oOo
Chapter 6
"Because I know what happened." Tony blurted out. "And this changes everything, Loki. This changes a whole lot of things!"
"I am your enemy, how could you possibly think any different than that?"
"Because it wasn't all of you, was it? You lacked conviction. You lacked the determination to put us down. It's all a game to you, just like me, trying to prove something."
"I'm sorry to say it, but he's a fool." Steve mumbled. "He can't just randomly do this."
"He is, Steve." Bruce admitted. "But he has a reason."
"What reason is that exactly? He almost died."
"But at least he's alive. Doesn't that count?"
"I'm worried about him being reckless."
"We don't know Tony that well yet." Bruce mumbled.
"He's an idiot, but he's a smart idiot." Natasha interrupted the two. "And last night's footage proves it."
"Which is why Tony Stark is considered a consultant." Fury said. "And this time, we keep both eyes open. I don't want another incident like this happening again. We were supposed to be his jail keeper, not his baby sitter. So we should all get our facts straight."
"I know what happened after you fell off the bifrost. I know why you attacked Earth, and if I'm right then you—"
"How did you?" Loki's eyes widened and Tony knew he hit a nerve.
"Loki, listen to me…"
"How could you possibly know?!" Loki stood up in anger.
"I do not understand." Thor mumbled. "Why does it affect Loki so much, that Stark knows?"
"What does he know is my question?" Steve bit his lips.
"He never snapped like this before, did he?" Clint wondered. "It was always calm and composed and now, I'm really questioning the very idea of it. He was always so sure of himself, he had a plan and now, do we really know Loki that well?"
"Smart enough for you to ask, Agent Barton." Hill sighed. "We'll see."
"I told you remember, this world has everything about us!"
"You think me a fool!" Loki gave Tony a weak shove.
"What makes you think you know me?" Loki kicked Tony and he hit the wall.
"Is Tony alright?" Bruce wondered.
"He has no injuries." Clint whispered. "He was lucky last night."
"Loki's too weak to fight properly,: Natasha added. "And those restrains keep him at bay."
"I do not like this." Thor openly spoke.
"Loki easy— trust me okay?" Tony raised his hands.
"Stark is bold to even try." Thor shook his head. "There is only a hand full of people that Loki trusts."
"And you?" Natasha turned.
"I was one of them."
"Trust you?! You wish for me to trust you!? After such a treatment! I do not even know you! I DO NOT KNOW YOU!"
"I'm trying to help here! If we could just—"
"Help? Not even Thor can help me! My own brother! MY BROTHER!"
"I am sorry, Loki." Thor closed his eyes. "I did not know you still think of me as one."
Thor cringed from where he sat, he could hear the agony in Loki's voice and it was painful. He really wanted to trust Loki, but again, the fear of betrayal stretched too far into his mind. He was being selfish and Thor wanted nothing more than to drown his selfishness away and go into his brother's cell and hug him.
He didn't want to be cold-hearted.
"Listen to me Loki, I know what happened okay, just hear me out!"
"What do you know, Stark!? You are just like them!"
Natasha came in with Clint behind her and Loki was electrocuted to the ground and left alone while Stark was pushed outside.
The footage ended.
"How is he?" Thor asked, slightly concerned.
"That depends on who you're asking, Thor." Clint rubbed his temples. "Stark is fine."
"And Loki?"
They were all gathered in the main control room again, and the only one who wasn't there was Tony and Erik. Erik was told to stay and monitor the cube and the scientist was more than happy to comply. He would much rather stay in the danger of the cube than the squabble of a team of heroes.
"He's locked in his cell, but we can't get close enough to put the muzzle back on." Fury said, his arms crossed.
"We can assure you," Hill said. "That he will stay there."
Fury had debriefed them of what happened last night.
And it was safe to say that some of them weren't happy about the situation, and that included Steve. He was still a bit angry at Tony and the incident last night only proved Tony to be a reckless stray in the team. He didn't mean any offense, he just wanted to make sure that people are safe and Tony almost endangered the whole crew.
That included him.
"Loki's stable, and asleep." Natasha answered for him. "He's been doing so since after we left him last night."
"You electrocuted him." Thor grumbled.
"Did you have to electrocute him?" Bruce wondered.
"That's my same question." Steve said.
"It was necessary." Natasha sighed. "How else could we go near him to get to Tony?"
