Hello there~ This is a story collaboration between myself, Angry Mushroom (u/4109001/Angry-Mushroom), and Soul Stained Blue (u/1957139/Soul-Stained-Blue). This worked almost like a roleplay, where each of us took turns telling the story through a certain character's view point. For the most part, I worked with Loki, Shroom worked with Bruce, and Soul Stained worked with Thor. We hope you enjoy reading, and reviews are always greatly appreciated! :3

"This will be your cell until father comes," said Thor in a quite serious manner. He hated having to do this... Loki was his brother. Perhaps he had gone astray, yes, but still... he was still not yet beyond reason - not if he could help it.

Loki raised an eyebrow in response, unable to talk due to the irritating piece of metal wrapped around his lower jaw. His hands were still cuffed as well, though they seemed a bit too loose to hold the God of Mischief. As he made to move towards his cell, Odin appeared at the end of the corridor, apparently wishing to speak to Thor alone.

Thor closed the bars behind Loki and went eagerly to speak to his father. They walked a bit further down, just out of sight, and Loki grinned at their stupidity. If only father wasn't such an old fool... he thought in contempt. A would-be smirk (had his muzzle not still been on his face) threatened to take over his lips, but his eyes showed all his planning clearly.

Almost an hour later, footfalls were heard clearly from the end of the dark corridor. They belonged to Thor, who was walking towards Loki's cell with a defeated look. It appeared he hadn't won Odin over in asking that Loki's trial be postponed. He knew Loki had to answer for his crimes, but... a sigh escaped his stubbled jaw as he opened the barred gate. Odin stepped in front of his son by blood and said with utmost authority to his adopted one, "Come, Loki. Your trial awaits."

When Loki would not budge but simply sat there, looking through them both, Odin raised an eyebrow, already formulating. No... He grasped Loki's wrist in impatience, saying, "Do you not hear-" His hand went right through, and Loki's clone vanished.

Triumphant laughter could be heard as Loki escaped from one of the open cells just in front of the corridor's exit. He had been hiding there. What a foolish mistake for Odin to make, leaving Loki unguarded.

Loki had his spear in hand, which still contained its piece of the tesseract. His eyes spoke what his voice could not. He was glad to never see his father again. He looked at Thor with a glance that bordered almost on regret before disappearing in a wisp of blue smoke, gone from Asgard to who knows what realm.

Pushing 80 on a 65mph highway, Bruce barely thought about the speed. At first he was concerned, but that thought quickly turned to amusement when the air was blown on his face and through his wavy brown hair. It felt nice. The kind of air he wished for many warm nights back in Calcutta. His hand bobbed up and down as it hug over his door as he let his mind wonder. He learned many things since he met this band of misfits. Since he met Tony. He glanced at Stark. He had almost forgotten the man was talking over the AC/DC disc playing fairly loud.

"The silver and red paint job was nice, but it just doesn't touch red and gold. Wonder what a suit would look like in green." He paused but didn't turn away from the road. Bruce instantly caught onto Tony's test to see if he was paying attention.

"Not really your color. Despite your billions."

"You're right. You pull it off better."

Bruce laughed and shook his head, unable to think of a reply to that.

It got really quiet all the sudden. Even quieter than usual. Quieter than when they were working on finding the tesseract. The CD ended and Tony stopped talking. It was an awkward kind of quiet. Bruce wasn't sure why he felt uneasy, but Tony knew. The man was in deep thought. Truth was, Tony wasn't sure how he was suddenly thinking about it, but he was thinking about what Bruce had said back on the hellicarrier. Back RIGHT before all hell broke loose.

Back when he found out he and the scientist had something else in common... They both hit rock bottom once. Many do, sure, but to actually come out and say it... Tony remembered how it felt. When he was sitting in one of his fancy cars in his work space. The device keeping him alive slowly killing him. And he could feel it. Feel his energy leave him. Things weren't working out with Pepper. His company. He was losing his grip on everything that he ever had to hold onto that kept him from leaving this world. His will was leaving him. He was falling apart at the seams, and he didn't care. He was going to let himself die.

