Here's part 4! I must admit, the Asgard section is the longest part yet. But it is a mix of different movies and helps get us to an exciting bit. I know some things I've written here are not how others would have described it, but everyone heals differently. I loved that Loki went slow for her to understand the difference between him and HYDRA. I didn't like that Sif became a scapegoat in a way, but it seemed fitting also. It got rid of the awkward tension from the actual movie and made her seem like a real friend, but she was wrong and the last chapter had her grow from that, so I hope we can come to like her more. Lastly, we FINALLY get to the Aether.
Differences mentioned in this chapter: All of it.
Thor, Ariana, and Loki entered the throne room. There seemed to be a solemn air to the meeting and Ariana took Loki's hand.
"The Dark Elves are looking for the Aether," said Odin. "Thor, I need you to prepare the warriors. Ariana, Loki, go secure the Aether." He looked at her. "Take caution, my dear. It is dangerous to even Asgardians and I would not ask if I had any other choice."
"Allfather, you accepted me into your home, despite our rocky start," she said. "You forgave Loki and welcomed him back with open arms. I owe a great deal to Asgard and her people for… everything. If I can help, I am more than willing."
"That is good to hear," replied Odin. "Loki, you will show her to the Aether and help her as needed."
"Of course," said Loki.
They all went their separate ways. Loki lead Ariana a section that was rarely if ever visited. They began looking along a crack in the wall.
"This thing is elusive," said Ariana. "Are we sure this is the right place?"
"It's the only place it can be," said Loki. "It's not something one keeps just laying around."
"How dangerous is it?"
"Deadly."
"Great."
She saw movement in the crack before something grabbed her, causing her to gasp. Loki turned to her as the Aether swarmed her. The next thing she knew, she was in Loki's arms and being taken to the healers. Thor was there, waiting.
"You know, I'm beginning to get too comfortable in this thing," she joked.
"Well, you do spend many days here," said Thor.
"I seem to also be sending Volstagg to it just as often."
"He was quiet last night, a miracle if ever there was one."
"That's because I manage to beat him in training. Sif is the best teacher."
"I'm wounded, sister."
"Combate training, Sparkles. No one else could teach me how to call up lightning the way you can."
"What did I do the first month we were together?" Loki interjected.
"Taught me the most important thing of all."
He wanted to ask, but he heard in his head, To love again and to love being underneath you. He smiled, a slight blush to his cheek.
"I do not want to know," said Thor.
"The Aether is trying to bond with her," said a healer. "So far, there are no problems, but…"
Odin walked in. They looked at him as he said, "I did not think this would happen. We must remove this as soon as we can. I'm sorry, daughter, that I placed you in such a position."
Ariana began to panic. She had learned when Odin was worried about anything to do with her, he called her daughter. One of the healers touched her, causing her to jump and a burst of energy came off of her.
"I didn't mean to…" she began.
"It's alright," said Loki. "You were upset."
"For now, you must remain here," said Odin. "Go to Frigga. She will calm you. I must speak with my sons."
Ariana nodded and tried not to run from the room. The princes went to their father.
"The Dark Elves will come for her now," Odin said. "She has been through enough. Your mother will guard her while we protect the people."
"I should be with her," said Loki as Thor ran to help the warriors. "She and I are more powerful together."
"Be that as it may, we need as many lines of defense around the future princess as possible."
"You seem certain she will want such a fate."
"She loves you. I see no other outcome of that love than a long life with you. But this is talk for another time. We must secure Asgard for now." The call went out. "They are here.
Ariana arrived in Frigga's room. Frigga took her hands to soothe her.
"Now, I need you to listen," said the queen. "This is to keep you safe."
"I refuse to hide, Frigga," said Ariana, already knowing what she was going to say. "I know this is bad, but you cannot ask me to hide while everyone risks their life for mine. Please."
"This is how you protect Asgard's people."
"I love you too much to let you put your life on the line for mine!"
Frigga smiled. "I love you too, Ariana. You became like a daughter to me this past year, and I regret none of it." They heard fighting outside. "Now go."
"No, Frigga. I can't." Tears fell from Ariana's eyes.
"You can."
"No, please."
"As queen, I'm ordering you to hide."
