The Visit

Haunting Past

"What do you mean show us?" Steve asked.

"I can project my memories so other beings might see them."

"Wait," Bruce said, worried. "Won't that make you have to relive them too?"

Loki looked up at him, "Yes."

"Are you sure you are okay with this?" Tony asked.

Loki pressed his lips together and took a deep breath. "No. But you deserve an explanation."

Not giving anyone time to respond, Loki closed his eyes and cast his mind into his memories. When he found the right ones he focused and projected them into the cell.

The others saw the scene change around themselves to one with a dark sky speckled with stars and coarse rock beneath them.

A figure materialized on the ground, bloodied and bruised. Another figure, wearing a black robe materialized above him. The creature on the ground pushed themselves to their feet and analyzed their surroundings. It became painfully obvious that this was Loki.

"What do we have here?" The other figure said in a deep gravelly voice.

Present-Loki winced as he heard the voice.

Loki pivoted to look at the creature.

"Who are you?" Loki said in a commanding tone.

"You do not have the right to be asking questions around here, child."

Loki's face grew furious. "I am Loki, King of Asgard! You will obey--"

The Other reached out its six-fingered hand and Loki grasped at his throat, falling to the ground, gasping for air.

"You will know your place soon enough, Jotun runt."

Loki's eyes rolled back and he went unconscious.

The scenes went by quickly in a montage of Loki being whipped, burned, and beaten until it stopped on one.

They were in a dark stone cell, where Loki was hung up by his wrists so that he would constantly be kneeling. His head hung from his shoulders in exhaustion, his long black hair falling into his face.

The cell door opened and two chitauri came in, followed by the Other. The Other smiled as he looked at Loki.

"Ready to submit to your master?"

Loki looked up, his face bruised and a cut on his lip. He huffed out a laugh and looked the Other straight in the eye. He leaned forward as much as he could.

"Go to Hel!" he spat, blood trickling from his lip.

The Other scowled, and strode out. The chitauri released his wrists from the ceiling and dragged him out of the cell. They continued until they reached a clearing with many chitauri surrounding a raised stone circle with two posts on either side. They dragged him up and chained him to the posts so his arms were outstretched. The Other strode behind Loki and unsheathed a dagger. He pressed it to Loki's skin and started carving a design into his back. Loki bit his lip and didn't make a sound, tears brimming in his eyes.