Chapter 1: A New Beginning

Disclaimer: read prologue

"I'm so sorry, Miss Roberts," the officer said sadly. "They passed away, before the ambulance got there. I'm so sorry."

"No!" Kelsey was down on her knees, sobbing uncontrollably. She covered her ears, shaking her head, refusing to believe the cop's words. "NO! It's not true! It's not true! They're not dead!"

Kelsey stared at the officer, who was mouthing out words. she didn't hear nor care. Her whole body shut down, not paying attention to anything around her. Her parents were dead. Her life will never be the same again...

~000~000~000~

A knock from a door caused Kelsey to gasp wide awake.

"Kelsey!" Jane knocked her door again. "Get up!" Kelsey knew that her aunt Jane won't stop knocking, until she received a response from her. Kelsey was relieved that Jane woke her up form the same nightmare, she's been having since that tragic day.

It had been six depressing years since Kelsey's parents died in that car crash. One reckless, alcoholic man ruined everything. Kelsey hoped that he's suffering in prison, the way she and her family were suffering right now. After her parents' burial and her brother's recovery in the hospital, Kelsey and AJ left New York to live with their aunt Jane and grandmother in New Mexico.

Puente Antiguo was so much different from their home in Manhattan. New York has a lot of streets, buildings, traffic, people, and it's a busy and loud city non-stop. In New Mexico was nothing but a desert town. It's a small, quiet place with a tiny population, nothing compared to New York.

AJ didn't mind living in the desert town, but he was two when they left. He never had any real experience in the big city. Kelsey was used to her life in the city. She felt at home there. Unwillingly, she had to start her life from scratch: make new friends, get good grades, sweat in the sun, and walk on dry sand. It wouldn't have been an issue if there was water. It's early fall, but still feel like nothing has rained in months.

Jane was currently doing research in New Mexico, but was supposed to be the kids' godmother and legal guardian. She couldn't have the time to raise a child let alone two. She wasn't ready to give up her career as an astrophysicist to be a parent after all, she just graduated Culver University at the time. Lucky for her, Granny was willing to give up everything in Oklahoma and movd to New Mexico just so she can help Jane raise Kelsey and AJ.

Granny was like a second mother to the children, and Jane was like the father, who came home late from work. Jane wasn't really a a parent to begin with, just an aunt who happened to be a scientist and nothing more.

They were doing okay, until two months ago, Granny passed away. Now it was all up to Jane to finish her research and raise the kids by herself. However, Jane didn't have to put up with two kids much longer. Next summer, Kelsey will turn eighteen and graduate high school, then she's on her own; and both women were totally fine with it.

"Kelsey!" Jane opened the door to see Kelsey still lying on her bed. She pressed her lips together, annoyed that Kelsey wasn't responding to her call. She stomped over to the side of Kelsey's bed and tapped Kelsey's leg, finally earned a response from the teenager.

"I'm up!" Kelsey sat up to see Jane's stern look, the same look her mother used to give her. She always hated that look. She hated that Wendy and Jane were almost twins - seven years apart at least.

"Come on, Kelsey, you don't need to be late for school."

"Alright! I'm going to get dress right now!" Kelsey's feet touched the floor. She stretched her arms across her chest, behind her head, before standing up.

Jane sighed, "Just get ready. Breakfast will be ready soon, if you have enough time to eat."

"I will," Kelsey assured her, as she took a small black case from her nightstand. Inside it was a pair of black squared glasses, and she put them on. "Now let me get ready in peace, please."

Jane nodded, before shutting the door behind her.

Kelsey walked across the room, facing white double doors. She opened them, revealing a closet. It had small space, and her clothes were squeezing together tightly, earning wrinkles on the fabrics. She grabbed a pair of blue jeans and a blue-green plaid shirt. She left the opened closet to get a white T-Shirt and a bra from her drawer.

She exited the room and walked down the hallway. When she turned around the corner, heading for the bathroom to get ready, she was surprise attacked by a child dressed as Spider-Man, spraying his water gun at Kelsey.

Kelsey gasped in shock, feeling the cold water soaking her gray tank top. She looked at the little boy, that turned out to be her irritating, younger brother - AJ.

"Ha! Ha!" AJ laughed at her, "Gotcha, Black Cat!"

Kelsey couldn't see his face because of the spider-mask, but she knew he was smiling with triumph. She gave AJ a death glare, "You are so going to get it! Come here!"

