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Hena was right about Loki. He'd done everything in his power to remove the bind she'd placed over him and Thor, nearly through the night and some into the morning. But he was not experienced in that area and it had failed each time. He hadn't included Thor in any of it, too angry to deal with him. He was outside now, obviously thinking of something deeply. Or having given up.

Thor, on the other hand, was constantly staring at the mark, feeling very burdened by what it symbolized. Hena had left to give them time to mull it over. Perhaps come to terms with it. But that didn't seem to be happening. Loki was seething with bitterness, both at Odin and now this spell.

Hena's guards were still here, which at least confirmed that she was returning at some point. The Asgardian soldiers had received a message from Heimdall just a few minutes before, although Thor didn't know that yet. Hawkeye was upstairs with Laura right now, but every else was in the living room. They were ready to get the missions to Anaheim's borders started, even though that wasn't going to happen for another week or so. No one had specifically stated that they wanted to go, but that was obviously what they had decided.

Tony let out a purposefully loud breath, making everyone assume he wanted to say something. He glanced up at all the eyes on him.

"What?"

"Yes, exactly, what?" Captain America turned it right back to him.

"Just clearing the throat." Tony replied, facing his board again "My, the scepter sure is very active today."

"Active?" that was Fandral.

"Yes, getting its exercise in." Tony said sarcastically "There's a lot more activity on the screen, you see that?" he waved his finger around to point at it.

"It's generating more energy." Banner replied curiously, walking over to him. If Hena or Mazi had been there, they might have assumed it was their power. But they weren't.

"I mean, these things do happen with things we don't know anything about." Tony said plainly "I read all about it in the books that don't exist. Oh, sorry." he bowed lightly to Thor "Probably on Asgard, not here."

"You're talking about increasing power?" Thor asked.

Tony tilted his head away, lips pressed together "How fast was that joke flying when it went over your head?" he turned back to the diagram of the scepter "Maybe all the tension is making it nervous, you never know."

Thor continued to stare at him with a small confused scowl before he had to switch his attention to the guard coming up to the house. He beckoned the man inside, allowing the subtle insult from Tony to pass.

The soldier stepped in, looking only at the prince.

"When shall we take Loki back to Asgard?" he asked.

Thor blinked, those words very unexpected. And rather unwelcome.

"Is he meant to return today?" he asked, sounding disconcerted. He supposed it had to happen eventually, but he was surprised at how much he hated the prospect. It would be very different after having fought alongside Loki again. Especially knowing how much prison had affected his younger brother the first time.

"Yes, Odin ordered Heimdall to have us do so when it is convenient." the guard replied with a dip of his head.

Thor sighed. The argument hadn't done well for either of his remaining family members. Odin angry and Loki more resentful than ever.

"Loki may be needed until we leave for Anaheim." he said slowly. Volstagg gave him a sympathetic look, knowing he was searching for something to delay the inevitable.

Now the guard's turn to look confused. Then it morphed to an apologetic expression.

"I'm sorry, Prince Thor, you must not have been informed." he said.

"Of what?" Thor suddenly felt very nervous. Taking away Loki's life had been contemplated after his return from Midgard. He was now very aware of the panic his mother must have felt when Odin had decreed his brother be put to death. She'd lobbied fiercely for that not to happen. It had been granted, but Thor doubted it ever would be again.

"The king wants Loki looked over by Eir before the expeditions begin." the guard explained, unsure if he should be saying this if the older prince didn't already know.

Thor looked at the man, the surprise continuing. Eir was the royal healer. Of course, she did know Loki better than the others would, so it was only logical. But still, this was not like Odin at all.

"Do you know the reason why?" he asked.

The guard glanced out the window at the God of Mischief "Well, the king did not give a reason, but I believe it is clear that he needs attention. I am commonly stationed in the dungeon. Loki has seemed to decline severely these passing months."

Svleiva had said nearly the exact same thing. Thor felt vaguely confused for a moment. He was almost ashamed for not noticing anything when he first saw his brother. He could see that Loki was slighter, but he'd always been smaller in that way. Or so he thought he remembered. Odin must have seen something that was cause for concern. He was acting as if the argument had never happened. And that was what Thor thought was the strangest of all.

