Hello everybody and welcome back to "To Eternity, My Witch", and so early. I am on a roll with these chapters. Hope y'all are enjoying this story to date!

I DO NOT Own any of these as they are and were created by their respective creators. Marvel is owned by the late Stan Lee via Disney. Phantom of the Opera (PotO) is owned by Andrew Llyod Weber. LofZ : TP and OofT by Shigeru Miyamoto. Fire Emblem by Shouzou Kaga. Black Butler by Yana Toboso. And finally, Inuyasha by Rumiko Takahashi.

Chapter 17 Reunion in Exile

~Back in Vanaheim…~

James watched as the last of the lights in the village winked out before making his way to the cellar near the far house's edge. Wanda kept the dogs away from him as he snuck around. He creeped down into the cellar and found a basket of potatoes, to which he added three onions and four beets. Several bundles of herbs were hanging from the cellar's ceiling. Rosemary, thyme, basil, and sage. He took some stems and leaves and hid them in the basket. Near on a shelf were two small bottles: salt and pepper.

Placing the basket in the forest beyond the farm's edge, he then made his way to the chicken coop. Silently, he was able to capture two chickens and had a basket of eggs soon after. Going to the village's supple shed stealthily, James found a cauldron, a wooden spoon, utensils, a plate, and two cups, which he pilfered. He also found a bottle of oil, a canteen and two full wine skins. He left a large pouch of gold coins and rupees he found on the way in a hidden cleft, for the items he had taken, to compensate the farmer for his loss. He left a note without his name, instead leaving a simple plea that he, a traveler who didn't need attention, needed the items without fuss as he saved the world.

Soon he rejoined Wanda in the woods. Wanda took the basket of potatoes, onions, beets, and herbs in her hand and soon she and James made their way towards the temple, away from the village. Setting up camp in a cave, James, killed the two chickens and cleaned them before he placed them aside for later. A freshwater stream was nearby and he filled the cauldron halfway. After an hour and a half of work, a nice chicken stew was simmering over the fire, enough for him and Wanda for two or three days.

James and Wanda chatted sweet nothings to each other, even though they were now different races. The stew took a few additional hours to cook, but that didn't matter. James laid down to sleep, as light as it was, as Wanda kept guard. She soon woke him when the stew was ready and he ate. Quickly finishing his second bowl, James went to the stream and cleaned it. Wanda snapped her fingers and the cauldron of stew disappeared into her pocket of twilight, the other supplies also disappearing.

"Wanda, we need to get to the temple." James looked over to the largest tree barely poking out from the trees' canopy. Wanda nodded and soon the two were in the temple, determined to get the fused shadow piece. The sun was starting to rise.

Several hours into the temple's rooms, James faced a possessed monkey. He gained a magical boomerang, though he wasn't sure what it would be useful for in the future aside from defeating the guardian, Fungidio. The guardian's room was pretty much a spring, tainted by poison from a giant parasitic plant with a jaw-like flower. The monkey from before aided him, providing bomb flowers for him the use boomerang to get it to the plant's flower-like jaws.

Soon, with one last slash from his sword, the guardian's body and flower jaw became too damage, unhinged, and it began losing its life rapid. Before it died, however, its body became a beautiful plant that was limp. In a quiet whispering voice, sad and forlorn, "Watch out for the enemy's hidden master, hero. He will not be so easily deceived and killed. Beware of Ragnar's corrupted knowledge. He knows far more than you realize and he has prepared for your defeat, if you let him get to your head. Now… Take my piece of fused shadow. In your hands, it is safe." Fungegre finally let out his last breath. Its body soon drained all of its fluids, drying up to a shriveled shell-like husk. It soon burst into Twilight specs, and like before with Orcozan, coalesced into a fused shadow piece.

Wanda came out, grabbing the piece of fused shadow. She laughed, "Three pieces now, James! You're doing so well, love."

James smiled tiredly, "That guardian wasn't as tiring as the last one, Wanda. Though I suppose as we continue, we'll meet even more challenging enemies?"

Wanda nodded solemnly, "Yes, we will. Though let us get out of here and back to Asgard. I believe we should head to another realm to gather another piece."

James smiled, hooking the boomerang onto his belt, the spear still hooked to his sword harness. Wanda created a portal and transported them outside of the temple. At the entrance, James and Wanda found it was early morning of the next day, and a villager sitting on a log as he warmed his hands over his fire. As James approached, the villager stood and greeted him, "Welcome stranger. How did the journey through the temple go?"

James furrowed his brow, suspicious, "How did you know I was in the temple?"

