A/N: I'm sorry that it took so long to write this chapter. Thank you all for your comments and faves. Thank you also to my awesome beta-reader MandalorianPirate for her patience and skill in helping me edit this.

Chapter 24:

Loki opened his eyes and rolled onto his side away from the window, away from the daylight, and squeezed his eyes shut. He didn't want to face anything or anyone, but Xavier would no doubt make him endure the memories of what his life had been like in more sessions. Loki didn't want to relive all of what he had become.

'Your birthright….was to die! Abandoned on some barren rock! If it weren't for me, you wouldn't be standing there to hate me.' The echo resounded in his mind. Loki started, sitting up only to see himself in a standing mirror. Despite the glamour that made him look like an Aseir or even a mortal, Loki could only see the monster he was. Jotun. The monsters that Asgardians, even Odin himself, told children were beasts that they conquered.

'Am I cursed?" He had asked the All-Father as he held the Casket of Ancient Winters. His world had fallen apart at the seam in that moment. From the point he was touched on the Jotunheim, his mind was swarmed with doubt and fear. And then, the truth about his abandonment, and how he was only a pawn in a political game for Odin had literally sent him over the edge. When Loki let go and fell into the Void, he ended up in a far worse hell than what he had experienced on Asgard.

Unhappy truths. He had some unhappy truths about his attempts to step away from Odin and Thor's shadow, to become his own man, so to speak. All he had gained from it was pain, isolation and death.

His whole life, he'd been an unwitting pawn. Betrayal had made an entire orbit of his world. He had been betrayed, so he betrayed his family and the only home he'd known. Only his mother had tried to make him see truth: that he was loved, that he had made a mistake by trying to claim another planet as his own. Still, he had said that Frigga was not his mother, the words spoken with some anger. He had directed the Dark Elves to the castle, thinking that it would only overwhelm Odin, only to find out that it had indirectly led to his beloved mother's death.

Not even Thor had descended to the dungeons to tell him of Frigga's fate. A guard had second handedly told him. He had not even been allowed to attend his beloved mother's funeral, as he was no longer a citizen of Asgard, only a political prisoner.

"The All-Mother has perished in battle. Her funeral has taken place, attended by the All-Father, Odin, and the Crown Prince. We mourn with thee."

He was trapped by a fate that would not allow him to be the person, the ruler, that they'd always said he could be, and only tragedy seemed to follow. Xavier had brought back those memories, not only of Odin nearly killing him, but of other, darker ones. His mind flashed somewhere else at that moment. It flashed to when he was being tortured by Thanos and the Other aboard the madman's ship.

He stared at his image in the mirror for one more moment before he pummeled his hand through it. All the anger welled up inside him as he threw first the lamp, then the side table. Anything that he could throw went flying, colliding and shattering against the opposite wall. At last, his anger abated, Loki slid to the ground, permitting the tears he hadn't allowed himself to shed. Why was I born? I was unwanted by Laufey and my biological mother. Why didn't Odin just leave me to perish on that barren rock? You were deep in the Jotun blood, why would you take me?

You are our son, Loki, Frigga had said, and we your family.

Loki buried his face in his hands. As much as he wanted to deny it, Thor was the only family he had left. The Jotun had rejected him as a baby, and Odin had used him. Loki wanted to despise his brother but could not bring himself to accept the suggestion, at least, not any more. He felt his heart thump under his skin, Despite, everything, Loki could not see the realms without Thor. Loki's life was expendable as he knew only tricks and magic. Loki's power was nothing like that of the Thunderer. But, there was also another reason; he truly loved his brother. For now, that was enough. Maybe, Thor was right; he had to earn back the trust he'd all but shattered.

Gone was Thor's brash, hot-headed immature nature, now replaced with the wisdom and maturity Loki had hoped to see in the crown prince. Perhaps the 'escape' from Asgard while disobeying Odin (again) was foolhardy, but it was stemmed from revenge and a general concern for the Nine Realms. He laughed a little at himself. Thor was banished and made mortal just as I am now. Mayhaps I will be less petulant and demure in turn.

Although this release of rage and desolation had been cathartic for him, Loki suddenly felt exhaustion beginning to seep deep into his bones. He was only hazily aware of the door bursting open to reveal Doctor Strange and his servant. A flash of green light careened around the room, sweeping objects that he had thrown into the air. Everything returned to its proper place as though nothing had occured.

That is the Time Stone. How has this mortal wizard come by it? Loki vaguely wondered. He did not put much stock in this, however, as he was mysteriously lifted from the floor to his bed. Blankets were supernaturally brought to his shoulders and Loki only slightly registered the whispering of a spell that was making his eyelids even heavier.

"Thor….need….to….", he muttered tiredly.

"I'll contact him." Strange replied. "Sleep."

Loki didn't bother to reply as he was fast asleep before the door even shut.

TBC...