Chap 11

That night, Desi had told Thor and Buck everything about what happened, but Desi couldn't help but feel that Buck was more attentive, always touching here and his eyes never leaving her; did something that he hadn't shared yet? Desi wasn't sure what happened, but she continued to ask if he was alright, but he never answered her.

When morning came, Desi spent her day in Tony's workshop, working alongside with Jarvis as she pulled everything she could on Spider-Man. Her mind kept wandering to the kid from last night, wandering how he came to be what he was, but she hoped he made it home alright.

"What are you doing here, Angel?"

Desi looked up to see Tony approaching her with a smirk, his eyes on her before he casually glanced around the various open windows all around her.

"I met a kid last night while on assignment, helped me out of a jam but…I saw his memory accidentally and decided to follow up," Desi explained, "I wanted to see what I could find before I alerted you."

Desi opened a vid for Tony, showing her recent discovery. Tony watched the vid of a diner being held up when someone in a red suit crashed into the restaurant in a spider-like costume, shooting what looked like webs before the police arrived, but the spider person managed to detain them long enough.

"This is a good find, but you said he was a kid. Are you sure?" Tony asked.

"He was with a friend, had to be at least 15, he looked like a high school kid," Desi told him, "Actually, I got a name and a phone number!" Desi pulled up the hidden file and pulled up Peter Parker. It contained his name, recent picture, social media accounts, and all his personal information.

"You're sure this is the right person?" Tony asked.

"Here, let me show you." Desi said, offering her hand. He looked at her questionably but reluctantly took her hand. Desi was quick to show him how they met, paying him, and Peter's excitement in meeting her. Tony wanted to lecture her on the phone number exchange, but he'd have to worry about that later.

"And you got all of this from just this morning?" Tony questioned.

"Well, Jarvis helped me. He's pretty amazing, Tony." Desi reminded him.

"Of course, he is, an amazing person created him." Tony informed her, making her giggle.

"But of course. So, tell me, what do you think so far?" Desi asked.

"Well, he's just a kid but he can be just as dangerous. Any reports that warrant caution?" Tony asked her.

"None so far, but I think we should bring him in" Desi said, but saw Tony's questionable glare at her, "he's just a kid, you know? Without training, he can easily get confused or lose sight of what is right and wrong."

Tony saw the potential in the kid but agreed wholeheartedly with Desi; it would help if they could avoid future problems; avoid another Loki.

"Alright, fine. I'll investigate him, see what he says. Thanks for bringing this to my attention." Tony said, clasping a hand on her shoulder.

Desi felt a squeeze on her right hand and looked down to see her ring from Asgard glow and looked back to Tony.

She was needed.

"I need to go, I'm so sorry." She spoke, not waiting for his response when she ran up the stairs. She made her way outside of the compound where she saw Thor land right in front of with Astros beside him. Making her way towards Astros, she remained oblivious to the men following her when she raised up her hand, closing her eyes.

"Mammen!" she yelled.

She waited a moment, wondering if she said it wrong when she felt something in her hand. She opened them up and smiled when she saw her war axe, looking down to see her Asgardian armor was dressed over her armor from Tony.

"That's new…" Tony said softly, glancing over to Steve.

"What's happening?" Steve asked.

"Asgard may be in danger, I've come to collect Desi."

"Hey, Metal Man."

Bucky looked over to Tony.

"Here, put this on her." Tony whispered, handing Buck a small metal clip.

Bucky looked at it cautiously but nodded when he took it, approaching Desi. He placed the studded clip on her leather chest piece, making Desi blush at his closeness.

"What's this for?" Desi asked as Bucky towered over her.

"It's a live cam feed if we decide to check on you." Tony explained as Buck handed her an earpiece.

"This is a body and hearing cam; we'll be able to see and hear everything recorded." Tony told her.

"10-4, thank you, Sir Tony." She said softly.

Thor helped guide her onto Astros when Bucky came forward, grasping the reins.

"Let me come with you." He offered.

"She will be safe with me." Thor told him but Bucky wasn't accepting that.

"She's not just yours." Bucky told him, refusing to let her go.

"It's Asgardian business, we should let them sort this out." Steve said, trying to help them out, but Bucky wouldn't budge.