The villager chuckled, "I was wandering the forest, looking for a mushroom called chicken of the woods, and noticed you yesterday entering the temple. And well… I only assumed someone would come eventually to get the treasure inside. That means you came to the village last night to get food to gain energy, and then left to go to temple to get it. It's only logical that you'd be the one. I was just hoping to thank you and give you a gift."

James felt the feeling of unease around this villager, something felt off. Very off… Wanda, are you able to read his mind? I feel uneasy around this man. He seems too friendly and open and he's eyes seem empty, his body too open. He felt her nod in his shadow, and she silently entered his mind.

Wanda felt a chill down her spine. The man's head was empty. She felt nothing. He was a decoy. He had recently died, and his body stolen by… by something… James! Beware! This man is a decoy! He died, quite recently too, and this is his shell. Something… or someone… is out there trying to harm us somehow and using his body as a puppet. Refuse the gift politely and let us go to Tofte to speak with Natasha. Wanda reached out into the surrounding area with her mind and felt the malicious mind behind the man's corpse puppet. It was a weird looking child who look more like a skeletal version of a child.

James shook his head slightly, "Thank you, but I cannot accept a gift of unknown origins. Besides I have places to go, people to meet. As for the food from the village, I haven't had a meal in several days. So, I made sure that the food wouldn't be missed. Goodbye." He turned to the path leading to the portal, but the villager ran forward and blocked his path, forcing James to halt.

"Now that's not how someone treats someone new when they meet. Come on man, the gift will be useful." The villager said, a hint of anger on his face and in his voice.

James sneered back at the man, "With that attitude, I don't want the gift. Now out of my way. I cannot be delayed."

The villager growled further, "Very well if you don't want it, I will be your death." The village clapped his hand and transformed into wooden puppet with a sickly-sweet smile. The man's body was now an unrecognizable mass of flesh and bones beneath the puppet's wooden limbs. Three more appeared as a child appeared with a similar grin. Yet the child looked skeletal, and he held a trumpet, a cap made of leaves on his back and a bark hat on his head. He blew the trumpet at a high pitch, causing the puppets to go after him. James pulled out his sword and twisted his arm, preparing to fight.

Paring the first puppet's arms, he swung across all four, causing all to fall to the ground in pieces and they unnervingly disappeared into nothingness. The child with the trumpet laughed and beckoned, before running off. A faint, yet audible song could be heard. Wanda appeared, "What's the child doing?"

"I think, despite his puppets, he is leading us somewhere. He did say through his corpse puppet he had a gift for me. Perhaps his purpose is to protect it until he found the one who needs it most?"

"Well then, don't just stand there James. Follow that song. Though what could go wrong with it." Wanda disappeared and James followed the music. At one point, the music came to a head and the Skull Kid appeared. It blew its trumpet again, four puppets appearing. Like before James quickly dispatched them, and he used the spear like a javelin to hit the child. His aim was uncanny, and the spear lodged itself into the child's chest. However, the kid pulled it from his chest, completely unscathed, and dropped it to the ground near his feet. James' eyes widened before the child blew his trumpet again. Again, the puppets came, and the Skull Kid disappeared a second time, the music fading to a distant haunting melody.

James did that twice more before the Skull Kid led him through some ruins to a glade where he fought with the Skull Kid, as he dubbed the little troublemaker. As soon as the spear hit the Skull Kid a fouth and final time in the glade, he got up off the ground and twirled, disappearing in midair. He giggled, "That was fun. Let's play another time. Bye!"

James stared into the forest where the Skull Kid disappeared into, shocked. "He spoke…" James mumbled. He was really having fun? Hmmm…

Wanda appeared, floating towards the spot before stopping and mumbling out, "He sure was happy with the company. Though what was the gift he was speaking of?"

Just before James spoke, the nearby wall shuddered and the bricks slid into a hidden clave. Wanda followed James as he cautiously advanced towards the doorway, sword in hand, and through it to the next chamber. The area they came to, was the ruins of an ancient looking building. It had a closed door at the southern part of the room, two statues of ancients looking warriors standing as if they were on guard. On the floor centered in front of them, was a symbol of two dragons circling as they breathed flames at each other. One dragon was black and the other white. On the far wall behind the two statues was a closed stone door, ancient symbols, perhaps an ancient language, were above it.

The ledge behind them was ruinous as well. An archway with a closed door stood still intact there. A solitary stone statue like the other two guarded the door, as if to keep someone… or something… from going in or out of it.

"Is this the gift he was referring to?" Wanda asked, looking around in wonder.

