“Welcome, my dear brother! What have you come for, this time? And with such a big group?” Loki said arrogantly as he saw all of us except Agent Barton and Ancient One appear.

“Do you not realise, Loki that something is wrong with your mind? That this crusade of yours for the Tessaract is not of your own will. Think about it!” Thor said, trying to make Loki realise that he was being mind controlled even though it was very likely to be useless.

“What nonsense are you spouting, Thor? Just because someone was able to read my mind doesn't mean that they can go around spouting that I, Loki, the rightful king of Asgard am being mind controlled. It is just some useless drivel.

They just saw the magnificent power I had obtained from my staff and felt lesser before it. In their jealousy, they are spreading this myth.”

Loki said these words arrogantly, clearly not willing to believe that he had been mind controlled. Perhaps Loki acting like this was too a part of the mind control.

“Please Loki. This is not like you at all. You are arrogant and believe yourself to be greater and more intelligent than others. But you were never this cruel.” Thor said, trying one last time.

“Cruelty! Ha ha ha ha!!” Loki started laughing hysterically upon hearing Thor’s words.

“You have not seen the extent of my cruelty yet, my dear brother. Soon, you will see what is called cruelty.” Loki said in a sadistic tone.

“What cruelty are you talking about, Loki? Tell me. After all, with all the time I have spent under you, I think I deserve to know.” Agent Barton said as he suddenly appeared inside the prison room.

“W-What? How can it be possible? You should not be here unless you were attacking the Helicarrier, Barton. How did you escape my mind control?” Loki asked Agent Barton, the shock upon seeing him on our side clearly visible on his face.

“You can thank me for this, Loki.” Ancient One said as she appeared in front of Loki's eyes.

“But how did you find that the Tessaract was on Earth, Ancient One? Kamar Taj is reclusive enough that you couldn’t find about the Tessaract even though it was on Earth for centuries.

And you would not have acted this fast just because I was on Earth because SHIELD would have hidden information about the Tessaract.

Moreover, the contact with Asgard was broken so you couldn’t even ask them regarding me. And this idiot Thor would not have contacted you thinking that he could deal with me easily. So, why did you act, Ancient One?”

I literally shuddered when I heard Loki's reasoning about why Ancient One should not have acted. It seems that he had already everything planned.

“You can thank my apprentice Albion for that.” Ancient One revealed since Loki's plans had already fallen apart and his brainwashing was going to cleared soon.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

“Oh! And here I was wondering why this monster was so tame. Turns out you were the one collaring him, Ancient One. No wonder he can work around like a human being despite him having more than enough power to defeat even Thor.” Loki said with a sneer.

“Enough of your instigations, Loki. Your plans have fallen apart. The Tessaract is already in our hands. There is nothing you can do now.” Director Fury said, irritated by Loki's words.

“Indeed, my plans have failed. So, what should I do now? They will not leave me alive if I do not give them the Tessaract. I must get the Tessaract at any costs. What should I do!!” Loki's speech suddenly turned hysterical as he clutched his head while the same words again and again.

“What is happening, Ancient One?” Thor asked, worried about his brother's mental health.

“Due to his plans going awry, Loki's mind has gone out of sync with the instructions which were controlling his mind. Generally, it would lead to Loki freeing himself from the mind control but unfortunately the mind control done on his mind is a little too elaborate for it to happen.” Ancient One explained.

“Open the prison, Director.” Ancient One then asked Director Fury.

“If you say so.” Director Fury opened the prison’s door without any resistance since Loki was harmless in his current state.

As she entered the prison cell, Ancient One casted a spell on Loki, making him fall unconscious. Then, she summoned the staff, ready to use it on Loki.

The staff's blue crystal once again took a golden glow as golden threads started releasing from Loki’s head.

“Ahh!!” Suddenly, Loki let out a huge scream.

“What is happening, Ancient One?” Thor asked hurriedly.

“I was afraid this would happen. Loki’s mind has been invaded too deeply by these golden threads. I would have to take him to Kamar Taj for the whole procedure which would easily take a few hours.” Ancient One explained what was need for Loki to be freed from mind control.

“But you know what Loki has done. We simply can't let him go with you.” Director Fury argued.

“I am not asking to take only Loki. Albion will also come with me for insurance. Besides, with the Tessaract in your hands, it should not be too much for me to borrow Loki for a few hours.” Ancient One said.

“Can I come too?” Thor asked.

“Of course, you can. He is your brother after all.” Ancient One said, easily agreeing.

“In fact, Professor Xavier and the girls should come too. With your help, the whole procedure would be much easier.”

“Sure, why not? With me there, Director Fury would not have any problem in releasing Loki temporarily.” Professor Xavier agreed with Ancient One's words.

“Then, let's depart now.” Saying these words, Ancient One immediately opened a portal for Kamar Taj.

***********************************

“Ah! It truly feels nostalgic to be in Kamar Taj although I had wished that it would be in better circumstances.” Thor commented as we stepped inside Kamar Taj.

“What happened, Ancient One? You suddenly created a portal and went away after saying that it was an important matter.” Master Mordo questioned as soon as he appeared before us.

“I will explain it later, Master Mordo. You go and gather some sorcerers first. I need a mind soothing formation ready in a few minutes.” Ancient One instructed.

“Thor, can you guard Loki for some time? I need to have a few words with Albion.” Ancient One asked Thor suddenly.

“You don't need to ask for such a small thing, Ancient One.” Thor replied.

“Come, Albion.” Ancient One gestured for me to follow her.

“You all ready yourself for the procedure. I will go see what Ancient One has to say.” I said to Professor and the girls and then chased after Ancient One.

Ancient One took me to a remote place and then created an extremely strong isolation barrier.

“Peter, what I am about to tell you something only the Sorcerer Supreme can learn.” Ancient One said in a serious voice.

“Then, why are you telling it to me?” I questioned.

“Because it is something related to you.” Ancient One said.

“What happened just now, me interfering in the SHIELD’s matter and taking the staff, it was not supposed to happen. It was not fated.” Ancient One said, confusing me since she had already interfered.

“What do you mean it was not fated?”