I know I a lot of people hate Odin, but I never have. I have always liked him. However, I can also understand why people have such strong feelings too. Enjoy the chapter!
"How many people did they send in to get them?" Captain America asked intently, staring at Thor and his friends.
"Not many. The less there are, the easier they can get in." the God of Thunder replied.
"One of us should have gone with them. If they're getting OUR weapons." Captain America said, his hand pointedly emphatically to himself.
"I think they'll have enough trouble without us on their tails." Tony pointed out with a shrug. He waved a hand "Let it go. They'll get back safe and sound in a little while and all your...complaining will have done...hmm, let's see, nothing."
"You're okay with sending men we don't even know back to that place?" Captain America asked "Worse yet, to get the stuff taken from us?"
"I'm good with following orders." Tony stared down at his phone, jaw shifted as he thought. He looked up at Thor "You guys have cell phone service in Asgard? Because they suck at it here."
Thor just frowned briefly, but looked back at Captain America, who still appeared disgruntled.
"What about the guards?" he asked "Did we ever hear from them?"
"Loki took control of them with the scepter when he left Earth. When the Anaheimien guards returned here for report, Valder had not heard from Hena. Then their path to Midgard was barred, so they could not send more. The Asgardian guards were brought home by Heimdall. He could still see Loki's illusions on Earth, so he did send more. But, they returned to Asgard once they realized we were missing. None of them were ever in Thanos' hands."
"Good. Five less casualties." Tony replied.
"Hopefully it stays at zero." Captain America said grimly.
It was early afternoon the next day and Valder and Odin had not had any success in breaking the restrictions to Asgard. They had, however, decided to send soldiers to Thanos' base for their lost items. Neither Odin nor Valder seemed to even the slightest bit concerned that there would be danger, which was confusing to everyone. And Captain America wasn't satisfied.
At least Hena was being kept busy. Mazi was running her rampant with games. They were currently playing hide and seek, although the boundaries were set fairly tight. They didn't really want to lose a child somewhere in Anaheim right now. This realm didn't have Heimdall to find them quickly.
Thor had given the news of the retrieval mission, but he was supposed to go back to talk to his father soon. The Allfather wanted to hear anything and everything he could about their experience with the God of Death. Anything that could help them find a weakness or vulnerability.
"You haven't found them yet?" that was Mazi. They couldn't see her, but it sounded like she was just down the hill a few feet in front of them. Surrounding most of the palace grounds was a tall, magically enforced wall, but the front side was completely accessible. Many sets of steps led up to the area where Thor and the others stood. There was an outstanding ledge just a few feet away, which was where the king and queen would make announcements to the realm.
Hena appeared on the left side of it as she walked up the stairs.
"They are good at hiding." Mazi said, sounding a lot less enthusiastic than she should have at the moment.
"Yes, especially because this is a new place." Hena replied, noticing her sister's solemn voice.
The girl kept walking for a moment, before Hena stopped her.
"What's wrong, Mazi?" she asked in concern.
The princess paused a moment and then turned with a sigh.
"I want to play this with Loki. Everyone keeps telling me he is coming, but it is taking a longer time than normal."
Hena pressed her lips together, but Mazi didn't stop.
"Why is he not coming? He didn't come back to Anaheim the last time." she said, just sounding sad "I am starting to think he doesn't like it here as much as he tells me."
"No, he does." Hena assured her, trying not to react too earnestly to make her sister suspect deception "He was doing something else important. Mother and Father are trying to get him here now. Remember how we were able to get to Midgard when that is usually impossible? It has become harder again. But, he would want to be here. I promise."
"What about Odin?" Mazi asked hopefully "He can help to get him here."
"He is helping as well." Hena replied gently "They're all trying very hard. But, don't worry. Loki wouldn't miss out on playing with you for anything."
"Maybe I can help them?" Mazi asked eagerly "We can all use our powers to make Odin and Dad stronger to bring him here!"
"I'll suggest it and see what they think." Hena replied with a few nods.
"Good. Now, let us keep searching." Mazi said, sounding more mischievous again, despite her formal words.
Valder had left the conference hall several moments before, leaving Odin there to work with the Anaheimien representatives. Though Valder and Svleiva ultimately had final say on the loosening of borders and restrictions on Asgard's sight, it was easier to gain favor and permission from the court. If Odin were in Asgard, getting a distress message there would be easier. But no one but the king on Asgard interacted with the outer realms. If getting them all to an unfamiliar realm with no way to communicate elsewhere had been Thanos' plan, it was absolutely working.
After coming to the same grim conclusion with the Anaheim council members, Odin left. They were not going to make it to Jotunheim theough any traditional measures. Even the unconventional ways seemed unlikely. And based on how they had found Loki in Thanos's lair, he would not last very much longer with the same brutal treatment. The frost giants wouldn't temper their punishment to make it last longer like the God of Death would.
Odin dwelt on these facts as he made his way down the hall. He intended to meet Thor relatively soon. He had heard of and studied Thanos for a long time now, but he'd had very minimal interaction. From what he could tell, however, the Titan was quite similar to his preceded reputation.
