Loki had learned quite a lot from his assault on New York, from the loss of the woman he had always thought of as his natural mother, from his two years in captivity. He wasn't even sure why he had done all of this. Revenge was...pathetic. And still, he wanted it. He wanted Thor to suffer. And, more than that, he wanted to suffer himself for the person he had lost and the one he felt was shoved down his throat.

The masochism was perhaps his greatest downfall.

When Alessa finally attacked him, the Hulk spending a few extra moments mowing down the dead guard, Loki let his own rage go. The ripples might not be enough to affect Alessa or the Hulk, but they did send Thor right back where he came from. One attack, one heartwrenching scream, and Loki had had enough.

Well, that and the Hulk was close enough to swing him around for fun.