Disclaimer: I do not own Evangelion, or anything associated with it. I have written this story solely because I enjoy writing.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything belonging to Marvel Comics or anything associated with it. I have written this story solely because I enjoy writing.

Chapter 4: The Sickness of Asgard

As the massive blade of flames ripped through the earth, shattering stone and sending dirt flying, Maria had no time to dodge. No time to move to defend herself. No time to do anything but instinctively raise her arms before her. Blotting out the blinding flame for a scant moment...just before it slammed right into her.

The force of the impact was such that Maria could easily imagine that it was like to be hit by a train, if that train happened to be on fire at the time. Surrounded by a raging inferno, the new goddess cried out in pain and astonished confusion as she was pushed up off her feet and was sent tumbling out of control. Unable to tell up from down as she carried along by the wave of flames as it continued to cut through the earth, she then felt herself being driven into something. There was a roar of metal screaming just before something seemed to explode, and Maria was then sent flying into the air. Again crying out, the young thunderer soon fell back down again, crashing down upon something, her ears filled with the sound of metal crunching and glass shattering.

"Ugh...!" Maria started as she simply lay there for a time, too dazed and confused to make sense of anything. Bringing her hand to her forehead, she gave it a brief massage before giving her head a slight shaking in order to clear it of the stars and comets that were presently flittering about before her eyes. "What was...?!"

As she struggled to shake herself free of her dazed state, Maria opened her eyes and took in her current situation. The first thing she did was to assess her physical condition. She was sore, but nothing serious. It certainly didn't feel as if anything was broken, and as she quickly examined her muscular body, she saw no sign of injury. The extreme heat had completely failed to burn her, and her armor was darkened and sooty as a result of what happened, but was otherwise unharmed.

Unharmed... Maria thought, her dazed and confused mind seizing upon this reality, prompting her to once again scan her battered body for any sign of injury. And once again, she saw that her flesh and blood had perfectly withstood both the raging inferno and the subsequent impact. Oh, my god... she couldn't help but think, a dazed smirk spreading about her lips. This is so...!

But even as she once again found herself in awe of her powerful new body, Maria was jolted back to the present by her NERV training and honed survival instinct. Someone had just attacked her. It didn't matter that the attack had apparently been ineffectual. What mattered was that someone was intent on harming her, and may have even seen her transforming. Which meant that her secret was in peril, if not her life.

As her mind automatically processed this, Maria pushed her amazement to the side and began scanning her surroundings, searching for her attacker. It wasn't long before she caught sight of him, standing only a few meters away.

"You...!" Maria breathed as her eyes fell upon a massive mountain of a man, his body composed of coiled, steely muscle, garbed in leather and metal armor. A mustache and goatee were the only hair on his head, and in his hands was a massive battleaxe.

"Did you really think that you would never see me again, girl?" Skurge wondered, his brows furrowed in a deadly scowl, his axe at the ready. "We have unfinished business, you and I."

As the massive Executioner came to stand right next to Storm Bringer, Maria felt the fury she had felt from her first encounter with Skurge return to her. In her mind, she could again see Rebecca, frozen in the ice. She could still feel the helplessness and fear when she had been naught but a little girl, with none of the power of NERV to come to her rescue.

But Maria wasn't a helpless little girl now. Now she wore the body of a goddess. And as she looked on at Skurge, she did nothing to try and quash the anger beneath rationality or control. Instead, she scowled at the monstrous mount of a man. "Damn right, we do...!" she snarled, her body quaking with anger and anticipation for the fight to come. "You're not done paying for what you did to Rebecca!"

"And you intend to punish me for my actions?" Skurge asked before lifting up one of his feet and placing it squarely upon Maria's hammer. "Do you believe you can do so without Storm Bringer?"

Something was wrong, Maria couldn't help but think. Skurge was showing none of the posturing, the bragging and bravado that had been so completely evident during their first encounter. There was no outrage, no shame, no eagerness for battle. And even more importantly, he was making no effort to claim Storm Bringer. The golden hammer was right there, beneath his very foot, and he didn't even try to steal it. Instead, he was seeming to dare her into trying to take it from him.

But even as Maria considered this quandary, she soon found herself dismissing it entirely. Skurge had attacked Rebecca and very nearly killed the both of them. And at that moment, he was effectively standing between her and Storm Bringer, an object of power that had already come to mean a great deal to the young goddess. An object of power he had earlier made clear his intent to claim.

Pondering mysteries could wait. Dealing with Skurge couldn't.

"Just watch me!" Maria shot back, her heart already pounding hard as she propelled herself off of the mound of ruined cars, anticipating the battle to come. Her inhumanly powerful body moved swiftly and surely as she shot forward, her eyes narrowing intently as she headed towards Skurge.

The massive Executioner didn't even move. Didn't take a battle-ready stance. He did nothing but stand there, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly as his foe charged towards him.

Once more, alarm bells sounded in Maria's mind, but at the same time, she had no idea what could possibly leave her foe so completely indifferent to her approach. So she decided to inform him that this was a mistake, and so leapt up into the air, launching into a flying kick that would carry her straight into Skurge's chest.

The Executioner continued to dismiss her, completely ignoring the fact that he was about to kicked by a girl that could lift tons of scrap metal without the slightest strain.

Your funeral, you -! Maria started to think...just before a surge of lightning enveloped her.

Even as Maria was trying to make sense of what was happening, the lightning disappeared as suddenly as it had appeared, allowing her to complete her kick. Only to cry out in surprised pain as she felt her foot crash into something that felt as hard and unyielding as a statue of solid granite, leaving her to fall to the ground.

Stunned by both the failed kick and her fall, Maria groaned in pain, stars and comics flitting about in her head. "Ugh...what the...?!" she moaned, only for the fact that she was in pain to register in her mind, causing realization to explode in her mind. "Oh, no...!"

Although she was already certain as to what had happened, Maria quickly glanced over herself. And instead of the mighty frame of a goddess, she saw her normal human body. No muscle, no strength, no signs of the great power she had been reveling in mere seconds ago. And while it was a body that was certainly attractive, it was woefully ill-equipped for dealing with the muscle-bound behemoth that stood before her.

Her confidence disappearing like a morning fog in the heat of the sun, Maria looked up at Skurge's face, and saw his narrowed eyes glaring down upon her. There was no triumph, no gloating. He didn't sneer or mock her. He just stood there, axe in hand...just before looking up somewhere behind Maria.

"Surprised, mortal?" came another, agonizingly familiar voice. One that startled Maria, but then prompted her to look about and see the splendid figure of Amora the Enchantress approach. "Did you really think that the power you were being graced with came without...restrictions?"

"Amora?!" Maria blurted out, her eyes rounding with surprised astonishment as she looked to see the blonde Enchantress coming to stand over her, her hands on her hips with an expression of condescension on her face as she looked down upon the Evangelion pilot. But as Maria processed Amora's presence, she glanced back at Skurge, who was still standing there with his foot placed upon Storm Bringer, and began putting two and two together. And when she came up with four, shock and confusion shifted to outrage, prompting her to look back at the Enchantress and demand, "Wait...you two are in league with each other?!"

"If by that, you mean that Skurge is in my service...then aye," Amora confirmed with a smug smirk. "And before you begin to bore me with the inevitable questions that are undoubtedly bubbling up in that feeble brain of yours, aye, I did send Skurge to attack you and your precious guardian when Storm Bringer was sent to you. A test, as it were, to make certain that you were indeed capable of wielding the power being granted to you...effectively."

A test. That was all it had been to Amora. The worst night of Maria's life, a night that had been filled with feared and dread and worry for Rebecca's life, and she was speaking about it as casually as some people would speak of sticking a whoopee cushion on someone's chair or splashing them with a squirting flower. You filthy, arrogant, scheming bitch...! Maria thought, glaring pure hatred at that scheming Enchantress. If I was still a goddess, I'd...I'd...!

As the litany of punishments she now longed to heap upon Amora scrolled through Maria's mind, she was forced to cut it short, for the fact of the matter was that she didn't have the power to make those images reality. Which meant that, at least for the time being, she had to keep her head together and not give in to her outrage. "What about Rebecca?" she asked in a cold, but relatively civilized manner. "Was her getting frozen and sent to the hospital part of the test?"

"Of course," Amora confirmed, sounding rather pleased with herself. "As I've already explained to you, girl, it is against all of our interests for your masters to become aware of Storm Bringer's existence, let alone that you possess it. And given that the woman is in the employ of these masters...I should think the necessity of incapacitating her would be obvious."

It isn't obvious to me, bitch! Maria thought, but she didn't say anything. There was no point in even attempting to lecture Amora in regards to what she had done. It was clear that the lives of Maria and Rebecca and quite possibly everyone else on the planet meant less than nothing to the arrogant Enchantress.

"The woman - your guardian - was never in any danger." Starting at these words, Maria turned towards Skurge. Again surprised by the complete lack of arrogance and conceit in his words or his features, she sat there and listened as he went on to say, "My attack placed her in a state of cold sleep. I know the ways of battle well. There was never any real danger to her."

Except for when Storm Bringer almost crushed us! Maria thought snidely, still not satisfied by what she presumed to be Skurge's attempt at an apology. But even as she thought this, she noticed the massive muscle man removing his foot from the golden hammer and stepping back from it. Huh? What are you -?

