Chapter 15

The doors to the dungeon parted as the trio consisting of Darcy, Sif, and Hikesh entered. The corridors were darkened and the cells were empty, the prisoners either dead or still being hunted down in the city streets. As the three strode down the halls of the prison, their steps seemed to echo louder. Both Hikesh and Sif wore looks of indifference over the situation. Neither wanted to do this. It was simply out of necessity. Darcy, meanwhile, was nervous. She had only interacted with Loki briefly during the breakout. Before that, the last time she had spoken to him was last year, shortly after the Battle of New York. She remembered his cold gaze as she and the Avengers saw him and Sif away in Central Park.

Stay calm, Darce. Stay calm. Darcy thought to herself. She was both frightened and excited at the prospect of working with her... romantic interest? She wasn't even sure if he should be called that. Their relationship was anything but warm.

The three reached Loki's cell. Loki sat still in the chair, his arms laid down casually on the armrests. His eyes looked up at his three visitors. He was staring intently at Darcy.

"So, you're back." He glanced briefly at Hikesh, and his face hardened in recognition. "And you've brought vermin with you."

Darcy frowned at Loki's insult towards her friend, while Hikesh merely glared at the prince of lies, dislike towards him written all over his alien face. Indifferent, Loki stood from his seat, glaring at the three. "So, have you come to gloat? To mock?"

Sif stepped forward, glaring at Loki. "We are here on your mother's behalf, Loki. We ask for your help."

"Why?" Loki's antagonistic voice drawled, leaning forward, glaring at the shield maiden. "You barely ever tolerated my presence in our youth. And it's obvious you hate me even more than you did then."

"My opinion of you has not changed." Sif said calmly. "But Asgard is in danger. You may be aware by now that your father has fallen-"

"He is not my father." Loki hissed, and Sif glared at him in disgust. His face remained neutral. "Did he suffer?"

"Not as much as your mother has." Sif explained. "Even now she carries the weight of grief."

Loki felt his chest clench at that. He knew that already. He figured she would be, given how close they were. However, he did not show it. "I see. And you think this will sway me? What makes you think I give a damn of what happens to Asgard? "

"You don't seriously mean that." Darcy spoke up, frowning at Loki. "This is your home, isn't it?"

"Ah, Darcy." Loki said, shaking his head. "So powerful yet so naive. You fought for the apparent safety of your world, and rebuffed the greater offers I handed you. And what do you do? You hurl me into an abyss. The fact that you are even trying to sway me is pathetic."

"Excuse me?" Darcy said, her frown morphing into a glare. "I never tossed you into any abyss. You did that to yourself!"

"Maybe." Loki said casually. "But the circumstances behind my plunder were hardly one-sided."

Darcy sighed. "Look, Loki, I know you and I have had some troubles-"

"Troubles?" Loki stated, looking at Darcy incredulously. "Troubles? You are the prime example of the ignorance of your species, Darcy. I merely tried to perfect your race by placing the same right of control that Odin has on the rest of the Nine Realms."

"Perfect us?" Darcy said, blinking. "You killed hundreds of people!"

"For a good cause." Loki defended, refusing to admit any fault to his actions. "Your species lacked guidance to achieve perfect civilization. I tried to show them guidance, and in return, they rebel and drive me back to this helhole, where the bastard who dares call himself my father condemned me to this cell. As a result of your actions against me, your race is now condemned to destroy itself."

"I refuse to believe that." Darcy glared. "I'm getting sick of you putting down my race like they're a bunch of cavemen. We're not the weak ones here, Loki. You are."

"Entertain what illusions you will." Loki said, glaring. "I haven't the time for it."

"This bickering amongst ourselves is pointless, Loki." Sif spoke. "Your hatred towards Odin, Asgard, and its people is obvious. But if you don't agree to help us, then no one will be around to save you when the Dark Elves burn this place to the ground."

"You're delusional, Sif." Loki sneered. "Let's say that I help you. Even if I was there to back you up, what's stopping Malekith and his ilk from defeating you again? You couldn't hold your own against the Dark Elves before. Hel, what makes you believe you can stop them when they killed Odin before?"

"It'll be different!" Darcy spoke, stepping closer. "We've already got a plan to get Jane off of Asgard. Once we lure the elves away, we'll be able to-"

"I have no interest in taking part in any games, Darcy." Loki said over her. "I also have no interest in fighting for Asgard. Not anymore. This realm has betrayed me, forsaken me, and spat at my feet since the moment I returned. It is undeserving of help."

