CHAPTER ONE: DIVERGENCE

Now I've heard what people say. And not all of what they say is true. In fact it's the opposite.

There various scientists, continuously disprove the existence of beings that posses great power. Beings that there ancestors referred to as Gods and have since returned to their home realms.

And the realm, the universe I had just returned from was no different. But there, nothing had seen any mystical being in eons.

But there are also beings that live for a great many years. Things that are powerful but defy the laws of nature, who disturb the balance. Those who wish to destroy all life and shape it for themselves.

But there are few who strive to keep this balance. Those who help keep things in check.

And they are beings who hold no name but can make themselves look like any other race to stay hidden. They walk through the barriers of reality, saving the world, allowing it to roll on. But now, there is only one left. The rest of them died doing their duty.

And that being said, there has been less control over events. And the events had revealed something disturbing.

Something that revealed why so many had passed. So many of those who had perished, had done so recently. And that was all due to a plot.

A plot to run all the universes into darkness one last time.

And it was awaiting us all. In a realm where you would not expect.

A realm where the surreal was expected. Where it had been fought time and time again.

It was a place where gods dwelled and held treaties with mortals. A place where these beings that kept balance had not been in a long time. But everything changes.

In this place nine realms were joined by a tree Yggdrasil. And at the top of this tree rested a realm that watched over the others.

Where one of its princes had teamed up with mortals, a man that turned green and grew larger and much stronger. A man who was stronger and faster than others, another who was a genius who donned a metal suit of red and gold. Also a rather proficient man with a bow, and a female assassin.

And this was the place that there play would be made.

This is where I was headed, to another universe. The MARVEL Universe.

I go there, as the last of my race. In hopes to save all of humanity, and all other races.

For I am the last of these beings. The last of those protectors of balance. I am she who walks the planes of existence, neutralizing any threats.

I am the last to walk these planes if this threat is not stopped. For we are born of nothing, and live for great purposes. And the universe I now go to is referred to as the home realm. For we are said to be born of a mystical tree, but for us. Each leaf of that tree is a universe.

But if this one fell, the rest would all go down with it.

So here I now was at the gate key, or port-key as some called it. A stone platform we use to travel between the worlds. A ring of white opal encases it, while it is made of sandstone and granite.

The only ill effect of using this method was the storm it would conjure on the surrounding areas. Which could sometimes be quite violent if there was one in the region already.

But that was not the case this time, in stead it was just one of the worse case scenarios. A thunder storm brewed from the force of the machine opening a hole to the universe.

It was on the planet I was traveling to, a world of humans. And I could see through the opening portal that the strikes were hammering the earth, and lighting the skies like a celebration.

As the portal reached it's peak I stepped forth, and through the iris. Stepping onto a new world.

And it so happened to be in a most un-welcoming environment. A desert, why in all the worlds would I end up here?

I turned around to see a city. It was small and had odd sounds coming from it. Sounds that were like hum's and low growls. Which made me recall the name of what caused the noises, that these people used as transport.

Which I had also found to be useful when I needed them. Automobiles, or cars. I tapped my amulet, to reassure myself I looked like those that dwell on this world. The amulet itself was like a tree, only it was small and on a round iron coin, with a single gem where the amulet met the tether.

I began walking towards the town. Knowing I would need some way to get to one of the larger cites that I knew dotted the lands coast. One in particular that I held a belief it could lead me to my enemy, to my duty.

As I walked down the black roads, the machines made high pitched noises at me. Their occupants yelling obscenities at me.

Some telling me to get off the road and onto the sidewalk. It took me a few moments to realize they meant the side of the road, the part that was raised over the blackened road.

I was walking around for a few moments before I found myself at a small building with glass walls at the front and stone, or as they call it here concrete walls to the sides with windows. It had a few floors to it and had quite a bit of technology on the first floor.

It also had five people inside.

Two females and three males. Only two of the males were wearing garments that did not belong to this world. It made me wonder if I had already found what I was after. But there was only one facing to the door I stood at.

And they had only just noticed me as I knocked. I was going to pass the building by, but I, for some reason decided to get my information from here.

The one who had been looking towards the door walked towards it, she was slightly shorter than the other female there. She also had dark brown hair with glasses over her blue almost grey looking eyes.

I noticed the others had stopped what they were discussing to see who, or maybe even what I was and why I was there.

"Hey, what can I do for you?" The lady asked with a shrill voice.

"I am after the location of the transport to New York from here."

"It usually leaves from just outside of the diner. But you don't want to go there right now." She informed me.

I looked at her, why would it not be wise to go to New York. I needed to get there, if there was no transportation I would simply walk. "In which direction from here is New York if there is no transport?"

She proceeded to look at me as if I were deranged, "It's North-east from here, but it's really far. Why do you want to go there after what just happened?"

"What happened in the city?"

"You don't know?" I just started at her, waiting for her to elaborate. "It was attacked by some dude, nearly got destroyed. All that after Loki attacked it just over two years ago now."

"Thank you for the information." I said to the woman, bowing my head slightly. "Farewell." I turned in the direction specified, walking in the direction she had given me.

"Bye!" She called after me weakly.

