Author's Note: Chapter 2 revised now!
The Avengers are back to the headquarters, now with one more person in tow, which is still unbelievable, thinking about it. Loki's injuries were treated, but that is merely due to the fact that he just saved them, but is now put into one of the interrogation rooms.
"Big Guy, would you mind explaining to us now what dear destruction-dandy is doing here?" Tony gesticulates.
"He was banished to Midgard," Thor tells him, to which Clint snorts dismissively, "You seriously let your mad adopted brother go havoc on Earth, now that he's pissed you off over at your little island?"
"My Father decided so," Thor snarls. He respects and likes all the Avengers, but they don't get to talk about Odin like that. They have no idea what it means to be a God, and even less what it means to be the Allfather.
"Wow, that's neat. You just dump him here once it's inconvenient?" Tony retorts sarcastically.
"Don't speak in such a way about my kin, Man of Iron," Thor hisses.
Steve jumps in, trying to mediate once again, "What he means to say is that it comes as a surprise that you just... I don't know, bring him here, without anyone's notice."
"It had to be," Thor explains. "In Asgard he had it too easy to escape and seek power again. Here, Loki's resources were limited enough to make sure he cannot cause further harm, so the Allfather decided."
"Did you just... accuse earth to suck?" Tony frowns.
"For goodness' sake, shut up, Stark," Natasha rolls her eyes at him.
"I can assure you that this was at no point a danger to you, for I was sent here under the premise to observe Loki's actions. I am here to protect your planet. And Loki did nothing," Thor assures them. He is Midgard's watcher - and thus Loki's watchman also.
"Until just now," Clint snorts.
"I just watch out for destruction he may cause," Thor argues. "A lot of his power was taken from him."
"Why not all?" Natasha frowns. At least that is what she would have done if she had the power to take someone's power.
"Because we can't, so we had to learn. Loki is natural at magic. We may take from him powers stemming from Asgard, but we can hardly take the knowledge from him, or his natural skill. It is part of his being. He is a sorcerer," Thor explains. He can still remember how Loki laughed at them after the first time they tried to take the magic from him, and he just snarled a new chant that actually worked, his smile ever so mischievous.
"Seemingly enough remained to make him pull this kinda stunt," Tony grimaces.
"But why did he help us?" Steve frowns. And that seems to be central question here: How comes that the same guy who, not long ago, tried to blow up this planet, is now... on their side? Risking his own life for them?
"That is what we'll have to find out," Natasha says. "I'm going in."
Without another comment, she makes her way inside and sits down in front of him.
"Lady Romanov," Loki flashes his trademark smirk at her, though no one expected any less from him.
"Loki," Natasha nods curtly.
"What can I do for you?" the trickster asks calmly.
"Well, actually, you can do what you're so proficient at," Natasha snorts. "Talk."
He smirks at her with a huff, slightly leaning back in his chair as far as the cuffs allow him to.
"Why did you come to our rescue tonight?" Natasha asks.
"I think Thor informed you about my banishment by now," Loki shrugs with an air of nonchalance.
"Yes. It came quite as a surprise...," Natasha grimaces. To say the least...
"Well... it did to me, too, so we... have something in common. Though I hope that you understand that I did not just come to you personally to tell me about my stay here. That would have been even more ridiculous than... this here," Loki snorts, waggling his cuffs a bit to make his point.
"Sure," Natasha shrugs.
"Well, I'm bound to Midgard. I may not leave this place, or so it was decided by the Allfather himself," Loki huffs.
"... go on," Natasha urges him. Loki flashes a brief smile at her before he carries on, "This machine would have destroyed the entire city. And the stations this ridiculously looking mortal had all over the globe would have led to destruction."
"How is that of concern for you?" Natasha frowns.
"As I said, I am bound to Midgard," Loki shrugs.
Natasha grows impatient, "Don't play around, Loki. We've been there all the way and back again."
Loki turns a lot more somberly, "You don't see, Lady Romanov. I am bound to Midgard. I cannot leave. If something happens to this planet, such as absolute destruction, then I'm bound to it, I cannot leave. I would go down along with it."
There is a long moment of silence.
"Is he serious?" Tony blinks at Thor, who has his arms crossed over his broad cest in a defensive way, "It is true that he is bound to earth. The banishment makes it impossible for him to travel to the other realms. We blocked this certain ability. He can transport on earth itself, perhaps, but not to a different realm, unless he gets a permission from the Allfather himself."
