Lena would have fallen from the Bifrost if not for the layer of rainbow light encasing her feet. She whooped and hollered as they shot into the sky, the others in similar states of fear and amazement. She turned and saw Jack laughing, the wind gluing his hair to his face. The bridge continued to recede the way it had come and slowed only as they neared the top. Geri turned and looked back at everyone.
"Now down. I warn you, it's a bit more terrifying." The bridge came to the very top and for a moment they slowed almost to a stop. Lena felt as though she had just reached the top of a roller coaster, but when she looked down, she could see the curve of the world. She smiled in awe and then they began to descend. Slowly at first and then faster and faster. Her eyes filled with tears as the wind whipped at her face. She could hear the others laughing and screaming and she could swear that Geri or Freki were howling. Looking down she could see the base of the Bifrost and was slightly surprised to see a man in golden armor standing at the base, a horn in hand. She could just make out the sound of the horn as they fell to the earth. The bridge slowed to a stop and suddenly they were upon the ground, the man that Lena had seen welcomed them with a large, if not forced smile.
"Welcome to Asgard. Geri, Freki, Odin has requested you hurry. The Disir have attacked." Geri and Freki took off at a run towards the shining city on the hill, leaving the others behind with the man with the horn. Lena turned and gave a small smile.
"Hello, I'm –"
"Philena, Jack Frost, Huǒlóng, Punxsutawney Phil, Mahala, and John Smith. So very good to see you. We must be going to the war chamber. I am Heimdal." And with that Heimdal turned and marched towards the castle. Everyone looked at Lena who shrugged and flew after him. She could hear the others following and decided to match speed with Heimdal. He was a tall man, but most gods were, nearly six feet with bright blonde hair and deep blue eyes.
"So, the Disir." Heimdal glanced at her and nodded.
"Harpies if ever I saw any. Fierce, beautiful, and strong, but harpies nonetheless. They have been causing us grief for nearly a fortnight. Moreover, they have committed a crime against everything we stand for. One of our own has been taken by these beasts and if she is not returned night shall not come." Lena fluttered in front of Heimdal and landed, blocking his way.
"What do you mean night will not come?"
"They have taken Nótt." A soft, melodious voice from behind sent Lena spinning. She came face to face with a woman, no taller than her, with long flowing hair and bright blue eyes. She wore a simple golden dress and was giving Lena a sad smile. "And without her, night shall never come again." Heimdal gave a slight bow and gestured.
"My lady Freya, the Guardians." Lena shook her head.
"We're not the Guardians, just looking for them. Jack! Jack though, he's a Guardian." The others had arrived and were looking nervously between Freya, Lena and Heimdal. Freya smiled at them all and gestured them through the doors to the great hall, the doors were so high that Huǒlóng didn't even have to bow his head. They entered into what Lena assumed was the war chamber and were met by the loud angry shouts of the Norse Gods. At the front of the room stood Odin; tall, imposing, and wearing a dark eye patch. Two ravens sat upon each shoulder and Lena could see Geri and Freki resting at Odin's feet. A spear leaned against a tall throne behind him. To Odin's immediate right stood a jock if Lena had ever seen one. Tall, buff and full of himself, Lena could only assume it to be Thor, Mjolnir the hammer rested at his waist. He was currently yelling across the room at a relatively well-dressed young man. Other immortals shouted and joined the argument but it seemed the same; what was to be done about the Disir?
"They have crossed the line. It is time for action!" Thor roared, the others echoed agreements and suggestions.
"That is all well and good but who shall go? Who shall be the champions of Asgard this day?" The well dressed man moved forward and gestured around the room. His eyes fell on Lena and the others and a smirk appeared on his face. "Perhaps the strays that Geri and Freki dragged in. What do you think friends? Shall the strangers go and face the Disir? Shall they retrieve Nótt and bring her home?" Lena knew better than to respond, she wanted to speak with Odin first, some of the other members of her group were not as wise.
"Sure. Bring it on. How hard could it be?" Indy's voice rang out clear in the now silent war chamber. Everyone turned to look at him and a look of pure horror crossed Lena's face. Had he seriously just volunteered them all to go and fight the Disir? The man who had addressed them flew from his position and landed near Lena, glancing at her and then to Indy.
