Author's Note: The season one finale is here, folks!
Assembled and restored, the Avengers join forces with the bravest warriors in all the nine realms to battle Loki's evil! But fighting a god is a first for many of them, do they have what it takes? Stick around, true believers! You'll want to take part in-
Chapter 24: A Day Unlike Any Other
The Dwarven Forge was a wonder of the nine realms, a palace where raw materials entered to be used and melded by the finest craftsmen alive, only to leave as the most remarkable and wonderous of creations. It was intensely hot and incredibly loud, molten fires raging beneath the giant visages of dwarf lords past as archaic machinery cranked and creaked under use.
With hammer and tongs in hand and a set of goggles over his eyes, Tony went right to work alongside the dwarven smiths as he began to peat metal into the shape he so desired. Even without advanced technology and modern factory computers, he had memorized every inch of his armor's design. From the size of the plating right down to the path every circuit took, he knew exactly what he was doing. He needed a new Iron Man armor and he was going to build one.
Connor, on the other hand, wanted to hash out some details with Eitri.
"You seek to contend with the might of Asgardians?" The dwarf lord mused, stroking his long ginger beard.
"If Loki's got heavy-hitters in his employ, then I need to be on a similar level if I'm to help Thor and my friends." Connor explained.
"I see. There are few who can match Asgardians in terms of physical prowess. But we dwarves have worked our magic before." Eitri determined. "Only the combined power of all the nine realms might make you a match for Loki. And if that is what you need, then that is what we can do." Connor took his affirmation in stride, mulling over his choice of words.
"An armor of the realms…" He murmured as the dwarf king started giving orders.
"Brok! Sindri! We need mist echoes and crests of flame!" Eitri commanded. "And don't forget to bring me the world serpent scales and Valkyrie feathers!" The Huldra Brothers scurried off to the storehouses for the raw materials as Eitri rubbed his hands, eager to put his hands to work on another dwarfism masterpiece. "We will build you an armor fit for a king, mortal." He promised with a gleam in his eye. Connor grinned.
"How can I help?" He asked.
Elsewhere…
Using their magical means of travelling across the realms, the Valkyries made haste to return to Asgard. Brunehilde and Sif were not returning alone, however, as Ant-Man and Wasp joined them. Perched on Sif's shoulder, Wasp had been gifted her own special Valkyrie armor, complete with a pointed helmet that she thought was fashionable in a strange sort of way. She cast a glance at Hank on Brunehidla's horse, his Ant-Man costume now accompanied by armor the Valkyries had gifted him.
And they were not the only ones travelling to the Realm Eternal this day.
Having accepted their offer, Faradei steered the Light Elf boat that carried Black Panther and Hawkeye to Asgard, the two Avengers most eager to reunite with their allies and do some good against Loki's dark forces.
The Hulk received a ride from the Warriors Three, astride Hogan's war chariot as they spirited away from Vanaheim on a quest of their own to save the realms from Loki's treachery.
Slowly but surely, the Avengers were assembling.
Even as his enemies began to gather, Loki saw fit to host his coronation. Tended to by several trolls, he exchanged his simple tunic for far more stately robes of gold and green, with large golden shoulder pads, an intricately woven gold-thread sash and a long green cape to complete his stately visage. "What do you think, brother? Made from the finest materials Asgard has to offer." Loki vainly mused, showing off his new robes to the captive Thor.
"I will never bow to you, Loki." The thunder god responded bitterly.
"Oh, I don't need you to bow," the trickster god replied with a chuckle, "I already have what I want from you: your complete and utter submission." He said with a grin as a troll placed a crown atop his horned helmet.
The great rainbow bridge to Asgard, the Bifrost, was heavily guarded by a vast contingent of Jotuns and trolls, Loki sparing no expense to ensure the realm eternal was rendered safe against his many enemies. But that didn't stop outside forces from trying to get in.
"The Bifrost bridge is opening!" A Jotun shouted as a blue portal flared to life. "More rebel warriors to crush!" He growled, tightening his grip on his ice axe.
None of them were prepared for the Hulk to come through.
With a roar, the jade giant shattered the Frost Giant's icy weapon with the Blood Axe, powering through the drive his weight into the Jotun's face, knocking him over and crushing several trolls beneath him as he fell. "You wanna crush something?" Hulk bellowed, looking up at the remaining Jotuns. "Try me!" At once, the Frost Giants moved to attack,
"Have at thee, giants!" Volstagg boomed as he lept from his chariot and took out another Jotun as he smashed into his face. Fandral and Volstagg quickly laid low the third, mace and sword shattering his arctic skin as he fell alongside his fellows. The Warriors Three dropped down and stood tall on the Bifrost, facing down a contingent of Einherjar who stood with Loki's forces.
"By Loki's decree, those who do not bow before him will be executed. Surrender!" The captain threatened them.
"Traitors!" Fandral spat. "We will never bow to Loki!" Without waiting for a word, Hulk charged past them, rushing the captain of the guard. "Mortal, wait!" Fandral cried, his warning coming too little too late as the golden axe of the Einherjar knocked Hulk away with a single swipe, the gamma giant sent plowing into the Warriors Three and dropping them all. Loki's forces advanced, trolls and cyclops' pouncing on the four and doing their best to pin them down… until, that is, a second portal opened.
