Chapter 8

Erik had spent two very long hours in a tavern, trying not to overdo it on the alcohol. He lived up to his expectations, but he still felt pretty woozy. It had started raining a while ago, so Erik waited until it cleared up to leave. When it finally did, he started to make his way back to the lab. As he neared it, he nearly had a heart attack when a bolt of lightning fell down from the sky and actually hit the ground several meters from the laboratory. Erik immediately started running towards the building.

When he got there, what he saw was very shocking. He saw Jane and some other girl standing in the exact same place the bolt hit, with Jane looking dizzy and irritated. But it was the other girl that really got Erik's attention. Her outfit anyway. That and the hammer gripped in her hand.

"Next time, we're walking." Jane said, irritably.

"Why? It's faster by lightning." The hammer girl stated a matter of fact.

"That may work for you, but I…"

"Er… Jane?" Erik spoke up. The women turned towards him, and Jane immediately regained her composure and ran up to Erik. The other girl followed.

"Hey, Erik. Guess who." She said, pointing her thumb to the other girl. The other girl gave Erik a similar smirk and waved.

"Hey, doc."

Erik blinked. It couldn't be…

"Darcy?"

"In the flesh. How do you like my new outfit?" Darcy asked, putting her arms out and spinning around so Erik could see.

"Um… I'm not sure." Erik turned towards Jane, and bombarded her with questions. "Jane, what is going on here? What was with the lightning? And why is Darcy dressed like… that?" Erik stopped and looked at Darcy again. "And why is she holding that hammer?"

"Long story, Erik." Jane said. "After you left, I kind of ignored what you told me and… well…"

Jane reached into her pocket, and pulled out her journal. Erik's eyes widened and he shook his head. "You didn't."

Jane smiled sheepishly. "We did. And as you can see, we brought something else, too." Jane gestured towards Darcy, who held up the hammer, smiling.

"But… S.H.I.E.L.D. How did you get it past them?"

"I have no idea, Erik. They caught us, and then Darcy touched the hammer, then there was lightning and then, that." Jane motioned towards Darcy again. "She leveled the entire facility."

"After I kicked some major ass." Darcy corrected.

"Oh, good god." Erik said, shaking his head. "Jane, I know you were upset, but you realize they will try to come after you, right? They won't let you get away with this."

"I know." Jane stated, frowning. "But we can worry about that later. There's more I want to talk about."

Erik raised an eyebrow as Jane took out a book. "We should head inside."

ooooo

The surface of Jotunheim was blowing with ice and snow that increased the already frozen ocean engulfing the world. It was incredible that the Frost Giants were able to withstand the brutal temperatures. They truly did live up to their name.

In the dark skies above, the clouds started to swirl into the form of a hurricane-like eye, and after crackling with energy, a swirling beam of bright light fell down and struck the ground. Once it stopped, a green-garbed humanoid stood in the center, wielding a golden staff.

Loki surveyed the familiar world. His homeworld. He regarded it with disdain. Spotting strange icy structures in the distance, Loki started that way. Now, normal Asgardians would be bothered by the intense cold, but Loki didn't mind it one bit. In fact, the cold felt refreshing to him. Loki knew the reason, and frowned.

As nice as the feeling was, Loki had no intention of staying in this abhorant realm for long. Once his business was done, he would depart.

ooooo

Darcy, Jane, and Selvig had a very long talk. It was daylight now, and Jane had been going over what she and Darcy had learned with Erik for the past five hours. Erik didn't say anything the entire time. He just sat and listened, watching with an airy expression. He was tired. You could easily tell from the bags under his eyes. Jane had just finished talking about the Bifrost theory.

"… and we think that's how they get around." Jane finished. Erik put his hands up, thinking. Darcy sat next to Jane, having set Mjolnir down onto the table. She was still wearing the Asgardian garb. Sighing, Erik ran his hand through his hair.

"Jane… I don't… I mean I can't…" Erik couldn't even find the words. "This is all a little much, don't you think? I mean Loki? Thor? These are fairy tales I listened to as a kid."

"I know it sounds crazy, Erik." Jane explained. "But we thought it over and it's really the only viable explanation. And if that's not enough for you, just look!" Jane pointed at Darcy.

