AN: This fiction is currently under re-construction!

I got an Editor, Arei-The Peridot Dragon. Whom is doing such a fantastic job that I rather you read her version of the story than my version filled with so many spelling mistakes and grammatical errors.

That she is doing this is very generous, so please be patient. The story will be updated as she is done editing.

The events following the Chitauri attack on New York were by no means an easy time for Thor to go through despite the pyrrhic victory. And it was such a victory for him if not for the rest of the Avengers.

Loki, his only brother, had done unforgivable things. Loki had lied to him. Had tricked him. Had attacked both himself and his, their, friends; Sif and the Warriors Three. All for his own selfish ends.

And then…

Then he had let go at the Rainbow bridge. Loki. Thor had thought his brother had been lost him. For an entire year that image had been burned into Thor's skull; Loki dangling from his staff, Thor holding said staff and Odin himself holding onto Thor's leg. Thor could to nothing but yell and plead, all else forgotten in that moment. He'd been too scared of the thought of Loki falling. Of his grip slipping from the staff. Of losing his only brother. Thor had seen the darkness flit across his brother's face. Had begged him, 'Loki No!'... but then all of Thor's worst fears had been realized. Loki let go. He let go and vanished down into the nothingness of dark space. Gone. In an instant, gone. And he was helpless in the face of it. Thor had yelled. He had screamed and cried. It had taken several people to finally calm him down, each telling him it wasn't his fault and that there was nothing he could have done. Thor had to accept the fact that he was never going to see his brother again.

Then news had come. Surprising news! Loki was alive. He was, against all odds, alive! Hope had blossomed within Thor's chest. Perhaps it wasn't too late! Perhaps they could still figure things out. As brothers. As a family!

But the Loki which had met him… was not the brother he had known. His eyes had been distant and cold. His words were sinister. Worse yet, he seemed to truly be enjoying himself as he caused havoc on Midgard.

His brother had acted like an animal, a caged beast that had finally been freed from its' leash. A wild animal that was finally allowed to just be. Loki had reveled in showing off his power and abilities. Had adored the fact that there was no one he had to appease, not even the All-father himself. Had so obviously loved it when his words had cut through Thor and hurt him, filling him with despair.

Even now, as Thor dragged Loki back with him to Asgard in chains, Loki didn't seem intent on showing that he'd had a change of heart. No remorse was visible in his eyes. In fact, he looked as if he was amused by the proceedings more than anything else. As if all of this was some sort of game to him.

It's not as if he could talk to his brother just then. Not until he was safely ensconced in his cell. Thor had elected to place a muzzle on his brother to silence his words, given that the dark-haired male simply hadn't stopped trying to cause doubts in the ranks of the Avengers around him. Even with his hands and feet bound, his tongue had still been fast at work. Mocking, taunting, baiting and chuckling as if he knew some dark secret no one else did until Thor finally had enough and just slapped the damned thing over his mouth.

He needed to return Loki to Asgard alive and whole. His brother pissing off the other Avengers wasn't helping him reach that goal.

As they reached the holding cells, Thor could finally remove the muzzle. He had honestly expected Loki to speak at once, something cruel and cold. Instead his younger brother had simply settled on glaring at Thor as he guided his brother into the cell. The silence dragged on, Loki's hands bound in front of him, his eyes burning with anger and yet… he remained silent.

"Brother..." Thor started hesitantly and then shoved said wariness aside to speak the words he needed to say. "Please! I beg of thee! Will you not show any signs of regret? You know as well as I that Odin will be merciful, if you just atone! Search your soul brother, please."

Loki tilted his head as Thor spoke and the anger faded from his eyes. At first, Thor was hopeful, but then his brother smirked, eyes alighting with cruel amusement instead of the prior fires of rage.

"'Brother'?" he repeated as he leaned his forehead against the bars. A soft, bitter chuckle escaped him. "You buffoon, somehow you still persist in your delusion. I have no brother. You disgust me."

Thor closed his eyes to hide the pain in them and Loki laughed louder. Oh, but his brother had chosen the words that would hurt him the most. He had gotten exactly what he wanted from Thor; his pain. Thor looked down to compose himself and when he looked back at his brother, the sorrow and pain was gone, replaced by anger.

