As the crowd scurries away from Loki frantically, I stand in the center, holding my ground, looking at him in confusion. He has yet to notice me, somehow, and I decided to keep myself that way. Maybe I could figure out exactly what the hell he was doing. "Hello, Lady Cassidy? What was the name of the man with the Tesseract?" I say into the com. Her voice buzzes back into my ear. "I think it was Loki. Why?"

"Well, for starters, he's standing right in front of me." I say, turning and starting to walk with the crowd as Loki creates clones to herd us out. "I'll call the other agents immediately! Do not loose that target!" I hear in my ear. "Got bigger problems than that, my Lady." I reply, eyeing the stone in his scepter with wary eyes. The Mind Stone.

He herded, standing before Loki and his clones. His garb transforms into his Asgardian armor, his staff into his septor. He takes a moment to revel in his garb, eyeing the crowd before him, before he curls his lips and says, "Kneel," He orders, my heart stops dead in my chest. The sheer glee in his eyes at this moment haunted and I couldn't force a rational thought through my head. Nobody listens at first, as would be anyone's natural inclination, until he yells it again. "I said, KNEEL!" I jumped, not expecting that out of him. People start to kneel, and not wanting to stand out, I do the same. This is not my Loki, this is someone else entirely, this-this was a monster. I wanted to stand demand he explain himself, possibly drag him back to Asgard by the ear, no longer so keen on the idea of throwing my arms around him, but I remained with my head down so he did not notice me. I reframed from conjuring Dygö and watched with analytical eyes, bowing so my hair covers my face. He grins in success and starts walking amongst the crowd, watching everyone's expressions. His blue eyes seemed to glow in the dim lighting of the night, and it was impossible not to notice it. "Now, is this not easier? This is your natural state. You see, you yearn to be ruled, you crave subnagation. You were made," He pauses, a slight curl bringing up his top lip, before banging his septor on the ground, his lips curling in pure delight. "to kneel." He says.

An elderly man close to he center of the crowd stands up slowly, shaking a little as if it hurt him to do so, a daring gaze meeting Loki's. "Not to men like you." He says. Loki glares down at him, a snarl appearing where his menacing smile once was.

"There are no men like me." He barks, his smile fleeting.
"There are always men like you." The man replies, challenging him with his gaze. I smiled, not bad, mortal, I thought. I conjure my armor onto my body, Dygö materializes in my scabbard. "People, look to your elder! Let him be an example." Loki says slowly, before gradually holding his scepter forward, I leapt into action when a bright, orange beam launched at the elder. I dove in front of the man, shielding him with my body and holding my forearm in front of me, the blast hitting my armor as screams fill the air. My armor heats up and warms my skin underneath slightly, but I barely flinched at it. I shoved my grief and shock deep inside me and forced myself to delve inside my instincts and training. This was not Loki- and I couldn't see it as him. "Hello, love." I say, forcing myself to grin tauntingly. I look at him and rose to my feet slowly from my kneeling position, allowing him only two seconds to take in my presence"Did you miss me?" Loki stares at me in shock, too stunned to move. "Lyra," He mutters. My eyebrow twitched with aggravation. "Oh, don't you Lyra me-"

I charge at him, teleporting above him so I fall onto his shoulders, twisting my hips so he lands on the ground with me on top of him, my knees on each side of his body, I grab his throat, I forced myself to replace my emotions with training instinct, looking at Loki not like he was my lover although it pained me, and he grins. "Indeed I have." He dissipates, and my hand smacks into concrete as I begrudgingly realized that it was merely a clone. I stood up slowly, turning toward the real man who watched me with a calculating look. Steve lands next to me suddenly, I barely flinched, I saw him coming way before he actually came, in his Captain of America suit. "You know, the last time a man stood above everyone else, we ended up disagreeing." He says. The real Loki's lips curl. "The man out of time, how peculiar."