"He attacked Stark." Clint answered Thor.
"Why would he lash out at Stark like that?" Thor wondered. "You showed us what they spoke of, there is something that Stark knows and so do you."
"You found something about Loki, didn't you?" Steve pointed.
"I'm going to judge your silence as a yes." Bruce mumbled.
"We did." Fury said. "I want you to listen well, and I want you to pay attention."
oOo
It took them an hour to discuss it, and the two assassins were more than prepared with evidence to show Thor and the rest of the team. Mostly Thor, so he could confirm their suspicions. They managed to sum a few important things down and it took them a while to agree, because despite the fact that they fought together, it didn't mean they were exactly in friendly terms.
They had something bad to say to each other, but kept their mouths shut.
The first one they agreed upon was Loki and this so called, Thanos.
Thanos, a being that Thor explained to be someone who courts death, and if Loki did fall into his hands and the Chitauri, then Loki's motives are not his own. Thor knew how Loki works, and Tony slightly understood Loki's mischief, so in a way they had an agreement for Loki. They just weren't sure how to proceed.
Their next agreement was their future.
If they hadn't been sucked into the wormhole they came through earlier, then most likely their future would be the same as the movie, but now they have a chance to change it. Third of all, there were secrets left unanswered that is open for all eyes to see and they wanted to know it, despite it being something they don't want in public.
And the last agreement… there could be an answer somewhere to get back home.
"So he really was influenced?" Bruce asked.
"We cannot say for sure." Thor mumbled. "The sayings here say he did it out of his own choice."
"Question is, why?" Fury frowned.
"Torture." Natasha and Clint sighed.
"So that's settled." Steve nodded. "Loki was tortured."
"I suppose so." Thor absently answered. "What now?"
"Seriously?" Clint rolled his eyes. "We just conclude that he was tortured and we forget what he did?"
"No." Natasha answered. "We're not doing that."
"We trash the idea of him being tortured until we get the truth out of him." Fury replied very sternly.
"What happens to him?"
"He stays locked up, Thor."
"Don't feel too bad, Thor." Natasha cracked her knuckles. "Let's move away from the Loki topic for once and talk about something else other than our current situation. Loki's already locked in his cell, sleeping. I doubt he could get out if he wanted to."
"Agreed." Clint said dryly.
"I'm worried about Tony." Bruce silently muttered.
"He hasn't been sleeping." Agent Sitwell reported. "He's been awake since you last spoke to him."
"Exactly what I mean." Bruce palmed his face.
"He's not worried about his health, is he?" Steve frowned.
"Stark almost never does." Natasha said. "Leave him alone."
"Director." Hill gestured.
"Yes, now that we have that settled, let's take a look at Stark's movie, shall we?" Fury muttered, sliding his fingers on the controls. "Before any of you ask, no we're not watching the movie yet, we'll only be watching the trailer so we know what we're up against. We'll watch the movie when Stark gets here."
"I think we agree on that." Steve awkwardly swallowed.
"Have you watched it?" Bruce wondered.
"Stark most likely did." Clint shrugged.
"No, Bruce." Natasha answered. "We haven't."
"Play it." Fury leaned back.
Again, everyone dropped what they were doing.
This was TONY STARK. The richest most famous man on the planet, and he's a hero, an icon! The Agents couldn't pass this one up even if they wanted to.
It was too much of a gossip to drop.
The screen faded from black to a scenery of a sun setting, while there was a heavy beat in the background that transitioned into Tony, walking with a holophone on his hands. He was wearing a tight black and grey training shirt and black pants and surprisingly a new haircut.
"I'm digging his new look." Clint mumbled.
"He looks younger here." Thor observed.
"That's likely impossible." Bruce said, but nodded. "He does look like he fixed up."
"I'm Tony Stark, I built neat stuff-"
The screen dimmed, opening up to show Tony in a white tuxedo, helping her put on a necklace while she held her hair up. It focused on her necklace, which was a beautiful heart-shaped with a ruby in the middle, and it looked like a key.
"I've got a great girl."
"Never knew him to be romantic," Clint mumbled. "And have style at the same time."
"Would you shut up?" Natasha scowled at him.
"And occasionally," His suit dove down to save a lot of people falling in the distance. "Save the world." Then it showed the suit holding a familiar woman, possibly saving her.
