4

Aftermath

It was in the early morning, and Tony was busy distracting himself from the events of the previous night. The plan for the Avengers Tower, a home base from which the team can assemble and deploy from, was beginning to show promise. Steve Rogers entered the room.

"We need to talk, Tony," Steve said from across the room. Tony was still facing away, working away on in his plans.

"About what happened yesterday?" Tony asked.

"What else would we be talking about? What was Fury thinking recruiting a guy like that onto the team?! He's obviously dangerous, and Thor really doesn't seem to like him. That should be a red flag when the god of thunder has a bone to pick with somebody."

"Yeah, well Thor blew a hole in my wall," Tony pointed at the gaping hole in the side of the office. "Maybe Thor is the one not thinking straight."

"Come on, Stark, you saw the way that guy beat the shi- crap out of Thor. That didn't look like a person in control, and therefore not a person we can trust to keep his cool in a fight."

"You come on, Captain, you and I butt heads every so often. Difference between us and them is we're people and they're, well, gods. Maybe a Dragonball Z LARP sesh is how they settle things in god land. And if I remember correctly, the first time we met Thor, he decided it would be a good idea to stomp us into the dirt as well."

"That was a misunderstanding. He wouldn't have attacked us if he knew what side we were on."

"Well, maybe that's what happened here. A simple misunderstanding."

"I doubt that."

"Let's just...let it play out, see if they make nicey-nice. If they don't, then we'll worry about what to do next."

/

Kratos' wounds were healing slowly. He looked around his bedroom in the guest wing of the tower. It was an improvement over his small apartment, but he couldn't get over his failure to stop that monster in time before it destroyed his life, and the lives of others. A pleasant tone sounded at the door. Kratos stood up slowly, wincing at the wound on his leg. He walked to the door and pressed the 'open' button on the panel nearby. The door opened to reveal Steve Rogers, arms crossed.

"We have to talk," Steve said.

"I know what you would talk about, and there is nothing to discuss," Kratos replied, turning back into his room.

"No, there is something to discuss, you could have killed Thor. Not exactly a good first impression."

"You may remember that it was he who started that fight."

"The way you ended it is my problem."

"The fight had to be ended swiftly. The risk of innocent lives was too great. The buildings around us were too unstable. Should one of them have fallen, many would have died at the expense of our quarrel."

"So...wait." Steve wasn't expecting that answer. Maybe he'd...misunderstood the actions of this man. Tony would have a field day if he heard him admit that.

"Maybe you should talk to Thor now that you both have blown off some steam," Steve said. "If you'll be working together, I can't have you both distracted."

"Perhaps. Asgardians are stubborn and foolish, but perhaps this one may prove to be different. He fights to protect this world. He is still in the medical bay?"

"Yeah, he's still there."

"Very well."

/

Thor awoke in his bed, his face felt like it was about to burst from how swollen it was. How could he have lost to an old man? A relic of legend, and a killer without honor? He could feel his wounds slowly healing, but he couldn't move out of the bed just yet. His vision returned to him as his blurry surroundings became clear. He looked to his left and met eyes with the god who had bested him, standing in the corner of the room. He tried to jump out of bed to avoid the attack but found he could not. Kratos stood calmly and approached the bed.

"You will listen, Asgardian and I will speak. Many years ago, I killed my father. He was tainted with the plagues of the mind unleashed by Pandora's box. He would see me and everyone else killed so that no one could challenge his rule. Such was his corruption that he killed his own son. I returned from death and exacted my revenge. When I killed him, I felt...nothing. No release, no contentment, only emptiness. The world around me was broken and dead after the battle all of Greece was broken and dead. In my emptiness, I attempted to end my own life. I failed. I began to search the world to find meaning in my life. I reached the northern realms of the Norsemen and met a woman named Faye. She opened my mind to other things than war. Songs, magic, love. For the first time in centuries...I felt love in my soul. We had a child, named Atreus. We lived in a small village of mortals and were content to live with them. Then your people's war came to our doorstep. Your father led the charge into our village, screaming about a refugee Frost Giant hiding in our village. They began raiding, killing people left and right. Faye and I went to defend our village; her with her magic and me with the axe she gifted me. Odin shot me with his staff and crippled me, then shot Faye. She...did not survive. He accused us of harboring Frost Giants and searched my house for any evidence of such. All he found was my son. Unable to stop him, Odin took my son and his army back through the Bifrost, leaving our village burning and my wife dead on the ground. Ever since, your father has sent agents to find and kill me. The one named Baldur, the ones named Magni and Modi. All have died by my hand, but let it be known that it was your father and his followers who attacked us. Every death was caused by your people's lust for war."

