King Loki

Chapter 4
Loki stretched when he stood from his throne. Four new servants to tend to his needs. Three men looking to shed blood within Loki's walls in hopes to free beloved family or friends. The men would join his army of mortals by means of his scepter.
Then there was the female. Like most of the woman she would serve in the housekeeping.
Loki's household was getting full. Soon he would have no need for more servants and he had yet to decide what to do once that day came. It was a matter he had no desire to think about at this time.
Servants were beneath his thoughts. Right now, he needed to focus on the reclaiming of Washington, D.C. Since its siege, people were running rampart and riots had begun against the next city over.
Washington held a special place in the people's hearts. When it was captured hope was lost, now hope was renewed and so was their desire to save Earth from its King.
The fools.
Couldn't they see that he was the best thing to happen to Earth. No longer were humans fighting among themselves needlessly. He'd deemed rape punishable to enslaver. Those who would murder in cold blood would see themselves to the afterlife. Why couldn't they see that he was trying to rule them into peace not drown them in wretchedness.
If they but kneel to him, he would see them toward a peaceful, prosperous future.
Petty and ungrateful these mortals are. Blinded to what Loki had to offer because they fear change. Desperately grabbing onto the hope that those remaining of SHIELD might restore life as it once was.
Loki was not too concerned about SHIELD. They'd been a broken organization from the start. Double agents hidden among their ranks and carrying out the most dastardly deeds without those loyal to SHIELD even knowing about it.
Loki saw those people as an opportunity. Most of those Agents, who once fancied the name of HYDRA, easily joined Loki's side. They needed no persuasion to bow to their new King. Loki turned a blind eye to whatever experiments they might be playing with in his Spires basement levels and in return they served him in anything he wanted.
Loki sat down in his personal dining room and awaited his freshly made dinner while his mind flickered to thoughts of the present and future.
Many of the Chitauri army that had made it through the portal, and survived the missile, had perished against SHIELD's forces during the war to gain control over the remaining lands. Loki would soon have only mortals to fight for him, a thought that left him only slightly worried.
A female servant placed his food on the table and he waved her away. Two male guards stood at their post by the twin doors leading into the dining room. Loki highly doubted any mortal that managed to make it to the dining room could possible harm him, but still he had to be cautious. After all, the Avengers had almost bested him. They certainly gave him a workout.
Loki turned his head and looked to one of the guards. "Fetch me the Captain," he ordered. Without a words the guard rushed off. Loki waited patiently as he enjoyed his soup and herb crusted bread.
"Sir," Captain Steve Rogers saluted his King once he stepped into the room. Loki grinned, looking up at the man whose eyes no longer held the spark of resistance, but the dull life of obedience.
Captain Rogers was Loki's first biggest catch after Loki climbed from the rubble of New York. He'd found the Captain unconscious and, had he been any normal man, he should have been dead from the many wounds across his tightly framed body. However, he was alive and Loki had him seen to good health. His unusual super soldier attributes making him heal unlike any other mortal and before the good Captain could make a full recovery and begin his fight back against Loki's new empire, Loki ensnared him using his scepter.
Steve Rogers fought it, but in his weakened state he failed and soon was Loki's very own walking drone to lead his army of mortals.
"Report on Washington," Loki commanded. He'd sent the Captain and his best men the moment he got word of the siege.
"Sir, all entrances to the city have been sealed. They have several Quinjets guarding the skies. There are whisper of Fury, but nothing more than whispers. They are heavily armed and killed two of my men when we attempted to breach their walls." The Captain paused. "Also, they have a new breed of people, special people."
Loki was amused by Steve's ignorance.
"With powers?" Loki asked and Steve nodded. "My dear Captain, not a new breed, but a very old breed. One who, until now, have kept to themselves." Loki snorted and threw his napkin down in his empty bowl. "They dare challenge against me." He scowled, his amusement fading.
He'd heard from Dr. Whitehall, formerly a leader within HYDRA, about people such as this. About their origins stretching back generations. He was not surprised they'd finally showed up, but he was angry that they too defied him.
"I have reason to believe the city is being protected by one such Special." Steve added. Loki glanced at him before standing from his spot.
"I want you to take more men there. Expendable ones. Test our enemies strength and powers. I wish to know what it is they can truly do." Loki gave his order and the Captain obeyed without question.
Loki put two fingers to his temple feeling a headache coming on. He'd need something to do to keep him occupied and his headache at bay. Recent news was just getting worse and worse.