Wasp led the way for the Valkyrie, her bio-stings quickly blasting the trolls crawling over Hulk as Hank lept down from above, growing into Giant Man and flattening a pair of trolls underfoot. "For Asgard!" Sif cried out as she and Brunhilde attacked the remaining Jotuns. Giant Man joined in, preventing Sif from getting knocked from her mount. Brunhilde was not so lucky and it took Hulk's intervention to spare her from getting crushed by a Jotun blade. As the Frost Giant reared back to strike again, a blazing arrow struck his weapon and shattered it into pieces.
Roaring onto the scene, Faradei drove his ship into the bulk of the Jotuns and knocked them clean off the Bifrost, sending them plummeting into the endless abyss between realms below. Watching them fall into the void, the Avengers soon rejoiced at the arrival of Hawkeye and Black Panther. More enchanted arrows from Hawkeye and Faradei dropped trolls left and right, Black Panther charging into the fight with Vibranium daggers in hand. "Good to see you, Clint!" Hank greeted as he shrank back down.
"Yeah, I bet." Hawkeye remarked, turning and blasting a pair of trolls with two arrows. "The three of us had already snuck halfway to the palace when you guys set off the alarm!" He complained, quickly nailing three in a row with headshots.
"Perhaps we should win this fight before starting another." T'Challa retorted, promptly riddling a pair of trolls with his daggers. Vaulting atop a Jotun's pickaxe, he scaled up his body with immense agility before lunging towards his face and clawing out his eyes.
Wasp ran a strafing run across the traitorous Einherjar, none of them capable of withstanding her assault. Simultaneously, Giant Man threw Hulk like a baseball, allowing the jade giant to drop three final Jotuns one after another.
With the last of Loki's forces dropped, the Avengers reassembled, having been without one another for what felt like an eternity. "Well, that was fun." Wasp mused, dusting off her hands. "Hey. Hey! Did you guys see me? I was on a flying horse! I rode a flying horse through space!" She exclaimed, buzzing around the men excitedly.
"Through a wormhole, actually." Hank corrected. "We're in Asgard now, the Norn Stones pulled us through."
"The Light Elf Faradei informed us that Thor's half-brother Loki is attempting to conquer each of the nine realms, although I suspect we stalled his plans on Earth." Black Panther informed them all.
"Wait wait wait, so the Masters of Evil work for Loki?" Wasp realized.
"No, the Enchantress." T'Challa corrected. "We must assume she is carrying out Loki's plans, and was using the Masters to further his goals."
"Amora the Enchantress." Sif scoffed. "I should have known that witch would be involved in this. I will enjoy making her pay." She vowed as the Asgardians approached the Avengers. "Come, Warriors Three, let us teach Loki and his lackies the error of their ways." She moved to pass the Avengers, but Hawkeye promptly barred her way.
"Woah, woah-woah. We're not just gonna sit here on the sidelines, beautiful." He said.
"Loki has somehow tapped into the Odinforce itself. He is too powerful for any mortal to fight." Sif countered.
"Uh, didn't we just take on, like, a hundred giants and warriors?" Wasp queried, hovering before Sif's face.
"Look, Sif, Thor is our teammate and Earth is just as much in the firing line as Asgard." Hank echoed. "We're in this together." He stated firmly. Sif was moved by their dedication and although she did not voice it, her position was changed by his words.
"Hey, speaking of together, anyone seen Iron Man or Cap or Cybernaut?" Hawkeye questioned and the Avengers suddenly realized they were short several members…
Meanwhile, in Nidavellir…
Tony and Eitri worked side by side, shaping the dwarves precious Uru metal into his impending suit of armor. Tirelessly the pounded plate after plate, Tony working hard to forge for himself something Asgardian in style but proved to be most definitely 'him' in appearance and functionality.
Connor was busy elsewhere, working hard with Brok and Sindri as he did whatever they asked him to do, the talented Huldra Brothers combining metalwork with magic as they inlaid Connor's Nordic-style armor with magical elements wrought from all nine realms. It was all beginning to take shape and the technopath had a feeling he'd look very much like a Viking when this was over.
With the fate of Thor, Asgard and the realms at stake, the Avengers and their dwarvish allies worked unceasingly to prepare for what was to come.
Helheim Province, Nifleheim…
Captain America had ascended the steps to the throne of Hel, now in a one-on-one audience with Hela as her pet wolf Garm circled him. Steve stood unmoved by the wolf and unphased by Hela's promises. "I can smell death on you, Steven Rogers. Your time in the land of the living is long past." Hela mused.
At this close range, Cap could see and understand her figure better. Her headpiece hid most of her face behind thick black cloth, but the branching horns extending from it were shaped far more like antlers than the simple horns he'd seen in books on historical Scandinavians. Hela's robes were frayed and torn, strips of black and green revealing skin of an oddly healthy shade (considering she was the goddess of death). In any normal circumstance, she might've been considered an attractive woman. But given her heritage, position and notoriety, Hela was better known for corpses and damnation then her looks. "Nifleheim is nothing to fear, Captain. I can create a paradise for you, a well-deserved reward." Hela said softly, her green-painted lips dripping with promise. Steve slowly shook his head.
"No, my work isn't done." He refused. "Zemo and his forces are still on the loose." At the mention of the Masters, Hela laughed softly.
"Loki's pawns. I play along with my father's games because it amuses me, but I know once he is done with Thor, he will betray me." She stated. "So bitter… so much hate for Odin." Steve quickly caught on to her words.