Thor listened, growing enraged by the pale god's accusations.

"Don't speak of my father or my people with such disservice. Your words are all lies" Thor croaked.

"Son of Odin, whether my words bear truth is of no concern. I only explain to you that your side is not the only side. My family was trying to live in peace when your people attacked. Your father took my son, a half-Olympian child, and killed my wife, a Midgard woman of pure innocence."

"There is no Olympian child in Asgard. You are mistaken in your accusations. My father is a good man, and would never attack a Midgard village without cause."

"No story is unbiased, Thor Odinson. Your father may tell you one version while I may tell you another."

"So you admit that your story is not unbiased?"

"I admit that it may." Kratos limped closer. "I have no quarrel with you, Odinson. I come not to offer accusations, but understanding. We work toward the same cause, to protect this world and the people that live on it. We have the same enemy, the one who sends his armies to destroy cities."

Thor broke eye contact with Kratos.

"I do not trust you, your words haven't helped in that matter."

"Nor I trust you. But we must learn if we are to face this common enemy."

"Tell me again how many Olympians died by your hand? How many Asgardians? If I let you live, I don't know what will happen."

"Brave words from a man unable to raise himself off his bed. If I wanted to attack Asgard, I would have found a way to do so. I have not. My wife Faye would not have wanted me to seek revenge against your people. It is why you still draw breath now."

"I wish this conversation to be over," Thor said, turning his head away.

"Very well."

Kratos limped towards the exit, his leg was already feeling better as his godly healing began to work its magic. Steve Rogers was waiting outside the room.

"How'd it go?" Steve asked.

"Better than expected. But there is much work to be done if we are to trust each other."

"It's probably best you both avoid each other for a bit."

"Indeed."

/

Thor left with the war criminal Loki in the early morning. Fully healed, he and Kratos exchanged tense looks as Thor turned the handle on the tesseract pod, teleporting both him and Loki off-world. Loki was only a pawn. He was no concern to Kratos. He knew there was a bigger threat still out there somewhere. The Avengers have made themselves known to the universe. Earth was no longer an easy target. He took the time in the tower collecting his thoughts, exercising, planning his next move to find the one responsible for the attack. His nightmares returned to him with more frequency. Memories of war, of Odin, of Zeus, of his daughter. Would he never be rid of these nightmares?

It was a few weeks later. Kratos, sleepless and bored one night, visited the exercise room. He set himself up near the squat machine specifically designed for superhumans, made of a few hydraulic presses and an adamantium bar. Just as he began to use the machine, Tony Stark walked into the gym.

"Couldn't sleep either, huh?" Tony asked, seeing Kratos moving several tons of weight up and down.

"I could not."

"Me neither. Bad dream."

"Myself as well."

"So I guess it's just you and me now, Bruce is busy meditating, I guess, and everyone else has officially been sent to go do S.H.I.E.L.D.'s pest control. Terrorists and arms dealers and such." Tony said as he loaded the bench press.

"Indeed. It has been...a while since the earth has been...at risk." Kratos said in between squats.

Tony leaned on the squat rack.

"Okay Casper, you've been here a couple of weeks now, and we haven't talked. Don't people on Olympus talk?"

"There is no one left on Olympus to talk."

"That's not my point. How're we supposed to work together if you keep playing the stoic game? Tell me about yourself. All I know about you is what I can google on ."

Kratos got out from the rack, moved the weight up and began to squat the heavier weight.

"What would...hmff...you require to know of me?"

