Thor cried out, his echoes filling the Palace of Justice as the whip came down on his back again. He had lost count, and almost lost consciousness a long time ago.

"That's enough." Thanos told the man whose soul purpose was to torture until they were broken.

Panting, Thor hung his head, wincing when all of his weight was on his bleeding wrists clamped in chains from the ceiling. Pieces of skin were peeled open...a swollen eye met his former commanding officer...

"So..." Thanos pulled up a stool and sat down to where Thor could see him better. "You have been bewitched by her as well...don't worry, your feelings for her are reciprocated, however, I wouldn't stake your life on it, if I were you. The odds are not in your favor."

"You lay a hand on her...I'll tear you to pieces..." Thor calmly said.

Thanos laughed. "I'd love to see you try...and besides..." He leaned in closer and gave an evil smirk. "I already have..."

Thor jerked at his chains. "You son of a bitch! You'll die for that!"

Thanos left him to his misery and moved onto his next prisoner.

"Have you learned your lesson yet, gypsy?" Thanos had to admire the man on the ground for his endurance.

The prison guard gave one final kick into the ribs, and he choked. He laid there for a minute, wheezing in pain.

But then he stood up.

"I can do this all day..." Steve smiled and wiped blood from his mouth with the back of his hand.

"I believe you..." Thanos nodded. "Still, I don't quite understand something about you...you run around reckless, causing mayhem wherever you go, laughing in the face of authority, and yet...you use sanctuary to your advantage so you can seduce a man to bed with you?"

"If you're implying I'm a hypocrite, take a good look in the mirror..." Steve shot back. "And you have no right to talk about Anthony like he is just some guy to pleasure myself with. What you don't even realize is...he is so much more than just a genius or a beautiful face...he has the kindest heart, and the strongest spirit I have ever seen. Even after you imprisoned him, took everything from him...still, he shows kindness to complete strangers...how dare you take his life away like that..."

"I'm not here to do that..." Thanos said.

"Oh, you're threatening me?" Steve asked sarcastically. "Go ahead...but people will never stop fighting you for going after innocents and burning down an entire city just because we disobeyed your self-righteousness and your-" Steve slammed to the ground with a punch from the taller and much stronger man.

"I'm done talking to you...you will rot in this cell until he forgets you ever existed. And I will make sure you live long enough to see the day when you break his heart for never coming to his rescue..."

Steve was shut in his cell alone finally, and he cried.

Anthony fiddled with a rock then threw it across the room, hitting the lock to his cell door square in the middle. It then opened, and that was just scary timing. Thanos stood there in the light, and it was a little jarring to him.

"Anthony...what is wrong with you?"

"Well, you, for starters..." He fought tears, trying to stay calm. "What did you mean by 'keeping me alive'?"

Thanos laughed. "It is clear to me that you wouldn't understand, not when your heart has been stained with the darkness of sin. You let that man bring you down to his level..."

"I love the dirt...haven't got to feel what it's like in ten years!" He was shaking from anger and fear. "There is no Winter Soldier, is there?! Just a fairy tale to keep me locked up, huh? WHY?!" Anthony screamed. "WHAT DID I EVER DO TO YOU TO DESERVE THIS?!"

"Anthony, listen to me..." Thanos began.

"I am...and you better tell me the truth, because I swear to God-"

"Don't you dare! You have no right!" Thanos went to hit him, but stopped himself when he saw Anthony flinch away. He turned to leave. "I want you to think about all of the trouble you have caused...but remember this...even our darkest days can be used for the greater good. And by ridding this town of gypsies once again...you are a hero..."

"Stop saying that..." Anthony trembled. "I was trying to save them..."

"By letting them continue to live in sin? No, that is not how it's done..."

"Leave me alone."

"I wonder, if I let these gypsies escape, would they fight for you? Would they come to rescue you? You seem to think they're so kind and loving, but they're gypsies. Their way of life is evil incarnate. They would leave you and never look back...even Steve."

"Don't say his name..." Anthony let a tear fall.

Maybe he should just leave...I'm nothing but trouble anyway...