It had only been seconds. Seconds… Loki, adopted son of Odin mused as he and his elder "brother" Thor soared through space and landed at the gates of Asguard. Loki looked downward with disdain at his chained wrists; here he was masked and collared like a dog, all the while forced to share the same space with his brother future KING of Asguard. If the insult of his failure hadn't been enough, he Loki, rightful ruler of Asguard was now forced to walk shamefully through the streets to the palace he once called home.
O but what a home it was. He mused spitefully to himself. Always forced to live in your shadow brother. He inwardly snarled casting a wicked glare at Thor.
"Come brother." The rumbling voice of Thor interrupted his thoughts. Loki cast a wary eye upon his brother, who did not make eye contact but instead lead him forward pulling him and the Teseract container behind him.
He had been so close. So very close. His dreams of becoming savior and ruler had almost come to fruition when his brother and his merry team of Midguard misfits had finally gained enough traction to do something. Loki snorted through the mask casting his glace at the Teseract. So much for world domination.
They ambled past Heimdall the Gate guardian who gave Thor a knowing nod, and glanced over Loki with a hidden grin. Loki was forced to choke back a snarl, not that the mask would ever allow him the pleasure of talking. Next time I will be sure to kill you…
Thor led Loki over the broken kaleidoscopic-crystalline bridge that linked their world to the portals of other worlds such as Earth; the lonely and sickly planet that Loki and his brother had just come from. In fact it was that very planet that Loki had intended to conquer first, leading his great army against. I was supposed to be easy. Loki snorted at the thought. He had not only lost the Chidori, his massive "indestructible" army, but he had also gotten his own ass thoroughly handed to him during the battle. Just when all seemed to go according to plan too…
Loki suddenly stumbled, pulling him out of his revere. He begrudgingly looked forward at his brother's back …forced to follow trudging quietly behind Thor once again. Fitting…I suppose I shall always walk in your shadow.
Loki allowed his eyes to wander past the bridge and into the distance where Asguard stood; a gleaming golden beacon in the crisp spring air. The sunlight reflected off of the oceans and gold towers…it was a site that Loki himself had been sure he would never see again. Yet here it was. A mix of emotions came to his mind, but he suppressed them, wishing that he could discard the memories of his past.
They hadn't walked far across the bridge, when the armed guards came into view. Their armor gleamed in the bright light of the noonday sun, and the emblem of the royal house shone proudly on their banners and breast plates as the ensemble came close to the brothers. They encircled Thor and Loki, promptly escorting them to the palace. They began the drudging march through the streets of Asguard and their citizens. Thor was at the front of the assembly Putting on a show for his petty citizens. Loki thought venomously. Along the way people lined the streets, many cheered while others bowed before the assemblage. They think him a hero… Loki thought furiously. He cast glares at random civilians, gaining some minute satisfaction in their cowardice and inability to make further eye contact.
The walk into the palace seemed endless, and the cheering fans of Thor were almost more than Loki could bear. The whole walk had made him feel sick. But not regretful. No, there was no remorse in his actions; and thus had cast useless emotion from his heart.
The company rounded a corner in the hall of the large castle, and came upon the Great Room where the almighty Odin Allfather perched upon a mighty throne of gold. The man Loki once had called father. Each great step Loki took echoed off the magnificent walls and arched ceilings of the giant circular room. This room was once one that created much joy in the young demi-god's heart; now the walls felt cold, judgmental. Not too dissimilar from the company that was hosted within them.
A company of soldiers rushed up and took the Teseract container away from the duo, and un-cuffing one of Loki's wrist irons in the process; they then proceeded to rebind it. How welcome I am in my own home he mused.
He glanced around the large room briefly, noting that his mother was not there. No, she is not my mother… the voice in the back of his head corrected him, she cares nothing for me, else she would be here.
"Thor," The booming voice of King Odin rang around the room demanding immediate silence. Odin's smile widened as he regarded his oldest son with admiration and love, his arms wide open. The elder leader quickly descended the stairs of the throne room to where his true son was standing.
"Father!" Thor quickly embraced his elder in a tight loving hug; Loki quickly averted his eyes; the scene made him fell ill. The elder man pulled away from his young son, and regarded the young man standing beside him in chains.
"Loki Odinson. My son…" Although Loki did not look up, he could sense the fall in his father's features. If only he could speak now, he would correct his father. Not your son… Loki thought bitterly.
The Allfather continued, "We thought you for dead…we all did….only to find that you had instead been alive this entire time." Loki could hear the catch in his voice…Loki focused his attention on the spacing between the tiles in the floor. Lies, a voice in the back of his head seethed, none of them mourned you…
"But not only were you alive," Odin growled, his voice beginning to rise "but you were attacking the very planet that we had specifically placed under your brother's care and protection! You brought an army to attack a peaceful world, one that we had no quarrel with." Without looking Loki knew that the color was starting to rise in his father's aged face. "You brought war upon the Frost Giants whom we had made peace with and murdered their king, betrayed your brother, risked the lives of thousands both on Midguard and in Asguard." The Allfather paused, examining his youngest son's face for a reaction. "You are charged with treason on multiple planets, you have consorted with a hostile force…You are destructive in your actions and nearly caused the death of your own family." Odin finished his voice harsh. Thor looked away.
Silence descended for but a moment when the king broke it. "Unbind his face."
Two guards rushed to fulfill his command removing the damnable contraption from Loki's maw. Loki glanced up, eyes full of malice. He eyed his adoptive parent with an outwardly neutral look then returned to looking at the floor.
"Speak my son, what have you to say for these egregious actions." It was not a question, it was a demand. Slowly Loki raised his head taking care to meet his father's eyes. A potable silence filled the chamber as all awaited his answer. Loki could feel a smile register on his face and his eyes sparkled with contempt.
"I would do it all again if I were able, father." He said plainly, the light in his eyes dancing from the lighting.
Shock registered on his father's features, and then much like a storm, anger quickly followed. "Take him away to the dungeon."
A small smile spread across Loki's narrow features. He had won a small victory this day in his would-be father's house.
Two large guards came behind him and grabbed either of his arms. The muzzle was placed around his jaw once again and he felt himself being guided out of the large room accompanied by several guards.
Loki could hear Odin's booming voice echo off of the chambered room as he left. "Thor, my son. Return to me as soon as you can. I seek your council on the matters of your brother." And with that Thor was behind Loki, escorting him down the long winding pathways toward the dungeons.
Once the party had reached the dungeon, the guards escorted Loki into his cell. The chamber itself was made of solid stone, much like the surrounding corridor. The corridor was only three cell lengths long, and only as tall as two men. The cells were simple; a stone bed lay suspended by heavy chains attached to one side of the wall, a stone shelf was suspended for personal items and a chamber pot was placed under the bed. Loki remained impassive in his inspection of his new living quarters facing the back wall as the guards shut the large iron bared gate behind him, effectively locking him in a stony cage.
"Brother…" Thor's voice was soft, and had traces of remorse. Loki did not turn around but instead decided to stair passively at the back wall. Thor, receiving no sign of acknowledgement, turned to leave the dungeon. "Brother I am…truly sorry." With that, the demi-god left leaving Loki to his thoughts.
On his way out of the chambers, Thor ran into one of the servant girls his family owned. "You, girl." He said, his deep voice causing her to stop in her tracks. "Please see to it that my brother-" Thor had to stop and re-gather his thoughts casting his eyes to ground; "see to it that the prisoner receives proper medical attention. He has come back injured from battle." His voice was haggard. "Take care, he is dangerous." He added as an afterthought. The young woman nodded and rushed off into the castle and Thor set out to find his Father. They had much to discuss.