"If Thor is in trouble, then I have to help him." He determined, his persistence and vigilance redoubled. "You need to send me to him, right now!" He commanded, leveling a finger at Hela.
"You wish to return to battle, Captain?" She wondered, rising from her throne. Garm seemingly sensed her confidence and sat down across from Steve, piercing eyes watching his every move. "Then you must offer me something in return."
"What do you want?" Cap replied, eyes narrowed.
"If I send you to confront Loki, and death should claim you in the battle, then your mortal spirit belongs to me." Hela wagered. "Forever." It was a risky gamble and Cap knew he was going up against entities who outclassed him tenfold. Steve pondered his grim options…
The tree of life was a sacred place in the Asgardian palace, a segment of the world tree emerging from the well of destiny that had become a focal point of Odin and his line.
And it was here, in this private sanctum, that Loki had learned the truth.
The god of mischief, now King of Asgard as far as his subjects were concerned, pressed his hands to the withered and knurled trunk of the tree as it's power was transferred to him. The power of the Odinforce stemmed from life itself, he had learned this while banished to the Isle of Silence at the root of Yggdrasil. Now that he knew just how to exploit his father's power, he had every intention of making full use of it. As his body glowed with pwoer, he ignored the caws of Huginn and Muninn above, savouring the rush of the Odinforce-
"My lord Loki," a troll's voice interrupted him, "there is trouble." Irritated, Loki returned to his throne and conjured up a vision of what plagued him, a startling image revealing the Avengers obliterating his Jotun guards as they breached he Gates of Hrimthur and entered into Asgard proper. With a roar, he banished the vision, noting Thor's smirk.
"Your mortals seek to do battle with Asgardians?" He questioned. "So be it. Before you meet your end, brother, I will destroy your Avengers right before your eyes!" He promised, using his magic to conjure a mighty horn he then blew into, the sound carrying from the palace across the realm…
The advancing party outside paused at the sound of the trumpeting, their concern growing as the ground shook with the approach of heavy footsteps. "What's that? More giants coming?" Wasp wondered.
"Feels bigger." Hulk rumbled. His words proved true when the horizon was darkened by a shape so big, so massive, it looked like it could've passed for an entire planet. But far more beastial features began to take shape the closer it drew, revealing an elongated snout, thick hairy paws and a maw filled with teeth. Not one Avenger or Asgardian could match it's size, the massive wolf towering so far above them all, Giant Man at full height was no bigger than the width of its nose. "Told ya." Hulk remarked as a deafening snarl from the beast shook the land.
The Avengers and Asgardians quickly parted ways as a blast of icy air rushed from the wolf's mouth, freezing everything in its path until raw stone was entirely covered by the thickest of ice. Hawkeye and Faradei loosed a pair of arrows that had no effect. "What the heck is that thing?!" Clint demanded.
"Loki has gone mad! He has summoned Hoarfen, the ice wolf!" Sif cried in alarm. The team scattered as one of Hoarfen's paws slammed into the ground, Hulk jumping on to try and mount the beast. But as big as he was, Hulk was no bigger than one of Hoarfen's claws and was shaken off easily.
Giant Man narrowly avoided Hoarfen's snapping jaws and attempted to hitch a ride with the beast by clutching its fur. But even that proved lethal as his hands and arms were encased in thick ice and he lost his grip, Hoarfen dropping a paw as he smashed Giant Man into the ground. The beast advanced on the remaining few, the Avengers feeling helpless and powerless against Hoarfen's mighty scale. "This is it, isn't it?" Wasp wondered despondently as Hoarfen opened his jaws and lunged…
But then, something in familiar shades of red, white and blue cut across his nose, promptly halting Hoarfen's attack.
The Avengers followed the whirling shield right back to its owner, Captain America catching it with practiced ease. He stood tall atop a crate. "Hawkeye, Wasp, Panther, go for the eyes and mouth! Giant Man, Hulk, pick a leg and take it down!" Cap ordered. "Let's move, Avengers!" He shouted, leaping off the crate as he waded into battle alongside his grinning teammates.
Doing as tasked, Hulk and Giant Man worked together to lift Hoarfen's front paws and throw him forward, the unstable beast falling snout-first into the ground. Hawkeye and Faradei quickly loosed a pair of arrows each, finding their mark just under his eyes. Flying in close, Wasp unleashed two bio-stings that struck their arrows, igniting the magic within to created blinding sparks that caused Hoarfen to roar in pain.
Seeing his chance, Black Panther sprung into the beasts open mouth, Captain America tossing him his shield which he used to great effect in warding off the wolf's arctic breath, preventing the Wakandan from becoming frozen. Hulk lept back into the fray as Giant Man triggered his regulator to increase his size to the maximum tolerances his body would permit. The jade giant crawled into Hoarfen's mouth alongside Panther, using his incredible strength to reef back on the wolf's tongue. Giant Man mounted the beast's neck, yanking back on his fur to keep Hoarfen from snapping his jaws shut. As they worked, Panther drew a dagger and cut into Hoarfen's dark blue toungue, the trio working in concert to bring the beast to heel…
In Nidavellir…
Tony had all the pieces he needed, his new armor half-constructed. But there was one final part he needed and he quickly smithed it out. It took some carving, some cutting and some very careful hammering, but at long last he presented it to Eitri who accepted his work with a smile and a nod.
It was the face of Iron Man, complete with a chevron-shaped crest on the forehead.
