I know, I know. I'm a dirty liar. Also, I only posted half of this chapter. I'll post the rest along with Chapter 11. I'm just trying to convince myself I can still write. Thank you to everyone who is still reading this, and to everyone who has reviewed, followed, and favorited! You're the only reason why I'm still writing, so thank you a ton!

Note: More character death in this chapter so beware!

CHAPTER 10

"Please, Tony. Why are you doing this? We were partners." Thor pleaded as Iron Man's metallic arms pressed him harder into the concrete.

"We were partners," Tony agreed. "Now I have a better one."

Loki deliberately stepped aside from behind Tony. He bent down to Thor's face and grinned. "How the tables have turned, my dear brother."

Thor said nothing, choosing to glare at Loki instead.

"Until next time." Loki stood- and woke.

Again. He stretched his arms and legs and covered his face with one arm to block out the morning light. Another dream, another hint of something great to come. Loki lips inched up into a smile. He thought back to the previous night where he'd left his newly acquired partner behind. He'd given Stark enough time to decide what he wanted, so Loki would visit him today.

Before Loki was ready to go, he concentrated on Tony to make sure that he was indeed home. Confirming his presence in the tower, Loki appeared in a room nearby to the one Tony was in, which had been a good decision, he decided, once he'd heard the voices. Loki hadn't bothered to check for company since he'd assumed that Stark no longer had friends. He paused to listen to the voices.

"Because, princess, it's no longer about you, or them, or being a hero, or wasting my life away saving people that don't deserve to be saved," Tony said, annoyed.

"You need help, Tony. You don't see it, but you do. I can't help you anymore, obviously, so I guess it's goodbye, isn't it?" A strong feminine voice protested.

Tony laughed. "It was goodbye the moment you turned against me, Pep. So goodbye, sweetie, and don't come back. Thanks for your help."

The woman, Loki now recognizing her identity, began to leave without saying a word.

Tony interrupted the sound of her clicking heels. "Oh, and Pepper, I am getting help. Just not from you."

Ms. Potts groaned and continued on her way out. Loki waited until she had left the tower to meet Tony. He let himself into the room and let his eyes roam around the room. Tony stood by the large window with his back to Loki. Loki cleared his throat.

Tony, to his relief, didn't so much as flinch. He'd known Loki was there, he just hadn't known for how long. Tony turned and made himself comfortable on a nearby chair. He glanced at Loki and motioned for the god to sit in the chair across from him. He waited until Loki did so.

"Loki! I was just thinking about you earlier. I thought 'I wonder when I'll see Loki next' and here you are! Loki, It's a pleasure to see you again."

"Why don't you say my name again?" Loki smirked.

Tony exhaled a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. "Fuck you."

Loki raised an eyebrow. "I don't think so."

Tony rolled his eyes, uneasy. "In all seriousness, what the hell do you want?"

"I've already told you. Your alliance. I'm sure you've had time to mull over it."

"I have," Tony agreed.

"Then?"

"And I've already told you. I agree, but I don't trust you in the least, and so far I've got no reason to."

"That woman," Loki motioned out the door, "she will tell your little comrades, and they will come after you. I can prevent that from happening. I said before: you don't have to trust me. You just have to believe that I will keep my word."

Tony nodded, conceding. "Alright, so what do I have to do in return?"

"Swear your allegiance to me. You do not betray me, and I will not betray you."

"Got it," Tony replied.

Loki paused to scrutinize him. "Do not take me for a fool. I will know if you plan to betray me."

Tony was growing irritated. "I got that the first time, yes."

"This is your final chance." Loki said smugly, knowing he was getting under Tony's skin, but he needed him to understand. There was no going back. Loki did not accept traitors.

"I know, I know!" Tony snapped. "I get it. No turning back."

"I gave you a choice, Stark, please remember that in the future. This is the last time that I will remind you that you can turn right around and regroup with the Avengers. Because if you decide to betray me," Loki suddenly snarled, making his disapproval present, "I will kill you."

Tony scowled knowingly. "Either way you'd kill me."

Loki laughed delightedly. "Very good." He smiled sweetly. "You're catching on."

"I'm glad that contents you. Now, what's our first move?" Tony questioned expectantly.

"Your first move is to prove yourself to me." Loki grinned.

Tony raised his eyebrows. "How am I supposed to do that?"

Loki, once again, motioned to the windows. "That woman. Do you love her?"

Tony snorted. "Why would you think that?"

"Answer my question, Stark." Loki demanded.

"I don't." Tony answered.

"Call her back," Loki ordered.

Tony seemed taken aback. "Why?"

"Call her back," Loki repeated, daring Tony to disobey him.

Tony glared back. "You call her if you want to so damn much."

Loki stared at Tony silently for a minute, unimpressed. "Very well, then. Do not make a sound." Tony's cell phone appeared in his hand and began to ring.

"Tony?" Pepper answered.

"Hey, Pep," Loki replied in a perfect rendition of Tony's voice.

