Chapter 4: Assemble
"This past week has been so exciting! Grandmother taught me how to transform my appearance to another person. She said I am doing well so far, but I still need practice to master it. Once I do that, I will learn how to turn into animals and other living beings. I want to become a skilled sorceress like her."
Loki smiled as he watched his three-year-old describe her week in an elated manner. "Eira, you will become so powerful. How you approach learning is mesmerizing. How are your other studies going? Literature? Arithmetic?"
"It's alright," the princess sighed. "It feels easy. Uncle Thor says it's because I'm so smart, but grandmother mentioned I have an ancient ability to understand any language. The feather birthmark on my back, I got it from Mommy. According to grandmother, I have to hide it, even from my tutor, or I might be attacked."
"She just wants to keep you safe, as do I. Pretending is a skill of yours, so act slightly less smart than you already are. Remember, you are an intelligent girl. You are my daughter."
Eira nodded. "Thanks, Daddy."
Loki sat down on the floor, adjusting his hold of the scepter. "My work will be done soon. In a few days, we can be together again."
His daughter sat down. "I can't wait! I miss your hugs. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone."
"I appreciate it, my little one."
"Is that little gem on your scepter important?"
Loki moved his hands up his weapon, the glow of the mind stone. He smiled as he thought of its incredible power. With the stone in possession, he could control the minds of others with a simple touch. They would bend to his will, accomplish his goals without a second thought.
The Mind Stone had a small streak of independence. Without his knowledge, the stone was influencing Loki's mind. After his fall, he felt a duty to serve his father and him proud, but the stone created hatred. As time passed, he loathed his father for not deeming him as worthy and being disappointed with his treatment of the Jotnar. In revenge, Loki would conquer one of his realms, Midgard, and destroy its freedoms and peace. And Thor just had to be the perfect son and warrior. Worthy of a powerful weapon held by a substantially small population. When he fought his brother on the Bifrost, Loki still cared for him. Now, it was pure hatred. Detestation toward the man he was raised with, the man who let him fall into the abyss, seemingly to his death.
Yet the stone had its benefits. It strengthened the fatherly love to his daughter, increasing his sense to protect her from harm. He wanted to raise her, aid her in becoming a warrior and master of magic in a way that would make her mother proud.
"This gem is commanding," Loki finally answered. "Its power is immeasurable. Only stout beings can use the gem to its full potential. One day, peradventure in the next decade, you can weld it."
"Really? You think I will become that powerful."
"Of course, you can. You are my daughter. Your teachers and family have the arts and strengths of a thousand planets. The schedule in which you learn charms, your fortitude shall be forcible and respected."
Eira blushed. "I love you, Daddy. I hope you succeed."
Loki smiled as he stood up. "I do not plan for failure. Do not fret, everything will run its course. We will be together again. We can play and learn all you want. I love you more than anything, Eira. Goodbye."
The princess waved at her father's apparition as he walked toward the wall, his fake self disappearing in green shards. Eira climbed onto her bed, formally Loki's, and pulled the covers over herself. Hati held tensely against her chest, Eira fell asleep with the comfort of her stuffed animal and the smell of her father's bedsheets. In her dreams, she and Loki played in a tranquil field, his mission accomplished, and their smiles endless.
Twenty-three months.
Twenty-three months after Loki fell from the Bifrost, Heimdall found him.
He immediately went to Odin, vividly describing the location. Frigga overheard the conversation and intervened when they discussed how to retrieve him. According to Heimdall, Loki's demeanor exhaled anger. He had a plan to destroy Midgard, but it was not by his own will. He was working for a giant and a cloaked man. Loki had some independence: his strategy to conquer Earth involved an invasion with pre-provided soldiers. The Loki who fell had an ego and occasional vicious nature, but his heart partially motivated his actions. In his current form, there was nothing but a blood-lust.
She teleported an apparition of herself to his lair. Appearing in front of him, she greeted him with pity. His initially shocked expression turned to annoyance. He turned around, not daring to face his mother during her speech about his positive rationale.
Pleading to his humanity, she noticed his broad shoulders and straight stance. Her speech was fruitless, his stance arrogant with power. He was passionate about his plan, ignoring his former benevolent mindset.
Upon the mention of Eira, his form softened. His body twitched and the grip on his scepter tightened. The hubris returned, but he spoke.
"Eira knew about my presence."
His mouth closed again.
With tears in the corner of her eyes, her faulty form disappeared. She looked around, the gold and beige walls of the palace a stark contrast to shadows of his lair. Perhaps it was a cave or a room hidden underground. Maybe the structure of his new home revealed his true feelings.
Frigga told Odin and Thor - told about Loki while he chatted with his mother - about the differences in his attitude and how it influenced his dictatorial plan. Thor was angry and ready for battle, Odin thinking to himself about the correct method to stop his adoptive son. Before they could say anything, Frigga repeated the only thing Loki said during their hostile interaction.
An hour before dinner, Thor knocked on Eira's door, Frigga by his side with her arms crossed.
