15 - Fury of the Gods
Asgard - The Realm Eternal, seat of the Allfather.
Crowds of Asgardian citizenry and delegates from dozens of civilizations across the realms and beyond swarmed the golden throne room of the king of Asgard. Einherjar stood by the entrances to the throne room, keeping a silent vigil. A medley played throughout the golden city. The Allfather sat stoically upon his throne, watching the main entrance to the hall. His queen stood by his side, shooting him a brief grin, which he returned with a subtle nod. At the foot of his grand throne stood a small tight knit group. There were five men and two women all stood together, all looking intently in the same direction as the Allfather. The massive doors flung open. For a moment, a hush fell over the onlookers as a tall warrior with blonde hair wearing silver and gold armour with a red cape and a winged helm stood resplendent in the sunlight. The newcomer thrust a hammer above his head as he descended the steps into the great chamber. The room erupted into cheers as Thor, oldest prince of Asgard approached the two lines of silent einherjar between himself and the throne. The tall blonde woman in the group of seven swooned. On either side of her, the hulking bald man leaning on an axe and thin man in green leather wearing an antlered helm glanced at one another, rolling their eyes. Thor flourished the hammer, waving and grinning as he basked in the adoration of the crowds.
He finally reached the foot of the stairs below his waiting father's throne, removing his helm and shaking his hair back before kneeling. He shot his mother, Frigga, a wink, who scowled, the effect ruined by the slight smile that graced her face. Odin regarded him silently for a moment. The Allfather stood from his throne, slamming Gungnir into the golden floor. The cheers fell silent. "Thor. Odinson. My heir. My first born." None noticed the slight break in the king's voice. He continued as though nothing had happened. "So long entrusted with the mighty hammer Mjolnir. Forged in the heart of a dying star, its power has no equal, as a weapon to destroy, or as a tool to build".
"It is a fit companion for a king. I have defended Asgard and the lives of the innocent across the nine realms since the time of the great beginning. But the day has come…" Far below the throne room, interlopers entered the halls of Odin. Einherjar guarding the Allfather's famed vault were cut down without a sound, and an ancient casket was removed from within, as per the agreement. Above, prince Loki felt the changes in the magic of Asgard, and smiled as he met his brother's gaze.
–AoS–
Sunday, December 26th, Thomas Ranch, Upstate New York
7:17 AM
Nathaniel Thomas rushed back and forth across his makeshift lab in the barn. Shuri, princess of Wakanda was hovering over him through a holopad set against a nearby wall. The pair had been working for hours on their current project. Suddenly, Shuri stopped talking. Alarms blared throughout her own lab space. Nate dropped his tools, swearing as he bumped his head picking them back up. He glanced at his now panicked friend. "What is it?" He asked nervously, dreading her response. The princess met his gaze once more.
"It's snowing in Darwin".
–AoS–
Hank Pym rushed back and forth across the formerly free flowing Victoria Falls, cutting out chunks of ice and lowering them down to his wife and the ants below. The snap freeze had come out of nowhere. As a favour to the senator for New York, who'd agreed to fund his research for five years in return, he and Janet had agreed to investigate. Several high-ranking politicians around the world were using the sudden drop in global temperatures as 'proof' that global warming was junk science. Senator Harris has assured him that if he could find out what was really happening and provide a solution, she would give a blank check for whatever he put in front of her. It was an opportunity he couldn't afford to refuse. The chance to really do some good.
Shrinking down, he jumped onto the back of the nearby waiting Ant, steering it down to Janet. He landed next to his wife, who was wearing a thick winter jacket over her own suit, and her thick brown hair was tightly bundled under her woollen hat. She smiled as he slung an arm over her shoulders and they started trudging back to the van with the samples in tow. "So", she began, shivering slightly. "Any idea what's causing the sudden 'big chill'?" He shook his head. A cold breeze whistled through the air above them, and for a moment, he thought he heard many loud voices carried on the wind. He shook his head to clear it. The pair trekked down towards the waiting van.
