ODIN'S PALACE, ASGARD:
Within the massive halls of the All-Father's Temple in Asgard stood Odin and Thor, discussing concerns regarding some of the events that had transpired. "Thor, my son, I cannot help but fear for the future and what it may hold." said Odin, a look of worry upon his bearded face. "What worries you, Father? As far as I know, most of the immediate threats to Midgard have been defeated." said Thor inquisitively. Odin remembered back to the fight at the Overlords' mansion, specifically when Alastor had underwent that horrific transformation. "Do you remember our battle against Handsome Jack and the Overlords, when the Radio Demon transformed into that beast?" asked Odin. "Aye, the Wendigo. Krieg fought valiantly against that monster. What about it?"
Odin's brow curled into a somewhat fearful expression. "Just before he began transforming, the Radio Demon held up a medallion, bearing an insignia of a pair of intertwined snakes. I fear that Loki may once again be continuing in his efforts to bring about the End Times..." Thor laughed "Loki? Ha! We'll just crush all that he throws at us and then I'll send a lightning storm to that island he's bound to as usual! Every time he does one of these schemes of his he's always so convinced that he'll bring about Ragnarök and 'claim muh revenge on those that forsook me'." said Thor, mimicking Loki with a whiney voice. "I am aware this is a common occurrence, but my fear comes from other circumstances surrounding it." explained Odin. "Alastor's allegiance to Loki shows that he has found a way to reach others from the island we banished him to, not to mention how he sent Jormungandr after Krieg and his friends on that beach. And the presence of Space Marines on Pandora and yours and Thrúd's rescue of Stolas' daughter and the Ubersreik 5 from that Imperial flagship has me concerned we may also find ourselves against the Imperium of Man." Thor smirked. "The Imperium? Ha! We're all more than capable of handling anything they can throw at us! Did you not see how Krieg and Millie tore their way through an entire crowd of Space Marines when Butt Stallion was captured?"
Odin grimaced. "I understand, but with the Imperium comes their enemies. The Orks, the T'au Empire, the Aeldari, the servants of the Chaos Gods. If the Imperium's presence within the part of the universe we've striven to protect expands too much, they and many others will all be following shortly after. And none will take any prisoners in their conquest." Thor nodded. "I see. What do you recommend we do, All-Father?" "We must increase our defenses around the Milky Way and the Outer Rim." responded Odin. "Increase Valkyrie patrols. Have more of our fellow Aesir and our champions stationed across the galaxies, we cannot allow the destruction wrought in the Great Beyond to reach our domain." Thor nodded and began making his way out of the palace. "I shall notify Freyja and her Valkyries straight away, father." Odin was left to himself, grimacing and clutching his spear. He was all too familiar with the levels of death and destruction wrought by the Imperium and the other factions it warred against. But within the All-Father was a sinking feeling. A feeling that no matter what measures he took, war was inevitable, and if his family of Aesir and the mortals he'd striven to protect were to survive, sacrifice would have to be made.
UNCHARTED ISLAND, UNKNOWN LOCATION, MIDGARD:
In a flash of green smoke, Alastor landed on his back in the middle of a patch of grass. Recollecting himself, Alastor saw that he was on an island, surrounded by the sea, when he looked up to see a massive serpent staring menacingly down unto him. "What is the meaning of this, beast!?" demanded Alastor as he began drawing upon his power, when suddenly a knife flew past his head, lodging into a nearby boulder. "I would regard my son with more respect were I you, Alastor..." uttered a sinister voice. Alastor turned to see a figure emerging from a cave: Loki. "Oh! M-Master Loki! My apologies, I didn't realize where I was!" stammered Alastor, bowing. Loki approached Alastor, grabbing the knife from the boulder. "Master! I-I'm sorry! Krieg simply refused to die! I couldn't defeat him by myself! Please, don't-!" "Silence!" demanded Loki. "I understand that you were incapable of defeating Odin's champion on your own. That is why I've brought you back here, so as to not lose one my most useful underlings." Alastor sighed in relief. "Well, I am most grateful to be so valuable to you, Master Loki, but what about our plan? Are Krieg and his little friends still at Vox's mansion?" Loki sneered. "I'm afraid not. To summarize, after your little transformation and fight with Krieg, Jack and the Overlords made their escape to Promethea. Well, except Valentino, he died. Quite gruesomely, might I add." "Well, isn't that a shame." remarked Alastor with a tone of faux-sadness. "I honestly found how he and Vox would kiss each other after berating and slapping each other in the face to be amusing." "Yes, yes, very sad. Anyway, Jack and the surviving Overlords escaped to Promethea, got their hands on a giant Hyperion mech, got defeated anyway, and now they're currently stuck at that hotel ran by Lucifer's daughter."
