Author's Note: Almost there, folks! The season finale is coming up quick!
Vanaheim! Muspelheim! Niflheim! Alfheim! Jotunheim! Svartalfheim! Nidavellir! The Avengers have been divided, scattered across the Nine Realms by the Enchantress in her bid to aid Loki, God of Mischief! Everything is at stake, true believers! Can our heroes overcome this stumbling block? Is our precious Earth to suffer? Be there to bear witness to-
Chapter 23: The Fall of Asgard
Hawkeye awoke to the rumble of hurried galloping and passing shadows flashing across his face. He wasn't entirely sure where he was, but the last thing he remembered was shooting the Norn stone in the jungle. Surely he was still there…
Picking himself up, the archer searched his surroundings to find a forest instead of a jungle. "What…?" He wondered to himself. Just then, a trio of horses darted past him, the wind whipped up by their passing so intense Hawkeye was nearly blown over by them. Upon each were the same type of Alfheim light elves he'd seen before. Collecting his bow, he stood and started walking, investigating the path they had taken. Pushing ahead through trees and brush, Hawkeye soon burst into a clearing… where the most remarkable sight greeted him.
He stood upon the edge of the realm, looking out into endless space. A vast void was all that greeted him. "Oh, that's not good." He murmured.
Quickly turned back the way he came, Hawkeye arrived on the well-trod horse path as two more elves on horseback darted past him. Then a third came from behind, nearly clipping the archer as he did. "Hey, watch it!" Clint snapped reflexively. Astride a white horse, the elf stopped and turned, revealing a golden circlet holding back pale hair out of his shining blue eyes.
"I suggest you run, archer, Loki's forces move swiftly." He urged, turning his mount around and darting off into the trees. Confused, Clint gave chase.
"Hey! Hey, you with the ears!" He called after him. "Where is this place? Where am I?" He demanded, slowly coming to a halt as he realized it was pointless to try and catch up. "And what's a 'Loki'?" He added, scratching his head. A particularly loud snarl drew his attention to the shadows behind him, from which emerged a pack of lean, mean, hungry wolves. They certainly didn't look like any of Earth's wolves, and that only meant they were bad news for his situation.
Backing away as eight closed in on him, Hawkeye drew an arrow and fitted it into his bowstring…
Elsewhere…
"And so the time of the Odinsleep came once again to Asgard, when Lord Odin rested and replenished his power. But this time, Odin's favourite son was not there to protect him while he slumbered. The son had abandoned the golden realm to protect the mortals he loved so dearly." From a golden goblet, red wine spilt across Thor's face, causing the thunder god to splutter and cough. "Do try and stay conscious, Thor." Loki chided as he descended the steps to Odin's bedside. Thor raged against the stocks holding him prisoner, but a simple wave of Loki's hand increased the weight of his chains, dragging Thor back to his knees. "This is the most important part of the tale. While Balder, Sif, and the rest of Asgard's warriors were ever so pathetically vigilant in defending Odin as he slept, their weak minds simply weren't prepared for the day… when he didn't wake up. They weren't prepared for someone finding a way to take Odin's power."
"You lie!" Cried Thor. "The Odinforce belongs to the Allfather alone!" Loki turned with a scowl.
"Is that so?" Snapping out a hand, a bolt of untold power struck Thor, a pain unlike any other flaring throughout his body as Thor suffered the wrath of the Odinforce, now mastered by his half-brother. "You call me a liar? It is Odin who lies. How long did he keep the truth from us, brother?" Loki seethed, striking him with another blast and torturing him profusely. "It is Odin who slew my true father and stole me as a child, only to treat me like a lesser being!" His power abating, Thor sagged within his bonds, his body smoking. "But I am not a lesser being. Not anymore." Loki mused, taking a seat upon the throne of Asgard. "The Odinforce is mine and all the nine realms will bow down to me." With an outstretched hand, Loki conjured a map of the World Tree and the realms within it to better prove his point. "Asgard, Vanaheim, Svartalfheim, Alfheim, Nidavellir. I have conquered them all." He gloated, each realm disappearing from the chart in order, Thor gritting his teeth in barely-contained rage. "Jotunheim and Niflheim are mine to command. Only Midgard remains." Loki mused, casting aside the other realms and drawing the shape of Earth into his hands. "And there's no one left to save it."
Jotunheim…
The land of snow and ice was boundless and unyielding, and it was into this inhospitable realm that Hank Pym had been thrust. In the aftermath of the Norn stone's destruction, Wasp had been knocked unconscious and still was. With few choices left, given the monstrous Jotuns living there, Hank had taken her in hand and started moving.