"Very well then. Know that you've chosen your own fate!" he stated firmly.

Loki just made a face at him. Like that of a naughty child who had done nothing worse than being caught with his hand inside of the cookie jar! His was a smile that wasn't really apologetic or guilty, only amused that someone was upset with him.

Thor hissed furiously as he turned around and started to walk away.

"Oh, Thor?" Loki's voice rang out behind him. "I'm truly surprised that none of you asked me this. Then again, why should I expect either such foolish, short-lived mortals or you, who have oats instead of brains, to think of such a thing but… Have you not wondered how survived? How I even got to Midgard in the first place? Indeed, here's another pressing question; How did I get an entire army as well as that delightful toy that I used on your little bow-man?"

At that Thor's eyes widened and he turned around to face his brother.

"What?" he asked. "You…?"

Loki grinned at the flummoxed expression on Thor's face

"How… How did you get to earth?" Thor asked. Now that he thought about it, those were all… very good questions.

Instead of answering, Loki merely poked out his tongue at Thor like a child who'd gotten his way.

"LOKI!" Thor all but roared as he ran back to the cell. He reached between the bars and grabbed onto the front of Loki's armor. "Whose army were you controlling?!"

Loki just grinned at him, ignoring the tight grip on his chest armor and holding up his bound hands.

"You really believe that I'm going to tell you?" he asked, again sounding nothing but amused with Thor's antics. "Perhaps you might simply remember that, if I'm dead, then I definitely won't be able to tell anyone the answer to that question. I'll give you a little hint though. Someone has had eyes on your precious 'Earth' for a while now. Someone who isn't me."

"Who?" Thor asked, shouted really, as he hoisted Loki up from the ground. "WHO?!"

Loki only laughed. Thor seethed as he let his brother go, realizing he probably wasn't going to get any more information out of Loki at this time. Thor turned around and left the area, neither being called back nor looking back. Once again, Loki had managed to turn the situation on its' head with only a few clever words. Loki might well be a prisoner, but he had a trump card that assured his own safety.

Thor approached Odin and Frigga shortly after his confrontation with Loki. He informed them of what they'd spoken of. The information made Odin frown, but he still showed no other emotion as he listened. Frigga in turn looked openly concerned.

"Father, please. We are honor bound to protect Midgard," Thor said in conclusion. "We need Loki to tell us the truth. As such, I believe that… execution should not be considered when addressing Loki's crimes. There must be another way."

"Odin will not be executing his own son!" Frigga stated firmly from her spot next to Odin, she then turned to glare at her husband. A glare which was only ever rarely seen, but it was one that did not tolerate objections or excuses.

Odin though remained seemingly untouched by Thor's plea for his brother's life.

"Has Loki spoken of who it was that threatens earth?" he asked.

"No Father, but I do believe that there is someone behind this. Of that I am sure," Thor stated, his voice passionate with the hope that he could save Loki. "Someone who owns an army far larger than troops that Loki controlled. Any General would not send his entire army to battle whilst being led by a stranger. Those that we fought were likely to have been mindless grunts and Loki… a scapegoat. Perhaps he was a willing scapegoat, but I believe that he was being used."

Frigga glanced down, her expression both pained and thoughtful.

"What is on your mind, my Queen?" Odin asked, able to read his wife's mood easily enough to know that she'd noticed something.

"From our perspective Loki has been gone for only a year's time," Frigga started carefully. "How-ever as I gazed upon him… yes, I am sure of it. He was many years older than when I saw him last. In the Void, 'Time' is relative. The Loki before us now is not the same Loki whom let go of the Bifrost bridge a year ago. He has been through much."

Thor closed his eyes and swallowed roughly at what his Mother was saying. How long had his brother truly been gone? He looked up again, meeting his Mother's pained eyes.

"Loki did tell me that," he said softly. "He said that he has wandered across many worlds. Seen things which would be beyond my own comprehension… He claimed that these experiences had allowed him to grow."

"And grown he has," Odin agreed, though his tone was still void of emotion. "He had grown more cunning and even more dangerous."

Thor closed his eyes again, the hope in his heart guttering like a fire about to be extinguished.

"Odin," Frigga looked at her husband a frown on her lips.

