During out lifetime on Planet Earth, we've experienced threats that were both human and alien. Along those threats have been heroes, also human and alien, that have saved us again and again. It's not a surprise that there are heroes off world at the moment, doing what they need to do to stop any threat from taking place here on Earth.
That's exactly what New Asgard did at the moment. Even though Asgard was destroyed in the year of 2017, their people found refuge here on Earth, creating a new home hence the name, but after the war, some of the warriors that helped fight found a new planet in the galaxy, one that hadn't been discovered yet. So with the help of SHIELD, the Asgardians were able to move from Earth to their new home and give the planet a name.
New Asgard is a really nice planet filled with lustrous trees, strange creatures, and delicious food. It's a bit like planet Earth, except no human life at all. Well besides the fact that Asgard's people reside there now. A brand new kingdom was built, and the hero known as Valkyrie became its guardian. Yet the one that everyone appointed their ruler was the hero known as Thor.
Thor was grateful for the role as king. He knew he wanted to rule with his lover Jane Foster by his side, so he brought her with him. Jane and Thor ruled peacefully, watching over New Asgard and protecting Earth, since it was his home also. The years went by, and soon a new royal member of the family was brought into existence: a little girl named Toruun.
The family was happy and overjoyed. Thor loved his little girl, and in return she loved him back. Even her mother was happy. But over the years, while she was growing up, things started to change. Then one day, Thor disappeared. Jane returned back to Earth, and Torunn remained on New Asgard, watched over by Thor's friends and protectors.
Now Toruun, while living under the protection of her father's friends, began to train to become a protector, a guardian of her planet and her people. She began to train under Valkyrie, a friend of Thor's, who taught her everything that she needed to know. Toruun received a sword forged from the same metal that created Mjolnir that only she could wield, making her a worthy guardian some day.
During one of her training's, Valkyrie and Toruun were practicing defense. The two were focused in combat. Valkyrie lunged towards Toruun, and she ducked down, somersaulted out of the way, and struck Valkyrie on the shoulder, hitting her shoulder pad. Valkyrie spun around and took her sword as Toruun blocked. The two continued to hit their swords together until Valkyrie had backed Toruun far enough, then struck Toruun's weapon out of her hands, sending it flying off to the right. She then raised her weapon above her head, but just at the last second, Valkyrie flicked her sword and pointed it at Toruun's neck, smiling.
"Never let your opponent back you into a space you cannot find a way out of," she said. Toruun was heavily breathing, hands against the wall. Valkyrie lowered her weapon and sheathed it. "That's enough for today. You've gotten better, but you've still got a ways to go before you're truly ready to defend our people."
Toruun grabbed her sword from the ground, sheathing it as well, and brushed her long blonde hair from her eyes. "I appreciate the compliment, Valkyrie, however I feel as if I'm stronger and can least defend a few people," she replied. "I'm confident that I'll be able soon to protect everyone."
Valkyrie smiled. "That confidence reminds me of your father." Toruun smiled. She was glad that Valkyrie saw potential and her father's strength and confidence within her. The two of them left the training area and headed to the main hall inside the palace. Asgardians everywhere smiled, waved, and even bowed as Toruun walked by. They really liked her, trusted her. She was very popular amongst her people.
"Ah Princess Toruun! Welcome back!" a voice said. One of the Asgardians and Thor's friend, Volstagg, greeted the two as they entered the main hall. Valkyrie nodded and gave Toruun a wink as she left the two and headed to her quarters. Volstagg shook Toruun's hand.
"How was your training?" he asked. "It went well, thank you. She had me at the last minute though," Toruun replied. "But I'm getting better and better every day. Hopefully I'll be able to protect New Asgard."
Volstagg smiled at the young Asgardian. He made sure that she was protected and raised well after Thor's disappearance. He was, after all, Thor's best friend. He made a promise to make sure that he took care of his friend's daughter. Now Toruun was on her way to ruling Asgard with an iron fist, but she needed to be ready for anything. That's why Valkyrie was appointed her mentor.
Toruun gave a goodbye nod as she headed off into the palace. She wandered down the hallways until she entered a room somewhere hidden down a long corridor. Once the door closed she sighed. Toruun placed her sword down on a lone altar in front of a large portrait of Thor and Jane Foster. She sighed and kneeled down.
"Hello, father. Hello, mother. I've come to visit again," she said, her head facing the floor. "Things have been going well here on Asgard. The people here are happy, training is going well. I think I am on my way to becoming a great leader for our people."
