My War Is Over (Original Unfinished Version)

Chapter Six

Thor stares in mute disbelief at the retreating form of Stark, his lips parted and his mouth dry. He rises slowly, ignoring the stares of the other Avengers as he walks to the screen in front of him, the Midgardian images of his little brother's broken body staring back at him. There's a cold sort of numbness that fills his body as he raises a shaking hand to touch the image of Loki's face, covered in bruises and cuts, caked with dried blood and grime. He registers the Son of Rodgers low voice mention something about mind control.

Mind Control. Everything makes sense now. 

"We are fools." He murmurs, turning slowly to face the others. The room quieted, yet Thor had not realized it had been loud. Natasha remains straight on her seat, her face slightly pale, arm resting on Clint's, who is leaning half over the table, eyes blazing and cheeks flushed. Thor quickly guesses he had been arguing with Steve, who is leaning back slightly, his face pale, eyes reflecting horror. Fury remains mostly impassive, yet his eyes burn with quiet hatred. Thor feels his face sink even deeper into his frown. Why would The Son of Fury be angry? Did he wish Loki evil? Loki, who has suffered already too much for anyone alone to bear?

"Thor," Steve begins, pity shining in his eyes.

"We are fools, yet I so much worse," Thor says again, shaking his head slowly. He suddenly slams his fist into the table, causing it to splinter and collapse into mere strips of firewood tinder on the floor, and Clint with it. Clint growls softly, picking himself up and brushing the dust off from his clothes. He opens his mouth to speak, but Thor cuts him off.

"Asgard is a planet where social status determines everything. To not be a warrior was...frowned upon. Loki never had any intention of becoming one. He spent his days in the library, studying all types of things along with his magic. I...I was a fool and I sided with my friends, who were none too kind to him." Clint rolls his eyes.

"So he was bullied a bit, who cares? He tried to take an entire planet out! He brainwashed me into trying to kill everyone I care about!"Clint barks, rage pouring off his tone.

"YOU DO NOT COMPREHEND MORTAL!" Thor roars, the sheer volume of his voice causing Clint to stumble back, Fury and Natasha's hands twitching towards their guns. But just as the rage had appeared, it was suddenly gone. Thor looks defeated, tired, and oh so guilty. His next words come out as a mere whisper.

"Loki is a powerful sorcerer, and I dare say he is more powerful than my father, King of the Nine Realms. I am a fool, as I did not care to think. If Loki wanted Midgard, he wouldn't even have to lift a finger, and the entire Nine Realms would crumble to dust at his feet. You are like ants, myself included because we wouldn't even get a chance to fight, we would shatter like glass, kill ourselves trying to stop him if he even gave us the chance, all the while Loki would not have even broken a sweat."

The room goes dead silent once again. No one moves, except for Thor who slides down to the floor, his head in his hands as he cries, and no one stops him.