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Chapter 2: Coronation Interrupted

Athos smiled to himself, his back resting against a tree trunk as he enjoyed the peaceful morning. The sun was bright and there wasn't a cloud in the sky as he enjoyed his alone time. He stretched, and a groan escaped his lips as he pushed his arms into the air. He then relaxed, lifting a book in one hand and a bottle in the other.

"It's a bit early in the day for that, don't you think?" he paused, the bottle pressed to his lips as another voice cut through the peace. He gave an irritated sigh, lowering the bottle and his book to reveal another figure. He wore a plain tunic and leggings, and his red hair fell into his face as he swept into a bow that had him almost bent at a 90 degree angle.

"You say that as if I've only just started," Athos retorted, his words soft and lilting as he spoke in the language of the Light Elves.

"I know you better than that, my lord," the other Elf commented as he watched Athos tip the half-drunk bottle of wine back into his mouth.

"Then why are you interrupting my enjoyment?" Athos huffed, irritated at the interruption.

"My lord, it's almost time to go," Athos paused, and groaned.

"By the Gods, it's that time already?" he complained, and when the messenger nodded, he downed the rest of the wine and stood up, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "Here you go," Athos tossed the bottle to his friend, who caught it with an amused look.

"Will you be sober enough?" he asked, and Athos shot him a droll stare. "My mistake," the Elf bowed again as Athos walked past, shoving his book into his pocket.

"I should have found a more secluded area," Athos complained aloud as he returned to the large building that was his home. As the clan leader, it stood out, and he hated it.

"All you would have succeeded in doing would be delaying the inevitable," Auvrex smiled as he followed Athos in.

"Just get me another bottle of wine, would you?" Athos grumbled, disappearing into his quarters.

"As you wish," Auvrex chuckled, moving towards the kitchen and leaving Athos to get ready to leave. After bathing – and taking his time about it – the Light Elf dressed in black breeches and a long dark blue and white coat, which flared at the cuffs and buttoned up. He pulled on a pair of black boots and gloves, and as he reached for his hat, there was a knock at the door.

"That better be my wine, Auvrex," Athos called out a warning as the door opened.

"As if I would risk myself arriving without," the Elf in question stepped in and produced another bottle of wine. "At least try to make it to Asgard, my lord," Auvrex commented as Athos took it from him and immediately took a gulp.

"Give me a little credit," Athos held it out, and after a short pause, Auvrex took it. As he poured some into a small cup, Athos lifted his hat, which had a long white and red feather sticking out of it. "I think I can manage, thank you," Athos said haughtily, taking the bottle back as Auvrex tipped the cup back.

"Not bad," he commented, enjoying the taste.

"Of course," Athos sniffed, as if offended by Auvrex' surprise. He took another long drink, and handed the bottle back. "I suppose I had best be on my way," he sighed.

"I await your return," Auvrex bowed low, and Athos hummed before walking out.

Despite his irritation, Athos had to admit, as he arrived with the other Light Elves, that Asgard was truly a beautiful place. He fixed his hat, which had been blown slightly askew when travelling via the Bifrost. Most of the Elves murmured to one another, commenting on the journey there.

The bridge they stepped onto stretched far across the massive lake, leading directly to the palace of the Allfather. Massive statues towered over the city, and the sun shone brightly in the sky. Athos wondered if it was some magic, or if they were just lucky that the day was so beautiful.

"I don't know who I'm less interested in conversing with," Athos looked down to his side, where a slightly shorter Light Elf walked by his side. She had pale blonde hair and grey eyes, and wore a red waistcoat over a white shirt, a red skirt and cape, and black thigh-boots. She wore a hat similar to Athos, with a white feather at the back. "The Asgardians, or the rest of these stiff Elves," she smirked, mischievous, and a smile tugged at Athos' thin lips.

"Omanne my dear, it's as if you read my mind, half the time," he commented. The Elf maiden scoffed, shooting him a look.

"What arrogance. Who said it was what you were thinking?" Omanne laughed lightly. "Do I do admit, the Allfather has impressive taste," she decided, admiring the view as they walked towards their destination.

"I agree," Athos nodded. "But the view doesn't improve any desire to be here," he complained.

"I would have thought the idea of all the wine you could drink would do be enough," Omanne smirked, her mischief still in her eyes. Athos gave a light shrug of his shoulders, dropping them heavily.

"Why do you think I even came here?" he asked, his smile growing as Omanne laughed. "What's your excuse for showing your face?" Athos asked, looking down at the young Elf maiden.

"The food," her simple answer startled a laugh from him before he realised it, and the tension left his body. "And I suppose there is one Asgardian who isn't half bad looking," she added in an after thought.

"I see you're still charmed by that warrior," Athos smiled in amusement. He shook his head, exasperated as he saw the flicker of a silver blush grace Omanne's features. "You know he flirts with every pretty lady he sees?" he told her, and Omanne rose a delicate eyebrow.

"You think I'm pretty?" she asked innocently.

"The Asgardian certainly thinks so," Athos smirked, but it was wiped off his face and he grunted as her sharp elbow slammed into his gut.