His plans were cut short though when Rodney snapped him out of it. Reminding him as long as he at least had a friend... And what did Bruce have? The other guy gave forced him to stay alive, but that didn't give him a reason to go on.

Next thing Tony knew, he was turning off at the airport's exit. He found a spot in the parking lot that was fairly secluded so as to reduce the risk of damage to his car. Putting it in park he dug into his pocket and said, "Bruce."

"Tony."

"Do me a favor alright." He threw a new cell at Bruce, who caught it rather well even though he fumbled slightly, "Keep in touch." Then adding quickly without really knowing why, "Never know when we'll need one of you to help out with another alien invasion."

Bruce looked at the screen for a moment before putting it in his pants pocket. "Sure thing." He paused a moment before getting out. How should he say good bye? Though he didn't know Stark very well, he felt he knew the man his whole life. He gave Bruce the one thing not many other people who knew who else he was could ever give him. Trust. And that was one thing he only ever wanted from anyone. But still. There was the time factor. They certainly weren't in a 'hug' stage. "Take care of yourself, Tony." He extended a hand.

Tony took it and they shook briefly, "Same to you."

Bruce nodded and grabbed his bag out of the back before throwing it over his shoulder, shutting the car door in the same motion. Then with one final look back and a returned wave, he walked to the airport lobby, ticket in hand and with a heavy heart.

As the engine to Tony's car revved loudly, it was clear when he was gone by the screech the tires made. He had hopped back in when Bruce was out of sight, and was on his way back to Stark Tower. He now had a jumbled mind to sort out, seeing Banner off. Maybe rebuilding the top floor should be his distraction for now.

What could have been a great distraction indeed, however, he missed as he cleared the airport's parking lot. Minutes later, a mist crashed into the side of the airport entrance. In the midst of things, the tesseract had been disabled. No... that must have meant... As he looked around him, his eyes widened. No! Midgard, AGAIN? He was so sick of this planet he could throw it into oblivion. Not that he hadn't almost done so not too long ago, but then he wasn't really trying.

Something must have gone wrong while he had tried to move to another realm. Thor and Odin most likely stored the rest of the tesseract somewhere where its energy would be contained, hoping to stop him from reaching his destination. It worked, apparently, and if Loki hadn't had cuffs on his hands, he would have punched the wall behind him.

Luckily the people outside the airport entrance were either texting on their phones, listening to their iPods, or too distracted to notice his sudden and destructive entrance. But one face stood out, and Loki suddenly had a terrible feeling enter his being. It was that Hulk... Bruce Banner.

Calcutta, Ethiopia ...India, Africa, Europe, the choices were endless. S.H.I.E.L.D gave him the option and ability to go anywhere again, without the fear of hiding from Ross, but he still wasn't sure where that place should be. He wanted to put his intelligence to good use again, but he was still afraid the General would try something. Hence why he couldn't accept Tony's offer to stay in New York.

He sighed thinking about his options again as he walked to the door of the airport's lobby. 'Where could Bruce be just as helpful as Hulk...' He almost laughed aloud at the thought. Hulk helpful. Granted he was told the green behemoth was probably the most help and reason they had won the day against the alien invasion, but he was still a massive force of destruction no matter where he went. The events prior to his visits to New York proved that.

Pulling at a yellow sleeve, he glanced around the sidewalk at the entryway and at the faces around him. His train of thought and habit of looking for Ross over his shoulder forced him to do so. He didn't find anyone in pursuit, but what he did find surprised him all the same. Starting to attract passing eyes from his odd clothes and bound state, was Loki standing on the other end of the walk, scepter in hand. The Asgardian had noticed him, making Bruce want to panic. He may have a vast knowledge in physics and even some medicines, but he was no Captain America. He didn't strategize or fight. The fighting at least was for the other guy, and that's what he was afraid would happen. The crowd of people coming and going were already in enough danger with him there as Bruce.

