I just saw Wonder Woman today and it was awesome! I recommend seeing it! It is so worth it! And I was intrigued by how much she reminded me of my Jenny. Only Wonder Woman has super powers! But they would still get along I think. Similar personalities.
I also am just fighting off a headache. My head is still a little sore and I'm a little dizzy, but I'm hoping to publish another chapter before sleep, so I hope my edits are… not loopy…if that makes sense. I'm just apologizing in advance.
Well, enough about my fangirling or my headaches, enjoy the chapter!
Chapter 8
Family Reunion
Things had felt a little awkward for Jenny. She remembered hearing that Loki was supposed to be dead, risking his life for Thor and Jane. Now here they were, walking distantly from each other. Thor's face was filled with confusion and hurt, while Loki's was almost impossible to read, although Jenny could tell he seemed to be distracted.
They had gone through the Bifrost again, and were now walking on a beautiful bridge of colors, toward Asgard. Jenny looked up at the beautiful, golden city. It seemed so old-fashioned, and yet so modern. Once they had made it to the palace, Odin, the King of Asgard came out to greet them. A young man dressed in blue was standing next to him. Odin stood and gazed at his two sons, before nodding in understanding and leading them into the castle. The rest were led into a nice lounging room.
"You may rest here until further instructions from the King. We hope your stay is comfortable." One of the guards informed them before leaving them to relax.
"This place isn't too bad," Darcey admitted, jumping onto one of the couches. "And Jane, was that Loki?"
"Well… yeah." Jane replied hesitantly.
"Hmmmmmm…" Darcey mused. "Never mind what I said about him earlier."
"Darcey, no." Jane said blankly. "Let's not talk about that."
"About what?" Summer asked.
"How surprisingly hot Thor's brother is." Darcey replied.
"Ew, no!" Summer cringed. "He's the opposite of hot! He's too cold! I can feel it from a mile away!"
"Well, he is a frost giant, right Jenny?" Chijo asked, turning to his friend. "I mean, you know Scandinavian and Mythology better than any of us, right Jenny? Jenny?"
"Huh?" Jenny had been facing the door, seeming to be lost in thought. She turned to the group and looked around nervously. "Oh yeah, he is…and I think the correct term would be Norse Mythology." She turned to Jane and whispered. "Can I talk to you?"
Jane nodded and stepped out of the room with Jenny. Once they were in the hallway and the door was shut, Jenny took a deep breath.
"I… I have a lot of explaining to do…" Jenny said, shaking her head and looking at the ground. Jane put her arm around Jenny's shoulder to offer her friend some comfort.
"It's okay Jenny," Jane said soothingly. "I know a nice spot… It has a great view… we can walk there, and you can tell me everything on the way."
"Okay," Jenny said. As they began to walk, Jenny began to be open up to her friend. She told her of the night her life had changed; when the gangsters all came, and attacked her college theater, when she stood up to them and always had to fight them, how she found out her friends had super powers, and how she became The Painter. She told her about the experiences she had, and the villains she had miraculously defeated. She even told her about Agent Hill, inviting her to a well-paying job as an Avenger.
She paused when Jane led her onto a balcony, overlooking the gardens and the city. It was a beautiful sight, and the sky looked so colorful and beautiful as the sun was setting.
"This is a great view." Jenny whispered.
"Yep," Jane replied. "Especially when there's no evil fluid flowing through your veins and making you see red everywhere." Jenny looked up at her friend in confusion. Jane paused for a long moment. "Jenny, there's a lot I haven't told you either." She said, before telling the story about the Aether, and how it selected her as a host body, and how Thor helped get it out of her, resulting in Loki faking his death.
"I never told you," Jane continued after her story. "Because I didn't think you would believe me… So, I can understand why you never told me that you are The Painter. But I guess I could've put two and two together… since you like painting so much nowadays."
"Actually," Jenny hesitated. She wasn't sure if she had the strength to tell Jane this part of the story… the grief was still recent… "I never told you because…" She trailed off, looking for the right words. "Well… do you remember my friend, Audrey?"
"The 'roommate's dream?' How could I forget? She was so sweet!"
"Audrey found out I was The Painter." Jenny said. "And she wanted to help us figure out about Element Supreme, so she would do research at her office… which turned out to be S.H.E.I.L.D… I guess we all have secrets. Anyways, she found something she wasn't supposed to know, and… well… because she knew too much, the Titans… had to eliminate her…" Jenny paused and tears streamed down her cheeks. She hastily wiped them away, but more prevailed. She sniffed. "I'm sorry…"
"Take your time." Jane said calmly, yet her voice cracked slightly.
