Chapter 166 The history of the Riders
It's been a few days since Junior came back to Earth taking up the old Barn his dad grew up having on the top floor.
He was getting ready for the Augmentations for the Spartan Ops division.
Right now though.
Junior smirked playing an old game of Pac man.
"Why is it old school games when they first started are more fun than modern games?" Junior asked making Letty chuckle.
"Your dad said the same thing. Hell he even made his own game back then." Letty said.
"Oh yeah?" Junior asked.
"Yup. Sold it after he made his company and made him millions. To this day it's still out there making serious coin." Tej said getting a drink.
"Hmm." Junior said before seeing his old bike under a tarp.
"Even hand built that thing and raced Eddie Kim on it and won. Even though he tried to cheat." Dom said.
"Why am I not surprised? Everything my dad has he hand built saying hard work was better than being handed something." Junior said.
"He was built that way. Never accepted a hand out. Always earned everything he has." Brian said.
"Unless you count the money he got from the CIA for their part on Rawling's crap. I know all about that and he still screwed them over for their part." Junior said.
"Yup." Dallas said before the doors opened up making him look seeing Kratos.
"Hey old man." Letty said making him snort in amusement.
"What are you doing here? I thought I wasn't cleared for the operation for another few weeks." Junior said.
"This isn't about your application for the Spartan ops. No this about something your father left behind I just now found." Kratos said.
"About what?" Dom asked.
"The history of the Riders." Kratos said pulling out some file handing it to him.
"I thought the origins of that were long lost." Ramsey said.
"Apparently he discovered the location to the origins hidden within norse territory." Kratos said.
"I thought it originated from Egypt." Junior said.
"Thats where the power originated from when your father traveled back to stop Set the first time. But the original Riders started here...In this area." Kratos said showing an old land mark.
"No one even lives there." Tej said.
"Not now. There have been stories of a warrior who had gone mad for something the original Riders did during that time. Which no doubt was long ago. I however believe we should find the hidden origins of the Riders." Kratos said.
"Do we even know where to look exactly?" Dallas asked leaning on a wall.
"No. But that is why I have as many members going with us there to be prepared." Kratos said.
"There could also be a way to find a way to stop Thanos before that war ever starts." Junior said.
"Indeed. That is why we must find anything there." Kratos said.
Later
Out in the Norse territory a large amount of portals opened up as Kratos and other Members of the Legion came out.
"Ah hell no. I hate the cold." Roman said making Tej roll his eyes.
"Ok what are we looking for exactly?" Brandon asked.
"There should be a temple in the center of the area." Kratos said looking at the file Sean left behind.
"I say we spread out and cover all areas." Price said.
"Agreed. Junior your with me." Kratos said as they left as he had a pulse riffle in hand.
"I don't think anyone has been in this place for years." Junior said seeing the shape of the land covered in snow.
"No. No one has lived here in many years. Though according to your father's notes the area has said to have been cursed." Kratos said.
"Cursed? By what?" Junior asked.
"That I don't know other than the rumors I mentioned earlier. But I doubt they truly exist." Kratos said.
"Never assume anything. Theres truth within rumors and legends." Junior said.
"Agreed." Kratos said before they came to a lake.
Thats when Junior spotted some writing on a stone.
"I am unfamiliar with this language." Kratos said.
"It says cast away your weapons for a clear path." Junior said.
"You can read this?" Kratos asked impressed.
"Mom had me learn lots of languages on my time on Arcadia before I left. This is old Norse. Even Norse Legends are known to Amazons as is language." Junior said before pulling out his father's Excalibur and threw it into the water. "Hmm." Junior said before a temple began to rise out of the water surprising them.
"Hmm." Kratos said before the blade flew back to Junior's hands.
"Ok I was kinda worried Dad was gonna be mad for losing that." Junior said as they walked to the temple.
Soon the others arrived.
"Wow." Reed said inspecting the old temple.
"So...How old do you think this place is? A few thousand years or so?" Ben Grimm asked.
"I'd say older." Shao Kahn said as they went inside.
"Ugh." Flash said seeing it covered in barnacles and other sea stuff.
"Place has been under water for years. Not like we're gonna find anything useful." Luke Cage said.
"Never assume anything. I want everyone to investigate this temple. And be alert. Though the Temple may be older than most it may still hold traps within." Kratos said.
