Ch.57 -Sleeping Beauties
-2 1/2 Weeks Later, Forges of Nidavellir
Clang*
Clang*
Clang*
"What a monster." An older dwarf with arms still bulging with muscles, forge kissed skin long used to its heats, a long grey beard intricately braided, and sporting a thick leather apron over his work clothes stated in disbelief over what he was seeing.
"And some of us laughed at him for offering vibranium in exchange for a month of learning." Grumbled his noticeably younger companion with aubern hair and beard, wearing a similar outfit as most dwarves are want to do in the forges.
What's the point of fancy clothes when working with heats which would make fire giants sweat after all?
"He got us good with it in the end." The older one sighed as he stroked his beard. "'Teach me as fast as I can learn for one month.' That was his price for the Vibranium and the Midgardian alloy.
And we failed to realize the real gem between the three. That is our failing."
The fact that the source of their conflicted emotions had insisted on binding magical contracts should have tipped them off, especially himself as King, but he was blinded by the metal long thought lost to the universe and this new one to play with. It was part of being a dwarf, this greed for metals and minerals, the desire to forge and push one's skills, but he should have expected better of himself.
Now... now they had been outshone completely by one not even of Nidavellir in the arts of Smithing.
Sure the boy obviously had significant skills, even they could admit that he actually surpassed them in terms of pure metalworking skills even if he lacked knowledge of materials and alloys out in the universe, but now he understood metals and enchanted forging on a level they hadn't fathomed as they watched him beat his hammer against his work.
It was something most smiths would dream of witnessing, someone of his skills working that is, but it left the dwarves also feeling bitter over having been overtaken so quickly by someone both young, not only a smith and while not being a dwarf. It stung their prides really.
They, the best smiths in the Nine Realms and arguably the known universe, had been surpassed. The skills and knowledge they had gathered over the course of millennia, absorbed like it was nothing.
And the Dwarves of Nidavellir, couldn't even really be mad about it because the one responsible had also shared his own knowledge and worked out trade deals which would allow the dwarves to not be solely reliant on Asgard for the food and supplies they needed to sustain their current numbers and activities, on top of a small supply of the materials he had brought.
It was part of the reason why the Dwarves had agreed to even entertain teaching the young man hammering away without pause or hesitation. He made an offer they almost couldn't refuse, and then it became one they couldn't because the requester was a fellow smith even if he wasn't only that.
But honestly, which true smith couldn't wield his own weapons?
Can't make the best if you don't know what the best needs.
Speaking of the best, the two observers intently watched as the one before them finished one of the most basic projects any smith could take: Forging a knife.
Something every apprentice had to forge to continue along their path, but the one being made now was far from those knives. They knew no special materials were being used, nor were there any outstanding enchanting techniques, just the basics, but they were at such a level that it looked like the perfect guide as the smith incorporated everything he learnt and knew into the utterly mesmerizing display of the essence of smithing.
By the end, the smith finished his work, producing a simple knife. Completely symmetrical with its double edges honed masterfully, showcasing a flawless blade and simple black leather handle.
A knife which any residing in the Realm of Asgard could find at any shop selling weapons or hunting equipment. But anyone with any training in the wielding of weapons or knives as well as crafting them, they would see something more.
Being laid down on his work anvil and left behind as a sign of his completed learning, the man simply placed it there to also signify respect and promise, allowing the dwarves to look at his work and how far he could go with their ways. Said dwarves spent days testing it in every way they could, growing more in awe with every one.
It was simply immutable and sharp.
The knife embodied what any smith would want from their knives: to not break and to cut.
This one took it to such an extreme that no heat, or lack thereof, seemed to affect it, no magic, blows, clashes, or elements seemed to be able to change it to be anything beyond a perfect knife.
Its cutting abilities weren't as ridiculous, but they were still up there when combined with its durability. The dwarves found out that nearly any kind of organic, at least once living, material, be they dwarves, giants, trolls, trees, beasts, and even dragon scales were cut like butter, with the knife being capable of breaking apart most other things by at least chipping them away as well.
The blasted thing even withstood Uru weapons and chipped an ore, not going so far as to try a full on clash between enchanted Uru weapons, heavily restricted things that they are.
It angered, frustrated, caused despair and depression in many who witnessed this knife within the dwarves for various reasons like feelings of inadequacy, but it also caused those truly dedicated to their craft to return to the basics with fervor.
