Chapter 24: The Battle for Asgard

******Where We Left Off*******

Spike found Illyria inside the prison area fighting several elves at once. He could tell she was relishing the battle. "I see you saved me a few, Blue!" he called out. Angel was by his side.

"Yes, they are quite skilled," Illyria said, giving him a satisfied smile. Nothing made her happier than a real battle.

The elves appeared startled at the vampires' appearance.

"What? You've never seen a vampire before, bloke?" Spike said. He disarmed one and pulled it close and bit into its neck. He figured a bit of showmanship may unbalance the elves. But after a sip of the blood, he gagged. "They taste awful!"

"Knock it out, Spike!" Angel ordered as he used his blade to skewer one.

"Is it an invasion?" Illyria asked. "Is Odin about to be dethroned?"

"Don't sound so eager, love. You know Little Bit and her brother won't let that happen!" Spike said as he fought another.

"Which brother? One of them I believe would be most eager for that to happen," Illyria said wisely.

"Loki may want the throne for himself. It doesn't mean he wants these creatures to take it," Angel pointed out. Soon Asgard soldiers came in and fought along side them. None were as good as Thor. However, Angel could see why Odin was ruler of the Nine Realms as he observed the soldiers in battle. They were impressive.

Outside, Thor was using his hammer to assist Tony in the air. The sight of ships in Asgard airspace was unnerving and angered him. If they didn't stop the Dark Elves, all of the Nine Realms will began to fall apart. Enemies would come from all over. They had to show they were strong and in control. He brought down another ship with his lightning. Some elves survived the crash and jumped out. Good. He wanted to punish them for daring to invade his home. He watched Buffy fight and dodge with her scythe. She was truly amazing. Unlike him, he could tell that she didn't relish in battle. However, she was willing and able to defend. He used his hammer to knock down another while he watched his sister's witch friend fight. She was much different from Loki. It was obvious she didn't use tricks and illusion as weapons. Instead, she fought straight on like Buffy. He grinned, glad his sister had surrounded herself with worthy people.

Inside the castle, Loki was pacing restlessly, chafing at the restrictions that kept him from the fighting.

"Relax, Loki. The guards would never allow enemy soldiers within these walls," Frigga said confidently.

Xander entered the room. Dawn ran to him, throwing her arms around him. "I'm so glad you're all right!" she exclaimed.

"Yeah. You know me. I'm a survivor!" he said with wry smile. He looked around the room. Two guards were stationed at the door. "So no one has breached this place yet?"

"No," Dawn said.

"They wouldn't dare!" Frigga said.

Xander thought about saying that bad guys would dare about anything in his experience, but he managed to refrain. Frigga had been very nice to him. Unlike Dawn's father, she didn't look through him like he wasn't there half the time.

"Oh, but they will, Mother," Loki said confidently. "It's only a matter of time. If Heimdall allowed them to slip in, they'll be no containing them until they're all defeated."

Xander frowned, not liking Loki's words of doom. "We have the Avengers out there fighting along with Buffy and Willow. Not to mention all your dad's soldiers and Thor. We'll be fine!" Xander said confidently. When Loki just smirked, Xander wanted to hit him. How could Dawn not see what a jerk this guy was? He didn't get it. Dawn was usually really good at reading people. How could she just have blinders on when it came to her diabolical brother?

Outside, the fight increased. Buffy was fighting one that was much larger than the others. He sneered at her.

"You are too small to be Asgardian," Algrim said.

"I'm human, and you're really ugly," Buffy said, kicking him hard in his stomach. However, it was like kicking a brick wall. "Are you made of stone?"

"Humans are weak. I will easily kill you!" Algrim boasted as he swung his weapon.

Buffy blocked his blow with her scythe. "I'm not a typical human," she said with a smirk. She hit him hard in the face. It didn't knocked him down, but his head swung back.

Algrim glared at her. Then he saw his father standing next to Buffy. "She's the one. She's the reason everything has gone badly. She's why we're so weak. Kill her!" he ordered.

"I won't let you down, Father," Algrim said.

"Who are you talking to?" Buffy asked, confused. He was speaking to the space next to her. There wasn't anyone there. "You've gone bonkers. Let me put you out of your crazy misery." She swung her scythe, and he managed to dodge. Before she had a chance to swing her arm back around, he kicked out his foot knocking her down.

Not far away, Bruce was trying to keep his temper under control as Steve and Clint fought next to him. He was mainly dodging and standing behind them. When an occasional blow still managed to hit him, his anger increased. He knew it was only a matter of time before he lost his temper.

