Chapter 13 – The Squirrel

D42/4 ABY

4 days had passed since the incident on Tarrgoviszla. During this time Fenrir's healing had begun, being unconscious for the most part. He had awakened on the third day, and found Satine at his bedside, while his father – Loki stood in front of the bed, looking at him with hard eyes that had a hint of concern behind them.

Fenrir covered in bandages from head to toe, awoke and cracked a tasteless joke, "Hey God what are you making? Just a wooden stick that lights on fire. Sounds like a match made in heaven." As expected, this joke did not result in the laughs that Fenrir thought it would, so he tried another, "I used to work at a calendar factory but I got fired because I missed a few days."

"That is enough, son.", Loki said with an even harder expression.

"Alright, it wasn't my best joke. But if you give a moment, I am sure I will find the great and big firecracker to please us all.", Fenrir said smiling slightly behind his bandages.

"This is no time for jokes.", Satine said, her brows creased together.

"If a man cannot laugh at his own injuries, then what can he laugh on?", Fenrir asked.

"Enough.", Loki said, "The one who attacked you – Thoros was killed by my hand many years before birth."

"In the list of questions floating in my mind, 1) Why did you kill him? 2) How is that possible? 3) How did he get that particular fire? 4) Was anyone else hurt? 5) Will my wings grow back?", Fenrir asked.

"1) Thoros had unleashed a deadly plague upon an innocent world, so I insulted him greatly, destroyed the plague and killed him. 2) Read the report you received. 3) We intend to find out, as soon as we capture him. 4) No one else was hurt. 5) Yes, your wings will grow back within a month.", Loki answered.

"What report are you talking about?", Fenrir asked.

Shaking his head Loki spoke, "There are times when I find great pride that you are my son. This is not one of those moments." With that he left the room.

"Dear old dad, always a charming fellow.", Fenrir snidely commented.

"You shouldn't do that. If not your father…", Satine stopped herself from speaking.

"Satine, I am here. I will be here, with you… through it all.", Fenrir said. The two then shared a moment, looking into each other's eyes.

"I'm sorry… I reacted poorly. It's just so new and… I got scared.", Fenrir said.

"You did look like a fish out of water. While you were asleep, your father told me why you were so afraid.", Satine said with a smile.

"Wait, dad knows?", Fenrir asked surprised.

"He told me that he could sense it, even offered his congratulations and promised to keep it a secret until we were ready to tell people.", Satine answered.

"Oh.", Fenrir answered in a little voice.

"Promise me this, from now on – you will not keep anything from me.", Satine said.

"I promise. I should have told you before, I just thought… you would think less of me.", Fenrir said.

"I would never. You helped me through a very dark time of my life.", Satine said.

"Yeah… we've known each other for nearly four years and you still haven't laughed at my jokes.", Fenrir said.

"I will laugh, the day your jokes are even remotely funny and not ill-timed.", Satine said, "Don't pout.", she said as Fenrir started pouting.

At that moment there was a knock at the door, and in entered Ava, Ezra and Sabine. "You're awake.", Ava said.

"Build a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.", Fenrir said as the three entered. This resulted in all of them groaning.

"Oh, come on. It is a funny joke.", Fenrir said.

"Not even remotely.", Ezra said.

"Anyway, we were all worried.", Sabine said.

"But, seeing you crack that horrible joke/pun, proves that we were worried for nothing.", Ava said.

"Why aren't Hera, Kanan and Zeb here?", Fenrir said.

"They didn't want to crowd you.", Ezra said. "They'll visit later."

"What about Tarre and Ahsoka?", Fenrir asked.

"Ahsoka is with Hera and Kanan. Zeb is somewhere with Rex. Tarre escorted Tristan and the clones back to the Republic yesterday. We don't know where he is currently.", Sabine said. "Though he did have a message for you.", Sabine then handed Fenrir a small piece of paper.

"Try this one, you little git", Fenrir read aloud, "A physicist, a chemist, and a statistician walk into an office to discover the trash can is on fire.", Fenrir said reading the joke Tarre had written for him.

Everyone in the room except Fenrir collectively groaned. "I agree, this one is tasteless.", Fenrir said nodding his head slightly.

"Well as you can see, I need the bandages until my eyebrows grow back, but I feel fit as a horse", Fenrir said, "and no, I will not carry you.", he said as Ava opened her mouth.

"I wasn't going to say that.", Ava said innocently.

"Really.", Ezra and Fenrir said together.

"Say, my father mentioned a report. Do you have any idea which one he was talking about?", Fenrir asked.

