Chapter 57 - The Farm and Fate (5)

(Avenger's Quinjet - Somewhere over the Pacific Ocean - May 7th, 2015)

"Well the News is loving you guys, as are the conspiracy boards all over the net," Hill reported over a secure channel as the team listened in, "No one else is, there's been no call for Banner's arrest, but it's in the air. The Stark Relief Foundation is on the scene, which is helping but not by much. But Kal…"

Tony glanced at a bruised Banner seated in the chair that served as their makeshift medical bay. The good Doctor's chest was charred and blackened, he also had bruises all over him but on the positive side he was healing fast, a few hours ago he looked like death. His eyes also shifted to the back of the craft where Kal was sitting looking over the prone figure of his son Kon-El, the boy had been the first to move to stop his father and Kal had hit the kid pretty hard. Kal had hammered Kon into a bloody pulp and looking at him now he was pretty sure he would have outright killed anyone else on the team apart from Kara, Thor or the Hulk, and the latter didn't look good either.

"How bad is it?" Tony asked shifting forward and trying to be as quiet as possible, as he glanced back at Hill who just glanced away. "Hill, how bad is it?"

"People are scared Tony, militaries around the world are losing their minds and governments are beyond terrified." Hill sighed as she tried to deliver the pretty terrible news as well as she could, a grimace fixed on her face. "It's what everyone was worried about when he showed up. The only reason people aren't demanding his arrest is because no one knows how to do it and they're terrified their next if they try it…Look you need to lie low for a while okay, until…..until something happens"

"Understood, I'll route channels and encryptions to keep it secured. Reach out if anything happens okay?" Tony responded feeling a weight on his chest as Hill just nodded and signed off. Tony released a sigh as he stood up and walked over to Barton who was piloting. "Do you want to route out

"I'm good, we are in stealth mode so no one is tracking us and with the course I've laid in we are only a few hours out" Barton glanced at Tony keeping his demeanour calm and professional, seeing the rings under the man's eyes. "We're making good time, so go get some kip whilst you still can,"

"A few hours from where?" Tony raised his eyebrow at the spy surprised that there was anywhere they could go.

"A safe house," Barton replied turning his attention to the controls, leaving Tony just to raise an eyebrow

At the back of the aircraft Thor approached his brother's seated form, and for the first time since they were children Kal didn't acknowledge his presence before he reached him. Thor placed his great hand on his brother's shoulder releasing him from the spell he had cast over himself staring at the prone figure of his nephew. Thor glanced at the other figure occupying the back of the craft, his niece was tucked away asleep having claimed her, he could not blame her for that, she had exerted great effort in her fight with her father.

"I'm sorry brother I was lost in thought," Kal looked at his older brother who just gave him a small smile as he took the seat next to him.

"I haven't seen you like this since…well a very long time," Thor admitted as he looked at his prone nephew whose face was slowly healing from the savagery of Kal's attack "If it is your actions that trouble you, they were not your fault, only the witch and the machine are to blame,"

"They do and I will never be at peace with the devastation I wrought but….." Kal went quiet as his hand unconsciously went to Gram's hilt gripping the sword tightly.

"What did you see brother?" Thor whispered, leaning in towards his brother, his eyes glancing towards the mortals on the craft.

The witches' magic had infected all of their friends, but whereas their friends had seen haunting images of their worst fears brought to life, the darkness within revealed, but what Thor had seen was different. His mother had always warned him that the Asgardian minds and souls reacted differently to magic than those of mortal races, they were more than just flesh and blood they were living conduits for cosmic powers. He had not been the most attentive of students but he did remember his mother's warnings about Chaos magic, the dangers using it could unleash and that its raw power could tear the veil of time itself if one wielded it poorly.

'Fear the torrents of Chaos my sons, as all sons of Asgard do. For an Asgardian soul drenched in cosmic power touched by Chaos,can pierce the waters of time itself ' Frigga's voice echoed in Thor's head a chill going up his spine as he felt Mjölnir spark in his hands as her warning rang loud in his ears. 'And once the future is known, it cannot be unknown, it becomes unchallengeable, fixed ... … fear not the future my sons, fear knowing it before it arrives and having no power to change it.'