"Well," Tony grimaces. "Even if this is Loki, the guy who's cried wolf way too often, then... I mean... that still makes sense, right? As for... why he helped us out?"
"Most certainly," Bruce agrees as he glances back to the two in the interrogation room.
"So you seriously seek to risk your own life for the greater purpose?" Natasha asks skeptically.
"Not really. Just my own. It was either to go down fighting – or go down letting you lose the battle for me. I thought I might change the situation for the better, so I acted upon this notion. It was merely a choice based on selfish reasons, of course. How would it be any different?" Loki replies with an air of sarcasm or is it? At some point, no one is sure what to make of his actions anymore. First he tries to destroy earth, almost manages, is beaten, and now he is secretly back to earth... and helps them? This sounds too outrageous to be true.
"So this was a one-time-thing to you?" Natasha asks.
"I cannot say so for sure, I fear," Loki shrugs.
"Why?" Natasha questions, to which Loki replies, "Quite easily, Lady Romanov. Looking into to the future that far is not within my capabilities. I do not know if it will become necessary again. And judging by this poor performance today... I fear that it might become necessary very soon again. I have to make sure I have a realm to stay on. If earth is destroyed, then so am I. Therefore, to me, it is quite clear that in case your dear Avengers cannot fulfill the task, I may have to jump into action again to... help you out."
His emerald eyes flicker with unexpected determination.
"And you think we'll just let you get away with that?" Natasha challenges him.
"I think nothing of it all. I will just sit it out," Loki smirks at her.
"Yeah? Why?" Natasha questions.
"I actually have an offer to make, but I think that is something I'd have to settle with your Master Fury, then," Loki shrugs.
"What deal?" Natasha demands. So are they finally getting ot the catch here?
"I will talk to Master Fury. I do not wish to repeat myself all the while. I am actually tired after this battle, so I would kindly ask you not to make me explain things over and over, if we can shorten it for both sides by simply letting me talk to the right people from the beginning," Loki snarls spitefully.
"I'll see what I can do," Natasha says, consciously keeping her voice calm and even.
"Thank you, Lady Romanov," Loki says, with more honesty than could ever be expected from the God of Lies. With that she leaves the room. Meanwhile, Fury arrived and observed everything.
"Boss? What do we make of that?" Natasha blinks at Fury, who replies drily, "Well, if what both Asgardians say is true, then I don't see why he wouldn't have interest in earth to continue to exist."
"He tricked us before. He might do again. He will do again," Clint argues gloomily.
"I will hear him out, about the deal, then we'll see," Fury declares.
"What?!" Clint gapes.
"It can't harm to hear him out," Fury shrugs.
"Well, I don't think like that," Clint grumbles.
"Duly noted," Fury nods. With that he enters the interrogation room, taking his seat where Natasha sat before.
"Ah, Master Fury. Such an honor that you could make it," Loki smirks at him.
"Let's leave the nice words aside and cut to business. I'm not here to boost your self-esteem or to humor myself. What deal do you wish to make?" Fury snaps.
"I like straightforwardness. A fair trait of the mind. Hm. Well, my deal is a quite simple one. I got a glance at you and your work, and most of the time I'm quite impressed, let's say, or rather... positively surprised," Loki smirks.
"Go on," Fury sighs.
"But there are times such as these that make me believe that you know too little to protect yourselves and humankind entirely," Loki argues.
"And in how far is that your business?" Fury snorts.
"I already told Lady Romanov that I am bound to this planet and these people, therefore," Loki snaps. "I have interest in maintaining the one 'home' I have left. That is Midgard, earth. As much as it hurts to admit. If I wish to survive, I have to make sure that earth continues to exist. Quite an easy equation, don't you agree?"
"Then what do you think you can give us?" Fury asks.
"Well, that I'm a proficient fighter... I think that is something I did bring proof for," Loki shrugs.
"Just carry on," Fury sighs with annoyance in his voice.
"I have traveled many places before I came here. I have learned things that you don't even know the existence of. And I'm willing to let you profit from that," Loki smirks faintly.
"What do we have to do with bad things from other universes? We already have enough to deal with in terms of the guys we have here on earth," Fury snorts.
"Evil remains evil, Master Fury, it just wears a different face. So now, you wish to make the world a safer place. I want the same. You want to catch the bad guys... as you call them. I can get you to them. That is why you should concern yourself with other universes," Loki explains coolly.
