Everything is changing…
Don't own the S.H.I.E.L.D. or the characters of Marvel Comics, but happy to play in their backyard. Spoilers again for "Yes Men." Acknowledgements to the script by Shalisha Francis. And there are major deviations from that.
"The secret is out…"
-Skye, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
"They took our subject off the map in Los Angeles."
-The Girl in the Flower Dress, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
The Meeting
The Bus—Medical Container
(Skye POV)
I was still wrapped in Sif's arms, she held me and comforted me, then said, "Well Princess, you ready for this now?"
I was still sniffling and got out, "What happened to all those people?"
Lady Sif started, "The visions?"
I nodded.
"That was all from the Ancients, before time. Atlantis was in its glory, the center of Midgard. All things flowed from there. Then in the first alignment, the Dark Elves were strong enough to move the position of the alignment over Atlantis. It was thrown to another world outside the nine worlds. It was followed by another beam that moved the outlying pieces to the bottom of Midgard, where the Ice Giants hid it under layers of ice. The conflict that followed created the Millennial War Between the Asgard alliance and the Dark Elves and Ice Giants. The wars continued through several more alignments.
"During Odin's youth and his travels he came upon Atlantis. It was still in all its glory, but there were no inhabitants. The buildings and roads were intact but no one was there. He promised to restore it as his ancestors had promised. Through the years, we have determined that there were descendants of Atlantis still on Midgard. Odin made us promise to continue the search, we have been trying to find them ever since.
"You're the first one, and by our traditions the Princess of Atlantis."
I just looked at her in amazement. I knew from those times at the orphanage I was different, but this was so far from what I ever thought. I had to ask, "What does this mean?"
"Well first, I think we send you back to Asgard for treatment. Whatever happened to you has taken too long to heal."
"What do you mean?"
"From the Ancients, the Atlantians lived as long as Asgardians and healed as quickly. Quite obviously you have been here too long." She held out her hand to me, "Come with me."
Boy talk about a command voice, the force was with her; I gave her my hand and followed her out of the Bus. We went about two hundred yards away and this swirling started over us. It came down on top of us and in the next second we were in this large gold domed room.
Having read a lot on Asgard when working in Rising Tide, I knew the regal personage towering over me was Heimdall. Lady Sif began first, "This is the Princess of Atlantis. Treat her as such. Right now she needs attention, as she has not healed completely from whatever happened. Please see to her care and send me back as I am on Lorelei's trail."
Heimdall responded, "As you wish."
Lady Sif was gone in a second and I was standing in front of Heimdall.
The Bus
(Coulson POV)
Fitz was yelling, "It's happening again! We got readings! We got readings!"
Simmons was first to his position, "First Skye's readings are off the monitor again. Now this. What is this, Fitz?"
"It's the same as before, only it's at our six o'clock. Some massive energy reading right behind the Bus."
I came down and heard that, "I'll go check. You stay here and monitor." I picked up an earplug, "I'll be online if anything happens."
May got down there too, "I'm coming with you." It was a statement, not a question.
I nodded and we left the bus. The ramp was still down and it was dusty out there. Fitz came over the line, "The energy burst is gone, just like after Lady Sif … well landed."
Simmons was on next, "Skye is gone. Not in the Medical container."
Ward chimed in, "Not on the plane, unless she is hiding somewhere."
I figured at that point that Lady Sif took her. I hoped to Asgard. It would only make sense, because she was so intent about the blood sample. She even thought that took precedence. We continued walking.
In another minute Fitz came out with, "We got another one forming, looks like the same location."
I looked at May, "We better stay back a little."
In just a couple seconds Lady Sif had touched down in the circle from before. I looked over at May, "I got this. See if you can get everyone ready to go. I'll show Lady Sif the results of the search and see if we can't get Skye back and her on her way."
May nodded and I started over to Lady Sif.
"Ah, Agent Coulson. I did not have time. I needed to get your Agent Skye to our care. She was not healing properly. Our assistance was needed for whatever is in her blood that might be causing this." She was smiling the whole time. "Now could we get back to Lorelei?"