"I saw it, as clear as I can see my son's blood now," Kal whispered back, his eyes closing as he heard the terrible roar and clashing of weapons inside his skull. "I saw my death, I saw my fate to die in battle….. I saw it herald Ragnarok …and I saw that by dead hands Asgard would fall and the Aesir drenched in a river of blood. By my hand,"

"That is just a story Kal, one we've heard mortal's tell a thousand times in their myths." Thor whispered trying to convince himself as much as he was his brother, recalling the myths mortals had made "The death of beloved Kal by Loki's act, the weeping of the realms, brothers turning on brother, fimbulwinter, me having children it's all just stories."

"And what if it isn't? What if they are more than just stories" Kal asked, his voice no longer quiet as looked Thor in the eye, the certainty in them stilled Thor. "I have heard those events, these stories, these myths told from the tongues of elf, man and dwarf since I was a boy. The stories are different but the themes and the events are the same. My death by an act of Loki, great sorrow following, the division of men, realms drenched in ice and snow, Asgard's burns in flames. Ragnarok."

"What do you want to do brother?" Thor pressed placing a hand on Kal's shoulder, taking a moment to steady himself whenever the word was conjured forth it sent a chill down his spine. "I am no seer brother and father has prevented us from returning whilst this threat remains."

Kal cast a glance at his children and his teammates before leaning his head next to Thor's his voice barely a whisper. "We have to go to the Well of Urðr on Nornhiem, I know someone who can get us there."

"The well is dangerous brother." Thor's face was a grimace as he released a sigh his vision too glancing at their friends and his brother's children "I know you have drank from it before but that was a gift. Those waters come with a price, father and mother warned us both. Seeing the future seals it brother, once the future is seen it becomes the past and those cannot be undone by the present."

"I know, but I…I need to know so I know how much time I have to get them ready," Kal nodded to Kon and Kara his eyes lingering on them, as his brother turned to face them as well.

"Well then brother you have me no matter what," Thor smiled patting Kal on the arm before standing up to check on the others.

The rest of the journey passed by with little incident, as he followed Kara helping Kon from their craft Kal knew instantly where they were. The fields of Kansas sang to Kal as the wind blew the sweet scent of corn and grain across the plains, and he let a smile cross his face as he saw the house in the distance. The only other members of the team who weren't looking confused at each other were Barton and Nat who despite the terrible circumstance were glad to be back at the small farm,

"What is this place?" Thor asked looking around the Barton farmstead his eyes taking in the tranquil place so far removed from the troubles of the world.

"A safe house?" Tony replied uncertainty following the large blonde god up the stairs pausing as he watched Kal give him a small smirk as they went through the door.

"HONEY! I'm home!" Clint called out into the quiet house moving into the living room a wide smile on his face, which just grew wider as Laura appeared from the kitchen. "Hi, brought company, sorry I didn't call ahead."

"Hey," Laura just shook her head as she moved to kiss her husband.

"This is an agent of some kind," Tony stated to the mostly wide-eyed group trying to sound as confident as he could, which was defeated when the patter of small feet rang out.

"Ladies, Gentlemen, this is Laura." Clint turned gesturing to his very pregant wife with one hand as he warped the other around her shoulder, "Who knows all your names and if that sound is right we have incoming."

"DAD!" Cooper and Lila screamed as they rushed into his arms giving them a big hug, he quickly let them go, however, as Cooper's eyes widened as he spotted Kal. "UNCLE KAL!"

"These are smaller agents," Tony blinked as he looked at Clint's children his brain failing to make sense of anything.

"Greetings, son of Clint, you have grown greatly." Kal smiled as he moved over to the lad who rushed from his father to give his uncle a hug, "And Lila I did not think it possible but you have grown more beautiful than last we spoke. Continue like this and you like eclipse all maidens of this realm."

"Hey, smooth talker don't think she'll fall for that, I'm always going to be her favourite" Nat gave Kal a mock punch to the shoulder as she moved next to him giving Lila a wide hug as she swept the little girl up into a hug. "Have you been keeping them safe whilst I've been gone?"

"Yep" Lila declared popping the p of her statement as she grinned at her aunt. "I've helped mom in the kitchen, since she can't bend over anymore."

"That's great." Nat chuckled moving over to Laura, giving the woman a hug as he placed Laura back on the ground "And how is little Natasha?"