"Kid your with us." Hicks said as Junior went with them.
"Damn." Hudson said seeing everything was covered in Barnacles and seaweed.
"Man this is a waste of time." Drake said.
"Why are we even here? To find some old history thats not even relevant anymore?" Vasquez asked.
"Would you not want others to know what you've done in your life to make people safe?" Junior asked.
"Kid's got a point." Hudson said before looking ahead. "OH SHIT!" Hudson yelled firing making them look seeing Xenomorphs.
"What the?" Junior asked as Hicks and his team fired but something was off.
Junior looked at the motion sensor but saw nothing like they saw.
Seeing one go down he noticed something else.
"HOLD YOUR FIRE!" Junior yelled stopping them as he went forward.
"Kid get back here!" Hicks yelled as he stood in front of one that hissed and slashed him...Only it went right through him.
"The hell?" Drake asked.
"It's not real. It's just an Illusion." Junior said as they vanished before some red gem floated in the air as others rushed in.
"The hell was that all about?" Hudson asked annoyed.
"What happened?" Sarge asked.
"Damn Xenos showed up." Drake said.
"Or it looked like them." Vasquez said.
Junior looked at the gem as Kratos walked to him.
"Now it all makes sense. This is old magic." Junior said as Raiden took it.
"Yes...Very old." Raiden said.
"How'd you know those were fakes?" Hicks asked.
"One thing...The Motion sensors weren't picking up anything. And another when one of them went down bleeding...The floor wasn't melting. The crystal only mimics your worst fears to a degree." Junior said.
"How'd you know that?" Hudson asked.
"I did study magic you know." Junior said amused before taking the gem.
"Hey check this out." Ben Grim said leading them to a door that five holes in the same shape as the gem.
"Hmmm." Kratos said taking it before placing it in one making it glow brightly for a second. "Raiden...Are there any other gems that match this?" Kratos asked.
"Yes, Their like the Infinity stones. They each hold some essential aspect of existence. Fear, Courage, Virtue, Strength and Truth. I heard of these gems before hand but Never seen them till now." Raiden said.
"So there must be some more around the place that opens this door." Atriox said.
"No doubt one of the old Riders made this door long ago to keep those unworthy out." Raiden said.
"Then we will find the others." Kratos said.
Junior walked around before spotting some doorway and opened it before it led him somewhere.
Arriving outside he looked around before seeing he was on the highest mountain seeing the temple below.
"Holy fucking hell." Junior said amazed.
"Nice view isn't lad?"
Junior looked around before seeing some head with horns on it and glowing jeweled eyes.
"Uh...Did you just talk?" Junior asked.
"Aye...Not the strangest thing in the world brother."
"No I guess not. Who are you?" Junior asked.
"Me? I was the advisor to the greatest man in all the world 5,000 years ago. They called me Mimir. Smartest man alive." Mimir said.
"Oh really. So why are you?" Junior asked.
"Just a head? Oh brother I could give you a thousand year story. Short version some bitter bitch I once knew did this to me as payback for something she was responsible for." Mimir said.
"Huh." Junior said.
"Anyway I know who you are lad. You're the blood of Týr." Mimir said.
"Who?" Junior asked.
"Týr. The very first Ghost Rider Lad. Son of Bek and Zaya." Mimir said.
"I know those names. Ancestors of my dad's side of the family from Ancient Egypt." Junior said.
"Aye. And I can more than likely guess why you're here. You're here for the ancient history of the riders of old. All those who came before your father and so on." Mimir said.
"You could say that. We need four gems to get in though." Junior said.
"Not a problem." Mimir said as Junior placed him on his side before seeing a Green gem in a tree and grabbed it. "The gem of Virtue. Stayed true to my morals to the very end." Mimir said before Junior took it.
"Junior. Where are you?" Kratos asked on the comms.
"Uh up top of the mountain. Some door led me here. Anyway I already found one of the gems." Junior said opening a portal down to him.
Arriving back he placed the gem in the hold making it glow again.
"Uh whats with the head?" Roman asked making him grin.
'Oh please do it.' Acid said giggling making him hold up said head.
"Mimir...Say hi." Junior said confusing them.
"Hi I'm Mimir...Smartest man alive." Mimir said.