"The breakout.", Ezra, Sabine and Ava answered together.

"What breakout?", Fenrir asked, looking at the confused expressions of the three.


Inside the empty throne room, with its doors locked, was Allfather Thor, looking at the live, miniature representation of Yggdrasil. He had left clear instructions not to be disturbed.

"Ratatosk", Thor whispered. A moment later Thor heard the deadly taunting whispers of the ancient monstrous squirrel. The one responsible for eternal discord between the great dragon – Nidhogg (below the roots of Yggdrasil, in a place below Hel), and the great eagle (at the top of Yggdrasil, as gatekeeper of Heaven), whose name was lost to time.

Being Allfather, Thor was immune to the effects of Ratatosk, while others would succumb to the will draining caused by its insult filled lark, Thor was unfazed.

Appearing behind him was the enormous, ferocious red-squirrel with yellow eyes and razor-sharp teeth and claws.

"Heed my words, cursed creature. Though ancient laws prevent me from killing you and using your hide to warm my throne, I can still rob you of the one thing you love most.", Thor spoke. As it opened its mouth, Thor used the force to rob the squirrel of its voice.

Ratatosk retaliated by swiping at Thor, Thor countered with Stormbreaker. A single swing of the axe, and the squirrel lost one of its paws. Ratatosk opened its mouth in pain, but no sound came from his mouth. It then cradled its bleeding arm, and looked at Thor with eyes full of menace and hatred, devising ways of plotting his revenge.

Pointing towards Yggdrasil's representation Thor spoke, "A rift exists there,", while pointing towards Jotunheim, "find where all it leads, and where it comes from." Ratatosk regarded Thor.

"Succeed, and I shall restore your voice and paw. Fail, and I will unleash a thousand plagues upon you.", Thor spoke. Ratatosk lowered his head, and subsequently disappeared. Thor then turned back to Yggdrasil's representation. He then heard a knock on the doors of the throne room, and said, "ENTER.", in a clear and booming voice.

"The doors opened to let in Hera and Ahsoka, who looked perplexed at the sight of the bloody paw on the floor.

"What is it?", Thor asked without looking at them.

"Father, Ahsoka had a vision.", Hera started.

"I already know of your vision, of your whole vision.", Thor said, still focused on the tree.

"Then can you explain what it all means?", Ahsoka asked.

Thor then turned and looked at the two of them impassively. "A prophecy involving my greatest foe, and your son. The end of one and the beginning of another. I do not claim to know the future, but one thing is certain, my time is coming to an end. Whether it be by the serpent or someone else, I do not know. Your son will play some part in forging peace."

"I don't understand. How are you so… at peace with this?", Hera asked.

"There is a certain beauty in knowing your fate. I had a beginning, and so I must have an end.", Thor said.

Before Hera could say anything else, Ahsoka interrupted, "Allfather Thor, what exact role does my son have to play in all of this?"

"I do not know. But it is a safe bet to say that someone wants to restart the Aesir and Vanir war.", Thor said. "Another thing, what you discovered via Gabriel, must at all costs remain a secret."

"What are you talking about?", Hera asked.

"I am sorry Hera, but I cannot tell you. It is not my secret to share.", Thor said.

"I understand.", Ahsoka said.

"BALTHAZAR.", Thor boomed, "Stop skulking around and come in."

Following this the angel Balthazar entered, "I wasn't skulking. I was lingering.", he said.

"I have a mission for you and Tarre. Go to the dragon graves in Vanaheim and search them from top to bottom.", Thor said.

"What are we looking for?", Balthazar asked.

"You'll know when you see it.", Thor said.

"Ok. I'll wait for Tarre to return first.", Balthazar said.

"No need. He has returned. Now depart immediately, and report straight to me and no one else.", Thor instructed.


After spending some time catching up with the others, Ava had excused herself and went to find Jesse. Over the four years the two had grown to be close friends, and Ava was hoping to have a sparring match with him, as his skill was slightly more than hers, something she refused to admit. Openly.

She caught him preparing for travel.

"Where are you going?", Ava asked.

"Wyoming.", Jesse answered.

"Why?", Ava asked, slightly concerned, as Jesse had actively avoided even mentioning Wyoming. She understood what he as going through, and so asked as any friend would.

"I was meditating with Master Bruce earlier. During the session, I saw myself on Wyoming.", Jesse said.

"I am coming with.", Ava said.

"Are you sure?", Jesse asked, "I mean… there's no need."

"Yes, I am sure. Besides, when I had to visit the world where my mom died, you chose to accompany me.", Ava said.