"Thor! Grandma! Come in!"
Thor looked at his mother confused. How in the Nine Realms did she know who was outside of her chambers? Frigga mouthed "magic, perhaps" before her son opened the door.
Eira was reading a book on her bed, engrossed in the pages and barely noticing her family entering. Confused as to who would be speaking first, Thor glanced at Frigga, his eyebrow raised. The All-Mother nodded and looked at her granddaughter.
"Eira, darling. Can we speak to you for a moment?"
The princess looked up from her story, green orbs attended at her grandmother.
"What is it?"
Frigga sighed as she sat down on the bed. Thor followed suit.
"Eira, we discovered something today."
"What was it?" the toddler asked innocently.
"Well, how do I explain this? Heimdall saw your father, alive and well."
"Really?" Eira stood up on her bed, feigning ignorance. "Where is he? Can I see him?"
Thor spoke this time. "We know where he is and your grandmother spoke to him, but he revealed some interesting information. He said he has visited you. Is that true?"
Eira's face went red. She sat back on her bed, clenching the nearest blanket and avoiding eye contact.
"I don't know what he is talking about," she lied.
"Eira," Frigga spoke again, her voice firm. "Do not lie to us. Your father is planning something dangerous. I don't mind that you were keeping secrets, but if you told him anything, you need to tell us."
The raven-haired girl took rapid breaths. She felt a force sit on her bed and a hand touch her shoulder in comfort. Looking up, she saw Thor with a soft expression.
"I know you love your father and want to see him. For us, tell us anything suspicious he told you. I promise, we will bring him back to see you, we just need the information to do so."
Tears fell down Eira's cheeks. Thor lifted her body and placed it on his lap. He stroked her hair as Frigga rubbed her arm.
"I just wanted to see him again," she said sobbing. "I miss him so much. He said that once he's done with his mission, he'll be back in his true form."
"I understand your feelings," commented Frigga, removing a stray hair in front of Eira's face. "Take your time."
Eira sniffed and rubbed a falling tear from her cheek. "Daddy mentioned a gem he had on his scepter that could control people's minds. Then he said he loved me. Please don't hurt him."
"We'll get him home safely," Thor reassured.
"I'm sorry for putting you under such stress, my lovely grandmother. Let me and you eat here tonight. I'll teach you magic and read you a bedtime story. Would you like that?"
Eira nodded while rubbing her eyes.
"Thor, my son, go to your father. Report to him and talk about the next move."
Thor placed Eira back on her bed. "Good idea, mother. Eira, thank you. I will return your father to you."
"Thanks," said Eira in a weak voice.
Her uncle left the room. Eira looked at her grandmother, tears attempting to escape her eyes.
"Is Daddy doing something bad?"
"Oh, Eira, no. We need to prevent him from making a mistake. If you ever feel in doubt, remember that he loves you very much."
Eira leaned against her, sinking further into her hold when she felt Frigga wrap her arms. She thought silently, wishing for Loki to return soon. When he did, she would give him the biggest hug.
Defeat was a punishment. The chains choking the veins. The small confinements of jail cells, inhuman in nature. The stares of protectors and observers, their irises looking at the shamed walk of the prisoner, feeling superior for once in their lives.
But defeat was a genius tactic in war.
The moment Clint Barton mentioned Bruce Banner - a meek man who could turn into the strongest being on Earth with a simple emotion - Loki knew he would be the perfect weapon. Barton had knowledge of every hall and corner in the S.H.I.E.L.D Helicarrier. Anyone could get angry at any time, so making the scientist irate would be simple.
Loki planned his capture before Barton mentioned what he needed. The archer needed a distraction and key to the vault of iridium. He got to stab a man in the eye and be captured by candidates for the Avengers afterward; it was the perfect situation.
His body was still during the jet ride. The tight straps and metal chains were bothersome, but a small nuisance that could not override the excitement for his conquering. He almost voiced his for Captain America, who somehow considered that Loki had orchestrated his capture.
The jet rumbled and reflected the sound of thunder. What the fuck? he thought as he looked at the roof, wondering if his least favorite person was on top. Loki showed a light amount of fear, earning a quip from Tony Stark. He couldn't focus on Iron Man's jesting, the hope that Thor would not appear washing away.
Thor made a godly entrance, ripping the doors off the jet and releasing Loki from his straps just by grabbing him. They flew through the air and Thor landed with ease, while Loki fell onto the ground, yet his smile and laughter were natural.
"I missed you, too," The first words Loki said to Thor in two years.
Thor did not return with a greeting. "Do I look to be in a gaming mood?"
"Oh, you should thank me. With the Bifrost gone how much dark energy did the Allfather have to muster to conjure you here? Your precious Earth." Loki answered.
"I thought you were dead."
"Did you mourn?"
"We all did. How could you do that to Eira? She was so distraught."
"You think I don't feel bad for causing my daughter such pain. I thought about her everyday. This plan will benefit her and me. I will rule this pathetic realm and take her with me. The two of us will live in peace, no one thinking of us as inferior because of our Jotun heritage."
