Oh how I love the reviews, but I have noticed they have been slowing down. Thank you to all my lovely readers who are sticking with me. I promise you will not be disappointed.

It is the morning after and several people make their return to this story...please remember to review!

Chapter Fifteen - Passing the test

The morning came early for the tenants of Icehawk Mountain. The snow glittered as though it were surrounded in diamonds and gemstones.

Thor had gone to sleep for a short time, but the frustrations of the night before were bothering him. He awoke to the commotions of servants coming to tell them that breakfast was served in the main room.

However, he needed to work off his frustrations. He was performing some situps while suspended off the balcony ledge. He hung loose and if he were to slip, he would plummet into the waterfall below.

He crawled back to the balcony and began to work on strengthening his arms through push-ups.

The workout regiment was good as Sif was still sleeping. Torunn had started running a fever and would not sleep. Sif was the perfect mother, tending to their child while neglecting her own rest.

A knock came to the door.

Thor entered the suite, wiping off the sweat off his chest with a cloth, and opened the door.

There stood Jane Foster, the queen.

Now he felt as though he were insulting her presence the way he appeared in the doorway.

"Good morning Prince Thor," she said.

"Good morning Lady Jane," he replied. He looked up and saw the Loki was standing not too far and not too close from her.

"I have come to remind you about breakfast in the main hall," she told him. "Please feel free to dine as we will be departing soon for Stark Industries for the testing facility."

She departed, taking Loki's hand. He wore a dark green that appeared black tunic and silk pants. Jane had on a dark blue robe that wrapped around her body and dragged behind.

Loki stared back with a sideways, diabolic stare. It was obvious that it was directed at him.

His parents put on morning clothes and headed down to the majestic assortment of fruits, breads, and drinks. There was barely any room for them to sit down.

His father sat on Loki's left next to his mother while Jane sat at his right.

Loki munched on a piece of melon while his parents were eating one of the many delights that were to offer.

"So son," Odin decided to start the conversation. "You have established quite a kingdom."

"Yes I have," he replied.

"I have been meaning to ask brother," Thor asked from one of the further spots on the table. "How is it that you arrived on Midgard? The BiFrost had been aimed at Jotunheim so it would only make since that you would have landed there."

"As surprised as I was when I arrived here on Midgard," Loki answered with a smile. "I figured that I would have landed in Jotunheim as well, but I allowed fate to steer my course and she dropped me here."

"I was glad when you sent us the invitation," his mother stated. "It meant that you were safe."

"I was a lost soul mother," he replied. "I did not know what I wanted, I mean I did know what I wanted, but then I met my beautiful wife and she changed me." Loki reached and took Jane's hand in his. "She made me into a better man and a better king."

Thor rolled his eyes.

"You seem skeptical brother," Loki directed the conversation to him.

"What do you mean?" he replied.

"That I could be a better man and king."

"I do not think that," Thor said. "I just find it hard to believe after what happened on Asgard that you would be able to take control so easily."

"Well," Jane said, "he had some help."

"That I did darling," he said and kissed the tops of her fingers.

Thor was going to wrench if he had to watch this amorous exchange further.

Another person walked into the room. He wore colored lenses over his eyes and a light gray suit that clashed against the purplish red shirt underneath.

A lovely auburn-redhead was on his arm.

"Good morning my king," the man boasted.

"Tony," Loki replied in the same manner and got up from his chair. The two men embraced briefly. "How was your trip through the portal? Abygail, how are you today?"

"Very well my king," the woman Abygail replied. Loki kissed her hand as well.

"The portal console is staged and ready in your hanger," Tony Stark replied. "The command tower performed flawlessly to bring us from my company's building to here without any repercussions."

"Minus the static cling in the hair," his companion joked.

"Well, that is to be expected," Tony replied.

"Excellent my friends," Loki replied. "Please, come and meet my family. This would be my brother Thor, God of Thunder."

"Pleasure to meet you," Tony said. "Heard you have a mean swing."

Thor was not sure as to what that meant.

"My father Lord Odin and mother Queen Frigga of Asgard," he introduced them.

"Tony and Abby," Tony introduced themselves.

"You know my wife."

"Janie," Abby said and came to embrace her. "How are you?"

"Excellent," Jane replied. "Darling, if it is OK with you, Abby and I are going to go have some girl time in getting presentable for the demonstration today."

