Hero or Zero (Captain America)

Sitting at the side of the road, Loki didn't pay too much attention to the fact that the child had muttered something about heading to the police station to see if he could find his parents.
"Ikol, keep an eye on him," He muttered to the bird who gave him an exasperated look. But Ikol did take to the air, about to follow. Loki's eyes stared at the road, deep in thought. He had saved a life, done what was right but his brother still wasn't here. There was no use crying over split milk, the saying went. His brother wasn't here and there was nothing he could do about it. This just reminded him so much more of the absence of the one person who had protected him from the other Asgardians. The person who was going to have to die in his home world.

"Loki, I would look out. You've got some company coming," Ikol warned, flying back to Loki barely before starting to trail the kid.
"Where?" Loki asked before he felt a hand on his shoulder. Eyes flickered to the man who had come up behind him, green eyes taking in the form and the words that were spoken. It was Captain America, protector of Midgard and he knew that his former self hadn't exactly been on speaking terms with this man.

"So I'm told. And most people struggle to believe it even then," He said quickly, moving to stand up. Although his tone was light and friendly, he was cautious. When his brother had been jailed for wanting to support Midgard (not so long ago for him), it hadn't taken long for the more relatively friendly Asgardians to try and put a knife through him. It was only Volstagg that had protected him from an untimely end and before that, well if his brother didn't show up, many were willing to rough house with him. Even those that where physically adults compared to his child-like physique.

He suspected mortals would be less inclined to lay a hand on a child who was formerly evil but he wasn't completely certain. After all, he had been pretty evil and many people had suffered because of it. He had a lot to repay. A lot that he had to do. But as it was, he needed to try and make sure that he wasn't going to have a difference of opinions with Captain America, primarily on what side he, Loki, was on.

Besides, he might be able to get some useful information.

"Say, have you seen Thor around here?" He asked, face looking slightly hopeful and Ikol dropped his head slightly.
"You care too much," The magpie muttered but Loki ignored him, knowing that none but he had heard the words uttered by the bird that only his eyes could see. He was still ready to defend himself if it came to it but the patron of America didn't seem to be waiting for him to let his guard down or preparing for an attack. Instead he seemed rather passive. Nice change.

Looking up at the older hero, the young god refused to look away although he did blink. It would be rude, hostile even, to stare without relaxing. But the hero clearly didn't trust him, Loki could see it in his eyes. Like everyone else, it seemed that the Captain would not believe him or his brother. It seemed that he really was a burden on Thor, Loki knew well enough that some of the Asgardians were questioning their great protector as he had accepted 'the little rat' back into the arms of Asgard. Loki sighed and looked away, focusing on Ikol who was watching with interest.

Green eyes shot back to the American hero as he heard the man start talking but the child like face fell slightly at the answer that he received and his eyelids lowered, almost closed at this thought. So his brother wasn't here. The man who was the only one who truly trusted and protected him. And back home, Loki knew that he was about to die. That he had to die. Could it be that he hadn't been sighted because... a tear pricked at his eye at this thought. He had always been more emotional than his former self. He didn't want Thor dead. Maybe that was selfish of him. But he loved his brother as much as he needed his protection. The trickster angled his head slightly so the lone tear would hopefully be unobserved and he casually brushed his face to as if something had disturbed his skin to his the fact that he was removing any trace of the tear.
"He said 'yet', Ikol commented, never too impressed with Loki's bursts of emotion.

"I've looked for a way out but found nothing. It's a powerful force that's made this. I don't suppose you'd know anything about it?" He asked. Ikol had already told him that this had the touch of the Infinity Gems to it but that was all that the bird had been able to share. The rest was guess work for the two. Any new information would be welcome. After all, Loki was desperate to get back. He needed to find out whether Thor was really dead, he needed to make sure that he could save the nine realms.

A smile came across his face, which the trickster made look more carefree, at the next words the hero have to offer. Loki wanted to change the views on him. He wanted to be like Thor, to help save everyone. It as just that no one believed him and fewer were willing to give him the chance.
"Sure. I'm up for a bit of helping out. As you said, I've got a lot to make up for," He said cheerfully, not bothering to mention that he didn't remember any of his previous life and committing the evil deeds that others held him to. They'd just say he was lying, after all. It would no doubt be no different here. Actions spoke louder than words, they always said. He would have to make a good impression with both his words and what actions he took. Good thing I'm a quick thinker, He thought to himself, ready to start walking with Captain America, but still slightly wary of him.