–AoS–
Odin fumed as he and his sons entered the treasure vault. The destroyer armour, which should have awoken to intercept the thieves, remained stationary. He scanned the room around them, feeling out with his magic as well as looking. As he had initially feared, there was only one relic missing. He turned to his sons, silently regarding Loki for a moment before turning to Thor. His first born stood tall and alert, ready as ever to leap into action. "The Jotuns have stolen the casket of ancient winters. I will send delegates to Jotunheim to speak with king Laufey. I want you and a small group to track down the thieves. Speak with the gatekeeper".
"Yes father".
Loki stepped forward slowly. Odin shot his son a glance, turning his attention momentarily off of Thor. "Father," the younger prince began, sounding almost contrite. "I wonder if it might not be best for me to accompany Thor, or go in his place? As heir to your throne, surely he -" Odin shook his head, eyes narrowed. Briefly, he wondered if this whole thing was one of his youngest son's schemes. Almost immediately, he dismissed the notion. Loki was a trickster, certainly, but to commit open treason? No, this was beyond even him. He sighed.
"No Loki. You shall remain here. I will not risk both of my sons. Thor is the warrior, and commander of Asgard's armies. He will uncover the truth of this treachery. You will remain here, to assist your mother and I". Loki scowled, kneeling his head even as Odin smiled in an effort to lessen the blow. The prince nodded.
"Very well, my lord". He turned on his heel, rushing upstairs. Thor winced as the door closed behind his brother.
–AoS–
Latveria, Southern Europe
Latverians ran through the streets, retreating into their basements or readymade shelters. Doombots patrolled the streets, taking samples of the sudden snow and ice. Victor himself strode through the streets of the capital, shaking hands with terrified citizens who approached him, reassuring them that he could defend them whilst returning things to normal. He knelt as a small girl rushed forth to hug him, before gently pushing her into the arms of a waiting Doombot.
"Find her family. Take them to the closet bunker". The machine hurried to follow his orders, uttering a simple
"Yes master". He stood up, breaking an icicle off an overhanging shop roof as he did so. He peered at the jagged blue-white frozen water. Running a finger down the length of the ice, he cast a simple detection spell. He narrowed his eyes and snarled as the ice glowed faintly. As he had suspected all along, the fools were mistaken. There was nothing natural about this phenomenon. Whoever had seen fit to attack Doom in his own country would pay dearly for their stupidity. The sky above him darkened as he stood in the narrow street. Glancing up, he was met with a curious sight.
Hovering in the sky above Latveria was a massive, at least three-hundred-foot Viking style longship, complete with a carved dragon's head at the prow. Hung along the sides of the vessel were various furs. Strange blue and grey skinned creatures leaped over the sides of the ship, each one close to twenty feet tall. He had heard of these creatures in his arcane studies, of course. Frost Giants. Jotun from the frigid wastelands of Jotunheim, one of the so called 'Nine Realms' of the world tree, each one its own universe. The Jotuns laughed as they slammed into the ground. They were poorly armed; none wore any protection other than a leather shoulder guard, and only a few wielded simple clubs as weapons. Most were armed simply with their fists. The leader spotted him watching them, and snarled in a guttural language to his fellows. They began spreading out across the town.
"Kill them all" Victor calmly ordered his Doombots as he engaged the now charging leader.
–AoS–
New York was a warzone. Even the captain had joined them. She was currently hunched behind a patrol car door beside Katie and Captain Stacy, unloading her service pistol into the legs of massive blue skinned giants. Thick sheets of snow blanketed the ground and obscured the vigilantes fighting the Giants on the other side of their barricades. Civilians were running towards them, or carried over to the barricade by one of the heroes. A sandy haired man in a purple outfit stood on a rooftop above them, peppering the giants with arrows. Beside him knelt a gorgeous woman all in Black, sniper rifle nestled in front of her. Her shocking crimson hair stood out like a beacon against the grey metal and white snow.
Occasionally, she caught a brief glimpse of daredevil or Moon Knight flying through the air, performing a deadly dance with their colossal foes. Ahead of the two masked vigilantes were a short woman with flowing black hair wearing denim pants and a black leather jacket beside a hulking African American man with a yellow shirt. The pair seemed to fight side by side with long practised ease. The image was completed by an occasional flash of red and black steel followed by a guttural scream.
