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Chapter Twenty-Seven: Caged Bird

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A familiar, searing burst of light, paired with a throbbing headache were the first things to greet me when I finally came to.

That, and a biting, painful chill.

I looked down at my body, laid out on a marble slab. I was wearing a long Asgardian dress, and my arms were bare. It had been a while since I'd really looked at the scars, and I winced, turning my attention to my surroundings.

A familiar fancy and old fashioned room with marble paneling and large windows stared back at me. I pushed myself up, going to the windows as I had the first time I'd awoken in this place. And laid out before me, in all the same grandeur it had had when I'd left a year ago, was Asgard.

I looked down at my hands. They shook with the cold that raked my body. I saw a shawl placed neatly on the marble slab, and picked it up, draping it over my shoulders.

I swayed on my legs, sitting back down as my vision began to swim. I was still very lightheaded from the fight.

Just then, the doors to the room were pulled open.

I met the gaze of a man with one eye. I swallowed.

"Even us gods, it would seem, are not immune to our wives' command," Odin said with a tight-lipped smile, as he strode over toward the marble slate I was perched on. "Had it not been for Frigga, we would have had you back in Asgard and locked in a cell before you could've made it to your home."

"I appreciate the warm welcome."

He raised a finger. "But, it appears to have been for the best that things went the way they did. I hear from my son that you have managed to gain control of these powers."

I looked down at my hands. Remembered the pure terror I had felt on Stark tower when that familiar feeling of helplessness had taken over. Remembered Loki's words. Midgard is still in danger of people like me... And you.

I looked back up at Odin. "I think you're wrong. I think it wasn't for the best that things went the way that they did. I think that you should've locked me up the moment I set foot in Asgard. And I don't think you should pass up the opportunity to do so now."

Odin frowned.

"When I was in New York, fighting the Chitauri, I used my power as a weapon, and it felt good. I killed without thought or hesitation. But when I saw Loki I remembered what it was to be human. To feel things. To feel remorse, hesitation, guilt. I tried to suppress my powers. Tried to put them away after we'd won. But they wouldn't go away. They took control of me again until the exertion was too much and I collapsed."

Odin nodded. "Thor was forced to bring you back here to save you. The Midgardian doctors could not find the problem and you would not wake."

"Tell me..." I said thoughtfully, "What happened in New York? After everything?"

"A bomb was sent to be detonated over the city. It was banished into the portal before it could be detonated, and the portal was closed. The detonation wiped out the Chitauri still lingering on your planet. Loki was brought down, and taken here, along with the Tesseract."

I nodded softly.

"You were a great help to them," Odin said gently, "My son spoke great things of you. Of your bravery. We have no reason to lock you up."

"Your son... Or, I guess he isn't..." I trailed off, shaking my head, "Loki told me something that I can't stop thinking about. He told me that Midgard would never be safe from people like him, and like me. And the more I've thought, the more I've realized. He's right. No one should have the power I have. Who am I to wield it? Who am I to make calls on who lives and dies?"

I shook my head, pushing up from the marble slate and heading back to the window. "I may not even be in control of these powers forever. They've gotten the better of me before, training didn't change that." I turned to Odin. "You need to lock me away. I don't want to pose one more threat for Midgard to balance." He looked long and hard at me. "Please."

He dipped his head. "If that is your wish."

He stood and stalked out of the room, returning with two guards. I held my wrists out to them, and they cuffed me. I walked from the room with a guard on either side, following behind Odin.

"Father!" Thor's voice came from beside us as we passed a long hallway. Next were his footsteps as he raced to catch up with us. He stopped in front of Odin, eyes narrowed darkly. "What is this? I told you of her progress, I told you what she did in New York! You cannot throw her in shackles alongside the man who started all of this—Not when she's fought so hard—"

"Enough, my son," Odin shouted. "This was Alivia's wish."

Thor frowned as the guards stepped around him, pulling me along with them.

"Alivia?" Thor trailed behind us, "What are you doing?"

"My powers got away from me again, Thor," I explained without looking back at him. "I thought I could control them, but I was wrong. I can't. And I don't want to be a danger to my home anymore."

"But what about Natasha? What about S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Avengers?"

"Tell Natasha goodbye for me," I said with a sad smile, looking back at him only once before we descended the steps into the dungeon.

Odin led us down the winding staircase and out into a large stone corridor lined with cells of glass.

As we strode by the first one, my heart leapt into my throat at a familiar flash of green. Loki pushed to his feet, surprise plastered across his face. And then a smug smirk, as the guards led me to the cell directly across from his.

It was plain and empty, with not a single piece of furniture inside.

"We will have this done up for your comfort." Odin said gravely, as the guards unshackled me. "You are no prisoner here, Alivia. If you want to leave, you need only say so."

"No," I shook my head. "I'll stay right here."

I held Loki's stare from across the corridor as Odin bowed his head, stepping out of the cell and leaving me alone.

I held Loki's gaze as I slumped against the wall, sinking to the cold ground. I pulled my shawl closer around me and shivered, as I welcomed myself home.

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