The hero of America sank to his knees and the trickster watched Captain America as he looked into his eyes. When it came to it, Loki was a master at disguising his true intent. He had gotten the Tongue of the Serpent to blurt out his secrets with only words. He had gotten Hela and Mephisto to agree to a deal, after having the two nearly go to war in the first place. No one was ever going to beat him. This was the way that the child managed to stay alive. Quick thinking, acting and then a spot of running thrown in. It kept him healthy. Besides, he never really had the choice.

Finally it was the other who broke the silence and relief filled the boy who followed the hero without a word.
"You're too trusting, it'll get you into trouble," Ikol said but Loki gave a little sigh and shook his head at the bird. As if he could trust what his evil self told him. It would be useful to know why he was stranded here. He only knew what Ikol had been able to tell him and that was not much. Infinity Gems. That was it. Still, it was better than nothing and probably more than most people knew anyway.

Listening to the problem that the hero had, the trickster nodded, seriously at this. Right. Gangs. Looking like loved ones. In a non crime neighborhood. Although to be fair, with all that was going on, it wasn't too surprising that some people would turn to crime. But organised... Hm. But organised. And why hadn't he been a target? He had gold around his head and was only a boy. Then again, he was good at keeping out of attention. Ikol had been helping him. Keeping an eye out and the likes. Plus he'd only been here for about an hour. Still, he pulled his hood up to hide his face. Best not to draw too much attention to himself. He pressed his lips together, thinking about the situation.

As they continued to walk, the hero still talking, Loki found that there were some things that were going to be a problem. Or just a few things he should iron out for trust reasons. Or both.
"Right, well, I like to think of myself as the god that is so skilled that nothing is suspicious about me but sure, I should be able to spot anything amiss with ease," Now came for the trust part. Well, trust wasn't really part of his nature.
"As for magic, this dimension has thrown it slightly out of kilter," He warned. It was a lie. He hadn't been able to use magic since he got Ikol who had stopped his magic. Indeed, he could hardly do anything. Everything had to be relearned.

As they paused, Loki listened to this and gave a small nod. Well, he supposed it was a good think that Captain America hadn't assumed that it was him that was behind these occurrences.
"You know, if someone is mugging people, then I should be a prime target," The trickster said with a smile, taking off his golden circlet and lightly playing with it. Despite his casual appearance, he was ready to take action if someone did try to take his crown. Ikol watched the situation carefully and not believing how light the young god was being. Both knew that Loki would have some motive which lead him to help the hero - Loki never did anything simply to be good (or so people always thought - and most of the time correctly). But only Loki knew what it was and he wasn't going to share it with his magpie.

It seemed that he had quiet a bit of luck here. First the archeress had been kind to him (admittedly because she knew a version of him) and Captain America was actually talking to him and seeming to care. If it wasn't for the fact that he had to get back to his own home (and to see Leah and Thor), he might consider staying here. Although it did seem that his kindness from the American hero came only because of the fact that he was a child and Thor's brother. It seemed that even across such a distance, his brother was still his main protection.

Still, for that kindness, Loki guessed he should give the hero some reward for his trust. It did seem to be a touch decision and to be fair, he did needed to distance himself from the misjudgments of those around him.
"I'm not him, you know," The boy said softly, looking up at the hero. "I don't have any memories of what I was. All I know is that he... I... took such horribly evil actions that my name is likely to be stained for a good while. That I have a lot of past deeds to make up for, even if it does take an eternity," The trust thing went both ways, Loki knew. Thor trusted him, so Captain America trusted him. Thor trusted Captain America, so Loki allowed himself to have some trust in the hero. Plus by saying this he would hopefully be trusted even more which would offer him a good support if he didn't get Thor to help protect him any time soon.

Considering all that the Captain had told him about the situation, Loki took in the fact that Spider-Man was here as well. Right, so another hero. He also hadn't been mentioned with those other villains that would be lurking around, which was a positive. He had confirmation that the Infinity Gems had been used, like Ikol had said, and the Gauntlet and Thanos was involves, as he had suspected. And people were coming from different times and dimensions. All in all, he had been right. Of course, there was worry when he heard that his brother had last been seen going to fight Thanos and that was it. He frowned, wondering whether this Captain America came from his dimension or whether he came from a different time. Loki didn't remember having Thanos being a problem. It was the Serpent that they were last facing.

"Have you any knowledge of the Serpent?" He asked after a few seconds pause, considering whether he should ask this. But it would be useful to know if they had a common ground. Plus, if the man was from the future, then the Serpent didn't win. That his plans had worked. As dreadful as it had to be, at least it was better than the alternative. He wondered whether he really wanted to know the answer.

