Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to the Marvel Universe, The Amazing Stan Lee and Joss Whedon, or anyone else involved with the movies or comics. I am not making any profits from this writing, it is all for the purposes of fun and creative writing.
Author's note: Again, I apologize in advance if characters seem OOC.
Chapter 14
" I am never gonna look at barbecue the same way ever again." Clint said as he wiped a weary hand over his sweaty brow while a carefully trudged along the steaming, charcoal black surface of Muspelheim.
" Well at least you aren't actual barbecue thanks to the necklaces Thor's mom gave us." Steve grumbled as he walked across the charred and smoldering surface of the fiery realm.
It had been about a day since they had touched down on Muspelheim in all its fiery, face-meltingly hot glory. They all walked in single file as Thor led the way, his red cape billowing about him and already singed at one corner. Steve was immediately behind him with his red and white shield firmly situated on his back. Directly behind him, Tony clanked along in his Ironman suit, opting to conserve his power supply by being the backup for Thor who was the other flyer among them.
" Gotta thank Jarvis for upgrading the built-in cooling system before leaving." Tony gloated, his metal encased feet holding up to the unforgiving ground beneath him surprisingly well.
" Shut your trap you overgrown tin-can." Clint snapped from where he walked behind Tony, although he did allow himself a small quirk of his lips at his friend's cheek.
" Boys, less bickering, more walking." Natasha said flatly as she walked behind Clint, still looking as beautiful as ever, having not even broken a sweat yet.
Behind her the Hulk walked, his bare green feet sinking slightly into the loose dark dirt. He looked as pissed off and grumpy as ever, the heat having no effect on him with Frigga's talisman still around his neck. Following closely in the Hulk's wake, Vostaag, Hogun, Sif, and Fandral all walked over the charred ground in silence, carrying their weapons and supplies, effectively the pack-mules on this dangerous expedition. But they walked without complaint, the heat not effecting them much just like Thor, their Asgardian heritage providing ample shield against the blistering heat and dry air of Muspelheim. The fact that they had been allowed to join Thor and the Avengers was enough, and they would not risk their Prince's ire, especially here on this realm.
All around them was the realm of eternal fiery in all its red fury. The ground was scorched black, with deep cracks revealing the orange underlying magma below, grayish smoke spewing out like ominous spires. The skies up above them were blood-red with black, smoky clouds gathered that blotted out whatever sun this place had. It was something straight out of a fevered dream, this place. Everything about this realm screamed of rage that had no end or beginning, but was just always there.
As they walked across the barren and smoking plane, Thor had his eyes to the horizon, eying the distance spikes that looked minuscule now, but would no doubt be the first batch of mountains he had eyes when he had taken to the air to scout ahead.
Thor turned back to his friends and spoke.
" How fair you all?" He called loudly, the hot wind whipping his blond hair about, filling his nostrils with the smell that comes from things just being burnt all around.
" We're good Thor, just wanna get to the mountains you saw." Steve replied.
" I thank thee Captain, but I get the feeling that these mountains we go to are not going to bare much fruit." Thor said with a sigh.
" Why do you say that Point Break?" Tony asked from behind Steve.
" This realm is full of mountains, and do you really believe the Norns would make it that easy? We just walk up to the first couple of mountains we see and there he'll be?" Thor said with a humorless smirk.
" You got me there, but then why are we headed there?" Tony asked.
" I supposed it is as good as any place to start, and we would do our best to steer clear of the city of the fire demons, for they will not take too kindly to seeing us." Thor replied grimly.
" Hey Thor, just to be clear, what kind of animals would you find in this place?" Clint asked, because even though they hadn't seen anything yet, there was bound to be some indigenous life in this place if the Fire Demons were already living here.
" I do not rightly know, for I have never been in this realm before, but if my experience in other realm has been anything to go one, we should be ready for anything." Thor said, a hint of foreboding on his face.
" How big are we talking?" Natasha asked while the Hulk grumbled behind her.
" Well, the Fire Demons are like the fiery version of the Frost Giants of Jotuneim, and since Jotunheim has beasts of equal magnitude there, I think it is safe to say that there is the possibility that such creatures inhabit this realm too." Thor said.
" So what you're saying is that we may have to look forward to something huge and fiery if we aren't careful." Steve said flatly.
" Most likely." Thor said grimly.
" I shoulda packed some fire extinguishers." Tony said with a sigh, earning some quiet chuckles from his fellow Avengers as they continued onward.
They still had a very long and hot walk ahead of them.
A good couple of hours later...
" Water... Waaaaateeeer." Tony wheezed as he exaggerated his movements as he clanked along in his suit.
" Tony, would ya knock it off?" Clint said in annoyance. " You just had a drink not ten minutes ago!"
" Hey c'mon, don't get your panties in a twist Tweety, you gotta appreciate the irony here." Tony shot back, opening his HUD to send Clint a signature smirk.
" I appreciate that Thor's mom packed us those flask that self-replenish so that we don't die of thirst in this frying-pan of a realm." Steve grumbled.
" Your attempt to be funny... not so much." He added.
" Diggin the snark Capsicle, you are learning young grasshoppa." Tony said with a sage's accent for the last part.
This time he did earn a chuckle from Clint and a smile from Steve who actually got the reference for one, even Natasha allowed her lips to quirk up for a split second before she schooled her features once more. Hulk just let out a snort as he trudged along. Behind him the warriors three and the Lady Sif all shared a look, wondering if the heart was starting to affect the mind of the Man of Iron, they had all been walking for a long time after all.
Thor for his part allowed a small ghost of a smile at the banter his friends were partaking in, knowing it was an effort to keep some normalcy and familiarity amidst the rather extraordinary situation they all found themselves in. As he turned his gaze ahead, Thor's free hand unconsciously reached up to grip the pendant around his neck, his fingers familiarizing themselves over the delicate yet strong contours of the replica of Mjolnir with the two crossed throwing knives behind it.
" My friends, we're here." Thor said grimly as he stopped and looked up at the towering rock structure, a cluster of black, jagged looking mountains.