They could not permit themselves to remain as complacent as they've clearly been now that a new peak has been demonstrated.
So the knife was kept and displayed, something which will earn many odd looks from future visitors or would-be conquerors or pillagers due to it simply looking and feeling like an ordinary knife, but to the dwarves it now represented many things beyond the craftsman's skills.
It was a challenge.
A promise.
A lesson.
A humbling.
All of the above really.
And that single knife broke the monotonous cycle the dwarves had unknowingly been stuck in.
-Ōshima Academic Island, December 15th,1986
"Good to home." I declared as I stepped through my portal and officially reconnected to everything in its entirety.
My trip to Asgard's realms and time with the dwarves had been mostly relaxing for someone like myself. I had the opportunity to minimize the number of concurrent thought processes and tasks I was undertaking, focusing the vast majority of my mind on purely immersing myself in the dwarven smithing skills and knowledge.
It was nice and a welcome break in all honesty.
Blowing the minds of so many artisans certainly was fun as well. Felt like one of those Chinese novel protagonists face slapping a bunch of 'elders' after they doubted my skills and tried to screw me over.
The best way to earn their respect was to out-smith them like that, so I should have earned significant amounts of clout amongst them after finishing my knife. It was a masterpiece of forging that I doubt any beyond Hephaestus had a chance at reproducing at the moment, but I am certain the dwarves will do their best to prove me wrong.
I'm curious as to how they would react if I told them that it was a proof of concept more than anything. Something to confirm the level of my skills and knowledge in Blacksmithing now that I had gathered all the necessary 'ingredients'.
They just needed to be properly prepared now. It will take quite a bit of time within the 'Infusing Room', a specially designed time chamber built to channel massive amounts of the energies I use and channel to cause 'mutations' in the materials and ingredients found within.
It served as wonderful training due to the ludicrous energy demands by the thing.
"Welcome back, your highness." Yuri smoothly bowed with her happiness hiding behind her professional mask.
"Haha! Thank you Yuri. Anything important I should know?" I asked mostly out because I knew she enjoyed being able to report matters at least from time to time.
I was always connected to Cerebra's network, even in other realms and dimensions after upgrading everything so many times, after all. Hence why Cerebra usually worked as my secretary, but the two didn't compete in this little matter.
"A few. During your absence, the Emperor visited the Island officially and attempted to convince her majesty to move into the official Imperial residence, but was rejected. The incident leaked and some have truly begun to notice how strained the relationship between the two seems to be, resulting in gossip and rumors to spread." My second mother reported, earning a raised eyebrow from myself.
"If the man tries to raise a fuss, bury it. Mother is happy here and I don't care for him trying to force her to work with him for 'duty'. He had his many chances." I simply ordered as I lost care for the man.
He wasn't like my grandfather who was enjoying his retirement incredibly well, even going to teach some classes of Japanese history at the Academy as a guest speaker from time to time, actually having shown desires to leave a better legacy and be with his family. Father still hasn't actually spent a full on day with either myself or Sayako ever since she was 6. That's the last time he's ever truly acted as a real father to her.
The less said about my brother the better.
"Yes, your highness." She dutifully replied before continuing. "Next, The preparations for the winter festival and break are going very well. We've received notices that His highness, Prince T'Challa, and his mother, Queen Ramonda, are going to be visiting Princess Shuri at the festival before departing with her for the break.
Young Lord and Lady Braddock are also slated for a visit with the Elder Lady Braddock during this time, as well as the Van Dyne family.
There was also a message left from Lady Munroe regarding the possibility of visiting as well, but is waiting for your response."
"*Chuckle* Going to be a busy time, but it'll be good to see them all again. Remind me to ready gifts." I responded with some excitement over seeing many of my friends soon.
"Of course, your highness. A list has already been compiled according to tastes inside of Cerebra's systems." She smoothly replied with an adjustment of her mostly decorative glasses. "As for less social matters... the companies are doing very well, so are the abroad projects in Africa and the surrounding nations.
SHIELD and Hydra have once again attempted to deepen their hold domestically, but all agents and assets have been marked and are being carefully guided. The Hand and Hydra forces are being routed from the South Pacific region, although there are signs that the 'monstrous' races involved did go a bit too far, but that was forgiven as long as it helped sate their urges and make the results more convincing."