"By all means, go," Loki replied. "Have a grand time."

Jane and Abby walked out of the chamber holding hands, heading back for no doubt her stateroom where she would be getting dressed.

"So Mr. Stark," Loki asked, "we are good to go for today?"

"We are my king," Tony replied, tossing an apple in the air and catching it around from behind. "Hawkeye and Widow are on monitoring detail, Coulson is on security watch, and Captain Rogers is overseeing credible threats."

"Any that should be taken seriously?"

"Just the usual rebel banter. Nothing I would worry about."

"What sort of problems are you having my son?" his father asked as they were about to leave the chamber as well.

"Nothing out of the usual," Loki replied. "Just a few former super villains who cannot stand that they are yesterday's news. They want the world driven back into its old chaotic ways so they can have a shot at power. Nothing but banter. Please do not concern yourselves."

Abby Wickford-Stark and Jane Foster-Odinson were in her bedchamber looking at two different outfits that Jane held up.

"What color is his majesty wearing?" her best friend asked.

"He'll be wearing his armor as usual," she replied. "I wear a lot of green, but I want to wear something different. Something bold and interesting."

"Are you doing casual or formal?"

"Casual. Loki says no royal gown this time."

"Janie, you have every gown under the sun and beyond. Whatever you wear will be sufficient."

The doors opened and Jane dove behind the dressing screen.

"It's just me darling," Loki said as he walked into the washroom for he needed to get ready as well. "Have you found something to wear yet?"

"That is what we are doing now," Abby replied. "She is so indecisive."

"Well Abs when you have to worry about whatever you are wearing is going to be on the front cover of every tabloid around the globe, you would be like me too," Jane said.

The king appeared from the washroom, adjusting the collar of his uniform. "Please select something Jane," he said to her. "We do need to be underway."

"Bold and interesting, eh," Abby said. "Sexy and powerful."

"But while being beautiful and sophisticated," the king said.

Then the both of them replied, "Purple."

"Purple it is then," Jane said and started getting dressed.

She emerged in an orchid purple one-piece where the front of the skirt was shorter than the back that went passed her knees. A dark bronze corset lined the front of her abdomen while purple fabric covered her chest.

Jane slipped on a pair of heels as she emerged.

"See my love, how hard was that?" Loki said. "You look ravishing."

"Thank you my darling," she answered and took his arm.

"I will escort you as well Lady Stark," Loki said offering his other arm to her.

"Why thank you my lord," Abby said and the trio walked out of the bedchamber.

The Asgardians were escorted through the castle to a large set of doors. They were opened to a metal room with a long staircase that led down.

Thor was not accustomed to the vehicles of Earth other than his first visit, but the only vehicle he had been in was Jane's van and the cable car that brought them to this palace.

The demonstration was not to take place in this large chamber, so how were they going to get there.

His brother appeared, talking and laughing with two women on his arm. One was Jane and the other was the lover of Stark. They appeared to be joking with another.

"Ah, my precious invention," his brother said. "What a grand design she is? You should be honored Tony for your fine accomplishment."

"I never would have been able to have built this without your backing," he said as he reclaimed his wife. "Shall we make this a show."

"Lets," Loki replied with a smile.

"Fire it up!" Tony shouted.

Power snaked down the cable from the tower in the corner of the chamber. People were energizing the ring, causing it to glow and form a magical portal. The spectrum reminded him of the BiFrost and all the times he had to take it.

"Is it safe?" Thor wondered and asked at the same moment.

"Minus the static cling in the hair," Tony Stark said, "works like a dream. Used it this morning already and we are going to make a lot of royals very happy."

"Portal clear," a voice from the tower said. "Portal connected. You may step through."

Loki and Jane Odinson were the first to step through followed by Tony and Abygail Stark.

His mother and father followed closer so it would be only prudent if he and Sif went through as well.

As they were coming through, their names were being announced and celebratory applause greeted them. The other royals from the other realms were in awe that they had appeared before them.

Thor may not know where he was at that time, but it was clear that he was somewhere that was owned by Stark; as his name slathered across the walls of yet another large chamber.

Loki stepped to the podium with Jane stepping back to stand just off to his right.

