"Argh," I grunted, pulling the broken chunk of building over my head, revealing the dozens of people trapped under the rubble. They were
huddled together, afraid. Children, women and men.
I smelt their fear, I could understand why. They couldn't see my face, I might as well be one of those that had invaded their land for all they know.
"It's okay," I whispered, my mask seeped away from my head, showing them my face. I smiled, as softly as I could, "it's all over now. You can come out."
They nodded and slowly shuffled out. I held the debris over head until they did before I dropped it back down with a bang.
"Everyone! Get to the palace! We'll have food and places to sleep setup!" Volstagg bowled as he helped guide the injured people. He then turned to me and nodded
I closed my eyes and opened my senses, immediately I heard a mixture of desperate thoughts from the corner of a mountain of ruble to our left."There," I pointed
behind me.
It took some effort, but I slowly managed to pull the rubble up. A huge slab came sliding down the rubble above. Before I could even warn Volstagg, the giant of a
throw it aside easily.
"Damn, why aren't you doing the lifting?" I gave a strained chuckle as the people inside were slowly taken out and guided to the palace.
"My strength may be greater than the average Asgardian, but it seems that yours dwarfs mine."
"It's nothing really," I grunted, dropping the rubble, patting my suit, "it's all this really...when I designed it I thought I had figured out everything...I expected it to
to brag but it was literally the most cutting edge technology on Earth. But now..." I looked to the ruined palace, to the ruins of where I last saw Jean, "now I realize
"Progress has always been something I admired off you Midgardians," Volstagg admitted in rough voice, "Asgard itself, I'm sad to say, hasn't experienced much cha
must admit the lack of a need for further developments is one of the reasons."
"I would say I now have a need," I looked out at the destruction once again and then the sky, where a ripe in space had taken away someone I cared about deeply
"You going after her lad?" Volstagg asked.
I nodded, "yes..."
"You don't seem to be in much of a hurry."
"Jean is currently being possess by one of if not the most powerful cosmic entity I have ever known. What am I going to do? Steal one of your ships and head out
into this blnd...she'll be safe...lonely, but safe."
"Aye...you speak the truth. I doubt there is much that can harm her now," the man grumbled, rubbing his beard, "come, we have finished this sector, let us go bac
staggered."
"Yeah...a little," I followed him, my mind focused. The past few hours I let Sexy guide me throught he wreckage, I was operating on the least needed brain power to
the time...I was making a plan.
When I joked about rushing off to save Jean, I had lied. That was exactly what I wanted to do. But before I did, Felicia had stopped me, she reasoned with me, she
think.
I had forgotten how amazing that woman was.
"You saw that thing. How do you even plan on beating it? How? It was bigger than a planet Peter!"
"I-I-"
"-We're getting her back Peter...we are...but we need time to prepare, because right now? We aren't going to last a second."
And she was right. My pride hated to admit it, but she was.
We made it back to the place where the entire building was filled with wounded Asgardians. I spotted both Wanda and Felicia helping distribute food and medicine,
I noticed the bruising slowly forming on Felicia's features, I noticed the way she seemed to favor her left hand. Nothing was broken...but she was still just human
I added that problem into the checklist I was making in my head.
We would need a way to move, a way to fight, a way to track Jean and a way to defeat what can't die.
I walked over to one corner of the hall and sat down, observing everyone, silent, thinking.
The Tesseract, I would need it...but I can't make a play for it right now. No...not now. Odin's eye would be everywhere….and I don't think I can control myself if I s
"Sexy, open a new project file. Title: Exodus," a holographic display came up in my HUD. I began mentally assigning tasks into the file, ideas I would need and cou
a voice pulled me out.
"Peter," I dismissed the file and looked up, Thor smiled down at me, a look of pity and politeness, "are you alright?"
"I'm fine," I replied, "and Jane?"
"She was on one of the ships that helped distract Surtur. I found her, she's alright," Thor nodded as he sat down besides me, placing Mjoneer between us.
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I eyed the hammer for a second, the question coming into my head. Was I worthy? Thor seemed to notice as he smiled, "do you wish to try?"
"I….no," how could someone as blind as me be worthy? No...a worthy man wouldn't have failed his loved ones.
"Where's Loki?" I asked, shifting the topic.
