Chapter. 17 Scolded
Clint grabbed the plastic square that was his key card. He placed it just above where he had to swipe, and felt a pang of regret. He should have never shown Loki the tesseract, but Natasha…she was…Is, so sick. And it looked alien, whatever was slowly killing her. He knew he shouldn't to trust this murderer from another planet… but he had no choice. He swiped down the card like a knife threw his own flesh. He knew he would be allowed in, since the Avenger intuitive he had clearance to most of the building. He felt someone brush by him, and he knew it was the now invisible Loki. Once he knew Loki got in he locked the door, just in case he tried to run.
Clint walked away.
He didn't want to be held responsible to what would ensue. It felt wrong to him, turning his back on this. Not only his co-workers life, but the life of the person who ever got closest to becoming his friend… or even more at one point of time. He forced himself to keep walking, even when he heard a large crash behind him, he only allowed himself to turn when he heard others notice and start running. By then she…they, were gone.
Loki grabbed the tesseract, both of his hands placed on either sides of the container it was placed in. Immediately he felt its power surge within him. He let go of the façade of his invisibility, and dropped Natasha to the floor… gently. He grinned and thoughts of destroying this base ran through his head. Finally S.H.E.I.L.D would not, or could not recover, but he knew he had another objective now. He squeezed the palms of his hands into the machine and a bright blue light flooded the room. It grew brighter and brighter, completely surrounding him and the spy. The light and power continued to grow until he heard a loud bang and a strange… but not unknown sensation began to form. The feeling of flying and falling overtook him while a numbness covered him. Loki was able to direct the transporting powers over Natasha as well and in a few seconds they fell into Asgard.
Loki stumbled a bit, his face directed to the ground when he first landed but slowly stood up, wearing his never cracked mask of cynicism. A look of shock and surprise entered Heimdall's face; one Loki was not use to the all-seeing gate keeper display.
"What are you doing here?" He asked in his usual blunt way, "and with a mortal?" He pulled out his sword and pointed it at the two… the near- Femme fatale lay crumpled on the floor behind her.
"Trust me," Loki began sarcastically, "I didn't want to come but she just insisted to see the architecture of Asgard. How could I resist?" Loki almost expected Natasha to stand up and look him the eyes, telling him to cut the crap, instead he got Heimdalls golden icy stare.
"Your father will be here soon." Was all he said. Loki believed him and stood there waiting for Odin to appear, which he did few moments later. His 'father' stormed up to him pure fury in his eyes, flames in his words. His mother stood behind, anger was intertwined with another emotion… relief? Pity? Regret?
"Why!" He shouted, Loki surprised the seven realms could not hear. "Why come back know! I'll give you nothing either then the dampest cell in the coldest place, with the least amount of food you can survive on! You expect me to FORGIVE you?! To love you once more? No. And you bring this girl?! Your newest victim? You're a disgrace, a filthy monstrous disgrace!" Frigga whispered a small protest, Loki just stared. He had heard him yell before, but this was different. It was not remorse, or grief that made his words loud. But anger. Anger and fury and pure hatred, certainly not pride. What he always used to want. It felt as if his father dragged a sword through his heart. All his power, superiority and smugness drained out like blood. Like a pool of bloody rippling under his feet. He hung his head, an act he had not done since being scolded as a young child.
"She needs healing." His head stayed bowed as a guard came to place cuffs on his hands. Another went to pick up Natasha, he knew that guard, and knew he hated him. "Wait! Please let mother take her." He pleaded. Frigga nodded and the guard threw her down. The other guard gruffly lead him away from the rest of the group. He felt Odin's stare burning his back until it blistered and blackened. He expected to be lead to the dungeons right away but first was lead to the edge of the woods. He got to the tree he knew by then they would go. The guards preform a punishment, one the mortals came up with. Whipping.
"200" The guard announced. When this punishment first came to Asgard guards only gave about 20 to 40 lashes. Now they realise Asgardians take much more, today they decided to give Loki the strongest male on Asgard…and one with enough hatred to compete with his fathers... The first hit hard but he barely cringed. It was when it got to 50 when it hurt. His fists clenched every time, and tears began to uncontrollably come up. By 100 his palms began to bleed, his nails being dug in every single time. He started to feel the skin being picked off his back, every time the whip left his skin, more came off. By 150 he called out in pain, his screams were filled up with agony, and he felt so weak. By 180 his eyesight began to darken. When he heard the guard yell 200 he let himself fall into the blissful darkness.