I answered knowing that there were far more questions to be asked, "Yes, we should have some search results ready, just follow me." She nodded and followed me back into the plane. We went up to the control room and stood in front of the displays.
I pointed to the reports, "These are files of every police report within a hundred miles of where you arrived, everything within the last forty-eight hours. When you want to shift through the information, you…"
She began, "I am familiar…" She was already going through the reports, "It's an antiquated system we and other realms had ages ago."
Yes, she had my interest, "You've visited other realms? Seen different species, aliens. Have you ever encountered any that were blue?"
She looked up and said, "Yes, of course."
I had to ask, "Which ones?"
She just started to list them, "Anthodites, Leaveneans, Faroedocs, Cree, Sochs, Centarians." She paused a second and said, "Frost Giants tried to conquer your planet a millennium ago."
"And the others, have any of them been here recently?
"Rest easy Phil, son of Coul, no others have come here."
Asgard Medical
(Skye POV)
"Rest easy, my Lady," a woman exclaimed as I lay there. We were in a big hall. At least it seemed like it. The ceiling went up pretty high. I was on an examination table; it was like being back in Simmons hands again. Talk about white. Everyone around me was in a white robe. They were all over me, taking samples and injecting things. And then taking samples again.
In a minute everyone backed away and an old gentleman with a large beard stepped up next to me. "Princess, welcome to Asgard. I am happy to see you well. Please join me when they are finished."
I barely nodded and he left. I assumed it was Odin. With the reaction of everyone in the room, it only made sense. But there was no relief, in a second the next injection was administered and I was asleep.
The Bus
(Coulson POV)
Lady Sif displayed the report, "There, a robbery of jewels."
I pulled up the next report, "And there, a gun store robbery by guys on Harley's."
Lady Sif responded, "It is happening faster than I feared. She is amassing men, gold, weaponry. Lorelei is building an army."
"Here, it appears they have taken out a biker bar. That's where will head first." I pushed the intercom, "May and Ward, we've spotted their likely location."
When they got to the command center I pointed to the report. May reported, "We have a six unit tactical team coming up to join us. They'll be ready when we touch down." May went up to the cockpit to land and Ward joined us looking at the lay out of the biker bar.
After we landed, May and Ward headed down to the lab. Fitz, Lady Sif and I went to join them.
When I got to the bottom of the stairs, May had just finished saying, "Sometimes it is hard to distinguish, friend or foe."
I added, "This way, we can take out either."
Fitz looked up from the weapons and asked, "Hum, where's Lady Sif?"
Of course she jumped from the deck above down to the lab deck. She was ready with her sword, shield and cape, "Shall we?"
The tactical squads were waiting for us as we deplaned. We loaded up and headed down the road to the bar.
As Lady Sif got out of the van, she commented, "Lorelei's tastes normally go toward palaces, castles, this is far more humble than her usual abode."
Ward shook his head, "The draw wasn't the place. It was the manpower."
Just as we got out of the vehicles, two State Troopers approached us. I asked, "How many men does she have in there? Have you seen the suspect?"
The lead trooper responded with a smile, "Yes, and she is beautiful…" and things went downhill from there as the trooper pull up his shotgun and fired.
Ward and I held them off for a while and I asked Sif to give us some cover. That worked well as she pushed an old trailer house into a blocking path. I got the trooper and Ward cleared his side. I directed, "Men, stay outside. Let Sif take Lorelei. Ward check around back."
Ward went around and Sif entered the bar. Several bikers were expelled forcibly from the bar as they came crashing out the sides. But it soon became obvious that Lorelei went out back and got Ward. They and a bike were gone when we went to search.
Asgard Palace
(Skye POV)
I was not sure how long I slept, but when I woke I did feel refreshed and better than I had since we were on the train headed to Quinn's. I rose from the bed and looked out the open balcony. I was no longer in the medical facility but some very ornate room in the palace.
There was a large closet full of clothes. Most were gowns with gold, silver or gems ornately designed to show scenes from Atlantis. The room was complete in it's own scenes of Atlantis and beautiful landscapes on the walls.