"Back in his cell," Thor sighed, leaned back, "after his actions...mother is trying to reduce his sentence. Says him trying to help us was proof of his true intentions."
"What do you think?"
"I think my brother is a lot of things...but his actions on Midgard cannot just be forgiven, nor can it be forgotten."
"You want my advice?" Thor nodded, "forget it."
"I thought you off all people would oppose his release Peter. After all, it as your home he attacked."
"And while I hate him for that, we have much bigger things to worry about," the image of Thanos flicked through my head, "plus he's your brother Thor, it doesn't
what he did...but don't hate him for it."
"I see….what about you Peter? Do you...wish to go after Jean?" Thor asked, "if so, then I will give you all the aide I can, as Prince of Asgard I swear, if it's possible,
I nodded, "thanks….I'm going to hold you to that Thor."
"I hope you do. Now come, food is being prepared, you can dine with us at the mead hall."
"Will your father be there?" I asked quickly.
"No...he will not. He and mother at back at his treasury, ensuring none of the artifacts have been stolen."
"Good," I got up and followed him across the long corridor of the palace. As we did, I looked up and saw the broken mural on the ceiling over the throne. The sea o
previous golden mural.
"Thor," I stopped, I gained the god's attention as he looked at me, waiting, "do you see that?" I pointed at the mural.
Thor's eyes widened, "what is that? I have never seen it before."
"It was hidden behind another painting, ask your mother and father who that woman in black and green is. And ask why she is holding what's meant to be your ha
avoiding spoilers from Ragnarock, while at the same time, gaining Thor's attention.
Odin would be forced to explain. Forced to admit that he was a failure of a parent, not just once or twice, but three times. It was a small victory, but still a victory.
"Yes….I think I should," Thor replied in barely as whisper as he focused on Hela's face, almost as if he was memorizing it.
We continued walking to the mead hall and as we did I began to realize that I had basically just thrown Ragnarock out the window. With Surtur dead, if Hela did ev
stop her...unless I found a way.
Another problem I now had to try and solve.
We walked into the mead hall, I immediately spotted Felicia and Wanda sitting in one corner while the rest of the hall celebrated loudly and happily. "I should go," I
Felicia and Wanda at the end of the hall.
I sat down next to Felicia, my mask disappearing as wrapped my hand around hers and squeezed. She smiled back and leaned on my shoulder, the silence was ple
"And then those pathetic worms ran like the dogs they were! By the time Surtur himself came, those Outriders were long gone, along with those stupid ships! Whic
learned a valuable lesson today!"
I turned to see who was talking like such an idiot. Oh, Fandral, no wonder. The blonde idiot laughed as he downed a mug of mead before demanding another, all th
"I don't understand how they could celebrate at a time like this," Felicia hissed with narrowed eyes, "people are still hurt."
"It's viking culture," Wanda explained, "after a great battle, they celebrate, to lift people's spirits up and honor those who have passed….I guess the grieving is don
"I suppose that makes sense…." Felicia relented.
"So," Wanda turned to me, "what's the first step to your amazing master plan?"
I raised an eyebrow, "why do you think I even have one?"
Wanda snorted, "it's you. You always have one. So? What is it?"
"I'm...still working it out," I shook my head, reaching for a jug of mead and taking a sip. I had to admit, the sweetened drink was quite strong, even for me. I had
strong."
"Even for you?" Felicia asked with a surprised tone. I passed her the mug, she took one sniff before her eyes shot open, "damn! These guys can drink!"
"We should bring a casket for Logan," Wanda suggested, "he would love this. Better than that Canadian shit he always drinks."
I shrugged, "I'll ask the chef," I looked at the food at our table and sighed, "we should eat something, keep our strength up..."
"Yeah," Felicia replied, though she didn't really move to get anything. I sighed, grabbing two plates and filled them up with food, passing them Wanda and Felicia. "
"Getting to it," I replied as I started making a plate for myself, but just then I noticed Sif leave her table and approach ours. I turned towards her and nodded, "Lad
"Spider," she nodded, her stoic face turned to one of sorrow as she bowed, "I am sorry for what happened to your lover….it was a great sacrifice she did...but I can
saved my people doing what she did, for that she has my gratitude."