Jenny sniffed again. "She tried to call me… while I was at the News Station… when I finally had a moment to pick up the phone, it was too late… they shot her…" Jenny sobbed. Jane embraced her friend and let her cry on her shoulder for a while.
"It's okay Jenny." Jane said soothingly. "Let it out."
"I- I d-didn't tell you bec-because I d-didn't want y-you to get hurt!" Jenny cried. "I'm s-s-so… I'm so sorry!"
"It's okay, I understand." Jane replied. "I'm not mad." Jenny sobbed for a while longer, until she began to breathe evenly and was able to wipe her tears away. "After all these years Jenny, and you're still trying to protect me. You never change." Jane smiled at her friend. "Thanks."
~jb~
Odin slowly sat down onto his throne, nearly groaning as he did so. His eyes looked tired and weary. He looked down at his three sons, all looking up at him for an explanation.
"Well Thor," Odin began. "It looks like you have been a good influence on your brother after all."
"I don't understand…" Thor said irritably. "What has been happening to the realms? And why…?" He trailed off and turned to Loki. "How…?"
"You really are the fool I took you for." Loki said blankly, his face unreadable. "You really think I would go back to my cell? You knew I would betray you."
"And yet, he didn't." Odin added.
"You could have returned a hero." Thor said, still looking at Loki.
"And he did," Odin added again. "After he had tricked you, I sent some of my guards to look for you in the Dark Realm. I had no idea some of them had begun to claim loyalty to Loki. He disguised himself as a guard, and snuck back into the palace. His original plan was to kill me."
"Why didn't he?" Thor asked, turning to face his father.
"That, you'd have to ask him yourself." Odin said. He looked at Loki for a moment, who had turned his head away from them, looking at the ground. When Odin figured Loki did not want to share his side of the story, Odin continued.
"The grief was a lot to bear." Odin said. "Balder was off fighting other battles. I had just lost your mother, and you had left on a journey, from which you might have not returned, and then… I had lost my other son, whom I had come to love…The one reminder of Frigga I had left, and he was gone. The grief was so heavy, I fell into the Odinsleep. Loki, being full of mercy, helped me into my room before it could fully take me. After, he disguised himself as me, and ruled on the throne in my place, so not to frighten all of Asgard. He could have easily killed me, but he made a different call."
"But what happens now?" Thor asked. "Does he truly feel remorse for everything else that he's done? Or is there any other punishment you wish to throw upon him?"
"If I hear you correctly, it sounds like you want to defend me." Loki mused. He had been pacing around the room as Odin told the story. He was now stopped with his back turned to Thor.
"I'm torn between defending you, and killing you." Thor admitted.
"And there are the threats."
"Actually," Balder cut in. "Loki had thought of going into exile for a time. He said he wants to find himself, but I think he may be wanting to punish himself…"
"He has also done great service for Hogun's realm." Odin added. "And he would do well to serve your other Midgardian friends."
Thor sighed. "In Midgard, they call that form of punishment 'community service'."
"Surely, you don't mean the Avengers." Loki cringed. "That would definitely be a punishment."
"Fury is fascinated with your skill." Thor pointed out. "Who's to say you wouldn't be a great asset to the team?"
"No," Loki narrowed his eyes. "You think I want to be in a place I'm not wanted? I don't. And that's another reason I wanted to go into exile. I would have gone sooner if I hadn't been taken ill. And now, there are more serious matters."
"And what would that be?" Balder asked.
"The Bifrost." Loki replied. He turned to Thor, looking at him. "And that mortal."
"It would be good to speak with Heimdall as to why the Bifrost pulled you all in." Odin nodded, standing from his throne. "Come Balder, we will gather a meeting, and… let's let your brothers get reacquainted." Balder gave his brothers a hopeful smile before following Odin out of the throne room. The door echoed as it shut behind them. It was silent for a long moment. The two brothers stood, not quite facing each other, staring blankly ahead, both unsure what to do.
Finally, Thor broke the silence. "What mortal?" His voice echoed in the hall.
"You know of whom I speak." Loki hissed. "While I was taken ill, I had been seeing nothing but this mortal. This… Jennifer Robinson. She had been haunting my dreams for weeks, and now you bring her here."
"She is not a threat." Thor defended. "She has no powers. She's not like us. Why would she be haunting your dreams?"