Talking himself down into a state of calm, he decided he'd at least try to approach Loki. What did he have to lose? If he was to attack, at least it'd be Bruce he harmed, and even then the man couldn't die. Moving slowly and throwing his bag back over his shoulder, he thought how odd it was that Loki hadn't tried to make a move yet. And he couldn't help but smile a bit at the site of the muzzle and cuffs on him.

"I guess we should have given your escort an escort." Bruce said as he stopped short of him. Not taking his eyes off him and especially the scepter, he added, "If you intend to start more trouble, can we at least take this to the parking lot?" He glanced around for security quickly before meeting eyes with the enemy once again. He wanted to get him away from people and more into the open. And though he wasn't much of a fighter, if needed be, he could at least become one.

Loki honestly wished to have nothing to do with this Midgardian. As much as the demigod hated to admit it, he was vulnerable. With no words to play with Banner's mind and no way to grab him, he was at a horrific disadvantage. Upon hearing his suggestion to move closer to the parking lot, he was unsure. The last thing he wanted to do was attract attention. If he did, Thor would know his exact whereabouts, and going back home was the absolute last place he intended to do. Midgard was pretty awful, yes. But Asgard was worse at the moment.

He nodded hesitantly, leading the way to the furthest corner of the parking lot, where no human walked. They were all too busy trying to catch their flights to choose a too-out-of-the-way parking space. Already, plans were formulating through Loki's mind. Maybe he could get this human... if he could even be called that, to get this muzzle off. Loki's intentions were to get as far away from Asgard as possible, and Earth was the first place Thor and Odin would look. Bad. Very bad.

He looked up at Bruce with uncertainty. He didn't trust him. He didn't trust anyone. His trust had been marred beyond repair quite some time ago. He was not intent on fixing it anytime soon.

In complete shock that the menacing Asgardian actually did as he asked, Bruce said, "Thanks. Now um..." He paused wondering what to do next. He thought about removing the muzzle so he could at least talk to him. What he really wanted to do was use the phone Tony gave him and call Fury, but he didn't know the number. And while flipping through the numbers before putting it in his pocket, he noticed the only number it DID have was Tony under 'rock god'. Well he was certain Loki couldn't do anything. For one, he knew what would happen if he tried anything and made Bruce angry. And two, his hands were still bound.

"I'll remove this, so try not to do anything okay?" Moving cautiously, he fiddled with the thing until he was able to pull it down and away from Loki's mouth. Loki then moved away from Bruce as if backing away from a snake, holding the scepter up slightly in defense. Ignoring it, Bruce questioned, "Why are you back so soon anyway? I imagine escaping punishment, but surely Earth wasn't your first pick after your failure during your last visit."

Loki was frankly - if nothing else - shocked that Bruce was so quick to pull down his muzzle. How could he trust him so easily? Unfortunately, he could not get it entirely off his head. That would require having free hands. He was able to grab his scepter, but that was about it.

He continued to hold it up in defense, trying to decipher whether or not this 'angry green fellow' (as his brother had put it) was truly being friendly. Or at least not hostile. Could it be possible that his alter ego was so different from his own nature? Either way, him being Loki, he was not one to give up secrets so easily. At one point in time, he might have told anything to his brother, Thor, but those times were over. They could never be again.

"My punishment would have been severe," he offered hesitantly. "You are correct. Midgard was my last option." Seeing that Banner had not made another move yet, he thought it was perhaps safe enough to say, "My insolent... 'relatives' have deactivated the tesseract, stranding me here before I could reach a final destination."

"So I guess this means Thor will be along soon?"

"Hopefully not," replied Loki. He hated feeling so vulnerable, even if it seemed that Banner meant him no harm.