His jogging slowed, the cold slowly sapping strength and warmth from his body. Taking a brief respite, he eased his hands apart to check on the unconscious woman in his grip. "Jan? Jan!" He whispered loudly, trying to wake her. She did not stir, having been closest to the Norm stone when it destructed and therefore having taken the brunt of the exploding magic. "Come on, indeed you here… wherever here is." Hank remarked, glancing up at the cosmic sky that was a very otherworldly sight. "I'm pretty sure we're not on Earth anymore, or even in the same dimension."
His thoughts were quite suddenly interrupted as a giant-sized axe made of ice slammed into the wall beside him. It would've taken off his head had Hank not ducked. Quickly recovering from the assault, Hank looked up at his assailant: a Frost Giant with an eye patch. "You should not have trespassed in Jotunheim, mortal." He boomed. He was soon joined by two others, three now standing before the lone Hank Pym. The scientist knew he needed to act, i not for his sake then for Janet's. Stopping down, he slipped her body under a cleft in the rock, keeping her safe as he went to work.
"Well, guys, I'm pretty sure you're not too interested in talking this out." He mused, triggering his belt regulator to grow into Giant Man. Now the same height as the Jotuns, he plucked the ice axe from the stone. "And frankly… neither am I!" He roared, rushing the surprised Frost Giants with a wild look in his eyes…
Niflheim, Helheim province…
"Captain America to Iron Man, come in. Cybernaut, are you receiving this? Any Avenger hearing this, respond." Steve Rogers asked into his ID card. He received no reply, only a deathly silence greeting him. "So much for modern technology." He huffed, shoving his card back into his belt.
The realm he found himself in was cold and desolate, nothing to see for miles on end, only whispy fog and thin clouds lining the bleak scenery. But then, his sixth sense flared, a sense honed throughout World War Two that had helped him counter many an ambush, and Cap whirled around. There, right behind him, stood a solitary spectre in human shape. Stepping forward, his shield at the ready, Steve thrust his weapon forward as he lashed out through the fog.
He stopped with a sudden gasp as the spectre took on a shape he knew.
"Manelli? Dino Manelli? From Able Company, right? You were with Jack Fury's Howling Commando's last time I saw you." He wondered, examining the Italian commando. Still dressed in his military slacks and uniform, Dino looked exactly like Cap remembered, when he last saw him during the assault on Hydra's Norway base. "Dino, where are we?" His questioned went unanswered, a sudden breeze through the mist causing Dino to vanish.
The whistle of shells flying overhead caused Steve to start looking around, phantom explosions revealing the silhouettes of long-last brothers in arms. They surrounded Steve, asking questions in airy, ethereal voices,
"Cap… Why did you leave us behind?"
"We needed you."
"Why did you abandon the mission?"
"Why aren't you down in the dirt with us?"
With wide eyes, Captain America regarded all of his former allies with fear. Dum Dum Dugan, Izzy Cohen, Pinky Pinkerton, Gabe Jones, Rebel Ralston, Dino, all of them were here.
He was alone with dead men.
The dull thudding of shells filling his hearing, the whistling whine of spent flares shooting into the sky above clouding his thoughts, Cap felt like an outsider in his own memory. Stalked and tormented by the ghosts of his comrades, their voices wore on him.
"You should be with us… let go."
"Sleep… sleep… sleep…"
The cold air chilled him, robbed him of his confidence and strength, Captain America looked from spectre to spectre as he tried to make sense of it all. "I-I don't understand." He confessed. "Where am I? Am I dead?"
"You're on the other side now, Cap." A warm, familiar voice told him. "You've earned this." Sergeant Jack Fury said with a friendly smile as Steve turned to face him. "It's time for you to rest now." Jack seemed so certain and Cap was ready to believe him. His head hanging low, the pressure to take his hand and join his friends for one last row weighed heavily on his soul…
Vanaheim…
Hulk's eyes snapped wide open the moment it occurred to him he couldn't breathe. Throwing himself up out of the water, the jade giant looked around for some sign of foul play or villainous conduct, only to find himself alone, with Skurge's Blood Axe…
And not in the same lake as before.
Collecting the weapon, Hulk's attention was drawn to a nearby road by the sound of a cracking whip. Several figures were running a prisoner train, several carts loaded full of shackled people with multiple chain-gangs trailing behind them. Hulk didn't know who or what was involved, but those leading the captive parade seemed monstrous and cruel. What they were doing, it didn't seem right or fair or just.
