Chapter 59 – The Final Battle

D365/0 ABY

Looking at her husband's sleeping face, Sabine smiled to herself. Right now, she could actually feel the calm and sense of contentment coming from him, while she thought it to be odd, but remembered when she had sensed Odin's presence briefly on Kashyyyk, she didn't give it much of a thought.

As the chronometer hit 6, she tried to wake him up gently, but Ezra only groaned. Even after becoming a Jedi knight, Ezra was still not a morning person like her. She then sighed, if this was any other day, she would have already started her morning workout, seen Tarre in the gym, who would be doing his own workout – minus his prosthetic arm. The two would then play a game of Cu'bikahd (Blades), which she would lose. But today was different, today was Ezra's birthday. Unlike last year and the years before, today was always a sore spot for Ezra, but this time they would be able to celebrate it properly. So, she kissed him, it took a while for Ezra to open his eyes and he started to deepen the kiss, but Sabine pulled back.

"Come on lazy bum, we're burning daylight.", Sabine said.

"We're in space.", Ezra argued.

"Get up. I am not going to give you your present, unless you're up.", She said.

"Why?", Ezra asked.

"Ez, it's your birthday.", Sabine said.

"Now come on, get to the refresher. I'll be waiting in the training room.", Sabine said.

Ezra groaned, "Why do I go to the training room? It's my birthday.", as Sabine left their room and headed towards the training room. In her way, she came upon Fenrir, who was focused on his datapad.

"Hey kid, how's it going?", Fenrir asked.

"It's going to be great. Is everything ready?", Sabine asked.

"It is.", Fenrir sounded distracted.

"What's wrong?", Sabine asked not wanting anything to dampen Ezra's mood.

Fenrir then looked up, smiled and said, "Don't mind me Sabine. I promise you that I will not sour today."

As Ezra headed towards the training room, he passed by some people, who were acting normally. 'Good', he thought, 'No need to make it a big event.' Entering the training room, he said, "Alright Sabine, where are you?", as the training room was completely dark, and he couldn't sense anyone.

"SURPRISE.", came the voice of many people, nearly jolting Ezra out of his skin, as the light came on and he saw Sabine, Kanan, Hera, Zeb, Chopper, Ahsoka, Tarre and Fenrir. He was so surprised b y this, that he had accidently activated his lightsabres. He then quickly saw his surroundings; the training room had been painted in colours that only Sabine could have picked.

"Look at him.", Zeb said as he laughed at Ezra's face. He was then nudged by Sabine, who along with everyone else spoke, "Happy Birthday, Ezra."

Ezra gave a weak laugh at this, after which Sabine stepped forward and embraced him. He returned the embrace and Kanan spoke, "All right, time for presents."

"Don't worry, the real party is later.", Sabine whispered in his ear to which Ezra gave a weak laugh again.

"Look at them,", Hera whispered in Kanan's ears, "They've grown so much."

As the two broke their embrace, Kanan and Hera gave Ezra his first present – a Kyber crystal necklace (much like the one that Jyn Erso had).

"Thanks.", Ezra spoke softly.

Next was Zeb's present – a small round object, "It's a relic from Lasan. It symbolises family and friendship."

"Zeb… I don't know what to say.", Ezra started.

Following this was Chopper, who zapped Ezra for old times sake making him yell and handing him power cell.

"Thanks Chop.", Ezra said.

Following this were Ahsoka and Tarre, "We have something very interesting for you.", Ahsoka said. Ezra smiled at this, while Sabine saw the bracelet that she had helped Ahsoka craft on Tarre's wrist, while another bracelet was on Ahsoka's wrist, 'Oh! this is truly a surprise. Should have seen it coming though.', Sabine thought to herself, as she remembered Sakaar. As she said this, Tarre produced a unique object from his prosthetic arm, and levitated it towards Ezra.

"It's a holocron!", Ezra said.

