Happy fourth of July! (Even though I don't celebrate it.) I gift to all my many readers who commented on the last chapter not just one… but two new chapters. Chapter 20 coming out right behind 19. No waiting for two amazing chapters (At least I think so…) I put a lot of work, research and three sleepless nights into these two chapters. I was going to make them one, but I think two seemed better! I hope you all enjoy this as much as the fireworks! It makes me so happy to see the comments (Cough cough Loki Rogers cough cough) it drives me to write and work hard! I love and appreciate each and every reader that enjoys this… from the bottom of my heart… Thank you all.
-cluelessreader
Chapter 19
Tony expected to be burning and in horrible pain. But he didn't feel anything. He heard Pepper scream his name behind him, but his eyes were glued to the green force field around him, Thor, and Valkyrie. When it disappeared as fast as it came, Tony noticed who wasn't protected.
He may be Asgardian or Jotun or whatever he was, but he was still just a kid.
Loki was on the ground. Soot and blood on his face from the explosion. He panted heavily, sharp green eyes trained on Clint.
"Why would you? You know what. I don't care." Clint loaded another arrow and shot. When he fired Loki moved out of sight. Clearly not willing to get hit again.
Tony watched Loki dodge shot after shot. Going as fast as Goku in Dragon Ball.
"Stay still!" Clint yelled in annoyance.
Loki did the exact opposite. He kept on gradually getting closer and closer. It was like a graceful dance to Tony. An arrow past Loki's left cheek, missing by a centimeter, but he moved just in time. Sliding under the next arrow he jumped back up to his feet. Doing a frontflip he appeared right in front of Clint. Landing a kick to his stomach perfectly. Keeping his hands on the ground, he twisted, kicking the bow right from the archer's hands. It flew in the air while Loki got back to his feet. Clint's eyes followed the bow while Loki muttered a spell.
Pressing both palms to Clint, a bright light flashed. Newly placed stones on the road began to shake and crack as thick green vines wrapped around Hawkeye. Effectively making him immobile. Clint's face twisted in anger as he tried to wiggle out of the trap.
"You're not going anywhere. Hawkeye?" Loki said, making sure he used the right name.
Loki felt a trickle of blood run down his right eye. He finally looked at himself. The blast really packed a punch. His new armor was covered in soot and dirt. Luckily no scratches yet. He wasn't so lucky. He had some cuts from the shrapnel of the arrow, some blood on his face, and dirt from sliding.
"Okay, that was a little extra." Tony heard the kid mutter.
Tony couldn't help it. A small smile formed on his face, then he burst out laughing. Come on! It was funny as hell.
"That was amazing, kid! Damn Clint! You just got your ass handed to you!"
"Let me go! You piece of shit!" Clint yelled, still straining from the vines.
"Oh shut up birdy. You lost. Kid, can you move him?"
Loki nodded, holding out his hands they pulsed green before the vines detached from the ground, a kind of plant person formed. Vines still holding Clint as the plant… person- thing walked to Loki.
"Alright Maleficent, let's head to your house." Tony joked.
Loki only looked confused. "I have no idea what that is. But yea, let's go home please." He smiled, exhaustion present.
"Yes, Brother. Let us go." He looked to Tony, a small smile on his face. "Everyone."
The group of people walked through the town. Loki upfront with the adults behind him. Tony sighed. The whole conversation of what happened to Loki in the past had made something surface to the forefront of Tony's mind.
The videos Nebula had given him to watch.
The moment Thor told Loki what happened before he fell in the void, the first video he ever watched forced its way into his brain.
"Just that you let go. And I lost you. We thought you dead when you appeared on Midgard a year later."
"So I was on Midgard?"
Thor shook his head. "No. You just appeared there, after a year, using the tesseract."
A whole year. He had known that he was gone for a year but seeing the video and hearing the story of the fall, really made things seem more real… and worse for Loki.
She saw two of them dragging something; something rather large. The rest pleased how the past few hours went. They walked past her and she saw a quick glimpse of what they were so pleased about; it was a person.
Now that Thor and he were okay now… how would he tell the god about the videos? Since Loki had left, Tony had stopped watching them at all. Maybe that was a good thing? No… he doesn't think it is.
He had the drive with him. Thinking about it now, the drive felt like 10 pounds of pressure in his pocket. What drove him to bring it, he didn't know. But the fact that he has it at all and that both Clint and Thor were with him… better now then never.
Tony drew in a deep breath. Now or never after all. He carefully leaned over to Thor. "Hey… point break. I uh… got something to tell you." He said quietly.
Thor looked over. "What is it man of iron?"
"Well… regarding what happened to Loki, in his past life I mean, when he fell into the void-"
"What are you talking about?"
"You said that you don't know what happened before he wound up on Midgard right?"
Thor looked at him oddly. "Yes? What are you going on-"
"I know what happened to him in the void." Tony rushed out. Oh, thank god.
Thor's eyes widened. "What do- you know? How do you know!?"
"Shh! Shut up." Tony looked to Loki, who was still walking ahead of them, the tree person steadily following him. "I know what happened to him, and I can show you what happened to him. But I also wanted Clint, at least, to watch it. You deserve to know as much as bird brain does."
"How long have you known," Thor asked, his fist clinched but was definitely trying to keep his composure. Tony was impressed he was trying at all really.