"How would you do that?" Fury asks him.
"I am what one may call an evil mastermind at times. I gathered information I'm willing to share – about your dear arch enemies," Loki shrugs.
"Again, how would you tell? And how would I tell that you're not just telling me shit?" Fury snorts.
Loki, leans back in his chair, "Do you wish to know where Doctor Doom hides? Or how to disable his weapons?"
"Yeah, right," Fury snorts. "Nice poker face, but you could tell us a shit and we wouldn't know it to be true."
"Then let me ask you this way: Do you know where this man hides?" Loki asks instead.
"No," Fury replies, so Loki goes on, "Since I believe that Master Stark and Doctor Banner are watching this conversation: How about you let them run a test. I give you a location – and they will certainly find a way to tell whether there is something."
"You might have ties to him and that's how you know – and this is just your way of perhaps buying our trust," Fury argues.
"And you believe that I have ties to all these people – after I spent here only just a few months of your time? I assure you, that does not work. And I wouldn't profit from it," Loki shakes his head. And not that he'd bother either. Useless creatures.
"What? Ruling the world is not part of the picture anymore?" Fury huffs. After all, that was the very last impression he gave when he came to earth...
"Not really," Loki replies coolly.
"Why would I believe you that?" Fury asks.
"Master Fury, I wish to make it clear to you, but you have to let me," Loki argues.
"Fine, let's give it a shot," Fury shrugs, leaning back in his chair. It can't harm to see what the trickster has in store. The agent takes out a piece of paper and a pencil from the inner pocket of his coat he then slides over to Loki.
"Write it down," Fury instructs him. "And don't come me with the cuffs. You can write with them on, I'm sure."
Loki flashes a brief smirk before he scribbles something on the piece of paper before returning both items to the agent. Fury leaves the room without another word. He hands the paper to Stark and Banner, who instantly use one of the computers to run tests.
"One can find Gamma-rays in Doom's weaponry. If we find those, we might have good chances," Bruce nods.
"Okay, so now... what does that look like to you?" Tony grimaces at the screens.
"Like a secret lair underground... with Gamma-ray signature and high energy in-and output," Bruce shrugs.
"And here are heat signatures... so this place is occupied... and there are shipments under one of Doom's aliases...," Tony goes on. Bruce turns to Fury, "There are very, very good chances that this is Doom's actual hideout. I'd believe it is."
"Yup," Tony agrees. "And that's too precise to be a good guess. He even gave specifics about how deep the thing is underground."
"I'm actually kinda impressed," Natasha grimaces.
"Who's that guy?" Tony blinks at the screens again. He knows how long they tried to find this guy... and Loki comes up with it just like that.
"My brother is proficient in his field," Thor tells him. "If he sets his mind on something, he will do it in perfection. Loki knows many people, for the sake of information. He spent most of his days learning and gaining knowledge. He has probably read more books than... anyone."
Thor grimaces as he brings out the words. A while back he would have said so with a swell of pride in his chest, but now it just tastes like acid. Truly, his brother is a talented man, but... he threw it all away, threw his family away, his world. Simply everything. And here they are just to start all this over again. Just when does this madness stop?
"So you think he means it?" Natasha asks him.
"... yes," Thor says after a moment of contemplation.
"Boss? What's it gonna be?" Clint asks curtly.
"Question remains," Fury grimaces. "Might be he just sells out Doom to get a ticket in."
"But he said he'd prove it to us. Perhaps he's got better than that?" Natasha suggests.
"What would that change?" Clint asks skeptically.
"Well, if it is as he says and... he can find us the bad guys, or give us information on their weapons... it'd be foolish to turn down the opportunity without giving it consideration," Fury shrugs.
"But we don't know what he wants for that," Clint snorts.
"And that is what we'll find out now," Fury says. Without further comment, he leaves the Avengers and reenters the interrogation room to take his seat.
Loki grins at him smugly, "Judging by the angry facial expression of yours, I was correct in my prediction."
"In fact the chances are good. Good enough to at least listen to you," Fury shrugs.
"I'm glad to hear that," Loki smirks. One thing that one has to give Loki is really that even in the situation of being chained to a table in an interrogation room does not in the least seem to trouble him or make him nervous. No matter what, Loki owns this situation, makes it seem as though this was all part of his plan... and at some point, it might still be.
