Chapter Text
Pacing from corner to corner, Loki waited for the Asgardian guards to finally escort him in front of the Allfather. As if on cue, two guards walked in, immediately going to Loki and chaining him at every limb. This was rather normal now, a regular occurrence. The metal chimed as he walked through the palace until he was met with the throne.
“Loki.”
“Odin.” The old man looked down on him with that normal expression, pure disappointment. That familiar cunning smile was no longer spread on Loki’s face, all that was left was seriousness.
“I have been informed you seem to have repent your crimes.”
“Ah, yes. Well…not entirely, however I have the impression that my services are needed somewhere other than in the dungeons of the palace.” That seemed to pique his interest, Loki didn’t care much for the man’s opinion.
“What exactly do you mean by ‘your services’, in the past that has only led to bloodshed and trickery. Are you implying you are going to use the magic that your mother taught you…for good?” Rolling his eyes at Odin’s shock, Loki hid the amount of urgency of the situation.
“Don’t act all surprised. I am merely informing you of the fact that I may be the only God up to this task, a task that not even the Allfather has exposed. So, Odin, will you force me to rot in that dungeon or allow me to save someone you won’t.” A beat of silence.
“Loki, you are freed from Asgard's dungeons. If you betray the little trust I have reinforced for you, you will not see the light of day again. Do you understand me, Loki?” Gritting his teeth, he gave a single sharp nod. “Take him to his quarters, release the restraints there.” Within an instant he was moving again, normally Loki wouldn’t have been so understanding of Odin. This task actually meant something though, it would be far too risky to go alone. So, once he was left alone, Loki collected several weapons before making his way to the bifrost. Some Midgardians may help.
“No, absolutely not. I am not allowing you to travel to Midgard. Especially alone.”
“Heimdall, I have only just been freed from those dungeons from my last visit to Midgard. What makes you think I am about to make a revisit so soon?” The other man looked everything but convinced. Yet all the same, he opened the bifrost.
“I will be watching.” With his signature smile, Loki travelled to Midgard. He knew several Avengers that would most likely kill him on sight, however he also knew one that was somewhat friends with Thor. That alone could save his skin. Transforming his clothes into more Midgardian, Loki made his way to the tower he remembered very well. Stark Industry. Deciding that an entry from the top of the tower would be far better, using his magic, he did just that. Walking through the glass doors, Loki noticed how Stark wasn’t paying any attention to his surroundings. Perfect.
“Stark, it's been some time since we’ve done this.” The billionaire jumped and dropped everything he was holding whilst turning around to face the God.
“Loki, wow. What a pleasure, whatever it is you’re planning on stealing isn’t going to involve me in the slightest, so if you wouldn’t mind -”
“I very much would mind. Also, I wouldn’t call it stealing, more like…a rescue of someone I truly care about. Trust me, I’m more annoyed that I need to ask for your help than you are.” Placing the items he had dropped before on the table, Stark sighed at his next choice of words.
“A rescue task? You, Loki - God of Mischief, are asking me to help you save someone that you actually care about?” A smirk filled Stark’s face as he welcomed the God inside. “As much satisfaction I would get from saying no to you, I’m curious how long your heroic arc will last. What exactly needs to be done?” Loki followed behind the mortal until they got to the bar.
“My sister Hela…” He poured himself a glass of the closest bottle of alcohol before continuing, “...she took someone I care about years ago. I only recently found out and we’re going to get her back.” Stark took the bottle from him and poured himself the same amount before commenting.
“You have a sister? Why didn’t Odin fight to get back this girl years before or something?”
“Not that it’s any of your business or anything, but Odin didn’t tell Thor or myself we had a sister, I found out by listening into conversations. You don’t need to know any details but the girl we’re saving is my sister too, all you need to know is that…I need your help.” Clinking the glass together to make a chime before finishing the rest of the liquid, time to go save someone.
Giggles erupting whilst the two ran loose through the golden palace. Her beach blond hair and bright blue and green eyes contrasting his black hair and deep blue eyes.
“Ready or not, here I come!” His laughs gave his position away almost immediately, but what would be the fun in finding him quickly? So, she walked everywhere around him as he tried to stifle his laughter. “Where has Mr Mischief run off to? No problem, it just means I get his switchblade.” She exclaimed rather loudly. Loki’s laughs stopped as he ran to her, trying to convince her not to go anywhere near it.
“I’m kidding! I’ve already taken it.” The boy’s eyes only grew wider.
“Kanti! We made a deal!” Her laughs only continued as she ran from the boy…
“Kantia…wake-y, wake-y.” Pain coursed through her body instantly. Another day she somehow survived. As per usual, the room was dimly lit. Not having the energy to look at her, not even biological, sister; Kanti allowed her head to hang. “Are you hungry?” Chains held her wrists loosely above her head and kept her knees connected to the floor.
“Fuck you….Hela…” Days bled into weeks into months into years but Kanti still had no idea how long she was left to waste wherever she was. Beige clothes loosely hung from her frame, it had rips surrounded by blood in most places. She chuckled at nothing.
“Why are you doing this…? I did nothing to you…”
“You ask me the same question, what is my response?” Lifting her head slightly to look at Hela, Kanti glared.
“Nobody is going to come find me…Odin doesn’t care much for me, never has…” She wasn’t lying, only her mother and brothers cared for her, and they were extremely unlikely to find this hellhole. Even Heimdall wouldn’t be able to find her easily. “Allow me to sleep, Hela…I know nothing of what you seek to find…” The woman hummed in response before footsteps echoed behind Kanti. “Hela, please…I know nothing..!” Pain, pain was the only thing telling her she was still alive. So when pain coursed through her back with each lash, Kanti only took it as a sign she was still surviving, whether that was for better or worse. No matter her views on it, it was still unbearable after less than a minute.
Tears streamed down her face as blood copied down her back, she was beginning to lose hope…