Chapter 4

The Bird and Escape

Loki hated this.

He was still chained for whatever reason, still had the muzzle on, and was sent to central park of all places. At least it was dark so he could try to figure a way out of his bindings and a place to hide.

Neither seemed easy…

He looked around, sent right back to the fountain that the Avengers had walked him and his bro- and Thor to a few months ago. Knowing S.H.I.E.L.D, they would be on his trail in a matter of minutes, he had to run far. But how far would these damned chains let him go?

He started running, obviously tripping a few times from the length of the chains on his ankles, but eventually he heard the sound of the helicopters go by him. Heading right to the bi-forst sight.

Loki only sighed in relief, nowhere to hide… looking all around him, his gaze drifted up. There were many trees, and with it being night time, no one would be able to see him. He quickly climbed the tree.

These damned chains are definitely not making it easy!

With a few slip ups, he finally sat in the middle of the tree, many dence leaves hiding him easily, and keeping him close enough that S.H.I.E.L.D. agents. They won't look close to the landing sight now would they.

His body grew heavy, an involuntary yawn escaping him. He would find a better place of hiding in the morning. As much as Loki hated sleep, he needed to get as much as his mind would let him get.

Loki closed his eyes, thankfully only darkness met his gaze. Sleep caught him soon after.

Just one night of sleep. That was all I need…

How incompetent was S.H.I.E.L.D.? It had been a day since they went out to look for Loki, and they still haven't come up with anything. They should have just asked Tony to do it really. The fact that an apparently chained up, muzzled person could escape so many agents is very laughable.

Thor looked more like a kicked puppy as the hours went by with no word on his brother.

The rest of the Avengers all sat around in the main commerce area. Clint and Natasha looking more upset that their 'company' hasn't found the maniac yet.

Bruce and Steve looked more concerned than anything.

"What if he didn't make it to Earth?" Natasha threw the idea out.

Thor only shook his head. "Himdall would know. With Loki's magic bound the way it is, he can not hide himself as he used too."

"Okay, well if he's on earth and clearly not anywhere in New York. How did he move so quickly if he's chained up? Cause he is chained up right?" Clint asked.

Thor nodded.

"Then how on earth did he flee so fast?"

Then it hit him. Tony stood up from his bar stool. "What if he never left…"

Everyone's eyes went to him. "What do you mean friend Stark?"

"Why can't we find Loki? If the agents fanned out from the bi-frost point, then how haven't we found him yet?"

"Tony if you have a point about this, make it quick." Natasha voiced, clearly not happy with how dumb he was making S.H.I.E.L.D. sound.

"Okay okay. If S.H.I.E.L.D. hasn't found him yet by looking away from the point… then that must mean he's never left!"

"Loki's where we haven't looked. Central Park, right at the bi-forst touch down point." Natasha figured out. She quickly pulled out her phone, snapping her figures at Clint, who instantly got up. "I'll be calling Fury, we'll be heading out to find Loki."

Steve stood up. "I'll go with you. Bruce?"

The scientist shook his head. "If you guys need me I'll go, but I'd rather not have the other guy coming out if it's not necessary." He said, pushing his glasses up his nose, not moving from his chair.

"Thor? Tony?"

"I will be going. I must see my brother safe." Thor answered, already in his Asgardian armor with his hammer in hand.

"I have to get my armor but I will join you guys for sure." Tony confirmed. "I bet you guys got him handled but I don't want to miss the party."

Thor and Steve nodded as they followed where Nat and Clint went.

How incompetent was S.H.I.E.L.D.? They had already left and not one agent saw him in the trees. The fact that he was still chained up and muzzled and could still escape so many agents is very laughable.

He really could have destroyed the whole organization if he really wanted too…

Loki stayed put, he hadn't eaten since he'd fallen from the bi-forst, what's a few more days gonna do? He can last. At least till S.H.I.E.L.D. left and he could move freely. With his magic trapped the way it is, it wont sistian him anymore, so food is a must find once he can move about.

Whatever Odin did to him, it stopped his magic. Well… not stopped, more contained. The chains made the magic around him evaporate but with that thing on his neck, now his magic is just building within him.

Maybe once the chains are off of him, he can see what magic will work.

Even with this Norns forsaken thing on my neck

Everytime he would feel his neck and not feel anything on it. But he could just sense that something was there. He hated it, he couldn't get anything to see his neck however, so for the time being, being uncomfortable was the only option.

Loki stayed put and watched the sky. The tree he found he grew to like. Its branches were large enough to hold him and its abundance of leaves made him practically invisible. The sun however, when high in the sky, had a habit of shining on the gleaming gold chains that held his wrists, ankles, wrapping around his neck and the muzzle that kept his mouth closed.

Odin just had to leave the chains on…

He stayed anyway, moving was hard enough, and the tree was comfy so no need to move yet.

Or so he thought.

His green eyes were closed, but his ears were open. The subtle crunching of the dirt path a little ways behind him got his attention. A group of 3… no 4, was coming his way. Two very heavy sets, one light stepper and another in between.

He could recognize those footsteps anywhere.