"Hmm. I'll fix that soon. They need a proper 'Alpha' as it were, to help keep them in check, and I have the perfect candidate to ready for the spot." I told Yuri. "As for SHIELD, give them a bit of slack on the mainland, but they aren't to be given any chance to discover possible trails leading to subjects which may cause them to poke their noses into. Assign telepathic agents at all times if necessary.
Have the Widows cause difficulties around the world for the Hand to muddy the waters while we finish removing them from nearby countries. It'll be good training for Jessica, Neena and Silver if she wants to participate."
Knowing that Cerebra was making notes of all my orders and the entirety of the conversation, she simply nodded in acknowledgment.
"Moving on from the shadows, we've received a request for your personal involvement in the treatment of a high priority individual according to our systems and for the upmost secrecy on our end while handling them.
It would seem to be one Dr. Margaret Carter, better known as Special Agent, and one of the Founders of SHIELD, Peggy Carter in some circles, in regards to a confidential health concerns. Cerebra has confirmed the development of two separate brain diseases only Imperial Medicine's is capable of curing concurrently, but they seem to wish for the best and are requesting you personally, your highness, even calling in many favors for it apparently."
"Perfect. Looks like some long laid actions are coming together. Organize a preliminary consultation after the holidays, this is going to be a good opportunity." I immediately ordered. "Also, we need to tell Bucky about this and ready him to help us bring the woman over.
I'll stack the deck, but these matters are always so much more effective when the person involved desires it."
"Of course. James will be notified alongside the staffs." She easily responded, but her poker face did redden slightly when she noticed my teasing grin.
"James huh?" I knowingly smiled as she averted her gaze slightly.
I don't know and didn't want to know how, but the haunted Super Soldier somehow managed start getting close to Yuri has one of the agents I interact more with and she always being with me. I think it's partially because she's someone he sees as attractive in general, but also not like the Widows which he's been around since they were young girls, while Yuri is also more than capable of taking care of herself being a super soldier mutant.
That the man managed to wear her down to her calling him James is quite the achievement. It's almost her equivalent of Bucky Bear at this point.
Fascinating to watch really, and incredibly therapeutic for Bucky as well. It's allowing him to recover to a state of mind outside combat and war, giving him the opportunity to rest his spirit with someone who is fully aware of his past and doesn't judge him for it.
Of course, the fact that the woman I considered a second mother was close to dating someone did make me have a little... talk with the now Howling Commando. We wouldn't want those mild playboy tendencies to flare up now.
"Regardless, be aware that a new patient and likely charge will be placed in a recovery pod and then in an awakening chamber.
A potentially powerful Asgardian I saved on behalf of Yggdrasil from a dark future of an alternate reality. She has suffered a lot and will likely be violent and extremely emotional upon awaking. Be warned." I informed Yuri-kaasan, which allowed her to return to normal.
"Understood your highness." She replied without skipping a beat or even hesitating at the ridiculous series of words, truly a perfect maid for a ludicrous master. "The room shall be prepared posthaste. The household will also be notified of your habit rearing its head again."
I was perfectly aware of my 'habit', as the family called my constant bringing in of 'strays' as it were. Wanda, Meggan, Emma, the Widows, Yuriko, Kwannon, Ruth, Neena, Jessica, Jonas, Bennet, Bucky, and the list goes on. Sometimes I felt like Batman and his own 'family'.
Wouldn't change a thing however. They were all turning into excellent and powerful individuals in their own rights, both spiritually and physically.
I mean, most of the girls were ready for the spider enhancements which will allow their bodies alone to be superhuman, plus all the new Sage Symbiotes will be ready soon as well, allowing for them all to grow much further than originally.
And now I was adding a full on Asgardian I had King Thor gift his powers to and who would have Yggdrasil's support.
"Then I'll prepare for the traditional round-robin of questions. For now, I'll go spend some time with everyone though." I stated as we left my lab after depositing Torunn into a recovery pod.
-A few days later
'Things are going well with Shiklah. Moving her from her stasis coffin to my own, more accessible, version was easy and with all the testing I managed with her embryos alone, the rest is going flawlessly.
Soon, a true Queen of monsters will be born.
