Green Beret | MCU (On Hold)

CHAPTER 3

Coulson walked alongside Troy down the corridor toward Loki's containment cell, his voice low but firm. "The mic stays on. Cameras rolling. If anything goes sideways, we'll intervene."

Troy nodded, securing his earpiece. "Understood."

They reached the heavy security door. Just as Troy stepped forward, it slid open—and out walked Nick Fury, his jaw tight and his one good eye simmering with quiet irritation.

"No luck, I take it?" Troy asked, raising an eyebrow.

Fury barely spared him a glance. "Get me answers," he muttered, brushing past.

"Yes, sir," Troy replied under his breath, more to himself than anyone else.

He paused before the cell, taking a deep breath, willing his pulse to slow. Calm was key. Loki fed on emotion like a predator. Troy had to stay colder than the Frost Giant behind the glass.

With a steady hand, he triggered the door.

Inside, Loki paced the confines of the glass cell like a caged panther, graceful but dangerous. He turned sharply at the sound of Troy's entrance, a glimmer of amusement already curling on his lips.

"Well, well," Loki purred. "Not many people sneak up on me."

Troy approached slowly, hands at his sides, gaze steady. "I've heard the stories. The God of Mischief himself."

"Oh?" Loki replied, a smirk twitching at the corners of his mouth. "Flattered, I'm sure."

"You should be," Troy said, voice even. "What you've done takes guts. Betraying a king? Your father? That's bold."

Loki's expression darkened. "He's not my father."

Troy nodded, not missing a beat. "Right. Just the man who raised you. Still, you got pretty far before this," he gestured to the cell. "But honestly, I'm surprised. You, of all people, getting caught? I'd have expected a contingency plan."

Loki's smirk returned. "Who says I don't have one? I'm always several steps ahead."

Troy tilted his head, as if intrigued. "Is that so? What's the endgame, then?"

Instead of answering, Loki stepped forward, his voice lowering. "Have you ever done something—something terrible—for the sake of a greater goal? Something you regret?" His gaze sharpened, venomous now. "I know who you are, Troyton Kemp. The hero. The killer. Delta 6."

Troy's jaw clenched slightly, but his expression didn't waver. He pushed the memory of his fallen team to the back of his mind. Not now.

Loki's voice dropped into a whisper, cruel and intimate. "You've got more blood on your hands than even the Widow. You thrive in it. That's what makes you and me alike."

Troy gave a quiet laugh. "We're nothing alike."

"Don't kid yourself," Loki said, sneering. "You've lost touch with humanity. You've become exactly what they trained you to be—a weapon."

Troy's smirk returned. "Maybe. But at least I know what I am. You? You're just another man with a superiority complex and daddy issues."

Loki's eyes narrowed, anger flaring.

"Oh, and in case you forgot," Troy added with a mocking shrug, "your brother would've figured out a way to escape by now."

"He is not my brother!" Loki snapped, his hands slamming against the glass. "That lumbering oaf couldn't outwit a goat!"

"Still, he's got something you don't," Troy said. "Honor. Loyalty. Friends."

"I don't need them," Loki hissed. "I will bring Midgard to its knees. I will unleash the monster you all pretend is tame."

That got Troy's attention. His eyes narrowed. "Monster?"

"The beast," Loki whispered with a wicked smile. "The creature you house among you. So angry. So afraid of himself."

Troy stepped back slowly, the pieces locking into place. He tapped his earpiece, speaking quietly.

"Loki plans to unleash the Hulk. Lock Banner down. Send Thor to the lab. I'm en route."

Loki's smile faded as he realized what had just happened.

"You tricked me," he said, stunned.

"I outplayed you," Troy replied with a grin. "Not bad for a 'heartless soldier,' huh?"

Loki stepped forward again, eyes burning with fury. "You'll regret this."

Troy turned, already walking toward the door. "Thanks for the intel. I'll be sure to credit you."

He paused at the exit and shot a glance over his shoulder. "Maybe next time, I'll let you ask the questions."

With that, he vanished into the corridor, leaving behind only silence—and a seething god, alone in his glass cage.

Edited.