Avengers 2

Chapter 5

A/N: I apologize for not updating this story in ages (I actually forgot I wrote this and never finished it) and since it's been so long I feel like I should make a note about the general context in this fic. I wrote this before Marvel's Phase 2 was released so for those following the MCU timeline, this would be an AU after Avengers the movie. In other words this story does not include the happenings of Iron Man 3, Thor 2, Captain America 2, Guardians of the Galazy, and Age of Ultron. I apologize but like I said before all of this was written before the release of Phase 2 films and some parts of it does not coincide with the events established by the film. I will try to put bits and pieces of it in the future whenever possible but just a as a general note, this is an alternate continuation of the Avengers. 

"I'm just saying this guy tried to take over the world once are we really going to let him try a second time?" Clint pointed out as he helped himself to a glass of Tony's many bottles of liquor.

The seven of them crowded around the main room of Stark tower, or as Tony recently renamed it: Avengers tower. Newly refurbished and equipped with the latest in Stark technology. He imagines that somewhere on the helicarrier, Fury and his engineering buddies were looking at it with envy. Needless to say he was very proud of his work.

"If what Loki's saying is true then he's not the threat, we have bigger fish to catch." Tony replied sipping from his own glass of alcohol. He took a seat on the couch next to Daisy. Aside from himself, Daisy and Thor were the only ones who had taken a seat. The rest of the Avengers made themselves comfortable by standing with their arms crossed or pacing around the room anxiously.

"If what he's saying is true" Steve emphasized, keeping his arms folded.

"I'm just saying Loki might not be the bad guy here" Tony argued. It was rather surprising to see him defend a former enemy.

"I'm sorry but didn't he throw you out the window?" Daisy pointed out.

"Yes but-"

"he's saying that if Loki isn't the one pulling the strings then why are we wasting our time hitting the puppet." Bruce spoke up for him, "not to mention we've already got a big blue target on our backs." He said gesturing towards the tesseract.

"So with the sceptre and the tesseract still on earth, you still want to bring Loki into the mix and basically give him the means for world domination part 2." Daisy questioned.

"Raise your hand if you've ever been personally victimized by a Asgardian horned Hitler" he muttered raising the hand in which he held his glass. A few chuckles escaped from various individuals.

"That's not funny" Steve frowned.

Thor just looked confused, "I do not understand."

Feeling rather sympathetic, Bruce decided to explain but not before Natasha managed to cut him off.

"Okay 3 vote against, 3 vote for." She counted, "Thor you're the tiebreaker. Do you think we should release your brother?"

"Wait a minute, Nat you're voting for?" Clint seemed shocked and confused. Nat hadn't said a single word all night and from her silence Clint assumed she too believed releasing Loki was a bad idea. After all they've been partners for over a decade, he knew her, at least that's what he thought.

Clint's tone of voice caused her to draw back. She suspected he felt betrayed, after all they both know how traumatizing it was for him the last time around.

Luckily, before she could respond, Tony jumped in, "Thor what's your say in this?"

The room feel silent as everyone's attention shifted to Thor, who's brow was furrowed in heavy thought.

"Aye. No one knows of Loki's allies except Loki. We have no choice but to let him go in exchange for his cooperation."

"You trust him?" Natasha questioned with a raised eyebrow

"Nay. Loki is the god of mischief, I do not trust his word." Thor answered, "I trust his fear"

"Of us?" Tony quirked, Thor returned with a saddened yet serious expression.

"Loki fell into the deepest, darkest parts of the galaxy. The power he craves so much was never his. The one who gave him that power must have been powerful themselves."

"That's reassuring" muttered Clint, he helps himself to yet another glass before the liquor bottle was plucked from his hands by Natasha.

"That's 4 to 3" Tony summed up, "So who wants to go back to Assgard to fetch the king wannabe?"

*****

The sound of the large doors opening interrupted the timeless silence of his cell. Loki sat with his head bowed as his visitors footsteps grew louder as they came closer. The smile returned to his lips as he did not need to look up to know who his visitors were.

A powerful swing of the sacred hammer shattered the light source above him and instantly did Loki feel the weight lift off his back and shoulders. He stood, as he was now able to and finally raised his head to greet his rescuers.

There was Thor, of course, looking as mighty as ever in his blood red cape. He tensed upon his standing up and held his hammer slightly higher than resting position, as if positioned to strike him at any time.

"If you betray my friends, I will kill you." He threatened in a grave voice.

"3 minutes, let's go" a female voice called from behind.

Behind Thor was a red-headed female in a black suit that hid her hourglass torso in the shadows. She appeared to have been on lookout at the doors before running in with the tesseract (in its case)

Natasha lifted the case presenting one side of the handle to Thor and the other to Loki. Thor gripped his side of the handle and before Loki could do so, Natasha stopped him.

"Hands" she commanded, pulling out a set of handcuffs. Loki's attention shifted between the redhead and his (adopted) brother before breaking into a chuckle.

"Are you serious?" They didn't really think puny mortal restraints could stop him, did they?

"It's protocol" Natasha answered simply.

Loki continued to chuckle at the ridiculousness as he held out his hands. The cuffs snapped around his wrists and he reached for the opposite side of the tesseract case.

Natasha took a step back towards Thor and he responded by wrapping his free arm around her waist protectively. He gave the case a mighty twist sending the 3 of them back to Midgard.