Something Dracula and those vampires will fear and revere as they gather under her, and by extension my, flag.
I will just need an ingredient I know just where to get.' I thought as I looked at a set of coordinates located in Greenland. 'Some preparations will be done to guarantee success, but those are just precautions.
The more important aspect is remaking this Royal Succubus into something useful and not the self-important, lawful evil being she was. She will be the one who oversees the darker elements of the supernatural world in my stead, just like how Mariko Yashida rules the darker matters from the mundane side.
These two will the Rulers of the Darkness once I am finished here, with Mariko needing an upgrade to her gear after I've made so many advancements, and I will not pity those who would stand against them.'
"Master, Miss Thorsdóttir seems to be close to awakening." Cerebra announced, earning my attention from my work.
"I'm on my way." I declared as my projects was put on pause.
-Torunn POV
Pain.
So much pain.
Why does it hurt so much?
Why does my heart hurt so much?
"Because you lost. And now... I am able to enjoy killing the Avengers all over again." The image of Ultron maliciously laughed as it held her brother in all but blood, James, by the neck as my family laid scattered around it.. "Because you were too weak."
"NOOOOOOO!!!" I cried out as I tried to reach him.
I couldn't lose him, them, again. I had to save them. I was strong! I wasn't weak!
Crack Slump*
With a dismissive throw, it tossed aside the body of my brother like it was nothing.
"RAAAAAAAAGH!!!" My fury and sorrow couldn't be contained as I struck at the automaton with all my might, only for it to vanish and the scene to change.
"Just like your father." It then mocked from behind me, surrounded now by a burning Asgard, finding it lifting a beautiful and regal woman with long black hair wearing a heavily damaged golden Valkyrie's battle armor. "Or maybe it is from your mother's side as well?"
With that, it speared through her defenseless heart as I stood their blankly, unable to comprehend it.
My mother.
The one who I barely had a chance to know... stolen by this monster.
And then it was in front of me and I knew fear again.
I felt it's metal fists beat me.
Again.
And again.
And again.
And it just hurt so much. All of it. So much that I wanted to give up.
'So why am I not with them?' I sadly thought. 'Why am I still hurting? Should death not free me of this torment?'
"Because your journey is not finished, daughter." A deep and warm answered, causing me to spin to find my father in all his glory smiling softly with open arms I couldn't help but rush into.
"Father! You're alive! You're ok! Does that mean you've defeated Ultron?" I questioned as hope blossomed.
At least father was alive.
He could defeat anything!
But not hearing an answer, I looked up to find sadness and remorse in his eyes as he brought me closer into his embrace.
"No daughter... I... failed." The king admitted with great difficulty. "I failed you. Your mother. Asgard and the duties placed on me as AllFather."
"NO! Please father! Tell me you jest! Tell me everything is ok and that we can fix things!" I pleaded as my eyes burnt and moistened, clinging to his clothing.
"I-I am sorry." He simply said as something broke within me and I wept.
I cried.
I yelled.
I cursed everything I could as the memories of everyone I held dear died before me as I uselessly watched on and pointlessly struggled against the dread machine.
"Daughter, I am deeply sorry for your suffering. For not having stepped in sooner to protect you in my efforts to see you grow as my time on Midgard had helped me. But what I am most sorry for is what I am about to ask of you." Thor gently spoke as he did his best to sooth his daughter, his only child so close to breaking and fragile.
"*Sniff* What could I do?" I questioned, barely stymying my sorrow. "I am weak and we are all dead by Ultron's hand."
"You are not dead, my daughter." Father revealed, causing me to look at him in askance. "I do not know why, but as Ragnarök took us, Yggdrasil chose to intervene.
It sent a champion... no, an Avenger to smite Ultron and protect you.
And this Avenger, gave me this chance to speak to you as well as gift you my power so that I may at least watch over you properly after having failed to do so in my life."
"W-what?" I couldn't understand.
Father's power?
The might of Thor!
And just who was this Avenger and why couldn't he have saved them sooner?
"I cannot claim to know why events occurred as they did, but try not to blame Yggdrasil or its champion. Some things cannot be avoided and I have been prepared for Ragnarök a long time ago." Father requested with a heavy sigh.
"But they could have saved them!" I rebuked heatedly.
