Disclaimer: I do not own Thor, nor the Avengers.
Chapter 8 – Avengers Assemble
Loki estimated they had about a week before Thanos attacked again, and that this time the attack would take place on Earth. He would spend a bit of time trying to find out if Thor had been lying about having the Soul Stone, and when he couldn't corroborate the rumours in a week – no one had been able to since the dawn of Asgard, there was little doubt Thanos would fail in a search of only a few days – he would then turn his sights on obtaining the two Infinity Stones who's locations were known to him. Loki was a bit off in his estimation though, as they learned from Shuri. There had already been an attack on Earth, though not by Thanos himself; he had sent his disciples down there to locate the stones. Luckily they'd been beaten back and no other stones were in the Mad Titan's possession. The group remained on Asgard for a few days more, mainly to allow time for Loki to heal and for Aerith, whom they were hesitant to take to another realm after she had just been born. The healers, however, assured them that no illness or disease on Midgard could harm an Asgardian, not even newborns, who were more resistant to illness then a full grown human, so they were calmer about travelling to Earth with her at only a few days old. Shuri had contacted her brother and after a quick discussion between T'Challa and Thor, it was agreed that Wakanda would be the ideal site of the coming battle. They had vast plains with no one around for miles that would be ideal for a large battle, while the proximity to Shuri's lab would give them access to all the weapons Wakanda had to offer. Four days after Thanos' first attack the Bifrost opened onto the main landing pad of the royal palace. T'Challa and his mother stood ready to greet them, surrounded by the Dora Milaje who saluted their Princess as she came forward excitedly, beginning to explain things to her brother rapidly in their native language.
"Shuri…" Her mother scolded after a minute when their guests approached and it didn't look like her daughter was going to stop talking.
"Sorry, mother." She said immediately, stepping back to give the introductions. "Thor, Jane, this is my mother, Ramonda, Queen Mother of Wakanda. Mother, this is King Thor and Queen Jane of Asgard. And their adorable daughter, Princess Aerith."
"Thank you for having us." Said Jane.
"Thank you for putting up with my daughter these last months." Shuri scowled.
"Princess Shuri was a pleasure to have on Asgard." Jane dismissed the obvious worry in Ramonda's eyes. "Her knowledge of Vibranium is unparalleled and she has done much to help us rebuild after Ragnarok." Shuri stuck out her tongue, earning a withering look from her mother.
"Though I see her time with you has done nothing for her maturity." T'Challa commented, looking as unimpressed with Shuri as their mother, though his sister could care less about his annoyance.
"She was the picture of a perfect guest while with us, I assure you." Said Thor. T'Challa wasn't sure he believed that, but decided to let it drop.
"Congratulations on your daughter's birth." He said instead. Thor and Jane both smiled brightly, turning their attention to the child held securely in her father's arms. "I am sorry it was the same day as the attack." Ayo and Teela and kept him well informed of what had happened.
"As are we. But it does not diminish our joy." He continued to smile down at the baby, his gaze lasting a little too long for some people's taste.
"Perhaps we can get to the task at hand?" Thor rolled his eyes and sent a glare at Loki, but otherwise had to agree.
"King T'Challa, you remember my brother, Loki." The two nodded to each other. "As well as Lady Sif and the Warriors Three and Darcy. But I don't believe you've met my father-in-law, Dr. Richard Foster, nor our friend Erik Selvig." That was the entirety of the group who had travelled from Asgard, the rest of the army staying on standby so as not to overwhelm their hosts; Heimdall would send them when they knew the attack was more imminent.
"Come, we are gathered in the council chambers." With the introductions and pleasantries gone, T'Challa led them inside the palace, where others were waiting for them.
"Janie!" Fandral scowled like before, though didn't try and stop Tony's greeting this time. "And Point Br-baby." He'd turned to greet Thor but naturally his attention was drawn to the tiny being in his arms.
"Our daughter, Aerith." Jane said with a roll of her eyes. Gently she took her daughter from Thor and passed her to Tony, effectively silencing him as he froze, a look of horror on his face.
"Well if I knew all it took to shut him up was handing him a baby I'd have done it years ago." Said Pepper, coming forward to greet her friend.
"I didn't expect to find you here." Jane only too happily reciprocated the hug.
"I didn't really have a choice. After the attack on Vision and given what's coming Tony didn't give me one. In fact, we're all here." Looking around, Jane saw that indeed the family and significant others of all the Avengers were indeed present, though there weren't many; most people in their position finding it hard to have relationships. Clint's wife and three children were there and they were the only ones Jane recognized. They were quickly introduced to Peter's Aunt May and Scott's daughter, Cassie, along with her mother Maggie, and stepfather, Jim, whom Scott considered family. Then there were three other newcomers, one of whom was a newly minted Avenger herself: Hope van Dyne, aka the Wasp and Scott's partner. Alongside her were her parents, Hank Pym – a technological genius, and the original Ant-Man, who had once worked with S.H.I.E.L.D. – and Janet van Dyne – also a technological genius, and the original Wasp, who had also once worked with S.H.I.E.L.D. – who had apparently been missing for along time, though they were told not to ask about it.