Connor, meanwhile, was dressing with some help from Sindri. All new silver-white robes, tailored for maximum flexibility and protection sat atop his worn Cybernaut costume. Over the robes, the dwarf helped him strap their newly-fashioned armor into place. "Paldrons of the deadly mist. The Cuirass of the Valkyrie. War belt of the world serpent. Smoldering brimstone bracers." Sindri listed off as he strapped each piece into place on the mortal's body. "You are ready, Connor Peterson." He announced.
"Almost." The technopath answered, lifting a custom helmet into his grip to apply the finishing touch. Popping open a panel on the back, Connor fitted a small Alfheim light crystal into the slot, allowing rings of dwarven runes to glow brightly as he slipped the helmet over his head. Across his body, runic power flowed, transforming his armor from one of pure medeival scope into a combination of medeival heartiness and modern technological prowess. "Now, Asgardian Cybernaut is good to go." He mused, glancing over what the dwarves had begun to call the 'armor of the realms'.
Primarily done in silver and gold, his chest was protected by a slim breastplate forged to be lightweight with the inclusion of a Valkyrie feather, making it the least-heavy piece of armor he wore. His shoulder pauldrons were broad, modeled after ancient Viking ceremonial designs and were rimmed with golden veins of runic power. They would allow his arms to move speedily and quickly without hinderance, thanks to the inclusion of mist echoes the dwarves had incorporated. His gauntlets completely covered his hands, each one etched with a raging, wild pattern that also bore a golden runic stripe. Having helped forge them Connor knew they could glow red like magma, thanks to the flame crests that was their basis.
His war belt he had helped to stylize, done in silver and black that were the colors of the scales of Jormungand the World Serpent, with a buckle of runic gold to clasp the various strands together. His boots had been furnished in the dwarven style, Brok and Sindri sparing no expense as they built his footwear in the time-honor tradition of the dwarves, his greaves adorned with glowing runic veins. His helmet had also been his idea, combining a sense of modern technology with the power and style of dwarven craftsmanship to complete the look of a semi-futurist Nordic warrior.
Connor was right, he did look like a Viking when all was said and done.
Broke approached him, with an ornate wooden chest in hand. "A gift, from the dwarves of Nidavellir." The dwarf offered, opening the chest to reveal six cylindrical pieces of silver metal within. "Svartalfheim steel bars. Perfect for use with your unique talents." Flexing his hands and the magnets within, the bars flew from their seating to form a pair of silvery batons in Connor's grip.
"They sure are." He agreed with a grin.
Watching the Avengers battle Hoarfen victoriously, Loki waved away his vision with an angry hand and cursed aloud with a scowl.
"It would seem we have something in common, brother. We both have underestimated the mortals." Thor mused with a smirk.
"These fools pose no threat to me." Loki growled, rising from his seat with Gungnir in hand. "I command the Odinforce, the tree of life gives its power to me now!"
"If you are so all-powerful, Loki, then why haven't you won yet?" Thor shot back. Loki had no time to reply, a sudden rumbling stealing his attention. All of a sudden, the palace wall caved in and the head of Hoarfen came crashing through, the beast nearly throwing Loki from his feet as it came to a rest against the floor. Shielding himself from debris and dust, Loki eventually turned his gaze to see what had become of his prized beast.
His eyes looked upon a far more horrifying sight.
Emerging from the clouds, the united Avengers and Asgardians approached him. Captain America, Hawkeye, Black Panther, Hulk, Wasp, Giant Man, Faradei, Sif, Volstagg, Fandral, and Hogan looking no worse for wear and ready to continue battle. They stood across from Loki, united and strong, and Thor could not resist a proud smile even from within his bonds. "Surrender." Cap ordered. In response, Loki cackled.
"Looks like he wants to do this the hard way." Hawkeye mused with an eager grin.
"Avengers… take him down!" Cap stated. At once, they sprung into action, Hulk charging ahead and ready to lay into Loki. But a burst of Odinforce power sent the gamma giant sprawling, the rest of the team quickly moving in to compensate.
Cap's shield, Hawkeye's arrows, Wasp's stings, all bounced off a hastily raised protective field, while Sif's blade came crashing into Gungnir. A powerful punch sent her flying into Faradei, taking them both out at once. Harnessing the Odinforce once more, Loki froze Giant Man in place as he turned and caught the lunging Black Panther with the forked tips of his spear, swinging him around and smashing the two together as they fell to the floor in a heap.
Loki then executed a powerful sweep with the Odinforce, a shockwave of magic bowling over the Avengers and Asgardians. The dust settled, the god of mischief greeted by the sight of his enemies laid low. Only Captain America resisted succumbing to his power reaching for his shield. The moment he laid a hand on it, Loki's boot stepped on it too. "Surrender?" He repeated mockingly. "You really have no idea with whom you speak, do you, mortal?" He questioned with a sinister grin. Turning Gungnir on end, Loki drove the tip of his spear into Cap's shield and unleashed a devastating blast of Odinforce power, so intense it blew Captain America several feet backwards. By the time he recovered, Cap could only look in horror at the sight of his seemingly-indestructible shield…
Shattered into hundreds of tiny pieces.
"I have watched you worms all this time, all of you scared and alone." Loki sneered, nonchalantly returning to his throne. "On Midgard, you may play at being heroes, but here…?" Suddenly, Hawkeye picked himself up and pulled an arrow taut. "You. Are. Nothing!" with a mere flick of his finger, Loki sent his arrow clattering across the floor, far from his reach. One by one, the Avengers came to, realizing that Loki's power far outweighed them all. The god of mischief had them at a serious disadvantage. Gungnir glowed with devastating power as he leveled the spear tip towards them. "Without Thor, who will save you now?" Loki pressed with a haughty smile.