"And the consequences of doing so would have been severe. Saving you alone and stopping Ultron from obtaining the powers and treasures of the Nine Realms was already pushing the boundaries of what was permitted." He replied, cutting off my building outrage. "You must understand Torunn, that Yggdrasil has never acted in such a manner before because there are many rules in place. But to stop Ultron, it acted regardless because it knew that the end had come for this Cycle of Ragnarök.
And you were chosen to carry the spirits of not only Asgard, but also of your brothers into this new role you were selected to fill."
"Why me? I couldn't save anyone and I am certainly not your match." I morosely questioned.
"Why you?" Father repeated as he gently forced me to look into his eyes. "Because even it can see how special you are Torunn. You are my daughter, and any being would be blessed to have you by their sides, so please do not lose yourself in sorrow and forget everything you and those you fought beside stood for.
You have been beaten, but so have every other warrior in history. I have suffered more defeats than I can count myself, but I stood against those who knocked me down time and time again, no matter who had done so and that is why I see myself as mighty.
It is never about the strength of our bodies Torunn, it is always about the strength of the spirit.
And today, yours has been tested in the cruelest of ways.
But if you stand anew, like I believe you can, then I know you will manage to reach heights no Asgardian has reached before."
My breathed hitched.
The certainty of his words.
The belief in his eyes.
My father believed in me to an extant I couldn't even see in myself even now.
"What if... what if I just wanted to be with you? With my family? What if I didn't want to stand up again?" I asked as my uncertainties and insecurities couldn't be restrained.
"Then I am sure you would be welcomed." He simply answered with a warm smile, not showing any sort of negativity over the matter. "Although I am certain that at least your mother, if not your brothers-in-arm, would very much like for you to find happiness anew as well.
The choice is yours, but remember that I will be with you regardless."
I wanted to give up. I truly did.
The battles against Ultron, losing everything and everyone, and the pain of it all, it had been too much.
But something inside of me just wouldn't allow me to.
I felt it deep within me as I remembered my time with my brothers. The courage and tenacity they fought with until the very end. How Asgard stood against the might of all its foes again and again, with no fear. And I just couldn't disappoint them all by doing the opposite of them.
I was an Avenger.
I was an Asgardian.
I was the daughter of Thor and Sif!
And none of them ran from difficult battles or times!
I would not be besmirch that.
Looking up to father, I saw him smile brightly under his beard at the changes he witnessed, causing me to smile back.
"It would seem you've found your fire again." He noted with pride.
"And I will not lose it again." I declared.
"Good. Then I believe it is time for you to awaken." Father nodded in approval. "A whole new world awaits you daughter. Please do your best to not be shackled by the past as you experience it."
"I will, but i will also carry it on with me. For my brothers and for Asgard!" I pledged.
"I shall bear witness to it my daughter." He responded with a smirk. "Now go and show this new world what Torunn Thorsdóttir can accomplish!"
-Awakening Chamber, Kai's Lab
Opening her eyes and sitting up quickly to taking in her surroundings, Torunn found herself in a room somewhat similar to some of the ones in her old home in the Arctic.
It was slightly under decorated with the black tile floor, a window showing a nearby beach and landscape she could not recognize with flowing drapes from a breeze blowing through, a sofa and set of chairs around a coffee table, soft white walls decorated with artistic representations of nature and the sound of music she couldn't place as well.
"Good morning Young Miss Thorsdóttir." A female voice resounded gently through the room, causing the young Asgardian to jump off the all too comfortable bed at the ready.
"Who are you and where am I?" She questioned with tensed muscles ready to defend herself.
"My apologies for startling you." The voice said as a blonde woman with a near expressionless face wearing Torunn was sure Francis would have approved of. "I am Cerebra, the Digital being in charge of my masters systems and networks.
This means I was also the one overseeing your recovery when master was preoccupied and had finished all needed treatments. And you are currently in his facility's Awakening Chamber."
"Who is this master you speak of?" The teen asked with narrowed eyes.
"Master is the one who rescued you and removed the virus known as Ultron from your reality at the request of Yggdrasil." Cerebra answered patiently. "I must also warn you that you are no longer in your home reality.
The most noticeable differences being that you are currently in the year 1986, almost 1987 since we are mid-December, and the Age of Heroes has not begun yet."
Now those words made the young heroine perk up.
"That means that everyone is still alive?! I can warn them!" She spoke with her realization.