"How can you say that?" Sif said, glaring. "After everything your family has done for you? They took you in and gave you a reason to live!"

"I grow tired of saying this." Loki growled. "They are NOT my family! I don't need anyone's pity. I am above such... such..."

Loki stopped talking when a tittering sound filled the air. Darcy and Sif blinked when they glanced over to Hikesh, who had his arms crossed, shaking his head, chuckling.

"Something funny?" Loki asked with a dangerous tone.

"Look at you." Hikesh laughed. "You act all high and mighty, pretending to be above everyone. Your arrogance is sickening."

"What?"

"You're pathetic, Loki." Hikesh said, stepping up to his cell so that he was at eye level with the god of lies. "You go on and on about how Odin shamed you by lying to you and raising you as something you truly weren't, and hate him for it. Yet he also took you in as his own, giving you new purpose and a mother who loved you. You had a life, a family. Yet you were blinded by jealousy for your brother, and instead of admitting that fault, you brought your life to shambles."

"Hikesh..." Darcy said, but Hikesh ignored her.

"Everything that has happened to you up to this point has been you're own doing. You instigated the death of one of the few people who ever saw purpose in you, and you waved it off as a simple casualty. Then, you abandoned your home rather than face judgment for your actions, and came back and got bested a second time. And for what? Approval from your father? You had it already, but you ruined it the moment you arranged Thor's exile and death. You ruined your own life, Loki. Not Odin, not humanity. Just you."

Loki stared at the Prothean, his eyes wide. Moments later, his face contorted into a hideous snarl that made Darcy and Sif back away. "You... You wretched subcreature! *How dare you talk to me like that!*" Loki bashed his fist against the reflective field around the cell, ignoring the burning sensation coursing through his flesh the moment he made contact. "How dare you claim I am at fault?!"

"I am not wrong." Hikesh said calmly, crossing his arms again. "You were always, as the humans say, full of shit."

"How dare-!"

"Stop it!" Darcu shouted, causing everyone to shut up, looking at her in surprise. She had a furious look on her face. "I'm getting sick of all this bullshit. Millions of people could be at risk here, and we're all acting like a bunch of spoiled brats. Now, you" she pointed at Loki "need to choose. I don't care if you hate your family or not, but your mother is willing to uplift your sentence if, and only if, you help us. Otherwise, you can keep acting like a whiny little bitch and rot in your cell. Now, what will it be?"

Loki glared at Darcy, and she glared back, undaunted by his demeanor. He briefly glanced at Hikesh, sending a hateful vibe to the Prothean. His gaze soon settled back to Darcy, who was now looking at him with what looked like... hope?

Loki's expression softened, but only slightly, before he gave an indignant huff. "Fine."

oooo

"I still don't see how this is going to work." Loki drawled.

"Yes. You've said that a few times now." Sif growled irritably.

"I'm only trying to prove my point. This plan has multiple flaws that are doomed to-"

"Nag, nag, nag. Jeez, Lok!" Darcy said, rolling her eyes. "When did you turn into my mother?"

Loki glared at Darcy in annoyance. "I fail to see how my logical thinking corresponds with maternal hindrances."

"Oh for the love of... I told you before, I don't speak Shakespeare!" Darcy griped. She, Loki, Sif, and Hikesh were walking down the ruined hallways of the palace, passing by numerous guards that looked at the group in shock. Most of their attention was directed at Loki, giving him weary looks and glares. He didn't even seem to notice.

"As I was saying." Loki said, ignoring Darcy for the time being. "This plan just seems outrageously clandestine, even for you, Sif. I'd expect you to try and punch your way out."

"If you keep speaking, I just might." Sif replied. Loki merely smiled at her remark.

"You guys sound like an old married couple." Darcy said, raising an eyebrow at the two. She also felt a little jealous at their interactions. "Was it always like this with you two?"

"If you are suggested that I considered betrothal with this pig, you are sadly mistaken." Sif growled, casting Loki a look of disgust.

"Oh? I'm hurt, Sif." Loki replied innocently. "If you and I ever did get married, I'd be sure to treat you fairly. Although, I don't think I'd like you running around in that armor all the time."

Darcy and Hikesh both blinked in surprise when Sif was suddenly engulfed in a green light, and when it faded, Sif was now standing in a beautiful white gown. A gown that maidens wore during weddings. Sif blinked at herself, blushing slightly at the uncharacteristic garb, and then cast a furious glare at Loki.