"So why," Tony turned around from his bed, looking distraught. Piles of metal were all over his room. "Can't I sleep?"
And the marvel Logo appears.
"Tony's having difficulty sleeping?" Bruce questioned. "This will be his future?"
"What do you think could have happened?" Steve wondered.
"Let's find out shall we?" Natasha brought her lips to a thin line. "Let's not judge so early."
"You elected me on a single platform."
It showed the white house and then the president walking up to the airplane. "I would defend this country," Changing to a knife stuck to a wall and someone placing something (chain like) onto it.
"At all costs."
The Iron man suit flied down, looking like captain America's outfit and it saluted at the president.
Clint suddenly paused the video.
"It looks like Iron man and Captain America made a baby together." Clint laughed, almost choking.
"You mortals are strange with your ideas." Thor grumbled.
"Do you think it was Tony's idea?"
"Do you?"
Thor and Clint exchanged a quick look at each other before bursting into laughter.
"I dunno big guy." Clint chuckled. "Seems like one of his plans."
"Who do you think is in there?" Steve stayed silent, unhappy. "Doesn't seem like Tony."
"Our best bet is Colonel Rhodes." Hill said. "Judging from preference, he's called Iron Patriot."
"No longer War machine?" Clint snorted, rocking on his chair. "Iron Patriot sounds like a saint in the making. But I suppose that works well when you're involved in the helping the government business."
"To more important details." Bruce observed. "The president is in this movie, do you think he is targeted?"
"Could be?" Natasha shrugged.
"Let's continue watching gentlemen." Fury rolled his eyes. "Play it."
"The mandarin must be stopped."
A hooded figure panned to the screen later to change into a mess of an explosion while people ran for cover. A pair of feet began to walk through the rubble.
"You don't know who I am."
The screen darkened and the hooded figure exposed himself to have marks on his neck.
Colonel Rhodes turned around, fading to a man standing on the roof, "You'll never see me coming." to Tony looking shocked fading to hands locking onto each other.
Each finger had rings, symbolizing something.
"The mandarin, he's part of the ten rings." Hill turned to Fury.
"Looks like one of Stark's enemies have returned."
"Afghanistan?" Natasha whispered, earning a nod from the two superiors.
Bruce was aware of what they were talking about, he just wished that he knew Tony more to fully understand his situation. He wasn't a therapist, and he was no real doctor, he was a scientist specializing on gamma radiation, but he had part time jobs, so he had a few knowledge to spare. He really wanted to get to the bottom of things, and what they're doing now, seems like an invasion of privacy.
"I hope you're okay with this, Tony." Bruce thought.
The president's plane exploded at the back, and people inside got sucked out despite having hold on to something solid. They were pulled out and were immediately falling. Suddenly Tony was walking out of the main entrance with a lot of reporters wanting to question him.
"What are you going to do about these attacks?" A reported asked.
The scene changed again to two people walking into a room full of ashes and markings, a kid and some coated guy, which was Tony.
"They randomly change scenes a lot." Thor addressed. "Don't they?"
"It's important for a trailer." Hill mumbled.
"It means to confuse us."
"Exactly." Clint stared at the screen.
"The whole world's going to be watching." Aldrich Killian said.
"Pause!" Clint screamed, and they did. "That guy is the founder of AIM, right?"
"AIM?" Steve questioned.
"Later. We'll discuss it later!" Natasha hissed, swiping the controls. "Would you stop pausing? I want to watch this."
Tony turned to the screen. "The question is, where is Tony Stark?" Tony's car drove away from the reporters, changing to Tony walking off the edge near the ocean.
"Has he gone suicidal?" Steve said in panic as he watched.
"Is he?" Clint questioned.
"Boys." Natasha warned.
"Things are different now." Tony said, looking like he regrets something. "I have to protect the one thing that I can't live with out." Pepper strides forward through the living room, and Tony exasperatingly points at her. "That's you." Pepper looks sad, looking away as if to escape the thought.
The scene changed again to one of Tony's suits being brought down to a circular platform, briefly showing a bunch of other human like suits.
"Mr. Stark." The helicopters came. "Today is the first day..."
The helicopters remained on the air as it opened up a hatch revealing missiles that were ready to launch.
"That was left of your life." The mandarin opened his eyes and shots were fired.
