Natasha's POV

Natasha walks into the room where Loki is contained. Loki is standing, is back to Natasha, arms behind his back. He stands in the glass containment box, similar to the one used when the Avengers and SHIELD first captured him. Loki turns to Natasha, a smirk on his face.

"This feels all too familiar, Agent Romanoff,"Loki says. "When we first spoke in this format, it was due to the fact that I had stolen the Tesseract. Tell me, what are your reasons now?"

"I am hoping you'll tell me," Natasha says. "What are you doing on Earth?"

Loki shrugs. "Nothing much at the moment, I'd say so."

"Then why come to Earth?" Natasha asks.

"Oh, Midgard--or Earth, as you call it--is better suited to my needs than other worlds in Odin's reign," Loki says calmly.

"And what are your needs?"

Loki shudders. "Anything is better than the Asgardian prison."

"Well, you're back in a cell, Loki."

"Trust me when I say this is better."

"You aren't exactly the most trustworthy individual," Natasha says, a hint of doubt in her voice.

"Neither are you, Agent Romanoff," Loki says, stepping forward in his cell. Natasha keeps her same emotionless face on, but fails to cover her look of dismay for a split second. "If I can recall from our first conversation, you have a very red ledger, dripping with blood. Tell me, has that changed at all?"

Natasha smirked. "Oh, it's just as red. Red with the blood of evildoers."

"And red with the blood of civilians. Oh yes, in my brief moment of freedom, I saw what happened. Tell me, what is the blood count of everyone who died in your battles?"

"Lower than what it would have been if I didn't interfere."

"I see." Loki stepped back from the glass. "Well, you have absolutely no reason to hold me. Have I done anything that would suggest I have plans? Because I don't. Oh well, I doubt you'd feel comfortable letting me go. Give my brother my regards." With that, Natasha leaves, frustrated with the frost giant.

Loki's POV

No.

Thor's POV

Thor stands in the hall, waiting for Natasha to come, bearing news of Loki. Natasha comes out, frustration displayed on her face. "Natasha, what news do you bear concerning Loki?" he asks.

"None," Natasha says. "He claims to be here for no reason, just because he likes Earth. I don't believe a word of it, but all he's done is manage to change the subject."

Thor sighs. Loki tends to do that a lot. "Let me try. I'm his brother. Maybe I can figure something out."

Thor walks into the prison, Loki's eyes piercing into his own. "Hello, brother," Loki says. "Did you finally decide to speak to me, after all this time?"

"Yes, I have, in fact," Thor says. "After we've found three Infinity Stones in a small span of time, I figured it might be wise to see what is amiss in the universe. I figured that might be a little more important."

"And what have you found?"

"Nothing much other than whispers of an Infinity Stone on Xandar," Thor admits. "Maybe I should have dedicated more time to our brotherhood, Loki."

"Perhaps," Loki says, a hint of sadness on his features. "As I told Agent Romanoff, I have no malignant plans for Midgard. Other than my previous crimes, I see no reason to hold me here."

"You escaped the prison on Asgard. You have yet to fulfill your sentences of treason and murder," Thor reminds Loki.

Loki cocks his head. "No, I haven't. But would not my aid against Malekith reduce my time?"

"It has, in my book. If you had not escaped prison, you would've been out sooner, brother."

"I see." Loki turns away from Thor. "Carry on with thy duties, brother."

Loki's POV

Oh, certainly no.

Wanda's POV

Wanda had heard what had happened when Thor and Natasha had tried to question Loki. Now, as she walks determinedly across the hall, she decides that she must try to find answers herself. She swings the door open to find Loki calmly sitting on the floor, the same smirk still on his face.

"Ah, Scarlet Witch, is it not?"

"Cut the jokes, Loki. Why'd you come here?!"

"A little short on patience today? Well, I apologize for our earlier meeting today that resulted in your unconsciousness. Trust me, Blaze and Vision avenged you."

"Why. Are. You. Here?"

"No particular reason." Loki smirks. "Now why are you free while I'm in prison?"