Erik just looked shocked. He wanted to find some way to prove Jane wrong, but everything they told him was so accurate, he just couldn't.

"Alright fine. I give." Erik admitted. "So what do you plan to do now? S.H.I.E.L.D. has probably marked you down for termination by now."

But Jane didn't look scared. "We continue my research. I may have lost all of my equipment, but I have my journal back. Not only that, but we have an actual extraterrestrial object in our possession. I'm not gonna let S.H.I.E.L.D. get in my way Erik. Neither of us are."

Erik looked surprised at Jane's determination. He looked over at Darcy, who looked confident as well. Sighing, Erik gave in. "Alright. Guess I can't convince you otherwise."

"So you'll stay with us?" Darcy asked.

"What the hell." Erik said, smirking. Jane smiled and hugged him. Darcy smirked and then got up, grabbing the hammer.

"Where are you going?" Jane asked.

"Out. I wanna see what else I can do with this baby." Darcy replied, twirling the hammer.

ooooo

From his throne, King Laufey stared down at the pale Asgardian kneeling before him. He sneered at the sight. Loki just looked down, not even having to look at the Frost king to detect the hatred emanating from him.

"Laufey." Loki greeted.

"You won't get any hospitality from me, son of Odin." Laufey growled. His voice was deep, monstrous, and just frightening, but Loki was unnerved.

"Shame. I expected some after all that I've done for you people." Loki sneered.

Laufey's blood red eyes widened briefly, but returned to their normal glare. "So you're the one who showed us the way into Asgard."

Loki smirked. "That was just a bit of fun, really. To ruin my brother's big day, and to protect the realm from his idiotic rule for a while longer."

"Many of my brothers were killed because of your trickery." Laufey snarled, barring his teeth. He calmed down some. "But… I will hear you."

Loki's smirk grew, and he stood up, now facing Laufey. He looked around at the other Frost Giants in the room. They all looked eager to tear him apart, but Loki just regarded them with disgust. They were barbarians, all of them. He turned his attention back to their king.

"My brother is dead. Exiled to Midgard and killed by savage mortals." Loki explained. The Frost Giants all laughed at his words. It just sounded so ludicrous to them.

"I realize it may seem humorous to you. But through some unknown means, one of them now wields my brother's weapon and power. The mortal is a threat to both Asgard and Jotunheim. So, I propose an alliance."

Laufey leaned in forward. "Continue."

"If you give me a fraction of your forces, I will conceal you and a handful of your soldiers, lead you into Odin's chambers, and you can slay him where he lies."

Laufey cocked and eyebrow. "Why not just kill him yourself?"

"I suspect that the Asgardians would not take kindly to a king who had murdered his predecessor. Once Odin and the mortal are dead, I will return the Casket to you..."

At that, Laufey stood, his expression hungry. "An enticing offer. But if this mortal is as dangerous as you say, why should I risk more of my brethren to you?"

"I'm not asking much, really." Loki replied, lazily. "A few foot soldiers would be needed to take care of a few meddlers, but what I really need is something much more capable. I need Gangr."

Laufey's eyes widened, and this time they remained that way. "That… is a very mighty request, son of Odin. Gangr is savage beyond belief. No giant can control his rage. Once he has killed your mortal, there is no guarantee that he can be stopped."

"He can send the entire realm to Hel for all I care." Loki said, frustrated. "I just want her dead."

Laufey suddenly looked confused. "Her?"

Loki growled. "Yes. The mortal is a woman."

Laufey suddenly started laughing, although it sounded more like a bellow. Around him, the other giants started laughing as well.

"You can't even handle a simple mortal woman by yourself? You must really be desperate, Asgardian." One giant, Grundroth, spoke.

"Enough!" Loki yelled, and the council grew quiet. "Do we have a deal or not?"

Loki looked at Laufey, who just glared at the prince. "I…" he paused, thinking for a few moments. "accept."

ooooo

"Okay, Darcy. Try it again." Jane instructed. She and Erik were standing outside the lab watching Darcy, who was standing at least ten meters away from them.

Nodding, Darcy pointed the hammer into the sky, and it flashed with energy. Darcy made sure as to put more concentration into it so it wouldn't just blow out like last time. Then, the light enveloped her body, and once it stopped, Darcy was clad in her jacket, jeans, and sneakers. Her hair was once again brown and her eyes were returned to their normal color. The hammer was the only thing that remained.

