Chapter 37

Calling

The cheers echoed throughout the realm, as fireworks boomed in the sky, trumpets rang, and songs were sung throughout the kingdom. Their hero prince had returned from his victory over a great evil, and all of Asgard gathered to celebrate. Forges were cold, and shops were closed, for today none, could stand to miss the event. Those who could not be present still observed from afar, for all must honor one who lived up to truest ideals of Asgard.

By his cleverness, the Frost Giants were quelled. By his strength, Midgard had been saved from the machinations of a rogue god. By his virtue, the genocidal plans of a Mad Titan were foiled. None could stand against this hero. He would be the one to lead them into a new age. The crown prince of Asgard was mighty indeed.

They eagerly gathered at the palace, a gathering not seen in ages, all cheering as their hero walked towards the palace, red cape flowing behind him. Men pumped their fists as he flexed, and women swooned at his radiant smile. The applause was deafening.

As the prince approached the pedestal, the soldiers bowed. His companions, Sif, and the Warriors Three bowed as well. Frigga smiled as he walked past her. He then stood up on the pedestal, and turned to face his people.

Loki, Crown Prince of Asgard, Protector of the Nine Realms raised his hands and the cheering intensified. He called out with his will, and Mjolnir answered. He raised the divine weapon into the air, a bolt of lightning striking it, and the crowd went wild.

"Loki. What are you doing?" Frigga suddenly asked.

"I'm giving the people what they want." He answered.

"Does all this make you feel better?"

"It certainly doesn't make me feel worse."

"Cast too may illusions and you risk forgetting what is real."

"Precisely."

The world faded away. The cheering crowds and golden palace were replaced with the cold reality of a cell. A cell in which he was consigned to spend the rest of his long, long, life.

"The books I sent. Do they not interest you?" Frigga asked.

"Is that how I am to while away eternity? Reading?"

"I have done everything in my power to make you comfortable."

"Have you? Does Odin share your concern? Does Thor? It must be so inconvenient, them asking after me day and night."

Frigga's expression became more stern. "You know full well it was your own actions that brought you here."

"My actions." Loki sneered. "I was merely giving truth to the lie that I'd been fed my entire life: That I was born to be a king."

"A king?" Frigga questioned. "A true king admits his faults. What of the lives you took on earth?"

"A mere handful compared to the numbers that Odin has taken himself."

"Your father-"

"HE'S NOT MY FATHER!" Loki suddenly snapped.

Frigga remained silent for a few seconds before calmly asking. "Then am I not your mother?"

Loki took a deep breath, hesitating slightly before steeling himself. "You're not."

He didn't know what he wanted or expected to happen. For Frigga to snap back. For her to cry. For her to remain stoic. However, instead she gave a brief snort of laughter, and stepped forwards. "You're always so perceptive… about everyone but yourself."

She stepped forwards, hands outstretched. Loki slowly took them, only for his own hands to pass through the illusion. There was a flash of light, and then, Frigga was gone.

Loki sighed. Maybe she would be back, maybe she wouldn't. He wasn't sure if he cared at this moment. Instead, he slumped over to the bed in his cell. Indeed his cell had comforts that the other prisoners lacked. A luxury bed, comfy chairs, an exquisite dining set, access to as many books as he wanted. It was a cozy room but a gilded cage was still indeed a cage.

He deserved to spread his wings, to show the world what he could do. He had come so close to that on Midgard, only for that glorious plan to be ruined by his idiot brother and a bunch of stupid mortals. And now here he was, stuck in a cell, with nobody to give him his proper dues.

Loki began idly tossing a cup.

Sure, he wasn't alone. This prison was becoming more populated by the day, and it wasn't hard to guess why. Thor had destroyed the Bifrost in order to stop him from destroying Jotunheim. All for the glory of a kingdom that he was increasingly realizing wasn't worth the effort.

But that aside, without quick access to the other realms, bandits, raiders and warlords were free to wreak havoc as they saw fit. But presumably, the Bifrost had been fixed, and now they were reasserting their authority.

Which left him with so many more friends, every single day. He should be thanking Odin, but he doubted the god would really appreciate the gratitude. These Marauders were not likely going to be imprisoned for life, but they were imbeciles, easy to manipulate. Newcomers would bring in news of the outside world, and as they would be let out one day, he could use them to stage a breakout for himself.

It would be a long game, but here, time was all he truly had. He would-

Loki suddenly paused in his scheming. He heard something outside his cell. A commotion?

The time was nigh and for his cause, Algrim was willing to bear any humiliation. Being 'captured' by the Aesir. Being lumped into a prison cell with lowlifes and bandits. It would all be worth it in the end.

