Title: Tethered Redemption
Author: Maqeurious
Show/s: Supernatural/The Avengers Crossover
Characters: Winchesters/Loki/Various

Beginning

Chapter One:

"Odin, it is your move."

The large, white bearded man furrowed his brow as he stared at the pieces on the board. He was barely paying attention, and now his queen was coming very close to being captured. His finger hovered over one of his lone pawns, and he hesitated. If he moved it, his bishop would be vulnerable, but in one more move his rook would be free to corner the opposing king. He brought his fingers to his chin, pulling nonchalantly at the thick stubble there.

"You look troubled my friend," the voice opposite him said again. "Is there something you would like to talk about?"

Odin flicked his one good eye up and into the face of his companion, visually tracing the faint lines and wrinkles that creased the man's otherwise flawless skin, before settling on his inquisitive stare. His brow was cocked as he awaited an answer, and Odin found himself hesitating once again.

"I have difficulty even knowing where to start, Yahweh."

The God on the other side of the chess board smiled, and Odin felt his apprehension ease slightly. It had been only a few months since his fallen son Loki brought destruction to Midgard and had subsequently been imprisoned for it. And as much as it hurt to have his son hate him with such a passion that he would bring war to one of the nine realms, he couldn't help but think his punishment was too light. It wasn't that he wished Loki to be physically harmed, he was still his son after all, but a sentence in the dungeons was akin to a smack on the wrist for an immortal demigod. How was he supposed to learn his lesson? How was he supposed to learn that what he had done to the citizens of Earth was wrong? Was his son so cold and heartless? Did he not feel mercy or responsibility? Guilt? Love? Is that how he and Frigga had raised him?

Odin sighed, his heart sinking. His hand went up to cradle his temple as he leaned against the table and stared down at the chess board. After a long, drawn out minute he edged his pawn up a space between two white opposing pieces. He couldn't help but hear Yahweh's breath hitch as he removed his finger, leaving his pawn surrounded by the enemy.

"Loki..." he finally said, his voice ragged with concern, "I... I do not know what he was thinking. I do not understand what is going through that boys head any more."

"He is angry," Yahweh responded simply with no malice in his voice.

"Clearly." Odin shifted in his seat as Yahweh hovered a slender hand over the board, coming to rest on one of his knights.

"Perhaps I... should have left him all those years ago." Just saying the words made his heart clench in his chest. "If I had left him in Jotunheim with his own people..."

The Gods hand froze as his gaze lifted to met Odin's. "You would never have done that, old friend. He was but a babe in the midst of war, left to die."

"Yes, and my first thought was that I could use him one day."

Yahweh smiled sadly, his eyes softening. "Your intentions were noble. Good. You loved him like a son regardless, did you not?"

Odin nodded, his breath giving out slightly. "Of course. But the things he has done are... unforgivable. Not just here in Asgard, but in your realm too."

Yahweh dropped his gaze to the board once more and pushed his knight, sliding it across the squares until it hit the Norse gods bishop, eliminating it from play. The corner of his mouth twitched as he tried to hide a small smile.

"I do know a little something about rebellious children Odin," he said as he laid the defeated bishop to the side of the board. "My own sons and daughters have risen against me on more then one occasion. And although their reasons are varied and valid... to a point, it still hurts each and every time."

Odin winced as his piece was removed, but his interest in the game was quickly waning. "How do you deal with it?" he asked, quickly scanning the remaining pieces for his next move and coming up short on options. "How do you make them see the error of their ways? Your children. These... angels?"

"As much as I love them all, even the most loyal among them are not exempt from punishment if it is deemed necessary. My punishments are many and just as varied as their reasons to disobey and rebel against me. But, it is never done out of hate, or even out of disappointment. It is always, always done out of love."

Odin nodded, letting the words sink in. If he were to punish Loki in such a way – punish him out of love, would he finally learn what it meant to be a son of Asgard. Would he realize that not even a small mortal life form was below him? He just couldn't be sure. Loki's anger was great. Consuming.

Without paying much attention, Odin pushed his rook halfway down the board to capture one of Yahweh's pieces. He wasn't even sure which one it was, his mind was far from the game now. If he had Loki taken from his cell, the aesir would certainly be against it. And as King of Asgard, or more importantly – Loki's father - he had to remain neutral. He couldn't show favoritism, he had to be seen as fair in the eyes of his people.

"I can help you. If that is what you wish."

Odin raised his head and met Yahweh eye to eye, unsure if he had heard what he did. Yahweh was smiling, and it made Odin feel oddly calm. It wasn't a vicious smile, or one of pity and sorrow. He saw compassion and understanding there. Compassion for his friend, and the understanding that came as a father with a wayward child.

"We have known each other a long time, Odin. You are a dear confidante to me. We have been through much, you and I. What would you have Loki do to redeem himself? What is it you want Loki to learn?"

"Learn?" The Norse asked. He didn't have to wonder too long. "I would have him learn humility."