"She's…..Nathaniel" Laura admitted with a coy smile, that caused Nat to frown in disappointment.

"Traitor," Nat glared at Laura's stomach mockingly.

"Sorry to barrage in, you have a lovely home Mrs Barton" Steve spoke up fixing a smile on his face, trying to remain polite despite the shock of Barton's revelation was causing him.

"Yeah, we were busy having no idea you existed," Tony responded, earning a slight elbow to the side from Steve, who just kept smiling. "Uh I mean, it's great to meet you."

"Thank you," Laura smiled as she chuckled glancing at her husband before addressing the legends standing in her front room. "Well, we've got a few rooms but people are going to need to double up."

"Shotgun, the couch!" Tony declared before anyone else could react apart from wide eyes as they all looked at each other in uncertainty.

As the adults started talking about how the increased number was going to work into the living room, Kara and Kon who had moved over to the couch where Kon had deposited himself suddenly found themselves the centre of attention. The younger Barton's had moved over towards the brightly adorned younger people both with curiosity and hesitation in their eyes etching towards people they had only seen on TV and the internet.

"Is he okay?" Lila asked innocently straining her neck to look up towards Kara who towered over her, concern in her voice as she looked at the bruised young man.

"He will be," Kara tried to sound reassuring, the statement caused her to glance at her father, an unwelcome flash of the image of him beating Kon to within an inch of his life. "He just needs a little sun and rest."

"Like uncle Kal?" Cooper joined in moving to stand next to his sister his eyes in awe of the children of Kal in front of him

"Yeah, I'm his son this is my sister, Kara," Kon managed wincing as he sat up feeling his ribs still needed more healing as breathing felt like being punched in the gut. "I guess if our father is your uncle that makes us family,"

"Really?" Lila asked her eyes widening at the prospect giving a hopeful and sweet look up at Kara.

"Well….." Kara was about to end the pretence but staring at the little girl she could only smile. "I guess it does,"

(Barton Family Farm - Smallville, Kansas- Early Morning, May 7th, 2015)

Kal stood outside on the porch as he watched Thor and his children keeping busy moving some of the farm equipment around as the sun started to rise, none of them required sleep like the mortals did and so had decided to keep themselves busy. Kon was healing fast now and Kal was thankful both for the fact that he hadn't caused permanent damage and that it would mean that they could leave for Nornhiem today. He had already contacted Amora who although reluctant to use her knowledge of the Bifröst secret passages and wasn't a fan of going to the realm of fate had acquiesced when Kal promised her a favour in return.

"You knew?" Steve's voice sounded out as he joined Kal on the porch watching the sunrise, out of the Avenger who did need sleep he was the earliest to raise even beating Nat most days.

"When I was trapped on this realm Barton was made my watcher and he allowed me a place with his kin and by his hearth" Kal released a deep breath as glanced at Steve who moved to stand next to him. "I became quite fond of them and have on occasion visited them, less so in recent times."

"Why didn't you tell me or any of us? Why didn't Clint tell us?" Steve asked releasing a sigh as he leaned forward resting his arms on the porch railing as dawn started to truly take over the horizon.

"Clint is a warrior and a man of honour. Dedicated to the protection of others, willing to throw himself into danger for strangers" Kal turned from Steve and looked at the sun as it bathed them in its golden rays. "Tell me if you knew he had a family would you have been willing to let him charge into battle with you or take the risks he does?"

"...No, I guess I wouldn't" Steve didn't look at Kal instead just smiled as he watched Thor lift the Barton's tractor with a little too much force sending it into the sky and forcing Kara to leap up to catch it.

"And that is why he didn't tell you, not because he didn't trust you but because he knew what I know what we all know." Kal turned his gaze onto Steve who glanced up and looked at the god who just smiled at him "That you are a good man Steve Rogers, one that I and Clint would follow to the gates of Ragnarök and beyond. Even if you wouldn't want us to."

Steve just stared at him for a few moments before giving the smallest incline of his head and the two returned to watching the sun rise. Steve breathed in the deep clear air and wondered if this would have been his life if he hadn't gone in the ice, would he and Peggy have settled down and raised a family? Whenever his mind turned to those thoughts he had always dismissed them, keeping his mind fixed on the here and now, and when that didn't work told himself he would have thrown himself into the next crisis after the war and wouldn't have made the best husband. Looking out at the farm seeing Clint's family photos, the life he had made and speaking with his wife, he wondered if that was just self-delusion, Clint had made it work and all with the chaos of the 21st century.