" Are we to scour every inch of it my prince?" Volstaag asked, though not with hesitation, but with willingness.
Thor looked to the rotund warrior and spoke, his gaze still hard but his tone not so unyielding as he replied.
" I do not think that will be necessary, these mountains though tall, do not seem like they are grand enough to be worthy of a Prince and favorite of the Norns." Thor said, eying the cluster of mountains with veiled disappointment. He had said it himself earlier that he did not feel that these mountains would lead to anything, especially so quickly, but a part of him still held out a small sliver of hope that maybe there would be something.
" So we take a cursory look around and then move on." Steve said firmly, determination clear in his voice as he stood beside the blond god.
The disappointment quickly left Thor as he turned to Captain American as spoke.
" Yes friend Steve, let us take that look around." Thor said with a nod before he turned to Tony.
" Friend Stark, join me in the air and look sharp for anything out of the ordinary." The Thunderer said before he liftd Mjolnir in the air and took flight.
" Right behind ya Sparky." Tony said as he activated his thrusters and joined the Asgardian in the skies.
Between them, the two flyers circled the mountain cluster up high while the others split up and looked to the lower regions. Inevitably, their search, which lasted perhaps and hour or so yielded nothing.
So they all did as Steve had suggested and moved on. Thus began the tedious search of all the mountains of Muspelheim that looked viable as a fitting resting place for a lost prince.
Two whole days later...
" RUN!" Clint screamed at the top of his lungs, his own legs carrying him fast over the charred Earth as he ran for his life. Beside him Natasha, Steve, the Hulk, the Warriors Three and the Lady Sif all ran as fast as they could too while Thor and Tony took to the air.
" GRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAOOOOOOOORRRRR!"
The roar of the beast that was currently chasing them echoes loudly through the air.
" It's a freaking fire iguana!" Clint cried loudly as he and the others all split up in an effort to divert the angry creature.
Sure enough, Clint's description was pretty accurate. The creature that was currently all kinds of pissed off and giving chase to mortal and Asgardian alike did in fact look like a giant, mutated, flame covered iguana. Bright orange flames licked around the creatures taloned front and hind legs, seemingly coming from within its appendages themselves, searing the very ground it treated on. It moved with a serpentine fluidity, its large reptilian eyes a mixture of orange, red, yellow, and hateful hunger. It had actual flames running down the entire length of its back from the crown of its head to the very end of its long tail, much like the spines of a normal iguana. Besides the obvious flame, the other key difference was the fact that unlike an iguana that could be held within normal human arms, this creature was roughly the size of a small sub-marine.
The thing threw its head back and roared once more, sending a bright flame shooting up into the air from its mouth.
" Great, this thing breathes fire too!" Clint yelled.
" Thank you for stating the obvious, now shut up and keep running!" Natasha yelled as she and Hawkeye veered off to the right, while Sif and Hogun veered to the right, Hulk kept running straight with Volstaag and Fandral on either side of him.
The breaking up formation served to divert the giant flaming lizard to the right, going after Sif and Hogun. As one the two Asgardians suddenly stopped and turned with their weapons at the ready, both of them with determined frowns on their faces. The Fire Lizard growled low and stopped its hot pursuit, its sole focus on the two warriors as it started to stalk them like prey, with bright eyes narrowed and hissing with malice.
The two warriors shared a look before they each grabbed a knife from their belts and sent them flying towards the creature. The throwing knives, so much like Loki's found their targets. Sif's imbedded itself in the lizard's right eye while Hogun's ended up burying itself in the creature throat. With a loud screech of agony the creature reared up onto its hind legs, forgetting all about the two warriors and allowing Sif and Hogun their window for escape. The pair scrambled out of the way and around the creature at the thing blinding thrashed forward, roaring and sending massive chunks of charred earth flying about.
As Sif and Hogun rejoined the rest of the group, Thor shouted from above.
" Attack it while it's still confused!" He roared.
As one they all began there assault. Natasha fired her pistol, hitting it in the back and forcing the Lizard to turn around, just in time for Clint to let one of his special incendiary arrow fly, his aim true as the deadly projectile buried itself in the creature remaining eye. The Lizard let out a loud howl, but the tell-tale beep informed everyone else of what was about to happen. The creature cried out once more as the arrow tip exploded, blowing out its eye in the process. Blinded, the beast shrieked and thrashed about, only to be pelted by Ironman's hand pulsators.
Captain American let his shield fly in a hard discus throw, the red and white shield nailing the fire iguana in the face, breaking its jaw by the looks of it before spinning back into Steve's waiting grip. Fandral slashed at the creatures hind legs with his sword while Volstaag hacked at one of its front legs with his axe, both warriors helping to cripple the beast further before they both got the hell out of the way as the Hulk strode forward with teeth clenched and eyes promising pain. The fire iguana was in a daze and did not realize that the Hulk was behind it until it let out another pained cry as it was yanked clean off its feet, the Hulk having grabbed its tail. In a move oddly similar to how he had dealt with Menkos during the invasion of New York, the Hulk repeatedly smashed the lizard against the charred grown, sending dirt flying everywhere as he slammed the creature down.
As rumbled from high above had everyone looking up in time to see Thor floating in the air with Mjolnir almost glowing with electricity. With a loud yell Thor dove forward through the air, both hands gripping his hammer as he swung it down onto the fire lizard. The moment the hammer made contact with the battered creature, there was a blinding light followed by a low buzzing sound that had everyone, even Tony who was still up in the air shielding their eyes.
When the light faded, the only thing they could see was Thor, kneeling in the large crater he had just created, all trace of the lizard gone save for one long, thin leg that had been charred to the bone, nothing but a twisted, black twig-like thing. Thor had basically obliterated their foe to nothing but a giant dent in the ground and a single charred limb.
Thor slowly rose to his feet as Tony touched down on the ground, his HUD lifting up to reveal his wide eyes as they all stared at Thor in awe. With his cape billowing about him, Thor slowly turned to face his fellow warrior. The look on his face had all of them feeling their hearts clench. For despite the anger that was clearly their in those clear blue eyes, there was also regret at what had just been done. With his face hard and his eyes harder, Thor stepped out of the crater and spoke.
