So this is it. The end of Under Lock and Key. Rather proud of myself because this is the first multi-chapter story I've finished :) And in good time too. Summer holidays end for me today, and I'm starting Grade 11 (Lower Six here in Trinidad) so not sure how much time I'd have had for regular updates.

Thank you for your support, especially Elijah Blackwood who was quite patient with me and my barraging questions.

EPILOGUE

"Usually we walk around constantly believing ourselves. "I'm okay," we say. "I'm alright". But sometimes the truth arrives on you and you can't get it off. That's when you realize that sometimes it isn't even an answer-it's a question. Even now, I wonder how much of my life is convinced."
―Markus Zusak

MIDGARD

12:00 p.m.

"Scuto…" Loki began, looking to the man opposite him, "Is Latin."

"It is."

"Meaning?"

"Maybe you should tell me."

Loki paused, looking at the file he placed on the table.

"Of what significance are shields to this place?"

He chuckled. "S. H. I. E. L. D. : Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division… Your father did mention that I'd be seeing you eventually."

"My father?"

"Do you not consider him that anymore?"

"I…" Loki looked away briefly, "I don't know. He lied to me."

"He protected you, Loki. And maybe in time you'd see from what."

Loki decided not to pursue the train of thought. "What is Scuto for?"

"A place of knowledge… and learning."

The boy pursed his lips, a snarky comment on the tip of his tongue. A place of learning. There were more secrets here than the truth. "I saw Bruce change. What about him?"

"Mr. Banner is a student much like everyone else. Damaged," he replied matter-of-factly. But continued, "Earth is weak… unprotected… We don't pretend to be able to handle an invasion of the galactic kind. Thankfully, your father-" Loki bit his tongue at that, "provides that support for now. But for how long can we be leeches off of Asgard. Earth needs heroes. Scuto is a place where we can train those who would be much more adept at it. You saw."

"I did," Loki inclined his head, "But it does not mean I agree."

"There are problems, I admit. Experiments gone bad. A surge of narcissism. But they are for the betterment of everyone on this planet."

"That's what all deranged people think. All villains are heroes in their own mind. You think that what you do is best? What about Bruce? Has he no chance of being normal?"

The man before him seemed to consider the thought. "Mr. Stark…"

"I do not wish to speak of him."

"But you stayed at the behest of his son. He may have the answers, but for now, more important things interest him."

"The Tesseract."

The older man looked at him with mild appraisal. "I was wondering when you yourself would discover its presence on Earth."

Loki's patience was wearing thin now. "You speak of doing this for Midgard. You have a weapon that can destroy nations if you so choose. You destroy innocent people… steal childhoods…"

"We did not steal anyone's childhood," he replied darkly.

"EVERYTHING here is a secret. Bruce. Stark… Natasha… She bears the mark of a trained assassin." The man's face tightened ever so slightly.

"You have chosen to stay." He said finally. "Your brother's powers, and yours I think, have returned ever since the fall of that hammer."

"Mjöllnir."

"Right. Thor and you are just as dangerous as any one of us here. You can destroy nations if you so choose."

"I don't…"

"Are you planning on staying for the long term?" the man asked suddenly.

"Yes. This planet needs me. It needs me to protect it from your experiments that go bad."

"Is this hubris, son?"

The God of Mischief and Lies shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips as he stood up. "No. Director Fury. I am Loki of Asgard. And Midgard is now under my… and Thor's… protection."

Nick Fury extended his hand. "Welcome to the program."

To be continued...