"This isn't good." Hill exclaimed. "Stark needs to know these people are after him."
"Fury..." Steve called.
Fury raised a hand and pointed at the screen.
The three turned in surprise and Tony shouted.
"Go!" Tony screamed.
And the missiles hit, destroying the suits that were in display as Tony and Pepper were flung across the room from the explosion.
"How can they survive that?" Bruce took a deep breath.
"No mercy." Steve breathed.
Tony was on the ground, kneeling as the suit came to him. He rolled and let the pieces fall into place, as he was ready for action. Tony's whole Malibu mansion was destroyed, and Tony was left dangling on the edge of the cliff. No sooner was he submerged in the water, caught by a wire dragging him down into the depths of the ocean.
"He's afraid of the water right?" Natasha thought. "Waterboarding."
"This is intense." Thor sighed.
The suit was then lying on the ground full of snow, opening itself up for Tony to come out. "I'm going to offer a choice." He was injured, but he was still alive, pulling himself up to sit. "Do you want an empty life," Pepper cradled his helmet, letting it touch her forehead. "Or a meaningful death." Tony took a deep breath, as the winter cold continued.
The music beat hits.
His suit was flipped, explosions occurred, Pepper was in agony, and the door was destroyed open to reveal Iron Patriot riddled with weapons. Someone shoots, Iron Patriot stands there to reveal Rhodey.
"You're not the man." Tony said, in his disguise. "You're nothing more than a maniac."
It shows Aldrich Killian walking up to a few test subjects being strapped down and ready to be experimented on.
"I'm not afraid of you." Tony said in front of the reporters. "No politics here."
Tony was given an oxygen mask, and the other scene showed him shooting his repulsors and a machine gun on the other hand. Another explosion and Pepper was there in her training bra, looking disgruntled. The entire background comes into shambles as the suit faded into saving the falling victims of the plane crash.
"Just good old fashion revenge."
Tony jumped off the platform and was welcomed by one of his suits.
"BAD-ASS!" Clint's eyes widened, forming a new respect for Tony.
"Did you see that oxygen mask?" Bruce nervously cleaned his glasses. "Do you think it means that Tony is..."
"Let's hope not." Steve mumbled.
"We do need back up." Tony smirked.
"That's your department." Rhodey replied.
BOOM.
A bunch of suits began to line up in mid-air, forming a huge circle around Tony and Rhodey. They were in different colors, shapes and sizes and looked like each of them had a special ability. Which they did.
"Here's my boys." Tony smiled.
Another one of his suits came, knocking over a shipment container, and it looked like a very small version of a Hulk bot.
The trailer ends.
The Agents who had witnessed the trailer, saw a different side of Tony that they weren't sure of before. It was a strange feeling that was stuck in the pits of their stomach and they weren't sure how they would deal with the Tony Stark. He's a famous man, and now, with that knowledge in their heads, it only makes Tony Stark look more heavenly.
"I think some of the Agents are impressed." Hill smirked.
"That was enlightening." Fury said as the lights slowly brightened. "Any ideas what to do now?"
"Besides telling Stark that people want him dead?" Hill said. "Or that his Malibu house will be destroyed?"
"Any other ideas?" Fury crossed his arms.
"I want to watch the movie." Clint smiled. "I think I found a new respect for Stark, and I want to know more."
"Will he watch it with us?" Steve said. "Will he be okay with it?"
"It's only 2 hours right?"
"But will he be okay with it?"
"You're sounding like a mother hen, Steve." Natasha smirked. "Stark will be fine."
"I sure hope so." Bruce answered, clearly concerned.
"Where is he?" Thor wondered.
oOo
Tony was so sure that they were all out to get his head, that they were all angry at him for being reckless and stupid. Tony didn't care; he wanted it over and done with. He asked Jarvis to spy on them, and he found out that they had been talking about him and watching last night's footage.
"Not the reaction I was expecting." He thanked fate.
Tony gave them another hour when he found out that they were discussing something about Loki, and spied in again, only to find out that they were watching his trailer. Tony immediately asked Jarvis to stop spying.
He watched his movie last night, and he really did not sleep. He was too curious, too worried and... and he had freaked out. Yes, he freaked out last night especially when the water almost got to him. To see himself be immersed in such a panic situation was the most terrifying thing he had to watch. He had to take a break so instead of 2 hours of watching it became longer each time he paused to compose himself.