Loki, meanwhile, just smirked. "That's much better."

Darcy blinked, and then smiled. "Holy crap, Sif. You actually look like a girl now!"

Sif growled menacingly. "I will kill you both. And then bury your bodies in this dress."

Loki chuckled, and another green light flashed, and Sif's garb was as it was before. As the group continued on, Hikesh, who was trailing quietly behind, shook his head in exasperation.

"Humans..."

Continuing down the hall, the four finally met up with Frigga, Fandral, Volstagg, and Jane. Jane looked exhausted, bags forming under her eyes and she seemed to be quite slow in her movements. Evidence of the Aether's hold on her. Concentrating, Jane's gaze fell on Loki, and they grew wide in recognition. Fandral and Volstagg casts loathing gazes in his directions. Frigga opened her mouth, preparing to speak, when Jane strode forward, pointing at Loki.

"You're..."

"Loki." Loki nodded in pride. "You may have heard-"

Loki was abrubtly cut off when Jane swung her hand in his direction, her palm slapping harshly against the mischief maker's face. While it didn't even hurt, Loki clicked his neck to the left in surprise. The others looked at the scene in surprise.

Jane was glaring harshly at Loki. "That was for New York, you greasy haired bastard!"

Loki sent Jane a sneering grin, preparing to make a rebuttal, when, "Jane!" Darcy said, frowning. She stepped forward. "If you're gonna do that, do it like this!"

Loki grunted when Darcy slapped him on the opposite cheek. With her enhanced strength, more force was added and Loki actually stumbled. He also felt a sharp pain in his face. He glared at Darcy, who was smiling at Jane.

"Go on. Try it!"

Smirking, Jane slapped Loki again, causing him to stumble back towards Darcy, who slapped him in return. Then Jane slapped him. Then Darcy. Jane. Darcy. Jane. Darcy. Jane.

"Stop it!" Loki suddenly yelled, putting both his hands up in defense. Jane and Darcy both paused, watching as Loki looked at them both wearily, before lowering his hands.

"Alright. Now-" Loki was cut off when both girls slapped his face at the same time. He growled, glaring at Darcy, who just laughed. Fandral and Volstagg were both laughing at the spectacle. Sif barely held in her chuckles while Hikesh smirked at the scene.

Frigga, on the other hand, looked at the scene with a little disapproval. "If you're all done playing around, we have important matters to attend to."

"Right, right." Darcy said, regaining her composure. "So. What's the plan."

Frigga beckoned the group to follow her, and they came to the wrecked hallway of the palace. In the center was the Dark Elf ship that Darcy had previously downed. Two Asgardian warriors were guarding it. The group stopped in front of it, and Frigga turned to them, motioning her hand towards the fighter.

"The Bifrost is damaged. As of now, this is the only passage off world. I have already informed Lady Sif, Fandral, Volstagg, and Heimdall of the plan." She said. "You will use it to draw Malekith away from Asgard."

The group was silent, shocked at the queen's plan. Hikesh was the first to speak. "You cannot be serious. Even if we manage to fly that thing, the Dark Elves are still orbiting Asgard's skies. They will shoot us down before we can leave this place."

"I did not ever expect you to pilot the entire ship out of this realm." Frigga said, turning her gaze to Loki. "That's where he comes in."

Loki lifted an eyebrow. "Mother?"

"The Convergence is nearing its peak." Frigga explained. "There are rifts in between realms that are growing wider as each minute passes. You, Loki, will lead the group to one of these rifts, and once you are off Asgard, the Dark Elves will follow."

"My lady, forgive me for questioning your authority." Hikesh said again. "But how do you expect us to stop the Dark Elves once we have lured them away? You've seen their power, their weaponry. We could barely handle them last time."

"I am aware of this, Hikesh." Frigga said, remembering Odin's fall. "Which is why this next part will be extremely risky. You must allow Malekith to take the Aether from Jane Foster. Before you interrupt, let me finish. From what I have read from Asgard's deepest archives, Malekith is one of the few who knows the proper sorcery to siphon a force as powerful as the Aether from any host. However, this process is slow, and while the Aether is being drawn from Jane, Malekith will be vulnerable. Once you destroy him, the Aether will be without a vessel, allowing us to contain it."

"A sound strategy." Hikesh agreed. "Risky. But sound."

"Sounds awesome." Darcy said, smiling in anticipation.

"Sounds suicidal." Loki scoffed.