Now, when the guards suspected nothing, he acted. Pulling up his armor, he revealed a hidden wound, enabling him to smuggle into prison the one thing he needed to escape. From the wound he pulled a Kurse Stone, the arcane device radiating darkness, even when soaked in his own blood.

The other prisoners looked at him with curiosity, but they were irrelevant. Instead, he crushed the device in his grip. Almost immediately, the transformation began. His body warped and blazed as pure darkness surged through him, extinguishing the last vestiges of the taint of light that remained within his Heart. The transformation was extremely painful, but it would grant him power beyond belief.

The transformation into one of the Kursed was not just a boost in power, but it was the closest they could get to the state of perfection they had before the coming of light. He would become darkness, doomed to this existence until it killed him. His Heart would eventually would give out, the banished light returning and the conflict destroying him. But until then, he was nigh unstoppable. He roared as darkness surged out of him slamming into his cellmates, who were currently beating against the barrier, crying for help.

His transformation was complete, his armor melding with his skin, creating a towering beast that would strike fear into his enemies. Algrim could already hear the Aesir guards coming. He grinned as they approached, picking up one of the Marauders and slamming his face into the barrier. The man screamed and jerked as his body was seared and electrocuted. The guards hesitated in fear for a brief moment.

Perfect…

Algrim smote the barrier with his fist, the single blow tearing it down. Alarms blared as he dropped the Marauder and stepped forwards to engage with the Aesir.

One swung a sword to strike against his shoulder, though it did nothing, same as the spear his companion thrust with. He grabbed guards by their necks, and lifted them into the air. He then let darkness surge out of him and into the Aesir. They screamed and jerked as their Hearts were flooded with darkness.

Algrim dropped them to the ground, and they lay still. In a few seconds their Hearts emerged from their bodies, to become engulfed in darkness, transforming into armored heartless while the husks of their bodies faded away.

Algrim paused as he heard several guards on the floor above rushing towards the prison. He sent the Heartless to rampage through the palace. Next he added to the chaos. As he passed by each prison cell, he smashed it open, releasing the prisoners within, who eagerly leaped out of their cells to make bids for freedom.

At the end of the prison, he paused. This cell only contained one creature and was far more luxurious than the others. Though he looked Asgardian, his scent was different. He smelled of snow and ice. Algrim was then reminded of the Jotunn, the Frost Giants of Jotunheim. Though why this one was so small and disguised as an Aesir was a mystery to him. Additionally, they showed no fear of Algrim, and seemed to be examining him the same as he was examining them.

Algrim then paused. The guards were getting closer. He didn't have time to waste. This runt of a Giant seemed too risky to free, so he let him be. He had a mission.

It was then that he heard the Jotunn speak. "You might want to take the stairs to the left."

Algrim turned back, to find the Jotunn smirking. He pondered his advice, and then continued on his way.

She supposed Nagisa was right. Seeing Asgard would do her some good. There wasn't anything she could do for Nagisa's condition for the moment, so exploring the city in her stead would be best. At least she wouldn't have to worry. Madoka had already seen the city, and elected to keep Nagisa company, wanting the others to have an opportunity to enjoy the golden realm. And it had certainly turned out to be a lovely day. After stopping for a delicious lunch at a restaurant. Now, they had met up with Thor, and he was eagerly regaling them with tales of his adventures.

"Aliens! In New York City!" Sayaka exclaimed loudly. "And you teamed up with superheroes to fight them?! That's amazing!"

"Yes, the Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes. Together, we repelled the invasion of Chitauri, as Loki led them to seek conquest over Midgard."

"Awesome!" Sayaka's eyes were wide and bright.

"Eh, are you so sure?" Kyoko said, rolling her eyes.

"How can it not be? Actual superheroes!" Sayaka said.

"Geez, what are you, 5?"

"What are you, 50?" Sayaka shot back.

"Now now, let's not get carried away." Mami said, quelling the argument between the two girls before it could escalate further.

"I mean, were kinda like superheroes ourselves!" Sayaka said, transforming into her costume.

"Yeah, because runnin' around in such a big cape is so smart!"

"What do you have against capes?" Thor asked, amusedly, as a red cape emerged from the back of his armor.

"Yeah, they're cool!"

Kyoko grinned and then grabbed Sayaka's cape, flicking it over her head. "That."

"Oh yeah?" Sayaka responded by grabbing Kyoko's hood and pulling it over her eyes.

"Hey!"

"Alright, stop, before this gets out of hand, you two." Mami said sternly. Thankfully, the two obeyed, letting go of each other.