"I must think," Odin stated firmly. "And then I shall hear from Loki himself."

It was quite the scene; Loki was bound in chains wrapped around both his legs and arms, facing Odin, Frigga and Thor. His movement was so limited that he had to be held up by Asgardian warriors and yet Loki didn't seem bothered at all. Instead, he was smiling up at Odin amusement and challenge shining in his eyes.

"Loki," Odin said in greeting, his one bright eye narrowed on the recalcitrant form of his son.

"Odin," Loki replied, tone genial despite the look in his eyes.

"My son. What have you done?" Odin finally asked.

At that Loki scowled, the mask of amusement gone.

"We are not kin," he firmly stated in a cold tone.

Frigga couldn't help but glance away by those words, a wounded expression in her eyes.

"I am giving you a chance to show regret," Odin stated firmly. "You have caused the death of many people, both of Jotunheim and Midgard. What have you to say for yourself?"

Loki's scowl deepened, his glaring at Odin's form. He did not speak.

"So then, you refuse to answer me?" Odin asked.

"Why should I respond to that kind of a question from you of all people in the Nine-Realms?" Loki asked coldly. "I may have killed hundreds, true. You however, you killed billions!"

At that harsh outburst, Odin's one eye widened.

"You warred against Dark-elves. You warred against the Jotunn's. You even warred against the Kronan's," Loki casually counted his fingers. His tone turned mocking. "The grandest Warlord of the Nine-Realms. Conqueror, I name thee! And then I try to conquer one measly little planet, this is what I get?"

Odin was clearly furious with his son's words. Even Frigga's hand upon his own was doing little to calm his growing ire.

"Humans kills thousands of their own, did you know that? Every single day people die mindless deaths that could be avoided. What's a few hundred lives to save the remaining billions living there?" Loki asked, spreading his hands as wide as he could given the chains wrapped around his wrists. "They could use the guidance if you ask me."

"QUIET!" Odin demanded, standing and slamming his staff against the ground. "Your arrogance has shown that you know nothing! You have learned nothing!"

"Father," Thor spoke up softly, recognizing that Loki's words had managed to get to even Odin. Loki's words were not randomly spoken. They were calculated and aimed at what would hurt those around him the most.

Odin seemed to realize this as well. He calmed down and took a breath before letting it out and reclaiming his seat on the throne.

"Loki… You are my son and I wish to give you a chance to atone. You can start by telling us this; Who send you?" he asked. "Whose army were you using to stage your attack on Midgard?"

Once more, Loki merely grinned at the question being asked. Frigga looked to the side and then sighed before she looked back up at her son.

"Loki… You are also my son," she said softly. "Don't think that I can't see through your masks."

Loki's grin twisted into a sneer and he shifted slightly.

"Something has you scared. You can speak my dear child, what is wrong?" Frigga asked and Loki growled in response.

"I fear nothing!" Loki stated, holding his head up proudly even as his hands clenched into fists.

Such a strong reaction though, told a different story and Frigga smiled. She was satisfied that she could still read him this much.

Odin's gaze remained harsh, even though he now saw what Frigga had noticed.

"You walked worlds and brought death, destruction and chaos where ever you went," he said firmly. "You understand that you could be facing your execution for your deeds?"

Loki laughed uproariously at the All-Father's words.

"You think that is funny?" Odin asked, both incredulous and enraged by the outburst.

"No! I have no doubt you would love to see me dead and gone," Loki said with a cold grin and a glance at Thor. "Why do you think I kept my bargaining tool to myself? Just goes to prove my point, doesn't it? My so-called brother and I were never the same in your eyes were we?"

Odin's eye narrowed at the accusation.

"I gave you the same opportunists. The same chances," he said. "Either of you could have become King through merit and deed."

"LIES!" Loki seethed, eyes wild. "I may be known as the God of Mischief and Deception but you? Odin, you are the King, the God, of Liars! You were never going to pick me. Does Thor even know the truth of the wars you fought? The people you killed or order killed? And what? You thought you could atone by picking up the little Jotun baby and taking it in? And now, whoopsie, that baby isn't what you wished it to be. It's time to cast it into a big hole or kill it! That's how you deal with your problems isn't it? Just put them where you can't see them or destroy them."