"Who are you?!" A smooth, rich voice called.

But I simply ignored it continuing on my way. Muffled voices I could hear behind me, discussing something near from where I had just departed.

I felt a hand on my arm, stopping me. I followed it up to the face it belonged to, finding the woman I had just spoken to.

"You really don't want to go to New York. It was just taken over by some guy."

I had not realized the city had been taken over, I just knew this is the place it would all happen. The place I would need to stop the enemy. "I need to be there all the more then."

"It's too dangerous." I shook her arm off, continuing to walk. "You're going to get yourself killed."

I did not hesitate when she said that, I did not falter. I just kept walking on. For if I stopped now, if I turned around. Who would there be to stop them.

I heard her footsteps follow me. Why would a mortal try help a stranger. "I'll taser you!" It sounded as if it were meant to be a warning.

But I had no idea what this 'taser' thing was. So when I kept walking, and felt a strong jolt of electricity. I was shocked, I looked to the one who had jolted me. It was the woman.

I then looked to the device and then back to her face. She must have thought she missed me or didn't hit me properly as she tried to electrify me with the object again.

But that is also when her face paled. She realized the device had done nothing to me.

But I do not take kindly to aggressive advances, so when she did shock me the second time. She did not stay in that spot for long at all. In fact she went flying backwards a few yards.

I then went to continue on my way to the city, but she called out to me.

"Ow! That hurt, I won't tase you again!" Here I thought she would have at least not tried to communicate with me again for a while or been unable to.

That was before I shot a glance over my shoulder. Seeing one of the males in the strange clothing was near her. This one had blonde hair, blue eyes and armor of silver and red.

But I still kept walking. "We know you have a death wish but we could really use your help!" The woman called once more.

Yes, they need my help. But I am doing what I always do. We do things alone. But this threat a group of us went to confront it and failed. So how am I meant to stop it alone.

I found that I had stopped in my tracks. Thinking over what the mortal had said. They need my help, of that I did know.

But more than ever, I needed the help of another. And this time there were none of my kin left to help me. So not only did I need their help, they needed mine. And I would give them this one thing. So I turned and headed to the woman who stood next to the one in the armor.

"It seems you do." She looked nervous as I approached.

"Yeah... Why did you attack me?"

"I do not appreciate being shocked with devices, or by any electricity. You said you needed my help, did you not?"

"We do need it. I'm Darcy by the way." She held her hand out for me to shake it, but I did not take it. Instead I walked past her back to the building she had come from. "Aren't you going to tell me your name?"

"I have no name."

"How can you not have a name?" She stated as she scurried along beside me. The man followed along behind us.

"I never had use of one."

"Okay then. But it will be easy to talk to you if you have a name!" The girl protested as we entered the building.

"I see you brought her back." The smooth voice from earlier announced. It belonged to the other male with the armor, only his was made of mainly leather. Consisting of green, black and gold coloring. He also had hair black as a ravens wing with the combination of blue eyes.

The male that looked like he fit into this world was elderly, wearing a simple button up shirt and pale colored slacks. The other woman was standing by him, she looked happy despite what had happened to one of their cites, and what she and the others here no doubt knew what was about to take place. She had a blonde tone of hair with brown eyes.

If this was all they had to face the enemy then they defiantly needed my help, only two of them looked like warriors. But those two looked to not be of this world.

"Two of you aren't of this planet." I observed out loud.

The one who had caught the one named Darcy stood in front of me, looking rather confused. "Did you know not of what happened in New York two years ago?"

"I arrived here under an hour ago."

"What do you mean you arrived here?" A higher pitched, confident voice asked.

"I mean I arrived here, on this planet. That is all I can and will say."

"I still want to know why she doesn't have a name." Darcy said.

The one with the black hair narrowed his eyes at me. "How can you not have a name?"

"I never had need of one."

"You were not given one at birth?"

"If I had, I do not remember it."

He seemed to smirk when I said this. As if at some private joke, "What are you?"

"I can not say."

"There are a lot of things you can't say." Darcy pointed out.

The elder man seemed to be checking the equipment for some reason, picking up a device and handing it over to the blonde woman. "Oh my god," She said, "Was this you?" She showed me some picture of a reading and where it was located.

It showed the exact place I arrived and time. "Yes."

"But these readings are even higher than the ones we get when the bi-frost is activated. Which would mean..." She gasped upon realizing I had come from further than she originally though. "Where did you come from?"

I smiled, thinking she was smart for what she was. "I.." I was cut off by Darcy.

"Can't say?" I nodded, agreeing with her. There was so much I could tell them if I chose, but it would create problems and break our codes. "Why not?"

"It would break laws." Even though there would be none to prosecute me.

"What's the necklace for?" She questioned, picking the amulet up while it was still attached.

I grasped it, taking it from her hand and hiding it beneath my shirt. "It was a gift." I lied to her, things with sentimental value were important on this world so I guessed she would understand if I wanted it left alone.

"Fury will be here to pick you guys up soon." The woman announced.

I was thinking about a name I could give them. One that I may have been called before or given out. Or maybe even had been given at birth. But the only name that came to mind was Lyra. So, that would be my title on this small planet.