Leaping through the air with tremendous power, Hulk came crashing down into the road, cutting off the convoy. He sized up his opponents, noting several dozen trolls of various size, shape and shade both guarding and leading the prisoners. "What is it? Do they have such things in Vanaheim?" One of them queried.
"Whatever it is, bring me its head!" A troll with a whip atop the cart ordered. The other wasted no time responding, drawing a jagged blade and rushing towards Hulk.
With a bellowing roar that shook the earth, Hulk retaliated sharply and directly.
The troll was promptly sent flying through the air, and another rushed to take his place. He promptly met the business end of Hulk's fist, more than a few teeth knocked form his maw. Then they started coming in droves, trolls abandoning their posts across the chain gang to try and take down the gamma giant. Hulk responded in turn, throwing them off and beating them down. Then, he used the Blood Axe, and its true power was made known as he hacked into the ground and sent a shockwave of ice roaring towards his foes, encasing a half-a-dozen trolls within a thick layer of ice. Eyeing the newfound power of his weapon with a grin, Hulk made to use it again as more trolls came rushing and dogpiled him…
Svartalfheim…
Surveying his surroundings, Black Panther watched the handful of ash blow away into a cloud, filtering finely through his fingers. The entire ground was made of it, all around him were signs of death and decay. The trees had been reduced to bare stick-like trunks, and age-old skeletons could be seen scattered across the landscape.
Standing up, T'Challa's eyes narrowed as something prickled his hearing. An unsettling chittering carried across the wind, like many dozens of ghostly voices lingering in the present. In this land of death and decay, that did not bode well. His gaze turned skyward, spying a single column of whispy, waving black smoke that moved as though it had a mind of its own. When it suddenly turned and rushed towards him, the ghastly truth was made known, as the ghoulish eyes and mouths of phantom Dark Elf spirits opened wide in a spine-tingling scream. Black Panther turned and sprinted, calling on every ounce of his enhanced stamina to propel him further ahead than the spirits could move. He bolted across the ashen ground, his steps unpredictable as they twisted and turned throughout the land. Yet the spirits never faltered, never taking long to course-correct and follow him with murderous intent.
They would not stop until his soul joined their number…
Nidavellir…
Tony awoke to the sensation of being dragged across a smooth, cold floor. Blinking his eyes several times, all he could see was dark stone forming the walls and overhead. Maybe he was still in the cave with the Norn stone? "W-What… Where…" he queried groggily, trying to look around some more. That's when he felt the hands around his legs and looked down to see two very short people responsible for dragging him. Glancing over to his left, he spied a third as the middle pulled double duty as they were dragging Cybernaut right beside him!
Kicking his legs free, Tony scampered back as he lifted his arm. The near entirety of his Iron Man armor had been lost, saved for a single gauntlet fitted to his right arm. "Back off, right now!" He commanded, waving his repulsor back and forth defensively. The little people turned to face him and Tony finally realized they were dwarves.
"The mortal is waving at us." A blonde-bearded one with an eyepatch mused. "Why is he doing that?" He asked another in blue armor.
"Where are we?" Tony demanded. "Who are you?"
"You are in the kingdom of Nidavellir." A ginger-bearded dwarf told him. Something about him seemed more ornate, more regal. "I am Eitri." He greeted, offering a cordial bow.
"We must keep moving, my lord." The dwarf in blue armor with a grey beard urged Eitri. Knowing the wisdom behind such a move, Eitri paused, and Tony took advantage by shuffling over to Connor.
"Connor? Connor!" He urged, shoving him a few times. "Wake up, champ, come on." The technopath came to with a groan, giving his head a slow shake as his eyes blinked open.
"Ugh… Tony?" He wondered, sounding spent. "What… What happened?" He queried as Tony helped him up into a seated position. That's when Connor noticed the black and blue of his undersuit and not the typical red and gold of Iron Man. "And where's your suit?"
"I'm guessing the blast destroyed it." Tony determined.
"Where are we?"
"Nidavellir, apparently." He answered. That was a name Connor knew, and as clarity returned to his mind, it all came together for him.
"Nidavellir? The realm of the dwarves." Connor realized. "Of course, caves! I should've guessed." He mused with a snap of his fingers. He took a moment to look around, spying massive stone pillars and carved walls filling the entire scene. "This is giving me real mines of Moria vibes." Then he spied the dwarves, fully armored and bearded, just like in all the fantasy games he'd played and stories he read. Eitri offered him a bow as well.