"Thanks...though if it's all the same to you, I think we would rather have her back," I said, squeezing Felicia's shoulder.
"I understand," Sif nodded, she unsheathed the blade to her hip, the Ebony blade shinned with a dark aura, "I have come to return your blade Spider. It was...ama
an Uru weapon, I thank you for the chance to do so, and use it to protect my people."
"I'm glad it helped," I took the blade, it looked brand new, almost as if the battle and the blood it she'd had made it more alive than before. I narrowed my eyes, th
think I just found the first step in my plan.
I looked around and noticed the three Dwarves who had come to visit before the war began sitting near the main table in the hall, the whole table used up by just
with heads bent so as to not hit the ceiling.
"Lady Sif, if you'll excuse me," I got up and nodded to her. She nodded back and walked back to her table. I turned to the girls, "I'll be right back."
"Hurry back," Felicia replied before she turned to her meal, playing with it while eating just small nibbles.
I held the Ebony blade in hand, walking over to the Dwarves' table. They noticed me arpach them as Eoffren greeted me first, "ah, Peter, glad to see you. Saw Sif w
with such shoddy workmanship it moved like one of us had forged it."
"Yeah...about that," I held out the blade, gaining their attention, "you mentioned that you could remake the blade yes? Could you do so now?"
The dwarves looked to each other. Silent messages passed between the three, it was Dvalin who finally spoke as he pushed his gigantic plate aside, "and what will
confused. He snorted and continued, "surely you don't expect us to work for free do you?"
"How would I even pay you? I doubt you take dollars," I snorted.
"No, but, we do trade in another form of currency, one more universal," Dvalin smiled, rubbing his beard, "knowledge."
I raised an eyebrow, "I see….and that is?"
"Unstable molecules. Teach us how you made your clothes, and we shall rework your weapon," Dvalin explained, "we shall remove its negative emotional amplifiers
would require. But in exchange, we wish for you to teach us about your inventions."
I was about to reply instantly, eager to gain a weapon which could help me get Jean back. But, before I spoke, I stopped myself. I smelt it off them, greed, eagern
meaning I had room to negotiate.
"No," I spoke.
They looked surprised. "Are you rejecting our offer boy?" Moavin growled, doing his best to look intimidating.
"Yes," I snorted, pulling the blade away and putting it into the container on my back, "the trade you ask for is too much...too important. You don't give me someth
"We offer to give you an Uru weapon and you say it isn't a fair deal? Are you hit on the head boy?!" Moavin growled, smashing his hand on the table in rage.
I crossed my hand and held my stance, "stop barking Fido. I can see through your bullshit… what you offer is one weapon, in return, you want a way to make sure
will be virtually indestructible. That's what my unstable molecule formula will allow you, an unbreakable armory. So how is that fucking fair?"
The dwarves looked angry, beyond pissed. The Asgardians were worried, I smelt it off them. Even Thor was rushing over to try and defuse the situation. But I wasn
smell the excitement roll of the dwarves...they were excited.
"Ha!" Eoffren laughed, smashing his fist on the table happily, "I told you he wasn't dumb enough to have that trade work on him!"
"Whatever," Moavin snorted, passing his friend a bag of coins which Effren happily accepted.
"Alright lad, you caught us," Dvalin snorted, sipping his mead, "aye, the trade we offered was a rotten one. What do you want?"
"You said it yourself, there is only one universal currency, knowledge," I narrowed my eyes, "a trade for a trade. You teach me how to forge your weapons, teach m
you the method to create unstable molecules."
"Are you daft?!" Volstagg cried out, jumping from his seat, "the dwarven methods of forging are some of the universe's most highly guarded secrets! You would be
"Teaching you is not a choice we can make," Dvalin spoke, ignoring Volstagg proclamation, "we will have to consult our own king before we could offer such a trade
show what we offer is worth the price, that might help your case."
"Do you think I was born yesterday?" I snorted, "all you would need is a sample and you could reverse engineer it yourself, buying yourself time by delaying my m
you, let the king decide the worth of this promise once we are there."
The dwarves didn't seem offended by the fact I just called them all thieves, in fact they seemed only more excited. Talking together in hushed tones.
"Peter, are you sure about this?" Thor asked, walking up to me.
I looked up at him and nodded, "yes. It's my best shot at getting the knowledge I need to help Jean…."