"OH SHIT!" Roman screamed jumping back making Junior and others burst out as he held his sides.
"Oh shit I wish Dad could see this." Junior laughed.
"What the hell?" Roman asked.
"Who is that?" Kratos asked.
"I'm Mimir. I was once Týr's advisor during his day." Mimir said.
"Who's Týr?" Letty asked.
"The very first Ghost Rider. Týr Kruger. Son of Bek and Zaya." Mimir said.
"Now those names I know." Dom said.
"Hmm. Where are the other gems?" Kratos asked.
"I know where one is." Mimir said.
Later
Rowing a boat to some ice part of the area Junor looked at the signs of battle in the area.
"These battle scars. They are old." Kratos said.
"Aye...An unfortunate but necessary battle...A battle between those who were once brothers." Mimir said.
"Who?" Junior asked.
"Týr and Baldur. Baldur was his oldest and greatest friend. They were like brothers in arms. Týr was the wisdom and strategy of the Riders while Baldur was the muscle of it all...till his mother casted a curse upon her own son. A curse worse than death itself." Mimir said.
"What curse?" Kratos asked.
"Imagine unable to feel, Smell, Taste or feel the pleasures of a loved one. Imagine never feeling any of that period no matter how much you wished it." Mimir said.
"Her curse blocked all his senses?" Junior asked.
"Aye...And she didn't see it as a curse. No she saw it as a bloody great gift...The arrogant fool." Mimir said.
"So he went mad." Kratos theorized.
"Yes...Baldur's mother was once the one who was in charge of the Riders long ago by the will of the Gods...But then she was given a warning of her son's future and desperate to keep him alive she gave him that curse seeing it as a good thing. She put her own needs before his and no matter how much he begged her to end it she refused claiming it to be a gift." Mimir said.
"Anyone who claims being unable to feel the basics of life clearly has a problem." Junior said.
"Aye. Your Ancestor said the same thing. So Baldur lost his sanity and went on a killing spree. Even killed several friends of his while his mother just watched. In the end Týr had no choice but to burn his soul. Of course Freya demanded to the Gods he be punished claiming he abandoned his duty claiming her son was innocent. But they knew the truth and discharged her from being the leader of the Riders and placed him in charge. And punished her to live out all eternity in shame. She of course swore revenge on the Riders and everyone else who crossed her. Thats why this land has been abandoned for many years." Mimir said.
"And she still lives to this day?" Kratos asked.
"I would assume so. Though I haven't seen her in many years since...She cut off my head and made me eternal." Mimir said as they came to some clearing and got out.
"Hmm." Junior said walking around before stepping on something seeing it as some doll and picked it up.
"This is where he began his rampage." Kratos said.
"Aye. Baldur slaughtered everyone here. Every man woman and Child. And Freya just let it happen." Mimir said.
"Hmm." Junior said as they walked around.
"Which Gem is here?" Kratos asked.
"It should be the one of Strength I believe." Mimir said as they found a glowing yellow gem in some large pit as they jumped down.
"Three down. Two to go." Junior said as someone jumped down holding a large sword.
"Uh oh." Mimir said as he eyed them.
"Surrender the Blood of Týr. Mother demands him to die."
"And you are?" Junior asked.
"Magni." Magni said making him get in front of him.
"No." Junior said making him chuckle.
"I was hoping you would say that." Magni said before another dropped down. "Modi." Magni said.
"And where do you think you're going boy?" Modi asked making him sigh.
"It's always about fighting." Junior said as lime green flames engulfed him and roared at them turning into a Rider.
"Oh this is gonna be fun." Magni said
Junior dashed at him pinning him into a wall making him grunt.
"Well, I see he takes after Lady Miia." Mimir said on Kratos's side.
"Hmm?" Kratos asked.
"Týr's wife." Mimir said.
Magni roared as he tried to slash at Junior who jumped back before Acid took over and roared.
"What the?" Magni yelled in shock as she spat acid at him in the arm making him scream in pain.
"How do you like that you fuckhead!" Acid roared before creating a acid blade and rushed at him making him block with his blade but it cut right through it making him yell in shock as she slashed through his chest.
"MAGNI!" Modi screamed as he started convulsing before his whole body exploded.
"Hmm." Kratos said observing all this as Junior took over as Modi trembled.
