Brunnhilde sprinted down the ship's long hall. She skidded to a halt at the end. Glancing back behind her as she caught her breath she saw the children struggling to keep up with her. She cursed herself under her breath. Brunnhilde was a Valkyrie. Of course the children of Asgard couldn't match her sprint.
She forced a smile as young Fiske stumbled against her. He slouched down. Brunnhilde picked him up before he hit the ground. As the other exhausted children crowded around her, she stroked Fiske's hair.
"We're almost to the main hall,'' Brunnhilde said encouragingly. "Just a little farther. Then you will be reunited with your mothers. And then we will get out of here, safe.''
"How?'' Someone in the back called.
"There's an escape pod. It will be a tight squeeze, but all the women and children should fit,'' she explained.
"What about our fathers?'' Astrid asked quietly.
Brunnhilde sighed. "They will stay and fight Thanos.''
Fiske lifted his head. "Who is Thanos anyway?''
A group of men raced past them, shouting orders and high on adrenaline. A part of Brunnhilde wished she could fight with them. Fight like a Valkyrie. But King Thor had specifically asked her to evacuate the women and children. It's your duty.
"We really need to go. No more questions. I'll explain everything later.'' Brunnhilde set Fiske down. "We are almost to the main hall,'' she repeated. "We need to go now, before it's too late.''
Without waiting for their response, she started jogging towards the wide doors of the main hall. She heard the pittering of little feet behind her. Despite the stressful situation, Brunnhilde smiled. She decided she liked children. She would like to have some of her own. As soon as she thought about her own children, one word popped into her head: Loki. The Father of her future children. Yes, yes she liked that idea. Settling in a quiet place on Earth, hidden from their demons. Having children together. Raising a family. That would word nicely, Brunnhilde thought.
Reaching the main hall entrance, Brunnhilde pulled the large door wide open. She watched as the children funneled in. She took a quick check of her surroundings to make sure they had all gone in. Then, just as she was about to slip in herself, someone stumbled out of the main hall. Bruce Banner fell to his hands and knees. He clenched his fists, breathing hard. Sweat dripped from his forehead. He was shirtless. Green veins shot down his chest and back, then receded. His hair and face were slowly shifted from his pale complexion to an hideous green.
Brunnhilde crouched down beside him. She understood what was happening. Banner was turning into the Hulk. Brunnhilde had grown quite close to Banner in the Hulk form. She was not afraid of him. She was actually more comfortable around the Hulk than the man. And Thanos was here. It was undoubtedly the reason for his panic, but the Valkyrie believed she could turn his demon towards him.
"Hey, it's okay,'' she rubbed circles on his back.
"Oh God,'' he gasped. "Ahh, damn it. I'm freaking out. The Hulk is coming out!''
"That's good,'' said Brunnhilde enthusiastically.
"Uhhh, no. It's bad.''
"It's good.''
"It's bad.''
"No, listen. The Hulk can fight Thanos! Banner cannot,'' she reasoned.
Bruce groaned. Brunnhilde nodded, satisfied. Even if he didn't want to be Hulk, it was going to happen anyway. No one could stop it. Bruce was growing, almost completely green.
"I have to go,'' Brunnhilde told him. "See ya, Big Guy.''
She leapt to her feet and dashed into the main Hall, bolting the door behind her. The children had already found their mothers. They were all calm, but visibly nervous, awaiting further instructions. Korg and Miek were there. Korg approached Brunnhilde.
"King Thor told me to help you evacuate,'' he informed her.
"Good. Make sure they all board the pod.''
Korg nodded importantly.
"Alright,'' the Valkyrie began. "Some of you know what's happening. Others do not. Whichever you are, follow me. We're getting out of here. Take nothing with you.''
The Asgardians looked nervously at one another. Brunnhilde stalked towards the escape pod that was attached to the main hall. The people followed her quickly. Korg and Miek brought up the rear ushering the Asgarians onto the escape pod.
The pod was large, but the women and children still had to crowd to fit. It was a metal/fiber sphere with padded seats along the circumference. There was a simple control-panel and a distress signal button. The women squeezed onto the seats while their children sat on the floor, clinging to their mothers' legs.
"That's all of them,'' said Korg.
"Thank you,'' Brunnhilde murmured.
She pressed the button that closed the doors tightly shut. With a final, wistful glance, she jammed the escape button. The pod shot away from the ship. The Asgardian women had buckled themselves into their seats and were holding tightly to their children. Brunnhilde wasn't so fortunate. Her face slammed into the control-panel. She squeezed her eyes shut, ignoring the pain, her stomach turning. After what seemed like ages, the pod slowed down. It was drifting slowly in space. The Valkyrie rose shakily to her feet. The Asgardians were visibly shaking. None of them had ever experienced anything like that before. Brunnhilde wiped blood from her nose where she had smacked it on the control-panel. Korg was tightly clutching Miek.
"Brunnhilde.'' It was Astrid. She had recovered from the shock alarmingly quickly. "Please, tell us what is going on.''
Images of the god of mischief swirled inside her head. She had left him. She had escaped the ship, but left the love of her life there to die. Because, yes, Loki would die. So would King Thor, Heimdall, Bruce Banner and all the Asgardian men. Brunnhilde knew they could never defeat Thanos. Loki had met his match.
Brunnhilde wanted to collapse and let the dam that was holding back her tears burst. But she did know she had some explaining to do. She drew in a deep breath. And started talking. By the time she finished, every woman was in tears. They too knew no one could defeat Thanos. Their husbands, brothers, fathers, would die. The children were in awe. They hadn't fully comprehended the disaster yet. Brunnhilde prayed they never would.
"What now?'' Korg asked. "Will we go to Earth as previously planned?''
The Valkyrie shook her head. "Thanos will be on the move. Earth will be his next target.''
Several women wailed.
"You mean we're displaced?'' Fiske asked. Tears popped into his eyes. "No one wants us?''
"No.'' Brunnhilde was decisive. She pressed the distress button. Maybe help would come to the ship. Maybe Loki would not have to die. But what ever happened, Brunnhilde wasn't giving up. She was a Valkyrie. A fierce woman warrior. She would bring Asgard to safety. She did not know where, but she knew there was a place for them somewhere. And Brunnhilde knew she loved Loki. He could not be dead. She would see him again, just as he had promised. And promises, even from the god of mischief, were always kept.
"We're going to Earth. Come hell or highwater. We're going to fight Thanos. And we're going to win.''
That's all for now folks! Phew, this was not easy to write! I got stuck so many times! I even considered abandoning, or deleting it, but I'm glad I stuck with it til the end. I may or may not update after Avengers 4 depending on where things land at the end. Right now Fallen Stars is on hold. Thank you for reading. Please review! Love, Rosalie.