"Rise, my son, and take this responsibility upon you as the burden it is. Rise, and accept your duty to protect this with your life. Rise, and hold within your hand the ultimate manifestation of power, and be humbled by it. Take this accursed item and defend it from those who would use its might. I charge you with the title of Guardian of Artifacts, and place in your care one which is most sacred. Remain a bastion of morality and strength, and hold within yourself the will to stop evil. So I charge you, Thor Odinson."
Thor stood before his father, his head held high and his palm open to receive the artifact he was to protect. Vivid scarlet and glimmering with a sinister twinkle in the firelight from the braziers, the gem was both awe-inspiring and frightening. Thor felt his skin crawl as the object was placed into his outstretched hand, sending a strange, electrifying jolt through his body. His muscles quivered and shook and he was suddenly very, very awake. He glanced down at it, so small and insignificant, yet so horrifying as well. He did not like holding it and wished to be rid of it as soon as possible - which was probably the reason his father Odin had placed it in his care. Folding the red jewel of Power within his fist and placing it carefully within a secret compartment in his armor, Thor knelt back down before his father, bowing his head in quiet acquiescence. Odin nodded gratefully and dismissed his son.
As Thor walked out of the throne room and back to the dining hall, his favorite place to enjoy the view of Asgard, he thought of his father's words and the weight behind them. No words his father said were ever idle - this was truly a heavy burden. Heavier than the burden of the throne, which one day would fall to him, as well.
And will I charge my own sons with duties such as this?
He thought about it for a moment, not liking the idea. How could one place so much trust in another being? Odin had believed in Thor, and he had betrayed him with arrogance. It was true he had atoned, but the fact still remained he had been a fool. But that wasn't all; Thor had trusted Loki, so had Lyanne. Thor had believed in her, as well. The entire Avengers team had placed their faith her, and they had been beginning to do the same for Loki. Now they were all bonds that had been broken, severed by deceit. It turned his stomach and he scowled deeply; was no one honest anymore? What kind of worlds did he dwell in where the only thing another being could be trusted to do was be untrustworthy? He entered the hall and strode immediately to the balcony, trying to clear his thoughts. It was like trying to cup water in his hands - futile and frustrating.
"Hey hey if it isn't Chuck Thor-ris. How'd it go?" bellowed Tony Stark, startling him from his reverie.
"It went well," he said, looking back out over the brilliance of his homeland.
"Well," he said, raising his eyebrows impatiently and dramatically spreading out his hands, "What'd he want?"
"What my father and I choose to discuss is not for ears other than ours," scolded Thor arrogantly. Tony frowned, shaking his head.
"I'm guessing it was something good. So good, in fact, you can't tell my team."
"What goes on between myself and my family and myself and my team are two completely different things."
"Oh, so what you're saying is, you're intentionally keeping stuff from MY team?" Tony snapped.
"Only what I feel is necessary to protect - MY - team," Thor nearly shouted back.
"Your team?" Tony finally yelled. "You're not even from our planet, what makes you think you can lead the residents of it?"
"I've been training for leadership my entire life! Unlike you. You are foolhardy and self-absorbed - you call yourself a leader but care only for yourself. I was that way, once, but have since evolved. I suggest you do the same," Thor said condescendingly.
Tony looked like he wanted to punch him. He clenched his fists, bringing his lower lip up and scrunching his face slightly as he did when he was mad. Thor clutched Mjolnir tightly, feeling the red gem nestled safely in his armor begin to pulse with energy. Tony relaxed his fists and tried to calm down, turning his back.
"You see, you are nothing without your armor," Thor taunted. Tony turned back around slowly.
"And you're nothing without your hammer," he responded coolly.
"I am a God," he said proudly, lifting his chin.
"You're your brother," Tony shot.
"You are a vain, arrogant, conceited man with foolish desires and idiotic fantasies!"
"And you're a pretentious asshole with a God complex!"
"Guys?" came a sudden clear voice from the doorway. They both looked towards the source and realized, with some embarrassment, that Steve Rogers had been standing there, watching the whole thing. They backed away from each other, looking in opposite directions, still fuming. Tony began to storm away, not bothering to look at Steve as he left the room. Thor turned away as well, stomping heavily towards his chambers.
Now who has betrayed another's trust? his mind teased him.
Keeping the Power Gem a secret is for their own good, he tried to reason back, but found it as futile as it had been when he tried to clear his head. He knew, deep down, he too was guilty of betrayal - even if it was for what he felt were the right reasons.