Chapter 9 – Meeting

Onboard the ship – Avenger II, within the dojo were Thor, Hera and Kanan. The latter two were sparring with Thor. They were fighting with wooden sticks. "You've grown stronger.", Thor commented while looking at them.

"It doesn't feel like it.", Kanan said panting.

"I disagree.", Hera said panting as well.

"Why don't we take a little break. I'm sure Chopper and Loki are getting on each other's nerves.", Thor said.

To this, the two nodded and putting their training sticks back on the walls, the three of them left. Thor snapped his fingers, cleaning the sweat and dirt on Hera and Kanan. The three of them made their way towards the mess hall, where two-year-old Jacen was being entertained by Loki and Chopper. The latter was trying it's very best to catch Loki off-guard and zap him, while the former kept turning Chopper's manipulators into flowers in response and smiled mischievously.

Every time Chopper's manipulators were transformed, Jacen would give a little laugh and say, "Choppy." It was the only word the little one would say, which when he had first spoken had made the parents ecstatic.

"Are you a five-year-old, brother?", Thor asked as he along with the parents of the toddler entered the mess hall, and saw Loki turning Chopper's manipulators into flowers.

Chopper then rolled towards Hera and loudly complained in binary. "Don't start something that you can't finish Chopper.", Hera said, as she then picked up Jacen, who happily said, "Choppy." Kanan ruffled his son's green hair and Chopper complained again.

"I warned you.", Loki smiled in response.

"Loki.", Thor said in a tired tone.

"Oh, very well.", Loki sighed and lazily waved his hand, turning the flowers back into manipulators.

"Where are we headed?", Kanan asked as he and Hera sat down next to each other.

"Jotunheim.", Loki answered.

"Did you two read the briefing?", Thor asked.

"Yes.", Hera and Kanan answered in a serious tone. Jacen picked up on that tone and looked at the adults curiously. Hera sensing her son's curiosity got up and looked at Thor, who nodded in return.

"Time for a nap.", she said to her son, who protested slightly and said, "Choppy." Hera sighed and made her way towards her, Kanan and Jacen's quarters. Chopper rolled behind them.

"How I wish I was his age.", Loki sighed reminiscently.

"Mentally speaking, you are his age.", Thor said, while Kanan smiled slightly.

"Really, you jest Thor.", Loki replied.

"About this meeting.", Kanan started, "If things don't go according to plan…"

"Relations would be damaged, but there would be no war between our two worlds. Of that I am sure.", Thor said.

"How are things in Midgard?", Loki asked.

"You mean the Republic, right?", Kanan asked.

"Yes.", Loki answered.

"Quite well. Most of the Empire's last remnants have been found and dealt with. A few of them remain, but there is no sign of Thrawn.", Kanan replied.

"There won't be. Thrawn is no longer in Midgard or any of the realms. I had Tarre, Fenrir, Ahsoka, Sabine, Ezra and Ava track the purrgil trajectory. They determined that Thrawn was now outside of the nine realms. If he were ever to return, Heimdall would know and he would inform us.", Thor said.

"But haven't you said that Heimdall's sight can be avoided?", Kanan asked.

"I have. The proof of that is sitting beside you.", Thor said as he gestured towards Loki, who was sitting on the same side as Kanan.

"So, if he were to return, there is a chance that we would not know?", Kanan asked in return.

"A small chance.", Thor said.

"You are worried.", Loki commented.

"I am. With good reason.", Kanan said, "Thrawn was by far the deadliest tactician we ever met. In all our encounters, we were overwhelmed by him."

"Back then, the Rebellion was still forming… yes?", Thor asked. Kanan nodded. "Despite that, Thrawn was defeated."

"But at a great price.", Kanan said.

"Do you know the difference between then and now?", Loki asked.

"Maybe.", Kanan said unsurely.

"You have grown, you have learnt from your mistakes and shortcomings. You know more than you did before and you are better prepared to handle such a threat.", Thor answered.

"Not to mention, this time you will have more help.", Loki said with a smile, "That is… if this meeting goes according to plan.", Loki looked towards Thor.

"It will.", Thor said.

"I still think it is a bit risky.", Loki said.

"This coming from the man, who foolishly flyted few of the most powerful Gods alive.", Thor said.

"That doesn't mean I am wrong.", Loki said.

"Aegir would not have agreed for the meeting if he didn't want to listen. Make sure Loki, that you don't flyte anyone this time.", Thor said looking his brother in the eye.

"I assure you brother, besides flyting is still banned.", Loki spoke.

Just then, there was an alarm going off. Contacting the bridge Thor calmly asked, "Report."

"All-father we are under attack. It's a fleet, bearing Surtur's mark.", came the response.

"I thought the ship was cloaked?", Loki asked.

"Aye sire, but the enemy were able to target us with no difficulty.", came the answer.

"Surtur's not with them. If he were, we would be able to feel it.", Thor commented. "Get the ship to Jotunheim immediately. I'd rather we didn't waste time dealing with these buffoons.", Thor calmly instructed.

Loki then got up and said, "Allow me to deal with the enemy fleet."

"Not yet.", Thor said as the ship was in hyperspace again. "If we are still pursued, then you have my permission to wreak havoc upon them."


Reaching Tarrgoviszla, the group disembarked from the ship and entered a bar cum restaurant near the spaceport. Here they were met with Satine Kryze and the second apprentice of Fenrir Lokison (the first being Ezra). By this time Mira had woken up and was still being held by her mother, though Mira made a few protests about wanting to walk a little, Sabine ignored them and placed a light kiss on her daughter's forehead. The group – Tristan Wren, Garazeb Orrelios, Commander Rex, Clone Force 99 (including Echo), Ezra, Sabine, Mira and Sira – were waved by Ava, came over and sat down. Sira had straight away ran towards the two women, who started to pet her. Meanwhile in the restaurant, there was a man telling a story which seemed to have the complete interest of everyone present.

"Where's Fenrir?", Ezra asked.

Gesturing towards the man, Satine said, "The storyteller knows."

With this the group too started to hear the story of the man, who seemed to consumed by fear. "I tell you no lie… It swallowed the whole village. Not a bone to be found.", the man said. He then paused, looked at the crowd and said, "Oh! Don't give me that look shitling.", at this Sabine covered Mira's ears. The man then rose up from his seat and said, "That is why we had to call him… THE WHITE WOLF. He stood in the middle of that frozen lake… a look of irritation on his face, like he knew it was coming for him.", the man paused, took deep breath. While everyone in the restaurant was looking at the man with an open mouth and awestruck look on their face, the group waiting for Fenrir looked a bit bored at this. "The ice cracked open and a Selkiemore shot out, a creature so terrifying that it can swallow entire ships, with it's cavernous mouth full of devil's teeth.", a few people gasped at this, "It… swallowed him… whole.", the man said as his eyes fell to the ground.

At this Ava sniggered, and everyone looked at her. "Ava!", Satine said.

"I am sorry, it's just Master is so stingy with the details.", the nineteen-year-old apprentice of Fenrir said in her defense.

"You think this is a joke, lass.", the man bellowed. Before he could say anything else, the doors of the establishment were flung open and in entered the White Wolf – Fenrir, drenched from head to toe in Selkiemore guts. The stench had in no time completely filled the restaurant, with people covering their noses, and Mira burrowing her head in Sabine's shoulder. Fenrir ignoring the stupefied looks on the faces of everyone, except the ones who were expecting him, walked up to the storyteller and said, "I'll take what I am owed."

Looking at Ezra, Sabine said, "This smells' worse than the sewers. The ones you smelt like back then."