Suddenly, a rumble of thunder overhead drew Loki's attention to the roof. An unexpected thunderbolt crashed through the glass mosaic ceiling, crashing into the ground between Loki and the Avengers with remarkable force. Shielding himself from the blazing sight, Loki only looked once it was finally cleared… and his eyes widened when he realized it had been no attack but rather, a form of transportation.
"We will." Iron Man proclaimed. Clad in shining Uru metal, his brand new armor was working perfectly and fit right in with his arsenal. Tony playfully called it the Thorbuster armor, meaning it was perfect for busting up Thor-level enemies.
And he was not alone.
"Don't worry people, the star players are here." Cybernaut remarked, crossing his arms. His armor shone brightly amid the gold of Asgard, making him stand out as his own brand of power-player. The Avengers continued to pick themselves up, realizing the best kind of reinforcements had arrived.
"Tony!" Cap said with a smile.
"Friend Stark!" Thor exclaimed with a smile.
"Cybernaut!" T'Challa called out.
"Connor!" Janet squealed. Drawing his new Svartalfheim irons, Cybernaut leveled a baton towards Loki.
"Hey, you! Court jester! Mind showing us where Loki is?" He asked. Loki's face knit into a seething glare.
"Insolent wretch! I AM Loki!" He bellowed. Cybernaut cocked his head.
"Huh. After what I heard, I thought he'd be more… imposing, you know?" He mused to Iron Man. Loki growled.
"You dare to…" He paused, suddenly sensing magic afoot as he took in Iron Man. "That armor, the metal is Uru!" He exclaimed.
"Yeah. Same metal as Thor's hammer. I know." Tony replied. "Now, get away from my people before you get hurt." He growled, electrical energy rolling across his armor.
"You think to threaten me, man of science?" Loki retorted. "Do you realize the power I wield?!"
"It wasn't a threat." Tony coldly responded. "Around here, we deal in promises! Cybernaut!" At the sound of his name, Connor bolted, sprinting towards the throne with both batons in hand. Loki turned on him, unleashing a bolt of Gungnir that Connor deftly vaulted over. Loki promptly followed up with an Odinforce blast from his hand, at a range that made it impossible for Connor to dodge.
But instead, Cybernaut raised his gauntlets, the power bolt impacting with his arms as his gauntlets glowed bright like molten lava. Heat met heat and negated one another, runic seals of protection tapering off the sting of the Odinforce so much so that Loki's jaw dropped.
"Impossible!" He cried. Acting quickly, Cybernaut split his batons into irons and lashed out with his magnets, each piece of steel quickly finding purchase against Loki's neck, the trickster god struggling to remove them as he held them firmly in place. "You dare-!"
"Now, Tony!" Connor shouted, Iron Man blitzing onto the scene with twin repulsor ray strikes. A new perk that came with using Uru metal was it's electrical generation and conductive properties. Now, just like Mjolnir, the Thorbuster could channel lightning.
Striking Cybernaut's irons, Loki screamed out as he was shocked by high voltage electricity, each repulsor sending pulses of electrical energy coursing through his body, enough to cause his robes to steam. When Iron Man relented, Loki sagged, using Gungnir for support as Cybernaut recalled his weapons. The moment they reformed into batons in his hands, Loki chuckled and stood up straight. "Did you really think I have not grown use to my brother's powers? And with the Odinforce at my command, your powers do very little to hurt me!"
"Wasn't planning on hurting you, Loki. Not yet." Iron Man replied. "Cybernaut, fill him in." The technopath nodded and reformed one of his batons so the irons rested snugly against his clenched right fist.
"Let me educate you with a little mortal science lesson, Loki," he stated, squaring off against the trickster god as Loki made ready to attack him, "once an electric current has been run through it," pulling his left hand forward, Loki suddenly found himself tugged off his feet and sent hurtling through the air towards Cybernaut, "gold becomes magnetic!" The technopath roared as he threw his fist forward to meet him.
The irons, combined with strength-enhancing runic power of his armor, enhanced his blow tenfold.
Loki's face moulded around his fist, head snapped to the side as Connor landed the mother of all blows, the god of mischief knocked into a backflip by the powerful blow, sent spinning through the air until he landed on the ground in a heap. Iron Man turned to the other Avengers. "Free Thor! We'll hold him off!" He ordered, promptly taking flight and grabbing the rising Loki from behind, carrying them both up through the hole in the roof as Cybernaut gave chase. On the ground, Cap gave out orders.
"Hawkeye, Panther, Ant-Man, get to Thor. Hulk, Wasp, you're with me." He stated, collecting Sif's fallen shield from the ground and deciding to use it as his own for now. The Avengers split up, Hulk carrying Cap outside with one of his massive leaps as Wasp flew up under her own power. The sky had turned black as Tony's armor drew upon lightning to charge his repulsors, he and Cybernaut on either side of Loki as they squared off against the trickster god.
