Before reaching his destination, Steve had ran and ran through a seemingly endless corridor. Wondering how much it was left. Wondering how much time he had. Wondering how would he see the end, how would he know where was the entrance of Loki's room. It was always unsettling to be running through an unknown place with no map or guidance and adding the fact that he was in a another planet made things even less comforting.

But he kept going, he had to. Loki probably didn't have much time and he was his only chance at getting out of that place, safe him from whatever that sorcerer had planned for him, undo the stitches in his mouth (it was a horrifying sight and an equally horrifying memory. Steve needed to undo that. The sooner the better.) So he kept running to try and save the god from that terrible fate. He couldn't just let him die, abandoned in that cell. Couldn't let that horrible man win.

After what seemed like forever, Steve saw a small wooden door and opened it. Going through it with a bit of difficulty (the door was small but he wasn't) he found an enormous, lavish bedroom filled with books and parchment rolls. Loki's room, most probably. That was when he heard the thunder. Good. Thor could help him, even if the rest of Asgard refused. Thor would help him - at with him by his side they could actually do something.

But Steve had no time to think about it- he had to get out of there and find his way back to the Asgardian Avenger, to tell him and so that he would be able to help. So that they could both go back to that cell, but armed and with a nice attack plan. When he was about to get out through the tall doors of the bedroom a bunch of guards came in with swords and shields.

"Who are you and how have entered this place?"

Steve put out his hands in front of him, trying to show them he meant no harm.

"It's okay, it's okay. I'm a friend of Thor's, from.. ah, Midgard."

The guards seemed doubtful but then a feminine voice spoke.

"He is. I spoke with him some time earlier."

It was the woman that had spoken with them earlier when they were on Earth, through that weird communication device.

"Yes, yes. Lady Sif, was it?"

"Captain. Come with me, we shall meet Thor, discuss the reason for your sudden arrival."

"Actually..." Steve answered. If they had to go where Thor was, talk, and then come back again and go through that damn tunnel Loki could already be dead by the time they got to him. "Can tell Thor to come here with his hammer? We're on limited time, here."

"Yes, I can do that." Sid said, although she seemed doubtful, wondering what could be so important and urgent. But then she remembered their conversation, and how Loki had been there and appearing quite ill.

"This is about Loki, isn't it?"
"Yes, it is. But... you still want to help, right?" Steve asked, uncertain. He remembered the words Loki had written on his hand. "No help" and "Asgard hate".

"I will admit it." Sif started. "I have never been too fond of Loki's tricks. But he is Thor's brother and he was once a friend. I would not see him dead, if not in battle."

Steve nodded. Not the most cheerful woman, but she seemed a great warrior, loyal and capable. He couldn't help thinking that probably she and Peggy would have made good friends.

"Sif, Captain!" Thor bellowed, storming into the room. "What is this urgent matter? Is it about my brother?"

"Yes, he's been taken prisoner by some sorcerer and can't escape. Give something to defend myself and I'll show you the way.

The three of them went down through the secret tunnel, with Thor ad Sif very surprised that it was even there. Steve explained the whole situation and the encounter with the sorcerer while they made their way towards the cell. Thor was getting increasingly furious, holding Mjolnir tightly.

After some time they found the entrance to the cell and surprised the sorcerer. He had been kneeling over Loki, saying some sort of chanting spell. At the sight of the Asgardian warriors, he disappeared in blue mist, leaving Loki behind.

"Eldmar!" Thor screamed, angry.

Steve went to Loki, trying to assess his condition. He was unconscious, his skin paler and his breathing more shallow than when he had left, and he was feverish again, but at least he was still alive.

"Is there some sort of healing place here...?"

"No" Thor said, with a marked softness, standing just next to them. "You take him back to earth, Banner and Stark had found a cure, here he'd be helpless."

He handed Steve a black rock that shone weirdly.

"This is embedded with dark energy. Just think about the tower and it should get you home. Sif and I will take care of Eldmar."

"Good." Steve said, taking the limp Loki in his arms and closing his nad on the rock. "See that you do."

And so he thought of Avengers tower, closed his eyes and held Loki tightly to his chest. It's almost over. He wanted to say. This whole nightmare is almost over. A weird floating sensation took hold of him and suddenly disappeared. He opened his eyes.

Steve found the tower the tower in a horrible state, windows broken, pieces of torn apart furniture scattered, all the lights off even if it was night outside.
"Hello? Stark? Dr. Banner? Anyone?"

What had happened? Where was everyone? Loki whimpered in his arms, pained. How was he going to find the cure in the scientists were missing?

"Captain... R- Rogers..." An electronic faint broken up voice said, coming from the walls.

"JARVIS, thank god! What happened here?"

A/N: Sorry for the incredible wait. I must have broken some sort of record of something, ugh. Didi you know that when I started this story Thor the dark world hadn't come out yet? Anyways, hope you liked it! Please do leave some feedback if you enjoyed!

Reviews are love!