" Is everyone alright?" He asked, anger giving way to concern as Thor looked from each person.
" We're okay." Steve said, while the others nodded.
" Are you two alright?" Thor asked, his expression guarded as he eyes Sif and Hogun.
" Yes, we are both alright Prince Thor." Hogun said formally as Volstaag and Fandral joined them.
Thor gave them a curt nod before he spoke to Steve.
" We need to get out of here, that creatures fellows could be nearby." The Thunderer said grimly.
" Thor, you scout ahead with Tony for the nearest mountain, we'll follow you from down here." Steve said.
Thor and Tony both nodded mutely and took to the air, while the Warriors Three and Sif quickly ran to retrieve the packs they had dropped in their mad dash away from their now deceased attacker, grabbing them up before rejoining the group. In a somber silence the Avengers and the four Asgardian warriors quickly ran over the charred dirt of Muspelheim, Steve leading the way as they followed their two flyers up above.
The sense of foreboding had grown tenfold after this incident, and they all had a pit in their stomachs because they knew that things were only going to get harder from hear on out.
Three whole days later...
Night had fallen over Muspelheim, leaving the sky black, but with no stars or moon to give any light. Down below the realm was just as black, save for the fires that raged and the glowing orange cracks that shown brightly over the landscape. On a rocky hill that jutted out of the flat, black earth like the single knuckle of a giant hand, ten individuals sat or stood in a weary silence.
Steve Rogers sighed quietly as he leaned against a small boulder, one of many that littered the hill he and his fellows now found themselves upon. The super-soldier's blue eyes scanned the company he kept. Sitting a few feet away on a small, cushion-sized boulder with his face streaked with black soot and his dark hair in disarray was Tony, his suit neatly folded up in its briefcase shape, leaving the genius in his Ramones t-shirt, black jeans, and slightly ratty converse sneakers. The Man of Iron had taken his suit off for the day and now looked like he just wanted to curl up into a ball an sleep for the next couple of years, but there was still a determined glint in his dark brown eyes as he sat with his elbows in his knees and his chin resting over his clasped hands. A few feet to Tony's right on another small boulder, Bruce Banner, barefoot and wearing his shredded and stretched pant and a light blanket around his bare upper body, courtesy of Volstaag from one of the packs, sat with soot caking his feet and hands, and staining one of his olive cheeks. The scientist who could turn into a giant greet rage monster had taken over for said monster in the quiet hour, looking slightly worn but otherwise unscathed.
Across from Tony and Bruce, Clint, Natasha, and Sif sat on one long, curving boulder. Hawkeye was sporting a spectacular bruise over his left cheek while the side of his purple and black battle suit sported along singe down the side, thankfully damaging the cloth and not the skin beneath. He held his bow loosely in his hand, and the quiver at his back held half its capacity for arrows. Next to him, the Black Widow said with her back straight and her eyes alert, her normally red hair streaked with black soot in places. The female assassin's hands also sported a few scratches and cuts. Beside them Sif sat with her cheeks covered in soot and blisters over a couple of the knuckles of her right hand, her spear and shield, also sooth covered resting on the rock by her feet.
A few feet away from these three Volstaag sat on a large, flat-topped boulder, grumbling lightly and muttering curses as Hogun wrapped a bandage around his left forearm, over the moderate burn that graced the rotund warrior's skin. They too were covered in dirt and soot, Volstaag's beard singes slightly on one side. Fandral stood, mutely holding the bag with the first aid supplies for his two friends while Hogun worked, dirt covered, with the left sleeve of his once pristine light green outfit missing, and half of his left eyebrow completely singed off. He no longer looked so dashing.
Steve himself knew that he looked no better then his fellow battered and bruised warriors. He's ripped a hole in the left knee of his suit and skinned said knee when he had taken a hard fall on some particularly rocky terrain while running for his life. The white parts of his outfit were now more grayish in hue than anything else, he too had streaks of black down one cheek, and there was a singed hole over his right shoulder, though the skin and flash beneath was thankfully unharmed. And yeah, his shield which now hung from his back was also filthy with as and dirt too. Then again, was anyone supposed to look all that good after they had just outrun a massive creature that looked for all intents and purposes like a gorilla and a bull had a giant, fire-breathing rock baby together? But Steve didn't really care about that as his eyes turned to the final member of their group, the tall and blond figure that stood somewhat removed from everyone with his back to them and his gaze pointed outward as the night darkened yet still fiery expanse of Muspelheim.
Thor.
The God of Thunder stood silent on the hill, his red cape billowing about him. The cape itself was streaked with sooth and dirt, torn and singed at one corner. The god himself stood with his silver-armor covered sleeves crossed over is well-built chest, a light coating of black sooth gracing them and his hands. Mjolnir hung from his belt, also sporting the soot that came from pounding into fiery and rocky flesh.
His face may as well have been carved from stone as he looked out at the desolate and burning landscape that surrounded him and his fellows. Movement to his right had Thor turning his head in time to see Steve come to stand beside him.
" Share what's on you mind?" Steve asked casually enough as he too gazed out at the unforgiving landscape.
" There is much on my mind Friend Steve, much, and after this last excursion, I am of the mind to call for Heimdall and send all of you back and go forth alone." Thor said with a wane smile.
" You even try to do that, we'll just all beam back down and collectively kick your Asgardian behind." Steve said with a dry chuckle.
Thor allowed himself a small snort before he grew serious once more.
" It had been five days, I know I have no right to complain about such after all the years Loki spent fighting for his life, but with each passing day we face new dangers, one bigger than the last, and every mountain we come across bears us no sign of him." Thor said before he sighed.
" I just want him back." He said softly.
" We'll find him." Steve said as he reached up and gripped Thor's shoulder, giving it a hard squeeze before letting go.
" Thank you Friend Steve." Thor sighed, sending the soldier an appreciative look. The pair stood silent for a moment before Steve spoke.
" You know, I've been thinking about something the Norns said." Steve said.