"I don't know." Loki admitted, though his voice was still gruff. "But I have reason to believe her fate is mingled with mine."
"And that scares you?" Thor asked.
Loki let out a curt laugh. "Why do I have to fear a mere mortal? She's so small, one could break her in half. It would be as easy as breaking a twig."
"She is not as fragile as you think." Thor replied.
"So, I've noticed." Loki commented.
"I don't know why the Bifrost pulled us all in…her least of all. But we may find answers when we discuss it with Heimdall." Thor turned to leave the throne room, but stopped when he realized Loki wasn't following him. He turned to face his brother, who had actually lifted his head to look at him.
"We're not finished yet, are we?" Thor asked.
"No, I suppose not." Loki replied, his face unreadable. "I apologize for tricking you, and for many other things that I have done. And for once, I can't use words to make up for my mistakes… I guess my tongue has turned to lead…" Loki turned his back to Thor again. "I don't expect you to forgive me… at least… not without a string attached."
"I think I can." Thor nodded. "I told you before; I had a hope that my brother was still in there… it may take more time, but I can forgive you…without any string attached."
"Thank you, Thor," Loki said, turning to his brother. "That means more to me than you know."
~jb~
Jenny and Jane had been on their way back to the lounge when a large wolf had been strolling in the hallways. What surprised Jenny more than the largeness of the wolf, was Momo, riding on the wolf's back.
"Momo!" Jenny gasped. "She must have gotten pulled in too!"
"And… who are you?" Jane asked as the large wolf began to sniff her. He must have been the size of a horse.
"This is Fenrir." Odin said, walking down the hall with the young man. "He was found as a lost pup. Thor and Loki were playing in the woods one day, and they found him. It took them a while to convince my wife to let them keep him. But as he grew, we did not regret keeping him. Now he just comes and goes as he pleases, and grows larger each time he comes back. But now, we're not expecting him to grow anymore."
"So, Fenrir isn't Loki's child?" Jenny asked curiously.
"Of course not!" The young man stiffened. "Where would you get an idea like that?!"
"My ancestors, duh." Jenny rolled her eyes. "Though, I guess they may have mixed some things up. Besides, I was only asking."
"Oh, of course," Suddenly the man loosened and reached out to shake both Jenny and Jane's hands. "I am Balder… neither of you have met me, but I have heard of you, Jane Foster. I have been traveling around, helping my people protect the realms. But I have returned for a time…I wanted to meet my brother's bride."
"Oh," Jane's cheeks turned red. "I'm not his bride yet."
"But you ought to be." Balder said. "I mean, it seems you bring out the best in him." He turned to Jenny. "And I'm sorry for getting defensive… I know my adopted brother, Loki can be mischievous, and sometimes cold, but he is still my brother nonetheless. He and Thor have always been there for me."
"Uh… it's okay." Jenny smiled. She kind of liked Balder. He was sweet, polite, and a gentleman. She felt warmed by his awkward, yet easy-going vibe. He looked a little bit like Thor too. He had blue eyes, and shorter blond hair. He had no facial hair, but his face was handsome, and his jawline was refined… "I understand." Jenny continued. "I get the same way with my cousin."
"I see." Balder said, watching as Momo jumped onto Jenny's shoulder. "So… what other stories are there about Loki? I wonder if any of them line up."
"Well…" Jenny thought for a moment. "There's a few… He gave birth to an eight-legged horse, he tricked someone into stabbing you under a mistletoe… Oh! There's one about how he got someone kidnapped and then helped her escape by entertaining the captors. If I remember correctly, it was a giant… no one could get her to laugh except Loki. He tied a string to a goat's beard, and the other end to-"
"What are you talking about?" A low voice echoed from the hallway. Jenny immediately stopped when she noticed it was Loki and Thor.
"Nothing!" She said quickly.
"She was telling some pretty gruesome stories about you." Balder said to Loki, looking quite horrified. "I might never go under a mistletoe again!"
"What?" Loki raised an eyebrow.
"And she thinks you gave birth to Sleipnir!" Balder continued. Jenny looked at the ground. She could feel her face turning red with embarrassment. Why did she tell Balder these stories?
"What…?" Loki asked, looking even more confused. "That's impossible! Where did you get an idea like that?" He demanded, looking straight at Jenny.
Jenny looked up and shrugged. "My ancestors…?" She said shyly.
"They must have gotten confused… maybe it was the Ice Age." Balder mused.