But considering that one person always carries a bow on him… maybe he could be useful with his predicament.

So he stayed.

"Okay so where are we looking?" Clint asked, very antsy to shoot someone, a very particular someone.

"We just walked around the north and east side of the bi-frost site, so next up is south and west. We stay together though, so we can take Loki with no trouble." Steve answered.

Everyone kept their eyes to the sky, looking in the trees and looking for anything shiny. If what Tony said is correct then that must be where Loki is hiding.

With the group walking together it made it easier to find him for sure, more eyes looking around while covering lots of ground. They would take him by surprise and capture him!

"Boys. Look." Natasha said quietly, one hand already on her gun while the other was pointing into a tree a bit aways ahead of them.

And there the smug bastard sat.

"I can shoot him from right here Nat." Clint said, almost begging her to let him.

She shook her head. "Don't. Something's off."

The group stopped walking forward and yet still he didn't move. Thor was aching to reach his little brother.

"Slowly. Don't make any noise. I don't think he's noticed us yet." Natasha finally spoke, the two spies easily moving with no noise. Steve and Thor on the other hand had a harder time.

Clint watched the man as he passed under another tree, a branch blocking his view for a second. Clint and everyone else instantly stopped.

Piercing green eyes were open and watching with a silent killing gaze. Thor didn't lie about the chains and muzzle. But even with the shinning gold hanging off him, he didn't look any less terrifying to Clint.

He sat in the tree lazily, arms crossed over his chest, his legs crossed at the ankle on the branch. His posture said 'calm' and 'peaceful' but it was the eyes that showed what the trickster was really thinking.

Those eyes that still showed up in Clint's dreams screamed 'dangerous' and 'deadly'.

Those horrible blu- wait green eyes.

"Loki. You're under arrest." Steve yelled.

Loki shifted. His legs now dangled off the branch, still crossed at the ankle but now he fully faced the avengers. He tilted his head curiously.

"Brother-" Loki's face darkened "Come down peacefully." Thor asked, lowering his hammer in peace.

Those deadly green eyes only narrowed.

"Just let me shoot him." Clint said quietly.

Loki's gaze shifted to him. An amused look in his previously angry look. He placed his chained hands under his chin, leaning in as though challenging Clint.

Fucking asshole.

"Clint. Don't let him goud you." Natasha warned.

Loki lifted his chin to Natasha as though agreeing with her.

'Yes Clint. Listen to the spider.'

Clint grinded his teeth. He never did get to shoot the guy in the eye. He placed an arrow in his bow, making his form perfect to never miss. A clear threat to Loki.

Loki only leaned back, lowering his head and meeting Clint's eyes with no fear.

'Go on.'

Fuck him.

"Clint no!"

"Hawk eye!"

He let the arrow fly, its aim true and precise. But Loki had already moved. He lowered himself while holding his hands up, the arrow going right through the chins and missing him.

Everyone's eyes widened while Loki seemed amused.

Natasha upholstered her gun, aiming right at Loki's head as he straightened back up. Loki's green gaze looked back at Clint, a taunt made just for him in those emerald eyes.

"Fuck you!" He shot again. Once more ignoring the yells of his comrades.

Loki caught the arrow this time, no longer focused on Clint but just hitting the chain that locked his ankles.

He'd… he'd fallen for it again.

Loki only baited him to get something out of him…

The clear shatter of metal reached his ears as he watched as Loki stood up, hands reaching around to the muzzle. Pressing the buttons that then released with a hiss.

"Wretched thing." He said as he threw it to the ground, hand working his jaw. "Really, what is with Asgardians and muzzling or sewing me up." Loki asked with a calm voice but with a hidden hatred.

"Loki! Come down now!" Thor yelled, raising his hammer, no longer pining peace it seemed.

"And what will you do if I don't." Loki challenged.

Clint hated it, Loki's attention was all on Thor but now it was like he didn't exsite.

"I will tear you from there myself, brother!" Thor replied, his voice growing in volume.

"Aw what. Am I making you mad? And stop calling me brother. Like you ever treated me as such."

That shut him up. His blue eyes wide with sadness and shock.

Steve stepped forward. "Loki, we know what's going on. You have to come with us."

Loki looked at Steve with boredom. "Like you have any idea what is going on."

"If it's the game, Loki, then yes. We do." Natasha butted in.

Loki only raised an eyebrow.

"You need to find this ashikabi. Because you are a player in a game for us."

"I don't need to find anything or play for anyone. I am no pawn." Loki spoke confidently. He turned his head, the anger that flared gave way to regret. "Not anymore." He said more quietly. Shaking his head he snapped his green eyes back to the Avengers. "Now if you'll excuse me. I'll be leaving."

With that he jumped. Perfectly landing into the next tree's branches, the branch not even moving since Loki was already onto the next.

"Go!" Steve yelled, quickly taking after the god of mischief. "Tony where are you!? He's on the move! Cut him off!"

Heh. Idiots would never catch him now.

Loki leaped and leaped.

Expertly jumping into branch after branch, never once losing his footing. He was light and fast, the only thing that was weighing him down was the metal wrapped around his neck, wrists and ankles.