James studied the two dragons, "It would seem so. Why would he lead us here, I don't know, but I feel this place seems to be important?" He continued to look at the two dragons and inside their flames, a faint impression of a sword was carved. It looked almost exactly like the sword Amelia carried.

"Come, we've wasted too much time." James stood, and made for the passageway they used; however, he and Wanda found it to be blocked. Growling, James looked to Wanda, "Since our entrance is blocked… could you transport us?"

But before Wanda could turn and create a portal, the Skull Kid appeared suddenly in front of them and dropped a large, long, leather and cloth wrapped bundle at James' feet. Giggling, the Skull Kid disappeared just as quickly, "My gift. See you later!"

James narrowed his eyes, "Hmmm…" He cautiously picked up the bundle and opened it. He found a well-crafted longbow with a quiver full of arrows. The quiver fit perfectly behind the leather of his sword harness. The bow itself was made of strong yew wood and the string seems in excellent condition despite the age the bow was in.

"This bow will come in handy. Especially with some of the more difficult enemies, Wanda." James mumbled.

Wanda chuckled, "That is if you can figure it out, soldier. Perhaps Natasha can tell you how?"

James snorted, rolling his eyes at his wife's snarky reply, mocking, "Perhaps Natalia can, perhaps she cannot. Let's go."

The brick wall that blocked their path crumbled and allowed passage through the woods again back to the area where the Skull Kid had made his appearance.

"Finally, back on track…" James huffed out.

"James, do you realize that it's been several hours? It's almost sunset…" Wanda pointed out.

"Hmmm… Always something to delay us…" James grumbled, "Get the stew out and I'll relight the blackened fire to heat it up."

"Do you remember seeing the gossip howling stone in the woods while we were chasing the Skull Kid?" Wanda asked.

James shook his head, "No. Where did you see it?"

Wanda, despite being in a shadowy state, furrowed her brows, "Well, I saw it near the entrance to the grove here. Perhaps it's in the smaller enclosed grove we battled the Skull Kid?"

"Fine, once I'm finished eating, we'll go find the stone." James waved his hand in dismiss.

Indeed, after starting the fire and placing the stew to heat up, James and Wanda discovered a gossip stone in the grotto where they fought the Skull Kid. "This doesn't help Wanda… I can't summon the Hero's Shade if I'm not a wolf."

Wanda, despite her shadow form James heard her teasing smile, saying, "You could try now as a human…"

"Ugh… Wanda… I'm not a dog you can command." James rolled his eyes. However, he was silenced when Wanda went into him. He felt her teasing him. Before his mind went completely, he cleared his throat, "Wanda… should… shouldn't we… get going…?"

Wanda appeared again, giggling that she had gotten him off, "Fine…"

After an hour of heating the stew up while finding the gossip howling stone and eating a bowl with Wanda, James made his way cautiously to Tofte. He arrived at the sanctuary of Tofte roughly around two in the morning, three days after leaving.

Natasha tensed up as she heard the knock at the door due to her assassin training. Fortunately, MJ, the Barton children, and Meg were all asleep. She got up from her bedroll on the ground, quietly making her way to the door as Peter and Charles each picked up a knife. She looked out the window to see a rather disheveled and tired James in the dim light from the lantern at the door. He had several scratched and bruises on his face. She quickly, yet quietly, opened the door, pulled him inside and as Charles and Peter barred the door again.

"James! You're back safe! You've been gone three days! What happened to you? You look terrible." Natasha wondered quietly, looking over James who was dirty and covered in leave. James groaned as she gently pressed her hand to his forehead, her body tense and her face twisted in worry. Charles was tense and battle ready, his face hardened with a hint of concern. Peter, worry all over his face, remained back and tried to look small as if trying to stay comforting and invisible.

James sat down heavily, grunting in pain, rolling his right shoulder, the exhaustion heard in his voice, "Yeah, Natalia, although not as bad as the temple in Jotunheim, the temple here took a lot out me. Not only that, but the Skull Kid that you mentioned earlier, Charles, brought Wanda and I on a roundabout journey to an ancient ruin a league east from the temple. Took me several hours and the last of my energy to get out of his game of hide and seek. However, I did get this bow in return." He reached behind him and pulled the bow from his harness before handing it over to Natasha. Charles got up and went to brew some tea for James.