XxX
Cephera had settled into the laundry area. An older woman showing her to a room where beds lay in rows and Cephera was made to pick an empty one. They would sleep and work apparently. Any lengthy socialization was prohibited.
After choosing her bed, Cephera was brought down to simply fold clothing. Agent Lana was nowhere to be seen. "How is there so much clothing?" Cephera asked the young man next to her.
"It all belongs to the soldiers, guards, servants and anyone else taking up home in the Spire." He replied never taking his eyes off his meticulous folding.
"I have a friend here, I was wondering where she might be." Cephera continued.
"I wouldn't bother holding on too tightly to your friends. The King makes sure those who seem too close are separated." He replied.
"Still, I am hoping to see her." Cephera pressed watching as he silently showed her how to properly fold the different styles of clothing.
He sighed. "Keep your head down when you talk and try to speak with minimal lip movement, least a Loyal guard see you and move you." He advised. Cephera couldn't help but look up to see where these guards were. She spotted them easily in their armor.
"This place seems rather like a prison." Cephera frowned.
"Only for the newer people. Once it's establish that your trustworthy you'll been moved to other places you're needed within the Spire." He finally glanced at Cephera. "I like it here in Folding so I give them trouble from time to time." He smirked.
"I'm Cephera," she introduced feeling her manners had fled her briefly.
"Joey," he replied. "Your friend, what's her name?"
"Lana Lake,"
"Lana's in charge of the South side bedrooms on the first floor. She's most likely taking care of the linens there. It's where the Loyals sleep so she has a lot of work to do. Doubtful you'll see her anytime soon."
Cephera's heart sank at the news. She was hoping to see her now. Lana was her well of information. How could she form a plan to save her friends if Lana was busy?
Cephera felt saddened by the situation here. All these people forced into servitude with guards watching their every move. On one hand she suppose it was to be expected. After all, Loki took the Earth by force and he couldn't very well just trust everyone.
No matter how many years passed, he would always have to contend with people attempting to defeat him. Such a drastic change to an already established culture couldn't possibly lead to world peace so easily.
It begged the question what she'd do once she freed Tony and Pepper. Where would they go? Cephera couldn't take them back to Mechanova and frankly she still had no desire to go back herself. Tony would, no doubt, want to help save the world. After all, he was Iron Man.
Tony wouldn't just lay low. This complicated many things that Cephera hadn't even considered until now. She truly hadn't thought this through and she really should have. It was too late to back out now. She would find Tony and at least speak with him.
XxX
Cephera's arms ached from the constant movement of shaking out and folding clothing all day long. She had to admit she was slightly spoiled in Mechanova as these things had always been done for her. She stayed fit, but doing something like this for an entire day made for cramped fingers and screaming elbows.
They'd stopped to eat at designated lunch hours. Each section of the facility had their own guarded lunch room so Lana was still far from Cephera's reach.
It wasn't until late night, when Cephera had been laying in the darkness listening to those around her sleeping, did she get her chance. She saw the shadowed figure moving along the rows of the beds. When she reached Cephera, Lana lay on the floor between the beds to avoid being seen.
"You made it," she whispered.
"It was as easy as you said." Cephera whispered back. She wanted to roll over and look down at the agent, but was coming to a quick understanding that speaking was best done while looking inconspicuous.
"The King has a low tolerance for anyone trying anything funny in or near his Spire." Lana replied.
"Lana, how am I going to accomplish anything here if I am stuck down here. It's not like I can turn invisible." Cephera had been thinking over everything and realized the guards made for difficult maneuvering.
"I didn't say everything would be easy," Lana retorted and sighed. "Patience will get you right where you're needed. If you act like a loyal subservient, within a few months you can move up to higher job within the Spire giving you access to more freedom to roam." Lana explained.
Month! The thought left Cephera speechless.
"Loki has ruled for almost two years, a few months won't hurt your cause." Lana quickly added when Cephera hadn't spoken.
"How can I guarantee I'll even end up in part of the Spire close to Tony?" To Cephera it seemed hopeless. The Spire was large with many floors. She could end up on any one of them.
"You think like a commoner, you need to think like a spy. You make opportunities available to you. Loki leaves nothing to chance. He will evaluated you as he does everyone. You make sure you stand above the rest." Cephera could hear Lana smiling.
"That sounds easier than it probably is," Cephera was not so convinced otherwise.
"I'll instruct you where I can. I don't like the King, but I know how to act and I'll form you into the greatest actress spy this world has ever seen." Lana sounded confident, but Cephera didn't feel it. Cephera had never been a good liar and being a spy meant spinning lies to fit your persona.

Notes