Ensoulment

by Valerie Vancollie
valeriev84 at hotmail dot com

Notes: I'm back! And with a new chapter as promised. A new pov too; Thor's.

I also have a question, someone's PM'd me asking about my writing process and how stories developed from their original ideas. As this is a shorter (for me) fic, the original story notes were not all that long. Would anyone else be interested in seeing them? Some elements from that were dropped entirely, others developed differently from expected, and new items appeared that weren't in those notes. If you are interested, I'll tag another 'chapter' onto the fic over at AO3 (they don't allow that stuff here) and put the original story notes after the epilogue. Let me know.

Rhea, 2018 A.D.

As Nebula had informed them, Rhea was indeed a lush beautiful world which provided ample opportunities for a stealthy approach of their target. The need for such an approach still bothered Thor, even if he did understand it. It was not honorable and Thor wished he could face Thanos without the need for it. Too much was at stake, though, including perhaps his brother's life and for that he would do anything.

Thor smiled sadly as he wondered if Loki would be pleased with the fact that for him Thor was doing this. It was fitting.

"Rotten stealing little bandit!" Stark muttered beside him.

"Oh, get over it, Stark!" Romanov hissed. "He needed a second weapon."

"He could have asked!"

Thor frowned as he glanced at his shield-brother and sister. Much had transpired while he was away and he would have preferred not to go into battle with them so angered at each other. His and Banner's inquires into the events which had led to the fight were quite disturbing. Particularly when the Romanov and the captain had attempted to gain their favor. After what had transpired with Loki, Thor could not condone the keeping of secrets, as he knew it destroyed trust. Nor could he condone the dishonorable behavior involved in joining one side and then betraying it for the other.

"The rabbit does have a habit of stealing," Thor replied softly.

"Rabbit?" Stark asked.

"Aye. My eye was stolen from someone."

"Your eye?" Strange questioned.

Thor pointed at it. "I lost it during the battle with Hela."

"I had wondered about the color change," Stark stated.

Thor was about to reply when the communications device Stark had given them crackled at his ear.

"We have eyes on Thanos," Rogers stated.

"What's he doing?" Romanov immediately asked.

"That's just it, he seems to be asleep."

"Asleep?" Stark repeated in surprise. "What, outside?"

"Yes."

"This is not normal for him," Nebula remarked. "He is vulnerable here."

"That's like calling a sleeping Doberman vulnerable," the Machine of War retorted. "He's still wearing the gauntlet, though it appears to be damaged."

"Share your view?" Stark asked. "Got it. Huh."

"We were hoping for an opportunity," General Okoye reminded them. "We will not have a better one than this."

"Normally I would say it is dishonorable to attack a sleeping foe, but there has been no honor in his actions," Thor said. "And Loki would approve of me performing such an action in his name."

"My brother would not, but he would do what was necessary for our people," Princess Shuri replied. "Wakanda forever!"

"Wakanda forever," General Okoye echoed.

"We see him now too," Banner's voice said, speaking for the second of their three groups. "There's a structure behind him. A wooden home I think."

"Do you think the exterior is a façade?" Stark asked.

"Father often spoke of living simply here," Nebula replied. "We were not sure he would truly do so for any length of time, but he seemed to believe it enough to try."

"We can see him now too," Thor said as his group came to the edge of the lush plant life.

The land sloped down into a field whose crops stood high enough to conceal their further approach though Thor did not think it necessary as Thanos did appear to be slumbering where he sat.

"So whaddaya think, Brucie bear?" Stark asked. "Do you suppose this time we'll get a Code Green when we want it?"

Banner laughed. "Oh, yeah, just seeing him is making the Other Guy strain to get out. He wants a rematch."

"Well just hold it in for now," Rogers said. "Given that Thanos seems to be sleeping, I think we should try to get the gauntlet off first, before we alert him to our presence."

"It won't work," Nebula warned. "Father will wake before you succeed."