Instantly, AJ was running for his life while Kelsey chased after him.

"You can't catch me!" AJ cried out.

"I'm going to kill you!" Kelsey screamed out. They both ran to the kitchen.

Jane was in front of the stove, flipping pancakes on a pan, while her friend and colleague, Erik Selvig, was sitting at the table, sipping his morning coffee and minding his own business.

Erik sighed heavily, listening to the children yelling at each other.

"Typical morning," he mumbled. He never liked the normal, brother versus sister fight, but he was used to it. He made sure he stayed out of their way this time, otherwise he'll spill coffee on himself... again.

Jane groaned in irritation. She was always annoyed by Kelsey and AJ constant fighting, especially at mornings. She placed the spatula down and turned off the stove so that the pancakes or anybody wouldn't burn. She turned around in the nick of time to catch AJ, still dressed in his Spider-Man costume.

Kelsey stopped running, when she saw Jane grabbing a hold on AJ. She reached her arms out, attempting to strangle the child. Jane wouldn't let her, she pushed Kelsey away with one arm, while holding AJ with the other.

"What is going on?!" Jane demanded.

"I want to kill him!" Kelsey cried angrily. "Let me kill him!"

"Aunt Jane, use my gun!" AJ suggested. "Help me defeat Black Cat."

He always referred Kelsey as Black Cat, the villain from his Spider-Man comic books. AJ was a huge superhero fan. One Halloween, when he was three years old, he dressed up as his first superhero idol: Iron Man. Ever since that day he watched Iron Man on the news, he became obsessed with superheroes. He read all the comics, played the superhero video games, and even dressed up as the super-heroes while watching the cartoon heroes fighting crime on TV. Kelsey was utterly annoyed by him and his passion for men dressed in tights and a cape, because he always treated her as if she was the villain in his comics. He's eight years old, and he needed to grow up a little.

Kelsey attempted to strangle him again, but Jane pushed her away.

"Kelsey, calm down," Jane ordered her in a motherly-warning tone.

"Jane, I'll be happy to calm down..." Kelsey said as she stared down at AJ, she looked like she was ready to pounce. ".. When I get my hands on his THROAT!"

AJ pulled the trigger, squirting water all over Kelsey's front and face. Kelsey took a few steps back to keep a safe distance from AJ and his water gun. She continued walking backwards, until her back met the kitchen counter.

Jane turned her attention back to AJ, and snatched the water gun from him. "Give me that!" She opened a random cabinet door and stuffed the gun inside, where it was too high for AJ to reach.

"Hey, no fair!" AJ protested, "That's mine!"

"Why are you dressed like that?" Jane asked him, referring to the Spider-Man costume, he's wearing. AJ shrugged, not giving Jane an answer. Jane sighed heavily, "Okay, well, go to your room and put on some real clothes. Now."

"What about my gun?" AJ asked, pointing at the cabinet where his gun was at.

Jane shook her head, "You'll get it back by the end of the day."

"No fair!" AJ cried in protest.

"Well, you should've thought of that, before you squirt your sister with it. Now, I want you to apologize to her, and then put on some real clothes. You are not wearing that to school."

AJ groaned, hating that he had to apologize for having fun. He looked at her sister, who stared back at him with a smug look on her face, waiting for that apology.

"Sorry!" AJ said with no sincerity. He quickly ran out of the kitchen, going back to his room.

"Thanks, Jane. I'm so glad someone is on my side," Kelsey muttered as she took a rag from the counter to wipe her face that had specks of water from AJ's water gun.

"Listen to me, Kelsey." Jane began in a hushed warning tone, "You need to keep your temper in check."

Kelsey looked up at her aunt in shock, "But, Jane, you know what that twerp did! He started it!"

"I already handled AJ. I don't need you to come in here, and threaten to kill him."

"I wasn't going to kill him." Kelsey reassured her, "I just want to give him a smack or something that'll teach that twerp a lesson."

"You don't need to do that. okay? I'm the adult. I can handle him just fine, thank you. Just control yourself, please. You're older and bigger than he is. You're about to be an adult soon."

"I am an adult!" Kelsey corrected her.

"You're seventeen years old, Kelsey!"

"So?! I'm not a baby!"

"Okay, then stop acting like one."