"Can you really say that you'll always be by her side?" Bucky said.

"No one would allow harm to come to her, I assure you." Thor said as he mounted the horse with her.

Bucky looked at Desi with his hard stare, but she took his hand.

With just a touch, he felt himself calm, looking at her hand to notice she didn't use her abilities.

"I'll come back soon; I promise." She swore, "We can even have a date when I get back."

He clenched his jaw but nodded reluctantly before he released her.

"Don't be late."

"Wouldn't dare to."

"I'll bring her back as soon as I can." Thor told them, calling for Heimdall before they disappeared.

Arriving back In Asgard, Desi smiled when saw Frigga waiting for them.

"Hello, my dear." Frigga said with a smile.

"Hello, Mother Frigga." Desi said, offering her a hug with Thor smiling at their interaction.

"I'm glad to see you've returned, we appreciate you." Frigga said with a smile.

"Where's father?" Thor asked.

"You need to speak Heimdall before you see your father." his mother told him.

"Are you sure?"

"It pertains to your Jane Foster."

Desi let out a frustrated sigh, "Of course…" she said under her breath.

"Desi…" Thor told her, but she looked at him with a small smile.

"I know, I trust you. Just…don't be gone too long, okay?" she asked of him.

Thor preciously kissed her forehead, "I will be back as soon as I am able." He said, leaving them before he used his hammer to fly off.

"I'm afraid All-Father wishes to speak with you. He's not in a good mood so please; don't take everything to heart." Frigga warned Desi before she led the way.

The guards held open the double doors, and Desi finally saw him, Thor's father, Odin. He stood there, draped in armor approaching them when he saw that it was his wife who walked in.

"Hello Lady Destiny, thank you for coming as soon as you could, my child." Odin announced.

"Thank you for calling All-Father, what is it you need of me?" Desi asked as she bowed to him.

"I am ready to hand my throne over to Thor. When the time comes, I want you to take the throne with you by his side. Although you were born mortal, within a time here on Asgard, your body would adapt to our world. You'd live a long life beside him, and you'd be allowed to visit Midgard if you so wish." Odin explained.

"I don't know if I could…I have friends and family there. I…I don't know if I couldn't bear to being without them." Desi said.

"You wish to age and die in the blink of an eye beside them? What of Thor, then? Would you leave him to watch you die in his arms?!" Odin asked.

Desi kept her ground, but she was shaken, trying to contain her emotions. She had never considered that, and her guilt worsened.

"Mortals have no grasp of such things in Asgard, so forgive me for my outburst." Odin said, forgetting she was a fragile soul.

"You are simply a father worried for his son; I understand." She said, but she was trying to convince herself more.

"A kind soul, you are. Please, think it through." Odin told Desi before looking at his wife.

"Now, where is that son of mine?" Odin asked.

"He will be back soon, my king." Frigga assured him, but Odin frowned.

"Where has he gone?" He asked, still wanting an answer.

Frigga bowed her head down; she chose not to answer.

"All-Father!" A guard approached them.

"Speak!"

"Thor has returned with a woman name Jane."

Odin was angered to hear this, looking down at Desi's frown on her face, her eyes closed.

"Frigga, take Desi to her new room." Odin told them.

"Of course, All-Father." Frigga spoke before walking towards the door.

"Lady Destiny," she looked up once more at All-Father, "I will be sure to end his attachment with her, don't give up on him."

She smiled, "I trust him, All-Father, you need not worry." She said before following Frigga.

Desi let out a breath, Frigga sensing her tension.

"Do what brings you happiness, don't sacrifice yourself to please others." Frigga told Desi.

Desi nodded, but she was absent-minded, not fully aware.

"Odin was pleased, despite his composure just now. He had this room detailed for you." Frigga continued.

Close to the room Desi last stayed in, she was escorted into a large room with a bed the size of two-family beds, draped in gold and red sheets on the left side of the room. Walking in was a double door, with no doubt of another balcony. The floor was of stone, but the walls were just as golden with blue and green draperies designing the room.

In the center was a round wooden table of a simple design with a curved loveseat on each side, with a cupboard nearby and tall bookshelves filled to the brim with books.

