A/N: Okay, so this is the second to last chapter before I go post Avengers and Thor comes into the picture! Yay! *googles nearest cliff*

I was going to write more for this chapter but I'm trying to keep them kinda short. But I am leading up to when he gets the scepter and his final mindset before he arrives on earth. So I MIGHT have the next chapter up tonight. MAYBE.

Enjoy! (Or don't, you know…lol)

Part I

The Price of Power

They unchained Loki from his shackles and let him drop to the floor. It was about as painful as everything they had thrown at him those uncountable number of days. Loki lied on his back, writhing in pain. After being in one position for so long, his muscles reacted violently to the sudden change. His muscles seized as spasms wracked his body, causing Loki to gnash his teeth to keep from crying out.

He was aware of his clothes being thrown somewhere near his head before they left him there.

Before Loki could find the strength and the courage to get up, someone brought a basin of water and a trey of what the Chitauri considered to be food.

Soon Loki was able to roll to his side, his head pillowed on his clothes that had been stripped from him so long ago. His shanking hand reached up to weakly grip the fabric with his dirty fingers. He pulled the familiar cloth close to his face and as he closed his eyes, breathed in. He searched in vain for a scent that would bring him a memory of home. Maybe Frigga's sweet smelling perfume had clung to him when she last embraced him, or even a sharp burning trace of Thor and his lightening. Either would have been welcome after days of smelling his own blood and filth, but there was nothing there. It seemed as if he were the only one clinging to the memory of Asgard.

Clenching his jaw, Loki painstakingly rose to his feet. He stumbled and nearly fell before reaching the cave wall which was blemished with tiny craters. The tiny basin of water lay at his feet, a semi-clean cloth hanging over the edge. He used these to wipe his blood and the grime off his body before dressing. Loki allowed himself to feel the comfort of being in his own clothes again. After a moment of standing there with his hands placed over his armor about his chest, he turned his attention to the rations they had given him. He furrowed his brow and bent down to get a closer look. To Loki it looked like regurgitated rocks. Was this their excuse for bread, he wondered as he picked up the crushed metal plate and sat back down. Loki was famished enough that he didn't think twice about attempting to try it.

It tasted like metal and pockets of dirt that burst like powder in his mouth. They had gifted him with a pitcher of water to wash it down with, but even the water tasted sharp.

Somehow he managed to finish it all. Loki was about to put the dish aside and venture out of the cave when he caught sight of his reflection on the surface of the dull, but gleaming metal. He lifted the plate in front of him and angled it until he could see his face.

A visage he didn't recognize stared back at him. His eyes were hollow, his face pale and gaunt. He looked sickly. It was like all the life had been sucked out of this miserable creature. Loki lowered the plate until it rested on his lap.

Was that really what he looked like?

In a burst of anger, Loki threw the plate across the room where it banged against the wall and came clattering to the floor.

What Loki had seen was the shell of the man he used to be. A shining prince of Asgard, bathed in light and glory, with a home, a family, and purpose. But that was all a lie. Every last bit of it, stripped from him.

Everything he loved, believed, hoped and dreamed about was all gone. What was left was this emptiness, hollow inside where his heart used to be.

Odin did this to me, Loki thought bitterly, remembering the look on his haunted face. If he would have left me where he found me and sought another way to bring about peace between Asgard and the Frost Giants, this never would have happened to me. I wouldn't be in pain and alone. This is his fault…

Loki backhanded the pitcher across the room and grit his teeth. No, he didn't want to have thoughts like that. Odin had given him a home…and then took it away.

NO!

Loki shook his head to banish his restless thoughts.

Maybe his newfound purpose to rule Earth would fill the rift…But who was he trying to fool? He knew deep down that he didn't want it. What was Earth to him?

Nothing. Nothing at all. Earth couldn't compare to Asgard. Earth wasn't Asgard. Nothing could replace his longing.

But he could try.

Loki emerged from the mouth of the cave and turned right into a narrow pathway. He followed it until it opened up to a world of barren rocks and black skies filled with stars shrouded by great wisps of dust forming into clouds in the universe. Floating around them were other great breakages of rock as if there had been some collision that shattered them apart and they all orbited around each other, never to be whole again.

Stepping out further, Loki discovered that within some of the floating asteroids a glowing blue light emitted from the cracks on their surfaces. He walked around cautiously, still finding that he was alone until he stumbled upon a flight of stairs carved out of the rocks with the blue light. Before he could even think about ascending, a voice spoke behind him.

"Welcome to the realm of the Chitauri."

Loki spun around and saw the robed figure he hadn't seen in what seemed like a very long time. Not that Loki was glad to see him. Loki took a moment to take one more look around them.

"Charming."

"He is waiting for you," he said, pointing with his misshapen hand to the steps before Loki. Eying the steps, Loki began to walk up them, occasionally looking up to see where they led, but the way was obscured by an edifice of rock. He rose until he came upon a moderately open space with what looked like back of a throne-like chair carved form the rocks placed like a pedestal before him. From there Thanos rose, his back to Loki.

"Come, Loki of Asgard. I have much to show you."

Thanos could teleport. And the places he took Loki were worlds darker and stranger than the last. Worlds Odin hadn't even dreamed of. The knowledge Thanos shared with him, ancient and powerful had broadened his mind. But when it came to the secrets of the Tesseract, it opened Loki's eyes to more than just knowledge, but to true power. It was seductive, this power and it had no qualms with pulling Loki in.

"Is that what you wish for me to retrieve from Earth?" Loki asked.

Thanos chuckled, "You are perceptive." Loki said nothing to this. "Yes, the mortals have it. They have no inkling as to its true power, but even a small trickle of power from the Tesseract can be…devastating."

"How am I to find it?" Loki wanted to know. "If the mortals have it, they will have it under heavy guard."

"Do not fret," Thanos sneered. "I have something that will take you right to it. And once you have it, use it to open a portal to this realm where the Chitauri will be waiting to win you the earth."

"What is this 'something' that will bring me to the Tesseract?" Loki questioned. Thanos eyed Loki with his colorless blue gaze.

"You will soon be ready for it, but first, a lesson in pain."

Loki didn't have time to react before Thanos' fingers were on him, sending a shock right through him. He flew back and landed on his side, hardly able to breathe. He felt as if he had been stomped on his chest and then electrocuted, his energy drained.

"What are you doing?" Loki demanded as he clutched his chest, his voice breaking in panic. He thought this torment had been over with!

"To wield the scepter, you must first endure pain," Thanos explained as he stepped closer. Loki shuffled away on his back, fear swimming in his eyes.

"I HAVE ENDURED PAIN!" Loki shouted, his voice faltering. His back hit a solid surface. There was nowhere to go.

"No, you haven't," Thanos said kneeling before Loki. "Not yet."