Frigga sighed. "Loki. I know you're feelings for us have not changed, but we are desperate. I'm begging you to do this. If not for Asgard, for me."

Loki wanted to object, but found that he couldn't. As much as he didn't want to, he still cared for Frigga. She was indeed his mother, no matter how hard he tried to deny it.

"Very well." Loki said reluctantly.

"Excellent." Frigga said, facing the rest of the group. "Fandral and Volstagg have agreed to stay here. The rest of you will take Jane Foster and find that passage. Lady Sif, I trust you know what to do?"

"Yes, my queen." Sif bowed. "We will not fail. I promise."

Frigga nodded. Hikesh led Jane onto the Dark Elf fighter, and as Darcy was about to get on, Frigga stopped her. Darcy looked at her in confusion.

"Remember what I said before, Darcy." Frigga said. "You are headstrong, but that is not always a bad thing. Luck has always been on your side, and I trust it will be once this is over."

Darcy smiled. "Thanks, your highness."

"Think nothing of it." Frigga said, smiling. "You are a warrior. It is customary that I offer you words of faith."

Darcy's smile grew even wider. "Okay, it's official. You are like the coolest woman ever!"

Frigga chuckled. Fandral stepped forward suddenly, taking Darcy's hand. To Darcy's embarrassment, he gently kissed her knuckles. Gazing up at her, he smiled. "Good luck, Lady Darcy. Once again, it has been an honor to have you in our midst."

Darcy's cheeks grew bright red, and she pulled her hand away. "Oh... um.. No problem, Fandral... I just... um, bye..."

Darcy scampered quickly onbaord the fighter. Loki glared at Fandral, who sent him a mock smirk that he growled at. He paused when a hand rested on his shoulder. He turned to look at Frigga.

"Be safe, Loki."

Loki's face remained stoic, but he nodded, and entered the ship. Sif followed shortly, casting a nod at her compatriots before closing the hatch behind her.

Hikesh gently laid Jane down on the ground, leaning her against a wall. Reading her, he grimaced as he felt her live dwindling. They needed to hurry. Fast. He turned back to the other three, who are all huddled around the controls. Sif was at the center, looking at them nervously. She had some flight experience. But nothing like this.

Loki lifted an eyebrow at her. "Well? Are we going now or what?"

Sif cast him a glare. "Silence! I was just getting ready."

Looking back at the controls, Sif took a deep breath before reaching for the controls, which appeared in the form of a red, hard-light hologram screen. She tried a few buttons, not getting any results. Frowning, Sif tried a few more switches and gerfs, getting nothing more than a few hums.

"Um, Sif..." Darcy said.

"I've got this!" Sif snapped, frantically pressing buttons, trying to get the damned ship to work.

Loki merely watched in amusement, unable to suppress the pleased grin seeping across his features.

"Having trouble, Sif?"

"I said silence, Loki!" Sif yelled. "I'm pressing every damned button on this thing!"

By now, she was harshly banging on the buttons, receiving an unsatisfying result. Loki frowned. "No, don't hit it. Press it gently."

"I AM pressing it gently!" Sif growled. "It's not working!"

"Wait." Darcy said, reaching forward. "You missed one button."

Sif and Loki's eyes grew wide. Sif raced to stop Darcy. "Wait, Darcy, no!"

To late. Darcy's hand fell on a large red button, and the ship suddenly came to life. Sif, Loki, and Hikesh all looked at Darcy in shock. Smiling, Darcy beamed. "Yep. Genius!"

Shaking her head, Sif returned her attention to the controls. The Dark Elf ship began to hover within the Asgardian palace, Sif doing her best to maneuver it neatly, but found it more difficult than expected. The ship suddenly started to spin in circles as Sif tried to point it toward the enormous hole that Darcy had thrown it through earlier. The fins of the ship cut through various stone columns surrounding the room. Frigga, Fandral, and Volstagg all backed away to avoid the falling debris.

Darcy cringed at the damaged. "Oh, jeez..."

Loki sighed in displeasure. "I think you missed a column..."

"Shut up." Sif snapped, steadying the ship toward the exit.

In an instant, Sif directed the ship toward the hole, but instead of passing safely through it, it crashed right through the undamaged wall next to it, leaving to identical holes. Sif winced at that, but was happy they were at least in the clear.

Hikesh sighed. "That was not the most pleasant takeoff I've endured. Maybe next time we should seek out a more reputable pilot."