"I will send him with you once Hena returns." he said in response to the guard. The man nodded and turned away to leave.

"She is clever." Fandral commented, making the prince glance at him.

"Hena. What she did. This will deter Loki from doing anything." his friend pointed out.

"But her life is now in jeopardy." Thor said in frustration "And I don't want to be responsible for her death."

"Yeah, don't go thrill-seeking right now." Tony advised. Fandral only looked briefly at him.

"You will not be." he said to Thor "And Loki will see to that. This is the brilliance of her idea."

"Yes, but it won't help when he is inevitably put back in prison." Thor replied, that fact obviously being the primary concern for him.

"You're not at all worried about him being here now?" Captain America asked honestly.

The God of Thunder looked in his direction silently, then at the faces of the others in the room. They all held the same amount of wariness, even if some were not meeting his gaze.

"Yes, I am. But the argument was only between him and Odin. I am hopeful it will not interfere elsewhere." he said.

"Argument?" Banner asked with a small laugh as he shook his head "He might have killed your father if he'd been allowed to continue."

"I believe Hena is returning." Hogun broke in, raising his chin. He was watching Loki out the door. The God of Mischief now stood waiting expectantly.

Thor glanced at Banner with a small breath before walking over to go outside. He didn't have a way to respond. Captain America followed him very slowly. Volstagg sighed lightly as Thor went over to his brother.

"Loki, with this curse upon us..." he began.

"Stop." Loki growled, holding up one finger, eyes narrowed. Then he glared "If there was ever a time for you to use your newly found ability to think before you speak, do it now. I do not want to hear one word about this from you."

Thor scowled at him, rather shocked by this coldness for something that wasn't his fault.

"Because of this pathetic family's troubles, Hena's life is no longer just her own." Loki replied angrily "The only reason I haven't left you and your friends to go and explore Anaheim's borders is because I don't trust you not to do something pathetic and get yourself killed."

"I don't think I'm the one we need to worry about dying." Thor bit back.

"Who is it that has come back from the dead already?" Loki said coldly.

Thor glared back at him, but he just took a step back instead. He turned back to the house, jaw clenched. Captain America folded his arms as his friend joined him on the porch.

Loki waited silently, eyes on the field. It wasn't long before the familiar brightness forced them to look away. When they were able to look back, Hena had appeared in the field. She wasn't smiling, but she didn't look upset either.

Loki, on the other hand, tilted his head.

"Ah, you're back." he said, voice slightly scathing.

Hena raised her eyebrows in offense "And I might desire leave again." she walked past him, head up. Loki pivoted after her.

"Will you remove this bind now, please?" he asked steadily.

"No." Hena said, her tone calm.

"Hena, you departed and returned with no incident." Loki replied in frustration "Please remove it."

"No, not now."

Loki closed his eyes, obviously trying very hard to control his irritation.

"Hena." he said tightly.

"Please, Loki." she said, finally turning back to him wearily "Let this be for now. I am not going to reverse it."

He stared at her, eyebrows furrowed. He still had a lot more to say, but he refrained.

"How is Anaheim?" he asked instead, the forced concern obvious.

"There are still many passive invasions." Hena replied, looking relieved at his resignation "My parents remained concerned, but nothing has changed."

Even though she was very adamant in her words, she did not like to argue. With him or anyone else.

Tony frowned intensely at the screen in front of him. It was showing increasing energy from the scepter that went up slowly, but nevertheless, up. Even more unexpected was the fact that once Hena arrived, it had slowed tremendously. Banner was the only other person who really knew how to read what was going on, so it was not public knowledge yet.

Since Loki had mentioned that the scepter was likely to be enticing for them, everyone was extra aware of their feelings. And everytime someone went outside without an explanation, they were observed cautiously by the others.
Banner pointed at something on the screen and murmured something under his breath to Tony. The billionaire shrugged in return, mouth bouncing down briefly to show that he wasn't too concerned.

Thor was unpleasantly surprised to see that Loki was even distancing Hena from himself. The two of them were outside talking to one another solemnly, but she appeared to have to pry more than usual. Yet, that still did not dissuade her.

