The Hulk's roar echoes throughout the entire ship. Holy mercy, I think to myself. It worked. Loki has triggered the creature inside Dr. Banner, and now Bruce's alter-ego is running around, destroying who knows what or who?

Loki… That idiot is going to get himself killed. He's surrounded, and he's the commander of the attacking army. At this point, I'm pretty sure it's shoot first, ask questions later. That's my first thought as I make my way through the chaos to get to the cell room.

I don't even know why I'm going there. I could just stay run on my merry way, dodging the oncoming battle and keeping myself safe. Mercy, that sounds so selfish, and yet so appealing. I'll admit I have a history of being self-interested, and not caring about the consequences. But you just don't leave a friend to be murdered. Not even a friend you hate.

I sprint down the corridors, trying to remember the path to the cell room. Every now and again, I hear gunshots. Meaning people are dying within my earshot, even if I can't see it.

How close are the enemies? How long is it before they get to me?

I'm trying to keep calm. I really am. But explosions have a way of making your heart thud louder in your ears than it ever has before. So I keep running.

I don't slow down. Not once.

I don't even have a plan. What do I intend to do once I get to the cell room? Well, make sure Loki doesn't die, for one. Then what? Escape? Could I? I would, if I could; and if I can, I will. There. That's my plan.

I get as far as the control room.

Fury stands at a panel, flying the ship. He could spot me at any moment. Drag me back to my cell where another, unexpected explosion could reach me.

I guess it could be worse. At least I'm not still running around in pajamas. In fact, my outfit is deceptive. I'm able to hide in plain sight, only exposed if Fury does a double-take. So, as far as that aspect is concerned, the tables have turned.

I hear someone scream out, "Grenade!" Another explosion. This time it's directly in front of me. I feel the heat of it, but I'm far enough away so only the tiniest pieces of rubble bounce off of me.

Most of the agents begin to vacate immediately. I remain paralyzed. I realize that I am not exactly skilled at keeping a clear mind when people are having appendages blown off of their bodies.

I have to keep myself from passing out as enemy soldiers come into play.

Fury attacks them mercilessly, either killing or severely injuring all of them. Except one. This one has his rifle aimed at Fury, and he has the upper hand. An agent shoots him before he has the chance to kill Fury.

I have a flashback of someone dying who I was very close to. Shot down by a SHIELD agent just like he was. Who did this man leave behind? I wonder…

But I don't have time to wonder any longer. Fury spies me. I try to run, but he catches up with me quickly and grabs my arm.

"Let me go!" I protest.

"May I remind you, Miss Brandon, that you are still under custody of the United States government?" he scolded.

"May I remind you, Fury, that I am still human enough to want to run for my life when I hear explosions! If I stay put in a cell, I am going to die! Let. Go."

He glares at me, evaluating his options, I imagine.

More bad guys come in. Fury reacts immediately, firing at will.

"Get out of here," he barks.

Thank everything merciful he recognizes that a defenseless prisoner is not his top priority.

I keep going. Luckily, no one notices the direction I'm headed.

Someone has left the door to the cell room open. I stare into it a while before entering. Loki is not trapped in his cell. Thor is. Eh, nothing surprises me anymore.

I turn into the room just in time to see Loki impale a somewhat familiar agent on his spear. Agent Coulson, I believe.

As I watch him fall to the ground, I can't claim to feel any sort of remorse or pity. Perhaps it's because I'm still a monster. But I don't care.

It's the simplest concept of revenge, really. SHIELD kills one of Loki's men, Loki kills one of SHIELD's men. I don't know what I felt about Jared, but either way, his death has been avenged.

I briefly acknowledge Loki. "Mr. Mischief."

"Abby," he returns. "I expect you're here for a lift?"

I nod. "Indeed, I am."

He doesn't answer, but presses a button on the control panel that opens the floor beneath the cell. He maintains eye-contact with Thor.

"Loki, what are you doing?" I warily inquire.