"Problem remains: What if you are just giving us tiny bits of informational to gain our trust?" Fury argues, to which Loki replies coolly, "We both are aware that I shall never gain it. After the trouble I caused... nah, trust is... almost impossible."
"Then why all this here?" Fury asks, gesticulating at the room and Loki's cuffs.
"Even if we may not reach mutual trust, we might still benefit from each other," Loki replies.
"In how far?" Fury demands, so Loki says calmly, "Well, what would you like to know? Do you want to know how to do interdimensional time travel? Do you wish to know where to find energy resources like the Tesseract? Do you wish to know about what little it takes to disable nuclear bombs or one of Doctor Doom's weapons? Do you wish me to translate to you all those languages you do not speak, such as that today? I can write you all that down on paper and give it to you."
"So as far as I take... you offer us your knowledge. Correct?" Fury summarizes. Loki nods. They already had that, but fine... mortals are slow little creatures. You have to give them time to catch up on these things. They are hardly past the stage of crawling after all.
"Knowledge, my powers, or what is left of it. You may use it as you please," Loki huffs.
"Question is what you want for that," Fury asks. And that is probably the most interesting question here.
"Nothing much," Loki tells him. "I already told you. I stayed in the shadows for a while, because I know that I am a criminal here also. I only stepped out of the shadows since I feared this weird man might destroy earth. And since I am to live on this planet, as it seems, it would be foolish not to make any attempt of stopping its destruction. So you see, I'm quite modest in that regard. All I am asking for is that I will not be turned in for the crimes I committed here on earth."
"You are afraid of prison?" Fury blinks at him.
"Afraid is such a hard word. No. Quite simple: I got a taste of that treatment back in Asgard, and I did not enjoy it much. I will remain imprisoned here on earth anyways, but then I have at least a bigger cage," Loki snarls. The trickster knows that this is no more than changing one evil for the other, but he long since learned that it is always like that. Life just depends on making these choices, and hopefully make the right one, choose the lesser evil, the smaller pain. Because the pain will always stay. By good choice you may only change its intensity.
"There is a problem with that, though," Fury grimaces.
"I already feared for you to say that," Loki sighs.
"People know you," Fury shrugs. He was all over the papers, the news... people are making merchandise from him, as one of the Avenger's bad guys.
Loki flashes his typical toothy smile, "I certainly left an impression."
"Well, it will cause a lot of trouble to recruit the one guy who tried to destroy the world before...," Fury shrugs.
"I see that just the way you do," Loki nods, surprisingly calm.
"Well? How do you think we move around that?" Fury asks him curiously.
"You leave me a choice?" Loki blinks at him, actually surprised.
"Well, my idea would be to bring you in on the Avengers," Fury says.
"No way," Clint growls, hitting the wall with his bare fist.
Natasha tries to calm him, "Clint, keep it cool."
"You'd be bound to the house, pretty much," Fury goes on.
"So it remains a prison?" Loki snorts sarcastically. The lesser evil...
"Bigger one than a cellar. And you'd have considerable freedoms," Fury argues.
"Go on," Loki nods curiously.
"You'd work as a consultant. Tell us what you know. The Avengers take care of it," Fury says.
"And what about me fighting?" Loki asks.
"I can't just put you on the team like that. It took a lot of effort to piece this group together – and you know that they...," Fury grimaces, and Loki completes with a grin, "Hate me, yes."
"Honestly? Yeah, I think they do," Fury grimaces.
"And so do you. And so I hate them. Everyone hates everyone, isn't that joyous?" Loki snorts.
"Still you actually consider cooperation?" Fury questions, to which Loki rolls his eyes at him, "Master Fury, if I chose to refuse cooperation with each and everyone I despise... I would hardly cooperate with anyone at all."
"Well, as I said, I can't put you on the active team like that. It would be dangerous, for them, for the world, and even for you...," Fury explains. Loki nods with a grimace. One point Fury has to give the Norse God is that Loki is a very logical person, or so he seems. If this were Thor, Fury would have a much harder time getting the touchy topics across, but for as long as there is a logical explanation, Loki is at least willing to listen, which is a huge plus.
"But... if you prove yourself, we may think about expanding your rights – and that may also include that you join us in battle, unofficially," Fury offers.
"He can't be serious!" Clint cries out exasperated.
"You know that Fury always is," Natasha argues.
"I don't think I like this," Steve grimaces, arms folded over his chest.