"Here. Storm Bringer is yours, girl," Skurge intoned, nodding towards the hammer. "It was never my intent to take it from you."

Frowning somewhat, still suspicious of this monstrous mountain of a man, but at the same time, knowing that she was physically powerless to defend herself without Storm Bringer, Maria carefully rose to her feet. Making certain to never take her eyes off of Skurge, she carefully made her way towards where the golden hammer lay. As she did so, she was well aware of just how close she was to the massive Executioner, of how it would take but a second or so for him to raise him axe overhead...just before he cleaved her in two.

Wincing at the fear this image inspired in her and hating it, Maria frowned before slowly dropping down. Still keeping her eyes on Skurge, who did not make so much as a move as she again wrapped her hands around Storm Bringer's handle, and lightning once again surged down from the heavens. Wishing she could really savor the power that again pulsed through her, remaking her once more into a goddess, Maria waited until the transformation ran its course before allowing herself to relax even the slightest bit.

With the power of Asgard once again flowing in her veins, Maria heaved a deep breath before bracing herself to lift Storm Bringer. "Now, then, little girl..." Amora began, her silky smooth voice like nails on a chalkboard even as the new goddess scowled at the ridiculous weight of her hammer, "...as I recall, when last we met, we made a deal. That once we had taken care of your precious guardian and made certain that Storm Bringer's arrival and existence were kept secret, you would listen to my words."

The only thing I want to listen to is you begging for mercy! Maria thought, picturing herself knocking Amora's head clean off her shoulders with a single swing of her hammer. What she actually said was, "First, there are a few things that I want to get straight. You told me that whoever made Storm Bringer meant for me to have it, right?"

"That is correct," Amora confirmed.

"And since you know so much about this hammer...I feel it's safe to assume that you and Skurge are working for that person," Maria went on, turning to direct a deadly glare at Amora.

"Not...precisely," Amora returned, this time more hesitantly. "It's more accurate to say that...we have an alliance of sorts. And that it is in our best interests to see that their plans come to fruition."

Deciding that this was as good as saying yes, if far more annoying, Maria then asked, "Then why did you have Skurge attack me?! What's the point of testing me if I'm supposed to have this hammer?!"

"For one thing, as I have already explained, it is essential that Storm Bringer's existence remain a secret from those who would take it from you," Amora explained in a haughty fashion. "And since you were in the presence of your guardian, it was in our best interests to render her unconscious before she witnessed Storm Bringer." Then the corner of her lips curled up somewhat before she added, "But more importantly...not everyone has the same foolish faith in you mortals that those who set this in motion have."

"So you decided to see if I really had what it takes," Maria scowled disgustedly, glancing back and forth between Amora and Skurge.

"In a sense, aye," Amora confirmed with a nod. "Of course, that little test proved little. There is still much work that needs to be done if you and this world are to survive the trials that are yet to come."

Scowling at both the slight and the implications of Amora's words, Maria demanded, "What trials?! What are you talking about?! What's this all about?!"

"All fair questions, girl. And I shall indeed answer them, and more," Amora assured her in that sickeningly sweet tone of hers. "But first...I think it best if we adjourn to a more...secure location." When Maria frowned more deeply, the blonde Enchantress added, "Given the commotion that has been raised here, I doubt it will be long before the local law enforcement and other undesirables arrive to investigate."

As Maria considered this point, she frowned. On the one hand, she wasn't convinced that anyone would be quick to investigate what had happened, especially since this was Las Vegas where craziness was pretty much the norm. Also, she was loathe to concede that Amora had a point. But at the same time, she had to admit that there was enough of chance that the Enchantress's concerns were correct that she didn't want to risk being caught where she was and having to deal with the police and their questions. And I have a lot of questions I need to have answered, and that will take time, she reminded herself. And I'd rather not have anyone seeing us out in the open if we can help it. Not like this.

Studying the odd garbs worn by both the Executioner and the Enchantress, as well as reminding herself of her own armor and transformed build, Maria acknowledged Amora's valid point and sighed. "Alright, fine," she finally returned. "Let me change back. Then we can go someplace private, and -"

"Oh, there is no need for that, child," Amora assured her in that silky smooth voice of hers even as plumes of green smoke appeared from her hands. "I already have the perfect place in mind for our little...conversation."

"What do you -?" Maria started to ask, only to start at a whooshing sound that was suspiciously close. Looking down, her eyes widened at the sight of a plume of that same mystical fog rising up from her feet. "Now, wait! I -!" she started to protest, but before she could even finish her sentence, it was already too late. In just over a second, the green smoke had surrounded her and then promptly disappeared as quickly as it had appeared.

A moment or so afterwards, Maria realized that the junkyard she had been in had also disappeared. And in its place...

"Whoa..." Maria murmured, almost dropping Storm Bringer in her surprise. The room she was in was extremely elegant and refined, and held decor that she would only expect to find in a mansion or in the home of someone with considerable wealth. There was an ornate fireplace nearby with a fire burning comfortably, there were a couple chairs that were clearly very well designed and extremely elegant, several large bookcases stacked with many books, a regal dining table with a golden chandelier hanging over it, and more.

Okay. Obviously, whatever problems Amora has, bad taste is not one of them, Maria couldn't help but think as she continued to survey her surroundings. But as a familiar whooshing was heard, she grimaced. Speaking of the devil...

"Welcome to my...dwellings," Amora spoke as she and Skurge emerged from the magical smoke that was already fading away. "It is not much, though by Midgard's standards, I suppose it may be somewhat...impressive." Barely holding back the desire to roll her eyes at the Enchantress's arrogance, Maria watched as the witch gestured at one of the chairs, which obediently slid behind her. Making herself comfortable on it, she paused just long enough for Skurge to take up station next to her before saying, "Now, then. Make yourself comfortable, and ask whatever questions you may. But be sure to keep it brief; after all, we don't want your masters to grow suspicious as to your absence."

Unable to argue with this, Maria frowned and said, "Alright, then. First question; how did you find me?"

"Through Storm Bringer, of course," Amora answered without hesitation. "When I bonded it to your necklace, I cast a spell upon it that would allow me and only me to watch you wherever you are."

"Watch me?" Maria repeated, not liking the sound of this. "You mean...you've been spying on me?"

"Hardly," Amora retorted in a scornful manner. "But I am capable of finding you wherever you are. And looking in on you...if I feel the need."

In other words, you have been spying on me. But you think I'm so far beneath that you don't think it's worth your time, Maria intuited, not sure whether to feel angry or insulted by the Enchantress's condescending attitude. Considering the matter for a time and reminding herself that she did want to get this done soon so she could get to Santorini's and pick up the dinner she had told Captain Sanchez she would be picking up, she decided to instead move on to the next matter. "Just don't make a habit of it. Understood?"

"Of that, you need not worry," Amora assured her, though her voice was less and smug than before. In fact, she sounded more bitter than anything. And to her side, Skurge lowered his eyes somewhat, his expression darkening.

Taking note of this reaction and deciding to follow up on that subject later on, Maria then asked about a more immediate concern of hers. "Alright, next question," she began somewhat uncomfortably. "What happened back at the junkyard? Why did I suddenly change back?"

"Because you were too far away from the power that maintains your current form," Amora answered, some of her smug superiority returning. "Storm Bringer is the source of the might that now flows through your veins. And your feeble, mortal body cannot hold that power for long without it." As Maria again felt the urge to bash the Enchantress's head off her shoulders, the beguiling witch went on to explain, "As such, if you are out of contact with the Uru hammer for longer than sixty seconds, you will revert back to your mortal self."

A time limit, huh? Maria thought with a frown. I guess that makes sense. After all, the Evas need external power to fight. And they can only function at maximum output for a minute before shutting down. Then she furrowed her brows, and glanced down at the monstrously heavy hammer in her hands. But Storm Bringer is so heavy and hard to use! If I have to carry it with me all the time to stay in this body...!

"Speaking of which, you would do well to express your gratitude to Skurge for his actions," Amora pointed out, snapping Maria from her thoughts and surprising her at the same time. "Had he not struck you when he had, you would have likely reverted to your mortal stature while you were still in the midst of flaunting your borrowed might. In which case...you would have been crushed to death."

Maria was about to counter this statement when Amora's words registered, and she realized that the arrogant Enchantress was most likely correct. She had been hefting a car right overhead when Skurge had attacked; if she had still been doing so when she had reverted back to her own body...

Shuddering at the mental image this conjured, one that ended with her little more than a pool of chunky salsa beneath a wrecked car, Maria involuntarily gulped slightly before glancing over at Skurge. The massive Executioner remained perfectly still, no pride or condescension in his eyes. And as she considered him, Maria realized that Amora was right; she very likely owed Skurge her life.

But even as she thought this, Maria frowned and thought back to when Storm Bringer had first appeared, and when Skurge had attacked. And no matter the circumstances of that attack, she still remembered the fear she had felt, and the dread that she had lost the most precious person in her world. "I...appreciate that, Skurge," she intoned, her pride pricking hard at her even as she admitted this. Then she frowned and added, "And I would have appreciated it even more if you had found some other means of doing so."