Thor had left his friends by this point and was now inside the left courtyard of the palace. This one had greenery extended clear until the wall that cut off access to the rest of the realm. It was hard to see that it was enclosed because of the lush plants. There were paths that led through the garden and all of them were kept so neatly trimmed and clear of any overgrowth. Asgard was very beautiful, but Anaheim clearly paid a lot of attention to their vegetation.
The God of Thunder turned as he heard his father approaching.
"Have you found anything?" his tone didn't sound hopeful at all, but he couldn't help asking.
"No." Odin replied "Until Thanos comes here, I do not know if we will be able to travel."
"Will we have enough help from other realms if he attacks?" Thor asked honestly. He had his doubts about that.
"Anaheim is a realm of peace." Odin said grimly "But, they are well prepared for an invasion. That is why I need to converse with you. I need to know what you observed while you were in his realm."
"Loki would be better for this, Father." Thor muttered "I don't look for detail. Nor do I have his unfortunate life experience with Thanos."
"No, you do not." Odin said "But it does not matter. You were there and until I can bring Loki here, that will have to suffice. Tell me what you know."
Thor let out a deep breath. There was too much to say and yet nothing all.
"When Loki brought us from our cell, he said that Thanos was going to Anaheim first. They planned to have Loki take control of Valder and Svleiva with the scepter and use them to get Anaheim on their side. Jotunheim would follow. And the nine realms in succession after that."
Odin didn't comment, but he listened intently. Thanos' plans had already gone awry. That was one advantage.
"Based on what Loki said when he bargained with you, Thanos has many followers. The Outriders, as you named them, and the Chitari are the main ones he uses for his expendable soldiers." Thor continued "I believe he is in possession of multiple Infinity Stones."
"That would explain his power." Odin replied.
Thor nodded and then paused.
"There is little else to say other than they will go to terrible lengths to reach their goals."
"I observed that." Odin sounded weary.
"You said they poisoned him." Thor said flatly, returning the subject to Loki "It looked like he was cut, and burned with whatever weapon they possess that burns frost giants. The Norns only know what other hell they put upon him." he took a deep breath "And I can confirm what Valder said about Loki being controlled by the scepter." then he backtracked as Odin looked at him seriously "Perhaps not controlled. But Red Skull said that it was used to influence him. That it was given to him for that reason. To coerce him. And, Father, I believe this. The things he said on Earth to me were truthful, yes, but they were also too...zealous. As if I had been tormenting him the full time he was not with us on Asgard. And when we attempted to leave Thanos' realm the first time, he was the same. Hena forced him to put away the scepter and only then did he return. They...did this before. When he left Anaheim. They captured him and bent him to their rule." Thor blinked in pain "Why? Why didn't he tell us a monster held his leash?"
"Because Loki was still a willing ally." Odin responded calmly.
"Willing?" Thor raised his voice with sudden anger "Have you experienced the torture that he went through?" his father had seemed so distraught over Loki's situation that Thor believed there would be little needed to persuade him. He could hardly believe what he heard at this moment "Do you recall what this means? They inflict pain on their victim day after day until they submit. They make them wish for death to escape the horror of yet another heated rod. Another prick of a blade. The scepter is not a reflection of Loki. Loki is a reflection of it. He is the one you taught to be protective of others and defend them. The one you taught to be responsible and giving. He hardly knew Lila Barton, but he was willing to lay down his life for hers." Thor shook his head "No, to live a life far worse than death. Because that is the Asgardian within him. He won't see it, but that is what it is. And who he is. He protects others. Frost giants are darker beings than Aesir, but he is not. He has all the light of you and mother in him. Perhaps more than I."
"Thor. I know this." Odin stopped after that and the God of Thunder was ready for a rebuke. But it did not come. Instead, the king remained quiet and Thor relented. He sat in the silence for a moment, eyes on the ground in despondency until Odin finally spoke. It was quiet and steady.
"I am willing to go to whatever lengths I must to bring Loki here. And they will pay for the things they did to him. You asked why he did not tell us what happened before he attacked Midgard. Not whether or not I understood why he did it. He did not explain because he knew he was in control of himself enough to make choices other than what he did. Because he did not know Thanos when he initially betrayed Asgard. But, I would have been the first one to desire to hear what they had forced upon him. I imagine the council would have been more receptive then." Odin shook his head "But I am not concerned with that now. It does not matter in reclaiming him here."
The journey to Thanos' realm had gone well. The Anaheimien soldiers had returned without incident, but they had some to report. Thor and Odin had left their conversation when they'd heard. The others had already gathered in the grand dining hall, save Hena.
The guards were bringing in the recovered items, laying them on the table one at a time. Captain America and Tony went up to retrieve their own things first and then Black Widow and Hawkeye followed. Thor stared grimly, but turned his attention to the men as they began to report to Odin and Valder.
"Thanos was not there that we could see. It was rather desolate to be quite honest. I believe they may have moved on." the leader of the infiltration team said.