"How did you...You have no idea...YOU SON OF A BITCH!" Modi screamed before a chain wrapped around his neck making him gasp before it went on a hook above them as Junior gave a hard pull making him yell as his neck broke from the strength alone.
"Such a waste." Junior said placing the chain around him.
"Very impressive." Kratos said walking to him.
"Dad and Mom trained me after we left. Even put me through simulations so I wouldn't hesitate when it came to taking a life to prepare me for when and if that was required." Junior said taking the gem.
"Thats three, two to go." Mimir said.
"Where are the other two?" Kratos asked.
"Well, if I recall correctly one of them was in the temple by the old Gateway." Mimir said.
"Gateway?" Junior asked.
"Aye. It's supposed to lead to one of the other realms." Mimir said.
"Hey Boss. We think we found something in what looks like the Library." Forge said on the comms.
"Junior. I want you to take a squad and investigate this gateway." Kratos said handing him Mimir.
"Sure no problem." Junior said opening a portal as they both left.
Arriving back at the temple they found some gateway seeing several gems.
"Wait a second. I know these gems. They all belong to the realms like Outworld and Order Realms or others." Junior said.
"Aye. Each of them hold an old key to each realm." Mimir said as Junior opened one to Chaos Realm. "Interesting isn't it lad?" Mimir asked.
"Hmph. How did the old man manage to pull this off without Raiden knowing?" Junior asked.
"Well...BROTHER LOOK OUT!" Mimir yelled.
Junior dodged strikes from a sword seeing a girl his age with white skin ginger hair with red on the right side and blue eyes with some muscles on her.
"You're gonna pay for what you just did!"
"Easy now." Junior said before she slashed the controls startling them.
"Uh oh." Mimir said before they yelled as they were sucked into Chaos Realm on a cliff as she screamed falling over.
Only for Junior to grab her arm making her look at him as he pulled her up as she grabbed his hand pulling herself up.
"Well...Fuck." Junior said.
"Why'd you save me?"
"For one I can understand clearly you're after me because of killing what I assume were friends of yours." Junior said.
"Brothers actually."
"Oh." Junior said. "But something tells me you actually don't agree with hunting me down." Junior said making her look away. "Your Freya's daughter Arne't you?" Junior asked shocking her.
"How did..." Only for Junior to hold up Mimir. "Oh. You must be Mimir. Mom always spoke of you with Venom."
"I'll bet she did the lying bitch." Mimir said.
"Whats your name?" Junior asked.
"Thrúd." Thrud said.
"Junior. Sean Joseph Ashburn Kruger Junior." Junior said standing up and helped her up. "Now...Lets get the hell out of here... This place I know is hell." Junior said as they walked off.
Arriving at an old gateway they made it back to the temple.
"So what was that all about?" Junior asked.
"Mom always said that your family brought nothing but dishonor to her and lied about everything." Thrud said.
"I assure you sister thats not true. And I can prove it." Mimir said.
"How?" Junior asked.
"I messed up where the stone of Truth was. It's actually under the temple in your Ancestor's old treasure vault." Mimir said.
"Treasure? Oh brother. If my aunt Nami ever saw that." Junior said as Mimir led them to a shaft to the lower levels.
"Since we're not trying to kill each other...Why did you really save me?" Thrud asked.
"I don't know. It just felt like the right thing to do." Junior said before Acid appeared on his neck surprising her.
"Oh fucking please. He just thinks your cute." Acid said making him glare at her in annoyance while Thrud smirked.
"Oh really?" Thrud asked amused.
"Don't listen to her. She's just being a joker. As usual." Junior said making her scoff before they made it to the bottom.
"Whoa." Thrud said seeing all the gold.
"Ok. Seriously why even have this?" Junior asked.
"He didn't ask for it or anything like that. People gave him this for his work in keeping the peace. His leadership led to a thousand years of peace." Mimir said seeing a painting of him with Norse writing on it.
"Týr the god of War? I didn't think he was a god." Thrud said.
"He wasn't really. Thats just what people called him in those days. A god who used his power to bring peace instead of war. People revered him that way since he was selfless. Always thinking about others before himself...Unlike your mother." Mimir said as they came to a purple gem. "And that will show you the truth. That is the Gem of truth." Mimir said as Junior took it before it reveled ancient history.
