Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with Marvel, NBC, or any of the characters in any way.
First story of a series of crossovers involving characters from the show Heroes and The Avengers.
"You are dismissed."
The guards who stood watch of the prison exchanged glances briefly, but there was no questioning the order-not when it came from the source. Both guards offered a short nod before moving away. Silence was all-encompassing in the prison; all of the cells were empty save one.
But to its occupant, it was more of a cage.
Odin Allfather slowly stepped up to the cell that held his adopted son, yet Loki was still a son in his heart. The king spoke no words, knowing that none needed to be said for the Trickster to know who was present. Everything in the cell was clean-it was pristine; clean and pure to try and get into the chaotic and cluttered mind of its prisoner. Loki was seated on a small bench, back turned to the pane of glass that separated estranged father from son. Everything about the Trickster's lithe form was different; sharp and alien, a clear contrast to the broad and rounded builds of most Asgardians.
"Odin Allfather." Loki's voice was a clear announcement after a long moment. "Well, father of most, it would seem."
"Loki, this is no time to discuss that matter." Odin's voice was hesitant, as if he felt he were treading carefully upon ice. "I am not here for a talk on lineage."
"Then do you wish to exploit my defeat even more than has already been done?"
"Why would you think such a thing?"
"It is the pattern of most in this realm, dear Allfather. I was not blind to the sneers and hisses as your oaf of a son accompanied me to this prison."
"Their behavior has no correlation to what I think, son." Even the word son seemed a foreign thing, and Odin glanced around the prison briefly before his gaze settled back on Loki. "You are attempting to stall."
"It was worth a try." Loki finally turned his head to look to the King, and one corner of his mouth twitched before forming a crooked smirk. "What service may I provide for Asgard? Surely, that is why you are here? To seek some sort of help? A visitor who comes for a simple visit is indeed a rare thing."
"Yes, that is why I am here. I wish to make a negotiation, of sorts, with you."
"And what-" Loki was suddenly on his feet, merely inches from the glass-to Odin, it appeared as if he had suddenly appeared there. "-could you possibly offer to me?"
"Sanctuary."
"This cell is quite nice, actually. It is away from all out there." Loki jutted out his chin, a smug facade of pride washing over him. "What could be better than this?"
"A place where you have no walls holding you in. A place where we will not be a bother to you."
"You offer freedom. For a price."
"Yes." Odin paused and gazed at his son, as if from afar, before bringing himself a step closer to the cell. "You are a fugitive, in a way, my son. You are on the run from the one who led the Chitauri with you. Thanos. Yet, here, you have nowhere to go. If we were to release you, you would have the freedom to run as far as you would need. Word would eventually get out of your escape from our prisons, and word of this would eventually reach Thanos."
"You wish to use me as bait?" Loki gave a feral grin with a shake of his head. "Odin Allfather, always willing to sacrifice a son to make his own plans work."
"You have managed to hide yourself from the vision of Heimdall. I trust you can elude Thanos and find your way through the cosmos."
"You trust me? Have you been spending time with your elder-or should I say only-son?"
"What is your answer?"
The trickster remained quiet for a long moment before a wicked grin spread across his face.
"You stomp so loudly, Thor. I'm surprised you haven't summoned the fell beasts of Helheim with a mere walk into the prison."
"It is nice to see you are feeling yourself, Brother." Thor stopped in front of Loki's cell, looking to his brother as he lay on the bench inside. "I have brought you some food."
"I do not require it."
"You have refused to eat for some time." Thor gave a quiet sigh. "You must give yourself at least some nourishment."
"Leave it here, then, and spare me your presence."
"You will not even turn to greet me?"
"Do I really need to see that idiotic look on your face?" Loki sat up and looked to Thor, then gave a slight laugh. "Just as I expected."
Thor frowned, but said nothing. Instead, he opened up the cell to bring the tray of food in for his brother. Without another word he set the tray down, and then looked to his brother. Loki's face was one he knew well-perhaps one he knew better than any other. Yet looking upon him here, everything about the trickster seemed so...different. Loki had been poisoned; the victim of a venomous dream which consumed him and led him to Earth. Or had that been his wish? Thor didn't know, and probably never would know the truth of what had happened. He turned to face his brother, and offered a small smile.
"I hope everything is alright."
The thunderer moved a hand to touch his brother on the arm, and-
His hand went through the arm.
No.
"Loki..." Thor looked around quickly. Only the illusion of his brother stood, staring silently at him. No other was in the prison.
He was gone.
"Loki!"