" Oh? Well which part, for the Sisters of Fate did say much that day, they were that annoyed and angry with my parents and myself." Thor said with a small quirk of his lips.
" Oh yes, I remember that, but the stuff they said that I was thinking about was when they told us that they'd hidden Loki away in the heart of a mountain." Steve elaborated, watching as Thor too turned his minds to that part of the event.
" Beside that, remember how they said that he was hidden from all sight but theirs?" Steve asked, watching as the cogs in Thor's head started turning. Thor nodded silently in understanding.
" Well what if the mountain the were talking about is still hidden? What if the Norns are still hiding Loki even though we're here to find him?" Steve suggested.
" Why would the Norns do that if they meant for us to search for him?" Thor asked with a frown.
" Well think about it Thor, look at where we are and the things that we've faced so far. Everything from that first giant flaming lizard, to the juggernaut we just escaped from came out of the ground, maybe the Norns hid the mountain to keep those things and God only know what else from burrowing into it and maybe stumbling on Loki wherever he's at." Steve reasoned.
" Hell, Spangles does raise a good point, and based on the way those things tried to get us, Loki would be easy pickings if he's asleep like the Norns said he is." Tony said as he and Bruce walked up to join Thor and Steve.
" You words make sense Steve Rogers, but this just makes it all the more difficult for us. If the Norns have indeed hidden the mountain, then how in the Nine are we supposed to find it?" Hogun asked quietly from where he stood with Volstaag and Fandral. Clint and Natasha both wordlessly joined the group while Sif stepped over to her three fellow Asgardians, all of them frowning at Hogun's question.
" As I told the Norns, I am willing to search this and any other realm for the rest of my days, but I do not think the Norns would intend such a thing, for they have declared Loki their favorite, and he has made it clear that he wishes to return home to us, despite how undeserving we are." Thor sighed.
Everyone went silent after that, frustration blanketing them.
" Wouldn't it be nice if we could just ask those three ladies for some guidance?" Clint said with a small snort as he crossed his arms.
Thor turned his gaze to Clint and eyes him strangely for a moment before he suddenly strode past everyone and made his way to the center of the flat top hill they had all sought refuge on after their narrow escape.
" Thor what-" Steve began to say, but he fell silent as he and the others watched the crown prince of Asgard take Mjolnir from his belt and set it down the the black surface of the rock with a light, reverberating thud before he slowly sank to one knee before it. They all watched as Thor bowed his head low for a moment, took a steadying breath and then looked up towards the black night sky of Muspelheim as he called out to the three.
" Great Norns, if you can hear me, Thor of Asgard beseeches you. You have given me your cryptic words and I search for my brother in this realm of fire. For five days my fellows and I have searched to no avail. When you brought my brother back from the clutches of death, you sought to test his strength. I feel now that it is I who is being tested, not for my strength but my humility. I kneel before you three now and humbly ask you for guidance. I ask you not because I am in any way weary of my search, I ask you only so that I may find the place you have hidden my brother and face those that guard him, to prove myself worthy and bring him home with all speed. I ask you now only because the idea presented itself, and you should know that should you remain silent I shall continue searching every mountain this realm had to offer and should Loki not even be here, then I shall start over in the next realm, and the next, and the next until I find him, no matter how long it takes, and no matter what trials I will have to face!"
Thor was shouting at this point, a single tear rolling down his cheek as he eyes the black sky with defiance. The Avengers and the four warriors of Asgard all felt their hearts lurch at Thor's declaration. It was Steve who stepped forward first, looking up at the dark skies with hard blue eyes as he spoke.
" What Thor says goes for me too, I won't stop until we get Loki home. So while it'd be nice if you lovely ladies could point us in the right direction and speed things up for Loki's sake, we're not going anywhere." The Super-soldier shouted with determination, but no anger.
This naturally started a chain reaction as all of the Avengers stepped forward one by one and shouted up to the heavens, asking the Norns for a sign, anything really. The the Warriors three and the lady Sif stepped forward. Volstaag spoke for all of them.
" Great sisters of Fate, we kneel before you and humbly ask that you give our prince quidance. I know I have no right to ask, but I do so anyway. Even though we were never the friends we should have been to Prince Loki, we see now how wrong we were about him. In our arrogance we berated and belittled a prince we should have bowed our heads to in respect. Your test has shown us Loki's strength, but also our failing. Please, for both our princes sake, show us the way." Volstaag pleaded as his eyes filled with tears.
Hogun spoke next, his declaration brief yet clear.
" Norns, help us bring Loki back to Asgard, for he has earned his right to live and expressed his desire to return. For the sake of your favorite, help his brother find him, then leave it to Prince Thor to prove that he is indeed worthy."
Sif spoke, with tears in her eyes.
" I know I have no right to ask anything of you Great Norns, but I do so anyway for the sake of both my princes. I allowed my jealousy to poison me and like a fool I insulted and disrespected the second Prince of Asgard. I dared to call him Ergi and worse, when he is by far no such thing, for no Ergi could have survived the trials you put him through. I failed him as a subject and I should have been a friend. But it matters not what I did, Loki have proven himself worthy of your favor so please, allow his brother to bring him home."
Then Fandral stepped forward and spoke, looking more pained and sorry than anyone had ever seen him in their lives.
" Norns, I humbly ask that you show us the way, I know that Thor will probably never look upon me as a friend every again, and he is well within his right to do so. I ask now as a man who has proven to be a most ungrateful fool, a man who should have respected both princes of the crown he serves and instead brazenly insulted the second prince even in death. I ask for your help not to come back into Prince Thor's good graces, but because I would see Prince Loki home to those he loves, and who love him."
Thor felt his eyes burn with tears, greatly moved by the words of the Warriors Three and Lady Sif. This did not mean that he would look upon them as friends now, or ever again as he once had, but some of his anger towards them dissipated at seeing their sincerity. The Avengers too felt their hearts go out to the four warriors as they all collectively looked to the blackened skies.
So much impassioned speech was met with empty silence save for the barren wind that swept over the charred land. Thor felt his heart crumble for a moment, but then he shook his head and rose to his feet.