"Since… since I got back. Wait! I was going to tell you but then everything happened and ruined it! Now that we're good again, I was going to tell you about it. I swear."
Thor seemed to try Loki's talent. But obviously, he doesn't quite have that little gift. But it seemed he believed Tony. Thank god!
"You will show me- us, when we return home. I must know what happened to my brother."
"Yea Thor, I will." Tony said.
He was finally going to finish that fucking drive.
"Alright Loki, head to the room." Thor said. If Tony's face was any indication, the videos were going to be painfully horrible. Better Loki wasn't here.
"What?" Loki asked. "What about Hawkeye?" he gestured to the silent man still being held by the tree.
"Me and Tony will handle him. Besides if we can't handle him, Valkyrie definitely can."
"Damn right I'll be able to handle him." She agreed confidently.
Loki giggled a bit. "I wish to be here though."
"I know brother. But we must be alone with him. He was a dear friend and I must learn what happened to him. I wish for you to enjoy the rest of the night of your naming day. I will even happily overlook the missing sweets from the great hall."
Loki's eyes lit up. "Alright!" His gaze went to the tree thing he made. "No need to follow me anymore. Please listen to my brother." The tree bowed his head a bit. "Better not let him get away!" He yipped happily as he ran back out of the house. Ready to waste the night away eating the wonderful cakes and cookies that everyone brought and baked.
Once Loki was away, Thor turned to Tony.
"Show us."
Tony played the videos he had already seen. As horrible as it sounds, catching them up to where he was.
Clint had been struggling from the grapes of Loki's spell but once the videos started playing he looked as green as the vines that held him.
Thor was watching in horror… same with Valkyrie.
Sure Pepper had seen one part of the video, but her face gave him perfect indication she was more disgusted with what was on the screen than before. He definitely didn't want her watching it again but her words rang in his mind.
"I don't want you seeing something bad alone Tony."
Having her with him made watching this crap better, but now that Loki's brother and close friend were watching, he had no idea what was going to happen. Now it was time to play the videos even Tony hadn't seen yet…
That stupid brother of hers had been kept here for almost 6 months. 6 months and he still wouldn't break. After every different and repetitive form of torture the Chitauri, Father, and her siblings could come up with…
He. Still. Wouldn't. Brake!
It was almost admirable. But he still rejected Father and that alone got him more punishment from the Chitauri during their break.
She would hear them having their fun with her brother almost every day and yet somehow he hadn't lost his mind.
Nebula walked down the familiar hallway that led to her brother's cell. Unlocking the door, she walked in. Her brother had just been in one of the Chitauri's little sessions. His hands tied above his head, legs covered with some weird type of knot to keep them still and bent. The last bit of his clothes had finally been taken from him.
They didn't know how he somehow kept repairing his pants, but with how small the scraps were this time, she doubted he'd be able to fix them anymore. There goes the last bit of his Asgardian attire.
His head was down, clearly tired, and drained.
"Well. Looks like you had another fun day."
He didn't react. They had beaten and raped the snippy words out of him a long time ago. But when he was angry enough he would talk back something fierce. But more or less he was quiet. He wouldn't answer any of Father's questions regarding magic, Asgard, the nine, magic travel, or even about himself.
She circled him, seeing all the claw marks from today's time. Underneath the blood and grime, were the rest of the scars. At first, his magic made him almost impossible to scar, but luckily with the others thinking, he made a collar that blocks his powerful magic. Since he was falling in the void, his magic seemed to drain. But it did come back. He had tried to escape before with it. Which gave Father the perfect time to view his magic, stupid Brother thought Father didn't think that through.
Now he wore a dark black collar around his neck, the metal scraped his skin horribly. An added punishment for trying to escape at all.
"You know that if you just… give in, all of this will end." Nebula voiced as she continued to walk around him. Taking in all the torture her brother has been through.
"I'm sure your not so stupid to not see how much Father cares for you. You are important to him after all. If you become a child of Thanos, everything you ever wanted would be yours."
Still, her brother didn't answer.
"Father would welcome you with open arms. He would give you Asgard-"
"He will never touch Asgard!"
That got him. The pure hatred radiated from his amazing green gaze.
"Never." He added.
"I thought we had closed that pretty mouth of yours by now. Asgard isn't your home anymore."
He only watched her walk around, his eyes sharp and focused. It almost scared her. Almost.
"They left you. Abandoned you. Even when you were with them, they didn't appreciate you. After all, they called you the dark prince. Right? They never respected you, liked you, loved you."
"Shut up! Thor did! I know… I know he did."
"You even speak in the past tense. 'Did' he did love you. I'm sure he doesn't now that you're gone and you almost destroyed planets."
"You're wrong!"
"I bet no one in Asgard even remembers you!"
He snapped his head away from her, shutting his mouth.
"My. It saddens me to see my little brother like this…" Nebula taunted.
His jaw clenched, but he didn't speak.
The cell door creaked open. A Chitauri soldier at the door met the eye of Nebula. "Your Father demands your presence."
Nebula scowled but nodded. She looked back to the tied up man. "Till next time. Little brother."
Gamora was impressed that Loki had lasted as long as he had. 8 months was no laughing matter. It was a testament to how strong he really was. He would never betray the people that didn't even love him. But it only made Thanos want to break him faster. And once Loki was under his control Thanos would feel even more powerful for having gotten such a person under his thumb.