"But-"

"Just go and get ready, the pancakes are ready." Jane ordered as she turned her attention back to the pancakes that were still lying on the frying pan. Kelsey groaned as she marched away from Jane. She noticed Erik sitting there and drinking his morning coffee.

"Morning, Kelsey." Erik greeted her with a smile, acting like nothing happened moments ago.

"Morning, " Kelsey replied, before she walked passed him, heading for the bathroom to get ready.

Erik turned his head to look at her, before she disappeared into the bathroom. He turned back around and chuckled, while shipping his drink. "That went well."

Jane sighed heavily, placing each pancake on a plate. "Yep."

"You know you are doing really well with the parent role, Jane," Erik complimented her.

"Thanks, Erik," Jane mumbled as she walked towards him, placing each plate on the table. "I needed the encouragement.."

"I mean it, Jane," Erik insisted, "I think you're doing great. Better than last time."

"What do you mean better than last time?" Jane asked giving Erik a questionable look.

"Well, think about what happened last time." Erik lifted his coffee mug, "There's no coffee stains on my front, and I'm not screaming pain."

Jane sat down next to him, buried her face with her hands, "I-I don't think I can do this. I-I can't handle two kids by myself."

"Listen to me, I don't want to hear you talk like that." Erik said, patting her back gently, "Now I may not have the experience as a parent, but I really think of you as a daughter to me. I know being a godmother is difficult, but I know you, Jane, you can handle any storm that comes your way. I know it's tough without Al-"

"I'm sorry." Jane cut him off, raising her hand up to silence him, "How about we change the subject, alright?" She was silently begging him not to continue where the conversation was heading: Granny.

"You miss her, don't you?" Erik asked.

Jane sniffed, holding back the tears. She formed a fake smile, "Changing the subject now."

Before Erik could respond, somebody barged inside as if the glass house was his home, greeting Jane and Erik with a huge smile on his face. Erik sighed with irritation, turning away from the young, eighteen year old boy.

"Good morning, everybody!" the boy made a pleasant greeting. He turned to Jane, who was sitting down at the table next to Erik. "Jane, you look lovely this morning."

Before Jane could reply, Erik finally made eye-contact with the eighteen year old and began speaking, "Garrett, who can you just barge into somebody's home? Don't you ever knock first?"

Garrett Bradly was Kelsey's obnoxious but harmless school friend, since the end of the middle school. How Kelsey and Garrett became friends was basically the story about the hero saving the damsel in distress. When they met the first time, Kelsey started out as the hero and save Garrett from a bully. One punch on the fat kid's nose not only scared him and his posse away; but it sent her a trip to the principle's office. During lunch, it was Garrett's turn to be the hero by sitting next to Kelsey to keep her from eating alone at the table. They're opposites, but they needed each other to get through the day. That's when their friendship started.

Garrett never admitted it, but he had a huge crush on her aunt, Jane Foster. However, his secret was obvious to everyone, especially Jane.

Garrett shrugged, "Don't look at me." He gestured at the glass walls, showing the small town view. "If ya'all are really worried about privacy, you should put up some curtains."

"But still, what's wrong with knocking?" Erik asked.

"I peeked through the windows, and nobody was in their underwear. If someone did, I would've knocked. I'm not a pervert."

"Garrett, you are Kelsey's friend. You are more than welcome to come here anytime." Jane said with a smile, "Just knock first."

Garrett looked at Jane with a wide grin, "Really? Aw, thanks, Jane. You're the best." He looked at the table and noticed that the family were having pancakes for breakfast.

Jane noticed his gaze at the food, and knew fully well that the kids wouldn't have time for breakfast anyway. "Would you like some pancakes, Garrett?"

Garrett looked at Jane with wide eyes, before shaking his head, "Oh no. I couldn't."

"Please, I insist. The kids probably won't have time; and Darcy is sleeping in-"

"Wait, Darcy isn't coming for breakfast?" Garrett asked, making sure he heard Jane right. When Jane shook her head, silently answering his question, he smiled with relief.

Garrett and Darcy were natural enemies. They always have nothing nice to say to each other. The worst part was that Darcy was Kelsey's friend too, so Darcy not coming here was a blessing, giving him a peace in mind.

"Great." He sat down at the table and stuffed a pancake in his mouth. He began chewing and moaned in satisfaction. "Mmmm... Good pancakes, Jane." Garrett complimented her with his mouth full.

Jane smiled, "Thanks, Garrett. Eat up. I don't want it to go to waste."