"Have I ever told you that I love you, Jarvis." He muttered. "Thanks for saving me, in the future."
"Anything for you, Sir." Jarvis sounded like he was smiling.
Jarvis had saved him in that scene, told him to calm down and he did. And Jarvis was a freaking machine, no an A.I. and artificial intelligence that happened to be his creation. Tony questioned where Shield was in all of this, seriously?
Tony allowed them to finish before he decided to pop in.
Tony just walked right inside the main room. He hadn't realized that everyone was still edgy around him for that outburst yesterday, and also that stupid idea to go into Loki's cell, not to forget that they watched his trailer.
"For the record, I know you watched my trailer." Tony smiled, trying to be nice.
"Stark..." Fury started.
"And to answer your further questions," Tony continued. "Yes I'm okay with it and I don't mind as long as you guys don't mention it to me again. And no, I'm not going completely mental with all of what is happening in that story. And if you're wondering, I've already watched my movie last night without you guys, and I'm sorry."
"You what?" Fury gaped.
"Am I grounded?" Tony asked Fury.
"You might as well be." He stared. "Welcome back, Stark."
"You're not going to start asking me questions if I'm compromised are you?" Tony plopped into a seat next to Bruce. "Because I swear I'm not."
"I'm more likely to question why the hell you watched your movie without us?"
"Nick, I have an issue and you know it." Tony bit his lips. "It's in your files, remember. The files Romanov made of that assessment of me back in the day. Come on, it's not like you could forget it that easily."
"I'm not condemning you to anything." Fury growled. "A heads up would be nice."
"I'll take note of that." Tony nodded. "You're free to watch it if you want. Oh and hi, Bruce."
"Hello, Tony." Bruce replied. "Are you okay?"
"Never better." He said. "Just a broken lip, it'll heal."
"Okay."
"For now, no." Hill answered Tony's earlier question. "What you did last night seems justified but it was stupid."
"I know." Tony sighed. "What about you Captain, any negative comments you'd like to add for the class?"
"I'd rather not." Steve said.
"Oh, and Romanov, thanks for the punch."
"Sorry." Natasha apologized. "I needed to blow off steam for your stupidity."
"For a genius, you sure lack common sense." Clint muttered. "But I admire your ingeniousness, if you know what I mean."
"Yeah, thanks for the vote of confidence." Tony sighed. "What about you, Thor?"
Thor stayed silent.
"I know you have a lot of questions."
"I do."
"Okay." Tony said awkwardly. "Lay it on me?"
"Is it true, Stark?" Thor asked.
His expression, very serious and Tony was having a hard time trying to keep his composure sane. To himself, he felt like he was a shaking baby doll, because hell Thor was huge compared to him. He wasn't comparing that, god, children keep your minds together. It was the fact that Thor was an Asgardian and he was just (quote from the movie:) a man in can...
"I merely wish to know." Thor lowered his voice.
"Loki."
He didn't need a confirmation on that but when Thor nodded, well, his suspicions were right. What will he tell Thor? His and Loki's encounter wasn't that much of an intriguing conversation. It was more on a mocking scale from one to ten. And they were playing with each other, and they both knew it. He just hoped that Thor was on his side.
"That depends, what about him?"
"Was my brother really tortured?"
"I think so?"
"Was he really influenced to do what he did in your city?"
"I don't know." Tony shrugged. "I know you've seen the stories in this world too, but even I'm not that much of a genius to know."
They stayed silent and Tony laughed.
"Why did you think I went in there last night to get answers?" Tony stared at Thor. "He was really freaked out."
"Like he didn't want us to know?" Natasha narrowed her eyes.
"Exactly." He pointed.
"We checked the stories of this world, about Loki being used." Clint frowned. "We can confirm some of them."
Thor now believes that he may have mistaken Loki's anger, and that he had lost Loki to a bitter madness that claimed him. Only now was he getting the sense of being wise enough to realize the madness he contributed into Loki's life.
It was he and the rest of Asgard that contributed to Loki's hatred and pain, and it was he who was the end to Loki's epitome of elegance and charm.
Who controls the would be king?
"I've seen men end up this way." Steve recalled. "I mean, they may look strong and brave, but on the inside, they're just as scared as the rest of us. Loki could be like that too."