"I did it!" Darcy said, hopping.

"Yes, you did." Jane said, walking up to her. Erik followed.

"So you can fly, make lightning and rain, and now you have instant wardrobe." Erik joked. "You're like superman."

Darcy smiled, and twirled the hammer around from the strap like a pro. "Yup. I'm like a superhero now."

Then Darcy stopped, and looked at Jane and Erik. "I should give myself a name."

Jane and Erik stared at her, amused. "Um, Darcy don't you think that's pushing it a little?"

"Not at all." Darcy said, smiling. "Sides, Iron Man can't be the only superhero in the world, right?"

"Darcy, we're scientists, not superheroes." Erik said, chuckling, but Darcy just pouted.

"You guys are the scientists remember? I'm just the amusing little assistant."

Erik smiled and Jane chuckled. "Alright. What did you have in mind?"

"Hm… maybe Thor Girl?"

Jane made a face. "Thor Girl? That sounds pretty close to whore girl…"

Darcy scowled. "Gee, thanks, Jane. Let's hear something from you two, then."

"Maybe Thora? Sounds like a good female equivalent to Thor." Erik suggested.

"I don't know, Erik. Sounds a little old fashioned to me." Jane said. She thought for a moment, and then shrugged. "I remember from college there was this Norwegian girl named Thordis. How about that?"

"Thordis." Darcy tested the name, and smiled. "It has a nice sound to it."

"Well, Thordis, why don't we head inside now?" Erik suggested. "I've had enough of the heat and…"

Erik stopped when he noticed the clouds in the distance were starting to change. Jane and Darcy saw it too. Jane looked over at Darcy.

"What are you doing?" She asked.

"I'm not doing anything!" Darcy defended herself. Several people in the streets noticed the strange event and gazed out to the desert as well in wonder. The clouds formed into the eye of a hurricane, and there was a familiar pillar of light. Jane's eyes bulged out of her skull.

"Oh my god, it's happening again!" Jane ran inside to get her notebook. Erik looked over at Darcy, who just stared at the phenomenon.

"Think that's your god of mischief?" Erik asked.

Darcy shrugged. "Hell if I know."

ooooo

In the center of the desert, four figures had descended. Sif's stomach lurched. She never really did enjoy traveling via Bifrost. Looking beside her, she saw Fandral and Hogun helping Volstagg to his feet. Fandral looked around.

"Great Hela. Midgard looks different than the last time we came here."

"And it's so warm out." Hogun said. "A lot different than when we were on Jotunheim."

"I wonder what their food is like." Volstagg wondered.

"For the love of Odin, stay focused!" Sif ordered. "We are here for Thor. Nothing more."

"Thor could be anywhere on this planet. You realize that, don't you?" Fandral asked.

"Yes!" She snaps irritably. Her infamous temper was beginning to rise. "But the sooner we start looking, the sooner we'll find him."

The Warriors Three all sighed. Hogun, being the wisest of the three, spoke. "Very well. Perhaps there are is a settlement nearby."

"You mean like that?" Volstagg asked, pointing off into the distance. His three friends followed the direction of his finger, and saw, in the distance, a series of buildings could be seen.

"It's our best shot." Sif said. "Come, let us investigate."

ooooo

Miles away, in the remains of the S.H.I.E.L.D. encampment, Agent Coulson had just finished his chat with Nick Fury. He looked absolutely livid. This was not his day. Nearby, Agent Sitwell was focused on one of the few pieces of Ms. Foster's equipment that wasn't destroyed during the previous night's events.

"Sir, we just got high readings from a spot in the desert."

"Oh?" Coulson replies. He's mildly interested by this point, mostly because the object of importance that Coulson had been dragged out here to investigate had been taken by some kid with no real interesting background.

"Twenty-something miles south of here."

"Near the other impact zone?" He was referring to the one that Jane Foster and her crew had gotten to first.

"Affirmative."

"Well, we'd better check it out then."

ooooo

"For god's sake, Jane, calm down!" Erik urged.

"No, I need to record this before it disappears again!" Jane proclaimed. Darcy came in, one hand on her hip and the other swinging Mjolnir around.

"Too late." Darcy said. "It just stopped."

