Prologue
On the edge of the destroyed rainbow bridge in Asgard, Thor and Loki arrived, both weary from their battle. Thor, of course, was much better off than his brother. Loki had many cuts and bruises on his face and hands. Underneath his tunic, his cracked ribs ached under the heavy armor. He felt nauseous and was ready to fall over any second, but he couldn't. He wouldn't show that kind of weakness in front of his br-- in front of Thor.
Thor gave him a slight, yet firm, push. His shoulder protested with sharp pain. Loki tried to ignore it. It wouldn't do him any good to dwell on something he has no control over. Besides, it wasn't like war criminals are given stellar treatment. He was walked halfway down the bridge when he suddenly tripped over his own feet and barely caught himself. Loki let out a sharp breath.
Thor heard the breath and turned to him and saw Loki's eyes filled with pain and anger. But looking a bit further, he saw sorrow. Thor took off the muzzle that prevented the trickster from using his silver tongue. "What ails you, brother?"
Loki looked to his once-brother and said with a dry mouth and sore throat," I am not your brother."
Loki continued to walk silently ahead of Thor until they reached the palace, where they were met by several Einherjar and Frigga. His mother ran up to Loki and hugged him tightly. Though it felt like hellfire on his wounds, relief and calmness washed over him. Oh, how many nights in the void he wished for just this. He gave her a little hug back, as it was all he could do with his hands bound. Curse these damn manacles.
They stood like this for several minutes until one of the guards said," It is time to go, my queen."
Frigga lifted Loki's chin up gently and said, "Be strong. No matter what, you will always be my son." Loki felt comforted by his mother's touch and nodded.
As his mother backed away from him Loki whispered," I love you mother." Frigga has tears in her eyes and she whispered the same back to him.
Thor left Loki and the guards to comfort Frigga as her son was led to his trial.
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Loki walked up slowly to the throne where Odin was sitting. He stopped at the foot of the throne and one of the guards forced him onto his knees. He picked at his palm, a nervous tick he had gotten from mother, as he knelt there before his adoptive father. "Loki Laufeyson," Odin said as Loki frowned at him."You have committed many crimes against the throne of Asgard and the people of earth. But, your mother has vouched for you and has led to the lightening of your punishment." Loki thanked his mother in his head for her kindness towards him. Though, he couldn't help but feel slightly worried over what would be said in place of execution.
"You are to spend the rest of your days on Midgard, in the care of the Avengers. They will have full say over what they do with you and how you are to act when you are there. This is my final word."
Loki sat there with a shocked expression. "You can't be serious?!"
"Deadly. Unless of course, you would prefer execution, then this is my. final. word." Odin then said to the guards standing behind Loki," Take the prisoner to Thor and tell him of Loki's sentence. He will know how to get to earth again."
The guards pulled Loki off his knees and brought him to Thor to carry out Odin's orders.
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"Sir, Thor has returned. He is on the balcony."
"Thanks, JARVIS!" said Tony.
Tony gathered the Avengers and brought them to the balcony to meet their comrade. Thor hugged his friends who welcomed him back. It was then they noticed that Thor wasn't alone. Loki stood there like he had when he left, though, he gave off a slightly more defeated feeling than before. They asked Thor why he had brought him back and Thor told them of Odin's orders.
"Do we get ANY say in this?" Clint complained.
"No," said Thor and Tony simultaneously.
Loki then said tiredly," Yeah, I'm not happy with this situation either." If he was being honest he just wanted them to hurry up and put him in a cell so he could be alone.
Bruce then spoke up, "I can take him down to the cellblock while you guys discuss this?"
Thor nodded and Loki followed Bruce into the skyscraper.