I thought of this idea and wondered why I never did it in Emily's story. But then I did the math and realized it works so much better here. You'll see why in a moment.
Intersession: The Battle of New York
Nine Years Ago - Asgard
As the young Prince of Asgard, Apollo could run around the palace without restraints. As a child of the state who lives in the palace, Freya could run around the palace without restraints. As best friends, Apollo and Freya could run around the palace together without restraints. Nobody's going to stop them because they'll be too fast. Besides, it was more fun to have the company. And if they got busted, they just had to outrun the other person (but people always knew they were a duo if he was around). It's what they normally did during their free time when responsibilities weren't lurking above them.
What's currently above them is Yggdrasil, the enormous tree in the centre of the palace that grows beyond the ceiling, and they're looking as high as they could. Its branches almost make up the entire ceiling where sunlight peeks through the small holes within the evergreen ashy leaves. This mighty tree is a representation of the Nine Realms, connecting them with its roots and branches. It's nourishing, protecting, guiding.
It's also what Apollo and Freya were in the midst of climbing although they weren't allowed to.
Once they reach the top, near the edge of the canopy and one of Asgard's branches, Apollo and Freya pause. They take a seat on a nearby branch, swinging their legs and looking below. They can't believe they managed to get this high without anyone noticing.
"You know," Apollo starts, leaning in closer to Freya, "every major branch represents a realm."
Freya nods. "I know. You said that before we started climbing and while we were climbing. I also knew that prior because you've told me before and it was a lesson in the Learning Hall."
Apollo backs away, eyebrows wrinkling at the centre. "I thought you weren't listening."
"No, you weren't listening when I told you at the bottom that you already told me that many times."
"When did I say that before?"
"Whenever you suggested climbing here."
Before Apollo could refute, they hear a cracking noise. Both holding their breaths, they try to look around to see where that came from without making any sudden moves. When they meet eyes, their nine-year-old selves have been through a lot to know what's happening despite not directly seeing it. They're warriors-in-training. They can sense these types of things and act on it before it acts on them. The moment they meet eyes, they're about to pounce for the branch in front of them but the one they're sitting on breaks earlier than expected. They're still training, not experts yet. They should've known that a branch needs excessive weight to crack.
Apollo and Freya scream as they start falling through the greenery. Leaves whip against their skin as branches scratch and slice, more breaking as they fall through.
Finally, Freya lands on a branch. Before she has time to secure herself, she reaches out and grabs Apollo's hand. When she has him grasped, she rolls and falls over but manages to grip the branch she landed on. Once they stop swinging, Freya breathes heavily to catch her breath. She glances at the branch holding the two of them before looking down at Apollo. Her hair drapes over the side of her face as Apollo grins back up which annoys her until she starts smiling.
"That was fun," Apollo says.
Freya nods. "Do you think this branch will hold?"
"Of course. That's Midgard's branch."
-o-
Present Day - SHIELD Headquarters, New York - 12:12 PM
Twenty years ago, today was just a normal day. People went to school and work. They commuted and walked their dog. They stopped by cafés and scrolled on their phones. It was just like any other day until a wormhole opened in the sky and aliens poured out into New York City, right above Stark Towers. Heroes, who only met hours prior, fought as a team against a mad god and an alien army. From that day forward, after they won, The Avengers were formed.
Today marks the twentieth anniversary since The Battle of New York. Schools and businesses were closed since today became a holiday to commemorate the day the world almost ended. SHIELD, as they did every anniversary, threw a small celebration in their headquarters. Most of the present Avengers and their kids attended, dressed casually yet formally as they chatted about that day and how times have drastically changed. This year is different because Thor, Jane, Apollo, and Britney are absent. At least, they are for now. Everyone wants to believe they're coming later.
"So, they live in New York and they go to school in New Jersey," Imanu says to his wife. They stand close to the side of the room, speaking to each other in their dialect. The room is so busy that they could've spoken English and nobody would hear them.
"Yes," Iqadi responds.
"Why do a lot of Western places have new in the name?"
Iqadi shrugs. "I'd guess for new world but it's not that new. Those names didn't age well. New York was once called New Amsterdam."
Imanu groans which makes Iqadi smile. "Oh god..."
They laugh amongst themselves, keeping only smiles on their face as they approach their friends. Everyone got a day off from their jobs, everyone was back in town; it's a mostly complete reunion. Everyone's almost back where it all started.
"My dad used to have nightmares after New York," Emily says softly. Her voice shakes as she talks and Daniel holds her hand. "They faded as I grew up but it really took a toll on him."
"I'd say it gave our dad a sense of purpose in the new age." Xavier looks at Angela and she nods in agreement. "You know, after he thought he lost everything."
"Who knows if my parents would even be together," Merida says.
"Same," Daniel adds.
"Imagine if my parents were there," James suggests.
Iqadi smiles. "Or mine."
"We would've probably won faster," Daniel says.
"By frying Loki's ass up that portal," Merida adds.
"Or," Angela starts, a grin growing, "there would be more alpha personalities and nobody would've gotten anything done."
"So they shoot each other's asses up the portal," Emily concludes. "I'd toast to that."
They glance at Emily's dad who has his arm linked with her mom's. They're having a lively conversation with some of the other Avengers. The group can't help but think about how if The Battle of New York never happened or if one variable was different, none of them would be here today. Project: New Generation would cease to exist. They would've never been born which means that they wouldn't be friends. It's weird to imagine not living let alone not living with each other. Hell, it's odd to acknowledge that Apollo and Britney aren't here.
"They said to give them a year," Angela reminds them. "Technically, they still have a few months."
"But it's weird for them not to come back today, isn't it?" James asks.
Angela shrugs. "Maybe time passes differently in Asgard."
"It does in New Jersey," Merida grumbles.
The Academy kids can't argue that. When the year started, it felt like it would never end. The same routined day went on and on and, before they knew it, it was exam season and the first semester ended. Then it was a term of getting licenses and degrees for the future years. All in a year. It's crazy to think all that time went by when it did.
"Do you remember what we did on the tenth anniversary?" Emily asks excitedly. "When we all decided to reenact New York based on news footage and stories?"
"You mean when Angela and I argued to be Captain America?" Xavier questions rhetorically.
"I let you win," Angela says.
"No, you didn't."
"I didn't want to be Loki so I opted for Natasha."
James narrows his eyes at them. "You made me be Loki."
"I didn't want you to be either of my parents," Merida says, still cringing at that idea as she did nine years ago.
"And we just wanted to beat you up," Xavier adds.
"Haha," James laughs with a scowl, "I think Apollo threw me so far that I forgot that whole day."
-o-
As the party starts to clear, Iqadi excuses herself from the girls and walks across the room. She smiles excitedly at the sight of Imanu talking with her parents and keeps that expression as she approaches the boys. Instead of reciprocating, they look at her with caution.
"Why are you making that face?" Xavier asks.
Iqadi's expression shifts to neutral. "What face?"
"That I have an exciting idea face."
Her smile returns. "Because I have an exciting idea."
"Which is…?" Daniel asks. He just wants to rip this bandage off before it hurts.
Iqadi glances back at her husband. "Imanu's had a long and hard year adjusting to the responsibilities of Wakanda's prince consort so I think he should take a small break and have some fun."
"With us," Daniel stares for clarification.
"With all of you."
"What do you suggest we do?" Xavier asks. "What does he like?"
Iqadi opens her mouth to respond but stops herself when she hears James already cheering.
"Who cares?!" James exclaims. "Let's just do anything and I'll make it fun."
Get ready for the next two chapters. They're the perfect way to end the intersession period and go straight to year two.