The Truth in the Mirror

Blumarshin

The usual disclaimer applies; I don't own anything to do with Marvel, the Avengers or any of its affiliates. This is a pure work of non profit fanfiction created for enjoyment of its readers.

Part 1:

"When someone almost dies, or has a near death experience, it's supposed to change their life right? You're supposed to feel something, have an epiphany, a self realisation, see the world in a new light-whatever. But something, anything. So why didn't I?"

The aftermath was not his problem, he wasn't joking when he said he would be taking the next day off. In fact Tony intended to take the entire week off, simply on the principle that it was him that risked his life to insure that the Chitauri army was wiped out instead of New York. Tony Stark was never a delivery boy, but an exception had to be made and he made it. Tony could now say without hesitation that he owed New York nothing else. So clean up duty could go to hell.

When Steve mentioned the word help, one look from Tony was enough to nip that conversation in the butt. Tony Stark did not do clean up duty. He had to fix up his own tower anyway after the Big Guy did some redecorating with Loki. That was where Tony was now. After Shawarma, the avengers sort of went their separate ways, Bruce came with him though, who was currently resting on one of the lower floors of Stark Tower. Natasha, Hawke, Steve and Thor went back to S.H.I.E.L.D, which was where Loki was being detained. Thor didn't want to chance Loki escaping, so where Loki went so would Thor.

Tony was in what was left of his Penthouse, thankful that his bar wasn't smashed in the battle. Lounging on a sofa, sore as hell, and silently musing. Tony had a glass of whisky in hand, nursing it, rather than drinking it down like water. Thinking of the demigod, Loki never did actually receive that drink.

"Sir, Miss Pott's is on the line for you again." Jarvis interrupted the silence.

"Tell her I'm sleeping Jarvis, I don't want to take any calls right now, or see anybody for that matter. Clear." Tony replied, his eyes never leaving his glass.

"Yes Sir. She has left a message that you please call her when you have awoken."

"Yeah," Tony mumbled in reply.

"She is worried about you Sir."

"I know Jarvis, but can't I have a little time to myself, isn't that normal?"

"I don't know Sir, in times like these people generally want to spend time with their loved ones. You did almost die Sir."

"Argh, I know Jarvis, but I'm in no mood to play face right now." Tony took another mouthful of his drink. "I don't understand Jarvis, why do I feel so empty inside? Why don't I feel anything for this?"

"Perhaps it's a part of your nature, Sir."

"I know, I know Jarvis, but even for this I feel nothing? I saved the world, actually really saved it, stopped an alien invasion, went up into space, saw the armada of them, accepted that I probably wouldn't make it back, that it would cause my death and...and...nothing, nothing but the same indifference. Even I should have felt something."

"What is it you think you should have felt Sir?"

"You know I don't know that Jarvis. What do normal people feel? Happiness, satisfaction, pride, a greater sense of knowledge, of being ALIVE-I don't know. Just something other than a validation of an action that was taken. People were chanting my name in the streets, Jarvis. The whole world knows what I did with the team and I, don't, care. It's not important to me."

"You are acting on the premise that you should care Sir?" Jarvis clarified.

"Well, yeah, no, ah, I don't know. You know what Steve said to me today, after Shawarma, he said, 'I was wrong about you Tony, I'm sorry. What you did out there today, you are a real hero.' A hero he called me, Jarvis. Captain America called me a fucken hero."

"Your deeds were heroic Sir."

"Yeah, but I'm still a selfish bastard through and through. Do you know why I took that bomb up there Jarvis?"

"No Sir."

"This is MY city, MY country and MY god damn planet and these alien bastards think they can take what's mine. That those faceless bastards sent a nuke was a blessing in disguise. I saw an opportunity, calculated the outcomes and dealt with the competition. And Loki, oh Loki, he wants to be king of my mountain, be a player in my game. I don't think so." Tony finished his drink in one gulp, got up and went to pour himself another.

"Regardless of the intent or motives to your actions Sir, your public face will receive further support. This does seal the deal, as they say. Your character should not face any doubt."

"Yeah, but now is it even enough? Has it all been worth it? We are not the only world out there anymore Jarvis, and it turns out that it was the Norse legends that got it right, go figure. This makes me wonder about this Asgard place that Thor and Loki come from. Their technology intrigues me and the magic Loki wields makes my hands itch with the need to pull it apart and understand it. It finally feels like I have something worth my time again."

"It sounds like you have a plan Sir."

