Chapter Twenty-Five

With the combined efforts of Naruto, Sakura, and Haku Kakashi made it to the hospital and was currently in the ICU. They weren't permitted to remain there waiting for results, and the hospital staff wasn't looking too friendly towards Naruto anyway, so they went out into Konoha trying to find ways to help. On the way out, Naruto stopped when he saw an Anbu bring in a familiar face.

"Ami?" He asked, coming up to the purple-haired girl he lived with. "Are you okay?"

Ami shook her head, teeth chattering and unable to speak. There was traces of ice in her hair and clothes, her skin was pale and her lips were turning blue. The Anbu took her away before Naruto could ask anything further, getting her a blanket in the process.

Sakura put her hand on Naruto's shoulder. "She'll be fine. For now we should see who else needs help."

Naruto nodded and the three left the hospital uninterrupted this time. They split up, Naruto heading towards the Ichirakus, Sakura heading towards her neighborhood, and Haku checking out the market.

Naruto got to the ramen shop and saw it was vacant, making him worry. On the plus side there was just frost on the building and curtains which was already melting, but that only made him feel a little better. He turned around and then he saw Minato stop by him.

"Dad? Is something wrong?"

"Several things, but right now you and I are going to get started on something that can make this better."

"What? What can we do?"

Minato put a hand on his son's shoulder. "Let's get to your home and pack anything you need for a long trip. While you're at it, have a few clones tell your friends that you're going to be on a mission to find a medic. And summon Hizashi here, I think his brother is going to need him for a bit today."

Naruto arched an eyebrow, but he nodded and the two went to the whiskered blonde's apartment.

After the council meeting ended everyone went home and tried to plan out how to figure out if Loki had done anything to their clans too. They had to be careful, because judging from the patterns Loki's tricks wouldn't be immediately obvious, and with so many harmed by the frost giant a head count was already questionable even if no one else had been recruited by the god.

Hiashi made it back to his home and had no idea what to do. None at all, and as a clan head that worried him. If Minato was telling the truth, and he had no reason to believe he hadn't, then his nephew Neji had just betrayed the village and potentially humanity itself to work with a god that intended to destroy the world in the upcoming years. And considering that Sasuke's own teammates had been aware of Sasuke's potential betrayal for some time now, that means Neji had been planning his own desertion of Konoha for maybe just as long, and no one had noticed it until it was too late.

Sitting in his den, his sanctuary from the rest of the world, Hiashi looked at his hands and they trembled as they slowly formed into a seal. One he had to use several times in his life, and hoped to never have to do in this case. Once ready, he paused then got ready to channel chakra through them and trigger the needed jutsu.

Then he stopped himself and let his hands fall limp before him.

"I can't do it." He said to himself, sounding exhausted. "How could I face Hizashi again if I do that? As a clan head, I know I should, but as an uncle..."

He sighed and hung his head. He almost wanted to cry, but at the same he was so used to being stoic that his body was resisting the desire.

"Hello brother."

Hiashi looked up and saw the ghostly form of his brother. He wanted to smile and greet him, but right now he felt only shame. "Hizashi, I have terrible news."

"The boy who summoned me informed me, along with his father." Hizashi stated, making Hiashi feel somewhat better. "I can't believe it. My son has aligned himself with Loki?"

"It's my fault." Hiashi said. "It's all our faults actually. The entire Main House. We spend so much time forcing obedience out of the Branch House that we never even consider giving them a reason to be loyal to us or Konoha. They serve not because they want to, but because it's the only choice they're allowed to make. I'm honestly not surprised that when given the chance to escape Neji would do it."

"Still, to work for Loki of all beings. What could he have that Neji would want?"

Hiashi shrugged. "Don't ask me, I don't know anything about this Loki."

"But you do know about Neji. What motivates him beyond the seal?" Hizashi asked.

The Hyuuga head sighed. "Not much other than a need to prove his superiority over those he considers inferior to him. Even after he wins that's not enough for him, he goes further to claim that they were fated to lose to him and never had a chance to win."

"That's a low blow." Hizashi noted.

Hiashi couldn't help but nod. "He did it more than that. He would take any opportunity he could to mock others, claiming they were fated to be unlucky or insignificant or whatever. He on the other hand was fated to succeed yet also fated to never get what he deserved for his success. I swear if I had a ryo for every time he said the word 'fate' I'd be able to double the size of the estate."

Hizashi narrowed his eyes and rubbed his chin. "He was fixated on fate? That much?" Hiashi nodded, and Hizashi's eyes widened. "Oh dear, I think I know what Loki offered my son."

"So we're going to go find a doctor?" Naruto asked when he left his apartment, supplies ready.