She knelt behind the patrol car, reloading her weapon as quickly as her shaking fingers would allow. The captain glanced at her. "Watanabe!" He called over the howling winds, "might want to use that dog whistle your super friend gave you!" She nodded grimly. Finishing her task, she glanced around, firing off a quick shot.
"I did sir" Yuri replied, "he'll be here!" She stated confidently.
"He better be" Phillips replied from the captain's other side.
–AoS–
Odin strolled into the chambers of Amora. The blonde enchantress hastily stood as he stood in the doorway of her chambers.
"Allfather." She bowed low.
"Thor is going after the Jotuns. I want you to send your bodyguard with him".
"Skurge will be glad to assist Asgard in any way he can, Allfather". He nodded as he swept out of the room.
–AoS–
Thor tossed Mjolnir up and down repeatedly, catching the hammer each time as he waited for his companions to complete their preparations so that Heimdall could open the bridge for them. A faint cough from behind him had him turning around to see who had entered the gatehouse. Amora stood in the doorway, Skurge towering behind her. The pair approached near silently, the half giant's footfalls the only sound in the chamber. The blonde halted a few feet apart. "You have discovered the thieves?"
"Heimdall tracked them to Midgard".
She nodded. "The Allfather requested I send Skurge to accompany you". She stated. Thor watched the pair warily for several moments before nodding.
"We would be glad of the aid. Skurge, you will join me personally. We will each travel in pairs". The executioner nodded silently.
–AoS–
Amora placed a hand on Skurge's forearm, casting a quick spell to hide them from Heimdall and Thor.
"When you get to Midgard, you are to wait for Thor to become separated from these fools. Once that is done, you will kill him".
He stared at her, dumbstruck. "My Lady?"
"My designs are my own, servant. Yours is not to question, but to fulfil your duty by me". He hastily nodded.
"Yes, my lady". Amora nodded, removed the spell and departed the gate house.
As she stood on the edge of the city alone, she smirked, and her green eyes flashed back to their original blue.
–AoS–
Continuously opening portals all around the hulking giant, Victor deftly avoided the creature's wild swings whilst returning fire with various spells. He slammed the creature with gusts of wind, wrapped vines around its arms and chest, and bathed it in sheets of emerald flame. Each time the fires licked its skin, the beast would let loose a pained roar. The giant flung the club, which soared through the air towards him. Victor shot into a portal, exiting behind the creature. A hastily cast spell split the ground beneath it in two, as it staggered backwards, letting loose a stunned shout as it collided with the ground below. Victor flew down to the giant, landing on the prone monster's neck. Opening up a final portal, he smirked down at the creature. "Pardon me, beast. But no one will ever take Latveria from Doom."
Within an instant, he deftly withdrew from the portal a silver bladed longsword with black arcane runes inscribed along the blade and a curved cross guard. As the frost giant struggled to rise, he bound its arms, torso, and legs with fiery chains before driving the sword through its eye to the hilt. It gurgled, coughing out icy blue blood. Withdrawing the blade once more, runes now a faintly glowing light blue, he wiped it against the snow-covered ground as he stepped off his vanquished foe.
Flying off, he set off in search of more Frost Giants to slay. No outsider would be allowed to harm his people.
–AoS–
They were pinned back against the barricade the police had hastily erected. Mark had rushed off to assist the paramedics with the evacuations. Matt had taken an unlucky blow and been knocked out. Apart from the police and shield agents behind them, it was just her and Luke. She glanced at her boyfriend, wondering if she'd ever have the chance to answer the question, he'd asked her over breakfast. If they'd ever have children, or the house they'd talked about. If she'd ever be able to put the demons behind her. Silently she reached out her hand. His own took hers, and their eyes met.
"Together?" He asked, warily. She nodded. They both cocked back their free hands, charging the giants together as one. An explosive arrow whizzed past her ear, slamming into the shoulder of the closest giant. Luke pushed off of the ground, the wind whipping through Jess's hair as they soared towards the enemy, carried by his momentum. Stones and dust strewn along the ground below them floated into the air, thin streams of golden light broke through the cloud cover. The giants turned away from them, gazing up at the sky above. A massive rainbow broke through the clouds, shattering the gloom.