"Yes and no." A new masculin voice responded as the door slide open to reveal a handsome young man of Asian descent, with short black hair faded on the sides, a bit similar to Pym, almost as tall as her own father even if not as large, and eye so green and magnetic that they seem to look into the heart of whomever they gazed upon.
He wore distinctly Asian clothing, Japanese if she could remember her lessons correctly, of black and gold coloring and decorated with their version of a dragon.
His presence though, it rivaled her own father but with a more casual air. Like he didn't need others to recognize it or his authority.
"Yes all the future Heroes and Avengers are alive and well, but no you cannot go tell anyone about the 'future'." The young man stated.
"Why not?! It could stop untold calamities!" Torunn aggressively countered.
"Because it could make matters so much worst." He countered easily. "The Avengers as you knew or would learn about don't exist yet. They aren't even close to ready to understand the dangers to come and those already present.
Let us take your father for example. What kind of person is he?"
"An honorable and just king!" She answered automatically.
"Well, right now he is a stubborn, arrogant and battle hungry prince of Asgard." He coldly stated, causing the girl to look at him in disbelief. "There is a reason Odin banished him to Earth to live as a mortal. A reason why he had you grow up there as well.
Thor Odinson, as he is, would come down here and just kill threats to Asgard and then celebrate it while looking for a good fight.
He might be a 'hero' by Asgardian standards because he 'protects' them from harm, but that's not all it takes to be a true hero.
Now let us move on to someone you would know more intimately: Tony Stark."
"He... he is like a second father to us. He cares about others and tries his best to take on all their burdens to not weight them down." Torunn softly answered as she remembered his passing.
"Currently Tony Stark is an alcoholic playboy who churns out weapons for the United States government, recently gaining the nickname of 'The Merchant of Death' due to his 'revolutionary' designs." The man revealed with video images of the man who raised her looking barely like an adult as he pranced around with harlots hanging off of him and feasting obscenely. "He has not undergone the transformative experience which would change him into Iron Man, nor has he learnt at least some of the consequences of his actions.
This is the same for Hank Pym, currently developing his understanding of the Pym Particle and working for the government as well. An arrogant misogynist at the moment too.
Janet Van Dyne is actually a close friend though.
Bruce Banner hasn't become the Hulk.
Captain America is still on ice.
The Black Widow is on a different path that the one in your home reality.
T'Challa is still the Prince of Wakanda and hasn't become the Black Panther yet. His nation has not even begun to delve into the possibility of revealing themselves.
Ororo Munroe is currently with the X-Men.
Clint Barton hasn't even been recruited into SHIELD and Barbara Morse neither.
And Ultron is not even a possibility at the moment, with most of Earth's future heroes and villains not even being ready to exist as you knew them yet.
So tell me... what would happen if you decided to inform them about what they could all become and face?"
Those revelations certainly were harsh blows to her desires to find the future Avengers and aid them, but she also had to now think about the consequences of her actions if she did so.
'He is correct daughter. In my youth, I courted war for glory, and only after spending time amongst mortals as one of them did I begin to grow.' Thor confirmed at least part of the man's words from within.
"Then what would you suggest? And as a matter of fact, who are you?" She asked, now remembering her suspicions.
"Hm? Oh! I am Imperial Prince Kaihito of Japan. I am also the one who saved your life and ended your Ultron." The now revealed Prince introduced himself.
"How?! How did you defeat him?" Torunn almost desperately asked.
She needed to know how to destroy the monster should he surface again. To know it was stoppable and not the invincible monster she had started to build him into within her mind.
"By creating a mystical computer virus which targets Ultron's code wherever it is found in that reality and powering it with the anger of Asgard's fallen." He answered a bit simply, baffling the teen. "It is pointless to destroy Ultron's bodies because they're just shells. Ultron is an Artificial Intelligence, as such his real self is all code and software, not the hardware. So to defeat it permanently, you have to end or sufficiently corrupt that part of him, or at least seal him away from other systems and hardware."
Those words caused many realizations to dawn on Torunn. She wasn't exactly technically savvy like Pym and Azzari, but she could understand that they had all been fighting their opponent on the wrong battlefield essentially. Their initial victory being mostly one with Ultron's return being inevitable because he could always build a new body, even if it wouldn't have been as strong as the one they had defeated. But then there was also the fact that they didn't actually have anyone to face Ultron on that battlefield beyond maybe Vision and Tony before they fell, meaning the battle of Asgard had been a hopeless one from the start.