"Can someone take her?" Tony squeaked, still having not moved a muscle. Jane once again rolled her eyes and moved to take her daughter, but Loki beat her to it.
"You do not have a way children, Stark?" He asked, cradling Aerith quite naturally. "I'm surprised, given you're practically still a child yourself."
"Loki enough." Said Thor.
"And you do have a way with kids." Tony's expression was torn between incredulous and disgusted, seeing the baby snuggle deeper into Loki's arms. "Given you killed hundreds of them on your third most recent visit to Earth, I'm kind of surprised."
"Tony!" Pepper admonished.
"Have care how you speak, Stark." Thor growled warningly. "Loki has done much wrong in his past, it is true, but much of it was Thanos' doing and he has worked hard to make amends. And if that is not enough," He spoke over an interruption. "Remember that Loki is a Prince of Asgard, second in line for the throne after our daughter," Loki's head snapped in Thor's direction and the brothers' shared a look. Loki knew he was still considered a Prince of Asgard, but had thought that his actions, and his true parentage, would disqualify him from ever inheriting the throne. Thor's words proved differently and said much of the trust that had been regained between them; it was a sentiment that had not been spoken of before and made Loki's heart lighten, though he would never admit to it. "And I will not tolerate such disrespect. Nor do I think King T'Challa would tolerate such disrespect to his sister."
"No, I would not." T'Challa replied. His expression was unreadable, though there was a hardness in his eyes that was backed up by Okoye's fierce glare; she clearly disliked Tony with a passion.
"To be fair though, Shuri hasn't killed-"
"That's enough out of you." Pepper snapped, pulling Tony away and muttering lowly to him. Whatever she said it was effective for he said no more and stood quietly in the back.
"Well, now that that's out of the way." Steve said coming forward. "Perhaps you'd like to hear our plans?"
"Yes, thank you."
"Actually, Thor would love to hear your plans." Jane interrupted. "I have a daughter to feed, who'll get very cranky soon if I don't." Loki handed Aerith to her mother. "Thor will fill me in later."
"I guess caring for her doesn't stop just because the fate of the universe is at stake." Steve acknowledged amusedly.
"No, she wouldn't let it." Jane replied in the same tone, though she felt the weight of his words; he may have been joking, but what he said was still true.
"We'll come with you." Said Laura, taking her three-year-old son by the hand and ushering her two eldest out of the room in a clear attempt to not let her children hear war planning.
"Agreed." Said Scott, gently but firmly pushing Cassie to follow even as Maggie grabbed her daughter's hand and began to leave, though Jim stayed behind.
-/-
Jane had a moment alone – or mostly alone, she didn't count her newborn daughter – and she had to admit she was relishing it. As Queen of Asgard it wasn't often that she was alone. Laura and Maggie had taken their children outside to play after awhile while Jane elected to stay inside, Aerith having just fallen asleep after being fed. She was alone in the antechamber off the throne room where Thor and everyone else was still gathered and she herself was starting to drift off as she often did when Aerith napped; she and Thor having quickly learned to sleep when their daughter did, no matter the time of day. However, she apparently wasn't meant to sleep now as her nap was interrupted before it even began.
"Who are you?" A voice spoke and Jane's head snapped in the direction of the door where a rather large group of men and women stood. They looked dangerous, all of them clearly warriors of Wakanda, if the way they were dressed was anything to go by, though she had not seen this particular get up before, and their open hostility made he question whether her first assessment of them was right. "I said who are you?" The one in front, clearly their leader and the most dangerous looking of them all, said again.
"Jane." She replied simply. Not knowing these people she wasn't about to give a full royal introduction, though she did stand, her daughter in her arms, though still prepared to defend herself and her child if needed.
"That tells me nothing. You are an outsider, yet so close to the throne room." The man came fully into the room, the others following him.
"Don't come any closer." She warned, turning and holding Aerith away from the man.
"The child is safe." He assured her, it having been impossible to miss her actions. "But you are not unless I get a proper answer." Jane believed him, for some reason, when he said he wouldn't hurt her child, but that didn't mean she trusted him.
"I'm here at the invitation of King T'Challa. That's all you need to know." It had been a few years now since anyone questioned her like this, and Jane found her pride as a queen coming out. The man smiled sardonically, clearing not believing her.
"I'm not in the habit of believing outsiders. You'll come with me until I find out the truth." He reached for her and Jane acted instinctively. Reaching out her hand she summoned Mjölnir, the hammer smashing through the wall from the other room where it had been with Thor. She held her daughter a little more tightly as the weapon flew into her hand and she swung it, knocking the man back. She held Mjölnir against him, keeping him pinned down as the others that had been with him moved into a defensive pose, only not attacking because their leader at her mercy. Thankfully no other actions were needed. When Mjölnir left his side, Thor had known something was wrong and had rushed out of the throne room, summoning Gungnir and following the hammer.
"Jane!" He cried as he burst into the room, his heart racing as he saw his wife standing over a giant of a man holding Mjölnir, as well as their daughter who was screaming at the top of her lungs, the noise having woken her. He raised Gungnir a bit, though he wasn't the only one who came ready for battle either. Loki, Sif and the Warriors Three all had their weapons out, as did the Avengers who crowded in the doorway, though one quickly recognized the man Jane had pinned.
