Hey there, readers! This is the rewrite of chapter 1 so I hope you prefer this to the original. Enjoy!

As ever, I don't own anything you recognize.

Loki scowled at the mere mortals who dared bind him, a god, with chains and cover his mouth so he could not curse their disrespect. When he got free, they would pay for their mistake. Oh, and how they would pay! He would exact his vengeance on every last mortal on this planet. Their suffering would not cease until they begged on their knees for his mercy, and then he would destroy them all!

Thor, that oaf who dared to call him brother, said his goodbyes to the petty humans who dared challenge his right to rule and that mortal woman that had captured the oaf's heart. She too would feel his wrath. His brother's love would not save her; it would be her death. Seething, Loki put a look of cold disdain on his face as Thor turned to him. It gave him no pleasure to see the hurt that flashed briefly across Thor's face before disappearing.

"Brother, it is time to go," Thor said, pulling out the container that held the Tesseract.

Loki silently grabbed the other handle and tightened his grip, well aware of the irony of the Tesseract so close and yet so far from his reach. He and Thor vanished, only to reappear in Asgard, standing before Odin's throne. Odin sat on his throne, looking more weary than Loki had ever seen him. Frigga stood beside her husband, her cheeks tearstained.

Odin looked at his youngest son with a mixture of anger, disappointment, and pity clear in his one eye. As Thor stepped away from his brother, taking the Tesseract with him, guards rushed to grab Loki's arms. He didn't struggle, gazing at his adopted father with scornful emerald green eyes. Odin nodded to Thor, acknowledging his true son. Thor returned the gesture with a respectful bow.

"Father, have mercy on my brother. He is not himself..." Thor began before Odin cut him off.

"So. You have returned, after trying to conquer Midgard and causing much trouble. What do you have to say for yourself?" Odin boomed, addressing Loki. "Surely, you have something to say."

Loki kept silent, but his accusing gaze never faltered.

Odin frowned. "Nothing? I expected an elaborate explanation of why you are innocent or some other foolishness."

Loki didn't answer, staring at the floor, knowing the punishment for his crimes. They might have stolen his dignity, but he still had his pride. He would not be reduced to begging for his life. No, he would never give that bastard the satisfaction. He was Loki, and he would be damned before he let anyone humiliate him.

Odin stood. "As a criminal of war and traitor to your people, Loki Laufeyson, I find you guilty."

The words hung in the air. Thor looked sorrowful, for even he knew Odin had made up his mind. Loki remained stoic, having expected Odin's judgement. But it tore at his heart to hear Frigga's strangled gasp. She had always loved him and he wished her no ill.

"Your crimes deserve death. But as a former Prince of Asgard, you must be granted some leniency," Odin said.

Loki looked up. Could it be possible that he was to be spared?

"I hereby remove you of any titles you once held, your Asgardian citizenship, and banish you to spend the remainder of your life as a mortal on Midgard." Odin pronounced with some regret.

Thor gasped. Loki ignored him, struggling to make sense of what he heard. He, Loki, a mortal? Impossible! Surely, Odin wouldn't! He would never be that cruel! Would he?

Loki saw with a shock that Odin would indeed carry out his punishment. As Odin raised his golden scepter and pointed it at Loki, Loki threw up his arms to shield himself, but his efforts were in vain. Loki vanished from the throne-room in a flash of golden light.

Odin sighed. He was reluctant to punish his former son, but Loki's crimes were too severe to be ignored. Turning to Thor, he commanded him to travel to Midgard to tell SHIELD Loki was on Earth, but told him to return at once. Loki could have no contact with any of his former family ever again. He had lost that right.

Even as Thor departed on his task, Odin felt regret for what he had done to his adopted son. Although Loki had never been his favorite son, he had watched the abandoned infant grow into a powerful man. Loki had every right to be angry for his deception. But as the ruler of Asgard, he could not spare his son.

Turning to his wife, he said, "Was it the right decision?"

She nodded, wiping away her tears. "It will be good for him."

Odin stared off into the distance. "I hope so."

So as you can tell, this is an AU.