But it was too late. The leader of the Dark Elves walked in. Frigga knew it was Malekith. She fought to keep him from Ariana. At the same time, Ariana was looking for an opening to aid her. However, Algrim came in and saved Malekith from Frigga. Ariana launched an attack then, only to be knocked back.
"I want what belongs to me," said Malekith as Algrim held Frigga.
"Come and get it then," growled Ariana.
The two fought. Ariana felt as if every part of her body hurt. It was obvious that Malekith was trying to weaken her to remove the Aether from her, but she wasn't one to give up.
"The witch dies if you do not come with me," Malekith threatened, knocking Ariana down for what felt like the umpteenth time.
Ariana looked at Frigga, torn in her decision. She couldn't answer. But she didn't need to, as Loki and Thor arrived, blasting the two Elves from the women. Thor ran to his mother as Loki went to Ariana, who laid down with a groan.
"We can't stay," she said. "We need someplace with fewer people."
"What do you mean?" Loki asked.
"Lo, we can't let more of Asgard be destroyed. Too much life was already lost just to protect me."
"And how would you plan on defeating him?" Odin asked.
"The Aether doesn't feel like it's hurting me," Ariana said as Loki helped her stand. "I feel more powerful. If I can, I would use it against Malekith, then ask my family on Earth to extract it."
"If you feel more powerful, then it has bonded perfectly to you. A normal mortal would feel themselves dying, as would a normal Asgardian."
"Who wants normal?"
Loki and Odin smiled. "For now, you will stay. We can protect you."
"No. They come back, and Asgard will be destroyed. Frigga could have died because she placed my life ahead of her own. I will not let that happen to others."
"I am king here, Ariana! You will listen to me!"
Despite feeling as if at least one rib was cracked, Ariana stormed out of the room. She would not be the thing that destroyed Asgard. Loki and Thor followed her after a moment.
"What are you doing, little storm?" Thor asked.
She said, "I'm going to look up ways to get out of here and back to Earth. It's only enhancing my abilities. We can use this."
"We can secure a ship out of here. I know a way," said Loki. "Father says he still wants to give you his gift."
"I'll play nice," she said. "But make it quick. I'll meet up with Volstagg. We will need everyone's help. If I'm not there, I'll meet you on Earth."
"How?" Thor asked.
Loki looked at her, sighing. She smiled. "I have my ways."
They agreed and left each other. Ariana made her way to the throne room.
Loki and Thor landed on Midgard hard. The back ways were always rough. Just their presence had drawn the Dark Elves to Earth. Malekith walked towards them.
"Where is the girl?" their enemy asked.
"You won't be around to find her," said Thor.
Using the power within him, Malekith threw Thor back. Loki went to attack, only to join Thor, who was getting up.
"You know, with all that power, I thought you'd hit harder," taunted Thor.
"I'd hate to see how hard he'd hit with the added power of the Aether," said Loki.
They began fighting the Dark Elves. After what seemed like hours, the Bifrost landed. Thor was glad to see Volstagg, Fendrel, Sif, and Hogan. Loki hated to admit it, but he was happy to see them too. But neither could make out the image of the person behind them, but it was clear it was a woman of great skill.
The fighting commenced after the shock of the new arrivals. Malekith made his way to the mysterious woman. This made Loki uneasy, and that told him only one thing. And he didn't like it. In fact, he felt as if his heart might stop.
"Give me the power, child," Malekith ordered.
Ariana's voice rang out, "You want it, then take it."
A large bolt of lightning hit Malekith, but it was tinged with red. It not only got the Dark Elf leader but any Dark Elf around him. They disintegrated. Everyone was surprised as she placed her staff on her back.
"Well," said Thor, "that's one way to destroy an enemy."
"Ariana!" Loki said, making his way to her.
She turned towards him. He noticed little beyond the look of love and relief in her eyes. He pulled her to him, kissing her hard.
"What has happened to you?" Thor asked when they broke apart.
"Oh, um…" she began.
That was when Loki saw her outfit. It was a mix of Thor and Sif's armors, but slightly more revealing. Her arms were bare and it looked as if the only reason her top stayed up was because of the half cape down her back. She had a circlet on her head with an electric blue gem hanging freely between two lightning bolts.