"Perhaps," Odin said. "But we have more urgent business to take care of. Jane Foster, Jennifer Robinson; you are welcome to come with us."
"To where?" Jenny asked.
"We have some important business to discuss. It's the Bifrost. We're not sure what happened, or why it pulled you in. We are to meet with Heimdall, and see what he thinks." Odin replied, leading the group to a room. Sif, The Warriors Three, and Heimdall were gathered around a table. They all turned and placed a fist upon their chests to greet Odin.
"Thank you everyone for meeting here today." Odin nodded in response. "Heimdall, I understand some of the Long Fang members were trying to escape with their own portals. It must have been hard for them to conjure them. They couldn't make any more once you used the Bifrost to pull them back into battle."
Heimdall nodded, his golden eyes piercing.
"So, you must have pulled them in by accident." Fandral mused.
"We were in the midst of fighting them." Thor added.
"Now the Bifrost seems to be slower." Heimdall said. Jenny was amazed at the sound of his voice. It was so low… almost unreal.
"There may be something happening that's making it slower." Odin nodded. "Sometimes magic can have an effect on it. Loki, do you think you could've lost control when you were taken ill? A similar thing happened to Frigga."
"I'm not sure…" Loki hesitated. "I… I did sleep a lot."
"Or…" Jenny stepped forward to stand between Loki and Balder. "I noticed the Bifrost runs like a machine… maybe there's something jammed in one of the gears."
"But the Bifrost isn't just a machine…" Balder pointed out.
"What makes you think that, mortal?" Loki asked, waving Balder off. Balder cringed and rolled his eyes.
"When I was five, I was watching my dad try to put together a computer. He had trouble sorting out all the chips and the equipment. He had to take a break from it after he nearly finished it because the computer wasn't turning on. I figured out there was a small piece of plastic stuck in the fan… this was an old computer… anyways, once I had pulled it out, rearranged a few chips, and then clicked on a few things, I got the computer to work."
"At five?" Jane's eyes widened.
"I like to build things…" Jenny's cheeks turned a light shade of pink. "What I'm saying is, the smallest thing could be making the Bifrost malfunction."
"Well," Balder grumbled. "This is no concern for a small, insignificant-"
Once Jenny had been called small, she grabbed the back of Balder's neck, grabbed his hand, and banged his head on the table. She pounded him so hard, the noise echoed in the room.
"Ow…" Balder winced.
"Say that again!" Jenny snapped.
"That actually hurt…" Balder whimpered.
"Yeah, that's what I thought."
Around the room, some had winced at the sound of Balder's head impacting the table. Jane closed her eyes and shook her head. Thor stared at Jenny in amazement. Loki couldn't help but to sneer at his brother's expense, and he was more and more amazed at this mortal with each passing moment.
"All right, Miss Robinson, you had your fun." Loki was surprised to see Odin smiling at her. "Why don't you and Jane go back to the lounge for a while. And we will look into the Bifrost to see if your theory is right. It wouldn't kill us to check."
"Ah, thanks…" Jenny nodded apologetically before following Jane out of the room.
"What's her problem?" Balder complained. "She was so friendly before, what happened?"
"I don't think she likes to be called names." Thor replied. "Specifically, ones regarding her height…"
"Well, I will never do that again!" Balder said, standing up. "Are you sure she's mortal? She seems very strong."
"No, she doesn't have any special abilities." Thor replied. "Just a trained fighter."
"Sif, take the Warriors Three, and follow Heimdall to the Bifrost." Odin said. "Check to see if there is anything small, interfering with it."
Sif nodded before she and The Warriors Three all left with Heimdall.
"Jennifer…" Odin mused to himself. His three sons all stood in curiosity, wondering what he would say next. "She reminds of Frigga… when she was that age."
The sons stayed silent. They never thought of Frigga to be so energetic, impatient, and short-tempered. How could Jenny be anything like Frigga?
Odin looked up at his sons, reading the expressions on their faces. "Impatience, speaking in anger… those things go away when you become a parent. Though you may fall short from time to time." Odin admitted. "Frigga was quick to learn, and quick to anger. But she was also kind, gentle, caring, and concerned for the welfare of others. In time, you will see it in Jennifer."
I can imagine how awkward it will be for Thor and Loki when Ragnarok comes out! I feel like it will run my theory into the ground. Of what Loki did to Odin or how Odin disappeared and stuff. Oh well, I hope you enjoyed!