Skurge just gave a slight curl of the corner of his lips. "I am sorry to strike you unfairly, young maiden. But I knew that, in your current state, such a strike would have done no harm. And it seemed the fastest and most effective way of distracting you from your revels before you reverted."

Skurge isn't acting at all like he was that first night, Maria decided, more and more surprised by this. Does this mean he was just acting back then? Putting on a show to make me mad...or maybe scare me? Was that part of the test?

Deciding that this was likely and filing these possibilities away for future consideration, Maria considered Skurge for a while longer before deciding that, while she still didn't trust him or Amora, there was no getting around the fact that he had very likely saved his life. "Alright, then," she nodded before returning her attention to the Enchantress. "Now why is Storm Bringer so heavy? You told me before that it was my own failings that made it weigh so much. What did you mean by that?"

"It is quite simple. Storm Bringer has special spells placed upon it to make certain that those who are unworthy of its thunder cannot wield it," Amora explained, more of her smugness returning as she sat back in her seat, crossing her legs as she spoke. "And as such, Eitri placed a charm upon it similar to the one that Odin placed upon Mjolnir."

"The hammer of Thor," Maria noted, recalling her research into Norse myths.

"Aye. And as a gift intended for the prince of Asgard, Mjolnir was specifically enchanted so that only those worthy of its power are capable of lifting it," Amora informed her. "For everyone else, no matter how skilled they may be as a warrior or how great their physical strength, Mjolnir is impossible to lift, let alone move or wield in battle." Nodding her head towards the golden hammer Maria held, she went on to explain, "And as such, a similar spell was placed upon Storm Bringer. Although it's enchantment isn't nearly as stringent."

"What do you mean?" Maria wondered with a raised eyebrow.

"What I mean is that even those who have some faint worth can move Storm Bringer...to a degree," Amora explained, a smug, mocking smirk curling her lips. "But it would be impossibly heavy for them to wield in battle, and they would not be able to utilize its power to any significant degree."

Furrowing her brows, Maria considered the woman before her for a time. "So what you're saying is that...the more worthy you are, the more you can make Storm Bringer work?"

"Precisely," Amora confirmed, smirking that much more as she eyed the hammer she carried. "Thus, if you truly were worthy, Storm Bringer would be as light as a feather in your hand, and you would have access to its full potential." Narrowing her eyes sharply at the transformed girl, she shifted her body in a provocative fashion before adding, "However, as we can clearly see...you are far from being truly worthy."

Maria already didn't like Amora, and that dislike was mounting exponentially. Not worthy?! How am I not worthy?! she demanded inwardly. What constitutes worthiness, anyway?! And how does a hammer get to decide if I'm worthy or not?!

This and many other questions went flying through Maria's mind, and these, along with the expression of smug superiority the Enchantress wore, fed anger that she still felt from that first night, anger that had already grown substantially with the revelation that Amora had engineered those events for her own purposes. Now, more than ever, Maria wanted to pay the condescending witch back for her arrogance and manipulations.

And as Maria studied her, she realized she knew the perfect way of doing so.

"You believe me to be unworthy?" Maria asked in an almost mocking fashion as she made her way towards Amora. Storm Bringer weighing heavily in her hands as she lifted it up somewhat.

"Believe? Nay, I do not believe you unworthy; I know you to be so," Amora smugly retorted as Maria came to stand in front of her, the blonde Enchantress lounging in her chair in a carefree manner, her eyes narrowed with disdain. "The proof of this is in your hands, girl."

A few seconds passed before Maria looked into Amora's face...and smiled. "I see. In that case, then..." she replied, holding Storm Bringer up before her chest.

Just before she dropped it squarely upon Amora's foot.

"Yeeeeeaaaarrrgghhhh!" Amora screamed in pain as the ridiculously heavy golden hammer landed squarely on her right foot. The blonde witch immediately jumped in pain, only to wind up tumbling to the floor instead. Storm Bringer's monstrous weight having clearly pinned her foot to the ground.

"Let's see you do better," Maria declared smugly, folding her arms across her chest so she could enjoy the show.


That miserable, pathetic, squirming wretch of a mortal! Amora screeched in her mind as she rolled about on the floor, acting on sheer impulse as she struggled to get her foot out from underneath Storm Bringer.

Unfortunately and unsurprisingly, it was of no use. Though the worthiness clause attached to Storm Bringer was not as stringent as that of Mjolnir, the golden hammer reacted to Amora's touch in the same manner that Thor's hammer would. It was now impossibly heavy, and completely refused to move. Leaving her stuck writhing on the floor, helpless to stifle the muted chuckles of the transformed mortal child that it was her disgrace to have to watch over.

"Skurge!" Amora cried out, but the Executioner was already moving to her side, having set aside his axe the instant he had seen that she was in trouble. Brushing aside the accursed mortal that was responsible for the Enchantress's humiliation, the massive half-Jotunn warrior immediately fell down to his knee at Amora's feet and wrapped his hands about Storm Bringer's handle, and with a grunt of effort, strained to lift the accursed hammer off of her foot.

But it was to no avail. Amora could feel the pressure on her foot easing ever so slightly, but it was not enough. Even to Skurge's massively muscular body, Storm Bringer was impossibly heavy. Far too heavy to lift, let alone move.

"What's wrong, Amora?" the transformed mortal wondered in a mocking fashion as she stood by, watching in amusement as the Enchantress hopped about impotently, her features creased with pain. "You're the one who's been going on about how unworthy I am. So go on. Show me how it's done. Show me how worthy you are."

Stung by these words, Amora turned towards her faithful lackey. "Skurge, enough!" she ordered, her words dripping with fury. Looking up in surprise at this, the Executioner frowned before glancing down at the hammer he held. With a heavy, reluctant sigh, he surrendered his grip on it and backed away. Leaving the Enchantress to glare harshly at the girl responsible for her humiliation and roar, "Now, girl! Get this accursed hammer off of me this instant!"

"Why?" Maria wondered in a playful manner, clearly delighting in Amora's predicament. "Are you actually saying that you're not worthy to lift Storm Bringer? That you can't even move it? Not the tiniest bit?"

Staring pure hatred at the obscene youth that Volla had pointed her and the others to, the miscreant upon whom the powers of Asgard were being so clearly wasted, Amora considered her next move. For a moment, she was sorely tempted to order Skurge to attack her, to beat her brains in until being out of contact with Storm Bringer turned her back into a miserable mortal worm, and then beat upon her some more. But even as those delightful images flitted through her mind, she realized that this simply wasn't an option. They needed the girl, and they couldn't afford to have her injured unduly. She had been observing the pitiful girl, she knew the arrangements she had made so she could come here and experiment with Storm Bringer and its capabilities. And she knew that her being injured would jeopardize the plans that were being put in place when there was already far too much that could go wrong.

But even as Amora conceded these facts, the idea of simply caving into the malignant little troll that she was forced to watch over burned at her. Here she was, one of the greatest sorceresses of Asgard, being made the fool by a miserable, arrogant scrap of a mortal. A creature that was utterly and thoroughly inferior to her in every way. And so she lay there, glaring at her with teeth clenched in hatred.

"She cannot. And nor can I," Skurge finally admitted, causing both women to start at his voice. "Please, young thunderer...lift Storm Bringer from the Enchantress. Free her."

"Skurge!" Amora cried out, unable to believe that even he would be willing to humor this miserable little creature.

Giving Amora an apologetic look, Skurge replied, "My apologies, but...we both know there is no time to be wasted on this. There is still much to do, and we do not know how much longer we have until Odin awakens."

As this point sounded in the room, the transformed girl frowned. "What do you mean by that? What's Odin waking up have to do with anything?"

"Everything, young thunderer," Skurge assured her in a polite manner, no disrespect to the miserable scrap of a creature that had so humiliated Amora. "Please, retrieve Storm Bringer, and you will have your answers."

Or do you wish to be utterly powerless in this place, my dwelling?! Amora demanded inwardly, longing to be able to punish the miscreant responsible for her humiliation. Because it won't be long when Storm Bringer's power leaves you. And when that happens...!

For a time, Maria considered both Skurge and Amore, a thoughtful look in her eyes before she finally sighed. "Fine, then. But no more insults, witch," she finally declared, positioning herself to pick the hammer back up. "I've already had more than enough of you and your mouth."

You will have more than insults to fear from me, child, if you do not learn your place! Amora swore inwardly even as Maria knelt down and took Storm Bringer in hand. Grunting with clear effort as she lifted the hammer up, freeing the Enchantress to regain her feet. Tis a pity that I can no longer manipulate Storm Bringer with my magic, now that I've bonded it to you! If I'd been able to free myself...

Visions of the violence she longed to wreak on Maria dancing through her mind, Amora paused to remind herself that, one way or another, the girl's usefulness to them would eventually be at an end. And as she found herself looking forward to that day, she heaved a deep breath as she recovered her air of composure and control. "Do not do that again, mortal," she told her, gesturing at Maria with a fist laced with magical might. "Or you will suffer for your arrogance."

"The same goes for you," Maria retorted, distancing herself from Amora even as she seated herself once more. "Now, let's get back to business. You told me before that someone wanted me to have Storm Bringer. Who are they, and why do they want me to have it? What am I supposed to be doing with it?"