Thor threw yet another chair across the room in hit fit of rage. How could his father be so insensitive? He roared with pain and anger, finally falling to the floor with exhaustion. He needed to find Loki. His brother needed him, he would not be kept from the one he cared about most.

Thor heaved a sigh and stood once more, he grabbed his faithful weapon, Mjolnir, and headed for the bi-frost, which had finally been repaired in his absence.

"Heimdal! I will not be kept from my brother! Permit me to pass or I shall have no choice but to fight my way out." Thor held up his hammer threateningly.

Heimdal eyed him carefully and nodded. "I owe your father my loyalty, but i owe you my understanding. I will permit you to pass on one condition."

Thor felt a bit relieved but was still wary. "And what would that be?"

"Keep Loki away from Asgard and out or mischief. Be the brother he needs, and help him reform; show Odin he can be helped. No one is below a second chance."

Thor smiled, tempted to embrace Heimdal, but there was no time. Thor stepped in front of the portal with a sigh, his heart broke slightly when he heard Heimdal insert his mighty sword into the bi-frost. He knew keeping Loki on earth would also mean he would have to stay as well, as neither of them could ever return home... Then again, Thor thought. It really isn't home without Loki. Heimdal turned the great weapon and the bi-frost took Thor by force, hurling him through the cosmos toward Earth.

Bruce weighed his options. Thor or S.H.I.E.L.D.'s help right now would be greatly appreciated. What was he to do with such a threat? The pointy end of the spear still directed to his chest, and that wasn't helping matters any. It slightly annoyed him and it made his skin itch with the threat of transforming. He put on a warm smile and tried to reassure the Asgardian that he meant no harm.

Loki, going on what he had known for the worse - and more recent - half of his life, still had a hard time trusting Banner. Who could blame him, after all? He felt as if his own father betrayed him, raising him pretty much like a pig for slaughter. He held the scepter closer to himself, as if to tell Bruce via body language that he was armed and could strike if he felt threatened enough.

Bruce wanted to move away from the sharp end of the spear directed at his chest. But he knew if he took his eyes off the Asgardian, he could escape. And even thought Bruce wasn't at a good advantage as it was, he should still try to keep him under guard. "How about we just lower that spear and talk this out." He offered with an awkward half smile.

Loki raised an eyebrow, not sure whether he should trust Banner or not. He never gave trust easily, even if his heart desperately craved to trust someone. "Not until the threat has passed," he said with a cautious yet firm tone.

"Fair enough, but the threat's not from me." Realizing it wasn't Bruce himself that Loki was worried about he added, "You don't have to worry about the Hulk. I won't let him come out here. Unless you give me a good reason." He wasn't going to add the last bit, but he wanted it known that he wasn't afraid of Loki, though if he could help it, he wasn't about to transform here.

Loki furrowed his eyebrows now, falling short when it came to words. "As comforting as that sounds, you are not the only party I am concerned about." He couldn't help but chance a quick look at the sky. It was clear and full of fluffy white clouds, with the sun shining brightly over a recuperating New York City.

"Your brother..." Bruce almost forgot. Though he wasn't with Steve or Tony when they met Thor, surely that incident means he'll likely be close behind Loki now just like he was then. Well what was he to do? Thor capturing Loki would be in his favor, but if Loki knew that, he certainly wasn't going to allow Bruce to hold onto him. There were no dark clouds or thunder or lightening that usually meant Thor was close behind. "Seems you have a good head start."

"If I remain stranded, it won't last," said Loki, and he looked Bruce over with hesitance. There seemed to be nothing threatening about him at the current moment, and it certainly was tempting to go off his guard, but then… he hadn't been off his guard since before he was told the truth. And no one could take that back. "What's the point of putting this down?" demanded Loki out of curiosity.