Jane beat her fists against the table. "Dammit!"

She quickly found her journal and, grabbing the keys, made her way for the doors. Erik turned towards her, tired. "Now where do you think you're going?"

"I'm going out there. It had to have left something behind, and I'm gonna find it before S.H.I.E.L.D. does."

"Hey wait up!" Darcy called, slipping Mjolnir's strap around her shoulder like a bandbag. Erik rubbed his temples, and followed the two girls outside.

ooooo

Outside, somewhere in a wide alleyway, three children were playing baseball. The youngest child, a girl, held the bat, waiting for the young pitcher to throw the ball. When he did, it swerved and bounced against the wall, right over the girl's head. It bounced on the pavement, and rolled out into the street and under a car. The girl huffed, and dropped the bat to go get the ball.

Going over to the car, se knelt down and tried to reach for it, but it was to far under. She circled around to the other side and prepared to reach again, but a voice stopped her.

"Allow me." A large man with a long, red beard stepped up. The girl looked puzzled by his garb, which looked like a red tunic with silver armor. He bent over and, with amazing strength, picked up the car. He picked up the ball with his other hand and let go of the car, which fell down with a loud thump. The girl stared wide eyed as the man knelt down to her and handed her the ball.

"There you go, lass." He said kindly.

The girl smiled at him. "Thank you." She walked away to her friends, and Volstagg chuckled.

"Volstagg, hurry along!" Fandral called. Volstagg rejoined his friends. People around the streets were staring at the Asgardians. Fandral chuckled as one of them nearly walked into one of those large metal beasts parked around the streets.

"Amusing creatures, these mortals. You'd think they've never seen an Asgardian before."

"Well it has been over a thousand years." Hogun remarked.

"Yes, but you think someone would have taken notice of our arrival, don't you?" Volstagg said.

"That is not important. We must find Thor." Sif argued. She was growing frustrated from both the lack of discovery and the intense heat. She rubbed a layer of sweat from her brow.

"He's probably not even here. I'm sure he would stand out among the rest of these mortals." Hogun said.

"Yes but…"

"Darcy, hurry up!" The voice of a girl caught Sif's attention. Turning to the direction of the noise, she saw a mortal woman running from a strange building that contrasted in architecture from the rest of the settlement. She looked so simple compared to the Asgardians, her dirty blonde hair being ruffled by the wind. She ran up to one of those metal beasts, and opened a portal on the side and climbed in.

"I'm coming!" Another voice yelled. Another girl followed, wearing a simple, sleeveless shirt and blue trousers. Her hair was curly and dark brown. But it was what she had hanging from her shoulder that caught Sif's attention.

Impossible. Sif said to herself.

"Why does that mortal hold Thor's hammer?" Fandral asked.

"It can't be. Only Thor possesses the strength to bear Mjolnir." Hogun responded. Sif said nothing, and just marched towards the two girls and the old man that had just exited the structure.

"You there! Mortal!" Sif shouted.

The girl looked back towards them. She blinked. The old man looked at them too, bearing a look of disbelief. The girl inside the metal beast came out, looking angry.

"What's the holdup?" She asked, then followed her companions' stares to the four figures walking towards them. She blinked. "Oh."

The two parties stared at each other. Neither knew what to say. This was just too awkward. Darcy spoke up. "Um. Hello."

Fandral stepped forward, grinning. To the surprise of both the humans and the Asgardians, he took Darcy's hand and lightly kissed her knuckle. "Why hello, fair lass."

"Fandral!" Sif barked, looking very irritated.

Blushing, Darcy pulls her hand back. "Oh um… Thanks… um. I'm sorry, who are you?"

"We are the Warriors Three." Volstagg claimed proudly. "Among Asgard's finest."

"Did you say Asgard?" Jane said, suddenly intrigued.

"Indeed." Hogun replied calmly.

"Aha! In your face, Erik!" Jane said to Erik, who just gave her a look.

"You don't have to brag."

"Enough!" Sif said. Everyone turned towards her, but she was focused entirely on Darcy. "Why do you have Thor's hammer, mortal?"

"You know Thor?" Darcy said, ignoring the question. "Are you his girlfriend or something?"