"Wha-" Tony interrupted, baffled, before he was silenced by Loki's glare.

"Are you home yet?" Loki continued.

"Why?" The woman answered, bitter.

"Can you come back? There's something I need to show you. And," Loki let himself trail off, "I need to apologize."

The line remained silent, but Loki waited patiently. "I'll be there in a few."

"Thank you," Loki hung up.

"What the fuck?" Tony immediately exclaimed. "You can do that? How the hell can you do that?"

"A magician never reveals his secrets," Loki said, mocking the Midgardian phrase he'd heard before.

"I don't understand why you want her here. What are you planning?" Tony had a suspicion he knew, but with Loki one could never be sure.

"You are going to prove your allegiance to me." Loki replied.

"You want me to kill her," Tony guessed. His face not betraying any emotion he could be hiding. It was close, but it wasn't exactly what Loki was planning.

"Not at all. I want you to watch me kill her." Loki searched Tony's face for a sign of reluctance but he found only apathy. He grinned in approval, but just to be sure he continued to push. "Are you going to stop me?"

"No. No one betrays me and lives to regret it. Not Obie, not SHIELD, not the Avengers, not Pepper." Tony scrutinized Loki in turn. "Not even you," he added as an afterthought. "And I will find a way to kill you if you do."

"I admire your effort, but that won't be necessary," Loki reassured. "Just prove to me today that you are willing to help me, and I will help you by ridding you of those that betray you."

Tony nodded. "So this is a test, then."

"Essentially speaking, yes," Loki confirmed.

Tony's slight frown morphed into a wide smile. "I can do that."

"I hope that you can," Loki replied genuinely. "I-" Loki paused and smirked, his eyes glittering darkly. "We have company."

"Sir," Jarvis spoke up as if on cue. "Ms. Potts is requesting access." Loki glanced around the room searching for a speaker, but dismissed the thought upon not finding a visible one.

"Let her up," Tony commanded Jarvis and then turned to Loki. "You want me to stay?"

Loki shook his head. "Go, but watch. I don't want to hear or see you." He shot Tony a serious look and observed Tony's face, amused, as his body made the transition from tall and Loki to short and Tony.

"That's not only weird but extremely disturbing and creepy," Tony announced. "Also, don't touch anything. I'd feel violated."

Loki dismissed him with a wave and sent him out as the elevator pinged. He stood and faced the elevator as the door opened.

"What, Tony?" The exasperated woman said, walking towards him.

"Hello," Loki tested, attempting to perfect Tony's mannerisms.

"You did not call me over here to say hello. Spit it out," she huffed.

"No, I didn't, did I? Come on. Follow me, please. What I have to show you is this way." Loki pushed the door open blindly, not knowing where he was going. He beckoned Ms. Potts forward until she complied. Loki turned a corner and pushed a door opening glad to find it empty and devoid of use. "Come in."

She hesitated. "There's nothing in that room."

"Sure there is," Loki smiled and gently pushed her in. He closed and locked the door behind him."We're in here."

"What is the meaning of this? Tony, I don't understand. Please," Ms. Potts pleaded.

"Let me show you. Jarvis!" Loki mimicked. "Turn off the video feed in this room."

"What?" Ms. Potts exclaimed.

"You are not authorized to-" Jarvis started but was interrupted by Loki.

"Do it, Jarv. Remember who is currently in charge here." Loki ordered angrily.

Jarvis stuttered then spoke. "Command accepted. Video feed off."

"What?" the woman repeated. "Who are you? Oh my God, who are you?" She backed away and twisted the knob to no avail.

"What do you mean, Pep? It's me. Are you okay?" Loki smiled.

"No, you're not! You're not Tony! Where's Tony?" She cried out, helpless."Tony!"

"I am Tony, Pep," Loki tried to convince.

"No. Jarvis never questions Tony. Never!" She explained, still failing to push open the door.

Loki laughed loudly now back to his own voice but still in Tony's body. "Aren't you a smart girl," he commended.

The color on Pepper's face drowned. "This isn't a joke," she convinced herself. "Who," she inhaled, "who are you? Your voice is so familiar." Her eyes grew wide as she observed the familiar form of Tony Stark morph into the dreaded form of Loki. "Oh my God," she gasped.

"I can be if you pray to me," Loki patronized.

"What are you going to do to me?" The woman breathed. "What have you done to Tony?"

"Tony?" Loki questioned innocently. "Tony is fine."

"It's been you this whole time, hasn't it? You monster!" She accused, now beginning to tremble.

"Nonsense," Loki scoffed. "I know not what you speak of. Tony came to me."

"I don't believe you!" Pepper said, shaking now. "Did you kill him? Where is he?"

"If you really must know," Loki drawled, "He's somewhere in the tower probably making his way down here because I've cut the video feed off."

"Jarvis wouldn't let you," she said. "Tony wouldn't either."