"Not just any doctor. The best doctor in the world, well this world at least." Minato claimed. "That ice attack came from a frost giant, so everyone affected by it is in critical care. Many can die if not treated, so we need the best doctor in the world to heal them."

"Why can't we ask a god to help heal them?" Naruto asked.

"That's a big request son, and prayers like that often require sacrifices or the willingness to risk your own life in battle. We're not going to start a war just to earn some favor right now and the only sacrifice I can think of on short notice that might work is the entire Forest of Death. We're not killing all the genin taking the Chuunin Exams for that."

Naruto sighed. "You'd think the gods would be more helpful."

"They're gods son, not genies. They're allowed to say no."

"You ready?" Jiraiya asked, coming up to the two blonde men.

Naruto raised an eyebrow. "Who are you?"

"Son this is Jiraiya, my sensei when I was your age and one of the strongest shinobi Konoha has ever seen." Minato said proudly. "He was also supposed to be your godfather, but I guess he had other things to do."

Naruto blinked, his eyes going wide. "What?"

"Minato, can we at least get started on our mission before you try to start a fight?" Jiraiya pleaded.

Minato frowned but nodded. "Very well, let's get started. Where are we heading?"

"The last place a contact of mine saw Tsunade she was at Natsukibana. That's the best lead I have for now."

Minato's frown grew. "We have to take my son there?"

"Just long enough for me to verify where to look next. I swear it won't take more than fifteen minutes top."

"Fine, and this time you better mean it."

Naruto looked confused. "What's so bad about this place Dad?"

"I'll tell you when we get there."

Sakura had been heading towards her house and neighborhood to see how damaged it had been. So far there appeared to be no remaining snow or ice, just puddles and dripping water from ledges. Perhaps this part had just been on the edge of the blast zone, which made her feel better.

"Sakura?"

Stopping in her tracks, Sakura turned to see the ghostly spirit of her father come towards her. Eyes watering a little she embraced him in a hug, glad that she didn't go through him. "Dad, thank you for showing up. Everything's gone wrong today."

"What happened?"

"We tried to stop Sasuke-kun from going off with Loki Dad, but we failed. Loki now has Sasuke-kun under his control and is going to use him to get Ragnarok started. And he brought a giant here who nearly froze everyone in Konoha."

"It's okay sweetheart, there's still time to stop him." Kizashi assured, stroking his daughter's head. "I'm no expert on these things, but everyone in Asgard knows about Ragnarok and there's one thing in your favor."

"What?" Sakura asked, desperate for something to hope for.

"Before it happens, there's this thing called Fimbulwinter. It's supposed to be a winter that lasts three years long, and Ragnarok can't happen until after it. That gives you three years to find Loki and stop him."

"Will that stop Ragnarok?"

Kizashi hesitated. "I'm not completely certain, but I want to say yes. If everything can be stopped before Fimbulwinter ends, I imagine that Ragnarok itself would be thwarted. And then everything would have to go back to the way it was before Fimbulwinter."

Sakura smiled. "It's the best we've got, isn't it?" Kizashi nodded. "How do I find out everything there is to know about Ragnarok?"

"Either get a god to explain it in detail, or find a book from the western lands. They know a lot more about these things than anyone in the east does. But you have time, Fimbulwinter hasn't started yet, but odds are if Loki's free that's the part he's working on starting next."

Sakura sighed. "I don't think we can act fast enough to prevent that Dad, unless you know something."

"I'm sorry."

Sakura went in to hug her father, glad she could despite his current state. "Why did all this have to happen Dad? Why did Loki target Sasuke-kun? And why did Sasuke-kun go along with it?"

"Loki has a way with people dear, it's what he's best known for. That and causing trouble. If Loki came to you odds are even you'd have a hard time turning down what he was asking you to do."

"I wouldn't do anything for him." Sakura insisted.

"So if Loki said he could make Sasuke fall in love with you and all you had to do was steal something or kill someone first, you wouldn't consider it?"

The pinkette girl blinked. "I... I..."

Kizashi nodded. "Not so easy to say no, is it? And you know Loki is a bad guy, so imagine how hard it is for someone who doesn't know."

"At least we stopped Sasuke-kun from escaping." Sakura sighed in relief, then gasped in shock. "Wait, I haven't seen him since the giant. He's still in the holding cells, right?"

"I have no way of knowing."

Sakura let go for her father. "Sorry Dad, but I need to make sure Sasuke-kun is still here in Konoha."

"I'll help you."

The two Haruno left the house, heading to the hokage tower.

The first thing Sasuke noticed when he could see again was not the darkness of this new place, but the unnatural coldness. Wherever he was it was freezing, so much so that it was like he had just stepped inside a walk-in freezer that came with an air conditioner. If the temperature was in the double digits then he was a Hyuuga.

