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Nick Fury stood in front of a table full of stressed-out Avengers.

"Stark, you started testing on a young woman you believed to be a 'potential Avenger', and Banner, you contributed to this. After you figured out that she was a human energy vacuum, you introduced her to the team. Now, you, you, you, and you come in." Nick pointed to Steve, Nat, Thor, and Clint.

"The four of you go along with this idea once you see what the young woman can do. And, I'd like to point out, that no one has notified me thus so far. Then, Loki attacks Earth. We spend days trying to track him down, and even when we do, he manages to escape. Wreaks havoc on all of New York City. I am still not notified of said young woman. Lastly, Loki escapes yet again, and this time, with the young woman. Not only does he have her in his custody, he uses her for ransom in order to get his scepter back." Nick's voice was now booming in the silent room.

"And, a small detail, if I may, we are unable to even look at the scepter if we wished to do so, since it's locked away."

Tony slowly raised his hand.

"What, Stark?" Nick snapped.

"Everything that has been said is absolutely correct."

"I know. That's why I said it."

"Oh, good, so you're not mad."

"Mad?" Nick scoffed. "Stark, I'm past mad. All of you have been lying to me."

"With all due respect, we wanted her to be at her best when we introduced her as an idea." Bruce replied. "We were going to tell you,"

"How about when we got a psychotic villain tearing up the city?! That sounds like a perfect time to let me know!"

"She wasn't ready." Tony interjected.

"That honestly wasn't up to you to decide," Nat thought out loud.

"I know her better than any of you, and believe me, she wasn't."

"Well, now she's in the belly of the beast up in Asgard with him as we speak. So, if you're so damn passionate about her, figure out how to get her back." Fury pointed at Tony.

<>

Meanwhile in Asgard, Alex was growing tirelessly bored. She had been locked away in Loki's chambers for days, and alone. He had finally fed her, and had his guards continue to do so. She was given Asgardian garbs to wear to not look as suspicious.

His bedroom chambers were large. They no doubt were his from when he was young, but maybe he occupied the king's chambers now. There was a large window overlooking the castle courts. His bed was surrounded by vine, as if he was sleeping in a garden.

Then, finally, Loki returned.

"Hey! I've been bored out of my mind. You could've left me like a puzzle or something,"

"I'm afraid I'm fresh out of puzzles." He retorted.

"What have you been doing all day?"

"That is none of your business."

"Well, what do you do in your free time, then?"

"Read."

"You read," She scoffed.

He looked at her with an annoyed look. "Yes, I do in fact read."

"I was expecting you to say slaughtering innocent people, but reading works too."

"I only do that when necessary."

"So what exactly was so 'necessary' about New York?"

"I cannot possibly expect a mortal to understand my motivations."

"Try me."

"If I wanted a therapist, I would've hired one." He simply said.

"God, you are a pain in my ass." She spoke, then laughed to herself. "A pain in my ass-gard. Get it?"

"You've got pain in your ass?"

"No, it's a metaphor," She was still laughing at her own joke.

"A metaphor," He repeated.

"Yes, like, 'I'm gonna have a cow!',"

"You're going to have a cow?" He was even more confused.

"No, that's the metaphor,"

"Alright, how about, I'll slice open your skull if you don't stop." Loki said menacingly.

"Well, that's not really a metaphor because that's quite literally what you would do, and the point of a metaphor is —"

"ENOUGH!" He boomed. "I've got more important things to do than listen to you talk about nonsense."

"Well I've got nothing important to do, so I could do this all day."

"Let's discuss that power of yours," He changed the subject.

She winced. "I'd rather not,"

"How long have you possessed it,"

"Possessed what?"

"Do not play games with me you pathetic mortal,"

"Loki, do you even know my name?" She retorted. "I know yours."

"Many people know my name."

"Well, many people know my name. At least five of Stark's employees know it. At least I hope they do."

He scoffed. "Of course I know your name, Alexandra Clark."

Her name mixed with his accent sounded very sophisticated.

"It's Alex."

"It's what I say it is."

She raised her eyebrows. "Who died and made you king? Oh, wait, your father did. Which I'm getting a feeling you did on purpose. I've seen many shows with this same plot. It always ends with you losing, just a heads up."

"My father is not dead, you dew-beater."

"Alright, now you're making these up."

"He's fallen into Odinsleep. He eventually will wake, but until he does, the burden of the throne has fallen to my shoulders."

"Oh, don't act like it's such a burden. You've wanted this since you were young."

Loki rose an eyebrow.

"What? Thor talks a lot."

"He's a widdling oaf."

"I thought he was quite charming."

"Was he? Were his muscles quite charming?"

"Woah, weirdo. You check out your own brother's muscles?" Alex laughed.

Loki rolled his eyes. "You're more trouble than you're worth,"

"And yet, I'm still here."

"Only because I need my scepter returned."

"Are you going to tell me what's so special about the pretty stick or are you going to leave it to suspense?" She asked.

"Why waste my breath when you won't understand?"

"Okay. Look, I'm not an idiot. You think I am, but I'm not. Here's what I've gathered: You and Thor have always battled for the throne. Thor is the favorite over you, for reasons I just cannot imagine, so he got it. Thus, you threw a fit all over Earth. It happens to the best of us, pal, you just gotta cut your losses and move on."

Loki looked at her in disbelief.

"Was I right or was I right,"

"There's much more to it than that."

"Like what?"

"If I tell you, you'll be in danger. Would you like to die, Alexandra?"

"Not when we're just starting to get along," She gave a sarcastic smile.

"I have been assisting a higher purpose." He said ominously. "I failed when I lost my scepter."

She was sitting in the chaise by the window. It's where she had slept, since she was too careful to sleep in his bed. Something about that didn't sit well with her.

Alex watched as Loki paced around his chambers. She couldn't quite figure him out. Sure, he was power hungry with a hint of daddy issues. But, how much of that was his fault? She shook herself of these thoughts, disgusted with herself for making excuses for him.

She thought of all the people he had killed. All the families that had been broken.

"For once, you've stopped talking." He noted.

"I'm not sure how to speak to a murderer,"

"You've been doing it for days now. Non-stop."

"I guess it's just hitting me that I really am stuck here. Tony hasn't come for me, and I don't think he will."

"Yes, well, it's about time you saw him for the imposter he is."

She looked up at him.

"No, it's time I fought my own battles."

She stood up, walking toward him. Without thinking, she grabbed his wrist. His eyes met hers, and she watched his confusion as she drained him of his energy. His brows furrowed as he slowly collapsed to his knees.

"I know you lift the spell when you come in and out. I just needed to distract you for long enough so you wouldn't put it back on."

She saw her chance, and she sprinted out of the door, not looking back.

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