"Now that I've thought about it. My name is Lyra." I smiled triumphantly.

The black haired male just laughed at what I said, causing me to glare at him. He did not, however stop with the laughing.

The one with blonde hair just smiled at me, "I am Thor Odinson, of Asgard."

The one with the leather armor continued to smile for some reason as he looked at me. I looked to my hand to see I still resembled a human. "I am Loki Laufeyson." He said simply.

"This is Eric Selvig," the blonde girl said whilst placing a hand on the mans shoulder. "I'm Jane Foster."

I laughed slightly upon seeing Jane make her eyes nearly pop out of her head in a silent conversation with her friend, Darcy. They were obviously having a silent conversation. "Darcy, never 'taser' me." I said to her friend.

"Is that why you sent her flying?" Thor asked, his voice cackling curiosity.

"Yes."

"You could have killed her."

"She attacked me, I was simply defending myself."

"Yeah, but you looked at me like I'd just attempted to stab you." Darcy interrupted.

I just smiled at her, "I was on my way to New York to stop what is happening. But usually I land closer to my destination."

"Maybe you knew that you needed help."

"Possibly."

"How do we know you're not one of them if you don't tell us anything?"

"Usually I wouldn't interact with mortals." I stated calmly.

"You've done this before?" Loki skeptically asked.

"On other worlds."

"Who is this?" A new voice asked from behind me. The owner having just walked through the door, pointing some object that I guessed to be a weapon of some sorts sue to the fact he seemed to be threatening me with it.

"I wouldn't threaten her with anything!" Darcy warned the man.

He had a trench coat on and an eye-patch. He also had dark colored skin. "Why would I not threaten her with anything?"

"She packs a wallop."

The man raised his one good eyebrow, "You attacked her?"

"After she 'tasered' me." The word still seemed foreign to my tongue, but the man seemed to only be annoyed by the fact that I had possibly harmed one of them.

"Then why are you here?"

"To help."

"Who are you?"

"Lyra, and you are?"

"We have no information on you. How is that possible?"

"No one has information on me."

"But how is that possible."

I smirked, "I can't say. It's against my peoples laws."

"If you're here to help, we're going to have to know who your people are and how you are going to help us."

"I am here to help, I did not say to help you specifically. Just to get rid of this threat. As long as you and you're people do not side with them, no harm will come to you."

"So your orders are to get rid of whatever took over New York?" He sounded like he did not trust me. But I did not really care.

"Yes."

"Then it looks as though we are on the same page. How many of your people came here to do this?"

"Just me."

"Just one? Seemed like you..."

"The rest were killed by the same foe in an ambush not long ago." I snapped.

"I am sorry. It seems we got off on the wrong foot." He put his weapon away.

"Yay he put the gun away!" The one called Darcy cheered under her breath.

"I am Director Nick Fury, of SHIELD. It's a pleasure to welcome you to our planet." He held his hand out as Darcy had and I just looked at it, not taking the hand to shake.

I just put on a fake warm, brief smile. "I don't touch other species unless it is to dispose of them." I elaborated.

His face seemed to pale when I said that. "How long have you been here?"

"Just over an hour now."

"What do you know about the enemy?"

"They are in New York, fortifying the city. They have an army with over ten thousand soldiers waiting off world. There leader is very powerful."

"How do you know this?"

"I can sense it."

"And you expect us to believe your sense?"

"If you want to survive, yes."

"We need to get aboard the Heli-carrier before we ask you anything further. But first, what are you?" His one eye was boring into mine. Demanding an answer to this one, unanswerable thing.

I smiled when he asked, "Another, in a long list of things I can't say Director."

"Even though your the last one of your kind?"

"Yes. But there are things that should be left a secret."

"Okay then. Will you tell us what we can know?"

"If it is relevant."

"What if it is relevant and you don't know that until it's to late?"

"Then it will be kept so until it is needed."

He sighed, agitated at my answers. "Thor, Loki, grab whatever you have. We're leaving to the carrier." The two moved up the stairs. "You're coming to Lyra. Jane, Selvig, Darcy, we can't afford to have you on the ship."

"I realized that already." I walked past the man, going out the front doors. Looking up into the sky while taking a deep breath. There was a strange scent in the air of oils and metal. There was also a strange black craft residing near the building.

I just looked at it tilting my head. "That is our ride." Loki informed me as he walked past, it seemed as though he only had a scepter to bring with him.

Thor on the other hand brought a hammer. I found it odd that they only brought weapons along. They both walked onto the machine, the three mortals stayed in doors when Fury exited the building. They were all looking on.

The director walked past as I was still assessing the technology. Finally deciding that it was safe after a few moments.

I boarded the craft, taking one of the seats away from them cautiously. The back closed when I sat, causing me to shift uneasily. But I made myself calm down as I noticed it could fly and I did not want to cause the machine to crash with us all aboard it.

The one called Loki seemed to notice my discomfort with the situation. He smirked, but when I looked at him, for some reason he looked like he was not about to enjoy what was about to occur. And I found myself wondering if I had made the right decision in trusting these strange people.