Alastor's eyebrow raised. "I see. So now what? If I return to Hell those heroics imbeciles will surely attempt to end me." Loki grinned. "Don't you know, Alastor? Failure is the greatest teacher. And this has taught me that direct combat is not your strong suit, so I intend on utilizing something you do very well: deception." Alastor perked up. "Continue..." "As of recently, word's had it that there's been an increasing presence of military forces belonging to the Imperium of Man around Pandora and the surrounding systems..." continued Loki. "...and wherever the Imperium goes, their enemies are sure to follow. That's where deception will be our greatest weapon. If we can manipulate the Imperium and other factions to our liking, it will create utter chaos, spreading Odin's forces thin across the planets. Old One-Eye will be so distracted by the Space Marines, Chaos cultists, and other grimdark riffraff that it'll divert his attention away from us as we bring about Ragnarök." Alastor smiled wickedly. "A wonderful plan, Master Loki! Where do we begin!?" "First we must wait a little bit, allow the Imperium's influence to grow enough to attract its enemies. It is then we will enact our plot." explained Loki. "In the meantime you shall stay on this island with me and my children." Excited yapping was heard from the cave Loki emerged from as the God of Trickery smiled. "Speaking of..."
From the cave came Sköll and Hati, the two wolf pups rushing for Loki. "Wonderful, aren't they?" said Loki as he picked up Hati into his arms, stroking the wolf's head. "Gah! Keep those damned mutts away from me!" shouted Alastor, practically bending over backwards to avoid Sköll. "Don't worry Alastor, they don't bite, not very hard at least." laughed Loki as the Radio Demon leapt atop a boulder, waving his microphone-scepter-thing at Sköll in attempt to keep him away. "Hahaha! Look at him! The fearsome Radio Demon, terrified by a few pups!" laughed Jormungandr, who'd been watching Loki and Alastor's conversation, but hadn't spoken up until just now because the author briefly forgot he was there. "Master Loki, I'm not normally one to question your intent, but just what makes you so determined to bring about the End Times?" asked Alastor, still atop the boulder. "Because, Alastor..." said Loki, his expression growing grim. "...for too long have the gods been lounging in their heavenly temples, unburdened with guiding mortals as gods should. Not just Odin and the Aesir who cast me out, but all the other pantheons. Zeus, Ra, Quetzalcoatl, they all shall meet their reckoning. And when the fires of Ragnarök quell, and the gods have died, it is I who will stand triumphant amongst the universe's remains to claim my birthright of domain over the mortals! It is my fate, my destiny, MY GLORIOUS PURPOSE!!!" shouted Loki, screaming into the air with his fists raised. "Hmmm, that's wonderful and all, but would there happen to be anything in it for me?" asked Alastor. "Do not worry, Radio Demon, for you and all else who've proven their loyalty to me shall be rewarded once my revenge upon the gods has been claimed." With that, Loki returned to the cave, leaving Alastor to cling to the top of the boulder in attempt to keep away from Sköll and Hati, while Jormungandr watched, laughing.
Well hasn't this been a trip, eh? But it's not over yet. Far from it. All that mention of the Imperium and the factions it wars with aside, what could possibly happen going forward with Krieg and company? Just what is Krieg's deal with the Saints? Can Charlie prove that her hotel is a worthwhile effort to her father by doing the impossible and redeeming Handsome Jack? What other figures and beasts of Norse myth and legend await our protagonists? And will the author maybe refrain from trying to juggle too many characters at once? Looks like you'll have to find out come Vault Hunters In Hell Part 2: Subtitle In Progress!
THE END. FOR REAL THIS TIME.