Natasha took the bow and looked it over thoroughly, mumbling, "This is mighty fine reflex bow. Best I've seen actually; even better than Clint's bow." She was impressed with the quality of the bow for how old it was. Handing it back to James, Wanda came out from his shadow, her profile only showing on the floor, to listen as Natasha continued, "You need to know how to use it, soldier, which I will be able to show you. Clint made me learn how to use one in case the need arose if it was the only weapon around. Besides, with the way you look, you need a few days to recover." Natasha furrowed her brows; her eyes were filled with fear for James.

Charles came over with a mug of tea, handing it to James who thanked him, "Here is some tea for your pains. It contains poppies and a hint of honey to cut the bitterness. It will also help with sleep. I have an archery range out back. You can use it to teach him Lady Natasha. Tomorrow. Tofte could use another hand with the hay harvest for the next two days."

Wanda, quietly mentioned, whispering to Natasha so Charles didn't hear, "He's as stubborn as a mule. James, my soldier please."

James grumbled, yet conceded, "Very well, Nat. Tomorrow afternoon. Knowing you and Wanda, I'll be in bed until the afternoon to sleep." He groaned in pain as Peter and Charles helped him up. He was exhausted, his vision was blurry, and his nerves and body fried from the long three days journey.

Peter set up a bedroll near his with a blanket and a pillow. Thanking Peter, Charles, and Natasha, James went to the supplies room in the back to take off his gear, armor, and clothes. Dressed in a pair of lounge pants given to him by Charles, James gratefully laid down on the bedroll. Wanda laid on the ground next to him and when he grumbled, she scouted over to him and joined him under the blanket. James was soon asleep with Wanda in his arms.

Amelia's POV.

I looked over the abandoned city of Asgard, a tear rolling down my check. Josiah why? My boy… you were so sweet when you were younger… Why God? My back was starting to heal slowly as scabs were now in place. I was an anthrozil like when I was much, much younger, before I gain full dragon status. My dark brown curly hair and wings had come back, and my claws were sharp, though now dull due to blood loss and lack of proper sunlight.

Yet my eyes remained my sapphire blue, paled due to blood loss and the decreased amount of light that I needed from full sun that the Twilight could not give. I rested against the window sill, eyes closed, trying to gather strength again for the next mocking session that I knew was coming today. I listened to the eerie silence of the twilight, with the occasional screech of a twilight beast bird flying by or a howl from a corrupted twilight beast below. The wind blew often as well. Every so often, a few twilight bugs would chirp out, giving some eerier sense of normalcy that brought no peace.

It was a lonely existence and it reminded me of many a time when I was imprisoned before. Especially when I was in Angmar's deep caves, where the witch king of Angmar had forgotten me for much of that time, fortunately. 538 years imprisoned there. This would seem like a breeze compared to that.

That is if I didn't have this blasted collar on… I haven't slept in almost nine days since this tragic situation started. Josiah, my son, my boy… James' and my son… and his sister Reila… Both an accident, yet a blessing. Both went to loving families and blessed two couples who were barren… Why God? Why did Ganondorf get to him? I winced when the collar shocked me slightly due to my power trying to come out. The collar counteracted my learned and gained powers. This accursed collar which only after the death of Ganondorf would be able to be removed by either James or Josiah. I breathed in deep trying to quell my fear for James' and Wanda's journey and to avoid thinking of the pain.

I thought of Stefan. Oh beloved… please… be safe… be strong my love… I thought as the door to my chambers opened to reveal Ragnar. So, it begins…

James' POV.

I awoke to an unfamiliar ceiling, as I tried to remember the events of yesterday. Soon everything came to my mind. I was in Vanaheim, in Tofte, having found Natalia, Peter, MJ, and the Barton children. I had gotten the second piece of fused shadow with Wanda. I sat up and stretched my arms, not remembering I was shirtless when I went to sleep.

My arm was out in the open. That's when Meg and Charles come walking in from the supplies area. I turned slightly so my arm wasn't in their sight. Yet… all that happened was simple. "Morning James." Meg waved before she left to go do chores in the barn. Charles came over and handed me a bowl of porridge.

"Here. Breakfast. When you're done, Lady Natasha is waiting out back. She is watching the children while Peter and MJ help Meg do chores. Meg cleaned your clothes and I polished and cleaned your armor earlier this morning." Charles said as he worked around the sanctuary. I took the bowl of porridge and started scarfing it down as I listened to older man.

I furrowed my brows, swallowing the bite I had taken before asking, "What time is it exactly?" I continued eating as Charles smiled in amusement at my appetite.

"Roughly 1519 hours. You were out cold for a while. You need to take it easy for at least another two days, James. And Wanda…" Charles trailed. Wanda came from my shadow as my eyes widen, pausing in eating the bite of food. Though I did finish the bite and simply listened.