Causing Gungnir to dissipate, Loki opened fire first with twin beams of Odinforce energy sent streaking towards both of his foes. Iron Man blocked as best he could, but was sent tumbling through the air as Cybernaut endured better. Loki opted to go after him first, flying towards Cybernaut and throwing a hard left hook, but a wave of Connor's hand propelled his gold-plated fist further than he planned, causing him to totally miss. With Loki exposed, Cybernaut promptly smashed a baton in the back of his head, pitching him through the air. "Agh! How dare you!" Loki cried, whirling around with wrath in his eyes.
"Go ahead! Try me, horn-head!" Cybernaut retorted. At that moment, Iron Man attacked from behind, grabbing Loki and holding him in a headlock. Summoning his own magics, Loki teleported behind Iron Man, reversing their grapple as his hands clamped down on his helmet, unleashing a burst of the Odinforce.
"Dealing with mortals is beneath me, but you have earned my attention!" He jeered with a maniacal grin, savouring Tony's pained cries from within his armor. Suddenly, Sif's shield came flying up and knocked Loki off, falling back down into Captain America's hand, just as he calculated. Hulk came charging up next, laying into Loki with a roar as a heavy punch sent him tumbling through the air. Leaping off his head, Wasp pursued Loki with a barrage of bio-stings to the face, forcing he Asgardian to raise a hand to try and protect himself.
Down in the palace, an arrow from Hawkeye weakened Thor's stocks, allowing the thunder god to stand tall and finally break free. He shook himself loose and limber, feeling refreshed and invigorated. "Yggdrasil is the source of the Odinforce." He told his friends. "Loki has corrupted it. You must find a way to break Loki's connection to it." He instructed, reclaiming his helmet.
"Us? What are you gonna do?" Ant-Man questioned. Donning his helmet, Thor looked him right in the eye.
"I am going to have a word with my brother." He said simply as thunder crackled overhead.
Cybernaut flew in close to Loki, goading the Asgardian into striking him. But the instant Loki threw out his fist, Connor flicked his finger and caused his fist to come crashing into his own face, Loki sent spinning as Cybernaut grabbed his hand with his magnets and punched him again. "You will suffer a thousand deaths for this abuse!" Loki threatened, only for Connor to shut him up with his other fist.
"Stop hitting yourself first!" Cybernaut teased, deft finger motions manipulating Loki's fists beyond his control. Nearby, Wasp giggled.
"Classic!" She remarked, swooping in and landing several bio-stings against Loki's face.
"ENOUGH!" He roared, unleashing a blast of the Odinforce that knocked both away. Lurching forward as he was struck from behind by Iron Man, Loki turned on him ad knocked him into a building with a bolt from his hands. Captain America lept from rooftop to rooftop as Loki pursued him next, bolts of energy chewing up the ground behind him. Managing to find solid ground, Cap threw his shield as hard as he could, only for Loki to bat it away with Gungnir.
Hulk tried next, his fist suddenly grabbed by Loki as the trickster god unloaded the Odinforce into him, sending a roaring Hulk smashing into yet another building. Having recovered, Wasp flew in to attack him next, but Loki built up an immunity to her stings by using the Odinforce to reinforce his pain receptors. No matter how hard she tried, Wasp couldn't even get a reaction.
Reaching out with a gloved hand, he snatched her out of the air. "I shall enjoy making you mortals suffer!" He sneered with a grin, squeezing hard around the armored Wasp and causing her to cry out in pain.
"Get your hands off her!" Cybernaut cried, shooting up from below and landing a hard uppercut right on Loki's chin. The blow knocked Wasp from his grasp as his focus was drawn to Cybernaut. His irons forming a staff, Connor's weapon clashed with Gungnir as Loki fought back hard. The spearhead empowered by the Odinforce, a sudden sweep cut deeply through Cybernaut's helmet, shattering the faceplate and exposing his masked face beneath. He kept fighting, splitting his staff into a pair of batons that caught Gungnir in a low hold with one and allowed him to smash Loki across the face with the other.
Spinning around, Loki used his momentum to bring Gungnir to bear, the spearhead piercing through Connor's armor and driving deep into his shoulder. The technopath loosed a scream of pain, one amplified tenfold as Loki unleashed his power into him. "You may put up a fight, but a mortal is no match for an Asgardian!" He stated smugly.
"Connor!" Janet cried, diving in and priming a two-handed sting that caught Loki right in the eye. With a growl of pain, the god of mischief was forced to back off and Cybernaut slipped from the spear, dropping through the air until he could concentrate enough to control his flight with his boots, where upon he alighted on a rooftop and collapsed in a pained heap. Janet was there in an instant, growing to full size and checking on his wounded arm, white robes already stained red by his blood.
"Hey." He groaned. "Long time… no see." His eyes met hers, Connor feeling refreshed from simply seeing Janet again. Janet managed a small smile.
"Are you okay?" She asked worriedly.
"I'll live." Connor replied, slowly sitting up as he used his good arm for leverage. "Hurts like the dickens, though." He confessed. Looking up, he spied Iron Man back in the fray going one-on-one with Loki. "I… I gotta get back in there-" He gasped, trying to pick himself up.
"No!" Janet cried, practically throwing herself atop him to hold him down. "Just… rest. It's okay. Tony's armor can compensate, I'm sure of it." She promised. "You don't have to prove anything anymore, Connor. You're one of us. You're an Avenger." She whispered, taking hold of his hand. Connor smiled, fighting back the urge to entwine his hand with hers and wanting nothing more than to hug her or kiss her right now.
"Wasn't trying to prove anything." He managed to say. "Just… trying to do my part." Janet smiled again, genuinely this time.
