AN: As cool as Marvel is, none of it belongs to me and the only profit I gain is your enjoyment. Constructive criticism is welcome but hate mail will just feed my chimney. Thank you!

Deal with the Devil

My idiotic brother and his foolish friends were trying to contain the prisoners. It was rather amusing being able to read while those buffoons had their hands full but I could not help but think back to the one who started the riot. It has been a long time since a dark elf has been caught, much less one of such power. The dark elves were supposed to have become practically nonexistent since the last war they had fought with the previous All-father. Before I could delve deeper I noticed that the fight was starting to die down as Thor took off in a rage. The criminals were being herded to their cells; the few that thought they could rebel were quickly put down. I saw as Sif looked in my direction, anger and betrayal clear in her eyes before they hardened with determination as she strode towards my cell.

"Lady Sif wins another 'glorious battle' alongside the 'mighty Thor'!"

Like a spark igniting a flame, Sif's eyes lit up with a barely repressed rage. "You lying snake! I do not understand how the All-father let you live after all the schemes you've pulled!"

A cold dread settled over me as her words brought her betrayal to the forefront of my mind. "Well you would know all about lying snakes wouldn't you Lady Sif. Considering you yourself have betrayed a king."

The indignation in her eyes was sickening and yet I could not help the slight twinge of guilt for my words. "That position was not yours to have and you knew it Loki. You let your petty jealousies get away with you."

Her words caused my vision to bleed with red and all I wanted was to rip her tongue out and feed it to her as I hissed at her, "Thor was not ready to be king and you knew it. He was eager for battle without a care as to whom or what he dragged down with him. I did not foresee however that the All-father would exile his favorite son."

"And yet you did not try to sway the All-father or change his decision after you were put on the throne." Her words were blunt, cutting; a few years ago that tone would've compelled me to earn her forgiveness but that time is long past.

"Well, it's a good thing that the 'mighty Thor' is back where he belongs and his brother in his rightful place. Why don't you run along like the lovesick child everyone knows you to be while that buffoon doesn't spare you a glance? Too enamored with that weakling scientist I suppose."

The hitch in her breath was the only telltale sign of her hurt before her gaze hardened. "Mark my words Trickster, you shall rot and die alone in this cell and no one shall care to remember your name or your deeds." Before I could bother to reply, she walked away, her stride triumphant and proud without imagining how wrong she was.

Two figures walked along as the snow kept falling, the only disruption being the footsteps left behind by the pair. "Say Loki...where are we going?"

The God in question looked down at the child whose hand he was holding. Her clothes were new and her face much cleaner from before. No matter what happened nothing would make him regret taking the child under his wing. "I don't know my dear Lizzie. I would imagine we need to find a home of our own first don't you think?"

The light in her eyes could brighten the darkest of nights. I would provide this girl with the whole world if she asked and yet all she wanted was a home to call her own. "Loki? Why did you leave your home?"

It was such a simple question and yet I could not bring myself to answer. How could I tell this girl, this child, who all she yearned for in this world was a family, that I held no love for mine. That I was relieved to be as far away as possible. No one except my mother had ever accepted my differences. And after Sif's rejection it was obvious that none but mother would miss me. "Well Elizabeth...I left home because I wanted find a family of my own." It was as close to the truth as I could give her but it seemed to satisfy her as she latched on to my hand.

"Then we will be each other's family! And we will never be alone ever again!" Such a simple statement and yet the fervor and conviction with which she said it allowed me to believe her in a way that I hadn't believed anyone in a long time.

"Very well little one, but we need a home or where shall our little family live?"

"Hmm…maybe somewhere where nobody could find us?"

"...I believe I know just the place."

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It must've been hours before Thor returns his face solemn. I imagined a thousand different scenarios except for one, "Mother's life is in peril."

For a moment it felt as if my heart had stopped beating, and the urge to lash out was strong, as I imagined my mother, the only one who ever wanted me, lying prone in the infirmary as she waited for death to take her. There was no way I could allow that to happen but I also couldn't allow Thor to see how much this affected me.

"Surely then, you could be doing something more useful than standing here stating the obvious to an unwanted frost giant."

"Don't you understand Loki!? Mother is in danger! And we need your help to save her. The sword that pierced her was laced with poison. The healers are seeing to her right now but none of them can find a cure for the poison. You're the only one that has read all the books in the library. Surely you must know of a cure."

I wanted chuckle at the irony. How constantly was I mocked for my time spent in the library and now these fools needed my help?

"And tell me Odinson, what could I possibly gain from doing something like this?" It was a risky bluff; I would help my mother even with nothing to gain but I just couldn't allow myself to ignore the opportunity this presented. Fortunately my brother was quick to take the bait.

"She is our mother! And you dare use her life at this moment for your selfish gains!" His eyes were as dark as the storm that was no doubt raging outside.

"And what about your selfish gains?! How many times did you drag us along just to soothe your wounded ego and we followed along? How many injuries did the warriors three and Lady Sif sustain for every fool endeavor? Where was your sense of honor for your 'friends' and your 'family'? Well, given that I have something you need and I need to get out of here with my magic intact then everyone would be happy if you just agree. So...what will it be?" If I can get him to agree, I could save mother and leave this wretched place. My family is still waiting for me after all and I did promise them that I would come home.