Another Chance (Loki)

[Thor]

(April 18th. Morning.)

Thor groaned as he got up. He wore only a pair of black boxers and red shorts. Bandages were around his chest as he remembered he'd gotten hurt protecting Loki and then blacked out. He paused realizing his arms and wrists were in shackles. He tried to remove them and to his surprise, they wouldn't budge at all. He must have been captured by the boy. Had he hurt Loki?

"You think you can imprison the son of Odin? You can't keep me from my brother. I will find Loki and we will make you pay for this." said Thor.

He tried to break free from the chains which unknown to him were to keep him stay in one place to heal properly. But he was panicking thinking Loki needed him. He stopped clutching his chest as if he'd pulled a muscle or something. It was then he remembered Mjolnir broke.

"The boy broke Mjolnir. I wasn't worthy enough to stop it. Maybe Mjolnir took my power because it felt I was no longer worthy of it." said Thor.

He stopped struggling as he lay back down.

"I failed Asgard. I failed my parents and I failed my brother. Loki if you can hear me I'm sorry. I'll find a way back to you, somehow." whispered Thor.

Then he remembered his teammates in the mission, Jane, Steve, Tony, Bruce and the others in Critic's Army. Did they think he was dead? He knew just how awful dealing with the death of Ma-Ti only for him to be secretly a prisoner the whole time. He didn't want to put them all through that again but until he escaped he had no choice in the matter.

[Loki]

It was a struggle but he did it. He managed to get thor to safety and spare him the wrath of imprisonment. But at a great personal price for thor's freedom. Loki, aware that they would most likely not save thor's life, insisted that thor was not his prisoner but his slave. His slave to help them. In exchange they agreed to heal him. But loki, aware of his brother's strength, helped with hades to cause chains to help him as well as restrain him. While the healing was in affect the chains would hold him.

While thor was unconscious, he demanded to know how darkheart managed to break his brothers hammer. It was simple, nella claimed, the boy was from a older time, a time before odin actually made the hammer. His powers were old and expertly crafted to defend against specific god-like powers. Loki was annoyed but understanding of the answer. He then asked if it was possible to make a hammer similar to mjolnir, something of which ATG claimed he could. After all, he said, the devil owed him a favor after a epic birthday party. So with some impatience he waited for his brother to awaken to explain all that had happened.

He went back to the room his brother was kept in and listened sadly as his brother begged for loki's forgiveness. Loki's heart broke. His brother was hurting and alone. Loki knew this was sort of wrong to keep his own brother as a slave but it was the only way to protect him. He knew he would one day have to return thor back or at least convince thor to join him but for now, he had to stick to making sure his big brother was safe. How ironic, as children thor always protected him but now loki as a adult was trying to protect thor. Loki, with a soft sigh, opened the door and smiled sadly "Brother. You did not fail" He then sat down near thor and replied "Stay still brother, you're still badly injured. These chains are trying to heal you believe it or not" He then sighed again, rubbing his eyes "You're not imprisoned... but, I had to weasel my way into saving you. It's a long story"

[Thor]

Thor looked up in surprise seeing Loki join him.

"You're okay! I thought Dark Heart and his goons might have grabbed you. I've already lost you once. Or I thought I did. I can't go through that again." said Thor.

He paused as Loki said he was injured and the chains were keeping him here to heal.

"I guess I can understand that." said Thor.

Thor paused at Loki's words.

"We're in Ask That Guy's house aren't we? Why am I not rotting in a dungeon cell s omewhere?" asked Thor.

The unspoken question of how was he still alive? Surely the others would have probably killed him but perhaps the fact he got hurt saving Loki or Loki had more sway with the army than he realized. He wasn't sure but he di d want answers.

[Loki]

Loki couldn't help but smile a little as thor expressed relief in seeing him. He then felt a pang of guilt as his brother expressed that he did not want to lose him. Loki didn't exactly feel shame for lying about his death but he did feel guilt for causing his brother such grief in spite of it. He then gave a curt nod as thor replied that he could understand being chained. Loki sighed, looking a little embarrassed "I know. It is difficult to believe. But it is for your safety"

Loki then listened as thor questioned him. All of his questions related to the main point thor seemingly wanted to get across: Why was he here instead of being locked away or dead? Loki was all too happy to answer. It was best to get thor up to speed. After all, if thor didn't know his plan, it'd make things way more difficult. Loki took a moment to ponder how to explain but eventually he explained calmly "Because I managed to convince Nella and Ask Thatguy to spare you. It is another reason why you are chained. They believed, despite your injuries, that you would attempt escape" He sighed, calmly explaining some more "You were close to death. And I did not want you to be forced to rot in a cell. I could not do that to you, brother. Nella claimed to see you more as a threat than anything and was going to leave you for dead. But I convinced her that you were my..." He gave a uncomfortable but soft cough as he got a little more nervous. He knew his brother wouldn't exactly be happy about this part. But he managed to spill it "Slave. You are my slave for the moment. I had no choice brother, they were planning to let you die"

He then sat near thor, giving him some distance despite the chains worried thor might lose his temper, and explained with a hint of protectiveness and guilt "You saved me. So I felt it was only right to save you. I cannot lose you either" He then gave a sad smile "It will take some time to heal and it will take even more time to find a way to help you return to the heroes. So I had to get you some time. This was the quickest way I knew how" He then smiled slightly more "But fear not, I have managed to find a way to get you a new hammer in the meantime. I know that is not exactly the best news you wish to hear, but I wanted to do something to make your stay here much easier"

[Thor]

Thor nodded.