"I am Eitri. And these are the Huldra Brothers, Brok and Sindri." He introduced, gesturing to the grey dwarf and the blonde dwarf respectively. "Mortals, may I ask how you came to my realm?"
"The last thing I remember, we destroyed the stone." Tony said, wracking his mind.
"The Norn Stone." Connor clarified. At that, Eitri stroked his beard thoughtfully.
"The Norn Stones are powerful magic. No doubt part of Loki's plan." He determined.
"Loki? Thor's brother?" Tony repeated, the pieces slowly coming together for him. "Wait a minute, we're not on Earth anymore, are we?" He mused as they stood, the two humans towering over the dwarves.
"Eitri said this is Nidavellir. It's one of the nine realms and definitely not Earth, or Midgard." Connor told him.
"Then destroying the stone must've opened a wormhole that brought us here." Tony concluded. "And that means the same thing must've happened to the rest of the Avengers." Connor's thoughts immediately drifted to Janet and he wondered which realm she wound up in.
"We cannot tarry here, mortals. We go now to the Forge, the last remaining free stronghold." Eitri told them both.
"We have to find Thor and the rest of our team." Tony interjected.
"First, we must get to safety." Eitri countered, turning and leading the way with Brok and Sindri right behind him.
"Safety? From what?" Tony wondered. He soon had his answer when a portion of the wall ahead suddenly caved in, a tremendously loud avalanche following suit as a beastial roar filled the cave. Through the dust and dirt, a hulking silhouette filled their vision, advancing towards them with thunderous footsteps.
"They have a cave troll." Connor drolly remarked.
Revealing the light, a massive red-skinned beast with wild brown hair stood before them. Clad in a grey-green armor and his fists adorned by powerful bucklers, he towered over them all, making Tony and Connor look small in comparison. Acting quickly, Sindri brandished a mace and a hammer, bounding off the nearest wall as he propelled himself towards the troll, swinging his weapon hard. But to their collective surprise and dismay, the troll caught his weapon with his teeth, a single punch smashing Sindri into the nearby wall before spitting out his weapon.
Brok moved in next, shield raised and axe in hand. But a single punch from the troll bowled him over, his shield proving entirely useless.
"Eitri…" the troll growled, advancing upon the dwarven king, "any more warriors you wish to test against Ulik?" He demanded. Eitri kept his cool and stood his ground, remaining silent. Connor and Tony shared a quick glance. They may be missing armor and devoid of resources, but they were still Avengers and helped those who needed it.
"How about us?" Tony asked aloud, the two stepping forth in front of Eitri. Seeing the two mere Midgardians confront him, Ulik laughed loud and long. He stooped low, getting up in their faces as he jabbed a finger into Tony's chest.
"And who are you to challenge Ulik the Stone Troll?" He demanded. Connor mentally counted down, 'Three… two… one…' In response, Tony lifted his gauntlet and unleashed a repulsor blast powered by the reserve batteries stored in his gauntlet. The force was so immense, it propelled Ulik into the roof of the cave, the stone troll falling in a heap several feet away as a shower of dust and rock rained down around him. With his weapon aglow, Tony prepared to fight.
"I'm Iron Man." Tony replied.
"And I'm Cybernaut." Connor added, the two as ready as they could be…
In Alfheim…
The wolves were getting closer and for all Hawkeye ran, they were relentless in their pursuit. Bounding off a fallen log, Clint whirled around and loosed a net arrow, snaring one of them with his projectile and dropping it in a heap with a whimper.
Quickly backing up, he primed another arrow as the remaining two tried to corner him. Clint ran the math in his head, one he could handle. The other he'd have to avoid unless he could reload quickly enough to drop it right after. Best not to take any chances and-
A rustling in the bushes beside him had his head snapping to the side just as the black form of a direwolf lunged towards him. Acting quickly, Hawkeye raised his bow to ward off its jaws, the sheer weight of the beast knocking him on his back as its powerful maw clamped down on his bow. Snapped in two, Hawkeye lost his weapon but managed to use one end to club the direwolf across the face and make his escape.
But without a weapon, his offensive options were severely limited.
The three closed in, Hawkeye desperately searching for a means of escape or attack. In this foreign, fantastical world, there wasn't much he could work with. The wolves prowled closer, their snarling growing loud as their jaws snapped eagerly, Clint swallowed nervously. Maybe this was it for him…
"Archer!" A familiar voice shouted. Clint turned at the sound of galloping hooves to spy the same princely Light Elf from before, his white horse bearing down on Hawkeye as he offered a hand to hoist him out of harm's way. Clint took it readily, using the leverage to mount the horse and take a thankful seat behind the Elf. The wolves immediately pursued, and they showed no sign of slowing down, possibly even capable of keeping pace and gaining on the horse. "Take my bow." The Elf insisted, Hawkeye quickly grabbing the golden weapon from the side of his saddle, along with an arrow from the Elf's quiver. "Those are special arrows, archer," the Elf cautioned as Hawkeye drew taut and took aim, "is your aim true?" Clint managed a smirk.