Snorting disdainfully, Amora shot back, "I was wondering when you would finally inquire about that." Once again wondering if Volla had gone senile, she paused to straighten herself out a bit more before saying, "Therein lies the tale, girl. For the purpose Storm Bringer was created is nothing less than the salvation of Asgard."

"Asgard?" Maria frowned, sounding somewhat surprised. "You mean the home of the gods in Norse mythology?"

"Aye. But Asgard is no mere myth, child," Amora assured her, glad to again be in control of the situation. "It is as real as this realm of Midgard."

Frowning that much more, Maria then asked, "But...how can I or this hammer do anything for Asgard here on Earth?!"

"I'll show you," Amora told her, smiling as she rose up, and began weaving the magic that would demonstrate in a way far beyond words the dire straits they were in...


Asgard. Actual gods. Magical powers and ancient myth. Even now, despite everything, Maria was struggling with the notion that these things were actually real.

And yet, as she stood there in the body of a goddess, a hammer forged by dwarves and imbued with the power of Thor, Maria stood there and watched in awe as Enchantress weaved a portal out of the glowing green smoke that was a manifestation of her magic, a portal that seemed to open up to the universe itself. "Outside of the world you know, there lay eight other realms that are connected to the realm of Midgard through the celestial tree of life, Yggdrasil,"

As Maria observed the window in the air that Amora had conjured up, she witnessed the darkness of outer space, pierced occasionally by various stars, transform and grow brighter. Clouds of celestial gasses flew by, giving way to spiraling masses of stars that she immediately recognized as galaxies. Then came more massive clouds of stars and nebulas, shaded in brilliant hues of crimson, blue, white, and a thousand other shades besides. A view that slowly and surely pulled further and further back, revealing a massive structure of the cosmos; a tremendous shaft of what looked like nebular matter, rising up from clouds of burning red and into a celestial mass of stars and more. And as she looked at it, Maria's eyes went wide and her jaw fell in realization.

It's...it's a tree...! Maria thought as she studied the cosmic view afforded to her. It's like a giant tree! A tree that spreads throughout the universe!

Swallowing slightly, Maria then looked over at Amora, and managed to get out, "Is...is that...Yggdrasil?"

"Aye. As it appears within this dimension," Amora confirmed as the view within the window shifted once more, rushing in towards the celestial tree and shooting up its trunk. "Yggdrasil is the tree of life itself, whose roots and branches penetrate the various realms, interconnecting them and actually manifesting directly upon some of the realms that it touches. It's roots reach down into the realms of Niffleheim, Muspelheim, and Nidavellir, while its branches reach out to those of Jotunheim, Svartalfheim, Alfheim, and Vanaheim. This realm, Midgard is held within the crook of its branches...and at the very top of Yggdrasil, lies the realm eternal...Asgard. The shining light of the nine worlds."

As Maria looked on, the view afforded her penetrated nebula, galaxies, even the very fabric of space and time itself, before closing in on what appeared to be one particular spiral galaxy. But as the galaxy drew closer, she realized that there were no stars in the clouds, and that those clouds were not the stuff of stars, but rather the soft, fluffy white kind seen on a summer's day. And as the strange artifact grew closer still, she saw at the center what appeared to her astonishment to be a mountain capped with spires of crystal. While the transformed girl was trying to fathom this sight, the window rushed past the mountain, flipping it upside down before rising up...into the depths of a body of water.

"What...?" Maria gasped, too astonished by what she was seeing to truly make sense of it as the view provided her rose up above the water, revealing massive canyons interspersed with towers made by intelligent hands. Towers of gleaming gold, buildings that seemed to have been hewn from the rock upon which they stood, statues of great warriors stood at the ready, with an immense palace at the heart of it. Tremendous mountains stood in the background, and overhead was a brilliant blue sky with fluffy white clouds above. "It's...it's like an island...in the middle of space...!"

"Indeed. For Asgard was forged by Odin and his brothers as a home for themselves, and the other gods that were to come," Amora confirmed with a nod. "And it is to Odin that all of the gods of Asgard bow. For Odin's lifeblood flows through Asgard. It is the power of the Odinforce, channeled through him, that maintains the realm eternal, keeping it whole and safe from all threats." But then the Enchantress frowns, and is forced to admit, "Except, perhaps, a threat far greater than any other. A threat that none of us could have foreseen, one that even now spells the end of Asgard and all those who live there."

As Maria continued to look over the majesty of Asgard, she felt her insides twisting at the thought that something might even now place such wonder in jeopardy. "What do you mean? What threat?"

"A threat whose origins are to be found here, on Midgard. One that was given birth to by the event known...as Second Impact," Amora explained, scowling as the view of Asgard suddenly vanished, and was replaced by a view of Earth, and of a monstrous explosion welling up from Antarctica. And from this explosion swirled toxic clouds, and rose up for wings of orange light. "In this portion of the realm of Midgard, it is very easy to open portals to other realms, other dimensions. And in fact, this world is naturally connected to the other of the nine realms, with points indicated by the convergences of what you call lei lines overlapping into them. Points that can open up completely into the other realms...if forced open with enough energy."

Furrowing her brows, Maria thought about what she had learned about the destructive power that had been unleashed as a result of Second Impact, by the penetration of the being known as Adam, the 1st Angel. Energy that dwarfed the power contained by the sum total of the nuclear arsenals of the entire world. "So you're saying the energy from Second Impact leaked out from Earth to the rest of the nine worlds?"

"To most of them, aye," Amora confirmed. "Niffleheim, Muspelheim, and Nidavellir were spared the poisonous influence that reached out from Midgard. Jotunheim and Svartalfheim were affected, but not badly enough to cause any lasting harm. The climates of Alfheim and Vanaheim alike have been impacted, and there has been wasting of their lands." Then the Enchantress lowered her eyes somewhat, her expression darkening as she admitted, "However...it was Asgard that suffered the most. And has continued to decline since that fateful day."

"But how's that possible?" Maria demanded, completely at a loss at this point. "Even if Asgard was hit by Second Impact, it happened fifteen years ago. And scientists here on Earth say that the climate here is slowly going back to the way it was."

"Your scientists are but fools who know naught what they speak of," Amora sneered dismissively. "And more importantly, it is not just physical harm caused by Second Impact, but the poison it released into Asgard. For when Second Impact occurred, the All-Father Odin had entered the Odinsleep."

"Odinsleep?" Maria repeated blankly, not having encountered that term in her research.

"Aye. For you see, once every year, the All-Father must rest and enter the Odinsleep. To draw upon Yggdrasil, the source of the Odinforce, and replenish his powers," Amora explained in a somber manner. "And it was at that time, when Odin was as weak and vulnerable as any mortal, that Second Impact occurred and unleashed the poisonous energies into Asgard, into its manifestation of Yggdrasil." At that point, the view in the portal shifted towards an interior view of some building on Asgard, what Maria assumed to be the castle. And there she saw a tremendous, yet ordinary tree. "As I told you before, Yggdrasil manifests physically in some of the realms it touches. You've already seen it's truest form; the celestial giant that links the realms; this is it's physical manifestation within Asgard, a physical form into which all of reality flows into. It is by drawing upon its power that Odin replenishes the Odinforce." Then the Enchantress narrowed her eyes and stated, "And it is this manifestation of Yggdrasil, this vital resource of Asgard, that has been tainted and corrupted by Second Impact."

As Maria tried to process what was being told to her, she frowned. So...it sounds like this tree is like an antenna, pulling in power from the cosmic tree Amora showed me. And they need it to relay power to Odin, she thought to herself. And...it sounds like they can't just replace it, or she wouldn't even be here. With this thought in mind, she looked hard at Amora and asked, "And...what's all this mean? What happened on Asgard after Second Impact?"

"At first? Seemingly nothing," Amora admitted. "The All-Father was jolted out of the Odinsleep by the shock of the energy being released, but when he was subsequently examined by Asgard's best healers, they found no sign of illness or physical ailment. And with the initial damage done by Second Impact, the focus of Asgard's populace turned towards rebuilding that which had been lost." The Enchantress lowered her eyes somewhat, and though Maria couldn't be certain, she could almost swear she saw a wetness to them. "Had they known the worst was yet to come, they might not have bothered. For it wasn't long afterwards that the All-Father's mind began to deteriorate."

"Deteriorate?" Maria repeated, really not liking the sound of that. "How? What symptoms did he show?"

"Minor symptoms, at least in the beginning," Amora explained to her. "Small lapses in memory, forgetting names momentarily or needing to be reminded of little things that had happened during the day. But it wasn't long before the deterioration worsened. Soon Odin began seeing things that weren't there. Where there was a chair laden with blankets, he would see a troll armed with a spear. He thought he saw people or things hiding in the walls, heard them digging tunnels in the floors. He saw enemies in every shadow, conspiracies where there were none. His moods were a tempestuous whirlwind, swinging from kindly and thoughtful to wrathful madness without warning." Then the slight sorrow in Amora's eyes deepened, and she added, "And as his mental condition declined, so did his body...and so did Asgard."

Again, Maria flashed back to that image she had seen of Asgard in space, a tiny island in the vastness of the void. Too small to have a gravity well strong enough to hold in the air and water that marked it, let alone keep the people on the ground. "It's...it's falling apart, isn't it?" she realized, her eyes widening in realization. "The force that was holding it all together came from Odin, so -!"

