Yeah, new chapter! I won't spend to long here, after last week's cliffhanger. Thanks to everyone who reviewed and followed/favourited, you all get virtual cookies. Now have at it!
Chapter 20

It was like time had stopped. Everything faded away into the background- nothing mattered anymore. He didn't notice The Other fling Tony into a wall, didn't realize that Thor was being restrained. Nothing mattered anymore.
The pain was unbearable. Like somebody ripping him limb from limb. The Other glared at him, malice in his eyes, his features filled with delight at his pain.
"Tell me, what hurts more? This, or when your brother triumphed over you at Midgard?" The Other asked, is raspy voice filled with glee. Loki didn't answer, only looked on in horror at Natasha's limp, lifeless body in front of him.

After several minutes, though it felt like lifetimes, the numb terror that had paralyzed him, began to fade, replacing itself with an uncontrollable rage. His hands balled into fists, his muscles tightening. He needed no Berserker Staff. With a cry he launched himself forward, grabbing the nearest weapon he could find, he cared not what it was. He gathered every bit of weak Midgardian strength he could muster, and flung it forward.
Even through all the blind rage he was feeling, Loki had to marvel at the distance he put into the throw. It took him a few moments to realize it would take inhuman strength to put that much distance into anything. He stared down at his hand, and gasped when he realized that every single scar and wound he had suffered there had disappeared.

His weapon had powered through every obstacle in its way until it made it's target. The Other flew back, smashing through the large glass window that covered one side of the room. He clung desperately to a remaining piece of the wall, frantically looking for a way to escape his oncoming fate. Loki marched forward, smiling madly as he felt his old powers returning, his green and gold armor replacing his tattered uniform. Finally his staff appeared in his grasp, and with a stiff movement he pointed downward, resting millimeters above The Other's unprotected hand, which tightened around a piece of debris.

"Laufyson, listen," he rasped, I can still give you power, there are other planets, weaker worlds, you can still be King! You can still fulfill your dream." Loki pushed his staff down, not enough to draw blood, but enough.
"She was my new dream." He whispered, driving the point of his spear into The Other's hand, ignoring his scream of agony. "And my name is Loki Odinson." He yanked the staff upwards, and with one final yell, the Other slipped into the infinite space behind him.

Satisfied that The Other had been destroyed for good, Loki turned around and disappeared, re-appearing beside Natasha's lifeless form. He felt as though he was moving in slow motion, kneeling beside her, gathering her into his arms. His mind worked frantically, trying to find someway he could undo the nightmare in front of him, return her soul to her body, or at least get a chance to say goodbye. A fresh stab of pain reminded him that he had never actually told her he loved her. Not once.
An awkward cough, brought him back to reality, reminding him that he wasn't quite alone yet. He waved his hand, relieving Thor of his bonds. Hearing a groan he realized that Tony must be regaining his consciousness. Did he even know? Loki wasn't going to be the one who reminded him that his comrade was dead.

Tony raised himself from the ground, disregarding the banging ache at the back of his head. If there was one thing he was used to it was headaches. He glanced around, resting his eye on Thor and Loki who were crouched around something. Someone. Natasha.
He refused to give into his grief- God knows there would be time for that. He had a new mission now. He had to get her home.

He staggered over to machinery that Loki had called the main controls, letting out a string of swears when he noticed the huge, messy hole through the middle of it. He vaguely remembered Loki throwing something. Couldn't blame the guy for not caring what he destroyed though. Tony stopped that line of thought in its tracks. He strengthened his resolve, and called out to the resident Asgardians.

"Thor, we have a problem." He said loudly, deciding not to call for Loki at the last minute. Thor murmured something then ran to Tony's side.
"This thing's going to go down, and go down soon." Almost as soon as he spoke the words, the ship gave a violent shudder, and began to tilt forward. Thor looked panicked and began to press different buttons at random.
"Yes that will help greatly." Loki drawled from behind them before, pushing himself to the front. He began typing swiftly, not paying attention to anything else. "Tony, look after Natasha. Thor, what realms are nearby?" He said mechanically, not even looking up as he barked orders. Tony vanished quickly, as Thor glanced down at one of the many screens.
"There's one dead on, I fear it may be too close to make a clean landing." He said, then looked closer. He groaned loudly. "You'll never guess what it is."
"What is it?" Loki muttered, already knowing the answer.
"Asgard."

Tony moved frantically, trying to remember any little bit of first aid that S.H.I.E.L.D had forced him to learn. What did you do with a body? He sighed defeated as he began to move Natasha into the recovery position, just to feel that he was doing something. She looked as if she could be sleeping, even if she was still pretty rough-looking. He gently pushed a lock of hair, crusted with blood, behind her shoulder, his hand brushing by her neck as he did so. He started when he felt something flutter against his skin. Tony remembered exactly what to do after that.
"She has a pulse!" He screamed as he started compressions, praying to every God he knew, even throwing Odin in for good measure, that he was doing it right.

Loki was by his side in an instant, practically shoving him out of the way, as he overtook the CPR. "What do I do now?" Tony asked, exasperated at Loki's new-found Hero complex. That was always his thing.
"Fly the ship." Loki commanded, a new purpose in his eyes. "Fly the ship and get us the hell out of here."