Avengers – Loki's redemption
They had promised him pain. They paid generously. The Chitauri had constantly tormented him with images, pain and constant wakefullness. Unable to cry out – how reminiscent of the dwarves! – Loki stared up at the ceiling of his Asgardian cell, bereft of vistors save one – his guardian, certainly not his brother – Thor – who watched him, bewildered at his silence, ignorant of his pain.
Loki withered, frail and speechless, his magic beyond reach as the Chitauri's attention were constant, those of a dark lover with evil embraces. Attempts to feed him resulted in a circle of mess, splatters of mead pooled on the floor. Thor stood, despairing as his brother seemed to perish before him. Desperate after another failed feeding attempt, another botched healing session, Thor retreived the Tesseract and transported them both to Migard, away from the Allfather and Heimdall's eyes.
"Pepper, is Stark there?" Nick Fury's voice betrayed his frustaion as two gods had made their re-appearance in the New Mexico desert.
"Of course, Fury," a chipper Ironman replied. The re-built Stark Tower was coming along splendidly in his own humble opinion. "And what can I do for you?"
"Remember Loki?"
"Perfomance issues, threw me out of a window, invasion of Manhattan, yeah, he sticks in my memory."
"He's back. With Thor."
"So, a reunion, some schwarma, a life threatening battle..." Pepper looked over anxiously, noting the hardened look on Tony's face.
"Apparently Thor needs help with him."
"That's an understatement. What was it Bruce said – box of cats?"
"Thor thinks he's dying, Stark. Remember the cell we had for... the other guy? I want to know if you could construct one in your tower."
"My tower? The one I've just re-built after last time? Hell of a risk you're asking me to take on."
"You wouldn't be alone. You're not asking me to say no to a God? Look, if you can't do it.."
"I didn't say that, Fury. Stark Industries is very professional. Send them over."
Stark snapped shut the laptop and sighed. More security cameras would be needed, more staff... Glancing out at the Manhattan skyline he pondered. It wasn't that he couldn't contain Loki – hell, Banner and the other guy were here if needed – it was just that he didn't want to