"Never mind," is his only response. He pushes a button that sends the cell, and Thor with it, falling to oblivion.

My eyes widen, and I cover my moth with my hands. He couldn't have. He couldn't kill his own brother, especially not Thor: the nicest person alive. "How could you?" I gasp.

Evidently, he doesn't feel the need to answer me, and turns to leave.

Until Agent Coulson speaks up. "You're going to lose," he breathes out. "It's in your nature."

Loki seems amused. "Your heroes are scattered. Your floating fortress falls from the sky. Where is my disadvantage?"

"You lack conviction," Coulson chokes.

Now irritated, Loki keeps talking. "I don't think I—" But he doesn't get to finish his sentence, because Coulson fires the rather impressive looking weapon he has been holding at Loki, sending the Asgardian flying back through a number of walls.

I glance briefly at Coulson, who only stares back at me with glossed-over eyes. He's still alive, barely. He'll be gone soon enough. But he's just staring at me. It's making me feel uncomfortable. So I follow Loki.

I help him get up, surprised that he shows little sign of injury at all. Actually no sign. Strange.

"Okay," I begin. "Don't be caught doing a monologue."

He rolls his eyes and begins to stagger away. So, I guess he is a little hurt. Good.

"You killed your brother," I call after him.

He shakes his head and chuckles. "If only…"

Alright, that's enough to make me mad. "No, no, no. You're not listening to me! You killed your brother! You murdered your family!"

Loki spins around. "He's no family of mine! Family is a sentiment, a setback! What's the point of it, save to feel accepted?" He turns back around. "Now, come along. You're not here to blubber at everything you don't like."

I laugh. "Do you really think I'm going to board a plane with a crazed Elsa? …Again? "

"You misunderstand. That wasn't a request."

I open my mouth to speak before recognizing that I have no argument. I am a debtor. Debts demand to be paid.

I need to be wiser about choosing friends. I usually end up hanging with really weird people. Or in this case, psychopaths.

He leads me up to the deck, where a jet awaits. I follow Loki inside and take my seat.

I don't care where we're going. I just care that this thing ends.

I don't speak for the entire flight. I just think. And trust me, there is lots to think about.

I'm headed straight for the middle of the war, the prisoner of a friend whose side I am against. That makes really no sense at all.

Who survived the attack on the helicarrier? I pray that Steve and Nat did. As far as other SHIELD agents, I could care less. After all of that trauma, I'm still a terrible person. I've gotta work on that.

I look across the jet at Loki. He's deluded. He's a murder. And yet, I'm still his friend. Maybe I just can't stand to have such short-lived friendships. Maybe I understand what he's been through. But I cannot easily overlook someone willfully destroying their own brother, adopted or no.

We arrive on the landing strip of Stark Tower. Something tells me that I should've seen this location coming, but it doesn't matter now.

"So, this is where your masterful plan comes into play?" I question.

"As a matter of fact…" Loki responds.

Nodding, I begin to walk inside.

"What are you doing?" Loki suddenly snaps.

I furrow my eyebrows and stare at him. "Um, I'm going inside."

He shakes his head and leads me back to the plane. "I have other plans."

"I don't like the sound of that."

He rolls his eyes and gestures to the pilot. "Just do as he says and don't question. His orders are mine."

"Wha—" I begin. But Loki walks out of the plane, ignoring me entirely.

The hatch shuts and I feel the plane begin to descend. The hatch opens only a few moments later to reveal a medium sized platform. It looks to be… the 'A' in Stark…?

"Step on, ma'am," the pilot says.

"Excuse me?" I call over the roar of the engines.

"You're providing a distraction for the Avengers. Please step on the 'A'."

Oh, so this is why he needed me in the first place! Oh, that makes me so mad.

I gulp and step on to the platform which seems to shrink. The plane leaves, leaving me stranded. I stare down at the ground which is hundreds of feet below me. I could fall to my death at any moment.

And this is where I will sit as the war will rage all around me.