"Wow, this is quite the place" you say, looking around at the facility. It was like a smaller version of the facility you had been at several hours ago. Smooth, gray concrete walls surrounded you. Scientists and agents are working quickly and efficiently to replicate the equipment needed to stabilize the Tesseract. You lean on the table next to where the man in the plaid shirt, also known as Doctor Selvig, is working. You glance around and notice that Loki is nowhere to be found.
"Where's Loki?" you ask Doctor Selvig.
"He's over there." he gestures to a dark, secluded part of the room. You spot Loki sitting cross legged on the floor, holding the glowing scepter. He seemed to be in a meditative state.
"What is he doing?"
"Talking to the Chitauri probably."
"The Chitauri?"
"A race of aliens!" he exclaims excitedly. "He's probably receiving further instructions now that we have the Tesseract."
"What do the Chitauri want with the Tesseract?"
Before he can answer, you hear Loki gasp in pain.
"Loki! What's wrong?!" you are kneeling at his side in an instant. His breathing is labored, like he had just sprinted across the room.
"I wish I could say that it was just a nightmare"
"Everything is ok now." you gently smooth his messy, black hair back into place.
"You are far too kind to me." he says in a melancholy tone.
"Why do you say that?" you stop smoothing his hair and look him in the eye.
"You have no idea what I have done…or what I have to do." He shifts his gaze to the floor.
"If you are talking about what happened at the facility…that was self defense. They would have injured or killed us." He sits there silently. You have so many questions burning inside you that you can't help but ask, "So, Thor is your brother?"
"He is not technically my brother." he states coldly, "He's my adoptive brother."
"You're adopted?"
"Yes." he sighs. "It is a long story."
You decide to change the topic. You have no idea what the Chitauri said or did to him earlier, but you didn't want to further contribute to his emotional turmoil.
"So, why did you 'turn' all these people?"
"I needed help," he explains, "and most of them would not come willingly."
"I did."
"You are not like them."
"I hope you mean that in a good way." you smile.
"Of course." he smiles back.
"I'm not going to desert you." you place your hand on his, "I hope you know that." You stare at each other for a moment.
"I have to go check on Doctor Selvig and Barton," Loki says suddenly. "Time is growing short."
He gets up and starts to walk over to where Doctor Selvig is working. You follow after him. Staying informed is vital.
"Where did you find all these people?" you hear Doctor Selvig ask.
"S.H.I.E.L.D. has no shortage of enemies, Doctor." Barton replies, while typing on a handheld electronic device. "Is this the stuff you need?" He holds the device up to show the Doctor.
"Yeah, iridium. It's found in meteorites. It forms anti-protons. It's very hard to get a hold of."
"Especially if S.H.I.E.L.D. knows you need it."
"Well I didn't know!" Doctor Selvig holds out his arms in frustration. "Hey!" he exclaims as he notices you and Loki are nearby. "The Tesseract has shown me so much. It's more than knowledge. It's truth."
"I know." Loki replies. "What did it show you agent Barton?"
"My next target."
"Tell me what you need."
"I need a distraction," Barton walks over and grabs his bow off of a nearby table. "…and an eyeball."
"Splendid. That can be arranged. Do you need an eyeball in particular?"
Barton holds up the device for him to see. You peer around Loki and see a picture of a man, apparently a scientist, and the word 'iridium'.
"Oooooh." Loki grins widely. "This should be fun."
"I'll get everything ready, Sir." Barton says before hurrying off.
"Have you ever been to Stuttgart?" Loki inquires as he turns to look at you.
"No, but I've always wanted to go there."
"Well," he smirks, "it is your lucky day."