Tarre smiled at this, "This holocron was made by a great Jedi, Ezra. His name was Jaden Montarri." Ezra smiled at this, remembering his conversation with the great Jedi back on Mandalore. He briefly stopped smiling as he thought about the talk he had with Thor, informing him of his vision that Thor would be fighting a giant serpent. Thor had laughed at this and thanked Ezra, saying that fate played Gods like it played everyone else. Ezra had not understood this, but Thor asked him to keep this a secret from everyone.

Kanan's eyes widened at seeing the holocron, he knew who the Jedi was. Sabine too knew who the Jedi was, as one day she and Tarre were talking, and he told her about being Revan's Jedi master. She smiled as Ezra took the holocron, as she could sense no evil from the holocron. 'Again! What's going on?', she thought as the sensation lasted briefly. She then shook her head, as she and Ezra looked at Fenrir.

From his mould, Fenrir produced an icy structure, detailing a Lothwolf. The structure was two feet in length and 1 foot in height. As Fenrir placed it on the ground, the structure came to life and started bouncing around the couple happily.

"Woah!", came the reaction of everyone, except Tarre and Fenrir.

Sabine had to pry her eyes away from the icy wolf as she nodded at Hera and Kanan, who stepped aside and revealed mandalorian armour, complete with westar blasters and vambraces, donned with the sigils of Clan Wren in the middle, and the sigils of Clan Rau and Vizsla on the side. The armour was painted orange, "This is from me and my parents Ezra."

"I…I…", Ezra stuttered.

"There is one last present though.", Sabine said interrupting her husband's stutter. At this Hera produced an object from behind her – Thor's helmet. "Dad wanted me to give this to you."

"Woah!", Ezra said.

"He looks like he's having sensory overload.", Chopper beeped.

"So, should we tell them?", Fenrir asked Hera, Kanan, Ahsoka and Tarre in a whisper, as the three looked at Ezra and Sabine who were completely engrossed in the party held on Krownest. The Lothwolf was jumping around everyone, receiving pets and even treats from passers-by.

"We probably should. But let's wait until something major happens.", Hera said.

D88/1 ABY

The final battle had been going for many days, with neither side budging. Fighting at the brim of Niflheim – were the forces of Aesir and Hel. Being led by Thor and Lucifer, the cost was too high. They orbited a small black hole created by Issho of Asgard. Kuzan and Laufey were locked in deadly combat. Thor was fighting the great Word Serpent – Jormungandr, whose power and strength equalled that of atleast ten archangels.

Bor fought Aegir, who had already killed the elven archangels – Galadriel and Celebrian and badly injured Queen Amaya – Archangel of Xadia and knocked out Castiel and Seleyse. Aegir and Bor had already dealt massive blows to each other, but Aegir's attacks had a more profound effect on Bor, dealing a deadly wound to him. This wound coupled with the poison damage that Bor had received on Zeltros now sealed his fate.

Lucifer was fighting Odin and Ygritte, while Michael possessing a metal suit made out of Uru, was leading a group comprised of Horsemen War, Pestilence and the six sins. All the while Death was at the helm of the battle, as he fought with Issho, Thranduil and Elrond. The three Seraphim were not strong enough to take on Death, but Death as it seemed had started to fight Lucifer's control over him.

Fighting the giant serpent, whose scales were as tough as Uru, Thor had already been bitten by his enemy which was nearly 10,000 feet big. Even in his Godly form, which was as big as his Cosmic form but was brighter than any star and enough to incinerate any mortal, Thor was still not having much luck. The same could be said of the other Aesir who were all fighting in their cosmic forms. Thor had felt the death of Galadriel and Celebrian, while he felt Amaya and Bor being terribly injured. But wait, he sensed something new. 'The portal has been opened.', Thor thought as he then summoned his strength and directed his thunder blast towards the serpent, briefly stunning it. Again, Thor tried to use the Bifrost to teleport the serpent away and again he was bitten by it. Thor then sensed the absence of Odin, Lucifer and Baldur in the force and he realised what had happened. On one knee, the Thunder God and Allfather of Asgard roared and gave a final charge towards his opponents, when suddenly a new portal opened underneath the World Serpent and it was sucked in. Thor sensed the familiar presence of two beings behind him, one of whom quickly engaged the enemies in front.