"I don't know how long I can hold on," he told his friends.

"Head back to the palace," Steve suggested. "You shouldn't be here. I think we have it under control. No need for the Big Guy." They hadn't sent him back with Xander because they weren't sure how bad things were going to be. However, between Thor and Tony, several ships were destroyed, so the ground troops weren't increasing in number.

Bruce turned to follow his suggestion when his eyes saw spotted Buffy fighting with a really large elf. If that was even what it was. His anger level shot up a notch. He felt the Hulk rising. When Buffy was knocked down, the battle was over. The Hulk was loose.

Buffy got quickly to her feet when two more elves came to battle along side the big elf. "Fine. I'll fight you all," she said with more bravado than she really felt. The big elf seemed indestructible. However, she didn't get a chance to do more when she heard a familiar roar. The sound was so loud that all fighting ceased as all eyes turned toward it.

"Oh, you're in trouble now! The Hulk doesn't like it when people attack me!" she said with a smirk. Sure enough, the Hulk came charging toward her, smashing every elf it encountered into the ground. The big elf faced him bravely. However, the Hulk kicked him like he was a football, and he went flying. Then he grabbed the new arrivals in his hand and threw them even further.

Buffy watched the elves fly and then turned back to the Hulk, who roared loudly. Then he bent down and gently picked up Buffy.

Buffy sighed in resignation. "I'm okay, Bruce. Or Hulk. I don't know what to call you!" she complained. The Hulk held her up for examination. When he was satisfied she was uninjured, he put her on his shoulder and barked, "Hold on!"

Buffy was startled to hear him speak. It wasn't very clear how cognitive the Hulk was, but she obeyed, wrapping her arm around his huge neck. He marched over to his friends, knocking down all enemies in his path.

Steve and Clint looked up as he approached. "You can put her down!" Steve called out.

The Hulk obeyed and carefully set her on her feet. Then he roared at Steve.

"Don't worry. I'll protect her," Steve said, understanding his concern.

Buffy looked disgruntled. "I don't need anyone protecting me!" she yelled up at the Hulk, who already dismissed her. The guys watched as he jumped up and grabbed one of the remaining ships out of air.

"You think he'll save us any?" Clint asked, grinning. They watched as the Hulk began to wipe out every enemy and enemy ship still remaining.

"Probably not," Buffy said with a sigh.

"Let's go inside the prison and help the All-Father," Steve suggested.

*****Within the City Walls*****

Sif, Volstagg, and Kennedy fought the half a dozen elves they first encountered when they came out of the bar.

"What's going on?" Kennedy asked them when the last elf had been killed. "How did they get here?"

"I don't know," Sif said worriedly. "My brother Heimdall is in charge of protecting Asgard. No one should be able to breach his defenses. His powers are vast."

"Strong magic must be at work to fool him," Volstagg said knowingly. "We must get back to the palace and warn the king."

They hurried down the road, heading toward the palace and their friends. As they got closer, they saw the ships. It was clear that everyone was aware of what was going on because they saw lightning hit ships.

"Thor is already engaged," Volstagg said with satisfaction. "Soon they will regret their daring!"

They watched as a ship crashed. They picked up their pace. More elves appeared. Soon they were engaged once again in battle.

Kennedy found it strange to fight creatures that weren't demons. However, since they didn't look like humans, it was easier. Sif was fighting two at once. Kennedy watched her more than a little impressed and turned on. Volstagg noticed her admiration.

"You admire Lady Sif?" he asked, grinning while he stabbed an elf.

"There's a lot to admire," Kennedy said, smiling.

"Unfortunately, her heart will always belong to Thor even though he seems oblivious and loves another," Volstagg said.

"Really? He's an idiot," Kennedy said. She couldn't understand why anyone wouldn't want the amazing, beautiful warrior. Her distraction cost her, however. A blade sliced her arm. She cried out and Volstagg swung his sword, killing the elf.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

Kennedy checked her arm. The blood was minimal. She nodded. "Yeah, I'm okay. I heal quickly," she said. She tore off her shirt, and Volstagg used it to tie off her wound.

"Duck!" he yelled suddenly. Kennedy ducked while Volstagg swung his fist, hitting the elf. A group of six or so more elves had appeared while he was tending her wound. Sif never ceased in the swinging of her sword. Kennedy winced but was able to use her other arm to fight off an elf. Volstagg turned and met another attacker head on.