"Lila, Cooper, Peter, and MJ want to speak with you. Seems they overheard what happened when you first arrived five days ago. There's no use hiding that you're a Twilight deliberately, to keep yourself hidden. I suggest you all go to the spring and speak there. The other villagers are quite suspicious at all your arrival here." Charles set my bow down and left, leaving me alone with Wanda in the central chamber.

I remained silent the entire time I ate my breakfast, causing Wanda to wonder. Her eyes were wide with curiosity and question. Her head titled to the side as if asking a silent question.

Wanda stood there, and asked quietly, "What's wrong Bucky? Why so furlong?"

I frowned, "Neither of them reacted to my arm. I mean… they acted as if it were a normal everyday thing."

"Why wouldn't they? I am sure they're used to seeing people with prosthetics, love. They probably assumed you lost your arm in an accident and was provided access to the highest and newest technology."

"Hmmm… perhaps…" I stood and grabbed my clothes from the bench nearby to change into. After getting my armor on, I walked outside with my bow in hand and the quiver on my back. At the spring, Wanda and I discovered Natasha and the children playing in the spring's warm waters. Well… Lila, Cooper, and Nathaniel were playing; Natasha was supervising. I walked over to Natasha, hesitant. Peter was helping Charles as best he could with something in the barn and MJ was helping Meg with the animals.

She noticed me as I approached, turning to me with a humorous smirk, "You're finally up you sleeping handsome. Come over here. Charles has a range set up at the spring's edge." She gestured, indicating to me where she wanted me to stand. About thirty feet or so away was a stump with a target on it.

"When it comes to wielding a bow and arrow, you must stand feet shoulder width apart and perpendicular to your target. Normal fiberglass arrow shafts have a screw-in arrowhead, but your quiver is full of wooden arrows with feathers and steel broadheads, you don't have to tighten them. Unfortunately, you'll eventually will have to make your own or find a shop that sells arrows as your arrows break, degrade, or completely disappear. Plus, as the feathers become useless, you'll have to replace them to keep the arrow balanced. Since you are right hand dominate, hold the bow in your left hand, Bucky."

It felt rather odd using my left arm to hold the bow as it was a weapon in and of itself. To use my left arm as the mean to hold the bow was new to me. Doing as Natalia said, I stood perpendicular to the target, looking at Natalie expectantly. "Take an arrow and nook it to the bow string. Keep the shaft to the left side of the bow." She paused as I did as she asked.

"Pull the bow string back, touching your pointer finger to the corner of your mouth… Hmmm… Keep your elbow down further as if your arms are in a straight line. Concentrate on the center of the target…" She went behind mine and placed her hands on mine, with her body pressed against mine. I felt her baby bump, causing me to tense a little. Though I was brought back when she corrected my right arm, and whispered, "Concentrate on your target, when you're confident you have a solid shot, release the bow string."

I breathed in, concentrating on the center of the trunk's makeshift target. I felt the way the bow fit in my hands and the way I was holding it. I released the bow string and the arrow shot true and ended dead center of the target.

"Awesome, James! Now work on it for an hour and see how well you do. Make sure you get your arrows out of the target as you practice. Now go at it as I need to keep an eye on the children." Natalie patted my shoulder as I felt pride flow through me. I had done it. Though not doing what Natasha said would get me in deep seeded trouble, so I worked on practicing just as she ordered. In the hour of practicing, I never missed a shot.

Wanda appeared, "Nice shooting Rex…" She laughed, as did I. My smile faded, there was much I wanted to do with her. Even with the missing intimacy, I was grateful she was unharmed.

"What's wrong soldier?" Wanda asked as she came to float in front of me. I closed my eyes, ashamed.

"I… I wish I could have prevented this all, Wanda. You becoming a Twili. From Amelia being taken prisoner. From Ragnar invading. Everything since our wedding."

"James…" Wanda came forward and touched my check, causing me to open my eyes. "How could you have known? And even if you did how could you have stopped it? Amelia set us up well to succeed to undo it all. Yes… I agree with you… but we must deal with what we got now. We will get this all sorted out."

I smiled weakly, "Alright." Just then, Lila, Cooper, and Natasha holding Nathaniel came over with Peter and MJ. They crowded around Wanda and I asking an endless stream of questions.

"Quiet! One at a time! Lila you first!" Natasha ordered, making all of them quiet down instantly.

Lila sighed, "James, are our parents alright? Will you and Wanda undo all of this? Where did you get your armor?"