"Boy!" Dvalin called, "we have discussed your proposal. We find it….an appropriate idea. Our king will be visiting Asgard soon, we will arrange a meeting with him t
"He will be coming here?" I asked in surprise.
"Yes," Thor nodded, "he and father are long time allies. Since Asgard is in such a state of disarray it will need outside help to have everything built back up again. A
us, they have built not only our weapons but certainly buildings as well. Why this very mead hall was built by a dwarf by the name Carial the Drunk."
"Ha! More like Carial the sober!" Dvalin laughed, "ever since he had a lad of his own the man hasn't had a drop of alcohol in his stomach!"
"Really? That sounds like quite a story!" Thor laughed.
"Aye lad sit, we'll tell it to you!"
"You go ahead," I waved their offer, "I need to speak with my beloved. She will need to know about this development." Thor and draves just nodded before they be
dwarf.
I walked back to my table, Felicia and Wanda seemed to have actually eaten something. As soon as I sat down Felicia turned to me, "did something happen? You c
"I made a deal with the dwarves. In exchange for my unstable molecules they will teach me how to forge like they can," I replied, "it should take me months to get
study at this like I am at magic and science."
"What do you expect us to do until then?" Wanda asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I'm going back to Kamar Taj," Felicia spoke up before I had a chance to say anything. I looked at her curiously and she continued, "if we are going out there then
drag you down Peter, and we will get Jean back."
And there it was. That drive. That spirit I fell in love with. That woman who I saw start a one woman war against the worst criminals in New York by stealing from t
black tracks and goggles. The woman I feel in love with.
Her confidence, her drive, It pushed me. And like a fog was lifted from my head, I began to think, ideas slowly forming inside me as I began to see a way...it was a
I smiled, squeezing Kitten's hand, "alright… Wanda, I know this isn't really your fight-"
"-I'm going to stop you right there big guy," she snorted, "first off all, Jean was my friend too. Sure, she wasn't my lover, but she was probably the closest thing I h
"Really hurting my feeling here Wanda," I snorted.
"You were just annoying," Wanda snorted, "and...I hate the fact that I wasn't strong enough when she needed to me. If I was just a little stronger than….maybe I.
for us all."
"Wanda," I reached out and took her hand, squeezing it, "it wasn't your fault. Felicia and I don't blame you..." I turned to Kitten who rolled her eyes and smacked
at all."
Wanda smirked, "good for you...but this is more about me Peter. I need to be stronger… I hate being weak. Plus, if your going into space I want in. Shit, ever since
you think I'm going to stop now?"
I smirked, "now that's what I'm talking about."
"We'll need time to prepare," Felicia spoke up, "Wanda and I can continue our training with the Ancient One. I'm sure she has more than a few tricks up her sleeve
"And while you're doing that, I'll be training with the dwarves. Trying to make a weapon which we can use to stop the Phoenix."
"Peter, no offence, but after seeing that thing in person, I...I don't think you can," a hint of fear rolled off Wanda.
"Don't worry," I smirked, "I got a plan."
That afternoon:
Thor stood behind us as we approached the Bifrost gate. He nodded to Heimdall who opened the portal before, us, flashes of bright lights came alive before us, sig
"I'll have Heimdall open the gate when you ask for it Peter," Thor spoke up, "make sure you are loud and clear enough when you call for him and he will come."
I nodded, "I understand."
"Good, then I shall be expecting you all soon," Thor nodded.
"Not likely Thor," Felicia replied, "Wanda and I will be doing our own thing."
"Oh… pity," Thor shrugged.
"What about Jane?" Wanda asked with a smirk.
"Ah, you see, Jane decided to stay a while and help," Thor smiled, "it seems she familiar with enough biology to get by."
"Have fun you two," I smiled.
"Peter, before you leave," Thor cleared his throat, "the Aether?"
I blinked, "oh, right, sorry," I reached into my backpack and took out my Vibranium lock box and tossed it to Thor, "I don't know where you plan on keeping that T
Collector. Besides, that thing's sealed shut and without my authorization, you can't even open it anyway."
Thor nodded, "I understand. I shall find a place for it, I swear it will be safe." I feeling of guilt passed through me, but I pushed it away, and with that, we jumped
space once again.