"An interesting lesson," Yahweh replied as he played with his now unblocked queen on the board. "Loki has committed many wrongs on Earth, perhaps he should serve penance there?"

"On Earth?" This surprised Odin greatly, and now all of his apprehension was slowly coming back. He wasn't blind to the power of the God before him. He was the Creator. The one true God of Midgard, and there were none stronger then He. He was famous for his wrath and jealousy. He had the power to wipe his world clean and start again, which he had done so.

"You do not like the idea?" Yahweh asked, noticing Odin's sudden silence. "Are you worried I might do something to him? Harm him in retaliation?"

"Would you?"

Yahweh dragged his gaze up from his queen. "Only place him on his path, my friend. A path of redemption... of sorts."

Odin frowned, weighing the possibilities in his head. Sending Loki to Midgard could be a grave mistake. He hated the humans there, he had tried to rule them, kill them. And yet Yahweh was willing to help him find atonement among his own people?

"Why would you do this?" he asked, confused. "Are you not angry at him? He invaded your world with an alien army, killed many of your children. If you are willing to let him back I can not help but think the worst."

"Contrary to popular belief, I am not without the ability to forgive Odin. However, I will not lie to you..." He steeled Odin's gaze with a serious expression and leaned over the chess board as if to whisper in the Norse Gods ear. "He will not like it. In fact, I am sure he will hate it and will do what ever he can to escape. But worry not, he can not escape my watchful eye." He returned to his seat and sat back. "As to why I would do this – like I said – you and I have been through much together. Call it... a favor."

"What would you have him do?"

But Yahweh just shook his head. "It is best if you do not know. Just put your trust and faith in me. I will see to it he is placed on his path. It will be long, and it will be hard. But, it will be worth it." His attention returned once again to the chess board, lifting his queen and rolling her through his fingertips. "All you have to do is say yes, my friend."

Odin's first instinct was to say 'no'. At least in Asgard he could still feel his son close by. He could still think of visiting him in the dungeons, even though he knew he would not actually go. At least here, Frigga could still be near him. Love him. Mother him. But on Midgard? His face was known, his crimes were known. He would be hunted. Vilified. Possibly even killed, and the humans there would have every right.

But if his long life had taught him anything, it was that Yahweh never did anything on a whim. He was meticulous in his thinking, even if to others his methods seemed mysterious. Did he trust him? Of course. Could he put his faith in him? Without a doubt. But, could he place the life of his treasured son into his hands, no matter how broken he was now? The ache in the pit of his stomach told him he had no choice.

"How will you get to him? He is under constant guard. Once they find him gone, the aesir will hunt him down and execute him on the spot."

"You forget who you are talking to, Odin. Do not fear. No one will ever no he is even gone." His grin was crooked as he spoke, cheeky almost. "So, do we have a deal?"

Odin resigned himself, letting out a breath he didn't know he was holding. "Yes." He said simply.

"Great." With a swipe of his wrist, Yahweh placed his queen on an empty square to the left of a lonely looking black king. His wide smile reached his eyes as he let out a small laugh. "Checkmate."

Odin couldn't even let the defeat sink in before he looked up and realized Yahweh was long gone.

o.O.o

In the depths of Asgards dungeon, Loki was pacing in his cell. At least his fake self was anyway. It was a perfect replica, an illusion to be proud of that he could hide behind while his real self sat dejected on the floor in the corner.

He stretched his long legs out to the front of him and flexed his toes, groaning against the strain that had invaded his joints by being confined in such a way. He hated it here. Caged like a wild animal and on show like an exhibit.

"Do you miss it yet? The fresh air? The open sky?"

Loki almost jumped out of his perfectly, pale skin. A quick turn of his head brought him almost nose to nose with a strange man who had tucked himself so close to Loki, he could taste the strong odor of ozone from him.

"And who might you be?" Loki asked, confusion masking his weary face. He ran a quick eye around the cell. His 'other self' was now sitting towards the front of the room, a worn book in his lap. The guards that patrolled along the halls would eye his mirage and sneer, but to his surprise didn't seem to notice the extra body that occupied his prison. His gaze landed on the man again, his brow arching. "I don't think I've reached the point of hallucinating... yet."

"Me? I am your salvation, Loki Odinson. Or, is it Laufeyson?"

The name stung and he bared back his lips in protest. The man pulled back a little, and Loki could see his blue eyes run him up and down. "Who are you?"

Before the last of his words escaped his mouth, the man was now across the room and looking whimsically at Loki's double. It didn't look up at all however. It couldn't sense or even feel when the man ran a lone finger along it's temple to sweep a stray lock of dark hair back beyond it's hairline.

"You have caused a lot of trouble for me, Loki." He said to the illusion, yet addressing the real him. "You come to my world, harm my children. Disrupt their lives. Did you really think you could take my place as their God?"

"Well, it seemed fun at the ti...me"

Once again Loki was caught off guard as the man seemingly melted into thin air and was somehow face to face with him. There was no anger as he looked at him, but Loki could see a certain spark behind his electric blue eyes that made him back up a bit and lick at his lips nervously.