"Agreed." Loki nodded.

"You're welcome, Hikesh." Sif sneered. "We're out of the palace now. All I have to do is get us safely to-"

"Woah, woah. Wait a minute." Darcy said, waving her hands. "Why are you the pilot?"

Sif frowned. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"Maybe I want to be the pilot." Darcy said, crossing her arms childishly.

"Darcy, you don't know the first thing about handling alien technology, let alone fly a spaceship." Hikesh said.

"Hey, I mastered driving in London. I think I can master driving in Asgard."

"There's no way I'm letting you pilot this ship." Sif said.

"Come on, let me be the pilot." Darcy begged. "I'd be like Picard! You could be Riker, or something..."

"Who's Riker?" Loki asked, confused.

"The rapist from Star Trek." Darcy said simply. This started an unnecessary argument between Darcy and Sif. While Jane sat drowsily in the corner, oblivious to the noise, Hikesh groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose.

Why me?

oooo

Malekith's eyes opened furiously, his face contorting into an enraged snarl. Sensing his master's rage, Algrim stepped forward. "My lord. What is it?"

"The vessel is being moved! The Asgardians are trying to move it away from this planet. We must pursue at once!"

Algrim nodded. "Yes, my lord."

oooo

The group instantly stopped arguing when a deafening wail reverberated through all of Asgard. Looking upwards, the group paled when they saw the form of the mothership breaching the artificial cloud bank of Asgard. It opened its tentacle-like appendages, it's occulus glowing bright red.

"Oh, crap." Darcy murmured.

Hikesh's eyes grew wide. "Move, Sif!"

Obeying the Prothean's command, Sif steered the ship to the right, barely avoiding the red beam of energy that shot past it, striking the ground below. Various Asgardians screamed as they were either struck or evaded the beam. The Dark Elf ship pierced through the Asgardian skyline as the mothership descended lower, racing towards it with speed you'd think would be impossible for a ship of that size. It's form cast a dark shadow over Asgard as it drew closer to the ship, its occulus glowing as it charged another beam.

Sif swerved the steering mechanisms abruptly, the light of the beam illuminating the interior of the ship. Hyperventilating from all the activity, Jane gripped her chest and fell over to her side.

"Oh, dear." Loki said, lifting an eyebrow at her. "Is she dead?"

Hikesh and Darcy both turned to Jane, looking at her with worry. Darcy stepped forward. "Yo, Jane..."

"I'm okay." Jane murmured, struggling to raise her head. "Just... just get us out of here... Please."

"Sif, look out!" Hikesh yelled. Sif gasped when she saw a tall structure in their path, and didn't swerve away in time as the wing of their ship cut through it, knocking it over. Sif was breathing heavily at the close call, and noticed Loki smirking at her.

She glared. "Not a word."

Behind them, the mothership let out a furious wail, finding itself unable to catch the smaller, more agile ship. Almost instantly, three Dark Elf fighters emerged from the mothership, speeding up towards the group.

"They're still following us." Loki said, growing concerned over the danger they were now in. The group ignored him as the ships started firing at them. Sif barely managed to outmaneuver each blast.

"Now they're firing at us!" Loki said more urgently.

"I know!" Sif uttered. "I'm doing the best I can!"

"Well it's not enough!" Loki retorted. "Look, why don't you let me take over? I am clearly the better pilot."

"You are also the better liar." Sif said. "I know what I'm doing."

"Yeah. Whatever, Riker." Darcy mumbled.

Sif's eye twitched. "Darcy, I swear to Bor, if I here one more quip, I-"

"SHUT UP!" Hikesh suddenly roared. He marched forward, grabbing Sif's shoulder and moving her aside. "I'm piloting."

Sif was about to yell at the Prothean in anger, but stopped when he expertly maneuvered the craft, avoiding the deadly laser blasts from the opposing ships. Doing a flip through the air, Hikesh turned the ship so they were facing the three enemy ships.

Darcy's eyes grew wide. "Hikesh, what are you..."

Hikesh cut her off when he pressed down on two triggers, and red energy blasts shot from their ship, striking against two of the opposing ships with superb accuracy. Both ships were consumed in balls of fire, leaving only one opposing ship in range. Hikesh expertly maneuvered the ship over the other, and led it through a wild chase through the skyline. He easily avoided the oppressing fire, and as the opposing ship was gaining, Hikesh abruptly pulled up. The enemy ship crashed into an Asgardian tower, blowing itself apart.