"Who do you think authorized the command?" Loki broke into laughter. "Tony knows what's best for him now. He's no longer playing hero for you pathetic humans. He is greater than you"

"You're a good liar. Don't think that I don't know about you. What have you done to him? Tony would never do that."

Loki almost laughed at the thought of this woman knowing him. "But that's where you are wrong, my dearest. True greatness comes when one accepts oneself for who they are. The Tony you knew is not who he truly is. I know him better than any of you ever have. Together, we will make the universe learn our greatness."

"Tony!" Pepper shrieked. "Tony, he's manipulating you! Help me, please! Oh God, someone help me!"
Loki's smiled widened, bright and sharp. The scared woman tried for the door again, but Loki shoved her away. He pressed her into the wall and laughed at the utter horror in her face. "You betrayed him, Ms. Potts, and that is unacceptable."

"I, what, I didn't! I love Tony! I love him!" She shrieked and attempted to kick him. "Let me go!"

"I would love to see you suffer, Ms. Potts, like you made him suffer. There, there, Pepper," Loki cooed, mockingly soothing her. "But I won't. I don't like hurting pretty young women."

Pepper's sobs increased in volume. "Oh God, please! Don't kill me."

"You don't seem to understand, Ms. Potts. I have to. It'll be quick, I do promise that. You made him suffer, you know. You betrayed him." Loki said comfortingly. "It will all be okay."

Pepper shoved him with all her might and dug her nails into his skin, but Loki didn't move an inch. "You murderer! How could you speak of being great when you're nothing but a monster! You don't deserve to be alive. You don't deserve anything!"

"I deserve it all," Loki growled, shoving her once again into the wall. "And you deserve this," he said, pulling a blade from midair.
Pepper's face paled even more. "Tony! Anyone!" She screamed. "Please help me!"

"Do cease that," Loki advised. "Not a single soul outside of this tower can hear you. Luckily for us, there is no one else in this tower. No one that cares, at least," he reconsidered.

"I hope you rot in your own filth, you piece of shit," she growled back, spitting in his face.

Loki wiped the saliva off of his face, disgusted. He thrust the blade into her gut and twisted. "After you die, perhaps."

Pepper screamed loud and long, the high pitch gurgling at the end. Loki let go of her and she crumpled to the floor gasping for breath. She whimpered, her stomach and lungs filling with blood.

"Come in. You are there, are you not?" Loki spoke up. The door swung slowly open. The bleeding turned her head and coughed, still whimpering, to meet the gaze of the man now entering the room. "T-Ton-y," she stuttered.

"Shh, Pepper. Don't try to talk," Tony advised, stepping into the room and moving to face Loki. Loki shot Tony a meaningful look and Tony shrugged. The corner of Loki's mouth twitched up, approving.

"Help, h-h-" Pepper croaked, interrupting them. Tony let himself down on the floor and put a hand on Pepper's pale face. He lifted her chin to get a better look at the life slipping away from her eyes. "Pepper, my lovely Pepper. What would I have done without you? Nothing, or perhaps everything." Pepper held his gaze with unblinking glassy eyes, no longer able to respond to him. "You once told me I had a heart," Tony rubbed a circle around his arc reactor, "this pretty glowing decoration, you said, was my heart." He tapped his chest, "I guess you were right. This is the first heart I ever had, you see. This is the only one that gives me meaning. You probably have questions, don't you? I'll explain. I'm sure you think he possessed me or something." He turned to look at Loki. "But the truth is this is all me, baby. You just can't let someone make you worse, but you can let them make you better. I am better now, better than I was before." Tony faced Pepper again. "Your problem was that you chose to not see it. I have no real heart. I have no reason left to pretend, and I have no reason why I should stop death from taking you."

Loki watched, amused, as Tony released the grip on Pepper's face resulting in her crashing to the floor. Tony observed her jerky movements and the blood now pooling from her mouth to the floor. "Red has always looked good on you," Tony patted Pepper's head one last time, bidding her farewell.

"Brilliant, very good," Loki praised, duly satisfied.

Tony rose to his feet and folded his hands in front of him. "Test passed? What did you think?"

"Test passed." Loki allowed, aware that the woman had once held some importance to him.

"Does that mean we get to be best friends now? Trigger happy, delightedly villainous, but best friends nonetheless?" Tony chirped, happily.

Loki was extremely pleased to see how truly unaffected Tony was. He was impressed, but rolled his eyes despite the smug approval he felt. "I think we'll be good together, Mr. Stark."

"Yeah. Take down our enemies together." Tony agreed.

"Take down the universe if we wanted," Loki corrected, face happy with satisfaction.

...

Thank you for reading! Again, I apologize for the lack of length. I've been going back and forth trying to fix this chapter, so I decided to just post the first part of it before I didn't post anything at all. I know it's been months since I last posted, so I'm very very sorry! I've also been trying to convince myself to not give up on vet school and crawl under my sheets and stay in bed forever. Actually, that sounds like a plan. I can save animals from my bedroom window. Who votes for that? I'll have more writing time.