There were two attendants in the room. The first attendant began, "We have drawn a bath for you, behind the partition there. We'll help you select an appropriate gown and accouterments to meet with Odin. He will be waiting for you within the next hour."
"What does he want?"
"To acknowledge you and officially welcome you. Once that is done, there will be a small meal furnished as a respite to learn more about your accomplishments."
I smiled knowing that it was pointless to fight against their wishes but replied, "I do need to get back. Your Lady Sif and my Coulson still have to capture Lorelei before she starts anything bad on Earth …or Midgard."
"Odin will ensure you are back in time to assist."
And that seemed to be the end of that. No further discussion required. She just pointed to the partition and I slipped behind it. With minimal assistance I was soon fashionably adorned and ready to meet with Odin.
Asgard Great Hall
Odin looked up to see the beauty before him. "My dear, please come here." He pointed to a position next to his seat on the throne. "At last a descendant of the Atlantians and a proper one at that, you are now officially recognized as the Princess of Atlantis. The analysis," he held a scroll in his hand, "shows that you are indeed the descendant of the royal linage of Atlantis. You are not just an Atlantian but a true Princess." He slipped a matching ring on my right hand next to the first. They melded together. He continued to smile at me, "As such and in keeping with the ancient agreement between Asgard and Atlantis, we pledge our protection to you, the heir of Atlantis."
He paused and was just looking at me. I knew I had to respond and began, "I do thank you. It is a very great honor." I thought about denying it, but knew with all the blood tests and my history this had to be true. I looked at the double ring and could now see the etchings of Atlantis around it. I thought I might as well go along with this and added, "I will endeavor to keep the agreement and relations between Asgard and Atlantis, along with Midgard."
"Well said, now let us join our fellows and discuss what must be done." Odin pointed to a banquet table.
I know I was half way expecting a light snack but this looked to be a full nightlong meal. I wanted to get back to Coulson. I was fine now and knew he would need help. But there was so much to learn.
Odin must have seen it in my face, "Don't worry Princess. We are getting reports from Lady Sif. Your return tomorrow will be expected but there is nothing you can do at this point to help."
"Thank you," I beamed at him. "Yes, there is much I must learn."
"Yes, and there is much they must learn," he swept his hands at the assembled lords and ladies. I followed him to the table and the evening began.
While I was regaled with stories of conquest and heroics, I was encouraged to explain my part with S.S.R. and S.H.I.E.L.D. They considered me a proven warrior with death defying battle wounds and marveled at the accomplishments of our small band.
I found that Thor was on one of the other worlds and had not returned. Odin was awaiting his return and knew a discussion of returning to Jane Foster would be a part of the return. But they still had to recover Loki's body and pay a tribute.
I found through the discussions at the dinner that my body was similar to Asgardians. I would now heal quickly and could live as long as they do. There was some discussion as to whether I would have any special abilities. The ancient tales suggested that some Atlantians could control water.
Odin said that at anytime, we could populate the city of Atlantis. The world on which it resided was habitable and had no particular threats indigenous to the planet. But bringing the city back to Midgard would have to wait for an alignment, and even then may not be possible, since there would need to be a suitable site to put the city.
At the end of the meal, Odin took me back to the Hall of Records and the Great Library. In one of the oldest books in the library there was the agreement between Asgard and Atlantis. It appeared that then Atlantis and Asgard were equal. Atlantis promised to come to the aid of Asgard at anytime.
At that point Odin looked at me, "Our request is that you honor the clause and ensure Thor takes my place when the time is at hand."
I looked back at Odin and answered, "With all I have. But you not…"
He smiled, "Old, to you very, very old, in good health, but there are…"
We were interrupted at that point. He looked at me, "I shall see you again. But you can join Lady Sif and your Coulson on the morrow."
I gave him a hug and watched him leave the room. Then I realized where I was…the library of Asgard, their core of knowledge. There was no way I was going to sleep tonight.
A/N Okay like I said before, we'll be twisting stories and episodes. Hope you enjoy. Definitely AU. Reviews on this one gratefully accepted.