"I do alright." He replied, loosing his shot with practiced ease.
Whistling through the air, the arrow was soon engulfed in a golden, magical aura before it struck the lead wolf, a powerful explosion of magic engulfing all three and disintegrating them entirely…
Asgard…
Despite his brother's rampant gloating and demeaning antics towards him, Thor had been busy learning just how involved Loki had been. "The Norn Stones… the Enchantress stole them for you!" Thor realized.
"The Norn Stones? You do not even begin to understand." Loki gloated. "I am responsible for everything." Thor's brow furrowed, his glaring eyes concentrated on Loki, but his trickster half-brother saw right through his silence. "Oh, look at you strain that feeble mind of yours…" He mocked, copping a smile as he continued. "Please, allow me to put the pieces together for you; my last assault on Asgard was meant to fail, the only challenge, you oaf, was making sure you believed my performance. I knew Odin would exile me and if I was exiled, you would pay me no mind. It was I who orchestrated the argument between you and our 'father'. It was I who pushed you to leave Asgard as the time of the Odinsleep approached. Once you were on Midgard, I knew exactly how to keep you there." He revealed. "After all, if your precious pets were in danger, your arrogance wouldn't allow you to leave them. And when you found mortal allies, I had the Enchantress gather foes for them as well." Thor's eyes widened.
"Nay… It cannot be…!" He gasped.
"Yes, brother. I orchestrated the breakout of Midgard's 'supervillains', I empowered the 'Wrecking Crew' with my magic, I masterminded the 'Masters of Evil', I even played a part in the very events that led to the creation of your dear colleague Cybernaut!" Loki stated with a wild look and a madman's grin. "I was the one who barred you from Asgard, and while you played 'hero' on Midgard, I completed my conquest of the remaining realms."
"But your invasion of Midgard failed." Thor retorted, taking some consolation in that fact. Loki's demeanor promptly fell.
"Yes… the Enchantress did fail me. Her love for you must have weakened her resolve." The god of mischief mused. "But Amora's failure matters not, for now that I have you, brother, I can conquer Midgard at my leisure."
"You will be stopped!" Thor vowed, hands balling into fists.
"You believe the mortals will come to your rescue?" Laughed Loki. "If they were pulled into the nine realms as you were, then they are truly doomed. My forces will hunt them down and destroy them! There is no rescue coming, dearest brother. There is no escape… there is no hope!" He taunted.
And he was right.
In Niflheim, Captain America struggled hard, on the verge of giving up his life…
In Svartalfheim, Black Panther was in a race for his life to outrun the spirits of the Dark Elves…
In Nidavellir, Iron Man and Cybernaut were bruised and battered by Ulik's rampage…
In Vanaheim, Hulk was brought low by an army of trolls who beat him down hand and foot…
In Alfheim, Hawkeye and Faradei were fighting to the bitter end against Loki's Direwolves…
In Jotunheim, Wasp was still unconscious and Giant Man's brawl had attracted the attention of Ymir, the king of the Frost Giants, who used the Casket of Ancient Winters around his neck to trap the Avenger in a thick layer of ice…
Trapped and divided, the Avengers were on the brink of collapse. None of them would be coming to Thor's aid anytime soon.
In Jotunheim…
Trapped and cornered by the Jotuns, Giant Man knew he was in trouble.
Having laid low half a dozen Frost Giants already, the attack from the Casket of Ancient Winters sapped him of his reminding strength. No matter how hard he struggled, the use refused to break, leaving him trapped. His gaze turned to the unconscious Wasp, still safe within the cleft of the rock where he'd left her. Hank's gaze fell soft and mournful. "I'm so sorry, Jan." He whispered. "I'm so sorry that I let you down, that I let everyone down." He apologized. As the Jotuns strode towards him, he realized this could be the end of things. Hank knew he'd done things wrong and even if she couldn't hear him, he wanted to make amends. "I love you." He said, softly imparting the three words she'd longed to hear.