"M'Baku!" T'Challa called, coming into the room, his presence making the Jabari warriors stand aside, though they didn't lower their weapons, not while their leader was still down and there were others ready to attack. "What are you doing?"
"I found this outsider here. She said you invited her, so I was going to come find you to confirm but she attacked." He replied. T'Challa looked unimpressed.
"I'm guessing you decided to bring her along whether she wanted to come or not, and that is when she attacked." It wasn't a question.
"Maybe." M'Baku muttered. T'Challa sighed.
"Queen Jane is indeed my guest. And I'd take it as a great insult if she, or the young Princess, was harmed under my roof."
"Then everything is fine." M'Baku said quite amenably, and seeing the threat was gone, Jane turned her attention to her daughter, Thor rushing to her side, as they both tried to calm the baby.
"Are you alright?" Thor asked. "Aerith?"
"We're fine." She said
"Good." Said Sif, she and the others having approached as well. "It means I don't have to kill anyone today." The glare she shot at M'Baku left little doubt as to whom she'd have blamed if either Jane or Aerith was harmed.
"May I get up now?" Was his only reply, for Mjölnir still trapped him. They looked to him and Thor hesitated, sending his own glare at the Jabari leader, but eventually he summoned the hammer. M'Baku got up, not at all phased by the glares he continued to receive. "I have never known something that size to be so impossible to lift. What is it made of?" Both Jane and Thor were surprised. Given Thor's fame after joining the Avengers, everyone on Earth knew of Mjölnir and the legend surrounding it, or so they had thought.
"Mjölnir was forged in a dying star." Thor explained, not entirely sure what to make of the man before him. "It is not made of any known metal."
"Is being forged in a dying star why it is so heavy?"
"Only one who is worthy can lift it." Said T'Challa. "You have been ignoring the world for too long to not know that weapon, or that you speak to Thor, God of Thunder, and now King of Asgard." M'Baku seemed unimpressed, but he accepted the answer the turned his back to Thor and Jane, approaching T'Challa.
"Some of us prefer the old ways, as you know." M'Baku said. "We do not need the outside world."
"And the old ways would have you attack an unarmed woman with a baby?"
"You asked me here to discuss a coming invasion by outsiders and when I arrive I find an outsider inside the palace. Of course I was suspicious. " He said, with a surprisingly reasonable explanation. "Besides, the child was never in danger, and I said as much." T'Challa was still unimpressed.
"I asked you here to discuss an invasion from another world, an invasion by an alien race, not by humans." M'Baku shrugged.
"An outsider is an outsider. And if she is from Asgard, then she technically is from another world, so I am right." Loki sniggered finding the amusement in all this, and even Jane could see it, though her husband and their friends did not. What mattered most to her was that Aerith had never been in danger, and she did still believe that M'Baku wouldn't have hurt her baby. T'Challa looked like he was going to argue more, but Shuri stepped in.
"Ok, if you are quite finished..." She stepped between her brother and the Jabari leader; any fear she had had of M'Baku for simply being Jabari having disappeared in the aftermath of the battle with Killmonger. "M'Baku, may I formally present Queen Jane of Asgard and her daughter Princess Aerith. They are guests here, as are many outsiders. Including her husband King Thor, who is going to stop glaring right this instant." Thor was indeed still glaring at M'Baku as he clutched Gungnir tightly, no doubt thinking that one blast from the mighty weapon would finish him off; however, after three months of having Shuri on Asgard he knew that tone well and had learned quickly that, like with Jane, Darcy, Sif, and practically every woman in his life, she was not to be challenged when using that tone. Jane's elbow to his gut backed Shuri's statement up and Thor stopped glaring, even loosening his grip on Gungnir.
"Drat." Tony muttered, having hoped for a fight. Not one that would cause too much harm, but he'd been looking for some entertainment.
"And if you're quite finished…" Said Steve, shooting his own glare at Tony. "We have work to do." It was then that Jane noticed that aside from Thor, T'Challa and their guards, only Loki, Tony and Steve had come running, all the other Avengers were missing. Steve led them outside and it became clear where everyone had gone: to train under Natasha and Clint's watchful eyes. "Some of us have had a chance to fight together, but we're not a team yet."
"I take it that's about to change." Loki muttered.
"Being a team will only help against Thanos. And we can use every edge we've got." Jane reprimanded, having heard the tone of disgust in his voice. Loki may no longer be evil, or even a bad person, anymore, but that didn't mean he was suddenly a fan of team effort, a notion he deemed too sentimental.
"Exactly." Steve agreed. He stood in the front, even ahead of T'Challa, for while this might be the Black Panther's kingdom, these were the Avengers and though there'd never been a vote, Captain America was undeniably their leader. "Avengers!" He called, halting the training sessions. "Assemble!"
A/N - The scene with M'Baku made me laugh. It popped into my head and wouldn't go away either, so here it is. Last update for probably 2-3 weeks, it's ridiculously busy as work right now and won't get better until mid-September. Only a few chapters left though!
Reivew please!