"Do not blame yourself for the failings of those who came before us. Instead, use them as examples for how to be better than them and move forward." The Prince advised the princess with a supportive smile. "I know this is going to be a hard transition for you, especially with your urges to not allow what happened to you occurring again, but you need to understand that this is a different world, with a history which is still unfolding and that you first need to find your place in it.
I would suggest learning from Yggdrasil after some time to acclimatize yourself. It was the one who chose you after all and would be able to help tremendously."
"Yggdrasil? The World Tree? It can speak?" Torunn blinked on confusion.
Her father did say that it had acted, but she still didn't really understand how and why.
"I'll show you how to hear and speak to it properly later since you need some time to rest your mind and spirit before jumping into things. Doctor's orders.
You need to accept what happened to you on a deeper level and go through some therapy while you adjust to your new abilities and reality. This will be done prior to you gaining the opportunity to suppress it all by going to Yggdrasil." Prince Kaihito stated, causing the recipient to look like she was going to argue, but his gaze brokered no arguments, causing her to back down.
It was like when she was younger and Tony scolded her and her brothers for doing something foolish.
Kaihito nodded seeing that.
"The situation has been explained to the family and your quarters have already been prepared, Young Miss Torunn." Cerebra reported. "Your blade and armor, as well as... mementos from your realm have been placed within as well.
We hope it will be to your liking."
"Tha-Thank you." The Asgardian teen stuttered slightly from the thoughtfulness behind the action.
"It is our pleasure." Cerebra bowed humbly. "Here at the Academy, we aim to aid gifted young men and women to reach their full potential. Members part of his highness' personal tutelage, even more so."
"Academy?" Torunn questioned curiously.
"The Imperial Academy for the Gifted. A place now reputed to raise the geniuses of humanity, but also a place were members of various descents, super powered individuals and those with less orthodox skills can grow into them all.
We house alien species, monsters, wielders of the mystic arts, secret agents, mutants, mutates, and even individuals with god-like powers and potential." The Prince explained with a proud smile. "It is one of my greatest achievements so far and you shall be joining while you spiritually recover to help you master your new abilities and receive proper training."
"Proper?! I have been training my whole life!" She countered with a glare.
"Without any true guidance or opponents to face in terms of skill or power." Kaihito retorted dismissively. "I will test your skills later, and if you can land a hit on me then we will forgo sword training at least."
"You will regret this wager." Torunn heatedly spoke.
"We shall see. For now, let us get you settled and fed. I'm sure the girls are looking forward to meeting you and mother will want to take you shopping at one point as well." He replied with a turn on his heels, causing the Asgardian to blink a few times before following after him.
Author Notes:
Yeah, skipping over the Dwarves because it wasn't going to be really interesting or anything really new and I wanted things to start moving more.
Trying to build up to a small time skip to get closer to more important things happening.
When we get there, it's going to have a more mutant focus before the Avengers really hit the scene.
For now, Kai deals with Torunn and finally starts using some of the things he's gathered to start expanding a bit more aggressively. For those who don't remember Shiklah, she is a Succubus Royalty from before Vampires became top dogs in the supernatural world, who would be discovered by and marry Deadpool for a time in 616. Kai took her stasis coffin while going around plundering tombs and vaults.
I'm building up to his personal weapon quite a bit because I'm trying to make it something that can overtake the op weapons of marvel.
As for Torunn, she's gonna need some breaking in because she did inherit a good deal of Thor's pride and some of his arrogance before it got literally beaten out of her and she now has to deal with some Power Girl level PTSD.
She is going to be quite strong in the future if that wasn't easy to tell, but right now she needs a safe place and proper training. I don't really believe Tony to actually be a good trainer simply because he isn't a real warrior and certainly no cold weapon master. At best he could provide instructions but nothing to really have her master a blade or test her fully while using one.
Torunn will also kind of have the voice of her father generally accompanying her for a while as well, so that's a thing.
Anyway, hope you guys are still enjoying.
Also, I'm gonna be writing a little One Piece fic with a Half Fish-man OC with Danny Phantom powers for the fun of it on the side.