The shadows of the Jotuns fell upon him and Hank looked up into the faces of foes. He still had one trick left to employ, even though it could be fatal. Supercharging the rush of blue Pym Particles from his regulator, Hank increased in size until he was as big if not bigger than the Frost Giants. The size-change shattered his icy prison and Giant Man stood tall as he stared down Ymir. "You're first, Frosty! Let's go!" He roared, rearing back his fist.
At that moment, a portal suddenly sparked to life in the skies above, unleashing three riders on winged horses into Jotunheim. The feminine warriors astride urged their mounts towards the Frost Giants, Lady Sif leading the way in armor of crimson and silver. "Move, mortal!" She urged as Hank turned in amazement. Triggering his regulator, Hank promptly shrank to normal size as Valkyries swooped in with a cry and cut into the Jotuns with their blades. As they did, Hank scrambled back to Janet's hiding place, collecting her in his hands just as Ymir opened the Casket again. A freezing gust of torrential wind knocked Hank from his feet and sent him plummeting into the abyss below with a scream.
He could only hope his body would cushion the fall for Janet and that she would survive.
But at the last second, Sif dove down and caught him before he could fall, pulling him astride her horse as the other Valkyries drew Ymir's attention. They were soon far out of the Frost Giant's reaches, safely winging their way back to friendlier, and warmer, grounds. "Truly you are a wonder; both a man and a giant." Sif commented to her passenger. "But you fought well for a mortal."
"Thanks… I think." Hank slowly responded, still a little beleaguered by everything. "The giants said this was Jotunheim. This is one of the mythical nine realms, right?" He queried, looking around.
"Aye. But that was no mere Frost Giant you fought. That was Ymir himself." Sif responded. "The Valkyries and I have been fighting to hold them back." She looked over her shoulder, sizing up Hank behind her and Janet in his hands. "How came two mortals to this place?" She questioned.
"It's a long story…" Hank said with a sigh…
In Savartalfheim…
Black Panther kept running, the Dark Elf phantoms hot on his heels. Brandishing a Vibranium staff, he turned and spun it was fast as he could manage, generating an energy field combined with a gust of wind that promptly dissipated the spectres, sending them flying off in every direction. With a chance to breathe and think, T'Challa looked around for an escape. There was seemingly no end to this land, nothing that could offer him shelter or safety from these supernatural terrors. The land was bare, devoid of life…
Except for what looked like the ruins of a well.
Narrowing his eyes, the built-in sensors in his eyepieces adjusted to scan for otherworldly energy signatures, made possible by the joint cooperation of Wakandan scientists and shamans. Revealed to his newfound vision was an induction of supernatural energies, leaving the realm and disappearing into the well.
Whatever it was, it may be his ticket to escape.
Turning on the revived spirits, T'Challa tossed his staff into their midst, the highly-energized properties of Vibranium mixing with the spectre powers of the Dark Elf spirits and resulting in an explosive maelstrom of spiritual energy that consumed the landscape behind T'Challa's fleeting form. A few surviving spirits reconstituted, taking flight and pursuing T'Challa with all the power they could bring to bear. But they were too late.
Diving into the well, T'Challa vanished in a flash of white light…
In Alfheim…
The Light Elf's horse had fallen and together, he and Hawkeye stood down the pursuing wolves, their combined archery skills destroying most of the pack. But even as the remaining few approach, they found their quivers drained and their precious supply of enchanted arrows spent.
"I'm out." Hawkeye grimly declared.
"As am I." The Light Elf concurred, casting aside his bow and drawing a sword from his belt. The wolves snarled and closed in, circling them. "You fought well, archer. I am proud to meet my end beside you." The Light Elf imparted. "I am Faradei."
"Clint." Hawkeye replied. "But all things being equal, Faradei, I'd prefer to skip the 'meet my end' part." He added. At that moment, a wolf lunged…
Only to be stopped by Black Panther as he pounced from above, pinning the beast beneath him before he turned and hurled it towards its fellows with uncanny strength. The wolves yelped in surprise and pain before recovering, snarling and salivating as their golden gaze landed on T'Challa. Risking no subtlety or drawn-out combat, Black Panther promptly sent a trio of daggers flying towards the wolves, each one finding their mark and killing them instantly.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Clint walked over to his teammate. "Where the heck have you been?" He wondered, feigning irritation as he was well and truly glad to see a familiar face (or mask) again.
"This is but a respite. My Lord Fray has already fallen, Alfheim is lost." Faradei interrupted. "But there is a ship that can take you and your ally to safety." He offered.
"We would welcome your aid navigating these perilous realms." T'Challa countered. Faradei was left to think things over…
Elsewhere, in Vanaheim…
"The beast is strong… but not strong enough." A troll gloated. It had taken a veritable army of them to pin down the Hulk, using chains and weapons to do so. But at long last, they had the jade giant where they wanted him and were now convinced of their victory.