"GET UP THOR.", he heard the one who had charged scream at him. Thor roared and together the three of them charged at the enemy. One of them pulled out a blue cube and used it to destroy the Uru suit worn by Michael, while the second one trapped the Archangel Michael in an orb, "Never again will you cause trouble."

The two then turned towards Thor, who spoke, "Where have you two been?", before collapsing head first.

He was caught by the one who had trapped Michael. "Thor's dying.", he said to the first figure, who was now fighting the Celestials.

Near the portal, that Ygritte had opened at Odin's orders by using the rings of the Horsemen, were Odin and Lucifer (possessing Baldur). Odin had disarmed Lucifer and was holding the 'Bringer of the Apocalypse' in a bear hug, taking on his full force as the third king of Asgard jumped into the portal. As the three of them were sucked in the portal began to close. Ygritte yelled "NO" and ran towards the portal but was stopped by Death, who laid a hand on her, "Do not dishonour his sacrifice. Odin knew how it will all end." Behind him was her brother Issho, her cousin Elrond, and Thranduil who had all sensed this.

With Lucifer back in the cage, his hold over Aegir had broken. Aegir then stumbled and got one knee, surveying the carnage and his heart was filled with rage at the one who had done this to him. Aegir then roared and with his godly powers he incinerated every demon and frost giant within a radius of 1000 klicks. After that he turned towards the broken form of Amaya and extended his hand in an attempt to heal her.

"It's no use my lord,", she croaked, "My time has come. As has Bor's.", she said pointing to the Archangel who was on one knee protecting the two unconscious Seraphim behind him.

"I sense Thor's life force is ebbing away.", Bor said to Aegir, "My lord, transfer my and Amaya's powers and life force to him. It is the only way to save his life." Aegir nodded at this. Amaya and Bor extended their hands and their powers, knowledge, memories and life force flowed from them and into Aegir's hands. "I am truly sorry for what my actions have wrought.", he spoke in a regretful tone.

Kuzan swung his sword and sliced off Laufey's head. He then limped on one knee as the other one had been lopped off my Laufey. 'This battle had lasted so many days', he thought. Kuzan then steadied himself with the help of his wings and his sword and faced the Frost Giants. But they would not attack. Instead they all bowed to him and said, "All Hail Kuzan – King of the Frost Giants and Jotunheim."

As Ygritte and Issho hurried towards Thor, Elrond and Thranduil had gone to check on the unconscious – Castiel and Seleyse, and saw the dead bodies of the four archangels.

Reaching Thor's position, Ygritte saw the two newcomers, while Issho felt their presence, with one of them fighting the Celestials. Immediately Issho and Ygritte joined him. At the same time Aegir was attending the wounds of the young king.

"Hold him still, Prince Loki.", Aegir spoke.

"My lord, what is in your hand?", the newcomer – Loki Odinson asked.

"The wish of your grandparents Prince Loki.", Aegir answered as he thrust his palm filled with everything Bor and Amaya had given to him into Thor's chest. The effect was immediate as Thor's eye opened and he felt new found power within him. Hearing the voices of the two dead archangels within him – "We will always be with you Thor.", Thor got up and looked at Loki. The two smiled at each other and Thor pulled him into a crushing hug. Releasing him, Thor said, "Kuzan is surrounded by Frost Giants. Help him brother." Loki nodded at this, and Thor saw Loki's face, dark bags under his eyes, and scars around the sides of his face. 'We will talk later and to our hearts fill.', they both thought as Loki rushed off to aid Kuzan. While Thor and Aegir turned their attention towards the Celestials, who had suddenly disappeared thanks to the second newcomer using the blue cube in his hand. As he turned to face the Aesir and Aegir, he smiled. The All-Seeing Guardian of Asgard – Heimdall had returned.