"What did you say?" Wanda asks angrily.

"We both have done dreadful things, Miss Maximoff. So why aren't our roles reversed?"

"Because one of us is still a criminal," Wanda snaps.

"In a certain point of view."

Frustrated and angry, Wanda storms out of the room.

Loki's POV

Possibly.

Vision's POV

Vision finds Wanda storming down the hallway. "Wanda, what is the matter?"

"Loki, that jerk," Wanda mutters.

Vision pulls Wanda into an embrace and she leans against his artificial body. "I know he is. What did he do?"

"Well, I just went in to question him. Got nothing. Nat and Thor also tried. He just turns everything around and makes it personal."

"Perhaps I can try. After all, I'm an android. I'm not supposed to be personal," Vision suggests.

"But you are, Vis."

"He doesn't know that." Vision broke from the embrace. "I'll go now." He gives one last smile to Wanda and goes in to question Loki.

Loki is sitting on a small chair when Vision enters. He smirks. "The Vision, correct?"

"You are correct, Loki," Vision says calmly. "What are your intentions on Earth?"

Loki shrugs. "Perhaps I haven't thought that far yet."

"Then why Earth?"

"As I told your friends, it is preferable to the other Realms of Asgard. I'm afraid you won't get a better answer. So keep sending the Avengers, you won't find anything."

"I'm told you have a knack for personal discussions," Vision says calmly. "Is that tiring? You've done it thrice, but not with me."

"Doing that with Miss Maximoff was enough to get to you," Loki replies, a smug look on his face.

It is true, Vision thinks. Hurting her hurts me.

"Love is a strong motivator," Vision admits. His anger grew, but he couldn't let it control him.

"Oh, I'm aware." Loki smirks. "Tell me, is it not also a weakness?"

"A weakness that strengthens the one lucky enough to have it."

"I'm afraid you don't know what a weakness is, Vision."

Vision turned. "Very well, you will not reveal anything."

Loki's POV

Fascinating, but no.

Steve's POV

"So we know nothing?"

"That is correct, Captain Rogers," Vision affirms.

Steve sighs. "And how many have questioned him?"

"Everyone but you and y/n," Wanda answers.

"I'll go try, I guess." Steve strides to Loki's cell. When he gets there, Loki has his back to him.

"Captain Rogers, the soldier out of time," Loki says as he turns to face Steve. "Still haven't given up on finding the reason for my appearance here? Because you won't find one."

"I can still try Loki." Steve began to circle around the tubular cell. "But it doesn't matter too much. You're here because you stole the Tesseract, mind controlled some friends of mine, and brought the Chitauri to attack New York. Even if you were planning on doing nothing, you still have done plenty of crimes."

"You are correct, Captain. So why are you convinced that I have troublesome plans?"

"One hundred percent of your appearances before have lead to mass destruction. So what are the odds you have something sinister planned?"

"There's a first time for everything."

"Yes, there is. But forgive us for doubting the word of the god of mischief."

"Understandable." Loki smirks. "But if there is a reason, you won't find out."

"Lucky for me, there's still another Avenger."

"Ah, Miss l/n? Please, send her in. I'm intrigued by her."

Steve hesitates, not knowing if it would be a good idea to bring y/n to Loki if Loki was so Keen for it.

"She is probably the only one that can learn a hypothetical reason why I'm here."

Steve sighs. "Maybe." He turns and leaves Loki in silence.

Loki's POV

If all else fails, him. But let's see what Blaze has to offer.

Your POV

Your still reading Harry Potter when Steve walks into your room. "Y/n? Can we talk?"

You close the book and sit up on your bed. "Yeah, sure thing, Cap."

Steve comes and sits down next to you. "Loki is being worse than we've expected."

"He is?"

"Yeah. And he's told me that he'd maybe talk to only one of the Avengers."

"Everyone but Peter and I have questioned him." You sigh.

"Loki specifically mentioned you, y/n." Steve hesitates. "I know you dislike doing this sorta stuff, but we might need you to."