"My father informed me that you are to be included when we explore the dark realms." she said, not caring if that was to remain private. From his expression, she could see that Loki was unconvinced. And that the wounds from yesterday were still very fresh today.

"And did he speak of this before or after Odin and I had our feud?" he asked crisply "After all, I had to have observed the unwillingness to forgive from some being."

Hena looked at him sorrowfully. She knew she would not be able to convince him now, but perhaps in time.

"A good heart rests in him, Loki." she said "A kind one. I have looked beyond his outward character."

"And seen his true thoughts, yes?" Loki asked "I trust you, Hena. You saw his ignorance? And his compulsion for manipulation?"

"Stop this." Hena said angrily. Then her tone softened to worry "He is doing what he thinks is right. But he does do it ignorantly, as you have said. Loki, I implore you to see that neither of you hold the moral high ground here."

He did not respond to her on that, continuing to stare at the ground with narrowed eyes.

"I know you have a reason to be hurt." Hena went on "I can see it. However, I do not believe that Odin or Thor ever meant you ill. You need to come to terms with this."

"No, Thor did mean to belittle me. I know he may not have meant as much as it seemed, but neither of them ever considered it to be mistreatment. And, in Odin's case, it was because he knew what I was. He treated me as he believed I should be."

Hena frowned, face dismayed. She hated how quickly the conversation returned to the dark and angry subject that made him so cold.

"Loki, your childhood was still filled with happiness."

"Yes, but it was a lie. And, even if those years were tolerable, the later ones were not." Loki replied.

"If Odin did not care for you, he would not have spared your life." Hena said. He glanced away from her, clearly peeved by her speaking of this.

"You can see my memories. Tell me what you see at the sentencing. He told me specifically that I was only alive because of my mother." he said "Not him. Never him."

"Yes, it was. Just because he will not say it, does not mean it is not true. You must see him as a man. He is not perfect. And he mourns for your mother just as you do. Have sympathy with him."

"You want me to share my grief with him?" Loki asked "Even if I was not in prison, I doubt I could do that."

"Yes you could. Because he was, and honestly still is, your father. You and him are more alike than you perceive." Hena said.

"Excluding the fact that I am Jotun and he is Aesir?" Loki asked, showing that he was not happy being compared with Odin.

"Does that matter?" Hena asked in distress that he still thought so.

"Yes. The realms see me as less, why should I not?" Loki replied "And yet, the demise of Jotunheim was so woefully protested."

"As it should have been!" Hena said with vehemence.

"I believe differently." he responded adamantly.

She looked at him with creased eyebrows and blinked.

"Then you would have allowed all of the frost giants to perish?" she asked.

"Yes." Loki said.

Hena retracted her head in pain, still gazing at him "Loki...you're a better man...than you think you are."

"Unfortunately not." he replied.

"Why would you think this? Why would you say this?" Hena asked in dismay.

"Because frost giants are monsters. That is what they are. They are evil."

"No, they are not evil. They may not be kind and compassionate at all times, but nor is any other race! Why do you see them as evil for things they have done in the past? Asgard conquered realms just as Jotunheim tried to do. Being evil is someone who deliberately and frequently only tries to do wrong."

"And haven't I done that?" Loki asked with a suddenly sharpness.

Hena's mouth trembled briefly "There is a reason my family did not come to Midgard and find you sitting on a throne above its inhabitants."

Loki looked at her, his face suddenly filled with shock as if he didn't believe what he had just heard.

"You're a good person. You have made mistakes." Hena said "But you cannot continue to try and be the monster you see yourself as because that is not who you are. You-" but Loki cut her off, looking betrayed.

"You know, I expected that from them." he said quietly "Just not from you."

Hena blinked several times, eyes startled. His face was so cold. So distant. He turned away to leave her.

"Loki." she said breathlessly. She walked after him "Loki, I wasn't mocking you. Loki!"

But he ignored her as he walked farther out into the field. She covered her mouth briefly, then lowered it back down. She swallowed and turned back around, allowing him to leave, despite the wetness forming at the bottom of her eyes. She closed them for a moment and then continued to walk towards the house.

Loki stopped many yards away, facing away from her. Hena glanced back once to see if he was looking back at her, but he was not. The fearful yet strangely numb feeling persisted in her stomach.