Bruce paused. "Well I'd certainly feel a lot better." He looked between Loki and the weapon. "I don't expect you to trust me. Why should you, I'm one of the ones that helped get you back to Asgard. ...Kind of. But if something were to accidently happen and make me angry..."

Loki looked down at the scepter, narrowing his eyes in a last ditch attempt to fight off his more intelligent survival instinct, before he finally gave in. At first he moved it to hold it with both hands before finally lowering it. He stopped mid-way, having second thoughts, but decided it was better to go with his initial decision. What Bruce said was true. The Hulk was the only threat. Otherwise, he was nothing but a human. He set the scepter down on the ground, feeling a dead weight lift off his shoulders, even if he still felt raw inside.

Bruce lowered his arms and relaxed a bit. As he did so he noticed a slight change in Loki's features. Mostly in his eyes. They looked like they were turning from a brilliant blue to a more humble green. But he wasn't sure if he really saw it or not. Might just be a trick of the sun behind him. "Do you think it possible you've been under the same mind control as the people you put under?"

Loki raised his head in protest. Although it was a good observation, he was a god! Well… demigod, but still. How could a scepter control his mind? He had freely done all of his actions. "What would give you such an idea?" he said indignantly. He may have learned to trust Banner enough not to lunge at him anymore with his scepter, but that didn't mean he was going to full on embrace everything he said either.

"Just a thought. Your eyes. They're a different color now than they were before. Do you feel different? More in control?" Bruce knew these signs and feelings all to well. What it was like to feel the fear of losing yourself. No longer in control. And then the relief when you start to see through the fog of thoughts and desires that are not your own.

Loki struggled with this question. He did, as a matter of fact, feel more in control. He still felt angry about his past, but he didn't care to take revenge like he had for the past few months, when everyone back on Asgard had thought him dead. "Yes…" he said in a strangely low tone of voice. It was as if he was returning from the ashes. A voice deep down was gaining in volume, and his ears had only just opened up. He shook his head, putting a hand on his forehead. He suddenly felt feverish, as if memories were coming back to him all at once in a huge blow.

At the Asgardian's sudden motion, Bruce wondered if he'd said something wrong already, but that thought passed as it came as he realized Loki appeared to be in pain. "Are you okay?" I certainly hope so. He added in thought. I don't know how to treat gods and I'm not even a medical doctor really.

Loki straightened when he realized he had shifted his feet. "Yes, I'm fine," he said quickly, not wishing to be patronized by Banner. Although he wished for sympathy from someone deep down, he was also way too proud to ask for help.

A storm brewed nearby as they talked, and a twister formed, landing Thor on Midgard with quite a ruckus.

Looking to his right, Loki saw the tornado; it sharply disappeared a few moments after arriving, however. "Oh no…" He visibly panicked, taking a few steps back from Banner and his forgotten scepter - for the moment. "I need to flee…"

"Wha-" Banner followed his gaze a moment. He didn't see the weather change, but felt a breeze kick up before he looked, and had a feeling he knew what it was Loki wanted to flee from. "Thor's here isn't he?"

"Yes, and if you'll excuse me-" He cut himself off, quickly moving in the other direction, to find someplace to hide. Anywhere. His magic was in severely low reserves since he had used most of his last strength conjuring up that clone to escape. Add that to the handcuffs still chaffing his wrists and he was practically defenseless. He had to go.

Bruce looked between Loki and the area they were looking at before throwing his back down on the scepter to pick it up and follow after the god of mischief. "You really think you can get away with your hands cuffed like that?"

Thor paused to take in his surroundings. He saw he was in some sort of lot with large metal flying machines... what did Jane call them? Planes, He thought as he noticed people staring in shock and moved briskly towards the nearest building.

"No," Loki admitted, still walking forward. "But it's worth a shot," he said. "I'd rather risk it than let my… brother… drag me back to Asgard."