She couldn't help but roll her eyes. Nebula was off somewhere, training most likely. Her other 'siblings' were away on missions to find the elusive infinity stones. Gamora would bet her life that they would come back empty-handed. As always.
The Chitauri and Ebony already had their twisted view of fun with Loki, then today would be her turn to make him a child of Thanos. As much as Thanos wanted it to be torture, she always enjoyed it because it was the time Loki told her of the universe.
Smiling a bit to herself, she walked out of her room. Waking the familiar path that was muscle memory at this point, with a bag on her back. If Loki was raped today then they probably ripped his clothes again, so she carried a pair of pants with her. In most cases when she packed them, her assumption was correct. With the pair of pants also came a small rag for him to clean himself a little bit with too. She could tell at least looking decent meant something to him, gave him some much-needed dignity that Thanos and the others were happy with taking.
She also packed some food for him. A different tactic Thanos started doing was not feeding him. Granted, Gamora had told Loki to prepare for that, but she didn't think he would last long enough for him to turn to that messed up form of torture. He had gone almost 6 months without food, at least that's what Thanos thinks anyway. But Loki still didn't eat very much anyway, since it would be too suspicious if Gamora started eating for two all of a sudden. She could only sneak him so much food at a time. Sometimes he would go a day without having a little something or weeks without any food at all.
The bag was small and luckily no one noticed or cared why she carried it at all. Being Thanos star daughter, no one dared question her. A nice little perk on being the favorite.
She made it to the cell and carefully opened the door. Bracing herself for however Loki was going to look. If the pleased expressions on the Chitauri's faces meant anything it was that Loki was going to be in horrible condition.
Walking into the cell, there he sat. Tucked away in the corner. Head pressed into his knees, arms wrapped around them. Normally they leave him hanging or tied, maybe he got out of the binds again. If the Chitauri used rope, which they seemed to prefer, he would escape out of them at some point. That's why Thanos had him in chains most of the time. Can't escape metal.
"Loki. It's my turn today." She said quietly.
He looked up and the tired look in his eyes changed to one of gladness.
It was different for someone to be happy that she was around, normally people feared her or were already dead by her hand to have an opinion on her.
"Finally… a bit of peace…" He mustered out. His voice was hoarse from his screaming and normal disuse. He formed a small smile, eyes traveling, looking for any sign of the bag.
"It's right here." She pulled the bag off and passed it to him. "Not much food,"
"As always." He joked
"But I did remember the pants and the rag. I figured you would need them."
"You figured right."
Like always, Gamora turned around as he tried to rub off anything he could and slipped on the pants she brought. It never took very long as he could never wipe away as much as he would like.
"Your good." He said as he started pulling out the tasteless bread from the bag.
"Half a piece. Better than last time."
She rolled her eyes but did have an easy smile on her face. "Very funny. I know it's not the huge banquets you used to get, but you'll have to deal with it."
"Beggars can't be choosers, as they say."
What? "Who says that?" Gamora asked as she sat down a little ways in front of him.
He huffed a small laugh. "The Midgardians. They have many fun sayings."
"You've been to Midgard!" She whisper yelled.
Loki nodded his head. "I've been many times before."
She scooted a little closer and placed her elbows on her knees, head landing in her hands, expecting the story.
"I went once during the… I'd say the 60's? They label their times oddly. I went to a huge party some mortals had planned. It was a three-day event of just music. Better music then Asgard, I'll say that much."
He told of amazing music and three days filled with peace and fun. How he traveled the little shops that magically set up in the area. Tried something called LSD and weed. "They had little effect on me, but I did become very happy and hungry all of a sudden."
Gamora laughed but covered her mouth so no one outside would hear her. He continued about some crazy loud music during the night and then a huge rainstorm.
"I swear I thought Thor was sent down to come and get me. But when people just started chanting 'No rain! No rain! No rain!' I couldn't help but join in. Then they started just… sliding in the mud and throwing mud pies at each other."
At Gamora's confused look, he explained. "Just balls of mud they would throw around."
She loved hearing his stories, they transported her to the nine. Away from this place and all the training she had to endure. She thinks it helps him too, makes him think of better times and not being stuck here.
He told three more stories before Gamora knew she had to leave. Loki packed up the rag into the bag and handed it to her.
"I have to deal with some outside missions. I'll be gone for a while so… try to put up with this crap till I get back. No giving in yea? I want more stories."
Loki rolled his eyes but had a small smile on his face. "I'll try my best, Lady Gamora."
She huffed a laugh and walked out. She would be gone for 4 days. Gamora knew he could handle that.
Mission after damned mission she went out on. Finding the stones or finding allies, whatever the case may be, she was sent out and about. She liked being out of the sanctuary but did feel guilty when she got to see the different skies of different places while her friend was still locked and being tortured.
Hold on a second. Friend? When did that happen?
Huh. She had a friend now… it made something in her heart feel warm. Out of all the brainwashing and killing, she actually had a friend. A real friend.
She had to find a way to get him out… she had been planning for weeks now, she knows Loki is getting tired. Who knows how much more of this crap he could handle
Gamora had just gotten back from another mission out for the soul stone. She was empty-handed but didn't fail the mission this time around. She learned where the soul stone was and how it could be acquired. Thanos would never learn of it from her however. It was just another failed mission.