"I dunno, your favorite color, who you voted for in the last election, which Jonas brother you think is hottest…"

"The Jonas Brothers are no longer together. That is all I know."

"See, I was making a joke, but it's hilarious that you know anything about the Jonas Brothers. I'm sure they'd be flattered to know that the God of War said that."

Kratos stopped squatting and let out a sigh.

"How about music? What music do you listen to?"

"I do NOT...listen to music."

"Come on, everybody has a favorite music genre. What's yours?"

"...I prefer the works of Ray Charles. Its calm nature is...therapeutic"

"See? Now we're getting somewhere."

/

Tony and Kratos exchanged facts about themselves for a time. Favorite foods, brands of toothpaste, whatever came to mind. They even managed to turn it into a drinking game.

"Okay, okay. Ummmm…...your favorite Olympic sport...boxing! Seems up your alley."

"You are mistaken and you must take your drink."

"Damn it…" Tony took a sip from his straight bourbon. "Okay, what is it then?"

"My favorite Olympic sport happens to be horse jumping."

"...Horse jumping?!"

"What is the matter with that?"

"It's just...horse jumping isn't exactly something I'd see the God of War enjoying. It's peaceful and kinda boring if you ask me." Tony shook his head and chuckled. Kratos sat up and leaned back.

"It takes skill, training, and trust for a man and a horse to complete a course together and win. These traditions have a long history originating in war. To see these traditions evolve into a peaceful sport demonstrates humanity's ability to move past its primal urges...Something the gods didn't seem to accomplish."

"Interesting...Okay, guess my favorite now."

Kratos leaned forward, the two stared at each other.

"Yours is...beach volleyball." Kratos guessed.

"Why do you say that?"

"Because the women who play it are scantily-clad." Kratos raised an eyebrow.

"You're wrong, but good point. Take your little baby sips you've been taking." Tony teased.

Kratos, his honor challenged, downed his entire drink.

"Ahhh." Kratos slammed his glass down and leaned back into his chair. "Very well, what is it then?"

"Actually it's golf. I'm rich. I like golf."

"It is late, I must rest before tomorrow."

"Why, what are you doing tomorrow?"

"I must make my own journey to find the one responsible for the attack on New York. So far we have found nothing, after weeks of waiting for Thor to return. I must make my own way."

"Well, you're not a prisoner here. Everyone else has left. If you find something, then you're better than S.H.I.E.L.D."

"S.H.I.E.L.D. is preoccupied with their own interests. If they were interested in finding the being behind the attack, they would not have sent the others on…'pest control'. If we are to discover the one behind the attack, I must go find an old friend."

"Okay, man, go do your thing."

Kratos turned to leave.

"Hey, Casper," Tony called out. "You may have beat Thor's nose into a cloud of fine dust, but...you're alright."

"...You may yet change your mind on that." Kratos said as he left the room, leaving Tony alone in the cluttered lab.

"Hey J.A.R.V.I.S. Pull up the schematics for the Mark 20. Let's get back to it"

"Absolutely, sir. Advil and espresso are being prepared for you."

/

Loki approached the throne of Asgard in chains, his father waiting for him.

"Loki…" Freya said as he passed by.

"Hello mother," Loki said, turning to her, chains rattling. "Have I made you proud?"

"Please...Don't make this worse."

"Define worse."

"Enough!" Said Odin, his voice carrying across the room. "I will speak to the prisoner alone."

Freya gave a worried look to Loki, then left the room.

Loki approached the throne, his guards following, their grip on his chains tight and firm. Loki let out a Nervous laugh.

"I don't see what all the fuss is about." He said.

"Do you not truly feel the gravity of your crimes?" Odin asked. "Wherever you go there is war, ruin...and death."

"I went down to Midgard to rule the people as a benevolent god. Just like you."

"We are not gods. We're born, we live, we die. Just as humans do."

"Give or take five thousand years..."

"All this, because Loki desires a throne."

"It is my birthright!"

"YOUR BIRTHRIGHT...WAS TO DIE! As a child. Cast out onto a frozen rock. If I had not taken you in, you would not be here now to hate me."