"What…?" Loki began.
"That's what I want to know," came Tony's voice as Iron Man landed.
"Dad!" Ariana yelled, running to him as Tony exited the suit.
They hugged. The quinjet landed and everyone looked around at the dead Dark Elves. Bucky shook his head as he got off. Everyone else just stood looking at the remains of the battlefield.
"My little sister is a badass," said Bucky. "What else is there to know?"
"Maybe that she became the…" Sif began.
"Shut up, Sif," said Ariana. "Not here. Let's just get to the compound and celebrate the fact that the bad guys lost, alright?"
"Why not Asgard?" asked Volstagg.
"Maybe because mortals are forbidden without express invitation and approval?" Ariana pointed out.
"I've known you for a year now, Lady Ariana," said Hogan. "I do not believe you have followed every rule that exacting."
"Nor would it stop you from a good party," added Fendrel.
"How about a party here with my family, and if it's allowed, another on Asgard?" Ariana suggested.
"If it's from you, Odin would never say no," said Sif. "The way you talked him into letting us all use the Bifrost to aid Thor and Loki was astonishing."
"Thanks, Sif," Ariana said with a smile.
"That's the Goddess of the Eternal Spark for you," Volstagg said with a hearty laugh.
"I'm gonna kill you, Volstagg!" Ariana said, turning to him.
"Bring it, little warrior," he said. "You have yet to best me."
"I have yet to fight you, but there's a first for everything."
"True. Shall we the next time you are on Asgard?"
"We could now."
"Party first," said Tony. "Then, you can explain how you became an Asgardian goddess."
"Oh, that's easy. I fell in love with Loki and got him to love me in return." She turned to everyone. "Actually, they are preparing a ball for it. There's a whole ceremony. I was given temporary powers for now. So, I need to ask if the Avengers can join. You are my family, after all."
"Tell them your full name," said Sif.
Ariana blushed as she said, "Lady Ariana Elena Stark-Tonysdottir, Goddess of the Eternal Spark."
"And what is the Eternal Spark?" asked Thor as they all made their way to the jet. "I have not heard of it."
"Life, Love, and Inspiration," said Ariana. "Frigga explained it to me. The spark of life will never be extinguished as there is life throughout the universe. The spark of love will always bring family, friends, and soulmates together. Lastly, everyone gets sparks of inspiration and must work to make the bolt strike at the correct moment. All three are eternal, so long as there is even one being in existence."
"I think it fits you, Ari," said Tony. "You have all three in abundance."
"I will soon, anyway. The ceremony is to officially make me a goddess."
"I always knew you were one," said Loki. "Father is just making it known to everyone in the nine realms."
"Why Tonysdottir?" asked Bucky.
"It's tradition to give a child the name of their father," said Thor. "Hense, my name is Thor Odinson."
"And I am Loki Laufeyson," Loki said. "Though, because I was adopted, I can choose the name of Odinson if I desire."
"I don't know my birth father, so Tonysdottir it is," said Ariana. "Since I spent the majority of my life a Stark, I hyphenated my last name."
Tony walked back to his suit as Natasha said, "Is that a tear I see, Stark?"
"It's dusty out here after the battle," he said.
Ariana smiled, saying, "I thought it fitting. I'll send a message to Heimdall and wait to hear back."
"Very good," said Volstagg. "I want to see how Midgardians celebrate a battle."
"Alright," said Steve. "Those who can fly, we need you to carry at least one person. We don't have enough room for everyone."
"Why do I have to carry someone?" asked Sam. "I'm not a god or have a full-body suit."
"Carry Natasha," said Ariana, holding Loki to her. "She might be the lightest out of everyone and she should be able to hold on without you actually needing any strength."
"Fine, but I'm not going to like it, Ari."
"No one said you had to, bird boy, only that you carry someone. Dad and Uncle Rhodey can carry two. Thor and I can only carry one. It may be uncomfortable, but the rest of you should be able to fit on the jet."
Everyone nodded and set out for the compound. Bucky noticed that Steve seemed upset but chose not to ask questions with so many people riding with them. He'd wait until they landed, and Bucky hoped it wasn't what he thought it was.