"Yeah, I want to speak to Loki again. Fire up the mainframe Jarvis, Daddy's got some work to do before the meeting."

"That Loki was a bag of cats, as Bruce put it, really wasn't far from the truth. But then again, we all have our little problems. Even after all Loki had done, I still found that I liked the guy, in a weird detached, purely scientific way. But what I liked the most about Loki was that he had potential, he could be useful to me. Did I think I could manipulate the God of Lies, that my silver tongue could match, no, was better than his? I was about to find out."

Tony walked through S.H.I.E.L.D like he owned the place. Tony learnt very quickly and at a young age that people respond to confidence, to authority and determination. Tony walked as if he owned the place, that he was meant to be here, he looked straight ahead and not at anyone who he passed. His expression was as stoic as the Ironman mask he wore. The suit was in its special briefcase attached to his wrist. No one stopped him, questioned him or even raised an eyebrow at his presence. He was Tony Stark, he was Ironman and he did what he damn well pleased.

So unperturbed Tony waltzed up to the holding cell that kept Loki, which was interestingly guard less at the moment and keyed in a code that he had Jarvis secretly implant into the S.H.I.E.L.D mainframe that allowed him access into anywhere. Tony stepped inside, placed his briefcase down by the entrance and took one glance at the small cell before settling his gaze on the demigod himself.

That Loki looked a little worse for wear was an understatement. The Hulk really did a number on him, but then again Tony was actually not shocked, the evidence of that particular beating was still ingrained on what was left of his marble floor in Stark Tower.

"Missed out on the room with a view again huh?" Tony spoke to Loki in a way to announce his presence. Loki was lying on a small cot with his eyes closed. At the sound of a voice they flew open and looked for the source. His green eyes settling on Tony, Loki's eyebrow rose in what was probably his way of expressing confusion.

Tony noticed immediately that Loki's eyes were a deep green rather than blue, putting it down to the fact that he no longer had the glowing stick of destiny, but filing it away anyway. Tony glanced to the singular camera in the cell and nodded to it once, which was the signal for Jarvis to place a continual feed into the camera so this conversation would not be recorded. Jarvis had made himself nice and comfy in S.H.I.E.L.D's pathetic excuse of a security system and so Tony felt confident that not only would there be no trace of this conversation, but that he wouldn't be interrupted as well. Tony walked further into the cell and heard the door close behind him.

"Well Princess, it would be a lie if I said you looked good, but a little thunderbird told me you wouldn't be here long, so I guess S.H.I.E.L.D didn't bother to clean you up a bit huh?"

Loki scowled, "What do you want Stark? Here to gloat are you, insult me as you laugh at my fall?" Loki voice was still the same, a little bit raspy, as if he had a dry throat but it was no mistaking that tone he used.

"While yes there will be gloating, I won after all, and I did tell you, that you would lose, but you just didn't want to listen, Mister high and mighty, hey you get off my cloud. And on that subject throwing me out the window was so not cool. I could have died."

Loki rolled his eyes, "that was the point," he mumbled.

Tony placed a hand on his heart, his expression down trodden. "Hey that hurt and if I was dead, we wouldn't be having this conversation now, a conversation that might actually interest you." Tony smiled at Loki; it was a small suggestive smile that hinted at something to come, whether it was a pleasant something could always be debatable. Tony walked even further into the room and leaned against the wall, opposite the demigod. Yes he didn't have his briefcase in reach, but something told him he wouldn't need it, not with the state Loki was in. Loki looked as if he was ready to kneel over a die at any minute.

"What could you, a mere mortal offer in a conversation that might interest me," Loki sneered.

"And people say I have an ego, you really take the cake on that one, cupcake. But you got to teach me that, that tone of voice that just drips with rightful indignation, you know what, you would be a great voice actor, no I'm serious, you could play some cheesy villain in some B grade cartoon, shouldn't be too unrealistic since you really are one in life, a cheesy villain that is." Tony knew he was poking the proverbial wounded snake here, but he just couldn't help but poke and the result was worth it.

"I am a god! Not some villain for your wretched entertainment!" Loki seethed, as he attempted to get up and throttle Tony with his bare hands. But fell back into the cot in exhaustion, breathing heavily.

"Easy there reindeer games, don't get your panties all in a twist. Although it's good to see that the Hulk didn't smash the god complex out of you."

"What did you want Stark," Loki sighed, despondent at his own weakness.