Sif blushed angrily. "No! I am Lady Sif. The mightiest of Asgard's maidens and friend of Thor. And you didn't answer my question: why are you holding Mjolnir?"

Darcy staggered back at the woman's outburst. "Okay, jeez. I just found it alright. It was just stuck in the middle of the dunes so I took it."

"You just picked it up?" Fandral said, not quite believing it.

"Yeah. Is that wrong?" Darcy asked.

"Yes it's wrong! Only those deemed worthy by Odin may bear Thor's hammer!" Sif said angrily. "A mortal should hardly be worthy enough to hold Mjolnir."

Darcy felt offended, and glared at the woman. "Oh yeah? Well what do you think about this?"

Darcy lifted Mjolnir above her head, and in a flash of light she was suddenly wearing her Asgardian armor. Sif and the Warriors Three gaped at her. Her garb was strikingly similar to Thor's. Darcy smirked.

"Am I worthy now?" She taunted. Sif was not amused.

"Where is he?" She demanded. Darcy quirked an eyebrow.

"Who?"

"Thor! What have you done with Thor?"

The three mortals looked uneasy at the question. Jane stepped forward, rubbing the back of her neck. "Uh… yeah. We sort of plowed him with our car."

"Car?" Fandral said, confused. "What's a car?

"It's what we use to get around with." Jane said, pointing to the RV.

"Your metal beasts attacked him?" Sif said, angrily. "What happened then?"

Darcy spoke next. "He… uh. Died."

The following silence was very uneasy. Sif just stared, horrified. The Warriors Three were at a loss for words. She couldn't be serious could she?

"You're lying." Sif replied. "A mere mortal couldn't slay Thor."

"Look it was an accident." Jane said. "We never even spoke to the guy. He just kinda fell right in front of us."

"So you killed Thor by accident?" Sif said, growing even angrier.

Darcy felt guilty. "Well… yeah. But didn't Loki tell you already?"

"Loki?" Sif asked, her anger disappearing and being replaced with shock. "How do you know of Loki?"

"He came to me. He told me about Thor and that meow-meow belonged to me now." Darcy explained. "He didn't tell you?"

Sif's anger returned. "That silver-tongued fiend! He knew all along!"

"There must be some explanation. Loki wouldn't actually do this, would he?" Fandral asked his friends.

"He most certainly would." Volstagg responded. "You know how he is. They don't call him the lord of mischief for nothing."

"So… Thor is actually dead?" Hogun stammered. He couldn't believe it. Neither could Sif.

"He is not dead!" She shouted. "This mortal is playing us for fools."

"But Sif…" Volstagg tried to reason, but Sif was too angry to listen.

"Now you listen to me, mortal." Sif said, pushing Darcy. "You stop desecrating Thor's honor and release Mjolnir. Now."

Darcy glared. She was starting to hate this woman. "Are you threatening me?"

"Release Mjolnir, or I will make you!" Sif demanded. Darcy stepped up, and the two women were face to face.

"I want you to try." Darcy dared. Sif hissed.

"I'm warning you, mortal. You do not wish to cross me."

"Don't push me, sister." Darcy growled. But Sif did. She shoved Darcy, smirking. Darcy responded in kind. With a swing of the hammer, Sif was sent hurdling into a sporting goods store. She flew right through the wall, and was covered in rubble. People inside the store ran out screaming. Darcy smirked.

"Darcy!" Erik exclaimed. Jane and the Warriors Three looked shocked.

"Oh, dear Odin." Fandral murmured.

Pointing the hammer forwards, Darcy flew in Sif's direction and landed in front of the store. She heard a scream as the pile of rubble exploded outwards. Shielding her face from the flying rubble, Darcy saw Sif standing there, her spear gripped fiercely in her fist. She was glaring at Darcy, and was clearly shaking with rage.

"You're going to wish you hadn't done that."

Told you. Next chapter, Darcy vs. Sif. Now I realize Sif may seem a little OC here, but if you go by her comic book backstory she never really thought to highly of humans. I want to thank everyone for the reviews, and I'm happy people are liking this story. When I first started writing this, I was worried it would get some bad feedback cuz this is one of my first stories on this sight.

Oh, and about the Darcy/Loki pairing, I like the suggestions, but Im not really good at writing any romance. But that doesn't mean it won't happen. Til next time.