"We have to try," Romanov countered. "Besides, even if he wakes, we'll be far closer than we'd get if we simply charged right in."

"Those in category one approach," Rogers ordered. "Bruce, be prepared for a Code Green should Thanos wake."

Carefully, Thor made his approach, Loki's voice echoing in his head from all of the times had he failed to make a stealthy approach. Normally his brother would send him to be the distraction instead. He supposed he still was that even if most of the Avengers thought themselves to be the main thrust of the attack.

It felt surprisingly good to be part of one of his brother's plans again, even if Thor did not know precisely what Loki intended. It was something he had not allowed himself to think of during those past few years, but ever since Sakaar where his brother had not seemed so mad, his old hope had been rekindled against his will. Particularly after what Loki had said and done during the confrontation with Thanos onboard the Statesman. If his brother had truly wished him dead as he had occasionally thought since the incident with the Destroyer on Miðgarðr, then Loki would not have handed over the Tesseract.

While Thor was still not pleased Thanos had gained the Space Stone, its acquisition had given him hope regarding his brother. As had Loki's return for them and their people on Ásgarðr. His brother had not had to do that, especially not after how he had left Loki on Sakaar. It shamed him now to think of what he had done, but he had been so angry at Loki. Why could his brother not simply refrain from his tricks for once and cease causing endless chaos?

As Thor approached the crops with Stark flying by his side, he saw the Machine of War and Rogers approaching from Thanos' other side. Glancing towards the left he could see where Banner, General Okoye, Princess Shuri and the rabbit waited at the edge of the forest. It had been decided only those in category one would partake in close confrontations with the Mad Titan if at all possible as they were most likely to survive. Romanov, Rocket, Nebula and Strange would standby to approach if necessary while General Okoye and Princess Shuri would attack from afar with Banner remaining with them unless the Hulk was required.

Thor did not agree with all of the plan, but he knew Rogers needed to have one before attacking Thanos. The rest he knew would happen once they actually commenced battle.

"I don't like this," Stark stated as they came within striking distance. "Surely even as overconfident at he is, Thanos would have some kind of warning system in place?"

"Like I said before, this is not like my father," Nebula agreed.

They were now close enough to see more of the Mad Titan and Thor frowned as he caught the rapid movement behind Thanos' closed eyelids. It was accompanied by a restless twitching of his muscles and the occasional spark of seiðr from the gauntlet.

"Loki," Thor realized suddenly.

"What?" Rogers questioned.

"My brother is responsible for this. Thanos' slumber is neither natural nor restful."

Stark laughed. "Trust Loki to cause mayhem and chaos from even beyond the grave."

"Quick!" Colonel Rhodes said. "Before he wakes. Who knows how long a dead man can hold Thanos down?"

Thor met Rogers' eyes across the Mad Titan before they both leapt forward, reaching for the gauntlet. They had decided to attempt to remove it rather than take off the Titan's arm as they feared the potential backlash from the Infinity Stones at so aggressive an act. Much as Thor wished, he also could not guarantee he could do so in one blow, even with Stormbreaker after how his axe had failed to kill Thanos before despite all of the rage and force he had utilized when striking at his foe.

The blast of seiðr which hit them as soon as they touched the gauntlet sent Rogers flying back and made Thor grit his teeth. Luckily he had plenty of experience in dealing with unexpected bursts of seiðr from back when Loki had first been learning to control his own power that he could resist it, though it seemed to have struck harder at the captain than at him. The Man of Iron was immediately at his side, taking Rogers' place and together they began to pull the gauntlet free.

With a roar Thanos awoke, his eyes snapping open even as his fists clenched.

"Shit, look out!" Colonel Rhodes cried out as more power rushed from the gauntlet.

This time Thor was sent flying and he only just managed to twist himself around to land properly before he struck the ground. With a growl, he called forth his lightning and threw it at Thanos, striking the Mad Titan in the chest and away from his far more vulnerable shield-brothers.

"Code Green," Rogers snapped out. "Everyone attack!"