When Natasha growled, I smiled as I interrupted before she could berate the girl, "Your parents are doing fine, Lila. Your father got injured, but from what I heard from Stefan, he's healing. Yes, Wanda and I will undo this all. The Light Spirit guardian of Jotunheim gave me the armor for the journey I have to do."

Peter asked next, "Mr. Winter Soldier Sir, I…"

"It's Bucky, Peter," I interrupted, slightly annoyed as I gave him a smirked of annoyance.

"Oh alright… Bucky… um… How does it feel to be a wolf?" Peter stuttered out his question.

I let out a humorless laugh. "How does it feel to be a spider, Peter?" I asked him rhetorically.

Peter sputtered and blanched as everyone laughed. James smirked, continuing, "It feels different to be honest Peter. Walking on all fours and the ability to track scents is very helpful. Not only that I have senses as a wolf that I am sure most humans if not all humans lack. It's rather exhilarating. Though without the ability to speak is rather annoying. Let's just say that Wanda and I have had more one side conversations as of late, that is if she doesn't connect our minds together to mind speak to each other." I explained before turning to Cooper. Though he lost his nerve and hid behind Natasha, who smiled motherlike to him. I smiled, "How about I practice my archery skills with Wanda a tad longer and we can all go see what Meg is cooking for dinner. Alright?"

Everyone nodded. Lila, Cooper, and Nathaniel, who had MJ on his heels, went back to swimming in the spring's waters. Peter went over and waded in before laying down in the water to cool off from his chores as he floated and to see if the waters would heal his arm further. As I turned back to the target, Natasha asked a question, "James, how is Steve?"

I focused on the target, before sending an arrow to its center, not answering her question. Wanda hmphed, turning accusing eyes at me, and answered for me, annoyed at my silence, "Tasha, he's doing alright. He, like Clint, got seriously hurt. Yet Stefan's insinuation said that both he and Clint are healing nicely and are on the mend. They may be healed at this point in time."

I sighed, lowering my bow after I had hit the target several more times, "That punk needs to be more careful. I will take a run to Trondheim when we leave in two days. Alright?"

Natasha sighed, "Alright. How do you think everyone else is holding up back in Asgard?"

Wanda put a hand on Natasha's shoulder, "I am sure they're doing alright with the circumstances, Tasha. Amelia…" Her voice failing her as she looked away. She didn't have the heart to tell Natasha what had happened to Amelia once she had rescued me from the dungeons below Asgard.

I continued for Wanda, though with much sadness in my voice, "Amelia was captured and imprisoned by Ragnar upon his invasion once the Twilight took hold fully. She has changed, with dark beige wings on her back and long, dark brown curly hair. Though upon being brought up to Odin's chambers with shackles and chains, she was whipped until she bled before she charged us on our journey. She is not doing well."

Natasha paled greatly as she closed her eyes, "She's suffering so much. Has suffered so much. I remember her mentioning to me when she and I were still in the KGB's control that she has suffered far longer and worse imprisonments." Natasha opened her eyes, a tear making its way down her check.

"Did she mention how long she was forced into imprisonment before? What was her total time in tortured captivity?" Wanda inquired. I nodded, though I dreaded the answer all the same. Both Wanda and I were surprised to see Natasha was teary eyed.

Natasha hesitated before continuing, clearly tortured at the knowledge, "Amelia told me out right in all her years of being alive, that she's survived over 1500 years of tortured captivity. Her longest time in tortured captivity being in a place called Angmar's Depths for 538 years."

I paled in horror, shock clearly on my face, "Over 1500 years?! How is that possible?! And how can someone even handle 538 years straight of that?!" I stepped back. I felt sick and enraged at the same time.

"She remembered and mentioned she was in a state of sleep called Aurega Ruba for about 479 years of that time period. It's a state of being which she's both asleep and awake at the same time. She could travel great distances as a spirit, yet still be able to get to her body in moments when the need arose. While in that sleep, very little energy is used and little effort is used to remain alive was required. She used that time as a spy.

"A minor detail is that time when in that state, time is irrelevant so to her it felt like one long dream. Though she did figure out much in that time. In another universe, she was imprisoned for 498 years with a group of evildoers call the Siths. Between both places, she been in over 1,000 years of tortured captivity. Seems she's been through much worse than HYDRA. So, HYDRA doesn't even come close to what she's seen and experienced with those other times in captivity."