" My friends." Thor said to the Avengers before he turned to the Warriors Three and the Lady Sif. " Warriors of Asgard." He said with a nod of acknowledgment before he spoke.
" You all have my thanks in helping me appeal to the Norns, but it looks like the sisters are unmoved. No matter, we shall keep searching." Thor said with conviction.
" Yeah, as long as I got this I'll keep running scans." Tony said with a smile, earning a grateful look from the blond God of Thunder.
Natasha gave a curt nod of her own but then something peculiar caught her eye in the distance.
" Guys, something's happening out there." She said as she pointed out at the vast, flaming plains of Muspelheim.
All eye turned to where the red-head was pointing, East of their position on the hill.
" Holy crap." Clint said in awe as he and the others watched as the flames that littered the realm all started to come together, forming one massive fireball. Then just as quickly as it had formed, the ball of fire began to morph, sending two thin lines of flame out over the large expanse of dirt, as if the flames were following a line of accelerant along the charred plains of Muspelheim.
They all watched in awe as the two lines of flames formed a distinct shape. It looked honest to God like a spear, and it was pointing straight ahead in a clear direction. There in the distance, illuminated by the light of flames to far away to see, Thor and company watched as a dark and distinct figure materialized out of nowhere, seemingly like a mirage in the desert.
The flames formed a spear, and the tip was pointing an a gigantic black mountain that stood tall and imposing on its own, with no other smaller formations around it.
" Point Break, I think those three lovely ladies just cut you some slack." Tony said with an awed smile on his face.
Thor was beaming from ear to ear as he looked up at the skies gratefully.
" Thank you." He whispered, meaning it with every fiber of his being before he looked back down to his friends.
" Come, we have a mountain to concur." Thor said before he raised Mjolnir above his head and took flight.
" Right behind ya buddy!" Tony called with a laugh as he scrambled across the top of the hill to get back to his briefcase. Within seconds the armor was unfolding and molding itself over Tony's body. With a clank the HUD snapped into place and Tony was taking off with thrusters on on full.
A smiling Bruce quickly handed the blanket he had been using to cover himself back to Volstaag before he let out a loud roar as a green tint spread rapidly over his skin. Within seconds the Hulk was making his reappearance.
" Three ladies are awesome!" Hulk roared before he took of running, his heavy footfalls shaking the very ground he ran across.
Steve let out a happy little chuckle as he pulled his cowl back over his face, a determined glint in his eyes. Beside him Clint readied his bow, Natasha activated her gauntlets, and the Warriors Three and the Lady Sif all gathers with their packs and weapons in hand.
" Let's go find us a sleeping god." Steve said with a grin before he took off running, Clint, Natasha, Volstaag, Hogun, Fandral, and Sif all hot on his heels.
From were he soared high above with Tony beside him, Thor felt his heart pounding almost out of his chest with joy and excitement, he didn't care that there were some still as of yet unknown trials still left to face. The mountain was there in the distance, and within it his brother lay safe and alive. All that matter was getting to him.
" I'm coming Brother." Thor whispered against the wind that was whipping at his face.
Two hours later...
Thor touched down onto the charred dirt with a resounding thud, his singed and slightly torn cape billowing about him as he stood up full height. Beside him Ironman touched down with a metallic thud, standing up too. The two flyers turned at the found of fast approaching feet in time to see Captain America sprinting towards them with the Hulk on his right and Hawkeye and Black Widow to his left. Following right at their heels were the Warriors Three and the Lady Sif. The runners all came to stand by Thor, breathing hard but looking no worse for wear.
They had all run or in Tony and Thor's case flown, without stopping the fiery spear pointing the way to the mountain whose base they all now stood at.
" Now that is what you call a mountain." Tony said as the HUD lifted up to reveal the admiration on his face as he gazed up at said rock formation.
Indeed, majestic and terrifying were some words that could adequately describe he mountain that had been revealed. The thing looked like it could but Everest itself to shame. Made of black stone with what looked like pieces of shiny obsidian jutting out amidst the opaque black, adding to the already imposing facade. The mountain seemed almost to have a swirling pattern in the way it rose up towards the blackened skies of Muspelheim.
" How are we supposed to get to the heart of this thing?" Clint asked slowly, eyes wide as he took in the behemoth that was the Norns fortress for Loki.
" I'll smash my way through the whole thing if I have to." Thor growled with promise as he spun Mjolnir in his hand, the magical hammer sparking with electricity.
" Hang on their Sparky, lemme take a look around, see if there's a way in with my scanners." Tony said as the HUD shut back down over his face with a light clank.
" Be careful." Steve said seriously.
" Since when am I not?" Ironman said before he took off into the air with a roar of his repulsers, not sticking around to see the eye rolls his words caused, even from Thor, who then couldn't help but smile wearily at his friend's cheek.
From down below they all watched as Tony expertly started flying around the mountain, slowly but surely making his way up the tall rock structure, scanning it. Had their comes been working, they would have heard Tony's colorful language, not out of disappointment but sheer wonder at what his scanners were picking up.
After a good twenty to twenty-five minutes Tony came back to them, touching down and immediately opening his HUD as he looked at the eager faces around him.
" You guys are not going to believe this." Tony said with a breathless grin.
" What have you seen Man of Iron?" Thor asked immediately.
" Theres an entrance high up on the opposite side, it's the beginning of a tunnel that goes directly to the heart of the mountain, where there's this hollowed out chamber. You bet your last dollar that Loki's in there." Tony said, breathing a bit hard from excitement and adrenaline.
" But get this, I took a thermal image of it and that whole thing behind me is one giant fridge on the inside." Tony explained further.
There were exclamations of disbelief all around as Natasha spoke.
" So what your saying is that the Norns, in this realm of nothing but fire and brimstone built a mountain of ice and put Loki inside it?" She asked flatly.
" Hey, the dude is a Frost Giant what better place to hide him then on a realm of fire in a mountain of ice?" Clint quipped.
" Well then what are we waiting for? Let's get up there." Sif said as her eyes darted to the mountain.