"And I assume yours as well. I did save your life but I could be sitting in a jail cell." said Thor.

He paused at his words and smiled.

"Of course you could convince them. I doubt there's anyone you couldn't convince." said Thor.

Thor nodded.

"They'd be right but in this state, I'd bleed out before I got anywhere. And without my hammer I'm no good to anyone. Still can't believe that boy had that much power." said Thor.

He paused seeing the pieces of his broken hammer laying in a box near his bed.

"I suppose there's no way to restore my hammer." said Thor.

Thor smiled.

"I am not mad you did this. You were back into a corner and you saved me. If the situation was reversed I'd have done the same if you got hurt and taken by Critic's army." said Thor.

He sighed.

"Perhaps you could send a message or letter to the army. To let them know I'm alright. When Facilier and Malachite faked Ma-Ti's death it really upset everyone. I don't want them to mourn my death for months."

He paused at his words and shook his head.

"I don't know if I want toa new hammer . Not like I can use it while I'm injured anyway." Said Thor.

[Loki]

Loki gave a somewhat displeased hum as Thor rightfully pointed out that loki could have nearly endangered himself defying his leaders. While there was no question he was well-liked and respected by the leaders, he knew that said respect was hard to achieve yet easy to destroy. Sure, he was basically the official guardian of one of their children, which was a extremely high role. But he knew that even HE was expendable. So it was best to keep on guard regardless. He did smile and chuckle a little though as thor praised his persuasion skills. He replied amusedly "Luckily for both of us I am blessed with the gift of undeniable persuasion" He then smiled softly towards his brother "Making sure you were alive was my main concern. I was not going to let them leave you like that"

"I know. I told them the same thing. That you wouldn't be a harm-- Wait just a second" Loki then heard thor's words about being useless without his hammer. Loki shook his head "Thor, listen to me. This is coming from me of all people. You gave that hammer power not the other way around. It was to help you control it. You still have your powers. And even if you did not, you are unquestionably a valuable person" Loki hoped his words meant something. He didn't care that his feelings, his true feelings, were being poured out. Thor's sacrifice changed him. Made him want to rekindle the relationship they once had. He then sneered irritatedly at the mention of Darkheart. He replied bitterly "That boy may be powerful, but you and I are raised from a line of warriors. We will find a way to defy his magic. He was lucky this time but his luck will run out"

"Perhaps not Mjolnir, but we are in the process of making one similar to it for you" Loki explained "Ask thatguy said he has a old friend that owes him a favor" He then looked down in shame as thor replied calmly that he had no problem with loki's desperate attempt. That he understood why. Loki sighed softly "Same as always with you. Always so forgiving. After everything I've done" He then turned to thor with a sad look "How can you not be angry at me?" He then looked away again, wiping some tears, feeling more humble and loved than he had in years. He sighed again "This is my fault. If I had just been prepared for him you wouldn't be in this issue" He then turned as thor asked him to maybe communicate with the heroes about thor being alive. Loki quickly nodded "I shall send a spell to deliver a message to your allies. It is the least I can do"

"Well what if I make it a gift from me to you in exchange for you saving my life? Or just a gift in general? Injured or not, you deserve a weapon. Not that you need one, but you deserve one. It will help you control your undeniable power. Once you're healed" Loki insisted, a soft look on his face. He then insistently replied "I know you feel defeated and unworthy but you're more worthy than I ever was or will be. You saved my life thor. I want to repay you. No, more than that, I want to show you how much I appreciate you"

[Thor]

Thor nodded.

"And I'm glad for that." replied Thor.

He raised an eyebrow.

"You think I still have my powers? But it came from the hammer?" asked Thor, confused.

He smiled though as Loki said he was valuable.

"I hope so. I've never met anything like him. Not even the Chitauri or the Frost Giants were that strong to break Mjolnir." said Thor.

His smile grew as he mentioned making something new.

"That's good. It would be nice to have another weapon." mentioned Thor.

Thor shook his head.

"We are family. No matter what I will always love you. We may fight and disagree but that will never change." replied Thor.

Thor raised an eyebrow.

"A gift? Well thank you." said Thor.

Thor blushed a bit at the praise. It meant more coming from Loki. Everyone used to praise him back home that he just ignored it or was used to it. But Loki was different.

"Thank you, Loki. That means a lot." mentioned Thor.