"Where are you going?" Steve asked pushing his thoughts of Peggy and a lost life away turning back to the question that had brought him out here in the first place.

"Nornhiem, the witch's magic pierced a veil both I and Thor need answers," Kal replied, not questioning Steve's knowledge, the man was a leader, a warrior and was more perceptive than most knew. "We will be going soon, before the other's wake, I am waiting on a friend to get our path ready."

"I would ask that you stay, we have a pretty big fight here but you are more invested than anyone else so I'm guessing whatever it is, must be important." Steve sighed standing up straight again, his tone and demeanour shifting back to the living legend. "Are you taking the kids?"

"I am, this isn't something I wish to hide from them" Kal replied his eyes lingering on his children feeling a slight shiver go up his spine as the dark creature's roar echoed in his head "This part of being what of being one of the Æsir and I want to know their heritage."

"Okay then, be safe," Steve offered his hand to Kal, knowing that arguing or demanding he stay would be pointless, Kal smiled as he took the offered hand. "And Kal, be quick we need all of you."

"Trust me my friend Nornhiem is not a place god, mortal or any being wishes to linger," Kal replied a smile on his lips that didn't reach his eyes, which told Steve that despite his playful tune he was being honest.

(Nornhiem - The great fields of Urðarbrunnr - May 7th, 2015)

"Oh dam, that was uncomfortable," Kon cursed as he rose from the ground clicking his back as he tried to refocus on the world around him only to fall onto his back. "I can feel my bones like they are dancing inside of me and my blood is on fire."

"I can taste purple why can I taste purple?" Kara's voice sounded out next to him as she stayed on the ground her head spinning from their arrival on the world "How can I taste purple?"

"Well, you two are so impressive," Amora chuckled as she strolled past the two inexperienced realm travellers recovering from their first trip through the branches of Yggdrasill,

"Ah! I forgot how much I dislike Runic travel through the realms, non-Bifröst methods always make me feel queasy," Thor released a deep breath as he clicked his neck as he strode forward smiling at his niece and nephew before glancing at Amora "Remember the last time we used runes to travel, you and Loki tried to use a summoning circle so that we could sneak out of the palace and we ended up in Utgard having to do all those games to leave,"

"Blargh! Oh god, my purple turned lavender" Kara retched up her stomach as she rolled over feeling the taste of purple turning to pure vile. "Why are you guys not suffering?"

"Because we've done this before, this version of realm travel is not pleasant for beginners" Kal smirked as he appeared through the rune portal that Amora had created for them, he glanced at his children a small smile on his face, "Don't let them fool you, the first time we used Runes to travel the branches your uncle puked for days, and Amora there turned her hair pink for months,"

"Oh, don't you dare, you were the worst out of all of us" Amora smirked at Kal shaking her head remembering the less than fantastic incident from their youth "All those enhanced senses of yours, you kept claiming you could see time and could taste prime numbers,"

"Blargh!" Kara wrenched her stomach was again heaving what little remained inside of her out, whilst Kon again tried to stand only to fall forward this time,

"Oh for the love of. It's not funny any more" Amora rolled her eyes lifting one of her hands, green magic wisping through the air enveloping the twins who suddenly looked better and were now able to stand. "Better?"

"Yes, thank you," Kon managed to catch his breath as the magic rolled off of him, before looking out at the great field of pale grass and rocks that stretched before them a large castle-like structure was just visible in the distance. "So this Nornheim?"

"Indeed it is, nephew," Thor announced his tone going serious as he looked out over the realm that most in the nine realms avoided visiting. "The realm of fate and destiny,"

"I feel strange like I'm being watched" Kara stated, her eyes darting around the air as she glanced over her shoulder an unpleasant feeling passing over her.