She looked up at the image of her parents. They were smiling broadly down at their daughter, even though they were just paintings. "I just want to know that we miss you. Every day, we think about you and hope for your return one day. But it's difficult. Without you, it's hard to meet everyone's expectations. Valkyrie is a great teacher and she trains me well, but I don't know if I'm doing the right thing.
"You never said anything about leaving, and one day you just...disappeared. Maybe it had something to do with Mother leaving back to Earth, but you could have at least explained it to me and the Asgardians. Please, Father, return home soon," she said as she gazed into the eyes of the painting of her father.
All of a sudden there was a loud commotion just outside of the room. Toruun jumped to her feet and placed a hand on her concealed sword as she opened the door. She saw many soldiers running towards the direction of the main hall.
Curious as to what was going on, Toruun followed but was stopped by Valkyrie. "What's going on?" Toruun asked confused. Valkyrie shook her head. "You need to stay out of this, Toruun," she said. "This doesn't involve you." And with that she headed off. Confused, Toruun stood there alone in the hallway. What was going on? And why was Valkryie not telling her?
She was about to head back to the room when all of a sudden someone came up behind her and knocked her to the ground. Groaning, she turned around to see a figure standing above her. It was a man wearing black armor and holding a sword in one hand, the other at his side. He glared at Toruun with an evil sneer.
"Who...who are you?" Toruun stammered as she slowly stood up, the pain in her body intense. The man didn't say anything, just looked at her. Toruun put up a hand. "Look, I don't know who you are...but you're not supposed to be in here."
Again, the strange man said nothing. He raised his sword and took a swing at Toruun who swiftly blocked his attack with her own. The man's eyes were filled with anger, rage, and no mercy. Toruun couldn't understand who this man was and what he was doing here.
Toruun was pushed back by her opponent and her sword slid across the hallway as she landed onto her back. It was at this moment the man finally spoke.
"We have come to take back Asgard for the rightful heir to the throne," he said, his voice deep and muffled by his helmet. "Getting in our way will get you harmed. You best stay out of this!"
"Rightful heir? And who would that be?" Toruun asked, struggling to get up as the man's boot was on her chest, pinning her down.
"The rightful heir, Leanna, daughter of Loki, shall rule Asgard with a mighty fist. Everyone will bow down to her and the people of Asgard will be reformed!"
At those words, Toruun froze. So that's what this invasion was? To bring Loki's child into the throne? There was no way she was going to let that happen. Loki's daughter, Leanna, was a difficult person. She was filled with envy and remorse. There had to be a good reason for her to want to reign Asgard.
"I'm sorry, but Leanna has no right to the throne," she finally said, determination flowing through her. "The rightful heir to New Asgard is me, Toruun, daughter of Thor Odinson. I won't let Leanna take what's mine, what's rightfully Asgard's."
She held out her hand, her foe confused. Just then, Toruun's sword moved and flew towards her. Grasping onto it, Toruun sliced the enemy's leg, causing him to stumble and fall. She stood up and pointed her sword at him.
"What are you going to do, kill me?" he mocked. But Toruun merely shook her head. "That's not what a ruler does. You can tell your dear mistress that." And with that she walked off.
Toruun met up with Valkyrie who looked exhausted. She lit up to see that Toruun was alright. "We need to get you out of here," she said. "There's a reason why these people are here."
"I already know," replied Toruun. "It's Leanna, my cousin. She wants the throne to Asgard. Just like how her father once wanted to rule."
Valkyrie nodded. "In order to keep you safe, we are sending you to Earth. Leanna most likely won't think of going there."
Earth? Did she say Earth? Toruun hadn't been to Earth since she was a child. Did Valkyrie really think this was good idea? Earth was a great place, but it wasn't exactly the safest planet. It had its fair share of attacks, especially from alien life forces.
Valkyrie saw the hesitation in her young prodigy's eyes. She sighed and placed a hand on her shoulder. "I can see your concern, Toruun. But please, this is the best option. We don't know what she's going to do, but it's for the best."
Toruun embraced her mentor in a hug and the two stood there for a moment before breaking. "I'll do this for Asgard, for you, for my father. For my people," the young Asgardian said. Valkyrie nodded and led her to the pod. Volstagg was there waiting. The two placed Toruun into the pod before closing it. With a last goodbye wave, the pod blasted off into space, on track to Earth.
I will return home soon, Toruun thought to herself. I'll make sure Leanna doesn't do anything and if she does, I'll be the first one to stop her! And with that, the journey for the young Asgardian had begun.
Little did she know, the threat was much bigger that what she had anticipated it to be...