Today was her day with the prisoner. She could use a good story to welcome her back 'home'.
She slipped into her room and packed the bag, this time hiding food she had gotten from her latest mission. She knew Loki had a sweet tooth, if any of his stories told her anything, so she packed a small cookie from some shop she passed. Look at her, doing good stuff for her friend.
A smile formed on her face, Gamora couldn't wait to see Loki's face when something with actual flavor was placed in front of him. He would be so happy.
Packing the familiar pair of pants, a small rag, and the same crap food, with the addition of the cookie, she was on her way. Walking the same path to the cell she always did. Once at the door, she pressed her ear to it, making sure no one but Loki was in the room. When she didn't hear anything she knew it was clear.
Gamora opened the door and couldn't help but gasp. She knew he would look bad since she was gone for so long… but not this bad…
His arms were chained behind him, his legs were clearly broken. The bruises purple and red all over his skin must have been Obsidians day. The familiar claw marks on his back, thighs, and cheeks were ever-present from another day with the Chitauri. Blood, cum, and his waste were around the room. Something both he and Gamora didn't appreciate as much as the children of thanos did. They laugh and laugh whenever he has to go, another way for him to be shamed and all.
The ever-present collar around his neck had red marks and blood coming from it, the Chitauri must have been scratching and pulling at him from it. Some sort of cloth was tied around his mouth, the edges red from how tight the gag was tied.
"Loki!" Gamora exclaimed as she ran to him. "Shit. Shit. Shit." She couldn't do much about the chains but she did undo the gag at least. Fuck his modesty, she pulled out the rag and tried whipping away the blood and dried cum that covered him. Really it was like that's the only thing the Chitauri knew how to do.
He was passed out, so she set back the bone in his legs, set in the shoulder he was laying on since it popped out for whatever reason. And put the pants she brought on him. He was knocked out horrible but he would wake up at least a little clean, with bones healing properly and some clothes on him. Small mercies were all she could offer right now and she hated it.
"Come on Loki…" she tried waking him up. "Wake up!" She covered his mouth and plugged his nose, a shit trick but it did the job multiple times before. He ran out of air quickly as his eyes flew open. She released him so he could breathe again. "I know. It sucks but I had too." She voiced to his withering glare.
He coughed a bit, as she would expect, but eventually found his steady breath. "Wh-when did yo-you get back?"
"Just now. Brought you a surprise. I figured you would appreciate it, especially now…" She pulled the bag on the ground closer to her and laid the food on it. First the small piece of what Thanos calls bread than a real bottle of water she packed for him, and the cookie that she wrapped in a small cloth.
His eyes gleamed in happiness at the sight of something really edible. And sweet no less. He tried moving his arms before the happy look disappeared. The familiar tired and angry glint in his eyes returning.
"Sorry… can't do anything about the chain…" Gamora said, ashamed about essentially baiting him. "You don't have a lot of options so I'm just gonna have to feed it to-"
"No. You won't. You won't touch me."
"That's not what I-"
"I refuse! You will keep that until I escape. When I can eat it in peace and with my own two hands!"
Gamora knew he was prideful but the shameful tears in his eyes made her only nod her head. "Alright…" She packed up the food again into the back and placed it on her back once more.
"Any stories at least? I've been gone for a while and missed hearing them while I was away."
Loki thought for a moment. "Have I told you the one about my brother in a wedding dress?"
He had. Many times in the past months. But it seems to be what's able to come to mind after a particularly bad session with the Chitauri or her siblings.
"Nope. Sounds funny though."
His gaze was cloudy but he smiled anyway. "It was very amusing…" and so he told it again. For the 16th time, if Gamora was counting correctly. She laughed at the story anyway, listened to the tale through and through. She hated seeing Loki like this. Mind so blurry that he can only remember so much from his life in Asgard.
One time he had almost come close to accepting Thanos wishes, they hurt him so bad he forgot about Thor and this woman, Frigga, and almost broke. But something snapped him back to reality and he spat right into Thanos face. He was brutally assaulted that day… and for the next week after that. But he still didn't brake.
"I miss them."
Gamora shook her head, giving her attention back to Loki. "Miss who?"
"My family. Even Odin. As much as I want to hate him."
Her gaze softened. She had heard plenty of stories about the asshole, grade A parenting that was Odin. And yet somehow Loki still had love in his heart for that man. How? Gamora didn't know.
"What do you think they are doing right now?" She asked, hoping to make Loki think about something other than his pain and hurting heart.
He smiled. "I would bet my life that Thor is feasting with those friends of his. Laughing and telling tales of his greatest conquests. Most likely eating a roast of his own hunt. The hall full of people laughing and eating alongside him and my family." He sucked in a deep breath, tears brimming at his eyes. "I know they are living life and celebrating on. It's going to be nothing new that I'm no longer there." He shuddered, those tears he'd been holding back for so long, freely falling.
"Loki… you know that's not true." Gamora tried to comfort him. She would see him like this more often now. When it was just them, or when Loki thought no one could hear him. He would cry for his big brother, his mother, and even Odin. It hurt her to see her only friend hurt from more than just the physical abuse.
All she could do was hug him. As much as he hated physical contact, when he broke down like this, he always appreciated having a friend to cry on. He never did have many of those after all. If Gamora could be one to him, she would try.