"As you can see my fellow royals," he finished the speech that had already been started, "our travels across the universe can now be simplified. With this new portal created system, your people can now move your goods and services to the other planetary realms within seconds. It is Midgard's hope that we can now be connected with you further. The research has been completed, the technology is now developed, and now a treaty between the realms is all we need to seal our agreements. May this be the start of a new relationship between the nine realms."

The applause was great.

Thor could not believe the look he saw on his father's face.

Jane and Loki were approached by him before they departed their speaking posts. He overheard his father say, "Loki, I am so proud of you and I am honored to call you my son."

And Loki responded with an overwhelming embrace and thank you.

His mother also kissed his cheek and hugged him.

Jane also was acknowledged for her efforts in supporting him.

Everyone nearly stepped down, but suddenly Thor stopped. He could hear something was whistling through the air. That something was growing louder and louder as it drew closer.

A projectile was coming at them.

"Everyone, down!" Thor shouted, but it was too late as an explosion rang out as the projectile struck a flying winged object belonging to Stark.

The royals and guests of the ceremony were all knocked down by the fire and debris that poured from the craft's destruction.

He located Sif who was tucked safely behind the stage.

Loki had covered over Jane and tossed aside his cape to check on her.

"Are you safe?" Thor asked.

"We're fine," his brother replied. "Where are mother and father?"

"Here," their father said. "What was that?"

Suddenly, there was a small group of men or what appeared to be men. One was adorned in metal and green much like his brother. He wore a mask to conceal his face and much of his body.

Another man was wearing a hood that covered over his red face.

There was a third person who walked into the chamber with a blue helmet upon his face with a target looking design. He had a large weapon mounted to his shoulder.

"Greetings one and all," the one with the silver mask said. "We wished that we were invited to this mighty accomplishment."

"No one invited you," Tony Stark shouted. "Rebel scum are never invited to items regarding the state." His wife was hiding behind him.

"That is why we felt that we needed to come," the man with the red face hissed. "These people need to know what is really like on the outside of the palace walls. How the people are oppressed and suffering."

"You maybe," Loki shouted to them. "You cannot seem to admit that you are, how do Midgardians say it, old news."

The one in blue was going to fire at him, but Loki used telekinetics to throw him aside.

"Get them!" the metal man shouted.

"Avengers, attack!" Loki shouted pointing at them.

Several people in the crowd took up their weapons, Thor noticed, and started to fire on the wizards and invaders.

King Loki forced Jane and grabbed Lady Stark by her wrist (due to her delicate condition) and forced them to hide by him.

The villain Bullseye attempted to fire on them, but his armor shielded them from harm.

He pushed the girls toward a wall where Jane was able to open the door.

"Get in there and hide," he told them.

"What about you?" Jane wanted to know by grabbing his arm.

His staff appeared at his calling into his hand. "That is what this is for," he said, snuck a kiss, and rushed off into the battle.

More of Dr. Doom's rebels arrived to fight and it was a bloody free-for-all.

Loki regrouped by his father, brother, Sif, and Captain Rogers who were hiding behind the stage.

"Any particular reason why they are here my lord?" Thor asked.

"They have to be after the tesseract or portal ring prototype," he told them. "We must not let them have it."

"How do we stop them son?" his father wanted to know.

"Simple," he suggested. "Kill them. Gets them out of my hair at last."

Everyone emerged from their hiding place and into the heated battle.

Queen Frigga made her way to where she could check on the girls and hide with them. She could defend her own, but she would rather defend them if they needed assistance.

"Are you safe?" the mother wanted to know.

"Abby is breathing pretty hard," Jane was telling her. "I am afraid that she might be in a little shock."

"A little," Jane's friend said, gasping for breath.

Frigga took her hands and held Abygail's hands within. "Look at me young Midgardian," she said. "Just calm yourself down."

The young woman who was incredibly weak did start to calm herself down.

Jane was staring out the door at the battle, watching Thor, Loki, and her husband Odin doing battle in trying to defend the portal.

"Oh no," Jane said.

"What?" she wanted to know.

"The tesseract," the Midgardian queen mentioned. "It's in the console. I have to get it before Doom or any of the rebels get their hands on it."

Frigga reached and grabbed her even as she was trying to calm the other woman down. "You cannot go out there," she said.

"I have to. They cannot get it," Jane said as she broke free of her grasp.