Odin was clearly fuming. Lightning nearly seemed to be leaking out of his very being and Loki smirked coldly, knowing he had hit the blow that he'd wished to land. Loki was being cruel but… Thor shook his head. Odin's earlier words had sparked a painful memory and Loki's words now...?

"Father," Thor stepped forward, towards his brother, before turning to look at Odin. "Loki… has a point."

"Dare you speak out against..." Odin started, but Thor held up a hand in an effort to calm his Father. Odin nodded after a moments stiff silence for Thor to continue.

"I… I myself nearly started a war between Jotunheim and Asgard. I know now in my hubris that millions would have died had I succeeded in my efforts. Hundreds still did die. Loki's crimes are not that much worse than my own," Thor stated, humbled by those deeds. He held his hands together, then pulled them apart, lifting one then the other before leveling them side-by-side. "Father… our crimes are nearly equal. No. Not nearly. They are equal. Please, if we are truly equal in your eyes, the same chances, the same opportunities, then our punishments should be equal as well, should they not?"

Loki froze at Thor's words, his eyes going wide.

"No… Don't you dare suggest such a thing," he seethed, the words hissing from between Loki's teeth. Thor turned to him, a small smile filled playing over his lips.

"Oh, what's this then?" Thor asked lightly, ignoring the racing of his heart and the hope that, perhaps, he had lit on the way to save and redeem his dear brother. "Does the thought of living like a Midgardian for a while have you more scared than the thought of prison?"

Loki almost snarled, wrenching himself free of the guard's hands and stalking several steps towards Thor before they could restrain him.

"If you think I would ever lower myself to-" he started only to be cut off.

"So, this then would be the greatest punishment for you?" Odin asked in a conversational tone. Loki turned his head to the side, suddenly realizing his mistake in falling for his br-Thor's taunting. "I see, I see."

Odin leaned back in his throne, amusedly stroking his beard. He turned to look at his wife and raised a brow at her. Frigga frowned and remained silent for a few moments, but finally nodded her consent. Odin turned back to look at his wayward son, the flicker of a smile on his lips.

"No," Loki breathed out when he looked forward and saw their expression. "You cannot do this!"

"Can't I? Let it be known by all that I am not an unfair man. For an equal crime, there will be an equal punishment," Odin stated as he leaned forward, his eyes going cold and serious. "My son, your crimes are against two different realms to Thor's one. Thus, you may choose between them Loki. Shall I return you to your Jotunn form and send you to reside on Jotunnheim? Or shall I give you mortal form and send you to Midgard?"

Loki scowled at the supposedly 'fair' offer.

"Fear not, it shall only be until you proof yourself worthy once more to walk these halls," Odin commented, fully amused by Loki's sulking. "Though something tells me that you will not learn the lesson quite as quick as Thor did."

"You do realize the Midgardian's wish to see me dead, don't you? And that I killed Laufey?" Loki asked in a tone void of emotion once more. "Sending me either place is its' own death sentence. You might as well cut me down now."

"I'll allow you to choose a different form for Midgard," Odin stated as he leaned back. "However, this form will be permanent until you proof yourself worthy. And as for Jotunheim? I trust your obvious true species and silver tongue will help you convince them you are not the King-slayer. I'll assure that you blend in regardless. We can of course discuss other arrangements, if you would but tell us what you know."

Loki fumed but held his tongue. Then he changed form. It wasn't a massive change in truth, but it was just enough so that he no longer looked like the same person. His hair went from raven-black to brown and short. His skin from ghostly-white to having somewhat of a tan. His overall build remained tall and slender, with a rather handsome visage, but not too handsome. No need to attract unwanted attention. Only his eyes remained the same shining green, as if to mock any passerby who would see him and not recognize him.

"Ah I see, you have chosen Midgard. This is a wise choice," Odin nodded in satisfaction.

"It wasn't a choice at all was it?" Loki spat out, his new visage twisting with anger and scorn. "So then, you are going to seal my magic I assume. What about my strength?"

"Your strength will be reduced to match that of an Midgardian," Odin replied and Loki growled.

"Will you have me age like one to then?" Loki asked in a mocking tone.