" That's the thing, the entrance is almost at the summit, and there is no clear path up." Tony explained.
" Then we shall simply have to fly up, I'll carry you all is I must." Thor said, his voice holding no room for doubt.
" Thanks for the gesture but I think between me and you, we got this covered." Tony said with a determined smile before he turned to the Hulk.
" Hey Big Guy, you're gonna have to shrink for this."
The Hulk let out an unhappy grumble but nodded, and within a few minutes the Hulk was fading back into Bruce Banner, ripped and stretched pants and all.
" Guys, I think we better hurry before some other fiery creature tries to get us like the one from a few hours ago." Steve said, eying the plains they had just run across warily.
" Alright then, lead the way Man of Iron." Thor said, a grim determination spreading across his face.
" Try not to Hulk out on me man." Tony said before he shut his HUD and promptly grabbed Bruce in a bear-hug from behind before the scientist could properly protest.
" TONY!" Bruce yelled as Ironman shot off into the air, hurtling up towards the mountain.
Without saying anything, Natasha and Clint stepped forward, each sending Thor a smile as if in challenge. Thor smiled back before he easy grabbed Clint with one arm going under the archer's arms while the other wrapped around Natasha's waist, tucking her firmly into his side.
" Hang on." Thor said before he too shot off into the air.
" HOLY SHIT!" Clint yelled and he clung to Thor's well-built arm while Natasha remained as silent and composed as ever, holding onto the Thunderer's shoulder as Thor followed Tony to where the entrance lay.
By the time Thor landed, Tony was already jetting off to get the remaining members of the group, not a moment to soon as Bruce had promptly Hulked-out, the green behemoth roaring as he watched Tony make a hasty retreat.
" Hulk will smash Tin-man, turn him into penny!" Hulk roared.
" Calm yourself friend Hulk, I get the feeling there will be plenty of time for smashing later." Thor said loudly as he set Natasha and a slightly shaken Clint down on the flat black surface before the mouth of the entrance and took off.
Tony brought up Steve and Sif while Thor, in a show of his strength brought up Fandral, Hogun, and Volstaag together, by grabbing Volstaag while Fandral and Hogun each grabbed one of the rotund warriors legs and held on for dear life. Thor may or may not have almost dropped the trio, but quickly recovered and flew the rest of the way up the mountain, giving his former friends reassurances that they would make it.
" Let's never do that again." Hogun said one he, Fandral, Volstaag, and Thor were all firmly back on the ground.
" I am with you there." Fandral said, his eyes wide as he took in the yawning entrance.
They all felt the frigid air that was coming from inside the entrance, Tony's words from earlier ringing true that the inside of this mountain was ice. It was dark, but they could see the telltale shine of blue ice within.
" Is everyone ready?" Thor asked as he stood at the entrance.
" As ready as we'll every be Point Break, lead the way." Tony said.
Taking in a deep breath, Thor steadied his nerve and walked into the yawning mouth, the Avengers and the four Asgardians following behind him.
" Geez it's cold." Clint muttered to himself, and after all the near searing heat they had endured for five days, it truly was jarring that they suddenly found themselves in near sub-zero temperature.
Their breath left them in light mists that vaporized as they walked, their feet crunching against the icy ground beneath them.
" Man of Iron, what did your scanning tell you regarding this tunnel?" Thor asked, his voice echoing through the cavernous, ice-covered walls.
" Well, based on what I could see, this tunnel starts off flat enough and then it-" Tony began, only to be cut off as Thor let out a loud yell of surprise and then simply dropped out of sight.
" Drops." Tony said uselessly before he and the others ran forward the steep incline Thor had fallen down, just in time to see the god of Thunder, with a look of shock on his face sliding away done the slippery tunnel on his front with his cape bunched up around him.
" Thor!" Steve yelled and without a moments hesitation jumped forward, deftly landing on his back and sliding after his friend.
" Wait for me!" Tony yelled as he followed after the super soldier, metal suit and all.
" Cool, ice slide." Clint said with a small, excited smile before he and Natasha jumped together in near perfect synch, landing on their backs and disappearing down the tunnel.
Sif jumped wordlessly, holding her pack and weapons in front of her,
" Hulk slide too!" The green rage monster said with a look of sheer glee on his face as he stepped onto the slide, the thing being thankfully wider than him as he too disappeared further down the tunnel.
" This ought to be interesting." Volstaag muttered before he dove head first with his pack still on his back, Hogun and finally Fandral following.
There were yells and shouts echoing all around the tunnel as Thor, the Avengers, and the Warriors Three and the Lady Sif all slid down the tunnel like Midgardian children would in a water slide, with varying degrees of enjoyment.
Thor gritted his teeth in annoyance, cursing under his breath as he righted himself, sliding along his he back with Mjolnir clenched tightly in his fist and his red cape trailing out behind him, the tunnel itself winding left and right like the waves of a serpent. Behind him Captain America did his best to remain relaxed, understandably not really liking the feel of the ice at his back as he slid after Thor.
From where he was sliding behind Steve, Tony was laughing and having a blast as he slid across the ice, his suit almost like the blade of a hockey player's skate, allowing him to stay relatively stable. Behind him Natasha was all but flying gracefully down the winding tunnel, having actually done something similar of a mission before, but that's classified, Clint was behind her laughing with exhilaration as the speed and the ice left him feeling invigorated.
Behind them Sif grunted lightly as she banked left, veiled terror on her face cause she was not feeling the ride at all. But the Hulk behind her was a different matter, the green rage monster looking more jolly than anything else, laughing lightly as he slid over the ice, Frigga's talisman whipping about his neck. Volstaag slid with his face red and terror clear on his face, while Hogun was as grim as ever and Fandral looked as determined as someone with one half-burnt eyebrow could look as they all slid along.