But they had failed, in one crucial area, by mocking his strength.
"Hulk…" he growled, muscles flexing and tensing as gamma strength flooded his veins, "is STRONGEST THERE IS!" He roared, throwing his attackers off with unparalleled strength as he smashed into the rolls with every ounce of force he could muster. One punch laid a dozen low, a headbutt put another flat on the ground, his hands smashed two heads together, and a kick sent another tearing through the wooden prison carts. Finally turning on the remaining trolls, Hulk brought his hands together and unleashed an epic thunderclap that sent them all flying down the road. Standing tall and unshackled, the Hulk proved unstoppable as he stood surrounded by trolls, dead or unconscious, he did not know and nor did he care.
A booming laughter from behind drew his attention. It appeared the prisoners had freed themselves and three of them were approaching him. "Well fought, ogre! Truly you possess the gift of battle!" A massive, rotund man in gold and scarlet applauded. He was flanked by two companions, one dark and grim in complexion clad in blue robes and the other handsome and dashing, almost Shakespearean in appearance with green robes and a perfect blonde moustache. "I am Volstagg the Voluminous," the fat one introduced with a bow, "and these are my compatriots; Hogan the Grim and Fandral the Dashing. Together, we are the Warriors Three and with your strength, emerald one, we can take back Asgard this day." Volstagg promised.
Hulk returned his words with a simple grin…
Niflheim…
Captain America had fallen to his knees, the deceased spectres of the Howling Commandos before him. "Your time's over, Cap. You fought hard. Now enjoy your reward." Jack Fury offered, his hand still extended and his patient insistence eternal. It seemed so promising, to be reunited with his friends and allies from a time in which he belonged. They were all here, all of them, waiting to reunite with open arms.
But some were missing.
The Commandos were an eclectic group comprised of all sorts of nationalities and ethnic origins and Cap had known them all by heart. Americans, Italians, Brits, Scots, he recognized each one before him. But James Howlett, the Canadian, was nowhere to be seen.
And, most importantly, neither was Bucky.
Captain America had seen Bucky's demise with his own two eyes. If he wasn't here, then this was not real. "If this is the land of the dead… then where's Bucky?" He demanded, retracting his hand. Jack couldn't answer him and Cap knew he had discovered the truth. "No… No, this fight isn't over. And the Jack Fury I knew wouldn't rest until it was!" The Commandos remained silent, their prodding, chanting, insistent voices dying down as Cap felt strength return to him and the burden on his soul lift until he could stand with head held high and shoulders raised. "No, I'm still alive, I can feel it. And I'm going to fight until I can't fight anymore!" He loudly vowed. Swinging his shield hard, the spectres disappeared into fog and dust, carried on the wind as Cap's reality became so much clearer.
The realm was revealed to him, still desolate and foggy as before but with great crystals hovering in the sky, each one continuing a soul of the damned. That's when Captain America turned and found himself standing at the foot of a great set of stairs, at the top of which sat a throne of stone… and someone was on it. Between them lay a great brown wolf, shackled, with a chain leading up to the throne.
Captain America was no student on Norse mythology, so he did not know he stood before Hel's protector, Garm, and the queen of Hel herself, Hela Lokisdottir.
"I don't know who you are, miss, but I recommend you show me the way out." He called up to her.
The woman responded calmly, her voice carried on the wind, cold and sharp enough to send the crippling fear of imminent death through most men. But Captain America did not back down. "You are in Niflheim now, Steven Rogers. There is no leaving." Hela stated.
"Well then, lady… we're in for a long night." Steve countered…
Meanwhile, in Nidavellir…
Tony attempted to fire off another repulsor blast, only for a punch from Ulik to knock him flat on his back. Connor moved in to compensate, using his magnets to manipulate the weapons of Brok and Sindri as he barraged the stone troll with flying maces, hammers and axes. He would've liked nothing more than to use his irons, but could find them nowhere on his person.
Ulik withstood his assault and rushed him, forcing Connor to leap out of the way as the troll's fist crashed into the wall, then swung out and backhanded the technopath to send him skittering across the floor. Eitri moved in at long last, drawing his personal sword to attack Ulik. But the stone troll, in a display of incredible strength, tore up one of the many pillars lining the wall and swung it like a club, knocking the dwarf lord out cold as his weapon flew from his hand.