Fandral greeted her as she came in, but she barely acknowledged it. The Warrior frowned and glanced at Thor, but the prince had already seen.

"What is wrong?" he asked, looking at her in concern "What has happened?"

Hena shook her head briefly "Nothing. It's alright."

"Did you argue?" Thor maintained his directness. That was the last thing they needed.

"I..." Hena's voice shook "I said something to him I should not have. It's my fault."

Thor looked out at Loki, his worry heightening.

"Or perhaps he should be done causing others pain." Sif growled. Unfortunately, it looked as though several others agreed with her.

"It was my fault." Hena repeated "He is hurt, but he expresses it as anger."

Sif looked away in disgust, but she allowed the matter to drop.

"What has happened to the scepter?" Hena asked, lightly wiping the edge of her eye.

Tony and Banner looked up at each other.

"Uh, what do you mean?" Tony asked.

"It was extremely active when I arrived, but it is not any longer." she said "What did you do to temper it?"

"Funny, we were just going to mention that." Tony said, as if he had always intended to do so "Sudden spike in energy. Nothing to be too concerned with."

Captain America eyed him warily, but Hena just nodded.

"Dad, come over here!" Cooper demanded, beckoning his father impatiently.

"I will, just give me a moment." Hawkeye said, waving a hand at him. Both of his boys were attempting to play a simplified game of football, but it wasn't quite as fun without instruction.

Hawkeye had seemed to appear outside with his children. No one had heard him come down, but it wasn't hard to believe he had just wanted to go outside without being dragged into conversations with anyone. However, now he was watching Loki curiously.

It had been around an hour since Hena and him had gone their separate ways. She was standing near the scepter, inspecting it solemnly.

"So, you sensed its sudden excitement?" Tony asked from behind and she turned. He nodded at the scepter.

"Oh. Yes. It was quite different from when I left yesterday." she said, sounding distracted "But it seems to have returned to normal. Are you worried about it?"

Tony shrugged "Not unless I should be."

"These kind of artifacts are unpredictable. I don't think it is anything to be concerned with. I can ask my father if you would like." Hena offered.

"No, that is a-okay." Tony replied. She lightly smiled, but it vanished as she looked back out at Loki.

Nathaniel called over to his father this time, a scowl grazing his face. Hawkeye finally turned to go over to them. He sighed as they began to play, waiting for him to tell them what to do. When he did say something, though, Tony scoffed and rolled his eyes.

"Somebody tell Fury that Barton needs some time off. And ASAP. He has lost the basic rules of football to his job."

Hena looked over her shoulder, same as the other Asgardians. None of them were familiar with it, so they saw nothing wrong.

Unfortunately, the two boys were less impressed and complained to Hawkeye that they knew better. He held up his hands in surrender and turned around to leave.

Hena suddenly perked up as she noticed that Loki had turned around to come back over.

"Give up?" Tony called to Hawkeye, also watching Loki out of the corner of his eye.

"I'm not really sure that game is worth playing." his friend replied. Tony scowled, half amused and half confused.

"Remind me to take you to a game. My treat. But you'll have to buy your own food. I don't have money for that."

"I wouldn't waste my time. You go enjoy yourself." Hawkeye replied.

Tony glanced at Captain America, mouthing something. The soldier shrugged.

Loki was just passing Hawkeye when the SHIELD agent spoke.

"Ready to go at it again?" he asked.

The God of Mischief slowed, head turned to the mortal, eyebrows furrowed.

"What?" he asked.

"You seem a bit ticked off. Better use that anger now. It's kinda useful sometimes." Hawkeye replied.

Hena rolled her eyes same as Tony had. These mortals were so clueless sometimes.

Loki's head tilted, almost as if he were interested in what Hawkeye had to say.

"Really? Care to share an experience?" he asked.

"Too many to count, but you can probably name a few." Hawkeye replied. Loki's face remained thoughtful as Cooper and Nathaniel came running up.

"We're going to play catch instead." the older boy said, obviously not willing to try football without proper guidance.

"Okay, have fun." their father said.

Cooper brought his head back "No, you come too."

"Me? I'm not very good. Maybe in a little bit." Hawkeye replied, waving them away.