"No, you are on Midgard to be taught a lesson, not to die. Your lifespan will remain the same. Be aware however, that you can be killed, so be wary," Odin advised in a solemn tone. "And of course, if you would change your mind and will tell us what you know… there will be room for negotiation. Any time you wish to speak, call upon Heimdal. He will respond to you."

Loki though clearly wasn't biting at the chance to avoid the punishment. Odin nodded his head and continued.

"Heimdal will keep a close eye on you, but you are not allowed to leave the realm until you proof yourself worthy," Odin informed him sternly. "Know this, if you harm the humans, or cause them to start a war, you will face execution. Regardless of what Frigga says. You are not to harm as much as a single human, directly or indirectly."

"Oh, so you will keep watch over me like a dog," Loki smirked. "Fine then. I'll play your game."

"This is no game Loki," Odin stated firmly.

Loki just gave him those mischievous eyes as if saying… 'whaaaat?' while putting a finger on his lip. Even wearing the visage of a different man, it was still so clearly Loki. Then suddenly, a glow spread across Loki.

"Ahh… AAAARRRHHH!" he growled out as he fell to his knees.

Odin's eye was fastened on him in a harsh glare as he mumbled, one hand reaching out towards his wayward son as he cast the spell to remove Loki's magic and limited his strength.

Loki snarled, braced as he was with his hands on the ground. He twisted and turned where he knelt, but he refused make another sound of pain. Struggled to fight against the magic being cast.

"You… old fool," he hissed out between clenched teeth, only to suddenly jerk backwards as the spell overwhelmed him. "ARGH!"

Thor had to turn his head away. Had to fight his instincts to go help his brother.

Then, just as abruptly as it had started, Loki was still and the glow vanished completely. Loki slowly lifted his head and frowned in annoyance as he reached forward a hand to cast a spell… Nothing happened.

He closed his eyes, trying to call upon the simplest of spells and, yet again, there was nothing.

"Your magic has been sealed away," Odin informed him, letting his hand fall back to the arm of his throne. "Your connection to the magic flowing through the world, through your veins, has been cut. So too has your strength been stripped from you and your connection to the realms severed. Were any to look upon you, they would see naught but another Midgardian."

"And now you are going to confine me to the mudball they so un-imaginatively call 'Earth'? It is a bigger prison but a prison still. Very well then. It does sound more entertaining than remaining in the dungeons of Valhalla," Loki asked in an amused tone. His tone shifted to one of seeming innocence. "Why, I might even run into some of Thor's friends."

"You are not to harm a human. Remember that," Thor warned Loki in a threatening tone. "And they may not know what you look like now, but I do! Give me a reason to do so and I will inform them of the situation!"

Loki chuckled and waved one bound hand dismissively.

"Oh, how amusing you are Thor," he stated. "As if I honestly care about any of them."

He turned back to Odin even as Thor clenched his hands in frustration.

"Well then, shall we begin?" he asked holding his chained hands forward. "I am quite bored of this farce."

Odin frowned as he stood up, stepping away from his throne and walking forward until he stood directly in front of Loki.

"You shall not return until you have proven yourself worthy," he stated firmly, though his voice had soften perhaps a touch. "Do you have anything you wish to say before you leave?"

"What in the Nine-Realms could I possibly have to say?" Loki asked with a dark chuckle.

"You are standing in the same room as your mother, father and brother," Odin pointed out. "It may be hundreds of years before you will see any of us again. And yet you have nothing you wish to say?"

Loki's eyes turned as hard as emeralds.

"I am standing in the room with three strangers," he replied, his cold eyed focused on Odin's face. "Let me assure you of this old man, when I let go of Bifrost I had no plans to return here. Ever! So, do as you will. Send me away. It suits me just fine to think that I will never have to see you again."

Thor looked down once more. He could not deny that Loki's words hurt, a lot, and he knew that had been Loki's intention. What hurt the most was seeing their own mother having to turn her head to hide her tears.

"Very well then," Odin stated, what softness which might have been in his voice was gone. "This is what you have chosen. Farewell, my son."

Odin then placed a hand on Loki's chest and he seemed to disappear in a flash of light. Thor knew very well what was happening now; Loki was being thrust across all of the Nine-Realms towards his new 'home'. His new 'prison'.

Towards Midgard.

This chapter has been edited by Arei-The Peridot Dragon