Disclaimer: I own none of these characters.

Authors note: This is my first fic. Please review so I can improve.

The first thing he felt were familiar, cool fingertips brushing a stray hair across his forehead and tucking it behind his ear, but this sensation was followed quickly by pain. It rushed down his spine and skittered over his back and the thigh of his left leg. He shifted and was reminded of the long, hot slashes that ran across the length of his broad shoulder. Sweat broke out on his temple and he suppressed a groan.

"I never wished this for you, brother. I may not be one of your kinds, but I loved you as if you and I were the same."

Thor opened his eyes and took in the sight of an imperious Loki standing over him. He looked impossibly tall and he was dressed in fine garments of green and black. Thor imagined he would have made a great king if looking the part was all it took. If you didn't also need compassion and reason to rule. Thor took a moment to observe his surroundings. The room they were in was a large doom made of cool grey stone. The floor he lay on was composed of slats of polished wood which the torches encircling the wall bathed in warm light. It was beautiful and inhospitable, so very similar to Loki.

"Loki, what have you done?" Thor shifted, trying to raise himself up. He heard chains rattle and looked down to see his wrists bound in heavy metal. Yet the golden bindings seemed to do more than just chain him. They were sapping his god-like strength like Samson with his locks shorn short. His head swam with sickness from the pain, but he forced himself to meet his brother's gaze.

"Ah, my brother, don't move too much, you've been wounded quite badly. I apologize for that, but it was a necessary evil in order to ensure my plan's success."

"Plan? What do you mean?"

"You thought I could be so easily beaten? You think I could be taken by your pathetic humans?" Loki's green eyes glinted with malice and disgust. "What a low opinion you have of me."

"Loki, it does not-"

Loki abruptly sprang forward and gripped Thor about the neck, his thin fingers tightening like a vice.

"No, brother! No more words from you. I have spent my whole life listening to what you think. Now you will listen to me and I will teach you something." Loki's words were clipped and spit them out. If Thor were not chained he would have touched his brother's cheek for he found Loki's rage something to be pitied. He could see Loki's pain that was just beyond his burning fury. It saddened him that he had failed him so badly. That they had been forced to this dire conclusion. Yet, also felt a great, frothing ire beginning to bubble in his chest. The shame of being beaten and bound was too much for his pride. Still, he knew he should suppress it for now, until he found a weakness, a moment to strike. As if sensing Thor's inner turmoil Loki smiled and patted his cheek patronizingly. "Poor boy, I know how you hate chains, but they are for your own good. I am here to save you. I don't know what happened to you when you first came to this world. What these mortals used to enchant your heart, but I will break you of it. I will show you the light. They are weak brother. They are nothing like us. You will watch and learn the truth about these loathsome creatures."

Thor wrenched away from his brother.

"Loki, do not do this! Killing an entire people? You will never be free of the guilt you will carry after destroying a race that's power could never hope to match your own."

Loki turned his back to Thor and sighed. Then he began to laugh.

"Loki?"

"Brother, you never did have a tactical mind." he said. "I will rule these people. That has always been my intention. What need have I to kill them all? No I only need a few to prove my point to you."

The haze of pain was lifted as the reality of his brother's plan streamed through him, filling him with hot metal.

"My friends?"

Loki turned to Thor and smiled approvingly.

"Bravo, brother. There is hope for you yet. Yes, "The Avengers". Who better to stand for a race of people than their champions? Their so called heroes? I will admit the choice was in part selfish on my behalf. Ever since they destroyed my army, I have been rather looking forward to having a good, what is it that they say in this world? Ah, yes, heart to heart, with your friends."

Thor attempted to stand. Suddenly two masked specters appeared on either side of him and assisted him to his feet. Thor knew Loki had been dabbling with replicating himself into an army. It appeared he had finally had a breakthrough. In other circumstances Thor would have been moved by their help, knowing it was in fact a part of his brother behind each mask. He loved his brother, but his heart was twisted and now Thor knew definitively, there could be no saving him.

"I'm glad to see you are so eager for my tutelage. I promise the lessons will be well worth learning."

Author's Note: Thanks for reading. I already have the next chapter partly written so please check back soon...