"But guys... he is a good fighter... and he is a friggin' mastermind," Tony throws in.
"So what?" Clint snorts.
"Well, it's our purpose to save as many people as possible, as far as I understood the agenda outlined in the Avengers Contract. If someone might be of help... who are we to turn him down?" Tony shrugs, and Bruce agrees, "I'm with Stark. We have to see that the need might be bigger than the cost. Loki will seemingly stay here. And then it might be better to have him somewhere where we can have an eye on him. If he helps us, only the better."
"Right," Tony nods. "Loki will try to get his way anyways. That means he will either go on and do a one-man show – and end up failing, or he'll intervene with us in fight to get his thick skull through. I'd bet on the former, though."
"To let him into a building where he might get access to SHIELD information, really?" Clint blinks. Those guys can't be serious, can they?
Bruce shrugs at him, "As far as I can judge... getting access to those is no problem to him anyways. And at some point I actually believe he doesn't care."
Back in the room, Loki took his time considering the option, "So your offer is actually that, for when I prove myself, I shall have the opportunity... to risk my life?"
Fury has to grimace at that actually. Even if this is pretty much what the deal is about, it sounds really odd when spelled out that way. Is that really a privilege, given that we are talking about Loki?
"I thought you wanted that," Fury nods, keeping his voice purposely calm.
"Oh, I don't argue about that," Loki smirks. "But you can't deny that this sounds ridiculous in more than one way."
Fury maintains a strong façade, "Do you want the deal, yes or no?"
"I have interest in that deal, I assure you, but we have to set out the mainframe before I can give my consent. Or do you actually think I just sign a contract I have not read?" Loki huffs.
"No, that's right. If you have interest in a cooperation, then we have to settle the conditions," Fury agrees.
"Exactly. So... I shall stay in the shadows of your agency, until decided otherwise," Loki goes on. If he learned one lesson throughout his life, then it is that you have to spell everything out when it comes to these people, or else they will just keep on searching for loopholes... and find them.
"Yes," Fury nods. "For that you'd get your living expenses covered. You'd get a room to yourself and you'd be free to move around the house as you please. As I said, you'd be restricted to the house at first, and may only leave with other Avengers or SHIELD agents around or if told so, but you'd have considerable freedoms you would certainly not enjoy in a cellar. I would grant you that."
"And who tells me that you won't just put me in a cellar and then demand information from me? We had the talk about the boot and the ant, no?" Loki argues.
"I'd state that specifically in a contract, a binding contract," Fury assures him.
"And who tells me that you'd stick to it?" Loki shrugs. What's a piece of paper, right? You can shred it, burn it, make paper planes from it...
"You have my word for it," Fury tells him.
"... the word from a spy of a secret agency... do I find this convincing?" Loki asks playfully.
"Do you?" Fury questions.
"What would be if you violated that part of the contract?" Loki goes on.
"We won't," Fury shakes his head.
"... this is a very one-sided kind of conversation," Loki snorts.
"Well, think about it. I can't give you more freedoms as a result. You would only try to get yourself into such a situation, then, to have gain," Fury argues.
"True," Loki nods. For a mortal, this agent is making incredibly much sense. Loki has to give him that much.
"And if this were to happen and I'd then release you, leave you free... then you'd have no gain from this. I don't think a million dollars would move you in any way. There is nothing much I can give you other than my word for it," Fury explains.
"So it remains that I am bearing the greatest risk here?" Loki grimaces.
"If it assures you in some way, I will get my ass kicked for merely considering this deal," Fury bites his lower lip, though he knows it's more than a weak argument.
"That is indeed satisfactory in more than one way," Loki replies smugly.
"So? Still in for it?" Fury asks.
"Certainly," Loki nods. "So... You would grant me that the possibility for me to gain more freedoms?"
"Yes," Fury agrees.
"In a binding contract I get to read thoroughly?" Loki goes on.
"Yes," Fury approves.
"Given that, it may become necessary that I would have to research certain things. My knowledge of your law does not reach as far as it may be needed to fully grasp the conditions of this contract," Loki carries on.
"You may take a lawyer also, an outside party, so that he or she's neutral. And you'd be granted material for self-study, to make sure you are not tricked in any way," Fury offers.
"For me to be part of that contract, I suppose, for it is set for your realm, I'd have to gain the status of one of earth's inhabitants, or as you say, citizens. We have to be of equal power and responsibility in terms of the contract, or else you might just say that I'm what you coin as an 'alien' after all and decide against my will on these grounds," Loki argues.