"You dare!" Thanos demanded, rising to his feet and sending both War Machine and Iron Man crashing to the ground with a mere wave of his hand.

The others rushed forward with the rabbit leading the charge despite his small size. Thor knew from the previous battle on Miðgarðr how much damage his little friend's gun could do. Now, however, when the rabbit tried to use it all that happened was for a flag to appear out the end with the word Bang! written on it.

"What the hell?" Rocket demanded.

"The Reality Stone," Nebula stated. "It can twist any of our weapons into whatever Father wants. Or any of us."

The words startled Thor as he had not witnessed the Aether performing any such actions while in Malekith's hands. As if to prove Nebula's latter words correct, though, a flick of Thanos' wrist had the Machine of War falling apart into all of the suit's constituent parts. With Colonel Rhodes still inside each part.

"Rhodey!" Stark cried out, diving to his friend's side.

Furious at the loss of yet another companion, Thor called forth his power and flew at Thanos with all his might even as he heard the first roar of the Hulk behind him. Instead of meeting its target, Stormbreaker unraveled in his hands, the head falling to the ground in the blocks of Uru used to create it while the handle loosened until all Thor held was what looked suspiciously like Groot's arm.

The shock distracted Thor long enough for Thanos to grasp him by the neck, much as he had held Loki just before killing him. The reminder of his brother's death unleashed his fury and he struck out with his power, calling down the biggest lightning bolt he could. Rather than strike the Mad Titan, however, it branched off, striking several of his friends instead and he stopped it immediately, relieved to see Rogers had managed to throw his two shields in front of Romanov and Rocket, neither of whom he thought could have survived a direct strike.

"Where is he?" Thanos demanded, shaking Thor like he weighed nothing.

Thor choked, scrabbling at the fingers wrapped around his throat while his legs kicked helplessly. Was this what it had felt like for Loki when he had died, struggling uselessly against Thanos' unrelenting hold?

Before Thor could even think to attempt a reply, the Hulk was there, smashing into them. Though Thanos was sent skidding back, his hold never loosened on Thor's throat and he could do nothing as the force of the blow caused him to swing wildly in the Mad Titan's grasp, pain lancing up and down from his abused neck and throat.

"Release godling!" Hulk demanded, arms snapping to the side, prepared to fight.

"You bore me," Thanos replied, flicking his gauntlet covered hand and sending Banner back, right into a newly appeared portal.

"Bruce!" Romanov cried out in alarm.

"Relax," Strange's voice came over Thor's communication device. "I saw the Bast in the background. He's not been sent into space."

"If he destroys the ship, we will be stuck here!" General Okoye replied.

"Where is he?" Thanos growled once more, cutting off Thor's air supply despite seemingly wanting an answer.

"Where is who?" Rogers demanded for him.

"Loki!"

The desire to laugh bubbled up within Thor. He had been right, it had been his brother who had been responsible for Thanos' distraction earlier. Had he not been on the wrong end of it so often himself, he would be far more appreciative of Loki's ability to distract and ensnare his chosen victims.

"You killed him yourself," Nebula said. "Just as you killed my sister!"

With those words there was a sudden barrage of attacks, all striking Thanos simultaneously, from shields, to repulsor blasts, to Wakandian energy beams, to bullets, to a vibranium spear. The Mad Titan roared, sending a blast of purple seiðr from the gauntlet, throwing everyone back before a cry emerged from Thanos' throat. The unexpected pain clearly caught him off-guard as Thor felt the grasp on his neck weaken. He immediately called forth more lighting but directed it through his hands this time, discharging it right into his foe's arm. He was released with another cry and dropped to the ground.

"What the hell?" Stark asked, already flying back towards them.

Straightening from where he had fallen, Thor looked back at Thanos to find the Mad Titan with an expression of pain of his face while his free hand clutched at the other, just above the gauntlet. The Soul Stone glowed an angry orange where it was placed into the battered metal.

"What just happened?" Colonel Rhodes questioned and Thor turned to stare at the Machine of War in surprise.