"He's not a soldier."
"I'm not saying he is, Tony." Steve replied. "I'm just saying that he could just be trying to pretend that he's alright and taking the blame, and that this world is a gold mine of secrets."
"He has a point." Bruce shrugged when Tony gave him a hurt glance.
They still haven't forgiven each other.
"They say Loki acted as bait." Clint simplified for the sake of everyone in the room.
"I suppose you can call it that." Fury grumbled.
"Nat and I can't find anything else that says otherwise. Some stories say that he was tortured, broken and influenced by the scepter, then brought here so he could escape the real criminals behind the attack."
"Don't forget, this isn't just mind control like he had with you." Tony pointed out. "He was still himself."
"But this had gone over for a year so why?" Thor wondered. "Why leave him to his own mind? Loki is smart, he would have figured out a way—"
"That's just it, point break."
"What is?"
"Loki was in control of himself so that if something bad happens on his mission to earth, he could find another way out of it without just being a dummy."
"He wanted us to win." Bruce said.
"And his eyes?" Hill questioned, turning to Thor. "Why didn't you mention his eyes were green instead of blue?"
"I—" Thor scowled. "I do not know. It must have slipped past me to look. He can change his appearance and do illusions but—"
"He didn't do it to us." Steve said.
"Aye."
"And Loki's 17 or 18 years old, right?" Tony said.
"It must be a joke." Clint muttered. "Or a miscalculation."
"I don't think it is." Tony grinned, turning to the big guy. "Humor me, Thor."
"He is 1048 years old." Thor answered. "I am roughly older."
"That might make you 20-23 years old?" Tony mumbled. "Before any of you ask why I'm saying this, I want to tell you that Loki's young. Not younger than any of us, man, he's 1000 years older but I'm just saying… in Asgard he is young!"
"Aye, he is." Thor closed his eyes.
"You're telling me I have a teenager that's locked in that cell?"
"No, director Fury." Thor's voice shook. "Treat him as you would any prisoner. Loki is not a child."
His hands shook gently.
"If he is young, how could he have done those things?"
"He is my little brother, he often feared a lot of things before but now… he is far from little brother that I know now." He answered. "In that cell is a stranger. And again, he is not a child. Treat him as you would any other criminal."
"Doesn't seem like it." Tony didn't like his answer. "He was talking about you like an angry little brother should."
Thor ignored Tony, not wanting to get into an argument.
"I don't understand what you consider young in Asgard." Hill licked her lips.
"Loki is considered young in Asgard, barely of age. I have come of Age, and was supposed to be King, only it was postponed." Thor spoke truthfully. "We have experienced many things when we were younger, but in Asgard, such a thing is normal."
"Killing is normal." Hill frowned.
"Being a warrior is normal." Thor scowled at her. "Being a sorcerer is not."
"Being a sorcerer isn't?" Bruce raised his head. "Why? I thought Asgard is magical."
"It is, but men do not participate in a maiden's art."
"What about Lady Sif?" Natasha questioned. "She was in New Mexico and she's a warrior."
"They praised her. A young woman such as herself, strong as a warrior should be. She proved many men wrong." Thor sighed, palmed his face. "Loki, however, he fell in love with magic. Mother taught him what she knew, and people despised it."
"Why?" Bruce wondered. "Was he causing trouble?"
"Only mere tricks and jokes." Thor replied. "But nothing harmful. But Loki using magic is too feminine and despised upon, especially since he is a son of Odin."
"Doesn't your father use magic too?" Tony fought.
"That is different."
"Or that's just an excuse." Tony shrugged, looking away from Thor.
"I must admit that I did little to help Loki back then, even I admit that I often commented harshly on Loki learning magic. But I feel guilty of it."
"You're such a dick." Tony laughed sadly. "No wonder your brother hates you."
"It's like he's in a rebellious stage." Clint laughed, showing everyone a post on the internet. "Look, even some people in this world are shocked about his age."
"He's a rebellious teenager." Natasha read the post. "Close enough."
"This makes everything worse." Hill frowned. "Everything we know is twisted."
"So let me clear it up." Fury sighed. "Loki is young in Asgard's standard, barely an adult in everyone's eyes except ours. He fell into the void, got to the Chitauri; he may or may not have been tortured, and was given a task that could more likely give him freedom, an escape or even a land fit for a king. And we're all here arguing about this."
