Loki blinked as fluorescent light flooded the dark room. His eyes fixated on the silhouette of a large man, if it was a man. He couldn't see him very clearly but he could be better described as a monster.
"I was surprised to see someone like you floating lifelessly suspended amongst the stars. Not a single breath left your body. It didn't seem like a very pleasant way to go." His voice spoke softly but there was power behind it and something else present. It was a deep battleworn utterance that made Loki nervous.
To wake up in a strange place greeted by some unknown, would throw anyone into a panic. Although he was good at hiding it. He would not show fear to someone who has yet to show themselves.
"Who are you?! I demand to know where I am!" He tried with whatever strength he had left to sound like a threat, because his voice couldn't convey the desired effect. The stranger laughed.
"Oh you demand it I see. You're not in any position. Just a spoiled little prince left to die." The stranger spat. Loki took in the tone and hushed long enough for the figure to plant himself in front of him.
This was all starting to feel way too familiar; roles reversed. He'd done this in his past to any unlucky souls to have crossed his path, likely in the need of saving. In this day and age you can't get something from nothing. This time he was at their mercy.
Loki paused, thinking it best to comply with his demands at least for the time being. Perhaps maybe it wasn't a great idea to agitate the man who could turn him into another painting on the wall.
"Where am I?" Loki affirmed calm. The figure towered over him but he could not see his face. Still adjusting to the dark.
"Safe now aboard my humble ship. If it weren't for my keen eye you would have died out there."
Loki wondered if that would've been a better fate. His body was giving signals for him out of here. There was only one reason someone would go out of their way to save a soul like his.
"You're a little far from home."
He remained quiet, knowing this beast wanted something from him. The fallen prince's face shadowed beneath his hair, feeling the weight of it. He truly had terrible luck. Loki swallowed hard, his throat dry and his chest felt heavy as he stared at the floor. "I have no such place. What do you want from me?"
He shook his head, "It's what I can give you. If it's true you have no place then join me, I believe a partnership could prove beneficial." He held his hand down to Loki. "I can give you a second chance."
This stranger honestly thought he was a fool. Loki scoffed, glaring up at the creature. It took everything to not laugh in his face. But he couldn't help his brutal honesty from slipping.
"Never. You're the worst kind. I can see through you; you're just a bigot with no real power of your own. You need me." He insulted the titan but to his surprise he kept his cool, if only on the surface.
"Rest assured, you will need me more than I'll ever need you. I have the power to make what's left of your life very difficult, now stand up!" The deep voice seemed to resonate from the depths of Hel, shaking Loki to his core. It was thick as tar and venomous.
Loki hesitated, ultimately putting his fist to the ground and heaved himself to his feet. His knees were weak and barely able to sustain his weight but he managed to keep from collapsing. He hated listening to someone he distasted but he had no other choice.
"I can give you everything. Give you power and a kingdom to rule as your own."
Loki didn't believe a word he spoke. Except for the threats, they were not empty. There was a certain luster in his voice although muffled. Considering he has yet to lay eyes upon his so-called 'savior' he would not be so compliant.
"You don't have anything. That's it, you do need me" Loki laughed and it was obvious even in the dark he was starting to get to the other. "If you're implying I owe you something in return? I do not believe in life depts."
Loki's words were harsh, but it made no difference. He knew exactly where this conversation was headed and he didn't like the sound of it one bit. But for some reason he kept spouting nonsense.
"I suppose you're familiar with a pathetic planet called Earth. I'd like you to retrieve an item known as the Tesseract."
Loki remained quiet for a moment, allowing his sudden request to sink in. Did he just say Earth? As in the mortal world his brute brother had become so fond of. Why would he ever in a millennium think about going there?
He refused, after all he was not one to run errands unless it be for his own benefit or that of Asgard. He knew this would bring an adverse effect and cause unwanted trouble.
The other's face seemed to morph into that of rage. His features tightened and vessels in his eyes seemed to pop at Loki's refusal. He lurched towards him and snatched him up by his collar. Hoisting him in the air so he could meet his face.
Good to know his fuse was so short. Loki just couldn't help himself. He didn't show fear as he glared into his eyes, dangling from his grasp. It wasn't surprising to see how short his fuse was. Probably wasn't a very good idea to agitate him, considering the lovely mural on the wall. He had a way about him.
His words made it seem like a promise. He knew he had the ability to back it up too. At this point he didn't even care. He'd left everything behind. The life he knew for his entire existence was gone. He didn't belong anywhere anymore but he sure as hell wasn't about to become someone else's servant. He would rather die than do someone's bidding.
Loki spit in his colossal purple face which seemed to shock him even more than his initial refusal. Although he seemed to contain it well there was an absolute rage growing within. He brushed the saliva off his cheek with his other hand, smiling as he balled it into a mighty fist capable of crushing skulls.
He jabbed Loki in the stomach and there was a loud crunch. Followed by screams that resonated within the tiny room. The sweet sound was something Thanos had come to enjoy. It soon grew into light whimpers as he slacked against his grip. The assailant smiled at his handy work and let the prince fall to the ground in a heap. He clutched his ribs best he could, considering he was faced down on the floor.
"Pathetic" his assailant breathed out. Loki pressed his forehead into the cold metal floor, desperate to stifle the feeling. He could sense him lean closer and he braced for another blow but it never came. Instead he slipped something cold around his neck. When it latched he realized it was a collar.
Loki clawed the metallic cuff, there was only a few inches of give for him to slip his fingers through. There wasn't much to it, he wondered if there would be a chain attached to the back of it to tie him down.
"I know about your tricks, I've been waiting for the chance to use this. It conceals magic as well as your presence from prying eyes." He knew more about them then he'd let on. He was no amature. Loki deep down knew the answer but he had to ask.
"What are you going to do with me?" There was no energy in his articulation. The beast towering over him was quiet for a moment. Until he leaned in close to the broken prince, a crooked smile perched on his lips.
"I have nothing but time. Tell ya what, why don't you lay there and think it over for a while. I'm sure you'll come to your senses." With that he left the room, allowing the door to slam shut and lock once more. The lights flickered momentarily before dimming darker.
Loki was once again left alone lying in filth. Only this time in cringing pain. He cursed under his breath before rolling to his side which sent a jolt of pain rippling through his chest. Loki couldn't believe that one hit, that insignificant little punch broke 3 of his ribs. Even with his armor on.
He groaned as he felt the misshapen base of his chest. It burned with every breath. All he could do was wait for the feeling to pass long enough so he could set them back into place. The last thing he needed was them to heal crooked.
He scoffed, ignoring the pain. It really was funny in a twisted sort of way. At this point he really was stalling the inevitable. He knew the type of people he'd been captured by were merciless and cruel. This was only the beginning of the end and he knew it.
Loki managed to drag himself to the nearest wall although it took an incredible amount of energy. It hurt to breathe let alone remove his cuirass but he managed. After some careful unbuckling, he discarded his Asgardian armor down to his undershirt and sat back. Collecting himself, afraid to assess the damage.
He thought about what his capture said. Nothing he did really mattered anymore so why did he resist. Silently he made a vow. Even if he was a coward, he couldn't deny that part of him. No matter what happened to him, he would never betray his ideals. How he'd been raised. He didn't quite understand it. Although he was never one of them he still believed in the Asgardian way.
He sighed, knowing this collar concealed him. Thor already thought him dead so he wouldn't be looking for him. He'd made peace that he would likely meet his end on this ship at the hand of some purple freak and he was ok with that.
Either way he would be no slave.