"Talk about party...pooper." Tony said, mouth curved down. The God of Mischief and SHIELD agent were now the definite focus of his attention.

"It seems a shame to lose time with them." Loki said slowly, watching for a reaction from the mortal.

Hawkeye shrugged "They're good boys. They'll be alright."

Loki nodded carefully "And would you call them by name?"

The unexpected and rather random question made everyone pause. Now they all must looked bewildered at the awkward conversation between the two men.

"What do you mean?" Hawkeye asked with a scowl.

"What are their names?" Loki repeated.

"You're going to ask me my own children's names?" Hawkeye asked, as if that were the most ridiculous thing he'd ever heard.

"Certainly seems like it would be easy to answer." Loki responded.

"Yes, it is. Boys!" Hawkeye called suddenly, turning to his children "Shout out your names so that ill-informed Loki can hear it!"

Cooper and Nathaniel glanced at each other for a moment before doing what he said.

"You seem to have picked up an eloquent way of speaking." Loki said.

"Yes, I have spent a fair amount of time around you and Thor." Hawkeye reminded him "After all, you've been here for a while to protect helpless Earth. We're bound to adapt once in a while."

Captain America's eyes flicked up as if to find sense in what his fellow Avenger was saying. Then he returned his eyes to the scene, knowing that everyone else was doing the same.

"I see. Yes, we certainly are protecting helpless Earth, aren't we?" Loki asked carefully "Like the time I brought the frost giants to attack New York."

"Yes." Hawkeye said, trying to look stern.

Loki growled and rushed forward to shove the man brutally into the picnic table.

"Loki!" Thor yelled, running down the steps and going towards his brother, eyes wide. Tony, Captain America, every one of the Warriors, and Black Widow moved into defensive positions, weapons prepared for a fight.

"Don't!" Hena shouted at them.

Then they all stopped dead in shock as the air around Hawkeye shimmered, leaving Red Skull standing in his place. His face clenched in pain at the knife pressed at his throat, but his eyes gleamed.

"Are you really so ignorant that you don't even know what army I brought here?" Loki hissed down at him.

"Where's Hawkeye?" Captain America demanded, attention now directed at the mutant pinned down by Loki. Black Widow jerked a hand at Cooper and Nathaniel and they hurried over to her. She pointed to the house, saying something inaudible under her breath.

"That wasn't my affair." Red Skull said with a grin "I had no need to know the details."

"Where's Hawkeye?" Captain America repeated more sharply, walking forward slowly.

"Loki, do not kill him!" Thor snapped, aware that the pressure of the blade was increasing.

"Yes, heavens knows that could be hazardous for you." Red Skull's voice was slightly strained.

There was a call of "Dad" from inside and Captain America looked back quickly. The distressed voice belonged to Nathaniel, who was staring as his father came quickly down the stairs. He must have heard the commotion from up there. That also explained why no one had seen him come down.

"There's the shining father." Red Skull jeered "I don't see yours, Prince Loki. He seems to have vacated the premises."

"When did he get here?" Hawkeye asked, fingers tapping warily on the bow he held in his hand. Like the others, he was fully armed.

"He was playing copy cat. And you were his twin." Tony replied.

"Loki, bring him here." Thor said, then lowered his voice "I want to converse with him this time."

"Taking orders from him, are you?" Red Skull asked in amusement "Hm, that might not be so good when Thanos arrives. I suppose it's time to ruin the surprise."

Loki suddenly released him, taking a step back in disbelief. Red Skull smiled, but he stayed where he was.

"Loki, what are you doing?" Captain America demanded. He slowly began to walk closer, shield resting in front of him. The God of Mischief was between them and Red Skull, so unless they moved quickly, they didn't have a shot.

"What?" Loki wasn't speaking to Captain America. His stared intently at the man in front of him.

"Thanos. He's coming. Here." Red Skull almost looked as if he couldn't contain laughter at the Jotun's shock "But not to kill you. No, not the punishment you expect for failing him. He comes to welcome you back. You're still quite useful to us, Loki."

The God of Mischief, usually so clever with words, could think of nothing to say. He just stared. Hena whipped around to look at the scepter as it began to pulse rapidly. The small explosions of energy were fairly deafening to those around it.