The end of the rainbow met the ground between them and the first giant, throwing them all back. Somewhere, a horse whinnied and moments later, two figures, one a tall blonde all in green the other a man with an Asian appearance and wearing Russian or Central Asian blue and white winter clothes rode a pair of chestnut horses off the bridge. The shorter man slung a mace overhead, which collided with the outstretched hand of the giant, breaking bone. His blonde companion slashed a gleaming sword, Severing the leg of another. Behind them, the officers and civilians let out a cheer. She and Luke gaped at one another before he leaped to his feet, pulling her along with him. The pair flung themselves once more into the battle with abandon.
–AoS–
He lowered the falling plane safely onto the empty runway, waving towards the cheering passengers before continuing his journey to Wakanda. He soared low above the isolated nation, activating the clearance codes the royal family had given him for emergency scenarios. The barrier shimmered in a kaleidoscope of colour, revealing the breathtaking golden city below. Shooting across the sky, he flew into the palace, landing as he entered the main hall and running in the direction of T'Challa and Shuri lab as fast as he dared. Approaching the sliding door, he slowed to a near halt, walking in on the two siblings playfully bickering whilst they worked. He cleared his throat with a laugh. "Mind filling me in on what we've found so far, Vi?" he asked his AI companion loudly. The two royals twisted around to greet him. T'Challa rubbed the back of his neck whilst Shuri stared back unabashedly. After a few moments of silence, the three friends each started laughing. Violet quickly interfaced with the Wakandan systems, pulling up a series of images and documents. Using his enhanced speed and intellect, Nate quickly worked his way through the various pieces of disjointed intelligence, searching for any patterns. After a few minutes
Scanning through thousands of pieces of information, he called for her to halt. The holopad stopped flicking through files. Shuri made her way over, peering at the screen from behind his back.
"You found something?"
"Looks like it".
-AoS—
Tony peered at the topographic map JARVIS had produced. "And we're sure this is where all this winter horror land started from?" He was stood by a work bench, preparing his newest suit for deployment. With the insane weather, he'd figured it might be a smart idea to half an armour designed for cold weather environments.
"Yes, Sir. The island of Fårö. It's a rather small place, both in area and in population. 43.75 miles, with a population of just under five hundred people. Its just north of Gotland. The island is a popular tourist attraction. One of the events it is best known for is Fårönatta. All the restaurants and bars on the island remain open, the locals set up craft stands, and the island church holds a midnight mass." Tony nodded absentmindedly.
"Sounds pretty nice. Might have to take Pepper there one day. Can you triangulate the exact point of origin?"
"I believe so sir." Lights flickered on the fabricator. "It appears the MKVII is complete, sir."
"Good. Let's get in the air." He flicked his wrist, activating Dum-E and U to help with putting the new suit on.
-AoS—
Nate soared through the air, eyes piercing through the snow. The Wakandan dropship zoomed along behind him, cloaking systems engaged to disguise it as a simple freighter. Shuri was piloting the ship from the golden palace, allowing T'Challa to focus on planning a strategy and suiting up. Their plan was relatively simple; Nate would move in first to scout ahead, soften up any potential defences or barricades, and begin the engagement with the enemy. T'Challa would join him once they knew what they were dealing with. He dropped low over the island, headed in the direction of the location he and Violet had pinpointed. Landing on a snow-covered rocky outcrop. The snow and sleet were falling much heavier now. Wind whistled violently around him, his cape snapping violently out around him. He cautiously made his way up towards the entrance of the nearby cavern. A faint blue glow could be seen coming from the mouth of the cavern. A low groan met his ears, and four massive blue and grey skinned figures came lumbering towards him. One began speaking in a guttural tone, club slung over one shoulder. The others were holding what appeared to be massive axes with blades of frozen metal. the one who had spoken spotted the symbol on his suit, and let out an enraged bellow before charging in his direction. Nate shot forward through the air in response, fist pulled back.
"Looks like just the giants." He told his friend over the comms. "Nothing extra set up at all."
"I'm landing near your location. Will see you soon."
