't speak like that! We are your family, and we love you." Loki simply stared at Thor blankly, his eyes murky and his posture limp. He was still shaking, but he'd lost the will to speak. He'd much rather hear Thor talk, but there were things he had to know. "When will it happen?"

Thor paused a moment before he said, "Tomorrow."

"Where?"

"On Earth."

"Your precious Earth," Loki spat back, "What am I supposed to do while I'm there, then?"

"You are to help repair the damages to the city where the battle took place," Thor said, ignoring Loki's jab, "The organization S.H.I.E.L.D. will tell you what you're to do specifically."

"Then I suppose they'll also be the ones to take my mind away," Loki murmured bitterly.

"Brother, I am trying to talk father into returning you to normal once you've served for your crimes. I am hopeful enough, as he seems to be nearly willing to return your memories," Thor said carefully before adding, "He does love you as his son."

"Yes, of course he does."

Once Thor had gone, Loki lay himself against a wall and stared at his reflection. Simply waiting for the sun to set and his life as he knew it to come to an end. He tried convincing himself that it might be for the best, that if he had a fresh start, then perhaps he could simply return home. Those hopes didn't last long, because Loki knew he wouldn't be able to ever recover from Odin's lies and the burns they'd caused him. But what pained him the most was the prospect of letting go – and against his will. Not only would he forget his true lineage, but he would lose the childhood that had he had belonged in. Before the throne or the frost giants were ever more than simple hopes and stories. He had to lose it all, and that was what sent him retreating into the depths of his mind, choking on his very breath as he recalled Frigga, Odin, and Thor showering him with all the love in the world. Certainly a better life than he could have ever hoped to have if he'd grown up as Laufey's son. He only wish it could have lasted longer.