"Loki, you can't possibly think you are better than humans. Father raised us..."
"Your father," Loki interrupted. "I'm sure they told you the truth in my absence. While Asgard tried to repair the mess you made, I've seen worlds you've never known about! I have grown, Odinson, in my exile! I have seen the true power of the Tesseract, and when I wield it…"
"Who showed you this power? Who controls the would-be-king?"
"I am a king!"
"Not here! You give up the Tesseract! You give up this poisonous dream! You come home."
"I don't have it. You need the cube to bring me home, but I've sent it off I know not where."
Mjölnir flew into Thor's muscled hand. "You listen well, brother. I…"
A flash of red pushed Thor from the rock, sending them both hundreds of feet away.
"I'm listening," Loki said to the empty void.
Was Loki always this Shakespearen? Steve Rogers thought as he looked at the screening showing Loki in his glass prison. The screen went black, but Steve kept staring.
"He really grows on you, doesn't he?" Bruce asked, adjusting the position of his glasses.
Steve looked up and spoke to himself. "Loki's gonna drag this out. So, Thor, what's his play?"
"He has an army called the Chitauri," answered Thor. "They're not of Asgard or any world known. He means to lead them against your people. They will win him the earth. In return, I suspect, for the Tesseract. I imagine that before he gives them it, he will use the Tesseract's power to get his daughter."
"A daughter?" Natasha Romanoff questioned in shock. "The maniac who killed eighty people in two days has a daughter?"
"Have care how you speak. Loki is beyond reason, but he is of Asgard, and he's my brother. Adopted, but my brother nonetheless. And yes, Loki has a daughter. Eira, a beautiful five-year-old. His female clone. Asgard presumed Loki dead for two years, but he visited his daughter during that time. Loki is a selfish creature, but he would do anything for Eira. I assume that he thinks conquering your realm will benefit them both."
"What about her mother?" Steve inquired. "Did she know about Loki?"
Thor's body tensed. "Her mother died in childbirth. Loki truly loved her and her death motivated him to raise Eira alone."
"So he's a lunatic and single father," said Natasha. "Didn't expect that. But that does mean he can be emotionally exploited for answers."
Are all spies like her? Steve asked himself. It's not the way of the soldier, but it would probably help us. Loki is planning something. The briefing I was given anticipated a more powerful opponent. He wants to be here, but why?
...
Natasha walked into the room containing Loki's cells. He was walking back and forth, and she was unsure if it was the tension within the glass or mere boredom. When she moved closer, his pacing stopped. He shifted his stance to look at the Russian spy.
"There's not many people that can sneak up on me," Loki said with a smile.
"But you'd figured I'd come," spoke Natasha.
"After. After whatever tortures Fury can concoct, you would appear as a friend, as a balm. Appeal to my humanity. And I would cooperate."
"You are correct on one point. After everything you've done in the past few days, I thought you were beyond reason. Luckily for you, Thor mentioned a pretty interesting fact. You have a little girl back on Asgard whom you're raising by herself. Never thought of you as a single parent."
Loki's face softened when Natasha mentioned Eira. "I do. I have a daughter named Eira. Best part of my life. The scheme I planned, it was for both of us."
"I don't know if a five-year-old would appreciate her father conquering a planet against its will."
"It's better than the alternative. Ms. Romanoff, how does this sound? Raising a child as something they're not. Being told that they are an equal to everybody, but some people do not fulfill that statement. They look at the child as a monster and praise their sibling as perfection. Even though some attempt to make the best for the child, the lack of effort from others diminishes the illusion. They slowly see the cracks and plot to expose those who wrong them. But the ones who lied to them terminates the threat and blame the child, forgetting all the errors they formed along the way. My heartless parents wanted that for me, their lies could not convince me otherwise. My daughter does not deserve that. She is superior to humans in every way. It's only natural that she helps me rule over them."
"I don't know whether to be compassionate or disgusted by your speech. You clearly love your daughter, but this isn't the best way to show it."
"Would you not kill or conquer for the ones you love? What about Barton? You most certainly care about him. That is the reason you visited me, am I correct?"
"All I wanna know is what you've done to Agent Barton. I don't love him, if that's what you're thinking. Love is for children. I owe him a debt."
"Tell me." Natasha raised her eyebrow; Loki seemed interested in her story.
When she pulled up a chair and began speaking, he smiled inwardly. He couldn't wait for her to describe Clint as a savior. The man who saved her from a past of murders and assassinations. But would she ever escape? The blood continued to drip from past wounds. Drakov's daughter. São Paulo. The Hospital Fire. The countless lives she took away could never be erased. No cloth could clean up the red.
Manipulating her emotions would be a pleasure. Her mind fragile, she might discover his plan to exploit the beast within Bruce, but she could never stop it.
Barton and other S.H.I.E.L.D agents were probably on the helicopter, waiting to shoot the helicarrier as the so-called Avengers argued, unable to work together as a team, incapable of stopping his rule.