"Well, that is because you are being watched," Amora replied, her arms crossing over her chest trying to ignore the sensation herself "The Norns observe all who come to this realm, so don't expect privacy"

"You've been here before?" Kara asked glancing at the tall blonde voluptuous sorceress whose eyes were fixed on the distant keep

"Many times, Frigga, your grandmother brought me here to train." Amora replied her vision going distant as a ghost of a smile etched on her face remembering her old teacher. "Your father uncle have been here to,"

"Aye, but I have been here only once," Thor admitted shifting remembering his vision conjuring up his last visit to the realm many centuries ago, "Mother brought me to receive a blessing from the Norns, a tradition amongst the Vanir for royalty. It was an…unpleasant experience,"

"Did she take you?" Kon asked the question, glancing at his father moving to stand next to the man curiosity gripping him as he took the chance to learn more about the man's past.

"She did, she brought your uncle Loki too, although they were each separate occasions for when we came of age. An old Vanir tradition, I was planning on bringing the two of you here one day for the right" Kal admitted glancing at his children a small smile on his face, as he saw the surprise on their faces at his admission that he had planned to carry on a family tradition "Come now, as the mortals say we are burning daylight, we should move."

"Okay, I'll be here redrawing the runes to take us back once you're finished," Amora announced turning around and heading to the scorched patch of earth where their portal had been.

"Wait you're not coming?" Kon asked looking at the woman whose hands were already blazing with green magic as she started the very difficult feat of tearing a passage between worlds.

"Despite how easy I make this look, creating a portal between realms is not easy, especially when Odin has locked down the Biforst," Amora replied despite her changes in the centuries since their youth Kal could hear the hint of pride in her voice and the self-confidence in her stance "Truth be told, it's dam near impossible but I am good. In fact, I am amazing like really I am the be-"

"Amora," Kal sighed a small smile on his face as he cut off Amora who looked a little sheepish as Thor chuckled at her.

"What I mean is that I need to work on creating the way back, it's not easy, and if I get it wrong we can end up someplace bad…..or nowhere at all" Amora replied her tone a little more normal but Kal could still see the pride in her eyes and tone "I also am not crazy or desperate enough to go knocking on the Norns door."

"I'll make sure we bring you back a present," Thor joked as he hefted Mjölnir onto his shoulder a smirk on his face.

As Amora stayed behind to start creating the means by which they would head home, the rest of the impromptu adventuring party started travelling over the great fields of Urðarbrunnr. They travelled by foot, which both Kara and Kon thought was strange as it was surely quicker to fly to their location but neither felt confident enough to question it. Instead, for the moment the twins observed their first alien world, and there was a lot to observe, their eyes took in the strange sky which rippled with colours they couldn't name and the pale grass that seemed as fragile as glass but was as hard as steel to the touch.

"So…..you were going to bring us here?" Kara finally asked after walking what felt like a good hour across the field.

"Oh yes, I was planning a whole trip after the party, before the killer robot situation happened," Kal admitted smiling at his daughter as he recalled the plans he had been working on for months. "We were going to meet your mom on Xandar, then I was then going to take you to Vanaheim to meet the extended family,"

"Family?" Kon asked his eyes widening at the revelation of more relations than just his Mother, father and uncle

"Oh yes!" Thor bellowed a chuckle left his lips as he clapped Kon on the back, "You have a great deal of Kin on Vanahiem, your grandfather's kin my be small in number and most are in Valhalla but I tell you the Vanir make up for it,"

"You have Uncle Freyr and his children, who also have their own large brood, his daughters our cousins Hnoss and Gersemi have something like twenty or more children each," Kal responded loving the look of Kon's face as his eyes became the size of dinner plates. "Of course, that doesn't even touch your grandmother's sisters and the host they have,"

"Twenty children each?" Kara asked in shock as her small family suddenly enlarged to the size of a small country in her mind.

"Vanir are prolific in reproduction as Uncle Freyr always use to say," Kal chuckled the memory of his uncle helped to dispel the darkness that their current task had set on his mind, "After Vanahiem, your uncle was going to take you to visit Asgard itself and then….well we would go wherever you wanted."

"Brother, we are here," Thor's suddenly sombre voice stopped either of the twins replying as they glanced up and suddenly found themselves in front of two massive doors that stretched to the heavens.

"Wait how did we?" Kara looked around, she hadn't been so engrossed in the conversation that she had neglected her surroundings, one moment they had been walking amongst the grass and then suddenly were in front of the doors of the great keep.