"Exactly. All of Asgard's finest warriors and sorcerers are now putting forth their utmost efforts to hold everything together as best as they can, but as Odin continues to decline, the more impossible their tasks become." Amora closed her eyes briefly, but then looked up at Maria, dismissing the portal that had shown her much. "We do not know how long Asgard has. A decade. Maybe longer. But the end of days is coming, little girl. Not in the fires and glory of Ragnarok...but in a slow, poisonous descent into disease and death."

As Maria processed these words, she thought of her own world suffering such a fate. It wasn't difficult to do, not after her extensive studies and seeing the way the world had been before Second Impact had ripping the Earth apart, causing death and destruction on a scale unparalleled in human history. Not after Rebecca's tales about Second Impact, of the struggle to survive her day-to-day life had been in those dark times. And as she thought of something like that happening elsewhere, her insides twisted like a nest of vipers, making her feel as if she had eaten something spoiled.

"But...if that's true, then...why come here?" Maria wondered, still more questions looming in her thoughts.

"Because, just as Midgard is the source of Asgard's bane, it is also where a cure for this ailment can be found," Amora explained in a more stable voice. "Volla, the greatest of Asgard's prophetesses, and Karnilla, who taught me much of the ways of magic, have determined that, somewhere here on this planet, lies the means to reverse the damage done to Midgard and the other realms, as well as purify Yggdrasil and cure Odin of his madness."

"What?" Maria gasped, utterly and completely stunned by what Amora was suggesting. "You mean...there's a way of fixing all of the worlds hit by Second Impact?! Including this one?!"

"Aye. Even your Midgard, for what's it worth, would be healed," Amora responded in her more snooty manner. "At least, that is what I am told..."

Maria paused to consider this for a time. On the one hand, she knew she had absolutely no reason to trust Amora or Skurge. She knew nothing of them, save for the fact that they had attacked her and Rebecca, and were clearly using her for their own purposes. But at the same time, she knew of nothing that went against what they were telling her, and with so much that was happening that was completely insane, there was a great deal that she was being forced to take at face value, at least for the time being.

And if Amora was correct, if there was in fact of means of undoing at least some of the harm done by Second Impact...

"Alright," Maria finally decided, determined to keep her mind clear and options open. "Let's say - just for the sake of argument - that everything you've told me so far is the truth. If there is a cure for Odin and the rest of the worlds somewhere here on Earth, why aren't you two out looking for it?! Why not send even more Asgardians here to get it?!"

"If it were as simple as that, we would have long since done so, child," Amora promptly assured her. "Unfortunately, things are not so simple."

When Amora paused and fell silent, Maria frowned warily. "Meaning...?"

"When our...allies learned of this cure's existence, Thor immediately went before Odin to tell him of this glad news," Amora promptly explained. "However, Thor has had an...inexplicable fascination with your world for a long time now, and it is a point of contention between him and Odin. Many a times has Odin been angered by Thor's preoccupation with Midgard, reminding him time and again that his duties were to Asgard, and Asgard alone, and -"

"Wait, hold on!" Maria broke in, holding up her hands in confusion. "You said that Odin...he's basically...losing his mind, right?"

"That is correct," Amora nodded in confirmation.

"And that Thor went to tell him about a cure," Maria went on, with Amora again nodding. "So...I'm assuming that Odin is the reason more Asgardians aren't here, looking for the cure?"

"Aye," Amora replied, again nodding.

Maria blinked a few times before issuing a barking laugh of disbelief. "Then...if Odin really is losing his mind, then why the hell is he still in charge?!" she demanded incredulously. "You mean to tell me that you've left a senile old man in charge of everything, despite the fact that he's clearly losing it?! Why don't you replace him?! Have Thor or someone else take over for him?!"

"Because, again, things are not nearly that simple," Amora informed her, sounding a trifle more annoyed at this point. "You are correct in that it would be the most logical course of action to remove Odin from the throne. But unfortunately, the only other person capable of utilizing the Odinforce to sustain Asgard is Thor. And if he were to succeed Odin with Yggdrasil still tainted, he would also fall victim to the same madness that assails Odin. It would take some time, aye, but he, too, would also begin to deteriorate. And all he would have done is forestall the inevitable at the cost of Asgard's greatest warrior." While Maria was silently forced to concede this point, the Enchantress went on to explain, "Also, Odin is now irrational, seeing enemies where there are friends and plots against him where there are none. He will not listen to reason, or accept even the suggestion that he stand aside for another ruler."

"Can't you make him to step down?" Maria wondered with a frown. "From what I read on Norse myth, the people of Asgard are warriors by nature. Can't you force him to step down...for his own good?"

"Nay, unfortunately," Amora admitted. "For while Odin has deteriorated in both mind and body, his power remains far greater than that of any other Asgardian. And even if the warriors of Asgard were capable of subduing him, that does not mean they are willing to do so. For despite his madness, Odin still commands both their loyalty...and their fear. They will not act against his wishes, or dare to incur his wrath."

Issuing a groan, Maria couldn't help but shake her head, as well as speak her mind without restraint. "Well...that's stupid..."

A harsh chuckle escaped Amora's lips at this declaration. "So it seems that we can agree on something, mortal," she decided. But her mirth was short-lived as she frowned and continued. "But, regardless of these truths, Thor was indeed forced to go before Odin and explain their findings. And with his mind wrapped in chaos, Odin rejected his son's words, branding them as but another excuse to abandon his duties to Asgard in favor of frolicking on another world. And no matter Thor's efforts to reason with his father, Odin became more and more infuriated. The two argued for many an hour, until at last Odin took up Gungnir, and in a fit of rage...destroyed the Bifrost Bridge."

Her eyes widening as Amora's words sparked a memory in her, Maria gasped, "Wait...Bifrost? You mean the Rainbow Bridge?! But - isn't that -?!"

"The main pathway to and from Asgard? Aye," Amora nodded in confirmation. "He then had guards placed at all other known locations where the realm of Asgard overlaps with the other realms, isolating Asgard from the rest of the nine realms, trapping all of its people in the dying world...and making it impossible to reach Midgard."

Grimacing at this, Maria was about to speak again, but then frowned as something occurred to her. "Wait a minute...if there's no way of reaching Earth from Asgard...how did Storm Bringer get here? And for that matter..." she began, looking hard at the two beings before her, "...how did you get here?"

This question clearly caught Amora by surprise, her eyes widening somewhat before she lowered them in an evasive manner. Only to look up once more when Skurge stated, "Because we were already here on Midgard when this happened."

"You were already here? But why would -?!" Maria started to demand...only to pause as she took in the stung expression on Amora's face. A look she recognized as being one of humiliation and deep shame. And as she took in that expression, it came together with the fact that both of the Asgardians before her had been completely unable to move Storm Bringer so much as an inch, and led Maria to one conclusion. "You weren't sent to Earth...you were exiled, weren't you?! Before Second Impact even happened!" The pained hiss that Amora issued, coupled with the way Skurge lowered his eyes in shame, was all the confirmation the transformed girl needed. Gasping out a surprised laugh, she shook her head in amazement. "You're both criminals! You did something so terrible that Odin kicked you out of Asgard!"

Her expression creasing with annoyance, Amora shot Maria a sideways glare and growled, "Enough, mortal..."

But Maria wasn't done yet. She now knew part of the reason these two needed her, and she was intent on rubbing the salt in their wounds. "And would it be safe for me to guess that you struck a deal with Thor or whoever's pulling your strings?" she intuited, much to Amora's further annoyance. "Well, I guess helping to save Asgard would go a long way to smooth things over with whoever's feathers you ruffled back home!"

As Skurge lowered his eyes that much more, the true target of Maria's barbs fixed her with a poisonous glare, one so vicious that it managed to still her tongue, if only for a moment. "Quite amusing, girl," she declared in a deadly dangerous voice. "But let me remind you that, while we do need your services...the same cannot be said for...other people in your life."

Realizing immediately whom Amora was speaking of, all amusement fell away from Maria, her eyes widening with horror before subsequently narrowing in hatred. "If you even think...!" she began, hissing out her warning from between clenched teeth even as she raised Storm Bringer, jags of electricity crackling about it, "...of hurting her...!"

"Continue to annoy me, mortal, and I shall do much more than think of it," Amora vowed in a manner that made it very clear that she meant business. "Now, then, if you're quite done being so foolishly childish, there is more that needs to be said."

Storm Bringer still sparking in response to her ire at Amora's threat, Maria considered her next move. On one level, she was loathe to back down from this witch, of being rendered helpless by her. But at the same time, she didn't doubt for a moment that Amora could and would make good on her threat against Rebecca, if she so chose. And at the moment, she still didn't know enough about either Amora or Skurge to be certain she could deal with them effectively in a combat situation.

Finally, after a long while considering her next move, Maria finally lowered Storm Bringer. "Alright," she grated out, choking on her own pride as she spoke. "But I'm warning you; if you ever do anything to hurt Rebecca, you will answer to me. Understand?"