"I must go calm my husband; I will check on you soon." Frigga told her before leaving her alone. The moment the door closed, she opened the balcony door, feeling conflicted when she leaned against the doorframe, staring at Thor's ring on her finger.

"Troubled?"

Desi smiled, looking up to see Loki standing there.

"When aren't I, right?" she joked.

Loki smirked, walking slowly towards her when he saw what preoccupied her.

Thor's ring, a ring his father gave him for his intended.

She had accepted.

"You are his, then?" Loki asked with a sneer.

"I didn't accept his hand, just the chance to know him."

"Ah, typical." Loki said.

Loki was furious, he wished to be freed and rip that ring from her fingers, but he knew it was futile.

"Odin wishes for me to stay here, give up my life on Midgard." Desi said, sadness evident in her voice.

"Do you wish to stay?" Loki asked, feeling hopeful to have her closer.

"It's peaceful and beautiful here but I love my family and friends…how could I choose?" Desi answered.

"You are too emotional."

"No…" Loki heard Desi mutter.

"Since the moment we met, that's all you've ever been, and you crave being coddled, taken care of as if you were some rare delicate flower. Hoping to be saved and maybe pitied, even. It's not a very good look for you, darling." Loki told her.

Loki noticed Desi being non-respondent and realized he may have been too harsh towards her. He walked forward to see what she was looking at and his eyes widened.

Thor was holding hands with Jane, with Jane leaning into him. She wiped her tears and looked away; she wasn't going to break in front of him.

Or anyone.

Loki knew Desi was hurting, and he was lashing out…but it didn't make it hurt any less. She closed her eyes, and he couldn't stand her not responding, so he read into her mind. He saw her learning about Jane, her trainings, her new relationships, and her uneventful reunion with her brothers. He saw her come back for the sake of Jane, the All-Father yelling at her to make a choice with the threat of Jane being now on Asgard with Thor.

Desi was questioning her relationship with not just Thor but everyone, and Loki was making it easier to reject him-

No, them.

"Desi-"

"Fool me once, shame on you…Fool me twice, shame on me." Desi whispered, chuckling to herself as she looked away from the Thor. She took off Thor's ring and placed it on the wooden table, her heart heavy but she fought hard to not let out a sob. "Shame on me for missing you Loki…" she whispered.

"What?" Loki questioned, but he heard her words.

"I know you haven't visited, but t's probably best if you didn't visit me anymore, but thanks…for making my next decision a little bit easier for me." Desi said.

Loki saw Desi's tears, but she was trying to be strong, and he regretted everything. He opened his mouth to say something, but she looked up at him with one last smile.

"Goodbye, Loki." she said with kindness as she walked towards the bedroom door.

Loki heard the door open, and he had no choice but to disappear.

Frigga had just walked in when she immediately saw at the wide-open door what her son was doing: deflecting a kiss and looked at Desi with concern. Desi approach her, noticing Thor's ring alone on the table in the corner of her eye.

"Don't let this define your relationships with Thor, or for anyone." Frigga told her as she grabbed Desi's arms, but Desi shook her head.

"I am sorry, Lady Frigga, but I'm going home now knowing that I'm not needed right now. I meant what I said though, I will come with a call from you and All-Father. You still have me, my lady." Desi assured her with a sad smile.

Frigga gave her a tight hug, worried that something like this would happen.

"Be safe, my daughter." Frigga told her, smiling at Desi once more before she left the room.

No sooner than Loki came back to consciousness, he heard madness in the dungeon and stood to see what was happening. A creature had broken out from within the cell, releasing everyone but him. He gave him a cold stare before walking away from Loki.

"You may want to take the stairs to the left," Loki told the creature but was surprised when he shot at the barrier, freeing him from his prison. He was surprised but he camouflaged himself and followed the creature. He was a force to reckon with and he knew he'd lead for that one person: Odin.

Desi pulled her hood over her head, wishing to hide her tears but hid in hopes Thor wouldn't recognize her. She managed to make through undetected when she heard Thor's familiar voice.

"Lady Destiny!"

Desi chuckled, refusing to look back when she saw Astros waiting for her at the gate doors and quickly mounted him, flying towards Heimdall when she saw him running on the bridge. She didn't see it right away, but she saw something move, and her senses panicked.