Jane ran to the console near the portal. She had to duck down from flying debris and magical beams zigging and zagging over her head.

Finally she reached the console and started to power it down. It had to completely shut off and the wires pulled from the casing that protected the tesseract before it could be removed.

She did not want Doom or any of his henchmen to get a hold of the tesseract or the technology.

With the wires pulled, the entire system shut down. She flipped open the hatch, twisted the handle that faced her, and locked up the tesseract in its power capsule. The capsule pulled out with all the yanking her arms could provide.

The glowing cube was finally free as she stared at it with her eyes.

"Done," she said and held it in her hands.

"Yes you are my dear," a voice called to her.

The queen looked up and saw Dr. Doom was floating above her, using energy to levitate himself. He came down and faced her.

"I will not allow you to get the tesseract," she challenged him, embracing the tesseract in her arms.

"And I suppose you, a pathetic mortal are going to stop me," Doom hissed at her.

Jane stood there, but was trapped by the computer console.

"You are defenseless and weak Lady Jane. Hardly worth destroying...but if I cannot have the tesseract, then I will destroy your husband, by destroying you first."

Thor looked up and saw that the metal magician had Jane trapped and she could not get away from him.

The being's hands were glowing and were going to strike and potentially kill her.

"Jane!" he called out for her and went running.

Loki heard his wife's name and turned once he was done blasting another villain who had interrupted his moment of glory.

The rival magician known as Dr. Victor Von Doom was about to kill Jane.

But he had heard his brother call out for his wife and was charging toward her.

"Jane," he cried out.

Thor tackled Jane down and they went flying just as the magical blast fired passed his brother's cape. It struck near the console unit causing a large explosion.

She was spared as was his brother.

Loki summoned the flames into his hands, meshed in his icy waves, and formed a power ball of great magnitude. He barely had control of it, but focused on where he wanted it to go.

"Doom!" he shouted just before whipping it toward the rebel.

Doom retreated into a vanishing smoke cloud; a tempting laugh echoing throughout the testing facility.

"Coward," he growled. Then his attention was finally directed on that which he cared about most. "Jane."

Jane slowly regained consciousness after Thor had tackled her down to the concrete ground.

Her savior looked at her, staring intently while trying to catch up on his own breathing.

"Are you OK?" he asked her.

"Yeah," she replied. She put a hand to the front of her head and gave it a quick shake. Had to make sure all the marbles were accounted for and in place. "Thank you Prince Thor." She saw that the capsule was also in her hand as well.

The villains had not gotten it.

"Jane," she heard her name as her husband came to check on her as well as many others who were concerned for her safety. "Are you safe?"

"I'm fine," she replied as she got back to her feet; one of her heels of her shoes broken. "Other than my shoes, I am good. Damn rebels." She hobbled trying to get the shoe off.

Loki was checking her arms and shoulders and head for any injuries.

"No really darling, I am fine," she reassured him.

"I am just making sure that you are OK," he replied. "I get scared when I cannot protect the woman I love. I really wish you would reconsider the decision to remain mortal and..."

"That is not a conversation for now," she replied. "I told you that I would come to that point when I was ready and now is not..." and Jane collapsed.

Thor watched as Jane fell, but his brother caught her in his arms.

"Jane," Loki said as he slowly guided her down to the floor.

Black Widow came to her side and was concerned about her queen. "My queen," the SHIELD operative called her title. "I do not see any visible wounds."

But Jane did wake up again. "Why am I on the floor?" she asked nearly out of breath.

"You fainted my love," Loki told her.

"Fainted?"

"I think she may have a concussion," Widow told him. "I think we need to get her checked out by a doctor. Can you stand my queen?"

"I think so," Jane replied and did get back to her feet.

Thor stared at Jane as she walked away with the redhead.

"My brother, I thank you," Loki said putting his hands on his upper arms. "Thank you for saving my Jane."

"Do not mention it," he replied. "Jane is a good friend and I would do it again."

"But if you had not been here, I would have lost her for good," Loki told him. "Please join us for dinner later."

"Sure," he replied, but walked away from him to join his parents.

That interaction was just bizarre.

Hope you all enjoyed that chapter. I am working on the pictures of Jane's wardrobe from both the party and this testing uniform. She has some splendid attire does she not? Keep on reading and keep on reviewing. The fainting is only the beginning.