"I imagine he has been planning this for a long time. Phasing out of that realm to get ready to attack others." Odin replied with a nod "His location was also compromised. Another reason why he does not want us traveling."
"That would explain why they were moving prisoners around. Getting them ready to transport." Thor added.
"If he is gone, that could mean he is preparing to invade here now." Valder replied "Did you see any signs of other prisoners still there? We should free them if there are."
The Anaheimien man shook his head solemnly, looking rather disturbed "No. But there was residue of slaughter. Many of who I can only guess were inmates were dead. If I had to reason why, I would say that Thanos had them killed to show the others what would happen if they attempted to escape. He already lost his prized prisoners because of a betrayal of his own. That news travels everywhere. He would have wanted to reinstate fear in his followers and his other captives."
Captain America closed his eyes briefly. None of them had thought much of what they would leave behind. But innocent people being murdered for actions other than their own certainly didn't help the guilt.
They left a moment of silence for the lives that had been taken, gazes on the ground.
"Our next objective after we make it from Anaheim needs to be finding where he is keeping the rest of his hostages." Valder said, looking at Odin "We've sat in ignorance while these people have suffered for decades. Perhaps longer."
"There were persons and creatures from all different realms there." Thor said "Some from the Nine, some from others unknown to me. But, it is not just from realms he has conquered. If beings go missing, that could be where they have been taken."
"Red Skull himself is from Earth." Captain America added.
"Which means Thanos may have mortal prisoners as well." Valder said. He turned to his men "Thank you. We may need to do another retrieval mission, but for now, go rest and replenish. You did well there."
The guards gave a small bow to their king and exited the room quietly.
"Is everything in order?" Valder now looked at the others who had just received their weapons.
"Looks wonderful to me. I don't suppose I'll be able to send a signal back to Earth from here?" Tony asked, half serious and half joking.
"Would someone there be of help?" Valder asked, obviously very unfamiliar with what the billionaire was referencing.
"Well. Not for what we're dealing with, no, but I have a few technological advancements I wouldn't mind bringing here." Tony replied. His watch lit up and he raised the image so it hovered about the screen "I just don't know if I can call it in. What with the...realm-technology barrier we have."
"I'm sure we have more than enough resources to increase your technology's reach if necessary. " Valder replied, catching on surprisingly quick.
The doors to the hall opened again, this time rather quickly. The king raised his eyes to the guards expectantly, but they stepped aside to let Hena through.
Valder stepped forward, eyebrows furrowed. He didn't need to sense her distress. It was plastered all over her face.
Svleiva stood from where she'd been sitting, one hand resting on her stomach.
"What's wrong?" Valder asked. His tone was foreboding. Perhaps an attack had started already. Or an attack on their neighbor realms.
"Can you sense Loki?" Hena asked, staring at her mother in terror.
The queen brought her head back in surprise. That was not the question she'd been expecting at all.
Valder blinked at his daughter twice before looking at his wife. She was obviously extending her senses now. It only took moments before she raised her gaze. She did not say anything, but Hena could see the answer.
"The bond broke. In an instant." she said, the withheld hysteria beginning to come out. Her beautiful brown eyes glistened fearfully as they begged for an answer from her parents. She raised a hand to her forehead and let out a gasping sob.
Thor felt his heartbeat noticeably quicken and he looked at Odin. The king listened wearily, already having drawn his own conclusion.
"That doesn't happen." Hena cried, having to talk herself through it "The bond fades when they cannot maintain it! It doesn't just..." she shook her head as her voice lost strength.
Svleiva took just a few steps towards her daughter, hands extended slightly. Valder would have followed, but Hena immediately withdrew, teeth clenched in anger.
"No! Don't!" she rejected them through tears "Can you not see that this is your fault? This is Anaheim's fault and Asgard's fault, and any other realm that won't even hold a negotiation with one another! You were all so concerned with maintaining your pride that you closed off realms that could have helped your own! With all of your rules and regulations and boundaries! You let your selfishness get in the way and now someone is dead because of it! A Prince of Asgard is dead because of it! Loki is dead because he tried to get us out so that we could defend our realm! So that we could stop Thanos!" her voice heighted to a scream "That's all he wanted and we couldn't even travel to Jotunheim to save his life! He suffered and died alone!"
Svleiva and Valder did nothing but wait with pure sadness as she released her grief on them.
"He was the one person I wanted to be with." Hena's raised voice sounding pleading now "The only one I could trust to rule by my side! To make me laugh when I felt like doing anything but! The man I wanted to protect me! To be intimate with! To share my life with!" she tried to continue, but all that came out was an unintelligible wail as she began to weep.
Valder's arms immediately shot out and pulled her close to him. He wrapped one hand around her head as she finally relented and cried into her father's chest.
Thor watched, his shoulders weighed down in defeat. There was little else to say. After a few moments of rapid, grieving thought, he spoke.
"Could he have broken the bond himself? If it was too strenuous to maintain it?" he asked quietly to Svleiva.
The queen's eyes flicked over for a split second, but she said nothing. She kept her eyes low and walked over to her husband and daughter without ever replying to the Prince's question.