"Buck, I'm sorry. I'll be running a little late."

Desi eyes widened when she realized where they are aiming for.

"Oh my god, Frigga!" Desi flew back to the castle.

Desi yelped when she heard shots around her and Astros was dodging them as best as he could.

"Careful, Astros!" Desi yelled as she clung onto him, seeing the missed shots hitting other structures around her, and hearing cries of the people around her. She looked down and saw people waving for her when she yelped in pain, something painful hitting her side.

"Astros, no!" she yelled when they fell onto the stone bridge with people around them, losing the air in her chest.

She grunted, ignoring the pain as she healed Astros, noticing cuts already on his body.

"Lady Desi!" Desi heard someone yell. She saw blasts coming and her mind went into overdrive.

"On me!" she yelled throwing a dome over them. The people ran towards her as the dome grew, but she needed to get to the castle.

Regardless of what Thor and Loki had said and did to her, Desi wanted to help Frigga, she was their mother. "...Mother Eir, what do I do?" She asked when she felt her war axe almost pull for her soul. She lifted it, noticing engravings light up.

"Well, that's new…" she said, but she felt her war-axe empowering the shield. She couldn't explain it, but she saw flashes of Lady Eir flying down with her hands glowing, handing her war-axe to the villager, flashes of the villager running with a dome around him, and Desi smiled at that.

"Thank you, mom…" Desi whispered before looking for an adequate person.

"Take care of them for me Mammen." she said softly, turning to now healed warrior.

"Take this! It will hold the barrier long enough for you all to get to safety, do you understand?" she told him.

"Yes, my lady." he said, grateful to her as he took it from her.

"Astros, take the smaller children; they won't be able to make it without help." she told him.

Astros neighed but Desi kissed his head, resting her head against his as she felt her emotions nearly overwhelm her.

"Come back to me, I still need you, okay?" Desi said, her voice shaking at the mere thought of something happening to Astros. He bowed, allowing the children on him before standing beside the soldier.

"On me, let's go!" he yelled, leaving her alone.

Desi took Tony's hilt in her hand and took a deep breath.

"I'm not a burden, I'm not afraid…I'm not a burden, I'm not afraid." she chanted.

Desi took one last deep breath off running, hearing the shots around her as she ran at full speed, all her morning jogs finally paying off. Desi was halfway to the castle when the bridge at her feet dropped, hearing her scream in horror as she was quickly falling into the water.

The thought of not saying goodbye to everyone made Desi feel something pull from inside her, her body glowing gold and she realized she was no longer falling. She looked down at herself, panicking for a moment before more shots were coming towards her.

"Ah! No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!" she yelled, thinking of how Iron Man flies, and mimicked his hand gestures.

Desi squealed, twirling mid-air when she avoided more fires. She finally made it into the castle and dropped onto the floor, looking around helplessly before she made her way to Frigga's room.

When she pushed it open, she saw Frigga and Jane standing there with a pale elven looking man standing in front of them in an all-black attire. She saw the man with a sword, as did Frigga.

"Ah, you must Lady Destiny, the future queen of Asgard." he said.

"Does your mother know you came into a woman's room? I'm afraid boys aren't welcome." Desi said, slowly walking to stand beside Frigga.

"Mortal humor. I am Malekith. You are not part of this, I came for what is mine." the man said, looking to Jane.

"Bring her to me!" Malekith yelled, but Desi threw a shield as he attempts to hit Frigga.

Desi couldn't let Thor and Loki lose their mother, not on her watch.

She double tapped her wrists and suited up, her Asgardian armor disappearing.

"Get Jane to safety!" Desi said, throwing her shield again.

"Daughter…"

"Go!" Desi yelled when Malekith set his sights on her.

"I will kill you first, I will ensure that Asgard will be queen less when they fall to my hands!" Malekith said before he charged at Desi.

Frigga grabbed Jane, pulling her out of the room as Desi squeezed her hilt, her sword being unveiled.

As Desi deflected, he wasted no time fighting back. Each time she deflected, periodically shield bashing him as she started to gain the upper hand. She twirled and swung her sword upward with a large grunt.