"Watch out!" Kennedy called out as an elf charged Sif from behind. Sif barely dodged the elf's sword. Kennedy stepped forward and used her sword to pierce the elf who attacked her. Soon there were just two elves remaining.

"Thanks!" Sif said to her, smiling.

"No problem," Kennedy said.

"Move to the left!" Volstagg called out. Both woman jumped as he commanded. A body hit the ground hard. They peered down at it.

"It's an elf," Sif said in confusion. She looked up, expecting a ship to be above them. The closest one was a distance away. "How did he appear?"

A loud roar was heard. Kennedy grinned. "I've heard that sound before. I bet the Hulk is out. He tends to destroy and throw things when he's in a rage. And he's always in a rage!" she exclaimed.

"Come on!" Sif urged. "Let's get to Thor." It was rare that she wasn't on hand to fight by his side.

*****Near the Palace*****

Algrim slowly got to his feet, his head aching. One of his limbs was broken. However, he could still hold his sword. His father's image encouraged him, and he made it to the rear of the palace. He saw a few of his brothers. "Where is our king?" he asked one of them.

"He has led a group inside to strike a blow against the All-Father," one of them replied.

"Let's join him," Algrim ordered as he led them inside. They stepped over a few Asgard bodies.

Inside the throne room, Xander was talking quietly to Dawn when they heard a door open. Elves had made it inside. Five preceded one that seemed to be in charge.

"Malekith," Frigga snarled. "You dare come in here?"

"Odin grows weak. How else would I have gotten so far?" he asked with a smirk.

"You'll regret this," Loki said. He automatically tried to access his magic and remembered he was bound. "I guess we'll do this the old fashioned way." He stepped forward and hit the closest elf. Just because Loki didn't normally engage in fisticuffs like his brother, it didn't mean he couldn't.

Dawn stepped forward, too. Xander grabbed her and pulled her back. "What are you doing?" Xander asked.

"I'm no longer human, remember? I can fight," she said. She stepped forward, pulling out the small dagger she kept strapped to her waist. Most female Asgards kept a weapon of some sort on their persons. Most were just ceremonial. However, she was of the royal blood line and had been taught to defend herself at an early age. She quickly stepped forward and engaged the nearest elf.

Xander wasn't about to stand around while his girlfriend fought, so he did the same. He still had a battle ax that he'd brought from home. He swung it at the nearest elf who had been circling Frigga. His ax pierced the elf's back, bringing him down. Xander swung it again for good measure into the creature's chest. Pulling it out, he looked up. Dawn seemed to be holding her own, which shouldn't have surprised him, but it did. She had already killed one elf when the door opened and another group of elves arrived. A larger one seemed to be leading the charge. He immediately went to Malekith waiting as the elves surrounded the Asgards and the one-eyed human.

"Why are there humans on Asgard?" Malekith asked Algrim.

"I do not know. I fought one who was formidable. Then a giant green monster attacked me, kicking me far," Algrim shared. His father appeared and pointed at the one-eyed guy. "Kill him! He must die! He will destroy your king!"

Algrim stepped forward, charging toward the human when a woman jumped in front of him. He swung his sword, and she ducked. Then she hit him hard, stunning him momentarily. Then he moved forward, his broken arm lying useless at his side. He slashed out with his sword before she could pull back, slicing open her stomach. Her cry of pain, brought her kinsmen to her.

Loki was enraged that his sister had been injured. He stepped forward, coming up behind him. As the creature pulled his arm back to swing his sword, Loki swung his and plunged it through his back.

"I had him!" Atali protested.

"No, I did!" Loki said smugly. "Are you okay? He drew your blood." He pulled out his sword, and the ugly thing fell to the ground. Another elf charged him, pulling him from his sister.

He quickly killed it and another took its place. He sighed as he saw his sister engage another even though she was injured. He wanted to make her stop. However, he had to kill the one in front of him before he could aid his sister.

Xander managed to kill two elves and watched the Queen do an impressive job fighting of two more. However, Malekith and another managed to corner her. He fought his way toward her while Loki fought next to Dawn. One elf managed to pin Frigga's arms behind her back. Xander rushed forward calling for help.

Loki turned at Xander's cry. He saw his mother pinned and Malekith raising his sword about to plunge it in. Horrified, he killed the elf blocking him and moved toward his mother. However, he knew that he'd be too late. Then his sister's lover rushed forward and threw himself in front of his mother right before the sword was thrust inside her.

Dawn screamed as she watched the sword plunge into Xander's stomach. Loki moved to cut down Malekith while Frigga caught Xander before he fell.

******To Be Continued******