"And yet here you are in a jail cell," the man said in a low growl. "Forced to put on a front because you are scared that the people here will see just how weak you really are." Then before Loki could even think, the man had placed his hand along his jawline, cupping him roughly so he could lift his chin and bring him closer. He could feel a chill radiating from where he was being held, like someone was running ice cubes over his skin, and it made him shiver deep inside. It wasn't until his vision started to turn hazy that he realized what was going on. He didn't need to see it, he could feel it. He could feel his asgardian facade being stripped away, only to be replaced by his true self – his Jotun self. He tried to break free from the grip on him, but the mans hold was like a vice. "Is it still... fun?" he asked.

Loki swallowed thickly, and met the man eye to eye. "What do you want? Revenge?"

"Well, I am rather famous for my vengeful ire."

If Loki had ever been afraid, it felt nothing like the raw fear he was feeling now. It wasn't the strength this man had, or the look of fire in his eyes that frightened him. It was being exposed as the creature he hated so much, the monster he kept hidden underneath his own false skin. He was fairly certain he knew now just who this man before him was. No not man... God. "Then do it, I don't care," he all but screamed, "I would rather die then be locked up here for the rest of my life."

But as quick as the fire in the Gods eyes was ignited, it dissipated. With a gentle motion, he released Loki and offered him a genuine smile instead. "You're not as good a liar as you may think you are."

"Oh...no?" Loki stuttered, relief washing over him as he felt his skin once again take on his pale, asgardian front.

"No," the God said matter-of-factly. "Besides, I have something much better in mind for you, son of Odin. I told you I was your salvation, did I not? You spent your time on Earth bringing death and destruction to my precious children, but now you will help them. You will help protect them – save them – and you will do so even if it costs you the one thing you care about most. Your life."

Loki almost choked on his own scorn as he sneered. "Why would I do that? Why should I care about your pathetic, mewling mortals."

The look that clouded Gods eyes made him regret his words almost immediately.

"Careful Loki. I may be a loving God, but I have no qualms about snapping my fingers and making you nothing but a bloody stain on all four walls. And we both know, I would only be thanked for it."

Loki swallowed down the lump of nerves in his throat and looked away. Staring into those azure pools felt like the walls were closing around him. "But you won't. R..right?"

The God remained silent, and Loki had a terrible feeling he had pushed a little too far. He could feel those eyes on him still, piercing deep inside of him. His palms were beginning to feel clammy.

"No, I won't." he said after a long pause.

"Why... why not?"

"I like you." the God said without missing a beat, a hearty smile donning his face. "You're funny."

Funny?Loki almost burst out in laughter. He was being saved from a royal smiting, because he was funny?

"I see," he managed to choke out with a snort of disbelief. "Well then, that's... great. So, what's the plan? Are you going to perform a daring rescue and bust me out of here like some damsel in distress? I swear, if you carry me princess-style, I think I may just die from embarrassment."

Yahweh laughed as he rose to his feet and extended a hand to pull Loki up along side him. "Oh yes, you're going to fit in with them very well."

Loki's brow quirked with interest. "With who exactly?"

"Oh," Yahweh shrugged, "just some wayward sons of my own."

"And, what am I supposed to do?"

He settled on the Gods eyes again, catching the flicker of mirth in them. The corner of his mouth raised slowly into a cocky grin. "Whatever they tell you to." he said.

Loki was about to give a snappy comeback, but before he could open his mouth Yahweh extended two of his fingers and pressed them gently against the demigods forehead. In the blink of an eye, he was gone.

Yahweh chuckled to himself. He really did like the arrogant boy. He guessed he had a soft spot for them, considering is own sons. He could only hope now that Odin's son would follow his path and come out the other side whole. Or as whole as could be.

With a wave of his hand, Loki's illusion disappeared and he was finally left all alone. He made a beeline to the front of the cell and craned his neck to look up and down the hallway before meeting the gaze of one of the guards. The asgardian puffed out his chest, his eyes going wide as he stomped with fury towards Loki's cell. But Yahweh held his comical smile and stepped back slightly as the guard came to a stop in front of him.

"Wipe that smirk off your face, Loki Laufeyson! Traitorous whoreson! Or I'll come in there and wipe it off for you!"

Instead of replying; Yahweh turned on his heel and slunk back to the wall, sliding down to take a seat. His glamor of the demigod was in full effect. Again, he chuckled in spite of himself. "I guess I've vacationed in worse places then this." he whispered to no one in particular.

He leaned back and closed his eyes, letting his mind wonder through the void until he found the consciousness of his favored angel. Poor Castiel, he guessed he should at least give him fair warning of the visitor he and the Winchesters would be having.

A/N: So, this is my first go at a crossover between these two shows. Actually, a first for either show. Comments are greatly appreciated, so feel free to leave a review, ideas or I dunno... your phone number? Only if you're cute though :P Hope you enjoyed the first chappie.