ʙᴀᴄᴋ ғʀᴏᴍ ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴇᴀᴅ || 𝘓𝘰𝘬𝘪

He's back || Chapter Eighteen

When I arrived back the next morning, I instantly went into the lab and made a few more bots. They weren't intelligences of their own however we're linked onto Hopes mind, unable to act upon the thoughts but able to speak them.

My talk with the other Loki had put me off the idea of risking any 'evil intelligence takeover gone rogue.'

I had to try and build myself an army from these robots, it had now become clear I was dealing with powers outside my own control and if a few scraps of metal could protect me from them, it was worth the cramps and amount of time it took.

"Lokis back." Steve Rogers scoffed as he entered the lab where I, Bruce and Stark were all accumulated.

"Why's Thunder Thighs not taking him back home?" Tony questioned, throwing a nut into his mouth.

"Don't ask me." Captain looked just as clueless as the rest of us... and angry. "Barton isn't overly joyous about the whole thing though."

Nobody was exactly overly joyous about a villain being back in the tower. Apart from me. Clint had some sort of PTSD from the mind control thing and (stupidly) Natasha had promised him he wouldn't have to deal with the God again.

"He was hoping not to see him again." Banner pointed out.

"Are we sure it's the real Loki?" I asked, Loki Who Remains coming to mind.

"What do you mean, Monty?" Stark questioned with a slightly tilted head and furrowed eyebrows.

I smiled, already making my way to the doors and then out of the lab, "Don't worry about it."

"PAIGE!" Brucie shouted, making me spin around on my heels, "Where are you going?"

"To see Loki!" I grinned.

I heard heavy footsteps coming towards me before recognising the all too familiar, bellowing voice of the God of Thunder, "I wouldn't do that if I were you, Lady Paige."

"And why not, Tonnerre?" I scoffed.

"He's killed hundreds of people this morning alone."

We all fell silent. Hundreds in one morning definitely beat eighty in two days. I felt a twinge of guilt in the core of my gut, maybe that was my fault? Maybe he decided to test his power after I told him he could be stronger than he thought.

"Now I'm definitely going to see him." I mumbled, rushing down the corridor before anyone could protest.

~~~

As Loki came into sight I struggled to ignore the sensation that was tugging me backwards, begging me not see him again after the last time. It all felt so unreal yet completely true all at once. The last time I saw this version of the God, I told them I loved them... and he simply stared at me. Not a single word. And now he's a mass murderer... again.

"Alright Loki, chit chat time!" I put on a fake smile, walking closer to his cell. "Why are you here this time?"

"Nice to see you too, my dear" The god scoffed at my entrance. I simple waited for my answer, "I fought a few mortals... they failed to win." He shrugged, glancing around as though he were innocent.

"Right, I hope you know that the whole Avengers team is probably watching us from that camera over there as we speak." I pointed towards it before waving at them. "I've been told there was a bit more than a few mortals. Can you tell me why you didn't run?"

"Well, I am a biological son of L-.. a King, adopted son of Odin - it's not in my nature." He explained as though the answer was simple.

My jaw dropped as I stared at him in utter disbelief, "So that's the only reason? You fought a hundred people because - it's not in your nature to run away?"

He took a pause, glancing upwards. He was considering this and wanted to make sure I knew. Then, Loki glanced down at me again, "Precisely."

I took in a deep breath, "Alright then... how did you get out of Asgards dungeons?" I said, remembering the last time we spoke.

He grinned widely, "The dark elves attacked the palace, I had a few prison acquaintances for a while."

"And then?" I asked.

"Well, they broke out the cells and I gave them a little tip in exchange for my freedom."

"Is everyone okay? Anyone hurt?" I was still fully aware of the heroes watching us as I tried to control the worry in my voice.

"Of course not! I told them to take the stairs to the right, sending them directly to Thor. Not a single one escaped... alive that is." His wicked grin grew impossibly wider.

I smirked but quickly forced it to drop, not wanting to cause any suspicion from the heroes who watched us, "Well... as long as everyone is alright that's what matters."

Loki nodded, looking me up and down with a smirk as he leaned towards the cell wall, "Do I make you nervous, darling?"

I blushed deeply, my eyes widened as I stared at him with gritted teeth, "Loki. The cameras!" The god simply chuckled, gesturing up to the camera. I turned around to see it, Hope was fiddling with the lens. "Well... an intelligence wants to learn." I smiled softly, turning back to Loki. "I'm going to get you out of here."

"I thought you said they knew you were here this time?" He asked, seeming intrigued by my confident statement.

"They are. That's why it won't be today but... soon..." I promised. He nodded with a proud smile as we stood quiet for a while until I spoke again, "About last time..."

Lokis cheeks turned a blue hue as he chuckled awkwardly before clearing his throat, "Right, yes.. last time..."

"I just wanted you to know, you don't have to say it back." I smiled sadly, "I'll be by your side no matter what."

He gaze drifted to the camera, it was still covered by Hope, then back down to me, "I fear that you will not feel the same after knowing every part of me."

"Then let me know every part." I suggested, not trying to push but desperately wanting Loki to believe me.

"I'm the monster that people tell their children about at night!" I could see the anger building inside of him at every word, "I do not want you to see that side of me..." this time his voice was barely above a whisper.

"Then I'll wait." I smiled softly, reassuringly before walking away from the cell, "come on Hope!" I called, the bot flying away from the camera and following me down the corridor.

The heroes could only see Loki as he stood at the edge of his cell, staring at the ground with his hands behind his back and a single tear that danced so elegantly down his face.