"I know they still love you. And that they are looking for you. Of that I'm sure. Especially from the stories you told me about your mother, I know she won't stop looking for you or believing in you. That goes for Thor as well. Your people were stupid not to see how much you mattered but I know your family saw it. So… don't lose hope okay. Don't let their love leave your mind or heart."
Nebula was ready to greet her sister, but when Gamora was already in the cell with Loki, she figured joining in her fun wouldn't be that bad. Maybe her sister would be tired and would need her help in trying to convince her brother to finally join them.
She sped walked to the cell and opened it, but stopped when she heard talking and not screaming.
"I miss them." She heard Loki say. Loki? Since when does he talk! He hadn't spoken in weeks! She stayed outside and kept on listening.
"Miss who?" Her sister asked back. So he and Gamora were talking? To each other? Why would she be doing that!?
"My family. Even Odin. As much as I want to hate him." Family… always with that damned family.
"What do you think they are doing right now?" Gamora asked. Nebula wanted to make her presence known, but she knew she could use this to her advantage. Just keep on talking.
"I would bet my life that Thor is feasting with those friends of his. Laughing and telling tales of his greatest conquests. Most likely eating a roast of his own hunt. The hall full of people laughing and eating alongside him and my family." A pause. "I know they are living life and celebrating on. It's going to be nothing new that I'm no longer there." He finished before he started… crying? Her brother was crying!? When his damned pride made him hold in his tears as long as possible, and fucking talking just made him ball his eyes out!?
"Loki… you know that's not true." Her sister said. "I know they still love you. And that they are looking for you. Of that I'm sure. Especially from the stories you told me about your mother, I know she won't stop looking for you or believing in you. That goes for Thor as well. Your people were stupid not to see how much you mattered but I know your family saw it. So… don't lose hope okay. Don't let their love leave your mind or heart."
His mind and his heart. His mind and his heart. That's it! That's why they can't break him! Dumb Brother holds hope. Fucking hope.
She smiled. She knew how to get a new brother now. And Father was going to love her for figuring it out.
She ran as fast as she could to her father's throne room. A rush of excitement fulling her steps. The doors were closed but she knew Father would forgive her for barging in. She pressed her hands on the large door and forced them open.
"Nebula. What is the meaning of this?" Father asked as his cold gaze pierced into her.
She shuttered but still smiled. "I know how to break him!"
He looked so proud of her as a smile grew on his own face.
It had been days since her discovery, but now that she knew what to do, her father set up a plan.
Hurt him. Make him hurt and keep him hurting. Each day it was repetitive forms of torture. Each child, except Gamora, got to share their days for two weeks straight. Gamora had been sent on another mission. Set off to find the location of the time stone, being an important stone Father desperately needs. Which left Loki alone.
She kept the fact that Gamora had been speaking to brother at all, no matter how she would phrase it, it would make it seem as though she had found the information on how to destroy Brother.
It had been two weeks and those two weeks were very eventful for her and her siblings. She knew that her little brother was in agony and that's exactly what Father wanted.
She stood in front of his cell, the door open letting her watch the Chitauri take Loki down from hanging from the ceiling.
"Now take him to the throne room. Father wants him there."
The Chitauri nodded and clicked to one another, dragging the beaten and bloodied figure to the throne room. She walked close by, watching her brother try fruitlessly to get out of the Chitauri's grasp.
The doors were already wide open, inviting to Nebula. They lifted Brother and slammed him into a chair in the middle of the throne room. The Chitauri effectively tied him to the chair, stopping all of his movement.
Father sat on his black throne, eyes watching brother closely. The Chitauri bowed to Thanos and passed back out of the room, closing the doors behind them. Thanos' children stood along the right wall, silently watching Brother. Nebula took her spot next to fathers left.
Her little brother's ragged breathing echoed through the hall.
"I offer you once more. Join me willingly. And you will be rewarded handsomely. Accept me, my son."
"G-go… go t-t-to Hel."
Father sucked in a deep breath, before standing from his throne. Mind stone present in his grip.
"Then I feel no remorse for what I must do to you." he stepped down the stairs and stopped in front of her little brother. "I'm sure you remember the faces of your family, yes?"
"You won't touch them!" Brother yelled back, the ever-present burning anger in his eyes.
"If only they cared for you as much as you them." Father spoke on. "They don't care that you're gone, don't look for you or mourn you."
"Liar!"
"I know you won't believe me. Your… sentiment blinds you from the truth." Father started circling him, his hand messing with the blue stone. "But what if I showed you what they are doing?" Father asked.
Brother only watched as Father continued walking around him.
The gem gleamed brightly in his hand, puffs of blue clouds formed in front of Brother. His green eyes only watched father, however.
"You need not watch me, little one. Look. See what your so-called family does while you have been with me."
The cloud showed an image in the middle. A beautiful city of gold flew past. Some sort of tall building came into view. It passed through the dark wood doors and inside was some sort of feast. Many tables full of people drinking, laughing, and eating together.
Brother's eyes widened, he unconsciously leaned toward the image.
The image flew to a group of people. A lean blonde man with a mustache holding two women to each side of him, a large ginger-haired fellow practically inhaling food, another with black hair looking stoically at the others, and a woman sitting next to a strong looking blonde man.
"Thor!" Brother yelled, thinking the person in the cloud could hear him.