You sigh. "Well, Peter can't do it anyway. His aunt would kill us all if he did. I'll go."

"If you ever feel like you need to leave him, leave. We've all left him today."

"Okay."

"And I'll be just outside the door, y/n. If you need help, I'll be there."

You take a deep breath. "Okay Steve. I'll be there in ten minutes."

You throw something on that's better suited to the situation. When you're ready, you go to the hall his cell is in. Steve is waiting outside. "You need anything-"

"I know, Cap. I got this." Steve can be really protective of the team. He knows everyone can handle themselves, but that doesn't necessarily mean he should let the team handle themselves. Steve just doesn't want you getting hurt. But he knows you kick arse, so he'll stand back and let you do your job.

You open the door to face Loki. He is staring right at you, the hint of a grin on his face. "So we meet again."

"Only because Cap asked me to. He said ya said something about me."

"Indeed I did, Miss l/n. Indeed I did."

You shrug. "So why d'ya wanna talk to me?"

"I find you quite...intriguing."

"And why is that?"

Loki smirks. "We'll have to wait and see. I believe your job is to question me, Miss l/n."

You sigh. "Why come to Earth?"

"I want something in my life."

"And what would that be?"

"What do you want out of your life?"

That question throws you off guard. "I'm not sure I know."

"It is a difficult question. But when you know the answer you, my dear, will stop at nothing to reach it."

"That doesn't answer my question. Why are you on Earth?"

"I think what I need might be here."

"And what is that?"

"Now, that is a little secret of mine."

"What are your intentions on this world?"

"Oh, believe me, Miss l/n, you'll be surprised. So will your pesky friends."

Loki's POV

Yes! Definitely yes!

Your POV

Suddenly you hear alarms sounding. You turn to Loki. "What did you do?"

Loki smirks. "You wanted to know what my intentions were. It's time to find out."

"Y/n? Are you okay?" Steve asks through the comms.

"Yeah, I'm fine. What's going on out there?"

"When Loki knocked out Wanda, he must have done something to her."

You turn to face Loki, your face not hiding your anger. "What did you do to Wanda?"

"Simple spell, really. Don't fret, she'll be fine." He snickers. "But I also used an even simpler spell." Suddenly, he disappears.

"Steve! I've got a problem!"

"What is it, y/n?"

"We locked up one of Loki's fake selves."

You hear Steve swear. "Where is-" The comms fail.

"Loki?!" you shout. "Show yourself!"

You hear a voice behind you. "Trust me, this is the real me."

You flip around to see him standing confidently between you and the door. "What are you doing?" you ask.

"You'll see. I believe we were interrupted last time we fought."

You ignite your hands. "You aren't getting away with this!"

"Oh, I will."

You throw a fireball at him, and he deflects it with his magic. "I love your abilities, but let's change the playing field." Loki's hands start glowing and you cautiously look at them. Suddenly, Loki hurls the golden-green light at you. Unable to deflect or dodge, it hits you dead on. You don't feel any different though. Your hands extinguished themselves, but other than that you're fine.

You raise your arms in a fighting stance, and ignite your hands. Well, you try to at least.

I can't use my powers! I can't use my powers! You panic as you try to ignite your powers again.

"That wasn't as simple of a spell." Loki smirks. "Don't worry, you still have your powers, my dear. You just can't access them." He draws a knife. "How well can you fight without them?"

You gulp down your fear and prepare to fight. Lately, Natasha, Bucky, and Steve had been teaching you and Wanda how to fight without your powers. You much prefer your fire, but fists can also work.

Loki closes the gap between you and him and begins to fight. You fend off his attacks, but you know he's toying with you. He could defeat you in seconds if he wants to.

"You aren't too bad, y/n. Besides, we'll have plenty of time to improve your skills."

"What do you mea-" Before you can finish, Loki slams the hilt of his knife into the side of your head. Your vision darkens and you lose your balance. Before you hit the ground, Loki catches you in his arms. Before you can do anything about it, you slip into unconsciousness.

The last thing you hear is Loki gently whispering in your ear, "This is what I mean."