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He read over all the data, writing down hypotheses and possible experiments. Bruce felt exhausted, even though he had just woken up from sleeping a little over an hour ago. The lack of sleep was catching up to him, and he knew that he'd have to get a good night of sleep in, or he'd never be able to focus.

He and Tony had been working hard on the scepter. They decided to split the workload since the clock was ticking for Loki. He focusing more on studying the scepters effects, while Tony was studying it more technically and by what it's made of.

So far, he hadn't learned much about the scepter that was of importance. He and everyone else already knew the effect it had on people. How it made them more emotional and angry. The scepter was also how Loki had controlled Clint and the other SHIELD agents, though he had no idea how that happened. If Loki was only able to do it due to his magical abilities, or can anyone wield it.

He also didn't know the effects of wielding the scepter. Since it affects emotions, it could potentially damage a person's brain or cause them to act erratically. The last thing any of them needed was a crazed person running around with the scepter.

Besides, Fury would never let someone wield the scepter.

It seemed that the only thing they knew could possibly work was having someone use the scepter on Loki to try and gain control of him. But Bruce, nor anyone, knew if that would work since the god was already being controlled by another being. He also didn't think anyone could take the force of the scepter and deal with whatever being has taken control of Loki alone.

It was unethical and stupid. But the only option at this point.

Still, he and Tony were going to analyze everything before making the tough call.

A part of him felt guilty knowing that they could essentially save Loki right this minute but weren't because of fear and the unknowns. But Bruce also knew that they needed to be fully prepared when putting a plan like this into motion. If they slip up, there might not be enough time, or they might not get a second chance to save Loki.

"Where are we at, Bruce?" questioned Tony, still looking at his computer screen.

"So far, we have nothing really. No new options, no relevant information we missed. There's only one option we have right now."

"Right. Do the same thing Reindeer Games did. And risk everyone on this ship and planet since it most likely will end badly," Tony said, looking up from his computer screen and towards him.

"Essentially."

"Well, it looks like that's our only choice."

"We should keep looking, at least for a while longer."

"You and I both know that Loki doesn't have much longer. And even if he did, Thor isn't about to just sit by. I'm surprised the man hasn't done something stupid and reckless already."

"I know that we have limited time, but we need to get this right. We can't fuck this up, or else we'll lose Loki, and then we'll lose Thor."

"Didn't peg you as the cursing type Doc."

At Bruce's annoyed face, Tony continued.

"Sorry. You are right though, we have to make sure we get everything right."

"Even if we do get it right, someone has to use the scepter. And that person is going to be in extreme danger. There are way too many unknown factors about the scepter."

"There are, but I think we both know who'll be using the scepter."

"It doesn't matter who it is. The effects will be the same no matter what."