Hikesh smirked smugly as Sif, Loki, and Darcy looked at him in shock. Sif spoke. "How... how did..."

"I am a soldier, Sif." Hikesh explained. "I know how to pilot even the most primitive of vessels."

"That's wonderful and all." Loki said sarcastically. "But we have bigger problems. Literally."

The group all looked up, seeing the mothership closing in once again. It was charging its occulus. Hikesh glared at it, and when Sif saw his face, she shuddered when she saw nothing but pure hatred written across his features. She had never seen the Prothean so angry.

Is it because of that ship? Sif wondered, looking at the strange vessel in wonder.

"Well, you know what?" Loki said infuriatingly. "This is just wonderful. This was all a tremendous idea. Let's steal a ship and become target practice for the biggest, most obvious ship in the universe and escape in this busted up old crate! Flying around the city! Smashing into everything in sight so everyone can see us! It's brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!"

"Darcy?" Sif said.

Darcy nodded, and grabbed Loki by the waist, ignoring his protests as she tossed him over his shoulder. Sif marched over to the entrance platform, opening the passage. Loki's eyes widened when he saw Darcy taking out Mjolnir, twirling it around. He immediately started struggling.

"No! You insane woman, don't-AAAAGH!" Loki screamed as Darcy flew out of the ship. Sif walked over to Jane, gently picking her up. Jane was muttering incoherently, her vision hazy and her body tired. Moving over to the open hatch, Sif looked at Hikesh.

"Hikesh, come on!"

Nodding, Hikesh left the controls and followed Sif as the ship began to falter. Leaping out of the vessel, the pair could here the mothership firing its deadly weapon, blowing the ship apart. They fell several feet, and it appeared as though they were going to land in the artificial waters of Asgard. Instead, they landed on a hard surface, and saw that they were on a smaller, boat-like ship captained by the gatekeeper himself.

Heimdall smiled. "Glad you could join us."

Darcy and Loki were already there, the latter glaring at the group. Heimdall gave him a smirk. "I see your time in the dungeons has made you no less graceful, Loki."

"Funny, Heimdall." Loki sneered, before glancing upwards. "We are not entirely out of danger yet."

The group looked up, watching as the mothership descended towards them. It landed in the waters, sending a ripple of waves that nearly knocked the group's skiff out of the air and into the water as well. Heimdall barely manged to steer it to safety. The mothership marched towards them, its occulus glowing as it fired another beam. Heimdall quickly maneuvered the boat away as the beam scathed the waters. The group could feel the intense heat of the beam as it was only a few meters away from them.

Sif looked at Loki. "Okay, Loki. Now would be a good time to tell us where to go!"

Loki nodded, and pushed Heimdall aside as he took the controls. Even though his hands were cuffed, he was able to direct the boat to a nearby landmass sticking out of the artificial ocean. It was small and mountainess, its surface thick with green foliage.

Behind them, the mothership gave a metallic growl as it charged its beam once again. Seeing this, Darcy's face turned terrified. "Guys..."

The others watched in fear as Loki seemed to be racing towards the mountain on a collision coarse.

"Loki!" Sif yelled, growing concerned with Loki's trajectory.

"Calm down, Sif. If it were easy everyone would do it." Loki replied at Sif's lack of confidence. He gently turned the lever, and the boat started moving towards a tiny hole in the side of the mountain.

"Are you mad?!" Hikesh roared, glaring at the god of lies.

Loki merely smiled in excitement. "Possibly."

Suddenly, the noise of laser fire sounded through their air as the mothership fired another beam. It struck the waters mere inches from the boat, rocking it violently. Loki held onto the lever, staying stable. Darcy held on tightly to the side of the boat, while Sif held Jane in one arm and had the other wrapped around the opposite edge. Hikesh stumbled as he fell face first. Heimdall was not so lucky. He was thrown right out of the boat and into the water.

"Heimdall!" Sif yelled, looking over the boat, seeing him floating safely in the water. He waved his hand, motioning for them to continue.

The group all braced themselves as they entered the cave, the edges of the boat scratching against the rock walls surrounding them. Then, as they were jostled through the narrow space, they suddenly found themselves illuminated a white light, and the boat vanished from Asgard completely.

Outside, the mothership let out a furious wail that echoed throughout the realm.

And there is chapter fifteen. I enjoyed writing the banter between the group. I also couldn't resist the Star Trek reference. Next chapter, the group arrives on the dark world, where another intense altercation will take place.