I haven't forgotten that I have a story to finish. There have been some changes in the continium. Here you have it fresh and renewed. Asgard is at war with Thanos, and it's bloody.

Brothers in Arms

Friends: Asgard, Midgard, Niflheim, Svartalfheim (the Dwarves), Vanaheim

Foes: Jötuns, Black Zombies, Dark Elves, Chitauri, Space Pirates, Blue Creatures, Hella and her army

The Frost Etins from Niflheim attacked the Jötuns. The Casket of Ancient Winters did them no much harm, for they were ice beings just as the Frost giants were. This gave time for the fire magicians of Muspelheim to break the thick glaze from the freezing attack of the Casket, but the massive Black Zombies with the five glowing red eyes didn't give them much time to recover as they attacked the still vulnerable magicians.

Asgardians and Midgardians fought together against the Dark Elves and the Chitauri. Odin and a group of Asgardian soldiers got surrounded by Chitauri. But then the creatures started helplessly trying to look around as Odin had manipulated their brain cells to stop providing them with their natural vision. This gave the king and his guards the time to repulse the attack from the Chitauri and proceed in further charging the Dwarves of Svartalfheim defended each other from the Space Pirates and Hella's army.

The little terrors of Blue Creatures crawled on the ground between the legs of the fighting warriors and often would trip someone, or bite their feet, and then run away screeching with laughter and teasing, trying to get somebody chase them. They sometimes chose to attack somebody with many of them climbing over him, overturning him down, and biting him to death with acid little teeth.

Tony Stark refused to land on the ground and attacked only from air. He had lost connection with many of the Avengers, and he dearly hoped it was only the connection and not the people lost. Thor and Loki fought with their backs against one another. The younger god had made a shield around them protecting them from the little Blue Creatures and sending green blows towards the enemy while Thor was wielding Mjölnir, using the power of the lighting to drive back Chitauri and Dark Elves alike.

Seven armies against five and Asgard had still not fallen. Thanos leaned forward as if to take a better look. He was impressed. He had thought that his victory would be too easy. He relished the glorious battle before him. But he didn't want Asgard defeated with physical power only. He wanted them on their knees, with their spirits broken, and begging for mercy. The titan lifted his hand and signaled for a retreat of his armies. This time however there was no thought of victory on the Asgardian side. They were injured, tired, and knew that they were still greatly outnumbered.

Odin lifted his good eye towards Thanos' private ship in wonder and anticipation. His mind's eye was blocked from the titan by the Infinity Gems. The warriors of Asgard rearranged their lines. The fire magicians and the Frost Etins drew together, no longer seeing their differences as they were now brothers in arms. Dwarves and Dark Elves stood proud and unbent next to the Asgardian army.

The Earth's heroes also gathered to see who had survived and to try and plan their better organization in fight. Some of them went to search for survivors between the ruined buildings who were too weak to retreat from the battle field. Tony Stark landed on the ground and grimly looked around. The ever noble Captain America was leading a crew for finding survivors. Barton came from behind a fallen wall with Natasha unconscious in his arms. Deadpool dragged a moaning Spiderman from another direction. The Hulk was so exhausted that he had shrunk back to Dr. Banner. The Wasp had one of her wings broken. The Wolverine was recovering from his last attack. His injuries were healing quite well, closing on their own. Tony found it in himself to smile. If everyone could heal just like that, they would have a lot less troubles. Unfortunately, among the survivors, Stark could see the gaps that the missing ones made. His previous hopes were in vain. There truly were Avengers who hadn't survived the wrath of the extraterrestrial armies.

A malicious laughter boomed in the air. Thanos projected his image in the sky. Now his more than huge body leaned over the five armies of Asgard and spoke, the victory evident in his tone, "Well, well. Did you find your survivors already? How did you like my first wave of attack? I thought you have had enough for now so I called them in a retreat. You should be thankful. As I see you do need some rest. My dears…" He pretended concern. "Why continue this madness? Surrender to my mercy and I shall spare your petty… I mean pretty lives."

There was silence. Then Thanos laughed as if he had heard a private joke. "I will answer you, Odin. You wonder what my mercy is like. You may be too proud, or too dumbfounded to voice your question, but I shall be generous." The purple creature smirked. "My mercy starts with you All-Father begging on your knees." This made the Asgardian warriors cry in rage and stand in a position for attack. "My mercy," Thanos almost sang, "continues with you delivering me the traitor called Loki." This created a confused silence. Looks turned towards the Trickster. "My mercy," the titan shouted this time, "comes when all of you surrender your armies to me and acknowledge me as a ruler of the Nine Realms."

This was all the five armies defending Asgard needed to hear. Their revolt and their unbent spirits arose like one. They all charged against the enemy and once again threw themselves in the battle with all their might. Thanos' hordes had never seen such determination and such resolve in battle. They faced their attackers with terror on their faces. The Asgardian's force was incredibly strong as they attacked - eyes shone with deadly promise.

Thank you for the reviews, dears! Lots of hugs!