"Being a hero is about more than just fighting villains." Thor said. "You have to be able to inspire others to greatness as well, and it certainly helps to look the part."

Thor flourished his cape, and a gust of wind blew it out dramatically. Sayaka drew a sword and struck a pose too. Mami smiled and donned her costume as well, forming a musket to pose along side them.

"Y'all look ridiculous." Kyoko said.

"Honestly, you're the one who looks ridiculous, standing out like that." Sayaka shot back, noting the crowd that was appearing.

Kyoko sighed. "Fine. Fine."

She transformed, summoned a spear, and struck a pose alongside the others, to the applause and cheers of the crowd. Mami internally sighed in relief. Even though Kyoko seemed determined to scowl, a smile was starting to creep its way across her face.

Then, the alarms sounded.

"What's going on?" Sayaka asked, looking towards the palace where they were coming from.

"The prison!" Thor said. "Stay here, I'll go deal with this!"

He began running, and as he leaped off a balcony, Mjolnir flew into his grip, flying him towards the palace.

Heimdall had the power of Sight. He could cast his gaze almost anywhere in the universe. There were indeed very few things beyond his sight. He had noted the prison riot when the alarms sounded, though with Thor moving to the scene, that would shortly be handled. And thus, he returned to his position, as the guardian of Asgard's gates.

Except that he was not alone. Though he could not see something, he could definitely hear it. What was tha-

An engine! Heimdall realized. There was a cloaked ship approaching! Immediately he took off, leaving the Observatory and heading out onto the bridge. He still couldn't see the ship, but he could hear it as it approached. He leaped off the bridge and onto one of the railings, running up to the top of it. From here, he drew his daggers and leaped towards where the sound was coming from. It was a direct hit, a burning wound appeared in the air, quickly followed by the rest of the ship, a black vessel glowing with red light.

Heimdall inspected the wound. While it was a major hit, it would take more than that to bring down the ship. He looked around the ship, spotting an intake valve. Sliding down the side of the ship, he then hurled his dagger directly into the opening. It was sucked in and fire blossomed throughout the ship.

Heimdall leaped off the vessel as it went down in flames, crashing down onto the rainbow bridge. Though he breathed a sigh of relief, it was short lived, as he heard an even deeper engine sound. He turned to see an even bigger ship of the same style emerging.

Heimdall watched in horror as multiple smaller ships like the one he just destroyed emerged from that ship flying towards Asgard. Immediately, sirens blared, and turrets opened fire, as the ships streaked through.

There was no question. This was an invasion. Asgard was under attack. He rushed back into the Observatory, and plunged his sword into the pedestal. Energy surged throughout it, activating the shields that would protect the palace.

The ground shook as something streaked over them, closely followed by warning sirens being blared over the ship.

"What the hell?" Kyoko asked. She looked up, to see black ship streak over them, pursued by one of the Asgardian longboats, which was now shooting lasers at them.

"Is that a Dark Elf ship?!" Mami exclaimed.

Kyoko thought back to the hologram Odin had shown her. Well, it turned out that was one more thing he was wrong about. Because of course.

She then heard that familiar watery sound, the one that heralded the arrival of the Heartless, and indeed, they did come. Kyoko watched as the city was swarmed with dark corridors, out of which emerged Heartless of all kinds. From tiny Shadows to towering Behemoths. Among them were a strange heartless that wearing robes with hoods opened for pointy ears. Beneth the hoods, they wore strange masks with glowing eyes and jagged smiles. Their very long arms ended in razor sharp claws and as Kyoko watched, darkness gathered, shaping itself into a variety of weapons for them to wield. Kyoko dropped into a fighting stance as the strange elven creatures moved to attack.

Algrim stalked through the hallways of the palace. Never in their previous wars had the Harudheeniksel managed to strike at Asgard so, and now, here he was, tossing aside the Aesir warriors like they were ragdolls, leaving a trail of mangled bodies and rampaging Heartless behind him.

One charged towards him, only for his spear to bounce off Algrim's steely hide. He then struck the warrior in the head, crushing his helmet and reducing his head to paste. Another tried to strike, only to be swatted aside, the impact snapping his neck. He then punched a third in the chest, caving in his armor.

Two more charged towards him only to be grabbed. He lifted them up and let darkness surge into their Hearts. The screamed though only briefly, as the darkness overwhelmed them and they were transformed into more Heartless, the better to keep the Aesir off his tail.

At last he came to his target, blocked by a heavy door. That runt of a Jotunn was indeed correct. With a single blow, the doors were cast wide open, revealing the shield-core, the device that powered the defenses of the castle. With it down, his liege was free to enter at his leisure.