After what seemed like hours, but was in actuality maybe five minutes, Thor felt a relieved smile curve his lips as he saw the end of the tunnel finally come into view. With a grunt Thor hurled himself forward, going airborne and flying out of the tunnel. As he floated in the air, the sound of incoming voices had him turning to the tunnel in time to see Captain America come through the tunnel, going airborne himself for a moment before crashing back down and rolling violently for a few seconds before deftly getting to his feet and running out of the way further into the chamber the tunnel was connected to. It was not a moment to soon as a certain Man of Iron came hurtling out of the tunnel, but he simply slowed to a stop thanks to the metal panels at his back flaring out and acting like a set of brakes. Tony came to a full stop, rose to his feet and them calmly walked away to join Captain American where the super soldier was brushing of the light chips of ice that covers his suit.
Natasha appeared next, gracefully raising to her feet when she reached the end of the slight and quickly getting out of the way as Clint came barreling in after her, not so gracefully rolling to a stop and groaning as Steve pulled him to his feet.
Sif came next, cleverly using the blade of her spear to help her slid up onto her feet and out of the way, and not a moment too soon as the Hulk appeared with a loud roar. With none of the grace of those who came before, the Hulk kept sliding, the momentum that came with his size carrying him further. Tony, Steve, and Clint all dove out of the way as the Hulk careened right for them, coming to a stop only by slamming into the wall of solid ice with a resounding crash that actually left a dent in the wall and send a few shards flying. The Hulk climbed to his feet completely unscathed once the icy dust settled and spoke.
" Hulk wanna do that again." The green behemoth grinned, earning breathless laughter from everyone, even Natasha allowing herself a chuckle until they all heard the yells coming from the last three members of the group.
They all turned in time to see first Volstaag, then Hogun, and finally Fandral come flying out the tunnel, landing in a tangled heap of limbs. They came to a stop with a shared groan, Sif and Steve quickly rushing to them and helping them get to their feet as Thor touched down on the icy floor.
As his blue eyes took in their surroundings, it dawned on him where they had all arrived to.
" The heart of the mountain." Thor said aloud, causing everyone else to go still.
It was a large, circular chamber that was almost womb-like. Thor and his fellows were standing on solid rock with a think sheen of ice over it. There was light coming in from above, a strange ice formation that looked like it should have been in a museum for modern art jutting out from the ceiling, giving off a bluish-white glow.
It was what this light illuminated that had everyone heart stopping cold inside their chests. There at the center of the chamber was a perfect dome of opaque ice. It shimmered and glinted against the light from up above. It didn't take long for Thor to realize just what this was, or more specifically who it was under this dome of glittering ice.
" Loki." Thor whispered as his eyes filled with tears.
Before anyone could stop him, Thor was running forward getting ready to take flight, but he only got a few steps before an ear-shattering roar filled the air. Then another joined it, and Thor stopped dead in his tracks.
" Look!" Clint said as he pointed to something on the opposite side of the chamber. Thor had to fall back, breathing hard as the entire wall of ice at the opposite end of the chamber shattered in a brilliant array of large, jagged shards.
There were gasps all around as the shattered wall fell away to reveal a truly terrifying, yet also jaw-dropping sight.
With a low, rumbling growl a gigantic, shimmering creature stepped out of the shadows and into the light. The only way to describe the beast was that it was a wolf made entirely of ice, its fur compiled of large jagged icicles that lent a truly foreboding silhouette, its face white as snow with clear, sharp looking fangs lining its jaws. Its claws were wicked and curved pieces of clear ice as well. The animal seemed to almost dwarf the heart of the mountain as it stalked forward slowing, icy paws stepping over the icy floor, its footfalls reverberating through the chamber.
Its eyes glowed a bright red as they gazed angrily at the intruders. If that that itself wasn't enough, another low growl sounding had everyone turning in time to see a second gigantic ice-wolf materialize from the same shadowing place where the wall of ice had been.
The Hulk stepped forward, growling and glaring back at the two ice-wolves as they circled either side of the dome of ice and came to stand in front of it, clearly barring Thor and his fellows from access.
" The sentinels." Thor said in realization.
" Them sisters don't mess around, do they?" Tony asked sarcastically as he readied his vast array of weapons while Steve readied his shield beside him. Clint placed and incendiary arrow on the string of his bow, and Natasha readied her gun. Hogun stood grim and flicked the button in his club, releasing the wicked spikes hidden within. Fandral pulled his sword out of the scabbard at his hip, while Volstaag released the second blades of his battle axe. And finally, Sif twisted her spear releasing its second blade and got her shield ready. As one, the fighters all stepped forward and joined Thor.
Captain America and Ironman flanked the Thunderer on either side, while Clint stood at Tony's right and Natasha on Steve's left. The Hulk stood beside Natasha rubbing his large fists together with the promise of violence. Next to the Hulk stood Sif and Fandral, while Hogun and Volstaag rounded out the line by coming to stand beside Hawkeye. All of them glared at the two ice-wolves, not missing the irony that the same animal that had been Loki's grotesque and rapid foes down in Niflheim were now his two gorgeous yet deadly looking guardians in the heart of this mountain in Muspelheim.
" We're ready when you are Thor." Steve said quietly, his eyes never leaving the two formidable creatures they were all facing off against.
" I thank you, all of you." Thor said with a smile before he sobered and spoke. " But I want all of you to lower your weapons."
There were gasps and noised of confusion all around and Sif spoke.
" But Thor, if we put our weapons down those things might move forward and attack." She said, looking from Thor to the wolves and then back again.
" I know what I am doing Sif, do not fear for me." Thor said, giving her a reassuring look.
" Please, everyone, just trust me." Thor said as he looked from one side to the other and met the many unsure gazes directed at him.
With great reluctance, everyone else stood down, even the Hulk lowered his hands and took a step back, still eying the wolves balefully.
Taking in a deep breath and letting the cold air fill his lungs, Thor suddenly stepped forward, walking away from the safety of the Avengers and the four Asgardians.
" Thor!" Steve called, moving to step forward but halting when one of the giant ice-wolves growled lowly at the movement, a clear warning to stay back.
They all watched tensely as Thor walked across the frozen floor towards the two wolves, who each stepped sideways closer to each other, blocking the dome of ice from view, their red eyes almost glowing as they were trained on Thor as he came forward.
Thor came to a halt so that he was a few feet away from the wolves as he spoke.