"Yes, ma'am." Garrett took another huge bite of pancakes. "Hey." Garrett began speaking with his mouth full irritating Erik in the process. "How come y'all didn't go to the diner? Y'all always eat there for breakfast."

Jane shrugged, "Saving money."

AJ rushed back in the dining area, without his Spider-Man costume. He was dressed in blue jeans, a red Ironman T-Shirt, and a black jacket. Without the mask, AJ was revealed to be an adorable, spiky blonde hair, blue eyed boy.

"Hey, Squirt." Garrett greeted him by messing with AJ's hair, "How are ya doing?"

"Hey, Garrett," AJ didn't like how Garrett messed his hair up and called him squirt. It was a routine he was used to, but it didn't mean he had to like it.

"AJ," Erik finally had a chance to say hello to the boy without the fighting involved.

AJ looked up at Erik and smiled, "Hi, Uncle Erik."

Erik wasn't AJ's uncle, but it looked that way. Ever since, AJ's parents died, AJ never really had a father-figure in his life so Erik decided to take the role as a father figure for the kid. Erik never knew AJ's parents very well. He met Wendy one-time at Culver University, but for Jane's college graduation. He hadn't been here too long, enough for AJ to not call him uncle, but he came to help Jane with her research and mentor her.

AJ sat down in between Erik and Garrett, enjoying small pieces of cut up pancakes.

"Say where's Kelsey?" Garrett asked.

"Changing pants," AJ replied casually, playing his food with his fork.

"Why she wet herself?" Garret asked with amusement in his voice.

Erik and Jane scoffed, both giving the boys a disapproving look.

"No." Jane answered, "AJ sprayed his sister earlier with a squirt gun. Now Kelsey is taking forever getting ready."

After waiting five minutes, Kelsey finally showed up, wearing a white T-Shirt with her favorite band's logo and picture on front: Coldplay, and had on that blue-green plaid shirt.

"Hey, guys," Kelsey said quietly as she picked up her bag over her shoulder, and noticed her school friend at the table.

"Kelse," Garrett waved at her with a fork. "you missed Jane's best pancakes! They're phenomenal!" He looked at Jane's way with a smile. He might've given her a wink with no intention.

Jane smiled from Garrett's compliment, but she didn't look at him or say a word. Instead she looked at the food on her plate. She knew that he was trying to win her heart, but the man had to learn that she's way too old for him. She's flattered, but she wasn't interested.

Kelsey rolled her eyes, "Yeah. I know. I would've had breakfast, if it weren't for Spider-Boy over there." She met AJ's way, giving him a death glare.

Erik sighed heavily, "Here we go again..."

"Not my fault!" AJ cried out.

"Yes, it is!" Kelsey argued.

"Is not!"

"Is too!"

"That's enough!" Jane cried in annoyance, "I thought we were over this! Get over it, please!"

"Jane is right!" Garrett joined in, "Look at her, you two! She couldn't handle the bickering. How about we go to school, leaving this exhausted woman in peace?"

AJ, Erik, and Kelsey rolled their eyes at Garrett's speech. They couldn't stand Garrett kissing up to Jane. It was getting on their nerves.

"Thanks again, Garrett," Jane was thankful that someone was on her side, even if that someone was the obnoxious Garrett. Kelsey grabbed Garrett by his jacket and pulled him up from his chair. "Come on, Knight and Shining Armor. Let's go."

"Wait! Wait!" Garrett pulled away from Kelsey's grip only to take a plate that was stacked with pancakes. "I'll bring the plate back, Jane. I promise."

Jane waved it off carelessly, "It's fine."

AJ got up from his seat, grabbed his bag. Before he left with Garrett and Kelsey for school, he gave Jane and Erik a hug good-bye, then he dashed out the door to catch up to the teenagers.

"Well," Erik looked at his colleague and friend, "you ready to get to work?"

Jane sighed heavily as she got up from her seat to put the dishes away. She didn't know how to answer that question.

~000~000~000~

In the Asgardian kingdom, today was a special day. It was time for the All-Father Odin to step out of his duties as king and leave one of his sons to take the throne. Odin had chosen his oldest son to take the king role.

Inside a room, that was close to the throne room, was dark with only a fire pit in the center lighting the room. The double doors were opened, revealing a blonde prince dressed in silver armor and a red cape, known as grown up Thor, walked inside the room, chugging down the rest of his drink with one hand and holding the hammer for the worthy.