I stared at Natasha in shock, Wanda stuttered, "Who… who knew she had… known such horrors… before…"

"Yes… Unfortunately. Many of the scars she bares are from those times of tortured captivity. Though I suppose… sadly that she will be forced to handle it and bear it a tad long for all our sakes which she is willing to do so," Natasha mentioned grimly with a grimace, apparent shame on her face. She looked away, tears running down her face as she closed her eyes.

I came forward and placed a hand her shoulder, "I'll do all I can to undo this, Natalia. For Amelia. For us all."

Natasha sniffled, turning back, "I know, James. I know. It's just… So much suffering and death has happened. Especially aimed at us all. Please be safe as you go. You, of all people, deserve peace and time to relax and live life again." She wiped her tears away.

Wanda had a tear fall down her check, "Yes. James and I will do all we can to undo this disaster!" A wave of her powers surrounded them before snapping and disappearing into nothingness. Her eyes were aflame with passion and determination to correct this disaster.

Soon Meg call them all in for dinner and to escape the darkening sky of twilight. The next two days went by quickly, giving Wanda and I much needed rest and strength for the next leg of our journey forward. It also gave me a chance to practice my archery and sword play further. As Wanda and I finished preparations outside the sanctuary, Natasha, Peter, MJ, and the children surrounded us. Meg was inside finishing a bag for my journey as Charles went to prepare a horse for my journey to the gateway.

Peter quietly said, "James, Wanda, please return this world and everyone back to normal. And for our sake, be safe."

I smiled and patted his shoulder, before turning to Natasha. She had a sad smile on her face. "Yes, as Peter said James, Wanda, be safe as you go forth to finish this quest. Those twilight beasts are dangerous as we have all seen. I'll do my best here to protect everyone, though being pregnant doesn't help. If you can, bring back our gear. We will need it to battle the Twilight beasts and other monsters as well."

I nodded. Wanda floated near Natasha, "We will try. Plus, we'll bring you some gear as well, Charles, Meg, and MJ. All of you will need some way to help with protecting the village. And as long as we have each other as we go, I am sure we will get this all undone and order back. Please be safe yourselves here, Peter, Natasha, MJ. And keep the children safe."

Our conversation was interrupted when Charles came over leading two horses. I turned to him eyebrow raised in question as he handed me one of the horses' reins. He saw my unasked question, answering in a tone that said he would not take no for an answer even if I tried, "I'll be joining you on your journey to the gateway to Asgard. I need to make sure that you're safe there and that the ride is safe enough to travel once the Twilight is lifted in the remaining realms." His face was hardened with determination and courage. He got on his horse and rode away towards the gateway without me getting a word out edgewise.

"Very well." I quickly got up on the horse and turned to Natasha. "Natalia, be safe." I said before I urged the horse into a canter to follow Charles.

Stefan's POV.

I sat on the rooftop outside of the tower where Amelia was, staring in at her with the lens of truth. I cried. Ragnar had tortured her and now her back was healing from a whipping session from 12 days ago. I put the lens into a pouch on my belt and made my way inside carefully, avoiding the Twilight beast as it left to get food for Amelia. She had lost weight. Most likely due to the lack of proper food and proper sunlight and the cursed collar that prevented her from sleeping. I quietly made my way over to where she rested on the balcony where I had spied her with the lens of truth.

I took it out again and pointed it at her. She opened her eyes to see me through the Lens, sadness and despair, though love was there as well, in her eyes as she gazed back at me. "Stefan, my love. You're here…"

Why wouldn't I be here love? I had to see you. You're hurt. Badly. And you're losing weight. My voice broke as I looked at her with tears in my eyes.

She closed her eyes, tears falling, "Yes, Josiah is determined to make me suffer as much as possible… He believes I abandoned him Stefan… He believes I did not give him a good life… After all I did for him and Reila… I…"

To which we know are lies Amelia. Someone is feeding him lies. Perhaps Ganondorf is here? My anger flared dangerously, my eyes flashing red from their normal dark green. My face was a mass of rage and anger.

Amelia groaned, turning her eyes to me when I mentioned Ganon. "We don't know that Stefan. Just because Zelda and Link of the Twilight era told us he didn't truly die; doesn't mean he was able to get here. He…"

Amelia, you and I both know that his presence is a certainty if the Triforce of Power disappeared once you had split the Triforce into the three pieces. You know what happened to the pieces when Josiah invaded, and you broke them apart. If Ganon isn't the one, who is? I argued.

When Amelia stayed silent at my words, I continued, I see you see my point. I have a feeling that Ganondorf is the one responsible for Josiah's corruption. If that is the truth, telling James the truth behind Josiah's parentage may very well be dangerously damaging to him and Wanda's relationship and yours with him and Reila's as well. I know you and I discussed with Reila about me adopting her as a daughter, but we both know it's ultimately her decision when the day come when she meets James.