"You'd be treated like any citizen in that regard," Fury nods.
"Aha. And in that contract you guarantee me that if I prove myself with 'good work' and cooperation... I'd heighten my chances of improving my status and freedoms," Loki goes on.
"Yes," Fury approves.
"You would guarantee me that your men in black will not use me as guinea pig for you to learn something about me or where I have my magic bones?" Loki huffs.
"Yes," Fury agrees.
"And you'd guarantee me that I wouldn't be forced to go to prison for my past crimes, perhaps future crimes not included?" Loki asks.
"Yes," Fury nods.
"And you guarantee me shelter in exchange for work," Loki carries on.
"Yes," Fury agrees again.
"And you'd grant me that, in case it gets really 'tough', to help out so that I don't have to fear for the planet I live on to be destroyed?" Loki questions.
"Only with my okay, but yes," Fury gives him that much.
"And for that I'd guarantee you my cooperation, that I share information with you, that I work for you unofficially, and that I am generally of help to the Avengers?" Loki asks.
"Yes," Fury replies. "You'd agree to stay in the house until decided otherwise. You'd work with whoever we assign to you. You won't lie to us about information."
"Okay," Loki nods.
"You don't blow up earth," Fury demands sternly.
"Ha, pity," Loki laughs smugly.
"You won't do harm to others," Fury goes on.
"In self-defense?" Loki argues.
"For that, yes. If it's actually a threat to your life - and not because you started it. In battle, too, if it comes to that," Fury grants him.
"Good," Loki nods. That is more than he thought he'd get.
"Well, you are generally at our service," Fury shrugs.
"Fine with me," Loki agrees.
"And... you'd have to agree to find yourself a disguise for public, so that no one knows that we have the God of Mischief as one of our consultants. People would go havoc," Fury argues. Loki takes a moment of contemplation before he says, "... I see."
Fury threatens, "And if you violate the contract and mess with SHIELD and or the Avengers, I have any right to nullify it – and then you'll be thrown into prison for the rest of earth's days, and we will find measurements to keep you low, trust me."
"Where do I sign?" Loki smiles at him sarcastically. It's vacuous, he knows, but... so is his existence, so what does it matter in the end?
"We will work out the contract, for now it's an oral agreement, but it's binding the same way. That means you don't have to fear that we take advantage of you in any way. We will live according to these rules till they are put down on paper," Fury tells him, to which Loki grins, "That is alright with me. Though I am not too sure about the Avengers... they will hardly like it."
He glances to the camera with a smirk, seemingly well aware of their presence.
"You have a contract with me the way they do. They will have to come to terms. And I can guarantee you that they won't do any you physical harm. If they do, sanctions will follow. I don't think I have to tell you that this won't be easy, though," Fury grimaces. To say the absolute least.
"I see the necessity, Master Fury," Loki shrugs with a self-conscious smile tugging at his thin lips. "I would prefer to stay on my own and live my last days in banishment until someone takes the pity to rightly kill me, but perhaps I can grant my life another meaning after all – and do such a ridiculous thing as living for a greater purpose. No offense."
"We'll make arrangements to have you moved," Fury says.
"Thank you," Loki nods at him. Fury leaves to join the Avengers again, who are already in heated discussion.
"Fury, I don't think this is a good idea," Steve grimaces as the man joins them.
"The God of Mischief in our house? Not good," Natasha shakes her head. That was definitely not what she had in mind when Fury suggested cooperation.
"He will only use the opportunity to do us harm," Clint sneers.
"Give it a rest, people. We all know that you hate him coz he kinda mind-raped you, but...," Tony jumps in, but Clint interrupts him with a deep growl, "I will shoot you."
"You wouldn't dare," Tony smiles, but Clint is unimpressed, "Before you have your suit on, I'm already done with you, Stark."
Bruce jumps in as the mediator, "Guys, we have to see that Loki might be a good asset to the team."
"Or he blows it up," Natasha retorts.
"Or he doesn't," Bruce replies.
"But we cannot know," Natasha argues, and Steve agrees, "Right."
"But you have to see that our purpose here is to...," Tony means to say, but Clint interrupts him once again, "Och, shut up, Stark."
"How about you shut up, Legolas?!" Tony snarls.