Without hesitation, Algrim smashed his fists into the device, causing it to erupt into a massive explosion.

While she had volunteered to stay behind in the castle to look after Nagisa, it turned out that there wasn't much for Madoka to do in that capacity. Once she had been brought in, she was safely tucked away in a bedroom and had quickly fallen asleep. That room was protected by a full compliment of Einherjar, leaving Madoka again with nothing to do. So she had taken to wandering about the castle, marveling at the statues and architecture.

As she walked she looked over the picture she had drawn in her sketchbook. Thor and herself fighting a horde of Heartless. Not bad, but not exceptional either.

As she closed the book and placed it back in her pocket, she looked out a window, and noticed a light shining outside. Madoka leaned out to see that a barrier was now forming around the castle. She then heard the sound of alarms, and then troops rushing about nearby.

She followed them, through the winding hallways until she came to Odin near the throne room, who was currently giving orders to some troops.

"What's going on?" Madoka asked.

"It's just a skirmish, nothing you need to concern yourself about." Odin answered.

"I can help!" Madoka offered.

"That won't be necessary."

"But..."

"We have this handled." Odin said sternly.

"I… okay." Madoka said, her heart sinking as the king walked away, flanked by several guards. They had done so much for them that she couldn't help but want to pay them back for all they had done. Even if she was starting to have her misgivings.

Madoka walked over to a balcony, wondering if she should go back and check on Nagisa. As she was about to turn back and head towards her room, the palace suddenly shook. Madoka scrambled for balance and failed, falling over as the shaking continued. Once it stopped, she picked herself back up, looking out at the city only to see the golden barrier was gone, and in its place, a black spaceship was hurtling straight towards her.

Despite calling it a stealth mission, this was simpler than had been expected. Wait until after dark and then enter the castle through one of the side entrances. From there, it was simple to find the way to the laboratory. There, the computer console awaited.

At the computer console, insert a disk, then the username, Another. From there, a sequence of six passwords, and the hidden program was activated, Even, Xehanort, Dilan, Aeleus, Braig, Ienzo. Remove the disc and then head out from the computer room to the larger area behind it.

Stepping out activated a signal, and the floor beneath opened up, revealing a secret basement. Enter the new passage, after which the staircase leading back up would vanish, leaving only a long, spiraling path downwards.

Homura Akemi took a moment to remove the hood of her cloak. True to Xehanort's word, the garment did indeed protect one from the effects of the dark realm. There had been no hallucinations, no ghosts of her past came to haunt her, just eerie uncomfortable silence.

Homura began to walk down the spiral ramp. As she did, she thought to herself. She was perhaps the farthest thing from a saint herself, but she was starting to have a few misgivings about working with the Organization.

But then again, what choice did she have? They spanned worlds and could travel between them with ease. They wanted the same thing she did, for Madoka to be safe and secure. They were the best chance she had of finding Madoka and bringing her home safely and they, like her, understood how to do whatever was necessary to accomplish their goals. They might be shady, but it didn't matter. Homura would stain her soul in sin a hundred times over. She would drown herself in darkness if it meant that Madoka could walk in the light.

Occasionally, on her quest, she would be overcome with hopelessness. She would wonder if she really had any chance of actually saving Madoka. She would wonder if she should just give up. But then, she would see Madoka's beautiful smile. See her stop to help somebody without hesitation. How she would show kindness to others without expecting anything in return. She would see all the things that made Madoka beautiful. Even in the end, upon learning the horrible truth of what she had done to her, Madoka's gentle smile had set her at ease. Then she would remember what it was all for. To keep Madoka safe.

But then what? Even if she successfully brought Madoka back home, their world was empty. Her family was gone. She would have to live in the castle with Homura. Confined to a tiny island for the rest of her life. Even if she brought Madoka's friends with her, they would all just be prisoners. Madoka deserved so much better than what she got. In all timelines, she was so kind and heroic and selfless, and yet it led to her dying or witching out, or in the end forgotten, forced by the Goddess to fight an endless battle that nobody would even be aware of.

That was perhaps one of the worst injustices of all. To be forgotten, never to get the respect she deserved. Madoka should be praised and celebrated the world over. She should have towering statues and monuments to her glory in every city. Grand cathedrals where the world could honor her forever. She had been a goddess to Homura, even before her ascension.