"You did your part. Leave it to the rest of us." She replied, easing him back down.
"Tell me again how you can 'see' magic?" Hawkeye asked.
"Thor allowed Wakanda's scientists and shaman to study his hammer. It was… informative." Black Panther replied, stepping closer to the tree of life with his upgraded optic sensors watching golden trails of magic flow through the tree. "Yggdrasil, it seems to be the focus of the energy."
"So, what are we supposed to do?" Ant-Man wondered.
"When in doubt, blow it up." Hawkeye reasoned, fitting an arrow and taking aim. But Black Panther held up a hand to stop him. "What?"
"In mythology, the tree of life holds together all of reality. And as all of reality seems to be feeding into this tree, perhaps we should consider this." T'Challa explained. Dropping his bow, Hawkeye looked around for some other weak point.
"Hey, look, Asgard's got birds." He pointed out, spying a pair of ravens perched above. Too little too late did T'Challa realize they were Odin's sacred servants Huginn and Muninn, and the trio was hit with the most ear-piercing shriek wrought from the birds. The sound was so intense it overwhelmed even T'Challa's advanced ear protection provided by his Black Panther hood, the three Avengers driven to their knees as battle continued to rage outside.
Cybernaut was down and Wasp with him. Hulk was downed too and now Captain America was trapped in Loki's iron grip. "Now you bore me." Loki growled, throwing the Captain into Iron Man like he weighed nothing at all. With a grin, he charged up the Odinforce, ready to strike them all down at once…
Only to be interrupted as Mjolnir plowed into his guts.
Doubled over and spluttering for air, Loki looked up with wide eyes as a crackling Mjolnir returned to the grip of a very angry Thor, lightning flashing all around him as the thunder god's power flowed freely again. Wasting no time with words, Thor bashed Loki's head with a cry, sending his half-brother tumbling through the air until he plowed through a distant building. Breaking free, Loki shot up into the air as he channeled the full strength of the Odinforce into his body, power raging rampantly around him. "What's happening?!" Cried Tony.
"He is losing control of the Odinforce!" Thor answered in realization. "Loki! You must keep the power contained!" He urged. "Without control, the Odinforce could destroy the nine realms! You could begin Ragnarok!"
"So be it!" Loki cackled, loosing shockwaves of magic across the realms. "Did you really think you could beat me?! A band or mortals against Loki?!" He bellowed.
But as Loki reveled in the chaos and destruction, a work against him was unfolding down below.
Using his Ant-Man helmet to block out some of the shrieking ravens, Hank shrunk down and found safety within the roots of the tree of life. Now realizing what T'Challa was saying about the magic stemming from Yggdrasil, Hank decided that Clint did in fact have the best course of action in mind.
Growing to Giant Man, he proceeded to tear the tree up by the root, knocking Huginn and Muninn from their perch as Hawkeye and Black Panther looked on in awe. The dead root, corrupted by Loki, pulled free from the life-giving Yggdrasil allowed the World Tree to flourish and grow a new leafy-green tree in its place, restoring the balance of power and restarting the Odinforce anew.
Loki was left to look on in horror as the Well of Destiny stole his power from him. Crying out as he was drained of every inch of his power, Loki was left in his original state against the Avengers as the Odinforce was drawn back into it's rightful owner.
Unbeknownst to them, now properly rejuvenated within his bed, Odin awoke.
"We didn't have to beat you, Loki. We just had to keep you busy." Iron Man stated as Loki fell through the air and landed on a causeway. Without the Odinforce, Loki's power level was now very much beneath the likes of Thor and the Thorbuster armor. As the god of mischief picked himself up, he soon found himself surrounded, Ant-Man, Black Panther and Hawkeye emerging from one entrance while Hulk, Captain America, Thor and Iron Man approached from another. Even Cybernaut was there, Wasp perched on his good shoulder as he clutched his staff in his good hand.
No longer so almighty, Loki grew very afraid.
"No, no!" He cried as the Avengers advanced upon him. "I am Loki! I will destroy you all!" He threatened, purple magicks conjuring around his fists. "I will-"
"LOKI!" A deafening voice boomed from behind him. Loki felt a chill shoot up his spine as his eyes went wide with fright. Slowly turning around, he found himself staring into the face of the owner…
And Odin was not happy.
Snared by magical bonds, the god of mischief was hoisted off his feet and brought before the Allfather. "Long have I ignored your mischief, Loki, but this is not mere trickery. This is evil." The golden god growled. "I gave you everything, I made you my son, and this is how you repay me?" Odin demanded.
"You deserve a thousand times worse." Loki retorted, voice quaking and driven only by sheer force of will and no longer might or power. "Go ahead! Exile me! I will never stop!" Loki vehemently promised. Odin's eyes narrowed.
"If you through the Isle of Silence was torment… you do not know the meaning of the word." He replied. Eyes aglow, a burst of white light banished Loki from Asgard, the Odinforce teleporting him away into the darkest pit in the roots of Yggdrasil.
The god of mischief awoke to find his body clad in little more than green rags, his dented horned helmet still atop his head. But his being was ensnared by living vines, tightening and loosening as need be to keep him trapped. And above him, far more frightening, was a lesser Midgard serpent… a vile Nidhogg. The vines began to move, maneuvering Loki closer towards the beasts open jaws. Thrashing violently against his prison, Loki's screams echoed throughout the empty realm. He sealed his eyes shut, desperate to avoid his apparent fate of getting eaten.