As Captain America gave the plan, Loki nodded. Right, he was the bait. That he could do, after all, he was rather used to such schemes and had suggested it. Placing the circlet back on his head and pulling the white hood down so the gold on his brow could glisten in the light.
"Sounds good to me, Captain America," He said with a smile. As soon as the hero was on the rooftops he'd get Ikol to fly ahead and keep a lookout as well. It wasn't that he didn't trust the man but he knew better than most that it was better to be safer than sorry.

Past tense. For a few seconds, that was all that Loki could think about. Captain America was talking about the Serpent in the past tense. Past. The Serpent was... The boy let out a sigh of relief. Midgard was safe, his father hadn't destroyed the realm and the Serpent was defeated. His plan had worked. It hard worked. Relief was shattered as a sense of dread went through him. The Serpent was dead and Loki had been working to make sure that the prophecy would work. That Thor would kill the Serpent and then take nine steps. Because that was the best that they could hope for. The only way the Serpent would actually die.

The little god's head dropped slightly. He had known the cost when he set out and it seemed that he had paid it and saved more. It was what his brother would have done. He had checked. It was just a dreadful thing to know that he had lost his brother. Just then Captain America spoke again and Loki lifted his head, looking at the man with a slight cock of his head as he took in these words that conflicted with what he knew. It was a nice sentiment to think that the man cared enough to lie to him but Loki had been too involved.
"There was a prophecy. That Thor would kill the Serpent and then take nine steps. It was the best outcome we could hope for," He said, clear green eyes looking up at the hero to see how the man would react.
"It seems you must have found a loop hole," He added, allowing his voice to sound somewhat happier. They wouldn't have found a loop hole without him but it was worth pretending that they could have.

Watching the man quickly climb up the building, Loki waited for the signal from the hero before he started walking on and down the street, hood down and golden circlet shining on his forehead.
"Ikol, look out for any danger as well. We've got to be extra cautious," He told the magpie under his breath.
"I don't agree with this," he said.
"We need the trust of the heroes," Loki replied, his tone final and Ikol rose higher into the hair, circling above the boy. Feeling safer, he continued, green eyes scanning around him as he moved, looking completely unaware of any danger and simply enjoying the day. He even started humming to keep up the appearance. With any luck this should make him a prime target.

Walking through the streets, the trickster remained calm and non suspecting as he moved along, keeping close to buildings of a similar height so Captain America could follow him with more ease. The boy wanted to be as considerate as possible, especially as the man was basically protecting his back. Green eyes looked around, the trickster as calm as ever. In the grand scale of things this wasn't the most dangerous thing that he had done. He had back up and those who he was trying to find only wanted to mug him. This wasn't lying to powerful lords of Hell. He wasn't too concerned about the whole affair. It helped with the guise of being completely at ease and thus a more easy target.

"Nothing yet," Ikol said, who had dived around after flying a couple of circles around his head.
"Thanks, Ikol," He told the bird. "Anything I should be aware of?" His voice was soft and his lips barely moved as he spoke, so not to attract attention. After all, it would look like he was talking to himself if anyone noticed. As such, all his actions were small and to a point.
"There are a couple groups to keep an eye on. There's a group of four younger men and then a larger group of ten. I would look out for the larger group. They're behaviour isn't normal. They are pretending to talk," Ikol said and Loki gave a small nod.
"Good. Then go back to keeping a look out,"

Walking, he pretended to have to check his phone, using this as a chance to quickly look around with his own eyes to see what people there were. Very quickly he spotted the two groups which Ikol had told him about and he remembered where they were as he put his phone away and continued walking forwards, humming again. His plan was to walk close to the larger group but to make it look natural and to also keep some distance so he couldn't be grabbed by them and would be able to run if they made a move on him. And while he was taking his action, he was also careful to be aware of everyone else, Captain America and to keep an eye out for Ikol who was basically his early warning system. If Ikol came down and told him to run, the boy wouldn't wait a second. He would take a glance around to see where the danger was coming from and then he would be off.

Pretending to scratch his head to keep up the appearance of being unaware of any danger, the boy's eyes glanced towards the roof tops as he moved, trying to catch any sight of the American hero. He guessed that Ikol would warn him if Captain America stopped following him. Loki was aware that this whole situation depended on the hero being willing to protect a former enemy who had no doubt tried to kill him many times. Unease flickered in the boy's heart but he ignored it. Captain America was a hero. He protected the others. They even made sure the villains didn't die. At least in the movies. Loki had faith in them.