Just as he says this, a whirling in the air alerts Loki of the jet flying above our heads. Natashas voice rings from the speaker. "Loki, drop the weapon and stand down." Loki in turn shoots a beam of light toward it from his scepter.Which I'm not sure how he expected it to work. Steve threw his shield at Loki, flying toward him with his fists clenched as people scurried away from the arriving fight, I whirled my sword in my hands, looking for his clones that I knew would soon cause trouble. I didn't have to look far, because one can hurdling after me in seconds and he and I tangled into a fight of my sword and his scepter. The real Loki through Steve to the ground, pressing his scepter to his head. "Kneel," he puffed, I snarled and shoved my sword through the clones chest, and as it dissipated, turned and used my mind to throw Loki to his back from Steve. Steve stood up, turning toward me momentarily.

"I had him right where I wanted him," Steve said, I smiled. "I know you did."

Loki came charging back.

An awful blaring sound charged through my ears and a screeching genre of music started playing, I resisted the urge to duck and cover my ears from t. And before long, a beam of light belonging to no one other than the infamous Tony Stark comes raining from the heavens and directly into Loki's chest, sending him skidding into the side walk. Even as I was livid with him, I cringed. That had to hurt. The red and gold suit of iron man unfolded with weapons, and from within Tony said, "Make a move, Reindeer Games." I did not understand the reference, but I laughed nonetheless.

Tony turned his robot head toward me. "Lyra, haven't seen you in a hot minute. Whaddya up to these days?" He asked, I rolled my eyes. "Not the time, Stark."
I turn my attention to the real Loki, who still looks stunned from my presence, and is also fighting Tony. And loosing too, in record time. "Lyra," Loki says, his eyes meeting mine, his voice still so intimate and it made me flinch. "You know this guy?" Tony asks. "We've met once or twice." I say, dodging Loki's gaze.

Loki holds his hands up in defeat at that, his armor shifting to his normal Asgardian attire. "Good move," Stark says, the weaponry in his suit closing. Tony hoists him up and cuffs his hands in front of him, but Loki stands there grinning.

Loki's eyes trail to me, making eye contact. His expression saddens and I felt some of my anger towards him dissipate. One thing I notice about him now, is that when he glances my way, his eyes are green, and I feel his desperation and regret emitting off of him and my heart breaks all over again.

What the hell happened to him?

-

When we get on the jet with Loki handcuffed, a thunder storm was starting. I had shifted into the skintight suit Director Fury had provided me so I could avoid any confusion concerning my traditional Asgardian armor. I sit next to Loki with my arms crossed, refusing to make eye contact with him. What am I supposed to say? 'Hey, you tried to escape Odin's wrath and Asgard all together by jumping in a black hole, making me think you died, then killed 80 people on Midgard after leaving me to die in a puddle of my own blood, but it's all good.' I roll my eyes mentally. But still, Loki has been going through so much. Realizing who he truly was, his true parentage. He had tried so desperately to earn Odin's approval, he was going to destroy Jotunheim because he thought it was what Odin wanted.

Is this what that transformed him into?

I turned and gave Loki a sidelong glance, hoping he doesn't notice me looking. Where did he land that could do this sort of transformation? I turned and studied my hands, not sure how to feel about him now. I wanted to be here for him, to hold his hand and help drag him out of this hole he's dug, but what if it's not really him doing this?

I saw his blue eyes once again and I shuddered, looking away and looking for something else to occupy my thoughts. "Lyra," The mention of my name makes me look up. Steve and Stark both stood at the front of the jet, behind where Nat flew it. He jerks his chin for me to join them and I do, thankful for the excuse to step away from Loki.

"How'd you wind up at the plaza? Fury couldn't get to you in time to let you know about crazy over there," Steve said, jerking his head toward Loki at the mention of the word "crazy". I sighed. "I was there for a different target, had no idea he was coming. You should tell Fury I said thanks for that, by the way." I said light heartedly, Steve's lip twitched. I turned toward Stark. "And you Stark, you seem to be- here. Why are you here?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at the Iron Man. He gives me a flat look. "Nice to see you too, Clovin."