"Quite," Amora replied, conveying the rolling of her eyes through her voice. "Now, if you're done making meaningless threats, where were...ah, of course." Wishing she could make it clear that her words were no mere threat, Maria instead listened as the Enchantress continued. "With Asgard cut off from the rest of the nine realms, and Odin slipping further and further into madness, Thor set about coming up with a plan to save Asgard. To this end, he gathered a small alliance of likeminded individuals including Volla, Karnilla, Heimdall, and Balder to work together, and then contacted myself and Skurge to act on their behalf here, as well as Eitri and his people in the realm of Nidavellir."

"Who forged Storm Bringer...and sent it here from there," Maria intuited, nodding her comprehension as this bit of the puzzle fell into place. But then she frowned and asked, "But...why make Storm Bringer in the first place? If you know the cure is here on Earth, then -?"

"Fair questions, mortal," Amora admitted. "However, while we know the cure is here on Midgard, neither Volla nor Karnilla can determine what form it is in from Asgard. And not even Heimdall's eyes can find something when he does not even know what he is looking for. However, we do have one possibility; centuries past, Thor encountered an ancient creature, older than your kind, with great knowledge and wisdom. He believes that she knows the location and the nature of the cure we seek."

"Really?" Maria frowned, again surprised that such a being existed on Earth. But then she reminded herself that so had a monster that had caused Second Impact, so maybe the existence of this other being wasn't nearly so preposterous. "Have you...talked to her yet?"

"No, not as of yet," Amora admitted. "Thor made it very clearly that our first priority was to recruit you. Finding this creature can wait, if only for a little while longer."

Now Maria was much more confused. "What? But...why?"

"While we do not yet know what form this cure takes, Volla's visions of what is to come tell us that it cannot be used until after the last of the creatures you call Angels fall," Amora informed her. "Furthermore, if the Angels manage to defeat you mortals and cause another occurrence similar to Second Impact, it will greatly hasten the decline of Asgard. Perhaps doom it immediately."

Now another piece of the puzzle fell into place, causing Maria's eyes to widen. "And...that's why Storm Bringer was created," she gathered, glancing down at the hammer that she held. That gave her a body that quite literally throbbed with the power of a god. "You need someone to fight the Angels, to make sure that we win this war."

"Indeed," Amora confirmed. "If Asgard is to have any chance of surviving, let alone returning to the splendor that it once was, the Angels must be defeated."

At this point, Maria felt a bit more comfortable, but at the same time, disquieted. If Amora and her allies truly needed the Angels destroyed, then that not only gave them a common enemy, but it also meant that the Enchantress couldn't afford to do anything drastic to Maria at least until after the Angel War was over, one way, or another. But at the same time...

"But...how would I even fight the Angels?" Maria wondered with a frown. "So far, all of the Angels that have appeared have been heading straight for NERV Central in Japan."

"I know. Which is why we will arrange for you to go to Japan as well," Amora stated in a casual manner. "I already have a plan in mind to make certain that you join this war."

"Really?" Maria started, more intrigued than she really wanted to admit. For the truth of the matter was, with each Angel that had appeared in Japan, she had become increasingly concerned that she would never get the chance to join the battle for which she had been brought into NERV to begin. Never have a chance to pilot an Evangelion on the fields of the Angel War. And if Amora really could make that happen...

"What exactly do you have in mind?" Maria finally wondered, trying to keep her eagerness for battle out of her voice.

"That, girl, will be my little surprise," Amora smugly informed her.

Not liking the sound of that in the least bit and not just a little annoyed by Amora's games, Maria considered the Enchantress for a time before raising another problem with her plans. "Alright, but...I'm an Eva pilot! I'll already be in an Evangelion, fighting the Angels!" she reminded her. "How can I do that and fight them with this hammer at the same time?"

"Consider Storm Bringer a sword to fall upon, then, in the event your overgrown toys fail you. It matters not how the Angels fall, as long as they do fall," Amora stated in a caustic manner. "Also...Volla's prophecies seem to indicate that the Angels are not the only dangers you may face."

Frowning at the use of the singular in that sentence, Maria asked, "Don't you mean we may face?"

"Nay. For in truth, this is a battle that you will have to face without our assistance," Amora informed her, her expression again twisting with displeasure. "For, unfortunately, Skurge and I will only be able to act overtly for a short time longer. A week or so at the most."

Again, Maria's eyes widened in surprise. But as she considered Amora's words and what she had been told, an idea came to her. "The Odinsleep?"

"Aye. The very night that Storm Bringer descended upon Midgard was the night that the All-Father faded to dream," Amora promptly confirmed. "Leaving Thor and ourselves without the threat of his interference, and with the ability to do what needs to be done." But then she narrowed her eyes and muttered, "But once the All-Father awakens once more..."

A beat passed as Maria took in Amora's expression. The Enchantress certainly had some ability in controlling her emotion, and was clearly skilled in manipulation. But the dark shadow that suddenly crossed her face spoke words about what was on her mind. "You think Odin would...do what? Punish you for trying to save Asgard?" she wondered almost incredulously. "But - he's in Asgard! And you just said that he destroyed the Rainbow Bridge! How or why would he do anything to you here?! How would he even know what you're doing or where you are?!"

"As I've already explained, Odin's mind has been rendered naught but chaos that is impossible to predict. There is no way of knowing how he would react to anything anymore. But at the same time, we cannot risk his madness dooming our only hope of saving Asgard." Then Amora's features tensed, a slight tremor running through her entire body as she admitted, "And even if his power is diminished...you have no comprehension as to how terrible the wrath of Odin is, girl. Being here in the realm of Midgard is no guarantee of safety. And death itself would be a far kinder fate than to fall victim to the All-Father's rage."

"And if we were to act, it could well draw Odin's attention to what we are doing here on Midgard, and to you as well," Skurge added with a furrowed brow. "In his madness, he could lash out at all of us. And if we fall, Asgard will fall with us."

"Which is something we cannot afford to have happen," Amora confirmed with narrowed eyes. "As to how he could find us...he has his ways. And ever since his mind was plunged into madness, his spies have been surveying this world, to make certain that Thor does not attempt to disobey him."

Maria really didn't like the sound of this at all. "If that's the case, then...what about me?" she asked, again glancing down at Storm Bringer. "If these spies see me with Storm Bringer, won't that be as bad them spotting you?"

"Indeed it would, if we hadn't already taken precautions to prevent that from happening," Amora confirmed, a trace of superiority returning to her expression. "Eitri crafted Storm Bringer to be invisible to even the most cunning of Odin's spies, and has disguised the pure Odinforce within so as to be undetectable. And the armor you currently wear not only protects your body, but it also shrouds your appearance, rendering you unrecognizable even to those who know you."

A beat passed before Maria replied, "So if Rebecca or anyone else were to see me like this...they wouldn't recognize me?"

"They would not recognize you as Maria Vincennes, no," Skurge said by way of explanation.

"Indeed. And as you are of Midgard, these charms will insure that you are not at risk of being perceived as being of Asgard by Odin or his servants, even in your current state," Amora continued with one of her more typical smirks. "They would have no reason to pay heed to you, as mortals are beneath the notice of most Asgardians."

Including you, I'm guessing, Maria frowned, directing a glare at Amora. But she didn't say as much, not when she knew that the Enchantress was not above making Rebecca suffer as a form of retaliation. Instead, she gave voice to the one final burning question that now remained. "Alright...let's assume that this is all real. That everything you've said is 100% truth," she slowly began, her eyes narrowed. "It's obvious that you and Thor and everyone else involved in this went to a whole lot of trouble to make this happen. Had to make all of these arrangements, have Storm Bringer made and sent here." Noting the way Amora cocked her head to the side, almost in anticipation of Maria's next question, the new goddess gave that question voice. "So...why me? Why choose me for this?"

There was no pause, not so much as a hint of hesitation before Amora answered, "I have absolutely no idea."

Of all the things Maria had expected Amora to say, this had not come remotely close to being one of them. "Wait...what?!"

"I don't know why you were chosen," Amora reiterated, sounding somewhat annoyed at this. "Volla's visions of what is to come make it clear that you are somehow necessary for Asgard to be healed. That you and only you can enable that to happen. But she knows not what makes you so important."

At this point, Maria's mouth fell open in surprised astonishment. That...that doesn't make any sense! she declared inwardly, unable to fathom something like that. I'm the only one who can save Asgard, but she doesn't know why?! How on Earth -?!

"Now, then...if you are quite done with your questions, there is still much that needs to be done," Amora declared, breaking into Maria's thoughts once more. As the new goddess looked up once more, the Enchantress went on to state, "We have a week, possibly less, to finish our preparations before Odin awakens. There is no time to be wasted on idle chatter."

Starting at this, Maria considered protesting Amora's non-answer regarding her being chosen to bear Storm Bringer, but ultimately decided against it. This bitch is just a pawn on a string, doing whatever she can to get her sentence commuted so she can go home once we're done saving it, she reminded herself. Besides...she doesn't have any reason not to tell me - that I know of, anyway.

Deciding to let that go, if only for the moment, Maria sighed and asked, "So, what happens next?"

"Now that you have Storm Bringer, you must be trained in how to wield its might," Amora intoned in a no-nonsense manner. "Skurge will be able to learn you in the way of its powers and capabilities, but his training will not be enough. Which is why I must go and recruit another to train you."

"Another?" Maria repeated, taken completely by surprise. "There's another Asgardian here on Earth?"