"Right." He collided with the charging giant, the force buckling him even as the giant staggered backwards. He shot forward, following the creature's momentum, delivering a right hook to its jaw. The creature's club slammed into his side, sending him flying into the nearby frigid waters of the Baltic Sea. He let out a faint groan as he floated back out of the water and into the air. Sharp blistering pain radiated up the left side he ran a hand along the left side of his suit, checking his ribs as he went. Once sure he hadn't broken anything, he flew back in the direction of the island. The giants were letting out thick, booming laughs as he shot towards them, turning their heads in his direction at the sound of his approach. The leader grunted, hoisting his club once more as he went. A blast of blue energy from Nate's eyes slammed into the top of the weapon, setting it alight. The giant dropped the club in the snow, pulling back a fist to deliver a sharp punch towards his head. Stretching his hands out in front of himself, Nate caught the creature's fist before pushing it towards one side, before delivering a punch to its face, jabbing it in the eye. He flew backwards, avoiding a swing from the giant as the other three came charging towards them, two swinging their axes as they approached. One struck the leader in the arm, who let out a roar in his compatriot's face. It lifted a mound of snow and rock, hurling it in Nate's direction, who shot through the air to one side. An axe collided with his shoulder from the other side, sending him slamming into a nearby tree. He swore, picking himself up as the four behemoths barrelled towards him. He shot towards the one in front, slamming into its legs and sending it tumbling into two of the others. The fourth slung his axe, which he shot backwards to avoid, before punching it in the top of the head, sending it sprawling towards the ground, only to slam headfirst into the other three giants still trying to pick themselves up. Flying around the island, he gathered up as many trees and rocks as he could find, piling them on top of the creatures.
He landed at the mouth of the cavern, turning around as he heard footsteps approaching and the sound of some fast aircraft breaking the sound barrier. T'challa hurried through the snow towards him, and Stark landed beside him in what appeared to be a new suit, this one red with white highlights instead of gold. The metal clad hero grinned as the faceplate of his helmet retracted.
"Fancy seeing you here"
Nate nodded. "I guess you're here for the same reason we are," he replied as T'Challa reached them, quickly introducing the pair to one another. Tony shook hands with the Wakandan prince before replying.
"Yeah. JARVIS pinpointed the cause of this madness to this location."
"As did we," T'Challa replied. Tony nodded.
"After you, boy scout". Nate rolled his eyes, making his way into the dimly lit cavern. A sudden burst of light illuminated the cave, and the roof gave way as a massive rainbow slammed into the ground in front of them. The giant sat at the other end of the cavern on a throne of ice with a strange wooden box nestled between his feet, wind and snow bursting out of it narrowed his eyes. Flying down the rainbow was a blonde man holding a taller bald man in his grip. The two landed on the cavern floor between the trio and the giant. The blonde turned in their direction, grinning as he did.
"Ho! I was unaware Midgard had such noble defenders! Even a Harridanite? I would be honoured to battle this beast beside you, strangers!" Tony glanced at Nate and T'Challa.
"Friends of yours?"
Nate shook his head. "Nope. But he seems like he's on our side, at least" the newcomers ignored them, the blonde leaping forwards, a thick hammer held over his head as he went. The taller man advanced more slowly; a gleaming double-bladed axe gripped in both hands as he went. Tony leaped into action, launching repulsor blasts at the giant, as T'Challa carefully made his way towards the fight and Nate launched a blast of energy, slamming into the giant's stomach, leaving the creature's chest scarred with burns.
"You should not have come here, Odinson," the giant bellowed, voice deep as roiling thunder. The blonde laughed.
