The battle was over, the Chitauri defeated. Earth was safe and all that remained was for Loki to be dealt with. The Avengers stood around the God, watching as he stirred. Steve's fists clenched, rage surging through his veins him at the sight of the man who murdered his son.

"If it's all the same to you I'll have that drink now," Loki muttered.

Steve roared with anger and lunged at the trickster. He had killed his son, and countless others and he had the audacity to joke. Again, and again the Captain punched him, pouring his fury into every hit. Loki may have been a God but against the onslaught even he was reduced to a bloodied pulp. The rest of the Avengers stood in shock.

"Cap that's enough," Tony said.

Steve knocked Loki's head against the marble floor and pummelled Loki with all his might.

"Stop this now!" Thor bellowed.

Steve didn't stop, he couldn't, his grief blinded him to all but the monster before him.

"Dad,"

That voice, it couldn't be. Steve released his hold of Loki, the God dropping to the floor, unconscious. The Captain turned.

"Harry!" Steve gasped in shock for there before him was his son.

"Hey Dad," Harry smiled.

He stood between the rest of the Avengers, wearing pitch black robes and a glimmering cloak. The others were just as shocked as the Captain. Steve stepped forward, lifting his hand to grasp Harry's shoulder, he had to assure himself that it was real. He felt only relief and joy when he came into contact with his son's solid form. Steve pulled Harry into his embrace. This was real, his son was alive.

"You were dead," The Captain said, his vice tight with emotion. "How can you be here?"

"I'll explain everything, I promise but first there's something I have to do," Harry stepped from his father's hold and approached the fallen God.

He knelt down and raised Loki's head, applying a spell to ensure that the trickster's eyes would remain open.

"What are you doing?" Thor demanded.

"Thor your brother is under the influence of another, just as all those other agents were" Harry explained. "I need to enter his mind and break the control. Is that alright with you?"

It was hard for everyone to believe what he was saying. They had fought Loki and for him not to be the villain after all was unsettling to all the Avengers. Thor felt sick that his brother had been used so. How could he not have seen? After a moment of contemplation, the God of thunder nodded his ascent.

Harry took a deep breath and delved into Loki's mind.