A/n: I don't own the Avengers or Loki. Marvel owns them.

I'm also new to the Fandom, so there are things that I'm probably going to get wrong. Let me know nicely, either in a review or DM and I'll fix it. That said. The voice of some of the characters are going to be off. I know this. Please be patient with me as I familiarize myself with them. This takes place after the Battle of New York and Before Dark World.

Loki grimaces as the spell crawls through his body, cutting him like a razor and stripping him of his magic. The pain is unbearable. Tears roll down his face unbidden, and he's not sure for whom or why.

His brother Thor, stares solemnly at the wooden table, refusing to meet his gaze. Arrogant, reckless, and stupid, he is the favored son. Loki hates him for it. Odin watches with a blank expression on his face. The same expression he wore when he was listening to a report about the state of the palace walls or some quarrel between two of his subjects. His mother, Frigga. Well, she isn't his mother. Not really sits beside Loki conducting the spell, sending her magic into him. It's a complex spell and Loki lost track of the ritual ages ago. Hollow circles begin to form underneath her eyed from the exertion. Frigga's mouth moves soundlessly as she directs the spell. Her maidens, goddesses in their own right stand by providing additional strength. Loki has no intention of going down without a fight.

Loki bites his lip to keep from crying out in pain as it moves deeper into the reservoirs of his magic. The barriers he put up slowly breaking down from the pressure. He won't give Odin or Thor that satisfaction of knowing how badly it hurts. A sweat breaks out on his forehead and he tastes blood from biting his lip. He grips the edge of the table so hard that his knuckles turn white.

"Stop fighting it," Odin commands. "It'll be over sooner."

"I'm supposed to be on that throne. It is my birthright," Loki snarls.

"You were never meant to be king of Asgard, Midgard or anywhere else. I saved you from certain death when you were a child." Odin answers. He leans forward and focuses on Loki with his one good eye. "You must pay the price for your crimes."

"So you're sending me back?" Loki growls struggling against the chains that hold him. "I did not agree to this. I would rather rot in a cell underneath the palace than live among mortals."

"Thor was stripped of his magic, banished there to learn humility and so you will follow in his footsteps and do the same." Odin answers serenely. He walks over to the window that overlooks the rest of the city.

"You won't be alone, brother," Thor whispers. "I will be there. And the other Avengers."

"I hate you," Loki spits. "All of you."

Suddenly a searing white pain enters his body. Loki writhes in his chair. A scream escapes his lips as his body is torn apart. He falls to the floor, hitting his head. Thor moves to help him. Provide comfort. Something. Anything. Odin puts his hand out to stop him.

"This is cruel," Thor cries, tears well up in his eyes. "Stop!"

"There's no turning back now."

Loki writhes on the floor as if metal from the hottest forge dig into his skin. Another scream is ripped out of his mouth. Suddenly, everything is quiet and Loki's blue eyes stare glassily at the ceiling.

The pages of the leather bound book turn black. Colors appear on the pages. Vibrant red, blues, greens, red, golds, and silvers turn into words and pictures forming an elaborate manuscript. Hidden and bound among its beauty is Loki's magic.

Frigga puts on the final touches of the spell to make it unbreakable. Her son is slumped on the floor is unconscious from the pain.

Odin stares at Loki with an unreadable expression on his face. "It is done and we can put this shame of our family behind us. Good. Come Thor, there are preparations we must make before you leave for Midgard."

Thor casts one more look at his younger brother lying on the floor before following the King of Asgard out of the room.

"Leave us," she commands her maidens.

One steps forward. "You are very weak."

"I know. Loki has always been a fighter." She manages a weak smile. "But I have words that are only meant for my son to hear. Wait for me in my chambers."

She curtsies. "Yes, All-Mother."

Frigga waits until the door closes behind her and the footsteps die away before she moves to kneel at Loki's side. Loki's chest rises shallowly. His jet black hair is plastered to his pale face. She strokes his sweat-soaked hair. "You were always my son even if you didn't come out of my womb," She whispers. "I love you regardless. I love you despite the crimes you committed against Midgard. You have so much potential to be a good king Loki, but you allowed bitterness to poison your heart. Your hatred was your undoing, but love will be your redemption. " Frigga leans down and presses her lips against his forehead. His eyelids flutter, open briefly, and then close again. A groan escapes his lips.

A knock at the door interrupts her. "What is it?" She says sternly.

Thor pokes his head in the door. A worried expression clouds his strong features. He looks more and more like his father every day.

"Are you sure it's wise to send him back to Midgard?" Thor asks, standing over his brother's motionless body. The spell has been completed. The leather bound book sits on the table open to an elaborate decorated page. Thor's afraid to touch it. The sooner he gets it to Earth and in a vault where Loki can't find it the better. Dr. Strange will add one more layer of protection, but even he's not sure that will stop Loki.

"It's the only way," Frigga says, not meeting Thor's eyes. "Odin will eventually find a reason to have him killed. You know that. Loki was merely a pawn.

Thor doesn't answer right away.

"He is my son, just as much as you are." She runs a hand through Loki's silky black locks. They were slightly uncontrollable despite Loki's best efforts.

"He's not the boy you used to know."

Frigga blinks back tears. "I know, but he is no monster either. Something happened."

"You can't keep protecting him. He is no longer a child."

"Then what will you have me do? I can't sentence my son to life in a cell." Frigga retorts. "He will die if not by Odin's hand then he will die by his own as he descends into madness. Maybe he can find peace and meaning on Midgard."

Thor shakes his head. "I don't know, but I hope you're right."

Frigga rises to her feet and walks over to the book. "I've made the spell as strong as I am able. However, it still can be broken. If the ink starts running or disappearing, it means the spell is weakening. If that happens you must bring it to me as soon as possible."

Thor bows and brings his fist to his chest. "You have my word."

A/n: If you want to know what a Black Hours (that's what this manuscript is called) looks like google Black Hours of Galeazzo Maria Sforza.

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