"The Norns are ready for us," Thor answered his grip on his hammer tightening as his eyes narrowed at the door, "The great fields of Urðarbrunnr are enchanted to keep people away until the Norns deem them worthy to enter."

"Once we enter anything can happen, last time I was here I was invited and the Norns wished to repay a debt, so the keep was simple and open to me." Kal's steady voice commanded the attention of his two children as they looked at their father, steel shining in his eyes "However, this time we are supplicants and uninvited, so it's up to the Norns to what we will see"

"Is it dangerous?" Kon felt his body tense as he looked at the grand doors before him and felt something strange go up his spine,

"Physically no, the Norns will not harm you." Thor felt his mouth go sour as he prepared himself for what was to come "However, we seek knowledge and guidance that can be more harmful than any battle injury,"

"Remember to stay focused, speak truthfully and if we are separated don't panic," Kal gave his children a reassuring look before he nodded at Thor to open the doors to the great keep. "And remember, beware of seeking the future, once known it cannot be changed,"

A bright light washed over them as the keep opened to the party even with his great sight Kal couldn't see anything and was blinded. However, as he felt the warmth rush over him he felt something cold run down his spine and would swear to the Allfathers that he could hear a dark roar in the distance.

(Kara)

"KARA! KARA! KARA! KARA!"

The chanting greeted her like a wave once she was able to see again, as the bright light receded she was greeted by an amazing sight. Before she was a sea of people stretching to the horizon and beyond, they were all dressed in wonderful colours and styles, they were cheering and celebrating something with such enthusiasm that Kara ignorant of it couldn't help but smile. What made the sight even more spectacular was that many in the crowd were floating in the air, creating a scene that she was on a stage in a great concert hall as the celebrating masses stretched into the heavens as well.

Kara's smile faltered as she remembered the bright light and the great keep of Nornhiem, she remembered her father and uncle along with her brother being next to her only a few moments ago. She found herself glancing around at the opulent room she was in, it was grand and richly adorned with a high ceiling, and the walls were adorned with pictures and awards. She moved over to the nearest wall trying to look at the pictures and awards there to figure out what was happening before she froze passing in front of a mirror she hadn't noticed.

"Mom?" Kara stared in shock at the image being reflected by the mirror, standing in proud regal warrior attire was Carol Danvers a golden circlet crown on her head glowing as brightly as the sun.

Except it wasn't her mother, the woman in the mirror was taller than her mother, her body was more muscular, her shoulders were wider and she saw her father's eyes reflecting back at her. Kara raised her hand and touched her cheek and saw the reflection react as well, she glanced at the glowing golden crown. This was her, somehow she knew this wasn't an illusion or a vision, this was her, she felt stronger more powerful than ever before a power burning inside her chest. She lifted up her right hand and felt power through her igniting her hand into a bright light, a warm radiant light.

"What the hell?" Kara examined the glowing appendage it was very different from what her mother created when she used her power, something was comforting and warm about the light she was creating

"Is everything alright my love?" The voice caused Kara to turn and was greeted by a tall athletic Hispanic woman with a star emblazoned on her chest wearing causal clothing a look of adoration on her face.

"I, I….." Kara trailed off as she just looked at the woman who was staring at her with a look that made her heart stop.

"All hail Kara, she of the stars, heavens, sun, moon and justice. All-Mother, Gef mighty, maiden of might, Vanadís. " Kara's head snapped back to the balcony and was greeted by a hooded young woman staring at her with a coy smile on her lips. "Why are you here, great queen? What question would you ask the Norns?"

"Why are you calling me a queen? What is all of thi-" Kara twisted around the room was now empty the woman who had set her heart aflame was gone, but what had stopped her was the sword that had appeared in her left hand, Gram was unsheathed and burning brightly "What the hell?"

"I see, the Mistress of Might needs no clarity nor does she seek the future," The smile of the hooded figure of the norn Urd grew sincere as she step forward her eyes burning brightly as she looked into the woman's soul. "She comes as she always does, for others. Worry not daughter of Kal, your future burns bright,"

Before Kara could say anything she suddenly felt tiredness overwhelm her and suddenly found herself falling backwards as sleep took hold of her.

(Kon)

CRACK! SLAM! BOOM!