The room's attention got called from someone's glass being tapped repeatedly. An older man with an eye patch stood while holding said glass.
"I welcome you all here today to celebrate the return of my son!" The room cheered before going silent again. "He was banished to Midgard a child but returned to us a wise man. He rescued Asgard from the tyranny of the Jotun scum. And brought peace back to us."
Tears fell from Brother's eyes. Hurt all over his face.
The image passed to a woman with golden and gray hair. She wore beautiful robes of shining silver. She stood up and held her husband's arm. "It brings me nothing but happiness now that the Jotun runt is out of my house. It pained me to act a mother to that thing so Jotunheim would be at peace with Asgard. Even after mothering that monster, it couldn't even do the job it was allowed to live for."
The room lit up with laughter. "Down went the lying fake king!" many said at once.
Next up, this 'Thor' stood up. A proud smile on his face. "I knew from the moment I met that… thing, that it was a monster. It wasn't strong, or fast, or even brave. It looked nothing like an Asgardian and now that it is dead, it can no longer stain this family. So today we celebrate the death of the god of mischief, lies, and evil!"
Another cheer rang through the hall before many started drinking and eating once more. The royal family all sat back down and started their conversations again. The cloud's image focused on Thor and the people he was talking to again.
"It's about time that shame on your family was gone." The black-haired woman said with a laugh.
"Yes! Now your family will shine untarnished!" The man with two women added.
Thor and his friends laughed as Nebula's brother watched on, she could almost hear his heart being torn apart.
"It's about time that brother of mine was gone. It was always so… useless and shameful to me. I know Asgard will be and already is much better off without its presence." Thor continued on.
Thanos made the blue cloud disappear. "You see, my son. They never loved you. And they celebrate your death."
Her brother didn't answer, eyes unfocused on the ground, as he could only lightly shake his head. Still trying to hold hope it seems.
Her father grinned. He was getting closer.
"They never loved you. They stole you and used you. Only to throw you away when you were no longer useful."
"Please stop…" Brother whimpered out.
"Here you will be loved. Given purpose and a glorious future. You will be useful and cared for."
Brother slowly looked up, tears flowing down his cheeks. Pain and hurt in his green gaze.
"Do not doubt me, little one. I will give you everything you need. You will have a marvelous purpose with us. As my prized son. We will love you, and you will matter."
Father placed his hand on Brother's face. Thumbing away his tears. "Here, you are loved and necessary." The gem in father's hand burst a bright blue light. It ran threw her brother to his head. His eyes going black before showing his eyes once more. A piercing bright blue glow meeting fathers.
"I will do all that you ask of me, father."
Gamora wasn't surprised she couldn't find a single trace of the time stone… but wasn't upset that she couldn't. Just another mission down the gutter so she returned home. She prayed to anyone that Loki would be able to eat the treat she brought him this time. The last cookie obviously wouldn't last long so she ate it before the Chitauri could sniff it out.
This time she brought him what she hoped would taste like the blueberry muffins he had told her about before. It was some mortal treat that he adored the first time he tried it, so hopefully, this would be something nice.
She went to her room and packed the bag, pants, rag, food, treat. Then almost ran to the cell. Being away so long really made her worry for her friend. Last time she was gone for 4 days and he reverted to that stupid story of his beloved brother, she was gone almost a month this time…
Gamora reached the cell and opened the door.
"Lo-" Nothing… there was nothing. He wasn't bleeding on the ground. Hanging from the ceiling, tied down, or even in his favorite corner. Where was he!?
She took a deep breath before setting off to find Nebula. If anything happened, she would know. Gamora walked everywhere before reaching the training rooms. The large spaces where she and Nebula would spare with each other.
The cling of metal reached her ears, clearly two were fighting in there, but it couldn't be any of the other children. She saw each of them on her search for Nebula. Who was she fighting with?
Gamora opened the door and her heart stopped.
Loki was in a dark outfit that resembles Nebulas. Instead of blue, it was pure black and leather. He had two shoulder pieces of armor, they looked like the ones she herself wore. They were gleaming gold. In his hands was a long metal staff, the normal ones used for training. His long hair was tied back into a low ponytail, some shorter strands framed his face. He still had the signs of torture all over him but he didn't seem to be hindered or care about the scars, bruises, and cuts that littered him.
But what caught Gamora's eye was the eyes of her friend. Gone was the beautiful unique green that only belonged to Loki, but now they were the familiar bright blue that Gamora had seen time and time again on others.
Almost 12 months... It took Thanos and his black order practically 12 months to break him. But there he stood. Loki was under Thanos's control.
The two fought hard against each other. Nebula using her two swords versus Loki's metal staff. Yet somehow he had her on the defensive. His moves were quick and fluid. Thought out 10 steps ahead. Loki slid the staff at her feet in between her legs before he slashed out causing her to lose balance and fall. With Nebula on the ground, he stepped on her hand as she screamed out letting go of her right sword. Loki forced the staff on her left hand making her let go of her last weapon before he placed the staff on the back of Nebula's head.
Loki's expressionless face watched Nebula try in vain to get up and keep fighting.
"You are beat, daughter. Congratulations my son." Thanos said as he walked up to the two of them.
Gamora was so focused on Loki she didn't even notice her 'father' was there at all.
"Thank you, Father." Loki answered, no tone in his voice.
Thanos nodded once. "You may go, child. You have earned your rest."