"You're back!" Princess Shuri exclaimed.

"From what?"

"How?" Rogers demanded.

"The pain is distracting Thanos," Strange concluded. "Strong seiðr takes concentrated effort, something he doesn't have just now."

Which would explain why some of their weapons had just worked when they had not earlier.

"For Groot!" Rocket cried out, leaping forwards, stolen repulsor raised high.

"Rabbit, nay!" Thor called out in warning but it was too late.

In pain or not, Thanos was still a formidable foe and he was clearly able to utilize the gauntlet to some level as Rocket's blast went wide, circling around its intended target to hit Rogers who only just managed to raise a shield in time. Then the Titan was reaching out, grasping Rocket by the tail. Before Thor could even think to attack, the rabbit had been thrown, sailing high over them all to vanish into Rhea's lush forest with a cry of alarm and pain.

"Where is Loki!" Thanos screamed. "I will teach him the price of betraying me. I will make him long for something as sweet as pain!"

The threat against his brother combined with all of Thor's pain and grief at losing Loki and he felt his power welling within him as never before.

"Thor, no!" Rogers cried out.

Thor ignored the captain, feeling lightning crackling and coursing all over his body as he charged at the Mad Titan, slamming into him with the full force of his rage and power. His strike coincided with another surge of power from the Soul Stone and Thanos roared as they were sent flying, crashing into the wooden house Banner had noticed earlier. Thor continued to channel his lightning into his foe, only vaguely aware as the others flooded into the house through the hole he had created.

A snap of purple seiðr finally knocked Thor aside and he crashed into General Okoye as he was flung aside. Thanos, though, kept trashing as orange light filled the chamber in an angry glow.

"What is going on?" Princess Shuri questioned.

"Something is wrong," Strange replied. "The Infinity Stones seem to be resisting him."

"Can we touch the gauntlet without being affected?" Rogers demanded.

"I don't know."

"Could you feel it, Thor?" Romanov asked.

"Nay, it..." Thor began, uncertain. "I did not seem to wish me ill."

"What the hell does that mean?" Stark demanded.

"We'll have to risk it," Colonel Rhodes stated, already stepping forwards.

Even as the Machine of War did so, more orange seiðr crackled across the Mad Titan's hand and arm, leaving behind burns and scorch marks wherever if fell. With another cry, Thanos clawed at the ruined gauntlet, wrenching it off and sending it flying across the chamber where it bounced once, twice, before disintegrating entirely. The remaining momentum kept the six Infinity Stones bouncing along until they hit the far wall and spilled onto the ground. For one endless moment no one moved, unable to believe that they had just succeeded, but then it was abruptly severed as raw power washed through the air once more, angry and uncompromising.

Red, purple, green, yellow, blue and orange light filled the chamber as the Infinity Stones shone with their power once more, rising up off the floor to swirl into the air, spinning. Thor glanced over at Strange, trying to gauge if the seiðmadr understood what was happening, but he too looked surprised. Then Thor looked back to find the Stones shifting into a new pattern and his breath caught in his throat as it became clear.

A pentagram with the Soul Stone at its core.

Suddenly the five surrounding stones began to spin around the Soul Stone, going faster and faster until they became a blur. Their light slowly dimmed even as the orange became stronger, shining so bright Thor was eventually forced to look away and close his eyes. Then there was a wave of power so great it knocked him off his feet and everything was orange.

So, I hope that was worth the extra day's wait! And if you expected anything other than another cliffhanger, well, then you clearly don't know me well enough yet :)

Do let me know what you think and whether you're interested in seeing those story notes later.

Up tomorrow: Valhöll, Frigga, Loki, Óðinn & Sága!

Old Norse:
seiðr - witchcraft, sorcery / a type of sorcery practiced in Norse society during the Late Scandinavian Iron Age - i.e. magic
seiðmadr - a combination of seiðr ("witchcraft") + maðr ("man") - i.e. wizard/sorcerer/mage