Tony picked himself up, charging his repulsor once again, but Ulik was already moving. Bringing both fists together, Tony's arm was caught in the middle, the armored gauntlet shattering in the middle as an explosion of power from the crushed batteries causing his repulsor to go dark as the ruined remnants fell to the floor. Clutching his arm, Tony looked up at the towering Ulik as the trolls snarled at him. "I'm going to tear you apart, mortal, and then I'll finish the drawn king!" He threatened, raising his foot to crush Tony. Seeing a chance, Connor took it.
"Oh no you don't!" He cried, reaching out with his magnets and tugging hard on Ulik's backpack. His weight uneven, Ulik fell flat on the ground as Tony made his escape. He needed a new plan, a new means to fight back. He tried his repulsor once more on the rising Ulik, only for the focusing housing to crack and belch smoke, signalling the absolute end of his only offensive.
Then, spying Eitri's sword, he had an idea.
"Connor! The sword!" He cried out. Quickly spotting the weapon, a motion from the tehcnopath's hand sent it sliding across the floor and right into Tony's waiting grip. But that's when Ulik charged, swinging his fist hard. Tony jumped out of the way, executing a roll as Ulik came crashing through a pair of stone pillars. Connor didn't know what Tony was planning, but he knew he would need time to enact it. Reaching out with his magnets, he gathered up the pieces of Tony's gauntlet and pulled them into a ball, bringing them around before unleashing a shrapnel hail upon Ulik's face.
The troll powered through, unleashing an angry roar as he caught up to Tony and grabbed him by the back of his clothes, hoisting him around so they were eye level. Tony reared back, Eitri's sword in both hands, as if to plunge it into Ulik's head. The troll laughed. "You think a little knife like that can hurt me?!" He cackled.
"No. But I think this can." Tony remarked, thrusting the blade into his own ARC reactor. Connor saw his actions and gaped.
"Tony are you crazy?!" He cried out, knowing Tony's life was on the line. Ulik was just confused, even moreso when Tony used the blade to pry off his reactor's own focusing mirror. As massive explosion of ARC energy blew the stone troll clear through five whole cave walls as Tony was flung across the room, his chest left smoking and sparking as he fell to the ground. Connor scrambled over to him as a seemingly lifeless Ulik belched smoke and keeled over. "You madman…" he gasped, holding Tony up. His senses reached out and felt the sputtering of his ARC reactor. The machine was so intricately designed, a single piece out of alignment meant it could not work as intended.
"Yeah, that… that showed him…" Tony mused with the barest of chuckles before he passed out. Connor shook him worriedly.
"Tony? Tony! Stay with me here!" He begged him.
"Here, perhaps this will cure things." A revived Eitri offered as the dwarf ran over with the intact mirror for the reactor. With a craftsman's eye, the dwarf fitted the focusing mirror back into place on his chest, the ARC reactor flaring as power was restored and the vent sealed off. Tony's entire suit flared for a moment before his eyes burst open and he coughed for air, shook his head and then looked up at Connor and Eitri.
"You're crazy, you know that?" The technopath remarked with a happy smile.
"Hey, sometimes crazy works." Tony replied as Eitri smiled in turn. Perhaps these Midgardians were not so bad after all.
"Come, we must get to the Forge before more of Loki's forces arrive." He urged them both, everyone getting up, including Brok and Sindri. The dwarves collected their weapons as Connor helped Tony stand.
"The Forge? What do you build there?" Tony queried.
"We dwarves are the finest smiths in the nine realms." Eitri replied with a proud smile. "In this place, I personally crafted Thor Odinson's hammer, Mjolnir. And Brok and Sindri made the Allfather's mighty spear, Gungnir." Knowing the sheer power of the hammer alone, Tony and Connor shared confident glances.
"Oh, we're in good hands." The technopath mused with a grin.
"Ever make a suit of armor?" Tony queried.
"Make that two suits of armor." Connor quickly corrected…
In Asgard…
Leaving the throne room, Loki had two troll guards escort his captive brother alongside him. "So ends the rule of Odin." He mused confidently, the two trolls throwing Thor on his face beside him.
"If you are keeping me alive simply to boast, then you are making a mistake, Loki." Thor angrily spat, pushing himself to his knees.
"I do not make mistakes, brother. Worry not, Thor, there is a spot left for you." Loki calmly replied, stepping aside to reveal a pair of trolls guarding a shackled Balder and Heimdal. The room was full of monsters of all sorts from across the realms. But Thor's gaze was on something far more sinsiter in the midst of his allies…
The axe of an executioner, imbedded upon a chopping block, waiting to be used…