Loki bowed and walked out, passing Gamora and not even looking at her. Her father was busy talking to Nebula so she left as silently as she entered, following after her only friend. He walked smoothly and quickly, his fucking hight adding to his natural speed. She practically ran to catch up to him.
"Loki!" She yelled after him.
He didn't even turn around.
"Fucking stop Loki!"
Once more he didn't listen.
She growled in frustration before finally catching up to him, reaching for his wrist and pulling. "I told you to stop, Loki."
There was no recognition in his eyes. Only the blue of control.
"I apologize Sister."
"Don't fucking call me that!"
"But I must. For you are my sister as I am your brother now."
He just needed to shut the fuck up. She looked and was close to her room, pulling him behind her, she led him to the room. Nebula was still in the training room or fucking where ever and that gave her time.
"I must go to my own room, sister."
"Shut up."
And he did. She threw him into the room and slammed the door behind her. She would have locked it if she could.
"What did he do to you! How did he get that damned stone to work on you!"
Loki cocked his head to the side. "I do not understand why you are so angry, sister. He simply showed me the truth."
"Fuck." She said to herself. "Fuck. fuck. Fuck!" A powerful kick dented the wall. Gamora placed her hands on her head, forcing herself not to start shaking him and crying. Loki only watched on. She took a deep breath and stopped pacing back and forth. "What about Thor huh? Remember your family?"
Loki's eyes narrowed, hatred in his gaze. Not the love she had always seen when she asked about them. "They celebrate my death and never looked for me. My brother threw me into the void to rid Asgard of my presence!" he yelled in anger. Finally no longer toneless.
"That's not true! That can't be true!" Gamora tried to defend. "How do you know!?"
"Father showed me. He showed me what my so-called family really thinks about me."
Showed him… the mind stone! That had to be it! She knew it could place people under its owner's control but how could it show him something that he felt in his heart wasn't true?
"Loki… please! That can't be right! The stories you told me of your brother and mother and even your father showed me the love you had for them! That can't just… vanish in one second!"
"I know not why you defend them so, sister. They left me and now I am here, able to be of use to Father!" He smiled at her, his smile looked nothing like the smile she knew, yet somehow his eyes finally looked pained.
"I know you're still in there Loki! Just…. Fucking fight it!" Gamora begged.
"Stop it! Father showed me the truth! I know what they really think of me! Odin was never my father as Thor was never my brother! I must leave before Father thinks I'm not listening to his order. Excuse me, Sister." He walked past her and opened the door.
"What about your mother!" She yelled after him. He stopped in his tracks. "What about her? She loved you. Taught you her own magic, even when Odin told her not too right? Why would she do that if she didn't love you, Loki?"
"I don't know what you're talking about." Loki said. "I must go." He walked away and didn't look back.
Gamora fell to the ground. She wasn't one to cry but seeing her only friend twisted so horribly… just crushed her. She couldn't stop it from happening but she started crying.
Her only friend and she couldn't protect him. Get him out and take him back to the family she knows he loves and misses.
Gamora had trained against Loki a few times, as Nebula had, showing Thanos his new son's strength. It had been four days since she had even found Loki under Thanos control, and it seemed Thanos was eager to see his new pet's power in action.
She hated fighting him but knew she had to. Or else she would be punished and destroy her search for a chance to escape. So she fought. And trained and battled her other 'siblings' to stay Thanos favorite. No matter how Loki was clearly climbing the ranks.
She was cleaning her weapons when a Chitauri soldier told her Thanos requested her presence.
Off to the throne room, it seems.
On her way Nebula met up with her. It seemed she was also called to see Thanos. '
"I hope you're as excited as I am sister!" Nebula exclaimed.
Gamora had to hold back her urge to roll her eyes. "You know why we got called?"
Nebula gawked. "It's a huge mission! Father found the space stone! And he's going to send one of us to get it!"
Oh no… he found a stone? How did he find a stone!?
"It definitely sounds like a huge honor." Was all Gamora could say.
The two walked on in silence and reached the huge dark doors. Each pushed one door and walked in together. Gamora's eyes trained on the extra person in the room.
Loki.
"Daughters. I have great news in our quest." Thanos started. He gestured for Loki to be beside her and Nebula, which he did instantly. "I have tracked the power of the space stone and I will be sending one of you, my most prized children, to retrieve it for me."
Nebula and Loki gave their full attention to Thanos, while Gamora couldn't help but look at Loki standing beside Nebula. He shouldn't be there and she should have gotten him out before Thanos used the stone on him at all. The guilt of her failure weighed heavily on her, but now she couldn't worry about him. He was a devoted child of Thanos now and there was nothing she could do about it anymore. She could only focus on escaping during her next mission. Hopefully, this was the mission, knowing Thanos, he would give her the mission. That she knew easily.
"I have watched you all closely in the training room over these past few days. To see which of you would not fail me."
Any second now, she would get the mission and be able to leave this horrible place behind her. Nebula would hide how upset she was, as always while Loki would… well, she would rather not think about what Loki would do. She was leaving him behind as much as this place.
"One of you has exceeded my expectations greatly. You have been dealt great pain and yet can still beat my daughters."
Beat his daughters? No… no no no! That wasn't supposed to happen!