Same with Josiah. I believe Ganondorf may have corrupted his mind in thinking you abandoned him and that his father is a heartless bastard for getting you pregnant to lead him to form such a conclusion. There is much that needs to be done. I have no resentment at James for what HYDRA forced him to do to you and him, Amelia. But Josiah and Reila will eventually meet their real biological father.

"I know…" Amelia moaned out in lament, clearly heartbroken. She quietly continued, "I just… I just wish he would see my logic in what I have said. You know I have spoken with him in the past about this, but he seemed uninterested until a few years ago before he disappeared. He seemed darker handed. Perhaps you're right and Ganondorf is behind this all."

Perhaps… Hang on my love. I am sure James and Wanda will get this all undone. I know the Eternity Gem is with me, but the requirements to undo the Twilight render it useless… I stated, though weakly.

"I have no doubt they'll get this madness all undone. I am sure of it, my lion. And I agree. With the Twilight Invasion, it seems the Eternity Gem is useless. Even if y0ou used it, I did some speculative uses in Aurega Ruba, the Eternity Gem does not work in the Twilight covered realms." Amelia gave him a weak loving smile, her hand passing through my check. The moment passed when we looked over to the door as the guard banged the tower's lower door open. "Please leave before he sees you here, my Stefan. I don't want you harmed with coming here… I will see you later."

See you later my Ame! And stay strong… Tears going down my check as I rushed over to the railing and jumped to the rooftop below. I slid down the angled rooftop and jumped to the street below, never looking back as I tearfully raced to the Bifrost.

Wanda's POV.

I appeared as James dismounted from the horse and handed the reins over to Charles. I floated over to the gateway's activation stone, "Charles thank you. So much for taking in Natasha and the children. They are family to James and I. And I very much doubt we can repay you for what you done. Even at the cost of your wife." I let a tear fall from my eye and down my shadowy check. He had told James and I once we had returned from the temple that his wife Sarah had sacrificed herself to save Natasha and the children.

Charles replied in sadness, turning his face away in sorrow, "As I said with Lady Natasha, it would have killed Sarah if we hadn't helped them. To her, seeing five children and their caretaker and her unborn child being led on a death march to their death without helping them to escape would have literally killed her. She would have regretted every day of her life had she sat back and not helped. Even Meg and I would have regretted our existences. Sarah may even had taken her life had she refused to help them. Since this disaster happened, I felt helping them would be to the benefit of everyone in the universe. I beg you both undo this disaster James and Wanda. I beg you… bring peace and balance back to the universe. We don't need another Thanos. Or worse… This Ragnar fellow…"

James came forward and I leaned on his metal shoulder as he spoke to Charles, "We will Charles, and we'll try to bring news and gear for you all back later as we go. Please stay safe yourself."

Charles nodded and remounted his horse. He watched and waited as James and I approached the gateway stone. "Ready James?"

James smiled, "As always doll!" He and I touched the Orb at the same time and arrived in the twilight covered Bifrost. Going through the Twilight veil, I pulled James through the veil and into the twilight.

He groaned and changed back into his wolf form, the broken chain and shackle appeared on his left paw. He growled and licked my face. I giggled, "You know you look cute when you're a wolf. Perhaps…" He growled in pleasure at my insinuation, pressing his head against me. "Though I suppose we should wait for later, James; we need to get going to the other realms." James growled further, his tail dropping in disappointment, though he understood.

"Come, my wolf. Let's leave a note for Stefan." I tapped his chin before I walked over to the charcoal and paper.

"'Stefan, James and I have amazing news! We found Natasha, Peter, MJ, Lila, Cooper, and Nathaniel! They are currently in the realm of Vanaheim. They were rescued by a local family, Charles and his daughter Meg, and they are currently residing the local sanctuary in the village of Tofte. Peter has a broken arm, and they all have bruises and scratches. But other than that, they all are unharmed. Natasha and the baby are doing just find, Steve. James and I have two of the five pieces of fused shadows now and we are going to Alfheim and then to Muspelheim to gain the two pieces there. Once we have their pieces, we'll come straight here to restore the light spirit's light and remove the twilight to gain the piece. Until later… - Wanda and James.'" I placed the note near the sword, and I got onto James' back and he trotted over to the gate leading to Alfheim.

Hope you all are staying safe, warm, and fun!

Until next time.

WS. Z.