"The Disir are beings of anger and might, they would not easily be beaten by a mere man and his rifle." Jack jumped in at that point.
"Well then they can fight me and my staff." The others stepped forward and offered their hands as well. Lena sighed and materialized her bow, the room gave a slight gasp.
"If they're all for fighting then my bow and I are in as well." There was a clank from near where Odin had been and suddenly Thor was floating forward.
"I shall join you. We shall go at once to the mountain. Seven of us against seven of them, it should not be a challenge." His voice was so final and Lena nodded. If the god of thunder was sure they could do it then she was sure they would be okay. She glance over at Jack who was giving her a reassuring nod and she swallowed back her fear. Odin stood and addressed the gods and immortals assembled.
"Gods of Asgard, visitors from Midgard, we thank you for volunteering to fight the terrors of the Disir. Geri and Freki," the wolves leapt up and stood near their master, "go with the others and journey to the land of the Disir. Destroy them and bring us back Nótt. Go forth." Using his spear as a gavel he slammed it to the ground and the doors of the hall flew open. The group watched the gods flood the exit and then they walked slowly into the open courtyard, Thor now with them made nine. Lena glanced around at the strange group; a groundhog, a dragon, a Native American girl, an American revolutionary soldier, two wolves, a winged girl, a frost child, and a thunder god. Lena let her mind slip to negative thoughts and for just a moment she wondered how they were going to win against the might of the Disir.
Thor led them to a mountain range where snow covered most of the peaks. They all landed in an open field and surveyed the land.
"The Disir reside in a cave three leagues north of here. I can assure you they already know we are here." Even as he spoke there was a great crash as a large boulder fell near where Lena was standing. She leapt away from the dangerous object and knocked an arrow, aiming towards the skies.
"Split up!" she shouted as she took to the skies. The cold air around her told her Jack had followed. She could hear Huǒlóng roaring out and Indy's rifle firing fireworks into the air. Lena charged the mountain and made it all the way to a small ledge. She landed and placed her back to the wall, Jack landed right next to her and looked into the sky.
"Where are they?" he asked. Lena shook her head, she hadn't seen the Disir but she was sure they were hiding in the clouds. Lightning crashed around the clearing they had come from and Lena could just make out the cries of Phil and Mahala. Geri and Freki were howling and growling, creating the sounds of carnage from this far up. The more Thor fought the harder it was to see the others and soon Lena and Jack were looking at a wall of clouds. Lena moaned and looked around where they had landed. The ledge was in fact the mouth of a cave and a weird light seemed to be coming from the inside. She gestured for Jack to follow her and together they walked slowly into the cave.
The light grew more and more intense the closer they got to the heart of the mountain and soon Lena could swear she smelled the light scent of chocolate. As they rounded a corner Lena shoved Jack against the wall. On the other side there were two open tombs in the center of a large room, what had terrified Lena was the person standing guard. A girl, far larger than Lena had her back turned to the entrance with a large spear slung across her shoulders. There was a grinding noise as another girl entered into the chamber.
"Brendis! How are the prisoners?" the girl, Brendis turned to the other and gave a smirk.
"The same. As long as the magic holds, they shall remain as such. I know the bird isn't amazing at weaving, but she is one of the best." The newcomer smiled and nodded towards the way she had come.
"Come on. The others want us up top. Something about the thunderer coming to make a nuisance." Brendis groaned and looked back at the tombs.
"Can't they handle it?" the girl shook her head and gestured.
"It seems he's brought a dragon." Brendis flipped her spear round and followed the girl out of the chamber.
"Well, if we get to slay a dragon then of course." The two of them laughed as they walked out of sight. Lena walked carefully out from behind the wall and gestured for Jack to follow. They walked slowly towards the tombs. They were made completely out of the stone that came up from the mountain. The tops were open to the air and for a moment Lena feared what might be inside. Peering over the top of the nearest one she gave a gasp as she came face to face with none other than an unconscious E. Aster Bunnymund.