"Where is this coming from?" I directed my look at Nat, flying our jet. Her head was turned to the clouds above us, and out of curiosity I slid into the seat next to her, staring up. The clouds were starting to rumble and lightning crackled across the sky. I couldn't help but allow my lips to twitch, thinking of my best friend who fought along my side on Asgard.

Thunder cracks loudly and I jump, startled out of my daydream. I sneak a look at Loki who had jumped as well, looking all around as if he too was reminded of our mutual brother from another mother. "What's the matter, afraid of a little lightning?" Tony asks.

Loki shifts uncomfortably in his seat.
"I am not fond of what usually follows after." Loki says. I snicker at that, trying so very hard not to laugh, my previous forlorn attitude leaving me briefly. "What's so funny?" Loki says in my head, making me jump. "I forgot you can do that." I whisper, letting my head fall into my hands. Nat gives me a confused sidelong glance and I give her an apologetic smile. "You're afraid of Thor? What happened, did he teach you a lesson on that bridge?" I answer. I didn't even have to see Loki's face or hear his voice to know the answer there, and I couldn't help it, I start laughing into my hand, forgetting that this wasn't the man I fell in love with."So my misfortune amuses you." He says, I gave him a small nod and tried desperately to wipe the smile from my face, forgetting he couldn't exactly see me well.

"What's so funny?" Nat asks. "Just something I thought of." I say, calming myself so I'm no longer laughing. I mean, I'm not lying. A thud hits the top of the jet and everyone jumped, looking at the roof and what could have caused it. Tony presses a button while fixing his helmet on his head, and the hatch begins to open at the end of the jet . "What are you-" I start, but I'm interrupted when a man lands on the hatch, I immediately recognized his long blond hair and large hammer in his hand, my eyes widened with surprise. Tony revs his hand cannon and I yell out, leaping to my feet. Thor smashes mjolnir into Starks chest and sends him smacking into Steve. . "Thor!?" I yell in surprise, surprised at seeing my old friend that I had not seen in months. He charges forward, gripping Loki by the laps of his overcoat acrimoniously. His face was reddened with anger, his lips pursed into a thin line. He grabs Loki but then looks at me in surprise, "Lyra?" He said almost undetectably. He jerked his chin for me to follow.

When he flies out of the trap, I look at Steve, who wears shock on his face. "I'm sorry!" I yell, I run forward and jump out of the hatch, letting the wind capture me in the moment. The wind whipped my hair everywhere, it yanked free of its braid and flew wildly. "Lyra!" I hear fading behind me. When I see where Thor's flying I start teleporting in the air after him, landing where he lands. Thor throws Loki on the ground wearing a scowl. "I missed you too, brother." Loki chuckles, standing up. "I am not in the gaming mood." Thor growls.

"You should thank me! With the bifrost destroyed how much magic did the Allfather have to summon to get you here." Loki smarts off, Thor looks about done with Loki, and let's be honest, everyone's a little done with Loki, I might've killed him myself had I not had so many witnesses. "I thought you both died!" He says, looking at me. "Did you mourn?" Loki sneers. "We all did!" Thor snaps. Sadly, I nodded downward, hoping that Loki didn't notice my sunken change of mood, but when I peeked from beneath my lashes his eyes were on me, his smile turning into a frown.

"Could Heimdall not see us?" I ask quickly, snapping my eyes from him and lifting my chin. Thor diverts his attention to me. "Not Loki. He started seeing you after awhile, he didn't know you were on Midgard." Thor replies, I nodded, smiling humorlessly. "Yeah well, I almost died. Left to die in a puddle of my own blood, the Midgardians I'm with saved my life." I say, placing my hands on my hips nonchalantly. "Could you not heal yourself?" Loki asks, I didn't know his emotions right now, so I didn't know whether it was concern or curiosity. "Not when I'm unconscious." I snap at him, feeling a sudden surge of anger I'm sure was misplaced but needed to be directed somewhere. And who better than the man who killed eighty people in past two days?