"No...No I would never have agreed to this if I knew this." Baldur said making them look seeing Baldur arguing with his mother.
"Freya what were you thinking. How can you call this a blessing?" Týr asked.
"He never has to feel pain again. Death has no claim over him now." Freya said.
"I would rather be dead than not feel anything. I can't feel, Smell, Taste. Drinking, Eating, Women. It's all gone...GONE!" Baldur yelled.
"But you'll get used to it. Would you rather be dead?" Freya asked.
"YES! Because what is the point in living if you cannot enjoy it? Thats not living." Baldur said.
"Freya end it now." Týr said.
"No. And you take orders from me not the other way around. This gift stays. He'll thank me when he gets used to it." Fraya said leaving as Baldur sobbed.
Once the memory ended Thrud sat in a chair.
"She lied to me." Thrud said.
"Thats what she does. Baldur went on a killing spree because of this because he lost his sanity. But she claimed he was innocent and told the Ghost Riders to do nothing or suffer punishment. Týr was the only one who actually did something about it. He had no choice. He burned his soul to Ash since that was the only thing he could do." Mimir said.
"And of course Freya didn't like that." Junior said.
"Oh yes. Went to the Gods demanded he be killed on the spot for his betrayal and that the Ghost riders were a failure claiming they did all the killings. Of course no one actually bought that lie. Horus and Thoth had kept a close eye on their work and when it became clear Freya was abusing her position for her own gains...They discharged her as Leader and made her crimes public. Her image was destroyed after that." Mimir said.
"So she had me and my brothers to just get her own revenge. We were nothing but a means to an end for her." Thrud said.
"Sadly yes." Mimir said as Junior took the Gem.
"We got one more gem before we can open that gateway. Where is it?" Junior asked.
"In Týr's statue right on top of the temple." Mimir said before troops barged in aiming at Thrud.
"Whoa! Stand down!" Junior yelled getting in front of her.
"Still saying Acid was joking bout you thinking I'm cute?" Thrud asked amused making him roll his eyes.
"Junior." Kratos said walking in with the others.
"Tell them to stand down. Thrud's not a threat." Junior said getting them to do so.
"And who is she?" Thing asked.
"She's Freya's daughter but unlike Magni and Modi she doesn't agree with her ideals." Junior said.
"And I found out the truth. My mother lied to me about Baldur claiming he was a victim. He was a victim all right...But by her hand. Not Týr's" Thrud said.
"We have four of the gems. The Last one is in the statue up top." Junior said.
"I see." Kratos said as they left before Kratos noticed some painting.
"Come on old man let's go." Letty said.
"You go on ahead." Kratos said as they left before moving the curtains back showing future events of Sean and Thanos fighting making him frown.
Getting up top of the statue Junior got to the head before finding the Gem in the back of the head and pulled it out.
"There we go." Junior said before getting tackled down to the bridge making him look seeing who was clearly Freya who growled at him as she tried to slash him but he dodged easily before Acid took over and grabbed her before roaring loudly into her face shocking her.
"Hello Bitch who uses her own kids!" Acid said making her growl as she slammed her into a wall.
"They meant nothing to me. Only my true son meant anything!" Freya yelled.
"Oh really." Thrud said shocking her as she glared at her.
"Thrud? But...I thought..." Freya said as Junior took over before cuffing her as she struggled feeling her powers shut down.
"I didn't kill her because she knew something was wrong with your story." Junior said.
"Your ancestor murdered my son!" Freya said.
"Because of what you did. I know the truth. I saw it through the Gem of Truth." Thrud said making her pause looking away. "Can't even admit what you did was wrong." Thrud said.
"I didn't do anything wrong. I just wanted to protect him. He just needed time to adjust." Freya said.
"Adjust to what? Feeling nothing? How is that living? What is the point of life if you cannot enjoy it? Wheres the Logic to that?" Junior asked making her growl trying to head butt him but he effortlessly dodged.
"You...Are nothing but a mistake...Time's greatest mistake...I should have killed him when I had the chance all those years ago." Freya said making him shake his head before knocking her out.
Strange and Mordo arrived before taking her away.
"You ok?" Junior asked Thrud.
"Yeah...I kinda always figured something was up and we were a means to an end for her." Thrud said.
"Let's get this done and get out of here." Junior said as they went back inside.