But even were Homura to try doing such a thing, Madoka would never accept it. Homura was all too aware of the girls flaws. Her insecurity, her meekness. This rotten disgusting world would take advantage of those flaws. It would spit on her heroism and laugh at her for doing what was right. It would exploit her and then leave her a broken shell of her former self. It did not deserve her kindness. And so, Homura would shield her from that cruel world. She wouldn't let Madoka's flaws consume her. She wouldn't let the unworthy world break her. That was what she had wished for, and that was the promise they had exchanged.

She was nearing the bottom of the staircase now, and there, a door automatically opened as she approached. When she saw what was inside she froze.

A prison. She remembered this place. Though she had seen it through the distorted vision of a Heartless the first time, there was no mistaking that this was the prison from earlier. Thankfully, the cells were empty now, and they appeared to have been that way for a long time. She recalled the names she had heard. Ienzo and Even. Those names among those in the set of passwords.

As she reached the door on the end, it automatically opened once more, and she paused. This room was different. Emblazoned on the walls was the same cross and inverted heart symbol she had seen in The World that Never Was. This room, and in fact this entire secret passage bore an uncanny resemblance to the architecture of the castle in that World.

Was this what Minwu was trying to tell her about? But what did it mean? Homura pondered, and then placed those thoughts aside. Madoka took priority. She always did. No matter what. Anything less was treason. She couldn't let these mysteries interfere with her quest.

Homura stepped into the room. It was despite all the decoration, fairly empty. In the middle was a throne, and on the other side of the room was Homura's objective.

A suit of armor and a Keyblade. Both were dull. Homura approached and inspected them. The design of the Keyblade was simple, merely a white and gray grip leading to a blue shaft and teeth. It more resembled Sora's rather than Xehanorts or Madoka's.

And at that thought, Homura trembled. She recalled her adventure on on Olympus with them. Those memories were fond, and despite herself, she longed to see them again. But she shouldn't. She was a monster. It would be wrong to burden them with her presence. She felt her eyes begin to sting, and her throat go a bit raw.

No!

She wasn't going to cry here. The time for tears had long since passed. She had a mission. Sora was just another distraction. Homura focused back on the Keyblade. It was missing it's Keychain. The Key was dead, it's connection to its former wielder broken.

She then turned to the suit of armor. It's color matched the Keyblade, implying that it shared the same former owner. The armor was dented and cracked in places, indicating that it had seen it's fair share of battles. It was also skintight, making Homura wonder how one was supposed to don the armor, before she realized that it must have been done with magic, which made sense. There were plenty of Puella Magi costumes that would have been a nightmare if one had to actually dress themselves manually.

Homura approached the weapon and armor, and after another brief lookover, she summoned her shield. She then placed the Keyblade and the pieces of the armor inside it.

Her mission was complete. Homura made to leave, when suddenly, she felt a gust of wind, despite the fact that she was underground. That wind was followed by a wave of heat, and then a sudden chill, finally the ground shook. What was happening?

She then heard a chuckle, and immediately dropped into a fighting stance, summoning her bow.

"Who's there?"

"Homura Akemi. We meet at last."

"How do you know me?" Homura demanded as the wind swirled around her.

"We have so much in common, you and I. It is a shame it's taken so long to make your acquaintance. I empathize with your plight oh so well."

"Who are you?" Homura asked. The wind was picking up, forming into a vortex in front of her, the wind mixing with fire, ice and stone.

"I am known by many names. Vrishabha Ascendant. Keeper of the Crystals. Walker of the Wheel. King of Samsara."

The vortex's intensity skyrocketed, and Homura shielded her face as she struggled to remain standing. When she dared to open her eyes, within the storm she caught glimpses of strange things, a skull, a serpent, a tentacle, a dragon. Then there was a burst of light, and the tempest abated, leaving a strange being in its place.

The creature was armored, and had multiple sets of massive horns. It sat cross legged upon a floating pedestal in a manner similar to depictions of figures in Buddhism. Four swords floated around it, each glowing in a different color. Red, green, blue, yellow. Though the winds had abated, an aura of menace surrounded this being. It was powerful. Immensely powerful.

"Your Heart calls out to me, and I have answered. I have come at your service, honored summoner. I am the Esper of Conflict and Futility, Chaos."

"Tutelary deity of the sacred crystals fashioned by the gods at the time of the Great Making. Created in opposition to Mitron the Chastiser, scion of light. Upon entering the world of Man, he was enveloped in the turmoil rampant there. Lost, he died and was reborn countless times, a walker of life's wheel, eventually to rage against the gods that had so fated him. By sitting in meditation upon the Uneh Pedestal does he clear heart and mind until all that has order and reason and thought is made as nothing."

Again, thanks to The Name Of Love for beta-reading and idea sounding!

~Dragonexx