"That's one way to sum it up." Natasha's frown faltered.
"Are there pictures or videos?" Steve said. "We've been diving into facts, stories, and written works, but the evidence?"
Natasha pulled up pictures and videos of Loki infiltrating Shield. It was all over the screen where everyone could see it. There were multiple videos, angles, and scenes that played out.
"Loki came here with a purpose, he failed and we know something bad will happen." Natasha crossed her arms.
"The only thing we need to do is confirm it with him." Fury said.
"You saw Loki last night." Thor recovered from his thoughts. "I do not think he wishes for anyone to know, or for anyone to take pity on him."
"Like he has a choice." Tony grumbled. "We're trying to help."
"Loki did look horrible when he got to the base." Clint mumbled. "He also said, I am burdened with glorious purpose. Don't you find that strange?"
"If Thanos is truly the one influencing him along with this, Other…" Thor whispered. "Then we are all in danger."
"What do you propose we do once we get back to our own world?" Fury stepped forward.
Thor looked up. "I will go to Asgard with Loki, tell the All-father and wait for instructions from there. I am bound to my king, and father, I have duties I must return to."
"Alright." Fury sighed, rubbing his temples. "This is complicated, Loki was once a war criminal— now a victim."
"I wouldn't say victim exactly." Thor explained. "It was still Loki's choice."
"Thor, aren't you being a little cruel to your brother?" Steve wondered.
"I do not think I am."
"You sound like it." Tony muttered, looking away.
"I am merely being cautious."
"If we can confirm he was tortured and only agreed so he could escape," Bruce adjusted his glasses. "Then there's some sort of law that could absolve him from his crimes."
"It's possible." Fury said. "But the decision ain't mine."
That's when Sitwell accidentally or on purposely, flung a video to the screen when he was researching more about the incident. Some of the Agents were terrified of what they were looking into when the speakers blared into action.
"You question us? You question him?"
"What is this?" Fury turned, as did the Avengers.
"It happened before Sir." Sitwell answered, sweat trickling down his forehead. "I thought it might be relevant."
"Why didn't we find this before?"
"I'm not sure Sir." Sitwell swallowed. "We might have misplaced it."
Natasha, Fury, Hill and Clint weren't buying it.
There was something suspicious going on.
"He who put the scepter in your hand, who gave you ancient knowledge and new purpose when you were cast out, defeated?"
"I was king, the rightful king of Asgard. Betrayed!"
"Purpose." Thor mumbled, staring at Loki.
"You will have your war, Asgardian."
Loki watched him come closer.
"If you fail, if the tesseract is kept from us, there will be no realm, no barren moon, no crevice where he cannot find you." The Other growled. "You think you know pain? He will make you long for something as sweet as pain."
"His words." Thor clenched his fists.
He touched Loki, and Loki was ripped back to reality as he tiredly opened his eyes.
They paused the video before it could end.
"Purpose… The Other, Thanos." Thor stood up abruptly. "He is without purpose!"
"What?" Steve asked, but was shushed by Tony.
"This confirms it." Thor stared, pointing. "He bases it off as a mere ploy to prove to the All-father that he can be king. I remember Loki telling me that he did not wish to hold onto the throne. Even when we were young, I knew him to despise that role."
Thor continued, breathing heavily.
"He knew I would take the throne and he would be my adviser." Thor mumbled. "You did not know him like I did. Loki is smart, much like Stark. He knew politics and the realms more than I do; he is wise with his decisions and is cunning. His actions are not his. He is anything but evil. And only now have I realized this."
"So we're all for an agreement that Loki is innocent?" Tony asked.
"No." Thor answered. "He is not completely innocent."
"Why not?"
"We need to ask him first." Fury piped in. "We need to confirm it with him."
"Loki loves chaos, but he is not all destruction. He wishes for attention." Thor turned to the screen, watching Loki's tired eyes. "Something that was not given to him. Something I lacked to give him."
"Thor calm down." Steve stood up, patting Thor on the shoulder.
"I must see Loki." Thor said,determined. "I will speak to him."
"Will he answer to you?" Fury raised his chin, waiting for an answer.
"If Thanos was truly the one who placed Loki in such a state," Thor's face darkened. "Then I have no doubt that we are all in danger."
oOo
TBC.
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