Desi heard Malekith yelp and saw that he had a cut on his cheek. She had dodged his next strike when someone grabbed the back of her neck. She felt the grip tighten, trying to gain the upper hand but the hand even tightened more, cutting off her airway when a large man lifted her, turning her to face Malekith.

"You are powerless here, mortal." Malekith told her.

"And you…you're…weak alone." Desi said as her body glowed.

"Destiny!"

Malekith turned and before he could register the voice, electricity hit him in the face throwing him back as two daggers flew to the larger elf. The large elf loosened his hold on Desi and she nearly escaped when he grabbed her again.

The large dark elf spun Desi around as he grabbed the back of her neck, pulling her to him when she felt a painful stab in her stomach. Desi screamed out in pain before he released her, running to Malekith and escaping as Thor attempted to hit him again.

"NO!" Thor and Loki yelled as she tried to heal herself.

She felt some relief, but she knew she couldn't fully heal herself.

"Darling, look at me!" Loki shouted, his eyes watering, his face becoming red from anger.

Loki fell to his knees and placed a hand over her injury, and Desi cried out again. He put a hand on her cheek, struggling to contain himself.

"I…I need Astros. I need…t-to go home, please." Desi told him.

Loki struggled to leave her, but Thor called out for Astros.

"Lady Destiny." Desi looked over her head and saw Odin with Frigga in his arms, Jane standing beside them with a look of horror on her face when she saw Desi bleeding out on the floor.

Loki brought Desi back to his attention when she coughed, blooding coming from the corner of her mouth.

"Why did you do that, you stupid woman?" Loki asked her.

Desi smiled, a weak laugh escaping her.

"Because she's your mother." she answered.

Thor was fighting his anger, his eyes watering as he watched her.

This was his fault.

He should've stayed with her.

Loki brought her hand down and casted a spell before he brought up her left hand to her face. She blinked, noticing a golden ring with a green stone in the center.

"I was a fool for hurting you, I didn't mean any of it. I cherish you, Lady Destiny. I will burn their world for you, darling. I will make them bleed one by one, they will know true fear, I swear it." Loki said in a threatening voice.

"No more chaos, not without me, okay?" she joked but he refused to find humor in this.

"Loki, I'm not mad at you, I forgive you..." she said softly, attempting to touch cup his cheek but she was too weak. Desi coughed once more, more blood escaping her mouth, and Loki was livid. He caught her hand and placed it on his cheek before placing a quick kiss in her palm.

"Desi, he's coming." She looked over to Thor, who finally spoke and saw the torment on his face.

"Finish this for Asgard. And be happy with Jane, or anyone else you desire, okay?" she said.

"You're not saying goodbye here, love..." he said, taking her other free hand and kissing her palm gently. Desi closed her eyes, looking away as she heard her Pegasus's wings coming in.

Frigga kneeled beside her and placed her hand over her injury and Desi whined again.

"Call Mammen, she will help stop the bleeding enough until you get home," Frigga told her, "Call Heimdall when you're ready to come home, our people here still need you, my darling daughter. You will not die today."

Frigga saw her own vision, she was meant to die today; but somehow, fate reversed this and instead Desi took the wound.

Astros landed with a neigh and bowed, allowing Loki to lift Desi onto the Pegasus, having no choice but to have her lay on her stomach as she clutched onto her Pegasus.

"Hold on tight, darling…" Loki said softly. He never knew if he'd see her again and placed a kiss on the cheek before he reluctantly left.

"Destiny…" Thor stepped forward.

"Go, Astros." Desi spoke softly, looking away from Thor when Astros ran out, flying away into the air.

"Be prepared, son, you may have lost her…" Frigga told Thor, showing him his court ring.

Thor looked at it painfully, looking over to his mother.

"She saw the attempted kiss, my dear." Frigga told Thor softly before she left; she needed to tend to her people.

"Lady Destiny will always be welcomed here but she shall be where you are never to be near her. Lady Eir's daughter deserves to be treated as she treats others; preciously." Odin said, glaring at Jane one last time before he followed his wife.

"Brother, I need your help." Thor said, grabbing Loki's arm.

"You'll never get it from me, Thor." Loki spat before Thor knocked him out.

"Oh my god!" Jane exclaimed.

"We need his help, now come. We will end this now."