"I come with glad tidings; I came to tell you that you were right." Loki's eyes narrowed suspiciously at Tony, he could tell that the mortal was attempting to imitate him. "In this I do not jest. Your little speech before you allowed your so called capture. You were right; humans do crave subjugation, the illusion of freedom, of identity, our lusts for power, that even today we are still ruled by the some and not the many." Tony waved his arms grandly to make a show of it; to say Loki was unamused was an understatement. Tony smiled, dropping the act, taking on a more serious tone. "You want to be top dog, you want to rule this planet, you want to be king, you think you can do better job, fine. But, you went about the wrong way." Tony smiled once more.

"Now that seems quite counterintuitive to what you spoke to me earlier in your tower," Loki mused aloud.

"Oh, I was pissed off then. You don't come and piss in someone else's pool buddy and don't face the consequences. You forgot to check if there were any big fish in this particular pool and you don't play with someone else's toys without permission," Tony's face was deadpan, the perfect poker face, but it was his eyes that spoke volumes to Loki.

"And I am to assume that this was your pool, your toys I was playing with," Loki concluded, his interest piqued. There was something different about the Stark in front of him, something he didn't notice until now.

"I don't take kindly to competition. Demigod or not." Tony gave Loki his cold eyes, the soft brown gone to such a deep colour that looked almost black. It was a look that said he had killed before, would do it again and feel nothing about it. It was a look of a heartless, merciless predator.

"Ah, I see. I wasn't aware Earth's little team of misfits had another monster hiding in plain sight. You hid your true nature quite well."

"I don't come out to play often," Tony smiled again, breaking the sudden tension in the cell.

"You said I went about it the wrong way, pray tell, what is the right way in ruling over you humans, if you even know that is," Loki queried, he couldn't fault the human, he was interested in this conversation, it was not what he expected and from Stark of all the humans.

"Is that doubt I detect dear Watson?" Tony questioned, putting on an accent, playfully appalled at the suggestion.

Loki didn't understand the reference, but knew that Stark was full of them and it was of little consequence what the human constantly referred him as to. "We both know you talk big Stark."

"And we both know my actions to such talk deliver, Loki." Tony rebutted, not missing a beat. Loki nodded his head in acknowledgement. "You see someone didn't do their homework," Tony tsked. "We humans as a race, as a species, don't take kindly to dictatorship. Our history is littered with people who tried to take control with fear, with brutal force and severe punishment. No doubt where you were headed," Loki nodded his head in affirmation; Stark wasn't far from the truth.

Tony continued, "Humans have this weird sense of right and wrong and love the concept of justice, of upholding this delusionary ideal. We don't like people who take charge and throw it in our faces, abuse it, and are corrupted with the use of their so called power. So we rebel, and it only takes one strong minded person to say no, to give courage to the rest of the flock who then follow and follow we do if we feel slighted. When you break it down we really are just a bunch of sheep. And all those people, throughout history, those dictator kings were fought and met with messy ends. Yeah they succeeded for a while but they were always doomed to fail, hmph, cause and effect really when you think about it." Tony paused, lost in his own thoughts for a moment.

Loki couldn't help but listen to Tony's every word, his attention rapt, absentmindedly Loki knew Tony would make a brilliant bard. Loki swallowed, "So if fear, punishment and suppression do not work, what does then?"

Tony walked up to Loki's cot and stared down at the demigod. Tony's eyes were alight with a crazed look of absolute glee, of excitement and dangerous knowledge. Loki had only seen that look once and he couldn't help but shiver in remembrance of it.

"You make them love you," Tony whispered down to him. "You make them need you, you become the hand that feeds, their light when they are lost and their Sheppard to guide and protect them. You take away their responsibility, and they give it freely because you make them want you to be their leader. You give them an idol to worship that is tangible, that is like them but more and they will love you. A true king is always appointed by the people," Tony winked at Loki before backing away and checking the time on his clock. He was sure he didn't have too much time left.

"And that can even be accomplished?" Loki snorted, very unprincely but he felt warranted for it sounded impossible. Tony turned back to Loki.

"Tried and tested by yours truly."

"You are not king here," Loki shot back. Tony thought on his words and tilted his head.

"No you're right, not in title, not yet, but then it's not like I would want the title anyway. But I'm living proof that the principle does work."

"Really?" Loki rolled his eyes.

"There's that doubt again rock of ages. Tell me just how much do you know about me, about my history, about Tony Stark rather than Ironman." Tony crossed his arms.

"I never bothered with such trivial matters as who were popular mortals," Loki replied, still snide.