"You are not funny," she grumbled, and the blush grew as Athos just laughed again, rubbing his stomach.

"I think this may prove more enjoyable than I first thought," he considered, and Omanne grumbled under her breath.

The halls of the Asgardian palace were as beautiful as the scenery outside, Athos had to admit, albeit begrudgingly. The light shone in and bounced off golden walls, illuminating the throne room as everyone gathered for the coronation. Asgardians and those from the other realms in a close relationship with Asgard gathered in the crowds, abuzz with excitement.

Athos set his empty goblet on a passing tray, lifting another, full cup as he did and turning away, tipping it to his lips.

"At least try and make it to the start of the coronation somewhat sober," Omanne murmured to him, her eyebrow arched.

"Oh, done making eyes are we?" Athos muttered back. She snorted.

"You are drunk. Asgardian mead is more potent than your own, remember," Omanne warned him as he took another drink.

"Why must you try to ruin my fun?" Athos muttered, though he knew she was right. The mead was hitting him, as were the effects of being up all night drinking, even with a quick bath returning his wits to him. He sighed, and lowered the cup, deciding to save it for when the crown Prince arrived.

And when he did, Athos was not surprised in the slightest by his arrival. The young Asgardian man, whose appearance was as deceptive as Athos in youth, strode in with the arrogance of a peacock, the Light Elf thought. His blond hair was mostly hidden under his winged helmet, and an arrogant smile was firmly in place across his face.

"And they call us arrogant," Omanne murmured as they watched him stride down the throne room, waving to the crowds that cheered and holding up the powerful hammer he wielded. Athos' eyes were drawn to it, feeling the power it commanded. He tossed Mjolnir into the air, letting it flip and fall down so he could catch it.

Thor laughed as the crowd's cheers grew louder, and Athos found himself clapping, drawn into the atmosphere of the coronation. At the front, the skilled female warrior Sif rolled her eyes in exasperation, and the Queen of Asgard tried to look stern, but couldn't help the smile that betrayed her. She looked up to the Allfather, who sat on his throne watching his son approach, not betraying any emotion as he held his powerful spear in his hand.

After what felt like an age, Thor reached the steps up to Odin's throne, and knelt. He placed Mjolnir to his side, and the thud reverberated through the floor as he removed his helmet from his head and balanced it on the handle of his weapon. He then looked back up as his long hair fell around his face, and winked at his mother. Frigga shot him another stern look, shaking her head slightly as her smile betrayed her once again.

Odin finally stood as Thor grinned to his friends, the three other warriors who had proven themselves time and time again. Athos' grip tightened on the goblet, fighting the desire to knock it back. With one bang of Gungnir, Odin silenced the room. The sudden quiet made Athos' ears twitch, and he shifted slightly, earning stern looks from his elders around him. Again, he felt the need to tip back his drink.

"Thor," Odin finally ended the silence with a soft but powerful voice. "Odinson, my heir, my first born. So long entrusted with the mighty hammer, Mjolnir, forged in the heart of a dying star. Its power has no equal. It's a weapon to destroy, or as a tool to rebuild. It is a fit companion for a king," Odin nodded at him, his approval finally starting to show. "I have defended Asgard, and the lives of the innocent across the nine realms, since the time of the great beginning," he continued, and Athos finally gave into the compulsion and took another drink.

"I'm hungry again," he heard Omanne mumble beside him, instantly shushed by those enraptured by Odin's speech. He didn't blame her. While he had been first pulled into the celebrations by the cheers and merriment, the quiet that allowed Odin's words to echo around the halls made him uncomfortable, and the crowds who were insistent on keeping quiet forced him to retreat into his cup.

"Do you swear to guard the Nine Realms?" Odin's voice pulled Athos from his thoughts.

"I swear," Thor's deep voice boomed around the room.

"And do you swear to preserve the peace?" Odin asked.

"I swear," Thor vowed again.

"Do you swear," Odin's voice grew louder. "To cast aside all selfish ambition, and to pledge yourself only to the good of the realm?"

"I swear!" Thor raised Mjolnir into the air as he shouted this time, smiling.

"Then on this day, I, Odin Allfather, proclaim you..." Odin trailed off, and Thor's smile started to fade as Odin's face turned paler. For a moment, he didn't speak, seeing to lose focus on the coronation. "Frost Giants..." even his murmur echoed through the room, and there were gasps of horror all through the crowd. Athos frowned, lowering his cup as his thirst was forgotten. There was another loud bang, making many jump, as Odin slammed Gungnir against the ground. A shiver ran down Athos' spine, and he wondered just what Odin had done.

"Of all the days," Omanne murmured beside him, but he didn't react, wondering just what had possessed the beings of Jotenheim to sneak into Asgard.

Athos had to admit, at least there was one benefit to the Jotens sneaking into Asgard. Visitors from the other realms were quickly departing as the coronation was cancelled, and Athos was more than happy to leave with them.

"You seem a lot more cheery now. You didn't down a barrel of that mead did you?" Omanne fell into step beside him, seeing his happy smile.

"Not this time my dear," Athos gave a happy sigh.