"Here human." Hel told him, handing him a bright red cloak. Sasuke was quick to put it on and he sighed at relief with the sensation of warmth that came with it. It was almost like wearing a campfire without getting burned. "It's made from Musspellheim silk and is the only thing I have that will keep you warm in this realm. Do not lose it if you wish to remain alive here."

Sasuke made sure that his cloak was secure on him after hearing that. "Where am I?"

Looking around he saw a vast tundra with some mountains peaking out of the snow and a black sky devoid of stars. In one place there was a gigantic skeleton laying buried in the snow. Sasuke had no idea what it had been in life or what had killed it.

"This is my realm, Niflheim. The world of the dishonored dead, where those not chosen by the gods or valkyries are forced to spend their eternities." Hel informed him.

'This is where my clan is.' Sasuke thought.

"For now, you will remain here where the Aesir and Vanir cannot tread. I will inform many of my denizens who wish for a chance to fight in Ragnarok to teach you all that you can learn."

"I can be taught directly by my clan?" Sasuke asked for clarification.

Hel nodded. "Your clan and anyone else who has something to contribute and a desire to avenge their own death. By the time you are ready, you should have no trouble going on Loki's quest for the equipment you will need to truly bring out your ultimate potential."

Sasuke smiled at this offer, certain he had just won the jackpot.

Neji was used to being active, as a prodigy genin and student of Might Guy he was quite used to being held to high standards. The run from Konoha and the trek through that weird tree being chased by a monstrous squirrel hadn't been that bad, but once he was allowed to stop he almost collapsed. Apparently he had underestimated just how much adrenaline he had been using in all that, and now that it was over he needed a breather.

"Good, we're here." Loki stated.

"Where is here?" Neji asked, looking around. At first he could barely see anything, just rock walls and floors like he was in a cave with no entrance or exit in sight. There was a light source, some strange line of moss going along the roof like electric wiring, except it glowed a soft blue. Not enough to be considered sufficient lighting, but enough that he could see without having to use the byakugan.

"This is Nidavellir, the realm of the dwarves." Loki told him. "Everyone who lives in this realm lives underground, so expect it to be quite dirtier than you're used to."

"Is this where I'll find what you promised me?" Neji asked.

Loki shook his head. "No, they are not here and you are not ready to take them down anyway."

Neji clenched a fist. "You promised me that-"

"I know what I promised boy and I intend to carry out my end of the deal. You on the other hand need to learn the concept of 'time and place'."

"I've waited my entire life for this, I'm done waiting. Now get me to-"

Neji was cut off by Loki coming in and slapping him across the face, then doing it again and again. Neji collapsed to his back and then was pinned down by Loki's foot on his chest, right over his heart.

"I had to deal with a snake dripping venom right into my eyes for a thousand years boy. Do you want to experience that too?" Loki asked, leaning down with a menacing look in his eyes.

Neji was afraid, but the worst part was he didn't know what he was afraid of. Maybe it was the torture that Loki mentioned, maybe it was the malicious intent coming off the god of mischief, or maybe it was him for once asking if he had made a mistake in agreeing to accompany this man.

Weeks ago, around the same time Sasuke was being given his offer to join in Loki's forces, Neji was approached by the god directly in the privacy of his own room. Neji still had no idea how Loki got in there unnoticed, but he was quick to learn that Loki was a force other than mere human. Loki did this by resisting the juuken as well as Naruto had done and turning most of his body to stone with some kind of liquid before turning it back to flesh with another. Once he had Neji's attention, Loki told him that he knew exactly what it was he truly wanted, and how to make it a reality. All Neji had to do was leave everything behind and do a few tasks on behalf of the trickster god, then one day Neji would have all his dreams come true.

"Now Neji, what you want, while achievable, will not be easy to accomplish. Your enemies will be prepared and likely aware of most of your actions if not all. Fortunately for you, there is something that will make it easier for you to do this despite the risk and give you an advantage. I need to find one more detail to make it work, so until then train here where no one can get to you and stock up on some dwarven wares. They'll make you work for it but trust me the resources they can provide will be worth it."

"I need no weapons." Neji insisted.

"To achieve your goal not you not unwilling to break out of your comfort zone?" Loki asked.

Neji inhaled. "Very well. I will do so."

Loki smiled. "Good. I'll be back with what you need to get started." He went down a cave tunnel and turned around a corner, disappearing from sight.

Neji grinned and went in the direction of the only sounds he could hear. 'Soon, I will find those people he called the Norns, and after I kill them I will be the one and only master of fate. Not just mine, but everyone.'