But new vines reached out and forced his eyes open, Loki powerless to stop them as venom dripped down the Nidhogg's fangs and fell drop by drop into his eyes…
With peace and order restored to the realms, Odin returned to his throne as the proper ruler of Asgard. A whole host of Asgardians and Einherjar assembled in his throne room, Heimdal, Balder, Sif, Brunehilde and the Warriors Three freed from Loki's snares and watching as Thor approached his father. "My son, you returned to Asgard in its time of need. You have freed us." Odin thanked him.
"No, Father, I have not. I myself was freed by the Avengers." Thor replied, turning and gesturing to his assembled friends. The entire team stood tall and proud, Cybernaut included with his right arm done up in a sling.
"Mere mortals?" Odin questioned with a raised brow.
"These mortals just saved all the nine realms." Thor elaborated. "They deserve our respect." He stepped forward, approaching his colleagues and friends. "Avengers, I thank thee." He said, bowing before them. "Truly I am honored to count myself among you." Seeing his son's open humility, Odin stepped down and stood beside him. The Avengers were slightly awed by the presence of the all-powerful Allfather before them, his very aura commanding respect for his mighty stature.
"You have the thanks of Asgard, mortals. You have our respect." Odin told them. Then he looked across the sea of fellow Asgardians and commanded, "To the mightiest heroes in the nine realms! Hail Avengers!" He boomed, thrusting his fist high in salute. The other Asgardians followed suit, offering their respect and thanks to the Avengers.
"Hail Avengers! Hail Avengers! Hail Avengers!" The team soaked in the praise, basking in their victory and humbled to be so recognized by otherworldly warriors who had done things that would boggle their minds. Connor in particular felt a pleasing sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, as he glanced at the warriors to left and right of him, he whispered under his breathe, "I could get used to this."
"You and me both." Janet concurred, nudging him with a grin.
"Not too bad team." Tony mused with a grin.
"Not too bad yourself, Iron Man." Steve agreed.
"From nobody scientist to being thanked by the Allfather himself," Connor mused, "this would make for a great book…"
Much later…
Night had fallen across Earth by the time the team returned to the mansion and none of them were complaining. After the strenuous time they had traversing the nine realms and fighting Loki, each and every one of them was ready for some shuteye.
"Good night, Steve." Janet called out as Cap turned into his room.
"Get some rest, Cap. You earned it." Tony echoed, Steve shooting them both a smile before he entered his darkened room and closed the door behind him. His happy expression fell as he dropped a dufflebag on his best and unzipped it. Reaching in, he pulled out a fragment of his broken shield, the red and white stripes still perfectly spotless as they reflected his own downcast visage. Tugging down his hood, Steve looked on at the sole scrap of his past he voraciously clung to.
Suddenly, his face became that of Hela's, reminding him of the promise he made and the interaction he staged with her. He knew now that someone in the great beyond hungered for his very soul that death was ready to claim him at a moment's notice. It further proved that Captain America was a man out of time, hunted by Kang for destroying the future, wanted by Hela for the shadow of death that followed him…
Steve loosed a sigh. He wasn't sure where to go from here. His shield was gone, did he move on? Upgrade? Become more than a relic of the last world war? He didn't know and he doubted a simple night's sleep could cure his thoughts…
Elsewhere in the mansion, Hank Pym made to leave. His Ant-Man costume beneath his lab coat, he padded silently to the front entrance and reached for the doorknob. "Leaving without saying goodbye?" A voice asked and Hank jerked around. There, propped up against a pillar lining the entry, was Connor. His Cybernaut costume removed, he was dressed in a black t-shirt and jeans, his right arm still in a sling.
"It's not that, Connor." Hank answered. "I just… I can't be an Avenger anymore. I came back to help one last time because the situation sounded serious. Turns out it was. Now that it's over, I have every intention of leaving." He said and Connor nodded. "Please, don't try and get me to stay. It won't work."
"I know." Connor said, walking over. "I'm not here to keep you, Doctor Pym. If anything, I'm here to just say thank you." He explained, surprising Hank. "I get convictions. I may not share yours but I respect them. So, thank you, Hank, for being a part of the team, for offering your insights, for being a good guy." Connor thanked him, offering his hand. With a soft smile, Hank returned it, shaking his hand. "I can't speak for the whole team, but I'm sure if you want to come back, the door will probably be open."
"Maybe I'll come visit sometime." Hank replied with a smile. He turned to go, pulling open the door noiselessly. "Good-bye, Connor."
"Bye, Hank. Take care." The technopath replied, waving him off as Hank shut the door behind him. Now alone in the hall, Connor turned and began the walk back to his room. His gaze roamed the walls of the mansion, studying every inch. Sure, he probably hadn't been gone that long on this adventure across the realms, but it felt good to be back. He felt like he belonged, like this was the place for him. For the first time in a long time he had people surrounding him he could call friends, coworkers he loved to pitch in and help, teammates with whom he went on the most exciting and incredible adventures.
And once his arm was healed, he was sure there would be plenty more for him to take part in.
Author's Note: And just like that, season 1 is in the books! Having fun? I know I am. Before I continue, I just wanted to offer some thanks to people for imparting their ideas to me and permitting me to use them…
-TheCarlosInferno for his OC Jace Carson, Agent of SHIELD
-Spartan1203 for his OC Miguel, Agent of SHIELD
The world of EMH is only gonna get bigger, folks! Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to work on Season 2