Chapter 22: Prisoner

"Wake up, Asgardian."

Cold water splashed onto Loki's body, rousing him from sleep. Loki shivered as he awoke and he found himself hanging from his wrists.

The Other was glaring at him. "You are Loki, the Prince of Asgard?"

"No, I don't know what you're talking about," Loki replied. "I'm no one."

The Other chuckled before placing a hand on Loki's head. Loki jerked back as he felt electricity surge through his body.

"Lets not lie to each other," The Other replied. "You are Loki, of Asgard."

"I am but whatever you want, torturing me won't get it," Loki panted.

"Well that is your choice, Asgardian," The Other replied. "My master is in need of your services. Will you serve?"

"I am a king!" Loki spat. "I serve no one, you dull creature."

"Wrong answer," The Other scolded.

He waved his hand, and Loki felt his body stretch, as if he were on the rack. Loki screamed, feeling as if his bones would pop. "What do you want?"

"My master desires the Tesseract Odin left to Earth," The Other replied.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Loki gasped.

The Other snapped his finger, and Loki felt great pain in his left leg, as if the bones had shattered.

"Shall we try that again?" The Other asked.

Loki gasped for breath, unable to speak under the intense pain. "I don't know what you want. I don't know where it is. And I'll be damned before I help you, you ugly bastard."

The Other chortled. "Asgardians are strong. Clearly, I am being too gentle with you."

He spread his hands apart and Loki felt his limbs stretch and he cried out for all the galaxies to hear.

The Other gazed up at Thanos, who sat in his high throne. "Our recruit is strong, my lord. No matter what tortures I inflict, he refuses to give in."

Thanos smiled. "Perhaps we need to try a different approach."

"He will not bend, my lord," The Other said.

"He will," Thanos said with a confident smile.

Loki was barely awake when he heard the Other approach him. "Whatever tortures you concocted, get it over with. I won't give you anything."

The Other smiled. "Perhaps you will think differently."

The Other placed his hand on Loki's head. Loki shook as he felt a current surge through him. In seconds, The Other removed his hand.

"Is that it?" Loki spat. "Is that all you can do?"

The Other chuckled. "You fool. You just gave me what I needed. What a shame for poor Brigid."

Loki fought back against his binds. "You touch her and I will send you back to whatever abyss you came from."

"I am afraid you have killed your dear Brigid," The Other countered.

"I don't believe you," Loki breathed.

"See for yourself," The Other replied.

He waved his hand and a window appeared. Loki could see Brigid, clear as day. Her home was in disarray and she continued to destroy it.

"Brigid! Brigid, I'm here! Look at me," Loki pleaded.

"I'm afraid she cannot hear you," The Other said.

Loki watched as Brigid entered her kitchen where she picked up a large knife.

Loki fought wildly against his binds. "Brigid, Brigid don't! Please!"

Loki's pleas were for naught. To his horror, he watched as Brigid plunged the knife deep into her stomach. Loki paled as he watched blood pool from Brigid's body before she crumpled to the floor and then was still. "No! Brigid, no! Someone help her!"

Brigid disappeared and Loki wept, sagging against his chains.

"I'm afraid your absence destroyed her," The Other taunted. "What a shame. You must have loved her very much."

Loki spat. "Kill me then. Let me join her."

The Other waved a wrinkled finger at him. "Ah, ah,ah. Death is not an option."

"Then go to hell," Loki spat. "There is nothing more you can do harm me."

In that moment, Thanos appeared before Loki. In his hand he carried a large scepter with a blue gem. He knelt before his prisoner, gripping his hair. "You are strong, Asgardian. You refuse to bend. But all things that refuse to bend…break."

Thanos pressed the scepter to Loki's chest. Loki groaned and gasped as his eyes turned black then began to glow.

Thanos freed Loki from his binds. "Loki of Asgard, I have a task to ask of you. Will you serve?"

Loki knelt before Thanos. "What is your command…Master?"