Chapter 1

The Enemy Released

Loki:
Finally, I have been released of my forsaken punishment for my "foolish actions." Wasting my time for an entire year in that humiliating cell, deprived of speech or hardly even movement. Of course one year is barely anything compared to the thousands of them I have lived, but I can assure you that the time did not go by quickly.

I suppose I should be grateful.. Even if it was ridiculous for me to be in that cell to begin with, my punishment was actually set for a daunting two hundred years. The very thought fills me with disgust. Sometimes I wonder why I have been burdened with such an awful adoptive guardian.. I think I can honestly conclude that Odin, the oh-so-great Allfather, is the absolute worse father ever to be.

But to get back on my main point of focus, it was determined for me to be disciplined for far longer then I was. I hate to say that the only reason I was released is because of Thor. Yes, that open-hearted, oversized, preposterously caring adoptive brother of mine is the reason for my shortened imprisonment. He had decided on revisiting mortal friends, not to my surprise, and thought it would prove beneficial that I arrive alongside him to learn all the "marvelous things" Midgard has to offer.

I suppose it kind of balances out that way, whether I am fond of this or not. I have no desire to return to Midgard, but in a way it is better then my cell. We are to leave tomorrow, and Thor insists that I apologize to his group of friends. That is what I am the least eager to happen, practically putting it out there that my attempts at their realm's domination were a mistake, and I had been foolish. I can only imagine what mockery they will repay me with.

It is nice to finally be allowed to sleep on an actual bed, bring returned to my own corridors. However once I fall into a sleep, I will only be awakened to an eager Thor, impatiently waiting to escort me to the realm which despises me. It's probably best I try not to dread this too greatly, and instead think of where I could be instead. I suppose it is the time in which I will enjoy the comforts of my bed, I can only imagine the events tomorrow has to hold.

-Loki

Thor:
DEAREST PARCHMENT,
TODAY HAS BEEN THE MOST JOYFULLY EVENTFUL DAY ASGARD HAS HAD IN FAR TOO LONG! I HAVE BEEN MAKING A PLAN TO REVISIT MY DEAR FRIENDS OF MIDGARD, AND I ESPECIALLY NEED TO REUNITE WITH JANE. I SWORE TO HER I WOULD RETURN FOR HER, BUT UNFORTUNATELY I WAS FAR TOO OCCIUPIED HANDLING MY BROTHER'S RASH ACTIONS. LOKI SIMPLY DOES NOT UNDERSTAND THAT HE SIMPLY CANNOT BE A KING! I AM THE HEIR TO THE ASGARDIAN THRONE, AND MIDGARD DOES NOT WISH FOR A RULER. MY POOR BABY BROTHER. HE IS JUST SO CONFUSED AND WILL NOT LISTEN TO MY WORDS!

BUT LUCKILY, BEING THE INCREDIBLY WISE FUTURE KING TO ASGARD, I HAVE DEVELOPED AN INCREDIBLE PLAN! LOKI SHALL ACCOMPANY ME IN MY TRAVELS! I TRULY DO THINK THAT IF MY BROTHER JOINS ME IN THIS, I CAN SUCCESSFULLY SHOW HIM ALL THE GOOD IN MIDGARD! I ALSO HAVE PLANS TO POSSIBLY UNITE HIM WITH A MORTAL WITH WHOM HE COULD HAVE POTENTIAL INFATUATION WITH! LOKI IS CONSTANTLY BULLYING ME, MOCKING MY CHOICE TO BE WITH JANE. BUT I THINK IF HE WILL SEE HOW WONDERFUL IT CAN BE TO FIND LOVE WITH ONE!

IT IS THE PERFECT PLAN, I KNOW. GREAT RESULTS ARE INEVITABLE! I WILL TRY AND GET SOME SLEEP NOW, I AM REALLY HOPING TO AWAKEN AND LEAVE WITH MY BABY BROTHER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! GOOD NIGHT SMALL BOOK FILLED WITH BLANK PARCHMENT. I SHALL SPEAK WITH YOU TOMORROW.

YOUR FRIEND,
THOR ODINSON

Steve:
It has been about a year now since that so-called "god" left New York. I am beginning to hope things will really start getting back to how they used to be, and it's good to know this city is almost back to normal. All of us have been different since that alien's arrival, and I pray to God I will never have to see him again.

I mean Thor, he's alright I guess. At least he knows to show us "midgardians" some respect. But that brother of his? That guy has ruined so many things! And you know what the strange thing is? Tony, Tony Stark, seems to always bring up the moron. Tasha and I agreed we should all try our best and move on from talking about him and hope Thor knows how to handle him up there, but Tony insists on speaking about him. And you know what really bothers me? They aren't exactly bad things! Sure, they aren't compliments or anything, but he says he wonders what punishment Loki is receiving, if he ever thinks back to any of us, or if he ever will return. I guess you could say they are innocent things to wonder.. I just don't like it.

Great, now I'm writing about the fella. I really just need to clear him out of my mind.. Okay, so tomorrow the group and I, excluding Thor, have plans for meeting at Tony's tower and having some sort of party. I really think it will be a nice break for us, but given Tony's holding it, of course there will be alcohol.. I don't know what I will do if everyone ends up getting too drunk.
Although maybe it wouldn't be exactly bad if Tony were to get drunk..

Anyway, I guess I'll take my leave. Hopefully tomorrow will really help all of us get closer and things can begin getting back to how they should be.

-Steve Rogers

Bruce:
Hi again.
I know I haven't written to you in some time, but I made a goal to change that. I really do feel like I can just relieve my stress when writing my worries away. But uh, what I might have for you could be a little unexpected then my usual topics.

Instead of writing about my newest discovery in the lab today, or how I fear what the "other guy" could do, I am going to write about Tony, Natasha, Clint, and Steve. I guess I could call them my friends, so my friends. First of all, you know how I've been wondering how I should act around Natasha.. I'm just still having troubles being comfortable around her after that "other guy" came out and almost killed her on the hello helicarrier. Sure I'm not really comfortable around anyone in the first place.. But especially not her. I don't mean to make things awkward or anything, but she is relatively attractive.. Alright, she's gorgeous.. Why am I suddenly feeling awkward just writing about this? Oh well, it's a feeling I've grown used to.

Well Tony made plans to have a party, tomorrow. It sounds pretty fun and I'm really hoping I could, just maybe, get a little more comfortable around Natasha. The biggest problem is Clint.. He obviously has this huge thing for her, it's plain as day. Well.. I guess I should really just give up on anything right now. Clint has known Natasha for much longer than I have, and he saved her life. Unlike me, who almost took it. I'm a monster, aren't I.. She really does deserve better when I think about it..

Alright, I think I have written enough for today. Sorry I took such a long break, I'll try to change that. You can probably expect a fantastic entry about all my failures and humiliating moments I have tomorrow at the party.. Maybe Tony can help me through this, I am closest with him after all. Or maybe he'll just find this all very amusing..

Your's truly,
Dr. Bruce Banner