Thor tries to change the subject back to what his earlier point. "Our father-"

"Your father, Odin explained to you my parentage, did he not?" Loki interrupts, my heart clenched at that, biting my lip in a nervous habit. "We were raised together, we fought together, does that mean nothing to you? Do you remember none of that?", thunder sounds overhead, startling me slightly. "I remember your shadow, always growing up expected to own up to you and follow in your footsteps. You took everything from me! Even Lyra!" Loki bellows. I mean, the man's got a point there, but I would never verbally agree with Loki in this state. When you're wrong, and you think your right, it makes you dangerous. "Loki, how does that give you any right to take the lives innocent people. You killed eighty people in two days!" I add fervently, my face heating up with anger.

Ignoring me, Loki continues. "I was born to be king!" "I will not allow you to take over Midgard! The planet I love. Earth is under my protection." Thor says. Loki cackles softly. "And what a great job you're doing. Humans slaughtering each other, planning they're own demise. Can't you see that these people are made to be ruled!" Loki says, raising his voice. "Loki do you know nothing of our history?! We have an agreement older than the Allfather himself to keep Midgard away from the Nine Realms' conquest, bringing them into a war they are not ready for will slaughter every Midgardian on this forsaken planet!" I accuse, poking him in the chest. Anger took control of my heart and I scowled at him, feeling no remorse for his intentions, his daddy issues should not cost an entire realm.

"I only wish to save these people," Loki snapped back, I glared at him with ferocity, fury so hot it burned holes in my chest and practically blew smoke from my nostrils enveloped me. "Enough! Give up this poisonous dream, come home." Thor says, grabbing Loki's neck and staring at him pleadingly. Loki grins, and mutters, "I have no home."  

Thor's face heats and his face reddens, I take a step back and hold my hands up, not wanting to get into the middle of what soon would follow. "Listen well, brother," spits Thor. Suddenly with a flash of red and gold, the Man of Iron Stark swoops down and hits Thor, swooping him away.

"I'm listening," Loki adds.

We both stood there, dumbfounded. "Well, that was unexpected." I say, rocking on my heels. "Should we go get him?" I add nervously. "He can handle himself." Loki says, rolling his eyes in annoyance. I balled my hands into fists, suddenly unable to hold my tongue now we had a moment alone.
"What is going on with you, Loki? What has become of you? I heard some crazed power hungry maniac had stolen the Tesseract but I did not know it was you! Do you not see the wrong being done, do you not care?!" I demanded, my chest heaving up and down with my heavy, angry breaths. Then, softly, I added, "Do you not care for me?" I could sense the rage, guilt, and pity emitting off him. He looks at me, his eyes suddenly green again.

The same emerald green I had stared into so many times. I faltered for a moment, seeing the sudden tense in his shoulders bunker slightly. "Of course I care about you! You mean the world to me! But I did not ask for you to try and save me, I thought you would stay on Asgard, where you would be safe. I want you to be safe from me!" Loki erupts, grabbing my shoulders suddenly. "I don't know who I am anymore! I don't know what's me and what's...." he pauses, something hidden in his eyes. I search his face for any hint of an explanation, but nothing comes. "All I know is that I want you to be alive to see another tomorrow everyday." Loki says more softly. I looked at the ground. "I know there is something you aren't telling me," I muttered, I saw something unreadable flash through Loki's eyes, but he didn't say anything. He didn't agree, but he didn't disagree either.

"I know this isn't you. You've always been a trickster, but not to the point of murder! Well... you did stab Thor when we were younger," I added as an afterthought, Loki snickered to himself but my glare returned within an instant.

"I know you better than anyone, Loki, I know this isn't who you are. There is something else going on here and, even if it kills me, I am going to figure out what that is," I said. Loki met my gaze, his eyes still shining their usual brilliant green, an ache filled my chest. "I hope you do, Lyra," he said softly, I could feel his pain like a second skin, crawling on me and making the hairs on my neck rise.

I stood there, akwardly. Not knowing what else to say, I pull Loki into a very needed hug.