"My son. You have shown me your strength and great loyalty. You helped me find the energy of the tesseract and figured out a way to portal yourself there. Your knowledge of magic and prowess in it alone makes you the ablest to retrieve me the tesseract."
Gamora had to hide her shock as she watched Loki step forward from the line. A small smile on his normally expressionless face.
"I will not fail you Father."
Thanos grinned. "You two may go. You might be able to learn something from your little brother. I will send you on other missions soon." He sent them off.
Nebula and Gamora bowed their heads a bit before walking out. Nebula was steaming as Gamora had figured she would be, no chance to show father her true power and usefulness and all. But Gamora was angry too, for different reasons. She looked back once more.
The Other was apparently in the room, he creeped out of whatever hole he was hiding in. Loki's regular armor changed, the magic around him shifting him into some black leather, intricate patterns of crossing leather, and a gold circle along his upper chest. A twisted form of his horned helmet formed on his head. His long hair slicked back under his horns. Even with the new armor and smile on his face, Loki still looked horrible, signs of that horrid collar having just been removed. Maybe now he can finally heal… Gamora may have lost her friend but she still cared.
"I give you a prized weapon, my son. Use it wisely and let it lead you to victory." Thanos said almost proudly as he handed some kind of golden staff with sharp silver claws at the end and a… what was that? A glowing blue- a glowing blue gem! It was the mind stone! Keeping Loki's mind close while he is away it seems. Thanos doesn't want to lose his new prized pet after all.
Loki nodded once and kneeled on the ground as Thanos and the Other stepped away, he said something to Thanos but she couldn't hear him… they were watching intently as a blue glow started surging. It covered Loki slowly, some sparks bouncing off of him, striking the ceiling and ground. The light grew so bright and just like that, he was gone.
She failed…. But now she had to focus on one thing again. Getting herself out.
The Tv turned to black. The files apparently over with. The room was bathed in quiet, no one knowing what to say. What could they say? After everyone finally seeing what happened to Loki.
The clock on the wall told them it was 3 am now. 3 hours have passed from watching the drive straight through.
"He... he broke because of me." The normally loud and boisterous voice, quiet and laced with sadness.
"What are you talking about Thor?" Tony asked, looking away from the blue screen to see his friends face. The face that was powerful with its emotions now showed the agony that Tony didn't want to see.
He knew Thor would be upset, of course he knew, but still... seeing it still hurt.
"He was so strong! He wouldn't break! But the moment Thanos showed him something so horrible about us... we were so bad to him... Loki believed him and it- it destroyed him!"
"Thor that's not what happened..." Pepper tried to comfort.
"Loki may act like he doesn't use his heart," Thor shook his head. "He acted like he didn't use his heart. But that's what made all his decisions! When Thanos broke that, it clouded his mind!"
Valkyrie's eyes widened. "That's why Thanos did that!" All eyes turned to her. "What? I didn't understand why he did it. Now I do. He knew that the tie he had for you, kept him... umm focused? I don't know how to explain it. But Thanos had to ruin the image of his family just to get to him. No amount of pain, humiliation, or prizes would sway him."
Pepper smiled, laying a hand on Thor's shoulder. "It should show you how much he loved you."
Her gaze turned to everyone. "How much he does love him. The videos are over and Loki is somewhere loading up on sweets. Now we know what happened while he was gone, but can we please focus on the life that we have?"
Tony was about to agree, the kid mattered now. Loki suffered but he still saved his brother, saved his people, and apparently saved them from the very person who tortured him. That took some balls.
Something flickered.
"So... so what. Loki didn't want to attack New York?" Clints asked, Tony however focused on the TV.
"Really? After all you saw. That's what you ask?" Valkyrie sassed.
Tony waited for the screen to flicker again.
"But he still did it!"
"Yes and you killed agents under his control, but do you see us holding that against you?" Tony yelled over his shoulder, still keeping his eye on the black, but he swears was a blue screen.
Clearly, the argument worked however. Clint not talking anymore.
"Do you really feel better for knowing now Thor..." Pep asked.
"Part of me is... happy? To know what happened to my brother in the time he was lost. But the other feels... just- just feels-"
"Guilty." Valkyrie finished for him.
"... Aye. I know Loki is at the great hall right now! but... He's not who he used to be."
Pepper gasped. "Thor! You- he," She composed herself. "Your brother died. This is another chance for him! He's still your brother!"
"I know! Lady Pepper I know! And that's why the guilt kills me!"
The screen lit up. An ocean blue with white letters in the center.
"Um... guys. I think Nebula gave us more then what we've seen..."
The room instantly gave their attention to the Tv.
Pepper was the first to speak. "We cant! We don't need to! We know what he did already! Thor! Your brother is a few minutes away!"
"It's about New York. I want to watch." Clint chimed in.
"I want to as well. I have no idea what this is or what happened."Valkyrie voted.
"What is wrong with-"
"I want to watch as well, Pep..." Tony said. He slowly looked behind him, Peppers disgusted look was all he could focus on. "I'm sorry Pepper. But... Nebula added this for a reason. I feel we have to watch it."
Pepper lightly shook her head. "I don't know why you all want to when he's- when he's already here! I can't-" She looked Tony in the eye. "You know I won't leave though. Everyones so set on this."
That as much of a yes Tony was going to get. He turned back to the screen. Reading the words one more time before pressing play.
'Loki connection memory. Tesseract mission input. May 2012.'
'play?'