"Really?" It was Tony's turn to roll his eyes, "You honestly did no homework about this planet? You weren't even curious to find out who was this planet's most powerful man? You really are a piece of work cupcake." Tony shook his head.

"Your planet is nothing compared to Asgard, Midgard is nothing but a backwards, un-advanced culture in technology, magic and people," Loki snapped back.

"And yet you wanted to rule this planet? Hmm..." Tony replied.

"I was born to be a King! It is my right to claim any kingdom I desire and I do not need to justify myself to a mortal like you," Loki was seething now.

"So, just not the kingdom of Asgard then I take it?" Tony countered, not concerned over Loki's little outburst.

"I was King of Asgard!"

"Was, eh, I guess your father and brother had something to do with that." Loki looked like he had been slapped, the shock and pain on his face was so apparent, so raw that it was tempting for Tony to just slip his proverbial knife a bit deeper, to see Loki hurt that little bit more. But Tony stopped himself, it was not the goal of today's little talk, but he filed it away for perhaps later use.

"They are not my father and brother," Loki hoarsely whispered. Tony came up to Loki once more, but bent down to Loki's eye level on the cot. Tony sighed before schooling his face to express empathy, understanding and reassurance.

"Look I may not have an elder brother's shadow to always walk in, to constantly be compared to him and to always see him and not me get the best in life." Loki turned to look at Tony. "But what I do know of is shitty fathers. Of constantly trying to prove yourself to him, for him to be proud of you, to accept you for who you truly are." Tony noticed Loki sharp intake of breath, Loki was almost there, time to bring out the big guns. "And it's that look in his eye, that god damn look that tells you how disappointed he is with you and you know that you'll never be good enough, not to him and yet all you've ever wanted was to please him. But what kills the most is that people always compare you to him, that you are never your own man. And it makes you so angry inside that you begin to see that god damn look in everyone's eyes, friends, family, even people you don't even know and it eats away at you, eats away deep inside..." Tony abruptly stood up and turned away from Loki, "It's that soul crushing feeling of utter..."

"Worthlessness..." Loki finished for him. Tony smiled, he had him, Tony was positive the connection was made.

"Yeah, worthlessness..." Tony schooled his face once more before turning back to Loki. "So do you know what I did Loki? I took control, I chose not to accept it. I took over my father's kingdom and I made it my own way and I did what you did and tried to force control through fear and suppression of the people around me and do you know where it got me? Flat on my ass in Afghanistan, handed over to terrorists, betrayed by one I thought I could trust, who had helped raise me since I was a mere child. It's how I got this," Tony pointed to the ark reactor in his chest.

"I was brought down to a humiliating low, a low point that I didn't even think there was a way out for me. But do you know what I did then, I said fuck that I'm Anthony Edward Stark and I decide my own fate. So I got back up and I got my revenge and decided to change the world to an image that I like. And you may be doubtful of my principle God of mischief but I tell you now, it works. There is nobody, nobody on this planet that doesn't know my name. Children play with toys in my image, men and women wear clothing with my image. There is no door on this planet that is closed to me. Haha, after your little attack on New York, my image is everywhere, people are chanting my name, and they are even changing their hair styles to imitate me. Every man wants to be me and every woman wants to be with me. I could be president tomorrow if I wanted to. I just need to give the word and people will come in droves to my beckons. If that is not the true power of a King, than nothing is."

"It is that suit of yours that they love," Loki whispered.

"Yeah, someone asked me, what was I without the suit and I replied 'genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist.' That still holds true. But the Ironman suit and I are one in the same, I am Tony Stark, I am Ironman. The suit, it is my ideal; my idol given to the people and it keeps me a man, but makes me something more."

"I see," Loki replied, pondering Tony's words. Silence filled the small cell once more until Loki finally asked the one question Tony had been waiting for Loki to ask. "Why are you telling me all this Stark?"

Tony walked up to Loki's cot once more and looked him straight in the eye, mustering all the charisma he had, "Come now Loki, you've said it yourself. You were born to be king. We both know that you're special and that you are damn good at what you do. Do I need a reason other than that?" Tony smiled, breaking eye contact to pace the small cell. He knew Loki needed more than that. Tony continued, glancing at Loki when appropriate.

"Maybe I agree with you? Just because I have the power to be King, doesn't necessarily mean I want it. Maybe you make life interesting again. Maybe I see a lot of myself in you. Maybe I'm curious, maybe I'm bored with this world, and maybe my eyes have been opened with the new knowledge of other worlds out there. And just probably because I like you," Loki gave him 'the look' with that comment. "Oh, no don't get any ideas with that one, I like you because you're something different, something new and you interest me. You are just perfect for the man that has everything in this world." Tony walked up closer to Loki once more. "It is on that premise that I have even decided to help you."