"Not to my knowledge, no," Amora informed her. "However, Thor has told me that, here on Midgard, lives a warrior that is highly learned in the way of battle, with greater skill than even Skurge possesses. And he wishes for me to recruit her, so she can train you for the battles to come."

A mortal warrior that can outdo an Asgardian? This is starting to be a trend! Maria thought. What she actually said was, "But - I've already been trained in how to fight. Weapons training, hand-to-hand, self-defense courses..."

"Perhaps, but what little skill you have been able to hone will not suffice in the face of what is to come," Amora stated in a dismissive manner. "You will need far greater training to achieve your full potential...no matter how feeble that may be."

Keep it up, Amora. And I might decide to blow your head off before you even have a chance to think of hurting Rebecca! Maria scowled inwardly. "So where exactly is this warrior? Does she have a name?"

"Indeed, she has. And when the time comes for introductions, you will learn it for yourself," Amora declared, once again savoring the annoyance that spread across Maria's face. "For now, however, you should return to whence you came, and go about your day. Tomorrow, I will send Skurge to you, so you can learn from him the nature of Storm Bringer's powers, that you may utilize them effectively."

"But how can Skurge get around NERV security?" Maria wondered. "I know you can teleport him to the base, but if anyone sees him, he'll stick out like a sore thumb! And if anybody asks for his ID -"

"You need not worry about such things, girl," Amora assured her with a wave of a her hand and another of her poisonous smirks. "I've been amongst you mortals long enough to have learned how to deal with such minor annoyances. Skurge's presence will neither draw attention, or betray your secrets."

Maria still didn't like this, not in the least. Even if their interests aligned, it was obvious that Amora enjoyed these games of her too much, and that could make her a problematic ally at best and a serious threat at worst. That and the fact that she clearly didn't care about the potential damage she did to Maria's life or anything else was a very serious problem in her mind. That, and the fact that she's powerful enough to get away with so much, she frowned inwardly. Still, if she's really as scared of Odin noticing her as she lets on, she won't be in any hurry to do anything drastic with her powers once he wakes up. And when that happens...

"Well, girl?" Amora spoke, snapping Maria out of her thoughts. "Are you ready to return?"

Taking the broken chain of thought that had been in her mind and filing it away for future consideration, Maria nodded. "Yes," she replied. "There's still a lot that I need to do."

"Very well, then," Amora replied, and with a gesture, conjured a wave of green smoke to envelop the new goddess.

A lot I need to do, Maria thought once more as the Enchantress's home and its Asgardian occupants faded away. And in their place was the junkyard where she had been a short while ago, again completely alone. And plans I need to make...just in case you decide that Rebecca or anyone else is expendable if it means getting your way...


"At last...!" Amora grumbled as her magic whisked away the troublesome mortal whom she had been burdened with. "I could hardly wait to send that bothersome creature away from here."

Skurge didn't comment about this. Instead, he asked, "What now?"

"For now, I need you to wait here," Amora replied, knowing better than to waste any time. The grace period provided them by the Odinsleep would not last forever, and once the deranged All-Father awoke once more, the danger of him detecting any power being drawn from Asgardian sources would return in full, including her own magic. "It's time to recruit the soldier."

Frowning slightly, Skurge hesitated before saying, "Enchantress...I know there is much that needs to be done, but...should we not go to question Lilith? You could send me to her, and -"

"Nay, Skurge. Thor made it clear to me that he wished for both the child and the soldier to accompany us when we question Lilith," Amora stated in a firm manner. "Besides, our focus must be on recruiting the soldier and learning the girl on how to wield Storm Bringer before Odin awakens once more." A beat passed before she frowned and added, "Once she knows how to use it...she'll be able to open the path to Lilith's chamber for us, if Odin has woken at that time."

Even as she spoke these words, however, Amora found herself all but choking on them, along with the idea of being forced to depend on the manipulative mortal child that Volla had pointed to them to. On once more having access to her magical power, but being unable to use it, out of fear of bringing Odin's crazed fury down upon their heads.

But we don't have a choice. Storm Bringer was forged and charmed specifically to avoid being detected by Odin, or Hugin and Munin or any other creature under Odin's thrall, Amora fumed unhappily. Only the hammer and the girl who wields it will be able to safely use the power of Asgard, power that can win this war against the Angels, without the threat of Odin becoming aware of it.

And as much as Amora realized that the chances of Odin becoming aware of what they were doing were relatively small, according to what Thor had told her regarding his current mental state, there was still a danger of that happening. And if that were to happen, his madness made it impossible to predict how he would react to their activities. But the fact that Odin had already been lashing out in violence and had destroyed the Bifrost as a result of an argument with Thor led her and everyone else to fear the worst in such a scenario.

It had been clear that the chosen mortal had no idea as to what the wrath of Odin would mean for them. And in all honesty, Amora was unable to blame her for this ignorance, for she had never witnessed the power of the All-Father with her own eyes. But Amora had. She knew well the command the All-Father had over the Odinforce, and that he wielded powers that dwarfed the entirety of the populace of Asgard. He could read minds from across dimensions, had power over life and death and could bestow the gift of immortality to anyone he chose, and could crush entire worlds in his hands. And Amora could still remember Odin's last battle with Seth, brother of Osiris and serpent god of death, a battle so fierce that it had spanned multiple planes of existence, shattering entire galaxies and reigniting dying stars.

To Odin, we are nothing, Amora thought with a slight tremor of fear. Even now, it would be as of nothing for him to reach out from Asgard and strike us down. And with his sanity and restraint lost to dementia, the only thing that keeps that from happening is the fact that he is not aware of us...

Which made it that much more important that Odin remained unaware of them, and that Thor and the others could somehow keep him complacent enough to not lash out and shatter Asgard beyond recovery long enough for them to deal with the Angels and find whatever artifact was needed to purify Yggdrasil. And as dangerous as all of this was for them, Amora knew that there was no way of avoiding that danger. Not if she was to have any hope of returning home to Asgard. And having an Asgard to return home to.

"Stay here for now, and be ready to come at my call," Amora instructed her half-Jotunn servant even as she conjured a mist that would send her far from this place. "I must set in motion the soldier's coming...as well as arrange for the girl to be sent to Japan." The familiar whoosh of her magic filled her ears as the Enchantress muttered, "Everything must be in place soon...or all is lost."


Author's Notes: And here we have it, the reason why Thor and the forces of Asgard are getting involved in matters on Earth. Things are heating up in a big hurry, so please, read and review! And maybe check out my other stories?

Now, I freely admit that I am not the biggest expert on Thor, so there are things that I don't know about Odin, the Odinsleep, and so on. And in my research, I've discovered a great deal of inconsistency on the origins of Asgard (thanks a bunch, retcons). So some stuff I'm drawing upon is from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (such as the general look of Asgard), but I'm also drawing upon the "Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes" cartoon, which delved into this situation. And in that series, we had the cosmic manifestation of Yggdrasil, which connected the Nine Realms, but also the smaller, organic tree in Odin's castle. It was by corrupting that tree (which Black Panther noted as having all of reality flowing into it) that Loki was able to hijack the Odinforce and take over Asgard, and in a later episode, Thor noted that Yggdrasil was still recovering from the corruption, and as a result, Odin's powers were weakened.

On top of that, both "Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes", and "Thor: The Dark World" indicated that there were already rifts that led from Asgard to the other realms that bypassed the Bifrost. So when I was considering these things in terms of the SOE universe, it occurred to me that, given the destructive forces released during Second Impact, some of that energy could have flowed from Earth/Midgard to the other realms, and given how devastating the impact of the released energies were on Earth, rendering portions of it completely lifeless, it could also be quite damaging to those other worlds. And lo and behold, cue me having yet another story idea.

Mike313, thanks again for the condolences. I know that Maria is an obscure character, but I've already seen her getting stories, and I have plans for getting things rolling, and in a big way. It won't be long before they head on over to Japan and join the rest of the NGE cast. As for Maria not being all that likeable...I've seen even more unlikeable NGE characters pick up a huge following. Besides, I've recently made some discoveries about Thor and the various realms of Yggdrasil, and when I learned these things, the story ideas started bubbling up like a never-ending fountain.

Omake 1

As the massive blade of flames ripped through the earth, shattering stone and sending dirt flying, Maria had no time to dodge. No time to move to defend herself. No time to do anything but instinctively raise her arms before her. Blotting out the blinding flame for a scant moment...just before it slammed right into her.

The force of the impact was such that Maria could easily imagine that it was like to be hit by a train, if that train happened to be on fire at the time. Surrounded by a raging inferno, the new goddess cried out in pain and astonished confusion as she was pushed up off her feet and was sent tumbling out of control. Unable to tell up from down as she carried along by the wave of flames as it continued to cut through the earth, she then felt herself being driven into something. There was a roar of metal screaming just before something seemed to explode, and Maria was then sent flying into the air. Again crying out, the young thunderer soon fell back down again, crashing down upon something, her ears filled with the sound of metal crunching and glass shattering.

"Ugh...!" Maria started as she simply lay there for a time, too dazed and confused to make sense of anything. Bringing her hand to her forehead, she gave it a brief massage before giving her head a slight shaking in order to clear it of the stars and comets that were presently flittering about before her eyes. "What was...?!"