"He's coming to remind you who you really are. And to whom you truly belong. Who deserves your allegiance. It's certainly not Odin." Red Skull stepped back away from the table.

"Do not move!" Thor ordered, hammer raised just as the former mortal stepped into partial view of him. He was under the impression that Loki was still guarding him.

"We'll meet again soon, Loki." Red Skull said, ignoring the God of Thunder even though he could hardly hear him. Loki looked up suddenly, seeing something nobody else could. Red Skull backed up, each half of his body disappearing as if he stepped through a door.

Hawkeye lowered his raised bow immediately, eyebrows knitted as he scanned the area quickly. The scepter fell still, allowing them to hear each other again.

"You let him get away?" Captain America exclaimed at the God of Mischief.

Loki slowly turned around, eyes unfocused. Then, they landed on the scepter. The blue orb was festering on the stand.

"Hena, get away from there." he said, voice getting urgent at the end, eyes slowly growing wide. He started running towards her "Get away from the-"

Hena looked back at him just as the scepter imploded violently on itself. Then it released the energy out in a massive wave, sending everyone around it flying back. The Asgardian barrier did nothing to prevent this, having only been set up to dissuade invaders. The residual ripples continued to push the air away from the scepter as its strength gradually receded.

There was a faint ringing in the air until it let all of the power drop with an odd sucking noise.

Thor grunted and raised a hand to wipe dust from his eyes. He sat up, blinking to clear the humming in his ears. It took him a moment to focus on anything happening in front of him. Captain America, Tony and Hawkeye were moving same as him, but Black Widow and Banner were not. Behind him, only Volstagg and Hogun out of the four Warriors were getting to their feet. Everyone who had been closest to the explosion was unmoving.

Thor looked over at the field and then stood up. His face was wary as he gazed at the unfamiliar group of creatures in front of him. Red Skull was there, but he stood next to a very large, powerful-looking being. He had purple skin clad in golden armor and red eyes that had no discernible pupils to them. The skin under his mouth was broken up into ridges that lengthened when he smiled. Thor had never seen him before, but he had no doubts about who this was.

Four tall, ugly creatures surrounded him. They had gray skin, a spindly body with fingers that were longer than their hands, and horribly black eyes.

"Hail the Almighty Thanos." Red Skull said, holding out a hand to the largest of them all.

Thor lifted his hammer angrily at the name, ready to fight. His friends did the same instinctively. Thanos looked down at the long-fingered creatures casually and they lifted their hands towards the defensive group. Immediately, Thor felt paralyzed. His arm was slowly being lowered back down to his side without his consent. Mjolnir dropped to the ground. Not because they interfered with the hammer, but because Thor didn't have any ability to hold it at that moment. He struggled against the invisible chains, but the was no physical movement to show that.

"I was hoping for a little bit more of a welcome." Thanos said, gazing at all of them "I can see I've been expected."

Thor tried to look at his friends, but even his neck could move. From the corner of his eye, he saw that none of his conscious friends could heed their own bodies either. Except Loki. His brother very slowly got to his feet, chin raised as he faced the titan. He'd been on the ground by Hena, but now he walked forward to stand by Thor, clearly able to move without any trouble.

"Loki." Thanos said, almost as if greeting a friend. But it just made Thor feel even more chilled.

Captain America was straining hard, convinced he could move if he willed it hard enough. Standing still, it was as if everything was normal. But movement made it feel like cords were wrapped around them.

The God of Mischief didn't say anything in return. He just continued to stare warily.

"I've been waiting for this reunion for a long time." Thanos said, which could have been taken menacingly.

"You should not send others to do it for you." Loki replied, giving Red Skull a hateful look. The man just grinned at him.

"The job of gathering recruits is not one I usually oversee. But getting to know Midgard might not be a disadvantage. And I am here to bring you home. A better home than Asgard ever was. Odin treated you as a servant, but that is his loss and his loss only. I am here to welcome you back as a king." Thanos said.

Thor was visibly shaking as he clenched his jaw and glared. Loki's eyes showed anger.

"Then, you saw." he said bitterly.

