Broken Beyond Repair

Prologue

Loki plays nonchalant as the Avengers escort him through the lobby of Stark Tower. He keeps his gaze off the ground and firmly ahead of himself, not sparing a glance at his brother or his obnoxious new friends that surround him. The cuffs are a bit tight on his wrist, but he swings his arms as though they're not there, the chain smacking against his legs with every step. It's annoying, but it's bearable. He just has to ignore it until he's returned to Asgard. He'll doubtlessly have a new set of problems once he's arrived, but hopefully they'll take these ridiculous chains off of him first.

As Thor and Stark lead him to the door, an array of agents trailing behind him, another group of men approach them. He's seen the one in front before, and though Loki cannot remember who it is, he's sure he's one of the many Midgardians with heads full of unwarranted grandeur. Barton showed him most of the important players on SHIELD's radar. This is undoubtedly one of them.

Proving his point, the man says, "May I ask you where you're going?" Why an ordinary human like him thinks he has any right to inquire the agenda of gods is beyond him, but it seems their arrogance knows no bounds here.

It's Thor who answers, just as unphased – and perhaps a bit amused – by this man's overstep as Loki is. "A bit of lunch and then Asgard," he says simply. "And you are...?"

"Alexander Pierce." He holds out a hand politely, and Thor looks at him with distaste.

"He's the guy I was telling you about," Stark says quietly. "He's as high up on the totem pole as you can get."

Thor's mouth forms a silent oh as he processes that. Loki looks between his brother and this Alexander Pierce with a frown that his muzzle hides. What's this? What does Thor need to know about Midgard's supposed protectors? They won their battle. What good does a new ally do him now?

"I apologize," Thor says, not that his reaction was really something to apologize for. He shakes Pierce's hand. "I understand that your people are adept at containing dangerous prisoners."

"Better than anyone else on this planet," Pierce says.

"And you're certain you can hold a being of such power," Thor says cautiously.

Loki cocks his head to the side, eyeing his brother with distrust. What is this about? What's this holdup for? Shouldn't his first priority be returning Loki to Asgard? He can return to have these conversations after.

"You'd be surprised the amount of power we've held onto," Pierce says. "We'll keep him out of trouble. You have my word."

"Good," Thor says. "The Allfather would not take kindly to hearing you failed." He glances back at the guards behind him and jerks his head toward Pierce and his entourage. Two agents approach, each wrapping an arm around one of Loki's and leading him forward.

Now standing side-by-side with his brother, Loki looks over at him, a brow raised. He maintains his confident, borderline cocky facade, but in reality, he's confused. What's happening? What are these mortals trying to do to him?

Thor meets his gaze, and when he speaks, there's an almost mocking hint to his voice. "Father told me that if I could not bring you back as a friend, I was not to bring you back at all. You've clearly chosen the Earth over your home in Asgard. This is a choice you have to live with."

Loki's eyes go wide. What? He has half a mind to rip this ridiculous muzzle off his face and say that aloud. They're leaving him here? He'll be exiled and imprisoned? And on Midgard, of all places! This has to be a joke. He can't seriously be thinking...

Thor claps him on the back once, an insincere smile on his face. "Enjoy your new home, brother. I hope it proves to be everything you've wanted and more."

And then he walks away.

He just leaves Loki here and walks away.

Loki watches until they're out of sight. Thor and Stark pick up some conversation within seconds, and by the time they've reached the door, they're both smiling and laughing as though nothing's wrong.

Loki grits his teeth. This arrangement won't last long; he's sure of it. It will do nothing but strengthen his resolve. The people of Midgard are no match for a god like himself, and they must know it. He'll humor them for a short while, long enough for Thor to return to Asgard, and then he'll break free from whatever pathetic excuse of a prison they entrap him in. He's going to finish what he started, with or without the Tesseract, and when Thor inevitably comes back to stop him, he's taking him down, too, once and for all.

"Alright, come on," Pierce grumbles, gesturing for his men to follow him.

The two agents holding Loki's arms take the lead, trailing close behind the Pierce. He doesn't seem the least bit phased that Loki could easily reach out and grab him, snap his neck and toss him aside like a ragdoll. He could take all of these people on, and his victory would be guaranteed. He doesn't, but he could, and that knowledge is what keeps the pep in his step as he follows, playing along with this little game of follow-the-leader.

Pierce glances back at him as they walk, only for a second or two before he returns his gaze to the hall ahead of him. "I know what you're thinking," he says.

Loki just looks at him, silent, judgemental, waiting for him to finish that thought.

"You're thinking about how easy it would be to break free," Pierce says. He looks back at him again. "And I don't blame you. I'm sure it still feels like you're in charge, right?"

Because I am.

I always am.

Pierce shakes his head to himself and looks away. "But you're not," he says. "You're not the first god-like monster we've had in our clutches. You're at our mercy, whether you know it or not."

Loki narrows his eyes, his chin raised defiantly as he watches him. For that alone, Alexander Pierce will be the first one he kills. And he's going to enjoy it very, very much.