"That was me, bimbo brains!" declared a deep, thunderous voice. Starting at this, Maria looked about, and when she saw the source of the voice, her jaw immediately fell open in shock.

"What the hell?!" Maria gasped, for even after the bizarre events she had been through thus far, what she saw now left her totally stunned. A few meters away stood a massive brute of a woman that was even more massively muscled than Skurge and had breasts that would make the Enchantress screech in envy. Her skin and eyes were a deep emerald green, while unruly purple hair rolled down from her head. She was completely nude, had Skurge's axe in one hand, and to Maria's further astonishment, was dragging the bloodied and battered forms of the Enchantress and Executioner by the other hand.

"Listen up, little girl!" the green woman declared with eyes filled with fury. "I've already had a very bad day so far! Baldilocks here pancaked my car - a car which I still owe 33 payments on, by the way - and when I tried to get him and his bitch boss to pay for it, it turns out that neither of them even have any money!" Pausing to shake them both before letting them drop, the jade brute snarled, "So here's the thing. Blondie her told me that she's basically working for you, and that you have money to spare! So either you pony up the cash for a new car, new wardrobe, and then some, or I beat the hell out of you and then you pony up the cash!"

Her eyes rounding in astonishment at the fact that someone was actually threatening her, Maria furrowed her brows and rose to her feet. "I'd like to see you try, freak!"


"Here you go, ma'am," spoke a shaky teller at Maria's bank, who was looking up at the titanic figure of the nude green woman with nervous eyes even as he finished filling a suitcase with cash. "And, uh...I would thank you to abide by the bank's policy regarding proper dress...next time you visit."

"Thanks, but...don't expect me to drop by all that often," the green woman smirked before looking down at the three bedraggled figures that stood before her. "At least, these three better hope I don't!"

"Aye..." Skurge moaned miserably, his eyes bloodied and swollen and several lumps decorating his head.

"Well, I'd like to say it's been fun, but...it really hasn't. But at least I can get myself a brand-new car! And a few other things that have been on my wish list!" the green woman declared enthusiastically as she turned to leave. But before she departed, she looked at Skurge and stated, "By the way, Baldilocks? I'm keeping the axe."

As the green woman departed, humming cheerfully with cash and axe in hand, Maria glared hatefully at Amora, her own eyes swollen and feeling as if her entire body was one big collection of bruises, abrasions, scrapes, and cuts. "No money..." she grumbled disbelievingly. "You've been on this planet for how long and you don't have any money?!"

"Oh, silence," Amora grimaced, looking to be an ever bigger mess than Skurge. "I never had any need of that dirty paper. Though my powers are mostly depleted, I still have my ability to influence men."

"Which did precisely shit on greenie!" Maria noted, wincing in pain. "Why didn't you tell me that Storm Bringer had a time limit before she used my spine as a squeeze toy?! And do you have any idea how much time I'm gonna have to spend at the casinos to make back everything she just walked off with?!"

"Ugh...shut up..." Amora groused, in too much pain to offer any further protest.

Omake 2

I have a bad feeling about this, Maria grumbled inwardly as she made her way into Orion's office. Hardly even looking at the utter and pure chaos that was the Fourth Wall that lay just beyond the window, she looked about and saw him seated at his desk, a big smile on his face. He's smiling that smile, she moaned inwardly. That's not a good sign...

"Good afternoon, Maria," Orion greeted her with a polite bow of his head. "Come on in, take a seat."

Pausing to study the seat in question, Maria then glanced off to the side, where she saw an automated camera. Her hunch confirmed, she let out a low groan of dismay. "Oh...I see what this is about," she began, making sure to maintain her usual polite mannerisms, despite the fact that she felt like being anything but polite. "You were planning on doing another of sets of omakes where you discuss why you gave me the powers that you decided to give me, and the ones you thought of doing, but didn't."

"Yeah, it's become something of a tradition around here," Orion admitted in a cordial manner.

A tradition each and every one of us wishes you'd drop already! Maria thought. What she actually said was, "Do we have to? Because I really don't feel comfortable with this."

"Now, now, relax! This'll be fun!" Orion assured her. "And it seems to be a hit with the audience. And with you being something of an obscure character in Eva, I'm betting that people are even more curious to know why I decided to bring you into this, not to mention why I gave you the powerset I did."

A beat passed as Maria considered her options, which she soon realized were next to nonexistent. Orion was the boss on this, and though she had not been at his studio as long as the other girls, she knew that he got extremely cranky when things weren't going well or when the crew pulled dumb stunts. And after seeing what happened to people who got on his bad list, she sighed inwardly. Maybe if I cooperate on this, he won't let this stupid thing go on very long and waste too much of my time, she grumbled inwardly. What she actually said was, "Well...if you're sure. But I do have a lot of rehearsing to do for my scenes, and..."

"I understand. This won't take too long," Orion promptly assured her.

Hoping that he kept his word to this, Maria sighed and took the proffered seat. "Alright."

Smiling cheerfully, Orion noted, "You know, it's so nice to deal with someone so cooperative. And on that note..." A beat passed as he turned to face the camera. "Greetings, fans of Superwomen of Eva! Once again, we'll be discussing the choices of powers and identities for the ladies of Eva. This time, the girl we'll be discussing is Maria Vincennes. Let's have a big hand for her!"

Oh, brother... Maria groaned inwardly, making certain to smile even as Orion clapped for her.

"Now, first of all, I really wanted someone to take up the role of Thor in the SOE universe, as he's one of the Big Three of the Avengers, right there with Captain America and Iron Man," Orion began in a pleasant manner. "Of course, I couldn't use Thor himself on the basis that his origin is...well, that he's Thor. But given that there have been others who have taken up hammers and powers similar to his, such as Beta Ray Bill, Thunderstrike, and Roger Norvell aka Red, this seemed like an optimal method of making that happen. And then we have Maria, being a blonde girl, blue eyes, and being physically comparable to Thor Girl in terms of looks, and best of all being a blank slate character from the NGE RPG, "The NERV White Paper", made adapting her for this role the best possible option for making that happen."

So you brought me into this just for my looks, huh? Maria thought sourly, making certain to keep smiling pleasantly and trying not to look as mad as she felt. Well, I guess I should be thrilled I'm getting a story of my own at all...

"Plus, given her character profile from the wiki, I could already see a great deal of story potential in a person with her personality dealing with having the power of a god," Orion went on, mollifying Maria somewhat. "But of course, there were always...other possibilities..."

Aw, dammit, here it comes... Maria grimaced inwardly, knowing what was coming. Do I even want to know what he has in mind...?

"The first alternative to come to mind; Emma Frost, formerly known as the White Queen!" Orion decreed, at which point Maria found herself in a costume that was beyond revealing. It consisted of a corset-like top, a bikini bottom, thigh-high boots with heels, arm-length gloves, and a long flowing cape, all in white.

What the hell?! I didn't ask to be half-naked! Maria shrilled inwardly. What she actually said was, "Uh, Orion...?"

"Now, Emma Frost is a mutant telepath with exceptional skill and capabilities, with her powers having been classified as Omega-Level," Orion went on, apparently unaware of Maria's discomfort. "She can speak with her mind, mind control others, mess with people's memories, perform astral projection...basically, she's pretty much on the same level of telepath as Professor X himself."

Seriously, the entire world can look down my cleavage! Maria continued to rant inwardly. What kind of pervert came up with this thing?! I look like a dancer at a damned strip club!

"On top of that, Emma can transform her body, converting it into a diamond-like substance, which is virtually indestructible," Orion continued, causing Maria's body to transform, becoming translucent crystal. "Her strength, stamina, and endurance are also enhanced, and she has greater resistance to head and cold."

The powers sound great, but seriously! Maria thought even as she became flesh once more. What kind of degenerate would go around in a getup like this?! Why not just strip bare while you're at it?! The results would be pretty much the same! Why's this asshole making me dress up in an outfit like this?!

"Which brings me to why Emma Frost's powers were out," Orion continued, seemingly oblivious to everything. "First of all, her powers would be way too much of a gamebreaker. Seriously, all Maria would have to do would be reach out with her mind, and she could make all of Section 2 eat their own guns, mind control Gendo into jumping off a cliff, get everything she wanted out of anyone, and the story would be over."

Then why don't I just mind control you into stopping with this damned stupid omake?! Maria thought, sorely tempted to employ her temporary powers for just this purpose.

"Also, and let's be honest here; Maria is something of a manipulative bitch. For while she is a jerk with a heart of gold, her wiki describes her as being haughty and domineering, despite maintaining a meek and polite exterior. Mental powers like these would be just asking for trouble." Then Orion gave her a nasty smirk and added, "Not to mention that having such powers would turn her indoor voice into an outdoor voice."

Hmph! And just what's that supposed to -?! Maria started to think, only for her eyes to go wide with horrified realization. Issuing a heavy groan, she looked over at Orion, who had an evil smile on his face. Uh...did you...hear all that...?

"I did. Every. Word," Orion informed Maria even as she changed back to normal. "Including the part about me being an asshole and you mind-controlling me. So before you have to ask...yes, you're in big trouble."

Oh, fuck... Maria thought. What she actually said was, "Oh, fuck..."