"I heard enough of what he said to you." Thanos replied "Rid yourself of the House of Odin, Loki. Take away the one thing he loves." he reached into his plated armor and removed a knife. He tossed it right at the God's feet, the blade sinking into the ground.

"Kill Thor. And make yourself the only heir to the throne of Asgard. You should have done this right off when you attacked Midgard. As we suggested."

There was only silence after that, as no one was able to protest. Loki slowly leaned and picked up the dagger, eyes narrowed. Thor fought to move, trying to look at his younger brother. He didn't look scared, but his expression offered a fierce challenge. The Jotun fingered the knife.

"As...satisfying as that would be." he said "I cannot." he gestured at Thor's hand "Hena Anaheim has forged a connected between their lives. If Thor dies, she dies."

Thanos brought his head back, regarding him thoughtfully. Apparently he was well aware of who Hena was.

"Smart girl." he said quietly, very faintly smiling "Then we'd best keep him alive for now."

Red Skull left his side and began walking towards the scepter. Loki didn't move, allowing him to do so, but his eyes followed him every second. This was what tipped Captain America over the edge. Hydra's former leader looked pleased as he brought the dark weapon to Thanos and handed it over. The God of Death then looked at Loki dead on. He held out the scepter, its blue orb swirling lightly.

Thor watched, having no way to intervene or say anything as his brother contemplated the offer. He mentally begged Hena to wake up, if only to shake some sense in him.

But the last thing the silvertongue and her had done was fight. Just like his father.

Loki's eyes narrowed and he looked at Thanos coldly.

"I get to kill Odin." he said.

Thanos' mouth curved up slightly "I think we can arrange that. You may take as long as you like."

Loki nodded, turned back to Hena and bent down. He eased his hands under her and picked her up. She dangled from his arms as he walked in front of the group he'd turned his back on.

Thanos held out a hand to Red Skull, making the God of Mischief pause, back tensed rather threateningly.

"Don't worry, she's in good hands." Red Skull said, with no small amount of mocking.

But instead, one of the other creatures take Hena from Loki, leaving the former mortal with a sneer on his face.

Thor stared with both anger and horror as his brother then knelt to the ground on one knee, head raised. He slowly drew one hand over his chest. The pledge of unyielding loyalty. To anyone else, the scene would have appeared as though the Avengers were just watching this scene play out. But, truth be told, all of them were fighting to the best of their ability.

With one hand, Thanos set the scepter into Loki's hands.

"You'll be a king yet again." he said "But, until then, wield this. I sense it has missed your touch."

Loki said nothing, but he rose from his position, the weapon now held in one hand.

"Bring them, and secure them in our prison. They may be useful yet." Thanos said, looking at the group in front of him. He looked at the scepter and Loki waved it briefly. It's raw power could be felt even by Thor, who was usually ignorant of such things. The implication that the scepter would be used against them as it had been used against Hawkeye was horribly apprehensive.

"While we speak of usefulness," Loki said from his spot ready to leave Midgard "There are three children and a woman inside. Bring them with us."

Hawkeye's face morphed to one of unspeakable anger as Thanos looked over. He gestured with one wave of his hand that Red Skull was to retrieve them.

"Who is the father?" he asked. This indicated that it had been Red Skull's idea and Red Skull's only to impersonate one of the Avengers.

Loki pointed the scepter at Hawkeye, his expression giving away no remorse.

"And, him," he said, shifting his point to Banner, who still lay unconscious on the ground "Keep him well sedated. Or he will likely cause you trouble."

"The mortal that very near becomes indestructible." Thanos said, as if he already knew.

Red Skull stopped below the porch, hands tucked behind his back.

"Shall we burn the house?" he asked, his smile indicating that he had a specific answer in mind.

"No." Thanos replied, looking very thoughtful "I would prefer Asgard were not aware there was an abduction when they first arrive here. Leave no residue of violence."

"I trust Heimdall's sight has been restricted." Loki said.

"Yes, very much so." Thanos replied "When we leave, your skills will be helpful with preventing immediate detection."

Loki turned back to the house and lifted one hand, as if nothing more needed to be said.
Images of everyone who'd been at the house appeared instantly, going about their daily business without much difference.

Thanos nodded in satisfaction.

"I sense a better era coming." he said.

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