So this is Loki's cell.

I step forward, watching the fallen prince. I'm able to truly look at him for the first time, since he can't see me and is unaware of my presence. He's wearing his usual green and black- black leather boots with black pants tucked into them, a light green shirt, and a forest green tunic with black hemming. He looks relaxed, which surprises me. But then again, it shouldn't. He's always been good at hiding his true feelings. His jet black hair is slicked back, as usual, and his face has not fully healed yet from his recent Hulk smashing. There is a bruise on his forehead, a cut on the bridge of his nose, and his lip is split.

Observing him carefully, I realize again how real he truly is. I always thought of him as a mere fictional character before I stepped through that door, one that I pitied for his terrible life after his discovery of his true parentage, and one that I found rather attractive, of course, along with the rest of the Marvel fandom. I blush slightly, remembering with a grimace the multiple conversations I had with other fangirls about him. To me, he was nothing but an interesting, and confusing, fictional character then—one I tried on multiple occasions to figure out. But now? I know him to be a real person, someone I can relate to on a personal level. I see his pain, his fears, his longing, and it hurts me. I wish with everything in me that I could give him a better life. He may not deserve it, but I believe in second chances. I frown. But what would such an action cost? I cannot do anything to help him. It's out of my hands now.

I sigh, turning to leave, but when I glance up at him, I realize his relaxed demeanor has changed. He's frowning, looking around, completely still like a cat preparing to pounce. He senses my presence again. I halt, watching him. How the heck does he know I'm here?!

Curious, I step up to the shimmering cell wall and make myself visible. Loki's eyes snap towards me, but he doesn't move an inch, tense and ready for a fight. Upon recognizing me, however, he relaxes. I don't give him a chance to speak. "How do you always sense my presence?" I ask, my voice edged with slight irritation. Loki looks rather surprised, then swiftly recovers, a smirk crossing his features.

"Does it annoy you that you cannot sneak up on me, Victoria?" He closes his book, dog-earing the page, and sets it down on the table next to his chair. Then he stands and casually walks forward, hands clasped behind his back as I respond.

"Well, of course. But that's not why I want to know. Is it magic?"

"Why do you want to know?" Loki ignores my question. I huff.

"Because I want to be able to do it myself. That would be a very useful ability."

Loki smirks. "You already can, and do."

I frown. "What are you talking about?"

"In the tower on Midgard, you twice sensed my presence when I was completely silent. Also, you always knew when Chitauri were nearby during the battle. Obviously, you already use this ability."

My frown deepens in surprise and confusion. "Wait, you knew I had escaped during the battle? And you didn't kill me?"

Loki hesitates for a split second. "There was no need to kill you. You weren't attacking, you were only defending." He turns and walks around his cell, speaking over his shoulder. "And anyway, I still intended to use you further. There was no point in disposing of you. I did not know how the battle would turn out."

That angers me, and I cross my arms, pursing my lips and trying not to let my anger get the best of me. Why is he so prideful? I resort to sarcasm so I don't start another yelling match. I don't want the guards to catch me here and forbid me to enter. "Well that's...comforting."

Loki smirks at me again. "Why are you here, Victoria? Shouldn't you be enjoying your freedom and exploring your new home?" His voice is laced with bitterness and sarcasm, and I can tell he's mocking me. I clench my jaw, my nostrils flaring in anger. I have to purposely remind myself of the predicament that he's in, and that he thinks he's going to die soon. That makes my anger dissipate somewhat- if I was in his position, how would I feel? Certainly not amiable. I force a slight smile to my face.

"Actually, that is what I'm doing. I was exploring the palace and found a stone stairwell leading downwards into the depths of the palace. Tell me that wouldn't make you curious." My smile is a little less forced now.

Loki's eyes fill with amusement. "When I was a child, perhaps. But now, my eyes are set on larger things."

I let out a rather unladylike snort, rolling my eyes. "Good grief, Loki. You're such a diva sometimes. Like that freedom speech in Germany? Ridiculous." I laugh, shaking my head as I remember that scene in Avengers.

Loki looks confused, if not a little offended. "You heard that? I thought my men had taken you back to the Midgardian transportation center."

I snicker. "It's called an airport, and no, I didn't have the pleasure of hearing your little speech. But I know what you said from the story." I pause, dramatically placing a hand over my heart and mimicking him with an exaggerated accent. "It's the unspoken truth of humanity, that you crave subjugation. The bright lure of freedom diminishes your life's joy in a mad scramble for power, for identity. You were made to be ruled. In the end, you will always kneel." I stop, shaking my head with laugh. "It's ridiculous, and we both know it."

Loki stares at me with a mixture of offense, astonishment, and confusion written all over his face. "How...you memorized what I said?"

I blink, blushing slightly. "No, not really. I've just heard it so many times that it kind of burned itself into my brain, I guess." I smirk, deciding to change the subject so I don't have to explain exactly why I've heard that line so many times. "You know, if you wanted people to just cave and obey every last little command of yours, you sure picked a terrible place to attack. In fact, you picked the worst possible place on the planet."

Loki frowns. "How so?"

I snicker again. "You picked the United States of America. We- they- are the least submissive people group on the entire planet. They are a very proud people, and like I told you, are not at all known for their love of would-be world dominators. You aren't the first to try to take over Midgard, and you won't be the last, unfortunately. You would never have succeeded."

Loki looks almost horrified, and quite angry. "Why didn't you tell me that?" he demands. I give him an incredulous look.

"Are you kidding me?" I ask louder than I had intended, my voice nearly shrill with disbelief. I lower my voice, glancing down the walkway at the oblivious guards, and step closer to the cell. "I wouldn't have told you that if my life depended on it, if it meant you attacking those less able to defend themselves," I say in a low voice full of barely controlled fury.

Loki's own eyes fill with rage, and he steps closer as well, leaning down a bit to look me in the eye. "I didn't have a choice, Victoria," he hisses. "It was either conquer Midgard and acquire the Tesseract, or die at the merciless hands of the Mad Titan."

That startles me. He's right, of course. And I know he was tortured by Thanos, and partially controlled by said Titan. His decision to preserve his own life at the expense of others', however, is repulsive to me. I understand his reasoning, but in reality, he only prolonged and reinforced his demise. I step back, more pity than anger in my eyes now.

"You should have chosen death. Because now, you have to live with the guilt of the innocent lives you've taken."

It's Loki's turn to be startled. He straightens, his inner war between guilt and fear playing out on his face. But it only lasts for a second. He abruptly grins, masking his true feelings once more. "Why should I feel guilty? Their lives were insignificant and petty, and taking them was necessary to my plan."

I clench my fists, wanting to hit him, but knowing I can't. I shake my head slowly, angered by his lies. "You're not lying to me, Loki," I finally say. "You're lying to yourself."

Loki's grin fades, replaced by anger once again. He just stares at me, annoyed and perturbed. After a moment, I shake my head again, taking another step back. "I hope you see the truth one day. I truly do."

Then I turn, making myself invisible again, and leave the dungeons with a heavy heart. I don't look back to see Loki's reaction.

Author's Note: Hey guys! I'm so sorry it took so long for me to get this out...I've been in the middle of some difficult decisions lately. I'm going to try to keep a steady schedule of updating for awhile, though!

I love you all 3,000! God Bless you all!

Signing off, AuthorsDream.