Placing the last three gems inside it the door opened up.
"Holy shit." Hudson said seeing the place was solid gold inside.
In the middle they found some scroll.
"Ah here it is." Fate said taking it as he opened it up.
Doing so showed the names and battles of the Riders of old.
"Wow." Johnny Storm said.
"All of Histories greatest battles are here." Strange said.
"Not just the History of the Riders but all of history too." Fate said before seeing another of Sean's ancestors during the Revolution for the colonies fight against a British colonel as a Ghost Rider.
"Damn." Junior said.
"Wow...I knew Mom said this place was impressive but I didn't think it would be by this much." Thrud said.
Later
Freya was in a cell designed to contain her as she glared at the wall before Thrud walked to her making her growl.
"You stupid brat...I should have killed you when you were born." Freya said.
"You're a cold selfish bitch you know that. You got Baldur killed because of your insecurities and now look at you. Your not even human anymore...Not even a parent." Thrud said shocking her as she walked away.
"Thrud wait...I did care about you and the others...But you don't understand what it means to be a parent...You'll do anything to protect your own child...Even if they don't like it." Freya said.
"Even if they're suffering? What was the point in living if you can't enjoy it? You answer that to me now." Thrud said making her sigh. "Was there anything else you did?" Thrud asked making her look away.
"There was another Kruger I encountered years ago when she was a little girl...I casted a spell to corrupt her hoping she would destroy her own family." Freya said.
"Your talking about Ashley aren't you?" Junior asked walking in. (For those who forget she was the second Dark Rider and Freddy's daughter)
"If that was her name...How'd that go?" Freya asked making him frown.
"She is responsible for the death of billions because of you." Junior said shocking her. "You will be executed tonight...You're just too dangerous." Junior said as the two left making her growl as she pounded her cell.
Later
"Wow." Thrud said seeing the barn inside as she walked around.
"It's not much...But it's home." Junior said getting a drink handing her one.
"What is this?" Thrud asked.
"Mountain Dew. We're underage so we can't drink Alcohol." Junior said making her snort.
"Thats kinda lame." Thrud said.
"Eh. It's how the world works." Junior said taking the cap off both theirs drinking his as she took a sip.
"Mmm. Not bad." Thrud said before Mordo walked in.
"I'm afraid your mother...Did something drastic before she could be executed." Mordo said making them sigh.
"Great." Junior said.
Later
"What do you mean she brought back two of our old enemies from the dead?" Junior asked as they were in Kratos's office.
"Shortly before we arrived she casted an old spell. The dampeners weren't prepared for this kind of old magic. She was interrupted however though before she could bring back larger numbers but doing so killed her." Strange said.
"It's a resurrection spell. But the spell can only bring back a limited number of people...In exchange the soul of the caster is erased forever." Fate said.
"You mean like that balance breaker spell Faust casted before the last war?" Junior asked remembering that story from his mother.
"Similar to it but not the same." Strange said.
"How many could she have brought back?" Kratos asked.
"Give or take...A few dozen or hundreds of people Depending on how powerful the soul is. Unlike the balance breaker resurrection spell that could bring back unlimited people from the dead this spell only works to an extent. But we stopped it before it could get anywhere close to even a fraction of that." Mordo said.
"Who was revived?" Thrud asked.
"Old enemies of ours from the days of the Regime's height of power. From the Army men universe. Plastro and Baron Von Veige." Fate said. (I think some people can clearly guess where this is going)
"So not too concerning." Junior said knowing they were only a minor threat from the stories his dad told him growing up.
"No doubt they'll be back in their universe causing trouble." Lane said rubbing his eyes.
"We'll deal with them in time." Kratos said.
"Mmm." Junior said.
Author's note: Yeah I've been meaning to do this for a long time. And it looks like Junior found his first love. An interesting combination if I do say so myself. One being half Egyptian and Greek falls in love with a norse girl. Anyway this was part of a large update to introduce my new Story the Last which is a Star Wars X Justice League Crossover with other crossovers and for Christmas. Don't forget theres a poll up top of my profile for which story you guys would like me to publish in the future. Read, Review, Vote, Fav and Follow. REVIEW AND VOTE MY LOYAL FANS! AND CHECK OUT THE LAST! MERRY CHRISTMAS!