Yes the chain was gone and made moving so much easier, but he still had the magic restians. That was his next goal. Remove the metal and test what his magic could do.

He looked back and could see Steve and Thor still on his trail down below. Only then did it hit him. Two people were missing. The green one and the snarky one.

Bruce and Stark!

That was their names.

The scientist was more likely still at the tower, he was uncomfortable with his powerful half. If he only grew to use him as an asset and not a hindrance, Loki knows great things could be done with that power.

Now Stark on the other hand would have every reason to be after him as well. But where was he?

Up.

look up. Something told him.

His gaze drifted up, and the familiar gold and red suit flying above him reached his line of sight. Something pounded within him, a pain and burning he felt before, causing him to lose his footing and crash hard to the ground.

"We've got him now!" Clint yelled from far behind the two blondes now catching up.

No!

Loki was on his feet again and racing down the forested path again, his speed winning against the strength and bulk of his two chasers.

The feeling now only a dull thud in his chest and the burning gone completely he refocused on the path ahead of him. He just needed to get into the city.

With other people, he could disappear.

Find a new place to hide and get his magic back, however much was left of it.

"I've got eyes on him guys." The annoying voice of Stark blared from above. The stupid speaker echoing his speech.

The burning returned but Loki couldn't focus on that right now, his hand clutched at his shirt, unconsciously hoping it would help.

He could see buildings now, not just the lush green of the park, he was so close.

Iron man landed right in front of him, the exit to freedom right behind him.

He was so close.

"You're coming with us Reindeer Games." Iron man spoke. Just as calm and commanding as he did in Germany.

"I don't think so." Loki retorted. A warm feeling flushing his face. It was harder to breathe now. Why? Why was it hard to breath all of a sudden!?

Steve and Thor stopped behind him. The three biggest threats to him had him surrounded…

"Brother please, just listen-"

"No! Shut up! I won't listen to anyone! Not again!" Loki yelled out in anger. The pressure in his chest was getting to him, the burning making it hard to think, and his air coming out in quick huffs made it hard to breath. What was happening to him!?

Thor looked on, clearly seeing something. "Loki. What is wrong-"

"N-nothing! Shut up!" It felt like whatever Odin did to him was coming back in full force. But why now?

"Listen Loki, you need to come with us." Steve tried to reason again.

Loki only shook his head.

"Wait- is he blushing?" Tony asked out loud.

Loki's eyes widened as he crashed to the ground. Was- was it Stark? Was he doing something to him?

"You! What are you doing to me!?" Loki yelled out, his voice hitching a bit. Clearly in distress.

"Look psycho, I have no idea what you think I'm doing, but I'm not doing shit." Stark answered, raising his arms and showing all the guns on his new suit.

Loki took a deep breath. He wouldn't be captured.

He just needed magic, just a little bit.

Please Norns hear me!

Both hands clutched at his chest desperately. A green ring building around Loki while he focused.

"Everyone move now!" Thor yelled out, knowing full well what his brother planned.

With the warning, Steve and Thor ran back, Tony took to the sky as a large light green energy circled around Loki. Blasting outward in every direction.

It worked! Thank you Norns!

With the Avengers off of him, he ran again. The burning and pressure receded a little bit. Making focus easier and his escape inevitable.

"No! Loki!" Thor yelled after him, but he ran.

He was back on his feet and was out of the park. Marveling fans watched the avengers chanse this mad man out. But the crowd worked to his advantage. Even then New York's streets worked on its own.

He could hear Iron Man flying above the crowd, looking for him.

His magic had already faded and with the chains on, no signature could be traced.

He just had to run.

But something told him not too.

"He's somewhere, I can't see him!" Stark yelled to the other Avengers.

"We must find him! I believe I know what is happening!" Thor answered, he and Steve already looking around the crowd for him.

They wouldn't find him.

Loki smiled as the pain fully went away, he turned corner after corner, never bumping into one person as he escaped capture.

The streets full of cars and civilians have saved him and now he knows the Avengers cant see him.

He needed to figure out how his magic worked, why it worked at all, and why he felt no magic now.

It wasn't his reserves but something triggered his magic.

With the shouts of the Avengers long behind him he knew he escaped.

The Avengers lost him and he was safe.

For now…

"Thor what the hell was that!?" Tony yelled angrily.

After losing visual and having no way of tracking the trickster, the Avengers fell back to home base. Tony already hacked into every camera in the city to have a facial match somewhere.

"I know not Stark but I have an idea…" The normally boisterous man said quietly. Clearly still in thought and maybe even a little shock at his brother.

Clint rolled his eyes. "The floor is yours! What happened that he escaped!?" Natasha placed a hand on his shoulder, leaning over the back of the couch Clint sat on. Her eyes on Thor but the message clear.

'Calm down. Don't get compromised anymore then you already are.'

Thor nodded. "I… I believe I know who the ashikabi of Midgard is…"

Everyone looked instantly interested.

"Well? Who is it? Did you see em on the street or something?" Clint asked.

Thor shook his head. He took a deep breath before looking at Tony.

"I believe it is you."