" Sentinels of the Norns, I am Thor, Crown Prince of Asgard and I have come to reclaim he whom you stand guard over." Thor said loudly, his voice echoing through the cavernous chamber.
Both wolves narrowed their eyes and bared their teeth as they growled at Thor, clearly displeased as they both took menacing steps closer to the Thunderer, ready to tear him apart.
Clint was itching to let an arrow fly, but a warning look from Steve had him staving off the urge as they all watched on tensely. Then Thor did something that was equal parts really brave, and really terrifying.
The Prince took several step forward till he was almost at arms length from the two massive creatures. The wolves themselves seemed taken off guard by this, but before they could growl of snap their jaws at the intruder, Thor sank to his knees and placed Mjolnir in front of him with a low thud as he spoke.
" I do not want to fight you, and you may both tear as much flesh from me as you so choose, but I will not leave here without my brother." Thor declared as he felt his eye begin to burn and his throat constrict painfully before he continued.
" I promise that I will take all care of him, and a brother worthy of him. Please, please let me pass I came to bring Loki home."
Thor then bowed his head low, to show his respect and to hide that he could not hold his tears in any longer. Thor's breath hitched as tears carved cool trails down his cheek.
The Avengers and the Asgardians watched on in pained silence as the two ice-wolves seemed to regard Thor curiously, the harshness leaving their red-eyed gazes. Then one of the wolves did something unexpected. It slowly raised its front paw and reached out towards Thor where he knelt with his head bowed. They all watched stunned and uneasy as the wolf turned its massive paw sideways and tucked its curved, sharp-looking claw under Thor's chin with surprising gentleness and dexterity. They all watched as Thor gave a small jerk of surprise but quickly stilled, knowing that one wrong moved would leave him with a hole in his throat. There were soft gasps as they all watched the wolf slowly tilt Thor's head up, revealing his tear-stained face.
Thor bit back a sob as he tearfully met the wolf's red-eyed gaze, his entire body shaking from grief. The two wolves seemed to regard Thor further, for what seemed like an eternity before finally, the wolf that had reached out withdrew its paw. The two wolves turned to look at each other, as though silently speaking. They seemed almost to come to an agreement as the hardness left their red eyes and they turned to look at Thor with something akin to actual warmth.
Then suddenly the two wolves began to glow with iridescent light, and it was so beautiful it left Thor and his fellows at a loss for words. They watched as the light seemed to swallow the wolves up as one. Before their very eyes, they watched as the two glowing figures began to shift and shrink. When the light left, standing before Thor were two pure white, normal sized wolves with only their red eyes signaling their otherworldliness.
With a loud bark both wolves trotted forward, reaching stunned Thor and proceeding to lick the tears from his cheeks like they were just a pair of friendly, ordinary dogs.
Thor let out a breathless laugh as he stroked the heads of the two wolves who were currently showering him is wet kisses, but with a gasp he realized what this meant.
They were going to let him pass.
With out loud yell, Thor grabbed up Mjolnir and shot to his feet, running as fast as his legs to could carry him towards the dome of ice. Behind him the two wolves trotted after him and came to sit tamely side by side a few feet away from the ice dome.
" C'mon!" Steve said, sounding a bit dazed as he charged forward with the others right behind him.
As Thor came to stand before the dome of ice, he could see even through the opaqueness that there was something underneath. Without hesitation Thor reached out and placed his hand over the cool, glittering surface of the ice as Steve and the others all gathered a few feet away, watching with wide expectant eyes.
The moment Thor's hand touched the dome of ice, a low hiss sounded through the air as the ice cleared of its opaqueness and then slowly melted away, receding down into the floor.
" Oh my god." Steve whispered in awe, while Tony lifted the HUD to stare wide-eyed at the sight before him.
Clint let out a shaky breath, while Natasha stared in wonder. Beside them the Hulk was grinning happily. Volstaag's jaw trembled and his eyes filled, while Fandral covered his mouth with his hand to keep himself from crying out with joy, beside him Sif smiled as tears spilled from her eyes, and Hogun himself smiled as tears gathered in his eyes.
Thor could not hold back the sob that broke free from him as he stared down at what the ice dome had revealed by melting away.
There laying in a grand bed so similar to the one Odin himself would lay in during the Odin sleep, beneath dark blue furs, was Loki Odinson.
" Loki." Thor whispered reverently as he gazed down at his sleeping brother, the brother he had been so desperately searching for.
Loki lay oblivious to all, so deep was his sleep. Dressed in a simple white tunic, the once thought dead prince lay with his long black hair fanned out around him in soft waves. The gauntness and dark smudges that had marred his face the last time they had all seen him in the Norns' image were gone, leaving only a fair, flawless face. His hands lay on his chest, not neatly folded, but lax. On the long, elegant ring finger of his right hand there was a ring with three gemstones on a simple silver band, a deep red gem with a black and white stone flanking it on either side, a clear representation of the three goddesses whose favor he had gained through great hardship. There was color in Loki's cheeks and lips, and above all he was breathing, slow and deep in sleep.
He was alive.
With a sob and tears streaming without shame down his face, Thor reached out with a shaking hand and carefully placed it over one of Loki's pale hands, closing his eyes at the contact and realizing that the hand beneath his was warm with life.
" Loki." Thor sobbed tearfully before he reached out and carefully weaved his other arm under Loki's neck.
With slow care, as if he were handling something infinitely fragile, Thor lifted Loki up and cradled him to his chest, tucking the dark head under his chin as he sobbed with abandoned. Loki remained unconscious, limp in Thor's loving arms with his head resting against his other brother's chest, the pendant he himself had made for Thor glittering against his cheek.
" My brother." Thor whispered before he dissolved into the relief and joy he was feeling, holding Loki close and pressing a kiss to the crown of his brother's head while he buried his other hand into the dark raven lock. Thor locked his arms around Loki, holding him tightly as if he were a lifeline.
The veil of ice had been lifted, revealing something that many throughout all the realms often dreamed of having for whatever reason, but could never have. Something that Thor Odinson, by a twist of fate now did have.
A second chance.