"Another!" the prince roared as he smashed his goblet into the fire pit that erupted in flames. He walked around the pit and down the stairs. He spotted his grown up brother behind the drapes. Thor's younger brother was dressed in gold and green, also wearing a golden-horned helmet on his head.

Loki came out from behind the drapes, seeing the Thunder-God walking toward him. He stood by Thor's side as the god barely gave him a glance. Loki folded his hands as he stood beside his brother, still keeping a smile on his face, which only grew at the edge of his mouth into a smirk as he glanced at Thor.

"Nervous, brother?" Loki asked in a teasing tone.

Thor laughed, clearly amused by Loki's question. He glanced back at his brother and asked, "Have you ever known me to be nervous?"

Loki furrowed his brows, looking back at the time Thor was nervous about something, "Mm, there was that time in Nornhiem."

"That was not nerves, brother!" Thor argued, "That was the rage of battle."

"Ah, I see."

"How else could I have fought my way through a hundred warriors and brought us out alive?" Thor said proudly.

Loki furrowed his brows again, "Uh... as I recall, I was the one who veiled us in smoke to ease our escape."

"Haha, yes," Thor chuckled as one of the servers arrived with another goblet of wine for Thor. "Some do battle, others just do tricks."

Loki shrugged. When he heard the sound of another person laughing at him, he turned his gaze upon the server. He gave a flick of his wrist, and there was a sudden, collected sound of hisses. The server was confused at first, but then he saw snakes began to slither their way out of the goblet. The server yelped in fear, dropping the tray and goblet as the snakes continued slithering away from the goblet.

Loki laughed softly, satisfied by the sight of the man's fear.

"Loki..." Thor whined irritably, "Now that was just a waste of good wine!" He looked disappointedly at the liquid now solidified into reptiles.

"Oh, it was just a bit of fun," Loki said, acting innocent and that his prank was harmless. He waved his hand over the dropped dishes, the snakes disappeared. "Right, my friend?" Loki asked the server.

The server nodded, laughing nervously as he picked up the tray and goblet, leaving the princes alone. They both chuckled at his reaction, though Loki's laugh lasted longer, proud of himself.

A moment later, another servant arrived, handing Thor his own helmet. It was a silver helmet with wings on both sides. Thor's gaze upon his helmet, his hands were shaking in nervousness. Loki noticed Thor's shaky grip as he glanced at the winged helmet.

"Ooh... nice feathers." Loki complimented it sarcastically.

Thor's nerves disappeared. He turned to his brother with a smile, picked his brother's sarcasm.

"You don't want to get me started, do you?" Thor gazed upon the horns from Loki's helmet, "Cow?"

"I was being sincere." Loki lied, facing his brother.

Thor scoffed, "You are incapable of sincerity."

"Am I?" Loki asked challengingly.

"Yes!"

Loki stood in silence, smiling softly, before he spoke, "I've looked forward to this day as long as you have. You are my brother, and my friend."

Thor's face seemed to soften, listening to his brother intently.

"Sometimes, I am envious." Loki admitted, giving Thor eye contact. "But never doubt that I love you."

Thor nodded, pleasantly surprised and pleased by Loki's words. He thought that Loki was about to say something sarcastic. He reached a hand to the Trickster's neck and gave it a thankful pat. "Thank you, Brother."

"Now give us a kiss," Loki said, earning a smack in the chest from Thor.

His brother laughed with him, pointing a finger at his face, "Stop it!"

They both turned to face the stairs once more, chuckling at this moment. Then the laughter died down, and no sound was made. They had fallen silent once again for a moment, until Thor spoke again.

"Really, how do I look?" Thor asked seriously.

Loki looked at him, analyzing Thor up and down. Thor looked exactly like their father, something that Loki could never achieve. He never understood why. Thor turned to him, and Loki thought up an answer for him.

"Like a king," Loki replied quietly.

Earning a smile in return for that compliment, their eyes were back on the stairs.

However, as silence returned, it was Loki's turn to break it by taking a deep breath before speaking.

"It's time," Loki spoke the obvious, knowing they both needed to get going.

"You go ahead," Thor told him. Loki turned to him questionably.

"I'll be along, go on," Thor insisted.

Loki gave one last smile to his older brother, before he went on up the stairs. Thor stood there mentally preparing himself for what was about to come. He was about to become King Thor of Asgard.