The sounds of battle greeted Kon like a wave breaking against the shore as the bright light disappeared. He quickly bent backwards avoiding the swing of a very large strange melee weapon, his conditioned reactions triggering as he quickly raised his hand and struck the even stranger creature attacking him. The air cracked like thunder as he struck his target with what felt like barely any force but resulted in the figure shooting off into the distance as if he had struck with his full might.

"How in the hell?" Kon blinked, looking down at his fist only to be greeted by a lightly scarred and much larger appendage than he was used to.

Kon ignored the battle raging around him not even feeling the energy blasts and projectiles that struck him harmlessly He raised his other hand and was greeted again by the same sigh as before as he raised his hands his forearms came into clear view and although they were covered by blue clothing they were larger and muscular than ever before. Kon wheeled around looking at the battle that was dying down, as whatever foe he had been fighting had clearly given up the fight and was now retreating in earnest.

However, as he turned he suddenly noticed that his back was carrying weight and as his hand went behind him he felt the heavy yet finely spun crimson cloth draped off of his shoulders. It was his father's cloak, the fine rich red crimson bearing the crest of the House of El that had captured his imagination ever since he first saw it, now draped confidently off of his shoulders.

"Captain? Captain? Is everything alright?" Kon looked up and was greeted by a golden-skinned man with a glowing gem embedded in his forehead wearing a blue uniform with what looked like a ravager crest emblazoned on it. "Is Phyla finished with the raiders in orbit?"

"Phyla? Captain?" Kon asked confused staring at the strange man his confusion only growing as he glanced at his own chest and saw the same Ravager crest that had been emblazoned there instead of the S-shaped crest of his house.

"Hail the Captain of the Cosmic Warriors, Guardian of Galaxies, Master of Might," Kon suddenly found the battlefield he was standing on deathly quiet and deserted, even the golden-skinned man was gone. "Come you to seek thy fate, Son of Kal? To know?"

"Who are you? Where are you?" Kon twisted trying to find the source of the echoing voice all around him. "Show yourself?!"

"Such rage! Such passion! I know why you are here" Kon stepped back as a haggard elderly hooded woman suddenly appeared in front of him, her teeth were yellow, her breath stale and her face dishevelled. "You seek purpose! You seek value now as you did and will again,"

"You are one of the Norns aren't you?" Kon looked at the hooded woman who radiated power despite her fragile frame and elderly appearance. "My father and uncle are here they are seeking kn-"

"Concern yourself not with them child of earth, they are attended to" Skuld the Norn smirked as she walked around him in a circle, Kon kept still his eyes tracking the elderly Norn as she stalked around him. "You, however, are unlike your sister, you seek answers, purpose, would you like to know? Know your future? Know if you will bear the mantle of your father? What glory awaits you?"

"I…" Kon faltered as he stared into the woman's glowing eyes, his father's warning echoing in his head "Yes, I want to know,"

"Kon of the house of Kal descendant of the Allfathers of Asgard and the Bethgars of ancient Krypton" Sklud's smile grew dark and sweet as she traced a light finger over Kon's shoulder a shiver of power running up his spine, "You shall have no glory, no royal titles, you shall live in the shadows of greater beings. You shall know only a life of service and duty. Your deeds forgotten with time and eclipsed by your sister. You shall be recalled only by those you saved. Your sister's house will be greater by all measures than yours. The House of Kon's only grand accomplishment will be that the child of your child's child shall be a conqueror without parallel and will drown the sea of stars in blood."

"That can't be, I am the son of Kal, I can't be -" Kon was cut off by the mirthless laughter of the Norn before him that echoed all around him.

"Forgotten, lesser?" The Norn chuckled as the world around them grew darker the battlefield disappearing with each echo of her terrible laughter, "Even gods are forgotten and diminished in time….and you will never be a god,"

(Kal and Thor)

"Two sons of Odin at once? Even foreseeing it does not diminish our surprise, rare indeed both events are" Verðandi the Norn of the present appeared before the sons of Odin seated on Hlidskjalf as the great throne room of Asgard appeared around them. "We gave you a gift last we spoke Kal, are you a glutton unsatisfied with thy meal? Will demand more of us?"