"Like I've never heard that from your ilk, Laufey" the two collided, hammer slamming into Laufey's neck, sending him staggering back into the other stranger's axe swing. Nate shot forwards, barging his shoulder into the giant's wounded chest. Laufey let out a pained bellow, wrapping an arm around Nate's middle, and tossing him towards Tony. The two collided in a mess of limbs, falling into the ground. Nate staggered to his feet first, helping tony up. The two glanced at one another as the blonde was sent careening into the far wall of the cave, sending T'Challa, who had attempted to leap up onto Laufey's back, flying as well. The giant laughed, turning to the last standing combatant. "Tell me, Skurge, is this truly the cause you chose to stand and die for?" he kicked the bald man in the chest, sending him sprawling. Odinson leaped up, thrusting his hammer out in front of him. It shot out of his hand, slamming into Laufey's head, and dropping him onto the floor of the cave, before shooting back into the blonde's outstretched hand. The blonde stepped back, leaping into the air, Hammer poised to slam down on the felled giant's head. Before nate could do more than shout a warning, Skurge was moving as well. His massive axe slammed into the blonde head first, thin sheens of blood littering the blade as the blonde was sent once more flying into the wall.
"Skurge," the smaller man bellowed, "what are you doing?"
"Sorry, prince Thor. Orders are orders". Nate and Tony stared at one another, stunned. Skurge advanced towards Thor. Nate shook his head to snap himself back into focus before tackling the much larger man around the waist, driving him out through the wall of the cavern, he pulled Thor to his feet.
"You three handle the giant. I'll deal with this joker," he stated, gesturing to the still dazed Skurge, who was lying in a snow drift. After a moment's hesitation, the supposed god nodded.
"Very well Harridanite. I am choosing to trust you, warrior. Do not fail me". It was all Nate could do to keep from rolling his eyes as he flew out through the newly made hole in the wall.
-AoS—
Nate pulled his fist back, slamming it into Skurge's head as he slammed into the ground, standing over the dazed warrior. He delivered another strike, this one to his chest, followed by a second headshot. The other man struck him in the knee with his foot, sending him tumbling back. A quick strike to the chest with the retrieved axe sent Nate sprawling. His opponent stood above him, axe slamming into his neck. Nate swore as he felt blood trickle down his back from the wound. Skurge slammed a foot into his back, axe hefted once more. Nate groaned, slamming his hands into the ground and pushing himself to his feet. Skurge leaped back, and he slung his foot into the taller man's chest, sending him staggering backwards. Flying towards the other man, he delivered a two-handed blow to his head. Blood coated his hands and Skurge let out a roar as he charged towards him, attempting to wrap an arm around his neck, only to meet empty air as Nate flew backwards, loosing a blast of air which pushed Skurge back a few feet on the slippery ground. The other man dropped into a crouch to avoid losing his balance, charging at him axe first. Nate dodged to one side, following the momentum of the axe before delivering a sharp kick to the older man's back. A fist collided with his ear, sending him careening through the air, dazed by the sudden blow. Skurge ran the edge of the axe along the ground, kicking up a mix of snow and dust. In response, Nate fired a blast of energy into the snow, igniting the air around the bigger man, who leaped back out of shock.
"Not bad, Harridanite" the other man stated, "but nod good enough". Nate ignored the jibe, flying away from the other man to build momentum. He turned in mid-air, flying back towards his opponent, fists outstretched. At the last moment, Skurge leaped over him, slamming the axe once more into his back. He lost control of his momentum, careening into the ground and rolling through the snow for several hundred feet. Dazed, he groaned as Skurge slammed the axe into his shoulder. Thinking quickly, he flew out from under the other man, sending him sprawling back into the snow-covered ground. Flying up into the edge of the atmosphere, he shot back down towards the ground, slamming both fists into the downed man's head. Reaching down, he lifted the fallen axe and slammed it down into Skurge's knee before turning back towards the cave.
-AoS—
After defeating Skurge and Laufey the four heroes stood around the now unconscious and bound half giant. Thor thanked the three strange warriors for their aid, before slinging his former friend over his shoulder. Clipping Mjolnir to his belt, he called out for Heimdall to open the bifrost and send a horse. A few moments later, the familiar rainbow descended down to the surface of Midgard, his father's favoured stallion Sleipnir racing along the bridge. The horse whinnied at the sight of him, brushing its head against his shoulder as he slung Skurge onto its back and slung himself up into the saddle. He gazed down at the other heroes. "Should you ever need aid in the defence of Midgard, my friends, from this day forth, you may count me as your ally". The one known as sentinel handed him the now once more sealed shut casket of ancient winters, and Thor nodded down to the three once more before racing along the rainbow bridge and back home to Asgard.