"Well you could stand to look less happy about leaving," Omanne scolded him as she fixed her hat. "At least until the Asgardians are no longer watching," she added, glancing around. Her eyes met those of one of the three warriors who had stood at the front for Thor's coronation. He smiled at her, winking, and her cheeks coloured silver.

"And you could make your feelings less obvious, or else you risk being the talk of many," Athos warned her, earning a glare. "Not me, of course, but others," he added, unnecessarily.

"Then perhaps I'll just have to marry you," Omanne smirked, playful as she wrapped her arms around one of his, clinging to him as they left the palace and travelled down the streets towards the beautiful bridge that would lead them to the Bifrost gate. "Then perhaps the rumours will die for both of us," she teased.

"Or turn into something worse," Athos denied, pulling his arm free. "I will have to reject your generous offer," he told her with a bow of his head.

"Thank the gods. I can scarcely handle you in small doses, let alone as your wife," Omanne shuddered at the idea, and a smile returned to Athos' face at her teasing. He looked to the slight Elf who walked beside him, and patted her head. She swatted him away, muttering about squashing her hat.

"I'm sure you'll make someone very unhappy someday," he told her seriously, and she shot him another glower as he started to laugh at his own jokes.

"I wonder, though," Athos calmed himself down as Omanne spoke. "If this is the start of something much greater," Omanne seemed oddly pensive at the thought. "Prince Thor was supposed to be crowned King today. He isn't going to be happy," she voiced her thoughts, and Athos had to agree.

Night had fallen in New York, but Ciara was nowhere near ready for bed. Instead, she crept around the side of a building, her footsteps silent as she forced herself to move slowly. Even after years of training herself to do so, her body quivered, screaming at her to move faster, but she ignored it.

Hearing footsteps, Ciara ducked back into the shadows. She grabbed at the hood of the cloak she wore, pulling it up and over her face, shadowing it and hiding her from recognition. The minute the footsteps stopped, she moved, darting into the building before the door closed. As soon as she was inside, she made her way back to the shadows, out of view of the cameras.

"G'night Jason," she heard someone call, walking past the security officer who was murmuring to himself about the wind.

"Oh, goodnight Michael," he called back, distracted as he fixed the papers on his desk. Ciara smirked, able to sneak straight past him and up the stairs, where she moved to hide between the wall and a vending machine as someone else walked past, checking their phone.

Fighting to keep her breathing even, Ciara continued along, keeping to camera blind spots where she could, and using her powers briefly to remain out of sight where necessary. Most of the workers were either gone, or on their way out, giving her free reign of the lab.

The lab itself was mercifully empty, and Ciara moved around, no longer in stealth mode as she moved around searching for something. She found it on one of the computers, bringing up a scientific study that made Ciara hiss a curse under her breath.

"They're close..." she whispered, and removed a device from her pocket, connecting it to the computer. She rolled back and forth on the balls of her feet, impatient as she waited for it to register as connected. No sooner did it bring up a folder on screen, did it suddenly flicker and shut off, making Ciara smirk. "Not any more," she hummed, but her victory was short-lived.

The lights suddenly flashed on, and Ciara flinched as the change in light blinded her temporarily. The alarms started to blare, and she cursed, still rubbing at her eyes. She then lifted her head, blinking rapidly as pounding footsteps rushed towards her.

"How did they even get inside?!" she heard the frantic yells of the security guard. "Stop them before they do any damage!" Ciara's grin returned.

"Too late," she sang to herself, and moved. The doors slid open as the guards gained access, and looked around wildly.

"There's nobody here..." one frowned as they searched the lab, trying to find any trace of someone hiding, unaware that the intruder had already reached her home.

Kicking off her shoes, Ciara made a note to buy a new pair, seeing how worn down they were already. Grumbling to herself about how she'd only had them a week, she went straight into her bedroom, pulling off the cape she wore and draped it over the door. As Ciara changed into pjs to sleep, her phone buzzed, and she arched an eyebrow.

She threw herself onto the bed and lifted her phone, unsure of who would be contacting her. It was rare for anyone to get in touch with her, especially so late at night. She opened her phone, and found a message from one of the few people she had kept in contact with.

"Seems the mission was a success," she read aloud, and rolled her eyes as she pulled her hair free from the braid she'd tied it into. "Come on Gadget, you're a technopath, not a damn psychic," Ciara grumbled, and another message came through. "Jonathan, I've warned you about bugging my phone," she warned him, irritable, but read the message any ways. "Now this is something interesting," she sat up, her silver hair falling around her as she opened the link the other mutant had sent her. She then got up and walked over to her window, pushing it open. With as much force as she could muster, she hurled it out the window and into the night.

Ciara smirked to herself. She knew that Gadget wouldn't be happy with her breaking her phone. While she avoided tech as much as possible, he surrounded himself with as much equipment as possible that he could communicate with and through. Instead of returning to her bed, however, Ciara lifted a backpack and dropped it onto the bed. "Well...I need to get outta town for a bit, and I think New Mexico is the place to go," she decided, looking and feeling more excited than she had been in a long time.

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