"Great Verðandi, I am grateful for thy assistance last time I was here, I mean no disrespect," Kal gave a bow of his head not missing the not-too-subtle statement of who held the power in the room, "My brother and I seek clarity, we received visions granted to us by a witch of Midgard. Mine vision was of my death, Hel's army cheering for me and darkness fast approaching"

"Mine was Asgard burning, fallen due to my actions or lack of them I don't know," Thor spoke up worry etched into his voice as he stepped forward looking up at the Norn who just stared down at them unmoving "Heimdall was blind, my father lost, Loki…..dead on the floor, and I powerless to stop it"

"It sounds clear enough to me. Your visions are each half of the other," Verðandi's voice did not echo like the last time Kal had stood before the Norn's no this time it lingered in the air, resonating with control and power."You have foreseen Ragnork, Thor, Kal and Loki the sons of Odin will herald and cause it. Kal's death will begin it, it shall divide the House of the Allfather, brother shall fight brother and then the dead will rise, Ragnork,"

"How can this be prevented?" Thor moved forward stepping onto the first steps that led up to the seat of the Allfather, "I saw the Infinity Stones at the heart of it all, do they cause Ragnork? If we find them can it be prev-"

"Ragnarok cannot be prevented! Foolish Æsir, by your own hand and that of your brothers shall it occur. It fast approaches thundering like the hooves the Valkyries " Verðandi's voice caused the throne room to quake and shatter, as it fell away all that was left was the throne and the smallest silver of earth beneath Kal and Thor's feet, as a dark void now surrounded the ruined hall "The realms will shake! ASGARD WILL BURN! AS HEL RISES! YOU CANNOT PREVENT IT!"

"You told me that you owed me a debt!" Kal's voice cut across the breaking of the room and Verðandi's rage, causing everything to freeze. "A debt I would create long from now, how is that to be if you are saying Ragnarok is neigh at hand,"

"All things are possible, Son of Odin. A man can influence much even after his death," The very air stilled at Verðandi's words as her tone took on a subtle slyness as her eyes glinted with something neither son of Odin could tell, "But you seek not Ragnarok yet but the means to defeat the man of metal whose will drown worlds in fire, a foe you have faced before"

"Yes, Ultron but he's different from the one I faced," Kal admitted taking a deep breath as he glanced at Thor who nodded, "We need to know the path to beat him,"

"That path leads to Ragnork, to your very doom Kal-El, do you wish to know?" Verðandi smiled as her glowing eyes shone more brightly from under her hood.

"Brother, perhaps we sh-" Thor felt his heart fall his resolve wavering as he felt the chill in the Norn's words.

"Yes," Kal cut off his brother, his resolve firm, "Tell us, how do we defeat Ultron…..How do I reclaim that which will belong to my children,"

"Ultron is changed, he possesses the dark wisdom of Krypton's past, your mortal smith's desire for peace has mixed with that of Krypton's bloodiest era. The eradication protocols were a path of cosmos cleansing your people created when they first tested their metal against the other early races. A great army raised to defend the young race of Krypton, against the darkness and monsters born within it"

Verðandi spoke softly her words created images in the dark void showing fleets of ships waging wars in the infant cosmos, an army of warriors built for crystal readied and primed to wage war across the stars. Images of Kryptonains arguing fiercely with each other as the army slaughtered its enemies, grotesque monsters, as a fleet of crystal destroyed battled massive monsters and even decapitated a Celestial. However, the army and fleet halted when a group of Kryptonians appeared the one leading them bore the crest of the House of El in their hands the infinity stones.

"Abandoned when your people claim dominion over reality itself, your ancestor gave them power unrivalled, a power this Ultron seeks. In the staff of Loki sits the stone of Mind and thought, a gateway to realms and powers glimpsed only by minds of madness and wonder. However, your Ultron is too feeble to claim his prize, his body is metal as is his mind. He will need another,"

"A new body?" Thor asked his eyes fixed on the images in the void that reflected the Norn's words

"Yes he builds one now, a vision of splendour for his slaughter. Your allies are soon to claim it, they battle now, and the Witch and her Silver will join them." Verðandi rose from her seat her hand outstretching causing the images to become more real. "They shall destroy it, but if you are to be victorious a new vision must replace the slaughter's splendour, a vision of peace…Do you understand?"

"Yes," Kal nodded his eyes looking at the image of the synthetic body that she had formed before them.

"Good Kal-El…But remember this Vision….This vision will herald thy doom."