"And what makes you think that I even need your help," Loki replied. Tony didn't even dignify that with a response, he just looked at Loki, looked at the cell and looked at Loki again. "What makes you think that I even want your help," Loki clarified, turning his head away from Tony, which was perfect for Tony because it exposed Loki's neck. Tony put his hand in one of his coat's pockets and withdrew a small syringe like device.

"Oh, something tells me you haven't had your last laugh, bag of cats. You're not done yet, you're not finished. Don't think of it as help then, but a gift," Tony released the top and quick as a flash injected something into Loki's neck while withdrawing blood at the same time. It was all over in a moment, Loki whipped his head back to Tony, his hand to his neck to feel something crawl beneath his skin and move towards his spine.

"What did you-" Loki couldn't finish his sentence, the pain was horrible, it made him twitch uncontrollably and it took all of Loki's effort not to whimper.

"That little beauty is leverage, power, a safeguard to something you hold very precious and it just might even save your life. My gift to you, I'm sure you'll know what to do with, you are the ultimate trickster god after all." Tony pocketed the syringe of blood. "Well it's been a great chat reindeer games, but I must bid you farewell for now." Tony began to walk out of the cell. "When you are ready to actually get serious and truly be King of the mountain, come and find me and I'll be your fairy godmother." At the door now, Tony picked up his suit before he turned back to look at Loki, who's eyes were on him, but true expression hidden behind pain. "And whatever you do, don't die on me." Tony blew Loki a kiss and left the cell.

Walking back out the way he came, smiling, this time, Tony was surprised that he was not stopped, and that Fury wasn't on his ass about being in the compound, let alone talking to the most dangerous war criminal on the planet. Tony didn't even see any of his fellow Avengers, perhaps Steve had managed to get the rest of the team to help out with clean up duty. It was better them, than himself. Tony would be giving a generous, charitable donation to the city in the effort to clean up and rebuild what was destroyed in the battle anyway.

Tony waited till he was in his suit again, flying back towards Stark Tower before asking Jarvis if the implant was successful. Hearing good news, Tony thought how his plan was more than successful, it went perfectly. He knew he would have to wait a bit longer, but he was a patient man. In the end he would have that demigod eating out of the palm of his hand.

Back at Stark Tower, in his private workshop Tony looked at the screens that showed him wonders of information before he began analysing Loki's blood.

"Jarvis, I want full, continual readings around the clock, nonstop. We don't know if we will still be able to receive any data after he leaves this planet so I want everything we can possibly get while he is still here."

"Of course Sir. Miss Potts called for you again,"

"I'm busy Jarvis. Tell her I'm fine and that I need her to still continue the meetings in DC."

"Yes Sir, the analyses you requested on the subject's blood should take only a couple of hours, sir."

"Excellent, keep me posted." Tony went back to work on the schematics of his latest invention he was working on.

For what he wanted Tony would be patient. After all he was Tony Stark and Tony stark always got what he wanted.

A few hours later saw Tony in front of a very important mirror.

"Okay Jarvis, light it up, practice time." Tony clapped his hands together and readied himself.

"Yes Sir. What would you like to start with today?"

"Show me anguish; I still don't have that one down pat."

"Anguish Sir,"

Tony looked closely at the image of a man in emotional pain in front of him, before Tony turned to his mirror and began to try and imitate the facial expression. He played around with it for a few minutes. Getting his mouth to curve down just right, parted slightly at the lips, eyebrows raised, he focused on his eyes to water that little bit, to express emotional turmoil, it wasn't easy.

"You are getting quite good at it Sir,"

Tony dropped the facade and smiled, "Jarvis, you sweet talker. Okay bring up empathy. I think I nailed that one with Loki today."

"Bringing up empathy," the image on the screen changed. Tony blanked his face before he once again attempted to imitate the image.

"Cross check with supporting behaviours and tone of voices, it can't all be in the face," Tony ordered.

"Bringing up on the screen now Sir." Tony's eyes devoured the words on the screen, he knew them word for word in his memory but Jarvis always updates so Tony always checks.

"Yep, nailed it. Okay now for the hard one. Bring up fear."

This daily ritual continued for quite some time till Tony was happy with his performance. The perfection of his mask was crucial for what was to come.

-End chapter-