"And how does he feel about everything?" Even though the god was cuffed, his stride was not at all hindered. The shorter man had to put a bit of a jog in his step to keep up with Loki as he looked over his shoulder once or twice, expecting the god of thunder right behind them.

Loki stopped for a moment, thinking hard. "I'm not entirely sure…" a few seconds passed by where he was in deep thought. What did his brother think? Thor had always come to his rescue, had given him more chances than he deserved. But he was also loyal to Odin. And to Midgard. It was hard for Loki to decipher where his loyalties truly lay.

Bruce almost walked into him at the sudden stop, but was relieved he had. "You didn't bother to ask him?" Then a sudden thought occurred to him. "Probably didn't get much chance to with the gag I imagine..."

Thor pushed past a small crowd as he entered the building, he couldn't see Loki yet but he could feel he was close…

"It would not have mattered," said Loki after a long and awkward pause. "He is as loyal to Odin as he is to me, and what the All father says usually goes." He nearly shuddered at the thought of wearing that horrid muzzle, which was still around his neck because he couldn't get it off himself - what with the cuffs and all.

"But if he's as loyal to your father as he is to you, don't you think that means he's still struggling with who to side with? Maybe he's suffering inside just as much as you are."

Loki had never thought about it like that. Could Thor really be having trouble choosing whom to side with? He supposed it was quite possible. If Loki did indeed ever have a father who truly loved him, he might have had the same problem. But then again… with a loving father, he wouldn't have been in this mess in the first place.

Thor looked around at all the faces in the crowd and finally spotted his brother, with Dr. Banner! That was wonderful; now Thor could try and sneak up while Loki was distracted – since he did not exactly blend into the crowd and would rather not have to chase Loki like a dog.

Loki looked up at Banner with strangeness in his eyes that described incomprehensible thought. "Perhaps, though I've mostly been concerned with my own problems."

"Does that mean you'll try to talk to him...?" Bruce couldn't believe what he was hearing. It seemed too easy to talk Loki into trying to basically turn himself in.

"Not at all," said the demigod briskly.

Well that sounded more like him. "Why not?"

Thor, facing Loki's back, waved to Bruce and mouthed the words 'Keep him there'.

"You think I'm so much of a fool that I would place myself right in front of Thor's hands? No. As little as I know about what he feels, all I am concerned about is my own wellbeing. It is not just the trial in Asgard that troubles me, and I should get moving."

Having noticed Thor and understanding what he mouthed, he felt the pressure suddenly hit when Loki made the suggestion to start leaving again. Damn. Hurry up, Thor! He thought desperately trying to think of something else to keep him here. "You hesitated though. It means you thought about it. A part of you wants to talk to him. You're not just fully concerned about yourself."

Thor was hesitated, wanting to hear what Loki would say, but he knew he had act fast. He came up swiftly behind Loki and grabbed him as tight as he could.

Loki's eyes narrowed as he stopped from putting his foot forward. He didn't know what to say, because Banner's words hit him like a rock. "A part can be only a fraction-" He was cut off abruptly by a massive force of arms. Thor. "No!" he nearly choked. Thor was one of the strongest beings in the universe - so strong, he could hold Mjolnir when no one else could. To say the least, Loki had a tough time attempting to move at all while within his grasp. "Let go-" he hissed. "Of me!"

"Do not struggle, brother! You will only make things worse! At least hear what I have to say.

"No!" seethed Loki. "I'm done hearing what you-" he took a breath, "and Odin have to say. There's nothing you can tell me-" he took another breath, "that will make me come home willingly."

"But brother I- ... I do not want to take you home."

Thor slackened his grip just enough to let Loki breathe better.

Loki took in a gulp of air as Thor loosened his hold by a centimeter. "Then why have you come here?" he asked doubtfully.

Bruce was about as shocked as Loki looked. Granted he was glad Thor wanted to make amends, but bottom line was Loki had killed a lot of people. Who knows if the scepter was really influencing that or not. "I'm rather curious to know that too now..."