"Now all of you shut up!" Fury curses, making all of them shut up instantly. They turn to face him.
"We won't repeat what we had last time when Loki joined us and played both ends against the middle. This is the best option. Loki is here on earth. We can't change that circumstance. If his father thinks it's great to dump him here...," Fury explains, which makes Thor growl at him. Yet, the agent goes on, unimpressed, "Then we won't change his mind. He's too powerful. And a war with Asgard is the last thing we need. And the last thing we'd survive. We should make the best out of it. We get a chance to watch him and make sure Loki doesn't do anything stupid. We can profit from his knowledge. And we have him within reach of the guys who already brought him down before. You."
"We are not welfare," Clint snorts.
"Doesn't he deserve a second chance, too?" Tony argues. Natasha bites her lower lip at that.
"You are kidding me, right?!" Clint snarls. "This guy tried to blow up earth!"
"Well, we gotta give him that he's a God. When he goes raging, there is more than a few dishes being thrown. Look at Big Guy. He fries people with thunder if he thinks they deserve it. Those guys are just on a different level of... destruction," Tony argues, but Clint is not convinced at all, "But Thor has it under control. Loki doesn't."
"That we don't know. Perhaps he has changed," Bruce throws in, and Tony agrees, "Right. He wants to protect this planet. Loki could also put his hands in his lap and say: 'Go to hell and I go with you'. That guy's not afraid of death. If he were, no point in helping us out today. And the Loki from not so long ago would've been all up for option one and would've told us to go to hell and fuck ourselves. This guy here, whether he means it, shows actions that he does indeed care. That is at least worth a shot."
"Worth a shot? If he goes havoc again, then...," Clint sneers, but this time Tony interrupts him, "Whatcha think will he do if we fire him just like that? Don't you think it's better to have him as our friend than as our foe?"
"We can't grant such a criminal another chance," Clint snarls, but that is when Natasha blurts out, "I was given a second chance also."
"That's different," Clint replies defensively.
"In how far? He didn't even kill anyone. I did," Natasha argues.
"It's only luck no one got killed," Clint shakes his head. Just because he didn't kill anyone doesn't suddenly make him a good person. That guy tried to take over. That means he is no one you should befriend if you can help it. No, if you have the chance, you should toss him into the deepest and darkest pit you can find - and leave him there to rot and decay.
"But no one died at his hands. Just coz he is of a different race doesn't mean that we cannot apply the same standard we apply to ourselves. I was granted a second chance after all I did. I don't say I like this, but it's no argument to say that he doesn't deserve a second chance after what he's done. If that were so, I never would've been allowed to have a second shot, Clint," Natasha tells him, but Clint remains defensively, "You I can trust. That guy I don't."
"Back then you couldn't trust me either," Natasha argues vehemently.
"It's different," Clint snarls.
"It's not. It's just that Loki's a God. That's the difference," Natasha retorts.
"Big Guy? You didn't say anything yet?" Tony turns to Thor, and Steve agrees, "Right, you are best judge. He is your brother. You know him better than anyone else of us."
"No one really knows him, that is what I had to learn the very hard way," Thor sighs.
"But do you think that we can trust his words, or not?" Steve questions.
"Loki is a pragmatist and an opportunist. He does what fits his purposes best, but he is intelligent enough to see when he is at his limits," Thor tells them. "Loki knows that he cannot escape his sentence here on earth. He valued his options already on the way from Asgard to here, believe me. Loki knows exactly what he is doing. He seeks this opportunity because it fits his purposes. And that is why we can have good faith that he will cooperate."
"If he is a logical thinker, and for that I hold him, then it's actually as he says. It's only logical for Loki to try to protect earth, because he's got no other place – and he sees that he might prevent bigger harm to himself if he keeps the world safe. With turning to the Avengers he increases his chances because he knows that a team is still better than a one-man-show. Those are his best survival chances," Tony agrees, and Fury joins the chorus, "Exactly. Which is why my decision is final. Loki is now on the Avengers Team as an unofficial member. He will get a room within the Mansion. If anyone makes a personal vendetta out of this and does harm to him, he'll have to face my wrath, and I damn well mean that. I think I don't have to tell you to take predicaments for him not to take off. Am I clear?"
"We got it," Natasha nods curtly.
"Good, then let's prep him up for transport. Make sure that no one sees him entering or exiting the car. We don't want that all over the papers," Fury grimaces.
Did the tide just turn?