"If I'm for the axe, then by mercy's sake, just...swing it. It's not that I don't love our little talks, it's just. That I don't love them."

"Frigga is the only reason you are still alive and you will never see her again. You will spend the rest of your days in the dungeons."

Loki scoffed. "And what of Thor? You'll make that witless oaf king while I rot in chains?"

"Thor must strive to undo the damage you have done. He will bring order to the nine realms and then...yes. He will be king." Odin announced. The guards holding Loki's chains began to pull him towards his fate.

Thor stood in the doorway as Loki was dragged off to the dungeons. Loki looked back at him, pure hatred in his eyes. When Loki had been dragged out of the room, Thor approached his father. Odin's head was resting in his hands as he sat on the throne.

"Where did I go so wrong as a father?" He asked Thor.

"Loki's nature is to deceive and to manipulate. It was a matter of time before he turned his eyes to a weaker target than Asgard." Thor replied.

"Sometimes I wonder if...if it would have been better to leave him on that rock." Odin lamented.

Thor wondered whether to defend his brother against such words, but another thought came trickling into his mind.

"Father...the God Slayer yet lives."

Odin's head popped out of his hands. "Do not jest about this lightly, son. Is what you say true?"

"I do not jest, father. I met him on Midgard."

Odin let out a sigh of frustration. "You met him, and you did not strive to defeat him?"

"I did father, but...he bested me," Thor said as he looked away.

"He bested you, the god of thunder, my own son? You lost to an aging half-breed?!" Odin began to raise his voice in anger.

"Father, he spoke of the old wars, and of an attack you committed against his village. He said you killed his wife, and stole away his child."

"And you believed him? He is a murderer and cannot be trusted!"

"I am not as sure anymore, father. He spared my life, and had many chances to kill me, but did not. I only know of one child you have taken, father. Have you been keeping more secrets as to Loki's past?" Thor approached the throne closer.

"I have told you all you need to know. Loki is a Frost Giant, not Olympian."

"The God Slayer said you were searching for Frost Giants in his village. I want no more lies from you, father!"

"Watch your tone with me, child! Choose your next words carefully…" Odin said as he stood from his throne.

Thor and Odin stood towards each other for a time, then Odin sighed and sat back down in a huff.

"Loki wasn't discovered in Jotunheim as I have told you...he was found in Midgard. My armies and I were searching for a dangerous Frost Giant sorceress, one who could tip the balance of the war, which led us to a small village. We discovered the sorceress and killed her. Her husband, the God Slayer, also came for us, so I killed him too. Or so I thought…"

Thor began to step back in disgust. How many years had he been told the lies about Loki, and what other lies could there be, hidden in Odin's mind? Odin continued,

"When we searched their home for other Frost Giants that may be hiding there, we discovered a Frost Giant infant. I couldn't let him die there, without a father or mother. It was my responsibility to take him in and raise him."

Thor took a moment to compose himself.

"So the God Slayer is Loki's true father?" Thor asked, already knowing the answer.

"It is true. The God Slayer was the last clue that could have lead Loki to his past, so I sent agents to dispose of him. It cost Baldur, Magni and Modi their lives, and Loki found out all on his own, anyway."

Freya had re-entered the room as Odin talked.

"Thor, the God Slayer is still dangerous. He killed Baldur, my own son. He deserves death!" Freya hissed.

"What am I supposed to believe now, mother? For all I know, all your words are lies! Am I truly your son, or is that a lie as well?!" Thor said as he stormed out of the room. Freya approached Odin, who sat defeated in his chair.

"What are we to do, Frigga?" He asked her desperately.

"If he is still alive, then we must get rid of him," Freya said in hushed tones.

"Baldur's death...Ragnarok...do we not have larger issues to discuss than some demigod on Midgard?" Odin asked.

"The Slayer is the reason for Ragnarok! If he had not killed Baldur-" She paused to wipe away her tears. "If you will not send someone to destroy him, then I will," Freya said, turning away and leaving the room. Odin placed his head back into his hands.

"Bor...father...speak to me...what can I do? What would you do with these times?"

The room was silent, and Odin sat alone, praying to dead skies.